June 20, 2025 • 28 mins
She thought her Pokémon days were over…until a Cleffa figurine and a Facebook page brought it all back, and this time, she wasn’t alone.
The creator of Cleffa Doing Stuff shares how a lost childhood collection, a supportive partner, and a tiny fairy Pokémon helped her rediscover joy through the Pokemon TCG, social media storytelling, and the magic of everyday moments. From pink sleeves to plush-filled memories, it’s a journey that proves there’s no wrong way to be a fan and no dream too small to matter. Whether you’re into card collecting, daily nostalgia scrolls, or Pokémon-inspired creativity, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Listen now and rediscover what it means to belong, one Cleffa photo at a time.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (00:00):
I'm Cleffa Doing Stuff and this is my
Pokemon story.
David Hernandez (00:42):
Welcome to As The Pokeball Turns where every
voice, every journey, and everymemory brings us closer to the
world of Pokemon.
I'm David Hernandez and I'mjoined by the creator of one of
the most wholesome corners ofthe Pokemon fandom.
The voice behind Cleffa DoingStuff.
Brittany, welcome to Ask thePokemon Turns.
Thank you for coming on theshow.
Thank
Cleffa Doing Stuff (01:01):
Thank you for you me.
I'm very excited to be here andtalking about.
Cleffa Doing Stuff.
David Hernandez (01:07):
I'm Too, and actually remember, I think I
remember you just starting, itwas back in December of 2024.
I'm like, this is such a coolidea because back when I was
trying to figure out my voicefor content creation.
I was actually had this idea ofkinda what you just did, but
with Plushies to where I wouldtake a plushie and just take
like random photos and just takepictures like just like what
you're doing.
And I just found it like justkind of touching to see you
(01:29):
starting this.
And I just been such a fan ofwhat you do ever since.
And I kind of wanted to startwith this question.
So what was the very first thingthat Cleffa ever did and how did
you kind of decide that thistiny Pokemon needed a whole
Facebook page of adventures?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (01:46):
Oh my.
Well, That's a great Uh, thefirst The first thing.
Cleffa ever really did is Cleffasat on top of a lamp, for her
profile picture.
Just, a little picture of, her,lit up with better lighting
than, you know.
I, Had back then.
But, I came up with Cleffa DoingStuff because we had all these
Pokemon figurines and, I'm justa fan of Cleffa.
(02:08):
I love the Pokemon.
She's so cute.
She's a baby, of course.
So you, you've gotta love,little Baby Pokemon.
And I thought, well, wouldn't itbe cool if I just took her to
different places, saw differentthings, had her do different
activities.
And, apparently other peoplelove that too.
So I just, it kind of startedwith just an idea of what if,
and I tried it to see where itwould go.
David Hernandez (02:27):
Did you ever expect the many people to, I
guess, be engaged as much whenit comes to Cleffa?
Like just a small figurine, justgoing around the world, kind of
seeing its own thing?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (02:36):
I definitely didn't.
I thought that the idea was cuteand that other people would like
it, but I have grown a lot in ashort amount of time.
I think I, I'm almost at 1400followers, so for six months,
that's like.
Huge.
and I think really it's just, Iattribute it to a lot of things
like Cleffa is cute, it'swholesome.
you know, I think people canreally connect and enjoy that
(02:58):
content.
And just the simplicities ofwhat she does are day-to-day
tasks, you know, whether it belaundry or brushing your teeth.
So I think everybody can relateto it.
And it's a cute thing too.
So it really did just take off.
but I was not expecting theamount of turnout that there has
been.
David Hernandez (03:13):
is Cleffa your favorite Pokemon, and if so,
kind of what solidified it?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (03:17):
So Cleffa?
Yeah, say she's got, I mean,she's gotta be my favorite
Pokemon, right?
I've got a whole pagesurrounding her.
So.
David Hernandez (03:24):
a little bit of a fan maybe.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (03:26):
Yeah, exactly.
And, but there's I think thatthat into that so my, original
experience with Pokemon, isactually a little bit different
than other people.
When I started out in elementaryschool, I collected some cards
and it was cute.
You know, I mostly liked theart.
It was exciting.
and then, I went through a moveand my mom said that the cards
got lost in the move and.
David Hernandez (03:48):
oh my gosh.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (03:49):
Yeah, I was devastated.
but after that, like I was astubborn kid.
So after that happened I waslike, no, I'm not gonna have
anything to do with Pokemonanymore.
So I didn't pick it up until,you know, just a few years ago,
when I got with my currentpartner and he runs a Facebook
page too.
and so.
he's kind of really what sparkedmy, hobby now with Pokemon and
(04:09):
my interest into it again, whichis interesting later in life.
but related back to Clefairy andhow that came about is the The
very thing that he and I didtogether, was create decks to
play the TCG together.
and there's a lot powerful decksout there you can see like
what's competitive.
but I wanted something that wascute and that I felt really
matched my aesthetic and was me.
And as we explored options, whatwe settled on was building a
(04:32):
Clefairy deck.
Uh, so, so yeah, that was myfirst, uh, TCG deck and my My
favorite one.
it.
Themed, like, my dice are pink,I've got purple sleeves.
So it's like a very cute, likegirly aesthetic deck, you know.
But I really found a love forher through playing that deck,
because I just really connectedwith it.
It was my first significantexperience with Pokemon ever
(04:53):
since I was a kid.
So, you know, Cleffa's justcuter version of Clefairy, so
you can't not love
David Hernandez (04:59):
Do you remember, I guess, how it felt
to lose your collection back inthe day?
'cause it's almost sounds likeyour mom said they lost it.
Almost like when your parentssay, oh, the hamster escaped.
You know, and it part secretlygot, uh, smushed or something,
you know, something terriblehappened to it.
Did it kinda leave somethingdeeper that you kinda left
behind that made you not wannago back initially?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (05:17):
Yeah, I mean, also I'm not even sure She
said it got lost.
I don't know if it was lost orsold.
My mom did that's what I'msaying.
Yeah.
You know, it could be littlequotation marks around that.
So, yeah, yeah, I.
I was just a belligerent kidmaybe at times, and it was like
outta stubbornness.
I was like, no, you know, I feltlike I was slighted, so I just
got frustrated and was like, no,I'm not gonna mess with this
(05:38):
anymore.
So, little did I know how much Iwas missing out on, but you
know, it's never too late topick up the franchise.
And I think that's somethingthat's special about it because
it really does appeal to awider, range of ages and people
with different life experiences.
So it's.
Fortunate that I could pick itup later in life.
but Definitely a little saltyabout that.
David Hernandez (05:58):
there's another Charizard I'm sure in that
collection that's probably whereit all went.
It's always a Charizardcollected wherever something
cards go missing or they getsold or whatever you call it.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (06:07):
Yeah, it could be, remember remember they
were.
bi, like a little binder almost.
It had like a class, but it wasred.
think, I think that it, it musthave had Charmander on the
front.
Probably.
I remember it remember vividly.
But you know who, where it went.
We'll, we'll never know.
David Hernandez (06:22):
now you mentioned your partner, he also
runs a Facebook page, I thinkit's called Mr.
Zigzagoon, now he helped youbring back Pokemon, you know,
later on in life.
What was that moment like fory'all?
Not only as, I guess a couple,but also for you to kind of
relive.
I guess maybe the childhood thatkind of left a scarf for a bit
and reconnecting with somethingthat you kind of once left
behind.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (06:40):
so, my partner, Mr.
Zigzagoon, I would say, whereas,you know, I'm just getting back
into this in recent years, hehas been a diehard fan since he
was a kid.
some people collect here andthere, he is an extreme
collector.
So there was no way that we weregonna have a relationship in
Pokemon, not be a part of it.
We now live together.
Our home is like a museum of allsorts of Pokemon stuff.
(07:04):
Um, So I think at at first it.
overwhelming because I'm like,man, his favorite thing as a
franchise that, like, I know of,of course, because everybody
knows Pokemon, but I'm not anexpert.
So I think.
I felt a little intimidated.
I felt a little bad that Ididn't know more about it.
But what I found as like both asa partner and as someone who's
into Pokemon, he's beenincredibly supportive.
(07:24):
He's never made me feel bad forwhat I do or don't know.
He's just excited to like, seeme enjoy it.
I think for him, like it's likegetting to see someone, you
know, uh, experience thesethings for the first time again.
So, it's been really rewardingin that way and a fun way to
bond.
And I would say that it's.
Collective of the Pokemoncommunity as a whole, because I
really haven't had thatexperience where anybody's ever,
(07:46):
you know, treated me Badly oropinions for me, getting into it
later in life, like everybody'sjust been warm and welcoming and
they're happy to see otherpeople enjoying Pokemon.
David Hernandez (07:54):
that's amazing to see.
'cause sometimes some Pokemonfans, at least online, they kind
of have this snobby attitudeslike, how do you not know this?
Like they have an assumption.
That you should know this stuff,but for you, and you even told
me before we scheduled thisinterview that, Hey, I don't
know much about Pokemon.
You're very upfront about it.
did having that, I guess, sourceof comfort or source of
solidarity with your partnerkind of help you engage with
(08:16):
Pokemon A lot better?
You think?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (08:18):
Yeah, I definitely think so because
having somebody life that it'slike you're not afraid to ask
them something, makes you feelmore confident.
And he, he never would judge me.
You know, we would laughsometimes.
he would show me a Pokemon andbe like, which one is this?
And I'd be like, uh, I don'tknow.
So that, that was fun, but itwas never it was never mean.
And he was just excited to seeme grow and learn.
(08:40):
And I think that's part of, too,what, what gave me confidence.
I think that, It's a bit gutsyto start a page about something
that like, you know, I.
like decades of experience likemy partner does, but you know,
to, to start a page surroundinga Pokemon is like a little bit
intimidating in that way, butI've learned so much.
Everybody's been supportive andit's okay'cause we're all at
different places with it.
(09:01):
And I found that like, somepeople know about the TCG, some
people only play the videogames.
Some people just like thembecause they're cute.
And I think all of those areequally valid.
David Hernandez (09:09):
I agree because for me, like you know, I've had
Pokemon my whole life.
You know, I've grew up with thetype change.
I grew up with the history, butthere's a lot of parts of
Pokemon that I'm not even sureabout.
I couldn't tell you aboutPokemon sleep.
I can't even tell you aboutPokemon Mystery Dungeon.
I couldn't tell you about thePokemon Anime now because.
I just haven't kept up with it.
I'm one man with 24 hours andunfortunately I don't have that
much time,
Cleffa Doing Stuff (09:30):
Right.
David Hernandez (09:31):
I guess that's kind of keeps us grounded to
where like there's always gonnabe something in this franchise
that you're not gonna know,whether you're a hardcore fan or
whether you're somebody who'sstarting out or one, maybe
somebody who's just a casual,whichever level you fall in,
there's always gonna besomething you don't know.
But that's kind of the beauty ofPokemon.
If you are welcome to that notnuance newcomer, I guess, type
of mentality.
There's always something tolearn.
To me, it's kinda almost likelife in a way.
(09:53):
Yeah,
Cleffa Doing Stuff (09:53):
Yeah, it is.
And, and I think that that'sbeen really nice with my page
too.
I think everybody can engage andidentify with Cleffa Doing
Stuff, because there's reallynot any barriers to relating
with it and just appreciatingthe cute, you know, scenes and,
and content that I put out.
So it's been nice and I feellike I've gotten to connect with
Pokemon fans from all of thosedifferent facets in all All
(10:15):
walks place.
So enjoyed that.
David Hernandez (10:17):
now you described your home as a Pokemon
museum, so I'm thinking likePokemon everywhere, like a
Pokemon poster.
You got Pokemon toilet paper,Pokemon towels, you know, the
whole works maybe.
And I want to know like is thereanything from that collection
that you have that kind ofsticks with you or something
that you have like fondness for?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (10:34):
Oh my goodness.
So I love all my stuff.
it's all really enjoyable tolook at.
I would say one of the funniestand, and things that I love the
most is that we've started the,the Squish Melow collection
since they put out all these,Pokemon Squish melow, which
David Hernandez (10:48):
Oh, they're so adorable.
Yeah.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (10:50):
Yeah, I, I love them.
They're so soft and comfy and Iwas a Squishmellow fan before I
got into Pokemon, so that wasperfect.
as a segue,'cause it's like, oh,great.
I love, anyway.
And now they have Pokemon, sofavorite is I have, I don't know
what the size is exactly, butit's like the largest size of
the Clefairy and remember goingto the store and I took a
picture.
I put Clefairy in the front seatand I buckled her in and I sent
(11:12):
a picture to Mr.
Zigzagoon, and I was like.
We've got a new family member,so she, she now hangs out and
she's, ginormous.
But I've got like, the big, themedium and the small of the
Clefairy squish melow.
So that's probably my favoriteone, just for the, the, the
funny moment of bringing herhome and she takes up a whole
car seat.
So it's pretty, it's prettyridiculous is
David Hernandez (11:32):
He actually remind me of a friend I have.
Who she has like this bigGlaceon plushie.
You know, she loves Eevee andshe has this big Glaceon, I
think it was like from a caravanor something like that, I can't
remember exactly.
And she always sends pictures ofher kind of holding it almost
like it's her own partnerPokemon.
And I think that's kind of thecool part about seeing like the
big plushies and the squishmeows'cause.
(11:52):
I don't know.
It's just like having the sizeand it makes the Pokemon feel
kind of real, almost like anactual partner, even though you
know it's a stuffed animal oryou know, whatever you want,
stuffed plushy or whatever youwanna call it.
it's almost like comfort in away.
You know?
I.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (12:03):
I definitely feel that way too.
And with running the CleffaDoing Stuff page, the focus is
mostly on original content of,you know, my little Cleffa
figurine in different placesdoing different things.
And so because of that, I've gotmultiple of her.
There's more than one and onealways comes with me in my
purse.
So I always have a Cleffa on me.
David Hernandez (12:22):
Oh.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (12:23):
That we're always waiting for an
opportunity because you neverknow when you're gonna be out
and about and there's like, Hey,that, that would be great for a
picture.
Like it'd be cool to have her dothat.
So, I do feel like a kinshipwith her because she goes
everywhere with me.
I always have a Cleffa andreach, and so it's been really
cute.
I really treasure her, eventhough I've got multiple copies,
you know, it's one Cleffa.
David Hernandez (12:42):
Well, what I love is you kind of give Cleffa
kind of its own personality, andI don't know if maybe it's yours
mirroring into the Cleffa or youkind of make it to yourself.
But like, how do you decide.
What adventure Cleffa is gonnado next?
Is it based on your own life,pure imagination or faint
suggestions?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (12:56):
Yeah, I would say it it is based a lot
around my own life.
you know, I work a regularfull-time job and have other
commitments.
So, for me, a lot of the timesit's just opportunity strikes
and I'm like, oh, this is great.
Now I do have more targetedthings where I'm like, I know I
want to do this with her, soI'll find the props to make it
happen.
but for the most part, CleffaDoing stuff is kind of a.
(13:17):
Reflection of what I'm doing inmy own life at any given time,
which is kind of cool in its ownway too.
It's like a, a little timecapsule in Cleffa form of, of
what I was doing.
David Hernandez (13:26):
Now, since you know, you, you and Cleffa are
kind of, I'll say hand in handin a way, is there any kind
particular moment or any pictureyou took that kind of felt
especially personal for you?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (13:35):
Really, I think just a lot of the, the
early, Cleffa Doing Stuff,pictures are really, special to
me because I was figuring thingsout and how do I wanna do this?
So I think when I very firststarted taking pictures, those
are always gonna be impactful.
And then sometimes I sharepersonal things from my life.
like my grandma passed, and shehad this like little bunny that
she had wanted to be passed downand I had her take a picture
(13:57):
with that.
So sometimes I'll put likelittle sentimental things in
there that really are, you know,personal.
And then sometimes she'll justdo goofy things.
So I think they're all specialto me in the own, in their own
way, but like those, sentimentalones and then the early ones too
are always gonna hold a specialplace in my heart.
David Hernandez (14:12):
I mean, thinking about your grandmother
with the rabbit, I'm sure someof those have probably resonated
with the people who've observedyour page or followed your page.
what are, I guess, some thatstuck out to you that you got
maybe a response you didn'texpect from the people, I on
your page?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (14:24):
So, it, it's interesting the responses that
you get, from the, the viewerson different things and, and
something kind of funny thatjust sort of relates to that is
like sometimes the pictures thatI'm like, oh, this is gonna do
great, this is so cute.
Like, they do fine, but they'renot the response I expect.
And then sometimes I'll.
Snap a picture in like twoseconds and be like, okay, like,
I need something, but it's areally busy day and my life is
(14:46):
hectic.
And then that one will be theone that blows up and like
everybody's going wild about.
So, um, I think usually likethat's the most unexpected where
it's like, man, a lower effortpost ended up, you know, getting
great response.
So, that's where I'm typicallymost taken aback, but I think.
Really the, the place where Iget a lot of engagement is when
(15:06):
I have Cleffa Doing Stuff withother Pokemon figurines or
plushies or things like thatbecause then people get to talk
about like, yeah, that's myfavorite Pokemon, or, you know,
here's my experience with it.
So, I always get a goodresponse, from those.
And I'm interested to hear aboutlike, the personal story and
connection, even if Cleffa is,you know, not their favorite
Pokemon.
David Hernandez (15:25):
You know, I think as creators we all see
that at some point, and I knowI've definitely seen it to where
I work so hard on something fromthe podcast and I'm like, oh,
this is gonna hit hard.
They're gonna feel this.
And I get very little response.
But when it's something I don'teven try or I don't wanna say I
don't try, it's a lot lesseffort that I had to just'cause
I need to get something out.
It resonates with them and Idon't get it.
It's like, do you want me not totry as hard?
(15:48):
Like is that the secret?
Like do I need to be moresimplistic?
I guess.
Because it seems like based onyour experience when you said
something, five seconds that Iguess they like the idea of
something sim simple.
They, they kind of resonatedthat with more than something I
was polished.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (16:02):
Yeah, I think so.
I think it's like important tohave a good mix.
because I, I wanna deliverquality too.
I don't want all my pictures tojust be, you know, thrown
together.
Every once in a while it's gonnabe more of an action shot, like
out and about or something puttogether quick.
But, I think sometimes it's thenature, like usually when it is
a quick shot, it might be like,here's Cleffa with like one of
her favorite foods.
And like, everybody loves totalk about food.
(16:23):
So
David Hernandez (16:23):
Oh my gosh, yes.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (16:25):
So, you know, that's a, that's an easier
piece of content.
But people go nuts'cause theylove to like talk about, my
favorite food or I like thisbrand, but I don't like that
one.
So it's fun to see theconversations that end up
stemming from that.
Hey you.
Yes, you with the ears.
Don't go anywhere.
We'll be right back.
Love hearing real stories fromreal trainers.
(16:47):
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(17:09):
community today.
David Hernandez (17:11):
Now I want to kind of talk about your
experience with Pokemon, becauseI guess more so recent because
you know you're coming back as afan.
What's your way to kind ofengage with a franchise?
Are you more of a trading card?
Do you do video games?
Like how do you engage withPokemon outside of the Cleffa
page?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (17:25):
Yeah, I would say, a few different ways.
like I mentioned, with the TCG,that was really my first
experience as an adult is makingmy TCG deck and playing that,
the Clefairy deck is never goingto win it like a regional or
something, but it was goodenough to beat some people
locally, so I, I enjoyed doingthat.
Um, it's really fun to whooppeople with, A gang of,
(17:46):
Clefairy.
I've got like four in the deck.
So, you know, they're justthrowing punches left and right.
Um, So I, I do like that.
I I live in a very small area,so people to play the TCG with
is a challenge.
so I would say that's, that'sdefinitely what sparked my
interest in it more so, youknow, just day to day I do play
Pokemon Go.
which is is cool because mypartner, despite being expert in
(18:08):
Pokemon everything, he doesn'tplay Pokemon Go.
So I am the expert for that inour house on that piece.
and I think that's like reallyaccessible even in a rural area.
They've added a lot of stops nowtoo.
So there's things that I can do,even living where I do with
Pokemon, go for something onlike a daily basis.
David Hernandez (18:25):
That's amazing.
'cause it's kind of like I say,you kind of divide and conquer,
you know?
Even though you didn't grow upwith Pokemon, I'm just guessing,
he's probably more of the mainseries.
Potentially.
You've got Pokemon Go with youand then you've got also the
TCG, and then he's like, I don'tknow how this works in Pokemon
Go.
You can kind of be the expert inyour own world.
It's like, oh, let me tell youabout how you do this in Pokemon
Go.
This is my world.
Yes.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (18:43):
yes, exactly.
I'm like it for, for once Iactually know something.
And I think it's cool, we alsoare a part of a business that
does, 3D prints.
And as part of that, my partneralso, vens, like selling Pokemon
cards at events.
And so it's really cool to seepeople, you know, come up and
they talk to him about Pokemonand engage, and they'll be like,
this is my Pokemon Go character.
(19:03):
And he'll be like, well.
I don't play it, but she does.
And then we get to talk about ittoo.
So, um, so that's really fun tosee people out and about in the
world, you know, come up andtalk about Pokemon at these
events.
So, I really enjoy that too.
David Hernandez (19:15):
Since you know, you have a familiar Pokemon Go,
I kind wanna dive into theexperience.
What made you wanna startplaying?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (19:21):
Yeah, so I first played it, when it
actually very first came out, Iwas excited.
I was like, oh, this is a coolidea.
This is different.
And I happened to be on vacationat the beach at that time.
And so like, of course there waslike.
There's like a million Pokestopsaround.
David Hernandez (19:35):
Yeah,
Cleffa Doing Stuff (19:35):
of Pokemon.
but then I got home and I waslike, oh man, there is not as
much in my area because again, Ilive rurally.
they've really ramped up likethe amount of stops and gyms
since way back when it, it firststarted, but.
that's when I initially got intoit.
And I think like I just againpicked it up, within the past
few years again, now that I seethat there's like more stops,
(19:56):
it's more accessible.
I had go on some walks with myfriend and, and we look for'em
together.
So that's.
Been, really fun.
So I think just like the fact ofit being, you know, a unique
thing at the time made meinterested in it.
So I always kind of knew itexisted and I had played it here
and there, but now that it's alot more accessible in rural
areas, I think that's reallymotivated me to want to play it
more.
David Hernandez (20:17):
you said the game has become more.
Accessible for people who livein rural areas.
I wanted to know if you can giveyou details, like are you
getting more stops, more gyms,or is it more of, I guess the
stuff they've added, likegameplay within Pokemon Go
that's made the game moreengaging for you living in a
rural area?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (20:32):
Yeah, so.
I live in what, what I wouldcall a one stoplight town.
We have like one, we literallydid just have one stoplight, so,
um, we do not have many people,but I do live in the town and
there are like plenty of gyms.
There are plenty of stops likeyou do at the walk around.
Obviously that's part of it.
but I think I.
nice that even in smaller placesthat there are still stops that
(20:54):
you can go to.
And they added the option tolike schedule your raids.
So like people could gather at agym, you know, at a certain
time, instead of just, you know,people passing by.
So I haven't really got toparticipate in that, but I
thought that's such a cool ideabecause in a place like this,
you know, there's not alwayspeople in one area that are
playing Pokemon Go.
David Hernandez (21:13):
do you have like a huge amount of people who
play or is just primarily youand your partner who play
Pokemon Go?
Yeah,
Cleffa Doing Stuff (21:18):
Yeah, I would I would say like.
my friend and I play Pokemon Go.
I've added, you know, a fewpeople in the community.
Like when I do meet them at thevendor events, they're like, oh,
can I add you so I can sendgifts?
So I've added some people likethat.
So it's mostly for me.
people that I may not know.
Super well, but you know, we, wesend each other gifts and reap
the rewards that way.
(21:38):
So mostly it's just me.
But, you know, No, I, I, uh, tryto, others when I can.
David Hernandez (21:44):
now you've talked a bit about the vendor
events, you know, I thinkbecause you said your partner's
the one who started it, right?
And you just kind of took, nottake along, but you kind of help
'em.
Is that kind of the dynamic?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (21:52):
Yeah.
partner, Mr.
Zigzagoon, he's like co-owner ofthe business, and so I'm there
to like, I'm, I'm there to helpand to be moral support.
David Hernandez (21:59):
Hey, that is such a huge role.
That's important.
'cause it gets tiring being avendor sometimes, you know.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (22:04):
Yes.
Yes.
And especially at busy ones.
And for him selling cards, likethere's a lot more involved in
that because prices fluctuate.
He has to look things up and gothrough.
It's not as simple as beinglike, yeah, I wanna buy this.
Here's the money, buy.
So it helps to have somebodynearby to handle the other
pieces of it.
But I get to, indulge in theexcitement and, and eavesdrop a
little bit too when he's talkingPokemon with somebody.
David Hernandez (22:26):
Well, that's all I wanted to ask because you
know, it's one thing to be aromantic partner, it's another
thing to, you know, to livetogether.
But then it's an entirelydifferent thing to kind of run a
business together.
And I wanted to know, like, hasrunning that business kind of
helped y'all deepen y'all'sconnection more?
Or how has it, I guess, changedit maybe that you didn't have
before?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (22:42):
That's a great question.
I would say it challenges us,but in a positive way, I think
challenge has such a negativeconnotation, but in this case, I
think it pushes us to reallycome up with solutions to
things.
think about like, what could wepromote?
What products can we add?
How can we better cater to thecustomer?
So I think it really just helps.
Us brainstorm and be creative inthose ways.
(23:04):
but honestly two like the waythat he and I both face our
Pokemon pages on Facebook, wekinda see those as a business
too.
you know, as far as just likeanalyzing, like what do people
want, what's gonna be quality?
Like, how do we best serve thepeople that, you know, wanna see
this content?
So, I think we always kind ofhave a little bit of that,
business mindset because wewanna be professional and have
(23:26):
everything nice and as, good ofa, experience for the customer
as possible.
Whether that's like our fans onFacebook or that's people at our
events.
David Hernandez (23:34):
I guess since y'all both approached both
y'all's pages as well as thepersonal business, y'all share
as kind of the same mindset, hasthere anything that you've done
from vending or maybe you'vepicked up from vending that's
kind of helped you with yourCleffa page?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (23:46):
I would say just me as an introvert, that's,
that's what's hard sometimesrunning a page.
Um, and when you're face to facewith person, with a person, that
can sometimes be a littleintimidating, but it helps you
ease into it.
And I increase my knowledge.
The more I learn about thebusiness, the more I learn about
Pokemon.
And that makes me more confidentin my page too.
(24:07):
So I think really for me, it'sjust helping me to come out of
my shell more and more overtime.
And, once you're in that, youreally see it too, that like.
Pokemon's just like a bigcommunity, whether it's people
at the events or on the pages.
So I feel comforted and thatmakes me feel more confident and
like I belong here.
David Hernandez (24:25):
Oh, I love that.
Yeah, I belong here finally,from coming.
Like I'm not too sure if I'mmeant for this to where I belong
here.
It's kind of a very goodtrajectory.
I love it.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (24:34):
Yeah, absolutely.
It feels good.
It feels good to belong.
And I know that like everybodyin the community is supportive
and especially like in theFacebook community too.
I have contact with like a lotof the other face.
Book admins that run Pokemonpages and, they're nothing but
kind like they're, they're greatpeople and everybody just wants
to see everybody else's success,so you'll never find like a more
(24:55):
welcoming group of people.
David Hernandez (24:57):
Now going back to, you know, your Cleffa page,
how does it kind of feel to seesuch a small.
Pokemon help people feel evensmile during the day.
'cause it brightens their daysup sometimes with some of your
posts.
Like how does it feel to kind ofhave that kind of influence?
I would say.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (25:10):
Oh my gosh, it feels so good.
like it, it makes me so happybecause I think there's a lot of
heavy stuff in the world and itcan be a lot, you know, just.
You know, doom scrolling,looking at news.
There's a lot, you know, and,and just everybody's day-to-day
life.
We face a lot of tough things.
And so it's nice to sometimeshave a break and just appreciate
(25:31):
something that's cute or funand, get your mind off of
things.
And so I found that.
To be true of the Cleffa pageand, and being able to find a
place that's just wholesome fun,no drama, just there to, to see
cute things and you know, have alaugh now and then.
And So when I think about theimpact on people's lives.
uh, it really touches me and I'mglad that that can be a little
corner that's like a comfort forthem on the internet.
David Hernandez (25:54):
And you know, Cleffa has already done a lot.
It's had a lot of adventures inthis brief period where you
started your page from sittingon lamps to stealing hearts
online.
What's a dream adventure youwould love to see Cleffa take in
the future?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (26:06):
one of the projects that I do on the Cleffa
page, it's called Choose CleffaAdventures, and it's a series
that I created where I'vewritten the story and I post an
episode, you know, a few times aweek where Cleffa does different
things in the digital world.
You know, we write a story.
Or, um, whether she's going tolike the marketplace or the
cafe, the audience comes in andthey'll vote like, Hey, this is
(26:29):
what we wanna see next.
We want her to go to the shopsinstead, or we want her to go to
the park.
And so that's been a really coolproject.
It's been a lot of work and whatI would like to do is.
Span that as well.
And I, I would really like toeven make it its own website to
where people could go in attheir own pace and walk through
Cleffa's Adventures in that way,versus like having to go through
(26:49):
the videos or go back and watchthem.
I think it's a great thing toexperience in live time.
So I've enjoyed that, but Ithink a big undertaking for me
is to create a website for, youknow, choose Cleffa's Adventures
interactive online.
So, that's a big thing that I'mlooking forward to doing.
And then just, continuing toprovide original content as far
as the photos go and come upwith new creative ways to, to
(27:10):
pose Cleffa and to have herinteract with the world.
David Hernandez (27:13):
It's crazy.
Cleffa has started with aFacebook page and now she's
thinking of a website.
Eventually Cleffa Will will runa president and you'll be the
campaign manager.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (27:20):
Yes, we, we went clef hook for queen.
So,
David Hernandez (27:22):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (27:23):
she, that's great.
But, uh, yeah, I'm, I'm excitedto, to see where it goes and
it's, it's a really cool seriesas is and I've gotten, great
feedback and it's allowed.
Me to explore that creativeoutlet.
So I'd like to take that like astep further, and make it just a
little bit more accessible forpeople who are coming in at the
middle of that series.
So, I'm excited for that.
David Hernandez (27:42):
Well, here at As The Pokeball Turns, we
believe in Cleffa supremacy,.
So if people want to check outyour Facebook page, where can
they go?
By all means, please plug away.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (27:49):
Yeah, the best place to go see Cleffa
Doing Stuff is on Facebook andif you just search Cleffa Doing
Stuff, she'll come right up.
I think honestly, if you searchher on Google, since it's kind
of a unique name, um, she comesup on there too.
And we do have an Instagramunder the same name.
It's just Cleffa Doing Stuff.
typically Instagram's gonna bemore of just like the Cleffa
pictures itself, whereas like.
(28:10):
Sometimes on the Facebook we dopolls or more interactive stuff.
So depending on what experienceyou want or if you want both,
Facebook and Instagram are yourbest places.
David Hernandez (28:19):
Thank you for listening to, As The Pokeball
Turns, if this story resonatedwith you, share the podcast with
the fellow trainer and don'tforget to follow us.
For more voices, more journeys,and more memories.
I'm David Hernandez, andremember, your next Pokemon
adventure begins here.
I'm Cleffa Doing Stuff and this is my
Pokemon story.
David Hernandez (00:42):
Welcome to As The Pokeball Turns where every
voice, every journey, and everymemory brings us closer to the
world of Pokemon.
I'm David Hernandez and I'mjoined by the creator of one of
the most wholesome corners ofthe Pokemon fandom.
The voice behind Cleffa DoingStuff.
Brittany, welcome to Ask thePokemon Turns.
Thank you for coming on theshow.
Thank
Cleffa Doing Stuff (01:01):
Thank you for you me.
I'm very excited to be here andtalking about.
Cleffa Doing Stuff.
David Hernandez (01:07):
I'm Too, and actually remember, I think I
remember you just starting, itwas back in December of 2024.
I'm like, this is such a coolidea because back when I was
trying to figure out my voicefor content creation.
I was actually had this idea ofkinda what you just did, but
with Plushies to where I wouldtake a plushie and just take
like random photos and just takepictures like just like what
you're doing.
And I just found it like justkind of touching to see you
(01:29):
starting this.
And I just been such a fan ofwhat you do ever since.
And I kind of wanted to startwith this question.
So what was the very first thingthat Cleffa ever did and how did
you kind of decide that thistiny Pokemon needed a whole
Facebook page of adventures?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (01:46):
Oh my.
Well, That's a great Uh, thefirst The first thing.
Cleffa ever really did is Cleffasat on top of a lamp, for her
profile picture.
Just, a little picture of, her,lit up with better lighting
than, you know.
I, Had back then.
But, I came up with Cleffa DoingStuff because we had all these
Pokemon figurines and, I'm justa fan of Cleffa.
(02:08):
I love the Pokemon.
She's so cute.
She's a baby, of course.
So you, you've gotta love,little Baby Pokemon.
And I thought, well, wouldn't itbe cool if I just took her to
different places, saw differentthings, had her do different
activities.
And, apparently other peoplelove that too.
So I just, it kind of startedwith just an idea of what if,
and I tried it to see where itwould go.
David Hernandez (02:27):
Did you ever expect the many people to, I
guess, be engaged as much whenit comes to Cleffa?
Like just a small figurine, justgoing around the world, kind of
seeing its own thing?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (02:36):
I definitely didn't.
I thought that the idea was cuteand that other people would like
it, but I have grown a lot in ashort amount of time.
I think I, I'm almost at 1400followers, so for six months,
that's like.
Huge.
and I think really it's just, Iattribute it to a lot of things
like Cleffa is cute, it'swholesome.
you know, I think people canreally connect and enjoy that
(02:58):
content.
And just the simplicities ofwhat she does are day-to-day
tasks, you know, whether it belaundry or brushing your teeth.
So I think everybody can relateto it.
And it's a cute thing too.
So it really did just take off.
but I was not expecting theamount of turnout that there has
been.
David Hernandez (03:13):
is Cleffa your favorite Pokemon, and if so,
kind of what solidified it?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (03:17):
So Cleffa?
Yeah, say she's got, I mean,she's gotta be my favorite
Pokemon, right?
I've got a whole pagesurrounding her.
So.
David Hernandez (03:24):
a little bit of a fan maybe.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (03:26):
Yeah, exactly.
And, but there's I think thatthat into that so my, original
experience with Pokemon, isactually a little bit different
than other people.
When I started out in elementaryschool, I collected some cards
and it was cute.
You know, I mostly liked theart.
It was exciting.
and then, I went through a moveand my mom said that the cards
got lost in the move and.
David Hernandez (03:48):
oh my gosh.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (03:49):
Yeah, I was devastated.
but after that, like I was astubborn kid.
So after that happened I waslike, no, I'm not gonna have
anything to do with Pokemonanymore.
So I didn't pick it up until,you know, just a few years ago,
when I got with my currentpartner and he runs a Facebook
page too.
and so.
he's kind of really what sparkedmy, hobby now with Pokemon and
(04:09):
my interest into it again, whichis interesting later in life.
but related back to Clefairy andhow that came about is the The
very thing that he and I didtogether, was create decks to
play the TCG together.
and there's a lot powerful decksout there you can see like
what's competitive.
but I wanted something that wascute and that I felt really
matched my aesthetic and was me.
And as we explored options, whatwe settled on was building a
(04:32):
Clefairy deck.
Uh, so, so yeah, that was myfirst, uh, TCG deck and my My
favorite one.
it.
Themed, like, my dice are pink,I've got purple sleeves.
So it's like a very cute, likegirly aesthetic deck, you know.
But I really found a love forher through playing that deck,
because I just really connectedwith it.
It was my first significantexperience with Pokemon ever
(04:53):
since I was a kid.
So, you know, Cleffa's justcuter version of Clefairy, so
you can't not love
David Hernandez (04:59):
Do you remember, I guess, how it felt
to lose your collection back inthe day?
'cause it's almost sounds likeyour mom said they lost it.
Almost like when your parentssay, oh, the hamster escaped.
You know, and it part secretlygot, uh, smushed or something,
you know, something terriblehappened to it.
Did it kinda leave somethingdeeper that you kinda left
behind that made you not wannago back initially?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (05:17):
Yeah, I mean, also I'm not even sure She
said it got lost.
I don't know if it was lost orsold.
My mom did that's what I'msaying.
Yeah.
You know, it could be littlequotation marks around that.
So, yeah, yeah, I.
I was just a belligerent kidmaybe at times, and it was like
outta stubbornness.
I was like, no, you know, I feltlike I was slighted, so I just
got frustrated and was like, no,I'm not gonna mess with this
(05:38):
anymore.
So, little did I know how much Iwas missing out on, but you
know, it's never too late topick up the franchise.
And I think that's somethingthat's special about it because
it really does appeal to awider, range of ages and people
with different life experiences.
So it's.
Fortunate that I could pick itup later in life.
but Definitely a little saltyabout that.
David Hernandez (05:58):
there's another Charizard I'm sure in that
collection that's probably whereit all went.
It's always a Charizardcollected wherever something
cards go missing or they getsold or whatever you call it.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (06:07):
Yeah, it could be, remember remember they
were.
bi, like a little binder almost.
It had like a class, but it wasred.
think, I think that it, it musthave had Charmander on the
front.
Probably.
I remember it remember vividly.
But you know who, where it went.
We'll, we'll never know.
David Hernandez (06:22):
now you mentioned your partner, he also
runs a Facebook page, I thinkit's called Mr.
Zigzagoon, now he helped youbring back Pokemon, you know,
later on in life.
What was that moment like fory'all?
Not only as, I guess a couple,but also for you to kind of
relive.
I guess maybe the childhood thatkind of left a scarf for a bit
and reconnecting with somethingthat you kind of once left
behind.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (06:40):
so, my partner, Mr.
Zigzagoon, I would say, whereas,you know, I'm just getting back
into this in recent years, hehas been a diehard fan since he
was a kid.
some people collect here andthere, he is an extreme
collector.
So there was no way that we weregonna have a relationship in
Pokemon, not be a part of it.
We now live together.
Our home is like a museum of allsorts of Pokemon stuff.
(07:04):
Um, So I think at at first it.
overwhelming because I'm like,man, his favorite thing as a
franchise that, like, I know of,of course, because everybody
knows Pokemon, but I'm not anexpert.
So I think.
I felt a little intimidated.
I felt a little bad that Ididn't know more about it.
But what I found as like both asa partner and as someone who's
into Pokemon, he's beenincredibly supportive.
(07:24):
He's never made me feel bad forwhat I do or don't know.
He's just excited to like, seeme enjoy it.
I think for him, like it's likegetting to see someone, you
know, uh, experience thesethings for the first time again.
So, it's been really rewardingin that way and a fun way to
bond.
And I would say that it's.
Collective of the Pokemoncommunity as a whole, because I
really haven't had thatexperience where anybody's ever,
(07:46):
you know, treated me Badly oropinions for me, getting into it
later in life, like everybody'sjust been warm and welcoming and
they're happy to see otherpeople enjoying Pokemon.
David Hernandez (07:54):
that's amazing to see.
'cause sometimes some Pokemonfans, at least online, they kind
of have this snobby attitudeslike, how do you not know this?
Like they have an assumption.
That you should know this stuff,but for you, and you even told
me before we scheduled thisinterview that, Hey, I don't
know much about Pokemon.
You're very upfront about it.
did having that, I guess, sourceof comfort or source of
solidarity with your partnerkind of help you engage with
(08:16):
Pokemon A lot better?
You think?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (08:18):
Yeah, I definitely think so because
having somebody life that it'slike you're not afraid to ask
them something, makes you feelmore confident.
And he, he never would judge me.
You know, we would laughsometimes.
he would show me a Pokemon andbe like, which one is this?
And I'd be like, uh, I don'tknow.
So that, that was fun, but itwas never it was never mean.
And he was just excited to seeme grow and learn.
(08:40):
And I think that's part of, too,what, what gave me confidence.
I think that, It's a bit gutsyto start a page about something
that like, you know, I.
like decades of experience likemy partner does, but you know,
to, to start a page surroundinga Pokemon is like a little bit
intimidating in that way, butI've learned so much.
Everybody's been supportive andit's okay'cause we're all at
different places with it.
(09:01):
And I found that like, somepeople know about the TCG, some
people only play the videogames.
Some people just like thembecause they're cute.
And I think all of those areequally valid.
David Hernandez (09:09):
I agree because for me, like you know, I've had
Pokemon my whole life.
You know, I've grew up with thetype change.
I grew up with the history, butthere's a lot of parts of
Pokemon that I'm not even sureabout.
I couldn't tell you aboutPokemon sleep.
I can't even tell you aboutPokemon Mystery Dungeon.
I couldn't tell you about thePokemon Anime now because.
I just haven't kept up with it.
I'm one man with 24 hours andunfortunately I don't have that
much time,
Cleffa Doing Stuff (09:30):
Right.
David Hernandez (09:31):
I guess that's kind of keeps us grounded to
where like there's always gonnabe something in this franchise
that you're not gonna know,whether you're a hardcore fan or
whether you're somebody who'sstarting out or one, maybe
somebody who's just a casual,whichever level you fall in,
there's always gonna besomething you don't know.
But that's kind of the beauty ofPokemon.
If you are welcome to that notnuance newcomer, I guess, type
of mentality.
There's always something tolearn.
To me, it's kinda almost likelife in a way.
(09:53):
Yeah,
Cleffa Doing Stuff (09:53):
Yeah, it is.
And, and I think that that'sbeen really nice with my page
too.
I think everybody can engage andidentify with Cleffa Doing
Stuff, because there's reallynot any barriers to relating
with it and just appreciatingthe cute, you know, scenes and,
and content that I put out.
So it's been nice and I feellike I've gotten to connect with
Pokemon fans from all of thosedifferent facets in all All
(10:15):
walks place.
So enjoyed that.
David Hernandez (10:17):
now you described your home as a Pokemon
museum, so I'm thinking likePokemon everywhere, like a
Pokemon poster.
You got Pokemon toilet paper,Pokemon towels, you know, the
whole works maybe.
And I want to know like is thereanything from that collection
that you have that kind ofsticks with you or something
that you have like fondness for?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (10:34):
Oh my goodness.
So I love all my stuff.
it's all really enjoyable tolook at.
I would say one of the funniestand, and things that I love the
most is that we've started the,the Squish Melow collection
since they put out all these,Pokemon Squish melow, which
David Hernandez (10:48):
Oh, they're so adorable.
Yeah.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (10:50):
Yeah, I, I love them.
They're so soft and comfy and Iwas a Squishmellow fan before I
got into Pokemon, so that wasperfect.
as a segue,'cause it's like, oh,great.
I love, anyway.
And now they have Pokemon, sofavorite is I have, I don't know
what the size is exactly, butit's like the largest size of
the Clefairy and remember goingto the store and I took a
picture.
I put Clefairy in the front seatand I buckled her in and I sent
(11:12):
a picture to Mr.
Zigzagoon, and I was like.
We've got a new family member,so she, she now hangs out and
she's, ginormous.
But I've got like, the big, themedium and the small of the
Clefairy squish melow.
So that's probably my favoriteone, just for the, the, the
funny moment of bringing herhome and she takes up a whole
car seat.
So it's pretty, it's prettyridiculous is
David Hernandez (11:32):
He actually remind me of a friend I have.
Who she has like this bigGlaceon plushie.
You know, she loves Eevee andshe has this big Glaceon, I
think it was like from a caravanor something like that, I can't
remember exactly.
And she always sends pictures ofher kind of holding it almost
like it's her own partnerPokemon.
And I think that's kind of thecool part about seeing like the
big plushies and the squishmeows'cause.
(11:52):
I don't know.
It's just like having the sizeand it makes the Pokemon feel
kind of real, almost like anactual partner, even though you
know it's a stuffed animal oryou know, whatever you want,
stuffed plushy or whatever youwanna call it.
it's almost like comfort in away.
You know?
I.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (12:03):
I definitely feel that way too.
And with running the CleffaDoing Stuff page, the focus is
mostly on original content of,you know, my little Cleffa
figurine in different placesdoing different things.
And so because of that, I've gotmultiple of her.
There's more than one and onealways comes with me in my
purse.
So I always have a Cleffa on me.
David Hernandez (12:22):
Oh.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (12:23):
That we're always waiting for an
opportunity because you neverknow when you're gonna be out
and about and there's like, Hey,that, that would be great for a
picture.
Like it'd be cool to have her dothat.
So, I do feel like a kinshipwith her because she goes
everywhere with me.
I always have a Cleffa andreach, and so it's been really
cute.
I really treasure her, eventhough I've got multiple copies,
you know, it's one Cleffa.
David Hernandez (12:42):
Well, what I love is you kind of give Cleffa
kind of its own personality, andI don't know if maybe it's yours
mirroring into the Cleffa or youkind of make it to yourself.
But like, how do you decide.
What adventure Cleffa is gonnado next?
Is it based on your own life,pure imagination or faint
suggestions?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (12:56):
Yeah, I would say it it is based a lot
around my own life.
you know, I work a regularfull-time job and have other
commitments.
So, for me, a lot of the timesit's just opportunity strikes
and I'm like, oh, this is great.
Now I do have more targetedthings where I'm like, I know I
want to do this with her, soI'll find the props to make it
happen.
but for the most part, CleffaDoing stuff is kind of a.
(13:17):
Reflection of what I'm doing inmy own life at any given time,
which is kind of cool in its ownway too.
It's like a, a little timecapsule in Cleffa form of, of
what I was doing.
David Hernandez (13:26):
Now, since you know, you, you and Cleffa are
kind of, I'll say hand in handin a way, is there any kind
particular moment or any pictureyou took that kind of felt
especially personal for you?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (13:35):
Really, I think just a lot of the, the
early, Cleffa Doing Stuff,pictures are really, special to
me because I was figuring thingsout and how do I wanna do this?
So I think when I very firststarted taking pictures, those
are always gonna be impactful.
And then sometimes I sharepersonal things from my life.
like my grandma passed, and shehad this like little bunny that
she had wanted to be passed downand I had her take a picture
(13:57):
with that.
So sometimes I'll put likelittle sentimental things in
there that really are, you know,personal.
And then sometimes she'll justdo goofy things.
So I think they're all specialto me in the own, in their own
way, but like those, sentimentalones and then the early ones too
are always gonna hold a specialplace in my heart.
David Hernandez (14:12):
I mean, thinking about your grandmother
with the rabbit, I'm sure someof those have probably resonated
with the people who've observedyour page or followed your page.
what are, I guess, some thatstuck out to you that you got
maybe a response you didn'texpect from the people, I on
your page?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (14:24):
So, it, it's interesting the responses that
you get, from the, the viewerson different things and, and
something kind of funny thatjust sort of relates to that is
like sometimes the pictures thatI'm like, oh, this is gonna do
great, this is so cute.
Like, they do fine, but they'renot the response I expect.
And then sometimes I'll.
Snap a picture in like twoseconds and be like, okay, like,
I need something, but it's areally busy day and my life is
(14:46):
hectic.
And then that one will be theone that blows up and like
everybody's going wild about.
So, um, I think usually likethat's the most unexpected where
it's like, man, a lower effortpost ended up, you know, getting
great response.
So, that's where I'm typicallymost taken aback, but I think.
Really the, the place where Iget a lot of engagement is when
(15:06):
I have Cleffa Doing Stuff withother Pokemon figurines or
plushies or things like thatbecause then people get to talk
about like, yeah, that's myfavorite Pokemon, or, you know,
here's my experience with it.
So, I always get a goodresponse, from those.
And I'm interested to hear aboutlike, the personal story and
connection, even if Cleffa is,you know, not their favorite
Pokemon.
David Hernandez (15:25):
You know, I think as creators we all see
that at some point, and I knowI've definitely seen it to where
I work so hard on something fromthe podcast and I'm like, oh,
this is gonna hit hard.
They're gonna feel this.
And I get very little response.
But when it's something I don'teven try or I don't wanna say I
don't try, it's a lot lesseffort that I had to just'cause
I need to get something out.
It resonates with them and Idon't get it.
It's like, do you want me not totry as hard?
(15:48):
Like is that the secret?
Like do I need to be moresimplistic?
I guess.
Because it seems like based onyour experience when you said
something, five seconds that Iguess they like the idea of
something sim simple.
They, they kind of resonatedthat with more than something I
was polished.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (16:02):
Yeah, I think so.
I think it's like important tohave a good mix.
because I, I wanna deliverquality too.
I don't want all my pictures tojust be, you know, thrown
together.
Every once in a while it's gonnabe more of an action shot, like
out and about or something puttogether quick.
But, I think sometimes it's thenature, like usually when it is
a quick shot, it might be like,here's Cleffa with like one of
her favorite foods.
And like, everybody loves totalk about food.
(16:23):
So
David Hernandez (16:23):
Oh my gosh, yes.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (16:25):
So, you know, that's a, that's an easier
piece of content.
But people go nuts'cause theylove to like talk about, my
favorite food or I like thisbrand, but I don't like that
one.
So it's fun to see theconversations that end up
stemming from that.
Hey you.
Yes, you with the ears.
Don't go anywhere.
We'll be right back.
Love hearing real stories fromreal trainers.
(16:47):
Help as the Pokemon turns becomethe best Pokemon interview
podcast like no one ever was.
By joining our Patreon, you'renot just supporting the show.
You're helping more fans sharetheir journeys with the world.
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Head on over to patreon.com/asthe FO ball turns and join our
(17:09):
community today.
David Hernandez (17:11):
Now I want to kind of talk about your
experience with Pokemon, becauseI guess more so recent because
you know you're coming back as afan.
What's your way to kind ofengage with a franchise?
Are you more of a trading card?
Do you do video games?
Like how do you engage withPokemon outside of the Cleffa
page?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (17:25):
Yeah, I would say, a few different ways.
like I mentioned, with the TCG,that was really my first
experience as an adult is makingmy TCG deck and playing that,
the Clefairy deck is never goingto win it like a regional or
something, but it was goodenough to beat some people
locally, so I, I enjoyed doingthat.
Um, it's really fun to whooppeople with, A gang of,
(17:46):
Clefairy.
I've got like four in the deck.
So, you know, they're justthrowing punches left and right.
Um, So I, I do like that.
I I live in a very small area,so people to play the TCG with
is a challenge.
so I would say that's, that'sdefinitely what sparked my
interest in it more so, youknow, just day to day I do play
Pokemon Go.
which is is cool because mypartner, despite being expert in
(18:08):
Pokemon everything, he doesn'tplay Pokemon Go.
So I am the expert for that inour house on that piece.
and I think that's like reallyaccessible even in a rural area.
They've added a lot of stops nowtoo.
So there's things that I can do,even living where I do with
Pokemon, go for something onlike a daily basis.
David Hernandez (18:25):
That's amazing.
'cause it's kind of like I say,you kind of divide and conquer,
you know?
Even though you didn't grow upwith Pokemon, I'm just guessing,
he's probably more of the mainseries.
Potentially.
You've got Pokemon Go with youand then you've got also the
TCG, and then he's like, I don'tknow how this works in Pokemon
Go.
You can kind of be the expert inyour own world.
It's like, oh, let me tell youabout how you do this in Pokemon
Go.
This is my world.
Yes.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (18:43):
yes, exactly.
I'm like it for, for once Iactually know something.
And I think it's cool, we alsoare a part of a business that
does, 3D prints.
And as part of that, my partneralso, vens, like selling Pokemon
cards at events.
And so it's really cool to seepeople, you know, come up and
they talk to him about Pokemonand engage, and they'll be like,
this is my Pokemon Go character.
(19:03):
And he'll be like, well.
I don't play it, but she does.
And then we get to talk about ittoo.
So, um, so that's really fun tosee people out and about in the
world, you know, come up andtalk about Pokemon at these
events.
So, I really enjoy that too.
David Hernandez (19:15):
Since you know, you have a familiar Pokemon Go,
I kind wanna dive into theexperience.
What made you wanna startplaying?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (19:21):
Yeah, so I first played it, when it
actually very first came out, Iwas excited.
I was like, oh, this is a coolidea.
This is different.
And I happened to be on vacationat the beach at that time.
And so like, of course there waslike.
There's like a million Pokestopsaround.
David Hernandez (19:35):
Yeah,
Cleffa Doing Stuff (19:35):
of Pokemon.
but then I got home and I waslike, oh man, there is not as
much in my area because again, Ilive rurally.
they've really ramped up likethe amount of stops and gyms
since way back when it, it firststarted, but.
that's when I initially got intoit.
And I think like I just againpicked it up, within the past
few years again, now that I seethat there's like more stops,
(19:56):
it's more accessible.
I had go on some walks with myfriend and, and we look for'em
together.
So that's.
Been, really fun.
So I think just like the fact ofit being, you know, a unique
thing at the time made meinterested in it.
So I always kind of knew itexisted and I had played it here
and there, but now that it's alot more accessible in rural
areas, I think that's reallymotivated me to want to play it
more.
David Hernandez (20:17):
you said the game has become more.
Accessible for people who livein rural areas.
I wanted to know if you can giveyou details, like are you
getting more stops, more gyms,or is it more of, I guess the
stuff they've added, likegameplay within Pokemon Go
that's made the game moreengaging for you living in a
rural area?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (20:32):
Yeah, so.
I live in what, what I wouldcall a one stoplight town.
We have like one, we literallydid just have one stoplight, so,
um, we do not have many people,but I do live in the town and
there are like plenty of gyms.
There are plenty of stops likeyou do at the walk around.
Obviously that's part of it.
but I think I.
nice that even in smaller placesthat there are still stops that
(20:54):
you can go to.
And they added the option tolike schedule your raids.
So like people could gather at agym, you know, at a certain
time, instead of just, you know,people passing by.
So I haven't really got toparticipate in that, but I
thought that's such a cool ideabecause in a place like this,
you know, there's not alwayspeople in one area that are
playing Pokemon Go.
David Hernandez (21:13):
do you have like a huge amount of people who
play or is just primarily youand your partner who play
Pokemon Go?
Yeah,
Cleffa Doing Stuff (21:18):
Yeah, I would I would say like.
my friend and I play Pokemon Go.
I've added, you know, a fewpeople in the community.
Like when I do meet them at thevendor events, they're like, oh,
can I add you so I can sendgifts?
So I've added some people likethat.
So it's mostly for me.
people that I may not know.
Super well, but you know, we, wesend each other gifts and reap
the rewards that way.
(21:38):
So mostly it's just me.
But, you know, No, I, I, uh, tryto, others when I can.
David Hernandez (21:44):
now you've talked a bit about the vendor
events, you know, I thinkbecause you said your partner's
the one who started it, right?
And you just kind of took, nottake along, but you kind of help
'em.
Is that kind of the dynamic?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (21:52):
Yeah.
partner, Mr.
Zigzagoon, he's like co-owner ofthe business, and so I'm there
to like, I'm, I'm there to helpand to be moral support.
David Hernandez (21:59):
Hey, that is such a huge role.
That's important.
'cause it gets tiring being avendor sometimes, you know.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (22:04):
Yes.
Yes.
And especially at busy ones.
And for him selling cards, likethere's a lot more involved in
that because prices fluctuate.
He has to look things up and gothrough.
It's not as simple as beinglike, yeah, I wanna buy this.
Here's the money, buy.
So it helps to have somebodynearby to handle the other
pieces of it.
But I get to, indulge in theexcitement and, and eavesdrop a
little bit too when he's talkingPokemon with somebody.
David Hernandez (22:26):
Well, that's all I wanted to ask because you
know, it's one thing to be aromantic partner, it's another
thing to, you know, to livetogether.
But then it's an entirelydifferent thing to kind of run a
business together.
And I wanted to know, like, hasrunning that business kind of
helped y'all deepen y'all'sconnection more?
Or how has it, I guess, changedit maybe that you didn't have
before?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (22:42):
That's a great question.
I would say it challenges us,but in a positive way, I think
challenge has such a negativeconnotation, but in this case, I
think it pushes us to reallycome up with solutions to
things.
think about like, what could wepromote?
What products can we add?
How can we better cater to thecustomer?
So I think it really just helps.
Us brainstorm and be creative inthose ways.
(23:04):
but honestly two like the waythat he and I both face our
Pokemon pages on Facebook, wekinda see those as a business
too.
you know, as far as just likeanalyzing, like what do people
want, what's gonna be quality?
Like, how do we best serve thepeople that, you know, wanna see
this content?
So, I think we always kind ofhave a little bit of that,
business mindset because wewanna be professional and have
(23:26):
everything nice and as, good ofa, experience for the customer
as possible.
Whether that's like our fans onFacebook or that's people at our
events.
David Hernandez (23:34):
I guess since y'all both approached both
y'all's pages as well as thepersonal business, y'all share
as kind of the same mindset, hasthere anything that you've done
from vending or maybe you'vepicked up from vending that's
kind of helped you with yourCleffa page?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (23:46):
I would say just me as an introvert, that's,
that's what's hard sometimesrunning a page.
Um, and when you're face to facewith person, with a person, that
can sometimes be a littleintimidating, but it helps you
ease into it.
And I increase my knowledge.
The more I learn about thebusiness, the more I learn about
Pokemon.
And that makes me more confidentin my page too.
(24:07):
So I think really for me, it'sjust helping me to come out of
my shell more and more overtime.
And, once you're in that, youreally see it too, that like.
Pokemon's just like a bigcommunity, whether it's people
at the events or on the pages.
So I feel comforted and thatmakes me feel more confident and
like I belong here.
David Hernandez (24:25):
Oh, I love that.
Yeah, I belong here finally,from coming.
Like I'm not too sure if I'mmeant for this to where I belong
here.
It's kind of a very goodtrajectory.
I love it.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (24:34):
Yeah, absolutely.
It feels good.
It feels good to belong.
And I know that like everybodyin the community is supportive
and especially like in theFacebook community too.
I have contact with like a lotof the other face.
Book admins that run Pokemonpages and, they're nothing but
kind like they're, they're greatpeople and everybody just wants
to see everybody else's success,so you'll never find like a more
(24:55):
welcoming group of people.
David Hernandez (24:57):
Now going back to, you know, your Cleffa page,
how does it kind of feel to seesuch a small.
Pokemon help people feel evensmile during the day.
'cause it brightens their daysup sometimes with some of your
posts.
Like how does it feel to kind ofhave that kind of influence?
I would say.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (25:10):
Oh my gosh, it feels so good.
like it, it makes me so happybecause I think there's a lot of
heavy stuff in the world and itcan be a lot, you know, just.
You know, doom scrolling,looking at news.
There's a lot, you know, and,and just everybody's day-to-day
life.
We face a lot of tough things.
And so it's nice to sometimeshave a break and just appreciate
(25:31):
something that's cute or funand, get your mind off of
things.
And so I found that.
To be true of the Cleffa pageand, and being able to find a
place that's just wholesome fun,no drama, just there to, to see
cute things and you know, have alaugh now and then.
And So when I think about theimpact on people's lives.
uh, it really touches me and I'mglad that that can be a little
corner that's like a comfort forthem on the internet.
David Hernandez (25:54):
And you know, Cleffa has already done a lot.
It's had a lot of adventures inthis brief period where you
started your page from sittingon lamps to stealing hearts
online.
What's a dream adventure youwould love to see Cleffa take in
the future?
Cleffa Doing Stuff (26:06):
one of the projects that I do on the Cleffa
page, it's called Choose CleffaAdventures, and it's a series
that I created where I'vewritten the story and I post an
episode, you know, a few times aweek where Cleffa does different
things in the digital world.
You know, we write a story.
Or, um, whether she's going tolike the marketplace or the
cafe, the audience comes in andthey'll vote like, Hey, this is
(26:29):
what we wanna see next.
We want her to go to the shopsinstead, or we want her to go to
the park.
And so that's been a really coolproject.
It's been a lot of work and whatI would like to do is.
Span that as well.
And I, I would really like toeven make it its own website to
where people could go in attheir own pace and walk through
Cleffa's Adventures in that way,versus like having to go through
(26:49):
the videos or go back and watchthem.
I think it's a great thing toexperience in live time.
So I've enjoyed that, but Ithink a big undertaking for me
is to create a website for, youknow, choose Cleffa's Adventures
interactive online.
So, that's a big thing that I'mlooking forward to doing.
And then just, continuing toprovide original content as far
as the photos go and come upwith new creative ways to, to
(27:10):
pose Cleffa and to have herinteract with the world.
David Hernandez (27:13):
It's crazy.
Cleffa has started with aFacebook page and now she's
thinking of a website.
Eventually Cleffa Will will runa president and you'll be the
campaign manager.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (27:20):
Yes, we, we went clef hook for queen.
So,
David Hernandez (27:22):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (27:23):
she, that's great.
But, uh, yeah, I'm, I'm excitedto, to see where it goes and
it's, it's a really cool seriesas is and I've gotten, great
feedback and it's allowed.
Me to explore that creativeoutlet.
So I'd like to take that like astep further, and make it just a
little bit more accessible forpeople who are coming in at the
middle of that series.
So, I'm excited for that.
David Hernandez (27:42):
Well, here at As The Pokeball Turns, we
believe in Cleffa supremacy,.
So if people want to check outyour Facebook page, where can
they go?
By all means, please plug away.
Cleffa Doing Stuff (27:49):
Yeah, the best place to go see Cleffa
Doing Stuff is on Facebook andif you just search Cleffa Doing
Stuff, she'll come right up.
I think honestly, if you searchher on Google, since it's kind
of a unique name, um, she comesup on there too.
And we do have an Instagramunder the same name.
It's just Cleffa Doing Stuff.
typically Instagram's gonna bemore of just like the Cleffa
pictures itself, whereas like.
(28:10):
Sometimes on the Facebook we dopolls or more interactive stuff.
So depending on what experienceyou want or if you want both,
Facebook and Instagram are yourbest places.
David Hernandez (28:19):
Thank you for listening to, As The Pokeball
Turns, if this story resonatedwith you, share the podcast with
the fellow trainer and don'tforget to follow us.
For more voices, more journeys,and more memories.
I'm David Hernandez, andremember, your next Pokemon
adventure begins here.
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