The Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits

Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes back for a wide-ranging look at a year filled with memorable shows and standout conversations. Jim talks about recent concerts that left an impression, including a night with Evan Dando and a still-amazing performance from Paul McCartney. The discussion expands into Jim’s personal highlights from 2025, touching on favorite interviews, albums, and live moments that defined the year in music. They also pause to remember the legacy of Steve Cropper, reflecting on his influence and why his work continues to matter. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to catch up on life and mark National Stretching Day, which quickly turns into a relaxed, personal chat. Esma also shares her enthusiasm for a Netflix documentary about the legendary Juan Gabriel, celebrating his impact and enduring place in music history. [Ep 415]

Nick welcomes Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg back for a packed conversation that jumps from recent SNL episodes to the new documentary “Breakdown: 1975,” along with a thoughtful look at the long, influential career of Rob Reiner. Dan also unveils his picks for the Best Television of 2025, spotlighting standouts like “The Lowdown,” “Andor,” “Pluribus,” “Adolescence,” and several others that made the year feel unusually strong for TV. The show closes with pure chaos as British bon vivant and game show impresario Slap Slapply makes his triumphant return. Nick and Esmeralda Leon square off in another round of wildly unpredictable trivia, trading correct answers, bad guesses, and plenty of mock outrage. It’s loud, competitive, and exactly the kind of madness Slap was built for, making it a fitting way to wrap up the year. [Ep 414]

Nick teams up with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for an expanded round of movie talk as the year end release rush hits full speed. They dig into a packed slate that includes the newest chapter in James Cameron’s Avatar saga, Timothée Chalamet’s latest turn in Marty Supreme, and Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson fronting a Neil Diamond tribute band in Song Sung Blue. The conversation also covers Will Arnett as a down-on-his-luck stand-up comic in Is This Thing On?, Sydney Sweeney in The Housemaid, and the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent, with a few more titles folded in along the way. With so many major releases landing at once, the discussion stretches out and takes its time, offering thoughtful reactions and plenty of back and forth between three longtime critics who know each other’s tastes well. Esmeralda sits this one out, but the movie talk more than fills the space as the holiday film season kicks into high gear. [Ep 413]

Nick welcomes writer Marnie Shure for a wide-ranging conversation that blends upcoming live storytelling, food obsession, and a touch of seasonal chaos. Marnie talks about the next Mortified show coming in February, then dives into holiday food talk with authority, covering the best cranberry sauces on the shelf, what actually makes a great grilled cheese, and a gift guide packed with standout Chicago food finds. She also delivers her monthly Horror Report, complete with stories from her recent visit to Halloween Horror Nights. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a tour of truly bizarre Christmas traditions from around the world. Iceland’s terrifying Yule Cat gets its due, Venezuelans roll to church on skates, and Krampus lurks right on schedule. Esma also shares a personal holiday revelation from her childhood, where Santa never showed up, but Jesus very much did. The mix of food, folklore, and personal stories keeps things funny, strange, and perfectly on brand for the season. [Ep 412]

Nick welcomes Axios Chicago’s Monica Eng for a rundown of the stories she has been digging into lately, starting with the city budget and the complicated process required to get it passed. She also highlights a handful of terrific local gift shops for holiday shopping, the recent WBEZ power outage, and new data on CPS college enrollment. The conversation gets delightfully seasonal with a defense of pickled herring and a story about how Monica managed to get snowy bike lanes plowed through sheer persistence. Esmeralda Leon joins Nick afterward to catch up on life and mark National Stretching Day with the kind of chat that makes even basic self-care sound like a group project. She also shares her enthusiasm for a standout Netflix documentary on the legendary Mexican singer Juan Gabriel, a recommendation that quickly becomes its own mini conversation. [Ep 411]

Nick brings Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg back for a fresh round of TV talk, starting with the latest SNL episodes and the unexpected charm of “Pluribus.” Dan runs through his newest reviews, including the Netflix western “The Abandons” with Gillian Anderson and the HBO Max hockey drama and love story “Heated Rivalry,” and he offers an early look at the wonderfully unhinged HBO comedy special “Sarah Squirm: Live + In The Flesh.” They also size up the newly announced 2025 Golden Globe nominations across TV and film. Esmeralda Leon joins Nick afterward for a gleefully odd detour into the history of radiators and how these clunky metal giants actually heat a home. That leads to stories about terrible landlords, the misery of board meetings, and even a memorable Tom Skilling moment that sneaks in before the laughter dies down. [Ep 410]

Nick brings film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back for a run through several major new releases, including James L. Brooks’ comedy drama “Ella McCay,” the animated sequel “Zootopia 2,” the latest “Knives Out” mystery “Wake Up Dead Man,” and the follow up to the video game horror hit “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.” Their conversation moves quickly, mixing sharp reactions with the kind of easy back and forth that comes from years of arguing about movies together. Esmeralda Leon joins Nick later for a round of holiday chatter, which turns into a story about a South Side spot that sells great Christmas trees and also lets you recycle them by feeding them to a herd of very enthusiastic goats. That leads to a tour of strange Christmas trees from around the world, including one built entirely from full bottles of Heineken. The holiday spirit takes on some unusual shapes, and Nick and Esma have plenty of fun with it. [Ep 409]

Nick brings back Consumerman Herb Weisbaum for a fresh round of listener questions and a rundown of holiday-season consumer traps. They dig into how many so-called sale prices are nothing more than fake markdowns, take a look at toys that raise safety flags, and walk through Herb’s practical shopping tips that actually matter heading into the 2025 rush. Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive jumps in next with updates from the road, including the newest vehicles he has been test-driving and standout moments from the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show. Jeep shows off some eye-catching concepts, and the conversation drifts into memorable vintage car ads like the 1977 Pontiac Can Am and the 1983 Chrysler Fifth Avenue with its Miss Universe tie-in. The show wraps with another round of Starspotter and Mystery Show, keeping the mix of nostalgia, automotive fun, and consumer savvy rolling through the end. [Ep 408]

Nick welcomes back the always delightful Stephen Tobolowsky, who slips right into the conversation like he never left. They trade memories about the moviegoing rituals they shared as kids, revisit his early film work on “Josh and Sam,” and dig into the unforgettable day he performed on Broadway for a group of Hispanic schoolchildren who had never seen a play before, complete with Buck Henry running a post-show Q&A. Tobo also talks about the projects he has coming up on both the big and small screens. Esmeralda Leon later joins Nick for a round of Black Friday horror tales that feel equal parts shocking and strangely familiar. There’s a sucker punch at Sears, a kid left behind at K-Mart, and even a customer who stepped over a dying person to grab a bargain at Target. Holiday cheer takes many forms, apparently. [Ep 407]

Nick shares more about the celebrations planned for his new book, “40 Years, 40 Films,” and how listeners can snag copies before the holidays. TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter drops by with sharp takes on recent SNL episodes, the Eddie Murphy documentary “Being Eddie,” the newest season of “A Man in the Inside,” and reviews of “The Beast in Me,” “The Assassin,” and the Susan Powter documentary, along with a quick look at what’s coming in the new season of “Stranger Things.” Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a lively chat about cooking, holiday dishes, kitchen chaos, and the pressure of pulling off ambitious menus without sabotaging the turkey. [Ep 406]

Nick is joined once again by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for another round of movie talk and box office breakdowns. They look at the sluggish November numbers and review several new releases, including “Rental Family” starring Brendan Fraser, the long-awaited sequel to “Wicked,” George Clooney’s tense drama “Jay Kelly,” and the over-the-top action spectacle “Sisu: Road to Revenge.” Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to spread the word about an upcoming holiday food drive on Chicago’s northwest side. The two then dive into some more pop culture nostalgia with Bond movies, spooky 90s TV classics like “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” and “Eerie, Indiana,” and plenty of laughs along the way. [Ep 405]

Nick welcomes Nell Minow, The Movie Mom, back to the show for a lively mix of politics, pop culture, and film talk. They break down the latest political headlines from D.C., including reactions to the recent elections and Elon Musk’s absurd pay package, before diving into Nell’s brand-new book, Low Information. Nell also shares insights from her interview with the composer of the new “Knives Out” movie, her article celebrating the 50th anniversary of Siskel & Ebert, and her thoughts on a slate of current releases. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for another nostalgic pop culture deep dive — from Bond movies and a bizarre “Suddenly Susan” episode featuring Warren Zevon, to some truly forgotten relics of 90s TV like Northern Exposure, Two of a Kind, The Sifl and Olly Show, and the inexplicable MacGruder & Loud. [Ep 404]

Music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes.com returns to talk tunes, tours, and rock history with Nick. They recap highlights from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, dig into a new book about Pearl Jam, and catch up on the latest music news. Jim also reviews a few standout live shows, including Howl Owl Howl, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band at the Arcada Theatre, and Bryan Adams & Pat Benatar rocking the Allstate Arena. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for another wild round of ‘80s & ‘90s Trivia Madness, hosted by everyone’s favorite British bon vivant Slap Slapply, who brings chaos, charm, and a few new ridiculous questions from across time and space. [Ep 403]

Nick welcomes Dan Fienberg, TV critic for The Hollywood Reporter, back to the podcast for another round of sharp television talk. They dive into the most recent Saturday Night Live episodes and the latest TV news before Dan reviews several new releases, including Vince Gilligan’s sci-fi comedy “Pluribus” starring Rhea Seehorn, Emma Thompson’s mystery “Down Cemetery Road,” Netflix’s tense thriller “Death By Lightning” featuring Michael Shannon, and Ken Burns’ sweeping new documentary on the American Revolution. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to discuss James Bond films and her volunteer work with Nourishing Hope, a Chicago-based organization providing food, mental health counseling, and other essential services for people in need. They also talk about the strain caused by the ongoing SNAP program disruptions during the government shutdown and how listeners can help support the effort. It’s a thoughtful mix of pop culture, compassion, and classic Nick & Esma chemistry.[Ep 401]

Nick is joined once again by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for another round of sharp movie talk and box office insight. They review a packed slate of new releases, including Guillermo del Toro’s bold new take on “Frankenstein,” the latest entry in the “Predator” saga, the Sydney Sweeney boxing biopic “Christy,” and Jennifer Lawrence’s gripping psychological drama “Die My Love.” Later, Esmeralda Leon returns to share stories from the David Byrne concert she just attended — a wild, inspiring spectacle only Byrne could deliver. From there, she and Nick take a nostalgic detour through some of the weirdest, most obscure TV shows of the 1990s, like “Out of This World,” “Unhappily Ever After,” “Teen Angel,” and the unforgettable musical police drama “Cop Rock.” It’s movies, music, and misfit television — all in one hilarious, high-energy episode. [Ep 401]

It’s another “For The People” episode, as Nick welcomes The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org, to break down the latest consumer news and scams you need to know about. Herb explains why cryptocurrency remains a high-risk gamble, how long-term car loans can quietly drain your wallet, and the growing problem of fake loan approval robocalls targeting unsuspecting borrowers. Then, Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive joins the show to talk about tariffs, EV developments, and auto industry layoffs. They also dive into the bizarre world of new Lexus van designs, discuss the end of Apple CarPlay, and revisit two unforgettable vintage car ads — the “magic” power steering of the 1952 DeSoto and the shockingly seductive 1978 Gremlin. Finally, Nick and Tom wrap things up with another fun round of #StarSpotter and #MysteryShow. [Ep 400]

Nick kicks things off with some exciting news about his brand-new book, “40 YEARS, 40 FILMS,” available from Eckhartz Press. Then he welcomes Monica Eng from Axios Chicago to discuss local stories like the 100-mile border rule, the Gregory Bovino hearing and its surprising outcome, and why grocery store tacos deserve way more respect. They also debate Chicago’s greatest hometown celebrities before turning to a heartfelt tribute to their late friend Tony Fitzpatrick. Monica shares moving stories and plays touching audio from her final hospital visit with Tony — wise, funny, and beautiful words from a true Chicago original. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a spirited Halloween celebration, revisiting some of the most iconic costumes through the decades and sharing laughs over Nick’s favorite horror movies of all time. It’s heartfelt, funny, spooky, and full of Chicago soul. [Ep 399]

Nick welcomes TV critic Dan Fienberg back to the podcast for another round of smart, funny, and slightly unhinged TV talk. The two cover everything from Dan’s unwavering loyalty to The Simpsons to his unapologetic dislike of Seinfeld, plus a look at the latest SNL hosted by Sabrina Carpenter. Dan also reviews several new shows, including the Stephen King prequel miniseries “It: Welcome to Derry,” the cringe-comedy “The Chair Company” from Tim Robinson, and the unexpectedly gripping true-crime series “Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy.” Then Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to dissect one of Hollywood’s biggest misfires, “Wild, Wild West,” before diving into a celebration of cinema’s most delightfully eccentric performers — Christopher Walken, Crispin Glover, Sean Young, Willem Dafoe, Malcolm McDowell, and the incomparable Tilda Swinton. [Ep 398]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for a special extended edition of their movie review segment, packed with more films than ever. The trio dives into an eclectic lineup of new releases, including Emma Stone’s wild new odyssey “Bugonia,” the Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me from Nowhere,” George Romero’s daughter’s zombie comedy “Queens of the Dead,” and Kathryn Bigelow’s explosive thriller “A House of Dynamite.” They also review “The Mastermind,” “Regretting You,” and plenty more fresh titles hitting theaters. The conversation then shifts to the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, as Erik and Steve share highlights and reactions from the event. They cover festival favorites like “Dead Man’s Wire,” “We Are Pat,” “Rental Family,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” and “One Golden Summer.” With Esmeralda Leon off this week, Nick and the critics go full film nerd — from blockbusters to indie gems — in a jam-packed, movie-lover’s dream episode. [Ep 397]

Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes.com back to the show for a deep dive into music, madness, and metal. They preview this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and trade stories from Jim’s recent interviews with legends like Rob Halford of Judas Priest — including Halford’s hilarious tale about the best massage he’s ever had in Chicago’s Boys Town — plus Marky Ramone, Emo Phillips, and the chaotic geniuses of GWAR. Jim also recaps Riot Fest, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, and more, while he and Nick swap some wild and heartfelt Shane MacGowan memories. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to break down Hollywood’s strangest casting choices, from Angelina Jolie somehow playing Colin Farrell’s mother to Tom Cruise trying to fill the massive boots of Jack Reacher. Turns out, suspension of disbelief only stretches so far. [Ep 396]