Best Ben Heron Podcasts (2024)

1
Westworld and The Divine Comedy with Alexander Schmid 44:52

3h ago44:52

44:52

Just published in the journal Humanities, Contrapasso, Violence, and Madness in Dante’s The Divine Comedy and Westworld, by Alexander E Schmid, is freely available to read: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/13/5/109 We discuss reveries and memory, freedom and madness, truth and representation, and how they connect these medieval and contemporary works…

1
Outer Space and Donuts - Danganronpa Chapter 2 - VGA Ultimate Summer School 58:14

1M ago58:14

58:14

The Ultimate Summer School Discussion treads carefully though intrepidly through the manly bonds and broken promises of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Chapter 2 - Boys Life of Despair. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Spoilers and CW: be ready to talk about gender, sexuality, jealousy, transphobia, and "Gentlema…

1
Ultimate Summer School - Danganronpa Prologue & Chapter 1 - Video Game Academy 52:22

2M ago52:22

52:22

A discussion of the opening case of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, with appropriate levels of hope and despair foreshadowing major philosophical stakes ahead. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Spoilers and CW: see the M rating on the game. Thanks for listening!

1
Red and The Green Knight 1:06:22

5M ago1:06:22

1:06:22

Sorry, no Tom Bombadil here. Well, a brief mention... Moses Norton, aka the Well-Red Mage, joins me to dig into the recent film adaptation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Tolkien, Dune 2, Dragonslayer, and lots of Gamelogica references round out our discussion of the film's visuals, characters, story, and themes. Enjoy! Gamelogica youtube chann…

1
EP 18 - Pushing Through Strength & Muscle Plateaus 53:18

6M ago53:18

53:18

By Ben Heron

1
Dylan Holmes, author of A Mind Forever Voyaging: A History of Storytelling in Video Games 1:13:39

6M ago1:13:39

1:13:39

Dylan Holmes joins me to discuss his history of storytelling in video games, A Mind Forever Voyaging. Read his book if you're interested in games like FF7, MGS, Deus Ex, and Dear Esther, or in questions about cinematic technique, player choice, power and escapism. Read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin all the way to the end …

1
Of Podcasting Paradiso: Dante and the Digital Humanities 54:16

7M ago54:16

54:16

We come full circle, as it were, Alex and I, discussing his recently published paper "Popularizing Paradiso: On the Difficulties of Podcasting Dante’s Most Academic Canticle" and his work bridging popular culture with the field of comparative literature.

1
The Boy and the Heron, or Alexander Schmid and Wesley Schantz 45:44

7M ago45:44

45:44

At long last, Alex and I wander off on another side quest, discussing Miyazaki's recent film, The Boy and the Heron, and its resonances for us with myth and history. (As always, I wish I knew more about the language, like how to translate "How Do You Live?") Other episodes in this series on the storied Studio Ghibli can be found most readily on Ale…

1
EP 17 - How to get out of a RUT! 7:54

7M ago7:54

7:54

By Ben Heron

1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 8) 57:15

7M ago57:15

57:15

Concluding thoughts on the visual novel. Thanks for listening! More resources at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/

1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 7) 42:39

8M ago42:39

42:39

Home stretch! More at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/

1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 6) 57:24

7M ago57:24

57:24

More at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/

1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 5) 44:36

7M ago44:36

44:36

Twists! https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/

1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 4) 46:40

7M ago46:40

46:40

Onward! https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/

1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 3) 46:43

7M ago46:43

46:43

Continuing discussion of the sequel to AI: The Somnium Files. More on visual novels at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/

1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 2) 30:46

7M ago30:46

30:46

The lost audio recovered, continued. More at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/

1
AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 1) 37:30

7M ago37:30

37:30

The lost audio from last spring recovered at last--mostly--as we discuss the sequel to AI: The Somnium Files, NirvanA Initiative. Thanks for listening and sticking with us. More resources on visual novels at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/

1
EP 16 - 21 Ultra Marathons in 21 Days, Building Muscle & Becoming A Savage! 41:24

9M ago41:24

41:24

By Ben Heron

1
EP 15 - How to Achieve Your FULL POTENTIAL in body, life, career with Success Story Aaron Dalzell 37:25

9M ago37:25

37:25

🎙 The Most Ripped, Relentless & High Acheiving Accountant! LUA Success Story. From this episode, you’re going to learn: 👉 The mindset needed to boss in biz, body and life! 👉 The daily strategies that Dazza used for more energy & productivity 👉 Exactly how to get ripped while being very busy & social 👉 How to go from eating junk food religously to s…

1
EP 14 - Becoming a Hyper Successful Man In Your 20s 39:55

10M ago39:55

39:55

By Ben Heron

1
EP 13 - Build A Strong Body & Becoming a Hyper-Productive Dad with Aaron O'Malley 44:12

10M ago44:12

44:12

By Ben Heron

1
EP 12 - Is Screentime Affecting Your Goals? 15:42

10M ago15:42

15:42

By Ben Heron

1
EP 11 -How To Build The Perfect Full Body Workout Regime! 10:19

11M ago10:19

10:19

By Ben Heron

1
EP 10 - Step By Step Guide | How to Lose 20lbs While Working A 9-5 20:39

11M ago20:39

20:39

By Ben Heron

1
Justice Questions, Questions of Meaning - Alyse Knorr on Poetry and Teaching 1:02:04

12M ago1:02:04

1:02:04

A conversation with Alyse Knorr, 'achiever' (to cite her Super Mario Bros 3, where I first encountered her work and reviewed it for The Pixels). In which we discuss: - Sweetbitter Podcast, with new episodes coming soon about Mary Magdalen and a fourth season in the works - Switchback Books, which she edits with her wife - Regis University, where sh…

1
Episode 9 - A Body Ready For Business (Elite Natural Bodybuilder & Business Mentor) 38:25

1y ago38:25

38:25

By Ben Heron

1
EP 8 - Achieving Black Belt Performance in Body, Athleticism & Life with Michael Canas 53:12

1y ago53:12

53:12

By Ben Heron

1
EP 7 - How to achieve more, stay consistent and get results! 25:26

1+ y ago25:26

25:26

By Ben Heron

1
EP 6 - Elevate Your Energy 6:44

1+ y ago6:44

6:44

By Ben Heron

1
EP 5 - Get your shit together and get back to your VERY BEST! 7:59

1+ y ago7:59

7:59

By Ben Heron

1
Achieve Abs All Year Round 12:53

1+ y ago12:53

12:53

By Ben Heron

1
Get Yourself Out Of Your Shell & Put Yourself Out There! 22:29

1+ y ago22:29

22:29

By Ben Heron

1
Don't be Fat Going Into Summer! 12:40

1+ y ago12:40

12:40

By Ben Heron

1
How to get into the best shape of your life 26:15

1+ y ago26:15

26:15

By Ben Heron

1
Enchantment in His Dark Materials: Conversation with MG Prezioso 37:18

1+ y ago37:18

37:18

MG Prezioso, PhD candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins me to discuss her work on the role of enchantment in promoting literacy for young readers, particularly in the case of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. Her article appears in Children's Literature in Education; for more on Pullman's view of education, see his essays i…

1
Shadow Particles with Evan Minto of Ani-Gamers / EarthBound Beginnings and Dragon Quest with Signum 37:19

1+ y ago37:19

37:19

Cross-pollination and housekeeping here at the break at the end of the year, stirring up dust and sending out links to past broadcasts: First, here's the link to a recent conversation with Evan Minto on Season 3 Episode 3 of His Dark Materials, The Intention Craft. Then, listen on for one of my semi-monthly discussions from the Middle-earth to Eart…

1
Conflicting Pirate Agendas: Assassin's Creed 4 1:34:39

1+ y ago1:34:39

1:34:39

Professor Kozlowski spins us a yarn of the high seas. Pirate opportunism, whale physics, development metafiction, and a polyphony of voices and moral gray areas--it's a good game, but is it actually an Assassin's Creed? Well, yeah. It says so on the box.

1
The Menu Requires a Loading Screen: Assassin's Creed 3 1:34:46

2y ago1:34:46

1:34:46

Along for the ride as Professor Kozlowski weaves together the 2012 PS3 game's disparate threads better than the Ubisoft team does: Patriots and Loyalists; colonizers and oppressed; East coast cities and homesteads; first hour fake-outs and begrudging good riddance to the Desmond stuff. But hey, the naval battles are pretty cool. See also: The Year …

1
You Buy Rome: AC Brotherhood & Revelations 1:34:27

2y ago1:34:27

1:34:27

No, not Animal Crossing, and not alternating current. It's Assassin's Creed 2's half-baked follow-up games, and Prof Ben has thoughts about them. Join the discussion at videogameacademia.org and professorkozlowski.wordpress.com/ Thanks for listening.

1
Drop the Loot: Assassin's Creed 2 1:35:49

2y ago1:35:49

1:35:49

Professor Kozlowski returns. Our resident guest lecturer is back with a discussion of Assassin's Creed's splashy sequel, and... it's complicated. After the let-down that was their Prince of Persia reboot, the developers had to go big. So Renaissance Italy, andiamo~! More variety! More da Vinci! More weapons! But. It's kinda. Not as fun. Join the di…

1
Lamb Dad, Lion Dad: Introducing The Thoughtful Dad Podcast 57:34

2y ago57:34

57:34

Another guest lecture, after a fashion. Joe and I started a new series on being a dad. Share it with a dad or thoughtful caretaker in your life! Show notes: First episode! We share thoughts on news sources, TV at dinnertime and screen time in general; the "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua interview on Honestly with Bari Weiss and what sorts of dads we are; back…

1
Surprise! It's a Lecture: Assassin's Creed Retrospective 1:38:10

2y ago1:38:10

1:38:10

Professor Kozlowski lays it down. Everything is permitted? We see your forthcoming book, Cameron Kunzelman of the Game Studies Study Buddies, and raise you one podcast (this one) and one article replete with Dostoevsky references (also forthcoming). Ante up with Ben's history and dev history; getting to know the open world; crowds in-game and recep…

1
Geez, you're persistent - Ch 8: All Things... MOTHER 3 (8/8) 1:34:49

2y ago1:34:49

1:34:49

Mild spoilers and theorizing for the end of MOTHER 3. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

1
I Make Sparkly: Ch 7 The Seven Needles (cont.) - MOTHER 3 (7/8) 1:18:47

2y ago1:18:47

1:18:47

You've come a long way...through snowy mountains and volcanoes, sea-beds and islands, back to Saturn Valley. Time for a coffee break. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…

1
Ch 6: Sunflower Fields & Ch 7: The [First Four] Needles - MOTHER 3 (6/8) 54:42

2y ago54:42

54:42

On the symbolism of sunflowers and the inclusion of references to EarthBound. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

1
Forlorn Junk Heap: Ch 5 Tower of Thunder - MOTHER 3 (5/8) 1:02:20

2y ago1:02:20

1:02:20

Theoretical possibilities in the series include beating Belch without Fly Honey and the Pork Trooper without the DCMC Pamphlet, but why would you? Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…

1
Trust in Destiny: Ch 4 Club Titiboo - MOTHER 3 (4/8) 54:57

2y ago54:57

54:57

We finally play as Lucas again, finding fireworks and rhythms in gift boxes and playing Stone-Sheet-Clippers for the fate of the world. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…

1
In this psychic dojo: Psychonauts - Intro/Basic Braining 1:01:13

2y ago1:01:13

1:01:13

We cozy up to the campfire for another Video Game Academy summer playthrough--another game about kids with psychic powers: Psychonauts. This time, we're meeting some characters, running through battlefields of mental baggage and social dynamics, and sticking the landing on some bouncy tightropes. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Acade…

1
If I say dance, you dance! Ch 3: The Mysterious Peddler - MOTHER 3 (3/8) 41:21

2y ago41:21

41:21

In which we discuss Fassad and Salsa's relationship and how it is even worse than Wess and Duster's; with yet more insight into Itoi's fascination with monkeys. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…

1
My humble little [favorite food] patch: Ch 2 Thief Adventure - MOTHER 3 (2/8) 47:44

2y ago47:44

47:44

Infiltrating the castle? Meeting the princess? What kind of follow-up to EarthBound is this? Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Ben Heron Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide