Best MCU Beards for No-Shave November

Each year when No-Shave November comes around, I think to test my genetics and see if I can grow a beard than last year. My genes are such that it took me into my thirties to test myself long enough to get the goatee that I currently have. But November isn’t just about the face fuzz, but about men’s health. Physical and mental. So while I'm having a bit of fun with the Marvel-lous men (they seriously give me beard envy) men's health is serious. Many of us internalized the message to not ask for help. Don’t forget to check in on your mental and physical health. And don’t isolate yourself in the world of men; find your team of Avengers.

Though in no particular order, naturally I had to start here. Because iconic.

Maybe similar to Tony's, but it showed his transition from doctor to sorcerer.

Probably the closest to the beard I'm able to grow (but I lack sideburns).

Fitz started as a baby-faced nerd, but became a tough stubbly spy.

Without Hydra programming, Bucky needed something to keep looking tough.

Maybe Matt got tired of paying someone else to shave him?

Very polished and regal. A beard fit for a king.

Sometimes you can't care to shave (and sometimes you want to see your capabilities).

I think we all had beard envy for Cap's temporary on-the-run beard.

Fury was trying to look homeless. A beard helps, I guess?

I don’t know that I ever want chops like Hugh Jackman, but it’s iconic now. 

I had to finish off with The Thing’s bolder-y beard. Love it!

LDS Geeks Podcast #53: Digimon Overview (2)

Last month we started talking about Digimon, in honor of the new video game, Time Stranger. Now we're back to review the game (or at least the demo) and chat about more of our Digital Monster friends.

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 53 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent content: click here

Check out Michael's recent content: click here

Show notes

00:12 - Introductions
00:39 - Michael's Recommendation: "The Will of Many" by James Islington
            Available for purchase on Amazon
02:07 - Spencer's Recommendation: Boy Meets World
            Available for streaming on Disney Plus
            "Why Boy Meets World is Still Relevant" by Spencer
03:07 - Cyber Sleuth vs Time Stranger
            "Cutscene Pokemon vs Digimon"
11:55 - Favorite Theme Song
            Spencer: "Butterfly" (Adventure)
            Michael: "A World for Us All" (Frontier)
            LDS Geeks Podcast #14: Digimon vs. Pokémon 
                    Show Notes: click here
                    Spotify: click here
                    Apple Podcasts: click here
                    YouTube: click here
13:18 - Favorite Characters
            Spencer: Ken (Adventure 02) and Takato (Tamers)
            Michael: TK (Adventure/02)
            "The Power of Kindness" by Spencer
            "The Power of Hope" by Spencer
15:56 - Underrated Characters
            Michael: Henry (Tamers)
            Spencer: Tommy (Frontier)
19:44 - Digimon Card Game 
21:22 - Digimon Alysion
24:40 - Conclusion

Big Bang Theory Workout

Don't get caught as out of shape as Leonard. Try out our Big Bang Theory workout to get your joints moving. As geeks, we need all the help we can get at times. So turn on your favorite episode and let's get moving more like Penny, than like Sheldon.

Disclaimer: While I am a licensed physical therapy provider, I am not a personal trainer or a medical practitioner. Partner as necessary with your doctor prior to engaging in any diet or excise programs. If any of these exercises cause increased pain, stop the exercise immediately.

• Theme Song - High Knees
• Someone sings Soft Kitty - Seated QL Stretch 10 reps
• Sheldon misses sarcasm - Squats 10 reps
• Penny says something geeky (or tries) - Hip Flexor Stretch 10 reps
• Sheldon knocks on someone's door - Prone Hip Extension 10 reps
• Someone eats Asian food - Quadruped Hip CARS 10 reps 
• Howard says something inappropriate - Seated Hip Hinge 10 reps 
• Someone refers to Raj as “Koothrappali” - Cat/Cow Stretch 10 reps 
• Sheldon mentions the Roommate or Relationship Agreements- 90/90 Pushbacks 10 reps 
• Sheldon talks about "his spot" - Hamstring Curls 10 reps

***This workout is intended to work without any equipment, but feel free to add small dumbbells or bands as you're safely able.

Don't forget to rest after exercising

Howl's Moving Castle: A Double Masterpiece

I love Howl’s Moving Castle. Originally written by Diana Wynne Jones in 1986, and later adapted into a beloved animated film by Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki in 2004, this tale of magic, transformation, and self-discovery has enchanted audiences across generations. 

The Book: A Quietly Witty Fantasy

At the heart of the novel is Sophie Hatter, the eldest of three sisters in the magical kingdom of Ingary. In a world where fairy tale logic reigns supreme, being the eldest is a curse; Sophie believes she’s doomed to a dull, uneventful life, especially compared to her more glamorous sisters, Lettie and Martha. Lettie is beautiful and spirited, while Martha is clever and ambitious. Sophie, by contrast, resigns herself to a quiet life in her family’s hat shop, convinced she’s not meant for adventure.

That all changes when she crosses paths with the Witch of the Waste, who curses her into the body of a 90-year-old woman. Unable to explain her transformation, Sophie flees her hometown and stumbles upon the infamous moving castle of the wizard Howl a vain, flamboyant, and mysterious figure rumored to eat the hearts of young girls. Inside the castle, Sophie meets Calcifer, a fire demon bound to the hearth, and Michael, Howl’s young apprentice. She strikes a deal with Calcifer: she’ll help break his contract with Howl if he lifts her curse.

What follows is a whimsical, character-driven journey filled with magical mayhem, mistaken identities, and unexpected growth. Sophie, in her aged form, finds a new kind of freedom, no longer constrained by societal expectations, she becomes bolder, more assertive, and ultimately discovers her own magical abilities. Meanwhile, Howl’s flamboyance masks a deeper vulnerability, and his own transformation is as profound as Sophie’s.

The Movie: A Visual Masterpiece with a Different Heart

Hayao Miyazaki’s adaptation of Howl’s Moving Castle is a visual feast with memorable music. The titular castle, a lumbering, steam-powered behemoth with chicken legs and a personality of its own, is a marvel of animation. The film retains the core premise Sophie’s curse, her encounter with Howl, and the magical world they inhabit—but diverges significantly in tone and plot.

Miyazaki infuses the story with his signature themes: anti-war sentiment, environmentalism, and the redemptive power of love. The setting shifts to a world on the brink of war, and Howl becomes a reluctant participant in the conflict, using his magic to sabotage both sides in a bid for peace. The Witch of the Waste, a menacing figure in the book, is softened and even becomes a source of comic relief. The film also introduces new characters and condenses or omits others, streamlining the narrative for cinematic pacing.

While the movie sacrifices some of the book’s intricate world-building and character backstories, it compensates with emotional resonance and breathtaking artistry. The relationship between Sophie and Howl is more overtly romantic, and the film’s message about inner beauty and courage shines through in every frame.

Book vs. Movie: Which is better?

It’s often said that the book is better than the movie, and in the case of Howl’s Moving Castle, that’s mostly true, but not by much. Diana Wynne Jones’s novel offers a deeper dive into the magical mechanics of Ingary, the complexities of Howl’s past, and the subtle evolution of Sophie’s character. The book’s dry wit and clever subversion of fairy tale tropes give it a unique charm that lingers long after the final page.

That said, Miyazaki’s film is a masterpiece in its own right. It reimagines the story through a different cultural lens, emphasizing themes that resonate deeply with his body of work. The visuals alone. soaring landscapes, enchanted doorways, and the ever-shifting castle are unforgettable.

In the end, both versions of Howl’s Moving Castle are treasures. But for those who crave rich lore, nuanced character arcs, and a touch more narrative complexity, the book edges ahead. It’s a story that rewards rereading, revealing new layers each time just like the castle itself, full of hidden rooms and unexpected magic.

Friday Creature Feature - D-Reaper

Of all creatures I could feature on Halloween, it might seem strange I chose the D-Reaper, the final big bad of Digimon Tamers. Even in the Digimon franchise, there are lots of other well known creatures (Devimon, Myotismon, Arukenimon, etc.) but as bad as they are, the D-Reaper is worse. 

The D-Reaper is AI run amock. The same thing could be said for Digimon, but here’s the big difference: Digimon are AI programs with souls (evil souls for Devimon and Myotismon, but still) and the D-Realer is soulless. It’s the cold, unfeeling nature of the D-Reaper that makes it so scary. Even worse than the Cybermen in Doctor Who.

Once upon a time, the D-Reaper was a simple program for cleaning up data. Kind of like those apps that say they’ll clean up your phone storage. However, like the Digimon, it grew from data it absorbed, including those digital monsters. As the D-Reaper grew and learned, it surpassed its original purpose and started indiscriminately destroying Digimon. If destroying innocent Digimon weren’t enough, the D-Reaper would turn its focus to the human world. Humans had exceeded their original parameters, just like Digimon.

By the time the Digimon Tamers encountered the D-Reaper in the Digital World, it was a pink blob capable of deleting and destroying simply by touching an object. Before the Digimon Sovereign could assist the Tamers to escape in the Monster Makers’ ark, the D-Reaper latched onto Jeri. She was emotionally cold and numb as she grieved the loss of her partner Leomon, making her a perfect host for the D-Reaper.

After hitching a ride to the human world with Jeri, the D-Reaper took on a new form, more evolved and complex. Different D-Reaper agents started coming after mankind and the technology we’d developed. The core “quantum bubble” expanded and forced residents to evacuate, but it also started appearing around the world. As the Digimon Tamers fought, they slowly learned that human concepts like family relationships and emotions were foreign and useless. Maybe even detrimental.

It took Jeri waking up inside the D-Reaper core and empowering herself (with Calumon’s help) to put a wrench in the pink blob’s plans. Add to that MegaGargomon using Juggernaut to devolve the D-Reaper, with an assist from the Digimon Sovereign. Finally the D-Reaper was defeated. Unbeknownst to the kids, the victory cost them their Digimon partners returning to the digital plane. But not forever, as seen in Runaway Locomon (which is being re-dubbed and released at the end of the year).

As I said, the D-Reaper is cold and unfeeling. That’s what makes it scary. Like the Cybermen on Doctor Who, the D-Reaper seeks out anything it deems unnecessary, like human relationships and emotions. As well as humans and Digimon themselves. While evil like Myotismon and Devimon are scary in their maliciousness, the D-Reaper’s Cyberman-like nature is what should give you chills. 

The D-Reaper could be a metaphor for depression and other mental health challenges, like the Dementors in Harry Potter. It’s easy to think no feelings are better than being engulfed in depression and anxiety, even to the point of not existing at all. It’s our destiny to suffer. However, as the Digimon Tamers taught the D-Reaper (while pummeling it) we can choose our destinies and the feelings are what make us human. I’ll finish off with this quote by Jeri Katou that I absolutely love, as she breaks free from the D-Reaper’s spiraling negative influence:

“It was wrong of me to believe that feeling nothing was better than feeling sad. The sadness was real. It was human! I misunderstood Leomon. He never meant me to think my life had no meaning. He said that we all have our own destiny, and that's not the same thing. Every one of us has a destiny that's different and that's special! ... You can't delete even one of us without deleting something the whole world needs. Every one of us has something important to do!"

LDS Geeks Podcast #52: Animorphs Re-Read (5)

As much we I keep calling these books filler, there was no shortage of things to discuss in these books. Plus, there were dinosaurs. Check it out!

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 52 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show notes:

00:12 - Introductions
00:42 - Spencer's Recommendation: The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
            "A Case of Mistaken Identity: Carter and Sadie Kane" by Spencer
03:31 - Russell's Recommendation: "Time is Love" by Josh Turner
05:15 - The Animorphs Series (so far)
06:04 - #16: The Warning
12:52 - #17: The Underground
21:03 - #18: The Decision
32:25 - Megamorphs 2: In the Time of Dinosaurs
41:58 - Conclusion

Who is Giovanni?

A couple years ago, for the spooky season, I spotlighted Team Rocket’s Jessie, James, and Meowth. Since I try to do as many villain related posts as I can each October, this year I’m moving on to spotlight the Team Rocket boss: Giovanni. 

Main Series Game Giovanni

In the original Gen I games (and their remakes) Giovanni led Team Rocket to catch and collect rare and powerful Pokemon (but somehow most grunts only had the likes of Zubat and/or Raticate). At some point he fathered the rival character known as Silver. During the course of the game, the protagonist Red faced off against Giovanni’s grunts in Lavender Town and against Giovanni himself at the Celadon Game Corner and Silph Co.

After Red stopped Giovanni from obtaining the Master Ball (maybe to reclaim Mewtwo?), the Rocket leader retreated to the Viridian City Gym, as the gym leader. Naturally that put him inadvertently in Red’s crosshairs again. Once the protagonist won his Earth Badge, the humbled Giovanni disbanded Team Rocket. A group of Rocket executives tried to convince him to return a few years later, but thankfully he didn’t respond to the call. 

During the events of Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, an alternate version of Giovanni formed Team Rainbow Rocket. Having come through an Ultra Wormhole, this version of the Rocket boss wasn’t thwarted by Red and proceeded to recruit the boss villains from the other preceding games. 

Anime Giovanni

Similar to the video game version, in the anime Giovanni was the boss of Team Rocket. For a long while his character was literally shrouded in shadow. Like in the video games, he was the gym leader in Viridian City. However, in the anime, he had control of Mewtwo for a time after commissioning his creation, leading into the first theatrical Pokemon movie. He definitely wasn’t a fair gym leader, throwing out Mewtwo against challengers on his whim; Gary Oak had two Pokemon fighting Mewtwo and he still lost. 

Things differed somewhat from season to season, but generally Giovanni was exasperated by Jessie, James, and Meowth. At the beginning of the series, he seemed to trust them and act like they were confident. Things probably started to go downhill for them when they fixated on capturing Pikachu (Did Giovanni ever actually want Ash’s Pikachu or was that just part of the trio’s fantasy?). Sometimes he seemed to trust the trio with later assignments… other times their assignments were to get them out of his way…. There was literally an episode about giving them some vacation time to get them out of his way… Somehow they still got in the way. 

Despite his incompetent lackeys, Giovanni was the mastermind behind many (almost) successful Team Rocket ventures, like commandeering the St. Anne, commissioning and controlling Mewtwo, and trying to reclaim Mewtwo later on. In the end, he wasn’t much more successful than Jessie, James, and Meowth. The bigger the scheme, the bigger the failure. 

Pokémon Go Giovanni

In the world of Pokemon Go, Giovanni is the boss of Team Go Rocket. His subordinates include the Team Go Rocket Leaders Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra and an abundance of grunts (including the special appearances by Jessie and James in their Meowth balloon). He can only be found with a Super Rocket Radar, which can only be obtained after defeating the three leaders during Team Go Rocket Special Research. His location may be masked by grunts pretending to be him. He’s definitely a level above the leaders, as his shadow Pokemon include his Persian, some tank usually, and a legendary Pokemon (which are killer hard to purify, in my opinion). 

I’m far from being caught up on the Pokemon anime and video games, but I’d always appreciate a Giovanni cameo. “Where are they now? The Team Rocket boss.” Enjoy the rest of your spooky season with some villains and baddies. I’ll be back next week with one more big bad for Halloween.

Is the Wheel of Time Worth it?

 

If you’ve ever wandered into a Star Wars forum on Reddit, you’ve probably noticed something strange: the people who claim to love Star Wars often seem to bicker about it. There’s a running joke amongst my friends that if you still enjoy Star Wars, you’re not a “true fan” because true fans are too busy dissecting everything wrong with the latest trilogy, the spin-offs, or whatever Disney’s cooking up next.

However, when we compare that to The Lord of the Rings. There’s far less division there. The books are revered. The movies (not TV show) are beloved. And the fandom feels more unified, thanks in large part to the clear, cohesive vision of both J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson. There’s a sense of harmony in Middle-earth that Star Wars fans can only dream of.

So where does The Wheel of Time fit in?

Somewhere in between—and that’s a good thing. 

Fans of The Wheel of Time are a fascinating blend of Star Wars passion and Tolkien-level reverence. We’re honest about the series’ flaws (yes, there are slow parts), but we’re also fiercely loyal to its brilliance. We know that the pacing ebbs and flows, but we also know that every thread is woven together with purpose. And when you reach the end, it all pays off.

This is one of the few epic series I’ve reread, and not just for nostalgia. It’s because the story is that rich. The final book, A Memory of Light, is one of the most satisfying conclusions to a long-running saga I’ve ever read. It’s also one of Brandon Sanderson’s finest contributions to fantasy, stepping in to finish Robert Jordan’s vision with grace and power. In my opinion it's the best book he has ever written.

But The Wheel of Time isn’t just about plot. It’s about lore. Deep, intricate, time-bending lore. The series plays with the idea of time as a wheel ages repeating, legends becoming myths, and myths becoming our own history. One of the characters, Moiraine, is essentially the origin of the Merlin legend. Over countless turnings of the Wheel, her story becomes the one we know today. That’s the kind of layered storytelling you’re in for.

And if you’re wondering whether to watch the show instead. . . don’t. At best, it’s a poor fan fiction of the source material. While the casting, set design, and costumes are genuinely impressive, the show ultimately falls flat. It’s a clear reminder that directing and scriptwriting are the soul of any adaptation. Without a deep respect for the original vision, even the most beautiful production can feel hollow. For newcomers, it risks misrepresenting the heart of the story; for longtime fans, it’s a disappointment. If you are wondering, yes I am trying to be respectful about my opinion on the show even though it ruined a masterpiece and the last chance for the books to be adapted. 

So, should you read it?

If you’re looking for a fantasy experience that’s immersive, emotionally resonant, and intellectually rewarding, then yes absolutely. Read it for the multidimensional characters. Read it for the sweeping arcs of redemption, sacrifice, and destiny. Read it for the quiet moments that build into thunderous climaxes. And most of all, read it for the satisfaction of finishing something truly epic.

Because when you close that final book, you won’t just be a reader. You’ll be part of a rare fellowship those who’ve walked the long road, seen the Wheel turn, and come out the other side changed.

A Case of Mistaken Identity: Carter and Sadie Kane

My first thoughts for this blog post came from reading The Kane Chronicles (a trilogy of books in the universe of Percy Jackson centered around the Egyptian gods) simultaneously with the Nico Di Angelo Adventures. Both books have identity as a theme. Because of the shared theme, my original plan was to do a post about both. However, the two series take different angles on our identities and the stories (though in the same universe) don’t intersect. So now it’ll be a series of posts, starting with the Kane siblings.

Throughout The Kane Chronicles, Carter and Sadie Kane are forced to become master magicians in the course of six months to save the world and ma’at (the mystical force of order and harmony). Unlike the other Camp Half-Blood books and Magnus Chase, these books aren’t about demigods (the whole concept of how Egyptian gods function is different from the Greek, Roman, and Norse deities) but about Egyptian magicians descended from pharaohs.

As part of their training, they learn about the concept of “secret names” (or ren) that can essentially give you control over a person or God. In “The Red Pyramid” they made it sound like a secret name is like a cheat code to hack someone’s free will. However, it’s not the words alone that give power.  The name must be given by the person or the person closest to them. 

During the events of “The Throne of Fire” the mythos of the ren expanded. In a moment of crisis, Sadie learned her brother’s secret name to save his life. This revelation taught Sadie the nature of the ren, as one of the five aspects of a person’s soul. The ren is a person’s deepest nature and life experiences. It’s your essence and power. To know someone’s secret name is to understand deeply their life’s story. In learning Carter’s name, she gained an embarrassing amount of insight to her brother’s heart. 

In her narration, Sadie claimed that while everyone has a secret name, most mortals don’t even know their own. The ignorance protects them from magical influences in the Riordanverse. However, from a gospel perspective, it made me wonder…

To some extent we can learn about our identity and essence through gaining a testimony of our divine nature and internalize that confidence. Naturally, our life experiences influence the development of how we perceive our mortal journey and they shape who we become. But all the therapy and mindfulness in the world will not reveal your “secret name” to you. For one thing, the bulk of our premortal experiences are veiled to our eyes. We literally cannot know everything about our identities. That’s why knowing someone’s secret name isn’t enough. It must be shared and learned, just as we must open our hearts to others in relationships and we must learn from our Heavenly Father who we are in His eyes. 

As I read about the ren in “The Throne of Fire”, I thought on a powerful experience I had as a missionary, helping me understand my divine nature. It’s too sacred for me to share in a blog post, but I’ll say this: even with that experience in mind, I’m far from knowing my secret name. I think we take our lives (premortal, mortal, and eternal) to understand our essence. As usual, a good place to start is by studying the scriptures, prayer, and attending the temple.

Edit: After writing this blog post, I listened to President Nelson’s counsel from this week’s Come Follow Me lesson, about using the correct name of the Church. Shortly after this talk was given, a dear friend and I were talking about it. With every awful thing going on in the world (including within the Church), why would President Nelson focus on a seemingly trivial thing? As our recently departed prophet taught in this General Conference sermon, it’s not trivial or inconsequential. Like was said in The Kane Chronicles, names have power. The Savior gave us the “secret name” of His Church. I believe with all my heart that if we focus on being the latter-day saints of Jesus Christ’s restored church, we would see changes in the Church and the world. Keeping our eyes Jesus will change our lives and our natures. As “I’m trying to be like Jesus”, I want to aim to become more Christ-like disciple and not just be a “Mormon”.

LDS Geeks Podcast #51: Digimon Overview (1)

People will always refer to Digimon as a ripoff of Pokemon. Really it's more like the second cousin. Since Digimon was my first major fandom and it's still one of my favorites today, Michael and I wanted to discuss the franchise, in honor of the new video game: Time Stranger. 

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 51 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent content: click here

Check out Michael's recent content: click here

Show notes

00:12 - Introductions
01:05 - Spencer's Recommendation: Coofandy clothing
            Shop Coofandy on Amazon
02:35 - Michael's Recommendation: "Kingdom of Grit" by Tyler Whitesides
03:39 - Introduction to Digimon
            LDS Geeks Podcast #14: Digimon vs. Pokémon 
                    Show Notes: click here
                    Spotify: click here
                    Apple Podcasts: click here
                    YouTube: click here
04:28 - Digimon Story: Time Stranger
11:52 - Top 3 Digimon Anime
            Spencer: Tamers, Adventure, Adventure 02
            Michael: Tamers, Frontier, Adventure 02
            "Leomon and the Five Stages of Grief" by Spencer
            "The Power of Kindness" by Spencer
26:15 - Least Favorite Anime
            Spencer: Digimon Adventure 2020
            Michael: Digimon Data Squad
            Digimon Xros Wars Legendary Heroes Crossover
33:05 - Underrated Anime Series
            Spencer: Digimon Appli Monsters
            Michael: Digimon Ghost Game
36:31 - Digimon Partners
            Spencer: Dorumon
            Michael: Patamon
38:40 - Conclusion