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About a week after the series finale of Game of Thrones, the dust started to settle on the ending we were given, and the conclusion we all hoped for. Much of this afterthought is decidedly different than the initial reactions on the last podcast and predominantly plagued with disappointment.   Share in our chagrin as we contemplate what could have happened, and what probably should have happened. The problem of the Three-Eyed Raven Sansa would have been a more interesting ruler John deserved far better Cersei deserved far worse Jumping the Night shark, and subsequent opportunities missed Tyrion was so much smarter before With great power comes great responsibility The Double D greed and rushing the end Juggernaut effect on the actors The Night King is just a guy The costumes and visuals are still the best of the best Thanks to the excellent costume and set designers!  Game of Thrones may be over, but Stimulated Boredom is not. Stay tuned for more Dana, Pete, and V in your earholes just as soon as Dana negotiates his contract with baby Olivia.  In the meantime, we’re accepting topic suggestions in the comments.  Talk soon!

Game of Thrones is a fantastic journey through the multitude perspectives of its characters, and the series finale meant to resolve that journey somehow. After eight years, it’s hard to let go, and maybe it’s even painful to celebrate the resolutions that we did get shoe-horned into that 80 minutes. However you may feel about Bran the Broken, the birth of democracy in Westeros, or the obliteration of the Iron Throne and our silver-haired Khaleesi with it, the visuals in the episode took the throne. The series finale is beautiful. Jon passing Drogon in the ash. The red Targareyan sigil hanging on the ruin of King’s Landing. Arya and her wolf mast ship. Dany and the Drogon’s dragon wings! We can ostensibly celebrate in its visual grandeur and crowning costume moments. We do that and explore a spectrum of thoughts and feelings about the narrative. Also, welcome regular listener and commenter to the show, Devan! Devan and Pete make Dana and Vanessa look like n00bs while we figure out if we liked the episode or not. So many charred bodies That tension between Jon and Greyworm, woah Arya sneaks up on Jon, again Hope is the death of duty. Duty is the death of love. The table shrouded in destruction, then the table is “rebuilt”/0 The unpolished Small Council Tyrion’s face, in all of the scenes Jon and Dany, they don’t get to choose Awkward for Edmure THE NORTH SECEDES! #sansa4eva The spin-off is definitely Jon, Ghost, and Tormund Guys, the Starks rule the world! Thanks for tuning in with us for the last few seasons, we really appreciate it. It’s been a blast spending countless hours discussing every theory and listener comment, and we hope you’ll tune in for our next podcast series. Speaking of which, what should that be? Let us know in the comments! Follow Dana on Twitter Follow Vanessa on Twitter Follow Pete on Twitter Follow Devan on Twitter

It’s happening. It’s all happening. The Bells rang, and we have mixed feelings. The farewells in this episode are emotionally satisfying, we see the Hound and Arya make peace, Tyrion bids adieu to his treacherous, yet an entirely correct friend, Varys, and then Tyrion frees Jamie and they bro all the way out. It’s sweet. Back to that bit about Varys being correct. We have the unfortunate realization that our fiery female protagonist, built over the last seven years, is turned into a one-note antagonist with unearned ease. It’s not great. Is this really what the Song of Fire and Ice has been about? Or did they just HBO the damn thing? With only one episode left, is the last conflict going to be to take down the Mad Queen? I must warn you; this week’s episode is also wrought with blasphemy as we had to discuss some critical plot realizations without Pete. Dana and I do our best to cope: Ruining Dracarys Tyrion is a clever fool Varys dies in this strange land The Golden who? Euron got too much screen time I thought the Dothraki were dead One dragon is all you really need Caches of wildfire Cersei got lucky Where’s Arya going? Jon and Davos, buddy cop spin-off? Does the Iron Throne still matter? Thanks for tuning in and be sure to leave your predictions for the final episode in the comments. We’ve only got a handful of characters left. Who will live? Who will die? Which one of you nerds has this all figured out? We look forward to reading your comments on the show! Follow Dana on Twitter Follow Vanessa on Twitter Follow Pete on Twitter

What could possibly cause as much panic as the Army of the Dead bearing down on Winterfell? Cersei Lannister gently touching Missendei’s arm and saying, “If you have any last words, now is the time.” The story of the Great War will be kept alive in memory for generations to come, and so will the legend of Cersei’s ruthlessness and brutality. It’s about the only thing we can count on in the game of thrones. And as Dany continues to take egregious losses, that Targaryen wildfire is on the precipice of igniting.  The stakes can (apparently) get even higher. Let’s panic and ponder together, nerds. Brienne gets some Jon’s a mean dog dad Will someone put some armor on those dragons? Arya’s not a lady Unfinished business Let’s talk about that list Cersei, Jaime, and the prophecy The dragon is out of the bag How DO they feel about incest in the North? Bronn is bery, bery sneaky Varys is loyal to the realm Jon? Dany? Cersei? Sansa? Lots of meandering theories of what is to come, because all bets are off And we finally read your comments! Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to leave your comments, questions, and predictions for the season in the comment section below for inclusion and discussion on the next episode. Only two episodes left! Follow Dana on Twitter Follow Vanessa on Twitter Follow Pete on Twitter

The longest part of The Long Night was that panic-inducing, nail-biting, palm-sweating, 14-minute opening scene until the Army of the Dead extinguished the Dothraki in UNDER. A. MINUTE.  After that, it’s a bone-crushing, catastrophic clusterfuck for all. Thank the Lord of Light for Arya. My new Monday get-hype motto is going to be, “Stick ‘em with the pointy end.” Speaking of ends, a handful of third-tier protagonists, one sidekick and a big bad meet the God of Death. But let’s all pour out a little rosé for the giant-killer, Lady Mormont.  Also discussed: Grey Worm is slippery SO much Dragonfire, but not quite enough The Night King smiles? So, is Arya Azhor Ahai Those goddamn crypts Shipping Sansa + Tyrion Arya jumped ALL the way over the shark Davos is confused Theon earns his honor, finally Beric Dondarrion serves the Starks Melisandre served her purpose Jorah serves his Queen Dany and Jon are not that special So, is Arya Azor Ahai? And More! Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to leave your comments, questions, and predictions for the season in the comment section below for inclusion and discussion on the next episode.  Follow Dana on Twitter Follow Vanessa on Twitter Follow Pete on Twitter 

The Stimulated Boredom: ‘Game of Thrones Edition’ podcast crew returns this week to bask in the low lights of Winterfell’s last night before the Army of the Dead arrives. We’re short our Fearless Leader this episode – so Pete and I do our best to serenade you with minute Westerosi details and frantic what-if theories of who might get resurrected (after they definitely die). Also discussed on A Knight in the Seven Kingdoms: Dany’s Paranoia Sansa’s Dress The Big Woman Miserable Old Shits Arya’s Elevator Looks Winterfell is a Racist Shithole The Origin of Giantsbane Sword Fights & Sword Exchanges Fuck Tradition Beric’s Got One Life Left And More! Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to leave your comments, questions, and predictions for the season in the comment section below for inclusion and discussion on the next episode. Follow Dana on Twitter Follow Vanessa on Twitter Follow Pete on Twitter

The Stimulated Boredom: 'Game of Thrones Edition' podcast crew of Dana, Vanessa, and Peter are back for the final season, and we will be recapping each and every battle and backstab immediately following each episode! This week we jump into the premiere episode of Season 8:  Homecoming Back in King's Landing How to Train Your Dragon Drogon Likes to Watch Jon Knows Cersei Loves Elephants Reunions Galore Jaime Sees Bran...Awkward Sansa and the Stinkeye My Name is Samwell Tarley, You Killed My Father, Prepare to Die And a Ton More! We also cast our votes in the Death Pool, discussing who we think will survive, who we think will die, and who will win the Game of Thrones! Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to visit stimulatedboredom.com, and/or follow each of us online. Dana on Twitter Vanessa on Twitter Peter on Twitter      

Join us for 90 minutes of exploring the ins and outs of becoming independent of cable, including the different available streaming services and devices.  For your convenience, you can view our super simple process and service options below. Happy listening! Step 1: Explore your Internet options with your local providers. The average household will need a 75 Mbps Internet connection to stream without interference, especially with multiple devices. Find the most cost-effective solution. Step 2: Explore streaming services and devices. There are lots, and they all have different content offerings and user interfaces. Keep in mind your current technology ecosystem. For example, if you own Apple devices, then Apple TV will likely be the easiest transition. Whatever you choose, get your devices set-up before you cut the cord. Step 3: BINGE WATCH IT ALL!!! There will be an adjustment to how you interact with your content and devices, but hopefully, it will be an improved experience at a lower cost. Services DIRECTV Now Sling TV Playstation Vue YouTube TV Hulu & Hulu Live Amazon Prime Video & Prime Channels Netflix Devices Fire TV Roku AppleTV Android TV Chromecast & Chromecast Ultra HD Antennas Burger King Net Neutrality Video referenced in the episode.

Winter is finally here. “The Dragon and the Wolf” is everything we imagined it could be. Yet somewhere in the midst of Viserion’s magical blue fire destroying the wall and the Night King playing jockey, it felt like it sold its soul to convenience and a Disney score.

On this week's 'Game of Thrones' discussion: Two living Targaryens. Two sad Dragons. Two damaged Starks. Two blue eyes. One Night King. One episode remains. 

This Week on the Podcast: All of our hopes of a Jaime hostage situation are for naught. He made it back to his evil sister, fraught from watching his men die, and with dragon breath still in his hair. We all love to love Jaime, but he is an utter fool when it comes to Cersei. He is also terrified of her. We all should be. All is not a soul-crushing Lannister make-out session, we still get a (convenient) Tyrion and Jaime reunion. The two negotiated an armistice, because of course they did. Politically due North, Littlefinger is playing our darling Arya like a fiddle. It’s sad really. The Stark girls don’t understand how much their own house means to one another. If they did, their alliance could be ice solid. Except, they don’t know what we know. It’s maddening. What is also frustrating is how Samwell, our faithful informant at the Citadel, emotionally glazes over a High Septon’s diary entry about performing an annulment for Rhaegar, and marrying him to someone else at the same time in a secret ceremony in Dorne. You guys. This means Lyanna and Rhaegar were wed. Jon Snow is legitimate AF.

Missendai does everything. Arya learned from no one. Jon sees Dany’s good heart. The Queen is gone. Chaos is a ladder. Lanister BBQ, anyone? 

This Week on the Podcast: Ice and Fire. Dying in a strange country. Out-of-the-closet twincest. Trigger warning by the Godswood. The long game of justice. Olenna plays her final card.

The second episode, Stormborn, kicked the door down with swift elaboration on Azor Ahai.   Wut?   That’s the Song of Fire and Ice’s version of Jesus that is going to send the Night King and his army of the dead to somewhere very, very warm. This is huge in the theory land of book fandom, like R+L = J big. At some point soon, Dany and John will meet. Fangirl hearts are pitter pattering everywhere, this episode of the podcast included.   Just as high as the episode takes us, it also thoroughly grosses us out. Thanks again Citadel and your witchy ways. Then when you think you’re going to vomit, it washes you over with joy and sorrow when we see Nymeria again. Yes. That’s her.   We frequently imagine that we have somehow built up a tolerance to the reckless highs and lows to Game of Thrones, and that’s the narrative’s magic if there ever was one – because we haven’t.   Now it’s time to listen to us get all up in our feelings about all these things, too:   Verys and Dany confrontation Red Priestess and her dangerous prophecy Jaime & Tarly Balerion the Dread, Cersei and her mad scientist Olenna and clever men Greyworm & Missendai 4eva ARYA KNOWS ABOUT JON! AND SHE WENT HOME! Greyscale is gross AF Sansa is finally queen, but somehow, we end up down one Fucking Theon     As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section and we will discuss on the next podcast.

It’s the beginning of the end, and it feels like it. For Game of Thrones, that’s a good thing because the middle was really hard. We’ve been punished enough, and now it’s time for some payoff. Arya seems to be our one-way ticket to instant gratification picking up her murder tour left off and killing every fucking Frey in the house. It’s great. Here’s to hoping our favorite Stark keeps the upper hand.   Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr and the Hound talk of resurrection. They really dig into the details. BUT FOR WHAT!? If Arya is exacting some kind of analog for Lady Stoneheart’s revenge, then why do they keep on about coming back from the dead? What does it mean, nerds?   Our other lone lady wolf, Sansa is as strategic as ever and without apology. Her agency is a stark contrast to seasons past (you see what I did there?), and it is refreshing. As the clans in the North come together to battle Winter and the Night King, Sansa is still playing the game of thrones. Let’s hope the twisted ways of Kings Landing don’t pollute the Stark family reunion. Still, we get my favorite line of the episode as Sansa interrupts Littlefinger’s continued attempts at manipulation.   Alas, the shiniest North star continues to be Lady Mormont as she turns gruff, filthy, violent men into submissive toddlers. I am pretty sure she is the one with all the magic. Yo, Night King, come at her, bro!   We also got to see…   The book thief Euron Greyjoy channeling his best Douche Tormund’s twinkle eyes Blackberry wine & Ed Sheeran Logs burning and zombies walking "Wun Wun" Walkers Blood on the pages, guts on the table A bald cunt and a top knot That Catspaw dagger Mothafuckin' Dragonstone   We’re so happy to have the band back together and we hope you are too. What did we miss? What do you hope to see this season? Tell us your great theories for the future of Westeros! We’ll respond to your comments and questions on the next show.

Listen via the player below, subscribe for free on iTunes or through these other options, includingthe official mobile apps. In an exquisitely orchestrated series of unexpected events, we are left sated and curious. Who knew Game of Thrones could still surprise us? And even after reading fan theory upon fan theory, (sound, thorough theories) the show still managed to take us into uncharted territory while confirming the most popular GoT theory of all… R+L=J. I think we all knew that to be true, but it certainly feels validating to see it on screen. A Song of Fire and Ice surely has more than one meaning, but the key players are Dany and Jon. Sidenote, baby Jon is just as brooding as resurrected Jon. Cute. Jon’s parentage is an important reveal, but the true twist of the episode is the face-off at Riverrun as Arya Stark fed Walder Frey his sons, looked him square in his dispicable face, and killed him exactly how her mother was killed. And then she smiled. I am forced to face the reality that Lady Stoneheart was a heavy-handed Red Herring that gave us her psychopath second daughter to exact the revenge we know is due. I didn’t expect it, but I am at peace with that turn of events. I have long-loved Arya, and this feels good. That does not make me any less wrong. So, you know what that means, right? Yeah, I sing Justin Bieber on this episode because watching Firefly would have been way harder. I am sorry. Listeners of past episodes understand why this had to happen. Beyond the giant elephants of Jon and Arya, the finale served up… • The greatest costume Cersei has ever worn • Scary little birds • Wineboarding • Confessions of a mad queen • A library to end all libraries • The reflecting pool at Dorne • Unnerving passages of time • Sansa’s impeccable evolution • Lady Mormont is the best campaign manager EVAR The Winds of Winter was a phenomenal episode, and gave us much to discuss. I hope you stick around for the entire show as we recap the episode, recall moments that led up to these, and conject about what’s to come. Oh, and you know we read all of your comments, too. Now that the season is over, our magical nerd trinity wants to hear from you about what you’d like us to cover next. BUT, not before you sound off about the Winds of Winter in the comments. Thanks for listening, talk at you soon… you beautiful nerds. _________ Follow Dana on Twitter Find Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek Follow Pete on Twitter You can listen to the full episode via the embedded player on this page, or simply subscribe for free on iTunes or through your favorite podcatcher app. Also Available On: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, iTunes, Direct Download or through your favorite podcatcher app.

The face-off between Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton, after a series of unequivocal gut punches in favor of the bad guys, filled my heart with kind of hope and anticipation typically reserved for child birth. So, when HBO Now decided to fucking crash at 9:00 pm EST on Sunday night, I (and the entire Twitterverse) had a Cersei-sized tantrum. I cleared my cache. Logged out. Logged back in. Rebooted my device. Rebooted my wireless router. Uninstalled. Reinstalled. Refreshed. To no avail. HBO Now was down for over two hours, and as much of a First World Problem as that is, I was goddamn pissed off. All I could do was tweet my nerd rage. I also had to tell Dana and Peter that I couldn’t record the podcast that night. We collectively apologize for the podcast being up a bit later than usual. Blame HBO Now. As a consolation prize, here are some hilarious tweets. #ichooseviolence I did finally get to watch the episode at about midnight, and OMFG! Historically, Game of Thrones saves the best bits of its seasons for last. In this case, the creators of the show outdid themselves. Battle of the Bastards may be the most well-crafted episode of the series to date. I was blown away. • There is some serious lady power on the rise: Dany, Yara and Sansa are on FIRE! • Who else is shipping Dany and Yara, btw? • Can we talk about Lady Mormont’s exquisite resting bitch face? • Poor Davos • Tormund and Smalljon, though • Piles and piles of bodies • Jon Snow is a killing machine • Ramsay does one, last incredibly shitty thing • Sansa’s smile made it all worth it There is only one thing that could make this season better, and her name is Lady Stoneheart. Let’s all pray to the Seven Gods and the Lord of Light for her ghastly reveal in the season finale or else I might actually quit the show. OK. Maybe I won’t quit the show, but there better not be any wildfire laying around if she doesn’t show up. #burnthemall Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to leave your comments, questions or fan theories in the comment section below – and we will respond to them on the next show.  See you next week, nerds! _________ Follow Dana on Twitter Find Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek Follow Pete on Twitter You can listen to the full episode via the embedded player on this page, or simply subscribe for free on iTunes or through your favorite podcatcher app.  

Warning: This podcast contains spoilers for the Game of Thrones episode, “No One.” Last night’s Game of Thrones episode – entitled, “No One” – did little by way of providing many surprises, but did do a lot to delight fans. After the awful and hate-inducing fifth season, which was spoiled by — in descending order of offensiveness — misogyny, nihilism and brooding, this season (so far) has been largely about making the show actually fun to watch again. Go figure. The sins of the past are not yet forgiven, but “No One” was another step in the right direction, as we see:   The triumphant return of Daenerys and Drogon…and in just the nick of time Arya regain her name, identity an purpose The Faith lose their heads…literally The Hound get revenge for losing his bestie Tyrion launches a new comedy troupe with Grey Worm and Missandei Of course most of the season has been leading up to the main event, which will be next week’s episode – appropriately nicknamed “The Bastard Bowl” – in which we’ll finally see Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton face off over the fate of Winterfell. With only 2 episodes remaining in Season 6, the weekly podcast crew of Dana, Vanessa and Peter return to wax poetic on all things Game of Thrones.  Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to send your comments, questions or fan theories to dana (at) stimulated boredom (dot) com – or leave them in the comment section below – and we will respond to them on the next show! Follow Dana on Twitter Find Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek Follow Pete on Twitter You can listen to the full episode via the embedded player on this page, or simply subscribe for free on iTunes or through your favorite podcatcher app.  

Warning: This podcast contains spoilers for the Game of Thrones episode, “The Broken Man.” Well, it was bound to happen. In a fast-paced season in which we’ve enjoyed some incredibly satisfying episodes, we were given a slower and somewhat lighter episode of Game of Thronesthis week with, “The Broken Man.” Not to say that Arya getting her stomach aerated and the Hound returning from the “dead” weren’t notable, it’s just that comparatively speaking there just wasn’t a lot of story movement this week. We were introduced to some compelling new characters – and had one of them taken away almost as quickly as they were introduced. Jon builds an army. Cersei get’s dissed, hard, and Sansa has to ask for help from the one person she doesn’t want to. I’m a bit under the weather this week, so I’ll leave all of the fascinating discussion of “The Broken Man” episode to the podcast, as we continue to dissect every Game of Thrones episode this season within moments of their airing, including comparison to the books, online fan theories, and our own speculation about where the season is headed. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to send your comments, questions or fan theories to dana (at) stimulated boredom (dot) com – or leave them in the comment section below – and we will respond to them on the next show! Follow Dana on Twitter Find Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek Follow Pete on Twitter You can listen to the full episode via the embedded player on this page, or simply subscribe for free on iTunes or through your favorite podcatcher app.

Warning: This podcast contains spoilers for the Game of Thrones episode, “Blood of my Blood.” For a Game of Thrones episode titled “Blood of My Blood,” there was surprisingly little blood. We saw the return of Benjen Stark (aka: Cold Hands), and caught a glimpse of the Mad King’s death. We also witnessed some sneaky political maneuvers by the High Sparrow, who seemingly check-mated the Lannisters and Tyrells. Arya Stark remembers her name – and where she buried her sword, Needle; and we meet Samwell Tarly’s dad, who won’t be winning any “Father of the Year” awards anytime soon. “Oh, and have you met my dragon?” – Daenerys to the Dothraki “Blood Of My Blood” represents a number of turning points for the season – especially for Dany and Bran – as we begin to step into new and uncharted territory for the series. The Game of Thrones podcast crew of Dana, Vanessa and Peter dig deep into the fan theories that turned out to be true, and speculate about where the remainder of Season 6 is heading. However, we all agree that it was yet another great episode this season, and (thankfully) not as traumatic as last week’s. Also Discussed: We’re reminded that Walder Frey is still alive and needs to be killed, violently Edmure is also alive and being used as a pawn…but to what end? Jaime and Brienne are headed to the Riverlands – and Vanessa is positively giddy over the prospect of Lady Stoneheart’s possible arrival onto the show Sam grows a pair and steals a Valyrian steel blade from his prick of a father Arya is seemingly out of that spooky death cult and is, hopefully, going to make her way back to Westeros with her list of names and trusty Needle in hand Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to send your comments, questions or fan theories to dana (at) stimulated boredom (dot) com, and we will respond to your email on the next show! Follow Dana on Twitter Find Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek and on Twitter Follow Pete on Twitter You can listen to the full epsode via the embedded pliayer on this page, or simply subscribe for free on iTunes or through your favorite podcatcher app.

Warning: This podcast contains spoilers for the Game of Thrones episode, “The Door.” Whelp, we went from one of the series most uplifting episodes…to easily one of the saddest. Hodor. Hodor. Hodor. Who, me? Oh, nothing. I just have some snow in my eye. Hodor on, Hodor. With tonight’s episode of, “The Door,” season 6 continues to rack up the body count, but none have been as gut-wrenching as the (presumed) loss of poor Hodor. The series also delivered a triple mind-freak dick-punch by revealing the origin of Hodor’s condition, his dreadful demise, and Bran’s responsibility for both. Oh yeah, and the Starks lost another goddamn Direwolf. The podcast crew of Dana, Vanessa and Peter gather once more to discuss and dissect the episode, along with our shared grief at the loss of the Hodorest Hodor who ever Hodored. Tune in as we dissect every detail of this week’s episode, and be sure to send your comments, questions or fan theories to dana (at) stimulated boredom (dot) com, and we will respond to your email on the next show! Follow Dana on Twitter Find Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek and on Twitter Follow Pete on Twitter

Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Game of Thrones episode, “Book of the Stranger.” The first three episodes of this season may have focused on ice, but tonight we saw the return ofFIRE in a big way. The Game of Thrones weekly podcast crew of Dana, Vanessa and Peter return to discuss every fiery detail of Season 6, Episode 4: “Book of the Stranger.” So far season 6 has been rather uplifting – relatively speaking – after the joyless black pit that was season 5, and there’s no better example of that then this week’s episode. In fact, season 6 has really upped the pace these last four episodes, as fans have been treated to an assortment of satisfying moments…which, judging by history, probably won’t last long. Daenerys had another showstopping moment this week; plus we finally get a Stark family reunion that many fans have been waiting for since Season 1. We see Sansa reunited with Jon; Theon rejoined with Yara; Margaery consoles Loras; Jorah and Daario find Dany, and even Cersei is (seemingly) joining forces with Lady Olenna. Joy! Tune in as we dissect every detail of this week’s episode, and be sure to send your comments, questions or fan theories to dana (at) stimulated boredom (dot) com, and we will respond to your email on the next show! Follow Dana on Twitter Find Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek and on Twitter Follow Pete on Twitter You can listen to the full epsode via the embedded pliayer on this page, or simply subscribe for free on iTunes or through your favorite podcatcher app.

Some major Stark family shakeups happen this week on Game of Thrones, and the weekly podcast crew of Dana, Vanessa and Peter are back to discuss every little detail of Season 6, Episode 3: “Oathbreaker.” A Quick Recap: Arya Stark gets her vision back Bran Stark sees his father, Eddard, in action at the Tower of Joy Rickon Stark has returned…phew!…but he’s now in Ramsay’s clutches…shit! Jon Snow fashions his enemies with new neckties and quits the Night’s Watch We may have also caught a glimpse of a major plot point involving the identity of Jon Snow’s parents. In one of the biggest moments of the episode, Bran witnesses a young Ned Stark facing off against legendary swordsman Ser Arthur Dayne, a member of the “Mad King” Aerys Targaryen’s Kingsguard, at the Tower of Joy. According to Dayne, he was instructed by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen (Daenerys and Viserys’ older brother) to guard the tower, where Ned suspects his sister Lyanna is being held after Rhaegar kidnapped her and incited the rebellion that eventually saw the Targaryen dynasty removed from power and Robert Baratheon installed on the Iron Throne. What relevance does this have to Jon Snow’s parentage? Feel free to fall down that rabbit hole of speculation here — but it’s discussed in detail on the podcast that after Lyanna’s death and Robert’s victory, Ned returned home to Winterfell (and his new wife Catelyn) with a bastard son, but refused to tell anyone the identity of Jon’s mother. Want more? Tune in! You can listen to the full episode via the embedded player on this page, or simply subscribe for free on iTunes or through your favorite podcatcher app. Be sure to send your comments, questions or fan theories to dana (at) stimulated boredom (dot) com, and we will respond to your email on the next show! Follow Dana on Twitter Find Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek and on Twitter Follow Pete on Twitter    

Warning: This episode contains spoilers fortheGame of Thrones episode, “Home.”Alright folks, you can finally unclench and relax over thefateof Jon Snow. Well, you can try to relax afterthatrepulsive and cringe-inducing scene with Ramsay Bolton andthebaby, but let’s try to process this one thing at a time.The weekly ‘Game of Thrones’ podcastdiscussioncrew of Dana, Vanessa and Peter return this week, as wedelve into,“Home” — Episode 2 of Season 6.A Few Things We Chatted About:Welcome back, Bran. After a year off from the show – andagrowth spurt, evidently – the young psychic Stark (and John Oliver doppelgänger) returnsRamsey Bolton does another horrible thingTyrion Lannister stars in, “How to TrainYourDragons”“What choo talkin’ bout…Hodor?”Remember kids, public urination can be fatalJaime Lannister learns firsthand how creepy religiousfanaticsareCastle Black takes a walk on the Wild(ling) Side“The No Name Girl Formally Known as Arya Stark”ERMAGHERD JON SNOW IS ALIVE AND IT BROKE THE INTERNETS!A lot happened in this week’s episode of GameofThrones, so let’s get to it!You can listen to the full episode via the embedded playeronthis page, or simply subscribe for free on iTunes or throughyourfavorite podcatcher app.Be sure to send your comments, questions or fan theories todana(at) stimulated boredom (dot) com, and we will respond toyouremail on the next show!Follow Dana on TwitterFind Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek and on TwitterFollow Pete on TwitterAlso Available On: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, iTunes, Direct Download or through yourfavoritepodcatcher app.

Warning: This episode contains spoilers for the Game of Thrones episode, “The Red Woman.” The long-awaited season six premiere of Game of Thrones has finally arrived — and with it one pretty major deviation from the books, a shocking moment that we’re all still processing, and wefinally learn the fate of Jon Snow. On this new weekly Stimulated Boredom podcast series, I’ll be joined by show favorites –Vanessa Gabriel and Peter – as we discuss each new Game of Thrones episode as soon as they air for the most immediate reactions and discussion. We approach each week’s G.o.T episodes from 3 different perspectives — one from someone who has only watched the show (Dana), one who has read some of the books and spoiler-filled Wikis (Vanessa), and from one who has read all of the books and has the potential to ruineverything with their inside knowledge (Peter) — so be prepared for spoilers, however we’ll always try to be careful and take into account those listeners who, like Dana, only know the series from what the writers present on the show. We hope that you enjoy this new weekly series, and we look forward to your comments, questions and fan theories — which you can leave in the comment section below or email the show: dana (at) stimulatedboredom (dot) com. We’ll be addressing listener feedback on future episodes, so be sure to share your thoughts and maybe you’ll hear them on the next episode! Find Vanessa at: Girls Gone Geek and on TwitterFollow Pete on Twitter

Warning: This episode contains major spoilers for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice On this episode of Stimulated Boredom, I’m joined by recent guest-host Peter, along with Vanessa Gabriel of Girls Gone Geek, as we dive cowl-first into what we loved, liked and disliked aboutBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, including its surprises, adherence to DC Comics continuity, how it did in establishing DC’s larger cinematic universe, some of our biggest unanswered questions, and much more. This episode also answers: What the hell was Bruce Wayne’s weird desert fever dream all about? What exactly was Lex Luthor’s grand plan, anyway? Should we expect the same dark tone in the other planned DC cinematic universe movies? Where has Wonder Woman been since 1918? Did Batman just kill a bunch of dudes? What comic book easter eggs did we catch? So, sit back and enjoy three geeks wax poetic about capes, cowls and lassos!

Warning: This episode contains spoilers, and assumes that you’ve seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Only listen if you’ve seen the movie. To ignore this warning is a path to the Dark Side. Episode VII We Have Seen. Much to Discuss There Is. Peter joins me on this episode of the Stimulated Boredom podcast, as we lovingly discuss and review Star Wars: The Force Awakens! Episode VII is finally here, as we talk about our impressions of the film, and engage in rampant speculation over the unanswered questions that many of you undoubtedly have, including: Who are Rey’s parents? What is Rey’s background, and who is she waiting for on Jakku? Why does Luke’s lightsaber call to Rey? What the hell is up with Supreme Leader Snoke, and why did Star Wars do a crossover with The Lord of the Rings? Why did Ben Solo turn to the Dark Side, and will he ever resolve his grandfather issues? How did Maz Kanata get hold of Luke’s lightsaber, and will she ever get Lasik eye surgery? How many times did the movie make us cry? Why is Kylo Ren so strong with the Force, but not so much when it comes to fighting with a glow stick? And SO much more! We’d also like to hear from you, including what you thought of The Force Awakens, along with any questions, comments or theories that you might have. Feel free to leave your comments below or email the show, and we’ll do a Star Wars follow up episode in which we include your feedback and impressions of the movie. Sit back and enjoy, as two fans wax poetic about a galaxy far, far away! #TheForceAwakensInOurPants

It’s certainly been awhile since the last episode of Stimulated Boredom, but the podcast (sort of) makes its triumphant return with this 2.5 hour episode that is so chock full of geeky goodness, you’ll literally feel the atomic wedgie creeping up your butthole every minute that you listen! On this episode of the show I’m joined by my good friend, Peter, as we wax poetic on geek culture and recap all of the nerdy things that has excited us over the last few months. This includes everything from discussion of the new Daredevil series on Netflix, to the latest Batman V Superman trailer and upcoming movie, along with Game of Thrones Season 6 speculation, exciting Comic-Con announcements, Flash on the CW, and Ernest Cline’s latest geek tome, Armada So sit back, relax and experience your virginity growing back. 

  Vanessa Gabriel of Girls Gone Geek returns for a four-peat appearance on the show, as we discuss the ins-and-outs of creating your own successful blog, podcast and posting original content.   Having been content creators since 2005 (me) and 2009 (Vanessa), we have gleaned from and learned a lot of lessons about taking our passions and turning them into viable platforms on the Internet.   From choosing a memorable name to building an audience and promoting your content via social media, we discuss the mistakes we’ve made, our successes, failures, helpful tips & tricks and share our collected wisdom for the benefit of those seeking to do the same.   As is always the case with Vanessa’s appearances on the show, this is an entertaining, informative and organic conversation that we hope will help to stimulate your boredom, while providing some insight and advice that people can immediately apply and benefit from.

Some of you may have noticed a few major changes recently. That’s because I locked myself away for a few days – and have the mason jars full of urine and poor basic hygiene to prove it – redesigning the entire Stimulated Boredom website. The intent of the redesign was to create more of a “news magazine” feel to the site, one which would make it easier to discover content, in addition to better organizing the website as a whole. In this brief update, I introduce some of the changes that were made.

As discussed on the show: How's this for Jesus imagery?    Week of: June 17 - June 24, 2013 Resident comic book experts, Vanessa Gabriel and Erika Peterman of Girls Gone Geek, join me as we discuss and review the new, "Man of Steel"movie! In this 2.5 hour episode we cover everything from the different comic book story arcs that were incorporated into the script, all of our feelings on the movie and Henry Cavill's bare chested Kryptonian nipples. .Be sure to follow and support Girls Gone Geek on Facebook & Twitter As always, enjoy the show!

Girls Gone Geek: (L-R) Erika Peterman, Gail Simone, Vanessa Gabriel Week of: March 18 – March 25, 2013 Vanessa Gabriel of Girls Gone Geek regales us with her latest adventure in cosplay, the thrill of meeting Gail Simone, and a discussion about the challenges that content creators face. It’s been awhile, but the prodigal geek girl returns for another amazing discussion on comic books, cosplay and content creation. :) With Vanessa fresh off of her trip to MegaCon (and mine to SXSW), we also finish out the show with a very interesting discussion between two content creators, including many of the challenges we faced and lessons we learned along the way while building our channels (and audience) up. As always, enjoy the show!

Stay Thirsty My Friends Week of: February 18 – February 25, 2013 The State of the Union address, awkward drinks of water and a review of Dave Grohl’s, “Sound City.” On this week’s episode of the podcast, I discuss a few of my takeaways from the President’s fourth State of the Union. What stood out to me? What is likely to be the legacy of the speech? When did the modern State of the Union become such an exercise in political futility? I also briefly discuss the perils of dehydration on National television while giving your party’s official response and recommend a new rock documentary by Foo Fighters front-man and first-time director, Dave Grohl. Enjoy the show!

Week of: January 28 – February 4, 2013 Stimulated Boredom is back! With the move to Washington DC under our belts, the show gets back into the swing of things by discussing the best ways to increase your social network, influence and footprint. After 8 years of producing and growing a podcast, I have learned a lot of lessons along the way on how to use social media to your benefit; regardless if you are a company, blogger, podcaster or simply someone who has something to say. Many people over the years have asked me to discuss how I grew Stimulated Boredom over the years to the point of attracting thousands of followers, fans and subscribers. It was difficult – with a lot of mistakes made along the way – in addition to the necessity of adapting to a constantly evolving social landscape. In this 2.5 hour show, I lay out my philosophy on the best ways to improve the reach and influence of your social network, while creating and sharing content that connects and is ‘shareable.’ I also plan to follow up this general discussion, with a series that focuses more closely on specific tips, tricks and tools. You don’t have to be a celebrity or a huge corporation to get noticed…you just have to have something to say and a way to say it that gets your head above the crowd. Enjoy the show!

Week of: November 26 – ??? Synopsis: Stimulated Boredom is moving to Washington DC! In this brief update, I announce some exciting news and how it will affect the podcast over the course of the next few weeks. The show moves closer to the belly of the beast! We are very excited about this change and have a LOT to do over the next couple of weeks, therefore Stimulated Boredom will be taking a brief hiatus as we get packed, moved and settled into our new DC digs. :) I appreciate your patience during this time and am anticipating that I should be able to get back on the mic by the 2nd or 3rd week of December. In the meantime, please feel free to get caught up on any past shows that you might have missed! You can do so viaiTunes or the official SB iPhone and Android apps, in addition to a variety of other options. Thanks again for your support of Stimulated Boredom and for listening to the show…the next time you hear my voice, I will be breathing in the Washington DC air and getting ready for some new and exciting changes to the show. :)

Four More Years. Week of: November 12 – November 19, 2012 Synopsis: The election is over, President Obama has won a second term and it’s time for a little post-election analysis; including what the next four years may look like and the impending fiscal cliff. That’s it folks! After a year of campaigning, kissing babies, shaking hands, a billion dollars in ads spent, countless stump speeches and a race dubbed ‘one of the closest in recent history,’ it was over much faster than the pundits predicted and was a resounding electoral victory for the President. But what happened? Why were the polls and talking heads so off? Where did the GOP go wrong against an incumbent they swore was so beatable? And how has the country’s demographics shifted in such a way that the White House may effectively end up outside of the Republican party’s reach for a long time unless they adapt and become more inclusive? This week’s show is all about the election and what challenges the President may face in the upcoming fours years; in addition to what the Republican party may need to do in order to stay relevant in a country with changing demographics and a more progressive attitude towards social, ethnic & gender issues. Enjoy the show!

Week of: October 22 – October 29, 2012 Synopsis: As we head into the final days of the election, I respond to listener questions relating to exactly what the Electoral College is, its history and how it works, what makes a “battleground state” and a wrap-up of the week in election news. Due to what appears to be a close race, there has been a lot of talk this election cycle of the Electoral College and the math involved in coming up with a strategy that leads to 270 electoral votes…the majority required to win the Presidency. But what exactly is the Electoral College and how does it work? Why was it created in the first place and why is it still used today? Why doesn’t popular vote determine the winner of Presidential elections? I’ve covered this topic numerous times on past shows during previous election years and decided to re-visit it due to the emails and questions that I have been receiving, asking me to answer the questions listed above. I also delve into the strategy that each party pursues to achieve electoral victory and what the electoral map is showing as we head into November 6th. So enjoy this little civics lesson, coupled with additional discussion, politicking and opinion of the news coming out of the final stretch of the election. Enjoy the show!

Week of: October 22 – October 29, 2012 Synopsis: A different President Obama showed up to the 2nd debate and Mitt Romney gives birth to another meme. Patrick joins me as we discuss confusing polls, the best moments of the debate and other politicking. At the 2nd Presidential debate, a significantly more assertive (and awake) president Obama showed up and appeared to keep Mitt Romney on his heels for the duration of the evening…leading to some memorable moments and an opponent who was consistently kept on defense and who repeatedly needed to cede his time (that was supposed to be spent answering audience questions) responding to an Obama that was clearly on offense. I am joined by Patrick, as we dissect the debate and some of the more interesting exchanges. We also break down some confusing and inconsistent polling on a micro level, in order to shed some light on why some of the battleground states have consistently remained in the President’s column and why Romney has not be able to break through in some of them. This week we put on our politico hats and give an honest assessment of this year’s election, why polls may be irrelevant (regardless of who they favor), how women may determine the outcome and how the elections in this country have changed…mostly for the worse. A lot of interesting topics are covered in this nearly 3-hour conversation and we think you will walk away with more than a few new things to consider. Enjoy the show!

Week of: October 15 – October 22, 2012 Coming on the heels of a strong and unexpected Romney performance in last week’s first debate against the President, additional pressure was on Vice President Joe Biden to deliver a performance that will either slow down or completely stop Romney’s recent momentum. Did he succeed? Before the VP debate, I posted an article in which I discussed the Top 10 things that people should expect from the first and only sparring between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. In this week’s show, I break down many of those points and which ones were fulfilled, in addition to the effect that it may have heading into the 2nd Presidential debate next Tuesday in New York. In front of an estimated audience of over 51 million people, was Biden able to slow or even stop Romney’s momentum? Did Paul Ryan hurt or help the campaign? What were some of the more memorable exchanges of the evening? All of these questions are answered, in addition to a little fact-checking in this post-debate wrap-up. Bonus Content: I have included the full 90 minute audio version of the debate at the end of this week’s program. Therefore, if you did not see the debate or simply want to hear it again, you will be able to from beginning to end once the show ends. Enjoy the show!

Week of: October 8 – October 15, 2012 The first Presidential Debate has come and gone, and it’s time for a little ‘post-game’ wrap-up relating to the candidates’ performance, whether there will be any change in the polls and some fact-checking. Recently I posted an article in which I discussed the likely strategy of both candidates coming into the debate. All in all, my predictions for how Mitt Romney and President Obama would approach the debate was accurate…with the important difference that Romney over-performed, while the President drastically under-performed, resulting in a clear victory for Mitt. However, although Romney won stylistically, my biggest issues were with the grossly negligent moderator of the debate, Jim Lehrer, and the fact that President Obama never unleashed any of the many offensive weapons against his opponent that Romney essentially handed to him on a silver platter that night and over the last few months…a decision that is still beyond my comprehension. The President played defense to a fault – opting instead to ‘stay above the fray’ – and never challenged the monumental amount of contradictory and inaccurate statements made by his opponent. But will Romney’s performance move the needle and reverse the downward trajectory of his campaign with only 5 weeks until the election? Will the polls hold or see a shift in the all-important battleground states and with the sliver of undecided voters who remain? Traditionally the polls heading into the debates end up being the same as on election day, but was Romney’s performance strong enough to change that or will the President rise to the occasion in the 2 remaining debates? Enjoy the show!

The iPhone 5 is released with a new shade of lipstick and Mitt Romney thinks 47% of the country (which includes Grandma and active military personnel) are a bunch of freeloading bums and doesn’t want their vote. This week saw the release of the iPhone 5 – as I share my opinion of Apple’s newest innovation – which offers BRAND NEW FEATURES…that every smartphone released in the last 2 years already had. I spend a few minutes trying to wrap my head around why people would choose a closed OS that tethers and makes them dependent upon one company’s digital ecosystem. For the remainder of the program, I wax poetic on the horrific week that Mitt Romney enjoyed and share my opinion and insight on what the electoral landscape looks like heading into November. Can Romney rebound? Are there enough undecided voters left to close the gap in battleground states where the President leads? I also share the exact moment during election night that you should look for, in which I guarantee that you can turn to others in the room and confidently declare, “It’s over.” Week of: September 22 – October 1, 2012 Enjoy the show! stimulatedboredom.com 

Week of: September 10 – September 17, 2012 This week I’m joined by resident geek girl, Vanessa G of Girls-Gone-Geek.com, as she discusses Dragon*Con and her first foray into the world of cosplay. Ever wonder what possesses a person to dress up as their favorite movie, video game or comic book character? Ever wonder what it’s like to attend a comic book convention dressed as your favorite movie, video game or comic book character? Frequent SB guest and listener favorite, Vanessa Gabriel, did just that at this year’s Dragon*Con and was kind enough to share her first cosplay experience and what it was like to put her costume together, walk the floor and pose for pictures. I’ve attended a couple of conventions myself and I greatly admire the time, effort and passion that people put into their costumes. Not only did Vanessa dress up, but she shares what it was like as a first-time cosplayer to be stopped by fans to take photos, the importance of practicing your hero poses in front of the mirror and why you should never wear anything made of polyurethane. In this 2.5 hour discussion, we had a great time as Vanessa shared a ton of entertaining stories…including an embarrassing fangirl meltdown moment while meeting one of her favorite actors! As they say, “You never forget your first time.” :) Enjoy the show!

Week of: September 3 – September 10, 2012 This week I’m joined by listener favorite, Patrick…as we tackle everything from the Apple Vs. Samsung verdict, my time at Star Wars Celebration VI and the Republican National Convention. There’s a little something for everyone this week: Tech: What the verdict in the Apple v. Samsung lawsuit means to the future of the (non-iOS) smartphone market Geek: Discussion of my experience at Star Wars Celebration VI and why fans make such a big deal out of the franchise Politics: What could cause two people – who follow politics very closely and who have watched every political convention in the last few election cycles – to find themselves unable to stomach this year’s Republican convention? As is the case with every appearance that Patrick has on the program, this week’s show is really nothing more than giving fans of the podcast an opportunity to listen in on the conversation and thoughts of two close friends. I shit you not, these are exactly the kinds of conversations that we have on the phone all the time. :) Enjoy the show!

My Mom with her new Italian boyfriend in Tuscany…one of the 34 different countries she has visited over the course of her life. Week of: August 13 – August 20, 2012 Actually, it’s my Mama! This week I am joined by a very special guest…my mother. :) Over the past 7+ years of the show, many of you have heard very personal stories about my life growing up, which was instrumental in the development of my world view, personality, humor and opinions. My wildly entertaining (and equally un-PC) Filipino mother had a lot to do with that. We discuss her life in Manila, her experience as a teenage foreign exchange student in an American high school, her marriage to my father – including the subsequent divorce – and the effect it had on us and my siblings. We also discuss politics, religion, world history and a TON more! This 4 hour conversation taught me a few things that I never knew about her life and views on certain subjects, while also recounting many funny (and often times, embarrassing) stories. :) We have always been very open about discussing our lives, and this personal conversation between mother and son is just another example of that. She has lived an extraordinary life and traveled the world many times over, so I thought it would be a good time to get her on the show…especially before the old bitch dies and perhaps give myself a chance to lobby for more shit in her will. Enjoy the show! stimulatedboredom.com 

Week of: August 6 – August 13, 2012 God, Gays…and Chicken? This week I sink my teeth into the meaty controversy surrounding comments made by Chick-fil-A President, Dan Cathy, which re-ignited (yet another) public debate over the topic of gay marriage. Social media exploded when Cathy told an online Southern Baptist publication that he and his family-owned restaurant chain are ‘‘guilty as charged’’ for openly — and financially — supporting groups that advocate for ‘‘the biblical definition of a family unit.’’ He later added that the United States is ‘‘inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.’’ However, he apparently has no problem with offering his own judgement on the subject of which citizens deserve equal rights under the law…and which do not. So far the Weather Channel has not reported any recent storm activity fueled by the Wrath-of-God, but I’m keeping a look out… Although Cathy has every right to express his opinion, the bigger problem lies in the fact that his company financially supports groups that actively seek to deny gay rights and promote intolerance; including “pray the gay away” camps and organizations that strive to prevent homosexuals from obtaining teaching positions or having any contact with children…for fear that their “deviant lifestyle” might rub off on them. Forgive me if some customers might have a problem with their money being spent in that manner. At the heart of this week’s show, is the debate over whether the personal religious beliefs of an individual (or group of individuals) should apply to anyone other than themselves…especially those who may not share those beliefs. As usual, I have a strong opinion on the matter ;) Enjoy the show! stimulatedboredom.com 

You Have Been Warned Week of: Special Mid-Week Show! Now that the eagerly anticipated, “The Dark Knight Rises” has been released, I am joined by Erika Peterman from Girls-Gone-Geek.com as we review, discuss and dissect the film from beginning to end! WARNING: This show contains an almost offensive amount of spoilers, therefore, if you have not seen the film…please avert your ears now. You have been warned. In this special 3-hour program, Erika and I review every moment of the movie from a fan’s perspective. This includes touching upon story arcs from the comics used in the film, if anything took us by surprise, what we thought of the ending and whether my obsession with Batman requires medial attention. This is not just merely a review of the movie, but rather a comprehensive discussion of every aspect of the film and how it relates to the established Batman mythos and universe. For readers of the comics, we made sure to point out easter-eggs and allusions to known storylines. For those only familiar with the films, we also point out the parts of the film that were nerdgasm inducing and why, perhaps helping to deepen your appreciation for the many layers of the movie. Consider this show a companion piece to the movie and your own personal 3-hour collection of bonus features, long after the final credits have rolled ;) As always, enjoy the show! stimulatedboredom.com | facebook.com/stimulatedboredom

Kicking ass, taking names and making rainbows… Week of: July 9 – July 16, 2012 This week I am joined by Vanessa Gabriel from Girls-Gone-Geek.com as we tackle everything from DC Comics, superhero movies, Community, Felicia Day and my (unhealthy) love of Batman; to politics, ObamaCare, the 24-hour news cycle and just about anything in between! In this over 3-hour program, Vanessa and I had a blast just goofing off and having our own little geek session, before eventually moving to some of the top stories of the week. But don’t let the title fool you, although there is a lot of lighthearted and entertaining discussion, we also approach the more serious topics with the thoughtfulness and consideration that they deserve. There is something for everyone in this week’s show and we hope that you enjoy our diverse range of discussion, as much as we enjoyed recording it. As always, enjoy the show! stimulatedboredom.com | facebook.com/stimulatedboredom

Week of: June 25 – July 2, 2012 Prompted by a listener email, this week’s show revolves entirely around job hunting tips and how to increase your chances of landing the job that you want in a difficult economy. Leah, a listener in Pennsylvania, wrote to me and described her frustration and fear relating to the current economy and the difficulty that she and her boyfriend have had in finding a job – despite their degrees and experience. A few years ago, when the economy first started suffering, I covered this subject in length and have since had listeners request that I cover it again. My expertise in the matter is gleaned from many years of hiring, training and managing people through various careers that I have had, in which I have probably hired and managed (cumulatively) well over 1,000 people. Also, as someone who lost a job a few years ago when the economy was at its worst, I can also speak from the perspective of someone who has looked for (and found) a great job in a very bad market. All of this coupled together, has given me a perspective from both sides of the 'hiring line' and a strong understanding of the best practices for gaining an edge over other job candidates vying for the same position(s), including: * How to make your resume stand out on job search sites and in an interview * Best practices for aggressively and proactively gaining an edge over other applicants * Interview tips, including pre-interview preparation and questions to ask * Gain allies among people who work there, to increase your chances of hire * Best practices for following up and securing an interview over other applicants * Best practices for finding jobs that are not advertised * Other tips and tricks that I can’t think of as I type this sentence ;)   So, if you are currently looking for a job…or fear that you may have to in the near future, this week’s show is perfect for you and provides some practical and effective tips for landing your next position. As always, enjoy the show! stimulatedboredom.com | facebook.com/stimulatedboredom

"President Obama is out of touch with the average American and their economic concerns." - Said the guy who is building a $12 Million mansion on the beach with its own custom-built car elevator. Week of: June 11 – June 18, 2012 This week’s discussion begins with the campaign fundraising results for May – including what Romney’s superior $77 million-dollar haul could signify – in addition to the infusion of corporate money (thanks to the ‘Citizens United’ Supreme Court decision) into our political process and how new media has made running for President a billion-dollar endeavor. Next, it’s on to President Obama and how long he can keep blaming the economy he inherited from Bush, before he needs to wholly take responsibility for it. This discussion is coupled – as it relates to GOP opposition – with the difference between, ‘rooting for failure’ for political advantage…and actually helping to cause failure for the same reason. With Romney essentially securing the Republican nomination, I pose my own questions to the former Governor that I would like the media to ask. Essentially demanding that he back up his repeated claims of knowing how to create jobs and grow the economy…in juxtaposition and reconciling those claims with his record as Governor, in which Massachusetts was 47th in the nation in job growth under his tenure…of which, he served only 1 term because he would be unable to win re-election. I also challenge his assertion that his time at Bain Capital should be “off-limits” in the campaign…seeing how he claims that his business experience at Bain makes him “uniquely qualified” to be President. Lastly, I respond to listener requests to discuss the (failed) results of the Wisconsin recall election of Governor Scott Walker. This includes my opinion of organized labor unions and what the recall election result could mean in the general election. A lot of great topics were discussed this week and I hope that it helps listeners to stay informed and to formulate their own opinions! As always, enjoy the show! stimulatedboredom.com | facebook.com/stimulatedboredom

Week of: May 21 – May 28, 2012 This week I am joined by a new voice to the program, Elke, as we discuss Star Wars: The Old Republic and MMORPG gaming, as we put our full-frontal nerdery on display. As a lifelong gamer, I have always avoided the world of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG) due to the “time-suck” associated with them. However, as a life long Star Wars fan, the draw of a game dedicated to its universe was simply too hard to pass up. On this week’s show, we cover two different perspectives from both a relative noob to the genre (yours truly) and the battle hardened experience of an MMO veteran, Elke. Therefore we tried to make the discussion accessible to both new players or those interested in trying the game, as well as to appeal to those who have been playing MMO’s for many years. Sprinkled throughout this geek fest is also some W.o.W and Diablo 3 chat. As always, enjoy the show! stimulatedboredom.com | facebook.com/stimulatedboredom 

Week of: May 14 – May 21, 2012 The topic of gay marriage made its way into the news again recently – conveniently during another election year – therefore I enlist the help of frequent guest-host, Patrick, as we discuss the subject within the context of equality, civil rights, religion and politics. My opinion on the topic is well known by long time listeners of the program, however the debate has been renewed this week, prompted by a ban on same-sex marriage in North Carolina…where you can marry your cousin, just not your gay cousin. In an election year, the reemergence of the gay marriage debate as a social wedge issue is as predictable as they come. Also, spattered at the beginning and end of the program is a little tech-talk and gaming geekery. :) As always, enjoy the show! stimulatedboredom.com | facebook.com/stimulatedboredom