Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Nostalgia Club
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Show & Tell: Cub Scouts - Please Buy My Popcorn | 28 Oct 2026 | 00:25:44 | |
We’re going on a bear hunt, but I ain’t scared! In our third Show & Tell episode, Jino dusts off long-dormant memories and recounts his adventures as a Cub Scout! Tune in as we relive adventures of youth such as building and racing wooden cars, selling popcorn to strangers and also your uncle, and camping out deep in the Texas scrubland. Cub Scouts: It’s scouting for babies! Cool babies. Cool babies with knives! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang-Hansen Music from WOW Sound Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 87. Hamtaro Conquers All With the Power of Ham-ship! | 21 Oct 2026 | 01:09:21 | |
Kush kush! Today we’re stepping out of our cages and embarking on adventures in the vast outside world, just like Hamtaro and his friends! Whether or not you’ve personally interacted with this Japanese multi-media franchise, you’ve surely got some positive associations with these tiny, adorable hamsters due to their large cultural impact. Michael watched a little bit of the anime as a kid, though he doesn’t remember much, while Jino and Victoria are first-time watchers. So we’ve consulted a wise expert, Victoria’s friend Mara, to be our guide through the anime series and books in the extended Hamtaro universe! Join us as we discuss the wide cast of characters (including some ham-hams with jobs!) who are PROPERLY bean-shaped and fulfill the perfect fantasy of adventures-your-pets-go-on-when-you’re-at-school. Follow along with Mara’s wonderfully crafted presentation: https://canva.link/l5yi3gjfwmfu7au Head to our Instagram to see our Ham-Ham OCs! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang-Hansen Music from WOW Sound Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 08:13 Our Vibes 18:32 Forming the Ham-Ham Clubhouse 24:40 Hamtaro Lost 26:00 Oxnard’s Pure Heart 27:58 Hamtaro’s Birthday 35:12 Character Deep Dive 50:47 Our Favorite Ham-Hams 56:23 English vs. Japanese Opening Themes 58:00 Other Hamtaro Media | |||
| 86. The Thea Sisters Can Do Anything, and They Do It Fabumousely | 14 Oct 2026 | 01:09:13 | |
Got a problem you need solved? The Thea Sisters are on the case! Nicky, Colette, Violet, Pamela, and Paulina are some of the best and brightest of Mouseford Academy, a school that definitely has way more problems than it may seem on the outside. On today’s episode, we’re discussing three of their adventures: Thea Stilton and the Dragon’s Code, Drama at Mouseford, and Revenge of the Lizard Club. None of us have read these before, but it was so fun to dive back into the cheese-pun-filled world of Geronimo Stilton. If you like a solve-as-you-read mystery, or a graphic novel with lots of petty backstabbing, or a rewrite of Romeo and Juliet where the characters come from rival cheesemaking families, this series has everything you could possibly want, and more! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 06:59 The Character Names 11:06 Our Vibes 21:07 Thea Stilton Book #1 25:31 Drama at Mouseford 40:52 Which character are we? 44:06 Graphic Novels 1:02:39 Final Thoughts | |||
| Show & Tell: The Bronze Age Is My Roman Empire | 07 Oct 2026 | 00:48:23 | |
Calling all history buffs! In this second Show & Tell episode, Michael takes us on an exploration of some civilizations and cultures from The Bronze Age and how they’ve captured his attention over the years. If you recently watched Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, or if you’ve been interested in this time period before it was cool, then this is for you! Turns out, people from thousands of years ago were just like us…they enjoyed good food, wrote love poems to say “You up?”, and sent each other passive-aggressive “emails” to ask for things they wanted. PowerPoint with the images discussed in this episode for visual reference: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1av1W3GUq5pvD5bIvWJsX1Cgv2GH0STRs/view?usp=sharing __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang-Hansen Music from WOW Sound Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 85. Important Lessons from Bridge to Terabithia | 30 Sep 2026 | 01:10:48 | |
Banzai! Run away to the woods with us as we revisit Katherine Paterson’s award-winning novel, Bridge to Terabithia. If you read this as a kid, you probably remember it was emotionally devastating, and we’re here to report…it still is! Jino reread this book at least a hundred times as a kid, perhaps in an effort to keep characters alive within the pages. Michael avoided reading it until now because he heard it was sad (it is), but realized the story was not exactly how it had been described to him. Meanwhile, Victoria found this book and its real-life inspirations to be even more impactful as an adult. So join us as we discuss the brilliant character work, our favorite insightful conversations, and why it’s so important to let kids safely wrestle with difficult topics. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro & Vibes 09:42 Author’s Inspiration 13:26 Plot Summary 18:18 Loneliness and Escapism 29:53 Manic Pixie Dream Girl? 37:00 Wrestling with Guilt 41:06 Finding Closure 47:34 How to Talk About Death 53:02 Setting & Time Period 55:25 Janice Avery 57:59 References to Other Stories 1:00:53 Final Thoughts | |||
| 84. Fairy Logic and Evil Bed Rotting in Sleeping Beauty | 23 Sep 2026 | 01:09:57 | |
Once upon a dream, you found yourself listening to a podcast about Sleeping Beauty! This classic 1959 Disney film’s stunning artwork and animation was foundational in Michael’s childhood. Victoria loved re-enacting scenes from this movie, particularly the most dramatic “death” reveal as both Maleficent and Aurora. Jino had not seen this movie before, but still found much to love in the whimsical fairytale. Tune in to hear our thoughts on the three meddlesome fairies who are the true main characters of the story, spin-offs and adaptations inspired by Sleeping Beauty, and bed rotting in the best, most evil way possible. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang-Hansen Music from WOW Sound Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro & Vibes 12:56 Plot Summary 24:48 Fairy Logic 28:15 The Wine Scene 31:48 Everyone Sleeps…Except Phillip 40:37 The Final Battle 53:20 Pink or Blue? 54:55 Sequels and Modern Interpretations 1:04:41 Final Thoughts | |||
| 83. Walking and Singing with The Fellowship of the Ring | 16 Sep 2026 | 01:39:41 | |
The road goes ever on and on…and at last it’s brought us to The Lord of the Rings trilogy! Today we’re talking about the first book: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. We’re all big fans of the series - Jino considers it his go-to cosy British fantasy story, Victoria read the books once in middle school and returns for new perspectives on this reread, while Michael is excited to read this for the first time after loving the movies. So grab your lembas and join us as we discuss how this series inspired us as artists, all the walking and singing that happens in this book, and “Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo!” MENTIONED: Check out Candy Is Dandy: The Candy Review Podcast, hosted by Greg Gonzalez, Beto Sistos and Daniel Zafran, anywhere podcasts are found. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 04:51 Vibes & Backstory 14:11 Plot Summary 30:19 Threats to The Shire 38:25 The Fellowship Falling Apart 43:07 Dwarves and Elves 45:15 Gollum 47:47 Frodo Becoming an Adventurer 52:39 Bilbo 55:29 The Ring 57:25 Other Members of the Company 1:03:35 Food 1:04:45 Moria 1:07:54 Watching the Movies 1:16:33 Related Personal Stories 1:29:14 Favorite Domains of Middle Earth 1:34:26 Favorite Behind-the-Scenes Facts | |||
| Show & Tell: Mystic Messenger - This Dating Sim Took Over My Life | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:32:17 | |
We’re starting a new series we call “Show & Tell” episodes, where each of us brings in a personal topic to share with the class. Today, Victoria dives into a Korean dating sim game called Mystic Messenger, known for its gameplay through chatrooms and phone calls that happen in real time. From characters with dark backstories, to storylines that were unexpectedly harrowing, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to this game. Victoria’s Presentation for visual reference: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ds7vk24f5tL24xu9m_y2Z440DGErwaiCjuxbwSVJyPI/edit?usp=sharing __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang-Hansen Music from WOW Sound Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 82. Yuri on Ice Deserves a Second Season - with special guest Michael Wilkins | 02 Sep 2026 | 01:21:04 | |
If you were on the Internet in 2016, then there’s a pretty high chance that you’ve heard of Yuri!!! on ICE. This sports anime focused on the relationship between Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki and Russian figure-skating champion Victor Nikiforov, and it took the world by storm due to, and in spite of, heavy visual censorship. Victoria watched this show as it was released and remembers all the fan theorizing fondly. Jino and Michael were surprised to find that the show did not match their preconceived notions, 10 years later. And today, we’re joined by returning special guest Michael Wilkins! So tighten up your skates, listener, and tune in as we discuss the not-so-subtle-in-hindsight romance, the wacky cast of side characters, and the pork cutlet bowl metaphor. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng With Michael Wilkins Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 04:34 Before & After Impressions 10:04 Show Impact Then & Now 17:14 Plot Summary 25:32 Side Characters 31:17 Animation Quality 34:57 The Banquet 38:05 Character Arcs 44:47 Yuri’s Friends 48:16 Pork Cutlet Bowl 50:06 Sequels 51:45 Heated Rivalry 54:59 Would a Sequel be Good? 58:05 The Ending 1:00:08 Connections to Real Life 1:05:31 Victor’s Personality 1:14:52 Final Anecdotes | |||
| 81. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) - Can You Change an Inevitable Future? | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:56:40 | |
Time waits for no one… even if you have the power to time travel! On today’s episode, we’re talking about Mamoru Hosoda’s 2006 animated film: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Victoria discovered it by complete chance while procrastinating on homework one day and it quickly became one of her all-time favorite movies. Jino was surprised by how the protagonist Makoto tumbles and falls her way through the plot, while Michael loved revisiting the charm of 2000s era anime. Buckle in for some potential time leaps as we discuss vibes-based time travel logic and the bittersweet nostalgia of recalling a Summer you’ll never get back. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang-Hansen Music from WOW Sound Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro & Vibes 07:44 Plot Summary 27:49 Auntie Witch & Other Time Leap Films 31:08 Mamoru Hosoda Films 33:20 The Movie’s Charms 35:36 Time Travel 45:30 Final Takeaways 48:21 Favorite Quotes & Moments | |||
| 80. Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle - The Power of Friendship Wins | 19 Aug 2026 | 01:22:04 | |
We’re back to the world of Haikyuu!! with the highly anticipated 2024 movie: The Dumpster Battle. This time, we also read the entire arc in the manga in order to get the full scope of the story. Victoria was excited to re-experience (cry about) this game for the third time from a more analytical lens. Jino appreciated the way the movie captured the frenetic energy of a real volleyball game, while Michael enjoyed getting a better understanding of Nekoma’s team. Tune in as we discuss the parallels between Karasuno and Nekoma, the things we wished had made the cut, and the most perfect ending to this fateful game. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro & Vibes 12:18 Victoria’s Backstory 19:27 Movie Pacing 23:22 The Way the Game Ends 35:21 Kenma and Hinata 40:44 Kuroo and Kenma 44:38 Notable Moments & Characters 51:05 Nekoma’s Team Philosophy 54:43 Random Fun Moments 59:29 The Final Scene 1:04:42 What Next? 1:09:57 New Favorite Characters | |||
| 79. Poppy (by Avi) Is a Tiny Mouse In a Big, Big World | 12 Aug 2026 | 01:06:50 | |
We love rodent media here at Nostalgia Club and today we’re following the journey of a deer mouse named Poppy! This book by Avi captured our hearts and surprised us with its message about propaganda and living under a dictator. Victoria read this as a kid, but had almost forgotten about it until stumbling across the book cover. Jino and Michael are first time readers, and thus have many thoughts about the residents of Dimwood Forest, including the imperious owl Mr. Ocax, the grumpy porcupine Ereth (who’s definitely not a carnivore), and Poppy’s very irritating father. MENTIONED: Check out Victoria as Dorma the Dormouse in The Ballad of Puss & Boots: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6z7ew94oaiezCwkf50O6Ke __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 11:23 The Mice Want to Move 23:51 Journey to New House 29:16 At New House 39:39 Going Home 41:40 Poppy and Ereth’s Friendship 43:48 Proximity to Humans 44:34 Political Messages 48:22 Comparing Female Mouse Characters 53:25 Favorite Quotes & Moments 1:00:10 Illustrations | |||
| Q&A: Our Dream Episode Topics, Hot Takes, and Hear Me Out Lists?? | 05 Aug 2026 | 01:14:40 | |
On this week’s episode, we’re doing something a little different with our very first Q&A! We asked you, our lovely listeners, what you wanted to know about us, and we got so many fun questions. From podcast logistics (How do we juggle our day jobs with podcasting?) to our best attempt at delivering hot takes (they may be lukewarm at best), here are all the answers you’ve been waiting to hear. Got a question you’d like us to answer next time? Leave us a comment on this episode! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang-Hansen Music from WOW Sound Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 02:59 Podcasting questions 19:39 Media-related questions 59:41 More “personal” questions | |||
| 78. Ptolemy's Gate (Bartimaeus #3) Reduced Us to a Puddle of Tears and Goo | 29 Jul 2026 | 01:56:59 | |
At long last, we’ve come to the end of our journey through The Bartimaeus Sequence. With our reading of Ptolemy’s Gate by Jonathan Stroud the cycle of empire is complete! …Well, sort of. This book takes many turns, and those turns took us by storm! Jino absorbed the entire text in, like, a day, and Victoria remained deeply affected well after turning the final page. Michael had fun too. He really loved this one joke about certain death and soup. So join us one last time as we travel from the Other Place (our studio) to the summoning circle (your headphones) and discuss how the stories of Nathaniel, Kitty, and Bartimaeus conclude. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 03:57 Our Vibes 11:13 The Prologue & Background Context 16:30 Checking In with New/Old Characters 33:16 Bartimaeus and Nathaniel 41:37 Bartimaeus and Kitty 49:44 Quentin Makepeace 52:58 Bartimaeus Summoned Again 58:12 Mandrake’s Crisis 1:03:22 The Play (Coup) 1:12:04 Nathaniel and Kitty’s Plan 1:26:05 The Final Battle 1:33:50 The Final Chapter 1:39:35 Takeaways | |||
| 77. How Animorphs Teaches About the Horrors of War - with special guest Livi Dom | 22 Jul 2026 | 02:16:27 | |
You don’t wanna get yeerked! Today we are (finally) exploring the harrowing world of the Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate, just after its 30th anniversary. None of us ever dared to read these books as kids, so we invited the best expert we know to lead us on this journey: Livi Dom! She’s read all 62 books and she’s here to make sure we get all the facts straight, even if she needs to use thought-speak to do so. So hold onto your human brains, listener, and tune in as we discuss dark yet important themes of being a child soldier, gaining empathy for your enemy, and asking “would you love me if I was a worm?” Extra spoiler alert: This episode focuses primarily on Books 1, 2, 3, 19, and 29 but also features topics and lore from the extended Animorphs canon. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng With Livi Dom - https://www.instagram.com/dinolivi/ Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 03:20 Livi’s Background 08:35 Vibes & First Impressions of the World 19:39 Book 1: The Invasion 32:50 Morphing Mechanics 40:27 Where are the Andalites? 43:20 Fandom, Adaptations, and Companion Books 47:57 Taking Kids Seriously 52:11 Book 19: The Departure 1:09:57 Book 29: The Sickness 1:31:00 Other Characters Who Morph 1:37:51 Tobias 1:41:57 Choose Your Bandit 1:45:56 The Hork-Bajir Chronicles 1:51:06 The Upcoming Adaptation 1:54:11 Reading Guide 2:01:31 Favorite Morphs & Characters 2:08:00 Final Thoughts | |||
| 76. Pokémon Was Best When Everyone Was Broke | 15 Jul 2026 | 01:19:12 | |
Prepare for trouble! We’re starting off Season 6 with a highly requested dive into the world of Pokémon! This episode will focus primarily on the first season of Pokémon: Indigo League, but we also meander to other aspects of the Pokémon world. Jino reminisces about improbable evolution playground rumors, Michael recalls the secret to getting two Feraligatrs in Pokémon Gold and Silver, and Victoria shares her favorite Ditto lore. Tune in to hear our thoughts on computer phones, Team Rocket’s narrative utility, and why the show was at its best when all the characters were broke. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang-Hansen, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang-Hansen Music from WOW Sound Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro & Vibes 14:11 Background Knowledge - Games, Shows, Cards, & More! 34:14 Rewatch Thoughts 39:49 Trading Pokémon & Pokémon Designs 47:38 The Show’s Personality 52:03 Pokémon Tech & Logic 57:12 Favorite Moments 01:01:22 Ditto Lore 01:05:32 Pokémon Go 01:07:01 Merchandise 01:11:35 What Next? 01:13:58 Favorite Pokémon | |||
| Season 5 Recap (Part 2) - We Get DEEP About Lost Media & Filler Episodes | 01 Jul 2026 | 01:23:15 | |
The time has come, dear listener, to close the chapter on Season 5. In Part 2 of our recap, we look at our episodes from Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH to Despicable Me. What a range! Tune in as we get unusually philosophical about the pros and cons of filler episodes, binge watching vs. weekly releases, and lost media. Join us for the first episode of Season 6 in 2 weeks! If you’d like to know what topics we’ll be covering, follow us for free on Patreon for updates and monthly newsletters: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios MENTIONED: Check out Victoria as Dorma the Dormouse in The Ballad of Puss & Boots! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 01:26 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH 09:16 Young Justice Season 1 14:35 The merits of filler episodes 29:38 Virals 39:46 The Golem’s Eye 53:10 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 1:05:40 School of Rock 1:13:45 Despicable Me | |||
| Season 5 Recap (Part 1) - Very Old Internet Memes, Guessing Popular Ships, & More! | 24 Jun 2026 | 01:25:13 | |
We’re back from our post-Season 5 break, so what a great time to look back on the fun episodes we had, from High School Musical to Geronimo Stilton! As usual, we’ve got some final thoughts on these properties, as well as more personal stories & tangents we forgot to tell in the main episode. Victoria shares the most iconic Sasuke and Sharpay Open RP thread from Tumblr and Jino and Michael try to guess one of the Top 10 most popular Haikyuu!! ships (with no context). Also, we now have a monthly newsletter! Follow for free on our Patreon to get more thoughts like what you’ll hear in this episode: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MouseKnightStudios __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 01:47 Our Current Reads 22:23 High School Musical 31:20 The Penderwicks 49:20 Wicked 53:51 The City of Ember 1:00:44 Haikyuu!! 1:09:01 Kung Fu Panda 1:15:41 Geronimo Stilton | |||
| 75. Replaced By a Minion from Despicable Me?! | 18 Feb 2026 | 01:05:23 | |
FREEZE RAY!! It’s the Season 5 finale of Nostalgia Club, and you know what that means… another cursed, animated classic! This one comes in the form of Despicable Me (2010), though according to Jino, the movie isn’t cursed so much as ~surrounded~ by cursed energy. Victoria knows this personally, and she shares her own deep lore cut from the banana-y cloth of the infamous minions! Also, Michael finally learns why Jino and Victoria pronounce “girls” as “gorls,” like, all the time. So prick up those ears, listeners! All hands to stations! Tonight… we steal… the MOON!!! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 08:47 Our Vibes 16:37 Iconic Memes 20:59 Minions at the Olympics 23:26 Plot Begins - Meet Gru 27:18 The Plan to Steal the Moon 31:38 The Gorls & Becoming a Parent 39:45 Gru’s Childhood 41:55 Stealing the Moon! 44:01 Rescuing the Gorls 49:49 Happy Ending 51:54 Victoria’s Minions Lore | |||
| 74. Join the School of Rock and Stick It to the Man - with special guest Mitra | 11 Feb 2026 | 01:26:35 | |
We pledge allegiance to the School of Rock, the 2003 movie that taught us that a little crime is fine as long as it inspires the kids. Joining us is Mitra, a professional Jack Black appreciator who basically has this whole thing memorized. She leads Victoria, Michael, and Jino in their analysis of these incredibly talented kids, their secretly sad substitute teacher, and a principal who really deserves a vacation. So grab your guitar (or keyboard, or drumkit, or cello) and prepare your soul for a heartwarming tale that rocked so hard it changed the world. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng With Mitra Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 03:53 Our Vibes 14:56 Plot Summary 17:44 The Students 20:14 Dewey’s Impact on the Kids 27:21 Some Favorite Kid Arcs - Tomika, Lawrence, Freddy 33:50 Favorite Ms. Mullins Moments 42:13 Childhood Takeaways 45:37 Music Licensing 48:51 The Look of the Movie 49:59 Gordon! 51:49 Dewey’s Songwriting Skills 54:13 How does money work?? 55:51 Sticking It to the Man 57:34 The TV Show 1:00:18 Dewey’s Sadness 1:03:16 The Final Song 1:08:07 Opening Credits 1:10:55 Michael’s Own School of Rock Experience 1:13:35 Enya Mention 1:15:56 Billy! 1:17:40 Other Memorable Details | |||
| 73. Haunting the Narrative In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | 04 Feb 2026 | 01:42:06 | |
The show’s not over until the mockingjay sings. Today, we’re diving back into the world of The Hunger Games, but this time from the twisted perspective of Coriolanus Snow. Victoria loved rereading this book and picking out even more details that call back to other installments in the series. Jino was initially hesitant to read about a bad, bad man, but found value in following the journey of someone you’re not supposed to sympathize with. Michael was completely captivated by the brilliant character work that Suzanne Collins did in this book and presents us with his ever-thoughtful analysis. Join us as we discuss the early development of the Games, what we think happened to Lucy Gray, and how (unfortunately) Snow lands on top. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 01:53 Our Vibes 12:54 Snow’s Character 18:27 Climbing Back Up the Capitol Ladder 22:26 Making the Hunger Games Entertaining 26:09 Tributes Treatment 28:44 Dr. Gaul (and the Snakes) 34:45 Propaganda Machine 41:25 Helping Lucy Gray Win 47:18 Coriolanus’ Mindset Throughout the Games 53:29 Sejanus & the Natural State of Humanity 1:05:51 Peacekeeping in District 12 1:12:06 Literary Influences 1:14:37 Snow’s Final Turn 1:23:43 Lucy Gray’s Fate 1:27:00 Back to the Capitol 1:29:40 District 13 Theory 1:31:15 Recontextualizations for the Original Trilogy 1:37:05 The Covey Legacy | |||
| 72. Dunking on the Cavalry with Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:53:22 | |
Get off of my back! And go watch Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Especially if you’re like Victoria, and enjoy watching this unbreakable horse do a lot of breaking men’s bones! But, you know, comedically! Jino and Michael track his many breaks from captivity, and countless more viewers feel the break in their hearts - for Spirit will submit to no rider, no matter the emotional bond. Unless, of course, there are sequels to be made. Whoops, hahaha. Was the West won or lost? You decide…. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 03:01 Our Vibes 15:56 Plot Summary 28:21 Historical…Accuracy? 30:07 Sequels & Deeper Themes 35:18 The Music!! 38:43 Victoria’s Emotional Connection 43:50 Little Creek’s Role 45:21 The Ending, Movie Structure, & Final Thoughts | |||
| Bonus: Ranking All Our Favorite “Rodents With Jobs” - Tournament Style | 21 Jan 2026 | 01:16:27 | |
It’s finally here. The podcasting event of a lifetime that none of you have been waiting for because we didn’t warn you about it: The Rodents-With-Jobs-Battle-Royale-Bracket! Sixteen fictional rodents go head to head in a competition with only the vaguest set of criteria. Only one rodent with a job can be crowned the champion! Featuring hit competitors such as Matthias of Redwall, Master Splinter, and Alvin and the Chipmunks. Will your favorite character make it to the top? Play along by downloading our Canva template! There’s a version you can copy & edit, or a version you can print out to write in your own rankings: https://tinyurl.com/2r4exyjp (If this link doesn’t work, it’s also on our Linktree and Tumblr!) __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 08:51 Preliminary Rounds 41:01 Quarter-finals 50:44 Semi-finals 01:08:27 Final Match | |||
| 71. The Golem's Eye (Bartimaeus #2) Puts a 14-Year Old in Charge and There Are Consequences | 14 Jan 2026 | 01:45:18 | |
Gather ‘round the summoning circle as we conjure up a doozy of an episode on The Golem’s Eye (2004), the second novel in the Bartimaeus Sequence by Jonathan Stroud! Michael returns to this childhood favorite for the first time in roughly two decades while Victoria and Jino explore it anew. Lucky for us, there are no spiritual contracts involved – only a lengthy plot synopsis wherein we explore the rich worldbuilding, analyze precise character arcs, and joke about a gyrating skeleton. It’s a long one, but remember! Long pods make good times! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 03:03 Our Vibes 19:09 We Begin with the Fall of the Czech Empire 24:54 Nathaniel's Government Job 34:25 Kitty and the Resistance 43:03 The Resistance Contact 46:44 Breaking Into Gladstone's Tomb 47:10 The Golem and Nathaniel's Prague Visit 51:16 Back At the Tomb... 57:18 Nathaniel Searches for Kitty 63:23 Tallow's Fate 68:20 Character Arcs 71:24 Kidnapping Jakob 75:14 The Cycle of Magic 80:20 The Final Confrontation 84:49 Nathaniel's New Life 1:30:56 Why does Nathaniel Keep Bartimaeus Around? 1:34:14 Kitty's Decision 1:39:17 Golem Folklore | |||
| 70. Virals - Be Wolfdog, Do Crime | 07 Jan 2026 | 01:21:55 | |
Achoo! Awoo? We’re talking about Virals, the YA mystery books by Kathy and Brendan Reichs! A group of kids have been infected with dog-themed-superpowers, and one of them is having a distinctly worse time of it than the rest. Victoria explores how this series interacts with the popular genre tropes of the time. Michael finds the villainous heel turns fascinating, and Jino makes some tory-ble puns. Tune in as we discuss rolling around in some chicken, YA depictions of female friendships, and tricking the kids into learning about forensic anthropology. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios __________________________________________ 00:00 Intro 02:34 Virals & the Authors 09:26 Our Vibes 20:00 Plot Summary Begins 23:20 Important Characters 29:36 The Wolfdogs & the Dog Tag Mystery 43:23 Everyone Gets Sick 51:05 Putting the Pieces Together 01:04:20 Chance Claybourne 01:08:16 On Female Friendships 01:14:41 Final Thoughts | |||
| 69. Young Justice Gets Therapy, and So Should You! | 17 Dec 2025 | 01:20:06 | |
Heads up, Team. Your next assignment is as follows: Discuss the 2010 animated superhero show Young Justice. Jino and Michael return to a childhood favorite and realize that the concept of Doctor Fate is more messed up than they remember. Victoria compares Red Arrow to Sasuke and finds Robin's tiny glasses hilarious. Gear up and prepare for sociopolitical intervention, an absurd number of villains, and psychoanalyzing your fellow podcast hosts. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 68. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Moving Services LLC | 10 Dec 2025 | 01:21:43 | |
Gather your courage as we join Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH! Victoria read this classic as a child. Now older and wider-read, she relishes all the hallmarks of rodent media woven through its telling. Michael compares the book to the (literally) magical animated adaptation, and Jino basks in the glory of a world where giant birds of prey and powerful rats are just... nice, actually! So hunker down in your cinder-block house as we ponder rodent societies, parental courage, and how wild this narrative is from the perspective of Mrs. Frisby's kids. MENTIONED: Listen to The Adventures of the Fox in the Fedora wherever you get your podcasts and learn more about the show at https://www.foxinthefedora.com/ __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 67. Geronimo Stilton Is the World’s Richest & Most Famouse Journalist | 03 Dec 2025 | 01:02:51 | |
Holey Cheese! We’re covering the exploits of our favorite paw-thur, Geronimo Stilton! This beloved Italian children’s book series is full of quests, family, and an atrocious amount of puns. Jino is deeply frustrated at Geronimo’s relatives and their dangerously adventurous instincts. Victoria seriously considers the benefits of hiring a mercenary to act as her clone, while Michael marvels at the geography of New Mouse City and considers the sociopolitical consequences… Join us as we discuss cheddar, swiss, mozzarella, munster, parmesan, gouda, brie, the-one-with-the-live-maggots-in-it-that-could-kill-you-but-people-still-go-for-it -and-honestly-don’t-yuck-someones-yum-but-I’ll-pass-respectfully, and feta! Please check out e-adlirez’s amazing Geronimo Stilton powerpoint! https://www.tumblr.com/e-adlirez/747528093146791936/so-you-wanna-get-into-geronimo-stilton __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 66. The Many Dads of Kung Fu Panda | 19 Nov 2025 | 01:01:03 | |
Finally, a worthy “pod.” This “cast” will be legendary! This week we’re revisiting a beloved Dreamworks classic in Kung Fu Panda! We’ve got a lot to say about this movie and the trilogy that it created! From the plotting and scene construction that Victoria analyzed way back in college, to the nuanced character depictions Jino found on a rewatch, to the plants and pay-offs that Michael gushes over at length, this movie’s got it all: every secret ingredient in the Secret Ingredient Soup! So join us as we run a victory lap for Kung Fu Panda… and also laugh our heads off at the memes. Fin will be leg! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 65. Haikyuu!! Seasons 3 & 4 - The Epic Highs and Lows of High School Volleyball | 12 Nov 2025 | 01:39:21 | |
Heads up! We’re heading back to the volleyball court for Seasons 3 and 4 of Haikyuu!! Victoria can finally, FINALLY talk about that Tsukki moment and Kenma’s backstory without spoilers. Jino is obsessed with Hinata’s Ball Boy Arc, and Michael is convinced that Tanaka fumbled. Together we will wonder, what’s up with that Seagull Kid? Jump in as we rank our favorite players, ponder Ushiwaka’s texting style, and predict which team will achieve ultimate victory at the finals! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 64. The City of Ember Is the Blueprint for Underground Societies | 05 Nov 2025 | 01:08:19 | |
Grab a flashlight (or a candle, as the Builders intended), and dive below ground to The City of Ember! Victoria read this coming-of-age tale as a young’un, and fondly recalls her wish to don a messenger’s cape and dash around her hometown like the protagonist. Michael compares the book to the movie adaptation starring Saiorse Ronan. And Jino? Well, Jino’s got some questions for the city’s so-called “Builders.” Questions like, “How?” and, “Why?” So join us as we discuss broken generators, bad mayors, and YA-style dystopia told through a child’s eyes.__________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 63. Wicked - Oh to Be Doomed by the Narrative | 29 Oct 2025 | 01:01:22 | |
It's meeeeeeeeee! Today we're donning our pointy black hats and talking about Wicked, both the 2024 movie and the original Broadway musical (but mostly the movie, live theater can be expensive!). The original cast recording had a significant influence on young Victoria's theatrical aspirations, and now she acts as our guide analyzing the twisted prequel-sidequel plot and the wizardly propaganda of Oz. Michael is enchanted by the potential of exploring villainous backstories, and Jino makes excuses on behalf of the movie's lighting department. Tune in as we discuss a real actual love triangle, a significant Palpatine detour, and the most important question of all: Why'd they do that to Defying Gravity? Oh, and happy Halloween! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 62. The Penderwicks (Books 2-5) Bring Us Joy For a Lifetime | 22 Oct 2025 | 01:44:49 | |
Penderwick family honor! We’re back with the second installment in our discussion of Jino’s favorite children’s book series. This coming-of-age masterpiece is both timeless and contemporary, with plenty of life lessons and charm to boot. After reading the first book, Victoria entered a fugue state and woke up two weeks later having scoured every local library in the area for the rest of the series. Michael loved Jeanne Birdsall’s poetic prose and authentic characters, even the terrible Mrs. Tifton. Tune in to hear about starting your own rock-based religion, Batty’s no good very bad year, and the most important question of all: Who should Jeffrey have ended up with? __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 61. Why Ryan is the Best High School Musical Character - with special guest Shannon Keane | 15 Oct 2025 | 01:28:30 | |
We’re all in this together! Get your head in the game! And a third cool line from the High School Musical movies, which dominated both the Disney Channel and our hearts back in the mid-2000s. Joining us is Shannon, Michael’s sister and karaoke queen whose constant renditions of the soundtrack when they were kids wormed their way into the permanent canon of their lives. Jino’s first time watching High School Musical 3 was a transcendent experience, and Victoria tells us the tale of Zach Efron’s incredible improvised golf course strut. Tune in as we discuss how Gabriella is an elf from the Lord of the Rings, working-class hero of the proletariat Troy Bolton, and The Song That Did Not Age Well. Season 5 babyyyyyy lets goooo! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng With Shannon Keane Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| Season 4 Recap (Part 2) - More Theater Stories & Final Analysis | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:59:47 | |
We’re back with the second and final part of our Season 4 Recap, covering our episodes from Mulan to Madagascar. Michael recounts a harrowing tale of facing his daemons, Victoria shares some final thoughts on the various Little Women adaptations, and Jino declares that pizza is soup. Plus, some hints for what Season 5 has in store! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Jino Jang Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| Season 4 Recap (Part 1) - Responding to Listeners & Charting Animal Societies | 10 Sep 2025 | 01:15:42 | |
Season 5 is coming soon, so let’s wrap up Season 4! For newer listeners, we always end each season by revisiting previous episodes and commenting on things we may have forgotten to mention or new updates since the episode’s release. In Part 1, we cover our episodes from Ratatouille to The Goose Girl (spoiler warning for any series mentioned in the episode). Tune in to hear all about our favorite childhood comfort foods, how specific the fears in Divergent could potentially get, and the ways that animal societies stack up against each other. Thank you to everyone who wrote in to correct us on things we said (we are often wrong), we always love reading your emails and comments! Check out Jino’s animal society chart and Michael’s Goose Girl meme on our Instagram and Tumblr. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 60. The Madagascar Trilogy Shines Best When You Watch All 3 Movies In a Row | 25 Jun 2025 | 01:12:54 | |
It’s time to move it, move it to our final episode of Season 4, because we watched all three Madagascar films in a row and we have a lot to say about it! This Dreamworks franchise started with the 2005 film that introduced us to Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman. The series subsequently took us from New York City to the titular island, to Africa, and eventually all across Europe! Jino watched the first movie countless times as a kid until he got sick of it, but returns with a newfound appreciation. Michael was surprised by how much detail was put into constructing the jokes, including very niche references to The Twilight Zone! Victoria just loves those penguins. Tune in to hear our thoughts on Madagascar as a queer allegory, unionizing monkeys, and the funniest animated bit we’ve ever seen. Thank you for joining us for Season 4. We’ll be taking a little break, but stay tuned for more episodes soon! MENTIONED: Check out Only 2 Movies on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and follow them on Bluesky @only2movies.bsky.social __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 59. Shark Tale (2004): A Seminal Dreamworks Classic - with special guest Nikki Spina | 18 Jun 2025 | 01:17:24 | |
Get ready for a Whale of a Wash because we’re swimming with the fish today in the 2004 Dreamworks classic: Shark Tale! Joining us is Nikki Spina, here to tell us all the easter eggs we missed and provide some important animation industry context to this movie. Michael and Jino thought they’d never watch this movie all the way through, but here they are. Victoria enjoyed rewatching this film with fresh eyes and was surprised by some of the deeper themes and metaphors it dives into. Tune in to hear our thoughts on breaking out of the cycle of poverty, the implications of a sushi restaurant in this world, and Angelina Jolie Fish. References: Disney Channel fish advertising - https://youtu.be/b_rjBWmc1iQ?t=4165 __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng With Nikki Spina Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 58. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 & 2007) Ages Like Fine Pizza | 11 Jun 2025 | 01:13:00 | |
Cowabunga dudes! This week we’re diving into the sewer to meet the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles of crime-fighting fame! After watching the live-action 1990 film and animated 2007 film, we’re running at full Turtle Power! Jino grew up reading the original comic books, and offers unique insights on the tone, lore, and development of the brand to a very Turtle-poor Michael. Meanwhile, Victoria relives the fraternal drama and sheer aura-farming all over the 2007 animated feature. So grab some pizza and join us as we discuss the pitfalls of freelancing, making "sharpness" your key villain trait, and the Turtles' rat dad...or is he their dad who just looks like a rat?? __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 57. Wild Kid Summers with The Penderwicks | 04 Jun 2025 | 01:01:49 | |
Don’t you miss being a kid in the summer? The Penderwick siblings sure know how to take advantage of the season, running around with a soccer ball and breaking expensive garden vases. The first book in this series by Jeanne Birdsall perfectly captures the simple joys, but also high-stakes drama, of summer vacation. Jino loved The Penderwicks as a kid, but didn’t even know there were four other books until after college! Victoria was excited to see all the Little Women parallels, which was a primary inspiration for these books (check out last week’s episode!). And Michael appreciated the way that each sister had their own rich inner worlds and philosophies on life mirrored in the prose. Tune in to hear our thoughts on generational conflicts, soccer player alter egos, and the most boy to ever boy. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 56. Re-Reading Little Women Brings New Insights In Every Stage of Life | 28 May 2025 | 01:37:12 | |
Brush up on your 1860s slang, because today we’re revisiting an American classic! Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a novel that’s inspired generations of writers and sparked numerous adaptations. Victoria has read the book from cover to cover at least five times now, with a deep love for the March Sisters and a 2017 PBS Masterpiece adaptation. Michael and Jino enjoyed the 2019 film directed by Greta Gerwig, but this is their first time reading the source material! Michael enjoyed Alcott’s character work and shares what real-life inspirations were behind some of the book’s events. Meanwhile, Jino questions whether the book’s ending felt true to Jo’s character. Tune in to hear our thoughts on pickled limes, Laurie’s Byronic alter-ego, and book morality! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 55. The Golden Compass Has Everything: Daemons, Moral Debates, & Armored Bears - with special guest Isabella Miller | 21 May 2025 | 01:36:31 | |
Look up, and you may see a city in the Northern Lights! We’re so excited to be joined once again by Isabella Miller for this deep dive into The Golden Compass, the first book in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series. This was a childhood favorite for Victoria and Isabella, and a brand new journey for Jino and Michael to embark on. In this first book, we searched for answers to the series’ greatest question: what is Dust and is it bad? Did we learn the answer? You’ll have to listen to find out! Tune in to also hear our thoughts on armored bear society, Mrs. Coulter’s unique relationship with her daemon, and how the real treasure was the friends we made along the way (except for that one we lost - yikes!). __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria ChengWith Isabella Miller - https://www.instagram.com/isabellagmiller77/ & https://www.instagram.com/isabellas.podcast.recs/ Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 54. Howl’s Moving Castle Taught Us How to Be Old & Avoid Taxes | 14 May 2025 | 01:06:48 | |
Hold onto your hats and get ready to move with Howl’s Moving Castle! We’re revisiting a collective favorite today in this 2004 animated Studio Ghibli film. No matter how many times we’ve watched it, there’s still a new way to interpret the film’s message. Victoria felt seen in the character of Old Lady Sophie, with some additional insights from the original book by Diana Wynne Jones. Michael loved the eccentric magic memorabilia and aesthetics of the film, but felt that redheads were dealt an unfair card during Howl’s infamous breakdown. Meanwhile, Jino thought he would understand the plot more as an adult, but still found it a bit nebulous on this rewatch. Tune in to hear our thoughts on the film’s take on inner beauty and confidence, Howl’s best hair color, and the benefits of turning into a bird. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 53. How Mulan (1998) Shaped Our Childhoods | 07 May 2025 | 01:01:14 | |
Let’s get down to business! Today, we’re talking about the 1998 Disney animated film, Mulan, whose songs could always quickly get kids hyped up. This is a particularly personal episode, as both Jino and Michael were involved in theatrical performances based on Mulan - who would’ve thought! Victoria unfortunately had no such stage experiences, but she similarly grew up loving the movie, as well as learning about the original Ballad of Mulan. Tune in to hear our thoughts on delicious food eaten (or not eaten?) in the film, Mushu piggy banks, and setting a new bar for how to be a man. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios
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| 52. Shannon Hale’s Prose in The Goose Girl Makes You Stop and Listen | 23 Apr 2025 | 01:12:04 | |
Honk! Did you understand that? If not, maybe you just have to spend more time listening to geese. Today we are journeying to the kingdom of Bayern with Princess Ani in Shannon Hale’s “The Goose Girl”, a truly wonderful and comforting read. As a big fan of fairy tale retellings, Victoria read all the Books of Bayern as a kid. Upon re-reading The Goose Girl, she was reminded once again of how the author’s beautiful prose made her stop to appreciate the weight of the words. Jino was impressed by the well defined magic system of the series, and Michael loved how Ani’s character arc was tied to her discovery of new magic languages. Tune in to hear our thoughts on a talking horse subverting animal sidekick tropes, an ex-lady-in-waiting becoming a class traitor, and a prince adopting a goose through marriage. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios
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| 51. Yarping and Yeeping with The Guardians of Ga’hoole | 16 Apr 2025 | 01:04:45 | |
This episode is about to be yoicks because we’re talking about The Guardians of Ga’hoole! If you read this series as a kid, then you must know a lot about owls, including all the unique vocabulary of this owl society created by the talented Kathryn Lasky (make sure you don’t go yeep!). For this episode, we read the first two books - The Capture and The Journey, where we follow Soren and his friends as they search for the Guardians of legend. Michael read many of these books and had no idea how much lore he had stored in his brain until revisiting the world. Jino was particularly fascinated by the concept of owls baking and metalworking, but having no furniture. Victoria was mostly startled by how many similarities The Capture had to Severance. Tune in to hear our thoughts on brainwashing through moonblinking, going to owl school, and our next hit show: Downton Snakey! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 50. Haikyuu!! Season 2 Proves that Volleyball Is NOT Just a Club | 09 Apr 2025 | 01:05:50 | |
Oya? Oya oya? We’re returning to the intense world of high school volleyball in today’s episode where we’re covering Season 2 of Haikyuu!! (Be sure to check out Episode 43 where we began the saga if you haven’t already.) This is Victoria’s all-time favorite season, with high stakes volleyball games and a lot of great character development too. Jino was happy to finally have context for all the memes his friends have referenced in the past, like the iconic meat dance! Michael enjoyed the multiple perspectives on what it means to join a club and find your passion. Tune in to hear our thoughts on Yachi as the best character, Haikyuu!! stage plays, and which players have captain potential after Daichi’s…death? __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios
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| 49. Starfire is the Heart and Soul of Teen Titans | 02 Apr 2025 | 01:09:49 | |
When there’s trouble you know who to call - it’s the Teen Titans! In this episode, we dive deep into this iconic animated series. The first episode Michael ever saw was Date With Destiny, which quickly got him invested in the Robin & Starfire dynamic. Jino tried to watch the series in college and couldn’t get into it, but the characters still became familiar to him through fanart and other DC shows. Victoria caught a few episodes of the show here and there, but her main knowledge stemmed from online 2D fighting games (who remembers Battle Blitz?) and…writing Red X fanfiction…? Tune in to hear our thoughts on modern-day Teen Titans reimaginings, insane villain/superhero power sets, and why Beast Boy should transform into whales more often. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 48. The 39 Clues to Make Some Really Bad Juice | 26 Mar 2025 | 01:18:37 | |
Have you ever wondered if you might be related to a famous person? How about every famous person in history? Well, if you’re part of the Cahill family, you don’t have to wonder - you definitely are! That’s right, today we’re talking about The 39 Clues. These adventure novels not only taught kids about history and (somewhat questionable) science, but they also marketed themselves as an immersive experience through collectible cards and an online game. Victoria and her younger brother particularly enjoyed that aspect of the series, and easily related to the characters of Amy and Dan. Michael recognized the book covers but had no idea until now what they were about. Jino questions the ramifications of connecting historical figures like Mozart and Benjamin Franklin to all-powerful family branches. Tune in to hear our thoughts on sibling bickering, going into credit card debt, and why you shouldn’t drink the really bad juice. __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||
| 47. I’m Not Like Other YA Novels, I’m Divergent | 19 Mar 2025 | 01:37:43 | |
Are you kind, honest, selfless, intelligent, or brave? Then you might belong in the world of Divergent… as long as you don’t value more than one of those traits at a time! Or something like that? Today, we’re giving our honest critiques and analysis of Veronica Roth’s debut novel. Victoria enjoyed this series as a teen, but now as an adult she’s not so sure the worldbuilding and romance lands for her. Jino wonders what the true intent behind the Dauntless simulations was. Michael just wants to sit and live a peaceful Abnegation life… or is that considered selfish? Tune in to hear our thoughts on which Faction we’d be a part of, defeating your fears with a gun, and the return of the Chicago Bean! __________________________________________ Hosted by Michael Keane, Jino Jang, Victoria Cheng Produced by MouseKnight Studios Edited by Victoria Cheng Music from WOW Sound Follow Nostalgia Club: https://linktr.ee/nostalgiaclubpodcast Follow MouseKnight Studios: https://linktr.ee/mouseknightstudios Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/mouseknightstudios | |||