About this podcast
How do you build a great D&D character? What is the most quotable horror movie? Which Zelda game has the best soundtrack? Is a hermit crab even a real crab? Sarah and Ethan answer these questions and more in No Preamble, a show about all manner of nerdy obsessions. Join these intrepid hosts as they hop between hobbies and dive deep into movies, games, comics, literature, and music.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 25 episodes
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019) · 1 h 3 min · Season 2 Episode 3Sarah finally got around to playing through Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order after three starts and utilizing Story mode. Her and Ethan, at long last, get to dig into the game…
- Without further ado. Scream (1996)! · 1 h 57 min · Season 2 Episode 2Finally. At long last. After 22 episodes of talking about talking about Scream, Ethan finally gets his wish. A full episode of Sarah and Ethan celebrating the iconic slasher film…
- Gunn gets Superman in his 2025 Superman film · 1 h 14 min · Season 2 Episode 1After a long hiatus, Ethan and Sarah are back at it to discuss James Gunn's 2025 Superman! An episode packed with general impressions, theories, comic book lore and inspirations…
- "We did what?!" Getting hyped for Pathfinder 2e! · 1 h 11 min · Season 1 Episode 21As Ethan prepares to start a level 1 Pathfinder 2e (PF2e) campaign, he and Sarah discuss the setting, premise, character concepts, tarot inspiration, and somehow a variety of…
- "Wyrd Sisters" by Terry Pratchett - Ethan introduces Sarah to Disc World! · 58 min · Season 1 Episode 20At long last, Sarah finishes reading a Disc World novel, starting with "Wyrd Sisters" by the acclaimed Terry Pratchett. Ethan kindly gifted her a copy, knowing the premise of…
- Champions Chat: Spider-Man · 27 min · Season 1 Episode 19In another solo outing (because Sarah didn't do her homework!), Ethan continues to ramble about his favorite card game, Marvel Champions. This time, he takes a look at…
- Champions Chat: Captain Marvel · 28 min · Season 1 Episode 18In another solo outing, Ethan continues to ramble about his favorite card game, Marvel Champions. This time, he takes a look at Captain Marvel's signature cards. He also…
- "Lake Mungo" (2008) - can death haunt you? · 1 h 15 min · Season 1 Episode 17Sarah is pleasantly surprised that Ethan's recommendation for a scary move, "Lake Mungo", isn't actually very scary but is also very good. She is still, to this day, wondering…
- Dungeon Crawler Carl - NEW ACHIEVEMENT! We finished the book! Reward? This episode! · 55 min · Season 1 Episode 16Sarah convinces Ethan to listen to the audiobook for "Dungeon Crawler Carl: A LitRPG Adventure", written by Matt Dinniman and narrated by Jeff Hays, after friend Kevin convinced…
- Ethan talks Iron Man in Marvel Champions card game · 53 min · Season 1 Episode 15In a rare solo episode, Ethan talks about his favorite card game, Marvel Champions. After a brief explanation of how the game works, he examines one of the games many playable…
- Currently Playing: Cassette Beasts and Final Fantasy VII Remake · 1 h 7 min · Season 1 Episode 14Ethan and Sarah discuss the games they've been recently playing, and get sidetracked along the way. Sarah has been enamored with the charming monster taming Cassette Beasts while…
- Perfect Blue (1997) - Satoshi Kon's reflection on women in Japan's entertainment industry · 1 h 17 min · Season 1 Episode 13"Perfect Blue" (1997) was director Satoshi Kon's first major film. It was also Ethan's latest recommendation to Sarah. And it was a trip! Bewildered, Sarah has to piece together…
- Is the Spider-Man 2 (PS5) video game woke? Yes it is and we're not sorry! · 1 h 20 min · Season 1 Episode 12After spending too much time online Sarah finally snaps and coerces Ethan into talking about whether or not the 2023 PS5 game "Spider-Man 2" is woke. With empathy, care, and a…
- A battery on their tummy! Talking Horizon Forbidden West, D&D, TTRPG, board games, and more! · 1 h 9 min · Season 1 Episode 11In celebration of releasing 10 episodes, Ethan and Sarah enjoy a chill recording to catch up on hobbies. Sarah is back in the Dungeon Master's seat playing D&D with a new group…
- Novel "Bloody Rose" is another welcome tour through Nicholas Eames' fantasy world · 1 h 21 min · Season 1 Episode 10"Bloody Rose" is the sequel to the "Kings of the Wyld" novel by Nicholas Eames. While Ethan reads it Sarah re-reads it, because her memory is terrible. Does it hold up as a…
- "Klaus" - a refreshingly unique approach to Christmas movie traditions · 1 h 3 min · Season 1 Episode 9Happy holidays and Merry Christmas! What says "Christmas" more than the postal service and a bitter family rivalry? Sarah and Ethan discuss the unique premise of Netflix's…
- Humor and heart make "Kings of Wyld" a must read fantasy novel · 1 h 33 min · Season 1 Episode 8At long last Ethan reads "Kings of the Wyld" per the recommendation of Sarah and the glowing reviews of his wife (both of whom have impeccable tastes in media). Spoiler alert: he…
- Spider-Man 2 (PS5) a rogue's gallery of redeemable villains. And Kraven is there, too! · 1 h 29 min · Season 1 Episode 7Peter Parker and Miles Morales are back in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (PS5) and Sarah and Ethan are hyped for it! Returning alongside the spider men are a host of familiar villains…
- James Gunn and the art of the Needle Drop · 1 h 12 min · Season 1 Episode 6Through his tasteful use of "needle drops" director James Gunn has crafted heartfelt and thematic soundtracks, where each song elevates the story without overstaying its welcome…
- Getting into the spooky spirit with "Trick 'r Treat" (2007) · 60 min · Season 1 Episode 5Happy Halloween! Ethan posits that Halloween horror is a different beast from the traditional horror genre. Exhibit A: "Trick 'r Treat" the 2007 anthology film that takes place…
