Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries

4Kids Entertainment: The Early Years

In this episode of 'Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries, hosts Austin and Brenda explore the origins and the early years of 4Kids Entertainment.

Journey into Imagination, Disney's Forgotten Dark Ride

This episode of SHONM delves into the history of Epcot’s beloved "Journey into Imagination" ride and its mascot, Figment the dragon. Host Brenda discusses the ride's origins, its intricate design by Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter, and how it became a fan favorite...only to be gone a decade later.  

The Yu-Gi-Oh Card Game

Hosts Austin and Brenda delve into the fascinating history of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game. They discuss the origins of Yu-Gi-Oh! as a manga by Kazuki Takahashi and its evolution into a globally popular card game. This episode also covers notable events such as a 1999 riot in Tokyo during a promotional event for the game, Konami's strategic planning, and how the video game laid the foundation for the card game's rules. The hosts discuss Yu-Gi-Oh!’s reception in the U.S., its impact on popular culture, and its standing as one of the top-selling card games globally.

Did McGruff the Crime Dog Really Take a Bite out of Crime?

In the 60's and 70's, violent crime rates were an all-time high in the United States.  Can a trenchcoat-wearing bloodhound find a way to empower the people and "take a bite out of crime"?

A Brief History of Queer Christmas Movies

In this year's Christmas special Host Austin details the history of queer Christmas films.