The Economy of Nothing Podcast
The Economy of Nothing is a show about building something real in a world that rewards nothing. Part podcast, part experiment, part transmission from the void—this is where ideas get tested, stories get shaped, and the impossible might get made. Join us each week as we work in public and try to make meaning from the mess.
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203 | Tech's in the Cradle
01/27/2026
203 | Tech's in the Cradle
Check out the Visual Radio: Did some interesting things In this episode, the hosts explore a range of topics starting with the arbitrary nature of awards and how adding challenging criteria would make them more meaningful. They then move on to discuss the broader implications of societal structures, emphasizing how norms and regulations often make life more challenging. The conversation touches on media's role in shaping perceptions, criticizing the lack of valuable content in the current era, and how giant corporations impact everyday life. They question the value of work driven by economic incentives and not passion, advocating for a shift towards authentic living and a reevaluation of societal norms. 00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts on Awards 00:46 The Dog Horror Film and Its Impact 02:10 Critique of Award Culture 03:54 Societal Reflections and Human Nature 07:42 Economic Inequality and Corporate Greed 10:04 The Role of Media and Entertainment 17:02 Final Thoughts and Broader Implications 18:26 We Are the Creators of Our Own Problems 19:16 Amazon's TV Show Fallout and Society's Morality 20:33 Generational Differences and the Internet 22:48 The Role of Data and Marketing in Modern Life 25:03 The Illusion of Social Media and Productivity 27:41 Capitalism, Religion, and Human Desires 33:04 Concluding Thoughts on Society and Freedom
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202 | You’re Still Expected to Participate
01/20/2026
202 | You’re Still Expected to Participate
Mr. Green and Captain Tracy are back at the dispatch, riding an elevator and talking through passive income apps, gambling platforms, and why participation now feels mandatory across work, media, sports, and entertainment. The conversation moves from apps like Go Jackers and the normalization of sports betting into a broader discussion about the attention economy, work culture, and systems that keep running without delivering resolution. Streaming, gaming, and media all start to blur together, revealing the same engagement-driven logic underneath. Along the way, they explore the idea of an Economy of Nothing video game — turn-based encounters, fixed character abilities, and systems that reflect personality instead of progression — not as a pitch, but as another example of building structure inside broken systems. New Year’s resolutions, job frustration, media noise, and a Fran alert all pass through. Nothing gets solved. Everything keeps going. The platforms keep running. You’re still expected to participate. Episode 202 — Timestamps 00:00 Back at the dispatch 01:00 Passive income apps and the normalization of gambling 04:00 Participation without payoff 08:00 The show as a system that keeps running 13:00 New year energy, resolutions, and false resets 18:00 Platforms that demand engagement 24:00 Gaming as structure, not escape 31:00 Sports, betting, and confused incentives 38:00 When everything starts to feel like a casino 45:00 Jobs, work, and being “on” all the time 52:00 Celebrity noise and cultural filler 58:00 The idea of an Economy of Nothing game 01:07:00 Strategy, characters, and systems emerging in real time 01:18:00 Nothing resolves, everything continues 01:26:00 Closing the doors (but staying inside)
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201 | Speculative Labor
01/13/2026
201 | Speculative Labor
After a long break, The Economy of Nothing returns with Episode 201. Mike and Captain Tracy break down the Stranger Things Season Five finale, mystery-box storytelling, and why modern television seems increasingly unable to finish what it starts. What begins as a critique of plot holes and fan theories expands into a broader conversation about streaming-era TV, overlong runtimes, franchise exhaustion, and Hollywood’s growing reliance on familiarity over risk. Along the way, they explore speculative labor, artificial scarcity, Pokémon card markets, and the economics of carrying value you’re never allowed to inspect. This episode also sets the foundation for the show’s evolving visual-radio format, where the audio leads and the animation follows. The box is delivered. You still don’t get to open it. Timecodes 00:00 Back to Work 00:24 Who’s in the Elevator 00:42 2026, Somehow 01:39 Warming Up the Machine 02:46 The Mystery Box Problem 05:07 What This Show Is Actually About 06:11 Rumors, Monsters, and Noise 10:10 Stranger Things and the Finale That Wasn’t 34:21 Conformity Gate 35:19 When Fans Write Better Endings 38:14 Comfort Is Killing Television 43:51 Everything Is Too Long 50:43 Marvel Can’t Quit 59:13 Nothing Is Allowed to End 01:09:16 Still Carrying the Box
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123 | All Systems Nominal
12/23/2025
123 | All Systems Nominal
Everything works. Nothing feels intentional. We sat down for a quick warm-up and ended up deep in platform anxiety, VR flow states, consciousness-as-interface talk, and the realization that modern systems are designed to operate — not to mean anything. We talk about how the show gets made, why platforms feel broken even when they’re functioning perfectly, how media turns noise into content, and what it’s like posting into systems that don’t care whether you’re there or not. No clean thesis. No big resolution. Just the system running. In this episode of The Economy of Nothing podcast, hosts Mike Alan, aka Mr. Green, and Captain Tracy, aka the Kanye West of Cartoony Mike, dive into a series of entertaining and thought-provoking conversations. They discuss the merits of modern media, the potential impact of AI on filmmaking with a focus on the Avatar series, and explore the concept of existence as influenced by societal constructs and capitalism. As they gear up for Christmas, the duo also shares insights on upcoming podcast plans, including a statement about taking a break and coming back with Season 3. Join them for a humorous and reflective episode, perfect for the holiday season. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Media Discussion 00:41 Holiday Plans and Podcast Schedule 01:59 Avatar 3 Release and AI in Movies 02:43 Podcast Introduction and Hosts 0 3:29 Avatar 3 and James Cameron's Impact 04:15 Philosophical Musings on Society and Religion 08:58 Existential Thoughts and VR Experiences 13:55 Creative Ideas and Podcast Skits 15:12 YouTube and Streaming Services 16:43 Theories on Hollywood and Celebrity Culture 16:59 The Trump Dinner Conspiracy 19:25 Discussion on Society and Media 27:02 Instagram and Social Media Algorithms 30:49 Reflections and Future Plans
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122 | Stranger Things Have Happened
12/16/2025
122 | Stranger Things Have Happened
We opened with a space-truck under fire, drifted into astral projection, tore apart modern vampire movies, and somehow ended up asking whether Netflix should be allowed to buy Hollywood. Check out the Animation in the Visual Radio: https://youtu.be/SYFQN1MtCyc In this episode of The Economy of Nothing, Captain Tracy and Mr. Green unpack: • why “stakes” don’t matter in movies anymore • how Stranger Things lost the plot • why Sinners feels like an Oscar movie (and why that’s weird) • the Netflix / Warner Bros rumor spiral • Silicon Valley’s slow takeover of Hollywood • and why Mr. Green insists a flying space truck still needs a road This is less an episode and more a controlled systems failure. 🎥 Visual Radio edition with animation 💥 Cold open included 🚚 The Moonshine is operational (for now) Support the show, unlock chaos, and keep Nothing Corp solvent: 👉 Merch, episodes, and lore: 👉 Timecodes: 00:00 Truck Under Fire (Cold Open) 02:10 Welcome to The Economy of Nothing 04:00 Patreon Shoutouts & Merch Chaos 05:45 Headsets, Jacking In, & Audio Nightmares 06:40 Astral Projection & Sleep Confusion 09:15 Consciousness, Reality, & Brain Time Lag 14:05 Sinners Review: Why Is This an Oscar Movie? 18:30 What Makes a Good Vampire Movie? 22:20 Stakes Are Dead (Walking Dead Problem) 24:10 Rain of Fire & Movies That Knew the Assignment 25:40 Stranger Things Season Breakdown 29:00 Jump Cuts, Too Many Groups, Too Old Kids 33:20 Dustin, Eddie, & Character Drift 36:00 The Upside Down Doesn’t Make Sense Anymore 39:10 Vecna, Will, and the Number Problem 43:40 Netflix, Warner Bros, & Silicon Valley Eats Hollywood 47:40 $80 Billion for Batman?? 50:00 The Death (or Evolution) of Movie Theaters 53:10 Wrapping the Chaos
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121 | The J.J. Abrams Mystery Box Episode
12/09/2025
121 | The J.J. Abrams Mystery Box Episode
This week on The Economy of Nothing, Mike Allen (Mr. Green) and Captain Tracy spiral through one of the most chaotic episodes of the year. We kick things off with Mr. Green’s Portfolio Update — Nvidia, Google, semiconductors, GLP-1 drugs, international dividends, and a full breakdown of the “secret AI war” that may or may not be happening against China. Then the Captain goes nuclear on JJ Abrams, the Mystery Box, Tarantino, and Hollywood’s bad habit of pretending narrative tension is the same as storytelling. It escalates. Quickly. We also dive into: Hamilton, historical myth-making, and why America loves fictional Founding Fathers George Washington Isn’t Santa Claus (the end-of-year cartoon episode pitch) DEI vs corporate DEI The Rangers, the rules, and who actually gets paid on the ship Why the Bitcoin pump feels like the dot-com bubble wearing a fake mustache Whether BlackRock is late… or scamming… or both Cold War lasers, chip wars, and the government dumping money into furnaces And finally, we wrap with the moment you’ve all been waiting for: Mr. Green’s Spotify Wrapped. Only the real fans stay for this part. If you enjoy the chaos, visit economyofnothing.com and check out the Codex, Patreon, and all the lore stuffed into the show’s universe. Like, subscribe, share, review. Or don’t. We can’t stop you.
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120 | My First Day: Mr. Green's Pilot School Pilot
11/25/2025
120 | My First Day: Mr. Green's Pilot School Pilot
This week in The Economy of Nothing, the Captain attends his first day at Pilot School — and Mr. Green immediately regrets opening enrollment. We dig into the Scrubs pilot “My First Day” and break down why it works, how it builds character relationships, and how it accidentally becomes Nothing Corp’s official training video. We talk Steadman disappearing mid-episode, Cox and Kelso as dueling mentors, JD’s guilty conscience, and the infamous Janitor Penny conspiracy. Along the way, we spiral through the abandoned-hospital economy, the Turkish Disney castle ghost town, why real estate collapses are comedy, and how capitalism always ends with someone buying a haunted building at auction. Plus: Mississippi the Dog briefly becomes CEO, the Polar Express becomes a tax write-off, and Captain Tracy struggles to start the episode without sounding like he’s reading a ransom note. It’s an hour of TV-nerd analysis, failed improv, and corporate worldbuilding disguised as media criticism — the official beginning of Pilot School. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Opening 00:23 Casual Banter and Podcast Dynamics 01:13 Discussion on Comedy Shows 05:28 Engagement and Audience Interaction 07:18 Documentary Series Recommendation 11:42 Economic Commentary and Capitalism 14:34 Kevin Hart and Celebrity Culture 15:53 Introduction to Scrubs Discussion 17:21 Scrubs Pilot Analysis 23:18 Character Dynamics in Scrubs 36:58 Analyzing Steadman's Role in Scrubs 40:40 Character Dynamics: JD, Elliot, Turk, and Carla 42:37 Dr. Cox and Dr. Kelso: Opposing Forces 45:03 The Elevator Episode: A Unique Perspective 48:11 The Art of Jump Cuts in Scrubs 54:09 Scrubs' Commentary on Healthcare 56:02 Evaluating the Scrubs Pilot 01:00:02 Applying Scrubs' Lessons to Our Show 01:04:26 Organizational Structure in the Nothing Corporation 01:12:31 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans
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119 | Fantastic Four (2025) Review — The Blandtastic Four Are a Fantastic Bore
11/18/2025
119 | Fantastic Four (2025) Review — The Blandtastic Four Are a Fantastic Bore
Marvel’s First Family is back — and somehow more boring than ever. In this week’s episode of The Economy of Nothing, Mike and Mike break down the new Fantastic Four (2025), a film that manages to be ambitious, confused, and shockingly uneventful all at once. They dig into the movie’s strange pacing, Reed Richards’ complete lack of stretching, and the bizarre decision to open with a pregnancy test. The conversation also covers Marvel’s ongoing identity crisis, the era of reshoots-as-plot, and why every scene now feels written for people who are only half watching. The episode expands beyond the movie into larger questions about the state of the MCU, the future of superhero storytelling, and how modern blockbusters keep solving their problems by talking instead of showing. Highlights include: Why Reed Richards never stretches (and what that says about the script) Galactus looking weirdly small for a “planet eater” The Silver Surfer thirst subplot no one asked for The car-seat scene that broke both of us Marvel’s post-Endgame identity crisis Disney’s algorithmic content era and what’s coming next By the end, the question isn’t just whether Fantastic Four works — it’s whether the MCU still knows what it wants to be.
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118 | ONE TRILLION DOLLARS
11/11/2025
118 | ONE TRILLION DOLLARS
The Captain and Mr. Green dive into the trillion-dollar economy of modern villainy — from Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay package to the expanding shadow of the Nothing Corporation and the rise of the Dark Orbit. We talk: • Trillion-dollar compensation and the myth of genius • Government shutdowns as content strategy • Gil’s golden shield — the rise of the nepotism cyborg • The Dark Orbit — building the universe’s villain council • Gremlins 3, The Mummy, and nostalgia as economic fuel It’s an hour of improvised worldbuilding, late-stage capitalism, and the comforting realization that evil scales faster than empathy. Patreon Cut available at:
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117 | Circle Jerk Economics
11/04/2025
117 | Circle Jerk Economics
“Everyone’s getting paid — just not by each other.” In Episode 117 of The Economy of Nothing, Mike & Mike chart the endless feedback loops of modern capitalism — the tech giants investing in each other, the fake profits, and the divine grifts that hold it all together. The cold open starts with Mike’s “laser pointer whip” moment — the classic EoN chaos that perfectly transitions into a conversation about how value gets invented, how faith becomes a business model, and how America’s economy turned into a perpetual motion machine made of belief and branding. From there, we spiral through: AI’s round-tripping shell game — OpenAI, Nvidia, and Google all paying each other to pretend something real is happening. Quantum computing hype — the modern version of turning lead into gold, complete with its own priesthood. Schrödinger’s cat and dark matter — science as metaphor for markets you can’t observe without changing. Jesus Christ vs. the stock market — when both rely on blind faith, miracles, and infinite returns. Indiana Jones’ missing whip — what happens when storytelling, like capitalism, loses its texture. Blood diamonds, Jamaica, and the illusion of value — the global cost of the American circle. It’s an hour of quantum confusion, theological meltdown, and patriotic recursion — a sermon on the hill for the attention economy. YydatNBDEVGSC8sFpEYh
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116 | Optimized Capitalism
10/28/2025
116 | Optimized Capitalism
In Episode 116 of The Economy of Nothing, Mike Allen and Mike Bedont explore how capitalism has learned to fail profitably. Starting with a broken washing machine and ending in Hollywood’s AI assembly line, the conversation tracks how everything — from appliances to art — is now optimized for replacement. Topics include: Planned obsolescence and the “five-year washer” problem Netflix, Disney+, and the streaming arms race Warner Bros. Discovery’s failed Paramount bid The rise of private-money studios like Skydance AI in Hollywood and the future of creative labor The debut of Mr. Green’s Pilot School concept Oceans 14 and why every heist movie feels like propaganda Stocks, antitrust, and the illusion of infinite growth “It’s not broken — it’s optimized.” 🎧 Listen on Libsyn, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 📺 Watch the Visual Radio cut on Patreon. 🔗
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115 | The Jared Leto Problem
10/21/2025
115 | The Jared Leto Problem
From Pokémon to Tron, this one’s a slow-motion spiral into the economy of failure. Mike & Mike try to figure out why Jared Leto keeps getting work despite every movie bombing, how the Oscars turned into a feedback loop of fake credibility, and what happens when sincerity itself becomes a business model. Somewhere in the middle, Pokémon becomes an accidental metaphor for Hollywood’s ranking system, Tron: Ares becomes a prophecy, and 30 Seconds to Mars gets exposed as the official sound of fake profundity. It’s an episode about fame, myth, and the way art keeps eating itself — with the usual amount of chaos and unplanned accuracy. Visual Radio: https://youtu.be/StCgpvK7wgE
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114 | Follow the Blood Money
10/14/2025
114 | Follow the Blood Money
Bill Burr performs in Saudi Arabia. HBO Max cancels another show. Freddy vs Jason still makes no sense. From horror nostalgia to billion-dollar hypocrisy, Mike and Mike unravel what we choose to forget — from streaming traps to the blood money behind the camera. • HBO Max and the streaming trap • Freddy vs Jason (2003) and lost horror tropes • Bill Burr & Saudi Arabia – comedy vs conscience • EA Games, Dead Cells, and creative control • Slipknot, Suicide Squad, and nostalgia fatigue • The price of attention and the illusion of freedom “Freddy isn’t the only thing time forgot.” Visual Raido: https://youtu.be/jn1DkrSGoB4
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113 | Superman (2025) Full Breakdown — DC’s Reboot Problem
10/07/2025
113 | Superman (2025) Full Breakdown — DC’s Reboot Problem
James Gunn’s Superman has arrived — but does it fly? In this week’s episode of The Economy of Nothing, Mike and Mike pull apart the latest DC reboot, examining everything from plot structure to Lex Luthor’s questionable plan. They debate Superman’s characterization, Jimmy Olsen’s sidelined role, and the film’s uneven tone — balancing sincerity with Gunn’s trademark irony. The conversation also dives into broader questions about modern superhero fatigue, CGI dependency, and what storytelling looks like when perfection becomes boring. Highlights include: The promise and pitfalls of James Gunn’s direction Lex Luthor’s flawed plan (and redemption?) Superman’s inconsistent moral core Why the action doesn’t land (literally) The future of superhero movies in a post-Gunn landscape By the end, the question remains — did this reboot save the Man of Steel, or just repolish the myth? Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Initial Banter 00:25 Superman Movie Discussion Begins 01:57 Plot Breakdown and Critique 03:22 Character Analysis and Performances 26:36 Villains and Their Impact 38:51 Final Thoughts and Criticisms 43:45 CGI and Camera Work in Modern Films 44:41 Superman's Unrealistic Action Scenes 46:44 Jimmy Olson's Character Arc 51:41 Lex Luthor's Flawed Plan 55:14 Superman's Characterization Issues 58:49 Comparing Superman to Other Superheroes 01:06:37 The Future of Superhero Movies 01:22:36 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
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112 | Rapture in September, Christmas in October, Idiocracy Year-Round
09/30/2025
112 | Rapture in September, Christmas in October, Idiocracy Year-Round
On this week’s Economy of Nothing, we ask the big questions: 👉 Did the rapture already happen and we just didn’t make the cut? 👉 Why does America feel more Idiocracy every year? 👉 And why is 28 Years Later suddenly #1 again, even though it’s trash? We spiral from fake rapture infomercials to Andrew Jackson’s bare-knuckle White House parties, UFC politics on the front lawn, Snowpiercer, nepotism in Hollywood, Netflix bumps, and how every scam becomes real once the media reports on it. Also: the upcoming EoN Christmas special, nepo babies, and the void that is the modern algorithm. 🎧 Full episode + bonus cuts at: Viseo Radio: https://youtu.be/e7pkggS5MyI 00:00 Planning for Christmas 01:16 Podcast Introduction and Rapture Discussion 02:36 Rapture Hoax and Media Influence 05:28 Scams and Media Complicity 08:07 Andrew Jackson and Historical References 16:39 Podcast Dynamics and Audience Engagement 19:19 The Quest for a Funny Subscribe Prompt 20:53 The Trump Effect on Trust 21:16 The Grift and Its Longevity 21:33 Podcast Realization and Tangents 24:46 Trailer Park Boys and J-Roc References 27:37 Rant on 28 Years Later and Zombie Movies 32:27 Nepo Babies and Hollywood's Downfall 35:54 Conclusion and Call to Action
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111 | Augmented Reality Is Masturbation, Digital Gold Is the Illusion of Choice
09/23/2025
111 | Augmented Reality Is Masturbation, Digital Gold Is the Illusion of Choice
Bitcoin, Fight Club, and The Economy of Choices! In this week's episode of 'The Economy of Nothing' podcast, we dive into a range of topics from Bitcoin's impact on the economy and choices to an in-depth discussion on the 1999 movie Fight Club. Mike Bedont AKA Captain Tracy reveals his thoughts on Bitcoin's future, debates the nuances of the film Fight Club, and whether he actually watched it. We also review various shows on HBO Max, including Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Rick and Morty, and the new Apple TV show starring Seth Rogan and our disdain for Jared Leto. Tune in for a lively discussion filled with insights and humor! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to The Economy of Nothing 01:17 Cash vs. Digital Transactions 05:04 Bitcoin: Digital Gold or Scam? 17:05 The Future of Technology and Society 29:10 Fight Club Revisited 42:00 Starting with a Tangent 42:15 Diving into the Movie's Ending 45:14 Mental Health and Generational Shifts 46:54 Brad Pitt's Role and Charisma 48:37 Comparing Fight Club to Other Movies 01:06:29 Rick and Morty Discussion 01:14:57 Podcast Wrap-Up and Miscellaneous Topics Visual Radio: 🌐 Website 🛠️ Patreon 👕 Merch
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110 | Alien Earth, Mario Galaxy, DC Universe- Everything Simulated
09/16/2025
110 | Alien Earth, Mario Galaxy, DC Universe- Everything Simulated
This week Mr. Green and Captain Tracy map out the manifest destiny of franchises: FX/Hulu’s Alien Earth (synths, cyborgs, xenos & Timothy Olyphant) The Super Mario Galaxy teaser and Nintendo’s inevitable Smash-verse Spider-Man sequel fatigue and why anthologies might save superheroes The graffiti Cool S as proof we’re all living in a simulation AI “shutdowns” (robots can’t trip, sorry Skynet) Westerns as American myth (Deadwood, Hell on Wheels) Peacemaker and the DC Universe shuffle Plus: Oreos, Pepsi, and how podcast sponsorships might save the world™ Welcome to Episode 110 of The Economy of Nothing™ — All Simulated.
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109 | $98 Is Better Than a Job
09/09/2025
109 | $98 Is Better Than a Job
🛠️ Patreon: 👕 Merch: 🎧 Spotify: 🍏 Apple Podcasts: 📻 Amazon Music: Do you want me to also generate a shorter punch-line summary (1–2 sentences) that can sit at the very top of the Libsyn feed before the bullet breakdown? That way people see a quick hook in apps like Spotify/Apple Podcasts.
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108 | Awkward Positions, Unreliable People, and Other Business Fundamentals
09/02/2025
108 | Awkward Positions, Unreliable People, and Other Business Fundamentals
Episode 108 of The Economy of Nothing jumps from sex myths to zombie movies to the rise of diabetes — and somehow it all makes sense (in our universe, anyway). We kick things off with a freestyle announcement and a pitch for a Mass Effect TV show, before diving into the now infamous “missionary misunderstanding.” From there it’s a full ride: reviewing 28 Years Later, asking life’s fundamental questions, running into bureaucratic walls, and confronting heavier topics like school shootings and the diabetes epidemic. We also look at how advertising, media, and even modern video games reflect the absurd state of the world. As always, it wraps with a franchise breakdown (Mission Impossible) and a little Patreon love. Episode Highlights: The infamous “Jesus on the cross” missionary misunderstanding Why the Mass Effect TV show could be brilliant or cursed A review of 28 Years Later that spirals into a zombie rant Mike vs. unemployment bureaucracy Serious turns into school shootings, diabetes, and advertising culture The state of modern video games Wrapping up with Mission Impossible analysis Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction and Freestyle Announcement 00:41 — Welcome to the Economy of Nothing 02:27 — Mass Effect TV Show on Amazon 07:37 — Missionary Position Explained 19:01 — Zombie Movie Review: 28 Years Later 27:02 — Fundamental Life Questions 30:29 — Navigating Bureaucracy: Mike's Unemployment Struggles 33:56 — School Shootings: A Grim Reality 37:24 — The Diabetes Epidemic: A Growing Threat 41:42 — The Evolution of Advertising and Media 47:50 — The State of Modern Video Games 53:13 — Mission Impossible: A Franchise Analysis 57:36 — Closing Thoughts and Patreon Appeal
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107 | Rick Mission Mort-Possible: Tom Cruise, Netflix and the Value of Anything
08/26/2025
107 | Rick Mission Mort-Possible: Tom Cruise, Netflix and the Value of Anything
Episode 107 — Rick Mission Mort-Possible: Tom Cruise Jumps Into the Streaming Wars Tom Cruise still won’t go to space, Rick & Morty isn’t the same without Roiland, and the Streaming Wars keep burning bad money after bad money. In this Visual Radio cut of The Economy of Nothing, we break down: The Mission Impossible stunt obsession (Go to Space, You Coward) Rick & Morty’s future without Roiland and the Dan Harmon takeover Why Netflix feels cheap, Disney feels empty, and Apple keeps throwing money at vanity projects Unemployment lifeguards, Hollywood nepotism, and corporate contradictions that make no sense It’s the impossible crossover you didn’t know you needed: Rick, Morty, Tom Cruise, and the Streaming Wars. Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction to The Economy of Nothing 00:48 — Podcast Overview and Host Introductions 02:43 — Unemployment Stories and Lifeguarding Jobs 08:52 — Mr. Green's Silver Screen Critiques (Tom Cruise & Mission Impossible) 18:55 — Rick and Morty: Voice Changes and Show Evolution 28:00 — Stock Picks and Market Insights 32:58 — The Evolution of Investment Strategies 33:36 — The Rise of Meme Stocks 36:30 — The Rule of Three in Branding 37:44 — Disney's Dominance and Challenges 39:01 — The Streaming Wars: Netflix vs. Disney 45:52 — Apple TV's Original Content Dilemma 53:24 — Nepotism in Hollywood 58:29 — The Future of Streaming and Content Creation 🌐 Website 🛠️ Patreon 👕 Merch 🎙️ RSS Feed
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106 | Mr. Green’s Totally Real Stock Tips
08/19/2025
106 | Mr. Green’s Totally Real Stock Tips
The Moonshine Crew is back, and this week Mr. Green reveals his Totally Real Stock Tips™ (please, absolutely do not invest). Along the way, Captain Unemployment battles HOAs, Cheyenne threatens society with fruit trees, and the crew decides once and for all whether movies break physics or just common sense. We rant about streaming ads as harassment, cross a Rubicon that technically doesn’t exist, and dip into the ethics of AI, dictatorships, and why tire pressure lights are the true enemies of freedom. It’s financial advice you can’t afford to take — wrapped in car trouble, Star Wars meltdowns, and one very suspicious Hamilton reference.
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105 | Twisted and Mental: Ice Cream, Streaming Ads, and Other Crimes
08/12/2025
105 | Twisted and Mental: Ice Cream, Streaming Ads, and Other Crimes
From dragons to $10 ice cream in 63 minutes. In this episode of The Economy of Nothing, hosts Mike Allen and Mike Bedont veer from $10 ice cream cones to streaming ads (or as they call them, “subtracts”), with plenty of detours in between. They debate whether dragons might have been real, celebrate Twisted Metal for getting TV right, and roast the decline of modern writing. Along the way, they dig into corporate collusion, the economics of novelty pricing, and Big Pharma’s slow-motion disclaimers, all while keeping the conversation funny, fast, and just a little unhinged. From nostalgic TV rants to full-on ice cream conspiracies, it’s another unpredictable, entertaining ride through capitalism, pop culture, and the weird logic of the algorithm. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:28 Meet the Hosts 01:16 Unemployment 03:30 The $10 Ice Cream Rant 08:53 Streaming Services & Ads 13:04 Pharma Ads & Medicine 24:04 Economic Rants & Conspiracies 40:44 Pivot / Closing Thoughts 41:11 Twisted Metal (the show!) 45:10 The Decline of TV Writing 52:36 Dragons: Myth or Reality? 59:27 “Subtracts”: What We’re Calling Ads Now 01:03:58 Political Rants & Social Commentary 01:11:55 Future Plans
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104 | America's Drink
08/05/2025
104 | America's Drink
This week we talk pirates, billionaires, and the algorithmic rot of corporate booze. It’s a classic EoN hangout: Mike and Mike spiral through *Pirates of the Caribbean 5*, Nintendo nostalgia, weird fitness VR, and the slow death of flavor. The ghost of Four Loko lingers over everything. Also: livestream call-in culture, Google Calendar breakdowns, and the real reason Portal games feel like jobs. 📺 Visual Radio™: 🎧 Extended episodes + bonus content: 🌐 Official site: 📬 Contact:
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103 | God's Gonna Sit This One Out (and you should too)
07/29/2025
103 | God's Gonna Sit This One Out (and you should too)
This week on The Economy of Nothing, we ask the big questions: What if Forrest Gump had AIDS? What if Liam Neeson’s wolf fight was real? And what if your guest couldn’t speak… because she was an octopus robot? Mike Allen (Mr. Green) opens the Man Cave™ for a cinematic breakdown of The Grey, The Punisher, and the existential dread of survival movies. Meanwhile, Captain Tracy fights malfunctioning tech, Mississippi the dog, and a sentient Nanny Bot. Sarah joins the crew—sort of—but due to technical difficulties, her voice is silenced... leading to a cascade of bits about compliance robots, gender, and divine absence. Featuring: • 🐙 Sarah the robot-octopus • 🐺 Wolf metaphors & Mr. Green’s PTSD • 🙏 God’s Not Dead, He’s Just Off-Duty • 🐶 Mississippi the dog and her nannybot • 🕶️ 3D Glasses, Full-Conductors, and survival despair0 0
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102 | Star Wars and the Search for More SEO
07/22/2025
102 | Star Wars and the Search for More SEO
This week, we broadcast directly from Yavin 4 to bring you the Star Wars Special—a rogue transmission of hot takes, nostalgic rewatches, and corporate-media despair. Mike B is joined by Brent and David for a full-scale nerd-out over Andor Season 2, the tragic brilliance of Rogue One, and whether Clone Wars ever really worked. From Ewok basement parties to the bureaucracy of fascism, we ask the big questions: 📼 What makes Andor so good it breaks Star Wars? 🧮 Can any future Star Wars match it—or are we just optimizing content for the algorithm now? 📺 Does Resistance even exist? Also discussed: Droids, Rebels, The Phantom Menace, Caravan of Courage, Tony Gilroy, the MCU problem, and the feeling of existential dread when you realize The Search for More SEO might be the last time this galaxy had anything worth saying.
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101 | The Sheep of Wall Street
07/15/2025
101 | The Sheep of Wall Street
Welcome to Episode 101 of The Economy of Nothing — the first official episode of the podcast reboot, where we start building a universe from the basement up. Literally. Join hosts Mike Allen (aka Mr. Green) and Mike Bedont as they draft the blueprints for Mr. Green’s man cave, dream up a parody of Wall Street inside a cartoon space truck, and argue over how much a Patreon tier should cost. Also in this episode: Is The Economy of Nothing a parody of Spaceballs or Star Wars? Yes. Mr. Green’s La-Z-Boy, red-blue 3D glasses, and whip wall. “Don’t date your boss’s prostitute.” (Life lessons from Wall Street.) Visual Radio vs. Real Radio: what even is this show? Patreon tiers, leaderboard schemes, and audience participation capitalism. 👽 Visual Radio is coming. 🍿 Let’s all go to the man cave. 🎩 Mr. Green’s hat is real. 💸 $150/month = immortality on the Founders Wall. 🎙️ Podcast + Visual Radio + Shorts + Sketches 📼 Full archive at: 💰 Patreon: 00:00 Welcome to the Economy of Nothing Podcast! 01:12 Space Balls Parody and Merchandise 02:31 Mr. Green's Silver Screen Critiques 03:56 Building Mr. Green's Man Cave 13:41 Patreon and Funding Discussion 22:55 Visual Radio and Content Strategy 42:03 A Tangled Start 42:10 Hair Dilemmas and Producer Woes 42:53 Social Media Deep Dive 43:45 Wall Street Talk 46:03 Mr. Green's Man Cave 49:43 Wall Street Movie Analysis 01:04:18 Investment Strategies and Market Realities 01:17:19 Show Plans and Future Episodes
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015 | Permanent Vacation
07/08/2025
015 | Permanent Vacation
🎙️ Episode 015 – Permanent Vacation 📄 Description: Cheyenne’s taking PTO (Permanent Tactical Offloading), Mr. Green’s watching movies on the moon, and Captain Tracy is trying so hard to hold it all together. This week on The Economy of Nothing, we redefine rest, rage, and rant-based animation economy. In this episode: Cheyenne Soapbox is pitched as a lightning-powered trading card animation Mr. Green's Silver Screen Critiques go full fart-cloud NFT The crew watches Squid Game Season 3 projected on a lunar surface We invent the Attention Span Meter™ and still forget what we were talking about Everyone argues about reading, data, capitalism, babies, and the philosophical implications of doing nothing Also featuring: 📈 Ryan turning into Anime Pope 🐐 Mike shapeshifting into a fainting goat 🎥 Mr. Green’s film review of “Squid Game: Baby Edition” 📺 Visual Radio Cut: 🌐 Episode Page:
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014| We’re Plotting a Show (and Losing the Plot)
07/01/2025
014| We’re Plotting a Show (and Losing the Plot)
This week, Mike's out and the remaining crew spirals through the process of trying to write a fake TV show—live, on mic, with no plan. It starts with a discussion of how the podcast itself *is* the pitch, and quickly devolves into segment chaos, Dispatch bureaucracy, and an attempt to build the Nothing Corporation's propaganda machine around Cheyenne. Also, The Accountant 2 gets rebooted again for some reason. Expect: production rants, anime modeling notes, fake commercials for surveillance drones, and a completely earnest breakdown of how (not) to structure a show. Welcome to the Economy of Nothing. 🔹 Segment Highlights: – Cheyenne becomes the face of Nothing Corp™ – Dispatch motivationally cuts Medicaid – How we (don’t) structure episodes – Segment Survivor is born – The Accountant 2: still a problem – Visual Radio vs Podcast breakdown 💌 Patreon: https://patreon.com/economyofnothing 🌐 Web: https://economyofnothing.com 📺 Visual Radio version on YouTube (@economyofnothing)
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013 | Shark Tank of Ideas
06/24/2025
013 | Shark Tank of Ideas
In this episode of The Economy of Nothing, the crew tests the limits of what counts as a good idea. Ryan (aka Training Unit D1-CK) pitches from above a shark tank. Mike Allen analyzes fame, narcissism, and banner quality. The Captain just wants the podcast to stay on track. Along the way, they invent the Hollowoods Content Feedback Loop™, crown a new podcast king, and argue about mermaids—again. Recorded live across the studio, the truck, and deep within the Moonshine. 🔗 Early access + lore:
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012 | Episode Twelve
06/17/2025
012 | Episode Twelve
Episode 012 – The Economy of Nothing Podcast What happens when you explain it over and over… and nobody listens? The Captain's losing patience, Mr. Green’s spiraling about paperwork and waffles, and the Nothing Corporation quietly continues its galactic HR violations. In this episode: – The Moonshine Crew debates waffles vs. whiskey – Mike & Mike try to improvise… and lose their minds – Lore deep-dives on Mars, the cowboy planet, and dragon egg heists – Visual Radio plans for the animated show – Batman discourse gets completely out of hand It’s all nonsense. But it’s our nonsense. The Economy of Nothing™—now with slightly more structure and slightly less hope. 👕 Merch: 🎧 More episodes at
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