Happy To Be Here

Miranda July talks about her new book, what it was like to make the Somebody App, and the overarching theme of her work: coming together clumsily. Plus, remembering Great Lady Nerd of History Bessie Coleman and a Shakespearean nerd confession. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

We talk to the first U.S. woman to walk in space: Kathy Sullivan. Now she's in charge of NOAA and leads research on everything from the bottom of the ocean to the surface of the sun. We get to know Indira Gandhi on the anniversary of her election as Prime Minister of India. And we dig up a recipe for beating the winter blahs from Mike Royko. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali...

We're baaaack! We talk with Lulu Miller and Alix Spiegel, hosts of the new NPR show Invisibilia. Then we get to know Great Lady Nerd of History Susan B. Anthony, and the inspiration behind Vinyl Me Please...because everybody's a little nerdy about something. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roxane Gay is the author of the fantastic book of essays 'Bad Feminist' and many of our favorite tweets. We discuss what it takes to keep fighting the good fight on social media when there is so much turmoil 24/7. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

We talk with Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam about who influenced their (impeccable) taste, how they stay afloat in the sea of pop culture, and what their worst dinner party memories are. Also, some musical homework that will BLOW YOUR MIND. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we revisit our conversation with Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me host Peter Sagal. Hear him discuss his love of running, Lord of the Rings and Ray Bradbury. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Author Margaret Atwood is the queen of speculative fiction. We discuss feminism, the future of books and her latest collection of stories: Stone Mattress. Also: Why she loves duct tape. All that plus your nerd confessions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Caitlin Doughty is host of the popular YouTube series Ask a Mortician and author of the new memoir Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons From the Crematory. We talk about the history and present of how cultures handle death. Plus a nerd confession that includes a Gollum impression. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-n...

Simon Rich was the youngest staff writer ever on Saturday Night Live. His new book 'Spoiled Brats' is a collection of funny stories, including one about time travel in Brooklyn that's being turned into a movie. We also talk with a producer at NPR who reported a story about how young-lady voices are received on the radio. Plus your nerd confessions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...

The author of Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy uncovers maverick women of the Civil War. A night at a campfire with war reenactors. Plus Harry Potter homework and nerd confessions collected live while people drank Game of Thrones beer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Super nerd Hank Green on the evolution of YouTube. Comedian Cameron Esposito gives homework. And Ariana Tobin of Marketplace on the disappearing act of pockets in women's fashion. Plus your nerd confessions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It's Ada Lovelace Day! In celebration of the mother of computer programming, we get to know a great lady nerd of today: Hopscotch app co-founder Jocelyn Leavitt. Then we go behind-the-scenes at Serial, the new podcast from This American Life. Lauren Chooljian talks to singers from indie pop powerhouse Lucius about their nerdy passions. Mr. Superlative stops by. And a Gilmore Girls-related nerd con...

Turns out comedian Judah Friedlander and New York Times Crossword editor Will Shortz both really, really love ping pong. We also talk about Judah's time on 30 Rock, Will's puzzle prowess and hear an intense Lord of the Rings nerd confession. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

An out of this world conversation with author Lydia Netzer and a pretty powerful nerd confession from our intern Patrick. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Comedian Rob Delaney on being open about mental health without glorifying the 'tortured artist' trope, being a Twitter superstar and the most unexpectedly sexy thing about his marriage. Plus homework from Josh Gondelman and your nerd confessions. http://nerdettepodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info...

Tricia and Greta gush over their favorite name on the new MacArthur genius grant list. Plus we revisit a conversation with Rookie editor - and now Broadway star - Tavi Gevinson. Then writer Tracy Letts gives homework. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

An interview with Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, profile of great lady nerd of history Sally Ride and Klingon nerd confession make up this medley of our favorite space stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

We picked the brain of one of our favorite podcasters: The Memory Palace's Nate DiMeo. Nate talks about bringing history to life, writing for Parks and Recreation and what we can learn from pop music. Oh, and SPACE. Plus a potentially shocking Simpsons-related nerd confession. http://nerdettepodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19....

Author Elizabeth Gilbert talks about corgis, fairies, and her latest book about a lady botanist in the 1800s. Then plant expert Angela Overy describes what makes our gardens inherently illicit. And your nerd confessions. http://nerdettepodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author Lev Grossman on his new book The Magician's Land, reviewing books for Time and raising nerdy kids. Then we get to know the story of Wonder Woman with comic historian Tim Hanley. And a tearful nerd confession about Chance the Rapper. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

A summer reading list from Edan Lepucki, breakout author of the novel California. Then the hosts of On the Media's TLDR podcast stop by to chat about everything from explaining Reddit to old people to why Chipotle is a cruel mistress. http://nerdettepodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom Perrotta talks about his novel and new HBO show The Leftovers, why his nickname in high school was Frodo and what he learned from a summer working as a garbage collector. Plus a nerd confession about a Tinder match gone awry because of Game of Thrones. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Richard Linklater explains why it took 12 years to make his new film. Plus, Dan Weissmann from Marketplace on why killing comic characters is good business. Then Lauren Chooljian takes a road trip to meet Detroit's McClure brothers with her pickle nerd boyfriend. And your nerd confessions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do...

Emmy nominee Jessi Klein, a stand up comedian and head writer for Inside Amy Schumer, nerds out with Tricia and Greta about the Marx Brothers, Black Stallion and the fearlessly funny feminism of her sketch show. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Nerdette takes a trip back in time to get to know great lady nerds of history like opera singer Marian Anderson and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Hear a tapestry of voices recite Sojourner Truth's 1851 rousing call for equality. Plus a conversation with LGBT equality activists of today about the role of trans folk at Stonewall and beyond. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor...