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We're Liz & Jen, two Kansas gals navigating the Pacific Northwest with our midwestern (and sometimes, not-so-midwestern) sensibilities. We're here to tell you our Midwest AF perspectives and observations about all the fun and oddities that come our way. Join this podcast for quirky conversations and observational comedy about the weird things happening in and around our current home in Portland, Oregon.
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Join gal pals and standup comedians Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert as they talk about their late starts to comedy, pop culture, overcoming bed wetting, and much more. Originally from the Bay Area, Mandy Simonson is a Portland-based comedian whose older brothers’ childhood tormenting left her with thick skin and a sharp wit. She began stand-up mostly to escape the suburbs and prove she can stay up past 9 PM — then it turned out she was onto something, parlaying that into a residency at NYC’s ...
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Whew, finally! Episode 16 is here, and we're talking about patience. Hosts Lisa and Mandy bond over not having any — from the agony they feel when enduring the monotony of everyday tasks, to the frustration caused by slow talkers. They joyfully speak over each other about interrupting and being fast processors. Hurry and hit play, because these gal…
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The gal pals wade into the deep end on this episode! While Mandy grew up around water, Lisa's fear of H2O has her saying, "H2-no." Hear about Lisa's disdain for putting her face in a pool or shower, Mandy's relative youth in water aerobics class, and the hosts' shared love for water-based vacation activities. As the conversation flows, find out how…
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On this episode, Lisa and Mandy talk out of turn about gender roles. The gal pals mull over what makes something "feminine" or "masculine," which rites of passage are celebrated by men and not women, and what it means for men to be emasculated. Then they swing back to focusing on the important stuff—women! They discuss how some women can be "conser…
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Hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert tell the truth about lying. Lisa reminisces about her fourth-grade fact-fudging to her mom. Mandy shares how her daughter learned early on that fibbing to parents who investigate crimes wasn't going to work. The two discuss politely turning down invitations, embellishing details in comedy, and not being transpa…
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On Episode 12, gal pals Lisa and Mandy talk about have-to-dos. They discuss social norms, traditions, and platitudes. Also, DOES everything happen for a reason? They ponder whether or not one should offer to clean up after a dinner party at a friend’s house (Mandy is a better person, turns out) and not being obligated to say “Bless you” after someo…
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In this cheeky episode, hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert talk about butts. They diagnose Mandy’s flat fanny affliction, and they talk through life’s biggest challenges, like keeping your underwear up, dating with a tiny tushy, and how to comfortably ride a bicycle. They also cover butthole bleaching, the importance of good couch cushions, and …
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Episode 10 is here, and hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert are humbled people are listening. And that tracks, because today they are talking about humility! They discuss what humility actually is, why it’s valued, and whether it’s even possible to be humble in this age of status updates and self-promotion. From positive self-talk to deflecting c…
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Bosom buddies Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert talk about the topic of ta-tas! They discuss having 'em and not having 'em — from puberty to breast cancer, reconstructive surgery, and everything in between. They dig into ideas about being sexualized, wearing cozy clothes, and helping daughters navigate the world with globes of their own. ---- Links: …
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Fire up those fidget spinners for this episode, folks! Hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert try to focus on the topic of ADHD. They bounce around ideas about laziness, fast and slow processing, and setting multiple alarms. One of the gal pals teaches the other about the significance of duckies on desks, and they muse about the delights of this "di…
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Hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert dig into the topic of plants. They discuss getting them as gifts and struggling to keep them alive. They also ponder the need to have anything “south-facing” and the challenges involved in caring for pet rats, a ferret and an acrobatic fish. ---- Links: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latetoth…
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Hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert discuss safety! Get their insights into seating position in restaurants, avoid conversations with strangers, and apprehending peepers. That's right: peepers. Plus, find out the hosts’ favorite ice cream flavors. (Lisa likes it basic. Mandy wants nuts in her sundae.) ---- Links: Follow us on Instagram: https://w…
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Hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert discuss *not really* being late to the game at setting boundaries. Their discussion includes turning down invitations, people pleasing and resentment, and *not* talking about politics with friends and family. Plus, get a quick update on Lisa’s facial blindness, and hear Mandy and Lisa draw a line in the sand ov…
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Hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert discuss being late to the game (aka, super not great at) keeping secrets. Their discussion includes impatience with gifts, “redistributing” food from buffets, the difference between walking and hiking, and more! ---- Links: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latetothegamepod/?hl=en Lisa on Instag…
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Hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert discuss facial blindness. They also talk about having scripts for tough questions, plus lookalikes, super recognizers, and Matt Damon’s height! ---- Links: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latetothegamepod/?hl=en Lisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisarimmy/?hl=en Mandy on Instagram: …
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Hosts Mandy Simonson and Lisa Rimmert discuss bedwetting as kids. Their conversation includes shame and shamelessness, middle school friendships, and a medieval contraption called the “wee alert.” They also *go deep* into a dialogue about colonoscopies. ---- Links: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latetothegamepod/?hl=en Lisa on In…
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In this inaugural episode of Late to the Game, hosts Mandy and Lisa discuss being late to the game on doing comedy. They also introduce the pod, themselves, and their acquaint—er, friendship.By lisarimmert
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What are you favorite Midwestern holiday traditions? And what holiday traditions are specifically Midwestern? In this festive episode of Midwest AF, hosts Liz and Jen take you on a nostalgic sleigh ride through the holiday traditions of the heartland. Okay, that's a little overdramatic. Mostly, we talk about food. But we do share out favorite Midwe…
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When you realize just how Midwest AF you really are
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Do you nod and smile when you pass someone on the street? Are you offended if they don't smile back? Do you stop to let someone through when you can sense them walking up behind you, or do you keep hogging the sidewalk? How about telling everyone you come across about the new item you just purchased at a THRILLING, discounted price? And what about …
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Our night at the "Horrors of Capitalism" drag show
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The latest event Liz found on a billboard is something we definitely wouldn't have found in our Midwest neighborhoods: The Horrors of Capitalism Drag Show. Listen in to hear details about this wild and educational night put on by the Democratic Socialists of America, and how Jen somehow did not realize this was a political-leaning event until she a…
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Liz is at it again, but this time – on shrooms. Hear as she tells the story of her wild mushroom adventure, and how her alter ego "Party Liz" showed up to a pretty mild afternoon and took her experience to a whole new level. Did she make it home by the time she'd promised her wife, or did Party Liz get in the way of her motherly duties? Will she ev…
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Bodies, rats, drag queens, naked people, and Romy & Michelle: this two-wheeled adventure has it all. In this episode, Liz and Jen recount two bicycling events they attended in Portland this summer, and all of the unique experiences they had – including a few brushes with death. These particular adventures (and misadventures) offered many views our …
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In this episode, Liz and Jen offer their Midwestern perspectives on their Portlandian summertime happenings, which were far different than anything they experienced in Kansas. Listen in as Liz recaps how she expertly executed her plan to have a “Hot Portland Summer” before her son was born in July, and how Jen sometimes came along for the ride. Fro…
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An enchanting evening at The Witch's Ball
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Hold onto your broomsticks and prepare for an enchanting story like no other! Join Liz and Jen as they recount their intriguing evening venturing into the mystical world of witch culture. What will the two witness through their curious Midwestern eyes? Listen to the episode to meet the intriguing cast of characters, including a real-life warlock, a…
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Liz went to a sex club. That's probably all we need to say about this episode. But also - do sex clubs exist in the Midwest? They probably do, but we certainly never heard about them. It always seemed to us like the kind of thing that only happens in New York City and Amsterdam. Yet, in this episode, Liz finds herself recounting that one time she w…
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Standup comedy is difficult enough — imagine delivering it with hallucinogens in your system. In this episode, Liz and Jen discuss one of their most Portlandian experiences yet: the time they went to see comedians attempt to deliver their regular comedic sets after taking magic mushrooms. Jen found this event in the way most amazing things are foun…
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In their first episode, Liz and Jen share a little bit about who they are and why they created this podcast. Then, they recount a very unique experience they had at a Portland steakhouse staple, called Acropolis Steakhouse. Acropolis is a very unique establishment in that is was ranked as one of the best places to take your Valentine's date for a s…
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Welcome to Midwest AF! We’re two gals living in Portland, Oregon, who are navigating the Pacific Northwest with our Midwestern (and sometimes, not-so-Midwestern) sensibilities. We're Liz and Jen, and we both grew up in the same city, went to the same Catholic school, and were roomies in college. After college, Jen married her high school boyfriend …
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