AwesomeCast 720: Barnes & Noble’s Comeback, Retro Gaming & NASA’s Space Chat

This week’s episode brought to you by Indy Wrestling US, Slice on Broadway, Sidekick Media Services and listeners like you at www.Patreon.com/AwesomeCast In this special solo episode of AwesomeCast, Sorg dives into trending tech topics, social media trends, and gaming nostalgia while testing his chops at keeping the podcast feed alive—just as he teaches in his Point Park University podcasting class! 🚀 🔹 Featured Topics & Tech News: • #WorldTalk & TikTok Trends 🌍 • Exploring the #WorldTalk trend, which highlights global perspectives on TikTok as U.S. regulations fluctuate. • How TikTok content changes when certain audiences are restricted. • Why diversifying your algorithm with non-U.S. content can give new insights into world events. • #BookTok & Barnes & Noble’s Expansion 📚 • The TikTok-fueled resurgence of bookstores, leading Barnes & Noble to open 60 new locations in 2024. • How BookTok has created viral book sales and fueled the rebirth of physical bookshops. • The collision of old-school bookstores and new-age social media influencers. 🔹 Gadget & Gaming Nostalgia: • NFL Blitz 2002 on GameCube 🕹 • Super Bowl-inspired gaming session with classic NFL Blitz on Nintendo GameCube. • The joy of arcade-style football games vs. hyper-realistic Madden gameplay. • The best vintage sports games to revisit today: NHL Hitz, MLB Slugfest, and NBA Jam. • Game History Archives – A Goldmine for Retro Gamers 🎮 • A deep dive into archive.gamehistory.org, where gamers can access old gaming magazines, press kits, and concept art from legendary gaming eras. • The evolution of Xbox – A look at early 2000s speculation on Microsoft’s first console. • Bleem! Emulator nostalgia – The long-forgotten software that let gamers play PlayStation 1 titles on PC with upgraded graphics. 🔹 Tech & Science: • NASA Twitch Stream from Space 🚀 • NASA is launching an interactive Twitch stream, where astronauts will chat LIVE from the International Space Station. • How NASA is using Twitch for STEM engagement and inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts. 💡 Bonus Discussions: • The mysterious TikTok algorithm shift and why Facebook may be influencing your For You page. • Reflections on hosting solo vs. with guests and what makes for a dynamic podcast. 📢 Links & Resources Mentioned: • BookTok Impact on Barnes & Noble 📖: Axios Report • Game History Archives 🎮: Game History Foundation • NASA Twitch Stream 🚀: NASA’s Official Twitch Subscribe to the Podcast: awesomecast.com Sorgatron Media Podcast Network Feed: sorgatronmedia.fireside.fm Join our AwesomeCast Facebook Group to see what we’re sharing and to join the discussion! You can support the show at Patreon.com/awesomecast! Special Thanks to kidmental for the new AwesomeCast Sounds! Visit him at www.kidmental.com