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Artwork for Needless Things

Needless Things

Phantom Troublemaker
GI Joe
Toys
Doctor Who
Transformers
Star Trek
Pop Culture
Dragoncon
Stellar Fest
Star Wars
Comics
Masters Of the Universe
Lady Gaga
Battle Action Force
G.I. Joe
Cold Slither
2024
Nosferatu
Frankencon
1986
Action Figures

Since 2013 Needless Things has been your one-stop hub for toys, movies, music, and all manner of pop culture dorkery.

Join your host Dave as he explores any and everything that interests him - from interviewing creators to discussing classic films, it's all on the table here at Needless Things!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes531Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Leisure

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Artwork for Needless Things

Latest Episodes

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Recorded live on Dragon Con’s American Sci-Fi Classics track, this special episode brings together a wild cast of podcasters, performers, and li... more

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Thirty years after Resident Evil first opened the doors to survival horror, the Needless Things crew reunites for a lively follow-up to their st... more

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

New York Comic Con 2026 Toy News & Highlights

Dave West is joined by Ryan Schweck and Kristian Allen for a recap of the non–G.I. Joe toy news s... more

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

While this interview came about as a companion piece to the Kyle Higgins interview on Needless Things Podcast 526, the episode is a compelling s... more

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Recent Guests

Gary Mitchel
Co-director of the American Sci-Fi Classics track, podcaster, writer, and reviewer
American Sci-Fi Classics
Episode: Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends: The Bride of Dracula LIVE from Dragon Con
Kristian Allen
Co-host of the Audible Interlude GI Joe podcast
Audible Interlude
Episode: Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends: The Bride of Dracula LIVE from Dragon Con
Rebeccah Wood
Member of the American Sci-Fi Classics community and performer
American Sci-Fi Classics
Episode: Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends: The Bride of Dracula LIVE from Dragon Con
Charles Kelso
Member of the Felt Nerdy performer group
Felt Nerdy
Episode: Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends: The Bride of Dracula LIVE from Dragon Con
Noel Wood
Co-host of the Audible Interlude podcast
Audible Interlude
Episode: Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends: The Bride of Dracula LIVE from Dragon Con
Kevin Cafferty
Host of The Best Stuff in the World podcast
The Best Stuff in the World
Episode: Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends: The Bride of Dracula LIVE from Dragon Con
Ryan Cadaver
Episode: Thirty Years of Resident Evil
Nicole Ghouled Cadaver
Episode: Thirty Years of Resident Evil
Michael Nie
Cinematographer
Episode: Cinematography, Creating, & Fandom with Michael Nie

Host

Dave West
Host of Needless Things; long-running anchor with broad pop-culture coverage.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 28 ratings
  • You need needless things

    Listen and you’ll see. Great show. Great content. Check Audible Interludes too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RevScottS
    United States2 years ago
  • Phantom Rules!

    Phantom Troublemaker is one of my favorite hosts! Such fun subjects and terrific guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NerdyLaser
    United States10 years ago
  • Fun for sure

    Cannot sing high enough praises. Phantom and his Irregulars always bring the laughs. From toy talks, movie commentary, and all other forms of pop culture nerdery.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    theAmazingGimp
    United States10 years ago
  • For those who remember what it was like to be a kid...

    More than just another toy/wrestling/pop-culture review show, Needless Things is a wonderful look into what it means to truly LOVE your hobbies and interests. Whether it’s a one-mic show or a room full of self-professed nerds, Phantom keeps the conversation going and the audience engaged.

    Usually shows with such diverse topics run the risk of meandering, but Needless Things manages to fit it all under the umbrella of “cool stuff that has stood the test of time.” In that way it makes perfect se... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sean R Reid
    United States11 years ago
  • You Need Needless Things

    Talk about toys, conventions, movies, music, puppetry, and more. Lots of fun. Good host, great guests. Always worth the listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jerry Chandler
    United States11 years ago

Listeners Say

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

A welcoming blend of hobbyist joy and industry insight that's informative and fun.
The format balances panel-like discussions with personal storytelling, keeping episodes dynamic.
Energetic hosts and guests deliver infectious enthusiasm for toys and pop culture.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Thirty Years of Resident Evil
Q: Who is a character you would like to see more of?
The panelists suggest Rebecca Chambers, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, and Marvin as characters who could anchor new stories or game concepts.
Thirty Years of Resident Evil
Q: What is one key element that has to be present in a Resident Evil game?
Nicole points to puzzle-driven progression, exploration, and unlocking new areas; the others add tension, resource management, memorable creatures, and lore.
Cinematography, Creating, & Fandom with Michael Nie
Q: How did the GI Joe Tomb Raider crossover come together, and what drew you to work on it?
He explains being approached through Kyle Higgins, the decision process at Skybound, and the appeal of threading a crossover that respects decades of lore while inviting new readers, paired with the real American hero universe context.
Cinematography, Creating, & Fandom with Michael Nie
Q: Tell me a little bit about how you got to where you are now as a cinematographer.
Nie describes growing up in the Midwest with an early love for cameras, moving to California for opportunities, joining the union, and seeking both big-set experience and small passion projects to learn and give back.
Lenny Panzica
Q: What was the path that led you to Hasbro and then Boss Fight Toys?
A progression from early character and creature designs, through formal art school and internships, to hands-on roles at Fisher-Price and ultimately collaborating with Hasbro and then joining Boss Fight, driven by a love for monsters, dinosaurs, and storytelling in toys.

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 Needless Things

What is Needless Things about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running show that sits at the crossroads of toys, movies, music, and pop culture, with a strong emphasis on collecting, conventions, and creator interviews. Episodes regularly explore toy design and manufacturing, licensing, and merchandising, alongside thoughtful discussions of films, franchises, and nerd culture phenomena. The tone is informal, opinionated, and enthusiastically nerdy, often featuring live-event anecdotes, panel-style debates, and deep dives with industry guests. A standout trait is the show's ability to blend hands-on hobbyist insight with behind-the-scenes context from toy makers, writers, and researchers, making it particularly valuable for brands seeking authentic nerd-culture storytelling and sponsorship opport... more

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How many listeners does Needless Things get?

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How many subscribers and views does Needless Things have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Needless Things has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Needless Things?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Needless Things:

1. Audible Interlude: A GI Joe Podcast
2. Talking Joe: A G.I. Joe Comics Podcast
3. Toy Geeks!
4. Triple Takeover Toycast
5. The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast

How many episodes of Needless Things are there?

Needless Things launched 14 years ago and published 531 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 Needless Things?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Needless Things?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Needless Things from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Needless Things?

Recent guests on Needless Things include:

1. Gary Mitchel
2. Kristian Allen
3. Rebeccah Wood
4. Charles Kelso
5. Noel Wood
6. Kevin Cafferty
7. Ryan Cadaver
8. Nicole Ghouled Cadaver

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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