Best Virtual Sampling Podcasts (2025)

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Solo Quest 001: Video Games Are Education in Disguise 21:00

Play Pause

3h ago21:00

21:00

Send us a text The boundaries between education and entertainment blur as Dr. Daniel Kaufmann (Dr. Gameology) takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the cognitive benefits of gaming in this premiere episode of Solo Quest. Drawing from his extensive background as a clinical psychologist and passionate gamer, Dr. Kaufmann introduces us to th…

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How Small Studios Deliver Big Experiences: The Hollow Knight Phenomenon 51:32

6d ago51:32

51:32

Send us a text The Gaming Persona crew explores the stark contrast between $20 indie games like Hollow Knight Silksong breaking Steam records while many $70 AAA titles struggle to deliver comparable experiences. Marcus shares his unexpected journey from organizing pickup hockey games to being offered a position managing ice rinks, highlighting how …

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Digital Journeys That Changed Us Forever 59:43

13d ago59:43

59:43

Send us a text MarcusB814 and Dr. Gameology discuss how certain video games can profoundly impact players psychologically, creating lasting emotional impressions and sometimes even changing how we view the world. • Hollow Knight: Silksong release briefly crashed Steam, sparking a discussion about "2D Dark Souls" games and gaming settings • Marcus u…

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Triscuits and Destiny: Sampling Everything Games Can Be 43:27

20d ago43:27

43:27

Send us a text Dr. Gamology, Doritos, and Marcus explore the psychological motivations behind gaming and how our digital personas reflect our real-world needs and desires. • Why we play games: socialization, escapism, stress relief, and validation • The concept of psychological flow and how it explains gaming enjoyment • How content vaulting and fr…

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Gaming Identities & Character Creation 33:14

1M ago33:14

33:14

Send us a text We explore the fascinating psychology behind who we become when playing games, from character creation choices to gameplay styles and completionist tendencies. • Character creation preferences vary significantly between players – some create mirror images of themselves while others prefer to play as characters completely different fr…

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Why We Still Pay for Games That Don't Exist Yet 33:23

1M ago33:23

33:23

Send us a text We dive into the evolving landscape of video game pre-orders and whether they still make sense in 2025 when digital downloads have replaced physical copies and day-one patches have become standard. • Discussion of nostalgic midnight release events at GameStop versus today's digital pre-order incentives • Exploration of cosmetic pre-o…

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The Sacrifice of Play 46:15

2M ago46:15

46:15

Send us a text Gaming becomes a reflection of who we are as we explore the digital personas we adopt in different games. We dive into the games currently captivating us and why they hold such personal significance. • The Nintendo Wii as possibly the most revolutionary gaming system ever created • How the Wii changed the way people interact with gam…

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From Pixels to People: How Nostalgia Shapes Our Gaming Identity 50:21

2M ago50:21

50:21

Send us a text Dr. Gamology, Marcus, and Doritos explore the powerful nostalgia of the games that shaped them and reflect on dramatic graphical evolution from early pixels to modern photorealism. They examine how gaming experiences from childhood created lasting preferences and identities. • Marcus shares how NHL hockey games on Super Nintendo fost…

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Game Mechanics or Shopping Mall? The Fortnite Conundrum 59:11

2M ago59:11

59:11

Send us a text Three gaming enthusiasts dive deep into what makes certain games addiction machines while leaving others abandoned after mere hours of play. We explore the psychology behind our gaming habits and debate whether microtransactions should be considered legitimate game mechanics or just economic exploitation. • Fortnite as a "shopping ma…

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Rage Quits and Refunds: When Games Just Aren't Worth It (Nightreign Edition) 55:56

3M ago55:56

55:56

Send us a text Breaking free from the constraints of desk-bound gaming, this episode explores how the Steam Deck is revolutionizing gaming accessibility for busy adults. Marcus details his journey selecting the perfect portable gaming device, ultimately choosing the Steam Deck for its impressive library compatibility and performance. The freedom to…

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Through Victory, My Gaming Chains Are Broken 45:36

4M ago45:36

45:36

Send us a text Dr. Gamology and Marcus explore the struggle of maintaining gaming backlogs as busy adults with competing priorities, reflecting on how they've adapted their gaming habits to fit limited available time. • Discussing the tension between wanting new games and having no time to play them • Finding that most adult gaming happens during s…

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Parrying Life's Challenges: From Expedition 33 to Writing Books 47:12

4M ago47:12

47:12

Send us a text Dr. Gamology and Marcus explore how gaming challenges parallel real-life growth, examining what our digital personas reveal about psychological development and personal identity. • Comparing the difficulty of Expedition 33's perfect parry system to the challenge of writing and editing a book • The psychology behind the "I've got this…

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Behind Every Victory Screen: The Emotional Journey of Mastering Difficult Games 1:02:48

5M ago1:02:48

1:02:48

Send us a text MarcusB814 and Dr. Gameology dive deep into the emotional highs of conquering difficult games, specifically the journey to becoming Elden Lord after two years. They explore how different game styles create unique psychological experiences and why certain victories feel so meaningful. • MarcusB814 shares his emotional reaction to fina…

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When Difficult Games Teach Us About Life's Challenges 1:17:13

5M ago1:17:13

1:17:13

Send us a text The Gaming Persona podcast explores the intersection of gaming difficulty, life lessons, and personal growth through a wide-ranging conversation about current gaming experiences and wrestling entertainment. •The Gamer's Journey is the WINNER of the Psychology Category at the International Impact Book Awards for April 2025!!! •Reflect…

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Offices and Controllers: Finding Our Home in Gaming 47:59

5M ago47:59

47:59

Send us a text MarcusB814 and Dr. Gameology explore the connections between gaming interfaces, personal spaces, and what motivates us as gamers during their most introspective episode yet. Their conversation weaves through controller preferences, creating ideal gaming environments, and finding inspiration in unexpected places. • Marcus tries Fortni…

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Starting a Fitness Brand from the Ground Up with Aprille Moyster 46:23

5M ago46:23

46:23

Host Heather Zager interviews Aprille Moyster, creator of FitUWrap, about her journey from having an idea right through to manufacturing. Aprille’s idea for FitUWrap came from personal need. As a runner, she wanted a way to keep her phone from slipping out of her hand while she ran and couldn’t find anything on the market that worked. So she made i…

1
WrestleMania Week Gets the Gaming Persona Treatment 53:28

5M ago53:28

53:28

Send us a text Dr. Gamology and Marcus dive into the intersection of gaming and wrestling during WrestleMania week, exploring how wrestling has shaped their gaming mindsets and personal growth journeys. • Dr. Gamology reveals how he subtly incorporated Triple H's entrance theme philosophy into his book "The Gamer's Journey" • Both hosts share forma…

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Gaming Backlogs & Broken Chains 1:02:28

5M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

Send us a text MarcusB814 and Dr. Gameology explore the psychological connections we form with video games and how our gaming habits reflect our personalities. • Gaming setups and workflow with discussion of Lenovo's Yoga Book laptop for mixing gaming and productivity • Trophy hunting in games like Journey, Heavy Rain, and Bioshock, and what these …

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Starting your own Brand with William Hardcastle of WannaHug 23:40

5M ago23:40

23:40

Host Heather Zager interviews MADE client and brand entrepreneur William Hardcastle of WannaHug. WannaHug is a clothing line that aims to help every customer make a difference in someone’s life. Every garment purchased allows the customer to select another garment to donate at no extra cost. William talks with Heather about where the inspiration fo…

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Finding Your Gaming Time Is Just as Important as Finding Your Professional Time 56:34

6M ago56:34

56:34

Send us a text We dive into the pricing controversy of the Nintendo Switch 2 and debate whether $80 games are excessive or simply keeping up with inflation. Marcus shares his exciting progress in Elden Ring, reaching Crumbling Farum Azula after defeating the Fire Giant. • Nintendo Switch 2 announced at $450 standalone or $499 with Mario Kart World …

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The Struggles and Joys of Navigating Virtual Worlds 52:25

6M ago52:25

52:25

Send us a text Dr. Gamology and Marcus explore the profound relationship between our gaming habits and our authentic selves, revealing how the way we approach virtual challenges mirrors our approach to life itself. • Different gaming personalities: methodical completionists versus spontaneous explorers • Elden Ring boss battles as metaphors for per…

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When Games Were Just Games: The Lost Art of Play Without Pressure 52:14

6M ago52:14

52:14

Send us a text We explore why old games are being played more than new AAA titles, diving into nostalgia, content creation pressures, and the psychological appeal of returning to simpler gaming experiences. • The therapeutic effect of watching others play retro games like Tetris and Mega Man • How streaming transforms gaming from personal enjoyment…

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Wrestling with Digital Identities: Moral Storytelling & WWE 2K25 46:42

7M ago46:42

46:42

Send us a text Dr. Gamology and Marcus dive into the psychology of gaming personas, exploring how the characters we play reflect aspects of our true selves. They share excitement about WWE 2K25's new MMO-style island feature and discuss how professional wrestling storytelling mirrors character development in games. • WWE 2K25's innovative MMO-style…

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What Happens When Your Channel Hits the Front Page? 40:43

7M ago40:43

40:43

Send us a text An inspiring journey awaits as we explore the profound impact of gaming and streaming on personal growth with Dr. Gamology. He shares his exhilarating experience of appearing on the Twitch homepage and how it elevated his streaming career. - Dr. Gamology recounts his featured day on Twitch and its implications - Exploring the interpl…

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Elden Ring Tears: The Thrill of Defeat and Victory 1:02:22

7M ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Send us a text Engaging in the emotional and psychological depths of gaming, this episode reflects on how titles like "Elden Ring" can transform our approach to resilience and personal growth. We share insights on the game's unique mechanics, character choices, and captivating quests that resonate deeply with players. • Exploring personal growth th…

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A Nostalgic Journey through Fighting Games and Life Lessons 43:02

7M ago43:02

43:02

Send us a text This episode explores the intersection of fighting games and personal growth, delving into the nostalgic experiences that shaped our understanding of skill and competition. Through discussions of iconic games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, we reflect on the valuable life lessons learned through gameplay and the significance o…

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Doc is a Twitch Partner!!!! - A Gamer's Path to Community and Success 58:09

8M ago58:09

58:09

Send us a text Our podcast dives deep into the world of gaming, focusing on how it shapes our identities and personal growth. We explore the connections between gameplay experiences and the life lessons that emerge, highlighting Doc’s journey to becoming a Twitch partner and Marcus's engagement with new gaming adventures. • Discussing Marcus' recen…

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Link's Legacy and Our Own Heroic Journeys 1:03:34

8M ago1:03:34

1:03:34

Send us a text This episode explores the impact of 'The Legend of Zelda' on personal identity and societal themes such as courage, wisdom, and power, represented by the Triforce. The hosts delve into character evolution, psychological connections, and the franchise's cultural significance while also discussing gameplay experiences and the importanc…

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Rediscovering Final Fantasy Through Personal Adventures 1:00:53

8M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

Send us a text Imagine facing a seemingly insurmountable gaming challenge, only to find victory through a fresh perspective. That's exactly what happened to MarcusB814 in our latest episode of the Gaming Persona Podcast, where he takes us on his triumphant journey back into Elden Ring. Meanwhile, Dr. Gameology finds himself engrossed in the mesmeri…

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A Journey Through Genres and Consoles 56:42

9M ago56:42

56:42

Send us a text This episode explores the psychological significance of game genres, revealing how our preferences mirror our identities as gamers. From the endless adventures of MMOs to the leveling experiences in RPGs, we discover how gaming cultivates both social connections and personal growth. • Introduction of the Gaming Persona Podcast and ho…

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Fall 2024: Vaporwave News + Best of 2024 Pt. 1 (Ep. 18) 1:02:12

9M ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Hello and Welcome to the Vaporwave News Network: a podcast about the contemporary Vaporwave Scene. We feature news, discussion and current trends as well as reporting on releases and events in the Vaporwave, Future Funk and adjacent communities. This is Episode 18, covering Fall 2024! We’re featuring picks from friends and curators in the scene for…

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Summer 2024: Abandoned Episode + Vaporwave History (Ep. 17) 50:35

11M ago50:35

50:35

Hello and Welcome to the Vaporwave News Network: a podcast about the contemporary Vaporwave Scene. We feature news, discussion and current trends as well as reporting on releases and events in the Vaporwave, Future Funk and adjacent communities. This is Episode 17, (sorta) covering Summer 2024! This episode was almost abandoned but we’ve resurrecte…

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Mastering Your Social Media Presence with Rebecca Scott 29:58

12M ago29:58

29:58

Host Heather Zager interviews social media strategist Rebecca Scott about all things social media, including how often to post, where to post, and how much time business owners should spend on the task. Rebecca shares practical tips to help entrepreneurs improve their social media strategy, starting by identifying their ideal customers and choosing…

1
Tips for Production 12:15

1y ago12:15

12:15

Host Heather Zager shares valuable insights for new and small brands looking to simplify their manufacturing process to save time and money. She emphasizes the importance of narrowing down design options to keep costs reasonable and avoid overwhelming inventory numbers. Heather suggests starting with one design in a size range with limited colors t…

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Tech Pack, Spec Sheets and Patterns (oh my!) 14:21

1y ago14:21

14:21

Host Heather Zager talks all about tech packs, spec sheets, and patterns in today’s episode. She explains the differences between each one and the function each one performs. A spec sheet is short for a specification sheet. The single difference between it and a tech pack is that a spec sheet is just one page. A tech pack - or technical package or …

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Preparing for Manufacture 21:26

1y ago21:26

21:26

Host Heather Zager talks about manufacture in this final episode of her four-part series called Concept to Customer. This is the fourth of the most common areas of confusion or misunderstanding among new designers, areas that Heather wants to demystify. Having already covered design concepting, material sourcing, and size and fit, she now discusses…

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Size and Fit 18:29

1y ago18:29

18:29

Host Heather Zager talks about size and fit in this third of her four-part series called Concept to Customer. She explains exactly what fit and size are, technically speaking, and what they should mean to a garment and the customer wearing said garment. Historical context and a modern-day leaning towards vanity sizing are also addressed in Heather’…

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Apparel Manufacture with Kyla from Lefty Production Co. 46:41

1y ago46:41

46:41

Heather Zager talks about all the questions new designers have about getting to manufacture with guest Kyla Sayre. Kyla is the Director of Business Development for Lefty Production Company and Stitch Texas. While Kyla has been in her current role for roughly four years, she’s been in the industry for ten years and has experience in many different a…

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Fabric Supplying with Jay Arbetman of The Sourcing District 47:05

1y ago47:05

47:05

Host Heather Zager welcomes Jay Arbetman, owner of The Sourcing District, a fabric and textile products sales agency, to the show to talk in-depth about fabric supply. Jay was, as he says, born into the industry. He started working in the family business - coat manufacturing in the Chicago area - at age 14 and has been in the fabric business ever s…

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Material Sourcing 22:55

1y ago22:55

22:55

Heather Zager discusses the second topic in her four-part series called Concept to Customer in this episode. In the first episode she introduced us to design concepting and today she talks about material sourcing. She explains the foundation of fabrics and how they are made, differentiating between natural and man-made fibers as well as how fibers …

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Building Your First E-Commerce Website with Blockbeta 34:11

1y ago34:11

34:11

Host Heather Zager welcomes Robbin Block, the Creative Marketing Strategist at Blockbeta Marketing, to the show to explain the ins and outs of building an e-commerce website. Robbin has an MBA from Boston University and a BA in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany, and through her more than 30 years in the industry, she knows e…

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Steps to Success in Apparel Manufacturing with Satsuma Designs 29:03

1y ago29:03

29:03

Host Heather Zager welcomes Jennifer Porter, the owner and operator of Satsuma Designs out of Seattle, to the show to talk about the different types of manufacture and what the manufacturing process entails. Jennifer has been in the business for twenty years and through that experience walks listeners through how to prepare for manufacture and addr…

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Design Concepting 18:49

1y ago18:49

18:49

Host Heather Zager welcomes listeners to the inaugural episode of the MADE Apparel Services Podcast. Heather started the podcast to offer tips, tricks, and advice on getting a sewn product idea into development and manufacture. Today she begins a four-part series called Concept to Customer and explains the first step, design concepting boards. Desi…

1
The Fallout Series: From Pixels to TV Screens 41:49

1+ y ago41:49

41:49

Send us a text How do video game adaptations shape our identities and serve as modern-day myths? Join Dr. Gameology and Jenny LeBron on the Gaming Persona Podcast as we unravel the impact of gaming on who we become. This episode kicks off with updates from our recent gaming escapades. Jenny dives deep into her thrilling adventures with "Legends of …

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April & Early May 2024: News & Reviews + Vaporwave History (Ep. 16) 41:16

1+ y ago41:16

41:16

Hello and Welcome to the Vaporwave News Network: a podcast about the contemporary Vaporwave Scene. We feature news, discussion and current trends as well as reporting on releases and events in the Vaporwave, Future Funk and adjacent communities. This is Episode 16, covering April & Early May 2024! It’s been one year since the podcast started but we…

1
Powering Through Life's Quests with Lessons from the Gaming Universe 25:24

1+ y ago25:24

25:24

Send us a text Life's a game, and we're all players—sometimes leveling up, sometimes facing the final boss in the form of daily challenges. That's the essence we're exploring today, as I recount the rollercoaster of moving into a new home, creating a sanctuary for my gaming passion, and grappling with the bittersweet symphony of Final Fantasy VII's…

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March 2024 - (A History of) Sample-Free Vaporwave + News & Reviews (Ep. 15) 54:48

1+ y ago54:48

54:48

Hello and Welcome to the Vaporwave News Network: a podcast about the contemporary Vaporwave Scene. We feature news, discussion and current trends as well as reporting on releases and events in the Vaporwave, Future Funk and adjacent communities. This is Episode 15, covering March 2024 and recapping what’s new for the spring! In our main topic, we’r…

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More Final Fantasy Talk (part 3) 49:18

1+ y ago49:18

49:18

Send us a text Ever wondered how the virtual worlds we immerse ourselves in can shape our minds and behaviors? Join us this as week while we navigate the labyrinthine connections between psychology and gaming. We're returning from a hiatus with renewed vigor, and despite a few production snags, we're here to unpack the psychological intricacies tha…

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Final Fantasy VII: Why This Game Matters So Much 58:40

1+ y ago58:40

58:40

Send us a text Discover the profound legacy of Final Fantasy VII as we journey into the heart of its groundbreaking narrative and innovations that shaped the gaming industry. This week on the Gaming Persona podcast, we dissect the complex themes and emotional depth of a game that goes beyond entertainment, exploring the moral dilemmas faced by its …

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January 2024 - The Decay of Music Media, Pitchfork & Tiny Mix Tapes + News & Reviews (Ep. 14) 1:04:48

1+ y ago1:04:48

1:04:48

Hello and Welcome to the Vaporwave News Network: a podcast about the contemporary Vaporwave Scene. We feature news, discussion and current trends as well as reporting on releases and events in the Vaporwave, Future Funk and adjacent communities. This is Episode 14, covering January 2024 and recapping what’s been happening in the first month of the …