Reconcilable Differences

Subtitle: “I am the oven now.”Merlin shares his Large Appliance Results. (Recorded on Tuesday, January 6, 2026) Links and Show Notes: Credits Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Get a Job - The Silhouettes (1957)Dip dip dip dip dip dip dip… “…and that’s my trick.”Clemenza teaches Michael how to make sauce in The Godfather. 10 Apple TV Tips from Stephen Robles - YouTube Princess telephone - Wikipedia Trimline telephone - Wikipedia Five products so over-engineered, they're actually kinda worse, by Zack Freedman - YouTube Zack Freedman’s 3D Filament Tier List - YouTube Jumperless V5The next generation jumperless breadboard. Colin M. Ford's screenshot of the “Writing Direction” menu items’ icons in iPadOS “The Staten Island of San Francisco” - jwz.org Merlin’s big toaster oven: the Breville BOV900BSSUSC John’s favorite toaster over: the Breville BOV650XL The smallest Breville toaster over: the BOV450XL Lawn Darts from the 1980s - Reddit Aerobie - Wikipedia Raclette - Wikipedia Raclette grill mistakenly placed in the wrong orientation Old Trapper beef jerky Fight Club (1999) Demotivators from despair.com Meetings: None of us is as dumb as all of us Merlin Mann: Who moved my brain? - YouTube Midnight Commander Tautulli for Plex Blu Lights (2023) season 1 - Wikipedia Downstream #107: A Thanksgiving Visit from Alan Sepinwall The Wire - Wikipedia Nicola Coughlan - Wikipedia Nicola Coughlan on The Graham Norton Show - YouTube Richard Dormer - Wikipedia Merlin’s Trakt.tv list: The Troubles & Northern Ireland Siân Brooke - Wikipedia Taylor Tomlinson - Wikipedia Kelsey Cook - Wikipedia The Troubles, by U2 - YouTube Watching TV Makes You Smarter - The New York Times"The total number of active threads equals the multiple plots of "Hill Street," but here each thread is more substantial. The show doesn't offer a clear distinction between dominant and minor plots; each story line carries its weight in the mix." 7 - WikipediaMost people in Continental Europe, Indonesia, and some in Britain, Ireland, Israel, Canada, and Latin America, write 7 with a line through the middle (7), sometimes with the top line crooked Local files - Spotify Georgia-Pacific to Close Its Foley Cellulose Facility in Perry, FloridaThe paper mill that Uncle Bill mentioned. NEVER Touch "The Cornballer" - Arrested Development - YouTube"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

John showcases a unique MacLock clock, igniting a debate on the build quality and accuracy of collectible toys. They delve into why enthusiasts are willing to spend big for perfectly scaled replicas. The duo discusses the charm of LEGO, contrasting open-ended play with structured builds, while reminiscing about creating memories with their kids. Laughter ensues as they explore the quirks of mass-produced figures and the joy of classic pixel art. A blend of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and parenting tales keeps the conversation lively and engaging.

The hosts dive into accents and unique regional terms, exploring how language evolves. They compare their internal dialogues and discuss how musicality influences their thoughts. Childhood memories of swing physics lead to playful reminiscing. A deep dive into Google's Gemini reveals mixed results in email searches, highlighting AI's limitations and misinterpretations. The conversation circles back to the importance of trust in technology, underscoring the need for reliable AI continuity and understanding.

This conversation dives into the curious case of a dog allegedly causing a shooting, sparking a witty critique of media narratives. The hosts discuss the pitfalls of ambiguous police language and debate the shooter’s accountability. They explore innovative dog-training tech and potential uses for a wireless button designed for pets. In gaming, the dynamics of cooperation versus competition in Arc Raiders are examined, along with personal achievements and the mechanics driving gameplay. Expect plenty of banter on billionaires and cultural quirks!

The hosts dive into the unusual social mechanics of a video game, exploring how scarcity and risk shape player behavior. They discuss the emergence of cooperation over conflict in gaming and share personal anecdotes about parenting through outdated technologies. A humorous recounting of naked swimming in '21 Jump Street' adds a nostalgic touch. They also compare different gaming economies, revealing how mechanics influence player interactions and highlight a unique approach to designing game cultures.

Empty Nest Results. (Recorded on Tuesday, October 28, 2025) Links and Show Notes: Things kick off with some quick Follow-Up on Merlin's hot phone and how our ancestors' brains dealt with Lead. For a main topic, John's kids have left for college, so what kind of changes has he noticed so far? (Recorded on Tuesday, October 28, 2025) Credits Audio Editor/First Chair Saxophonist: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Our Human Ancestors Were Exposed to Lead, and New Research Suggests It May Have Shaped Human Evolution - Smithsonian Magazine The Wandering Village: a game that really wears its influences on its sleeve Subway Surfers - Wikipedia Why TikTok Always Has Subway Surfers Or Family Guy Playing - YouTube Remess: an app to show stats from your Messages historyUse at your own risk! Kids in the Hall: The Eradicator - YouTube

Subtitle: Merlin can still smell the slide oil.TiVo: The Exit Interview. Links and Show Notes: John leads us through the TiVo Exit Interview. In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss Alien: Earth (FX, 2025). You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program. (Recorded Tuesday, July 22, 2025) Credits Audio Editor/First Chair Saxophonist: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Quaker meeting (game) - Wikipedia Last One Laughing: Bob Mortimer's Funniest Moments - YouTube TiVo Stops Selling DVRs Philips DSR6000 for DIRECTV - TiVopediaMerlin's first TiVo Alien: Earth - Wikipedia Alien (1979) Aliens (1986) Alien³ (1992) The Tithingman at the Ipswich Meeting House – Historic IpswichApparently, what Merlin calls "the bonking stick" refers to a staff or rod wielded by a "Tithingman."

Subtitle: “Periscope up!”Main topic is the various voices in our heads. If the technology existed to expose the workings of our interior world, what do we imagine it might look like? Links and Show Notes: John has Follow-Up on naked swimming as well as an update on his mystery beep. Merlin is increasingly concerned about his Lead, but it's a little late for that now. The main topic is the various voices in our heads. If the technology existed to expose the workings of our interior world, what do we imagine it might look like? (Recorded on Tuesday, September 30, 2025) Credits Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Reconcilable Differences #270: We Inflated Our PantsThis episode includes our members-only aftershow, free for everyone. How half the US lost part of their minds - YouTubeThis is the "lead in baby teeth" video. How artificial intelligence gave a paralyzed woman her voice back Meet the Little Brain Region that Helps You Say What’s on Your Mind Scientists develop interface that “reads” thoughts from speech-impaired patients AlterEgo: Thought to text Aphantasia - Wikipedia Unified Modeling Language - Wikipedia The Rest Is History #604: Greek Myths: Sex, Drugs & Tragedy (Part 3) Lawrence M. Schoen - WikipediaNew College professor and Klingon language specialist from whom Merlin took a Mnemonics class. New Order - "The Beach" ('Blue Monday' remix, 1983) - YouTubeMerlin thinks this is how electric cars sound. Kraftwerk - "Uranium" (1975) - YouTubeSource of the sample used by New Order. Everything You Know About “Blue Monday” is Probably Wrong I New British Canon - YouTube Peg-word mnemonic - Oxford Referenceone is a bun, two is a shoe, three is a tree, four is a door, five is a hive, six is sticks, seven is heaven, eight is a gate, nine is wine, ten is a hen. Amazon.com: The Memory Book: The Classic Guide to Improving Your Memory at Work, at School, and at Play: 8580001059679: Lorayne, Harry, Lucas, Jerry: BooksMerlin couldn't remember the author of this book, and that's just funny.

Swimming naked in school and thinking about Lead. Links and Show Notes: In Follow-Up, listeners share their experiences with Swimming Naked in School. Won't someone please think of the pool filters? Merlin recalls that distant summer he attended swimming and trampoline camp—albeit in an admittedly non-nude context. Next up, John does his level best to give updates on his finished room. Space is required for something called "blocking." Merlin confesses that he can't really identify where that beeping sound is coming from. In the (free-to-you) member segment, things kick off with compliments to the author Stephen King along with some remarks on his earthy social media presence. But the main topic? Lead (Pb)! In particular, your hosts explore scientific speculation that the effects of lead on the psychopathology of their generation may be far greater than previously known. Authentic anecdotes about aggressive childhood lead play are revealed. (Recorded on Tuesday, September 16, 2025) N.B. Your hosts thought this week's member segment was pretty good, so they decided to share it with everybody here for free. If you enjoy what you hear, please consider supporting the program at https://www.relay.fm/rd/join. Credits Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Give to St. Jude! Bachman–Turner Overdrive - Wikipedia Bachman Turner Overdrive - "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" (1974) ACK: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) - Wikipedia “Ack!” Cathy (comic) - Wikipedia “Ack!” Bill the Cat (Bloom County) - Wikipedia ATP 657: Ears Are Weird — Accidental Tech PodcastATP Overtime: Alterego and “thought to text” translation Procedure word - Wikipedia Nude swimming in US indoor pools - Wikipedia Alison K. Hoagland. "Introducing the Bathroom: Space and Change in Working-Class Houses." Minnesota men bare all about naked swimming in school - The Minnesota Star Tribune Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story (2022) Silver Beaver Award - WikipediaMerlin's late father was awarded a Silver Beaver. What is Blocking? - Cocoknits Blocking 101 (Knitting Tutorial) Stephen King promotes The Long Walk (video) An excerpt from Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy - Prose Porn Subreddit“The judge like a great ponderous djinn stepped through the fire and the flames delivered him up as if he were in some way native to their element. He put his arms around Glanton. Someone snatched the old woman’s blindfold from her and she and the juggler were clouted away and when the company turned in to sleep and the low fire was roaring in the blast like a thing alive these four yet crouched at the edge of the firelight among their strange chattels and watched how the ragged flames fled down the wind as if sucked by some maelstrom out there in the void, some vortex in that waste apposite to which man’s transit and his reckonings alike lay abrogate. As if beyond will or fate he and his beasts and his trappings moved both in card and in substance under consignment to some third and other destiny.” Words Cormac McCarthy Uses in His Novels [PDF]"Each word is noted as to which book(s) it is included in as well as how many times it occurs in that book." Contribution of childhood lead exposure to psychopathology in the US population over the past 75 years“More than half of the current US population was exposed to adverse lead levels in childhood as a result of lead's past use in gasoline. […] Lead-associated mental health and personality differences were most pronounced for cohorts born from 1966 through 1986 (Generation X).” 20th Century Lead Exposure Damaged American Mental Health - Duke University We Made Hot Fuzz - YouTube

Subtitle: This is where the tractors go.John shares the results of some fascinating recent polling on TV obstructions and chewing gum swallowing. This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by: Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code diffs50off Links and Show Notes: John speculates about a reference, then Merlin sings like Paul Simon for a few seconds. In Follow-Up: if you thought "shirts vs. skins" was bad? Oh boy, just wait until you hear how they used to do things in 1970s Michigan. Next up, Merlin has questions about urban phone usage. Specifically, hey, what's the deal with all the talking on speakerphone? Then, John shares the results of some fascinating recent polling on TV obstructions and chewing gum swallowing. Merlin really wants John to watch the movie, Megalopolis (Francis Ford Coppola, 2024). (Recorded on Tuesday, September 2, 2025) Credits Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Give to St. Jude! Roderick on the Line #593: These Are the Days These Are Days, by 10,000 Maniacs These Are Days (audio links) Sharon Linne Faulk on her husband's high school PE class in the 1970s John's TV blockers poll Megadoc (2025) - IMDb Aubrey Plaza says Megalopolis is “disturbing,” Coppola “repressed”