Pikachu Pays for the Gas… Almost! TechtalkRadio Episode 494
A new RV, a rare Pokémon card, a long-awaited unboxing, and an ocean liner with a personal connection—this week’s TechtalkRadio takes Andy Taylor, Justin Lemme, and Shawn DeWeerd from the open road to the open sea.
Justin returns with the story behind his family’s RV purchase, including how he used AI to create an inspection checklist before taking the plunge. Finding the right motorhome was only the beginning: registration fees brought some sticker shock, low-hanging obstacles introduced a driving lesson, and a stop at the gas station demonstrated just how little $50 can move the fuel gauge. Shawn shares advice as the conversation turns to first-trip plans, boondocking, and the technology inside Justin’s new home on wheels.
Fortunately, Justin and his son Eric also had a shopping trip with a much smaller purchase—and a potentially exciting payoff. A Pokémon card bundle from Costco yielded a rare Pikachu card, prompting a visit to a local card shop and plans for professional grading. Justin explains how he used Grok to help identify the card, while the guys discuss using AI to learn more about collectibles hiding in plain sight. Could Pikachu cover a few fill-ups? That depends on the grade—and what a buyer is willing to pay!
Shawn finally gets to open his Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2, giving viewers a look at the packaging, dock, Joy-Cons, console, and matching Pro Controller. Along the way, he shares why The Legend of Zelda has been part of his life since childhood, including memories of his mom playing the original game and drawing her own maps. It’s an unboxing with plenty of nostalgia—and anticipation for getting back into Hyrule. See the Unboxing in our Video for this Week!
Then, KOLD News 13 and KMSB FOX 11 anchor Tyler Butler joins Andy to discuss his transportation podcast, Wheels, Wings, and Rails. Their conversation centers on the SS United States and plans to transform the historic ocean liner into an artificial reef. For Andy, the ship is part of his family’s story: they traveled aboard it to America in 1964.
Tyler shares his passion for the ship, reflects on efforts to preserve it, and discusses the artifacts being saved and his plans to cover its departure. The conversation also explores 3D-printed ocean liner models, his 20 years of DeLorean ownership, and memories of the Back to the Future filming location at Puente Hills Mall.
Kevin McCarthy and Lionel Jeffries
To wrap things up, a listener’s question about preparing for Grand Theft Auto VI gets the guys talking about PlayStation and Xbox storage expansion, large downloads, and the anticipation surrounding major game launches.
Watch or listen to Episode 494 of TechtalkRadio, “Pikachu Pays for the Gas… Almost!” And if you’ve ever found an unexpected treasure in a pack of cards—or discovered what it costs to fill an RV—we’d love to hear your story!
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