Episode 278: Big Joe Breaks the Silence

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk marketing trauma, cultural decline, and the pluses and minuses of the silent treatment. Also, Sarah goes on a date to WalMart, while RJ tries real hard to be the shepherd. Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2025/05/mothers-day-email-opt-out/682715/) to read Ellen Cushing's article "The Brands Are Very Sorry About Your Trauma." Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/06/american-pop-culture-decline/682578/) to read Is This the Worst-Ever Era of American Pop Culture? by Spencer Kornhaber. Click here (https://mbird.com/everyday/law/deafening-silence/) to read "Deafening Silence" by Sam Bush on Mbird. Click here (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/magazine/ocean-vuong-interview.html) to read David Marchese's interview with Ocean Vuong in the NY Times.