Episodes
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Attacked By Monsters - 312
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Awesome feedback received this week! Jim from the Monster Attack podcast wrote in to say he is listening. There has been much sickness in the house, but that has not stopped us from making plans and doing the things!
From Jim we learned that our show is engaging and enjoyable. Shawn and Leah have great chemistry and this is apparent when listening. Jim will keep on listening--there are a lot of episodes to catch up on. We will be listening to his Monster Attack podcast.
Everyone in our house has been down with the sickness the last month. We are on the road to recovery, but it is taking longer than expected. Shawn even called in sick to work and that is quite a rarity. There was a recent birthday dinner. Curtis, one of Shawn's brothers, had a birthday in December and this past week, the 3 brothers were able to mesh their schedules and go to Chuck's Roadhouse to celebrate.
Bathroom renovations have been on hold. The leaky sink has sunk our motivation to continue. We are however, planning a cruise, a visit to Milwaukee for Easter, and a trip to Traverse City this weekend. Some time away is required after being sick and taking care of Shawn's dad. There are some fun plans for the next few months!
Check out our Etsy shops! Leah's store can be found by searching Collect and Cast On. Shawn's store is Rusted Robot Toys.
This week's podcast promo: Monster Attack
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
The Iron Claw - 311
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
The Iron Claw tells the story of the professional wrestling family, the Von Erichs. Shawn and Leah just saw this film in theatres, and are here to share their thoughts on the movie, and recall their wrestling memories.
Of the two, Leah is a bigger fan of wrestling than Shawn. She has met many professional wrestlers. One time, Shawn saw Hulk Hogan walking up some stairs. The bulk of Shawn's wrestling knowledge is from the mid-1980s to about 1991. Leah has had much more interaction in the world of wrestling, including going on a wrestling inspired cruise.
The Iron Claw starts in the nineteen-sixties, when Fritz, a struggling wrestler, splurges on a Cadillac to foster an illusion of success, while imbuing his two young sons, Kevin and David, with a gospel of fanatical self-reliance that’s also an imperative to be the “toughest” and the “strongest.” The movie’s protagonist, and its occasional narrator, is the grownup Kevin, the family’s oldest surviving son. Kevin’s older brother, Jack, Jr., died in an accident at the age of six. Jack’s death is one of the key reversals that shadows the family, leading to the pervasive, publicity-fuelled notion—one that the Von Erichs take grimly seriously—of a family curse. The heart of the drama begins in 1979, when Kevin is making a name for himself in the ring—namely, the Sportatorium, a small Dallas arena that Fritz owns and operates. “We loved wrestling,” Kevin reminisces in voice-over, and it shows, even as the rest of the movie depicts how that love was lost, along with many of the people he loved.
“The Iron Claw” is as exuberant as it is mournful, and the high spirits of performance and achievement are inseparable from the price that they exact. Kevin is disciplined, focussed, and grounded; he’s a vigorous and enthusiastic performer, leaping from the ropes, raging, slamming, punching, and putting on a show with the maneuver—the skull-squeezing Iron Claw—that made his father famous. But for Fritz it isn’t enough that Kevin is locally successful; Fritz, who believes that he was wrongly denied the sport’s heavyweight championship, lives for the day that one of his four sons—and, indeed, preferably all of them, in succession—will win that belt.
Fritz’s pecking order is far more than merely professional. Because his very identity—as his family’s protector, the redeemer of its name and the breaker of its curse—is bound to the prospect of his sons’ successes in the ring, his professional favor is also a paternal popularity contest. At the breakfast table, Fritz unabashedly announces his ranking of his four living sons, adding that the ranking “can always change.” The young men, ranging from adulthood to adolescence, are competing, above all, for their father’s love.
This week's podcast promo: Earth Station Trek
Tuesday Jan 02, 2024
Decade - 310
Tuesday Jan 02, 2024
Tuesday Jan 02, 2024
Decade 2014 to 2024. This week is the 10 year anniversary of Shawn's podcasting journey. Join us as we look back at some of the highs and lows of this decisive decade.
It all started in 2012 when Shawn got a second-hand iPod. A co-worker introduced him to the world of podcasts. Beginning with Star Trek pods, Shawn soon began to expand his interests. There were so many different shows, formats, genres and types of hosts. That's when he realized he had opinions he could share with the world. His wife agreed to co-host and the Rusted Robot Podcast was born.
Leah wonders why Shawn wanted a co-host. After talking about the need for a co-host, they talk about what transpired. The marriage fell apart, but they tried to keep the show going. After 90 episodes, the show was retooled and Josh became co-host. The Robot had a tumultous 7 year run.
In the meantime, Shawn searched for his wife's replacement. He looked everywhere, but the feelings could not be recaptured. This lead to many moves and adventures and possibly incorrect decisions. Eventually Shawn found himself back home in Sault Ste. Marie. After some mild excursions, Shawn and Leah found themselves together. While Shawn was stuck in Timmins, Leah was finding out who she was.
A decade of podcasting leads to many adventures. Meeting all kinds of people is exciting. There has been a lot of miles traveled in 10 years. A lot of firsts experienced, and many more to come!
This week's podcast promo: Earth Station One
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Shawn, You Move Too Fast - 309
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Welcome to the final episode of 2023!
On this show, Shawn and Leah look back on the year that was. After the break, they talk about some future plans. Were you aware of everything that took place in their lives? Are you rooting for the success of their lives together? Shawn, you move too fast is something Shawn has heard more than once. Is he dumb, or does he have unlimited hope and confidence in his decisions? Only you can decide the answer to these questions. The future is wide open, and it seems Shawn and Leah may have gotten it right this time!
In January, Shawn was dating and living with Melissa. By the end of March that relationship was over. Shawn was trying to live his best life, but the universe had other plans. When depression or unhappiness sets in, there's only one thing to do! You must start a new collection. This time it was Hot Wheels! Meanwhile, Leah was living her life and planning cruises!
In April Shawn and Leah had dinner together. Shawn put his property in Timmins up for sale. By May, the pair were a couple and planning a future. In June, the house Shawn lived in with Melissa was sold and Shawn's stuff went into storage and he was sharing an apartment with his brother Robin. However, most nights were spent with Leah. The summer was gone before we knew it. September saw the pair go to Disney World and get engaged. In November they announced their engagement as the ring they ordered was finally delivered.
As for the future, Shawn and Leah are going on a cruise. This will be Shawn's first time on a big boat. They will be going aboard the Disney Dream. In May, they will be going to Las Vegas to get married. The hope and the goal is to honeymoon in Hawaii. After that, the future is wide open!
This week's podcast promo: Earth Station DCU
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Road Trips, Renovations & Romance - 308
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Shawn and Leah were on holidays this week. Rest assured, it was no vacation. While Shawn took a tour of the great Canadian north, Leah stayed home to renovate the bathroom. What they thought should have taken a few days, became an ongoing saga. However, there are many good times ahead.
The road trip! On Sunday, Shawn drove up to Timmins. He lived there for 19 years, and his doctor is still there. Finding a new doctor is all but impossible. Two days spent in Timmins. Shawn visited his son, a few friends, and cleaned out his building which recently sold. Then he went to see Frank and Martha. They live about 5 hours from Timmins. Frank collected about 2000 VHS tapes for when Shawn was going to open a junk store. The tapes were picked up, and Shawn went on to North Bay and Sudbury. He finally made it home late Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Leah was busy taking down the old tiles in the bathroom. The previous remodel was not done properly. Lots of dust and dirt, followed by painting and the removal of old stuff. As it stands now, there is still painting and flooring to do. The tiles are up, but the grout remains. The good news is that the entire job should come in well under budget.
Leah booked a cruise for this coming March. Shawn has never been cruising before. They will be aboard the Disney Dream. Leaving from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, they will be seeing the Grand Cayman Islands and Castaway Cay.
In other news, Shawn and Leah are engaged. Shawn proposed in front of Cinderella's castle when the couple went to Disney World back in September. The wedding will take place in Las Vegas on May the 4th. Trying to get an engagement ring is a major drama all by itself. Listen to the episode for all that information.
This week's podcast promo: Cosmic Pizza Podcast
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Buy, Rent or Renovate - 307
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Buy, rent or renovate....these are the options that face us today.
Shawn and Leah discuss the possibilities they have as they progress in their relationship. The upcoming week is full of adventure - Shawn is driving up north to see friends and family, while Leah is staying home to redo parts of the bathroom. Decisions for the future are looming. Shawn's building in Timmins has recently sold. This means that he is mortgage-free, and is free to buy a home in Sault Ste. Marie.
The happy couple has been looking at homes in town to see what's out there. Brand new construction versus older homes. New builds have no charm and character. Older homes may have wet basements and smell of rot. So many options and decisions.
When to buy and when to renovate
Remember the following are what to look for when buying a house or renovating your current property.
Market environment – when you’re selling your house and looking to buy, it’s important to research what the current resale market looks like. Many market factors can impact the price of real estate and the market demand. Depending on where you are in Canada and the market conditions in that area may dictate if moving to a new property or renovating is the best solution for you,
Overall costs – it’s important to consider the overall cost of a move and of a renovation. While renovations normally require less monetary support than purchasing property, sometimes it’s best to let the house go and move on to a new house for an exciting new adventure. Especially if family or personal circumstances have changed that may make moving a necessity.
Mental well-being – an unexpected aspect to consider is everyone’s well-being. House hunting is a process that can take longer than expected, so it could take a good amount of perseverance to find something that fits your standard. On the other hand, living in a house undergoing renovation can also be tiring. Either way, be sure that you’re prepared for the work ahead of you.
As with anything, buying something new to replace the old is very exciting, and houses are no exception to that idea. However, renovating brings a different kind of excitement when you see your own designs and vision become reality. Buy, rent or renovate....the choice is yours!
This week's podcast promo: Tales From Hollywoodland
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Side Hustles - 306
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Side hustles are an additional employment opportunity outside of a person's full-time job. They provide supplemental income. Unlike a part-time job, a side hustle commonly has more freedom and gives more control over what a person does, when they do it and how many hours they devote to it. Individuals can typically pursue a side hustle that involves their passions and talents. Some people may eventually make their side hustle their primary career.
There are many benefits of having a side hustle. Individuals typically manage the time they dedicate to their side hustle, making it easier to integrate into their existing schedule as full-time employees. By controlling their schedule, they can make their side hustle accommodate other events or commitments they have while still earning additional income. This may help them gain flexibility and maintain employment in their existing role while also pursuing their passion.
A side hustle is a way to earn extra income in addition to a full-time job. With the extra money, it might be easier to pay bills, contribute to savings or assist with other expenses. The additional income could also help make your side hustle a growing business. One advantage of a side hustle is the opportunity to pursue a career you're passionate about. Pursuing your passions as part of a side hustle might give you the opportunity to develop your side hustle into a career. You can also develop specific skills that may help make your side hustle successful.
This week's podcast promo: The Watchathon of Rassilon
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Five Nights at Freddy’s - 305
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Five Nights at Freddy's movie review and franchise history!
This week on the Soul Forge we talk about everything to do with Five Nights at Freddy's (FNaF). We just saw the movie on opening night. Our initial thoughts and reactions, fresh from the theatre are here for you to enjoy. Also on this episode, we have a brief recap of the last week in our lives.
Shawn and Leah have been cooking. When they went to Disney World, they tried the cheeseburger spring rolls. They were delicious but expensive. After finding the recipe, they made their own version. This version was exquisite, and may be better than the official product. Additionally, they have been watching more Keeping Up Appearances and Blake's 7. You can hear their thoughts on this episode. And finally, Shawn continues his quest to modify and repaint Hot Wheels.
Five Nights at Freddy's (FNaF) is a video game series and media franchise created by Scott Cawthon. The first video game was released on August 8, 2014, and the resultant series has since gained worldwide popularity.
The main series consists of nine video games taking place in locations connected to a fictional family pizza restaurant franchise named "Freddy Fazbear's Pizza", after its mascot, the animatronic bear Freddy Fazbear. In most games, the player assumes the role of a night-time employee, who must utilize tools such as security cameras, lights, doors, and vents to defend themselves against animatronic characters who inhabit the locations and become mobile and hostile at night. The series' lore is gradually revealed through voice recordings, minigames, and Easter eggs featured throughout the games.
The FNaF movie is directed by Emma Tammi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Cawthon and Seth Cuddeback, from a story by Cawthon, Chris Lee Hill, and Tyler MacIntyre. The film stars Josh Hutcherson as a troubled security guard who accepts a night-time job at an abandoned restaurant. He discovers its four animatronic mascots are alive and kill anyone that is still there after midnight. Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Mary Stuart Masterson and Matthew Lillard appear in supporting roles.
This week's podcast promo: Cigar Nerds
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