We get our first hangup and it’s pretty rattling. Let us know what you think.

This episode is sponsored by AMEX, SundanceNow Doc Club, Framebridge, and Stamps.com.

Self-experimenter and author A.J. Jacobs joins Question of the Day for the first of five episodes alongside Stephen and James. Instead of focusing on one question, today James and Stephen talk to A.J. about some of the largest experiments he’s performed on himself, including finding out how much he loves his wife via an FMRI, and stoning an adulterer in Central Park while “living biblically” for a year. The three also touch upon the history of mattresses, whether a “square beard” gene exists, and what the official food of “Conception Day” should be.

Actress Lindsey Gort joins Jensen and Matty to talk about being cast as Samantha on The Carrie Diaries, getting up OFF, Bernie Sanders or Bust, Facetune, accepting suffering, Hamilton, and how we were dead wrong about gaming PCs, reality television, and many other things.

Youthy Ambassador Caroline Goldfarb (@officialseanpenn) returns to look into her millennial crystal ball and answer all of the questions that adult Matt McConkey (Bajillion Dollar Properties$, Marry Me) has for her. Plus, everyone shares their most embarrassing emails/texts they wish they could unsend.

LA: Come see Deanna and Matt in their live stage show UNSEND at the Comedy Central Stage on Tuesday, June 14th at 8pm with special guests Casey Wilson, Retta, and Jeffery Self. RSVP for FREE by calling (323) 960-5519

Hayes and Sean give tips on a fun hobby of theirs which is gardening. Then JON DALY joins the discussion to write a children’s book with the boys.

Actress and comedian Hayley Huntley joins Andrew all this week to answer some racism questions. Today they discuss a white bar band covering Hip-Hop and R&B songs for the money. Be sure to call us at (323) 389-RACE to ask if anything is racist.

Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone of The Lonely Island join Josh to talk about their latest hilarious film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.

This episode is sponsored by RePlay on go90.

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes the people right here and people out there, to a LIVE episode of Spontaneanation, recorded at the world-famous Largo at The Coronet! This week, Paul’s special guest is returning champion and hip-hop artist Open Mike Eagle! They chat about why Mike might have a long face, what caused the end of Mike’s graffiti career, and having his son be a part of some of his live shows. Paul is then joined by Jordan Black, Nyima Funk, and Daniele Gaither to improvise a story set in A Suburban High School History Class on The First Day of Black History Month. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano! SPONTANEANATION LIVE returns to Largo on Saturday, June 4th, with improvisors Nyima Funk, Colleen Smith and Chris Tallman, with special interview guest Robyn Hitchcock! Tickets are available now: bit.ly/SPONT616

This episode is sponsored by Black Tux.

If you know that the early bird gets the worm, I’m sure you also know to stop and smell the roses, that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and variety is the spice of life. Or maybe not, because those are all completely contradictory and made up by who, exactly? Some sort of internal rhyme shaman or sarcastic centuries-old grandmother?

Where the hell did we get all these idioms from? A stitch in time saves nine? Turns out we’ve been saying that one wrong, there should be a comma in there. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket? Well, I only have two hands, how many baskets should I be carrying? 

These situational little quips make us feel better in very specific moments, but the amount of them that seem to be direct opposites lead us to believe maybe none of them are worthwhile. On this week’s episode, Jack O’Brien is joined by Michael Swaim to pour through the dozens of axioms that, when you think about them for a little bit, don’t really give the best advice. Later they open up Poor Richard’s Almanack, the 18th century source for many of these proverbs, and go through some of the sayings that didn’t quite make it to the 21st century.

Footnotes:

Quotes from ‘Poor Richard’s Almanack’: https://goo.gl/MUCZ4m

Source Amnesia: https://goo.gl/PNIf9W

Fake Kurt Vonnegut Speech: http://goo.gl/TgT9Xg

Richard Dawkins’ ‘The Selfish Gene’: https://goo.gl/n8BTJA

Nicolo Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’: https://goo.gl/wKZV75

5 Famous Wise Sayings That Are Secretly Dumb: http://goo.gl/uVM6p2

5 Bits of ‘Common Knowledge’ Science Has Disproved: http://goo.gl/apg2r1

6 Famous Movie Wisemen Who Were Totally Full of Shit: http://goo.gl/mgBo

5 Staples of Wisdom That Need To Be Retired: http://goo.gl/TMBDbH

7 Quotes By Famous Geniuses (That Everyone Gets Wrong): http://goo.gl/imTECQ

This episode is sponsored by Harry’s and Adam and Eve.

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Scott reunite to chat about all the songs Lloyd Webber wishes he had written, what it’s like to live with him, and his favorite playwright of all time. As they continue their conversation, a faint voice is heard in the room. It is none other than the stabby lil’ orphan boy Fourvel who insists he has changed from his stabby ways. What could have happened to create this “new” Fourvel? Tune in to find out!

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, Black Tux, and Leesa.com.

Jak Vorpal, Foon’s Greatest Swordsman, returns with his weapon/companion The Singing Sword. They have…an interesting dynamic.

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp

Chunt: Adal Rifai

Usidore: Matt Young

Jak Vorpal: Sean Kelly

Singing Sword: Erica Elam

Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen

Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi

Editor: Ryan DiGiorgi

Theme Music: Andy Poland

Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban

Audio Assistance: Jason Knox

Production Assistant: Garrett Schultz

This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity and Total War: War Hammer.

For its 25th anniversary, Devin and Amy discuss “Boyz n the Hood.” They debate the cinematography, John Singleton’s directorial choices and the sound design. Is quality or historical value more important to you in this movie? Share your thoughts and cast your vote in the Earwolf forums. Plus, get a head start on next week’s film: “The Usual Suspects.”

Learn which confusingly titled non-blockbuster HDTGM will cover next on today’s minisode! Paul also shares some listener voicemails about who should take over the Ernest movie franchise, man candy and more. Send your own voicemail explanation hopes for Paul to answer by calling 619-PAUL ASK. Later, we hear some of the dirt Blake Harris dug up while researching Hell Comes To Frogtown and Paul does some extra-froggy Corrections and Omissions. Don’t forget to check out Blake Harris’ Oral History of Hell Comes To Frogtown over at www.slashfilm.com!

Get yourself a BB-8 “What Is Its Mission?” T-shirt or Tote Bag over at http://howdidthisgetmade.bigcartel.com/ Set your DVRs for Party Over Here, a new FOX sketch comedy show from The Lonely Island and Paul starring Nicole Byer, Jessica McKenna, and Alison Rich. It airs Saturdays at 11 pm. People of the internet: Watch Paul in Fresh off the Boat on ABC. Awhile ago, Paul and Rob Huebel did a comedy special on a 60 foot glass bus that traveled around LA. Now you’ll be able to see it. Go to https://itun.es/us/3M4J9 now to buy it! You can also see Jason in Transparent on Amazon! Also, check out June in Grace and Frankie available on Netflix, and in all the episodes of NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU for free, and Jason in The Dictator (he’s still in it!).

Jon Meacham has written about some of the most important figures in American history: Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson and — most recently — George H.W. Bush. He’s a journalist, an historian and a deep person of faith, a “product of a world in which faith is not elective, it’s ambient,” in his words. He talks with David about his work, his family and his secret journalistic weapon: empathy.

This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses, Helix Sleep, and Stamps.com.

Andrew Ti and special guest Jason Lew finish the week off by discussing actors doing accents for roles. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Welcome to another book club! For this round, Nate is joined by Susanna Fogel, Jimmi Simpson, Julie Sharbutt, Ryan Cartwright, and handsome Sam Kieffer, who is definitely not writing this description right now. Join us as we follow Addie and Louis’s multiple-chaptered, non-punctuated sleepovers. Also, we ponder the aging process, abandonment and the bakery man.

Then pick up a copy of next month’s book, “Geek Love” by Katherine Dunn! Once you’re done reading, call us at (702) 751-READ and let us know what you thought!

Welcome back to The Close Up Hollywood Podcast with your host Clarissa Bartlett (Laraine Newman)! It’s the only podcast in which you get close up and personal with starts of the past and present. After reading Listener Letters, Clarissa welcomes Miss Amy Darling, one of the greatest child actresses to ever grace the screen. They discuss her extravagant career, her relationships with fellow actor Dickie Rush & director Christos Chrostas, and dealing with the addiction of needing to see the light of a cellphone screen. Later, Traci Reardon stops by to answer Twitter questions such as whether the world used to be in black and white or just the movies in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”

The absolutely adorable Ally Maki joins Ronna and Beverly to chat about her role in the new TBS comedy Wrecked, playing a man on Bones, growing up in Seattle, and her favorite theatre roles she has portrayed. Plus, the ladies share how they spent Mother’s Day.

Comedian Brad Williams joins Randy to discuss his new Showtime special, “Daddy Issues.” He also talks about growing up as a little person and the valuable life lessons his parents taught him. Later, Daniel Van Kirk brings a County Story of a man who argued he doesn’t need a license plate for his car because it’s not in the Bible. Michael Kissick, the friendliest TSA agent, leaves a voicemail about the chaotic Midway Airport lines.

Dannah Phirman (Hotwives of Orlando & Hotwives of Las Vegas) returns to the nook with Casey and Danielle to discuss Sonja’s heatless apartment, Luanne’s juicy vagina and what happens when the promise of pumpkin pancakes is not delivered upon. Also Danielle is forever changed by seeing Beyonce and Casey expertly raps the Shah’s of Sunset theme song. 

This episode is sponsored by Third Love and Texture.

This week Erin gets her period and ravages the donuts in the studio, while Bryan gets outed at the dog store and celebrates being a first time dog dad. Plus Erin takes us on a bathroom adventure through the ages, and Bryan enlightens us with the definition of transgender, a basic concept, among many, that conservatives can’t quite grasp. Crack a book Dan Patrick.

Four short ear movies and four short interviews with four very special writers is happening on a special episode of The Black List Table Reads with Franklin Leonard. Thanks to the wonderful Young Storytellers Foundation you will hear 4 stories written by 5th graders and brought to life by professional actors Gail Bianchi, Darren Bluestone, Dave Hill, Tom Lenk, Jeremy Maxwell, Vanessa Mizzone, Cuba Packett, and Darrin Revitz. Plus, Franklin sits down to have a conversation with Bill Thompson, executive director of Young Storytellers Foundation. For more information go to www.youngstorytellers.com

Chris Gethard welcomes Scott to the Big Apple on a New York edition of Comedy Bang! Bang! Chris tells us about the evolution of his Earwolf podcast Beautiful Anonymous, the haunted places in New Jersey, the new season of The Chris Gethard Show on Fusion, and being infatuated with Galco’s Soda Pop Stop. Then, legendary filmmakers Woody Allen and George Lucas arrive to talk about the upcoming joint projects they have in development. Plus, entrepreneur Renalda stops by with some unfortunate news for Chris.

This episode is sponsored by MVMT Watches, Legal Zoom, and Shudder.

Jason Lew joins Andrew to talk about what is considered authentic sushi. Make sure to leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Many podcasts, this one included, dedicate a considerable amount of time to self-improvement, technical mastery, and peak performance. With that in mind, one QOD listener wrote in wondering what the problem is with being “mediocre, but content?” Listen to Stephen and James talk through their own experiences with the word “mediocre”, then find out where James stands on the issue when Stephen administers Barry Schwartz’ “maximizers vs. satisficers” quiz.

Taking a little trip with Dave Holmes.

This episode is sponsored by Harry’s, Shudder, and Blue Apron.

Kamau and Kevin discuss the early, early stages of trying to get Denzel on the podcast. Terry Gross, host of NPR’s “Fresh Air,” gives Kamau and Kevin tips on how to successfully interview Denzel. They also talk about the do’s and dont’s of interviewing the greatest actor of all time. Period.

Mike Still, Jessica McKenna and Paul Welsh join Matt Besser on this week’s improv4humans. They improvise about the musical number in Virgin Airlines’ safety video and explore new weight loss challenges. People running for U.S. Senate inspire a scene about presidential candidates’ opening statements in a debate. Also, an unhelpful employee starts a new job writing for improv4humans.

Jonathan sits down with comedian and host of United Shades of America, W. Kamau Bell to talk about racism in the US, interracial relationships, and what exactly white privilege is. Plus, Jonathan gives us an example of when it’s okay to overcharge for hairdressing.

The Shrimps take on the The Shecago Bulls at North Weddington Auditorium. Matt Gourley and Colin Hanks call the action, In ‘n’ Out brings the satisfaction.

The Shrimps on Twitter: @pistolshrimpsbb

The Shrimps on Instagram: thepistolshrimps

Pistol Shrimps Radio on Twitter: @ShrimpsRadio

Matt Gourley on Twitter and IG: @MattGourley

Mark McConville on Twitter and IG: @MarkMcConville