Flightless Bird

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David talks to two former members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses religion in the USA, to find out what it’s really like inside. Can members really not pledge their allegiance to the American flag? Are they really not allowed to have blood transfusions? Are they not allowed to be gay? Is there anything JW’s *are* allowed to do, besides door knock? David tries to find out. LINKS: Upcoming Flightless Bird live shows: 3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC 4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX 4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFW Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this month's Nest Session, David and Rob are joined on the couch by The Format's Nate Ruess and Sam Means, who met as teenagers at a Weezer concert while Sam was running the band's fan club. The two reflect on what it was like growing up in the scorching sprawl of the Arizona desert, and Nate shares his uncanny claim of remembering the exact moment he was born. They bring along an iced peanut butter latte for David to get his head around, before discussing the current state of America and the exhausting sense that we've all been here before. The Format then perform The Bar Is Set So Low, Back to Life, and Depressed. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird You can find The Format here: https://www.theformat.com https://www.instagram.com/theformat/ The Bar Is Set So Low: https://theformat.bandcamp.com/track/the-bar-is-set-so-low Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David talks to someone who has schizophrenia. Christopher Grant talks about what it was like to grow up seeing the world a little differently than others, his growing struggles with mental health, and finally being diagnosed and treated. Chris now creates “schizophrenias simulation videos” which are watched by million of people. They are his attempt to let us see the world through the eyes of someone who sees and hears people, and entities, that aren't there. LINKS:This episode is based on original reporting from Webworm: https://www.webworm.co/schizophrenia/ Chris’ videos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoradmagical Chris’ videos on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xoradmagical More of Chris’ work: https://linktr.ee/xoradmagical Upcoming Flightless Bird live shows:3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC 4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX 4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFW Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weeks Flightless Bird, David and Rob talk to Mara Wilson about being a child star in films like Mrs Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street and - of course - the titular character in Matilda. Wilson has had time to reflect on those years, both the good and the bad - and explains what she’s found out. Mara - a podcaster, actor and author also appeared in the HBO documentary Showbiz Kids, so she’s been thinking about this stuff for awhile.Upcoming live show dates:3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFWFeedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, Rob schools David on Nickelodeon, the American TV channel launched on April 1, 1979, when David was just three years old. Nickelodeon gave us Rugrats, Doug, and SpongeBob SquarePants - and a bunch of shows David has never heard of like Are You Afraid of the Dark, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Keenan and Kel, and CatDog. What did it means to be a kid in America growing up with these characters, and what’s it like looking back? To explain: A Rob slideshow to rival all his previous slideshows.Upcoming live show dates:3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFWFeedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, Rosabel muses on the fallout from her episode a few weeks ago, before David and Rob set off for Hooters - absolutely terrified to their core that they will be cancelled in the process by saying the wrong thing or looking in the wrong direction. They hear from a variety of former “Hooters Girls” (their term, not ours) over the last few decades, before talking to current Hooter ambassador Averey Tressler (who eagle eyed listeners may recognise from another All-American institution, The Challenge). Join us as we learn about Hooters - hoot hoot! Email us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Join us on Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus episodes, too: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird The Original Hooters guide for staff: https://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/so-you-wanna-be-hooters-girl?page=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Nest Session, we’re joined by Peter Matthew Bauer of The Walkmen, who brings in a fresh Kentucky Southern Casserole for David and Rob to sample. Peter shares some pie, as well as what it was like growing up as part of a meditation cult, the oddness of astronomy to the current moment, and how saying no to your own destruction can be fun. Peter then preforms his songs Doom, Knife Fighter and Gold Paint for Blue Skies. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird You can find Peter Matthew Bauer here: https://petermatthewbauer.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/petermatthewbauer/ Doom Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1R_qJnxdTc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David meets Doretta, an American who met and fell in love with a New Zealander - a man who happened to be one of NZ’s most well known celebrities: The Milky Bar Kid. Sort of. Back in the late 80s and early 90s the Milky Bar Kid starred in NZ’s biggest commercial. How did he end up in America, and with a woman who also has a past forged in chocolate?- Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird- Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod- Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David meets Phil - a man who’s been playing the same Dungeons and Dragons campaign since D&D was first released in 1974. Phil explains what’s so important about the game, and the friends he’s made and lessons learnt along the way. David then talks to the team behind D&D, to discus how the game has transcended generations and continues to grow in relevance after 50+ years! Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Flightless Bird, David Farrier temporarily halts his New Zealand holiday to bring you the guest to end all guests: Rosabel. If you've listened to Flightless Bird for awhile, you will be familiar with the Rosabel calls that kick many episodes off. You may also recall the time David cracked an egg on Rosabel's head. In this episode, let's learn a little more about Rosabel - and whether she has revenge in her heart. Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David explores the world of the tribute band - meeting “Dirty Deeds”, America’s best AC/DC tribute band (yes, there are lots of them). With their youngest member in their 30s and their oldest in their 70s - David explores how these American friends ended up choosing to portray Australia’s biggest rock band, learning that the world of the tribute band is expansive, surprising, inspirational... and often deeply weird.  Links: - Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com - Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this month’s Nest Session, David and Rob are joined on the couch by Chat Pile, one of David’s favourite bands who hail from Oklahoma. Raygun Busch and Stin talk about their shared - and differing - experiences being sent to church camp growing up, and explain the origin of their name, referencing the massive hills of hazardous waste found in their home town. If you want to find out what a “chat rat” is, then this is the episode for you. The two then dish out their favourite American snack, before performing broken down versions of two of their deeper cuts - Tenkiller and King. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird You can find Chat Pile here:https://chatpile.nethttps://www.instagram.com/chatpilebandDavid recommends God’s Country, Cool World and In the Earth Again (with Hayden Pedigo). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David looks at Best Friends, one of America’s largest animal rescue groups. Promoted by the likes of Mark Wahlberg, and with its own Nat Geo show “Dog Town”, David discovers Best Friends had its origins in a cult called “The Process Church Of The Final Judgement”. They wore a lot of black, had big big iron crosses around their necks, and liked keeping big dogs as pets - mainly German Shepards. Rumours spread they were involved in ritualistic murder - and by the time the Manson murders happened, prosecutors alleged there were links between Charles Manson and “The Process”. Under the leadership of “Mary Ann MacLean” the cult would undergo a series of changes, eventually ending up as - you guessed it - Best Friends. David meets a corner member who was born into the cult, and alleges what is now Best Friends’ Utah HQ was built - in part - by children. Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Flightless Bird takes a few weeks off for the holidays, we hear from self-proclaimed parasocial podcast listener Nick. He emailed us with a story he wanted to share - explaining how it all started on a Zoom call with his boss, when suddenly he felt like he’d been hit over the head with a bat. We think Nick’s story is intriguing and inspirational - and we wanted to share it with you as we head towards the end of 2025. Flightless Bird is taking a few weeks off, and returns on Tuesday January 6. LINKS: The Friendship Paddle: https://www.friendshippaddle.org Nick’s bands are Uncle Uncle (https://www.instagram.com/uncleuncleband/?hl=en) and Pookie - whose track “Thank You For Your Service” played us out this week: https://open.spotify.com/track/7zOeJ0T7S5VEgp5RvsRCAL?si=f5277282b92043c6 JOIN US ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Email us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flightlessbirdpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob delve into the deeply American world of Reality TV. They talk to Sara Reddy - one of the minds behind Honey Boo Boo and a number of record-breaking reality TV shows - before meeting reality TV veteran Jordan Wiseley. - JOIN US ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird - Email us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com - Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod - Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flightlessbirdpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this month’s Nest Session, David and Rob are joined on the couch by Nathan Willett and Matt Maust of Cold War Kids, an indie rock band from Long Beach, California. They talk about their love / obsession with collecting very specific vintage t-shirts, before sharing their memories and passion for their friend and collaborator, musician and producer Richard Swift, who passed away in 2018. They are then joined by their bandmates to perform some of their tracks for your enjoyment. “The Nest Sessions” are a monthly music-focused series where each week Rob and David have a different musician in the studio to talk about a piece of American culture they’re obsessed with, before they share some live music in the studio. Join us for more on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbirdEmail us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flightlessbirdpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob meet Betsy, a librarian who one day found herself being harassed by a “First Amendment Auditor” - a man in a hoodie badgering her endlessly for her name, salary and employment details. After calling the police, she discovered they could do nothing - and Betsy’s footage was uploaded for 100,000 people calling for her dismissal, and arrest. Farrier interviews Kristina Wilson and Kristi Nickodem, both experts in Public Law and Government, to find out what the hell was going on - and to see what someone like Betsy can do when confronted by this very unusual subculture of insufferable YouTubers.Email us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Dealing with Harassment and Threats Towards Local Government Officials and Employees: https://canons.sog.unc.edu/2022/07/dealing-with-harassment-and-threats-towards-local-government-officials-and-employees/ Responding to First Amendment Auditors: https://www.sog.unc.edu/sites/default/files/reports/2022-11-09%2020220124%20LGLB%20141.pdf Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law: https://canons.sog.unc.edu/?s=%22responding+to+first+amendment+audits%22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Thanksgiving-vibed Flightless Bird, David sets out to learn about the iconic American staple on the Thanksgiving table: Pumpkin Pie. Rob and David blind taste test three pumpkin pies - from supermarket scraps to high end Hollywood - to see if they can tell the difference. Rob then surprises David in the studio with Jordan Kahn, the chef behind incredible restaurants like Vespertine and Meteora (with French Laundry, Per Se, Alinea and Michael Mina also in his CV) who has made the Flightless Bird team his own pumpkin pie. Kahn then shares his pumpkin pie tips, along with his thoughts on what else should go (and not go!) on the Thanksgiving table. Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Flightless Bird, David and Rob attend Medieval Times in California - and are joined by Rob's son, Calvin. They set out to discover if it's still the same experience documented in the 1996 hit film The Cable Guy, before talking to a former worker at Medieval Times.JOIN US ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/flightlessbirdEmail us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flightlessbirdpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Flightless Bird, Rob takes the reins and tells the story of Tom Pfaeffle - a mentor, musician, and the quiet force behind Seattle’s sound. What begins as a look into a mentor’s lasting influence becomes a haunting mystery: a motel shooting, a vanished gunman, and a community searching for answers. Rob speaks with Wild Orchid Children’s Kirk Huffman and Thomas Hunter, who share the story of Tom’s influence, and journalist Trent Moorman unravels the strange events that unfolded at the Blue Spruce Motel. Wild Orchid Children: https://open.spotify.com/artist/48g5S4pDBTkgU4MekOe5yV?si=a4Y9Wd7YRJG6Ei2uzAyQFwBlack Shiny FBI Shoes, the song: https://open.spotify.com/track/3AoUBpJmkZ2f3cqljsH6sn?si=4d2e2eb9fce84853 Kirk Huffman: https://www.instagram.com/realdonmusic Thomas Hunter: https://www.instagram.com/thomashunter____ Trent Moorman: https://www.instagram.com/cookiesnake Email us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flightlessbirdpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices