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Last Stand Media & Studio71

Welcome to the long-awaited and much-requested podcast series Constellation, where the Last Stand Media crew convene in different permutations to talk about anything and everything outside of the scope of our usual, games-centric programming. The only rule? Each host must bring his or her own topic to discuss with the group. That's it! Episodes go live every-other-Monday, and you can get each drop early and ad-free by supporting us on Patreon: patreon.com/laststandmedia

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Constellation: Last Stand Media's Conversational Podcast

It’s time for another episode of Constellation, Last Stand Media’s weekly conversational fever dream. On this week’s episode, the illustrious Gene Park (formerly known as Jeen “Mac Daddy” Parc) discusses “Masculinity” and how he and the crew feel about what it means to be a man in a modern world. We’re also joined by Ben Smith, the disgraced former mayor of Assassinland PA, who shrewdly used his inability to bring a topic AS a topic with “Writer's Block.” What a clever feller. Revoke his security clearance. He is dangerous. Chris Ray Gun, a straight man who thought Wicked was quote “fantastic,” hosts this week and gets a temperature check on the “Social Media Exodus” to BlueSky and Threads and whether it actually has a chance or serves any purpose. Enjoy the show while you can! Our planet’s magnetic field is temporary and very fragile and I will personally stop at nothing to keep it so.
Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:08:40 - Masculinity
0:54:00 - Social Media Exodus
1:45:00 - Writers Block
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#100 | Masculinity, Social Media Exodus, Writer's Block

Welcome back to Constellation, the podcast that reminds you that there's so much in life to be grateful for! This week, Lockmort gets the conversation started with a discussion about the seemingly never ending glut of Disney remakes that we' ve all grown accustomed to over the past decade. As the controversial 'Snow White' live-action movie now looms on the horizon, we are once again reminded of the Mouse House's tendency to recreate their older franchises instead of inventing brand new characters and stories. Do we think it stinks? Next, the Dagster wants to speak with the gang about good ol' fashioned chivalry and what these ancient codes of conduct mean to us now in our modern world. Is helping old ladies across the street and holding doors for our fellow man still relevant today, and how has chivalry evolved since the days of old-timey gentlemen and virtuous knights? Last, Matty leads the crew in their reflections of 2024. As we prepare to close out another year, how do we look back on the last 12 months, and what are we looking forward to most in 2025? Also, we know "It's a Wonderful Life" was directed by Frank Capra not Billy Wilder, we were just testing you. Know it all. Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:16:20 - Disney Remakes
1:13:47 - Chivalry
2:00:33 - 2024 Reflections
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#101 | Disney Remakes, Chivalry, 2024 Reflections

Well would you look at that? It’s time for another episode of Constellation, you lucky devil! In honor of Friday the 13th, the Dagster gets things started with some conversing about the things we’re definitely not afraid of. Which common fears don’t bother us in the least? Next, our good buddy Gene Park leads the gang in paying some well deserved lip service to our best friends. From our closest childhood pals to the besties who still rank high in our hearts as adults, who are the favorite past and present peas in or pods? Finally, Micah engages the crew in a thoughtful discussion about online rage bait. From the content creators clearly inviting the outrage to the audience reacting with expected levels of vitriol, the gang explores this controversial strategy of social media engagement in an effort to understand the insanity. And that’s that. We didn’t talk about the drones. We won’t give them the satisfaction, accursed robotic overlords!
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:26:38 - Things We’re NOT Afraid Of
1:25:42 - Best Friends
2:43:52 - Online Rage Bait
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#102 |Things We’re NOT Afraid Of, Best Friends, Online Rage Bait

The holidays is a time of reflection and relaxation. It's a time to kick your feet up and chill with friends and family while enjoying a nice, toasty fire as you sip on a mug of warm cocoa and cherish some much needed peace and quiet. Unless you're us. If you're us, you want to make sure to squeeze in just one more episode of Constellation before the new year. Because, hey, we love you. This week, Lord Cognito starts things off by reminding us that we should be comfortable with our sensitive sides. In fact, Cog encourages us to discuss the things that make us cry. From movies and music to memories and missing our loved ones, there isn't a dry eye in the house as the gang talks about all the things that trigger those tears. Next, Dagster discusses his competitiveness, and he challenges his podcast pals to do the same. What's the one thing that brings out that cutthroat quality inside each of us, driving us to be the best and possessing us to claim victory at any cost? Furthermore, who are the rivals that keep us on our toes? Finally, Ben shares his feelings about Daylight Savings Time. We won't give too much away, but let's put it this way: Daylight Savings Time is lucky it isn't a living, breathing thing because Ben would have murdered it in cold blood years ago. Cog and Dagan also briefly share their feelings while mainly letting Ben vent angrily. Hey Daylight Savings Time, I would stay away from the Pittsburgh area until this whole thing blows over. Just sayin.'

Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:19:55 - Tearjerkers
0:54:18 - Competitiveness
1:37:44 - Daylight Savings
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#103 | Tear Jerkers, Competitiveness, Daylight Savings Time

Surprise! Time for another Constellation! With Chris in the hosting chair and the suspiciously close Brad and Dustin, it's destined to be an interesting listen. Chris is baffled by dog shows and their very existence. Brad wants to know about the people the inspired us in life. Dustin asks about the things we hate wasting money on (and the things we don't). Please enjoy!
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:05:38 - Dog Shows
0:29:48 - Wasting Money
1:26:42 - Inspirations
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#104 | Dog Shows, Inspirations, Wasting Money

Ho adventurers! Join our brave heroes Lockmort, Ben, and Rick on a perilous journey to convey a mysterious artifact to a mage in a far off region. The party will face daunting obstacles and frightening foes, a roll of the dice will determine if they survive at all! So grab a store brand cola and put on a jaunty hat, it’s time for another mini-D&D campaign special!
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#105 | The Gift of the Wizard

Constellation rings in the new year with the triumphant return of everybody's favorite Final Boss! Colin occupies the 4th chair this week as the boys discuss a range of topics. First, Dustin wants to talk about media binging. Do we prefer to consume TV and video games gradually, aka the old-fashioned way, or do we like to marathon our media from start to finish in one sitting? Next up, as the wildfires continue to blaze through Los Angeles, Brad would like to discuss our thoughts on natural disasters. How do we deal with the potential of hazardous weather and dangerous geographic events striking the places we live? Last, Dagan brings us home with a little discourse about domestic squabbles. What bugs us about the people we share our homes with, and which of our habits incense those very same folks. Dagan thought of at least six additional annoying things about living with Helene since the show was recorded, but we'll save all that for a part two. But probably not because Dagster would prefer to stay married.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro
0:44:58 - Binging
1:28:01 - Natural disasters
2:07:50 - Domestic Squabbles
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#106 | Media Binging, Natural Disasters, Domestic Squabbles

Hello! It's me, Colin, returning to host Constellation for the first time in... well... quite awhile. Dagan was actually supposed to helm this episode -- I was going to appear as the fourth, topic-less guest -- but he got pulled into a work meeting at the last minute leaving me in the lead chair, and today's show as a trio. As such, please welcome Punching Up co-host Gene Park and LSM legal analyst Rick Hoeg back to the program. We start with Gene this week, who wants to talk about the imminent ban of the TikTok app in the United States, which should have already gone into effect by the time our podcast publishes. Hoeg, on the other hand, wants to delve into arts and entertainment from a global perspective, inquiring on which countries, localities, and so on we find ourselves most attracted to when it comes to the media we consume and appreciate. Finally, I bring up the rear with a topic that's top of many of our minds: What in god's name is going on with PlayStation and its games-as-a-service initiative?

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro
00:17:51 - TikTok ban
01:20:44 - Global Art Appreciation
01:57:46 - PlayStation's GaaS Meltdown

Start your free online visit at https://www.hims.com/con

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#107 | US TikTok Ban, Global Art Appreciation, PlayStation's GaaS Meltdown

They're the world's most fearsome podcast team! Welcome back to Constellation! If you like those weapon-slingin' teenaged reptiles then you'll LOVE this episode's lineup! The first to wield his topic this week, Matty would like to converse with his bros about that elusive frame of mind known as 'the flow state'. What are the activities and specific talents that allow us to slip into a state of total focus, concentration and contentment. Next, driven by a cold Philadelphia winter, Dagan would like to lead his pals in a daydreaming session about fantasy vacations. In our respective opinions, what is the ideal getaway and which destinations do we feel most compelled to cross off our bucket lists. Lord Cognito strikes last, emerging from the shadows with a discussion about ninjas. These mysterious black-clad warriors became a pop culture phenomenon decades ago through TV, video games and comics, so why are we still so fascinated with everything about them? Thanks so much for tuning in! Ninja, vanish! poof

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro
0:33:15 - The Flow State
01:26:56 - Dream Vacations
02:13:51 - Ninjas
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#108 | The Flow State, Dream Vacations, Ninjas

Here at Last Stand Media's Constellation, we don't take the time to record super long podcasts just so you can read about them. Dustin, Lock and Dagan talk about coffee, gaming disappointments and dream collaborations. You're still reading this? We can't #!*&@! win.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro
0:27:19 - Coffee
1:30:38 - Gaming Disappointments
2:11:04 - Dream Collaborations
2:42:02 - Sopranos spoiler start
2:43:23 - Sopranos spoiler end
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#110 | Coffee, Gaming Disappointments, Dream Collaborations

Welcome to "a very special episode" of Constellation, Last Stand Media's conversational podcast. This week, I (Colin) am joined by a duo of guests as opposed to our traditional trio: Punching Up's Gene Park and storied game designer David Jaffe. In an unusual (though not unprecedented) move, I asked the guys not to come prepared with any topics this week. Instead, I thought we'd just chat about whatever and see where that brought us. Perhaps not surprisingly, a lack of a concrete plan led us into nearly three hours of video game talk about a wide variety of topics: Concord, Astro Bot, Drawn to Death, Jim Ryan, Mark Cerny, Naughty Dog, The Last of Us Online, Killzone, Resistance, Uncharted, God of War, PlayStation games going to Xbox, Phil Spencer, Bobby Kotick, Nintendo, Super Switch, and on and on. We hope you enjoy.
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#88 | Three Old Men Talking About Video Games

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