Amy Hallett is a proud mom, grandma, dog mom, snake mom, preschool teacher, toddler tamer, and baby whisperer. A two-time Honorary Citizen of Disneyland, she’s a fandom nerd with a passion for Disney, Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, LOTR, and more. Amy loves reading mystery, thriller, and true crime novels, and watching true crime TV (Forensic Files, Unsolved Mysteries). She enjoys all music genres, from opera to rap and rock. A lifelong supporter of the Performing Arts, Amy attended a performing arts high school and loves attending live theater. Her hobbies are as varied as scrapbooking, watercolor painting, calligraphy, embroidery, and cross-stitch. Amy collects Loungefly backpacks, Funko Pops, Disney pins, lanyards, and over 600 children's books. Her 30+ book TBR pile is always growing. Check out her husband Jonathan’s Disney-inspired artwork at StitchToons.com. 

Ben Brown is a modern-day wizard who weaves together illusion, innovation, and intellect. With a background in audiovisual production, live-streaming, and IT systems, Ben is as comfortable behind the camera as he is on stage. A seasoned performer and lifelong learner, he brings charisma and curiosity to everything he does — whether he’s conjuring a glass bottle from thin air, lighting his wallet on fire (on purpose), or navigating high-stakes contract negotiations like a Jedi.

When he’s not dazzling audiences with sleight of hand or tech-savvy insights, Ben’s diving deep into the psychology of communication, exploring tactical empathy, and putting Chris Voss-level techniques to work in real-world scenarios.

Brandon is James' younger (and self-proclaimed cooler) brother—and a surprise nerd in his own right. A lifelong fan of the Halo universe, Brandon has spent years collecting and customizing Halo Mega Construx figures with astonishing attention to detail. His custom paintwork has earned him a loyal following on Instagram, where he shares his miniature creations and occasionally flexes his Spanish skills for his international fans.

When he’s not holding a paintbrush or fine-tuning a Spartan’s visor, Brandon is out on the disc golf course, perfecting his throw and collecting discs with the same passion he brings to his toy shelf. Whether it’s miniature painting, Pokémon collecting, choir harmonies, or a spontaneous Ultimate Frisbee league, Brandon proves you don’t have to fit a mold to be a nerd—you just have to love what you love.

📸 Follow his customs: @halo_megaconstrux_customs

 Chellie Bowerman is a lifelong nerd with a passion for storytelling, creativity, and all things fandom. Raised by Trekkies and shaped by a love of literature, she fully embraces her geeky side in every way—from attending anime and comic conventions to diving deep into manga, comics, and mythology. A dedicated cosplayer and an ever-curious learner, she’s always exploring new fandoms and expanding her interests. Some of her current favorites include Lore Olympus, Good Omens, and the anime DanDaDan. When she’s not lost in a book or a new obsession, you’ll find her indulging in classic literature, geeking out over Star Trek and Hellboy, or adventuring through The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon. 

Claire Bullough is a devoted mother, wife, and “parishioner of fantasy worlds.” A proud Ravenclaw and casual chaotic baker, Claire is a fan of Sarah J. Maas’s “Maas-verse” and is steadily making her way through Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive.

Her love for storytelling began with her mom reading bedtime stories, from fairy tales to archaeological adventures. Growing up with Star Wars-obsessed younger brothers and countless Pod Race reenactments in the basement solidified her love for all things nerdy.

Claire also finds creative joy in journaling and shares her passion for books on her Bookstagram: @claireneedsreads. In Claire’s words: “I can never get enough of new stories or places!”

Dale, formerly known as WriteOnDale, is the creative mind behind the TTRPG engine "Aeternal," which also serves as the name for his YouTube and Twitch channels. A passionate storyteller, Dale’s current obsession lies with tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), particularly D&D, and is excited to play the Cosmere RPG upon release.

Dale's love for nerdy pursuits began during theater class, where improv games taught him the magic of creating stories together. He’s thrilled to join this episode of The Nerd Nexus to explore how stories are told across different mediums and to dive into what gives a fandom its lasting appeal.

As Dale puts it: "The best stories can be consumed in a day, but discussed for ages."

You can support Dale’s creative endeavors through his https://ko-fi.com/aeternal

Hayley Canova is a health and fitness author, mother of five, and lifelong advocate for sustainable wellness. With a degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Weber State University, Hayley is passionate about helping people build healthy habits that fit real life. Her book, Focus on Fitness, Not Thinness: Proven Health Habits from a Mother of Five, combines practical nutrition advice, approachable fitness strategies, and realistic lifestyle changes designed to help readers improve their health without restrictive dieting.

When she's not writing, exercising, or developing new recipes, Hayley enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, cooking, and encouraging others to focus on long-term fitness rather than chasing a number on the scale. Through her book, social media, and online content, she strives to make health and fitness accessible, achievable, and enjoyable for everyone.

Henry Barth is a structural engineer, lifelong learner, and self-proclaimed concrete enthusiast. Working at Aqua Engineering, he designs the structures most people never think about—until they need them. Away from the office, Henry enjoys collecting and reading classic nonfiction books, exploring topics like public speaking and philosophy, fermenting homemade foods, and continually teaching himself new skills. His curiosity and love of learning make him the perfect guest to nerd out about engineering, books, and the pursuit of knowledge. 

Jonathan Hallett is a veteran storyboard artist, cartoonist, and the creative mind behind StitchToons.com, known for transforming Stitch into hundreds of iconic pop culture characters. He’s worked with studios like Disney, A24, and Miramax, with credits including Hereditary, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and Vampirina.

A Utah-based illustrator with 30+ years of experience, Jonathan began his journey at age 15, mentored by a Disney artist. Now he showcases his work at 40+ conventions a year, including San Diego Comic-Con and Salt Lake FanX.

He also runs FastStoryboards.com, creates graphic designs, and illustrates children’s books. Whether drawing Bluey as Frodo or storyboarding a horror scene, Jonathan brings passion, creativity, and nerdy joy to every project.

Josh Erickson is a true sports nerd in every sense of the term. Raised in Texas with Emmitt Smith as a childhood hero and the Mavs, Cowboys, and Rangers as his hometown squads, Josh has spent a lifetime obsessing over the game—from the little league fields to the group chat banter and the sacred traditions of playoff hockey. A flag football veteran, book lover, golf aficionado, and founding member of the legendary Homie Invitational, Josh brings a unique blend of humor, heart, and high-level sports knowledge. When he’s not yelling at the TV or educating his kids on proper sports allegiances, you’ll find him balancing fandom with faith, family, and a healthy disdain for all things orange and blue. 

Marshall Bowerman is a self-proclaimed "nerd of all trades, expert on none," whose diverse interests span Legos, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, independent animation, video games, and comic book-based media. A true fan of time travel narratives, he loves exploring the many creative ways the concept has been interpreted over the years. Fluent in Portuguese and a participant in two Guinness World Records, Marshall brings unique experiences and perspectives to the nerd community. He’s also the creator of “Marshall’s Matters,” a brand encompassing his blog and YouTube channel, where he currently shares time-lapse Lego builds with plans to expand into broader content.

Richard is an avid lover of RPGs, both in video game and tabletop form. He is a co-host on Plot Spackle, a podcast about fixing plot holes in cinema, as well as Lead Designer at Three Legged Crow, an indie ttrpg company currently working on Neon Vigil, a ghostpunk rpg.

Rob Walton is an entrepreneur, investor, chef, and lifelong believer in creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. After building businesses in logistics, real estate, and investments, Rob turned a passion for cooking into an unexpected second career, eventually becoming an award-winning private chef and helping develop nutrition programs for players in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Drawing on lessons learned from his father, decades of entrepreneurship, and a commitment to family, Rob brings a unique perspective on risk, self-reliance, investing, and building a life on your own terms. When he's not mentoring others, managing business ventures, or cooking for athletes, he enjoys sharing the principles that have guided him through a lifetime of reinvention and success. 

Follow him on Instagram!  @the_chefrob 

Sally Barth is a self-described minimalist and homemaker who loves exploring practical ways to create a simpler, more intentional life. From decluttering and thrift shopping to cooking, gardening, and raising her family, Sally is passionate about making a home that is both peaceful and welcoming. Her thoughtful approach to minimalism shows that living with less isn't about sacrifice, it's about making room for the people and things that matter most. 

Shane Adams is a 3D printing enthusiast with a construction background and a passion for bringing fandoms to life—one layer at a time. His fascination with massive 3D-printed houses led to a hands-on hobby after seeing how custom-printed gadgets improved electrical work. Now, with three printers running nonstop, Shane creates everything from dragon bookends to cosplay props, proving the endless possibilities of 3D printing.

Beyond creativity, Shane values community and collaboration. His goal on The Nerd Nexus isn’t just to talk shop—he’s here to support fellow creators, knowing success comes from networking, sharing talents, and having a solid team of “Dudes” in your corner.

Check out Shane’s work:

🔗 Facebook
🛍️ PhatBoi3D on Etsy
🛍️ CarpooziCrafts on Etsy

Taylor Jackson is a school psychologist and lifelong fan of superheroes, science fiction, and fantasy. A devoted admirer of The Dark Knight, Taylor’s current passion lies with Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive—though the recent Superman trailer has him equally excited.

Taylor's love for all things nerdy began with Saturday morning cartoons like Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League, as well as time spent diving into the world of Batman video games.

He’s thrilled to join The Nerd Nexus to geek out about character-driven adventures and all things nerdy with friends. In Taylor’s own words he loves stories that, "Defy the odds on a character-driven adventure.”

While more of a content consumer than a creator, Taylor recently joined Fable, where he's been engaging in some of his recent book-based passions, such as Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive.

Thomas Walton is a passionate Star Wars expert, sneaker collector, and car enthusiast. With a lifelong love for the Star Wars universe—especially the Clone Wars era—Thomas brings deep insight into the lore, both canon and Legends, and isn’t afraid to share his thoughts on what Disney got right (and wrong).

When he's not breaking down galactic timelines, Thomas is grinding multiplayer in Call of Duty, collecting rare sneakers like Yeezys and Jordans, or showcasing his award-winning custom Volkswagen builds. He’s even lived through a wild sneaker resale story involving a fake gun and a courtroom showdown—all over a pair of Jordans.

Follow Thomas on Instagram and YouTube at @_TMWYT for cars, collectibles, and more fandom-fueled content.

 Tyler Esmay is a self-proclaimed collector of hobbies, always diving into new interests and exploring nerd culture in all its forms. A lifelong reader, he can talk about books for hours—especially when it comes to sci-fi and fantasy. His passion for Star Wars runs deep, with a particular love for the old Expanded Universe, though he's always ready to debate the movies (especially his issues with the sequels). 

 Beyond books and Star Wars, Tyler enjoys board games, video games, and trading card games like Pokémon and Digimon. While he hasn't fully immersed himself in comics or conventions, he has dabbled in both—cosplaying at least once along the way. He’s also an anime and manga fan, though he wouldn’t call himself an expert. 

With a love for deep conversations and a broad spectrum of nerdy interests, Tyler brings enthusiasm and fun to any nerdy discussion!