

The Pod Universe with Dylan & Dalton
Dalton Deschain & Dylan Roth
Writers Dalton Deschain and Dylan Roth first joined together to create Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? a podcast in which they pitched new installments of the canceled Dark Universe of monster movies. After completing their 30-part saga, they’ve set out to do something new - an all-original cinematic universe of imaginary movies, written, workshopped, and performed on all podcatchers and YouTube.
Looking for Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? Don't panic! Our archive of episodes from 2022 through summer 2025 are now on their own podcast feed. Just search for the old title and it should all be there.
Looking for Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe? Don't panic! Our archive of episodes from 2022 through summer 2025 are now on their own podcast feed. Just search for the old title and it should all be there.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 8, 2026 • 1h 31min
Merge Conflict, Part Two
Despite Dylan's doubts, the first half of his new script "Merge Conflict" gave Dalton (and our audience) chills! But now that his first proper horror script is taking its necessary turn into the realm of science fiction, will it still satisfy? Will it fulfill the precious promise of the premise? One way to find out. This episode is brought to you by... AXOLOTL WITH A GUN - a new RPG you can support on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/residentbard/axolotl-with-a-gun-2nd-edition?ref=csa26yYOUR FAVORITE BAD MOVIE PODCAST - which you can find on your favorite podcatcherAnd of course our Patreon, which you can join for $5 a month and enjoy our wonderful Discord community and bonus pod, and participate in our revamped STUDIO MANDATES program, Patreon.com/DylanAndDaltonCHAPTERS00:00:00 - Opening00:04:24 - Act Two, Part Two00:19:28 - Sponsor: Axolotl with a Gun00:21:05 - Discussion00:43:17 - Sponsor: Your Favorite Bad Movie Podcast00:44:45 - Discussion00:44:26 - Act Three00:59:25 - Mid-Credits scene01:01:11 - Post-Credits scene01:02:29 - An update about Studio Mandates01:05:54 - Discussion

Feb 1, 2026 • 1h 55min
Merge Conflict, Part One
Stay at home dad Grant Goodkin lives a quiet life tending to his loving family. But when he sleeps, he dreams of violence and decay, and every morning he wakes up a little more dangerous. What's happening to him, and can his blissful family life survive it? Listen to writer Dylan Roth present his feature-length script to storytelling partner Dalton Deschain, as they perform and critique this latest installment in their ongoing universe of imaginary sci-fi movies.SPONSORS:The Second Disc, your guide to the best in physical music releases. Visit www.theseconddisc.comMALINKO, a novel by Rick Paulas, which you can get only by sending $25 to @Rick-Paulas on Venmo.As always, you can join our community and enjoy extra fun perks at Patreon.com/DylanAndDaltonCHAPTERS00:00:00 - Cold Open00:08:47 - Discussion00:21:09 - Fan Predictions00:30:12 - Director Choice00:33:31 - Act One01:02:42 - Discussion01:13:16 - Ad Read: The Second Disc01:16:11 - Act Two Content Warning01:17:06 - Act Two01:27:14 - Go here to skip That Scene01:38:33 - Ad Read: Malinko01:40:24 - Discussion

Jan 18, 2026 • 2h 32min
The Pied Piper w/Tulok the Barbrarian
Gamer and YouTuber extraordinaire TULOK THE BARBRARIAN has come to drag Dylan & Dalton back to the DARK UNIVERSE in this massive guest episode! For the first time, a guest has brought in a full-length script to read, and it’s a gnarly reinterpretation of the classic folk tale The Pied Piper. We’ve gone all out for this one!Who is this menacing musician, and how does his story connect to our thirty-part cinematic universe of monster movies? (Don’t worry, no previous Dark Universe experience is required.)SPONSORSDon’t miss our charity livestream on Friday, January 23rd at 8pm ET, over on the Tulok the Barbrarian YouTube channel! We’ll be running a one-shot game set in the same Dark Universe as this episode, guest starring fan-favorite guests Stella Sacco and Kendra Wells.You can back the new sourcebook Formula Infiniti at TTRPG.link/speedofsadAnd you can find Coffee Nick’s Movie Picks wherever you listen to podcasts.CHAPTERS00:00:00 - Intro00:03:40 - Our guest, Tulok!00:06:38 - Why the Pied Piper?00:13:05 - Tulok brought a gift00:14:00 - The Surprise00:20:31 - Announcing our upcoming charity stream00:26:52 - Trigger warnings00:27:35 - Act One00:45:01 - Discussion00:54:43 - Act Two01:06:16 - Discussion01:17:59 - Back to Act Two01:32:06 - Discussion01:39:02 - Act Three02:09:48 - Discussion02:29:24 - Coming attractions and patron acknowledgements

Dec 21, 2025 • 1h 29min
Michael Clayton
CONTENT WARNING: The cold open of this episode includes a description of a suicide attempt. It's brief and you'll see it coming.Dylan & Dalton present maybe the most ridiculous episode they've ever conceived! And for now, that's all the detail you get.This episode is sponsored by...TOWNIE(S), an RPG by Jellyfishlines - https://jellyfishlines.carrd.co/VI Degrees of Star Wars, a podcast by Sam Marchiony - https://6dosw.buzzsprout.com/White City, an RPG by Spooky Aurora - https://retrofit-games-company.itch.io/spooky-auroras-white-cityAnd as always by our generous Patrons, who you can join for $5/mo at patreon.com/DylanAndDaltonCHAPTERS00:00:00 - Intro to the Intro00:01:07 - Cold Open00:09:06 - Discussion00:22:51 - Townies Ad Read00:24:18 - Act One00:36:26 - Objection!00:43:51 - Act One Resumed00:50:58 - Discussion00:52:24 - Act One Resumed00:57:03 - Discussion01:06:24 - Six Degrees of Star Wars Ad Read01:07:24 - Act Two Part One01:20:42 - Spooky Aurora - White City Ad Read01:21:52 - Cross-Examination

Dec 14, 2025 • 1h 35min
The Grinch with Daniel Kibblesmith
Months ago, Emmy-winning writer and author Daniel Kibblesmith was driving through Burbank, California when he made an astounding realization - The Grinch is a Universal Monster. Therefore, he is eligible for inclusion in the Dark Universe, the sprawling film franchise that was launched in 2017, immediately scrapped, and then continued by Dylan & Dalton on the previous incarnation of their podcast!What are Daniel's plans for the green meanie with a penchant for devilry and a hatred of Christmas? Let's find out...SPONSORSYou can search for the Frankencast wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out TOWNIE(S), a TTRPG by Jellyfishlines, at https://jellyfishlines.carrd.co/And you can find Spooky Aurora's White City at retrofit-games-company.itch.ioAnd as always you can join our Patreon - Patreon.com/DylanAndDaltonCHAPTERS00:00:00 - Intro00:03:25 - Our guest, Daniel Kibblesmith!00:06:56 - Some Grinch history00:31:10 - Sponsors: The Frankencast & TOWNIE(S)00:32:29 - Casting the Grinch 00:35:19 - Daniel's pitch00:52:46 - Workshopping the pitch01:25:26 - Sponsor: The White City01:26:40 - What's coming up on the pod?

Dec 1, 2025 • 1min
The Pod Universe (TRAILER)
Welcome to The Pod Universe with Dylan and Dalton, the only podcast that's creating a shared universe of original sci-fi movies, one script at a time. Dive into our saga of produced table reads of new screenplays, each accompanied by a discussion and workshop session. Check out movie pitches from exciting guests like filmmaker Vera Drew or Emmy-winning writer Josh Gondelman, each pitching their own spin on a Hollywood favorite.

Nov 30, 2025 • 1h 39min
Jurassic Park w/Vera Drew
Filmmaker Vera Drew (The People's Joker) joins Dylan & Dalton to pitch her own wild reboot to one of Hollywood's most gargantuan film franchises: Jurassic Park! How will this outsider artist interpret Universal's king-sized cash cow? How did Spielberg's popcorn classic influence her own award-winning feature film? And what the hell does Russ Meyer have to do with all of this? Tune in to find out!LINKS & SPONSORSFind out where to watch Vera's feature film at https://thepeoplesjoker.comCheck out Spooky Aurora's The White City at https://retrofit-games-company.itch.io/spooky-auroras-white-cityListen to VI Degrees of Star Wars at https://6dosw.buzzsprout.com/And use the link rpgzine.club/ZineUniverse to check out RPG Zine Club and make sure to know we sent you!As always, you can support our show at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton or buy our merchandise at shop.thepoduniverse.comCHAPTERS00:00:00 - Introducing Vera Drew00:10:55 - Why Jurassic Park?00:22:01 - The Disappointing Sequels00:48:30 - Sponsors - Spooky Aurora's The White City, VI Degrees of Star Wars00:50:56 - Vera's Pitch01:32:49 - Sponsor - RPG Zine Club01:34:31 - Previews and Acknowledgements

Nov 16, 2025 • 1h 45min
Los Alamos, Part Two
Dalton's cerebral Cold War time travel thriller heats up! Is atomic spy Adrien Barnier truly doomed? Can his accomplice and lover truly be trusted? And how will this story set in the 1940s tie into our larger Pod Universe saga?This episode is brought to you by...VI Degrees of Star Wars, a movie podcast by Sam Marchiony - https://6dosw.buzzsprout.com/RPG Zine Club from PlusOneExp.com - rpgzine.club/zineuniverseand Ritual Deck TTRPG by J Evan ParksSupport us via Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton and unlock hours of bonus episodes and a community of lovely creative folks, or buy our merch at shop.thepoduniverse.comCHAPTERS00:00:00 - Start00:07:16 - Act Two Part Two00:24:34 - Discussion00:33:38 - Act Two Part Two Continued00:37:37 - Ad Break - VI Degrees of Star Wars00:39:10 - Discussion00:50:41 - Ad Break - RPG Zine Club00:52:35 - Act Three01:21:34 - Ad Break - Ritual Deck TTRPG01:22:24 - Mid-Credits Scene01:24:27 - Post-Credits Scene01:25:21 - Discussion

Nov 9, 2025 • 1h 44min
Los Alamos, Part One
In 1944, scientists in the employ of the United States Military were on the cusp of the most consequential discoveries in history. Fearing that the US might use their invention — an atomic fusion bomb — to hold the world hostage, a few of its creators attempted to leak its specifications to the Soviet Union. One tried to stop its construction altogether. This is his story — but in our Pod Universe, nothing is quite so simple as a spy drama, is it?It's Dalton's first solo pitch of the Pod Universe, and like Dylan's space opera, it's a big swing! Will this historical sci-fi thriller capture the interest of the Pod Universe faithful? Has Dalton stepped too far out of their monster movie wheelhouse?Only one way to find out.OUR SPONSORS:Ritual Deck RPG: plusoneexp.comThe FrankencastReturn to Blacktail Harbor: roguecentaur.itch.io/blacktailOUR PATREON: patreon.com/dylananddaltonOUT SHOP: shop.thepoduniverse.comCHAPTERS00:00:00 - Cold Open00:04:21 - Predictions and Expectations00:21:30 - Act One00:45:17 - Sponsor: Ritual Deck RPG00:46:05 - Discussion01:02:13 - Act Two (part one)01:26:29 - Sponsors: The Frankencast & Return to Blacktail Harbor01:29:04 - Discussion01:40:32 - Previews & Acknolwedgments

Nov 2, 2025 • 1h 47min
Ghostbusters with Branson Reese
Fan favorite guest Branson Reese (Swan Boy, Rude Tales of Magic) returns for another insane new take on a classic film property. This time his sights are set on one of pop culture's most radioactive franchises, GHOSTBUSTERS, which no one has ever made a fool of themselves trying to relaunch before! How does Branson suggest recapturing the magic of the original while avoiding the pitfalls of the underwhelming 1989 followup, the disproportionately hated 2016 remake, or the creatively bankrupt legacy sequels of the 2020s?PLUS: The trailer for Dalton's upcoming scripted pitch, LOS ALAMOS!Our sponsors this week: Return to Blacktail Harbor by Rogue Centaur: Roguecentaur.Itch.Io/Blacktail Ritual Deck RPG: PlusOneExp.com Dim Stars: DimStarsBook.comAnd as always you can check out our store at shop.thepoduniverse.com or support us on Patreon at Patreon.com/DylanAndDalton.CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:26 - Let's Talk Ghostbusters 00:23:01 - The Leprechaun Bit 00:27:13 - Back to Ghostbusters 00:41:28 - SPONSORS: Return to Blacktail Harbor & Ritual Deck 00:44:31 - Branson's Pitch for Ghostbusters 01:33:11 - SPONSOR: Dim Stars by Brian P. Rubin 01:36:01 - Los Alamos trailer 01:39:11 - Acknowledgements and Coming Attractions


