Best Emily Merritt Podcasts (2025)

We cast The Devils, try to apologize to Ruth, and recall other food-related romantasy. Plus, Veronica has a shameful tequila revelation.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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From Tesla Batteries to Underground Tunnels with Riddhi Padariya 1:02:29

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12d ago1:02:29

1:02:29

Ever wondered what it takes to lead automation projects at trailblazing companies like Tesla and The Boring Company? Nikki chats with Riddhi Padariya about her journey from nerdy high schooler inspired by "How It's Made" to becoming a controls engineering leader in industries ranging from tissue manufacturing to carbon capture and underground tunne…

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Ep. 48 - Until Then feat. Jared Moss, Play Along Podcast 2:29:25

13d ago2:29:25

2:29:25

Until Then, developed by Polychroma Games and published by Maximum Entertainment, is a narrative adventure set in a beautiful pixel-art world inspired by the modern day Philippines. You play as Mark, a high school student who is doing his best to keep up with school, life and his friendships while his parents are both working abroad. Although Mark …

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Machine Vision, Project Nightmares, and Automation Chaos with Kerry Pierce 1:08:56

20d ago1:08:56

1:08:56

Curious how someone ends up building a career around machine vision and industrial automation? Nikki sits down with Kerry Pierce, discussing the winding path that led her from computer engineering to becoming a machine vision integrator, the invaluable lessons learned along the way, and how she’s helping demystify the field for newcomers. ------- T…

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#514 - The Rebirths of Wesley Chu 1:09:39

25d ago1:09:39

1:09:39

Wesley Chu joins us to talk about The Lives of Tao and Jan is back, so we have loads of news including Locus Award Winners and the British Fantasy Society shortlist. Plus Tom sings. We're all sorry about that. Also, we almost named this episode The Lives of Wesley Chu until we realized we had already done that in 2014.…

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Building Business Skills as an Engineer with Brielle Reisman 49:47

27d ago49:47

49:47

How do you build business skills as a chemical engineer? In this episode of the Automation Ladies podcast, Ali G chats with Brielle Reisman, who shares her experiences at Applied Control Engineering, and the importance of combining technical skills with business acumen. Brielle shares how she embraced the value of personal branding and content crea…

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Ep. 47 - The Crush House 2:12:59

27d ago2:12:59

2:12:59

No Small Games' summer season is heating up with The Crush House! In this "thirst-person shooter" from Nerial and published by Devolver Digital, you play as the producer on 1999's hottest reality TV show. You make every decision from casting, to what gets captured on camera, to running ad spots. As you get familiar with the house and the cadence of…

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Indie Game Roundup - June 2025 feat. Nick and Will, Friday Night Gamecast 2:09:46

1M ago2:09:46

2:09:46

Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. The sun is out, the vacation vibes are bumpin', and that means another Summer Game Fest has dropped! Summer Game Fest 2025 was bigger and better than ever, with even more showcases and dozens of exciting indie game…

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Joanna Tung 1:02:19

1M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Joanna and I chatted about a variety of topics over the hour we had. The former basketball player turned runner got her start with the sport in kind of a random way, but has challenged herself in ways she never thought she would. Along with talking about running i got to hear about some of Joanna's recent travels ands some fun food takes.…

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AI in Industrial Automation - Insights with Ashlesha and Alex from Masked Owl Technologies 1:01:48

1M ago1:01:48

1:01:48

How will AI change Industrial automation? Ashlesha Anil Chaudhari and Alex Kaderi from Masked Owl Technologies join us this week to discuss how their team is building practical solutions to support engineers and rethink the use of AI and new technologies on the factory floor. Hear firsthand insights into what manufacturers are actually adopting, wh…

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Automating the Farm - The Future of Agtech with Katie Bradford 1:01:17

1M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

How is automation and robotics changing the future of farming? Katie Bradford, Founder and CEO of Rotate8, joins Nikki to share her story of building practical automation that empowers small farms to thrive without sacrificing repairability or local expertise. Tune in to hear the challenges and opportunities in ag-tech, the design of accessible rob…

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Ep. 46 - Wanderstop 2:00:51

1M ago2:00:51

2:00:51

Wanderstop, developed by Ivy Road, is a narrative cozy game that follows main character Alta on her journey to understand why her body and mind will no longer cooperate with her on her mission to be the best fighter in the world. She finds herself in a clearing in the forest, sitting on a bench with Boro, the owner of the Wanderstop tea shop. Playe…

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#513 - A Civil War-burton 40:36

1M ago40:36

40:36

Everything is out of context. But we do have interesting thoughts about The Lives of Tao and lots of congrats for the winners and nominees of the Nebulas and more.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Lyme Disease, Tick Survival Myths, and Protecting Your Family with Tick Expert Emily Merritt 1:10:02

2M ago1:10:02

1:10:02

Think ticks can’t find you at work? Think again! In this special episode hosts Nikki Gonzales and Courtney Fernandez sit down with tick expert Emily Merritt (aka the “Tick Chick”). Learn firsthand what Lyme disease can really mean, what to watch for after a bite, how to handle household exposure, and tips you won’t find on a repellant can. Ready to…

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Bridging Tech, Manufacturing & STEM Careers with Brit Bartolini 1:05:19

2M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

This week Nikki sits down with Brit Bartolini, Enterprise Account Director at MaintainX, for a conversation on digital transformation in manufacturing, the future of maintenance, and attracting new generations to STEM careers. Hear how real-world manufacturing pain points, a love of gadgets, and a dash of maker-spirit are turning maintenance work i…

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#512 - Deep Dish is SciPie 31:39

2M ago31:39

31:39

We speculate on how James Cameron will make The Devils and whether Frankenstein will be too scary for Veronica. And we further kick off The Lives of Tao.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Indie Game Roundup - May 2025 1:30:07

2M ago1:30:07

1:30:07

Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. LudoNarraCon, Six One Indie Showcase, PAX East, oh my! We're beginning to ramp up towards the absolute fugue state that is Summer Game Fest. May brought us several huge gaming new events and showcases, and with tho…

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Fixing Automation’s Biggest Skills Gap With Paul Godines 54:20

2M ago54:20

54:20

Frustrated by the skills gap in automation? There’s a new approach in town. Join Nikki Gonzales as she sits down with Paul Godines from Logix Trainers to talk real solutions for bridging the entry-level technician divide. On this episode of Automation Ladies, you’ll get the inside story on why simulation training matters, what makes tenacity essent…

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#511 - Throw Me in the Corpse Hole 47:21

2M ago47:21

47:21

We discuss the return of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and Frank Herbert’s posthumous SFWA Infinity Award, Audible’s AI narration plans and Amazon’s cancellation of The Wheel of Time—while nominating hamburg steak and vegan enchiladas and sharing listener stories from Matt Dinniman’s event. We round out the show with in-depth discussions of The Lives…

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PAX East 2025 Recap 1:51:21

2M ago1:51:21

1:51:21

PAX East 2025 was an absolute whirlwind of meeting wonderful friends and colleagues, chatting with developers and publishers, and getting our hands on awesome indie game demos! Join us for our day-by-day PAX East 2025 recap, where we relive all the exciting and memorable moments we experienced at this year's event! No Small Games was honored once a…

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Building Smart Factories and Smart Teams: Secrets from Dr. Nicole Schra-Martin 45:04

3M ago45:04

45:04

How do you build sustainable talent pipelines for the industry? Nikki Gonzales, Ali G, and Courtney Fernandez sit down with Dr. Nicole Schra Martin, an expert in manufacturing and automation, to discuss early STEM education, practical hiring for automation roles, and the changing face of industrial automation careers. These themes are essential for…

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Kinnier Lastimosa 1:03:00

3M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Kinnier went from not being able to run a full 5K in high school without walking to running several marathons in a variety of places.It is safe to say that high school Kinnier would have never guessed how much running would be a part of his life. Recently, Kinnier received his sixth star at The Boston Marathon, while running with his dad. Learn mor…

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#510 - A New Theseus 36:00

3M ago36:00

36:00

From Hugo admins resigning over AI panel vetting to the latest award winners and a fresh Murderbot clip—to set the stage for our book club pick. Then we dig into Mickey 7’s Ship of Theseus dilemma, sharing listener takes (yes, even foot‑fetishting AIs) and the questions that keep us up at night.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Mastering Trade Show Success with Joe Campbell & Jennifer Mass 1:09:34

3M ago1:09:34

1:09:34

What’s the ROI of your trade show booth? Trade shows cost more than most companies realize. Yet, year after year, exhibitors throw away tens of thousands by showing up unprepared, staff glued to phones, demos unfinished, and leads lost. In this episode we chat with veteran exhibitors and industry experts, Joe Campbell and Jennifer Mass, to learn ho…

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Building Kansas City’s Go-To Controls Team with Caitlyn Young 1:00:36

3M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

What is it like to build a thriving controls engineering company with your partner? The Automation Ladies sit down with Caitlyn Young from Integrated Controls and Engineering to discuss what it takes to balance business, engineering, and partnership—all while serving the local industry at the highest level. Join us as Caitlyn shares the secrets of …

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Ep. 45 - 1000xRESIST feat. Jenny Windom 3:34:44

3M ago3:34:44

3:34:44

1000xRESIST, developed by Sunset Visitor and published by Fellow Traveler, took 2024 by storm in the indie game world. You navigate a strange yet slightly familiar futuristic society as Watcher, whose role is to be witness to the Allmother's memories. Touching on topics of resistance and social change, generational trauma, love, friendship and moth…

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Indie Game Roundup - April 2025 1:51:32

3M ago1:51:32

1:51:32

Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. 2025 is ramping up, people!! April brought us more showcases, a huge number of new releases, and some brand new indie game demos to check out. We're unpacking our experiences with demos from the Galaxies and Triple…

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#509 - New Achievement! 52:04

3M ago52:04

52:04

We wrap up Dungeon Crawler Carl, including our horrible imitations of Jeff Hays. Plus, we announce the next pick for May and ponder data-driven determinations of the best SFF books of Tom’s life.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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AI, Tariffs, and Million-Dollar Mistakes in Automation—Live Insights With Frank Hurtte & Larry White 1:08:08

3M ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Curious why manufacturer-distributor relationships still make or break automation sales? Nikki Gonzales talked with industry veterans Frank Hurtte & Larry White at AHTD about tariffs, global supply chain headaches, how AI is shifting the workforce & why family-run industrial businesses are thriving. ------ Huge thank you to Automate.org for sponsor…

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Izzy Garcia 1:02:34

3M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Izzy is the latest guest on the podcast. He is man of many interests and we get into several of those, including running of course. Learn about how Izzy reconnects with fitness after college, keeps running fun, his favorite books and find out the reason he does not love eating outside. Enjoy getting to know Izzy.…

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Major Life Updates, Texas Moves, and Big Community News 54:18

3M ago54:18

54:18

The Automation Ladies are all back together! Catch up as they mark the return of the podcast for a new season, sharing candid updates on life transitions, moves, industry shifts, and unexpected opportunities. Listen in for real talk about building and growing their women-led automation community, the creative push behind the unique OT SCADA CON eve…

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Ep. 44 - Afterlove EP 1:52:14

3M ago1:52:14

1:52:14

Afterlove EP, developed by Pikselnesia, is a slice-of-life story that follows a young musician named Rama, as he struggles to reconnect with his friends and his music in the wake of the death of his girlfriend. The game takes place in modern day Jakarta, and players will find themselves immersed in the sights and sounds of the city through the game…

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Predictive Maintenance and Industry Insights with Ryan Treece 49:38

4M ago49:38

49:38

Many factories struggle with unexpected equipment failure, resulting in costly downtime hits without warning. How can you avoid this with predictive maintenance strategies? Join us as we welcome special guest Ryan Treece from FreeWave Technologies for a discussion covering many industry insights. Discover how implementing predictive maintenance usi…

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#508 - Sexy, Sexy, Mind Palace 54:00

4M ago54:00

54:00

We have Murderbot trailer! And we like it! Plus, the Hugo nominees are out and we wrap up our thoughts on The City and the City and begin our April dungeon crawl.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Catch up with Nikki - What's Coming in Season 6 28:17

4M ago28:17

28:17

We’re back! In this special solo kickoff to Season 6, Nikki shares what’s new with Automation Ladies — including her new role at Weintek USA, a big media partnership, and all the exciting things ahead for the show and community. In this episode: •Why Nikki joined the team at Weintek USA •The big announcement: Automation Ladies is now part of Indust…

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Ep. 43 - Guacamelee Gold Edition 1:49:18

4M ago1:49:18

1:49:18

Guacamelee is an indie classic, that released by in 2013 from DrinkBox Studios. This action platformer is a stylish take on the Metroidvania genre and its story and vibes were inspired by Mexican-culture and folklore. You play as a young farmhand-turned-luchador, who escapes the world of the dead using a magical mask. As you traverse these gorgeous…

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Ep. ? - Haven 1:43:57

4M ago1:43:57

1:43:57

Surprise!! It’s a rare Tuesday edition of No Small Games. And there’s absolutely nothing unusual going on here. Just another totally normal episode of No Small Games, the indie game podcast hosted by Bo_Po and DiscoCola! In this episode, the two cover the beautiful action RPG Haven. In this game, developed by The Game Bakers, you play as two lovers…

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Indie Game Roundup - March 2025 feat. Jacob McCourt 1:33:16

4M ago1:33:16

1:33:16

Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. Welcome special guest Jacob McCourt to No Small Games! We were delighted to have Jacob join us for our March Indie Game Roundup episode. First, we dug into indie game news from the past month, and discussed winter …

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Ep. 42 - Mouthwashing feat. Dave Jackson 2:41:27

4M ago2:41:27

2:41:27

Mouthwashing, developed by Wrong Organ and published by CRITICAL REFLEX, is a psychological horror game following the actions of the Tulpar's crew as they work together to survive a catastrophic crash in the middle of outer space. Tensions rise as food and supplies run low. You play as Jimmy, the acting captain, as he grapples with how to take resp…

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#507 - Book Goblin 40:49

5M ago40:49

40:49

Tom forgot to write the intro to the show this week, so you’re stuck with the Veronica Edition. March is still full of madness, which makes sense because it’s a full moon eclipse coming up and Venus is in retrograde. Or something! We check in on The City and The City by China Miéville, and we see and unsee your perspectives on the book thus far.…

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Ep. 41 - Grunn 1:41:53

5M ago1:41:53

1:41:53

Grunn is a completely normal gardening game, developed by Sokpop Collective and Tom van den Boogaart, where nothing strange or off-beat is going on. You arrive by bus at a quaint Dutch village in the countryside, with instructions to clean up the manor house's garden by the end of the weekend. Very soon, however, you begin to notice some strange go…

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Indie Game Roundup - February 2025 feat. Michael Gruar, Lunar Chippy Games 2:04:41

5M ago2:04:41

2:04:41

Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. This has been both the longest and shortest month in existence, but the good news is that we're back with a bunch of awesome indie games to talk about! This roundup features some brand new releases from the tail en…

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Emily MacQuarrie 51:30

5M ago51:30

51:30

Emily MacQuarrie is the latest guest on the pod. We spend some time talking about how being a quiet person has helped her running, compare swinning and running, and I try to convince Emily to start speedwork. Enjoy getting to know Emily!By Michel Moreau

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#506 - SECs Unit 58:30

5M ago58:30

58:30

March Madness has begun, so get your votes in now. Plus do we like Alexander Skarsgard as Murderbot? And our final thoughts on Will of the Many and non-spoiler intro to The City and the City.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Yearbook Vol. 2 2:02:51

5M ago2:02:51

2:02:51

Believe it or not, we just closed out our second year of No Small Games! This has truly been such a wild ride! From meeting in person for the first time at PAX, to helping to judge the Indie Game Awards, to launching our written reviews on the website, we've cherished every minute and every opportunity. And we can't thank you all enough for support…

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#505 - The Roman Empire is My Roman Empire 50:35

6M ago50:35

50:35

The nominations have begun for our March Tournament! Why do we care if eBooks and print books are the same? And our first thoughts on The Will of the Many.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Ep. 40 - Crypt Custodian feat. Matt Storm 2:37:45

6M ago2:37:45

2:37:45

Crypt Custodian, developed by Kyle Thompson, is a touching and adorable metroidvania. You play as Pluto, a little cat who has just arrived in the afterlife, after a tragic end cut short his cozy life with his human family. Some accidental shenanigans lead to him being banned to spend all of eternity cleaning up trash from the outskirts of the under…

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Shaheeda Dade 44:54

6M ago44:54

44:54

Shaheeda and I get into how she got her start with running and how her relationship with the sports has evolved. We also spend some time talking about her creative outlets and future goals she has.By Michel Moreau

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Indie Game Roundup - January 2025 1:51:53

6M ago1:51:53

1:51:53

Welcome back to the NSG Indie Game Roundup, our monthly series featuring indie games news, plus game demos and new release discussions. This has been both the longest and shortest month in existence, but the good news is that we're back with a bunch of awesome indie games to talk about! This roundup features some brand new releases from the tail en…