162 episodes

These are the stories that make us nerds. Broadcasting from the crossroads of fandom, covering comics, film, TV, comicon, cosplay, pop culture, games, and all other corners of the geekonomy. NW NERD is a magazine-style podcast with interviews and feature stories from the diverse geek community. 

NW NERD: Fandom-powered geek magazine NW NERD

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 52 Ratings

These are the stories that make us nerds. Broadcasting from the crossroads of fandom, covering comics, film, TV, comicon, cosplay, pop culture, games, and all other corners of the geekonomy. NW NERD is a magazine-style podcast with interviews and feature stories from the diverse geek community. 

    How PlayTest NW upped its game

    How PlayTest NW upped its game

    Beau Johnson organizes events for PlayTest NW, so game designers can test their creations. But when the pandemic struck in 2020, prompting lockdowns and social distancing, the gaming organization had to evolve overnight. How did PlayTest NW change, and what does it look like today.

    Beau Johnson with PlayTest NW took time to chat with NW NERD at a previous Washington State Summer Con. 
    Theme music by The Hoot Hoots. 

    • 15 min
    Ming Chen's bars and bites guide to the NW

    Ming Chen's bars and bites guide to the NW

    Ming Chen spends a lot of time on the road, traveling to different pop culture conventions as a guest and a host. In doing so, he has become familiar with many cities across the USA, getting to know the local restaurants, cafes, dive bars, and more. When he is visiting the Northwest (Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Puyallup), he has a few spots he always returns to. In this episode, Ming discusses his favorite hang outs in the region. This is Ming Chen's bars and bites guide to the NW.

    (This episode includes unbleeped naughty words and discussion of mature topics)

    Ming Check spoke with NW NERD at a previous Washington State Summer Con. 
    Theme music by The Hoot Hoots. 
    Cover: Ming Chen and Dyer Oxley visit Bob's Java Jive in Tacoma, Wash. 

    • 28 min
    The many lives of cosplayer Alicia Marie

    The many lives of cosplayer Alicia Marie

    You may know Alicia Marie from comic conventions where she is often a guest, but this cosplayer is more than meets the eye. Alicia Marie lives many lives: Cosplayer, fitness expert, social media influencer, advocate for the deaf community, author, and more. With so much going on, it's no wonder that some information has been stretched online. So we set the record straight by going to the source and learning about the many lives of Alicia Marie.

    Cosplayer Alicia Marie took time to chat with NW NERD at Washington State Summer Con. 
    Theme music by The Hoot Hoots. 
    Cover: Cosplayer Alicia Marie visits NW NERD's podcast lounge at Washington State Summer Con. 

    • 22 min
    Look! It's Captain Slinky!

    Look! It's Captain Slinky!

    How to describe Captain Slinky? Well, for starters, he makes these lamps. They're one-of-a-kind and you just have to see them to believe them. They certainly fit in at an event called "The Oddmall." Captain Slinky took the helm of The Oddmall in Washington and has been featuring crafters and vendors that don't always fit in at your generic craft fair. Here, you will find the weirdness that defines the Northwest, and more. Think of it like the best of the DIY vendors at a comic con. 

    Also: Random Fandom with Nathan O'Brien. Nathan founded Spokane's Lilac City Comic Con. He sat down to chat about a couple modern renditions of old fandoms that he really got into. 

    NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoots. Other music in this episode is "Humm OK," by Gable. 

    • 15 min
    Feature: A profile on Rogues Gallery Cosplay

    Feature: A profile on Rogues Gallery Cosplay

    Cosplay is not just about crafting screen-accurate costumes for Rogues Gallery Cosplay. It's also about fitness.  NW NERD presents a feature profile on this Northwest couple who builds their attire along with their bodies.

    This feature is an audio version of a profile on Rogues Gallery Cosplay published in the first edition of NW NERD Magazine. Find a digital copy of the magazine here.


    Cover photo by Dave Gallagher
    NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoot Hoots.
    Music in this episode:
    "The City Wakes Up" by Jonas Hipper
    "Acid Jazz" by Kevin MacLeod

    • 14 min
    Your cosplay or your job? A conversation with cosplayer/writer Ani-Mia

    Your cosplay or your job? A conversation with cosplayer/writer Ani-Mia

    Cosplayer Ani-Mia has taken her cosplay to new heights as a writer who has been featured in Otaku Magazine and Cosplay Central. She didn't let her passions end there and also penned a series of comics for Dynamite's Betty Page series. But these stories may not be what you would assume. 

    Also in this episode: Random Fandom with Comic Dad Andrew. Andrew reaches back into his childhood memories to reminisce about a little-known 1980s TV show. 

    NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoot Hoots. Other music in this episode is"Humm OK," by Gable. Interviews with Ani-Mia and Comic Dad Andrew were recorded at Washington Summer Con. 

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
52 Ratings

52 Ratings

NewsyGeek ,

Fascinating!

NW NERD takes geek podcasting to a much higher level. I can’t look back now.

Dalton haddix ,

From your cousin Dalton In Alabama

Brandon is really awesome he knows what he is talking about and he is the best cousin ever!!!

Rain-dog ,

Great Pod

I discovered this podcast at Rose City Comicon. The pre-Con primer was a great intro. I will be waiting for for episodes.

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