When you’re prone to behavior of the nerd variety, you like to get really, really deep into your chosen obsession. Whether that means endlessly debating how many hairs Batman has on the right side of his head, theorizing what the Game of Thrones dragons eat, or translating rare Japanese video games into jailbroken English versions, anything that takes things to an unnecessary but delicious level of detail is pretty much the best thing.
That’s why we love geek culture podcasts. They take our OCD fandom to new heights by overanalyzing the slightest of trivialities of our given obsessions, allowing us to interact with the stuff we love on a level deeper than we ever thought possible.
So, in the name of Batman and all things holy, here are our Top 5 (fine, 6) favorite geek culture podcasts of all time.
1. Baker Street Babes
It’s an entire podcast dedicated to Sherlock Holmes and the intimidatingly huge fandom that surrounds it. What more could you possibly want aside from water and air?
Hosted by actual female Sherlock Holmes die-hards, Baker Street Babes covers everything from decades-old fandom discussions to Sherlock TV fan events, all through the lens of XX chromosomes. And when they fun out of Sherlock Holmes ammo, they engage in fun, lively conversations about the canon, film and other television adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle’s work. A must if you harbor even the most modest attraction to Benedict Cumberbatch, or if you’re a fan of girl geeks.
We can’t embed the podcast for some terrible technological reason, but you can listen to it here.
2. 8-4 Play
Broadcasting from their offices in exoitc Shibuya, Tokyo, 8-4 Play is the podcast of several American ex-pats with an incorrigible love for Japanese video games. You’ve probably played some of the games they’ve translated for English-speaking/reading audiences: Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Fire Emblem: Awakening, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Dragon’s Dogma, we could go on. The list is long and impressive … and yes, that is what she said.
“We bill it as ‘the only podcast about Japan and games and Japanese games,'” 8-4 executive director Mark MacDonald told Vice. “Much of which is not true, but that’s our mission statement.”
As Vice reports, “One of the most compelling aspects about 8-4 Play is the insight it provides not only into the localization process itself, which invariably seeps into the show, but also the experience of American video game expats working in the heart of Tokyo. In addition to conversations about Nintendo’s future or the latest Final Fantasy, you may also hear about a ma-and-pa shop in Tokyo’s otaku neighborhood Akihabara where you can have your 3DS modded, or the verdict on an opening night visit to a Sailor Moon-themed restaurant.”
It’s a great glimpse into life in Japan and the potent video game/ fantasy culture that they’re so lucky to enjoy.
Go here to listen.
3. The Nerdist Podcast
The Nerdist Podcast is the mainstream goliath of this list, featuring a slew of A-List geek culture celebrities like Joss Whedon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Gillian Anderson, and William Shatner, along with an unknowable amount of well-known screenwriters, comedians, and comic book creators. Comedian Chris Hardwick hosts the podcast in casual talk-show format, which gives his guests ample opportunity to spill their guts and reveal everything they know about their particular brand of geekdom. It’s educational and entertaining, like the movie Gremlins.
You’re already sold, I can tell, but I also just wanted to let you know that one time, on the Nerdist, Tom Cruise narrated an impromptu autobiography and repeatedly assured the audience that he “loves movies” in increasingly over-enthusiastic tones. As in, he loooooOOOOOVES movies. Brilliant.
Listen here.
4. Rocket Talk
Rocket Talk is Tor.com’s in-house podcast dedicated to conversations about science fiction and the sci-fi/fantasy community. Bringing in well-known authors as guest hosts, the podcast’s fluid format has them doing everything from reading short fiction to doing things like discussing my favorite pornography, The LEGO Movie. Also discussed: the Hugo Awards, superhero TV shows and sci-fi literature.
The subject matter is pretty broad, meaning any beginner can listen in without feeling alienated by details, but it’s also comprehensive enough that sci-fi lifers will feel satiated by the topics discussed. Fun for the whole family.
Activate you ears by listening here.
5. Game of Owns
There is so much shit happening in Game of Thrones every single second that it would be a mistake not to give it its own recap podcast.
Low and behold, enter Game of Owns, the ultimate GoT fan podcast. The show is half recap, half analysis when the show is on air. But, in the dreadful off-seasons where its off, the podcast hosts, both who are experienced A Song of Ice and Fire readers, discuss the books and anything else George R.R. Martin does.
After more than 250 episodes they still somehow have something to talk about, which originally struck me as astounding but then I remembered that I can’t even remember who’s fucking who on that show anymore and I basically need Game of Owns to survive.
Listen here.
6. The Indoor Kids
Comedy producer and writer Emily V. Gordon co-hosts The Indoor Kids alongside her husband, Kumail Nanjiani. Perhaps you’ve heard of him?
Coming to you straight from L.A., The Indoor Kids has a somewhat loosey-goosey “whatchya Been playin’?” structure in which Emily and Kumail discuss the games they’re currently into, but it distinguishes itself primarily through its addition of intriguing weekly guests.
These guests come from highly diverse backgrounds spanning from the entertainment industry to the video game world, and they come prepared to describe their deep and undying relationship to gaming. Folks like Community creator Dan Harmon once came on to talk about an infatuation with Minecraft. Another time, omnipresent video game voice actor Troy Baker let loose about what it was like acting in games like The Last of Us and BioShock Infinite. And while games are the main and original focus, the show has been increasingly open to discussing other aspects of nerd culture … which makes sense because it’s actually a part of the Nerdist network.
“It’s a celebration of all the things that keep you from being outdoors, enjoying the sunshine, and playing sports,” Emily told VICE. She says The Indoor Kids is ultimately about the “passion we have for the things that we consume.”
Eat it up here.
