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Published by Ben Johnston & Scott Johnston
Ben Johnston talks to his father Scott about improv comedy, forestry and landscaping, as well as computing, cooking, and music, and whatever else these characters are interested in.
On the charts
Every published chart this podcast appears in, in the snapshot behind this page. Each one links to the chart it came off.
The Mato Topic Intelligence Platform does not report this podcast as charting in a published category in this snapshot.
From the feed
The latest episodes published to this podcast’s own RSS feed. Titles and descriptions are the publisher’s.
We trade college stories and current-life updates with Scott’s old roommate Bones, then veer into what arbitration really is and why it feels nothing like TV courtroom drama. The conversation zigzags through 1970s music, knees that will not cooperate, California’s complicated history, whale spouts in Bodega Bay, and a limo job that ends with a rock star reveal. • turning a busted Pinto armrest into framed “art” and what people project onto it • what an arbitrator does and why “private judge” is the simplest definition • why arbitration rarely produces funny stories and the one oath moment that lands • a college job selling “half a cow” and the slogan that still kills • testing 1970s song lyrics knowledge and arguing about deep cuts • a Whidbey Island weekend with matcha French toast and brunch nostalgia • knee injury mysteries, torn meniscus talk, and getting back to running • plant breeding history, diversity, and uncomfortable ties to eugenics in California • whales spouting in Bodega Bay and the fine art of prattling • a “Joe Garcia” limo pickup that turns into a Steve Perry story You need an arbitrator, give Bones a call. Send us Fan Mail Support the show
We start with garage-life banter and accidentally wander into Frank Lloyd Wright, Aldo Leopold, and why certain landscapes make us feel more alive. We end with a surprisingly practical story about building a tiny contract R&D company that helps pay for med school and sets the stage for early self-driving tech. • half-story houses, attics, and the strange logic of real estate listings • Taliesin and building on the brow of a hill • Aldo Leopold, land stewardship, and the Wisconsin savanna idea • whether conversations can be graphed and why Poisson shows up • Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini and refusing unpaid beta testing • garages as storage for deferred projects and “suspended dreams” • Seattle versus San Francisco light, color, and messiness • Sea Ranch, seasonal mood shifts, and the relief of sun • why meadows feel like home and forests feel like introspection • “make it real” as a rule for poetry, storytelling, and improv • BlueSky as a place to release thoughts without dumping them on family • Triple Vision, contract R&D, and early freeway car detection systems • med school logistics, pickups at HCMC, and the calm of being late together Send us Fan Mail Support the show
We start with a real question hiding inside a joke: what anxiety looks like when you’re good at covering it up. Then we wander through photos, music, engineering, bad gadget design, and the strange ways our parents’ lives quietly steer our careers. • Podcast anxiety versus baseline life anxiety • Describing tree-ring images and lichen wall art as forest design • Acoustic treatment ideas and turning decor into function • Macro photography versus photomicrographs and choosing lenses under weight limits • Arctic tundra textures, color, and making prints you can swap out • The career question: who we’d be without our parents’ jobs • Growing up around community music, sound booths, and engineering projects • Why microwaves and touchscreen cars have terrible user interfaces • Choosing ecosystems and land over medicine and money • PCC breakfast sandwiches, free samples, and the Fremont troll detour • Big-picture idea of salvaged wood and local wood economies Send us Fan Mail Support the show
Ben and Laura (his mom) swap stories about church, meditation, dance, and the lost art of a shared Sabbath, tracing how ritual, rest, and community shape attention and belonging. Between memory palaces and eyeglass rants, we look for teachers, practices, and spaces that make patience feel possible. • growing up Catholic as routine not worship • memory palaces and extemporaneous hosting • managing kids in church and small-town community • Buddhist meditation versus ten-minute sermons • the value of Sabbath, rest, and ritual • delayed gratification, good teachers, and momentum • attention economy pressures on children • modern parenting empathy and resources • dance as worship and embodied practice • lenses over frames and choosing substance You heard it here first, everybody. Tune in next time to That’s a Good Question. Send us Fan Mail Support the show
We swap stories with Max Tomlinson about starting bands, writing mysteries, and why community keeps both alive. From London’s free shows to San Francisco’s 1977 streets, we map how scenes, jams, and practice shape skill and voice. • Colleen Hayes series set in 1977 San Francisco • London music roots and first bass gigs • Lo‑fi aesthetics and the Trogs’ influence • Jam structure, curation, and learning by doing • Song‑first practice tactics and confidence • Blue Bear network and seed bands • Rehearsal spaces, logistics, and momentum • Festival shout‑outs and scene building • Gear wish list and lighthearted plugs Max Tomlinson@WordPress.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show
We first fix a messy audio and move on to a discussion of modes of learning, how mentorship differs from lectures, and how campus culture shapes curiosity. A lost bag redemption story closes the loop with a reminder that service, done well, teaches too. • fixing the audio and finding our rhythm • tag‑team washer repair as hands‑on learning • yoga flow, language quirks, and listening closely • questions about draft age and civic logic • teaching versus mentorship and impatience with lectures • small groups, campus culture, and incubator classrooms • airline misstep turned customer service win Reach out if you ever want to be a guest. We’d love to have you on. Send us Fan Mail Support the show
We stumble through an echo-filled start and end up asking what deserves to last: the files in our clouds, the paper on our shelves, and the stories we tell about ourselves and our families. Along the way we trade travel mishaps, childhood labels, and a full-throated song that cuts through the noise. • echo chaos sparks a bigger theme about signal and noise • guest experiments vs co-host flow and who interviews whom • travel moments that imprint more than expected • childhood labels, interests and how families reinforce them • shaping passions through environment and exposure • video vs audio and the cost of storing everything • cloud permanence myths, backups and local archives • journals, legacy and what you actually want found • curation over hoarding and making keeps easy to sort • singing with intention and finding a voice through noise Send us Fan Mail Support the show
Two brothers chase one thread through many lanes: how meditation, language, craft, and city trees point to a more grounded life. We end with a simple tool for singing and everything else: ask how to enjoy it 10 percent more, and let the body lead. • Nonduality and the Zen of simple attention • Craft as presence through pottery and baskets • Work and leadership as spiritual practice • Self‑reliance, emotional fluidity, and team trust • Reframing sin, repent, and mercy • The Sopranos as a lens on grace and fear • Urban forestry myths and real benefits • Foraging, stewardship, and regulation • Soil, gratitude, and interdependence • Singing, primal sound, and active relaxation Soil gets paid through love, through attention Send us Fan Mail Support the show
Ben interviews his brother Adam, also a grad student studying trees. Adam goes into how he's using cellular structure in oaks to reveal climate history. Along the way they talk grad school realities and other student job related stories. • why oaks can extend climate reconstructions farther back in time • sanding protocols, imaging, and AI for cell-level features • grad school workloads, TA work, and lab culture • work outside of grad school • sponsor shoutout to Tiger Shark Industrial Abrasives Send us Fan Mail Support the show
We talk with Claire about moving from Minneapolis, how road trips to Taliesin and House on the Rock reshaped her eye, and why Kandinsky’s point-line-plane changed how she sees art, music, and daily life. Art theory turns into simple tools for empathy, spirit, and choosing what matters. • moving from Minneapolis after 26 years and being closer to family • Wisconsin travel memories of Taliesin and House on the Rock • Kandinsky’s shift from law to color and meaning • objective versus nonobjective art in plain language • point to line to plane as a guide for choices • art as therapy for self-knowledge and empathy • spirit as everyday energy shaping words and actions • music at the senior center and finding real color in performance • heritage, work, and names connecting identity to craft • small compositions in daily routines and aging with dignity Send us Fan Mail Support the show
We drive the Driftless after a late night with Umphrey’s McGee and let the road pull old stories loose, from bike crashes and basement slot cars to a wild cat named George and the quiet joy of becoming a grandparent. Along the way, Amish buggies, Frank Lloyd Wright, and the honest comfort of unpolished podcasts set the rhythm. • festival glow at a grass amphitheater with Umphrey’s McGee • why the Driftless landscape feels different and holds sound • Hillsboro Brewing, Taliesin, and car-camping culture • curiosity about Amish craft, parts, and Sunday routines • the new cadence of grandparenthood and re-learning care • bike freedom, concrete gutters, and gravel-pit adventures • basement ping-pong, slot cars, and an orange VW dream • George the cat’s wild streak and what he taught us • walkie-talkies, voice as company, and low‑polish podcasts Send us Fan Mail Support the show
Ben and Scott have a wide-ranging conversation that touches on identity, career challenges, communication history, and the value of authenticity in podcasting. Their natural dynamic showcases why they started recording these talks in the first place. • Discussing the origins of their podcast and reintroducing themselves to new listeners • Ben shares his career uncertainties while studying forestry and seeking part-time work • Examining the unique appeal of "roots podcasting" without fancy production • Pondering how people found each other before modern communication technology • Reflecting on a book from a deceased friend and how many brilliant creative works go unrecognized • Embracing the podcast's 40-minute time limit as a feature that sets them apart If you enjoy our conversations, you can find us on all major podcast platforms. Listen for our natural, unscripted discussions that end when our time runs out - sometimes mid-sentence! Send us Fan Mail Support the show
Father and son navigate childhood memories, family dynamics, and philosophical questions in this meandering conversation that reveals surprising vulnerability and humor. • Discussing how dad actually listened to their entire previous podcast episode rather than skipping through it • Reminiscing about broken garage windows, including the time a rock was thrown "on purpose" to miss someone's head • Exploring lunch routines and preferences, from microwaved eggs to grilled cheese sandwiches with croutons • Unpacking an unexpected definition of love as the moment you start "worrying" about another person • Revealing the existence of "The I Hate Ben Club," a childhood organization with secret documents • Attempting to differentiate between charisma and charm while acknowledging limited knowledge on the topic • Sharing insights about microphone techniques and the art of background vocals • Self-aware commentary on podcast culture and the tendency to speak authoritatively on unfamiliar topics Get out there everybody and find people to worry about, because that's what life is all about. Send us Fan Mail Support the show
Ben and Scott explore profound life lessons through everyday experiences, from psychedelic insights at the beach to emergency medical situations in the backcountry. • Ben shares the story of an octopus sticker creatively placed on his laptop • Discussion of how people perceive and interact with psychedelics in different settings • Ben recounts a transformative psilocybin experience while backpacking on the Olympic coast • Detailed story of severely cutting his knee while searching for his girlfriend's phone • Ben describes passing out and the disorienting experience of regaining consciousness • Getting stitches and reflecting on the irony of learning to "let yourself be caught" right before needing help • Conversation about the nature of wisdom and holding paradoxical truths • Exploration of how busyness is often a judgment rather than an objective state • Reflections on motivation, time management, and accepting our limitations Send us Fan Mail Support the show
We explore the peculiar phenomenon of Wi-Fi storms, territorial crow attacks, and the age-old battle against household ant invasions in this wide-ranging conversation about nature's intrusions into daily life. • Discussing the concept of "Wi-Fi storms" where multiple networks experience issues simultaneously • Ben recounts being repeatedly attacked by the same territorial crow while walking through Seattle • Exploring how animals develop unique "idiosyncratic" mating and territorial behaviors • Analyzing a suspicious door-to-door pest control sales pitch and more environmentally friendly alternatives • Reflecting on the contrast between open demonstrators and masked individuals at a peaceful protest • Considering how journaling and reflection can distill complex emotions into meaningful communication Send us Fan Mail Support the show
From AI joke failures to family cabin memories, we traverse the landscape of modern technology while exploring the deeply human experiences that technology can never fully replicate. • AI struggles with humor and poetry despite its impressive language capabilities • The "Waymo sandwich" phenomenon reveals the limitations of self-driving cars in complex social situations • Driving styles across different regions reflect cultural adaptations and collaborative social behavior • The family cabin purchased in 1949/1950 represents generational connections and simpler pleasures • A thermostat malfunction that turned the cabin into a 140-degree sauna created both damage and perfectly toasted marshmallows • Large language models consume disproportionate amounts of energy compared to the human brain • Neural networks should potentially be treated as public utilities similar to libraries • German immigrant ancestors came to Wisconsin after the Civil War, escaping European militarism Send us Fan Mail Support the show
The hosts explore personal growth through physical challenges and reflect on how our true selves emerge in moments of pressure or difficulty. This thoughtful conversation weaves between childhood memories, adventure stories, and philosophical musings about identity and risk-taking. • Discussing the tendency to resist pain medication and whether suffering has value • Reflecting on being labeled a "sad clown" and how our personas evolve over time • Comparing safety cultures between rock climbers and skateboarders • Rock climbing as therapy - revealing character when faced with physical challenges • Sharing a scuba diving adventure at the Great Barrier Reef, including getting separated underwater • Exploring the term "corndog" as both nostalgic fair food and a skateboarder's prank • Reminiscing about childhood state fair experiences and the simple joys of treats and games We hope you enjoyed this wandering conversation. Let us know what physical activities have helped you discover something new about yourself! Send us Fan Mail Support the show
Father and son share a meandering morning conversation over coffee, covering everything from technology limitations and AI energy consumption to cancel culture and Prince's legacy. Their caffeine-fueled discussion weaves through serious topics with humor and philosophical insight, challenging conventional wisdom about pain, learning, and human connection. • The inherent problems with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth stem from engineering disciplines bootstrapped during centralized control systems • ChatGPT and other AI systems consume enormous amounts of energy compared to human cognition • Finding reliable news sources becomes increasingly difficult as publications move behind paywalls • Bill Burr's evolution demonstrates how people can grow beyond problematic comedy when they're willing to reflect and change • Prince's fatal opioid addiction may have stemmed from chronic performance injuries that could have been addressed through physical therapy • Our culture encourages pushing through pain until it becomes debilitating, rather than addressing early warning signs • College experiences differ dramatically across generations, but learning remains about training your neurons to do difficult things until you take pride in the capability Send us Fan Mail Support the show
We explore the revolutionary capabilities of Moises music splitting technology and reflect on how childhood entertainment shapes our adult values and dreams. • neural-net music tools allow musicians to split songs into separate tracks for remixing and practice • Musicians can now transform simple iPhone recordings into balanced, professional-sounding mixes • Being a member of multiple bands creates unique social dynamics in local music communities • Seasonal availability of oranges reflects changes in global food distribution over generations • Entertainment like Disney and Avatar deeply influences our values and psychological development • Uncle Iroh from Avatar represents a rare positive male role model who demonstrates ethical leadership • Video games can infiltrate our dreams, creating experiences similar to classic flying dreams • Finding contentment means reframing imperfections as gifts rather than problems Send us Fan Mail Support the show
Music and creativity aren't just for professionals, but we've been conditioned to "cringe" at amateur performances due to corporate entertainment propaganda. This father-son conversation explores how buried cultural programming restricts our authentic expression and the healing process of breaking free from these limitations. • Unexpected technology moments create bridges between generations, from Photo Booth memories to accidental Zoom close-ups • Photo Booth sessions helped transform siblings from "enemies to best friends" through shared creative expression • SNL's 50th anniversary special revealed the humanity of aging musical legends struggling to warm up their voices • Cultural programming teaches us to repress physical responses to music, limiting authentic expression • Breaking free from "professional-only" creative mindset requires valuing personal joy over others' judgment • Childhood musical experiences were shaped by corporate messaging that designated creativity as exclusively for professionals • Finding creative voice later in life involves recognizing and rejecting artificial constraints • Physical feedback is essential for skill development, whether in drumming or other creative pursuits Send us Fan Mail Support the show
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 11, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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