Jardo and D'Marcus get into the DC Blackout movement, why Static's 12 issue plan got cut to 7, and whether white writers can really write Black characters better than Black writers. Kaden makes his case for Static Shock as the greatest teen superhero ever, we run a Static or Cap It trivia round, and dig into Duke Thomas, Marvel vs DC, and giving Black heroes their own universe. Plus real talk on supporting controversial artists, Angela Davis, and Juneteenth.

If you love comics, geek culture, and honest Black nerd conversation, this is your show. Subscribe, like, and follow Black Geek Energy, go support @KDComics on TikTok, and tell us which Black hero deserves an ongoing series next.

Watch now on YouTube and Spotify and listen in your favorite podcast app!

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This week on Black Geek Energy, that question sparks one of our biggest gaming debates yet. Jardo and Black are joined by Joseph, creator of the PlayerPlayer podcast and the Can'tPaus newsletter, to break down everything happening across gaming, geek culture, and beyond.

We kick things off with a Game of the Year trivia challenge covering 2021 through 2025 before looking ahead to the biggest contenders of 2026. From Resident Evil Requiem, Forza Horizon 6, Pragmata, Mina the Hollower, and 007 First Light to the games nobody is talking about yet, we make our early predictions and defend our picks.

Plus, we share recommendations from across TV, movies, and documentaries, including The Terror, the Michael Jackson documentary, and Widow's Bay.

What is your early pick for Game of the Year 2026?

Watch now on YouTube or Spotify or listen in your fav podcast app!

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

We look back at our favorite interviews so far (shout out Sean of the Chained Saints and Jamal Sims), then dive into the Put You On segment with MoviePass and whether Mortal Kombat 2 actually delivered. Things get competitive with Rank D's, where Jardo tries to guess D'Marcus' taste in old school R&B legends like Lenny Williams, Confunktion, The Spinners, and DeBarge, plus a book ranking round featuring Dungeon Crawler Carl, He Who Fights Monsters, and Fourth Wing. We also get into the fall movie slate (Supergirl, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Masters of the Universe, Is God Is), the September game drops we're counting down to, D&D and Daggerheart campaign updates, and a real talk moment about AI bias in job applications and how platforms like Workday are scoring candidates behind the scenes

Watch on YouTube or Spotify or listen on your favorite podcast app!
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We talk about his background as an architect and Marine, the destruction of Xanshi in Cosmic Odyssey, his role in Justice League Unlimited, and the upcoming Lanterns series.

Along the way, we also debate robot companions, superhero emergency scenarios, One Piece, MoviePass, and whether we'd actually survive with a Green Lantern ring.

If you're a DC fan, Green Lantern fan, comic book reader, or just love conversations about Black representation in geek culture, this episode is for you.

Watch now on YouTube and Spotify or listen on your favorite podcast app!

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

We get into Black movies, anime, streaming struggles, MoviePass, and the ongoing debate about whether movies like Soul Plane, White Chicks, and Pootie Tang are underrated classics or absolute nonsense. Will also talks about writing the movie in less than a week, his journey from camera operator to director, and why "so bad it's good" movies hit different in the Black community.

If you love geek culture, cult classic movies, hilarious debates, and conversations that constantly go off the rails, this episode is for you.

Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app!

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

We also get into anime hot takes, One Line One Anime trivia, underrated manga, weird protagonists, and why some anime fans absolutely refuse to learn character names. Plus Jardo talks cooking, Black culture conversations, and the chaos of trying to explain anime plots out loud.

Watch now on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app!

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

We get into the inspiration behind Ancestral Recall, authentic Black love stories in comics, litRPG books, psychological horror, and why Jordan thinks people need to disconnect from nonstop negativity online. Plus there's a Black history fact game, comic book debates, rapid fire questions, and plenty of nerd chaos along the way.

Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcast are sold!

https://linktr.ee/bgepod

Then it's straight into BGE mode. "Put You On" goes crazy with anime and manga picks, from Baki to some deep cuts you probably never heard of. After that, D'Marcus runs a blind anime ranking game and everybody starts folding under pressure. Mecha, isekai... nobody leaves looking smart.

We also get into One Piece remake concerns, JoJo drama, and the kind of debates that will have you yelling at your phone like you're part of the episode.

Available now on Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, and your favorite podcast app⚡

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

The Gang also gets into the making and impact of of his upcoming film Major, the energy of Atlanta dance culture, the future of choreography in an Al world, and why Black stories in dance and film still deserve more spotlight.

If you love Black movies, dance documentaries, celebrity interviews, HBCU culture, and real conversation about creativity, this episode is for you.

Available now on Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, and your favorite podcast app!

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

Black culture, and timeless classics, featuring a special return from Kedryck of the Khaotic Kulture Podcast. If you've been tapped into his work, you already know he brings deep knowledge, real opinions, and a passion for the culture that makes every conversation hit different. From his journey stepping away from Amazon to pursue voice acting, to his experience as a panelist at major conventions, Kedryck adds a perspective that blends creativity, culture, and authenticity.

The conversation quickly turns into a competitive and nostalgic deep dive as the crew debates the top R&B songs of all time, breaking down classics from artists like Usher, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, and Beyoncé. Through trivia, rankings, and real debates, they tackle what truly defines R&B, which songs stand the test of time, and which records deserve to be called the greatest ever. If you're into R&B playlists, music debates, Black music history, and classic hits, this episode brings strong takes, real nostalgia, and a conversation you'll want to argue with.

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

The episode also explores the importance of HBCU influence, representation in Hollywood, and the need for more grounded sci-fi and coming-of-age stories centered on Black experiences. DuBois shares insight into his creative process, thoughts on storytelling structure vs formula, and other fun insights! So if you're interested in film analysis, Black cinema, screenwriting, or the evolution of genre storytelling, this episode offers thoughtful perspective and behind-the-scenes insight from a rising voice in film.

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

From discussions about titles like Demon Slayer, Saga, and Superior Spider-Man to debates about classic and modern video games, this episode captures the unpredictable energy that makes geek culture fun. Let's Talk episodes blend humor, hot takes, nostalgia, and authentic reactions to the media shaping fandom right now.

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

They also get into anime, TV recommendations, creativity, and what it really takes to keep going when success doesn’t come easy. Whether you're team Android or team iOS, this episode helps you decide which tech actually fits your lifestyle.

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

The conversation also dives into classic Pokémon Red strategy debates (Charmander vs. Bulbasaur), dream Pokémon teams, and the way gaming communities used to figure things out before YouTube and Reddit existed.

Then things get deeper when the guys notice a pattern in comics: a lot of Black superheroes seem to have electric powers. From Black Lightning to Static and even the lightning visuals associated with Storm, they ask the real question—coincidence, cool visual design, or something bigger in how Black heroes are written? The discussion turns into a broader look at representation, power stereotypes, and how comic book history shaped the heroes we see today.

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

This weekend, I applied for a Senior Brand Manager role at Riot Games.

By 9:00 AM Sunday morning, I was rejected.

Less than 12 hours after applying.

It made me feel worthless.

Not because I believe I am worthless, but because being filtered out that quickly makes it clear no human being actually reviewed my experience. Fifteen years of brand strategy, digital marketing leadership, and content development reduced to keywords in a system.

Before anyone could understand the work.

Before anyone could understand the perspective.

Before anyone could understand the value.

In the cover letter they required, I included this:

"Thank you for your time and consideration. If I am not selected for this role, I respectfully ask that you respond directly, not via an automated no reply, and share specific feedback on why I was not the right fit as a candidate. That kind of direct, human response makes a meaningful difference to those navigating this process."

I meant that sincerely.

I want to improve.

I want to better communicate my experience.

I want to understand what companies are actually looking for.

Instead, it was ignored.

And that is the part that can make the process feel dehumanizing. Candidates are expected to invest time, energy, research, and emotional effort into every application. We tailor resumes. We write thoughtful cover letters. We try to show alignment with company values.

But when the process ends before it even begins, it can make even experienced professionals feel invisible.

I am sharing this because I know many of you are navigating similar moments right now.

Rejection without context can make anyone question themselves. It can make talented people feel unwanted even when they have built meaningful careers and delivered real results.

If you are experiencing this too, please know you are not alone in feeling this way.

The job search can be isolating, especially when the process lacks transparency or basic human feedback.

We talk often on the podcast about resilience, about adapting, about continuing to create even when systems feel stacked against you.

This is one of those moments.

Still applying.

Still building.

Still showing up.

If you are in a position to advocate for more human hiring practices, more transparent communication, and more respectful candidate experiences, please do.

Because people are not keywords.

And careers should not be reduced to automated filters.

Thank you to everyone who continues to listen, support, and share your own experiences. It genuinely makes a difference.

The real debate heats up when they tackle the controversial topic of easy modes in video games and whether every game needs one. D'Marcus argues that while accessibility is important, certain games like Dark Souls are built around difficulty as part of the core experience. They discuss balancing accessibility for players with physical or cognitive impairments without compromising challenging gameplay, how modern games prioritize accessibility and replayability compared to the brutally difficult games of the 1980s and 1990s, and whether developers should shorten 100+ hour games or if players need to just make time for epic experiences. Plus, they share their favorite video game bosses, discuss game modifications and cheat codes, touch on Baldur's Gate 3, and debate the perfect length for a video game in 2026.

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

In this episode of Black Geek Energy, D’Marcus and Jardo break down the evolution of television consumption — from the classic weekly broadcast era to today’s streaming age of binge drops and batch releases. We explore how platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max changed the way audiences watch shows, how cliffhangers and anticipation used to dominate TV culture, and why modern streaming strategies are designed to keep subscribers hooked.

From the death of filler episodes to the rise of limited series, we talk about how storytelling itself has evolved. We also debate whether weekly releases build stronger communities (think group chats, Twitter debates, and barbershop conversations) or if binge watching gives fans the immersive storytelling they actually want.

As always, we bring it back to Black geek culture, sharing our personal watching habits, the shows we’re currently locked into, and the way media consumption impacts how our communities engage with TV, anime, and pop culture.

We also discuss:

• Anime we’re currently watching (Hell’s Paradise, Fire Force, Fate Strange Fake)

• The return of MoviePass and the theater experience

• The wild audiobook world of Dungeon Crawler Carl

• And a real-life relationship situation that sparks a conversation about accountability, loyalty, and consequences

If you love anime, streaming shows, nerd culture, and real conversations from a Black perspective, this episode is for you.

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast

The geek talk is undefeated this episode! D'Marcus is spinning J. Cole's "The Fall Off" on vinyl and loving that rich analog sound, while Jardo delivers a scathing review of HBO's "Night of the Seven Kingdoms" and recommends the horror film "It Ends" for those who loved "It Follows." The crew plays "Getting to Know You Again" where they reveal what their high school selves would roast them for now (tea drinking and couples gaming, anyone?), discuss their current obsessions from One Piece to Daggerheart, and debate which fictional characters they relate to as adults versus back in the day. They're keeping it 100 on everything from anime movies replacing full seasons (the Demon Slayer discourse is heated), to DaBaby's music, Kendrick vs Drake, Will Smith's legendary career transition, and why Uncle Phil remains the greatest TV dad of all time. Plus, the group gets vulnerable discussing family milestones and what it really means to build a life with your partner, touching on everything from marriage motivations to MoviePass nostalgia and AI's impact on content creation.

https://linktr.ee/bgepodcast