Rum & Nerdy

This week, Greg and Garrick go full Rum Trek, bouncing from real-world travel to deep space and back again. Greg recaps his trip to Baltimore for the Building Museums Conference, sharing highlights, conversations, and a few takeaways from being in the room with industry leaders (even if technically… not in the room). From there, the guys wrap up their thoughts on the standout first season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, diving into what worked, what surprised them, and where the broader Star Trek franchise could be headed next. The conversation shifts gears with a look at Rush, their return to touring, and the addition of powerhouse drummer Anika Nilles, sparking a discussion on legacy bands, evolving lineups, and what keeps iconic music alive. To close things out, Greg and Garrick tee up what’s ahead for Rum & Nerdy—including upcoming guests, travel plans to Vegas and beyond, and what listeners can expect in the coming episodes. It’s another globe-trotting, galaxy-hopping, rhythm-driven episode—so pour a rum and engage.

Episode 6.10: Rum in 60 Seconds: This week Greg and Garrick attempt the impossible: keeping anything to 60 seconds. Spoiler alert… it doesn’t work. The conversation jumps from iconic cars in movies to films and documentaries centered on famous musicians, as Greg and Garrick talk about the recent wave of artist-focused movies hitting theaters and streaming. Along the way, the guys also discuss the upcoming return of the original Star Wars to theaters next year, and what it means for fans to experience the film on the big screen again. From there things shift into the business side of entertainment. Greg and Garrick break down the latest rumors and industry chatter around Paramount potentially acquiring Warner Bros., the growing trend of bundled streaming services, and how the media giants seem determined to recreate cable… but with more apps and fewer remotes. Finally, the episode wraps with a look at current events and headlines coming out of the Middle East, and how global events inevitably intersect with media, culture, and the entertainment industry. It’s another fast-moving, slightly chaotic, and thoroughly nerdy conversation with plenty of laughs along the way. Pour yourself a rum and try to keep up. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 6.09: Rum-Gyver: This week we channel our inner duct-tape-and-paperclip energy with Rum-Gyver, a throwback episode packed with stories that probably should have stayed buried. Garrick’s longtime friend Anthony joins us in studio, all the way from Garrick’s very first theme park job. The result? A wildly unfiltered walk down memory lane filled with Six Flags stories, questionable decisions, and the kind of chaos that only happens when underpaid theme park kids are left unsupervised. We dive into the weird social ecosystems of early park life, where friendships form fast, legends grow faster, and somehow people end up on “the list” for life. Along the way we revisit our musician buddy Tyson, swap stories that get progressively less reliable, and relive the kind of moments that only make sense if you were there… and maybe not even then. Fair warning: this is a long one. A slow, meandering, occasionally hilarious trek through nostalgia, bad memory recall, and just enough rum to keep things interesting. If you ever worked at a theme park, had a job that bonded you through shared trauma, or just enjoy watching us spiral into old stories, this one’s for you. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Rum & Nerdy – Episode 6.08: 11.22.6-Rum: This week we dive into 11.22.63 — the Stephen King time travel story that proves one very important rule: if you try to fix the past, the past will absolutely punch back. We watched it on Netflix, it technically belongs to Hulu, and either way it is peak King energy. Big ideas, emotional swings, and a very clear message that time is less of a river and more of a vindictive bouncer. From there, the conversation does what it always does and drifts into the wasteland. We talk Fallout season 2 hype, a few other shows currently orbiting the watch list, and how modern streaming has basically turned all of us into part-time content archaeologists. Greg also reports back from the Candlelight Concert Series featuring the music of Lord of the Rings, which turns out to be exactly what you think it is: beautiful, nostalgic, and just emotional enough to make you reconsider every life decision that did not involve becoming a ranger of the north. Time travel, nuked futures, Tolkien by candlelight, and the usual conversational chaos. Pour something strong and don’t step on any butterflies. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 6.07: RumPlane: Andy is back in the co-pilot seat this week as we talk travel, airports, delays, upgrades, and all the strange rituals that come with voluntarily hurling yourself through the sky in a metal tube. Naturally, the conversation quickly descends into references to Airplane! and the Zucker brothers’ particular brand of chaos. There may or may not be repeated jokes about “surely” and absolutely unnecessary dramatic readings of lines that still hold up disturbingly well. We also veer into 1980s SNL territory and make a few completely appropriate Monty Python detours, because once you start quoting absurd comedy, there is no responsible off-ramp. Fueling the discussion was more Brickyard Rum from our friend Mike in Australia, which continues to prove that international friendships are best measured in bottles. As usual, there were more laughs than structure, a few surprisingly thoughtful takes buried between punchlines, and the kind of conversational turbulence you have come to expect. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 6.06: Rum Trek: Nerdfleet Academy: This week we jump to warp and dig into Star Trek: Starfleet Academy on Paramount+, and spoiler alert—we actually like it. The show tackles some genuinely compelling sci-fi questions, especially how societies evolve over 800 years, with 130 of those in the post-Burn era. That long-view look at cultural reset, institutional memory, and rebuilding after collapse feels very Star Trek, and it’s where the series is at its strongest. That said… let’s talk about programmable matter. We get it. It’s clever. It’s flexible. It can turn into whatever the plot needs this week. And honestly? It’s kind of meh. When everything can become anything, the tech loses its magic—and sometimes its stakes. Give us constraints, buttons, levers, and blinking lights we can argue about. Not everything needs to be space Silly Putty. More importantly, we use this episode to speak up about something we’ve officially had enough of: toxic fandom. Criticism is fair. Debate is healthy. But harassment, review-bombing, and screaming that a franchise is “ruined” every time it tries something new? That’s not fandom—that’s just noise. Sci-fi is supposed to explore empathy, growth, and better futures… so maybe act like it. And while we’re here: bring back Star Wars: The Acolyte. Seriously. Snarky? Absolutely. But we’re dead serious about protecting the space for new stories to exist. Pour a rum, roll your eyes at programmable matter, and join us for a Trek-forward, no-nonsense episode of Rum & Nerdy. 🖖🥃 Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 6.05: Plus-RUM-bus: This week, the guys dive into Pluribus, the new series from Vince Gilligan starring the always-excellent Rhea Seehorn. We break down the premise, the vibes, the Gilligan fingerprints all over the storytelling—and ask the most important question of all: was this idea quietly lifted from Rick and Morty… or is that just our brains being terminally online? We talk character, tone, world-building, and why Rhea Seehorn continues to be one of the most compelling performers working today. There’s speculation, side-eye, enthusiastic praise, and just enough skepticism to keep things properly Rum & Nerdy. Is Pluribus brilliant? Familiar? Accidentally multiversal? Pour a drink and join us as we try to figure it out—because sometimes the fun isn’t knowing the answer… it’s arguing about it with friends. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 6.04 -The Rum: In this episode, the guys dive into The Rum, our totally intentional play on Netflix’s The Rip starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, because nothing pairs better with morally questionable characters than a solid pour and strong opinions. We break down the movie’s greatest achievement: making everyone look guilty… but somehow still likable. It’s a masterclass in “We think that person is absolutely guilty, but I’m still rooting for them,” and we unpack all those deliciously messy story beats along the way. Add in some surprisingly solid behind-the-scenes respect (including the stars going out of their way to protect the crew), and there’s more to talk about here than just cool guys doing cool-guy crimes. This is a high-energy, fast-moving episode with plenty of laughs, hot takes, side tangents, and the usual Rum & Nerdy chaos. Grab a drink, embrace the moral ambiguity, and join us for a really fun ride because if everyone’s guilty, no one’s innocent… and that’s half the fun. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 6.03: Rum World is a continuation from last week, because when you stumble into a fantastic bottle you don’t just move on like a responsible adult you pour another round and pretend it’s “continuity.” This week we keep sipping last episode’s rum, The Privateer Letter of Marque New England Single Cask / Florida Rum Society, and yes, it’s still excellent. Then we shift into Nerd Trivia mode, where Greg comes prepared with a suspicious amount of questions and Garrick is forced to defend his nerd credentials in real time. No pressure, buddy. Just your entire identity on the line. Expect rapid-fire trivia, questionable confidence, a few solid victories, a few brutal misses, and plenty of snark along the way. Grab a drink, play along, and see if you’d survive the gauntlet better than Garrick. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Rum and Nerdy Episode 6.02: Jurassic Rum is here, and we kick things off with an absolute winner The Privateer Letter of Marque New England Single Cask / Florida Rum Society. It was fantastic, and we spend some time digging into why it hit so well. From there, we wrap up the NFL regular season chaos Chiefs out, Green Bay in and talk through what that means heading into the next phase. Then we bounce through the usual Rum and Nerdy grab bag Greg is officially running out of LEGO display space, we talk new shows, home office setups, and the strangely satisfying world of displaying your NFL owner shares. Cheers, and welcome back to Season 6. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 6.01 - Stranger Nerdy: Happy New Year and welcome to Season 6 of Rum & Nerdy. We kick things off with a brand-new season intro from Demo Dave—and it is, without question, bad ass. From there, things take an immediate turn when Garrick absolutely tricks Greg into drinking Malört Egg Nog, a decision that will be remembered… and regretted. We then take some time to wrap up 2025, reflecting on the year behind us, the moments that defined it and icons we lost along the way. Naturally, we dive deep into the Stranger Things finale, breaking down the ending of a show that’s been part of our lives for nearly a decade. To close it out, we look forward to what 2026 has in store—new adventures, new projects, new travels, and whatever chaos we manage to create next. New year. New season. Questionable drinks. Same Rum & Nerdy energy. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Rum & Nerdy – Episode 5.48: The Queen Family Truckster: As 2025 starts rolling toward the garage, we pile everyone in for a holiday-fueled episode full of cheer, chaos, and just a little questionable decision-making—The Family Truckster style. This week we’re sipping on a Hemingway Daiquiri (sort of) while talking through our Christmas plans, favorite gifts, holiday recipes, and the seasonal art of binging… shows, food, and probably both at the same time. We reflect on traditions old and new, what makes the holidays feel like the holidays, and why snacks somehow taste better this time of year. We also share our experience getting to see the new Fragile Rock: A Space-y Adventure at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, because nothing says festive quite like space exploration, storytelling, and a little nerdy wonder mixed in with your end-of-year reflections. It’s a relaxed, laugh-heavy episode filled with tomfoolery, gratitude, and looking ahead. As 2025 comes to a close, we take time to celebrate our friends and family, appreciate the journey so far, and get excited about the adventures still waiting down the road. Hop in, buckle up, and don’t touch the radio. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

The Christmas countdown continues as the guys roll into Episode 5.47 with holiday vibes, end-of-season chaos, and early planning for the big Rum & Nerdy Weekend 2026. This week’s rum is Mamajuana Carbeno Premium Blend from the Dominican Republic—festive, herbal, and just questionable enough for December. Greg and Garrick also dive into a spoiler-free chat about Alien Earth on Hulu, because nothing says “holiday spirit” like existential sci-fi. All aboard the Pere Marquette 1225… next stop: Christmas and the end of Season 5! Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 5.46 - 1974 Ford Falcon XB Interceptor: This week the guys go full Aussie as they crack open two rums from The New Norfolk Distillery in Tasmania: Near Horizon Spiced and Project Furiosa. Greg and Garrick also dive into some Batch Espresso Martini—while absolutely roasting Garrick’s ongoing obsession with mushroom coffee. The chaos continues as they wrap up the episode debating NFL color commentator Tony Romo, his hot takes, and whether he’s predicting plays or just yelling excitedly into the void. It’s rum, nerdiness, caffeine, and confused sports commentary… so, basically, a normal week. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 5.45 – “1976 Pinto: This week, Rum & Nerdy gets back to doing what we do best: drinking rum and nerding out. We kick things off with an Australian import, Railyard Timboon Rum – a gift from our buddy Mike from the New Zealand road trip. It’s smooth, it’s surprising, and it definitely sparks some opinions. Then we shift gears into full Stranger Things mode. (Spoiler Alert!) We dive into Season 5, Episodes 1–4 and talk about how Stranger Things: The First Shadow has now been officially confirmed as canon. The play’s storyline fills in some major gaps and adds layers that change how the first half of the season hits. Consider this your warning: if you’re not caught up, pause the episode… or embrace the chaos. Rum, theories, plot connections, and one or two references that may cause your metaphorical Pinto to explode. Classic Rum & Nerdy. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 5.44.5 - IAAPA Live Day 5: We close out the week with Phil from Extreme Legacy, wrapping IAAPA 2025 in a haze of exhaustion, laughter, and questionable insights. It’s part therapy session, part recap, and part “how are we still standing?” If you’ve ever ended IAAPA with sore feet, a hoarse voice, and a pocket full of business cards you don’t remember collecting — this one’s for you. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 5.44.1 - IAAPA Live Day 4: Day Four finds us wading into the booth at Martin Aquatic, joined by Josh and Chris, who somehow make engineering sound sexy. We talk fountains, show water, and the occasional near-death plumbing experience. There’s splashing, laughing, and just enough professionalism to not void our exhibitor badges. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 5.44.3- IAAPA Live Day 3: Midweek, we wander into the digital deep end with Michael from World Builder and the crew from AWS. It’s all about cloud platforms, real-time worlds, and whether AI will eventually write this podcast better than we do. It’s equal parts innovation and procrastination, with a side of rum-fueled tech optimism. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 5.44.1 - IAAPA Live Day 2: Day Two takes us to the Themed Entertainment Association booth, where Greg and Garrick catch up with TEA staff and try (unsuccessfully) to act like responsible board members. Expect talk about collaboration, community, and the fine art of networking without accidentally starting rumors. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.

Episode 5.44.1 - IAAPA Live Day 1: IAAPA week kicks off with Greg, Garrick, and our favorite repeat offender, Scott, holding court at the Electronic Theatre Controls booth. It’s equal parts lighting tech, show control, and the kind of deep nerd talk that requires a warning label. There’s rum, there’s banter, and at least one person who definitely should’ve been working instead. Two rambling idiots—Greg and Garrick—bring you the *Rum & Nerdy Podcast*, a weekly dive into the world of nerd culture through the eyes of late 40s/early 50s dads who still can't get enough of their favorite movies, TV shows, and theme parks. With a deep love of all things nerdy and a shared passion for good rum, these two buddies mix laid-back humor, nostalgic memories, and plenty of laughs as they discuss everything from classic sci-fi to the latest pop culture trends.