Rolling With The Nerdy Birds

This week, and after (ahem) five episodes, we revisit spooky stories, relentless rumours and local legends, including the Surrey Puma, Atlantis, direwolves, ghosts in pubs and more. The NerdyBirds discuss whether Nessie is an old or a new phenomenon, the likelihood of tunnels under Guildford high street and whether the tooth fairy is a Viking, or a mouse... What is the silliest local story you have heard? Have you ever seen a peacock on your lawn? Let us know what you think on Let us know what you think on Twitter @RtDnerdsSupport the show.

This week, it's Halloween! And in a total surprise to everyone, we stay completely on topic with horror films! Although we do negotiate whether Scream counts, Jess briefly forgets that sci-fi exists as a genre, and discuss how scary the remake of IT is, really. Mostly films, we talk the best films to scare the pants off you, those moments when you freak yourself out so badly you just have to scream out loud, and the first horror films we saw. Also covering TV and (in Jess' opinion) the scariest book of all time, Dark Matter. Will you be watching horror movies on Halloween? Which horror franchise do you think is best - and do you agree with our Twitter poll? Let us know what you think @RtDnerdsSupport the show.

This week, the NerdyBirds talk about lizards! Or rather, not lizards, Tuataras. And not really even those - it's a review of Turtles All The Way Down, the new book by John Green. The main character is Aza, a sixteen year old girl who has OCD and is trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of a suspicious billionaire. We talk characters, themes, best and worst bits, and discuss the thought spirals and obsessive patterns that Aza experiences. From a variety of perspectives, the NerdyBirds approach this book with trademark wit, disagreement and comedy. Give us your ratings out of five stars, tell us your favourite characters and let us know if we missed anything on Twitter @RtDnerdsSupport the show.

Following our interview with Nina in ep50, we discuss consent. How were we taught about it? When did we feel confident withholding it? Why is sex education important anyway? On National Coming Out Day we discuss why giving young people the right words to explore who they are is vital to support their mental health and wellbeing, and discuss whether information should ever be withheld simply because "they're children". Spoiler, no. We talk about the best ways to explain consent to others, why those conversations are crucial and why we have to keep trying. Is consent like tea? We think so - see this fab cartoon for details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7Nii5w2FaI Do men who "get friendzoned" deserve sex as a prize? How damaging is pop culture in portraying scary and sexist attitudes? This episode of the NerdyBirds was recorded on International Day of the Girl, which feels appropriate as we talk how to feel safe. Let us know how your sex education went - was it dire? Bananas on condoms or men in a swimming p

It's episode 50! To celebrate, we thought we'd do something a bit different and invite a guest to talk to us - it's Nina Lemon from Peer Productions! Nina talks with Kirsty and Jess about her work with a charity theatre group, providing peer education on topics as wide ranging as sex education, domestic violence, transphobia, teenage pregnancy and more. She talks research, complaints, anal sex and consent, and what to do when people wave at you in public places shouting "it's the sex lady!" From inspirations and what she'd tell her 15 year old self, we cover a lot in 30 minutes. Join us! And let us know your funny sex ed stories with the hashtag #NerdyBirdFails and your inspiring figures on Twitter at @RtDNerds You can find out more about Peer Productions at www.peerproductions.co.uk and on Twitter @peerproductions and on Facebook at facebook.com/PeerProductions/  Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-musicSupport the show.

What do we know, and what do we only think we know? From lashings of ginger beer to the tooth fairy, from "eating bread crusts will make your hair curly" to "if the wind changes, your face will stay like that", we talk about old wives tales and kids stories, rumours, myths and legends. Which of us is convinced she knows the proper quote from Star Wars? Who was disappointed when Dirty Harry doesn't actually say "do you feel lucky, punk?" Who is entirely furious at anti-rationalist, science-denialist flat-earthers? Let us know on Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB about the old wives tales you believed when you were little, as the NerdyBirds discuss all kinds of mythconceptions...Support the show.

Nerds, geeks, obsessives, fangirls...we all have one thing in common - we love fandoms! This week, Hannah hosts, talking about the common factors of fandoms, how you know you're in a fandom, and why you might seek one out. We veer wildly between Harry Potter, Firefly, Superwholock, Star Trek, Tolkein, John and Hank Green and Disney. What's your fandom? Do you have a geeky tattoo to declare your affiliation? How do you geek out? Let us know on our Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the show.

What have you done today to make you feel proud? The NerdyBirds talk about achievements, medals and prizes, and discuss whether participation medals are valuable, or whether "17th place" prizes are just patronising. What are the NerdyBirds proud of? Why is it important to recognise achievements? Tell us your best achievements and do you agree with awards for participation? Do tell us, all on our Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the show.

SURPRISE! It's still our birthday! Here's the conclusion to our Birthday Quiz! NerdyBirds have been podcasting for a whole year! We know, it snuck up on us too. We felt like we needed to celebrate ourselves, because it's our party and we'll be ego-centric if we want to. We like parties, we like knowing things, so we mixed all that together and we did a quiz! Hosted by the master of tough quizzes Sarah, the NerdyBirds competed against each other for the esteemed prize of having paid attention most of the time. Some of us were really bad at it - it's like we weren't even there! We had rounds like "name this episode", "what did Hannah say?" and "who said this?" Who suggested throwing crockery was a good idea (and why?), which TV finale sent Hannah into paroxysms of rage, and why does Jess cancel plans? Part 1 of the quiz is available here! If you think you know better than us, fingers on the buzzers please, and let us know your answers our Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more c

SURPRISE! It's our birthday! NerdyBirds have been podcasting for a whole year! We know, it snuck up on us too. We felt like we needed to celebrate ourselves, because it's our party and we'll be ego-centric if we want to. We like parties, we like knowing things, so we mixed all that together and.... We did a quiz! Hosted by the master of tough quizzes Sarah, the NerdyBirds competed against each other for the esteemed prize of having paid attention most of the time. Some of us were really bad at it - it's like we weren't even there! We had rounds like "name this episode", "what did Hannah say?" and "who said this?" Who suggested throwing crockery was a good idea (and why?), which TV finale sent Hannah into paroxysms of rage, and why does Jess cancel plans? Part 2 of the quiz is available next week! If you think you know better than us, fingers on the buzzers please, and let us know your answers our Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the s

This week the NerdyBirds discuss robots and AI. Robots in film, TV, books, and in real life too - would you want a robot butler? Our Twitter poll said hell yes, but only just - the other popular response was no way! We talk the difference between a robot doing a task (useful) and an artificial intelligence choosing its own priorities (skynet). We talk the cute - Baymax, Wall-E, BB8 - to the muscle (Terminator) and the brains (Marvin the paranoid android). We also briefly talk about robot on robot, whatever that would be (please only Google at your own discretion. Sorry) Back in the real world, would you correctly guess the six occupations which experts say can never be performed by robots? Did you know that using autopilot in planes can impair the judgement of pilots? Have you heard of the personal care robots in Japan? Let us know the task you'd happily outsource to a robot! If you've heard of an amazing robotics breakthrough, tell us! If you'd like us to talk about sex robots in greater detail (there we go,

The NerdyBirds once did a podcast, rhyming from the first to the last, poems and verses, from best to worses, and the hour it went really fast! This week on the podcast, we talk poetry! Our Twitter poll days a majority of our listeners like poems, so in honour of strict rhyming couplets or open verse, we talk favourites, early memories and best images. From the classics (Emily Dickinson, D.H Lawrence) to the very brand new (Neil Hillborn) we cover the recognisable (Please Mrs Butler and The Owl And The Pussycat) as well as some poems which you won't know, but you should. Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann, for one. "You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here." Is it sad? Inspiring? Satisfying? That's the joy of poetry, it might be all three! Let us know what your favourite poem is, we always like recommendations! Let us know on Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the show.

To celebrate Harry Potter's birthday on 31 July, the NerdyBirds did a live podcast on Facebook. Catch up with us as we discuss favourite books, best films, worst baddies. Which of us is a Slytherin? Who has an impressive patronus? We answer quiz questions, take questions from our live audience, and argue over whether we really know Harry Potter as well as we think we do! What do you love best about Harry Potter? Or are you not a fan and how come?! We always like to hear your opinions! Let us know on Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the show.

It's (roundabout) halfway through the year (ish) and we take a look back on the best pop culture things that happened. From the exciting new Doctor Who casting, to reviewing the best TV, Netflix things, movies and books, as well as music and best fangirling moments (hi Jamie Lenman!) We talk Orange Is The New Black, poet Neil Hillborn, Taboo, Crystal Maze, Hidden Figures and Spiderman: Homecoming. The NerdyBirds offer our thoughts on 2017s best bits and the things we're looking forward to in the next six months. What bits did we miss? Do you have a great story of a time when you met a famous person? Do you think you have a good suggestion of TV or books or something else? We always like recommendations! Let us know on Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the show.

This week, Dr Who! We asked our Twitter followers what they thought of this season. Sharing those results, the NerdyBirds offer their own thoughts. We talk Bill and Nardole, discuss what we think of Capaldi, and the best episodes. We also discuss which episodes fell a bit short - and how this series felt in comparison to seasons past. Let us know what you thought about this series, any outstanding points you wanted resolved. And...what did you think of Missy's end?! Have a topic for the Nerdy Birds to discuss? Let us know on Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the show.

At a time where the world wants to know the origins of every superhero you could name, we go back in time (*insert wibbly noise here*). Who are the Nerdy Birds? What inspired us? Who were the active mentors and accidental role models in our own origin stories?  From grandparents and famous faces, friends and fictional characters, we tell the stories of how we became nerdy, what we think of our nerdiness, and how we've managed to surprise friends with our nerdy tendencies.   We discuss our specialist subjects (is is possible to be a football nerd?) and our (sometimes terrifying) introduction into the world of nerd. Getting locked in a room to listen to The Doors in the dark, anyone?! What's it like when you have the opportunity to meet a hero, and totally freak them out by geeking at them wildly...? (Mark Rylance) Have you bonded with a stranger over a geeky t-shirt? Have you demonstrated your geekery to someone who was taken aback by it? What is your specialist geek subject? Let us know, and tell us

In the wake of great news of inclusivity in the new Microsoft kinect avatars, the NerdyBirds looked for more inspiring and geeky people, whose passion and hobbies make us feel happier about the world. From King of the Nerds Wil Wheaton, to Queen of the Screen Judi Dench, covering Mila Kunis, Simon Pegg, Emma Watson, Terry Pratchett and more. Did you know Ryan Gosling knits? And Patrick Stewart campaigns for domestic violence charities? Taking a moment this week to discuss geekery and why it's important, covering inclusion and feminism along the way. If you know of someone who demonstrates their geekery proudly, let us know @RtDNerds! And if you have pets with geeky names, tell us so we can shout you out! Have a topic for the Nerdy Birds to discuss? Let us know on Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the show.

Following the release of Wonder Woman, and the fact it is delightfully better than we expected, we discuss why films sometimes exceed expectations. Why are films about women or people of colour more crucial to get right? Why is Wonder Woman so good? The NerdyBirds talk about the character, the story and why it made one of us cry... We also discuss other films which totally surprised us - whether they were better or worse or just totally unexpected. We talk Tucker and Dale Vs Evil, Scott Pilgrim, District 9, Wreck-It Ralph, Easy A, PS I Love You, In Bruges, Grand Budapest Hotel, Suicide Squad, Independence Day 2, and Pacific Rim. Which of those films would you say we liked and which did we hate...? We also review our recent favourite things on social media - @xplodingunicorn on Twitter, Conversations with my two year old and Binging with Babish on YouTube, and the Adult Nerdfighters community on Facebook. What would you recommend to us on social media? Have a topic for the Nerdy Birds to discuss? Let us know o

It's election week! The NerdyBirds are pleased to launch their election manifesto, covering the NHS, transportation, education, housing and communities, the economy and crime and punishment. For example, serious crimes are to be punished by walking the plank. People won't be able to buy a second house unless they deserve one, and guide dogs (and other service animals) will be able to vote. Also, dragons! Listen to the podcast to hear our appropriate, sensible and well-thought-through propositions for how we would lead the country. Go on, you know you want to vote for us! (*Disclaimer: the NerdyBirds are not actually standing for election. Please use your vote wisely) In addition, if you can identify any of our policies which are inspired by real political parties, then you get a prize if you tweet us @RtDNerds! Have a topic for the Nerdy Birds to discuss? Let us know on Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the show.

Being social is hard. Having conversations, making small talk, avoiding small talk, making bad jokes, grimacing at other people's jokes ... This week in Rolling with the NerdyBirds, we are discussing our most hated pet peeves, for inclusion into Room 101. We talk families, work and parties, and round off with online interactions. Do we choose your pet hates? Did we miss something? Let us know! Have a topic for the Nerdy Birds to discuss? Let us know on Twitter @RtDNerds with #RWTNB and check out our blog for more content at Roll the DiceSupport the show.