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EXP. Share

By Josh Fjelstad, Tanner Greenring

Two longtime friends and Pokémon fans play every generation of Pokémon game, gym by gym. Now playing Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
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Pokémon Trading Card Game Online Playthrough (Ft. Michael LeVine) #057

EXP. ShareDec 08, 2020

00:00
01:08:21
[PL:A] The Plates of Firespit Island, Moonview Arena, Snowpoint Temple, and Everywhere Else (Ft. Dr. Michael LeVine) #202

[PL:A] The Plates of Firespit Island, Moonview Arena, Snowpoint Temple, and Everywhere Else (Ft. Dr. Michael LeVine) #202

What are the odds that Josh Fjelstad, Brooklyn podcaster, would be friends with a renowned slug scientist, who studied at KNOWN medical school, Cornell University and studied THINGS including SLUGS once? Pretty low, honesty, but here we are. We’re joined for our finale in ol’ Hisui by friend of the show and friend of the us, Mike LeVine. And YES, he does have a PhD and NO it’s NOT in slugs. This is it for our little sweeties Doug Farmer and Soren though! So long, slug-lovers!

Mar 05, 202401:14:59
[PL:A] "The Researcher of Myths," "The Plate of Prelude Beach," and "The Plate of the Lakes" (#201)

[PL:A] "The Researcher of Myths," "The Plate of Prelude Beach," and "The Plate of the Lakes" (#201)

We weren't given Waterfall so this isn't really a waterfalls episode, but it's got that feel, doesn't it? With Palkia and Dialga safely behind balls Soren and Doug are largely left to their own devices, which gives Doug plenty of time for soul-searching. And by soul I mean slug.

Feb 20, 202450:34
[PL:A] “Atop Mount Coronet" and "The Counterpart” (#200)

[PL:A] “Atop Mount Coronet" and "The Counterpart” (#200)

I guess, uh… I guess we’re done here, folks. Honestly, kinda came out of nowhere but seasons over and show is over and our souls are locked in old Hisui forever thanks to the actions of Doug Farmer and Soren. Let’s at least get one last Fur Affinity Check in for old time’s sake, right? Please tell our families we loved them. And tell Melli we hated him.

Feb 13, 202445:27
[PL:A] "Disaster Looming," "The Trial of Lake Verity," "The Trial of Lake Acuity," and "The Trial of Lake Valor" (#199)

[PL:A] "Disaster Looming," "The Trial of Lake Verity," "The Trial of Lake Acuity," and "The Trial of Lake Valor" (#199)

After quelling the final Frenzied Noble, we think we'll be hailed as heroes and Doug Farmer & Soren will get statues in their honor erected across the land. Instead all hell breaks loose, the simulation breaks, and immediately Commander Kamado places all the blame for everything at our feet. Banished from Jubilife, we're forced to subsist on dwindling potato mochi supplies and a shadow network of allies. Most of our "friends" like Warden Lian and Mai offer nothing but barely kind words, until a Trainer Banger swoops in and takes us under her motherly wings.

Feb 06, 202441:14
[PL:A] “The Slumbering Lord of the Tundra” (#198)

[PL:A] “The Slumbering Lord of the Tundra” (#198)

We’ve got one more frenzied beast to quell, and whoo doggy is she a big one. But first we have a whole long checklist to take care of including tracking down some mythical beasts with the help of some light cheating, chasing down an errant Braviary and its emotionally challenging warden, and filling out bellies with enough potato mochi to block us up for days. Someone get Doug Farmer a bran muffin or something.

Jan 30, 202447:11
[PL:A] "Scaling Perilous Heights" (Ft. Erica Hyman) #197

[PL:A] "Scaling Perilous Heights" (Ft. Erica Hyman) #197

A Bug Pioneer joins us on the journey through HI-SU-IIIII, hailing from another strange, exotic, and faraway shore: Jersey. You can probably figure out where she wormholed in from. Fortunately, she's here just in time to take down the Frenzied Lord Electrode, and more importantly, support Josh in preventing Tanner from ramming through some pretty outlandish new "slugs" for Doug Farmer's team.

Notes: Thanks for joining us, Erica, whose handsome dog you can find on Instagram @erica_h!

Jan 23, 202401:17:03
[PL:A] "The Lordless Island" (#196)

[PL:A] "The Lordless Island" (#196)

Welcome to the Cobalt Coastlands, Bug Pioneers. There's plenty of East Sea Shellos to go around, so grab a Leaden Ball, hop on your Basculegion, and enter bullet time—we've got some slugs to hunt. Our problematic faves, the Miss Fortune Sisters, are back and up to more mischief this week, stealing beautiful little 'mon and turning them into frenzied, raging monsters that we'll have to put down, Survey Corps-style.

Jan 16, 202454:11
[PL:A] "Arezu's Predicament" (#195)

[PL:A] "Arezu's Predicament" (#195)

Doug Farmer and Soren may not know how they got to old Hisui, but they certainly know what they're doing now that they're there, and what they're doing isn't very nice. Members of the Survey Corps live by the 3 C's: Catalogue, Capture, and Kill (It's a dialect thing, it doesn't translate well.) – and these two do so with such ruthless efficiency that they're accidentally wiping out whole evolutionary lines. Next in their sites: A lovely, frenzied ballerina Lilligant that can't be allowed to see the light of modern Sinnoh.

Jan 09, 202451:44
[Pokémon Legends: Arceus] "In An Unfamiliar Land" to "The Frenzy of the Lord of the Woods" (#194)

[Pokémon Legends: Arceus] "In An Unfamiliar Land" to "The Frenzy of the Lord of the Woods" (#194)

It's a new year and it's a brand-new game (to them) neither of the boys has ever touched—a truly open world, unknown & unexplored new land called Hisui. Except wait it does seem to have some striking similarities to the world they explored in the last game. We'll have to get to the bottom of that. And who better to do it than through Josh & Tanner's definitely completely original and in no way related to previous characters in the EXP. Share universe? Meet your would-be champions (or whatever they do here in Hisui) for our jaunt through Pokémon Legends: Arceus, as we navigate new mechanics, new trainers, and their first challenge of getting a Kleavor to settle down.


Notes: Featuring "Celtic Fantasy Music with Nature Ambience" by Coya Music and "Almost Heaven" by Freesound Music

Jan 02, 202456:58
Pokémon Unite: Part I (#193)

Pokémon Unite: Part I (#193)

Welcome to the lawless Aeos Islands, where the rich come to get richer, younger, and more beautiful as the poor and destitute of the Pokéworld grind it out in the brawling pits, harvesting rare Aeos energy to power the ruling class’ abhorrent experiments with the laws of nature. Meet Bree van Durr, a lofty figure brought low, washed up on the fabricated shores with a Gothic Horror Mewtwo in tow. She’ll have a long path to travel if she ever hopes to take on undefeated Pokémon Unite champion Neon Greedent Evangelion and his thankless personal chef, Greenring.

Dec 19, 202340:50
Route 223, Victory Road, Elite Four, & Chasing Waterfalls (#192)

Route 223, Victory Road, Elite Four, & Chasing Waterfalls (#192)

The #GrimSeason comes to its end. Will Crystal Ball & Shadow Josh suffer any further losses at the Pokémon League? Will either one play through all the postgame, or simply give up? Join us as we finish BDSP and share all of our thoughts about it.

Dec 05, 202355:47
Lake Acuity, Team Galactic HQ, Mt. Coronet, Route 222, Sunyshore City, Sunyshore Gym (#191)

Lake Acuity, Team Galactic HQ, Mt. Coronet, Route 222, Sunyshore City, Sunyshore Gym (#191)

What a leg! Really, so much happened this week, there’s almost not enough time to cover it all, and there’s certainly no room to get into all the specifics here in the episode description. These things have a character limit, you know. We could probably get into the boss battle atop Team Galactic HQ or the lake spirits freeing Dialga/Palkia from Cyrus’s freaky Red Chain, but there wasn't really anything else notable or humbling or humiliating that happened to Tanner or anyone else this week worth mentioning here.

Nov 28, 202342:44
Lake Valor, Lake Verity, Route 211, Mt. Coronet, Routes 216-217, Snowpoint City, Snowpoint Gym (#190)

Lake Valor, Lake Verity, Route 211, Mt. Coronet, Routes 216-217, Snowpoint City, Snowpoint Gym (#190)

Crystal Ball foresees a long trek ahead, and her soothsaying powers once again do not disappoint. She and Shadow Josh spend some time at the Canalave Library hoping to beef up on the Legendary Gulpin Egg—or so they thought. Instead, they're railroaded into having to go investigate all those multi-tailed lake freaks and once again, bail everyone out of a bunch of trouble they got themselves into. AND climb a mountain.

Nov 14, 202347:24
Fuego Ironworks, Iron Island, Route 218, Canalave City, Canalave Gym (#189)

Fuego Ironworks, Iron Island, Route 218, Canalave City, Canalave Gym (#189)

We decided to get out ahead of some pretty labored metaphors while we’re paying our quarterly taxes and getting out ahead of our waterfalls this season, you know, like a Basculin swimming upstream. Okay, now that I’m seeing it written out I see Josh’s point. We went to Canalave City and took on Byron in Canalave Gym. We crushed him.

Nov 07, 202359:18
Route 210, Celestic Town, Hearthome Gym (#188)

Route 210, Celestic Town, Hearthome Gym (#188)

After a particularly dark chapter in the #GrimSeason last week, our heroes/antiheroes are blessed with a short and relatively painless jaunt. That's thanks to Cynthia, who comes out of nowhere with "Secret Medicine" that takes care of the Psyduck blockade up on Route 210. She also makes Crystal Ball & Shadow Josh meet her grandmother up in Celestic Town, who needs an Old Charm for some reason. After that, they finally get to take on the Hearthome City Gym Leader, Fantina, and maybe dust off the Super Contest Contest?

Featuring: "Memorial Day (Alex Productions)" by Breaking Copyright.

Oct 31, 202336:06
Route 214, Route 213, Route 212, Pastoria City, Pastoria Gym (#187)

Route 214, Route 213, Route 212, Pastoria City, Pastoria Gym (#187)

Crystal Ball chose to take the road less traveled this week by bee-lining down the Valor Lakefront and right into the hungry battlefields of the Seven Stars Restaurant. Shadow Josh, on the other hand, stuck to the rivers and lakes that he’s used to—by taking what may or may not be the prescribed route down to Pastoria City. Either way, both… creatures made it to take on Crasher Wake, but it was pretty brutal for one of them. #GrimSeason

Featuring: "Santeria (Sublime)" by CC Karaoke.

Oct 24, 202352:50
Route 206, Wayward Cave, Routes 207-208, Hearthome City, Route 209, Solaceon Town, Route 210, Route 215, Veilstone City, Veilstone Gym (#186)

Route 206, Wayward Cave, Routes 207-208, Hearthome City, Route 209, Solaceon Town, Route 210, Route 215, Veilstone City, Veilstone Gym (#186)

Traversing like a fifth of the map this early on in a Nuzlocke is no small feat, and regrettably some small feet on someone's team didn't make it through the other side of Mt. Coronet pass. But, we didn't let that stop us from enjoying the jaunty music and wind in our hair careening down Cycling Road—at least that buoyed our spirits enough to weather fighting some dad impersonating a Pichu's mom or the freak with three Mr. Mimes. Oh, and Maylene's fearsome Lucario. The #GrimSeason continues down a dark path.

Notes: Featuring "Sea of Love (Cat Power)" by FakeyOke.

Oct 17, 202355:32
Route 204, Ravaged Path, Floaroma Town, Valley Windworks, Route 205, Eterna Forest, Grand Underground, Eterna City, Eterna Gym (#185)

Route 204, Ravaged Path, Floaroma Town, Valley Windworks, Route 205, Eterna Forest, Grand Underground, Eterna City, Eterna Gym (#185)

Some of us tried our best but we STILL didn’t succeed this week, but that’s okay, because we’re taking the long view as we look ahead to, well, a very easy gym in Eterna City. The road was a little rocky along the way, and not like ice cream, like difficulties. it wasn’t nice. We didn’t have a nice week. #GrimSeason

Notes: Featuring "Longview (Green Day)" and "Fix You (Coldplay)" by CC Karaoke.

Oct 10, 202355:14
[Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl] Twinleaf Town, Route 201, Sandgem Town, Route 202, Jubilife City, Route 203, Oreburgh City, Oreburgh Gym (#184)

[Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl] Twinleaf Town, Route 201, Sandgem Town, Route 202, Jubilife City, Route 203, Oreburgh City, Oreburgh Gym (#184)

Welcome to the Grim Season. Not only have we dragged ourselves back to Sinnoh for 2021's kawaii/chibi/uwu overhaul, but we've decided to doubly punish ourselves with another take on the Nuzlocke: SOUL LINK! Meet our twisted new avatars for the season, our first impressions of Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, and find out if one (aka both because our souls are intwined) of us happened to suffer any dearly departed 'mon on the first leg.

Notes: Featuring "(Free) Horror Ambiance - Ominous Background Music" by ESN Productions.

Oct 03, 202301:04:21
New Pokémon Snap (#183)

New Pokémon Snap (#183)

Hi, it’s us, Todd Snap. (Not the hunk, a different one.) We didn’t want to leave you all high and dry for three weeks so we met up to play through the new Pokémon Snap! Then we had a few too many and went back to the studio to complain about it, mostly. Enjoy!

Sep 12, 202326:19
The Crown Tundra: Legendary Clue #2, Legendary Clue #3, Galarian Star Tournament (#182)

The Crown Tundra: Legendary Clue #2, Legendary Clue #3, Galarian Star Tournament (#182)

In the season 8A (that's right, we're calling it now) finale, our podcast titans recount their trials and travails conquering the Crown Tundra; attempts to land that hot date with Miss Honey; the hideous Legendaries they fought in Dynamax Adventures; the Galarian Star Tournament and Ball Guy's bogus grand prize; and finally throw Drew England's Connecticut champions up against Wellington Smithsmith's wealthy industrialists to determine who has the most powerful team on the archipelago.

Sep 05, 202351:14
The Crown Tundra: Dynamax Adventures and Legendary Clue #1 (#181)

The Crown Tundra: Dynamax Adventures and Legendary Clue #1 (#181)

This week we downloaded some content from the eShop to continue our journeys for the hefty sum of $29.99 American, but you know what they say: do it for the Vine. And we’re glad we did, because we love this dang place. Some of us more than others.

Aug 29, 202347:59
Isle of Armor: Three Trials, Tower of Darkness, Tower of Waters (#180)

Isle of Armor: Three Trials, Tower of Darkness, Tower of Waters (#180)

Wellington Smithsmith & Drew England make landfall on the Armor of Isle—sorry, that is, the Isle of Armor. They're immediately accosted by a couple of escaped circus freaks, who inadvertently introduce them to the locals' warriors path. Along with several children who have seemingly never wielded a Poké Ball before, they must complete three trials in order to ultimately take on the island's defender, Master Mustard. (And, in Drew England's case, win the affections of Miss Honey.) But it doesn't end there. They must also fall in love with a kung-fu bear and then climb a couple of scary towers so that it can finally become its truest self, or something poetic like that. Plus! Even more Wild Area antics.

Aug 22, 202348:04
Chasing Waterfalls in the Galar Region (#179)

Chasing Waterfalls in the Galar Region (#179)

It’s that time of the season once more are we set aside our goals and ambitions and finally just wander around the Galar region aimlessly just trying to find stuff we missed during our playthrough. We promise, it’s much more exciting than it sounds. If you’re expecting a battle, you’ll be sorely disappointed though, because Josh doesn’t have the chutzpah to take on Tanner’s All-Connecticut All-Stars.

Music: TLC - Waterfalls (SNES Remix), used with permission from Meme Music.

Aug 15, 202344:11
Wyndon Stadium, Rose Tower, Postwick, Slumbering Weald, Hammerlocke, Energy Plant, Championship (#178)

Wyndon Stadium, Rose Tower, Postwick, Slumbering Weald, Hammerlocke, Energy Plant, Championship (#178)

30+ hours into the game, it appears that Pokémon Company finally remembered that they needed to have some bad guys in this game. So they crammed both the criminal syndicate and corporate overlord into one big, confusing plot that involves a bunch of guys in Oakleys, an underground power plant, and a non-Euclidean pile of poison bones. Oh, and Drew England meets someone(s) new from the Great State of Vermont.

Aug 08, 202353:07
Hammerlocke, Hammerlocke Gym, Route 10, Wyndon (#177)

Hammerlocke, Hammerlocke Gym, Route 10, Wyndon (#177)

A brief leg this week that we’ve bulked up with plenty of Wild Area shenanigans and by playing ahead to Wyndon JUST A LITTLE BIT. But you’ll be glad we did, because there was PLENTY to take care of this week, especially for Josh who toiled for hours to catch Tanner a Stonjourner that he doesn’t even like. Special apology to anyone from New Hampshire this week.

Aug 01, 202348:48
Route 9, Spikemuth, Spikemuth Gym (#176)

Route 9, Spikemuth, Spikemuth Gym (#176)

It's been a generation or two, but eventually the water routes come for us all. Fortunately, this time we have the aid of a beleaguered doctor who mysteriously controls all of the bike technology in Galar, and he's upgraded our Bikes into Water Bikes. Hope our indentured Rotom like to swim! On the far shore, we discover that Marnie is yet another nepo baby, who takes us to her family's private entrance to the giant garage that is Spikemuth—and away from the riot of challengers who she decided weren't worthy. Turns out her brother Piers isn't either, because his team is a joke.

Jul 25, 202348:02
Route 7, Route 8, Circhester, Circhester Gym(s) (#175)

Route 7, Route 8, Circhester, Circhester Gym(s) (#175)

Lock up your Hot-Mom-loving spouses and loved ones this week—at least, if you’re playing Shield, because Circhester (pronounced see-sir-shrrr-sr) Gym has plenty to go around! You ever just start writing a sentence just to see where it goes? We're as surprised as you are by that last one. Anyway, the other game has someone called Gordie. ¯\(ツ)/¯

Jul 18, 202341:48
Glimwood Tangle, Ballonlea, Ballonlea Gym (#174)

Glimwood Tangle, Ballonlea, Ballonlea Gym (#174)

Tough week for Drew England as we check in on all the various Wild Area competitions, but can he redeem himself in a head-to-head battle with Smithsmith’s team of titans? To find out, you'll have to follow us through the unsavory, drug-addled Glimwood Tangle, into Ballonlea (pronounced baloney-ah)—where we’re invited to battle in an opium den—and through a sidequest to secure a representative for the great state of Vermont. It’s quite a journey.

Jul 11, 202351:37
Hammerlocke, Route 6, Stow-on-Side, Stow-on-Side Gym (#173)

Hammerlocke, Route 6, Stow-on-Side, Stow-on-Side Gym (#173)

Drew England spends some time chilling in the Wild Area, and Wellington Smithsmith recruits a new entrepreneur there after learning about another one of Chairman Rose's sham companies while touring Hammerlocke. Josh reveals a provocative new theory about Galar's Two Princes, and Tanner has some provocative thoughts about Gigantamax Gengar as well as Ball Guy (as usual). They also unveil a couple of new competitions—both of which Josh didn't know about—both for themselves as well as you, Bug Catchers. Check out the Rotom Circuit #1 on our socials @expsharepod, and send us your high score after YOU do the math!

*We'll be taking next week off for the Fourth of July, and back with your regularly scheduled episode on Tuesday, July 11th.*

Jun 27, 202355:31
Galar Mine 2, Motostoke Outskirts, Motostoke Gym, Return to Wild Area (#172)

Galar Mine 2, Motostoke Outskirts, Motostoke Gym, Return to Wild Area (#172)

Drew & Wellington push on this week into new ventures and new areas as they finish what they now know was essentially the opening tutorial sequence. With just Kabu left to stop them, a pitiful Fire-type gym leader, it’s only a matter of time before their sick machinations are unleashes upon the Galar region. (We’re talking mostly about Wellington Smithsmith here, obviously.) It was a pretty breezy visit for both gents, to be honest. But at least they got the chance to stop by and see Motostoke’s famous Fireman Octillery!

Jun 21, 202359:31
Route 5, Hulbury, Hulbury Gym (#171)

Route 5, Hulbury, Hulbury Gym (#171)

The route was short and yet, it was still full of terrors. Or maybe that's just the bit when we tried to figure out how to battle each other online for the first time. You be the judge, but please don't make fun of us too much. We're two grown adult men after all, how were we supposed to know that a hidden menu is what you use to fight each other, rather than the one on the main menu THAT SAYS "VS" ON IT. Please excuse us. We also have a controversial pick for Trainer Danger, but Joshy's Sweetie and Tanner's Ew Make Me Barf Pokémon of the Week certainly are not.

Jun 13, 202348:33
Route 3, Galar Mine 1, Route 4, Turffield, Turffield Gym (Ft. Greg Leatherman) #170

Route 3, Galar Mine 1, Route 4, Turffield, Turffield Gym (Ft. Greg Leatherman) #170

We’re joined by Greg Leatherman this week, aka Madison Sinclair, who is busy, busy, busy building the most fabulous team of “Pokémon Drag Race” stars. Meanwhile, Drew England and Wellington Smithsmith are just trying to make it to Turffield so they can take on *checks notes* J.K. Rowling? Huh. Along the way we learn about hawk in Timbs, a pretty complicated conspiracy about Gigantamaxing, and a Pokémon that’s just a big wad of, well, it’d be impolite to day what it looks like. 

Notes: Thanks to Greg for joining us again! You can find him on Twitter @whitewing & Instagram @lysander03.

Jun 06, 202301:04:48
[Pokémon Sword/Shield] Postwick, Slumbering Weald, Route 1, Wedgehurst, Route 2, Wild Area, Motostoke (#169)

[Pokémon Sword/Shield] Postwick, Slumbering Weald, Route 1, Wedgehurst, Route 2, Wild Area, Motostoke (#169)

‘Ello guv! Welcome to a new season of EXP. Share on an all-new system, in an all-new region, and on a lovely emerald isle (close enough) FILLED with all-new Barfies and Sweeties. Join wealthy industrialist Wellington Smithsmith and New England ambassador Drew England as they make their way to Motostoke City for Galar's Pokémon League opening ceremony. Along the way they meet weird dogs with lovely voices, some rowdy and fun-lovin’ stans, and the single most dangerous stranger to date: The Ball Guy. Chip chip, cheerio!

May 30, 202358:16
Route 23, Victory Road, Indigo Plateau, Elite Four, Cerulean Cave (Ft. David Sims) #168

Route 23, Victory Road, Indigo Plateau, Elite Four, Cerulean Cave (Ft. David Sims) #168

Season 7B/C draws to a close, even if maybe everyone participating in it didn't quite make it to the finish line. We've cleared the runway for David Sims, aka GringusD, to join us again after a brief hiatus to talk about Let's Go, the first time he played versus returning to it. Aside from traversing the surprisingly devastating Victory Road and taking on the Elite Four, we cover what we like and don't like both about the game and our own EXPLocke—with which one of our hosts once again struggles to keep a firm grasp on the rules of his own damn playstyle variant. You might as well call Josh & Tanner Pete & Chasten at this point because they're a family of Mayors Cheat.

May 09, 202301:01:47
Route 21, Pallet Town, Viridian Gym (#167)

Route 21, Pallet Town, Viridian Gym (#167)

This long and storied saga is finally drawing to a close. It was months in the making, but we’ve finally pushed through and all it took was some light penis trauma along the way. We are, of course, referring to Tanner’s kidney stone, but while we’re on the topic of penis trauma, we’ve got a HOT new segment for you this week and the best part is that we want to hear from you—so make sure to tag us when you take to Twitter and TikTok to tell us about your most #MountablePokemon. We also played a little Pokémon this week, but really, it was a VERY little amount. Yet somehow Josh managed to cheat for about half of it. 

May 02, 202346:57
Route 19, Seafoam Islands, Route 20, Cinnabar Island, Pokémon Mansion, Cinnabar Gym (Ft. Daniel Golson) #166

Route 19, Seafoam Islands, Route 20, Cinnabar Island, Pokémon Mansion, Cinnabar Gym (Ft. Daniel Golson) #166

Apparently seeking to clean up a Saffron City that's rotten to the core, Dorito Doug decides to burn it to the ground. After making such a move that's clearly not on-brand for Doritos, he's forced to cool his heels down south for a while. On the journey to Cinnabar Island, he and Caprica-Six are joined by "Daniel" aka Daniel Golson, whose team is like a delicious bowl full of pasta and named thusly. The trio debates saving the many struggling Swimmers on Routes 19-20 but ultimately decides that's the Kanto Coast Guard's problem, which may or may not exist. On Cinnabar, Caprica-Six is finally able to replace Golbat the Golbat after tapping into the Cinnabar Lab's resurrection technology. Then, they try to continue their gym challenge but are forced to scour the depths of the Pokémon Mansion in search of a key that lets them into Blaine's Gym, which is also a wildly fun trivia show. After those fun and games though, it's time to determine who will retain or take over EXP. Share's IP in the first guest battle of the season!

Notes: Thanks to Daniel Golson for joining us! Follow him and his sweet rides @dsgolson on Instagram & Twitter.

Apr 25, 202301:00:18
Power Plant, Saffron City, Fighting Dojo, Silph Co., Saffron Gym (#165)

Power Plant, Saffron City, Fighting Dojo, Silph Co., Saffron Gym (#165)

Look forward to some, frankly, phoned-in eulogies because Dorito Doug lost a ‘mon none of you had even MET yet and Caprica-Six can’t manage to keep the ‘mon she lost this week alive even if the fate of the entire human—sorry, Cylon—race depended on it. Otherwise, we pulverized the Power Plant. Destroyed the Dojo. Saved Silph. Sacked Sabrina’s gym. And Tanner managed to do all of that while only cheating just a little!

Apr 18, 202349:21
Pokémon Tower, Routes 12-15, Fuchsia City, GO Park, Fuchsia Gym (#164)

Pokémon Tower, Routes 12-15, Fuchsia City, GO Park, Fuchsia Gym (#164)

First, the Rules Court convenes once again to look at the eligibility of our request for rerolls last week. To resolve the issues with Josh's Favorite Pokémon Is Mewtwo clause, we're joined by @asteroidera, aka Kel, who was the first Bug Catcher to volunteer and benevolently offer up their Mewtwo. They do EXP. Share's first-ever live trade on-air, and then after some fawning by Josh, we begin our journey in earnest. Although one of us whose name rhymes with Burrito Chug is a Mayor Cheat who had already gotten the Poké Flute and released Marowak's soul, we quickly recount our ascent up the Pokémon Tower and then move onto greener pastures—the endless sea of green and literal sea that is the southerly Routes 12-15. After we've wound our way down to Fuchsia City, we find a place that's both never looked better and also decidedly worse without its iconic Safari Zone, which has been replaced with the non-functioning (at least for these two grown adult men) GO Park. What's left but to see what kind of traps Koga and his gang of Jugglers and Tamers have laid... and whether we'll finally make it to our first episode this season without a eulogy.

Apr 11, 202352:18
Route 11, Diglett’s Cave, Route 9, Rock Tunnel, Route 10, Lavender Town, Routes 7-8, Team Rocket Hideout, Celedon Gym (#163)

Route 11, Diglett’s Cave, Route 9, Rock Tunnel, Route 10, Lavender Town, Routes 7-8, Team Rocket Hideout, Celedon Gym (#163)

The leg was long and our legs are tired. Yours must be too, traveler. Take a seat and rest your weary body. We’ll get you a warm meal and a cold drink. Just sit back and enjoy a wonderful evening of music we have planned for you, because we’re more or less a house of blues this episode with all the damned eulogies we need to get through for all those tragically lost on Route 8. That was AFTER the grueling trip through Rock Tunnel, and BEFORE the monotonous grind through the Team Rocket Hideout, of course. It’s not all bad though! Sometimes you get a great trade, or a digital Pokémon duck will just swoop down and essentially crawl into one of your Poké Balls for you. Win some and lose some.

Apr 05, 202301:02:33
Route 5, Underground Path, Route 6, Vermilion City, Route 11, S.S. Anne, Vermilion Gym (#162)

Route 5, Underground Path, Route 6, Vermilion City, Route 11, S.S. Anne, Vermilion Gym (#162)

After a frankly disturbing experience on the Cerulean Cape, our trainers needed the kind of mind-clearing reprieve only the open sea can offer. Or, at least being on a nice big boat that's adjacent to it. But from a fan club with a chairman who's a little too enamored of his Rapidash to another devastating encounter with a Machop, their troubles only seem to multiply before climbing aboard the S.S. Anne—where they will be once again denied the reprieve they so desperately long for. Caprica-Six & Dorito Doug might be the ones holding the tickets, but you, Bug Catchers, are the ones in for the real show this week.

Mar 28, 202345:59
Route 3, Mt. Moon, Route 4, Cerulean City, Route 24, Route 25, Cerulean Gym (#161)

Route 3, Mt. Moon, Route 4, Cerulean City, Route 24, Route 25, Cerulean Gym (#161)

Here's what you're looking for: https://giphy.com/gifs/YTa2CNIsZZP9x4Zb74

Mar 22, 202301:03:02
[Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee] Announcing EXPLocke: Our Ruleset & Characters, Pallet Town, Route 1, Viridian City, Route 2, Viridian Forest, Pewter City, Pewter Gym (#160)

[Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee] Announcing EXPLocke: Our Ruleset & Characters, Pallet Town, Route 1, Viridian City, Route 2, Viridian Forest, Pewter City, Pewter Gym (#160)

We might somehow still be in Gen VII, but we're finally on the Switch, baby! And we're doing it big. We've put together our own Nuzlocke variation we're calling "EXPLocke," and in this episode we go over the rules in detail—perhaps too much detail—issue some rulings on some vagaries, explain our characters, and then let them loose on the road to Viridian City.

If you want to join in on the fun, we've posted the EXPLocke rules on our Twitter & Instagram @expsharepod as well as the text-only (and absolutist yet updating) version on Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/bugcatchers. May Arceus be with us all. 

Mar 14, 202301:07:37
[Detective Pikachu, Pt. III] Chapter Seven: Ryme Wharf, Chapter Eight: Where R Goes, Chapter Nine: Pokémon Carnival (#159)

[Detective Pikachu, Pt. III] Chapter Seven: Ryme Wharf, Chapter Eight: Where R Goes, Chapter Nine: Pokémon Carnival (#159)

The week starts with a little light teen murder and only somehow gets more explicitly illegal as Detective Tanner Greenring and his trusty “concierge” Fjillish manage to sneak themselves aboard a luxury yacht anchored in international waters where an “Eyes Wide Shut”-style bacchanal can take place without any government oversight. Detective Pikachu and Trusty Tim fuck around and find out with a cool 90 million and secure a few bags along the way before securing the biggest bag of the all… the friendships we made along the way. Oh, and Keith. They caught Keith. But he wasn’t even the main baddie. It’s a whole thing, you’ll have to listen. It’s wild. Anyways, that’s it for Detective Pikachu. Case closed on a great game. See you back in Kanto for the first ever EXPLocke!

Mar 07, 202347:10
[Detective Pikachu, Pt. II] Chapter Four: Cappucci Island, Chapter Five: Fine Park, Chapter Six: GNN (#158)

[Detective Pikachu, Pt. II] Chapter Four: Cappucci Island, Chapter Five: Fine Park, Chapter Six: GNN (#158)

After closing a slew of successful cases and nursing their celebratory hangovers, Detectives Tanner and Feebosh find their next lead: one Dr. Waals, who a tortured scientist reveals is the real brains behind the creation of R. He's living on the tropical island community called Cappucci, and everyone there is a suspect. The sleuths make landfall and immediately hit the ground running, interviewing a failing Pokémon Ranger, a scheming girlboss, a gross old man, a crooked cop, and then the notorious doctor himself. Of course, all was not what it seemed, and closing that case only leads to an even more disturbing discovery—it turns out that nearly a year ago to the day, there was a horrific incident at Fine Park during Pokémon Carnival. After chilling interview after chilling interview with the traumatized Pokémon who still reside at the abandoned theme park, they need to see just what triggered a Charizard to go on on a murderous rampage, leading them to Ryme City's local news outfit, GNN. But the trail doesn't go cold there, Bugshoes. It just heats the hell up. Whodunnit... all of it? You'll have to listen to find out.

Feb 28, 202348:10
[Detective Pikachu, Pt. I] Chapter One: Tahnti Park, Chapter Two: Litwick Cave, Chapter Three: PCL (#157)

[Detective Pikachu, Pt. I] Chapter One: Tahnti Park, Chapter Two: Litwick Cave, Chapter Three: PCL (#157)

The gleaming neon streets of Ryme City were buzzing with excitement as the detective duo of Tanner Greenring and his loyal Pokemon companion, Fjeloette, took the case in an exciting new episode of EXP. Share. Tanner's rugged exterior and sharp wit, coupled with Fjeloette's unwavering loyalty and fierce determination, make for a formidable team as the duo tracks down their elusive gumshoe Tim, who was on a mission to avenge the assault on an innocent Aipom. Along the way, Tanner and Fjeloette would face danger at every turn, including a harrowing ride on a Drifblim as they narrowly escaped the blasts of a crazed Glalie. But the real intrigue began when Tanner and Fjeloette stumbled upon a conspiracy that would shake the city to its core. With their wits and their Pokemon by their side, the hard-bitten detectives set out to ruin the career of a corrupt scientist who would stop at nothing to protect his secrets. In the seedy underbelly of Ryme City, Detective Greenring and Fjeloette will have to use all of their cunning and guile to uncover the truth and bring justice to the innocent victims of these Pokemon attacks.

Feb 21, 202345:18
Melemele Island, Akala Island, Ula'ula Island, Poni Island, Battle Tree, Tapu Hunting, Ultra Wormholes, Pokémon League Champion Title Defense (#156)

Melemele Island, Akala Island, Ula'ula Island, Poni Island, Battle Tree, Tapu Hunting, Ultra Wormholes, Pokémon League Champion Title Defense (#156)

In our final Alolan episode, we might not be able to go chasing waterfalls, but we do chase just about every dang other thing. We go island-hopping and check in on all our old friends and foes; collecting Totem Stickers and Zygarde Cells; Charizard Gliding and Mantine Surfing to see if Skull Lord can retain his title as King of the Waves. We go hunting for Tapus—one of us in a literal sense—and hunting for Ultra Beasts to see if there's anything good in those Ultra Wormholes (spoiler: there wasn't). Instead, we rank those beasties in the hottest and probably most controversial new segment: "Fur Affinity, Sweetie, or Barf." Then, we defend our titles in the Pokémon League before determining who the real Kahuna of EXP. Share is in this season's final battle between Skull Lord and Parrothead.

Notes: Get your carts and cups of coffee ready because the next game up is Detective Pikachu!

Feb 14, 202301:10:51
Hau'oli Outskirts, Ancient Poni Path, Poni Grove, Episode RR (Ft. Greg Leatherman) #155

Hau'oli Outskirts, Ancient Poni Path, Poni Grove, Episode RR (Ft. Greg Leatherman) #155

Greg Leatherman, this season’s over/Guzzlord joins us again to keep Tanner in check and also tell us what exactly goes on in the Sun/Moon story versus what we’ve just experienced now that we’re in Ultra Sun/Moon's postgame. The thing is, while we do learn that the story in this game is a total mess, we also had a blast with Episode RR and facing off against the series’ very baddest criminal minds up till this point. Team Rainbow Rocket Giovanni? An icon, and an ally, or maybe even one of the other letters but we can’t figure that out without logging onto Fur Affinity dot net and it was early in the morning so we just didn’t have the stamina.
Notes: Check out Greg on Twitter @whitewing, @lysander03 on Instagram, and Most of his posts are really good, other than the Ribombee (just a fly) propaganda ones.
Feb 07, 202301:10:17
Mount Lanakila, Pokémon League, The “Elite” Four, Credits (#154)

Mount Lanakila, Pokémon League, The “Elite” Four, Credits (#154)

Skull Lord has crushed the Alolan Region under his boot at last and Parrothead has kept the good vibes and good GOOD Pinap Berry juice flowing from sea to shred-worthy sea. There’s just one last obstacle to overcome for the disjointed duo. No, like, literally—they had to climb a mountain this week. And honestly? They both felt pretty ishy about it since it was apparently SACRED GROUND to the Tapus. (By the way, Tapu-hunting season is OPEN!) When we finally overcame every challenge and crested every summit, our hard work was rewarded with the shabbiest Elite Four we’ve ever gone up against. After dodging some thrown keys and cold approaches, we battled. Let’s just say it went VERY well for the guy writing this description. (Incidentally, Tanner has been called an inspiration and is considered a mentor and role model to many successful people.)

Jan 31, 202349:14
Altar of the Sunne/Moone, Ultra Warp Ride, Ultra Megalopolis, Megalo Tower, Mina's Trial, Hapu's Grand Trial (#153)

Altar of the Sunne/Moone, Ultra Warp Ride, Ultra Megalopolis, Megalo Tower, Mina's Trial, Hapu's Grand Trial (#153)

We take a quick moment to address the controversy spread 'round the internet last week, and finally give into popular demand for our official comment on Gholdengo's appointment as National Dex Pokémon #1000. Then, we set our watches back to Island Time and ascend the Altars of the Sunne/Moone to determine whether Solgaleo & Lunala and their alt formes Dawn Wings Necrozma & Dusk Mane Necrozma are as ugly as we originally thought. From there, Parrothead & Skull Grunt are sucked into an Ultra Wormhole and have to grind it (or cheese it) out to beat one of the toughest wild Pokémon encounters there is. Finally, Fairly High Mina unleashes her Fairy types, before unveiling the final trial: the fetchiest-fetch quest where the two trialgoers must visit every previous captain and fight 'em again—before battling each other.

Jan 24, 202354:09