Six Months of Shakin': A Mid-Year Look at What's Shakin With Shaner

Well, we're officially six months into 2026, which makes this the perfect time to take stock of everything happening with What's Shakin With Shaner. It's been a busy and exciting year so far, and we're grateful for every member of the Nerd Herd who has joined us along the way.

The Podcast Keeps Rolling

During the first half of 2026, we published 14 new podcast episodes, continuing our schedule of releasing a fresh episode every two weeks. From folklore and history to pop culture, nostalgia, and everything in between, we've had a blast exploring the strange, fascinating, and sometimes downright ridiculous corners of the world.

Expanding Our Reach

One of the biggest additions in 2026 has been our weekly articles on the website. What started as a new experiment has become a regular part of the What's Shakin With Shaner experience. So far this year, we've published 26 articles covering a wide variety of topics. Some are reviews of books, television shows, and movies. Others are inspired by nostalgia, while a few can only be described as pure, unfiltered nonsense—the kind of delightful weirdness that fits right in with the spirit of the show.

Our Most Popular Articles of 2026

#5 "One Morning, an Elephant Wore My Pajamas (and Language Slipped on a Banana Peel)" This whimsical look at one of comedy's most famous jokes proved that language, humor, and a well-timed banana peel are still a winning combination. To see this article, click here!

#4 "Beware the Ides of March (and Other Mildly Inconvenient Tuesdays)" Once upon a calendar page—somewhere between “Tax Season Is Coming” and “Why Is It Still Cold?”—lurks the Ides of March. A date that has spent over two thousand years refusing to calm down and just be a normal day like March 12th or March 27th. No, the Ides of March insists on vibes. To review, click here!

#3 "You can’t put a porcupine in a barn, light it on fire and expect to make licorice!"

This famous, nonsensical quote is often attributed to comedian Dana Carvey’s impersonation of 1992 presidential candidate Ross Perot on Saturday Night Live. It illustrates a simple truth: you can’t expect a specific, often absurd outcome from a completely illogical set of actions. To read, click here!

#2 "Why Wonder Man Might Just Be Marvel’s Most Refreshing Series Yet" At its heart, Wonder Man follows Simon Williams, an aspiring actor suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II brings real soul to the role, crafting a Simon who feels authentic — ambitious, insecure, occasionally self-absorbed, but always searching for something meaningful. To review, click here!

#1 "My Top 5 Favorite Jonny Quest Episodes: A Nostalgic Adventure" Revisiting these episodes is like stepping back into a world of endless possibilities—a world where science and adventure collide. If you haven’t watched Jonny Quest in a while, now’s the perfect time to rediscover why this series remains a beloved classic. To read, click here!

Growing the Nerd Herd

Our audience continues to grow, and we're thrilled to welcome listeners from around the globe. In 2026, we've added listeners from several new countries, including Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Denmark, Japan and Ghana. We've also expanded our reach into new cities across Spain, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and France. Every new listener is another member of the Nerd Herd, and we're honored that people from so many different places choose to spend a little of their time with us.

Welcoming New Guests

The past six months have also brought some new voices to the podcast. We welcomed two new guests to the show: our longtime friend Jody, whom we've known for more than twenty years, and Rot Dog, a friend of over forty years. Both brought great stories, unique perspectives, and plenty of laughs. We also welcomed back some fan favorites, including Will King and our good friend Matt from Matt Spectro Through the Multiverse.

Even better, we've already booked several new guests for the remainder of 2026, and we can't wait to introduce them to the Nerd Herd.

Exploring New Topics

One of the things that keeps the podcast fresh is our ever-changing rotation of topics.

This year we've expanded into new territory, exploring heroes, mysterious locations, and a whole collection of folklore from around the world. We're also looking forward to revisiting fairy tales in the near future, adding another layer to our growing catalog of strange stories and fascinating history. No matter where the conversation takes us, our goal remains the same: to entertain, educate, and occasionally make you wonder what exactly we've been drinking.

The Most Popular Episodes

Now it's time to look back at the episodes that resonated most with listeners during the first six months of 2026. Let's explore our Top three Most-Listened-To Episodes of the Year So Far.

#3 Have No Fear Under Dog is Here!

In this nostalgic episode of “What’s Shakin With Shaner,” host Shakin Shaner and sidekick Psycho Bob the Cat invite listeners to relive the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons with a deep dive into the classic animated series, “Underdog.”

Joined by special guest Will, a returning friend and U.S. Navy veteran, the conversation explores the origins and cultural impact of “Underdog.” Listeners are taken back to the 1960s, when “The Underdog Show” debuted as a clever parody of the superhero genre.

#2 So I married an Axe Murderer

In this episode of What’s Shakin’ With Shaner, Shakin Shaner and his chaotic co-host Psycho Bob the Cat dive headfirst into the gloriously odd 1990s cult classic So I Married an Axe Murderer. From beat poetry and butcher shops to conspiracy-obsessed Scottish dads, the conversation celebrates everything that makes this film endlessly quotable and lovingly bizarre. 

Joined by first-time guest Jody, a longtime friend of the show, the Nerd Herd revisits Mike Myers’ dual performance, the film’s origins, and its journey from box-office underdog to VHS-and-cable favorite.

#1 Candy Bar Wars

Grab a snack and join Shakin Shaner, Psycho Bob the Cat, and special guest Scott as they dive headfirst into the sweet battlefield of candy bars. From the ancient origins of cacao in Mesoamerica to the rise of modern chocolate empires, this episode unwraps the surprising history behind one of the world’s favorite guilty pleasures.

Along the way, the crew takes a nostalgic trip back to childhood memories, Halloween candy hauls, and the excitement of buying your favorite treat at the local store. They break down the biggest candy brands, uncover strange and lesser-known candy facts, debate what actually qualifies as a candy bar, and put their taste buds—and opinions—to the test.

Looking Ahead

We're off to a fantastic start in 2026. On June 24, we reached the #1 spot in the Nerdy Podcast category on Goodpods—a milestone we're incredibly proud of. Combined with our previous success on the platform, it's another sign that the Nerd Herd continues to grow and thrive.

The first six months of 2026 have been filled with great conversations, fascinating topics, wonderful guests, and amazing support from listeners around the world. Thank you for being part of this journey. Here's to the next six months of weird history, folklore, nostalgia, pop culture, and whatever other rabbit holes we happen to tumble down.

Stay curious, stay nerdy, and keep shakin'.

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To catch our bi-weekly podcast, "What' Shakin With Shaner", you can find us on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Goodpods, Podcast Addict, Amazon Music, Audible, I Heart Radio or at our website, shakinshaner.com. We publish a new episode every other Sunday.