Popzara Podcast

Author Travis Jeppesen Talks Studying in Pyongyang, Cold Noodles

On this diplomatic episode of the Popzara Podcast our own Nathan Evans talks with author Travis Jeppensen about his new book See You Again in Pyongyang: A Journey into Kim Jong Un’s North Korea, out now from Hachette Books. Touted as “the first American to study in North Korea,” Travis relates not just his studies at the Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, but the people and culture seldom seen outside the opaque wall of propaganda surrounding the most isolated country in the world.

Game Composer Jesse C. Harlin Talks Yoku’s Island Express, Yeast DNA

On this euphonious episode of the Popzara Podcast our own melodious Nia Bothwell welcomes game composer and interactive music director Jesse C. Harlin into the auditorium. With an impressive career spanning nearly two decades of scoring everything from Star Wars (both RPG and dancing varieties) to 2K’s Mafia III to directing his own pieces with the London Philharmonic, Jesse wears the title of game composer loud and proud.

Solo Story: A New Hope for the Star Wars Faithful

In this scurrilous episode of the Popzara Podcast we’ve scoured the worst hives of scum and villainy to put together a team to talk Solo: A Star Wars Story, the second Star Wars Anthology film – and fourth overall – since Disney took control of the franchise. At the helm are Nathan Evans joined by Annette Palmer and Chris Mitchell to discuss the latest Star Wars prequel in one glorious spoiler-filled gab session. You’ve been warned!

Director Joseph Procopio Talks eHero and Competitive Gaming

On this 1337 episode of the Popzara Podcast our own Nia “Lady Terror” Bothwell goes PvP with director Joseph Procopio about eHero, his breakthrough film that looks at the fast-growing world of competitive gaming through the eyes of Tyler Conway, a troubled 22-year old hotshot who becomes an overnight eSports sensation.

Brian Volk-Weiss Talks Netflix Nostalgia and The Toys That Made Us

On this playable episode of the Popzara Podcast our own action figure Nathan Evans talks with the acclaimed producer of some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy, Brian Volk-Weiss, who’s now turned his comic timing to perhaps the funniest thing of all: toys! Specifically The Toys That Made Us, a Netflix Original documentary series that examines not only the creation and creators behind some of the most successful brands in toy history, but also their continuing impact on the culture and lives of the fans who love them.

Nintendo Labo: The Future is Cardboard

In this corrugated episode of the Popzara Podcast our own DIY expert editors Cory Galliher and Nia Bothwell go hands-on – literally – with the most hands-on gaming accessory yet. The Japanese gaming giant known for creative dalliances with yarn, clay, and knitting machines (seriously) have released their zaniest, and possibly sanest project yet with the Nintendo Labo. After years of stuttering gimmicks like 3D and virtual reality it looks like the future of gaming just may be something we’ve had around all along: cardboard.

Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War – Stars, Stripes, and Spectacular

In this heroic episode of the Popzara Podcast we’ve assembled our own band of superheroes Annette Palmer, Chris “Wolf Man” Mitchell, and Nate Evans to talk and generally spoil Marvel’s long-awaited multi-movie blockbuster Avengers: Infinity War! The 19th film in the most commercially successful movie franchise ever packs favorites Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, The Hulk, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and even the Guardians of the Galaxy into the biggest and best Marvel epic yet.

Author Laura Moriarty Talks American Heart, Empathy, and Surviving the YA Mob

In this literary episode of the Popzara Podcast our own bookies Nathan Evans and Nia Bothwell talk with Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Kansas and author Laura Moriarty about her latest book, American Heart.

Black Panther: Marvel’s New King, Blackness, and Why Representation Matters

In this dignified episode of the Popzara Podcast our own editorial prince Nate Evans is joined by future Wakandan royalty Annette Palmer and Andrew Allen to mew, yowl, and chatter about Marvel’s 18th entry in their growing Cinematic Universe (MCU), Black Panther. Writer/director Ryan Coogler’s (Creed) film is breaking both box-office records and preconceptions of what a “superhero” movie has to be – in more ways than one.

Composer Joel Corelitz Talks Gorogoa, Game Music, and Inspiring Emotions

On this melodically challenging episode of the Popzara Podcast our own Nia Bothwell talks with BAFTA-nominated composer Joel Corelitz about his latest project, the imaginative puzzle-based picture game Gorogoa. Much like the perspective-challenging puzzles of the game itself, Joel shares the art of composing music and the creative process necessary to find the right pieces that “fit” (hint: this involves throwing stuff at the wall until it sticks!).

Go For Broke: Dragon Ball FighterZ and Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Lead 2018’s Fighting Charge

In this quarter-chugging episode of the Popzara Podcast our own arcade pugilists Cory “Game Over!” Galliher and Herman “EX Alpha” Exum queue up to pick each other’s brains and shoot the breeze about this year’s best and most promising arcade fighters (so far); it will be a super attack!

Author Jake Grogan Talks Origins of a Story, Pressure Cooker Magic

In this literary episode of the Popzara Podcast our resident bibliophile Nathan Evans talks with author and fellow letters-lover Jake Grogan about Origins of a Story: 202 True Inspirations Behind the World’s Greatest Literature, which offers budding writers and curious readers exactly that: a curated treasure trove of what helped inspire many of the world’s most famous, beloved, and controversial stories.

Academy Award Nominations 2018: Predictions, Guesses, and Wild Speculations

In this prognosticative episode of the Popzara Podcast our own Nathan Evans is joined by Travis Seppala and Annette Palmer to predict who’s set to win, who should win, and who was snubbed as they talk and dissect the 90th Annual Academy Award nominations.

Mat Piscatella Talks NPD December 2017 Estimates and Analysis

After years of discussing the monthly delights and bytes of NPD’s estimates of the gaming industry’s relative health and vitality, your faithful Popzara hosts Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans have decided to invite a stranger into the inner sanctum to talk the finale of one of the best and most exciting years in recent times, December 2017. And who better to talk numbers and analysis than the actual source, NPD’s own games-focused number-cruncher, Mat Piscatella!

CES 2018 Roundup: Robot Companions, Modular TVs, and Our Voice-Assisted Future

In this augmented episode of the Popzara Podcast our own CES alumni/survivor Herman Exum is joined by Nate Evans and extra special-guest Ben Crossman (Computer America) to discuss the most pleasant, disappointing, and intriguing gadgets, doohickeys, and future-tech on display that made us go “Whoa…”