Today's bonus content is an interview with the one and only Zach Valenti, star and co-producer of Wolf 359 (among many other things), who took on a cameo role as Merril in our last few episodes. This conversation was originally broadcast in May as part of Zach's ongoing "Self Care Sunday" livestream project. You can watch video of the interview here (Christian starts at right around hour 2), and subscribe to the channel at zach.live. Release of Chapter 3 is delayed slightly, for reasons explaine...
Aug 20, 2017•30 min
This episode is the audio from our latest #AskTOAFN, which we did as livestream. It's been cleaned up a little and lightly edited. And you can always watch the original, unedited and with the video right here. Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in with questions! We tried to at least acknowledge receipt of everything even if we didn't answer it, so if you believe you sent in a question and you didn't get any kind of a nod from us, let us know. If you won a book, we'll be in touch shortly. W...
Aug 07, 2017•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Today's bonus content is an interview with Tal M. Klein. His sci-fi novel THE PUNCH ESCROW - the film rights to which have already been purchased by Lionsgate -is available now, and he's touring indie book stores to promote it. If you'd like to be entered to win a copy of the book, tweet something using the hashtags #TOAFN and #GetPunched. And as a reminder, we'll be doing an #AskTOAFN livestream on Tuesday August 1 at 8pm Eastern. Stream will be posted at this link. We hope to see you there!...
Jul 30, 2017•43 min
In the harrowing conclusion of Chapter 2, Gwen shares what she's learned with Brennen and Bryce. And Arlene has some very difficult questions to answer. The script for this episode can be downloaded here. As this is the end of this chapter, it's time for you to send in your #AskTOAFN questions to be answered on the air in a couple weeks. You can submit your questions anytime before 11:59pm Eastern time on July 28, through Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Tumblr, or Patreon, either with a DM or by usin...
Jul 23, 2017•23 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Having had some time to cool off, some of our party takes steps towards reconciling. But Brennen is still struggling, and seeks the guidance of Bryce Riverfell, before the two are interrupted by an unexpected guest. Yllowyyn grins and bears his new traveling companion(s). And back at the Horse's Head Inn, Arlene makes a new...friend? But she'll have to reckon with an unexpected guest of her own. The script for this episode can be found here. The pulse-pounding conclusion of this chapter will be ...
Jul 09, 2017•28 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Having been all but kicked out of his parents' house, Yllowyyn finds several unlikely allies and adversaries in his familial conflicts. Meanwhile, the Kids consider how to make the best of the turmoil in their camp. But things seem especially gloomy for Nia and Brennen. And elsewhere in the realm, Arden the Annihilator - legendary hero of antiquity - returns to the field of battle for the first time in millennia. The script for this episode can be found here. Our next episode will be released on...
Jun 25, 2017•26 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Billy, Nelson, and Nia attempt to parse Regan's revelations through the varied lenses of their unique lives. Meanwhile, Regan reacts very poorly to needing to be cared for. And Yllowyyn returns with what he's heard to the White Forest - and to his parents, who attempt to set straight the prodigal son. The script for this episode can be downloaded here. Our next episode will be released on June 25. We hope you'll join us then. And in case you didn't see it on our other social media, we've added a...
Jun 11, 2017•28 min•Season 2Ep. 6
As the shockwaves of Regan's revelations ripple through the party, Yllowyyn feels less welcome than ever. Ry'y lo-Th'yyt discovers a loose thread in urgent need of snipping. And Brennen is given an ultimatum. The script for this episode can be downloaded here. Part Two of this chapter will be released on June 11. We hope you'll join us then! And finally, the artist D.N. Frost, who designed our official map of the Human Realms of Iorden, has just released her new guide on "How To Make Fantasy Map...
May 28, 2017•25 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in for our first #AskTOAFN of Book 2! We answered as many questions as we could. If yours didn't get answered, we hope you'll try again next time. And let us know if you enjoy this episode and whether we should keep doing this. Cool stuff mentioned in this episode: Our revamped merchandise page is now live! Listen to Greg (voice of Yllowyyn) on the Left Trigger Right Trigger podcast, and in his band Duckspeak, who have a new EP out. Wil Williams writes pod...
May 07, 2017•51 min•Season 2Ep. 4
It's the dramatic conclusion of Book 2, Chapter 1. At the Horse's Head Inn, Arlene and Gwen Anna and Gayle reluctantly make plans regarding their newfound ward. In an ice cave in the south seas, Renault the "nice" necromancer meets a legendary warrior from an age nearly forgotten. And back near Freehold, a newly (and just barely) conscious Regan divulges what she saw in the western forest. The script for this episode can be downloaded here. We'll be taking our customary micro-break between chapt...
Apr 23, 2017•26 min•Season 2Ep. 4
As the Kids discuss Nia's advice and how to proceed with it, Yllowyyn discovers Brennen's ruse and confronts Nia. Things get a bit spooky back at Castle Guernatal. But all disagreements within the Party halt when Brennen returns with a badly injured Regan, in desperate need of medical help. The conclusion of this chapter - along with information on our upcoming listener Q&A - will be released on April 23, 2017. We hope you'll join us then. CONTENT NOTES below (minor spoilers): CONTENT NOTES: Sta...
Apr 09, 2017•19 min•Season 2Ep. 3
We return to the camp outside Freehold, shortly after Regan's clandestine departure. Jen and Nelson receive stark prospects for their futures from a newly candid Nia, who also speculates about important matters metaphysical and arcane. Brennen and Yllowyyn disagree about the next steps in Brennen's ongoing campaign, and Yllowyyn's place in it. But once Jen comes clean about Regan's whereabouts and intentions, Brennen drops everything and chases after his Queen in great haste. Our next episode wi...
Mar 26, 2017•24 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Dear Listeners, we are extremely pleased to present to you the first episode of Book 2, MYTH MADE FLESH. After the disturbing events that concluded our previous book, Regan finds herself in a literal tight spot and in possession of very sensitive information. Jen must decide between keeping Regan's confidence, and looking out for the best interests of the Party. And Arlene and Gwen's own troubling discovery threatens to disturb their newfound peace. All the while, Regan's prospects for escape fr...
Mar 12, 2017•27 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Today, we bring you yet another podcast pilot from within the TOAFN family. Greg Schulz (plays Yllowyyn) is one of the minds behind LEFT TRIGGER RIGHT TRIGGER. It's a book club...for video games! We hope you enjoy it. If you do, make sure to subscribe to them on iTunes and follow them on Twitter. And for everyone who enjoyed the TAKING INITIATIVE pilot last time, here's a reminder that they have a new episode out tomorrow, Monday March 6. And if you still can't get enough D&D after that, you mig...
Mar 06, 2017•1 hr 10 min
We are extremely pleased to announce official release dates for our next episodes (!!!) THE ONCE AND FUTURE NERD Book 2 - Myth Made Flesh Chapter 1 - "A Cruel And Sullied World" Part 1 - March 12 Part 2 - March 26 Part 3 - April 9 Part 4 - April 23 If you could all do us a favor and help spread the word between now and then, you'll receive a) our eternal love and admiration, b) more friends to talk about the show with, and c) preference when we choose questions for our on-air, end-of-chapter AMA...
Feb 12, 2017•3 min
Today's bonus content is the pilot episode of a new side project from our editor, Josh. It's a D&D podcast called Taking Initiative. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did, but any feedback is welcome. If this just isn't your cup of tea, don't worry. Taking Initiative will have its own website and feed so that this one doesn't get bogged down with a show you didn't sign up for. But if you'd like to hear more Taking Initiative after today, you can head over to thespark.network for all the subscri...
Jan 29, 2017•57 min
Today we wanted to let you all know about Paul Notice (Nelson, Antonin, Smith) and his project The Notice Blog. The Notice Blog “creates work that engages, informs, and represents the world’s complexities through journalism & fictional narratives.” You can check out their website to see all the documentary shorts, interviews, live journalism, and serial fiction they've already done. But now through Feb. 5, they're running a Kickstarter campaign to buy equipment and advertising so they can put ou...
Jan 22, 2017•2 min
For today's bonus content, Christian interviewed Stephanie Cooke of Rogue's Portal about her latest project, a live audio drama called THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HELL. The conversation touches on how Stephanie got into audio drama, the logistics of producing a live show month after month, and her collaborative process. Follow Stephanie on Twitter for updates on all her projects. PLUS! Announcements about the future of TOAFN and a bunch of shout-outs for people who've gone out of their way to fl...
Jan 08, 2017•48 min
Dear Fans, We're sorry this didn't come out sooner. We wanted to get as many of our voices on tape as possible. Full text of the statement is below: The Once And Future Nerd is an organization that stands for love and acceptance, and vehemently opposes bigotry and hatred of all forms. We believe that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. All people, regardless of race, gender, religion, country of origin, sexual orientation, or any other point of identity. Many of our listen...
Nov 20, 2016•3 min
For this week's bonus content we sat down for a chat with Justin Sloan, a prodigious Fantasy writer who has worked on and published several original novels, written for video games including Telltale Game's Game of Thrones series, and adapted several novels for the screen. Oh and he was also a martial arts instructor in the United States Marine Corps. So yeah, it was interesting conversation. You can find Justin and links to his work here: www.JustinSloanAuthor.com www.CreativeWritingCareer.com ...
Sep 05, 2016•42 min
Remember the song that Arlene sang to Gwen back in Chapter 6 and again in Chapter 9? We know at least some of you do, because you wrote in to tell us how much you loved it, and to ask whether it was available as a standalone track. Well...it is now! We re-recorded it with a new arrangement and live instruments. Head over to onceandfuturenerd.bandcamp.com to purchase it for $1 (or more if you'd like to be very kind. Patreon subscribers, check your Patreon feed for a coupon code to save 50¢.) And ...
Jul 17, 2016•15 min
We're really excited to announce that the Special Edition of The Once And Future Nerd Book 1, is now available through Audiobooks on Tape. (They make these really cool USB flash drives that look like old cassette tapes!) The Special Edition includes: Full chapter files with credits only once per chapter for maximum bingeing (previously only available to Patreon subscribers) Bonus interviews TOAFN artwork in 4K Ultra HD, including our new map, and several never-before-seen character designs. All ...
Jul 03, 2016•39 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Hey guys! A lot of you have been writing in to say how much you miss the show and wondering when it's coming back - and it's really great to hear from you and to know we're missed! The short answer is: Book 2 is coming - just not yet. We took a break after Book 1, and now we're getting back into it. That said, making The Once And Future Nerd to the level of quality you've come to expect requires a big metaphorical machine with lots of moving parts, so we can't responsibly commit to any kind of r...
Feb 22, 2016•6 min
Thanks so much to everyone who voted in Round 1 of the 2015 AudioVerse Awards. Thanks to you, we are now FINALISTS in EVERY CATEGORY for which we were eligible. Best Original Composition in an Original, Short-Form Production - Tom Lee Best Audio Engineering for an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production - Brian Forbes, Sam Palumbo, Christian Madera, Josh Perault, and Sandra Ramirez Best Writing of an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production - Zach Glass & Christian Madera Best Actress with an Ens...
Nov 01, 2015•4 min
We're so pleased to be nominated for the 2015 AudioVerse Awards amongst an extremely wide and formidable field of contenders. We're up for: Best Original Composition in an Original, Short-Form Production Best Audio Engineering for an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production Best Writing of an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production Best Actress with an Ensemble Role in an Original Serial Production (x4!!) Best Actor with an Ensemble Role in an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production (x6!!!) Best ...
Oct 08, 2015•5 min
CONTENT NOTE: The violence in this episode gets particularly graphic. Listen with care. The First Book of our Tale comes to its bloody close at the Battle of Freehold. Our deepest thanks go out to everyone who has tuned in along the way. We never would have gotten this far without you. We'll see you again for Book 2, release date TBD. If you're enjoying the show, please consider becoming a patron at Patreon . The more patrons we have, the easier time we'll have getting up and running for product...
Sep 16, 2015•27 min•Season 1Ep. 45
In this, the penultimate episode of Book 1, Julius Mooncrest mourns his nephew Antonin. But all is not what it seems with the young lord's apparent demise. Meanwhile, at the Horse's Head Inn, a terrible discovery threatens to cut short Gwen and Arlene's newfound romantic bliss. And our stalwart Narrator confesses that he has run out of events with which to delay the recounting of the Battle of Freehold and its aftermath. The climactic conclusion of Book 1 is coming next. Be sure to subscribe, an...
Aug 16, 2015•18 min•Season 1Ep. 44
For today's bonus content, Christian (director, co-creator), Zach (co-writer, co-producer), Anya (Regan, Arlene, various female), Ian (Narrator, various male), Dan (Ardel, Traft, various male), Paul (Nelson, Antonin) and Lily (Gwen, Ry'y, various female) sat down with Matthew of the Audio Drama Production Podcast to talk about the highlights, challenges, and strategies that went into creating Book 1 of THE ONCE AND FUTURE NERD. Show notes are below. Awesome things the Cast & Crew are up to: The ...
Aug 14, 2015•56 min•Season 1Ep. 41
As we mentioned before, we are honored to nominees for Best Podcast in the 2015 Geekie Awards. Well, the Awards are now open to a PUBLIC VOTE to determine who gets to take home a statue. If you would like to vote, just go to http://vote2015.thegeekieawards.com/ . No sign-in required or anything. It's designed so that each voter can vote once per day per category, from now until Noon Pacific on August 31. The Geekie Awards are doing an awesome thing by increasing exposure for independently-produc...
Aug 11, 2015•2 min
As they wait for the rendezvous with Ry'y lo-Th'yyt (and hopefully the fulfillment of her promise of assisatnce), Nia and Regan consider the wages of their struggles so far. But far away, in the icy seas of the south, a spurned foe plots his next move. (Spoiler: It's Renault. That dipsh*t). There are only TWO (2!) episodes left in Book One. The next episode will be released on August 16. And be sure to like/follow/subscribe for some very exciting upcoming announcements. And check out the awesome...
Aug 02, 2015•15 min•Season 1Ep. 43
