900. Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results (with Amber & Paul)

Update: 2024-09-18

Digest

The podcast begins with a celebration of the 900th episode, marking a significant milestone for the show. The hosts discuss their plans for the future and share their thoughts on various topics, including the awkwardness of British humor and the differences between the British and American versions of "The Office." They introduce their guests, Paul Taylor and Amber Minogue, both stand-up comedians and podcasters, who share their backgrounds and experiences. The conversation then shifts to stand-up comedy in Paris, with Paul discussing his recent recognition for his work and sharing a humorous anecdote about an encounter with fans at a Korean restaurant. The hosts delve into the Paris Olympics, discussing their pre-Olympics thoughts on the city's readiness and their overall impressions of the games. They analyze the cryptic opening ceremony, highlighting its mixed reactions and specific moments, including Lady Gaga's pre-recorded performance and the controversial Marianne Twannette segment. The hosts compare the Paris opening ceremony to the London one, discussing their strengths and weaknesses and the importance of spectacle in entertainment. Paul shares his experience running the Olympic marathon in Paris, highlighting the unique opportunity for non-athletes to participate. He describes the challenging course and the emotional impact of the event, explaining how he was invited to participate and the decision-making process that led him to take on the challenge. Paul discusses his running injuries, including IT Band Syndrome, and how they impacted his marathon training. He recounts his experience running the Paris Marathon despite his injuries, describing the atmosphere, the challenges he faced, and the factors that kept him going. Paul discusses the incredible feat of Russ Cook, who ran the length of Africa for charity, and shares his experience with a Champagne-themed 18K run and other unique running events. He reflects on his own struggles with running and how he finally found enjoyment in it, discussing the mental and physical challenges of running and how it can be a rewarding experience. The conversation then turns to a humorous discussion about sneezing, comparing the intensity of sneezes between men and women. Paul raises the question of why basketball isn't a Paralympic sport, arguing that height, while an advantage in the sport, can also be a disadvantage in everyday life. He compares this to the inclusion of sports for people with dwarfism. The hosts continue their discussion about the potential inclusion of basketball in the Paralympics, exploring the concept of inconvenience versus disability. They discuss the history of how tall people were once considered "freaks" and how this relates to the modern perception of height in sports. The conversation shifts to breakdancing at the Olympics, specifically Ray Gunn's performance, and the controversy surrounding her routine. The speakers discuss whether breakdancing should be included in the Olympics and share their experience working on a breakdancing documentary called Planet B-Boy. They discuss the challenges of translating interviews and the cultural differences they encountered while filming in Germany. The conversation shifts to a memory of a stand-up show where the speaker discussed the names of German kids games, sharing a story about being called racist for mentioning a game called "The Road to Jerusalem" and the cultural differences in how games are named. The speakers continue to discuss breakdancing, sharing their opinions on the style and whether it's a true sport. They compare it to other athletic and artistic disciplines, highlighting the importance of personality and originality in breakdancing. The conversation touches on the history of the Olympics and some of the unusual events that have been included, such as poetry competitions and pigeon shooting. They discuss the evolution of Olympic sports and the criteria for inclusion. One of the speakers introduces the French game of Pitonk, explaining its rules and cultural significance. They discuss why it's not an Olympic sport and compare it to other similar games like curling. The conversation turns to cricket, discussing its popularity worldwide and why it's not an Olympic sport. They explore the complexity of the rules and the cultural significance of the game. One of the speakers introduces the concept of "ambient sports," which are relaxing and enjoyable to watch. They discuss examples like golf, snooker, and lawn bowling, and why these sports might not be suitable for the Olympics. The conversation shifts to a humorous story about a child stealing a piece of King's cake and the subsequent investigation. The speakers recount the child's clever tactics and the eventual discovery of the stolen cake. The speakers share another story about a child stealing a digital camera, discussing the child's denial and the eventual discovery of the camera, highlighting the mischievous nature of children.

Outlines