{"podcast":{"title":"The United States Department of Nerds Podcast","slug":"the-united-states-department-of-nerds-podcast-6458372","podcast_index_feed_id":6458372,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-united-states-department-of-nerds-podcast","website_url":null,"image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/3uR7wzHPN4OuGqAXjlJP-WKXevDcYxp6TefwvEFCYkI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xMDE0/NzI5MzBlZGRiOGQ2/MzFlNGI2NzJiMzc2/MTczOC5wbmc.jpg","author":"Datfeelin Podcast Network","episode_count":126,"summary":"USDN Podcast is a cinematic indie comics interview series hosted by the USDN_Chairman and the Council of Nerds spotlighting the creators, storytellers, and worldbuilders shaping the future of independent comics. Each episode dives beyond headlines into the real journeys behind the books from Kickstarter launches and creative struggles to the philosophies driving today’s indie storytelling movement. This isn’t about rumors or recycled news. It’s about the people creating the worlds. Through in-depth conversations, creator spotlights, and crowdfunding discussions, USDN explores: • The rise of indie comics • The business of crowdfunding • The art of worldbuilding • The realities of independent storytelling USDN is where indie comics come to life for the fans, by the creators, and powered by the community.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-31T02:20:16.542664+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-united-states-department-of-nerds-podcast-6458372"},"episode":{"title":"Panopticon, Surveillance, and Indie Comics with Matt Stevens","slug":"panopticon-surveillance-and-indie-comics-with-matt-stevens","published_at":"2026-06-28T14:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-united-states-department-of-nerds-podcast-6458372/panopticon-surveillance-and-indie-comics-with-matt-stevens","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-united-states-department-of-nerds-podcast-6458372","url":"https://share.transistor.fm/s/42ccb24e","audio_url":"https://media.transistor.fm/42ccb24e/a5925f87.mp3","summary":"Panopticon, Surveillance, and Indie Comics with Matt Stevens What happens when a prison doesn't need guards because the prisoners believe they're always being watched? This week on the USDN Podcast, Jeff \"The Chairman\" Fountain welcomes writer, artist, and creator Matt Stevens to the Council of Nerds to discuss Panopticon , a psychological science fiction comic that explores surveillance, memory, identity, freedom, and the systems that shape human behavior. Matt shares the inspiration behind Panopticon, the philosophy that influenced the story, his journey into creator-owned comics, founding Dark Web Comics , launching the project's Kickstarter campaign, and what's next with Panopticon: The Chasm . Whether you're a fan of indie comics, science fiction, psychological thrillers, or creator-owned publishing, this episode offers an insightful look into the creative process behind one of indie comics' most thought-provoking new series. Guest Links Panopticon: https://www.panopticoncomic.com Dark Web Comics: https://www.thedarkwebcomics.com Late Pledges: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/panopticoncomic/panopticon-1 Read Issue #1 Free: https://embed.macroverse.com/portal/019d9496-2048-7299-8a67-b5d88ceb30ea Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panopticoncomic/ Dark Web Comics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarkwebcomics_/ Support USDN Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast Support USDN Through BCW Supplies: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn Use Coupon Code: USDN Save 10% on your retail order while supporting the USDN Podcast. USDN receives a 5% commission when coupon code USDN is used on qualifying purchases. This has been the USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.","meta_description":"Panopticon, Surveillance, and Indie Comics with Matt Stevens What happens when a prison doesn't need guards because the prisoners believe they're always b…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":5577,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-united-states-department-of-nerds-podcast-6458372/episodes/panopticon-surveillance-and-indie-comics-with-matt-stevens/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-united-states-department-of-nerds-podcast-6458372/panopticon-surveillance-and-indie-comics-with-matt-stevens.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}