Geek Herring

What do you get when you take the essence of pure positivity and combine it with wit, realness, and talent? You get the awesome being that is Ziggy! Ziggy is the co-co-co-host of 1600 Dust, a Hearthstone podcast, who brings us a totally unique viewpoint as a girl gamer literally surrounded by dudes.

After first regaling us with the best story that starts with Ziggy's life goal of wanting nothing more, and nothing less, than becoming Mickey Mouse, you can already sense the positivity that exudes out of this woman.

Hosting a successful podcast with three guys has been one of the best things to happen to Ziggy. She gives us all the deets about how she started streaming Hearthstone on Twitch, got invited on 1600 Dust, started her Twitter account, and met the love of her life, Spyvey from 1600 Dust, kinda all at once.

The internet, and Twitter in particular, has brougt so much joy and positivity to Ziggy and YES that's EXACTLY what she wants to give back. If you've ever been on her Twitter feed, you know it's all about finding the good and sharing the positive side of everything life throws her way..... because life has a way of throwing EVERYTHING into Ziggy's road.

Ziggy shares her experiences of being surrounded by guys in her gaming life. She's had nothing but a good time, never feeling the discrimination that so many women face every day in the geeksphere. Whether this is because Ziggy is just THAT AWESOME or whether it's because she has a certain level of protection and status thanks to the 1600 Dust dudes (thanks, guys!) -- but it doesn't matter. She's here to tell you that being open and vocal as a gamer girl can be a totally safe and ultimately FUN experience.

We finish this episode by challenging YOU, listeners, to start sharing positive things on your social media. Retweet all the good, share something positive about YOUR DAY, and do everything you can to make the online world a better and safer place.

Share this awesome interview with someone you think needs a dose of Ziggy in their life!

Find Ziggy on Twitter and Twitch

Find 1600 Dust Online and on Twitter

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Geek Interview: Life as a Hearthstone Pro & Not Feeding the Trolls with Pathra Cadness
• Geek Discussion: VKLiooon, & the Future of Women in eSports
• Geek Discussion: Hong Kong Protests, Blizzard Entertainment, & Cancel Culture

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Join us on Discord!

Geek out with Geek Herring Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,
 Amanda & Monika

Special Guest: ZiggySera.

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Geek Girl in the News looks at the awesome or not so awesome news that will make you go either: "YAY" or "OMG I can't believe that." 

The latest and greatest geek girl news from March 2020 covers the world's obsession with Animal Crossing, films getting their released dates pushed back, Brie Larson being a true gem, Thor: Love and Thunder's new villain (you might be surprised!), and all these famous people being pretty awesome during this pandemic, especially Elton John and John Krasinski!

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that Nintendo released the latest Animal Crossing for the Switch. Are you O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D!? Because we are. Yes - WE - Amanda predicted she'd have Animal Crossing by the time this episode releases, and what do you know - she does! This is the perfect CUTE game to obsess over with your friends. So good for all this social distancing we need to do right now, right!?

Some pop culture news that's a bit of a bummer, but so many movie release dates are getting pushed back. Like Wonder Woman, which was due to be released in June has been rescheduled for August! There's also talk about doing some big streaming releases instead of red carpet premiers - wouldn't that be wild!? We think doing streaming releases is an awesome way for the film to still make money while keeping to the launch schedule and giving people something amazing and fun to look forward to! Hopefully Black Widow, which is releasing in early May (as of recording) will do this!!

So, really - is there any celeb out there cuter and more perf than Brie Larson? DIDN'T THINK SO. She's being vocal about the awesome women in her circle of support and encouraging other women to raise each other up. HEAR FREAKING HERE, Brie! Our new motto is officially "BE MORE BRIE". Ya dig?

And lastly, we're talking about how all these famous people are being brilliant in this time of crisis. Because isn't that what they're there for? To provide the masses laughs and love and entertainment? THANK YOU so much to people like Elton John, who's orchestrating incredible living room concerts, all those artists on Insta hopping on for impromptu live concerts, and - get ready to sob - John Krasinski and his new "Some Good News" series which talks about, well, good news - ONLY! 

Never been more appreciative of the celebs than we are right now. Except Gal Gadot encouraging others to sing 'Imagine' by John Lennon. You can keep that to yourself, kthanks.

What’s your take on these news articles? 

In this episode of Geek Girl in the News, we covered these news stories:

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – the video game where we can still be together
• ‘Wonder Woman 84’ Release Date Pushed 7 Months to 2020
• Gal Gadot on Twitter
• ‘Captain Marvel’ Star Brie Larson Turns to an ‘Incredible Army of Brilliant Women’ for Support
• Thor: Love and Thunder casts Christian Bale as main villain
• Elton John’s 'Living Room Concert' - Full Celebrity Lineup Revealed!
• Watch These Livestreamed Concerts During Your Social Distancing - getting updated for APRIL!
• Some Good News with John Krasinski
• Follow John Krasinski on Twitter

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Support Geek Herring on Patreon!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Geeking Out in Times of Crisis: Rise of the Geek
• Geeking Out About Marvel’s Phase 4
• Geeking Out About Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster, Feminist

If you want to start your own podcast, check out The Podcast Course by Thankful Cow Solutions!

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Join us on Discord!!

You can find us Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,
 Amanda & Monika

Support Geek Herring

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past year (hey, no judgement - the world's a hard place right now!), you've definitely witnessed J.K. Rowling tumble from her throne. We're pretty sure she's living in a place of hatred and judgement right now. We're joined by Lark and Jessie from The Gayly Prophet to talk about The Hogwarts Problem and how we can still appreciate our magical home without giving its creator another penny of our hard-earned money.

As the hosts of the queer and intersectional Harry Potter podcast you've always wanted - trust us, you've always wanted this, it's badass - Lark and Jessie set the record straight on what it means to be queer and trans and still in love with Harry Potter.

Because when its creator comes out with Tweets that make you and your peers feel unwelcome at Hogwarts, you have a few choices:

1. Ignore it. She's JK Fucking Rowling and can do whatever she wants. She is your queen.
2. Sulk because you've been kicked out of your fancy magic school.

Or, and our personal fave:

1. Reclaim Hogwarts. Hogwarts is YOUR HOME. 

Yeah, sure, J.K. created it, but we've all made it what it is. It's been in most of our hearts for over 20 years. We've been roaming these halls for most of our lives. Let's face it - they don't belong to her anymore.

So here's some practical advice on how we can still feel at home in our magical castle! HINT: You never have to give a penny to J.K. ever again. That's right, delete alllll your official apps and accounts, buy your books from used book stores (or even better, from The Second Shelf books in London who give the profit of all their HP book sales to Mermaids - a charity helping gender-diverse kids, young people, and their fams), and SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISTS who, let's face it, make WAY COOLER HP merch than WB do.

We also talk about how to REALLY find out what your Hogwart's house is - because the Pottermore "test" is, well, shit. 

Oh, and did you know that Ron is a mysoginst?

Find out ALL the hot Hogwarts goss in this ep.

How do you feel? We're here for you 💔💛💙💚

Talk to us in the comments of wherever you see this episode. 

Mentioned Resources

• Sorting Hat Chats
• Trans Affirming Magical Care - Harry Potter FanZine
• Rainbow Rowell - Author of Carry On (the book without Ron)

Find The Gayly Prophet Online

Find The Gayly Propher on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Geek Characters: Badass Witches of Harry Potter
• Geek Girl Reviews: The Mask You Live In (Exploring Toxic Masculinity)
• Geek Girl Stereotypes: Identify, Self-Reflection, and Toxic Femininity

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Join us on Discord!

Geek out with Geek Herring Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,
 Amanda & Monika

Special Guest: The Gayly Prophet.

Support Geek Herring

COVID-19. It's what's on everyone's minds right now. Because this pandemic that's sweeping the world is impacting everyone. Whether you're staying indoors, business as usual, freaking out, or that asshole who thinks none of these regulations applies to them - you're bound to be experiencing some kind of change.

On this episode of Geek Herring, we're talking about the current (as of Monday March 16th, 2020) government response to Coronavirus is and how it's impacting lives around the world.

While there's some people out there who are not taking it seriously, there's a bigger majority of people who are. We like to call them the saviours of the planet and her people! Just decided that right now.

How are you helping or stepping up in this time of crisis? Or maybe you're taking a step back because it all feels overwhelming and too much? That's okay, too! Honestly, however you're handling quarantine of whatever kind you're in is the right way for you to handle it.

One thing we're doing is playing more games with the Dragon Powered Studio crew! Want to play some too? Come hang out on our Discord channel!

Some other things we're cooking up? A Geek Herring Twitch channel where we'll be doing Twitch Sings. You don't want to miss this, so give us a follow!

We also go through and list a whole load of geeky activities you can get up to while under quarantine.

Share with us in the comments of wherever you see this episode whatever you need to share right now. We got you, fam!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Geek Discussion: Mental Health, Inner Voices, & Video Games
• Geek Interview: Passion, Beauty, and Art with Seage
• Geek Herring & Chill: All The Games We’ve Played

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Geek out with Geek Herring Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,
 Amanda & Monika

Support Geek Herring

Being a woman in podcasting can feel like a really isolating experience sometimes. But being part of the minority in a super open and welcoming community makes it so much easier. Ali from Dungeon Fables joins us to talk about being a woman in Warcraft, her time podcasting, being an awesome part of the Warcraft community!

Ali shares why she first started podcasting about Warcraft and what led her to take a very lore focussed approach. Dungeon Fables is a completely unique show because Ali looks at one dungeon per show, does days of research, and talks about the lore and background about it. 

In fact, Ali says that between Dungeon Fables and the other two shows she co-hosts, All Things Azeroth and BlizzMates, she is working on Warcraft podcasting every single day. WHEW!

Ali's podcast may be relatively new to the scene, but she's been welcomed to the Warcraft community with open arms. Because if there's one thing that community does, it's be a friendly, happy, and open to new people bunch. FOR THE MOST PART.

Ali shares about some of the times she's been objectified while playing World of Warcraft and what the experiences have meant to her. Thankfully, they're few and far between, and being thirty-something years old now, these brushes with incels roll right off her shoulders. AMEN TO THAT!

And excitingly, Ali gives us some pretty accurate stats about the ratio of women to men in Warcraft podcasting - and the difference isn't as shocking as you might think! AMAZING! 

Have you listened to Dungeon Fables? Are you a woman wanting to get your podcast on? Let us know in the comments and how we can help!

Find Ali Online

Find Ali on Twitter
Find Dungeon Fables on Twitter

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Geek Interview: Warcraft, Roleplay, and Podcasting with Sil
• Geek Interviews: Mental Health and Real Life Rep Grinding with Thyst
• Geek Characters: Glorious Ladies of Warcraft

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Join us on Discord!

Geek out with Geek Herring Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,
 Amanda & Monika

Special Guest: Ali.

Support Geek Herring

Geek Girl in the News looks at the awesome or not so awesome news that will make you go either: "YAY" or "OMG I can't believe that."

The latest and greatest geek girl news from February 2020 covers the incredible new Twitter extension that blocks dick pics 🙌🙌, the shockingly (not shockingly) male-dominated UK games industry, the female gaze coming in hot to Hollywood, Battinson's new look revelations, and all the hype about The Witcher 2!

A report has been released about the UK games industry that shows some pretty sad statistics for women in games. To all the men out there who say that women are rep'd just fine, how the heck is 28% of a workforce a good representation of women?? Get a mitt and get in the game, dudes! The good news is that there are organsations out there like #RaiseTheGame working hard to bring diversity and inclusion to the games industry. HELL YEAH!

Obviously, we all hate to get unsolicited dick pics. They are no bueno!! Thankfully, the incredible Kelsey Bressler developed a Twitter extension that lets you say BYE BYE to unwanted nude pics of a man (using the BBC lingo for that one because LOL). Kelsey, you have done us all an amazing service! We SALUTE YOU!

Have you ever thought about how films are made? And by who? And what the striking difference is between a movie directed and produced by men vs women is? WELL. It's about damn time you start considering it and how the gender of the production team can totally change the movie's vibe and even how women are portrayed. HELL YES to films being made for the female gaze. HERE. FOR. THEM.

We're gushing about The Witcher 2 again! Production has started (thank you Henry Cavill's Insta stories for being EVERYTHING WE NEED RIGHT NOW) and by the sounds of it, TW2 is going to be: EPIC. Some exciting and controversial (TW Hi sexual assault 🙈) storylines are coming up. But we're super hopeful they'll portray them sensitively and respectfully! We also speculate over who is going to play the role of Vesemir, Geralt's mentor!

And, last but not least, Robert Pattinson's Batman has finally been revealed. And the costume is... well. Interesting. We're just gonna leave it like that so you click on the article and check it out for yourself. PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!?? We're 100% TORN.

What’s your take on these news articles?

In this episode of Geek Girl in the News, we covered these news stories:

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Support Geek Herring on Patreon!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

If you want to start your own podcast, check out The Podcast Course by Thankful Cow Solutions!

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Join us on Discord!!

You can find us Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,

Support Geek Herring

VULNERABLE EPISODE ALERT, PEOPLE!

This week, we're talking about our personal mental health journeys and how video games have helped us.

From using them as a very welcome distraction in our lives to actually processing our thoughts and problems while playing, video games are so much more than colourful videos.

We also go WAY off topic and talk about internal monologues and those weird people (cough*AMANDA*cough) who don't really have them!? So what does she have? SONGS. Songs in her head all. the. time. And the only way she can actually process her thoughts is by writing/journalling about them, distracting her brain with something else, or talking about them out loud. COOL? WEIRD? 

Monika also shares some of the tips and help her therapist has given her for coping and taking care of her mental health. 

We think video games get a lot of shit for being addictive and harmful - and while we're not denying that that CAN happen, it's the minority. The benefits of playing far outweigh any harm: community and friendship, distraction when you really need it, healthy processing, and just plain FUN.

How do video games help you with your mental health? Let us know in the comments of wherever you see this episode!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Geek Interviews: Mental Health and Real Life Rep Grinding with Thyst
• Geek Girl Stereotypes: Identify, Self-Reflection, and Toxic Femininity
• Geek Herring & Chill: All The Games We’ve Played

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Geek out with Geek Herring Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,
 Amanda & Monika

Support Geek Herring

Binging The Witcher is some of the best TV watching we got done over our Christmas break. The Witcher is a Netflix series starring Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan, adapted by Lauren Schmitt from books written in the 1990s by Polish author Andrez Spakowski. 

Aside from the super confusing timeline jumping (Monika 100% had the advantage over Amanda as she knew about this beforehand!) this series is addictive, attractive, and fierce as fuck. If you haven't seen The Witcher yet, here is your VERY FAIR AND VALID WARNING that the timeline jumping is mega confusing. Once you get it, everything will make so much more sense.

In this episode of Geek Herring, we're geeking out HARD about our love of this pseudo medieval portrayal of monster hunters, witches, the duality of humankind, and all sorts of moral lessons you wouldn't normally see on the surface of The Witcher.

About halfway through this episode we give a short spoiler warning before heading into some of the more specific scenes from the series. We talk about disability, happiness, seeking love, and destiny.

Have you seen The Witcher yet? If not - seriously get your ass in gear and go get your watch on! Are you as in love with Geralt as Amanda is? Let us know in the comments of wherever you see this episode pop up!

We also talked about David J Pearson's newest book, Estan! You can get your copy here :D

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Geek Interviews: Gender Identity and Modern Medieval Life with Jamie
• Geeking Out About Game Of Thrones
• Geeking Out About Robin Hobb: Fantasy That Represents – LGBTQ+, Gender Roles, Classism, + More

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Join us on Discord!

Geek out with Geek Herring Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,
 Amanda & Monika

Support Geek Herring

If you've ever felt like the odd one out, seen mathematical sequences that help you understand life, know you're destined for more, or are ready, or already, to embrace your absolute nerdy self - this episode is for YOU. Kate Wiswell, author of Full Frontal Nerdity, joins us to talk about embracing your inner nerd, letting your smart girl out to play, and being unapologetically yourself!

Kate is a mathematician and logician turned comedy writer living in LA who has figured out that you don't have to hide any part of yourself in order to be happy and successful. In fact, for Kate, it was only once she embraced and loved both sides of herself, as an analytical nerd and comedic writing genius.

Kate's recent memoir, Full Frontal Nerdity, is a collection of essays she's written over the years. From using math formulas to help figure out who your soul mate is to sharing her absolute LOVE of gingers (we TOTALLY get it) to the rampant misogyny present in Hollywood and more, we guarantee you'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll commiserate with her words. Could this be one of the realest and funniest books we've ever read? IT'S LIKELY, YO.

If you get one thing out of this interview, it's how honest, down-to-earth, and freaking hilarious Kate is. Pretty sure we're best friends for life, now!

You can buy Full Frontal Nerdity wherever you normally get your books, or right here on Amazon for all that ease.

Buy it. Love it. Share it with your friends!

You can find Kate

Online | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Geek Girl Community: Support, Sisterhood, and Friendship
• Geek Girl Stereotypes: Identify, Self-Reflection, and Toxic Femininity
• Geek Herring Reviews Feminists: What Were They Thinking?

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!

Join us on Discord!

Geek out with Geek Herring Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,
 Amanda & Monika

Special Guest: Kate Wiswell.

Support Geek Herring

Geek Girl in the News looks at the awesome or not so awesome news that will make you go either: "YAY" or "OMG I can't believe that." 

The latest and greatest geek girl news from January 2020 covers Australia's eSports dominance, why James Bond won't EVER be a woman, Professor Umbridge's new role, the media's racist hot takes, Batwoman's renewal, and the first look at what Disney+'s Marvel shows!

We are SO GLAD to be back and bringing the latest and greatest geek girl news to your ears. Did ya miss us!? Because we missed you! Both of us are excited for 2020 and have some pretty incredible interviews already lined up we know you're going to love!

Today's episode is all about these awesome news stories.

First up - we're totally jealous of Australia's stance on eSports. They're 100% paving the way for the rest of the world to drool over. I mean, starting competitive eSports at a middle grade level!? YES PLEASE!

And sadly, despite some leaked images and pretty big rumours, James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli says it's never gonna happen. While we're a bit bummed, Amanda makes a great point (as usual XD) that James Bond is a PERSON - so anyone can play him, while 007 is a TITLE - which is much more open to interpretation. Whatever the next Bond films bring, we're hopeful for some badass female representation!

We're also sorry to report that The Crown has announced it's ending after 5 super successful seasons, with none other than Imelda Staunton (perhaps better known as Professor Umbridge) playing the good Queen Elizabeth. WOAH. Is it just us or is that WAY HARD to picture!?

We're also shaking our fists at the racist media - WE SEE YOU and we WILL call you out, Batwoman's success, and the exciting Marvel trailer played during the Super Bowl.

What’s your take on these news articles? 

In this episode of Geek Girl in the News, we covered these news stories:

• Women, Schools, PUBG and More Get New Australian Tournaments In 2020
• Why There Will Never Be a Female James Bond
• The Crown Will End After Five Seasons With Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth
• Twitter: Racism and the Media
• Twitter: Batwoman is renewed!
  • Multiple Rumors Seemingly Confirmed by WandaVision, Falcon & Winter Soldier, and Loki Series First Look Trailer

Support Geek Herring on Patreon!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Geeking Out About Diversity & Representation in Pop Culture: Aladdin, MIB, Shazam!, & More!
• Geek Discussion: VKLiooon, & the Future of Women in eSports
• Geeking Out About Disney+: Star Wars, Marvel, The Simpsons, & 90s Feminist Cartoons

If you want to start your own podcast, check out The Podcast Course by Thankful Cow Solutions!

If you’ve been loving Geek Herring, please hop over to iTunes and leave us a review!

Join us on Discord!!

You can find us Online / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon!

Geekily yours,
 Amanda & Monika

Support Geek Herring