Curmudgeon's Corner

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner Sam and Ivan talk about Minnesota and Epstein as the big more serious things. But there is more! Health updates! Movies! Ivan gets a package! And the overall moral collapse of society!   Show Details: Recorded 2026-01-31 Length this week 1:46:22 <!— /meta --> 0:00:45 - But First Health Updates Moral Collapse Movie: On the Waterfront (1954) Movie: Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) 0:48:50 - But Second Package Arrival Minnesota Updates Epstein Updates Uninvestigated Allegations? 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 explains why neither he or Ivan are here this week. Well, Sam is here, but barely here, just long enough to explain why he isn't here. It is a fun week of injuries and health challenges. So a minimal show. Sorry folks. Hopefully back to normal next week.   Show Details: Recorded 2026-01-24 Length this week 0:15:37 <!— /meta --> 0:00:27 - One and Only Ivan Out Sam Out Peace Out 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 Emily joins Ivan and Sam to talk about the events of the week. Plus visiting Brazil. Plus holding old grudges and age gaps. And a book. But yes, also Venezuela, Minnesota, and Kristen Sinema. Other stuff happened this week, but there is only so much time...   Show Details: Recorded 2026-01-17 Length this week 2:12:09 <!— /meta --> 0:04:20 - But First Brazil Tourism Long Grudges Memorial Age Gaps Book: A Wizard of Earthsea (1968) 0:48:05 - But Second Kristen Sinema Renee Good MN Escalation Dem Response Venezuela 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 -->

So last week you heard Sam and Ivan's predictions for 2026. Now see how they ended up doing on the 2025 predictions they made a year and a week ago. Did they wrap themselves in honor? Or were they completely humiliated with their obvious errors? Now is the time to find out! Oh. Plus a bit on Venezuela.   Show Details: Recorded 2026-01-04 Length this week 2:14:29 <!— /meta --> 0:01:09 - Venezuela 0:20:39 - Politics 0:51:04 - International 1:15:27 - Economy 1:27:43 - Technology 1:50:28 - Hodgepodge 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 -->

What you have all been waiting for. The traditional annual predictions show. Sam and Ivan give their 2026 predictions for politics, international, technology, economy, and hodgepodge. How will they do this time? You'll know in a year...   Show Details: Recorded 2025-12-31 Length this week 3:20:07 <!— /meta --> 0:01:24 - Politics 0:45:07 - International 1:41:43 - Technology 2:21:20 - Economy 2:42:56 - Hodgepodge 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 spare tires, movies, Epstein, economic numbers, and the spiked 60 Minutes story on CECOT. Plus a few other things.   Show Details: Recorded 2025-12-23 Length this week 1:50:08 <!— /meta --> 0:00:24 - But First Scheduling Spare Tires Movie: Wish (2023) Movie: Schindler’s List (1993) 0:41:38 - But Second Epstein Redactions Possibly Fake Epstein Letter Acting Guilty Q3 Economic Numbers 1:05:41 - But Third 60 Minutes CECOT Spike Appeasing Trump Streisand Effect The Actual Report 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 hit the Wiles interview, Trump's prime time speech, the need for all of you to add stuff to our predictions Google Doc, if bills and coins are still useful, the Epstein redactions, the tendency of bystanders to crimes to do nothing, Trump as lame duck, and lots lots more. So listen!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-12-20 Length this week 2:00:42 <!— /meta --> 0:00:21 - But First Predictions Google Doc Unlimited Vacation Affordability Crisis Movie: Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Movie: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) 0:48:12 - But Second Kennedy Center Epstein Redactions Ignored Reports Diddy Parallel Bystanders Do Nothing 1:16:31 - But Third Wiles Interview Discharge Petitions Trump Speech Lame Duck Bills and Coins 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 get into it again. Topics include the upcoming ACA pricing cliff, the US's concentration camps, the situation for LEGAL immigrants, the escalations in Venezuela, the failure of redistricting in Indiana, Ivan's son knowing Japanese, the affordability crisis in Florida, and that's only half of it! Listen for ALL of it!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-12-11 Length this week 2:06:32 <!— /meta --> 0:02:40 - But First Q's for Prediction Show Manu Knows Japanese Legal Immigrants Movie: Oh God! (1977) Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) 0:46:27 - But Second Indiana Redistricting Trump Lame Duck Florida Affordability Miami Mayor No ACA Deal 1:12:36 - But Third Venezuela Escalations State Department Font Concentration Camps Rule of Law Femboy Conservatives 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's topics include Republicans in Congress considering leaving early, Ivan's experiences with COBOL, Godzilla, recession warnings flashing red, if we are in an AI bubble, and much much more. Worth every penny!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-12-06 Length this week 1:53:45 <!— /meta --> 0:01:18 - But First Ivan does COBOL! Movie: Godzilla (1954) Movie: Riverworld (2003) 0:40:47 - But Second Cost of Living AI Bubble? Economic Timebomb 1:19:53 - But Third Tennessee 7 Political Trends R's Jumping Ship? 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 great American melting pot, the Nuzzi story, Hegseth's war crimes, Presidential accountability, journalistic ideas, history repeating itself, and of course lots more! Tune in and enjoy!   Show Details: Recorded 2025-11-29 Length this week 1:54:11 <!— /meta --> 0:02:10 - But First Make Money Fast Poverty Level AbulToDo Movie: Blade (1998) 0:50:03 - But Second Nuzzi Story History Repeating Melting Pot Journalistic Ideals 1:24:26 - But Third Video on Illegal Orders Hegseth War Crimes Presidential Accountability Ethics Reforms 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 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 -->