Meet Matthew Woods | Podcaster / Comedian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Woods and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The true strength of our podcast lies in our ability to make listeners feel like they’re reconnecting with old friends. For our target audience, we’re that familiar group from down the street—the ones who gathered to talk about movies, TV shows, and the everyday moments that shaped our lives. And for those who didn’t have that kind of group growing up, we’re here to fill that gap.

Tyler, Trey and I have built an open and welcoming community, prioritizing genuine engagement with our listeners. Our long-standing friendships are at the core of what we do, and in an era where staying connected with childhood friends feels increasingly rare, we strive to create that sense of belonging.

Back then, friendships were effortless—no scheduled playdates or structured time, just spontaneous hangouts to watch movies, play games, or spend time together. That’s the spirit we aim to capture with every episode. We believe that the success of our show comes from its ability to transport listeners back to that carefree time and make them feel at home among friends once again.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The nature of being an artist or a creative is, by definition, not easy. In fact, it’s about embracing a lifetime of challenging work. But I believe that the moment you reach a point where the act of creating feels effortless—when it becomes second nature—that’s when you truly understand who you are as an artist.**

My professional journey began as a designer, working for agencies and corporations across the United States. But those skills didn’t come naturally to me. While I’ve always appreciated good design and aesthetics, it took years to grasp the core principles. It wasn’t until I transitioned into User Experience Design that everything finally started to click. Designing something just to look beautiful, trendy, or cool was never my strong suit. But designing *for people*—to create the best possible experience for them—that’s where I found my passion. User-centered design didn’t just make sense to me; it pushed me forward in my career. I realized that understanding people, listening to them, and fulfilling their needs was something I was not only good at but genuinely enjoyed.

Despite finding moderate success in my design career, I was still searching for something more fulfilling. I began exploring other creative outlets—specifically in comedy and showbiz. I tried stand-up, hitting local open mics a few times a week, but the late hours were impossible to balance with a young family at home. Being out from 6 PM to 2 or 3 AM wasn’t sustainable, and it wasn’t right for my family.

Then, in 2019, I had a moment of clarity. I was driving home, listening to one of my favorite podcasts, *We Hate Movies*. It reminded me of my old friend group back in Miami and all the late-night conversations we used to have. That wave of nostalgia hit me, and in that moment, the idea for *Nostalgialand* was born.

Looking back, I’d say the hardest part of being a creative is that nagging sense that you’re not creating what you’re “meant” to create. In hindsight, it feels like my entire childhood—surrounded by friends, movies, and comedians—was preparing me for this without me even realizing it. I believe that, at their core, artists are always in pursuit of something genuine—something that reflects who they are and resonates with others. For me, “Nostalgialand” became that pursuit.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Easy.

I would start the day off in Coral Gables and go to breakfast or lunch at The Fairways at the Biltmore. Its a historic building and when people think Miami I don’t think they ever expect to find a castle in the middle of a neighborhood.

Early afternoon would be going to Fairchild Gardens and enjoy a drink or glass of wine while walking through the exhibits.

And evening would be having diner out by the water at Bayshore Club in Coconut Grove.

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Next day would be brunch at Big Pink on South Beach and enjoying the day out by the water.

Dinner somewhere along Ocean Dr.

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For simpler days, relaxing by the pool at Venetian and grabbing lunch/dinner at one of my favorite places, Books and Books in Coral Gables. They have live music in the evenings and excellent food and drinks.

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Of course one day would have to be dedicated to experiencing The Everglades, either an airboat tour or going out to Shark Valley and taking the tram out to the lookout tower. I prefer to do this during the winter months.

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And finally ending the week with a day at Bill Baggs State Park, renting bikes or just laying on the beach next to the lighthouse.

Have an early dinner at Boaters Grill, which is located within the park and stays open passed closing. And finishing by watching the sunset from The Cleat, a locals bar, which is just a short walk (about 100 yards) from Boaters Grill.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my friends and co-hosts, without whom the success of this show wouldn’t be possible. Your support, humor, and friendship have made this journey unforgettable. You’ve made me feel like family, and having this incredible group of brothers has truly enriched my life. Thank you for being a part of this adventure—here’s to many more episodes and memories together.

Trey, Tyler, Tanner, Scott, Zach, Toby, Tony. Thank you.

Also shoutout to Steve Martin, Monty Python and Weird Al Yankovic for inspiring my sense of humor.

Website: https://nostalgialand.podbean.com/

Instagram: @nostalgialand.podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nostalgialandpodcast

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nostalgialand.podcast

Other: https://nostalgialandpodcast.com