Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast

Multitude
  • 4.8 (18)
  • Video Games
  • Updated Weekly

Join hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) to talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

  1. Who is Maleficent?

    4d ago

    Who is Maleficent?

    It’s her, it’s she: the Mistress of All Evil! Sometimes, in a story as complicated as Kingdom Hearts, you need a villain who’s just in it for the vibes, y’know? And Maleficent is willing to curse a girl’s entire life just because she wasn’t invited to her birthday party, so she easily fits the bill. But just because it’s easy to describe her motivations doesn’t mean they’re any less biting: her presence looms large over the entire KH series, reaching as far back as the Age of Fairytales and into the future as we look forward to KH4. Her goals are Simple and Clean, but that doesn’t mean “good!” Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 3m
  2. What are Summons?

    May 31

    What are Summons?

    Although there’s plenty of friendly faces on the list of Summons that appear in Kingdom Hearts, the mechanic itself is never quite as impactful as its Final Fantasy counterpart. When a mechanic that started as begging the Gods for aid is reduced to Just Another Little Guy, it makes a whole game system feel small... Are the Summons worth seeing, even if you’ve got other flashier toys in your toy box? Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 14m
  3. Where is Neverland?

    May 24

    Where is Neverland?

    Second star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning - today we’re talking about Neverland and all things Peter Pan! The flighty boy who stands in our culture as a symbol of a refusal to come of age, sure, we all had crushes on Peter as kids (...right?). But Peter only glances lightly through the KH story, and while Neverland does contain one of the most moving moments in Sora’s journey when he gains the power of flight, we can’t help but feel like there might have been more to glean here… especially as concerns Wendy, whose character themes are heavily reflected in the stories of the young women in KH’s cast. If we can’t bring ourselves to see Peter in any sort of negative light, how can this coming-of-age story ever grow up? Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 5m
  4. What is a JRPG? with Matt Gosper

    May 17

    What is a JRPG? with Matt Gosper

    We’re joined by game critic Matt Gosper (host of kindred podcast Trails Through Trails) to answer a really tough one: What is a JRPG? So much more than just “an RPG made in Japan,” it’s a genre of games with dense, expansive storytelling, crunchy stats-based gameplay, gorgeous visuals, a rich cultural & technological history, and a long legacy of burrowing deep into the hearts of its fans. It’s never been the most popular genre, but its impact on modern games & stories is undeniable. And then, we attempt to answer the most important question: Is Kingdom Hearts one of them? Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Guest: Matt Gosper - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 18m
  5. Who is Jiminy Cricket?

    May 10

    Who is Jiminy Cricket?

    Conscience, chronicler, and constant companion: today we’re covering Jiminy Cricket! Set adrift from his homeworld, his charge lost to the belly of a space whale, Jiminy takes on a new quest: recording the story of the Keyblade wielders as they battle Xehanort and the forces of Darkness. Though he may not say much in cutscenes, as the keeper of the Journal (which you often need to “complete” in order to unlock secrets) he is a constant presence along Sora’s path - moreso than Donald & Goofy sometimes! Shouldn’t it really be, Sora, Donald, Goofy & Jiminy, exclusively in that order? Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 2m
  6. Where are Monstro & Prankster’s Paradise?

    May 3

    Where are Monstro & Prankster’s Paradise?

    As the second movie in their catalog, Disney’s Pinocchio lays the groundwork for a lot of Disney’s works yet to come, and since its release its characters & images have transcended their origins to become iconic pieces of the wider Disney tapestry. Is that why pieces of Pinocchio’s world are scattered all across the Kingdom Hearts universe, but it took until the 7th game of the series to see the actual place he comes from? Jiminy’s here, Pinocchio’s there, Monstro’s floating out in space… We’re jumping around a little bit in this episode, but we got no strings to hold us down! Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    55 min
  7. What is Magic?

    Apr 26

    What is Magic?

    Kingdom Hearts is made up of all of the things sitting in the middle of the Venn diagram between “Disney” and “Final Fantasy,” and written in bold text & underlined right in the center is the word “MAGIC.” But what do these two radically different sources mean when they each say “magic?” Well, one is a rigorous system of codified elemental effects… and one is a vibe where a dream is a wish your heart makes. And then also, something else about keys? Okay, gang, how are we gonna make this work? Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    59 min
  8. Where is Wonderland?

    Apr 19

    Where is Wonderland?

    Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland are colorful, whimsical, surreal, delightful… heck, they’re positively frabjous! Sora’s adventures there? Decidedly more contained. Today we’re discussing the Kingdom Hearts level based on Disney’s Alice in Wonderland - specifically a pretty small, boxed-in section of it. There’s so much thematic harmony between Alice’s journey through Wonderland and Sora’s through the KH universe - the way both come of age, balk against systems impressed upon them by adults and attempt to find their own agency and truth… But does this level of the game serve those themes justice? Or, much like Victorian-era children, is Alice’s world pushed to the margins in favor of Other Business? Credits - Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin - Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte - A member of  Multitude - Support us on Patreon About Us Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    53 min
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4.8
out of 5
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Join hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) to talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.  Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

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