Predator Badlands Review, Mummy Kpop Sequel, GTA 6 Delay, and ODPH's Ken Maney on Surviving Podcasting

Geek Freaks

Frank and Jonathan kick off with announcements and a fun question of the week about sequels that outshine the originals. News hits include The Mummy's return with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, the 2029 plan for K-Pop Demon Hunters, and Grand Theft Auto VI shifting to November 19, 2026. Frank reviews Predator: Badlands and explains why it works for both Predator fans and sci-fi diehards. Then Ken Maney of the ODPH joins for a thoughtful conversation about podcasting in 2025, community, video vs audio, and practical advice for new and veteran creators.

Timestamps and Topics

• 00:00 Welcome, intros, and what's ahead

• 00:13 Announcements: BlizzCon dates, SF Fan Expo plans, and Patreon holiday care packages

• 01:50 Question of the Week: Sequels better than the originals

• 06:24 News: The Mummy returns with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz

• 14:18 K-Pop Demon Hunters sequel targeting 2029, expectations and story threads

• 20:11 GTA 6 moves to November 19, 2026 and what that means for the industry

• 26:58 Review: Predator: Badlands (world-building, effects, performances, and that ending)

• 40:19 Interview: Ken Maney (ODPH) on origin stories, community, and staying power

• 1:21:00 Wrap up and ways to support

Key Takeaways

• Sequels can outpace originals when they sharpen tone and character focus.

• The Mummy's return works best if it leans into family-friendly adventure with practical set pieces.

• K-Pop Demon Hunters has time to scale up music collabs and world-building, even with a long runway.

• GTA 6's delay is a net positive if it delivers a polished launch and avoids crowding the release calendar.

• Predator: Badlands thrives on a tight premise, clear character intent, and a mix of practical work with CG.

• Podcasting longevity comes from community, consistency, and knowing your "why," not from chasing viral tricks.

• Video helps some shows, but strong content and an audio-first workflow still carry a lot of weight.

• New creators should focus on making the best episode they can today, then repeat. Veterans should reconnect with their original purpose to beat burnout.

Quotes

• "Be comfortable being uncomfortable. If you want to grow, you have to push yourself." — Ken Maney

• "Everybody thinks they're a content creator until it's time to create content." — Ken Maney

• "Don't worry about everybody else. Worry about your own house." — Ken Maney

• "Predator: Badlands works because the intent is simple. Kill the monster. The rest builds from there." — Frank

• "Delay GTA 6 if it means a cleaner launch. One bad week can sink a decade of goodwill." — Frank

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe, leave a quick rating, and drop a review. Share your sequel picks with #GeekFreaks so we can feature them on the show.

Links and Resources

• Check out ODPH Now!: https://odphpodcast.com/

• All news discussed on our podcast comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com: https://geekfreakspodcast.com/

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Listener Questions

What sequel tops the original for you and why? Send your picks, hot takes, and voice memos to be featured in a future episode.

Apple Podcast Tags

Geek Freaks, geek culture, entertainment news, movies, video games, podcasting, interview, Ken Maney, ODPH, Predator Badlands review, The Mummy, K-Pop Demon Hunters, GTA 6, BlizzCon, community building, creator advice