Digest

The episode begins with a public service announcement from the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation, encouraging U.S. citizens living abroad to register to vote. The hosts then discuss their recent Valentine's Day show, where they tackled relationship problems, and mention receiving a new underwriting from the American Association of Divorce Lawyers, which raises some concerns. The first listener call comes from Steve in Seattle, who describes a hilarious accident involving his '67 Ford pickup truck. After experiencing brake issues, the truck spontaneously rolls down his driveway, crashes into his neighbor's carport, and causes significant damage. The hosts offer advice on how to properly bleed the brakes, highlighting the importance of using a traditional method with an assistant. They also reflect on Steve's situation, suggesting that his decision to not sell the truck for $800 ultimately led to more problems and expenses. The episode then transitions into the first puzzler, involving black pearls and a game of chance. The hosts discuss the solution, explaining how the listener can improve their chances of getting a black pearl by strategically distributing the pearls in the boxes. The hosts introduce a new automotive-themed puzzler and then take a call from Mary in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mary is an archaeologist experiencing a ticking noise in her 88-Cole Vista. The hosts diagnose the ticking noise as a loose spark plug, explaining that a loose spark plug can create a ticking sound that mimics a valve out of adjustment. The hosts wrap up Mary's call and introduce a new puzzler about newer cars and spark plug replacements. They then read a letter from Dave Taylor, who observes that taking a carburetor or Volkswagen engine apart and putting it back together enough times will eventually result in two of them. The hosts introduce another new puzzler about why newer cars might require spark plug replacements more often than older cars. They then discuss Tom's decision to change his name to Dante, claiming to have received this inspiration from his "other world mentor," Omeon Aspiavados. The final listener call comes from Rebecca, who shares a story about her father, who is overly involved in her car repairs. She has decided to move to Atlanta and cut ties with him. The hosts offer Rebecca advice on how to handle her father's controlling behavior, encouraging her to be independent and stand up for herself. The episode concludes with the hosts thanking their listeners and crediting the various staff members who contribute to the show.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction, PSA, and Valentine's Day Show

The episode begins with a public service announcement from the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation, encouraging U.S. citizens living abroad to register to vote. The hosts then discuss their recent Valentine's Day show, where they tackled relationship problems, and mention receiving a new underwriting from the American Association of Divorce Lawyers, which raises some concerns.

00:01:32

Listener Call: Brake Problems and a Hilarious Accident

Steve from Seattle calls in with a story about his '67 Ford pickup truck. After experiencing brake issues, the truck spontaneously rolls down his driveway, crashes into his neighbor's carport, and causes significant damage.

00:06:59

Troubleshooting Brake Bleeding and Reflecting on the Cheap Man's Dilemma

Steve continues his story, explaining his attempts to bleed the brakes. He initially had a good pedal but then lost all brakes. The hosts advise him to use a traditional method with an assistant to properly bleed the brakes. They also reflect on Steve's situation, suggesting that his decision to not sell the truck for $800 ultimately led to more problems and expenses.

00:09:34

Weekend Woes, the First Puzzler, and a New Puzzler

The hosts reflect on Steve's unfortunate weekend and transition into the first puzzler of the episode. The puzzler involves a scenario with black pearls and a game of chance. The hosts introduce a new automotive-themed puzzler.

00:16:37

Listener Call: Ticking Noise and Diagnosing the Problem

The hosts take a call from Mary in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mary is an archaeologist experiencing a ticking noise in her 88-Cole Vista. The hosts diagnose the ticking noise as a loose spark plug, explaining that a loose spark plug can create a ticking sound that mimics a valve out of adjustment.

00:24:23

Listener Letter, New Puzzler, and Dante's New Name

The hosts read a letter from Dave Taylor, who observes that taking a carburetor or Volkswagen engine apart and putting it back together enough times will eventually result in two of them. The hosts introduce a new puzzler about why newer cars might require spark plug replacements more often than older cars. They then discuss Tom's decision to change his name to Dante, claiming to have received this inspiration from his "other world mentor," Omeon Aspiavados.

00:33:52

Listener Call: Cutting Ties with Dad and Advice for Rebecca

Rebecca calls in with a story about her father, who is overly involved in her car repairs. She has decided to move to Atlanta and cut ties with him. The hosts offer Rebecca advice on how to handle her father's controlling behavior, encouraging her to be independent and stand up for herself.

00:38:20

Outro and Credits

The hosts wrap up the show and thank their listeners. They also credit the various staff members who contribute to the show.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation?

  The Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps U.S. citizens living abroad register to vote and cast their ballots. They provide resources and guidance to ensure that overseas voters can participate in elections.

• Why are the hosts concerned about the American Association of Divorce Lawyers underwriting their show?

  The hosts are concerned that the association's underwriting might give listeners the impression that they are promoting divorce. They worry that it could be seen as a conflict of interest, given the show's focus on relationships.

• What is the solution to the pearl puzzler?

  The listener can improve their chances of getting a black pearl by taking all but one black pearl and putting them in one box. This leaves one black pearl in the other box, guaranteeing a black pearl if that box is chosen.

• What is the most likely cause of the ticking noise in Mary's car?

  The most likely cause of the ticking noise is a loose spark plug. A loose spark plug can create a ticking sound that mimics a valve out of adjustment.

• What advice do the hosts give Rebecca about her father's controlling behavior?

  The hosts encourage Rebecca to be independent and stand up for herself. They suggest that she cut ties with her father and take control of her own life.

Show Notes