That Nerd Thing

Morgan welcomes back author Marina Laurendi to discuss the impact of fandoms and the journey as an indie author. Marina shares insights on writing her second book, Chains of Fate and Fury, the challenges of being an indie author, and how fandoms have shaped her mental well-being. The discussion also dives into Marina's approach to writing, her inspirations, and thoughts on balancing life with...

Morgan, Chevelle, Jenna, and Kim dive deep into Volume 2 of Stranger Things Season 5. They discuss their initial reactions, favorite moments, and controversial character decisions. The group speculates about the mysterious Vecna, the role of various characters, and who might meet their end in the finale. Along the way, they ponder the motivations of the Department of Energy, discuss untimely love...

Morgan returns to the podcast after a year-long hiatus, kicking off the revival with an episode dedicated to Stranger Things with special guests Jenna, Kim, and Chevelle. The group discusses their reactions to the latest season, shares theories, and reveals their hopes and fears for the series finale. They dive into the potential fates of beloved characters, the significance of various plot elemen...

Morgan welcomes back Matt Eicheldinger, the acclaimed author of the Matt Sprout series. They discuss the successes and challenges Matt has faced since their last conversation, including the unexpected success of his books and his newfound status as a New York Times bestselling author. The discussion highlights Matt's expanding career into new book contracts, his experiences with social media, publ...

*We are back after a brief hiatus! Thank you all for your patience!* In this episode,  Morgan welcomes Jason, aka Agent Palmer, from The Palmer Files podcast. They discuss Jason's long-form conversational podcast that features a diverse range of guests including authors, business people, and friends. Jason shares his journey into podcasting, his initial intimidation with the format, and his passio...

In this episode, Morgan welcomes special guest Liz Wilcox. They dive into Liz's journey and experience becoming a contestant on Survivor. Liz shares her nerdy origins with Teddy Ruxpin, her profound connection with the show Survivor, and how it has impacted her life through various stages. The discussion also touches on the intricacies of TV editing, the magic of 90s boy bands, hip hop, comedy, an...

In this special Halloween message, Morgan shares her love for the season, highlighting Halloween's blend of fun, imagination, and community. She emphasizes how Halloween allows people to embrace different aspects of their identity through costumes, stories, and fandoms. With no guest interview this week, listeners are encouraged to celebrate in their own unique ways and are thanked for being part...

In this episode, Morgan welcomes Marina Laurendi, an author and musician, to discuss her debut book Heir of  Blood and Fire. The episode explores Marina's rapid journey from concept to publication, her background in musical theater, and her love for art and creativity. Additionally, they delve into her favorite books, TV shows, and admiration for Sarah J. Maas. Marina shares her transition from ba...

Nik Walker is BACK for his second episode on That Nerd Thing ! Join Morgan and Nik as they dive into the enchanting world of fandoms and theme parks. Nik shares his experiences with fans, his recent role in the musical Bull Durham , and offers a behind-the-scenes look into the unpredictable life of performing. He also talks about his love for Disney parks and his current nerdy obsessions, like Aga...

In this episode, Morgan chats with Ben Stimpson, a therapist and author specializing in folklore and spiritualism, to discuss the intersection of therapy, fandom, and nerd culture. Ben shares insights into his work with narrative therapy, fandoms, and the magical worlds of The Elder Scrolls, emphasizing the immersive nature of these games. The conversation traverses topics such as the impact of fa...

Yes - the set is now complete and ALL of the MuggleCast hosts have now been on That Nerd Thing!! In this episode, Morgan delves into the world of podcasting and fandom with special guest Micah Tannenbaum, co-host of the longstanding MuggleCast and the newer What the Hype?! podcast. Micah shares insights into his passion for various fandoms, the challenges and joys of podcasting, and his unexpected...

In this episode, Morgan delves into the transformative power of book clubs with guests Ileana, founder of the Spine Benders Society Bookclub, and Carrie, Community and Partnerships Director for BookClubs.com. The discussion reveals the origins of the bookclubs app, highlights the community and organizational benefits it offers, and shares personal anecdotes and tips for leading and participating i...

In this episode, Morgan interviews Rachel, the host of The Menuscript Podcast which combines love for books and food. Rachel shares the journey of starting her podcast, balancing it with her career in education research, and her deep-rooted passions from childhood interests like horses to current obsessions such as football and Harry Potter. The conversation dives into Rachel's unique podcast...

In this episode, Morgan is joined by her friend Maggie known for her work in the childfree community. Maggie delves into her childfree life and community, highlighting meetups and vacations she organizes. The conversation transitions into Maggie’s experiences with music fandoms, particularly Taylor Swift and Hanson. Maggie recounts her groupie days and the impact of music on her emotional journey....

In this episode, Morgan chats with Christine Giver, the host of the Outside of the Box podcast. Christine shares her journey into combat robotics, a niche within the larger STEM field, inspired by her daughter's interest in STEM and her nostalgic love for old school BattleBots. She reveals the creativity and innovation of the combat robotics community, addresses the importance of failures for...

In this episode, Morgan chats with Suzanne, one of the current leaders of the South Florida Chapter of the Spine Benders Society Bookclub. They discuss the impact of book clubs and the importance of themes in creating an immersive book club experience. Suzanne shares her journey into nerdy interests, notably fantasy elements like fairies and unicorns, and her deep affection for Sabrina the Teenage...

In this episode, Morgan interviews Mel Saavedra, the founder of the Steamy Lit bookstore and the host of the Romance Unleashed podcast. They discuss Mel's journey from being an avid reader to creating a successful romance literary collective that includes a specialty bookstore, subscription boxes like the Steam Box, and events like Steamy Lit Con. Mel shares insights into her favorite fandoms...

Morgan welcomes back her niece Leanna, co-host of the Long Live Taylor podcast to discuss Leanna's experience reading the first four Harry Potter books for the first time. They delve into favorite and least favorite aspects, characters, shocking moments, and their interpretations of the stories. Leanna shares her initial hesitation and eventual commitment to reading the series while recounting...

In this episode, Morgan is joined by Demond from the Demond Does podcast. The discussion begins with Demond sharing the origins and focus of his podcast, which centers around six fixed questions that reveal unique stories from various creatives. The conversation delves into Demond's personal nerdy interests, such as martial arts, professional wrestling, Star Wars, and tabletop role-playing gam...

In this episode, Morgan welcomes Illy, the founder of the Spine Benders Society book club. The discussion centers around the creation, growth, and profound impact of book clubs. Illy shares her journey from starting the Spine Benders Society in South Florida to expanding it to Orlando, highlighting the importance of fostering a passionate community. The conversation touches on tips for starting an...

Join Morgan and Eric Scull from MuggleCast and What the Hype?! in a riveting discussion about the profound impact of fandoms. They reflect on the early days of MuggleCast, live show experiences, the evolution of fandom culture, and Eric's experiences with X-Men, Harry Potter, and LARPing. They discuss the transformative impact of fandoms, the history and evolution of fandom culture, and the im...

*This episode contains explicit language* In this episode, Morgan chats with Evel Dick, the famed Big Brother 8 winner. The conversation spans a variety of intriguing themes such as Dick's surprise rise to popularity, his interactions with fans, and efforts to remain approachable. He shares anecdotes from his Hollywood life, including encounters with celebrities like Timothy Dalton, Keanu Reev...

Morgan interviews Will from The Nerd Federation Podcast . They delve into the intersection of pro wrestling and video games and discuss the emotional connections and storytelling elements in both. Will shares his background as a journalist and his journey in starting his podcast, emphasizing his passion for nerdy interests. They chat about classic video games, earth science (volcanoes and earthqua...

Join Morgan as she interviews author Briana Lawrence, the senior feature editor at Crunchyroll and a passionate anime fan. Briana shares her journey from a childhood love of anime and manga to a career that she never anticipated. They also explore Briana's personal journey into fandom, how she met her wife through writing fanfiction, and her passion for writing. Briana shares her experience wo...

Join Morgan and special guest Pam from What the Hype?! and #Millennial Podcast for an engaging and *spoiler-filled* discussion on the final four episodes of Bridgerton Season 3. In this bonus episode, they explore character dynamics, plot twists, and emotional arcs. They discuss the Penelope and Colin *mirror scene* and talk about changes they would have made to the show. They discuss the Lady Whi...