@lovethynerd
Love Thy Nerd
Love Nerds + Engage Culture + Build Community

Free Play 41 | Nintendogs Direct

SHOW NOTES

Sometimes, our bros over at Nintendo know what they are doing when they drop things on us during their YouTube directs.  Other times they completely miss the mark by not giving us the Metroid and Animal Crossing we so rightfully deserve.

Nintendo had one of those directs this past week with all of the ups and downs we’ve come to expect and that’s what we want to talk about this week on the Free Play Podcast





Episode Hosts

Bubba Stallcup
CEO + PRESIDENT + FOUNDER
Bubba is the CEO, President and Founder of LTN, host of the Free Play Podcast and the Church Nerds Podcast. He is also a full-time Nerd-Culture Missionary. Bubba, and his wonderful wife Anna, have 4 children who are pretty good most of the time. A communal gamer at heart who loves to get in and play games with other people #gameNightIStheRightNight
Matt Warmbier
CPO + FOUNDER
Matt is the CPO & Founder of LTN as well as one of the hosts of the Free Play podcast. When not bustin’ his rump for LTN, Matt can be found, more than likely, playing Gloomhaven. He and his wife Erin have something like a billion kids, and they all love to be in the woods all the time. If you follow him on Instagram, everything he posts is a day behind. You’ve been warned.
Kate Kadowaki
CO-FOUNDER | LTN ADMIN COORDINATOR
Kate is a co-founder, admin coordinator, and best girl host of the Free Play podcast for Love Thy Nerd. Some of her favorite games ever are Red Dead Redemption 2, the Assassin's Creed franchise, and Dragon Age: Inquisition. Kate has a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology and thinks games research is awesome. Her husband Steven says that she dies too much in games.

Episode Producer

Jonathan Clauson
Starting with Clear Channel Radio in the '90s, Jonathan has worked in audio and marketing for 20 years. Credits include stints at EA Tiburon, Christianity Today, Christ and Pop Culture, and freelancing as voice talent for audiobooks and podcast production services.
Kate Kadowaki
CO-FOUNDER | LTN ADMIN COORDINATOR
Kate is a co-founder, admin coordinator, and best girl host of the Free Play podcast for Love Thy Nerd. Some of her favorite games ever are Red Dead Redemption 2, the Assassin's Creed franchise, and Dragon Age: Inquisition. Kate has a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology and thinks games research is awesome. Her husband Steven says that she dies too much in games.

Episode Discussion

Related Content

Why Cozy Games Matter in a Burned-Out World

Cozy games and burnout relief: why gentle games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing help stressed players slow down, breathe, and rediscover rest.

Farewell, Nintendo Switch: A Love Letter to the Console That Changed Everything

A heartfelt tribute to the Nintendo Switch, celebrating how it transformed gaming through portability, innovation, indie support, and unforgettable experiences—just in time for the arrival of the Switch 2.

Free Play 187 | Special: Mac & Cheese Queen

As a part of the LTN Giving Tuesday Ex-Stream-aganza, Kate returns to reunite with Matt & Bubba to talk about what they've been playing, reading, watching in nerd culture, learn some weird fun facts, and debate Thanksgiving side dishes.

Nintendo | The Complete LTN Resource List

Nintendo has been a beloved cornerstone in the gaming world for decades, inspiring fans of all ages. In this collection, you'll find links to insightful reviews, engaging discussions, faith-based devotionals, personal reflections, and curated top lists that explore the impact and legacy of Nintendo's iconic games, characters and consoles.

Nerd History 21 | The Nerd History of Animal Crossing

Radio Matt & Deidra take a nostalgic trek through the timeline of Animal Crossing games, talk about the best bits and the pitfalls, and discuss how the series saved our collective sanity during the pandemic.

Free Play 186 | Game Over (The Series Finale)

This podcast has been going for 6 and 1/2 years and today is the final episode. So what are our hosts doings? Basically flying by the seat of their pants like the good ‘ol days. They talk about nonsense, have some laughs, and play 2 games that Radio Matt put together. Thank you so much for giving this show a great run these past several years. Everyone involved had a blast with all of you and can’t believe you actually listen to and enjoy this hot mess of a show that brings chaos on the regular.

Free Play 185 | Most Iconic Video Game Characters of All Time

In the penultimate episode of Free Play, Bubba, Matt & Kate go through the BAFTA list of the Most Iconic Video Game Characters of All Time and see if the list lines up with their opinions. Who's in the number 1 spot? It's not who you think.

Free Play 184 | Outgrowing Nerdiness

Do we ever truly outgrow our nerdiness or is it a “once a nerd always a nerd” type thing even if you’re not actively engaging in anything nerdy? The power of nostalgia is more real now than it’s ever been and people are coming back to their old love of games and nerd culture, but what about the ones that don’t?