Episodes

Throughout recorded time, certain foods have been elixirs and medicinal remedies for multiple ailments. As Hipocrates famously said, “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” In this episode, Jon and Kurt dig up some really cool uses for every day foods that cure ailments. So the next time you are sick or hurting, don’t run to your drugstore, listen to this episode and open your refrigerator.

We have all had them…these knee buckling, mind boggling big questions that we try to make sense of. Like “why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?” or “how is it possible to have a ‘civil’ war?” or “have you ever imagined a world where there are no hypothetical situations?” Jon and Kurt ponder a whole bunch of questions like these working their minds into a pretzel of logic.

The Darwin Awards are catnip to any Smart Driveler. They “recognize individuals who have supposedly contributed to human evolution by selecting themselves out of the gene pool by dying or becoming sterilized via their own actions.” What an incredible, fertile bank of content from which to draw. Let’s be frank–these are colossally stupid people who have found the most humorous and ridiculous ways to get themselves out of procreation…and thus saving future generations from having to deal with thei...

Jon and Kurt have each found certain parts of the human existence that they feel are out of place, unwarranted, just plain wrong. They chalk these up to being some of the (very) few mistakes made by God. In their first episode of this topic, #41, the lads mentioned some things they found to be out of whack, like first rows in movie theaters or oceans of water we can’t drink. Well, they are at it again, this time though they seem to disagree with one another over whether some things are truly mis...

Upon a recommendation from a loyal listener, Jon and Kurt record another episode of fun facts with which to amaze, tantalize, and hypnotize your friends. They run the gamut from expanding landmarks to lacking the body odor gene to the first recorded “your Mama joke” in history. Be ready to write some of these down so you can memorize and then show off your cool, esoteric knowledge.

Jon and Kurt recently learned of a fascinating human dynamic: there are many instances where large groups of people all swear they know a fact that is indisputable. Yet they are wrong. Their "fact" is completely made up. It is a wild manifestation of being human–certainly AI wouldn’t fall prey to a social current that sweeps up many in its errant tide. In this episode, our completely human co-hosts explore many different examples of The Mandela Effect. It’s true. I swear it. I saw it myself.

Jon and Kurt had so much fun discovering the greatest April Fool’s pranks that they dove in even deeper and found more incredible hoaxes. Marketers take it as manna from heaven and have had a lot of fun ginning up interest in their products around great April Fool’s initiatives (“Left handed Whopper” anyone?) as have governments (Norway’s “free wine” stunt) and celebrities (Walt Frazier). The hosts had fun with this one as they hope you do…and make sure you don’t fall for any wooden nickels.

Jon and Kurt decided to capitalize on the fact that they recorded this episode the day after April First and put out a topical discussion about pranks. They found historical jokes centuries old that fooled many middle agers (not someone in their 50s, but someone who lived centuries ago) and some that got the masses hook line and sinker in the 20th century. And lots in between. Give a listen and get inspired for the next April Fools Day. Maybe you will find one worth repeating (but we advise aga...

Ever want to hang with Sam I Am and try to eat Green Eggs and Ham? Or chill with Captain Nemo as he heads 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? Maybe you want to have tea with Emma in one of the gorgeous English manor houses or chow down some spinach with Popeye and go after Bluto? Well, Jon and Kurt thought it sounded pretty cool, so in this episode they discuss which fictional characters they would like to travel with. The options are endless and quite fun. Who would you travel with and where would yo...

Like it or not, the AI revolution is coming. Heck, it is here already. Jon and Kurt wondered how unique they were and if ChatGPT had the ability to add drivel to smart. So, for this episode, they requested ChatGPT “to create a dialogue for two hosts of a podcast called Smart Drivel where the goal is to deliver interesting facts about history, food, words, trivia, life, etc. but in a funny way. The hosts are named Kurt and Jon. Need 10 minutes of dialogue.” Listen in as Jon and Kurt read what Cha...

When Jon and Kurt were sharing befuddlement (something they often do) about the fact that a banana duct taped to a wall sold for $120,000 at auction a year ago, they decided to explore it more. In so doing, they found some bizarre items that have caused raucous bidding wars– as in people fought to pay more for them: a piece of cake from Queen Elizabeth's and Philip's wedding, Elvis Presley’s hair, John Lennon’s toilet, half eaten French toast, etc. It certainly warranted a Smart Drivel discussi...

Ah, the wonder of comforting childhood rhymes–such sweet innocent word play to amuse, soothe, and educate young children. At least that is what we all thought until Jon and Kurt did some digging, some intensive research, some literary forensic analysis. What they found is unsettling to say the least. Turns out, some of our most beloved nursery rhymes have morbid, lascivious, and/or creepy origins. Leave all your peaceful childhood memories behind, and join the boys as they dig into the true hist...

People have used their final words, before passing onto the next adventure in the sky, to truly make a statement. Funny, emotional, insulting, self-deprecating, you name it. With the chance for one final opportunity to communicate without any pushback, there have been some amazing quips and insights that have lasted through the years. Jon and Kurt take a look at some of the most endearing, satirical, honest, and interesting “last words” and share some of their favorites. “Et tu Brute?”

Jon and Kurt decide to get patriotic, historic, and caloric–ok, not caloric, but it did fit the rhyme scheme–as they share unique, surprising stories about our 46 U.S. Presidents. From the scientifically interesting (which is the only President to hold a patent) to the physically interesting (who was the shortest President) to the curiously interesting (who was the only President to kill someone in a duel) and onwards, they unearth some pretty cool facts about those who hold our highest office.

We have emerged out of a precedent-setting pandemic where all bets were off as to how we behaved, presented ourselves, and interacted with others. Add to this dynamic that there is now a new generation in the workspace, there is new technology to harness, and there are a ton of new ways to behave. Thankfully, the fine folks at New York Magazine have developed a list of the new rules governing today’s way to act. Jon and Kurt dive into the list and discuss the merits of these new rules while als...

Our homes are veritable Swiss army knives of contraptions, inventions, and solutions. Everyday household items found in drawers, cabinets, and refrigerators can be used for solving many common issues. Jon and Kurt get in on the current “hack” game and share some great hacks to help you unstick a zipper, fill holes in walls, replace a lost earring back, pull out a splinter without needling into your skin…well, you get the idea. Pull up a listen, you will be amazed what you can do with stuff you a...

Jon and Kurt each found some random questions they wanted to ask each other to try and establish a trivia knowledge hierarchy in the Smart Drivel organization. Of course, this being Smart Drivel, the answers are never straight-forward nor are they on topic. Test yourself versus the hosts and see what you know. Maybe you will qualify to be a guest host one of these days.

Ever get that sneaking suspicion that there is something out there to be afraid of? In other words, do you have a phobia about phobias? Well, there is a name for that: Phobophobia is a fear of being afraid. If there is a phobia about phobias, then there must be some doozies out there. Jon and Kurt spooked themselves by uncovering lots of different phobias, what they are, and what they are called. Put it this way, there truly is a phobia for everything. This episode boldly goes right into the eye...

Jon and Kurt take a look through history at great business inventions. They apply their own filters as to what makes a great invention and bring in personal experiences in the business world to list, debate, admire, and laugh at these innovations. You will be surprised at what makes their list...

Every great movie has an iconic line that, when uttered, immediately generates a response from those in your conversation pod. “It’s all ball bearings these days.” “Play it, Sam.” “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.” Jon and Kurt choose a few of the most iconic, funny, classic, and misunderstood of them all and discuss. “Badges? Badges? We don’t need any stinkin’ badges.”

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...

Jon and Kurt invite you to peek in on their conversation about Homophones which will hopefully pique your interest and make you think they have reached the peak of podcasting. You guessed it, you are the guest of the episode. So contemplate your navel or run off and engage in naval warfare, this discussion won't be a bore if you listen while eating some boar .

We have all been there…you are on the couch flipping channels and you come across a movie that stops you in your tracks. No matter how many times you have seen it, you HAVE to watch it again. The same is true for songs on the radio. Passed hors d'oeuvres. Fast Food restaurants. TV shows. Well, you get the idea. We all have those favorites that just suck us into their vortex. Jon and Kurt explore the topic and share their unpassables…

Ever get confused when you are watching an Auburn football game and they are referred to as the Tigers but then their fans all cheer for the War Eagles? Or want the backstory on the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs? Then you go down the mascot rabbit hole and try to figure out why Alabama is called the Crimson Tide yet their mascot is an Elephant? Ya. Well, so did Jon and Kurt. They take a crack at trying to explain or demystify the crazy, nonsensical world of college nicknames and mascots. Rah rah An...