Benjamen Walker's Theory of Everything - Feed Drop* You Feeling This (video podcast!)

Episode Date: September 30, 2025

Hey Dear listener, for years ToE’s Andrew Callaway has talked my ear off about the potential of the Video podcast and he has now put a real one into the world for a podcast called You Feeling This.  I invited him and YFT’s creator James Kim to discuss the merits of video podcasting and to encourage you all in listener land to VOTE FOR ANDREWVOTE for You Feeling This 2 as MOST INNOVATIVE VIDEO PODCAST: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=signal4_finalists_finalistnotification_092325&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio#/2025/shows/video/most-innovative-video-podcastWATCH You Feeling This 2 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vWBYU0vuy4Y?si=rcuw4OOVWz2c2BifAnd you may have to verify your email address the day after you vote, so don’t forget to check your spam folder!ALSO VOTE for YFT2 as Best Fiction Podcast, Best Sound Design and Best Fiction Episode.

You are listening to Benjamin Walker's Theory of Everything. At Radiotopia, we now have a select group of amazing supporters that help us make all our shows possible. If you would like to have your company or product sponsor this podcast, then get in touch. Drop a line to sponsor at Radiotopia.fm. Thanks. Hey, dear listener, it's me, Benjamin Walker. And I know this is a bit much popping in after a long hiatus with a feed drop for something that is not a new episode of Benjamin Walker's theory of everything. But hey, this is special.

It's an episode from the second season of James Kim's awesome podcast series. You feel in this. And TOE's Andrew Calloway turned it into a video podcast that you can watch on YouTube. And most importantly, this video has been nominated for most innovative video podcast at the Signal Awards, and you can vote for it by going to vote.signalward.com or clicking on the link in the show notes. Andrew is both a sound and film genius, and so I've heard a lot from him over the past few years about the potential for video in podcasting, and not, you know, in regards to making money, but like creative stuff. And this episode he made is pretty special.

It really delivers on a lot of the stuff I've been hearing about. So before we go into the audio version, I thought I would chat a bit with him and James Kim. Hey, Ender. Hey, Benjamin. Hey, James. Hey, what's up, Benjamin? Awesome to have you both here. All right, here is my main question.

We hear so much right now about video from people who see it as, you know, a business solution, a faster, cheaper way to get more ad dollars what i want to hear from both of you is about the creative promise of video when it comes to podcasting and audio why are you both obsessed with it and what do you see the potential is and why we should be excited about it well uh i mean i feel like when i was talking to james james james was like fuck video podcast me too i mean that james you and i think a lot attitude was. Yeah, it was that 100%. Yeah, me too. I kind of just just like, yeah, fuck video podcasts as they are. But, you know, there's, there's potential for it to be something kind of interesting, actually. If we just can bring a sort of aesthetic lens, like from podcasting

back in the old days where it just felt like, oh, this is a whole new medium. And you can do different things. And there are, there's no established aesthetic guidelines. And I feel like, that's such a cooler way to think about a video podcast than like, let's film the people talking. James, I feel you must have been hearing what I was hearing from Andrew about this, you know, big creative promise. And I have to say, after watching this episode, I was, I was pretty impressed. I thought, you know, it really delivered. And I'm curious for you before you saw that when he was just kind of pitching you on the idea of this, maybe walk us through how you felt about it before and after watching.

Yeah, I mean, yeah, 100%. I mean, this is how it all came about. I mean, Andrew and I, Andrew was in town for like a David Lynch festival that both of us were kind of like participating and watching a lot of all the films because he passed away. And we met up at a burger restaurant that he would always free. Bob's Big Boy. Bob's Big Boy. That's right.

And we're having this discussion. And I remember at the time, you know, obviously. Obviously, my first initial reaction was just like, I'm not really that interested in a video. However, I just watched a yacht rock documentary. It was about Christopher Cross and Steely Dan and all these artists. And Christopher Cross, I didn't realize how popular he was and how acclaimed he was.

When he came onto the scene with his debut album, he won a ton of Grammy Awards. People revered him. And then in the next couple years, MTV existed. And suddenly Christopher Cross, who had, incredible vocals, an amazing songwriter, he just didn't have the look of a star. And then you had people like Cindy Lopper, you had people like Madonna, you had other, you know, Michael Jackson, all of a sudden these artists started to rise.

And then I started to think, well, you know, we don't have to be like Christopher Cross and just be like, we're just great at making audio stories and that's that. Like the other thing that I love about, let's say, music sticking with that is like, every musician needs to make a music video to release their music, gain more attention. But those music videos, I view them as art. And I don't think it's a distraction to the music itself. I think it actually heightens the experience. And so when I'm looking at like a Frank Ocean music video for his album, Blonde,

I'm just stoked to listen to the entire record. And we started talking about it in that kind of way because Andrew started throwing ideas of like, oh, when I go to EDM concerts, like there's like a visual component. it to the live performance, the lights and the sensory overload. And it doesn't, like, distract from the music. It actually enhances the experience. So that's how we kind of decided, are like, okay, what can we do that are visuals that actually enhanced the audio experience? And it's not like what Andrew was saying, where it's two people talking on a microphone about cats or something. Then Andrew just, you know, he came up with the most incredible idea.

I mean, I don't know, Andrew, if you want to talk about it. I kind of feel we, I think people should listen to the episode. go seek out the video itself because i i watched it without kind of knowing anything about it and i i felt that was really really rewarding oh okay we'll we'll we'll keep it secret yeah yeah i guess we can attach you know you can listen now if you're in your car or whatever but if you're not it will have the youtube link so you can go watch it instead of listening to it here but maybe above that we have the voting link so you can vote you know first vote for most video podcast. Then we got to vote for sound design, writing, echo homo, you know, because it's four

categories, right? Yeah, yeah, exactly. Best fiction show. Best fiction episode. Vote for them all. It was crazy. It's fun. So you're all in there. And that's at vote.org.com. But first, watch and listen. Thank you guys for chatting with me here. I do want to say, Benjamin, it's amazing that you are bringing us on and allowing us to talk about this. Because for me personally, I've always respected your work and how I found it was through Radiotopia with their theory of everything. And I just like binge all the Radiotopia shows. And I'm like, oh, these are like the cool kids and they're doing all the really cool stuff in audio. And honestly, you feeling this was kind of modeled after Radiotopia, finding really interesting creators and letting them do

their own thing. So it's just kind of cool that this is even happening. So appreciate it. Thank you, Ben. That's awesome. It's great that you're still pushing forward on this. And yeah, let's listen to this episode now. Thanks again, guys. Thank you. Thank you for it to new theory of everything in 27. Or 28. Anyways. We'll see. We'll see. This show contains terrifying, shocking, and haunting stories that some listeners may find disturbing or offensive. It's 1 a.m. You're driving down a dirt road on the 62. Not a soul in sight, just you and the desert night. But wait, you hear a signal off in the distance.

It's faint, but it grows louder. Is it the howl of a coyote? The hiss of a king snake? Or the voice of a man guiding you toward a great darkness? For My Heart Radio and Overtones Media, you're listening to YFT2. The only sound you'll hear in the Sleephole Valley. I'm Dixon Lewis, your lone companion for the night.

And I've got a new batch of stories to keep you up as you drive down the dusty, desolate highway. Our first tale follows two boys in the woods caught in a summer storm. They find refuge in a cave, but unfortunately for these two, they realize they're not alone. This is Retreat by Andrew On. Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless us during this final summer retreat of our high school ministry.

Many of our disciples will be heading off to college in the fall, scattered across the country. Let them spread your word and your love wherever they go. Let their devotion guide their faith. Oh my God. This is so boring. You want to get out of here? I pray that you give us some strength throughout the tree

to honor you, to trust in you, and to love you with all of our hearts. The path forward is unknown or with your guidance. Esther's been checking you out. What? I swear, I've been watching her. She's been giving you eyes.

You've been watching her? Wait, are you into Esther? I mean, she's hot, but it's fine. I mean, don't worry about it. She never looks at me anyway. You should ask her out. I don't know. What?

Holy shit. This is crazy. The house? Uh, over there. There's a cave. Man. Doesn't look like the rain's letting up. It's getting worse. You sure you don't want to get with Esther?

I don't... I don't want a summer flame before college. Come on. Let me live through you. I told you. I don't want to... I don't want to get with Esther. You don't want to get your dick. Right off, John! Fuck! Jesus!

Okay. Okay. Okay. Have you decided if you want to fly up to the bay? I think my dad and I are gonna drive up? You used to take all my stuff? It's gonna be weird without you. Yeah?

Yeah. But it's cool. It's cool. I'll see you during the breaks. You could come out. Is it? Anytime. Yeah? Yeah, totally. I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you too. I'm really gonna miss you.

I'm really gonna miss you. No, Josh! I'm really, really, really. Really, can I miss you? Oh. Oh, shit. Yeah. So, you don't like Esther?

No. Do you like girls at all? Not really. Why didn't you tell me before? I didn't know before, but I know now. Are you still Christian? Doesn't matter? I don't know. We're church friends.

We met at church. We hang out at church. Pastors always say... I don't care what pastors always said. I know how I feel about you. I don't know, man. What don't you know? You're still my friend, right? Nothing has to change if you don't want to.

I just had to tell you how I felt. I don't expect anything more. This is just weird. It's weird because you're thinking about it? Maybe it's good you're leaving for college soon. Holy shit. You heard that, right? Yeah, from inside the...

Huh? Someone's in there. Hello? Is somebody there? What are you doing? What if they need our help? Hello? I think something's wrong.

Hi, are you hurt? Can you talk? If you can hear us, make some sort of sound. Oh, wow. Audience system. Uh, clap once for yes, and clap twice for no. Do you understand? Oh, shit. It's working. Are you okay?

Are you hurt? Should we go in? I think we have to. We're coming in. Can you guide us? If you clap, we can follow the sound. Get your cell phone light out Where's yours? It's out of battery.

Better, thanks. How long have you been in the cave? It's not a yes or no question. Oh, right. Sorry. Have you been in the cave for longer than a day? A few days? Maybe they're disoriented. Can you move?

Do you... Do you need us to hurry? Just a hurry? Are you in danger? Oh, shit. Don't worry. We're on our way. It's a cave pool. Okay. I don't think the water's that deep.

Come on. Oh. It's so cold. Hey. Can you clap for us again? What? He's behind us. It must be bouncing off the walls in a weird way or something.

I don't know. Can you clap again? Fuck, my father. Are you serious? Fuck. Can you see? Not a thing. Hey, you sound really close, right? Let's just get them and go.

Here, hold on to me. Hey, it's cool. I can hear you. Can you just feel the wall? Yeah. Pass splits. There's a fork. Should we go left or right? Hey. Did you hear us back there? What? Did you hear us talking? At the mouth of the cave. Did you hear us? Jock. What if...

Are you with the church group? group? What's going on? Look, it's better if people don't know. Are you at the church group? Oh, thank God. Josh. Cliffs are coming from the left.

No, the first one came from the right. Those claps just came from the left. I can't... I can't tell anyone. Let's just go this way. Wait, don't touch me! Fuck! Josh!

Josh, wait! Josh! What the hell? I'm heading back. I'll get help. Fuck, my head. This is right? Josh!

Josh, can you hear me? I'm lost! Josh, is that you? Josh, is that you? Josh, are you clapping? Are you fucking with me? Just say something. Hey, did you do something to Josh?

Did you do something bad to Josh? Who are you? Are you? Are you human? Are you gone? Are you gone? Do you get the double? Did you really need our help?

Did you really need our help? Did you want us to come into the cave? Do you trick us? Am I lost? Ah! Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and you take him at his word, just to rest upon his promise, and to know thus say the Lord, Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him, how I'm prove him more and more.

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, Oh, poor grace you trust in more. Retreat is written and directed by Andrew On, the executive producers, James Kim and Taylor Chicoin. Erica Huang is a producer. Diego Perez is producer and lead sound designer. Daniel Martinez is a production sound mixer. Matthew Wong is a composer.

Theme music by Ryo Balm and Robert Girova. artwork by Justin D. Lee. This episode was recorded at Hobby Shop West in Highland Park, Los Angeles. Christian Tran plays Ben. Daniel Kim plays Joshua. Teddy Lee plays the praise band leader. Abraham Kim plays a guitarist.

Priscilla Leong plays a pianist and praise band singer. The praise group includes Andrea Gutierrez, David Al, Julie Carly, Kim Castillo, Laura de la Fuente, Mara de la Rosa, Melissa Slaughter, Molly Peterson, Nina Patuck, and Ryan Majorese. Special thanks to Nikki Ong.

You Feelin this, too, is a production of iHeartRadio and Overtones Media. Radiotopia From PRX