Star Wars Escape Pod

Star Wars Year in Review | 2025

In the final episode of 2025, the crew of Star Wars Escape Pod celebrate a milestone year that saw the show reach its sixth anniversary and surpass 400 episodes. We dive into a comprehensive "Year in Review," reflecting on the 20th-anniversary theatrical re-release of Revenge of the Sith and the high-stakes conclusion of Andor’s second season. Between discussing their favorite new collectibles—from Galaxy’s Edge finds to the latest helmet releases—the team reviews a busy year of television, including Skeleton Crew, Tales of the Underworld, and the LEGO special Rebuild the Galaxy. Looking to the future, we weigh in on the excitement surrounding the Mandalorian and Grogu trailer and the announcement of Sean Levy’s star-studded Starfighter film. It is a festive look back at everything that made 2025 a massive year for Star Wars fans. Stay tuned for a Christmas Jingle!
STAR WARS BEST OF 2025
https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-best-of-2025Orbitkey Disney CollectionAdd a sprinkle of Disney magic to your everyday carry.The Disney x Orbitkey Collection features fun, functional accessories inspired by Disney characters, designed to make staying organised feel like magic.https://www.orbitkey.com/pages/disney?srsltid=AfmBOorl0UJrj6Skr7fWecL5ZzpxJ6tt757WShCMY3XcCGsLaXPwzBUw
Kirk is on YouTube: @kirkmihelakos
https://www.youtube.com/designedbykirk
Darian is on YouTube: @TheManDarian
https://www.youtube.com/@TheManDarian
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🖥️ Website: https://starwarspodcast.ca🐦 X: https://twitter.com/SWEscapePodcast🦋 B.Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/swescapepodcast.bsky.social📲 Swell: https://www.swellcast.com/swescapepodcast📧 Email us or send a voice message to: swescapepodcast@gmail.com🗃️ Podcast Archives: https://shorturl.at/cktPQ
Have you checked out our flashcast called Star Wars Launch Pad?https://www.youtube.com/@SWLaunchPad
https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0naAAJZMW0nig3OkFToJ?si=8014aef1647f4da5Found on any platform in the galaxy!

New Star Wars Games Revealed At TGA | The Battlefront Games Compared

In this packed episode of the Star Wars Escape Pod, hosts Josh and Kirk dive into the latest gaming news from the Game Awards, including the reveal of Star Wars: Galactic Racer and the highly anticipated spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, Fate of the Old Republic. The team also provides a hands-on look at Orbitkey's new Disney-inspired collection, featuring premium character-themed key organizers and travel gear. To close out the show, guest Kyle from Kysabers joins for an in-depth comparison of the Star Wars: Battlefront franchise, exploring the evolution of the series from its classic Pandemic roots to the modern DICE era.Orbitkey Disney CollectionAdd a sprinkle of Disney magic to your everyday carry.The Disney x Orbitkey Collection features fun, functional accessories inspired by Disney characters, designed to make staying organised feel like magic.https://www.orbitkey.com/pages/disney?srsltid=AfmBOorl0UJrj6Skr7fWecL5ZzpxJ6tt757WShCMY3XcCGsLaXPwzBUwTGA Announced Games - Galactic Racer and Fate of the Old Republichttps://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-galactic-racer-reveal-trailerhttps://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-fate-of-the-old-republic-trailerKyber Battlefront 2 Modhttps://kyber.gg/KySabershttps://kysabers.ca/
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🖥️ Website: https://starwarspodcast.ca🐦 X: https://twitter.com/SWEscapePodcast🦋 B.Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/swescapepodcast.bsky.social📲 Swell: https://www.swellcast.com/swescapepodcast📧 Email us or send a voice message to: swescapepodcast@gmail.com🗃️ Podcast Archives: https://shorturl.at/cktPQ
Have you checked out our flashcast called Star Wars Launch Pad?https://www.youtube.com/@SWLaunchPad
https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0naAAJZMW0nig3OkFToJ?si=8014aef1647f4da5Found on any platform in the galaxy!

KOTOR Revisited, A Retrospective | Special Guest | Mike (Switch2ThePast)

This week on Star Wars Escape Pod, join Josh and Darian as they dive deep into the legendary Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR & KOTOR 2) with special guest Mike from the Switch 2 The Past podcast (link below). We discuss how this iconic early 2000s title shaped the gaming industry and continues to influence the Star Wars Expanded Universe—even into the current Disney era. Prepare to jump to hyperspace!
(Don't forget to check out Mike and Neil's fantastic work over at Switch 2 The Past!)
Catch Josh and Mike on Switch 2 The Past podcast episode "Revenge of the Sith" (GBA)https://podcasts.apple.com/dk/podcast/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith-the-game/id1513023861?i=1000705661364https://open.spotify.com/episode/77lUVv8QbQRaaa6HoCRMQN?si=_mNrwtFoTj6-kQrbi0eJ5A
A huge thank you again to our special guest this week!Check out Mike Laine on Switch 2 The Past
https://open.spotify.com/show/2jz5Q8PbvstXUOE81ovEgB
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/switch-2-the-past/id1513023861
https://www.instagram.com/switch2thepast/
https://www.patreon.com/switch2thepast/home
https://www.mikelaine.com/podcast/home
Darian on @TheManDarian
https://www.youtube.com/@TheManDarian
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🖥️ Website: https://starwarspodcast.ca🐦 X: https://twitter.com/SWEscapePodcast🦋 B.Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/swescapepodcast.bsky.social📲 Swell: https://www.swellcast.com/swescapepodcast📧 Email us or send a voice message to: swescapepodcast@gmail.com🗃️ Podcast Archives: https://shorturl.at/cktPQ
Have you checked out our flashcast called Star Wars Launch Pad?https://www.youtube.com/@SWLaunchPad
https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0naAAJZMW0nig3OkFToJ?si=8014aef1647f4da5Found on any platform in the galaxy!

Cantina Banter #6 | Quantic Dream, The Studio Behind Star Wars Eclipse

Are our choices really our own? Join your host as they dive deep into the interactive drama and intricate choice architecture of Quantic Dream's most ambitious narrative experiences: Beyond: Two Souls and Detroit: Become Human.
We break down our own distinct playthroughs—from Jodie's supernatural path and Aiden's presence to the diverging fates of Connor, Markus, and Kara—to unpack the studio's storytelling style.
By analyzing the themes of destiny, deviancy, and moral ambiguity in these two games, what can we truly expect from the developer's upcoming High Republic action-adventure, Star Wars Eclipse?
Will the Outer Rim's destiny be forged by free will or a hidden narrative tether? We speculate on the future of choice-based gameplay in a galaxy far, far away!
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Have you checked out our flashcast called Star Wars Launch Pad?https://www.youtube.com/@SWLaunchPad
https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0naAAJZMW0nig3OkFToJ?si=8014aef1647f4da5Found on any platform in the galaxy!
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🖥️ Website: https://starwarspodcast.ca🐦 X: https://twitter.com/SWEscapePodcast🦋 B.Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/swescapepodcast.bsky.social📲 Swell: https://www.swellcast.com/swescapepodcast📧 Email us or send a voice message to: swescapepodcast@gmail.com🗃️ Podcast Archives: https://shorturl.at/cktPQ

Star Wars Visions Vol 3 | Review | Returning to the Hits & More Wacky Worlds

If there's anything new coming out with a Star Wars label lately, it's Visions Volume 3 on Disney plus. This wacky volume of stories using the Star Wars license might not have any place within the canon, but it is a treat to see what a variety of anime studios can do if they smash thier heads together and fuse Star Wars with the world of Anime. This week we sit down to chat about the entire volume, how we thought about each short, some being continuations to Volume 1, we take a look at how well they do to continue thier respective stories. Visions can be hit or miss, but we give a fair pablo points and poodoos as usual for each of these one by one. Don't forget about our podcast archives spreadsheet that tracks all these scores from the team!
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Have you checked out our flashcast called Star Wars Launch Pad?https://www.youtube.com/@SWLaunchPad
https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0naAAJZMW0nig3OkFToJ?si=8014aef1647f4da5Found on any platform in the galaxy!
————————————————————————Star Wars Escape Pod
🖥️ Website: https://starwarspodcast.ca🐦 X: https://twitter.com/SWEscapePodcast🦋 B.Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/swescapepodcast.bsky.social📲 Swell: https://www.swellcast.com/swescapepodcast📧 Email us or send a voice message to: swescapepodcast@gmail.com🗃️ Podcast Archives: https://shorturl.at/cktPQ

Episode #400 Celebration Game Show! | Fantasy Heist Team: Palpatines Vault

Welcome everyone to our 400th podcast celebration! This week we celebrate with a game show in the style of fantasy football, but Star Wars. Each of us has chosen a fantasy hero team-up with only a few rules in place. The mission? Break into Palpatine's secret vault on Pillio! We want to thank every one of our listeners for being with us all these years, and we hope tonight's show brings you all the laughs and smiles that we've had creating it. Cheers from the cantina, and to many more episodes ahead!A big thank you to our game show host tonight, Darian, our co-hosts Blake and Bryce, our special guests Phil, Ben and Ellen. And of course our audience participation, we look forward to seeing the votes!---Which fantasy heist team would be most successfiul at breaking into Palpatines vault on Pillio? - YOU CHOOSE! FOUR WAYS TO VOTE - Send us an email, comment on YouTube, use the Spotify poll or comment on Spotify!
swescapepodcast@gmail.comPhil - The Outriders
(Ship) The Outrider
(Mastermind) Dash Rendar
(Pilot) Nien Nunb
(Alien) Dexter Jettster
(Droid) HK-47
Kyle Katarn
R0-GR
Blake - Onderon Outcasts
(Ship) Lambda-class T-4a shuttle
(Mastermind) Mara Jade
(Pilot / Alien) Hera Syndulla
(Droid) K2-SO
Sabine Wren
CC-9902 aka Tech
Cassian Andor
Ben & Ellen- Beefy Boys
(Ship) Munificent-class star frigate
(Mastermind) Bendu
(Alien) The Zillo Beast
(Pilot) Chill Vibes Clone Trooper Pilot (2D Animated Show)
(Droid) Spider-Droid
Exogorth aka The Space Worm
Krayt Dragon
Bryce - Jawa Juiced
(Ship) AA-9 Freighter-Liner 
(Mastermind) Doctor Aphra
(Alien) Max Rebo
(Pilot) Ben Quadinaros
(Droid) SM-33
Coleman Trebor
BoShek
Josh - The NiteBrotherz
(Ship) Sith Infiltrator aka Scimitar
(Mastermind) Darth Plaguies
(Alien) Maz Kanata
(Pilot) Shara Bay
(Droid) PROXY
Jango Fett
RC-1138 aka Boss
BONUS TEAM OPTION Darian - The Wreckers
(Ship) Vaders Fist (Self Piloting)
(Mastermind) Echo aka CT-1409
(Alien) Savage Opress
(Pilot / Droid) IG-88
Pong Krell
(x2) Wrecker aka CT-9903
 
Go check out Darian's YT Channel - The ManDarian
https://www.youtube.com/@TheManDarian
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Have you checked out our flashcast called Star Wars Launch Pad?https://www.youtube.com/@SWLaunchPad
https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0naAAJZMW0nig3OkFToJ?si=8014aef1647f4da5Found on any platform in the galaxy!
————————————————————————Star Wars Escape Pod
🖥️ Website: https://starwarspodcast.ca🐦 X: https://twitter.com/SWEscapePodcast🦋 B.Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/swescapepodcast.bsky.social📲 Swell: https://www.swellcast.com/swescapepodcast📧 Email us or send a voice message to: swescapepodcast@gmail.com🗃️ Podcast Archives: https://shorturl.at/cktPQ

Were Disney Star Wars Movies Profitable? The Hunt for Ben Solo | Preparing for Episode #400

Bright Suns! In this episode, we dive deep into the financials of the Disney-era films, discussing the Forbes report on the box office profits for The Force Awakens, Rogue One, The Last Jedi, Solo, and The Rise of Skywalker. Prepare for some surprising numbers and a classic tangent comparing those returns to the Prequel-era movies!
We're also talking about the internet buzz surrounding the shelved Ben Solo movie, The Hunt for Ben Solo. Add that to the list of RIP Star Wars...Hear our take on Adam Driver's recent comments, why Disney turned down the script, and the eternal question: should dead characters stay dead?
Plus, we catch you up about Twin Sun Film Foundation (the minds behind the Bucket Heads fan series) to discuss their new platform, twinsunfilm.org, and their exciting slate of upcoming fan films for the next few years, including The Void, Gonk, and Nightfall!
 
Finally, get all the details on how YOU can get involved in our huge 400th episode: a Star Wars Fantasy Draft Game Show Night! Darian, our gamemaker and co-host for Episode #400 explains the rules, the character categories (Pilot, Force User, Droid and Alien), the ultimate objective (breaking into Palpatine's Vault on Pillio), and how your votes can decide the winning team!Thanks for coming along for the ride. Leave us a comment or a 5-star review, it always helps. Subscribe on YouTube, and we'll see you for Episode 400!
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Go check out Twin Sun Film Foundation!
https://twinsunfilm.org/en-cad
Go check out The ManDarian on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@TheManDarian
EMAIL US YOUR QUESTIONS!————————————————————————
Have you checked out our flashcast called Star Wars Launch Pad?https://www.youtube.com/@SWLaunchPad
https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0naAAJZMW0nig3OkFToJ?si=8014aef1647f4da5Found on any platform in the galaxy!
————————————————————————Star Wars Escape Pod
🖥️ Website: https://starwarspodcast.ca🐦 X: https://twitter.com/SWEscapePodcast🦋 B.Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/swescapepodcast.bsky.social📲 Swell: https://www.swellcast.com/swescapepodcast📧 Email us or send a voice message to: swescapepodcast@gmail.com🗃️ Podcast Archives: https://shorturl.at/cktPQ

NYCC Publishing Reveals, Blue Yoda, & The Importance of Time Jumps

Welcome back to the Star Wars Escape Pod! Join your hosts Josh and Blake (with a pop-in from Darian) as they break down the biggest news from the Lucasfilm publishing panel at New York Comic Con (NYCC).
They dive deep into the newly announced Star Wars: Legacy novel, which sends Rey and her new master, Leia Organa, on a quest to fix the Skywalker lightsaber between Episode VIII and IX. Plus, they cover a new Young Adult romance book, the latest Mandalorian art book, and the announcement of a Star Wars Visions manga.
 
EMAIL US YOUR REQUESTS AND QUESTIONS!————————————————————————
Have you checked out our flashcast called Star Wars Launch Pad?https://www.youtube.com/@SWLaunchPad
https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0naAAJZMW0nig3OkFToJ?si=8014aef1647f4da5Found on any platform in the galaxy!
————————————————————————Star Wars Escape Pod
🖥️ Website: https://starwarspodcast.ca🐦 X: https://twitter.com/SWEscapePodcast🦋 B.Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/swescapepodcast.bsky.social📲 Swell: https://www.swellcast.com/swescapepodcast📧 Email us or send a voice message to: swescapepodcast@gmail.com🗃️ Podcast Archives: https://shorturl.at/cktPQ