The Middle

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 150 – Aussie valuesRoger is sick again (thanks, toddlers), but Andy’s immune system is smugly intact. After a brief detour through parenthood and dodgy Chinese street food, the duo dives headfirst into a timely and thorny discussion: the recent anti-immigration rallies across Australia.They dissect the unsettling presence of neo-Nazis, the public backlash, and the uncomfortable intersections between protest movements and extremist ideologies. From pro-Palestinian demonstrations to Pauline Hanson’s unlikely renaissance, Andy and Roger explore whether we're headed for a nationalism revival—or just rehashing old divisions with updated signage.Other topics include cultural cohesion, immigration policy, urban infrastructure, housing stress, and why Brisbane’s Woolies closes too early. Plus: What does it really mean when there are "no white kids at school pick-up"? Can you destroy an ideology? And what happens when you want your suburb to feel just a little more like a zoo enclosure?Hashtags:#ImmigrationDebate #NeoNazisAustralia #AustraliaProtests #CulturalCohesion #PaulineHanson #ProPalestineProtests #SocialDivision #AustraliaPolitics #AndyAndRoger #PodcastDiscussion #NationalismResurgence #Multiculturalism #HousingCrisis #WhiteFlight #SydneyVsBrisbane #AustralianIdentity #AntiImmigrationMarch #ProtestPolitics #MiddlePodcastEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 149 – Taylor and TylerIt was bound to happen. Two 40-year-old men discuss Taylor Swift's engagement and the surrounding cultural fallout—from heteronormative nostalgia to conspiracy theories about psyops and Super Bowl brand strategy. They discuss the backlash among younger fans, the cheerleader–quarterback trope, and the strangely polarising nature of Swift’s mass appeal.The episode then detours into a Brisbane boys’ trip featuring meat, souvenir t-shirts, and an impromptu casino lesson in regret. Roger reflects on maturing friendships, while Andy admits to having multiple showers a day. They close with reflections on parenting and live music culture, sparked by Andy's chaperoning stint at a Tyler the Creator concert filled with 13-year-olds, mosh pits, and explicit lyrics.Hashtags:#TaylorSwift #TravisKelce #Swifties #PopCulture #CheerleaderQuarterback #SuperBowlPsyop #AndyAndRoger #ParentingToday #TylerTheCreator #ConcertChaperone #BoysTrip #BrisbaneLife #ModernMasculinity #MoshPitEnergy #CasinoRegrets #CulturalCommentaryEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website:http://themiddle.site/Or click:https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 148 – BrisvegasThis week, Andy and Roger ditch the studio for a boys' trip to Brisvegas, complete with a zesty blue Mustang convertible, thinning hairlines, and questionable headwear decisions. Things go sideways quickly when they encounter a real-life Karen berating Thai staff over a lack of fried rice at an all-you-can-eat buffet—and naturally, Andy has thoughts.The duo then pivot to some Bogan parenting anthropology at the local food court before delving into the headline act: the bizarre Trump–Putin summit in Alaska. From red carpet optics to stealth bombers and geopolitical theatre, Andy and Roger explore what (if anything) was achieved, and why Trump’s flair for production may be more dangerous than effective.South Park’s brutal new takedown of Trump and JD Vance also gets a viewing—complete with commentary on AI-generated grotesqueries, tiny penises, and baby oil. Rounding out the show: the Albanese government's support for Palestinian statehood and why Australia’s Productivity Summit ended with more posturing than policy.Hashtags:#KarenInTheWild #TrumpPutin #SouthParkTrump #JDVance #PalestinianStatehood #Albanese #AustralianPolitics #ProductivitySummit #KenAndBarbieCar #BuffetBehaviour #Geopolitics #PoliticalOptics #MiddleEastPolicy #AndyAndRoger #PodcastHumour #Satire #BrisbaneTrip #Zelensky #AIinGovernment #CulturalCommentary #AustralianPodcastEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 147 – MasculinityIn this episode, Andy and Roger wrestle with the increasingly loaded topic of masculinity—by way of a truly abysmal SBS panel show. What begins as a gripe about ChatGPT hallucinations quickly detours into Australia’s recognition of Palestine, the political symbolism of foreign policy, and whether Hamas sends thank-you hampers.The heart of the episode is a takedown of The Feed’s “Men Debate Masculinity”, a chaotic attempt at televised discourse featuring six blokes flapping about discussing body counts, domestic violence, and purity culture. Andy brands it “The Room” of conversations”, a reference to the infamous worst movie of all time; Roger wonders whether this dysfunctional mess is actually a faithful reflection of how men interact online.From gym bros to schoolyard sexism, to garbage duty, the hosts dissect the social expectations surrounding gender—and question how much of masculinity is performance, status, or just genetic dice rolls.Hashtags:#MasculinityCrisis #TheFeedSBS #ModernManhood #GenderRoles #ToxicMasculinity #PodcastDiscussion #AndyAndRoger #JordanPeterson #SBSDebate #BodyCountDebate #Manosphere #AustralianPolitics #MasculinityDebate #CulturalCommentary #MasculinityInCrisis #ModernMasculinity #WhatIsAMan #MasculinityVsIdentityEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 146 – AbundanceIn this episode, Andy and Roger wade into the political and cultural crosscurrents sparked by the book Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. They start with a listener’s heartfelt concern about her daughter’s activism in pro-Palestinian marches—unpacking the mix of genuine compassion, complex coalitions, and the ever-present risk of being swept along by more extreme elements. The conversation explores the “enemy of my enemy” trap, the nature of information wars, and whether youthful causes inevitably mellow with age.From there, the focus shifts to Abundance—a supposed rallying cry for a new political direction that Andy and Roger suspect may be more “saccharine-coated” than revolutionary. They debate whether the book’s ideas amount to neoliberal economics with progressive branding, its reluctance to utter certain ideological buzzwords, and its potential to nudge the political left toward market-friendly thinking. Along the way, they tackle housing policy, the limits of government action, and whether the term “abundance” is inspiring or hopelessly vague. It’s a mix of scepticism and reluctant praise.Hashtags:#Abundance #EzraKlein #DerekThompson #PoliticalDebate #AndyAndRoger #PalestineProtests #YouthActivism #InformationWar #BookDiscussion #HousingPolicy #Neoliberalism #ProgressivePolitics #MarketEconomics #PoliticalBranding #PodcastChat #AustralianPolitics #CulturalDebate #ProtestCulture #GovernmentPolicy #PublicDiscourseEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website:http://themiddle.site/Or click:https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 145 – GreyzoneAndy and Roger return with a sombre and sprawling discussion of the Israel-Gaza war, asking what moral accountability looks like in a situation with no easy answers. Andy begins by reflecting on the horror of starvation of people in Gaza, and expresses frustration over Israel’s continued military campaign. Roger highlights the hostages still held by Hamas and the intractability of a decades-long conflict.Together, they dissect the diminishing global support for Israel, the shifting tone of Western discourse, and the strategic and moral failings of all actors involved. The episode also dives into generational divides around support for Israel, and the likelihood that ongoing war will radicalise a new generation. Both hosts acknowledge the futility of most proposed solutions—ultimately landing on the idea that this may be one of the great unsolvable issues of our time.Engage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website:http://themiddle.site/Or click:https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎵 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 144 – Epstein who?Andy and Roger kick off with a chat about the joy of ageing bodies at concerts and a bizarre Coldplay scandal involving a jumbotron, the CEO, and the head of HR. There’s some gentle speculation about how to survive being caught mid-canoodle on live camera—and how Coldplay became the unexpected backdrop for one of the most publicised workplace affairs in recent memory.Then it’s a deep dive into Andy’s new job (and new city): Brisbane. From onboarding chaos to cultural shifts, they unpack the challenges of adjusting to new teams, workplace vibes, and...squat-based crowd participation at gigs. Is Brisbane slower-paced, more “blokey,” or just sneakily Singaporean?Finally, the duo dig into the ever-murky Jeffrey Epstein files, dissecting political cynicism on both sides, the MAGA movement’s conspiracy obsession, and the surprisingly bipartisan sleaze of the world’s elite. Can a man bounce a colleague on his knee without becoming a meme? The Middle asks the hard questions.Hashtags:#EpsteinFiles #ColdplayScandal #OfficeAffair #NewJobFeels #BrisbaneLife #AgingMillennials #TittyCam #AndyAndRoger #MAGAConspiracies #WorkplaceCulture #PodcastDiscussion #JeffreyEpstein #HRDrama #CorporateLife #PoliticalCynicism #TrumpEra #ConspiracyTheories #MenInTheWorkplace #MiddlePodcast #CultureAndComedyEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 143 – PiracyAndy and Roger go full nostalgia this week, sailing back into the murky waters of digital piracy—from LimeWire and Napster to South-East Asian market stalls and dual-VCR bootlegs. The episode opens with Roger’s traumatising trip to Luna Park and Andy’s vivid memories of his dad recording classical music from the local library, before the pair launch into a discussion about how pirating culture shaped their youth.They explore the evolution of music and movie consumption, from mixtapes and VHS dubs to torrents and streaming, reflecting on how piracy transformed not only access to content but the culture around it. There’s also a very candid look at the ethics of pirating, the blurred lines between rebellion and theft, and how shifting technologies—from MP3s to AI—continue to challenge old business models. And yes, porn gets a mention too.Whether it’s the death of the album, the economics of Taylor Swift’s re-recordings, or why Game of Thrones was the last true watercooler moment, Andy and Roger ask: was it wrong, or just inevitable?Hashtags:#DigitalPiracy #Napster #LimeWire #Torrents #OldInternet #VHS #BootlegCulture #LunaPark #AndyAndRoger #MusicStreaming #CopyrightDebate #AIandArt #TaylorSwift #Spotify #MoviePiracy #AlbumCulture #TechNostalgia #StreamingWars #MediaConsumption #CivilDisobedience #DigitalRevolutionEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 142 – Forty yearsRoger’s recovering from a throat infection, Andy’s just turned 40, and both are contemplating how it all went so fast. In this episode, Andy and Roger embark on an ambitious year-by-year cultural tour through the major pop culture and historical events of their lifetimes—starting with 1985’s Back to the Future and ending in 2025 with AI and global disillusionment.Expect reflections on:Chernobyl, Cobain, and ObamaDie Hard, The Matrix, and Mean GirlsThe iPhone, Gangnam Style, and GoogleThe fall of the Berlin Wall and the rise of TrumpWhether Nirvana was actually any goodWhy Jurassic Park still slapsAnd how The Simpsons is the Shakespeare of their generationIt's a nostalgic and occasionally absurd audit of growing up in the shadow of late capitalism, blockbuster movies, and dial-up internet—just two guys trying to remember what happened between floppy disks and ChatGPT.Hashtags:#Turning40 #PopCultureNostalgia #AndyAndRoger #BackToTheFuture #MillennialLife #NirvanaDebate #SimpsonsLegacy #JurassicPark #TrumpEra #MatrixReloaded #PodcastThrowback #iPhoneRevolution #GenXMillennials #CulturalRetrospective #DigitalAge #LifeInThe80s #RememberThe90s #2000sCulture #AI2025 #PodcastDiscussionEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 141 – Tough decisionsAndy and Roger open the episode with a theatrical recount of their recent hot pot experience at a place called "Master Cow," where a bronze cow statue serves as both meat platter and smoke machine. Despite Andy’s long-standing disdain for hot pot, the deluxe meat-and-dry-ice display, decent broths, private room upgrade, and $7 beers manage to win him over—though not enough to make it a 40th birthday destination.The conversation then shifts as Andy makes a surprising personal announcement: he’s finally bought a MacBook. This sparks a lively debate between the Apple-enthusiast Roger and long-time PC loyalist Andy about tech loyalty, UX trade-offs, and the perils of adapting to a new ecosystem.In the second half of the episode, they respond to the harrowing case of a childcare worker charged with over 70 child sex offences. They examine the difficult and emotionally charged fallout, including public calls to bar men from working in early childhood care. Roger candidly shares his discomfort with male carers, citing personal and cultural reasons, while Andy cautions against creating policy based on fear and stigma. They explore whether policy responses can protect children without veering into moral panic or discriminatory territory.Finally, the episode turns to the chaos surrounding New South Wales’ selective school testing debacle, reigniting a long-standing debate. Andy argues the entire system is elitist, segregationist, and a blight on public education. Roger, reflecting on his own near-miss with James Ruse, offers a more conflicted take, defending immigrant work ethic and the perceived meritocracy of selective schools—while acknowledging the cost to childhoods and mental health.Hashtags: #HotPotWars #MasterCow #AppleVsPC #MacBookSwitch #SelectiveSchools #JamesRuse #ChildcareDebate #MaleEducators #NSWPolitics #ChildProtection #TechTalk #ParentingPolitics #CulturalTaboos #PublicEducation #AndyAndRoger #PodcastAustralia #MacbookM2 #ChildSafety #SelectiveTest #EducationSystemEngage with us on social media:Website: http://themiddle.site/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 140 – Banning YouTubeThis week, Andy and Roger go full MasterChef as they simmer over a surprisingly contentious topic: hotpot. What begins as a light-hearted jab at overrated Asian dishes escalates into a full-blown fiscal autopsy of a $200 family meal, complete with meat math, broth bureaucracy, and accusations of ordering "like a white boy." Roger explains the cultural nuances of steamboat dinners, while Andy vents about being financially gutted at an international hotpot chain. The two debate the merits (or lack thereof) of boiling your own dinner—and whether fish balls should even count as food.Later, the conversation takes a policy turn, with an in-depth discussion on Australia's proposed social media age restrictions. The eSafety Commissioner's push to include YouTube in the under-16 ban draws sharp contrasts: Roger questions the platform’s trustworthiness for kids, while Andy mounts a passionate defence of YouTube's educational value. The duo dig into algorithmic pitfalls, the rise of YouTube Shorts, and whether banning platforms really makes anyone safer—or just more annoyed.Hashtags:#HotpotDebate #AsianFoodWars #SteamboatVsHotpot #ParentingInAustralia #YouTubeBan #eSafetyCommissioner #SocialMediaRestrictions #YouTubeShorts #KidsOnline #ParentingPodcast #PolicyDebate #CultureClash #DigitalParenting #AndyAndRoger #PodcastAustralia #ModernParenting #TechForKids #BrothMathEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 139 – Is he evil?It begins with weight loss—literally. Andy's back on the OMAD train (One Meal a Day), Roger's grappling with suit pants that have declared mutiny, and somewhere in between they find time to wonder if Jack Black is obese. From there, it’s a tight swerve into geopolitics, as they tackle a listener question about Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and the ripple effects for MAGA, Trump, and global stability.The discussion spirals into a passionate—and at times absurd—argument over whether Donald Trump is truly “evil” (Andy: yes, Roger: not quite Hitler). Along the way, they unpick American foreign policy, Iranian nuclear ambitions and the tension within the American right. A detour into Gen Z work culture sees the hosts comparing sick days to the fall of the West, before returning to that age-old question: are we emotionally resilient enough to win the next war, or just struggle a bit at using Slack?Hashtags:#MiddleEastConflict #IsraelIran #TrumpEvil #MAGAFractures #USForeignPolicy #IranNuclear #TrumpDebate #AndyAndRoger #ModernWorkplace #GenZCulture #MentalHealthDays #WesternDecline #PodcastPolitics #PoliticalCommentary #GlobalInstability #OneMealADay #OMAD #ObesityTalk #JackBlackVsTheRock #ModernMasculinityEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 138 – Take that as a commentThis week, Andy and Roger respond to a listener question about kids, gaming, and screen addiction, only to spiral into an analysis of modern parenting. With the help of Roger’s Nintendo Switch and Andy’s apparent disdain for it, they reflect on generational shifts in authority, teenage rebellion, and how video games have become the new backyard footy. Roger shares his concerns about overstimulation and digital dependency, while Andy defends the social and creative value of online gaming—complete with comparisons to GoldenEye marathons and Fortnite smack talk.Then, they turn their attention to the death of Q+A and The Project. Was anyone actually still watching? Why did they matter, and what does their demise say about political discourse in Australia? To find out, Andy and Roger channel their inner politicians for a mock Q+A segment—with Andy delivering an alarmingly convincing Anthony Albanese impression and Roger getting his lesbian vibes on. They wrap up with a mused lament on media fragmentation and ponder whether AI could replace politicians (spoiler: not yet, but probably soon).Hashtags:#GamingCulture #ParentingDebate #ScreenTime #TeenRebellion #NintendoSwitch #QandA #TheProject #AustralianMedia #AndyAndRoger #PoliticalCommentary #PodcastHumour #SocialChange #DigitalParenting #FortniteCulture #PoliticalSatire #GenZParenting #AIinPolitics #MediaFragmentationEngage with us on social media:Website:http://themiddle.site/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail:the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 137 – Home sweet homeThis week, Andy and Roger reflect on the public implosion of the Trump–Musk bromance. From awkward pop-up Teslas at the White House to roughhousing black eye excuses, the duo dissect the circus of politics, ego, and ketamine. Roger claims he “called it,” while Andy questions whether predicting a Trump–Musk fallout is really much of a flex.The pair consider what comes next for Musk—is it a new political party, another podcast pivot, or just more lonely billionaire vibes? They touch on the Coalition's shaky post-election divorce and the ongoing identity crisis of Australia's political right, before returning to the Middle East to assess whether public opinion on Israel’s military strategy has turned a corner.To wrap things up, the boys offer some levity: power-ballad solos, Switch 2 nostalgia, 1000-episode milestones, nostalgic redskins (now Red Rippers), the White Lotus, and the age-old Australian tradition of meat trays.Hashtags: #ElonMusk #TrumpMusk #AustralianPolitics #MiddleEastConflict #GazaCrisis #CoalitionSplit #RedRippers #MeatTray #NintendoSwitch2 #RogerCalledIt #KetamineDebate #AndyAndRoger #PodcastDiscussion #Election2025 #ForeignPolicy #PoliticalCommentaryEngage with us on social media:Website: http://themiddle.site/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODEEpisode 136 – Free giftThis week, Andy and Roger get philosophical (and slightly sentimental) in a gift-themed episode that celebrates turning 40 and the unwrapping of both literal and metaphorical presents. Things start with a surprisingly heartfelt moment as Roger gifts Andy the coveted SM7B microphone, prompting a dissection of male gift-giving rituals, hobby disparities between the sexes, and how middle-aged men justify new gear.From there, they get stuck into a string of “life lessons” masquerading as birthday gifts: the joys of embracing change, the existential panic of midlife purpose, and a spirited defence of carbonara as a peak human experience. There's musings on cognitive dissonance, emergent order, and why YouTube reaction videos are the new Shakespeare.Also on the docket: Katy Perry’s fall from pop culture grace, shower frequency ethics, the tyranny of San Remo pasta, and a public service announcement about a Minecraft-related cinema phenomenon.It’s deep, it’s messy, it’s occasionally profound—and as always, they’re probably oversharing.Hashtags: #AndyAndRoger #BirthdayEpisode #LifeLessons #Carbonara #MidlifeCrisis #GiftGiving #PodcastLife #PhilosophyChat #ShowerDebate #YouTubeCulture #CognitiveDissonance #SanRemoSlander #MinecraftMovie #ChickenJockey #EmergentOrder #Turning40 #PodcastDiscussionEngage with us on social media:Website: http://themiddle.site/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyrogerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePCEmail: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.comSign up to our subscriber email list:Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8