As The Pokeball Turns

Lundberger missed Pokémon completely as a kid. Years later, she would help call its biggest battles on the world stage.

In this episode of As The Pokéball Turns, Pokémon GO caster Amanda Lundberg shares the unlikely journey that began when she saw crowds gathering throughout Antwerp during the game's 2016 launch. With no previous Pokémon experience, Amanda had to learn everything from scratch from type matchups written on notepads to the strategies that eventually carried her into the early Pokémon GO PvP scene.

What started with grassroots Silph Arena tournaments introduced her to friends, rivals, and a competitive community that pushed her to improve. Eventually, her background in video production moved her from behind the scenes to behind the microphone, where she grew from filling in on community broadcasts to casting regional competitions and the Pokémon World Championships.

Amanda reflects on watching competitive Pokémon GO evolve, learning alongside its community, and why Sableye became the unlikely partner Pokémon that grew on her along the way.

Listen now and discover how sometimes missing the beginning doesn't stop you from becoming part of the story.

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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Pokémon can introduce us to a much bigger world. Sometimes, it can even give us the confidence to explore it.

For autistic self-advocate Andrew Arboe, Pokémon has been part of his life since Pokémon Yellow. What began with exploring Kanto eventually grew into a love for JRPGs, traveling, public speaking, and discovering new experiences beyond the screen.

In this episode of As The Pokéball Turns, Andrew Arboe shares his memories of secretly searching for Wi-Fi to use the GTS, putting 900 hours into Pokémon Diamond, rediscovering his love for Black 2 and White 2, and how video games helped him develop new ways of understanding and expressing himself.

He also explains why Dragonite became his favorite Pokémon. A Pokémon whose kindness, resilience, and hidden strength reflect qualities Andrew continues developing within himself.

Because sometimes the games we grow up exploring help prepare us to explore a much larger world.

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay 

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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Pokémon’s older games were filled with experiences many Trainers never got to fully enjoy. Experiences like perfect Pokéblocks, record mixing, and trading with people sitting right beside you were dormant for many Trainers.

For Adam Woodward, organizer of Sky Arrow Club, those forgotten multiplayer experiences are worth bringing back.

Adam Woodward shares how a Black 2 and White 2 Funfest meetup grew into a community dedicated to experiencing retro Pokémon together. He discusses organizing events across New York, recreating old tournament formats, making competitive play more accessible, and finally experiencing features he had waited years to enjoy with other players.

But Sky Arrow is about more than preserving old games. It’s about creating the kind of memories Adam hopes people will someday want to recreate themselves.

Because Pokémon may be playable alone, but some of its best memories require another Trainer.

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay 

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Mailing Address
P.O Box 117
Addison, TX, 75001

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Sometimes the Pokémon we carry with us aren't our own favorites. Sometimes they remind us of someone we love.

In this episode of As The Pokéball Turns, David Hernandez meets PiplupITW, a father who walks into card shows dressed as his daughter's favorite Pokémon. What started as a Piplup collection after his grown children moved away became a handmade costume, created alongside his wife, that now brings smiles to kids and adults throughout the Pokémon community. Behind those smiles is a deeply personal story about becoming a father at 19, growing up alongside his children, adjusting to life as an empty nester, and holding onto the memories they created together. From Magic The Gathering nights with his son to collecting Piplup cards for his daughter, he reflects on why the time we give our children matters more than anything we could buy them.

This Pokémon story is about family, nostalgia, and discovering that missing one chapter of life can become an opportunity to bring joy into someone else's.

Listen now and follow As The Pokéball Turns for more stories celebrating the people behind Pokémon.

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Mailing Address
P.O Box 117
Addison, TX, 75001

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Sometimes Pokémon is the thing that brings us into the room. The people we meet there are what make us stay.

SaiyaRan shares a Pokémon story rooted in family, creativity, and his belief in putting community over keyboards. From learning to read through Pokémon Yellow and bonding with his older brother, to saving his own money for Pokémon Diamond and eventually discovering his love for Electivire, gaming has followed him through every stage of his life. That passion eventually grew into content creation, taking him to conventions, Pokémon Worlds, competitive challenges, and community events where a simple piece of cardboard could remind someone that what they love matters.

SaiyaRan also opens up about becoming a father, balancing creativity with everyday responsibilities, overcoming perfectionism, and learning that making meaningful work doesn't always mean making perfect work. Because whether it's Pokémon cards, video games, or a shared battle, sometimes the hobby is only the beginning. The real story is the gaming community we build around it.

Listen now and discover how Pokémon nostalgia can evolve into something much bigger than the game itself.

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay 

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Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com

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Mailing Address
P.O Box 117
Addison, TX, 75001

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Can choosing joy be one of the bravest things you do? Sometimes the smallest voice can spark the biggest conversations.

Politichu, the Pokémon VTuber who unexpectedly turned a free Pichu model into a platform for community, compassion, and meaningful conversations shares their Pokémon story. From growing up with Pokémon Silver, embracing Chikorita out of pure spite, and navigating life with autism, to finding belonging through content creation, Politichu shares how Pokémon became more than a game, it became a language for self-expression. Together, they explore the power of whimsy, the challenges of feeling misunderstood, the importance of accessible community, and why choosing kindness doesn't mean avoiding difficult topics. Along the way, you'll hear why oatmeal raisin cookies have become legendary, how Pokémon helped shape their identity, and the philosophy that continues to guide everything they do: "All you can Chu is all you can Chu."

Listen now and follow As The Pokéball Turns for more inspiring Pokémon stories from the Trainers, creators, and community members who remind us that every voice has a place.

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay 

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Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com

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Mailing Address
P.O Box 117
Addison, TX, 75001

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Sometimes the sweetest creations begin with the memories that shaped us as kids.

In this episode of As The Pokéball Turns, David Hernandez sits down with Professor Rosemary, a Pokémon-inspired baker and food scientist whose kitchen has become a laboratory for transforming beloved Pokémon into unforgettable desserts. From discovering Pokémon Sapphire on a shared Game Boy with their brother to finally catching the elusive Feebas and realizing a childhood dream of raising a Milotic, Professor Rosemary reflects on how Pokémon has grown alongside him. Professor Rosemary shares why Hoenn still feels like home, his love for Ice-type Pokémon, how studying food science changed the way he sees every ingredient, and why combining baking with Pokémon during the pandemic became the creative spark that launched his content journey. More than cakes and sweets, this conversation explores nostalgia, curiosity, creativity, and the joy of bringing childhood passions to life in unexpected ways.

Whether you love Pokémon, baking, or discovering the stories behind passionate creators, this episode is a reminder that the things we loved as children can still inspire who we become.

Listen now and follow As The Pokéball Turns for more Pokémon stories celebrating the Trainers, artists, and creators who keep the Pokémon community thriving.

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay 

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Support the show

Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com

Join Our Discord Community!
https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt

Mailing Address
P.O Box 117
Addison, TX, 75001

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Most people dream about real-life Pokémon. Officer Granite decided to build them.

In this episode of As The Pokéball Turns, David Hernandez sits down with Officer Granite, the creator behind incredibly lifelike animatronic Pokémon, to uncover the story behind one of the Pokémon community's most creative projects. What began as a childhood fascination with Jurassic Park animatronics eventually evolved into building moving Pokémon that delight fans of every generation. From teaching himself robotics and 3D printing to rediscovering Pokémon through HeartGold and finding unexpected inspiration in Pidgey, Officer Granite shares how curiosity, persistence, and nostalgia shaped his journey. Along the way, he reflects on growing up with Pokémon, the joy of conventions, and why seeing adults become kids again for a few moments makes every hour of work worthwhile.

If you've ever wondered what it would take to bring Pokémon to life—or why childhood passions never truly leave us—this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Listen now and follow As The Pokéball Turns for more unforgettable Pokémon stories from the Trainers, creators, and fans who make this community extraordinary.

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com

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https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt

Mailing Address
P.O Box 117
Addison, TX, 75001

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

Every journey begins with a choice.

For years, As The Pokéball Turns has shared the stories of Trainers from around the world. Stories of friendship, belonging, adventure, community, resilience, and the impact Pokémon has had on our lives.

What started as a personal journey to discover my limits became something much bigger, a journey to discover ours.

This trailer marks the beginning of the next chapter of As The Pokéball Turns.

Whether you're an outcast, a dreamer, a leader, a wanderer, or simply a Trainer still searching for something, this podcast is a place where your story matters.

Because we all left Pallet Town searching for something.

And here, every Trainer has a story.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com

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https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt

Mailing Address
P.O Box 117
Addison, TX, 75001

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.

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 Fan Mail

Support the show

Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com

Join Our Discord Community!
https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt

Mailing Address
P.O Box 117
Addison, TX, 75001

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Disclaimer: This podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company International.