Charm Bomb

Follow Charm Bomb
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Charm Bomb is the podcast of the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club, where geekery and snail mail collide!

International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club


    • Mar 14, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 97 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Charm Bomb with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Charm Bomb

    On birthdays and getting older

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 51:11


    In this episode, Joanna and Summer chat about hitting life milestones and getting older and how the levels of adulting are all up to you.   Topics this week include going outside to touch grass, modular brick printing, baked goods and our top 5 favorite (and least favorite) party favors.   Mentioned this week:  Prixel Press: https://prixel.com/    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What if my “adulting” doesn't feel like enough? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Community and Healthy Coping

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 48:07


    In this episode, Joanna and Summer chat about building community and healthy coping skills, including making art and investing in connections with the people and places we value.   Topics this week include nature cams, the Great Pottery Throw Down, the cold dang weather and our top 5 famous hippos (real and fictional).   Mentioned this week:  Okaukuejo Waterhole Cam at https://www.youtube.com/@NamibiaCam    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What are some healthy coping mechanisms? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    The Future is Now (Charm Bomb 89)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 66:53


    In this episode, Joanna and Summer chat about how the future is different than their childhood selves imagined it but still just so cool. Plus they discuss how to try a “no buy” challenge.   Topics this week include library programs, Animorphs (the books), responsible shopping and our top 5 pieces of contemporary tech that would have amazed us as kids.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I do a “no buy” challenge? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    Say the Weird Thing (Charm Bomb 88)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 36:49


    In this episode, Joanna and Summer chat about making a good pen pal connection and how it's worth it to just say the weird thing because you may not be everyone's cup of tea but you're someone's cup of tea.   Topics this week include Star Wars Skeleton Crew, Wicked (the movie adaptation), and our top 5 buildings we've visited in honor of architecture-theme month. This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I share my top 5 Geek Loves to get a good pen pal match? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com  Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    When the world is a lot (Charm Bomb 87)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 38:45


    In this episode, Joanna and Summer chat about what to do when the world feels like too much.   Topics this week include The Flight Attendant (tv show), Doctor Odyssey (tv show), Mary Oliver, friendship and community, and Joanna shares some of the top 5 obscure geek loves from recent pen pal rounds. This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What do you do when everything feels like too much? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com  Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    It's a Mystery! (Charm Bomb 86)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 38:40


    In this episode, Joanna and Summer chat about traveling on a budget or getting the travel experience when you can't and childhood journaling.   Topics this week include Agatha All Along, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Death in Paradise, Poirot, and their top 5 favorite fictional murder mystery shows. This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I scratch the travel itch when I can't travel? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com  Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    It's Musical! (Charm Bomb 85)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 51:12


    In this episode, Joanna and Summer chat about musical theater and musical theatre and how to, you guessed it, get into musical theater (no matter how you spell it).     Topics this week include miniatures, We Are Lady Parts (tv show), Wicked, Disney musicals, Les Mis, and their top 5 personally meaningful musicals.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I get into musical theater? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!

    Old Tea & Space Cadets (Charm Bomb 84)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 34:58


    In this episode, Joanna and Kara chat about old YouTuber drama and their early internet days, as well as discussing the things that make us human like sharing the things we're excited about with other people.   Topics this week include Smosh, nail polish, and their top 5 favorite smores variations. Mentioned this episode:  Smosh: https://www.youtube.com/@smosh  EcoGlaze Nail Polish: https://www.chinaglaze.com/collections/ecoglaze.html  This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I share things I'm excited about? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com  Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!

    SPACE CAMP! (Charm Bomb 83)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 39:41


    In this episode, Joanna and Kara chat all things SPACE CAMP from what to pack (don't forget your anti-gravity pen!) to what activities they're most excited to do (get ready for interplanetary capture the flag!) but also about how to make friends and the magic of our annual camp event.   Topics this week include The Hardy Boys tv show, Chicken Shop Date on YouTube, and their top 5 favorite space things. Mentioned this episode:  Chicken Shop Date: https://youtube.com/@ameliadimoldenberg?si=O_wCSc-3YmYYZseC  This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I make friends at camp? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com  Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!

    It's a PIZZA PARTY! (Charm Bomb 82)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 34:44


    In this episode, Joanna and Kara chat about how to pick outfits for a vacation including tips for traveling light, building outfits around a theme, and how you always need room to find something great along the way.   Topics this week include Fizz (the band), Goosebumps (the books), capsule wardrobes and their top 5 favorite single pizza toppings. Mentioned this episode:  Fizz, As Good As it Gets: https://youtu.be/OI_ipqLtsLE?si=qsGgg9kLjdDS9aPm  This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I coordinate outfits for a vacation? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com  Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!

    Living in an Art Museum (Charm Bomb 81)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 56:18


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about some of their favorite museums they have visited and the logistics of living inside a work of art.     Topics this week include CounterClock (podcast), Taskmaster New Zealand, Mary Poppins (the musical), impressionist paintings, and their top 5 favorite art museums.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: If you could live inside an artwork, which one? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!

    Much Ado About Bridgerton (Charm Bomb 80)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 39:59


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about nerdy art gift ideas and spend a very long time discussing the first half of Bridgerton Season 3.     Topics this week include Bridgerton, TikTok, sticker collections, and a game where Joanna guesses the top 5 most popular pieces of art, according to Google. This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: Nerdy art gift ideas? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    Getting into Character (Charm Bomb 79)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 38:36


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about other nerdy things fans of D&D might be into, discuss some of their other favorite tabletop RPGs, and take a quiz to find out what kind of D&D character they “really” are.    Topics this week include Dungeons & Dragons, Good Society, Kids on Bikes, Doctor Who, leather carving and tooling, and Live Action Role Play (LARP).   itch.io : https://itch.io/   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What are some nerdy recommendations if I like D&D? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com   Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Wyverns & Caverns (Charm Bomb 78)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 46:05


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about tabletop roleplay games, the joy of imagination play in adulthood, and how play is what makes us human.    Topics this week include Dungeons & Dragons, Good Society, Tales of the Crystals, Cats & Soup, Fallout (TV show), and their top 5 weird D&D things.   Tales of the Crystals: https://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/TalesofTheCrystals.PDF  Cats & Soup: https://www.instagram.com/catsnsoup.official/  Good Society: https://storybrewersroleplaying.com/good-society/   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What was your first TTRPG experience?   To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com   Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Everything in Balance (Charm Bomb 77)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 50:48


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about conversation dynamics and what to do when you fear you're inadvertently making it “all about you” as well as earth day actions they take in their personal lives year round.     Topics this week include Top Chef, Wisconsin cuisine, women's soccer (shout out to the San Diego Wave!) collective organizing and advocacy, and their top 5 earth day actions.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I keep from making conversations all about myself? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    Happy Earth Month! (Charm Bomb 76)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 46:15


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about sci-fi TV shows they're into recently, vermiculture, slow fashion, and other ways to lessen their environmental impact.     Topics this week include Resident Alien, Severance, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, and their top 5 favorite pollinators.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How can I reduce my environmental impact? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Birthday Tea and Cake! (Charm Bomb 75)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 49:22


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about slumber parties of their youth including party games and themes, while enjoying tea and birthday cake.     Topics this week include Ghosts (season 3), Star Trek, childhood birthday parties, and their top 5 basic cake flavors.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: Slumber party questions To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com   Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Shipping on a Shoestring (Charm Bomb 74)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2024 36:46


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about shipping on a budget, magical realism, the upcoming IGGPPC birthday party, and ice cream float recipes.     Topics this week include Avatar: The Last Airbender (Live Action), Shark Heart by Emily Habeck, and their top 5 personal eras.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I pen pal when shipping costs are high? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Connections + Mysteries (Charm Bomb 73)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2024 44:24


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about magical mysteries they're into from audiobooks to tv shows, decorating a new office, and the game Connections.     Topics this week include the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries by Deanna Raybourn, Death and Other Details (tv show), and play a game where Joanna guesses Summer's top 5 animated magical girl animal companions.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How should I decorate my new office space? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Magical Girl Squad (Charm Bomb 72)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2024 36:56


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about running out of creative ideas and what they do to shake loose new inspiration, from keeping creativity lists to getting a change of scenery and more.     Topics this week include Delicious in Dungeon (anime), All Creatures Great and Small, Sailor Moon, Turning Red, and their top 5 things they would love about being a magical girl.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: Do you ever run out of ideas?? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    We Wouldn't Steal Lightning, Only Thunder (Charm Bomb 71)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 39:13


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about finding time and energy for your fandoms when starting a new job (or any new phase of life), the challenge with adapting books and musicals into film, and penguin skeletons.     Topics this week include Percy Jackson and the Olympians (tv show), embracing trashy reality tv, Watcher, and their top 5 pieces of media they're looking forward to in 2024.   Mentioned this episode:  Subpar Parks by Amber Share: https://ambersharedesign.com/collections/frontpage    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I find time for fandom when I just started a new job? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Routine vs Squirrel Chaos (Charm Bomb 70)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 42:48


    In this episode, Summer and Joanna chat about getting back into routines after the holidays, including remembering how to even podcast.     Topics this week include We Bare Bears, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds & Lower Decks, and their top 5 very Best Bears.   Mentioned this episode:  Geek Girl Strong: https://geekgirlstrong.com/  Point Loma Tea: https://pointlomatea.com/    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I get back into routine after the holidays? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!

    Naughty and NICE (Charm Bomb 69)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 48:29


    In the final episode of 2023, Summer and Joanna chat about reigniting interest in an old fandom when the spark just isn't there anymore.     Topics this week include glass straws, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, Doctor Who (60th Anniversary specials), and their top 5 items to bring on a road trip.   Mentioned this episode:  Simply Straws: https://simplystraws.com/    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I reignite the spark of interest in an old fandom? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Supporting Roles (Charm Bomb 68)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2023 49:45


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about asking for support from friends even when it seems overwhelming, especially in a busy time of year.    Topics this week include musical theater (even though this is still NOT the musical episode!) and specifically Company and American Psycho the Musical, Loki on Disney+, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and their top 5 American Thanksgiving side dishes.   Mentioned this episode:  Emily Cheeseman's Sir Gawain and the Green Knight https://www.emilycheeseman.com/greenknight/    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How to ask for support when everyone has their own stuff going on? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Pens and Swords (Charm Bomb 67)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 37:56


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about what to do when you just don't feel the holiday spirit as well as whether they were into scary things as kids.    Topics this week include Goosebumps, Miracle Workers, the Haunted Mansion movie, and their top 5 fictional sword fighters.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What if you're just not into holiday spirit? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    Halloween and Horror (Charm Bomb Thowback Episode!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 44:34


    This episode is a throwback, so enjoy this walk back in time with us as Summer and Joanna of the past discuss their favorite spooky or Halloween themed movies, films that are also stage plays, and other seasonal spooky things.  Topics this week include The Legend of Korra (yes, again!), the game Among Us, and dealing with social media while practicing self care. This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I stop doomscrolling? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com  Find us on social media: Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals Follow Summer @Sumsicle Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    Hallowiggles Time! (Charm Bomb 66)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 48:14


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about growing up in the 90s, get an update on Summer's genealogy research, and discuss the upcoming IGGPPC Halloween event.    Topics this week include Derry Girls, solar eclipses, Fright Night, Little Shop of Horrors, The Haunting of Hill House, and their top 5 horror adaptations.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What is “Hallowiggles”? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    Back on the Genealogy Train (Charm Bomb 65)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 51:21


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about patio gardening, cleaning before (certain) family comes to visit, and the hidden truth inside family history that gets unearthed through genealogy.   Topics this week include heirloom tomatoes, A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan, family legends and lore, and their top 5 snacks.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I stop panic-cleaning before family visits? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com   Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    TANGOUT (Charm Bomb BONUS episode)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 56:30


    This episode Summer and Joanna try a whole lot of Tang recipes during IGGPPCamp 2023. Was it good? Not really. Was it entertaining? You be the judge!    Topics this week include Tang cocktails, Tang friendship tea, and Tang baked goods.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How much Tang can we safely consume?    To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Support Geek Girl Pen Pals on Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/geekgirlpenpals  Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    Shout Out to Flashlights (Charm Bomb 64)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 40:39


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about the way friendships change over time, especially as things in common, like school, work, or fandoms change.    Topics this week include Dungeons and Drag Queens, Mythology 101 (book), and their top 5 things to take time traveling.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I keep friends from a fandom when I'm not in the fandom anymore? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Caaaaaaaamp? (Charm Bomb 63)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 48:35


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about the tenth annual IGGPPCamp, which this year is Time Travel themed.   Topics this week include Barbie (the movie), The Woman in the House Across From the Girl at the Window, and their top 5 IGGPPCamp memories.   Learn more about IGGPPCamp:  https://geekgirlpenpals.com/camp    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: Camp?? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com   Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!

    The Musical Episode (Charm Bomb 62)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 37:17


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about the etiquette of gaming in public (and what to do when you encounter gamers in the wild), as well as the classic genre of the “musical episode” without talking about any actual musicals.   Topics this week include Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, playing the accordion, Pokemon Go, and their top 5 cute costumes for cats.   Mentioned this episode (aka our cats' instagrams):  Gawain's World: https://www.instagram.com/gawainsworld/  Make With the Tuna: https://www.instagram.com/makewiththetuna/   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: Etiquette for gaming in public? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com   Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!

    Grief is Weird (Charm Bomb 61)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 45:50


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about grief and its many strange facets, and what to do when you lose a friend (spoiler: nobody knows so you just do your best).   CONTENT WARNING: death, grief, dark humor related to death, cancer   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I cope with losing a friend who doesn't live near me?   To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com   Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Keeping Up is Hard to Do (Charm Bomb 60)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 33:28


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about ways to remember friends' birthdays, how to stay on top of sending cards, and the benefits of scheduling things in advance.    Topics this week include Muppets Mayhem, Animal Crossing New Horizon, organizing spaces, and the tea they would serve to their top 5 favorite dinosaurs.   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: Advice for remembering to send birthday cards? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    Dinosaur Tea Party (Charm Bomb 59)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 43:54


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about finding fun things to do outdoors even if you aren't “outdoorsy” by leaning into the stuff you love.    Topics this week include Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves, Jurassic Park LEGO play sets, Dinosaur Train, themed picnics and photoshoots, SUE the t-rex, and their top 5 dinosaurs (will they match on all 5??).   Mentioned this episode:  Jurassic Park Triceratops Research LEGO set: https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/triceratops-research-76959  SUE the t-rex: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/blog/sue-t-rex  This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I have fun outdoors if I'm not outdoorsy? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Stuck in a Rut (Charm Bomb 58)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 49:51


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about how they change perspectives when feeling stuck in a rut, using art as a way to refresh the mind, and live-action Disney movies they have (or haven't) seen.    Topics this week include Eurovision, renaissance faires, and their top 5 Would You Rather Lord of the Rings edition questions.   QUESTIONS:  Live in The Shire or live in Rivendell? Be an Ent or an Orc? Have the Dwarves over for dinner for a week or live with Radagast for a year? Hang with Merry or Pippin? Go to Valinor and live forever without your friends or stay in Middle Earth and die with your friends? This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What do I do if I feel stuck in a rut? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Hobbitcore (Charm Bomb 57)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 36:55


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about forgiveness and boundaries after a friendship breakup, Summer tells a classic yarn about dream casting a musical with Lord of the Rings actors, and Joanna gets super excited because it's Hobbit month. So, the usual.    Topics this week include Queen Charlotte: a Bridgerton story, Extraordinary Attorney Woo,, and their top 5 things they'd like about being a Hobbit.    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I navigate a very late apology after a friend breakup? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    O, Neopia! (Charm Bomb 56)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 42:35


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about saying goodbye to favorite shows, series, or characters, finding shared community with fellow fans, and what makes a reboot or reunion show work (or not).   Topics this week include Star Trek: Picard (and The Next Generation), Bowser's Fury (and Super Mario 3D World), and their top 5 memories of playing Neopets. So. Many. Neopets.    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I face the end of my favorite show? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Console Classics! (Charm Bomb 55)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 35:46


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about childhood video gaming experiences and how to navigate when someone accidentally hurts your feelings, or you witness someone being hurtful.   Topics this week include Perry Mason (rebooted tv show), Lockwood & Co., GameBoy and Nintendo, and their top 5 classic console games.    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I navigate when someone accidentally insults me? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    IGGPPC turns 10! (Charm Bomb 54)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 55:32


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about supporting artists while on a budget, letting go of things that no longer hold meaning, and managing a collecting hobby.   Topics this week include How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix, leatherworking and shoe-making, and their top 5 favorite decades in honor of a decade of IGGPPC.    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do I break the completionist collecting cycle? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    IGGPPC Founders Chat (Charm Bomb bonus episode)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 52:09


    In this special bonus episode of Charm Bomb, Joanna hosts IGGPPC Founders Stewie and Farquharson to talk about the origin and founding of the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club.   Topics this week include international friendships, the magic of snail mail, and of course their top 5 geek loves.    Connect with Stewie:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlingstewie/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/darlingstewie Connect with Farquharson:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frogmellaink/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/frogmellaink    To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Fictional Dragons (Charm Bomb 53)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 38:25


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about fictional heists, weird Pokemon evolution, and ways to manage international shipping costs.   Topics this week include The Magnus Archives (podcast), Kaleidoscope (tv show), and their top 5 fictional dragons.    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do you deal with increased international shipping costs? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Charm Bomb Season Three, Y'all (Charm Bomb 52)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2023 37:07


    This episode summer and Joanna chat about their new year's goals, things they're looking forward to in 2023, and what they've been up to since the last recording.   Topics this week include Willow, Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott, fossil hunting, and their top 5 fictional fliers.    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What are your goals for the new year? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!

    bomb charm three y
    I like being a Joanna (Charm Bomb 51)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2022 42:28


    This episode summer and Joanna chat about Douglas Adams and lighthearted sci-fi, homemade apple cider, and their shared love for the Mediterranean climate. Topics this week include cats because of course, the Dragon Prince season 3, Dirk Gently, soup season, and their top 5 things they are thankful for.

    California Dreaming (Charm Bomb 50)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 47:47


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about hanging out together in California in which they explore the outdoors, enjoy local beer, and tell terrible jokes to Mickey Mouse.   Topics this week include terrible humor, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, deserts and oceans, and their top 5 sea creatures.    To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Pen Pals in a Digital World (Charm Bomb 49)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2022 30:24


    This episode Joanna chats with Felix, founder of PenPal.me, about connecting folks in a digital world, the joys of being outdoors, and the art of cooking.   Topics this week include travel, fly fishing, the art of ramen, pen pal origin stories, and the fun of meeting an online or pen pal friend in person.    Links to learn more:  PenPal.me website: https://www.penpal.me/  PenPal on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/penpal.app/ PenPal on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@penpal.app   This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What's your pen pal origin story? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Bog Witch Libras (Charm Bomb 48)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 46:43


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about Halloween and spooky season, birthdays (and cake), and about getting older with fandoms (you're never too old!).   Topics this week include Hocus Pocus 2, Great British Bake Off, Mighty Ducks, Libra season, and their top 5 Halloween costumes from the past.    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: Am I too old for fandom? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Force Ghosting (Charm Bomb 47)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 52:46


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about the impact of “super hero level conflict” on everyday people and how to get back in touch or figure out if a pen pal has ghosted you.   Topics this week include Andor (tv show), autumn weather, sword camp, and their top 5 Star Wars characters.    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: Should I reach out to a pen pal who ghosted? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Burnout Badgers (Charm Bomb 46)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2022 51:18


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about different strategies for fighting burnout with personal experiences and suggestions for managing burnout in both the short term and long term.   Topics this week include She-Hulk, The Cryptonaturalist, Goosebumps, Carnival Row, mental health, and their top 5 fantasy fairies.    Mentioned this week: Cryptonaturalist: https://www.cryptonaturalist.com/  The Burnout Book: https://www.burnoutbook.net/    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do you fight burnout? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Collections and Cats (Charm Bomb 45)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2022 49:24


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about places they'd like to visit, books and graphic novels they're reading, and their favorite memories of one another.   Topics this week include Dead End: Paranormal Park, Calico (game), Sandman, Mothman, collectables, and their top 5 favorite things about cats.    Mentioned this week: Em and Sprout: https://www.etsy.com/shop/emandsprout    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: What are your favorite memories of one another? (And other questions submitted during live recording!) To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide!   

    Best of the Most (Charm Bomb 44)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 51:08


    This episode Summer and Joanna chat about staying safe online, using pen names when writing to pen pals, lots of lake camp activities and IGGPPCamp.   Topics this week include Inside Job, e-biking, Hacks, canoeing, and their top 5 IRL summer camp activities.    This week's Ask Charm Bomb question: How do you stay safe when exchanging pen pal information? To submit a question to Ask Charm Bomb, email your question to charmbomb@geekgirlpenpals.com    Follow Geek Girl Pen Pals on Twitter: @GeekGirlPenPals Follow Summer @Sumsicle  Follow Joanna @JoannaVolavka   Learn more about Geek Girl Pen Pals at www.geekgirlpenpals.com, where geekery and snail mail collide! 

    Claim Charm Bomb

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel