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Tales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 36 - ...Are Not LostCan’t there be any other way? TranscriptContent WarningsTapping soundsLoud noisesGeneral sounds of distressViolence & DeathTales from the Fringes of Reality is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Julain Dailey as Guillermo, Tatiana Gefter as Marigold, Michelle Kelly as Alexandria, Jessie deHaan as Opal, Alasdair Stuart as Alasdair, Tarek Esaw as Sparrow, Taylor Michaels as Winston, Aife as Luna, Paul Warren as Xander, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver. Our theme music was provided by Gerard Colman who ca...
2024-12-0425 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 35 - All Who Wander...It’s the only way to fix this.TranscriptContent WarningsTapping soundsLoud noisesKidnappingDruggingGeneral sounds of distressMentioned medical careTales from the Fringes of Reality is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Julian Dailey as Guillermo, Jessie deHaan as Opal, Alasdair Stuart as Alasdair, Michelle Kelly as Alexandria, Tatiana Gefter as Marigold, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver. Our theme music was provided by Gerard Colman who can be found on Spotify and SoundCloud at G.T.X.C. If yo...
2024-11-2719 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 34 - Plan of AttackJust because she can’t die by traditional means doesn’t mean she cannot die at all.TranscriptContent WarningsTapping soundsDiscussions of death and murderLoud noisesTales from the Fringes of Reality is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Michelle Kelly as Alexandria, Tatiana Gefter as Marigold, Julian Dailey as Guillermo, Aife as Luna, Jessie deHaan as Opal, Alasdair Stuart as Alasdair, Tarek Esaw as Sparrow, Paul Warren as Xander, Taylor Michaels as Winston, and Pine Gonzalez as Silv...
2024-11-2013 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 31 - Darkness in the ValleyYou look as beautiful as the day I last saw you.TranscriptContent WarningsTapping soundsDiscussions of deathTales from the Fringes of Reality is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Paul Warren as Xander, Tatiana Gefter as Marigold, Jessie deHaan as Opal, Michelle Kelly as Alexandria, Ashanti Robinson as Sapphire, Zoe Lee as Meg, Elyjah Phillips as Forest, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver. Our theme music was provided by Gerard Colman who can be found on Spotify and...
2024-10-3015 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 29 - A Visitor in the ValleyI’m taking good care of him, darlin’, I promise.Transcript LinkContent warningsTapping soundsDiscussions of deathTales from the Fringes of Reality is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Tatiana Gefter as Marigold, Jessie deHaan as Opal, Ari Delyne as Dylan, Ashanti Robinson as Sapphire, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver. Our theme music was provided by Gerard Colman who can be found on Spotify and SoundCloud at G.T.X.C. If you would like to support the...
2024-10-1616 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 26 - Family TiesWhat won't sit well with me?Transcript LinkContent warningsTapping soundsMemory alterationThreats of violenceTales from the Fringes of Reality is a proud member of the Faustian Nonsense Network and was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Jessie deHaan as Opal, Alasdair Stuart as Alasdair, Marta da Silva as Rosalina, Corrinidae Cacioppo as Meabh, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver Our theme music was provided by Gerard Colman who can be found on Spotify and SoundCloud at G.T.X.C. If you would like to support the show...
2024-09-2518 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 24 - Pieces of SilverAre any of us sure of anything anymore? Even Opal isn’t certain where Silver is concerned. That doesn’t mean we don’t try. Transcript LinkContent warningsTapping soundsLoud noisesDiscussion of memory loss/alterationDiscussion of hopelessness/despairTales From the Fringes of Reality was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Michelle Kelly as Alexandria, Tarek Esaw as Sparrow, Tatiana Gefter as Marigold, Julian Dailey as Guillermo, Jessie deHaan as Opal, Alasdair Stuart as Alasdair, Taylor Michaels as Winston, Aife as Luna, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver. Our theme...
2024-03-1314 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 22 - A Visit from the MoonI was hoping to catch you before you made your way inside, but I can see this hasn’t exactly gone to plan. Morning, Whim. I take it no one has filled you in on what’s going on here?Transcript LinkAudio effect note: this episode contains repeated tapping sounds at the following times1:552:357:538:018:5014:55Tales From the Fringes of Reality was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Julian Dailey as Guillermo, Aife as Luna, Jessie deHaan as Opal, Zoe Lee as Marguerite, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver. Our them...
2024-02-2816 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 21 - The Dragon of the Infinite ForestYes. Are you coming with us then Whim? Having three people looking at details is always better than two, right ren?Transcript LinkAudio effect note: this episode contains repeated tapping sounds at the following times0:511:141:272:022:2912:2113:3414:43Tales From the Fringes of Reality was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Tarek Esaw as Sparrow, Jessie deHaan as Opal, Deanna Halls as Hou Lin, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver. Our theme was provided by Gerard Colman; you can find him on Spotify and SoundCloud at G.T.X.C. Connect with...
2024-02-2115 minTales From the Fringes of RealityBloopers from the Fringes of RealityIt's time for bloopers!! My incredible cast has provided me with amazing takes every time so there are a ton of bloopers but it's still a silly good time :)This episode features Julian Dailey, Jessie deHaan, Tatiana Gefter, Pine Gonzalez, Michelle Kelly, and Alasdair Stuart with our interstitial sound coming from Taylor Michaels. Regular episodes resume next week, February 7! Transcript link
2024-01-3104 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 17 - TogetherI believe ren wanted to take the lead on this meeting?If your mother will allow it.By all means, my love, lead on.Transcript linkAudio effect note: this episode contains repeated tapping sounds at the following times8:208:26Tales From the Fringes of Reality was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Julian Dailey as Guillermo, Michelle Kelly as Alexandria, Alasdair Stuart as Alasdair, Tarek Esaw as Sparrow, Tatiana Gefter as Marigold and Jessie deHaan as Opal. Our theme was provided by Gerard Coleman; you...
2024-01-0314 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 16 - In Honor of the Spellerman's EggA bit of discomfort is bearable if it means we’re a little closer to finding Silver again. Even if this isn’t the key to getting her home, it’s a piece in the puzzle that can get us that much closer.Transcript linkAudio effect note: this episode contains repeated tapping sounds at the following times6:146:387:2912:5513:1617:01Tales From the Fringes of Reality was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Jessie deHaan as Opal, Alasdair Stuart as Alasdair, Shamis Spivey as Timery, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver. Our theme...
2023-12-2717 minTales From the Fringes of RealityEpisode 14 - Broken HeartlinesHey Whimsy. How are you feeling? No, no, no, don’t you try to get out of that bed just yet kid, you’re still healing.Transcript linkTales From the Fringes of Reality was written and edited by Pine Gonzalez. This episode featured Tatiana Gefter as Marigold, Jessie deHaan as Opal, Ollie Bannerman as Brightmin, Corrinidae Cacioppo as Cai, and Pine Gonzalez as Silver. Our theme was provided by Gerard Coleman; you can find him on Spotify and SoundCloud at G.T.X.C. Connect with us on social media at thefringespod or subscribe to o...
2023-12-1320 min
Kill Every MonsterGiant InsectsWe are joined by Jessie deHaan.Jessie is a research technician studying insect pests and their predators in greenhouses and agriculture. They are also the host and producer of the SciComm podcast "Gamer's Guide to Ecology" which aims to teach the ecological principles found in open-world video games to the people that play and love them. Not everyone has the chance to grow up surrounded by nature or learn about it. Through the common media of video games, Jessie hopes to teach people about current topics that affect our own natural world like climate change, pollution, and habi...
2022-08-221h 27
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.20 - Just Chatting: Pokemon Legends ArceusIn the final episode of Season 1 I'm joined by photographer, podcaster and D&D 5e actual play streamer Josh Bingaman (@josketh on Twitter). Josh and I nerd out about what it was like to grow up playing Pokemon, what keeps us coming back (time and time again) to the games, what we think of the newest game "Pokemon Legends: Arceus" and what it could mean for the franchise moving forward. Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc, theme music by Bret Eagleston (breteagleston.bandcamp.com) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out i...
2022-03-011h 08
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.19 - Ecology, Evolution and Pokemon Legends: ArceusI have been a fan of Pokemon for 20 years, and this game is a dream come true. Come have a listen and learn about ecological topics like phenotypic variation, relative abundance, metamorphosis and symbiosis! I had so much fun playing this game, and I hope you will too! Pokemon is a great game to learn about ecology. Go catch 'em all!Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc, music by Bret Eagleston (breteagleston.bandcamp.com) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2022-02-1822 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.18 - Just Chatting about the Witcher Universe... and ButtsCW: Please be advised that this episode discusses plot points in the Witcher 3 that relate to suicide and violence against women, as well as characterization of LGBTQ2IA people and people with disabilities. On today's show we discuss romance in videogames, the consequences of decision making in the Witcher 3, and our favourite monsters and dialogue moments. We also talk about why we love the show (Spoiler: It's not just the butts). You can find Matt @dj_stormageddon on twitter, and everywhere else. Seriously, check Google, he's like the top 6 results. Stay tuned until the end of the e...
2022-01-281h 20
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp. 17 - Monster Ecology in the Witcher 3In this episode I chat about Geralt, Ecologist of Rivia, er... Witcher. Come learn about how real-life necrophages help maintain the nutrient cycle, why I think Insectoid monsters are incorrectly named, and hear the proof that some monsters in this game are highly eusocial.Music by Bret Eagleston (@breadeagles, breteagleston.bandcamp.com), Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2022-01-1413 min
"Fun" and Games PodcastSide Quests Episode 129: Shenmue with Jessie deHaanSide Quests is back and this episode's host is scientist, researcher, gardener, podcaster, and teenage martial artist out for revenge, Jessie deHaan. The game they are talking about today is Shenmue by Sega! You can find this episode's host on twitter or listen to their podcast here!
2022-01-1008 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.16 - Just Chatting: Wandering Aimlessly in No Man's SkySpecial guest Adam Fortais (@AdamFortais) joins Andrew and I to discuss the overwhelming freedom to explore in No Man's Sky. We chat about similar open-galaxy games, and what we liked and disliked about them. We also meander into the topic of why we're hesitant to play online multiplayer games, and what people get out of playing simulator-type games. Fun fact, Adam says it's possible to launch your spaceship into space using a large enough rubber band! Music by Bret Eagleston (@breadeagles, breteagleston.bandcamp.com), Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc. See acast.com/privacy for p...
2021-12-251h 19
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.15 - Limitless Exploration in No Man's SkyThe most open of open-world games, explore the galaxy (and all life contained within) in No Man's Sky! Hear about weird combinations of features that creates super bizarre lifeforms of immense variety (quintillions!). Is it Pokemon in space, Minecraft in space, or a cartoon version of Space Engineers? That's up to you!Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc, theme music by Bret Eagleston (@breadeagles, breteagleston.bandcamp.com) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-12-1615 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.14 - Just Chatting: Storytelling and The Legend of ZeldaA really fun episode where Alex, Andrew and I chat story telling and the Legend of Zelda with special guest Pat Edwards. Author, podcaster and D&D 5e real play streamer Pat Edwards (@ThePatEdwards, thepatedwards.com) tells us about his world building process and what makes Zelda such a successful franchise despite selling us the same story over and over. Why do we love the classic "hero's journey" type of story telling so much? Tune in to find out! *contains expletives* Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc, theme music is called Rain Song by Bret Eagleston (breteagleston.bandcamp.c...
2021-11-1849 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.13 - Taking a Deep Breath of the WildIn the first episode of my new two-part series format, I take a look at The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I've never played this game before, so it has been a fun time making this episode as I discover things along the way for the first time! Tune in this episode to hear my take on some cool game features like animal training, as well as some ecological concepts. Come learn about sapience vs sentience, sexual selection, obligate mutualism, survivorship curves, and edge effects. Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc, theme music by Bret Eagleston (b...
2021-11-1213 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.12 - AMA about ecology in Assassin's Creed Odyssey and OriginsIn the series wrap-up on Assassins' Creed Origins and Odyssey, I talk about population ecology, the Animus technology, and species distributions. Come learn about how our genes "remember" events through a process called methylation, and how individuals in a population distribute themselves in a local area.Music by Bret Eagleston, breteagleston.bandcamp.com, Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-10-3106 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.11 - Just Chatting Assassin's Creed and multi-species kinship*contains expletives* A mega episode where Alex, Andrew and I rant about our favourite Assassin Creed games, features and quirks. For the first time we have a special guest star join us (thanks to my editing skills)! Today's episode features anthrozoologist @maythehan (41:00). We talk about dogs in games, movies and real life. Join us to hear about how Maythe's research on kinship with dogs teaches us about whiteness and racism, and how loving dogs has shaped the very concept of things like race and the animal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-10-231h 12
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.10 - Humans first, nature second in Assassin's Creed OdysseyToday's episode is all about the features, gameplay and disappointing state of animals in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Don't get me wrong, I think it's an amazing RPG and installment in the AC Universe, it's just not my favourite. I talk about the one dimensional fish and plants, and the wonky dogs. Despite my grievances on the in-game ecology, I still love the Assassin's Creed story, mystery, and mythology of the game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-10-1206 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.9 - Animal A.I (and Alliteration) in Assassin's Creed OriginsThis month I'm talking about one of my favourite game series of all time, Assassin's Creed. Today's episode is all about the animals found in Assassin's Creed Origins and their density and behaviour. I also talk about the pre-industrial effects of human activity on the natural environment. What I love most about Assassin's Creed is the amazing ability they give us to visit the great wonders of the world from the comfort of our couches. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-10-0508 min
scientificanadaRandom Walk 2.1 - Gamer's Guide to Ecology, Ig Nobels, Montreal Protocol, The Narwhal The Ig Nobel Prizes have been awarded for 2021! It’s like the Nobel prize, but with a better selection process. Just kidding, but only sort of. The world’s most successful climate-based agreement had its 30-something’th anniversary on September 16th. Let me tell you about it, will ya? A brand new climate-focused reporting outfit right here in frikkin Ontario. And I think it’s going to be a good one. It’s about time, right? And… the second episode of the Gamer’s Guide to Ecology, where Jessie deHaan dives into the fauna in Red Dead Redemption 2Find more Jessie on...
2021-09-2330 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.8 – AMA about Subnautica and ecologyIn the last episode in my series on Subnautica, I answer some listener questions about ecology and Subnautica. I talk more about xenobiology and xenotaxonomy, poke fun at taxonomists (sorry), and have fun theorizing about gravity, water pressure and what might happen if you were to exit your Prawn Suit at a depth of 2500m on Earth.Music by Bret Eagleston, breteagleston.bandcamp.com, Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-09-2106 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.7 - Just Chatting about SubnauticaOn today’s episode I sit down with my friends Andrew and James and chat Subnautica. We talk about what makes the game so scary for new players like James, why we might play video games that scare us, and Subnautica's general gameplay, theme and versatility in game styles. Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc, Theme music by Bret Eagleston (breteagleston.bandcamp.com). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-09-1341 min
scientificanadaRandom Walk 30: Introducing Jessie deHaan and the Gamer's Guide to Ecology #1WATCHLast week we introduced Jessie deHaan and the Gamer's Guide to Ecology. Today, Adam and Jessie talk about grad school, ecology, gaming, and why those things go together so well. We conclude with the very first episode of the Gamer's Guide to Ecology, where Jessie introduces the world of Red Dead Redemption 2.Find more Jessie on Twitter and Twitch, and be sure to add the Gamer's Guide to your favorite podcasting app!
2021-09-0930 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.6 - Alien lifeforms in SubnauticaIn this week's short episode I talk about the potential selective pressures that led to specific adaptations in some of the alien lifeforms in Subnautica, and real-life mating strategies and animal mimicry. Theme song by Bret Eagleston (breteagleston.bandcamp.com), podcast art by Lara LeBlanc. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-09-0805 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.5 - Let’s name the zones, the zones of SubnauticaIn the first episode of a new series, I dive into the topic of xenobiology by discussing life below the waves in Subnautica. I talk about the in-game biomes that are similar to real-life marine biomes, as well as animal density and ecological succession. Art by Lara LeBlanc, theme song by Bret Eagleston (breteagleston.bandcamp.com) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-09-0208 min
Gamer's Guide to EcologyEp.4 – AMA about ecology in Red Dead Redemption 2This is the last episode in our first series. Today, I answer some listener questions about ecology and how it's portrayed in Red Dead Redemption 2. I talk about carrying capacity, natural selection, adaptive radiation and the Banff Bison reintroduction effort (https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/info/gestion-management/bison/blog). I also used the word species a lot, and defined it using the word "species" (whoops). Don't @ me about the species definition debate.Music by Bret Eagleston, breteagleston.bandcamp.com, Podcast art by Lara LeBlanc. See acast.com/privacy for privacy...
2021-08-2507 minGamer's Guide to EcologyEp.3 - Just Chatting about Red Dead Redemption 2This episode contains expletives, and is suitable for mature audiences: On this week's episode I sit down with some friends to chat about Red Dead Redemption 2 gameplay and how it measures up against other notable RPGs. We also talk about plot (NOTE: spoilers), what makes a compelling story, and becoming emotionally connected to a character. Art by Lara LeBlanc, Theme music by Bret Eagleston (breteagleston.bandcamp.com). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-08-1743 minGamer's Guide to EcologyEp.2 - Animals in Red Dead Redemption 2This week's episode is all about community ecology. I introduce concepts like taxonomy, biodiversity and animal behaviour, and give specific in-game examples of my favourite realistic animal behaviours. Art by Lara LeBlanc, Theme music by Bret Eagleston (breteagleston.bandcamp.com). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-08-1005 minGamer's Guide to EcologyEp.1 - Biomes of Red Dead Redemption 2On this episode I talk about in-game environments, called biomes, and compare their plant and animal life to real-world examples. I also talk about the impacts of human activity on in-game and real-life biomes and their animals. Art by Lara LeBlanc, Music by Bret Eagleston (breteagleston.bandcamp.com). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2021-08-0205 min