Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

TruStory FM

Hey folks. Mandy Kaplan here. I’d like to share a bit about my intentions and mission for MMAN if you’ll indulge me. You will? Huzzah! Look, I am a lot of things. I’m a writer, actress, mother, and lover of musicals and cats, but NOT Cats, The Musical. Give me a little bit of credit, would ya? So...throughout my life, I’ve been surrounded (and intrigued) by all things nerd. A sister who plays D&D, a Star Wars-obsessed husband, friends who love anime, comic books, video games, and...well, you get the picture. Somehow, I have always held it all at arm's length. Not to get too deep, but maybe I never thought I was smart enough to follow it. Or maybe I have control issues and have never been able to embrace fantastical things like dragons and time travel. Until now! So, with an open mind and heart, I am ready to join this massive (and beautifully inclusive) club and GEEK THE #%$ OUT! It’s time for all my wonderfully strange friends to baptize me into NERD-DOM. Please join me on this journey. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover or remember a side of yourself along the way. Or at least make fun of me as I try!

  1. Godzilla Minus One with Riki Hayashi

    3日前

    Godzilla Minus One with Riki Hayashi

    This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy welcomes fellow TruStory podcaster and kaiju enthusiast Riki Hayashi for a dive into one of the most critically acclaimed monster movies in decades: Godzilla Minus One. If you’ve ever thought Godzilla was just a big lizard with anger issues, think again. Riki brings his lifelong passion for Japanese nerd culture to the table, from his days as a Magic: The Gathering judge to his Twitch battles in Pokémon Go. But it’s his love for Godzilla that takes center stage here. Together, he and Mandy break down how Godzilla Minus One is not only a triumph of visual storytelling and emotional depth, but also a sharp departure from the campy traditions of kaiju past. Mandy, entering the Godzilla-verse for the first time, is floored—not just by the monster’s expressive eyes or bejeweled back spikes—but by the profound humanity at the movie’s core. The conversation covers everything from the history of the Godzilla franchise and its shifting eras, to the film’s subtle criticism of wartime nationalism and kamikaze legacy. Mandy and Riki explore how Minus One balances terrifying spectacle with unexpected tenderness, including a found-family storyline and a main character who’s more haunted than heroic. They celebrate the film’s quieter moments—the Spielbergian tension on the open sea, the war-torn melancholy of post-1945 Tokyo, the critique of institutional cruelty—and gasp together at that final chilling neck bruise (yes, they talk theories). It’s a rich discussion full of history, heartbreak, and atomic breath, peppered with rom-com ethics and a pitch-perfect Rock impression. And if Riki has his way, Mandy’s next nerdy adventure might involve tear-jerking anime and body-swapping teenagers. Links & Notes Mandy Kaplan on Instagram (@mandy_kaplan_klavins)Join Make Me A Nerd for Bonus Content

    59分
  2. The Rehearsal with Megan Parlen

    8月25日

    The Rehearsal with Megan Parlen

    What happens when comedy meets ethics, performance art meets aviation safety, and a TV host decides to build an airport just to see what happens? This week, Mandy is joined by her brilliant and ever-curious friend Megan Parlen to dig deep into The Rehearsal — Nathan Fielder’s surreal and provocative HBO series that defies easy categorization. Is it satire? Is it social commentary? Is it trauma with a laugh track? Mandy isn’t sure, but Megan has some thoughts, and the two wrestle through their opposing reactions in a wildly entertaining exploration of cringe, consent, creative license, and the cost of curiosity. From $60 million airplane sets to uncomfortable experiments on unsuspecting hopefuls, the conversation pulls back the curtain on what Fielder’s strange vision might really be saying about humanity, neurodivergence, and our need to feel in control. Bonus: Mandy coins the term “disgustipating,” and Megan wins a metaphorical mic drop with a Game of Thrones budget comparison. This is not a rehearsal — it’s a must-listen. Links & Notes 📖 Bloomsbury Books – support Megan’s Bookstore!Mandy Kaplan on Instagram (@mandy_kaplan_klavins)Join Make Me A Nerd for Bonus Content

    54分
  3. Jurassic Park with Tommy Metz III, Andy Nelson, & Pete Wright

    8月18日

    Jurassic Park with Tommy Metz III, Andy Nelson, & Pete Wright

    Mandy Kaplan has never seen Jurassic Park. We know. Breathe. She’s finally corrected this cinematic sin, and to walk her through the prehistoric magic, she’s joined by Pete Wright, Andy Nelson, and Tommy Metz III—three full-grown nerds whose love for Spielberg’s dinosaur masterpiece borders on religious. This is the movie that changed blockbuster filmmaking forever, and the guys are here to help Mandy understand the science, the spectacle, and the T. Rex-sized cultural impact. They dive into Stan Winston’s groundbreaking effects, John Williams’s unforgettable score, and the tightrope Spielberg walks between horror and adventure. Mandy confesses what really scared her (spoiler: it was the car), learns what the deal is with Sam Neill’s accent, and discovers a whole new appreciation for Jell-O quivering in fear. Whether you’re team Velociraptor or ride-or-die for the Triceratops, this episode is your guided tour through the park. And yes—hold on to your butts. Find the Guests! Pete Wright (Headstone, Sitting in the Dark): trustory.fm/headstoneAndy Nelson (CinemaScope, The Next Reel): trustory.fm/cinemascopeTommy Metz III (Sitting in the Dark): trustory.fm/sittinginthedark Links & Notes 📖 Bloomsbury Books – support Megan’s Bookstore!Mandy Kaplan on Instagram (@mandy_kaplan_klavins)Join Make Me A Nerd for Bonus Content

    1時間4分
  4. Showgirls with Jessica Jimenez

    8月11日

    Showgirls with Jessica Jimenez

    What do you get when you cross Elizabeth Berkley, a pile of glitter, and the worst pool sex scene ever committed to film? Showgirls, of course — and this week, Mandy dives headfirst into the chaotic, cringe-glittery mess with TV producer and camp connoisseur Jessica Jimenez. Jess has seen the cult classic more times than she can count (or admit), while Mandy might have lost a small piece of her soul watching it for the first time. What follows is a cocktail-fueled breakdown of the film’s misguided ambition, baffling dialogue, and bizarre legacy as both a Razzie-sweeping disaster and beloved queer cult staple. The two unpack every absurd plot twist, every sequined meltdown, and yes — even Penny’s from Heaven. Is it empowering? Is it exploitative? Is it secretly genius? (No.) Is it fun to yell “Versayce” in public? (Yes.) Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a horrified first-timer, this episode is a campy celebration of a movie so bad, it’s iconic. Links & Notes Watch Storage Wars!Mandy Kaplan on Instagram (@mandy_kaplan_klavins)Join Make Me A Nerd for Bonus Content

    53分
  5. K-Pop Demon Hunters with Jimmy Aquino

    8月4日

    K-Pop Demon Hunters with Jimmy Aquino

    Jimmy Aquino is back and brings K-Pop Demon Hunters, the surprise Netflix hit that blends idol culture with demon-fighting destiny and music bangers that have conquered the Billboard charts. Mandy and Jimmy break down the film’s animation style, Buffy-meets-BTS premise, Korean cultural foundations, and the epic vocal range of EJAE (seriously, a D3 to an A5 in one breath?). Jimmy dives deep into the 10-year journey to production, the real K-pop industry legends behind the soundtrack, and how the film’s creators brought sincerity, slapstick, and subversion to every glitter-drenched frame. The two gush about Derpy the tiger, decode the chibi-inspired gags, and debate the film’s third-act shift into emotional territory. Is it an instant classic? According to Rotten Tomatoes (96%) and Jimmy’s soul (100%), yes. And Mandy may or may not be working on a cover of “Golden” as Derpy. You’ve been warned. Links & Notes Mandy Kaplan on Instagram (@mandy_kaplan_klavins)Jimmy Aquino’s Comic News Insider PodcastJoin Make Me A Nerd for Bonus Content

    57分
  6. X-Men with JP Karliak

    7月28日

    X-Men with JP Karliak

    He’s back and nerdier than ever! Mandy welcomes voice actor, activist, and self-proclaimed snappy dresser JP Karliak to discuss X-Men (2000)—the film that helped launch the modern superhero era and still sparks passionate debate among comic fans, queer viewers, and nerdy newcomers alike. JP, who now voices Morph in X-Men ’97, breaks down the emotional legacy of the franchise, its deep ties to marginalized identities, and what makes a mutant story resonate decades later. The conversation bounces from childhood toys (Floam and Gak, anyone?) to ASMR triggers, to how comic book metaphors land differently for trans and queer communities in 2025. They unpack Rogue’s controversial casting, Mystique’s unapologetic nudity, and why every fight scene feels a bit like a prelude to kissing. Oh, and they definitely play a round of “F-Marry-Kill: Wolverine vs. Cyclops Edition.” Links and Mentions: Join the Nerd Herd for Bonus ContentX-Men ’97 on Disney+JP Karliak’s InstagramAdam Pascal performing in Hawkeye’s in-show musical

    50分
  7. The Big Bang Theory with Lisa Arch

    7月21日

    The Big Bang Theory with Lisa Arch

    In this delightfully nerdy episode, Mandy Kaplan welcomes actor and host Lisa Arch to discuss The Big Bang Theory, the show that launched Mandy’s “nerdification” and hooked Lisa over time with its layered friendships, character arcs, and perfect comedic timing. From dissecting the show’s legendary pilot to marveling at Sheldon’s emotional growth in “The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis,” Lisa and Mandy revel in how a sitcom about theoretical physicists managed to become deeply human—and deeply hilarious. They tackle the show’s depiction of neurodivergence, its cautious navigation of LGBTQ+ tropes, and the impressive way it integrated new characters like Amy Farrah Fowler and Bernadette into an already thriving ensemble. Lisa brings emotional insight to Amy’s evolution and drops expert-level takes on sitcom chemistry, all while fielding urgent commentary about Trader Joe’s discontinued items and her mom’s housecoat game. Stay tuned until the end for a tribute to the show’s genius writing, an ode to Zach the lovable himbo, and a bonus members-only segment where Lisa and Mandy recreate that scene from Legally Blonde. Spoiler: coitus is mentioned. Links & Notes Join the Nerds – Become a MemberLisa Arch on IMDbFollow Mandy on InstagramFollow Mandy on BlueSky

    55分
  8. Suit up for Squad 20 D&D with Justine Huxley

    7月14日

    Suit up for Squad 20 D&D with Justine Huxley

    Let’s say you’re a respected voice actor. You’ve brought beloved characters to life in video games, animation, and probably at least one fan convention that smelled vaguely of beef jerky and dry-erase markers. Then one day, someone says: “Would you like to improvise a high-stakes fantasy quest in front of a live audience of howling D&D nerds… and also do it in costume… on stage… with dice… on YouTube?” What do you say? If you’re Justine Huxley, the answer is “yes”—and then you glue leaves to your body and become a gnome druid named Finia. This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy Kaplan welcomes back Justine for her third (yes, third!) appearance, this time to unravel the improbably nerdy tale of how a casual convention invite led to a starring role on Squad 20, a full-fledged Dungeons & Dragons series featuring voice actors, cosplay, and the occasional improvised musical number. It’s a story involving suspiciously attractive bards, aggressively vegetarian gnomes, and the kind of collaborative nerdery that only works when the DM knows exactly how many hit points are in your armor class. Mandy dives headfirst into this world—confused, delighted, and possibly a little drunk (not really, but let’s not rule anything out). If you’ve ever wondered what happens when trained professionals take their theater degrees and aim them at a gelatinous cube, this is your episode. Links & Notes Watch Squad 20 on YouTubeJustine Huxley on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @JustineHuxleySix Sides of Gaming: https://www.sixsidesofgaming.com

    36分
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予告編

番組について

Hey folks. Mandy Kaplan here. I’d like to share a bit about my intentions and mission for MMAN if you’ll indulge me. You will? Huzzah! Look, I am a lot of things. I’m a writer, actress, mother, and lover of musicals and cats, but NOT Cats, The Musical. Give me a little bit of credit, would ya? So...throughout my life, I’ve been surrounded (and intrigued) by all things nerd. A sister who plays D&D, a Star Wars-obsessed husband, friends who love anime, comic books, video games, and...well, you get the picture. Somehow, I have always held it all at arm's length. Not to get too deep, but maybe I never thought I was smart enough to follow it. Or maybe I have control issues and have never been able to embrace fantastical things like dragons and time travel. Until now! So, with an open mind and heart, I am ready to join this massive (and beautifully inclusive) club and GEEK THE #%$ OUT! It’s time for all my wonderfully strange friends to baptize me into NERD-DOM. Please join me on this journey. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover or remember a side of yourself along the way. Or at least make fun of me as I try!

情報

  • クリエイター
    TruStory FM
  • 配信期間
    24年 - 25年
  • エピソード
    63
  • 制限指定
    不適切な内容を含まない
  • Copyright
    © TruStory FM
  • 番組のWebサイト
    Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan