Today marks a very special milestone in my life: it has been one year since I first began my foray into podcasting.
Prior to coming to Giant Bomb (or GameSpot for that matter), I would have thought it to be impossible to record a podcast. I had neither the time nor the resources, and even if I did, I had no one who would listen to me. Sure, I had my stint as a frequent caller on Otaku Generation (an anime podcast that still somehow manages to release new episodes, even after 5+ years), where, as the lone 14-year-old listener, I was made the butt of many jokes. However, due to my immaturity, I was unable to realize this until it got out of hand. I decided I would never again embarrass myself the way I had on OG.
Fast forward two years to the launch of Giant Bomb. Shortly after the site launched, I stumbled onto the IRC, where I met an interesting character named Paul " Jensonb" Douglas. He seemed like a nice fellow, a lot nicer than I was expecting (this IS the Internet we're talking about), and we became friends rather quickly.
It was shortly after this that he and some of the other IRC users banded together to form a little community podcast known as Bomb Should Have A Face. Finding the concept of a community-run podcast somewhat intriguing, I subscribed somewhere around the third episode, and was hooked. This was a group of people from many different walks of life (and many different parts of the world) that came together with great chemistry. Everything just seemed to click. I eventually found the concept of recording a podcast returning to my mind after two years away from it all. Thus, I decided to ask MattBodega, Jensonb, and the rest of the BSHAF crew for a guest spot, and they happily obliged. After earning the prestigious title of "Friend of the Show," I was asked to return a few more times as the BSHAF's days drew to an end.
Sometime in May or June of 2009, the BSHAF breathed its last. Although there have been numerous attempts to revive the show (the most recent of which involved me as a permanent cast member alongside MattBodega and Jensonb), each has failed for one reason or another.
After the most recent attempt failed, I thought my short time in the podcasting spotlight had come to an end.
Until that one fateful day (September 10th, 2009, to be exact) when I received a PM from Jensonb asking me if I wanted to record a new podcast with him, one that centered around all facets of pop culture and media. Needless to say, I accepted, and Counter Culture Weekly was born.
We just released our most recent episode today, which features our first guest, MetalGearSunny. As I've teased on Twitter, we've got even bigger plans for the future. I honestly plan on doing this podcasting gig well into college, and possibly beyond.
So, here's to one year of audio insanity, and may there be many more to come.
-Tom "SteepInKline" Kline
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