Episodes

Are you sick of hearing people tell you “to be honest, we should circle back to the parking lot so we can think outside the box and undergo a paradigm shift.” Well, Jon and Kurt sure are and, in this episode, they submit their recommendations for expressions that should be eradicated from all conversations.

As Americans, we tend to be ethnocentric when we travel. We expect, stereotypically and categorically, that things “over there” will be what they are back in the States. We seem to be shocked and/or humored by their lack of ice cubes, to go cups, and shorts. Well, the opposite is also true…the Europeans find some of what we do quite bizarre. From our over reliance on air conditioning to Big Gulps, they think we are just plain weird about some things. Well, Jon and Kurt decide to identify some of...

Holidays used to be the domain of religions, banks, or governments. Recently, however, there is a new phenomenon in nationwide–global even–celebrations as certain days on the calendar become elevated above others. There is Pi day–3-14, May the 4th, etc. These are new, they are fun, and they are irreverent. But mostly, they represent the zeitgeist of pop culture. Jon and Kurt have fun listing and discussing a few of the more catchy ones.

In this episode, Jon and Kurt turn their attention to the room in the house where we spend a good chunk of our waking hours–the bathroom. How did this space–borne out of necessary cleaning of our bodies and expunging of our bodily waste–morph into the sanctuary that it has become? Why? What is its history and how do people use it today? Of many interesting things to note, you will learn how many years over a lifetime people average in the bathroom. So pull up a stool and take a listen…

Jon and Kurt explore everyday products that got their start in the military. How did something originally developed for the battlefield end up in our everyday life? From the practical to the hysterical, the co-hosts examine a few prime examples.

Humankind loves to guess, predict, and wonder at what the future holds. Countless sci fi books and movies have taken a shot at imagining what the years ahead will look like and there has been no shortage of pundits claiming to know what daily life will entail many years from now. Jon and Kurt decided to go back a hundred years or thereabouts and see what folks thought life would be like now. They share the misses and the bullseyes and then they take a stab at predicting what life will be like a ...

With the advent of globe spanning media technology and distribution platforms in the early 20th century, millions of people have been exposed to singular events–some tragic, some horrific, and some inspiring–that have been captured in a “call” or a broadcast or a press conference. Jon and Kurt choose a few key illustrative examples of these and discuss the surrounding events that led to the iconic statements. Take a giant leap for mankind and have a listen.

Two people are thrown together into the annals of history by a singular event. This one moment forever links them and they cease to exist as their individual selves, instead they are always referred to as a tandem. Jon and Kurt proffer up a few interesting examples of these “linked duos” from politics, sports, literature, religion, and business worlds. Take a listen and hopefully this spawns some good dinner conversation.

The Vegas odds-makers lost their shirts on the over/under of number of Smart Drivel episodes. In fact, after hearing just the first fourteen episodes, they put their money on the under…well, guess what, dear listeners, Jon and Kurt made it to #200. Sit back and hear an all new episode celebrates the past while adding new entries for the future into some oldie but goodie categories. Thanks for being a part of the journey (so far).

Anyone who has spent any time at a Thanksgiving dinner knows the angst and joy that comes with seeing siblings interact. In this episode, Jon and Kurt discuss some intriguing, successful, dysfunctional, and world changing siblings. From Cain and Abel to the Jackson 5 and the Bronte sisters and all sorts in between, our co-hosts explore some amazing sisters and brothers.

Stretching their word retrieval abilities, Jon and Kurt have fun in this episode by coming up with words that have ‘art’ embedded within them. Art means one thing on its own (the beautiful category of expressionism–be it paintings, sculptures, poetry, novels, music, dance, etc.), but take that word and stuff it into another, and it takes on a whole new life.

Stones. They are a big part of history (Blarney, Rosetta), fiction (Philosopher’s), music (Sly and the Family), people (Emma, Sharon), etc. Well, if stones really do have that big an impact across all of humanity, then they must be a great episode for Smart Drivel. Join Jon and Kurt as they discuss all things “stone”...and they aren’t even stoned while doing it.

Jon and Kurt decide to put their differences aside for a moment and delve into the world of famous rivalries. They find emblematic rivals in different categories: history, politics, fiction, business, sports, music, etc. Sometimes the foes just want to best the other no matter what and, other times, the world benefits from the output generated by the competition (e.g., “Let it Be” is a gazillion times better than “Silly Love Songs”). So, lay down your sword, respect your opponent, and take a li...

Adam & Eve. Romulus & Remus. Gin & Tonic. Bert & Ernie. Oscar & Felix. Jon and Kurt identify, laugh, and survey just a few of the many famous pairs throughout history. It is a rollicking, fast, fun adventure.

The civilization of Ancient Greece emerged into the light of history in the 8th century BC. Normally it is regarded as coming to an end when Greece fell to the Romans, in 146 BC. What is amazing is that this long gone civilization has had an enduring impact on life throughout the centuries. Jon and Kurt investigate how the ancient Greeks still permeate our society. They discuss how we name our cars, household cleaners, fancy scarves, sports teams, sneakers and more after Greek gods despite havin...

Jon and Kurt hurt their brains in this episode as they attempt to make sense of the world of paradoxes. How can something that seems so contradictory end up being true? Youth is wasted on the young? This is the beginning of the end? The only constant is change? And then they discuss some of the classic paradox hypotheticals that have given philosophers throughout the ages the excuse to pull on their beards, opine endlessly, and feel justified that they are just hanging around the old marble city...

The boys are at it again…they each invite four guests for the ultimate dinner party. All will be invited to partake in the conversation, but Jon and Kurt need to first provide the bona fides of their recommendations. Jon veers towards unknown people involved in iconic parts of history. Kurt goes with historical figures who refused to be stereotyped and put into a box. It makes for a very esoteric and fascinating guest list.

We all go through life blithely using everyday products without knowing why they are what they are or why they have certain qualities. We just accept them for their utility value, not bothering to ask why. Well, phew, thankfully Jon and Kurt have decided to ask the question and this episode brings their answers. Why do winter hats have that pom pon on top? Why are doorknobs made of brass? Why do wine bottles have an indention in the bottom? And so many more….Tune in and never look at an everyday...

Who was “The Minister of Defense”? Which President was called “His Accidency”? Can you guess what Tolstoy’s nickname was? Jon and Kurt jump into the world of nicknames and unearth some absolute gems...like Grover Cleveland’s.

Jon and Kurt return to a theme from the early days of Smart Drivel as they give examples and discuss sayings that just make no sense. Some, like “on cloud 9” confuse one and not the other while others, such as “the exception proves the rule” require much thought. They agree on some, bring up some classics like “pick the low hanging fruit” and try not to have a “near miss.” Near miss? Um, we think you meant “near hit.”

Jon and Kurt have a ripsnorting time in this episode as they discuss and showcase slang terms from the 1930s. Sometimes they are a bit off the cob, but not enough to ever necessitate putting them in a Chicago Overcoat. They have fun dissecting the sometimes esoteric and sometimes perfectly accurate terms that the hep cats threw around 90 years ago. You shred it, wheat!

J on and Kurt decide, in this episode, to ask each other some life changing, soul crushing, deep as the deepest depths of Mordor, questions. Like, “if you were a vegetable, what would you be?” And others of equal gravitas. Take a listen, hear their answers, laugh at them (with them?) and try to answer the questions yourself. If you had to sell your soul to the devil, what would you get in return?