Reconcilable Differences

#204: The Dump Valve​​

March 17th, 2023 · 88 minutes

Things kick off with Merlin's noisy electronic livestock and a frustrating health update from John. Whose family now hates him.

In Follow-Up, Mr. Siracusa provides his son with a correction on The Novocaine Story, which leads to a digression into how John's dad writes text messages........

This ends up providing a great segue into the main t…

#203: The Javicoli House

March 3rd, 2023 · 73 minutes

Things kick off with Merlin auditioning a new on-air style, and John coughing in a way that portends imminent health developments.

Unsurprisingly and delightfully, there is a lot of really good Follow-Up on John's recent medical adventure. Listener-experts chime in on all manner of issues. Also John reveals his test resu…

#202: Running Clear

February 18th, 2023 · 110 minutes

Follow-up brings updates on skiing metaphors and ideas for tricking your brain into drawing a little better.

Then, for the balance of the episode, John shares details of a recent medical adventure. Including an unexpectedly positive side effect.

For this month's members-only bonus show, your hosts talk about The Last of Us in its incarnati…

#201: Look Behind the Potato

February 3rd, 2023 · 109 minutes

Things kick off with a consideration of John's theoretical funeral. Merlin can't understand why John won't adopt him.

In Follow-Up, your hosts briefly consider their recent bicentennial and agree that words about parts or multiples of a thing are way too confusing.

As a main topic, John has questions about **Merlin's fraught history with dra…

#200: The Genius Who Keeps Retiring

January 20th, 2023 · 146 minutes

Things kick off with Merlin pressing John for some candid advice on a new affectation he's been considering. John is certain that using a Dremel is not actually part of Merlin's job, but Merlin's not so sure. Photos of Mr. Miyazaki are reviewed.

In Follow-Up, John has some toe updates. Mere moments after swearing he's not going to make noises a…

#199: Reverse Gift of the Magi

January 6th, 2023 · 102 minutes

Merlin is pretty proud of his dinner, but John has questions about the dressing situation. Merlin may not understand how skiing works.

In Follow-Up, John shares more voices from the past, and your hosts confront an escalating international rift about the existence of a facial expression.

Finally, it's time for Holiday Results, which somehow…

#198: Baby Alive

December 23rd, 2022 · 89 minutes

Things kick off with a consideration of mouth noises and beloved bits. This leads to a look at entertainment that functions as comfort food. Wanna know what you're playing for?

Lot of great listener Follow-Up this week, including more on British facial expressions, hassles for the proper Lex, and some prior art around "sharrow."

The main top…

#197: My Waking-Hour Pie

December 9th, 2022 · 93 minutes

Merlin shares a new insight about the pre-flight, but, as usual John disagrees. Then, there's some discussion of playlists and that time John got Merlin into Chvrches.

There appears to be some continental disagreement about a ubiquitous facial expression, and John directs Merlin on some more of the things he supposedly pronounces weirdly. Your…

#196: Less Talk, More Squawk

November 25th, 2022 · 99 minutes

Things kick off with a quick look at the recent TicketMaster dustup. Merlin shares what a "news peg" is, and John has simple ideas for avoiding unnecessary logjams on the web.

As a main topic. upon Merlin's request, John generously provides a tour of his app, SwitchGlass. We learn what itch John was scratching an…

#195: Sloppy Focus

November 12th, 2022 · 103 minutes

MastodonThings kick off with about ten minutes of very useful nail clipper talk.

Up next, lots of good listener Follow-Up on the origins of CSS color names, how to pause a TikTok with your meat fingers, plus revealing some scalable methods for finding free money from …