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Nintendo Direct-ly Into My Wallet! Alright here we go! It's that time of year where Nintendo with zero consent reaches into my pants, yanks out my wallet, and just takes whatever they want. And boy, they struck with the swiftness too! They saw GTA6 on the calendar and Sony digging themselves into an early grave, dropped in, and were like.... Ok ok ok, I have to stop myself because I'll just keep going and the notes will be like 20 minutes long. I'll be sure to list everything out here, buuuuuuuuuut remember to get over to this episode's post on my blog - which you can find right here - where the show notes for this show will be full of photos and more detailed everything. Full on blog post with more of my thoughts and such.  Anyway, what did I cover this week? Let's see.... The most important thing you will hear me go over this episode is one of the first things I talk about - Is it OH-carina, or is it AH-carina?!?  I talk about my memories with Ocarina of Time and why it's important to me.  I go ga-ga over the Zelda Orchestra, and the 25th Anniversary Medley to be specific.  How the reveal absolutely blew me away despite how shiny and weird Link looks.  What I wound up pre-ordering and where, along with my inner struggle of keeping the system or not. And the obvious question on everyone's mind: MAJORA'S MASK, WHEN?!? Not to mention talk about the other Direct! Including Metroid Ravenous and Stellar Blade excitement, and a new Yo-Kai Watch?!  So much to go over, so much excitement! Maybe next show I'll have good news about nabbing a pre-order.  Adios until next time!   Links and Info Discussed on this Episode Here is The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Medley performed by The Video Game Symphony!   Here is the timestamp that gives me goosebumps EVERY single time. When it slows down and it's just the one violin?? So amazing. [Feature] The Recording of The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time trailer The Legend of Zelda Limited Edition Nintendo Switch 2 trailer Metroid Ravenous Switch 2 trailer Stellar Blade Complete Edition Switch 2 trailer Zelda vs GTA 6 👀 - YouTube Short that cracked me up GTA 6 VS Zelda: Ocarina of Time - YouTube Short that speaks 100% facts General Information If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here! If you're wondering where else you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! You can also just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts. I am a small business owner with an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do!: https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers,  you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!  Where to Find Me & What I'm Up To My blog - TheManTheChefTheDad.com - is my number one spot to find me. For keeping up with updates, commenting on specific show, or to find exclusive detailed show notes for episodes, that's where you'll want to go! The only social media I have a presence on is Instagram and it's for my shop. If you'd like to follow me, go for it! But I don't promote the show or anything there.  Wondering what book I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph! Want to know what game I’m currently playing? Check me out on Backlogged! Want to add me as a friend somewhere? Here's my deets: Steam: The1llusiveMan | Nintendo: SW-0105-2760-5533 | PlayStation: xThe1llusiveMan | Xbox: xThe1llusiveMan Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]

How Los-a got his groove back! Alright, new episode here for your listening pleasure! We are post Nintendo Direct so there is much to discuss! Buuuuuuuuuut not quite yet. I know, it's not my fault, listen... I had every intention of this being a show dedicated to the September Nintendo Directs where The Legend of Zelda's 40th Anniversary was celebrated, and where many other games were announced for the system. But... I got distracted. Like I do. I can't help it, I had a lot to catch up with!  What did I talk about this episode? The close of my most recent Steam Deck Era and the beginning of my most recent Switch 2 Era. How there's so many games and so little time. What I'm currently playing: Luigi's Mansion 3, and Hades What I have recently played: Disney Dreamlight Valley, Lego Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight, Fortnite, Mina the Hollower, and with great sadness, Destiny 2. I feel like I got a lot off my chest so now I can be more focused to talk about the Direct on the next show. See, it's almost like I planned this out! Be sure to get over to this episode's post on my blog - which you can find right here - where the show notes for this show will be full of photos and more detailed info pertaining to the things I talked about!  Adios until next time!   Links and Info Discussed on this Episode I didn't mention anything to link? Seriously?! Oh wait, I did! Here you go! General Information If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here! If you're wondering where else you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! You can also just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts. I am a small business owner with an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do!: https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers,  you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!  Where to Find Me & What I'm Up To My blog - TheManTheChefTheDad.com - is my number one spot to find me. For keeping up with updates, commenting on specific show, or to find exclusive detailed show notes for episodes, that's where you'll want to go! The only social media I have a presence on is Instagram and it's for my shop. If you'd like to follow me, go for it! But I don't promote the show or anything there.  Wondering what book I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph! Want to know what game I’m currently playing? Check me out on Backlogged! Want to add me as a friend somewhere? Here's my deets: Steam: The1llusiveMan | Nintendo: SW-0105-2760-5533 | PlayStation: xThe1llusiveMan | Xbox: xThe1llusiveMan Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]

Episode three of Retro World Order is here for your listening pleasure! Not disclosed in this installment is how many new handheld systems Mike now owns. Be a good, faithful listener and heed the warning of red flags when you see them. Send him help as he may be held captive in his basement by sentient game consoles.    Onto the show! This week, Mike and Los discuss what they’ve been up to in the world of retro gaming and high tech handhelds. The conversations range fairly widely! As you can probably tell…   Links and Info Discussed Check out the blog for more show notes and where to comment! Games they’ve been playing Los’ continued honeymoon phase with the AYN Thor and Cocoon 3.0 How AI is muddying the waters of new emulators Marvel Tokon and how it’s too pretty to play Other games purchased exclusively for their unique art styles (see games below) Move over, Brotato! Pickle Pete is the new vegetable in bullet town! Sony and their BS they decided to pull this week XBOX and their amazing timing with ‘Disc to Digital,’ kicking Sony in the crotch while they’re down Mike’s choice for Handheld of the Week - Retroid Pocket Nova AND our very first RETRO COMMUNITY CLUB GAME! More info below. Games discussed in this episode, give or take a few: Various XBOX OG and 360 games, Blur, Marvel Tokon, Octopath Traveler I & II, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator, PICKLE PETE, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and more!   SO what are you waiting for?! Stop reading this and go listen to the show!   RETRO COMMUNITY CLUB GAME:   Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - 1997 -  PlayStation   This is the first installment of the Retro Community Club! This is a game that either Mike or Los recommends and we make it a point to check it out and play it. Love it, hate it, finish it, play for 15 minutes and delete it, whatever! Next episode, we’ll discuss what we thought and then choose another game for the next time.    This is a great opportunity to call upon the glorious community here! I know, I know, there are thousands of you and it would be impossible to hear from you all. But don’t let that stop you! So if you want to partake and play along with us, then go find your dark and brooding trench coat, grab your favorite weapon, and let’s go hunt some vampires!  This is a game that neither Mike nor Los have ever played! So it should be fun. If you played it along with us, or if you have any thoughts about it, be sure to get in contact and we’ll share your thoughts on the show with ours!    How to contact, you ask? Well there are a few ways!   Right here! Commenting on this post would be the easiest way to do it.  If you feel like too many eyes are watching, you can also email! - [email protected]

Episode two of Retro World Order is here! It’s been a while, so place your bets on how many new handhelds Mike is now holding captive in his basement!   They’re catching up with a bunch of stuff that’s been going on over the summer. Los has been hard at work trying to maintain his sanity, while Mike keeps tabs on the developing hellscape that is the gaming industry. SO once they gain our bearings, they acknowledge the elephant in the room that is Sony and all their ruinous ways as of late. Yes, this is a retro show - and Mike will be going more in depth with it on On Second Thought with Mike & Matt - but it all ties up at the end, so stick through it!   Once all the negativity is off our chests, they get into the good stuff. Los brags about living in his Steam Deck era, all thanks to the Steam Deck Mini, a.k.a. The AYN Thor. He’s been picking up a few retro games here and there but it’s mostly been playing Steam games on the Thor thanks to GameNative. He’s been digging into Mina the Hollower and Game Boy Color inspired visuals make it the absolute perfect device to play it on!    Mike holds back and only talks about two devices this week! The ANBERNIC RG Rotate, and the AYANEO Pocket AIR Mini x Arcade Home Limited Edition. You can listen to Mike go into details on both devices, and of course, per usual, Los is now interested in buying both. The RG Rotate has such a small for factor, it is perfect for taking on the go, and the Pocket AIR MINI feels premium at a more affordable price.    They continue to gush over Pico-8 gaming in hopes someone would listen, and tease upcoming devices in the Anbernic RG 55G1 and the Retroid Pocket Nova.    And the first community challenge has been cast! If you’re listening to us, find a way to communicate back - whether it be Discords, show notes comments, carrier pigeons, whatever - and let us know what old school game should we play as our first community game?    Until next time!   Links and Info Discussed IGN - Cancelling PlayStation Plus Won’t Make a Difference Forbes - Sony Crawls Back to Social Media The Verge - Sony is Killing Discs and is Showing Us Why It’s a Bad Idea AYN Thor - Product Link PicPic - The first Pico-8 Emulator for iOS (and Android) WTF is Pico-8?! ANBERNIC RG Rotate - Product Link Retro Game Corps - RG Rotate Review AYANEO Pocket AIR Mini x Arcade Home Limited Edition - Product Link Retro Game Corps - Pocket AIR Mini Review TechEBlog - Anbernic’s RG 55G1 Brings Switch Lite Charm and Fresh Power to Retro Handhelds The Gadgeteer - Why the Retroid Pocket Nova Might Be the Best Retro Handheld of 2026   Where to Find This Week's Guest On Second Thought with Mike & Matt Here is Mike's show! The link is to his Linktree where you'll find the best ways to get in contact with the show or to subscribe.   If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here!   If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! Or, if you’re feeling frisky, just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts.   Wondering what I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph!    Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing? Check me out on Backlogged!    Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

Remember when I said last episode was the official first episode? Yeah, well, I lied. THIS is the first episode! So welcome to the Retro World Order! Mike (On Second Thought with Mike & Matt), and Los (The Talking Place), are hyper focused this week! They only get distracted for about 20 minutes! But after trying to figure out why Los is the way he is with customizing his handhelds, and then talking up his Etsy shop where he’s selling skins, they get into the meat and potatoes of this episode. The AYN Thor is now officially owned by both Mike and Los! Well, Mike had his for a few months, but Los just received his a few weeks ago. After a few days of having way too much fun customizing, his new handheld is finally set up. And spoiler alert: it is AMAZING.  Listen to the show to hear all about Los & Mike’s impressions of the Thor, what Mike thinks is the best handheld of them all (shhhh don’t tell the others!), and even a hands on impression of the brand new Steam Controller!  All of this, and more, so enjoy!  Links and Info Discussed Retro Game Corps YouTube Channel - Russ, the retro Jesus lol AYN Thor - The handheld Mike has, and that Los has been waiting for since he ordered it a month ago. This is the current hotness that many are considering "the endgame handheld" because it's so loved and versatile.   Where to Find This Week's Guest On Second Thought with Mike & Matt Here is Mike's show! The link is to his Linktree where you'll find the best ways to get in contact with the show or to subscribe. Mike is also on Twitter (I am still refusing to call it X), you can follow him there @CapnMikeM   If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here!   If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! Or, if you’re feeling frisky, just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts.   Wondering what I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph!    Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing? Check me out on Backlogged!    Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

When the world is bananas, count on seeing some monkeys! It's finally happened! The joining of two powerhouses has occurred after YEARS! Literally years, I had no idea it was so long! But here we are, The Future Monkeys back together again! It might be for one night only but eh, I'll take what I could get. Los is joined by his retired partner in crime, Beardy McWhiskey! They catch up on old times, like old people do. And get mad at social media, like old people do. And talk retro games... like old people do. Good time to bring up this week's sponsor:  Metamucil Fiber Supplement! Made with 100% psyllium husk, now you too can use the bathroom like normal humans who eat healthy for every meal. Take it regular, to keep you regular! Topics up for discussion (links below contain affiliate links where I receive a kickback if you wind up using them, thank yoooooou!): The woes of keeping up with social media Retro gaming - Super Mario Bros 1-3, Super Mario World, Link's Awakening, The Legend of Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Modern gaming - Expedition 33, Fortnite (how many skins do you think Los owns?!) Books they're reading/read - Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman, Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (check out this sweet Deluxe Edition coming out in December!), Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown, The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann Shows and movies - Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Interstellar And more! Come for the conversation, and stay to see how crazy Los' cat is. Adios until next time!   Links and Info Discussed The Talking Place ep 13 | Vaccinated Living (from June 2021!) The Talking Place ep 14 | Pre-E3 Game Talk (from June 2021!) If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here!   If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! Or, if you’re feeling frisky, just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts.   Wondering what I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph!    Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing? Check me out on Backlogged!    Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

AMAZE AMAZE AMAZE! Time to warm up those jazz hands and give a big 👎🏽 because we're talking Project Hail Mary! The movie was... well, I guess I'll leave that for you to listen to. Something I will say is that this review is coming from someone who considers Project Hail Mary to be his favorite book since the day he first read it back in 2022! That he is me, you know, in case that got confusing. But whatever! I'm excited! Finally getting to talk about this and having it documented somewhere!  I've mentioned in my most recent blog post how much I fall behind when it comes to getting stuff posted on the blog. And it stinks because if anything deserved to be on there written in stone, is how much I adore Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. And just to add to that, it is also the top spot for my favorite audiobook thanks to the world class narration by Ray Porter. I know, I know, nothing to do with the movie, but it's not like I'm going to tell you everything I thought here! That's what the show is for! So get to it! Remember! These are the bare bone show notes. Go check out the official show notes on my blog where this post will be much more detailed with videos and pictures. So go check it out! LASTLY! Check out my sticker shop on Etsy! I have some Project Hail Mary stickers and bookmarks that I had a blast creating and recreating!  Adios until next time!   Links and Info Discussed Andy Weir interview with Penguin Random House. If you're a fan of the movie or the book, check this out as there is a ton of cool things discussed!  Matt Damon discussing how Netflix is dumbing down movie plots thanks to viewers attention spans.  Ryan Gosling wanted to make this movie from day one. The hero we don't deserve.  More insight on how movies don't feel real anymore (and in turn, how Project Hail Mary is so superior in contrast) Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller interview with Collider and talk all about the movie!   If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here!   If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! Or, if you’re feeling frisky, just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts.   Wondering what I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph!    Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing? Check me out on Backlogged!    Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

Where have I been?? WHAT DAY IS IT?! It's been a minute! But here I am, once again, sitting in the chair and hitting record! This is my traditional getting back on the horse show. So instead of it being something substantial to listen to, it's really just a 20 minute warm up to get my sea legs back. I have to get used to talking to myself on the mic, seeing as how I typically just do it under my breath to myself.  I recently did the same exact thing for my blog, where I jumped on and just typed out whatever it was that was going on in my head. I gave an update on what I've been up to that was completely generalized and had zero details, but still, it was an update nonetheless.  So this show is basically the accompaniment to that blog post. So enjoy!  NEXT WEEK! Much more focused and detailed! I go on for 30 minutes talking all about Project Hail Mary, which is long overdue! Adios until next time!   Links and Info Discussed Humpday Update 4.8.26: WHAT DAY IS IT?! - Here is my first blog update that I've done in nearly a year. Come see how bad I am!  Review | Killswitch by dbrand & Various Nintendo Switch 2 Cases - One of the two blog posts I have dedicated time to in the past year.  Analyzing "Hi Ren" by Ren - Mental Health Awareness Month - The other blog post I wrote. Super proud of this one, can't wait for this year's.  A Review of Babel: #4 of My Top Reads of 2023 - Here's one that doesn't count because I actually wrote it like 1.5 years ago! Just never posted it. UGH, I need to finish my top reads of 2023 so I can work on my top reads of 2024 LOLOL.  Retro World Order Ep 1: Retro 4 Life! - The new retro/emulation handheld podcast venture I'm on with CapnMikeM from On Second Thought with Mike & Matt! Can't wait to keep this one going, it should be a fun ride!    If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here!   If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! Or, if you’re feeling frisky, just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts.   Wondering what I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph!    Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing? Check me out on Backlogged!    Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

Welcome to the first episode of Retro World Order!  This is a joint endeavor featuring CapnMikeM from On Second Thought with Mike & Matt, and Los from The Talking Place! Their love for tinkering, shiny new handheld devices, and talking games brought them to this station, so we'll see how far the train goes! This first episode has them introducing what the Retro World Order is.  Spoiler: it's something we all need. The gaming world today has become such a clouded and messy space with indie games releasing to more praise and adoration than most AAA titles. It's obvious a lot of us have lost our way, clinging to the hope that whatever the next big thing they're throwing at us doesn't flop into the mud, but it’s been happening more often than not. On top of that, this hobby of ours that we hold so near and dear is meant to be an escape. The world is a terrible, horrible place these days and sometimes the current gaming scape is not enough to keep our worried minds at bay. Hyper-realism, paywalled progression, more bugs than a swamp at sunset. Sometimes, we need the comfort and warmth that only a nice warm mug of nostalgia can provide to keep us happy and level headed. Or maybe it’s not even nostalgia, and you’re experiencing things for the first time. Either way, a simple, easy to pick up and play 30 year old game is enough to put a smile on your face.  Anyway, there will be plenty of rambling in the coming episodes! Many opportunities to explain and show why this is the way for times like this.  Until next time!    Links and Info Discussed Retro Game Corps YouTube Channel - Russ, the retro Jesus lol Techdweeb YouTube Channel Anbernic RG34XXSP - Mike's latest addition to his collection (a really awesome homage to the clamshell Game Boy Advance SP) Anbernic RG35XX+ - Los' only handheld currently. Made to feel like an original Game Boy. (This model is no longer being made, the current version of it is the New Anbernic RG35XX) AYN Thor - The handheld Mike has, and that Los has been waiting for since he ordered it a month ago. This is the current hotness that many are considering "the endgame handheld" because it's so loved and versatile.   Where to Find This Week's Guest On Second Thought with Mike & Matt Here is Mike's show! The link is to his Linktree where you'll find the best ways to get in contact with the show or to subscribe. Mike is also on Twitter (I am still refusing to call it X), you can follow him there @CapnMikeM   If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here!   If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! Or, if you’re feeling frisky, just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts.   Wondering what I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph!    Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing? Check me out on Backlogged!    Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

Oh, Black Friday, where art thou?! Here is my walk down memory lane. Where my feet are being guided by fond recollections of the past and pure discontent for the present.  Seriously, what in the coal-filled stocking has happened to Black Friday?! It used to mean something! You were proud to give someone a gift if you went out and fought someone's grandmother for it. It made it mean even more! In this episode I get into my thoughts on what has happened to this shopping holiday, and why it's a month long event compared to the two day spree it used to be.  I also get into some memories and good times we used to have breaking night and trying to get good deals on things! Sacrificing a night of sleep for $5 movies was a no-brainer and no one from this day and age will understand that if they weren't there.  Also, apologies for the background noise! I was working on shop stuff while recording. If you're curious, here's the thank you note I put in every order I get. Is it excessive? My wife thinks so! But I get nothing but compliments on my packaging so maybe she's just jealous! Bwahaha Adios until next time!   Links and Info Discussed Here's my Mercari sign up link again! Been getting cheap games again and you can too! Sign up with my link and we'll both get free money, c'mon, what are you waiting for?!  ----  It's easy to buy and sell on Mercari. Get up to $20 when you get started. Use code WWHENQ when you sign up with my link: https://merc.li/cgrJes6Jb Here's some Black Friday videos that I kids these days will swear it's A.I.. But real ones know what it was like.  Be sure to check out my Amazon Store Front!! It's a few things that I have linked up that I think you should check out. But even just clicking on the link will still help me out and give me a kick back on anything you buy, even if it's not on the list.  It's a good time to subscribe to Audible too! Up until December 1st, When you sign up, you'll get 3 months of Audible (3 credits = 3 audiobooks) for 99 cents each! After that it goes back up but you can cancel if you want. AND AND AND you'll get a bonus $20 credit to buy more audiobooks! Go get on it! Be sure to use my link here to help me out and give me a kickback!   If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here!   If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! Or, if you’re feeling frisky, just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts.   Wondering what I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph!    Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing? Check me out on Backlogged!    Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

Hey look, it's Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I know, it's been a weird few years and all with everyone realizing what actually took place to cement Thanksgiving as a holiday. It seems like a collective agreement happened to take this once chill and cozy holiday and cover it up with garland and lights. I get it! But... hear me out... Why can't we just, you know, still be thankful for things? That's what this show is about. It's me remembering what Thanksgiving is. Recalling some of my earlier years, like what I used to do every Turkey Day, and whatever traditions we did. Funnily enough, I don't really talk about food!  This is just me talking out loud about the day. For a while now, I've been glossing over it and just trying to get to Christmas ASAP. Which, don't get me wrong, I still do lol. But I'm trying to still enjoy Thanksgiving this year, and I feel like we all should.  Not sure if I'll put out another show before this holiday weekend, but if I don't, I hope everyone finds something to be thankful for!  Until next week!    Links and Info Discussed Here are some of my perfect for Fall recipes that would be great on Turkey Day!  The Wife's Sweet Potato Gratin - my FAVORITE. Seriously, make double. The Wife's Baked Mac and Cheese Honeyed Chicken (A Game of Thrones recipe) - I'd imagine the sauce made here would be PERFECT for a turkey dressing. Garlic Mashed PO-TA-TOES Pumpkin Doughnuts with Salted Caramel Glaze  Cinnamon Swirl Chocolate Chip Banana Bread - This is my go-to banana bread! I'm most likely eating some right now as you're reading this. Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip Cookies - Yes, they're great.  Spiced Cinnamon Cookies - But, these are better.  Praline Pumpkin Cake - Legit, if Thanksgiving were a cake, it would be this.  Pumpkin Pie Cookie - This is it! THE ONE COOKIE TO RULE THE FALL!   If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here!   If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! Or, if you’re feeling frisky, just search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts.   Wondering what I’m currently reading? Check me out on The StoryGraph!    Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing? Check me out on Backlogged!    Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

From cupcakes to Oreos! This is one of those shows I've been wanting to do for a long time! I'm glad the schedules were finally kind and we were able to connect because I really enjoyed this one! I had the pleasure of talking with Desiree, who I've known for over 10 years! Crazy how time flies. When she worked with Wilton, she was the one who helped me get my footing as a blogger. Giving me an opportunity that I mention on the show I had zero business having haha. And now, she’s the Global Media Relations Manager at Mondelēz International, which to us commoners, sounds like a big deal! But for her, it's a Tuesday. On the episode, we catch up on our history, and then talk about some of the roads that got her to where she is now. Mostly, I think the biggest takeaway is how important it is to have an emotional connection with what you do. And what better way to be connected to memories and nostalgia than with snacks! Lastly, we touch on a big promotion Oreo is doing for Thanksgiving! Sadly, I couldn't get her to crack and slip out some secret upcoming collaborations, but you can't say I didn't try! Come check out her journey!  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Links and Info Discussed Here is the main site for Mondelēz International where you can find all the brands that fall under their umbrella. While there, I found this recent article - Sentimental Snacks: Holiday Memories Help Shape Our Snacking Choices - and I thought it fit perfectly with a conversation we had about memories, nostalgia, and the snacks the can spark them. How, many people remember Oreos as a deep rooted comfort from their childhood, and Desiree even mentioned how her dad is Chips Ahoy's number one fan.  Here are the infamous Thanksgiving Oreos that really should have been the main topic of the conversation! I feel like I let everyone down here, so I'm sorry! lol I recommend checking out the reviews as one in particular was freaking hilarious.  Here's an article talking about the Thanksgiving Oreos.  Here's the blog post of the Wilton Meet-Up we talked about! All the info and pictures are there, and if you look on the welcome sign in the picture, you can see the infamous Vader icon I shamelessly used LOL.  Here's a side blog post where I documented the adventure of getting to the meet-up. Ugh, I was such a good blogger. If only I had time these days.  Below you'll find all the different links to my recipe blog posts I did while working with Wilton. I'll try to do them from earliest to the last. If you check them out, for most of them, I linked to other blogs that were on the team with me. You can see how much I was faking it at that point hahaha. The Ambassador's Dirty Shamrocks - Four-leaf Clover molded chocolate with crushed potato chips Key Lime Brownies - For these I used a flavor of Candy Melts that isn't available anymore. Which is a shame because these  things were LEGIT!! The wife and I STILL think about them, which is crazy because I made them over 10 years ago! I went through a few batches where they didn't come out how I wanted, but once I nailed it down they were insanely good.  Shot Glass S'mores - These were another huge hit! MAN they were good. Huh, I guess Desiree was right, I'm not as much of a pushover as I thought!  S'mores Rolls - If you like s'mores (who doesn't?) and cinnamon rolls (again, who?!) then these are for you. Hey, maybe I was pretty good!  Bacon Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies with Maple Buttercream - These were insane and possibly my most over the top "hold my soda" recipe I've done.  Pumpkin Spiced Bone Cookies - Addictive little things the kids had fun with. Ugh, I made them for the kids... who are now in the teen years.... I'll be over here getting something out of my eye.  Candy Cane and Pretzel Bark - This was also pretty addictive, ngl.  Jamberry Santa Suit Cookies - This was a cookie exchange with someone in the Wilton team. We each got someone and had to make a cookie based on their likes. Mine was someone who was a consultant for Jamberry Nails. Came out pretty good! Heart-Shaped Brownies - Again, these did not last very long. Haha Italian Tri-Color Rainbow Cookies - Talk about nostalgia, these are still ones I go back to the recipe for to make at least once a year. My mother's favorite cookie! S'mores Truffles - Nuff said. Pancake Breakfast Sandwich - It's savory?! Yeah I thought I'd mix it up. Pretty freaking good too. 1000x better than fast food.  The 5th Birthday Cake (Loki) - My goodness, the feels. Stop. I can't. Next link. Caramel and Chocolate Apples - I've never been a fan of caramel apples, but a fall favorite is a fall favorite! Pumpkin Doughnuts with Salted Caramel Glaze - THESE. These were good. Stupidly moist. Now I want some. Actually.... I don't mind if I do. Salted Caramel and Peppermint Hot Cocoa Snowflakes - Nothing says holidays like some flavored molded chocolate. Christmas Spritz Cookies - No, scratch that. Nothing says holidays like some spritz cookies! Like, mountains upon mountains upon valleys of spritz cookies. There's no other way to spritz, honestly.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   If you're looking for the show notes for this episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here! If you're wondering where you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! You can also search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts. If it's not there, let me know!  Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

This is STILL Halloween! Here I am, with back-to-back episodes this week to celebrate Halloween! I feel like the movie episode before this one was good, but it lacked the Halloween oomph!, you know? Well, where that one lacks, this one makes up for it big time!  In this episode I go over thrillist.com's Best Halloween Candies of All Time! I mean, that's quite the honor, don't you think? They listed 31 different candies! But for this episode, I just focused on the top 10. After that, I went through and picked some honorable mentions from the list. And THEN I did the unprecedented and rapid fired the entire list of 31 different candies! Ooooooooh the horror! It was fun! There was even a cameo by my 12 year old where he gave me his top 3 candies real quick. Oh, and for the record, It was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II where Mikey was eating a butterfinger in Ralph's ear. Seems like there was a discussion between some other guys pertaining to the same scene. I laughed when I found it on YouTube.  I really liked how this episode came out and I look forward to getting a hold of so much candy now! Freaking seriously, I think I'm going to go trick or treating with my own bag!  A huge thanks and shoutout to Ve6a5 and the rest of the EZFM discord! Their conversation about Halloween candy is what inspired me to record this show!  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Links and Info Discussed Best Halloween Candy Ever, Ranked! According to Thrillist.com. Don't go spoiling it, be sure to listen first! 2025's Halloween Movie Watch List, Physical Media, and Shout! Factory Love - The Talking Place episode 40 Here's last year's Halloween show where I talked about more movies! There's some overlapping apparently, but whatever! - The Talking Place ep 28 - Talking About My Favorite Halloween Movies Talking about Pokémon Legends Z-A, and My Top 3 Favorite Pokémon Games! - The Talking Place episode 39   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   If you're looking for the show notes for this episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here! If you're wondering where you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! You can also search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts. If it's not there, let me know!  Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

This is Halloween! Happy Halloween! Even though I had all month to keep updated and do the thing, here I am, scrambling away and trying to get something out at the last minute. I swear, it's like I sabotage myself on purpose because it's how I work best. ANYWAY! Here we are! What are we talking about? Halloween movies! Well, I guess we'll use that term loosely, haha. Don't get me wrong, these are good watches for the season, but of course, there could be better ones. These are what I'm working with though. It's the ones we have here on hand and I try to not depend on streaming services unless I really have to. So which ones am I talking about? Well, for you, I'll go ahead and list out everything I mentioned and talked about. What can I say? I'm a swell guy. The Goonies Back to the Future Addams Family Wednesday Ghostbusters Beetlejuice Alvin and the Chimpmunks Meet Frankenstein/Meet the Wolf Man Hocus Pocus E.T. Monster House Blade Scream 2 The Batman Sleepy Hollow House on Haunted Hill Thirteen Ghosts Misery The Wizard The Lawnmower Man As you can see, there's a few "that's not Halloween!" on there. I know! But for THAT explanation, you're going to have to listen to find out. Just know, we didn't even watch all of these! Time is a horrible, terrible thing that is relentless on its quest to push life along.  I will say though that I briefly went over some general physical media talk. I keep teasing the full show/talk about physical media but I've yet to find the courage to actually do it. I also get into Shout! Factory news and pickups. Listen to the show to hear what exactly is Shout! Factory, but just know they distribute movies and have recently been bought out so there's fear of them not moving forward in their current form. So, I'm taking advantage of their fire sales and grabbing some cheap movies that I have been wanting from them. They're on that list above, but which ones are they, hmmmm?!? OK, that's that. Yeah, this could have been more halloween, I'm sorry. But hey! You got something, and that's something!  Hope you enjoy and stay safe.  Until next time!   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Links and Info Discussed Here's last year's Halloween show where I talked about more movies! There's some overlapping apparently, but whatever! - The Talking Place ep 28 - Talking About My Favorite Halloween Movies Shout! Factory's site Scream Factory section - Shout!'s horror titles Here's a reddit post where someone asked What is happening with Shout Factory? Here's one of physical media YouTubers I watch (not my favorite) saying This Just Might Be the END for Scream Factory. BUUUT here's an actual article with research and digging done by The Wrap where they are letting everyone know that No, Shout Factory is Not Closing Down I have a personal take on the whole Shout! Factory situation, something that I didn't really want to dive into on the podcast because I wanted to keep it on topic. But if you want to see my views on it, head over to the blog and check out the link below for the show notes for this episode!   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   If you're looking for the show notes for this episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here! If you're wondering where you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head here to the information page for the show! You can also search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts. If it's not there, let me know!  Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!

Gotta Gotta Catch Em' All! Happy Pokémon weekend! It's been a few years since the release of Pokémon Legends ARCEUS, and ever since, the world has been awaiting the net release in the Legends line of games.  And here we are! Pokémon Legends Z-A is now in the wild and ready to be encountered! And in this show, I get into the excitement for it and how much I can't wait to play!  Also talk about the fun of going to another midnight release with the kid! I'm still paying off my sleep debt, as I'm falling asleep while typing this. But I have zero regrets! But, seeing as how I haven't played it yet, I figured why not talk about something I do know... So I took this time to talk about my top 3 favorite Pokémon games! From when I started catching pocket monsters till now, I nail down my top 3 fairly easily. What are they? Listen to find out!  As always, enjoy the show! Links and Info Discussed Here is where I'll link my YouTube Video unboxing when I'm done. The Talking Place Episode 3 - Pokémon Sword & Shield with Chase & Vos The Talking Place Bonus Episode - The History of Pokémon with Chase    If you're wondering where you can subscribe and download The Talking Place, head over here to the information page for the show! You can also search up "The Talking Place" wherever you find your podcasts. If it's not there, let me know!  If you're looking for the show notes for this episode, or for previous episodes of The Talking Place, be sure to check out my archive right here!   Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise!  Steam - The1llusiveMan | PlayStation - xThe1llusiveMan   Nintendo - The1llusiveMan | Xbox - xThe1llusiveMan   I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com You can find all my links pertaining to my shop right here: https://linktr.ee/designingbyknight Or if you just want to support me without getting stickers, you can go ahead and buy me a coffee! I would appreciate it beyond belief!    Contact The Talking Place If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below!  Voicemail - 407.906.TALK Email - [email protected]   If you're looking to join me for an episode, don't be shy and get at me at the above email and we'll chat!