Best Compulsive Nerd Podcasts (2025)

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The Backstory: The Man Who Hunted Humans 9:44

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1d ago9:44

9:44

Serial killers use all sorts of techniques to carry out their deranged fantasies. Robert Hansen, who owned a bakeshop in Anchorage, Alaska, was also a methodical hunter of women. He’d kidnap them, fly them in his small plane into the Alaskan wilderness, where he’d release them and then hunt them down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa…

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The Backstory: The Real Downton Abbey and King Tut’s Curse 7:59

4d ago7:59

7:59

Imagine endless money and the life it offers you. But then . . imagine the downside. Countess Almina Rothschild was the wife of the Earl of Carnarvon. Marrying her gave him millions . . but that money made him a victim of the curse of King Tut’s tomb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Backstory: Two Steves: Nerds Create a Trillion Dollar Company 8:41

8d ago8:41

8:41

We all know about Steve Jobs and Apple. But how did he and his much quieter partner Steve Wozniak create this massive business that, like it or not, now controls our lives? What role did they each play in making it into the world’s first trillion-dollar company? And why did Steve Jobs get most of the money and fame? See omnystudio.com/listener for …

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The Backstory: The G.O.A.T. Of All G.O.A.T.S 9:54

11d ago9:54

9:54

Who’s the all-time G.O.A.T. in the world of sports? There are a handful of obvious choices… but perhaps the G.O.A.T. of all G.O.A.T.s is a guy who, over a hundred years ago, won Olympic gold and then dominated three professional sports: baseball, football, and basketball. Sadly, Jim Thorpe died broke. But why is a town he never visited named after …

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The Backstory: Politics: Assassinations, Duels, and Beatdowns 8:02

15d ago8:02

8:02

Violence in the world of politics seems to be getting worse as time goes by… including the recent assassination of a right-wing political influencer. But taking a look back, violence stemming from differences in political ideology is nothing new. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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The Backstory: Kidnapped Twice! 9:01

18d ago9:01

9:01

It’s 1836 and 8 year old Cynthia Ann Parker is kidnapped by Comanche warriors in Texas. But as time goes by she has so totally assimilated into the tribal life, that she has no interest in returning home. Then after 24 years . . she’s kidnapped again! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Backstory: Babe Ruth: Baseball Legend Fueled by Food, Women, Liquor . . and Money 9:37

22d ago9:37

9:37

These days a lot of folks complain that sports has become simply a money game. But that trend actually began over a century ago with the wild antics and baseball genius of Babe Ruth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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The Backstory: What’s Up With Cats . . and Dogs? 7:15

25d ago7:15

7:15

Dogs give us puppy eyes . . cats grace us with their presence. But we love them both . . or at least a lot of us do. But why are the two most popular pets so very different? It all boils down to genetics and history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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The Backstory: Diets: The Hunger . . To Not Be Hungry 8:18

29d ago8:18

8:18

Hard to imagine but fad diets go back as much as 5000 years. It was took the Victorians to make it a massive business. These days we all want the new and very expensive weight loss injections, but they used everything from arsenic, to tapeworms, to rubber underwear to get that svelte shape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Episode 300- “Walt Simonson!” 2:02:58

27d ago2:02:58

2:02:58

We’re here! 300 episodes! And for the big three-oh-oh, we finally talk to one of our dream guests, the living legend of the comic book industry (and a helluva swell guy to boot), WALT SIMONSON! There is anything more to say? Enjoy!!! You can follow Walt on Instagram: @walter.simonson.5 And you can find the links to follow our pages and listen to ou…

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The Backstory: Sex, Violence, and Spiritual Enlightenment in the 1820s 9:35

1M ago9:35

9:35

A 15 year old kid walks into the woods to ask some questions about the meaning of life. Nothing unusual there. However, this kid, Joseph Smith, walks out of the woods and starts a movement in the 1820s that leads to spiritual enlightenment for millions... but to violence, murder, and what some consider sexual deviance for others. See omnystudio.com…

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The Backstory: Killer Floods of Alcohol! 6:53

1M ago6:53

6:53

Imagine being swept up in a flood of sticky molasses headed to a distillery… or a 25-foot tsunami of beer… or a torrent of hundreds of thousands of gallons of red hot. All true… and deadly stories. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Episode 299- “Dreaming The Impossible!” 1:35:21

1M ago1:35:21

1:35:21

Mário Freitas and Lucas Pereira, the creators of the new Jack Kirby “fantasy” tribute comic ‘The Man Who Dreamt The Impossible’ (Image Comics), join us internationally this week as the comic hits the stands! We’ll discuss the book, its genesis and inspiration, and its goal! You can get the book wherever fine comics are sold, so ask your local funny…

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The Backstory: Gilded Age Divorce Scandal 8:34

1M ago8:34

8:34

Imagine forcing your daughter into a loveless marriage to an English duke. Why? Because you want a divorce, money from the divorce, and the ability to hang on to your social standing. That was life among the rich in the Gilded Age and Alva Vanderbilt figured out a way to get what she wanted with her daughter as the pawn. See omnystudio.com/listener…

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The Backstory: A Woman Takes Madison Ave 8:51

1M ago8:51

8:51

The key to making your dreams become reality, is not accepting limitations. We're revisiting the first female powerhouse in the Madmen era of Madison Avenue, Mary Wells Lawrence. She rose from a working class life in Ohio to creating iconic ads for TWA, Pan Am, Hertz, IBM, Proctor and Gamble . . as well as the “I Love New York“ campaign. And she wa…

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Episode 298- “With Tracy Kirby!” 1:18:38

1M ago1:18:38

1:18:38

Closing in on 300 episodes and we finally have a Kirby on the show! Jack’s granddaughter TRACY KIRBY joins us this week to discuss her grandpa, his legacy, growing up Kirby, memories, and more! What else is there to say?! Just have a listen and enjoy! You can follow the OFFICIAL Kirby family Instagram: @jackkirbycomics And their new official websit…

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The Backstory: Stars Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles 8:10

2M ago8:10

8:10

Hollywood is a tough business. Stars take roles in movies they come to hate . . but equally as frustrating are the roles they take a pass on . . that make somebody else rich and famous. This is all about stars who turned down roles in movies like Titanic, Forrest Gump, The Godfather, Silence of the Lambs, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for p…

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The Backstory: Marilyn Monroe’s Autopsy . . Suicide or Murder 7:06

2M ago7:06

7:06

Marilyn Monroe . . Dead at 36 . . Allegedly by Suicide. But Was That Really the Case? Coroner to the Stars, Thomas Noguchi Did Her Autopsy . . And He Says It Left Him With More Questions Than Answers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Episode 297- “Covering Kirby: The Book!” 1:45:45

2M ago1:45:45

1:45:45

Mike Essl & Vincent ladevaia (a former guest on the show) join us this week to discuss their book The Marvel Comics Covers of Jack Kirby Vol. 1, released this year by Dark Horse Books. We talk about how the book came to be, future volumes, their love of the King, and more! Have a listen, and get the book! (Available everywhere!) You can find & foll…

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The Backstory: From Nazi Scientist to NASA Creator 7:40

2M ago7:40

7:40

The father of U.S. space exploration, Wernher von Braun, started out as a Nazi collaborator and a member of the Nazi SS. Why did the U.S. ignore his Nazi involvement and how do we reconcile his remarkable achievements with his dark past? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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The Backstory: Stars Who Hated Their Blockbusters 7:39

2M ago7:39

7:39

This summer is the 40th anniversary of the blockbuster "Back to the Future". But it originally starred an actor who hated the whole story line! He was replaced by Michael J. Fox . . and the rest is history. But there are a boatload of movies, with huge stars who hated the final product! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Episode 296- “Cap’s Summer Vacation!” 1:26:40

2M ago1:26:40

1:26:40

Let’s take a trip to Rio de Muerte with Captain America! Nazi scum, sweaty jungles, Falcon, Sharon Carter, S.H.I.E.L.D., “The Swine”, and all the action and adventure Jack Kirby’s imagination can whip up! Join as we dip into 1976’s Captain America Issues 206-208 for CAP’S SUMMER VACATION!!! For Jacked Kirby everywhere, and to follow our social medi…

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The Backstory: The Great Stink of 1858 8:48

2M ago8:48

8:48

It’s amazing how we beg for the heat of summer when we’re freezing in the dead of winter. And then the heatwaves hit. Once again this summer, we’re all sweltering from the heat… air so thick and hot you can feel it go down your throat as you breathe. But heatwaves are nothing new. They killed thousands in 1898 and thousands more in the early 1900s.…

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The Backstory: Before Idaho: A Mass Murderer Slaughters 8 Students in Their Dorm 9:23

2M ago9:23

9:23

The Idaho killer was sentenced this week to life in prison for stabbing to death 4 college students. But 60 years ago, another mass murderer stabbed and strangled 8 nursing students in Chicago. As in the Idaho case, he made one crucial mistake that got him caught. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Episode 295- “Fantastic Battle Bonanza!” 1:53:51

2M ago1:53:51

1:53:51

How could we get so close to episode 300 and NOT have our good buddy GEORGE O’CONNOR on as a guest?! And it’s a special one, hitting the airwaves just as the new MCU movie ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ hits the big screen around the universe; George joins us to break down Marvel Comics’ Fantastic Four issue 73 from January of 1968! It’s an all-star…

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The Backstory: The Epstein Rosetta Stone: Money, Sex, and Fraud 8:51

2M ago8:51

8:51

Jeffrey Epstein, millionaire sex offender and friend to presidents and royalty, is back in the news. It seems his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, holds the key to what went on at Epstein’s private retreats with his powerful friends. Attorney Alan Dershowitz calls her the Epstein Rosetta Stone. But her backstory is just as fascinating. Her father, Rober…

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The Backstory: Shark Attacks That Inspired Jaws 9:24

2M ago9:24

9:24

Nothing like a swim in the ocean on a hot summer day. But the movie Jaws, out 50 years ago this summer, took away some of our innocence. It still makes us all a little nervous about what’s beneath us as we paddle around. The inspiration for Jaws came from some horrifying shark attacks, including several along the Jersey Shore in July of 1916 that l…

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Episode 294- “Man Of Steel!” 1:40:43

2M ago1:40:43

1:40:43

Superman is everywhere right now with the release of his latest big-screen adaptation, so we decided to jump on the bandwagon and dive into 1995’s Superman: The Man Of Steel issue 43! And to make things extra super, we’re joined by Darrell Greer of READ YOUR COMICS… and he knows his comics! Make sure you check out @read.your.comics on Instagram AND…

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The Backstory: Queen Victoria: Drug Addict? 8:07

2M ago8:07

8:07

Queen Victoria, who ran the British Empire for 63 years, defined the buttoned-up, conservative era named for her… the Victorian Era. But it turns out… her many pleasures included opium, cocaine, and sex! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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The Backstory: Dying for a Drink 7:04

3M ago7:04

7:04

During the Prohibition era of the 1920s and early 1930s, speakeasies and gin joints were the place to be to get ahold of “evil booze.” How did the government try to control access? They purposely poisoned industrial alcohol that was being repurposed for cocktails. It wound up killing and maiming tens of thousands of would-be partiers! See omnystudi…

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Episode 293- “Conan Vs. Thor!” 1:37:30

3M ago1:37:30

1:37:30

“BIG” AL ACCETTURA IS BACK! That’s right, Al joins Tommy & Mike D. this week to delve into Marvel Comics What If… ? issue 39 from 1983. As we break down the comic, we get into some interesting talks about ancient aliens, human history, myths & legends, technology, movies, Robert E. Howard, evolution, special effects, and more! A fun conversation wi…

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The Backstory: Old Fashioned Sex 6:25

3M ago6:25

6:25

No Time Like the Present to Revisit an Eye-Catching Topic! Sex Has Been... Complicated... Throughout History. At Times Celebrated as a Life Force... and at Other Times Vilified. But Get This!! Some of the Items Invented to Discourage Sex Included the Pricking Ring... and Believe It or Not... Corn Flakes! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info…

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The Backstory: The Female Paul Revere: A Gutsy 16-Year-Old 8:43

3M ago8:43

8:43

It's the 4th of July . . a perfect time to revisit an unsung hero during the Revolutionary War! We all know about the midnight ride of Paul Revere at the onset of the Revolution. But what about Sybil Ludington . . the female Paul Revere. She was just 16 years old when she made her little known 40 mile ride to warn about approaching British troops i…

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Episode 292- “The Unburied One!” 1:57:12

3M ago1:57:12

1:57:12

Just in time for the 4th of July, artist & creator MATTHEW ALLISON is back with Tommy. & Mike D., to discuss ‘The Unburied One’, Captain America issues 204 & 205 from 1976! Corpse monsters, weird science, Sharon Carter drama, Falcon with amnesia, S.H.E.I.L.D. shenanigans, Steve Rogers in a robe… Kirby’e giving us alotta story in this Agron saga, an…

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The Backstory: Celebrity Cult Life: No Food or Water . . But Plenty of Sex 8:05

3M ago8:05

8:05

Connection is as strong a need as air. For folks that can’t find it, there have been plenty of cults that offer community, acceptance, and love. But it all comes at a price. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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The Backstory: Michael Jackson, Death Masks, and the CPR Woman 7:07

3M ago7:07

7:07

Maybe you’ve seen death masks of famous people like King Tut or Napoleon. But the 1888 death mask of a completely unknown teenager in Paris was used to create Resusci-Annie . . the CPR doll. And that inspired one of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Episode 291- “Lord of the Jungle!” 1:16:30

3M ago1:16:30

1:16:30

It’s finally hot! And to celebrate this hot-ass weather, we’re talking a 60 year trip back in time with the Uncanny X-Men to the jungles of the Savage Land to meet Ka-Zar! Join us as we break down issue 10 of Marvel Comics’ X-Men from January 1965! For Jacked Kirby everywhere, and to follow our social media pages, visit our FlowPage: www.flow.page/…

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The Backstory: The FBI’s Bloodiest Shootout 7:52

3M ago7:52

7:52

The FBI has had some pretty astounding moments of transformation in its 117-year history. But the bloodiest shootout in its history changed the way they do their job forever. It took place less than 40 years ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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The Backstory: My Perfect Co-worker . . Is a Baboon 6:49

3M ago6:49

6:49

Got a co-worker who likes to monkey around at work? Don’t be so quick to give them the thumbs down. There are lots of actual animals that are amazing at jobs most humans can’t do. But this is a story of an official railroad worker who was a real baboon . . literally. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Episode 290- “Blue Bolt!” 1:12:54

3M ago1:12:54

1:12:54

This week we take a step back into the Golden Age of comics and visit the first work credited to both Joe Simon & Jack Kirby, 1940’s BLUE BOLT! We’ll specifically visit the Bolt’s third issue, and talk about his creation and history. For Jacked Kirby everywhere, and to follow our social media pages, visit our FlowPage: www.flow.page/jackedkirby The…

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The Backstory: Two Degrees of Separation From George Washington! 6:38

3M ago6:38

6:38

As hard as it is to believe . . we just lost a guy who’s own grandfather was born in the 1700s and was president 185 years ago! It seems like the math doesn’t work . . but we’ll explain the life story of Harrison Tyler and his grandpa . . President John Tyler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Backstory: America’s Biggest False Alarm Causes Mass Hysteria in L.A. 8:15

4M ago8:15

8:15

Usually when an alarm goes off . . we take a minute to consider the possibilities so we don’t over react. But what if it comes on the heels on a world altering disaster? Can an entire city have PTSD? That’s what L.A. faced just 2 months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Episode 289- “With Clifford Meth!” 1:15:22

4M ago1:15:22

1:15:22

Writer/editor/publisher CLIFFORD METH joins us this week to talk about his varied career (comics, sci-fi, horror, filmed entertainment), his charitable efforts for creators dealing with financial strain in an industry not known for taking care of their own, creative endeavors, and, he even has a Kirby story! Cliff’s a swell guy, so come shoot the s…

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The Backstory: Did Barbed Wire End the Wild West? 9:17

4M ago9:17

9:17

The Wild West as Hollywood Tells the Story, Was Nothing but Gun Battles and Saloon Girls. But the True Story Is Way More Complex and Fascinating, Although It’s Got Its Share of Gun Battles! Overall, It Was a 30-Year Period That in Many Ways Defines Who We Are in America. But Then . . . How Did Barbed Wire Play a Huge Role in Ending the Wild West? S…

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The Backstory: The Adventure of a Lifetime Ends in Murder 9:51

4M ago9:51

9:51

Her family is murdered while on the adventure of a lifetime and the 11 year old survivor is lost at sea for days. As it turns out, the murderer is someone they all trusted with their dreams . . and their lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Episode 288- “Mighty One!” with Matthew Allison 1:29:48

4M ago1:29:48

1:29:48

Artist & comic book-maker MATTHEW ALLISON is back on the show with us to discuss Jack Kirby’s Kamandi issue 29 from 1975! This is a seminal issue in the run. We also discuss his latest Sweet Sepulcher project, and how YOU can support it! Comix, baby! It’s always fun to talk to a great artist AND fan of the King! Check out Matthew on Instagram; @can…

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The Backstory: Versace: When Envy Leads to Obsession . . And Then to Murder 9:29

4M ago9:29

9:29

Gianni Versace was one of the world’s hottest designers. In 1997 he had a net worth of almost a billion dollars and some of the most exquisite mansions in the world. He had it all. And that was the problem. His success and possible connection to sex for hire circles, led spree killer Andrew Cunanan . . right to Versace’s front door one beautiful su…

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The Backstory: Titanic’s Boss: Bad Guy . . Or Victim of Bad Press 8:55

4M ago8:55

8:55

Bruce Ismay ran the White Star Line but managed to save himself from the sinking of the Titanic by hopping into a lifeboat. Was he a coward . . or simply canceled by vicious press? His granddaughter said the greatest tragedy of Ismay's life . . was surviving. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Episode 287- “The Eternals Annual!” 1:30:32

4M ago1:30:32

1:30:32

Jack Kirby produced one annual for his Eternals series at Marvel in 1977… and this week artist, comic book-maker, former East Coaster, and Kirby fan WILLIAM HERNANDEZ joins us to discuss it! What did we think… ? Listen and find out! You can find and follow Bill on Instagram: @therealintrovertedart For all things Jacked Kirby, including links to lis…

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The Backstory: Reincarnation Stories From the Famous and Not So Famous 7:36

4M ago7:36

7:36

Reincarnation is one of those topics that you either believe is a real possibility or you think is nuts. But there are stories with no other easy explanation. They come from both everyday folks, especially little children, as well as some big-name “A” list celebrities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…