Best Cynic Culture Podcasts (2025)

1
The Bourbon Secondary: Killing the Culture or Keeping It Alive? | Ep. 124 23:19

13h ago23:19

23:19

The bourbon secondary market: love it or hate it, it’s not going anywhere. Some say it keeps rare bottles moving and rewards collectors. Others say it’s ruining drinking culture, pricing real fans out, and turning whiskey into Wall Street. We dig into whether the secondary market is helping or hurting bourbon culture, what it means for casual drink…

1
#297 Crying Competition with Grace Reiter 1:25:21

1d ago1:25:21

1:25:21

TikTok star Grace Reiter, 2nd time Downside guest, joins to share what it's like being Russell’s castmate in Ginger Twinsies, the ethics of kissing your co-star, who’s the quickest to cry on command, and why attractive people shouldn’t get special treatment. Follow Grace Reiter on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube See Grace and Russell in Ginger Twins…

1
Revolutionary Discoveries in Biology That Point to a Creator (Dr. Sy Garte) 1:42:51

3d ago1:42:51

1:42:51

Are you willing to follow the evidence wherever it leads? Revolutionary developments in biology, such as purpose, agency, and decision-making at the cellular level, are providing stronger evidence than ever before of a purposeful creator God. My guest, Dr. Sy Garte, will show how a reductionist view of life ignores new advances in science and why w…

1
#296 Trump’s Birthday Gift to Epstein (Patreon Excerpt) 9:09

4d ago9:09

9:09

Gianmarco unearths a drawing from his 30th birthday memory box, including a special gift from his best bud, Russell. Watch the full episode exclusively on Patreon, and join for only $5 a month! https://www.patreon.com/downside Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter Follow Russell Daniels on Instagram Follow the…

1
Movie theatre magic 49:27

4d ago49:27

49:27

The speed with which cinema caught the public’s imagination is remarkable. The first film screenings took place in the 1890s and just two decades later, in the US alone there were thousands of nickelodeons and other spaces where you could watch a movie. Luxurious picture palaces followed soon after and not just in the West: some of India’s Art Deco…

1
Tyrnilambic Baie d'Argousier: Cantillon Goes Wild with Sea Buckthorn | Ep. 123 17:00

6d ago17:00

17:00

Cantillon’s Tyrnilambic Baie d'Argousier is sea buckthorn in a lambic, and it’s as funky and legendary as you’d expect. Spontaneously fermented, aged in dusty barrels, and loaded with tart, citrusy berries, this one’s a cult classic for a reason. #Cantillon #SeaBuckthorn #Lambic https://www.youtube.com/@arsenicculture https://instagram.com/arsenicc…

1
Edward Dando: The Oyster Thief Who Didn’t Give a Shuck | The Spill 16:12

8d ago16:12

16:12

Ever heard of a man so committed to eating for free that he made it a full-time job and a criminal record? Meet Edward Dando, the 19th-century Londoner who scammed his way through more oysters than a hangry TikTok influencer with a seafood sponsorship. In this Spill, we dive into the (surprisingly well-documented) life of a dude who got drunk, smas…

1
Superman Review & Discussion with Parker Settecase 1:18:05

8d ago1:18:05

1:18:05

Parker Settecase and Paul Anleitner discuss the philosophical themes in James Gunn's new Superman movie starring David Corenswet. Subscribe to @ParkerNotes and @ParkersPensees Substack: https://parknotes.substack.com/ Subscribe to "Reading the Zeitgeist" with Paul Anleitner: https://substack.com/@paulanleitner?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profil…

1
#295 A Pelvis Divided Cannot Sit with Rosebud Baker 1:32:17

9d ago1:32:17

1:32:17

Comedian Rosebud Baker joins to share the downsides of coming up at the same sh*tty comedy club as Gianmarco, experiencing the horrors of women's healthcare, getting down to the wire writing for SNL's Weekend Update, cracking jokes at the White House as a kid, and why automatic doors have gotta stop. Follow Rosebud Baker on Instagram, TikTok, YouTu…

1
#294 I Can't Believe Trump Didn't Release The Epstein List (Patreon Excerpt) 4:32

12d ago4:32

4:32

Gianmarco and Russell discuss conservative media's phony response to Trump's actions in office. Watch the full episode exclusively on Patreon, and join for only $5 a month! https://www.patreon.com/downside Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter Follow Russell Daniels on Instagram Follow the show on Instagram, Y…

1
How a Monk’s Wine Became Scotland’s Most Feared Beverage | Ep. 122 33:47

13d ago33:47

33:47

What happens when monks, caffeine, and alcohol collide? Buckfast Tonic Wine has been called "wreck the hoose juice" for a reason, and we’re here to find out why. From its bizarre monastic origins to its unholy connection to Scottish street crime, this stuff has serious lore. Matt, Jason, and Drew dig into the story behind Buckfast while getting way…

1
What the Hell Is Sciacchetrà? The Sweet Secret of Cinque Terre | The Spill 12:02

15d ago12:02

12:02

In this Spill, Matt surprises Jason with a bottle of Sciacchetrà: a rare, golden, sweet dessert wine made on the cliffs of Cinque Terre, Italy. It’s fermented from sun-dried grapes, aged by tradition, and produced in such tiny quantities it’s practically liquid folklore. We break down the ancient passito method, the grueling cliffside harvest, and …

1
How Christianity Answers Life's Biggest Questions (Worldview Study Part 5) 2:06:23

15d ago2:06:23

2:06:23

Why is there anything at all? How can we know for sure? How did we get here, and what are we here for, anyway? Why have things gone so badly wrong? Is there any hope of fixing them? What should I do with my life? And where will it all end?These are the foundation questions that all worldviews attempt to answer. "Many factors contribute to our world…

1
#293 Harry Potter and the Phrenologer’s Stone with Yedoye Travis 1:39:09

16d ago1:39:09

1:39:09

Comedian Yedoye Travis and guest co-host Jay Jurden join to share the downsides of Studio Ghibli AI generated images, why phrenology isn’t a good party trick, the parallels between anime and Black culture, settling the Popeyes/Chick-fil-A debacle, and why unpaid lunches have gotta stop. Follow Yedoye Travis on Instagram Follow Jay Jurden on X, Inst…

1
The Clinically Depressed Bunny Petting Zoo (Patreon Excerpt) 10:20

19d ago10:20

10:20

Gianmarco and Russell are live from Chicago and share the downsides of petting depressed bunnies, and why your teacher shouldn't pass around a dead fox at school. Watch the full episode exclusively on Patreon, and join for only $5 a month! https://www.patreon.com/downside Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter …

1
The Fire That Burned a City and Killed No One (Almost) | Ep. 121 25:18

20d ago25:18

25:18

In 1875, a warehouse in Dublin’s Liberties district exploded into flames, igniting more than 5,000 barrels of whiskey and unleashing a river of fire through the streets. But the fire itself didn’t kill anyone. The whiskey did. This episode dives into the wild true story of the Dublin Whiskey Fire, where: 🔥 Streets flowed with flaming booze 🍺 Locals…

1
The Bourbon Strike You Never Heard About (But Should Have) | The Spill 15:46

22d ago15:46

15:46

In 2021, one of the biggest names in bourbon, Heaven Hill Distillery, was at the center of a massive labor strike that shook the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon industry. In this Spill, Matt and Jason dig into how the strike started, why nearly 420 union workers walked out, and what was really at stake: healthcare, overtime, family time, and the soul o…

1
#292 The Broads Who Brunch with Natalie Walker 1:30:08

23d ago1:30:08

1:30:08

Actress Natalie Walker joins to share the downsides of being a broad in training, her falling out with Gianmarco, the diminishing risk/reward factor in musical theater, and why acting games have gotta stop. Follow Natalie Walker on Instagram --- This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. The Downside with Gianmarco…

1
The Bootlegger King Who Killed His Wife and Got Away With It | Ep. 120 27:38

27d ago27:38

27:38

George Remus made millions bootlegging during Prohibition, lived like Gatsby, married a woman named Imogene, then murdered her in broad daylight. The kicker? He defended himself in court…and walked free. This episode of Arsenic Culture dives into one of the wildest real-life crime sagas in American history: 💰 The “King of the Bootleggers” 🚘 A high-…

1
#291 NYC is Taking Back the Power (Patreon Excerpt) 11:24

28d ago11:24

11:24

Gianmarco and Russell celebrate Zohran Mamdani’s New York City mayoral primary win against the disgraced Andrew Cuomo. Watch the full episode exclusively on Patreon, and join for only $5 a month! https://www.patreon.com/downside Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter Follow Russell Daniels on Instagram Follow t…

1
The Cult of Dirty Soda: From Mormons to KFC | The Spill 13:33

29d ago13:33

13:33

Welcome to the sweet, syrupy, slightly unhinged world of Dirty Soda: a drink that somehow combines Diet Coke, coconut syrup, cream, and religious guilt. In this Spill, Matt and Jason break down how a Mormon workaround for coffee and booze turned into a national flavor phenomenon, complete with TikTok trends, sugar bombs, and yes… KFC’s Peaches & Cr…

1
#290 Subtlety Is Not On The Agenda with Caleb Hearon 1:40:09

30d ago1:40:09

1:40:09

Our first 4th time guest Caleb Hearon joins to humble Gianmarco, and explains why you shouldn't be in New York City if you can't live with some noise, examines the death of passionate male friendships, what it takes to fight back against evil landlords, and why entrepreneurs have gotta stop. Follow Caleb Hearon on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Wat…

1
Why Tom Cruise is a Vibe Shift Icon 21:19

30d ago21:19

21:19

Sign up for my free weekly newsletter: https://paulanleitner.substack.com/p/the-tom-cruise-revival-and-the-return Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcastBy Deep Talks: Exploring Theology and Meaning-Making

1
#289 A Broadway Themed Circumcision (Patreon Exclusive) 6:49

1M ago6:49

6:49

Gianmarco and Russell discuss Turkey’s sünnet ceremony, and what they would do if they had a circumcision later in life. Watch the full episode exclusively on Patreon, and join for only $5 a month! https://www.patreon.com/downside Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter Follow Russell Daniels on Instagram Follow…

1
Customer service: The rise of the doom loop 49:27

1M ago49:27

49:27

The quality of customer service can make or break a company. That has always been true but the kind of customer experience we now expect when things go wrong with our purchases is vastly different from what we wanted half a century ago. 1960s answering services, the new organisations managing calls on behalf of businesses, relied on a single techno…

1
Arsenic Bread: The Hong Kong Mass Poisoning Scandal | Ep. 119 30:06

1M ago30:06

30:06

In 1857, nearly 10% of Hong Kong’s European population was poisoned by bakery bread laced with arsenic. Was it political sabotage, racism-fueled hysteria, or just one hell of a bakery blunder? In this episode, we dive into the chaos of colonial paranoia, courtroom drama, and the wild trial of Cheong Ah-lum, a baker who offered to behead himself and…

1
Why "Be True to Yourself" Is Breaking You (Culutre Study Part 5) 2:04:03

1M ago2:04:03

2:04:03

Expressive individualism has become the central ethic that guides our society's thinking. "The idea that a person should be limited by an authority outside of him- or herself—whether a tradition, religion, or parent—to do or experience whatever he or she wants amounts to one of the worst offenses an authority can commit." The problem is that expres…

1
The Man Who Wouldn’t Die: The Insane Story of Michael Malloy | The Spill 14:46

1M ago14:46

14:46

Let’s get this out of the way: Michael Malloy should not have survived. But somehow, this Irish-born New York City drunkard became the most hilariously unkillable man in Prohibition-era history. In this episode of The Spill, Matt, Jason, and Kendra unravel the unbelievable tale of Michael Malloy, a man so dedicated to booze, and so impervious to de…

1
#288 Yassifying Caricatures with Matteo Lane 1:32:29

1M ago1:32:29

1:32:29

Comedian Matteo Lane joins to share the downsides of growing up as Italian-Irish-Mexican, first discovering Liza Minelli the day before 9/11, having a career in art before diving into comedy, why Disney villains are queer-coded, and why leaving the plane window open has gotta stop. Follow Matteo Lane on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Watch Matteo L…

1
#286 Adding Raisins to Potato Salad with Des Bishop 1:49:39

1M ago1:49:39

1:49:39

Comedian Des Bishop joins to share the downsides of going to Catholic boarding school with a principal nicknamed “Slinky,” being raised as feral child in NY, why popular Irish pub drinks are actually racist, getting c*ckblocked by Super Size Me, and why the resentment towards sweet toppings on savory food has gotta stop. Follow Des Bishop on Instag…

1
#284 To The Knuckles with Frankie Grande 1:19:50

1M ago1:19:50

1:19:50

Frankie Grande joins to share the downsides of emceeing at The Box (NYC’s legendary club), getting dragged literally and figuratively at Broadway’s Mamma Mia, why Frankie would trust his life with James Cameron, and why just texting people “hi” has gotta stop. Follow Frankie on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook Watch/listen to Frankie's sing…

1
Oregon Liquor Scandal: Inside the Bourbon Hoarding Corruption Scheme | Ep. 118 28:32

1M ago28:32

28:32

Oregon’s liquor agency was caught hoarding rare bourbon for themselves, and you won’t believe how deep the favoritism and sketchy behavior went. In this episode of Arsenic Culture, Matt, Jason, and Kendra break down the OLCC scandal, the shady bourbon allocation system, and what it reveals about liquor politics in America. Are these “rare bottle lo…

1
What Is Pisco? Chile and Peru’s Booziest Feud | The Spill 13:04

1M ago13:04

13:04

Welcome to another episode of The Spill, where Arsenic Culture dives deep into the boozy drama behind Pisco, a brandy-like spirit that's at the center of a long-standing rivalry between Peru and Chile. Matt, Jason, and Kendra sip, squabble, and sort through history, origin myths, and flavor notes to figure out: who actually owns Pisco? If you've ev…

1
Murder Solved by a Beer Can? | Ep. 117Episode 22:14

2M ago22:14

22:14

A 25-year-old cold case. One beer can. And a DNA match that cracked the case, this is one of our wildest Heavy Pours yet. In this true crime twist, Kendra takes us through the bizarre and tragic murder of Dustin Kjersem, finally solved when police linked DNA from a tossed beer can to the killer: Daren Christopher. This isn’t your average murder mys…

1
Metaxa: Greece’s Mysterious Spirit of War | The Spill 12:06

2M ago12:06

12:06

What do a warrior medallion, an ancient amphora, and a secret blend of Mediterranean botanicals have in common? They’re all part of the mysterious and bold story of Metaxa—Greece’s signature spirit that defies easy categorization. Matt and Jason sip through Metaxa’s layered history, from its roots in 1888 to its ties with the Salamina Warrior Emble…

1
The Whiskey Trust: America’s Most Corrupt Alcohol Empire | Ep. 116 29:13

2M ago29:13

29:13

The Whiskey Trust wasn’t just about bourbon—it was a full-blown criminal syndicate. From strong-arm tactics and price-fixing to actual attempted bombings of rival distilleries, this was a booze empire built on intimidation and greed. Matt, Jason, and Kendra unpack the chaos behind America’s most corrupt alcohol monopoly, reveal how it tried to murd…

1
The Most F*cked Up Booze We’ve Ever Heard Of | The Spill 13:51

2M ago13:51

13:51

This episode is not for the faint of liver. We asked: what alcohol is — or should be — illegal? From neon tourist trap moonshine to actual fermented spit beer (yes, really), we run down the worst offenders in the booze world. Also featured: 🧪 Bilk (beer + milk, why?) 🐎 Kumis (fermented horse milk, apparently a laxative) 🦶 The Sourtoe Cocktail (it’s…

1
#283 Kebab in My Pita with Jameela Jamil 1:21:38

2M ago1:21:38

1:21:38

Actress Jameela Jamil joins to share the downsides of having the same therapist as your boyfriend, discovering you can kiss your own ass, understanding that some countries are a little too sexually liberated, making a rule to not speak five minutes before sex, and why shaking people’s dirty hands has gotta stop. Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pat…

1
Dan Aykroyd’s Vodka Is Filtered Through 500-Million-Year-Old Crystals | Ep. 115 25:52

2M ago25:52

25:52

Dan Aykroyd didn’t just star in Ghostbusters—he believes in ghosts, aliens, and psychic energy. Naturally, he made a vodka filtered through ancient crystals and bottled in a glass skull. In this Heavy Pour, Matt, Jason, and Kendra explore the paranormal backstory behind Crystal Head Vodka, including the legend of the Mitchell-Hedges skull, ancient …

1
Buffalo Turkey: The Bourbon Wild Turkey Rejected… and Everyone Else Paid For | The Spill 15:10

2M ago15:10

15:10

Wild Turkey asked Buffalo Trace for help. Buffalo Trace said, “Sure, we’ll use your recipe... but we’re gonna do it our way.” Fourteen years later, Wild Turkey tasted the final product and basically said, “Yeah, this ain’t it.” What followed is a bourbon hand-me-down saga involving secret barrels, shady brokers, inflated secondary prices, and a bun…

1
#282 Fostering Babies with Mary Beth Barone 1:23:42

2M ago1:23:42

1:23:42

Comedian Mary Beth Barone joins to share the downsides of wearing nipple tassels at SoulCycle, what it's like to foster newborn babies, and why the taboo around housekeepers has gotta stop. Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ free for 7 days for ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and MORE. Follow Mary Beth on ⁠⁠⁠Instagr…

1
Soy Boys First Shooting Range (Patreon Excerpt) 5:52

2M ago5:52

5:52

In this Patreon exclusive excerpt, the boys are live from the Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin, TX, and discuss the downsides of training for the next civil war. Join the Patreon for only $5 a month to listen to the full episode: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/downside⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

1
What makes us nostalgic? 49:27

2M ago49:27

49:27

Nostalgia is one of those complicated emotions: we long to be transported to a place or moment in the past that we have loved but at the same time feel sad that it has gone forever. It is also a bit of a slippery intellectual concept: regarded as a malady when the term was first coined in the 17th century, nostalgia is now thought to be benign or e…

1
The Greatest Wine Scam Ever | Rudy Kurniawan’s Fraud Exposed | Ep. 114 35:06

2M ago35:06

35:06

We crack open a bottle of Burgundy and uncork one of the wildest scams in wine history: the rise and fall of Rudy Kurniawan—the man who sold millions in fake bottles to billionaires, auction houses, and wine snobs alike. Matt takes Jason (and you) through Rudy’s rise from mystery man to collector god, his infamous $24.7 million wine auction, and th…

1
We Got Scammed? The Old Forester Barrel Pick Controversy | The Spill 11:26

2M ago11:26

11:26

What happens when a liquor store claims they landed the oldest Old Forester barrel pick ever — and then quietly walks it back? In this episode of The Spill, Matt and Jason dive into a controversial New York store pick that was supposed to be 11 years old… but wasn’t. We break down: How this pick blew up on the secondary market The age statement “mi…

1
#281 Charming Enough with Jared Freid 1:45:18

2M ago1:45:18

1:45:18

Comedian Jared Freid joins to share the downsides of dating at 40, why charm changes the words you’re allowed to say, unpacking the massive age gap in Bill Belichick’s relationship, and we have a heated debate on whether guitars should be able to go in the overhead bin with our guest co-host Douglas Goodhart. Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠…

1
#280 Kill Tony Has Lost Its Edgelords (Patreon Excerpt) 13:17

2M ago13:17

13:17

In this excerpt from our Patreon exclusive episode, Russell gives his honest review of Kill Tony's Netflix special. Gianmarco and producer/comedian Ty Colgate join in to give their best impression of a Kill Tony minute and realize it’s a lot harder than it looks? Join the Patreon for only $5 a month to listen to the full episode: ⁠⁠https://www.patr…

1
Bourbon Secondary 101: The Underground Economy of Rare Whiskey | Ep. 113 36:48

3M ago36:48

36:48

Welcome to Arsenic Culture. This Heavy Pour dives deep into the elusive, “allegedly illegal” world of the bourbon secondary market. From Facebook secret groups and coded lingo to John Wick status bottles and $2,000 price tags, this episode exposes how rare bourbon gets bought, sold, and—maybe—smuggled in the modern age. We talk insider etiquette, s…

1
The Universe Had a Beginning... So What? Apologetics Study Part 3 1:46:40

3M ago1:46:40

1:46:40

"Conceptual analysis of what it is to be a cause of the universe enables us to recover a number of striking properties which this ultramundane cause must possess and which are of theological significance." - William Lane CraigIn part 1 on the Kalam, I discussed the scientific evidence in support of premise 2 with James Sinclair. Today's show will b…

1
330 Calories a Shot? The Truth About Crème Liqueurs | The Spill 13:02

3M ago13:02

13:02

Are crème liqueurs the ultimate guilty pleasure—or just boozy sugar bombs disguised as dessert? In this episode of The Spill, Matt and Jason crack open two neon-colored, cereal-inspired cream liqueurs—Bedrock Bliss (Fruity Pebbles) and King Cake Cream—and get brutally honest about what’s actually inside these indulgent drinks. From the science behi…

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