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The Jocular Pugilists
The Jocular Pugilists
Author: The Jocular Pugilists
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© 2025 The Jocular Pugilists
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Two clueless individuals, who completely understand how misinformed they are‚ the Jocular Pugilists fearlessly explore their combined incompetence while seeking the truth behind the world's mysteries and its complicated occupants. With thirty-seven years of friendship, one global pandemic, three thousand miles between them, and countless ridiculous opinions—what could go wrong? They are the Jocular Pugilists.
208 Episodes
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Why have one wedding when you can stress through two? In this hilariously heartfelt episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil shares how he married the same woman twice—once in LA, once in New York—and somehow survived both. From urgent care visits and a runaway cardboard box to dance numbers worthy of Bollywood and a train that crashed his vows (literally), this one’s got it all. Meanwhile, Tomas battles technical “diffi-culties,” plays with a Yacht Rock band in Pennsylvania’s chip capital, and...
Launching a YouTube channel sounds easy—until you’re crying over thumbnails, arguing about whether to wear pants on camera, and realizing your first video makes you look like a haunted potato. In this wildly funny and surprisingly useful episode, The Jocular Pugilists tackle the chaotic world of content creation. From clickbait and cringe intros to algorithms, burnout, and the spiritual toll of asking strangers to “smash that like button,” Tomas takes a break while Phil and his wife Stacy bre...
The leaves are falling, the air smells like cinnamon and bonfires, and somewhere in the Hudson Valley, Cookie Monster is leaf-peeping with a pumpkin donut in each hand. The Pugilists dive headfirst into the season — raking up thoughts on Young Frankenstein, Ayurvedic cleanses, caramel apples, and the curious comfort of a good flannel shirt. Grab your cider, pull on your coziest sweater, and join the boys for a crisp, crunchy, laugh-filled stroll through autumn’s splendor. Let us know what you...
Thank you for calling the Jocular Pugilists. This call may be monitored for quality assurance. Press 1 for English. 2 for Spanish. 3 for Chinese. 4 for Japanese 5 for Pawnee. 6 for Sarsi or hit # to bypass the other 7,100 languages still spoken in the world today. To expedite this call, please enter the last 4 digits of your social security number, your mother’s maiden name, your father’s middle name and your height in Bananas. Please use Cavendish bananas, as they’re all of a uniform h...
Pride. It’s been called the deadliest of the seven sins — the root of all others. But in today’s world, we’re told to be proud: of who we are, what we’ve achieved, where we come from. So which is it? A virtue… or a vice? In this episode, Tomas and Phil wrestle with the paradox of pride — from Ben Franklin’s warnings to C.S. Lewis’s damning diagnosis, from John Cleese’s “Ministry of Silly Walks” to the self-obsessed mirror of modern life. Along the way, they explore why pride is the only sin...
Ever blamed your team’s loss on the position of your butt on the couch? Or thought a rabbit’s severed foot had your back? In this hilariously unscientific deep dive, The Jocular Pugilists explore the bizarre human obsession with luck—and what happens when it runs out. From Napoleon's hemorrhoids at Waterloo to the Giants' Super Bowl-winning egg sandwiches, Titanic missteps, Cheers episodes, and topless mishaps in Miami, Phil and Tomas take you on a chaotic, clumsy, and wildly entertaining rid...
From aging rockstars and fading quarterbacks to retired Frankensteins and high-kicking De Niros, Phil and Tomas tackle the ultimate question: When is it time to call it quits? In this laugh-out-loud episode, the Jocular Pugilists riff on career longevity—The Who still bringing the thunder, Lewis Hamilton outpaced by Father Time, and Rodney Dangerfield and Colonel Sanders proving it’s never too late for a comeback. With humor, humility, and plenty of Spinal Tap nods, the guys explore the fine ...
What if the key to a longer, healthier life has already been discovered—and no one’s talking about it? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas dive into a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough: reprogramming human cells to a youthful state with the help of AI. From Nobel Prize-winning research on stem cells to the latest work by Retro Bio, they explore how large language models are accelerating medical discoveries that could repair organs, erase wrinkles, and extend lifespan...
The final chapter in our cocktail odyssey takes us from the shadows of Prohibition to the gleam of modern mixology. The Pugilists trace the evolution of American drinking culture—from outlaw gin joints and tiki escapism to the martini’s revival and the craft cocktail boom. It’s a boozy blend of history, culture, and just the right amount of vermouth. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at: thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com
In Part 2 of our cocktail history series, we move from surprising misconceptions to the true story of how the cocktail was born — and how it went global. From Peter Bent’s first printed cocktail menu in 1810 to the rise of New York’s bartending scene, we trace how America became the birthplace of mixology. Then comes Prohibition, sending master bartenders like Harry Craddock overseas to London’s Savoy Hotel, where he penned the iconic Savoy Cocktail Book. We explore Paris’s American Bar, Toul...
Join The Jocular Pugilists for a laugh-filled journey through the spirited history of cocktails! From the surprising origins of ethanol, bitters, and fortified wines to the birth of the true American cocktail, Phil and Tomas mix humor with history while their better halves shake (and occasionally explode) the bubbly. Along the way, you’ll learn the difference between liquor and liqueur, why Ben Franklin might’ve been history’s biggest Madeira fan, and how Aperol spritz became the gateway to b...
What happens when you drop a slice of Denmark in the middle of California wine country? You get Solvang—a town that’s part fairytale, part food coma, and 100% confusing. In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, we bumble through windmills, waffle shops, and wine bars while questioning everything we thought we knew about Danish culture. Expect questionable history, carb overloads, and hard-hitting debates like: Are aebleskivers just donut holes with better PR?Did Vikings trade their longships...
In this riotous episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas tackle the ultimate survival scenario—what to do when the world goes full Mad Max, Terminator, or zombie nightmare. From arguing over Tesla diner robots to debating whether they’d be cult leaders or just comic relief in a post-apocalyptic village, the guys lay out 12 “survival strategies” that range from oddly practical to downright absurd. Expect laughs, terrible plans, and the comforting realization that if these two are in ch...
Step back to an era when “getting away” meant steamships, grand dining rooms, and a prescription for fresh air. In this episode, we explore America’s still-standing 19th-century luxury resorts—once the playgrounds of the weary, the wealthy, and the well-dressed. From mineral springs to ocean breezes, these destinations promised health, leisure, and maybe even a brush with your own Fountain of Youth. No corset or time machine required—just a taste for elegance and a longing to restore your min...
Why are we so obsessed with murder podcasts, grisly documentaries, and shows that make us double-check the locks at night? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil confesses (don’t worry, it’s not a felony) that he works in the world of true crime podcasting—and drags Tomas down the rabbit hole of blood, forensics, and chainsaws that run out of gas mid-decapitation. Yep, that happened. Join us as we debate: Why true crime is the murdery comfort food of mediaWhether DNA and forensic scie...
Sunscreen. Bug zappers. A tiny above-ground pool. And the eternal question: what makes the perfect summer song? In this episode, we wade through nostalgia, beachside bangers, backyard grooves, and a few oddball picks (yes, even Peter Gabriel) to figure out which tracks define the season. Featuring a strict playlist, zero patience for filler, and a Top 3 that might start a fight—this is summer, cranked to eleven. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at: thejocularpugilists@gmail....
What do veal cutlets, watermelon overloads, and robot armies have in common? They all show up at the table in this laugh-out-loud episode of The Jocular Pugilists. Phil and Tomas dive into the heart (and stomach) of the Italian Sunday dinner tradition—sharing stories of grandmothers who ruled with a wooden spoon, the shame of overcooked green beans, and the noble fight to keep family dinners alive in a DoorDash world. With side dishes of AI conspiracies, studio cat drama, and the politics of ...
OK, I know we’ve talked about this before—and yes, Phil’s making me do this. But hitting 175 felt like a real shift, and it was time to put the story into words. In this episode, I talk about what actually worked—and the surprising truth that it really wasn’t hard. I didn’t overhaul my life overnight. I just started paying attention. Once I got aware of what I was eating, things started to move. That shift—just noticing—changed everything. Phil drops in with a story about a strange night ...
What do Gilligan’s Island, robot dogs, and 16,000 basketball beatdowns have in common? The Harlem Globetrotters, of course. In this hilariously nostalgic episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Tomas and Phil dive into the wild world of the most entertaining basketball team on Earth. From their humble Chicago beginnings (sorry, Harlem) to global fame, robot showdowns, and cartoon cameos, the Globetrotters were more than trick shots—they were civil rights pioneers with killer layups. Plus: a couch-i...
Looking for a weekend escape that blends history, wine, and just the right amount of adventure? In this episode, we explore Long Island’s quieter side—where grand Gold Coast mansions meet lush gardens, scenic vineyards, and even a mysterious mechanical eagle. Along the way, we enjoy waterfront dinners, unexpected musical surprises, and a wine trail that holds its own against the Finger Lakes. If you love discovering places that feel both rich in story and easy to reach, this one’s for you. Le...



