On this live Taco Tuesday, Phil and Jen bring another fun and fast episode of Distance Nerding. They kick things off with laughs, audience shoutouts, and reminders to subscribe. The duo covers everything from Spider-Man rumors and Marvel updates to drama renewals and surprise K-pop hits. There’s also DC casting news, Star Wars talk, and even ethical debates about where filmmakers choose to shoot. Special guest Sandra from DeLong Family Cosplay recaps Nova Con and teases the upcoming Tri-Cities Powerhouse Comic Con. Whether it's serious fandom conversations or playful speculations, this episode is packed with everything nerds love.

Timestamps and Topics

• 0:00  Intro and parental advisory

• 0:45  Taco Tuesday and community shoutouts

• 2:00  GeekFreaks Network and partner shows

• 3:50  Rumor Mill – Spider-Man, Scorpion, Punisher, Sinister Six, X-Men costumes, Mattson Tomlin, Goonies 2

• 14:00  The Gilded Age renewed for season four

• 17:00  Netflix’s K-pop Demon Hunters expands to trilogy and stage show

• 23:00  Buffy revival update and A Quiet Place Part III announced

• 30:00  Star Wars and Marvel news including Taika Waititi and Sean Levy projects

• 39:00  James Gunn responds to Comic-Con hecklers and toxic fandom

• 48:00  Filmmaking ethics and controversy over filming in Western Sahara

• 55:00  Sandra recaps Nova Con and previews Tri-Cities Powerhouse Comic Con

• 1:10:00  Closing thoughts and call to action

Key Takeaways

• Spider-Man rumors are heating up, with talks of Scorpion, Punisher, and Sinister Six potential

• Marvel may be leaning into comic-accurate costumes, especially with reports around Cyclops

• The Gilded Age continues to thrive and is confirmed for another season

• K-pop Demon Hunters is proving to be a breakout hit with major expansion plans

• Taika Waititi’s Star Wars project is still in motion with new collaborators

• James Gunn urges fans to focus on positivity and creativity, not trolling

• There’s growing conversation around the responsibility of filmmakers when choosing shooting locations

• Nova Con had great energy and Tri-Cities Powerhouse Comic Con is shaping up to be a big one

Memorable Quotes

• “It’s Taco Tuesday. You know what that means. You are now experiencing Distance Nerding.” – Phil

• “I have my ear to the ground – or an ear to the ground? I want that to be a thing.” – Jen

• “Kindness is punk rock.” – Phil

• “We don’t do gatekeeping here. Everyone’s welcome in this fandom community.” – Jen

Call to Action
Enjoying the show? Help Distance Nerding grow. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode using the hashtag #DistanceNerding. Got questions or topic suggestions? Email us at distancenerding@aol.com or hit us up on social.

Links and Resources

• GeekFreaksPodcast.com – The source for all news discussed

• DeLong Fam Cosplay – Sandra’s cosplay and con coverage

• Tri-Cities Powerhouse Comic Con – Coming August 16–17

Follow Us

• Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Twitch, Threads, BlueSky, and Discord: @distancenerding

• YouTube: Subscribe to our livestreams and game show The Buzzer

• TikTok: Clips, reactions, and cosplay highlights

Listener Questions

• What pop culture rumor do you wish were true?

• How do you handle toxic fans in your favorite fandoms?

• Which con are you most excited for this year?

Apple Podcast Tags: entertainment, pop culture, movies, tv news, comics, geek culture, conventions, interview, gaming, sci-fi, fantasy, marvel, dc