AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

Adulting at Chuck E. Cheese, Pickle Triathlons & Fire Truck Cam Hacks | AwesomeCast 740

July 9th, 2025  |  58 mins 44 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

🎧 On this week’s AwesomeCast 740, we get geeky with Pittsburgh’s iconic Picklesburgh festival, explore high-tech safety gear for fire trucks, and unbox a McDonald’s Happy Meal inside a Happy Meal. Plus, we chat about Anthrocon’s $89K cat rescue donation, a Chuck E. Cheese arcade just for adults, and whether AirPods Pro 2 can replace hearing aids. Don’t miss Dave’s electric chipper review, Katie’s pickle adventures, and a Pope-signed Pokémon card! 🥒🐾⚡

AI Outfits & Tiny Happy Meals: Tech Gets Weird | AwesomeCast 739

July 2nd, 2025  |  53 mins 50 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

Password Leaks, Lizard Geeks & LEGO Sneaks | AwesomeCast 738

June 25th, 2025  |  51 mins 12 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, Sorg and Katie Dudas dive into their behind-the-scenes experience streaming the Formula SAE EV competition, overcoming wireless challenges and unexpected tech hiccups. Katie shares a LEGO robotics kit from her niece’s STEM camp, Chachi reports on Netflix’s Dragon’s Lair adaptation, and we explore an incredible photo-enhancing app, a Godzilla-themed Alamo Drafthouse, and T-Mobile’s new Starlink satellite texting service. Plus, we cover urgent news on Facebook group shutdowns and a massive global password breach.

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!

Liquid Glass & AI Sass: WWDC 2024 Breakdown | AwesomeCast 736

June 11th, 2025  |  1 hr 3 mins

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar are joined by Greg McMillan of the iPhoneography Podcast to break down the biggest announcements from Apple’s WWDC 2024. They dive into the iOS 18 redesign, new iPadOS multitasking features, Apple Intelligence updates with ChatGPT integration, and major improvements to CarPlay. Plus, they explore what the new tools mean for podcasters and content creators. Chachi delivers a packed Video Game Minute, and pro wrestler Zeke Mercer drops in to talk about Apple vs Android from a creator’s perspective.

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.

Birds, Bytes & Barrel Rolls: Tech Takes Flight | AwesomeCsst 734

May 28th, 2025  |  55 mins 5 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg, Dave Podnar, and Katie Dudas dive into geeky goodness and tech trends with plenty of laughs and thoughtful discussion. Dave unboxes his TMS Vegas 2025 swag bag and shares insights on community-building through podcast merchandise. Katie introduces the Merlin Bird ID app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, perfect for identifying bird sounds offline. Sorg finally rides Kennywood’s Steel Curtain coaster and gives us a coaster-lover’s review. The crew also discusses the importance of game ownership vs. price hikes in Chachi’s Video Game Minute rant. Plus, there’s a touching moment celebrating the engineer who saved Apollo 13. They close with a look at Surf Social, a new content aggregation app from the creators of Flipboard, and preview upcoming projects in video streaming, pro wrestling, and tech production.

From Pac-Man Donuts to Pit Lane Cams: Streaming the Storm | AwesomeCast 733

May 20th, 2025  |  57 mins 40 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, Sorg and Dave recount Sidekick Media’s wildest production yet—livestreaming Formula SAE from Michigan International Speedway during severe storms and tornado watches. From wireless camera challenges to global collaborations with Brazilian media, they break down the tech and teamwork behind the scenes. Plus, the crew covers the latest from Google I/O 2025, including AI-powered tools, Flow video generation, and new AR glasses. Chachi drops gaming news with Tekken’s Waffle House stage, Krispy Kreme’s Pac-Man donuts, and the ongoing Apple vs. Epic Fortnite saga. Oh—and Sesame Street is saved by Netflix!

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.

From Baja to Buns: Star Wars, Sandstorms, and Seth Rogen Skins | AwesomeCast 731

May 7th, 2025  |  57 mins 38 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, we return after a major Pittsburgh power outage to dive into the tech headlines you need to know. Sorg shares the behind-the-scenes challenges of livestreaming the Baja SAE Endurance event in the Arizona desert, while Katie breaks down her Star Wars-themed marketing fun for May the 4th. Dave explores a pivotal court ruling forcing Apple to open its App Store to outside links, and highlights how Pittsburgh’s 3D printing scene is saving the Air Force serious money. Plus, we talk minimalist electric trucks, AI beating Pokémon, and GTA 6’s new release date in Chachi’s Video Game Minute.

Ice Cream Dreams & Roller Coaster Schemes | AwesomeCast 730

April 23rd, 2025  |  1 hr 2 mins

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, we dive into cool gadgets and hot adventures! Dave tests out the Ninja Creami frozen treat maker for healthy homemade desserts, Katie shares her unexpectedly tech-savvy return to Kennywood, and Sorg recaps his Vegas trip with stops at Taco Bell Cantina, the Hello Kitty Café, and WrestleMania at Allegiant Stadium. Plus, Chachi returns with the Video Game Minute, covering WWE in Fortnite, Marvel Rivals updates, and Nintendo’s latest moves. We also explore Instagram’s new Edits app, BlueSky verification, and Duolingo’s surprising dive into chess!

AwesomeCast 729: Birthday Ears & Tech Cheers: Theme Parks, Apple Hacks & Retro Vibes

April 16th, 2025  |  1 hr 2 mins

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

In this special birthday edition of AwesomeCast, Katie Dudas shares her magical trip to Disneyland and Star Wars Night — complete with Baymax hugs, fuzzy Tauntauns, and neon merch. Sorg explores the Kennywood comeback with season pass perks and Old Mill nostalgia. Dave Podnar breaks down hidden iPhone features like ambient background sounds and live captions. Plus, we debut the “Chachi Says Video Game Minute” with hot takes on Shenmue, Minecraft, and Marvel Rivals’ most cheeky update yet.

Switching Gears: Nintendo News & High-Tech Travel Chaos | AwesomeCast 728

April 8th, 2025  |  42 mins 5 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, Sorg, Rizz, and Podnar dive into the behind-the-scenes madness of prepping for a major remote livestream at SAE Aero Design West. From packing gear and solving wireless video challenges with the Cosmo C2, to backup internet with Starlink, it’s a masterclass in mobile video production. Plus, we react to the big Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, featuring open-world Mario Kart, GameCube classics, and FromSoftware’s new exclusive The Duskbloods. Whether you’re into tech, travel, or gaming—this one’s packed with awesome!

Gotta Deduct ’Em All: PokeTax, ProArt, & Muppet Mayhem! | AwesomeCast 727

April 2nd, 2025  |  1 hr 1 min

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

This week on AwesomeCast 727, we dive into the wonderfully weird world of tech! From filing your taxes Pokémon-style with PokeTax, to testing out AI that turns real-life photos into Muppet mayhem, we’ve got your geeky cravings covered. We explore the NFL’s shift from the chain gang to 8K camera tracking, Sorg reviews the color-accurate ASUS ProArt Display, and we question reality with Turner’s Ranch Milk. Plus, updates on Nintendo Switch digital game sharing and a big win for Slice on Broadway as the World’s Best Cheese Pizza!

Space Shrooms, Gemini Grows, and the Watch That Wouldn’t Die | AwesomeCast 726

March 26th, 2025  |  1 hr 4 mins

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

In this episode of AwesomeCast, hosts Michael Sorg, Chachi, and Dave Podnar explore the latest in tech and innovation, including updates to ChatGPT’s AI image tools, Google Gemini’s new audio summarization feature, and the quiet return of the Pebble smartwatch. They also dive into ethical concerns around AI removing watermarks from images and NASA’s experiment growing mushrooms in space. Plus, Sorg shares his experience with his new blue Ford Maverick hybrid and how 3D-printed car accessories are becoming a thing. It’s a packed episode full of future-facing gadgets, AI hacks, and geeky nostalgia.

Pittsburgh’s Wildest Hills & Smart Tech Thrills | AwesomeCast 725

March 19th, 2025  |  58 mins 11 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news