Geek 4 Michael W. Boyce

Welcome to Geek4 where we delve into the world of geek culture and fandoms, and everything in between. I'm your host, Dr. Michael Boyce

My guest on this episode is author Alice Bell. From her humble beginnings in South West England, spending weekends in fields sipping Smirnoff Ice, to her days navigating the intricate world of retail, Alice's path to becoming a prominent figure in video game journalism is nothing short of remarkable.

Since 2016, Alice has been captivating audiences with her insightful commentary and passionate writing as a video games journalist. Her tenure as the deputy editor of Rock Paper Shotgun, the renowned PC gaming website, has solidified her reputation as a leading voice in the industry. With a knack for crafting compelling reviews and dissecting the allure of everything from hot vampires to digital elves, Alice has left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape.

Her first novel, Grave Expectations, is a cracking cozy British mystery, and one I highly recommend. Her follow up novel, Displeasure Island, was just released in the UK and should be released in North America soon.

Now calling Cork, Ireland, home, Alice's days are filled with literary adventures, crochet creations, and of course, plenty of video game escapades. Whether she's unraveling the mysteries in detective fiction or indulging in the quintessential British pastime of Midsomer Murders marathons, Alice's passion for storytelling knows no bounds.

So without further ado, let's dive into this conversation with Alice Bell, where we'll explore her love of the 2004 roleplaying video game, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodline.

On this episode, I’m joined by Derek White, The Geek Preacher. Derek’s an ordained United Methodist minister and chaplain for Gary Con gaming convention. Derek loves LOTS of geeky things. But he’s particularly passionate about Dungeons and Dragons.
Derek was featured in the Refuge 31 documentary, The Satanic Panic and the Religious Battle for the Imagination, where he talks to people about Dungeons and Dragons, especially in light of the religious hysteria of the 1980s. If you didn’t live through that period, you really missed some wackiness.
Derek and I were both in the Refuge 31 documentary, The Science Fiction Makers, so he’s been on my radar for a while. I’m so glad we got to have this conversation. Derek’s a passionate advocate for the creativity of roleplaying games. I know you’ll love this discussion.

On this episode (my last before a breif hiatus), I’m joined by Adam Graham. Adam is a PROFILIC, OG podcaster, releasing content for over 16 years. Adam hosts a slew of podcasts, most notably, Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, which releases episodes daily.
Adam and I talk about how he first got into Old Time Radio, his favourite detective shows (his least favourite show), and what prompted him to start sharing these shows with others through this wacky medium of podcasting. We talk about his recent decision to make podcasting his full-time occupation (ah, the dream) through audience support.

Lindsay Zier-Vogel is a Toronto-based writer and arts educator and the creator of the internationally acclaimed Love Lettering Project. Her writing has been widely published in Canada and the United Kingdom. Her debut novel, Letters to Amelia, was published in 2021. Her debut novel Letters to Amelia came out in 2021 and her picture book, Dear Street just came out in May 2023.

For many years, Lindsay studied danced until one day, she stopped. Recently, as she'd begun research for her next novel, she went to New York City and took some classes at the Martha Graham Dance studio. I was curious to talk to someone who returned to something they had been so dedicated to but had moved on from.

On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by Lucas Twyman. Lucas is a well-known figure in the Toronto bar scene, having bartended here for the past ten years. He's my local barkeep, making delicious cocktails at Famous Last Words in the Junction. He also teaches cocktail making classes there and those classes are excellent (I've taken three of them). Recently, Lucas has become the Angel's Envy Whiskey Guardian for Toronto, representing the Angel's Envy brand across the city. I wanted to find what made Lucas interested in liquor, mixology, and bartending - which is as much a social skill as a technical skill. Over the course of the conversation, I learned that Lucas is a geek for lots of thing - Godzilla, he worked for a roleplaying game company. This was a fun conversation. I only wish we could have had it over a drink.

On this episode of Geek4, I am joined by poet and professor Tanis MacDonald. When I reached out to her about her interest in coming on the show and topics she might want to talk about, one suggestion immediately shot to the top of the list. Tanis LOVES movies in which animals attack people! Although she usually gravitates towards films where mammals attack people, like Grizzly (1976), the documentary Grizzly Man (2005), and Cocaine Bear; but she also delights in Jaws (1975) and Squirm (1976). Although we talk about some pretty cheesy film, our conversation reflects on the hubris of people, eco-criticism, and the commodification of nature. I ADORE talking to smart people about bad movies.