This week, the gang is talking about restaurant reservations after a British establishment Twitter-shamed groups that no-showed after making reservations. Why is it such a big deal? And are there ways to fix the system? Plus, as always, Pierce apologizes, and Sean celebrates some fantastic new music. MUSIC: "The Face of God" - Camp Cope ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Restaurants have resorted to publicly shaming no-show diners (The Takeout) Camp Cope - How to Socialise & Make Friends (Spotify) Lucy Dac...
Mar 05, 2018•43 min
This week, the subject of discussion is The Players' Tribune, the company founded by Derek " Yeah Jeets " Jeter to let athletes tell their stories free of silly little things like fact checking and objectivity. What is it? How does it fit into the sports media space-time continuum? And can we call it journalism with a straight face? MUSIC: "Cool" - Soccer Mommy ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: What Happens When Athletes Do the Sportswriting? ( New York Times Magazine ) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
Feb 26, 2018•38 min
This week, Sean and Pierce have a confession: They haven't really been paying attention to the Winter Olympics. They talk to noted winter sports fan Max about how the Summer and Winter Olympics are interesting in very different ways and how the Olympics aren't even the pinnacle of most of their sports. As always, Pierce apologizes, and Sean shouts out a movie (spoiler: it's Black Panther , which is really, really good) and a book. MUSIC : "DEVASTATED" - Joey Bada$$ ADDITIONAL MATERIAL : How NBC ...
Feb 19, 2018•36 min
This week, the guys talk about the end of an era: the era of L.L. Bean's famously generous return policy, which is finally coming to an end...or is it? Also featured in this episode: inter-species justice, someone who should have caught these hands, and a positive change from a company looking to help people make positive changes. MUSIC: "BOOGIE" - BROCKHAMPTON. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: South African lions eat 'poacher', leaving just his head (BBC) / L.L. Bean Has Ended Unlimited Returns, and I Am F...
Feb 13, 2018•41 min
The guys are talking about Best Buy's recent decision that it will take CDs off the shelves. What will take their place? And does this mean the compact disc is dying? As always, Pierce apologizes for something. And this week, Sean shouts out some movies he's seen recently. MUSIC: "Love, Like Language" - Happy Abandon ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Best Buy to Stop Selling CDs (Pitchfork). Does Vinyl Really Sound Better? (Pitchfork). RIAA Sales Data, 1973-2016 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
Feb 05, 2018•35 min
A conversation about Max's experience with Vegemite in Australia leads to a discussion of inexpensive regional foods. Why did a restaurant in Mississippi start serving pig-ear sandwiches? What happens when "the food of the people" gets co-opted by hipsters and rich people? And what are hot dogs really made of? (Just kidding--we don't actually want to know either.) MUSIC: "Night Shift" - Lucy Dacus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 29, 2018•39 min
What's so appealing about a series of more than a dozen 800-plus-page tomes? This week, Kevin joins Pierce and Max to talk about reading goals for 2018 and sci-fi/fantasy books. And, as always, Pierce apologizes. MUSIC: "Deception" - Blackalicious Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 22, 2018•35 min
This week, Max is back from his jaunt around the world, and the gang is talking about virtual assistants. They discuss the Internet of Things, unknown unknowns, and why your biggest concern right now is not that someone will hack your Amazon Echo and take over your home. Then Pierce checks in with a trademark apology and offers up a fascinating scientific update. MUSIC: "The Embers" - Vagabon. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Don't Buy Anyone An Echo (Gizmodo) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Jan 16, 2018•36 min
Rockstars . These people capture our imagination in a very specific way. How much of it has to do with the music anyway? And since we've been reminded so many times that rock is dead, who are the rockstars of today? Those are the questions that Sean and Pierce are talking about on this week's episode. MUSIC: "Dum Surfer" - King Krule. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: King Krule Will Be The Last Rock Star In The Universe (Deadspin) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 08, 2018•41 min
It's the first pod of 2018! Kevin joins Pierce and Sean to discuss why your goals should be about forming habits (not fulfilling resolutions) and what body positivity means. Believe it or not, the movie Spy Kids is involved. Pierce apologizes for a time that he didn't read, and Sean shouts out a phenomenal concert. MUSIC: "How Did We Get So Dark?" - Royal Blood. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Enough With the Resolutions Already (Lifehacker) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 02, 2018•51 min
In the last episode of 2017, the guys look back on what has been an exhausting year to be alive, and shout out the things that helped them escape for a while. Then Pierce apologizes, and he and Sean close the show celebrating a TV show that's operating at a very high level. MUSIC: "A Snake in the Shower" - The Hold Steady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 25, 2017•47 min
Wow, we've done this 100 times. That's kind of amazing. Anyway, Kevin joins the pod this week to help the guys discuss dating as facilitated by mobile apps. They look at how what we look for in other people has changed, and why it's important to get out and experience the world. MUSIC: "Done" - Camp Cope. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari (Amazon) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 18, 2017•46 min
Kevin joins the pod this week to talk about bars that host live music, Pierce apologizes for something, and Sean celebrates the ability to see three movies in a week. MUSIC: "Web in Front" - Archers of Loaf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 11, 2017•35 min
In the words of a friend of the show, Netflix went "from a Blockbuster killer to a euphemism for sex to more necessary than your cable subscription." But now, Pierce is wondering whether it's gone another step—to not being worth it anymore. MUSIC: "I Haven't Been Taking Care Of Myself" - Alex Lahey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 05, 2017•40 min
The third time (or is it the fourth? Or the fifth? Or the 97th?) is obviously the charm when it comes to podcast episodes about sports fandom. Pierce talks about his life as an Eli Manning fan masquerading as a Giants fan, and the gang ponders what he should do when the Manning era comes to a close in New York. Then Pierce apologizes (as always), and Max chimes in with a pop culture recommendation. MUSIC: "Up All Night" - David Bazan. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: The Simpsons Spectacular Part I / Part I...
Nov 27, 2017•36 min
This week, the gang talks about internet comment sections (which gets Sean very fired up), Pierce apologizes for his travel etiquette, and Sean debuts a new segment: Some S--- that Happened. MUSIC: "Kills to Be Resistant" - Bully. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: The Best Washington D.C. Tips From Our Readers (Lifehacker) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 20, 2017•38 min
Pierce is coming in hot with a bold suggestion this week. That leads to a conversation about time zones: Do they serve a purpose anymore? And is there a better way? As always, Pierce apologizes for something, and Sean celebrates pettiness in the world. MUSIC: "Tether" / "In Your Head" - loucey. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Daylight saving time ended Sunday: 6 things to know about “falling back” (Vox) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 13, 2017•46 min
This week, Pierce is back after a few weeks on the road—including some time spent traveling alone. That sparks a conversation about how traveling alone is different and the best way to maximize your solo-travel enjoyment rather than defaulting to your normal habits. MUSIC: "Hard Times" - Paramore. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: America is having an epistemic crisis (Vox) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 06, 2017•50 min
This week, an innocent question about Sean's record-shopping trip launches a discussion of what happens when iconic artists pass away—especially if you weren't particularly familiar with their work while they were alive. Then Pierce apologizes for his choice of words, and Sean shouts out Shea Serrano's new book. MUSIC: "Bendover" - A Giant Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 30, 2017•30 min
This week, real-life Pierce is off the grid, but podcast Pierce is available through some sorcery (i.e. we pre-recorded the episode) to talk about his and Max's recent purchase of the SNES Classic. Pop culture nostalgia is discussed, and something—possibly hilarity, but probably not—ensues. Then, if you stick around at the end, you can get an exclusive sneak peek at the kind of preparation the gang does before a recording session. MUSIC: "You Don't Hang Around" - The Lovely Bad Things Hosted on ...
Oct 23, 2017•46 min
This week, a blog post exploring whether "ikigai" is "the new hyyge" sparks a conversation about cultural appropriation, hipster dickbags, and the importance of following through on things. Oh, and what "ikigai" and "hyyge" mean in the first place. MUSIC: "Sober" - Lorde. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Is Ikigai the New Hyyge? (Food52) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 16, 2017•35 min
Ian just passed through town on a long car trip, so this week, the guys are talking about what food it makes sense to eat in the car. MUSIC: "Captive of the Sun" - Parquet Courts feat. Bun B Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 09, 2017•38 min
The gang's all together this week, and they're talking about sleep schedules, and Pierce apologizes for his laundry habits. MUSIC: "If Before I Wake" - The Districts (this is not the music that Sean mentioned in the episode--oops!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 02, 2017•37 min
Pierce and Sean gather to talk about concerts. Do you prepare for the concerts you go to? Do you go to the show if the band you're seeing just put out a bad album? And what's the deal with encores? MUSIC: "Giant" - Banks and Steelz. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Have A Nice Hot Cup Of Herbal Tea (Deadspin). Vince Staples on Hot Ones (YouTube) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 25, 2017•37 min
This week, Sean and Pierce talk about hot sauce, specifically Tabasco. Is it butt? Or is it perhaps...not butt? They close the show by discussing petty larceny and a South African student that stood up to robbers. MUSIC: "Hot Thoughts" - Spoon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 18, 2017•38 min
This week, the guys are talking about maps, specifically those of the Google variety. Has access to maps on our phones eroded our sense of direction or changed how we drive? And who do people that put their feet on the dash think they are? MUSIC: "Maps" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: A Definitive Ranking of “Getting the Gang Together” Montages (The Ringer) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 11, 2017•39 min
One of Pierce's favorite coffeeshops turns its wifi off over the weekend. Naturally, this called back to a time when the gang discussed a bar that used a Farraday cage to disrupt cell signals inside, and sparked a conversation about the etiquette of working at places that are neither your home nor your office. MUSIC: "Read My Mind" - The Killers. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Shea Serrano (@sheaserrano) on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 05, 2017•41 min
This week, the reactions to season 7 of Game of Thrones (no spoilers) have Pierce and Sean talking about cultural criticism and the times when Pierce takes issue with it. As always, Pierce apologizes, and Sean shares a TED excerpt that's got him thinking. MUSIC: "Cathedral" - Jade Bird. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks - How we can face the future without fear, together (TED) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 28, 2017•54 min
This week, Pierce opens the show by talking about a book Sean lent him—that he actually read for once. That leads to a conversation about what makes a piece of culture "dated," then Pierce apologizes and Sean shares a passage from said book. MUSIC: "The Stack" - White Reaper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 21, 2017•33 min
This week, Pierce confesses that something besides a concussion ails him: an adverse reaction to humor. With help from Kevin, the crew delves into that issue, then Pierce apologizes (as always). MUSIC: "Jumpstarting" - Deer Tick. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Vagabon on Audiotree Live (YouTube), "The Land of the Large Adult Son" (The New Yorker) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 14, 2017•38 min
