The Once And Future Nerd - A Fantasy-comedy Audio Drama

Today's bonus content is the #AskTOAFN listener Q&A for Book 2, Chapter 9. Christian, Dan, Anya and Greg answer a few questions related to the chapter...and then mostly relitigate Tumblr's "Sexiest Once And Future Nerd Character" poll. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Due to a (very literal) expansion in the TOAFN family, there will be a longer than usual break between Chapters 9 and 10. Our Patreon will be paused until we have something to release. Stay tuned to our socials for official announcements. (The transcript for the conversation can be found here, and the transcript for our announcements can be found here.) Thank you as always for listening!

In the conclusion of Book 2, Chapter 9, Billy does what Billy does best - be a huge pain in the ass - and reshapes the power balance of Pacific Ridge. And just in time for the arrival of a very influential power broker. First Snow prepares to delivery discouraging news to her community. CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA and GREGORY M. SCHULZ PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as...      Janey GARRETT ARMYN as...      Sir Brennen Willemson, Baker, and Ranger 4 DAN DOBRANSKY as...      Vanderberg ANYA GIBIAN as...      Aerona Regan IAN HARKINS as...      The Narrator and Ranger 1 AARON LANHAM as...      First Snow CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA as...      Tyymos, Stablehand, and Bill PAUL NOTICE as...      Nelson and Ranger 2 ANA O'DANIEL as...      Lulu APRIL ORTIZ as...      Steady River FRANK QUERIS as...      Billy JULIE REED as...      Jen REGINA RENEE RUSSELL as...      Nia and Blacksmith GREGORY M. SCHULZ as...      Yllowyyn,

Regan becomes increasingly entangled in the affairs of Pacific Ridge, while the Party puts their plan into motion. Yllodyk may have found an ally, but she has some explaining to do first. CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA and GREGORY M. SCHULZ PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as...      Yllodyk and Janey GARRETT ARMYN as...      Sir Brennen Willemson DAN DOBRANSKY as...      Vanderberg ANYA GIBIAN as...      Aerona Regan and Maeve Bailey IAN HARKINS as...      The Narrator and The Professor CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA as...      Bill PAUL NOTICE as...      Nelson ANA O'DANIEL as...      Lulu FRANK QUERIS as...      Billy JULIE REED as...      Jen REGINA RENEE RUSSELL as...      Nia GREGORY M. SCHULZ as...      Yllowyyn and Weston DAVID SYLVESTER WOLF as...      O'an Hritsl Editing by JIM BANTING Foley, Sound Design, and Post Production Mixing by EDWARD BUSH Additional Writing Help from ANA O'DANIEL Music Direction

Yllodyk reckons with the aftershock from her parents' untimely deaths. Under the Black Mountains, Mag Uidhir and the Dragon make good on their bargain. CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by O CARCIENTE and CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as...      Yllodyk GARRETT ARMYN as...      Jethro IAN HARKINS as...      The Narrator and Mag Uidhir CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA as...      Renault D'esprit JULIE REED as...      Elf Constable REGINA RENEE RUSSELL as...      The Dragon/Yrrsylax Editing by JIM BANTING Foley, Sound Design, and Post Production Mixing by EDWARD BUSH Music Direction and Main Theme by TOM LEE Additional Scoring by CHRIS MONTALBO Created and Executive Produced by ZACH GLASS & CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Co-Executive Produced by JESS KELLEY-MADERA Associate Producers SUSAN DEGAN and ALEC STORY The script for this episode can be downloaded here, and the transcript of our announcements here. ANN

Old rivalries flare in Pacific Ridge. Nelson finds a kindred spirit. Regan folds some new allies into the Party's plan. CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA and GREGORY M. SCHULZ PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as...      Janey GARRETT ARMYN as...      Sir Brennen Willemson DAN DOBRANSKY as...      Vanderberg ANYA GIBIAN as...      Aerona Regan IAN HARKINS as...      The Narrator and Ranger 1 CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA as...      Bill PAUL NOTICE as...      Nelson ANA O'DANIEL as...      Lulu FRANK QUERIS as...      Billy JULIE REED as...      Jen REGINA RENEE RUSSELL as...      Nia GREGORY M. SCHULZ as...      Yllowyyn, Ranger 3, and Weston DAVID SYLVESTER WOLF as...      O'an Hritsl Editing by JIM BANTING Foley, Sound Design, and Post Production Mixing by EDWARD BUSH Additional Writing Help from ANA O'DANIEL Music Direction and Main Theme by TOM LEE Additional Scoring by CHRIS MONTALBO Created and Executive

Upon arriving in the West, the Party encounters challenges they never anticipated. But after learning more about their new locale, a plan takes shape. CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA and GREGORY M. SCHULZ Additional Writing Help from ANA O'DANIEL PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as...      Janey GARRETT ARMYN as...      Sir Brennen Willemson, Coyote Carl, and Ranger 4 DAN DOBRANSKY as...      Vanderberg ANYA GIBIAN as...      Aerona Regan IAN HARKINS as...      The Narrator and Ranger 1 CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA as...      Bill PAUL NOTICE as...      Nelson and Ranger 2 ANA O'DANIEL as...      Lulu FRANK QUERIS as...      Billy JULIE REED as...      Jen REGINA RENEE RUSSELL as...      Nia GREGORY M. SCHULZ as...      Yllowyyn and Ranger 3 DAVID SYLVESTER WOLF as...      The Heel Editing by TRISTAN STONE Foley, Sound Design, and Post Production Mixing by EDWARD BUSH Music Direction and Main Theme by TOM LEE

For today's bonus content, Anya Gibian, Zach Glass, Ian Harkins, and Christian Kelley-Madera recorded a commentary track for Book 1 Chapter 5, "The Worthiest Knight," originally released back in 2014. ANNOUCEMENTS: This episode is sponsored by Tab for a Cause — a free browser extension that helps you raise money for charity. Join our team at tabforacause.org/toafn As always, The Once And Future Nerd is made possible by our Patrons on Patreon. This episode was a reward we promised for reaching $650/month on Patreon. Thank you to everyone who helped us reach that milestone! If you'd like to hear us do this again, we've promised another commentary track if we reach $850/month. Check out Ian's new audio drama series The Iron Anthology Check out our illustrator John's portfolio and commission links here! This will be our last release of 2022, but we'll be back with the premiere of our next chapter on January 29, 2023! CONTENT NOTE: The chapter we're commenting on contains a term of g

Today’s bonus content is the audio from our #AskTOAFN livestream from October 14. Zach and Christian discussed their favorite parts of the chapter and answered listener questions. ANNOUNCEMENTS: This episode is sponsored by Tab for a Cause — a free browser extension that helps you raise money for charity. Join our team at tabforacause.org/toafn This episode is sponsored by Clockworks Academy – College-level insight without college-level cost, offering courses in King Arthur, Game of Thrones, and more. Visit Clockworksacademy.com and use code futurenerd to save 10% on any purchase. And as always, The Once And Future Nerd is made possible by our Patrons on Patreon. We hope you consider joining! There will be more bonus content in November, date TBA. Then we will be taking December off for the winter holidays. We will return with the premiere of Book 2 Chapter 9 on January 29, 2023. (The transcript for the conversation can be found here, and the transcript for our announcements can be

Welcome back for another pair of TOAFN Minisodes! Dear Uncle Written by O. CarcientePerformed by Paul Notice as Antonin MooncrestEdited, mixed, and sound design by Tristan Stone A Good Night's Story Written by Sarah WinklerPerformed by Anya Gibian as Arlene RedmoorEdited, mixed, and sound design by Tristan Stone Scripts for both of these minisodes can be found here: Dear Uncle A Good Night's Story This episode is sponsored by Tab for a Cause -- a free browser extension that helps you raise money for charity. Join our team at tabforacause.org/toafn Thank you for listening! Look out for the audio from our Q&A livestream, hitting your feed on Oct 30, and some bonus content next month!

Arlene, Gwen, Mildred, and Ben make shore at their new home. The worst possible people meet each other. Tragedy befalls the house of Ba'at lo-Yl and Wyyn lo-Dyk. CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as...      Yllodyk and Ethel GARRETT ARMYN as...      Jethro DAN DOBRANSKY as...      Ardel Redmoor, Alf, and Vanderberg ANYA GIBIAN as...      Arlene Redmoor and Wyyn lo-Dyk IAN HARKINS as...      The Narrator and Ba'at lo-Yl SHANNON HARRIS as...      Mildred and Red Ren the Ruthless CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA as...      Renault D'esprit PAUL NOTICE as...      Nelson and Ben ANA O'DANIEL as...      Gwen of Ruefield FRANK QUERIS as...      Billy JULIE REED as...      Jen GREGORY M. SCHULZ as...      Olafsson and Sailor In Crow's Nest Editing by TRISTAN STONE Foley, Sound Design, and Post Production Mixing by EDWARD BUSH Music Direction and Main Theme by TOM LEE Additional Scoring by CHRIS

Billy's attempts to support Nelson emotionally go about as well as you would expect. But, hey, he's trying. Mag Uidhir brokers an accord. Two very different societies decide how to allocate resources in a simmering conflict. The finale of Book 2 Chapter 8 arrives on September 25. See you then! CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as...      Speaker 2 DAN DOBRANSKY as...      General Traft and Vanderberg ANYA GIBIAN as...      Wyyn lo-Dyk IAN HARKINS as...      The Narrator, Mag Uidhir, and Ba'at lo-Yl SHANNON HARRIS as...      Chief Speaker AARON LANHAM as...      First Snow CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA as...      Council Member and Speaker 3 PAUL NOTICE as...      Nelson ANA O'DANIEL as...      Ry'y lo-Th'yyt APRIL ORTIZ as...      Steady River FRANK QUERIS as...      Billy JULIE REED as...      Jen and Another Elf REGINA RENEE RUSSELL as...      The Dragon and Speaker 1 Editing by TRISTAN

Mag Uidhir begins parlay with an awesome and terrible bargaining partner. When the Party seeks shelter from a blizzard, Nelson tries making sense of his recent conversations with Nia. Our next episode arrives on August 28. Thanks for listening and see you then! CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA PERFORMED BY: GARRETT ARMYN as...      Sir Brennen Willemson DAN DOBRANSKY as...      General Traft, Arden, and Vanderberg ANYA GIBIAN as...      Aerona Regan IAN HARKINS as...      The Narrator and Mag Uidhir PAUL NOTICE as...      Nelson FRANK QUERIS as...      Billy JULIE REED as...      Jen REGINA RENEE RUSSELL as...      Nia and The Dragon GREGORY M. SCHULZ as...      Yllowyyn Editing by TRISTAN STONE Foley, Sound Design, and Post Production Mixing by EDWARD BUSH Music Direction and Main Theme by TOM LEE Additional Scoring by CHRIS MONTALBO Created and Executive Produced by ZACH GLASS & CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MA

In the premiere of Book 2 Chapter 8, the newly divided Party begins its risky journey over the Black Mountains. Elsewhere, A servant is ailing. Maeve Bailey recounts the reports of her sisters. And Mag Uidhir, Traft, and Arden discover much more than they bargained for under the Mountains. Our next episode will arrive on July 31. Thanks as always for listening! CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by ZACH GLASS, CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA, and GREGORY M. SCHULZ PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as...      Ruby GARRETT ARMYN as...      Sir Brennen Willemson DAN DOBRANSKY as...      General Traft, Arden, Physician, and Vanderberg ANYA GIBIAN as...      Aerona Regan and Maeve Bailey IAN HARKINS as...      The Narrator, The Professor, and Mag Uidhir CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA as...      Council Member and Orc #1 PAUL NOTICE as...      Nelson JULIE REED as...      Jen GREGORY M. SCHULZ as...      Orc #2 Editing by MILES CARTER Foley, Sound Design, and Po

Today's bonus content is the audio from our #AskTOAFN livestream from May 7. Zach and Christian were joined by Garrett Armyn (Brennen) to discuss what happened in Book 2 Chapter 7 and what might come next. (Obviously, spoilers abound.) CREDITS:Editing and audio cleanup by Edward Bush ANNOUNCEMENTS: This episode is sponsored by Clockworks Academy – College-level insight without college-level cost, offering courses in King Arthur, Game of Thrones, and more. Visit Clockworksacademy.com and use code futurenerd to save 10% on any purchase. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp – Affordable, private therapy. Anytime, anywhere. Visit betterhelp.com/toafn to get 10% off your first month And as always, The Once And Future Nerd is made possible by our Patrons on Patreon. We hope you consider joining! (The transcript for the conversation can be found here, and the transcript for our announcements can be found here.) Thank you as always for listening! TOAFN will return on June 26th with t

Got a quick feed drop today to tell you about the DECOLONIZE & DISCOVER FESTIVAL. You might remember friend of the show JourNee LaFond - Zach interviewed them and their spouse Steven back in 2020 about their choose-your-own-adventure horror audiodrama WITCHEVER PATH. Well JourNee put together a super cool group of BIPOC and Queer geekdom for a festival that’s gonna happen from June 17th-19th in Charlton, Massachusetts. Tickets are on sale now and there’s early bird pricing through the end of May. You can buy tickets or find out more at decolonizeanddiscover.com. Seems likely to be very much up the alley of the median Once and Future Nerd fan, I would say. We'll be back next week - May 29 - with the audio from our #AskTOAFN livestream for Book 2 Chapter 7!

We're back with some scripted minisodes today, for this between-chapters month. "On The Origin Of A Song"by Paul Notice and Christian T. Kelley-MaderaPerformed by:Paul Notice - MatronsonMatthew K. Addison - Younger ManGregory M. Schulz - Rival MerchantChristian T. Kelley-Madera - Elf Guard(Script)CONTENT NOTES: Contains depictions of racist state violence "A Holiday Dinner"by Dirk HamptonPerformed by:Anya Gibian - Molly Bailey, Minnie Bailey, Mona Bailey, Maeve Bailey(Script) Editing for Minisodes 005 and 006 by BriElle AchterhofFoley, Sound Design, and Post-Production Mixing by Matthew BoudreauAssociate Producers: Susan Degan and Alec Story Announcements: This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp – Affordable, private therapy. Anytime, anywhere. Visit betterhelp.com/toafn to get 10% off your first month This podcast is also sponsored by Tab for a Cause - a free browser extension that helps you raise money for charity. Join our team at tabforacause.org/toafn As always, The Once And

In the conclusion to Chapter 7, Nelson and Nia discuss dreams, Jen and Regan reconcile, and the party must make some goodbyes. Chapter 8 will premiere on June 26, 2022. In the meantime, there will be a minisode release and an #AskTOAFN livestream in the month of May, exact dates TBA. CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed byCHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written byCHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA and GREGORY M. SCHULZ PERFORMED BY:RHIANNON ANGELL as... SailorGARRETT ARMYN as... Sir Brennen WillemsonANYA GIBIAN as... Aerona Regan and Arlene RedmoorIAN HARKINS as... The NarratorSHANNON HARRIS as... Mildred and Red Ren the RuthlessPAUL NOTICE as... Nelson and BenJULIET PRATHER as... Gwen of RuefieldJULIE REED as... JenREGINA RENEE RUSSELL as... NiaGREGORY M. SCHULZ as... Yllowyyn Editing byDAVID DEVEREUX Foley, Sound Design, and Post Production Mixing byMATTHEW BOUDREAU Music Direction and Main Theme byTOM LEE Additional Scoring byCHRIS MONTALBO Created and Executive Produced byZACH GL

In this episode, the team must make some decisions regarding their future plans. Regan must come to face the consequences of her actions. And Nia reconnects with her mother. Our next episode will be released on April 24, 2022. We hope to see you then! CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed byCHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written byCHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA PERFORMED BY:GARRETT ARMYN as... Sir Brennen WillemsonDAN DOBRANSKY as... AlfANYA GIBIAN as... Aerona Regan and Arlene RedmoorIAN HARKINS as... The NarratorSHANNON HARRIS as... MildredPAUL NOTICE as... Nelson and BenJULIET PRATHER as... Gwen of RuefieldFRANK QUERIS as... BillyJULIE REED as... JenREGINA RENEE RUSSELL as... NiaGREGORY M. SCHULZ as... Yllowyyn Editing byMADDY SEARLE Foley, Sound Design, and Post Production Mixing byEDWARD BUSH Music Direction and Main Theme byTOM LEE Additional Scoring byCHRIS MONTALBO Created and Executive Produced byZACH GLASS & CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Co-Executive Produced byJESS KELL

Antonin Mooncrest, after taking over as rightful Regent of Guernatal, wins over his new subjects. Meanwhile, Ardel Redmoor, the recently-removed regent of the same...does the opposite. West of the mountains, First Snow and Steady River head towards the Federation to discuss the threat of the Elves. And finally, the Iordic (and Pennsylvanian) crew deal with the consequences of their recent endeavor. Our next episode will be released on March 27, 2022! We hope to see you then! CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA and GREGORY M. SCHULZ PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as... Peasant GARRETT ARMYN as... Sir Brennen Willemson DAN DOBRANSKY as... Ardel Redmoor, Alf, and New Guard Captain ANYA GIBIAN as... Arlene Redmoor IAN HARKINS as... The Narrator, Head Priest, Guernatal Peasant 1, and Guernatal Peasant 2 SHANNON HARRIS as... Red Ren the Ruthless AARON LANHAM as... First Snow PAUL NOTICE as... Nelson and Antonin Mooncrest JULIE

After successfully pulling off a heist to save Nia's family from Ry'y lo-Th'yyt, the party attempts to make their getaway. Complications arise, and loose ends are tied...but at what cost? Our next episode will be released on February 27, 2022! We hope to see you then! CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE: Directed by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Written by CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA PERFORMED BY: RHIANNON ANGELL as... Crew Member 1 and Sailor GARRETT ARMYN as... Sir Brennen Willemson and Crew Member 2 DAN DOBRANSKY as... Alf ANYA GIBIAN as... Aerona Regan IAN HARKINS as... The Narrator SHANNON HARRIS as... Mildred PAUL NOTICE as... Nelson JULIET PRATHER as... Ry'y lo-Th'yyt FRANK QUERIS as... Billy JULIE REED as... Jen REGINA RENEE RUSSELL as... Nia GREGORY M. SCHULZ as... Yllowyyn Editing by DAVID DEVEREUX Foley, Sound Design, and Post Production Mixing by EDWARD BUSH Created and Executive Produced by ZACH GLASS & CHRISTIAN T. KELLEY-MADERA Co-Executi