Quick Facts
The Ringer-Verse is your go-to nexus podcast feed for all things nerd culture and fandom, featuring: 'The Midnight Boys': Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman react to the latest in fandom and share their instant reactions to the newest nerd culture releases, all while bringing the banter every week. 'Button Mash': Ben Lindbergh and company discuss the latest in the world of video games, from headline-making new releases, to industry trends, to game swaps and nostalgic re-plays. Follow the House of R feed for deep dives from Mal and Jo!
Episodes
Latest Episode
October 15, 2026 · 2h 21m
To live is to pod; to pod is to live! First, Ben, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James react to the latest 'GTA VI' and 'Ocarina of Time' trailers and talk about Ben's hands-on session with the 'Ocarina' remake. Then, they share recommendations for a few recently released games that fit a Halloween theme. After that, they honor the 40th anniversaries of 'Castlevania' and 'Metroid' and the release of 'Castlevania: Belmont's Curse' by bringing on GameSpot's Steve Watts to discuss what "Metroidvania" means, debate whether it's a good name for the genre, review 'Belmont's Curse,' advise a listener on when to look up game solutions, and do a draft of the greatest Metroidvanias across several categories. Finally, Ben and Daniel Chin share their spoiler-free reviews of the big-screen 'Street Fighter' reboot.(00:00) Intro(00:13) 'GTA'/'Ocarina of Time'/spooky-season games(27:42) The Metroidvania Draft(1:54:49) Daniel Chin joins for 'Street Fighter'Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Matt James, Steve Ahlman, Steve Watts, and Daniel ChinSenior Producer: Steve AhlmanSenior Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
More Episodes
Oct 14, 2026 · 1h 18m
The Boys are back and they’re returning to the MCU! They give you all of their thoughts on the first two episodes of ‘VisionQuest,’ diving into the new ensemble cast of Marvel AIs, the return of Ultron, and some of the Marvel Easter eggs we’ve seen so far. (0:00) Intro (7:01) Spoilers ahead (9:57) ‘VisionQuest’ Episodes 1-2 instant reactions (1:11:13) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, Jamie Yukich, and Kevin Cureghian Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 9, 2026 · 47m
The Boys are back and they are coming to you from New York City! They give you their thoughts on what they’ve seen so far at NYCC 2026, including news from 'Daredevil: Born Again,' 'X-Men '97,' and the DC-Skydance merger. (0:00) Intro (1:53) 'Daredevil: Born Again' (7:40) Marvel panel (19:08) 'X-Men '97' (24:17) 'VisionQuest' (27:34) ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ (29:55) DC and Skydance (44:16) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 9, 2026 · 1h 28m
Ben brings on Chris Ryan, host of The Watch, to discuss whether Hollywood has hit peak gaming adaptation. First, Chris reminisces about his gaming heyday and how his habit lapsed. Then, as Skydance consolidates its Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount IP, Ben and Chris come up with pitches for video game versions of Taylor Sheridan shows. After that, they examine the latest trend in gaming adaptations: bundling a bunch of gaming properties together in package deals. Finally, they talk about 'GTA VI' hype and how the buzz about the game's soundtrack stands out in 2026, and then Ben provides a few updates and impressions about what he's been playing. (0:00) Intro(10:25) Skydance news(17:26) Taylor Sheridan pitches(1:01:33) 'GTA VI' updates(1:25:00) Outro Host: Ben LindberghGuest: Chris RyanProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 5, 2026 · 2h 5m
The Boys are back and they have new haircuts! With the end of the beloved first season of HBO’s ‘Lanterns,’ the boys are giving you a packed episode! First they discuss their thoughts on the finale and the season as a whole, then they welcome ‘Lanterns’ writer-showrunner–executive producer, Chris Mundy, onto the show! (0:00) Intro (8:16) Spoilers ahead (11:05) ‘Lanterns’ Season 1 finale instant reactions (1:13:49) Midnight Meter (1:21:49) A Chat with Chris Mundy (2:00:17) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Guests: Chris Mundy and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Jamie Yukich, Devon Baroldi, and Aleya Zenieris Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 2, 2026 · 1h 39m
Ben, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman marvel at how many good games are coming out in quick succession and wonder whether this is the best week ever for Button Mash material. Then they share their extensive, spoiler-free impressions (and rankings) of three big, brand-new releases: ‘Star Wars: Galactic Racer,’ ‘Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve,’ and ‘Gears of War: E-Day.’ (0:00) Intro(7:42) ‘Star Wars: Galactic Racer’(45:04) ‘Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve’(1:10:37) ‘Gears of War: E-Day’(1:36:18) Outro Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Matt James and Steve AhlmanProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 1, 2026 · 19m
The Ringer's Daniel Chin is here to breakdown Thaal Sinestro in HBO's latest DC series, 'Lanterns.' Starting with the basics, Daniel will dive into who the iconic Green Lantern villain is, what his relationships to key characters are, and what his role could be in the season finale. (00:00) Intro(01:51) Who is Sinestro?(04:40) What is Sinestro’s relationship with Hal Jordan?(09:01) What is Sinestro’s relationship to the Green Lantern Corps?(12:49) Season finale speculation Host: Daniel ChinProducers: Steve Ahlman and Carlos ChiribogaEditor: Jon Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 30, 2026 · 1h 49m
"We do not know when it will be safe to go outside. We only know that day is not this day." That's what Ben Lindbergh says to himself when he's working from home, but not when he's in studio to discuss 'Silo' and other recent nerd-culture releases! On this month's Recommends, Ben brings on Alex Kirshner to make the case for 'Silo' as a series worth sticking with, discuss the explosive end of Season 3, and look ahead to the final season. Then Scott Tobias and Keith Phipps join to talk 'Dark Matter' Season 2, share their all-time tier lists of Apple TV sci-fi series, break down 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Season 4, assess the state of 'Star Trek' as the franchise turns 60, and cover Korean sci-fi epic 'Hope' and, briefly, 'Practical Magic 2.' Finally, Ben recommends 'Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian' and other Disney+ kids' content and muses about the rapid rise and fall of 'The Mandalorian' and live-action 'Star Wars' and MCU streaming series.(00:00) Intro(03:09) Alex joins the show(16:27) 'Silo' spoilers(39:20) Scott and Keith join the show(40:08) Talking 'Dark Matter'(53:00) The Apple TV tier list(72:03) ‘Strange New Worlds’(81:52) The state of ‘Star Trek’(89:02) 'Hope'Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Alex Kirshner, Scott Tobias, and Keith PhippsSenior Producer: Steve AhlmanAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 29, 2026 · 1h 3m
The Boys are back, and they’re bringing you a special episode featuring ‘Lanterns’ writers/producers Vanessa Baden Kelly and Justin Britt-Gibson! Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Guests: Vanessa Baden Kelly and Justin Britt-Gibson Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 28, 2026 · 1h 22m
The Boys are back, and they’re ready to jump into the penultimate episode of ‘Lanterns’ Season 1! They discuss the town dynamics of present-day Rushville, John’s relationship with Hal-ogram, and the color spectrum of Lanterns. (0:00) Intro (5:24) Spoilers ahead (7:35) ‘Lanterns’ Episode 7 instant reactions (1:17:53) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices