Shows
NerdlandiaVisualizing the Great Plains with KatieKatie Nieland shares Great Plains-inspired art, apparel and more through her business Katie Nieland Art. She is also the Associate Director & Communications Coordinator at the Center for Great Plains Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Katie talks about Great Plains identity, upcoming collaborations and her love of Dungeons & Dragons.Connect with Katie through her website or on Instagram.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by ONALDIN_Music and soundoffreedom from Pixabay.
2025-11-1935 minNerdlandiaSowing Inclusivity with ToryTory Hall is the owner of Sower Books in Lincoln. She shares her perspectives on opening and running an inclusive indie bookstore, some of her favorite reads of 2025 and why she chose the name “Sower” for the space.Connect with Sower Books on their website or Instagram.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music from Pixabay. Music by Universfield and DELOSound from Pixabay.
2025-10-0853 min
NightSide With Dan ReaNightSide News Update 9/25/25We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!The disappearance of Christopher Bird…disappeared on Sunday, July 29, 1984. He was last seen by a friend at the D&Q Stables in Windham. Guest: Emily Sweeney – Boston Globe Cold Case Files Reporter & Blotter Tales columnist Mass General Brigham will soon bill you when your doctor consults a specialist about your care. Guest: Jonathan Saltzman – Boston Globe reporter Gov. Maura Healey releases ‘vision’ for statewide high school graduation requirements...
2025-09-2637 minNerdlandiaJapanese Desserts with HeidiHeidi Martinez-Reyes is the owner of Kuro Neko desserts in Lincoln. She shares her experiences growing up around the Japanese community in Cuba, her involvement with ECHO Collective and her favorite flavors of daifuku.Connect with Kuro Neko on their website or Instagram.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Vincent and Pocketbeats Music from Pixabay.
2025-09-1734 minNerdlandiaRAGBRAI Recap with JaredJared Buskirk returns to the podcast to discuss bike events, bike commuting and new bike acquisitions.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Geri Art and Francis MacDonald from Pixabay.
2025-08-1341 minNerdlandiaRabbit Holes: Tufted RugsAndreas is an artist based in Lawrence, Kansas. We talk about his show Super Natural, the tufted rug class he taught at Lawrence Arts Center and what makes Lawrence an underrated creative hub in the Midwest.Connect with Andreas on his website or Instagram.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by royalty_free_music and Musinova from Pixabay.
2025-07-0224 minNerdlandiaBuilding a Climbing Community with WendyWendy Beio is the co-owner of MW Climbing, a bouldering gym with locations in Lincoln and Omaha. We talk about building a gym from the ground up with her spouse Matt, her approach to both climbing and setting routes and how the sport helps build resilience.Learn more about MW Climbing on their website and connect with them on Instagram or Facebook. Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Reza Alvin and DELOSound from Pixabay.
2025-06-1137 minNerdlandiaRabbit Holes: SwordfightingMorgan Otte is a member of the Nebraska Swordfighters Guild. We talk about her introduction to the sport in 2019, the martial arts style the group practices and her favorite fantasy world inspirations.Connect with the Nebraska Swordfighters Guild on their website or Facebook page. Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Oleksii Holubiev and Gavin Nellist from Pixabay.
2025-06-0423 minNerdlandiaOpen Mic: Steady WellsThis Open Mic bonus episode features Steady Wells, the personal project of Jordan Smith. He also shares updates on his band Twinsmith.Songs: "Battles" and "Open Fire"Connect with Steady Wells on Spotify and Instagram.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
2025-05-2129 minNerdlandiaDrawing Your Feelings with RobertRobert James Russell is an author and illustrator based in Lincoln. His graphic memoir Hard Body, out in 2026 by Simon and Schuster, focuses on toxic masculinity and body image. We discuss what makes graphic memoir a uniquely expressive form, his current creative inspirations and how anyone can start making diary comics.Connect with Rob on his Substack, website or Instagram.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional by Pocketbeats Music and Jonas from Pixabay
2025-05-1441 minNerdlandiaRabbit Holes: Scrumptious SconesSlow Your Dough owners Jon and Sam take us behind the scenes of their scone-themed bakery in Lincoln. We talk about flavor combinations, how to recover from baking fails and our favorite scone puns.Learn more about Slow Your Dough.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Dvir Silver and Pufino from Pixabay.
2025-04-3020 minNerdlandiaRabbit Holes: Garden ExperimentsToby Burnham is the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum member & affiliate coordinator. We talk about the lessons he’s learned about gardening, his favorite recipes featuring garden produce and Spring Affair.Learn more about the Spring Affair plant sale.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Ievgen Poltavskyi and Rockot from Pixabay.
2025-04-1627 minNerdlandiaRescuing Animals with MackenzieMackenzie Chapek is the director of Brave Animal Rescue in Lincoln, Nebraska. We discuss her backstory on rescuing animals, how Brave’s volunteer-based programs have grown over the past five years and tips on finding the best rescue pet for you.Learn more about Brave Animal Rescue. Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by folk_acoustic from Pixabay.
2025-04-0941 minNerdlandiaRabbit Holes: Vintage Silk ShirtsJohn Jasa shares his enthusiasm for and knowledge of thrifting vintage silk shirts. We discuss how they’re made, how to take care of them and why Goouch is his favorite brand.Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music from Pavel Sivahrakau and Michael Daniel from Pixabay.
2025-03-2620 minNerdlandiaExperiencing Europe with MollyToday is a follow-up with a very special season 1 guest! Molly Chapple Roe moved from California to Germany with her spouse Mike and their cat Max in 2023. Last episode, we talked about her first six months living abroad. Since then, she’s gotten more comfortable with her German-speaking skills and has traveled to a few different countries including Ireland, Switzerland and Norway. (Note: this episode includes mentions of alcohol.)--Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music fro...
2025-03-1240 minNerdlandiaNature Moments with GraceGrace Gaard is an outdoor educator and artist based in Lincoln. We talk about our favorite parts of Nebraska nature, Robin Wall Kimmerer's newest bookThe Serviceberryand my plans to get a pet jumping spider.Connect with Grace onInstagram andEtsy.--Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by u_8mkfqbal8d and Dvir Silver from from Pixabay.
2025-02-1242 minNerdlandiaWeird and Wonderful Finds with MatelMatel Rokke is an artist and co-owner of the boutique Tsuru in downtown Lincoln. We talk about what inspires her work, the importance of being a more conscious clothing shopper and why the shop is named “crane” in Japanese.
Connect with Tsuru and Matel's photography.
Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Alex Guz and FASSounds from Pixabay
2025-01-0841 minNerdlandiaNerdlandia Season 2 PreviewYour favorite source of creative and nerdy conversations is back! Learn more about season 2 and the first full-length episode, which will be out January 8.
Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
2025-01-0101 minNerdlandiaOpen Mic: Saving FionaSaving Fiona is a band based in Lincoln. We talk about the creative processes behind two original songs from their most recent album, What a Shame.
Connect with Saving Fiona on Spotify or Instagram.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
2024-08-3028 minNerdlandiaBuilding a Board Game Cafe with AlmaAlma Cerretta is the owner of Mana Games in downtown Lincoln. We talk about building the business from the ground up, all of Mana’s various offerings and what it’s like operating a board game cafe in the Haymarket.
Connect with Mana Games on Facebook and Instagram.
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Join the Nerdlandia creative challenge Choose Your Own Adventure and earn a Nerd pin by completing 10 side quests by September 1! Connect with the show social media for updates. You can also get in touch by emailing nerdlandia.podcast@gmail.com.
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2024-07-101h 08NerdlandiaOpen Mic: RüzeDan Vallier is a musician based in Nebraska, as well as a visual designer and tattoo artist. He was previously in bands including The Paper Melody. Rüze is his first solo project.
Listen to his newest single “Blue” and connect with Rüze on Instagram.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
2024-07-0317 minNerdlandiaRolling Out a New Era of Derby with EmmaEmma (aka Emforcer) is a skater on the No Coast Roller Derby team from Lincoln. We talk about how the group bounced back after the Covid shutdown, the sport’s advancements since its inception and her derby origin story.
Connect with No Coast Roller Derby, Emforcer and her podcast The Track Talk for more derby updates.
Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by SMVJ Wijebandara and Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay.
2024-06-2631 minNerdlandiaPurr-colating a Cat Cafe with EmilyEmily Cancelmo is the owner of Stray by the Bay, a cat rescue in Lincoln, and plans to grow the concept into a cat cafe. We talk about our pets, the local partner organizations her rescue works with and what makes cats and coffee go so well together.
Connect with Stray by the Bay on Facebook or Instagram.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Oleksii Holubiev and Music Unlimited from Pixabay.
2024-06-1237 minNerdlandiaOpen Mic: VempireVempire combines catchy 80s synth beats with ethereal vocals for a nostalgic yet inexplicably modern listening experience. Band members Mikey Elfers and Lindsey Yoneda share their singles "Sunglasses" and "Electricity."
Connect with Vempire on Bandcamp, Spotify and Instagram. You can also check out their other projects Ghostlike and Thirst Things First.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
2024-06-0524 minNerdlandiaCakes for Days with AlliThis episode is all about those low-stakes hobbies! Alli is a baking enthusiast based in Lincoln. We talk about our recent baking projects, favorite local eateries and her spouse Brian's pizza-making obsession. The conversation inspires me to finally overcome my fears and make my first-ever batch of homemade cinnamon rolls.
Check out the Nerdlandia bulletin board for recipes, recommendations and more.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credits by Keith Wess. Cover artwork by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Ruwin and Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.
2024-05-2934 minNerdlandiaOpen Mic: CarrierCarrier is a new Lincoln band made up of friends who just want to make music and get repped by Twisted Tea. Check out their new demo and follow them on Instagram for tour updates.
Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
2024-05-2217 minNerdlandiaClay Creations with AaronAaron is a mental health therapist and ceramicist living in St. Peter, Minnesota. We talk about his approach to the craft, his creative influences and his thoughts on the intersections between pottery and mental health.
You can connect with Aaron's work, Ontology Clay, on Instagram and Facebook.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credits by Keith Wess. Cover artwork by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Olexy and Alex Guz from Pixabay.
This episode is dedicated in memory of Stephanie Pershing.
2024-05-1538 minNerdlandiaOpen Mic: Lisa Clonch TschaunerLisa Clonch Tschauner is an author, educator and advocate based in Lincoln, Nebraska. She strives to create positive change through activism and education.
Her first work of fiction, Reclamation, uses storytelling to help readers learn more about sex trafficking. In this episode, Lisa shares more about her creative process and reads an excerpt from the novel.
References and resources:
Agape International Missions
Human Trafficking Statistics and Facts In 2024, OUR Rescue
Myths, Facts, and Statistics, Polaris Project
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Nerdlandia is hosted, edited and pro...
2024-05-0827 minNerdlandiaHomebrewed Adventures with RossRoss Struss is an experienced Dungeon Master and player who also has his own DND podcast called Bards and Barrels. We talk about what makes Dungeons & Dragons an amazing medium for shared storytelling experiences and also enjoy some beers from a local brewery. (If you're not into beer, simply skip ahead to 5:00.)
For an even deeper dive into DND, check out Bards and Barrels. And visit the Nerdlandia Bulletin Board for links to the topics we discussed in this episode!
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and e...
2024-05-0137 minNerdlandiaStitching Stories with EddieEddie Bennett is a writer, cross-stitcher and municipal liaison for National November Writing Month (also known as NaNoWriMo). We talk about writing and cross-stitching, the mental health benefits of bullet journaling, and the nerdy inspirations behind their creations.
Connect with Eddie’s work on Facebook and Instagram.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by WELC0MEИ0 and Fupicat from Pixabay.
2024-04-1729 minNerdlandiaCapturing the Midwest with LizLiz McCue is a photographer and writer living in Lincoln who documents Midwest culture and identity in her work.
We talk about her experience photographing RAGBRAI (one of the biggest annual bike events in the US) and her approach to capturing the complexity of the Midwest. Plus, she provides a sneak peek into her next creative project.
Connect with Liz’s photography on her website or through Instagram.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending music by Ke...
2024-04-0335 minNerdlandiaOpen Mic: Bert GibbsWelcome to Nerdlandia for another bonus episode! (This one is more of a hybrid, technically.)
This conversation features Bert Gibbs, a Nebraska Certified Peer Support Specialist and the creator of the website and blog The Bipolar Path.
Writing from his experiences, Bert combines storytelling with resources to help individuals with bipolar disorder and their loved ones navigate this diagnosis. In this episode, Bert shares his background and reads an excerpt from the blog.
Connect with The Bipolar Path: website | resources | contact
Note: The contents of this episode should not be interpreted as profession...
2024-03-2715 minNerdlandiaLivin' the Veggie Life with LaurynLauryn Higgins is a freelance journalist based in Lincoln, Neb. When she’s not writing stories for national news and magazine outlets, she loves spending time in the kitchen making plant-based dishes.
We talk about Lauryn's experiences as a vegetarian in the Beef State, how gardening inspires her cooking and developing vegetarian versions of her favorite Southern comfort foods. She also dishes out hot takes on food in a lightning round segment!
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stub...
2024-03-2033 minNerdlandiaOpen Mic: Lexi StormMusician and LGBTQ advocate Lexi Storm shares the stories behind her music in another Nerdlandia open mic bonus episode! Lexi is a guitarist in the Lincoln-based band Estrogen Projection.
This episode contains themes that may be distressing to
some listeners, including mentions of suicide ideation. For support, please call the crisis hotline at 988.
Featured songs: “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” by Estrogen Projection and “Circles” by Lexi Storm.
Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily
Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending music by Keith Wess. Additional music by Aleksandr Ka...
2024-03-1312 minNerdlandiaDiscovering Lionheart Canyon with KateKate Laing is a a multidisciplinary fiber artist, as well as the founder and owner of Lionheart Canyon Studio in Omaha. Her work has been displayed in art shows and spaces including the Omaha Anthropologie, where she was the location’s first pop-up artist.
We discuss creative community and mentorship, finding inspiration in wild spaces (especially the Southwest) and being a part of the Omaha art scene.
Connect with Kate's work on Instagram @lionheartcanyonstudio or follow her adorable studio pup @sagebiscuitandkate.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, pro...
2024-03-0631 minNerdlandiaLiving the German Dream with MollyWe're mixing it up a bit for this episode! I check in with my friend Molly who moved to Germany with her husband and their cat six months ago. She talks about preparing for the move, adjusting to a new culture and the surprises she's encountered so far.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings. Additional music by Sascha Ende.
Melo Rock 3 by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/345-melo-ro...
2024-02-2134 minNerdlandiaOpen Mic: Hannah JensenThe second Nerdlandia open mic features Hannah Jensen!
Hannah is a musician and composer based in central Nebraska. In today’s episode, she shares two original compositions inspired by paintings made by women artists, and provides insight into her creative process.
Connect with her work!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahvaun,
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/16pY6wr4u9xsLnlOBw4kKV?si=js4sH-WKTUKPokGmApKiFw
About the artist: Hannah Jensen has been creating and performing music her whole life, and holds...
2024-02-1410 minNerdlandiaSweetest Reads with KarenHappy Galentine’s Day from Nerdlandia! I called up my cross-country penpal Karen (a librarian living in North Carolina) to discuss a book we read together. Love from Scratch by Kaitlyn Hill is a rivals-to-lovers New Adult romance set in the backdrop of a test kitchen.
We also discuss the importance of libraries, keeping penpal correspondence alive in this era and her stint as a florist.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
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2024-02-0732 minNerdlandiaOpen Mic: Burning Witch CorpseIt’s a bonus episode! For the inaugural Nerdlandia Open Mic, we’re featuring music from an insanely talented artist.
Burning Witch Corpse combines heavy metal, storytelling through the lens of witchcraft, and a little satire to advocate for mental health and artistic expression. The soul of Argatha Glormwell, who was tried and convicted of witchcraft in England during the 14th, 15th or 16th century — take your pick! — now possesses the body of some random white guy in California, cursed to make heavy metal music through him and have it be judged by metal elitists...
2024-01-3105 min
NerdlandiaMaximalist Bikepacking with JaredJared Buskirk is a cyclist who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. For this episode we talk about misadventures in camp cooking, solo rides versus group trips, and how a simple cup of coffee can salvage even the worst of excursions. Jared also shares tips for beginners, like how to pick the best bike for your needs and camping gear basics.
Native American tribal land information provided by Native Land Digital, a site that provides mapping, education and community resources. Learn more: https://native-land.ca/.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emil...
2024-01-2428 minNerdlandiaCreative Medley with RoryRory Jean Sykes is a painter and musician who stays creatively energized through running, crocheting and playing saxophone in a local ska band. We discuss her painting influences, overcoming perfectionism and how to not get pigeonholed as a full-time creative.
Find Rory's work on Instagram: rory.jean.art.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
Additional music: “Daydreamz” by Infinite Cathedrals and “My House Ghost” by Mad Dog and the 20/20s...
2024-01-1030 minNerdlandiaThe Artist's Way with LysandraLysandra Márquez Sánchez is a multimedia artist living in Chicago. She introduced The Artist’s Way to me when she convened her own discussion group back in 2022. We discuss what gives the book its staying power, her current creative projects and varied sources of inspiration.
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
Additional music: Sunny Side Of Success [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10883-sunny-side-of-success-full-version
Licensed under CC B...
2023-12-2732 minNerdlandiaSeason 1 previewHello Nerdlandians! Here's what you can expect from the first season.
TLDR (TLDL?): meet you back here on Wednesday, Dec. 27, for our *very first interview* and every other week after that. Woot!
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Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
Get in touch: nerdlandia.podcast@gmail.com.
2023-12-1501 minNerdlandiaWelcome to Nerdlandia!Coming Dec. 27, join a presentation party in podcast form! Every other week, we'll share conversations with guests about their favorite topics. Follow along on social media and email nerdlandia.podcast@gmail.com with any feedback!
Nerdlandia is hosted, produced and edited by Emily Case-Buskirk. Theme song and ending credit music by Keith Wess. Cover art by Ellen Stubbings.
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
2023-12-0700 min