Reforming Nerdom Podcast

Maul: Shadow Lord Is the Star Wars Course Correction We Needed

This week on Reforming Nerdom, we dive into the first four episodes of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord and ask whether Disney may finally be getting Star Wars back on track. We break down the show’s darker tone, gangster-style underworld story, stunning animation, Sam Witwer’s performance, and why Maul has become one of the most compelling characters in the franchise. We also explore how the series fits into the wider Star Wars lore, why Dave Filoni’s involvement matters, and what this show reveals about Disney’s recent direction. Along the way, we also discuss Disney’s latest layoffs, AI’s growing impact on the creative world, and what it means for artists, storytelling, and the future of entertainment. Follow Us: X:   / reformingnerdom Instagram:   / reformingnerdom Patreon: / ReformingNerdom

Turning Animal Farm into Communist Propaganda

Angel Studios has long been seen as a safer alternative to Hollywood, but the controversy surrounding its new animated Animal Farm has sparked serious questions. Jordan, Nate, and Marcus Pittman unpack the backlash, the concerns that Orwell’s anti-communist classic has been reworked into something very different, and what it all reveals about the state of Christian entertainment. More broadly, the episode explores compromise, cultural influence, and why Christians need to think more carefully about the stories they support. Follow Us: X:   / reformingnerdom Instagram:   / reformingnerdom Patreon: / ReformingNerdom

Should We Be Excited for HBO's Harry Potter?

This week on Reforming Nerdom, Jordan is joined by Michael Thiessen to talk all things about the upcoming Harry Potter HBO series. From the first trailer and major casting announcements to bigger questions about whether this reboot should even exist, they dig into the excitement, the concerns, and the cultural baggage surrounding one of the most beloved fantasy franchises of all time. They discuss whether the show is coming too soon, whether HBO can be trusted with a series like Harry Potter, and how certain casting decisions could fundamentally change the story’s themes and tensions. Along the way, they reflect on what made the original books so compelling, where Rowling succeeded and failed as a writer, and why modern adaptations so often seem determined to tamper with the very things fans loved in the first place. It’s a conversation about nostalgia, storytelling, worldview, Hollywood, and whether this new series has any chance of capturing the magic without ruining the heart of the original. Follow Us: X:   / reformingnerdom Instagram:   / reformingnerdom Patreon: / ReformingNerdom

In Studio Catch Up with Ben Jammin

On this week’s episode of Reforming Nerddom, Jordan is joined in studio by the one and only Ben Jammin for a fun, wide-ranging catch-up.The guys talk recent fantasy baseball drafts (complete with brutal AI team grades), share their thoughts on James Islington’s Licanius Trilogy (including how it compares to Will of the Many), weigh in on MLB’s new Automated Ball-Strike system, and discuss whether they’re excited for the upcoming Darth Maul animated series on Disney+. They also debate Stephen Colbert stepping in as a writer on the next Lord of the Rings movie.It’s a random, all-over-the-place episode… but in all the best ways. Follow Us: X:   / reformingnerdom Instagram:   / reformingnerdom Patreon: / ReformingNerdom

AI Video, Gatekeepers, and Christian Creativity (ft. Marcus Pittman)

AI video just hit an inflection point—and X is losing its mind. Jordan and Nate sit down with Marcus Pittman (Loor.TV) to talk about the recent leap in AI video tools, what it means for Hollywood’s gatekeepers, and why this could be a “printing press moment for stories.” Is AI art real art? Does it kill creativity—or unleash a new generation of indie filmmakers and fan-made crossovers? We also dig into why so much “Christian entertainment” feels like slop, why culture shapes politics, and what it will take for Christians to build, invest, and take risks to reclaim the arts. Follow Us: X:   / reformingnerdom Instagram:   / reformingnerdom Patreon: / ReformingNerdom