Friends Talking Nerdy: A Mental Health Podcast

Episode 441 brings the Friends Talking Nerdy holiday theme to its final, glitter-covered conclusion as Professor Aubrey and Tim The Nerd take on the ever-hopeful, often-stressful tradition of New Year’s Resolutions. They dig into why people make resolutions with the best intentions—and why those same resolutions so frequently spiral into guilt, anxiety, and abandoned gym memberships by mid-Februar...

Episode 440 of Friends Talking Nerdy keeps the holiday theme rolling, but this time Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd unwrap one of the most emotionally complicated traditions of the season: gift giving. On the surface, it’s boxes and bows. Underneath, it’s psychology, social pressure, joy, guilt, and the low-grade panic of asking yourself, “Is this… enough?” Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dig...

In episode 439 of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd continue their holiday-themed month by diving headfirst into the warm, weird, and wildly nerdy world of holiday entertainment. This week, they break down the movies, TV shows, music, and games that make the season feel complete, whether that means heartfelt tradition, chaotic comedy, or something that absolutely does not f...

In this week’s episode of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd continue their month-long celebration of the holiday season by exploring the remarkable artistry of Joni Mitchell. Few songwriters have shaped modern music the way Mitchell has, and this conversation dives into the emotional, poetic, and deeply human qualities that define her work. They begin with “River,” the mode...

Episode 437 of Friends Talking Nerdy brings Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd back to the mic for their month-long dive into all things Holiday, and this week they’re tackling a topic that hits everyone right in the eggnog: Holiday Relationships. In this episode, the duo explores the emotional gymnastics we all perform when navigating family during the season—whether that family is the one we were...

In this week’s episode of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd kick off their extended Holiday Theme, running from now through the end of December. They begin the season by diving fork-first into the world of Thanksgiving food—celebrating the dishes that make the holiday shine and debating the ones that maybe deserve early retirement. From the classics like turkey, mashed pota...

In this introspective but delightfully nerdy episode, Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dive deep into the world of attachment styles—how they form, how they play out in relationships, and how they show up in the stories we love. They kick things off by examining their own tendencies, exploring how their personal attachment patterns shape the way they connect with others. From there, the conversat...

This week on Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dust off the record player and go head-to-head once again in The Musicwed Game — the game where friendship meets finely tuned musical instincts. Each picks five songs they believe the other will love, and whoever racks up the most correct guesses earns bragging rights as the reigning music whisperer . The playlist this round is...

Episode 433 of Friends Talking Nerdy brings a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Robert Redford. Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dive deep into the cinematic legacy of the late actor, director, and icon, exploring how his work shaped both Hollywood storytelling and 20th-century American culture. From the buddy brilliance of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting to the political intrig...

This week on Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd swing from ‘60s pop brilliance to modern digital chaos with their signature mix of heart, humor, and deep nerdery. First up, the duo dives headfirst into their 12 favorite songs from The Monkees — a band that began as a TV creation and evolved into something genuinely magical. Expect stories, laughter, and a surprising amount o...

In this week’s episode of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey returns from the dusty chaos of Burning Man 2025 , where she traded her usual academic robes for goggles and glitter. She shares her first-hand tales from the playa — the surreal art installations, the radical self-expression, and the mysterious stranger who may or may not have tried to sell her a “quantum-enhanced grilled cheese.”...

This week on Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd crank up the distortion and pay tribute to one of rock’s most unstoppable forces — Joan freakin’ Jett . From her trailblazing work with The Runaways to her solo anthems that defined rebellion for generations, the duo dives deep into the riffs, the attitude, and the pure rock heart that make Jett a legend. Professor Aubrey break...

This week on Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dive headfirst into a trio of wildly different but equally juicy topics. First, the dynamic duo ventures into the chaotic emotional jungle of Reddit’s Am I Overreacting? subreddit. They read and react to stories of everyday drama, wild overreactions, and moments of total self-awareness—or complete lack thereof. As always, they...

Episode 428 of Friends Talking Nerdy is a celebration of women who didn’t just rock the stage but bent the rules of the game, reshaped culture, and left scorch marks on the history of music. Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dive into their favorite women rock and roll stars, not just rattling off names but unpacking what made these artists lightning rods for change. The conversation moves track b...

Episode 427 of Friends Talking Nerdy takes listeners into the world of love, relationships, and all the beautiful chaos that comes with polyamory. Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dive into stories pulled from the Polyamory Relationship Advice subreddit , bringing their own lived experiences to the table with warmth, humor, and honesty. The episode kicks off with the duo acknowledging just how tr...

On this week’s episode of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd turn their ears toward one of the most expressive instruments in music history: the saxophone. From Bob Seger’s hauntingly beautiful “Turn The Page” to the iconic smoothness of Wham’s “Careless Whisper,” the duo digs into the way the saxophone can transform a song into something timeless. They groove through the Ro...

Episode 425 of Friends Talking Nerdy brings a mix of personal stories, pop culture news, and some nerdy life lessons, as Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dive into a surprisingly wide range of topics. The episode opens on a more serious and personal note as Professor Aubrey shares her recent experience discovering she has osteoarthritis. She walks listeners through how she first realized somethin...

On this episode of Friends Talking Nerdy, join Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd as they delve into an eclectic mix of topics, seamlessly weaving personal experiences and societal observations into a vibrant tapestry of conversation. Pain Relief & Capitalism: Professor Aubrey opens up about her newfound solace in a TENS unit, sparking an unexpected discussion on the intricacies of pain relief,...

On episode 423 of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dive into the sonic world of keyboards — not the clacky kind you’re typing on, but the kind that can make a rock anthem soar or turn a groove into pure magic. Each host shares their personal top five tracks that showcase the power of keys. Professor Aubrey’s picks span from Billy Preston’s legendary turn on The Beatles’ “G...

On this week’s episode of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd head outside—at least in spirit—to share some of their most memorable moments under the open sky. Professor Aubrey kicks things off by reminiscing about her adventures at some of her favorite outdoor gatherings, from the groundbreaking feminist energy of Lilith Fair in the ’90s to the dazzling displays at the Portl...

In a slam-packed episode of Friends Talking Nerdy , Tim the Nerd is joined by a very special guest—Matt Baldwin, Professor Aubrey’s Cousin—for a deep dive into the wild, dramatic, and unforgettable world of professional wrestling. Tapping into decades of fandom and nostalgia, the duo begins the episode by sharing the pivotal moments that drew each of them into the squared circle in the first place...

In this special and heartfelt episode of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd pay tribute to one of rock and metal’s most iconic and beloved figures—Ozzy Osbourne—who recently passed away. With a mix of personal stories, music appreciation, and cultural reflection, they explore the legendary career of the man known as the Prince of Darkness. Tim the Nerd opens the episode with...

In episode 419 of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dive into the complex world of friendship. Drawing from a couple of insightful articles published by Psychology Today (which you can find at this link and this link ), they explore why forming and maintaining friendships as adults can feel so challenging. From the impacts of modern life on social connection to the emotiona...

On this powerful new episode of Friends Talking Nerdy , Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd dive into the timeless and timely world of protest music. Together, they explore a curated list of some of the most iconic protest songs in music history—songs that have given voice to social movements, challenged injustice, and inspired generations to stand up and speak out. Tracks discussed include Bob Dyla...

In Episode 417 of Friends Talking Nerdy , The Reverend Tracy and Tim the Nerd dive into a wide-ranging discussion that brings parenting, pups, and politics to the forefront. First, the duo explores the insightful Psychology Today article, “ 7 Reasons Why ‘Bluey’ Is A Masterclass In Parenting ” by Dr. Pamela B. Rutledge. As devoted parents themselves, The Reverend Tracy and Tim the Nerd break down...