DiscoverNW NERD: Fandom-powered geek magazine
NW NERD: Fandom-powered geek magazine
Claim Ownership

NW NERD: Fandom-powered geek magazine

Author: NW NERD

Subscribed: 51Played: 1,606
Share

Description

These are the stories that make us nerds. Broadcasting from the crossroads of fandom, covering comics, film, TV, comicon, cosplay, pop culture, games, and all other corners of the geekonomy. NW NERD is a magazine-style podcast with interviews and feature stories from the diverse geek community. 

162 Episodes
Reverse
Chanel Johnson just wanted a perfect wedding. For her (and husband Bil) that meant a Harry Potter / Viking themed event. Chanel tells the story of her geek wedding. Also, Victoria Rudolph with Simply Nerdy Events provides some insights into wedding planning, especially for those who really want to include their pop culture passions. And joining this special wedding episode is Nina, the girl who Dyer somehow convinced to marry him. They have their own experience to relate, which includes planning, and eloping ... and a Superman shirt. 
This episode is for all the geek senses – tastes and smells, etc. Michel Paves used her creativity during the pandemic to develop scent profiles for her favorite fandoms and characters, from Wolverine to Falkor the luck dragon. That evolved into Nerdwax Candles which can be found online and perhaps at a farmer's market near you. She talks with NW NERD about some candle projects in the works.  Also, NW NERD recently won an award from the Society of Professional Journalists for a version of a story he did on Friday Elliott with Friday Afternoon Tea. That story was first published on NW NERD. We're playing a segment from that story. Friday showed how she uses her unique form of synesthesia to develop flavor profiles by listening to NW NERD episodes and designing a tea flavor for the podcast. Joining this episode to talk through it all is Egypt from the Comic Dads along with Nessa (Comic Mom). Both have bartending experience, so we're throwing some characters at these comic parents to see what drink they would serve them. All that and a few special announcements. 
You can still play The Oregon Trail on Apple Arcade, but the modern version of this iconic educational game has gotten an upgrade as part of an effort to more accurately depict the times, and the people along the trail – Native Americans in particular.  This story comes to us from reporter Anna King who first reported this story for Northwest News Network. You can read and hear her story here. Music in this episode was by Kevin MacLeod. NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoot Hoots. 
An encore presentation of NW NERD's feature story on the Oregon Trail video game that was the highlight of many young students' school day in the 1980s and 1990s. NW NERD talks with Don Rawitsch, the creator of the educational video game,. It was a rocky road over many years before The Oregon Trail was a pop culture icon. Ensign Brandon Haddix and Pop Culture Journalist Dyer Oxley go over their own experiences with the game, and Dyer even pops a quiz on Brandon. 
What is the connection between Star Trek and journalism?NW NERD presents a special roundtable discussion with three award-winning journalists who happen to be major Star Trek fans. Essex Porter, Heather Bosch, and Jeff Pohjola join Dyer for a chat about their love of Star Trek, and how it can relate to their industry. 
When the pandemic first struck in 2020, Funko was already in a bit of a funk. But the company, and its fans, learned to adapt over a rocky year. This is the story of how Funko (and its fans, and retail shops) faced the pandemic. What it learned and how it adapted may change things for this Northwest-based fandom company. Also featuring Pixie Bomber Cosplay. This feature references reporting from The Seattle Times, GeekWire, and CNBC.
Former Seahawk Cassius Marsh (currently Pittsburgh Steelers) has long dreamed of owning a store focused on Magic: The Gathering and other collectable cards. He has now achieved that dream with Cash Cards Unlimited, further aiming to provide a new experience for card collectors. It turns out, this is not Cassius' only nerd niche ... and he may have even more ambitions to pursue. He talks about it all with NW NERD. Also – can Spokane be Washington's film town? We talk through why filmmakers praise the area for making movies, yet they shy away from the Evergreen state. Finally, Dyer offers his review of Zack Snyder's Justice League. He has been harsh on Snyder movies in the past. Will this film finally change his tune? Joining this episode as co-host is That Guy Named John with About to Review, offering his cinephile expertise on the Northwest film scene. Theme music by The Hoot HootsMusic in this episode: "Newer Wave" by Kevin MacLeod
Jim Demonakos (Emerald City Comic Con, LightBox Expo, Comic Stop) has a new project – a documentary on Hellboy creator Mike Mignola. Thanks so a very successful Kickstarter campaign, the documentary has more than enough funding to be completed. Jim joins pop culture journalist Dyer Oxley to discuss the project, as well as talk about the career of an "entreprenerd."Also, Joel the Geek co-hosts to discuss what to watch over the next couple months. There's plenty of shows and movies coming to a streaming service near you ... like really near you ... your living room because that is where we watch things these days. Joel and Dyer have a few recommendations. Finally, Avatar is the world's highest earning film in history, again. It's still a terrible film. But it's made a lot of money. So they're making four sequels that you can look forward to starting this year. 
The pandemic and 2020 shocked the pop culture convention industry that gives us comicons and other coveted gatherings. NW NERD brings in Todd Jones (former Global Director of Content and Celebrity Talent for ReedPOP) to help explain what has gone on behind the scenes, and what comicons will likely look like moving forward.Also, Dr. Tim Elam with the University of Washington's Applied Physics Lab discusses how his work is helping NASA search for ancient life on Mars. That work is happening right now!And Netflix just released demographic data about its own content and company. The numbers show that the streaming company has some work to do. Cosplayer and artist RainyRentyn joins Dyer this episode to talk through it all. Also: Want to submit your own recording to introduce NW NERD? Just like Renee aka Pixie Bomber did for this episode? We'd love to include you. Email nwnerdpodcast@gmail.com for details. 
On the first episode of Season 5, we meet a new superhero on the streets of Seattle, and she has a pretty cool car, too. Meet Captain Quidel, who arrived in time for the pandemic. Also...Catching up with Jedi Minister Tyler Arnold on the changes to Spokane's Jedi Alliance church. A discussion on pop culture conventions as we look ahead in 2021. Will you attend any comicons over the coming months?Finally, Dyer provides an update about Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon, and developments that occurred since NW NERD's feature story on his fan meet ups / bowling tour. And also a few announcements. 
Spokane has had a few comicons come and go over the years, but Lilac City Comicon has stood out. That's partially because it keeps going, but also because it keep growing. That's largely thanks to one man, Nathan O'Brien, who believed that the geek community east of the Cascade Mountains is strong enough for a decent comicon. This is Lilac's journey. Also, news headlines including:The coronavirus pandemic is affecting the video game industry, delaying the release of some games. Tim Cullings with Seattle Indies provides some insight. Blue Origin is the latest NW company to help out in the fight against COVID-19. This is how.Despite being a serious issue, the pandemic has prompted plenty of memes, misinformation, and conspiracy theories that are spreading throughout social media. We go through a few notable examples, and Brandon gets a surprise quiz. Personal corner: Brandon has a big announcement. But he needs advice some more experienced nerds out there. 
NW NERD talks with two one-of-a-kind artists -- Jeff Carpenter and Alex the Pumpkin Geek. Headlines: Ashley Hiruko, reporter with KUOW, discusses her article about businesses that technically are considered "essential" under Washington's stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic ... but are they really? One business she addresses is the Northwest's favorite purveyor of pop culture -- Funko. The largest comic book distributor says it can't pay its vendors while the pandemic continues to shut down businesses (such as comic book shops).Dyer gets some answers back from an Emerald City Comic Con rep about how the event will transfer over to its new August dates. Also, how are you tackling cabin fever while practicing social distancing? We'd like to hear. 
Cosplayers in Washington and beyond are organizing to make face masks, face shields, and more to help doctors, nurses, and first responders get what they need as they fight a pandemic. Also, stay-at-home orders and closed businesses for COVID-19 are pushing back film release dates and changing movie theater operations. Brandon is still waiting for Half Life 3. And Dyer has a dilemma: What to do with fan art that is piling up.Featuring: Pixie Bomber Cosplay and Zaklabs. Music by Keven MacLeod.
Artist, cosplayer, and Superman Jonathan Belle joins NW NERD as a guest host to chat about how Emerald City Comic Con has rescheduled for August 21 and check in on what he's been up to lately. Coronavirus concerns continue, so we brought in some positivity (And we also may talk about how great The Killers are).Also, an interview with Charles Brown, part of Spokane's Grown Folkz Kids Show. They talk about geek news, they talk about issues. And it's always fun. Charles discusses Spokane's geek scene and its unique features.
The headlines are filled with "Coronavirus," "COVID-19," and "pandemic" lately. Though if you're like Dyer, then most of what you know about a virus spreading across the globe most likely comes from movies. We turn to Dr. Tara Smith who is an epidemiologist out of Kent State -- she actually teaches a course on plagues and pandemics. Dr. Smith likes to talk about this science in terms of pop culture (such as zombie movies), so we discuss the current COVID-19 pandemic to find the line between Hollywood and reality, fiction and fact. Also, wash your hands. 
Geek Boots Military Nerds join NW NERD as guest hosts to talk about geek news, including: -Space economy in Redmond may get a financial boost.-Renton City Comic Con is rebranding and adopting a new name. What will the new con look like? -And will marvel movie actors start their own Dungeons and Dragons campaign? Two are rumored to be considering it. This week's feature showcases Sanctuary, a shop in Wenatchee that focuses on Magic: The Gathering. But behind this small shop is the story of one man, Thaddeus Deane, whose career has been intense -- from Navy SEAL to fire fighter. But Magic has been a part of his life ever since the game debuted. Today, he uses it to have a positive influence on the world. 
NW NERD travels to the intersection of pop culture and mental health. First, a conversation with "Doc," who makes wands and sells them at comicons. Doc, a military veteran, is vocal about his experience with PTSD and how woodworking helped him after his time in the Army. Also, a discussion with Nikki York, Sara Pence, and Steven Collins. The three work in the mental health industry, often with youth and families. They also host panels on mental health and pop culture at conventions. We sat down with them at the NW NERD booth at Rose City Comic Con to discuss everything from Marvel films to what pop culture gets wrong about therapy. 
Ming Chen spends a lot of time on the road, traveling to different pop culture conventions as a guest and a host. In doing so, he has become familiar with many cities across the USA, getting to know the local restaurants, cafes, dive bars, and more. When he is visiting the Northwest (Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Puyallup), he has a few spots he always returns to. In this episode, Ming discusses his favorite hang outs in the region. This is Ming Chen's bars and bites guide to the NW. (This episode includes unbleeped naughty words and discussion of mature topics)Ming Check spoke with NW NERD at a previous Washington State Summer Con. Theme music by The Hoot Hoots. Cover: Ming Chen and Dyer Oxley visit Bob's Java Jive in Tacoma, Wash. 
You may know Alicia Marie from comic conventions where she is often a guest, but this cosplayer is more than meets the eye. Alicia Marie lives many lives: Cosplayer, fitness expert, social media influencer, advocate for the deaf community, author, and more. With so much going on, it's no wonder that some information has been stretched online. So we set the record straight by going to the source and learning about the many lives of Alicia Marie. Cosplayer Alicia Marie took time to chat with NW NERD at Washington State Summer Con. Theme music by The Hoot Hoots. Cover: Cosplayer Alicia Marie visits NW NERD's podcast lounge at Washington State Summer Con. 
Beau Johnson organizes events for PlayTest NW, so game designers can test their creations. But when the pandemic struck in 2020, prompting lockdowns and social distancing, the gaming organization had to evolve overnight. How did PlayTest NW change, and what does it look like today. Beau Johnson with PlayTest NW took time to chat with NW NERD at a previous Washington State Summer Con. Theme music by The Hoot Hoots. 
loading
Comments 
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store