The Expedition podcast is almost of legal drinking age – this week marks episode no. 20. Hopefully you’ll forgive us for being stuck on Buzz again this week, as we talk about all the various ways Google has managed to disappoint us recently.

But it’s not all bad! We’re joined this week by a new member of our team, Ansley Fones, and our guest Jonathan Lyons, public relations and marketing coordinator for the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis. Jonathan gave us the scoop on how the Peabody is using social technologies to create community among its guests and among Memphians, including crowd-sourcing ideas for the perennially popular Peabody rooftop parties. You can find the Peabody on Facebook and Twitter.

Dave Barger, Elizabeth Cawein, Jonathan Lyons, Matthew Crawford Trisler

Also in this episode you’ll hear our thoughts on some new random chat services, particularly ChatRoulette and Omegle. While Elizabeth is creeped out by the very idea, Matthew and Ansley throw in some ideas on how the random chat concept could be a great addition to the social scene with the right tweaks and filters. Of course, Matthew’s opinion may have been influenced by this potato chip bear, shown to him by someone from an Omegle chat.

Be sure to join us this Friday for the Core Conversation, happening at the usual time (11:30 CDT) and in the usual place (listen here or call in at 646-721-9429). We’ll be talking about everything new and next in social business, including the possible uses of Google Buzz, new social features in Outlook and other platforms like Chatter. Next week’s Expedition podcast will feature Kerry Crawford Trisler, better known as @ILoveMemphis on Twitter, who will also be joining us at our March Expedition breakfast. (RSVP here.)

Download the podcast here, listen with the player below, or click the iTunes logo to subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags | Chat Roulette, Core Conversation, Expedition breakfast, Google Buzz, Jonathan Lyons, Peabody Hotel, Peabody Memphis, Social Expedition, twilight camp