What happens when your childhood save file gets pawned but your Pokémon journey keeps going?

Danny Steinbrecher takes us back to a childhood shaped by Pokémon story battles with his brother, a corrupted save file lost to a pawn shop theft, and a WiFi-only start to Pokémon GO in the Arizona heat. But this journey isn’t just about games, it’s about healing old rivalries, trading Yu-Gi-Oh! cards for something more lasting, and finding love through shared gameplay with his fiancée. Through laughter, nostalgia, and a few hard lessons (don’t forget to save before Zapdos), Danny Steinbrecher reminds us why we come back to Pokémon again and again.

Listen now and discover how a Squirtle can turn into something you carry with you for life.

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

Send us a text

Support the show

• Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com
• Join Our Discord Community!
  https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt
  
  

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

He was ready to end everything, until one unexpected “new friend” comment changed his life.

Eastside Scrafty opens up about how Pokémon became more than a game, it became a lifeline. From a turbulent childhood spent in foster care to a breaking point that nearly ended it all, he shares how a bond with a fictional fighter and a Facebook page born from heartbreak helped him hold on. Discover how his defiance, team loyalty, and a deep-rooted love for black culture gave Eastside Scrafty not only a favorite Pokémon but an identity to embrace. This is a story of survival, connection, and the power of being seen.

Listen now and discover why some Pokémon stories don’t evolve. They endure.

🎧 Listen to heartfelt stories of inclusion, resilience, and connection.

Explore the Pokémon & Disability Stories playlist now!

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

Send us a text

Support the show

• Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com
• Join Our Discord Community!
  https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt
  
  

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Some Pokémon don’t just represent us, they help us become who we are. For Scintilla, that Pokémon was Incineroar, a powerful, misunderstood feline that gave him the confidence to build a new identity, both online and off.

We dive into Scintilla’s journey from reluctant art student to passionate Twitch streamer, from teacher to tiger. He shares stories of his grandfather winning Pokémon merch during the Mew craze, how a deaf friend helped him fall in love with the games, and the deep emotional meaning behind characters like Mew, Lugia, and Incineroar. It's a heartfelt conversation about transformation, identity, fandom, and the unexpected power of being seen, even when you’re wearing sandals.

Listen now and rediscover how Pokémon can shape more than just a team, they can shape a life.

🎧 Hear from creative minds bringing Pokémon to life in art and story.

Start listening to the Artists & Writers playlist today!

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

Send us a text

Support the show

• Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com
• Join Our Discord Community!
  https://discord.gg/AqAbD7FbRt
  
  

Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!