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Nerd Hurdles — the podcast that helps you overcome your geek prejudices... with snark 

Nerd Hurdle - nerd hur'dle - (nûrd hûr'dl) n., v. -dled, -dling -n. a barrier or blockade of 'nerdiness' that an individual not of the nerd persuasion must metaphorically 'leap' over in order to enjoy or fully appreciate a given experience or situation. She loves Mel Gibson but the aliens were just too big a nerd hurdle for her to really enjoy Signs. -v. to successfully overcome a nerd hurdle. 

Each week one of geekdom's sacred cows is put on the chopping block as Jakob and Mandi dissect it with an irreverent and ruthlessly critical eye. Occasionally the cow makes it out unscathed, but even when when the blood of your favourite movie, TV show, book, comic, game, character or pastime is spilled, there's something to laugh about (as they twist the knife).

Jason, Richard and Allison join together to discuss TV that they love in the age of digital streaming services. They take it in turns to share, or inflict upon others, their favourite series, old and new. The only rule is that it played on TV somewhere. 

Buck Rogers, Quantum Leap and Boston Legal were the opening throw downs from each presenter. What will they watch next on their patrol of the remote?

A trusted troubadour for hot summer nights and cold beers, Owen is now in his forties, tangling with separations from lost lovers, raising kids, and growing out of the fresh-faced kid that headed down to Nashville 20 years back with a six-string and a dream.  Case in point: Dreams to Dream, Owen’s long-awaited, Shooter Jennings-co-produced foray into classic, honky-tonk country, out November 7 via Good Company Entertainment. Dreams to Dream, Owen’s first independent studio album, featuring 10 original tracks and two stellar covers, tells the tale of a man at a crossroads — and what it takes to set out a new path. 

Owen wasn’t expecting much when he commented on one of Shooter Jennings’ Instagram posts, half-jokingly suggesting that they make a honky-tonk record, but the producer called his bluff. Two days later, Owen’s manager had Jennings on the line and, soon, Owen was on his way to L.A. and Jennings’ Sunset Sound. It was a cozy yet electric scene: Jennings and Owen cracking jokes in the sepia-toned studio, creativity crackling as they collaborated with the likes of songwriters Ben Chapman and Kendell Marvel, as well as long-time shooter pal, guitarist/harmonic player Leroy Powell. 

“All my friends who have heard my stuff have gone, ‘Dude, Jake, this is you man. This is who you've always tried to be,’” Owen says. “Sometimes you need to get outside what's comfortable, what people think you are, or think you should be, and take a risk.”

Tommy Messner is following