Happy To Be Here

Derek Thompson, senior editor of The Atlantic, tells Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda about his new book Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction. He explains what makes Adele’s "Hello" and Drake’s "Hotline Bling" top hits and how Star Wars was almost totally unknown. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Sheyna Gifford tells us about her year living on a volcano in Hawaii with just five other people as part of HI-SEAS IV, a NASA project to simulate life on Mars. Sheyna was the space doc on the mission, accompanied by a physicist, an architect, an engineer, a biologist and a commander.Living in a 1200 square foot biodome and going outside only in their space suits, the crew studied the psychological effects and group dynamics that could be at play when astronauts make it to Mars. On Nerdette, Sheyna tells Tricia what the year was like and how she got through it. She also gives some excellent homework.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maria Popova, the creator of the website Brain Pickings, explains how her job is to reflect on everything from literature and physics to astronomy and art. She tells Nerdette hosts Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen about her rigorous daily diet of reading, writing, tweeting, and reflecting, as well as her newest guilty pleasure: Playing bridge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Singer, rapper and flute player Lizzo breaks down her debut EP Coconut Oil and her bevy of musical styles. The multitalented artist talks about her early days in music, from being a band geek and starting girl groups as a kid to making music now that’s empowering and body-positive.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom Hanks is a little obsessed with typewriters. So when we put the Academy Award-winning actor in front of a pre-WWII Underwood Champion, he gave Nerdette hosts Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen an impromptu master class on the machines he calls “self-contained printing presses with which you can change the world.”Want to support this show and get a sweet Nerdette mug and/or notebook as a thank you gift? Go to https://wbez.org/nerdalertSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We talk to Andy Cohen, the man behind Bravo’s Real Housewives, about celebrity obsession. Then we break down some of the best podcasts of 2016 with help from Lauren Ober, host of NPR’s The Big Listen, and Brittany Luce, of Gimlet. And finally, author Margot Lee Shetterly on her book Hidden Figures (the inspiration for the new film by the same name) which tells the stories of black female mathematicians who played crucial roles in the early days of NASA.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephanie Beatriz plays Rosa on the Fox series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Beatriz and her best friend Courtney Kocak also host Reality Bytes, a show where they discuss the myriad confusing things about having real relationships in the age of emojis and swipe-y apps. Then, delicious homework from cookie expert Dorie Greenspan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Phoebe Robinson is a stand-up comic, the author of You Can’t Touch My Hair and host of two podcasts: 2 Dope Queens and Sooo Many White Guys. She talks about why people online flipped out about the title of ‘Sooo Many White Guys’ and how being a black feminist can be a full time job.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Gilmore Girls revival is finally here, and we’ve got a LOT of feelings. First, we challenge Gilmore newbies (and Dinner Party Download co-hosts) Brendan Francis Newnam and Rico Gagliano to watch the first episode of the new series. Then, we chat with Liz Torres, the actress who plays Miss Patty. Finally, Tricia and Greta share their major takeaways from the revival.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author Kate Schatz tells us about a few historical heroines and explains why Rad Women Worldwide is a book for boys.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grace Bonney is the brilliant creator behind the website Design*Sponge. She talked to 100 women doing creative work and tells us what she learned by turning those conversations into the new book In The Company Of Women. She talks about the beauty of creative messes, what to do if we magically had an extra hour in the day, and the ever-elusive notion of work-life balance. Plus, we chat with the host of WBEZ's new podcast that tells the inside story about how Oprah's media empire came to be.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been an interesting week to be alive! We have a new president-elect, and we almost elected America’s first female president. To help us understand what happened we’re joined by Carol Moseley Braun, the first African American woman to serve as a United States senator.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Issa Rae is the creator and star of HBO’s Insecure, a show about 29 year-old, her best friend, and their life choices. Issa tells us why we can’t all be Olivia Pope, how her new show reflects her own personality, and how a life crisis in your 30s is more interesting than one at 22.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld are the creators of the web-turned-HBO series High Maintenance. (Ben also plays “The Guy,” the show’s pot peddler.) On Nerdette, Katja and Ben talk about how the show has changed now that it’s an HBO production, why the simplest episodes are the most effective, and how they love to talk to strangers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two of our favorite podcast hosts and pop culture opinion-havers stop by to nerd out about their television favorites. NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour host, Linda Holmes, and Jim DeRogatis of Sound Opinions join us to talk about the most under appreciated and most anticipated shows in their queues. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We chat with the pop culture writer, known for her blog and now a new book brimming with well-intentioned side-eye. Plus, a conversation with Kimberly Hebert Gregory of HBO's Vice Principals. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eugenia Cheng teaches math to artists and makes it delicious. Plus, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!'s Peter Sagal stops by.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

G. Willow Wilson writes Marvel’s Ms. Marvel comic. She tells us how a comic about an American Muslim teenager with superpowers came to be, what it’s like to write stories about outsiders, and why millennials can be hard to understand.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author Victoria Schwab is a twenty-something wizard at writing sci-fi and fantasy. Her books are fast-paced, fascinating and often feature fierce feminist protagonists.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a special episode of Nerdette: hosts Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen hear from entrepreneurs and scientists who are forging into the frontier with pigeons, infertility, food, and feces.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Hari Kondabolu’s new comedy album, Mainstream American Comic, Kondabolu takes on issues like Black Lives Matter, the presidential race, abortion, and white privilege. On Nerdette, Kondabolu chats about why comedy isn’t the same as activism and how to laugh in a deeply divided America.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessi Klein, head writer for Inside Amy Schumer, talks about the awkwardness of being a grown-up tomboy and when you’re finally too old to carry a backpack. Then she explains that there may only be two types of women in the world: wolves and poodles. Her new book is called You’ll Grow Out of It. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The endgame is set to begin. Is Daenerys' coalition of the willing the squad to beat? What can Cersei do after her conflagratory masterpiece, and is she beholden to the second half of her miserable prophecy? What new brutality can we expect from Those Who Do Not Sow? What of Jon? Littlefinger? Arya? Sam? And will any of it matter against an army that grows as quickly as their enemies fall? Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they discuss the future of our favorite medieval fantasy drama on premium TV, Game of Thrones.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eddard Stark was an honorable man. That we knew. But now that it seems that R+L=J, what does that mean for Jon? What were the whispers that Bran was conveniently too far away to hear? Is the Cersei we knew gone forever, and if so, what is she now? And why is it only the main characters who seem to find the express ships? Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they analyze the finale of Game of Thrones' sixth season, "The Winds of Winter."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lindy West on fat-shaming, fighting trolls and finding your voice. Her incisive, hilarious new book is Shrill. Then, Bitch Media Group co-founder Andi Zeisler looks at one of our favorite TV shows through a feminist lens.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

And only one bastard remained. Also, is dragon muscular atrophy a thing? Is smirking becoming its own language? Can a giant finally catch a break? And did we find out just how loyal a hungry dog really is? Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they analyze "Battle of the Bastards" episode from Game of Thrones' sixth season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian Tig Notaro talks about how she turned a string of personal tragedies into comedy. Then Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, discusses her nerdy obsessions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mother of Dragons arrives just in time to save her friends and their seemingly doomed city. (Shock!) Tyrion drinks wine, spouts bland dialogue and does nothing. (Gasp!) Arya somehow survives her wounds and the T-1000 that casually pursues her. (Heresy!) Is the show's lack of source material beginning to reveal itself in a not so appealing way? Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they analyze "No One" episode from Game of Thrones' sixth season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Judy Blume's iconic books have defined the childhoods of multiple generations. And Newberry Award-winning writer Kwame Alexander crafts books for reluctant young readers. Both tell us why they write books for their inner tween.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Hound returns to the screen, but will he also return to his past form? Whom exactly is Arya fighting? Is it as fun to write for indifferent older characters as it is to hear them? And does Davos’ silver tongue make up fully for his desiccated fingers? Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they analyze "The Broken Man" episode from Game of Thrones' sixth season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

W. Kamau Bell is the host of CNN’sUnited Shades of America, a show that explores the contentious, misunderstood corners of American culture. He talks about how he ended up with a comedy show on a news channel, why he loves The Hulk, and what makes Denzel the best actor of all time, period.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zombie Night’s Watch guy to the rescue! Just how does Bran avoid a frigid end beyond The Wall? What surprise ally has apparently joined forces with Bernie Sparrow? Is The Mother of Dragons actually the villain of this series? And is it too much to ask for one family dinner to pass without grandiose political gesturing? Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they analyze "Blood of My Blood" episode from Game of Thrones' sixth season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just what has Hodor been saying, and perhaps preparing for, his entire adult life? Should we finally be taking the Iron Islands seriously? Are the White Walkers biological weapons gone rogue? Oh, and time travel. Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they analyze "The Door" episode from Game of Thrones' sixth season,See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this recording of a live event in Chicago, actress, gamer and internet royalty Felicia Day talks about being a weird kid, the importance of hard work, and how women can take over Hollywood. She's the author of a new memoir called You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost).Find Nerdette via iTunes | RSS | Facebook | Twitter | TumblrLike Game of Thrones? Check out our other podcast: Nerdette Recaps Game of Thrones with Peter Sagal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Remaining Starks unite! What does the mini-reunion mean for Ramsay Bolton and his incessant throwing of shade? What does "Bernie Sparrow" have up his tattered sleeves? And just how loyal are the families of the North to the Stark name? Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they analyze these and other topics from the most recent episode from Game of Thrones' sixth season, "Book of the Stranger."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Savage is a relationship advice columnist, the creator of the “It Gets Better” project, and the host of the Savage Lovecast. We talk to Dan about the intersection between nerdiness and kink, the beauty of musical theater, and what it means to be “culturally Catholic.” Plus, a nerd confession from a merman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The recently risen is walking away, but to where? What is Cersei up to in King's Landing? Just how good can Arya be at blind stick fighting after such a brief training montage? And will Max von Sydow ever let Bran get to the top of the tower? Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they analyze these and other topics from the most recent episode from Game of Thrones' sixth season, "Oathbreaker."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

First, we obsess over The West Wing with Joshua Malina and Hrishikesh Hirway, hosts of the recap podcast The West Wing Weekly. We discuss the musicality of Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue, the importance of W.G. Snuffy Walden’s scoring, and exchange serious trivia. Then, Tricia talks with the creator of Madam Secretary Barbara Hall.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gasp! Well, the thing happened: What does it mean for Westeros? What of the Night's Watch oath? And did he come back...different? Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they analyze this and other topics (Wun Wun! Hodor speaking the other words! Impossibly rickety bridges!) from the second episode of Game of Thrones' sixth season, "Home."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Anna Quindlen about how to raise feminist sons and why she doesn’t care what other people think of her. Then, King of Horror Stephen King tells us about his short-legged obsession. And Greta calls a hotline to talk to a dream interpreter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The question on everyone's mind: Dead or alive? Join Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me’s Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they discuss the premier of Game of Thrones' sixth season, and answer this and other questions: Is any character as good-hearted as the Onion Knight? Is Jamie set to go "Rambo" on Westeros? And what exactly did we learn about the Lady in Red? This and more on this week's Nerdette Recaps Game of Thrones with Peter Sagal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The question on everyone's mind: Dead or alive? Join Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me’s Peter Sagal and Nerdette's Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen as they discuss the premier of Game of Thrones' sixth season, and answer this and other questions: Is any character as good-hearted as the Onion Knight? Is Jamie set to go "Rambo" on Westeros? And what exactly did we learn about the Lady in Red? This and more on this week's Nerdette Recaps Game of Thrones with Peter Sagal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, a quick catch-up on Season 5 (to get your bearings before Season 6 begins), and a prologue to Season 6. Plus, which characters from the Seven Kingdoms most resemble the 2016 presidential candidates? Peter shares his thoughts. Join Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal along with Nerdette's Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda for the return of their popular Game of Thrones recap show. Find Nerdette Recaps Game of Thrones With Peter Sagal via iTunes | RSS | Facebook | Twitter | TumblrSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal joins Nerdette's Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda for an epilogue episode of Nerdette Recaps. Listener Q&A about the finale of Game of Thrones from our live event at plus a follow up conversation about all the things that happened in Winterfell because, um, there were technical difficulties at Cards Against Humanity HQ.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal joins Nerdette's Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda for a recap of Season 5, Episode 10, Mother's Mercy, the season 5 finale of Game of Thrones. They discuss who is actually dead, who is in trouble, who they couldn’t care less about. That, plus what to read/watch while we wait for season 6. wbez.org/nerdetterecapsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal joins Nerdette's Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda for a recap of Season 5, Episode 9, The Dance of Dragons: In which we confirm that Stannis is the worst, compare Arya’s new job to the tamale guy, and predict who will die in the season finale. wbez.org/nerdetterecapsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal joins Nerdette's Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda for a recap of Season 5, Episode 8, “Hardhome.” In which we delight in the interactions between Tyrion and Dany, wonder what’s next for Cersei, and realize none of it actually matters because white walkers. .wbez.org/nerdetterecapsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal joins Nerdette's Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda for a recap of Season 5, Episode 7, The Gift. We discuss the great many gifts given and received, debate Stannis' moral standing, maybe almost feel a little bad for Cersei, and predict how the season will end. wbez.org/nerdetterecapsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal joins Nerdette's Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda for a recap of Season 5, Episode 6, Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken. We lament the treatment of Sansa, scoff at the swashbuckling in Dorne and shower praise on Lady Olenna. We also address some listener questions. wbez.org/nerdetterecapsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal joins Nerdette's Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda for a recap of Season 5, Episode 5, Kill The Boy: In which we discuss who lived and who died since last week's clashes, explore the rocky emotional terrain that is Ramsay Bolton's past, and respond to some listener questions. wbez.org/nerdetterecapsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.