Media Mavens

By Pam and RileyVideo Games

Media Mavens episodes

April 30, 2018Surprise, Feminism! (Episode 55)
Today's guest is Samantha Blackmon. She is an associate professor at Purdue University, host of the Not Your Mama's Gamer podcast, co-founder and editor of the site of the same name, and editor in chief of the brand new NYMG Feminist Games Studies Journal.
What we've been up to
(00:05:40) Children of Blood and Bone, Gaming Masculinities (Samantha)

(00:12:59) Far Verona - Stars Without Number TTRPG (Riley)

(00:22:54) Frostpunk, Typoman (Pam)

(00:31:01) Steamworld Dig 2, Defiance 2050, Club Penguin Island (Samantha)

(00:36:05) Lost in Space (Riley)

(00:38:56) The Great British Menu, How to Get Away with Murder (Pam)

(00:43:02) Chopped (Samantha)

(00:47:50) Janelle Monae (Samantha)

(00:49:22) The Strange Case of Starship Iris (Riley/Pam)
Feminist Game Studies
(00:53:39) NYMG Feminist Games Studies Journal and what it's adding to game studies

(00:59:23) NYMG Journal first issue selections

(01:02:13) Future plans for the Journal

(01:05:06) How to incorporate intersectional feminism into the classroom

(01:12:19) Teaching those who have never thought about these things (or are opposed to them)

(01:19:10) Internet comments and people who assume you don't know what you're talking about

(01:26:16) Games that inspire writing and teaching - Mafia 3

(01:29:00) Dadification of games - and where are all the moms?

(01:36:00) How to submit to the NYMG Journal
Contact information (01:37:27)
Riley

Pam

Samantha, Not Your Mama's Gamer
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.
Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
1 hr 40 min
April 16, 2018I'm THAT Asshole (Episode 54)
It's Pam and Riley back again with what we've been up to in the last few weeks. And as usual, we talk about Overwatch for half the time.
What we've been up to
(00:00:25) Pacific Rim: Uprising (Riley)

(00:04:43) John Wick 2 (Pam)

(00:07:11) BTS: Burn the Stage Documentary (Riley)

(00:13:04) Authority - second book in Southern Reach trilogy (Pam)

(00:16:20) Overwatch: Archive Event (Riley & Pam)

(00:23:11) The Invisible Hours (Pam)

(00:29:12) Overwatch League (Riley & Pam)
Listener Questions
(00:48:35) What feature do you wish the next generation of consoles had and why? @JohnathanCellini

(00:52:13) Have you played Brigitte much and what do you think of her? @OrkChop

(00:58:46) What is your favourite system and why is that? What is your current favourite and, since you play vintage, which was the best in your opinion? @vosskah

(01:02:49) Surprise! Sea of Thieves talk :)

(01:04:37) Thoughts on xbox backwards compatibility and the PS4 not having that feature as we shift to an ever digital-only marketplace? @johnathancellini
Contact Information
Riley

Pam
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.
Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
1 hr 16 min
April 02, 2018What's Real and What Isn't Real? (Episode 53)
Today we're talking about the sci-fi movie Annihilation and the book of the same name that it's based on with returning guest Tzufit.
What we've been up to
(00:01:36) Sea of Thieves (All of us!)

(00:21:19) Overwatch League stage 2 finals and player code of conduct (All of us!)

(00:33:11) Darkest Dungeon (Pam)

(00:40:42) The Alienist (Tzufit)

(00:42:30) American Crime Story s2 (Tzufit)
Annihilation
There will be spoilers for the movie and book throughout.
(00:45:21) What is Annihilation?

(00:46:43) Expectations and adaptation

(00:53:17) Characters and actors

(00:58:10) Self-destruction themes and the addition of an adultery subplot

(01:04:23) Casting choices and focus on women

(01:06:01) Removal of the hypnosis aspect of the book

(01:09:30) The tattoo

(01:10:23) I’ve been interested in Annihilation for a while but I have one holdup - I am a huge wimp when it comes to movies, and spooky/creepy stuff haunts me for days. Would this movie still be worth watching knowing it might leave me up later than usual? Is it even that scary? Thanks! @thomicks

(01:12:07) How much do you hate bears now? @mk_patter

(01:13:16) What's really going on in The Shimmer

(01:19:06) The Lighthouse and the film's ending

(01:30:19) Would love to hear your thoughts on the theory that the whole thing is an experiment set up by the government to test out the genetic engineering tools @teatimesci

(01:34:19) Visuals, audio and most striking scenes

(01:41:26) If you’ve read the book, did it live up to expectations? If not, did the movie make you want to read the book? @GuusHenkBremer

(01:42:27) Is Annihilation worth travelling 40 miles for? @travplaysgames
Contact information (01:43:41)
Riley

Pam

Tzufit, Cowboy & Cricket
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.
Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
1 hr 45 min
March 19, 2018He Needs Help, Somebody Help Him (Episode 52)
Pam and Riley are on their own this episode talking about what they've been up to over the last few weeks.
What we've been up to: (00:00:46)
(00:01:48) Jessica Jones (Riley)

(00:04:06) John Wick (Pam)

(00:07:22) Annihilation (Riley - and Pam too!)

(00:10:18) Parks & Rec (Pam)

(00:13:24) Wrinkle in Time (Riley)

(00:18:06) Stardew Valley (Pam)

(00:20:11) Mario Rabbids Kingdom Battle (Pam)

(00:22:24) EGLX & Ganymede's Girls (Riley)

(00:33:39) The Last of Us (Pam)

(00:36:59) Overwatch League (Riley)
Listener Questions
(00:45:12) How are the Ready Player One posters allowed to be so bad?! @the_doc_webb

(00:49:11)What do you think of the Dynasty's Spotify? @OrkChop

(00:51:18) Can we talk about OWL caster fashion? @OrkChop (Maddy's article on the OWL fashion https://compete.kotaku.com/the-overwatch-league-hosts-clearly-need-our-fashion-adv-1823206301)

(00:54:47) Who is going to bite the dust in Infinity War and who should bite the dust in Infinity War? @ohhsourry

(00:58:36) What are you favourite non-horror games with creepy undertones (or overtones)? @the_doc_webb

(01:03:05) What are your thoughts on anime art styled JRPGS - the likes of the Tales series, Mana Khemia, Ar Tonelico to name a few @ayligerwolf
Contact Information
Riley

Pam
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.
Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
1 hr 8 min
March 05, 2018Please Help Me, I'm Canadian (Episode 51)
oday it's just Riley and Pam talking about what we've been up to - Disney World! Horizon Zero Dawn! Black Panther! Overwatch!
What we've been up to
(00:00:42) Disney World and Universal Studios (Riley)

(00:17:09) Horizon Zero Dawn (Pam)

(00:24:21) Black Panther (Riley/Pam) Spoiler warning: We talk about something that happens at the end of the movie at 00:27:45 until 00:31:31

(00:32:32) Queer Eye (Pam)

(00:36:18) Great British Bake-off (Riley)

(00:38:43) One Day at a Time (Pam)

(00:41:29) Competitive Overwatch (Riley)

(00:43:43) Devil/Ritual (Pam)
Listener Questions
(00:45:51) What’s the best Overwatch based podcast you either listen to or are aware of? Side note, if it’s you guys that is a totally valid answer ;) @CartridgeBrosP1

(00:49:16) What upcoming movies are you looking forward to! @ohhhsourry

(00:51:27) How freaking awesome was the olympic closing ceremony? @lowguppy

(00:54:57) Brigette! What do you think of the latest Overwatch hero? Do you think you’ll play her? @Orkchop

(00:58:46) Which games do you prefer to play on PC and which games do you prefer to play on console? @Orkchop

(01:01:43) Would either of you want to see a Mass Effect film adaptation? If so, who would be your dream director/cinematographer/cast, etc.? @The_Doc_Webb
Contact information
Riley

Pam
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.
Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
CONTRIBUTORS
1 hr 9 min
February 19, 2018 Putting an Octopus to Bed (Episode 50)
Maddy Myers joins us this episode to talk about the Overwatch League! She writes at Compete (which is affiliated with Kotaku and Deadspin) and covers competitive video games (aka esports). She also cohosts two podcasts - Let's Watch Two Movies, and an X-Men podcast called The Mutant Ages.
What we've been up to
(00:03:14) Dragonball FighterZ (Maddy)
(00:04:46) Cloverfield Paradox (Riley) some minor spoilers in here
(00:08:50) Zumbo's Dessert's (Pam)
(00:11:41) Riverdale/How to Get Away with Murder/Star Trek TNG (Maddy)
(00:16:42) The Mummy/ Queer Eye (Riley)
(00:19:45) Call of Duty Black Ops 3 (Pam)
(00:22:16) Flame in the Flood & Dropsy (Pam)
(00:25:10) X-Men comics - Gambit and Wolverine; All-New Wolverine (Maddy)
(00:27:18) Olympic Figure Skating The Chinese skater is actually named Jin Boyang, not Bo Jinyoung - Riley goofed

Overwatch League
(00:30:28) What is Overwatch League?
(00:31:14) Do you like OWL?
(00:33:09) Spectator tools
(00:36:44) What strategy or technique have you learned from watching the Overwatch League that’s helped you play better? I’m working on retreating and that I don’t always have to be on the payload? @Orkchop
(00:42:38) Is this league structure new or has it been done? How complicated is it for the average person to watch?
(00:48:29) Investments from team owners, now and in the future
(00:53:19) OWL tokens
(00:53:54) League structure - City teams
(00:56:18) Atlantic v Pacific divisions - they don't actually matter right now? Home and away games, arenas
(01:00:22) So Many Games - huge time commitment - Nate Nanzer's (the OWL CEO) ideal amount of teams (28?!)
(01:02:27) New schedule for Stage 2
(01:03:34) Where are all the women? (There's one now, there are a few in Contenders - the "minor" leagues - and the top 500)
(01:10:46) Diversifying the casting desk
(01:12:30) Weak excuses for not drafting women players
(01:15:11) Player punishment and behaviour, codes of conduct
(01:19:00) Rascal moving to Dallas, worrying about xQc and the rest of the players
(01:22:30) Media/PR training and sensitivity training?
(01:25:01) With bans and fines coming to the more egregious actions taken by players, what should the league do about some of the more subtle bigotry in various players’ stream? @BrothaDom
(01:28:53) Are mirror teams a common thing? Is this an Overwatch problem?
(01:31:20) Balancing so many different heroes
(01:35:18) With the changes to Mercy and Junkrat, which heroes do you think will appear more in Stage 2? Do you think any teams will try to stick with Mercy and/or Junkrat? @K_song
(01:41:22) Which team are you most looking forward to watching and see change in Stage 2 of the Overwatch League? @Orkchop

Listener Questions
(01:43:23) What’s more fun, a marathon of binge watching OWL or binge-podcast-recording about Mad Max? @alatinolawyer
(01:45:18) Who's your favourite team and player?
(01:46:18) Which team has the best colours?

Contact information
Riley
Pam
Maddy
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.

Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
1 hr 50 min
February 05, 2018You're Not the Boss of Me (Episode 49)
This episode it's just Pam and Riley talking about what we've been up to and answering some listener questions. We share some unpopular opinions about some of the most loved games from last year, and talk about food a lot.

What we've been up to (00:01:00)
What Remains of Edith Finch (Riley)

(00:05:11) NieR: Automata (Pam)

(00:09:15) The Talos Principle (Riley)

(00:13:44) Red Queen (Pam)

(00:16:04) Dunkirk (Riley)

(00:20:00) Chastity Bites (Pam)

(00:21:59) The Layover / Ainsley Eats the Streets (Riley)

(00:25:30) Ingrid Goes West (Pam)

(00:28:06) YouTube Channels: Joel and Dan, Kara and Nate, Sweet and Tasty TV (Riley)

(00:33:53) The Love Witch (Pam)
Listener Questions (00:36:44)
What do you see video games looking like in the future? @malcolmwise619

(00:39:53) What would you want out of the next Dragon Age? Should they reboot it into a dating sim? @Orkchop

(00:43:12) What are your thoughts on Microsoft’s GamePass in its current/planned state? Are you sold? If not, what would it take to get you on board? @MustyHobbit

(00:46:58) What game are you each looking forward to in 2018? @JonathanCellini

(00:48:43) Cat Dva - pro or con? @ohhhsourry

(00:51:42) My wife and I want to try out the local Korean restaurant. What do you recommend? @alatinolawyer
Contact information
Riley

Pam
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.
Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
57 min
January 22, 2018A Knife Taped to a Roomba (Episode 48)
We invited Katherine Cross to the podcast to chat about sci-fi TV series, Black Mirror. We talk about the best episodes (and why they're the best), Katherine's article about the episode named "USS Callister", toxic fans and why we need optimistic media now.
Guest Intro: Katherine Cross (00:00:37)
Our guest today is Katherine! She is a Ph.D student in sociology at the CUNY Graduate Center, and freelance writer, columnist, and cultural critic.
What we've been up to
(00:02:57) OrcaCon (Katherine)

(00:04:06) Rumu (Katherine)

(00:05:15) Cook, Serve, Delicious 2 (Riley)

(00:08:44) Thumper, Crypt of the Necrodancer (Pam)

(00:11:06) Doctor Who (Katherine)

(00:13:56) Chef and My Fridge (aka Please Take Care of my Refrigerator) (Riley)

(00:17:20) America's Next Top Model (Pam)

(00:18:24) Shadows of the Mind (Katherine)

(00:20:45) Overwatch League (Riley)

(00:25:19) Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Pam/Katherine) - [Spoiler warning!] We talk about spoilers around the 29:10 mark, so skip ahead to our main segment to avoid them! Katherine's KoToR 2 article

(00:30:47) What We Do in the Shadows (Pam)
Black Mirror
(00:31:36) What is Black Mirror?

(00:32:15) Opening thoughts/discussion

(00:45:32) Themes in the show - people misusing technology

(00:49:37) Stand out episodes - San Junipero, Black Museum, USS Callister

(01:02:52) Katherine's USS Callister article discussion
Listener Questions
(01:27:28) I always hear Black Mirror brought up alongside the Twilight Zone. Do you feel it is comparable to Twilight Zone in terms of them both being reflective of the anxieties of their time, or is Twilight Zone not a fair comparison? (@The_Doc_Webb)
Contact information (01:33:40)
Please consider supporting Katherine's work via her Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/KatherineCross
Riley @kaleri_

Pam @jasyla_

Katherine @quinnae_moon
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.
Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
1 hr 36 min
January 08, 2018Constantly Delighted by Something (Episode 47)
Today we're talking about our favourite media from 2017.
What we've been up to
(00:00:53) Oxenfree (Riley)

(00:05:00) Overwatch and Mercy nerfs (Pam)

(00:10:40) Pyre (Riley)

(00:13:10) Valley (Pam)

(00:15:01) Octodad (Riley)

(00:19:20) Horizon Zero Dawn (Riley)

(00:30:10) Key & Peele (Pam)

(00:31:22) Along with the Gods (Riley)

(00:36:02) This is Us (Pam)
The Best of 2017
(00:39:38) Best Games - Horizon Zero Dawn, The Sexy Brutale, Overwatch League, Cuphead, What Remains of Edith Finch

(00:51:32) Best Movies - Goblin (tv), Train to Busan, Okja, The Big Sick, Get Out, Wonder Woman (WW episode of Movies with Mikey)

(01:02:20) Best TV - The Handmaid's Tale, Claws

(01:06:32) Best Podcasts - The Secret Life of Canada, Switchblade Sisters

(01:11:28) Best Books - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Listener Questions
(01:13:23) What was a 2017 game that surprised you, either in a good or bad way? @CGRRRRRRRR

(01:15:50) What was your favourite move you pulled off in Overwatch? @Orkchop

(01:19:39) Favorite new Twitter accounts you followed in 2017? @alatinolawyer

(01:23:24) What’s your favorite esport to watch and who’s your favorite team or player? @Orkchop

(01:27:00) What is your favorite Cartridge Club Game of the month? @hiddlestonlovr
Contact information (01:27:33)
Riley @kaleri_

Pam @jasyla_
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.
Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
1 hr 30 min
December 24, 2017Just Stuff a Turkey with Sausage (Episode 46)
Today we're talking about Christmas! We talk about our favourite Christmas movies and traditions.
What we've been up to: (00:01:35)
Overwatch (Riley)

(00:04:17) Abzu (Pam)

(00:05:23) Scanner Sombre (Pam)

(00:06:54) Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Riley)

(00:09:41) Doki Doki Literature Club (Pam)

(00:13:16) The Santa Clause (Riley)

(00:17:53) Burlesque (Pam)

(00:19:50) Scrooged (Riley)

(00:22:22) Switchblade Sisters (Pam)

(00:24:23) Elf & Home Alone (Riley/Pam)

(00:26:40) Love, Actually (Pam/Riley)

Christmas Faves* (00:44:50 - we talk about alcohol in this section and onwards, so please take care if you're avoiding that this season!)
Riley
The Santa Clause, Rudolph, Here Comes Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman

Snow! Winter!

Giving presents
Pam (00:49:40)
Nightmare Before Christmas, Muppet Christmas Carol, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

All I Want for Christmas is You, Little Drummer Boy
Listener Questions (00:54:14)
What's your favourite Christmas stocking stuffer? @alatinolawyer

(00:56:46) What Overwatch Christmas outfit would you like to have in real life? @cartridgebros

(00:57:35) What Christmas movie is generally well-loved but just doesn't do it for you? @polykill

(01:00:43) What are your most beloved and reviled family holiday traditions? @MoUpodcast

(01:05:53) Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? @vosskah

(01:08:26) Is Nightmare before Christmas a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie? Both? Neither? @the_Doc_Webb

(01:10:23) What is your favourite sweet Christmas treat? And, on the flip side, what is your least favourite holiday food you still eat every year because it's tradition? @the_doc_webb
Contact information (01:19:24)
Riley @kaleri_

Pam @jasyla_
If you’ve got any feedback, questions, people or topics you’d like to hear on future episodes of the show, you can reach out at [email protected] or on Twitter @_MediaMavens. We've also got a forum to discuss episode at CartridgeClub.org. If you like the show, please give us a review on iTunes or Stitcher.
Music: Vivacity by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
1 hr 21 min

About Media Mavens

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This is Media Mavens with Pam and Riley - a biweekly podcast where we discuss our favourite, or not so favourite, movies, shows and video games.

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