Best Matthew Castle Podcasts (2025)

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What We've Been Playing (Death Stranding 2, Rematch, Date Everything, MindsEye) 1:31:19

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4d ago1:31:19

1:31:19

Matthew is fetching koalas for Chvrches in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, while Samuel is having year 11 lunchtime PTSD in Sloclap's football game Rematch. It's another WWBP episode! Games discussed: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Rematch, Date Everything, MindsEye, Pipstrello and the Cursed Yoyo, Helldivers 2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri…

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Missing Helen by Tia Tashiro (audio) 37:54

6d ago37:54

37:54

This episode features "Missing Helen" written by Tia Tashiro. Published in the July 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/tashiro_07_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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Outlier by R.L. Meza (audio) 21:11

9d ago21:11

21:11

This episode features "Outlier" written by R.L. Meza. Published in the June 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/meza_06_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?By Clarkesworld Magazine

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The Last to Survive by Rita Chang-Eppig (audio) 36:40

10d ago36:40

36:40

This episode features "The Last to Survive" written by Rita Chang-Eppig. Published in the June 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/chang-eppig_06_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
The Last Lunar New Year by Derek Künsken (audio) 38:44

11d ago38:44

38:44

This episode features "The Last Lunar New Year" written by Derek Künsken. Published in the June 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/kunsken_06_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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Sin and Penance with Dr Elaine Pereira Farrell 55:28

11d ago55:28

55:28

Welcome to the last episode of season two! Thank you everyone for their continued support. Today we chat to one of the foremost experts on the Penitentials, Dr Elaine Pereira Farrell, who explains how these prescriptive documents list various sins and the corresponding recommended penances (e.g. fasting, prayers, fines). We learn how the Penitentia…

1
Two Giant Men Play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle 2:02:21

11d ago2:02:21

2:02:21

Finally, after a belated PS5 release, we dive deep into MachineGames' 2024 GOTY contender Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The first half is spoiler-free, then the second half goes deeper into the story with some fun bonus nonsense to boot (wait until you hear Matthew's pitch for The Fugitive tie-in game). This week's music is from the Indiana J…

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Faces of the Antipode by Matthew Marcus (audio) 1:00:12

11d ago1:00:12

1:00:12

This episode features "Faces of the Antipode" written by Matthew Marcus. Published in the June 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/marcus_06_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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The Eighth Pyramid by Louis Inglis Hall (audio) 52:46

12d ago52:46

52:46

This episode features "The Eighth Pyramid" written by Louis Inglis Hall. Published in the June 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/hall_06_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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In the Shells of Broken Things by A. T. Greenblatt (audio) 44:45

15d ago44:45

44:45

This episode features "In the Shells of Broken Things" written by A. T. Greenblatt. Published in the June 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/greenblatt_06_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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If an Algorithm Can Cast a Shadow by Claire Jia-Wen (audio) 34:04

18d ago34:04

34:04

This episode features "If an Algorithm Can Cast a Shadow" written by Claire Jia-Wen. Published in the June 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/jia-wen_06_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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Mailbag – Two Giant Ben Edition 1:50:16

18d ago1:50:16

1:50:16

It's a bloody mailbag! Please save your shrugs for the end. Thanks for all the questions, as ever. This week's music is from the Hotline Miami soundtrack by Perturbator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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National Museum of Ireland Part 2 with Maeve Sikora and Matthew Seaver 54:57

25d ago54:57

54:57

We are back this week in the National Museum of Ireland, Archaeology, on Kildare Street, in Dublin City centre, which is open 7 days a week and free to the public. We are joined by Maeve Sikora, Keeper of Irish Antiquities, and Assistant Keeper Matt Seaver. In addition to chatting more about the Words on the Wave exhibition, Maeve and Matt tell us …

1
Two Giant Men Play the Nintendo Switch 2 2:03:37

25d ago2:03:37

2:03:37

A new Nintendo console is here. Matthew is truly submerged in the Switch 2 experience, while Samuel has merely dipped a toe in the water. Here's how we're finding it so far. This week's music is from the Mario Kart World soundtrack by Atsuko Asahi, Maasa Miyoshi, Takuhiro Honda and Yutaro Takakuwa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in…

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2132-Michael Hardy-Feeding Lees Army of Northern Virginia 1:00:00

27d ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Michael Hardy, author of "Feeding Lees Army of Northern Virginia"By Impediments of War

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From N64 Magazine to Gamesmaster to Games Publishing (with Geraint Evans) 2:11:27

1M ago2:11:27

2:11:27

It's Matthew hosting the pod solo this week, and his guest is Geraint Evans, formerly of N64 magazine, NGC and Gamesmaster. These days, he's working at the publisher PQube. This week's music is from the Phantasy Star Online Episodes 1 + 2 soundtracks by Hideaki Kobayashi and Fumie Kumatani. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio…

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2131-Kathryn J. Shively and Peter C. Luebke-The Second Manassas Campaign 1:00:00

1M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Editor Kathryn J. Shively and essay contributor Peter C. Luebke discuss "The Second Manassas Campaign," edited by Kathryn J. Shively and Caroline E. Janney.By Impediments of War

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Emily of Emerald Starship by Ng Yi-Sheng (audio) 27:29

1M ago27:29

27:29

This episode features "Emily of Emerald Starship" written by Ng Yi-Sheng. Published in the June 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/yi-sheng_06_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Ireland and St Gallen in Early Medieval Europe with the National Museum of Ireland 58:11

1M ago58:11

58:11

This week Matt Seaver, Assistant Keeper of Irish Antiquities and Dr Diarmuid Ó Riain, curatorial researcher, welcomed us in to the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare St. to see the unique new exhibition: Words on the Wave. This is an incredible display of precious manuscripts from the Abbey of St Gall, Switzerland — some returning to Ireland for t…

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What We've Been Playing (Doom: The Dark Ages, Blades of Fire, The Hundred Line, The Siege and the Sandfox) 1:23:28

1M ago1:23:28

1:23:28

Matthew has almost finished the new Doom game, while Samuel has done about half of it – so that's the focus of this week's episode. Matthew also explains his appreciation of the new MercurySteam game, Blades of Fire, and digs deep into his never-ending playthrough of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy on Switch. This week's music is from The Hu…

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Yarn Theory by Marie Vibbert (audio) 8:48

1M ago8:48

8:48

This episode features "Yarn Theory" written by Marie Vibbert. Published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/vibbert_05_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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Proxima One by Caryanna Reuven (audio) 29:44

1M ago29:44

29:44

This episode features "Proxima One" written by Caryanna Reuven and translated by Sue Burke. Published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/reuven_05_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
2130-Matthew Locke-Holding Charleston by the Bridle: Castle Pinckney and the Civil War 1:00:00

1M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Matthew Locke (co-author with Cliff Roberts), of "Holding Charleston by the Bridle: Castle Pinckney and the Civil War"By Impediments of War

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Oh Time Thy Pyramids by Ann LeBlanc (audio) 47:35

1M ago47:35

47:35

This episode features "Oh Time Thy Pyramids" written by Ann LeBlanc. Published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/leblanc_05_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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Descent by Wole Talabi (audio) 2:15:31

1M ago2:15:31

2:15:31

This episode features "Descent" written by Wole Talabi. Published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/talabi_05_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?By Clarkesworld Magazine

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We, the Fleet by Alex T. Singer (audio) 57:38

2M ago57:38

57:38

This episode features "We, the Fleet" written by Alex T. Singer. Published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/singer_05_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
The Best Games of 2005 2:30:14

2M ago2:30:14

2:30:14

57 minutes and 13 seconds – that's the timestamp you want for all the game chatter, including two top 10 lists of the best games of 2005. Skip all the bullshit! For everyone else? Enjoy tales of college woes and secret freezer politics. Nonsense podcasting awaits. This week's music is from the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater soundtrack by Harry Gre…

1
2129-James Robbins Jewell and Eugene S. Van Sickle-Waging War for Freedom with the 54th Massachusetts: The Civil War Memoir of John W. M. Appleton 1:00:00

2M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

James Robbins Jewell and Eugene S. Van Sickle, editors of "Waging War for Freedom with the 54th Massachusetts: The Civil War Memoir of John W. M. Appleton"By Impediments of War

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The Royal Irish Academy Library with Barbara McCormack 49:09

2M ago49:09

49:09

In this episode, we chat about the incredible academic and public resource that is the Library in the Royal Irish Academy. Academy Librarian Barbara McCormack tells us all about the collection of medieval manuscripts including some of Ireland's oldest manuscripts the Cathach of Columba and the Stowe Missal. Please visit the library yourself or chec…

1
GOTY 2025 Check-In 1:19:59

2M ago1:19:59

1:19:59

Our guest cancelled! Gah. Well, here's an episode we airlifted out of our collective asses. Hopefully it's not too bad with two days' notice to plan it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Library of the Apocalypse by Rati Mehrotra (audio) 26:50

2M ago26:50

26:50

This episode features "The Library of the Apocalypse" written by Rati Mehrotra. Published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/mehrotra_05_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Games Court – Castle Island x Blue Prince Edition 1:55:20

2M ago1:55:20

1:55:20

20ish listeners' pre-owned purchases go on trial before Judge Castle, as Games Court returns! We also talk about this week's GTA 6 trailer, with a brief section on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, too. Do get in touch if you have any future Games Court entries, and we'll keep making them. This week's music is from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Lorien …

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Castles in Medieval Ireland with Dr Victoria McAlister 54:21

2M ago54:21

54:21

Dr Victoria McAlister from Towson University, Maryland, on everything you ever wanted to know about castles! Featuring all the big hits, Maynooth Castle, Bunratty, Blarney, Trim, the Rock of Dunamase, Clonard castle, Ferrycarrig, Carrickfergus, Irish castles, Anglo-Norman castles, Tower houses, colonialism, we cover it all. Dr McAlister busts some …

1
Mailbag (sandwich + game pairings, writing cover features, console launches, other nonsense) 1:40:10

2M ago1:40:10

1:40:10

It's time for another round of listener questions as we each recover from the 50 hours of games we played for last week's episode. Did anyone need 100 minutes of mailbag questions? Probably not, but as ever: it happened. Note: we recorded this week's episode before the Polygon and Giant Bomb layoffs if the tone around the games media chatter seems …

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Brainstem Disco, 2191 by Angela Liu (audio) 13:59

2M ago13:59

13:59

This episode features "Brainstem Disco, 2191" written by Angela Liu. Published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/liu_05_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
2128-Michael deGruccio-The Strange and Tragic Wounds of George Coles America 1:00:00

2M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Michael deGruccio, author of "The Strange and Tragic Wounds of George Coles America"By Impediments of War

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An Even Greater Cold to Come by Rich Larson (audio) 23:51

2M ago23:51

23:51

This episode features "An Even Greater Cold to Come" written by Rich Larson. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/larson_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
In My Country by Thomas Ha (audio) 39:18

2M ago39:18

39:18

This episode features "In My Country" written by Thomas Ha. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ha_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?By Clarkesworld Magazine

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Symbiotic by Carolyn Zhao (audio) 1:03:29

2M ago1:03:29

1:03:29

This episode features "Symbiotic" written by Carolyn Zhao. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/zhao_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Still Water by Zhang Ran (audio) 1:05:07

2M ago1:05:07

1:05:07

This episode features "Still Water" written by Zhang Ran and translated by Andy Dudak. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/zhang_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
What We've Been Playing (Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Promise Mascot Agency, Tempest Rising) 1:50:42

2M ago1:50:42

1:50:42

It's catch-up time, as a spring wave of fantastic games hit at once! All of the above, plus Bionic Bay and some Metroid series chatter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Aegiopolis Testudo by Gordon Li (audio) 55:00

3M ago55:00

55:00

This episode features "Aegiopolis Testudo" written by Gordon Li. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/li_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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2127-Carol E. Harrison and Thomas J. Brown-Zouave Theaters: Transnational Military Fashion and Performance 1:00:00

3M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Carol E. Harrison and Thomas J. Brown, authors of "Zouave Theaters: Transnational Military Fashion and Performance"By Impediments of War

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The Seed by Sheri Singerling (audio) 37:16

3M ago37:16

37:16

This episode features "The Seed" written by Sheryl Singerling. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/singerling_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
The Xbox 360 Games Mega Draft 2:57:02

3M ago2:57:02

2:57:02

Much to the chagrin of Matthew, who had to edit it, the four-person draft is back! This time, Samuel, Matthew, Ashley Day and Dave Scarborough are fighting over the best games on Xbox 360 (note: some of them may not be the best, but that's for you to decide). This week's music is from the Fable 2 soundtrack by Danny Elfman and Russell Shaw, plus th…

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2126-Lesley Gordon-Dread Danger: Cowardice and Combat in the American Civil War 1:00:00

3M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Lesley Gordon, author of "Dread Danger: Cowardice and Combat in the American Civil War"By Impediments of War

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Nintendo Switch 2 Games – Played! 1:35:29

3M ago1:35:29

1:35:29

Later than usual, but hopefully worth it: Matthew plays all the Nintendo Switch 2 demos (except some ports no one cares about). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Dicuil and Irish scholars at the Carolingian Court with Dr Christian Schweizer 52:25

3M ago52:25

52:25

This week we are delighted to talk to the always enlightening Dr Christian Schweizer about his Research Ireland funded research on Dicuil, an Irish scholar who was prominent in the Carolingian Court in Aachen in the early 9th century. Dicuil wrote many fascinating texts covering a variety of disciplines including geography, astronomy and computisti…