- 17
- Episodes
- 22
- Ratings
- 2023
- First episode
About Y-Button
Interviews with video game creators, enthusiasts, journalists, and media personalities about their origins with video games, what keeps them so interested in the medium, and what excites them about the future.
- Publisher
- Kyle Starr
- Category
- leisure
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 20 Apr 2023
- Latest episode
- 30 Dec 2025
Latest episodes
17 episodes in the feed.
30 Dec 2025
Reset: Awestuck
On this special epsiode of Y-Button, host Kyle Starr takes a moment to reflect on his relationship with games and games related media in a time of life changes, growing responsibilitites, and future considerations. ------ Social Host: Kyle Starr Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kylestarr.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/ybutton.bsky.social) | Threads (https://www.threads.net/@ybuttonpodcast) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ybuttonpodcast/) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton)
8 May 2025
16. Kevin Nguyen (Author, Features Editor @ The Verge)
Kevin Nguyen, author and Features Editor at The Verge, discusses his new novel "Mỹ Documents", what it means to write about video games, comparisons between mediums as a critic, and the unfortunate sale of Polygon. (01:30) - Intro and Blue Prince (03:08) - The sale of Polygon to Valnet (06:42) - Pivoting to My Documents (15:04) - Brazil and Bossa Nova in New Waves and My Documents (16:34) - First gaming memory (18:47) - How does gaming come up in the writing? (30:08) - Gaming sweet spots (34:40) - A-ha moments (37:24) - Favorite games (39:37) - What is the draw to games? (46:36) - Lightning round (50:43) - The future of games (51:58) - Blue Prince pro strats (52:46) - Final thoughts ------ Links "Mỹ Documents" (Penguin Random House (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746322/my-documents-by-kevin-nguyen/)) "New Waves" (Penguin Random House (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607283/new-waves-by-kevin-nguyen/)) Strong Songs Podcast (Website (https://strongsongspodcast.com)) Game Maker's Toolkit - Developing (YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q7eU3VUi14&list=PLc38fcMFcV_uH3OK4sTa4bf-UXGk2NW2n)) Press Reset: The Story of Polygon (YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At1NP_hl7pc&list=PLFECD492AC5E3201F)) ------ Social Guest: Kevin Nguyen Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/knguyen.bsky.social) Host: Kyle Starr Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kylestarr.bsky.social) | Threads (https://www.threads.net/@_kylestarr) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/ybutton.bsky.social) | Threads (https://www.threads.net/@ybuttonpodcast) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ybuttonpodcast/) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton)
21 Feb 2025
15 - Andy Robertson (Ludocene, Family Gaming Database, Taming Gaming)
Video game journalist Andy Robertson discusses his new project Ludocene — a game discovery service in the form of a deck-building dating app. Ludocene is based on human-curated data and offers users the ability to augment their recommendations with filters and "Expert cards" — games journalists and trusted curators who've been paid to provide recommendations — to offer a truly one-of-a-kind discovery experience. Andy also dives into his origins with video games and why he thinks they're important for people of all ages and the culture at large. ------ Links Ludocene (Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ludocene/ludocene-game-discovery-from-people-you-trust)) Family Gaming Database (website (https://www.familygamingdatabase.com/home)) Taming Gaming (Unbound (https://unbound.com/books/taming-gaming) | Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Gaming/dp/1783528923/)) ------ Social Guest: Andy Robertson Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/geekdadgamer.bsky.social) | Twitter/X (https://x.com/GeekDadGamer) Host: Kyle Starr Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kylestarr.bsky.social) | Threads (https://www.threads.net/@_kylestarr) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Threads (https://www.threads.net/@ybuttonpodcast) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ybuttonpodcast/) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton)
10 Sept 2024
14. Alanna Okun (Writer, Programmer)
Writer and programmer Alanna Okun shares how video games influenced the recent decision to leave her tenured career in journalism for an education in interactive technology — a conversation through the boom and bust of the 2010s media landscape to a revelation of control and expression found in making video games. ------ Links bitsy (website (https://bitsy.org)) Knit a Hat: A Beginner's Guide to Knitting (Microcosm Publishing (https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/13489)) NYU Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) (website (https://itp.nyu.edu/itp/)) ------ Social Guest: Alanna Okun Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alannabean/) Host: Kyle Starr Threads (https://www.threads.net/@_kylestarr) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Threads (https://www.threads.net/@ybuttonpodcast) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ybuttonpodcast/) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton)
25 Jun 2024
13. Tasha Sounart (Creative Director @ Pixar, Theme Parks)
Pixar Creative Director (Theme Parks), Tasha Sounart, discusses her career journey, from animating at Pixar on A Bug's Life through Cars to directing Double Fine's Costume Quest, to her return to Pixar and overseeing the implementation of Pixar properties in Disney Parks. She shares how video games influence physical attractions, gaming as a family, and her fondness for RPGs and MMOs. [DISCLAIMER: Kyle here. My Host audio quality is subpar in this episode. I failed to realize that I was peaking a bit when captured. AJ did everything in their power to clean this up, but there's only so much that can be done with poorly captured audio. I've listened back to this episode a few times and I don't feel it detracts from Tasha's interview whatsoever. That said, I'll be more mindful in the future.] ------ Links Pixar pixel-art tile artwork (LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tashasounart_pixar-themeparks-creativedirection-activity-7201628465853308933-iwRE)) ------ Social Guest: Tasha Sounart Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@tashasounart@worldkey.io) | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashasounart/) Host: Kyle Starr Threads (https://www.threads.net/@_kylestarr) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Threads (https://www.threads.net/@ybuttonpodcast) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ybuttonpodcast/) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton)
17 Apr 2024
12. Simon Parkin (Journalist @ The New Yorker, My Perfect Console)
Award-winning journalist and non-fiction writer, Simon Parkin, discusses his journey into journalism, curiosity about video games, the transition from 2D to 3D gaming, and informing the broader culture about the medium. ------ Simon Parkin's website (with links to his books, articles, and audio) simonparkin.com (http://www.simonparkin.com) My Perfect Console shows.acast.com/my-perfect-console (https://shows.acast.com/my-perfect-console) Pushing Buttons newsletter from The Guardian theguardian.com/games/series/pushing-buttons (https://www.theguardian.com/games/series/pushing-buttons) Raiden (Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeajSN7g9ro)) DoDonPachi (Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A04cCcw3k0)) Return of the Obra Dinn obradinn.com (https://obradinn.com/) Chants of Sennaar rundisc.io/chants-of-sennaar/ (https://www.rundisc.io/chants-of-sennaar/) "The Wager" by David Grann davidgrann.com/book/the-wager/ (https://www.davidgrann.com/book/the-wager/) ------ Social Guest: Simon Parkin Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/simonparkin/) | Twitter/X (https://www.instagram.com/simonparkin/) Guest Show: My Perfect Console Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/myperfectconsole/) | Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/myperfectcnsle?s=21&t=6iI751otscI7tqdmcxfdmg) Host: Kyle Starr Threads (https://www.threads.net/@_kylestarr) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Threads (https://www.threads.net/@ybuttonpodcast) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ybuttonpodcast/) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton)
16 Feb 2024
11. Chris Plante (Editor-in-chief @ Polygon; The Besties podcast)
Chris Plante, Editor-in-chief of Polygon and co-host of The Besties podcast, chronicles his journey into games journalism, his fondness for "7/10 (rated)" video games, and what makes video games different (and the same!) as other mediums. ------ Polygon: Gaming and Entertainment News, Reviews, and More Polygon.com (https://www.polygon.com) The Besties (podcast) themcelroy.family/besties (https://www.themcelroy.family/besties) The Besties (newsletter) thebesties.substack.com (https://thebesties.substack.com/) GameDiscoverCo (Simon Carless's awesome newsletter) gamediscover.co (https://gamediscover.co) 1994 Fisher Price Magna Mover Town Youtube (https://youtu.be/1dGrpa2hmGU) ------ Social Host: Kyle Starr Threads (https://www.threads.net/@_kylestarr) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Threads (https://www.threads.net/@ybuttonpodcast) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ybuttonpodcast/) | Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton)
24 Aug 2023
10. Stephen Hilger (Into the Aether podcast)
Stephen Hilger, co-host of Into the Aether podcast, discusses the power of video games on childhood, art, and imagination. ------ Into the Aether intothecast.online (https://intothecast.online) ------ Social Guest: Stephen Hilger (Into the Aether) Twitter/X (https://x.com/stephenhilger) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/stephenhilger_art) Host: Kyle Starr Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) | Threads (https://www.threads.net/@_kylestarr) | Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/_kylestarr) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton) | Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/ybuttonpodcast)
10 Aug 2023
9. Tom Mullen (Washed Up Emo)
Music industry extraordinaire and founder of Washed Up Emo, Tom Mullen, joins the show to discuss his lifelong fascination with video games, the link between music and games, staying relevant with the youths, and his love of strategy guides. Can you guess the song he brought to Guitar Hero III? ------ Washed Up Emo https://www.washedupemo.com/ (https://www.washedupemo.com/) Is This Band Emo? http://isthisbandemo.com/ (http://isthisbandemo.com/) ------ Music 'Liminal Fields' by Vulture Feather https://vulturefeather.bandcamp.com/album/liminal-fields (https://vulturefeather.bandcamp.com/album/liminal-fields) ------ Social Guest: Tom Mullen (Washed Up Emo) Twitter (https://twitter.com/washedupemo) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/washedupemo/) Host: Kyle Starr Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) | Threads (https://www.threads.net/@_kylestarr) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/_kylestarr) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/ybuttonpodcast)
27 Jul 2023
8. AJ Fillari (Podcast Producer: Into the Aether, Ten Very Big Books, Y-Button)
Y-Button producer AJ Fillari doubles up as a guest to discuss their fascination with games, why video games media doesn't get old, how chip tunes change their world, and why it's important to enjoy the simple act of playing. Podcasts Ten Very Big Books - A Malazan Read-through Podcast https://www.patreon.com/tenverybigbooks (https://www.patreon.com/tenverybigbooks) Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast https://intothecast.online/ (https://intothecast.online/) Asynchronous - A Video Game Catch-Up Show https://feeds.transistor.fm/asynchronous (https://feeds.transistor.fm/asynchronous) Frog of the Week https://frogpod.online/ (https://frogpod.online/) Music 'Atebite and the Warring Nations' by Disasterpeace https://disasterpeace.bandcamp.com/album/atebite-and-the-warring-nations (https://disasterpeace.bandcamp.com/album/atebite-and-the-warring-nations) 'Simulant Rain' by _amaranthine https://amaranthine.bandcamp.com/album/simulant-rain (https://amaranthine.bandcamp.com/album/simulant-rain) ------ Social Guest: AJ Fillari Twitter (https://twitter.com/ajfillari) | Mastodon (https://idlethumbs.social/@ajfillari) Host: Kyle Starr Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@kylestarr) | Threads (https://www.threads.net/@_kylestarr) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/_kylestarr) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/_kylestarr) Show: Y-Button Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/@ybutton) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/ybuttonpodcast)
13 Jul 2023
7. Paul Levering, Paul Owens (Filmmakers @ Double Fine: PsychOdyssey, 2 Player Productions)
Paul Levering and Paul Owens discuss the history of 2 Player Productions, the game development insights they learned over seven years of filming PsychOdyssey — Double Fine's 32 episode documentary of the making of Psychonauts 2 — and depths of artistry, critique, and misunderstandings of video games. PsychOdyssey https://www.doublefine.com/dftv/psychodyssey (https://www.doublefine.com/dftv/psychodyssey) 2 Player Productions https://www.youtube.com/user/2PlayerProductions (https://www.youtube.com/user/2PlayerProductions) Behind the Scenes Making of Halo 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q69Msy8ttM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q69Msy8ttM) Twitter https://twitter.com/2pproductions (https://twitter.com/2pproductions?s=21&t=vEXTTTC8RC0E8nYwrcaRUQ)
29 Jun 2023
6. Naoko Takamoto (Principle Producer @ Double Fine)
Naoko Takamoto, Principle Producer at Double Fine Productions, shares how music led her into games and ultimately production, working at Double Fine and on Psychonauts 2, the challenges of working through the pandemic, and what games mean to her. https://www.naokotakamoto.com/ (https://www.naokotakamoto.com/) Double Fine PsychOdyssey https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIhLvue17Sd70y34zh2erWWpMyOnh4UN_ (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIhLvue17Sd70y34zh2erWWpMyOnh4UN_) Princess Problems https://www.princessproblemsmusic.com/ (https://www.princessproblemsmusic.com/) That Handsome Devil http://www.thathandsomedevil.com/ (http://www.thathandsomedevil.com/)
15 Jun 2023
5. Chris "CJ" Johnston (User Experience @ Enhance, Player One Podcast)
From creating a self-published zine, to writing for EGM, to working for one of the most innovative game studios in Enhance, Chris “CJ” Johnston shares his extensive journey in the industry, the games that opened his eyes to what’s possible, and the through line that holds it all together. Mastodon @superpac (https://mastodon.social/@superpac) Twitter @superpac (https://twitter.com/superpac) Humanity https://humanity.game/ (https://humanity.game/) Player One Podcast http://www.playeronepodcast.com/ (http://www.playeronepodcast.com/) "Mystery Box" Vintage Video Game Magazines - Video Game History Foundation https://the-video-game-history-foundation.myshopify.com/collections/featured-products/products/blind-box-vintage-game-magazine-subscription (https://the-video-game-history-foundation.myshopify.com/collections/featured-products/products/blind-box-vintage-game-magazine-subscription)
1 Jun 2023
4. Robert Ashley (A Life Well Wasted podcast)
Robert Ashley, host of A Life Well Wasted, talks about games journalism, podcasting, music, food, parenting, learning, and why he cares about video games. A Life Well Wasted https://alifewellwasted.com/ (https://alifewellwasted.com/) I Come to Shanghai https://icometoshanghai.com/ (https://icometoshanghai.com/)
18 May 2023
3. Lana Bachynski (Associate Art Director @ Riot Games)
Riot Games (League of Legends, VALORANT, Team Fight Tactics) Associate Art Director Lana Bachynski shares stories about her love of video games from a young age, her journey into animation, community in video games, work... in general... but also what it's like to work on something you love. The Riot Games Super Art Power Hour | Episode 4: Animation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRMCGJk_hN8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRMCGJk_hN8) DLC Patreon https://www.patreon.com/dlcpod (https://www.patreon.com/dlcpod)
4 May 2023
2. Brendon Bigley (Into the Aether podcast)
Brendon Bigley (co-host of Into the Aether (https://intothecast.online)) shares his experience being around video games since birth, the tolls and triumphs of generating loads of video game podcast content, Sketch Turner, and the excitement of the unknown. Into the Aether: https://intothecast.online (https://intothecast.online) Wavelengths Blog: https://www.wavelengths.online/ (https://www.wavelengths.online/) Wavelengths Podcast: https://www.wavelengths.online/podcasts/ (https://www.wavelengths.online/podcasts/)
20 Apr 2023
1. Christian Spicer (DLC podcast, The Official Last of Us podcast)
Christian Spicer shares his story as a former attorney turned comedian, writer, and podcaster, and why he cares about video games. https://www.christianspicer.com/ (https://www.christianspicer.com/) DLC Podcast with Jeff Cannata and Christian Spicer: https://dlc.fireside.fm/ (https://dlc.fireside.fm/) The Official Last of Us Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-official-the-last-of-us-podcast/id1514792212 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-official-the-last-of-us-podcast/id1514792212)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 10 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 12 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 49
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
- 77
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