On the sophomoric episode of Sect of the Weird, we throw out all previously-established conventions and enjoy the company of a mysterious guest, all in aid of getting to the heart of one of the most enigmatic voices in horror: Shirley Jackson, author of The Haunting of Hill House and The Lottery. By the end, our host won't be quite so comfortable in his warm study as he once was...

As always thanks to Arthel Hayes for her patience, dedication to, and talent at portraying the mythical "Margaret" and for providing the bookending quotes for today's episode.

Welcome back to the Adventures Await podcast! You’ve packed your bags and now it’s time for your first flight across the globe! Did you guess where we are traveling? That’s right, we’re heading to Spain! During this episode of Adventures Await, Brooke will give you quick thoughts and tips all about Spain and then a special guest, Noa will give you insight into Spain that you may not know about!

Jacob Smith takes listeners on a surreal voyage through one of the seminal works of Jorges Luis Borges, exploring the thin, blurry line between fiction and reality. Enjoy books like House of Leaves or Pale Fire? Then you'll not want to miss this one!

Special thanks to Arthel Hayes for providing the readings that bookend today's episode!

Welcome to the first episode of Adventures Await! Get ready to pack your bags and go on a trip around the world with Brooke over the next six episodes! During this first episode of Adventures Await, Brooke will give some quick thoughts and tips before going on a trip. After this, special guest Claire will join Brooke, where she will give her travel experiences!

The 2024 Season has ended and champions have been crowned!

GRIT & GRIND REWIND
4A, 3A, 1A State Championship Games

4A Rolesville (23) v Grimsley (35)
3A 71st (7) v West Charlotte (14)

Coaches Corner
Coach Sam Greiner West Charlotte Lions Coach

1A Tarboro (45) v Corvian Community (24)

Coaches Corner
Coach Jeff Craddock Tarboro Viking Head Coach

Commissioner Coroner
Interview with NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker

Seniors Send Off

Bloopers/Highlights

🎮 This Week on Hitbox: Episode 8 – Stardew Valley & Dragon's Dogma 2! 🎙️

Prepare your potions and sharpen your swords because this week’s episode of Hitbox is packed with nostalgia, hot takes, and wild ideas! Here’s what’s coming up:

🌾 Segment 1 – Flashback: Stardew Valley
Sky and Josh dive into the cozy chaos of Stardew Valley! From epic farm builds to hilarious town drama, they reminisce about their most memorable moments in one of gaming’s most beloved indies.

🐉 Segment 2 – Video Game Spotlight: Dragon's Dogma 2
It’s time to take on mythical beasts! Josh and Sky share their first impressions of Dragon's Dogma 2. How does it stack up to the original, and what’s their verdict on the 1-to-10 scale? The results may surprise you!

🎥 Segment 3 – What Anime Would Make a Great Open-World RPG?
Naruto? One Piece? Attack on Titan? Sky and Josh brainstorm which anime deserves the open-world RPG treatment—and how it could redefine gaming.

🔔 Don’t miss Episode 8 of Hitbox! Tune in for the latest gaming deep dives, outrageous opinions, and plenty of laughs. Available now wherever you listen to podcasts! 🎧

Game on! 🎮

IT'S CHAMPIONSHIP HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TIME!

Shawn and Deryl recap last week's regional games and PREVIEW this weekend's exciting action in Raleigh and Chapel Hill!

0:00 Intro
1:43 Rewind
12:54 Players of the Week
16:03 Marquee Matchups
36:50 Quick Picks

GRIT & GRIND REWIND
Rolesville vs Cardinal Gibbons
Wilson Prep vs Tarboro
Jacksonville vs Seventy-First

GRIT PLAYER OF THE WEEK
GRIND PLAYER OF THE WEEK

State Championships MARQUEE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Friday night 4A 5 Rolesville vs 1 Grimsley
Saturday 3A Seventy-First vs West Charlotte
Saturday 1A Corvian Community vs Tarboro
Saturday 2A Northeastern vs Monroe

QUICK PICKS
Rolesville vs Grimsley
Seventy-First vs West Charlotte
Tarboro vs Corvian Community
Northeastern vs Monroe

Segment 1: Flashback – Video Game Awards 2024 Results
In this segment, the hosts dive into the results of the 2024 Video
Game Awards. They discuss the major winners, surprises, and any snubs
that stood out. From Game of the Year to Best Narrative, the hosts
break down key categories and share their thoughts on the awards,
reflecting on the standout moments and the games that truly made an
impact this year.

Segment 2: Video Game Spotlight – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
The spotlight shifts to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a new game
in the beloved action-adventure franchise. The hosts explore the
game’s narrative, gameplay mechanics, and the experience of playing as
the iconic archaeologist. They analyze how the game balances classic
Indy charm with fresh ideas and discuss whether it lives up to the
legacy of previous titles in the series.

Segment 3: Favorite Games We’ve Gotten for Christmas
In this heartfelt segment, the hosts reminisce about the video games
they've received as Christmas gifts over the years. They share
personal stories about the impact these games had on their gaming
journeys, from childhood favorites to recent surprises. It’s a fun,
nostalgic look at how gaming has been part of their holiday
traditions.