All good things must come to an end.

After 8+ years, the time has finally arrived to hang up the podcasting gear on this ranking journey. Over the years, we have laughed, cried, passionately yelled at each other, and came together to rank numerous glorious Top 5 lists.

In this final episode, the A-Team (Tuong La, Angus MacDonald, Samantha Leggatt, & Leslie Cserepy) reminisce on the humble beginnings of the show, go through our favourite moments, hear from an all-star lineup of past guests, talk about what topics we would have done if this show kept going, and of course rank some shit (because obviously).

We want to thank everyone for joining Tuong La and all of our guests on this insane rollercoaster of a podcast where we ranked everything from the obscure, serious, thought provoking, delicious, silly, and most random topics we could think of. It was never about the lists (they literally don't matter as the podcast title implies). It was all about building community, having interesting conversations, and coming together on a thing while having a whole heck of a lot of fun along the way. So with that said, we are beyond proud of what we achieved with Ranked.

So thank you for listening to Ranked: Top 5 Lists of Stuff That Don't Matter and for being part of this special thing. See you around the PodCavern.

PS If you didn't like or agree with any of our past Top 5 lists, in the holy words of the Mayor of the PodCavern Leslie Cserepy....Fuck you <3

Top 5, top 5, top 5.

-Tuong

To all the ones who came in second. People have been wondering what we could possibly rank for our penultimate episode of this show. Well our answer is it's time to uplift the unsung heroes. The ones that almost got their time in the sun and spotlight but never quite went the distance. They are the almost-winners, the bridesmaid but never the bride, the silver medalist. And so just like this being the second last episode, it's time to bring in the second place team in all of Ranked as that was only fitting to tackle this very topic. Join the B-Team Laura Gordon, Sarah MacDonald, Bradley Sales, and Leslie Cserepy as they lock Tuong in a box and embrace the glory that they finally deserve while ranking Top 5 Runners Up.

Time to SPIN THAT WHEEEEL!

Back in 2021, in the thick of the pandemic, when we were all going a little stir crazy and desperately clinging to any ways to have human connection, an idea was born. From the rubble of boredom and the craving to do something new came an ambitious Top 5 improv-style game show called The Ranky Roulette. The show was a great success, and the plan was to do it once every single year with new guests, custom SFX, and bigger productions. Alas, things didn't work out that way, but as we near the end of this show, we would be remiss not to give this format another spin! So join your game show host Tuong La and comeback contestants Angus MacDonald, Samantha Leggatt, and Leslie Cserepy as they get another crack at showing off their ranking skills to be crowned the next "Ranky Ruler of the Realm"!

Out of the cavern and onto the open road!

Road trips and snacks go hand-in-hand like salt & pepper, rock & roll, and tourists & fanny packs. They just belong together. Whether you are are going for a short distance or in it for the long haul, it's always a good idea to be packing some tasty goods to help sustain you through your journey. But there are certain foods out there that are waaay better to bring with you on a voyage and we are here to share those secrets to our dear listeners. So join Tuong La and Road Warriors Kristine Shadid, Marc Quintaneiro, and Amanda Parker as they cruise down the freeway and stuff their faces while ranking Top 5 Road Trip Snacks.

The Chip Chums do Hot Ones!

From the legends that brought you Top 5 Chips and Top 5 Weird Chip Flavours comes our ranking finale as a group. But don't worry, we have a smoking hot episode lined up for you this week as we turn our taste buds into a fiery pit of podcast gold for your listening pleasure. So join Tuong La and Chip Chums Hayley Kellett, Simone Dorie, and Leslie Cserepy as they bring on the heat and rank this ever so popular type of condiment and make a Top 5 Hot Sauces list. PS Listen to the end of the episode as we got a secret chip flavour review that you don't want to miss...;).

All you need is love...and Top 5 rankings.

We have made a Top 5 list of many songs over the course of this show and it is bittersweet that this episode will be our last music ranking. That is why we decided to go out with a bang and bring back Beatlemania for this occasion! The Beatles literally changed the game and the way we listen to music today. Who knew that the music industry would have transformed so much from 4 Lads from Liverpool but this influential band continues to inspire artists all around the world. So join Tuong La with the rest of the members of the Fab Four Katie Pagnucco (Learn Real Good), Vinny Francois (Improv College & Learn Real Good, Untapped Libraries), and Howard Mitnick (Gateway Music) as they rock out in their moptop hairdos and rank Top 5 Beatles Songs.

Lettuce indulge on an episode all about vegetables.

Back in 2019 four legendary rankers fought, argued, cried, but ultimately came together on a list of Top 5 Fruits. Well years have passed and wounds have healed and now we are finally ready to turn our attention to the food that your parents & doctors have been heckling you to eat all your life - vegetables! And you know what? Turns out that as you get older, vegetables are pretty dang good! Vegetables contain a variety of textures, flavours, versatility, and nutrition that it's finally due time for them to shine on this podcast. So join Tuong La and Veggie Virtuosos Colleen Wang, Victoria Luloff, and Leslie Cserepy as they rinse, spin, and toss up a Top 5 Vegetables list for ya!

Batter up those taste buds!

This week we are breaking out our aprons and cracking open the windows, so you can catch a whiff of all the glorious aromas, because the PodCavern Bakery is open for business! People all around the world have enjoyed the art of baking for centuries because the creative possibilities are endless (and delicious). There are so many diverse flavours and textures that offer such a cozy sense of satisfaction and comfort that only baked treats can provide. So that is why you should join Tuong La and Baking Buds Laura Gordon, Leslie Cserepy, and Zoe Towne as they whisk up some tasty goods, carefully measure out their decisions, and pull a Top 5 Baked Treats list out of the oven!

Time to get jiggy with it!

It's time to hit the D-floor and shake your butts because this week we are grooving out while talking about dance! People have been expressing themselves through dance for what feels like forever. It's a medium and universal language that has rich history, cultural significance, and also coolness & cringe all wrapped up in one art form. So join Tuong and Boogy Buddies Brie & Nick Watson (The Constant Struggle Podcast), and Dan Rosen as they get ready to shake it while ranking Top 5 Dance Moves.

Take a dip into deliciousness!

After a legendary episode ranking Top 5 Cheeses together, the gang is back for another food sample filled episode where we talk about the food you can't wait to scoop - dips! Dips are a culinary delight that has captured the hearts of foodies everywhere by providing us a flavour explosion of countless variety that often enhances the vessel you choose to dip with. One of the greatest things about them is how they are made to be shared which makes it perfect for our episode today! So join Tuong La and Dip-shits Hayley Kellett, Spencer Dunn, and Simone Dorie as they dunk themselves into another sensory episode for their mouths and your ears as they rank Top 5 Dips!

If it's a jingle, let it mingle.

As much as we try to skip as many ads and commercials as we can this day in age, capitalism always finds a way to rears it's claws to sink itself into our brain through the power of catchy advertising earworms. There's an art to a commercial jingle that sets it apart from traditional songs. A good commercial jingle needs to catch your attention in a short span of time and make you subconsciously think about it, so when you are ready to make a purchasing decision it's the first one you think of. It's a strange and somewhat nefarious tradition but when done right at least you got something fun to hum along to! So join Tuong La and the A-Team Samantha Leggatt, Angus MacDonald, and Leslie Cserepy as they reminisce and sing along to some our favourite tunes that refuse to leave our minds and rank Top 5 Commercial Jingles.

Hi, ho! It's the Muppet Show!

It's time to celebrate the felt-filled world of Jim Henson and talk Muppets! Since their creation in the 50's, the Muppets have been gracing our screens with endless entertainment, gags, and heart felt warm fuzzies. The Muppets are more than just puppets; they're cultural touchstones, comedic geniuses, life gurus, Hollywood celebrities, and surprisingly complex characters. So join Tuong La and Muppet Maniacs Victoria Luloff, Geoff McBride, and Jess Preece as they have a maniacal laugh while ranking Top 5 Muppets!

WAHOOO! 

Put on your plumbing overalls and get ready to stomp on some Goombas because we are back once again in The Mushroom Kingdom to celebrate Mario day (MAR10th)! In the past we have ranked the best Mario Games and Mario Songs, but this week we are wrapping our trifecta of Mario episodes and exploring the creative wondrous abilities that our favourite Nintendo mascot has been bestowed over the decades - his power ups! So join Tuong La and his rag tag team of Tenacious Toads Spencer Moreland, Joshua Mayo, and Samantha Leggatt as they chomp down on a magic mushroom, touch a shiny star, and rank Top 5 Mario Power Ups!

Walking the red carpet one last time.

It's hard to believe that we have been ranking movies (almost) every year since our very first episode of this podcast back in 2017. In fact the whole conceit of this show came from first wanting to talk about our love of movies which eventually spun out to talking about all sorts of random topics. So it's very fitting that in our final year of Ranked we get to go back to where it all began and chat about the cinematic rollercoaster that we went through in 2024. So join Tuong La, Alyssa Wooldridge, Taylor Fleming, and Laura Gordon as they come out of the Criterion Closet one last time to rank Top 5 Movies of 2024.

Thanks for the meme-ories.

Memes have become a universal language of the internet, capturing our shared experiences and showcasing them in amusing ways. And while there are new memes popping up every second of every day, there are some that have pushed past the noise and solidified it's place on the internet hall of fame. So join Tuong La and Meme Lords Emma Currie, Braeden Etienne, and Jacob Barrick as they scour all corners of the internet to come up with a Top 5 All Time Classic Memes List.

In a land before time...

Dinosaurs? Overrated! Okay, maybe not completely because we actually did an incredible episode ranking Dinosaurs years ago...but there's a whole world of amazing prehistoric creatures beyond the T-Rex. So join Tuong and PAL-eontologists Desiree Connors Warmington, Geoff McBride, and Catherine Ballachey as they journey back in time to an era ruled by some of the most fascinating creatures that roamed the Earth and rank Top 5 Prehistoric Animals.

It's our final, epic Game of the Year ranking!

For the past 8 years, we've celebrated the awesome power that is video games with our GOTY deliberations. We've witnessed the gaming landscape change drastically over the years, but through thick and thin, we've delivered Top 5 lists of our favourite gaming experiences through rowdy and passionate debates. What makes PodCavern's GOTY lists special? They're crafted not by a gaming publication, YouTube/Twitch channel, or sponsored by a third party, but by everyday gamers who simply love video games and talking about them. We've gladly poured our blood, sweat, and pixels into this process year after year, playing games like it's our job (it's not!), just to create these lists, celebrate the medium, and frankly, have an excuse to nerd out about a topic that is near and dear to our hearts.

But now as this podcast is coming to an end, the day has come for us to rest, put down the controller, and make space for others to marathon video games and create their own lists. But not before one last victory lap! Join Tuong La and Gaming Legends Angus MacDonald, Ethan Howieson, and Mathew Whalley as they 'press start' together once more to rank Top 5 Video Games of 2024!

End of an Era...literally.

As Taylor Swift's epic Eras Tour comes to a close, we're taking a moment to celebrate the magic, the memories, and of course, the music from this beloved multi-talented icon. There are few artists that come to mind that have been able to capture the hearts and minds of their fans like Taylor has with her music. Her ability to combine her poetic brilliance with her ever evolving music has shaped her into the superstar sensation that she is today.  So join Tuong La and fellow Swifties Laura Gordon, Amanda Gulka-Armstrong, and Kayla Snyder as they dive deep into all the eras of this legendary pop artist and rank Top 5 Taylor Swift Songs.

When you rank upon a star...

In celebration of Disney Dummies x Pixar Pals crossing our 100th episode, we decided to make one last crossover with Ranked doing what we do best! In this episode, we're taking on the enchanting task of ranking music that has captured the minds and hearts of Disney Dummies across the world. From heartfelt ballads to magical melodies, we’re diving into the music that has defined generations and sparked countless singalongs. So join Tuong La and Disney Dummies x Pixar Pals Laura Gordon, Samantha Leggatt, and Bradley Sales as they step up onto Pride Rock, rub a magic genie lamp, and rank Top 5 Disney Songs.

Get your groove on!

Throughout our time on this show we have listened and ranked A LOT of music spanning from  the 80's, 90's, 2000's, and the 2010's. So where do we go from here? Backwards of course! It's time to end our pentalogy of ranking decades of music by boogying on down to the 70's. The 70's was a big turning point for contemporary music, elevating genres such as rock, reggae, funk, folk, and of course disco! The innovations from this decade set new standards for artistic freedom and creativity while being a powerful force for entertainment and social change. Suffice to say the 70's was, in fact, cool beans. So hang loose with Tuong La and foxy friends Axandre Lemours, Colleen Wang, and Victoria Luloff as they stick it to the man one more time and bang out a dynamite Top 5 70's Songs list!