Best The Nerd Council Podcasts (2025)

1
Season 7: Episode #008 - The League Of Mentally Disturbed Heroes* 1:30:09

22d ago1:30:09

1:30:09

We’re diving into Marvel’s latest release: Thunderbolts*...Sorry, The New Avengers! With a line-up of former villains, antiheroes, and fan-favourites like Bucky, Yelena, and Red Guardian, we’re asking: is this Marvel’s answer to the Suicide Squad — or something entirely different? Does this film hold up to the rest of Phase 5? What does the formati…

1
Primary season starts now 40:21

1d ago40:21

40:21

The 2025 primaries are underway! On this week's episode of The Downballot podcast, we're recapping all the action from Tuesday's elections in New Jersey and previewing next week's contests in Virginia. As per usual, there are also special elections to discuss, including a monster Democratic overperformance in Oklahoma. We've also got the bizarre ca…

1
VeVe x Star Wars: What’s Next for Digital Collectibles? | Interview with Dan Crothers-VeVe Co-Founder 1:01:54

7d ago1:01:54

1:01:54

VeVe x Star Wars: What’s Next for Digital Collectibles? | Interview with Dan Crothers In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Dan Crothers, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of VeVe, to explore what's coming to the platform—especially for Star Wars fans! From AR-enhanced Stormtrooper helmets to Mandalorian dioramas, this is your insider look into the gal…

1
The definitive report on 2024 1:01:11

9d ago1:01:11

1:01:11

We've been subject to endless hot takes about last year's elections, but Catalist has much more compelling answers. CEO Michael Frias joins us on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast to explore his firm's detailed new report, What Happened in 2024, that uses carefully assembled voter data to understand how things really went down. Frias ex…

1
The GOP war on direct democracy 55:13

16d ago55:13

55:13

Republicans have been trying to make it harder for ordinary citizens to effect change at the ballot box for many years, and their latest effort has now washed ashore in the Sunshine State. This week on The Downballot podcast, Amy Keith, the executive director of Common Cause Florida, joins us to explain how a new GOP bill would impose wild new rest…

1
How MA AG Andrea Campbell is fighting Trump 42:18

23d ago42:18

42:18

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has an extraordinary story to tell, and she's sharing it with us on this week's edition of The Downballot podcast. Despite an early life dominated by tragedy, including the death of her twin brother while incarcerated, Campbell rose to become the state's top law enforcement official. She explains how s…

1
Vitalerium Unveiled: World-Building, Adaptation, and the Journey from Page to Panel 1:52:11

23d ago1:52:11

1:52:11

Vitalerium Unveiled: World-Building, Adaptation, and the Journey from Page to Panel | Podcast Interview Join us for an in-depth conversation exploring the making of Vitalerium: Descent Into the Void, a sci-fi epic that bridges the gap between prose and sequential storytelling. In this episode, we dive into the origins of the Vitalerium universe, th…

1
Another huge Dem flip 49:18

1M ago49:18

49:18

After bursting onto the scene as the newest swing state just a few years ago, Georgia will be a top battleground in next year's midterms up and down the ballot. Joining us on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast is Charlie Bailey, the new chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, to share his insights on 2026. Bailey tells us about the most c…

1
Ben Lacy Talks Samson #2 – Indie Comic, Revenge, & Kickstarter Reveal! 1:01:36

1M ago1:01:36

1:01:36

In this episode of the United States Department of Nerds (USDN), we sit down with indie comic creator Ben Lacy to dive into his latest Kickstarter project — Samson #2. This isn’t your typical superhero tale. Samson is a gritty blend of revenge, war, and horror set in an alternate-history world that challenges the boundaries of comic storytelling. 🎙…

1
Democracy prevails in North Carolina 50:53

1M ago50:53

50:53

At long, long, long last, Republicans have abandoned their effort to overturn the election for North Carolina's Supreme Court—which took place all the way back in November. We've closely followed every twist and turn, so naturally we're exploring what it all means, both for Democrats and democracy, on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast. …

1
GOP implosion in Virginia 53:18

1M ago53:18

53:18

The Virginia GOP is in the midst of a meltdown after the state's governor demanded a fellow Republican running for lieutenant governor quit the race—even though he's the only candidate running. We're examining the mess on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast, as well as another big story out of the Old Dominion: longtime Democratic Rep. Ge…

1
Our must-have new data set is here! 42:22

2M ago42:22

42:22

The Downballot is thrilled to announce the publication of the newest edition of our most widely used—and beloved—set of data: our calculations of the 2024 presidential election results for all 435 congressional districts. Naturally, we're talking all about it on this week's edition of our podcast, including why it's such a herculean undertaking and…

1
Season 7: Episode #007 - "THINK, MARK!" 1:30:36

2M ago1:30:36

1:30:36

This week on The Nerd Council, we’re diving into all three seasons of Invincible, breaking down the most jaw-dropping moments, standout character arcs, and the show's evolving themes. From the iconic train scene and Omni-Man’s brutal betrayal to the chaos of the Mark War and the blood-soaked battle with Conquest, we explore how Mark Grayson has gro…

1
WaPo's Philip Bump nerds out on data 47:12

2M ago47:12

47:12

Philip Bump, for many years an important voice at the Washington Post, joins us on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast to share our mutual love of nerding out on numbers. Philip explains how he translates abstract data for a broad audience, going into detail on some surprising findings regarding turnout and special elections. He also expl…

1
Season 7: Episode #006 - Gaming On The Big Screen Gone Wrong 1:49:23

2M ago1:49:23

1:49:23

What Is The Best Video Game Movie Adaptation? In this episode of The Nerd Council Podcast, we look at the best and worst video games adapted to film and TV! From Super Mario to Castlevania, The Last of Us to Uncharted - what video game has had the best adaptation? We discuss what it takes to make a great video game adaptation and what has caused ma…

1
The Dem pollster who nailed Wisconsin 57:43

2M ago57:43

57:43

Liberals won a massive victory in last week's pivotal battle for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but the public saw precious little polling data that projected a blowout. Joining us on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast is pollster Margie Omero of GBAO, whose internal polling nailed Judge Susan Crawford's 10-point margin. Democrats hedged t…

1
USDN Interview w/ Bobby Campbell – Tales of the Illuminatus #2 1:32:57

2M ago1:32:57

1:32:57

USDN Interview w/ Bobby Campbell – Tales of the Illuminatus In this exciting episode of the United States Department of Nerds (USDN) podcast, we're diving deep into the world of conspiracy theories, secret societies, and mystical elements with Bobby Campbell, the mastermind behind the Tales of the Illuminatus comic book. Hosted by your Chairman, we…

1
The best Dem election night in ages 40:33

2M ago40:33

40:33

Tuesday night was a massive triumph for the forces of democracy, from coast to coast and up and down the ballot. We're recapping all of the action in this week's episode of The Downballot podcast, starting with Wisconsin's marquee race for the state Supreme Court and the very real possibility that Elon Musk's aggressive intrusion into the contest w…

1
Season 7: Episode #005 - Hollywood's Creative Decline 1:46:31

3M ago1:46:31

1:46:31

Has Hollywood Officially Run Out of Ideas? In this episode of The Nerd Council, we dive into the never-ending cycle of reboots, legacy sequels, and live-action remakes—is Hollywood out of fresh ideas? From Robocop to Matrix Resurrections and Coming 2 America, we break down some of the most infamous failed attempts at reviving old franchises. We als…

1
The wildest Dem special election win … so far 51:34

3M ago51:34

51:34

The crazy flips just keep on coming! On this week's episode of The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard drill down into James Malone's astonishing victory in Tuesday's special election in Pennsylvania—one that saw him capture a seat Democrats had never held. They also preview next week's races in Florida, where Republicans are sud…

1
USDN Interview w/ Bruno Catarino | Scinematic Figments Kickstarter Preview 1:09:42

3M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

USDN Interview w/ Bruno Catarino | Scinematic Figments Kickstarter Preview Link to the KickStarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/redwulfcomics/scinematic-figments-a-scifi-anthology-with-a-cinematic-feel?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=scinematic%20figments&total_hits=3 Welcome to the United States Department of Nerds (USDN) – where we’re…

1
The fallout from Schumer's capitulation 40:15

3M ago40:15

40:15

Chuck Schumer and the handful of Senate Democrats who stood with him have faced unprecedented backlash for caving to Republicans on their budget bill last Friday, so we're pulling out our Geiger counters and assessing the fallout on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast. Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard explain why Schumer's biggest failu…

1
Season 7: Episode #004 - Can't Get To Paradise from Atlanta 1:50:08

3M ago1:50:08

1:50:08

In this jam-packed episode of The Nerd Council, we dive into the latest in nerd culture! We break down Paradise on Disney+, the upcoming sci-fi thriller starring Ray Fisher and Ben Affleck—could this be Fisher’s big post-Justice League moment? Then, we tackle Captain America: Brave New World and the state of the MCU—will this be the film to reignit…

1
Why Senate Dems should fear primary voters 57:10

3M ago57:10

57:10

Democrats in Congress are in the middle of an extraordinary battle over government funding, but if they fail to heed their base and stand up to Republicans, the electoral impact could be dramatic—though not in a way they're accustomed to. This week on The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard explore the ramifications of this shutd…

1
Fired gov't workers could be Democrats' best candidates 47:01

3M ago47:01

47:01

Federal workers who've gotten smashed by Elon Musk's wrecking ball cut a sympathetic figure and have a compelling story to tell—and they could prove to be Democrats' best candidates. On this week's episode of The Downballot podcast, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard discuss why Andrew Lennox, a Marine veteran fired from the VA, is likely just the …

1
USDN Presents Cobra Kai Never Dies 1:25:40

3M ago1:25:40

1:25:40

Hello there, welcome to the United States Department of Nerds and your ultimate destination for all things Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 3! In this episode, we dive deep into the latest action-packed twists, character arcs, and emotional moments that have us all on the edge of our seats. From the final showdown between the Iron Dragon and Cobra Kai to t…

1
Dems who don't stand up to Trump could face an insurgency 48:18

4M ago48:18

48:18

Democrats have a lot of options when deciding how to oppose Donald Trump—and some of them are making the wrong choices. On this week's episode of The Downballot podcast, we make a case study out of Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch, whose recent outburst at constituents who exhorted him to more forcefully resist Trump could net him a primary challen…

1
How Dems are fighting to save the Wisconsin Supreme Court 53:34

4M ago53:34

53:34

The most important election between now and November will take place on April 1 in Wisconsin, when liberals will defend their hard-won majority on the state Supreme Court. Joining us on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast is veteran Badger State strategist Joe Zepecki, who breaks down every aspect of the race for us: who the candidates ar…

1
Dave Weigel on surviving the news onslaught 58:43

4M ago58:43

58:43

It’s the third anniversary of The Downballot podcast this week, and it’s our pleasure to welcome Semafor’s Dave Weigel on the show! Dave's ubiquitous coverage of elections has been indispensable reading for years. In our conversation, he details how his attention to grassroots politics has helped him build unusual levels of trust with so many sourc…

1
Interview with Comic Book Creator Bruno Catarino - Discussing His New Kickstarter Project "Bereavement" 54:43

4M ago54:43

54:43

Interview with Comic Book Creator Bruno Catarino - Discussing His New Kickstarter Project "Bereavement" Description: In this exclusive interview, I sit down with the talented comic book creator Bruno Catarino to talk about his exciting new project, Bereavement, which is currently live on Kickstarter! Bruno takes us behind the scenes of this emotion…

1
New York Dems consider playing hardball on special elections 48:08

4M ago48:08

48:08

A special election will soon be underway to succeed Republican Elise Stefanik after she’s confirmed as ambassador to the United Nations, but New York Democrats are considering delaying it from April to June—or possibly even later. On this week’s episode of The Downballot podcast, David Beard and guest host Joe Sudbay break down the implications of …

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The Nerd Council Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen