In 2012, I find out I'm an uke Slytherin. In 2025, I think about the sexism I learned as a child. Bonus: yaoi as coping mechanism.

"Sometimes I wonder if I have some sort of disorder." In 2012, I cut my hair, my mother gives birth, and I get pilled on anime for the first time. CW: emetophobia, 19:00 and 22:40.

In 2011, I start a DeviantArt account, artfully avoid talking about my trauma, and try to learn how to draw trees.

Kris and Sean are joined by Izzy AKAK PlentyBlush to talk Sonic OCs in the wild west days of DeviantArt, the importance of safe spaces for kids to practice creativity and the age old question of "are Sonic characters Furrys?" Follow the podcast on Bluesky: @SonicPod Kris' Bluesky: @Krisdobbinsart Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon…

A great chat with the National Theatre's outgoing Managing Director - Digital, Emma Keith. We talked about how digital practice has developed at the NT and how that differs from other performing arts organisations. The history of the NT Live programme, and the importance of pilots and testing ideas. The hidden value of digital infrastructure, remot…

A chat with Beks Leary, Senior Social Media and Content Lead at the National Gallery in London. We talked about Beks's career, which has encompassed working at a diverse range of organisations including the Bush Theatre, BBC, and National Theatre before Beks's current role at the National Gallery. Beks explained the opportunities and challenges tha…

A conversation with Art Fund's Associate Director of Digital Experience, Mike Keating. Most of our chat focused on Mike's relatively recent work in developing Art Fund's first AI policy. The collaborative, open, and pragmatic approach that Mike and colleagues took to this work feels like a useful model that other cultural organisations could borrow…

Sean and Kris give their thoughts on the third Sonic Movie in a timely manner (just in time for the digital release). PRE-ORDER THE B COVER FOR IDW SONIC #78! Follow the podcast on Bluesky: @SonicPod Kris' Bluesky: @Krisdobbinsart Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon

Kris has a big announcement and Sean gets stupid PRE-ORDER THE B COVER FOR IDW SONIC #78! Follow the podcast on Bluesky: @SonicPod Kris' Bluesky: @Krisdobbinsart Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon

Kris and Sean discuss Sonic X Shadow Generations and Sean offers the head of Knuckles to Kris for only $9.90 Follow the podcast on twitter/Bluesky: @SonicPod Kris: @KrisdobbinsArt (twitter and bsky) Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon

A conversation with Watershed CEO, Clare Reddington. Watershed is an independent cinema, cultural hub, and home of the creative technology community, Pervasive Media Studio. Clare was one of the keynote speakers at this year's Digital Works Conference and in our chat she expanded on some of the themes and ideas that were touched on in her keynote s…

The thirteenth episode of Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on Sept 3rd. We talk about: Matt Stasoff on the State of Social in 2024 Rob Cawston on the National Library of Scotland's AI Statement Carly Ayre…

Kris and Sean catch up on some Sonic news, including the SONIC MOVIE 3 trailer!! Follow the podcast on twitter/Bluesky: @SonicPod Kris' Socials: @Krisdobbinsart Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon

Dr. Martin Poulter is Wikimedian in Residence at the Khalili Foundation. We hear how Martin moved from being a dedicated volunteer Wikipedia contributor to a key advocate for the open content movement, harnessing Wikipedia’s potential to democratise access to cultural heritage and knowledge. Through his collaborations with organisations like the Bo…

The twelfth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on July 16th. We talk about: The 5 habits of innovative councils Business Insider on Google's research looking at Gen Z's consumption habits…

A conversation with SFJAZZ's Director of Digital, Ross Eustis. Since 2020 SFJAZZ have developed a comprehensive programme of content for their digital audiences. We look at how these programmes can expand audience reach and enhance engagement. Ross talks about how this digital work can complement in-person experiences, making performances more acce…

The eleventh in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on May 30th. We talk about: Patreon CEO, Jack Conte's SXSW keynote "Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web" A Slate ar…

FrogletComics (@frogletcomics) join Sean and Kris to talk Sonic Advance, Cream's hot mom and all the cute designs/animation touches the Advance trilogy has to offer. Follow the podcast on twitter/Bluesky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins (@Cdobbinsart everywhere else) Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon…

We sit down with the brilliant Kate Carter, Director of Audiences at the Edinburgh International Festival. Kate shares the experiments that EIF have been carrying out around their audience experience, particularly for classical concerts.By Digital Works

The tenth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie usually discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter but in this episode are looking back at the first Digital Works Conference. Ash and Katie identify a few themes and takesaways that are applicable to all cultural organisations, regardless of size: Prioritising questions,…

Mike Maynard (@Skullpiratemike) returns to talk Sonic fan theories and headcanons. Sonic has been in a coma this whole time. Follow the podcast on twitter/Bluesky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music created and provided by Rem Ropp/Qbomb]

A conversation with Adam Stoneman, founder of Ireland's Muse-Tech Working Group. Adam's career is a testament to the possibilities that can arise when cultural institutions embrace technology to democratise and enhance the museum experience. Last year the Muse-Tech Working Group, a cohort of Irish museum professionals, published Museum Technology: …

Kris and returning guest Kenneth Shepard (@shepardcdr) subject Sean to a tremendous amount of insane information — i.e. describe the events of Knuckles (2024) to him. Follow the podcast on twitter/Bluesky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music created and provided by Rem Ropp/Qbomb]…

The nineth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on April 15th. We talk about: Deloitte's 2024 Digital Media report Aaron Cope's blog post on how the SFO Museum is navigating the Fediverse W…

A conversation with Dr Brett Ashley Crawford and Paul Hansen. Their new book (Raising the Curtain. Technology Success Stories from Performing Arts Leaders and Artists) looks at how performing arts organisations and artists are successfully using technology in a variety of different contexts. We talked about how the pandemic became a catalyst for in…

Kris and Sean eat some pancakes. Follow the podcast on twitter/Bluesky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music created and provided by Rem Ropp/Qbomb]

I chatted with Hilary Knight, Seb Chan, and Aled John to hear a bit more about what they'll be talking about at this month's Digital Works Conference as well as what they're looking forward to. We looked at the potential of informal networking, discussing how tea break chats can lead to new ideas and fortify the cultural community. The lessons that…

Kris and Sean received a gift card to Olive Garden from the American Government for [REDACTED] and shared the wealth with Chelsea Cruz (Insta: @artsncrabs) at a bad dinner with good company.

In this episode Ash chats to Michal Čudrnák Head of Digital Collections & Services at the Slovak National Gallery. We talk about the history of the gallery, and how the Digital team has grown and evolved over recent years. We talk about the interesting and somewhat unique role that the Slovak National Gallery plays in supporting the wider Slovak cu…

Sean & Kris took some time to talk about the late great Akira Toriyama, an artist whose vast impact and influence included the world of Sonic the Hedgehog. Follow the podcast on twitter/Bluesky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music created and provided by Rem Ropp/Qbomb]…

The seventh in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on February 26th. We talk about: The launch of OpenAI's new text-to-video product, Sora. The apparent meltdown that ChatGPT had last week, and the …

Kris and Sean continue their journey through Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog series in SPA's side-series: It's Mobian Time! Part 6 brings us through THE PENDERS ZONE as we go through the Brave New World/World Tour arc of the comics! Follow the podcast on twitter/Bluesky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins Sean's Bluesky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music…

A great conversation about immersive experiences with VIVE Arts' Head of Programme, Samantha King. We talked about a LOT including: the conditions required for new ways of thinking and working to take root; the importance of sharing knowledge and collaboration; the operational and financial realities of creating immersive work. We returned to a lon…

The sixth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on January 29th. We talk about: Hugh Wallace asking 'is it time to shake up your social media', the Association of Cultural Enterprises leaving X, an…

Ian Mutchler (@TheFantasticIan) returns to help Sean and Kris predict what the third Sonic movie will be like... And of course a week after they record, a bunch of news and casting drops for it, so they're not gonna be 100% accurate. Follow the podcast on Twitter and BlueSky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins, BlueSky: @cdobbinsart Sean's B…

We catch up with Sydney Opera House's Head of Screen, Stuart Buchanan. We talk about Stuart's new job title, how digital teams are structured at SOH, and the unhelpfully vague nature of the word 'digital'. Stuart shares how digital artistic programmes have enabled the Sydney Opera House to work with new artists, in new ways. The issues and challeng…

Sean and Kris talk about Sonic Man and his acid-wash jeans. Follow the podcast on Twitter and BlueSky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins, BlueSky: @cdobbinsart Sean's BlueSky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music created and provided by Rem Ropp/Qbomb]

Our last episode of 2023 is a conversation with Haydn Corrodus. Haydn is a social media and digital marketing consultant who was previously an Arts Council England Tech Champion as part of the Digital Culture Network Haydn brings rich insights into the fragmented and ever-evolving world of social media, and its potential for storytelling, connectin…

In the last podcast episode of the year, Katie and Ash reflect on 2023 - picking a few of the most notable articles, podcasts, research reports, and new stories of the year. We discuss digital overload and the impact it's had on our attention spans. Exploring whether our cultural institutions could become havens of focus and relaxation in the blizz…

A conversation with Dr Carrie Goucher. Carrie helps people transform meetings and meeting culture. She has redesigned how we meet for the collaborative era, crafting meetings that are honest, focused, supportive and energising. Carrie’s PhD created an evidence-based framework for what underpins meeting success (spoiler alert: it’s not having an age…

Kris and Sean get infinitely chaotic in this episode about everyone's favorite Jackal, Infinite. Follow the podcast on Twitter and BlueSky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins, BlueSky: @cdobbinsart Sean's BlueSky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music created and provided by Rem Ropp/Qbomb]

The fourth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (actually 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on November 10th. We talk about: Internet Artifacts This TechCrunch article "App Store for AI: OpenAI’s GPT Store lets you build (and m…

Kris and Sean catch up on some Sonic News and John Mulaney stops by with a chaos emerald! Follow the podcast on Twitter and BlueSky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins, BlueSky: @cdobbinsart Sean's Twitter/BlueSky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music created and provided by Rem Ropp/Qbomb]

A chat with Zoe Williams, the Head of Communications and Fundraising at the Vagina Museum in London. We discuss their successful recent crowdfunding campaign, we also explore how they've harnessed the power of digital platforms to reach a global audience, built a robust community online, and how they’ve carved out their niche in the digital sphere.…

Sean and Kris lose their minds talking about Sonic Forces. Also Classic Sonic is here for some reason, just kinda hanging out. Weird. Follow the podcast on Twitter and BlueSky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins, BlueSky: @cdobbinsart Sean's Twitter/BlueSky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music created and provided by Rem Ropp/Qbomb]…

The third in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on October 20th. We talk about: "The Moral Case for No Longer Engaging With Elon Musk’s X" by Dave Lee ChatGPT can now see, hear, and speak The relea…

IDW Sonic artist Nathalie Fourdraine (@Loopyyylupe) joined us to talk about her history and love of Sonic, her work on Scrapnik island, old Sonic promotional material and everything in between! Follow the podcast on Twitter and BlueSky: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins, BlueSky: @cdobbinsart Sean's Twitter/BlueSky: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music…

The second in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on September 22nd. We talk about: The End of the Googleverse - Ryan Broderick Skyrim Mod Uses AI to Give NPCs Memories - Marc Keever How to understa…

A conversation with George Montagu, Head of Insights at FT Strategies. FT Strategies is the consulting arm of the Financial Times. George and I talk about the shift from print to digital at the Financial Times and the related shift from ad to subscriber revenue, how leadership at the FT galvanised the entire organisation around a single goal (getti…

Kris and Sean continue their journey through Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog series in SPA's side-series: It's Mobian Time! Part 5 brings us to the end of "The Freedom Fight" arc and Geoffrey St. John is still stinking up the place! Follow the podcast on twitter: @SonicPod Christian's Twitter: @C_Dobbins Sean's Twitter: @Sean8UrSon [Intro music created…