Nerdonomy: Nerds on History

Eric, Bryan and Sarah recap the highs and lows of their time together, share the topics they wish they covered, and where their journeys are taking them from here.  You might want to have tissues ready for this one. The post Goodbye, For Now appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan reintroduces an old episode in time for Kwanzaa, and makes a very important announcement during listener feedback. The post Older Than Kwanzaa: Redux appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan and Sarah discuss the commercialization of Christmas, and it's deep ties to the holiday. The post Ye Olde Pinterest appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan and Sarah give a short conclusion to the topic of Australia's history. Sorry for the staticky sounds coming from Bryan's mic; we recommend not using headphones. Also, please be advised, some graphic content is discussed. The post That’s Where the Death Creatures Live Pt. II appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Eric and Bryan begin a discussion about the history and culture of the aboriginal and Torre Strait peoples of Australia. The post That’s Where the Death Creatures Live appeared first on NERDONOMY.

How many times do we actually get to release a new Halloween episode ON Halloween?!  Almost never.  Okay, once every 6 years, thanks to Leap Days. So, this year we decided to talk about the cultural evolution of ghost stories throughout history, as well as story, and inspiration behind the first truly American ghost story: […] The post A Corpse is a Corpse, of Course, of Course appeared first on NERDONOMY.

With all of the commotion happening around the 2016 presidential election,  Eric, Sarah and Bryan decided to have some fun in their cold open with a spoof of the debates between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.  Afterwards, the Nerds welcome back The Wheel of History to share some insight on past controversial elections, candidates and debates. […] The post Hail to the Wheel appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Eric and Bryan get nostalgic while discussing the fascinating, and at times controversial, history of the most recognizable brand in the world: Coca-Cola. The post Your Coke Machine Is Spying On You appeared first on NERDONOMY.

This episode, Eric and Sarah’s schedules were a bit too full to be able to record this episode. Nerdonomy co-founder Dave McGuire sat in with Bryan, and they discussed some of the numerous historical parallels between characters and events in Game of Thrones.  This will be a fun episode, that it LOADED with spoilers, so you’ve […] The post Crossbows & Prostitutes appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan discusses a brief history of the Olympic games, then spends the rest of the time drunkenly quizzing Sarah & Eric. The post Stupid Table Tennis! appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan returns! And after the gang catches up, they into a wonderful discussion detailing the life of another one of history's greatest conquerors: Genghis Khan. The post Bring That Booty Back appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Eric and Sarah discuss the history of America's national parks The post Eric’s Life as a Tree appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Due to some scheduling issues, we were unable to record a full episode for this week. However, Sarah was able to share some great feedback from our listeners, which includes some fun history facts and connections. The post Sarah’s Solo Feedback Spectacular appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Sarah, Eric, & Bryan cover the fascinating story of the Jacobite risings. Enjoy! The post Jacobites! Part of a Rebellious, Balanced Breakfast appeared first on NERDONOMY.

In this episode,  the gang talks about three major expeditions to climb Mount Everest: the Mallory voyage of 1924,  the famous Hillary trek of 1953, and sadly, the tragedy of 1996.  Enjoy this fascinating discussion about nature’s greatest obstacle. Click here to download the podcast file. The post Tupac Died on Everest appeared first on NERDONOMY.

After another funny appearance by the Pirates of the Internet, the gang continues the history of piracy, talking about some of the most well-known (and some not so well-known) Pirates to sail the Seas, as well as an insightful education on the nature of contemporary piracy. Click here to download the podcast file. The post Salt-N-Peppa Beard appeared first on NERDONOMY.

After warding off The Pirates of the Internet in their cold open, Eric, Bryan and Sarah launch into part 1 of a 2-parter discussion on the history of Piracy. In this first part, we start with Piracy’s ancient beginnings, discuss the root of the word and build up through the middle ages. PHOTO CREDIT: Ancient […] The post The Evil Pirate Cruella De Vil appeared first on NERDONOMY.

After another punny cold open light-bulb joke, Eric, Sarah, & Bryan continue their science theme for the month with a discussion into the fascinating personal life and scientific contributions of the one and only: Albert Einstein. Click here to download the podcast file. PHOTO CREDIT:  Famous photograph of Albert Einstein, digitally colorized by Zuzahin. The post It’s All Relative appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Eric, Bryan and Sarah explore the life, achievements, and lesser-known facts of the Forefather of Physics. The post Figs and Cake: The Isaac Newton Story appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Eric Bryan & Sarah welcome back a far more physically hazardous form of the Wheel of History as they discuss interesting facts around pointy objects. Click Here to download the podcast file. PHOTO CREDIT: Space Needle with skyline and Mount Rainier at sunset, 2000, Seattle Municipal Archives The post The Wheel Gets to the Point appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Eric returns (cue the applause)! This episode, the gang discusses the story behind one of the most recognizable structures in the world: The Golden Gate Bridge. And plus, we have open with a great sketch. Enjoy! The post The Golden Gate Chutzpah Committee appeared first on NERDONOMY.

With Eric taking some time off, Sarah and Bryan continue their experiment: history from a living person’s perspective. Listen to Part 2 of an on-site interview with Larry Mortensen, as he continues discussing his service in the Navy during the Korean War, his two decades of police work, and witnessing the birth of Silicon Valley. The post Through One’s Eyes: The Mortensen Files Part II appeared first on NERDONOMY.

With Eric taking some time off, Sarah and Bryan wanted to try something different: history from a living person’s perspective. Listen to Part 1 of an on-site interview with Larry Mortensen, a man who’s seen a lot. Enjoy! Click here to download the podcast file. The post Through One’s Eyes: The Mortensen Files Part I appeared first on NERDONOMY.

With Eric gone, Bryan and Sarah decide to do something different, and pilot an entirely new podcast!  Enjoy! Click here to download the podcast file. PHOTO CREDIT: “Dictionary” by greeblie The post Nerds on Words appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Sarah and Bryan chime in while Eric leads and concludes their discussion about The Little Corporal. Click here to download the podcast file. The post The Thing About Napoleon – Part II appeared first on NERDONOMY.

As the holidays wind down,  Eric, Bryan, and Sarah begin discussing the life of one of history’s most eminent conquerors. Click here to download the podcast file. The post The Thing About Napoleon – Part I appeared first on NERDONOMY.

This week, we prepare our audience for the coming of Kwanzaa, as well as discuss the roots of it’s traditions.  Click here to download the podcast file. PHOTO INFO: The Kwanzaa kinara and the holiday’s founder, Maulena Karenga, at a Kwanzaa celebration at the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2003. The post Older Than Kwanzaa appeared first on NERDONOMY.

With Eric out sick, Sarah and Bryan talk about the several explorations that have taken place in the Amazon, and go on several tangents along the way. Click here to download the podcast file. PHOTO CREDIT: Neil Palmer/CIAT The post Latitude is Fatitude appeared first on NERDONOMY.

In a not-so-shocking turn of events,  Eric goes back to Egypt and discusses all things related to the most famous pharaoh in history: Tutankamun. Click here to download the podcast file. PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Evans The post Nobody Knows Where King Tut’s Junk Is appeared first on NERDONOMY.

With Thanksgiving approaching, Eric Bryan and Sarah thought it would be nice to explore the Mayflower expedition and talk about several of its common misconceptions.  Enjoy! Click here to download the podcast file. PHOTO CREDIT: “Mayflower II” by Paul Keleher The post Mayflower 2: Cruise Control appeared first on NERDONOMY.

In the Spirit of Halloween, the gang talks about highlights from history regarding masks and such.  Enjoy! Click here to download the podcast file. Photo Credit: gnuckx The post Condesceited appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Dave McGuire returns to the show once more, and adds commentary as we focus the episode entirely on our listeners.  Enjoy! Click here to download the podcast file. The post We Need a Listener in Space appeared first on NERDONOMY.

With Sarah, Eric and Bryan reunited, they also welcome back Nerdonomy co-founder Dave McGuire as a guest to discuss doomsday theories, and watch Dave come up with creative uses for Brita filters.  Enjoy! Click here to download the podcast file. The post Mostly Comet Pills appeared first on NERDONOMY.

As Eric & Bryan continue to look back on previous topics they’ve wanted to resist, they welcome guest Ms. Conception (Jill Romanos) to the show. Click here to download the podcast file. The post Cuz, You Know…History appeared first on NERDONOMY.

As they approach their 3rd Anniversary, Eric and Bryan look back at one of their most popular topics.  Enjoy! Click here to download the podcast file. PHOTO CREDIT: Log Driving Tradition, River Ii, Northern Finland,  ninara, Flickr. The post The Knocker Upper appeared first on NERDONOMY.

This week, Sarah and Bryan discuss Punk Rock music, its influences, and the different styles and sub-genres of music that it has influenced. Click to download the podcast file.   The post Anarchy in the Nerd Cave appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Eric and Bryan conclude their discussion on the history of video games. Click here to download the podcast file. The post Sean Kong – Part II appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan and Eric discuss the history of one of our favorite past times: video games. Click here to download the podcast file. The post Sean Kong – Part I appeared first on NERDONOMY.

The Nerds welcome guest John Thomason as they go over the history of Surfing. Click here if the media player does not load. The post Surfloose appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan returns after a brief break, and the Nerds welcome back the Wheel on History to focus on status symbols. Click here if the media player does not load. Photo Credit: H.H. Pope Shenouda III of Alexandra wearing an Eastern Rite version of the bishop’s mitre, taken by Michael Sleman of Hope Pictures LLC, 2007. The post Wheeling It Back In appeared first on NERDONOMY.

This week, in Bryan’s absence, Sarah and Eric discuss the history of a small country that is currently in need of a lot of help: Nepal. Click here if the media player does not load. Photo Credit: “Nepal Kathmandu Night Swayambhunath 6” by Alexander Shafir The post A Yam Between Two Boulders appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Eric and Sarah conclude the discussion of Space Probes while Bryan makes stupid jokes on the side.  Be sure to listen PAST the Outro this time, nerds!  Enjoy! Click here if the media player does not load. Photo Credit: The Mars rover Curiosity, NASA, Public Domain The post Probe Trek II: The Wrath of Bricmont appeared first on NERDONOMY.

This week, the nerds (read: Eric) dive into the history of space probes.  Listen for lots of stupid jokes and interesting facts. Enjoy! Click here if the media player does not load. Photo Credit: The Mariner 2, the first space probe to fly by Venus. The post Its Like Oprah for Planets! appeared first on NERDONOMY.

With the return of Eric, the Nerds discuss the unsung contributions of women in Science, Technology and Medicine.  Enjoy! Click here if the media player does not load. The post Hat-shafted! appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan and Sarah wrap up March with a brief history of Easter.  Listen as we explore the holiday from both Christian and Pagan traditions, and learn that Sarah is afraid of her shadow.  Enjoy! Click here if the media player does not load. Photo Credit:  “Easter Eggs from the Czech Republic,” Jan Kameníček, Public Domain The post Ooey Gooey Creampuff Jesus appeared first on NERDONOMY.

With Eric on paternity leave,  Sarah and Bryan take a moment to acknowledge their Celtic roots and talk about the Christianization of Ireland, which of course also means we talk about St. Patrick’s Day.  Enjoy! Click here if the media player does not load. Photo Credit: Stained Glass collage of St. Patrick, catholictradition.org The post Exorcising The Milk Demons appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan and Sarah welcome back an old friend that has seen the light and changed their ways… but still spins round and round. Click here if the media player below does not load. Photo Credit:  “Life of Martin Luther and the heroes of the Reformation,” Public Domain. The post The Reformed Church of the Holy Wheel appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Eric, Sarah and Bryan continue their discussion about the controversial topic of Eugenics with guest Matt Lussier.  Also, a famous villain makes a brief appearance. Click here if the media player does not load. The post Eugene Enthusiasts – Part II appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Bryan, Eric, and Sarah welcome fellow nerd Matt Lussier onto the show to discuss the controversial topic of Eugenics.  Click here if the media player does not load. The post Eugene Enthusiasts appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Sarah, Eric and Bryan continue their discussion of the California Gold Rush, this time focusing on the impact it had on the people involved.  Enjoy! Click here if the media player does not load. The post There’s Syphilis In Them Hills! appeared first on NERDONOMY.

Sarah, Bryan and Eric begin a fun discussion about the impact of the California Gold Rush.  Enjoy! Click here if the media player does not load. Photo Credit: Sailing card for the clipper ship California, depicting scenes from the California gold rush, c. 1849, Public Domain. The post John Sutter Was Kind of An Idiot appeared first on NERDONOMY.