Fire Escape Cast #91 Summary

Release Date: October 7, 2024

Hosts: Mike Mahardy, Dan Rykert, and Mary Kish

Introduction

In episode #91 of the Fire Escape Cast, hosts Mike Mahardy, Dan Rykert, and Mary Kish reconnect after Mary’s recent stint at TwitchCon in San Diego. This episode brims with a mix of personal anecdotes, gaming discussions, humorous banter, and insightful conversations about relationships and hobbies. Skipping the usual advertisements and intros, the trio dives straight into engaging topics that resonate with both longtime listeners and newcomers.

Mary’s TwitchCon Experience

Mary Kish kicked off the episode by sharing her vibrant experience at TwitchCon. She highlighted the unique Artist Alley, a section dedicated to streamers who not only perform but also create and sell their art and crafts live.

“It’s a whole section of the convention hall is just, like, buy stuff that are made by arts and crafters who also stream their arts and crafts” ([01:38] Mary Kish).

Mary emphasized the difference between Artist Alley and traditional convention art booths, appreciating the interactive and dynamic nature of streamers who engage their audience while showcasing their creations. She also shared her enthusiasm for her favorite stream, “Turtles and Chill,” humorously describing the peculiar charm of a live turtle tank stream.

“It’s like having a turtle tank in my house, but I don’t have to deal with the turtle smell or feeding them or anything” ([02:28] Mary Kish).

Dan’s Liquor Store Anecdote

The conversation took a nostalgic turn as Dan Rykert recounted his college days working at a liquor store. He humorously admitted his early desire to report underage drinkers for a $50 bounty, though he confessed he rarely found fake IDs.

“I did not actually narc anyone. I just desperately wanted to” ([04:44] Dan Rykert).

“You were talking earlier, before we were recording, about how when you worked at a liquor store, you would report anyone who wasn’t 21” ([04:19] Mary Kish).

Mary playfully teased Dan about his past inclination to report others, leading to a lighthearted exchange about morality and youthful antics.

Wine Discussions and Costco Shopping

The trio delved into their shared appreciation for wine, particularly discussing Viognier from First Leaf. Mary praised her personalized wine selections, highlighting how First Leaf curates bottles based on individual preferences.

“Viognier is usually is a bit more like tropical fruit, but it tastes bad” ([06:31] Mike Mahardy).

The conversation seamlessly transitioned to their favorite shopping haunt, Costco. Mary extolled the virtues of buying in bulk, especially for her beloved Mexican Coke in glass bottles, which she considers a special treat when purchased in larger quantities.

“It's so good” ([11:05] Mike Mahardy).

They also shared tips on quickly chilling beverages, debating the best methods to freeze soda safely without causing explosions—an amusing yet practical topic.

Spud Guns: Fun or Fiasco?

A significant portion of the episode was dedicated to the intriguing topic of spud guns (potato guns). The hosts discussed the mechanics, safety concerns, and the internet subculture surrounding these whimsical devices.

“A spud gun, also known as a potato gun, can hurt and cause serious injuries, including death” ([34:07] Mike Mahardy).

Mary expressed her skepticism about owning such devices, emphasizing the potential dangers and the importance of responsible use. The conversation included humorous scenarios, such as the idea of using spud guns in friendly dares, highlighting both the fun and the risks involved.

“You better keep on your good stuff” ([38:09] Mary Kish).

They also explored SpudFiles.com, a wiki dedicated to spud guns, sharing jokes and community-driven content that showcases the quirky side of this hobby.

Travel Tales: Dan’s Japan Adventures

Dan Rykert shared his recent trip to Japan, recounting a memorable mishap with the bullet train system. He humorously detailed boarding the wrong train, only to realize his mistake midway, leading to a chaotic yet amusing situation.

“I was on the wrong bullet train… I'm in Kyoto” ([14:07] Dan Rykert).

Dan also visited the newly opened Nintendo Museum, expressing his excitement as a dedicated Nintendo fan and collector. He showcased his quirky memorabilia, including a giant Nintendo 64 controller pillow, adding a personal touch to his travel story.

“There's a Nintendo 64 controller on top of the fridge behind me there” ([16:39] Dan Rykert).

Mary chimed in with her favorite findings from Costco during her trip, reinforcing their shared love for quirky and bulk-buy items.

Gaming Deep Dive

The hosts transitioned to their passion for video games, discussing various titles and their experiences:

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Kingdom

Mike shared his experiences with the latest Zelda installment, praising its innovative mechanics and engaging storyline. Dan echoed these sentiments, highlighting the game’s ability to blend modern gameplay elements with classic Zelda charm.

“It's a full-fledged Zelda game” ([66:25] Dan Rykert).

Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines

Mary introduced the sequel to Grapple Dogs, titled Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines. She described the game’s cooperative mechanics and the addition of a second, sassy dog with new abilities.

“Cosmic Canines adds a secondary dog. Now there is a girl dog” ([87:05] Mary Kish).

Dan and Mike discussed the game’s intricate level design and the freedom it offers players, comparing it to classic titles like Mario 64 and Splatoon.

Core Keeper and Dead Rising Remake

Mary enthusiastically reviewed Core Keeper, a cooperative game that emphasizes teamwork and strategic planning. Dan reminisced about his fondness for the Dead Rising remake, appreciating its unique humor and gameplay mechanics.

“It's super unique… well, very fun where you grab insane weapons and just carve through them” ([93:21] Dan Rykert).

Marriage and Relationship Advice

Shifting gears, the hosts shared personal insights and advice on maintaining healthy marriages. Dan and Mike reflected on their relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication, empathy, and mutual support.

“You need to really think about it and be like, wow, how can I help this person?” ([128:51] Mary Kish).

Mary added her perspective on the significance of being present and supportive, advocating for couples therapy as a valuable tool for strengthening relationships.

“Couples therapy is so awesome… It is not a thing for, like, couples in trouble” ([132:12] Mary Kish).

The conversation underscored the value of understanding and accommodating each other’s differences, fostering a strong and resilient partnership.

Listener Emails and Community Engagement

The hosts engaged with their audience by reading and responding to listener emails. Highlights included:

• Max from Austin: Seeking advice for a happy and healthy marriage, especially with an upcoming wedding.

“Have you any advice since she's been there a while. Love you guys.” ([135:14] Mary Kish).

• Aaron from Warren, Pennsylvania: Praising the podcast and sharing his meditation and running habits.

“I meditate a lot. I run a lot” ([151:10] Dan Rykert).

Mary provided thoughtful responses, reinforcing the community spirit of the podcast and offering encouragement and support.

Concluding Remarks

As the episode wrapped up, the hosts extended their gratitude to listeners, celebrated friendships, and teased upcoming content. They also discussed future milestones, such as episode #100, hinting at special plans to commemorate this significant achievement.

“We'll be back on October 21st with episode 92” ([161:31] Mike Mahardy).

The episode concluded on a high note, reinforcing the camaraderie and dynamic energy that Fire Escape Cast is known for.

Notable Quotes

• Mary Kish on Artist Alley:
  “It's totally different than pax, which is like, art booths of people who have really good art.” ([01:04] Mary Kish)

• Dan Rykert on Marriage:
  “It's about leveling up whatever hand that you can that you think you'll actually get a lot and score.” ([125:47] Dan Rykert)

• Mike Mahardy on Relationships:
  “We are a team. This is just an argument like, you're wrong and I'm right. But at the end of the day, we're a team.” ([127:11] Mike Mahardy)

• Mary Kish on Therapy:
  “Couples therapy is so awesome… It is not a thing for, like, couples in trouble.” ([132:12] Mary Kish)

Final Thoughts

Episode #91 of Fire Escape Cast masterfully balances humor, personal stories, and insightful discussions, making it a must-listen for fans and newcomers alike. Whether you’re passionate about gaming, navigating relationships, or simply enjoy witty banter, this episode delivers a rich and engaging experience that encapsulates the essence of the podcast.

For more information and to support the hosts, visit fireescapecast.com.