The Two Vague Podcast

Just in time for Christmas, Ben puts on his producer hat and hands the keys to the proverbial kingdom over to this week’s hosts Jenna and Phoenix who are excited to talk about the word religion.  No video game conversations this week, but there will be plenty of time for that when they each appear with Ben in January. 00:00:20 - Your hosts this week are Phoenix and Jenna 00:02:15 - Question 1: “Th...

This week, Ben is joined by Dr. Tahnee, a teacher of ESL, to discuss the word language.  Tahnee talks about teaching English and her love of languages.  Ben talks about the origins of the Sims game franchise and tries to answer Tahnee’s questions about the development of the Simlish language.  00:00:20 - Ben and Tahnee introduce themselves 00:01:00 - Tahnee talks about where her interest in langua...

This week Cheyenne joins Ben to talk about the word platform.  Diving, water pipes, taking risks, platform shoes, cosplay, Booster Gold, and the movie “The Platform” are just a few of the subjects they discuss on their circuitous route to video games.  Then Ben and Cheyenne talk about their most memorable game consoles and platform games to close out the show.  00:00:20 - Introducing Cheyenne, Ben...

Prepare yourself for a debate!  Ben and Eric have their own perspectives on what makes a great game, but first Ben tries to throw Eric off his rhythm by explaining perspective drawing.  They have similar views on what makes great movies, but when it comes to enjoying games… well that’s a different story.  Does Ben’s ploy work?  You’ll have to listen to find out!   00:00:20 - In the beige corner… B...

This week Ben is joined by Marily for a special episode for the holiday season; it’s all about family (or familia en Español).  Instead of focusing on the negative histories of the holidays they choose discuss the food, traditions and personal stories associated with family get-togethers.  Marily shares her thoughts on family gatherings, making tamales, Mario Kart, and the Christmas gift she wants...

Due to Ben’s aging issues, there was a “pain delay” on the week’s episode, but to make up for that, it’s a jumbo sized one that goes many interesting places.  Cheyenne joins Ben this week to do some critical thinking and to talk about the word context.  Before digging in to this very dense subject, we address a pressing question from Norah about current gaming platforms.  Then after discussing soc...

On this supplemental episode 20 plus your favorite fraction less than 1, Ben soliloquizes about Ghostbusters, comedian Jake Johannsen, getting older, the psoas muscle, yoga, Goat Simulator, Guardians of the Galaxy, Psychonauts 2 and what words are coming in future episodes. 00:00:45 - Gozer worshipers and a slow moving Torb 00:02:35 - Ben’s “athletic type injury” 00:04:00 - The Suez Canal and cat...

Ben is excited about Marily’s first appearance on the show; she wants to talk about about the word agriculture!  This is a sprawling episode. Topics include: the life of a field worker, childhood stories, the 4H Club, meat sciences, experimental cornfields, pinball, and “Farming Simulator 22.”  As luck would have it, Ben just started playing “Sakuna: of Rice and Ruin” and wants to share his though...

It’s a special midnight release of our Halloween episode!  The amazing Techtic (tinkerer extraordinaire) from the Online Warriors Podcast joins Ben this week to discuss horror!  Creepy… maybe, but certainly an appropriate theme for this time of year.  We wish Norah a Happy Birthday by starting with “Questions from my Aunt!”  Techtic gets freaked out by the concept of abduction but will always prot...

Just in time for the Halloween season, Nerdbomber from the Online Warriors Podcast joins Ben this week to discuss the word superstition.  There will be no future ghost hunting experiences for Nerdbomber.  Both hosts are amazed with Stevie Wonder’s musical output.  Nerdbomber is fascinated by the Wendigo.  Next, a video game and sports ritual discussion.  To wrap up the show, the hosts talk about t...

Sammi joins Ben this week to get nostalgic about miscellaneous pop culture.  This is a heavy storytelling episode, but they eventually get to video games.  Sammie doesn’t like zip-lines or pinball machines.  Thoughts on remastered games from Sammi and Ben. 00:00:20 - Sammi and Ben start getting nostalgic 00:01:00 - The rain, the 80s, GTA, and Genesis 00:03:16 - Nostalgia… “it’s all Greek to me” 00...

Former teacher turned custom jewelry maker Rachel, joins Ben for a discussion about creativity.  In addition to her thoughts on the subject, Rachel shares how she discovered her creative niche through experimentation with different mediums and how a particular TikTok video she made went viral and jump started her business.  Ben talks about Sigmund Freud, lightbulbs, and games that make him think o...

After some pre-show lunch, Ben and Sammi talk about the what the word substance means to them.  Ben goes to the UK, buys New Order albums and acts like an ignorant American at the amusement park.  Sammi talks about the substance of people and things.  Then she shares her struggles and triumphs dealing with substance addiction.  The conversation then moves to video games and haptics.  It gets a lit...

Cheyenne joins Ben this week to talk about the word Achievement.  Ben shares facts on scouting, movies and how he amassed his sewing kit fortune.  Cheyenne asks about knots and wants a badge for building traps.  They both share stories about how uncomfortable it was going door to door in their youth.  A discussion on dumb and satisfactory game achievements ensues.  Ben thinks he knows what the fir...

Fan of the show, Eric is in the “studio” this week with Ben and the “pod-cats”.  They are champing at the bit to talk about the word “adaptation” (even the cats), but first they answer a question about “Easter eggs”.  The conversation goes to some interesting places before getting to video games and what is recognized as the worst movie to video game adaptation so far.  Ben comes up with Norah’s P...

Evan joins Ben this week to discuss maps.  Ben recites his map related research findings and tells a cool Google Maps story.  Evan confesses that she is bad at directions.  At one point the conversation moves to pizza for some reason.  Evan and Ben both love Namco’s Mappy!  What are “trap streets”?  What makes a great video game map?  Tune in and find out! 00:20 - Introducing your hosts Ben and Ev...

Cheyenne talks about the important choices in her life and Ben talks about meat, instant coffee, and Consumer Reports.  Cheyenne loves choice based games almost as much as Ben loves podcasting, but they both love BioWare games.  And don’t forget the closing words of wisdom! 00:20 - Ben and Cheyenne are you hosts/contestants this week 00:55 - “Questions from my aunt” about re-specification 04:10 -...

First, Evan and Ben get in to an emotional discussion about navigating the changes in their lives.  Then Ben forces Evan to watch a SNL skit, and they talk about reality TV.  Rounding out the episode is a conversation about what games they are currently playing and how they would change them if they could.  00:20 - Ben introducing his cohost this week, Evan 00:36 - “We’re not talking about coinage...

Episode 9 - Magnetism Ben is in Chicago with his podcast in a bag!  Aunt Norah explains magnetism and why our family is weird; Ben teaches Norah about video games. 00:10 - Your hosts the week are Ben and (Aunt) Norah  01:30 - Magnetic personality 03:47 - Norah reiterates that she taught 6th Grade 04:25 - Bret Easton Ellis, refrigerator magnets and Grandma  09:40 - Mango needs magnetic childproof c...

Ben and Chris talk about the word vision this week.  You’re assignment before listening to the episode is to look up the Foreigner - “Head Games” album cover to provide context to Chris’ reaction. Chris “makes it weird,” freaks out, and then gushes about the FPS Alien versus Predator franchise.  Coincidentally, Ben tells his Weird Al story again and then explains why he enjoys the overall experien...

2VP - Episode 7 - Evolution For the word “evolution,” Ben and Andrew take a circuitous route on their way to talking about video games, but as a special treat, there IS Andrew’s nigh famous catchphrase at the end! 0:20 - Ben and Andrew are your hosts! 0:33 - Evolution, Neanderthals, and tapas   2:18 - Teaching actual science in schools 6:07 - Carl Sagan’s Cosmos 7:44 - Velcro 10:18 - Colossal Cave...

2VP - Episode 6 - Hair      This week, Ben and Chris are first answering a question about  the Spy episodes, followed by telling their stories related to hair and making things weird.  Be prepared for tangents and tangles galore on the way to the video games(-ish) discussion.  0:20 - Your hosts this week, Ben and Chris 0:40 - The subject is hair 1:50 - Questions from my aunt and the archivists 4:3...

2VP - Episode 5 - Ability      Ben is joined by guest co-host Andrew this week to talk about the word ability, navigating life as an autistic person, and Andrew’s fleeting obsession with Rise of Empires.  For more information about Andrew’s assorted shenanigans, check out www.partlyrobot.com, @partlyrobot on Instagram, and @PartlyRobot on Twitter. 0:20 - Introducing your hosts Ben and Andrew 0:38...

2VP - Episode 4 - Spy part 2 0:20 - Restarting the conversation - OSS117 9:10 - Two dudes and aunt - recapping the favorite Bond actors  11:55 - Bond movie theme songs - the Thunderball submission from Johnny Cash 14:05 - Chris’ baccarat and martini experiences in Las Vegas  17:55 - Back to Bond theme songs 19:55 - “You Only Move Twice” and Ben forgets Albert Brooks’ name 22:00 - IOI’s Project 007...

2VP - Episode 3 - "Spy" part 1 of Chris’ 2 part SPOOKTACULAR! Disclaimer: We have the boom situation corrected for part 2 (pro tip - missing sock collection makes excellent sound baffle.  Crinkle sounds, compliments of Mango the podcat.  Thank you for your continued patience while I work on improving the audio quality. 0:00 - The 2VP theme song 0:20 - Introducing the hosts Ben and Chris 0:34 - The...