Shows / Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Two friends, Austin and Brenda, delve into the rich history of secret nerd mysteries near and dear to their hearts in their own loose, light-hearted way. If you've ever wondered "Why Saturday morning for cartoons?" or "How come Chuck E. Cheese cares so much about other people's birthdays?", this is the show for you!
Episodes
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
100th Episode Centennial Celebration
This episode's a little different mystorians! Austin and Brenda celebrate 100 episodes of SHONM by answering a couple listener questions, sharing some favorite…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
No New Episode This Week
This week, SHONM is taking part in the global strike for Palestine. We understand that not everyone is able to participate in the strike, so please check out…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Is Snoopy Mexican?
Is the lovable beagle from Charles M. Schulz's beloved comic strip "Peanuts" actually Mexican? The answer is more complicated than you think. And also more…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Dawn of the Cartoon Commercial
When Mattel premiered their Hot Wheels cartoon in the 1960's in order to promote their latest line of toys, they had no way of knowing that they had just…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
The Death of Woodsy Owl
In 1971, the USDA Forest Service Introduced Woodsy Owl, the anti-pollution owl, in an attempt to educate the masses about environmentalism. Little did they…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Where are the Puppets from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?
When Rankin/Bass' "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1964, no one who worked on it had any idea that it would become a Christmas tradition and a…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
The Rise and Return of the McNugget Buddies
As late entries to the McDonaldland canon, the Mcnugget buddies are characters that have been mostly lost to time. But, back in the 80's, they were the shining…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
What started the Trading Card Game Industry?
There's an intense resale market surrounding trading card games, but where did that get its start, and why is it so addictive to open these packs of little…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Return to Neopets
Much has happened in the world of Neopets lately. From its parent company shutting down, to new ownership, new promises and a new baffling choice for a brand…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
The Origin of Narrative in Video Games
From the dawn of gaming, people have wanted to use the medium to tell stories in new and inventive ways. But what game is the origin of this? Was it Final…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Sally Corp - How Did Sally Corp Reinvent the Dark Ride?
For decades, the Walt Disney Company had the theme park market cornered, creating cutting-edge animatronics and immersive ride experiences for their own parks…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Barney - Why do People Hate Barney?
When mother Sheryl Leach set out to create a new type of children's entertainment for her son, she had no idea how big her creation would get, or how much…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Bratz - Why did Bratz Dolls Disappear?
Bratz, the popular fashion doll line, was once one of the top-selling fashion doll brands in the world, but then they suddenly disappeared from store shelves…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 88: SHoNM Goes to the Movies #17 Blues Clues Big City Adventure
Hosts Austin and Brenda connect with their inner child by watching the newest Paramount + release “Blues Clues Big City Adventure”. It’s a movie for kids! But…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 87: Goosebumps
This week your host Brenda takes you on a deep dive into the history of the second highest selling children’s book franchises in history: Goosebumps, the…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 86: Harley Quinn
Full disclosure, this episode was so much fun for your host Brenda to edit. And if that wasn't enough of an incentive to listen, it’s about Harley Quinn! We…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 85: SHoNM Goes to the Movies #16 PREY
Since we took a week off, there is LOT of news to cover...but fear not...we’re here to weigh in on Lesbian Velma, Try Guys and Adult Happy Meal News. After…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 84: Rainbow Brite
Buckle in for a fairly long news segment this week, Mystorians! We had the Emmys! We had D23! We had the passing of a prolific world leader! Wowie! To cool…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 83: The Predator
After sharing one tiny scrap of good news, and talking about the latest Pokémon updates, your host Austin shares the story behind one of their guilty pleasure…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 82: What the Heck is Going on With Warner Bros? (and some mail bag questions)
In this very special return episode, hosts Austin and Brenda try to make sense of exactly what Warner Bros. Discovery is doing these days; from canceling…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 81: Neopets
Brenda is here to talk about the 1999 virtual pet website, Neopets, a subject that is near and dear to their heart. Austin, meanwhile, knows very little about…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 80: SHoNM Goes to the Movies #15 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (aka Hedgie Wedgie Dos)
You voted and we delivered. Hosts Austin and Brenda are here to talk about the 2022 box office hit, Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Has the curse of video game movies…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Episode 79: Arcades
Today, Austin is here to talk about arcades and to answer the age-old question, just what is an arcade anyway? Is it a state of being, a laundromat? What was…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 78: McDonaldland
This week we’re talking about McDonaldland, the wacky world that McDonald mascot Ronald McDonald and his friends inhabit. Learn about the evolution of the…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 77: Turning Red
This episode sure is a big one, so hang in there. Your host Brenda is also incredibly caffeinated, don’t worry about it, it’s fine.On this episode, Hosts…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 76: Toonami
What’s up gamers!? After a news segment where hosts Austin and Brenda try to parse the existence of furry Xbox controllers to promote Sonic 2, Austin has…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 75: The Cultural Impact of Star Wars feat. Heather Antos
This week we have a special treat for you, Mystorians! Heather Antos, senior editor at IDW and professional penguin enthusiast joins us today to talk about how…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 74. SHoNM Goes to the Movies #13: Megamind
"Goes to the Movies" is back, and Austin and Brenda are here to talk about the 2010 Dreamworks animated movie, Megamind. While overshadowed by the releases of…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 73 Disney Quest
Brenda is here with the topic today, and the topic is the Walt Disney Company’s massive indoor interactive adventure flop...Disney Quest. Once the pillar of…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 72 KB Toys
Austin is here to talk about the rise and fall of the “toy store in the mall” KB Toys. While Toys R Us was just a twinkle in its founder’s eye, KB toys was…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 71 Mailbag #2
Hello everyone! What a long break we had. This episode has a couple announcements about the podcast going forward, and then Brenda and Ausin answer more user…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 70 SHoNM Goes to the Movies #12 We’re Back: A Dinosaur’s Story
This is a shorter episode this week, but is no less jam packed. This week, Austin and Brenda cover We’re Back: A Dinosaur’s Story, a 1993 animated movie…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 69 History of Fanfiction
Episode 69 (nice) sees Brenda dive into the history of fanfiction, an often maligned and misunderstood art form. How did fanfiction get its start? What writer…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 68 Wishbone
He’s a little dog with a big imagination and a thirst for knowledge. Childhood friend or undefeated eldritch creature? Find out, on this week’s episode…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 67 SHoNM Goes to the Movies #11 Cinderella 3: Tower of Terror / Hocus Pocus
Did you know that there was a movie based on the Disney ride Tower of Terror? Host Brenda knew (because of course she did). This month on Goes to the Movies…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 66 Hanna-Barbera
Animal crossing fans, thou are eating well. Hope you are having fun on your island. Brenda is here to talk about once prolific animation studio Hanna-Barbera…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 65 Gargoyles
This episode starts off with Brenda and Austin workshopping a revolutionary new kind of beer, “Possum Pee”, a warm apply concoction with notes of dead leaves…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 64 Muppet Vision 3D
Hey everyone, we are BACK. First off, we have to talk about Crisp Rat as Mario, and then Brenda deep dives right into the history of one of Jim Henson’s final…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 63 SHoNM Goes to the Movies Mini #4 - Labyrinth feat. Femsplained
Austin has returned and is here to talk about the Jim Henson film Labyrinth with Diana and Avalon of Femsplained! Gaslight, Girlboss, Goblin King! Help support…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 62: SHoNM Goes to the Movies Mini #3 - Clue feat. Michael (Doc)
Brenda had surgery, but before that happened, she sat down with Michael (Doc) and talked about the murder mystery whodunnit from 1985, Clue, a massive…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 61 SHoNM Goes to the Movies Mini #2 - Yu-Gi-Oh, The Dark Side of Dimensions feat. Colton
Brenda is still flying solo, and this time she’s brought fellow podcaster Colton from Manga Mavericks and One Podcast Prevails to talk about Yu-Gi-Oh The Dark…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 60 SHoNM Goes to the Moves Mini #1 Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop feat. Paloma
Austin is out on baby leave, so Brenda has been given free rein to do whatever she pleases, and that involves inviting her good friend Paloma to talk about…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep.59 SHoNM Goes to the Movies #10 Space Jam 2: A New Legacy & THE Suicide Squad
Hey everyone! How do you like that new intro for “Goes to the Movies”? We think it’s pretty swell. Once Brenda’s done dunking on Wendy’s breakfast, our two…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep.58 The History of the Magical Girl
Brenda has it out with her mic while Austin talks about the origins of the Magical Girl, a subgenre of Japanese anime that got its start in the 60’s, and has…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep.57 Care Bears and the Universal Language of Caring
It’s a slow news week, so Austin and Brenda talk about stinky celebrities and Jeopardy hosts for a while, and then dive into the week’s topic: Care Bears…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 56: CINAR/Cookie Jar, once the largest distributor and creator of children’s media in the world
What a wild break (no goes to the movies for July, sorry), but Brenda and Austin are BACK. Nerd news comes in hot with Scarlet Johansson suing Disney over…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 55 Discovery Zone and other kids play-places
Brenda and Austin come to you this week still riding the high of seeing each other face-to-face for more than a couple of hours. It was glorious, and now…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 54 A little Klasky Csupo, a little Rocket Power, and a whole lot of tangents.
In this disjointed episode, we talk about Klasky Csupo and the unknowable nature of Rocket Power. This episode also features more unexpected Detective Conan…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 53 SHoNM Goes to the Movies #9: Dora the Explorer and the Lost City of Gold / Luca
This week on “SHoNM Goes to the Movies” we finally stop talking about Dora the Explorer the live-action movie and watch it (and tell you about it.)…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 52 Console Wars Part 3: Everyone Loses
With 90% of the American market in their grasp, Nintendo was on top of the world. Until the plucky upstart Sega came to town. Armed with a hedgehog and a…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 51 Console Wars Part 2: Nintendo
Strap in for an absolutely wild ride into the history of Nintendo! But first, an update on the Chuck E. Cheese Summer Tour, the Powerpuff Girls pilot is…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 50 Console Wars Part 1: Sega
On this monumental episode milestone, we kickstart a new three-part series on the console wars of the 90’s. Up first this week: Sega. Where did this prolific…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 49 E3 and the Road to Episode 50
We begin this episode with a dramatic reading and critical discussion about the now canceled Powerpuff Girls live-action reboot, along with Sonic’s 30th…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 48 SHoNM Goes to the Movies Pt.8 Paddington Double-Feature!
It’s time to break out the marmalade, and a fake British accent. This month Brenda and Austin are talking about Paddingtons 1 and 2! Just what is it that makes…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 47 Nickelodeon Studios at Universal Studios Orlando
First off, Nerd News dives into the nature of speculators and how their toxicity destroys the very industries they’re trying to profit from. Next, a deep dive…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 46 Code Lyoko
Austin is here to talk about the most successful French anime isekai cartoon “Code Lyoko”, and let me assure you, this is a wild one. From one of the creators…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 45 Indoor Theme Parks
This week, we skip nerd news to have a spontaneous conversation about anime, and while that doesn’t have anything to do with our topic of the week, we felt it…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 44 SHoNM Goes to the Movies #7 Cinderella 3: A Twist in Time / Mortal Kombat 2021
This week Austin and Brenda dive into the 2007 Direct to Video sequel to Cinderella; Cinderella 3 "A Twist in Time" and find a movie that is surprisingly…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 43 Mortal Kombat, the game and the movie (and the other movie)
It’s a slow news week Mystorians. Will Mojo Jojo be a himbo in the new Powerpuff Girls Live-action series? ...That’s really all the news we’ve got. The topic…
- Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries
Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries: Ep. 42 A Goofy Movie
Welcome back mystorians. I missed you. I hope you are well. In this episode Hosts Austin and Brenda cover the 90’s Millenial cult classic: A Goofy Movie...and…