Episode 437: Byuka returns and talks Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Release Date: 10/27/2025
Episode 469: Reina Valentine returns and talks Fandom and Cosplay
Tales from the Fandom
Reina Valentine returns to the podcast for her 6th episode as we get to catch up and talk fandom. In the title, you'd normally see the fandoms we'd be talking about. Funny (or unfunny) thing is, Reina has said that she's not currently a part of any fandom - and that is what we are discussing on the episode. We talk about how Reina pulling back from fandoms happened, with shows like Game of Thrones, The Acolyte, and Shadow and Bone, and the reasoning for each is different - but heavy is the heart that throws down for fandoms like Reina did. So she made that decision to step back from that...
info_outline
Episode 468: Selena aka itsselenachea returns and talks Spider-Man, Bridgerton, Cosplay, and more!
Tales from the Fandom
Selena aka itsselenachea on socials returns to the podcast after 4 years as we get to catch up and talk about old and new fandoms! We start things off by talking about the Spider-Man fandom. This episode releases one week before Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and we discuss potential things that may or may not happen in the movie. We also talk about Tom Holland and how many movies he may still do as the beloved Peter Parker. We also talk about the animated side of things with talk about Spider-Man: Beyond the Spiderverse, releasing (potentially) in June 2027. Selena and I also discuss Cindy Moon,...
info_outline
Episode 467: Becca Bix of WomenPlayDND talks Romantasy Books, and Dungeons & Dragons
Tales from the Fandom
I had stumbled across Becca's Threads account, WomenPlayDND, awhile back. I loved what she was doing with getting new players into Dungeons and Dragons and breaking people out of the rule book and getting them to the table. It was a pleasure having her join me on the podcast to talk about this, and more! We start things off by talking about the Romantasy book genre. We talk about some of her early reads, and what draws her to the Romantasy genre. Becca also talks about how characters are portrayed, storylines, and more. I recommended previous guest, Gabriella Buba's "Saints of...
info_outline
Episode 466: Dr. Anna Eskamani talks Star Wars and Politics
Tales from the Fandom
Dr. Anna Eskamani, Florida native, and current Florida House of Representatives member for District 42 (in Orange County, as of release in July of 2026 - her term expires in November 2026), and currently running for Mayor of Orlando (election in 2027) joins me to talk about one of her favorite fandoms. We split the episode in two. We focus first on Star Wars. Dr. Eskamani talks about how she got interested in the franchise. From the movies to TV shows, books, video games, and more. We talk about how she watched her older brother play Star Wars video games, and how she's love to revisit the...
info_outline
Episode 465: Hazel the Writer returns and talks Live Action Roleplaying, Game of Thrones, and Cosplay
Tales from the Fandom
Hazel aka HazeltheWriter on social media returns to the podcast after 5 years as we get to catch up and talk about some new fandoms! After recording 5 years ago, Hazel moved to England for some time, and has now moved back stateside. While over in England, she got interested in Live Action Roleplaying. If you're thinking of boffer style games, then you're about to learn what kind of games Hazel found herself in. First swept up into Lord of the Rings / Hobbit style games, Hazel branched off into Game of Thrones themed games. We talked about her weekend adventures, overnighting at these events,...
info_outline
Episode 464: Kate aka TheCloudyKate talks One Piece, Tabletop Roleplaying Games, Books & Fantasy Balls, and Cosplay
Tales from the Fandom
After quite some time, I'm pleased to have Kate aka TheCloudyKate join me as we get to talk about some of their favorite fandoms! We start things off by tackling One Piece. Kate talks to me about how and when they got into the series, and whether they're into the anime, the manga, or the live action. We talk about their watch parties with friends, their thoughts on the live action series and where it may or may not go, their favorite characters, and what the One Piece could end up being (though Kate threatens to quit if it becomes reality) Then we jump over to Tabletop Roleplaying Games. From...
info_outline
Episode 463: Sadie Waycaster returns and talks old and new fandoms, and Cosplay
Tales from the Fandom
The first official returning guest of the 10th year of this podcast, Sadie Waycaster aka SadiebyDesign returns almost 9 years later as we get to catch up and talk about some past fandoms, new fandoms, and Cosplay! Sadie was one of my first guests back in 2016 and was a huge supporter of the podcast in its infancy. Ever since then, it has been a pleasure to know Sadie and follow her life and work and have someone I can call a friend. I knew I wanted her to return and she said yes, so here we are. We get to catch up first since it has been awhile since we talked, and then we cover a number of...
info_outline
Episode 462: ElectroCosplay talks Elder Scrolls, A Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones, Dungeons and Dragons, and Cosplay
Tales from the Fandom
ElectroCosplay joins from New York to talk about some of her favorite fantastical fandoms, plus we're talking about Cosplay too! We start things off by talking about one of the biggest fantasy video games series, Elder Scrolls. Electro and I talk about how she got into the Elder Scrolls series, and we bounce around between talking about Skyrim, Elder Scrolls Online, and how she incorporates Elder Scrolls themes and idea into her real life decorating for her home. Plus, there is a request for Elder Scrolls 6 (take note Bethesda!) From there, Electro and I talk about George R.R. Martin's A Song...
info_outline
Episode 461: Ali aka The Ali Way talks about his growth and evolution as a person & creator, and his brand
Tales from the Fandom
June 6th reflects the anniversary of Tales from the Fandom. This episode also serves as the 10 year anniversary, as well as the birthday of our returning guest, Ali aka The.Ali.Way Recorded back in February, Ali returns after nearly 3 years since his first episode. Our conversation focuses all about Ali and his journey as a creator. In our first episode, Ali seemed to be right at the start of reaching that brass ring in the content creator space. We now reflect on the years since that release. From attending movie premieres, working/partnering with brands to create content and reviews for...
info_outline
Episode 460: Sara Moni Cosplay returns and talks X-Men, Monster High Dolls, Cosplay, and more!
Tales from the Fandom
Returning for a 3rd episode and to help us get closer to our 10th anniversary, Arizona cosplayer and creator Sara Moni Cosplay joins me. We originally recorded an episode in 2016 during my first year, and then she returned in 2020. Now here we are, reflecting on the past, present, and futures of our fandoms and passions. We kick things off with a through line through our previous conversations, as we once again return to the X-Men. We talk about the past several years of X-Men media, from movies like New Mutants, to X-Men 97, and the inclusion of X-Men characters in the MCU. Sara and I discuss...
info_outlineTwitch streamer and fellow Hyrule Gaming Group member Byuka returns to the podcast as we talk about the world wide release of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby game.
After nearly a year and a half, Byuka comes back to the podcast as we talk about an app/game that has taken over our lives. Japanese horse girl racing game, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, released world wide earlier this year. A game that has been in Asia for several years, Umamusume providers the player a chance to train and race their favorite horse girl over the course of a 3 year period.
What will you train? Speed? Wit? Will you give them recreation time? How often will you let them rest? And what skills will your horsegirl obtain in the course of their career? It's highly deep in strategy, frustrating with the RNG at times, and has deep lore for each character - and each character being based on a real horse that exists (or existed).
We go over a lot of what we love about the game, the lore and history, how we play, plus tips and tricks!
Go check out Umamusume: Pretty Derby, and send me your trainer code so we can be friends!
Check out this website for game information!
https://gametora.com/umamusume/training-event-helper
You can find Byuka at:
You can listen to Byuka's previous episode at: