Best Hooked On Geek Podcasts (2025)

1
Ep 156 - Cult-worthy Villains - On the Hook Harborside Root Beer 1:18:40

22d ago1:18:40

1:18:40

Hi, hi, hi, there, droogs and devotchkas! Today we are joined by Antonio Palacios of The Cultworthy Cinema Podcast to discuss overlooked outlaws, neglected antagonists, and generally unsung villains in film. In many cases, these villains ended up being the best part (or in some cases, the only part worth seeing) of a film, so why are they uncelebra…

1
Ep 158 - One More Light - Brownie Caramel Cream Root Beer 1:02:13

14h ago1:02:13

1:02:13

The final Linkin Park album with Chester Bennington and Rob Bourdon, and a noticeable departure from the previous LP sound. The album combines lyrics full of self reflection, aspects of mental health, and relationships, with a much more pop rock sound. It is impossible to not consider and respect Chester's final contribution in retrospect. Today's …

1
99 | Your Hair is 50% of Your Look And You're Ignoring It With Neri Niyazov 51:20

14h ago51:20

51:20

Neri Niyazov is a master barber and owner of Cut Culture NYC, with over 20 years of experience in the craft. Known for his innovative approach and deep commitment to client education, Neri has elevated the traditional barber experience by focusing on personalized consultations, precision, and artistry. With multiple successful shops—including his n…

1
Riding a 32in and Ronan is now a mountain biker 1:13:35

4d ago1:13:35

1:13:35

An Irish road cyclist walks into the R&D department of an international bike brand and rides a prototype mountain bike. That’s the joke. In this episode, Dave and Ronan discuss 32-inch-wheeled mountain bikes and whether Ronan is now a mountain biker. There’s a detailed chat about the torque required when working with UDH hangers or SRAM Full Mount …

1
'There are no new ideas left in cycling' 55:58

11d ago55:58

55:58

The Portland-based Made show has wrapped up for another year, and our website has been buzzing with coverage from the handmade bike event. This week’s Geek Warning is a bit different from the usual format, with the conversation focused mainly on what was seen at Made. Here, Dave Rome chats with Escape’s US tech editor Josh Weinberg along with famed…

1
Ep 157 - Better Off Dead - Bum Energy Root Beer 59:33

15d ago59:33

59:33

To commemorate the 40-year anniversary of the beloved cult classic, we chat about the many awesome actors, their zany characters, and all the silly quotes! Today's root beer is Bum Energy Intro and Outro music by Stockmusic331 on Pond5 Send us a textBy Brant and Andrew

1
98 | Is Runway Modeling Relevant in 2025 with Matthew Flowers 48:23

15d ago48:23

48:23

Check This Out on Youtube Matthew Flowers is a yoga teacher, model, and Morehouse College alumnus, representing a new generation of fashion influencers. With extensive modeling experience across the East Coast and a professional background as a project manager in the pharmaceutical industry, Matthew brings a unique blend of discipline, mindfulness,…

1
The spares we carry 37:46

18d ago37:46

37:46

It’s a shorter episode this week as Escape’s Suvi Loponen and Dave Rome catch up to discuss the spares they carry and how to ensure they work when you need them most. On the news front, they discuss the latest developments regarding the ongoing Shimano crank recall and an unexpected (and hopefully short-lived) issue affecting older Wahoo Bolt and R…

1
Progress creates opportunity in the backfill 42:26

25d ago42:26

42:26

It’s time to geek out. This week, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome discuss how as bikes progress, market opportunity is often created in what those bikes previously provided. Through this conversation, Ronan and Dave come to an agreement on a specific style of bike that’s obviously missing today. You’ll hear a PSA relevant to any modern bike, along …

1
Ep 155 - The Hunting Party - A&W Ice Cream Sundae Soda 1:15:37

29d ago1:15:37

1:15:37

We continue our year-long Linkin Park project with their 6th album, in which they go hunting for a return to hard rock and really stick-it-to-the-man! From a shrill, jarring intro, to a melodic and powerful close, “The Hunting Party” definitely caught its prey. Today's root beer wasn't root beer, but A&W Ice Cream Sundae flavoured soda. Intro and O…

1
The UCI approval sticker is overrated 44:12

1M ago44:12

44:12

A mix of rumours circling and the recently reviewed FiftyOne Sika road bike have Ronan and Dave pondering whether the UCI frame sticker is relevant to many of us. Spoiler, it’s not. The episode was recorded a few days before we know for sure, but the social media profiles of athletes strongly point toward some interesting drop-bar-converted mountai…

1
Ep 154 - The Laughs Continue! - Faygo Root Beer 1:03:21

1M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

As a kind of sequel of sorts to last week's episode, we continue discussing novelty music and songs that make us laugh, but this week we focus on more contemporary artists including DaVinci's Notebook, Flight of the Conchords, Jonathan Coulton, Etc. Just don't touch my clogs! Today's root beer is Faygo. Intro and Outro music by Stockmusic331 on Pon…

1
Brakes, brakes, and brakes on big wheels 43:38

1M ago43:38

43:38

What in the upside-down world is this? Ronan Mc Laughlin has been investigating rumours around the UCI getting involved with the new 32 in wheelsize, and in this episode of Geek Warning, you’ll hear the crew discuss what it may spell. Additionally, you’ll hear the geeks (Ronan, Dave, and Alex) talk about some products that have left them a little u…

1
Ep 153 - Dr Demento Classic Hits - Devil's Canyon Root Beer 1:07:06

1M ago1:07:06

1:07:06

This week we discuss many of the funny songs and skits that were made famous by radio DJ Doctor Demento. This topic ended up being so big we're splitting it into two parts. This week, we discuss the songs we grew up with, from Seb Wooley's 1958 hit “The Purple People Eater”, and “The Existential Blues” by Tom “T-Bone” Stankus, Ray Stevens, Allan Sh…

1
Finished with unfinished products in the market 48:10

2M ago48:10

48:10

Recorded just after watching Tadej and Jonas summit Ventoux on aero bikes, this episode sees Ronan McLaughlin, Dave Rome, and Suvi Loponen discuss whether the latest and lightest road bikes are now designed for consumers, while aero bikes are for the pros. Also within this week’s Geek Warning, you’ll hear Dave discuss why he thinks too many product…

1
Ep 152 - Villains in Geek Culture - Wild Bill's Root Beer in a Can 1:04:08

2M ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Today, we are once again joined by listener and geek culture expert Daniel to discuss his suggested topic of villains from some of the more popular sources. We discuss what makes a good villain, the why's and how's of how someone becomes a villain, and whether or not someone is a villain in their own story. Today's root beer is Wild Bill's in a can…

1
Big wheels, TT saddles, and Five Stars 53:37

2M ago53:37

53:37

We’re in thick of race season and there’s plenty to discuss on the tech front. The mountain bike world is rubbing their eyes at the sight of a 32-inch-wheeled full suspension. Meanwhile, on the road, it’s the Time Trial that continues to tease future tech trends. Join Ronan Mc Laughlin, Dave Rome, and Alex Hunt as they discuss these new sightings. …

1
97 | Why Most Men Dress Wrong in the TRopics with Nicholas Whittle 1:02:09

2M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

Check This Out on Youtube Nicholas Whittle built his career in boardrooms, not jungles. A graduate of Columbia Business School and a corporate advisor in Jakarta, he's spent 30 years navigating the fast-changing world of clean energy. But one of his biggest adjustments wasn’t professional—it was personal. Raised in the cool, cloudy climate of Bri…

1
Ep 151 - Christopher Reeve's Superman - Island Root Beer 47:03

2M ago47:03

47:03

Episode 151 - Christopher Reeve's Superman - Island Root Beer This week, we focus on the Reeve films, highlighting how, for many, he simply IS Superman, and the plots, villains, and even the musical score all will forever mean Superman. Today's root beer is Hawaiian-made Island Root Beer. Intro and Outro music by Stockmusic331 on Pond5 Send us a te…

1
Tour Tech 47:01

2M ago47:01

47:01

It’s Tour time and tech editor Ronan McLaughlin has been on the ground capturing all the latest little tricks and tidbits. In this week’s Geek Warning, Dave Rome, and Ronan get together to talk through some of the bigger tech stories and finds coming from the biggest race. Within you’ll hear about new bikes from Merida and Cervelo, some behind-the-…

1
Ep 150 - Superman - Sodabeers Root Beer 1:05:17

2M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Look up in the sky! It's a bird! It’s a plane! It's the original comic book superhero, whose name, characteristics, and even his vulnerability have transcended the comic book medium and have entered everyday vernacular. Seriously, I had to look up another word for “Kryptonite” just now while writing this summary because I wanted to say that Superma…

1
Hookless to hooked and pondering spoke colours 1:23:37

2M ago1:23:37

1:23:37

The drowsiness of Eurobike has barely faded just as the Tour is about to kick off. This week, Escape’s tech team members Suvi Loponen, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Dave Rome are on Geek Warning to discuss the biggest tech of the week and some things on their minds. A recap of Eurobike is provided by Suvi, along with pondering what the future holds for th…

1
Special ep: Bikepacking aero nerd 27:15

2M ago27:15

27:15

In this special Performance Process x Geek Warning crossover, Dave Rome grills Ronan Mc Laughlin about every technical detail from his 3,000 km unsupported lap of Ireland. From aero bag hacks and drivetrain quirks to cleat regrets and a failed light, this is a deep dive into the tech setup behind a truly personal and punishing ultra-endurance ride.…

1
Ep 149 - Paradoxes - Dad's Old Fashioned Root Beer Float Ice Cream 1:02:22

2M ago1:02:22

1:02:22

This statement is false. Or is it? This week we geek out about the seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statements or propositions that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true. It would have been better if we could have a Snickers bar as well, but….. whatever. Today we ate ice cream of Dad's Root Beer Float. Intro and …

1
Shimano Di2, Classified, and Eurobike week 59:01

2M ago59:01

59:01

We’re not sure we’ve ever experienced a busier month in the world of cycling tech. All the major drivetrain manufacturers have released new things. We’ve had two custom bike shows and now it’s the world’s largest cycling tradeshow - Eurobike. And the tech conversations in the racing world have been a flurry of activity, too. In this episode, you’ll…

1
Ep 148 - Jaws - Howie's Root Beer Floats 56:05

3M ago56:05

56:05

Two notes, people! Two notes kept people out of the water! We talk about the first summer blockbuster, the performances, that broken-down mechanical fish, and other aspects of a film that transcends even itself. Today's root beer is Howie's with vanilla ice cream. Intro and Outro music by Stockmusic331 on Pond5 Send us a text…

1
The week of wireless trickle 53:39

3M ago53:39

53:39

Wow, what a week for those who love cycling tech! If four new dropbar groupsets from SRAM weren’t enough, then Shimano certainly fills that glass with its sudden release of XT and Deore Di2. Join Escape’s Dave Rome, Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt as they discuss what’s new and some things to be aware of. Meanwhile, the UCI released some upcoming rule c…

1
Special ep: A chat with SRAM about new Rival and Force and trickling down tech 16:01

3M ago16:01

16:01

In this bonus episode of Geek Warning, Suvi Loponen sits down with SRAM’s Dan Stefiuk and Paul Kantor to chat about the all-new Rival and Force AXS groupsets. From tech trickled down from Red, to the design philosophies that shaped these mid-tier offerings, we chat about how SRAM approaches performance, pricing, and compatibility. For the full tech…

1
Ep 147 - Living Things - Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float 1:06:17

3M ago1:06:17

1:06:17

The fifth in our year-long project to cover every Linkin Park album. Whereas “A Thousand Suns” was a heavily conceptual album, “Living Things” was a return to a more traditional Linkin Park sound, with excellent percussion, and strong aspects of nu-metal, industrial, synth, rap, and even some blues motifs, while still maintaining the strong lyrics …

1
Factory tours and fresh tech 54:57

3M ago54:57

54:57

This week in Geek Warning, tech writers Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt join Dave Rome to discuss their recent factory visits to SRAM, DT Swiss, Oquo, and more. You’ll hear Dave and Alex debate about using full-suspension gravel bikes instead of a mountain bike. The geeks also discuss a whole lot of new and interesting tech. As usual, members of Escape …

1
96 | Red Hook FC Shows Us How to Merge Soccer Jerseys with Streetwear 1:03:02

3M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

▶️ Check This Out On Youtube Max Matsumoto and Sacha Weiss are the co-founders and creative minds behind Red Hook Football Club, one of the most exciting grassroots soccer teams in New York. With backgrounds spanning branding, marketing, design, and deep personal histories with the game, Max and Sacha have steered Red Hook FC from its humble beginn…

1
Ep 146 - Jagged Little Pill - Tyler The Kid Sarsaparilla 1:10:41

3M ago1:10:41

1:10:41

To commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the release of Alanis Morissette's watershed album, we deep dive into each of the songs, the unique sound, and the stigma of one of the most iconic albums of our teenage years. Today, we try Tyler The Kid Sarsaparilla. Intro and Outro music by Stockmusic331 on Pond5 Send us a text…

1
A Week of Wireless 1:05:28

3M ago1:05:28

1:05:28

June has started with a bang when it comes to new cycling tech. This week we’ve seen the long-awaited release of new Shimano XTR Di2, the next generation Super Record from Campagnolo, and a welcomed new power pedal from Favero. All are new products that Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss, in addition to being covered in more detail on Escape C…

1
Special ep: Shimano’s MTB Product Manager on the new XTR Di2 21:44

3M ago21:44

21:44

Seven years have passed since we last saw an updated version of Shimano’s flagship mountain bike group. Assuming you weren’t holding your breath, and as a result are still with us, then today is the day of the update. Yes, new XTR Di2 M9200 is here. It represents Shimano’s delayed entry into true wireless shifting, and brings with it a number of ot…

1
Ep 145 - Slaughterhouse-Five - Abita Root Beer 58:20

3M ago58:20

58:20

Kurt Vonnegut's contribution to the anti-war novel views details of WWII, PTSD, and the firebombing of Dresden through the science fiction(?) lenses of time-travel, alien abduction, and clinging to a favorite sci-fi author. So it goes. Today's root beer is Abita. Intro and Outro music by Stockmusic331 on Pond5 Send us a text…

1
Mountain bikers on gravel tyres. What in the upside-down world? 58:55

3M ago58:55

58:55

Our necks are hurting from the whiplash of information regarding what tyres are actually fastest off-road. Ronan teases a fresh discussion he had about optimising one sponsored rider for Unbound and some surprising lessons that came from that. It's a topic that continues to fascinate, especially given some of the world's best cross-country mountain…

1
Modern chain wins and questionable pressure sensors 49:42

4M ago49:42

49:42

Welcome back to the cycling tech podcast with a Geek Warning. This week, Escape’s tech editors Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss what’s been on their minds. For Dave, that’s how good modern chains have become and a cool upgrade option for DT Swiss hub users.For Ronan, it’s the new wheels from Zipp that have been occupying his time. This is a …

1
Special ep: Why is kit so expensive? 44:56

4M ago44:56

44:56

You don’t have to look far these days to find a jersey and bib short that costs more than my first road bike, or one that costs less than lunch. In this episode, I sit down with Steve Smith, Brand Manager at Castelli and Sportful, to unpack what really drives the cost of cycling kit. From €1.50 chamois pads to €300 retail tags, we explore the full …

1
95 | Ksenya Malina Says Your Apartment Should Look Like Your Gear; Stylish. 42:26

4M ago42:26

42:26

▶️ Check This Out On Youtube Ksenya Malina is an accomplished interior designer and decorator based in New York City, specializing in blending vintage and modern aesthetics to create unique, character-filled living spaces. With a deep focus on authenticity and thoughtful curation, Ksenya is known for her expertise in sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces a…

1
Ep 144 - Almost Famous (Untitled) - Fitz Root Beer 1:17:59

4M ago1:17:59

1:17:59

It's all happening! Today, we are once again joined by Brant's wife, Valerie, to talk about Cameron Crowe's cinematic love letter to classic rock. Journey into the world of 1970's rock n’ roll with William Miller, as he rides along amidst the band members, the roaring crowds, the girls, and the thriving counterculture of one of America's most nosta…

1
Tech so smart it’s dumb 51:34

4M ago51:34

51:34

This week we’ve got wireless shifting on our minds. Campagnolo’s new 13-speed wireless continues to be seen out in the wild, now at the Giro d’Italia. Dave has had his hands on WheelTop’s latest wireless mountain bike derailleur and shifter. And SRAM has an option to upgrade its new mechanical T70/T90 system to wireless, and nope, we’re not joking.…

1
Ep 143 - Magicians and Illusionists - Frostie Root Beer 51:22

4M ago51:22

51:22

Pick a card, any card! This one says “It's all Geek to Me with Brett and Andrew”. Is that your card? Today we talk about some of our favorite magic tricks, some of the entertainment magicians, including Harry Houdini, David Copperfield and Penn and Teller, and how we simply like to be entertained by asking the question “How did they do that?!” Toda…

1
Is every flagship drivetrain bound to go 13-speed? 50:49

4M ago50:49

50:49

How is it that a product can be raced by a professional, in a professional event, and that the media aren’t allowed to tell all? It’s become a surprisingly common occurrence, and in this episode, you’ll hear Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome explain how it all works. You’ll also hear about Campagnolo’s latest spotted new drivetrain, and why it likely…

1
Special ep: In For Review, May 2025 59:52

4M ago59:52

59:52

It’s time for the second edition of our ‘In for Review’ Geek Warning podcast. Like the first edition, this one looks to share some of the bikes we’ve been testing and the gear we’ve been enjoying. Plus, we’ve added a segment that talks about newly released products we’re interested in trying. And for those on the Escape Collective member feed (whic…

1
Ep 142 - Star Wars: The Sith - Stewart's Root Beer 1:19:40

4M ago1:19:40

1:19:40

This year, in honor of May the 4th and Revenge of the Fifth, we are joined by Star Wars mega-geek Daniel. We get in touch with our dark side, explore some of the more fascinating Sith throughout Star Wars history, and even imagine how each of us may have turned to the dark side and become Sith lords, complete with names and backstories. Today's roo…

1
Wheel size history is repeating 59:58

4M ago59:58

59:58

Hello geeks! It’s time to talk about the big wheels that are seemingly beginning to gain speed. As reported by Josh Weinberg, it sure seems many are looking at 32 in wheels, but it’s still early days as to whether we’ll see history repeat itself. Within you’ll also find a new segment where Dave puts the call out to brands to produce a product that …

1
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: A James Bond Music Podcast introduction trailer 4:36

4M ago4:36

4:36

Stay tuned to this frequency... Head to jamesbondmusic.co.uk to subscribe to the podcast - it's available wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to a brand new podcast from the guys behind Two Geeks Two Beers. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is a podcast where we’ll be discussing and dissecting some of our favourite theme songs from across six decades of Jam…

1
Ep 141 - Monty Python (Holy Grail Not Included) - IBC Root Beer 1:07:40

4M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

This week, we're not dead, we're pining for Python! This episode emphasizes that if you only know “Holy Grail”, you are really missing out on the full history, spectrum, and scope of everything those Monty Python boys (and girls! Let's not forget Carol Cleveland and the lovely Aimi MacDonald!) gave us as outrageous comedy from before Flying Circus …

1
94 | Expert Shoe Shiner Jason Dorn Reveals The Top Secrets For A Perfect Shine 54:13

4M ago54:13

54:13

▶️ Check This Out On Youtube Jason Dorn is a professional shoe shiner, educator, and founder of shineyourdangshoes.com, with more than 20 years of experience in the shoe industry and a decade devoted exclusively to the art of shoe care. Based out of Denver, Colorado, Jason not only shines shoes for a living at Scissors and Scotch but also creates h…

1
Electric inflators and a narrower UDH from Factor 45:43

5M ago45:43

45:43

The travel bike is a highly desirable item for many cyclists with dreams of frequent travel, but does it still hold a place with many modern airline policies? It’s one of the many topics you’ll hear the geeks discuss in this week’s episode. In addition to that, you’ll hear Dave Rome, along with Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) and Escape’s newest t…

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