Episode 79: Press Start to Join

Meet Josh Shenfield and Alan Techsmith, two prolific nerds who talk about video games, movies, TV, comics and "more geekery than you can shake a joystick at" on Press Start to Join. Like many podcasts, Press Start to Join began because friends who met in high school kept having interesting conversations and decided to put them on the internet. That was five years ago, and more than 160 episodes later, they have learned a lot, and are still having fun. Some episodes are deep dives into video game history (like this one on Tetris); some are live interviews (like this one they did at the Alberta Podcast Network launch party); most of the time, they cover the news of the day in geek circles.   In this episode, you'll hear a bit more about the technical process of doing the show (and how they have coped with technical difficulties); what they've learned about the various ways to monetize; the value of structure in their show; their inspirations and their aspirations; the special gratification of hearing from listeners; why watching people play video games is interesting; and more. When we recorded this episode, Press Start to Join had not yet joined the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB, but guess what? Now they are! Check out all of the new members.   Here are the recommendations that Josh and Alan made: Edmonton Nerd List, Kelly Froese's comprehensive list of all nerdy things in Edmonton, along with his YouTube channel; Kuuribro, a member of the Edmonton Twitch community; Northern Nerdcast, Dan Shessel and Chelsea Thompson's weekly conversation with fellow geeks, produced by Dan's wife Trina. You can find Press Start to Join at Apple Podcasts, Player FM and everywhere podcasts appear. They are also @ps2jshow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And they have a Patreon page. Many thanks to Castria for editing this podcast. You can find this show in CKUA’s app along with other members of the Alberta Podcast Network, and it is replayed on GRadio.ca. This episode of Seen and Heard in Edmonton is brought to you by the Edmonton Community Foundation, which acts as a bridge between donors and charities to help create a strong, vibrant community for generations to come. The foundation produces The Well Endowed Podcast, a monthly look at various stories that touch our community. The December episode has a very affecting interview on how the aftermath of the Fort McMurray fire is far from over; a check-in with the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre and the difference that the Social Enterprise Fund made there; and a look at the remarkable red panda breeding program at the Valley Zoo. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Google Play so you don’t miss an episode. This episode is also brought to you by ATB Financial, founding sponsor of the Alberta Podcast Network. In this episode, you'll hear me talk to my daughter Elizabeth about The Branch for Arts and Culture, a new way to serve creative Albertans and our province's cultural industries Learn more about this initiative, which is taking shape as we speak on the main floor of the CKUA building in Edmonton and is already in action in Calgary, at atb.com/thebranch. Musical credits: Beethoven’s Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1, played by Daniel Veesey, from freemusicarchive.com.