Episode 52 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast features Taylor Small, an anime and manga content creator known for her reaction videos, honest personality, funny facial expressions, and love for the anime community.

In this episode, RetroJayee and Taylor Small talk about how Attack on Titan changed her mind about anime, how she fell into the manga rabbit hole, and why she now creates content around anime reactions, manga, and community conversations. Taylor also opens up about balancing content creation with real life, working full-time, building a loyal audience, dealing with negative comments, and learning how to stay authentic online.

This conversation is for anime fans, manga readers, reaction content lovers, and creators trying to grow without losing themselves in the process.

Featured Guest
Taylor Small
Instagram: [add her handle]TikTok: [add her handle]YouTube: [add her channel]Patreon: [add if she wants it listed]

Watch More Retro Pioneers Podcast
Subscribe for more real conversations around gaming, anime, manga, content creation, retro culture, mental health, and creator journeys.

Retro Pioneers Podcast — Real Talk for Real Gamers

Episode 51 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast features Lauren Thomas — a creator who brings together nerd culture, travel, anime, conventions, collectibles, and real community energy.

In this episode, RetroJayee and Lauren Thomas talk about her love for nerd culture, traveling to different events, collecting, anime, conventions, and what makes the geek community so special. Lauren shares her experiences, her personality, and her passion for the culture in a conversation that feels fun, honest, and full of good energy.

This episode is for anyone who loves anime, travel, conventions, collectibles, and the people who keep nerd culture alive.

Featured Guest

Lauren Thomas

Instagram: @laurynntine

Watch More Retro Pioneers Podcast

Subscribe for more real conversations around gaming, anime, content creation, retro culture, mental health, and creator journeys.

Retro Pioneers Podcast — Real Talk for Real Gamers

Episode 50 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast features Mel Major for a milestone conversation about creativity, growth, culture, and staying locked in on your purpose.

In this episode, RetroJayee and Mel Major talk about the journey behind building a name, staying consistent, overcoming pressure, and continuing to move with passion even when the road gets tough. This episode celebrates not only Mel Major’s story, but also a major moment for Retro Pioneers as we reach Episode 50.

This is a real conversation about creativity, discipline, life, and the mindset it takes to keep going.

Featured Guest

Mel Major

Instagram: [add handle]

Watch More Retro Pioneers Podcast

Subscribe for more real conversations around gaming, anime, content creation, retro culture, mental health, and creator journeys.

Retro Pioneers Podcast — Real Talk for Real Gamers

Episode 49 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast features Brandon King, also known as @gamerdad08 — a retro gamer, creator, father, and one-half of the new Super Retro Bros. segment under the Retro Pioneers umbrella.

In this episode, RetroJayee and Brandon King talk about the love of retro gaming, growing up with classic consoles, what makes old-school games timeless, and how gaming connects different generations. Brandon also shares his perspective on being a gaming dad, building community, and why nostalgia still matters in today’s modern gaming world.

This conversation is all about real gaming memories, real friendship, and keeping the retro culture alive.

Featured Guest

Brandon King / @gamerdad08

Instagram: @gamerdad08

Watch More Retro Pioneers Podcast

Subscribe for more real conversations around gaming, anime, content creation, retro culture, mental health, and creator journeys.

Retro Pioneers Podcast — Real Talk for Real Gamers

Episode 48 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast features Ant Jones, also known as TheGymReaper101 / GymreaperGaming — a skit creator, producer, streamer, gamer, and content creator known for turning “trash gamer” moments into viral comedy.

In this episode, RetroJayee and Ant Jones talk about the grind behind content creation, overcoming fear on camera, building a real community, creating original gaming skits, staying consistent across multiple platforms, and why creators need to stop waiting and start posting.

Ant shares how he went from working full-time as a police supervisor to building a content brand through comedy, streaming, Call of Duty skits, and nonstop consistency. He also breaks down how his wife helped support his early setup, why he wakes up early to create, and how he plans to take his skit production into commercials for major companies.

Featured Guest

Ant Jones / TheGymReaper101 / gymreaperGaming

Instagram: @thegymreaper101

TikTok: gymreaperGaming

YouTube: gymreaperGaming

Twitch: gymreaperGaming

Kick: gymreaperGaming

Snapchat: Dudreamer101

Ant says he streams Monday through Friday and posts every day across platforms.

Watch More Retro Pioneers Podcast

Subscribe for more real conversations around gaming, anime, content creation, retro culture, mental health, and creator journeys.

Retro Pioneers Podcast — Real Talk for Real Gamers

Episode 47 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast features Hotep, creator and founder of Black Lion and Cubs, a retro-inspired anime brand built around Black heroes, fatherhood, family, legacy, creativity, and ownership.

In this powerful conversation, RetroJayee and Hotep talk about building something bigger than yourself, creating family-friendly anime content, using creativity to leave a legacy, and why Black fathers, creators, and entrepreneurs need to move with purpose.

Hotep shares how watching classic anime like Voltron with his sons sparked the idea for Black Lion and Cubs, and how that vision has grown into animations, graphic novels, video games, toys, books, and more. This episode is more than just anime talk — it is a real conversation about fatherhood, hustle, authenticity, and building something your family can be proud of.

Featured Guest

Hotep — Creator of Black Lion and Cubs

Website: blacklionandcubs.com

Also mentioned: Black Education Station

Watch More Retro Pioneers Podcast

Subscribe for more real conversations around gaming, anime, content creation, retro culture, mental health, and creator journeys.

Retro Pioneers Podcast — Real Talk for Real Gamers

Welcome back to the Retro Pioneers Podcast for Episode 46 featuring special guest ASURA, also known as Red 火.In this episode, we sit down with ASURA to talk about his journey as an esports caster, radio show host, content creator, and CEO of The Final 3 Productions. We get into what it takes to build a voice in gaming, how he balances commentary and hosting, and what drives him to keep pushing his brand forward.In This Episode We Discuss✅ ASURA’s journey into esports casting✅ Becoming a radio show host✅ Building The Final 3 Productions✅ Content creation and networking✅ Gaming, anime, and community culture✅ Staying consistent while growing your brand✅ What it means to be “The Honored One”If you love gaming conversations, creator stories, anime culture, esports, and real conversations with people building something from the ground up, this episode is for you.Guest: ASURA / Red 火Instagram: @whatasuradoesYouTube:  @AsuraDX2 Podcast: Retro Pioneers PodcastEpisode: 46Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who loves gaming, anime, esports, or creator interviews.

In Episode 45 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast, we sit down with Basement Otaku, a digital creator, streamer, and anime/gaming fan who brings energy to the FGC, Digimon, and otaku community.We talk about his journey as a creator, why anime and gaming culture matter, his love for fighting games and trading card games, and what keeps him motivated to keep making content.In This Episode We Discuss✅ Basement Otaku’s journey as a digital creator✅ Anime, gaming, and otaku culture✅ Fighting game community talk✅ Digimon, TCG, and content creation✅ Streaming and building an online audience✅ Staying consistent as a creator✅ Why community matters in gaming and anime spacesFollow Basement Otaku:Instagram: @basement_0takuYouTube:  @basement_otaku  Link: linktr.ee/Basement_otakuSubscribe for more real conversations with gamers, anime fans, creators, collectors, streamers, and people pushing the culture forward.Retro Pioneers Podcast — Real Talk for Real Gamers.

In Episode 44 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast, we sit down with RobDaWeeb, an anime recommendation creator, digital creator, and BLERD voice in the anime community.RobDaWeeb talks about his journey creating anime edits and vlogs, how he built a strong anime-focused platform, and why consistency matters when trying to grow online. We also get into anime recommendations, otaku culture, content strategy, and the importance of staying true to your own style instead of chasing every trend.In This Episode We Discuss✅ RobDaWeeb’s anime content creator journey✅ Anime recommendations and edits✅ BLERD culture and otaku community✅ Growing an audience with consistent content✅ Why creators should not only chase trends✅ Building a recognizable anime brand✅ The power of community in anime spacesFollow RobDaWeeb:Instagram: @robdaweebFollow for more conversations with anime fans, gamers, creators, streamers, collectors, and people pushing culture forward.Retro Pioneers Podcast — Real Talk for Real Gamers.

Episode 45 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast features Basement Otaku for a real conversation about fighting games, anime, Digimon, content creation, and the love behind nerd culture.

In this episode, RetroJayee and Basement Otaku talk about the world of FGC, the impact of classic anime, why Digimon still deserves respect, and what it means to build a brand around the things you genuinely love. From gaming memories to anime debates, this episode is all about passion, creativity, and keeping the culture alive.

This conversation is for the anime fans, fighting game players, retro lovers, and anyone who grew up connected to the worlds of gaming and animation.

Featured Guest

Basement Otaku

Instagram: basement_0taku

Social Media Link: linktr.ee/Basement_otaku

YouTube: ⁠ @basement_otaku ⁠

Watch More Retro Pioneers Podcast

Subscribe for more real conversations around gaming, anime, content creation, retro culture, mental health, and creator journeys.

Retro Pioneers Podcast — Real Talk for Real Gamers