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  • Episode 206: Parody Only Works If You Love the Genre w/ Erin Stegeman

    Episode 206: Parody Only Works If You Love the Genre w/ Erin Stegeman
    Jan 30 2026
    Talking with Erin Stegeman feels like sitting down with someone you’ve known forever and immediately picking up where you left off. Erin is a writer, director, and performer who has spent years creating smart, scrappy parody work, and in this episode of Everything is Awesome, we spend a lot of time talking about what happens to creative projects long after you think you’ve moved on from them.We start in very familiar territory: parenting chaos, kids getting hurt in new and inventive ways, the weird anxiety spiral that comes from googling medical symptoms, and the general realization that once you have multiple kids, your house just becomes a series of controlled disasters. It’s loose, funny, and immediately settles into the kind of tone that defines this show.From there, the conversation shifts into Erin’s work, especially Once Upon a Time: The Rock Opera, and what it’s been like to see that project find new life a decade later. Erin talks candidly about how scrappy that era was, how much work went into it, and how hard it was for a long time to even revisit the project without focusing on everything she wished she’d done differently. Now, years later, there’s a sense of perspective and appreciation for what it was, how ridiculous it could be, and why it still resonates with people discovering it for the first time.We also dig into parody as a genre, how comedy changes over time, and why context matters when you look back at humor from the early days of social media. Erin and Kev talk about the difference between punching up and punching down, how certain styles of comedy were everywhere in the late 2000s, and why growing as a creator doesn’t mean pretending your past didn’t happen. It just means you’re not that person anymore.Later in the episode, we talk about Shame of Thrones, Erin’s Game of Thrones musical parody, how it evolved from a low-budget idea into something much bigger, and what it’s like dealing with IP holders who have very different reactions to parody. There are stories about Comic-Con runs, off-Broadway shows, lawyers calling, and the strange line between being embraced by a fandom and being told to change a font so lawyers don’t get involved.If you’re into parody, genre storytelling, creative growth, or just honest conversations about making things and surviving the process, this episode is a great listen. It’s funny, reflective, occasionally deep, and very much an Everything is Awesome conversation.SUPPORT ERIN STEGEMANInstagram | M.A.C.B.E.T.H (IG) | M.A.C.B.E.T.H (tickets) | Shame of Thrones | Save the Video Store | OUAT: The Rock OperaTHE SHOWEverything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9admYouTube: Coming Soon!Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.Organizations & Causes We Support:Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8
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    1 Std. und 17 Min.
  • Episode 205: Did Marvel Fall Off After Endgame? w/ Craig Liggeons

    Episode 205: Did Marvel Fall Off After Endgame? w/ Craig Liggeons
    Jan 23 2026
    Talking with Craig Liggeons is like talking to the guy at the convention who has seen everything, read everything, and somehow remembers every lineup change and post-credit scene along the way. Craig is a Philadelphia pop culture personality, comic book expert, and host of Comic Book Gurus, a show that dives into comic book movies, comics themselves, and fan culture from a Philly perspective. In this episode of Everything is Awesome, we dig into comic books, the MCU, X-Men, Philadelphia sports heartbreak, and how fandom has changed over the last two decades.We kick things off by talking about being an Eagles fan, especially during postseason runs. There is a particular kind of sports trauma that Philadelphia fans carry, and Craig captures it perfectly. From there, we slide directly into the MCU and how Marvel has shifted since the end of the Infinity Saga. Craig has thoughts on the highs, the lows, and the “what do they even do now?” era Marvel finds itself in as it looks toward its next big crossover. One of the best parts of the conversation is hearing Craig talk about seeing X-Men (2000) in theaters for the first time, and how surreal it was to see a serious comic book movie with a real budget and real actors. For a lot of fans, that movie was the proof-of-concept that made the modern MCU possible.We also talk about Comic Book Gurus, how it started, and how Craig became known within the Preston & Steve orbit. There’s a charm in hearing how radio, comedy, and comic book culture intersect in Philadelphia, and how fandoms build community in unexpected ways. Craig is the kind of guest who brings strong opinions, deep history, and a storyteller’s brain, which makes the conversation move in every direction in the best way possible.If you’re into comic book culture, Marvel movies, X-Men nostalgia, Philadelphia sports, or the evolution of fandom from the 90s to today, this is a great episode to check out. It’s loose, it’s funny, it’s passionate, and it’s exactly the kind of geeked-out conversation that defines Everything is Awesome.Topics Mentioned:Marvel Cinematic UniverseX-MenComic Book GurusPreston & StevePhiladelphia EaglesComic book movies and fandomMCU post-Endgame eraPhilly pop cultureSUPPORT CRAIG LIGGEONSFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | Threads | Comic Book Gurus on YouTubeTHE SHOWEverything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9admYouTube: Coming Soon!Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.Organizations & Causes We Support:Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8
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    1 Std. und 12 Min.
  • Episode 204: Everything is Awesome 2026 Look Ahead

    Episode 204: Everything is Awesome 2026 Look Ahead
    Jan 16 2026

    We're dropping this a little late because Kev's oldest got injured in wrestling! Back to a normal schedule next week!

    Mike and Kev are back! After taking a sick week, the boys are back to take a look at movies, video games, and TV projects that are coming in 2026. They also take a minute to reflect on their creative goals for 2026.

    SUPPORT MIKE DEANGELO

    Tellest | Etsy | Twitch

    THE SHOW

    Everything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.

    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9adm
    • YouTube: Coming Soon!
    • Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.


    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    Please consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.

    Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.

    Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.

    Organizations & Causes We Support:

    Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8
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    1 Std. und 3 Min.
  • Episode 203: Independent Spirit w/ Michael Pikard

    Episode 203: Independent Spirit w/ Michael Pikard
    Jan 7 2026

    PIVOT!

    We'll be back next with our look ahead to 2026, featuring Mike DeAngelo, but we're both feeling a bit under the weather. So, we chat with a different Mike!

    Enter Michael Pickard—an award-winning author who got his start in writing in an unconventional way. From letters to his daughter to writing the perfect time travel story, Michael's story is that of a true independent creator.

    That independent spirit, as the title suggests, is what is at the heart of this conversation.

    SUPPORT MICHAEL PICKARD

    Amazon | Forward and Back (The Perfect Time Travel Story) | Facebook

    Michael Pickard blends his professional background in cutting-edge technology with a deep passion for the creative arts in his writing. He has published dozens of short stories, including Hardwired, which won the Ray Bradbury Creative Writing Prize in 2005. His experience in technology informs the creation of rich fictional worlds and societies, while his sharp use of satire keeps readers engaged, thoughtful, and entertained.

    THE SHOW

    Everything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.

    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9adm
    • YouTube: Coming Soon!
    • Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.


    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    Please consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.

    Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.

    Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.

    Organizations & Causes We Support:

    Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8
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    1 Std. und 8 Min.
  • Episode 202: Everything is Awesome 2025 Rewind

    Episode 202: Everything is Awesome 2025 Rewind
    Jan 1 2026

    It's officially 2026! It's time for our annual tradition of sitting down with Mike DeAngelo to talk about the previous year—that's right, it's the Everything is Awesome 2025 Rewind!

    We look back at the entertainment, specifically in film and video games [with a touch of TV and books] that we enjoyed with some rough top ten lists. We also take the time to reflect on what each of us has done creatively this year.

    Stay tuned next week when Mike returns for the Everything is Awesome 2026 Look Ahead!

    SUPPORT MIKE DEANGELO

    Tellest | Etsy | Twitch

    THE SHOW

    Everything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.

    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9adm
    • YouTube: Coming Soon!
    • Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.


    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    Please consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.

    Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.

    Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.

    Organizations & Causes We Support:

    Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8
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    1 Std. und 33 Min.
  • Episode 201: Jik-Jak's Life Day Special

    Episode 201: Jik-Jak's Life Day Special
    Dec 25 2025

    Happy Life Day and Merry Christmas!

    Don't know who Jik-Jak, Rindak, Kessa, and Kyjean are? Go listen to episode 200! It's a great holiday time listen!

    SUPPORT MIKE DEANGELO

    Tellest | Etsy | Twitch

    SUPPORT JEFF STORMER

    Party of One Podcast | Bluesky

    SUPPORT TAYLOR KELLAR

    Taylor Kellar | TikTok

    THE SHOW

    Everything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.

    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9adm
    • YouTube: Coming Soon!
    • Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.


    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    Please consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.

    Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.

    Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.

    Organizations & Causes We Support:

    Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter
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    6 Min.
  • Episode 200: Escape from Mos Shuuta (a Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Adventure)

    Episode 200: Escape from Mos Shuuta (a Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Adventure)
    Dec 22 2025

    200 episodes. Man, that's something special. This is the first podcast I've done where we've hit that number. Happy Hour hit around 175 episodes or so before I shut it down, though I may have been part of The Stabcast for close to 200 episodes. Regardless... this is special, no matter how long it took to get to it.

    And just like we did for Everything is Awesome Episode 100, we're playing a game! This time, we head to a galaxy far, far away (in the distant past) with Star Wars: Edge of the Empire. Inspired by the Campaign podcast and using a modified version of the beginning adventure, I sat down with Mike DeAngelo, Jeff Stormer, and Taylor Kellar to run their little crew around the sands of Tatooine.

    SUPPORT MIKE DEANGELO

    Tellest | Etsy | Twitch

    SUPPORT JEFF STORMER

    Party of One Podcast | Bluesky

    SUPPORT TAYLOR KELLAR

    Taylor Kellar | TikTok

    THE SHOW

    Everything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.

    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9adm
    • YouTube: Coming Soon!
    • Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.


    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    Please consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.

    Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.

    Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.

    Organizations & Causes We Support:

    Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter
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    2 Std. und 31 Min.
  • Episode 199: Engage Your Community w/ Brian Reveals

    Episode 199: Engage Your Community w/ Brian Reveals
    Dec 17 2025
    This is one of my absolute favorite episodes I've ever recorded. When I sit down and think about my favorite episodes (and, to be fair, every episode has a special place in my heart), they are usually on opposite sides of the spectrum. Our live shows, which I love, are either in a "Late Night" format or a panel from a convention. We have episodes like 100 (and next week's 200th episode) where we play games, and then episodes like our interview with Tonya Todd and now Brian Reveals: serious conversations about mental health and the state of the world.And I'm not an overly serious person... I like that Everything is Awesome is silly. It's here if you want to escape the real world. But these conversations that take a serious turn are special. We may not be escaping, but we are engaging. And that's what this episode felt it was really about from top to bottom.Engaging with your mental health. Making sure you're taking care of it. Making it a priority.Engaging with politics. Get informed and vote in every election, because the big one every 4 years isn't necessarily going to affect your day-to-day life. (That doesn't mean it's not important!)Engaging with your community. No matter where you sit when it comes to politics, most people in your community want the same thing: a safe place to live, raise their kids, have a roof over their heads, and three meals a day for their families. The media will have you believe we all hate each other for our beliefs, but the truth is, we have more in common than you might think. You just have to engage with your community to see the truth.We also talked about So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, a book I read in 2020 that was as informative as it was enlightening. I encourage you to pick it up from a local bookstore, your local library, or from the link I provided. However you can read it, read it.SUPPORT BRIAN REVEALSBrian Reveals Media | The Dynamite NetworkTHE SHOWEverything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9admYouTube: Coming Soon!Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.Organizations & Causes We Support:Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter
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    1 Std. und 28 Min.