Side Quest Energy Podcast
Stagione 1
Off Grid Glitches
A Third of a Milestone
Undefeated… At the Time of Recording (Take 2)
Into the Matrix
Missile Command and Modern AI
Why are we like this?
The Podcast About Podcasts
di Side Quest Energy Podcast
Pause during the jingle in the gaps to watch along with us First jingle is just awkward editing XD Super Mario World Speedrun Oil in Water Eleven Exit world record Rom Hack GDQ 2018 Dode plays Invictus Final two are watched together Credits Warp Furious Zero Exit Tas Bot GDQ 2014 MasterJun In this episode of the SideQuest Energy Podcast, hosts Dan V and Jono discuss their experiences with podcasting challenges, personal growth, and the integration of AI in personal development. They share insights on the importance of professional guidance in mental health, the liberating experience of disconnecting from technology during a camping trip, and the emerging field of edge AI and its applications in various industries. In this conversation, Jono and Dan V explore the complexities of AI-generated content and its implications for intellectual property rights, contrasting laws in different countries. They delve into the world of gaming, particularly speedrunning and ROM hacking, discussing the skills and creativity involved in these communities. The conversation also touches on the use of task bots in gaming, highlighting the innovative ways players manipulate games to achieve extraordinary results. Throughout, they reflect on the broader themes of creativity, ownership, and the evolution of technology in both art and gaming.
In the world of podcasting, reaching episode seven might seem trivial, but it's a significant milestone that signals consistency and dedication. In this post, we explore the insights derived from our latest episode of the SideQuer Podcast, diving into what it takes to keep a podcast alive and thriving. Every day the same dream
What happens when your computer runs out of space… Your podcast recording dies… And the backup plan becomes the shortest Side Quest episode so far? You talk about FIFA. Jono recaps his Monday night at New Zealand vs Iran at SoFi Stadium, officially transformed into Los Angeles Stadium for the World Cup. There were hundreds of Kiwis, a rooftop pregame, street hot dogs, stadium beers, traffic chaos, and one very patient soberish wife. New Zealand came in as the underdog. Outnumbered. Out-chanted. And definitely not expected to do much. But then they scored. And then they scored again. Which means, at the time of recording, Jono could proudly say New Zealand was undefeated in the World Cup. Technically true. The boys also talk about nostalgia, being surrounded by your people far from home, Dan’s sports background, and why stadiums are really just social quests with overpriced drinks. Then the episode shifts. From FIFA… To games. Dan introduces Every Day the Same Dream, Super Mario World, Kaizo levels, speedrunning, Mario Maker, and the strange little internet worlds that form around classic games. And that sparks the next Side Quest: Can two non-programmers use AI to build a simple browser game? Maybe. Probably badly at first. But that’s the quest. This week’s level ups: Jono crushed three gym sessions a week for the whole month of June. Dan is preparing a deeper gaming segment for Episode 7. And now we need your help. Send us a simple old-school game idea, mechanic, or childhood game memory. We might try to vibe-code it into something playable.
In this episode, Dan and Jono explore various themes, including their dedication to the podcast, the gaming segment featuring indie games, personal growth journeys focusing on fitness, and deep discussions on belief systems and faith. They delve into philosophical conversations about reality, the implications of AI, and the nature of existence, including thoughts on psychedelics and their effects on perception. In this conversation,
What does a 1980 arcade game have to do with artificial intelligence? More than you'd think. This week on Side Quest Energy, Dan introduces Jono to Missile Command — a simple Atari game built during the Cold War. At first glance, it's just pixels, missiles, and explosions. But underneath? A surprisingly powerful lesson about fear, technology, responsibility, and what happens when humans create tools that become bigger than themselves. That conversation takes us somewhere unexpected. From nuclear anxiety in the 1980s... To AI in 2026. Can AI be trusted? Should it be regulated? Are we building tools that help humanity level up... Or creating problems we're not prepared to solve? Along the way, we explore everything from AI therapists and digital loneliness to the challenges facing the next generation growing up with artificial intelligence from day one. And then the conversation gets personal. Jono shares the philosophy behind BOOSTWOM and why he's betting on something surprisingly old-fashioned in an AI-driven future: Human trust. Word of mouth. Real customer experiences. While everyone else seems focused on replacing people with technology, he's trying to figure out how technology can amplify genuine human connection instead. We also talk about: • Why reviews have become the modern version of word of mouth • The hidden story inside Missile Command • The difference between AI as a tool and AI as a decision maker • Why loneliness may be a bigger threat than technology itself • How small businesses can compete in an AI-powered world • The challenge of raising kids in a future none of us fully understand • What happens when technology evolves faster than regulation And, as always... We finish with the question that sits at the heart of Side Quest Energy: How are you leveling up? Because sometimes the side quest turns out to be the main quest. And sometimes a conversation about an old arcade game becomes a conversation about the future of humanity. Welcome back to Side Quest Energy. Let's dive in.
In this episode, Dan and Jono explore their podcasting journey, the impact of technology on content creation, and personal experiences with neurodiversity, particularly ADHD. They discuss the challenges and insights gained from cognitive testing, the emotional journey of understanding ADHD, and the importance of therapy in personal growth. ADHD Test Results
What starts as a conversation about podcasting… quickly turns into something else entirely. A deep dive into creativity. Storytelling. Why people feel compelled to make things. And why some people simply can’t stop pulling on weird little threads until they turn into full-blown obsessions. This week, Jono and Dan sit down with filmmaker, storyteller, and creator of the podcast Jacob Reed and Me — Jacob Reed. What follows is part creative masterclass… part late-night hangout… and part accidental therapy session. They talk about: The strange psychology behind making podcasts Why “low effort projects” sometimes become life-changing The brutal endurance game of creative work AI slop, internet propaganda, and raising kids online Same-name coincidences and investigative storytelling Parasocial relationships and hearing your own voice back Why most creatives fail simply because they quit And the weird side quests that somehow become the main quest There’s also: Miss Rachel references. Deadlock gaming talk. Stories about Jimmy Kimmel Live. A hotline for people with the same name. And a surprisingly deep discussion about Shakespeare, self-doubt, and pooping on a mountain called Mount Disappointment. In other words… Exactly the kind of conversation this podcast was built for.
IS THIS THING ON? Episode 001 — Side Quest Energy Podcast Most podcasts start polished. This one starts honestly. In the very first episode of the Side Quest Energy Podcast, Jono and Dan hit record before they had everything figured out — because that’s usually how the best adventures begin. This episode is part microphone test, part late-night garage conversation, and part reminder that most people spend their whole lives waiting to feel “ready.” Topics include: Starting before you feel qualified Creative risk-taking Entrepreneurship and building things from scratch Podcasting chaos Side quests, often level us up The strange pressure to have life figured out Why authenticity beats polish The energy of simply showing up and pressing record There’s no fake guru nonsense here. No manufactured perfection. Just real conversations, real ambition, and the beginning of something that might become great. Or crash and burn spectacularly. Either way… we hit record. Welcome to Side Quest Energy. © 2026 Side Quest Energy Podcast.