Do you enjoy a good story, with a side of observation? Join host Mike Hanks as he shares stories about the interesting world around him. His goal is to share a story so compelling that you Can't Turn It Off.
…
continue reading
Touching is good! That's what we do best, keeping you in Touch! with Nintendo with an hour of pack back to back news
…
continue reading
This time around, we turn back the clock to either 2006 or 2002, depending upon your perspective, as we look at a television series that never aired on network TV, despite seven intentions for it to do so. And just as important, the host commemorates the career of a retiring game show host.
…
continue reading
Season 7 of the podcast is underway. The format is a bit different than past seasons, and the host is still learning how to cram 10 pounds of podcast into a five-pound sack. The podcast team will smooth out the edges soon enough. In the meantime, enjoy a visit to a mostly forgotten piece of history and buy a ticket to a WNBA game.…
…
continue reading
This is it, the long-awaited end of the longest season of Can't Turn it Off. After a few minutes of chat between the host and Brad Farrell, two nerds who love a forgotten, short-lived '80s sitcom starring Jason Bateman, the host closes out the season with a monologue sharing a footnote from his life.…
…
continue reading
Another holiday season is upon us, and in the spirit of the holidays, the host will share fond memories of a game show legend who passed away not so long ago, and would have turned 100 years old this month. And then it's onto new content with past guests. In this case, we revisit our conversations with two gentlemen who have spent a fair amount of …
…
continue reading
What better way to close out the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States than with a monologue from the host of the podcast, sending out sincere thanks to a variety of folks. And to top it off, enjoy more colorful conversation with a season 6 guest who will favor us with a few of his impressions of people you probably don't know.…
…
continue reading
The end of season 6 is underway, a season delayed thanks to both striking writers and actors. But the team perseveres, and this week we bring you bonus content from two women who were featured during season 6. You’ll hear from them after you hear the host boast and brag. And stumble once or twice. His mouth can’t keep up with his brain. There’s a s…
…
continue reading
Not long ago, the podcast featured Erin Dietrich, a Minnesota woman who had a unique experience. The podcast is on its hiatus, so that means more from Erin, right? Not exactly, but we will learn more about her adventure as the hiatus begins. And we learn about it after we find out why the host thinks too many viewers of TV's Wheel of Fortune are ri…
…
continue reading
A Minnesota woman and her husband accomplished something few people do. She recalls their adventure after the producer tries to figure out what they did. Confused? You won't be after the next episode of Can't Turn it Off.
…
continue reading
Plenty of people switch careers during their life, and our guest is one of them. Radio broadcasting today is far different than it was in the 1980s, and Phil Huston was part of that '80s scene, working for two prominent Minneapolis pop music stations. He reminisces about those days with the podcast host, who use to listen to Phil on WLOL way back w…
…
continue reading
Is this a Jeopardy podcast!? No, it's not, but this is the fourth time the host has interviewed a Jeopardy! contestant. in our season of celebrating Minnesota, where this podcast originates, we chat with a recent Jeopardy champion who didn't grow up here, but is investing part of her Jeopardy! winnings in a very Minnesota way.…
…
continue reading
It has been more than a year since our last chat with the podcast's annual guest, and the latest conversation goes off the rails a bit, but it was a lot of fun for both parties. A lot has changed since we last talked with Izzy, and this episode is very different from every interview we've ever done with the rock and roll prodigal son from Minnesota…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
074 - Strange Days Indeed Vol. 6 — Halloween
52:34
52:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:34
As children across the United States, and presumably elsewhere around the world, prepare for an evening of trick-or-treating, the host recalls his modest childhood fascination with the wacky world of haunted houses, and his adult experiences with the many entities that have haunted the greater Minneapolis area for the past 25 years. He'll ask quest…
…
continue reading
It's 2022, and a Minnesota man dedicates a lot of time and effort to his blog, which focuses on two unrelated subjects. It's the latter of the two that has entertained the Can't Turn it Off host in recent years. And if you've ever reminisced about yesteryear in the town or city where you grew up, you'd be lucky to have your own version of Aaron Wal…
…
continue reading
The hiatus is over and the host returns with an interview featuring his new favorite radio show host. Yes, it's a radio show, not a podcast, but you don't have to dust off the old boom box to dial up the correct FM frequency, of course. You'll learn more than you ever imagined about the music of yesteryear, and how to hear it, during our interview …
…
continue reading
The host has been following a Minneapolis-based photographer for about a year. In this episode of the podcast, he learns about the inspiration, methods and process involved in capturing her distinct, memorable images. And he does so without ever asking about the photography equipment she employs. Following the interview, the host finally explains w…
…
continue reading
The host welcomes his colleague, a longtime high school sports reporter, to the podcast. Yes, the colleague has many stories he could tell about his five decades covering boys and girls high school soccer, basketball and hockey. But those aren't the stories the host is most interested in.
…
continue reading
Season 6 of the podcast begins with a deep dive into that failed 1980s sitcom the host never forgot, and talked about in episode 68. The host isn't the only person who remembers the show fondly, the foremost authority on the show joins the podcast to discuss the sometimes-brilliant sitcom known as "It's Your Move." That discussion follows the first…
…
continue reading
It's the season finale, really. Unless it's not. It's time to move forward with season 6, but not before a brief visit with our buddy Izzy Presley, who surprised the host with a recent Twitter revelation. But first, the host gets overly excited about a TV show you've never heard of, and spends too much time telling you about a chance encounter in L…
…
continue reading
As the hiatus nears its conclusion, this episode features a new story from season 5 guest Jeff Walker, who reminisces about his first trip to Vegas. Following Jeff, the host shares a few tidbits about past guests.
…
continue reading
After a holiday hiatus following the close of season 5, the host returns with something you've never heard him do in any previous episode of the podcast. But first, it's story time. The host recalls his unexpected Halloween evening, spent in Las Vegas.
…
continue reading
The podcast has had a longstanding invitation to take the show on the road, specifically to Bloomington, Minnesota, for a comic book show. As a podcast that has occasionally called upon the world of comic books for source material, it seemed like a logical destination. Don't read comic books? It shouldn't matter. We talked about things even we didn…
…
continue reading
You never know what the podcast's annual guest is up to in Hollyweird, unless you follow him on a social media platform via @realizzypresley. This year's chat includes discussion of a new gig our buddy has landed. And we close with the story of a very Izzy road trip.
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
063 – Strange Days Indeed Vol. 5 — Las Vegas
43:41
43:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:41
The Las Vegas version of Strange Days Indeed introduces us to characters whose peculiar actions leave the host wondering what the story was behind those moments when strangers crossed paths. The host's interactions, direct and indirect, raise questions that may never be answered, and most likely will not be forgotten.…
…
continue reading
What do Free Blockbuster, Jeopardy!, a baby named Robbie and a possible drug addict in Las Vegas have to do with each other? Even the host would admit, not a thing.
…
continue reading
Jimi and Alison Nguyen are Minnesota's first ambassadors of the Free Blockbuster movement. They'll explain what it is and why they're a part of it. If you remember anything about the once mighty Blockbuster video rental chain, you'll enjoy hearing about how they're making Free Blockbuster happen in 2021.…
…
continue reading
This season’s second interview occurred while the host and producer were in Las Vegas earlier this month. You don't need to know anything about Sam Novak, or care about what he does, in order to enjoy our interview with him. Thoughtful and articulate only scratch the surface. This man should have his own podcast.…
…
continue reading
This season's first interview features a Canadian who affirms what the host knows, and doesn't know, about his neighbors to the north. And we learn a few things about how the state of Canadian radio is similar to its U.S. counterpart in 2021. The host concludes the podcast with his opening monologue, which seems appropriate for this episode.…
…
continue reading
Here comes another story the host is surprised he hadn't heard until recently. Elmer Sherwin won a lot of money in 1989, but that's not what makes his story so fascinating. His story, and an unrelated tale of woe, follow an addendum to episode 57, and the story of another of the host's once-lost friends. But wait, there's more! You get all the afor…
…
continue reading
It's not the music of Carl Ferris that intrigues the podcast host, it's how and why he performs it, nightly, for thousands of people. Carl's story follows recollections of how the host met, and reconnected with, one of his friends.
…
continue reading
Season 5 of the podcast begins with a long, sorted tale from the host's past, inspired by the recent misadventures of his friend. From there, it's a tribute to the Las Vegas showgirl, including a former showgirl whose story the host had never heard until a few months ago.
…
continue reading
Two factors changed plans for the final spectacular of season 4. The end result still includes a visit with a past guest, but it also includes a tribute to a game show host who died earlier this season.
…
continue reading
The hiatus continues, and this spectacular offers a fun fact, a major announcement, new questions for a past guest and a Halloween nod to Highrise Joe.
…
continue reading
It's a little of this, and a little of that as the season 4 bonus content begins. You'll hear new content from perennial guest Izzy Presley, learn about a new, convenient discovery the host has made involving Highrise Joe, (the subject of episode 45,) and enjoy the host and producer's modern day homage to Joe. As usual, Izzy's comments may not be a…
…
continue reading
It's the season 4 finale, and the host is lazy, so he glosses over the history of a French woman who lived longer than you will. But not before he revisits his recent trip to Bayfield, Wisconsin, and shares a tidbit he has since learned about his beloved Madeline Island. And what does Vanna White have to do with any of it?…
…
continue reading
Hundreds of people appear as contestants on TV's "Jeopardy!" every year. So why was Meggie Kwait's appearance so memorable? The host will explain as he learns many fascinating details about her road to, and appearance on, the game show.
…
continue reading
In this episode, the host shares his fascination with island living, based upon a short vacation getaway to Wisconsin. And then he reminisces about a lost weekend to that same vacation destination, 29 years ago.
…
continue reading
The host has a personal connection to a woman he has never met, and he discusses her complex story in this episode of the podcast. And how does a woman from Texas, whom neither the host nor April have met, figure into April's story? To read more about April, visit bit.ly/aprilpease.
…
continue reading
The podcast's only annual guest returns for season 4 and discusses how current events are affecting him and those who live and work in Hollyweird.
…
continue reading
A Nevada adventurer who likes to explore the desert outside of her Las Vegas home may surprise you with a story or two from her past.
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
046 – Strange Days Indeed Vol. 3 -- Minnesota State Fair
1:09:14
1:09:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:14
It's time for the host's annual recollections of assorted chapters of his life. This collection of stories revolves around the Great Minnesota Get Together (TM), culminating with memories of Aug. 27, 1993.
…
continue reading
The host remembers a man he never met, but talked to more than once. What made Highrise Joe so quirky and unique? The host will explore that, after discussing how a once valuable commodity lost its luster.
…
continue reading
…
continue reading
…
continue reading
…
continue reading
A truly spectacular hiatus!
…
continue reading
It's a spectacular like you've never heard before.
…
continue reading
The podcast's only recurring guest returns for the third consecutive season, and this time it's for the season finale. Izzy Presley is back to share stories about life in Hollyweird and what he's working on next, including a couple of things he hasn't talked much about prior to this episode, recorded Aug. 4, 2019, and streamed live on YouTube.…
…
continue reading
You don’t have to be a fan of the “Back to the Future” films to appreciate the dedication a Minnesota man has to celebrating the beloved movie franchise. But you will want to check out a few pictures of his dedication at our Facebook page: facebook.com/cantturnitoff
…
continue reading
It’s an annual theme, and it’s making a second appearance this season in recognition of a 30-year tradition the host participates in each spring. Those memories will follow two unrelated tales that have nothin’ to do with anything.
…
continue reading
This episode looks at the life of a masterful guitarist and songwriter whose career took an unexpected turn nearly three decades ago. His story follows an anecdote about a recent incident in the life of the host. It's an anecdote that has nothin' to do with anything.
…
continue reading