Check out our podcast show notes for the lowdown on all the nerdy stuff we chat about – from products to our latest adventures and current shenanigans!
Season 4
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Season 4 is here! The nerds welcome Frank Bonacci, co-host of the podcast Slaying It! with Juliet Landau, to chat about their experience at HellmouthCon 2024, a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan event put on by the fans themselves.
Frank was focused on getting promos together for his podcast and was pleasantly surprised by how much was offered at the Con. Speaking of, Frank and Juliet have quite a few episodes “in the can” - including ones with interviews with Julie Benz (Darla) and Ken Lerner (Principle Flutie). Make sure you listen!
Trivia night got the best of our nerds, believe it or not.
The cosplay was on point, from Xander and Anya in Once More with Feeling to Joyce and Giles from Band Candy.Frank and the nerds discuss the most impactful scenes, episodes, seasons and characters in BtVS.
Buffy telling her mom she is the Slayer is SO personal for Analese.
Rob loves anything Nathon Fillion, including him as the Big Bad of Season 7.
Analese is more of a Flutie than a Snyder.
Frank and Rob’s favorite episode is “The Body.”
Analese loves “Innocence.”All in all, Frank, Analese and Rob are making the content they enjoy, and hope you all do too!
Will we see you at HellmouthCon 2025?
Side Quests:
Portland, OR gamer breaking records on Donkey Kong
Breaking in the Paris Olympics
San Diego ComicCon is HUGE and engulfs the city of San Diego
What parts of New York do all the Spidermans reside?
Creepshow comic book REBOOT!Nerd Shout Outs:
Special guest Frank Bonacci, Scooby and co-host of Slaying It! with Juliet Landau podcast.
Find him: Instagram: @hortmortigan, Facebook: Frank Bonacci
Juliet Landau (@julietlandau) - Drusilla of Buffy and Angel fame.
HellmouthCon 2025 - June 14-15, 2025 at Torrance High School in Torrance, CA
Vampyre Cosmetics x Buffy the Vampire Slayer - promos by Juliet Landau and Julie Benz
Slayers’ Scythe (@scythe_matters) - Official & Licensed Scythe from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rewatcher podcast - hosts Ash and Alaina are rewatching Buffy and discussing each episode.
Scare You to Sleep podcast hosted by Frank’s friend Shelby Novak (Instagram @shelbynovak, @scareyoutosleep) -
IOHO, these cars are major characters in their respective shows/movies.
Are the Mystery Machine and the A-Team van really Tardises?
What do the Dukes of Hazard and the Fast and the Furious have in common?
Mr. Myagi and Danny Zuko have great taste!
Why were 50s cars build like boats?
Futuristic cars are not so realistic today…What vehicles did they miss?
Side Quests:
Fantastic Voyage by Coolio
What Star Wars character would make the best dungeon master?
The movie Grease is 46 years old and is performed ongoing in various places all the time.
David Hasseloff was quite the star in the 80s and Rob isn’t sure why….
Ghostbusters franchise - stay tuned for a future NBF episode!
D&D casts/parties based on the shows in this top 5.
Rob’s still painting figurines, and is on a quest for Target Exclusive Games Workshop Miniatures and Barnes and Noble Exclusive Games Workshop Miniatures.
Analese is prepping for Girls Just Wanna Weekend 6 and is looking at “travel hacks” to bring everything she can in a carry on.Nerd Shout Outs:
Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend 6
Access exclusive Nerd Best Friends content on Patreon. -
What does gatekeeping look like?
Why do people gatekeep?
How can nerd communities be more inclusive?
What is the most toxic, gatekept hobby?
What role does the media and influencers play in gatekeeping?Analese and Rob have both been gatekept. Their implicit biases have influenced them to gatekeep. This is why they actively self-reflect, talk to their communities and learn about the new developments. Join them in creating a safe, inclusive space for newcomers.
What can you do to break down gatekeeping and make hobby communities more inclusive?
Side Quests:
Metallica stands up for their music - they don’t care how and when you started listening to their music, they just care that YOU LISTEN.
RIP James Earl Jones - other than Star Wars, the nerds love him in Field of Dreams.
The Golden Girls as the ideal D&D adventuring party!
Analese still has her Napster mp3s on her ORIGINAL iPod Nano
Henry Cavill loves Warhammer and he’s not afraid to talk about it!
Hollywood is playing it SAFE by making reboots.Nerd Shout Outs:
Sandbox VR - lots of locations! Find one near you! -
The nerds get into their faves from the ‘10s. This is the decade where things changed due to streaming services, and this is reflected in who is winning awards at the Oscars, etc.
First up, television. Rob stays on brand with shows adapted from comic books and novels, as well as expansions of existing space western universes. Analese also stays on brand going pop culture, from quirky comedy to nostalgia and true crime.
For movies, the nerds acknowledge the ‘10s as the decade of Marvel and Star Wars. They mention several of each, and also give some honorable mentions to a DC superhero and some sci-fi flicks.
There is so much to cover! Subscribe to our Patreon for additional content from Nerdwatching the 2010s.
Stay tuned for next season where they go back to the future (Nerdwatching the 70s!).
What shows and movies from the 2010s did you enjoy?
Side Quests:
The nerds use AI/ChatGPT to guess the name of a poorly explained movie plots and guess the movie title.
Analese is watching horror movies, listening to horror soundtracks and playing Final Girl for the entirety of October!
Is Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or Christmas movie?
Rob found the exclusive BlitzBall and is lining up his fantasy football teams accordingly.Nerd Shout Outs:
Player One VR World
Access exclusive Nerd Best Friends content on Patreon. -
“You can’t talk about Captain Marvel without Ms. Marvel and you can’t talk about Ms. Marvel without talking about ALL THE MARVELS from the new movie…” - Rob
Listen as the nerds discuss:
-the evolution of Captain Marvel, et al.
-superheroes existing within these universes for new superheroes to look up to
-which versions are the nerds’ favorite
-a stellar Janet Jackson reference
-female comic character tropes and strides in representation of women in comicsRob’s Captain Marvel Comic Book Recs
Captain Marvel Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More by Kelly Sue Deconnick
Captain Marvel Vol. 1: In Pursuit of Flight by Kelly Sue Deconnick
Captain Marvel Vol. 1: Rise of Alpha Flight
The Mighty Captain Marvel (2017-2018)
The Mighty Avengers (2013-2014)
Ms. Marvel (2014-2015)Is there a more recent Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau) comic series that the nerds should read?
Side Quests:
Rob’s son is on a birthday trip, seeing two shows a day in NEW YORK CITY (including The Dungeons & Dragons Live Theatrical Experience)!
The kids these days and their interpretations of the 80s and 90s make the nerds chuckle.
Analese is called out for LOVING remakes when she clearly disavows them in a recent episode.
The nerds Internet Quiz each other on Spiderman and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
There is a fly interrupting Analese and Rob is very distracted by it. **karate chop**
Analese has finished listening to all 45 HOURS of the audiobook It by Stephen King
Rob took advantage of some rare Fall sun and primed 39 miniatures for painting.Nerd Shout Outs:
Marvel Superheroes Fantasy Jigsaw Puzzle (1983) for teaching Rob about the Marvel characters.Lastly, our listeners! We’ve received more fan interaction since our Pop Culture Cars episode than ever - keep it up! We love hearing from you.
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“It’s very Greeky.” - Rob
The nerds welcome Dr. Intern Joan (FINALLY!) to the podcast as they discuss their first Nerd Book Club pick: Wonder Woman History: The Amazons by Kelly Sue Deconnick and illustrated by Gene Ha, Phil Jimenez and Nicola Scott.
Listen as the trio discusses the writing, art and legendary origins of The Amazons as told in this Eisner award winning graphic novel, and how the socio-political issues represented are just as applicable today.
Did you read along with us? What did you think?
Side Quests:
Via Nerd Mail, Teen Nerd shares the tropes of “the 5 man band.”
Joan read her 134th book of the year. Whoa.
Rob played Castle Ravenloft at Halloween as a matter of tradition.
Analese is continuing on her Stephen King revisit with watching Mr. Mercedes on Peacock.Nerd Shout Outs:
Wonder Woman History: The Amazons by Kelly Sue Deconnick and illustrated by Gene Ha, Phil Jimenez and Nicola Scott
Read your comics from the library using Hoopla
Dave and Liam from the podcast “Watch It If You Can” share their British faves from the 2010s
Follow Dr. Intern Joan on IG @what.is.joan.reading to see what she’s reading -
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Season 3
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Season 2
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Welcome to Season 2, Nerds!
Tabletop games with minis are more popular than ever. And now you don’t have to risk them becoming discontinued; you can make them at home using a 3D printer and/or buy sets and paint them yourself to personalize your game play. Additionally, there are games beyond your Warhammer and D&D games. Smaller games themed to your interest may be a great entry point for your mini-painting adventure.
Analese and Rob paint to the “Tabletop Standard,” which is suitable for tabletop gaming, and agree on two essential steps.
Prep: you’ll need primer - choose from rattle can (easiest), spray or brush methods
Rob’s recs - black first, then a zenithal technique in a lighter color like white, cream or light gray. Restoration minis already come with a first coat. Make sure you secure your mini during this process!Paint: most companies have starter kits, and you can use regular paint or specialty (contrast colors, transparent, ink washes, etc).
Rob’s recs - first block color with transparent paint, then layer on metallic, third add ink washes, next dress up the base, and lastly touch up more intricate parts like faces. Don’t buy expensive brushes if painting to Tabletop Standard.
Analese’s rec - dry brushing as another step to enhance those minis, for example to “age” an item, and using a “paint puck” to stay organized.Finish (optional): varnish, let dry, and store.
Rob’s recs - use spray varnish, and once dry, store in a box with a magnetic bottom (adhere a magnet to the underside of the mini base), or use your 3D printer to make specialty mini holders.
What is your favorite painting technique or product?
Side Quests:
Rob listened to and consumed all the D&D things after the most recent announcement.
Magic the Gathering Tournaments
Analese went to the Hollywood Bowl and saw Back to the Future with accompanying orchestra music, wearing her shirt from Ground Kontrol.Nerd Shout Outs:
Gaming Geek on YouTube
MyMiniFactory - A Tabletop, Toys & Games 3D Printing Community
The Army Painter’s Warpaints Fanatic: Starter Set
Warhammer/Games Workshop is he biggest mini company around, and they have many paining starter sets, such as Warhammer 40,000: Paints + Tools Set
Smaller games with minis: Back to the Future - Back in Time, Mansions of Madness -
The nerds discuss their respective top 5 Tabletop Games that are NOT D&D or Warhammer.
Rob and Analese mention a variety of games that range in complexity and time it takes to play. They also discuss appropriate ages to play, and cooperative vs. competitive games. Truly, there is a game theme for everyone, from sci-fi to kid-friendly Dinos.
They hope these games serve as an entry point to new players and bring fun to your tables.
What game didn’t make our list? What are you going to play next?
Side Quests:
Dungeons and Dragons comic books by Jim Zub
Sarah Michelle Gellar in Wolfpack announced at Comic-Con
Rob is loving Rogue One
Analese finished painting the Mansions of Madness minis!
Rob’s wife got him Heroquest, and now he’s printing a 3D board!Nerd Shout Outs:
Buy games from Powell’s Books in Portland, OR like Analese does when she visits.
Use Board Game Geek to get the ratings/reviews of a game you’re considering.
Game Seeker store in Santa Barbara, CA - visit and pick up a game if you’re there! -
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The nerds don’t set New Year’s Resolutions, they use their Trello Boards to lay out their aspirations and what they’re looking forward to in the new year. As you may have guessed, the number of aspirations (loosely) match the number of the year.
Rob made 3 columns on his Trello board in 2022 (ideas, in progress, finished). Analese also uses the column method and adds one additional column, “wishlist.”
Listen as Analese and Rob recap their 22 for 2022 and look onward to the 23 for 2023. You can be sure there is a lot of painting minis and playing games for Rob and Analese.
Nerd tips:
It’s okay to hold over from one year to the next (e.g., watch 22 new shows turns into watch 23 new shows) or get more specific to make the goal less intense (e.g., watch 22 new episodes of a show).
It’s okay to have a mix of practical and fun aspirations!
Once the number gets too high, you can do the last number (23 = 3 things) or add them together (23 = 5) or go monthly like Analese and set 12 as a goal for a certain thing.
To avoid carryover from year to year, find your WHY.Listen to see what goals the Nerds achieved, and share yours! #2023NerdGoals
Side Quests:
Microdungeons as quick games that are laid out for you! Similar to one-shots.
Do the Bartman
Rob and his wife are starting a Spicy Chicken Sandwich Challenge, and he’s using Trello to organize the endeavor.
Analese finally watched Wednesday on Netflix and loved it.Nerd Shout Outs:
Board Game Stats App - track your games and keep up with your friends.
Fans are sending in memes and reels - we love it! Keep it up! -
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Another season down! Thanks to you all for hanging out with us.
The nerds loved all the episodes with guests; Analese had to edit down 3 hours of content from the Firefly episode since they had TWO people on. Rob loved the Firefly episode because it was friends casually discussing what they love, and listeners felt the comradiere.
They introduced Cult Classic Film and Nerd Career special episodes which will get added into their regular episode rotation, and will return to their faves Nerdwatching and Superhero episodes next season.
Honestly, our favorite moments revolved around YOU, our listeners. We loved getting your pictures, e-mails and having you on the show.
Season 3 is COMING SOOOOOON!
What are you hoping we discuss next season?
Side Quests:
No one agrees with Rob about his D&D dragon opinion.
Rob finished printing his Heroquest board and loved playing the game with it.
Analese went to Lagerville in Buellton, CA.
Rob’s summer plans include reorganizing the nerd room.
Analese is moving and doing all things associated with this massive endeavor.Nerd Shout Outs:
Thomas and Rachel Solar create nostalgia themed one-shots, published for free on dmsguild.com
Dapper Boi - Analese found a style she likes and has invested in the company! -
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Season One
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“Being a Nerd with adult purchase power is cool.”
Analese and her best friend Rob introduce themselves and the podcast. Their analog childhoods, digital adulthoods and tendency to go “all-in” make them a unique duo to bring nerd topics to the podcast-verse.
What type of nerd are you?
(Hint: It’s on a spectrum, and anything is nerdy if you try hard enough!)Listen to discover what Analese and Rob nerd out about, what they hope to cover in future episodes and why they decided to enter the podcast world. Plus, the nerdiest thing they did last week and plans for the upcoming week!
Nerd Shout Outs:
Return to Dark Tower - the Nerds highly anticipate this game coming out!
Powell’s Books - when Analese travels to Portland, OR stopping here is a MUST.
Masks RPG - rated Teen, 3-5 players, 2-4 hour run time
Metro Entertainment - Santa Barbara’s one-stop shop for all things nerd -
Over is the era of Leave It to Beaver and Mary Poppins!
The 80s was a time was a time when nerds could:
-disappear into stories and be the hero in fantastical worlds that had epic adventures
-see their worlds reflected back to them with shows about single moms and dysfunctional families
-explore taboo topics without adult supervision
-fall under the spell of The Spielberg Effect
-see fantastic continuity and story arcs through a movie series*They are aware that many of these movies would not and should not be made today. They are time capsules of the 80s.
Did they mention your favorite 80s movies?
Side Quests:
Analese is urged to watch the MCU shows and movies IN ORDER!
Rob discusses two movies from 1999. -
“There’s a zany misunderstanding or overheard sexual innuendo and the characters spend the episode trying to clear it up.”
Analese and Rob discuss popular and less known cartoons and family sitcoms from the 80s.
Turns out, there were a lot of sexual innuendoes, robots and aliens on family sitcoms back then.
*They are again aware that some of these sitcoms would not and should not be made today. They are true 80s time capsules.
Did your favorite show get a mention?
Side Quests:
Analese discusses a show from the 90s that showcases the nerd high school experience.
Analese backed her first project on Kickstarter!Nerd Shout Outs:
Dungeons & Dragons Adventure System Board Games -
Kickstarter is an updated version of the 90s Infomercial!
Rob is obsessed with Kickstarter; he’s backed over 142 projects! He uses Trello to track the progress and his impressions of the projects.
Analese is a novice backer and enjoys discovering new games on Kickstarter.
Kickstarter started in 2009 as a way for lesser known creators to get their project funded via crowd sourcing. As of 2018 over 200 million dollars and 3 million people pledged toward gaming products!
Listen as Rob extols the magnificence of Kickstarter, including feeling like you’re part of the product creation process.
Have you backed any projects on Kickstarter or other crowdsourcing sites?
Side Quests:
Rob loves craft beer - strong hoppy IPAs, cool label art and punny beer names.
Follow him! Robo22 on UntappdNerd Shout Outs:
Sierra Nevada and their Pale Ale
Trello
Dapperboi
Marvel United
Marvel United: X-Men
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures: Change is Constant
Joe Hill Graphic Novels
Basket Full to Heads Graphic Novel -
Analese and Rob welcome second generation Nerd, Andrew Cooper, their FIRST GUEST!
His nerd cred includes D&D, Warhammer, Marvel, theatre and books.Listen as the trio discuss the eerie similarities of The Lego Movie and The Matrix:
Emmet vs Neo, Morpheus vs Vitruvius, Trinity vs Wyldstyle
Who is the equivalent of Batman in The Matrix?Are The Lego Movie and The Matrix the SAME movie?
Side Quests:
Escape (The Piña Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes - do you know all the lyrics?
The Lego Batman Movie was well received by all, give it a watch!
Would you sleep in/on a double decker couch?
Rob drove 90 minutes each way to teach marching band - FOR FUN.
Analese also volunteered with the same marching band and makes all sorts of nerd connections.
Andrew watched Black Widow for the first time. Is there a Kraven the Hunter Easter Egg?
Andrew is going to play Pokémon Unite on Nintendo Switch.Nerd Shout Outs:
New Belgium Brewing and their Summer Bliss Tropical Wheat -
“Every hero has someone who has guided them into their hero-dom.” - Michael Dumlao
Michael Dumlao (He/They) join the nerds to discuss common history (they were all in high school marching band together) and his upcoming book, The Wisdom of Guncles.
There is a black sheep in all of us, and Michael posits that it’s not always a bad thing, that this gives queer folx an opportunity to create their own families, traditions and rituals that ARE inclusive and safe.
We hope you listen, learn and take something away to support someone in your life who is the black sheep, or if you’re the black sheep, that you have and/or seek support that feels like home.
Have you/will you read The Wisdom of Guncles?
Side Quests:
Analese and Rob take trips to get that good ice!
The Venn diagram is the perfect nerd graphic.
Michael started watching Star Wars: The Bad Batch - who would Michael cosplay?
Rob and the fam do Free Comic Book Day
Michael is attending Awesome-Con in Washington DC
Rob is tearing through Hellboy comics by Mike Mignola
Analese is reading memoir-style comics by Alison BechdelNerd Shout Outs:
Special Guest Michael Dumlao, IG @michaeldumlao
Artist Kyle Marcus Bryant, IG @caelpictor
Firestone Brewery and their 805 beer -
The nerds welcome guests Andrea Avila and Tamara Brooks to talk all things comic book conventions. Andrea Avila is a tech nerd in her day job and a dilettante nerd in general. Tamara Books is a freelance journalist and an omni-nerd.
With intersectionality emerging in nerd spaces, this conversation is particularly salient as host and guests are women of color. Tamara has been in attendance as well as on panels at Cons and is sure to advocate and highlight diversity, and lack thereof.
Conventions are a way to commune with fellow nerds over common interests, see and partake in cosplay culture, meet and greet with fan favorite artists, celebrities, etc., learn about new products and media, meet new friends and immerse yourself in all things nerd culture.
San Diego ComicCon is the most famous Con but there are many others, from single interest cons to local and regional-specific cons.
Nerd Insight:
Cosplay is very different than “just wearing a costume.”
Start with a smaller convention first, to decide if a larger one suits your personality.
You don’t need a full-convention pass. Sometimes a 1-day pass can be just as beneficial.What is your favorite Con?
Side Quests:
The etiquette of seeing a celebrity
Pokemon Oreos
Austin Powers references and inflation
Writing D&D One-Shots
Nerd Room adjustments for show and functionality
Buffy rewatchNerd Shout Outs:
Golden Road Brewery in Los Angeles (of note, they participate in Heal the Bay conservation efforts)
Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
Wikipedia List of Comic Conventions -
Analese and Rob discuss “The Bell Curve of Batman” (tm).
Listen as they explore the following topics:
Best Origin Stories
Most Complete Batman Stories
Best Villains (“Some men just want to watch the world burn.”)
Most Entertaining Batman Stories
Best Sidekicks
Best Batman GadgetsDo you agree with them?
Side Quests:
Sports/Baseball Hat Nerd
Sneaker-Heads
High School D&D Clubs
Practicing TrumpetNerd Shout Outs:
Transmission Brewing and Toppers Pizza - two stellar stops while in Ventura, CA!
War Game Vault - largest online marketplace devoted to RPGs and RPG-related materials.
3D Printable Dice Tower Patterns on Kickstarter -
This is an Analese-centric episode! She loves Buffy*. Listen as they discuss their top 5 favorite villains and episodes.
Analese challenges what we consider a villain.
When does Evil Willow or Vampire Willow get her spinoff?
What episode was nominated for an Emmy?
Silent, musical, alternative universe and historical episodes, oh my!*Disclaimer: we know Joss Whedon is problematic and we stand with the women who have spoken up. It’s a constant conversation in the nerd community to separate the art from the artist.
Tell us your Buffy faves!
Side Quests:
TMNT Change is Constant game and additional components ($80-$550)
Analese stands corrected, “M” is what she said and “Q” is what she meant!
They killed Strahd!
Analese is revisiting the Scream franchise in anticipation of the latest installment coming to theaters.Nerd Shout Outs:
Dogfish Head Brewing - Beer for Breakfast
Den Of Geek’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode Roadmap for Beginners -
Analese’s brother bought an ORIGINAL Return to Dark Tower game off of eBay back in the day. The nerds wanted to play the original before the NEW RtDT came out (Return to Dark Tower, original campaign on Kickstarter). This reminds Rob of Hero Quest, a game that got everyone into tabletop games. The newly remade edition has all the 80s kids in their feels.
The main question is: will Analese and Rob play Return to Dark Tower with or without painting the minis?!
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Rob pops in to share this “Stars, they’re just like us” moment.
Henry Cavill loves Warhammer and isn’t afraid to talk about it with whomever will listen! Enjoy this clip of him discussing it on Graham Norton (spoiler: Tom Holland invites himself over to play).
Listen to the Graham Norton Clip on TikTok.
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Analese reminisces how she got her college roommates into BtVS with an episode callback mention of Xander and the hyenas.
The nerds finish off their conversation from Episode 9 (Top 5: Buffy the Vampire Slayer), discussing their Top 5 Episode Callbacks and general jokes/nerd references in the series.
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Listen as Analese recounts her visit to Universal Studios, Universal Citywalk and the Stranger Things Pop-Up in Los Angeles.
What Pop-Up Shop would want to visit?
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The nerds discuss “New Year Projects” instead of New Year Resolutions. Resolutions are aspirational, or what you “should” do, whereas Projects are actionable and enjoyable!
They touch on the history of resolutions and what they’ve learned since starting this approach in 2019. They also note that January 1 has historically been a halfway point in their career environments (education) so resolutions don’t make sense for them.
Listen as they review their 22 projects for 2022, and the use of Trello to track their progress.
Will you try this new twist on New Year’s Resolutions?
Side Quests:
Rob painted SO MANY minis over the holiday break. And watched LotR movies and related content while he did it.
Analese played a lot of Nintendo Switch and watched the new Westside Story movie.
The nerds organized and reorganized their spaces for better functionality.Nerd Shout Outs:
Kona Brewing Co. - Spiked Island Seltzers
Trello
The Happier Podcast -
“The funnier the name, the hoppier the beer.”
This is a Rob-centric episode! He considers him a craft beer connoisseur. Analese brings the curiosity and asks tons of clarifying questions, as well as sharing her own beer preferences.
Listen as they cover the following topics:
-the variety and nuisances of Pale Ales, Ales, Wheats, Lagers, Sours, Porters and Stouts.
-macro- vs. micro- breweries
-drinking a good beer at a craft brewery vs. overseas
-what type of beer is best to pair with food?
-what ingredient in beer made it suitable for long distance transport
-what beer is a good start for someone just starting out in the craft beer world?Follow the nerds on Untapped to see what they’re drinking! (Rob, Analese)
Side Quests:
Rob finished painting all three boxes of the Batman Gotham Chronicles minis!
Analese is writing a course for education administrators.
Deck-building games are a toss-up for Rob but he keeps trying them.
Analese is traveling with her foreign exchange student to show her some of the U.S.Nerd Shout Outs:
Modern Times Beer + Coffee - Dungeon Map West Coast IPA
Firestone Walker Brewery - 805 Beer
Untappd - an app to track your beer adventures
DC Deck Building Game
GI Joe Deck Building Game -
Visual storytelling is very appealing to the nerds. So much so this is a two-part episode!
Listen as they discuss:
-comics with intersectional representation
-the supernatural, sci-fi/fantasy, goofy fantasy, drama, crime, and horror genres of comics
-the extended universe in comics of a popular TV series based on books
-cartoons and tv series rebooted/remade/retold in comics
-comics they’ve been gifted and will gift to othersNerd Tip: if you like a certain creator or illustrator, try other their other titles.
What was your gateway into comic books?
Side Quests:
Analese and Rob reflect on the newspaper comic strips, superhero cartoons and non-traditional pathways that started out their love of comic books.
Rob uses a digital album as a screen saver on the TV in his game room so he can see all the cover art of his comic books; Analese uses Goodreads to track what she’s read.
|Analese can’t stop watching Return to Dark Tower unboxing videos.
Rob and some nerd friends have committed to painting a mini a week, and of course have a Trello board to track their progress.
Analese’s dog turns ONE and they’re having a party.Nerd Shout Outs:
Stone Brewing - Enjoy by IPA Series.
Santa Barbara Bookmobile - Analese discovered the magic of comics through this program!
Support your local library! They have graphic novels!
Board Game Stats App -
…the nerds continue their discussion of non-superhero comic books, and are closing in on their Top 4 in this part 2 episode.
Analese’s top 4 includes a comic by her favorite author, a serial killer-based story, a Lesbian autobiography and a new take on a crime procedural.
Rob’s top 4 includes comic book themes of WWII, apocalypse, monster symbolism for real life issues, and western horror.
There are so many honorable mentions! For Rob, most are comics with animals as the main characters or sidekicks. Analese stays consistent with themes of crime-solving and makes solid recommendations in the social justice and anti-hero comic categories.
What comics are you inspired to read?
Side Quests:
Rob was wrong on his number 1 Batman.
Analese backed two new kickstarter campaigns, Final Girl (second edition) and Marvel Zombies (of which she roped Rob into paying half).
Rob has finally organized his game room, from the parking lot of Staples.
Analese is conducting the junior high honor band soon, and the nerds reflect on playing in that very band when they were younger.
Walk Through the Middle Ages at Rob’s son school is highly interactive and they are going full-on for the costume.Nerd Shout Outs:
Liquid Gravity Brewing Company - Pale from the Crypt
Hoopla App for comics - support your local libraries!
American Comics: A History by Jeremy Dauber
Final Girl Series 2
Marvel Zombies
Really Useful Boxes - endless storage options for all your games -
No episode this week! Some updates: Analese confirms Return to Dark Tower is in her hot little hands, and she’s LOVING it. And the hype for Final Girl is BUILDING!
The nerds discuss how the Tennessee School Board banned the Comic Book Maus.
Maus is author Art Spiegelman's graphic novel that tells the story of how his Jewish parents survived the Holocaust in Poland.
Nerds, go out and buy/borrow/read this comic!
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Rob’s son, Andrew, joins the nerds to discuss role playing games, better known as RPGs. Analese posits that playing a non-D&D game first helped her be a better D&D player.
The most famous RPG is Dungeons & Dragons but there are so many others to enjoy! You can enter the world of superheroes, be a bear stealing honey, adventure in space, be a teen in your neighborhood or an investigator 1920s.
You can also use an RPG framework and apply it to any kind of genre your mind can create.Nerd Glossary:
RPG is a game where players take on the role of a character in a fictional world and interact with the game’s narrative. There is usually a game master and for the tabletop version includes a combination of game boards, dice, and models (or minis).
NPCs (non-player characters) are not controlled by players but pre-programmed to behave or speak in a certain way.
One Shot is a game that ca be completed in a single session.Listen to find out if your favorites made it to the conversation.
What RPGs are you playing?
Side Quests:
Analese stands corrected - Creepshow was a movie first before a graphic novel!
Andrew lost himself in Call of Cthulhu after his group put a D&D campaign on hold while a member fulfills Army obligations.
Rob has so many game accessories that people are asking him to borrow them.
Return to Dark Tower has arrived; Analese is playing solo and loving it!Nerd Shout Outs:
NIght Lizard Brewing Company - Girl Scout Cookie and Beer Pairing - Thin Mints with Lupine Porter
Savi’s Workshop - Handbill Lightsabers at Disneyland -
The nerds have a casual conversation of what nerdy things they’ve been doing. Specifically, what they’re watching, reading, playing, listening, painting and planning.
What have YOU been doing?
Side Quests:
The nerds got an intern! However, spoiler, she wont’ start until season 4 because life got in the way.
Accessibility issues in gaming and adjustments to accessories so everyone can play. Analese taught hand exercises to musicians in a past career, and thinks this applies to gaming as well. Try some here!
King Richard (movie)
Rob’s 3D printer is broken.Nerd Shout Outs:
Dust Bowl Brewing Company - Taco Trip Lager
Conan the Cimmerian: The Tower of the Elephant -
“If you build it, they will come.”
Analese and Rob recap their first adventures in podcasting: meeting their goal of building nerd community, favorite episodes, topics, and pace/frequency of One Shots.
The nerds discuss their summer plans: Rob reflects on how to maximize time with his pre-teen son, Analese hopes to collect some more Hard Rock pins on location, they may or may not want to attend a Con or go to Vegas.
Stay tuned next season for a more finely tuned, well-oiled nerd podcast machine!
What feedback do you have for them?
As always, let them know:
podcast@nerdbestfriends.com
Instagram, Threads, Facebook, YouTubeSide Quests:
How to travel with beer.
Analese stands corrected, Teri Hatcher was in Desperate Housewives not The Real Housewives.
Analese and Rob watched baseball and painted many minis.Nerd Shout Outs:
Maui Brewing Company - Bikini Blonde Lager
Board Game States App - track your games progress!
Pinball Hall of Fame -
The nerds have a casual conversation of how their summer is going…but first, a shout out to Jim at Metro Comics in Santa Barbara who is MOST helpful and knowledgeable! Thank you Jim.
Rob and his family attended Free Comic Book Day - the first Saturday in May - and are watching lots of Disney+ shows (Marvel, Star Wars).
He’s also deep in running his second Call of Cthulhu game.
Never fear, he’s also painting all the minis and revisiting his D&D faves.
Finally, Rob makes a color-coded summer schedule for his nerd activities and isThe nerds went on a quest for paint supplies, oh what an adventure that was!
Their next adventure is to a Games Workshop store.
Analese and Rob are also anticipating free RPGday.Analese went to her first Con! Nerdville in Watsonville, CA.
She’s finally playing Return to Dark Tower with others!
Final Girl is stalled in a China warehouse but her first Backerkit (Skeptics) is making progress.
Her nerd room is getting a makeover!
Catching up on Stranger Things, Analese thinks season 2 is “alright” but LOVES season 3.
Lastly, Analese is painting Buffy minis!What nerdy things are you doing this summer?
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Nerd Best Friends Season 2 starts September 14, 2022! Don’t forget to tune in!
The nerds continue their casual conversation about the remainder of their summer nerd activities…
Analese and Rob both attended free RPG day - they had to travel SIXTY-NINE miles to find a participating store! They ended up at BGE TableTop Games in West Hills, CA. Thanks for showing us a good time, Dustin!
Return to Dark Tower is still playing a HUGE part of the nerds’ summer.Rob took inventory of what he’s 3D printed over time, and finished up all outstanding projects because he ordered a NEW printer!
Him and the fam started playing Marvel United and look forward to the expansions.
New contrast paints have Rob very excited, along with HIGH anticipation for all the Marvel goodness coming up, not to mention the Dungeons & Dragons movie trailer..Analese’s biggest highlight - Nerd Travels to Portland, Oregon! She and the fam took a trip to Portland, Oregon. Of course they visited Powells, and actually picked up a few games, including Back to the Future and House of Danger. Then they visited Mox Boarding House to eat and peruse their gargantuan array games for purchase and play. Analese also stumbled into a pinball tournament at Ground Kontrol on her birthday and placed 12th of 27.
She has also been playing some games, including Cobble & Fog, and rewatching Friday Night Lights.