Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

We’re slogging into the murky depths of Gotham, not with capes and cowls, but with gabardine and grit. This week on the show, Mandy navigates the shadowy alleys of nerddom, guided by the insightful Matthew Fox of Star Wars Generations and the Superhero Ethics Podcast on TruStory FM. Their subject? Not the bombastic exploits of a costumed crusader, but the surprisingly nuanced rise of The Penguin on Max.

This is a visceral exploration of power, betrayal, and the intoxicating allure of respect. Think The Godfather, think The Sopranos, but with a dash of, dare we say, avian peculiarity. Matthew is a returning champion of nerd culture explication and unpacks the layered history of the Penguin, tracing his evolution from quirky gangster with an umbrella gun to the complex, almost sympathetic figure portrayed with chilling brilliance by Colin Farrell. The conversation meanders through the intricacies of Cobb's physicality, his burning ambition, and the surprising tenderness that lurks beneath his hardened exterior.

The true revelation lies in the electric presence of Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. A woman forged in the crucible of a criminal dynasty, Sofia's journey from reluctant heiress to ruthless power player is nothing short of mesmerizing. The interplay between Sofia and Oz, fueled by a shared history of both loyalty and betrayal, crackles with a tension that transcends the typical will-they-won't-they trope.

Join Mandy and Matthew as they unpack the complexities of The Penguin, exploring the unexpected brilliance of a show that dares to ask: what happens when the villain takes center stage, and we find ourselves, against our better judgment, rooting for him?

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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

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

What does it mean to be human? And, perhaps more importantly, what does it mean to feel human?

On today’s episode of Make Me a Nerd, host Mandy Kaplan embarks on a journey with writer, producer, and director Paul J. Salamoff—a man whose career spans makeup effects, comic books, and award-winning filmmaking. Their mission? To dissect one of the most iconic and enigmatic films in science fiction history: Blade Runner.

This is a story about contrasts—about the grit of dystopian Los Angeles and the shimmer of neon lights, about robots who just want to live and humans who’ve forgotten how.

Together, they tackle the overlooked details: Joanna Cassidy’s boots that magically swap from heels to flats mid-chase, Harrison Ford’s noodle obsession, and the strangely unsettling world of J.F. Sebastian’s creepy companions. But they also dive deep—into the philosophical core of Blade Runner, into what it means to make peace with mortality, and into the ever-debated question: Is Deckard a replicant?

Paul shares his first encounter with the film in the 1980s, when the Casio synths of Vangelis felt urgent and futuristic, not nostalgic and dated. He reflects on the shift from practical effects to CGI, the layers of Ridley Scott’s vision, and why Blade Runner is still his favorite film of all time. Mandy, for her part, asks the questions we’re all too afraid to ask—like why Rachel is dressed like Joan Crawford and whether dystopian futures really mean the end of deodorant.

And just when you think you’ve grasped the meaning of it all, Paul hints at the mysteries of the theatrical cut’s voiceover, the unicorn dream, and the controversial possibility that Rick Deckard might be... well, you’ll have to listen to find out.

PLUS: Stick around for members-only bonus content where Paul breaks down the world of the Saturn Awards, the premier honors for sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.

Links & Notes

• Paul J. Salamoff’s website
• Mandy Kaplan on Instagram
• Make Me a Nerd Membership

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

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.

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

This week, Mandy is joined by voice actor, writer and activist JP Karliak to discuss the animated Netflix series Castlevania.

JP, a self-described "voiceover artist, queer activist, snappy dresser", has voiced characters like Morph in X-Men 97, Boss Baby, and Green Goblin on Spidey and His Amazing Friends. He also co-founded the organization Nerds Vote to encourage gamers, cosplayers, and pop culture fans to get out and vote, and Queer Vox to provide training and professional support for LGBTQIA+ voice actors in the entertainment industry while advocating for equitable opportunities and authentic representation in voice performance work.

JP brought Castlevania as an entry point for Mandy because of its manageable 4-episode first season and gothic horror themes, which he thought might appeal to Mandy's sensibilities. The series, based on a long-running video game franchise, follows monster hunter Trevor Belmont as he battles Dracula and his demon army.

Will JP’s thorough exploration be enough to make Mandy a convert? Listen in and find out ... maybe it’ll be just as enticing for you!

Learn more about JP on his website at JPKarliak.com.

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