Convince Me

Will your heart go on? That’s the question Alyssa Sabo (@alyssa_sab) tries to answer this week when she returns to the podcast to discuss her love of French-Canada’s crown jewel, Celine Dion. Celine gives Alyssa courage, but will Ben and Thayer get the courage to join her? Tune in to find out. That’s not all, we check-in on our letter writing, debut our sister podcast Whacktown, USA, and things get a little tense between Alyssa and Thayer. We answer the question everyone has been wanting to know about the Convince Me hosts, which Spice Girl are you? Finally we debut our new segment, “Guess the headline?”, a head-to-head battle over late night punchlines. Who will be the funniest? Only listening can give you the answers you seek. For more from the incredible Alyssa Sabo, check out Totally Rad! At UCB Sunset. While you got this lil' window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It's fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page at www.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme to see videos referenced on this episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Warning! Warning! Tornado alert. Seek shelter immediately. JK, that’s just Vic Michaelis (@vicmmic) joining the podcast to discuss her favorite weather phenomenon. Ever since her first viewing of the cinematic masterpiece Twister, Vic’s love of tornados or “nades” has never stopped growing. Vic takes the Convince Me boys on a journey through tornado alley, circle clouds, and meteorology camp. Along the way we discover Ben’s personal connection to the tornado world and Thayer’s complete lack of weather knowledge. We close things out with everyone’s favorite segment Title Match that will blow you away (this phrase is funny because of the whole tornado topic). The boys will finally answer the question tornado or tornadon’t? Find out if they’re swept off their feet! For more from the amazing Vic Michaelis, check her out on the UCB stage with her harold team Dollhouse. She also has upcoming show on Wednesday August 22, 10:30 pm called “Are you the Two”. Ticket information below: https://sunset.ucbtheatre.com/performance/64130 While you got this lil' window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It's fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page at www.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme to see videos referenced on this episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you the one? That’s the question Zander Frost (@zanderhfrost on the gram) asked the Convince Me boys on this week’s episode. Zander navigates us through the complicated and entertaining world of MTV’s dating show “Are You The One?”. Each week contestants are asked to find their perfect match among a pool of daters, if they find the right person they win money, if they don’t they leave with hearts broken and wallets empty. We promise you this is just the surface of this labyrinth of love! So much is thrown at these people; truth booths, dream dates, boom boom rooms, the show has it all. This is truly a an episode you will love. We also are joined by one of the show’s previous contestants, Keith, from Virginia Tech, and close things out with some rapid convincing by our guest. Will the boys join the modern love craze and find the one? Tune in to find out! While you got this lil' window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It's fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page at www.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme to see videos referenced on this episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You didn’t ask for it, but we did it again! The third late night conceptisode episode has it all!  Week-old jokes about the news, Thayer’s comedy journal, and some interviews that will make you say “wow, this has run a little long, but I’m driving so I can’t fast forward”. That’s just the tip...of the iceberg. British comedian Stephen Fry joins the program to discuss a controversial opinion about one of America’s most important days. Universal studios tour guide Brians Forkby drops in to discuss his in-depth, and quite frankly sad experience as a tour guide. Finally we’re privileged to be joined again by Nobel prize winner and incredible musician Bob Dylan. You won’t want to miss it! While you got this lil' window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It's fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page at www.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme to see videos referenced on this episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week comedian, dating expert, and great human Richelle Meiss joins the podcast to get the boys on board with The Bachelor. Richelle has some unique perspectives on the dating life including: dating in LA is akin to emotional manipulation, falling in love isn’t real, and how we should all look to be with a “former fatty”. Not to be outdone with dating knowledge, Thayer proclaims himself the “last romantic in LA” and takes listeners on his ideal date with Ryan Gosling. Thayer also believes all first dates are just an opportunity to fall in love with yourself...he truly says some insane things during this episode. Lastly, Richelle offers an exclusive look into some behind the scenes contestant behavior when she recaps her live viewing of the Bachelor after show.  Do the boys take the rose and become bachelor fans? Or will they be sent home sad and alone? Tune in to find out! While you got this lil' window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It's fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page at www.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme to see videos referenced on this episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Rose (@ladyastronauty) thinks that the ancient Indian medicine Ayurveda can be helpful in our daily lives for everything from finding what types of foods agree with us to finding medicinal/lifestyle changes that can help disorders, such as using turmeric and reducing sugars. Along the way we discuss whether Thayer uses lotion as a food or a topical treatment, and whether soup is a drink or food. We get so deep into Ayurveda that we don’t have time to do a segment at the end.  Rose is a Director, check out her forthcoming project "Vanishing Act!" Check out Rose at Upright Citizens Brigade LA performing on her Harold improv team PONY, directing the Maude sketch team Bombardier, hosting and producing the LGT show, and performing with Queer World. Check out her website ladyastronaut.com. Convince Me is hosted by Ben Cassil @BenCassil and Thayer Frechette @thayerfrechette, Please take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, it really helps! Check out other shows from our network at boardwalkaudio.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Brett Maline (@breezy__f__baby) loves it when ads appear on his Instagram feed. His argument is that the algorithm is your friend, it knows what you want, and will offer you things you cannot find in other places. Along the way we talk about comedy, relationships, and get a visit from a real weirdo from the coast. We wrap up the episode with another installment of Dolphin Chamber, and a real shocking revelation from Brett. Check out Brett's hilarious video sketch team Genuine Jerks, seriously, they are great. You can also watch Brett at the UCB Los Angeles house sketch (Maude) team The New Deal every month, and beginning in November Brett will be joining The Groundlings Sunday Company! Convince Me is hosted by Ben Cassil @BenCassil and Thayer Frechette @thayerfrechette, Please take a second to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, it really helps! Check out other shows from our network at boardwalkaudio.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

100 episodes strong! Wow! We officially have more episodes than listeners. Hooray! In this retrospective episode Ben and Thayer take a look back at their most surprising convince, revisit some of their favorite characters, and talk with spokespeople from some of Convince Me’s most interesting advertisements. The Bug Lawyer, 100% Milk guy, and Mr. Boston make appearances that you do not want to miss, seriously you do not want to! Not only do the Convince Me boys look back, but they look forward to some of their favorite moments from the future! That’s right Ben and Thayer do yesteryear in the future, speaking with upcoming guests Obama, Marc Maron, and PBS travel guide Rick Steves. Retreat to move forward that’s what we say. Of course no retrospective would be complete without an appearance from the co-host turned enemy of the pod, Geoff Kaufman. That’s right, Geoff rejoins the pod for brief life update that is so juicy it will make a grown man cry juice. Anyway, we’re so thankful to be able to do this for 100 eps and hope for 100 more. FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS! While you got this lil' window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It's fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page at www.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme to see videos referenced on this episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Hines (@willhines) codes for fun. While he used to code as a profession for six years before becoming a comedian, and his love for computer programming and coding never left him. Ben and Thayer are real coding dummies, so Will breaks down how coding works in the language of cooking so they understand both how it works and why you might want to use it. Will shares his favorite coding languages, from Ruby to BASIC. In a new segment “I Just Ooped My Pants,” in which Ben gives Thayer, Geoff and Will a coding quiz, which is much funnier than it sounds. Who wins? THE RESULTS ARE SURPRISING. Follow Will Hines @willhines on twitter, and check out his comic book podcast "Screw It We're Just Gonna Talk About Spider-Man." We would really appreciate it if you could take a minute to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, and tell a friend about this podcast. Thanks!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Jeremy Schmidt (@Ocarinaofcrime) thinks that a man getting hit by a football in the groin will always be funnier than a well-crafted joke from a respected comedian. He does not argue that there is no place for craft, but argues that the broken expectation of dumb, bad, and poorly-timed jokes provide gut laughs that supersede the heady laughs from highbrow, well-respected comedians. Along the way we hear many joke examples, tell stories of halcyon work study days, and play a new game called "Bad Improv." Follow Jeremy on twitter at @Ocarinaofcrime and check out his hilarious and inventive new podcast Reality Bits. Follow us on twitter at @ConvinceMePod and please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps us out.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another late night conceptisode! We bring you terrible monologue jokes, in-depth interviews, and some man-on-the-street. Extreme, insane hacker Cybergrime joins the show to discuss hacking tips and his plan for world domination. You’ve been warned! FBI Director Billings talks the biggest threat to national security and displays his obsession with microphones. We also ask the question has society gotten dumber? We go out onto Hollywood boulevard to put society’s brainpower to the test. Can the boys pull of a late night show on a podcast? Tune in to find out!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 19 2004, Justine Napsberg, was put into coma due to a silent, but deadly fart. The accused, Bart Forkman, claims he was innocent, but has trouble remembering where he was on the day of the gas explosion. In the the third installment of Serial, presented by This American Life, Sarah Koenig examines the details surround Bart Forkman and how his then girlfriend came to be in her current vegetative state.The story was brought to us by a friend of the accused. We take a detailed look into the people involved in Forkman’s conviction including his “friend”, his now deceased lawyer, and a pair of prejudice detectives. Forkman has been living out his sentence in state prison for the past 13 years. Was this a highschool romance gone bad or a series of unfortunate circumstances that lead to Bart’s downfall. Tune in to find out where we stand on Forkman’s innocence. Rate and review, follow on Twitter (@ConvinceMePod), or email us with questions/suggestions at convincemepodcast@gmail.com!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four more years! Four more years! That’s what Travis Alvarez has been chanting for William Howard Taft ever since his presidential term ended. With all due respect to number 45, Travis argues that William Howard Taft is the last great republican president. Sad! No Taft discussion would be complete without a direct comparison to Paul Ryan. That’s right, we discuss Paul Ryan’s legacy and what he was like in college, trace Taft’s family tree, and shout out to our bot listeners in Cincinnati! MYTHBUSTER ALERT! We have an intense investigation into Taft’s tumultuous history with bathtubs and if indeed he got his portly ass stuck in one. Did he? Didn’t he? You’ll have to tune in to find out what a naked Taft was up to back in his day. Travis makes a lot of people angry when he ranks his top presidents. We close things out with some presidential trivia in an intense battle of wits. Will the convince me boys build a time machine and go back in time to vote for this guy? Hit play on the episode to find out. While you got this lil' window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It's fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page at www.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme to see videos referenced on this episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The delightful Patrick McDonald (@patrickmcd0nald) is obsessed with the Los Angeles resident mountain lion P-22. We discuss the popularity of this celebrity feline, his diet of muledeer, raccoons and occasionally a koala (who pays us a visit), and how we should all see ourselves in P22: a displaced Mountain Lion who crossed two freeways and survived but is soldiering on in Los Angeles. We also hear a harrowing tale of Patrick encountering a pack of coyotes. Finally, we close with perhaps the most successful installation of Dolphin Chamber to date.  You can see Patrick on stage at UCB Franklin Los Angeles in the one-man show “Straight White Ally” on May 17, June 5, and July 5, more info and tickets here: https://franklin.ucbtheatre.com. Catch him on Twitter @patrickmcd0nald @patrickmcd0nald. Also check out Patrick’s Jimmy Buffet podcast Parrothead Podcast on Twitter @parrotheadpod.  Follow Convince Me on Twitter @ConvinceMePod and rate and review us on iTunes, pleeeeease.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer and comedian Josh Brown (@joshbrownjosh) loves the sitcom Frasier. But before we get into it we all discuss the recently-divorced single dad energy Thayer and Ben have following Geoff’s departure from the podcast. But then we get into the hit sitcom Frasier, discussing its nature as a spinoff from Cheers, the fun of seeing Frasier explode after getting so frustrated, depiction of radio and therapy on television, the cast of characters, the interplay of different social statuses and snobbery, and Frasier’s place in the hierarchy of great sitcoms. We also introduce a new musical segment that will surely re-occur, “Fras-usical the Musical.” Ben is also having a weird day in this episode and knocks over recording equipment.  Follow Josh Brown on Twitter @joshbrownjosh, and check out his youtube channel Big Boy Productions.  Check out Ben’s new short film “Everything Dumps Leia” on vimeo: www.vimeo.com/benannah.  Follow us @convincemepod or on Facebook. Check out Boardwalkaudio.com/convince for more information and to support us. And if you like us, really like us, rate and review us on iTunes/Apple Podcasts! It’s fun and it makes Ben feel whole inside, if only for a fleeting moment.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Geoff Kaufman has had enough of the wide-eyed optimists, the skeptics, and the wacky and woodely times. This is his last episode as co-host of Convince Me. In this episode we discuss what led Geoff to quit, how many other things he is quitting, and we get into some real heart-felt discussions of what the podcast and each other have meant to us. We also let Geoff get his last rapid-fire topics in to convince us of things like Drake. Finally, we play a lively round of title match. This is truly a milestone episode. Follow Geoff in all his future endeavors (NOT script coverage) @geoffklive on twitter. While you got this lil’ window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It’s fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page atwww.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a passionate attempt to win the hearts and minds of the Convince Me Boyz, verified twitter user/retired basketball champion Eileen Mary O’Connell (@i_Lean) invades the studio to talk about the greatest movie of all time: SPACE JAM. Eileen saw Space Jam opening day many moons ago and her love for the film has grown bigger than Michael Jordan’s cartoonish arm! She explains the subtleties of the film, like how aliens from Moron Mountain are stupid, and why MJ is the greatest straight man ever to grace the silver screen. Geoff tries his best to find plot holes, but Eileen’s defense is truly out of this world. Most importantly we take a visceral look into what would happen if aliens robbed the Convince Me hosts of their talents! (Hard to rob something that doesn’t exist, jk jk, we’re all friends here.) DUNK! This episode closes out with America’s favorite segment title match, you’re going to love it, or hate it, or think it’s ok. Will Eileen stretch her arm and make a last second shot for a convincing victory? Grab a ticket and enjoy this epic matchup of differing opinions. For more from the positively hilarious Eileen, follow her on twitter @i_Lean, on the gram @eileenmaryoconnell, or you can check out her fantastic Muppet’s podcast Skeeter-ial (boardwalkaudio.com/skeeter-ial ) which follows the mysterious disappearance of Skeeter. While you got this lil' window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It's fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page atwww.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme to see videos referenced on this episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dancing--it's not just for the stars. At least that's what Sabrina Mahoney claims on this week’s episode of your favorite podcast Convince Me! Sabrina talks about the effect dance can have on your emotion and creativity. Tiny dancer, hold me closer to my headphones because this is one episode I’ve gotta listen to! Along the way, Geoff talks about an exciting new job prospect, Thayer talks about all the superlatives he won in high school, and we get a visit from a Russian dance instructor whose teaching style—and name, frankly—is a little bit unconventional. Follow Sabrina on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sabmahhh/?hl=en Oh, and one more thing: Rate and review, follow on Twitter (@ConvinceMePod), or email us with questions/suggestions at convincemepodcast@gmail.com!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pew pew pew! What up world? It’s the Convince Me Crew featuring Janine Hogan (@j9_hogan) coming to you live to freestyle. What happens when three average freestylers and one amazing freestylers get together? Three average raps and one amazing rap that’s what. Janine educates the boys on the art of freestyling, beatboxing, and self-deprecation. We shout out to our bot listeners and enroll in beatboxing 101. Geoff let’s off some steam about a recent Cheesecake Factory situation and confesses his love for insult comedy. We close things out with the first ever freestyle segment, you don’t want to miss it. PEW PEW PEW again! Tune in for the greatest show on earth according to Geoff’s sister's dog.  For more from the hilarious and talented Janine Hogan check her out on all the socials: @j9_hogan While you got this lil' window open why not give us a little star rating, and maybe even a review on Apple Podcasts? It's fun to review things. @convincemepod on twitter. Also check out the episode page at www.boadwalkaudio.com/convinceme to see videos referenced on this episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace. Grit. Technique. According to Olivia Indik, that’s what it takes to be a figure skater. Wacky. Woodley. That’s what it takes to be an episode of Convince Me. On this ep: Geoff compares figure skating to skateboarding a bunch of times, Thayer shows off how good he is at spelling, and Olivia is the first guest ever to give an opening statement! Check out Olivia’s improv teams Second Nature and Moon Boy on Facebook, the Official Social Network of Improv Comedy. And Second Nature, why haven't you added Olivia to your cover photo yet?! Oh, and one more thing: Rate and review, follow on Twitter (@ConvinceMePod), or email us with questions/suggestions at convincemepodcast@gmail.com!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices