The Digital Fireside
This article or section contains information that is not canon.
The logo used for Season 2
The logo used for Season 1
| Created by | Alex Hall |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Alex Hall Luke Cureton |
| Original run | April 23, 2019 to March 10, 2020 |
| # of episodes | 22 |
The Digital Fireside is a podcast hosted by Alex Hall and Luke Cureton. It premiered on April 23, 2019 and serves as a component of the larger body of work titled Methods of Revolution. In each episode, Alex and either Luke or a special guest will discuss a variety of topics, often with episodes dedicated to specific fields of expertise.
The podcast ran for two seasons, totaling 22 episodes. Its latest episode was aired on March 10, 2020, and is currently on hiatus due to the development of Awakening.
Contents
Overview
"Alex Hall (creator of BEN Drowned) and Luke Cureton (former collegiate athlete) come together on a journey to bring you a smörgåsbord of politically questionable comedy, thought-provoking interviews, and life-changing stories from the incredible people they meet along the way."—Official description
Episodes of The Digital Fireside often feature an overall theme or topic of discussion. Occasionally, Alex will be joined by a guest in Luke's place, generally with a specialized topic, such as recovery from addiction or the potential medicinal usage of DMT. The series does not appear to have a set schedule, with new episodes being released at the hosts' leisure.
Hosts
The hosts of The Digital Fireside are:
- Alex Hall, author of Ben Drowned
- Luke Cureton, former collegiate baseball player
Guests
The following guests have been featured, generally with specific a topic to discuss:
- Chris (last name withheld), a friend of Alex and recovering alcoholic (Episode 03)
- Mitch Vanderhagen, a survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Episode 05)
- Chris Cantelmo, a molecular biophysicist and advocate for legalization of DMT (Episode 08)
- Jennifer White, an adult entertainment actress (Episode 09)
- Franklin Oliver, a prominent social studies and American history teacher and author (Episode 11)
- Benjamin Boyce, an investigative journalist and culture critic (Episode 12)
- Stan Mattingly, president of XY Consulting (Episode 14)
List of episodes
Season 1
The first season of The Digital Fireside contains episodes 00 to 16, and originally aired from April 23 to October 4, 2019.
| # | Title | Description | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | Methods of Revolution | Alex gives a brief background on what lead to the creation of The Digital Fireside and its link to the prologue of Methods of Revolution. (YouTube) Alex gives a brief background on what lead to the creation of The Digital Fireside. (Podcast services) |
April 23, 2019 |
| 01 | Coding Embers | On the first episode, we get to know Luke Cureton - a collegiate athlete turned medical software analyst - who comes aboard to discuss his experience learning to code at a nationally acclaimed coding bootcamp. After a dramatic life change in college he found that his chosen sport was no longer a viable option, and finding the right path forward was difficult. We talk a bit about his process behind landing on coding and his journey up to that point, his experience at a prominent coding bootcamp, and fill out the hour with esports, DOTA 2, and performance enhancing drugs. | April 24, 2019 |
| 02 | Thanos and Biden | Luke talks Marvel, Alex talks about his creative process when it comes to writing and somehow shoehorns Knights of the Old Republic (??) in, and the two give their thoughts on Joe Biden's presidential run - with Luke hopeful about Pete Buttigieg but Alex pessimistic that the Democratic Party even stands a chance in 2020... unless a new contender emerges. | April 28, 2019 |
| 03 | Alcoholism and Recovery | Chris, with 117 days sober, joins us to talk about his experience dealing with substance addiction, his own struggles, his recovery, and the rehabilitation industry. | May 1, 2019 |
| 04 | What's Going On with Etika? | Luke, a longtime subscriber of Etika, talks about the prominent Youtuber's rise to fame and the past events of April leading to a rumored fan theory of his involvement of a cult. Alex weighs in on the seductive dangers of internet/Youtube fame. | May 8, 2019 |
| 05 | How I Conquered Cancer | Mitch, diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2017, tells his incredible story of living with and fighting cancer. | May 9, 2019 |
| 06 | We Answer Your Emails | While waiting to be disappointed by tonight's Game of Thrones episode, Luke and Alex answer emails and read your comments! Luke talks the future of Smash Brothers, Alex hints at Ben Drowned's future, and both of them argue over the right pronunciation of Jadusable. (YouTube) Luke and Alex answer emails and read your comments! Luke talks Smash Brothers, Alex won't shut up about Devil May Cry, and both of them argue over the right pronunciation of Jadusable and the future of BEN Drowned. (Podcast services) |
May 12, 2019 |
| 07 | The Curious Case of ProJared | Luke talks about ProJared's latest scandal, Alex hypothesizes the importance of having an exit strategy for internet fame, and Luke offers sympathy for Alex's unhealthy anticipation of World of Warcraft: Classic. | May 17, 2019 |
| 08 | Can DMT Cure Cancer? | Chris Cantelmo, a molecular biophysicist from Yale with over 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry, joins us from Los Angeles to sit down and discuss his theories that have gone viral online - the claims of being able to treat mental illness and even cure cancer by administering DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine). So, the question is out there: can DMT cure addiction? Can DMT cure cancer? (YouTube) Chris Cantelmo, a molecular biophysicist from Yale with 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry, joins us from Los Angeles to sit down and discuss his theories that have gone viral online - the claims of being able to treat mental illness and even cure cancer by administering DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine). Strap yourselves in. (Podcast services) |
May 22, 2019 |
| 09 | Behind the Scenes of the Porn Industry | Jennifer White, one of the most prolific adult entertainment actresses, sits down with Alex in Los Angeles to discuss the behind the scenes of the industry that most people don't know about, what got her into porn, her personal life, and both her and Alex's experiences utilizing DMT to treat anxiety. (YouTube) Jennifer White - one of the most prolific adult film actresses in the industry - joins us on location in Los Angeles to sit down and talks about the behind the scenes of the industry that most people don't know about, what got her into porn, how it's affected her personal life, and her experiences utilizing DMT to treat anxiety. (Podcast services) |
May 27, 2019 |
| 10 | Remembering #Etika | We remember Desmond Daniel Amofah, also known by his Youtube persona Etika, who passed away at 29 years old on June 19, 2019. We also talk about Alex's time back in Los Angeles, DMT, depression, and the dangers of internet fame looking through the lens of what happened this week. We also bring to light the unfortunate amount of proverbial vultures that have come out of the woodwork after Etika's passing.
For those who are understandably here for just Etika, the discussion begins at roughly 38:00 and goes until the end of the episode. (YouTube) Timestamped: The Etika discussion begins at roughly 38:00 and goes until the end of the episode. (Podcast services) |
June 27, 2019 |
| 11 | Postgrad Education | We interview Franklin Oliver - a prominent social studies and US history teacher with over 15 years as an educator - to talk about the recent national controversy with Brebeuf Jesuit and the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church. We dive into his experience teaching one of his more infamous classes "Genocide and the Holocaust" and how it has evolved over the years. In addition, we explore perspectives on millennials and Gen Z - ranging from the unique economy and housing crises they now face, social media's accelerated growth with deep fakes, how Trump's presidency has impacted public discourse, and how they might better reach a country that is so politically divided.
Article summarizing the Brebeuf Jesuit controversy: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2019/07/10/cathedral-teacher-fired-same-sex-marriage-sues-indianapolis-archdiocese-identifies-himself/1694669001 Franklin Oliver's Whodeanny Podcast: http://whodeannypod.libsyn.com/ |
July 20, 2019 |
| 12 | Ben(jamin Boyce) Frowned | Benjamin Boyce - an investigative journalist and culture critic - joins us to talk about the controversy at Evergreen College, Jessica Yaniv, and the start of Google and Youtube censorship.
Check Benjamin Boyce's work on: |
August 8, 2019 |
| 13 | We Answer Your Email #2 | We answer your questions, ranging from Hillary Clinton, Ben Drowned's Sexuality (??), JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, DMT, Dragon Ball, Jessica Yaniv, and much more. (YouTube) We answer your questions, ranging from Hillary Clinton, Ben Drowned's Sexuality (??), JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, DMT, Dragon Ball, Jessica Yaniv, and much more. Let us know how we’re doing! (Podcast services) |
August 16, 2019 |
| 14 | For Creatives and Entrepreneurs | Stan Mattingly, president of XY Consulting, joins us to talk about the creative process behind starting a business, avoiding the 9-5 day job trap, mental motivation, tips for entrepreneurial success, and more. | September 10, 2019 |
| 15 | We Read BEN Drowned Fanfiction | Luke tries to explain how a methhead crashed his wedding, Alex expresses his disdain for Gears 5 and World of Warcraft Classic, and the boys explore the dark corners of the internet by reading Ben Drowned fanfiction.
TIMESTAMPS: |
September 20, 2019 |
| 16 | Let Them Fight | Alex discusses Tulsi Gabbard's dark horse comeback, Luke conducts the #YangGang train, and the boys wonder if anyone can even beat Trump. We also somehow find time to talk about and rank our Top 5 summer videogames.
TIMESTAMPS: |
October 4, 2019 |
Season 2
The second season of The Digital Fireside contains episodes 17 to 21, and originally aired from November 17, 2019 to March 10, 2020.
| # | Title | Description | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Epstein Didn't Kill Himself | The boys kick off Season 2 by discussing Disco Elysium, the impeachment of Donald Trump, journalistic integrity, and the exciting new game show Where In The World Is Jeffrey Epstein?
We now have a call-in line, if you'd like to leave a voicemail to be read on air give us a shout at 323-207-5637. (YouTube) We now have a call-in line, if you'd like to leave a voicemail to be read on air give us a shout at 323-207-5637. (Podcast services) |
November 27, 2019 |
| 18 | We Answer Your Emails #3 (Voicemail Edition) | Luke gets outraged about the number of Pokemon in the latest installment, Alex survives a 48 hour fast in his newest diet, the boys share their thoughts on Jedi: Fallen Order, and what you've all been waiting for - we take your phone calls and even hear from the man who inspired Alex to write Ben Drowned himself.
TIMESTAMPS: |
December 10, 2019 |
| 19 | Cover Your Cough Please | Luke returns from Tahiti, Alex recants his brief experience as a vegan, and the boys talk about Trump's impeachment and the impending SCHISM (skizm? schism.) of the democratic party. Also, Corona-virus! Scary! | February 14, 2020 |
| 20 | Coronavirus Woes | Coronavirus wrecks havoc on the nation, Alex talks about his Stardew Valley doppleganger, Luke talks mobile games, and the boys talk about Yakuza 0. (YouTube) Coronavirus wrecks havoc on the world, Alex talks about his Stardew Valley doppleganger, Luke talks mobile games, and the boys talk about Yakuza 0. Note that there are slight audio issues on this episode. (Podcast services) |
March 6, 2020 |
| 21 | When Pigs Fly | Following your standard Weekly Corona Update ™, the boys take turns riffing on Joe Biden's increasing senility, Alex talks about Nier: Automata, and Luke pushes for Lebron James to take office in 2024. | March 10, 2020 |
Tags
The following is a complete list of tags on each episode's YouTube upload:
00 Methods of Revolution:
- The Digital Fireside, Digital Fireside, Methods of Revolution, Ben Drowned, Alex Hall, Why are you reading this, Technology, career, social, education, internet, social media, talking, philosophy, games
01 Coding Embers:
- Code, Luke, Digital Fireside, The Digital Fireside, Alex Hall, Coding Academy, Learning, To, Program, Programmer, Software Developer, Becoming a software developer, How to be a software developer, Should I go to a coding school, coding bootcamps, pros and cons, is coding right for me, learn to program, best coding bootcamp, Methods of Revolution, SonicFox, DOTA 2, Esports
02 Thanos and Biden:
- The Digital Fireside, Democrat, creative, Avengers, Endgame, Methods of Revolution, Democratic Party, knights of the old republic plot twist, Is Obama in Endgame?, Michelle Obama 2020 prediction, Luke Cureton, Donald Trump, Michelle Obama, Presidental election, St. Louis, BEN Drowned, writing, Indiana, Pete Buttigeg, nominee, Thanos, political commentary no one asked for, Obama, Joe Biden, Thanos meme, Episode 2, Alex Hall, Marvel, creative process
03 Alcoholism and Recovery:
- Alex Hall, The Digital Fireside, Alcoholism, Addiction, Recovery, Sobriety, Indiana, Support Groups, Chris, Methods of Revolution, Interview, Alcoholic, Drug addiction, This Naked Mind, Beautiful Boy, David Scheff, motivational, inspirational, sobriety success stories, success story, rehab, rehabiliation, revolution group, meth, heroin, epidemic, medical system, endgame, fat thor
04 What's Going On with Etika?:
- Fireside Hearth, venus project, e-celebrity, Alex Hall, NYPD, youtuber, Etika meltdown, Etika, The Digital Fireside, Luke Cureton, ben drowned, methods of revolution, etika meltdown reaction, smash, etika mewtwo reaction, esports, etika cult, etika venus project, famous, subway sandwich
05 How I Conquered Cancer:
- chemo, Digital Fireside, story, Cancer survivor, Survivor, Mitch Vanderhagen, positive story, lymphoma, The Digital Fireside, testimony, Inspirational, guide, Survival, Cancer, Methods of Revolution, young, Motivational, what to expect, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, interview, chemotherapy treatment, first hand accounts, survival story, Alex Hall, first hand stories
06 We Answer Your Emails:
- Etika, Venus Project, Jadusable, addiction, Super Smash Brothers, Alex Hall, Power Stone, internet fame, Etika situation, internet celebrity, Methods of Revolution, Devil May Cry, creator, BEN Drowned 2, Smash 6 rumors, reaction, smash, questions, Q\\u0026A, Silent Dork, answers questions, prediction, author, podcast, Luke Cureton, cancer survivor, Fireside Hearth, Continuation, BEN Drowned, feedback, Dante in Smash, interview, Jadusable pronunciation, The Digital Fireside
07 The Curious Case of ProJared
- The Digital Fireside, Digital Fireside, ProJared, ProJared scandal, ProJared leak, Dangers of internet fame, exit strategy, Alex Hall, Luke Cureton, Belle Delphine, WoW Classic, World of Warcraft Classic, social media predictions, government social media, youtube famous, famous, nternet celebrity cons, trump, methods of revolution, AI, ASI, ben drowned, behavioral network, real life, sailor moon, projared sailor moon, cosplay, jibbs, king kong, king kong.wmv, jadusable
08 Can DMT Cure Cancer?:
- Alex Hall, Digital Fireside, The Digital Fireside, Cancer cure, DMT and Cancer, DMT, Cancer, Chris Cantelmo, ChrisCGC, N-N-Dimethyltryptamine, debate, theory, cancer cure theory, cancer and dmt, cancer and dmt theory, hypothesis, research, stufy, reddit, cantelmoism, real or fake, interview, chriscgc interview, chris cantelmo interview, can dmt cure addiction, addiction, autism, schizophrenia
09 Behind the Scenes of the Porn Industry:
- Jennifer White, DMT, Anxiety, DMT Treating Anxiety, DMT Treating Depression, Depression, Mental Health, DMT and mental health, The Digital Fireside, Methods of Revolution, Alex Hall, porn actress interviews, interview, behind the scenes, medicinal uses of DMT, porn, porn actress
10 Remembering #Etika:
- Etika, luke cureton, alex hall, etika death, suicide, etika suicide, joycon boyz, desmond amofah, DMT, los angeles, chris cantelmo, dangers of internet fame, youtube celebrity, internet celebrity, brogamers, brogaming, ben drowned, jadusable, brebeuf jesuit, cathedral high school, RIP Etika, Remembering Etika, in memory of Etika, mental health, depression, bipolar, bpd, honor etika, honoring etika
11 Postgrad Education:
- Franklin Oliver, Brebeuf Jesuit, alumni, gay teacher, LGBT, archdiocese, fired, brebeuf, alex hall, luke cureton, trump, political, genocide and the holocaust, brebeuf teacher, layton elliott, gay teacher fired, gay couple fired, cathedral high school, gay marriage, equal rights, interview, deep fake, social media, predictions, DANTE IN SMASH, Joshua Payne-Elliott
12 Ben(jamin Boyce) Frowned:
- Benjamin Boyce, Alex Hall, Ben, Ben Frowned, Jessica Yaniv, Bret Weinstein, Evergreen, Documentary, Evergreen College, Google censor, algorithm, Youtube, Censor, SEO, investigative journalism, interview, Benjamin Boyce interview, Boyce of Reason, technology, transgender, transgender debate, LGBT, Jadusable, Ben drowned, back
13 We Answer Your Emails #2:
- BEN Drowned, questions, interview, alex hall, luke cureton, franklin oliver, benjamin boyce, jessica yaniv, google, hillary clinton, author answers, interview questions, Chris Cantelmo, DMT, The Digital Fireside, WHAMUUU
14 For Creatives and Entrepreneurs:
- N/A
15 We Read BEN Drowned Fanfiction:
- BEN Drowned, Fanfiction, Fanfiction.net, Author reads, Author, Alex Hall, Jadusable, Luke Cureton, Creepypasta, Creepypasta Reading, Classic WoW, Gears 5, Naruto, Sans, Smash Brothers, Smash Ultimate, Dante in Smash, fanfiction reading, narrating, World of Warcraft Classic Impressions, Impressions, Review, Honest
16 Let Them Fight:
- Alex Hall, Luke Cureton, The Digital Fireside, Tulsi Gabbard, Young Democrats, Democrat, Yang, Andrew Yang, #YangGang, Political, politics, comedy, youth, DNC, 2016, Bernie Sanders, Warren, Gabbard, Debate, Reaction, October 1, October 15, Democratic National Convention, Jadusable, Ben Drowned
17 Epstein Didn't Kill Himself:
- Alex Hall, Luke Cureton, The Digital Fireside, Jeffrey Epstein, ABC News, Amy Robache, BEN Drowned, Methods of Revolution, Disco Elysium, Trump, Impeachment, Debate, Digital Fireside, Season 2
18 We Answer Your Emails #3 (Voicemail Edition):
- The Digital Fireside, Digital Fireside, Season 2, Alex Hall, Jadusable, Luke Cureton, Emails, Answer Questions, Voicemail, Call in, Phone call, Funny, Comedy, Trump, Impeachment, Jedi Fallen Order, Cole Robinson, fasting, snake juice, BEN Drowned, diet
19 Cover Your Cough Please:
- Alex Hall, Luke Cureton, The Digital Fireside, BEN Drowned, Methods of Revolution, Trump, Impeachment, Debate, Digital Fireside, Season 2, DNC, Taihiti, Stardew Valley, vegan, nancy pelosi
20 Coronavirus Woes:
- Alex Hall, Luke Cureton, The Digital Fireside, BEN Drowned, Methods of Revolution, Trump, Impeachment, Debate, Digital Fireside, Season 2, DNC, Taihiti, Stardew Valley, vegan, nancy pelosi
21 When Pigs Fly:
- Alex Hall, Luke Cureton, The Digital Fireside, BEN Drowned, Methods of Revolution, Trump, Impeachment, Debate, Digital Fireside, Season 2, DNC, Taihiti, Stardew Valley, vegan, nancy pelosi, nier, nier automata, 2b, seven deadly sins, coronavirus, corona outbreak
Future
There is currently no confirmed date set for the return of The Digital Fireside. It is presumably set to return after the end of Awakening, though no comments have officially been made regarding the podcast since the latest episode's upload.
