PIVOT!

We'll be back next with our look ahead to 2026, featuring Mike DeAngelo, but we're both feeling a bit under the weather. So, we chat with a different Mike!

Enter Michael Pickard—an award-winning author who got his start in writing in an unconventional way. From letters to his daughter to writing the perfect time travel story, Michael's story is that of a true independent creator.

That independent spirit, as the title suggests, is what is at the heart of this conversation.

SUPPORT MICHAEL PICKARD

Amazon | Forward and Back (The Perfect Time Travel Story) | Facebook

Michael Pickard blends his professional background in cutting-edge technology with a deep passion for the creative arts in his writing. He has published dozens of short stories, including Hardwired, which won the Ray Bradbury Creative Writing Prize in 2005. His experience in technology informs the creation of rich fictional worlds and societies, while his sharp use of satire keeps readers engaged, thoughtful, and entertained.

THE SHOW

Everything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9adm
• YouTube: Coming Soon!
• Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Please consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.

Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.

Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.

Organizations & Causes We Support:

Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8

It's officially 2026! It's time for our annual tradition of sitting down with Mike DeAngelo to talk about the previous year—that's right, it's the Everything is Awesome 2025 Rewind!

We look back at the entertainment, specifically in film and video games [with a touch of TV and books] that we enjoyed with some rough top ten lists. We also take the time to reflect on what each of us has done creatively this year.

Stay tuned next week when Mike returns for the Everything is Awesome 2026 Look Ahead!

SUPPORT MIKE DEANGELO

Tellest | Etsy | Twitch

THE SHOW

Everything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9adm
• YouTube: Coming Soon!
• Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Please consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.

Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.

Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.

Organizations & Causes We Support:

Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8

Happy Life Day and Merry Christmas!

Don't know who Jik-Jak, Rindak, Kessa, and Kyjean are? Go listen to episode 200! It's a great holiday time listen!

SUPPORT MIKE DEANGELO

Tellest | Etsy | Twitch

SUPPORT JEFF STORMER

Party of One Podcast | Bluesky

SUPPORT TAYLOR KELLAR

Taylor Kellar | TikTok

THE SHOW

Everything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at info@starbirdmediallc.com.

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9adm
• YouTube: Coming Soon!
• Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Please consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.

Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.

Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.

Organizations & Causes We Support:

Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter