Episodes

We often enjoy epicurean feasts that feature dishes with unique names like Eggs Benedict or Chateaubriand or the ever popular Pizza Margherita. Yet do we ever take time in between mouthfuls to wonder how they got these names? Jon and Kurt sure do, and in this episode they give you the provenance of some of our favorite things to eat.

Ever wonder how certain words came to be? How did we come to define something by this word? In this episode, Jon and Kurt dig into the cool etymology of some common words--like mortgage and whisky--and also give the strange but true backstory of other words--such as fudd (as in Elmer) and quiz. No need for a dictionary when you have Smart Drivel to provide the definitions.

The boys are at it again...complaining, whining, wringing their hands. All over little things that other people do that drive them crazy. Adding onto Episode #2 over a year ago (Pet Peeves), they share more burrs under their saddles (metaphorically speaking, of course).

Sick of quarantining and locking down, Jon and Kurt take the ultimate American road trip. Climb in, grab your sunglasses, favorite bag of chips, an old 8-track classic, and see the country with your Smart Drivel co-hosts and co-pilots.

Airing for only one season, in 1962, the Jetsons animated TV show attempted to predict what life would be like in the future. From video calling to doggie treadmills, Jon and Kurt take a look at what the writers of the Jetsons accurately foreshadowed, and what they missed on. Come...meet the Jetsons...and have a conversation about technology's positive and negative impact on society.

Ever wonder what it would be like to live as a dog? To sleep most of the day, get your tummy rubbed, and give away all your emotions with a simple wag of your tail? Jon and Kurt channel their inner canines and ponder life as a dog and all things doggy. It’s a howling good time.

There are a lot of wonderful, poignant sayings that have, rightfully, gained fame over the years and have passed into everyday lore. Then there are others--like “here’s mud in your eye” or “slept like a baby”--that are completely inane and nonsensical. Jon and Kurt seek to uncover a bunch of these everyday sayings and expose them for the impostors they are.

Some amazing products, once thought indispensable and invaluable to our lives, sadly get thrown to the brand rubbish heap by progress and the evolution of modern tastes. From toys to snacks to cars and technology, Jon and Kurt wonder at the brands and products that no longer exist.

Throughout history, there have been amazing achievements and actions and innovations all made by people unknown to the masses. Somehow, these incredible men and women have fallen through the cracks of fame and others have gotten the accolades. In this episode, Jon and Kurt share the stories of just a few of these “unsung heroes” and praise their accomplishments.

In an effort to arm listeners with cool, interesting, and esoteric facts that will amaze friends at cocktail parties and co-workers at the virtual water cooler, Jon and Kurt share fun little tidbits. These are guaranteed to to make your family/friend/colleague/enemy say “No way that’s true!” Pull out a notepad and give this episode a listen, then go wow the world with your knowledge.

We, as humans, have some awfully strange customs and rituals. In America, we have a bunch that get foreigners to shake their heads in disbelief at best, and guffaw at us at worst. The idea of a doggie bag at a restaurant? Groundhog Day? Pardoning a turkey? Join Jon and Kurt as they take a deeper look at some of these “traditions” and try to deconstruct them.

You might think the common brew/brewski/suds/etc. is just a proletariat beverage more suited to frat brothers than aristocracy. But you would be wrong. Beer has been revered for over 10,000 years as both a nutritious drink and a social elixir. Jon and Kurt follow beer’s impact over the centuries from Ancient Egypt to Medieval Europe to the landing of the Mayflower. Grab a cold one, or two, and have a listen.

For their milestone 50th episode, Jon and Kurt decide to throw another dinner party for the ages. As before, the party is limited to ten guests chosen from anywhere and anytime in history. The nominated diners can be living, dead, famous, unknown, or figures from fiction...the only restriction is whether they will contribute to making it a truly memorable meal. Our co-hosts will make their cases for whom they would each like to attend, hoping to ensure a seat at the table for their chosen guests...

With the possibility of offending some listeners’ epicurean tastes, Jon and Kurt opine and whine about how certain people absolutely ruin delicious dishes by insisting on adding something that shouldn’t be. Like ketchup on a hot dog. Or pineapple on pizza. Come get your inner-curmudgeon on and yuk some people’s yums.

Ever wonder what it would have been like if you had chosen a different career path? Instead of being a finance juggler, what if you had been a circus juggler? Eschewed accounting for acting, teaching for truck driving, selling for surgery? Jon and Kurt look at their own career what-ifs and ponder the missed (or future) possibilities.

In every category, there always seems to be one product, one event, one person, one object that defines the list, that comes out on the very top, and is the first listed. This element is the example of the topic of discussion..it reflects, resembles, and reinforces the characteristics of the category. In this episode of Smart Drivel, Jon and Kurt discuss the quintessential cocktail, road trip song, candy, world leader, 70s disaster movie, sunglasses, cookie...well, you get the idea. Come along f...

Innovations, modernization, and advances in technology have rendered obsolete some old jobs that used to be critical. The “knocker upper”, the “groom of the stool”, the “herb strewer”, the “pin setters”, the “soda jerk” etc., at one time were very important but now are no longer. Jon and Kurt discuss many of these old-time professions while also trying to predict which jobs of today will go the way of the milkman in the future.

The Beatles or the Rolling Stones? Being too short or too tall? Stuck at age 18 or 50? Text or call? You get the idea...Jon and Kurt return to a favorite topic and throw hypotheticals at each other to debate, debase, and debauch.

Jon and Kurt try their hand at challenging each other to spot the lie within three purportedly factual statements. Join in the fun: attempt to guess the right answers, audibly laugh at where Jon and Kurt mess up, and keep score to see if you can earn the title “Top Driveler”.

Human nature is such that we crave what we can’t have, even if the object of our desire is flawed. No wonder we are all missing the joys of getting on a plane and flying off somewhere...anywhere. Jon and Kurt reminisce and discuss what they love about flying. From the genius of the little button hole in the napkin to talking to strangers to the sheer wonder of looking down on earth from 34,000 feet in the air. Come fly away with us.

Ever wanted to know what the difference is between alligators and crocodiles? Dolphins and porpoises? Further and farther? Whiskey and whisky? Plantains and bananas? You get the gist...this episode has Jon and Kurt exploring and explaining these hugely important differences.

The earth, it’s inhabitants, and it’s natural resources are pretty amazing. Beautiful. Practical. Functional. And then there are the mistakes; things that are just not right...limburger cheese, oceans filled with water you can’t drink, first rows in movie theaters, morning breath. Well, you get the idea. This episode showcases some of these “God’s Mistakes” in all their un-wonderment.

Stubbing your toe, ice cream headache, hangnail, nose pimple, biting your tongue...well, you get the picture. There are certain small injuries--if they can even be called that--that render outsized pain. Jon and Kurt put on their metaphorical body armor and get into the arena with all these big little pains...what are they and why do they hurt so much?

Did you know Time magazine was actually an acronym? In this episode, Jon and Kurt have fun with explaining, finding, and debating fun acronyms that are used in every day conversation. Please RSVP...if you want to be redundant.