Podcast
Nerdette
Hosted by WBEZ Chicago · EN
Nerdette is a weekly interview show that helps you unwind with fun conversations, inspiring ideas, and delightful recommendations. And join us every month for the Nerdette Book Club!
25episodes
Episodes
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The best podcasts of 2023
Dec 22, 2023Tap to summarizeTo find the best podcasts of the year, we talked to two veritable experts in the form: Leah-Simone Bowen, host of ‘Podcast Playlist’ from the CBC, and Nick Quah, podcast critic for Vulture. In order to make it on their lists this year, both Leah and Nick said shows had to really push the envelope in format or reporting.From heavy investigations to a show that Nick calls “cotton candy sprinkled with more cotton candy,” here are the best podcasts of 2023. For links, pics and more info, check out our website! ‘The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks’‘The Retrievals’‘Slow Burn: Becoming Justice Thomas’‘If Books Could Kill’‘Everything is Alive Presents: The Animals’‘Murder on Sex Island’‘Bloodlines’‘Ghost Story’
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Nerdette Book Club: Michael Bennett on ‘Better the Blood’
Apr 4, 2023Tap to summarizeOur April book club pick is ‘Better the Blood’ by Michael Bennett. It is both a page-turning detective novel and a deep exploration of the lasting scars of colonialism. Hana Westerman, a Māori detective in Auckland, New Zealand, discovers that a series of murders are connected to the execution of a Māori chief by British colonial soldiers more than 150 years earlier. In pursuing the serial killer, Hana must confront her loyalties to both the police and her roots. In this spoiler-free interview, we talk to Michael Bennett about his experience as the first Māori author to write a thriller about a Māori detective. We will be back on the last Tuesday of the month to discuss the book, spoilers and all, and you can participate! Record a voice memo with your thoughts on the book and email the file to NerdettePodcast at gmail. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Transcribe →The best podcasts of 2022
Dec 9, 2022Tap to summarizeFrom Italian true crime to juicy gossip, Vulture podcast critic Nick Quah is back to share his top 5 podcasts of the year! You can find Nick's full list at our website: https://tinyurl.com/273xeerc
Transcribe →The best podcasts of 2021
Dec 31, 2021Tap to summarizeThousands of hours of podcasts came out this year. But how many were actually good? The New Yorker’s Sarah Larson and Vulture’s Nick Quah give us a taste of the best of the best.
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BONUS Nerdette Recaps: 'Promising Young Woman'
Mar 16, 202100:41:07Tap to summarizeAuthors Micaiah Johnson ('The Space Between Worlds') and Carmen Maria Machado ('In the Dream House,' 'Her Body and Other Parties') join Nerdette host Greta Johnsen to discuss the Oscar-nominated film ‘Promising Young Woman.’ ‘Promising Young Woman’ is a genre-busting rape revenge tale starring Carey Mulligan as a flinty avenger on the hunt for so-called "nice guys." It has been nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress. Bo Burnham, Connie Britton, Alison Brie, and Adam Brody also appear.
Transcribe →Movies Of 1999: ‘Office Space’
Nov 25, 202000:43:17Tap to summarizeIs this movie a documentary? Maybe a horror film? Welcome back to Nerdette Recaps with Peter Sagal! It’s the podcast where we rewatch movies from 1999 and dissect them like the intense nerds we are.Today, it’s all about Office Space, a workplace comedy from Mike Judge that has firmly … (“I believe you have my stapler”) ... wedged itself … (“Hello Peter. What’s happening.”) … into the cultural lexicon … (“Somebody’s got a case of the Mondays!”).The film stars Ron Livingston as a corporate drone who, thanks to a surprise hypnotherapy accident, becomes gifted with the sudden ability to not give a damn. It also features Jennifer Aniston, Gary Cole, Ajay Naidu and David Herman.Listen as Peter, Tricia and Greta revisit the film, revisit what it was like going into an office building and play some patriarchy jingles modified for William Shakespeare.
Transcribe →Movies Of 1999: ‘10 Things I Hate About You’
Nov 18, 202000:48:24Tap to summarizeFirst thing we’re doing after this pandemic? Paintballing in Washington State, of course!Welcome back to Nerdette Recaps with Peter Sagal! It’s the podcast where we rewatch movies from 1999 and dissect them like the intense nerds we are.Today, it’s all about 10 Things I Hate About You, a far more benign reimagining of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew with Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and a whole lot of Tacoma, Washington.Listen as Peter, Tricia and Greta discuss Peter’s new favorite band (Letters to Cleo), some truly excellent hairstyles and everything else that makes this movie great.And be sure to join us next week for Office Space. Don’t forget, we want to hear from you! Join the party and send us a voice recording about any of the movies we’re featuring. Just record yourself on your phone and send the audio file to nerdetterecaps@gmail.com.
Transcribe →Movies Of 1999: ‘Boys Don’t Cry’
Nov 11, 202000:37:11Tap to summarizeFair warning: This movie can be really tough to watch. Boys Don’t Cry is a heart-wrenching biopic based on the true story of Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was raped and murdered in Nebraska in 1993. The film stars Hilary Swank, who won an Oscar for her performance, with a stellar supporting performance from Chloë Sevigny and a haunting one from Peter Sarsgaard. Listen as Peter, Tricia and Greta discuss what the movie meant at the time, how it holds up and how it doesn’t. And be sure to join us next week for 10 Things I Hate About You. Don’t forget, we want to hear from you! Join the party and send us a voice recording about any of the movies we’re featuring. Just record yourself on your phone and send the audio file to nerdetterecaps@gmail.com.
Transcribe →Movies Of 1999: ‘Election’
Nov 3, 202000:50:55Tap to summarizeThere’s an election going on! This podcast has absolutely nothing to do with it!Welcome back to Nerdette Recaps with Peter Sagal! It’s the podcast where we rewatch movies from 1999 and dissect them like the intense nerds we are.Today, it’s all about Election, a very dark comedy featuring Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick and about 15 servings worth of cringe.Listen as Peter, Tricia and Greta compare Tracy Flick to Leslie Knope, analyze each candidate’s speech and reminisce about their very own student council campaigns.And be sure to join us next week for Boys Don’t Cry. Don’t forget, we want to hear from you! Join the party and send us a voice recording about any of the movies we’re featuring. Just record yourself on your phone and send the audio file to nerdetterecaps@gmail.com.
Transcribe →Movies Of 1999: ‘The Blair Witch Project’
Oct 28, 202000:37:36Tap to summarizeToday's episode is all about The Blair Witch Project, a 1999 film with a $60,000 budget and three unknown actors that made over $240 million.Listen as Peter, Tricia and Greta break it down, and then join us next week for Election ... just in time for the election.And don’t forget, we want to hear from you! Join the party and send us a voice recording about any of the movies we’re featuring. Just record yourself on your phone and send the audio file to nerdetterecaps@gmail.com.
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