Reconcilable Differences

#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 …

#194: Hard Four

October 28th, 2022 · 89 minutes

Things kick off with John's strident observation of pre-show hygiene, and Merlin struggles to know his Targaryens from his Velaryons and his Valyrians. Merlin has a lot of problem with twins, and John mourns this new generation's lack of respect for proper media queuing. As ever, Merlin's demos are the worst.

There's some brief confusion abou…

#193: The Wrong Helen

October 14th, 2022 · 91 minutes

Things kick off with an ambitious proposal to recognize outstanding work by team members and keep the relationship fresh.

After ticking an item off of his "queue," John leads a nominally rapid-fire round highlighted by a controversial new Secret Weird Things People Do.

Things wrap with a provocative Dog Update in which John leverages the l…

#192: The End Table is Not Your Enemy

September 30th, 2022 · 89 minutes

John has concerns about why his fans are spinning up, and Merlin interrogates his recent obsession with the previous vice president.

The main topic this week concerns a question that's been banging around in Merlin's brain forever: is John inoculated against stress?

Once the usual arguments about wording and meaning have been (mostly) sett…

#191: Love and Cleaning

September 17th, 2022 · 96 minutes

John learns a little about a legendary Hollywood producer, and Merlin may not know how to do his job.

Apple announces some new products, London Bridge is down, and your hosts continue their tour of mini-topics.