The Original Kings of Podcasting

From their position of power, the Kings lament that they perhaps have taken too much from their subjects, which runs counter to their extreme benevolence. To rectify this, the Kings deliver unto their kingdom iron-clad solutions to real problems like global warming and gun violence.

Dr. Larry Heller goes in search of The Greatest Podcast of All Time.

One of the Kings relates his tale of a frustrating night of temptation. The encounter is dissected, and potential wrong-doing is assessed.

As the Kings attempt to expand their Kingdom, their need for content grows. One of the Kings lays out their controversial plan to achieve this goal. Will it strengthen the Kingdom, or will it threaten to tear the Kings apart?

One of the Kings ventures outside the Kingdom and is accosted while wearing the traditional garb of his people.

While one may wish to simply exist as a unique being, free from judgement or labels, inevitably that judgement will find you. Will you resist it, or embrace it? One of the Kings puts forth a bold new theory concerning a spectrum that we all fall on.

Regrettably, even Kings age. And as you age, opportunities to try new things slip away. The Kings discuss things you can still try, though you might feel you've waited too long, and potentially some things you might want to stay away from.

One of the Kings has trouble adapting to social situations, which leads to a very real fear... and a "coming out" of sorts. What does it mean to be "basic?" How can one tell if they are? The Kings dig into this crucial topic.

After a recent setback, the Kings take to the lake and reflect on the journey.

In the face of an upcoming baby shower, one of The Kings is confronted about their social inadequacies.

The Kings explore the fragility of modern society. There exists an unspoken bond between certain factions of society. Those who know their role fulfill it, and do so happily, and receive just reward for doing so. They do so blissfully unaware that if they so chose, they could, in fact, unmake society. It is precisely this scenario the Kings explore, and gaze forward to the consequences.

One of the Kings shares a powerful life lesson. At a certain point in a relationship, one is called upon to assist the other in a matter that is, for the moment, confidential. It is how one responds to the call that defines not only the friendship, but indeed, the person. The Kings discuss a time where their relationship was tested in such a manner, in the early morning hours, on the streets of Los Angeles.

Life choices are dissected, and new paths unfold. Sometimes, a man has a choice to make. Will he live in a basement, learn to love HO-scale trains, allowing his shelf butt to grow without oversight? Or will he make the adjustments necessary to truly be happy? The Kings dig deep on this issue as one of them faces the choice head on.

Ideas are tried. Do we ever stop learning? Can we reach a point where we simply are unable to grow, to adapt, to appeal to a younger generation? Or can this stagnation be avoided? Can you be coached out of your groove? The Kings face their own mortality as they struggle to implement the Podsultant's plan to modernize their show.

The Kings are divided as tensions mount. They say you "can't go home again." People sometimes take this literally. But taken another way, it simply means the world changes. People change. Tastes change. Pop culture fades into obscurity. One of the Kings seeks counsel after fearing the worst: that the world has left them behind.

A King questions his ways, and is uncomfortable with the answer. Can one truly know one's own self? Or are we destined to merely pretend we seek the answers to our own behavior? Can we truly grow when confronted with the reality of our behaviors? The Kings seek the answer to this age-old question. But will they find anything?

Deception is the name of the game for the Kings. There's a casual fib, there's a lie to spare someone's feelings, there's a steamy emotional affair. And then... there's the con. The Kings explore the art of the con throughout history, into modern times.

What has pod become in their absence? The Kings discuss. In the early days of podcasting, there was no format. There were no rules. No "big names" would touch it. And no tickets or merchandise got sold. It was a time of freedom and experimentation. The Kings break down the current state of pod, in the wake of it becoming a "genre."

The Kings get entrepreneurial. Working for "The Man" is straightforward and easy for the plebes. But as a King, you think differently. You want more. You cannot work under the whip of another. You must be above. Various business ideas are discussed as the Kings wax on about ways to serve the community while making a few dollars.

S1E1: Proust by The Original Kings of Podcasting