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Artwork for Needless Things

Needless Things

Phantom Troublemaker
GI Joe
Toys
Doctor Who
Transformers
Star Trek
Pop Culture
Stellar Fest
Dragoncon
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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes525Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Leisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Needless Things

Latest Episodes

Musician, toy collector, artist, and costume designer(!) Doktor Ross Sewage returns to the Needless Things Podcast!

Listen in as Dave and Ross talk about his most recent project Knights of Unicron and so much more!

Find Ross Sewage online:

Knights... more

Dave is so, so tired. But he has to tell you about his time at Dragon Con 2026.

"Procrastibate" by LeSexoflex.com

Social Media:

Needless Things on Instagram

Needless Things on Bluesky

Shaun Hatton is part of the musical project RUMBLEFRENZ! You can check out their newest album, WE EXIST IN THE REALM OF INFINITE POSSIBILITIES, the third RUMBLEFRENZ album, featuring nine tracks to continue accompanying you on your journey through sp... more

Lenny Panzica has spent the last few years leading a team that has been revitalizing the GI Joe brand. The GI Joe Classified Series is responsible for bringing about a new golden age of collecting and entertainment for Joe fans, both new and lifelong... more

Key Facts

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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

Shaun Hatton
Member of Rumblefrenz; former member of Cybertronic Spree
Rumblefrenz
Episode: Shaun Hatton of RUMBLEFRENZ - We Exist in the Realm of Infinite Possibilities
Lenny Panzica
Former design lead on GI Joe Classified Series; now with Boss Fight Toys
Boss Fight Toys; GI Joe Classified
Episode: Lenny Panzica
Billy Peck
Musician, wrestler, and toy collector introduced as a guest on the episode
Horror Punk Band Graveyard Smash; Major Wrestling Figure Podcast; PWP Live
Episode: Collecting, Wrestling, & Rock N' Roll with Billy Peck
Kristian (CodenameLegionCub)
Head of Research, Audible Interlude connection to Needless Things
Audible Interlude
Episode: San Diego Comic Con 2026 Toy News & Highlights
Chris Scott
Guest from Grindhouse Toys
Grindhouse Toys
Episode: Evil Dead Burn with Chris Scott from Grindhouse Toys
Carlos Espinoza
Creator of Rise of Nexus
Rise of Nexus / Studio
Episode: Carlos Espinoza - Rise of Nexus Returns
Gary Mitchel
Writer, co-director of Good to Be a Geek Media
Good to Be a Geek Media
Episode: Toy Trek II: The Rise of Nacelle Live from Stellar Fest 2026
Bobby Nash
Writer, author of Star Trek fan materials
Self/Various collaborations
Episode: Toy Trek II: The Rise of Nacelle Live from Stellar Fest 2026
Ken Garrison
Trek collector and panel participant
Independent collector
Episode: Toy Trek II: The Rise of Nacelle Live from Stellar Fest 2026

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 States9 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.

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.
Jonathan Davenport
Q: Who right now are your favorites when they come out?
Jonathan echoes a love for the WWE Women's Division, particularly praising Rhea Ripley, Asuka, and Liv Morgan for their performances and gear.
Aaron Reynolds - Effin' Birds
Q: Where did your humor come from?
I was having a conversation with somebody else about how I don't interrogate the things I like so much... formative things that really nailed my sense of humor are definitely Adam West's Batman.
Howard "Quiggly" Chang
Q: Can you tell us about the new toy line Ancientz?
Ancientz is a new universe where spirit-fueled robots battle darkness, inspired by a spiritual awakening Quiggly experienced, and combines themes from biblical stories.
Howard "Quiggly" Chang
Q: What was it like being a part of the Ninja Turtles phenomenon?
Quiggly mentions that he didn't initially realize the extent of the turtles' popularity until he attended conventions years later and saw how fans were influenced by the toys he designed.

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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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. The Full Force
3. Talking Joe: A G.I. Joe Comics Podcast
4. The Dragon Con Report
5. Toy Geeks!

How many episodes of Needless Things are there?

Needless Things launched 14 years ago and published 525 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.

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What guests have appeared on Needless Things?

Recent guests on Needless Things include:

1. Shaun Hatton
2. Lenny Panzica
3. Billy Peck
4. Kristian (CodenameLegionCub)
5. Chris Scott
6. Carlos Espinoza
7. Gary Mitchel
8. Bobby Nash

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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