Up Your Nerd Cred

Casual Host CiCi, Expert Host AM Diaz
  • 5.0 (3)
  • ANIMATION & MANGA
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Did you used to know everything happening in the Marvel and DC universes? Did finding out that some superheroes are from Marvel and some are from DC blow your mind? Has keeping track of everything happening there… and then realizing we’re talking about the comics universe, not the cinematic ones… and the different universes with their own multiversal crisesses has gotten a little bit out of hand, don’t worry. Up Your Nerd Cred is here to talk about gods cosplaying as men, men cosplaying as gods, and how much the cinematic universes are leaving out.

  1. 14H AGO

    Beyond “Black” and Lightning: Black Heroes Breaking the Trope | UYNC S2 Ep8

    It’s the end of Black History Month and we’re highlighting Black superheroes who don’t rely on lightning powers or “Black” in their codename. From Green Lanterns to War Machine, from Monet St. Croix to Queen Nubia, we’re breaking down the evolution of representation in Marvel and DC — and how modern storytelling is finally letting these characters breathe. Plus: BAFTA controversy, Starfleet Academy queerness, and side-eyeing the BBC. Follow & Support: Show Instagram: @UpYourNerdCredPodPatreon: patreon.com/upyournerdcredpod Cici: @ciracdavisA.M. Diaz: @AMDiazArt #BlackSuperheroes, #BlackHistoryMonth, #MarvelComics, #DCComics, #ComicBookPodcast, #GreenLantern, #JohnStewart, #SojournerMullein, #WarMachine, #IsaiahBradley, #MonetStCroix, #Vixen, #Nubia, #RepresentationMatters, #DiversityInComics, #ComicBookCulture, #BAFTAs, #BBCControversy, #RyanCoogler, #JonathanMajors

    1h 23m

  2. FEB 20

    Why Black Heroes Are Always Carrying Trauma | Storm, Shuri & the Cost of Being “Strong” | UYNC S2 E7

    What does it cost to always be the strong one? This week, we’re digging into grief, trauma, and emotional resilience across Marvel’s Black heroes — from Luke Cage’s incarceration and invulnerability, to Storm’s claustrophobia and PTSD, to Shuri’s rage on the ancestral plane, to Riri Williams building armor around her grief, and Sam Wilson proving that sometimes the most powerful move isn’t a punch — it’s a conversation. Joined by licensed clinical social worker Dr. Mercedes Samudio, we explore how strength, leadership, and representation intersect with mental wellness — and why Black superheroes are so often expected to carry everything without breaking. We’re talking: Prison trauma and Black masculinity in Luke CageStorm’s depowerment and trauma responseShuri’s grief and ancestral disconnectionRiri Williams, adultification, and intellectualized copingSam Wilson, imposter syndrome, and therapy as heroismReferenced episode:X-Men ’97 — Season 1, Episode 6: “Lifedeath – Part 2” (Storm’s depowerment arc and trauma response storyline) Guest:Dr. Mercedes SamudioLicensed Clinical Social WorkerInstagram: @dr.mercedessamudio Pod Socials: @UpYourNerdCredPodHosts: @ciracdavis, @AMDiazArt If you have a burning question you want us to discuss so you can up your nerd cred, leave a comment or DM us — we might feature it in an upcoming episode. 🖤⚡ #BlackSuperheroes #Marvel #Storm #Shuri #Ironheart #SamWilson #MentalHealth #XMen97 #BlackNerd #BlackGeekCulture #MarvelTok

    1h 12m

  3. FEB 16

    Black Power Ranger or Pink One? Growing Up as the Token Black Girl | UYNC S2 Ep 6

    Were you the Black Power Ranger… or the Pink one? In this solo episode of Up Your Nerd Cred, CiCi dives into what it meant to grow up as the token Black girl in 90s TV friend groups — and the quiet, uncomfortable pressure to “identify correctly.” From Saved by the Bell and Clueless to Daria, Power Rangers, and that infamous “Pretty White Kids with Problems” sketch, we’re talking about: The scarcity mindset of representationBeing assigned a character because you were the only Black girlFeeling guilty for not liking “your” characterThe difference between Black-led shows and token inclusionWhy intersectionality matters in media and real lifeWe also dig into the academic side — from 1970s television shifts to Kimberlé Crenshaw’s definition of intersectionality — and why it's nice to not have to root for everybody Black just because they’re the only one. Revel in the ability to experience both Black excellence and Black mediocrity onscreen without it being the only thing that exists. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @upyournerdcredpod CiCi: @ciracdavisAM Diaz: @amdiazart Want solo scripts, behind-the-scenes footage, and bonus content?Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/UpYourNerdCredPod #UpYourNerdCred, #BlackRepresentation, #TokenCharacter, #Intersectionality, #KimberleCrenshaw, #90sTV, #PowerRangers, #SavedByTheBell, #Clueless, #Daria, #Glee, #BlackWomenInMedia, #NostalgiaTV, #MediaAnalysis, #PopCulturePodcast, #BlackGirlNerd, #FandomCulture, #MarvelFans, #DCFans, #NerdCulture, #BlackVoices, #RepresentationMatters, #TVHistory, #CulturalCritique

    32 min

  4. FEB 6

    Zero to Hero: The Evolution of the Disney Prince Pt 2 (With Solving for X) | UYNC S2 Ep 5

    We’re back with Part 2 of our deep dive into the Disney Prince pipeline — and this time, things get competitive. CiCi, AM Diaz, and the Solving for X crew finish the conversation by putting these princes to the test: hotness, usefulness, and whether they were wildly out of their league. From Prince Naveen and Flynn Rider to Hercules, Aladdin, and the Beast, we rank, debate, disagree loudly, and absolutely overthink animated men. Along the way, we talk emotional growth, healthy partnerships, why “nice” is not the same as good, and how Disney accidentally taught a generation what to expect (and what not to tolerate) in romance. This episode is opinionated, chaotic, affectionate, and exactly as unserious as ranking fictional princes should be. 👑🔥 Guest IG Handles:Kevin — @kjeezy87Shawney — @shawneyhavokRyan — @ryeorioSolving for X — @solvingforx.xmen.tas Follow the PodInstagram: @upyournerdcredpodListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.Watch on YouTube. Host: @ciracdavisCo-host: @amdiazart Support the show / bonus content:https://www.patreon.com/UpYourNerdCredPod Hashtags#UpYourNerdCred, #UpYourNerdCredPod, #Podcast, #Podcasts, #PodcastLife, #PodcastRecommendations, #NewPodcast, #PopCulturePodcast, #NerdPodcast, #GeekPodcast, #Disney, #DisneyPodcast, #DisneyAdults, #DisneyFans, #DisneyCommunity, #DisneyPrinces, #PrinceCharming, #FlynnRider, #PrinceNaveen, #Kristoff, #LiShang, #Aladdin, #Hercules, #BeautyAndTheBeast, #TheBeast, #Mulan, #Tangled, #PrincessAndTheFrog, #Animation, #AnimatedMovies, #FilmPodcast, #MoviePodcast, #PopCulture, #NerdCulture, #GeekCulture, #QueerNerds, #LGBTQPodcast, #QueerPodcast, #XMenTas, #SolvingForX

    44 min

  5. JAN 30

    Zero to Hero: The Evolution of the Disney Prince Pt 1 (With Solving for X) | UYNC S2 Ep 4

    This week, we’re stepping outside the Marvel and DC multiverses (just for a minute) to talk about the Disney Princes — and how they evolved from voiceless, last-minute plot devices into fully realized characters with agency, flaws, and emotional growth. Joined by the Solving for X crew, we break down the different eras of Disney princes, what makes a “good” prince versus a functional one, and whether increased involvement actually strengthens (or undermines) the princesses’ agency. From early fairy-tale stand-ins to modern, ride-or-die partners, this conversation goes places. So maybe put some headphones in during the Heated Rivalry discussion... 👀 GuestsKevin: https://www.instagram.com/kjeezy87/Shawney: https://www.instagram.com/shawneyhavok/Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/ryeorio/Solving for X Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforx.xmen.tas/HostsUp Your Nerd Cred Pod: https://www.instagram.com/upyournerdcredpod/CiCi: https://www.instagram.com/ciracdavis/AM Diaz: https://www.instagram.com/amdiazart/Support the ShowJoin the Patreon for bonus content, solo scripts, and behind-the-scenes access:https://www.patreon.com/c/UpYourNerdCredPod Also available in podcast form on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms. Hashtags#UpYourNerdCred, #UpYourNerdCredPod, #Disney, #DisneyPrinces, #DisneyAdults, #DisneyPodcast, #Podcast, #PopCulturePodcast, #NerdPodcast, #GeekPodcast, #Animation, #DisneyAnimation, #DisneyHistory, #DisneyRenaissance, #Cinderella, #SnowWhite, #SleepingBeauty, #TheLittleMermaid, #Mulan, #HerculesDisney, #Aladdin, #Tangled, #Frozen, #PrinceCharming, #PrinceEric, #PrincePhilip, #FlynnRider, #Kristoff, #PrinceHans, #FilmDiscussion, #AnimationDiscussion

    1 hr

  6. JAN 23

    Saturday Morning Cartoons: The Original Must See TV | UYNC S2 Ep3

    Did you grow up thinking cartoons were just something you watched before going outside—only to realize later they were also 22-minute toy ads wrapped in surprisingly strong moral messaging? This week on Up Your Nerd Cred, CiCi and AM Diaz dive into the cartoon blocks that shaped Gen X and Millennial nerd culture, from the Hanna-Barbera–dominated Saturdays of the 70s and early 80s to the crowded, competitive cartoon ecosystems of the 90s—and finally to the slow decline of Saturday morning cartoons in the early 2000s. We explore: How Saturday morning cartoon blocks were structured across ABC, CBS, Fox Kids, Kids’ WB, and cableWhy opportunity cost mattered when you could only watch one network at a timeHow deregulation helped turn cartoons into toy-driven storytelling machinesThe difference between Disney’s family-friendly blocks, Fox Kids’ action-heavy lineup, and Kids’ WB’s Looney-Tunes-coded chaosWhy shows like X-Men, Batman: The Animated Series, Animaniacs, and Power Rangers hit differently depending on where you watched themHow reruns, VCRs, and eventually the internet reshaped how kids consumed mediaWe also talk about: Hanna-Barbera’s massive cultural influence—and why it eventually fadedWhy cartoon morals were sometimes subtle… and sometimes aggressively obviousHow shows like G.I. Joe, He-Man, She-Ra, and Care Bears shaped how entire generations think about justice, power, and protecting othersWhy nostalgia for these cartoons still hits so hard—and why it keeps getting rebootedIf you grew up with cereal bowls, bunny-ear antennas, and strong opinions about which channel you watched on Saturday mornings, this episode is absolutely for you. Follow us📸 Instagram: @UpYourNerdCredPod🎙️ CiCi: @ciracdavis🎨 AM Diaz: @AMDiazArt Support the pod💖 Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/UpYourNerdCredPod #UpYourNerdCred, #SaturdayMorningCartoons, #90sNostalgia, #80sNostalgia, #CartoonHistory, #NerdCulture, #GeekCulture, #ToyCommercials, #HannaBarbera, #FoxKids, #KidsWB, #BatmanTAS, #XMenAnimatedSeries, #Animaniacs, #PowerRangers, #GIJoe, #SheRa, #CareBears, #MillennialNostalgia, #GenXNostalgia, #PopCultureHistory, #ComicBookCulture, #AnimationHistory, #CartoonNetwork, #Nickelodeon

    1h 3m

  7. JAN 16

    22 Minute Toy Ads: Why Gen X and Millennials Nostalgia Game is Strong | UYNC S2 Ep 2

    Did you ever wonder why you still remember cereal mascots, toy commercials, and Saturday morning cartoons with unsettling clarity? In this episode of Up Your Nerd Cred, we break down how entire generations—especially Gen X and Millennials—were deliberately marketed to as children, and how those strategies didn’t just sell toys. They shaped nostalgia, spending habits, and fandom itself. We introduce the concept of “toyetic” media, explore how 1980s deregulation transformed cartoons into sales engines, and examine the psychological tactics—eye contact, scarcity, completionism—that made marketing to children extraordinarily effective. From cereal aisles to toy aisles to long-term IP control, this episode looks at how marketing, psychology, and media converged in ways we’re still reckoning with today. Joining the discussion is Anscia Terelle, marketing strategist and community-builder, to talk about ethical marketing, storytelling, representation, and why legacy marketing institutions left enormous amounts of money on the table by focusing too narrowly on a single demographic for far too long. Find Us OnlineInstagram: @upyournerdcredpodCici: @ciracdavisAnscia Terrelle :@ansciaterelleSources & Further ReadingThe following sources informed the research and discussion in this episode: Lundy, Jonathan (2021). Toying with Identity: Adult Toy Collectors, Material Fandom, and Generational Media Audiences. Drexel University Dissertationhttps://researchdiscovery.drexel.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/Toying-with-Identity/991016053429804721/filesAndLinks?index=0Hastings Communications & Entertainment Law Journal — Children, Advertising, and Regulationhttps://repository.uclawsf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1450&context=hastings_comm_ent_law_journalAmerican Psychological Association — Advertising to Childrenhttps://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/advertising-children.pdfHistory.com — How 1980s Deregulation Turned Cartoons into Toy Adshttps://www.history.com/articles/80s-cartoons-toy-ads-deregulationCornell Food & Brand Lab (2014) — Eye Contact, Trust, and Cereal Mascotshttps://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2419182#UpYourNerdCred, #MarketingPsychology, #Toyetic, #MediaStudies, #NostalgiaMarketing, #80sCartoons, #90sKids, #MillennialCulture, #GenX, #PopCultureAnalysis, #AdvertisingHistory, #FandomCulture, #MediaLiteracy, #RepresentationMatters, #MarketingNerds

    53 min

  8. JAN 9

    I Used to Play with Myself... | UYNC Season 2 Ep 1

    Welcome back to Up Your Nerd Cred, and welcome to Season 2. This week, we’re talking about toys-not just the ones we played with, but the ones that quietly taught us who we were allowed to be. From Saturday morning cartoons doubling as toy ads, to dolls and action figures that gave some of us freedom and others a box, this episode is about imagination, identity, and why nostalgia hits harder than people want to admit. Joining us this week is the absolutely fabulous London Villamayor, official cosplayer for The Uncanny Experience, longtime Power Rangers fan, She-Ra devotee, Barbie icon, and true mistress of shapeshifting. We get into what it means to grow up loving toys that didn’t always love you back-and how reclaiming them as adults can be powerful as hell. In the B-segment, we dig into: -He-Man, She-Ra, and the aggressively gay leather vibes of 80s fantasy -Power Rangers, tokenization, and how kids learned to sort each other into boxes -Why Barbie worked differently than most “boy toys”-and still does -How imagination, not branding, is what actually sticks with us -Why representation in toys isn’t “extra,” it’s foundational GuestLondon Villamayor Official Cosplayer-The Uncanny Experience All socials-@LondonHeartsU (L-O-N-D-O-N-H-E-A-R-T-S + the letter U) HostsCC (Casual Nerd Host)-@ciracdavis AM Diaz (Expert Nerd Host)-@AMDiazArt or @amds_art Support the PodWe now have a Patreon. If you like what we’re building and want to support the show (or just want bonus nonsense), check the link in the show notes. Where to ListenListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed the episode, rate, review, and subscribe-it helps a lot. Episode Hashtags#UpYourNerdCred #Podcast #NerdCulture #PopCulture #Toys #80sKids #90sKids #SaturdayMorningCartoons #Nostalgia #RepresentationMatters #BlackGirlMagic #TransJoy #LGBTQ #QueerNerds #Cosplay #TheUncannyExperience #HeMan #SheRa #MastersOfTheUniverse #PrincessOfPower #PowerRangers #MightyMorphinPowerRangers #SuperSentai #MyLittlePony #Barbie #Mattel #Hasbro #KenyaDoll #Dolls #ActionFigures #ToyCollectors #Fandom #GeekTok #NerdTok

    1h 9m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Did you used to know everything happening in the Marvel and DC universes? Did finding out that some superheroes are from Marvel and some are from DC blow your mind? Has keeping track of everything happening there… and then realizing we’re talking about the comics universe, not the cinematic ones… and the different universes with their own multiversal crisesses has gotten a little bit out of hand, don’t worry. Up Your Nerd Cred is here to talk about gods cosplaying as men, men cosplaying as gods, and how much the cinematic universes are leaving out.

Information

  • Creator
    Casual Host CiCi, Expert Host AM Diaz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Casual Host CiCi, Expert Host AM Diaz
  • Show Website
    Up Your Nerd Cred