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Artwork for Into the Aether

Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

Stephen Hilger + Brendon Bigley
Baldur's Gate 3
Hades II
Final Fantasy
Nintendo
Kingdom Hearts
Dungeons & Dragons
Persona 4 Golden
The Legend Of Zelda
Yakuza 0
Dragon Age: Veilguard
Mina the Hollower
Nintendo Switch
Uncharted Series
Persona 3 Reload
Nintendo Switch 2
Supergiant Games
Animal Well
Dragon's Dogma 2
Metroidvania
Nintendo Direct

A low key video game podcast by Stephen Hilger and Brendon Bigley. Produced by AJ Fillari!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes453Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Video GamesGamesLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Into the Aether

Latest Episodes

Philanthropists... pAssemble.

Discussed: Upcoming break, past trips to London, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, Marvel vs. Capcom, Big Walk, ziti pizza, Big Guess, Agent 64: Spies Never Die, FFXIV, Fields of Mistria

Find us everywhere: intothe... more

Ben Hanson tried to fool us.

Discussed: Fortune’s Weave Direct, Gun Nun, the hero we’re choosing first, our upcoming break, Fields of Mistria, Neighborvania, Penn & Teller VR: Frankly Unfair, Unkind, Unnecessary, & Underhanded, the Cai Crew, more ga... more

It costs one hundred thousand United States Dollars.

MinnMax Trivia Tower

Stephen's Splatoon Raiders stream

Discussed: MinnMax Trivia Tower, the price we pay for losing trivia, Beast of Reincarnation, Game Freak’s games that aren’t Pokémon, Granbl... more

Ay! (I'm Big Man!) And I'm Poopies, and this is the Spicy Raid.

Discussed: Cursed impressions, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”, Splatoon Raiders, Gooigi, MinnMax Trivia Tower, The Deltarune Patreon bonus episode, RuneScape: Dragonwilds

Find us ev... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ben Hanson
Guest linked to Trivia Tower discussion; noted during the Penn & Teller segment
MinnMax
Episode: Penn & Tetris (feat. Fields of Mistria, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, and Penn & Teller VR)
Murray Somerwolff
Creative director of Wax Heads (Wax Heads development)
Wax Heads / Patata Games
Episode: Come Back Later with Murray Somerwolff (feat. Wax Heads, Meccha Chameleon, and more!)
Chris Plante
Host of Post Games, invited to discuss Persona Summer
Post Games
Episode: Persona Summer - A Post Games Crossover Clip!
AJ Fillari
Producer for the podcast
Into the Aether
Episode: The 2025 Game of the Year Spectacular
Joshua Rivera
Guest from Trails Through Trails
Trails Through Trails
Episode: The 2025 Game of the Year Spectacular
Brandon Sheffield
Creative Director at Necrosoft, and panelist on Insert Credit Podcast
Necrosoft
Episode: Rorchad's Journal with Brandon Sheffield (feat. Demonschool and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond)
Erik Morrison
An extremely talented artist and comedian.
Episode: Yakuza 0 (with Erik Morrison) | Bonus
Matt Horton
Podcaster and guest host
TWG
Episode: Parasite Steve (feat. Hades II, Ender Magnolia, and Parasite Eve)
Chase Allhart
Podcaster and guest host
TWG
Episode: Parasite Steve (feat. Hades II, Ender Magnolia, and Parasite Eve)

Hosts

Brendon Bigley
Host of Into the Aether: A Low Key Video Game Podcast; frequently described as the host with a collaborative, upbeat energy.
Stephen Hilger
Co-host known for deep-dives, thoughtful critiques, and a balanced, friendly dynamic with Brendon.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • It ain’t bad

    These guys are kind of in this awkward place where they are in between being friends who record themselves talking about games and professional influencers. I think the show is most authentic feeling in that former category. You can really tell when they are trying to be authoritative by demonstrating that they have played all the newest games and gotten up on all the current discourse.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Kamille Biden
    United States21 days ago
  • Best games podcast period

    Most everything else seems so dull and perfunctory, these guys have the best dynamic in games commentary.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Max Health Points
    United Statesa month ago
  • Moves Too Quickly

    My taste lines up with theirs quite often so I’m always interested to hear what they have to say, and they always bring an interesting selection of games, but I often times find this show exhausting when they sample the first couple hours of a ton of games and cycle through things at light speed.

    I feel like the format of the show leads them to never really savor anything and see how it sits over a longer period of time… but that may a problem inherent to gaming podcasts as a medium.

    All tha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    AK-010
    United States2 months ago
  • The only video game podcast.

    You heard me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheTomatoKing
    United States2 months ago
  • With you all the way!

    This is the best podcasts on Apple Podcasts in my opinion, thank you so much for making this and everything here is just so beautiful!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KatNotFox
    Germany2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is seen as approachable for newcomers while still offering nuance for long-time fans of gaming culture.
Some listeners critique pacing or the amount of time spent on first-impression content, suggesting longer-term reflections would be valuable.
Listeners praise the hosts' chemistry and positive energy, noting engaging conversations that stay welcoming even when covering controversial topics.
Audience appreciates deep dives into indie and retro games, with thoughtful takes beyond surface-level impressions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#16
United States/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#63
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#19
Canada/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#42
United Kingdom/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#101
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#190
United Kingdom/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Persona 4 Golden | Bonus Episode
Q: Given the length and complexity of Persona 4 Golden, what would you keep or change in a remake?
The core loop and character-driven downtime are essential; I'd keep the friends-as-partners feel but would streamline or rework some side quests, tighten dungeon pacing, and adjust problematic social-link scenes to be more inclusive while preserving the emotional beats.
I Norted Myself (feat. Kingdom Hearts 3, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line)
Q: Do we get a satisfying follow up with Aqua, Terra and Ventus?
Yes, you will walk away feeling like their story wraps up in a conclusive way.
I Norted Myself (feat. Kingdom Hearts 3, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line)
Q: How was the last seven hours?
The last seven hours are really great, filled with boss fights and a culmination of the plot.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep | Bonus
Q: What two franchises if mashed together would make a Kingdom Hearts esque phenomena?
Fire Emblem and Pokemon.
The 2023 Game of the Year Spectacular
Q: What is your number one game of the year?
Our number one game of the year for 2023 is Baldur's Gate 3!

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Into the Aether

What is Into the Aether about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A laid-back, long-form gaming discussion show centered on the latest in titles, industry trends, and indie observations. Two hosts—Brendon Bigley and Stephen Hilger—guide conversations that blend hands-on impressions with broader culture, nostalgia, and design philosophy. Regular episodes mix deep dives into specific games or Direct-style reveals with broad cottage-industry chatter, staying optimistic and friendly while occasionally offering critical takes on pricing, pacing, and platform strategy. The format often emphasizes casual banter, positive vibes, and a focus on both current releases and retro-inspired experiences, making it a good fit for listeners who want thoughtful discourse without pretension. A standout trait is the duo's gen... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Into the Aether?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Into the Aether:

1. Post Games
2. Overworld Weekly: A Wider View of Video Game News
3. The Besties
4. The MinnMax Show
5. Triple Click

How many episodes of Into the Aether are there?

Into the Aether launched 8 years ago and published 453 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Into the Aether?

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What guests have appeared on Into the Aether?

Recent guests on Into the Aether include:

1. Ben Hanson
2. Murray Somerwolff
3. Chris Plante
4. AJ Fillari
5. Joshua Rivera
6. Brandon Sheffield
7. Erik Morrison
8. Matt Horton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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