Love Letters

Ep 25: The 2023 Love Letters Awards

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 04:04:07 +0000

What a year of movies, shows and games it has been!

In this very special episode, I sit down with all of your Love Letters favourites to discuss their favourite pieces of entertainment for the year, and we award the official TV Series, Movie and Game of the Year!

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Ep 24: Kyran Morrison <3's Godzilla: Minus One

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 07:04:38 +0000

It's our Christmas episode, so let's talk about the giant lizard!

This week, I sit down with Kyran to discuss the surprise hit of the Summer, Toho's Godzilla: Minus One, from the shockingly terrifying take on the monster and brilliant human story to magical balloons and whatever the hell the next Kong movie is.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 23: Joel Mason <3's DREDGE

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 06:43:03 +0000

This week, we are lucky enough to be joined by Joel Mason from Black Salt Games, the incredible new studio behind my personal GOTY, DREDGE! Join me and Kyran while we absolutely simp for the cosmic horror fishing game and pick Joel's brain on what inspired the game, how the team is dealing with the praise, and, of course, his thoughts on Destiny 2.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 21: Joel McDonald <3 GenV

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 06:16:18 +0000

It's the Dawn of the Two this week as Joel joins me to tour the prestigious Godulkin University, discussing season one of GenV along the way, from hemokenesis and puppet-murder to political commentary and our love for Cricket. She is the best.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 19: Wendigoat <3 Saw

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 01:22:19 +0000

In a special Halloween horror episode, Lauren Grattan (aka Wendigoat) and I become a gruesome twosome to talk about the Saw franchise's visceral horror, from lousy acting and bear traps to empathising (???) with John Kramer and the Christian Saw rip-off, The Reconciler!

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 18: Dads <3 Bluey

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 05:59:43 +0000

A wholesome episode this week as I sit down with two of the best dads going around, Joel McDonald and Chris Lowry, to discuss the cultural phenomenon that is Bluey, from how it helps them navigate parenthood to which episodes stand out most to them.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 17: LekDog <3s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 09:29:17 +0000

When I first met Alexie and found out he enjoyed fantasy football; I didn't quite understand that meant he liked both football AND fantasy - and what a fantasy nerd he has turned out to be! Join me as I pick his brain on the opening chapter of the greatest film trilogy of all time, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 16: Josh Ennor <3s Control

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 01:42:58 +0000

When someone has completed a game over 150 times, I think it is fair to consider them an authority on it. This week, I'm joined by speed-running champion and Avril Lavigne superfan Josh Ennor (aka @KassXCII) to discuss our joint love for Remedy's Control.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 15: Dialogue Options <3s PAXAUS

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:01:16 +0000

This week, Joel and Kyran from Dialogue Options join me to mix things up and discuss an event that holds a special place in our hearts: PAX Australia! From games played and friendships made to Boaties and Dragon Age licenses, we share tales of why the last ten years of PAX have been so special to us.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 14: Gareth Evans <3s Inception

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 07:14:39 +0000

This week, we fight some nightmare technical issues to discuss the film of Gareth's dreams, Christopher Nolan's Inception, from bus trips through Peru and Penrose stairs to monstrous spiders and magical briefcases.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 13: Lawn Gibbs <3s Far Cry 3

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 11:12:01 +0000

Did I ever tell you what the definition of insanity is? Insanity is recording a Far Cry 3 podcast with Lawn, over and over again, expecting her opinion on Jason Brody to change. That. Is. Crazy. The first time she explained why she likes him, I dunno, I thought she was bulls****** me, so I recorded it. The thing is... she was right.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 12: Broderick Gordes <3s Community

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 06:48:23 +0000

It's time to discuss TV with someone who really knows their stuff! This week, I sit down with Broderick Gordes from the Hunting Seasons podcast to discuss one of the all-time great shows to binge-watch, Community, from drama behind-the-scenes drama to its ongoing legacy on the television landscape.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 11: Lauren Grattan <3s Lost

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 07:00:00 +0000

This week I am joined by my spookiest friend, Lauren Grattan, to discuss the cultural phenomenon of 2004's Lost, from working out exactly how old we were when it first aired to what the hell happened in the end. And, of course, we talk about Sawyer quite a bit.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 10: Joel McDonald <3s Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:17:18 +0000

Turn your hat backwards and prepare for back injuries because Jesse is talking about Pro Skater 2 with his good mate, Joel McDonald (Dialogue Options)! From being unable to skate but liking the general vibes to Tony Hawk's influ...oh, who am I kidding, this episode was an excuse to discuss the golden age of music, the mid-2000s. Rad!

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads, Bluesky and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 9: Cassie Daly <3s Barbie

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 05:45:00 +0000

This week I sit down with flute-enthusiast Cassie Daly to discuss Greta Gerwig's incredible film, Barbie, from its powerful feminist messaging to its nostalgic links....and we also talk about Ryan Gosling carving pumpkins and watching wrestling clips at the cinema.

And there is a wig involved.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 8: Keelan Simpson <3s Sam Raimi's Spider Man

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 05:35:00 +0000

We're back!

On the first episode of Love Letters in a long time, Keelan joins me to discuss a film that has played a pivotal role in our friendship, Spider-Man. From Bonesaw and skellingtons to New York Milhouse and hanging dong, join us as we dive into what made this 2002 superhero film a classic.

Part of the Story Mode Podcast Network

@LOVELETTERSSHOW on Threads and Instagram

@LOVE_LETTERSPOD on Twitter

Ep 7: Owen Jones <3s Burnout Takedown

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

It's time to turn the stereo up, put the pedal to the metal and chug a bottle of pure adrenaline - we are talking Burnout Takedown, baby! Join Jesse as he sits down with his good friend and prince of photography Mr Owen Jones to discuss the most exhilarating racing game of all time, from the chest-pounding action of Road Rage to a soundtrack that paved Owen's life to come.

They also talk a lot about the Melbourne music scene circa 2011

(Originally recorded November 2022)

Ep 6: Simon Evans <3s Final Fantasy XIV

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:55:00 +0000

In the return of Love Letters, Jesse sits down with his podcasting co-host Simon Evans to discuss a game you may not be aware he is in love with - Final Fantasy XIV (not like he doesn't mention it at VERY OPPORTUNITY!). From the incredible rebirth of the once struggling game to the super supportive fan/developer relationship and what Endwalker is set to deliver, join us as we learn what really makes the game special to Si

Ep 5: Sean Collins <3s Days Gone

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:50:00 +0000

Jesse sits down with Story Mode's newest member and zombie-enthusiast, Sean Collins, to discuss how Days Gone provided solace and escape during a time of personal injury and loved ones going through difficult times. There is also a lot of Walking Dead discussion and word of buying Sean a motorbike.

(Originally recorded June 2021)

Ep 4: Keelan Simpson <3s Age of Mythology

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:45:00 +0000

Jesse and Keelan step into the pantheon to bear witness to great battles between mythical beasts, ancient heroes, towering Titans and.... Lazer Bears. Yes, the month of mythology continues with Keelan breaking down his love of the legendary RTS game, Age of Mythology, from essentially stealing the game from a friend to the ins and outs of a Brendan Fraser based religion.

(Originally recorded May 2021)

Ep 3: DiscountPeaches <3s Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:40:00 +0000

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game of meditation, friendly characters, exploration, experimentation and...paying debts to a cranky Japanese raccoon dog!

The game also started DiscountPeaches journey into streaming, where she has grown a dedicated following and one of the cutest dang towns around.

This week Jesse sits down with Peaches to discover how she grew up with Animal Crossing, how the game has changed her and where she wants to see the franchise go in the future.

(Originally recorded April 2021)

Ep 2: Len <3s Shadow of the Colossus

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:35:00 +0000

On a BIG episode of Love Letters, a monthly spin-off of Story Mode: A Video Games Podcast, Jesse sits down with Alex 'Len' Leonard to discuss a game that holds a special place in his heart, Shadow of the Colossus.

(Originally recorded March 2021)

Ep 1: Lawn Gibbs <3s Firewatch

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:30:00 +0000

Welcome to the first episode of Love Letters, a monthly spin-off of Story Mode: A Video Games Podcast. Join our host Jesse Munro as he delves into the minds of other content creators to see what makes their favourite games so special to them. This week we trek down to Pork Pond with our very own Lauren McLean to find out why she loves Firewatch so darn much.

(Originally recorded February 2021)