Ep. 32 The Weekly Bugle Vol 10 Recapping Geek News of 2020

Hey friends! Welcome back to The Weekly Bugle Vol 10. It is almost time to say goodbye to 2020. It seems fitting that the 10th Bugle is also a year end review of all the geeky happenings of the past year.

The Weekly Bugle Vol 10

We won’t lie, we had to go back and search for what came out before March 2020 because it’s hard to remember life before *gestures around* this point.

Last Movie We Saw In Theaters

This is where we ended up going back to look at release dates because it’s been so long since we saw something in theaters. And yes, some theaters have opened back up around us, but at the same time, comfort levels are eh. Have you ventured back to the theaters? What was your experience?

The Highest Grossing Film Of 2020 Is What?

This was one of those, “Are you kidding me??” moments? After looking at what came out in theaters in 2020, we saw what made the most money, and we had to laugh. In what other year would THAT film be the one to top the charts? Top 5 *maybe* but definitely not number 1.

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2020 Movies We Loved And One We Didn’t

Being music nerds we gushed over Hamilton and Soul. There are a few we both haven’t seen, but since we are about to go into another round of lockdowns (probably) we will have plenty of time to watch.

We are interviewing Steven Boyle head of creatures for Love and Monsters next week. If you haven’t watched Love and Monsters and love a good, fun, not-so-gruesome “scary” movie, you need to check it out. We both liked it a lot and hope they make another one.

If you’re into gruesome then Spontaneous is for you. Jana thought it was kinda ET-esque in a way, might seem like a random comparison but she makes a good argument for it.

You’ll have to listen to find out what others made our list and which one definitely did not.

2020 TV Shows We Loved

The Mandalorian duh. Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist, Helstrom (are we bad people for this one? You’ll have to listen to that episode and let us know!), Tiny Pretty Things, Little Fires Everywhere, and more. Also, we may not have watched Bridgerton yet but we’ve seen enough thirst online that it’s like we have seen it.

Looking Ahead To The Year Of Marvel aka 2021

We don’t believe that on January 1st all will be right in the world, but we do know that 2021 is going to be the year of Marvel. After being lost in a desert without our favorite superheroes, they are coming back and in full force.

First up is WandaVision, our first look into what Marvel Phase 4 has in store for us. And while this show might still seem a little quirky, we believe it is going to be CRUCIAL to the multiverse happenings coming in Loki, Doctor Strange 2, and Spider-Man 3.

There is also everyone’s favorite god Loki doing some time traveling, conducting heists, and running for president? Sure why not. TBH we would vote for him. LOL

On a less multiverse-insane level will be the more grounded yet still exciting The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson, Zemo, we are here for all of it.

Of course, it isn’t just Marvel Disney+ shows to look forward to, because, ahem, The Book of Boba Fett is dropping in December 2021 along with Mandalorian Season 3. Needless to say, we think it’s going to be a very promising year for fans!

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November 1, 2020February 10, 2021

Ep: 19 Interview with Julie Frost and Mike Dombrow

We had the opportunity to interview Julie Frost and Mike Dombrow, two veteran Disney performers and creators. These two have created an empowering musical adventure podcast for kids called The Super Secret Hive.

Interview with Julie Frost and Mike Dombrow

The Super Secret Hive follows the adventures of a cast of quirky characters (all voiced by Julie and Mike) as they navigate a host of challenges to help kids save the world. It covers topics like honey bees and pollinators, plastic in the oceans, germs and our immune system, inclusion and kindness vs. bullying (as expressed by a T-Rex!), loneliness, and taking care of ourselves, each other, and the world we live in.

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Season one features six full-length episodes, 14 original songs, and FREE online activities. Their goal is to engage, entertain, and inspire kids while also providing parents and educators with much-needed content during this challenging time of distance learning.

Where did the idea for The Super Secret Hive come from?

Julie– “We have been building projects together for a number of years. All of the projects revolve around helping kids become happier and healthier.”

But as with everything in the entertainment business, 2020 hit and they had to pivot from their live musical formats to something new.

Julie– “We realized how impactful audio could be and how engaging it could be when it is done well. So we thought how cool would it be to do a podcast for kids? We wanted it to be extremely interactive and engaging.”

Mike– “So many of us have been sequestered to the same location for many of these last months, this opens a new world they can imagine in their mind.”

We love that this is a fun, entertaining podcast for kids. After all with distance learning happening children and even adults are getting burned out on screen time. With The Super Secret Hive you can listen in and use your imagination all without staring at a screen.

There are a lot of fun characters in this podcast, all voiced by you both. Tell us a little bit about how you decided on how each one would sound and their names?

Julie– “We had a lot of fun creating these characters. From a young age I had the ‘Disney sound.’ I never had to manipulate that sound, so this was a big stretch for me. This was the first time I had to put on a ‘character voice.’ That was a fun learning process.

Mike on the other hand is just awesome at coming up with these characters. He is very funny and very creative with how he uses his instrument.”

Mike– “A lot of it is kind of the tone and how you deliver the different words.”

Their goal was to make this podcast enjoyable for the whole family, because you know that a lot, A LOT of kid stuff is grating on our nerves and our ears. Thanks Julie and Mike for thinking about us too!

You both have worked for Disney for so many years. How did your roles as Cast Members inspire and prepare you for what you’re doing now?

Julie– “My background has been solely in entertainment. All of those roles were very much in my wheelhouse. For Disney Junior Live On Stage there was a lot of improv that happened. Because you never know how the audience is going to react to you.

That is really great for what we have to do now, improving the different voices and characters. The beauty of Mike and I wearing all the hats is that if we wanted to go off script we could do that. Disney prepared me for this [because] I was able to explore improvising and interacting with the audience.”

Mike– “My education background is what brought me to Disney. In the Disney Youth Programs I got to teach workshops to visiting choirs. We hosted a lot of events and competitions and all sorts of things to get kids excited about creating.

That is really the endgame fo us. [Teaching kids that] helping each other, being kind, and doing all these wonderful things is just the thing that you do. Performers know about collaboration and you can’t get anything done unless you work together. And all of that is hopefully it is echoed in our work.”

For the complete interview with Julie and Mike and to learn what is next for The Super Secret hive listen to the full recording below!

Be sure to check out The Super Secret Hive, available now on your favorite podcast apps and on the website HereAtTheHive.com.

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March 21, 2020February 10, 2021

Ep. 12: Unpopular Opinions – Fandom Edition

Have you ever been told you have unpopular opinions? If the answer is “no,” you either never speak out in the public domain, or maybe you misunderstood the question. Let us rephrase, have you ever been harassed online for your opinion on something?

There it is. We have ALL been judged for our opinions, no matter how innocuous they may be. We get flack for things all the time. Ashley’s personal favorite was being told she only liked Solo: A Star Wars Story because she’s a female. The movie is predominately male and one of the strong female characters dies while the other joins the dark side. Sounds like a total feminine movie? *Scratches head*

Unpopular Opinions: Fandom Edition

On this episode of the Geek Girls Universe Podcast, we decided to dive into all those “unpopular opinions” we have about fandoms. We asked you, our friends and fans, what your unpopular opinions are and we got some good ones!

Thank you to all who were brave enough to share their opinions, even when facing the trolls of certain fandoms *cough* star wars *cough*

Honestly, it is the toxicity of the Star Wars fandom that inspired this episode. So let’s get this out of the way…it’s okay to be a Reylo, and it’s okay not to be a Reylo. What is not cool is bashing people on one side of that fence or the other.

We are joined this episode by our friend Sarah Gilliland of Sarah in the Suburbs. Sarah is a mom of 3 and has been a geek for a long time, but only recently fully embraced her geekiness. She runs the Facebook group The Wizarding World Moms, which is a non-judgmental place for all Potterheads raising their own Potterheads.

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Unpopular Star Wars Opinions

Pull up a chair and let’s get comfy. We ripped the bandaid off by discussing Star Wars first and foremost. Turns out someone is a Reylo, someone else didn’t love The Rise of Skywalker‘s ending, and we all agree that Baby Yoda is the best thing since Ewoks.

Unpopular Marvel Opinions

Anyone who knows us well, knows that the Geek Girls love Marvel. I mean, we host a weekly Marvel Twitter chat, so it’s definitely not a secret. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have some opinions about one of our top franchises. And apparently you all do, too.

One fan mentioned how they disliked the lack of Hulk in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Their complaint centered around Hulk being underpowered, do you agree? Another friend (though Mike we might have to talk about that after these Simu comments) suggested Simu should keep his shirt on in Shang-Chi.

Officially, the Geek Girls do not support this statement. Simu has worked hard and should be allowed to show that off. What’s wrong with that?

Unpopular Harry Potter Opinions

Sarah shared her favorite book is the “Prisoner of Azkaban,” but the movie was a letdown. Others agreed the movies were not all that great, the books being, as usual, a million times better.

Oh and yeah, we actually kinda liked the Crimes of Grindelwald but before you cast us out of Hogwarts, we all had some beef with it too! You’ll have to listen to find out.

Unpopular Disney Opinions

From Avatar (seriously just watch Pocahontas and Fern Gully) to the live-action Lion King and Maleficent, we do not hold back on what we think about these and other Disney projects.

Miscellaneous Opinions Because We Have A Lot

And then there are the opinions that don’t fit into any of the above categories, Ross & Rachel, Wonder Woman, Ghostbusters, and more. Someone had issues with “FRIENDS”? Say it ain’t so! But she did and we talked about it. In fact, I’m curious where you, our awesome listeners, stand on these topics. Leave us a comment or tweet with us!

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January 5, 2020February 10, 2021

Ep. 9: Why We Love Schitt’s Creek

Why We Love Schitt’s Creek

With Season 6 of “Schitt’s Creek” coming up, we had to dedicate this episode to why we love the show. From David to Moira, here are some reasons why we are obsessed. Let’s get checked into the Rosebud Motel.

Who on Schitt’s Creek would we hang out with?

We both agree that it would be a dream to hang out with the cast of “Schitt’s Creek,” either as their characters or who they are in real life. David would be our go-to bestie for sure. His sarcasm and wit make him ideal for our friends’ group. Dan Levy also speaks to me on a personal level with how much he loathes people coughing while traveling.

While David would be our bestie, we see ourselves like Stevie. Less fashionable than David with all the same sass and disdain. Either way we go, I bet there would be a lot of wine drinking and judging going on.

As much as Moira might not be the person you want to hang-out with, she has some of the best shade of the entire show. Where do you think David got it from? Also, Catherine O’Hara is amazing and I will hear no complaints.

5 of the Best Schitt’s Creek Quotes

“Let’s go. I’ve had enough waking hours for one day.” — Moira Rose

“I have my own holiday tradition. It’s like the 12 Days of Christmas, but it’s one day with 12 bottles of wine.” — Stevie Budd

“I plan on popping a pill, crying a bit, and falling asleep early.” — David Rose

“You know what, David, you get murdered first for once.” — Alexis Rose

“You’re my Mariah Carey.” — Patrick Brewer

Honorable mention to the Schitt’s Creek sign; don’t worry it’s his sister!

When does Season 6 of Schitt’s Creek Start?

Schitt’s Creek Season 6 begins Tuesday, January 7, 2020, on Pop TV here in the U.S. and on CBC in Canada. This is the final season of the Emmy nominated show and we are sad to see it go but looking forward to what Dan Levy and the cast have for us in the future.

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How to binge all 5 seasons of Schitt’s Creek

Whether you are new to this fandom or just want to recap before season 6, Netflix is the home of all 5 previous seasons of “Schitt’s Creek.” Relive your favorite moments and cry along with us when Patrick sings to David.

I swear I could watch the episode of “Simply the Best,” over and over and over again. This new season promises more laughs and tears as we say goodbye to the Rose family and watch David and Patrick live happily, ever, after.

Who is your favorite “Schitt’s Creek” character? Let us know!

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December 9, 2019February 10, 2021

Ep. 7: Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Freebies!

Hey friends! Last week we shared our favorite Disney Eats plus tips on how to secure those sometimes elusive dining reservations. This time, we are sharing Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line freebies.

Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Freebies

When it comes to planning a Disney Vacation, you spend a lot of time figuring out where you want to eat and what rides to ride–and you might even think it can be a bit pricey. If you take into account what you get for your dollars, though, we agree that it is totally worth it.

But did you know that both Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line also offer free items to guests? They have activities, collectibles, and more for free. You just have to know where to look and who to ask.

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Favorite Disney Freebies

There are a lot of freebies to choose from, but we both have our favorites. Ashley loves collecting buttons for special occasions or just because she is celebrating spending time at one of her favorite places on the planet. Her family also enjoys pin trading with Cast Members, playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, and getting birthday cards during character dining.

If you are looking for buttons, the Citizens of Main Street U.S.A. may be handing them out in the morning when you visit Magic Kingdom or Disneyland Resort. You can also get them at the Guest Services desk at your Disney Resort or in Town Hall right inside the gates.

Sign up for Sorcerers’ of the Magic Kingdom at the Fire House inside Magic Kingdom. If you attend any of the special parties for Halloween or the Holidays, you will receive a special Sorcerers Card during the event by stopping into the Fire House.

Jana is currently loving the Spira Gift Card available at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Now this one isn’t totally free (free with a caveat). In order to pick up one of these unique metal cards, you need to load it with $100. But if you’re anything like us, spending a $100 at Disney would be no problem. You can use the Spira Gift Card anywhere that takes a traditional Disney Gift Card, such as dining, retail, snacks, etc.

We both love collecting autographs from the characters you meet at Disney. Some may not sign but they give out autograph cards, which are a fun collectible. Characters will sign almost anything from hats to books to picture frame mats.

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Disney Parks Freebies

There are some great Disney Parks freebies to be had if you know where to look and who to ask! When exiting your boat at Jungle Cruise, look for a Skipper standing on the docks. Ask them if they have an extra Jungle Cruise Map lying around. You might not always get one but sometimes you may get lucky. ( You can also download one from Disney’s website).

Also at both parks, as Cast Member’s manning the transportation areas for transportation cards. At Walt Disney World, Epcot offers a way for kids to explore the World Showcase in a unique way. Start in Mexico or Canada and get your free Duffy the Bear cutout that you can get stamped, like a passport, in each country. Or you can buy a “Real” passport at one of the gift shops.

At Disneyland, ask for the Indiana Jones Decoder to unlock secrets within the ride. And no matter which coast you are on, Pixie Dust is always free!

We know how hot it can get in the parks and water is always free. Just stop into a Quick Serve location and ask for a cup of water. On really hot days, they usually have them ready to go.

Another fun collectible is Park Maps. The design on the maps change with every season, so most likely each visit (unless you’re local) will mean you can get a new, awesome map! In Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, pick up a Traveler’s Guide, which is like a park map but a little fancier and just for Star Wars.

Other freebies include coasters, the character animation experience in Animal Kingdom, free lei at the Polynesian Resort, and (one of Jana’s favorite’s) the Wilderness Explorer Badges.

Join the Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom. They are located on your right as you walk towards the Tree of Life. Once you have taken the pledge, grab your nice booklet and explore all areas of the park learning about the people, animals, and plants that call it home. Earn a badge for each stop!

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Disney Cruise Line Freebies

Ashley is headed out on a Disney Cruise soon and she had to share about the free things you can find on the ships.

Like Disney Parks, the Disney Cruise Line also offers celebration buttons. They are slightly different from the parks’ versions, so don’t think, “Oh I already have one of these.” Also onboard, you can pin trade with Cast Members inside the retail shop and with the officers of the ship on a special Disney pin trading night. Check your onboard navigator for all the details.

Disney-Cruise-Line-Tips — Photo from WithAshleyandCo.com

Day at sea and tired of the pool? Try out the Midship Detective Agency on the Disney Dream and Fantasy. Use your clues and your brains to figure out whodunit in this shipwide mystery game.

It’s no secret the kid only areas on the ships are ah-mazing! Inside the various clubs for kids, they have the opportunity to interact with characters, create crafts, do cooking lessons, and more. Kids’ clubs are free for children ages 3 and up.

Jana’s family participated in the free Castaway Cay 5K! If you are a runDisney fan, the only way to get this medal is to take a Disney Cruise. Oh, darn right?

This is an easy run that takes place early in the morning after the ship docks in Castaway Cay. Signup for free but spots are limited. Be sure to do this when you board the ship first thing on debarking day.

Disney Store Freebies

The Disney Store also offers free buttons when it is your birthday plus they will put your name on the screen in the back and the whole store will sing you happy birthday! If you open the store for the day, you receive a special key.

Sign up for Disney Store emails to see when all their free and special events are taking place. Sometimes you make a craft to take home, others you might receive a cool collectible, you never know!

Follow this link to find a Disney Store and events near you.

For more Disney Vacation Tips

7 Best Castaway Cay Activities

5 Reasons To Book a Disney Cruise

Must Haves For Your Disney World Day Bag

How to Use Disney MaxPass at Disneyland

101 Things to Do at Walt Disney World!

Disney Pin Trading 101

7 Tips To Get The Most From Your Disneyland Vacation

Beginner’s Guide to Disneyland MaxPass

Tips for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Geek Girls Universe Podcast. Join us next time as we talk Disney Parks secrets. Whether you are a newbie to planning a Disney Vacation or a veteran like us, we got all the info you need to make your next trip to the house of mouse magical.

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October 7, 2019February 10, 2021

Ep. 5: All The runDisney Tips You Need

Hey everyone!! On this show we are talking all about runDisney! Jana has participated in a race before, but Ashley has not. So what are two geeks to do when they need to know more about runDisney and all the tricks and tips to make it the best race ever? They call on a friend who happens to be a queen in that world.

Patty Holliday is the head fangirl in charge behind the No-Guilt Fangirls Podcast.

Are you ready to get all the runDisney tips you need before race weekend? Let’s do this.

runDisney Basics

Patty shares what makes runDisney special, why you would choose to run Disney (um hello it’s Disney), and of course, how to get registered.

Where should runDisney beginners start?

There are a lot of options when it comes to runDisney, from 5K to half marathons and Dopey Challenges. It really depends on your fitness level and determination for all those shiny medals.

Doing a basic run training program is a good idea if you are new to running. There are a lot of apps out there to help you get started and you can even download the runDisney training schedule from Jeff Galloway.

What is it like on race day at runDisney?

Picking up your bib is an adventure at runDisney. There are photo opps, character meet-n-greets, and lots of exclusive merchandise. Patty is rocking her Avengers Dooney & Bourke from her race while Jana and Ashley sit there jealous.

There are different corrals, balloon ladies, and sweepers for the course. Along the race course, there are character stops and lots of opportunities to see how beautiful the Disney Parks are when the sun is coming up. Speaking of the sun, be prepared to get up EARLY.

runDisney 2020 Race Schedule

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend: October 31st–November 3rd, 2019 (Registration opens March 19th, 2019)

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – Presented by Cigna: January 8th–12th, 2020 (Registration opens April 16th, 2019)

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – Presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: February 20th–23rd, 2020 (Registration opens June 4th, 2019)

Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon: January 3rd–March 31st, 2020 (Registration opens July 16th, 2019)

Star Wars Rival Run Weekend – Presented by OtterBox: April 16th–19th, 2020 (Registration opens July 16th, 2019)

More runDisney Info:

Be sure to listen to the episode for a complete rundown of tips and tricks to make your runDisney experience magical.

Patty also has a lot to say about the races. For more runDisney info from the queen, check out her posts here:

Bursting the runDisney Balloon Lady Bubble

Answers to your runDisney FAQs

So You Bought Your Bibs Through a Travel Agent

Don’t forget to find No-Guilt Fangirls Podcast on your favorite podcast provider and subscribe!

Need a Travel Agent? Patty Holliday can fulfill all your Disney travel needs as well as other travel needs! Contact her at No-Guilt Travel!

Next time join us as we talk about the best eats at Disney World and Disneyland! Don’t forget to Subscribe today!

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