This episode finds the Backers exploring the deceptively easy theme of “The Great Outdoors”. How hard could it be to dig through some 4,000 Kickstarter campaigns and locate one that both meets the criteria and tickles the endorphins just right? Apparently very. Some might say too hard. Join us for a fascinating look into the satisfying land of noodles and a Backer’s regret over a particularly filling serving, an Aeropress-related campaign seemingly created solely for the Backers, and a scintillating discussion of the discomforts of camping.

Finally, listen in as, with great soul-searching and lamentation, the Backers throw in the towel on the Backers podcast. Yes listeners, this is the final episode of Backers. As mentioned in the episode you may very well hear us behind the mics for a different topic but the luster of endlessly delving the depths of crowdfunding has worn off. Thank you to all our loyal listeners — love ya Kitt (the first ‘t’ is silent)! — for taking this journey with us and putting up with our brand of nuttiness.

Until we find our next thing, please remember to back responsibly.

Quickstarter inspires creators to dream up small but fun Kickstarter projects.

The Quickstarter Manifesto

2POUR® A dual brew accessory for the Aeropress® coffee maker

Not a thing.

Nada.

Bupkis.

Pencils down! School’s out! With a brief interruption to Brian’s vacation schedule, the Backers carve out time for a quick episode to share their recently backed picks now that the dog days of summer are creeping up on us. Hear about PicoBrew postponing plans for the Pico U and the latest with the Coolest Cooler fiasco. Chris joins a new subscription box economy to facilitate family experiences in the kitchen, and Brian plans to gather his family around the table for a new traveling gaming experience.

Next time on Backers: The great outdoors.

Little Sous Kitchen Academy: A Creative Cooking Box for Kids by Kelly Montoya

On Tour – A strategic “roll and write” board game by Chad DeShon

Brian and Chris put their ignorance of British Royalty on full display in this special episode honoring the wedded union of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Before revealing their backed projects that are fit for royalty, the Backers discuss why women get funded more often on Kickstarter and then learn about Flopstarter, the crowdfunding land of hilariously bad ideas. Brian yearns for affordable, pocketable drones. Chris yearns for another fountain pen. They also discuss an enamel pin project that probably infringes on Disney’s IP. But hey, they’re not lawyers. In the end, the Backers both find tabletop campaigns worthy of royal approval. Let the games begin.

Next time on Backers: School’s out for summer.

Maximum Mayhem Dungeons #5: Palace of the Dragon’s Princess by Mark Taormino

Infected: The Carrier (An expansion and 2nd printing) by Black Forest Studio

Steve Perry is never far from the Backers’ minds, so what better than a Be Good To Yourself theme to power us further into Season 2? Current events point the opening discussion to new badges for projects in the Kickstarter Hardware Studio and a timely story about a Nintendo Switch related product that probably could have used them. We also touch on ways that Kickstarter is being used in entrepreneurial education. A disparate collection of campaigns are highlighted this week: jackalopes, cyberpunk stories, stabby orcs, drones, and carbolicious ramen. Brian finds an elegant solution for carrying his currency, and Chris adds to his dungeon mastering arsenal.

A mea culpa: It had to happen sometime… we screwed up the recording a bit in this episode. Well, Brian did. Please forgive us our foibles and Brian swears that it’ll never happen again.

Next time on Backers: In order to make up for our lack of discussion on the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle, our theme for next time will be “Fit for Royalty”.

THE BOOK OF DARK SECRETS – D&D 5e Pathfinder Adventures by Matthew A. Bogdan

REDEFINED – The Perfected Wallet Series by FOCX

This episode finds the Backers ruminating on the theme “Spring is Sprung”. There’s palpable excitement as PAKA sweaters, backed in season 1, have arrived. Chris drinks a gose which affords Brian space to pronounce his profound disgust in a choice of beverage that is “spoiled beer”. The Backers discuss the news that a Kickstarter executive is throwing shade at Indiegogo for fudging their numbers. Brian puts spring in his step with a campaign that will disincentivize sock demons from carrying his garments to the Land of Orphan Socks. Chris bends this fortnight’s theme to his will with a very literal interpretation of “spring” to back a new clicky pen, while also backing a once in a lifetime record by a couple that has been performing together for two decades.

Next time on Backers: channeling our inner Steve Perry with “Be Good to Yourself”.

Jonathan & Amanda Noël make a Once-in-a-Lifetime LIVE Record by Jonathan & Amanda Noël

Mark One: A Minimal, Durable, Retractable Pen. by Dan Provost & Tom Gerhardt

SOLOSOCKS No-Shows – The World’s Best Summer Socks by SOLOSOCKS

After a well-deserved — if slightly longer than anticipated — vacation, the Backers return to the microphones for the first episode of Season 2. Eschewing the format of Season 1, slaves to a particular category come hell or high water, the Backers explore new and exciting formats, eventually settling on a theme per episode. This week: lifehacks! In this episode, the Backers take to Kickstarter to back projects that will make a task in their lives more efficient. Chris surprises Brian and himself, going all in and finding excitement in a surprising place while Brian solves a truly first world problem in an elegant way.

Xpand Quick Release Lacing System by Charles Harris

MSTR LINX – Titanium Carabiner & Quick-Release Key System by MSTRMND Collective

The Backers finish off Season 1 a little punch drunk, belting out show tunes and classic funk. They discuss ultimately disappointing aspects of some performing arts categories in crowdfunding sites but still find the power in themselves to keep the faith with their listeners and complete the mission. Unkar Plutt makes a triumphant return, Chris reminisces about the pure joy of a particular DS game, and Brian workshops his drunken half-orc character voice for the inevitable D&D podcast they do in what may be the most meandering (yet strangely endearing!) episode yet. Join us as we finish up Backers, Season 1 with style.

A Bardic Night Of Improv & DVD by Kris Vanderwege

The Foxhole Stories | Hollywood Fringe by The Foxhole Stories

In the penultimate episode of Season 1 the Backers are excited to explore the various landscapes of a seemingly perfect category, Technology, rife with fresh takes on nascent technologies and novel rehashes of mature ones. Join us this week as Chris conjugates verbs creatively, Brian makes catchy mouth sounds, and a common theme arises as they recount their adventures navigating the rather surprisingly expensive campaigns that catch their eyes and finally find success in ways neither of them expects.

Miasma : Classic Dual Voice Eurorack Synthesizer Module by Halcyon Modular

Soundbops : Music Building Blocks by Soundbops

With only 3 episodes left in season 1, the Backers are cruising and Chris isn’t going to let the pathogens multiplying in his sinus cavities keep him from gushing and fanboy-squeeing over a campaign seemingly tailor-made for him. Brian’s still daydreaming about flying the cutest drone ever constructed yet still has the wherewithal to complete the mission and explore a campaign based on a topic dear to his heart.

The Pen Addict Live 2018 – RelayCon Atlanta & Toronto by NockCo

Nowhere: The greatest travel writing, anywhere by Porter Fox

This episode contains some reminiscing about 1970s sci-fi TV when the Backers experienced prepubescent forces beyond all comprehension. They regather themselves to the present to talk about the torture of Kickstarter exclusives. Brian makes a decisive click of the mouse to back some bespoke cocktail glassware. There’s talk about a light bulb that went to space and back, and a VR project that has been aggravating its backers for almost half a decade. Finally, the Backers find themselves scanning through the pictorial Photography campaigns. Therein, they discover a couple projects that have unique approaches to breathing life into images that have been buried in national archives… and along the way they learn that maybe NASA has no idea how people drink.

Make 100 : The Past in Focus – 100 Rare Photographs Restored by Diana Metzinger

100 Views of America: Library of Congress’ Photo Archive by Thierry Blancpain