Get ready to dive deep into the pervasive influence of the past as “Nostalgia as a Double-Edged Sword,” a dynamic panel hosted by Temple of Geek and Intermyth, is set to take the stage at San Diego Comic-Con. The insightful discussion will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM PDT in Room 23ABC.

“Nostalgia as a Double-Edged Sword” Panel

In today’s world, audiences are more shaped than ever by the concept of nostalgia. This panel will explore how a love for past decades significantly dictates people’s moods, financial decisions, and even their futures. Attendees will gain insights into why so many generations cling to their past pop culture affections and the broader impact this trend has on the entertainment landscape as a whole.

The compelling conversation will be led by a distinguished group of experts, creators, and pop culture icons:

• Victoria Male (Writer, Producer)
• Marwa Abdalla (Professor of Television, Film, and Media, San Diego State University)
• Dale Godboldo (Actor, Producer, Philanthropist)
• Peter Guse (Influencer, Author, Podcaster)
• Bryce Charles (Actor, Singer, Voiceover Artist)
• Moderated by Law Sharma (Actor, Entertainment Journalist)

These panelists will collectively examine the sociopolitics of cherishing yesteryear, the nuances of artistic expression when viewed through the lens of the past, and the complex love/hate relationship with nostalgia that can either propel or hinder audiences from embracing new and interesting ideas.

Victoria Male, who helped curate the panel, expressed her enthusiasm: “I am so excited to return to San Diego Comic Con to discuss one of my all-time favorite topics: millennial nostalgia! Along with the team at Intermyth and Temple of Geek, we’ve put together the perfect panel of experts, creators, and pop culture icons to discuss the role nostalgia plays in our lives and society at large. You won’t want to miss this totally rad discussion!”

Event: Nostalgia as a Double-Edged Sword Panel

When: Thursday July 24, 2025 8:00pm – 9:00pmPDT

Where: Room 23ABC

Meet the Panelists:

Victoria Male is an internationally recognized screenwriter, earning accolades from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, film festivals, and prestigious industry lists. She has both an independent feature and series in active development, and her prose has been published worldwide in fifteen literary magazines. Victoria also consults for popular entertainment apps. As a producer, she has brought table read fundraisers and insightful podcasts to life and has served on the development teams at Graphic India and the Ghostbusters franchise.

Dale Godboldo is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a 30-year veteran of entertainment both in front of and behind the camera. On screen, Dale played Dream Team attorney Carl E. Douglas on Ryan Murphy’s FX TV series, The People V. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, which won multiple awards including the Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Best Limited Series. He began his career as a cast member on The ‘All New’ Mickey Mouse Club alongside notable stars like Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. Dale has appeared in over 130 episodes of television, including 911, NCIS, and HBO’s Perry Mason, and a dozen films such as The Sum of All Fears and Marvel’s Thor. Behind the camera, Dale has structured distribution and financing for entertainment projects with companies like Lionsgate and Warner Home Video. He recently Executive Produced The Final Wish horror film. In 2011, Dale launched a grass-roots movement committed to building a better future for children and future generations. His work amplifies causes by bridging ideas, organizations, and influential individuals through world-class events that leverage community activism, arts, media, and NGOs to inspire action against poverty, inequality, and climate change. Dale also helped launch Unite4: Humanity Awards, which contributed millions to non-profits worldwide, featuring figures like Martin Scorsese and President Bill Clinton. He is passionate about mentorship, the arts, and an advocate for youth arts and education, diversity and inclusion, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Bryce Charles is a Los Angeles-based actor, singer, and model. She is known for her role as Nabulungi in the 2nd National Tour of The Book of Mormon and her work with American musical theatre company Team Starkid. Bryce has appeared in TV series such as Fuller House, Atypical, The AM Archives, and Black-ish, and had a recurring role in Tales of the City. She also has experience in voice acting, being one of the player voice options in Saints Row (2023) and currently voicing Dee Dee Holloway in Big Nate. She was nominated for an Ovation Award for her appearance as Sarah in Ragtime at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Peter Guse is a former teacher who became a corporate millennial, then an NLP-certified mindset mentor for millennials. He is passionate about teaching how to use the power of the brain and mind to create meaningful growth, overcome burnout, and embrace new ways of thinking and living. With over 380,000 social media followers, a podcast, and as the author of “When Adulting Feels Insulting: A Self-Help Guide for Burnt Out Millennials,” Peter aims to assure struggling millennials that they are not alone and it’s never too late to make changes.

Marwa Abdalla teaches undergraduate courses in the Department of Theater, Television, and Film and the School of Communication at San Diego State University, as well as in the Department of Communication at UC San Diego. Her courses focus on foundational concepts in communication, media, and cultural studies, the histories of mis- and disinformation, and how minoritized families and communities navigate racism and discrimination. As an educator, she aims to honor students’ unique positionalities while challenging them to examine dominant representations of race, gender, religion, class, and sexuality. Marwa is also a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Communication at UC San Diego and a recipient of the Jacobs Fellowship. Her dissertation explores the representation of Islam and Muslims across news, popular, and social media sites, analyzing how terms like “moderate Muslim” function in major newspapers, how positive portrayals on streaming platforms rely on Islamophobic stereotypes, and how TikTok obscures Islamophobia. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, and recognized with several awards. Outside of academia, Marwa has almost two decades of experience as a community educator, panelist, and presenter challenging racial and religious discrimination. She co-authored the Covering American Muslims Objectively and Creatively guide for media professionals.

Meet The Moderator:

Law Sharma is an Actor, Producer, and Host born in San Jose, CA, and based in Los Angeles. He identifies as a “giant NERD” and uses his love for fandom to create content with fans in mind. Beyond interviewing celebrities and filmmaking, Law is an outspoken advocate for the AAPI community and aims to pave the way for meaningful representation.

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