Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries

This episode starts off with Brenda and Austin workshopping a revolutionary new kind of beer, “Possum Pee”, a warm apply concoction with notes of dead leaves.  After that we dive into Disney’s first foray into serious gritty cartoon world-building with “Gargoyles” a cartoon about ancient gargoyles that are cursed to be stone by day and alive at night, and also, they’re in New York now. Help suppor...

Hey everyone, we are BACK.  First off, we have to talk about Crisp Rat as Mario, and then Brenda deep dives right into the history of one of Jim Henson’s final projects:  The Disney Hollywood Studios attraction Muppet Vision 3D.  We talk about Pizza Rats (not the one you’re thinking), have many references to undisclosed amounts of money, and how kind of weird it is that we all just accept that Mup...

Austin has returned and is here to talk about the Jim Henson film Labyrinth with Diana and Avalon of Femsplained!  Gaslight, Girlboss, Goblin King! Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmysteries

Brenda had surgery, but before that happened, she sat down with Michael (Doc) and talked about the murder mystery whodunnit from 1985, Clue, a massive financial flop that has managed to gain a cult following. Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmysteries

Brenda is still flying solo, and this time she’s brought fellow podcaster Colton from Manga Mavericks and One Podcast Prevails to talk about Yu-Gi-Oh The Dark Side of Dimensions, a movie released in 2016 to celebrate twenty years of Yu-Gi-Oh.  Colton knows a lot about Yu-Gi-Oh.  Brenda knows a little about Yu-Gi-Oh and originally thought this was a crossover movie.  Brenda also thought this was ep...

Austin is out on baby leave, so Brenda has been given free rein to do whatever she pleases, and that involves inviting her good friend Paloma to talk about “Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop” a 2020 anime movie that both hosts give 11 out of 10. Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmysteries

Hey everyone!  How do you like that new intro for “Goes to the Movies”?  We think it’s pretty swell.  Once Brenda’s done dunking on Wendy’s breakfast, our two intrepid hosts tackle Space Jam 2, trying to unravel its complex lore, trying to figure out if Don Cheadle exists as a person in this universe, trying to forget that Rick & Morty have spoken lines in this film.  Following that is THE Suicide...

Brenda has it out with her mic while Austin talks about the origins of the Magical Girl, a subgenre of Japanese anime that got its start in the 60’s, and has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, influencing modern-day cartoons outside of Japan.  We’ve got Cutie Honey, Creamy Mami (okaaaay..), Minky Momo (along with the origins of the Isekai Truck) and much more! Help support this show and unlock...

It’s a slow news week, so Austin and Brenda talk about stinky celebrities and Jeopardy hosts for a while, and then dive into the week’s topic:  Care Bears .   Created by American Greetings in 1981, Care Bears were created as a simple way to copyright the Teddy Bear, but they went on to inspire numerous theatrical films, toy lines, and cartoon series.  Bonus:  We discuss our favorite care bears, so...

What a wild break (no goes to the movies for July, sorry), but Brenda and Austin are BACK.   Nerd news comes in hot with Scarlet Johansson suing Disney over breaking her contract, and beloved children’s cartoon Arthur  announcing that it’s ending its run after 25 years.  That leads into the topic that Austin has brought for us this week:  A deep dive into a Canadian entertainment company Cookie Ja...

Brenda and Austin come to you this week still riding the high of seeing each other face-to-face for more than a couple of hours.  It was glorious, and now they're feeling both replenished and renewed. ready to bring you the news!  And that news is Paddington 3! Also, the new OLED Nintendo Switch AND new trailers for Disney’s Encanto and Marvel’s animated What If series. Finally, Brenda talks about...

In this disjointed episode, we talk about Klasky Csupo and the unknowable nature of Rocket Power. This episode also features more unexpected Detective Conan talk, a discussion about training wheels, training bras, and even a guest spot from Brenda’s Mom’s Pitt Bull, Kevin. It's a lot, so thanks for being here! Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.o...

This week on “SHoNM Goes to the Movies” we finally stop talking about Dora the Explorer the live-action movie and watch it (and tell you about it.) ::Spoilers:: it’s good.  Then, we take a quick swim into sea monster territory by watching Pixar’s Luca, a movie that director Enrico Casarosa assures us is not a gay romance, but we definitely beg to differ. (also it’s good, so please watch it). Help...

With 90% of the American market in their grasp, Nintendo was on top of the world.  Until the plucky upstart Sega came to town.  Armed with a hedgehog and a little-known console called the “Sega Genesis” Sega is in it to win it, or die trying. Brace yourselves; feelings will be hurt, hedgehog shaped balloons will be popped, and Austin will learn what a bandicoot is (because apparently, they don’t k...

Strap in for an absolutely wild ride into the history of Nintendo!  But first, an update on the Chuck E. Cheese Summer Tour, the Powerpuff Girls pilot is getting a rewrite, also Brenda and Austin try to untangle the complicated Space Jam 2 timeline. Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmysteries

On this monumental episode milestone, we kickstart a new three-part series on the console wars of the 90’s.  Up first this week:  Sega.  Where did this prolific video game company get its start?  What was Sega’s first console release?  And what does Chuck E. Cheese have to do with any of this?  Please tune in, and we promise Shigeru Miyamoto’s name is not forgotten at any point in this episode. He...

We begin this episode with a dramatic reading and critical discussion about the now canceled Powerpuff Girls live-action reboot, along with Sonic’s 30th anniversary, which leads us into this week’s main topic; Austin is here to talk about the E3 video game convention and all its highs and lows. Has E3 always been in LA? Do some gaming companies think they’re too good for E3?  Does E3 even want peo...

It’s time to break out the marmalade, and a fake British accent.  This month Brenda and Austin are talking about Paddingtons 1 and 2!  Just what is it that makes this bear so endearing?  Why is Nichole Kidman’s character so scary? (Did she really need that taxidermy class for the part?)  Also, what is a “popping book"?? All these answers and more! Help support this show and unlock bonus content! B...

First off, Nerd News dives into the nature of speculators and how their toxicity destroys the very industries they’re trying to profit from. Next, a deep dive into something completely unrelated; Nickelodeon Studios at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida, a working film studio where live-action nickelodeon shows were filmed from 1991 to 2004.  Brenda shares what it feels like to be completely dou...

Austin is here to talk about the most successful French anime isekai cartoon “Code Lyoko”, and let me assure you, this is a wild one.  From one of the creators dropping off the face of the earth, to a failed live-action sequel and subsequent bankruptcy, this is an episode that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat! Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://...

This week, we skip nerd news to have a spontaneous conversation about anime, and while that doesn’t have anything to do with our topic of the week, we felt it in our hearts.  The real topic is Indoor Theme Parks.  Learn about the world’s longest freestanding escalator, marvel at the massive pink dome at Circus Cirus, hear Brenda talk about an obscure car-themed theme park in Flint Michigan, and mu...

This week Austin and Brenda dive into the 2007 Direct to Video sequel to Cinderella; Cinderella 3 "A Twist in Time" and find a movie that is surprisingly action-oriented, poignant and fun!  After that, we follow up last week’s episode by watching the new Mortal Kombat! Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmysteries

It’s a slow news week Mystorians. Will Mojo Jojo be a himbo in the new Powerpuff Girls Live-action series? ...That’s really all the news we’ve got. The topic of the week is Mortal Kombat, one of Austin’s favorite gaming franchises. How did this over-the-top fighting game manage to withstand the test of time, despite so much controversy?  How did the Mortal Kombat movie manage to break the "Video G...

Welcome back mystorians.  I missed you.  I hope you are well.  In this episode Hosts Austin and Brenda cover the 90’s Millenial cult classic:  A Goofy Movie...and the sequel too I guess.  Get ready for a discussion about a hellish nonexistent Mickey Mouse-shaped hotel, Host Brenda’s absolutely deplorable Goofy impression, and more infor about Jeffery Katzenberg than you were probably expecting.  (...

This week, Hosts Austin and Brenda try something new:  answering questions from listeners! Why do Neopets look like they're stuck in 1999?  What is a TTRPG?  Our favorite Sailor Moon villains?  All these questions answered, and probably a little bit too much ranting about Batman’s wedding. Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinmysteries