Side Quest Energy Podcast drops Weeklyish and is for curious people who know the best ideas rarely arrive in a straight line.
Hosted by Dan V & Jono S (Biggie), this show follows the conversations, creative detours, business experiments, strange observations, and unexpected rabbit holes that make life interesting. One minute it may be about Podcasting, Entrepreneurship, AI, storytelling, gaming, fatherhood, marketing, or building something from scratch. The next, it may wander into a completely unexpected side quest — and that is usually where the good stuff is found.
This is not a show built on perfect answers or polished guru talk. It is built on useful ideas, honest conversations, tested lessons, and the kind of thinking that comes from actually trying things in the real world.
Because sometimes the side quest is not a distraction.
Sometimes it is the whole point.
In this episode, Dan and Jono dive into the innovative Flow app, a prototype designed to enhance the podcasting experience. As Dan prepares for a trip to the desert, they explore the app’s features, including its timer and structured talking points, aiming to streamline their recording process. You'll discover how this tool can transform chaotic discussions into engaging narratives, helping podcasters maintain focus and clarity.
Boost Wom (https://boostwom.com/)
Flow App Prototype (https://flow.sidequestenergypodcast.com/)
DOAC - Rick Rubin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_GiFiHXJ6g)
Stardew Valley (https://www.stardewvalley.net/)
29 Sept 2026
Drink Fluids
Flu season has hit hard, but that won't stop Dan V and Jono from delivering the latest updates in the tech world! In this lively episode, the duo dives into the fascinating intersection of AI and content creation, revealing how BoostWom's new features can transform user-generated reviews into SEO-friendly blog articles.
https://boostwom.com/ (https://boostwom.com/)
16 Sept 2026
Podcasters Toolkit
I made Jono play Mark Brown's Platforming tutorial, we Chat about upcoming movies, Jono's favorite sports team, and we get meta and introspective for a change ; P
GMTK Platformer Toolkit (https://gmtk.itch.io/platformer-toolkit)
Jono's App Idea (https://imgur.com/a/ISxm60p)
BoostWOM (https://boostwom.com/)
13 Sept 2026
Nut, Bolts, and Arrows
The Game! (https://sidequestenergypodcast.com/)
Boost Wom DoT Com ! (https://boostwom.com/)
Michael Vardes (https://theworkplaceforactors.com/)
2 Sept 2026
Controlling our Poisons
In this episode, Jono and Dan discuss the challenges of parenting, particularly a recent scare involving Jono's son and mosquito repellent. They reflect on the lessons learned about child safety and the importance of vigilance. The conversation then shifts to innovative ideas for their podcast, including the development of a command center app to streamline their recording process. Finally, they delve into game development insights, discussing the importance of gameplay mechanics over aesthetics and their plans for future updates.
Detour Dash AI Prompt (https://imgur.com/gallery/sqe-game-take-2-uUtvvOq)
Geometry Dash (https://www.geometrydash.com/)
26 Aug 2026
Following the White Light
Prepare for a deep dive into the world of technology, parenting, and the unexpected intersections of life in this enlightening episode of the Side Quest Energy Podcast. Join hosts Dan V and Jono as they navigate their recent cinematic experiences and explore the evolving landscape of AI and digital marketing—all while managing the chaos of family life.
12 Aug 2026
Do you remember when
In this episode, Dan and Jono explore various themes ranging from their excitement for new movies to nostalgic memories of Pokémon and childhood games. They discuss Immersive Halloween events, the evolution of collectible games like Tazos and POGs, and the impact of Pokémon on pop culture
Poke Rouge (https://pokerogue.net/)
Tazos (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tazos)
Try the Side Quest Energy Game Here! (https://sidequestenergypodcast.com/)
4 Aug 2026
Put me in Coach!
In this episode of the SideQuest Energy Podcast, Michael Varde shares his journey from an unexpected start in acting to becoming a professional actor. He discusses his experiences with Burt Reynolds, his inspirations in the industry, and the importance of commitment to the craft.
Michael Varde IMDB (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4461065/)
The Work Place "for Actors" (https://theworkplaceforactors.com/)
Wynn Handman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wynn_Handman)
Hollow Creek IMDB (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2545538/)
29 Jul 2026
A Star is Born
This episode is a warm conversation about family celebrations, the excitement of the World Cup final, and the power of building better habits. Jono and Dan reflect on how meaningful moments with loved ones, shared experiences, and small daily changes can take you to the next level
22 Jul 2026
Off Grid Glitches
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 (https://youtu.be/p7gKAYbn4Uw?si=vDUgdVAl7Z8p4Ul1&t=36)
Rom Hack GDQ 2018 Dode plays Invictus (https://youtu.be/Q88gd15rZaE?si=3dKTBsK_zNDY3oFw&t=1461)
Final two are watched together
Credits Warp Furious Zero Exit (https://www.twitch.tv/videos/648726557?t=0h0m1s)
Tas Bot GDQ 2014 MasterJun (https://youtu.be/jnZ2NNYySuE?si=tk9Iyqxy8V37uFqL&t=57)
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.
8 Jul 2026
A Third of a Milestone
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 (https://www.molleindustria.org/everydaythesamedream/everydaythesamedream.html)
2 Jul 2026
Undefeated… At the Time of Recording (Take 2)
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.
24 Jun 2026
Into the Matrix
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,
17 Jun 2026
Missile Command and Modern AI
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.
10 Jun 2026
Why are we like this?
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 (https://imgur.com/gallery/adhd-test-results-1kJIsLU)
3 Jun 2026
The Podcast About Podcasts
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.
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