What happens when your childhood save file gets pawned but your Pokémon journey keeps going?

Danny Steinbrecher takes us back to a childhood shaped by Pokémon story battles with his brother, a corrupted save file lost to a pawn shop theft, and a WiFi-only start to Pokémon GO in the Arizona heat. But this journey isn’t just about games, it’s about healing old rivalries, trading Yu-Gi-Oh! cards for something more lasting, and finding love through shared gameplay with his fiancée. Through laughter, nostalgia, and a few hard lessons (don’t forget to save before Zapdos), Danny Steinbrecher reminds us why we come back to Pokémon again and again.

Listen now and discover how a Squirtle can turn into something you carry with you for life.

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Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

He was ready to end everything, until one unexpected “new friend” comment changed his life.

Eastside Scrafty opens up about how Pokémon became more than a game, it became a lifeline. From a turbulent childhood spent in foster care to a breaking point that nearly ended it all, he shares how a bond with a fictional fighter and a Facebook page born from heartbreak helped him hold on. Discover how his defiance, team loyalty, and a deep-rooted love for black culture gave Eastside Scrafty not only a favorite Pokémon but an identity to embrace. This is a story of survival, connection, and the power of being seen.

Listen now and discover why some Pokémon stories don’t evolve. They endure.

🎧 Listen to heartfelt stories of inclusion, resilience, and connection.

Explore the Pokémon & Disability Stories playlist now!

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Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

Some Pokémon don’t just represent us, they help us become who we are. For Scintilla, that Pokémon was Incineroar, a powerful, misunderstood feline that gave him the confidence to build a new identity, both online and off.

We dive into Scintilla’s journey from reluctant art student to passionate Twitch streamer, from teacher to tiger. He shares stories of his grandfather winning Pokémon merch during the Mew craze, how a deaf friend helped him fall in love with the games, and the deep emotional meaning behind characters like Mew, Lugia, and Incineroar. It's a heartfelt conversation about transformation, identity, fandom, and the unexpected power of being seen, even when you’re wearing sandals.

Listen now and rediscover how Pokémon can shape more than just a team, they can shape a life.

🎧 Hear from creative minds bringing Pokémon to life in art and story.

Start listening to the Artists & Writers playlist today!

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Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

What do you do when your heart belongs to two worlds: Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!? Both!

Ruxin34 shares how a surprising rule in his childhood home sent him deeper into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, even as his passion for Pokémon endured in secret. From hiding his Game Boy under the covers to launching PokeRux, a second channel built on nostalgic Nuzlocke runs, Ruxin34 opens up about balancing two beloved franchises, the emotional weight of card collecting, and why Pokémon still feels like home, even now. Whether it’s vintage cards, fan-made ROM hacks, or that impossible Radical Red Elite Four, his journey is a testament to play, perseverance, and creative evolution.

🎧 Discover how your favorite YouTubers found their Pokémon path.
Check out the YouTubers playlist now!

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Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

For Harry the Handicapped Hitmonchan, catching Pokémon meant something most of us take for granted: movement, choice, and belonging.

Born with cerebral palsy and bound to a wheelchair since childhood, Harry the Handicapped Hitmonchan shares a deeply personal journey of strength, storytelling, and self-expression through the world of Pokémon. From boxing dreams and custom wheelchair ROM hacks to trading Legendary Pokemon for friendship, Harry’s story redefines what it means to be a Trainer. He opens up about pain, play, purpose and the joy of seeing himself reflected in a game where anything feels possible.

Listen now to hear how Pokémon became more than a game, it became freedom.

🎧 Listen to heartfelt stories of inclusion, resilience, and connection.
Explore the Pokémon & Disability Stories playlist now!

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

From a mysterious Tangela to a full-blown Shiny Pokedex goal, GlaxonXIII’s journey is anything but ordinary. A teacher by day and Pokémon streamer by night, he opens up about the long road from childhood card hunts at 7-Eleven to shiny reactions that shake the internet. We explore the stories behind his favorite cards, his emotional shift toward content creation, and the deep pride of being named a Notable Trainer by The Pokémon Company. Whether it’s Shiny Applin serendipity or sleepless GO Fest filming, every step has led to something more than pixels, it’s led to purpose.

Listen now for a rare look at how gaming, storytelling, and real connection can shape a life one shiny at a time.

🎧 Love Pokémon and Twitch? This playlist is for you.
Stream the Live Streamers playlist today!

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Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

When you lose everything, what brings you back? For Ginger Jirachi, it was Pokémon and a little wish upon a star.

After a painful divorce and losing nearly everything he collected, Ginger Jirachi rebuilt his life one Pokéstop at a time, powered by Pokémon nostalgia, the warmth of community, and the quiet strength of starting over. From sibling memories and clay-art cards to a wish for Worlds and a newfound path in sobriety, his story reminds us that sometimes, wishes really do come true.

Listen as he shares how the trading card game, Pokémon GO, and one mythical star brought hope back into focus. This is more than a comeback, it’s a celebration of connection, healing, and holding on to joy.

🎧 Listen to heartfelt stories of inclusion, resilience, and connection.
Explore the Pokémon & Disability Stories playlist now!

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!

He just wanted to list it as his job on Facebook. Instead, it became a community.

For longtime fan Mr. Zigzagoon, a tiny raccoon Pokemon became the symbol of something much deeper like friendship, passion, and perseverance. We explore how a chance online connection sparked the beginning of a community, how a childhood Mew gifted through kindness shaped a lifetime of giving, and how love and support carry this Trainer forward in both life and Pokémon.

From Pokémon cards to late-night launches, power-saving giveaways to quiet moments over a match of the Pokémon TCG, this story reminds us why we stay, even when no one else is watching.

Listen now and rediscover why we all chose to press Start.

🎧 Be inspired by the leaders shaping the future of Pokémon.
Check out the Community Pokémon Leaders playlist now!

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

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Support the show

• Visit our website: www.asthepokeballturns.com
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Your next Pokemon adventure begins here!