The Worst of All Possible Worlds

Josh Boerman, A.J. Ditty, and Brian Alford
  • 4.7 (150)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The first and only podcast bringing you weekly case studies in the pop culture of a dying empire. Every Wednesday, co-hosts Josh, Brian, and A.J. dissect an artifact of popular culture, breaking down how its narrative choices reflect or subvert the reactionary political project. From video games to movies to theater to an apparently infinite supply of evangelical Christian radio drama, we expose the machinations of the worst of all possible worlds in order to figure out how to build a better one. Also, we have bits.

  1. 232 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 [Part 1] (feat. Joe Kassabian)

    7H AGO

    232 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 [Part 1] (feat. Joe Kassabian)

    Joe Kassabian (Lions Led by Donkeys) and the lads throw on their expedition armbands and make for the Paintress as they cover the first act of Sandfall Interactive’s hit 2025 French simulator: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Topics include the AI controversy, Ubu Roi, and what it means to make a game that finds the clair in the obscur. Preorder Joe’s Upcoming Book The Highlands Burn here!!! Joe Kassabian: Bluesky Lions Led by Donkeys: The Lions Led By Donkeys podcast is a military history podcast for laughing at the worst military failures, inept commanders, and crazy stories from throughout the history of human conflict. Patreon // Youtube // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Instagram Media Referenced in this Episode: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Sandfall Interactive. 2025. “After GOTY pull, Clair Obscur devs draw line in sand over AI: 'Everything will be made by humans by us'” by Patricia Hernandez. Polygon. December 24th, 2025. “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Lead Writer talks Story, Ending, and More” by Game Maker's Notebook Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Sandfall Interactive Q&A by Sushi “Interview Clair Obscur Expedition 33 : ‘On ne s'attendait pas à une réception aussi énorme’” by Par Kelma. Gamekult. August 28th, 2024. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Gaston Garbageman’s Gommage-Proof Garbage Can” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. David Armstrong as “Gaston” and A.J. Ditty as “Citizen of Lumière”

    3h 3m
  2. 231 - Perfect Blue

    MAR 11

    231 - Perfect Blue

    THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads cast off their pop idol personas and get caught up in the murderous world of Japanese procedurals as they cover Satoshi Kon’s first animated feature: Perfect Blue. Topics include the Aranofsky drama, the podcaster’s persona, and what it means to exist in a world that necessitates breaking yourself into many different personalities just to survive. Media Referenced in this Episode: Perfect Blue. Dir. Satoshi Kon. 1997 Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist. Dir. Pascal-Alex Vincent. 2021. “Interview with Satoshi Kon” by Bill Aguiar. Tokyo Pop. April 25th, 2007. The Real History of 'Perfect Blue' and 'Requiem for a Dream'. Animation Obsessive. March 20th, 2022. “Satoshi Kon Interview for Perfectblue.com”. September 4th, 1997. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Two-Step Verification” // Written and Performed by A.J. Ditty

    26 min
  3. 230 - The Traitors (feat. Peter Shamshiri)

    MAR 4

    230 - The Traitors (feat. Peter Shamshiri)

    Peter Shamshiri (5-4, If Books Could Kill) and the lads throw on their green cloaks and make for the castle at Inverness as they cover the fourth season of the hit reality game show: The Traitors. Topics include the show’s Dutch origins, Alan Cumming’s fabulous fits, and what it means to move through the world thinking that you're a faithful surrounded by traitors. Peter Shamshiri: Bluesky 5-4 is a podcast about how much the Supreme Court sucks. Hosted by Peter Shamshiri, Michael Liroff, and Rhiannon Hamam, produced by Rachel Ward, and presented by Slow Burn co-creator Leon Neyfakh. Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts If Books Could Kill: Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri discuss the airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds. Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts   Media Referenced in this Episode: The Traitors US: Season Four “40 Traitors Rules and Sneaky Behind-the-Scenes Secrets You Didn't Know” by Madison McGee. Men’s Health. February 9th, 2024. “9 Rules You Didn't Know The Traitors Contestants Have to Follow” by Rebecca Aizin and Jordana Comiter. People. January 9th, 2026. “8 Unexpected Rules the Cast of 'The Traitors' Has to Follow” by Emily Kelleher. Instyle. January 8th, 2026. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com  Interstitial: Brian Alford by Brian Alford, written by Brian Alford, featuring the voices of Brian Alford and Brian Alford

    2h 24m
  4. 229 - The Dutch Knight Returns [Whit’s Endless Summer 50]

    FEB 25

    229 - The Dutch Knight Returns [Whit’s Endless Summer 50]

    THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads return to Odyssey for more adventures in fractured fairy tales, the start of the Novacom Saga, and the final and fond farewell to everyone’s favorite devious Dutchman: Dr. Regis Blackgaard. Topics include Phil Lollar’s long-awaited goodbye, the logistics of time portals, and what it means to stare down Odyssey’s next big movement in serialized storytelling. Media Referenced in this Episode: Adventures in Odyssey #418: Opening Day #424-425: Blackgaard’s Revenge #446b: The Seven Deadly Dwarves #457: Opportunity Knocks TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “The Hound” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. Jessie Cannizzaro as “Dr. Chris Cavalcante”, Brendan Dalton as “Dr. Wesley Winthrop”, and A.J. Ditty as “The Pilgrim”

    27 min
  5. 228 - Alone (feat. Rax King)

    FEB 18

    228 - Alone (feat. Rax King)

    Rax King (Sloppy, Low Culture Boil) joins the lads in Patagonia for adventures in catching fish and staving off the dread as they cover the third season of the History Channel’s hit reality TV show: Alone. Topics include the history of the History Channel, the appeal of Dad TV, and what it means to make a show there’s always a puma lurking right off screen. Rax King: Bluesky // Instagram // Website BUY RAX’S BOOK SLOPPY HERE! Low Culture Boil: Hosted by trashy babes Rax King and Amber Rollo. If you’ve ever asked yourself “would Susan Sontag have enjoyed ‘Jersey Shore’,” why did Twinkie file for bankruptcy, or if you don’t know how to read and at this point you know it’s too late to ask, this is the podcast for you! Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Patreon Media Referenced in this Episode: Alone Season Three. The History Channel. “Whoever Starves Least, Wins” by Nicholas Quah. Vulture. June 13th, 2024. “Why Did Jami Fowler Leave?” by Jami Fowler TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Zac Skatchewan: Days 1-2" // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. David Armstrong as “Zac/Mr. Producer” and A.J. Ditty as “Monty/Intern”

    2h 38m
  6. 227 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

    FEB 11

    227 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

    THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads grab their heart-boxes and make for the creepy woods as they cover Walt Disney’s 1937 landmark animated film: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Topics include the origins of Walter Elias Disney, the make-it-up-as-you-go-along production, and the enduring legacy of the film that built the Disney empire. Media Referenced in this Episode: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Dir. Walt Disney. 1937. “Before Snow White” by J.B. Kaufman. Film History, Jun., 1993, Vol. 5, No. 2, Animation (Jun., 1993), pp. 158-175 “The Disney Way of Death” by Gary Laderman. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Mar., 2000, Vol. 68, No. 1 (Mar., 2000), pp. 27-46. Oxford University Press. “The Great Animation Strike” by Kristin Hunt. JSTOR Daily. January 2nd, 2020. Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas. Simon & Schuster. 1976. Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler. Alfred A. Knopf. 2006. “‘With a smile and a song …’: Walt Disney and the Birth of the American Fairy Tale” by Tracey Mollet. Marvels & Tales, Vol. 27, No. 1 (2013), pp. 109-124. Wayne State University Press TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Hermann Huntsmann’s Heart-Box Hut” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. A.J. Ditty “Hermann Huntsmann/The Animals” and Eleanor Philips “Snow White”

    31 min

  7. FEB 4

    226 - Kingdom Hearts (feat. Lucy Valentine)

    Lucy Valentine (Boonta Vista, Savant-Garde) and the lads hop in their Gummi Ship and make for Hollow Bastion as they cover the infamous Square and Disney RPG crossover of 2002: Kingdom Hearts. Topics include Tetsuya Nomura’s incredible character designs, the dated gameplay, and what it means to create a game where Donald Duck is seduced by a gorilla. Lucy Valentine: Bluesky Boonta Vista: The least consequential news from around the world from the least informed minds in Australia. Andrew, Theo, Lucy and Ben bring you the week’s stories that conveniently fit into one of their countless, concerningly specific segments. Keep up with the latest news from Nature Corner, Paging Dr. Lucy, Planely Speaking, Omens and Portents, The Hole Report and many, many more. Patreon // Website // Merch // Spotify // Apple Podcasts Savant-Garde: Hosted by Lucy Valentine (Boonta Vista) and Jesse Black (Sludgefest). Savant-Garde is almost certainly the world’s only podcast where one autistic ex-wife and one OCD ex-husband unpack the disgracefully disordered worlds of Adrian Monk and the Good Doctor, Shaun Murphy, through the lens of two very normal brains. Patreon // Instagram // Spotify // Apple Podcasts Media Referenced in this Episode: Kingdom Hearts. Dir. Tetsuya Nomura. 2002 The Collaborative History of Disney & Square Enix to the Development of Kingdom Hearts by Evan “ScooterNape” Phillips. Reddit. TGS 2004: Tetsuya Nomura Q&A by Anoop Gantayat. IGN. Updated June 30th, 2016. Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS Vol. 12: Dream Drop Distance. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Kingdom Hearts 4.3 Prologue: A Maritime Fragment: H(earts). M(inds). S(ora). Titanic Trailer (Version 1.5)” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. A.J. Ditty as “Sora/Donald/Goofy/Billy Zane/Mickey/Announcer”, David Armstrong as “Winnie the Pooh/Eeyore/Fabrizio/Shipmaster/Jack”, and Eleanor Philips as “Rose/Margaret”

    2h 29m
  8. 225 - Trading Places (feat. Justin Roczniak)

    JAN 28

    225 - Trading Places (feat. Justin Roczniak)

    THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall Justin Roczniak (Well There’s Your Problem) joins the lads in Philly for a good old fashioned rags-to-riches and riches to rags switcheroo as they cover John Landis’ 1983 Eddie Murphy-fest: Trading Places. Topics include the joys of seeing your hometown on screen, the rapid rise of Eddie Murphy, and what it means to have a movie where the climax entails the future price of frozen orange juice. Justin Roczniak: Twitter // Youtube // Bluesky Well There’s Your Problem is a podcast about engineering disasters and systemic failures, from a leftist perspective, with jokes. Youtube / Twitter / Instagram / Patreon Listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts   Media Referenced in this Episode: Trading Places. Dir. John Landis. 1983. “It's The 30-Year Anniversary Of The Greatest Wall Street Movie Ever Made: Here's The Story Behind It” by Rob Wile. Business Insider. June 27th, 2013. AFF At Home: Comedy Q&A with Herschel Weingrod. May 4th, 2020.   TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Harry Hypemen Inc.” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. A.J. Ditty as “Harry Hypeman/Werner B/Announcer”, Brian Alford as “Horace Hypeman/Werner A”, David Armstrong as “Holden Hypeman/Werner C”

    31 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
150 Ratings

About

The first and only podcast bringing you weekly case studies in the pop culture of a dying empire. Every Wednesday, co-hosts Josh, Brian, and A.J. dissect an artifact of popular culture, breaking down how its narrative choices reflect or subvert the reactionary political project. From video games to movies to theater to an apparently infinite supply of evangelical Christian radio drama, we expose the machinations of the worst of all possible worlds in order to figure out how to build a better one. Also, we have bits.

Information

  • Creator
    Josh Boerman, A.J. Ditty, and Brian Alford
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    257
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021-22 TWOAPW. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Worst of All Possible Worlds

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