

Reconcilable Differences
Relay
John Siracusa and Merlin Mann try to figure out exactly how they got this way. Hosted by Merlin Mann and John Siracusa.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 38min
268: Beach Grit
Subtitle: “No Scraps!”Canada blames the dog, John presents his Vacation Results, and Merlin talks about the beach. In this month's bonus member segment, Merlin shares some Professional Expert Results.
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: Canada blames the dog, John presents his Vacation Results, and Merlin talks about the beach. In this month's bonus member segment, Merlin shares some Professional Expert Results.
(Recorded Tuesday, August 19, 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. Winnipeg woman says dog started fire by turning on stove under recall notice — twice Greenmade InstaCrate Collapsible Storage Bin ATP Insider: Vacations Defunctland: The History of Action Park - YouTube C8 Corvette steering wheel

Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 31min
267: Crumbs and Soldiers
Subtitle: We called them latex invitations.John reports back with his Billy Joel Results.
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 reports back with his Billy Joel Results.
(Recorded on Tuesday, August 5, 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. The Living Daylights (1987) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) “Slicing the Pie” in Destiny - YouTube “Slicing the Pie” with diagrams - YouTube Direct MP3 link to the member version of Reconcilable Differences #266Free to everyone! This is the full member version of episode 266, which includes the normal episode followed by the members-only aftershow (and no ads, of course). If you like what you hear, you can become a member at https://relay.fm/rd/join
Lisp code examples “Lisp has all the visual appeal of oatmeal with fingernail clippings mixed in.” — Larry Wall, July 21, 1994 in comp.lang.lisp Billy Joel: And So It Goes - HBO Billy Joel: Turn the Lights Back On - YouTube

Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 26min
266: The Misspeaking Community
Subtitle: The folder is called “Pepperoni.”How does John generate all that cool chapter art?
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.
Links and Show Notes: Things kick off with John sharing some breaking news about The Flop House, plus it's clear that Merlin's Britishisms are becoming numerous, invasive, and a little un-American.
Next up, Merlin wonders how John generated all that cool chapter art for a recent ATP special. (Hint: some of it was automated; some of it was not.)
And, finally, Merlin decides to apply Theory of Mind to predict why John hasn't watched the Billy Joel special yet. Subsequently, John is pitched on why this program probably represents essential viewing for him and his people.
In this month’s member bonus segment, John has book-adjacent questions about Merlin's Wisdom Project.
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: 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. Flop House Mini 132: Stu Brings Down the HammerThis is the Flop House mini episode where Stuart Wellington fulfills John’s request to explain the Warhammer 40,000 episode of the Secret Level animation anthology series on Amazon Prime Video.
Secret Level episode 5: Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear - Wikipedia Secret Level episode 5: Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear - Amazon Prime Video "Faff" in the Oxford English Dictionary SubstageThe Mac app for using an LLM to take actions in the Finder.
ATP Tier List: Pizza Toppings ATP Member Specials Billy Joel: And So It Goes - HBO HBO’s Big Beautiful Billy Joel Documentary Delivers Maximum Piano Man Per Minute - GQ.com Hicksville, New York - Wikipedia Hicksville, New York - Google Maps The Gilded Age (TV series) - Wikipedia Billy Joel - Live in London (March 13, 1978) - YouTube Lorraine Bracco - Wikipedia wisdom.limoThe fun URL for Merlin’s Wisdom Project.
Merlin’s Wisdom Project on GitHub Inspirado for Merlin’s Wisdom Project The Art of Pants Reconcilable Differences #3: Helena Sell - Relay

Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 52min
265: Stop Collapsing Everything
On the complexities and constraints of pursuing the right answer.
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.
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. R.E.M. - Collapse into Now Stephen Hackett: Ten Years Indie Lighter Darker: The ILM Podcast Merlin’s post about ChatGPT and “ctx” The Gell-Mann amnesia effect - Wikipedia Like Stories of Old: When Two Filmmakers Make the Same Movie - YouTube Like Stories of Old: The Inner Chronicle of What We Are – Werner Herzog Documentary - YouTube Come and See (1985) We Were the Lucky Ones (2024) Merlin’s “Some Next-Level Shit” movie list

Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 37min
264: Alphabetical Shadow
The hosts dive into a humorous debate over document formatting quirks and HTML tags. They share nostalgic tales from their school days with Linux while tackling early Unix systems. The conversation shifts to the 1981 film 'Das Boot,' exploring its themes and adaptations. Expect playful banter surrounding food odors from microwaved meals and the awkwardness of group travel. Emotional moments arise as they reflect on graduation ceremonies and the bittersweetness of growing up, all wrapped in relatable anecdotes and camaraderie.

Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 23min
263: A Ragnarok of the Mind
John's Prom Results and Merlin's Camping Results.
This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by:
TRMNL: Clarity, at a glance. Get $15 off for 1 week only.
Grist: A modern, open source spreadsheet that goes beyond the grid. Try it for free today.
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. Lisa’s First Word (The Simpsons, season 4, episode 10) - Wikipedia “The Nice Price” stickers @katieonviolin tells Merlin about The Apparatus™ in 2024 Hypercritical #42: The Wrong Guy The Plumber Problem Hors d'oeuvre - Wikipedia Titan submersible - Wikipedia

Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 41min
262: Everybody’s Got a Tunnel
The hosts dive into nostalgia as they reminisce about the classic game 'Marathon' and its resurgence. They explore the evolution of Billy Joel's 'Allentown,' unpacking its socio-economic themes. Amusing exchanges about internet speeds and unique outdoor installations lead to reflections on community and safety. They tackle the complexities of personal goals, emphasizing the shift from perfectionism to enjoying the creative process. Their conversation wraps up with the importance of balancing work and play, especially during life's transitions.

May 22, 2025 • 1h 29min
261: Apparatus Tycoon
In a playful banter, the hosts kick things off discussing Billy Joel and delve into the whimsical complexity of town names influencing song lyrics. They humorously explore YouTube engagement strategies and share amusing tales about parenting and tech-savvy kids. A curious plumbing apparatus becomes the centerpiece of their discussion, leading to laughs over its odd design and functionality. The conversation wraps up with bizarre neighborhood antics, including flower theft and public peculiarities, making for a delightful and entertaining listen.

May 9, 2025 • 1h 37min
260: The Mandala Effect
This discussion dives into the nuances of vulnerability and its role in podcasting, with a playful nod to the Mandela Effect. The hosts humorously tackle the challenges of digital truth and attributing famous quotes, all while sharing personal anecdotes. They explore the impact of technology on emotional well-being and collaboration, emphasizing the significance of self-care and the amusing struggles with tech mishaps. With insights on AI’s role in problem-solving, the conversation highlights the blend of humor and authenticity in navigating today's complex digital landscape.

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 39min
259: Cascade of Interventions
Subtitle: Consider the Banana.Stop blaming the dog.
This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by:
Yawn Email: Tame your inbox with intelligent daily summaries. Start your 14-day free trial today.
Grist: A modern, open source spreadsheet that goes beyond the grid. Try it for free today.
Links and Show Notes: Things kick off with a second episode in which John has to force a context transition, then Merlin commiserates about how bad apps and institutions can be.
In Follow-Up, Merlin introduces both new data and new methodologies to Things It Took Me Too Long to Realize, and John shares yet another instance of erroneously blaming an animal for something bad happening.
Topic one seems like it'll be a topic about how an aging gentleman grooms, but then it ends up being about follicle madness, acceptance, and retaining the sort of friends who'll tell you when your fly is down.
Finally, John has a really good music topic that ends up going into feelings and the sublime subtleties of ardent fandom.
(Recorded on Tuesday, April 15, 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. The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementias Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort on "The Atheist's Nightmare": a banana Don’t blame the penguin 10 Ways to Tell Someone Their Fly Is Unzipped - Reddit What to Say When Someone’s Fly Is Down Fortress: The London Symphony Orchestra Performs the Music of Sting - Amazon Fortress: The London Symphony Orchestra Performs the Music of Sting - YouTube True Love Waits - Christopher O'Riley Plays Radiohead I Was Born for This (Soundtrack version) I Was Born for This - Live with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra D.H.T.’s cover of Listen To Your Heart - YouTube Threes video game soundtrack - YouTube Doctor Who, The End of Time: Part 2: This song is ending, but the story never ends - YouTube Luka Bloom’s cover of U2’s Bad