Two Geeks Talking

Killing for a Dream Home? The Dark Comedy of Upkeep Issue 2 with Ari Gross

Ari Gross joins Two Geeks Talking to discuss Upkeep, a dark comedy comic about first-time home buyers in Toronto who turn to murder to protect their lavish lifestyle. This satire horror series skewers modern home ownership, raising a family, and the absurd hunt for daycare. Life isn't easy in Toronto. The line between satire and horror, and why this comic hits way too close to home. Expect rapid-fire questions, behind-the-scenes chaos, and at least one joke about hiding real estate agents in basements.
Chapters:00:00 - Introduction Clip and Opening01:24 - Who is Ari Gross and What does He do?04:08 - What is the most real detail in the comic that hits too close to home?06:52 - And here I thought Taxes were bad in Toronto08:20 - What's the line between 'I'd do anything for a House' to 'Nope, I'm out'10:51 - What is the Timeline and How many Comics in the Upkeep Series?13:23 - What is the Darkest moment in Upkeep #2?15:33 - Who is the Team around the Upkeep comic series?18:16 - The Art of Garrison Manor from third character to horror icon19:40 - The Art of Lettering from Sound Effects to Scares22:19 - Colour Theory in Comics: Shifting from Cozy to Terrifying25:40 - How to Make Likeable Characters, Despite the body count.28:01 - What Would Garrison Manor's Yelp Review Be?29:34 - Popular Haunted Toronto Spots to Visit31:19 - Do you not feel like you have found "Place"?34:40 - Sell Your Comic in 10 Seconds!35:28 - What's a Horror Movie that made you laugh, when you shouldn't have?37:30 - Finish the sentence: ‘The housing market is worse than…[Blank]39:41 - Making a Choice between Raising a Family and Owning a Home?40:46 - If Garrison Manor offered you one wish (with consequences) Would you take it?41:03 - Closing Remarks41:25 - Kickstarter Campaign for Upkeep
SUPPORT THE KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN HERE:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arigross/upkeep-issues-1-2/

From Writing Horror To Children’s Books: DeWayne Dority Creator of Shapemaster & Liar

DeWayne Dority started his comic journey writing horror comics and his own Wake Comics Universe. When COVID hit he decided to switch gears and write a Dr. Seuss inspired children's comic book called: Shape Master; for his autistic son.
With Liar his newest comic with a Kickstarter already on the go, he creates comics between horror and children's books whether its on his YouTube Channel or in interviews like this one.

The Art of the Comeback: How to Revive a Whole Damn Comics Festival After 14 Years

"The Art of the Comeback: How to Revive a Passion Project (and a Whole Damn Comics Festival) After 14 Years"
Featuring: Amy Letts (*Creator of Epic Fail & Organizer of Caption UK)
Ever abandoned a creative project—only to resurrect it years later?
Amy Letts, the sharp-witted mind behind cult webcomic Epic Fail, just pulled off a double revival:
Her own work (Epic Fail returns after 14 years—why now?)
An entire indie comics festival (Caption UK, Oxford’s legendary small-press gathering)
In this episode, we dig into:
The "long game" of creative work—Why stepping away isn’t quitting (and how to know when to come back).
Organizing a DIY festival—Budget hacks, volunteer wrangling, and why small press still matters in a digital age.
The "Epic Fail" philosophy—How embracing messiness leads to better art (and fewer meltdowns).
The real cost of hiatus—Audience drift, platform changes, and rebuilding momentum.
Whether you’ve got a half-finished project in your closet or dream of rallying a community, Amy’s story is a masterclass in creative resilience.

Adriano Ariganello’s Creative Pinfall: Ending ‘From Parts Unknown’ & What’s Next

In this episode, Adriano Ariganello creator of Pesto Comics publishing and the indie comic force behind his most recent wrestling-infused series From Parts Unknown (Issues #4 and #5). 
We dive into:- The art of endings: Why wrapping a series feels like a “creative body slam” (and how to do it with grace).- Unexpected lessons from wrestling storytelling: How kayfabe, drama, and real athlete struggles shaped his comic’s emotional core.- Pesto Comics’ survival: Bootstrapping, niche audiences, and why “small press” doesn’t mean “small ambitions.”- What’s next after the final bell rings: New projects, collaborations, and the business pivots no one talks about.- Advice for creators: From Kickstarter grit to embracing the “weird” that makes your work unforgettable.

Secret to Great Storytelling Was Playing Games Online: Author Richard Sparks - New Rock Series

"What if the secret to great storytelling was playing an online game with your guild?"
In this episode, I sit down with Richard Sparks, the imaginative mind behind the New Rock novel series (New Rock, New Role and New Rock, New Realm) available on Amazon, to explore how gaming, language, and fandom shape extraordinary fiction.
Richard’s journey is anything but ordinary:- Playing games with lifelong school mate, Douglas Adams—and the unexpected storytelling lessons he learned growing up with the Hitchhiker’s Guide legend.- How playing with a top-tiered guild in Elder Scrolls Online became the spark for his latest New Rock novels.- The power of language—why he obsesses over words and how audiobooks fuel his creativity.- Finding a community and inspiration speaking at sci-fi/fantasy conventions—and why the fandom is the unsung hero of creativity.

From Dracula to Angel Hunter: Eisner Nominated Comic Creator Rich Davis

"Sometimes the most pivotal moments in life come from the most unexpected places."
In this episode, I sit down with Rich Davis, an Eisner-nominated comic writer and the mastermind behind gripping series like Cult of Dracula, Rise of Dracula, Prometheus in Chains, REIGN OF DRACULA, and his latest project, Angel/Hunter.
Rich’s journey is a testament to the power of serendipity, passion, and relentless curiosity. We dive into:- How walking into a drama class and signing up for a 400-level Japanese history course set him on the path to becoming a storyteller.- The joy of writing—why he still finds magic in the craft, even after years in the industry.- Finding purpose early in life—and why he believes creative fulfillment is about more than just success.- The unexpected moments that shaped his career, from indie comics to Eisner recognition.- His latest project, Angel/Hunter, and how he reinvents classic horror myths.
Rich is one of those rare creators who radiates enthusiasm for his work, and this conversation is packed with insights for writers, artists, and anyone looking to turn their passion into a life’s work.

What Does An Audio/Podcast/Music Engineer Do? Jay "The Engineer" Yow

Just like that meme: "What Does An Audio Engineer Do do do do..." Jay Yow has had a successful 16 year career as an Audio, Music, Podcast Engineer with his own work and being a Producer on The James Altucher Show.  As an engineer he's learned a few tricks of the trade from managing issues on the fly, to giving a master class in under 10 minutes to fledgling Engineers. We dove into Tech of a successful podcast; How to properly use AI for your podcast / engineering job, The use of Descript and much more!

Blazing A Musical Journey From Backstage to Americana: Musician William John Titus Bishop

Musician William John Titus Bishop grew up with music on the mind and in the soul. From his days being classically trained in Cello to learning the drums and the guitar on his own, he has taken his love of music to the next level by learning the folk styling of Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Janis Joplin and more. 

Pod Talk: Four Podcast Secrets No One Tells You: PR Collab, Interview Tips, Editing Choices

After our January livestream broke expectations (thank you!), host Izolda Trakhtenberg (Your Creative Mind Podcast) reassembles an all-star panel to dissect the unspoken challenges of podcasting. No fluff—just tactical insights from veterans who’ve navigated these waters.
This Episode’s Firestarters:
Kurt Sasso (Two Geeks Talking)"How to Ask The Right Questions & Extract Jaw-Dropping Stories from Guests (without sounding like a robot or a therapist)"
Reena Friedman Watts (Better Call Daddy)"To Edit Or Not To Edit! That is the question. The ethics of editing—and when to leave the mess in"
Barney Smith (Story Comic Presents)"Turn your Podcast Passion and Hobby into a Long-Term Sustainable Career!"
Izolda Trakhtenberg (Your Creative Mind Podcast)"Paradigm of Podcasters: How to Make PR Pros Your Podcast Partners and allies who work for your show’s growth"

Preserving Stories, One Comic at a Time: Michael Regina’s Mission with Read The Freaking Comics

Michael Regina, the passionate voice behind  @readthefreakingcomics  dives into the fascinating intersection of comic books, comic book research, and historical preservation. Michael shares his journey exploring single-issue comics from Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse. This is more than just entertainment; it highlights these cultural artifacts and their importance in documenting the history of comics. From uncovering hidden stories from the artists and writers who created them; to examining the history of these single issues through their advertisements, current events and the legacy of local comic shops. Michael offers a unique perspective on why these comics deserve recognition in the broader conversation about art, history, and pop culture.