Best Huzzah Podcasts (2026)

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A Special Holiday Rerun Episode: The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding & A Christmas Tragedy by Agatha Christie 1:22:58

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8d ago1:22:58

1:22:58

What's better than a Christie for Christmas? TWO Christies for Christmas, of course! To visit and subscribe to the podcast's Patreon page, click here. You can now pre-order Sweet Spot, the third book in my Ghostwriter Mysteries series (coming out July 2026). Visit the podcast on Instagram, and me personally at my author website. Loose Lips, the sec…

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Veronica Mars with Sloan Just 1:05:38

10d ago1:05:38

1:05:38

Mandy brings on longtime friend Sloan Just—former Broadway performer, professional quote-reciter, and unapologetic teen-drama connoisseur—to finally introduce her to Veronica Mars. Somehow, Mandy has made it through adulthood without seeing a single minute of the show, which feels as statistically likely as living in New York City and never seeing …

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Hangman Adam Page with Kevin Ryan 56:58

17d ago56:58

56:58

This week, Mandy dives into one of the most intimidating corners of nerd culture she’s ever faced: professional wrestling. Yes. Wrestling. AEW wrestling. The one with the hair flips, the pyrotechnics, the questionable fashion choices, the crowd chanting things you can’t say in front of your kids… that wrestling.And she didn’t do it alone. Mandy is …

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Interview with Ragnar Jónasson, Mystery Author and Erstwhile Agatha Christie Translator 46:45

12d ago46:45

46:45

It's always a pleasure to commune with a legitimate Christie obsessive, and Ragnar is about as legit as they come. You may know him as one of the leading voices of contemporary noir, but he has also translated a number of Christie novels from English into his native Icelandic--starting at the tender age of seventeen, no less! You can find out more …

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Return to Oz with Jessica Jimenez 53:37

24d ago53:37

53:37

There are childhood movies that sparkle like nostalgia-soaked comfort food… and then there’s Return to Oz, the 1985 fever dream that terrified an entire generation and somehow ended up beloved anyway. This week, Mandy reconnects with returning guest — and one of her favorite humans on planet Earth — Jessica Jimenez, a TV producer, musical-theater m…

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(Ep. 34) Behind Neal Foard's Feel-Good Fireside Chats 1:00:12

28d ago1:00:12

1:00:12

In this episode, we sit down with legendary storyteller Neal Foard — a man who spent decades shaping the voice of brands like Budweiser, Toyota, and Sony, before stepping out from behind the curtain to tell stories that actually matter: the stories of us. Neal has become famous for something rare — reminding people that the world is still full of d…

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind with Steve Sarmento 56:10

1M ago56:10

56:10

If there was ever an episode that proves how deeply a movie can tattoo itself onto someone’s soul, it’s this one. Mandy is joined by beloved TruStory FM collaborator and film analyst Steve Sarmento, a man whose heart has apparently been shaped like Devil’s Tower since 1977. Together, they dive into Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Steven Spielbe…

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Huzzah! The (Fictional) Veterans of Agatha Christie 1:35:58

1M ago1:35:58

1:35:58

Captains = good. Commanders = bad. Just two revelations made in the course of a very fun episode to research and record. I hope you enjoy. And happy Thanksgiving to all those in the United States! Here is a link to Brad Friedman's brilliant blog post from 2022, about the military men of Christie. You can now pre-order Sweet Spot, the third book in …

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Episode 2025 19 Ezndil Interview 1:08:39

1M ago1:08:39

1:08:39

Here is a conversation with a married performing duo who are very down to earth. They play and sing amazing songs, are quite funny and very engaging. If you ever see that Ezndil is performing at an event, do make the time to see them at least once. You will be happy that you did.By craigy2g

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Game Changer with Kyle Olson 56:28

1M ago56:28

56:28

This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy Kaplan welcomes back certified nerd-whisperer Kyle Olson—creator of The Swashbuckling Ladies Debate Society and co-host of Craft and Chaos—to induct her into the gloriously absurd and deeply inventive world of Game Changer on Dropout TV. And if you’ve never heard of Game Changer, think of it as Whose Line Is It An…

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Yuri on Ice with Zehra Fazal 1:02:14

1M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

You might think figure skating is all glitter, grace, and emotional piano music — but Yuri!!! on Ice says, “Oh no, my friend, this is a blood sport with sequins.” This week, Mandy Kaplan is joined by actor and voice powerhouse Zehra Fazal (Borderlands 3 & 4, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, The Chosen Adventures) to unpack the cult anime that…

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Huzzah! The (Real) Veterans of Agatha Christie 59:46

1M ago59:46

59:46

On this Veterans/Remembrance Day, I begin a two-episode series all about the veterans of Agatha Christie, starting with three real-life veterans who meant a great deal to our favorite author.... You can now pre-order Sweet Spot, the third book in my Ghostwriter Mysteries series! (Coming out July 2026.) To visit and subscribe to the podcast's Patreo…

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Truth or Dare with Abdi Nazemian 1:00:47

2M ago1:00:47

1:00:47

You know how some documentaries just happen and others ignite a cultural revolution in a cone bra? This week, Mandy reunites with her former roommate, award-winning author, screenwriter, and Madonna scholar-in-chief Abdi Nazemian, to talk about the pop documentary that practically reinvented fame itself: Madonna: Truth or Dare.Abdi literary résumé …

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Renfest Info And Fun Episode 2025 18 Stone Carver Gary Bennett Interview 15:00

2M ago15:00

15:00

This is from a YouTube video I made in 2021 with the talented stone and wood carver, Gary Bennett. Four out of the last five minutes showed some of his creations in case you want to check out the video. It is in the Interviews list on my Craig Meister YT channel.By craigy2g

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The Last Kingdom with Matt Boren 1:01:15

2M ago1:01:15

1:01:15

This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy Kaplan straps on her metaphorical codpiece and dives headfirst into the sword-swinging, land-grabbing, god-invoking world of The Last Kingdom with guest Matt Boren¹—actor, author, screenwriter, and senior prom date emeritus. And if you’re wondering how the man who wrote Folded Notes from High School and Minister o…

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A Special HALLOWE'EN SPOOKTACULAR Episode: The Gipsy by Agatha Christie 48:04

2M ago48:04

48:04

Ghosts, second sight, and reincarnation, oh my! I hope you're ready for an extremely spooky tale of Christie's. (And yes, I am standing by the apostrophe in "Hallowe'en" and the "i" in "gipsy.") Enjoy... and Happy Hallowe'en! Also, click here to enjoy, for free, my latest SPOOKTACULAR Patreon episode all about The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Arth…

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Dracula with Lester Ryan Clark 58:30

2M ago58:30

58:30

Dracula is a book where the title character shows up for roughly four chapters and then just... leaves. It's like if "Jaws" spent most of its runtime following insurance adjusters filing claims about boat damage. And yet, somehow, this 1897 novel created pop culture's most enduring monster. That's the central mystery Mandy and guest Lester Ryan Cla…

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Masters of The Universe with Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell 56:50

2M ago56:50

56:50

What happens when you take the most toyetic franchise of the 1980s, hand it to the kings of schlock at Cannon Films, and tell them to make the next Star Wars? You get Masters of the Universe—a movie so gloriously confused that it can’t decide if it’s fantasy, sci-fi, or just an over-extended toy commercial. Mandy Kaplan is joined by returning guest…

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They're New to Us: Two Vintage Agatha Christie Television Adaptations Recently Made Available 36:47

3M ago36:47

36:47

"For there is nothing lost, that may be found, if sought." Words of wisdom courtesy of Edmund Spenser (and Colonel Brandon, as played by the inimitable Alan Rickman, RIP). And I'm taking them to heart in this episode, as we get to discover two Christie television adaptations that were not readily available to us until quite recently, a Poirot and a…

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Bluey with Kelly Vrooman 44:46

3M ago44:46

44:46

Look, I need to tell you something about a children's television program featuring animated dogs, and I need you to stay with me here because this is going to sound absolutely bananas. There exists—right now, in this timeline, on this increasingly nightmare-inducing planet—a show called Bluey that has achieved what can only be described as "weaponi…

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Twilight with Ben Raffle 56:49

3M ago56:49

56:49

This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy Kaplan asks the big, baffling question: how does a grown man in his forties, with a child, a career, and a functioning brain, become obsessed with Twilight? Enter Ben Raffle—software executive by day, nerd savant by night, and unapologetic devotee of sparkly vampires. What follows is a gloriously chaotic conversat…

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Interview with Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper, Author and Illustrator of The Creeping Hand Murder 53:14

3M ago53:14

53:14

Who doesn't love a puzzle? Maureen and Jay have gone *full bore* on the notion of a solvable Golden Age mystery. Call it a mashup between Agatha Christie and Dennis Wheatley's "crime dossiers" (if you know you know). I have a feeling many of you will enjoy the heck out of it. You can check out the book, which is now available in the U.S. and UK, on…

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Renfest Info And Fun Episode 2025 17 Pastor Dave Interview 3 of 3 14:45

3M ago14:45

14:45

Here, I round out my 45 minute interview with more laughs and insights from Pastor Dave. A nicer guy is hard to find.By craigy2g

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Renfest Info And Fun Episode 2025 16 Pastor Dave Interview 2 of 3 14:38

3M ago14:38

14:38

Hear more of David Leroy's journeys inside and outside of the lanes.By craigy2g

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Renfest Info And Fun Episode 2025 15 Pastor Dave Interview 1 of 3 14:56

3M ago14:56

14:56

David Leroy is the owner of the Feather In Your Cap clothing and accessory booth. He also ran the Great Bend Renaissance Festival in Kansas a few years ago. He has a wealth of Renfest experience and knowledge.By craigy2g

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Spirited Away with Kynan Dias 59:23

3M ago59:23

59:23

This week, Mandy Kaplan discovers that “family road trip” in Japan doesn’t mean stopping at a rest area for gas and Funyuns. No, it means your parents turn into pigs and you’re suddenly employed at a haunted bathhouse run by a chain-smoking witch with the voice of Suzanne Pleshette. And who better to guide Mandy through the bewildering fever dream …

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Budget Gaming Makeover – Wargaming Recon #318 1:35:47

3M ago1:35:47

1:35:47

In this episode Jonathan and Peter Bryant discuss a budget gaming makeover for Peter. They also talk about the recent New England Tabletop Gaming Flea Market in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. The pair start talking about how Peter would spend $20 on … Continue reading →By Jonathan J. Reinhart

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Charmed with Patrick Gomez 1:02:53

3M ago1:02:53

1:02:53

This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy is joined by the magnificent, the glamorous, the slightly crop-top-obsessed Patrick Gomez—yes, that Patrick Gomez, the Editor-in-Chief of Entertainment Weekly. Together they dust off the spell book, step into a suspiciously San Francisco-looking Paramount backlot, and dive headlong into the world of Charmed.Patric…

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LIVE! Episode - True Crime Queen: The Real-life Murders in Agatha Christie's Fiction (Recorded at the 2025 Agatha Christie Festival) 58:43

3M ago58:43

58:43

Rejoice: it is time for another live episode from the Agatha Christie Festival, in Christie's birthplace of Torquay! This time I braved the stage all by myself, to discuss Christie's use of true crime in her fiction. As usual, I had an absolute blast. To visit and subscribe to the podcast's Patreon page, click here. Visit the podcast on Instagram, …

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Renfest Info And Fun Episode 2025 14 Lady Teresa Interview Part 2 of 2 20:57

4M ago20:57

20:57

Lady Teresa had so much wonderful information and stories to share that it could not be contained in just Episode 13. In this episode, she relays more tidbits as Castleton was being invaded on Pirate Weekend.By craigy2g

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Renfest Info And Fun Episode 2025 13 Lady Teresa Interview Part 1 of 2 15:48

4M ago15:48

15:48

Lady Teresa is a well-known patron in the south-central part of the U.S. She is VERY enthusiastic about Renfests, has a large group of similarly enthusiastic relatives that visit them with her and she adds flavor to any event she attends.By craigy2g

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Black Mirror with Tara Sands 1:01:54

4M ago1:01:54

1:01:54

This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy is joined by someone who has been part of her life nearly forever—voiceover legend and dear friend Tara Sands. You might know Tara from her work bringing Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and countless anime characters to life, but today she’s here to get properly nerdy about Black Mirror. Yes, the series that makes you both fa…

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Freaks and Geeks with Jeffrey Nicholas Brown 1:02:02

4M ago1:02:02

1:02:02

This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy Kaplan welcomes actor, drummer, writer, and all-time Blue Man Grouper Jeffrey Nicholas Brown—yes, an actual Blue Man.The two dive headfirst into Freaks and Geeks, the show that lasted only one season but somehow altered the DNA of television comedy forever. Jeffrey confesses he was both a freak and a geek in high …

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Summer Rerun - Gone Girl: The Notorious Real-Life Disappearance of Agatha Christie 55:20

4M ago55:20

55:20

Please enjoy this time capsule from early 2017, all about the real-life disappearance of our favorite author.... See (some of) you in England! Details below regarding my two appearances there. I'll be appearing first, in London, 12-13 September, at Silent Echoes: Golden Age Crime Fiction and Trauma, hosted by Golden Age Mysteries and Florida State …

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Renfest Info And Fun Episode 2025 12 1:02:36

4M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Tune in to this musical episode. It's a "Twofer Tuesday" journey, with back-to-back songs from 7 different artists. You will hear wonderful, energetic Renfaire music from start to finish. I hope you enjoy!By craigy2g

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Godzilla Minus One with Riki Hayashi 59:26

4M ago59:26

59:26

This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy welcomes fellow TruStory podcaster and kaiju enthusiast Riki Hayashi for a dive into one of the most critically acclaimed monster movies in decades: Godzilla Minus One. If you’ve ever thought Godzilla was just a big lizard with anger issues, think again.Riki brings his lifelong passion for Japanese nerd culture to…

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Picking the Right Convention – Wargaming Recon #317 1:02:23

4M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

In this episode Jonathan is joined by Robert Dunn and they discuss everything about conventions besides the games you can play. The pair talk about what to look for when deciding if they are going to attend a convention. There … Continue reading →By Jonathan J. Reinhart

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The Rehearsal with Megan Parlen 54:39

4M ago54:39

54:39

What happens when comedy meets ethics, performance art meets aviation safety, and a TV host decides to build an airport just to see what happens? This week, Mandy is joined by her brilliant and ever-curious friend Megan Parlen to dig deep into The Rehearsal — Nathan Fielder’s surreal and provocative HBO series that defies easy categorization. Is it…

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Interview with Marthe Jocelyn, Author of YA Mystery Series Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen 1:07:02

4M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

At long last, another episode about YA mystery! If you haven't yet heard of Marthe Jocelyn's Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen series, you are in for a treat.... Visit Marthe on her website, or on Instagram, or just check out the Aggie Morton books directly. Marthe wanted me to note that the illustrator is Isabelle Follath, who you can visit on Instagram…

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Jurassic Park with Tommy Metz III, Andy Nelson, & Pete Wright 1:04:24

5M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Mandy Kaplan has never seen Jurassic Park. We know. Breathe. She’s finally corrected this cinematic sin, and to walk her through the prehistoric magic, she’s joined by Pete Wright, Andy Nelson, and Tommy Metz III—three full-grown nerds whose love for Spielberg’s dinosaur masterpiece borders on religious. This is the movie that changed blockbuster f…