Kingdom Hearts has always flown in the eye of a swirling storm of rumors. It’s been a part of the fandom going back as long as we can remember - and honestly, to a certain extent, that’s probably how the game devs want it! But with wild rumors come wild (and even sometimes impossible) runaway expectations. In the first half, we’ll examine the role of the KH rumor mill in our beloved community: How much of a rumor mill is fun and healthy? And when does passion become poison? And in the back half, we’ll take a look at the latest rumor across the transom: is a KH1 Remake secretly on its way?

Sponsors

- GFW Clothing, button-up shirts for all bodies. Use the code “SIMPLE12” for 12% off your first order!

Credits

- Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin

- Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte

- A member of Multitude

- Support us on Patreon

About Us

Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.

Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We welcome writer, illustrator, YouTube artist & podcaster Caldwell Tanner onto the pod to pour over the unaired Kingdom Hearts animatic pilot! Hot on the heels of the release of the first game, Disney ordered the creation of a pilot episode for a potential KH animated series. But in 2003, anime and Japanese media had not quite taken hold in the US - and so unlike the games which take so many cues from anime, this pilot leans in a decidedly Disney direction. How do these choices stand up 20 years on? What might we change, now that anime is slightly more mainstream among Western audiences? And what other juicy details can Caldwell give us from working inside the Disney animation machine himself?

Sponsors

- Cornbread Hemp, USDA-certified organic CBD products grown in Kentucky. Use code “simpleandclean” for 25% off your order at cornbreadhemp.com

Credits

- Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin

- Guest: Caldwell Tanner

- Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte

- A member of Multitude

- Support us on Patreon

About Us

Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.

Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The son returns! Game master and podcaster David Tilstra’s back, and boy is he winnin’ son! David had high praise for the first Kingdom Hearts game even though it’s been over 20 years since its release. So, rather than squander that goodwill on a card-based battle system, Mayanna’s brought him right to the good stuff: Kingdom Hearts 2. What’s David’s favorite new world? What does he think about the changes to combat, exploration, the Gummi Ship, and more? Have the lessons continued to resonate for an adult finding the series for the first time?

Sponsors

- Insert Coin - where you can get 10% off with code “SIMPLEANDCLEAN” at insertcoinclothing.com!

Credits

- Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin

- Guest: David Tilstra

- Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte

- A member of Multitude

- Support us on Patreon

About Us

Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.

Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As passionate fans of a media property, sometimes all you want is to be able to display that love in your house, or on your body to others. But for Kingdom Hearts fans, the search for cool merchandise was a long and often fruitless one for many years. The merch landscape has changed drastically in the years since Kingdom Hearts first released, and where in our childhoods we often had to resort to homemade stuff, in 2026 there’s thankfully a plethora of options to wear your KH love on your sleeve. What is the role of merchandise in fandom? And what is it about little plastic guys that means so much to Mayanna?

Sponsors

- GFW Clothing, button-up shirts for all bodies. Use the code “SIMPLE12” for 12% off your first order!

Credits

- Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin

- Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte

- A member of Multitude

- Support us on Patreon

About Us

Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.

Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The epic quest of Kingdom Hearts takes Sora, Donald, and Goofy through space, hopping from world to world. But how are they like, physically doing it? Enter the Gummi Ship, the blockiest ride since the Scion xB. The Gummi Ship is a staple feature of the major console installments, giving these big marquee games a sense of size and scale that handheld consoles simply can’t contain while also giving the game’s biggest opportunity for customization… even if the Gummi Ship Builder is pretty clunky. It’s also one feature of the games that gets a major overhaul every time it appears - from a slow-moving obstacle to fun in KH1, to an adrenaline-fueled bullet-hell in KH2, to a wide-open space to explore in KH3. So we gotta ask, after all this iteration… is the Gummi Ship fun?

Sponsors

- Cornbread Hemp, USDA-certified organic CBD products grown in Kentucky. Use code “simpleandclean” for 25% off your order at cornbreadhemp.com

Credits

- Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin

- Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte

- A member of Multitude

- Support us on Patreon

About Us

Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.

Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s bigger, it’s badder, it’s popping off all over the place!! Kingdom Hearts 2 attempts to expand upon its predecessor in every fathomable direction. Sora, Riku & Kairi are back and have never looked better, Jack Sparrow’s weirdly-more-realistic face is oddly endearing, Mulan and Tifa and Tron and Yuna Rikku & Payne (it’s showtime girls) are all here, and not only is Mickey Mouse fully in the game but he’s PLAYABLE! We’re dual-wielding keyblades, we’re fighting epic bosses with custom in-battle cutscene moves… Even the Gummi Ship is fun now?? No wonder the fandom widely considers this the best game of the series. The only way we’re going to properly react to it all is to bring back our OG recapper and good friend Oscar Montoya to laugh, cry, gasp & gag along with us.

For an even deeper dive, check out this edit of MC Chris’ “KHII vs RE4” rant, which has been stuck in Mischa’s head for over 20 years. (Warning: it’s rough. It’s a 20-year-old Internet comedy video.)

Sponsors

- Neighborhood House, support communities built by immigrants & refugees on St. Paul’s West Side for over 128 years.

Credits

- Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin

- Guest: Oscar Montoya

- Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte

- A member of Multitude

- Support us on Patreon

About Us

Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.

Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He may wield the element of fire, but Axel might just be the coolest character in this (or indeed, any) game series! Long red spiky hair, piercing green eyes, a smirk that makes teens swoon, and a heart that literally grows in front of your very eyes… no wonder Saïx can’t get over him. Step with us through the story as Axel goes from fun-loving street teen to wild scheming assassin - and then, somehow, despite enormous odds, back again. And now that he’s got his heart back, along with a Keyblade and a set of solid friends at his back, where might his next quest take him in future games?

Sponsors

- Neighborhood House, support communities built by immigrants & refugees on St. Paul’s West Side for over 128 years.

Credits

- Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin

- Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte

- A member of Multitude

- Support us on Patreon

About Us

Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.

Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where once shone a beacon of light among the many worlds, now stands an empty fortress upon a shattered landscape. Its inner workings, once dedicated to the betterment of all through the study of science and magic, are now twisted to suit Xehanort’s dark schemes, leaving a gaping wound in the skin of the world. Can those who were forced to flee the Hollow Bastion return, and restore it to its former glory? With all it’s been through, can the hearts of those who love it make the Radiant Garden shine again?

Sponsors

- Whittier Alliance, a neighborhood group providing support to families impacted by ICE kidnappings

Credits

- Created & hosted by: Mischa Stanton & Mayanna Berrin

- Music: “Sunset Dew” by Lupus Nocte

- A member of Multitude

- Support us on Patreon

About Us

Simple and Clean is a show where hosts Mischa Stanton and Mayanna Berrin (and friends) talk about Kingdom Hearts, a little video game franchise about really big feelings. We attempt to unravel how this deceptively expansive game series has touched an entire generation of deeply earnest weirdos - and along the way, we may realize that what we’re talking about might not be just a video game, but a whole lot more.

Never heard of Kingdom Hearts? That’s okay! We’re here to break it down for you, explain why we love it, and hopefully to convince you that this weird little story deserves a place in your heart. Join us as we discuss the plot, characters, world building, music, fashion, fanbase, and societal impact of a thing that by all means, probably shouldn’t even exist. New episodes every Sunday!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.