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. Apr 28

    You Swear You Want Originals… But Nostalgia Keeps Winning | UYNC S2 Ep15

    You say you want original characters… but do you actually support them? This week on Up Your Nerd Cred, we’re digging into one of the biggest contradictions in fandom: everyone claims they’re tired of reboots, remakes, and multiverses—but when brand new characters show up, they rarely get the same attention, time, or support. From characters like Moon Girl and Naomi to Mosaic, Sideways, and Escapade, we take a look at what happens when comics actually do create original heroes—and why so many of them struggle to stick. We also break down: Why the early MCU was a much bigger gamble than people rememberHow nostalgia shapes what audiences actually show up forThe gap between what fans say they want and what they watch, read, and buyHow review bombing and media coverage impact new and different storiesAnd ultimately, we ask: Is the problem really a lack of originality—or the way we respond to it? 🎧 Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @UpYourNerdCredPod @ciracdavis @Amdiaz_art 💬 Got a question you want us to tackle? Drop it in the comments—you might get a shoutout! #comics, #marvel, #dccomics, #originalcharacters, #nerdculture, #podcast, #blackcomics, #representationmatters, #geekculture, #comicbooks, #mcu, #indiefilm, #filmdiscussion, #popculture, #upyournerdcred

    46 min

  2. Apr 13

    How to Survive Comic-Con Without Missing Everything (Comic-Con 2: Electric Boogaloo) | UYNC S2 Ep14

    How to Survive Comic-Con Without Missing Everything | UYNC S2 Ep __ What actually happens when you go to a comic convention—and how do you make sure you don’t waste the experience? In Part 2 of our con series, we’re breaking down what it really feels like to step onto the floor of a Comic-Con for the first time. From panels vs the show floor, to the chaos of con lines, to the unspoken rules of cosplay etiquette, this episode is your survival guide to navigating the madness without missing what matters. CiCi turns AM into the “guest expert” to walk through the real con experience—what to prioritize, what to avoid, and why you cannot do everything (no matter how hard you try). Whether you’re planning your first con or you’re a seasoned attendee trying to level up your strategy, this episode will help you walk away feeling like you actually did Comic-Con right. 📍 Follow & Support📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upyournerdcredpod https://www.instagram.com/amdiaz_art/ https://www.instagram.com/ciracdavis/ Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more Want bonus content, behind-the-scenes access, and our upcoming drunk movie nights? Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/UpYourNerdCredPod

    49 min

  3. Apr 6

    Cons and Pros: How Comic-Con Built Nerd Culture (Part 1) | UYNC S 2 Ep 13

    This week we're time traveling from early sci-fi meetups and zines to the massive spectacle of modern Comic-Con culture. We’re talking about how fandom sustained itself before the internet, how conventions like San Diego Comic-Con became industry powerhouses, and why studios now treat cons as targeted marketing goldmines. From Hall H reveals to regional cons across the country, this episode dives into how community-driven spaces became global cultural events. And of course, not every con is a success. We’re looking at the logistical chaos behind DashCon and the infamous Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow, where expectations and reality could not have been further apart. Next week, AM Diaz is back to break down what con culture actually feels like from the inside—because there’s a difference between knowing the history and living the experience (especially if it involves a lot of blue paint). Listen & Follow:This show is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other major platforms. Follow the show: Instagram: @upyournerdcredpod Follow CiCi: @ciracdavis Follow AM Diaz: @amdiazart Support the Pod:Join the Patreon for behind-the-scenes content, solo scripts, and exclusive extras: https://www.patreon.com/UpYourNerdCredPod Hashtags:#comiccon, #sdcc, #nycc, #fandomculture, #nerdculture, #marvel, #dccomics, #hallh, #dashcon, #cosplaylife, #geekculture, #popculturepodcast, #podcastlife, #womeninnerdculture, #fanconventions, #scifi, #comicbooks

    42 min

  4. Mar 30

    We’ve Been Here the Whole Time: Women in Nerd Culture | UYNC S2 Ep 12

    Who built nerd culture? If you’ve ever been made to feel like women “entered” comics, fandom, or nerd spaces late, this episode is here to gently (and not-so-gently) correct the record. Because women didn’t just show up—we’ve been reading, writing, editing, organizing, and sustaining nerd culture from the beginning. This week, CiCi and AM Diaz dig into the history that gets overlooked, from the rise of romance comics in the 1940s and 50s, to the steady presence of readers who kept shops afloat, to the fandom spaces where women created the stories they weren’t being given. We’re talking about the editors, writers, and fans who helped shape the industry, even when they weren’t centered in it. We also highlight the impact of creators like Naoko Takeuchi, whose work expanded global fandom, and the legacy of Lucille Ball, whose support helped Star Trek become one of the most influential franchises in sci-fi history. And yes—we talk about the “Women in Refrigerators” trope, but more importantly, we look at how women in comics have always been more than just plot devices. This episode is less about “women entering nerd culture” and more about recognizing the people who were always here. Follow the HostsCiCi: @ciracdavis AM Diaz: @amdiaz Follow the ShowInstagram: @UpYourNerdCredPod Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/UpYourNerdCredPod #WomenInComics, #NerdCulture, #ComicsHistory, #WomenInFandom, #SailorMoon, #NaokoTakeuchi, #StarTrek, #LucilleBall, #ArchieComics, #ComicBooks, #GeekCulture, #Fandom, #WomenInGeekCulture, #PopCulturePodcast, #Marvel, #DCComics, #UYNC

    1h 7m

  5. Mar 23

    Can a Good Person Be a Good Leader? | UYNC S2 Ep11

    Can a good person actually be a good leader? Or does leadership force people to compromise what makes them “good” in the first place? This week on Up Your Nerd Cred, CiCi is joined by longtime friend Matthew to break down one of the most quietly complicated questions in nerd culture: are great leaders born… or made? From Jean-Luc Picard’s unwavering moral code, to Delenn’s impossible wartime choices, to Faith Lehane learning morality through circumstance—and even Lady Jessica’s role in shaping a destiny that spans generations—we’re asking: Is being “good” enough to make you a good leader? Or does power always demand something more… or something worse? SHOW UPDATE: WE'RE MOVING TO MONDAY MORNING FROM FRIDAY MORNING RELEASES Listen & Follow We’re on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more—just search Up Your Nerd Cred. 📸 Instagram: @UpYourNerdCredPod 🎙️ CiCi: @ciracdavis 🎨 AM Diaz: @amdiazart #NerdCulture, #Marvel, #DCComics, #StarTrek, #Dune, #BuffyTheVampireSlayer, #BlackPanther, #Leadership, #Philosophy, #Fandom, #Comics, #PopCulture, #JeanLucPicard, #LukeCage, #WonderWoman, #UpYourNerdCred

    1h 4m

  6. Mar 13

    "To all those who enter here..." The Happiest Place on Earth, with Tiffie Starchild | UYNC S2 E10

    What happens when nerd culture collides with the happiest place on Earth? This week on Up Your Nerd Cred, AM Diaz takes the lead mic while CiCi reacts as the conversation dives into one of the most debated topics in modern fandom: Disneyland. Joined by special guest Tiffi Starchild, the crew explores the culture surrounding Disney parks, the rise of “Disney Adults,” and why places like Disneyland hold such a powerful grip on nerd communities. From theme park fandom to character nostalgia, the discussion looks at how immersive spaces like Disneyland blur the line between entertainment, fandom, and identity—and why so many fans keep coming back. Along the way the group also nerds out about fandom entry points, shared pop-culture memories, and the experiences that turn casual fans into lifelong nerds. Follow Our GuestTiffi Starchild: @tiffistarchild Follow the HostsCiCi: @ciracdavis AM Diaz: @amdiaz Follow the ShowInstagram: @UpYourNerdCredPod Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/UpYourNerdCredPod #UpYourNerdCred, #NerdCulture, #GeekCulture, #PodcastClips, #NerdPodcast, #Disneyland, #DisneyAdults, #DisneyParks, #ThemeParkFans, #FandomCulture, #GeekCommunity, #PopCulturePodcast, #DisneyFans, #NerdCommunity

    53 min

  7. Mar 6

    The Little Mermaid: A Gay Danish Allegory (Tentacles Optional) | UYNC S2 Ep 9

    The Little Mermaid: A Gay Danish Allegory (Tentacles Optional) | Up Your Nerd Cred Did you know the original version of The Little Mermaid is significantly darker than the Disney classic most of us grew up with? Before Ariel was collecting gadgets and gizmos aplenty, Hans Christian Andersen was writing a story about identity, belonging, and the cost of trying to fit into a world that might never accept you. In this solo episode of Up Your Nerd Cred, CiCi takes a deep dive into the 1837 fairy tale that inspired the Disney Renaissance classic and explores how the story evolved from a tragic Danish allegory into one of the most beloved animated films of all time. We’re talking about the original story, the Disney adaptation, the cultural context around Howard Ashman and the Disney Renaissance, the drag inspiration behind Ursula, and why modern internet discourse about Ariel’s hair color might be missing the point entirely. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UpYourNerdCredPod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UpYourNerdCredPod Follow CiCi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciracdavis 💥 Support the Pod If you enjoy the show and want to help keep the nerd cred flowing, you can support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/UpYourNerdCredPod Your support helps keep the show running, improves production quality, and helps us keep diving into the weirdest corners of nerd culture. #LittleMermaid, #DisneyRenaissance, #DisneyHistory, #HansChristianAndersen, #DisneyLore, #QueerSubtext, #FairyTales, #DisneyAnalysis, #Ariel, #Ursula, #HowardAshman, #AlanMenken, #LinManuelMiranda, #DisneyPrincess, #AnimationHistory, #PopCultureAnalysis, #NerdCulture, #NerdPodcast, #UpYourNerdCred

    36 min

  8. Feb 27

    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: @UpYourNerdCredPod Patreon: patreon.com/upyournerdcredpod Cici: @ciracdavis A.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
See All (44)

Trailer

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
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Casual Host CiCi, Expert Host AM Diaz
  • Show Website
    Up Your Nerd Cred