Nerds That Talk Good

Watch on YouTube or click below: Episode Summary: In this episode of Nerds That Talk Good, Joel sits down with Dr. Mara Einstein, marketing scholar, media professor, and author of Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults, to unpack how modern marketing borrows directly from cult psychology. Drawing on her background in Madison […]

S02 Ep029: From Fired to Famous: John Follis on Big Ideas and Marketing Therapy Watch on YouTube or click below: Episode Summary: What do you get when you cross Madison Avenue, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and Hollywood? You get John Follis — award-winning ad man, documentary filmmaker, and creator of Marketing Therapy. John’s journey started with rejection: […]

What if the future of work isn’t another meeting—but a place to actually be together? In this episode, Joel Benge sits down with Erik Braund, founder and CEO of Katmai — a virtual office platform on a mission to delete your f*ing meetings.

S02 EP027: Taking Back Control of Your Business Narrative with Anti-Algorithm Coach Lidia Axe Watch on YouTube below: Episode Summary: In this Season 2 kickoff, Joel Benge sits down with Lidia Axe, an executive-turned-entrepreneur whose career leapt from PWC’s boardrooms to the front lines of personal transformation. After thirteen years in corporate finance and risk […]

EP026: Headlining Bands and Writing Headlines that Land with Anthony Pierri Watch on YouTube below: Episode Summary: After a book-launch hiatus, Joel returns In this high-energy and insight-packed conversation with Anthony Pierri, co-founder of Fletch PMM, a product marketing consultancy that has helped more than 400 venture-backed B2B startups clarify their product positioning and bring […]

In this episode of Nerds That Talk Good, we sit down with tech evangelist, author, and Silicon Valley legend Guy Kawasaki to unpack what it really means to make people believe in your big idea. From his early days evangelizing the Macintosh at Apple to empowering the non-technical with Canva, Guy reveals how true influence doesn’t come from complexity—it comes from clarity, conviction, and cutting...

In this empowering episode of Nerds That Talk Good, Joel sits down with Matthew Rawle, an owned-media consultant who helps B2B consultants build newsletters and podcasts that drive trust, pipeline, and authority—without relying on the algorithm.

Political psychology researcher Abby joins Nerds That Talk Good to unpack what really drives political decisions (hint: it’s not just messaging), why she started a YouTube channel to explain hostile and benevolent sexism, and how to bring science to activism without the burnout.

EP022: Kintsugi to Cognitive Biases with Re:Mind Creator Juan Carlos Episode Summary: In this reflective and inspiring episode of Nerds That Talk Good, Juan Carlos joins Joel to unpack the power of mental models as tools for strategic thinking, healing, and personal growth. A former indie filmmaker turned nonprofit founder and product strategist, Juan shares […]

This episode is pure chemistry—bonded with brains and humor. Joel interviews Chem Thug—a PhD chemist, science communicator, and internet-famous explainer of all things chemical and practical. With a loyal following across TikTok, YouTube, and beyond, Chem Thug is known for translating complex science into everyday logic, debunking viral pseudoscience, and reminding the world that science is as muc...

In this solo episode, Joel Benge previews his upcoming book Be a Nerd That Talks Good, shares his nerd origin story, and invites listeners to join the Book Army for an early look at the frameworks behind powerful technical messaging.

EP019: Mic Check, Math Check: The Flow of Hip Hop & Learning with Professor Lyrical Episode Summary: What happens when an elite battle rapper becomes a math professor? In this episode of Nerds That Talk Good, Dr. Peter Plourde—better known as Professor Lyrical—breaks down how he uses hip hop and academic rigor to reshape how […]

EP018: From Judo to JavaScript, & Fighting for What Matters with AnnMaria De Mars Episode Summary: In this episode of Nerds That Talk Good, Joel sits down with Dr. AnnMaria De Mars—world judo champion, educational psychologist, four-time tech founder, and game developer—whose life story reads like a cross between a TED Talk and an action […]

In this episode of Nerds That Talk Good, host Joel sits down with Jon Selig, a former tech sales professional turned stand-up comedian and corporate comedy trainer. Jon shares his journey from selling enterprise software at Oracle to performing stand-up for over a decade, and how he now helps sales and marketing teams sharpen their messaging through humor.

Cultural ecologist Rina Atienza joins Nerds That Talk Good to explore play, media, and meaning-making. From McLuhan’s media ecology to the power of card decks, we unpack how constraints fuel creativity and why storytelling matters more than ever.

Episode Summary: Jeffrey Wheatman, a cyber risk leader, strategist, storyteller, and former VP at Gartner, joins me to talk about bridging the gap between security, risk, and business leadership. Jeffrey shares his non-traditional path into cybersecurity—from retail management to pen testing—and how he discovered that his true strength wasn’t just in doing security, but in […]

Cybersecurity, food safety, and gorillas collide in this conversation with Kristin Demoranville. In this episode of Nerds That Talk Good, host Joel speaks with the founder of AnzenSage and Bytes and Bites podcast host about the intersections of OT security, AI in agriculture, and the challenge of making technical communication accessible. Kristin shares how primate behavior informs cybersecurity l...

Episode Summary: In this high-energy episode of Nerds That Talk Good, Joel talks with Zac Hyde, a former Army Ranger, CISO, and now a powerhouse email copywriter who helps brands cut through the noise with bold, emotion-driven storytelling. Zac shares his unorthodox path from jumping out of planes to accidentally closing a $4.9M deal with […]

Adam DuVander of EveryDeveloper breaks down why developer marketing should feel invisible. Learn how to earn developers’ trust, avoid BS marketing traps, and craft content that actually gets results. Plus: Why “there is no spoon” in dev marketing.

Motion Director Joel Loukus breaks down visual storytelling, creative pitches, and why technical messaging needs myth and structure. Hear insights on the Hero’s Journey, motion design for high-stakes audiences, and the art of making people care.

Chip Harris, ethical hacker and OT expert, shares his journey from rural roots to protecting critical infrastructure. Hear stories of trust, safety, and simplifying cybersecurity for real-world impact. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of crimes and injuries, which may be unsettling to some listeners.

Dr. Implausible explores empathy in tech design, the evolution of AI and robotics, and the commodification of media. Discover insights on blending art, technology, and storytelling to create impactful and engaging narratives for the future.

Tricia Howard of Akamai shares how she blends creativity and technical expertise to amplify cybersecurity research, craft authentic narratives, and connect with audiences.

In this short, solo episode, Joel Benge (finally) shares his own nerd origin story. More guest nerd interviews coming soon!

Dr. Melanie Stegman, biochemist and game designer, shares her journey of creating science-based games that make learning fun. Discover her insights on teaching coding, engaging students through hands-on projects, and redefining the “learning game” experience.