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 fits into the wider Star Wars lore, why Dave Filoni’s involvement matters, and what this show reveals about Disney’s recent direction. Along the way, we also discuss Disney’s latest layoffs, AI’s growing impact on the creative world, and what it means for artists, storytelling, and the future of entertainment.

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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 episode explores compromise, cultural influence, and why Christians need to think more carefully about the stories they support.

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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 whether the show is coming too soon, whether HBO can be trusted with a series like Harry Potter, and how certain casting decisions could fundamentally change the story’s themes and tensions. Along the way, they reflect on what made the original books so compelling, where Rowling succeeded and failed as a writer, and why modern adaptations so often seem determined to tamper with the very things fans loved in the first place.

It’s a conversation about nostalgia, storytelling, worldview, Hollywood, and whether this new series has any chance of capturing the magic without ruining the heart of the original.

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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 they’re excited for the upcoming Darth Maul animated series on Disney+. They also debate Stephen Colbert stepping in as a writer on the next Lord of the Rings movie.It’s a random, all-over-the-place episode… but in all the best ways.

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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 dig into why so much “Christian entertainment” feels like slop, why culture shapes politics, and what it will take for Christians to build, invest, and take risks to reclaim the arts.

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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 unprecedented creative control mean for Mistborn and Stormlight adaptations? Should we be hopeful?

Plus: quick thoughts on Beast Games, reality TV psychology, and why it’s surprisingly compelling.

Travel drama. Cosmere hype. Clean(ish) chaos. Let’s go.

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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 MOCs often outshine official releases. We also touch on the Star Wars leadership shakeup and ask the classic Christian-nerd question: when does a hobby become poor stewardship?

Nerdy, opinionated, and unapologetically honest—this one’s for LEGO fans and skeptics alike.

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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 characters, themes, nostalgia-fueled storytelling, cultural impact, and why it became such a defining show of the streaming era.

From Vecna and Hawkins to synths, bikes, and D&D roots, this episode is equal parts review, retrospective, and nerdy therapy session. If you’ve followed the show since Season 1—or just finished the finale and need to process—it’s time to reform some nerdom.

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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 prime.

They dig into why certain stories endure across generations (looking at you, Harry Potter), reflect on the power of nostalgia in culture, and tease upcoming conversations on Stranger Things, fantasy fiction, and why some IPs just refuse to die. Along the way: board games, book clubs, deck-building obsessions, and a vision for making 2026 the year of shared play, better stories, and intentional fun.

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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 Stranger Things Season 5 and why the series continues to resonate, before shifting into something far more serious: Canada’s proposed Bill C-9 and what it could mean for Christian creators, churches, and anyone speaking openly from a biblical worldview.

They unpack what the bill actually says, why the changes matter, and why Christians must resist cultural retreat and re-engage with courage, clarity, and conviction.

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