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EP019: Mic Check, Math Check: The Flow of Hip hop & Learning with Professor Lyrical – Nerds That Talk Good

Episode Summary: What happens when an elite battle rapper becomes a math professor? In this episode of Nerds That Talk Good, Dr. Peter Plourde—better known as Professor Lyrical—breaks down how he uses hip hop and academic rigor to reshape how we teach and learn STEM. We talk about Lyrical’s dual life in freestyle battles and …
  1. EP019: Mic Check, Math Check: The Flow of Hip hop & Learning with Professor Lyrical
  2. EP018: From Judo to JavaScript, & Fighting for What Matters with AnnMaria De Mars
  3. EP017: Laughing Your Way to Better Sales with Jon Selig
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About the show

Nerds That Talk Good is, hosted by Joel Benge, bringing together experts from the tech, science, and creative industries to discuss effective communication, storytelling, and technical education. Each episode dives into the unique journeys and insights of professionals who bridge complex technical subjects with engaging, accessible storytelling. Through candid conversations, Joel and his guests share strategies, personal experiences, and practical advice on translating intricate ideas into messages that resonate, whether for students, customers, or investors.

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Target Audience

The podcast is ideal for technical professionals, educators, creative communicators, and anyone interested in improving their ability to convey complex information. It’s designed for listeners who appreciate the blend of technical expertise with approachable, human-centered storytelling, making it perfect for people looking to engage audiences without overwhelming them with jargon.

About the host

Joel Benge is the principal consultant at MessageSpecs — supporting technical organizations in creating market messages that stick and scale.

He collaborates with clients to bridge the gap between their business goals and the emotional and motivational triggers of their desired audiences, crafting material that get noticed, gets remembered, and gets results.

With over 25 years in IT, cybersecurity, and marketing, Joel has worked for companies from NASA to Nickelodeon (along with a few other organizations that start with different letters than N).

Join the conversation!

Are you a nerd that talks good? I’d love to talk with you!

Podcast Cover - Nerds that Talk Good: Technical talk that just works, without overwhelming or dumbing down.

If you have a passion for technical communication — from computers to chemistry — and you’ve got stuff to share with others, you’re the perfect guest.

I’m currently recording the debut season of Nerds That Talk Good, where I interview interesting technical communicators about their journey of discovery from the keyboard to the keynote.

Let’s talk about it! Hit the button and grab a time for us to talk and set up the full interview.