Grow Up Level Up

Samson Li

A podcast network about how we stay connected to play, creativity, and curiosity as adults. From video games to movies, music, and more—we explore how entertainment fits into real life. Featuring series like How We Play and Sunset Selects.

  1. Should You Start Streaming in 2026?

    2 days ago

    Should You Start Streaming in 2026?

    Should you start streaming in 2026? In this episode of Grow Up Level Up, we break down the real pros, challenges, and goals of becoming a streamer, from building a community to staying consistent without burning out. We bring in the expertise from seasoned streamers  ⁨@giannidicrosta⁩  from  ⁨@TheContentMillPodcast⁩  and  ⁨@Thefrenchdipdesign⁩ . If you have been wondering whether streaming is worth it, this conversation gives you a practical, honest look at what it takes to start, grow, and keep levelling up! Vanessa - https://www.twitch.tv/vanessuhhhhhhhhhhh Gianni DiCrosta - https://www.twitch.tv/giannidicrosta Cameron "The French Dip Design" French - https://www.twitch.tv/thefrenchdipdesign Chapters 00:00 Streaming Journey and Experiences 06:28 Goals and Aspirations in Streaming 10:00 Pros of Streaming: Building Community 15:53 Networking and Friendships in Gaming 18:46 Challenges of Streaming: Burnout and Balance 28:23 Finding Your Gaming Niche 32:38 Mindset Challenges in Streaming 36:18 Navigating Early Streaming Experiences 40:19 Goals and Aspirations in Streaming 47:17 Building Community and Authenticity 51:43 Branding and Professionalism in Streaming 01:04:00 Exploring Best Practices 01:10:59 Final Thoughts and Community Building Stay connected: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=en Follow Samson: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/samsonxp_⁠ Follow Jordan: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.social Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5b Subscribe and follow for more: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup⁠

    1hr 19min
  2. Summer Game Fest Bingo Predictions!

    3 Jun

    Summer Game Fest Bingo Predictions!

    Join us as we build our Summer Game Fest bingo card and make our biggest SGF predictions for the showcase. From Geoff Keighley and surprise celebrity appearances to Game Pass, hardware reveals, and wild-card moments like GTA 6, Muppets, and even a possible Mandalorian and Grogu game, this episode is packed with hype, guesses, and listener submissions. We also break down the latest gaming news surrounding the new Wolverine trailer, including the surprise Vancouver geography details hidden in the footage, plus the hilarious conversation around Jordan’s unexpected Tomb Raider cameo. If you love Summer Game Fest predictions, gaming news, and live show reactions, this one’s for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Summer Game Fest Predictions 02:41 Jordan's Video Game Cameo 12:30 Samson's Vancouver Geography Lesson ft. Wolverine 16:32 Building the Bingo Card! Don’t forget thumbs up and subscribe! Stay connected: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=en Follow Samson: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/samsonxp_⁠ Follow Jordan: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.social Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5b Subscribe and follow for more: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup⁠

    1hr 33min
  3. 10 Years Later: Overwatch’s Rise, Fall, Return

    27 May

    10 Years Later: Overwatch’s Rise, Fall, Return

    Celebrate 10 years of Overwatch with us as we break down the game’s biggest eras, from the explosive launch in 2016 to the Overwatch League years, the dark ages, and the modern Overwatch (2) era. In the longest episode of Grow Up Level Up, we revisit the heroes, metas, memories, and community moments that made Overwatch one of the most talked-about games of the last decade. Don’t forget thumbs up and subscribe! Chapters 00:00 Celebrating 10 Years of Overwatch 13:55 Overwatch Eras Tour Begins 21:01 Exploring Overwatch Eras 24:02 The Rise of Overwatch League 31:10 The Impact of COVID-19 on Esports 36:15 The Dark Ages of Overwatch 40:15 The Road to Overwatch 2 01:15:32 The Overwatch League's Final Chapter 01:42:48 The Future of Overwatch and Its IP Every Era in Overwatch Explained by  ⁨@TheWatchOverOW⁩  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MylhyJIbHo Stay connected: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=en Follow Samson: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/samsonxp_⁠ Follow Jordan: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.social Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5b Subscribe and follow for more: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup⁠

    1hr 58min
  4. Is Xbox Game Pass Worth It in 2026?

    20 May

    Is Xbox Game Pass Worth It in 2026?

    Is Xbox Game Pass worth it in 2026? In this episode of Grow Up, Level Up, Sunset Selects, we break down Xbox’s recent strategy shifts, the Game Pass price drop, the rebrand to XBOX, and what these changes mean for gamers. Xbox says Game Pass Ultimate now includes day-one games, cloud gaming, online multiplayer, EA Play, Fortnite Crew, and Ubisoft+ Classics, while future Call of Duty launches will arrive later than day one. We also talk about whether these moves actually improve the value proposition, or if Xbox is simply making smart marketing changes to stay competitive. From leadership shifts to product updates and community reactions, this episode looks at the bigger picture behind Xbox’s 2026 direction. Timestamps: 00:00 Jordan unboxes something?! 12:53 Xbox's update 26:44 Is Game Pass worth it? 46:12 Upcoming games to watch 51:59 Next Xbox console speculation 55:18 Final thoughts Don’t forget thumbs up and subscribe! Stay connected: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=en Follow Samson: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/samsonxp_⁠ Follow Jordan: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.social Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5b Subscribe and follow for more: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup⁠ #Xbox #XboxGamePass #GamePass #GamingPodcast #XboxNews

    1hr 1min
  5. Mixtape Is a 10/10 and Here's Exactly Why

    13 May

    Mixtape Is a 10/10 and Here's Exactly Why

    Is Mixtape by Beethoven & Dinosaur a Game of the Year contender? Samson and Jordan sit down for a full spoiler review of Mixtape, the 3-hour coming-of-age adventure game published by Annapurna Interactive that dropped May 7, 2026 for $20 on Steam, Switch 2, PlayStation, Xbox, and free on Game Pass. We go full Rose, Bud & Thorn on this one, breaking down the stunning art direction, curated 90s soundtrack, emotional storytelling, and whether this interactive movie earns its impressive 85 Metacritic score. ⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: We go full spoilers at around 13 min in. A text warning appears on screen. Don’t forget thumbs up and subscribe! Chapters 00:00 Pre-Show Banter and Setup 00:03 Introduction to Mixtape 01:00 Overview of Mixtape's Gameplay and Reception 05:50 Initial Thoughts and Ratings 15:29 Spoiler Discussion Begins 16:21 Rose, Bud, and Thorn Analysis 20:33 Exploring Themes of Growing Up 28:09 The Impact of Music on Experience 44:22 Pacing and Engagement in Gameplay 45:28 Diverse Play Styles and Game Mechanics 47:58 Exploring Interactive Storytelling in Mixtape 50:18 Character Development and Relatability 54:16 Emotional Impact and Personal Connections 58:10 Memorable Moments and Themes 01:03:24 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Stay connected: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=en Follow Samson: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/samsonxp_⁠ Follow Jordan: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.social Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5b Subscribe and follow for more: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup⁠

    1hr 13min
  6. 1 Month Later: Is Pokémon Champions Worth It? ft Kozibear!

    8 May

    1 Month Later: Is Pokémon Champions Worth It? ft Kozibear!

    One month after launch, Pokémon Champions is still sparking big questions: is it worth your time, who is it for, and does it actually make competitive Pokémon more accessible? In this episode of Grow Up Level Up, Samsonxp, SirDrJM, and Kozibear break down the game’s strengths, frustrations, and long-term potential from team building and rankings to the onboarding experience and the competitive meta. We also dig into how Pokémon Champions compares to other competitive games, why the smaller roster may actually be a strength, and what needs to improve before the mobile version arrives. If you’re curious about the future of competitive Pokémon, this conversation is for you. Thank you to Alexander Kozina AKA Kozibear for joining the podcast! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kozibear.bsky.social Don’t forget thumbs up and subscribe! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pokemon Champions 05:38 Community Feedback on Pokemon Champions 07:58 Personal Experiences with Pokemon Champions 49:37 The Mechanics of Pokémon Champions: Pros and Cons 54:22 The Impact of Limited Pokémon Pool 01:10:50 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans Stay connected: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/growuplevelup.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growuplevelup/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growuplevelup?lang=en Follow Samson: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/smsn.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsonxp/ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/samsonxp_⁠ Follow Jordan: https://bsky.app/profile/sirdrjm.bsky.social Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Fmzgcxar5b Subscribe and follow for more: YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@growuplevelup⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growuplevelup⁠

    1hr 16min

About

A podcast network about how we stay connected to play, creativity, and curiosity as adults. From video games to movies, music, and more—we explore how entertainment fits into real life. Featuring series like How We Play and Sunset Selects.

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