Nerd Best Friends

This week, your Nerd Best Friends take a VERY bold trip back to Oz… and wow, was it darker than we expected. For Analese and Rob, this was a first-time watch of Return to Oz, and let’s just say—no one was prepared for wheelers, electroshock therapy vibes, or an alarming number of interchangeable heads. Meanwhile, Dr. Intern Joan revisits a childhood favorite and helps us unpack why this deeply unsettling sequel left such a lasting impression on a whole generation of nerds.Is it a misunderstood masterpiece? A nightmare masquerading as a kids’ movie? Or the ultimate example of 80s films saying, “Sure, kids can handle this”? We break down the visuals, the themes, the lore, and the emotional damage—plus why this movie still lives rent-free in so many brains decades later.Strap in, grab your ruby slippers (or chicken), and join us for a delightfully dark Nerdstalgia dive.New episode out now—listen wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share with a fellow nerd who definitely remembers those Wheelers.Bonus content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new year is here—and your Nerd Best Friends are making plans… the nerdy way.In this episode, we’re setting 26 nerdy goals for 2026—from books we want to read and games we want to play to projects we want to finish, hobbies we want to try, and fandoms we want to spend more time with. Some goals are ambitious, some are cozy, and some are just an excuse to lean harder into the things that bring us joy.This isn’t about productivity or perfection—it’s about intention, curiosity, and giving ourselves permission to be excited about what’s next. Whether you’re a list-maker, a goal-setter, or someone who just wants an excuse to buy more minis or crack open another comic, this episode is for you.So grab your planner, your paintbrush, or your controller—and let’s talk about what we’re nerding out about in 2026.Also in this episode: Nerd Mail, tangents, new apps for nerd organization, systems to optimize your nerd experience. Listen now wherever you get your podcastsRate, review, and share to help grow the Nerd HerdBonus content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Great Scott! Your Nerd Best Friends are firing up the DeLorean and hitting 88 miles per hour as we travel back (and forward) through one of the most iconic nerd franchises of all time: Back to the Future.Analese, Rob, and Dr. Intern Joan dive into why this trilogy still holds up decades later—from perfect casting and quotable lines to time-travel rules that somehow actually make sense. We talk favorite moments, the genius of Doc Brown, Marty McFly’s enduring cool factor, and how Back to the Future shaped pop culture, sci-fi storytelling, and the very idea of what “the future” was supposed to look like.Is Back to the Future a flawless trilogy? Why does it hit so hard for Gen X, Millennials, and new nerds discovering it today? And what lessons can we learn from a movie that insists your future isn’t written yet?Grab your hoverboard, avoid paradoxes, and join us for a nerdy joyride through time.Also in this episode: After Prom, karaoke, hypnotists, tangents, Nerdstalgia, D&D 2024 leveling up, Bewitchin'Listen now wherever you get your podcastsLove the episode? Rate, review, and share to help grow the Nerd HerdFollow us @NerdBestFriends for more pop culture deep dives and nerdy nonsenseBonus content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s officially cozy-season, Nerd Herd! This week, your Nerd Best Friends are diving headfirst into their Top 5 Holiday Must-Watch lists — the movies, specials, and episodes that absolutely DEFINE the season. From nostalgic classics to chaotic comfort watches, we’re breaking down the stories that make our nerd hearts glow like a retro string of Christmas lights. Analese decks the halls and Rob snacks through the fa-la-las.Whether you're a lover of cozy classics, campy holiday chaos, or deep-cut seasonal gems — you will find yourself right at home with this one.Listen now and tell us YOUR holiday must-watch list!Don’t forget to rate the podcast, follow us on social media, and share the nerdy joy with a friend. Bonus content on Patreon!Happy holidays, Nerd Herd! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think you know your fandoms? Your Nerd Best Friends are BACK with an all-new episode, and this time…it’s NERD TRIVIA night! In this chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly intense showdown, Analese, Rob, and Dr. Intern Joan put their nerd knowledge to the test across movies, TV, comics, gaming, nostalgia, and all the weird little corners of pop culture we’ve been storing in our brains for decades. Analese chose Bizness Ethics for Rob and Rob chose anything but Buffy for Analese.IN THIS EPISODE:Analese flexes obscure knowledge no human should haveRob takes some big swings (and even bigger misses)Dr. Intern Joan becomes the trivia chaos agent we didn’t know we neededThe Herd gets a brand-new set of inside jokesIf you love pop culture, pointless knowledge, and friends talking nerdy, this is YOUR episode.Listen now and play along — tell us your score!Don’t forget to rate, review, and share the podcast so we can keep growing the Nerd Herd! Bonus content and other giveaways on Patreon.Also in this episode: favorite games shows of all time, character-themed fast food gimmicks, jammy advent calendars, slowing inventory of weasel-hair brushes for painting, getting gifts from our family that are things the nerds talk about during the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Analese, Rob, and Dr. Intern Joan check in on their Nerd Goals for the year — the wins, the works-in-progress, and the “oh wow, we definitely forgot that was even on the list.” Analese doubled down on reading and Rob focused on becoming C3TO (or, a CTO, to be sure). In this episode, Analese, Rob, and Dr. Intern Joan:Review their 2025 Nerd Goals (with honesty and chaos)Celebrate the little victories and the big onesShare what they’re excited to tackle nextAdmit which goals have been… temporarily benchedEncourage YOU to jump back into your own nerdy passionsWhether you're crushing your goals or riding the procrastination dragon, you’re in good company.Also in this episode: becoming a WNBA Inaugural season ticket holder, Nerd Stores in California's state capital, and insane endings to football games.Join the Nerd Herd, hit play, and let’s level up those nerd goals together!Don’t forget to rate, review, and share the podcast — it helps our little nerdy universe grow! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the most wonderful nerdy time of the year! Analese and Rob are diving headfirst into the multiverse of gifting to bring you the Official Nerd Best Friends Gift Guide—packed with gadgets, page-turners, cozy fandom gear, and delightfully weird treasures for every nerd on your list (including you, let’s be honest). Analese creates chaos with monkey hooks and Rob doubles down on best binging during the holiday season. And here’s the real holiday magic:Dr. Intern Joan has crafted an exclusive DIGITAL GIFT GUIDE—a beautifully nerdy, curated masterpiece to level up your gifting game. Want it? Just become a Patron for $1 or $3 and it’s all yours. Seriously. That’s like… less than the cost of a single festive cookie.So throw on your comfiest fandom hoodie, grab your peppermint mocha, and hit play.Your nerdy holiday shopping starts NOW.Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a five-star rating, and share with your fellow nerds—spread that holiday cheer like confetti!Also in this episode: Nerd Mail (redheads in comic books), the best fictional holiday setting, old people marching, creative book gifts, kinkos > Fedex (mostly because price).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Nerd Best Friends, Analese and Rob dive into the quotes, lines, and iconic one-liners that have lived rent-free in our nerd brains for decades. It’s time for our Top 5 Pop Culture Catchphrases, and yes—choosing just five was absolutely impossible, but we did it anyway (because we’re nerds, and we love a challenge). From TV to comics, movies to memes, we break down why these catchphrases stuck, how they became cultural landmarks, and the moments they made us laugh, gasp, or feel entirely too seen. Analese sifts through 90s sketch comedies and Rob goes with a galaxy far, far, away.As always, join the conversation, tell us YOUR favorite catchphrases, and help us grow the Nerd Herd by rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your fellow nerds!Also in this episode: Nerd Mail, Monsters: The Ed Gein Story, beer face, SORA, shoutout to Gateway Games in Santa Rosa (CA), and what the heck is Microsoft doing with Xbox? Bonus and early access to content on Patreon! Join now!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grab your capes, grab your tissues, and get ready to fly into another epic Nerd Book Club adventure! This week, Analese and Rob dive deep into Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the beautifully bold and heart-wrenchingly heroic comic that has taken the nerd world by storm. We’re talking space cowboys, moral quandaries, epic quests, and a Supergirl story that punches you right in the feels — in the best nerdy way possible. Plus, the Nerds ask the real questions, like: how often should heroes get therapy? Could we survive intergalactic travel without snacks? And what exactly counts as a space horse? Saddle up, nerd herd — we’re going cosmic. Analese is tired of the same ol' tropes and Rob is loving the space western awesomeness. Also, Dr. Intern Joan is back! As always, we want to hear from YOU! Did you read along? What did you think of Supergirl’s story? Who do you want to see in the next Nerd Book Club pick?Don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating, share with your fellow nerds, and join us weekly for all the chaotic wholesome joy that is the Nerd Best Friends Podcast. Also in this episode: Nerd Mail, halloween episodes of Buffy, we have 99 problems and Hoopla might be one, naming your top 5 movies of all time, Almost Famous is 25 this year, winning free nerd stuff and 26 for 2026 projects, nerding out over this podcast.Thanks for being part of the Nerd Herd — the nerdiest, best friends on the internet! Subscribers don't forget to look for your EXCLUSIVE reading guide - or go to Patreon now and become a Nerd Herd member to gain exclusive access! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your Nerd Best Friends are back with a chaotic cozy episode full of updates, randomness, and nerd joy. This week, Analese and Rob catch up on what they’ve been doing in their nerd lives lately — from tiny obsessions to big creative swings, questionable impulse purchases, hobby rabbit holes, and those moments where your brain says, “We can do that!” …and suddenly it’s 1am and you’re rearranging bookshelves or building a new game character for a campaign you’re not even in yet.Analese gets ready for old person marching band and Rob confesses his latest nerd project involving Notebook LM during D&D, and both try to decide whether new hobbies are productive or just a socially acceptable form of procrastination… we support either way. Also in this episode: nerd mail, the first Stephen King you ever read (and at what young age), AI and table top gaming, principal's promises, and a gentle reminder that you’re allowed to follow your curiosity and create just because it’s fun.What are you doing? Tell us your latest nerdy activity in the comments or over on our socials!Listen wherever you enjoy your podcasts and join the Nerd Herd on Patreon for bonus goodies and early access! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your nerd best friends are getting spooky! Analese and Rob are diving headfirst into their favorite nerdy Halloween traditions — from Buffy’s best Halloween episodes to tabletop chills and pop culture thrills. Analese confesses her worst costume ever, Rob shares his annual “Curse of Strahd” ritual, and together they countdown their top Halloween musts in true Nerd Best Friends fashion. It’s all treats, no tricks — just the perfect mix of nostalgia, nerdiness, and spooky fun.Also in this episode: best/worst Halloween costume stories, 80s and 90s vintage 49ers clothing and planning for our very first NFL game, mini agnostic tabletop games, Reign in Hell by Snarling Badger Studios, Girls Just Wanna Weekend sticker preview. New episodes every week! Give the show a 5-star rating and join the Nerd Herd on Patreon for bonus content and early access. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your nerd best friends are sitting down with author Brick Marlin, creator of The Zephnarr Phase, for an in-depth (and delightfully weird) dive into the world of horror, sci-fi, and the writing life. Analese nerds out over Brick’s surreal world-building and twisted storytelling, Rob gets into the creative process of crafting something truly original, and the whole crew talks about what makes horror so endlessly fascinating for nerds like us.If you love eerie worlds, indie authors, and creative minds that live just left of center—this one’s for you.Also in this episode: past guest Alison is again winner of top prize at LA Comic Con's cosplay contest!, Orctober, Crocktober, mini painting, final girl era, dancing with the stars crocktoberfest. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and join the Nerd Herd on Patreon for early access and behind-the-scenes nerdiness! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your nerd best friends put on the red suit and dive into the gritty streets of Hell’s Kitchen to talk Daredevil! From Catholic guilt to courtroom drama to acrobatics that would make Batman jealous, the nerds get into what makes Matt Murdock one of the most human superheroes in comics. Rob waxes poetic about the perfect villain that is Kingpin and Analese admits a hilarious case of mistaken identity. It’s sharp, funny, and full of blind justice.Also in this episode: reading listener recommendations (especially about Superman and the Engineer), Batman in the new Gunn DCU?, Halloween Hoopla (thank you, local public libraries!), Monsters: The Ed Gein Story, and nerd values. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your nerd best friends are hitting the road—destination: Portland, Oregon! Analese finds herself in a surprise birthday pinball tournament (because of course she does), Rob nerds out over the ultimate tabletop stops, and Dr. Intern Joan joins from the high seas to drop some hot tips for donuts, bookstores, and barcades. Together, they’re ranking their Top 5 favorite nerdy things to do while traveling, with a special spotlight on all things Portland Weird.It’s quirky, cozy, and full of the kind of delightful nerd tangents you’ve come to expect—travel tips, fandom finds, and a dash of chaos. Pack your dice bag, grab your coffee, and come nerd travel with us!Also in this episode: hidden gems at Mox Boarding House, fantasy football on cruise Wi-Fi, high fantasy versus low fantasy, Cairn 2nd edition, more about The Long Walk, scary audiobooks like Doctor Sleep. Subscriber bonuses on Patreon! Join the Nerd Herd today for early access, bonus clips, and recording invites! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your nerd best friends are diving into the brand-new film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk. Analese gets real about how art doesn’t always need a happy ending to be powerful, Rob nerds out about the book-to-screen details (and yes, the infamous F-word count), and Dr. Intern Joan goes deep on hidden easter eggs you may have missed. Together, we break down the characters, themes, and what this movie got right (and wrong) for longtime fans. It’s dark, intense, and exactly the kind of nerdy deep-dive you didn’t know you needed—listen in and join the walk with us.Also in this episode: alternate superhero comics, favorite book to screen adaptations, Advance Reader Copy type readers and the dystopian experience of keeping your ARC rating up, holiday season watch-a-thons, Buckingham Nicks album rerelease. Subscriber bonuses on Patreon! Join the Nerd Herd today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Step back into the groovy world of the ‘70s! Your Nerd Best Friends dive into the books, comics, music, and pop culture that shaped the decade: sci-fi milestones, superhero shake-ups, dystopian vibes, and more. Nerdwatching the 70s, Part 2 is live now! Analese is all about dystopian journeys, and Rob is spinning on vinyl.Also in this episode: Rob's big nipper slip, more about The State, digging Dexter:Resurrection, all the amazing horror genre from the 1970s. Subscriber bonuses on Patreon! Join the Nerd Herd today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Step into the shag-carpeted world of the ‘70s! Your Nerd Best Friends relive the movies and TV shows that defined a generation, from disco vibes to cult classics—stream Nerdwatching the 70s, Part 1 now! Analese is about the Greased Lightnin' and Rob is about the Fonz. Also in this episode: bags mart or bag smart, nerd travel updated necessities, small kindles, using makeup sponges for mini painting. Subscriber bonuses on Patreon! Join the Nerd Herd today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barry & Levon, Doug, $240 Worth of Pudding… if those words make you laugh, you already know. This week, your Nerd Best Friends are rewinding to the ‘90s to celebrate MTV’s The State—the cult sketch comedy show that shaped a generation of absurdist humor. We’re diving into our favorite sketches, the cast’s wild creativity, and how The State paved the way for Reno 911!, Wet Hot American Summer, and beyond. Whether you were quoting it back in the dorms or discovering it now, this episode is guaranteed to bring $241 worth of fun. Analese picked a side in the Taco Mail debate, and Rob joined a reggae band with Captain Monterey Jack.Also in this episode: what games are on your nerd best friends' tables, pre-painted terrain by Dungeons and Lasers, becoming a DM for D&D. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your nerd best friends are back, and it's season 5! In this one, the nerds get goofy about their top 5 fictional pets. Get settled in and bring extra Scooby Snacks! Analese dug Neftlix's Wednesday and Rob got his TMNT on in the theaters. Also in this episode: The origins of The Engineer, Superman theme songs, decades-old movies rereleased in the theaters, appointment watching, Best Friend Telepathy. Subscribe, Follow, Rate the podcast today! Bonus Content on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Intern Joan is back and celebrating favorite moments from Season 4! It truly was a season of growth and sharing the nerdiness. Analese is spending the summer on her old xbox and Rob is spending the summer on one-page rules games with his Warhammer minis. Also in this episode: Nerd Mail, updates to D7D 2024, Dr. Intern Joan should play D&D, summer plans, fancy dice sets, going to the movies again, creating threads of the same actor in different films/tv shows (is Steve Urkel a villain??), nerd organizing, video game consoles, family gaming. Talk Nerdy to Me TRAILER SWAP: nerds will love Play Comics podcast, comparing video games based off comics. Give them a listen and a follow!Bonus episodes for subscribers on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.