Ep. 618: "The Bishop of the Past"

The Problem: John didn’t make it this far because there was any plan.

(Recorded on Monday, March 9, 2026.)

---

[MP3] Ep. 618: "The Bishop of the Past"

Ep. 617: "Sandy Pockets"

The Problem: By the time the world comes around, you’re not in charge of it anymore.

(Recorded on Monday, March 2, 2026.)

---

[MP3] Ep. 617: "Sandy Pockets"

Ep. 616: "Accruing Crust"

The Problem: You can’t assign specialness.

(Recorded on Monday, February 23, 2026.)

---

[MP3] Ep. 616: "Accruing Crust"

Ep. 615: "Number One Madam"

The Problem: We were slender then.

(Recorded on Monday, February 16, 2026.)

---

Links

• “Against the Wind” — Bob Seger (1980) — “What to leave in? What to leave out?”
• Dave Nanian — Mastodon post about his original ’81 copy — the friend who sparked the dB’s conversation
• The dBs — “Black and White” (Repercussion, 1982)
• Don Dixon — “Girls L.T.D.” — solo track from the guy who co-produced early R.E.M.
• Sneakers (band, ~1975) — early NC power pop band featuring Dixon, Easter, and Stamey before they were famous
• Movies with Mikey — “But, did you knowwww?”
• Richard Hugo — “Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg”
• Candide — Voltaire (1759) — third episode running where Merlin has mentioned Cunegonde
• Claudine Longet — French singer who shot Olympic skier Spider Sabich; married to Andy Williams
• “Spicks and Specks” — Bee Gees (1966) — Merlin: “one of the purest pop songs ever written”
• “You Give a Little Love” — These crazy kids and their pies. From Bugsy Malone (1976)
• Marshall Brodien’s TV Magic Cards — Merlin bought his trick cards at Walgreens
• Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) — Roderick cites Cameron Crowe on the film’s tragic subtext about being pressured to lose virginity
• Groundhog Day (1993) — “what a fucking great movie”; Ned Ryerson as “one of the all time great character actor appearances”
• Nut Tree (Vacaville, CA) — roadside attraction with amusement park and small airport; Roderick and his dad flew there in a small plane

---

[MP3] Ep. 615: "Number One Madam"

Ep. 614: "Velour Cannon"

The Problem: cats are not afraid to send a message.

(Recorded on Monday, February 9, 2026.)

---

[MP3] Ep. 614: "Velour Cannon"

Ep. 613: "Patella Screws"

The Problem: John took an impact

(Recorded on Monday, February 2, 2026.)

---

[MP3] Ep. 613: "Patella Screws"

Ep. 612: "Regular Doors"

The Problem: John had to enter the order portal.

(Recorded on Monday, January 26, 2026.)

---

[MP3] Ep. 612: "Regular Doors"

Ep. 611: "Integrity Olympics"

The Problem: John doesn’t see an apple.

(Recorded on Monday, January 19, 2026.)

---

[MP3] Ep. 611: "Integrity Olympics"

Ep. 610: "The Wrong Side of Capitalism"

The Problem: They just want you mad.

(Recorded on Monday, January 12, 2026.)

---

[MP3] Ep. 610: "The Wrong Side of Capitalism"

Ep. 609: "A Mule with a Checkbook"

The Problem: His family was run on guilt.

(Recorded on Monday, January 5, 2026.)

---

[MP3] Ep. 609: "A Mule with a Checkbook"