Anime Fest of Wichita 2024
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
Release Date: 06/25/2024
From Golden Corral to Royal Ball: The DIY Origins of a Renaissance Dream
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
This week on ConCast, we’re joined by Angela Kearney, the mastermind behind the very first Topeka Renaissance Festival! She walks us through the wild ride of bringing an 8-year dream to life—from pirate meetups at Golden Corral to building a full-blown Ren Fest complete with jousting, Viking encampments, mermaids, and even a pole dancer in the 21+ pirate bar. We talk about the grassroots hustle, dealing with old-school gatekeepers, the creative reuse of garage sale treasures, and what it takes to make magic on a shoestring budget. Plus, as always, we wrap up with geeky news, mead talk, and...
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Bigfoot, Ghostbusters, and Giant Spiders: The Con Report
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
S3E18 | Bigfoot, Ghostbusters, and Giant Spiders: The Con Report! Ash and Little Beard are back, tired but full of stories after a packed weekend of events. The episode kicks off with some fun banter about Bigfoot vlogs and Ash’s latest weird TikTok algorithm obsession: Stick Nation. The crew gives a rundown of their weekend adventures: McConnellCon – A surprisingly packed six-hour military base convention, with free signed memorabilia from Darth Vader actor Spencer Wilding and R2D2 actor Jimmy Vee (Little Beard hilariously blanked on the name mid-show). Highlights included a chaotic...
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McConnell-Con, Mayflower, and the Most Important Machine in the Universe
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
In this lively episode, Ash, Little Beard, and special guest Jon Pic delve into upcoming conventions, geek culture, and some wild AI developments. Ash reveals his family's surprising Mayflower lineage and geekgasm-worthy 3D printed "Most Important Machine in the Universe." Jon shares insights into organizing McConnell Con, a military-focused convention that bridges Wichita’s geek community with Airmen and their families. Topics include 3D printing trophies, AI-generated video content, cosplay contest prizes, and upcoming guests like Spencer Wilding and Scott Innes. The crew also debates the...
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Too Many Baddies: Superman’s Messy Comeback
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
Ash and Little Beard kick off the episode reminiscing about their custom podcast intro music and how AI tools like Suno are reshaping creative work. The duo dives deep into the chaos of AI-generated fake trailers, especially surrounding Spider-Man Noir, and reflect on the challenges of identifying real content online. They preview and analyze trailers for Superman, Peacemaker, and Spider-Man Noir, discussing concerns over bloated casts, tone inconsistencies, and James Gunn's creative control.
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From Comic-Con to Cetaceans: The Future is Weird
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
This week on ConCast, Ash andLittle Beard dive into the biggest geek and nerd news for May 2025! We’re talking about Disney’s new villain-themed musical ride, Comic-Con expanding to Spain (with Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom!), and OpenAI taking a swing at the social media world. Plus, we spotlight the Slate Truck—an EV straight outta a minimalist’s dream—and celebrate the brightest breakthroughs in futurism: fusion power, dolphin translators, biodegradable pacemakers, and more! We also share updates from the winery, 3D printing triumphs and tragedies, a potential He-Man casting...
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Trailer Park 2025: The Reboots, The Revamps, and The Ridiculous
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
In this week’s episode, Ash and Little Beard plow through a deluge of new trailers—including Fantastic Four: First Steps, Toxic Avenger, Thunderbolts, Predator: Badlands, and more. We rant about cosplay boot prices, con guest burnout, nostalgia overload, and why Galactus might need a zoning permit in Manhattan. We also serve up fresh geek news on Critical Role’s publishing empire, Star Wars: Starfighter with Ryan Gosling, and YouTube’s 20th birthday. Bonus: tales of stripper boots and the great White Castle Kansas conundrum.
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The Great Plains Survival Guide: TsunamiCon Incoming!
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
This week on ConCast, Ash and Little Beard limp back from a whirlwind weekend at the Great Plains Renaissance Festival. From gale-force winds and collapsing pop-ups to soy sauce shots in the Pirate Power Hour, it was an event to remember… or partially blackout. They share tales of steampunk woes, generator dreams, new 3D printing tech, and why the new Supergirl movie might just slap. Plus, AI creates creepy-accurate videos of two tired Ren Faire dads, and they give a shoutout to Mac for leveling up Wag’s socials. Oh—and if you’re wondering what movie might actually kill a man in a...
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S3E11 Retro Rants and the Rise of B-Movies
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
In this episode of ConCast, Ash and Little Beard kick things off with a heartfelt tribute to Val Kilmer, diving into their favorite films and his unforgettable performances. From there, it’s a wild ride through geek culture—everything from dice hoarding and Star Trek model building to the chaos of AI-generated movies and Magic: The Gathering nostalgia. They rant about overpriced collectibles, reveal con plans (including wine slushies!), and debate whether B-movies are making a comeback in the AI age. It’s nerdy, it’s rowdy, and it’s pure ConCast energy.
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S3E10 Karen Goes AI, and the Pyramids Go Deep!
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
In Season 3, Episode 10, Ash, Little Beard, and special guest Cookie dive into a lively discussion covering everything from AI advancements and classic animation nostalgia, to controversial topics like Ubisoft's new Assassin’s Creed game and mysteries surrounding the pyramids. They also touch on highlights from Planet Comic Con, the latest trailers for Avengers: Doomsday and Karen Unleashed, and speculate on the future impacts of AI in entertainment and content creation. The conversation is spirited, humorous, and filled with insightful banter that fans of geek culture and conspiracy...
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Kansas Comic Con Recap: Nerdy Finds, Pricey Signatures & Convention Updates
ConCast - A podcast about Conventions and Fandoms
This week on ConCast, Ash and Little Beard dive into their experiences at Kansas Comic Con, discussing highlights, vendor trends, and the evolving convention scene. They’re joined by their wives, Christie and Jessica, for a fun and lively discussion about everything from upcoming events like Planet Comic Con and Great Plains Renaissance Festival to the wild world of celebrity autographs. Plus, they share their latest geekgasms, including sci-fi movies, 3D printing, Ghostbusters gear, and the state of Marvel. Tune in for laughs, insights, and plenty of nerdy banter!
info_outlineIn this episode of ConCast, Ash and the team dive into a lively discussion at Anime Festival Wichita. They explore the nuances of con culture, reminiscing about past conventions and sharing hilarious anecdotes, including tales of encounters with famous cosplayers and behind-the-scenes antics. They delve into the cyclical nature of festival attendance, the impact of competing events, and the evolving interests of con-goers. The team also touches on the rise of post-apocalyptic themes in pop culture, the resurgence of Fallout fandom, and the potential for new big trends in the geek world. Tune in for a fun, candid conversation about all things convention-related!