Let’s say you’re a respected voice actor. You’ve brought beloved characters to life in video games, animation, and probably at least one fan convention that smelled vaguely of beef jerky and dry-erase markers. Then one day, someone says: “Would you like to improvise a high-stakes fantasy quest in front of a live audience of howling D&D nerds… and also do it in costume… on stage… with dice… on YouTube?” What do you say?

If you’re Justine Huxley, the answer is “yes”—and then you glue leaves to your body and become a gnome druid named Finia.

This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy Kaplan welcomes back Justine for her third (yes, third!) appearance, this time to unravel the improbably nerdy tale of how a casual convention invite led to a starring role on Squad 20, a full-fledged Dungeons & Dragons series featuring voice actors, cosplay, and the occasional improvised musical number. It’s a story involving suspiciously attractive bards, aggressively vegetarian gnomes, and the kind of collaborative nerdery that only works when the DM knows exactly how many hit points are in your armor class. Mandy dives headfirst into this world—confused, delighted, and possibly a little drunk (not really, but let’s not rule anything out).

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when trained professionals take their theater degrees and aim them at a gelatinous cube, this is your episode.

Links & Notes

• Watch Squad 20 on YouTube
• Justine Huxley on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @JustineHuxley
• Six Sides of Gaming: https://www.sixsidesofgaming.com

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In 1991, a small blue hedgehog in red sneakers launched a cultural revolution. But the story of Sonic—and the rise and fall of Sega—isn’t just about pixels and processors. It’s about loyalty, rebellion, and the strange way that consumer technology becomes a reflection of who we are.

This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy Kaplan sits down with Danny Brown—host of Five Random Questions and Head of Podcast Support and Experience at Captivate—to talk about the Great Console War: Sega versus Nintendo. It’s a conversation that ricochets between nostalgia and insight, from Michael Jackson-inspired character design to why Mortal Kombat forced the U.S. Senate to care about pixelated spleens. Along the way, they explore how companies adapt to extinction-level threats (1940s slot machines, anyone?), the absence of queer and diverse representation in early games, and the weird social currency of being the kid with the good console. Danny isn’t just a Sega loyalist—he’s a walking reminder that the fight for market dominance is always a proxy battle for identity.

And here’s the twist: Mandy, a self-professed non-gamer, brings just enough outsider perspective to make us question why we play at all. What do we escape when we mash buttons? What do we reveal? What do we remember?

Sometimes the nerdiest things turn out to be the most human.

Links to Add to Show Notes:

• Danny Brown’s shows and socials: https://dannypod.com
• Five Random Questions podcast: https://5randomquestions.com
• Watch The Great Console War
• Watch The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

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Who knew anti-heroes could teach us about healing?

This week, Mandy sits down with Justin Jaeger—True Story film board favorite, book reviewer, and passionate MCU buff—to break down Thunderbolts. If you’re expecting a by-the-numbers action flick, think again. This Marvel installment has trauma, therapy metaphors, moral ambiguity, and exactly zero romantic subplots (finally). They talk about how the film blends superhero spectacle with emotional weight, highlighting characters who wrestle with their past instead of simply punching through it. Justin brings his deep knowledge of the MCU to explain how Thunderbolts fits into the Marvel mythos, while Mandy brings the perfect blend of fresh perspective and wide-eyed honesty. They also touch on representation, logic holes (hello, Red Guardian’s limousine), and the rare joy of female characters who are badass without being objectified.

You’ll hear what makes Florence Pugh a comedic ninja, why David Harbour may need to dial it down, and how Marvel is sneaking profound mental health commentary into popcorn cinema. And in a moment of genuine vulnerability, Mandy confesses her deepest nerd shame: she didn’t stay through all the end credits.

Links & Notes

• Justin Jaeger’s book review channel: Jagye’s Pages on YouTube
• Listen to Justin on The Film Board from The Next Reel
• Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens
• Join the nerdy inner circle: makemeanerd.com/join

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Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.