John Branyan's Comedy Sojourn Podcast

Welcome, Neighbor, to our corner of Protestencia! We resigned from church leadership and left our church. (Or did it leave us???)  Special shout out to Cheri, who plays a vital role in making sure we publish our podcast every week! Contact the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com  

In our lively chat, we dive into a smorgasbord of topics, from the accessibility of musical instruments (which we still can't play) to our childhood attempts at entrepreneurship with lemonade stands and school fundraisers (spoiler: we didn't make millions). We even touch on the spiritual side of certain instruments, though our spiritual journey mostly involves trying not to trip over them. Our conversation is peppered with laughter as we reflect on the simple joys and creative chaos of childhood, which somehow shaped our understanding of business and community (or at least that's what we tell ourselves). We share hilarious tales of our childhood food escapades, including bizarre ice cream flavors and culinary misadventures at fairs and street vendors. We also reminisce about cruise ship life, discussing the glamorous (or not-so-glamorous) life of performers on board, and wax nostalgic about our favorite video games, which we still play with the same enthusiasm as when we were kids. It's a conversation filled

It's NOT THAT COLD over here, Neighbor!  Don't believe Luke and Cami!The Podninja and the Peaches are having Thermastat Wars...Later: we've been cleaning out old podcast recordings like they don't even matter! This isn't a very "Boomer" approch to memories and honoring the past.   Is it bad to live in a "consumer" culture, instead of a "saving" one? Contact the Comedian's family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com  

In our delightfully chaotic conversation, we bumble through a range of themes, from our questionable musical experiences and our clumsy attempts at connecting with nature, to our rose-tinted nostalgia for the past and our often misguided musings on technology's role in society. We share our personal misadventures, reflect on historical contexts we barely remember, and take wild guesses about the future of AI—all while trying to keep things light-hearted and humorous, even if we're the only ones laughing. We also dive into topics like the construction of the pyramids (as if we were there), the implications of artificial intelligence on our own intelligence (or lack thereof), and the evolution of technology. We ponder the nature of knowledge and wisdom in this digital age, and even speculate on the future of food, including lab-created products and vegan alternatives, despite our limited culinary expertise. Our conversation meanders through cultural perspectives on food, particularly the ethics of eating

John didn't go to church today, Neighbor.  But...he's still more holy than the Catholic.  Send us all of your catholic terms...  (Spoilers:  the word "Chamber" is not one...) There has been some tension between Luke and "his rib" today... Instead of going to get the pizza to feed everybody, Luke shot a racoon.... and buried it.   He's pretty sure it's the same raccoon he caught and released a few weeks ago... And we realize there are a lot of tail-less animals in our midst.   Then: Andrew comes back with his "new" shoes for the grass... and he tells us how to become a home-invader. Later:  There have always been ministers wanting to control the conversation... But, we have bad news for them.  The McKinney's have a podcast.   (Along with basically everyone else on the planet.)  It's getting harder and harder to burn heretics at the stake! To contact us, send an email to nextdoor@johnbranyan.com

In our chat, we dive into the wild world of viral trends, the art of remixing, and the sheer absurdity of modern entertainment. We tackle the one-man band phenomenon, the value of viral videos, and the complexities of seemingly simple activities like cornhole and knitting. We also touch on the irony of consumer choices and ponder the future of engagement in a digital age brimming with reaction videos and video games. In this lively exchange, we explore a range of humorous and absurd topics, from the legality of throwing various objects to the peculiarities of Indiana laws. We delve into the strange world of food regulations, particularly the infamous maggot cheese, and discuss fishing techniques and regulations. Our conversation takes a turn towards the fast-paced world of driving, questioning the mindset of those who speed excessively. Finally, we entertain the idea of innovative travel methods, including the whimsical notion of shooting ourselves out of a cannon.

Hello, Friendly Neighbor! First of all, there are a lot of baby noises on this episode--so if you DON'T want to hear Bridger being delightful, turn back now.  You have been warned! Later: A young man dropped out of welding school in order to go to seminary and become a minister. What does the table think about that???Email us at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com  to tell us if you ever wanted to become a welder. 

In our rambling little chat, we somehow manage to stumble across a buffet of nonsense, from pretending we understand drum covers to overanalyzing church potluck menus. We get into a heated (and completely pointless) debate about lasagna versus baked spaghetti—because clearly, the fate of civilization hangs on that. We brag about our “southern cooking skills,” which mostly just means frying things badly, and laugh at the goofy ways we describe our aches and pains like we’re auditioning for a medical dictionary no one asked for. Naturally, we drift into tales of botched craft projects involving super glue, confess our ignorance of proper restaurant etiquette, and take a nostalgic victory lap for outdated gadgets we barely knew how to use in the first place (Blackberry, anyone?). In a burst of misguided ambition, we even brainstorm fake ads that no sane sponsor would actually want. Somewhere in the chaos, we convince ourselves we’re exploring profound topics like the quirks of techn

We've been fellowshipping for HOURS already, Neighbor... And the baby is really ready to nurse to sleep. (Allow us to pause while the mama takes care of that...)It has been a jam-packed couple weeks of school, and there have been some tense moments in the car. The Peaches apologized for being grumpy. But, thankfully, none of the McBabies have run away from home...yet.  Do you want to annoy your wife early on a Sunday morning?  Luke can share what works for him.  Later:  When is it a good time to tell the truth? Contact the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com  We'd love to hear from you--unless it's 11:30 at night and you're sneezing LOUDLY. 

In our chat, we dive into the wild world of everyday life, chatting about everything from hoarding toilet paper like it's the new gold to the quirks of home decor that make us question our sanity. We share personal tales about our hobbies, like lake diving and the nostalgia of cereal box prizes that made us feel like treasure hunters, all while tossing in some takes on pop culture, like Superman's questionable fashion choices and those charming Southern accents that make everything sound like a song. We also explore the mind-bending paradoxes of time travel, the quirks of Quantum Leap, and our love for older TV shows that remind us of simpler times. We discuss how comedy has evolved in today's political climate, the impact of documentaries on pop culture, and the wisdom from unconventional teachers who taught us that life is one big improv show. And, of course, we can't forget our take on therapy and self-improvement, because who doesn't love a good laugh while figuring out life's mysteries? Through our bante

Welcome to the table--watch out for flying bits of chewed carrot and shoes...  John is still unwelcome at his home church, so he gives an update on his church-hopping travels. WHAT DO YOU DO when you have nothing to do at church???  Next: Luke has a great idea for how to make an impression at the church pitch-in. But only you would get the joke, Neighbor! Everyone else would just be confused... ...and that reminds us of our late friend, Hank McGill!  Then: You have homework, Neighbor! You need to send us your best punchlines for Hank's infamous set-up...  It goes: "A guy called and asked if I wanted a subscription to Prevention Magazine, and I said: ___________________________" LATER:  You know, lots of churches pay to bring in a comedian for a night of laughs, but having one as a member of your congregation isn't always delightful.   When you order the caviar for a fancy restaurant, it feels high-value and cool.  But if you just bring caviar to the average church pitch

In this chat, we take a playful plunge into the world of airplane etiquette, pondering why we all clap like enthusiastic seals when the plane lands and speculating on the secret superhero roles of flight attendants. We also explore a nifty app that helps us brainstorm jokes about air travel—because who doesn't need a little digital inspiration for those mile-high musings? Our conversation is sprinkled with quirky observations about flying, making it an amusing journey. We also delve into the art of comedy writing, the creative chaos of jotting down ideas, and the fun of turning random thoughts into comedic gems. Our dialogue highlights the joy of free association and the magic of capturing those fleeting, funny thoughts before they take off.

You may want to turn down your volume for this one, Neighbor. Things get LOUD because we have a full table! Tabby is here--along with the usuals, John, Amanda, and Luke.  We think we are discussing why happy people are so crazy... But eventually, Luke tells us his theory for active listening and we have no choice but to laugh at him...Email the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com

In our conversation, we share humorous anecdotes about health issues, particularly focusing on kidney stones and family health matters. We explore the challenges of communication within families during health crises, the importance of humor in coping with serious topics, and the joys and struggles of gardening as a family activity. Our discussion highlights the unexpected lessons learned from life's challenges and the value of maintaining a light-hearted perspective even in difficult situations. We also explore a variety of humorous topics ranging from hotel experiences and car accidents to the quirks of language and food. We share personal anecdotes, discuss the logic behind movie heists, and reflect on how humor evolves across generations. Our conversation touches on the peculiarities of spelling in the English language and the evolution of food terminology, particularly focusing on the concept of food edges and the idea of selling just the outer parts of popular foods.

Hello to our neighbors all around the world!!!   We're joined at the virtual table by our Australian friend, Jasmine (Ruigrok) Mollison. She has some valid questions about church business and whether there's a ditch on the other side of the road that we may be headed toward... If you don't have a friend like Jasmine, pray like crazy that God would send you one! You can email the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com.  G-day, mate!

In this engaging conversation, we reflect on nostalgic memories of Willy Wonka, share humorous anecdotes about drain maintenance and household repairs, discuss the nuances of language, particularly the word 'tasty', and explore the concept of positive self-talk. We also touch on the challenges of finding sponsorship for our podcast and the humorous side of landscaping and weed management. In this lively conversation, we explore the quirky world of goats, discussing their potential as pets and farm animals, the concept of goat yoga, and the economics of goat farming. We delve into the humorous aspects of goat ownership, including the challenges and benefits. Our discussion then shifts to the idea of food preferences in heaven, the value of earthly items in the grand scheme of eternity, and a light-hearted exploration of wigs and the licorice plant. We wrap up the conversation with a curious look at banana wine and its unexpected pairings.

In this engaging conversation, we explore a variety of themes ranging from the challenges of air conditioning to our unique experiences of traveling in Madagascar. We share humorous anecdotes about bartering in local markets, daily life in Madagascar, and the Mercy Ship's role as a floating hospital. Our discussion also delves into the challenges of performing improv comedy in sensitive environments, reflecting on the importance of preparation and collaboration for future projects. In this engaging conversation, we explore the humorous and insightful journey of selecting designer cologne, comparing it to our experiences with coffee and nostalgic drinks. We discuss the social dynamics of fragrance, the feedback process, and the costs associated with luxury scents, all while sharing personal anecdotes and laughter.

Hey, Neighbor! We start with a long excerpt from C.S. Lewis' Prince Caspian. That's called a "cold open," and it's very hip and interesting!  (Eventually it will tie into the discussion about bad church leaders and what to do when they're going THE OPPOSITE WAY from Jesus.) Next, John has been kindly asked not to come back to his home church of 35 years. This is necessary for unity! We must all get excited about the mission of bringing in lots of new baby Christians--who will presumably be asked to leave in 35 years... Then: The Peaches reads quotes from "The Unstuck Church," which was written by a business consultant and is now being used as a play book for how to act less like a church and more like a Chik-Fil-A.  This was the book that was used in the attempt to hijack Faith Baptist Church in North Carolina, and now it has landed in Kokomo.  Later:  Now that everyone is nice and angry at how positively STUPID it is to throw Lucy out of the family because her crying is raining on your pa

Well, neighbor, she finally did it.  The Peaches chased EVERYONE else away from the table! In a couple days, John will be rested and ready to record again.  But--in the meantime--you should brush up on your knowledge of Hostile Church Takeovers and the Business of Doing Church.  That information will come in handy when we share the details of what has been happening in our local congregation...  (It's pretty outrageous.) (But the Peaches is being the "opposite of candid" for now.)  How are the elders treated in your church? I don't mean the PR guys who act as middle-managers in a glorified Sunday Coffee Shop with Live Band.  I mean, the people in your church who are ELDER--those who have raised faithful kids and who love God's Word and have been bearing good fruit for decades?  Are they respected for their wisdom?  Or are they chased out of the congregation because they are resistant to change and it puts a damper on the CEO's business strategy?    Check out t

Hey, Neighbor!  The Comedian Next Door, John Branyan, is not at the table. (And neither is the PodNinja.)  But have no fear, the McBabies are here! While Bridger takes his nap, the rest of us (Cami, Collin, Emmi, and Silas) chat about what makes us laugh and which of our family members are "THAT" child.   Contact the Comedian's family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com