Contributors

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Host

James Bullough

James Bullough is a lifelong nerd with a deep love for fandoms of all kinds, ranging from video games and tabletop RPGs to fantasy novels and collectibles. As the host of The Nerd Nexus podcast, he explores the worlds of geekdom with engaging discussions, reviews, and creative storytelling. James enjoys diving into the intricacies of his favorite topics, sparking conversations that connect with fans of all ages.

Outside of podcasting, James works in HR technology, leveraging his skills in systems management and optimization to support businesses and their people. At home, he’s a proud husband and father of three young children, always finding ways to balance family life with his passion for nerdy pursuits.

Whether it’s discussing the latest in gaming, diving into the world-building of epic fantasy, or geeking out over collectibles, James brings his curiosity and enthusiasm to every episode, inviting listeners to celebrate the joys of fandom.

Guests

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Guest

Amy Hallett

 Amy Hallett is a proud mom, grandma, dog mom, snake mom, preschool teacher, toddler tamer, and baby whisperer. A two-time Honorary Citizen of Disneyland, she’s a fandom nerd with a passion for Disney, Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, LOTR, and more. Amy loves reading mystery, thriller, and true crime novels, and watching true crime TV (Forensic Files, Unsolved Mysteries). She enjoys all music genres, from opera to rap and rock. A lifelong supporter of the Performing Arts, Amy attended a performing arts high school and loves attending live theater. Her hobbies are as varied as scrapbooking, watercolor painting, calligraphy, embroidery, and cross-stitch. Amy collects Loungefly backpacks, Funko Pops, Disney pins, lanyards, and over 600 children's books. Her 30+ book TBR pile is always growing. Check out her husband Jonathan’s Disney-inspired artwork at StitchToons.com. 

https://StitchToons.com

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Ben Brown

Ben Brown is a modern-day wizard who weaves together illusion, innovation, and intellect. With a background in audiovisual production, live-streaming, and IT systems, Ben is as comfortable behind the camera as he is on stage. A seasoned performer and lifelong learner, he brings charisma and curiosity to everything he does — whether he’s conjuring a glass bottle from thin air, lighting his wallet on fire (on purpose), or navigating high-stakes contract negotiations like a Jedi.

When he’s not dazzling audiences with sleight of hand or tech-savvy insights, Ben’s diving deep into the psychology of communication, exploring tactical empathy, and putting Chris Voss-level techniques to work in real-world scenarios.

https://www.hirebenbrown.com

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Chellie Bowerman

 Chellie Bowerman is a lifelong nerd with a passion for storytelling, creativity, and all things fandom. Raised by Trekkies and shaped by a love of literature, she fully embraces her geeky side in every way—from attending anime and comic conventions to diving deep into manga, comics, and mythology. A dedicated cosplayer and an ever-curious learner, she’s always exploring new fandoms and expanding her interests. Some of her current favorites include Lore Olympus, Good Omens, and the anime DanDaDan. When she’s not lost in a book or a new obsession, you’ll find her indulging in classic literature, geeking out over Star Trek and Hellboy, or adventuring through The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon

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Claire Bullough

Claire Bullough is a devoted mother, wife, and “parishioner of fantasy worlds.” A proud Ravenclaw and casual chaotic baker, Claire is a fan of Sarah J. Maas’s “Maas-verse” and is steadily making her way through Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive.

Her love for storytelling began with her mom reading bedtime stories, from fairy tales to archaeological adventures. Growing up with Star Wars-obsessed younger brothers and countless Pod Race reenactments in the basement solidified her love for all things nerdy.

Claire also finds creative joy in journaling and shares her passion for books on her Bookstagram: @claireneedsreads. In Claire’s words: “I can never get enough of new stories or places!”

https://www.instagram.com/claireneedsreads?igsh=c2kxejB0dTFnYmJ1

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Dale Spaulding

Dale, formerly known as WriteOnDale, is the creative mind behind the TTRPG engine "Aeternal," which also serves as the name for his YouTube and Twitch channels. A passionate storyteller, Dale’s current obsession lies with tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), particularly D&D, and is excited to play the Cosmere RPG upon release.

Dale's love for nerdy pursuits began during theater class, where improv games taught him the magic of creating stories together. He’s thrilled to join this episode of The Nerd Nexus to explore how stories are told across different mediums and to dive into what gives a fandom its lasting appeal.

As Dale puts it: "The best stories can be consumed in a day, but discussed for ages."

You can support Dale’s creative endeavors through his https://ko-fi.com/aeternal

https://ko-fi.com/aeternal

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Josh Erickson

Josh Erickson is a true sports nerd in every sense of the term. Raised in Texas with Emmitt Smith as a childhood hero and the Mavs, Cowboys, and Rangers as his hometown squads, Josh has spent a lifetime obsessing over the game—from the little league fields to the group chat banter and the sacred traditions of playoff hockey. A flag football veteran, book lover, golf aficionado, and founding member of the legendary Homie Invitational, Josh brings a unique blend of humor, heart, and high-level sports knowledge. When he’s not yelling at the TV or educating his kids on proper sports allegiances, you’ll find him balancing fandom with faith, family, and a healthy disdain for all things orange and blue. 

https://www.instagram.com/thehomieinvitational?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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Marshall Bowerman

Marshall Bowerman is a self-proclaimed "nerd of all trades, expert on none," whose diverse interests span Legos, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, independent animation, video games, and comic book-based media. A true fan of time travel narratives, he loves exploring the many creative ways the concept has been interpreted over the years. Fluent in Portuguese and a participant in two Guinness World Records, Marshall brings unique experiences and perspectives to the nerd community. He’s also the creator of “Marshall’s Matters,” a brand encompassing his blog and YouTube channel, where he currently shares time-lapse Lego builds with plans to expand into broader content.

https://marshallsmatters.com/

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Richard Allred

Richard is an avid lover of RPGs, both in video game and tabletop form. He is a co-host on Plot Spackle, a podcast about fixing plot holes in cinema, as well as Lead Designer at Three Legged Crow, an indie ttrpg company currently working on Neon Vigil, a ghostpunk rpg.

https://www.plotspackle.com/

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Shane Adams

Shane Adams is a 3D printing enthusiast with a construction background and a passion for bringing fandoms to life—one layer at a time. His fascination with massive 3D-printed houses led to a hands-on hobby after seeing how custom-printed gadgets improved electrical work. Now, with three printers running nonstop, Shane creates everything from dragon bookends to cosplay props, proving the endless possibilities of 3D printing.


Beyond creativity, Shane values community and collaboration. His goal on The Nerd Nexus isn’t just to talk shop—he’s here to support fellow creators, knowing success comes from networking, sharing talents, and having a solid team of “Dudes” in your corner.


Check out Shane’s work:

🔗 Facebook
🛍️ PhatBoi3D on Etsy
🛍️ CarpooziCrafts on Etsy

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572885005786

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Taylor Jackson

Taylor Jackson is a school psychologist and lifelong fan of superheroes, science fiction, and fantasy. A devoted admirer of The Dark Knight, Taylor’s current passion lies with Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive—though the recent Superman trailer has him equally excited.

Taylor's love for all things nerdy began with Saturday morning cartoons like Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League, as well as time spent diving into the world of Batman video games.

He’s thrilled to join The Nerd Nexus to geek out about character-driven adventures and all things nerdy with friends. In Taylor’s own words he loves stories that, "Defy the odds on a character-driven adventure.”

While more of a content consumer than a creator, Taylor recently joined Fable, where he's been engaging in some of his recent book-based passions, such as Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive.

http://fable.co/taylor-jackson-181059703192

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Tyler Esmay

 Tyler Esmay is a self-proclaimed collector of hobbies, always diving into new interests and exploring nerd culture in all its forms. A lifelong reader, he can talk about books for hours—especially when it comes to sci-fi and fantasy. His passion for Star Wars runs deep, with a particular love for the old Expanded Universe, though he's always ready to debate the movies (especially his issues with the sequels). 


 Beyond books and Star Wars, Tyler enjoys board games, video games, and trading card games like Pokémon and Digimon. While he hasn't fully immersed himself in comics or conventions, he has dabbled in both—cosplaying at least once along the way. He’s also an anime and manga fan, though he wouldn’t call himself an expert. 


With a love for deep conversations and a broad spectrum of nerdy interests, Tyler brings enthusiasm and fun to any nerdy discussion!

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