Best Astravoid Podcasts (2025)

1
Special Guest Victoria Recchione 33:53

2M ago33:53

33:53

In this episode, we dive into the world of cosplay, fitness, and perseverance with seasoned cosplayer and fitness enthusiast Victoria Ricchione! From her steampunk-inspired beginnings at Dragon Con 2012 to her elite training with the Adelphi, Victoria’s journey is a testament to dedication, creativity, and resilience. 🔹 Cosplay as an Art Form: How …

1
Balance Within Featuring Anthony Cosjitsu 1:01:17

2M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

Welcome to Season 6 of the Healing from Cosplay podcast! 🎭✨ We're back after a long pause season premiere, host ScottyB welcomes back Anthony Cosjitsu to discuss his incredible year filled with personal milestones and cosplay adventures. 🔹 Big Life Updates: Anthony shares the heartwarming story of his engagement to @Liza_Bean, their romantic propos…

1
Gem Beauty Makeup 1:02:19

1+ y ago1:02:19

1:02:19

A distinct style, and a wonder to the industry, we're talking with Gem Beauty in this special Christmas Episode! Gem came prepared and shares some of her insights into makeup as a professional effects and makeup artist. Her creations are one of a kind, and we get into a lot of tips, tricks, and her insight into creating a look for any Cosplay. You'…

1
Balance the Darkside 43:49

1+ y ago43:49

43:49

Cosplay has its dark side - believe me. And if you don't, then in today's episode, you can hear it from Anthony Cosjitsu, as he returns to chat with me all about the depths that some go to inside of the community. Cosplay is and should be a positive space, but we know that with anything there can excess, anxiety, competition, cancel culture, and po…

1
Take These Steps - Season Finale 16:09

1+ y ago16:09

16:09

There are steps you can take in Cosplay, or anywhere. I'll take the time in this season ending episode (at least, standard episodes coming out regularly), to tell you what my process is. - Decide on the thing in one of the areas you’re working to fix, my 5 are Environment, Physical and Mental well-being, Finance, and Relationships. - Write down the…

1
FOCUS is a cliché, but it does work. 9:21

1+ y ago9:21

9:21

Follow One Course Until Success. Stay the course – small corrections as you learn, but you do learn, and you can see results – giving up is the only issue – but if you agreed to the ‘what is it going to take’ part, then you’re in charge of when you quit. Find us online: https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary.com/ Find the Sanctuary on Social: With Co…

1
Doing Hard S**t 8:47

1+ y ago8:47

8:47

The hard things we do – belief, consistency, skill building, failing, improving, and having a very solid goal will always pay off in some way. Difficulties do not need to be avoided in order to have a happy Cosplay life. Find us online: https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary.com/ Find the Sanctuary on Social: With Co-Host @astravoidcosplay Follow Her…

1
Advice on What People Pay You For 12:12

1+ y ago12:12

12:12

Selling yourself as the product to a fan is unsustainable and only works short term – you create more anti-fans in the process – focus on what’s sustainable – keep your distance if this is what you want. It doesn’t scale like a product or service would – make the thing – video series, book, mass produce patterns, entertain, but don’t sell friendshi…

1
Personality is an Easy Sell 7:49

1+ y ago7:49

7:49

Just because you exist, doesn’t mean anyone owes you and it really isn’t a good reason to pay you – skills, knowledge, experience, expertise – sell that and use your personality to sell it. Chose ethical money making – coning people, pandering to likes, feigning interest and leaning into obsession – all dangerous. There is inside the community a sl…

1
Becoming What You Hate 7:51

1+ y ago7:51

7:51

Remember, you started this because you wanted to be with the people, not high above them – celebrities never interact, and when they do we go crazy – but this isn’t how it should be for us in Cosplay – we’re not Hollywood Actors... Non-response, never interacting – it’s not social – if it’s just to talk about the next thing you’re doing and you ign…

1
Avoid the Main Cosplay Traps 11:32

1+ y ago11:32

11:32

There are a few Cosplay traps that we haven't talked about yet - more to do with cosplayers supporting cosplayers or those outside of the community who think they're doing the right thing by over-extending themselves to buy other people Cosplays. Do not become a “Fan” and carry a torch – have friends, collabs, but do not de-value yourself into havi…

1
Do Not Set Traps 9:30

1+ y ago9:30

9:30

Do not go to Cons just to con people. Do not hustle to see what you can get for free. Diminishing the community, your value, and only seeing others for what they make and how many followers they have reduces you. Avoid being the gatekeeper, or the cosplayer that bait and switches everyone for some personal issue that isn't being addressed within yo…

1
How Cosplay Traps You 6:31

1+ y ago6:31

6:31

The fame monster is real and cosplayers chase it. Eventually it traps you and you're just as stuck in your online world and it's customer service as you were when you were answering the phones at work and getting yelled at by customers. You begin to feel trapped. Staying relevant, getting validated, feeling the good and bad of it – dopamine either …

1
Authentically Fake 11:30

1+ y ago11:30

11:30

Avoid the authentically fake influencer, cosplayer, or person. Also, don't become this person. Selling and promoting the "fake" life on Instagram just leads to so many issues with yourself, with your following, and eventually - unless you have a PR department - it comes back to find you. You can't sustain a "fake" persona unless it's all you do and…

1
Cosplay at Face Value 10:05

1+ y ago10:05

10:05

Do you have Con Friends? The people that only talk to you because you go to conventions and might see them there with their other friends? They might talk to you online, but ONLY about cosplay and they seem like they'd not even bother with you if you weren't gaining followers week by week? Maybe they just want to use your platform to gain more Inst…

1
Everything in Cosplay is based in Fiction 9:46

1+ y ago9:46

9:46

We’re only showing so much of ourselves, and that self is based in fiction – graphics, effects, quotes – it’s all made up so that you like it. Going overboard with "fake" – beyond makeup into alteration for validation and so much lack of authenticity in just being what you THINK you have to be in order to gain attention. You use terms like 'higher …

1
Consequences of Keeping Your Job 13:22

1+ y ago13:22

13:22

Is there a downside to keeping your regular job when you gain some ground in the cosplay community? The short answer is yes, but there's just so much pressure to be in the space and be "the best" or rub elbows with celebrities, or get the best deals as an influencer with name brands. Whatever put that into your head, let's try and unpack it and hav…

1
It's OK to Have a Job AND Cosplay 8:55

1+ y ago8:55

8:55

Cosplay doesn’t need to be your full time thing – you don’t need to run a business small or otherwise - you can just enjoy being a cosplayer. Despite the online world and the pressure it places on you to make money as a cosplayer and an influencer, take a step back and think about how Cosplay can be fulfilling without being your full-time all-in ca…

1
Cosplayers and The 9 to 5 8:20

1+ y ago8:20

8:20

Being independent can make you really dependent. Everyone idealizes the "ditch the 9 to 5" without really telling you how hard things are to replace when you do. For someone starting out, it might be a little easier, but for all cosplayers - listen in before you decide that jumping out of the corporate life and into entrepreneurial dress up adventu…

1
Just Do Cosplay Less 12:51

1+ y ago12:51

12:51

There’s a difference between laziness and doing less – create space for creative ideas and projects. When you're just rushing and freaking out to get more content up to produce more reactions, you're not in a very creative space. Pick your battles and focus your time – relax and do. It's not a race, and it's certainly not a rush. Never feel like yo…

1
The Productivity Trap 13:51

1+ y ago13:51

13:51

Time is your most precious resource – don’t waste it just to increase metrics. Being productive is great, but is it always necessary and what good is always checking off boxes if the boxes being checked don't move you towards anything. You just keep treading water in the Cosplay world. Find us online: https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary.com/ Find …

1
Do Less More Often, Cosplayer 9:52

1+ y ago9:52

9:52

Just keeping busy isn’t the answer. Constant scrolling, fear of sitting still, fear of being passed up or passed by or just...in the past - obsolete seems to wear on us as adult cosplayers. You can actually do a lot less and receive far greater gains and productivity out of what you do. The problem is that when you constantly push and grind, you're…

1
Get Off The Soapbox 12:55

1+ y ago12:55

12:55

You can have an opinion, but if it’s not part of what your brand is about, then…it needs it’s own space. Don’t hide behind the causes and injustices. Save your energy for the battles that matter, not an ongoing never ending battle against ideas. Listen in and see if what we're talking about today is a soapbox in and of itself. Find us online: https…

1
Is This Why You Built Your Platform? 12:25

1+ y ago12:25

12:25

The confusion about sales and marketing online and inside cosplay can lead to More followers – more justification – more arguing – more deciding who is right and who is wrong. It can get really political and have nothing to do with Cosplay at all - it can have a lot more to do with gaining ground on a free to use platform (mostly...free to use). To…

1
Everyone Online Has an Opinion 8:04

1+ y ago8:04

8:04

Cosplayers get on soapboxes. It happens. Cancel culture – you’re against it…so why are you on a soapbox? In this episode, we're going to talk about Cosplayers getting outside of cosplay and using their platform to discuss topics for which they may or may not have much information and facts to discuss, but form an opinion and use their following to …

1
Disciplined Approach to Cosplay 9:40

1+ y ago9:40

9:40

There's a method and a formula to making your budget work for Cosplay. There is a definite discipline when looking to invest into yourself and into Cosplay. It's an expense. It's not always necessary to gain something or break even on a Cosplay hobby, but one thing you do not want to do is go into debt just to try and compete with the mainstream co…

1
Cosplay Economics 13:34

1+ y ago13:34

13:34

Anyone? Anyone? Cosplay Economics. The rising costs of well...everything...have made it more difficult than ever to break in and create anything in the maker space. Our hobbies are usually the first thing to go. Let's break from that mindset and see exactly what you need to do to scale, maintain, and work towards the most important return there is …

1
The Most Expensive Hobby Ever 8:40

1+ y ago8:40

8:40

Cosplay is expensive in every way – it takes its toll on YOU, not just your finances! We spend on so much just to learn how to do something that makes our need to dress up like our favorite fandom come true. Of course we don't stop there - it's a whole platform and feels a lot like a business, being in the public eye, an influencer, a creator, and …

1
Special Guest McHeretic 18:49

1+ y ago18:49

18:49

Today, we're talking with McHeretic, and sharing many of her amazing talents. Active in the cosplay community, she's created many award-winning and impressive builds in many fandoms and been recognized in trade magazines and by the industry on many occasions. We're happy to have her on the show to share her origin story and everything she's been wo…

1
Q&A with Sam Syndulla 55:54

1+ y ago55:54

55:54

We're excited to have Sam back on the show! Join us today for a very special Ask Me Anything where we dive into many cosplay topics with Sam, talk about validation, Star Wars, and everything that you wanted to know! Thanks so much to everyone that sent their questions in. We did our best to give you a shout out and Sam gave her best in answering ev…

1
Staying Relevant After AI 9:23

1+ y ago9:23

9:23

AI has a chance to take over the online space, and render all of us creators obsolete. We can use tools to enhance our platform, and there are some really awesome solutions coming our way. The trouble is, being stubborn, and rejecting the changes could lead to becoming irrelevant in a space that wants to jump to the cutting edge to get more and mor…

1
Digital Cosplay and ChatGPT 8:39

1+ y ago8:39

8:39

Are we reaching a time when AI will replace cosplayers in the digital space? Can you be replaced by a computer that can produce content faster, appealing to more people, cheaper, and without any real cost? That's what we're talking about in today's episode. There's nothing to fear - AI can do many things, but the maker space looks to be here to sta…

1
ChatGPT : Singularity 5:52

1+ y ago5:52

5:52

Has ChatGPT taken over for Cosplay? It can certainly be helpful. It can do a lot of the thinking for you. Many say it is dangerous and progressing at a pace we can't comprehend. AI is here to stay, Cosplay. This week we're exploring the benefits of using AI as a cosplayer and what you may still want to avoid or think about in the future as tools li…

1
Regaining Balance 53:03

1+ y ago53:03

53:03

We are back in this episode with Anthony Cosjitsu covering many of our favorite things. Today's focus is on how to balance your group photoshoot. There's A LOT that goes into bringing together a group of Cosplayers to focus on a major shoot and many aspects that you might not have through about. Arranging a shoot for you or for a team-up can be eas…

1
On to the Next Thing 11:53

1+ y ago11:53

11:53

To new ideas – it’s ok to have them – the older kids don’t have to relate to what's coming out. Remember when your parents didn't want anything to do with the new "whatever it is" that was playing in a commercial during your favorite cartoon? Being relatable, authentic, and true to yourself - it's what there is inside of Cosplay. Pick what resonate…

1
Nostalgia Sells in Cosplay 10:44

1+ y ago10:44

10:44

Remember when – all the things you grew up with...they’re still selling it to you. You're still buying all the things that you enjoyed as a child. Still. You can get something that plays Atari games. You can buy models and replicas of your favorite cartoons from your earliest days. You can feel all the feels and connection and buy everything all ov…

1
Cosplayable Characters 6:49

1+ y ago6:49

6:49

Sometimes the main characters aren’t the Cosplayable ones – it’s those with impact – visually, in the story – this is storytelling. This is the industry using different ways to market to you something that you can find obscure in the fandom and embrace it. Often the Cosplayable characters in a movie or fandom aren't those the fandom is known for - …

1
The Cure for Cosplay 11:23

1+ y ago11:23

11:23

How do I validate my being in the Cosplay space, and do I? External validation will drive you crazy. Trying to manifest what you want will drive you crazy, because at it's core, it's a form or external validation - you're looking for an outside source and you're trying to will it into existence. Instead, work on what you want to because it gives yo…

1
Really a Doctor, and Really is Strange 10:41

1+ y ago10:41

10:41

Costume designers aren't movie directors. They're not writers. They aren't movie stars. Why would you spend thousands or more on production here or anywhere else with no return on what you do? Just a few views? Where's the actual income and are you checking into that if that's what you really want. Find us online: https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctua…

1
Journey into Cosplay Madness 13:28

1+ y ago13:28

13:28

Marketing ourselves is insane in terms of Cosplay or anything else . Losing control, going off the rails, stress over nothing - anxiety over views and metrics for what we put online with no budget, no production team, and no real understanding of media or production. Find us online: https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary.com/ Find the Sanctuary on So…

1
Cosplay Judgement Day 15:21

1+ y ago15:21

15:21

To Judgement and never applying it in any Cosplay context whatsoever. We do actually judge cosplayers. Not in a sense that they're not allowed to cosplay, but in the sense that we compare ourselves to others, that we want more for ourselves than we do others, and that we feel like we're not enough because of all the models and actors in the space o…

1
Mass Hysteria 15:43

1+ y ago15:43

15:43

We're talking about gatekeepers and keymasters in Cosplay in this episode. There's a lot of it - A LOT. It can keep you down if you let it. With the Ghostbusters theme this week, is Cosplay really just mass hysteria? All the hype and pushing so hard to stay relevant online - all the constant content and contact with everyone online - liking and com…

1
"Who Ya Gonna Call?" 11:33

1+ y ago11:33

11:33

We're talking about the greatest movie about entrepreneurship ever made in 1984's Ghostbusters. In today's episode - Do you need anyone else? Is it easier in a team? You can be the 'beautiful, best, and the only' but know that it's ok to ask for help. This whole season will end with a special tribute to the Ghostbuster franchise with the 40th Anniv…

1
Is It Strange Not to Bother? 12:32

1+ y ago12:32

12:32

Stop following rules that don’t exist, like how many followers you need, how to get them, and why you have to fall in line with posts. Why did you decide that this was the only way for this to go? What unwritten rules are you following and why are you following them. Does anyone enforce the rules or is it really a free for all? Can we control the o…

1
Challenge the Need for a Following, Cosplayer 9:06

1+ y ago9:06

9:06

It’s just customer service you don’t get paid for. Why are we online to justify and argue? Opinion as fact. What kind of followers are you looking for and what’s the end goal? Popularity, money – know what you’re doing and why and then think about all the work you’re creating for yourself. There's a better way to create. There's more meaning than c…

1
Cosplayers are Slaves to Media 10:50

1+ y ago10:50

10:50

You're not free if you spend every waking moment trying to stay relevant online. You're not free if the income you generate with countless arguments with trolls, countless hours creating, being visible at Cons, setting up shoot after shoot after shoot, doesn't amount to anything more than paying for the next Cosplay. Break free. Avoid the traps. St…

1
The Strange Answer to Your Cosplay Problem 8:28

1+ y ago8:28

8:28

Don’t label your anxiety – give it space. Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t – nice thing about Cosplay – you control it Let's end the week with some conclusions into the subjects of productivity and anxious energy. Inside and outside of cosplay, do what truly makes you happy – look inside for this, not outside. Don’t look for what m…

1
Cosplay Anxiety 12:47

1+ y ago12:47

12:47

Destroy external validation – it’s fiction. That's it. That's the message for today's episode. Find us online: https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary.com/ Find the Sanctuary on Social: With Co-Host @astravoidcosplay Follow Her On Instagram & Join Her TikTok Community! https://linktr.ee/AstraVoidCosplay... Like, Comment, and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTub…

1
Cosplay Productivity 8:16

1+ y ago8:16

8:16

There’s a strong message to be “productive” all the time. Anxious energy versus relaxed energy Is Cosplay productive and does it have to be? How do you eliminate the anxiety of getting to your Cosplay and remove the productivity trap? Find us online: https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary.com/ Find the Sanctuary on Social: With Co-Host @astravoidcosp…

1
Bringing Balance to Cosplay 1:23:33

1+ y ago1:23:33

1:23:33

This is the kick off episode with my special guest Anthony Cosjitsu! We're trying out a different format and mix this Season as we get into Season 5 : Something Strange This mix and long form will be here on Fridays in the future - look for those with me and Anthony as we talk all things Cosplay, and everything surrounding it. We catch up, discuss …

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