Tauren Think Tank: The Podcast About the Blizzard Gamer Behind the Keyboard

What’s been happening for us lately in WoW? A whole lot for the two of us, it seems! Our Discussion topic: experiencing sensory overload in a high stress environment.  For example  feeling uncomfortable when surrounded by people, loud noises, and maintaining your cool (conventions, parties, shopping). How do you handle these things when they make you nervous and anxious? Be a part of the show by sending your Tell Us One Thing questions, feedback, and requests for advice to [email protected]. Slash Moo, everybody!

Website: http://taurenthinktank.com

Patreon site: http://patreon.com/taurenthinktank

Twitter: @TaurenThinkTank

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taurenthinktank

Discord server:  http://tinyurl.com/tttchat2

Love Is In The Air, and Marconin’s quest for the Big Love Rocket resumes for the year! Will 2017 be the last year to have to run this 30 times a day? Our Discussion topic: Dealing with disappointment. It’s been a volatile year so far and emotions are running high, with disappointment being a big part of what people are feeling in their everyday lives. How can we cope with disappointment in healthy ways to be productive and happier?  Be a part of the show by sending your Tell Us One Thing questions, feedback, and requests for advice to [email protected]. Slash Moo, everybody!

Website: http://taurenthinktank.com

Patreon site: http://patreon.com/taurenthinktank

Twitter: @TaurenThinkTank

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taurenthinktank

Discord server:  http://tinyurl.com/tttchat2

We give our summary of PAX South and our experiences speaking on two panels this year! Our Think Tank question: My dear friend Zan passed away from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 29 right before BlizzCon, and it’s been devastating for me. How can I deal with the crippling grief I’m feeling, and not burst into tears every time something reminds me of her? Be a part of the show by sending your Tell Us One Thing questions, feedback, and requests for advice to [email protected]. Slash Moo, everybody!

Website: http://taurenthinktank.com

Patreon site: http://patreon.com/taurenthinktank

Twitter: @TaurenThinkTank

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taurenthinktank

Discord server:  http://tinyurl.com/tttchat2

We're happy to present the audio from our two panels at PAX South 2017. (Please note, this audio was taken from the video we recorded at each of two panels, so this episode will be a lot more "roomy" than a normal podcast recording. You'll get what we mean when you listen.)

If you wish to jump to Panel #2, it's located at 1:02 in the recording.

Panel #1 - Finding Your Tribe - The Psychology of Online Communities

Online communities are a powerful and influential force in many of our lives. We build strong and lasting relationships with people before ever meeting them face-to-face. How do communities form and what are the challenges of maintaining an online “family?" We talk about community connection, finding a place you call home, and when it’s okay to say goodbye. Our speakers are gamers and self-proclaimed nerds who are experts in psychology, research, advice, community-building, and content creation. Dr. Anthony Bean [Owner/Psychologist, Bean Professional Psychological Services/Framingham State University], Jules Scott [Podcast Host, Tauren Think Tank Podcast], Corey Spencer [Podcast Host, Tauren Think Tank Podcast]

Panel #2 - Embracing The Chaos Emeralds: Understanding Your Nerd Power

Being a nerd is finally cool! So many of us remember being considered awkward, unpopular, and feeling like an outcast for loving sci-fi, video games, anime, comic books, etc. We explore the psychology of feeling like you don’t fit in, and the negative effects of not accepting who you are. We talk about embracing, loving, and accepting your geek fortitude/fandom. You’ll hear from gamers and self-proclaimed nerds who are experts in psychology, research, advice and community-building. Dr. Anthony Bean [Owner/Psychologist, Bean Professional Psychological Services/Framingham State University], Jules Scott [Podcast Host, Tauren Think Tank Podcast], Corey Spencer [Podcast Host, Tauren Think Tank Podcast], Joel Christiansen [Indie Developer, Dog Theory Games]

In this episode, we welcome Ryan (@RyCP1209) from the Victors Sanctum podcast as our special guest. Ryan sent us a powerful letter about his journey to treatment for depression and anxiety, and we invited him on the show to tell us his story of diagnosis, taking medications, hitting “rock-bottom”, almost losing everything important to him, and learning that mental health carries a stigma that needs to be recognized and changed by society. If you or a loved one has been struggling with depression or anxiety, and has resisted getting help because they’re afraid or don’t feel like they need it, this show is a must-listen. Be a part of the show by sending your Tell Us One Thing questions, feedback, and requests for advice to [email protected]. Slash Moo, everybody!

Website: http://taurenthinktank.com

Patreon site: http://patreon.com/taurenthinktank

Twitter: @TaurenThinkTank

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taurenthinktank

Discord server:  http://tinyurl.com/tttchat2

We’re back with weird weather, trying for some new challenges in our lives, and wiping the raid at 0%? Our Discussion question: I’m a high school senior, and my dad feels I should have a work ethic like his. He wants me to get a more labor intensive job so I can learn what hard work is, and make sure I work full-time in school so I don’t have debt coming out of college. He doesn’t understand that I use gaming to relax and I’m constantly on edge because of his threats to take my computer away if I don’t do what he asks. What can do I do? Be a part of the show by sending your Tell Us One Thing questions, feedback, and requests for advice to [email protected]. Slash Moo, everybody!

Website: http://taurenthinktank.com

Patreon site: http://patreon.com/taurenthinktank

Twitter: @TaurenThinkTank

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taurenthinktank

Discord server:  http://tinyurl.com/tttchat2

We start out our first show of 2017 with some real talk and real discoveries on our own life journeys. Our Discussion question: I feel like I don’t fit in. Non-nerdy people don’t get me and I don’t feel nerdy enough for nerdy people. I love being around people, but I’m paranoid and fearful I’ll say something wrong. What can I do? Be a part of the show by sending your Tell Us One Thing questions, feedback, and requests for advice to [email protected]. Slash Moo, everybody!

Website: http://taurenthinktank.com

Patreon site: http://patreon.com/taurenthinktank

Twitter: @TaurenThinkTank

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taurenthinktank

Discord server:  http://tinyurl.com/tttchat2

It’s our last show of 2016, and we start it off right with our annual Holiday parody song reveal. This year, we lament “The 12 Pains of Legion” and we hope you enjoy! Our Discussion question: a quote by Stephen McCranie, cartoonist and writer of comic essays about creativity: “The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.” What does this mean to us, and what does it mean as we step out of 2016 into a new year? Be a part of the show by sending your Tell Us One Thing questions, feedback, and requests for advice to [email protected]. Slash Moo, everybody!

Website: http://taurenthinktank.com

Patreon site: http://patreon.com/taurenthinktank

Twitter: @TaurenThinkTank

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taurenthinktank

Discord server:  http://tinyurl.com/tttchat2

It’s been a busy week of travel, and making travel plans for PAX South - we’re speaking again in 2017! Our Think Tank Question: I’m the main caretaker for my dad as he’s going through chemotherapy, and the stress is causing me to have meltdowns and panic attacks. My siblings aren’t helping and I really want their support. How can I manage my stress, help my dad cheer up, and get my siblings more involved in helping out? Be a part of the show by sending your Tell Us One Thing questions, feedback, and requests for advice to [email protected]. Slash Moo, everybody!

Website: http://taurenthinktank.com

Patreon site: http://patreon.com/taurenthinktank

Twitter: @TaurenThinkTank

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taurenthinktank

Discord server:  http://tinyurl.com/tttchat2

Marconin has the holiday tireds, and Jules has been busy with meetups and shows! Our Think Tank Question: I just adopted two cats, a 6 week old kitten and young adult cat. The kitten is completely full of energy and a terror to me and the two other cats in my house. I’m losing sleep and I don’t know what to do with her. Please help! Be a part of the show by sending your Tell Us One Thing questions, feedback, and requests for advice to [email protected]. Slash Moo, everybody!

Patreon site: http://patreon.com/taurenthinktank

Twitter: @TaurenThinkTank

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taurenthinktank

Discord server:  http://tinyurl.com/tttchat2