John Siracusa and Merlin Mann try to figure out exactly how they got this way.

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Latest Episodes

#209: Trick Food

May 26th, 2023 · 79 minutes

Things kick off with some sundry food talk. John shows no interest in party-cut pizza or fruit juice concentrates, and Merlin identifies a perplexing class of food that's made of the wrong food.

Follow-up brings updates on how John tries to make his app play nice with macOS weirdness, and there's some important reconsideration regarding what La…

#208: Spinal Tap with Cowboy Hats

May 12th, 2023 · 94 minutes

Things kick off with Merlin giving John a pop quiz on music and a font. Merlin would also please like a special episode for his birthday.

After an admittedly overdue U2 Tangent, John gives Merlin a pop quiz on what their show is about. Then, Merlin clarifies what John can expect from an omnibus "Before Show" super-episode.

Follow-Up covers J…

#207: Between Ridiculous and Nonexistent

April 28th, 2023 · 105 minutes

Merlin explains his laundry number, and John has some quick Follow-Up on bathroom cups.

Next, for reasons he can't remember, Merlin wanted to learn more about a video game platform, and John obliges.

Then, it's time for John—who's behind on his podcasts—to catch up on what Merlin has been up to, and Merlin obliges.

(_Recorded on Monday, A…

#206: Hand Cuppers & Faucet Slurpers

April 14th, 2023 · 95 minutes

What happens in the bathroom can no longer stay in the bathroom.

For this month's members-only bonus show, Merlin shares his surprising Vacation Results.

You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and, yes, support our program.

(Recorded on Monday, April 3, 2023)

#205: A Cumulative Warmth

March 31st, 2023 · 87 minutes

Things kick off with Merlin teaching John a thing people used to say in Florida. Then, John ends up repeatedly having to say a phrase that doesn't really seem like the kind of thing that John ever says. Old concert t-shirts are researched and considered.

This somehow leads to a discussion of where things go that then transitions nicely into a n…

#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…