Advertise on podcast: As The Pokeball Turns

For years, I’ve helped other Trainers tell their stories. This time, I’m telling mine.  I step out from behind the mic to share my Pokémon story. Not as a highlight reel, but as a timeline of survival, wonder, and healing. From finding refuge in Pokémon Red and Blue during a lonely childhood, to learning friendship, curiosity, and identity through each generation, Pokémon became the place I could breathe when real life felt too heavy. Later, Pokémon GO pulled me back into the world into movement, community, leadership, and eventually the podcast itself. I also open up about grief, mental health, burnout, and what it meant to choose “one more time” when I didn’t want to. This is about nostalgia, mental health, and healing through games and why stories deserve a place to live. Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Some comforts don’t just distract you, they keep you breathing when life gets heavy. Jess, an admin for a Pokemon Facebook group, shares how Pokémon story moments became a lifeline through hospital stays, family pressure, and the quiet loneliness of feeling “different.” From a taped-up Game Boy Color in a medical room to the chaos and joy of her first midnight release for Sun & Moon, Jess unpacks why Popplio, and its misunderstood femininity, mattered so much and what it means to finally find people who get you. Along the way, we talk nostalgia, community leadership, and the long echo of being judged for loving something “childish." Listen now for a reminder that your interests can be a shelter, not a flaw, then follow for more Pokémon podcast conversations about healing, belonging, and the memories that made us. 🔗 Women Pokemon Trainer Episodes: Hear how women shape and celebrate Pokemon. Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Ever felt lost in your job search and wished your love for Pokémon actually meant something in the real world?  Career Coach Jason Hopper (BadHopper) from Jewish Family Services of Great Dallas shares his Pokémon story, from learning the TCG for a relationship to rediscovering it years later through his son, wandering neighborhoods with Pokémon GO and accidentally building a walking habit, a community, and a new sense of purpose. Jason breaks down how the Pokémon GO community can quietly become a powerful networking tool, why most people are job searching the wrong way, and how small rituals like music, walking, and shared fandom can rebuild your confidence when rejection starts to wear you down. Whether you’re between jobs, burned out, or just curious how nostalgia and career coaching can collide, this conversation offers practical tools and emotional encouragement to reset your job search mindset. Listen now and imagine what your next opportunity could look like, one story, one step, and one Pokémon at a time.  Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

It started with a kid in West Virginia, a copy of Alpha Sapphire, and a feeling that he didn’t quite fit anywhere, until shiny hunting and streaming gave him a home. Swampfactor shares his Pokémon story from discovering Mudkip in Alpha Sapphire to turning late night shiny hunting into a lifeline. He talks about the 10,999 encounter Roggenrola that taught him patience, the janky days of propping his phone on a box of Legos to stream, and how becoming a Twitch streamer gave him life-long friends. Along the way, we explore how simple games create real community, why world-record shiny marathons still feel unreal, and how his charity “Spiced Out Shiny Hunting” streams are helping kids eat this Thanksgiving. If you’ve ever needed a reminder that your hobbies, your people, and your nostalgia can keep you going, this one’s for you. Listen now, follow for more Pokémon podcast stories, and remember: your next Pokémon adventure might start with one small “why not?”  🎧 Love Pokémon and Twitch? This playlist is for you.  Stream the Live Streamers playlist today! Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

What sparks a lifelong bond? For LaserGator, it was the crackle of Electivire on a TV screen and the warmth of cousins huddled around the Sinnoh anime, lightning outside, belonging within. Years later, that same charge pulled him back into the Pokémon GO community, where raid hours turned into real friendships and golden-hour memories at Klyde Warren Park. LaserGator traces his Pokémon story from SoulSilver car rides and Bianca’s courage to say “I’m choosing my own path,” to losing a day-one GO account and starting over, only to find his Pokemon GO community led by Community Ambassador, Starfire. We relive the thrill of rivals like Paul, the lessons that stick, and the simple kindness of celebrating the “little guy” at raid night with a card, a snack, and a shoutout. It’s a love letter to nostalgia that grows up with you and a reminder that the spark you’re chasing might be community all along. 🎧 Celebrate Pokémon through the eyes of Asian Trainers. Tap to explore the Asian Pokémon Trainers playlist now! Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

He quit Pokémon to fit in. Years later, a single sparkle pulled him back and rewrote what belonging means. For DarthStormy, a lost Game Boy in a bathroom stall became the moment he shelved Pokémon until Pokémon GO brought him back with a new kind of courage. From playground trades in late-90s England to returning as an adult who proudly shiny hunts, DarthStormy shares how letting go to “fit in” cost him joy and how rediscovering it rebuilt patience, community, and self-trust. We trace the long route from Turnback Cave daydreams to a Facebook page built around Marshadow, the spark that made him say, “I’m done hiding.” This is a Pokémon story about acceptance, identity, and the strange power of nostalgia to heal what we abandoned. Listen now and relive the moment you claimed your fandom out loud and follow for more powerful stories like this. Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Behind every Pokémon story is someone who dared to rewrite the game, not just for themselves, but for others.  We chat with CaminoPreacher59, the creator who designed a custom Pokémon ROM hack that gave Harry the Handicapped Hitmonchan, featured in a past episode, the chance to adventure as a Trainer in a wheelchair. What began as a simple request became a heartfelt project, reminding us how games can bring joy, representation, and dignity to fans everywhere. Along the way, CaminoPreacher59 shares his own Pokémon story, from growing up with the classics to shaping alternate perspectives through his hacks, proving how nostalgia and creativity can spark meaningful change. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the love of storytelling, or the inspiration of fans making a difference, this episode will stay with you. Listen now and discover how one fan’s creativity turned limitation into empowerment. 🎧 Listen to heartfelt stories of inclusion, resilience, and connection. Explore the Pokémon & Disability Stories playlist now! Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

He didn’t plan to become a world finalist. He just wanted to play Pokémon GO with his mom. But one battle led to another and suddenly, Inadequance was standing on the biggest stage in the world, fighting for the title of champion. We explore the rise of a competitive Pokémon GO battler who went from lonely early matches to building a global community. Inadequance shares how childhood games like Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness shaped his love for Shadow Pokémon, why Show 6 formats matter, and how a “spicy” pick like Giratina earned him a reputation and almost the crown. Through food poisoning, broken friendships, and bittersweet finishes, he kept going. Because every battler knows, it’s not just about winning. It’s about believing you could. Listen now to hear the story behind one of the scene’s most dedicated minds and follow for more powerful stories like this.  🎧 Learn how Trainers sharpen their skills and chase mastery. Explore the Competitive Pokémon Trainers playlist today! Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

What happens when your childhood save file gets pawned but your Pokémon journey keeps going? Danny Steinbrecher takes us back to a childhood shaped by Pokémon story battles with his brother, a corrupted save file lost to a pawn shop theft, and a WiFi-only start to Pokémon GO in the Arizona heat. But this journey isn’t just about games, it’s about healing old rivalries, trading Yu-Gi-Oh! cards for something more lasting, and finding love through shared gameplay with his fiancée. Through laughter, nostalgia, and a few hard lessons (don’t forget to save before Zapdos), Danny Steinbrecher reminds us why we come back to Pokémon again and again. Listen now and discover how a Squirtle can turn into something you carry with you for life. Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

He was ready to end everything, until one unexpected “new friend” comment changed his life.  Eastside Scrafty opens up about how Pokémon became more than a game, it became a lifeline. From a turbulent childhood spent in foster care to a breaking point that nearly ended it all, he shares how a bond with a fictional fighter and a Facebook page born from heartbreak helped him hold on. Discover how his defiance, team loyalty, and a deep-rooted love for black culture gave Eastside Scrafty not only a favorite Pokémon but an identity to embrace. This is a story of survival, connection, and the power of being seen. Listen now and discover why some Pokémon stories don’t evolve. They endure. 🎧 Listen to heartfelt stories of inclusion, resilience, and connection. Explore the Pokémon & Disability Stories playlist now! Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Some Pokémon don’t just represent us, they help us become who we are. For Scintilla, that Pokémon was Incineroar, a powerful, misunderstood feline that gave him the confidence to build a new identity, both online and off. We dive into Scintilla’s journey from reluctant art student to passionate Twitch streamer, from teacher to tiger. He shares stories of his grandfather winning Pokémon merch during the Mew craze, how a deaf friend helped him fall in love with the games, and the deep emotional meaning behind characters like Mew, Lugia, and Incineroar. It's a heartfelt conversation about transformation, identity, fandom, and the unexpected power of being seen, even when you’re wearing sandals. Listen now and rediscover how Pokémon can shape more than just a team, they can shape a life. 🎧 Hear from creative minds bringing Pokémon to life in art and story. Start listening to the Artists & Writers playlist today! Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

What do you do when your heart belongs to two worlds: Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!? Both! Ruxin34 shares how a surprising rule in his childhood home sent him deeper into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, even as his passion for Pokémon endured in secret. From hiding his Game Boy under the covers to launching PokeRux, a second channel built on nostalgic Nuzlocke runs, Ruxin34 opens up about balancing two beloved franchises, the emotional weight of card collecting, and why Pokémon still feels like home, even now. Whether it’s vintage cards, fan-made ROM hacks, or that impossible Radical Red Elite Four, his journey is a testament to play, perseverance, and creative evolution. 🎧 Discover how your favorite YouTubers found their Pokémon path. Check out the YouTubers playlist now!  Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

For Harry the Handicapped Hitmonchan, catching Pokémon meant something most of us take for granted: movement, choice, and belonging.  Born with cerebral palsy and bound to a wheelchair since childhood, Harry the Handicapped Hitmonchan shares a deeply personal journey of strength, storytelling, and self-expression through the world of Pokémon. From boxing dreams and custom wheelchair ROM hacks to trading Legendary Pokemon for friendship, Harry’s story redefines what it means to be a Trainer. He opens up about pain, play, purpose and the joy of seeing himself reflected in a game where anything feels possible. Listen now to hear how Pokémon became more than a game, it became freedom. 🎧 Listen to heartfelt stories of inclusion, resilience, and connection. Explore the Pokémon & Disability Stories playlist now! Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

From a mysterious Tangela to a full-blown Shiny Pokedex goal, GlaxonXIII’s journey is anything but ordinary. A teacher by day and Pokémon streamer by night, he opens up about the long road from childhood card hunts at 7-Eleven to shiny reactions that shake the internet. We explore the stories behind his favorite cards, his emotional shift toward content creation, and the deep pride of being named a Notable Trainer by The Pokémon Company. Whether it’s Shiny Applin serendipity or sleepless GO Fest filming, every step has led to something more than pixels, it’s led to purpose. Listen now for a rare look at how gaming, storytelling, and real connection can shape a life one shiny at a time.  🎧 Love Pokémon and Twitch? This playlist is for you. Stream the Live Streamers playlist today! Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

When you lose everything, what brings you back? For Ginger Jirachi, it was Pokémon and a little wish upon a star.  After a painful divorce and losing nearly everything he collected, Ginger Jirachi rebuilt his life one Pokéstop at a time, powered by Pokémon nostalgia, the warmth of community, and the quiet strength of starting over. From sibling memories and clay-art cards to a wish for Worlds and a newfound path in sobriety, his story reminds us that sometimes, wishes really do come true. Listen as he shares how the trading card game, Pokémon GO, and one mythical star brought hope back into focus. This is more than a comeback, it’s a celebration of connection, healing, and holding on to joy.  🎧 Listen to heartfelt stories of inclusion, resilience, and connection. Explore the Pokémon & Disability Stories playlist now! Sources Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay  Send us a text Support the show Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com Join Our Discord Community! https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt Your next Pokemon adventure begins here! Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.