The Mandcave with Mandy Kaplan & Mandy Fabian

Latest Episodes:

Make Me A Nerd: A Trailer... about all the things I don't understand yet. Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

Make Me a Nerd is a podcast for full-blown nerds and those who are nerd-curious. Its host, Mandy Kaplan, is a mainstream middle-aged mom who loves all things Football, Taylor Swift, and Housewives. Each week, she will be introduced to some form of nerdery way outside her comfort zone. By who, you ask? (we know it's whom, that was a "nerd test," and you passed it) A full-blown sci-fi/D&D/Ren Fair-loving geek guest determined to expand her horizons and recruit her to nerd-dom. You know what they say: "May the forest be with you"!

Spotify • Apple Podcasts • PocketCasts • YouTube Music

(00:00) - Welcome to Make Me A Nerd

The Mandys Join the Program May 27, 2024

Show notes

This is it, folks. The final bonus episode that the Mandys recorded before deciding to pull the plug on the podcast. But hold your tears, they didn't know they'd be pulling the plug, so instead of a somber farewell to a worn-out joke, it's a lively discussion about cults and kidnapping in Netflix's latest offering: The Program.

Huge thanks to everyone who has joined us on this rollercoaster ride over the past three years. It's been an absolute joy, and we're thrilled to present this one last episode. Stick around for some laughs, insights, and maybe a few tears (of joy, we hope).

(00:00) - Welcome to The Mandcave
(01:45) - British Mandys
(05:03) - The Program
(36:01) - Games!
(47:29) - Coming Attractions: Nothing! The show is over!

Mand in the end... May 13, 2024

Show notes

The Mandys dish on adult nocturnal surprises, Mandy's London adventures, and what's coming next for each of them... and this show.

OK, so that last part isn’t all roses. The Mandcave is officially coming to an end. Thanks to everyone for your support and participation these last three years.

Nuts and bolts: We’re canceling any recurring membership charges effective today. But we’re not canceling memberships themselves so you’ll still be able to access member and bonus content if you want to trip down memory lane with old episodes. As long as you members don’t unsubscribe from the member podcast, you’re golden.

As we mentioned, Mandy’s new film, Jess Plus None, is coming out this summer. Please head over to the website and follow the socials for details as they’re released. And Mandy’s new show, “Make Me A Nerd,” is launching soon on TruStory FM. The webpage isn’t built yet, but we’ll let you know when it is. VERY SOON!

If you have any questions about membership, hit up Pete and the TruStory guys at shows@trustory.fm. Otherwise, thanks again and we’ll be seeing you in that great podcast farm upstate!

(00:00) - Welcome to The Mandcave
(00:41) - The Greatest Podcast Story of All Time
(06:46) - Baby Reindeer
(09:40) - A Very Special Episode
(19:42) - Games!
(28:58) - Coming Attractions!

Mr. & Mrs. (Mandy) Smith Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

Mandy and Mandy are back with a heated discussion on the new Prime Video series "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"... or is it? The intercontinental BFFs dive into the confusing world of Hollywood IP and question if this show has anything to do with the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie blockbuster. (Hardly) Sparks fly as the Mandys debate the merits of this slow-burn spy drama. Will Donald Glover's charisma be enough to keep Mandy invested? Can Maya Erskine win over a skeptical Mandy? And what's up with Paul Dano being credited as "Hot Neighbor"?! Tune in for laughs, rants, and a rare moment of agreement over the ongoing hot flash saga and which audiobook is leaving Mandy cold.

(00:00) - Welcome to The Mandcave
(02:03) - Dear Girls
(06:35) - Mr. & Mrs. Smith
(27:03) - The Biz Ness
(28:01) - A Too-Challenging Game
(40:34) - Coming Attractions: Ted Redux

Mandburn Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Mandy and Mandy dive into the lush yet emotionally detached world of Emerald Fennell’s latest film Saltburn. With its stylish cinematography and shocking moments, is this a movie for everyone? Is it even for the Mandys?

The debate gets all sexy when they discuss whether the beautiful actors and scenery make up for the lack of character development and sometimes-cringey plot twists. Get ready for some spicy takes as they discuss the merits (and occasional misfires) of Fennell's satirical approach.

Strap in for Mandy v Mandy as they alternately rave and rant about this polarizing psychosexual thriller. Will you love it or loathe it? Tune in and get ready… because you’re never leaving Saltburn!

Also, it’s possible Mandy fights the British accent on the pod.

(00:00) - Welcome To The Mandcave
(01:27) - Obsessions... Who Killed JFK
(06:56) - Saltburn
(35:07) - Games!
(38:37) - Coming Attractions: Ted on Peacock

The Woman in Mande Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

The Mandys are back for book club! This week, Britney Spears and “The Woman In Me.” By the time you hear this, Mandy will be in London. But before she left, she recorded this last missive to celebrate the continually crumbling relationship she has on this podcast. Maybe next month, she’ll tune in eating some sort of crumpet or fish from old newspaper. Until then, we talk Tay, Brit, and Christina. Also, the show may be targeted by Russian hackers.

(00:00) - Welcome to The Mandcave
(01:38) - The Woman in Me

The Mandys Watch Bottoms Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

The Mandys end the fifth season with a banger: the dynamic duo finally tell the truth about their love of bottoms. Also, they watch the movie of the same name and may not disagree so much.

The big news is twofold... first, this is the season wrap for the big number five. Great season. Fun fights. But we’re coming back! Which brings us to the second news: Mandy’s moving to LONDON for a while. So, the break might be a touch longer than our usual hiatus, but fear not! Member and bonus eps are still coming around so hang out and know your patience will be rewarded.

(00:00) - Welcome to The Mandcave
(00:35) - The Face Face
(03:00) - The "run to your living room" movie
(07:08) - Bottoms
(28:02) - Support the Show this New Year! Become a Fandy!
(29:13) - Games!
(38:42) - Mandy is off across the pond!

Mandy Cane Lane Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

Happy Holidays from all of us in The Mandcave! This week, the Mandys are taking on Eddie Murphy's latest try at holiday cheer, "Candy Cane Lane." The lesson? The movie is really all about Pentatonix.

Ok, that’s not entirely fair. While Pentatonix Puppets are superlative, in classic Mandcave Smackdown Style, the Mandys disagree on some stuff. Whether or not Eddie’s grimaces kindle your nostalgic flames, this special holiday jam should be right up your chimney.

(00:00) - Welcome to The Mandcave
(00:32) - The Mandcave Christmas Album (isn't a thing, don't worry)
(03:32) - Family Ties Corner
(10:36) - Candy Cane Lane
(33:51) - Support the Show! Become a Fandy!
(35:09) - Games!
(47:56) - Coming Attractions: Bottoms

Mandernails Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

Mandy and Mandy are back with another lively debate on their hit podcast The Mandcave. In this week's episode, "To Pull or Not to Pull," the Mandys square off over the new sci-fi film Fingernails. Mandy describes it as "very artistic" exploring "interesting themes" around technology and love. So linger, listener on that, if you find you like the film. Because things take a turn from there.

Delving into the bizarre plot involving a dystopian institute that tests predestined love via matching fingernails, they cringe as near-naked couples participate in a "sniffing" exercise to identify their match solely by scent. Should art challenge us or entertain us? What role should technology play in romance? Some of those big questions are probably rooted in this episode. But, yeah, it’s mostly cringe. Oh, and children’s theater sex toys. Did we mention that?

(00:00) - Welcome to The Mandcave
(00:55) - News & Updates
(11:17) - Fingernails
(26:05) - The Bizness. Support the Show. Review. Become a Fandy. Get into our Jingle Bells
(27:22) - Games
(33:56) - Coming Attractions: Candycane Lane

The Mandys Take The D Train Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

The latest episode of The Mandcave finds co-hosts Mandy and Mandy diving into the comedy The D Train. Mandy assigns the indie film, convinced its boundary-pushing humor around sexuality will delight her co-host. Will the movie bomb for Mandy in her search for warmth in her cringe comedy?

“I like to explore sexuality in dangerous, unseen ways,” says Mandy in what has to be a perfect litmus test for some sort of undiscovered maladaptive behavior.

Through it all, the Mandys offer a storytime about their own high school reunions and hijinks. Some questions answered include: How do you prank call a teacher? How often did you successfully use your fake ID? And how easy is it to fake your mom’s signature?

OK, ok, you know you did this stuff, too. But don’t worry, this week’s episode has a not-too-secret method for absolution buried in it! But you have to listen VERY closely... all the way to the end... or you might miss it! (It’s Project Angel Food. And you should pause the podcast and sign up to do it yourself, too. Seriously.)

(00:00) - Welcome to The Mandcave
(01:45) - Please Don't Destroy!, Sliders, Ghosts, Morning Show
(07:27) - The D Train
(30:21) - Support the Show! Become a Fandy!
(31:29) - Games!
(43:23) - Coming Attractions: Fingernails