<![CDATA[Back In The Game]]>Back In The Game is where comeback stories come to life. Hosted by Fresh C (aka Back In The Game Retro)—a world-record retro gamer, streamer, Billboard-charting musician, music producer, former firefighter, EMT, coach, and teacher—each episode dives into the resilience, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shape extraordinary journeys. From gaming, music, entrepreneurship, streaming, and culture to the people redefining success on their own terms, Back In The Game delivers authentic conversations that inspire you to get back in the game.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:52:16 GMTFri, 17 Jul 2026 01:59:41 GMT60Back In The Game Retro (Fresh C)<p><b>Back In The Game</b> is where comeback stories come to life. Hosted by <b>Fresh C</b> (aka <b>Back In The Game Retro</b>)—a world-record retro gamer, streamer, Billboard-charting musician, music producer, former firefighter, EMT, coach, and teacher—each episode dives into the resilience, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shape extraordinary journeys. From gaming, music, entrepreneurship, streaming, and culture to the people redefining success on their own terms, <b>Back In The Game</b> delivers authentic conversations that inspire you to get back in the game.</p>episodicBack In The Game Retro (Fresh C)backinthegameretro@gmail.comyes<![CDATA[Episode 6: World Records, Donkey Kong Country, Expos & Life on the Road with Hunter P.]]>Hunter P. joins us for a conversation covering world-record gaming, Donkey Kong Country, retro gaming expos, and the competitive side of classic gaming. We also talk about life on the road as a trucker, the challenges of balancing work and gaming, and the experiences that keep him pushing forward both in gaming and in life.

]]>205ec15e-0920-4d83-818f-5216410da263Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:34:57 GMT<p>Hunter P. joins us for a conversation covering world-record gaming, Donkey Kong Country, retro gaming expos, and the competitive side of classic gaming. We also talk about life on the road as a trucker, the challenges of balancing work and gaming, and the experiences that keep him pushing forward both in gaming and in life.</p>no00:58:0316Episode 6: World Records, Donkey Kong Country, Expos & Life on the Road with Hunter P.full<![CDATA[Episode 5: Roots, Roasts, and the Come-Up—With Good Bean Coffee Roasters]]>On Episode 5 of the Back In The Game Podcast, we sit down with Michael from Good Bean Coffee Roasters for a deeply personal and unfiltered look at the long road of entrepreneurship and resilience.

We take it all the way back to our upbringing, reminiscing on pioneering the local music scene together over a decade ago with The Boombox, hosting Freestyle Fridays, and grinding through the culture's early days.

Michael gets candid about overcoming heavy obstacles like past drug problems, channeling that survival instinct into relentless drive, and building Good Bean Coffee Roasters from the ground up into what it is today.

Tune in for a powerful conversation about brotherhood, beating the odds, and how two old friends are back at it—shaping the future as neighboring businesses.

]]>75c899ce-8825-4598-87a8-aaf8e3697235Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:49:48 GMT<p>On Episode 5 of the <i>Back In The Game Podcast</i>, we sit down with Michael from Good Bean Coffee Roasters for a deeply personal and unfiltered look at the long road of entrepreneurship and resilience. </p><p></p><p>We take it all the way back to our upbringing, reminiscing on pioneering the local music scene together over a decade ago with The Boombox, hosting Freestyle Fridays, and grinding through the culture's early days.</p><p>Michael gets candid about overcoming heavy obstacles like past drug problems, channeling that survival instinct into relentless drive, and building Good Bean Coffee Roasters from the ground up into what it is today. </p><p></p><p>Tune in for a powerful conversation about brotherhood, beating the odds, and how two old friends are back at it—shaping the future as neighboring businesses.</p>yes02:52:5015Episode 5: Roots, Roasts, and the Come-Up—With Good Bean Coffee Roastersfull<![CDATA[Episode 4: The Newcomer—With Esther]]>On this episode of Back In The Game, Fresh C connects with Esther for a deep dive into the unpredictable journey of being a modern creator. They get into the grit of becoming a new artist, managing health and diabetes while chasing big goals, and the unexpected twists of building a creative brand in unexpected spaces like lingerie. Tune in for a raw, authentic conversation about passion, perseverance, and staying true to the craft.

]]>9937e1f0-22b2-4cab-9ac4-1fc94c7d5321Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:30:37 GMT<p>On this episode of <i>Back In The Game</i>, Fresh C connects with Esther for a deep dive into the unpredictable journey of being a modern creator. They get into the grit of becoming a new artist, managing health and diabetes while chasing big goals, and the unexpected twists of building a creative brand in unexpected spaces like lingerie. Tune in for a raw, authentic conversation about passion, perseverance, and staying true to the craft.</p>yes00:46:1114Episode 4: The Newcomer—With Estherfull<![CDATA[ Episode 3: Holy Grail of Nintendo – Dorion Whitlock's Power Fest Story]]>In Episode 3, we sit down with Dorion Whitlock, a 1994 Nintendo PowerFest finalist and the owner of one of the rarest video game cartridges ever made. We dive into his unforgettable PowerFest experience, the incredible story of finding the legendary Nintendo World Championships '94 competition cartridge and what it's like owning one of the most sought-after pieces of gaming history.

]]>1ae66ed2-3aa4-4520-ba9f-fb967fea1d49Sat, 08 Aug 2026 05:46:39 GMT<p>In Episode 3, we sit down with Dorion Whitlock, a 1994 Nintendo PowerFest finalist and the owner of one of the rarest video game cartridges ever made. We dive into his unforgettable PowerFest experience, the incredible story of finding the legendary Nintendo World Championships '94 competition cartridge and what it's like owning one of the most sought-after pieces of gaming history.</p>yes02:02:2813 Episode 3: Holy Grail of Nintendo – Dorion Whitlock's Power Fest Storyfull<![CDATA[Episode 2: Weekend Rentals, Game Studies & with Dr. Chris of Makopowered Gaming]]>Join us for Episode 2 as we sit down with Dr. Chris of Makopowered Gaming, a Game Studies PhD, university instructor, researcher, and content creator. We explore the nostalgia of weekend video store rentals, overlooked retro games that deserve another look, and how game studies offers a deeper understanding of the classics we grew up playing. It's a conversation filled with gaming history, hidden gems, and a fresh perspective on the games that shaped a generation.

]]>aec53592-c99a-4633-8a50-dfdcacd917b1Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:55:12 GMT<p>Join us for Episode 2 as we sit down with Dr. Chris of Makopowered Gaming, a Game Studies PhD, university instructor, researcher, and content creator. We explore the nostalgia of weekend video store rentals, overlooked retro games that deserve another look, and how game studies offers a deeper understanding of the classics we grew up playing. It's a conversation filled with gaming history, hidden gems, and a fresh perspective on the games that shaped a generation.</p><p></p>no02:52:0212Episode 2: Weekend Rentals, Game Studies & with Dr. Chris of Makopowered Gamingfull<![CDATA[Back In The Game Ep. 1: Evercade, Vinyl & The Love of Retro Gaming with Carl Skiles]]>What happens when a lifelong retro gamer, former U.S. Marine, and passionate Evercade collector sits down to tell his story?

In Episode 1 of Back In The Game, Carl Skiles shares the moments that shaped his journey—from the 1983 video game crash and the golden age of arcades to the nostalgia that fuels Evercade today. We also dive into how military service changed the course of his life, the games that left a lasting impact, unforgettable Pac-Man memories, and the experiences that continue to define his love for retro gaming.

This isn't just a conversation about games—it's a story about resilience, nostalgia, and why the classics still matter.

This is how Carl got Back In The Game.

]]>e18ee3ba-d30d-4c1f-a47a-757666aac214Sat, 18 Jul 2026 01:25:32 GMT<p>What happens when a lifelong retro gamer, former U.S. Marine, and passionate Evercade collector sits down to tell his story?</p><p>In Episode 1 of <i>Back In The Game</i>, Carl Skiles shares the moments that shaped his journey—from the 1983 video game crash and the golden age of arcades to the nostalgia that fuels Evercade today. We also dive into how military service changed the course of his life, the games that left a lasting impact, unforgettable Pac-Man memories, and the experiences that continue to define his love for retro gaming.</p><p>This isn't just a conversation about games—it's a story about resilience, nostalgia, and why the classics still matter.</p><p><b>This is how Carl got Back In The Game.</b></p>yes01:22:1311Back In The Game Ep. 1: Evercade, Vinyl & The Love of Retro Gaming with Carl Skilesfull