Congratulations @mrspin! You forced me to listen to a podcast for the first time ever, because several pinpals told me you were talking about my global pinfiending on yours. I have to admit i didn't listen to the whole thing, though. My ears ran out of steam i guess... I've just never been into talk radio, nor audio-books. I don't even tend to watch video links that friends send. Sorta OT but, do people ever post textscripts of podcasts, the way you can sometimes find the texts from radio interviews and the like? I think i prefer reading because i can take it in at my own pace.
Anyway, i can confirm that the only way i could possibly play as often i do is that i am currently living in pinball-Mecca like Portland(OR) where we have at least one IFPA approved competition per week, and sometimes as many as three. It probably helps that i have no children or pets or partners or other commitments to complicate my attendance at any event i feel like (evenings/weekends anyway, but pinball even comes before work, sometimes...)
One of the things i quite enjoy about pinning in Oceania is that the Aussies and Kiwis have gotten into doing big multi-day events lately; packing in two or more competitions in a day and stringing several days like that together for a big long wonderful weekend of pinball. Not to mention that it's the New Zealand pinball scene that first lured me into the competition world (thanks guys!). Once i discovered the calendar page on IFPA, i started checking it before i plan any travel, so i can maximize attendance at convenient pinball events.
Last comment: as a single woman who travels a lot, i have found that pinball is a great way to A) spend time out in a bar with something to do so guys don't creep on me too much, and B) make new friends when i've moved to or am working in a new place.
Thanks for the shout-out!