Insights Into Things

What if experiencing jet lag and cultural shock could be transformed into an exhilarating adventure? Join us as we recount Maddie’s vibrant journey from Philadelphia to the heart of Japan, where she navigates the challenges of long flights, jet lag, and the bustling streets of Dantenbori Canal Street. From mastering Japanese through Duolingo to packing wisely for a lengthy trip, Maddie’s meticulous preparation helps her transition smoothly into a new cultural landscape.Get a taste of Japan’s rich and diverse heritage as Maddie takes us through her explorations of Nara’s serene Shinto and Buddhist shrines, Kyoto’s enchanting Bamboo Forest, and the historic Nijo Castle. Experience her awe at the grandeur of the Nara Great Buddha and the sacred deer that roam freely. Despite moments of anxiety and panic attacks triggered by crowded spaces, Maddie’s journey is marked by personal growth, supported by the kindness of friends and locals.Wrap up our adventure with Maddie’s thrilling ride on the Shinkansen, a visit to the stunning Golden Pavilion, and a deep dive into the cultural nuances of Japan’s food and modern attractions. Discover the charm of Tokyo’s Joypolis and the convenience of ubiquitous vending machines. From historical landmarks to the technological marvel of Japanese bidets, Maddie’s journey is a fascinating blend of tradition and contemporary wonders, offering a unique perspective on the land of the rising sun.

What if experiencing jet lag and cultural shock could be transformed into an exhilarating adventure? Join us as we recount Maddie’s vibrant journey from Philadelphia to the heart of Japan, where she navigates the challenges of long flights, jet lag, and the bustling streets of Dantenbori Canal Street. From mastering Japanese through Duolingo to packing wisely for a lengthy trip, Maddie’s meticulous preparation helps her transition smoothly into a new cultural landscape.Get a taste of Japan’s rich and diverse heritage as Maddie takes us through her explorations of Nara’s serene Shinto and Buddhist shrines, Kyoto’s enchanting Bamboo Forest, and the historic Nijo Castle. Experience her awe at the grandeur of the Nara Great Buddha and the sacred deer that roam freely. Despite moments of anxiety and panic attacks triggered by crowded spaces, Maddie’s journey is marked by personal growth, supported by the kindness of friends and locals.Wrap up our adventure with Maddie’s thrilling ride on the Shinkansen, a visit to the stunning Golden Pavilion, and a deep dive into the cultural nuances of Japan’s food and modern attractions. Discover the charm of Tokyo’s Joypolis and the convenience of ubiquitous vending machines. From historical landmarks to the technological marvel of Japanese bidets, Maddie’s journey is a fascinating blend of tradition and contemporary wonders, offering a unique perspective on the land of the rising sun.

In this episode, Sam delves into the exciting world of gaming with a focus on two games he's been playing recently: Ubisoft's new free-to-play shooter, "Xdefiant," and the updated sci-fi RPG "Starfield" from Bethesda. Despite planning for a shorter episode, there's too much to cover, so Sam gives his thoughts and reviews on these games, addressing their gameplay, mechanics, and potential.
In "Xdefiant," Sam explores its unique blend of worlds from popular Ubisoft franchises like "The Division" and "Splinter Cell," discussing its fast-paced gameplay, faction-based abilities, and current technical issues. Meanwhile, "Starfield" gets a fresh look following its latest update, with Sam sharing his renewed excitement for the game, highlighting an engaging side quest and improvements in performance. Tune in for honest reviews, gaming insights, and a peek at what's coming next week with the "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" remake. Don't forget to support the show by checking out our partner, Philly Drinkers, for all your Philadelphia sports merch needs!

In this episode, Sam delves into the exciting world of gaming with a focus on two games he's been playing recently: Ubisoft's new free-to-play shooter, "Xdefiant," and the updated sci-fi RPG "Starfield" from Bethesda. Despite planning for a shorter episode, there's too much to cover, so Sam gives his thoughts and reviews on these games, addressing their gameplay, mechanics, and potential.
In "Xdefiant," Sam explores its unique blend of worlds from popular Ubisoft franchises like "The Division" and "Splinter Cell," discussing its fast-paced gameplay, faction-based abilities, and current technical issues. Meanwhile, "Starfield" gets a fresh look following its latest update, with Sam sharing his renewed excitement for the game, highlighting an engaging side quest and improvements in performance. Tune in for honest reviews, gaming insights, and a peek at what's coming next week with the "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" remake. Don't forget to support the show by checking out our partner, Philly Drinkers, for all your Philadelphia sports merch needs!

In this episode of "No Credits Rolled," host Sam Whalen  discusses some unfortunate gaming news, including layoffs at Xbox and the controversies surrounding Sony's "Hell Divers 2." Sam delves into his reviews of "Fallout 76" and "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League," highlighting both the pros and cons of these games. Despite some visual and gameplay issues, Sam finds aspects of these games enjoyable, particularly the exploration in "Fallout 76" and the character models in "Suicide Squad."
The episode also features a special call-in from Shaun Mendum, the voice actor behind Scratch in "Baldur's Gate 3," who shares interesting game insights and encourages the gaming community.

In this episode of "No Credits Rolled," host Sam Whalen  discusses some unfortunate gaming news, including layoffs at Xbox and the controversies surrounding Sony's "Hell Divers 2." Sam delves into his reviews of "Fallout 76" and "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League," highlighting both the pros and cons of these games. Despite some visual and gameplay issues, Sam finds aspects of these games enjoyable, particularly the exploration in "Fallout 76" and the character models in "Suicide Squad."
The episode also features a special call-in from Shaun Mendum, the voice actor behind Scratch in "Baldur's Gate 3," who shares interesting game insights and encourages the gaming community.

Ever felt overwhelmed by the pressures of teenage life and the transition into adulthood? Join us as Madison and I share an honest conversation about the growing pains of high school. From the challenge of navigating prom as someone who prefers quieter settings to the triumph of academic excellence—Madison scoring straight A's and ranking third in her class—this episode captures the highs and lows of her senior year journey. We also hint at upcoming interactive features like a call-in line, ready to bring you even closer to our discussions.Curious about balancing creativity with academics? Discover Madison's unique artistic pursuits, including a custom piece that made it to Svengoolie. We delve into her interest in video editing, particularly her creative Mother's Day videos that blend audio and visuals in a captivating way. Alongside these passions, we touch on her relief at leaving history classes behind and focusing on her beloved engineering studies. Madison's story is both inspiring and relatable, offering a glimpse into managing multiple interests while excelling academically.Our episode also takes a dramatic turn with a personal medical scare involving a kidney stone, and the emotional roller coaster it brought. We contrast this with the excitement of an upcoming trip to Japan, brimming with plans to explore cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. Plus, we recount a thrilling gaming convention visit, where meeting voice actors from Boulders Gate 3 such as Maggie Robertson and Neil Newbon brought our favorite characters to life. This episode is a heartfelt narrative of growth, creativity, and memorable experiences, promising a blend of insight, inspiration, and entertainment.

Ever felt overwhelmed by the pressures of teenage life and the transition into adulthood? Join us as Madison and I share an honest conversation about the growing pains of high school. From the challenge of navigating prom as someone who prefers quieter settings to the triumph of academic excellence—Madison scoring straight A's and ranking third in her class—this episode captures the highs and lows of her senior year journey. We also hint at upcoming interactive features like a call-in line, ready to bring you even closer to our discussions.Curious about balancing creativity with academics? Discover Madison's unique artistic pursuits, including a custom piece that made it to Svengoolie. We delve into her interest in video editing, particularly her creative Mother's Day videos that blend audio and visuals in a captivating way. Alongside these passions, we touch on her relief at leaving history classes behind and focusing on her beloved engineering studies. Madison's story is both inspiring and relatable, offering a glimpse into managing multiple interests while excelling academically.Our episode also takes a dramatic turn with a personal medical scare involving a kidney stone, and the emotional roller coaster it brought. We contrast this with the excitement of an upcoming trip to Japan, brimming with plans to explore cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. Plus, we recount a thrilling gaming convention visit, where meeting voice actors from Boulders Gate 3 such as Maggie Robertson and Neil Newbon brought our favorite characters to life. This episode is a heartfelt narrative of growth, creativity, and memorable experiences, promising a blend of insight, inspiration, and entertainment.

In episode seven of "No Credits Rolled," host Sam announces a new partnership with Philly Drinkers, a local company providing affordable sports apparel. He then covers updates in the Fallout gaming universe, including the impact of the next-gen update for Fallout 4 on the fan-made mod, Fallout London.
Sam discusses VR and AR tech investments by Meta and Apple, expressing skepticism about their future due to high costs and impracticality. He reviews "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown," praising its gameplay and design, and "Fallout: New Vegas," highlighting its enduring storytelling and immersive experience.

In episode seven of "No Credits Rolled," host Sam announces a new partnership with Philly Drinkers, a local company providing affordable sports apparel. He then covers updates in the Fallout gaming universe, including the impact of the next-gen update for Fallout 4 on the fan-made mod, Fallout London.
Sam discusses VR and AR tech investments by Meta and Apple, expressing skepticism about their future due to high costs and impracticality. He reviews "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown," praising its gameplay and design, and "Fallout: New Vegas," highlighting its enduring storytelling and immersive experience.