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It’s the final episode of SMYN. Also, maybe some Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain? But mostly, things get emotional, as guests from Show Me Your News’ past stop by to thank Peter “Youko” Spezia and wish him well in future endeavors.

Stay up to date with what Peter does next: @smynyouko

LINK TO CONTENT POST

I never thought I would have to make this kind of post. And yet, here it is.

My friends, I believe “Show Me Your News” is at an end. I’m probably the last one to realize it, but the SMYN brand lost its relevance long ago, and I’ve been far, FAR too stubborn to let it go. Perhaps its because I’ve tied my identity with it for so long. After all, the show started in 2007! Unfortunately, it feels crushing that I’ve come to this decision, and yet, it’s the correct one. We continued too long because of a “legacy” in name only and overstayed our welcome. Because, sadly, the writing has been on the wall for quite a while now.

The fact is, I’m more burned out than ever before, with all of the shows that I work on. I keep putting more work into heavily editing individual episodes and for what? A show that has lasted eight years should be the way it currently is. I think I’ve hit a breaking point where it cuts through my biased perspective, to where I realize that SMYN used to be something great. I like to think that the content today is still good, at least. But the current format so totally different from what it used to be, that the name betrays it, in a way. We don’t bring anything new to the table anymore – just another gaming news podcast – and that’s not what I want to do anymore. I don’t think audio podcasts work anymore like they used to in 2007, and most importantly, I want to do something different, as far as online media goes. I don’t feel motivated to keep pushing SMYN forward and would rather start fresh with something new.

But more importantly, I just need a break. I need to work on my personal life, to get rejuvenated before I can return to the online media game. I just got married, which is important to get off to a strong start. I need to finally get the monkey that is my master’s graduate thesis off my back. I need to focus on my personal health, which has significantly slacked over the last couple of years.

When I presented this idea to the SMYN Network staff, the feedback was overwhelming.

“You’ve been running this operation for eight years, giving it your all.”
“Even if it was pure stubbornness driving you through, you did something that not everyone can manage.”
“You’ve done so much for us and for the show, for the network, for everything. No one could ever question that. I think you need to take some time to recharge.”
“When dealing with web content, the right time to stop is when it stops being enjoyable for you to make it, and I definitely think this applies.”
“It felt like you had to try so hard to bring yourself to normal that it tuckered you out so much faster.”

So, I would like to announce the details of a livestream for the FINAL EPISODE of Show Me Your News…

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30th
3 PM ET (12 PM PT, 19:00 GMT)
http://twitch.tv/smynnetwork

If you would like to contribute something to this last hurrah by sending us something (audio, video, etc.) to help commemorate the show, please contact TheDobaga by this Friday. You can reach him on Twitter @thedobaga and email him at jdevader1(AT)gmail.

I can’t help but THANK YOU ALL so much for everything you have done for me over all these years. Podcasting literally changed my life, which sounds so strange to those who don’t involve themselves with online media, but I know it to be true. I made so many friends that I will have for the rest of my life. I was presented with opportunities that I will treasure for a very long time. Some of you were even gracious enough to contribute your hard-earned money towards our growth and I’m so thankful for that. Most of all, on a personal level for me, I met the love of life who I am now proud to call my wife. Your feedback and input has meant a great deal to me and I can only hope that we can continue to stay in contact with each other. I have much more to say about gaming and life going forward, but first, I must refocus my efforts and continue after this break with a ferocious fervor.

Now, I’m not shutting showmeyournews.com today or anything – far from it. I think it should stay running for quite a while, for people to access the content and not have it be lost to the archives of the Internet.

I hope you all understand where I’m coming from with this. That there comes a time where we have to realize that something isn’t working and clinging to an already-dead brand doesn’t help things at all.

As I said earlier, though, this isn’t the end of our activities online. If you want to keep in touch with what’s going on in my life, please feel free to follow my activities and thoughts on Twitter at @smynyouko. Please let me know if you have any questions.

You will see me again, likely sooner than you will realize.

“No matter how bleak everything might seem, and how real the burnout is, something was done very right. It’s worth exploring why.”

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