Voice actor JP Karliak (Morph in X-Men '97, Gargamel and Razamel in Smurfs) joins us for a fascinating discussion about how nerdy media shapes our understanding of identity, community, and civic participation. As founder of Queer Vox, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQIA+ voice actors, and co-founder of NerdsVote, which works to get nerds involved in democracy, JP brings a unique perspective on how superhero stories and geek culture can serve as gateways to uncomfortable but necessary conversations about representation and social change.
Key Discussion Points:
JP brings depth and nuance to these topics through his experience voicing Morph, a non-binary shapeshifter in X-Men '97, while sharing insights about the voice acting industry and the importance of authentic representation both in front of and behind the microphone.
The conversation weaves through representation, activism, and the power of storytelling to create change, ultimately highlighting how superhero narratives can serve as modern mythology that helps us process and progress through today's most challenging social issues.
Guest Bio:
JP Karliak is a veteran voice actor whose characters span animation, gaming, and anime. Notable roles include Morph in X-Men '97, Gargamel and Razamel in Smurfs (2025), Boss Baby in Netflix series, and the Joker in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. In anime, he's known for voicing Kozo Fuyutsuki in Netflix's Neon Genesis Evangelion dub. His gaming credits include N. Tropy in Crash Bandicoot titles and Wolfgang in the Skylanders series. As founder of Queer Vox and co-founder of NerdsVote, JP actively works to create positive change in both the voiceover industry and civic engagement.
Connect with JP:
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This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Star Wars Generations.
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