Everything is Awesome

Talking with Craig Liggeons is like talking to the guy at the convention who has seen everything, read everything, and somehow remembers every lineup change and post-credit scene along the way. Craig is a Philadelphia pop culture personality, comic book expert, and host of Comic Book Gurus, a show that dives into comic book movies, comics themselves, and fan culture from a Philly perspective. In this episode of Everything is Awesome, we dig into comic books, the MCU, X-Men, Philadelphia sports heartbreak, and how fandom has changed over the last two decades.We kick things off by talking about being an Eagles fan, especially during postseason runs. There is a particular kind of sports trauma that Philadelphia fans carry, and Craig captures it perfectly. From there, we slide directly into the MCU and how Marvel has shifted since the end of the Infinity Saga. Craig has thoughts on the highs, the lows, and the “what do they even do now?” era Marvel finds itself in as it looks toward its next big crossover. One of the best parts of the conversation is hearing Craig talk about seeing X-Men (2000) in theaters for the first time, and how surreal it was to see a serious comic book movie with a real budget and real actors. For a lot of fans, that movie was the proof-of-concept that made the modern MCU possible.We also talk about Comic Book Gurus, how it started, and how Craig became known within the Preston & Steve orbit. There’s a charm in hearing how radio, comedy, and comic book culture intersect in Philadelphia, and how fandoms build community in unexpected ways. Craig is the kind of guest who brings strong opinions, deep history, and a storyteller’s brain, which makes the conversation move in every direction in the best way possible.If you’re into comic book culture, Marvel movies, X-Men nostalgia, Philadelphia sports, or the evolution of fandom from the 90s to today, this is a great episode to check out. It’s loose, it’s funny, it’s passionate, and it’s exactly the kind of geeked-out conversation that defines Everything is Awesome.Topics Mentioned:Marvel Cinematic UniverseX-MenComic Book GurusPreston & StevePhiladelphia EaglesComic book movies and fandomMCU post-Endgame eraPhilly pop cultureSUPPORT CRAIG LIGGEONSFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | Threads | Comic Book Gurus on YouTubeTHE SHOWEverything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9admYouTube: Coming Soon!Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.Organizations & Causes We Support:Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8

PIVOT!We'll be back next with our look ahead to 2026, featuring Mike DeAngelo, but we're both feeling a bit under the weather. So, we chat with a different Mike!Enter Michael Pickard—an award-winning author who got his start in writing in an unconventional way. From letters to his daughter to writing the perfect time travel story, Michael's story is that of a true independent creator.That independent spirit, as the title suggests, is what is at the heart of this conversation. SUPPORT MICHAEL PICKARDAmazon | Forward and Back (The Perfect Time Travel Story) | FacebookMichael Pickard blends his professional background in cutting-edge technology with a deep passion for the creative arts in his writing. He has published dozens of short stories, including Hardwired, which won the Ray Bradbury Creative Writing Prize in 2005. His experience in technology informs the creation of rich fictional worlds and societies, while his sharp use of satire keeps readers engaged, thoughtful, and entertained.THE SHOWEverything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9admYouTube: Coming Soon!Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.Organizations & Causes We Support:Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8

Happy Life Day and Merry Christmas!Don't know who Jik-Jak, Rindak, Kessa, and Kyjean are? Go listen to episode 200! It's a great holiday time listen!SUPPORT MIKE DEANGELOTellest | Etsy | TwitchSUPPORT JEFF STORMERParty of One Podcast | BlueskySUPPORT TAYLOR KELLARTaylor Kellar | TikTokTHE SHOWEverything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9admYouTube: Coming Soon!Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.Organizations & Causes We Support:Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter

This is one of my absolute favorite episodes I've ever recorded. When I sit down and think about my favorite episodes (and, to be fair, every episode has a special place in my heart), they are usually on opposite sides of the spectrum. Our live shows, which I love, are either in a "Late Night" format or a panel from a convention. We have episodes like 100 (and next week's 200th episode) where we play games, and then episodes like our interview with Tonya Todd and now Brian Reveals: serious conversations about mental health and the state of the world.And I'm not an overly serious person... I like that Everything is Awesome is silly. It's here if you want to escape the real world. But these conversations that take a serious turn are special. We may not be escaping, but we are engaging. And that's what this episode felt it was really about from top to bottom.Engaging with your mental health. Making sure you're taking care of it. Making it a priority.Engaging with politics. Get informed and vote in every election, because the big one every 4 years isn't necessarily going to affect your day-to-day life. (That doesn't mean it's not important!)Engaging with your community. No matter where you sit when it comes to politics, most people in your community want the same thing: a safe place to live, raise their kids, have a roof over their heads, and three meals a day for their families. The media will have you believe we all hate each other for our beliefs, but the truth is, we have more in common than you might think. You just have to engage with your community to see the truth.We also talked about So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, a book I read in 2020 that was as informative as it was enlightening. I encourage you to pick it up from a local bookstore, your local library, or from the link I provided. However you can read it, read it.SUPPORT BRIAN REVEALSBrian Reveals Media | The Dynamite NetworkTHE SHOWEverything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9admYouTube: Coming Soon!Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.Organizations & Causes We Support:Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter

BAM! We're back with another episode! Jordan Spector is a former multi-sport athlete who walked on to the football team at Temple University. After an injury cut his playing career short, he discovered his true passion for art. Since 2015, he has built a remarkable reputation for creating high-energy mixed-media sports artwork that captures the emotion and motion of the games we love. His work has been commissioned by pro athletes and major sports organizations alike.Jordan and Kev discuss "What it means 'being from' Philly", their thoughts on the City Connect jerseys, and Jordan's artistic journey. From iconic moments to creating experiences, Jordan is creating a unique space for sports art.SUPPORT JORDANJordan's Art | The Immortals Experience | Best Friends | Atta BoyTHE SHOWEverything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9admYouTube: Coming Soon!Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.Organizations & Causes We Support:Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter

Happy Memorial Day! I love sitting down and talking with Mike about life, podcasting, and more. Mike is one of the first Philly podcasting buddies I made, and while we don't talk often, I have so much respect for him.We catch up, talk parenthood, podcasting, and more.Find...Doom Thugs on Facebook @doomthugspodcast, the web at doomthugs.com, and on Twitch @doomthugsKev on TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, Threads @ThatNerdyKev ThatNerdyKev.com | AwesomePodcast.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | Avatar State Radio | Get 'Em Next YearPlease support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on iTunes. Apple's math gets us in front of more people's eyes and ears. You can also support us by telling a friend!

WARNING: The audio for the panel was recorded differently because the cable I needed changed from years past. That said, I can't believe how well it turned out despite the way we recorded it.There's nothing like a live show, panel, or performance to get your creative juices flowing. And that's what This is Heavy: 40 Years of Back to the Future did for me. While I did panels at last year's FanExpo, I also worked a community table, which was wonderful but took so much energy out of me.During this panel, I was just floored by how many of you actually cared about what my friends and I had to say about a 40-year-old movie. Beyond that, working with Dan, Stephen, and Meghan from I Like to Movie Movie reminded me how much I like to do things with friends. I hope to do more of this, especially with this crew.This is a love fest on Back to the Future, I'm not sure what else to say. We touch on the legacy and why this film is still so important after 40 years, stand-out moments and aspects of the film, how we would cast this movie today, and much more.Find your Senators | Find your Congressman | Make 5 Calls | Support HEADstrong Foundation | Trevor Project | Support Black Lives MatterFind...I Like to Movie Movie on Apple Podcasts, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @moviemoviecastKev on TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, Threads @ThatNerdyKev ThatNerdyKev.com | AwesomePodcast.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | Avatar State Radio | Get 'Em Next YearPlease support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on iTunes. Apple's math gets us in front of more people's eyes and ears. You can also support us by telling a friend!

Kev sat down a few weeks ago with the unofficial co-host of Everything is Awesome, Mike DeAngelo, to talk about 2024 and 2025, what they liked, and what they're looking forward to.If you listened to the small episode we dropped last week, you know that Kev has been preoccupied with a death in his family, so the show notes are simple here, as the editing for this episode was started BEFORE things got bad and finished last week. So simple show notes!Best of Film/TV/Games in 2024 and what they are looking forward to in 2025, plus their plans for various projects.Find your Senators | Find your Congressman | Make 5 Calls | Support HEADstrong Foundation | Trevor Project | Support Black Lives MatterFind...Mike DeAngelo on Twitter @tellest | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok @tellestbooks | Tellest.com | Etsy | TwitchKev on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok @ThatNerdyKev ThatNerdyKev.com | AwesomePodcast.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | Avatar State Radio | We'll Get 'Em Next YearPlease support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on iTunes. Apple's math gets us in front of more people's eyes and ears. You can also support us by telling a friend!

Ana Saia joins Kev for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about social media’s evolution, cultural identity, and the art of storytelling. Kev kicks things off by marveling at the fact that podcasting is now a college class, leading to a discussion about generational differences between “Old Man Kev” and the next wave of creators.The two dive into the progression of social media, from MySpace and Twitter to TikTok, and the ways these platforms have shaped how we connect. Ana opens up about her experiences growing up as a white-presenting Hispanic, the challenges of proving her cultural background, and embracing the complexities of different Spanish dialects. Together, they discuss their journeys with learning Spanish, reclaiming cultural authenticity, and how “No Sabo” moments have taken on new meaning.Ana also shares how her cultural identity influences her work in acting and music and her love for emotional storytelling. They explore the heavy narratives often found in kids’ movies and discuss the creative challenges of transitioning from short-form to long-form content.Find your Senators | Find your Congressman | Make 5 Calls | Trevor Project | Support Black Lives MatterFind...Ana Saia on TikTok: @saianana | Instagram: @anasaiaofficial | YouTube: @saianana | The Reason, La RazónKev on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok @ThatNerdyKevThatNerdyKev.com | AwesomePodcast.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | Avatar State Radio | We'll Get 'Em Next YearSupport Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on iTunes. Apple's math gets us in front of more people's eyes and ears :) You can also support us by telling a friend!

Mike DeAngelo joins Kev a final time to conclude their conversation from the Season 2 premiere! They dive into the personal projects they have going on in 2024, some of the games they're looking forward to, and wrap things up with what's coming in 2024 for TV.Be sure to join us at Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024! Looking for Mike while there? He'll be in Artist Alley at booth A1404 with Tellest and Wyrd Witch Wands. Kev will be at The Philadelphia Podcasting Society & Creative Arts Alliance booth in the Community Zone; booth CA509. You can also find them at some panels:Kev will be at the 30 Years of View Askew panel on 5/4 at 2:45 PM in room 125Both Mike and Kev will be at the Heroes in a Half Shell: 40 Years of TMNT panel on 5/4 at 5:30 PM in room 120CBoth Mike and Kev will be at the Who You Gonna Call: 40 Years of Ghostbusters panel on 5/5 at 1:45 PM in room 121AFind your Senators | Find your Congressman | Make 5 Calls | Trevor Project | Support Black Lives MatterFind...Mike DeAngelo on Twitter @tellest, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok @tellestbooksThe World of Tellest at tellest.comKev on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok @ThatNerdyKev or on Facebook @ThatNerdyKev1984ThatNerdyKev.com | AwesomePodcast.com | MayorOfLevittown.comSupport Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on iTunes, Apple's math gets us in front of more people's eyes and ears :) You can also support by telling a friend!

Mike DeAngelo joins Kev once more to continue their conversation from the Season 2 premiere! They dive into what movies to expect in 2024 with some side discussions about the MCU, Star Wars, and more!Find your Senators | Find your Congressman | Make 5 Calls | Trevor Project | Support Black Lives MatterFind...Mike DeAngelo on Twitter @tellest, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok @tellestbooksThe World of Tellest at tellest.comKev on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok @ThatNerdyKev or on Facebook @ThatNerdyKev1984Support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on iTunes, Apple's math gets us in front of more people's eyes and ears :) You can also support by telling a friend!

Everything is Awesome is back, baby! Season 2 kicks off the only way Kev knows how–wild tangents, with Mike DeAngelo, and a little bit late! Mike shares his top ten video games of 2023 while Kev shares his top ten movies of 2023. All this and more!Find your Senators | Find your Congressman | Make 5 Calls | Trevor Project | Support Black Lives MatterFind...Mike DeAngelo on Twitter @tellest, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok @tellestbooksThe World of Tellest at tellest.comKev on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok @ThatNerdyKev or on Facebook @ThatNerdyKev1984Support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on iTunes, Apple's math gets us in front of more people's eyes and ears :) You can also support by telling a friend!