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In this sibling showdown, James is joined by his “younger, cooler, and allegedly more handsome” brother, Brandon Bullough. They dive deep into Brandon’s hidden (but undeniable) nerdiness—from his Halo Mega Construx obsession and miniature painting hobby to his disc golf deep dive. Whether you’re curious about the decline of Mega Bloks, intimidated by the world of mini painting, or looking for a new hobby that gets you outside and collecting plastic discs, this episode is packed with laughs, nostalgia, and nerdy goodness. Plus, James shares the tragic tale of finishing second-to-last in a 5K fun run—medal and all.

💬 Topics Covered:

• Halo Mega Construx and their slow disappearance
• Starting a miniature painting hobby (plus tips & gear)
• Disc golf 101: Discs, throws, and how to get started
• Sibling banter, Pokémon confessions, and nerd pride

🖌️ Follow Brandon’s custom paintwork on Instagram: @halo_megaconstrux_customs

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In this jam-packed episode of The Nerd Nexus, host James Bullough is joined by brother-in-law and certified Star Wars mega-nerd Thomas Walton for a wildly entertaining ride through fandom, footwear, and one unforgettable Facebook Marketplace deal gone wrong.

From growing up on the original Star Wars trilogy to obsessing over Clone Wars lore, Thomas shares how the galaxy far, far away shaped his nerdom. He gives hot takes on the Disney sequels, sings the praises of Rogue One and Andor, and explains why certain scenes (lookin’ at you, Kit Fisto) still haunt hardcore fans.

But it doesn’t stop there—Thomas also opens up about his years as a sneakerhead: chasing drops, reselling rare Yeezys and Jordans, and how that hustle once led to him being literally pistol-whipped for a pair of shoes. (Yes, really. He even wore the Jordans to court.)

We also talk:

• Call of Duty obsession and multiplayer strategy
• Why Clone Wars and Rebels fill crucial Star Wars lore gaps
• Mandalorian and Andor vs. the sequel trilogy
• Collecting and reselling shoes
• Car show wins and dream builds
• What it's like nerding out across Star Wars, sneakers, anime, and more

If you’re a fan of Star Wars, gaming, collecting, or just love a good story, this episode is for you. It's where fandoms collide—hard.

🔹 Follow Thomas: @_TMWYT on Instagram
🔹 Listen, share, and geek out with us at TheNerdNexusPodcast.com

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From Captain Planet to Hereditary, High School Musical to Spider-Punk Stitch, storyboard artist and cartoonist Jonathan Hallett has seen—and drawn—it all. In this episode, James sits down with the creative powerhouse behind StitchToons.com, FastStoryboards.com, and Cartoonist.MyPortfolio.com to talk about breaking into animation, drawing over 900 Stitch mashups, and what it’s like to work with names like Ari Aster, Kevin Costner, and Disney.

We dive into Jonathan’s start in the industry thanks to a fateful neighbor, the evolution of StitchToons from a Comic Con flop to a full-blown phenomenon, and how he balances family life with exhibiting at 40+ conventions a year.

Also discussed: GI Joe, manga, the challenge of comic book collecting, and how Jonathan accidentally launched a children’s book empire one Lilo missionary sketch at a time.

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 What happens when a die-hard Cowboys fan and a lifelong Niners sympathizer sit down to talk sports? A surprisingly heartfelt and hilarious conversation that blurs the lines between traditional nerd culture and sports fandom. In this episode, James is joined by his friend Josh Erickson—a self-proclaimed sports nerd—to explore how sports can be just as nerdy, community-building, and passionate as D&D, video games, or cosplay. From min-maxing fantasy football teams to analyzing why blue and orange might be the most cursed color combo in sports, this episode is packed with stories, hot takes, and real emotion. Whether you're a stats junkie, jersey collector, or just here for the brisket vs. buzzer beater debate—this one’s for you. 

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 In this mind-bending episode of The Nerd Nexus, James welcomes magician, AV tech wizard, and negotiation nerd Ben Brown! 🎙️✨ From conjuring Coke bottles and setting wallets ablaze to tactfully talking your way to a better salary, Ben shares stories and strategies that blend the mystique of stage magic with the science of persuasion. They dive into hilarious past performances, negotiation tactics inspired by Chris Voss's Never Split the Difference, and real-life stories of magic gigs, awkward first asks, and street performance hustle. Whether you're a future illusionist or just want to sharpen your communication skills, this episode is pure gold. 

Be sure to check out Ben at hirebenbrown.com!

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 With no guest this week, James takes you on a solo journey through his latest geeky adventures. From roguelike potato mayhem and Old West outlaws to 3D printer disasters and obscure Pokémon knockoffs, this episode is packed with updates, opinions, and surprises. Plus, hear about a front-row seat at a Utah Hockey Club game, and a return to the runner's grind with some smartwatch motivation. It’s a chill catch-up with your favorite nerdy host—no party required. 

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 In this episode of The Nerd Nexus, we’re joined by Chellie Bowerman—partner in crime to past guest Marshall Bowerman! A lifelong Star Trek fan and a passionate creator, Chellie has crafted her very own Pokémon region, and she’s here to share all the details. From the inspirations behind her designs to the creative process that brought her vision to life, we dive deep into her world of worldbuilding. Plus, we swap stories about comic conventions, including the time we met Brent Spiner! Don’t miss this fantastic episode! 

Check out the Lachian Region and Chellie's notes: 

Chellie references a fun youtube channel that can be found here.

Also, don't forget to check out Marshall's Matters!

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In this episode, James sits down with Shane Adams to discuss two of his greatest passions: barbecuing and 3D printing. Shane shares his love for cooking, particularly his experiences with smoking meats on his Traeger grill, and how barbecuing has become a personal expression of creativity.

The conversation then shifts to Shane's world of 3D printing, where he dives into his expertise with three different 3D printers and the exciting business ventures he's exploring in the industry. Shane offers valuable advice for 3D printing newcomers, shares insights into the capabilities of 3D printers, and discusses how this technology can bring fandoms to life by creating custom pieces like cosplay gear. They also talk about the "dream 3D print" and the endless creative possibilities the hobby offers.

Check out Shane and his wife Liz's work!

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Join me, James Bullough, as I chat with the incredible Amy Hallett—Disney superfan, true crime enthusiast, and collector of all things nerdy! We dive into her deep love for Disneyland (where she’s a two-time honorary citizen!), the thrill of solving murder mysteries, and the never-ending cycle of picking up new hobbies. Plus, Amy gives expert tips on planning the perfect Disney trip—just in time for my first-ever visit! Whether you're a Disney devotee, a crime junkie, or just love geeking out over collectibles, this episode is packed with fun stories and insights.

Tune in for a magical, mysterious, and nerdy conversation! 🎙✨🔍

Check out Amy's Husband Jonathan's work at his website stitchtoons.com

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 After a brief hiatus, The Nerd Nexus is back with a special guest—Tyler Esmay, a self-proclaimed "collector of hobbies." In this episode, we explore the ever-expanding world of Star Wars, from the impact of the Expanded Universe to ranking the trilogies and debating what went wrong with Episodes 7, 8, and 9. Tyler and James also discuss their early nerd obsessions, from Goosebumps and Animorphs to trading card games and comics. Plus, Tyler shares his approach to picking up new hobbies and advice for diving into a new fandom. Tune in for passionate takes, nostalgic book talk, and a celebration of all things nerdy! 

Contact the nerd nexus at [email protected]