Tech Girl Talks

🔥 Inside the Life of Esports Broadcast Talent | Veracity & Thorin Discuss CS Broadcasting 🎙️What’s it really like to work as an esports broadcaster in Counter-Strike? 🤔 In this episode, Veracity joins Thorin and me to pull back the curtain on the world of CS broadcasting—from the struggles of staying authentic to handling online hate and imposter syndrome. We also discuss the role of product...

Which "Penny Stock" Pros Lived Up to the Hype? | Sell Me This Pro Season 1 RecapWe've spent Season 1 of Sell Me This Pro scouting the next generation of Counter-Strike talent—but who actually delivered? In this episode, we look back at the players we featured, whether BDog’s “penny stock” picks were worth the investment, and how they performed over time. Did Team Liquid’s gamble on u...

🔥 Bubzkji Returns! Breaking Down NiP’s 2025 Roster w/ Thorin & Tech Girl 🔥 The Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) have rebuilt their Counter-Strike roster for 2025, but will it be enough to compete at the highest level? 🤔 Bubzkji, Thorin, and I dive deep into NiP’s past, present, and future, analyzing key signings like r1nkle, ewjerks, and arrozdoce. We also discuss the impact of Xizt, Snappi’s strugg...

The new Valve Ranking System has shaken up the Counter-Strike competitive scene, especially for Tier 2 teams. In this episode, THREAT from NiP joins myself and Thorin to unpack this complicated system and its impact on players, teams, and tournament organizers. We dive into the mechanics of the ranking points, discuss loopholes, and explore how the system affects smaller teams striving for success...

SELL ME THIS PRO is back, and this time, we're diving into Heroic's bold new 2025 roster! 🕹️🔥When Falcons swooped in and signed Heroic's core roster fresh off their Shanghai success, it raised eyebrows across the Counter-Strike scene. But Heroic's response? Assembling a fresh lineup featuring the SANGAL core along with tn1R and Nilo—and it's already turning heads. In this epis...

In Episode 32 of Feed The Trolls, Thorin and I are joined by launders to dive deep into EliGE signing with FaZe Clan and ropz's departure. How will EliGE’s arrival impact FaZe? What does ropz’s exit mean for the lineup? And can FaZe dominate Vitality heading into 2025? 📅 Recorded on January 17, 2025 Timestamps: 00:00 First thoughts on EliGE to FaZe 10:48 EliGE's "Vibe Check" 18:...

NiKo’s long-rumored move to Team Falcons is finally confirmed, shaking up the Counter-Strike scene! Leaving G2 behind, he steps into a roster crafted by legendary coach zonic—but does this move solidify NiKo’s legacy or is it all about the paycheck? In Episode 31 of Feed The Trolls, Thorin, austincsgo and I unpack everything about this monumental transfer. From G2’s Shanghai Major performance to t...

Feed The Trolls | Surprise Final Episode 2024 | Major, Player of the Year & Team Falcons Welcome to the surprise final episode of Feed The Trolls for 2024! 🎉 In this special wrap-up, we revisit some of our boldest takes from the past 30 episodes and ask: where did we nail it, and where did we miss the mark? Joining us is none other than NER0, and together we tackle everything from the Major t...

Edward Cleland on Player Mindset, CS2 Team Dynamics & Handling Pressure In this episode of Mind Games, I sit down with Edward Cleland, a renowned performance coach who has worked with top CS2 teams like G2 and Team Liquid. Edward shares his approach to helping players focus under pressure, manage online criticism, and navigate the complexities of competitive Counter-Strike. We dive into how he...

What to Expect at the Perfect World Shanghai Major | NAVI, s1mple, m0NESY & More  @Thooorin  and I are joined by Dust (yes, he’s on the desk for the Shanghai Major!) to break down what fans can expect from this highly anticipated Counter-Strike event. From NAVI’s shocking exit to m0NESY’s rumored move to Team Falcons, we cover all the drama, storylines, and predictions leading up to the finals...

Mind Games Ep. 4 | Jack Birtwhistle on Managing Vitality, Zywoo & CS2 Playoff Prep In this episode of Mind Games, I’m joined by Jack Birtwhistle, the performance manager for Team Vitality, fresh off their impressive run to the Perfect World Shanghai Major playoffs. Jack shares his unique journey from rugby to esports and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he supports one of the top Counter...

Astralis, br0, and ESIC’s Weak Ruling: The Fallout The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has ruled on Astralis’ emergency substitution of cadiaN for br0 at the BLAST Fall Finals, and the punishment? Weak, to say the least. With the Major hype dominating the scene, this critical issue risks being swept under the rug. That’s why  @Thooorin  Ne0kai and I dive deep into the ruling, the controversy,...

Mind Games Ep. 3 | Xirreth on Coaching NAVI, CS2 Tournament Prep & Mental ToughnessIn this episode of Mind Games, I’m joined by Xirreth, the performance coach behind NAVI’s incredible 2024 success, including their Copenhagen Major victory. Now preparing for the Perfect World Shanghai Major, NAVI enters as the heavy favorites, and Xirreth shares how preparation evolves under these high-stakes c...

Vitality's shot at the Perfect World Shanghai Major—can they win it all? 🏆  @freyaspierstv  joins  @Thooorin  and me for a deep dive into Team Vitality's roster, strategies, and their potential to claim the next CS:GO Major. From apEX's transfer rumors to Spinx's future, we tackle all the drama and predictions surrounding one of the most exciting teams in Counter-Strike right now. 📅 Recorded on...

Mind Games (the title is a work in progress) is a series of interviews I've done to better understand the mental and physical preparation and struggles which go into playing Counter-Strike at the top level. It's self indulgent but something I really wanted to learn more about. In Episode 1 I talk to Fabian Broich from Achieve Minds. Fabian is a Sports Psychologist but also a player agent. You'll l...

In Episode 26 of Feed The Trolls,  @PimpCS2  joins  @Thooorin  and I as we break down FaZe Clan’s recent struggles in Counter-Strike 2. Once a top contender, FaZe's performance has declined, leaving fans and analysts wondering—what went wrong? We dive into the expectations versus the reality of their 2024 journey, examine Karrigan’s leadership, and explore potential roster moves. Plus, we share pr...

In Episode 25 of Feed The Trolls, I team up with  @Thooorin  and special guest Lurppis for a deep dive into Counter-Strike's evolving relationship with data analytics. We analyze an insightful article by Ner0 on HLTV (Why We're Still Waiting for Counter-Strike's Data Revolution) and discuss how data is transforming the game from player scouting to team dynamics. Join us as we break down: The role...

🎙️ Sell Me This Pro | Fluxo’s Journey in Tier 2 CS 🎙️ In this episode of Sell Me This Pro, co-hosted with  @BDogCS  we dive deep into Brazil’s rising team, Fluxo. We break down their recent performances on LAN, explore their unexpected fall short of the Americas RMRs, and analyze standout players who could redefine their future in Tier 2 CS 👀 Highlights: A deep dive into Fluxo’s lineup dynamics –...

ESL Challenger Katowice Recap & 2025 Predictions: Falcons, Eternal Fire, MIBR, SAW & B8 | Challenged Podcast Finale In the final episode of Challenged for 2024, hosts Sam and  @Darfmike  dive deep into the ESL Challenger event held in Katowice. Join us as we reflect on the emotional highs and lows of notable teams and players, analyze the dynamics within teams like Falcons, Eternal Fire, a...

ESL Challenger Katowice 2024 Preview: S1mple Returns, Team Changes, and Tournament Predictions The final ESL Challenger event of the year, ESL Challenger Katowice 2024, is here, bringing some of the best Counter-Strike teams to compete on LAN. In this video, we break down the event with in-depth previews of the teams, group seedings, and key storylines. Join me and  @Darfmike  as we analyze the hi...

In this episode of Feed The Trolls, we’re diving into the latest drama surrounding Tier 2 Counter-Strike.  @Thooorin  and I are joined by teddcs to discuss a range of hot topics, including the 2025 open circuit changes for competitive CS and their impact on smaller, financially struggling teams. We also delve into the BLEED/Unpaid scandal, Kassad’s unexpected financial involvement, the rise (and p...

In this episode of Sell Me This Pro,  @BDogCS  and I dive deep into the evolving UK Counter-Strike scene, spotlighting the journey of rising star Gizmy. We break down the challenges faced by UK players, the significant strides made by the Monte Gen team, and what it takes to succeed in tier 2 and 3 esports. With insights into Gizmy's role as an in-game leader (IGL), we discuss how his leadership i...

ESL Challenger Atlanta Recap: FlyQuest’s Stunning Victory, M80's Stumble & SAW Drama Recorded 10 October (before Berry announced he was leaving SAW) In this episode of CHALLENGED,  @Darfmike  and I dive deep into the biggest highlights and surprises from ESL Challenger Atlanta! We break down FlyQuest’s unexpected triumph, M80’s disappointing performance on home soil, and the shocking developme...

Apologies for my mic quality - I was recording on the road! In this episode of Feed The Trolls, I sit down with Anders and  @Thooorin  for a real, no-holds-barred chat about life as an esports commentator. We dive into the good, the bad, and the ugly—like dealing with online criticism, the mental strain of being in the public eye, and how to handle friendships and competition in such a high-pressu...

The Falcons’ Entry into CS2: Roster Moves, S1mple, and Competitive Impact | Counter-Strike Podcast Recorded 25 September 2024 Join  @Thooorin   @KingT_CS2  and me as we dive deep into the Falcons’ entry into Counter-Strike 2 (CS2). We break down their ambitious roster plans, player salaries, and how key decisions could shape the future of their team. We discuss how the Falcons’ influence compares...