Advertise on podcast: Formidable Opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! Most people revisit their youth by making a playlist.  I wrote an entire book. In this special bonus episode, I want to share the story behind "Nu Metal: Nu'er Emotions: A Loud Funny and Surprisingly Emotional History of Nu Metal."  Hear why this music still matters, how nostalgia turned into a book, and why an era that gave us Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Slipknot and screaming over turntables deserves another look. If you ever burned a CD, defended Fred Durst in public, or found comfort in a song people dismissed as "just noise," this one is for you. Come for the questionable musical decisions.  Stay for the laughs, memories and heart behind the noise. Grab your copy and turn it back up. - Randall Click on any of the links below to order! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HK6DQ9QV  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9798998053719 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nu-Metal-A-Loud-Funny-and-Surprisingly-Emotional-History-of-Nu-Metal-Paperback-9798998053719/21032313406 Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! Sometimes we rank things like the greatest albums of all time, but today we rank the songs that would make us dramatically remove our jacket before getting immediately knocked out.  That's right, we're discussing and debating the best songs to fight to!  On this episode, we debate the loudest riffs, hardest beats, and most glorious and violent anthems in music history.  Because every playlist deserves one track that make you feel like a hero...even if you're just heading into a meeting with HR. Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! Some movies stick the landing.  Others drive straight off a cliff, explode, and somehow still roll credits. This week, Formidable Opponents dives headfirst into the most baffling, rage-inducing, and unintentionally hilarious movies ever put on film. From endings that make absolutely no sense to finales that somehow manage to ruin two hours of perfectly good storytelling in under five minutes, nothing is safe! Warning: Contains spoilers, cinematic slander and emotional damage for fans of certain "masterpieces." Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! This week Formidable Opponents dives into the near impossible question: what is the saddest song of the 1990s? From grunge despair and acoustic heartbreak to emotionally catastrophic funeral ballads, the episode revisits a decade when every music video looked like someone had just lost custody of a payphone in the rain. Join us for a "deeply scientific" exploration of sadness, nostalgia, and why the 90s somehow turned emotional collapse, cargo shorts, and visible depression into multi-platinum albums.  And remember, Everybody Podcasts.....soooometiiiimes. Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! This week, we’re diving headfirst into the sacred cinematic dojo to crown the greatest movie mentor of all time. From wise, cryptic legends to wildly unqualified chaos agents, we break down the icons who shaped heroes, delivered life lessons, and occasionally committed light emotional damage in the name of growth. Is the best mentor the one with discipline and wisdom? Or the one who just yells, throws you into danger, and hopes you figure it out? We’re talking: – Tough love  – Training montages that definitely violate labor laws – Mentors who disappear at the worst possible time – And the real question: would we have survived their “lessons” Class is in session. Bring your towel… and your trauma. Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! This week on Formidable Opponents, we tackle one of the most important questions in human history: "Who made you want to throw your remote at the tv the hardest?" No villains.  No "love to hate." Just pure, unfiltered irritation. Voices get mocked and catchphrases get examined as we debate and discuss which tv show characters should be banned from existence....and somehow, by the end, everyone is mad at each other and themselves. Hit play and prepare to be irrationally angry again (and not only because of the mislabeled episode number in the intro and the mispronounced words on this episode). Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! We all have that band.  The one we pretend we've never accidentally Shazamed.  The one whose fans scare us just a little. and yet... Somehow. Some Way. There's is one song that absolutely slaps. In this special, "Not my Cup of Tea" episode, we confront our musical hypocrisy and publicly admit the tracks we secretly love from bands we loudly claim to despise.  Is it growth?  Is it betrayal?  Is it just a really good chorus? Expect heated debates, reluctant praise, and dramatic confessions.  We'll break down why the band drives us nuts, and why this song escapes the curse. Because sometimes the worst band writes the best song...and sometimes we were wrong (but probably not).  Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! They say even the greatest bands can’t go undefeated and today, we’re reviewing the blooper reel. This episode is a loving roast, a public service announcement, and a reminder that your heroes are human. We’re diving headfirst into the songs that made us say, “Wait… this is on the album?” The tracks that stopped the momentum. The weird experiments. The ill-advised ballads. The “who let them cook?” moments from bands that otherwise changed our lives. We debate whether context matters, whether nostalgia can save a bad song, and if a single misstep should ever be forgiven when the rest of the catalog absolutely rips. Expect passionate defenses, reckless slander, historical revisionism, and at least one moment where someone says, “No, you’re just wrong.” Your favorite band is safe. Your favorite song is not. Headphones on. Feelings hurt. Let’s go, as this week...Formidable Opponents debate and discuss, "Worst Song by a Great Band." Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! We're back!  The Formidable Opponents comeback episode is us picking up like we never left… except now we’re a little more self-aware, slightly more reflective, and still very unsure how long we were actually gone. Same chemistry, same rhythms, and the comforting realization that the hardest part wasn’t coming back, it was figuring out how to wrap it up. Call it muscle memory, call it nostalgia, or call it refusing to let a good conversation end. Either way, we’re back, we’re warmed up, and we definitely hit record before overthinking Listen to what we've been up to and our takes on concerts, aging, Quentin Tarantino and honoring the great Catherine O' Hara. Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! On this episode, we tackle everything from substitute teachers who can't pronounce your name, to rival floor gymnasts to cheesy crust.  We're diving headfirst into the most iconic, absurd, and gut-busting sketches from one of the greatest comedy duos ever. From the East/West Bowl to Obama's Anger Translator, tune in as we battle it out, poorly impersonate our way into chaos, and declare once and for all which Key and Peele sketch reigns supreme.  Join us, as this week Formidable Opponents definitely says "A-A-Ron" as we debate "Best Key and Peele Sketch." Three hosts.  One Podcast.  Unlimited mispronounciation. Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! What did the five fingers say to the face?  Hopefully, they said "press play" because this week, we're diving into the greatest Chapelle's Show sketches of all time!  Serve up some pancakes because we're discussing the funniest, wildest and most legendary moments from Dave Chapelle's groundbreaking show.  Get ready for laughs and nostalgia from three habitual line-steppers, bringing the couch-kicking energy as this week Formidable Opponents debate and discuss "Best Chapelle's Show Sketch."  Holla Holla Holla! Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! This week, we’re diving into the world of Blink-182—pop-punk legends, purveyors of juvenile humor, and the soundtrack to your youth....and perhaps a terrible breakup or 6 (hopefully you got those CDs back). Which song is their absolute best? Is it a tearjerker or a high-energy anthem? Expect passionate viewpoints, unnecessary air drumming, and at least one of us questioning our life choices after trying to hit Tom DeLonge’s high notes. Tune in as we discuss, debate, and probably derail the conversation into Blink’s most absurd lyrics.  Because, let’s be honest—what does "work sucks, I know" really mean on a philosophical level?   "Where are yewwww?!"  You're right here with us as Formidable Opponents debate and discuss "Best Blink-182 Song."   Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! Grab your survival gear, double-tap your expectations, and join us at The Winchester because this week Formidable Opponents crawl out of our graves (and maybe dance on them...fully clothed) and talk Zombies.  Board up your doors, aim for the head and check out this episode as we discuss why cardio is the real enemy.  This week Formidable Opponents use our brains...braaaains....BRAAAAINS!!! as we debate and discuss "Best Zombie Movie." Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! Fire up the dial-up,  because today we're once again tackling 90s music! These are the songs that blasted onto the scene and made artists instant icons, whether they changed music forever or just gave us a catchy tune to sing along to in our cars, alone, with the windows rolled up...and perhaps looking off into the distance, acting like you're in the damn video. One thing’s for sure: this episode will be more fun than asking for someone's a/s/l  in an AOL chat room. Hit play, and let’s settle this like it’s 1999; for this week, Formidable Opponents debate and discuss, "Best 90s Debut Single."  Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents

Send us a message and get a shoutout! Warning: This episode is not safe for work, family road trips, or anywhere your mom might overhear it and say, “Oh, I love that song!”—because today, we’re discussing the sexiest songs of the 2000s, and things are about to get dangerously smooth....er, um, awkward. We’ll break down the beats, the lyrics, and the questionable life choices these songs inspired—all while trying (and failing) to keep things PG and it’s guaranteed to make you laugh… and maybe blush. Proceed with caution, as Formidable Opponents debate and discuss "Sexiest 2000s Song."  Awww yeeeeah.  Support the show Reach out to us and follow us: [email protected] (Contact us) https://formidableopponents.buzzsprout.com/ (Website) @Fopponents (Twitter) formidable_opponents (Instagram) FormidableOpponents (Facebook) @formidableopponents (Tik Tok) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/foropponents (Show us some love) Merchandise https://formidableopponents.creator-spring.com/ Cover art by Creative Little Pill https://www.instagram.com/creativelittlepill/ https://creative-little-pill.creator-spring.com/ Magic Mind https://www.magicmind.com/opponents