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 p…

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…

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 alway…

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 fa…

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…

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. Andr…

Do you have a comic book idea you want to see in print? Woody Arnold is a DIY, indie comic creator who has navigated the tricky world of self publishing. He has had to adapt to many challenges, which he hasn't let stop his current project, Cybersymbiosis. Woody is taking Cybersymbiosis to a whole new level with his latest Kickstarter effort. Check …

Beverly Downen wears many hats ... or helmets, horns ... and crowns? She's a cosplayer, competitor, judge, and now an author! You may know Beverly as a skilled cosplayer who crafts impressive costumes for the Northwest's many comic cons. You may know her from competitions she has participated in or judged. You may know her from the SheProp! communi…

The Hero Initiative is a federally recognized non profit with a simple mission – help comic creators in need. It's been around nearly 20 years and during that time it has distributed more than $1 million to such comic creators. But what does helping "comic creators in need" mean anyway? We're pulling in Cullen Stapleton, Hero Initiative's volunteer…

A chat with actor Russell Hodgkinson of "Z Nation" fame. The actor discusses the film scene in Spokane, whether or not he should shave his beard, projects he's working on, cats, and gardening ... and more. This interview was recorded at Spokane's Lilac City Comic Con. And check out the first time Russell spoke with NW NERD. This episode is brought …

Dyer has some big news to announce, and to explain it all ... this episode is going to get a little weird. Egypt Archie from the Comic Dads and Joel the Geek take over the podcast to press Dyer about what NW NERD has been up to, why did it go on hiatus, what will the podcast be like now ... and what's the deal with this magazine?! That's right, NW …

What started as a chance encounter with a rental VHS copy of "Clerks" put Ming Chen on a path to working with the film's creator, Kevin Smith. That path included designing websites, podcasting, TV's Comic Book Men, and more. Ming sits down on the couch with Dyer Oxley during Washington Summer Con to discuss his unique resume ... and just about ever…

What would Jim Starlin, creator of Shang-Chi, say about where this character could be headed on screen? We ask him in an exclusive interview. Also featuring collaborator Jaime Jameson to talk Dreadstar and more. Our Shang-Chi discussion continues with Joel the Geek and NW NERD’s Nina to cover our reviews of the film, as well as (spoiler alert) spec…

Chanel Johnson just wanted a perfect wedding. For her (and husband Bil) that meant a Harry Potter / Viking themed event. Chanel tells the story of her geek wedding. Also, Victoria Rudolph with Simply Nerdy Events provides some insights into wedding planning, especially for those who really want to include their pop culture passions. And joining thi…

This episode is for all the geek senses – tastes and smells, etc. Michel Paves used her creativity during the pandemic to develop scent profiles for her favorite fandoms and characters, from Wolverine to Falkor the luck dragon. That evolved into Nerdwax Candles which can be found online and perhaps at a farmer's market near you. She talks with NW N…

You can still play The Oregon Trail on Apple Arcade, but the modern version of this iconic educational game has gotten an upgrade as part of an effort to more accurately depict the times, and the people along the trail – Native Americans in particular. This story comes to us from reporter Anna King who first reported this story for Northwest News N…

An encore presentation of NW NERD's feature story on the Oregon Trail video game that was the highlight of many young students' school day in the 1980s and 1990s. NW NERD talks with Don Rawitsch, the creator of the educational video game,. It was a rocky road over many years before The Oregon Trail was a pop culture icon. Ensign Brandon Haddix and …

What is the connection between Star Trek and journalism? NW NERD presents a special roundtable discussion with three award-winning journalists who happen to be major Star Trek fans. Essex Porter, Heather Bosch, and Jeff Pohjola join Dyer for a chat about their love of Star Trek, and how it can relate to their industry.…

When the pandemic first struck in 2020, Funko was already in a bit of a funk. But the company, and its fans, learned to adapt over a rocky year. This is the story of how Funko (and its fans, and retail shops) faced the pandemic. What it learned and how it adapted may change things for this Northwest-based fandom company. Also featuring Pixie Bomber…

Former Seahawk Cassius Marsh (currently Pittsburgh Steelers) has long dreamed of owning a store focused on Magic: The Gathering and other collectable cards. He has now achieved that dream with Cash Cards Unlimited, further aiming to provide a new experience for card collectors. It turns out, this is not Cassius' only nerd niche ... and he may have …

Jim Demonakos (Emerald City Comic Con, LightBox Expo, Comic Stop) has a new project – a documentary on Hellboy creator Mike Mignola. Thanks so a very successful Kickstarter campaign, the documentary has more than enough funding to be completed. Jim joins pop culture journalist Dyer Oxley to discuss the project, as well as talk about the career of a…

The pandemic and 2020 shocked the pop culture convention industry that gives us comicons and other coveted gatherings. NW NERD brings in Todd Jones (former Global Director of Content and Celebrity Talent for ReedPOP) to help explain what has gone on behind the scenes, and what comicons will likely look like moving forward. Also, Dr. Tim Elam with t…

On the first episode of Season 5, we meet a new superhero on the streets of Seattle, and she has a pretty cool car, too. Meet Captain Quidel, who arrived in time for the pandemic. Also... Catching up with Jedi Minister Tyler Arnold on the changes to Spokane's Jedi Alliance church. A discussion on pop culture conventions as we look ahead in 2021. Wi…

We've left one year behind, and are embarking on another. There are a few headlines that may affect our relationship to pop culture in the months ahead. Plus, the Northwest has a couple connections to a coming mission to the moon that will make history. To get into the details, we talk with Northwest News Network's Tom Banse about one booming corne…

The annual Festivus special carries a bit of a curse on NW NERD. Audio gets glitchy, Dyer's soundboard doesn't work, or the Monorail keeps interrupting. And this year's Festivus recording is on par with all that ... and 2020 in general. Yeah, we'll blame it on 2020. Despite some recording snafus, we had a great time with Egypt with the Comic Dads a…

Featuring: Tae Phoenix with Trek the Vote Talk show hosts Dave Ross and Michael Medved Mellina White, co-founder of The Seattle Conservative Egypt with The Comic Dads Warning: Some may disagree with parts of the discussion ... and that's OK. "Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more con…

Volunteers are working to restore The Dominion tugboat to her former glory, and make this boat a living piece of history. But they've found out that history may still be living aboard. NW NERD goes on a ghost hunt with AGHOST, led by author and expert Ross Allison, and finds out that this boat has a lot of stories to tell.…

NW NERD archive: Dyer stops at a hotel while on a road trip through Oregon. But this unique hotel has a history that some say continues to haunt its hallways ... and rooms. The ghostly activity at the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove is so prevalent that the front desk maintains a ghost log for employees and guests to document their experiences. NW NERD…

NW NERD archive: The Pike Place Market is one of the most well-visited areas in the Northwest. But visitors may not have realized that among the bustling walkways, the paranormal is also highly active. In particular, the Pike Place Market is known for all the ghost children who walk its halls.Di NW NERD

We're reanimating one of our best round table discussions, straight out of the NW NERD archives. What are the best methods of surviving a zombie apocalypse? In season two, we brought in a series of experts to help answer that question, including Craig Engler (Z Nation creator) and infectious disease expert Dr. Tara Smith. Then we brought in Liz Ell…

As Halloween approaches (the best holiday all year), we are reaching back into the NW NERD archives and presenting our favorite ghost stories. This time, we're reaching all the way back to season 1, when we produced our first ghost story. NW NERD takes a trip out to Port Gamble, a New England style town set in the Northwest. The residents and shop …

Hey there! It's been a minute ... or five ... OK, probably even longer than that. It's time to check in. A lot has happened since the end of the last season of NW NERD. Dyer and Brandon are checking in, providing a few updates on the future of the podcast, talking about what has been happening, and pointing out a few things to look forward to. Ther…

Spokane has had a few comicons come and go over the years, but Lilac City Comicon has stood out. That's partially because it keeps going, but also because it keep growing. That's largely thanks to one man, Nathan O'Brien, who believed that the geek community east of the Cascade Mountains is strong enough for a decent comicon. This is Lilac's journe…

NW NERD talks with two one-of-a-kind artists -- Jeff Carpenter and Alex the Pumpkin Geek. Headlines: Ashley Hiruko, reporter with KUOW, discusses her article about businesses that technically are considered "essential" under Washington's stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic ... but are they really? One business she addresses is the No…

Cosplayers in Washington and beyond are organizing to make face masks, face shields, and more to help doctors, nurses, and first responders get what they need as they fight a pandemic. Also, stay-at-home orders and closed businesses for COVID-19 are pushing back film release dates and changing movie theater operations. Brandon is still waiting for …

Artist, cosplayer, and Superman Jonathan Belle joins NW NERD as a guest host to chat about how Emerald City Comic Con has rescheduled for August 21 and check in on what he's been up to lately. Coronavirus concerns continue, so we brought in some positivity (And we also may talk about how great The Killers are). Also, an interview with Charles Brown…

The headlines are filled with "Coronavirus," "COVID-19," and "pandemic" lately. Though if you're like Dyer, then most of what you know about a virus spreading across the globe most likely comes from movies. We turn to Dr. Tara Smith who is an epidemiologist out of Kent State -- she actually teaches a course on plagues and pandemics. Dr. Smith likes…

Before we launch into our two interviews with Northwest artists, we need to talk about the elephant in the room -- coronavirus. AKA COVID-19. Emerald City Comic Con is moving forward with its 2020 event as concerns over COVID-19 grow. What you should know about the issue. Then an interview with Seattle-artist Jen Vaughn. Beyond her varied work from…

Geek Boots Military Nerds join NW NERD as guest hosts to talk about geek news, including: -Space economy in Redmond may get a financial boost. -Renton City Comic Con is rebranding and adopting a new name. What will the new con look like? -And will marvel movie actors start their own Dungeons and Dragons campaign? Two are rumored to be considering i…

NW NERD travels to the intersection of pop culture and mental health. First, a conversation with "Doc," who makes wands and sells them at comicons. Doc, a military veteran, is vocal about his experience with PTSD and how woodworking helped him after his time in the Army. Also, a discussion with Nikki York, Sara Pence, and Steven Collins. The three …

NW NERD enlists a panel of cosplayers and geeks to discuss dating and relationship questions from listeners. They also address a recent advice column titled "How do I get a cosplay girl to like me?" There's a lot to unpack. Also, Dyer takes listeners to Super Sonic Speed Dating in Portland where convention attendees went to make friends, maybe more…

Dyer and Brandon return from break to discuss news that broke while they were away. Retired superhero Phoenix Jones was arrested for allegedly selling drugs. Checking back in with Wayward Coffeehouse which now needs your help. Atari has something special in mind for Seattle, set to break ground soon. Also, an interview with professional cosplayers …

Nick and Dyer present NW NERD's annual Festivus special before the holiday podcast break with special guests, including: Genevieve Haas with After These Messages and The Grapes of Rad fame; also Aaron Mason, co-host of KIRO Nights and also of Grapes of Rad fame (and he also did a podcast called The Leap Home: A Look Bakula).There will be airing of …

Jonathan Belle is an artist who takes flight with his cosplay. Through photography, and wearing a Superman suit, he displays stunning images of the Man of Steel set against the vast array of the American landscape. His work conveys a story in each shot, spurs imagination, and delivers a message of inspiration and positivity. But his journey to beco…

Jet City Comic Show just pulled off its 10th annual pop culture event. This comic con in Tacoma has roots that run deep with other major Northwest conventions, but has made a considerable effort to maintain a focus on comics above all else. James Taylor with Jet City Comic Show joins NW NERD to discuss the history of the event and his perspective o…

In this magazine episode, Dyer takes us to a special tea shop in Wallingford, Seattle where the owner makes tea blends based on what her favorite fandoms taste like. Then, Nick and Dyer discuss some nerdy news, including the uneven launch of Disney+, the redesigned Sonic the Hedgehog, and more. Finally, they wrap things up with some recommendations…

Voice actor Jen Cohn sits down with NW NERD to discuss how she got the role of Pharah on Overwatch, how she likes her coffee (it's complicated), and who she credits with influencing her personality. That, and a lot more.Di NW NERD

The Monster Rangers are like the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, combined with the 1980s film "Monster Squad." Some are in it for the outdoorsy meetups, others like the badges, the crafting, or the bartering. Either way, this alternative reality group gathers to protect the monster around us and their habitats, and much more.19:40 The NewsGame of T…

NW NERD presents two interviews. First, a conversation with actor Russell Hodgkinson, who has led an eclectic life from the military to the stage, and to his role as Doc on Z Nation. He even was a manny for Lucille Ball's grandchildren at one point. Also, comic artist Blacky Shepherd talks about the genre of horror and how he has found a way to con…

In this magazine episode, hosts Nick Jarin and Dyer Oxley start things off with a visit to Seattle's Pike Place Market, which is remarkably packed with ghosts. For this year's Halloween story, they focus on the children who haunt Pike Place Market's shops and alleys. Then, Nick and Dyer discuss some nerdy headlines, including the final trailer for …