Into the Aether · April 10, 2026 · 5 hr 52 min
Persona 4 Golden | Bonus Episode
Stephen and Brendon discuss the entirety of Persona 4 Golden and answer questions about friendship, social psychology, and what it's like to be a maligned cartoon bear in the human world. Discussed: Persona 4 Golden ITA's PS1 Playlist Matt Horton's video essay on P4G for Flow State "It's Time to Talk About it: Atlus, Naoto, and Transphobia" by Mattie Brice "Atlus, We Haven't Forgotten Your Mishandling of LGBTQ Characters" by Carol Grant "Persona 4's Identity Crisis Invalidates its Themes" by Lucas White "Denial of the Self: Queer Characters in Persona 4" by Carolyn Petit Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast --- Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social --- Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/ Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/ --- Timecodes: (00:00) - "Shadow World" composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata, lyrics by Benjamin Franklin (00:10) - There's no way you thought this would actually be lowkey right? (02:52) - Hey welcome to the show! (05:12) - The culmination of an eight year journey (13:30) - Stephen's history with the franchise (23:28) - General thoughts (01:05:42) - Should you start with this one? (01:11:32) - Spoiler checkpoint! (01:11:53) - "Time to Make History" Composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata, lyrics by Benjamin Franklin (01:12:29) - FINAL SPOILER WARNING (01:14:10) - How it begins (01:25:24) - The first dungeon (01:27:22) - Teddie pt. 1 (01:31:29) - Yukiko and the first dungeon (01:46:28) - The progress-gating (02:00:09) - "Signs of Love" Composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata (02:00:34) - It's Kanji time (02:21:48) - Dojima and Nanako (02:27:50) - The fridge (02:29:08) - The family unit (02:31:53) - Rise (02:40:47) - Teddie pt. 2 (02:51:35) - The Summer (02:57:46) - Naoto (03:06:17) - We've got the full party! (03:08:20) - "Heartbeat, Heartbreak" Composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata (03:08:54) - The endings (03:18:51) - How was the final reveal? (03:25:31) - SPOILERS FOR PERSONA 5 INCOMING (03:26:56) - The culprit's motivations and moving toward the true ending (03:35:31) - Fighting God (03:38:21) - The Jungian lectures (03:48:10) - The final months (04:04:28) - The ski trip (04:16:30) - The epilogue (04:20:21) - "Reach Out To The Truth" Composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata (04:20:45) - Listener questions (04:20:59) - Favorite way to make tofu from Jared (feat Percia) (04:26:44) - Stephen's prop (04:39:28) - Favorite and least favorite social links from Everyone (05:08:04) - Dream/Nightmare blunt rotations from Neo Geo Pocket (05:09:35) - Adjusting arcana from Lex (05:13:34) - What is it like replaying Personas from Neo Geo Pocket (05:18:43) - Favorite vocal performance from Ashley (05:20:59) - Best visual/mechanical boss design AND best track from Matt (05:25:03) - Era appropriate albums from Brittlemoon (05:29:15) - Arcana resonance from Brady (05:31:36) - Antagonist comparison from King Blackjack (05:33:50) - What music genre from Biscuit (05:38:08) - Chapter 50 (05:50:22) - THAT'S IT --- Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members: Brian M SuperThisWay Nick G Starfallrondo Susan H 0nlygh0sts Vincent J Patrick K Ed A Samantha D North Hero Sam H Snzzn Gregory Mark S Cmndr Biscuit iceman Christian H Rydan B Caleb H Arden F Eye of the Duck Kale Nathan E J. H. A joelchrono Mellow Matthew B Robin LP SeekingSeaking Jimmers zoey! Vinny M Matt Kerry K Brian M Noah D Zach D Christopher TD Hugo W Todd Chris B Lukerfuffle Stephen Y Daniel G Eric F Taran W Brendan O Chris Z Clayton M Zach R Dylan N Federico V Tigerz Revenge Logan H Alan R John A Mike L mattjanzz David M HeavyPixels Kaleb H Tyler J Corey Z Susan H Barry T Robert R Chris J Brett Allen H Dan S Jack S Garrett C jimiibo John H Dirch F Jim E Jim W Tristan L Evan B AwfulHanzo min2 Aaron G Jean H Todd N red_wagon Neil Peter B John V v Erik M Redmage77 Joshua J Tony L Danny K Gibson G Kate Duncan B Richard M Daniel N Seth M James Andy H Demo Emma Lyn E Corey T Caleb W Jake L Jesse W Mike T Codes Matt B Wesley mebezac Alex L Sergio L ninjadeathdog Rory B A42PoundMoose Robert M Michael W Andrew this_JUSTIN Ryan O 14.3 billion years Brendan K Megan B SecretAgentKoala Noah O Arcturus Andrew W hepahe Chase A LoveDies Nick Q Chris M RB Karen H Adam F Scott H Alexander S Matt H Murray David P Jason K Micah O Kamrin H Andrew D Kyle S Philip N ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ]]>