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PODCAST

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast

Join hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) to talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and

leisure video games

All Episodes

01:05:09

Where is Neverland?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/05/24

Second star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning - today we’re talking about Neverland and all things Peter Pan! The flighty boy who stands in our culture as a symbol of a refusal to come of age, sure, we all had crushes on Peter as kids (...right?). But Peter only glances lightly through the KH story, and while Neverland does contain one of the most moving moments in Sora’s journey when he gains the power of flight, we can’t help but feel like there might have been more to glean here…

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01:17:51

What is a JRPG? with Matt Gosper

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/05/17

We’re joined by game critic Matt Gosper (host of kindred podcast Trails Through Trails) to answer a really tough one: What is a JRPG? So much more than just “an RPG made in Japan,” it’s a genre of games with dense, expansive storytelling, crunchy stats-based gameplay, gorgeous visuals, a rich cultural & technological history, and a long legacy of burrowing deep into the hearts of its fans. It’s never been the most popular genre, but its impact on modern games & stories is undeniable. And

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01:02:18

Who is Jiminy Cricket?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/05/10

Conscience, chronicler, and constant companion: today we’re covering Jiminy Cricket! Set adrift from his homeworld, his charge lost to the belly of a space whale, Jiminy takes on a new quest: recording the story of the Keyblade wielders as they battle Xehanort and the forces of Darkness. Though he may not say much in cutscenes, as the keeper of the Journal (which you often need to “complete” in order to unlock secrets) he is a constant presence along Sora’s path - moreso than Donald & Goofy

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00:55:17

Where are Monstro & Prankster’s Paradise?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/05/03

As the second movie in their catalog, Disney’s Pinocchio lays the groundwork for a lot of Disney’s works yet to come, and since its release its characters & images have transcended their origins to become iconic pieces of the wider Disney tapestry. Is that why pieces of Pinocchio’s world are scattered all across the Kingdom Hearts universe, but it took until the 7th game of the series to see the actual place he comes from? Jiminy’s here, Pinocchio’s there, Monstro’s floating out in space… We’re

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00:58:50

What is Magic?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/04/26

Kingdom Hearts is made up of all of the things sitting in the middle of the Venn diagram between “Disney” and “Final Fantasy,” and written in bold text & underlined right in the center is the word “MAGIC.” But what do these two radically different sources mean when they each say “magic?” Well, one is a rigorous system of codified elemental effects… and one is a vibe where a dream is a wish your heart makes. And then also, something else about keys? Okay, gang, how are we gonna make this

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00:52:50

Where is Wonderland?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/04/19

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland are colorful, whimsical, surreal, delightful… heck, they’re positively frabjous! Sora’s adventures there? Decidedly more contained. Today we’re discussing the Kingdom Hearts level based on Disney’s Alice in Wonderland - specifically a pretty small, boxed-in section of it. There’s so much thematic harmony between Alice’s journey through Wonderland and Sora’s through the KH universe - the way both come of age, balk against systems impressed upon them by adults and

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00:58:20

How Is Kingdom Hearts Metatextual? with Aysha Farah

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/04/12

Game writer and narrative designer Aysha Farah tumbles down the rabbit hole with us to talk all about metatextuality in game narratives. As a medium that fundamentally includes an element of the player’s control of the narrative, video games are a fascinating way to explore our relationships to storytelling - and the way Kingdom Hearts relies on its own nature, re-contextualizing versions of some of the most classic stories in our cultural canon, captivates and enthralls us. How did one scene where

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01:00:25

Where is Twilight Town?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/04/05

Twilight Town is a bustling burb bathed perpetually in a perfect orange glow, and don’t you just want to watch that sunset on that clocktower forever? The halfway point on the Twilight Road to Nightfall (and the Road to Dawn), a story about the interplay between the forces of Light and Darkness revels in the enormous and deep story moments they’re able to tell in this otherwise sleepy-looking place. It’s a town so beautiful, we wish we could stay there forever… but it’s also a place where the

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01:21:21

How Does Combat Feel In Kingdom Hearts? with Julian...

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/03/29

We put the controller in the talented hands of artist, podcaster and game connoisseur Julian Mundy for a deep look at KH’s combat. We know the story is deep, the characters are rich and the aesthetics are iconic, but how does it actually feel to play the Kingdom Hearts games? As one of the primary modes of interaction with the object itself, each game’s combat mechanics contribute so much to shaping the player’s experience. What feeling does each game’s combat try to convey? What’s up with that

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01:13:06

What's The Latest Kingdom Hearts News & Rumors? #1

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/03/22

Kingdom Hearts has always flown in the eye of a swirling storm of rumors. It’s been a part of the fandom going back as long as we can remember - and honestly, to a certain extent, that’s probably how the game devs want it! But with wild rumors come wild (and even sometimes impossible) runaway expectations. In the first half, we’ll examine the role of the KH rumor mill in our beloved community: How much of a rumor mill is fun and healthy? And when does passion become poison? And in the back half,

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01:07:03

What If Kingdom Hearts Was A TV Show? with Caldwell...

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/03/15

We welcome writer, illustrator, YouTube artist & podcaster Caldwell Tanner onto the pod to pour over the unaired Kingdom Hearts animatic pilot! Hot on the heels of the release of the first game, Disney ordered the creation of a pilot episode for a potential KH animated series. But in 2003, anime and Japanese media had not quite taken hold in the US - and so unlike the games which take so many cues from anime, this pilot leans in a decidedly Disney direction. How do these choices stand up 20

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01:21:57

Are Ya Winnin’ Son? with David Tilstra #3

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/03/08

The son returns! Game master and podcaster David Tilstra’s back, and boy is he winnin’ son! David had high praise for the first Kingdom Hearts game even though it’s been over 20 years since its release. So, rather than squander that goodwill on a card-based battle system, Mayanna’s brought him right to the good stuff: Kingdom Hearts 2. What’s David’s favorite new world? What does he think about the changes to combat, exploration, the Gummi Ship, and more? Have the lessons continued to resonate for

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00:56:50

What's Up with Kingdom Hearts Merch?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/03/01

As passionate fans of a media property, sometimes all you want is to be able to display that love in your house, or on your body to others. But for Kingdom Hearts fans, the search for cool merchandise was a long and often fruitless one for many years. The merch landscape has changed drastically in the years since Kingdom Hearts first released, and where in our childhoods we often had to resort to homemade stuff, in 2026 there’s thankfully a plethora of options to wear your KH love on your sleeve

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00:55:41

What is a Gummi Ship?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/02/22

The epic quest of Kingdom Hearts takes Sora, Donald, and Goofy through space, hopping from world to world. But how are they like, physically doing it? Enter the Gummi Ship, the blockiest ride since the Scion xB. The Gummi Ship is a staple feature of the major console installments, giving these big marquee games a sense of size and scale that handheld consoles simply can’t contain while also giving the game’s biggest opportunity for customization… even if the Gummi Ship Builder is pretty clunky. It’s

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01:46:07

What Happens in Kingdom Hearts 2 (2005)? with Oscar...

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/02/15

It’s bigger, it’s badder, it’s popping off all over the place!! Kingdom Hearts 2 attempts to expand upon its predecessor in every fathomable direction. Sora, Riku & Kairi are back and have never looked better, Jack Sparrow’s weirdly-more-realistic face is oddly endearing, Mulan and Tifa and Tron and Yuna Rikku & Payne (it’s showtime girls) are all here, and not only is Mickey Mouse fully in the game but he’s PLAYABLE! We’re dual-wielding keyblades, we’re fighting epic bosses with custom

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00:54:07

Who is Axel?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/02/08

He may wield the element of fire, but Axel might just be the coolest character in this (or indeed, any) game series! Long red spiky hair, piercing green eyes, a smirk that makes teens swoon, and a heart that literally grows in front of your very eyes… no wonder Saïx can’t get over him. Step with us through the story as Axel goes from fun-loving street teen to wild scheming assassin - and then, somehow, despite enormous odds, back again. And now that he’s got his heart back, along with a Keyblade and

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00:57:04

Where is Hollow Bastion / Radiant Garden?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/02/01

Where once shone a beacon of light among the many worlds, now stands an empty fortress upon a shattered landscape. Its inner workings, once dedicated to the betterment of all through the study of science and magic, are now twisted to suit Xehanort’s dark schemes, leaving a gaping wound in the skin of the world. Can those who were forced to flee the Hollow Bastion return, and restore it to its former glory? With all it’s been through, can the hearts of those who love it make the Radiant Garden shine

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01:31:58

What is Organization XIII? With Julia Schifini

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/01/25

We welcome our friend Julia Schifini aboard to get a rundown of Organization XIII, the meanest mugs this side of the Dark Meridian. We’ll get the lowdown on their plan (replacing the hearts they once gave up for dark powers), we’ll break down the stats all 14 members (yes, that’s right), we’ll learn how this motley crew works together (and how they don’t), and maybe we’ll learn where they all get those rad dark coats (they’re very expensive). We’ll also take a good look at what the Kingdom Hearts

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01:34:50

Who is Roxas?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/01/18

As Sora’s Nobody, Roxas has a lot to live up to. He’s got responsibilities at work, he’s got a mysterious destiny he never asked for, he’s figuring out what emotions are, and he’s got no memories of who he used to be, even though everyone else seems to know him. All he wants is to sit on the clocktower in Twilight Town, and eat sea-salt ice cream with his friends! Can we just let a boy have friends or what?? Can Xemnas & DiZ ever just leave him alone? And if he has to give his body back to Sora

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00:57:28

Where is Deep Jungle?

Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast ·

2026/01/11

Deep Jungle, based on Disney’s Tarzan, is such a vast and exciting world in the first Kingdom Hearts game, one that really shows off what their level design could do… which was then legally barred from ever being mentioned in a KH game again. In a game series built on the backs of bedraggled and sleepless IP lawyers working out how all these properties can work together, how did Tarzan become the most convoluted example? Was one appearance enough for us?Sponsors - Cornbread Hemp,

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