The What

The ElevatedXOtaku Podcast is a passion project born from the desire to merge the worlds of anime and self-improvement in a way that's both informative and fun. In each episode we'll cover topics like, “An Otaku's Guide to Making Friends”, “How to Discover Your Passion”, or “Anime Convention Etiquette” while pairing each lesson with bingeable anime recommendations.

The Why

Real fans know that anime is more than just “Japanese cartoons”. Through its complex characters, harrowing adventures, and impactful messages, so many of us have embraced it as an escape from life's worries. But the thing that truly makes anime special, is that it's not just all about escapism. The lessons we learn from episode to episode can help us gain comfort, spark motivation, and build a community that actively helps us grow and prepare for the real world.

And that's where the ExO podcast comes in!

Just like the medium we're inspired by, the ExO podcast exists to make your life...better! It was initially created to dig through the millions of episodes of anime out there to find nuggets of inspiration that you can apply to your everyday life, but now it is evolving into a positive and supportive community. Whether you're struggling with self-esteem, wanting to learn how to get out of your comfort zone, searching for yourself, or wanting to connect with others, the ElevatedXOtaku is here for you with years of study, firsthand experience, and a dash of comedy to keep the mood light and goofy.

The Who

Hi, there! My name is Tiffany, and I'll be your host during these audio adventures. I'm guessing this is the part where I should stare off into the distance to trigger a flashback scene…

~ ~

~ ~

~ ~

~ ~

My love of anime first started before I even knew what anime was, with a Miyazaki film called Kiki's Delivery Service. As a little girl I didn't know the difference between that movie and “regular cartoons.” But looking back after all these years, I can honestly say that that movie was one of the few “cartoons” that actually stuck with me. At that age, I wouldn't have been able to articulate that it was the deeper messages of pushing through self-doubt that tugged at my heart. I didn't have life experience to understand that it was the uplifting story about a character forcing herself to be brave when she was frozen in place that made this movie special. Back then, all I knew was that it was pretty, it made me cry, it made me laugh, and it made me feel like I, too, could fly! (A theory that young Tiffany quickly disproved by jumping off of the couch on a broom and splitting her lip on a coffee table). I may not have understood exactly why that particular movie stood out, but I knew that from then on whenever I saw cartoons in that art style I just HAD to watch them!

Time skip to me continuing on my anime journey and learning about things like the strength of “girl power” from Sailor Moon, the art of perseverance from Pokémon, and how to be a total badass from Dragon Ball Z. And as I continued to grow up and experienced new joys, new struggles, and new challenges in life, anime was right there – growing alongside me; With shows like Cowboy Bebop, Fruits Basket, and Full Metal Alchemist helping to give me a framework and an outlet for understanding and dealing with the unfamiliar territory of maturing.

And that brings us to present day Tiffany! I stand (sit) before you now, a fully formed otaku with 100+ anime under my belt, and the values that each one of those shows has taught me. Values like patience (…I'm still perfecting that one), humility, friendship, determination, and above all else - the desire to help people. Hence, the reason for the ExO podcast and ExO community. The thing that makes me happiest in life is knowing that I've helped, entertained, or made a difference in the lives of others – especially those who, like me, may have been ostracized, shut out, or looked down on. I've accumulated a lot of knowledge throughout my studies in psychology, diving head first into life, and picking myself up again and again as I set out to explore this world and everything it has to offer. The least I can do is to share that knowledge in hopes that it helps even one other person while they're on their hero's journey.

If you want to become a part of this growing community of freaks, geeks, and weebs subscribe to the podcast, follow me on my socials, or just pop in and say hi!