John Chichilla
Co-Host of AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk
technologist, artist, photographer, jedi, smuggler
John Chichilla has hosted 425 Episodes.
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Project Indigo, Ponchos & Pittsburgh Pride | AwesomeCast 737
June 17th, 2025 | 58 mins 19 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
The AwesomeCast crew goes live from Adrian, Michigan to talk tech, travel, and gear in the field! Sorg, Katie, and Dave share behind-the-scenes insights from covering the Formula SAE EV competition, highlight Knockaround’s fun and functional sunglasses, and explore Adobe’s new AI-powered camera app, Project Indigo. Plus, they unpack Honda’s regulation-bending e-bike delivery vehicle and dive into the conspiracy lore of the Denver Airport. Don’t miss this week’s ChachiSays Video Game Minute featuring Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, PS5 milestones, and MLB meets gaming. Watch, listen, and get geeky at www.AwesomeCast.com!
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From Star Wars Coolers to Self-Driving Cars: Geek Tech Goes Mobile | AwesomeCast 735
June 3rd, 2025 | 1 hr 6 mins
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
In this special on-location episode of AwesomeCast 735, recorded live from the Hilton Garden Inn in Ann Arbor during the SAE Autodrive Challenge, Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are joined by Pittsburgh-based cinematographer Scotty Swemba. The crew dives into new tech discoveries including the Bing AI video creator, Apple’s latest game studio acquisition, and Katie’s OmniBreeze fan obsession. They also explore how Scotty brings a cinematic eye to live productions, including their evolving video work for SAE events. Plus: robot droids that follow you, iPhone filmmaking in Hollywood, and the return of Cat Wars. It’s geeky, techy, sweaty (thanks to the heat), and wonderfully weird — exactly what you expect from AwesomeCast.
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Motherboard Memories: How Mom Inspired a Tech Career | AwesomeCast 732
May 11th, 2025 | 34 mins 3 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
On this special Mother’s Day edition of AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg is joined by his mom, Cathy (aka Mom Sorg), for a heartwarming and insightful conversation. They revisit their day at Kennywood, talk theme park accessibility, and dig into Cathy’s trailblazing career as a female drafter and AutoCAD specialist—including the surprising reveal that she helped design a piece of Epcot’s iconic Spaceship Earth. Plus, Chachi drops the latest gaming headlines in the Chachi Says Video Game Minute.
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Pittsburgh’s Wildest Hills & Smart Tech Thrills | AwesomeCast 725
March 19th, 2025 | 58 mins 11 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
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Supersonic Booms & TikTok Dooms | AwesomeCast 718
January 29th, 2025 | 57 mins 58 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
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Geeking Out Over Cat Wars, Smart Doors, and Production Floors | AwesomeCast 717
January 22nd, 2025 | 55 mins 34 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
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Doom Captchas, Smart Dog Collars, and Retro Tech Gold | AwesomeCast 716
January 15th, 2025 | 55 mins 59 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
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Unwrapping 2024’s Awesome Tech Gifts and 2025 Predictions | AwesomeCast 714
December 18th, 2024 | 1 hr 15 mins
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
Join the AwesomeCast crew for a festive holiday special as they reflect on 2024’s biggest tech trends and share their predictions for 2025! Highlights include discussions on the Apple Vision Pro, the rise of indie games, AI’s creative breakthroughs like Adobe’s reflection removal, and TikTok Shop’s impact on small businesses. Plus, a bit of holiday fun with predictions, shaming past forecasts, and celebrating awesome tech moments of the year. Perfect for tech enthusiasts and holiday cheer seekers alike!
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Exploring the Cathedral of Learning and OpenAI’s Cinematic Revolution | AwesomeCast 713
December 11th, 2024 | 58 mins 28 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
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Duolingo Panopticon | AwesomeCast 712: Duolingo Panopticon
December 4th, 2024 | 1 hr 3 mins
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
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From Pokémon Go Data to Muppets on the Move: Tech We’re Thankful For | AwesomeCast 711
November 27th, 2024 | 56 mins 42 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
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AwesomeCast 710: From Disney Magic to Unreal Gaming Revival:
November 20th, 2024 | 58 mins 38 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
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Notch-A-Mania | AwesomeCast 705
October 1st, 2024 | 56 mins 14 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
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Pizza Dog and Jousting Knights | AwesomeCast 703
September 18th, 2024 | 1 hr 8 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
In this episode of AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar dive into an eclectic mix of tech, travel, and quirky stories. They discuss the new Apple iOS 18 features, Michael's adventure in Grand Rapids, Ohio, complete with a life-size Battle Cat from He-Man, and an authentic jousting experience at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Plus, meet the studio's surprise guest, "Pizza Dog."
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A Broken Doohickey | AwesomeCast 701
September 4th, 2024 | 1 hr 14 secs
ad-free youtube, ai doom, ai drones, ai gadgets, ai in gaming, ai innovations, battery-powered lawn mower, camera gadget, canva ai, canva pricing, dave podnar, elgato neo, face tracking, freetube, game capture, john chichilla, letterboxd, michael sorg, movie tracker, right whales, sorgatron media, streaming hardware, transport canada
In this episode of AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg, John Chichilla, and Dave Podnar dive into the latest tech and gadget news! From quirky camera gadgets with AI face tracking to Elgato’s new eco-friendly streaming gear, we explore innovative ways tech is shaping our lives. Plus, we discuss AI drones protecting endangered whales, the rise of AI-generated gaming, and how Canva’s new AI features are driving up prices. Tune in for all this and more, including a sneak peek at ad-free YouTube viewing with FreeTube!
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Awesome Aftertalk: Exploring Data Breaches & AI Shenanigans
August 21st, 2024 | 23 mins 18 secs
pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news
Katie and Sorg explore security breaches, play with Grok AI on X.com', and discuss the chaos of data exposure and online privacy concerns.