TAGQ (That's A Good Question)

We stumble through an echo-filled start and end up asking what deserves to last: the files in our clouds, the paper on our shelves, and the stories we tell about ourselves and our families. Along the way we trade travel mishaps, childhood labels, and a full-throated song that cuts through the noise. • echo chaos sparks a bigger theme about signal and noise • guest experiments vs co-host flow and who interviews whom • travel moments that imprint more than expected • childhood labels, interest...

Two brothers chase one thread through many lanes: how meditation, language, craft, and city trees point to a more grounded life. We end with a simple tool for singing and everything else: ask how to enjoy it 10 percent more, and let the body lead. • Nonduality and the Zen of simple attention • Craft as presence through pottery and baskets • Work and leadership as spiritual practice • Self‑reliance, emotional fluidity, and team trust • Reframing sin, repent, and mercy • The Sopranos as a lens...

Ben interviews his brother Adam, also a grad student studying trees. Adam goes into how he's using cellular structure in oaks to reveal climate history. Along the way they talk grad school realities and other student job related stories. • why oaks can extend climate reconstructions farther back in time • sanding protocols, imaging, and AI for cell-level features • grad school workloads, TA work, and lab culture • work outside of grad school • sponsor shoutout to Tiger Sha...

We talk with Claire about moving from Minneapolis, how road trips to Taliesin and House on the Rock reshaped her eye, and why Kandinsky’s point-line-plane changed how she sees art, music, and daily life. Art theory turns into simple tools for empathy, spirit, and choosing what matters. • moving from Minneapolis after 26 years and being closer to family • Wisconsin travel memories of Taliesin and House on the Rock • Kandinsky’s shift from law to color and meaning • objective versus nonobjecti...

We drive the Driftless after a late night with Umphrey’s McGee and let the road pull old stories loose, from bike crashes and basement slot cars to a wild cat named George and the quiet joy of becoming a grandparent. Along the way, Amish buggies, Frank Lloyd Wright, and the honest comfort of unpolished podcasts set the rhythm. • festival glow at a grass amphitheater with Umphrey’s McGee • why the Driftless landscape feels different and holds sound • Hillsboro Brewing, Taliesin, and car-campi...

Ben and Scott have a wide-ranging conversation that touches on identity, career challenges, communication history, and the value of authenticity in podcasting. Their natural dynamic showcases why they started recording these talks in the first place. • Discussing the origins of their podcast and reintroducing themselves to new listeners • Ben shares his career uncertainties while studying forestry and seeking part-time work • Examining the unique appeal of "roots podcasting" without fancy pr...

Father and son navigate childhood memories, family dynamics, and philosophical questions in this meandering conversation that reveals surprising vulnerability and humor. • Discussing how dad actually listened to their entire previous podcast episode rather than skipping through it • Reminiscing about broken garage windows, including the time a rock was thrown "on purpose" to miss someone's head • Exploring lunch routines and preferences, from microwaved eggs to grilled cheese sandwiches with...

Ben and Scott explore profound life lessons through everyday experiences, from psychedelic insights at the beach to emergency medical situations in the backcountry. • Ben shares the story of an octopus sticker creatively placed on his laptop • Discussion of how people perceive and interact with psychedelics in different settings • Ben recounts a transformative psilocybin experience while backpacking on the Olympic coast • Detailed story of severely cutting his knee while searching for his gi...

We explore the peculiar phenomenon of Wi-Fi storms, territorial crow attacks, and the age-old battle against household ant invasions in this wide-ranging conversation about nature's intrusions into daily life. • Discussing the concept of "Wi-Fi storms" where multiple networks experience issues simultaneously • Ben recounts being repeatedly attacked by the same territorial crow while walking through Seattle • Exploring how animals develop unique "idiosyncratic" mating and territorial behavior...

From AI joke failures to family cabin memories, we traverse the landscape of modern technology while exploring the deeply human experiences that technology can never fully replicate. • AI struggles with humor and poetry despite its impressive language capabilities • The "Waymo sandwich" phenomenon reveals the limitations of self-driving cars in complex social situations • Driving styles across different regions reflect cultural adaptations and collaborative social behavior • The family cabin...

The hosts explore personal growth through physical challenges and reflect on how our true selves emerge in moments of pressure or difficulty. This thoughtful conversation weaves between childhood memories, adventure stories, and philosophical musings about identity and risk-taking. • Discussing the tendency to resist pain medication and whether suffering has value • Reflecting on being labeled a "sad clown" and how our personas evolve over time • Comparing safety cultures between rock climbe...

Father and son share a meandering morning conversation over coffee, covering everything from technology limitations and AI energy consumption to cancel culture and Prince's legacy. Their caffeine-fueled discussion weaves through serious topics with humor and philosophical insight, challenging conventional wisdom about pain, learning, and human connection. • The inherent problems with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth stem from engineering disciplines bootstrapped during centralized control systems • ChatG...

We explore the revolutionary capabilities of Moises music splitting technology and reflect on how childhood entertainment shapes our adult values and dreams. • neural-net music tools allow musicians to split songs into separate tracks for remixing and practice • Musicians can now transform simple iPhone recordings into balanced, professional-sounding mixes • Being a member of multiple bands creates unique social dynamics in local music communities • Seasonal availability of oranges reflects ...

Music and creativity aren't just for professionals, but we've been conditioned to "cringe" at amateur performances due to corporate entertainment propaganda. This father-son conversation explores how buried cultural programming restricts our authentic expression and the healing process of breaking free from these limitations. • Unexpected technology moments create bridges between generations, from Photo Booth memories to accidental Zoom close-ups • Photo Booth sessions helped transform sibli...

A rambling, free-flowing conversation explores everything from abandoned home projects to plant biology, Wikipedia games to music history, all connected through tangential thought patterns and nostalgic reflections. • Wall of suspended dreams - discussing postponed ambitions and unused possessions • The surprising ecosystem of backyard goldfish ponds, including one resilient fish with an unusual growth • Plant biology lesson on "stolons" - how strawberries colonize territory through runners ...

This episode reveals unexpected connections between concealed talents, consumer curiosities, and profound artistic insights, all while celebrating the adventures of life. Our conversation shifts from electric drums and budget mushroom powders to reflecting on the invaluable impact of David Lynch’s creativity and sharing exhilarating stories from a duck hunting trip. • Exploring the unique journey of an electric drum set • Unpacking the mystery behind cheap mushroom powders • Enga...

This episode features a lively conversation on the spontaneous joys of a road trip through Oregon, exploring memories from college, agriculture in the Willamette Valley, and oddities of life that spark joy and reflection. Join us as we contemplate the meaning of experiences and the unexpected moments that define our travels. • Reflecting on college memories and youthful misadventures • Exploring the significance of the Willamette Valley’s agriculture • Discussing the allure ...

Ever had a guitar that stole the show during a recording session? Let us take you on a humorous journey as we face down technical gremlins, risk legal drama with Paramount Pictures, and introduce our delightful new "music box" guitar to the mix. From echo cancellations to the suspense of a computer on its last battery legs during a Zoom call, our latest episode captures the chaos and charm of podcasting from our newly revamped space. Get ready for a vivid—and slightly chaotic—description of o...

This episode dives into the science behind wind and weather, exploring how air pressure dynamics affect our everyday experiences, transitioning into personal stories about acclimating to colder seasons. Listeners will also learn about cloud seeding, the role of AI in education, and how social media shapes our understanding of current events. • Examining wind and its origins through air pressure dynamics • Discussing personal acclimation to seasonal changes • Exploring cloud ...

Remember those clever classroom systems we all encountered as kids? From point systems to mini-economies, our early education was full of inventive ways that taught us about value and justice. In this episode, we reminisce about those nostalgic school days, drawing parallels to the serialized storytelling of Charles Dickens. Just like a Dickens novel, our educational experiences unfolded over time, leaving us with lasting impressions. Join us as we explore how these quirky yet effective teach...