Season 4 of The Pulse goes out exactly how you’d expect: with board game hype, convention chaos, emotional support trains, theme park rankings, Kickstarter confessions, and a deeply passionate debate about secondhand embarrassment in television.

Luke, Michael, and returning guest Kyle wander through basically every nerdy rabbit trail imaginable, from Gen Con anticipation and PAX Unplugged memories to Universal Studios butterbeer theology and why board game companies continue to own everyone’s wallets. Along the way, they discuss giant board game hauls, upcoming releases, travel nightmares, church busy seasons, anime channels hidden in the Discord, and whether Luke can emotionally survive watching The Pitt.

This week on LTN Pulse, Luke and Michael sit down with longtime Love Thy Nerd community member and volunteer Michael “MDB” Brown for a deep dive into all things nerdy.

From a massive Gundam collection and Star Wars Legends novels to anime recommendations and replaying Starfield multiple times, MDB shares what he’s been reading, watching, and playing lately. The crew also talks about why fandom matters, how nerd culture creates connection, and the surprising community impact of something as simple as a bracket challenge in Discord.

Whether you love giant robots, sci-fi epics, RPGs, or just hearing nerds passionately nerd out together, this episode has something for you.

Luke and Michael welcome longtime Love Thy Nerd volunteer and missionary Kyle Matthews to LTN Pulse for a laid-back conversation about nerd culture, local ministry, and what it looks like to serve people through shared interests. Kyle talks about life in Bend, Oregon, his history with GameChurch and Love Thy Nerd, his “Kyle’s Nerdy Mission” updates, reading Hellboy and Love Does, watching Daredevil: Born Again and Star Wars Maul content, playing Blood on the Clocktower, Hogwarts Legacy, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and serving through community college tabletop nights, church game nights, NCMS, and upcoming convention outreach like Gen Con. It’s a fun, honest episode about comics, games, community, burnout, mission trips, and why nerdy spaces can become meaningful places of care and connection.

• Join the Discord: https://lovethynerd.com/discord
• Serve with us at events: https://lovethynerd.com/outreach
• Volunteer with LTN: https://lovethynerd.com/volunteer
• Support the mission: https://lovethynerd.com/partner

In this episode of LTN Pulse, Luke and Michael are joined by Joe Bragg for a conversation that starts with lawnmowers and allergies before moving into board games, retreats, discipleship, and hospitality.

The crew talks about what they’ve been watching lately, shares a few game recommendations, and reflects on some underrated titles that deserve more attention. The core of the episode centers on Game Changer, the board game retreat Joe helps lead, and the ways gaming, worship, friendship, and meaningful conversation can create space for real connection and encouragement.

It’s a fun, thoughtful episode with plenty of tangents, laughs, and a strong reminder that presence and hospitality really do matter.

Hosts: Luke & Michael
Guest: Joe Bragg
Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-ltn-pulse/

In this episode of LTN Pulse, Luke and Michael are joined by first-time guest Joe Taylor for a conversation packed with convention stories, Pokémon nostalgia, board games, and plenty of unexpected detours. What begins with haircut updates and accidental train collecting turns into a deeper discussion about Joe’s first convention experience, finding community through LTN, and the impact of simply showing up and serving.

Along the way, they swap thoughts on movies, anime, retro gaming, handheld consoles, online board games, late-night gaming habits, and even pizza. Underneath the humor and rabbit trails is a meaningful thread about connection and how shared interests can lead to real friendships both online and in person.

Hosts: Luke & Michael
Guest: Joe Taylor
Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-ltn-pulse/

In this episode of LTN Pulse, hosts Luke and Michael are joined by returning guest Matt Warmbier for a conversation that moves from retro gaming nostalgia to the deeper value of building real relationships in nerd culture spaces. From classic games, old-school consoles, and anime surprises to convention stories and tabletop community connections, this episode blends fun memories with thoughtful insight on what it means to show up, serve others well, and build trust over time.

Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-ltn-pulse/

Michael and Luke are joined by longtime Love Thy Nerd volunteer and Discord legend Andy for a wide-ranging catch-up full of garden train dad energy, Gen Con Airbnb lore, audiobook deep dives, handheld gaming habits, and plenty of manga and YouTube rabbit trails. Between the laughs and convention memories, the conversation turns toward real life—family, hard seasons, local game nights, and how nerdy interests can open the door to something deeper. Funny, heartfelt, and a reminder that meaningful moments often start by simply sitting at the table together.

On this episode of LTN Pulse, the guys recap Tantrum Con 2026 along with special guest Pastor Michael Saunders—and what starts as light convention chatter quickly turns into youth group confessionals, destroyed ping pong tables, late night rulebook meltdowns, and the ongoing debate about whether male brains are ever fully formed.

But underneath the jokes and mascot racing strategy is something deeper: why sitting at a table matters, why shared hobbies open doors, why community isn’t accidental, and what it really looks like to build meaningful connections at a convention. From reconnecting with people year after year to unexpected spiritual conversations sparked by cardboard and wooden pieces, this episode is about using what you love to love people well.