Survivor with Patrick Gomez

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

#Society #Comedy #TruStory FM #DD #Star Wars #Star Trek #Marvel #Games #Technology #Nerddom

34:35

Marcia Clark, best known as the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial, has become a trailblazer for women in law and beyond. Her journey from courtroom to bestselling author reflects her resilience and determination to redefine herself amidst intense public scrutiny. On this episode of Worth Knowing, Clark dives into her latest book, *Trial by Ambush*, which examines the 1953 Barbara Graham case—a story that highlights gender bias, media sensationalism, and the notion that all cases are subject to societal, cultural, and political winds. Clark shares how her experiences during the Simpson trial shaped her perspective on societal pressures and the role of women in high-stakes professions. Her reflections on how media, forensic science, and legal practices have evolved over decades offer valuable insights into the intersection of law and culture. This conversation is a compelling exploration of true crime, personal growth, and how Clark’s groundbreaking career continues to inspire a new generation of women to challenge norms and forge their own paths. Marcia Clark is a bestselling author and a criminal lawyer who began her career in law as a criminal defense attorney and went on to become a prosecutor in the L.A. District Attorney's Office in 1981. She spent ten years in the Special Trials Unit, where she handled a number of high-profile cases, including the prosecution of stalker/murderer Robert Bardo, whose conviction for the murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer resulted in legislation that offered victims better protection from stalkers as well as increased punishment for the offenders. She was lead prosecutor for the O.J. Simpson murder trial. In May of 1997 her book on the Simpson case, "Without a Doubt," was published and reached #1 on the New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers lists. In February 2016, Clark re-released the book with a new foreword. Resources Sign up for the Worth Knowing LinkedIn Newsletter to stay up to date: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/worth-knowing-7236433935503618048/ Follow Bonnie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-habyan/ Go to the Worth Knowing website: https://www.worthknowing.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company…

about a year ago 1:28:24

MP3•Episode home

This week on Make Me A Nerd, Mandy marches barefoot into the unwashed, coconut-scented, betrayal-laden world of Survivor. And who better to guide her through this mosquito-infested fever dream than Patrick Gomez, Editor-in-Chief of Entertainment Weekly and a man who has spent an alarming amount of time thinking about reality television strategy.

Yes, Mandy—who typically prefers her entertainment with a side of not starving to death—has watched an entire season of Survivor, specifically Heroes vs. Villains (because nothing says “survival” like arbitrarily labeling people based on past television appearances). She emerges with questions—about alliances, injuries, the baffling lack of toothbrushes, and, most importantly, where and how these people poop. Yes, poop. Because if you’re living on a beach for over a month, that is a logistical nightmare.

Patrick, a man who has personally interviewed the Survivor gods and lives to tell the tale, spills the behind-the-scenes tea: the scheming, the suffering, the completely unnecessary levels of shirtlessness, and the fact that Jeff Probst might actually be immortal. Also, did you know Survivor once had a season that was essentially race wars? Because that happened. And CBS aired it. In the 21st century.

Mandy and Patrick also discuss:

Boston Rob and his accent, which sounds like an actor badly pretending to be from Boston.
Sandra, the queen of “As long as it ain’t me,” and why she is the best player of all time.
Russell, a man who exudes the chaotic energy of someone who has definitely tried to start a cult in a Walmart parking lot.
Parvati, whose flirty villainy makes Mandy want to punch a wall.
The time a contestant faked his grandmother’s death to win a challenge.
And, of course, why the pizza rewards look like something that was legally ruled “not food” by the FDA.

Plus, if you become a Make Me A Nerd member, you’ll get access to an Oscars special where Patrick spills behind-the-scenes secrets from Hollywood’s biggest night. Because if there’s anything more cutthroat than Survivor, it’s awards season.

So, grab some wine, drop your buffs, and prepare for an episode so packed with drama, you’ll want to vote someone off your couch just to process it all.

Links & Notes

Become a Make Me A Nerd member for ad-free episodes & bonus content: makemeanerd.com/join
Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens
Follow Patrick on social: @PatrickGomezLA
Read Patrick’s work on Entertainment Weekly: EW.com

---
Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.

50 episodes

Survivor with Patrick Gomez

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Mandy and Patrick also discuss:

Boston Rob and his accent, which sounds like an actor badly pretending to be from Boston.
Sandra, the queen of “As long as it ain’t me,” and why she is the best player of all time.
Russell, a man who exudes the chaotic energy of someone who has definitely tried to start a cult in a Walmart parking lot.
Parvati, whose flirty villainy makes Mandy want to punch a wall.
The time a contestant faked his grandmother’s death to win a challenge.
And, of course, why the pizza rewards look like something that was legally ruled “not food” by the FDA.

So, grab some wine, drop your buffs, and prepare for an episode so packed with drama, you’ll want to vote someone off your couch just to process it all.

Links & Notes

Become a Make Me A Nerd member for ad-free episodes & bonus content: makemeanerd.com/join
Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens
Follow Patrick on social: @PatrickGomezLA
Read Patrick’s work on Entertainment Weekly: EW.com

---
Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.

50 episodes

#Society #Comedy #TruStory FM #DD #Star Wars #Star Trek #Marvel #Games #Technology #Nerddom

All episodes

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
The Nerd Who Wrote Everything: A Conversation with Bruce Vilanch 50:11

4 days ago50:11

50:11

Welcome to the show, everybody! In this very special episode of Make Me a Nerd , Mandy Kaplan sits down with Bruce Vilanch—Emmy-winning writer, cultural historian of kitsch, and the man behind some of the strangest, most infamous moments in television history. You may know him as the guy who put Bea Arthur in a space cantina or paired Paul Lynde with KISS on national TV, but there’s so much more to Bruce’s story. Together, they dive headfirst into the murky glitter of The Star Wars Holiday Special , exploring its Wookiee problem (they don’t talk, dance, or sing), its sultry Diane Carroll fever dream, and the fact that Life Day was somehow born from this madness. Bruce offers behind-the-scenes stories of writing for characters who don’t speak, persuading Art Carney into a deep V-neck, and navigating George Lucas’s peculiar brand of control. And yes, there’s a lot of love for Bea Arthur. But it doesn’t stop at Star Wars. Bruce reflects on his Broadway turn as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray , his doomed but delightful musical Platinum , and the strange power of camp television to unify audiences in an era before narrowcasting. He’s candid about working with legends (and some disasters), about walking the line between comedy and cruelty on awards shows, and about why he finally wrote a book about all of it: It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time . This episode is a love letter to nerds of all stripes—musical theater nerds, comedy nerds, pop culture archivists—and an essential listen for anyone who ever found beauty in a bad idea done well (or at least weird). Bruce Vilanch doesn’t just tell stories—he is a story. 🛒 Links & References: 🎧 Libro.fm Audiobook Version – narrated by Bruce Vilanch himself 📖 Bloomsbury Books – support Mandy’s favorite local shop 🖥️ Bruce Vilanch on IMDb 🎭 Avenue Q School Edition – yes, it’s real 🎉 Bonus Content Reminder! Love this episode? There’s more! Join us at makemeanerd.com/join to become a member and unlock bonus content—like Bruce playing rapid-fire word association about his legendary collaborators. Plus, members get early, ad-free access to every episode. --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Labyrinth with Krissy Lenz 55:43

11 days ago55:43

55:43

Do you remember a time when David Bowie’s pants were tighter than your schedule, owls were CGI nightmares, and puppets had a suspicious amount of emotional range? No? WELL, YOU’RE IN FOR A TREAT. Because this week, Mandy steps right into the sparkly, slightly confusing fever dream that is Labyrinth . And she does so with none other than fan-favorite, tattoo-wearing, La Croix-powered 80s movie expert Krissy Lenz. Yes, Krissy is back, and she’s brought the power of voodoo (who do? SHE DO.) along with enough trivia and nostalgia to flood the Goblin City. Together, Mandy and Krissy explore everything from Jennifer Connelly’s “emotionally lasagna” acting to the unsettling truth about baby Toby’s stripes (fashion crime? Or subtle form of goblin-initiated Stockholm syndrome?). They break down why Labyrinth flopped harder than a toddler on a trampoline, only to rise from the VHS ashes like a glitter-dusted phoenix of cult status. We talk peach-induced amnesia, helping hands that are, frankly, too helpful, and why Ludo is the emotional support monster we all need. And in the greatest mind-meld since Vulcans became a thing, Mandy and Krissy simultaneously declare Lady Gaga as the only possible heir to the Goblin King throne. Bowie would approve. Probably. Also on tap: the terrifying truth about The Dark Crystal , the trauma of ‘80s puppet animation, and Mandy’s theory that Sir Didymus is somehow a Gonzo cousin on a gap year. Links & Notes 🎧 The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast 🍸 Gank That Drink: A Supernatural Drinking Game Podcast 🌐 Join our Nerds at makemeanerd.com 📸 Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens 🐦 Find Mandy on Bluesky: @MandyMiscast 🐦 Find Krissy on Bluesky: @KrissyLenz --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Black Mirror with Tommy Metz III & Pete Wright 1:06:47

18 days ago1:06:47

1:06:47

Welcome back, nerdlings, to Make Me A Nerd — the show where one mainstream mom dares to plummet headfirst into the gelatinous pit of sci-fi anthologies, death anxiety, and…digital pigs. This week, Mandy Kaplan reunites with podcast übermensch Pete Wright and returning mensch Tommy Metz III to tackle Black Mirror — that show that asks the critical question: “What if your phone hated you as much as you hate yourself?” Together, Mandy, Pete, and Tommy trudge through techno-paranoia, pastel dystopias, virtual beach towns where nobody drinks a full cocktail, and simulated space-faring hellscapes hosted by Jesse Plemons’ terrifying smirk. From “Nosedive” to “San Junipero” to “USS Callister,” they unpack it all — social media dystopias, afterlife existentialism, toxic masculinity with a side of laser guns — and yes, the entirely correct revelation that polite behavior toward Alexa might just save your life one day. Plus: why influencer culture is just Yelp for your soul, how CGI turns your eyes into dead fish orbs, and an accidental seminar on the Jewish concept of hell. It’s dark. It’s funny. It’s deeply unsettling. It’s basically the perfect Monday. Links & Notes 🌐 Join our Nerds at makemeanerd.com 📸 Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens 🐦 Find Mandy on Bluesky: @MandyMiscast 🙀 Catch up with the new season of All The Feelings with Pete and Tommy as they tackle Adulting! --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
The New Doctor Who with Manny Patel 57:01

25 days ago57:01

57:01

What do you get when you cross a mainstream mom, a Time Lord, and the Spice Girls? A deliriously joyful trip through time, space, pop culture, and puppets. This week on Make Me A Nerd , Mandy welcomes back the dazzlingly encyclopedic Manny Patel— Doctor Who superfan, mashup artist, and the human equivalent of a well-timed sonic screwdriver—for an energetic deep dive into the “three-boot” of Doctor Who on Disney+. Together, they attempt the nerdy equivalent of catching a greased pig: explaining The Giggle , The Church on Ruby Road , and The Devil’s Chord to someone who has maybe seen three episodes and still calls Van Gogh “that guy who painted starry stuff.” Manny brings the receipts—from Neil Patrick Harris channeling every villain trope with chaotic glee, to the Doctor’s new bi-generative regeneration twist, to goblins who serenade babies before sautéing them. Mandy, meanwhile, lobs perfectly timed WTFs and deeply relatable mom-level questions (“Why isn’t anyone scared of the goblins?” “Why does the TARDIS look like a 90s karaoke screen?”). By the end, you’ll be asking yourself the real questions: Is Doctor Who too woke? Is crying the new sonic screwdriver? And will Mandy ever stop calling herself a “whobie”? Also: Jinkx Monsoon is serving Maestro menace, UNIT is basically the British Avengers, and somebody please give Manny a consulting credit already. Links & Notes Watch Manny Patel’s mashups on YouTube: @MannyPatel Support Make Me a Nerd Find Mandy on Instagram Find Mandy on Bluesky --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Andor with Yoshi Stone 55:07

5 weeks ago55:07

55:07

In 1977, George Lucas introduced the world to a galaxy far, far away—a universe filled with lightsabers, Jedi mysticism, and the eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil. In the decades since, Star Wars has alternately soared and stumbled, expanding its mythos with prequels, sequels, spin-offs, and animated series. Some of these additions have been embraced with fervor. Others have been met with a sigh. And then, in 2022, something unexpected happened. A show emerged that defied the formula, stripped away the familiar iconography, and ignored the Skywalker lineage entirely. Andor was not a story of destiny or prophecy. It was a story of people—flawed, desperate, ordinary people—trying to survive in the shadow of an empire. On this episode of Make Me A Nerd , Mandy takes her first step into the world of Andor . Her guide? Yoshi Stone, a television producer, cocktail enthusiast, and lifelong Star Wars devotee who has spent years navigating the vast and varied terrain of nerd culture. Together, they explore the show’s grounded realism, its moral ambiguity, and its surprising ability to make an intergalactic rebellion feel like a gritty political thriller. Why does Andor feel more like The Bourne Identity than The Empire Strikes Back ? What does it mean that its characters drink from mismatched cups, wear scuffed boots, and worry about bureaucratic red tape? And how did a show with no Jedi, no Sith, and no lightsabers become, in Yoshi’s estimation, the best Star Wars project of the last two decades? This is a conversation about a show that shouldn’t have worked. But did. Links & References: Mandy Kaplan on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens Join the Community for ad-free episodes and bonus content: makemeanerd.com/join --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
The Last of Us with Matthew Fox 59:14

6 weeks ago59:14

59:14

This week on Make Me A Nerd, Mandy attempts to survive a full-blown fungal apocalypse—emotionally, spiritually, and occasionally by camouflage. And she’s not alone! She’s joined by three-time guest and ethics enthusiast Matthew Fox, who gently guides her through the cordyceps-infested wasteland that is The Last of Us . Think of them as a podcast Joel , if Joel read moral philosophy and didn’t shoot people in the face quite as often. From clickers to conundrums, this episode dives into why this so-called zombie genre show is actually about love, loss, and whether saving one person is worth dooming humanity. (Spoiler: maybe!) Mandy—bless her emotionally-intact, pastel-colored heart—only made it through two episodes before waving a white flag made of tissues and trauma. Matthew, meanwhile, brings receipts, ethics, and a voice so reassuring it makes the end of civilization feel slightly cozy. They tackle the big questions: Is Pedro Pascal’s Texan accent legally binding? Does Bella Ramsey have a resting post-apocalyptic face? Would Mandy survive five minutes in Boston 20 years after the fall of humanity? (Spoiler: No. And that’s fine.) They also explore how video games became the Shakespearean tragedies of our time, how the show contributed to the fall of the “video game curse,” and whether Joel is the reluctant dad of the decade… or just a really hot war criminal. Plus, a tribute to the late Val Kilmer, a nod to Willow, and a moment of silence for Mandy’s sanity after trying to reconcile a brain fungus outbreak with pandemic PTSD. You’re going to laugh, you’re going to think, you’re going to want to rewatch episode two and sob into a throw blanket. Links & Notes 🎧 Superhero Ethics Podcast ✨ Star Wars Generations Podcast 🌐 Join our Nerds at makemeanerd.com 📸 Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens 🐦 Find Mandy on Bluesky: @MandyMiscast --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Eras with Tommy Metz III 1:23:23

7 weeks ago1:23:23

1:23:23

Ladies and gentlemen, Swifties and skeptics, gather round, for today we embark on a journey of seismic cultural significance. No, not another election cycle. No, not the discovery of yet another billionaire’s secret doomsday bunker. We are talking about Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour —a three-and-a-half-hour pop music odyssey, equal parts spectacle, sermon, and strut. Mandy Kaplan, self-proclaimed “mainstream mom on a mission,” has declared war on ignorance and invited back one of her favorite guests, Tommy Metz III, in a valiant attempt to indoctrinate him into the glitter-drenched, emotionally devastating and, at times, utterly perplexing world of Taylor Swift. Tommy, who entered this battle armed with little more than vague memories of Reputation and the mistaken belief that Taylor and Carrie Underwood might be the same person, emerges… changed. Together, they probe the Eras Tour concert film, marvel at the wizardry of a stage that does absolutely everything short of launching Swift into orbit, and attempt to decode the many, many hidden messages that have turned Swift’s fandom into a full-blown Da Vinci Code situation. Why is there a countdown from 13? Why does a stadium full of people scream at the mention of a random name like “Betty”? How, exactly, does Taylor maintain that level of strut energy for 40+ songs without collapsing into a sequined heap? These are the questions, people. Along the way, Mandy and Tommy discuss the sheer indecency of rhyming words with themselves, the ethics of handing a hat to a billionaire’s child instead of a Make-a-Wish kiddo, and whether or not the Reputation era was unfairly maligned by people who simply weren’t ready for Dark Taylor™. Also, there are snakes . Digital snakes. Massive, stadium-sized, Jurassic Park -worthy snakes. So, whether you’re a lifelong Swiftie, a casual observer, or someone who has been actively avoiding this cultural monolith like it’s a student loan repayment notice, this episode is for you. Listen as Tommy slowly succumbs to Taylor’s undeniable power, Mandy achieves her ultimate goal of nerd conversion, and we all collectively marvel at the fact that this woman dropped a double album in the middle of a world tour . Links & References: Become a member for bonus content: Monthy • Annually Follow Mandy on social media: Instagram: @Mandy_Kaplan_Klavans Blue Sky: @MandyMiscast Listen to All The Feelings! Watch Eras on Apple TV+ --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Severance with Jon Cassie 1:09:23

8 weeks ago1:09:23

1:09:23

You wake up. You’re at work. You don’t know how you got there. You don’t know who you are outside of this fluorescent-lit, carpeted labyrinth. And worst of all—you have to attend a melon party. This week on Make Me A Nerd , Mandy takes a cubicle tour of Apple TV+'s Severance . Joining her is Jon Cassie, a certified nerd extraordinaire, former podcaster, and educational innovator, who has spent more time thinking about sci-fi and board games than most of us spend awake. Together, they unravel Severance’s mind-melting mysteries—its eerie office culture, its unsettling cult parallels (Scientology, we see you), and its ability to make us question whether we should ever trust HR again. They marvel at the performances, particularly the shockingly terrifying Tramell Tillman (who, fun fact, is actually a warm and delightful human in real life) and the absolutely flawless Patricia Arquette, who could probably make reading a grocery list feel like a psychological thriller. And because this show refuses to let anyone breathe, Mandy relives the moment her soul left her body upon discovering Miss Casey’s true identity. Spoiler: It involves screaming, existential dread, and a mild cardiac event. And because no nerdy discussion is complete without a tangent, Jon drops some Black Mirror recommendations, Mandy reveals her undying obsession with cults, and they both agree that Severance is one of the most perfectly eerie shows ever made. But wait—there’s more! For members only, Jon gives Mandy a crash course in Babylon 5 , because why stop at one mind-bending sci-fi series when you can have two? Not a member? No worries! Just visit MakeMeANerd.com and join today! You’ll get to sign up to your very own personal podcast feed full of all the extended editions of the show! So, grab your outdated work computer, stare longingly at your reflection in a darkened elevator, and press play. Welcome to Make Me A Nerd . You may not remember how you got here, but you’ll never want to leave. Links & References: Become a member for bonus content: Monthy • Annually Follow Mandy on social media: Instagram: @Mandy_Kaplan_Klavans Blue Sky: @MandyMiscast Listen to Jon’s education podcast Many Windows Watch Severance on Apple TV+ --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Everything Everywhere All At Once with Lester Ryan Clark & Kynan Dias 1:10:28

9 weeks ago1:10:28

1:10:28

Everything Everywhere All at Once. It’s t he film that took home a million Oscars, melted a billion brains, and somehow made hot dog fingers emotionally resonant . This week, Mandy sits down with Exorcist Minute co-hosts Lester Ryan Clark and Kynan Dias, two men who decided that watching Everything Everywhere like normal people just wasn’t enough, so they’ve chosen to break it down minute-by-minute, which is either a brilliant act of cinematic devotion or a slow descent into madness. Probably both. Together, they wade through the absurdity, the heartbreak, the nihilism, and yes, the butt plug fight scene. Along the way, they discuss the film’s mind-bending multiversal logic, the Daniels’ love of absurdism, Jamie Lee Curtis’s transformation into the IRS agent of your nightmares , and why Michelle Yeoh is basically the multiversal queen of everything . Also on the docket: The history of butt plugs (yes, really). The actual existence of a 2017 Everything Everywhere script written for Jackie Chan. The moment Mandy considered abandoning the movie entirely—only to be emotionally wrecked by the final act. And, most importantly, what the hell is up with those raccoons? So strap in, grab your fanny pack, and prepare for a cinematic discussion that will leave you questioning existence itself—while also wondering why you suddenly desperately need a bagel. And if you’re listening on Apple, leave a five-star review , or Mandy will personally send Jamie Lee Curtis to audit your taxes. Links & Notes Become a Make Me A Nerd member for ad-free episodes & bonus content: makemeanerd.com/join Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens Listen to Lester & Kynan’s Every Minute of Everything Everywhere All at Once podcast Check out The Exorcist Minute Kynan’s horror podcast Sitting in the Dark --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Wheel of Time with Audrey Kearns 1:04:06

10 weeks ago1:04:06

1:04:06

Wheel of Time —a sprawling, epic fantasy series filled with magic, palace intrigue, and, apparently, an unlimited budget for breathtaking visuals and absurdly attractive people. This week, Mandy welcomes back Audrey Kearns, aka the Geek Girl Authority herself, to painstakingly explain what the hell is going on in this Amazon Prime behemoth. We start with Mandy, who thought Wheel of Time was a fitness tracker before being thrown into a world of Trollocs, Aes Sedai, and, oh yes, an alarming number of dismembered animal carcasses. Audrey, meanwhile, is here to reassure us that, yes, this is all normal, and no, we should not be alarmed by the sudden disappearance and recasting of a major character. It happens. Nothing to see here. Move along. Together, they navigate the show's Game of Thrones -esque political machinations, Lord of the Rings -style reluctant heroes, and an inexplicable hot tub scene that Mandy found deeply relatable. Also, there’s a villainous peddler, a terrifying Björk-esque sorceress, and a lot of people who seem very angry for reasons that remain somewhat unclear. Come for the nerdy deep dive. Stay for Mandy and Audrey debating which Aes Sedai faction they’d belong to in an alternate universe. (Spoiler: It's probably not the evil one. Probably.) Links & Notes Geek Girl Authority – geekgirlauthority.com Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens Support the Show for Bonus Content – makemeanerd.com/join --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Survivor with Patrick Gomez 1:28:24

11 weeks ago1:28:24

1:28:24

This week on Make Me A Nerd , Mandy marches barefoot into the unwashed, coconut-scented, betrayal-laden world of Survivor . And who better to guide her through this mosquito-infested fever dream than Patrick Gomez, Editor-in-Chief of Entertainment Weekly and a man who has spent an alarming amount of time thinking about reality television strategy. Yes, Mandy—who typically prefers her entertainment with a side of not starving to death —has watched an entire season of Survivor , specifically Heroes vs. Villains (because nothing says “survival” like arbitrarily labeling people based on past television appearances). She emerges with questions—about alliances, injuries, the baffling lack of toothbrushes, and, most importantly, where and how these people poop. Yes, poop. Because if you’re living on a beach for over a month, that is a logistical nightmare . Patrick, a man who has personally interviewed the Survivor gods and lives to tell the tale, spills the behind-the-scenes tea: the scheming, the suffering, the completely unnecessary levels of shirtlessness, and the fact that Jeff Probst might actually be immortal . Also, did you know Survivor once had a season that was essentially race wars? Because that happened . And CBS aired it . In the 21st century. Mandy and Patrick also discuss: Boston Rob and his accent, which sounds like an actor badly pretending to be from Boston. Sandra, the queen of “As long as it ain’t me,” and why she is the best player of all time. Russell, a man who exudes the chaotic energy of someone who has definitely tried to start a cult in a Walmart parking lot. Parvati, whose flirty villainy makes Mandy want to punch a wall. The time a contestant faked his grandmother’s death to win a challenge. And, of course, why the pizza rewards look like something that was legally ruled “not food” by the FDA. Plus, if you become a Make Me A Nerd member, you’ll get access to an Oscars special where Patrick spills behind-the-scenes secrets from Hollywood’s biggest night. Because if there’s anything more cutthroat than Survivor , it’s awards season. So, grab some wine, drop your buffs , and prepare for an episode so packed with drama, you’ll want to vote someone off your couch just to process it all. Links & Notes Become a Make Me A Nerd member for ad-free episodes & bonus content: makemeanerd.com/join Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens Follow Patrick on social: @PatrickGomezLA Read Patrick’s work on Entertainment Weekly : EW.com --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with Manny Patel 58:49

12 weeks ago58:49

58:49

In 1993, a television show did something radical. It eschewed the traditional frontier, the ever-expanding voyage, the endless pursuit of the unknown. Instead, it stood still. It stayed put. It built a world—not on a starship, but on a space station. A fixed point in the cosmos where characters, conflicts, and consequences could spiral outward in ways that no Star Trek series had attempted before. That show was Deep Space Nine. This week on Make Me A Nerd , Mandy steps into the Operations Center of the most complex, layered, and politically charged Star Trek installment. And guiding her through this cosmic storm? Manny Patel—a man whose nerd credentials run deep, from organizing conventions to crafting meticulous Star Trek mashups that have captivated fans for decades. Together, Mandy and Manny traverse the wormhole of Deep Space Nine ’s origin, its infamous status as Star Trek’s rebellious middle child, and its shifting tonal landscape—from existential crises in the pilot to the narrative fireworks of The Way of the Warrior . They discuss the unexpected intersections of pop culture (what does Taxi 's Louie De Palma have to do with Quark?), the mesmerizing gravitas of Avery Brooks (and the time he unknowingly enchanted Mandy’s Nana), and the sheer audacity of Trials and Tribble-ations —an episode that didn’t just pay homage to the past, but seamlessly wove itself into it. This is a conversation about the architecture of storytelling. The way narratives evolve. The way characters, much like people, are shaped by their environments. And it’s about the strange, wonderful process of discovery—of stepping outside your comfort zone and realizing that the thing you never thought you’d love? It might just become part of you. Links & Notes Watch Manny Patel’s mashups on YouTube: @MannyPatel Support Make Me a Nerd Find Mandy on Instagram Find Mandy on Bluesky --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Outlander with Amy Crofoot 59:27

13 weeks ago59:27

59:27

Is it possible that a historical drama with time-traveling elements could captivate a mainstream audience, birthing a fandom so fervent it borders on the delightfully obsessive? This week, Mandy wades into the world of Outlander to find out. As her guide, Mandy speaks with actress Amy Crofoot, an avowed Outlander enthusiast, to explore the show's undeniable appeal. Is it the meticulously crafted historical setting? The sweeping romance? Or perhaps the subtle nods to geek culture that resonate with a broader audience? Amy shares her personal journey into fandom, from devouring the dense source material to hosting pajama-clad viewing parties fueled by Sassenach Gin (from the distillery of Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie, a hunky main character). But what is it about this series that inspires such devotion? Is it the escapism? The complex characters? Or the way the show tackles weighty themes with a blend of historical accuracy, fantastical imagination, and nudity? Could Outlander be more than just a guilty pleasure? Could it be a cultural phenomenon that bridges the gap between mainstream entertainment and the passionate world of fandom? Tune in to find out! Links & Notes Support Make Me a Nerd Find Mandy on Instagram Find Mandy on Bluesky --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
The Exorcist with Lester Ryan Clark and Kynan Dias 1:08:03

14 weeks ago1:08:03

1:08:03

Is "The Exorcist" just a scary movie, or is it a cultural artifact, a theological debate wrapped in celluloid? Mandy Kaplan confesses her way into the abyss with Lester Ryan Clark and Kynan Dias, the minds behind "The Exorcist Minute," a podcast dissecting the film minute by agonizing minute. Why does the film open in Iraq? Is it a pro-Catholic screed, or something far more subversive? What does the film say about feminism? And what does it mean that the scariest voice in the movie comes from Mercedes McCambridge? Prepare to have assumptions challenged as they unearth the hidden layers of a film that continues to haunt and fascinate decades after its release. Was Linda Blair robbed of an Oscar? Is Burke Dennings a secret gay icon? And could Captain Howdy be less interested in possessing a child and more in sowing discord maybe? So join Mandy for an exploration of faith, fear, and the enduring power of a story that asks us to confront the darkness within ourselves... but you know... doing all that really nerdily. Links & Notes The Exorcist Minute : A podcast that examines the movie The Exorcist minute by minute with Lester Ryan Clark and Kynan Dias MakeMeANerd.com : Come support the show! Every Minute of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once : Same Lester and Kynan but with more Hot Dog Fingers! The Devil's Details : A spin-off show that Lester and Kynan do, which covers the history and evolution of the devil through art and literature. --- Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.…

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

1
Jungle Book with Justine Huxley 1:05:55

15 weeks ago1:05:55