Beau Johnson organizes events for PlayTest NW, so game designers can test their creations. But when the pandemic struck in 2020, prompting lockdowns and social distancing, the gaming organization had to evolve overnight. How did PlayTest NW change, and what does it look like today.

Beau Johnson with PlayTest NW took time to chat with NW NERD at a previous Washington State Summer Con. 
Theme music by The Hoot Hoots. 

You may know Alicia Marie from comic conventions where she is often a guest, but this cosplayer is more than meets the eye. Alicia Marie lives many lives: Cosplayer, fitness expert, social media influencer, advocate for the deaf community, author, and more. With so much going on, it's no wonder that some information has been stretched online. So we set the record straight by going to the source and learning about the many lives of Alicia Marie.

Cosplayer Alicia Marie took time to chat with NW NERD at Washington State Summer Con. 
Theme music by The Hoot Hoots. 
Cover: Cosplayer Alicia Marie visits NW NERD's podcast lounge at Washington State Summer Con. 

Ming Chen spends a lot of time on the road, traveling to different pop culture conventions as a guest and a host. In doing so, he has become familiar with many cities across the USA, getting to know the local restaurants, cafes, dive bars, and more. When he is visiting the Northwest (Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Puyallup), he has a few spots he always returns to. In this episode, Ming discusses his favorite hang outs in the region. This is Ming Chen's bars and bites guide to the NW.

(This episode includes unbleeped naughty words and discussion of mature topics)

Ming Check spoke with NW NERD at a previous Washington State Summer Con. 
Theme music by The Hoot Hoots. 
Cover: Ming Chen and Dyer Oxley visit Bob's Java Jive in Tacoma, Wash. 

How to describe Captain Slinky? Well, for starters, he makes these lamps. They're one-of-a-kind and you just have to see them to believe them. They certainly fit in at an event called "The Oddmall." Captain Slinky took the helm of The Oddmall in Washington and has been featuring crafters and vendors that don't always fit in at your generic craft fair. Here, you will find the weirdness that defines the Northwest, and more. Think of it like the best of the DIY vendors at a comic con. 

Also: Random Fandom with Nathan O'Brien. Nathan founded Spokane's Lilac City Comic Con. He sat down to chat about a couple modern renditions of old fandoms that he really got into. 

NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoots. Other music in this episode is "Humm OK," by Gable. 

Cosplay is not just about crafting screen-accurate costumes for Rogues Gallery Cosplay. It's also about fitness.  NW NERD presents a feature profile on this Northwest couple who builds their attire along with their bodies.

This feature is an audio version of a profile on Rogues Gallery Cosplay published in the first edition of NW NERD Magazine. Find a digital copy of the magazine here.


Cover photo by Dave Gallagher
NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoot Hoots.
Music in this episode:
"The City Wakes Up" by Jonas Hipper
"Acid Jazz" by Kevin MacLeod

Cosplayer Ani-Mia has taken her cosplay to new heights as a writer who has been featured in Otaku Magazine and Cosplay Central. She didn't let her passions end there and also penned a series of comics for Dynamite's Betty Page series. But these stories may not be what you would assume. 

Also in this episode: Random Fandom with Comic Dad Andrew. Andrew reaches back into his childhood memories to reminisce about a little-known 1980s TV show. 

NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoot Hoots. Other music in this episode is"Humm OK," by Gable. Interviews with Ani-Mia and Comic Dad Andrew were recorded at Washington Summer Con. 

Do you have a comic book idea you want to see in print?
Woody Arnold is a DIY, indie comic creator who has navigated the tricky world of self publishing. He has had to adapt to many challenges, which he hasn't let stop his current project,  Cybersymbiosis.  Woody is taking Cybersymbiosis to a whole new level with his latest Kickstarter effort. Check that out here. 

Also, a new segment debuts on NW NERD: Random Fandom. We all have some piece of pop culture we hold dear — perhaps something that has been lost to time, salvaged mostly in our memories, or maybe it’s a guilty pleasure, something folks wouldn’t assume you love. Whatever it is, NW NERD is collecting these treasures in a segment called "Random Fandom." Random because of the pop culture discussed, or the people discussing it. 

Beverly Downen wears many hats ... or helmets, horns ... and crowns? She's a cosplayer, competitor, judge, and now an author!

You may know Beverly as a skilled cosplayer who crafts impressive costumes for the Northwest's many comic cons. You may know her from competitions she has participated in or judged. You may know her from the SheProp! community (celebrating female, non-binary, and transgender cosplayers). Pretty soon, you will know Beverly as an author. Her new book, "Cosplayer's Ultimate Guide to EVA Foam," is on pre-order (as of the publishing of this episode), and is slated to be released on November 25. 

Beverly sits down with NW NERD to discuss how she got into cosplay in the first place, her work as a cosplayer and in the SheProp! community, and her new book. 

The Hero Initiative is a federally recognized non profit with a simple mission – help comic creators in need. It's been around nearly 20 years and during that time it has distributed more than $1 million to such comic creators. But what does helping "comic creators in need" mean anyway? We're pulling in Cullen Stapleton, Hero Initiative's volunteer in the Pacific Northwest. He gives us an up-close look at what this non-profit does and what kind of help our cherished comic creators need. And while we're at it, we get a primer on Rose City Comic Con's upcoming Drink and Draw After Party, presented by Dark Horse Comics. For more details and tickets, check out Rose City Comic Con's website. 

A chat with actor Russell Hodgkinson of "Z Nation" fame. The actor discusses the film scene in Spokane, whether or not he should shave his beard, projects he's working on, cats, and gardening ... and more. This interview was recorded at Spokane's Lilac City Comic Con.

And check out the first time Russell spoke with NW NERD. 

This episode is brought to you by Rose City Comic Con's Drink and Draw after party, presented by Dark Horse Comics. Drink and Draw is 8 p.m. on September 9, at the Spirit of '77. Proceeds go to support the Hero Initiative. Get your tickets now. 

Dyer has some big news to announce, and to explain it all ... this episode is going to get a little weird. Egypt Archie from the Comic Dads and Joel the Geek take over the podcast to press Dyer about what NW NERD has been up to, why did it go on hiatus, what will the podcast be like now ... and what's the deal with this magazine?!

That's right, NW NERD has made a magazine that is now showing up at geek hangouts across the Northwest, from Portland to Spokane, Seattle to Bellingham. Digital copies are available at nw-nerd.com. This is a magazine for us - the geeks, cinephiles, gamers, cosplayers, comic collectors, pop culture aficionados and more. If you know that Han shot first, or have a favorite Star Trek captain, or dream about roaming Middle Earth or outer space in the Bebop, this magazine is for you.

And by the way, this podcast episode is brought to you by Rose City Comic Con's Drink and Draw after party, presented by Dark Horse Comics. Grab your tickets now. Comic artists will draw alongside you as you settle in for a night of hilarity and artistry. There will be prizes. And it's all for a good cause - The Hero Initiative. 

NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoot Hoots. This episode also features "Humm OK" by Gable.