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 through the noise.

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 much about curiosity as it is about correctness.

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.