Episode 21 – Gaming’s Influence Away From the Table
Summary: We all love being "in it" when we're around the gaming table with our friends. Whether it's slaying dragons, hacking supercomputers, or saving any number of fantastical worlds from nefarious villains, there comes a time to pack up the books, put away the dice, and get back to the humdrum routine of real life. However, the fact of the matter is that when we leave the gaming table, the gaming experience goes with us. Join us this week as we discuss the ways in which gaming influence us away from the table with our special guest and long-time friend, actor Louis (Louie) Carazo. Catch him in theaters March 16th in the new Will Ferrell comedy, Casa de mi Padre, but first, take a listen at how gaming has influenced the Monkeys when they aren't roleplaying it up! (01:27) -Thanks to Gamerstable, Robert admits one of his guilty pleasures and spends some... quality(?) time in front of the TV with Blue Mountain State and Conan The Barbarian. (04:36) - Matt sends some love out to all the TV-philes (and gun enthusiasts?) out there with some great news about PaleyFest. Also the death knell for D&D 4th Edition is ringing. (10:44) - Ramses has something other than podcasts to listen to! He talks about his new love of Donald Glover as Childish Gambino. Plus, the greatest version of Monopoly EVER! (15:15) - While Louie is almost overcome by his superfandom of the podcast, he keeps it together and shares with the group his current geek loves, Battlestar Galactica and Dungeons & Dragons. The next of his list? Doctor Who! (22:29) - Do you love zombies? Do you love to run? Do you have a smartphone? If so, Karen has the app for you! - Zombies, Run! Plus, Karen gets SPOILED!!!! Damn you AMC, damn you!! (28:36) – We delve into this weeks topic and look at the ways gaming influence us away from the table. Matt reveals that gaming is a form of therapy for him, Karen uses it as her creative expression, and Louie gets us talking about collaborative storytelling and it’s way of keeping our imaginations primed. (37:15) – Not only does gaming help one to tap into who they are internally, it also provides to tools to branch out, make friends, and form close knit bonds. Karen and Robert discuss gaming as a social experience and discuss the bonds that form at the table. Ramses and Matt delve into the sense of community and the sanctuary that gaming provides. (44:05) – While gaming provides us with all manner of fun and excitement and serves as a great social outlet, Karen opens up and explains how gaming taught her to step outside of herself when she needed to most. Louie explains his theory of what Karen is saying. Robert discusses the negative aspect of gaming and talks about his time in “the matrix.” (50:17) – Ramses gets the group pondering on how gaming helps with dealing with the unexpected, Louie talks character death, multiple GM’s, and party size. (53:40) – Gaming as the doorway to literature and life experiences. Closing Song - Freaks and Geeks - written and performed by Childish Gambino
