How To Grow Your Geek: Parenting and More!

 

 HTGYG Show #63: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Spoiler Alert!

This episode, we focus first on the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Lightening Thief, by Rick Riordan. Amanda helps me review the book in preparation for us seeing the movie just released, and we even tackle the inevitable comparison to Harry Potter.

Then Wyatt calls in to tell us about the Alien vs. Predator demo, which is suitable for teens. And finally Kevin reviews the original Halo game, as he is now catching up with the series very slowly. I did edit this a little, and you can hear some of Kevin uncut in an upcoming new promo for HTGYG!

Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek – at-gmail -dot-com, or call my voicemail number at 206-202-7309 and leave your thoughts. You can also visit our forum at the Farpoint Forums. And last but not least, you can follow me on Twitter at SusietheGeek or the show at HowToGrowGeek!

Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton

Promos: The Boom Effect Auction

 

 HTGYG Show #62: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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It’s time for some fun! This episode, I discuss the cool tech gizmos we got for Christmas – our PS3 and Blu-Ray players, and how that is making our streaming content to the tvs easier! We also have a game review of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves on the PS3, and my cousin Wyatt joins our team as a reviewer for all things console and XBox Live! Then I get Amanda to give us a review of her Nintendo DS Lite and the games Scribblenauts, Club Penguin, Cake Mania 3 and the Hardy Boys:Treasure on the Tracks . Please let us know other games you would like reviewed, so we can keep Wyatt busy on the team!

Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek – at-gmail -dot-com, or call my voicemail number at 206-202-7309 and leave your thoughts. You can also visit our forum at the Farpoint Forums. And last but not least, you can follow me on Twitter at SusietheGeek or the show at HowToGrowGeek!

Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton

Promos: The Casting Game

 

 HTGYG Show #55: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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This week, in honor of the holidays in the U.S., I discuss how we are handling finances and Christmas and charities with our kids, and what lessons can be learned from that to make them not only better geeks but better people! I also include a quick review of Dungeons and Dragons Online- with the best price point of any game – FREE!  We also have a voicemail show coming soon, so feel free to send in your comments!

Don’t forget to check out the 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast! We have a new show that went up on Dec. 8 about Kuiper Belt Objects!

Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek – at-gmail -dot-com, or call my voicemail number at 206-202-7309 and leave your thoughts. You can also visit our forum at the Farpoint Forums. And last but not least, you can follow me on Twitter at SusietheGeek or the show at HowToGrowGeek!

Promos: Tuning in to SciFi TV and The Leviathan Chronicles

Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton

 

 HTGYG Show #36: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Reviews Galore!  Today we have a review of the spelling program/software SpellQuizzer, with I found very useful in helping the kids practice their spelling words both for class and for the school spelling bee. You can visit their site and download a free 30 day trial to see if you find it useful too!

Next we review the new downloadable Popcap game, Plants vs. Zombies. This game is well worth the $10 price, as it is cute, entertaining, addictive, and offers many variations to make it replayable for a very long time.

Finally, we have my review of the TV show Castle, on ABC. It isn’t scifi or fantasy exactly, but it is a well-written, well-acted mystery/police drama, and portrays a great family relationship between the title character Rick Castle, played by fan favorite Nathan Fillion from Firefly/Serenity, and his teen daughter, as well as his mother who has moved in with them. Rick Castle is a best-selling murder mystery author who works with the police to get ideas for his novels, and his unique perspective helps Detective Kate Beckett and her team solve murders in creative, unconventional ways. I totally recommend catching it on Hulu.com or when it comes out on DVD this summer, and when it returns next season.

Also, Kevin Cumming’s son Evan has also written and is producing an audio drama, The Airship Diaries, and I encourage you all to check it out. Kevin is a proud dad, and Evan’s work sounds great!

Thanks for all the input, and keep it coming! And, if you have some time, I would appreciate a review on iTunes! And if you appreciate this show and other great Farpoint Media shows, please visit my website and contribute to the campaign to help Farpoint Media!

Don’t forget to check out the 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast!

Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek – at-gmail -dot-com, or call my voicemail number at 206-202-7309 and leave your thoughts. You can also visit our forum at the Farpoint Forums.And last but not least, you can follow me on Twitter!

Bumpers: Love Long and Prosper

Promos:  The Parsec Awards and The One Tree Hill Podcast

Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton

 

 HTGYG # 15: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week we hear a few voicemails from Tim and Gary, and discuss how much tv, computer and video games is too much. Actually, I think you hear me tell that my kids watch too much! Anyhow, I would love to hear your take on this topic – I want to do a follow-up show with more comments!

Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek – at-gmail -dot-com, or call my voicemail number at 206-202-7309 and leave your thoughts. You can also visit our forum at the Farpoint Forums. You can also see our super cute t-shirts, mugs and bags at our Zazzle store link, if you are interested. I love the logo so much that I thought it would be great on shirts, etc.!

Sponsor: Try GotoMyPC free for 30 days! For this special offer, visit www.GotoMyPC.com/podcast

Logo Art by Tim Coffey

Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton
Sound effects and other music courtesy of pacdv.com

 

 HTGYG Show #9: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hi everyone!

Today, I am aided by my daughter Amanda and my son Kevin, who wanted to discuss some of their favorite things, new and old. We discuss Kung Fu Panda, the Spore Creature Creator, Portal, Star Wars Galactic Hero figures, iCarly, The Wizards of Waverly Place and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Big thanks and hugs to Darcy Low, who has kept us going with content on the web page during my break. Please check out her book and movie reviews! We love you Darcy!

Thanks so much to all of you for hanging in there and waiting on me! Between being sick, painting the basement (which didn’t help my being sick) and going out of town, it has been a busy month of June! We plan to be back on schedule now, and hope you are still liking us. Let us know what you want to hear! You can also send us your family-friendly reviews, just like Darcy!

Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek – at-gmail -dot-com, or call my voicemail number at 206-202-7309 and leave your thoughts. You can also visit our forum at the Farpoint Forums.

I would also love your comments, family stories and questions!

Logo Art by Tim Coffey

Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton
Sound effects and other music courtesy of pacdv.com

 

 HTGYG Show #4 [25:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hi everyone! I wanted to do a review of one of my favorite computer games for you, and it turned into a whole episode! I discuss The Sims 2, highlight all of its expansion packs and stuff packs, and explain custom content. I wrap it all up by playing a promo for The Babylon Podcast, where I joined an all-girl discussion about Episode 1 of Season 4 of Babylon 5.

Here is a list of some of my favorite sites for downloading custom content for The Sims 2:

• Mod the Sims 2 – Great clothing, hair, objects, and reliable game modification, plus the best tutorials.
  
• All About Style – Beautiful clothes, very detailed meshes, lots of historical costumes.
  
• Bines Sims Revue – A daily listing of updated sites – a must-have if you love downloading content!
  
• Piggi’s Sims -A wonderful source of game and custom mesh furniture and object recolors.
  
• The Sims Resource -Huge site with free and pay clothing, genetics, objects, furniture, and tutorials.

If you love controlling your own little world, then The Sims 2 is for you! Find it wherever you find your video games!

Please email us at howtogrowyourgeek – at-gmail -dot-com, or call my voicemail number 206-202-7309.

I would also love your comments, family stories and questions!

Logo Art by Tim Coffey

Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton
Sound effects and other music courtesy of pacdv.com

Subscribe using iTunes! and show us some iTunes love!

 

 HTGYG Show #3 [25:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hi everyone!

This week we have a patchwork quilt of a show. I present an article from Parenting.com about parenting styles, then my husband John comments on his theory of getting young kids to game. Next I review one of our favorite games to play with older children and adults, Last Night on Earth: The Zombie Game. Then I interview my 5 year-old son Kevin about his favorite games, which include Lego Star Wars, and I review the Discovery Channel’s outstanding DVD set Planet Earth.

What do you think is the biggest challenge to being a geek parent? Please email us at howtogrowyourgeek – at-gmail -dot-com, or call my voicemail number 206-202-7309.

I would also love your comments, family stories and questions!

Logo Art by Tim Coffey

Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton
Sound effects and other music courtesy of pacdv.com

Subscribe using iTunes! and show us some iTunes love!