Explore every episode of the podcast The Pod Universe with Dylan & Dalton
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghostbusters with Branson Reese | 02 Nov 2025 | 01:46:56 | |
Fan favorite guest Branson Reese (Swan Boy, Rude Tales of Magic) returns for another insane new take on a classic film property. This time his sights are set on one of pop culture's most radioactive franchises, GHOSTBUSTERS, which no one has ever made a fool of themselves trying to relaunch before! How does Branson suggest recapturing the magic of the original while avoiding the pitfalls of the underwhelming 1989 followup, the disproportionately hated 2016 remake, or the creatively bankrupt legacy sequels of the 2020s? PLUS: The trailer for Dalton's upcoming scripted pitch, LOS ALAMOS! Our sponsors this week: Return to Blacktail Harbor by Rogue Centaur: Roguecentaur.Itch.Io/Blacktail Ritual Deck RPG: PlusOneExp.com Dim Stars: DimStarsBook.com And as always you can check out our store at shop.thepoduniverse.com or support us on Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:26 - Let's Talk Ghostbusters 00:23:01 - The Leprechaun Bit 00:27:13 - Back to Ghostbusters 00:41:28 - SPONSORS: Return to Blacktail Harbor & Ritual Deck 00:44:31 - Branson's Pitch for Ghostbusters 01:33:11 - SPONSOR: Dim Stars by Brian P. Rubin 01:36:01 - Los Alamos trailer 01:39:11 - Acknowledgements and Coming Attractions | |||
| Last Flight of the Stone Hammer, Part Two | 19 Oct 2025 | 01:26:41 | |
It's the (hopefully) thrilling conclusion of Dylan's space sci-fi drama, Last Flight of the Stone Hammer! Will the Ley-to and Eridai find a way to survive this cosmic calamity? And what will this mean for our Pod Universe going forward? PLUS: Check out Dalton's newest single, a refreshed and rearranged "Some Dark Magik," at the end of this episode. THIS WEEK'S SPONSORS: Vampirocene by merritt k. - When viral pop star Janie Mack "comes out" as a vampire, most people think it's just a play for attention. But when she launches a new movement to stop climate change, people start listening... - merrittk.itch.io/vampirocene Return to Blacktail Harbor by Rogue Centaur - A single-player murder mystery journaling game, where you play as a guest investigating the mysterious events surrounding the wedding and try to stay alive. - Roguecentaur.Itch.Io/Blacktail The Frankencast by Mad Scientist Anthony Bowman - If you’re missing Frankenstein after the conclusion of the Dark Universe, the Frankencast has been watching a discussing Frankenstein movies for over 200 episodes. And as always you can check out our merch on shop.thepoduniverse.com or support us directly on Patreon. https://Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton CHAPTERS | |||
| Last Flight of the Stone Hammer, Part One | 12 Oct 2025 | 01:41:38 | |
In the far reaches of space, two civilizations are locked in an endless conflict. The Eridai’s reckless industry cost the Ley-to their homeworld. The Ley-to’s quest for vengeance has consumed their entire culture, and there’s no end in sight. But when a twist of fate brings their starships to a halt, two opposing crews will have to bring their long conflict to a conclusion — one way or another. It’s Dylan’s first solo pitch for The Pod Universe, and he’s jumping directly into his favorite sci-fi subgenre: the Space Opera! It’s Battlestar Galactica meets Pirates of the Caribbean, but is that going to mean anything to Dalton — who, improbably, has no interest in either? Tune in to find out! OUR SPONSORS The DC3cast, a weekly podcast about DC Comics that recently celebrated its 500th episode! dc3cast.com Dim Stars: A Novel of Outer-Space Shenanigans by Brian P. Rubin - dimstarsbook.com RPG Zine Club, a subscription service for artisan tabletop games - rpgzine.club/zineuniverse Check out our new MERCH STORE, shop.thepoduniverse.com And as always you can join our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Cold Open 00:09:59 - Discussion 00:15:24 - Fan Predictions 00:26:40 - Lore Recap 00:32:04 - Act One 01:01:11 - Discussion 01:12:47 - Act Two Part One 01:32:39 - Discussion | |||
| The Happening w/Josh Gondelman | 05 Oct 2025 | 01:54:18 | |
CONTENT WARNING: This episode is about "The Happening," a film in which a toxin compels people to kill themselves in a variety of weird and novel ways. If you are sensitive to the topic of suicide or self-harm, this might not be for you. Emmy-winning writer and comedian Josh Gondelman visits the Pod Universe to re-examine M. Night Shyamalan's disastrous disaster movie, "The Happening." What makes this potentially poignant thriller so disappointing, and how would Josh do it differently if he could remake it after the COVID-19 outbreak? Also, should Ted from the movie "Ted" be involved? (No. No he shouldn't. We're trying to make a serious movie over here.) OUR SPONSORS: Dim Stars: A Novel of Outer-Space Shenanigans PV Guide Bloodbound Sign up for our Patreon! CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Introducing our guest 00:11:30 - Let's talk about The Happening (2008) 00:55:32 - Sponsor: Dim Stars 00:56:43 - Josh's pitch 01:44:54 - Sponsor: PV Guide 01:46:04 - Trailer: Last Flight of the Stone Hammer 01:49:38 - Sponsor: Bloodbound 01:50:34 - What's coming up? | |||
| Pod People, Part Two | 21 Sep 2025 | 01:36:37 | |
It's the thrilling conclusion to the sci-fi thriller that kicks off our entire shared universe of imaginary sci-fi movies! What's the secret of Alterr, the shadowy tech corporation that seems to be replacing people with clones? What does their plan have to do with a failed quantum computing experiment? And, most importantly of all, where do we go from here? Featuring Sarah Norcross as the voice of Stephanie. SPONSORS Order your copy of Dim Stars: A Novel of Outer-Space Shenanigans from Amazon, or from your favorite bookseller. Check out Dimstarsbook.com for more information. Check out DC3cast, your exhaustive guide to DC Comics, at DC3cast.com or searching on your podcatcher of choice. Ditch the algorithm with PV Guide, featuring recommendations, reviews, and interviews from former Polygon senior curation editor Pete Volk. Find it at pvguide.ghost.io And of course you can join our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton for access to our bonus podcast, Discord server, and other fun perks! CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Intros 00:04:22 - Our Story So Far... 00:09:12 - Act Two, continued 00:28:10 - Discussion 00:37:34 - Sponsors: Dim Stars, DC3Cast 00:39:21 - Act Three 01:15:37 - Sponsor: PV Guide 01:16:56 - Mid-Credits Scene 01:18:42 - Discussion 01:29:15 - Post-Credits Scene 01:31:41 - Unpacking that Post-Credits Scene! 01:35:07 - Patron Acknowledgements | |||
| Pod People, Part One | 14 Sep 2025 | 01:31:59 | |
It's the opening chapter of Dylan & Dalton's original cinematic universe of imaginary sci-fi movies! Pod People is a sci-fi thriller set in Silicon Valley, where a pair of brilliant young engineers discover that their employers, their co-workers, and maybe even their friends and family are being systematically replaced by doppelgängers. But for what purpose, and how deep does the conspiracy go? It’s a modern riff on 1950s paranoid thrillers, most obviously Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but if you know us, then you know we’ve got our own wild twist on the premise. SPONSORS Has to Do With Spider-Man, I Think? - a podcast that expands on Sony's failed cinematic universe of Spider-Man characters Bloodbound - a fantasy/espionage/romance novel series by Chase McPherson Vampirocene - a horror novella by merritt k. And of course you can join our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton for access to our bonus podcast, Discord server, and other fun perks. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Cold Open 00:04:10 - Discussion 00:15:04 - Act One 00:45:07 - Sponsors: Has to Do With Spider-Man, I Think? & Bloodbound by Chase McPherson 00:54:31 - Act Two 01:22:36 - Sponsor: Vampirocene by merritt. k 01:23:24 - Discussion 01:29:37 - Patron acknowledgements | |||
| Welcome to The Pod Universe | 07 Sep 2025 | 01:23:51 | |
In 2022, Dylan Roth and Dalton Deschain set out to finish writing the Dark Universe that began and ended with Universal's 2017 remake of The Mummy. Three years and 29 scripts later, they're embarking on a whole new journey, leaving the realm of fan fiction behind to write, workshop, and perform an entire new universe of imaginary movies on their podcast. You are now entering... THE POD UNIVERSE. This episode was sponsored by three independent creative projects: PV Guide - Ditch the algorithm with PV Guide, featuring recommendations, reviews, and interviews from former Polygon senior curation editor Pete Volk. Forget the robots: Find what to watch next with a human touch. Vampirocene by merritt k. - When viral pop star Janie Mack "comes out" as a vampire, most people think it's just a play for attention. But when she launches a new movement to stop climate change, people start listening... Bloodbound by Chase McPherson - Bloodbound is a gripping saga of identity, resilience, and redemption—where every choice could save two worlds… or doom them both. Learn more at byChaseMcP.com for direct links to your favorite online book retailers. Want to promote your art on our show? Look us up at thepoduniverse.com for details. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - What is the Pod Universe? 00:38:00 - Sponsor: PV Guide 00:40:15 - Slate Reveal, Part 1 00:58:52 - Sponsor: Vampirocene 01:01:11 - Slate Reveal, Part 2 01:14:03 - Sponsor: Bloodhound 01:19:28 - Pod People teaser trailer | |||
| Los Alamos, Part One | 09 Nov 2025 | 01:43:59 | |
In 1944, scientists in the employ of the United States Military were on the cusp of the most consequential discoveries in history. Fearing that the US might use their invention — an atomic fusion bomb — to hold the world hostage, a few of its creators attempted to leak its specifications to the Soviet Union. One tried to stop its construction altogether. This is his story — but in our Pod Universe, nothing is quite so simple as a spy drama, is it? It's Dalton's first solo pitch of the Pod Universe, and like Dylan's space opera, it's a big swing! Will this historical sci-fi thriller capture the interest of the Pod Universe faithful? Has Dalton stepped too far out of their monster movie wheelhouse? Only one way to find out. OUR SPONSORS: OUR PATREON: patreon.com/dylananddalton CHAPTERS | |||
| Los Alamos, Part Two | 16 Nov 2025 | 01:45:27 | |
Dalton's cerebral Cold War time travel thriller heats up! Is atomic spy Adrien Barnier truly doomed? Can his accomplice and lover truly be trusted? And how will this story set in the 1940s tie into our larger Pod Universe saga? This episode is brought to you by... Support us via Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton and unlock hours of bonus episodes and a community of lovely creative folks, or buy our merch at shop.thepoduniverse.com CHAPTERS | |||
| Jurassic Park w/Vera Drew | 30 Nov 2025 | 01:38:59 | |
Filmmaker Vera Drew (The People's Joker) joins Dylan & Dalton to pitch her own wild reboot to one of Hollywood's most gargantuan film franchises: Jurassic Park! How will this outsider artist interpret Universal's king-sized cash cow? How did Spielberg's popcorn classic influence her own award-winning feature film? And what the hell does Russ Meyer have to do with all of this? Tune in to find out! LINKS & SPONSORS As always, you can support our show at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton or buy our merchandise at shop.thepoduniverse.com CHAPTERS | |||
| The Pod Universe (TRAILER) | 01 Dec 2025 | 00:01:01 | |
Welcome to The Pod Universe with Dylan and Dalton, the only podcast that's creating a shared universe of original sci-fi movies, one script at a time. Dive into our saga of produced table reads of new screenplays, each accompanied by a discussion and workshop session. Check out movie pitches from exciting guests like filmmaker Vera Drew or Emmy-winning writer Josh Gondelman, each pitching their own spin on a Hollywood favorite. | |||
| The Grinch with Daniel Kibblesmith | 14 Dec 2025 | 01:34:55 | |
Months ago, Emmy-winning writer and author Daniel Kibblesmith was driving through Burbank, California when he made an astounding realization - The Grinch is a Universal Monster. Therefore, he is eligible for inclusion in the Dark Universe, the sprawling film franchise that was launched in 2017, immediately scrapped, and then continued by Dylan & Dalton on the previous incarnation of their podcast! What are Daniel's plans for the green meanie with a penchant for devilry and a hatred of Christmas? Let's find out... SPONSORS And as always you can join our Patreon - Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton CHAPTERS | |||
| Michael Clayton | 21 Dec 2025 | 01:28:30 | |
CONTENT WARNING: The cold open of this episode includes a description of a suicide attempt. It's brief and you'll see it coming. Dylan & Dalton present maybe the most ridiculous episode they've ever conceived! And for now, that's all the detail you get. This episode is sponsored by... CHAPTERS | |||
| The Pied Piper w/Tulok the Barbrarian | 18 Jan 2026 | 02:32:02 | |
Gamer and YouTuber extraordinaire TULOK THE BARBRARIAN has come to drag Dylan & Dalton back to the DARK UNIVERSE in this massive guest episode! For the first time, a guest has brought in a full-length script to read, and it’s a gnarly reinterpretation of the classic folk tale The Pied Piper. We’ve gone all out for this one! Who is this menacing musician, and how does his story connect to our thirty-part cinematic universe of monster movies? (Don’t worry, no previous Dark Universe experience is required.) SPONSORS Don’t miss our charity livestream on Friday, January 23rd at 8pm ET, over on the Tulok the Barbrarian YouTube channel! We’ll be running a one-shot game set in the same Dark Universe as this episode, guest starring fan-favorite guests Stella Sacco and Kendra Wells. You can back the new sourcebook Formula Infiniti at TTRPG.link/speedofsad And you can find Coffee Nick’s Movie Picks wherever you listen to podcasts. CHAPTERS | |||
| Merge Conflict, Part One | 01 Feb 2026 | 01:54:47 | |
Stay at home dad Grant Goodkin lives a quiet life tending to his loving family. But when he sleeps, he dreams of violence and decay, and every morning he wakes up a little more dangerous. What's happening to him, and can his blissful family life survive it? Listen to writer Dylan Roth present his feature-length script to storytelling partner Dalton Deschain, as they perform and critique this latest installment in their ongoing universe of imaginary sci-fi movies. SPONSORS: CHAPTERS | |||
| Merge Conflict, Part Two | 08 Feb 2026 | 01:30:34 | |
Despite Dylan's doubts, the first half of his new script "Merge Conflict" gave Dalton (and our audience) chills! But now that his first proper horror script is taking its necessary turn into the realm of science fiction, will it still satisfy? Will it fulfill the precious promise of the premise? One way to find out. This episode is brought to you by... AXOLOTL WITH A GUN - a new RPG you can support on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/residentbard/axolotl-with-a-gun-2nd-edition?ref=csa26y YOUR FAVORITE BAD MOVIE PODCAST - which you can find on your favorite podcatcher And of course our Patreon, which you can join for $5 a month and enjoy our wonderful Discord community and bonus pod, and participate in our revamped STUDIO MANDATES program, Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton CHAPTERS | |||
| The Faculty w/Taylor Ortega | 29 Mar 2026 | 01:41:34 | |
SPOILER ALERT! We will be spoiling all of 1998's THE FACULTY, right off the bat! Taylor Ortega, comedian and star of the new Netflix series "Big Mistakes," visits The Pod Universe to revisit the 1998 sci-fi Scream-alike, THE FACULTY, and pitch her own contemporary remake! Let's take a look back at the surprisingly rad Robert Rodriguez flick that's essentially Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets The Breakfast Club, featuring not nearly enough Usher! This episode is sponsored by "Light Pursuit," the new album from Syracuse rock band Mosaic Mind. Find out more about mosaicmindband.com And as always you can join our Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton to get bonus episodes and help decide what classic film we'll reimagine next. CHAPTERS | |||
| BONUS PREVIEW: Boss Baby | 22 Mar 2026 | 00:20:06 | |
A new era begins on our bonus pod, Are You Afraid of Dylan & Dalton? in which Patrons get more control over what movies we watch and what stories we tell! This month, we are pitching a Dark Universe horror movie version of THE BOSS BABY. That's right, the Patrons have spoken and the very first movie elected to the Studio Mandate queue is the Dreamworks animated feature in which Alec Baldwin plays a newborn baby who means business. You can help select our next Studio Mandate by joining the Patreon! $25/mo subscribers get to nominate a movie every month, and those nominees get voted on by all subscribers at the $8/mo level or higher. And of course, all paid subscribers get to listen to the results. Nominations for next month's Mandate open RIGHT NOW, so if you're a Studio Executive subscriber, hit us up via DM on Patreon or Discord and we'll put your choice on the ballot. | |||
| Late Adopters, Part Two | 15 Mar 2026 | 01:35:12 | |
Dalton's madcap social satire of a post-computer world comes to a conclusion! Can Cora Winters' quantum-proof gadget save the future? Who exactly are the True Widows mourning? And who the hell is CHUNGUS? Find out on this exciting episode. As always, you can join us at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton to chat about this episode with fellow fans, and enjoy our bonus materials and companion podcast. CHAPTERS | |||
| Lee Cronin's The Mummy | 26 Apr 2026 | 01:09:11 | |
Dylan, Dalton, and Sarah review the new non-Universal monster movie, "Lee Cronin's The Mummy," which takes the basic conceit of "What if there was a mummy?" and goes in a very different direction. We don't mind different! But does this new feature hold up as either a Mummy movie or the Exorcist movie it plainly wants to be? PLUS: A sneak preview at the forthcoming Pod Universe crossover spectacular, WAR OF THE WORLDS! CHAPTERS | |||