Podcast Spotlight: Nerd On!
Last updated on May 10th, 2019
With the MCU entering it’s next phase, Game of Thrones wrapping up, and general nerd culture at a fever pitch, it’s difficult to stay atop the latest news and conversations. I was fortunate to be introduced to Nerd On! a podcast that hits on the general pop culture notes in a truly engaging and entertaining format.
Typically a light, conversational podcast, Nerd On! is the perfect podcast during a commute or while walking the dog. They’ve record episodes on topics you’d expect (Avengers Endgame, Hellboy, Shazam, etc.) but also do unique retrospective episodes delving into older movies like The Matrix, Elf, and the Harry Potter franchise.
In addition to the co-hosts tight-knit rapport, they’re also joined to high caliber guests such as Billy West (voice of several Futurama characters), Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker in Star Trek), and Kevin Conroy the current voice of Batman.
I was fortunate enough to pass emails with Josh Manley, co-host and producer for Nerd On!, and discuss his origin story with podcasts, challenges they face as indie podcasters, and general trends in the nerd fandom. See below for our full Q&A.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
DISCOVER PODS: How’d you get into podcasting?
MANLEY: Me, personally, I got into podcasting several years ago when a friend asked if I would be interested in editing and mixing his podcast. I was attending audio school at the time and so I jumped at the opportunity to get some experience. Since then, I have been involved with several podcasts from the production side and my own podcast a few years ago.
Our co-host, Tom, was involved in a comic book focused podcast, called Capeless Crusaders, for several years before he moved to Los Angeles.
Nerd On! started because 4 of us worked together at a retail store and would find ourselves having conversations much like what our show is structured as now and one day, we thought, “We should record this!”
DP: In your own words, why should listeners tune in to Nerd On!?
MANLEY: Nerd On! is a show you can just tune in while you’re cooking, driving, or working. It’s the kind of show where you can partake in the discussion of pop culture from nostalgia, to deep fandom, and pop culture, lax and stimulating!
DP: What are some ongoing pop culture trends or fads that you and the other hosts disagree on?
MANLEY: Within Nerd On! we disagree on what most people disagree on, what makes something good. Whether it’s a show, movie, or book. Is it the story, the characters, the historical reverence, we may disagree but we come to the table to share and understand each other.
We see disagreement as an opportunity to learn and keep things interesting. Our motto is “All Levels Of Nerd Are Welcome” and that applies to our hosts as well. Mostly we aim to listen to learn from each other, but sometimes it’s fun to hear Tom and Corey duke it out on something like “Marvel vs DC” or which Spider-Man was best.
DP: I feel like in the last decade or so the “nerd” classification swung to become cool. Have you noticed this too?
MANLEY: Absolutely. I believe, culturally speaking, people have realized there’s no shame in being passionate about something. We define “nerd” as a broad label. You can be a nerd about games and comics as well as books, baseball, politics, or architecture. Everyone nerds out on something.
DP: Describe your recording set up? What equipment are you using?
MANLEY: Outside of Nerd On! I am a post production audio engineer professionally and so we use my home studio for recording. It’s a good size room that fits all of us including guests sometimes. From a gear standpoint, our setup consist of Rode NT1As and Shure SM7bs. #notsponsored…yet. The goal is to get to all SM7bs but this Jedi must have patience. The audio interface I use is an Apogee Element 88 (love the sound and simplicity of it) and we record into Pro Tools.
DP: What’s the biggest challenge you face as an indie podcaster?
MANLEY: The biggest challenge we have found is reaching a larger audience. With marketing, topic selection, major guests, and social media engagement, sometimes it is hard to find that sorcery that reaches more earholes. In the meantime, we will continue to produce high quality content and remember, “If you build it, they will come.”
DP: Where do you want to take your podcast?
MANLEY: We’d love to be at a place where we are a recognized name in the industry and able to do this full time. We’d also love to get to a place where live audience shows are a possibility and maybe even panels at conventions.
DP: What other podcasts are you listening to now?
MANLEY: Because I work so much, my time for listening isn’t ample and so sadly I have to be choosy. That being said, I tend to put that time towards supporting friends of Nerd On! like Capeless Crusaders, Life’s A Binge, Film Forecast and Trope Time. There are SO MANY to choose from nowadays, which is awesome.
DP: Anything else you’d like to add?
MANLEY: For a semi-new show, we have had some pretty amazing successes but at the end of the day and as cliche as it may be, I am most grateful for our audience. We would not be where we are today with out the support of our listeners and our patrons on Patreon.
Thank you to everyone that listens, shares and engages with us on the interwebs. As always, Nerd On!
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