Dear Postcards from Pearl!
Maybe you didn’t know this but it is the anniversary for your podcast! Well, it is kind of late because I am totally sure it was back in June. But you know how it is. Time flies when you are having fun! And you sure have been having lots of fun!
After all, you are a tabletop Pokemon podcast that is run by Jonah. He comes up with the story and the land of Kinoko. Also, let’s not forget the characters! It is amazing with how you are able to make your own original characters but fit in some named after your own fans.
And how can I forget about Sarah who plays Pearl! She is such a fun and great character to follow along in a tabletop campaign. And we are not talking about just Pearl! Sarah is such as creative person and it surely shows when she plays Pearl.
Postcards from Pearl has been on the air for two years now! Did you know that? That is so amazing. Now, for some reason we didn’t get your Top 5 Episodes to celebrate last year. I was certain we did that. Though, we can skip that because we have done an interview with you. (Yeah. You already know that but I am saying this for the readers of this feature.)
So how about we get to this interview for Postcards from Pearl featuring Jonah and Sarah! So see you soon!
Interview Time
Pokemon Crossroads: What made you guys want to start a (Pokemon) tabletop campaign? What was the motivation to make it into a podcast?
Sarah knew a little about Pokemon, but didn’t really grow up with it. So starting a Pokémon tabletop campaign was a great way to share that love in a unique and engaging format! |
PXR: Where did the name “Postcards from Pearl” came from?
PXR: How did the amazing duo of Jonah and Sarah come to be? What is their origin story?
We started hanging out more one-on-one when we were performing opposite each other in a show and started dating soon after. And the rest is history! |
PXR: You (Jonah and Sarah) have made it clear that you are a pair of thespians. What led you guys to such a path?
What really drew me to theatre and hooked me in was doing my school Christmas play in 4th grade – it was called “The X-Mas Files” and it was exactly what it sounds like! Cheesy as it was, I loved performing in it and haven’t ever wanted to do anything else since then! |
PXR: By the sounds of it, Sarah has plenty of “chaotic energy” when getting into the role of Pearl. Part of that comes from her personal experience and other times it is just…Pearl. How much of Pearl is based on Sarah and just “chaotic Pearl energy”.
I guess I would say the vision of the podcast started with Jonah being able to share part of his childhood with me. Little did I know that I was unleashing the rabid inner child in me so that Jonah could experience a small glimpse of the feral creature I was at that age!
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PXR: How does your relationship (Jonah and Sarah) work when creating the tabletop game or what happens during the game?
PXR: You have had many different guests from other Pokemon tabletop podcasts on “Postcards from Pearl”. Who have been some of your favorites?
We are really selective with who we bring on to the show because we care so much, and having guests with the willingness to play and a knowledge of the show they’re coming on is a huge part of that. We’ve been so lucky to have Megan, Adam, and Stew on the podcast, and we hope to see all of their characters come back! |
PXR: Which other Pokemon tabletop podcasters would you like to have on “Postcards from Pearl”?
PXR: Music has been pretty big when it comes to “Postcards from Pearl”. From “TabletopAudio.com for providing the ambient sounds” to whatever songs Sarah improvs on the fly. What goes into the thought process of what music pieces you put into the podcast proper?
There’s a lot of great artists whose music we use, like Braxton Burks, Insaneintherainmusic, GlitchxCity, etc., and those Pokémon remixes and covers are definitely my go-to. But for the moments when the Pokémon music isn’t quite the right fit, I try to take into account the mood and environment and find something that enhances those elements for the listener. Sometimes I’ll even have specific music in mind if I’m planning an encounter! But it is so rewarding to me when I find the song that just “fits!” |
PXR: I know this question has been asked a few times but it is on the mind. It was mentioned early on that Luca was never supposed to join Pearl on her journey. Though, he is now a main stay of Team Pearl with his “Teen Squad”. How has his inclusion to the story affected the story overall and planning?
Since his family has such a big place in the world as celebrities and members/former members of the Pokémon League, it has led to some interesting social interactions that might not have happened if he was more of an in-and-out NPC that mostly showed up when Team Nasty stuff was going on! Plus he’s good at battling, so I have to account for that when planning encounters! |
PXR: One of the things that makes “Postcards from Pearl” special is the inclusion of the listeners and supporters. Examples of this are Holly from Holly’s Honey Hut and Mikey the Haunter (Thanks!). How do you try include all these fans in the story?
So when I’m thinking through listener NPCs for an upcoming area, I check my list and see if there’s any that make sense to show up! And occasionally if I need some inspiration, I’ll take a listener NPC and think through what sort of encounter would be fun to meet them in. |
PXR: What are your opinion of the podcast’s first ten episodes? Do you like them? Anything you wish could have come out differently?
PXR: So where does the stories come from? All the events and paths that Pearl faces in each episode?
I also will draw inspiration from the actual Pokémon games and TV shows and think of stories and events I can put my own twist on. |
PXR: What is your favorite thing about the Pokemon fandom? What about the Pokemon tabletop community?
PXR: Here is a question that I would love to ask all Pokemon tabletop podcasters. What is your thought on an epic “Avengers” style crossover between other Pokemon tabletop podcasts? Maybe not as epic as Endgame but just a crossover.
PXR: What do you enjoy about the podcast’s fans?
PXR: What kind of advice would you give to any of the podcast’s fans who may be interested in podcasting? Either Pokemon or another subject.
PXR: How do you think the podcast has grown since the beginning?
The story itself has grown in scale over time as Pearl has grown as a trainer. We have reached a point where Pearl is transitioning from a novice trainer trying to get some badges to a serious player who has potential to make a large scale impact in the region. |
PXR: Where do you think the podcast will be in another three years?
But in all seriousness I have no idea but a big goal would be to do a live show at some point. |
PXR: What is your favorite podcast memory?
The second battle felt like a culmination of a lot of those ideas and I was so happy with how it played out and that it had such a big payoff for Pearl. |
PXR: Which podcast episode from the last year would you like to recommend to new listeners and why?
This one is just so funny to me and if you haven’t listened before it covers a lot of the need to know characters while also setting you up for what is to come. |
I had also wanted to incorporate Contests for a while so it was very exciting to dive in. We had a blast with the Contest mini arch. So if Pokémon Contests are your jam I highly recommend. |
PXR: Lastly, what would you like to tell to fans of the podcast?
Thank you so much to Jonah and Sarah for taking the time to do this interview with us for the podcast’s two year anniversary. Postcards from Pearl is one of my favorite podcasts. Their podcast is so great and funny. They have been a huge inspiration for the theme of this year’s Pokemon Podcast Appreciation Month. After all, who wouldn’t like to receive a postcard?
Also, a huge thanks and shoutout to @MBurgundyArt from Twitter! They are a huge Postcards from Pearl fan who make plenty of fan art for the show! A lot of their work was featured for this interview. Please make sure to check MBurgundy on Twitter for other pieces of amazing art!
Make sure to follow the podcast on Twitter, Quest Company Junior, by clicking here!
Either way, happy anniversary to Postcards from Pearl! Thank you for the fun at the table, fun for the family!