Still Untitled: The Adam Savage Project

Adam and Norm have an announcement to make--this will be the final episode of The Adam Savage Project. After 8 years of recording the podcast, we're refocusing our energies on other Tested projects including the bi-weekly livestreams. It's been a wonderful and amazing run--thanks so much for listening!

We welcome science book author Mary Roach back to the show to catch up and talk about how the past year has affected her research and book writing. While she's not yet able to talk about her next book, we discuss a wide range of topics including our lockdown show obsessions, book reviews, and the love a good book index.

It's our final episode of the year! Adam, Joey, and Norm recap and review the last two episodes of The Mandalorian's second season in spoiler-filled detail. We share our favorite moments and surprises that caught us off guard, and how we thought the writers and directors handled fan-favorite characters. What are your hopes for this show and the slate of Star Wars shows going forward?

We're joined by one of our favorite people in the world this week--maker and YouTuber Laura Kampf! We catch up with Laura about her recent projects, moving workshops, hardware organization, and what it's like to work in shop on the countryside. Plus, the things that inspire her builds and and build aesthetic, and what making during the lockdown this year has taught her about her own processes.

We're joined by writer, comedian, and one of our favorite storytellers Mike Birbiglia this week, broadcasting from his virtual production studio! We talk about the making of Mike's broadway show-turned-Netflix-special, his new book, parenting, and how being in lockdown has changed how he writes and performs his shows.

With just two more episodes to go in the second season of The Mandalorian, we get together for an extended spoilercast discussion of the season so far, going episode by episode to discuss our favorite moments, reveltations, and portrayals.

BattleBots is back this week! We're joined by the show's co-creator, executive producer, and robot combat veteren Greg Munson to talk about the process of producing a season of BattleBots during lockdown, the roster of competitors and robots appearing this year, and what how he and the BattleBots team are thinking about ways to evolve and refine the glorious sport of robot combat!

We check in with propmaker and Tested contributor Bill Doran this week to talk about his latest Foamsmithing book, the props he's been making this past summer, and some meaningful changes Bill's made in his life and work.

We're delighted to be joined this week by comedian and writer Amber Ruffin--creator and host of The Amber Ruffin Show! Recording from her studio offices at 30 Rock, Amber talks about the process of developing and writing her show during the lockdown, writing for Late Night with Seth Meyers, and her stint performing improv comedy in Amsterdam with Boom Chicago!

We're joined this week by science communicator and writer Alie Ward, to catch up and talk about the making of her podcast series Ologies.

One TV show we're currently obsessed with is Ted Lasso (on Apple TV+), which feels like the perfect show for these stressful times.

Joey joins us this week to break down a scene in the original Alien as we talk about favorite movies that we keep revisiting and watching for comfort while working from home.

Our very own Jen Schacter joins us this week to talk about her latest project!

We're so thrilled to be joined by Muppet performer and puppet builder Dave Goelz on the show this week to talk about the projects he's taken on during the past six months. While many of us know Dave from his work on The Muppet Show as The Great Gonzo and other characters, he's also a lifelong maker and fabricator. Dave and Adam compare notes about their build and problem solving processes and the joy of making things.

How has podcast production changed during the Covid lockdown? We're joined this week by Roman Mars, the creator of the podcast 99% Invisible to talk about how he and his team have adapated to remote collaboration and production, and the writing of Roman's new book: The 99% Invisible City.

Tested's head of production Joey Fameli joins us this week as we discuss the second season of the show The Boys! We talk about how the show's unique portrayal of superheroes goes even further this season, the incredible effects that have us wincing, and our hopes for the rest of the season. Spoiler-free discussion is at the top with full spoilers mid-way through!

We're joined by the costumer and cosplayer Beverly Downen this week to talk about how cosplayers like her have adapted to shift to virtual conventions this year, staying motivated, and revisiting some of her past projects. We also discuss the collaboration between cosplayer and photographer, and the joy of sharing fabrication processes and techniques.

We're joined by writer Evan Narcisse to talk about how he went from being a journalist and critic to writing his favorite characters in comic books, animation series, and video games. Evan talks about how a bike accident this summer has given him new perspective in his writing, and the places in current events where he finds inspiration. Thanks so much to Evan for joining us this week and follow his work at: https://twitter.com/EvNarc

The very first guest on our relaunched podcast is none other than our dear friend Simone Giertz! We check in with Simone to talk about the development of her Every Day Calendar, embarking on projects during the lockdown, and an impending change to her workshop.

After a summer break, we're back with new episodes of the podcast! Adam and Norm discuss the changes we're making to the show, including finally giving it a title: The Adam Savage Project. We'll be joined by a guest each week to talk about their creative inspirations, and share our own journeys in making during these past months in lockdown. Plus, we announce Tested Channel Memberships and explain how you can help us continue to make build videos! Thanks so much to Will for being a great co-host with us for the past eight years, and please check out his Tech Pod podcast here: https://techpod.content.town/