Original Geek Origins: D&D, Satanic Panic, and Growing Up Nerdy
Before geeks ruled pop culture, we were the weird kids in the basement rolling dice—and getting blamed for Satanism. We go back to the roots of geekdom with Dungeons & Dragons, Atari, comic shops, and the culture wars that made being a nerd a liability. This is the untold origin story of Original Geek.
In Episode 1 of Original Geek, Steve Scarfo and Jeff Shaw roll back time to explore the secret lives of Gen X geeks who survived the satanic panic, comic book bans, and parental paranoia—all for the love of Dungeons & Dragons.
🎲 Was D&D really satanic?
📼 What was it like to roll dice in hiding?
🧙♂️ Why did comic books and RPGs feel like contraband in the ‘80s?
From underground campaigns and Monster Manual shame to Dragon Magazine hacks and awkward multi-class geek identities—we go deep into what it meant to be an Original Geek.
Whether you’re a lifelong DM or a recovering stealth geek, this episode is a celebration of resilience, imagination, and the roots of modern fandom.
🗣 Got a geek confession or D&D war story? Hit us up at OriginalGeekPodcast@gmail.com or visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com
#OriginalGeek #DnDPodcast #SatanicPanic #GeekCulture #GenXGeek #DungeonsAndDragons #DragonMagazine #CriticalRole #StrangerThings #NerdHumor #BasementTreasure #RollForInitiative #RetroRPG
Welcome to Original Geek—the podcast for anyone who rolled their first d20 on shag carpet, waited hours for a comic book JPEG to load on dial-up, and wore the label “geek” back when it got you mocked, not monetized.
Hosted by stand-up comic Steve Scarfo and Forever DM Jeff Shaw, we dive deep into what it meant to be a geek in the '70s and '80s—and how that underground culture became the mainstream multiverse we live in today.
🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, comic book chaos, geek court debates, and critical hits from your childhood basement.
👾 Follow us @OriginalGeekPodcast on socials and visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com for merch, extras, and to send us your own geeky tales.
If you ever hid a Monster Manual like it was porn, you’re not alone. You’re an Original Geek. Welcome home.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!