That Nerd Thing

In this episode, Morgan welcomes special guest Liz Wilcox. They dive into Liz's journey and experience becoming a contestant on Survivor. Liz shares her nerdy origins with Teddy Ruxpin, her profound connection with the show Survivor, and how it has impacted her life through various stages. The discussion also touches on the intricacies of TV editing, the magic of 90s boy bands, hip hop, comedy, and being a Disney adult. Liz offers insights on embracing one’s nerdy passions authentically and discusses her strategy on Survivor. The episode concludes with Liz’s advice on embracing one's unique self.

Check out Liz!

https://lizwilcox.com/

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!

In this special Halloween message, Morgan shares her love for the season, highlighting Halloween's blend of fun, imagination, and community. She emphasizes how Halloween allows people to embrace different aspects of their identity through costumes, stories, and fandoms. With no guest interview this week, listeners are encouraged to celebrate in their own unique ways and are thanked for being part of the podcast community. Regular guest interviews will resume next week.

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Morgan welcomes Marina Laurendi, an author and musician, to discuss her debut book Heir of  Blood and Fire. The episode explores Marina's rapid journey from concept to publication, her background in musical theater, and her love for art and creativity. Additionally, they delve into her favorite books, TV shows, and admiration for Sarah J. Maas. Marina shares her transition from bartending to self-publishing, highlighting the role of TikTok and reader reactions in her success. She emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfections and the benefits of joining a book club for community and inspiration. The conversation underlines the healing power of writing, the significance of living fully, and encourages listeners to follow their passions and adapt creatively. 

Purchase Heir of Blood & Fire:

⁠https://www.amazon.com/Heir-Blood-Fire-Blackblooded-Book-ebook/dp/B0DB6H3GKV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31CS5JKIU82KA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kq6yto8DrRglSBclANwE6qsQVX3XNg3CwbOESZUGhaD5m1CJeF9D-cly4irXU-StIOzuDwXQ7nDgw9r9dRiOUCdEnbUuvmIxXTRhkZ-WtkeP2OOiRKRtIS_Jh_CXA-wy7I8DxAhwg8QDwDdTVrqIL679A8pHdYUiR8_gX4w8Xd0.8ls-21KBck6jntQR6wz-cOzglSbIRXptS399dXUBoK4&dib_tag=se&keywords=marina+laurendi&qid=1722001498&sprefix=marina+laurendi%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1⁠

Follow Marina: 

https://www.marinalaurendi.com/

https://www.instagram.com/marinalaurendi/

https://www.facebook.com/people/The-World-of-Marina-Laurendi/61564066196920/

https://www.tiktok.com/@marinalaurendi?lang=en

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!

Nik Walker is BACK for his second episode on That Nerd Thing! Join Morgan and Nik as they dive into the enchanting world of fandoms and theme parks. Nik shares his experiences with fans, his recent role in the musical Bull Durham, and offers a behind-the-scenes look into the unpredictable life of performing. He also talks about his love for Disney parks and his current nerdy obsessions, like Agatha All Along and The Penguin. Plus, Nik opens up about the audition process and gives us a glimpse into his creative journey and how he continues to pursue his passions.

Follow Nik Walker at: 

https://www.instagram.com/nikkywalks

https://www.threads.net/@nikkywalks

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!

In this episode, Morgan chats with Ben Stimpson, a therapist and author specializing in folklore and spiritualism, to discuss the intersection of therapy, fandom, and nerd culture. Ben shares insights into his work with narrative therapy, fandoms, and the magical worlds of The Elder Scrolls, emphasizing the immersive nature of these games. The conversation traverses topics such as the impact of fandom on personal growth, the complexities of character association over time, and the significance of folklore in modern storytelling. Ben also touches upon his current interest in urban folklore and the broader cultural implications of nerd identities.

Learn More About Ben: https://www.benstimpson.com/

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!

Yes - the set is now complete and ALL of the MuggleCast hosts have now been on That Nerd Thing!! In this episode, Morgan delves into the world of podcasting and fandom with special guest Micah Tannenbaum, co-host of the longstanding MuggleCast and the newer What the Hype?! podcast. Micah shares insights into his passion for various fandoms, the challenges and joys of podcasting, and his unexpected journey into becoming a voice in the Harry Potter community. The episode also delves into the value of nerdy communities, the positive impact of being passionate about one's interests, and tips for aspiring content creators.

Check out MuggleCast and What the Hype?!:

https://mugglecast.com/

https://www.whatthehypepodcast.com/

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!

In this episode, Morgan delves into the transformative power of book clubs with guests Ileana, founder of the Spine Benders Society Bookclub, and Carrie, Community and Partnerships Director for BookClubs.com. The discussion reveals the origins of the bookclubs app, highlights the community and organizational benefits it offers, and shares personal anecdotes and tips for leading and participating in successful book clubs. The episode underscores how book clubs foster community, especially for newcomers and introverts, and how the BookClubs app simplifies management and enhances the book club experience.

*Please note that bookclubs is not a sponsor and I'm not getting paid for this episode. I just love the app!*

Links from the episode: 

https://bookclubs.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bookclubshq/

https://www.instagram.com/spinebenderssociety_orlando/

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!

In this episode, Morgan interviews Rachel, the host of The Menuscript Podcast which combines love for books and food. Rachel shares the journey of starting her podcast, balancing it with her career in education research, and her deep-rooted passions from childhood interests like horses to current obsessions such as football and Harry Potter. The conversation dives into Rachel's unique podcast format which includes discussing books along with related meals, and her experiences connecting with the nerd community. 

Follow Rachel and Check out The Menuscript Podcast: 

https://linktr.ee/menuscript

https://www.instagram.com/themenuscript/

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod

⁠⁠YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!

In this episode, Morgan is joined by her friend Maggie known for her work in the childfree community. Maggie delves into her childfree life and community, highlighting meetups and vacations she organizes. The conversation transitions into Maggie’s experiences with music fandoms, particularly Taylor Swift and Hanson. Maggie recounts her groupie days and the impact of music on her emotional journey. They explore how fandoms evolve and their significance in personal and communal growth. Morgan and Maggie touch on the normalization of nerdiness and the importance of embracing unique passions and hobbies, wrapping up with reflections on living life on one’s own terms.

Follow Maggie: 

http://unapologeticallychildfree.com/

https://www.instagram.com/childfree_communities

https://www.instagram.com/childfree_communities

https://www.youtube.com/@unapologeticallychildfree/videos

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod

⁠⁠YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!

In this episode, Morgan chats with Christine Giver, the host of the Outside of the Box podcast. Christine shares her journey into combat robotics, a niche within the larger STEM field, inspired by her daughter's interest in STEM and her nostalgic love for old school BattleBots. She reveals the creativity and innovation of the combat robotics community, addresses the importance of failures for growth, and describes the rewarding yet challenging process of building and battling robots. The conversation also delves into other nerdy interests such as X-Men, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Dungeons and Dragons. She provides insights into her podcasting adventures, including interviewing her heroes and connecting with like-minded individuals. 

Check out Outside of the Box Podcast: https://outsideofthebox.podbean.com/

Follow Christine on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/outsideoftheboxpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/TheOOTBShowBB/

Mentioned on the show…https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pawsitivelyhissterical

Follow That Nerd Thing at:

⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!