
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

Oct 18, 2023 • 60min
Better Call Parasol
Abby and Aidan argue about bringing umbrellas on the London Underground. Tom Waits' music is discussed, along with annoying behaviors on public transportation. Unique silk umbrella and London umbrella store are explored. Cooking challenges, an innovative umbrella scheme, and the Hood Squad's response. Wide range of topics, umbrellas in popular culture, and divorce and holiday disputes. Reminder to submit cases and mention of the Van Freaks Roadshow.

Oct 11, 2023 • 59min
S'morder in the Court
Katherine brings the case against her husband, Lee. They like to go camping together. Katherine recently bought a new camping chair. But, Lee says they bring too much stuff. There’s no room for this chair in their car! But, Katherine thinks that they can make it work. Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Thanks to reddit user u/ToLiveAndBrianLA for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com! Check out the evidence from this week's episode at instagram.com/judgejohnhodgman. Judge John Hodgman’s Van Freaks Roadshow is on! Visit vanfreaksroadshow.com for ticket links, other dates, cities, and more information! And SUBMIT YOUR CASES along the tour route at maximumfun.org/jjho!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Oct 4, 2023 • 56min
Emotion to Dismiss
A couple debates whether to keep or get rid of a rug with owls on it, reflecting on the emotional attachment to objects. The hosts discuss traumatic toy discarding, emotional movies and books, and the impact of media on emotions. They mention an admired litigant, podcast sponsors including a meal kit sponsor, and offer a discount code. The story shifts to a sentimental carpet, costume design, downsizing, marriage perspectives, and upcoming events. They reflect on Judge John Hodgman's ruling, propose a solution, and mention a fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt debate.

Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 11min
Live From London 2023
Guests Benjamin Partridge (Beef & Dairy Network) and Emma-Lee Moss (fka Emmy the Great) join Judge John Hodgman for a lively discussion. Topics include the bus vs tube debate, the guilt of being late, excitement on a bus ride, gift ideas for skilled home chefs, the underground, settling beef, categorization of meats for tax purposes, litigants and a bear, and the infamous sandwich incident. A fun and entertaining podcast episode recorded live from the London Podcast Festival!

Sep 20, 2023 • 57min
Online Beefs With Taylor Lorenz
Where's the beef? ONLINE! Taylor Lorenz joins the Court this week to help clear the docket and talk about ONLINE BEEFS! Taylor is a tech journalist and author of the new book Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet. Judge Hodgman and Guest Bailiff Jean Grae consult Taylor on all things online: talking back within local restaurant reviews, intentional mistakes to drive engagement, meeting your troll IRL, wiki editing, and much more!Judge John Hodgman’s Van Freaks Roadshow has begun! Visit vanfreaksroadshow.com for ticket links, other dates, cities, and more information! And SUBMIT YOUR CASES along the tour route at maximumfun.org/jjho!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Sep 13, 2023 • 59min
Injunction Junction
Dan brings the case against his wife, Carrie. Dan wants to build a model railroad in a small switching layout that simulates a switchyard. This type of model railroad does not move in a loop. Carrie says that a model railroad is pointless if it doesn’t move in a loop! Who's right? Who's wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/themadjuggler for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com! Check out the evidence at instagram.com/judgejohnhodgman!Judge John Hodgman’s Van Freaks Roadshow has begun! It's not too late to get your tickets for LONDON this FRIDAY! For 30% off, use code JUDGE2023 at checkout! Visit vanfreaksroadshow.com for ticket links, other dates, cities, and more information! And SUBMIT YOUR CASES along the tour route at maximumfun.org/jjho!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Sep 6, 2023 • 1h 7min
Case: The Rainbow
Dave brings the case against his niece, Morgan. When Morgan was around 5 years old, she stole his special collection of red skittles. And ate them! Even now, after 24 years, Dave is still mad. He demands restitution! But Morgan says: she was just a kid. Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Thanks to reddit users u/Ok-Professional-7569 & u/joftheinternet for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com! Check out evidence from the episode on the Judge John Hodgman page on the Maximum Fun website or at Instagram.com/judgejohnhodgman.Judge John Hodgman’s Van Freaks Roadshow is getting ready to hit the road! LONDON! For 30% off your tickets to see us at the London Podcast Festival, use code JUDGE2023 at checkout! Visit vanfreaksroadshow.com for other dates, cities, and more information! And SUBMIT YOUR CASES along the tour route at maximumfun.org/jjho!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Aug 30, 2023 • 60min
No-Glow Contendere
Michelle and Rob debate whether adding a blacklight to a grandfather clock to display a uranium glass collection is tacky. They discuss the history of uranium glass, Michelle's various collections, Rob's woodworking hobby, and the aesthetic appeal of the clock. The podcast also includes humorous segments, announcements, and discussions about house decor and organization.

Aug 23, 2023 • 1h 5min
Statute of Lamentations
Martha brings the case against her husband, Doug. Doug is a retired high school theater teacher. His last production was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Three years later, he’s still lamenting about how good the show would have been. Martha says it’s time to move on! Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Thanks to reddit user u/skeewalker for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com! Check out evidence from the episode on the Judge John Hodgman page on the Maximum Fun website or at Instagram.com/judgejohnhodgman.Judge John Hodgman’s Van Freaks Roadshow is getting ready to hit the road! Tickets are on sale now! Visit vanfreaksroadshow.com for dates, cities, and more information! And SUBMIT YOUR CASES along the tour route at maximumfun.org/jjho!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Aug 16, 2023 • 1h 8min
Diss Bard
Howie brings the case against Mark. The two of them worked at rival summer camps. When the two camps came together for a sports festival at Howie's camp, Howie was tasked with singing a "sit down song" to corral the campers. Mark's campers sat down but Mark didn't. Howie called Mark out in song, embarrassing him in front of everyone. They have since become friends, but they say this incident colors their relationship. Mark says he shouldn't have been embarrassed by a fellow staff member. Howie says that he was simply helping Mark to lead by example. Who's right? Who's wrong?Thanks to reddit user u/Mutant_Friend for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com! Check out evidence from the episode on the Judge John Hodgman page on the Maximum Fun website or at Instagram.com/judgejohnhodgman.Judge John Hodgman’s Van Freaks Roadshow is getting ready to hit the road! Tickets are on sale now! Visit vanfreaksroadshow.com for dates, cities, and more information! And SUBMIT YOUR CASES along the tour route at maximumfun.org/jjho!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!