The Worst of the Best Podcast

Afleveringen

• 
  Saturday Morning Cartoons (1980s) 27.07.2026 54min

  Relive the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons with the absolute best of the 1980s. We count down the top 10 iconic shows every 80s kid remembers — from Looney Tunes and Alvin and the Chipmunks to He-Man, Thundercats, Transformers, and G.I. Joe — sharing childhood memories, theme songs, toys, and why these shows still hit different.At the end we each pick the one cartoon from the list we’d sacrifice if we had to. 
• 
  Completely Pointless but Controversial Arguments 25.07.2026 50min

  These are the completely pointless arguments that somehow still start fights — toilet paper over or under, pineapple on pizza, ketchup in the fridge or pantry, how to pronounce GIF, and more. We go through 10 of the dumbest debates people actually get heated about and give our takes without spoiling each other’s opinions beforehand.From cat vs dog and toothpaste squeezing technique to whether a hot dog is a sandwich, we rank which ones are actually worth arguing about (spoiler: most aren’t). Live chat weighed in the whole time.
• 
  The Dark and Gruesome Origins of Fairy Tales 23.07.2026 39min

  Classic fairy tales were never the wholesome stories Disney sold us. In this episode we dig into the original dark and gruesome versions of 10 of the most famous ones — kids drowning, wolves eating girls, queens dancing to death in red-hot iron shoes, and far worse.We cover the real Pied Piper, Little Red Riding Hood, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Goldilocks, Hansel & Gretel, Rapunzel, and Cinderella. Some of these origins are legitimately disturbing.
• 
  Items and Activities That Are Forbidden in North Korea 21.07.2026 34min

  North Korea bans everyday things most of us never think twice about — the global internet, smiling on certain days, foreign TV, driving, leaving the country, skinny jeans, international calls, choosing your own job, haircut styles, and even criticizing the government. In this episode we break down all 10 and debate which restriction would hit the hardest.We go through the list one by one, react to how extreme some of these rules really are, and talk about the human cost. Live chat even jumped in with extra details while we recorded.
• 
  'Friends' - 10 Things That Haven't Aged Well from the Sitcom 10.06.2026 1u 2min

  In this episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast, Ryan is joined by co-host Katie to dive deep into how the iconic '90s sitcom Friends has aged—nearly 20 years after its finale. We break down 10 key elements that feel dated today, from running gags about Ross's ex-wife Carol and her partner Susan, fat Monica flashbacks and body image jokes, Ross's "nice guy" red flags and consent issues, Chandler's drag queen dad, Phoebe's traumatic backstory turned comedy fodder, power dynamics in relationships, mocking femininity, possessive male behavior, and the show's lack of diversity in New York City.We discuss evolving cultural lenses on consent, body positivity, representation, and more—while still celebrating what made Friends a formative, hilarious show for so many. Fair warning: we use today's perspectives on 1994–2004 TV tropes. Is it still binge-worthy? You decide!Listen to the full conversation and join the debate in the comments. What aged the worst for you?0:00 - Intro & Welcome with Katie2:35 - Katie's Friends Sweater Story & Fandom Origins5:59 - Ryan's Journey to Becoming a Fan11:08 - Preface: Viewing Through 2020s Goggles14:41 - The 10 Things That Aged Poorly (Overview)15:05 - #10: Susan & Carol as Punchlines (Lesbian Representation)18:13 - #9: Jokes About Physical Appearance (Fat Monica, Rachel's Nose)24:49 - #8: Ross as the "Nice Guy" (Jealousy, Tantrums, PhD Flexing)28:15 - Consent Issues & the Sister Kiss Scene30:38 - #7: Chandler's Drag Queen Dad (Helena Handbasket)35:22 - #6: Phoebe's Traumatic Backstory as Comedy38:58 - #5: Problematic Power Dynamics in Relationships40:54 - #4: Mocking Femininity & Gender Roles46:09 - #3: Men Trying to Control Women (Ross, Joey & Sisters)48:22 - #2: Lack of Diversity in NYC Setting57:05 - Ranking the Worst Offenders & Closing Thoughts1:01:15 - Outro & Recommendations
• 
  UFO and Alien Encounters 31.05.2026 1u 2min

  Ryan and Jason dive into 10 wild alien encounter stories — from reptilian face-pulling, star people, miscarriages replaced by alien babies, cloud beings, Tic Tac UFOs seen by military pilots, and more.They mix skepticism, humor, and analysis while picking the "least believable" story at the end. Trigger warning: some stories involve sensitive themes.0:00 – Intro & Ryan’s Crib Memory9:04 – Patina Rodriguez Aguilar (Spaceship as Child)16:05 – Michelle Marie (Alaska Pacific University)21:57 – Dale Snipes (Reptilian Face Pull)29:32 – Geraldine Rosco (Miscarriages & Alien Babies)36:40 – Sharon Gilbert (Other Derek Reptilian)43:56 – Lily Nova (Cloud Aliens & Star People)50:55 – Lt. Commander Alex Dietrich (Tic Tac UFO)57:30 – Worst Story Picks & Wrap-Up
• 
  Sibling Rivalry That Ended in Tragedy (True Crime) 29.05.2026 48min

  Ryan and Jason cover 10 real stories of sibling rivalries that ended in tragedy — from fights over WiFi passwords and dirty dishes to pizza ovens, borrowed t-shirts, religious differences, and more.They mix dark humor with the shocking details while reminding listeners these are real tragedies. Trigger warning: violence and family loss discussed.0:00 – Intro4:54 –  WiFi Password Choking12:45 – Dirty Dishes Stabbing16:04 –  Pizza Oven Samurai Sword23:08 –  Religious Differences29:40 –  Car Seat Fight35:39 –  Family Honor Knife Attack39:58 –  Online Boyfriend Love Triangle44:27 –  Borrowed T-Shirt Shooting50:55 –  Inheritance Ax Handle55:36 –  Body Wash Shooting57:30 – Worst Picks & Wrap-Up
• 
  Ways That Technology Has Destroyed Privacy 27.05.2026 56min

  Ryan and Jason break down 10 ways modern technology has destroyed our privacy — from biometric scanners and GPS tracking to voice interception, ISP monitoring, remote desktop apps, cookies, audio recordings, and social media.They discuss how convenience comes at a huge cost, share real-world examples, and debate which invasion feels the worst. Classic brotherly banter with plenty of “what if” moments.0:00 – Intro & Discord Plug4:03 – Biometric Scanners10:16 – Voice Interception16:07 – Computer Surveillance22:59 – Internet Never Forgets26:06 – Online Cookies30:39 – Video Conferencing & Zoom Risks34:01 – GPS Tracking36:58 – ISP Privileges39:06 – Remote Desktop Apps42:09 – Audio Recordings44:05 – Social Media Tracking49:23 – Worst Picks & Wrap-Up
• 
  Obscure Conspiracy Theories About the World We Live In 25.05.2026 54min

  Ryan and Jason dive into 10 obscure (and wild) conspiracy theories — from the Earth being flat with no real trees, Australia not existing, the Denver Airport being Illuminati HQ, Princess Diana’s secret daughter, the world ending in 2012, and more.They debate plausibility, share laughs, and pick their “least believable” theory at the end.0:00 – Intro5:05 – Simulation Theory10:17 – Ronald Reagan 66614:05 – No Real Trees / Flat Earth23:00 – Tsunami Created by Nukes26:53 – Australia Doesn’t Exist29:58 – No Roman Empire33:38 – Last Thursday Theory37:26 – Princess Diana’s Daughter40:39 – Denver Airport Illuminati46:47 – World Ended in 2012
• 
  U2 - Achtung Baby | Their Best Album? 23.05.2026 1u 21min

  Ryan and Jason break down U2’s iconic 1991 album Achtung Baby — a complete sonic reinvention from The Joshua Tree era with tracks like “Zoo Station,” “One,” “Even Better Than the Real Thing,” “Mysterious Ways,” and “Love is Blindness.”They discuss the album’s production, Edge’s guitar work, Bono’s emotional vocals, personal nostalgia, and why this remains one of their all-time favorites.0:00 – Intro & album context5:00 – Zoo Station & sonic shift10:00 – Even Better Than the Real Thing15:00 – One (deep discussion)25:00 – Mysterious Ways35:00 – Ultraviolet & Acrobat45:00 – Love is Blindness (album closer)50:00 – Worst song pick & final thoughts
• 
  Questions That Science Still Can't Answer 21.05.2026 54min

  Ryan and Jason tackle 10 questions science still can't fully answer — from the existence of God to why we yawn, how memories work, black holes, ghosts, the placebo effect, and more.A fun, thoughtful discussion blending science, personal stories, humor, and the limits of what we know.0:00 – Intro5:05 – Is there a God?10:17 – How are memories stored & retrieved?14:05 – Why do we dream?23:00 – Why do we yawn?26:53 – What is the universe made of?29:58 – What happens after we die?33:38 – Could we be cryogenically frozen?37:26 – What's at the bottom of a black hole?40:39 – Do ghosts exist?46:47 – How does the placebo effect work?49:54 – Picking the least important question + wrap-up
• 
  Mötley Crüe - Dr. Feelgood | Full Album Review 12.05.2026 1u 19min

  Ryan & Jason take a nostalgic (and honest) deep dive into Mötley Crüe’s biggest commercial success — Dr. Feelgood (1989). They discuss every track, Bob Rock’s production, band stories, their first Crüe concert memories, and pick the worst song on the album.0:00 – Intro & why they’re reviewing Dr. Feelgood3:05 – Album background & commercial success10:03 – First concert memories (Dr. Feelgood tour)18:39 – TNT (intro) & Dr. Feelgood29:54 – Slice of Your Pie34:59 – Rattlesnake Shake39:58 – Kickstart My Heart46:58 – Without You51:18 – Same Old Situation56:56 – Sticky Sweet1:00:07 – She Goes Down (Robin Zander guest vocals)1:03:31 – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)1:08:34 – Time for Change (closer)1:15:52 – Picking the worst song + final thoughts
• 
  Bizarre Phobias: Genophobia, Neophobia & More 09.05.2026 32min

  Ryan & Jason dive into 10 bizarre and uncommon phobias that most people have never heard of. From genophobia (fear of chins) and syingophobia (fear of relatives), to ablutophobia (fear of bathing), neophobia (fear of new things), deipnophobia (fear of dinner conversations), arachibutyrophobia (fear of peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth), heliophobia (fear of sunlight), chorophobia (fear of dancing), gelotophobia (fear of laughter), and optophobia (fear of opening your eyes). They discuss how these phobias impact daily life and pick the absolute worst one.0:00 – Welcome & episode intro3:12 – Genophobia: Fear of chins5:45 – Syngenophobia: Fear of relatives8:48 – Ablutophobia: Fear of bathing10:37 – Neophobia: Fear of new things12:58 – Deipnophobia: Fear of dinner conversations15:06 – Arachibutyrophobia: Peanut butter fear17:16 – Heliophobia: Fear of sunlight19:58 – Chorophobia: Fear of dancing22:02 – Gelotophobia: Fear of laughter24:58 – Optophobia: Fear of opening eyes26:54 – Picking the worst phobia & final thoughts
• 
  Worst Lip Syncing Disasters in Music History 06.05.2026 47min

  Ryan & Jason break down the worst lip-syncing fails in music history, from Audrey Hepburn not singing in My Fair Lady, to Milli Vanilli’s entire career being a fraud, Ashley Simpson’s SNL jig, Lindsay Lohan, Sarah Harding, Britney Spears, Beyoncé’s inauguration, Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, and Mariah Carey’s disastrous New Year’s Eve performance. They discuss why artists lip-sync, the expectations vs. reality gap, and which fail was the absolute worst.0:00 – Intro & why lip-syncing happens1:59 – Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady ghost singer3:52 – Milli Vanilli full exposure & tragic outcome8:58 – Ashley Simpson SNL lip-sync fail & jig11:35 – Lindsay Lohan & Sarah Harding fails13:58 – Britney Spears & Beyoncé inauguration16:22 – Katy Perry & Selena Gomez examples19:00 – Mariah Carey New Year’s Eve disaster22:33 – Picking the worst lip-sync fail26:00 – Final thoughts & outro
• 
  Elvis, Tupac, Epstein & More: Celebrity Death Conspiracies 03.05.2026 41min

  Ryan & Jason dive into 10 famous people whose deaths are surrounded by conspiracy theories — from Elvis Presley and Tupac Shakur possibly faking their deaths, to Princess Diana, JFK Jr., Michael Jackson, Paul Walker, Steve Jobs, Jeffrey Epstein, Marilyn Monroe, and Osama bin Laden. They break down the evidence (or lack thereof), pick the “worst” (most believable) theories, and have fun discussing how these narratives persist.0:00 – Intro & episode overview0:58 – Michael Jackson conspiracy3:52 – Princess Diana theories7:10 – JFK Jr. death mysteries11:17 – Elvis Presley still alive?14:43 – Tupac Shakur faked death?17:51 – Paul Walker car crash doubts20:58 – Steve Jobs Egypt retirement theory23:29 – Jeffrey Epstein “didn’t kill himself”26:01 – Marilyn Monroe government cover-up29:17 – Osama bin Laden still alive?32:27 – Picking the “worst” (most believable) theories39:00 – Outro & final thoughts
• 
  Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction: Greatest Debut Ever? We Pick the ONE Song We Skip 14.03.2026 1u 28min

  Join Ryan (@ryanrebalkin) and his brother Jason (@jmrgnr1973) on The Worst of the Best Podcast as they dive headfirst into the explosive 1987 debut that changed hard rock forever: Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction! From the iconic robot-rape cover controversy to the raw, street-level anthems that sold over 30 million copies worldwide, they break down the chaos, the riffs, the excess, and why this album still feels dangerous decades later.Expect brotherly banter, personal stories of first listens (and questionable teenage decisions), track-by-track vibes on the hits that defined MTV and arenas alike, plus the gritty reality behind the "most dangerous band in the world." They tease the highs, the lows, the drama, and—of course—deliver their independent picks for the worst song on what many call one of the greatest rock debuts ever.Whether you're a die-hard GNR fan reliving the Sunset Strip glory days or discovering what made Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steven such a force, this episode is loaded with nostalgia, hot takes, and zero filter. Like, comment your favorite (or least favorite) track from Appetite, subscribe for more album deep dives, and share if this takes you back to big hair, leather, and pure attitude!
• 
  Real Boot Camp vs. Hollywood: 10 Misconceptions, Sharpshooter Lies & Our Shocking Pick 14.03.2026 43min

  Join hosts Ryan and Jason on The Worst of the Best Podcast as they unpack the raw realities (and myths) behind military boot camp—perfect timing with global tensions heating up. Drawing from Ryan's 18+ years in the Canadian Navy (including stints as both recruit and instructor), they tease the surprises of basic training: from family contact rules to mental grit over muscle, "brainwashing" tactics, and why not everyone's a sharpshooter. Expect brotherly insights on teamwork, fatigue, patriotism, and how modern warfare has changed the game—plus their pick for the most off-base misconception that even caught them off guard.Whether you're eyeing enlistment, a veteran nodding along, or just curious about the drill sergeant life (Full Metal Jacket vibes?), this episode mixes nostalgia, laughs, and eye-openers. Like, comment your biggest military myth or boot camp story, subscribe for more breakdowns (no push-ups required!), and share if it flips your view on service life. Drop a review—it helps spread the word!
• 
  Blink-182 - Enema of the State | 15 Million Reasons It’s Legendary… Except ONE Song 14.03.2026 1u 50min

  Join Ryan and Drew as they dive into the ultimate late-90s pop-punk explosion: Blink-182's massive 15-million-selling Enema of the State! From the iconic nurse cover to the breakthrough hits that defined a generation, they break down the riffs, juvenile humor, surprisingly heartfelt moments, and why this 1999 album turned Blink from skate-punk underdogs into MTV superstars.Expect nostalgic stories, track-by-track vibes (the naked streaking video chaos, alien conspiracies, breakup anthems, and more), production shoutouts to Jerry Finn, and the big finale: their independent picks for the worst song on an album full of bangers. Whether you're a longtime fan reliving the glory days or discovering what made this record a pop-punk landmark, this episode is packed with laughs, hot takes, and pure nostalgia.
• 
  Metallica - ...And Justice for All | Masterpiece or Overrated? We Pick the 'Worst' Song 14.03.2026 1u 8min

  Dive into the raw power and controversy of Metallica's ...And Justice for All on this episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast! Ryan and Jason break down one of the most iconic (and debated) thrash metal albums ever—Cliff Burton's shadow, Jason Newsted's infamous buried bass, peak aggression, and why fans still call it a masterpiece despite everything. From environmental destruction to political corruption, teenage angst, and personal demons, they tease the riffs, solos, and stories that made this 1988 release a turning point for Metallica.We rank the tracks, share personal memories of discovering the band through the "One" video, compare bass mixes (including fan-enhanced versions), and reveal our shocking pick for the worst of the best on this album. If you're a die-hard Metallica fan or just curious about thrash metal's golden era, this one's packed with brotherly banter, nostalgia, and unfiltered opinions.Don't forget to like, comment your favorite track from the album, subscribe for more "best of" breakdowns (Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning, The Black Album already covered!), and drop a review on your podcast app—it helps spread the word!
• 
  Ordinary People Who Found MILLION-DOLLAR Treasures By Pure Luck 14.03.2026 42min

  Ever wondered what happens when everyday people stumble across something extraordinary during a normal day? In this episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast, Ryan and Jason dive into 10 wild true stories of ordinary folks who turned walks in the park, lost tools, garage sale buys, and backyard digs into life-changing fortunes worth millions. From massive gold nuggets to forgotten historical relics and rare gems, these lucky (or insanely fortunate) discoveries prove that treasure can be hiding anywhere!Join us for hilarious banter, family stories (including some from our own dad's excavator digs), and debates on what we'd keep in our dream "found treasure" museum. Perfect for anyone who loves treasure hunting tales, metal detecting dreams, or just unbelievable luck!