
Judge John Hodgman
John Hodgman's Today in the Past podcast is now The Judge John Hodgman Podcast. Have your pressing issues decided by Famous Minor Television Personality John Hodgman, Certified Judge. If you'd like John Hodgman to solve your pressing issue, simply email it, along with your phone number, to hodgman@maximumfun.org. THAT IS ALL.
Latest episodes

Jun 11, 2025 • 1h 7min
Persimmon to Approach the Branch
While on a drive, Vera wanted to stop and pick some persimmons from a random tree. Matt said NO! Since they don’t know the tree owners, those persimmons are FORBIDDEN FRUIT. But Vera really wants those persimmons! They’ve been holding a grudge against Matt ever since. Who’s right? Who’s wrong?We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/yumdundundun for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 7min
4K No Los Dos
Andrew loves his large television but Rachel hates it. She begged him to leave the behemoth behind before moving in together. However it’s now the main TV in their home. Rachel loves living with Andrew. But she wants to evict his huge, eyesore of a television! Who's right? Who's wrong?We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/Banjo_solo for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

May 30, 2025 • 3min
TEASER: Members Only Mailbag May 2025
The new episode of the Members Only Mailbag is in the members-only bonus feed! Are the Hartford Whalers actually an extinct hockey team? Judge Hodgman refers to them that way, but Yael says the judge is WRONG! We hope you enjoy this short clip! For the entire episode, and the back catalog of ALL of our bonus episodes, join Maximum Fun at $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

May 28, 2025 • 53min
Cruel and Two Casserole Punishment Live in St. Paul
What should you do if the food at the neighborhood potluck is BAD? Plus cases about shorts in the winter, TV volume, and washing car mats in the dishwasher! All recorded LIVE at St. Paul, MN's beautiful Fitzgerald Theater!We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/EddieRayDesign for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

May 21, 2025 • 1h 4min
Costco Rope Drops
Are you at Costco first thing in the morning? If you are browsing a store with no intention to buy anything, does that still count as shopping? What are the unspoken rules of grocery store shopping? All this and more shopping-related cases as Judge John Hodgman clears the docket!We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

May 14, 2025 • 1h 9min
Objection D'Art
David is an art history professor. For the last year, he has been researching an early 20th-century American impressionist named Agnes Millen Richmond. He’s started buying her paintings… and they’re expensive. Susan says they have too many already! She says her husband is obsessed! Who’s right? Who’s wrong?We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/OldTechNewSpecs for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

May 7, 2025 • 1h 11min
Shelf Incrimination
Hayley can’t wait to move in with Natasha this summer. But Hayley wants to limit how many books Natasha can bring to their new place. Specifically, Hayley wants to set the limit at… ZERO BOOKS. If you do not want to hear about how a ball python eats (it involves rodents), please skip the bit from about 24:00-25:35. Pick back up when John asks where the snake will live in the apartment!We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/banjo_solo for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 10min
The Meeple's Court Live in Madison
Beth says that her friend, Aaron, "broke" their favorite board game by working too hard to "optimize gameplay." The way Aaron plays is just NO FUN, says Beth! But Aaron says that identifying systems IS fun! Who's right? Who's wrong? Plus! Swift Justice cases about plant propagation containers and the pronunciation of the word, "hammock."We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/YouKnow4Kids for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Apr 25, 2025 • 5min
TEASER: Members Only Mailbag April 2025
The new episode of the Members Only Mailbag is in the members-only bonus feed! This month, the J Squad is talking about an airport dog for some reason. We hope you enjoy this short clip! For the entire episode, and the back catalog of ALL of our bonus episodes, join Maximum Fun at $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 4min
Baby Grand Jury
Lauren loved playing the piano as a child and regrets quitting. She wants to get a piano and start playing again. But John says pianos are too big and too loud. He thinks she should get a keyboard instead. Then Lauren can play in total silence with headphones on. This makes Lauren sad! Who's right? Who's wrong?Check out this episode on YouTube for Lauren and John's melodica/guitar performance! We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/lexfri for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!