Geek Herring

The holiday season is upon us again! And while we don't have a hilarious Hallmark bot script to make you ROFLMAO, we hope you bring you enough laughs to get you through our 4 week break!

In this episode, we reminisce about our favourite holiday movies - HELLO RUDOLPH AND FROSTY!, help transform Monika into less of a Grinch (she's actually bought a Christmas tree this year!), and get excited about all the geeky things we hope we'll find under our trees.

Really, you'll have to listen to our annual holiday episode to find out what we're up to this season and what goals we're setting for the New Year!

BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU??!

Tell us what you've got going on for the holidays.
 Do you have some leet goals for 2020?

Drop us your deets in the comments of wherever you see this episode.

Remember, we're going on a 4 week break after this episode, but we are coming back with one hell of a bang!!!

Happy Holidays and Merry New Year from Geek Herring! Love you all!

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

• Geek Christmas: Controversy, Hallmark, and the Perfect Geeky Girl Gifts
• Geeking Out About Halloween: Costumes, Movies, and Cultural Appropriation
• Geek Milestone: Geek Herring Turns One!! What’s Next!?

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

There's a subtle (sometimes) and encouraging movement happening in Hollywood and we are so here for it. From classics getting remade with strong and kick-ass women in the lead to biopics of famous gay men to disability and gender representation... hooo yeah! These changes are making the gentle waves that will lead to some damn diversity for a change!

Despite that fact that all the freaking incredible female directors were totally and rudely overlooked at the Golden Globes, we are getting a bit closer to some actual, honest to goodness, recognition and representation on the big screen.

Believe it or not, this episode started out as a Geek Girl in the News.... but we were having so much fun chatting about what was new in our lives - and for Amanda who flew 10 hours across the ocean - it was all sorts of movies!

HAVE YOU SEEN ALADDIN!??! Okay, so Amanda is like, a year late to this party, but she finally got to enjoy it and holy shit, what a game changer. We geek out about it and what it means for the future of not only Disney films, but strong female characters ligting up the big screen.

Then we talk about Men In Black: International and how Tessa Thompson SLAYED in it, alongside Chris Hemsworth, and the nods to taking down the patriarchy were REAL. And, after a lot of himming and hawing because WHAT was the last movie Amanda watched on that 10-hour? SHAZAM! was phenomenal. Representing disabilities, foster care, different sizes and races in such a POSITIVE LIGHT. Also what about those toxic masculinity vibes!?

We also talk about Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman helping normalise gay men in our households. Even though Freddie Mercury and Elton John have been household names for literal decades, it was always with that caveat - but he's gay. 

We're LOVING all these films out right now are making positive waves for diversity and representation. As always, what happens in Hollywood will trickle into our households and start helping society make the changes we so desperately are ON BOARD FOR.

Tell us what movies are giving you LIFE in the comments of wherever you see this episode!

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

• Geek Herring Reviews Feminists: What Were They Thinking?
• Geeking Out About Disney+: Star Wars, Marvel, The Simpsons, & 90s Feminist Cartoons
• Geek Discussion: Rising Representation and Diversity in Video Games

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

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 November 2019 covers the cancelled prequel to Game of Thrones, the next Star Wars trilogy (yes, trilogy!), Sacha Baron Cohen being an incredible human being, the 14-year-old girl who solved the blind spot problem plaguing drivers, the first leading trans character in a video game, and the game developers focussing on mental health problems in their releases.

Are we a little bit gutted that HBO have cancelled Naomi Watts' Game of Thrones prequel that was 3 years in the making? Uh - yeah! They've axed this progressive, super interesting sounding prequel in favour of one about the Targaryens. Sounds like just what the last 8 seasons were about. Snooze fest!

Speaking of Game of Thrones - you remember how the showrunners royally f#cked up the last season so they could go work on the next Star Wars trilogy? Well, they've bailed out of that one, too! So who's making the next trilogy? And why are they making another trilogy so soon after the last one? We dunno!?

Whether you've been a fan of Sacha Baron Cohen in the past or not has suddenly become irrelevant. His controversial characters have always had political and racial undertones meant to make society examine their belief system - and now, Sacha is gunning for justice for all walks of life. Take some time to listen to his absolutely scathing speech. Trust us when we say you won't regret it!

Submitted by Marty over at Sleepless in Copenhagen, we take a look at the 14-year-old girl who used simple technology that's already available to create a way to see through (yes through) the blind spot created by the passenger seat pillar. How inspirational is she!?

We finally have a game developer creating a lead character who is trans! In Tell Me Why, we're introduced to twins who have grown up with very different lives. French developer Dontnod has had input and support from GLAAD and trans beta testers to make sure the game remains sensitive and realistic to the issues facing transgender people in today's society. We dunno about you, but we cannot WAIT to play this one.

And finally, game makers Ninja Theory, who brought us the psychosomatic lead in Hellblade, are tackling mental health issues in their latest release, The Insight Project. Working with clinical neuroscientists and psychologists, The Insight Project will not only help people understand mental health problems, it will work as a tool for those going through a tough time. We love where the gaming industry is taking video games and are so excited for the future.

What’s your take on these news articles? 

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

• HBO confirms Game of Thrones prequel with Naomi Watts is canceled
• A New Star Wars Movie Is Coming in 2022, but We Don’t Know Who’s Making It
• Sacha Baron Cohen Tears Into Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg In Scathing 24-Minute Speech
• 14-Year-Old Genius Solves Blind Spots
• 'This raises the bar': Microsoft introduces first lead trans character in a major video game
  • Could Video Games Lead to a Mental Health Reckoning?
  • Hellblade studio launches a new venture to explore mental health through games

Support Geek Herring on Patreon!

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 Discussion: Rising Representation and Diversity in Video Games
• Geeking Out About Game Of Thrones

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

Feminists: What Were They Thinking Is a documentary about second wave feminism. It features stories from women involved in the feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s and it definitely evokes emotion about the trials and tribulations women went through (AND ARE STILL GOING THROUGH) around our world.

Feminists: What Were They Thinking is available on Netflix worldwide. A photographic project called Emergence by Cynthia McAdam brought together these incredible women and feminists and this documentary sees many of them looking back at their photos and sharing their stories.

We highly recommend that you check it out!!

Why?

Because it's full of inspiration from women who were part of the grassroots movement. Women like Lily Tomlin, Z Budapest, Jane Fonda (BABE), Phyllis Chesler, Judy Chicago, and other incredible feminists. They talked about their experiences during the 60s & 70s and how second wave feminism was the first time women truly took responsibility for themselves.

In this review episode, hosts Monika and Amanda talk about what emotions this documentary stirred up in them. Do feminists look different? What do you think?

And did you know that Jane Fonda only learned in the last decade that "no" is a complete sentence? If Queen Fonda only learned this, and she's in her 80s, we still have a lot of work to do.

What does feminism mean to us? It's easy for us both to be feminists and we are ready to fight for our right to own our space, some a bit more rebellious than others ;) 

We think, essentially, that second wave feminism was so important. Why do new wave feminists want to distance themselves from the early grassroots movements? We don't know!

Feminists from all walks of life need to work together to achieve true gender parity. We need older feminists, black feminists, LGBTQ+ feminists, white feminists, feminists of colour, geek feminists, political feminists -- this list could GO ON - to fight the good fight.

There are still hard things about being a woman in 2019. Just like there were hard things about being a woman in 1969. And hard things with first wave feminism back in the 20s. This is why we still need feminism. 

We believe there's something higher we can be. Do you?

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

• Geek Girl Stereotypes: Identify, Self-Reflection, and Toxic Femininity
• Geek Interview: Feminism and Gender with Dr. Sol Haring
• Geek Girl Reviews: The Mask You Live In Exploring Toxic Masculinity

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to iTunes 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

eSports history has been made when VKLiooon won the Hearthstone Grandmasters during Blizzcon. Not only was she the first woman to win an international Hearthstone tournament, she was the first woman to win an international eSports tournament ever!

So first of all: BIGGEST CONGRATS TO VKLIOOON! You're incredible and a true inspiration. 

Just check out her speech:

And we're totally feeling this. All of this. 

Not only this, VKLiooon said that at one of her first Hearthstone tournaments, a guy told her she didn't belong there and to leave. What bullshit is that even?? VKLiooon has obviously proven herself and shown that women do belong in eSports.

As we've talked about with previous guests, girls were never nurtured to play video games the same way the boys were. But we're out there. We play video games. And we're down with eSports.

Women playing professional eSports is on the rise. We already have legends like VKLiooon and past guest Pathra, a whole host of badass women playing Hearthstone in smaller tournaments, and women joining professional Overwatch and NBA2K teams. 

The future of eSports is bright for women and we are HERE. FOR. IT.

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

• Geek Discussion: Hong Kong Protests, Blizzard Entertainment, & Cancel Culture
• Geek Interview: Life as a Hearthstone Pro & Not Feeding the Trolls with Pathra Cadness
• Geek Interviews: Mental Health and Real Life Rep Grinding with Thyst

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

Because hanging out listening to us talk is the best half hour of your week, we've gone free form again! Geek Herring and Chill is just that, time to sit back, relax, and listen to us ramble on. This week, we really do just ramble on about what we've been up to in our lives!

Have you read The Mortal Instruments by Cassanda Clare? Amanda's just started them! After listening to her friends obsess about them for years, she's finally got stuck in.. and let's just say she is STUCK. IN.

But this actually brings up an interesting topic! So you know in most books, there's a BIG BAD GUY. And that big bad guy is usually, well, A GUY? Voldemort, Valentine, Sauron... you know what we're talking about. Is there a fantasy series with a big bad gal? We can't think of one, so let us know!

What we did come up with?
 Disney villains are more often than not women.
 Cersei from Game of Thrones is definitely evil, but is she BIG BAD GUY evil? 

What else did we chill with? Well, you're just gonna have to listen and find out!

Oh, PS. Leave us a comment wherever you see this episode if you're #TeamChillinIllinKillin or #TeamLame!

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

• Geeking Out About Halloween: Costumes, Movies, and Cultural Appropriation
• Geeking Out About Disney+: Star Wars, Marvel, The Simpsons, & 90s Feminist Cartoons
• Geeking Out About Game Of Thrones

Love Geek Herring, please hop over to iTunes 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

It's been a year since we've spoken with Sil, host of Warcraft podcast Whispers of War, and we're so excited to catch up and see what she's been up to this year!

The biggest thing going on for Sil is her growing podcast. She's been having some of the coolest guests on the show who are all geeking out about their Warcraft experiences. And you know what? Everyone playing World of Warcraft has different thoughts and feelings about the game! But there is the overarching theme that they absolutely love it and can't get enough of the MMO.

Sil's also working on creating a go-to resource for roleplaying in Warcraft. Amanda's recently started playing on a roleplay server and could definitely use some tips and tricks from a seasons RPer. Roleplaying in an MMO definitely brings a whole different element to the game - it's so much more immersive and, dare we say, fun!?

Sil shares some of her experiences as one of the first female Warcraft podcasters, how she's created and grown her super supportive community, and what makes Whispers of War so badass.

Oh, and just so you know, Sil and Whispers of War has recently joined Dragon Powered Studios, our podcast network! It's so great that we can connect and chat with other awesome ladies hanging out in the dragonsphere. You rock, Sil! (PS, join our Discord here!

If roleplaying is in your future, make sure you get the World of Warcraft add-on Total RP 3 and create your character backstory!

You can find Sil:

Whispers of War Twitter
Whispers of War on Podbean and iTunes or wherever you normally get your podcasts! 

And find Sil herself over on Twitch!

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

• Geek Characters: Glorious Ladies of Warcraft
• Geek Herring & Chill: Upcoming Excitement, Host Updates, & Mental Health
• Geek Girl Community: Support, Sisterhood, and Friendship

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: Sil.

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 October 2019 covers Blizzard's reality check from Congress, female directors for Disney+ Star Wars shows, the new Catwoman, Natalie Portman's call for women to fuck up and own their mistakes, Delta's women-led flight to NASA, and the first all-female spacewalk FINALLY happening!

After recording and releasing our last episode about everything going on with Blizzard, China, and Blitzchung, it's now come to light that the US Congress - from BOTH sides - got involved, too. 5 politicians wrote Blizzard a, uh, pretty strongly worded letter urging them to reconsider their stance... 

Next up, we hit the entertainment news and talk about Deborah Chow's lead directorial role with Obi-Wan Kenobi - how cool does this show sound!? And Zoe Kravitz getting cast as the next Catwoman. Then Amanda learns a shocking discovery about Monika's past - make sure you listen to find out what!

We totally celebrate and stan queen Natalie Portman and her latest speech given at the Elle Women in Hollywood evening where she encourages women to embrace their mistakes and thrive, not to let them ruin their lives. Amanda's hidden behind mistakes and she can tell you personally - IT'S NOT WORTH IT!

And last but not least we go to SPACE with Delta, 120 girls, an all-female flight crew, and the first all-female space walk that finally happened. More women in aviation, please, k thanks!

What’s your take on these news articles? 

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

• Blizzard Got “Vibe Checked” by Congress Over Hong Kong
• Deborah Chow to Direct Obi-Wan Kenobi Series for Disney+
• Zoe Kravitz Cast As Catwoman In Robert Pattinson’s ‘The Batman’
• Natalie Portman Calls For Women To Embrace Their Mistakes: "F*Ck Up And Thrive, Sisters"
• An all-female Delta team flew 120 girls to NASA to get them excited about aviation careers
  • The first all-female spacewalk is scheduled for this week
  • Astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir successfully complete first all-female spacewalk_

Support Geek Herring on Patreon!

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

• Geek Discussion: Hong Kong Protests, Blizzard Entertainment, & Cancel Culture
• Geeking Out About Disney+: Star Wars, Marvel, The Simpsons, & 90s Feminist Cartoons
• Geek Girl in the News: March 2019 – Women’s History Month, All Female Space Walk, NBA 2k!

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

Halloween is all about dressing up as someone or something you're not, having fun, and eating all the candy your belly can hold. Or at least that's what it was like for Amanda, who grew up in North America. Monika, on the other hand, doesn't have the same kind of connection since they don't celebrate in Austria.

On this episode of Geek Herring, we're talking about some of Amanda's best costumes over the years. From the one and only year she dressed as a "slutty something" (what? You'll have to listen and find out!) to the amazing group costumes she pulled off at university - armhair and Backstreet Boys. Yes, seriously. (And she 100% made a mistake in recording, they dressed up as Nick, Kevin, Brian, and Howie - it was AJ who was the Phantom!)

Halloween movies are the absolute best, though, right? And by Halloween movies, guess we really just mean Hocus Pocus. Best Halloween movie ever. Maybe the only Halloween movie ever!? Okay... there's also Halloweentown - the best!

But let's get serious for a minute. Halloween isn't always full of good things. There's a real problem with cultural appropriation and downright racism that can come with some costumes. When your friends are still wanting to put on blackface in 2015, you know you need to stand up and say something.

Less costumes where you need to paint your face (unless you wanna be a Smurf - Smurfporpriate away!) and less Native Americans (to name a few) and more random, dorky costumes like armhair and Muppets!

What's your favourite costume you've ever worn? How do you celebrate Halloween?

PS: Check out The Feminist Shop online to see Amanda modelling!!

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

• Geek Interview: Cosplay, Conventions, Community, and Gender with Anna
• Geeking Out About Anime and Manga with Jannie & Nat
• Geek Christmas: Controversy, Hallmark, and the Perfect Geeky Girl Gift

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

Geek Herring discusses a politically hot topic this week, giving an overview and our insights into Hearthstone streamer, Blitzchung's statement during the GrandMasters about the Hong Kong protests. Blizzard had made what seemed like a snap decision to delete the entire VOD of the stream, remove Blitzchung from the GrandMasters, revoke his prize money, and ban both him and the two casters from Blizzard eSports for a year.

We're joined by Thom from Three Extra Lives and Jonathan from all sorts of podcasts, two people we love and respect in the Blizzard content creation community. Together, we're taking an objective look at this whole situation - right from the start. 

• What's actually happening in Hong Kong?
• What did Blitzchung actually say?
• Blizzard Entertainment did what!?
• The community backlash that shook the video game world
• What Blizzard did to remedy the situation
• How this relates to cancel culture
• And lots more!

While we do go into what's going on in this situation in brief detail, this episode of Geek Herring mainly revolves around our thoughts, opinions, and how we can all move forward in this new era of partial censorship.

You can find links to all sorts of news stories and coverage of this event:

• The Hong Kong protests explained in 100 and 500 words
• Naming and shaming companies who kowtow to Chinese censorship requests
• Blitzchung removed from Hearthstone Grandmasters for 'liberate Hong Kong' comments
• Hearthstone Grandmasters Asia-Pacific Ruling
• American University Hearthstone team holds up "Free Hong Kong, boycott Blizzard" sign during Collegiate Hearthstone Championship. Blizzard quickly cuts their broadcast
• Jason Schreier of Kotaku comments on BlizzCon
• Overwatch's Mei is being turned into a Hong Kong protest symbol
• After Hearthstone player’s ban, Blizzard is in hot water with lawmakers
• Blizzard employee(s) remark on their company's actions by covering up mission statements on the orc statue in front of the studio.
• Brian Kibler, a notable Hearthstone caster, releases statement on Blitzchung and steps down from casting Hearthstone
• Blizzard Employees Staged a Walkout to Protest Ban of Pro-Hong Kong Gamer
• Kripparrian, popular Hearthstone streamer, releases his statement in support of Hong Kong
• People experiencing authentication issues when attempting to delete their Blizzard Accounts
• Mark Kern, the former lead for WoW, advocating for the boycott.
• Fuel assistant coach Jayne condemns treatment of banned Hearthstone player, says he was directed to delete critical tweet
• Tommy, Taiwanese Commentator Who Got Fired by Blizzard, Statement
• Ex-Hearthstone Streamer DisguisedToast offers to return if Blizzard reconsiders their stance
• Hearthstone caster ThatsAdmirable steps down from Grandmasters Cast
• Blizzard/TeSPA has decided not to penalize American University for holding up their sign and has scheduled their next match, but AU has decided to forfeit the match and the season, saying it is hypocritical for Blizzard to punish Blitzchung but not them
• Hearthstone pro Amnesiac criticizes Blizzard's decision
• Blizzard's Official Statement: REGARDING LAST WEEKEND’S HEARTHSTONE GRANDMASTERS TOURNAMENT
• Contradictions: Blizzard: "We are not a platform for social or political views." Also Blizzard:
• Blitzchung statement in response to Blizzard
• Protests Are Coming To BlizzCon In The Wake Of Blizzard's Hong Kong Fiasco

What do you think about everything that's going? Has this level of censorship and cancel culture gone to far? Let us know in the comments of wherever you see this episode!

You can find more information about Thom and Three Extra Lives
Online | Twitter | Instagram | Twitch

You can find more information about Jonathan and All His Podcasts
Online | Twitter | Twitter | Twitch

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 Interviews: Mental Health and Real Life Rep Grinding with Thyst
• Geek Discussion: Rape, Steam, & Responsibility

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

Special Guests: Frazley and Thom Knight.