178! Bagels vs. Donuts and Birthdays

Why it gotta be bagels vs. donuts? And how should we celebrate our birthdays? [25:17] 

This week, Aaron and Jess talk about Sega vs. Nintendo, the L.A. donut scene, the coastal bagel war, birthday themes, the responsibility phases, and cake-flavored foods. Thankfully, they don’t talk about birthday cake bagels. 

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177! Legos and Dumplings

What do you do about the missing Lego piece? And how does this become dumpling? [25:32] 

This week, Aaron and Jess talk about customer service, bike sharing overages, significance imbalance, invisible wisdom, dumpling teamwork, and apprenticeship. They don’t talk about My Squishy Little Dumplings. 

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175! Assembly Theory and Marshmallows

How can we take advantage of Assembly Theory in our lives? And where are the six elemental marshmallows best applied in life? [31:46] 

This week, Joey, Jess, and Aaron talk about corn dogs, Kafka, Homer, brown sugar, extrusion, and Peeps. They don’t talk about that famous DJ fella. 

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174! Askers vs. Guessers and Working Hours

How does one navigate the journey from Ask Culture to Guess Culture, and vice versa? And what are your ideal working hours? [27:50] 

This week, Aaron, Jess, and Joey talk about privacy settings, politeness vs. safety, the Midwest, philosopher hours, exercise, and zoos. They don’t talk about Tears For Fears. 

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173! Chickens, Vacation Pix, and Chaos

Why choose casual chaos? And what is the standard way to frame a vacation photo? [31:50] 

This week, special guest Cara Lohman joins Jess to talk about Super Mario Bros., chickens, selfie bombs, order and structure, people vs. vistas, and chaos theory. They don’t talk about the Cocoa Brovaz. 

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172! Ignorance and Discomfort

Is it healthier to be a little bit more ignorant online? And how do we all build a discomfort diet? [28:26] 

This week, special guest Nora Mestrich joins Joey to talk about TikTok, Twitter, admitting ignorance, dopamine hijacking, ice plunges, and the benefits of pain. They don’t talk about DIIV. 

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171! Lessons Learned

Why is failure the best way to learn a lesson? 

This week, Joey and Jess talk about New York laundry, errant emails, the instant amplitude of the feeling of failure, "Fail fast!," biffing and flop sweat, and overlearning. They don’t talk about Sonic Youth's Washing Machine LP. 

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170! Weirder Inspiration

How can we better tap into inspiration from weirder, wilder places?

This week, Joey and Jess talk about The Office, diverse sourcing, walking away, "do it now," and ... thots. They don’t talk about Chicago. 

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169! Nonsense VC! Cereal Cinematic Universes

Which CCU team should get our backing? 

In the latest installment of Nonsense VC!, Jess pitches Cereal Cinematic Universes to Joey. They talk about Kellogg's vs. General Mills, character strength, biome corners, villains, tummy troubles, and the rampant commingling of ice cream and cereal. They don’t talk about cereal commas. 

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168! Malicious Compliance and Chapsticks

How far can we take malicious compliance? And what happens when a nothing turns into a need? [26:12]

This week, Joey and Jess talk about Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law, rules, Originalism, lip balm, deodorant, and skin care routines. They don’t talk about Judas Priest.

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167! Rock Music and Genetic Identity

How dead is Rock and Roll? And how are we tied to our genetic identity? [28:31]

This week, special guest Harmand Ponder joins Joey and Jess to talk about Tame Impala, Rock subgenres, Baroque Pop, genetics vs. culture, epigenetics, and beaches. They don’t talk about Bette Midler.

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[Reruns] 117! Cognitive Diversity and Office Supplies

How do you think different? And what office supplies do you miss? [45:26]

This week, a rerun from Nonsense past!

Again, Joey, Aaron, and Jess talk about aphantasia, internal monologues, learning styles, pilfering printer paper, binder clips, and ugly cups. They don’t talk about The Mind Palace.

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165! Goblin Mode and Pathologies

Is Goblin Mode a privilege? And how should we feel about pathologizing our behaviors? [27:24]

This week, special guest Ilana Bondell joins Joey and Jess to talk about the versions of Goblin Mode, pandemic nihilism, identity politics, repressing trauma, the western medical industrial complex, and "The Man." They don’t talk about Jareth.

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164! Permeated Nonsense and Youth Culture

Why do we keep doing things that don't make any sense at all? And is youth culture always the same? [24:34]

This week, Jess and Joey talk about Pi Day, songlines, dead reckoning, Billy Joel, the Flynn effect, and the global mean hat size. They don’t talk about the Tau of Pooh.

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163! That Darn Disposability Culture

161! The Fraud Phenomenon and Vibe Shifts

If we think of fraudsters as the hackers of social psychology, what can it teach us about the weaknesses of our society so we can strengthen them and make them better? And how should we feel about being left behind by a vibe? [28:57]

This week, special guest Trevor Larry joins Joey and Jess to talk about catfishing, Inventing Anna, desperation and risk analysis, vibe shifts, "youth culture" as a construct, and Williamsburg. They don’t talk about why Nobody Beats the Biz (R.I.P).

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160! Minding Your Business and Trash Candy

Where is the line between the honor of minding your own business and the honor of speaking up? And why do we buy things we know are trash? [28:49]

This week, Joey, Aaron and Jess talk about bowling within your bumpers, preference vs. morality, misplaced concern, the persistence of old candy, utility vs. nostalgia, and fidget spinners. They don’t talk about why black licorice is actually insanely good if you don't have a ridiculous bias against it and/or are Dutch (or from a former Dutch colony).

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159! Kama Sutra and India's Sexual Repression

How do you think we as individuals can help a country like India decolonize their values and move in a direction of sexual liberation?

This week, special guest Payal Pereira joins Jess and Joey to talk about British colonization, transgenerational cultural drama, kink subcultures, coded branding, sex education through dance, and the F-word. They don’t talk about the American Beekeeping Federation (or the Adult Bible Fellowship).

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