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Daggerheart: the warm hug of fantasy RPGs—if hugs came with dramatic backstories and emotional damage. This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is sponsored by DungeonFlow.app — the fastest, easiest way to prep your next tabletop session. Whether you're building a dungeon, brewing an encounter, or generating the perfect trap to ruin your players' plans, DungeonFlow has you covered. Sign up today and make map prep faster than a bard's pickup line. In this final episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast's How to Play Daggerheart series, the crew takes a heartfelt and hilarious look back at everything they've learned about Darrington Press's narrative-forward RPG system. From character creation to combat chaos, hope and fear mechanics, and the quirky little swamp village where their adventure took root, the team unpacks what makes Daggerheart such a compelling system—especially for first-time players, roleplay enthusiasts, and GMs who love big feelings with their big swords. The discussion touches on the system's player-friendly mechanics, open storytelling potential, and how Daggerheart reimagines fantasy tropes through a lens of collaboration, emotion, and crunchy (but not too crunchy) dice pools. They reflect on the actual play, their favorite moments, and the ways the system encourages creativity without overwhelming newcomers. If you've ever wanted a system that feels like a stage play one minute and a chaotic improv show the next, this one's for you. Daggerheart (affiliate link) Critical Role - Age of Umbra Content from RPGBOT.net Daggerheart Review Key Takeaways: Daggerheart is ideal for first-time TTRPG players thanks to its narrative-driven, rules-light approach and clearly structured character creation. The game's Hope and Fear dice mechanic adds emotional stakes and cinematic tension to every roll, encouraging players to think about character motivation and drama. Combat is fluid, cinematic, and intentionally collaborative, with mechanics that reward creativity and teamwork rather than pure damage output. The system uses Domain and Experience cards to shape both mechanical choices and character arcs—an innovative twist on traditional leveling systems. Character creation is flexible but approachable, giving players space to express creativity without the paralysis of overwhelming options. The system excels in storytelling-focused play, making it ideal for players who want to lean into emotional arcs, moral complexity, or soap opera-level plot twists. The actual play portion of the series showed how much potential there is for improvisation, character development, and table-wide chaos (the good kind). Daggerheart's tone is welcoming, inclusive, and imaginative—making it an excellent gateway for younger players, theater kids, recovering rules lawyers, and anyone who wants to feel something at the table. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
The cap on nighttime flights at Dublin Airport has been increased from 65 to 95 between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Flights will also now be allowed to take off and land on the North Runway until midnight and after 7 a.m. However, aircraft that exceed the noise limit won't be allowed at night.This appears to contradict An Comisiún Pleanála's draft decision from last September, which stated that the North Runway could only be used for departures between 6 and 8 a.m. Nighttime flights between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. were meant to be capped at 13,000 annually under this plan, which would amount to about 35 flights per night.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Eddie Wilson, Ryanair DAC, Dean Mulligan, Independent Cllr for Swords, Niamh Maher, Spokesperson for the St Margarets The Ward residents group and later Kenny Jacobs, CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority.
The Queen of Swords is a symbol of fierce love, wise objective discernment, and gracefully holding both our joy and grief. And she wants us to go do that thing and find out for ourselves.In this episode of The Sage & the Song, we're talking about the wisdom of this tarot archetype to help us hone the ability of our rational, objective mind... even when emotions are high. As mentioned in the episode:Rose & Sword - a 14 week group mentorship that weaves ancient mysticism, plant medicine and strategic action. Begins July 30, 2025.~ RESOURCES ~Sign up for my weekly Museletter to get tips like this in your inbox.Follow me on Substack: Frequency FirstVisit my website: brittagreenviolet.comConnect with me on IG: @brittagreenvioletConnect on LinkedIn: @brittagudmunson
On this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer Heather Dean interviews Rabbi Nachman Seltzer, a bestselling author of well over fifty (!) books, many of which are biographies, novels, collections of inspirational stories, and books about Jewish history. Rabbi Seltzer's most recently-published books is called “Miracles, Missiles and Mesiras Nefesh,” which explores the war that began on October 7th, on what should have been one of the most joyous days of the year, Simchas Torah – which that year also fell on Shabbat. Through riveting stories and unforgettable behind-the-scenes reports, Rabbi Seltzer's book has it all: tragedy, hope, heroism, and military miracles. PART TWO of Heather's interview with Rabbi Seltzer is featured in the next episode of “613 Books” podcast! SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and never miss an episode! = = = Show Notes: Featured Guest: Rabbi Nachman Seltzer Featured Book: Miracles, Missiles and Mesiras Nefesh Link to purchase on Artscroll's website https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422643204.html Link to purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-NefeshThe-Heartbreak-Miraculous-Operations/dp/1422643204 Contact Rabbi Nachman Seltzer: nachmanseltzer@gmail.com Binyamin Airley zt”l was killed in action in Gaza, during the “Swords of Iron” War in November 2023. He was 21 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice. Beit Binyamin is a beautiful retreat center in the heart of the holy city of Tzfat, named to perpetuate the memory of Binyamin Airley z”l. Visit the Beit Binyamin website for more info: https://beitbinyamin.org/#
We unexpectedly find our first I, a real bottom chopper, as we rate more swords on this episode!We make our show on Zencastr, and you can too! Follow this link to sign up now!
This week on The Tarot Diagnosis, I had every intention of doing a neat little compare-and-contrast between the Five and Seven of Swords. But in true Swords fashion, what began as a tidy intellectual exploration turned into something much more raw, spiraling, and unexpectedly revealing.In this episode, I invite you into a descent through the second half of the Suit of Swords: from the Five through the Ten. What emerges is a psychological narrative about the cost of self-protection, the seduction of avoidance, and the long-term consequences of abandoning ourself.We begin at the Five of Swords with its hollow victories and relational fallout, and journey through the Six's dissociative escape fantasies, the self-deception and silent bleeding of the Seven, the imprisonment of the Eight, and the mental reckoning of the Nine. Finally, we arrive at the Ten of Swords, which proves it's not only a card of collapse, but one of catharsis and clarity.There's a throughline here about the ways we try to outrun pain and how we carry our wounds into new landscapes, call avoidance healing, and sometimes end up wounding ourselves in an attempt to feel safe. But there's also a glimmer of hope because in the darkest point of our sword's spiral, we can meet our truth, and maybe, forge a new path.So grab your deck, pull out the Five through Ten of Swords, and join me for this reflective and emotionally potent archetypal journey.Deck referenced: Dreamkeeper's TarotWant to find out all of the ways you can connect with me live this month? Join us inside The Symposium! If you love The Tarot Diagnosis Podcast, please consider leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This helps more people discover the show and is a great way to support my work
No guest this week, just a lot of news to talk about. Like what games does CMON have left? And why is Asmodee hiring their crowdfunding “expert”? Even I can read the tea leaves on why thats a bad idea. Also, would you pay $165 for a Magic the Gathering event? I don't think I would.
No guest this week, just a lot of news to talk about. Like what games does CMON have left? And why is Asmodee hiring their crowdfunding “expert”? Even I can read the tea leaves on why thats a bad idea. Also, would you pay $165 for a Magic the Gathering event? I don't think I would.
Special thanks to our guest on this episode Ben Wong of The Pocket Forge Check them out here: https://www.instagram.com/thepocketforge https://linktr.ee/thepocketforge David Miniatures visit him on instagram at http://www.instagram.com/davidminiatures or his website https://www.davidminiatures.com Caleb Hernandez visit him here: https://www.instagram.com/calebcreates_/ Big thank you to the Podcast Sponsor Nine Steps Industries Use code DM10 for 10% off any purchase, and a DM20 for 20% min spend $75 These links automatically apply the code at checkout: https://ninestepsind.com/discount/DM10 https://ninestepsind.com/discount/DM20
What do flying Navy helicopters in the Philippines, founding an investment company and steering unmanned ocean drones have in common? They're all part of one woman's incredible journey. Today's guest, Julie Cane, takes us on a remarkable journey from Navy pilot to entrepreneur to startup mission manager. She reveals how the absence of money talk in her childhood led to some of her most powerful financial discoveries as an adult. Julie Cane is an impact-driven defender of democracy, in both financial markets and on the high seas. Her adventurous career began as a US Navy helicopter pilot conducting combat search and rescue training exercises and torpedo recovery in the Philippines and Coronado. After serving, Julie spent 20 years in financial services developing market leading innovations at Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, SEI Investments and Autodesk Ventures. Five years ago, Julie became the CEO and co-founder of Democracy Investments, a registered investment advisory firm focused on promoting democracy in international markets. The firm serves as the advisor to the Democracy International Fund, an ETF listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker DMCY). She has presented the firm's democracy weighted international (ex-US) strategy on Bloomberg, The Economist Magazine's Summit and at the 7th Annual Copenhagen Democracy Summit, alongside pro-democracy politicians and diplomats focused on the global fight for freedom. This year, Julie took on an additional role of Mission Manager at Saildrone, a Bay Area startup that designs and deploys autonomous surface vehicles to be the eyes and ears for maritime safety and freedom on oceans around the world. She grew up sailing, racing both dinghies and large yachts and has enjoyed bringing this expertise along with her Naval Operations background to the day-to-day mission management of Saildrones for domestic and international customers. For the last 10 years, Julie has been Chairman and served on the Board of Swords to Plowshares, a nonprofit helping 3,000 military veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a BA from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the Anderson School of UCLA. In her spare time, she enjoys mountain biking, trail running and protecting the future of democracy.
Let's be honest, babe, overthinking isn't wisdom. It's fear wearing a disguise. And people-pleasing? That's what happens when we don't trust the truth that's already inside of us.If you've been stuck in your head, second-guessing your decisions, waiting for the “right” moment to finally listen to your gut... this episode is for you.July's Collective tarot card is the King of Swords; the archetype of clarity, boundaries, and self-trust.We're diving into::: Why you already know what's right and what's getting in the way of actually doing it?:: The sneaky ways self-doubt keeps showing up (even in spiritual language):: What it feels like when your mind is helping you versus when it's hijacking your peace:: Somatic tools to help you slow down, ground yourself, and make decisions that feel alignedYou don't need to earn your clarity. You just need to stop outsourcing it.___________
We talk about holding grudges, how much we hate the mayonnaise uncle, ghost talk, trauma responses, the youth of the Ninth House, Gideon and Harrow's backstory, the mythology of the locked tomb, Camilla's weapon of choice, and what Dulcinea is up to.Your hosts are Steph Kingston (@StephOKingston), Christina Ladd (@christinaladd), and Joshua MacDougall (@FourofFiveWits). You can find us all on Bluesky. Our art is by Mangoyu Art (@MangoyuArt), and our music is by Bad Sparrow (@BadSparrowMusic). You can find us on BlueSky, and Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
No Sof this week, but listen back to Flicks 'n' That with Steve Newall and Princess Chelsea came in to discuss her Midwinter Ball, and plays us some Swords and Sorcery inspired music on What's Cooking. Thanks to The Beer Spot.
From Scotland to New York City, there can be only one! Join us for a Midnight Ritual of Highlander(1986)! TNC: https://linktr.ee/thenightclub -Letterboxd- Travis: https://letterboxd.com/thenightclub/ Ricky: https://letterboxd.com/fvlsekvltrick/ Trevor: https://letterboxd.com/darkfixius/ Cody: https://letterboxd.com/codyco/
Summer Series - The Tarot: Your Inner Guide Episode Summary In this episode, host Terri Ann Hyeiman kicks off a new summer series on the Tarot. She begins by discussing the current global climate, urging listeners to focus on freedom, love, and raising their consciousness rather than getting caught in fear and drama. The episode emphasizes summer as a time for introspection, rest, and connecting with your inner self. Terri Ann introduces the Tarot as a tool for self-discovery and intuition, not just fortune-telling. She debunks common myths, shares its history from a 15th-century Italian card game to a mystical tool, and explains the structure of a Tarot deck. The episode concludes with a collective Tarot reading for the month of July, using both the "Empowered Spirit" and "Wild Unknown" decks to provide clarity and guidance for the upcoming full moon. Key Takeaways Focus on Freedom and Love: In challenging times, it's crucial to focus on what brings you freedom and happiness. Contribute to a collective consciousness of love to raise the global vibration. Embrace Summer's Energy: Summer is a season for rest, relaxation, and introspection. It's an opportunity to nurture the seeds of intention planted in the spring and connect with your soul. Process, Don't Suppress: Be mindful of how you handle your emotions. Instead of using distractions like food, shopping, or alcohol, learn to process your feelings to foster spiritual growth. The Tarot as a Tool for Intuition: The Tarot is an oracle that can help you bypass your logical mind and tap into your intuition. It's a way to understand yourself and your path on a deeper level. Anyone Can Read Tarot: You don't need to be a gifted psychic to read Tarot cards. It's a skill that can be learned by anyone willing to tune into their intuition. The Hero's Journey in Tarot: The structure of the Tarot, particularly the Major Arcana, mirrors the "Hero's Journey," representing the cycles of growth, challenges, and lessons in our own lives. July Collective Tarot Reading Theme for July: The reading points to a period of re-evaluating what truly brings you happiness and freedom. It's a time for creative new beginnings and connecting with the divine feminine and Mother Earth. Empowered Spirit Deck Reading: Focus (10 of Earth, Reversed): Are you truly happy with what you've built? A call to review your life and possessions to ensure they bring you joy, not just accumulation. Influences: The Son of Water suggests being mindful of people-pleasing tendencies. The Empress encourages birthing new creative projects and connecting with nature. The Strength card (reversed) calls for stepping out of your comfort zone to build the life you desire. Wild Unknown Deck Reading: Focus (The Lovers, Reversed): A message about understanding the duality of love within yourself. It's about being true to your own path to attract what aligns with you. Influences: The Four of Swords warns against mental chatter and self-doubt. The Daughter of Wands encourages seeking inspiration and embracing innocence. The Fool signifies taking a leap of faith and stepping into a truer version of yourself. Mentioned in this Episode Pam Gregory: Astrologer on YouTube. Books by Terri Ann Heiman: Confessions of a Shower Tapper: The Ultimate Guide to Living Your Purpose with EFT Confessions of an Emotional Eater (upcoming) Live 5-Day Bootcamp for Emotional Eating: Introducing Gap Tapping™ Get out of the GAP - from where you are with the connections of addictive food, cravings, and overindulging - and where you want to be. Once and for all. Release the addictions, the denial, the cravings, the binging! Register Now. Tarot Decks Mentioned: Rider-Waite Deck Empowered Spirit Tarot (by Terri Ann Himan and Lorii Hannah) Motherpeace Tarot The Wild Unknown Tarot (by Kim Krans) The Good Tarot (by Colette Baron-Reid) https://www.terriannheiman.com/
Today's Libra Bloom reading is not your typical tea—it's more like a camomile steeped in secrets. The Seven of Swords hit the table, but it didn't feel shady. It felt sacred. Someone's out here lying, not to hurt—but to shield. This isn't betrayal; it's battle scars hidden behind a smile. They've already been through hell, and if you knew what they endured, your soul might bow in heartbreak or rage. So they keep it quiet. To protect you. Because telling you the truth might hurt more than carrying it alone. This one's for the people who carry pain in silence so others don't have to. #LibraBloom #TarotReading #SevenOfSwords #LiesForLove #SpiritualShielding #SilentSuffering #TarotDownload #DailyTarot #EnergyReading #SeerineTarotFM #SeerineTarot #TruthWrappedInLove #SacredSecrets #EmotionalProtectionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/seerine-tarot--5349584/support.
Alex Sauser-Monnig who records and performs as Daughter of Swords recently released their second album, Alex, and they join Carmel Holt this week to talk about why acoustic music was initially a more comfortable sonic world to live in for them - both in their trio Mountain Man, and on their 2019 debut Dawnbreaker - and breaking free of those limits while simultaneously investigating and expanding the definition of how they live and support themself as an independent artist.
Rock, Paper, Swords is three years old!In this episode, Matthew and Steven take a look back at some of the highlights of the last three years and then turn to the future with a very big announcement!Don't miss this one!Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords
What if the reason you're feeling “off” is because you're carrying energy that doesn't belong to you? What exactly are entities, and how do you know you have one? What can the darker side of spirituality—ghosts, hauntings, and demonic entities—teach us about the light?On this week's episode of Moonbeaming, host Sarah Faith Gottesdiener is joined by exorcist Kaitlyn Graña for a fascinating and illuminating conversation about spiritual hygiene, entity attachments, and the practice of energetic clearing. If you've been feeling energetically “off,” weighed down by emotions that don't feel like yours, or overwhelmed by spiritual residue, this episode offers insight, validation, and actionable tools.In this episode you'll learn:What exorcism actually entails—and why it's rarely what pop culture suggestsHow and why entities or energies attach to people and placesThe ways spiritual attachments often reflect our emotional and ancestral woundsSimple yet powerful practices to keep your energy field clear and protectedWhy receiving help with spiritual clearing is both normal and necessaryHow the Nine of Swords connects to energetic overload and psychic influenceThis episode is for spiritual seekers who want to better understand the invisible forces that shape our inner and outer worlds.Meet Kaitlyn:Kaitlyn Graña (they/them) is known as the Mother of Mystics. Kaitlyn is a 4th generation Espiritista, trance medium, and exorcist. Kaitlyn's work centers supporting marginalized people discover authentic, ancestrally-rooted spirituality through the practice of Espiritismo Cruzado. You can find Kaitlyn at:www.motherofmystics.cominstagram.com/kaitlyn.granaJoin the Moon Studio community:Join the Moon Studio Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/themoonstudioBuy the 2025 Many Moons Lunar Planner: https://moon-studio.co/collections/all-products-excluding-route/products/many-moons-2025Subscribe to our newsletter: https://moon-studio.co/pages/newsletterFind Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gottesss/
Al and Kev talk about whether or not farming game remakes are worth it. Timings 00:00:00: Theme Tune 00:00:30: Intro 00:02:08: What Have We Been Up To 00:38:42: Game Updates 00:58:01: New Games 01:11:11: Farming Game Remakes 01:51:29: Outro Links Research Story 1.0 Tiny Garden Switch Info Go-go Town “Tourist Trap” Update APICO Physical Edition Farming Simulator 16-bit Limited Edition Romestead Contact Al on Mastodon: https://mastodon.scot/@TheScotBot Email Us: https://harvestseason.club/contact/ Transcript (0:00:30) Al: Hello, farmers, and welcome to another episode of the harvest season. My name is Al. (0:00:34) Kev: My name is Kevin (0:00:36) Al: And we’re here today to talk about Cottagecore games. (0:00:39) Kev: You woo supposedly the word on the street is it says on the box (0:00:46) Al: Does it? (0:00:47) Kev: That’s odd, yeah, it does it what does the websites I’m assuming it does (0:00:51) Al: I don’t know. This is a good question. What does it say on the website? (0:00:54) Kev: You know, we’ve never done (0:00:55) Al: It says farming. It says a podcast about farming simulators. (0:00:58) Kev: Well, there you go, I guess we were lying somewhere, you know one of these days (0:01:00) Al: Yeah, classic. (0:01:04) Kev: Not days we should do in April fools and switch it up (0:01:07) Kev: Or we talk about I don’t know something else. I guess we kind of do that sometimes but you know something really different (0:01:12) Al: Something, something else. (0:01:14) Kev: Yeah (0:01:16) Kev: We talk about gotcha games, I mean I already do but you know all in oh (0:01:23) Kev: Yeah (0:01:24) Al: Hello. We are going to talk this episode about, I want to have a discussion about remakes. (0:01:25) Kev: Hello listener (0:01:34) Kev: We don’t oh (0:01:34) Al: Specifically remakes of farming games. (0:01:38) Kev: Oh, that’s well hmm. I mean it’s still in the neighborhood like there’s stuff to be discussed for sure (0:01:47) Al: Well, that’s why we’re doing it. (0:01:51) Al: I don’t tend to have topics that I don’t think I’ll have much discussion. (0:01:55) Kev: That is died and I believe that’s factually not true (0:02:00) Al: Wow, how dare, how dare you, how very dare you. (0:02:04) Kev: Oh (0:02:06) Al: Before that, we have a bunch of news, but first of all, Kevin, what have you been up to? (0:02:13) Kev: Okay, let’s see here when I wrote things down (0:02:16) Kev: Okay, Marvel snap. Okay, I should have talked about this earlier because it ended this week, but I mean all snap goes (0:02:22) Kev: It’s good the the new Fantastic Four (0:02:27) Kev: Season with cards based off the movies coming up (0:02:30) Kev: They’re just doing a whole new season like first step family (0:02:34) Kev: First steps whatever but but that’s coming so you know and that looks good (0:02:38) Kev: But I didn’t talk about maximum voltage overdrive or whatever that thing was called (0:02:45) Kev: You played snap outs been a minute. Did you play maximum voltage? (0:02:49) Kev: Do you remember that mode at all? (0:02:50) Al: I think it was around when I was playing, but I don’t think I played it. (0:02:54) Kev: Uh-huh (0:02:56) Al: I did the Deadpool Diner and I did. (0:02:59) Kev: Yeah (0:03:00) Al: There was one other one that I did, but I don’t think I did maximum. (0:03:02) Kev: Okay, so (0:03:04) Kev: So yeah, every once in a while snap introduces these like alternate modes with different rules or different words or whatever (0:03:12) Kev: And so one that they’ve done is called maximum voltage (0:03:16) Kev: and previously maximum voltage was a three-turn game instead of six turns and (0:03:20) Kev: They would give you a random amount like two to four energy every turn like extra so it was you know (0:03:27) Kev: Not just the one two three four (0:03:29) Kev: So you had you could play cards quickly and you had to do on three turns (0:03:34) Kev: It’s a it’s a different pace a game. It’s fun even shorter. I liked it (0:03:41) Kev: Well this past week or two they did maximum voltage overdrive or overcharge whatever’s over something (0:03:50) Kev: Where it was a four-turn game (0:03:53) Kev: The same rules of okay, you get random two to four energy every turn (0:03:59) Kev: on top of what you already have (0:04:02) Kev: But they (0:04:04) Kev: Also filled your deck out with like was it eight or twelve extra random cards in your deck (0:04:10) Kev: Those extra cards had lower costs and higher power (0:04:15) Kev: So it was it was a wild ride because it was a lot of like kind of RNG really right what you get (0:04:22) Kev: It’s hard to build around like, you know real strategy around it (0:04:26) Kev: and you know, I (0:04:28) Kev: I enjoyed it enough. It was fine enough. You know a lot of people don’t like RNG sort of (0:04:34) Kev: modes or strategy so you know I don’t think as popular as other ones but at (0:04:40) Kev: least they tried something right like I always did they say hey try it and then (0:04:43) Kev: we’ll see how it goes but the bigger fiasco was the rewards because when they (0:04:52) Kev: have these side missions they’ll give you usually like a sort of bonus currency (0:04:56) Kev: or side currency or whatever specific for that mode with a shop or reward tier (0:05:01) Kev: or something like that. (0:05:04) Kev: In this case they gave you a shop, you could earn let’s just call them vault points or whatever they were called. (0:05:08) Kev: And so there was a new card in the shop. (0:05:12) Kev: Kid Omega, I don’t know who that character is but they had a decent enough ability. (0:05:16) Kev: But regardless, so yeah, it was a new card and very cool and all. (0:05:24) Kev: But here’s the thing, for the first time ever in one of these side modes, you could not earn the card for free. (0:05:32) Kev: Um… (0:05:34) Kev: Well, I guess you technically could, but… (0:05:36) Kev: So how it works is every eight hours you get a set of three missions, and you get X number of points for it, right? (0:05:44) Kev: Well, people did the math. (0:05:46) Kev: If you did all the missions, every single set of three for every eight hours for the entire duration of the thing, (0:05:52) Kev: you would still have to win 500 games, I think it was, to earn enough points to earn the new card. (0:05:57) Al: That is so many games. (0:06:04) Kev: But… (0:06:04) Al: I don’t think I’ve ever won 500 games combined in the, like, what, combined what, six months (0:06:06) Kev: Yeah, totally. (0:06:14) Kev: I mean, I might be there with you. (0:06:18) Kev: But yeah, so that was wild. (0:06:24) Kev: And a lot of people were up in arms about it, as you can imagine, and I think understandably so. (0:06:30) Kev: Also, because Marvel Snap, traditionally, has been… (0:06:34) Kev: Play-ish where or at least you if you played enough you could get a decent pool of cards or you could get work (0:06:40) Kev: You know the new cards they were releasing if you kept up you could (0:06:45) Kev: You could you could play for free (0:06:48) Kev: the boat the money was either spent on generally speaking on (0:06:55) Kev: Cosmetics, you know variants and bundles (0:06:57) Kev: I guess the season passed you could unlock a new card and that’s ten bucks a month and like that (0:07:02) Kev: But they would drop for free later (0:07:04) Kev: So you didn’t have to do it. But anyways (0:07:08) Kev: Point is that a lot of players feel like the the snap devs are kind of leaning a little more into (0:07:15) Kev: You know pay to win or pay to get the new cards (0:07:19) Kev: So that was a big (0:07:20) Kev: Yeah, big big bit a little bit of fiasco (0:07:25) Kev: and (0:07:26) Kev: Yeah, it’s over now. We went to another mode called sanctum showdown, which is but it’s much slower paced modes fun (0:07:35) Kev: They’re playing it safe. No crazy (0:07:38) Kev: Expensive card or whatever but (0:07:40) Kev: It’s interesting to see (0:07:43) Kev: kind of a shame that they you know, they’re a little money hungry, but (0:07:48) Kev: Cuz though otherwise the game I think is in still in a decent shape (0:07:52) Kev: They’ve released so many cards like I think it’s almost in a state of we can play whatever you want more or less (0:07:59) Kev: But yeah, I mean I’m still playing it. I’m still enjoying it. I did not get the kiddo-megan card (0:08:05) Kev: You know, it’s wild. I saw somebody with that card on day one (0:08:08) Kev: Which means they must have put a lot of money or gold or whatever. Yeah, there’s always an I found the whale. Oh (0:08:08) Al: Hmm there’s always one. There’s always one. Yeah (0:08:16) Kev: Speaking of not having money or wanting money (0:08:20) Kev: Yes, let’s talk about unicorn overlord. So I reached the end of what’s called best stories. That’s the beast land (0:08:30) Kev: Campaign area there’s basically like five countries in the game or whatever and each one is kind of (0:08:34) Kev: Its own little chapter if you will write its own little story and arc and so I reached the end of the best stories chapter (0:08:41) Kev: Which is fine and all the villain was a rat man a rat where rat I guess. I don’t I don’t know how to describe it (0:08:50) Kev: You know, I’ll show you a picture (0:08:52) Kev: but (0:08:53) Kev: And so I enjoyed it. It was a fun chapter. I think the Beast people were cool, but what is funny and (0:09:00) Kev: I can feel it. I learned about this (0:09:04) Kev: When I went online because it felt something felt like it was changing the writing in unicorn overlord who was pretty alright (0:09:12) Kev: Up until around now because they really just kind of did not give the the rat man’s name (0:09:19) Kev: His name was Elgore and he kind of had an interesting story (0:09:23) Kev: The rats were generally oppressed people and he wanted to rise up and then you know, he became a general (0:09:29) Kev: So it’s kind of an interesting story and there was some evil the evil bad guy team (0:09:34) Kev: We’re doing experiments on him yada yada (0:09:38) Kev: But it was really really rushed. And so I kind of looked into it and it turns out (0:09:45) Kev: That oh (0:09:47) Kev: Hold on one second now (0:09:49) Kev: my mic (0:09:51) Kev: Sorry, there we go. Sorry. My mic had a hiccup and I think we’re good now while checking (0:09:57) Kev: double-checking (0:09:58) Al: Sounds fine to me. (0:09:59) Kev: Yes, okay. I lost a few seconds of the recording, but okay. I’m okay (0:10:03) Kev: I don’t know, at least the– (0:10:03) Al: It’s fine now. (0:10:05) Al: Zoom is pretty good at like starting out. (0:10:05) Kev: Yeah, all right (0:10:09) Kev: Well, anyways, so I looked up that why it started feel rushed and turns out that the unicorn (0:10:15) Kev: Overlord development ran out of money and basically the director producer they started funding it out of their own pocket (0:10:22) Kev: so apparently this last (0:10:25) Kev: quarter or so of the the game is gonna feel very rushed and (0:10:30) Kev: There’s no time for story anymore. Which is sad but (0:10:34) Kev: That said the game is still (0:10:38) Kev: Entertaining. I like it. It’s fun. Yeah, like unicorn overlord to two thumbs up from me (0:10:45) Kev: Let’s see (0:10:47) Kev: So yeah, so that’s good. Um, oh, okay follow up from last week (0:10:50) Kev: So we spent a little time having a fun little chat about magic the gathering and capitalism and the $1,000 (0:10:58) Al: Like 20 minutes. (0:10:59) Kev: pack of set of four packs (0:11:02) Kev: and it was all started as you may recall because (0:11:04) Kev: I was looking at the, or you know, the Final Fantasy set of Magic the Gathering cards came out, (0:11:12) Kev: and I did not want to buy them because I didn’t want to spend them, or spend the money for them. (0:11:17) Kev: Well, this week I bought the Final Fantasy card set from Magic the Gathering, virtually, virtually, there’s my caveat, haha. (0:11:26) Kev: Uh, no, I did not spend money, but… yeah, haha, virtual versions of my cardboard. (0:11:27) Al: Oh, wait, that’s that’s even that’s even all right. (0:11:30) Al: I was going to say that’s even worse if you bought digital cards. (0:11:35) Kev: No, no money spent. So I’ve been, I’ve played Magic the Gathering Arena, though that’s the online client. I fired it up to get in there and try. (0:11:43) Al: Good game. I’ve not played in a long time, but when I was playing, I was doing a lot of arenas. (0:11:49) Kev: Alright, it’s good. It feels comparable, I think, to, you know, Pokemon TCG live. (0:11:54) Al: Oh, I think it’s way better. (0:11:56) Al: I think it’s way, way better. (0:11:57) Al: I think the I mean, it’s been a while since I played it. (0:12:00) Al: But in my experience, the app was much less slow in menus and the effects were much better. (0:12:05) Kev: Yeah. (0:12:08) Kev: I agree with that. It is much, much more polished, right, overall. A little fancier. And you’re right, a little less laggy. (0:12:17) Kev: But, yeah, but I mean, the point is, it serves as a decent online, you know, substitute for the paper game. (0:12:26) Kev: So I got some, yeah, Final Fantasy cards there and played a little, doing a choco bow deck. (0:12:33) Kev: I’m really upset (0:12:35) Kev: Those cards are really good, art-wise and gameplay-wise (0:12:42) Kev: They have, because I mentioned I was playing Final Fantasy, the proper FFTCG (0:12:49) Kev: That game doesn’t have equipment cards (0:12:51) Kev: Magic the Gathering does, so Magic the Gathering can include iconic items and weapons (0:12:57) Kev: Like the Buster Sword, or a cup of instant noodles from Final Fantasy XV (0:13:04) Kev: So I’m more…a little… (0:13:05) Kev: I’m jealous that Magic did it so well. (0:13:07) Kev: Whoever…the people working on the Final Fantasy set, they really love Final Fantasy. (0:13:13) Kev: They have Souplex the Train as a card. (0:13:17) Kev: People who know FF5 understand that reference. (0:13:25) Kev: But yeah, I mean, I try to… (0:13:27) Kev: I’m still thinking about it. I’m looking at it. (0:13:31) Kev: The card’s proper. I’m not gonna buy it yet. (0:13:35) Kev: Oh, it’s been…I’ve been craving it. It’s a siren song. (0:13:38) Kev: So I had to…you know…I had to at least do it virtually to enjoy it a little. (0:13:46) Kev: But I digress. That’s what I’ve been up to this week. (0:13:50) Kev: What about you, Al? What’s going on? (0:13:52) Al: Well, let’s see, what have I been up to? (0:13:56) Al: Shock surprise. (0:13:58) Al: I have been playing some Mario Kart World up. (0:14:00) Kev: Yeah, you’re going for it, man. Getting all those knockouts here. I’ve seen your progress. (0:14:04) Al: Yes, so update on that. (0:14:07) Al: I have done all of the Grand Prix’s 150, three stars and all of the knockout (0:14:13) Al: all of the knockout tours, 150, three stars. (0:14:19) Al: and I have done enough in free. (0:14:22) Al: Rome to unlock mirror mode. (0:14:25) Kev: Okay. (0:14:27) Al: And I have unlocked all of the costumes. (0:14:30) Kev: Oh, you’re- you’ve done it all almost pretty much at this point. (0:14:33) Al: I am still missing three characters. (0:14:36) Kev: Wait, wha- oh. How d- uh- uh-huh. (0:14:38) Al: But that’s because they are the Kamek characters, (0:14:43) Al: so you have to be on a specific course (0:14:47) Al: and someone use the Kamek behind you on that specific course. (0:14:50) Kev: Uh, okay, I did notice that I got some kamiks and I think I got kamiks characters out of that. (0:14:53) Al: There’s a chance that you get one that character, so. (0:15:00) Al: Yeah, yeah, yeah. (0:15:01) Al: So I’ve got most of them, but I’m still missing three of them. (0:15:04) Al: And it’s like they are dreadful to try and force like the bet. (0:15:08) Kev: Yeah, who are they? (0:15:10) Al: How who am I missing? (0:15:12) Al: Let me check my spreadsheet. (0:15:14) Al: I am missing Rocky, wrench. (0:15:18) Al: Peepa and Swoop. (0:15:20) Kev: Oof, oof, oh man, I like swoop. (0:15:21) Al: I have the rest of them. (0:15:22) Al: So that’s I have that’s 15 out of 18 characters unlocked (0:15:26) Al: and 103 out of 103 costumes unlocked. (0:15:31) Al: So, yeah, and I’ve got all the vehicles as well. (0:15:36) Al: All 40 of them. (0:15:37) Al: So I am going to I’m definitely going to do. (0:15:40) Al: I’m definitely going to start doing mirror modes. (0:15:42) Al: I really want to restart all the mirror modes (0:15:45) Al: before I get too much muscle memory for specific courses. (0:15:46) Kev: Yeah. (0:15:49) Kev: Mmm. (0:15:50) Al: Right, because that that’s when it becomes really hard. (0:15:52) Kev: Yeah, you’re right. (0:15:53) Kev: That’s an excellent point. (0:15:53) Al: But I’d love I’d love to three star mirror mode (0:15:56) Al: because I’ve never restarted every mirror mode in a Mario cart. (0:16:00) Kev: I mean you’re like there, you’re wide as well, right? You’ve gone the 90%? (0:16:06) Al: Yeah, it’s I guess the thing is it’s just about like time now, right? (0:16:10) Kev: Uh-huh. (0:16:10) Al: Like we’ve got two and a bit weeks until Donkey Kong comes out. (0:16:15) Al: That’s basically my deadline, right? (0:16:15) Kev: I was about to say, that’s the deadline, right? (0:16:17) Al: Like if it’s if I’ve not done it by (0:16:20) Al: Donkey Kong coming out, it’s probably never happening. (0:16:23) Kev: Yeah, well, maybe they’ll release some DLC, but I understand what you generally say. (0:16:28) Al: Yeah, but at that point, I don’t I think at that point I’ll play the DLC, (0:16:31) Al: but I don’t think I’ll go back and try and do the other mirror modes. (0:16:31) Kev: Yeah, it’ll be out of your system, I get it. (0:16:34) Al: Right. (0:16:36) Al: So we’ll see. We’ll see how I feel. (0:16:38) Al: But I’m going to I’m going to at least try and see how far I get. (0:16:42) Al: But obviously it’s quite few and, you know, I can see I should be able to do them. (0:16:47) Al: Right. Because I’ve done one hundred and fifty. (0:16:49) Al: I should be able to do mirror mode. (0:16:50) Al: I don’t think I’m in use to them enough that I will cause problems. (0:16:53) Al: Although maybe there’s a couple of courses that are recreations of previous ones, (0:16:58) Al: like the Mario Bros circuit, which is just like the continuation from the one (0:17:00) Kev: Yeah (0:17:03) Al: and since the sna is- (0:17:06) Al: right? That one might be trouble because I suspect I’ll have muscle memory for that course (0:17:06) Kev: Yeah (0:17:12) Kev: Sure sure (0:17:12) Al: but we’ll see, we’ll see. I’m gonna try and we’ll see how I go (0:17:17) Al: and I think that’s all I was considering. So have you done much free roam? (0:17:22) Kev: Not too much myself now (0:17:25) Al: So you’ve got the P switches, you’ve got peach medallions and you’ve got the question mark blocks. (0:17:27) Kev: Yeah (0:17:29) Kev: Yeah (0:17:32) Al: the only one that’s actually like shown on the map. (0:17:36) Al: The P switches where each course has a certain number of P switches and it shows you how (0:17:38) Kev: Mm-hmm (0:17:40) Al: many you’ve got. So I’m considering doing the P switches, but there’s no way I’m going (0:17:47) Al: to look for all of the peach medallions and all not not P switches sorry the question mark blocks. (0:17:52) Al: It’s not the P switches the question mark blocks. There’s no way I’m going for the piece all the (0:17:56) Al: P switches and all the peach medallions. I’ll probably do some more just playing around in (0:18:00) Al: free roam and if I see some I will do some, but I’m not going to go out my way to get (0:18:04) Al: every day because it’s like (0:18:06) Al: 300 P switches or something it’s mad how many there are I’m not going to do (0:18:08) Kev: Yeah, you don’t want to collect all the Koroks? (0:18:12) Al: all of them definitely not but I can see myself doing all the question mark (0:18:17) Al: blocks just because they’re like clearly like there’s six on this course six on (0:18:22) Al: this course six on this course I could see myself doing that but I’m not I’m (0:18:28) Al: not going all in on that at this point right like we will see (0:18:31) Kev: man. I gotta say the free roam is a little disappointing from what I’ve experienced and (0:18:39) Kev: seen. I was really hoping for, for lack of a better word, secrets, right? Little nooks (0:18:47) Kev: and crannies you could explore that, you know, you wouldn’t experience on a race or whatever, (0:18:52) Al: - Yeah, yeah, yeah. (0:18:53) Kev: right? Like in, you know, shooting for the stars, like even a handful of courses not in any of the (0:19:01) Kev: pre-write, you know, unofficially labeled, like you enter a cave and all of a sudden (0:19:06) Kev: there’s this little racetrack down there. Stuff like that, but anyways, yeah, there’s not much (0:19:12) Kev: going on other than unlocking mirror mode, I guess, on free roam. Although I do like the (0:19:20) Kev: Princess Peach Castle, the window easter egg, that’s fun. (0:19:23) Al: Yeah, yeah, it’s I will agree that I think free roam is a little bit of a disappointment, but yeah, I am still very much having fun. (0:19:35) Al: And I will definitely be playing this with people in person a lot. (0:19:40) Kev: I’m sure. I mean, it’s Mario Kart. It’s built for that. (0:19:41) Al: No, it’s 100% worth. (0:19:44) Al: Yeah, it’s 100% worth it, especially as, you know, it was what, like 30 quid in the bundle, right? (0:19:49) Kev: Yep. (0:19:50) Kev: Exactly. (0:19:50) Al: Like it was very much worth that. (0:19:53) Al: And just, it is, I still stand by it’s the most fun to control the, with the new physics reactions. Like I feel like all the other ones will feel quite stiff going back to them. (0:20:04) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I don’t think (0:20:10) Kev: Yeah, I yeah, I don’t think a lot of people are gonna push back on that it does feel very good to control (0:20:16) Kev: I agree (0:20:19) Kev: Yeah, it’s it’s I mean it’s Mario Kart right like it’s still gonna be good (0:20:22) Kev: It’s a but it is funny though that you know insert the the Simpsons sheep gif when Donkey Kong bonanza comes out (0:20:28) Al: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Definitely. That is going to be like a couple of weeks of just (0:20:34) Kev: Yeah (0:20:37) Al: like that’s the only thing I’m playing. Yeah. And we, has the direct been since we recorded (0:20:39) Kev: It looks so good, I only more (0:20:44) Al: our last episode? I can’t remember. Super fun. I’m so excited for this. I think it’s (0:20:44) Kev: I I can’t remember. We haven’t talked about it either way, but that’s uh (0:20:51) Kev: that’s a (0:20:52) Kev: good looking direct (0:20:53) Al: really, yeah, I think they, that was a great direct because it shows (0:20:58) Al: it kind of confirmed a bunch of the stuff we already knew while also giving us enough (0:21:03) Al: to be like, oh, there’s more. Right. And, and I think it’s really, I think it’s really (0:21:09) Al: good looking. Like I love the different effects that you get in transforming into other animals (0:21:16) Al: and also having Pauline basically be like a parrot on your shoulder. Right. It’s really (0:21:22) Kev: yep it’s it’s so good I i love the online reaction that we the internet gave of like you (0:21:23) Al: fun. (0:21:30) Kev: know the trifecta of uh was it ralph and vanellope uh sully and boo and now we’ve got dk and pauline (0:21:38) Kev: you know big guy and then little girl um it’s it’s fun (0:21:38) Al: Look, it works, right? Like why, why break it? Why try and fix it if it’s not broken, (0:21:47) Kev: Exactly. It’s great. Um, yeah, I’m I’m very pumped. Uh, (0:21:52) Kev: for uh uh the the game or general, I guess. Um, it’s I’m a (0:21:59) Kev: little disappointed that we don’t get the animal buddies (0:22:02) Kev: per se. I mean, I know Rambi’s in there and and it’s kind of (0:22:06) Kev: in there, but you know, it’s it’s the functions been replaced (0:22:09) Kev: by your transformations and the transformations are cool. I (0:22:12) Kev: won’t lie. Um but uh I don’t know. I’m a guy who likes Rambi. (0:22:17) Al: Well, look, I don’t have any real history with the previous DK games other than trying them and not enjoying them. (0:22:23) Al: So I don’t particularly mind. (0:22:27) Al: I’m not a lower muncher. (0:22:30) Kev: Sure, I mean, it’s not even like lore stuff because that’s uh, that’s just uh, you know, I guess mechanics or (0:22:38) Kev: Gameplay traditions, whatever. But if you want to talk about lore, I mean we can get trying to you know (0:22:43) Kev: We can try figure out why on earth (0:22:48) Kev: Does how is Pauline hanging out a DK? How does that timeline work? (0:22:52) Al: Well, I think everything lines up if you just ignore the original DK game. I don’t think (0:22:59) Al: anything else is a problem. I think it’s only that. And I think that this ties in so much (0:23:00) Kev: Yeah. Which… (0:23:05) Al: better to Odyssey, because why would Pauline be the mayor of a city that’s named after (0:23:11) Al: her kidnapper? But she would be the mayor of a city that’s named after her hero. (0:23:12) Kev: Yeah, I like the way you think there that’s a good point, yeah, but and also like this (0:23:28) Kev: is even more so than Odyssey cuz I mean Paulina was in there was you know, she’s first time (0:23:32) Kev: back in forever or whatever but she’s you know, she has a starring role finally, that’s (0:23:40) Al: Yeah, my I also I have another theory that it might be time (0:23:47) Kev: All right, oh well there you are now we’re talking let’s get into that Zelda split timeline (0:23:55) Al: Well, I don’t even think it needs to be a split timeline, right? (0:23:58) Al: Like, if something happens and she gets shot forward and then she goes back in time after this, (0:24:04) Kev: Oh, I like it. I like. (0:24:05) Al: you know, she could still go through the whole thing, because the thing is, right, (0:24:09) Al: Pauline in Donkey Kong, that’s not this Donkey Kong, that’s Cranky Kong. (0:24:14) Kev: that is cranky kong who does exist yeah oh I like that that’s clever yeah there you go all right I like it (0:24:15) Al: So, you know, she’s obviously from the past. (0:24:22) Al: Or, or, here’s another suggestion. (0:24:25) Al: If Donkey Kong, if Donkey Kong and Cranky Kong are both Donkey Kong, then maybe Pauline. (0:24:32) Al: This could be a different Pauline. Maybe this is Pauline’s daughter. (0:24:35) Kev: You know, I mean, that’s well established, right? Bowser Jr. looks just like Bowser when he’s a baby, I guess, so you know. (0:24:45) Al: Pauline Jr. (0:24:46) Kev: Pauline Jr. could be! (0:24:49) Kev: Although, okay, you know what? You know what? I’ll even point the bat at the stands here. (0:24:54) Kev: I bet we get little Pauline here as a character in Mario Kart World War 2. (0:24:58) Al: I hope so. I do hope there is some stuff coming, so I saw someone note that some of the characters (0:25:06) Al: have lots of costumes, and some of them have almost none. In fact, some of them have none. (0:25:11) Al: And the interesting thing is, one of the characters that has almost none is Donkey Kong. He only (0:25:12) Kev: Yeah. (0:25:16) Al: has one costume. Just before a Donkey Kong game comes out, suspicious. So are we interested (0:25:17) Kev: It is very strange considering, you know, he’s… (0:25:21) Kev: Uh-oh, uh-oh! (0:25:28) Al: in a Mario Kart World update coming with some Donkey Kong costumes to encourage you (0:25:34) Kev: I mean (0:25:36) Al: to be interested in the new game? Maybe. Yeah. And we obviously have all the baby characters, (0:25:37) Kev: If if it feels like the most obvious dough in the world, right, um, so yeah (0:25:46) Al: so would we get a young Pauline, as well as the babies that we’ve got of the other characters? (0:25:48) Kev: I like it (0:25:51) Kev: How cute (0:25:51) Al: We don’t have Pauline at all. Oh no, we do have Pauline. But also Pauline only has one (0:25:53) Kev: We do it, Paul (0:25:58) Kev: Like a generic racer costume, so there you go (0:25:58) Al: costume. So, you know, the two of them, both in an upcoming game. You know, I will be very (0:26:05) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah (0:26:09) Al: disappointed if there’s not. But this makes you wonder what else could be related to things, (0:26:11) Kev: I you know that’s I don’t think you’re being unreasonable (0:26:16) Al: right? Birdo only has two costumes, so that’s an interesting one. Could there be a Birdo (0:26:22) Al: thing coming up? Who knows? Lakitu only has two costumes, and there is an update to… (0:26:28) Al: Why can’t I remember the name? Goodness me. Mario Party. Which Lakitu obviously has a (0:26:34) Kev: Which Mario what okay? (0:26:40) Al: big part in Mario Party. Maybe I’m stretching at this point. Who knows? But we’ll see. I’m (0:26:41) Kev: Yeah (0:26:48) Kev: We we will see I think that’s the end that’s all we can kind of say really um (0:26:54) Al: I’m sure we can say much more, but let’s not. (0:26:56) Kev: Well, well, okay, yeah, you know, I will say this like each his legs still make me very uncomfortable. I (0:26:59) Al: Fair, very fair. (0:27:03) Kev: Don’t like it (0:27:05) Kev: Get in the car. Don’t look at those freak. Yeah, no, no, I don’t like it. That’s (0:27:08) Al: Don’t put him on a bike. (0:27:15) Al: He should be in the cloud cart. (0:27:19) Al: That’s the only one he’s allowed to be in. (0:27:20) Kev: Yeah, you really or you know, I don’t care I (0:27:23) Al: No, I’m just saying. (0:27:26) Kev: Look, I don’t care if it’s like (0:27:29) Kev: Horrendous I don’t care if it’s horrendous like animation clipping just (0:27:35) Kev: Just stick the the dang (0:27:36) Al: The cloud around every cart you put them in. (0:27:40) Kev: Yeah, yeah, when he’s the bike it’s just clipping right to the cloud (0:27:45) Kev: Okay, you make it it’s worth it (0:27:50) Al: All right, so that’s my car. (0:27:52) Al: I’ve also I don’t want to talk too much about this, but I do want to mention it. (0:27:58) Al: I’ve opened Lens Island again and started playing that. (0:28:02) Al: So for context, I originally backed on. (0:28:06) Al: Kickstarter and I started playing it when it first came out, but it had no controller (0:28:11) Al: support and basically was horrible to use on the steam deck. (0:28:16) Al: So I have started playing it again, and it is less horrible to play on the steam deck. (0:28:24) Kev: But that’s always the bar we want less horrible (0:28:25) Al: And I think that’s as far as I’m going to go on this comp on it just now. (0:28:33) Al: I will probably go into it a lot more in the next. (0:28:36) Al: episode, probably, but no promises. (0:28:38) Kev: Okay, fine. Okay. (0:28:43) Al: So that is a thing that is currently happening that I am not going to give any opinions on right now. (0:28:52) Al: But finally, we are recording this on Saturday, the 28th of June. (0:28:57) Al: I have just finished the first day of Pokémon Go Fest 2025 Global. (0:29:01) Kev: Oh, is that what’s going on? Okay. (0:29:03) Al: That’s what’s today. (0:29:04) Al: Yeah. So, uh, I had. (0:29:06) Al: Fun. I got a few hours where I was allowed to remove my (0:29:14) Al: responsibilities from children and just go play Pokemon in Edinburgh. (0:29:17) Al: And yeah, I got a good amount of stuff done and I enjoyed that. (0:29:20) Kev: Cool. What is going on? What are they releasing? (0:29:24) Al: This is the Crowned in Shield form Zacian and Zamazenta. (0:29:30) Kev: Wait they weren’t in there already that’s weird, but okay (0:29:32) Al: No, they had the base forms, but not this Crowned in Shield form. (0:29:37) Al: Uh, because they’ve got to release them separately to make the most money, right? (0:29:42) Kev: - Oh, yeah, yeah. (0:29:46) Al: But yeah, so, uh, yeah, I think they did this one a lot better than the previous (0:29:52) Al: other forms, because with Curum and with, uh, oh, what’s the other one? (0:29:59) Kev: Uh, uh, uh, Nick Asma. (0:30:03) Al: Nick Rosma, thank you. (0:30:05) Al: with both of them. (0:30:06) Al: You have a certain amount of energy you need to get to fuse them, but if you separate (0:30:15) Al: them, you have to use the same amount of energy again to fuse them again. (0:30:21) Al: It’s like a thousand-fuse energy, or whatever they call it. (0:30:25) Al: I can’t remember and I don’t care. (0:30:26) Kev: Yeah, that’s correct (0:30:29) Al: Once you fuse them, you use up that thousand, but you get like a hundred per raid that you (0:30:33) Al: do. (0:30:34) Al: raids to get enough defuse once (0:30:35) Kev: Okay (0:30:36) Al: set of them. And then if you’re like, “Oh, I fused the wrong one”, and you unfuse it, (0:30:37) Kev: Yeah, oh (0:30:42) Al: you then have to do another 10 raids to do it. But of course, those raids were only available (0:30:45) Kev: It sounds like a lot (0:30:48) Al: for one weekend. They’ve never been available again, so you can’t get the energy anymore. (0:30:55) Al: It’s dreadful! (0:30:56) Kev: That sounds like a lot. (0:30:58) Al: Well, the good thing is that Zamasenta and Zacian, once you turn it into crown form, (0:31:04) Al: If you revere its form, you can… (0:31:06) Al: you can then do it again without using any energy. (0:31:09) Kev: Sure, okay. Okay, I mean, that’s that’s definitely nice. I just, man, I just got to say I didn’t go that long at all. But hearing how like, because I think Megas were kind of the first one where you had, you know, special mega energy or whatever. Like, it’s, oh, it doesn’t sound great. Just the oddest. (0:31:33) Al: The the Megas actually I think is a lot better than it was when it first launched. (0:31:38) Al: So like you you can get one free mega for each of your mega Pokemon once a week. (0:31:45) Al: So once you’ve done the initial one, every week, you can do it once for free. (0:31:49) Al: You only have to pay more energy after the first one (0:31:53) Al: if you want to do it faster than that. (0:31:55) Al: And as you get up the power, like once you can level up the mega and once you get (0:32:00) Al: Mega level 3. It matters. (0:32:04) Al: How much it costs so like every if you were to do it every single day, you wouldn’t be using a huge amount of energy so it’s it’s not it’s it’s much better than it was initially launched and I get why you know it is a bit frustrating that you still have to use it energy at all but it’s a lot less annoying you also get energy if you walk with them as a buddy and stuff like that so you know it’s it’s fine it’s fine it’s these fusing ones that are the most annoying because it’s like. (0:32:33) Al: I know have my necrosimas and my cutums fused and I can never unfuse them because I would never be able to fuse them again right like it’s just that’s it if you chose the wrong one tough and it’s really annoying because one of them I did choose the wrong one and but there’s nothing I can do about that I’m stuffed and that’s just what I have to live with. (0:32:40) Kev: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. (0:32:46) Kev: Oh, no! (0:32:50) Kev: Ugh. (0:32:52) Kev: Oh, that’s rough. That’s rough, buddy. (0:32:53) Al: Still. Yeah, that is life but yeah so there’s actions Amazon to was done much better and I got shiny. (0:33:03) Al: And I got my energy and I’ve I’ve powered them up so nice powerful Pokemon looking looking great my shiny shield was it shield form kind of what it’s called and they have new adventure effects so. (0:33:04) Kev: Yeah! (0:33:10) Kev: Yeah, that’s the game! (0:33:18) Kev: That’s cool, that’s good. (0:33:19) Al: There we go. (0:33:22) Al: And they can also be used because they’re when they’re in that form they can be used at power spots, which normally only dynamics Pokemon can be used a pair of spots, but of course you can’t you can’t. (0:33:33) Al: And they can also be used in Dynamax session and Amazon to but when they’re in that form you can use them a pair of spots so that’s fun. (0:33:44) Al: So yeah, I probably do a little bit tomorrow as well because it was Amazon to things action tomorrow, but which is a bit annoying, but if you got the ticket for go fest you do get enough energy to do one of one of the dogs, so I do have enough to do as action, but I probably want to get enough to do another one. (0:34:02) Kev: Sure. Well, I am glad that you’re enjoying it. (0:34:03) Al: Continuing to enjoy Pokemon go despite everything. (0:34:07) Kev: I don’t… (0:34:11) Kev: This, well, that’s kind of, uh, I mean, that’s just a blanket save these days. (0:34:20) Al: They keep trying to ruin the game, but I still somehow enjoy it. (0:34:24) Al: All right, let’s talk about some game use a woo. (0:34:31) Kev: Oh, wait, wait, back up. (0:34:32) Kev: I’m sorry, I just– (0:34:33) Kev: I don’t know why you just clicked something in my mind. (0:34:34) Kev: I forgot. (0:34:35) Kev: I want to follow up my Magic the Gathering thing. (0:34:39) Kev: So as I look, you know, I was dipping my toe in the MTG pool. (0:34:44) Kev: Guess what’s the next secret layer? (0:34:45) Al: I don’t know. (0:34:46) Kev: You know me. (0:34:48) Al: Ah, ah, ah, pressure, um, unicorn over the light! (0:34:53) Kev: Haha, oh, oh, that’d be so (0:34:54) Al: No, ah, no, um, let’s see, so Kevin, something Kevin would like. (0:34:59) Al: Well, it’s not going to be like anything Nintendo. (0:35:02) Kev: No, no it’s just very funny hearing that. (0:35:04) Al: Wait, is it? (0:35:06) Al: No. (0:35:08) Kev: I didn’t intend, I didn’t intend, life log Nintendo Pass. (0:35:09) Al: Well. (0:35:12) Kev: You don’t like Nintendo things, um, but it won’t, uh, MTG, I gotta say, it wouldn’t be (0:35:15) Al: I mean, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, that’s the opposite of what I thought, Kevin. (0:35:19) Kev: in there. (0:35:20) Kev: Yeah, okay. (0:35:21) Kev: Yeah, okay, yes, yeah, I know what you’re saying, but the way it came in my ears, it’s (0:35:21) Al: What I thought was, oh yeah, it could be, you know, you like Nintendo stuff. (0:35:25) Al: And I was like, oh no, but they’re not going to do something with Nintendo. (0:35:27) Al: That was my point. (0:35:30) Kev: It’s not too funny. (0:35:31) Al: Trying to accuse me. (0:35:32) Al: Accuse me of not thinking you like Nintendo stuff. (0:35:34) Al: Ah, no, I’ve not got anything. (0:35:39) Al: Nothing’s coming. (0:35:40) Kev: Ow! The lowest hanging fruit! Gotta go fast! (0:35:44) Al: Oh, Sonic. (0:35:45) Al: What? They’re doing Sonic, Magic the Gathering? (0:35:47) Kev: They’re doing- okay. (0:35:49) Kev: Yeah! Dude, they already did SpongeBob! Who cares? (0:35:53) Al: What? This is what one out all these cards look so good. (0:35:54) Kev: Oh, you missed that! SpongeBob’s in magic! Oh, yeah! (0:36:02) Kev: Don’t they? (0:36:03) Al: Oh, no. Oh, no. (0:36:04) Kev: They look- that’s- that’s the exact reaction. (0:36:10) Al: I don’t want this. Well, no, I do want this. (0:36:14) Kev: And you- and- oh, my- like, Shadow- (0:36:15) Al: I managed to not even look at the Doctor Who and Lord of the Rings ones somehow. (0:36:18) Kev: Oh- oh, yeah. (0:36:20) Kev: Shadow looks busted. It’s insane. (0:36:24) Kev: They’re no big the cats, so point against them for that. No cream, either. (0:36:28) Kev: But overall, it’s- it’s in their- (0:36:31) Kev: Ugh, Sonic’s ability, ‘cause you know, when they have an ability, they have a little, like, name for it. (0:36:36) Kev: It- it’s literally “Gotta go fast.” (0:36:38) Kev: You know “Gotta go fast” isn’t even from the games. (0:36:40) Kev: It’s just from the, uh, the- the dub intro of an anime. [Laughter] (0:36:45) Al: Yeah, I’m not particularly surprised. (0:36:48) Kev: Oh, yeah, Sonic’s going to magic. (0:36:50) Kev: It’s- ugh. I don’t like it. I’m- I’m- I’m- oh, dear. I’m cooked, as the children would say. (0:36:58) Kev: You know, Unicorn Overlord, it- wild as it- it’s not in Magic the Gathering, but in- they have one of those- (0:37:04) Kev: What is it? I think it’s, like, the Overlord edition. You know, one of the big fancy collector’s editions. (0:37:08) Kev: There’s actually a whole (0:37:10) Kev: building card game inside that it’s wild (0:37:16) Kev: Yeah, card games are my vice. They’re my legal addiction. Sonic’s coming to magic (0:37:16) Al: And will this be coming and will this be coming to arenas? (0:37:28) Kev: uh good question I don’t know arena is very weird because arena has (0:37:39) Kev: arena is kind of its own environment it has exclusive arena cards it has its own formats (0:37:45) Kev: and i’ll tell you the the bad ones we’re getting a spider-man set in a few months (0:37:51) Kev: that the spider-man set cards are coming to arena but not with spider-man full (0:37:58) Kev: they’re going to replace them with whatever generic magic card characters or whatever (0:38:02) Al: What? What does that even mean then? (0:38:05) Kev: it means they didn’t get the license to use it digitally (0:38:07) Al: What would be the point in adding the cards then, if they’re not the cards? (0:38:11) Al: So they’re gonna have like the same effects, but not use any names for Spider-Man. (0:38:14) Kev: yeah yeah you you get yeah you get pied or arachnid avatar I don’t know (0:38:18) Al: That’s so stupid. (0:38:20) Al: Just don’t do it. (0:38:28) Kev: uh good old magic together I i joined just this year what a good time to get into this game (0:38:36) Al: Update, I have downloaded Magi the Gathering Eraser. (0:38:39) Kev: yeah oh we gotta play some games um all right let’s go to non sonic base oh or is there (0:38:44) Al: Yes, yeah, news, game news. No, no, no, no, there’s obviously not. Research story have (0:38:47) Kev: is there sonic base news maybe not yet one day it’s inevitable (0:38:56) Al: announced that their 1.0 is coming the 21st of July, so it has been a long time coming. (0:39:00) Kev: Okay (0:39:02) Al: Let’s see, when did this first come into Early Access? February 2023 was when this launched (0:39:04) Kev: Yes, oh wait research, so I don’t know I heard something else okay that that is exciting (0:39:11) Al: in early access. (0:39:12) Kev: Research work takes forever to ask Cody. That’s why the 1.0. It’s it’s forever (0:39:14) Al: So, maybe we need to get our second harvest on this after the 1.0 is out. (0:39:18) Kev: It’s the equivalent of getting their PhD congratulations research story (0:39:23) Kev: I’m sure Cody isn’t triggered by this at all (0:39:31) Kev: Okay, so wait we got let’s see what is the date on the oh July 21st there (0:39:38) Kev: It is but it’s available on the on a beta branch. That’s weird. What do you mean? (0:39:43) Kev: 1.0 will be available in beta before one point (0:39:45) Al: No, no, that’s so. So that’s before launch, you’ll be able to play the beta. (0:39:48) Kev: Yeah, I know that that’s very weird to me like (0:39:52) Al: Well, OK, I see what you mean. I see what you mean. I see what you mean. So (0:39:57) Al: it’s not actually that uncommon in software development where you go, this is our beta for (0:40:05) Al: 1.0 or 1.1 or whatever. That is not that uncommon, actually. I think it’s less common in games, (0:40:07) Kev: Sure. Yeah. Sure. And I mean, like, you know, public betas and test servers, (0:40:12) Al: But it’s definitely something that you see quite a lot. (0:40:18) Kev: like they’re common and I’m not saying it’s unheard of, but I don’t know. (0:40:21) Kev: It just feels weird, especially in game dev, like the 1.0 is the big fitting, right? (0:40:25) Kev: So, uh, I don’t know, but whatever, um, but hey. (0:40:28) Al: You still have to pop the game you can’t just play it’s not just anybody can play it like it’s public (0:40:33) Kev: Yeah. (0:40:34) Al: But public for people who have paid for the game, right? (0:40:37) Kev: That’s true. Good point. (0:40:40) Kev: All right. But hey, it’s here. (0:40:42) Al: Tiny garden the content the (0:40:45) Al: Featured game of last week’s episode have released a statement regarding the Nintendo switch version (0:40:52) Kev: I didn’t think I’d ever hear a statement from Tiny Garden. (0:40:56) Al: This is this is great. I’m just (0:40:58) Al: going to read some of the statement because I don’t think I can really (0:41:01) Al: summarize it better than they have done. “We wanted to clarify some questions (0:41:06) Al: that have arisen regarding the Nintendo Switch version of Tiny Garden. We have (0:41:09) Al: been vague and perhaps not communicated with you as well as we could have, for (0:41:14) Al: which we apologize. We did not want to cause you unnecessary concern or bore (0:41:18) Al: you with technical details. The truth is that the Switch version of Tiny Garden (0:41:23) Al: will be ported by an external company. As we are such a small team it was very (0:41:28) Al: hard for us to do everything in-house. The problem here is we’ve not yet found a (0:41:32) Al: company that can port the game with the polish and quality that we feel (0:41:35) Al: comfortable with. Both our publishers Super Rare Games and us want to deliver (0:41:40) Al: the best possible version of Tiny Garden on Switch. However, we did not (0:41:43) Al: anticipate that this porting would be so complicated.” Hey, I could have told you. (0:41:48) Al: We’ve seen this before. (0:41:50) Kev: What are you talking about? (0:41:52) Kev: It’s katrossi katronfi, it’s fuckies! (0:41:56) Al: And then they go into details about complaining. (0:41:58) Al: About their game engine and that’s the reason. (0:42:02) Al: Sure, fine. (0:42:05) Al: It’s funny because it’s like, oh no, we didn’t know it would be complicated to bring it to a (0:42:10) Al: console. Like what did you expect? Like these things are always complicated. (0:42:14) Kev: Well, yeah, I mean anything game dev is complicated pretty much anything dev software dev is always complicated (0:42:19) Al: Yeah, exactly. (0:42:21) Kev: Well, look here. Here’s your free advice tiny garden people call biting studio (0:42:27) Kev: Those are the guys who make cassette beasts that except beasts is on Godot. They brought it to switch (0:42:32) Kev: It’s awesome on switch. There you go (0:42:33) Al: Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s the thing. I suspect if you do it in Unity or Unreal, I suspect (0:42:42) Al: it is slightly easier because they are obviously like larger companies use them and so therefore (0:42:51) Kev: They’re established. (0:42:53) Al: need the console support to be as good as it can be, right? Because otherwise there (0:43:00) Al: There would be big problems because Godot is. (0:43:04) Al: open source and therefore more likely to be used by smaller teams, and they are less likely to be focusing on consoles at all more likely to be focusing on just PC because that is the easiest for. (0:43:18) Kev: Uh-huh (0:43:18) Al: I mean, it’s just the easiest to develop for full stop right because there’s no gatekeeper right like that has has been the case for a long, long time. (0:43:20) Kev: Yeah, I mean yes, yes, that’s correct (0:43:26) Kev: And probably will always be the case because just the nature of the beast so yeah (0:43:28) Al: Exactly. (0:43:29) Al: Exactly. (0:43:30) Al: Exactly. (0:43:31) Al: So there’s, they’re probably simplifying. (0:43:33) Al: Things in what they’re saying, you know, these things happen. (0:43:40) Al: I would like to clarify again, please, if you’re backing a game on Kickstarter, if you (0:43:47) Al: want it for console, don’t back it on Kickstarter, right? (0:43:50) Al: Like just, just like it’s the console is always like, it is when the Kickstarter happens normally, (0:43:59) Al: the way that it is happened is there is a working version of the game. (0:44:03) Al: It may not be final. (0:44:04) Al: It may not have all the content, but they have a game and it can run on PC. (0:44:08) Al: There will be nothing running on console at that point. (0:44:11) Al: And it’s very likely, unless they are a team that have ported to console before, it’s very (0:44:16) Al: likely that they have no idea what they’re doing with consoles at all, right? (0:44:20) Kev: Yep. (0:44:21) Al: And this, this isn’t meant to be harsh on them. (0:44:24) Al: This is just a fact that if you have, if you’re not a console developer, you do not know how (0:44:29) Al: complicated it is. (0:44:30) Al: I am not a games developer, right? (0:44:33) Al: I’m a web developer. (0:44:34) Al: And even in web development, there are things that if you don’t know how it works, it is (0:44:38) Al: so much more complicated than you realize. (0:44:42) Al: And there are just certain things that are more awkward. (0:44:45) Al: And if you haven’t started development on it, you don’t know how complicated it is. (0:44:49) Al: And it is likely not going to be done until the game is finished. (0:44:52) Al: That’s the other thing, right? (0:44:55) Al: Even Stardew Valley still doesn’t get updates out day and date on console, right? (0:45:00) Kev: Yeah. (0:45:01) Al: and stardew valley (0:45:03) Al: is one of the biggest indie games, full stop. (0:45:06) Kev: Yeah. (0:45:07) Al: It’s not like he’s only on his own anyway. He has a team that he works with, he worked with (0:45:12) Kev: Nice. (0:45:12) Al: porting companies before, he has done many different things, and even he can’t do it. (0:45:20) Al: It takes so much work, even big companies struggle with that. (0:45:26) Al: It is rare for a game to come out at the same time on PC and console unless you are one of (0:45:31) Al: of the biggest games and they will. (0:45:34) Al: Completely different teams working on the PC version, working on the switch version, working on the PlayStation version Xbox is different because they’re like the Microsoft of well, pretty much Microsoft have done so much work and I, you know, I’m the first to jump on Microsoft a bad bandwagon, but Microsoft have done so much work to make putting games to Xbox so incredibly easy it’s not. It’s still not just as simple as click a button. It does. (0:45:36) Kev: Mm-hmm (0:45:41) Kev: Yeah (0:45:44) Kev: They are a PC (0:46:03) Al: It does it, but it is so much easier than any other console. If you have an existing PC game, especially if you’re using the tools that Microsoft give to make the game on PC. (0:46:07) Kev: Sure. Yeah. Well, I mean, guess. Hi. Hey, I’m still holding out for mighty number nine (0:46:15) Al: All that being said, all that being said, never back a Kickstarter for a switch game. Just don’t do it, right? (0:46:25) Kev: on the 3DS. Uh, but. (0:46:31) Al: I have, I have, when I, when I bought my steam. (0:46:33) Al: Dick, it was so good because it meant that I could go through and like change (0:46:37) Al: all of my kickstarters to use to steam codes instead of switch get codes. (0:46:41) Kev: Mmm, yeah, at least (0:46:41) Al: And you get the game a year before, right? (0:46:44) Al: It’s just every, every, every single one is there’s none of them. (0:46:49) Al: Not a single game that I have backed on Kickstarter has released (0:46:53) Al: on switch at the same time as steam. (0:46:54) Kev: year you’re not wrong not at all ah well you know what though in this (0:47:03) Kev: particular case there’s an easy way to fix this you know what you don’t even (0:47:07) Kev: have to release on the switch tiny garden just so you know what we’re (0:47:11) Kev: canceling it we’re investing everything into the playdate port and we’re all in (0:47:12) Al: Honestly, a Playdate port would probably be quicker, because it would have to lose features, (0:47:17) Kev: we’re good all is forgiven (0:47:24) Al: right? It’s not going to be the same, the graphics are simpler, like honestly, if they started now (0:47:31) Al: from scratch, they could probably get a Playdate version out before they could port their version (0:47:34) Kev: Well, well there you go, Tiny Guard. The path is there. (0:47:34) Al: to Switch. I’m not joking. They would of course get a fraction of the sales, right? There are (0:47:42) Al: Playdates. Yes, it does. I love the Playdate, it’s so good. I just wish I played it more. (0:47:44) Kev: the dozens look I mean I might join the dozens I’ll say that (0:48:00) Kev: Yeah (0:48:05) Al: As far as I can see, the only number I’ve seen on Playdate sales was in May of last year, (0:48:10) Al: They said 70,000 have been sold (0:48:12) Al: But that was one year into it, and we’re now a year later, so who knows
The Two-Headed Nerd returns to the Land of Scrolls! This time to discuss “The Coming of Conan” … again. Back in April of 2020 we read and discussed the first issue of Conan the Barbarian from Marvel comics on the Two-Headed Nerd Podcast when Swords and Scrolls was a show...
July highlights the burgeoning excitement, experimentation, and direction of the Two of Wands - this is a month to pay attention to what inspiration is appearing naturally while protecting this tender new growth from harmful influences. The Knight of Swords indicates a critical environment and a choice for us to turn against ourselves or turn against what's holding us back via the Eight of Swords. The Knight of Pentacles reveals a different approach, one we may already be taking behind the scenes: slow, diligent, and dedicated work that can grow to support a meaningful life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit incandescenttarot.substack.com/subscribe
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In this magical conversation, my guest and I explore the intersection of spirituality, storytelling, and copywriting. We dive deep into the world of tarot, emphasizing the importance of intuition and aligned messaging in building a business that truly resonates. My guest has lovingly embraced the Queen of Swords approach in her copywriting—a blend of clarity, wisdom, and authenticity. Meet Amanda Hornberger. Amanda's journey from the theatre taught her the power of storytelling, her time as a tarot reader showed her that intuition is a true superpower, and her work as a copywriter has revealed how aligned messaging can create deep, authentic connections. As the founder of Queen of Swords Copywriting, Amanda serves spiritual entrepreneurs by writing matchmaking copy that puts you in front of the people who truly need your services and builds genuine connections with your audience. Amanda and I dish on: - When you speak to everyone, you reach no one - How specificity in messaging connects you with your true audience - Outsourcing copywriting: Why and how - Authentic writing vs. automated content - Tarot as a storytelling tool and a means to connect with your intuition - Copywriting as matchmaking This episode is all about using your intuition and aligned storytelling to create meaningful connections in your business. Subscribe now so you'll never miss an episode and leave us a review! It really helps us know which content resonates with you the most. Join our Feminine Business Magic Facebook Group (https://tinyurl.com/ygdkw7ce) with your host, Julie Foucht. This is a community of women dedicated to connecting, supporting, and celebrating each other in growing businesses that honor their Divine Feminine while filling their bank accounts abundantly. Resources mentioned: Take the Witchpreneur Quiz and discover which Feminine Magic is your Key to Financial Success. (https://bit.ly/witchpreneur-quiz) Purchase Love-Based Feminine Marketing (https://tinyurl.com/ydmzb6qz) Amanda Hornberger's Free Gift: Here is a link to a free mini-course on How to Build Desire with Your Marketing: queen-of-swords-copy.kit.com/desire Join Amanda's mailing list: queen-of-swords-copy.kit.com/newsletter-opt-in **Contact Amanda Hornberger via LinkedIn or https://www.queenofswordscopy.com/** **Connect with Julie Foucht via Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/yeb82uuj) or email at https://juliefoucht.com/**
Join Matt Swords and David Burr as they discuss this weekend's message on the importance of both faith and works to the Christian life. We receive salvation by faith, as a gift from God, not by works, but then we are called to do good works for the kingdom. Thus, as James says, our faith is evident in the works we do. Tune in for Matt and David's personal insights and strategies for how we live out a faith that works.
Inspired by the chapter on alignment in the S&W Book o Options, I present a comparison of Michael Moorcock's cosmic balance and Freud's theory of personality. Also, I have calls from Daniel (Bandit's Keep), Joe (Hindsightless), and Mirke (Mirke the Meek).Here are the other books mentioned in this episodeThe Antidote by Oliver BurkemanThe Happiness Trap by Russ HarrisA Liberated Mind bu Steven C. HayesThe Swords Wizardy Book of Options by Matt Finch & James M. SpahnSend me a message!Email me at arcane.alienist@gmail.comLeave a voicemail at Speakpipe
In this episode of So Divine!, Stephanie and Megan explore the celestial landscape for July, noting that a number of celestial bodies--Neptune, Saturn, Mercury, and Chiron--all station retrograde this month. They speak to how when a planet stations its qualities are amplified, discussing the potential expressions for each and how to consciously work the energies in a mindful way. They talk about Uranus' big move from Taurus to Gemini, where it will be for better part of the next seven years, sharing some of the past historical time periods when this revolutionary planet darted through this mutable sign. They explore potential themes that may emerge during its residence there, including shake-ups related to communication, the media, education, and transport as well as the ways we orient to duality and multiplicity. Stephanie chooses a tarot card at random, the Ten of Swords, and Megan explains how this card indicates a death to old ways of thinking, offering an invitation to new beginnings by being open to fresh perspectives.
“Be still and listen to your soul.” Henry David Thoreau The calmest sword out of the entire suit, the four embodies calm, peace, and a long rest before the action. The figure, typically depicted as a knight, lies over a tomb. Melissa suggests that this is Mercutio from William Shakespeare's 1597 tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Jaymi ties the card back to being silent and gathering your resources. And Hilary reminds us about the meditative quality of the card. Homework: Engage in a self-care activity. FYI, Melissa has changed her rates to help those who are not at the baseline. So, visit her website and sign up for a reading now. https://melissacynova.com/services/ Catch Hilary and Melissa on Instagram for live readings. Follow them both and get a quick reading. Shoutouts Happy birthday, Rocco! Decks Mentioned Melissa: The Ink Witch by Eric Maille (first and second editions sold out) and The Lorenzi Tarot by Irene Lorenzi Jaymi: Triple Goddess Tarot by Franco Rivolli and Jaymi Elford Hilary: Tarot of the Unexplained by Davezilla and Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein Resources Finch app, we swear they do not sponsor us. We love them for their mental health activities and corralling to-do lists while getting to hug and support each other through a digital bubble. The Cartomancer Magazine (Winter 2022 features the Triple Goddess Tarot Four of Swords on the cover. Do you like what you hear? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cardslingerscc. We also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cardslingerscc. Eventually, we will back up the episodes and have more live content. Support our podcast with books or decks. We're adding all the books from each episode to our Cardslingers CC bookshop.org store. Each purchase from this store gives us a percentage to cover our costs! www.bookshop.org/shop/cardslingerscc. Reminder: We will NEVER DM you for a reading on any social media site. We schedule all readings and conversations through our personal websites.
Discover how the Four Queens of the Tarot—Wands, Pentacles, Swords, and Cups—come into tantric communion to awaken embodied creativity, leadership, and emotional clarity. This is a call for empath entrepreneurs to shift out of burnout and into sacred sovereignty. In this powerful transmission, we explore the Tantric Weaving of the Queens—the sacred inner union of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water within the intuitive creative psyche.Each Queen of the Tarot offers a key to unlocking your sovereignty:Queen of Wands (Fire): Magnetic embodiment & creative ignitionQueen of Pentacles (Earth): Grounded support & sustainabilityQueen of Swords (Air): Clarity, boundaries & truth-tellingQueen of Cups (Water): Deep emotional intelligence & receptivityLearn how to stop fragmenting your gifts and instead create from sacred harmony. This is for empathic leaders, witchy creatives, and intuitive entrepreneurs ready to thrive from wholeness.✨ WANT TO GO DEEPER?
June 26, 2025's Virgo Ascending reading is live—and trust, we're navigating heartbreaks, friendships on hiatus, and that scorching NYC heat (with an AC hum cameo). From a Five of Cups “reversal” reminding you those two cups still stand, to the Hermit and Eight of Pentacles beckoning you into solo growth, we're unpacking:No Longer Friends vibes and spotting who's real
What if crashing out is exactly what your soul needs to transform?In this episode of Moonbeaming, Sarah Faith Gottesdiener explores the Nine of Swords, one of the tarot's most intense cards of collapse, grief, shadow work, and transformation. If you're navigating grief, facing an identity shift, or feeling like you've hit rock bottom, this conversation will help you reframe what it means to be in the “crash out” moment.In this episode you'll learn:Why grief and collapse can be portals to spiritual growthHow the Nine of Swords reveals what is no longer sustainableWhy identity dissolves in the wake of trauma healing—and what comes afterHow to work with ego death, shame, and shadow during rock bottomThe collective and personal implications of unprocessed griefThis episode is a compassionate guide for anyone moving through crisis, deep grief, or major life change — offering permission to pause, process, and allow transformation to unfold.To Note: If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or feel unsafe, please know you are not alone and there is support available.United States: Call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential support, 24/7.Canada: Call Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645, available 24/7.Domestic Violence (U.S. & Canada): If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat online at thehotline.org. In Canada, you can also contact the Assaulted Women's Helpline at 1-866-863-0511 or text 1-866-863-7868.Moon Studio workshop reminder:June 29th: The Constellation of the 9's: The Hermit, The Moon, & the 9's: https://moon-studio.co/products/the-constellation-of-the-9s-the-hermit-the-moon-the-9sJoin the Moon Studio community:Join the Moon Studio Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/themoonstudioBuy the 2025 Many Moons Lunar Planner: https://moon-studio.co/collections/all-products-excluding-route/products/many-moons-2025Subscribe to our newsletter: https://moon-studio.co/pages/newsletterFind Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gottesss/
Cosmic news alignments during the month of July 2025 Cosmic news Welcome to The Lunar Lounge Podcast, your go-to source for all things astrology! Join us as we dive deep into the fascinating world of planetary alignments and configurations. In this week's episode, we unravel the celestial events set to unfold through the month of May 2025. Venus conjuncts Uranus, Mercury opposes Pluto, Mercury enters Leo, Venus enters Gemini, Mars enters Virgo, Sun enters Cancer, Full moon in Capricorn. Tarot card of the week (4 of Swords), and so much more, we've got you covered. Tune in to gain valuable insights and knowledge about these cosmic occurrences. The Lunar lounge podcast Sponsor: Magic mind Discount code: LUNARLOUNGE20 Link: https://magicmind.superfiliate.com/LUNARLOUNGE20 Be sure to catch the live lunar Lounge podcast every Wednesday at 12:30pm UK time. To join live, participate and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLunarLoungePodcastOr on Instagram: https://www.threads.net/@sacredplanets?xmt=AQGzJ3i-db3-Ztc15vrxWemK2mAcDO9apLC_flO6U-5n9IU You could also catch it on all podcast platforms, such as Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon music, Google podcast, and many more at https://rss.com/podcasts/thelunarloungepodcast
Author : Jessie Roy Narrator : Kyle Akers Host : Matt Dovey Audio Producer : Devin Martin Discuss on Forums PodCastle 897: Oops! All Swords is a PodCastle original. Content warnings for repeated violent death and strong language throughout. Rated PG-13 Oops! All Swords by Jessie Roy Blackness, and a ringing in your ears, […] The post PodCastle 897: Oops! All Swords appeared first on PodCastle.
Matt was getting ready for Heroes Con when he and Chris recorded, so enjoy this edit-free episode where we rate some more of your sword submissions!We make our show on Zencastr, and you can too! Follow this link to sign up now!
Join Matt Swords and David Burr as they discuss this weekend's message on the call to love and unity within the church, even when we don't agree. It's so easy to let our disagreements divide us, but God calls us to put relational connection above agreement, as evidenced in the book of James and the story of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Tune in for Matt and David's personal insights and strategies for how we can walk this out in our daily lives.
Coming up on this episode of Flirtations, Fernie is back on the show for our summer solstice dating horoscope! With a brand new season comes new energy for dating, romance, flirting, and cosmic possibility. Joining us today is Flirtations' in-house astrologer, fortune teller, and magic mystic, Fernie, here to read the stars and pull back the planetary curtain on what this season has in store for our love lives. What does the Queen of Swords want us to know? What is Jupiter up to and what opportunities might some celestial happenings present? Mars has also got something to say and we're kicking off cancer season! Lot's to get to, including the two big themes the stars and planets have for us, and how we can fill our own cups a little bit more. You don't need to be an astrology expert—just bring an open heart and an open mind, and we'll take care of the rest. So get ready to flirt with fortune, boldness, beauty, and maybe a little bit of magic. Let's do this, Flirties, and meet Fernie. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world! Enjoying the show and want to support my work? Buy the Flirt Coach a coffee! About our guest: Fernie Salinas (he/they) is a queer Latinx fortune telling witch from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. They are the owner and founder of Golden Mirror Fortunes, and they hope to be Your Favorite Fortune Teller! They grew up always knowing that magic was around us, as their great-grandfather and his son, their grand-uncle, were both curanderos (folk healers) in Rio Grande City, and it's been such a delight to have Golden Mirror Fortunes carry on the legacy of healing and mysticism they instilled in him. He's also an educator — he went to Rice University, studied English and Art History, got their teacher's certification, joined TFA, and have been a teacher and principal at various schools in the RGV. He is currently an education consultant as well as running Golden Mirror Fortunes, their small fortune telling business. He uses tarot and magic to help people heal and find their paths, all in service of improving their fortunes. His deepest desire is to provide you with the light that you need to make your life a little more magical and glittery. Follow them on Instagram and let them be your favorite fortune teller! About your host: Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy - with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun! As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the Flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage. Ultimately, this practice of connection helps flirters and daters alike create stronger relationships, transcend limiting beliefs, and develop an unwavering love for the self. His work has been featured in Fortune, NBC News, The Huffington Post, and Yoga Journal. You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
Astrology and Tarot from two grounded Earth signs! We're here to show you the energies so you can embrace them in your own way! Show Summary: In this Cosmic Energy Report, hosts Andrea and Emily are forecasting the energies surrounding Cancer season. Reflecting on the chaotic and transformative nature of the preceding Gemini season, they discuss how the rapid pace of life has made it difficult to find stable footing. Both hosts emphasize the importance of grounding, self-care, and leaning into emotional support systems as we transition into a time marked by deep introspection and emotional sensitivity. They explore significant astrological events, such as Jupiter moving into Cancer, and how these shifts impact not just individual lives but the collective energy as well. Listeners are encouraged to slow down, embrace self-discovery, and prepare for the intuitive insights and breakthroughs that Cancer season promises to deliver. Tied to the astrological themes shared by Emily, Andrea provides key tarot readings for the upcoming weeks, including cards like the Ace of Swords and the Six of Pentacles, highlighting themes of balance, breakthroughs, and new beginnings. They discuss how these cards reflect the broader astrological transits, such as Neptune's retrograde in Aries and Uranus entering Gemini, paving the way for unexpected changes and profound realizations. With a keen focus on how past choices and upcoming opportunities shape the collective journey, the hosts underline the necessity of trusting in the process. Emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, particularly with Mercury retrograde in Leo, they advise listeners to stay curious, flexible, and open to the sense of adventure brought by the transition from Cancer to Leo season. As they wrap up, the hosts share upcoming events and personal reflections, inviting the audience to join them in harnessing the cosmic energies for personal growth and transformation. Want personalized guidance? * Visit emilyandherstars.com for readings, workshops, and updates. * Subscribe, rate, and review Things That Make You Go Woo to help others discover the magic. * Share this episode with friends who could use a little cosmic clarity. Connect with Emily Join the Cards + Cosmos Club: https://www.emilyandherstars.com/shop/p/2025cardscosmos Newsletter + Calendar Download: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60f5b4f9a00fcd52c9f65d4b Direct Bookings and Website: https://www.emilyandherstars.com Instagram & Threads: https://www.instagram.com/emilyandherstars Connect with Andrea Monthly Remote Recharge Healing Sessions: https://spiritschool.as.me/andrea-remote-recharge Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62b21d04849e4b4fbbbea774 Direct to Bookings: https://spiritschool.as.me/andrea Website: https://www.andreamccallumservices.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concreteandcrystals Episode Timeline + Highlights 00:00 Introduction and Hosts 00:19 Reflecting on Gemini Season 03:24 Cancer Season Overview 05:59 Astrological Insights and Predictions 08:47 Navigating Emotional and Intuitive Energies 20:53 Balancing Generosity and Self-Care 32:00 Breakthroughs and Mindset Shifts 38:41 Astrological Events and Energies 46:06 Reflecting on Past Choices and Embracing New Opportunities 47:33 Navigating the Slowdown and Focusing on One Thing at a Time 51:21 Astrological Insights: Neptune Retrograde and Uranus in Gemini 56:26 Full Moon in Capricorn: A Time for Reflection and Adjustment 01:05:19 Mercury Retrograde in Leo: Embracing Change and Unexpected Opportunities 01:09:46 The Six of Swords: Moving from Turbulence to Peace 01:16:23 The Exit Ramp: Trusting New Directions and Embracing Change 01:28:35 Upcoming Events and Personal Reflections
In this Cosmic Energy Report, hosts Andrea and Emily are forecasting the energies surrounding Cancer season. Reflecting on the chaotic and transformative nature of the preceding Gemini season, they discuss how the rapid pace of life has made it difficult to find stable footing. Both hosts emphasize the importance of grounding, self-care, and leaning into emotional support systems as we transition into a time marked by deep introspection and emotional sensitivity. They explore significant astrological events, such as Jupiter moving into Cancer, and how these shifts impact not just individual lives but the collective energy as well. Listeners are encouraged to slow down, embrace self-discovery, and prepare for the intuitive insights and breakthroughs that Cancer season promises to deliver. Tied to the astrological themes shared by Emily, Andrea provides key tarot readings for the upcoming weeks, including cards like the Ace of Swords and the Six of Pentacles, highlighting themes of balance, breakthroughs, and new beginnings. They discuss how these cards reflect the broader astrological transits, such as Neptune's retrograde in Aries and Uranus entering Gemini, paving the way for unexpected changes and profound realizations. With a keen focus on how past choices and upcoming opportunities shape the collective journey, the hosts underline the necessity of trusting in the process. Emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, particularly with Mercury retrograde in Leo, they advise listeners to stay curious, flexible, and open to the sense of adventure brought by the transition from Cancer to Leo season. As they wrap up, the hosts share upcoming events and personal reflections, inviting the audience to join them in harnessing the cosmic energies for personal growth and transformation. Register for the Summer Remote Recharge Session on July 10 at 7pm EST: https://andreamccallumservices.as.me/2025-summer-recharge Connect with Andrea Newsletter: https://www.andreamccallumservices.com/newsletter-signup Remote Recharges: https://www.andreamccallumservices.com/remote-recharges Direct to Bookings: https://spiritschool.as.me/andrea Website: https://www.andreamccallumservices.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concreteandcrystals Connect with Emily Join the Cards + Cosmos Club: https://www.emilyandherstars.com/shop/p/2025cardscosmos Newsletter + Calendar Download: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60f5b4f9a00fcd52c9f65d4b Direct Bookings and Website: https://www.emilyandherstars.com Instagram & Threads: https://www.instagram.com/emilyandherstars Show Notes 00:00 Introduction and Hosts 00:19 Reflecting on Gemini Season 03:24 Cancer Season Overview 05:59 Astrological Insights and Predictions 08:47 Navigating Emotional and Intuitive Energies 20:53 Balancing Generosity and Self-Care 32:00 Breakthroughs and Mindset Shifts 38:41 Astrological Events and Energies 46:06 Reflecting on Past Choices and Embracing New Opportunities 47:33 Navigating the Slowdown and Focusing on One Thing at a Time 51:21 Astrological Insights: Neptune Retrograde and Uranus in Gemini 56:26 Full Moon in Capricorn: A Time for Reflection and Adjustment 01:05:19 Mercury Retrograde in Leo: Embracing Change and Unexpected Opportunities 01:09:46 The Six of Swords: Moving from Turbulence to Peace 01:16:23 The Exit Ramp: Trusting New Directions and Embracing Change 01:28:35 Upcoming Events and Personal Reflections
Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge.Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.In today's always-on business culture, how can leaders cut through digital noise to regain mental clarity? Kim Bohr sits down with Timothy Swords, a mindfulness-focused executive coach who blends Harvard MBA-level acumen with over 2,000 hours of mindfulness practice. Timothy reveals how simple grounding techniques transformed executives from being the "scary person in the room" to creating harmonious relationships.This conversation explores why self-awareness might be more valuable than an MBA, how stress contagion undermines organizational performance, and why working beyond 50 hours delivers diminishing returns. Timothy shares practical "mindfulness hacks," including a grounding technique for meetings, plus how 10 minutes of practice increases self-awareness by 35%.Whether you're struggling with digital overwhelm, managing stressed teams, or seeking authentic leadership approaches, discover how mindfulness becomes a competitive advantage. Learn why emotions last 30 seconds unless we feed them with thoughts. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Mindfulness is "lucid awareness from paying attention on purpose in the present moment"A leader's emotional state directly impacts team performance through stress contagionWorking beyond 50 hours shows diminishing returns; 70-hour weeks produce no more than 55-hour weeksSimple grounding technique: Feel your feet on the floor during meetings to interrupt anxiety cyclesJust 10 minutes of daily mindfulness practice increases self-awareness by 35% in 6-8 weeksAuthentic leadership starts with clarity on personal values aligned with organizational valuesTwo types of self-compassion: tender (being kind) and fierce (setting healthy boundaries) "An emotion on its own lasts like 30 seconds. But if you're feeding it with thoughts, it goes on and on—it gets worse and worse. If you want to do anger management, you've got to stop that cycle, because you're actually creating your own anger." — Timothy SwordsAbout Timothy Swords: Timothy Swords blends corporate acumen with mindfulness training to guide senior leaders in integrating mindfulness into decision-making and leadership effectiveness. His experience includes CFO and strategic transformation roles at Fidelity Investments, MUFG Union Bank, and PwC. Timothy holds an MBA from Harvard University and is a certified mindfulness instructor with over 2,000 hours of practice, including training with renowned teachers Jack Kornfield, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Sharon Salzberg.About SparkEffect: SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.Connect with Timothy: Website: MindfulLeadership-Coaching.com Email: Timothy@MindfulLeadership-Coaching.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothyswordsFree Resources: mindfulleadership-coaching.com/free-videos Connect with Kim Bohr & SparkEffect:SparkEffect: sparkeffect.comCourage to Advance recording and resources:sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffectLinkedIn for Kim: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr Connect with Maria:Learn more about Maria's work and books: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!
There's a hidden story in the Tarot—one we don't often speak of.It's the story of the Four Queens—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—and what happened when they turned on each other.This message is a mythic remembrance of the fall of the ancient temples—Atlantis, Babylon, the priestesshoods—and how that collapse is mirrored in our inner lives today. When the Queens are no longer in sacred communion, the feminine grid of creation fractures, and with it, our sense of sovereignty, abundance, and trust in sisterhood.
In today's (slightly late but right on time) collective, someone spoke too soon — and now the vibe's shifted. The Two of Swords shows a standoff in direction, but it's deeper than logistics. It's spiritual. One person is starting to look elsewhere… not just physically, but energetically. Maybe pentacles are spiritual — or maybe someone's trying to redraw their path entirely. Either way, this convo cracked something open. Tune in to see who's pivoting and why silence might've been golden. #SeerineTarot #TarotReading #CollectiveReading #TwoOfSwords #SpiritualAwakening #TarotTruths #EnergyShift #RegretAndRedirect #TarotMessages #DivineDetours #ShadowWork #LateButFated #IntuitiveReadingBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/seerine-tarot--5349584/support.