Introducing Punching Up, Last Stand Media’s Nintendo Podcast (Patreon)

Greetings and salutations! I hope this letter finds you well.

Today, we are pleased to launch an all-new product, one that many of you have asked for over the years. It’s called Punching Up: A Nintendo Podcast, a biweekly offering presented by Last Stand Media. You can listen to or watch the first episode right now, and if you’re not a Patron, our usual standard applies: The first episode is immediately free-for-all. So jump in!

The reality is, I’ve long balked at doing a Nintendo show both internally and publicly, primarily because the flow of games and information out of that ecosystem differs fairly significantly from Sony and Microsoft. Likewise, I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around who I might tap to execute such a podcast (I certainly don’t belong on it, and I don’t want some randos we don’t frankly know or care about). But over the past few months, a confluence of realities have borne-out, allowing us to pursue this project with our usual gusto and confidence.

First, let’s talk about personnel. Unlike Sacred Symbols (three-man) and Defining Duke, Constellation, and KnockBack (two-man), the inherent weekly core of Punching Up equals four people. This is new and exciting for us, as it allows us to deliver a different kind of show with more regular voices that listeners can hopefully enjoy and relate to. And I think you’re going to be pleased who we tapped to co-host Punching Up: Our very own Dustin Furman (Executive Procucer and co-host of Sacred Symbols), Dagan Moriarty (co-host of Constellation and KnockBack), and Micah Watson (Coordinator and Shopkeep), and -- for the first time as an official member of our family -- Gene Park (The Washington Post). “Getting” Gene has remained one of the biggest asks from our audience since he first appeared on Sacred Symbols+, and indeed, Gene and I have become quick friends behind-the-scenes, something fairly uncommon as I’ve embraced reclusivity. I’m pleased to report: Gene and Last Stand are now official.

Secondly, let’s talk about Nintendo itself. As a famously ‘lapsed’ Nintendo fan, I knew I had to put my trust into others to probe that company and its ecosystem like we do on Defining Duke and Sacred Symbols with Microsoft and Sony, respectively. The reality is that our flagship Sacred Symbols, specifically, dominates its lane. Defining Duke, in much murkier and more crowded waters, is starting to rise to the top echelon, too. And I didn’t want to do something with Nintendo that I didn’t think could reach that bar. But here’s the thing: Not only is a new Zelda here, but Nintendo itself is about to turn-over the Switch’s generation into something brand-new. It’s a great place for us to hurl a stake in the ground and try our hand at this new craft, and do so at a high level. I have complete confidence in this product and those bringing it to you.

Of course, a new show means we need to rework our release schedule here on Patreon, and we have. We told you Constellation was published yesterday as a one-off, but that was a bald-faced lie: Constellation will now publish every Monday moving forward. This leaves Tuesdays for Punching Up (every-other-week), while one of Sacred Symbols+’s two weekly episodes will move to Wednesday. Defining Duke, Sacred Symbols, and the second episode of Sacred Symbols+ stay right where they are: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. For the first time, however, this forces us to activate Sundays, where you’ll receive KnockBack and Defining Duke Ultimate, alternating every week.

In other words, we’re getting damn close to publishing a new podcast each and every day of the week.

If you’re confused, here’s the schedule at-a-glance:

• Sunday: KnockBack or Defining Duke Ultimate
• Monday: Constellation
• Tuesday: Punching Up (every-other-week)
• Wednesday: Sacred Symbols+
• Thursday: Defining Duke
• Friday: Sacred Symbols
• Saturday: Sacred Symbols+

Capice? Capice.

As usual, the aforementioned schedule speaks to Patreon specifically. Similar to Sacred Symbols and Defining Duke, Punching Up will be paywalled for three days in both audio and video format, giving Patrons early, ad-free access. Therefore, you can find new episodes of Punching Up on podcast services and YouTube on Fridays, beginning June 2nd.

As I depart, let me thank you again for your kindness, generosity, and support. The larger economy is unstable, yes, but times are especially tough in the media landscape; many old sites are slowly-but-surely decaying and ad dollars alone cannot and will not sustain modern enterprise. It’s not lost on me that as many of our one-time competitors cease to exist (because they are intrinsically married to the old way of doing things and don't have loyal audiences), Last Stand is concurrently experiencing its highest-ever traffic, Patreon support, and revenue levels. That has nothing to do with anything or anyone except you, the audience, who puts their money where their mouth is and ensures that we can deliver these shows to you. I -- and we! -- are deeply appreciative, and hope we continue to earn your support far into the future.

I think that’s it. Enjoy the show, nerds. I know that you will. Yours, -Colin