501stcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Recording Date: March 22, 2026

Release date April 5, 2026

Hosts:

Mike Hinton, TK-5351 Garrison Carida 

Chris Nitro, TR-82065 Northeast Remnant Garrison

Mikey Bouchereau, TB-60614 Bluegrass Garrison

Matt Schraeder, TB-99920 Starkiller Garrison.

Anthony “AP” Pizzuto, SL-22381  Northeast Remnant Garrison

Email the hosts at:

Mike Hinton  ⁠TK5351@501stcast.com⁠

Chris Nitro ⁠nitro@501stcast.com⁠

Mikey Bouchereau ⁠mikey@501stcast.com⁠

Matt Schraeder ⁠TB99920@501stcast.com⁠

Anthony Pizzuto ⁠ap@501stcast.com⁠

We want to hear from you! Send us ideas for topics that you want to hear about, interview suggestions, or even just your well wishes. For now, help us kick off our next episode. Email, call or message us answering the following question. 

• Write to us at ⁠podcast@501stcast.com⁠

• Use country code +1 to leave us a voicemail at 1-551-501-TALK (8255)

• Message us on FB at ⁠https://www.facebook.com/the501stCast⁠

• All of these can be found at our home on the web ⁠501stcast.com⁠

And we have a fresh report from the Imperial Security Bureau confirming that as of March 22, 2026, the Legion boasts 12,924 active troopers and 33,946 approved costumes across the galaxy.

Recent News

The 501st Legion now has an official Discord! The Discord server is being hosted and supported by the Legion PR Team in a similar manner as existing FB groups such as 501st Updates and the PRO-only Department of Propaganda.

Discord support requests should go to: PRO@501st.com.

Newest CRLs - 
https://crls.501st.com/tfe/cal-kestis-inquisitor
TotM/CotQ 

Scott Moss - TK-62000 - Bloodfin Garrison

HM/FoTL -

HM - Tatul Benodat

HM - David Kay

Topic of the Day 

The question from the end of last Show was:

• What was the most difficult part of your first build that almost made you quit?

This episode of the 501stCast is dedicated to :

Kerrin Peck - TX-25087 - Redback Garrison

Tristan Greco - TK-1871 - French Garrison

Steve Hird - TK-6659 - UK Garrison

Next Episode/Contact Reminders & Final Wrap-up 

We want to hear from you! Send us ideas for topics that you want to hear about, interview suggestions, or even just your well wishes. For now, help us kick off our next episode. Email, call or message us answering the following question. 

• How did you explain your new hobby to your non-Star Wars friends or family?

Shout Out

• TK 2066  - thanks for bumpers and phone call. 

The Mayan Garrion

Disclaimer:

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd. it follows generally accepted ground rules for Star wars fan groups. Star Wars, its characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm. Copyright & Trademark Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

Recording Date: Feb 22, 2026

Release date Mar 5, 2026

Hosts:

Mike Hinton, TK-5351 Garrison Carida 

Chris Nitro, TR-82065 Northeast Remnant Garrison

Mikey Bouchereau, TB-60614 Bluegrass Garrison

Matt Schraeder, TB-99920 Starkiller Garrison.

Anthony “AP” Pizzuto, SL-22381  Northeast Remnant Garrison

Email the hosts at:

Mike Hinton  TK5351@501stcast.com

Chris Nitro nitro@501stcast.com

Mikey Bouchereau mikey@501stcast.com

Matt Schraeder TB99920@501stcast.com

Anthony Pizzuto ap@501stcast.com

We want to hear from you! Send us ideas for topics that you want to hear about, interview suggestions, or even just your well wishes. For now, help us kick off our next episode. Email, call or message us answering the following question. 

• Write to us at podcast@501stcast.com

• Use country code +1 to leave us a voicemail at 1-551-501-TALK (8255)

• Message us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/the501stCast

• All of these can be found at our home on the web 501stcast.com

Legion by the Numbers as of Feb 22, 2026

12,855 active troopers with 33,733 approved costumes. 

Highlights of episode 141

A huge shout-out and thanks to everyone who stepped up to run, and to those who participated in the election process. And congratulations to all the leaders at the local level and legion level new and existing who have started their official terms!

Do you have a unique skill set, have a passion for leading? If you’re curious about participating in the command staff at the local level or even the legion level, start small. Reach out to your local CO and set up a conversation. Ask what the role really looks like, learn about the challenges and what the rewards are. 

Leadership in the legion is all about supporting your fellow troopers, strengthening our community and ensuring we continue to make a meaningful difference in the galaxies we visit both fictional and real and it’s never too early to start thinking about your involvement in the future! Who knows the next great leader of your garrison might already be in armor!

 We will be working with Starlight in the U.S. once again for our upcoming hospital visits during the month of May!  Just like in the past, they will send toys to the hospital for you to pass out to the kids during your hospital visits.  May 4th will be here before you know it, so get your event dates submitted early so Starlight has plenty of lead-time to get the shipments out to you. The deadline for submissions to arrive during the month of May is April 1st. If you are planning a hospital visit in the month of May and wish to have Starlight send out some cool stuff, please fill out the form using the link on the screen: https://tinyurl.com/2026MayStarlight

Newest CRLs - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=91327&hilit=crl&start=400

Congratulations to Andy Price, TK-42542 from Southern Cross Garrison Trooper of the Month!

Congratulations from all of us at the 501st Cast!

.

HM/FoTL - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=67

• HM - Richard Edlund - 

• Mr. Dee Tails 

Topic of the Day 

What was the very first Star Wars character that made you say, "I want to wear that"?

Dedication: 

Member Memorials: https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=290

This episode of the 501stCast is dedicated to :

• Justin Conner - TR-58696 of Mountain Garrison

• Brad Edmonds - TK-3905 of Florida Garrison

• Gaëtan (GUY-tan) Verracchia (ver-ACK-ia) - TB-10590 of the French Garrison

Buckets off to all the troopers, their families and friends. We solemnly enter their names into our Hall of Eternal Legionaries, and offer a moment of silence.

Shout Out

- Thank you everyone who sent in audio or video to use in these episodes of the 501st Cast!

Recording Date: Feb 22, 2026

Hosts:

Mike Hinton, TK-5351 Garrison Carida 

Chris Nitro, TR-82065 Northeast Remnant Garrison

Mikey Bouchereau, TB-60614 Bluegrass Garrison

Matt Schraeder, TB-99920 Starkiller Garrison.

Anthony “AP” Pizzuto, SL-22381  Northeast Remnant Garrison

Email the hosts at:

Mike Hinton  TK5351@501stcast.com

Chris Nitro nitro@501stcast.com

Mikey Bouchereau mikey@501stcast.com

Matt Schraeder TB99920@501stcast.com

Anthony Pizzuto ap@501stcast.com

We want to hear from you! Send us ideas for topics that you want to hear about, interview suggestions, or even just your well wishes. For now, help us kick off our next episode. Email, call or message us answering the following question. 

• Write to us at podcast@501stcast.com

• Use country code +1 to leave us a voicemail at 1-551-501-TALK (8255)

• Message us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/the501stCast

All of these can be found at our home on the web 501stcast.com

The 501stcast, the official podcast of the 501st Legion, Vader's Fist, is glad to take part in Star Wars Podcast day 2026

Some of our troopers were on missions for the emperor . Please check out the 501stcast anywhere you find podcast.

Contact us at:

Mike email TK5351@501stcast.com

Mikey email mikey@501stcast.com

Chris email nitro@501stcast.com

Anthony email ap@501stcast.com

Matt email TB99920@501stcast.com

website www.501stcast.com

This is a special Star Wars Podcast day 2026 episode.

An annual celebration of the Star Wars fan audio community, every February 7th
#starwarspodcastday
#swpd2026

Recording Date: Jan 24, 2026

Release date: Feb 5th, 2026

Mike Hinton, TK-5351 from Garrison Carida with….

Chris Nitro, TR-82065 from the Northeast Remnant Garrison

Mikey Bouchereau, TB-60614 from the Bluegrass Garrison

Matt Schraeder, TB-99920 from Starkiller Garrison.

and I’m Anthony “AP” Pizzuto, SL-22381 from the Northeast Remnant Garrison

as of Jan 24, 2026 we have 12,885 active members and 33,703 approved costumes

Newest CRLs - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=91327&hilit=crl&start=400

TotM/CotQ - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=206

• The CotQ 

• The Crew that organized TrooperFest

• https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=206&t=116327

• The TotM was Luis Dicara DS-89889 from the Death Star Garrison in Brazil

• Did 8 troops in December, including a hospital visit, a Christmas party that hosted 800 kids, an event for kids with special needs, and a Christmas parade, which he organized.

HM/FotL - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=67

• HM Alistair Petrie was inducted on 10/16/25 by Darren Green BH-21072 and sponsored by the UK Garrison. Alistair Petrie portrayed General Davits Draven in Rogue One & Andor.

• HM Genevieve O’Reilly was inducted on 10/16/25 by Darren Green BH-21072 and sponsored by the UK Garrison. Genevieve O’Relly portrayed Mon Mothma across several Star Wars movies and shows.

Mission Reports

Upcoming Events 

•  Star Wars podcast day Feb 7th

Misc & Wrap-up

Attention all 501st Legion members, the time has come to shape the future of our organization! Remember, the 501st runs on the troopers who step up, serve, and keep the mission moving!

We’re now accepting nominations so if you know someone who leads with the passion of a hangry Gundark, supports the team like an overprotective Grand Moff, and wants to make Palpatine proud by representing the Empire then nominate them!

Nominations are open until February 6th at 11:59UTC, followed by a Q&A session, closing statements and most importantly, voting begins on February 13th at 12:01am UTC and ends on February 17th at 11:59pm UTC.

Visit 501st.com/elections for more info.

Matt, I’m tossing it to you to share our dedications.

Dedication: 

Member Memorials: https://www.501st.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=290

This episode of the 501stCast is dedicated to :

• Mark Templeton TK-69323 of Capital City Garrison

• Sharon Hertzig TK-1958 of Alabama Garrison 

• Jake Simonds SL-88993 of Oklahoma Garrison

Buckets off to all the troopers, their families and friends. We solemnly enter their names into our Hall of Eternal Legionaries.

Website Reminders & Final Wrap-up 

As a reminder, we’re reactivating our online presence, where you can post your feedback and comments and listen to previous episodes of the show. 

551-501-TALK (8255)

The 501stCast is an easy way to catch up on a few weeks of Legion news while driving, at the office or working out, but if you're looking for up-to-the-minute news, you'll need to get it from the 501st social media. Join in the discussion as thousands of fellow fans share their passion for trooping, Star Wars and charity.

Shout Out - 

• Julian Nunn ID 46306 - Golden Gate Garrison

• Jamie Tobitt ID 67076 - Imperial Sands Garrison

• Paul Herbert ID 12775 - Imperial Scottish Garrison

• William Rohihill ID 29192 - North East Remnant Garrison

• Anthony  Welling ID 2066 - Starkiller Garrison

• Jase Fox ID 5548 UK garrison

• Kevin Brown ID 33151 Southern Cross Garrison

• Jason Brash ID 86557 Desert Scorpion Garrion

• Kevin Martinez ID 71689 Northeast Remnant Garrion 

• Thomas Felton ID 41961 UK Garrison

Disclaimer:

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd. it follows generally accepted ground rules for Star wars fan groups. Star Wars, its characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm. Copyright & Trademark Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

501stcast episode 138 Jan 2026 (Normally we will have 501stcast on the 5th but this is released early to let people check out the charity auction listed in show notes)

Recorded Dec 27, 2025

For general podcast questions and comments contact us at: podcast@501stcast.com

To contact the individual hosts:

Michael Hinton TK5351

• tk5351@501stcast.com

• Instagram @hintonstarwarsfamily

• Tiktok @hintonstarwarsfamily 

Anthony Pizzuto

• ap@501stcast.com

Matt Schraeder

• TB99920@501stcast.com

Chris Mitrotasios

• nitro@501stcast.com

Mikey TB60604 

• TBA (He was on an imperial mission this episode)

Show Notes

Mike Hinton, TK-5351 from Garrison Carida with….

Chris Nitro, TR-82065 from the Northeast Remnant Garrison

Matt Schraeder, TB-99920 from Starkiller Garrison.

and Anthony “AP” Pizzuto, SL-22381 from the Northeast Remnant Garrison

Mikey Bouchereau will be back from his mission by the next episode.

Overview/Highlights -

Legion by the Numbers

As of December 27, 2025

12,889 active troopers with 29,206 approved costumes with 3,140 new or pending members in the database.

7 Ready for Duty.

And in 2025 there were 814 total costumes approved in 2025.

Number one costume is that with a TI designator with 5,436 approved costumes, like the TIE reserve, fighter, etc. 

The costume that has the lowest number of approved members is the Clone Pilot or CP designation with 22.

Recent News

• Trooper fest recap

• More items are being auctioned from Trooperfest like an E-11, R1 TK Soft parts & Star Tours Artwork. 

• The auction runs until January 6th

  Click here for the Facebook link

• Search for TrooperFest 2025 on Facebook to find the info 

• All proceeds go towards Give Kids the World Village 

• Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families.

Newest CRLs - https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=91327&hilit=crl&start=400

Book of Boba Fett Boba Fett

Dec 15th  The 501st Bounty hunters guild announced a new costume has been added to their CRL Library: Boba Fett: The Book of Boba Fett.  After parting ways with Din Djarin on Tython, Boba Fett, the legendary bounty hunter, navigates the galaxy's underworld in repainted armor and gear when he returns to the sands of Tatooine to stake his claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.

If you would like to join The 501st Legion with this costume, or find out more information about this build, please visit:

https://crls.501st.com/bhg/boba-fett-book-of-boba-fett

For more information about The Bounty Hunters Guild, please visit:

https://thebhg.net/

Mission Reports

Please add your mission reports to the 501st forums.  We would love to share the amazing things that our garrisons are doing each month.

Here is a quick link to get your mission report or other information to us quickly

What do you wish you knew before your first troop?   

Dedication: 

This episode of the 501stCast is dedicated to :

• Heather Anda-Cabrera TI-11189 of the Dune Sea Garrison

• Linda Ward TI-62216 of the Old Line Garrison

• Derek James TK-9634 and Melissa James TK-9644 of North Texas Squad of Star Garrison

• Larry Peterka TD-1529 of the Old Line Garrison

Buckets off to all the troopers and their families.  You will all be missed.  You all will not be forgotten, and your legacy and memory will live on among the Eternal Legionnaires. 

Shout Out - 

To Anthony Pizzuto, Chris Nitro, Matt Schraeder, and Mikey Bouchereau for the willingness to restart the podcast. We would like to extend a deep and heartfelt thank you to all the previous hosts of the 501stCast.  

This episode is being rereleased on Dec 2025.

Some of the contact info may be outdated.

Any questions please reach out to us at

podcast@501stcast.com

Enjoy

Recorded June 20, 2021

Hosts

Marcus
Nicky
Joe
Todd

This episode is being rereleased on Dec 2025.

Some of the contact info may be outdated.

Any questions please reach out to us at

podcast@501stcast.com

Enjoy!

Recorded on July 28, 2020

Dedication:
This episode of the 501st Cast is dedicated to 
Eduardo Rubén Bejarano Espejo, ID-16876 from Garrison Perú 
and Honorary Member and ILM alumni Grant Imahara

Hosts:

Joe
Nicky
Marcus
Todd

Links from show

Clone Trooper Detachment
Both the Purge Trooper - Commander
https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:CC_purge
and Coruscant Guard (Phase II) — Heavy Trooper
https://databank.501st.com/databank/Cos ... 2_CG_Heavy
are both completed and ready for independent Garrison Membership Liaison approval.
To backtrack - CRLs that are not in place, but not yet greenlit are still approval-able costumes, but the GML may need to work with the Legion level Membership team to finalize review of the costume.
Bounty Hunters Guild
And then lastly, our Bounty Hunters Guild finalized the amazing Embo from Star Wars:The Clone Wars CRL
https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:BH_Embo
Definitely go check out the photo of that in the link in our shownotes. We had a question during the live Q&A about rare costumes, and I'd say that Embo is likely on that short list of seldom seen costumes.
As always, you can check out links to our new CRLs in our shownotes.
Thanks, again, to the Legion Membership Team for these updates.
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=91327&start=240#p1361737
Catching up with our HMs - Nicky
This episode for our tiny segment on catching up on our Honorary Members, we wanted to give a shout out to Simon Pegg for highlighting his 501st Legion (although he called us Battalion - must have picked that up from JJ) name badge during a video interview he did recently with BBC Radio. Check out the link to the article on Fantha Tracks in our shownotes to watch the clip.
https://www.fanthatracks.com/news/colle ... 51yau6hhLI
And, then of course just a little bit later on this episode we'll be catching up with Honorary and Full Legion Member Steve Sansweet from Rancho Obi-Wan!
Random SW news notes - Marcus
The Mandalorian up for 15 Emmys
https://www.starwars.com/news/the-manda ... emmys-2020
"The Lucasfilm and Disney+ series, created by Jon Favreau, is a contender for Outstanding Drama Series — as well as 12 other categories — for a total of 15 nominations that run the gamut from acting to cinematography, costumes to special effects, and include recognition for the show’s haunting score."

This episode is being rereleased on Dec 2025.

Some of the contact info may be outdated.

Any questions please reach out to us at

podcast@501stcast.com

Enjoy!

Recorded on sept 8, 2020

Dedication:
Sadly there have been many members who have crossed the threshold into our Hall of Eternal Legionaries since our last episode. This episode is dedicated to the following:
Oscar Cerda Ramírez (SL-21171) from Costa Rica Garrison
Kevin Lehning (BH-669) an early member of Midwest Garrison
Mathew Bedogni (TK-6280) of Outpost 42 New Zealand Garrison
Donald David Dunn (TK-10436) from Florida Garrison's Makaze Squad
Aarón Landeros (ID-9929) from Skull Garrison and
Claudia Ivette Guerrero Ramírez (ID 25015) from Mexican Garrison's Imperial City Squad
Buckets off for these fallen members.

Hosts

Marcus
Nicky

Joe
Todd

New Season 2 photos from The Mandalorian - Nicky
In Star Wars news, Entertainment Weekly dropped new photos this morning from The Mandalorian's Season 2. I'm sure costumers are already analyzing them to see what changes there might be to The Mando's armor.
https://bit.ly/2ZfEFZ3
New CRLs - Joe
Here are the newly green-lit entries to our Costume Reference Library since our last episode: 
Clone Trooper Detachment
The Clone Trooper Detachment has green-lit 3 CRLs of armor from The Clone Wars Season 7
Commander Cody in his attire from Season 7 
https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:CC_CodyS7
Captain Vaughn from the 332nd Company of the 501st Legion
https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:CW_Vaughn
and Hunter the leader of Clone Force 99, “The Bad Batch”
https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:CW_Hunter
Imperial Officer Corps
The Imperial Officer Corps has green-lit the CRL for First Order Allegiant General Pryde.
https://databank.501st.com/databank/Cos ... eral-Pryde
Underworld Detachment
A new CRL from those of the Underworld is the Guavian Death Gang Soldier. 
https://databank.501st.com/databank/Cos ... ng_Soldier
Pathfinders
Scout Trooper as seen in The Mandalorian is now live. 
https://databank.501st.com/databank/Cos ... andalorian
All those costumes are now ready for independent GML approval. As always, you can check out links to our new CRLs in our shownotes.
Thanks, again, to the Legion Membership Team for these updates.
viewtopic.php?p=1364619#p1364620