Character Progression

Studio Ghibli has made some of the world's most beloved animated films.  Under the direction Hayao Miyazaki, they've gone from a studio that could be making niche anime to one that creates whimsical fantasy worlds filled with so much adventure, heroism, whimsy, and heart that Disney scooped up the distribution to deliver them to fans all across the globe.  From the emotional powerhouse that is Grave of the Fireflies, to the environmental fable of Princess Mononoke, and the worldwide phenomenon that is My Neighbor Totoro, this animation company concentrates on gorgeous environments, delicious looking food, and worlds that you can get lost in as a way to tell some of the most impactful stories in modern fiction.  In this episode of NewNerdNormal, we'll be covering their filmography from 1986's Castle in the Sky through the end of the 20th century.  Ending with a tease for next episode, where we'll be covering the 2001's Spirited Away!

The first time I covered Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender, we looked at the perspective of a kid growing up with his lessons.  Today, we see how it was to experience them when you're already an adult.  Seeing his sacrifices for the Fire Nation, his relationship with Zuko 's father, the Fire Lord, and his love of tea taught today's guest how to listening can be more important than speaking and how learning about each other with respect can make the entire world a better place to live in for us all!

Last son of Krypton, Man of Steel, mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis.  Clark Kent is known by many names, but all throughout the universe know him by one in particular...Superman.  Kal-El fights a never ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.  Alongside allies like the Justice League, he strives to protect his adopted home world of Earth.  So that if villains like Lex Luthor or Darkseid are somehow about to defeat him, they will never defeat what he has inspired in all of humanity.  With HBO Max preparing to release the Snyder Cut, this felt like the perfect opportunity to talk about the hero who brought about the entire DC Comics universe, Superman!

One of the few things that match the only thing that matches the diverse nature of anime is how beloved & influential it is worldwide.  From old favorites like Dragon Ball Z and Cowboy Bebop to newer series like Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, and Aggretsuko, there is a massive passion from so many people for Japanese animation.  And with shows like Naruto and Inuyasha getting sequels, One Piece nearing 1,000 episodes, and Sailor Moon continuing to captivate fans of all ages and genders, it doesn't look like that will be changing anytime soon!

Nicktoons have a long and celebrated history as some of the most influential cartoons for kids born from the 1980's through today.  From the original three of Doug, Rugrats, and Red & Stimpy.  To newer inclusions like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Winx Club.  But right in the middle of those two extremes was an era of classics!  With shows like Invader Zim, Fairly Odd Parents, and one of the most popular Nickelodeon stv shows of all time, SpongeBob SquarePants!  This Sponge took America (and the world) by storm!  With his friends like Patrick and Sandy, his foils Plankton and Squidward, his job with Mr. Krabs at the Krusty Krab, Mermaid Man, Barnacle Boy, Gary, Larry the Lobster, Karen, and a host of other beloved characters.  SpongeBob approaches every day and task with love for those around him, love for himself, and a love for life that is absolutely infectious!

They are the Crystal Gems and they always save the day.  And if you think they can't, they always find a way.  That's why viewers all over the world watch, relate to, and believe in Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl and Steven!  Cartoon Network has developed a track record of amazing animated shows that appeal to both kids and adults.  Starting with the Cartoon Cartoon days of Cow & Chicken and Courage the Cowardly Dog, through Teen Titans and Justice League Unlimited, and into modern favorites like Adventure Time and The Amazing World of Gumball.  But of the modern shows, few have garnered more laughter, cheers, and tears than Steven Universe!  Tune in to hear Vicky explain the lasting appeal, LGBT representation, and the story of what makes Steven's journey so compelling to so many people around the world.

When people discuss the greatest video games of all time, there are a few names you always hear.  The Last of Us, Super Mario World, Skyrim, Chrono Trigger, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and of course...Final Fantasy 7 (or Final Fantasy VII to our Roman numeral loving friends).  This game not only introduced RPG games to millions of new fans around the world, but it also popularized the genre to the point that it's still successful today!  Recently, Square Enix gave us a remake that has rewritten the book on what this classic Playstation game means to us all.  So strap in as we go over all that's new and awesome about the Final Fantasy 7 Remake!

They're creepy and they're kooky.  Mysterious and spooky.  They're all together ooky.  The Addams family!  Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Thing, and Cousin Itt.  Together they make up the Addams Family.  And though they all care deeply for each other, no one but their family patriarch can keep them together with the sense of love and compassion that this macabre clan deserves.  That's right.  This episode, we're talking about father, husband, and acquitted "ladykiller," Gomez Addams!

Most of the big video games that come out are made by large groups of programmers over the course of months to years for millions of dollars.  And that's all well and good.  Many of those games are hugely popular like Call of Duty, The Last of Us, and Assassin's Creed.   But there's something to be said for games made by small teams with a single vision, fueled by little more than passion for the project they're working on.  Those games may not have the visual polish of a big budget game.  But the core experience and stories often put them in the same league with players.  Those games are Super Meat Boy, Cuphead, Stardew Valley... and today's subject, Celeste!

The only thing harder than blazing your own trail is doing it in the shadow of those who came before you.  Some keep pace with the demand while others may fall behind.  But some run right by everyone's expectations until they hit a new level, all their own.  And  if any series knows what it takes to run that race, it's The Flash!  DC Comics superhero, founding member of the Justice League, and star of a hit self-titled show on CW, The Flash is the fastest man alive and has a lineage of heroes spanning millennia.  Jay Garrick may have started the line and Barry Allen may have popularized it.  But for today's guest, no Flash will ever match the speed, personality, and story of the original Kid-Flash who took up the mantle after Crisis on Infinite Earths, Wally West!

Water. Earth. Fire. Air.

My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days, a time of peace when the Avatar kept balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads. But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked!  Now it's time for Steven to learn about Avatar Aang as Vicky guides him through the world of the show considered to be among the best American animated series of all time!  Premiering on Nickelodeon in 2005, the adventures of Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko recently gained a new generation of fans on Netflix.  So let's make Uncle Iroh proud by remembering that "Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights."

When you think of Disney's most famous characters, who comes to mind?  Mickey Mouse?  Donald Duck?  What about Elsa from Frozen or Ariel from The Little Mermaid?  Well, for my guest today there's only one character who fills that spot.  And that's Oswald the Lucky Rabbit!  Oswald was one of Disney's earliest characters but was really the brainchild of an underappreciated animator named Ub Iworks.  Tune in to learn why Oswald matters to animation history and how he was traded for NFL sportscaster, Al Michaels.  Yes, really!

In the first full episode of Pod Pilot, I talk to the founders of Sun & Moon Photography.  A collective that strives to connect businesses with photographers in different cities across America in order to create a more positive, close knit environment for everyone involved.  Both Jensen and Vinny have such a passion for their craft and I couldn't think of anyone better to start off this brand new series!

In all of us, there is one fundamental question that some people spend their whole lives trying to answer...Who am I?  And as difficult as that can be for the average person to answer, It's even harder for A, from David Levithan's Every Day.  Why?  Well, you'll just have to listen to this episode to find out.  But let's just say A has a very good reason for it to be such a difficult question to answer.  And the fact that A manages to keep their individuality in tact is a sign of just how strong they truly are!

Welcome to the introductory episode of Pod Pilot!  This is a sister Series to Character Progression and a new project for me that's all about giving each episode's guest a chance to be vocal about their passions!  Whether that's by allowing people to talk about them, coming up with creative avenues to get them out to the public, or giving people a stage to debate...this is all about you and the things you care about.  This series will release new episodes bi-weekly, during the off weeks of Character Progression so that you'll never have a week go by without some new material for you to listen to.  I hope you enjoy this episode and that you come back in two weeks for the next episode of Pod Pilot!

Starting season 2 off with a bang!  Unfortunately, that bang started a fire that destroyed the home and parents of the newly orphaned Baudelaire orphans.  Luckily, their dear Count Olaf will be there to take them into his home and our dear Lemony Snicket will be there to tell the tale!  Whether with Jim Carrey or Neil Patrick Harris, the story of these children who invent, read, and bite has captured the imaginations of millions through books, Nickelodeon movies, and Netflix shows.  And now they find a new home in the one medium they have yet to explore...unscripted audio conversations on the internet!

Eight months into this passion project called Character Progression and it's time to make this monster grow!  Both with the announcement of season 2 and the introduction of a new sister series called Pod Pilot!  Want to know what's going on?  Check out this episode to find out!

Few shows become part of the cultural zeitgeist as soon as they come out.  Friends did, The Simpsons did, and The Office did.  These shows didn't just have their finger on the pulse of what audiences wanted, they changed the beat to suit themselves.  And, with The Office still being the most streamed show on Netflix, it really says something when people still argue about when it was better than the producer's next show, Parks and Rec!  No matter what side you're on, there's no denying that Parks & Rec is an all-time classic show.  With character's like Ron Swanson and Andy Dwyer being endlessly quotable and launching Chris Pratt's career.  But none of that would have happened without the show's star, Amy Poehler, and her iconic portrayal of the  Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, Leslie Knope!

Phase three of the MCU has come to a close.  And with it, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been through a lot of changes.  Whether that's Captain America passing on the shield to Falcon, 2014 Gamora running around, or just the fact that many of the characters lost five years.  But no change has hit the universe or fans as hard as the death of Tony Shark...also known as Iron Man!  Between creating Ultron, escalating the super hero Civil War, or getting drunk while in his suit, Tony's flaws often got the better of him.  However, he always fought his way back and, through personal strength and determination, always found a way to win.  And that's the way we choose to remember him.  Not just as a superhero, but as a man!

For the Duck family in DuckTales, life was like a hurricane, there in Duckberg.  Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad, Donald Duck, Webby, Huey, Dewey, and Louie had used race cars, lasers, and airplanes to do everything from solve and mystery to rewriting history!  Few TV shows bring as many good memories as those from the Disney Afternoon block.  But, as great as Talespin, Chip n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and Darkwing Duck were...there was something special about the wild adventures of the McDuck family.  Maybe it was the wild adventures or maybe it was scrooge's swan dives into his money bin.  But if you ask me, it was the fact that all of Scrooge's riches would've meant nothing if his family wasn't there to show him what real wealth is!

When you think of superheroes, who comes to mind?  Batman?  Spider-Man?  Iron Man?  Captain America?  They're all heroes, and some of the greatest examples in comics book history.  But none of them would exist without the inspiration of two men from Cleveland, when they created Clark Kent.  A reporter for the Daily Planet who grew up in Smallville...and is also know as DC Comics' Superman!  So with today being the Fourth of July, there didn't seem like a better time to do an episode all about the hero of heroes who stands for Truth, Justice, and the American Way!

Disney's library of original animated shows is second to none!  Shows like  Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers  and  TaleSpin  breathed new life into old characters.  Meanwhile Darkwing Duck and Adventures of the Gummi Bears forged their own paths with new shows.  And while all of them were fantastic, there was something special about Gargoyles!  Maybe it was the multicultural characters, the cast of Star Trek alumni, the adult themes, or the literary allusions, but this show stood out among a sea of other quality animated series.  Goliath, Elisa, Demona, Brooklyn, Hudson, Bronx, Broadway, and Lexington roared onto our tv's and have stood the test of time.  Even garnering interest from Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us).  This week's we're showing some love to the clan's jalapeno eating, Shakespeare reading, noir watching, warrior...Broadway!

When you think of Disney tv shows, what comes to mind?  Animated shows like DuckTales, Darkwing Duck, or Gravity Falls?  Maybe 2000's live action shows like Hannah Montana,  Lizzie McGuire, or That's so Raven?  Nothing against those shows but, for 90's kids all around the globe, there was one show that was on everybody's list; Boy Meets World!  Cory, Shawn, Topanga, and Eric came into our homes each week on ABC's TGIF block.  And, over the seven years that show was on the air, no one influenced the lives of those who influence us more than Mr. George Feeny!  Between the Feeny call and his wise advice, Mr. Feeny had a lesson for just about everything we could experience.  And my guest this week has never forgotten it all the good that one man did for those he cared about.

Over the years, Fox has had many medical dramas.  But few have captured the love of fans quite like House.  Along with Cuddy, Wilson, and a rotating diagnostics team, House solved the medical mysteries no one else could.  Even now, seven years after it's ending, the show's fan base is still going strong with a legions of fans all over the world.  Something about this vicodin popping, cane walking, atheist, curmudgeon has captured the hearts of millions.  Including this week's guest.  A man who couldn't be any more different from House but was still shown something to believe in!

Nintendo has released some incredible franchises over the years,  Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Kirby, etc...  but few have become a worldwide phenomenon quite like Pokemon!  With cute characters, collecting, and everything from video games to anime to cards, it would be difficult to find anyone who doesn't know about the series.  And, of all 807 current pokemon, none are more recognizable than Pikachu!  This electric mouse is currently starring in the hit movie, Detective Pikachu (with some help from Ryan Reynolds) but, to this week's guest, he'll always be Ash Ketchum's loyal partner!

Sometimes a character speaks to us because we've never seen anything like them before.  In the case of this week's guest, that character is Static Shock!  The young, black superhero many of us grew up watching each week on Kids WB!  Static impacted my guest because it was the first time he saw himself in a heroic protagonist.  One who was stood for everyone, regardless of what they look like or where they're from.  You could say Static put a shock to his system!

When we watch cartoons as a kid, we never knew how they might affect us.  We just knew that the channel they were on was hyping it up and we fed off that excitement.  Just like Cartoon Network did when they released The Powerpuff Girls in 1998.  A few years later, the show was a global phenomenon!  With Blossom (commander and the leader) and Buttercup (The toughest fighter) stealing the spotlight.  But, for Jensen Eddins, Bubbles brought the joy and the laughter!  As well as teaching her that it's OK to be kind and that caring for others is it's own form of strength!

Many times on this show, my guests have been inspired by a character's words.  And while today's is no different, the actions of one bold kid have proven to be just as impactful as any words could ever be.  Whether having dinner with Pigeon Man, helping Stoop Kid get over his fear of leaving his stoop, or finding an immigrant's long lost daughter, Arnold never shied away from doing what was right.  Never asking anything in return, except to try to help those around you.  And my guest, Sade, has worked to fulfill Arnold's request as thanks for the inspiration and entertainment he provided to millions of 90's kids around the world!

Fictional characters inspire some of us to be better people.  Others inspire people to fight through a difficult time.  In the case of my guest today, she was inspired with a love of travel that has lead her all the way around the world.  Caleigh Gilfillan has loved Ariel from The Little Mermaid from a very young age.  And, from that love, grew a love of travel and a love of adventure that lead her all the way to Shanghai, China!

Some people always know the right thing to say.  No matter what the situation is, they somehow find the words to lift you up and inspire you to keep going.  Sometimes you can even be inspired by words meant for someone else.  Like my guest, Vicky Hallam was with the words of Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender!  Throughout the series, Uncle Iroh gave words of wisdom to Zuko and helped him grow from an angry boy into a young man with hope for the future and a direction in life.  And, even though Vicky isn't destined to be the child of a Fire Lord (to my knowledge), Uncle's words still made an impact as both she and her love of tea matured into adulthood.

Inspiration can come from the unlikeliest of characters.  And, in my case, it came from a character who co-starred on a show that ended two years before I was born.  BJ Hunnicutt was a fourth season addition to the cast of M*A*S*H and, through his humor, loyalty, and sincerity, showed me the kind of person I wanted to become.  Even if I didn't know it yet.   Being a "meatball surgeon" in a mobile army surgical hospital, BJ saw the kind of horror that war brings, day in and day out, and he didn't just feel close. He clung to those around those around him.  His family, his friends, even his enemies.  Because he knew that, no matter what happened, they would always be a driving force in his life.  Just as those I care about are a driving force in mine.

One of the biggest influences on an entire generation of people is anime.  And, while some series made the journey to the west beforehand, none had the cultural impact of Dragon Ball!  Even just saying that causes millions of people to remember youthful days filled with pretending to shoot beams from their hands and wishing they could become a Super Saiyan.  And no character is more synonymous with the franchise than Goku!  A young boy with a tail who lived in the woods and grew up to become the greatest hero the world has ever known.  Along with his friends, Goku has beaten world ending threats, time and again.  So it's with my friend, Dustin Spain, that we appreciate those accomplishments along with the life, love, and sacrifices that helped guide him along the way!

Sometimes it's not a single character who inspires us, but an entire world.  And few fictional worlds have set minds racing like Middle Earth from  J. R. R. Tolkien.  But, when asked to narrow the entirety of these epic fantasies down to a key character, Cam Jones didn't even hesitate to say Gandalf!  This wizard has traveled the world for countless eons.  But not in the effort of money or power...but altruism.  Gandalf's kind heart has impacted the lives of creatures great and small.  Including one man who's read of his adventures and was forever changed for the better!

This week, my guest and I talk about vampires, our moms, and the importance of representation.  Buffy the Vampire Slayer may have ended 16 years ago, but the impact it's characters made can still be felt by many people every day.  So to all the witches, Scoobies, and Big Bads out there, I hope you enjoy this episode and thank you so much for listening!

In this episode, I skate the rules a little bit as my guest and I talk about the fictionalized version of a real person.  But throughout our conversation, we get to something real with it.  Mame is a woman who went through so much in her life yet always managed to come out with a smile.  And, if she can do that during the depression, maybe there's hope for the rest of us.

Depression is a incredibly difficult for the many people who suffer with it daily.  Sometimes you get the will to keep fighting from unlikely places.  Like Allie MacDonald, my guest today who learned how to cope by watching Sailor Moon as a child.  Hear her describe the lessons and strategies that helped her as a child and still influence her today!

Zora Neale Hurston is a Central Florida icon.  Just in time for the annual ZORA! Festival, my guest and I discuss one of her most iconic characters.  Check out Veronica Smith and I discuss how she relates to the story of Janie Crawford, from Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God!

In the first full episode of Character Progression, we talk to my friend Mike Logsdon about the two characters who've had the greatest impact on his life.  One who inspires him to be better and one who makes him feel better about who he is now.  Check it out to hear him describe how these two, drastically difference characters have impacted his life.

Welcome to the introductory episode of Character Progression.  In this episode, I give you a brief rundown on why I'm doing this podcast and what I hope people will get out of it.  I hope you all enjoy and thank you for checking it out!