Happy To Be Here - podcast cover

Happy To Be Here

Greta Johnsenart19.com

Happy To Be Here is a new interview podcast for the recovering perfectionist and the perpetually curious, full of conversations that make you feel right at home and allow you to learn a little bit about almost anything.


Host Greta Johnsen (formerly of Nerdette) invites you to meet  journalists, chefs, authors, and all kinds of excellent humans who will delight and inspire you. Packed with recommendations for stuff to eat, read, watch, and enjoy, this show is great for helping you make sure you actually take it easy this weekend, wherever you might happen to be.

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Episodes

#11 BONUS Game of Thrones Recap w/ Peter Sagal (S5E10)

Listener Q&A about the finale of Game of Thrones from our live event at plus a follow up conversation about all the things that happened in Winterfell because, um, there were technical difficulties at Cards Against Humanity HQ. http://nerdettepodcast.com/listen See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 19, 201544 min

Sex from Scratch, the history of birth control, and homework from Dan Savage

Sarah Mirk couldn't find a helpful relationship how-to, so she wrote her own. We highlight two women who helped make oral birth control a reality, and there's homework from Dan Savage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jun 18, 201528 min

#10: Game of Thrones Recaps w/Peter Sagal (S5E10)

Recap of “Mother’s Mercy,” the season 5 finale of Game of Thrones: in which we discuss who is actually dead, who is in trouble, who we couldn’t care less about, and what to read/watch while we wait for season 6. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 16, 201555 min

Erik Larson on journalling, fatalism, and time travel

Erik Larson, who brings history to life in his nonfiction, discusses how he documents his own life, how he makes his own luck, and where he'd go if he had a TARDIS. Plus, how the bicycle informed feminism and some transatlantic homework. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jun 11, 201526 min

#09: Game of Thrones Recaps w/Peter Sagal (S5E9)

Season 5, Episode 9, The Dance of Dragons: In which we confirm that Stannis is the worst, compare Arya’s new job to the tamale guy, and predict who will die in the season finale. wbez.org/nerdetterecaps See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 08, 201556 min

Inside the weird world of Welcome to Night Vale

We talk to the creators and cast of Night Vale, a bizarre and beloved fictional podcast, about the extreme enthusiasm of their fans and taking the show on the road. Then we get to know trans women who made history in the fight for LGBT equality. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jun 05, 201537 min

#08: Game of Thrones Recap w/Peter Sagal (S5E8)

Recap of Season 5, Episode 8, “Hardhome.” In which we delight in the interactions between Tyrion and Dany, wonder what’s next for Cersei, and realize none of it actually matters because white walkers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jun 01, 201553 min

Neil DeGrasse Tyson! Andy Weir! Space, pop culture and physics!

Neil DeGrasse Tyson explains how pop culture fits into his plan to inundate us with a love of science. Andy Weir, author of The Martian, talks about his nerdy origin and what makes good sci fi believable. We remember the first professional female astronomer Maria Mitchell, and there's a nerd confession from BJ Leiderman. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

May 29, 201532 min

Nuclear Engineer J'Tia Taylor on mixing hard science and pop culture

J'Tia Taylor was labeled a 'mad scientist' on Survivor. But her real passion? Using her PhD in nuclear engineering to work on nonproliferation at Argonne National Laboratory. We talk about the intersection of pop culture and hard science. And ahead of Memorial Day, we get to know Rosie the Riveter. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

May 21, 201532 min

#06: Game of Thrones Recap w/ Peter Sagal (S5E6)

Recap of Season 5, Episode 6, Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken. We lament the treatment of Sansa, scoff at the swashbuckling in Dorne and shower praise on Lady Olenna. We also address some listener questions. http://wbez.org/nerdetterecaps See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 18, 201547 min

Mike Pesca on sports, musicals, and being nonplussed

Mike Pesca, host of The Gist, compartmentalizes sports nerderies, discusses the value of Bachman Turner Overdrive, and lets us in on a Twitter-related secret. Plus, we remember Jackie Mitchell, the woman who stuck out Babe Ruth, and there’s quite a romantic nerd confession. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

May 15, 201537 min

#05: Game of Thrones Recap w/Peter Sagal (S5E5)

Recap of Season 5, Episode 5, Kill The Boy: In which we discuss who lived and who died since last week's clashes, explore the rocky emotional terrian that is Ramsay Bolton's past, and respond to some listener questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

May 11, 201544 min

Kate Mulgrew, from Star Trek captain to kitchen overlord

Kate Mulgrew, also known as Captain Janeway from Star Trek Voyager, talks about her new memoir, life behind the big screen and what it's like to be Red in the Netflix hit Orange is the New Black. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

May 07, 201529 min

#03: Game of Thrones recap w/ Peter Sagal (S5E3)

Recap of Season 5, Episode 3, High Sparrow: In which we praise the young Starks and express concern about these Sparrow fellows. And Peter laments the show's baldist attitudes. http://wbez.org/nerdetterecaps See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 27, 201548 min

#02: Game of Thrones recaps w/ Peter Sagal (S5E2)

Recap of Season 5, Episode 2, The House of Black and White: In which we praise the evolution of Sansa Stark, discuss the allure of Podrick Payne, and lament the utter boringness of Dorne. http://wbez.org/nerdetterecaps See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 20, 201541 min

#01: Game of Thrones recaps w/ Peter Sagal (S5E1)

LET SEASON FIVE COMMENCE! Recap of Season 5, Episode 1, The Wars to Come: in which we discuss where everyone is and what they're up to, pep talks and flashbacks included. Tricia references The West Wing, Peter finds some Hemingway hiddenin the script, and Greta says dragons are boring. Then, we lament our least favorite parts of the series so far. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 13, 201548 min

Prologue: Game of Thrones recaps w/ Peter Sagal

Game of Thrones recaps from Peter Sagal, host of Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!, and the hosts of Nerdette. This week, a prologue to season five of the HBO show. Why the world needs another GoT recap podcast, who GRRM is, and what we love about the lore. SPOILERS ARE COMING. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 06, 201544 min

Adafruit's Becky Stern, Breakfast Club remake and a big announcement

Becky Stern, the queen of wearable technology, tells us about making mischief with computery crafts. The Breakfast Club’s John Kapelos gives homework and we’ve got a big announcement for fans of Peter Sagal and/or Game of Thrones. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Mar 31, 201532 min

Author Reif Larsen, homework from The Best Show and Nazila Fathi

Homework this week comes from Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster of The Best Show. We talk with author Reif Larsen about ambiguity, unfinished lists, and the divine futility of making art. And Iranian journalist Nazila Fathi helps us get to know a Great Lady Nerd of History. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

Mar 24, 201521 min

Live at Adler Planetarium: Pi Day!

It's a space nerd extravaganza! Astronomers and scientists from Adler Planetarium talked with us in front of a live audience as part a Pi Day celebration. And you're really going to want to hear these nerd confessions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Mar 17, 201530 min

The race to build a super battery, Broad City's musical mind and Girl Scouts' origin story

Author Steve LeVine tells us about the motley crew of scientists on a quest to build a world-changing super battery. Get to know Hot Sugar, the musical maverick from Comedy Central's Broad City. And hear the origin story of Girl Scouts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Mar 10, 201528 min

Comedian Maz Jobrani and when Helen Keller met her 'Miracle Worker'

Maz Jobrani​ explains why he stopped taking terrorist TV parts but agreed to play Jafar, then shares insights on everything from telling jokes in Middle East to getting his kids to sleep. We travel back in time to the moment when Helen Keller met 'Miracle Worker' Anne Sullivan. Oh, and there's a faaaaabulous X-Files nerd confession. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

Mar 04, 201527 min

Boozy botany and the story of Marian Anderson

'Drunken Botanist' author Amy Stewart on the glorious tradition of turning plants into alcohol. Delicious homework from a winery sherpa and cider nerd. And we celebrate civil rights icon and opera singer Marian Anderson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Feb 24, 201527 min

Director Richard Linklater and Ferguson Librarian Scott Bonner

Richard Linklater explains why it took 12 years to make his new film Boyhood. Scott Bonner, who runs the Public Library in Ferguson, Mo., talks about how he made the library a safe space. We remember Great Lady Nerd of History Audre Lorde. And there's a real nerdy Oscars nerd confession. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 17, 201523 min

Melody Kramer's open-source life, singing civil rights and a geek's guide to dating

We talk to Melody Kramer, a public media oracle and digital brainiac who's taking her open-source ethos to the federal government. Beyonce singing her civil rights at the Grammys inspired us to get to know the political performers like Nina Simone who came before her. Plus dating tips for geeks by geeks. And your nerd confessions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

Feb 10, 201529 min

Scott McCloud on comics, Elizabeth Blackwell's backstory and librarian nerd confessions

Scott McCloud creates stunning graphic novels and he's written the definitive text on why comics deserve more respect. We get the backstory of Elizabeth Blackwell, America's first female doctor. Plus a special nerd confession collected at the ALA's conference. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

Feb 03, 201532 min

Miranda July on writing books, living clumsily, and meditation

Miranda July talks about her new book, what it was like to make the Somebody App, and the overarching theme of her work: coming together clumsily. Plus, remembering Great Lady Nerd of History Bessie Coleman and a Shakespearean nerd confession. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jan 27, 201526 min

Astronaut and NOAA head Kathy Sullivan, Indira Gandhi's legacy and beating the winter blahs

We talk to the first U.S. woman to walk in space: Kathy Sullivan. Now she's in charge of NOAA and leads research on everything from the bottom of the ocean to the surface of the sun. We get to know Indira Gandhi on the anniversary of her election as Prime Minister of India. And we dig up a recipe for beating the winter blahs from Mike Royko. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....

Jan 20, 201526 min

Getting to know Invisibilia, Susan B. Anthony, and Vinyl Me Please

We're baaaack! We talk with Lulu Miller and Alix Spiegel, hosts of the new NPR show Invisibilia. Then we get to know Great Lady Nerd of History Susan B. Anthony, and the inspiration behind Vinyl Me Please...because everybody's a little nerdy about something. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 13, 201531 min

Roxane Gay on being a 'Bad Feminist'

Roxane Gay is the author of the fantastic book of essays 'Bad Feminist' and many of our favorite tweets. We discuss what it takes to keep fighting the good fight on social media when there is so much turmoil 24/7. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Dec 10, 201423 min
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