The Worst of the Best Podcast
Join host Ryan Rebalkin and his rotating guest hosts on The Worst of the Best Podcast, where they dive into the flaws of the best in pop culture and more. Covering genres like films, music, food, true crime, historical events, celebrity culture, and quirky societal trends, this podcast delivers a humorous, irreverent critique of the finest’s shortcomings.
Top Tourist Destinations Around the Globe
Ryan and Jason tour the spots that pull the crowds, then pick the one they would skip. Jason is late: a wrong click may have wiped about 600 shots, Grand Canyon included. Recovery software is running. The canyon is not on the list.
Iconic Rock Singers
Ryan and Jason run twenty iconic rock voices. Not ranked. No R&B. Built from names that kept showing up on other people’s lists.
Ten Surprising Products That Generated Millions in Profits
Ryan and Jason count ten products that made millions nobody saw coming. Rule at the end: everything is a dollar, which one stays on the shelf.
Rate on Apple Podcasts, email a worst pick, comments open. Worst of the Best: in front of every silver lining there’s a cloud.
Simple Things That Play Tricks on Your Brain
Ryan and his brother Jason take on ten everyday ways the brain glitches on The Worst of the Best Podcast.
They cover the food variety effect that makes holiday buffets dangerous, why breaking eye contact isn’t always a lie, crossing your arms to ease pain, mixing up left and right, beauty bias, kids who think birthday parties make them older, motion sickness as a “you’ve been poisoned” alarm, the 2015 dress color debate, handing over personal data for an Instagram cookie, and the God Helmet placebo experiment.
Rate the show on iTunes or Spotify. Email is...
Secret Societies You’ve Never Heard Of (Or Wish You Hadn’t)
Ryan and his brother Jason dive into ten real secret and clandestine societies that have operated (or still operate) in the shadows on The Worst of the Best Podcast.
They cover the infamous Skull and Bones at Yale, the brutal Leopard Society of West Africa, the occult-focused Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the ultra-exclusive Bilderberg Group, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the satanic Order of Nine Angels, the Hellfire Club, the Thule Society, and more.
The pair discuss what is actually known versus pure conspiracy, the strange initiation rituals, and the darker ideologies...
Hidden Truths of the Food Industry
Ryan and his brother Jason dig into some of the darker, lesser-known truths of the modern food industry on The Worst of the Best Podcast.
They cover why American chicken is banned in the EU (chlorine washes, arsenic, antibiotics), the pressure-cooker reality of Michelin stars, the surprising problems with lab-grown meat, the widespread use of child slave labor in West African cocoa production, fake or mislabeled Kobe beef, shady organic claims, the fact that most bottled water is just tap water, the health issues with popular oat milks like Oatly, supermarket layout tricks designed to make you...
Samhain Secrets: The Dark Roots of Halloween
Ryan reunites Bob and Zip (No Redeeming Qualities) for a special Halloween episode diving into the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain — the real roots of modern Halloween.
They explore ten eerie and often brutal traditions: the ritual sacrifice of monarchs whose bodies were preserved in peat bogs, the belief that the dead returned, fortune-telling rituals, fairy abductions, the mysterious Cave of Cats, heavy drinking, fire ceremonies involving the Black Sow (and occasional human sacrifice), dressing up as the dead using animal skins and skulls, cross-dressing “hags,” and even accounts of child sacrifice.
Along the way the tr...
Unique Ice Cream Flavors From Around the World
Ryan and his brother Jason take a lighter, more delicious turn on The Worst of the Best Podcast with ten unique ice cream flavors from around the world that you won’t find at your average Dairy Queen.
Listeners from various countries shared the local specialties: durian ice cream from Singapore, olive oil and balsamic vinegar gelato from Italy, lavender from France, black sesame and wasabi from Japan, red bean from China, spaghetti ice cream from Germany, corn ice cream from Mexico, and Guinness ice cream from Ireland.
Ryan and Jason discuss each one, share pe...
Lightning Does Strike Twice – Debunking Everyday Myths
Ryan and his brother Jason return for a fun, fact-checking episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast, tearing down ten common beliefs that most people still think are true.
They cover why Antarctica is actually the world’s largest desert, how De Beers manufactured the idea that diamonds are rare, the biblical forbidden fruit that was never called an apple, why cold weather doesn’t cause colds, the myth that lightning never strikes the same place twice, the Great Wall of China (not visible from space), what’s really inside a camel’s hump, the Japanese origins...
Selfie Slip-Ups: 10 Times Selfies Got People Caught
Ryan welcomes returning guest Tony for a darkly funny episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast focused on people who incriminated themselves with selfies.
They break down ten real cases where a single photo (or series of photos) helped police close the case: tourists carving their names into the Colosseum, a murder committed with a belt that appeared in a Facebook selfie, a church burglar who left his phone behind, a thief who took selfies on the stolen phone that auto-uploaded to the cloud, a multi-murder case, a dismemberment that got Instagram hashtags, a stolen dress...
Morning Routines of the Successful… and the One We Refuse!
Ryan welcomes Zip (No Redeeming Qualities) for a light, funny breakdown of the morning routines of highly successful people.
They go through ten popular rituals — prepping the night before, waking up naturally, beating the sun, meditating and practicing gratitude, staying off the phone, reading, walking the pets, skipping coffee for water, eating a proper breakfast… and the infamous “embrace the cold.”
Along the way they share their own messy real-life mornings (kids, pets, military schedules, intermittent fasting) and debate which habits actually help versus which ones feel like performative hustle culture.
At the end both...
Inventors Who Never Got Rich From Their Genius
Ryan and his brother Jason return for a light but fascinating episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast, ranking inventors who created world-changing things… and never got rich from them.
They cover the Amen Break (Gregory Coleman), the karaoke machine (Daisuke Inoue), Jonas Salk’s decision not to patent the polio vaccine, Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster selling Superman for a song, the friction match, Walter Hunt’s sewing machine, Pearl Bixby Wait’s Jell-O, Harvey Ball’s smiley face, and John Pemberton’s Coca-Cola recipe.
Along the way they share personal stories, debate the biggest fina...
Kayfabe, Attitude, and the WWE Wrestlers Who Defined the ’90s
Ryan welcomes Tony (One Big Toilet) out of podcast retirement for a deep dive into the biggest wrestlers of the 1990s.
They talk kayfabe, work vs. shoot, why wrestling is live stunt work, and how the Attitude Era changed everything. The pair run through a stacked list that includes Macho Man Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Rock, Stone Cold, and more, with plenty of history, backstage stories, and personal memories along the way.
Honorable mentions go to Goldust and Chris Jericho. Then comes the classic Worst of the Best reveal: Ryan’s...
Saturday Morning Cartoons (1980s)
Relive the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons with the absolute best of the 1980s. We count down the top 10 iconic shows every 80s kid remembers — from Looney Tunes and Alvin and the Chipmunks to He-Man, Thundercats, Transformers, and G.I. Joe — sharing childhood memories, theme songs, toys, and why these shows still hit different.
At the end we each pick the one cartoon from the list we’d sacrifice if we had to.
Completely Pointless but Controversial Arguments
These are the completely pointless arguments that somehow still start fights — toilet paper over or under, pineapple on pizza, ketchup in the fridge or pantry, how to pronounce GIF, and more. We go through 10 of the dumbest debates people actually get heated about and give our takes without spoiling each other’s opinions beforehand.
From cat vs dog and toothpaste squeezing technique to whether a hot dog is a sandwich, we rank which ones are actually worth arguing about (spoiler: most aren’t). Live chat weighed in the whole time.
The Dark and Gruesome Origins of Fairy Tales
Classic fairy tales were never the wholesome stories Disney sold us. In this episode we dig into the original dark and gruesome versions of 10 of the most famous ones — kids drowning, wolves eating girls, queens dancing to death in red-hot iron shoes, and far worse.
We cover the real Pied Piper, Little Red Riding Hood, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Goldilocks, Hansel & Gretel, Rapunzel, and Cinderella. Some of these origins are legitimately disturbing.
Items and Activities That Are Forbidden in North Korea
North Korea bans everyday things most of us never think twice about — the global internet, smiling on certain days, foreign TV, driving, leaving the country, skinny jeans, international calls, choosing your own job, haircut styles, and even criticizing the government. In this episode we break down all 10 and debate which restriction would hit the hardest.
We go through the list one by one, react to how extreme some of these rules really are, and talk about the human cost. Live chat even jumped in with extra details while we recorded.
'Friends' - 10 Things That Haven't Aged Well from the Sitcom
In this episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast, Ryan is joined by co-host Katie to dive deep into how the iconic '90s sitcom Friends has aged—nearly 20 years after its finale. We break down 10 key elements that feel dated today, from running gags about Ross's ex-wife Carol and her partner Susan, fat Monica flashbacks and body image jokes, Ross's "nice guy" red flags and consent issues, Chandler's drag queen dad, Phoebe's traumatic backstory turned comedy fodder, power dynamics in relationships, mocking femininity, possessive male behavior, and the show's lack of diversity in New York City.
...
UFO and Alien Encounters
Ryan and Jason dive into 10 wild alien encounter stories — from reptilian face-pulling, star people, miscarriages replaced by alien babies, cloud beings, Tic Tac UFOs seen by military pilots, and more.
They mix skepticism, humor, and analysis while picking the "least believable" story at the end. Trigger warning: some stories involve sensitive themes.
0:00 – Intro & Ryan’s Crib Memory
9:04 – Patina Rodriguez Aguilar (Spaceship as Child)
16:05 – Michelle Marie (Alaska Pacific University)
21:57 – Dale Snipes (Reptilian Face Pull)
29:32 – Geraldine Rosco (Miscarriages & Alien Babies)
36:40 – Sharon Gilbert (Other Derek Reptilian)
43:56 – Lily Nova (Cloud Aliens & Star People)
50:55 –...
Sibling Rivalry That Ended in Tragedy (True Crime)
Ryan and Jason cover 10 real stories of sibling rivalries that ended in tragedy — from fights over WiFi passwords and dirty dishes to pizza ovens, borrowed t-shirts, religious differences, and more.
They mix dark humor with the shocking details while reminding listeners these are real tragedies. Trigger warning: violence and family loss discussed.
0:00 – Intro
4:54 – WiFi Password Choking
12:45 – Dirty Dishes Stabbing
16:04 – Pizza Oven Samurai Sword
23:08 – Religious Differences
29:40 – Car Seat Fight
35:39 – Family Honor Knife Attack
39:58 – Online Boyfriend Love Triangle
44:27 – Borrowed T-Shirt Shooting
50:55 – Inheritance Ax Handle
55:36 – Body Wash Shooting
57:30 – Worst Picks &
Ways That Technology Has Destroyed Privacy
Ryan and Jason break down 10 ways modern technology has destroyed our privacy — from biometric scanners and GPS tracking to voice interception, ISP monitoring, remote desktop apps, cookies, audio recordings, and social media.
They discuss how convenience comes at a huge cost, share real-world examples, and debate which invasion feels the worst. Classic brotherly banter with plenty of “what if” moments.
0:00 – Intro & Discord Plug
4:03 – Biometric Scanners
10:16 – Voice Interception
16:07 – Computer Surveillance
22:59 – Internet Never Forgets
26:06 – Online Cookies
30:39 – Video Conferencing & Zoom Risks
34:01 – GPS Tracking
36:58 – ISP Privileges
39:06 – Remote Desktop Apps
42:09 – Audio Recording...
Obscure Conspiracy Theories About the World We Live In
Ryan and Jason dive into 10 obscure (and wild) conspiracy theories — from the Earth being flat with no real trees, Australia not existing, the Denver Airport being Illuminati HQ, Princess Diana’s secret daughter, the world ending in 2012, and more.
They debate plausibility, share laughs, and pick their “least believable” theory at the end.
0:00 – Intro
5:05 – Simulation Theory
10:17 – Ronald Reagan 666
14:05 – No Real Trees / Flat Earth
23:00 – Tsunami Created by Nukes
26:53 – Australia Doesn’t Exist
29:58 – No Roman Empire
33:38 – Last Thursday Theory
37:26 – Princess Diana’s Daughter
40:39 – Denver Airport Illuminati
46:47 – World Ended in 2012
U2 - Achtung Baby | Their Best Album?
Ryan and Jason break down U2’s iconic 1991 album Achtung Baby — a complete sonic reinvention from The Joshua Tree era with tracks like “Zoo Station,” “One,” “Even Better Than the Real Thing,” “Mysterious Ways,” and “Love is Blindness.”
They discuss the album’s production, Edge’s guitar work, Bono’s emotional vocals, personal nostalgia, and why this remains one of their all-time favorites.
0:00 – Intro & album context
5:00 – Zoo Station & sonic shift
10:00 – Even Better Than the Real Thing
15:00 – One (deep discussion)
25:00 – Mysterious Ways
35:00 – Ultraviolet & Acrobat
45:00 – Love is Blindness (album closer)
50:00 – Worst song pick & final thoughts
Questions That Science Still Can't Answer
Ryan and Jason tackle 10 questions science still can't fully answer — from the existence of God to why we yawn, how memories work, black holes, ghosts, the placebo effect, and more.
A fun, thoughtful discussion blending science, personal stories, humor, and the limits of what we know.
0:00 – Intro
5:05 – Is there a God?
10:17 – How are memories stored & retrieved?
14:05 – Why do we dream?
23:00 – Why do we yawn?
26:53 – What is the universe made of?
29:58 – What happens after we die?
33:38 – Could we be cryogenically frozen?
37:26 – What's at the bottom of a black hole?
40:39...
Mötley Crüe - Dr. Feelgood | Full Album Review
Ryan & Jason take a nostalgic (and honest) deep dive into Mötley Crüe’s biggest commercial success — Dr. Feelgood (1989). They discuss every track, Bob Rock’s production, band stories, their first Crüe concert memories, and pick the worst song on the album.
0:00 – Intro & why they’re reviewing Dr. Feelgood
3:05 – Album background & commercial success
10:03 – First concert memories (Dr. Feelgood tour)
18:39 – TNT (intro) & Dr. Feelgood
29:54 – Slice of Your Pie
34:59 – Rattlesnake Shake
39:58 – Kickstart My Heart
46:58 – Without You
51:18 – Same Old Situation
56:56 – Sticky Sweet
1:00:07 – She Goes Down (Robin Zander guest vocals)
1:03:31 – Don’t...
Bizarre Phobias: Genophobia, Neophobia & More
Ryan & Jason dive into 10 bizarre and uncommon phobias that most people have never heard of. From genophobia (fear of chins) and syingophobia (fear of relatives), to ablutophobia (fear of bathing), neophobia (fear of new things), deipnophobia (fear of dinner conversations), arachibutyrophobia (fear of peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth), heliophobia (fear of sunlight), chorophobia (fear of dancing), gelotophobia (fear of laughter), and optophobia (fear of opening your eyes). They discuss how these phobias impact daily life and pick the absolute worst one.
0:00 – Welcome & episode intro
3:12 – Genophobia: Fear of chins
5:45 – Syngenophobia: Fear of rel...
Worst Lip Syncing Disasters in Music History
Ryan & Jason break down the worst lip-syncing fails in music history, from Audrey Hepburn not singing in My Fair Lady, to Milli Vanilli’s entire career being a fraud, Ashley Simpson’s SNL jig, Lindsay Lohan, Sarah Harding, Britney Spears, Beyoncé’s inauguration, Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, and Mariah Carey’s disastrous New Year’s Eve performance. They discuss why artists lip-sync, the expectations vs. reality gap, and which fail was the absolute worst.
0:00 – Intro & why lip-syncing happens
1:59 – Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady ghost singer
3:52 – Milli Vanilli full exposure & tragic outcome
8:58 – Ashley Simpson SNL lip-sync fail...
Elvis, Tupac, Epstein & More: Celebrity Death Conspiracies
Ryan & Jason dive into 10 famous people whose deaths are surrounded by conspiracy theories — from Elvis Presley and Tupac Shakur possibly faking their deaths, to Princess Diana, JFK Jr., Michael Jackson, Paul Walker, Steve Jobs, Jeffrey Epstein, Marilyn Monroe, and Osama bin Laden. They break down the evidence (or lack thereof), pick the “worst” (most believable) theories, and have fun discussing how these narratives persist.
0:00 – Intro & episode overview
0:58 – Michael Jackson conspiracy
3:52 – Princess Diana theories
7:10 – JFK Jr. death mysteries
11:17 – Elvis Presley still alive?
14:43 – Tupac Shakur faked death?
17:51 – Paul Walker car crash doubts
20:58 – Steve Job...
Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction: Greatest Debut Ever? We Pick the ONE Song We Skip
Join Ryan (@ryanrebalkin) and his brother Jason (@jmrgnr1973) on The Worst of the Best Podcast as they dive headfirst into the explosive 1987 debut that changed hard rock forever: Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction! From the iconic robot-rape cover controversy to the raw, street-level anthems that sold over 30 million copies worldwide, they break down the chaos, the riffs, the excess, and why this album still feels dangerous decades later.
Expect brotherly banter, personal stories of first listens (and questionable teenage decisions), track-by-track vibes on the hits that defined MTV and arenas alike, plus the gritty reality behind...
Real Boot Camp vs. Hollywood: 10 Misconceptions, Sharpshooter Lies & Our Shocking Pick
Join hosts Ryan and Jason on The Worst of the Best Podcast as they unpack the raw realities (and myths) behind military boot camp—perfect timing with global tensions heating up. Drawing from Ryan's 18+ years in the Canadian Navy (including stints as both recruit and instructor), they tease the surprises of basic training: from family contact rules to mental grit over muscle, "brainwashing" tactics, and why not everyone's a sharpshooter. Expect brotherly insights on teamwork, fatigue, patriotism, and how modern warfare has changed the game—plus their pick for the most off-base misconception that even caught them off guard.
Blink-182 - Enema of the State | 15 Million Reasons It’s Legendary… Except ONE Song
Join Ryan and Drew as they dive into the ultimate late-90s pop-punk explosion: Blink-182's massive 15-million-selling Enema of the State! From the iconic nurse cover to the breakthrough hits that defined a generation, they break down the riffs, juvenile humor, surprisingly heartfelt moments, and why this 1999 album turned Blink from skate-punk underdogs into MTV superstars.
Expect nostalgic stories, track-by-track vibes (the naked streaking video chaos, alien conspiracies, breakup anthems, and more), production shoutouts to Jerry Finn, and the big finale: their independent picks for the worst song on an album full of bangers. Whether you're...
Metallica - ...And Justice for All | Masterpiece or Overrated? We Pick the 'Worst' Song
Dive into the raw power and controversy of Metallica's ...And Justice for All on this episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast! Ryan and Jason break down one of the most iconic (and debated) thrash metal albums ever—Cliff Burton's shadow, Jason Newsted's infamous buried bass, peak aggression, and why fans still call it a masterpiece despite everything. From environmental destruction to political corruption, teenage angst, and personal demons, they tease the riffs, solos, and stories that made this 1988 release a turning point for Metallica.
We rank the tracks, share personal memories of discovering the band th...
Ordinary People Who Found MILLION-DOLLAR Treasures By Pure Luck
Ever wondered what happens when everyday people stumble across something extraordinary during a normal day? In this episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast, Ryan and Jason dive into 10 wild true stories of ordinary folks who turned walks in the park, lost tools, garage sale buys, and backyard digs into life-changing fortunes worth millions. From massive gold nuggets to forgotten historical relics and rare gems, these lucky (or insanely fortunate) discoveries prove that treasure can be hiding anywhere!
Join us for hilarious banter, family stories (including some from our own dad's excavator digs), and debates on...
Seen vs. Unseen Oscars: Our Picks for Worst Best Picture Winners
Join brothers Ryan and Jason on The Worst of the Best Podcast as they tackle Oscar Best Picture winners! They dive into culturally huge films they've seen (like Rocky, The Godfather, Schindler's List, No Country for Old Men, Unforgiven) and ones they haven't (Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, Annie Hall, Midnight Cowboy), sharing why some feel heavy or dated, others timeless, and picking their personal "worst" from each list. From gritty 70s classics to epic fantasies and tough watches, it's a fun, honest chat on what makes an Oscar winner endure—or not. Perfect for movie buffs questioning Hollywood's pi...
ZZ Top Eliminator: Greatest Hits Album Deep Dive – We Pick the Weakest Track
Dive into ZZ Top's iconic 1983 album Eliminator with hosts Ryan and Jason on The Worst of the Best Podcast! We revisit the massive hits that defined MTV era rock, think killer guitar solos, synth grooves, and hilarious innuendo-filled lyrics, while sharing personal memories (like Dad's cassette and drawing that famous Eliminator car as kids). We play clips, discuss the synth evolution, Billy Gibbons' genius, and the unique production (drum machines and all). Then, we crown the "worst of the best" track on this 20-million-selling masterpiece. Perfect for ZZ Top fans, 80s rock lovers, or anyone curious about what made...
Unpacking Annoying Behaviors – You Might Be Guilty Too!
Ever wondered why certain little things grind your gears in daily life? In this episode, hosts Ryan and Jason from the Worst of the Best Podcast dive into a hilarious rundown of common quirks that might just make you cringe, or laugh in recognition. Fresh off ship adventures, they share stories, debate the psychology behind irritation, and crown the absolute worst offenders. Perfect for anyone who's ever rolled their eyes at a pet peeve!
2025's Biggest Celebrity Losses | Whose Death was the Worst?!
Who were the biggest celebrities we lost in 2025? In this heartfelt 10th annual episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast, brothers Ryan and Jason pay tribute to the legends who passed away – from Ozzy Osbourne and Val Kilmer to Gene Hackman, Hulk Hogan, David Lynch, and more. We share personal memories, discuss their iconic roles and lasting impact, and pick the deaths that stung the most. A mix of laughs, reflection, and respect for the icons gone too soon.
Top Google Searches in 2025 - We Pick the WORST from Each Category !
In this end-of-year episode of The Worst of the Best podcast, hosts Ryan and Jason dive into Google's top U.S. trending searches for 2025, picking the "worst" from each category while reacting to viral crazes like the mischievous Labubu dolls, AI trends such as Ghibli filters and anxiety dances, and massive hits like Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters; they unpack heavy news spikes from Charlie Kirk's shocking assassination, the longest government shutdown, Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act and tariffs, alongside pop culture obsessions including iPhone 17, DeepSeek AI, and Erika Kirk's grieving book promo, all while debating kid-driven trends, celebrity...
Unexplained Events In 2025 | From Ghostly Castle Figures to Interstellar Comets!
What were the strangest unsolved mysteries of 2025? From vanished planes and faceless castle intruders to piles of human ashes in the desert, Ireland's UFO wave, AI-induced psychosis, a missing 4-year-old in the outback, and the bizarre monthly banana plates. Ryan and special guest Andy break down the year's most intriguing unexplained events. We dive deep, share theories, and pick our "worst" (least compelling) mysteries. Which one still haunts you?
Celebrities Who Passed Away in 2024
Who were the biggest names we lost in 2024? In this heartfelt episode of The Worst of the Best Podcast, brothers Ryan and Jason dive into the incredible lives, careers, and enduring legacies of iconic celebrities from Hollywood classics, music legends, sports heroes, and more. We celebrate their achievements, share some laughs, and reflect on why their influence lives on forever.
Packed with thought-provoking stories, sibling banter, and a mix of humor—don't miss our tribute to those gone too soon.
