Nerdhat

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

T.J. Sandella, the co-writer and co-director of the feature film "Battersea," which played at the 2025 RiverRun International Film Festival, came back on the podcast to share how the film has faired since we last spoke. 

Learn More About Battersea: 

https://www.tjsandella.com/battersea

Learn More About T.J.: 

https://www.tjsandella.com/

*The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Nerdhat podcast or its hosts.*

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WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

This past week Richard had the privilege of sitting down for a conversation with Michael Morin, the new Executive Director of the RiverRun International Film Festival.

     Michael hails from California, where he grew up loving both music and movies, though music was his first love. After attending Junior college and film school in California, he began the first phase of his multi-faceted career which saw him touring with bands, filming concerts, and, eventually, working as an assistant to filmmaker David O. Russell, who directed The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, and American Hustle, among other films. After taking some time off from working in and around Hollywood, the film industry came calling Michael again, but this from a different place - the world of Film Festivals. Specifically, the Slamdance Film Festival, which was based in Park City, Utah at the time. Michael’s spent 7 years working there (2018-2025) which prepared him well for his current role, which he began back in December of 2025. 

• Peruse the Offerings for the 2026 RiverRun Int'l Film Festival: https://riverrunfilm.com/2026-films-events/
• Read Michael's Interview with the Winston Salem Journal: https://journalnow.com/winstonsalemmonthly/article_4c9d42d2-e4f1-44b9-944c-50f9883d84d6.html?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnlBpQI4gNrRbhh1dvIcgAw8sumMs0cT5sL7cforqJ-ceQTiWut6kmuHYXF4U_aem_2pOK-5CNexmV51Y1P0DnzQ
• Read Michael's Interview with Moviemaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/michael-morin-riverrun/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnY38kQ2KiXfQ_9oZsESDQFoK165dSEQtL0fpUcrudn6nJAZo7HYhQOdpRiYc_aem_GNxBIVdKDaJvUPO0Mxapeg
• Learn More About the Slamdance Film Festival: https://slamdance.com/

*The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Nerdhat podcast or its hosts.*

Love the podcast? Want access to additional content and updates? Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nerdhatproductions/ or subscribe to our channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdhatpod for access to video clips, news, and more. 

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

In honor of Women's history month, we are re-releasing two interviews originally recorded following the 2025 RiverRun International Film Festival. The first is with Yvonne Chan, MD. Phd. who came to RiverRun to promote the short film "We Are Kings," in which she played Jeri, the mother of the film's protagonist. The second interview is with Danielle Goldwert, whom Will and Richard met following the screening of her animated short, "Waterlogged." 

Learn More about Yvonne Chan's Body of Work: 

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13258603/?ref_=fn_t_1

Learn More about Danielle Goldwert's Film "Waterlogged:" 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWcN1ZQj19F/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

*The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Nerdhat podcast or its hosts.*

Love the podcast? Want access to additional content and updates? Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nerdhatproductions/ or subscribe to our channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdhatpod for access to video clips, news, and more. 

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

This week's episode is dedicated to the memory of Ken Best, who passed away in March of 2025. In addition to teaching his son Richard how to play basketball in real life, he also took the time to sit down and play games like this one with his son (whom he always tried to defeat!). 

What games did you play with your fathers? Did they introduce you to sports? Did they kick your ass in NBA Jam (or perhaps let you kick theirs?). :et us know in the comments. 

Sources: 

https://youtu.be/AYfoToYVoQ0?si=x1Gn_VPBRaWHlrlm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Live_96

https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-014/page/n135/mode/2up

Love the podcast? Want access to additional content and updates? Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nerdhatproductions/ or subscribe to our channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdhatpod for access to video clips, news, and more. 

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

We continue our celebration of 4 years making the Nerdhat podcast by sharing stories and clips from some of our favorite episodes. We also share the top 4 most popular episodes of all time (as of March 4th), including a clip from the most popular episode to date. Can you guess what it is? Let us know in the comments if you guessed correctly. 

*The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Nerdhat podcast or its hosts.*

Love the podcast? Want access to additional content and updates? Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nerdhatproductions/ or subscribe to our channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdhatpod for access to video clips, news, and more. 

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

Moving Forward, audio versions of Nerdhat News will be uploaded to the podcast feed. Here is a summary of today’s talking points: 

1) We’re going back to a bi-weekly release schedule 

2) Going Forward, video versions of full episodes will be posted exclusively to Patreon and will be available at the paid tiers only. 

3) We still want to know what’s in your Nerdhat! Join Patreon at the free or paid tiers today to join in on Nerdhatter Chatter and share your requests with us there. 

4) Episode Schedule for March: 

- March 9th: “4 Years, Baby! (Part 2) 

-March 23rd: “Retro Console Game Review: NBA Live ‘96 (Sega Genesis)” 

Love the podcast? Want access to additional content and updates? Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nerdhatproductions/ or subscribe to our channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdhatpod for access to video clips, news, and more. 

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

In part one of our two part celebration, we return to the very first nerdy creation Richard reviewed for the podcast, Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995). This was Laura's first time ever watching an episode, so Will and Richard decided "Heart of Ice" (first aired 9-7-92) would be an excellent choice. Listen to find out if Laura liked it, and to learn whether Chicken Noodle Soup is a dish best served cold.....

Love the podcast? Want access to additional content and updates? Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nerdhatproductions/ or subscribe to our channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdhatpod for access to video clips, news, and more. 

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

Once upon a time, in an age known as the 90s, three bastard children resulted from a brief alliance between the nations of Nintendo and Phillips. These children, so named "Zelda: The Faces of Evil," "Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon," and the runt of the lot, "Zelda's Adventure," went on to live in infamy in the minds of those who loved Zelda and Link. What did these children do that was so horrible? Did they survive the Great War for the land of console? Well, my friends, you must listen to our tale to learn the truth.....

Sources for this episode include, but are not limited to: 

- Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-i) 

- the Game Sack Youtube channel (https://youtu.be/wkgCJCBis8Msi=czqu3jNqZu48uGBv) 

- The Nintendo Complete channel on Youtube (https://youtu.be/M52zKfu-cHk?si=oQLnwRyzphUXNHYS, https://youtu.be/IqFZ1iVmhIo?si=U70u8ulr7njczShW) 

Love the podcast? Want access to additional content and updates? Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nerdhatproductions/ or subscribe to our channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdhatpod for access to video clips, news, and more. 

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

In honor of Black History Month, we are re-releasing our out out-of-the-theatre review of Ryan Coogler's 2022 film, "Wakanda Forever." 

Love the podcast? Want access to additional content and updates? Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nerdhatproductions/ or subscribe to our channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdhatpod for access to video clips, news, and more. 

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?

"Riven" was the bestselling PC game of 1997, despite being released in October. Laura has fond memories of playing it with her brothers, notebooks in hand, writing down clues and attempting to solve its puzzles and navigate its non-linear storyline. 

How about you? Did you play Riven back in the 90s? Have you experienced the 2024 re-release? Let us know what you think! Click on the link below to send us a message. 

Love the podcast? Want access to additional content and updates? Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nerdhatproductions/ or subscribe to our channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@Nerdhatpod for access to video clips, news, and more.