

Flightless Bird
David Farrier
Flightless Bird follows journalist David Farrier as he learns about what makes America special from his unique perspective as a Kiwi accidentally marooned in the Land of the Free. Infinitely curious but never judgmental, each week, David (along with cohost and American Rob) seeks to understand what makes America so unique, strange, and wonderful.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 25, 2025 • 1h 4min
Pumpkin Pie
In this week’s Thanksgiving-vibed Flightless Bird, David sets out to learn about the iconic American staple on the Thanksgiving table: Pumpkin Pie. Rob and David blind taste test three pumpkin pies - from supermarket scraps to high end Hollywood - to see if they can tell the difference. Rob then surprises David in the studio with Jordan Kahn, the chef behind incredible restaurants like Vespertine and Meteora (with French Laundry, Per Se, Alinea and Michael Mina also in his CV) who has made the Flightless Bird team his own pumpkin pie. Kahn then shares his pumpkin pie tips, along with his thoughts on what else should go (and not go!) on the Thanksgiving table.
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Nov 18, 2025 • 59min
Medieval Times
In this week's Flightless Bird, David and Rob attend Medieval Times in California - and are joined by Rob's son, Calvin. They set out to discover if it's still the same experience documented in the 1996 hit film The Cable Guy, before talking to a former worker at Medieval Times.JOIN US ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/flightlessbirdEmail us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flightlessbirdpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 16min
Black Shiny FBI Shoes
Kirk Huffman, a Seattle musician, shares his memories of Tom Pfaffel, a legendary audio engineer, and mentor. Thomas Hunter, a touring guitarist, recounts experiences with Tom that shaped their band, Wild Orchid Children. Trent Moorman, a journalist, dives into the chilling events of the Blue Spruce Motel shooting that claimed Tom's life. The conversation touches on grief, community disbelief, and the haunting mysteries surrounding these events, illustrating how art and tragedy intertwine. Their powerful song, 'Black Shiny FBI Shoes,' serves as a cathartic tribute to loss.

Nov 6, 2025 • 54min
Nest Sessions: Anthony Green on Sobriety in America
Once a month, Flightless Bird will release “The Nest Sessions,” a new music-focused series where each week Rob and David have a different musician in the studio to talk about a piece of American culture they’re obsessed with, before they share some live music in the studio. The Nest Sessions debuts with Anthony Green from Circa Survive, L.S. Dunes, The Sound of Animals Fighting, and Saosin. Anthony talks about his battles with sobriety on the road, and reveals his favourite American snack to David.
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Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flightlessbirdpodcast
Anthony Green: https://www.instagram.com/anthonygreen666/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 30min
Hell Houses
In this week’s spooky Flightless Bird, Rosabel reveals her thoughts on the afterlife and ghosts, before David meets a bunch of Americans who’ve taken part in, or run, Christian Hell Houses. What is a Hell House, and what do they have to do with Halloween? David then drives to visit his first Hell House, learning about the myriad of ways humans can die, and what hell looks like.
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Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 23min
Emo Music Pt II
In this week’s episode, Hayden explains why his old band broke up and David reveals some shocking news: Rosabel’s name is not “Roosevelt”. Next, Rob takes David deeper down the emo rabbit hole. They’re joined in the studio by Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional) and Nick Thomas (The Spill Canvas) to break down the genre, before they share some acoustic songs. Saosin and Days Away also perform!
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Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 21min
Portland Protests
In this week’s Flightless Bird, we reveal the results of the competition to guess Rosabel’s filthy email address, before David travels to Portland to see if it really is a raging city out of control. Rob also talks to some locals to get their take about what is going on in their city at the moment.
Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 28min
Train Hopping
In this week’s Flightless Bird, David talks to a man who lived as a train hopper for two years. They talk about the lifestyle, dangers and chaos of illegally hitching rides across America using the railroad system. The country’s first train tracks were laid down in the 1820s - and since then, America has gone on to have the largest rail transport network in the world - over 136,000 miles of train lines weaning their way across the USA. Which is why train hopping is part of America’s history.
Based on original reporting in Webworm: https://www.webworm.co/trainhopping/
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8 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 6min
Homecoming
David experiences his first homecoming football game and dance, diving into the unfamiliar world of American traditions. He shares his anxieties about dancing and reflects on his awkward moments in formalwear. The hosts explore the vibrant school spirit surrounding homecoming, complete with decorations and alumni involvement. With humor, they compare these events to different cultural experiences, inviting listeners to share their own stories while also announcing a job opening for a channel manager. It's an entertaining blend of nostalgia and fun!

9 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 18min
Christian Chaos
Jessica Morris, a freelance Australian journalist known for her investigative reporting on Michael Tait's alleged misconduct, and Josiah Hesse, who focused on the experiences of young male victims, join musician Israel Anthem, a whistleblower from a prominent gospel family. They dive into the shocking allegations against Tait, including grooming and abuse, and discuss the culture of cover-ups in Christian music. Israel shares his personal encounter with Tait, highlighting the pervasive fear and complexity within the industry. The conversation reveals a world where faith and morality clash spectacularly.


