Geek Freaks Interviews

Finding Your Voice With ODPH’s Ken M: From Day-One Nerves to 800+ Episodes

Ken M from the Ocho Duro Parlay Hour joins Frank to unpack how ODPH started, why the long title became “the O.D.P.H.,” and what it takes to keep a show thriving for years. We get into releasing that first episode on Memorial Day 2017, the shift toward video, editing choices that keep conversations human, and how community support has changed since the early “podcast Twitter” days. Ken also shares a favorite New York Comic Con memory and talks about leadership at Nerd Initiative and what’s next. 00:00 — Meet Ken M and the ODPH origin story, including an early detour and why the show finally launched in 2017. 01:25 — Naming the show: craps “hard 8,” parlay, and why they shortened it for listeners. 04:41 — Rehearsals, buying gear, and the decision to ship on Memorial Day 2017. 05:57 — “Day and night”: how episode one compares to today and crossing 800 episodes. 08:03 — Still nervous sometimes, and why that spark matters; an NYCC moment with Scott Snyder. 13:19 — Money talk and podfade: expectations, Patreon, and why consistency wins. 17:19 — From retweet rings to real support: how the community evolved. 22:38 — Video vs audio: what changed after 2020 and why audio isn’t going anywhere. 31:16 — Editor in Chief in 2023, creative freedom, and moving on in good standing. 42:11 — Editing philosophy: keep the “ums,” fix the facts, sound natural. * Ship it before it’s “perfect.” Momentum beats perfection, especially early on. * It’s normal to feel some nerves. That’s part of what keeps interviews exciting and honest. * Audio isn’t dying. Video grew fast after 2020, but audio remains a core, durable medium. * Edit for clarity, not polish. Keep natural cadence and correct only what truly needs it. * Community has matured. Shoutouts with substance beat retweet loops every time. * Consistency over vanity metrics. Focus on craft and cadence to outlast podfade. * “The audio will be here till the end of time.” * “If we make it sound too perfect, people are going to think it’s not.” * “If your goal is all monetary, you’re in the wrong business.” * “He has a fantastic podcast. You need to check it out.” (Scott Snyder at NYCC) Enjoying the episode? Follow and subscribe, leave a quick review, and share this one with a friend using #GeekFreaksPodcast. It helps more listeners find the show. * Check out more from Ken and ODPH: https://odphpodcast.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast [https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast] * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast * Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod [https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/] * Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Got a question for Frank or a topic you want covered next week? Send it to us on social or through the site and we may feature it on an upcoming episode. TV & Film, Entertainment News, Interviews, Podcasting, Geek Culture, ODPH, New York Comic Con, Editing Tips, Video Podcasting, Community Building Timestamps and TopicsKey TakeawaysQuotesCall to ActionLinks and ResourcesFollow UsListener QuestionsApple Podcast Tags

Eliah Mountjoy on Finding Bucky’s Voice, Anime Dubbing, and the Future of AI in Games

Voice actor Eliah Mountjoy joins us to talk about bringing the Winter Soldier to life in Marvel Rivals, why Bucky’s duality resonates with him, and what it actually takes to nail lines when you’re alone in the booth. We get into the craft behind anime dubbing, how directors guide performance in fast-moving game sessions, and his thoughtful stance on where AI helps and where it harms. He closes with grounded advice for anyone thinking about voice acting as a career. 00:00 Intro and why Eliah’s Bucky leaves a mark on players 00:55 How he landed Winter Soldier and learned it was Bucky mid-callback 02:22 Building a take that isn’t a Sebastian Stan voice match 05:20 Playing a century-old, battle-worn hero with real baggage 06:05 Community with the Rivals cast and that “donut video” origin story 10:21 Recording solo vs ensemble and learning to “act to no one” 12:20 Why fast sessions still feel grounded, plus getting scripts early 14:15 Calibrating banter vs in-battle reads with the director’s context 15:14 What Eliah brings to Bucky from real-world tactical training 19:15 Quiet confidence vs “flip mode” for big moments and ults 20:25 The Bucky stories he still wants to tell with Natasha 21:17 Dubbing anime: timing, intent over mimicry, and “spoken-word karaoke” 29:59 AI in voice work: the line in the sand, compensation, and the uncanny valley 36:30 Practical steps for aspiring voice actors: classes, improv, and knowing your “why” * Winter Soldier wasn’t a voice-match job. Eliah built a take rooted in Bucky’s history and weight rather than mimicking the MCU. * Real tactical training informed his performance: calm, capable, and dangerous until it’s time to flip the switch. * Directors matter. Fast, line-heavy sessions still feel truthful when context is clear and actors get material in advance. * In anime dubbing, timing rules everything. He aims to match intent, not the original voice. * On AI, the bright line is human performance. Use tools without replacing actors, and protect credit and compensation to avoid hollow, uncanny results. * If you want to voice act, start acting. Take classes, do improv, study the craft, and be honest about your motivation. * “Voice acting is acting… you have to find a way to do that with your voice.” * “He’s the killer of killers… and very relaxed until it’s time to ramp it up.” * “We have to find a way to protect human performance and the people who bring it to life.” * “I try to match the intent, not the exact voice.” If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, rate us, and leave a short review. Share the episode with a friend and tag your post with #GeekFreaksInterview so we can find it. * All news discussed on our shows comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com * Elia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliahmountjoy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast [https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast] Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod [https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/] Got a question for our next guest or a topic you want us to cover? Send it to info@gfpods.com or DM us on Instagram or Twitter. TV & Film, Pop Culture, Interviews, Voice Acting, Marvel, Anime, Video Games, Entertainment News Timestamps and TopicsKey TakeawaysMemorable QuotesCall to ActionLinks and ResourcesFollow UsListener QuestionsApple Podcast Tags

Jordan Reynolds On Adam Warlock, VO Craft, And AI

Voice actor Jordan Reynolds joins Geek Freaks to unpack his role as Adam Warlock in Marvel Rivals, how he built the character’s calm, reliable presence, and what it takes to deliver clean, useful callouts that help players in the moment. He talks audition mindset, working with voice director Michael Sirieix at Brightskull Studios, and shaping performance to match gameplay. We also get fun stories from his early days on the Warner Bros. lot, meeting Crispin Freeman, and his World of Warcraft gigs, from Highmountain Tauren to the mead-obsessed Dr. Brandt. 00:00 Welcome and setup. Adam Warlock in Marvel Rivals is top of mind. 01:13 The audition grind and why booking one feels great. 02:18 Avoiding “vanilla” reads and the “submit it and forget it” mindset. 04:35 Building Adam’s voice as a hopeful, stable anchor within game limits. 05:24 Banter vs barks and keeping warmth in slower lines. 08:26 Playing a methodical healer and letting that inform delivery. 09:34 Working with voice director Michael Sirieix at Brightskull Studios. 12:05 Making “Born Again” crystal clear for teammates while keeping emotion. 17:43 World of Warcraft roles, from Highmountain Tauren to Dr. Brandt in The War Within. 19:40 Pitch shifting, finding old lines, and fans spotting his work. 23:56 First in studio gig at Warner Bros., “Countdown to Geostorm,” and meeting Crispin Freeman. * Adam Warlock’s voice sits in a steady, reliable pocket that uplifts the team even when the action spikes. * Functional clarity matters. Short barks like “Born Again” must be instantly readable and still feel human. * Great sessions balance instincts with direction from the studio to align reads with gameplay needs. * Auditions should reflect what resonates with you. Chasing every note leads to safe reads that blend in. * “Submit it and forget it” helps you stay sane when audition volume is high. * Early studio moments matter. That first WB lot gig and meeting heroes like Crispin Freeman fueled the journey. * In WoW, he has credits from Highmountain Tauren to Dr. Brandt’s mead mission in The War Within. * “He is hopeful, he is uplifting, and he’s an anchor.” * “Everything is very clinical, methodical.” * “Submit it and forget it.” * “Countdown to Geostorm in five, four, three, two, one.” If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with a friend. Tag us with #GeekFreaksPodcast so we can highlight your post. * Show hub and news source: GeekFreaksPodcast.com * All news discussed on our podcast is sourced from GeekFreaksPodcast.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast [https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast] Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod [https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/] Got a question for Jordan or a topic you want us to cover next time? Send it our way, and we’ll feature your question in a future episode. Apple Podcast tags: Geek Freaks, Jordan Reynolds, Marvel Rivals, Adam Warlock, Voice Acting, World of Warcraft, Brightskull Studios, Michael Sirieix, Crispin Freeman, Interview Timestamps and TopicsKey TakeawaysQuotesCall to ActionLinks and ResourcesFollow UsListener Questions

BitCade and the Future of Podcasting Monetization with Alex Austin

Frank sits down with developer and former podcaster Alex Austin to talk about BitCade, a podcast app for iOS and Android that blends listening, creator monetization, and a built in social feed. Alex explains how token based unlocks, short term subscriptions, and low cost in app ad slots help indie shows earn, why BitCade values follow back over follower counts, and how the platform plans to grow with video, live features, and community moderation. Frank also announces a giveaway for 28 Years Later codes on BitCade and Alex pledges to sponsor an extra prize. They wrap with trends across TikTok, YouTube, and video podcasting, plus Alex’s side quest running a trading card shop. 00:00 Introduction and guest welcome 00:18 Alex returns to the mic 00:34 What BitCade is and how Apple Podcast search powers discovery 00:52 Monetization with token bundles and bonus galleries 01:52 Three and six month gallery unlocks 02:22 Why add a social feed and how it differs from typical platforms 03:10 Keeping networks small and easy to filter 03:53 Rewarding mutual follows instead of chasing follower counts 04:07 Bot fatigue and why engagement beats vanity numbers 05:00 TikTok vs Twitter and centering creators in the feed 05:32 How podcasters can use the social feed daily 05:52 Indie ad slots, token costs, and seven day placements 06:59 Extra promo in the feed and merch link options 07:28 Frank’s results after buying a trending slot 08:03 Giveaway on BitCade for 28 Years Later digital codes 08:36 Alex adds a sponsored prize under fifty dollars 09:14 What is next for BitCade and scaling with creators 09:57 Live streams as a likely premium feature 10:11 Building an in house RSS API as usage grows 10:46 Plan to donate most net profits to rotating charities after recouping costs 11:12 Community voting on monthly charities and regional focus 13:00 Moderation approach and future network admin roles 14:58 Keeping the community welcoming and inclusive 16:00 Algorithm whiplash and follower fatigue 16:45 Video uploads, bandwidth realities, and premium bitrates 18:39 YouTube’s share of podcast consumption and what it means 19:33 Why audio still rules for listeners who multitask 20:26 Trend planning and real world data use 21:28 Alex’s trading card shop and pack pulling stories 23:33 The shop with the giant wizard and a dream location 25:43 Geek culture catch up and casting chatter 28:04 How to reach Alex inside the app and episode close * Alex will sponsor an additional prize under fifty dollars to boost the giveaway. * Roadmap items include live streaming as a premium feature and a homegrown RSS API to handle scale. * After recouping development costs, Alex plans to donate most net profits to charities chosen by the community, potentially by region. * Moderation focuses on safety, verified podcaster admin tools, and daily checks to keep the feed clean and welcoming. * Video podcasting demand is growing, but audio remains the primary way most people listen while doing other tasks. * “It should be about the content and about the podcaster.” * “We reward follow back, not follower counts.” * “If you are serious about podcasting, grab an indie ad slot and make it work for you.” * “Once I make my principal back, I want to give the net profits to charity.” * “Audio is still king for listeners who multitask.” * GeekFreaksPodcast.com for news mentioned on our shows and network updates * Find BitCade in the iOS App Store and on Google Play * Need help claiming your show on BitCade Message Alex Austin inside the app Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast [https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast] Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod [https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/] Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast What creator tools or features would help you most on a podcast app

Building Community Through Live Podcasting | Distance Nerding Interview Part 2

In this episode of Geek Freaks, we continue our conversation with the crew from Distance Nerding. Liam, Jen, and Matt (aka Graveyard) join us to share how their live show has evolved since its start in 2020, the importance of networking in the podcasting world, and how community engagement fuels their growth. From their origins in online fandoms to running a safe space for geeks to hang out, the team opens up about the challenges and benefits of going live, their favorite fandoms, and their ambitious future plans. We also wrap things up with some fun “Geek Box” questions, revealing the fictional worlds they’d live in, the franchises they’d reboot, and their ultimate comfort shows. 00:00 Introductions to the Distance Nerding crew 01:00 Lessons learned from years of podcasting 02:00 Networking and building a geek community 04:00 How the hosts joined the show and their unique backgrounds 06:00 What makes Distance Nerding’s community different 07:00 Balancing niche passions like horror and sci-fi 09:00 The benefits of going live and engaging with chat 11:00 Conventions and in-person fan interactions 12:00 Live streaming vs. pre-recorded content 14:00 Handling live show challenges and improv moments 16:00 In-person vs. online podcasting dynamics 18:00 Post-pandemic podcast advantages 19:30 Future goals for Distance Nerding 23:40 “Geek Box” question – Fictional universes they’d live in 28:40 “Geek Box” question – Franchises they’d reboot or continue 33:38 “Geek Box” question – Comfort TV shows and movies 39:10 Closing thoughts and where to find Distance Nerding * Networking is essential to building and sustaining a podcast community. * Live streaming encourages organic bits, ongoing jokes, and strong audience connections. * The team blends niche fandoms, from horror to sci-fi, creating a well-rounded geek space. * In-person convention appearances help expand their reach beyond the live chat. * Post-pandemic podcasting has opened doors for remote hosting without losing audience engagement. * Creative future plans include live play RPG content with immersive sound design. * “Networking is so vital, especially when you’re trying to build community. That’s a big part of podcasting nowadays.” – Liam * “We’re a lot more casual… it’s how you talk to your geek friends about random matchups.” – Matt (Graveyard) * “Live is better for off-the-cuff moments. That’s when we’re at our most ourselves.” – Jen * “I want the terror back in Nightmare on Elm Street. Bring back the fear.” – Matt (Graveyard) * “Ted Lasso is my go-to feel-good show when I’m feeling down.” – Liam If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Geek Freaks on your favorite podcast app, leave a review to help others discover the show, and share this episode with your fellow geeks. Use #GeekFreaksPodcast when posting about the episode so we can join in on the conversation. Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com [https://geekfreakspodcast.com] for all the latest geek news and full episode archives. * Facebook: facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast [https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast] * Threads: threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast * Patreon: patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast * Instagram: instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/] * Twitter: twitter.com/geekfreakspod [https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod] What fictional universe would you want to live in for a year? Send your answer to us through social media or our website for a chance to be featured in a future episode. Apple Podcast Tags: Distance Nerding, geek culture podcast, live podcasting, podcast community building, networking for podcasters, horror fandom, sci-fi fandom, comic book fandom, convention culture, post-pandemic podcasting, live streaming tips, geek interviews, podcast improv, comfort TV shows, fictional universes Timestamps and Topics:Key Takeaways:Quotes:Call to Action:Links and Resources:Follow Us:Listener Questions: