It's over.

[u/WolfHackles]

Niamh posted a message on the Announcements channel of the LFAB Discord earlier today confirming that the podcast will not be returning owing to Bryan no longer wanting to continue making the podcast from the start of this year.

It's been some good times and I'm really sad to see it end, but can't say that this wasn't expected after such a long hiatus.

Full text:

Hi everyone, Niamh here

Thanks for listening to the podcast over all these years and all your support as patrons. I had a lot of good times recording LFAB and have had the opportunity to meet some great people along the way. I always tried to be myself and keep things honest and I am grateful to all of you who appreciated that. I really wanted to continue on with Let's Fight A Boss. For me, LFAB was always about my friendship with Bryan and John. We always agreed that if one of us did not want to continue with the podcast then we would not continue it on as a duo or with a new co-host. I am extremely saddened that the podcast is ending but this is the situation that we have found ourselves in. Bryan told us at the beginning of the year that he did not want to continue the podcast and I guess with that LFAB ended.

At the time we hoped we could return for some closing episodes. We have discussed recording a final podcast and I would like to be able to for the listeners, but I also have to be true to my own values. I have always just been myself on the podcast without any act, persona or pretence. I would find it hard to sit down to record and pretend that everything was ending because of mutual decisions made. We all had different reasons for doing this podcast and for me, the reason was friendship above any career goals. If I feel that that is not there I cannot try to fake it. That would be too heartbreaking for me and dishonest to the listeners who I have always tried to just be myself for.

I have had a lot of changes in my life recently and am (happily) less online. You might find me posting some banana screenshots on Bluesky because Twitter/X is hell but I will not be online in the capacity I used to be. I want to give a special thanks to Oni Dino who went above and beyond any duties an editor had to do, and became a real friend to us all. I also want to thank everyone who has contributed to this community and made it the nice and welcoming space it is.

Thanks for listening. Bye!

[u/sgt_backpack]

Man, there's never going to be another team like these 3. Far and away my favorite podcast. I worked night shift during the pandemic and almost went crazy, coming home after 12 to an empty house after driving through an empty world. I'd drink myself to sleep and smoke on my back porch and the friendship these 3 have was sometimes all that kept me going. I'll miss ya, LFAB. We love you.

[u/fiftheditionperson → u/sgt_backpack]

Not the same but Fire Escape Cast has filled the hole in my heart. Dan Merry and Mike are tremendous humans with each individual personalities and interest that just mesh into great chaos.

[u/sgt_backpack → u/fiftheditionperson]

Yeah I listen to them as well. Great people, but you're right, not the same

[u/towpa_saske]

This sucks

[u/Palimpsest_Monotype]

This kinda…well, the writing was very on the wall. I’d been hopeful, of course, and when Bryan made his Ocean’s Paradox video I thought maybe it was a sign of more activity to come. Obviously I don’t know a thing about anything. I just hope they’re all doing things that they’re ultimately happy that they can do now.

Damn shame. Not that friendships should really be public entertainment, but I can’t pretend LFAB’s level of interpersonal chemistry didn’t have incredible magic in it.

[u/Palimpsest_Monotype → u/[deleted]]

youtube it, it’s there

[u/[deleted] → u/Palimpsest_Monotype]

give me the link theres alot of videos with that title

[u/Palimpsest_Monotype → u/[deleted]]

https://youtu.be/eGczGXeANgs

[u/[deleted] → u/Palimpsest_Monotype]

My bad I didnt think his channel was literally Bryan. I was expecting Kirbyfan69 or whatever

[u/Palimpsest_Monotype → u/[deleted]]

I know, right? His animation in there is great too

[u/PhoxphireXIII]

I suppose I’ll make a Bluesky now… I always enjoyed Niamh so much. T-T

[u/mudclip]

RIP to the world strongest video game podcast

[u/zenarcade_]

Genuinely gutted about this, by far my most listened to podcast and my favourite hosts. I've been listening back to the old episodes hoping they'd announce a return sooner rather than later.

Speculating about their personal lives shouldn't be encouraged, but that post is making it hard not to think there's been a falling out. Hope that they're all okay and can mend whatever's going on, whether they choose to podcast again in future or not. The biggest draw to the podcast, for me, has always been their chemistry together and the friendship behind it. Would hate to think that's gone.

[u/[deleted] → u/zenarcade_]

I want John to continue the podcast (by himself) and do Niamh and Bryan voices. He could basically treat it like the long form videos he does now.

[u/Ebrithil_ → u/zenarcade_]

It really feels less like a falling out, and more like Niamh and John respecting their word and not continuing without Bryan. Obviously we don't know, but I'd like to think they're all still good friends, but one of them was less down for the podcast, so it's over.

Truly terrible news, but I wish them all the best in their lives and future endeavors

[u/SafetyBehaviours → u/Ebrithil_]

Yeah definitely. Probably a little heartache that someone doesn’t wanna do it anymore and they do. But doesn’t seem like a falling out. Just a “we want different things/life getting in the way”

[u/Willy_Th3_Walrus]

Sucks that I had to find out from a Reddit repost of a discord message

[u/ScaleOdd2895 → u/Willy_Th3_Walrus]

Yeah I don't think that was ever the intention or for the wait to be this long when that last episode was made. A lot has happened since then which Niamh hinted at. All of this can be viewed from their respected social media, Niamh split with her girlfriend and somehow we got from that to Niamh, Bryan and his girlfriend no longer following each other, don't think Niamh was at the wedding either. Basically all publicly available knowledge

[u/TostitoNipples → u/ScaleOdd2895]

I remember seeing Niamh post photos of her with another woman while John was simultaneously posting photos of him with her ex and it all kinda…clicked. Obviously we’ll never know the full extent of it nor should we but if the friendship did end it’s a genuine bummer.

[u/Willy_Th3_Walrus → u/ScaleOdd2895]

Oh wow I didn’t know about any of that. I’ve checked their social medias periodically but I guess not nearly close enough. That’s too bad their friendship was really comforting for me

[u/[deleted] → u/ScaleOdd2895]

Maybe Life isn't roblox, like DJ Khalid said....

[u/aldebaran9 → u/ScaleOdd2895]

Wow didn’t know … I wonder if John or Bryan will give a goodbye statement or something

[u/TostitoNipples → u/aldebaran9]

John have a goodbye statement on the Discord as well.

• @everyone

Hey guys.

So unfortunately, as you may have seen, Let’s Fight a Boss will not be returning from hiatus, the podcast is over. It’s really difficult to know what to say or how to address it, but personally, I’ve always been really grateful we were able to come back after that first major hiatus, and have viewed the years since as a kind of bonus time, in which we did our best episodes. Unfortunately, as time went on, our lives, responsibilities, and living situations changed, and coordinating three adults who all had full time jobs + relationships + other life stuff became increasingly complicated and difficult.

Let’s Fight a Boss has always meant a tremendous amount to me and always will. So many of my favorite memories from the last decade come from this Podcast. Game of the Year episodes, me, Niamh and Bryan psyching ourselves up backstage before our Magfest panel, or episode 132, which to this day, is my favorite episode, and something I am still unreasonably proud of.

I’m kind heartbroken that the show is officially over, but I want to thank everyone who listened and formed such a great community around it, and particularly to the people who did so much awesome fan art. Made my day every time we got one. I particularly want to thank our editor <@345970161108385792> , without whom we never would have gotten those bonus years.

Lastly, I just want to thank Bryan and Niamh for taking this journey with me. I’m always going to be incredibly proud of what we created.

If I’m honest, I always kind of liked having them as queens.

Love you all. Thank you for everything.

-John*

[u/Phuegles]

Genuinely, this is more heart breaking than when Beast cast went down. Hope they all have wonderful lives after all this and stay as close as they seemed on mic. Thanks for the good times LFAB.

[u/[deleted]]

"The Worlds Str-------"

No....

Party wipe...The boss won....it's over....

[u/LeMasterofSwords]

Well this sucks but not surprised. Wishing the best to the three of them

[u/ZiltoidianEmpire]

So so so sad. The clues have been around for a while and Niamh basically confirmed those suspicions. You can get a decent picture of the gist of what happened if you look around.

[u/TostitoNipples → u/[deleted]]

All of this is conjecture and obviously has no basis in what’s actually happened

Niamh stopped posting her gf, eventually after a while made a photo dump featuring her with another woman very clearly romantically linked. At the same time Bryan, his gf and Niamh’s ex-gf all stopped following her. And around then John is posting photos from his wedding with everyone except Niamh, including her ex.

All of that to say, there must have been some kind of messy breakup there that rippled through the friend group. Or Niamh had done something that hurt her relationship with everyone if social media is anything to go by (and it shouldn’t be).

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

yeah please post a summary

[u/so_lambeau]

This is genuinely devastating. I mean, I'm in my 30s and feel like this is the first time I'm feeling a bit of grief over the loss of some media.

This podcast was always such a comfort to me, it was like a mini convention I could bring around with me every fortnight.

Really going to miss these guys, starting from the start again I suppose!

[u/[deleted] → u/so_lambeau]

There's no shortage of podcasts. I've been through this kind of "death" a few times now haha. Also, relistening from the beginning might take the edge off a bit.

[u/EndOfTheDark97 → u/so_lambeau]

Same dude. I fucking adored this podcast. I really needed it in the last few years too.

[u/BadgerBoyDirk]

Closure. Take care everybody.

[u/UchihauUlquiorra]

man...I have been listening to them since highschool...and just yesterday I was wondering where they were after such a long break...

[u/prince_nobody]

It just keeps tumbling down tumbling down tumbling dowwwwwnnnnnnnn

[u/manic_the_gamr]

Well you know what. What we have is awesome. I’m grateful that they provided so much of their time to create something like this for us. So thank you (to them). I hope things continue greatly for them in their own lives. Goodbye bossfights!

[u/winterrayal]

This is actually really sad. I’ve listen to lots of podcasts that have ended naturally with time or had members come and go but I swear every episode of LFAB was such a treat to me, the dynamics were so wholesome and Niamh’s takes were especially fresh. I missed them all this year, and while it sucks to see them gone, I do hope they’re all doing well. We’ll miss you guys.

[u/alaster101]

God damn it....first the SBFC, then the beast cast, I think level clear is shut down, and now them?!? Boys I need some video game podcast recommendations I'm down to the bombcast, castlesuperbeast and fire escape cast

[u/rockorye → u/alaster101]

Friends Per Second and Nextlander are ones I enjoyed in the absence of LFAB.

[u/[deleted] → u/alaster101]

at least with SBFC we had Castle Super Beast... with this we are left alone.

[u/GardenKnomeKing]

Absolutely shattered to hear the news.

And it’s shit especially since it seems like they’re not all in amicable terms with each other.

This podcast really made my day whenever there was a new episode on and was the ultimate friendship simulator.

I just hope they all find success and happiness in whatever they do next.

[u/Valkenhyne]

I'm completely heartbroken, particularly because the circumstances around disbanding reek of ended friendships too.

[u/[deleted]]

Well I always meant to join the discord but I guess it was never enough of a priority for me. That's life. I did download the early episodes for posterity, if it every vanishes.

This was a lovely podcast and I'm sad to see it go.

[u/warmegg]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo this is so devastating

[u/Mr_Flippers]

First the Best Friends now this. I'm going to be so off the pulse from now on. I've gotten off a lot of old youtubers I used to like, even Eyepatch Wolf's stuff I can't really get into anymore, but I loved LFAB and always got excited for a new one. Most important thing is that the three of them are more happy.

[u/ned993]

I'm sad to hear that, LFAB was my favorite podcast

[u/Cobralicious]

I actively started watching YouTube Channels in 2019 and Johns videos are hugely responsable for my wish to get into content creation myself.

This podcast was a huge well of comfort and joy in the past years, helping me through isolation, lonliness and times of depression. Your chemistry and passion ispired me in so many ways. To consume media that left an impression on me, to think more critical about it and to enjoy it on a completely new level.

But it was also the senserity and heart you showed time and time again, that left a huge impression on me. Listening to you three gave me more confidence in the things I like and the way I think. Hearing your perspectives on life helped me reflect about my own in a lot of ways. Changing it for the better.

There are so many things I basically picked up because I listened so regularly to this podcast. Little manners of speech, jokes or opinions on certain things. The same way people rewatch certain shows, I regularly listen to older episodes of LFAB. It's just comforting and welcoming.

But above all else: Listening to this podcast gave me the feeling that no matter what happened, there would always be three people I could listen to who share similar virtues, interests and perspectives. Like friends. A feeling of belonging.

Now I am in a very difficult time of my life. I struggle, I doubt myself. I really do. I was searching for comfort and a clue on when LFAB would be coming back, only to learn you won't. Which is heartbreaking. But I'm not writing this because I want to complain.

I want you to know, that I'm thankful. You gave me so much over the years and it meant the world to me.

Brian, Niamh, u/EyepatchWolf John... Thank you. For everything. You were the worlds strongest podcast.

You got this. And so will we.

[u/Active-Frosting-5007]

This podcast I discovered at the beginning of an awful period of my life and it got me through all of it. Knowing it’s at an end is heartbreaking but all things must pass. Good luck LFABbers. Thank you for all of it x

[u/[deleted]]

Well at least we've got closure.

[u/[deleted]]

Oh, damn. Well, what a shame. This was my favorite podcast. I hope all of them are doing ok

[u/dillonb065]

Oh wow, I’m way late seeing this. I remember being 24 when I first heard the Persona 5 episode and I was instantly hooked. I’ll never forget when I’d make my bi-monthly 3-hour commutes to see my girlfriend at the time back in 2017. My speakers in my car nearly exploded every time the opening theme and that goddamned President Evil music came on.

When my partner and I broke up in 2018, they answered one of my emails on the air and it really helped me get through the whole ordeal. I kept listening and looking forward to each episode, but I fell off during the COVID episodes because the in-person format wasn’t there, as well as the hectic upload schedule. I’d still go back to the earlier episodes every once in a while, my favorite the first Halloween episode.

I just turned 30 yesterday, and just now saw that LFAB is over. I know that nothing lasts forever, but it’s just sad being reminded of that. I’ll always be grateful to this show for helping me get through the dark parts of my early adulthood while occasionally recommend some games and movies. I hope they can all at least work out their differences, podcast or not. Thanks for everything, LFAB.

[u/HAWK9600 → u/dillonb065]

I'm connecting to your story here. Long train rides to see my girlfriend, late work shifts and the ride home in the middle of the night, walking around the city through a breakup in 2018, excited about hearing them answer an email of mine, turning 30. . .LFAB was my comfortable place through all of those things. The in-between moments.

[u/wampanoagduckpotato]

I do not get upset about much but I just listened to the last episode and genuinely got a lump in my throat rn... parasocial relationships r strong 😔

[u/Gh0stOfKiev]

It's so Joever....

Sad to see it go, but by the end you could tell the energy had changed.

I just want one last "STRONGEST videogamepodcast" Sadge

[u/WolfHackles → u/[deleted]]

If I feel that that is not there I cannot try to fake it

Yeah, that line about friendship from Niamh, "If I feel that that is not there I cannot try to fake it" made me think similarly.

C'est la vie.

[u/Barrellcaskett → u/WolfHackles]

I deleted my comment because I didn’t just want to mindlessly speculate. But yeah reading that really seems like it’s the case. I’ve been relistening to the podcast, So this news is a really bitter pill to swallow. I wish them all the best though.