Best Nerdologues Podcasts (2024)

1
Songs We Recorded at Home For Ben 45:00

4+ y ago45:00

45:00

An unexpected birthday present for me from Eric and the rest of the Cover Stories crew. Get ready for some of the best songs ever written (according to me)!The Playlist Includes:Summer Highland FallsWait For ItThe City of New OrleansOne Sweet LovePaintings By ChagallA Man/Me/Then JimTiny DancerAll These Things I Have DoneI Will Follow You Into the …

1
Your Stories South: Together, Apart - Part 2 45:00

4+ y ago45:00

45:00

The second half of our quarantine episode as the COVID-19 quarantine continues. I'm so so grateful for all these great storytellers willing to share themselves for our show. Together we really can get through this weird time. If you can, take advantage of the weirdness. Maybe lay under your table or look up at clouds in the sky? We're all in this t…

1
Your Stories South: Together, Apart - Part 1 45:00

4+ y ago45:00

45:00

We had a live show scheduled for April but of course had to scrap it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In our first non-live show we have stories from the wonderful Elizabeth Pfiester, Bethany Willeford, and Melanie Andrews and music from Ben Rathert and Tony Baker.Storytellers:Elizabeth Pfiester - "Rilke Magic"Bethany Willeford - "The Story of How I C…

1
Your Stories South: Lights In the Night, Part 2 45:00

5y ago45:00

45:00

Part 2 from January 11, 2020 at Brews Brothers! Thank you to everyone who came out for the show, it was a blast.Storytellers in this half:Crystal King - Bright LightsBen Rathert - HaroldMusic: Small Town Saturday NightIf I Wander Back TonightSee you in April!By Your Stories

1
Your Stories South: Lights in the Night, Part 1 45:00

5y ago45:00

45:00

Part 1 of our January show at Brews Brothers in Murphysboro, IL! What a wonderful night, and a big thank you to everyone who came out. We're already looking forward to April!Our Storytellers:Elaine Ramseyer - "7-Up and Slim Jims"Molly Howard-Crow - "SIUFO's"Joe Hercik - "Nature Always Wins"Music by the Cover Me Up Trio:"Tonight, Tonight""Light Up M…

1
Your Stories South: South!, Part 2 45:00

5y ago45:00

45:00

Part 2 of our inaugural show on Friday, October 11, 2019 at St. Nick's Brewery in Du Quoin, IL. In this half our storytellers delve into dialect, disparity, and planning ahead. Thank you so much for everyone who contributed and made the trip out, especially those from far-off lands. See you in January! Songs: Paradise (John Prine)- Cover Me Up Trio…

1
Your Stories South: South!, Part 1 45:00

5y ago45:00

45:00

NEW SPIN-OFF! Now at a lower latitude! Our first official episode of Your Stories South was recorded on Friday, October 11, 2019 at St. Nicholas Brewery in Du Quoin, IL. This was an incredibly fun night and we had some great talents to help us set it off right. Our theme was "South!" (please clap) in reference to life here on the southern end of Il…

1
Dead Man's Doubloons: Curses! 45:00

5y ago45:00

45:00

Rieman and Sater are once again joined by their cursed friend Brian Gartland to talk about famous curses, right in theme with the pirate game, Dead Man's Doubloons!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Coup: Et tu, Michael? 45:00

5y ago45:00

45:00

Rieman and Sater stay a nice distance away from some of the most famous betrayals in history in our episode inspired by Coup!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Splendor: Mine 'em Low, Sell 'em High! 45:00

5y ago45:00

45:00

Rieman and Sater dig deep into the process of a gem from mine to jewelry inspired by the themes of Splendor!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Dutch Blitz: Het Zit Wel Snor! (with Brian Gartland) 45:00

5+ y ago45:00

45:00

Want facts as fast as the soccer team from the Nethlands?! Sater and Rieman are joined by sports fan Brian Gartland as we go Dutch using the themes behind Dutch Blitz!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Afternova: Beyond the... Beyond! 45:00

5+ y ago45:00

45:00

Rieman and Sater travel to where no person has gone before! ...rather they look at it through a telescope. This week we talk space and things in it which are themes behind the new R2i game, Afternova!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
It's All Good, Part 2 1:00:00

5+ y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

It's the second half of our crossover with Lily Be's The Stoop, some of the most real storytelling you can get in Chicago. Plus we get some words from Crystal Dino about her brother Chris, one of the reasons we all got together for this night in the first place!This week, you'll enjoy:Cover Stories: Freedom at 21Cover Stories: No ChildrenWhitney Wa…

1
It's All Good, Part 1 1:00:00

5+ y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

The first part of our crossover with one of our favorite storytelling shows in Chicago, the Stoop! We bring together some of our favorite folks for an incredible evening of stories, songs, and hopefully doing a little good.This episode, we're featuring:Cover Stories - Little White DoveCover Stories - Here Comes the SunBrian Wille - Here and GoneSha…

1
Crazy Cultists: Fun, Even for Grandma!

5+ y ago

—

Rieman and Sater are joined by a very special guest Jordan Devenport, the designer of Crazy Cultists! (currently on Kickstarter!) They travel back to when everyone was talking about Satanic Death cults during the Satanic Panic (tm) during the early 90s!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with The Nerdologues…

1
From Scratch, Part 2 1:00:00

5+ y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Once again, Your Stories is traveling south, to Ava, IL, for the second half of an evening of stories and songs curated and hosted by the incredible Benjamin Rathert! Make sure you listen til the end for a very exciting announcement about Your Stories shows to come...This week, enjoy:Eric: Made in EnglandTrish Pfeiffer: PrincessesJon Lester: Captur…

1
From Scratch, Part 1 45:00

5+ y ago45:00

45:00

The one and only Ben Rathert, friend of the show, has once again this year put together a Your Stories show for the voices of Southern Illinois. Recorded downstate in Ava, this episode is a real treat! This week, you can enjoy:The Cover-Me-Up Trio: Long Time GoneThe Cover-Me-Up Trio: Different DaysTony Baker: Shifting IdentityTricia Burns: World Wr…

1
Managers, Part 1 40:00

5+ y ago40:00

40:00

Our multimonth dive into working continues with this first part of our look at management which, let's be real, most of us feel pretty strongly negative about. Will that play out in the episode? Who can say for sure! (But you may not be surprised)This week, enjoy:Cover Stories: Cryin'Shelby Mongan: Alone FoodsJenn Sodini: Marianne at Del'sCherry Da…

1
Hive: Mike Is Terrified of Bugs 33:20

5+ y ago33:20

33:20

Rieman and Sater share their top most interesting bugs they found (digitally); meanwhile, Mike realizes he is terrified of bugs. Can you guess which Mike?Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Customers, Part 2 50:00

5+ y ago50:00

50:00

This week, we dive yet again into the world of business-to-customer interactions as part of our multimonth series on the wonderful work of Chicago historian Studs Terkel! You can enjoy: - Cover Stories: Right Now - Cover Stories: You Get What You Give - John Capaul: Stacy Smile - Bill Nielsen: Customer Service Purgatory - Jared Mason: Public Romant…

1
Customers, Part 1 40:00

5+ y ago40:00

40:00

Our multi-part tribute to Studs Terkel and working begins here with this look at the user side of commerce. This week, enjoy:- Cover Stories: 1, 2, 3, 4 - Eric Garneau: How Much Math Do You Use in Your Job? - Mykel Golliday: The Dark Souls of Driving Uber- Ray Goldberg: "It's Not That Good, But It's Not That Bad"- Jeremy Kanne: Picking Strawberries…

1
A Year in 20 Life, Episode 1: Ancestrall Recall 25:00

5+ y ago25:00

25:00

Friend of the Nerds Bill Nielsen just launched a new podcast about his attempt to regain glory in the world of professional Magic: the Gathering, something Bill's talked about on Your Stories before. In fact, the first episode of his podcast even uses some of his prior Your Stories pieces to tell his story. The Nerds helped consult and edit Bill's …

1
Love Letter: Chivalry IS Dead 15:00

5+ y ago15:00

15:00

Love is in the air and Beyond the Board! Taking from the theme of the hit game Love Letter, the Mike's recap the history of courting and dating from ancient Troy to modern day Tinder.Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Fanfiction February 2019, Part 2 45:00

5+ y ago45:00

45:00

An underfunded Wizards school, a recipe for the best Vegan chili you'll ever eat, and more will bring some joy to your life in the second part of our annual fanfiction celebration. This week, enjoy: - Cover Stories: When You Were Young - Cover Stories: Are You Gonna Be My Girl? - Chris Crotwell: Default - Logan Dean: Easy VEGAN Chili - Drew Krehel:…

1
Fanfiction February 2019, Part 1 35:00

5+ y ago35:00

35:00

Fanfiction February returns, and it's Chris and Shelby's first full go in the hosting hot seat! Of course, it turned out awesomely. This week, explore an accidentally '80s trip featuring:Cover Stories: Say It Ain't SoShelby Mongan: Real PeopleElliot Besmann: Slash HavenRuby Des Jardins: Truly OutrageousCover Stories: Maps…

1
Chris & Shelby's Top 5: Fellowship Part 1 (June 2014) 50:00

6y ago50:00

50:00

This is it! Chris and Shelby's look into their favorite episodes of Your Stories past ends here with this throwback to June 2014! We recorded this episode with some of the fine folks of the Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (or CAKE for short), which is still an awesome thing you should support. ALSO, Chris and Shelby's first full show as hosts is th…

1
Time Stories: Sittin' on the Paradox of the Bay 24:00

6y ago24:00

24:00

Rieman and Sater are sent to your podcast feed to discover how killing their grandfathers would work. It's all explained in the episode... OF TIME STORIES!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Chris & Shelby's Top 5: Sound Idea Part 2 (June 2015) 1:05:12

6y ago1:05:12

1:05:12

We're 80% of the way through new host Chris and Shelby's favorite episodes in this show's 7-year history! Today we're flashing back to an episode that celebrated the beginnings of the Chicago Podcast Coop which, hey, is still helping us support ourselves today!This week, enjoy once again:- Cover Stories with Jim Snedeker: Feel Good Inc.- Sean Kelle…

1
Season 3 Trailer - New Host, New YOU! 1:36

6y ago1:36

1:36

They have so many new games to take apart and live inside! Mike Rieman is back with a new host Michael Sater and they can't wait to get your 'meta-feelings' going with talk of time travel, pirates, medieval courtship, and BEES! So, get your learnin' caps on and tune in every other week! Produced by: Mike Rieman & Michael Sater, in association with …

1
Shelby & Chris's Top 5: About Time Part 1 (July 2018) 56:52

6y ago56:52

56:52

Shelby and Chris's favorite shows in our seven-year history hits on a very recent entry this week as we say farewell to one of the most central voices in Your Stories history, Andrew Bentley. This week, (re)enjoy: - Cover Stories: Flagpole Sitta - Chris Blake: First Time Drinking - Larissa Zageris: The Closest Vibrator Store - Jen Ducharme: The Ret…

1
Chris & Shelby's Top 5: Happy Birthday Dwight! (May 2015) 1:06:36

6y ago1:06:36

1:06:36

The next entry in our tour of Chris and Shelby's favorite episodes celebrates the one and only Dwight Haesler, the man whose heart has pretty much been at the center of Your Stories for the last seven years. Some of the all-time greats came out to a rented Cat & Mouse game store in Bucktown on a Saturday evening in May to throw Dwight a heck of a s…

1
Shelby & Chris's Top 5: November 2012 Part 1 43:25

6y ago43:25

43:25

New hosts Shelby and Chris are picking their five favorite episodes of Your Stories leading up to their first live show, starting with this throwback to November 2012 that includes Shelby's favorite story ever! This episode, you can enjoy:-Cover Stories: Boys of Summer-Cover Stories: Your Love-Andrew Bentley: Role Models-Charlie Madsen: Fantasy Mad…

1
"Passing the Torch" Part 2 1:00:53

6y ago1:00:53

1:00:53

It's Chris and Shelby's first episode as hosts! Enjoy as they welcome a new batch of storytellers to the Your Stories stage and send off Eric in grand fashion.This episode includes:Cover Stories: The FlameCover Stories: There Is a Light That Never Goes OutSasha Neri: Bright and UnfilteredMatt Fields: The Mystery of the Old Man's DeathChris Robinson…

1
Passing the Torch, Part 1 1:00:18

6y ago1:00:18

1:00:18

It's Eric's last time out as host! Let's say hello to the new kids!This episode features:Cover Stories: We Didn't Start the FireCover Stories: The One I LoveMary Zee: PhilTyler Snodgrass: Branson-Tulsa TourMike Gifford: Life in a NutshellShelby Mongan & Chris Crotwell: Growing Pains/CommunityJim Snedeker: Dio/Everlong…

1
Eric's First (and Last) Story - December 2011 & This Saturday 51:27

6y ago51:27

51:27

Eric's last show as Your Stories host is this Saturday. Here's the first story he ever told on the show, which premiered seven years ago today. This episode includes:Dwight & Eric: El ScorchoEric Garneau: Of Comic Books & Broken HeartsJeremy Kanne: Le Lapin Will HappenAngela: Letters to the EditorAaron Pinkston: My Film DiseaseDwight & Eric: Sledge…

1
EXPANSION - Ticket to Ride - New York: Electric Cars BEFORE Subways 18:39

6y ago18:39

18:39

Mike is bring you another expansion episode with his very own brother, Jake! (creator of the online comic Battlements) We explore what it was like traveling around NYC before modern day cabs and subways!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Spencer Campbell, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Dice Throne: A Song of Duels and Dice 19:00

6y ago19:00

19:00

Mike and Spencer try to sum up duels in 20 min! Parry, thrust, and shoot your way through this one as we explore themes of Dice Throne!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Spencer Campbell, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
A Halloween Compilation (from 2016) 51:00

6y ago51:00

51:00

Look back IN TERROR at this collection of spooky stories from the first five years of our podcast!! This episode features:Cover Stories: In the Air TonightFin Coe: Lights High #32 - The Trouble with BrothersBen Riggs: The Six Weeks I Thought Cthulu Was RealPatrick Winegar: The Scariest Haunted HouseChris Crotwell: SilenceJulia Weiss: Alien Abductio…

1
"Feeling the Pull" & an MBS Send-Off 1:14:00

6y ago1:14:00

1:14:00

Mary Beth and her husband Eric are heading out to Hollywoodland this Saturday, but before they go, the Nerds had to give them a grand send-off. This episode, curated and hosted by Mary Beth herself, was a wonderful capstone on five years with the Nerds in Chicago. MB's the best. We'll all miss her tons.This episode, enjoy:Cover Stories: Get out of …

1
Dinosaur Island: Clever Girl (or Boy) 20:00

6y ago20:00

20:00

Mike and Spencer attempt to explain CRISPR as well as they could while visiting Dinosaur island!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Spencer Campbell, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Best of MBS, Part 4: A Night with the Stars (November 2015) 51:00

6y ago51:00

51:00

Mary Beth's last Chicago show with the Nerds is this Saturday. Get ready to say goodbye with the final part of our MBS retrospective, and then don't miss her final show Saturday night at the Cards Against Humanity theater. It's gonna be a blast.This episode, enjoy a look back to a show three years ago, featuring:Cover Stories: You Spin Me Right Rou…

1
Best of MBS, Part 3: January 2014 (Annual 2) 34:00

6y ago34:00

34:00

In this week's archival dive, Mary Beth brings her heart to a terrific musical performance as part of our annual year-end wrap-up show from five years ago (!!). Get ready for some Mountain Goats. And don't forget to come send MB off with us next Saturday, October 20 at the Cards Against Humanity Theater!This episode includes:Cover Stories: RoyalsKa…

1
Ex Libris: Lose Yourself in a Good Podcast 17:00

6y ago17:00

17:00

Take a trip with Mike and Spencer to the ancient libraries of the world, and the knowledge they hold. It's like the internet on paper!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Spencer Campbell, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
Best of MBS, Part 2: May 2013 (Crime & Punishment) 45:00

6y ago45:00

45:00

On Saturday, October 20, we're throwing a farewell show for the one and only Mary Beth Smith, who won't be in Chicago too much longer. To celebrate, we thought it would be cool to dive into our archives and revisit some of MB's most memorable pieces, like this one from May 2013 themed around Crime & Punishment! This episode, you can (re)enjoy:Cover…

1
Archive Dive: Fanfiction February 2013 47:00

6y ago47:00

47:00

It's time for another dive into the archives to celebrate a beloved Your Stories performer! Which one? You'll have to keep listening to find out (although there are lots of people worth celebrating in this, our first ever Fanfiction February, from 2013!).This episode, gloriously relive:Cover Stories: Over the Hills and Far AwayChris Geiger: Nerdolo…

1
EXPANSION - Horse and Stagecoach: Hit 'em up, move 'em out! 7:00

6y ago7:00

7:00

Mike is flying solo and giving you our first expansion episode! We travel again to the wild west and talk from the hip about stagecoach robberies!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Spencer Campbell, in association with The NerdologuesBy Beyond the Board

1
The Wedding (Set) of Joe & Emily 1:18:00

6y ago1:18:00

1:18:00

On today's Your Stories, we take a musical break to present a very special Cover Stories performance.This comes from the wedding of Emily Labbe and our very own Joe Gennaro a couple weeks ago, on a steamy and lovely summer night on the west side of Chicago! Dwight, Eric, and Katie (plus a special returning guest!) performed a 20-song set of songs p…

1
The CinemaJaw Crossover ("At the Movies" part 2, September 2017) 42:00

6y ago42:00

42:00

Last year, CinemaJaw and Your Stories made a plan to cross-pollinate their hosts onto each other's shows. Then real life happened. But today, the crossover is complete! Relive CJ host Matt K's Your Stories appearance from last year on this pod, and then head on over to CinemaJaw.com to hear Eric chat about this show on theirs! This week's archival …

1
Cheaty Mages: Are You Not Entertained? ...By Magic! 27:00

6y ago27:00

27:00

Mike and Spencer travel back to the good old days of people killing other people for fun! We draw swords at the coliseum while exploring gladiatorial combat with Cheaty Mages!Produced by: Mike Rieman & Spencer Campbell, in association with The Nerdologues.By Beyond the Board

1
At Bat (a Chicago Podcast Festival Showcast) 1:05:00

6y ago1:05:00

1:05:00

The Chicago Podcast Festival kindly invited us to be a featured show at the Beat Kitchen, and we took the opportunity to celebrate our newest podcast coproduction, Batman at Bat! These stories celebrate both baseball and Batman with that pod's creative team as well as some of our favorite performers! This week, you'll enjoy:Cover Stories: Centerfie…

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