Leighton Night with Brian Wecht

Today we're joined by biologist and science communicator Forrest Valkai (ig: @valkailabs) for a chat about tackling live call-in shows, the temptations of conspiracy thought, algorithmic cognitohazards, internet grifters, and more! A very interesting and passionate conversation on this one, folks. We had a blast.And speaking of internet grifters: do you hate ads but love (or even just tolerate) this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're here with our unofficial third host and certified rapscallion Jory Griffis to talk about Resident Evil: Requiem and watch the terrible film E.T. Go to our Patreon to enjoy our commentary track either with or without the movie; it goes crazy in the second half once we completely turn on the movie and start fantasizing about all the ways that little alien menace could bite it for good. How about E.T. phone Life Alert, huh? How about E.T. staying 70s calcium-rich dog** white in the gutter? How about we scrub this mawkish scourge from the collective cultural consciousness? How about that? Would you like that? Is there a reason to get out of bed in the morning knowing that in the state of Florida, there's a scary E.T. animatronic that knows your name? Do you know what he's going to do with that information? What sick invocations he'll conjure in the dark halls of that accursed Universal Studios TM dark ride? Is there any way out of this utter madness?Yes, actually, there is. And it's supporting our Patreon at patreon.com/leightonnight, where you can get an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for as low as TWO DOLLARS A MONTH. I don't want to get your hopes up, but it is the only thing that WILL protect you from E.T.'s demented wrath. And that's a Leighton Night promise (i.e. worth nothing and nonrefundable in Alaska and Hawaii). Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this one we chat about celebrity dating apps, drinking, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, XR Glasses, LOL-ROFL drift, performative friendship, Klingon, and more! Do you hate ads but love (or even just tolerate) this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined once again by our friend and incredibly talented musician Chaki (@chakifunkwizard) for a chat about 90s horror icons, 80s comedies, getting scared as a kid, Chaki's new album, roller coasters, and more! It's a joy. Support Chaki and listen to his music at chaki.bandcamp.com Do you hate ads but love (or even just tolerate) this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're here with a rare Brian-less ep, where Leighton and returning champion Suzy Berhow (@mortemer) have a very cozy chat about all sorts of stuff: Resident Evil: Requiem, Round One, poorly designed logos, Goosebumps, nostalgic kid's toys, and more! Snuggle up with a blanket and some coffee and have a chill hang with us. And be sure to check out Suzy's store and get some real cute goth stuff at www.psychiccircleoddities.com!Do you hate ads but love (or even just tolerate) this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with our first guest of the new year: general manager of the famous Golden Tiki in Las Vegas, Nick Brink (ig: @nothing.files)! We talk about tiki bars, dogs, cool objects, the Tiki Ti in LA, Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie, and much more!Do you hate ads but love (or even just tolerate) this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We come up with some new jokers for the game Balatro, discuss the film The Taking of Pelham 123, Letterboxd but For Gamers, themed novelty restaurants, and more! Honestly, it would have been such a great bit if we called this one Episode 299. Be grateful that we showed some restraint here.Do you hate ads but love this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Part II of our whirlwind of mini interviews with our favorite guests! Listen to us catch up with/relentlessly bother the absolute podcasting champs Mica Burton, Sarah Z, Jerik Centeno, Paul Gannon, Andrea Jones-Rooy, and Bill Childs! Thank you to all of our returning guests for indulging us on this one. And thanks to you, the listener, for enabling all of this.Do you hate ads but love this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IT'S HERE! The thrilling culmination of our relentless 299.whatever edging: our celebration of 300 episodes of this wretched show! We're joined by some of our favorite guests ever for a series of lil quickies-- we've got Chris Grace, Arin Hanson, Defunctland's Kevin Perjurer, Lord Phobos from TWRP, Adam Becker, and Jory Griffis! And we'll be back next week in Part II with EVEN MORE amazing guests. (You, the listener, are also included in the Hall of Famers and Gamers, obviously. Thank you for listening to this show.)Do you hate ads but love this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh, did you think we were done doing the 299 tease? Are you tired of it? We aren't! We can do this all day. And tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. Forever. Anyway, we talk about snacks and video game scores and other stuff in this one and I'm not sure if people even read these. Is there any point in listing vague topics we "cover" as if mention of "video game scores" will either entice or repulse you? Do any of us have free will? When will the inevitable heat death of the universe come for us all? When it does, will it be beautiful? Will we behold a brief moment of transcendental glory before it all slips into endless night? Will there be anything left to remember us? We also talk about butthole oranges on this one.Do you hate ads but love this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Absolutely riveting stuff here today, folks: showering, cold showering, dubious medical emergency phone numbers, controversial video games, the wonders of the Steam Deck, and more! Do you hate ads but love this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the first episode of 2026, and we're coming right out of the gate with a meandering discussion about all sorts of stuff: ceiling holes, fake snow, the Fallout franchise, eating zucchini, jazz communion, and more!Do you hate ads but love this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're unlocking two of the mini-episodes from our Patreon, originally released on October 22 & 29, 2025. If you like what you hear, sign up for more at patreon.com/leightonnight to get one every week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year! In lieu of a full episode this week, we bring you this abandoned recording we did back in October that we gave up on because it sucked so bad. Judge for yourself! The full video version is available for free on Youtube, so go watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaYn3trK3DADo you hate ads but love this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @ bwecht, and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the SECOND HALF OF PART TWO of our annual Christmas clip show! Last ep was Bad Book Club themed, and this one is... everything themed. If you like what you hear, be sure to check out full episodes 252, 263, 277, 284, 287, 290, 291, 298, and 299. Thank you all for another wonderful year of supporting us as we make premium quality, wet, hot, audio content to put in your filthy little ear holes. Here's to ten more years of Leighton Night. (Those ten years will obviously be spent waiting for Brian to finish introducing What's Poppin', at which point the show will promptly and ignominiously end.) Merry Christmas AND Merry Pissmas! Do you hate ads but love this show? Do you want an incredible deal on access to our entire 5 year backlog of video and ad-free episodes for TWO DOLLARS A MONTH? Then check out our Patreon and support the show at patreon.com/leightonnight! Kick us $5 a month and you even get a MINISODE every week, too. AND access to the fan discord, which is cool and fun. It's a steal. We literally shouldn't be doing this. Follow us on Twitter at @leightonnight and on Instagram/TikTok at @leighton_night. You can find Brian on Twitter/Instagram at @bwecht and Leighton at @buttchamps (Instagram). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.