Curmudgeon's Corner

Ivan is back! So he and Sam bounce all over the place to catch up. They've got the Comey case and the UPS crash. Trump's Ukraine peace proposal and a bit about Ivan's recovery. Plus Mandani and Trump. And lots more! Enjoy!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-11-22 Length this week 2:24:40 <!— /meta --> 0:01:29 - But First Ivan Recovery TV: The Twilight Zone (1959-1963) Movie: Sunset Boulevard (1950) 0:34:40 - But Second UPS Crash Epstein Vote 1:15:00 - But Third Comey Case Ukraine Plan 1:46:57 - But Fourth Mamdani and Trump TG Resigns The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

This time Sam is joined by Todd as Ivan continues to recuperate, and it is just a smorgasbord of topics. We've got inflation and tariffs. We've got Election 2025 and progressives vs moderates. We've got ACA subsidies and the Epstein emails. And much much more. So get in there and listen!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-11-15 Length this week 2:16:59 <!— /meta --> 0:00:24 - One Election 2025 Protest Effectiveness Inflation Republican Factions 0:46:34 - Two ACA Subsidies Breaking Institutions Shutdown Politics Progressives vs Moderates 1:29:15 - Three Clinton Triangulation Tariff Impacts Epstein Emails JukePodder The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

Ivan is recovering from surgery, so Sam is joined by Ed and Bruce this week, and they pick the topics. We've got everything from tariffs at SCOTUS to advice for Sam to the situation in Venezuela, and lots of other stuff too. Enjoy!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-11-07 Length this week 1:58:01 <!— /meta --> 0:00:33 - Segment One Advice for Sam Marjorie Taylor Greene 0:41:51 - Segment Two Government Shutdown Income Inequality 1:27:06 - Segment Three Venezuela Situation Tariffs at SCOTUS The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

Sam got laid off! So for the first half of the show he and Ivan talk about that, what Sam plans to do next, and all the related stuff there is to say. Then of course they do talk about the news of the week. Because that is important too! :-)   Show Details: Recorded 2025-11-01 Length this week 2:04:49 <!— /meta --> 0:01:06 - Sam Laid Off! Long Expected News Company Motivations Generational Differences Return to Office What's Next? Independent Projects 1:00:56 - Everything Else Shutdown Update Lincoln Bathroom Zohran Mamdani "Deciding to Win" Better Approaches Household Robots The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

Sam and Ivan discuss the Maine Senate race as their big newsy topic this week. They also hit on the Virginia Giuffre book, Trump's attempt to pay himself, and of course the destruction of the White House East Wing on the news side of things. Plus a coworker retiring, some movies, and the CC online presence gets some upgrades!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-10-25 Length this week 2:08:59 <!— /meta --> 0:03:35 - But First Remembering Zoom Coworker Reconnection Retirement Choices Movie: Tron: Ares (2025) CC Website Enhancements Movie: Hairspray (1988) 0:49:40 - But Second Maine Senate Background Graham Planter Appeal Janet Mills Alternative Democratic Attitudes Nazi Tattoos Tradeoffs 1:29:35 - But Third Call for Hosts Virginia Giuffre book $230M for Trump Crazy Scenarios The East Wing Open Flames The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner Ivan is away, but Sam bumps into Emily at No Kings 2, and she joins him for the rest of the show. They talk about movies and TV before jumping to discussion of what makes an effective protest movement, what the options are for those in opposition, and how the next few years are likely to play out. Plus a bonus discussion explaining "Abulsme" after the end!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-10-18 Length this week 2:09:58 <!— /meta --> 0:00:24 - Intro 0:04:11 - Media Movie: Citizen Kane (1941) Movie: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) TV: Outlander (2014-Present) Movie: All the King's Men (1999) Movie: Saltburn (2023) 0:44:11 - No Kings 2 Effective Protests Accelerationism vs Community Convictions vs Constraints 2024 Revisited Optimism vs Pessimism Government Shutdown The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Ivan and Sam revisit a prediction Sam made about self-driving cars 10 years ago on this very show. Sam was wrong. Ivan was right. Ivan takes great joy in this. They will revisit the issue here in another ten years. Oh, and they also talk about a bunch of other things, including all the main news stories of the week. Because that is what they do.   Show Details: Recorded 2025-10-10 Length this week 2:09:44 <!— /meta --> 0:00:26 - But First 2015 Self-Driving Prediction Family Calendars Wrong Way Driving Movie: Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse (2023) 0:43:08 - But Second Trump DC Hotel Grift Weaponized DoJ 1:14:09 - Lightning Round iPhone and iPad Stories AI Slop and Profitability Gaza and Argentina The Power of Lies The Portland Frog Trump Watches The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner Ivan and Sam talk about the US government shutdown, as well as Trump and Hegseth's speeches to the Generals and Admirals along with related issues. But before that, health and travel updates, and a discussion of a movie about homelessness. And that be that!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-10-04 Length this week 1:43:55 <!— /meta --> 0:00:28 - But First Ivan Health Ivan Guyana Sam Canada Movie: Dark Days (2000) 0:45:00 - Shutdown Less Concern Blame Game Paths Out Messaging 1:06:17 - Trump & Hegseth Trump Coin Hegseth Speech Trump Physical Health Trump Mental Health The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Ivan and Sam do a lightning round of current events in the second half of the show. Comey. Russian drones in Europe. The impending Government Shutdown. More tariffs. All that sort of thing. But first, Ivan is tired and busy, and Sam talks about meeting other local podcasters at the Snohomish Podcast Network. Plus something about coconuts.   Show Details: Recorded 2025-09-27 Length this week 1:56:35 <!— /meta --> 0:00:27 - But First Everyone Tired Busy Busy Busy Snohomish Podcast Network Um Sir Podcast Podcast Longevity 0:48:30 - Newsy Stuff JukePodder Comey Indictment Airspace Incursions Impending Shutdown More Tariffs Coconut Scare The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner Sam goes solo. First up, iPhones and birthdays and movies. But then the more serious stuff, with a segment on all the signs of accelerating down the slippery slope with all of the Trump administration's recent abuses of executive power. Then a little bit of a follow up on the killing of Charlie Kirk. And that's a show. Woo!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-09-20 Length this week 1:48:51 <!— /meta --> 0:00:26 - But First Line Patience Birthday Stuff Movie: Astro Boy (2009) Movie: Les Miserables (1958) 0:34:26 - Slippery Slope Phone Update Kimmel Everybody does it? Bondi Message Tom Homan Overload 1:29:28 - Kirk Assassin's Motives Lionization Zuck's Glasses The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk travel and coincidences and movies before they start getting into the serious stuff. The big one was the killing of Charlie Kirk and the subsequent reactions. Then Epstein's book, the Fed Governor's mortgages, Trump's health, security for politicians, some international coverage, and a bit about the revival of some old defunct companies. Woo!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-09-13 Length this week 2:04:41 <!— /meta --> 0:00:44 - But First Travels Theater Coincidence Movie: Some Like It Hot (1959) Movie: Ouija (2014) 0:23:47 - Charlie Kirk Blame Game Possible Motives Right Wing Calls for War Left Wing Calls for Peace 0:46:32 - Lighting One Epstein Birthday Book Fed Governor Mortgages Trump Health Politician Security 1:29:14 - Lightning Two Nepal Venezuela Poland Company Revivals The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner Ivan and Sam discuss tariffs, immigration raids, the Venezuelan boat, deterioration of the rule of law, damage from RFK Jr, Trump/Epstein, and triggered by all this, Ivan's possible escape plan from the US. Before that though, on the lighter side, some movies and Alex's suggestions on how to monetize this podcast. And a song triggered by technical difficulties!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-09-06 Length this week 2:03:15 <!— /meta --> 0:01:35 - But First Tire Blowout Getting Spanish Citizenship Red Lines Movie: Star Wars (1977) Movie: Wicked: Part I (2024) Monetization 1:03:06 - But Second Tariff Impacts Immigration Raids Venezuelan Boat Rule of Law RFK Jr Trump/Epstein The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Sam goes solo while Ivan enjoys the holiday weekend. Sam talks about movies, the feeding frenzy around Trump's health, and the general descent into authoritarianism we are right smack in the middle of. Plus some stories about going to the fair, and moving a car over a few feet. And that is that.   Show Details: Recorded 2025-08-30 Length this week 1:47:40 <!— /meta --> 0:00:36 - But First Just Me Going to the Fair Movie: King Kong vs Godzilla (1962) Movie: All About Eve (1950) 0:31:29 - Trump Health Fair Report Rumor/Hype Spiral Remote Diagnosis Sticking to the Known? 0:58:49 - Getting Bad National Guard / ICE Targeting Opponents Destroying the CDC Administrative State The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan are joined by Pete, who has been begging for weeks to talk about Superman. So they talk about Superman. Specifically, the intention is to talk about the 2025 Superman movie, but to get there, they talk about lots of older Superman too. And then, yes, after that, they do move on to the news of the week for the second half of the show.   Show Details: Recorded 2025-08-23 Length this week 2:12:18 <!— /meta --> 0:00:00 - Cold Open 0:03:49 - Superman Ivan Injuries and Ailments Histories of Superman Consumption Why Discuss Superman? Previous Superman Movies Superman 2025 Sam's Algorithms 1:07:54 - News Trump's Health Trump Targets Black Women NYC Mayor Race Newsom vs Trump Conventional Democrats Trump/Putin/Zelenskyy The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Sam and Ivan do hit the main news and politics of the week. That is of course the Trump/Putin summit, the Feds in DC, Gerrymandering, Newsom stepping up, Dem leadership failing to meet the moment, and all that stuff. And before that, long names, cars, and of course a movie. Woo! You can't want more than this, can you?   Show Details: Recorded 2025-08-16 Length this week 2:00:53 <!— /meta --> 0:01:19 - But First Long Names Juana Car Choice Fast Charging Movie: Guarding Tess (1994) 0:41:44 - Trump/Putin Summit Summit Optics Possible Agreements Trump Loses Putin Wins 1:12:58 - But Third Feds in DC Newsom Gerrymandering Dem Leadership The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner Ivan and Sam talk about all the latest crazy news from the Trump administration, and their latest thoughts on AI in the wake of the release of GPT 5. But also movies, and dialup internet, and the trauma of shopping for suits, and Sam's, um, interesting, ways of maintaining to do lists. Fun all around!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-08-09 Length this week 1:44:57 <!— /meta --> 0:00:35 - But First Buying Suits To Do Lists Movie: Insurgent (2015) Movie: Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) 0:41:46 - Trumpy Stuff Trump on the Roof South Park on Noem Tim Apple visits Donald RFK Jr Damage 1:15:55 - AI Stuff GPT 5 Using AI AI Fails Dialup The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Ivan and Sam discuss the crazy week in economic news we just had, the Gaza situation, and the Trump/Epstein situation once again. But also, adventures with going through immigration, some movie reviews, and a discussion on the flavor of batteries. Could you ask for anything more?   Show Details: Recorded 2025-08-02 Length this week 1:37:55 <!— /meta --> 0:01:26 - But First Going Through Immigration Movie: The African Queen (1951) Movie: Jurassic Park III (2001) 0:20:10 - Economy Job Creation Interest Rates Trade Deals 0:56:27 - Everything Else Gaza Situation Trump/Epstein Battery Flavor The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, another personal story heavy episode as Ivan and Sam start with more of Sam's adventures with cars and health. Then they settle in and hit the newsy stuff for the last half of the show. Hunter Biden. Inflation. All the Trump stuff you could possibly want. Depending on your proclivities of course. You can never guess just how much Trumpy stuff people will want.   Show Details: Recorded 2025-07-26 Length this week 1:50:11 <!— /meta --> 0:01:11 - Personal Stuff Movie Assignments Sam Car Incident Sam Sick 0:54:50 - Newsy Stuff Hunter Biden Trump at the Fed Inflation Trends Trump Approval Trump and Epstein The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Sam and Ivan go into everything from the Air India crash, to tariffs and inflation, to device repairs and movies. But yes, of course, they also talk the latest on Epstein and Trump, as well as more generally about Trump's health, both mental and physical. Join them for all the fun!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-07-19 Length this week 2:06:37 <!— /meta --> 0:01:00 - But First Sick Ivan Apple Repairs Movie: Moonrise Kingdom (2012) Movie: Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985) 0:43:33 - But Second Air India Flight 171 More Crazy Tariffs Inflation Other Economy 1:18:24 - But Third Dogs Epstein and Trump Trump Mental Health Trump Physical Health The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner Sam goes solo because Ivan is sick. First order of business, an update on Sam's car situation. He bought one. Hear all about it. Then a movie and a book. Then finally, what's going on with this latest Epstein business, and how it is tearing apart MAGA world.   Show Details: Recorded 2025-07-12 Length this week 1:52:47 <!— /meta --> 0:00:51 - Car Stuff Sam Got One! Trim Level Anxiety Electric Charging Modern Features 0:42:59 - Media Stuff Movie: Why We Fight (2005) Book: And Another Thing… (2009) 1:06:41 - Epstein Stuff Nothing New? What's in the Files? MAGA Reaction Trump Reaction The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe. <!— /credits -->