Department of Wizardry

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Three coworkers candidly discuss their current nerdy obsessions, observations, aggravations, and appreciations. It’s amateur therapy for professional nerd.

M45Seven

  • Apr 19, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
  • monthly NEW EPISODES
  • 1h 6m AVG DURATION
  • 12 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Department of Wizardry

Episode 12: My Dad Was A Giant

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2020 81:06


The trio talks about knowing what your work is worth and the phenomena of aphantasia. Then gather round as these three wizards sift through the bones of different histories and dust off a few folktales for your enjoyment!HOLMES’ CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: FIND A FOLKTALEVICE: Natural HighsNick Bostrom’s Fable of the Dragon-TyrantWANT TO READ THE TALES FOR YOURSELF?Izanagi & Izanami - Journey to Yomi, House of the DeadThe Fable of the Dragon-TyrantGiants of CornwallMARK’S CHALLENGE NEXT FORTNITE: DO SOME YOGAMark’s Yoga PlaylistFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesBGM:Empire Ants - GorillazKeyboard Solo - Jippy

Episode 11: The Big Game

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020 87:56


The wizards reconvene after a long hiatus and reconnect over disconnection. Mark tells the tale of his supernatural Pacific Northwest encounter. Holmes explains his family’s death card games and Walker agrees that not all games should be played. Finally, the chiptune orchestra swells as the trio exclaim about their longest challenge yet: Chrono Trigger!WALKER’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: APPRECIATE THE 1995 SNES GAME CHRONO TRIGGER15 Things You Never Knew About Chrono TriggerWANT TO PLAY THE GAME FOR YOURSELF?Chrono TriggerDesmumeRetroGames Emulation for Chrono Trigger - SNESHOLMES’ CHALLENGE NEXT MONTH: FIND A FOLKTALEIzanagi & Izanami - Journey to Yomi, House of the DeadThe Fable of the Dragon-TyrantGiants of CornwallFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmes

Episode 10: The Undead Episode

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 64:01


Holmes recalls a tale from his work as a barista. Walker is concerned about large stray animals IN THE OFFICE, WHERE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO WORK. The Trio ruminate on their own experience with existential dread. Poems written about dead people by dead people are discussed and the episode ends with not a BANG but a whimper…HOLMES’ CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: READ SOME POETRYSongs of a Sourdough by Robert ServiceT.S. Eliot Recites "The Hollow Men"The Wasteland by T.S. EliotThe Complete Poems of Emily DickinsonWALKER’S CHALLENGE NEXT MONTH: APPRECIATE THE 1995 SNES GAME CHRONO TRIGGERRetroGames Emulation for Chrono Trigger - SNESFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmes

Episode 9: Culture Happens When I’m Not Here

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2019 66:43


The Trio discusses their obsessions this week. Holmes likes DM’ing D&D. Mark likes to create things and wishes he could create more. The Trio expound upon the creation process, choosing to create, and not being afraid to put your work out there while also making it for yourself. Walker finds a pocket of subculture and calls it his home.SHOW NOTES:•Lemi Shine•Ajax, Stronger than Grease•@_tyto_alba•Modern Day James◦ GumRoad•Saturday Morning Monkies•Nerdwriter1•Markarino•Quickposes•Making the Clackity Noise by Merlin Mann•Tales of the Yukon by Robert FrostFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesDisclaimer: All Amazon links are Affiliate Links. Any purchases will help contribute to the show.

Episode 8: Mystical! Magical! Modular!

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2019 77:36


MARK’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: WRITE A FIVE PAGE SCRIPTThe Trio discusses their exodus from Twitter to the haven that is Discord. Fancy computers are announced and there is celebration and jubilation by all. Mark and Holmes upgrade their phones and Mark’s order was botched in his favor. Holmes and Walker try and fail at voice acting and Mark is the only person who shows up to class with his homework.SHOW NOTES:•2006-2012 Mac Pro (The OG Cheese Grater)•2013 Mac Pro (The Trash Can)•2017 iMac Pro•2019 Mac Pro•Apple Pro Display XDR•Sony Reference MonitorsMARK’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: WRITE A FIVE PAGE SCRIPT•Nerdwriter1 Youtube Channel•Film Riot Writing 201 PromoHOLMES’ CHALLENGE FOR EPISODE 9: READ SOME POETRYFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesDisclaimer: All Amazon links are Affiliate Links. Any purchases will help contribute to the show.

Episode 7: Join Our Scooter Gang

Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2019 47:18


WALKER’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK “GOOD OMENS”The Trio went on an adventure to Downtown and ate food prepared by wizards. Afterwards, they rode around they city on electric scooters and relived their childhood.SPONSOR:Audible: the largest selection of audiobooks and original audio performances anywhere - start a 30-day free trial by signing up at audibletrail.com/wizardsSHOW NOTES:•Radio Lab Staph Retreat Episode•Bird Scooter App•Lime Scooter AppWALKER’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK “GOOD OMENS”• GOOD OMENS by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman, with Voice Acting by Peter Serafinowicz & Mark Heap• GOOD OMENS on Amazon Prime VideoMARK’S CHALLENGE FOR EPISODE 8: WRITE A FIVE PAGE SCRIPTFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesDisclaimer: All Amazon links are Affiliate Links. Any purchases will help contribute to the show.

Episode 6: FAANG Is Giving You Cancer

Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2019 80:30


HOLMES’ CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: CREATE SOMETHING WITH A MEDIUM YOU’VE NEVER TRIED BEFOREMark is grumpy at social media and himself so he decides to salt the earth; Holmes eggs him on and Walker tries to suggest moderation. Walker was stuck in a hotel for a few days with crappy TV and bought an Amazon Fire TV Stick out of anger. A childhood friend disassembles Walker’s GBC and breathes new life into it. The Trio made some stuff and thinks you should too.SPONSOR:Audible: the largest selection of audiobooks and original audio performances anywhere - start a 30-day free trial by signing up at audibletrail.com/wizardsSHOW NOTES:•Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport•Quitter by Marco Arment•FAANG•5e Character Sheet App•Amazon Fire TV StickFOLLOW-UP: Walker’s Gameboy Color•Zalora Silver•Zalora’s Twitch•Buy Zalora Ko-FiHOLMES’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: CREATE SOMETHING WITH A MEDIUM YOU’VE NEVER TRIED BEFORE•Mark’s Artwork•Saturday Morning Monkies•Walker’s STL File of Shainks (Go Crazy, Wizards!)WALKER’S CHALLENGE FOR EPISODE 7: LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK “GOOD OMENS”• GOOD OMENS by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman, with Voice Acting by Peter Serafinowicz & Mark Heap• GOOD OMENS trailer on Amazon Prime VideoFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesDisclaimer: All Amazon links are Affiliate Links. Any purchases will help contribute to the show.

Episode 5: Living with a Sword in Your Hand

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2019 73:02


HOLMES’ CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: DO NOTHING FOR 1 HOURWalker explains the “benefits” of knocking back a pint of coffee while blasting music. Mark’s hand hurt so he buys a Wacom Tablet to alleviate the pain. Walker loves his Watch. Holmes is world-building and playing God. Afterwards, the Trio does nothing.SHOW NOTES:Follow-Up: Gear•RØDE NTG4+ Shotgun Microphone•Zoom H6 Six-Track Portable Recorder•Audio-Technica PRO 24 Stereo Condenser Microphone•BEHRINGER Audio Interface 4-Channel UMC404HD•BEHRINGER X-32 Compact 40-Input 25-Bus Digital Mixing Console•Zoom EXH-6 Dual XLR/TRS Capsule•Zoom H4n Pro Handy Recorder•Factory Reset rectifies the stereo issue with channel 3-4 LR on the Zoom H6Follow-Up: Music•BOSS-RUSH music Playlist•Pomodoro Technique•Tweet @MTWlkr with #WalkerTF for your BOSS-RUSH Music RecommendationsMark buys a Wacom•Wacom Intuos Drawing Tablet with 3 Bonus Software Included, 7.9"x 6.3", Black (CTL4100)•Wacom Intuos Wireless Graphics Drawing Tablet with 3 Bonus Software Included, 10.4" x 7.8", Black (CTL6100WLK0)Walker buys an Watch•Watch Series 4 44mm LTE Aluminum (Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band)•Overcast•Walker’s Chillhop Playlist•Wemo Smart Plugs•Walker’s current watchface•@Freaknomics “Brand Values, over 18 years”Holmes is building the world•”Describe the Scene with E.A.S.E.”•Chekhov's GunD&D Podcasts Recommendations•Total Party Kill•Once Upon a Roll•Critical Role•The Adventure Zone•Cthulhu & FriendsQuick D&D Buyer’s Guide:•Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook (Fifth Edition):◦ Hard Cover◦ PDF•D&D Dice•Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide•Volo's Guide to Monsters•Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual•D&D BeyondHOLMES’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: DO NOTHING FOR 1 HOURHOLMES’S CHALLENGE FOR EPISODE 6: CREATE SOMETHING WITH A MEDIUM YOU’VE NEVER TRIED BEFOREFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesDisclaimer: All Amazon links are Affiliate Links. Any purchases will help contribute to the show.

Episode 4: Turning Air into Money

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2019 71:03


WALKER’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: LISTEN TO BACK TO WORK EP 1-10The Trio try to address Walker’s addiction to stimulants and heavy drinking but he narrowly avoids deeper nuance by discussing theater popcorn and cotton candy profit margins as a form of Alchemy. Walker is a broken human with no self control and too much money, so he bought a GBA SP immediately after the last episode to fill the hole in his soul. Holmes goes to a Nerd Store and Board Game Cafe for his birthday and is exasperated by plebs trying to get in on his sub-culture. Also, Walker HATES your Monopoly™ house rules.Show Notes:• Coffee: The Greatest Addiction Ever• The Misconception: Coffee Stimulates You•George Lucas Lost a $40 Million Bet to Steven Spielberg Over Star Wars• Follow-Up:• Game Boy Advance SP• Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen• Pokémon Yellow•Gameboy Advance SP Headphone Adapter•The Incredibles (GBA)•ATV Offroad Fury Boundary PenaltyQuick D&D Buyer’s Guide:•Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook (Fifth Edition):◦ Hard Cover◦ PDF•D&D Dice•Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide•Volo's Guide to Monsters•Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual•D&D Beyond•Twilight Imperium (Fourth Edition)WALKER’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: LISTEN TO BACK TO WORK EP 1-10• Overcast Link• Spotify Link• 5by5.tv Page for Back to Work Episode 1HOLMES’S CHALLENGE EPISODE 5: DO NOTHING FOR 1 HOURFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesDisclaimer: All Amazon links are Affiliate Links. Any purchases will help contribute to the show.

Episode 3: Chekhov's Garbage Truck

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2019 42:31


MARK’S CHALLENGE THIS WEEK: WATCH INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978) (Spoilers from 13:41 to 38:10)The Trio buy another toy for their toy because they have have shaky hands, however they lack the upper body strength/endurance to hold a 10lbs gimbal for more than 5 minutes. Walker gets the gift of pure nostalgia for his birthday but it comes with the double edge sword of reality and he will probably spend more money on a deep dive into this obsession because he has no self control. Mark forces Holmes and Walker to watch a scary movie and the only way they can cope is to deconstruct it.Show Notes:• DJI Ronin M Gimbal• Sony α7iii• DJI Ronin-S Gimbal•The Perfect Run-and-Gun Gimbal by Film Riot• Game Boy Color• Game Boy Micro• Game Boy Advance SP• Nintendo DS Lite• Pokémon Red and Blue• Pokémon Gold and Silver• Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire• Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen• Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilverMARK’S CHALLENGE EPISODE 3: WATCH INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978)•AMAZON PRIME STREAMING•Philip Kaufman•Donald Sutherland•Brooke Adams•Jeff Goldblum•Veronica Cartwright•Leonard Nimoy•Chekhov’s GunWALKER’S CHALLENGE FOR EPISODE 4: LISTEN TO BACK TO WORK EP 1-10•Overcast Link•Spotify Link•5by5.tv Page for Back to Work Episode 1Follow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesDisclaimer: All Amazon links are Affiliate Links. Any purchases will help contribute to the show.

Episode 2: Compromise Machines

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2019 48:15


he Trio begins with discussing shirt frockets and our wireless future. Walker is adamant about subscription based monetization strategies; Mark and Holmes hit rock bottom at an Arby’s. New cameras are bought, but they have to buy toys for their toys. Somehow, they find time to discuss workstations vs laptops, desk setups and whether to compromise on power or portability.Show Notes:•Apple Airpods•Mpow BH129 Bluetooth Receiver•Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds•Powerbeats3•Sony MiniDiscs•Care by Volvo•Follow-Up◦ Sony α7iii◦ Why Digital Cameras Have a 30 Minute Video Recording Limit by Norman Chan◦ Atomos Ninja Flame 7" Monitor Recorder◦ Samsung 860 EVO 2TB 2.5-Inch SSD◦ Seagate IronWolf NAS 12TB 3.5-Inch HDD◦ OWC ThunderBay 4 3.5-Inch HDD Enclosure◦ Rokinon 35mm f/2.8 Ultra Compact Wide Angle Lens for Sony E Mount Full Frame◦ Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F)•DARPA design shifts round wheels to triangular tracks in a moving vehicle by Taylor Hatmaker•I, Robot•Tweels•Incredibles 2•Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull•The Lego Movie•Oxhorn Youtube Channel◦ Fallout Vault Lore◦ The Full Story of Fallout 1: How it All Began•Trash Can Mac Pro•RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)•Razer Blade15CHALLENGE: WATCH INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978) BY NEXT EPISODE•VUDU Streaming•iTunes Streaming•The Butterfield DietFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesDisclaimer: All Amazon links are Affiliate Links. Any purchases will help contribute to the show.

Episode 1: In Media Res World-Building

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2019 53:19


Sometimes the very best place to start telling the story is to be dropped in the middle rather than building the world from the beginning. Thus begins the Trio’s first therapy sessions, where they discuss what they really want to do with their lives, while in the midst of their “Quarter-Life Crisis” and “Saturn’s Return”.Show Notes:•Sony α7iii•Sony α6300•Blackmagic Studio Camera 4k•Deidox Films•Stephen King Interview about writing the last line of a novel first•Masterclass: Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting•Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee•John Wick•Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey•Solo: A Star Wars Story•@TVaziri on Full Media Blackout•How to Train Your Dragon 1 & How to Train Your Dragon 2•Dunkirk•Rogue One: A Star Wars Story•Fallout Intro Sequence•Fallout & Fallout 2•Hedda Gabler play by Henrik Ibsen•Metamorphosis by Philip Glass•Fallout OST by Mark Morgan•Celeste OST by Lena Raine◦ Music◦ Spotify•Ratatat Classics◦ Music◦ Spotify•Chrono Trigger Symphony by The Blake Robinson Synthetic Orchestra◦ Music Playlist◦ Spotify•Tom Clancy’s The Division 2•Portal 2: Songs to Test By (Collectors Edition)◦ Music◦ Spotify•Hunt: ShowdownFollow Mark: @LordiusMFollow Walker: @MTWlkrFollow Holmes: @ShutUpHolmesDisclaimer: All Amazon links are Affiliate Links. Any purchases will help contribute to the show

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