We’ve got a life and death lineup this month! Our resident infectious disease expert is back to tell us what’s up with COVID-19 these days. Plus we’re demystifying the work of a death doula, and a physician is here to vent about the ways our bodies evolved quite badly. Be there like your life depends on it!
March 12th, 2026 doors 6pm, show 7pm at River Arts District Brewing Co.
Pre-sale tickets $10, door $15 (cash preferred, Venmo etc. available). Get your pre-sale tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/nerd-nite-asheville-march-2026
This month’s lineup:
Dr. David O. Freedman
Current COVID-19 Situation Report
COVID is still with us. In NC approximately 500 patients a week are currently being admitted to hospital with COVID. Nationally, the wastewater viral activity level is currently moderate. What does that mean for you? Nerd Nite Asheville’s go-to guy for infectious disease facts will update you on the current events of this illness that is now part of our daily lives, including virus mutations, infectiousness, current symptoms, severity, drugs, vaccines, and developments with long COVID.
David O. Freedman, MD, is a retired Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama. He has spent his career traveling around the world in search of new infectious diseases organisms and how travelers spread them. During the pandemic he was Medical Director of a leading Clinical Decision Support provider supporting employees and dependents of multinational corporate, diplomatic, USG, and military entities operating globally. In 1988, he published the first ever paper on the original use of ivermectin to treat human intestinal worms. https://buncombe.librarycalendar.com/tb
Amy Wright Glenn
What Does a Death Doula Do?
We are all going to die. Yes, that means you, and me, and everyone we know. Death doulas are here to help us deal, make peace with, and process the bittersweet fact of our inescapable mortality. Through ritual, reconciliation, remembrance, and courage, death doulas show up as we bow out. Join Amy Wright Glenn, the founder of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death and discover what death doulas do!
Amy Wright Glenn taught for eleven years in The Religion and Philosophy Department at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey earning the Dunbar Abston Jr. Chair for Teaching Excellence. Amy is birth and death doula (DONA and INELDA trained), hospital chaplain, published author, and founder/director of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death, known for its innovative course design and teacher training programs. Amy teaches 7th and 8th grade ELA and Social Studies at The Odyssey School, in Asheville and ~ most importantly ~ is the mom of an amazing 13-year-old boy who loves theater, hiking, canoeing, and 3D printing. 🙂 www.birthbreathanddeath.com www.facebook.com/birthbreathanddeath
Dr. Alyssa Colombo
Evolution Gone Wrong
Like any great design, the human body has its flaws. What makes back pain so common? Why do we suffer through periods when most mammals don’t menstruate? And why do we all need glasses? Many of these flaws helped our ancestors survive, even if they left us with imperfect bodies today. Alyssa will take the viewer on a deep dive into human anatomy, discussing the weird, wacky, and unusual traits that make us who we are. Along the way, she’ll compare human anatomy and evolution to the clever solutions other animal species developed. Tune in and decide for yourself who did it best!
Alyssa Colombo (she/they) is a resident physician at MAHEC. In her day-to-day job, she cares for patients from Asheville and the surrounding areas. She has loved anatomy since she was young and enjoys finding new and innovative ways to combine her love of art, science, and education. Outside of work, she likes to spend time outdoors and can often be found at Asheville Community Yoga.
With your host, Von
This month’s Star Trek mini-feature: Star Trek vs. Women
In Gene Roddenberry’s utopian vision of an egalitarian Earth, were women truly seen as equals? This Women’s History Month, we’re going to look at some of the behind the scenes conflict between Gene and the studio execs, Gene’s weird original vision for Deanna Troi (three breasts??), the visionary moments and cringe-worthy blind spots of the predominantly male writers and producers, and the Bechdel Test scores of every Star Trek series.
Von claims this show for the Romulan Empire. (IG: @nerdniteAVL)