The new year kicks off with a deep dive into Nintendo’s ecosystem as Michael Sorg, Dave Podnar, and Katie Dudas share hands-on impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2, explore standout games like Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and break down why Nintendo exclusives still hit differently. Plus, Animal Crossing finally gets a long-awaited update—bringing hotels, better crafting, Dream Islands, and a renewed sense of community. All this as CES season begins and tech news ramps up.
AwesomeCast is part of the Sorgatron Media Podcast Network.
In this end-of-year AwesomeCast, hosts Michael Sorg and Katie Dudas are joined by original AwesomeCast co-host Rob De La Cretaz for a wide-ranging discussion on the biggest tech shifts of 2025 — and what’s coming next.
The panel breaks down how AI tools became genuinely useful in everyday workflows, from content production and health tracking to decision-making and trend analysis. Rob shares why Bambu Labs 3D printers represent a turning point in consumer and professional 3D printing, removing friction and making rapid prototyping accessible for creators, engineers, and hobbyists alike.
The episode also covers the evolving role of AI in media creation, concerns around over-reliance and trust, and why human-made content may soon become a premium feature. Intern Mac reflects on changing career paths into media production, while the crew revisits their 2025 tech predictions, holds themselves accountable, and locks in bold forecasts for 2026.
Plus: Chachi’s Video Game Minute, AI competition heating up, Apple Vision Pro speculation, and why “AI inside” may need clearer definitions moving forward.
In this episode of AwesomeCast 761, Michael Sorg is joined by Intern Mac and Intern Tony for a wildly geeky night of robots, AI, VR, and very silly holiday gifts.
We kick things off with the new Robosen Shockwave Transformer robot, a $1,000 self-transforming Decepticon boombox that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, then fall down a rabbit hole of programmable Transformers, Buzz Lightyear, and WALL-E robots for STEM-minded kids. From there, Mac highlights Apple’s latest Apple TV “liquid glass” intro, crafted with real glass panes and practical effects instead of AI – a hopeful sign for human artists in an AI-heavy world.
Sorg shares what it’s like living with an AI-generated news anchor on his Telly-style TV, including a bizarre “buff Judge Elvis” story that looks nothing like the real judge and points toward a future of AI hosts on gas-station and in-store TVs. The crew then revisits GameStop’s “Trade Anything” day, reacting to reports of taxidermy, cans of beans, cursed plushies, and stressed-out employees caught between corporate hype and real-world chaos.
On the gaming and VR side, we look at a mod project that brings classic shooters like Quake III, Doom 3, Redneck Rampage, and Quake 4 into standalone VR on Meta Quest headsets and reminisce about the clunky mall-VR rigs of the 1990s. Chachi’s Video Game Minute covers the Helldivers movie, Netflix’s proposed Warner Bros / WB Games deal, and rumored Japanese studios making design applicants draw by hand to avoid AI shortcuts – which leads into a deeper chat about Netflix potentially owning Mortal Kombat, Batman Arkham, DC Comics, and what that means for movies and games.
Tony’s Awesome Thing of the Week is pure chaos: the TikTok-viral “Butts on Things” activity books, puzzles, and Cheek-to-Cheek card game – proving once again that everyone finds butts funny and weird gifts win Christmas. We wrap with internship reflections, from Apple sock purses and new Apple gadgets to everything Mac and Tony have learned about podcast production, live streaming, editing, and social media on the Sorgatron Media shows.
Stick around to the end for a tease of our Patreon-exclusive segment featuring the creepiest robot dogs you’ll ever see.
Fortnite’s wildest crossover ever, Samsung’s tri-fold phone, and Red Dead Redemption on Netflix — all in one snowy night.
This week on AwesomeCast 760, Michael Sorg (@Sorgatron), Katie “Dudders” Dudas, and Dave Podnar brave the Pittsburgh snow (plus the frozen tundra of Verona) to geek out over:
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Tri-Fold — a three-screen foldable that opens into a 10" tablet and costs about as much as a decent gaming PC. Is this the future of phones or just flex tech?
Cloud gaming from the couch — Sorg uses OneCast, GeForce Now, and Xbox Cloud Gaming to turn an Apple TV and Chromecast into a console-free living room, streaming everything from Mortal Kombat 1 to Marvel’s Midnight Suns.
Netflix Games leveling up — from Red Dead Redemption (2010) going mobile-only on Netflix to a WWE 2K “Netflix Edition” and Stranger Things puzzle games trying to lure the 99% of subscribers who never touch the games tab.
Marvel arcade goodness & Fortnite insanity — we punch through Marvel’s Cosmic Invasion on Game Pass and recap Fortnite’s giant event featuring Homer Simpson, Godzilla, Kong, Superman, Voltron, K-pop Demon Hunters, Kill Bill, Back to the Future and more.
Weird future tech — Hideo Kojima’s idea for a blood-scented floppy disk, BHaptics VR suits you can actually buy at Best Buy, and why we’re both fascinated and slightly terrified.
Shopping & robotaxis — Amazon’s 30-minute delivery pilot in Seattle and Philly, Katie’s Walmart turning into a gig-worker warehouse, and a Waymo robo-car that casually drives through an active LAPD stop.
Plus: birthday love for long-time supporter John “Diggy” DeGore, vintage Star Wars comics, and interns Tony and Mac discovering just how weird tech can get.
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Find more shows at SorgatronMedia.com.
Free TV, robot snowmen, space heaters, and Voltron nostalgia – we’re packing a lot into AwesomeCast 759.
This week, Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar dive into:
Sorg’s first week living with a Telly free TV and its always-on ad bar
Dave’s emergency Lasko Whirlwind space heater run when his furnace dies
Katie’s Amazon storage bins that completely changed how she organizes clothes
A heartfelt ChachiSays Video Game Minute tribute to game dev legend Rebecca Heineman
Katie’s beloved Cat Wars calendar and a detour into She-Ra villain Catra toy nostalgia
Quick hits on Disney’s robotic Olaf, a 40th anniversary Voltron collector set, and the future of park animatronics & high-end geek collectibles
🔗 Episode links from the show notes:
Telly TV – https://www.telly.com/
Storage bins – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFQKX3NV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
Rebecca Heineman article – https://gaymingmag.com/2025/11/gayming-icon-and-lgbtq-games-pioneer-rebecca-heineman-has-died/
Top gadgets of 1992 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BpWD8pkteM
Robotic Olaf – https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/robotic-olaf-marks-new-era-of-disney-innovation/
Voltron collector set – https://toynamishop.com/voltron-40th-anniversary-collectors-set/
Threads “bad movie theaters” post – https://www.threads.com/@kcharlesross/post/DRdjnSrDrJB?hl=en
Follow us and share what tech you’re thankful for with #AC759.
This week on AwesomeCast 758, Sorg, Katie, and Podnar unwrap a pile of geeky goodness! Chachi surprises the crew with custom 3D-printed AT-@-AT Star Wars sculptures, Dave reviews the Bissell CrossWave hard-floor cleaner, and we break down the newest gaming news including the Steam Machine reboot, a DDR world record, and Netflix’s surprisingly strong push into console-quality games like WWE 2K25.
We also explore Disney’s Star Wars Life Day Gift Guide, the wild GameStop Trade Anything Day, a Minecraft rebuild of Pittsburgh’s legendary Century III Mall, and Google’s rollout of Gemini 3. Plus: which AI model would you trust on your iPhone?
Join us for gadgets, games, tech talk, and holiday chaos—Pittsburgh-style.
This week, Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar dive into:
• Apple’s iPhone “Pocket” sling (Issey Miyake) — a 3D-knit, cross-body way to carry your iPhone that channels the designer behind Steve Jobs’ turtlenecks. Is this fashion-meets-tech or iPod Socks 2.0?  
• Fortnite’s Springfield takeover — an entire Simpsons-styled map, Battle Pass skins, and Sidekicks (pet-like companions). We compare Crew pricing to Game Pass and why this might be the cheapest way to stay current.  
• Robotics & AI Discovery Day — we produced a rooftop live demo with SKA Robotics showing AI-assisted corrosion detection on local bridges. Here’s what worked, what wind ruined, and why this matters for infrastructure. Watch the talks via PRN.  
• iPad Pro at 10 — the unrealized potential vs. real-world utility (monitors, comics, control apps) from a decade-old device that still pulls its weight.  
• Pittsburgh International’s new terminal — what’s changing for travelers, especially those checking oversized gear.  
• Chachi’s Video Game Minute — Zelda filming news, GTA 6 date chatter, RDR2 sales movement, Switch 2 momentum. (As heard in-show.) 
• AI browsers & privacy — early takeaways after dog-fooding an agent-powered browser. 
Watch / Subscribe: Tuesdays, 7pm ET. Tag #AC757 with your thoughts.
In this week’s episode, Sorg and Dudders get geeky about AI in everyday life — from redesigning homes with ChatGPT to tracking calories with conversational AI. Then guest Brian Crawford takes us on a deep dive through Japan’s advanced transit tech, immersive art museums, and cultural quirks.
We also preview Pittsburgh’s AI & Robotics Demo Day and catch up with Chachi’s gaming news minute.
Perfect for fans of AI tools, travel tech, and real-world innovation.
Tech, travel, and a touch of Pittsburgh flair!
Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar take you inside the brand-new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal, share how to build your own 24/7 streaming channel with OBS + VLC, and break down the biggest Adobe MAX 2025 AI announcements. We talk whether 8K TVs even matter, the surprisingly useful iOS Vehicle Motion Cues, and what it’s really like using the new ChatGPT Atlas browser.
Plus: Chachi’s Video Game Minute, EB Games’ comeback, and a Taco Bell 50K run you have to hear to believe.
🛫 Links + extras: https://www.sorgatronmedia.com/blog/awesomecast-755-pittsburgh-airport-ai-obs-stream-madness
The AwesomeCast crew — Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar — dive into another week of geeky goodness, from AI browsers and robo-pets to nostalgic tech and bizarre cable “hacks.”
This Week’s Awesome Topics
• 🧠 OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Atlas browser — Dave tries the AI-powered browser built to summarize and interact with the web itself. openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-atlas
• 🎮 Keeper on Game Pass — Sorg shares his pick for the week: a haunting, cinematic puzzle game where your lighthouse walks on spider legs. xbox.com/en-US/games/keeper
• 🧸 Casio’s MOFLIN AI Pet — Katie explores the fuzzy, learning pet robot that’s way too cute to ignore. casio.com/us/moflin
• 🛍️ Walmart partners with ChatGPT — The team discusses how AI is about to change the way you shop online. apnews.com/article/openai-walmart-chatgpt-shopping-partnership
• 🧱 Sesame Street in Roblox — What happens when Elmo goes digital? Roblox link
• 🎬 Chachi’s Video Game Minute — Netflix adds real games to your TV app.
• 📺 Not Awesome: Telly TV’s “free” set might cost more than you think. tiktok.com/@verge/video/7557015639102098702
• 💾 Throwback Corner: Remember 3dfx graphics cards? The golden age of gaming returns. wikipedia.org/wiki/3dfx
🎙️ Support the show on Patreon for ad-free episodes and exclusive after-talk:
👉 patreon.com/awesomecast
This week on AwesomeCast, we dive into creepy games and cutting-edge tech!
🎮 Katie introduces Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition on Nintendo Switch
🧵 Sorg explores My Friendly Neighborhood—a horror puppet shooter with serious FNAF vibes
🦒 Dave visits The Living Desert Zoo in Palm Springs
🤖 We unleash chaos using the Sora AI app—turning ourselves into rom-com leads, tourists, and caffeine junkies
🎮 Plus: Netflix launches games on TV, and Baby Steps punishes you for skipping cutscenes!
And don’t miss Sorg’s Game Pass tip to save $$$ before prices go up.
🎥 Full video & more: AwesomeCast.com
🧠 Support us: patreon.com/awesomecast
Surfboards, Baja Cars & Broken GoPros — This Week on AwesomeCast!
Katie returns with stories from the waves as she shares her inspiring First Descents surf adventure in Santa Cruz, designed for cancer survivors. Meanwhile, the team gives a full behind-the-scenes breakdown of their latest wild production at Baja SAE Carolina — from broadcasting out of a U-Haul van to dealing with dusty terrain, wireless camera chaos, and even a GoPro that didn’t survive.
Plus:
• Microsoft raises Game Pass prices again
• Minecraft gets educational about climate change
• AI-generated chaos with OpenAI’s Sora
• Why you must log out of your Airbnb streaming accounts…
Hosted by Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, Missy Sorg & Dave Podnar
🎥 Watch the video version & more at AwesomeCast.com
This week on AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar are joined by intern Mac to dive into the latest in Apple tech, production travel hacks, and wearable innovation. Sorg shares stories from producing Defy Wrestling in Seattle, including packing $30K worth of video gear and dealing with TSA “love letters.” Dave brings real-world testing of the iPhone 17 Pro Max camera with stunning 8x zoom shots.
Plus:
• Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses demo disaster (and why it failed)
• Live transcription, translation & privacy risks with smart eyewear
• watchOS & iOS 17 tips: CarPlay widgets, Fitness+, Notes on Apple Watch
• Chachi’s Video Game Minute on how shows like Fallout boost game sales
• Reflex 240mm lens for mobile pros
• Intern Mac drops knowledge on Apple vs Meta AI features
📲 Support the show: patreon.com/awesomecast
This week on AwesomeCast, we dive into tech, history, and a little pumpkin spice! We’re joined by Virginia Montanez — acclaimed writer, author, and creator of the PastFinders app, which turns everyday walks into immersive historical tours.
We also talk:
• Apple Watch’s new “Workout Buddy” voice coaching (is it helpful or just annoying?)
• iJustine’s epic iPhone 1 vs iPhone 15 photo test
• Using AI to turn pet pics into paintings via iOS 17’s Image Playground
• Goldfish + Dunkin = Pumpkin Spice Grahams?! Taste-tested on the show!
💡 Plus: Newsletter updates, cat chaos, and what it’s like launching a tech startup in Pittsburgh.
🛠 Featured Links:
• https://pghremains.com (PastFinders App)
• https://www.patreon.com/awesomecast
• https://awesomecast.substack.com
Apple’s September event brought us the iPhone 17 family, AirPods Pro 3, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, packed with features for creators and adventurers alike. Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar break down what’s exciting (and what’s eyebrow-raising) in this week’s AwesomeCast.
We also dive into Sesame Street moving its library to YouTube and this year’s holiday LEGO highlights, including the Gingerbread AT-AT and a $1,000 UCS Death Star.
This week on AwesomeCast 748, hosts Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar break down the latest in tech, gadgets, and geek news:
• AI tools for creators: why Opus Pro beats CapCut for quick, high-quality clips
• Instagram’s new Picture-in-Picture mode for Reels
• Testing Amazon Lens Live for smarter shopping
• Retro gaming hype with the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection and a new He-Man beat-’em-up
• Apple event preview: iPhone 17 Air, AirPods 3 with live translation, and more
• Plus: Grogu’s big-screen debut, Baja SAE on PBS, and our Awesome Things of the Week
👉 Find links and more at AwesomeCast.com
AwesomeCast 747 – Floating Bars, Hello Kitty Games, and AI Colleagues
Hosts Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are joined by Kit Mueller of SkillBuilder.io to explore the latest tech, gaming, and Pittsburgh innovations.
• Pittsburgh’s new Riverlife “Shore Thing” floating pop-up on the Allegheny, run by Brew Gentlemen. More info
• Nintendo Switch’s Hello Kitty and Friends: Freeze Tag Party launching Nov 2025. Game details
• AppleCare One: bundling device protection under one plan. Apple announcement
• Google Gemini’s new Flash Image editor for smarter, consistent AI photos. Ars Technica coverage
• Chachi’s Video Game Minute: Fallout Season 2 trailer + LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight reveal.
• Viral cat-subway build, Apple Watch + AI coaching rumors, and more.
• Kit Mueller’s spotlight: how SkillBuilder.io is powering “AI colleagues” across Pittsburgh organizations.
Cohosts Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar welcome Josh Dorfman, Co-founder, CEO, and host of SuperCool, to talk about the adoption era of climate tech—where real solutions are cutting emissions and saving money today. Josh shares insights from BrainBox AI’s energy-saving building systems, Google’s Project Sunroof, and even a Pennsylvania school district saving big with solar and electric school buses. We also dive into Josh’s own startup, Planted Materials, building carbon-negative housing panels.
In the second half, we geek out over:
• McDonald’s TMNT × Hello Kitty Happy Meal toys
• A Sam’s Club pumpkin diorama that’s perfect for spooky season
• YouTube’s new Gemini “Ask About This Video” AI button (screenshot demo)
• And the latest in gaming with Chachi’s Video Game Minute, including Fast & Furious Arcade and Red Dead Redemption 2 sales milestones.
We wrap with some Patreon-exclusive extras: the ElliQ companion robot, Discord’s new “Play Instantly” feature, and a behind-the-scenes look at “poddy editing.”
Stay tuned for optimism, gadgets, and a reminder that climate tech is cooler—and closer—than you think
Hosts Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are back with another fun-filled episode of AwesomeCast, bringing their favorite geeky picks and tech stories of the week from Pittsburgh and beyond.
🔸 Highlights from this episode:
🧱 Katie’s Awesome Thing – Hello Kitty x BLDR Toy Bricks
Jazwares’ new toy brick line BLDR introduces a Hello Kitty set that caught Katie’s attention. A fun new collectible for fans of kawaii and construction toys.
🔗 https://shop.jazwares.com/pages/bldr
🔗 https://www.target.com/c/hello-kitty/bldr/-/N-p9km2Z4
🚗 Dave’s Awesome Thing – Ford’s New EV Platform
Ford is stepping away from Volkswagen’s MEB platform and building its own next-gen EV system in-house.
🔗 https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/08/ford-bets-on-new-ev-platform-ditching-vws-meb
💻 Sorg’s Awesome Thing – ChatGPT 5 in the Terminal
Sorg shares his hands-on experience using ChatGPT 5.0 directly in the terminal, a powerful tool for developers and power users.
🔗 https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5
🔗 https://www.axios.com/2025/08/08/openai-aims-gpt5-enterprise
🎧 Tune in and get geeky with us every week at AwesomeCast.com
📍 Recorded from Sorgatron Media Studios in Pittsburgh, PA
In this week’s tech and pop culture roundup, the crew swaps travel tales, dives into toy news, and tries out new gadgets. Hear about a massive indoor amusement park experience, a quirky calendar mash-up, a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy line combining pop culture icons, a nostalgic Mac-style USB-C hub, live object recognition from a mobile AI assistant, a hands-on paper airplane STEM kit, and a retro-style college football mobile game.
⸻
Stories & Gadgets Covered
Pop Culture & Experiences
• Indoor amusement park adventure – Detailed trip report from a multi-level shopping and entertainment complex featuring a Nickelodeon-themed park, roller coasters, character meet-and-greets, a DreamWorks water park, an indoor ski slope, a two-story toy store, mini-golf, and a giant Ferris wheel with skyline views.
• Cat Wars calendar – A humorous monthly mash-up of cats and sci-fi themes, sparking debates over AI vs. Photoshop image origins.
• McDonald’s Happy Meal crossover toys – Upcoming U.S. launch of a 12-figure collaboration between Hello Kitty characters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, sparking collector excitement.
• Positive pet stories – A heartwarming charity calendar featuring a wheelchair-using dog, plus a social media find following two canine companions traveling the country in a truck.
Gadgets & Tech
• Retro Macintosh-style USB-C hub – A Kickstarter device styled after the original Macintosh, designed to sit on top of a Mac mini. Adds a 5-inch 720p display and extra ports (USB-A/C, HDMI, audio, card reader). Can function as a standalone USB-C hub for other devices.
• AI visual recognition tool – Live camera mode in a mobile AI assistant app that identifies objects in real time and engages in conversational follow-ups for more detail.
• Klutz Big Book of Paper Airplanes – A kid-friendly STEM activity book with 10 airplane designs, 40 sheets of colorful paper, folding instructions, and tips for flight performance.
• Retro Bowl College Edition mobile game – An 8/16-bit-style football simulator with both arcade play and team management elements, including a full roster of college programs.
AI & Workflow
• Practical uses for AI tools, including weekly automated reminders for content performance reviews, recipe generation based on available ingredients, and setting up custom assistants for specific research or monitoring tasks.