Game/Life Balance U.S.

Sports & Recreation Podcasts

How do you save the world from space aliens while learning how to change a diaper? Join childhood frienemies Cody Gough and Jonathan Martin as they try to answer that question — while relentlessly trolling each other. This is a lifestyle podcast hosted by adult gamers trying to juggle hobbies with the increasing demands of the "real world." Follow the show to catch up on what they've been up to every once in a while, whether it's revisiting their SNES favorites to see if they hold up or debating the best way to train for a 5K. And if you like what you hear, then please rate the show 5 stars!

Location:

United States

Genres:

Sports & Recreation Podcasts

Description:

How do you save the world from space aliens while learning how to change a diaper? Join childhood frienemies Cody Gough and Jonathan Martin as they try to answer that question — while relentlessly trolling each other. This is a lifestyle podcast hosted by adult gamers trying to juggle hobbies with the increasing demands of the "real world." Follow the show to catch up on what they've been up to every once in a while, whether it's revisiting their SNES favorites to see if they hold up or debating the best way to train for a 5K. And if you like what you hear, then please rate the show 5 stars!

Language:

English

Website:

https://gamelifebalanceus.com

Episodes

Steam Deck Review and Halloween Christmas Special

12/20/2022

Jon reviews his new Steam Deck in our 2022 holiday special! …but probably not the holiday you’re thinking of. Plus: Cody lost his expensive headphones but WON a brand-new gaming PC, and he and Jon discuss whether it should become part of a new VR rig. They also recount their recent experience at a friend’s wedding in Wisconsin with some of the best cocktails basically ever, then wrap up by reminiscing about their favorite Nintendo 64 memory to celebrate the 64th episode of Game/Life Balance...

Duration:01:02:39

Alcoholic Mountain Dew and Cosmopolitan Bottle Service

12/6/2022

Cody reviews alcoholic Mountain Dew and Jon recaps his Allegiant Stadium and Cosmopolitan bottle service experiences. They also discuss disgusting malt beverages, $1,500 bottles of vodka, and Las Vegas vibes. Plus: Cody went to another symphonic performance of Distant World: Music from Final Fantasy, and Jon has returned to Eorzea to play critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, which includes a free trial with unlimited playtime up to level 60 and includes the award-winning first...

Duration:01:06:56

House-Destroying Kids and an Assassin’s Creed Origins Review

11/22/2022

Jon helps Cody talk through his home gaming setup and explains how kids destroy houses. Plus: Jon’s basement cricket and escape artist dog; a FULL GAMER review of Assassin's Creed Origins; a debate about movies that are more than 3 hours long; and trading time for loot in “sit back” versus “lean forward” video games such as critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, which includes a free trial up to level 60 with unlimited playtime and includes the award-winning first expansion...

Duration:01:02:27

Gaming Around Kids and Hades Revisited

11/8/2022

Hear how Hades holds up in 2022 and how Cody and Jon handle gaming around their kids. In their first episode from a 3-year hiatus, you'll also hear about where they've been, why they're back, and whether a sound effects soundboard can make the show even worse than it already was in the first place. Juan MedranozirconOverClocked ReMixhttps://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01730TheFatRatpermissionhttps://soundcloud.com/thefatrat/thefatrat-unity-1

Duration:01:13:18

Literally The Only Podcast Ever Made in All of 2019 (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 060)

7/25/2019

Cody and Jon record their first episode together in 2019, and hilarity ensues. Also in this jam-packed episode: Cody dives into Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers, and Jon reviews Hollow Knight and Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden. They also talk about Xbox Game Pass, Risk of Rain 2, the TV shows Silicon Valley and Star Trek: The Next Generation, and micheladas. Having a core exercises for swimming will make you a better, stronger swimmer. Show Notes: * Join the GonnaGeek Discord server,...

Duration:01:34:52

Elliot Callighan Talks “Unlock Audio” and Sound Design for Media (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 059)

4/23/2019

Elliot Callighan, composer and sound designer for media and adjunct professor at DePaul University, joins Cody to discuss his new project, Unlock Audio. It’s a tool for re-framing game audio to make it developer-centric from both a creative and business perspective. They also talk game design education, sound design, and — of course — what video games they’ve been playing lately! 10 tips for creating a stylish kid’s room on a budgetPaint. Painting remains one of the most affordable ways to...

Duration:00:46:10

Author Blake J. Harris Talks Oculus, Facebook, and the Virtual Reality Revolution (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 058)

4/1/2019

Blake J. Harris, the best-selling author of “Console Wars,” has turned his attention to virtual reality with a new book. In “The History of the Future: Oculus, Facebook, and the Revolution That Swept Virtual Reality” Harris dives into the dramatic, larger-than-life true story behind the founding of Oculus and its quest for virtual reality. In this podcast, he discusses how he got his hands on the story, the twists and turns he encountered, and what’s next for virtual reality. Show...

Duration:00:15:41

Favorite Video Games of 2018 (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 057)

12/26/2018

Cody and Jon go FULL GAMER and review their favorite video games played over the past year, in addition to discussing what they learned about balancing video games with real life. Plus: a look ahead at what’s to come in 2019!People can also check out here if they need help with video games. Show Notes: * Cody discusses Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood, Undertale, 20XX, Timespinner, and more! * He and Jon both discuss Sid Meier’s Civilization VI and Heroes of the Storm. * Jon talks Darkest...

Duration:01:19:29

Balancing Not One, But TWO Kids: Jonathan Martin Returns to the Podcast (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 056)

12/6/2018

Jon returns from an extended hiatus to talk about what it’s like balancing games and life now that he has not one, but TWO, kids. He and Cody also give updates on what video games they’ve been playing over the last several months. Show Notes: * Jon explains why he took multiple months off from the podcast, briefly recounting the story of his new baby’s early arrival (you can hear the full, uncut version of the story on our uncut recording on YouTube) * Then, Jon talks about how his...

Duration:01:05:13

Dave Wishnowski Changed His Life On A Dare and Ended Up Creating A Legendary Video Game (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 055)

9/4/2018

In 2002, Dave Wishnowski quit his job and set out to make his own wrestling game. More than 15 years later, he’s still at the helm of Pro Wrestling X, one of the most ambitious independent game projects in modern video game history. In this podcast, he tells his story and gives an update on the game that by all rights shouldn’t exist — and how he’s been able to stick with it for so long. Show Notes: * Dave Wishnowski, creator of Pro Wrestling X, explains why he wanted to make a...

Duration:00:44:16

Gen Con 2018 Board Game Review Special (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 054)

8/21/2018

In a special solo episode, Cody discusses his favorite games from Gen Con 2018 and offers some buying recommendations if you’re looking for the latest and greatest in strategy board games. Plus, learn a little about the role-playing game worlds of Starfinder, Arcanis: The World of Shattered Empires, and Savage Worlds. Show Notes: * Cody discusses his favorite board game adventures from Gen Con 2018, including the following unreleased games: * The expansion 7 Wonders: Armada /...

Duration:00:59:40

Board Game Review Special: Martin Con 2018 (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 053)

6/28/2018

Cody and Jon recap their favorite board games of “Martin Con” 2018, the annual Memorial Day Weekend board game gathering hosted at Jon’s house in Minnesota. This year’s games include but are not limited to: Avalon, Near and Far, Chaos in the Old World, Terraforming Mars, Arkham Horror, Mystic Vale, Sid Meier’s Civilization: A New Dawn, Rising Sun, Imperial Assault (with iPad), Ethnos, Eldritch Horror, and Codenames. Show Notes: * The two hosts give a quick rundown of the concept of...

Duration:01:18:55

Interview with “The Minds Behind the Games” author Patrick Hickey, Jr. (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 052)

6/14/2018

You know who directed your favorite films and wrote your favorite screenplays… so why don’t you know the names behind your favorite video games? On this episode, host Cody Gough interviews Patrick Hickey, Jr, author of “The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult and Classic Video Game Developers,” about his conversations with the creators of games like NBA Jam, Night Trap, Maniac Mansion, and more. Show Notes: * Patrick Hickey, Jr, creator of ReviewFix.com, discusses: * The...

Duration:00:45:07

F-Zero: Can you be nostalgic for a bad game? (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 051)

5/24/2018

Cody and Jon attempt to explain F-Zero after playing it on the SNES Classic, despite not really caring at all about racing games. They also finally give an update on what’s going on in their lives, for once! Show Notes: * Cody and Jon try to stumble through a review of F-Zero, despite the fact that racing games aren’t their “thing” * Jon is curious about what Cody has to say regarding the game’s “interesting mechanics,” and both of them find the game strangely entertaining, despite...

Duration:01:08:17

Is it too late for EarthBound? (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 050)

5/10/2018

Jon reviews EarthBound, one of his favorite games ever, and Cody asks: is it too late for EarthBound to find a new audience? Show Notes: * The hard question gets put out there: is it too late for EarthBound? * After an in-depth discussion, play along with EarthBound trivia! * Jon gives an update on his quest to play through every Final Fantasy game this year, and Cody explains why he’s playing Final Fantasy XIV again * To nominate an SNES Classic game for them to review on their...

Duration:01:03:02

Is Super Metroid A Perfect Game? (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 049)

3/15/2018

Is Super Metroid a perfect video game? Cody poses the question and Jon tries to come up with answers, as they review the classic Nintendo title on the SNES Classic — 24 years after it was first released. Show Notes: * Cody asks the hard question: is Super Metroid a perfect video game? * Jon reveals why he has SO MUCH HAIR on his head right now, and it’s actually a pretty good reason * Cody’s first impressions of Stellaris, which is a very confusing game * Jon gives an update on his...

Duration:01:08:50

Yoshi’s Island: When Optional Content Determines A Game’s Fun (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 048)

2/23/2018

Can optional content determine the playability and fun factor of a video game? Cody discusses how this happened as he and Jon review Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island for the SNES Classic, arguably the best platformer ever made. Show Notes: * Cody explains that he has upgraded to “gigabyte internet” but has no idea what that actually means (and plugs the Portal WiFi Router, basically the best router in the history of the world ever) * Jon explains why he thinks Super Mario World 2:...

Duration:01:06:45

Pacing and Active Participation in Role-Playing Games with Super Mario RPG (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 047)

2/9/2018

Cody and Jon delve into the history of Nintendo’s unique collaboration with Square-Enix (Squaresoft, at the time) and review Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the SNES Classic. Show Notes: * Cody and Jon discuss the incredibly unique circumstances of Nintendo and Squaresoft (known today as Square-Enix) working together to create a game that combines the best of many worlds * To wrap up the episode, Cody gives his first impressions of the recently released PlayStation 4...

Duration:01:14:35

The Relationship Between Fun and Difficulty with Contra III: The Alien Wars (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 046)

1/11/2018

Cody and Jon review the run and gun game Contra III: The Alien Wars on the SNES Classic. Show Notes: * Cody and Jon discuss whether the game is too difficult or they just don’t like playing games that hard! Plus: why is 2-player mode completely broken and literally unplayable? * To nominate an SNES Classic game for them to review on their next episode, email unqualifiedpodcast@gmail.com or tweet at Cody @ProducerCody and/or Jon @eatplaygame * Learn how to connect with us on the...

Duration:01:01:05

What Makes A Good Platformer? Super Castlevania IV SNES Classic Review (Game/Life Balance U.S. Podcast Ep. 045)

12/29/2017

Cody and Jon review Super Castlevania IV, one of many remakes of the original Castlevania, on the SNES Classic. Plus: first impressions of the board game Sid Meier’s Civilization: A New Dawn! Show Notes: * Hear how Cody was gilded on Reddit with an unlikely comment related to Triple H’s entrance music. * Cody and Jon set the stage for their discussion by talking about their history with the Castlevania series, including Cody’s extremely old Let’s Play Castlevania: Symphony of the...

Duration:01:02:47