Sinopsis
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." - E.B. White
Episodios
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Riff 59 - Don't Push Your Compliments On Me!
02/10/2025 Duración: 01h02minIn our chat, we dive headfirst into everything from the mind-boggling art of circular breathing in music to the age-old debate of optimism versus pessimism. We even manage to make financial management sound funny—because, let's face it, money is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, especially when cryptocurrency gets involved. We reminisce about the good ol' days of roller skating and the joys (and injuries) of parenting. We also take a moment to laugh at ourselves while trying to master the art of accepting compliments—because who knew self-worth could be so complicated? Our conversation meanders through the hilarity of societal norms, like why certain drinks are "gendered," and we even touch on the evolution of Botox from beauty to medicine. And, of course, we can't forget the fall's impact on nature and the ridiculousness of cleaning products. It's a wild ride, but hey, that's just how we roll!
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TCND: No Peaches! Men Only (Not-Political Politics)
29/09/2025 Duración: 49minHey, Neighbor! The Peaches is uploading this episode, but the Peaches wasn't part of this conversation. So, you don't get a summary today. Consider it a surprise for all of us... What did John and Luke talk about while Amanda was attending a prayer vigil at the Courthouse?We will find out together... Contact The Comedian's family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com
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Riff 58 - Weaponized Termites and Where To Buy A Tilt-A-Whirl
26/09/2025 Duración: 01h13sIn our latest podcast escapade, we dive headfirst into the wild world of podcasting apologies, the tiny yet mighty connections in life, and the art of performing for audiences that could fit in a phone booth. We laugh at our attempts to teach kids to ride bikes, chuckle at the quirks of youth culture, and scratch our heads at the strange rituals of fishermen. Our chat is a rollercoaster of giggles, insights, and life reflections—perfect for anyone who enjoys a good laugh at life's absurdities. We also reminisce about school days, dissect parenting styles, and ponder the nature of humor and its consequences. Things get delightfully weird as we muse over the bizarre biology of insects and even toy with the idea of turning them into tiny warriors.
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TCND: Kokomo's Funniest Comic and TRUTH Belongs Here (Gecko Eating)
22/09/2025 Duración: 51minHe's John Branyan, and he has been a stand-up comedian for more than 30-years. He's joined at the table by his daughter, Amanda, and son-in-law, Luke. Join us at the table for another conversation! Picture this, Neighbor: a middle-aged man pretends to be a lizard eating an icecream cone. You may just have to trust us; it's hilarious. Then: Farmer John tells you how to get a good harvest of raspberries. And Luke gives an update on his hunting muscles--which are not what they used to be. (It's hard to shoot that Bo-Narrow!) AND: John is not Kokomo's Funniest Comedian YET...but he's still in the running! So stay tuned! Later: the sermon we heard today was all about putting on the belt of TRUTH, as the first order of business in arming yourself against evil. What a refreshing message. Contact the Comedian's Family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com
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Riff 57 - Danger Mouse, GPS, and Assassin Bug Love
18/09/2025 Duración: 01h01minIn this episode of the Riff Session, we dive headfirst into a hilarious and nostalgic chat about our favorite childhood cartoons, the wild evolution of animated shows, and the delightful chaos of parenting—especially when it comes to naming our little ones. We also find ourselves in the middle of a comedic showdown between GPS apps during family road trips, showcasing the quirks of modern tech and our relationships. As we navigate the intricacies of naming kids and pets, we share personal stories and humorous insights, pondering the significance of names and the whims of our family members. Oh, and let's not forget our detour into the fascinating world of insects, particularly love bugs, where we draw some questionable parallels between their antics and our own relationships. Through laughter and a bit of self-mockery, we uncover the complexities and joys of naming in both human and animal realms.
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TCND: Luke's Not-Soft Letter to the Elders (Protestencia)
15/09/2025 Duración: 50minWelcome, Neighbor, to our corner of Protestencia! We resigned from church leadership and left our church. (Or did it leave us???) Special shout out to Cheri, who plays a vital role in making sure we publish our podcast every week! Contact the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com
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Riff 56 - Lemonade Big Business and Shattering Cruise Ship Myths
11/09/2025 Duración: 01h01minIn our lively chat, we dive into a smorgasbord of topics, from the accessibility of musical instruments (which we still can't play) to our childhood attempts at entrepreneurship with lemonade stands and school fundraisers (spoiler: we didn't make millions). We even touch on the spiritual side of certain instruments, though our spiritual journey mostly involves trying not to trip over them. Our conversation is peppered with laughter as we reflect on the simple joys and creative chaos of childhood, which somehow shaped our understanding of business and community (or at least that's what we tell ourselves). We share hilarious tales of our childhood food escapades, including bizarre ice cream flavors and culinary misadventures at fairs and street vendors. We also reminisce about cruise ship life, discussing the glamorous (or not-so-glamorous) life of performers on board, and wax nostalgic about our favorite video games, which we still play with the same enthusiasm as when we were kids. It's a conversation filled
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TCND: Generation wars, Hoarders vs. Wasters (Lumpy Potatoes)
08/09/2025 Duración: 47minIt's NOT THAT COLD over here, Neighbor! Don't believe Luke and Cami!The Podninja and the Peaches are having Thermastat Wars...Later: we've been cleaning out old podcast recordings like they don't even matter! This isn't a very "Boomer" approch to memories and honoring the past. Is it bad to live in a "consumer" culture, instead of a "saving" one? Contact the Comedian's family by emailing nextdoor@johnbranyan.com
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Riff 55 -
04/09/2025 Duración: 59minIn our delightfully chaotic conversation, we bumble through a range of themes, from our questionable musical experiences and our clumsy attempts at connecting with nature, to our rose-tinted nostalgia for the past and our often misguided musings on technology's role in society. We share our personal misadventures, reflect on historical contexts we barely remember, and take wild guesses about the future of AI—all while trying to keep things light-hearted and humorous, even if we're the only ones laughing. We also dive into topics like the construction of the pyramids (as if we were there), the implications of artificial intelligence on our own intelligence (or lack thereof), and the evolution of technology. We ponder the nature of knowledge and wisdom in this digital age, and even speculate on the future of food, including lab-created products and vegan alternatives, despite our limited culinary expertise. Our conversation meanders through cultural perspectives on food, particularly the ethics of eating
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TCND: Mocking the Catholics and Burying a Raccoon (Eathern Orshcadox)
01/09/2025 Duración: 47minJohn didn't go to church today, Neighbor. But...he's still more holy than the Catholic. Send us all of your catholic terms... (Spoilers: the word "Chamber" is not one...) There has been some tension between Luke and "his rib" today... Instead of going to get the pizza to feed everybody, Luke shot a racoon.... and buried it. He's pretty sure it's the same raccoon he caught and released a few weeks ago... And we realize there are a lot of tail-less animals in our midst. Then: Andrew comes back with his "new" shoes for the grass... and he tells us how to become a home-invader. Later: There have always been ministers wanting to control the conversation... But, we have bad news for them. The McKinney's have a podcast. (Along with basically everyone else on the planet.) It's getting harder and harder to burn heretics at the stake! To contact us, send an email to nextdoor@johnbranyan.com
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Riff 54 - Where Have All The Good One-Man-Bands Gone?
28/08/2025 Duración: 59minIn our chat, we dive into the wild world of viral trends, the art of remixing, and the sheer absurdity of modern entertainment. We tackle the one-man band phenomenon, the value of viral videos, and the complexities of seemingly simple activities like cornhole and knitting. We also touch on the irony of consumer choices and ponder the future of engagement in a digital age brimming with reaction videos and video games. In this lively exchange, we explore a range of humorous and absurd topics, from the legality of throwing various objects to the peculiarities of Indiana laws. We delve into the strange world of food regulations, particularly the infamous maggot cheese, and discuss fishing techniques and regulations. Our conversation takes a turn towards the fast-paced world of driving, questioning the mindset of those who speed excessively. Finally, we entertain the idea of innovative travel methods, including the whimsical notion of shooting ourselves out of a cannon.
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TCND: Welding and other Pretentiousness (Baby Animal Sounds!)
25/08/2025 Duración: 54minHello, Friendly Neighbor! First of all, there are a lot of baby noises on this episode--so if you DON'T want to hear Bridger being delightful, turn back now. You have been warned! Later: A young man dropped out of welding school in order to go to seminary and become a minister. What does the table think about that???Email us at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com to tell us if you ever wanted to become a welder.
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Riff 53 - Hating Lasagna but Loving Blackberries
21/08/2025 Duración: 57minIn our rambling little chat, we somehow manage to stumble across a buffet of nonsense, from pretending we understand drum covers to overanalyzing church potluck menus. We get into a heated (and completely pointless) debate about lasagna versus baked spaghetti—because clearly, the fate of civilization hangs on that. We brag about our “southern cooking skills,” which mostly just means frying things badly, and laugh at the goofy ways we describe our aches and pains like we’re auditioning for a medical dictionary no one asked for. Naturally, we drift into tales of botched craft projects involving super glue, confess our ignorance of proper restaurant etiquette, and take a nostalgic victory lap for outdated gadgets we barely knew how to use in the first place (Blackberry, anyone?). In a burst of misguided ambition, we even brainstorm fake ads that no sane sponsor would actually want. Somewhere in the chaos, we convince ourselves we’re exploring profound topics like the quirks of techn
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TCND: Sneezes and Luke's Other Sins (What Are We Even Talking About?)
18/08/2025 Duración: 46minWe've been fellowshipping for HOURS already, Neighbor... And the baby is really ready to nurse to sleep. (Allow us to pause while the mama takes care of that...)It has been a jam-packed couple weeks of school, and there have been some tense moments in the car. The Peaches apologized for being grumpy. But, thankfully, none of the McBabies have run away from home...yet. Do you want to annoy your wife early on a Sunday morning? Luke can share what works for him. Later: When is it a good time to tell the truth? Contact the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com We'd love to hear from you--unless it's 11:30 at night and you're sneezing LOUDLY.
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Riff 52 - Your abundance of toilet paper is disturbing
14/08/2025 Duración: 01h12sIn our chat, we dive into the wild world of everyday life, chatting about everything from hoarding toilet paper like it's the new gold to the quirks of home decor that make us question our sanity. We share personal tales about our hobbies, like lake diving and the nostalgia of cereal box prizes that made us feel like treasure hunters, all while tossing in some takes on pop culture, like Superman's questionable fashion choices and those charming Southern accents that make everything sound like a song. We also explore the mind-bending paradoxes of time travel, the quirks of Quantum Leap, and our love for older TV shows that remind us of simpler times. We discuss how comedy has evolved in today's political climate, the impact of documentaries on pop culture, and the wisdom from unconventional teachers who taught us that life is one big improv show. And, of course, we can't forget our take on therapy and self-improvement, because who doesn't love a good laugh while figuring out life's mysteries? Through our bante
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TCND: Church Hopping Update and Prevention Magazine (Beef Wellington at the Pitch-In)
11/08/2025 Duración: 46minWelcome to the table--watch out for flying bits of chewed carrot and shoes... John is still unwelcome at his home church, so he gives an update on his church-hopping travels. WHAT DO YOU DO when you have nothing to do at church??? Next: Luke has a great idea for how to make an impression at the church pitch-in. But only you would get the joke, Neighbor! Everyone else would just be confused... ...and that reminds us of our late friend, Hank McGill! Then: You have homework, Neighbor! You need to send us your best punchlines for Hank's infamous set-up... It goes: "A guy called and asked if I wanted a subscription to Prevention Magazine, and I said: ___________________________" LATER: You know, lots of churches pay to bring in a comedian for a night of laughs, but having one as a member of your congregation isn't always delightful. When you order the caviar for a fancy restaurant, it feels high-value and cool. But if you just bring caviar to the average church pitch
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Riff Session 51 - Test Flying The Comedy App
08/08/2025 Duración: 01h02minIn this chat, we take a playful plunge into the world of airplane etiquette, pondering why we all clap like enthusiastic seals when the plane lands and speculating on the secret superhero roles of flight attendants. We also explore a nifty app that helps us brainstorm jokes about air travel—because who doesn't need a little digital inspiration for those mile-high musings? Our conversation is sprinkled with quirky observations about flying, making it an amusing journey. We also delve into the art of comedy writing, the creative chaos of jotting down ideas, and the fun of turning random thoughts into comedic gems. Our dialogue highlights the joy of free association and the magic of capturing those fleeting, funny thoughts before they take off.
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TCND: Family Party, Noise, and Laughter
04/08/2025 Duración: 47minYou may want to turn down your volume for this one, Neighbor. Things get LOUD because we have a full table! Tabby is here--along with the usuals, John, Amanda, and Luke. We think we are discussing why happy people are so crazy... But eventually, Luke tells us his theory for active listening and we have no choice but to laugh at him...Email the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com
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Riff Session 50 - Just Crust and Totaled Jeeps
31/07/2025 Duración: 01h02minIn our conversation, we share humorous anecdotes about health issues, particularly focusing on kidney stones and family health matters. We explore the challenges of communication within families during health crises, the importance of humor in coping with serious topics, and the joys and struggles of gardening as a family activity. Our discussion highlights the unexpected lessons learned from life's challenges and the value of maintaining a light-hearted perspective even in difficult situations. We also explore a variety of humorous topics ranging from hotel experiences and car accidents to the quirks of language and food. We share personal anecdotes, discuss the logic behind movie heists, and reflect on how humor evolves across generations. Our conversation touches on the peculiarities of spelling in the English language and the evolution of food terminology, particularly focusing on the concept of food edges and the idea of selling just the outer parts of popular foods.
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TCND: Our Australian Friend Pushes Back (Church Business)
28/07/2025 Duración: 01h08minHello to our neighbors all around the world!!! We're joined at the virtual table by our Australian friend, Jasmine (Ruigrok) Mollison. She has some valid questions about church business and whether there's a ditch on the other side of the road that we may be headed toward... If you don't have a friend like Jasmine, pray like crazy that God would send you one! You can email the Comedian's family at nextdoor@johnbranyan.com. G-day, mate!