Season 1
Ep.97: They Taught us What?
Feb. 14, 2022
We all did it. We all went to school with open minds, excited to learn new things. We, here in the U.S., learned a lot about our country’s history. Interestingly, with the lens of current knowledge, we now know that a lot of…
Ep.96: Check Your Rolodex
Feb. 7, 2022
Office life has changed so much in the last thirty years–we saw the coming and going of the fax machine, the thumb drive, the inter-office memo, to name just a few–and now, with remote working, the office doesn’t even have p…
Ep.95: Big Bad Ben
Jan. 31, 2022
Ben Franklin is deeply embedded in the American ethos. He was a Founding Father, an inventor, a printer, an author, a diplomat, a man about town, to name just a few of his talents. He was prolific to say the least and was a …
Ep.94: Barbers or Barbarians?
Jan. 24, 2022
Medicine and medical treatments have, thankfully, evolved over the years as these procedures and cures always aim to stay on the cutting edge. WIth the luxury of being able to look backwards in time, we can safely laugh at s…
Ep.93: Stop Playing With Your Doodlesack
Jan. 17, 2022
In the development of the English language, we have created some words that are just plain funny. A word, when heard, elicits snickers, laughter, and general bemusement. Jon and Kurt can’t contain themselves from their child…
Ep.92: Your Next Hangover
Jan. 10, 2022
We’ve all been there: you are having a really good time at the party and imbibe just a wee bit too much. Enough too much that the following morning you feel like crap. So you try all sorts of things to mitigate the pain. To …
Ep.91: You Get Paid For That?
Jan. 3, 2022
If you think your job is a little bizarre sometimes, think again. There are people out there who have incredibly unique professions--human dog food taster, professional cuddler, worm collector, train pusher–-to name just a f…
Ep.90: That Was Awful
Dec. 27, 2021
Over time, words take on new meanings. Interestingly, often the new definition is the exact opposite of where the word started off. This somewhat boggling phenomenon is the subject of this week’s Smart Drivel episode. Jon an…
Ep.89: Deceptively Named Foods
Dec. 20, 2021
Ever have this happen to you…you are sitting at a beautiful table in a nice restaurant, you peruse the menu, you see something that sounds delicious even though you haven’t had it before, you feel bold, and you order it. Onl…
Ep.88: Thumbs Up or FU?
Dec. 13, 2021
You are on a great vacation. One you have saved up for and planned for years. You leave the friendly confines of the U.S. and head overseas. While in the MidEast, you wish to show your appreciation for good service and, sinc…
Ep. 87: Tale of the Tape: 1960s vs. Today
Dec. 6, 2021
The last 60 years have brought an onslaught of evolutionary and technological advances that have drastically re-shaped humanity. And speaking of re-shaping, boy these last six decades have had a huge impact on the shape of t…
Ep.86: For All Intensive Purposes
Nov. 29, 2021
Sayings have made their way into the vernacular that are just plain wrong. There are many common phrases that we mix up and mess up. When we proudly declare “that was a bold faced lie” or “it’s a doggy dog world” or “card sh…
Ep.85: It’s All Greek To Us
Nov. 22, 2021
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 civili…
Ep.84: I Put a Spell on You
Nov. 15, 2021
Curses. Jinxes. Hexes. Call them what you want, it all boils down to the same thing...life is unpredictable at best, and worse when your fate is altered by forces out of your control. In this episode, Jon and Kurt look at th…
Ep.83:The Curious Case of the Dickie
Nov. 8, 2021
Bell bottoms, high heels, cod pieces, popped collars, dickies...yup, once upon a time all of these, and other like-minded trends, were all the rage. Jon and Kurt try to unravel the history of these odd bursts of fashion to b…
Ep.82: What Would You Try?
Nov. 1, 2021
If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you do? From the existential to the mundane, Jon and Kurt examine different careers and adventures that they would try--knowing they were safe from failure.
Ep.81: Big Little Things
Oct. 25, 2021
The expensive, large purchases we make--like houses, cars, jewelry--get all the attention, but it is the little things that actually make the biggest differences. In this episode, Jon and Kurt pay tribute to those small purc…
Ep.80: Did You Smell That?
Oct. 18, 2021
Smells can put you in a great mood, can be offensive to your innards, can be meditative, and can conjure up nostalgia. How is it that this one sense impacts so much of our psyche and emotional well being? Well, Jon and Kurt …
Ep.79: Do Not Pass Go
Oct. 11, 2021
The boys struck out on a path this episode to talk about board games. The classic games found in most homes that engendered laughter, cheating, family bonding, family arguing, and all around great memories. Come have a liste…
Ep.78: Favorites
Oct. 4, 2021
Tired of beating the curmudgeon drum, Jon and Kurt decide to focus on some of their favorite things. There are no pet peeves in this episode, no discussion of the problems in society these days, and no conversations about th…
Bonus Episode: The After 30 Podcast Guest Appearance
Sept. 27, 2021
Every once in a while, Jon and Kurt like to venture out of their comfort zones and try new things. In this episode, the Smart Drivel gents are guests on The After 30 Podcast and have a fun and interesting discussion with hos…
Ep.76: Things We Can Live Without
Sept. 20, 2021
Ever look at something and you realize that you can easily, and happily, live without it? Seems society is hell bent on creating more more more...yet is it all necessary? Jon and Kurt have a funny and spirited conversation a…
Ep.75: Ten Billion Donuts
Sept. 13, 2021
Join Jon and Kurt for a rollicking, delicious, jaunt through the history of donuts and their role in pop culture. Find out why they (ok, just one of them) call donuts "the Truman Doctrine of Pastries", what Clark Gable and W…
Ep.74: Blowing Smoke
Sept. 6, 2021
The boys are back after a brief break to restock their drivel stores. And they certainly seemed to have stocked up for this new episode. Here they delve into the origins of expressions attached to the body. They cover idioms…
Ep.73: Fondue For You
Aug. 9, 2021
Ah, the 1970s. A beacon of home decor dazzlement...from shag carpets to egg chairs to wood-paneled walls, it was truly a decade to now make fun of. In this episode, Jon and Kurt are invited to a dinner party in the 1970s and…
Ep. 72:History's Mysteries
Aug. 2, 2021
Jon and Kurt decide to scratch their history itch by having a conversation about some of the world’s greatest unsolved history mysteries. Of course, this being Jon and Kurt, they meander a bit off topic, but do manage to com…
Ep.71: Bet You Didn’t Know
July 26, 2021
In this conversation, Jon and Kurt share with each other (and the world) some really interesting pieces of information. Not the kind that will get you a raise or a promotion, mind you, but the kind that will cause the person…
Ep.70: From Wars to Stores
July 19, 2021
For their 70th episode, 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 hysterica…
Ep.69: Rip City
July 12, 2021
Ever wonder how certain cities got their nicknames? How did Paris get so lucky to be “the city of light” or why, actually, is Denver “the mile high city” (ok, it’s because it is a mile above sea level). Jon and Kurt take a t…
Ep.68: They Sang What?
July 5, 2021
We all know these people. The ones who sing along with the radio at the top of their lungs, yet completely botch the lyrics. Jon and Kurt laugh at some classic misunderstood lyrics. Really...how can people blow the words tha…
Ep.67: A Good Ol’ Chinwag
June 28, 2021
Channeling the joys of sitting in a pub in England over a few pints of Guinness, the boys sit back and meander down a conversation river. From discussion the kosher-ness of miso soup to the rationale of naming young Humperdi…
Ep.66: Survival of the Drivelest
June 21, 2021
As a public service, Jon and Kurt have decided to impart some key tactics to ensure you survive life-threatening occurrences and will be around long enough to regale friends and enemies with your tales of heroism. The boys w…
Ep.65: Mind Blowing Stuff
June 14, 2021
There are times when you hear something and it just rocks your world...little facts that seem too unbelievable to be true. Well, Jon and Kurt love these little tidbits and they have unearthed a bunch to share in this latest …
Ep.64: Bigfoot and Twinkies
June 7, 2021
Whether you call them urban legends, urban myths or old wive’s tales, there are certain stories that enter the zeitgeist. Some start with “I swear this is true” and others as “did you hear about…?” Whatever the provenance, t…
Ep.63: The 100mph Sneeze
May 31, 2021
The human body is a scientific marvel and a wonder of fantastical super powers. In this episode, Jon and Kurt delve into what makes the human body so amazing. The boys go at it with weird facts and truly incredible informati…
Ep.62: You Ate What?
May 24, 2021
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…
Ep.61: Crazy Word Origins
May 17, 2021
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 …
Ep.60: More Pet Peeves
May 10, 2021
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…
Ep.59: Road Trip
May 3, 2021
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…
Ep.58: Were the Jetsons right?
April 26, 2021
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 Jetso…
Ep.57: My Life As A Dog
April 19, 2021
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…
Ep.56: Sayings That Make No Sense
April 12, 2021
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 compl…
Ep.55: Abandoned Products
April 5, 2021
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 Ku…
Ep.54: Forgotten Heroes
March 29, 2021
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 go…
Ep.53: Fun Little Known Facts
March 22, 2021
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 …
Ep.52: Strange Rituals
March 15, 2021
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? Gr…
Ep.51: How Beer Saved the World
March 8, 2021
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 a…
Ep.50: Dinner Party for the Ages
March 1, 2021
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,…
Ep.49: Foods Gone Wrong
Feb. 22, 2021
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…
Ep.48: What if?
Feb. 15, 2021
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, selli…