In Defense: A Podcast

Wise sage Jake Jabbour (@WakeUpWithJacob, co-host of The Meat Improv podcast) returns to the program to defend his love of shows set in Los Angeles despite there being so many of them. We also discuss Kevin Smith, pursuing your dreams, representation in media, and the state of modern comedies. We also make jokes and laugh a lot!

We're back baby! After a short break, the ever-hilarious Roommate of the Show Carolyn Klarecki (@carolynklarecki) returns to defend her love of shopping malls. We rank and discuss the stores, kiosks, and restaurants of the American staple, but not until we talk microphones, playgrounds, art classes, and childhood dating!

Fan favorite and one of the funniest humans I know Justin Sherman (@ShermanComedy) returns to the program to defend his love of hustling to make it in the comedy world (I know, I know. Not the craziest defense, but he's super funny and I wanted to have him back). On top of the ebbs and flows of his pursuit of success, we also discuss basketball, grade school, boba, Don't Think Twice, the Popcorn Song, and Mac Miller.

Dear friend and fellow podcaster Tiffany Soliah (@tsoliah, Peanut Butter and Jelly Shoes podcast) shows some next level fandom towards her precious Doctor Who, the British sci-fi phenomenon that die-hard nerds love yet most simply tolerate. We discuss why she loves the show so much and she answers all of my many ignorant questions, but not before we discuss Hot Topic, the Traffic Cone Guy, Steven Moffat, and James Bond!

Actor/improviser/podcaster Mark David Christenson (I Will Watch Anything Once podcast, @hobbit138) introduces me to the 1977 Ralph Bakshi animated film that no one has heard of, Wizards. We discuss the violent fantasy and why Dave will defend it to the end, but not before touching on cover songs, dancing as therapy, Beetleborgs, remakes and special effects, Tron Legacy, and Dave's sexual awakening!

Friend of the show and talented artist Matthew Dwyer (@matthewedwyer, he did the logo!) returns to explain his love and indulge his extensive knowledge of anime, including his favorite shows and animators/directors, but not before discussing The Beatles, discovering horror movies, and the inability to properly pronounce words!

It was promised early on, and we're finally delivering! Joey spends the first minisode sharing his love of the Seattle band and gives many reasons why you should love them too!

We hit the topic hard and fast when Matthew Kane (@MattKANEEE) returns to discuss his causal superfandom of the famous card game Magic: The Gathering! We also discuss Maximum Carnage, buying cigarettes, AFI, werewoofs, the stigma around the game, and we even open a brand new pack live on the air! Can you believe it?!

Most people believe variety is the spice of life, but today's guest, who eats the same three meals from the same three restaurants almost every single day, believes otherwise. Zack Bornstein (@zackbornstein, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Nerdmelt's 1000 Comics to See Before You Die) talks about his endlessly repeated meals, befriending delivery people, and what happens when you break up with one of your few restaurants. We also discuss highway directions, SeeSo, 7/11 bananas, Dungeons and Dragons, and we do a mini-episode: Men's Neck Chains!

It's the Fourth of July! We're celebrating America's day of birth by honoring a proud American retail company and its underloved invention: the Amazon Echo, a product which returning guest John Paul Green (@johnpaulgreen, Austin and Ally) calls one of his best purchases ever. John Paul talks us through a day in the life of his Echo, but first, we discuss patriotic songs, youth group, Cutest Couple, Holly Hunter, Spotify, John Frusciante, and Nuttin for Christmas! Thanks for listening, Jeff Bezos!

King of New York and genuine Disney Vacation Club member Eric Osterman (@E_Osterman) shares his love of Disney World and the Disney World Resorts, but not before he performs all of his new LA stand-up material! We also discuss campus money, Segway tours, naming your kids, and bunking up with your significant other.

Finally giving credit to a city that doesn't get enough, comic Justin Sherman (@shermancomedy, @justinsherman on Snapchat) shares some of his favorite things about his home city of Omaha including fast food and baseball, but before that, we discuss boba, stand-up, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, strip clubs, high school sports, and I teach Justin how to properly fold a pair of shorts!

The incredibly smart Neal Kelley (@nealkelley) dives deep into his love and knowledge of the presidents throughout time, as well as naming best, worst, and his personal favorites. Before we get there, we discuss albums, campaign songs, American Idiot, the 6-disc car changer, and SNL presidential impressions. For tickets to the show Neal is producing, go to http://www.thegayguidetotinseltown.com/

The self-proclaimed "Jane Goodall of One Direction" Carolyn Klarecki returns to the show to discuss her love of the British boy band sensation. We talk about their best songs, music videos, and their roles in the group, but not before discussing slang terms, Twitter drafts, posthumous releases, corn dogs, and, best of all, Carolyn's ideal "meeting Harry Styles" scenario!

Pop culture savant Alex Warheit (@RegardingAlex) returns to the show to gush over the 2001 film adaptation of the cartoon classic, but before that, we discuss middle names, American Pie (both song and film), Kevin Smith, pop punk bands, the importance of MTV, and my relentless love for Josie McCoy.

The smart and charismatic Helen Grossman (co-founder, the Align dating app) gives her professional opinions on astrology, horoscopes, and the zodiac, while also discussing Y2K, turkey legs, retrogrades, the astrological signs of the presidential hopefuls, bingo, The Offspring, and Helen even gives me a very accurate natal chart reading!

The laughs hit hard and the air horn hits harder when Dan Lippert (UCB's Winslow and Big Grande) hits the studio to talk about his love and knowledge of HBO's hit series Entourage. First, we chat about burritos, sports fans, birthday drama, Dan's favorite band The Ataris, Pauly Shore, Foo Fighters, the Entourage Challenge, and we talk through the episode of Entourage that Dan would write!

True gentleman Anthony Mendola (@AnthonyMendola) stops by to discuss the underrated 2001 gem 'Saving Silverman,' as well as swear words, not knowing friend's last names, racy material, Neil Diamond, misbehaving as teens, and Anthony's dad's favorite number!

My kind, wonderful friend Bill Parker (@BillParker75, editor and EP of TruTV's Billy on the Street) shares the Four Strikes against Phil Collins and explains why he is unfairly maligned by music fans everywhere. While on our Collins journey, we also discusses heroism, Tim Allen, Jack Skellington, the Tarzan soundtrack, Hook, Phil's obsession with the American Civil War, and Bill shares some choice songs!

First ever guest and first repeat guest Zoe Klar (@zoeklar, @madamezooble on Snapchat) returns for another visit to explain her love of hitting the sack early, but not before discussing our new form of saying thank you, her white noise machine, the HOV lane, early birds vs night owls, and the word "hands."