The Nerd Nexus

S1 E18: The Hidden Nerd Within – Mega Construx, Mini Painting, and Frisbee Golf with Brandon Bullough

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2438380/open_sms] In this sibling showdown, James is joined by his “younger, cooler, and allegedly more handsome” brother, Brandon Bullough. They dive deep into Brandon’s hidden (but undeniable) nerdiness—from his Halo Mega Construx obsession and miniature painting hobby to his disc golf deep dive. Whether you’re curious about the decline of Mega Bloks, intimidated by the world of mini painting, or looking for a new hobby that gets you outside and collecting plastic discs, this episode is packed with laughs, nostalgia, and nerdy goodness. Plus, James shares the tragic tale of finishing second-to-last in a 5K fun run—medal and all. 💬 Topics Covered: * Halo Mega Construx and their slow disappearance * Starting a miniature painting hobby (plus tips & gear) * Disc golf 101: Discs, throws, and how to get started * Sibling banter, Pokémon confessions, and nerd pride 🖌️ Follow Brandon’s custom paintwork on Instagram: @halo_megaconstrux_customs [https://www.instagram.com/halo_megaconstrux_customs] Contact the nerd nexus at Thenerdnexuspodcast@gmail.com

S1 E17: Star Wars Deep Dive, Sneaker Hustles & Getting Pistol-Whipped for Jordans?!

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2438380/open_sms] In this jam-packed episode of The Nerd Nexus, host James Bullough is joined by brother-in-law and certified Star Wars mega-nerd Thomas Walton for a wildly entertaining ride through fandom, footwear, and one unforgettable Facebook Marketplace deal gone wrong. From growing up on the original Star Wars trilogy to obsessing over Clone Wars lore, Thomas shares how the galaxy far, far away shaped his nerdom. He gives hot takes on the Disney sequels, sings the praises of Rogue One and Andor, and explains why certain scenes (lookin’ at you, Kit Fisto) still haunt hardcore fans. But it doesn’t stop there—Thomas also opens up about his years as a sneakerhead: chasing drops, reselling rare Yeezys and Jordans, and how that hustle once led to him being literally pistol-whipped for a pair of shoes. (Yes, really. He even wore the Jordans to court.) We also talk: * Call of Duty obsession and multiplayer strategy * Why Clone Wars and Rebels fill crucial Star Wars lore gaps * Mandalorian and Andor vs. the sequel trilogy * Collecting and reselling shoes * Car show wins and dream builds * What it's like nerding out across Star Wars, sneakers, anime, and more If you’re a fan of Star Wars, gaming, collecting, or just love a good story, this episode is for you. It's where fandoms collide—hard. 🔹 Follow Thomas: @_TMWYT on Instagram 🔹 Listen, share, and geek out with us at TheNerdNexusPodcast.com [https://www.thenerdnexuspodcast.com] Contact the nerd nexus at Thenerdnexuspodcast@gmail.com

S1 E16: Stitching Stories: The Art of Jonathan Hallett

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2438380/open_sms] From Captain Planet to Hereditary, High School Musical to Spider-Punk Stitch, storyboard artist and cartoonist Jonathan Hallett has seen—and drawn—it all. In this episode, James sits down with the creative powerhouse behind StitchToons.com, FastStoryboards.com, and Cartoonist.MyPortfolio.com to talk about breaking into animation, drawing over 900 Stitch mashups, and what it’s like to work with names like Ari Aster, Kevin Costner, and Disney. We dive into Jonathan’s start in the industry thanks to a fateful neighbor, the evolution of StitchToons from a Comic Con flop to a full-blown phenomenon, and how he balances family life with exhibiting at 40+ conventions a year. Also discussed: GI Joe, manga, the challenge of comic book collecting, and how Jonathan accidentally launched a children’s book empire one Lilo missionary sketch at a time. Contact the nerd nexus at Thenerdnexuspodcast@gmail.com

S1 E15: Sports Nerds, Rivalries, and the Gospel of the Homie Invitational with Josh Erickson

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2438380/open_sms]  What happens when a die-hard Cowboys fan and a lifelong Niners sympathizer sit down to talk sports? A surprisingly heartfelt and hilarious conversation that blurs the lines between traditional nerd culture and sports fandom. In this episode, James is joined by his friend Josh Erickson—a self-proclaimed sports nerd—to explore how sports can be just as nerdy, community-building, and passionate as D&D, video games, or cosplay. From min-maxing fantasy football teams to analyzing why blue and orange might be the most cursed color combo in sports, this episode is packed with stories, hot takes, and real emotion. Whether you're a stats junkie, jersey collector, or just here for the brisket vs. buzzer beater debate—this one’s for you.  Contact the nerd nexus at Thenerdnexuspodcast@gmail.com

S1 E14 - Mysteries, Magic & Mastering the Market with Ben Brown

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2438380/open_sms]  In this mind-bending episode of The Nerd Nexus, James welcomes magician, AV tech wizard, and negotiation nerd Ben Brown! 🎙️✨ From conjuring Coke bottles and setting wallets ablaze to tactfully talking your way to a better salary, Ben shares stories and strategies that blend the mystique of stage magic with the science of persuasion. They dive into hilarious past performances, negotiation tactics inspired by Chris Voss's Never Split the Difference, and real-life stories of magic gigs, awkward first asks, and street performance hustle. Whether you're a future illusionist or just want to sharpen your communication skills, this episode is pure gold.  Be sure to check out Ben at hirebenbrown.com [http://www.hirebenbrown.com]! Contact the nerd nexus at Thenerdnexuspodcast@gmail.com