Reforming Nerdom Podcast

This week on Reforming Nerdom , we dive into the first four episodes of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord and ask whether Disney may finally be getting Star Wars back on track. We break down the show’s darker tone, gangster-style underworld story, stunning animation, Sam Witwer’s performance, and why Maul has become one of the most compelling characters in the franchise. We also explore how the series...

Angel Studios has long been seen as a safer alternative to Hollywood, but the controversy surrounding its new animated Animal Farm has sparked serious questions. Jordan, Nate, and Marcus Pittman unpack the backlash, the concerns that Orwell’s anti-communist classic has been reworked into something very different, and what it all reveals about the state of Christian entertainment. More broadly, the...

This week on Reforming Nerdom, Jordan is joined by Michael Thiessen to talk all things about the upcoming Harry Potter HBO series. From the first trailer and major casting announcements to bigger questions about whether this reboot should even exist, they dig into the excitement, the concerns, and the cultural baggage surrounding one of the most beloved fantasy franchises of all time. They discuss...

On this week’s episode of Reforming Nerddom, Jordan is joined in studio by the one and only Ben Jammin for a fun, wide-ranging catch-up. The guys talk recent fantasy baseball drafts (complete with brutal AI team grades), share their thoughts on James Islington’s Licanius Trilogy (including how it compares to Will of the Many), weigh in on MLB’s new Automated Ball-Strike system, and discuss whether...

AI video just hit an inflection point—and X is losing its mind. Jordan and Nate sit down with Marcus Pittman (Loor. TV) to talk about the recent leap in AI video tools, what it means for Hollywood’s gatekeepers, and why this could be a “printing press moment for stories.” Is AI art real art? Does it kill creativity—or unleash a new generation of indie filmmakers and fan-made crossovers? We also di...

What was supposed to be a smooth trip home from the Bahamas turned into airport chaos, cancelled flights, a near-disastrous taxi ride, a motel detour, and four very tired nerds surviving on gas station pizza and Fireball. This week, Jordan and Nate tell the full “stranded in Miami” saga—then pivot to the big nerd news: Brandon Sanderson signing the entire Cosmere with Apple TV. What does his unpre...

Ben Jammin returns (very much alive), and we’re joined by Brent Boffman of Boffman Bricks to talk all things LEGO and Star Wars. We break down LEGO’s new Smart Brick system—how it works, why launching it with Star Wars might be a mistake, and whether it’s a genuine innovation or an overpriced gimmick. Along the way, we hit LEGO Pokémon, soaring set prices, the “Star Wars tax,” and why fan-built MO...

Jordan is joined by Christopher “Pootie Pooterson” (aka Elder P) and Devin Van Egdom (aka Bernie Flanders) for a full-on nerd council to unpack the final season of Stranger Things. We dive deep into what worked, what didn’t, and whether the show stuck the landing—or just survived the Upside Down by the skin of its teeth. Along the way, we zoom out and reflect on Stranger Things as a whole: its cha...

After a much-needed Christmas break, the boys are back at it. Jordan and Nate catch up on holiday highlights—family traditions, ice storms, late-night gaming, and the joys of actually slowing down. From revisiting old-school video games and building LEGO worlds with their kids, to getting absolutely humbled by children in Star Wars Unlimited , this episode is a love letter to nerdy dad life in its...

Quick heads-up before we dive in: the audio on this episode took a critical hit. A rogue tech glitch tried to erase the whole session like a final boss wiping the party, but we managed to revive enough of it to share—so thanks for rolling with the slightly rough sound quality. Jordan and P-Nate are finally in the same room—joined again by Chris “Pootie” Peterson—for a conversation that starts with...

In this week’s episode of Reforming Nerdom, Jordan and Nate are joined by their resident fantasy expert, Chris Poots, for a deep dive into The Hierarchy series. They unpack Nate’s reaction to the cliffhanger ending of The Will of the Many , share their overall thoughts on book two ( Strength of the Few ), and wrap up with a full spoilercast—breaking down the twists, surprises, major reveals, and t...

Jordan and Nate are joined by Dr. Michael Thiessen to unpack the recent X controversy over Skillet’s metal cover of O Come O Come Emmanuel . Was it a legitimate artistic expression—or irreverent? The guys use the moment to explore bigger questions:  What is the purpose of art? What makes art good? Can metal glorify God? How should Christians evaluate artistic form, beauty, and intent? A lively, th...

Jordan sits down with P Nate to talk about his brand-new kids’ fantasy series, The Church at Oxford Street and The Bell that Calls the Dead—stories where the kids of Crossroads Church become the heroes in a very real spiritual war behind an old church’s walls. They unpack the big idea behind the “Crossroads Kids” world: re-enchanting our view of reality, helping children see that worship is warfar...

In this episode of Reforming Nerdom , Jordan and Nate are joined by special guest Pootie to dive into James Islington’s The Will of the Many . We start off spoiler-free—discussing what makes this book such a standout in modern fantasy, its world-building, characters, and themes of hierarchy, power, and hidden truth. But be warned! Partway through the episode, we flip the switch and go full spoiler...

In this episode of Reforming Nerdom, Jordan and Nate nerd out about baseball. They talk about the Blue Jays’ World Series run, why Toronto fandom is pain and joy in equal measure, and what makes playoff baseball completely unmatched as a sport. Then they get into the deeper question: Is it actually good for Christians to care this much about a team? They argue that fandom, rightly ordered, can be...

In this episode of Reforming Nerdom , we sit down with Joe Rigney and Doug Wilson to talk all things C.S. Lewis. From the magic of Narnia to the overlooked brilliance of the Ransom Trilogy, we explore what it means to imagine an unfallen world, debate the best reading order for The Chronicles of Narnia , and ask which of Lewis’s works might truly be his masterpiece. This lighthearted but thoughtfu...

Jordan and Nate break down Jimmy Kimmel’s firing/indefinite suspension and ask what it means for free speech in a culture that keeps moving the goalposts. Is this corporate choice, government pressure, or both? And by what standard do we judge “hate speech”? The guys contrast Hollywood’s norms with God’s law—covering bearing false witness, incitement, defamation, and when civil authority should (a...

In this special episode, Nate and Jordan step away from their usual deep dives into nerd culture to reflect on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. Together, they consider Charlie’s faithful ministry and the impact of his work, while asking how Christians should respond when moments of tragedy shake our culture. Rather than despair, they point to the hope of Christ’s Kingdom, the call to fait...

Jordan and Nate are back at the mics and once again joined by special guest Parker Brown from the Watch Well podcast. Together, the crew dives into the results of their Rotten Tomatoes movie score predictions—who nailed it, who flopped, and who ended up way off the mark. Along the way, they banter about critic vs. audience scores, the surprises that caught them off guard, and what these results sa...

K-Pop Demon Hunters has exploded into the cultural spotlight—dominating charts, flooding social feeds, and sparking fierce debate among Christians online. Some are calling it a fun, harmless cultural phenomenon worth engaging, while others are warning that it’s inappropriate for Christians to watch at all. In this episode of Reforming Nerdom , Jordan, Nathan, and Ben dive into the controversy. The...

The guys kick things off by sharing what they’re most excited for in the world of nerd culture—from upcoming blockbuster movies to epic new games. But the main event? A spirited discussion over whether Jordan should take the plunge and buy a Tesla. They dive into Elon Musk’s legacy, the pros and cons of EV ownership, and whether the Tesla lifestyle really fits a reformed nerd. It’s part tech talk,...

In this episode of Reforming Nerdom, hosts Nate Wright and Jordan Cecile sit down with Dr. Michael Thiessen of the Ezra Institute to explore the surprising ways board games can shape character and strengthen community. From the kitchen table to game nights with friends, we discuss how playing together can help cultivate patience, strategic thinking, humility in loss, graciousness in victory, and t...

Marvel’s First Family is back! In this episode, we dive into the brand-new Fantastic Four: First Steps and ask the big questions: Did Marvel finally get it right? How does this reboot stack up against past versions? We break down the cast, plot, tone, and where this film fits in the future of the MCU. From cosmic rays to character arcs, we're talking everything from Reed’s brain to Ben’s braw...

In this replay of Reforming Nerdom , we’re joined by Brent Baufman—master builder, Star Wars superfan, and creator of some seriously epic custom LEGO MOCs (My Own Creations). We revisit our conversation about what inspires his builds, how creativity and craftsmanship reflect the image of our Creator, and why nerd culture (yes, even LEGO Star Wars nerd culture) is worth reclaiming for Christ and Hi...

While the Reforming Nerdom crew takes a short summer shore‑leave, we’re beaming back one of our fan‑favourite conversations for you to enjoy (or re‑enjoy!). In this episode replay, hosts Jordan, Nate, and Ben sit down with Dr. Joe Boot of the Ezra Institute for a thought-provoking dive into Star Trek’s enduring cultural impact. Together they probe the series’ treatment of morality, human destiny,...