Thank you and Goodbye.
Challenge Accepted
In this final episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas Law reflect on what the show became over three years and 250-plus episodes, and why ending it now feels like the right move. They talk about the grind of weekly reviews, the fun of theme months, the lessons they’re carrying forward, and how the best parts of this podcast will live on through Geek Freaks and what’s next for the network. Thomas also shares where Sick Burn is headed, why the message matters more than the metrics, and how storytelling and vulnerability have become a core part of the work. Timestamps and Topics 00:06...
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2025 Year in Review: Superman Takes the Crown, Thunderbolts Surprises, and Big 2026 Hype (Supergirl, Doomsday, Odyssey)
Challenge Accepted
Thomas and Frank look back on the movies and TV that defined their 2025, from why Superman hit so hard to how Marvel’s three-film run landed with Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, and Captain America: Brave New World. They also talk about the stuff that disappointed them, why TV felt like it “won” this year, and the shows they could not stop thinking about, including IT: Welcome to Derry, Alien: Earth, and Andor. To close it out, they shift into 2026 mode: what’s got them genuinely excited again, which upcoming releases feel like “event” movies, and how they want to evolve Challenge...
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Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook
Challenge Accepted
Frank revisits Night of the Living Dead (1968) and breaks down why it still feels ahead of its time, even with a shoestring budget and simple setup. He walks through the full plot from the cemetery opening to the brutal ending, calls out the movie’s “proto zombie rules” (headshots, fire, escalating panic), and digs into the constant clash between Ben and Harry Cooper over how to survive. Frank also shares a handful of behind-the-scenes trivia, then closes by asking listeners to help pick the next holiday movie review. Timestamps and Topics 00:00:05 Welcome to Challenge Accepted and why...
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Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper
Challenge Accepted
In this single-player episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank bundles up with the winter classic Fargo and breaks down why this 1996 Coen Brothers film still hits so hard. From Jerry’s desperate spiral and Gaear’s cold brutality to Marge Gunderson’s calm, quietly heroic presence, Frank walks through the story, performances, music, and snow-covered Midwest setting that make the movie timeless. He also talks about how the Fargo TV series connects back to the film, why the woodchipper scene has become legend, and how the Coens turn empty white fields into one of the most effective...
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Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic
Challenge Accepted
In this solo episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank finally sits down with the iconic animated film Batman Mask of the Phantasm after years of calling it a major Batman blind spot. He shares his deep love for Batman The Animated Series, breaks down Bruce Timm’s distinctive art style, and explores why Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill’s performances still define Batman and Joker for entire generations. After watching the movie for the first time, Frank gives his immediate reaction, digging into Gotham’s timeless look, the horror-inspired presentation of the Phantasm, and the emotional core of...
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Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Throwdown - Ranking The Best Holiday Episodes
Challenge Accepted
In this Thanksgiving special of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Jonathan celebrate the Belchers by ranking their top Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving episodes and crowning a definitive winner. They break down why the holiday episodes hit so hard, talk about the emotional gut punches hidden inside the jokes, and revisit the wild chaos of turkeys, hoarding, broken ovens, and cursed outdoor cooking. The guys also reveal the results of their “Turkey Brawl” social media tournament and wrap up with a few extra Thanksgiving watch recommendations to keep your holiday cozy and geeky. Bob's Burgers...
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Stranger Things Seasons 1–4 Recap – Getting Ready For The Final Battle
Challenge Accepted
On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank Lourence (@franklourence79) teams up with Jonathan to walk through Stranger Things seasons 1 through 4 so you are fully refreshed before season 5 lands. The two revisit the early days in Hawkins, the rise of the Mind Flayer, the Starcourt Mall showdown, and Vecna’s terrifying curse, mixing clean plot recaps with personal memories and reactions. Along the way they talk about why the show’s ’80s nostalgia still works, how characters like Hopper, Billy, Max, and Eddie evolved, and what they hope to see in the final season. They close by sharing...
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The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs | Death and Legends
Challenge Accepted
In this solo Thanksgiving episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank breaks down The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, the Coen Brothers’ Netflix Western anthology that has quietly become one of his holiday staples. Story by story, he digs into how each vignette wrestles with death, chance, and human nature, from Tim Blake Nelson’s singing gunslinger to Tom Waits’ stubborn prospector and that iconic “First time?” hanging meme. Along the way, Frank talks about why the film feels so cozy despite its bleak themes, how the Coens use digital cinematography to shape tone, and what these stories say...
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Gen V Season 2 | The Boys’ Campus War, Wins, and What’s Next
Challenge Accepted
On Challenge Accepted, we break down the Gen V Season 2 finale and how it tees up the last chapter of The Boys. We talk about the big reveal around Cipher, the season’s mid-section slowdown, and why Godolkin works best when the story actually stays on campus. We dig into standout arcs for Marie, Jordan, Emma, and Sage, the villain’s core weakness, and why those Starlight and A-Train beats matter. We also highlight the effects work, tributes woven into the story, and what we expect to carry over into The Boys. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 — Welcome and gut reactions to the finale 00:37...
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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) | Morphin’ Time at the Movies! | Feat. Becca Peterson
Challenge Accepted
On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Thomas welcomes critic and lifelong Ranger fan Becca Peterson (The Critic Buffet) for a fast-paced, fun deep dive into the 1995 feature film. We cover why this movie still hits for ‘90s kids, the charm of Ivan Ooze, the switch to ninja powers and new Zords, and how the film fits into the broader multiverse of Power Rangers stories. Becca brings great trivia, from casting changes to Sentai influences, and shares why the movie’s core message still lands. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – 01:10 | Cold open, show intro, and guest welcome; Becca’s...
info_outlineIn this final episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas Law reflect on what the show became over three years and 250-plus episodes, and why ending it now feels like the right move. They talk about the grind of weekly reviews, the fun of theme months, the lessons they’re carrying forward, and how the best parts of this podcast will live on through Geek Freaks and what’s next for the network. Thomas also shares where Sick Burn is headed, why the message matters more than the metrics, and how storytelling and vulnerability have become a core part of the work.
Timestamps and Topics
00:06 – Welcome in, and why this is the final episode of Challenge Accepted
00:54 – Ending on a high, not because of listeners or quality
01:21 – Other commitments, new projects, and Thomas balancing a newborn
02:48 – We’re not disappearing, we’re shifting the energy somewhere else
03:28 – Looking back: 3 years, 250-plus episodes, weekly challenges and reviews
04:15 – The “three episodes a week” stretch and the Ahsoka grind
04:31 – Avatar episode-by-episode was the definition of podcast marathoning
05:01 – Theme months: Nolan Month, A24 Month, and expanding the watchlist
05:43 – “Prestige” and “Ex Machina” as challenge wins and rewatches
06:13 – Revisiting favorites through each other’s eyes (Hook, Big Fish)
07:19 – Special guests, community moments, and what we learned from collaborations
08:48 – Building something “really special” and what made it work
09:06 – The biggest lesson: authenticity and being the brand
10:00 – Confidence on camera, anxiety, and learning to be vulnerable
12:13 – Using analytics without losing yourself, pushing past imposter syndrome
13:48 – Why disagreements made some of the best episodes (Dune: Part Two)
15:12 – Podcasting as a space for real conversation, not just hot takes
16:55 – Learning to talk about craft: music, tone shifts, and deeper analysis
19:09 – Thomas on Sick Burn: adversity, healing, and the message moving forward
22:16 – How Frank and Thomas linked up, Joystick Show roots, and what’s next
23:22 – The reality of growing an indie network, and why it keeps evolving
26:13 – Geek Freaks goals: authenticity, bigger discussions, and themed episodes
31:14 – Cleaning up old feeds, early audio memories, and advice to new podcasters
33:04 – Farewell, the archive stays up, and the classic sign-off
Key Takeaways
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Ending a show can be a positive move when it protects the quality and the friendship behind it.
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Challenge Accepted worked because it pushed both hosts to try new genres, new formats, and new levels of honesty.
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Theme months were a cheat code for discovery, and a reminder that structure can actually spark creativity.
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The best media conversations go past “this rules” or “this sucks” and dig into the why.
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Being yourself on mic and on camera is not optional anymore if you want longevity.
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Analytics can be useful when they guide you toward what the audience wants more of, without forcing you to fake a persona.
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Sick Burn is built around resilience and real stories, with growth measured by impact as much as numbers.
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The spirit of Challenge Accepted will continue through Geek Freaks and the broader network’s next wave.
Quotes
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“We figured it’s best to put this away on a high than it is to struggle with scheduling.”
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“It would be a disservice to everybody listening if we couldn’t put the same time, energy and effort into this show.”
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“The brand is me, essentially.”
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“I should just trust being myself.”
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“They need to be talked about if you actually want to get to what really happened.”
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“We’ll be here, just in a different way. Come find us.”
Call to Action
If you’ve been with us for one episode or all 250-plus, thank you. Subscribe wherever you listen, leave a review if this show ever made your week a little better, and share this finale with a friend who needs a good podcast sendoff. Use #ChallengeAcceptedPodcast when you post about the episode.
Links and Resources
All news discussed on our podcasts comes from the Geek Freaks Podcast website (link below).
Follow Us
Sick Burn: https://www.sickburnpodcast.com/
Geek Freaks
Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast
Threads: @geekfreakspodcast
Twitter: @geekfreakspod
Listener Questions
Got a movie or show you want us to cover on the next chapter of what we’re building? Send your recommendations, challenges, and thoughts to: ChallengeAcceptedgfx@gmail.com
Links: GeekFreaksPodcast.com
Apple Podcast tags: Challenge Accepted, Geek Freaks, Geek Freaks Network, Movie Reviews, TV Reviews, Pop Culture, Geek Culture, Streaming TV, Film Discussion, Podcasting, A24, Christopher Nolan, Star Wars, Marvel, Stranger Things, Avatar The Last Airbender, Mental Health, Sick Burn