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BIG BIG BIG Episode today! Whether you are heading to Chicago for Expo in a couple weeks or not, it's a must listen. First we have Mr. Rob Berk, who founded Chicago Pinball Expo in 1985, and is now celebrating its 42nd year. Oh, he also owns 1200 pinball machines (The Guinness World Record). Rob breaks down the history of Expo, what's happening this year, and of course tells some amazing stories. Then we have the "nicest guy in pinball" Aaron Davis, CEO of Fast Pinball, who's products are a huge part of the Home Brew side of pinball, which is one of the coolest and most interesting parts of Expo. Aaron breaks down what we can expect of the more than 50 (!!!!) home brew games expected at this years Expo. Need tickets for the show?? head to http://pinballexpo.com and we will see you there! Nudge has a booth with free Nudgecast stickers, and ALL FIVE issues of the magazine available. Come say hi! Need a game? hit up Mad Pinball. They're the best in the business. [email protected] or madpinball.com TELL EM WE SENT YOU FOR FREE STERN SHIPPING AND NUDGECAST MERCH!

Comedian Matt O'Brien joins the show! You've probably seen him pop up in your algorithm on Instagram.... we did too, so we invited him on to talk about his new found love of pinball. His "silly" videos were so compelling, Stern even sent a machine to his house! In addition, we talk about the latest and greatest in pinball, except NOT Fallout because at the time of taping, we hadn't seen it yet! That will be on the next episode, and yeah, it looks pretty dang cool.

More than meets the ... guy? lies? static Optimus Primes? In this episode of NudgeCast, Ian and Shane discuss the game which Shane recently played at the Stern Pinball media day last week. Is it any good? Should you buy it? Listen and find out. If you DO want to buy a Transformers... or any pinball machine for that matter... hit up Mad Pinball for the best prices, service, and they also have some pretty awesome swag. Use our promo code NudgeCast or tell 'em we sent you and get FREE SHIPPING on a NIB Stern, and a free shirt from us! madpinball.com

LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS we got a good episode for you! Actor and COMEDIAN Rich Sommer joins the show to talk about his love for pinball, VHS tapes and board games, and why it's okay to call a pinball machine a "table".... or is it?? Also - Ian and Shane recount their epic story of being ejected from the Pinball Hall of Fame Need a game? Pokemon? Transformers? Hit up Mad Pinball for the best service, best prices, and get a free gift from us plus free shipping on a NIB Stern! [email protected]

As we all know, some people in pinball have BIG personalities. But NO ONE is this larger than life, even in death, than Python Anghelo. Pinball Degenerate himself Joe Ciaravino (also Canadian!) joins the show to discuss the great article he wrote for Nudge issue 6 (GO BUY IT!). Also, Shane discusses all the new games, and his overall thoughts on this years Texas Pinball Festival. Beetlejuice? Winchester? Yukon Yeti? Houdini 100!!?? Yes, we discuss them all. Need a pinball machine? Obvi. Get the best games and service from Mad Pinball. Hit up [email protected]. OR just go to the website if you're an introvert but let them know we sent you! Free exclusive t-shirt with every game direct from us, and also free shipping on all Sterns!

WE ARE OFFICIALLY BACK FOR SEASON TWO - And we have a great episode. CEO and "Mischief Maker" David Van Es joins us to talk about his epic life journey, leading him to now head up Barrels Of Fun pinball, the people behind "Labyrinth", "Dune", and most recently the instant sell out - "Winchester Mystery House". Does he give a massive hint about the next Barrels game - YUP! Ian and Shane also discuss playing Pokemon at the Stern media day, and their thoughts on the latest games to hit the street - Beetlejuice, and Winchester Mystery House. NEED A GAME? Pokemon anyone? Maybe you need to get on the list for the next BoF game? Hit up MAD PINBALL... the best customer service, and not too hard on the eyes either. [email protected] and tell 'em we sent you for a free shirt and free shipping on a Stern when you buy a pinball machine!

WE'RE BACK! That's right, season 2 is coming in January 2026, baby! On this mini episode, Ian and Shane round up the best releases of 2025, Ian's love affair with the new Star Wars, and new games from Spooky and Barrels of Fun taking the pinball world by storm. Make sure you subscribe, follow, like, love, pledge your allegiance in blood or whatever you have to do where you listen to keep the episodes in your feed in 2026! Need a game for the holidays? Jeff and Corbin at Mad Pinball have you covered. email [email protected] or go to madpinball.com and tell em we sent you. Get a free shirt from us and free shipping on a Stern NIB game!

Ian and Shane are back together after glorious vacations to welcome scientist and pinball enthusiast Erin Winick Anthony to the program! Erin literally called in from the middle of the ocean on a ship where she is doing some kind of science work. What kind of work? We aren't smart enough to understand but we do talk about the Houston pinball scene, why EM's (still) rock, and OH HAVE YOU HEARD NUDGE 5 IS OUT SO PICK UP A DAMN MAGAZINE! Nudgepinball.com If you need a game Jeff is your guy. [email protected] or madpinball.com if you don't want to talk to anyone. But I recommend talking to Jeff he's just such a nice dude. Use our promo code NUDGECAST or mention us and get a free (cool) t-shirt from us and also free shipping on a NIB Stern!

This episode is dedicated in loving memory of Matt Keil. Matt recently passed away after a battle with ALS. You can donate here to help his wife and 3 children: https://www.gofundme.com/f/wt2hw6-support-matt-keil-family-through-als-journey Today on the show we have Ashley Ludwig - who specializes in pinball restoration. How does she do it? How long does it take? (Spoiler: a long ass time). We also discuss modern vs classic art, Keith Elwin, and Shane's new EM - Dipsy Doodle. It's a GREAT time to buy a new pinball machine! Head over to madpinball.com or email [email protected] and get your hands on one. Plus if you buy from him you get an exclusive Nudgecast T-shirt! Free shipping on all new in box Sterns! Use promo code nudgecast or tell him we sent you!

The biggest release in modern pinball now has a MAJOR scandal. Colin of The Kineticist and This Week In Pinball comes by to share his investigation of the matter. Did Jersey Jack Pinball use AI generated artwork for Harry Potter? Did they knowingly lie about it? We breakdown the whole thing and give our thoughts. Don't miss it. Need a game? Hit up Jeff at Mad Pinball for the best service in the business. And use our promo code NUDGECAST and get a free exclusive T-shirt with any game purchase. Head over to madpinball.com or email [email protected] and tell him we sent you.

If all you wanted was a Pepsi - we got you covered! We have a super refreshing episode with artiste fantastique, Johnny Crap - the man behind the art on Jurassic Park, Labyrinth, Final Resistance ... and most recently Dune. We discuss with him exactly how the process works for creating pinball art, his punk roots in the Montreal graffiti scene, and why sometimes no signature style is the best style in pinball. Also - Ian discusses his trip to the west coast and his hangs with the Wedgehead crew, and Shane and Ian finally hang out! And play Dune! Need a game? OBVIOUSLY! Head over to Mad Pinball and buy one up! Use our promo code NUDGECAST and get a free exclusive Nudgecast shirt. And get free shipping on a new Stern! Hi up Madpinball.com or [email protected] and tell 'em we sent ya.

Just a few episodes ago, Ian went on an epic rant about how shooter rod buttons suck ... Now, Spooky Pinball head honcho Corwin "Bug" Emery is here to debate him on why he's actually wrong and why buttons are king. Shane hosts the debate as we hear both sides of the argument and decide who's right, and who's wrong. We also discuss Bug's already amazing resume at the age of 23, his friendship with Spooky Luke, and the 2000 classic film Coyote Ugly. We also touch on the massive release week with Stern's King Kong and Barrels of Fun's Dune. Do we like them? You better listen and find out. Looking to buy a pinball machine? ANOTHER pinball machine? If you are - buy it from Mad Pinball, the title sponsor of our podcast. Not only will you get the best service in the industry, but if you use our promo code NudgeCast you'll get a free exclusive NudgeCast shirt directly from us (not available anywhere else!) and free shipping on any Stern game. Or email [email protected] and let him know we sent you! Make sure you hit us up too [email protected] so we can coordinate getting you your swag. MADPINBALL.COM

We're backkkkkkk! Former Major League Baseball pitcher Daniel Herrera joins the show! The shortest pitcher to play in the majors since the 1960's and one of the only to throw a screwball, Daniel beat the odds to play 11 years of professional baseball including stints with the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets. Since retiring from baseball, he is now a NYC based artist with a deep passion for pinball. We discuss the similarities between the pressures of a pinball tournament and being on the mound, why we NEED a modern baseball themed pin, and how Busch Light absolutely rocks. Don't miss this and be sure to tell all your friends about the greatest lifestyle pinball podcast out there, the NudgeCast, baby! Need another pin? Yes you do. For the best service from the best dudes, buy from Mad Pinball. Use our promo code "NudgeCast" and get free shipping on a Stern machine, and also a free exclusive NudgeCast shirt directly from us! Or email [email protected] and be sure to tell him we sent you! Wanna advertise? Sponsor us? Email [email protected]

From MTV legend and Hollywood red carpet reporter Jim Cantiello joins the NudgeCast! From interviewing the biggest names in music to working on SNL's 50th anniversary special and the Academy Awards, Jim's star-studded resume is only surpassed by his deep love for pinball. We talk to Jim about his role as Tournament Director for the LA Pinball League, his favorite games, and get his sharp advice on how to improve the TWIPYS. Also, Shane wins big at TPF and discusses hot new titles like Portal, Evil Dead and Merlin's Arcade.

The Renaissance Man of Pinball - Scott Danesi (Rick and Morty, Total Nuclear Annihilation, Final Resistance) - talks about his early musical upbringing, almost getting kicked out of high school (and college), and why he might never design another pinball machine again (!).  Also, we discuss what games Shane is looking forward to at TPF, and a potential hit from American Pinball (!?!).  Also don’t miss Ian’s rant on why button plungers suck.   Have a business in pinball? Want to sponsor the show? Hit us up at [email protected]