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 potatoes, and stuffing, to the controversial entries like canned cranberry sauce and green bean casserole, they explore what makes Thanksgiving food so uniquely comforting. The conversation also expands into the emotional landscape that surrounds the holiday: the shifting family dynamics, the rituals that evolve over time, and the moments of connection (and chaos) that make this season unforgettable.

They also highlight the YouTube channel Tasting History with Max Miller, pointing listeners toward a fun deep-dive into the origins of beloved holiday dishes.

This week’s Songs of the Week are “Dance Yourself Clean” by LCD Soundsystem and “Bitch School” by Spinal Tap.

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

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 conversation launches into a character-driven breakdown of famous fictional relationships. They analyze the anxious-avoidant chaos swirling around Anakin and Padmé in Star Wars, the stop-and-start emotional boomerang that defines Ross and Rachel on Friends, and the surprisingly secure, gloriously spooky devotion between Gomez and Morticia Addams. Along the way, they highlight how attachment theory helps make sense of why these couples resonate—or unravel.

The duo then shifts gears into their Songs of the Week and introduces a brand-new YouTube Music playlist they’ve curated for listeners. Professor Aubrey discusses New York Groove from KISS/Ace Frehley, while Tim brings the heat with Nobody Speak by DJ Shadow. Tim also shares a link to an Ace Frehley Tribute Playlist he’s crafted on YouTube for anyone wanting to dive deeper into Frehley’s work.

It’s an episode filled with emotional insight, pop-culture fun, music recommendations, and the trademark warmth and wit that define Friends Talking Nerdy. A perfect listen for fans who love a little psychology sprinkled into their fandoms.

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

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 as eclectic as ever — a sonic road trip through dusty border towns, cosmic dance floors, and smoky backroom stages. You’ll hear talk of the swaggering “Canción del Mariachi” from Antonio Banderas and Los Lobos, the bittersweet twang of Glen Campbell’s “Galveston,” and the glitter-soaked groove of Ace Frehley’s “New York Groove.” From the haunting “This Mess We’re In” (PJ Harvey featuring Thom Yorke) to the gospel fire of Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Strange Things Happening Every Day,” every track sparks stories, laughter, and passionate debate.

Rounding out the mix are Orville Peck’s outlaw spin on “Born This Way (The Country Road Version),” the late-90s alt-pop gem “F.N.T.” by Semisonic, the heartfelt lift of Patty Griffin’s “Top of the World,” the fiery “Malagueña Salerosa” by CHINGÓN, and the introspective “Just By Myself” from Greg Brown.

Whether you’re a die-hard music nerd or just love hearing two friends geek out with gusto, this episode hits all the right notes — nostalgia, discovery, and a few good-natured arguments about what makes a song perfectly Tim or undeniably Aubrey.

🎧 Tune in, sing along, and find out who wins The Musicwed Game: Round Two!

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

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 intrigue of All the President’s Men and The Candidate, the duo traces Redford’s uncanny ability to capture the restless spirit of his time. They also tackle his turns in Jeremiah Johnson, Three Days of the Condor, The Natural, Out of Africa, Indecent Proposal, and even his surprising Marvel role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Equal parts nostalgia and cultural dissection, this episode reminds us why Robert Redford wasn’t just a movie star—he was an American art form in motion.

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

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 of reverence for an underrated catalog that includes classics like Last Train to Clarksville, I’m A Believer, (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone, Daydream Believer, and deeper cuts like Porpoise Song and Me and Magdalena. The Professor and Tim wax nostalgic about the band’s legacy, the genius of Michael Nesmith, and how The Monkees managed to sneak counterculture weirdness into bubblegum pop.

Next, they drift across the pond to talk about their new favorite binge: the BBC series Ghosts. It’s witty, heartfelt, and absolutely packed with charm — much like this very podcast. The pair trade laughs over their favorite spectral roommates, discuss the show’s mix of history and humor, and lament that American remakes rarely capture that British balance of clever and cozy chaos.

Finally, Tim the Nerd takes aim at YouTube’s newest headache: the platform’s “Restricted Mode” being switched on by default. He argues that while keeping kids safe is essential, burying creators’ content behind algorithmic walls isn’t the way to do it. There’s a lively discussion about digital gatekeeping, the illusion of choice online, and how creators who use a few choice swear words shouldn’t be punished like they’re smuggling contraband.

From Pleasant Valley Sunday to online policy outrage, Friends Talking Nerdy Episode 432 is a mix of pop nostalgia, media critique, and unabashed enthusiasm for all things weird and wonderful.

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

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.” Tim the Nerd listens with equal parts fascination and skepticism, asking the tough question: “Was it enlightenment or just really expensive camping?”

After the desert dust settles, the duo dives back into the internet’s favorite moral battleground — Reddit’s Am I The Asshole (AITA). Professor Aubrey and Tim dissect fresh stories of social awkwardness, entitlement, and questionable ethics with their signature mix of humor and empathy. From petty roommate feuds to baffling wedding-day ultimatums, no AITA post escapes their critical (and comedic) eye.

Meanwhile, Tim brings everyone up to speed on the backstage blow-up between independent wrestlers Sycho Stu and Raja Jackson — an incident that unfolded while the Professor was off-grid at Burning Man. With the flair of a true wrestling fan and the insight of someone who’s seen plenty of locker room politics, Tim breaks down what happened, what it says about indie wrestling culture, and how the fallout is rippling through the scene.

By the end, listeners get a little bit of everything — desert philosophy, internet ethics, and wrestling mayhem — wrapped in the warm, witty banter that makes Friends Talking Nerdy a weekly highlight.

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

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 breaks down what makes Jett’s guitar tone so distinct — that raw, unapologetic crunch that says “I don’t need your approval.” Tim the Nerd, meanwhile, waxes poetic (and a little nostalgic) about the cultural punch of “Bad Reputation” and how “I Love Rock and Roll” became the rallying cry for every outsider with a beat-up leather jacket.

The songs on the turntable this week include:
“I Love Rock and Roll,” “Bad Reputation,” “Crimson and Clover,” “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah),” “Make Believe,” “Light of Day,” “Fake Friends,” and a trip back to her Runaways days with “Cherry Bomb,” “You Drive Me Wild,” “I Love Playing with Fire,” and “School Days.”

Expect sharp insights, a few laughs, and a lot of love for the woman who turned raw energy into timeless empowerment. Whether you’ve been blasting Jett since the ‘70s or you’re just discovering her now, this episode is pure, high-voltage rock and roll.

Because as Joan herself proved — you don’t have to give a damn about your bad reputation… you just have to turn it up.

Listen to the songs on our YouTube Playlist.

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

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 bring their own lived experiences, wit, and empathy to the table, offering grounded advice with a nerdy twist.

Next, Tim puts on his wrestling historian hat to tackle the big news shaking up the sports entertainment world: WWE’s exclusive new deal with ESPN. With Premium Live Events moving to ESPN’s pricey new app, Tim breaks down what this means for fans’ wallets and for WWE’s future audience engagement. Expect a mix of passion, insight, and a few wrestling puns that would make The Rock raise an eyebrow.

Finally, before heading off to Burning Man 2025, Professor Aubrey shares her excitement about the upcoming adventure. She opens up about what she’s looking forward to most—the art, the music, the community, and the delightful unpredictability of the desert.

It’s a conversation that blends empathy, pop culture critique, and unfiltered enthusiasm for life’s strange corners—exactly what you’ve come to expect from Friends Talking Nerdy.

🎧 Tune in, laugh along, and maybe question if you’re overreacting too.

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

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 by track like a lovingly curated mixtape, which they made availble on YouTube. They start with Pat Benatar’s anthemic “We Belong,” discussing how Benatar combined powerhouse vocals with a sense of vulnerability that made her a radio staple without softening her edge. From there, they barrel into the raw energy of Janis Joplin’s “Move Over,” talking about how Joplin embodied a feral, unapologetic energy that made her voice feel like a declaration of war. Kathleen Hanna and Le Tigre’s “Much Finer” prompts Aubrey to bring in the riot grrrl movement, with Tim marveling at how Hanna’s blend of activism and art feels more vital now than ever.

When Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” comes up, they highlight Grace Slick’s psychedelic snarl and how she stood toe-to-toe with the male counterculture icons of her era. Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” naturally gets both of them fired up—Tim noting how Jett weaponized punk’s simplicity, while Aubrey points out that her career longevity is proof she wasn’t just a “bad girl” novelty. They lean into Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen,” marveling at her voice’s mythic qualities and the way she carved out her own witchy rock persona that still resonates across generations.

From The Pretenders’ “Back on the Chain Gang” to Blondie’s “One Way or Another,” the hosts highlight the unique blend of grit and sophistication Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry brought to the table. Tina Turner’s “Private Dancer” inspires a passionate sidebar on resilience, survival, and the way Turner reinvented herself against impossible odds. And Hole’s “Celebrity Skin” brings the discussion full circle, with Aubrey making the case that Courtney Love’s voice—half sneer, half scream—was a necessary counterweight to the sanitized pop machine of the late ‘90s.

After the amps cool down, the duo pivot to television, giving their first impressions of South Park’s Season 27 debut. They note how the new season takes aim at the current American political landscape with a sharpness and weird clarity the show hasn’t always nailed in recent years. Tim points out that the difference between South Park’s take on the first Trump Administration years and now is like night and day—back then, the writers seemed shell-shocked, unsure how to lampoon chaos that already felt like satire. Professor Aubrey adds that the new season feels more like the show’s golden years, where cultural absurdity is filtered through the bizarre but laser-focused worldview of four Colorado kids. Together, they agree that this season might mark a creative resurgence for the long-running series.

The episode balances music history and cultural commentary with the usual Friends Talking Nerdy flavor—part nerdy scholarship, part passionate fan energy. By the end, listeners get both a playlist of iconic women who changed the sound of rock forever and a thoughtful dive into how South Park still finds a way to speak to the strange moment we’re all living through.

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

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 tricky navigating multiple relationships can be—not because polyamory itself is inherently complicated, but because humans are. Emotions, expectations, communication styles… it’s all a tangle, and Reddit provides a perfect cross-section of the challenges people face when trying to make non-monogamous love work.

As they read through posts from people struggling with jealousy, time management, mismatched expectations, or even just figuring out how to come out as poly to friends and family, Aubrey and Tim approach each story with empathy and grounded advice. They don’t claim to be experts or therapists, but they speak candidly about what’s worked in their own lives—whether it’s hard-learned lessons about setting boundaries, the importance of radical honesty, or how to avoid slipping into toxic dynamics disguised as “freedom.”

The conversation moves easily between serious and lighthearted. Aubrey offers thoughtful breakdowns of emotional nuance, while Tim injects humor and grounded practicality to keep things from getting too heavy. Together, they model what supportive poly communication can look like: acknowledging fears without shame, validating desires without judgment, and reminding listeners that it’s okay to stumble along the way.

The episode feels like a mix of a late-night heart-to-heart with friends and a pragmatic guidebook for anyone curious about—or already living—polyamory. By the end, it’s clear that Aubrey and Tim’s goal isn’t to hand down “one true way” of doing relationships, but to remind listeners that love is expansive, flexible, and deeply personal.

Episode 427 is a blend of education, storytelling, and vulnerability that gives polyamorous folks and allies alike a lot to chew on, and it adds another thoughtful entry to the Friends Talking Nerdy library of conversations that don’t shy away from the messy, human stuff.

As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.

Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.