A rather skeptical look at conspiracies and mysteries. Each episode will examine conspiracy theories, most of which are not true, a few of which might be a little bit true and even a couple that turned out, in fact, to be true. This is the podcast that dares to look behind the curtain that’s behind the curtain.
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A bunch of idiots, drinking and talking about conspiracies.
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Guided by the belief that anyone can learn to become funnier once they understand what to practice, the Funny Muscle Podcast aims to break down how pro comics get their best laughs. Comedian turned author Mike Lukas and cohost Chris Stiffler, an economics professor and open mic-er, use the game plan and concepts outlined in the Funny Muscle Book series to give listeners a better idea of how original (and funny) jokes are crafted.
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Crossnerds is the world's best—er, nerdiest—crossword puzzle podcast. Editors, constructors, solvers, and allies deliver piping-hot takes on the New York Times crossword puzzle and the vast cruciuniverse of wordplay beyond.
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Each week on The Feed @AmberMac and Michael B showcase the latest in the world of technology and social media with their SiriusXM CanadaTalks Channel 167 audience across North America
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The Show is a stream of curated stories from Phoenix, our region and around the country. With the help of reporters and producers around the region and globe we’ll mix the stories and news to keep you up-to-date and entertained.
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Drew has a mysterious, insatiable hunger to produce podcasts. In a show of grand enabling, his friends & acquaintances have sent him any old podcast idea they had knocking around in their heads, and he did them. Here they are!
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100,000 AZ voters are in limbo. They could decide who controls the Legislature
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Republican leaders are siding with the Democratic secretary of state when it comes to the status of 100,000 Arizona voters. Our Friday NewsCap takes on that and the rest of the week’s top stories. Plus, a collective of local flower growers is trying to bring back the market for local stems.
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This former Republican Congressman is fighting back against election conspiracy theories
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Conspiracy theories about rigged elections continue to come up, as voters are set to cast ballots this fall. Why one former Arizona Republican congressman is pushing back on those claims. Plus, why the race for one southern Arizona district is a case study in the Latino vote.
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Progressive patriotism — how the left is taking back the flag
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While it might seem like the right has a claim to patriotism, some liberals are taking back the flag. We’ll talk progressive patriotism and what it means to love your country. Plus, 100,000 Arizona voters’ eligibility is in limbo just as mail-in ballots are set to be sent. That and more on The Show.
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Corporate Gigs and Comedy for the Troops with Nathan Timmel
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Headlining comedian, author, and host of the podcast “Idiots on Parade” Nathan Timmel invades the Funny Muscle Podcast to talk about the current state of comedy, to tell us tricks for doing corporate gigs, and to tell us stories about performing for troops overseas. As always, we get his advice on writing and creating new material for new comics. Y…
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This ER doctor treated people dying from Phoenix heat day after day
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This summer was the hottest on record in the Valley, and heat deaths may set another record. One ER doctor says while they've gotten better at keeping people alive in the heat, more should be done to prevent deaths. And, our Last Resorts series continues, with a look at how a tire and rubber company helped develop the West Valley’s tourism industry…
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ChatGPT Becoming More Human + Changing Reproductive Health
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Amber and Michael discuss the following topics with their guests: changing the narrative around reproductive health and helping patients be in control of their journey; how AI is helping scientists develop new drugs; all the deets on Apple’s latest products including Apple AI; and we look at the issue of right-wing influencers under fire for taking…
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Tax credits for kidney donations raise 'significant' ethical issues
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A proposal in Congress would offer a tax credit for Americans who donate kidneys. We discuss the pros and cons of financial incentives for kidney donation. Plus, there's a new TikTok fashion trend that hits home here in the desert. That and more on The Show.
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How a Phoenix pastor is combating Christian nationalism's influence
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VP nominee Tim Walz and former President Donald Trump both campaigned in Arizona this week. Our Friday NewsCap panelists analyze that and the rest of the week’s top stories. And, why the Phoenix Suns are facing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit from a former employee. That and more on The Show.
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Outgoing Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates is helping train new election workers
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Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates is leaving government at the end of the year, after deciding not to run for reelection. He talks about his new project, and what led him to it. And, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is among those in Arizona no longer posting mug shots online, after a landmark court ruling. That and more on The Show.…
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Mom arrested at Surprise City Council meeting faces a complicated First Amendment case
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A mom from Surprise is suing after being arrested at a city council meeting last month. We break down her case with a first amendment expert. Plus, neo-burlesque performers in the Valley are pushing their craft into the subversive.
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Episode 119 | False-Flag-A-Go-Go (WIW 14) The false flag trick started with naval warfare, but has also been used to initiate wars and to sabotage political opponents. And the conspirasphere uses the idea of the false flag, both in general and specific terms, quite often to justify certain narratives. In that regard, the two most influential are th…
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Arizona has a new logo. What does it mean to brand a state?
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A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling is calling into question the role of federal agencies in interpreting law. We’ll hear how the fall of the so-called Chevron deference could impact health policy. Plus, as Arizona reveals its new logo, we ask: What does it mean to brand a state?
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Apple’s AI-Ready iPhone + Right To Disconnect | TF388
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Amber and Michael discuss the following topics with their guests: a 24-hour approach to taking care of your overall wellbeing; creating a safe environment for kids to learn about AI and the internet; the company that's helping to supercharge cameras in Tesla vehicles; and thoughts on Australia's Right To Disconnect laws. Links to this week's storie…
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This retired judge sentenced a man to 290 years in prison. Now he's working to get him out
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It's rare that prisoners are granted clemency in Arizona. But that's what one former judge is asking for — for someone he sentenced to 290 years in prison. Plus, how cities across the country are starting to deal with extreme heat.
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JD Vance keeps coming to Arizona. Will the Harris campaign keep up?
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JD Vance campaigns in the Valley, while the son of a longtime Arizona Republican politician endorses Kamala Harris. Our Friday NewsCap panelists analyze those and the rest of the week’s top stories. Plus, legendary jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman on how he learned to trust his intuition.
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Kroger-Albertsons merger could be good for prices and competition, supporter says
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Attorney General Kris Mayes is among a group of AGs trying to block the merger between Kroger and Albertsons. We’ll hear why supporters of the deal think it’ll benefit consumers. And, how the state is turning highways into pollinating grounds for butterflies.
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We learn about writing monologue jokes with Ben Alper who has written jokes for several decades and has seen them performed by the likes of Jay Leno and Dave Letterman. We discuss his recently published book: Live from the Beginning of Time: Late Night Comedy Monologues Through the Ages. The book imagines if there were late-night talk show hosts du…
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Fight to keep water in La Paz county has been 'frustrating,' supervisor says
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A New York investment firm has bought thousands of acres in La Paz County — and the water underneath it. We’ll hear from one county official who is worried about where that water will end up. Plus, from enchiladas to ice cream — it’s Hatch chile season in the Southwest.
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How Scottsdale came to be synonymous with resorts
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Ruben Gallego has won the endorsement of an Arizona police union in his race for the U.S. Senate. Why that’s causing some concern among progressives. And, our Last Resorts series continues, with a look at how Scottsdale carved out its niche as a resort city.
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A look back at exploring life in Saguaro Land
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Revisit stories from the Saguaro Land series, exploring life in the Sonoran Desert. Hear from a longtime photographer, find out how an artist makes dye from non-native plants and explore the desert in bloom. That and more on The Show.
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Ignore the polls — Arizona's presidential election will be a barn burner
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A judge heard arguments about whether the case against the so-called fake electors should be dismissed. Our Friday NewsCap panelists analyze that and the rest of the week’s top stories. Plus, a group of RFK Jr. supporters reckons with Kennedy's endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
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New research finds trees do more for climate change than just reducing CO2
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Scientists have long known that trees can be helpful allies in the fight against climate change. New research finds they may be even more beneficial than originally thought. And, our Staying Power series continues with ASU President Michael Crow and his decades of influence on the Valley.
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The Show for Aug. 28, 2024: This openly gay Latter-day Saint still follows the teachings of his church
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A growing number of LGBTQ+ Mormons are speaking out and organizing a conference to support each other. We’ll hear why one of their leading voices has stayed in the church as a gay man. Plus, how zoos went from private menageries to public institutions.
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EPISODE 118 | Public Enemy Antifa Much has been made about Antifa. Is it a concept, socio-political stance, or an organized group? Do they oppose oppression by any means necessary, or are they simply hooligans who want to break things? Or, as Trump and others in the Maga mirror world have suggested, are they the quasi-military arm of some insidious…
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Sheriffs say they can’t enforce Secure the Border Act without funding
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The Secure the Border Act will go to voters in November — asking to let local officers carry out federal immigration law. We’ll hear how one border sheriff plans to enforce it. Plus, in the next installment of our Last Resorts series, the surprising stretch of Phoenix roadway that was once the place to stay.…
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Both Trump and Harris want to eliminate taxes on tips. This tax law expert thinks it's bad policy
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Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are proposing to do away with taxes on the tips workers earn. One tax expert thinks that’s a bad idea. Plus, taking on Shakespeare — and celebrating him — in the borderlands.
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New AI Features on Android + Powering Device via Kinetic Energy | TF387
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Amber and Michael discuss the following topics with their guests: looking at new tech for the start of school; cargo ships storing CO2 in the ocean; powering devices with kinetic energy; and getting the latest smart and savvy tech gear for students from Marc Saltzman. Links to this week's stories and discussion: [08:09] The Latest Tech For School […
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Mike's first set in 10 years and Book 3 Flexing Your Funny Muscle
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On the same week that Mike released the third book in the Funny Muscle series, he did something he hasn’t done in 10 years: he strolled on stage and performed a 5-minute set. We talk all about it in this episode. We also dust off the Humor Blueprint to diagram a few pro comics’ bits to give the listener practice identifying joke structure, humor he…
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EPISODE 117 | Stay Awake – The Wokeness Issue In a classic example of the weird mirror world days we are currently moving through, a term used by Black people to mean one thing has been turned by opportunists into something totally different. So, let's look at the origin of the term "woke", how it's been used, African-American Vernacular English (A…
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Comedian, Director of the Chicago Comedy Festival, and former General Manager of Zanies Comedy Club in Rosemont, Dan Carlson, stops by the Funny Muscle Podcast. Dan teaches us how to capture a booker’s attention in the first minute of a set, how the finances between the comic and club work, and when to know if you are ready to jump from opener to m…
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EPISODE 116 | High(er) Strangeness w/Eric Bickernicks Guest: Eric Bickernicks, writer, author of High Strangeness and Higher Strangeness What does a guy who's made novelty songs, short comedy videos, an indie film for $32k, kettle corn aplenty, and a novel about art theft do next? If he's Eric Bickernicks, he writes two books about UFOs, hoaxes, al…
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Will TikTok Memes Equal More Votes + New Tech for Women’s Health | TF386
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Amber and Michael discuss the following topics with their guests: how AI and solar are helping farmers get better data; a fem tech company on a mission to reduce pain; a metal 3D printing company working in space; and why we need better communicators in the fight for democracy. Links to this week's stories and discussion: [09:01] Farmblox: farmblox…
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An Academic Look at Why Things are Funny: Benign Violation Theory with Dr. Caleb Warren
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Dr. Caleb Warren joins the podcast to give Mike and Chris an academic and research-based look at why things are funny using a framework known as the “Benign Violation Theory.” Dr. Warren is a professor in the Marketing Department at the University of Arizona and one of the authors of a paper called “Benign violations: Making immoral behavior funny.…
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The Comic and Booker's Advice with Steph Clark
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We chat with comedian Steph Clark who is also the owner of Funny Girl Events. So, we get advice from a comic's perspective as well as a booker. We learn some dos and don'ts of impressing a comedy booker, what it's like to be married to a comedian, and regional differences in comedy as Steph performs frequently in the LA area and the Midwest.…
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Scammers Embrace Voice Cloning + How Conspiracy Theories Will Influence The Future of News | TF385
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Amber and Michael discuss the following topics with their guests: how a panel of grandmothers chose the best sustainable tech; 10 ways scammers are trying to clone your voice to win big; a new social media space for Gen Z; and an Apple Watch that spent a year lost at sea. Links to this week's stories and discussion: [08:43] Parinaz Pakniat: pakvill…
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EPISODE 115 | Cuckoo Coups in the U.S. Alarmist rhetoric has been used multiple times in America’s past with the express intent of fomenting a rebellion or even a coup. The game is to create a sense of urgency in the hopes that enough people will commit to extreme actions, so you can get what you want (which is power). According to Wikipedia, there…
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A Russian Bot Farm Goes Down + Betting Big On OpenAI | TF384
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Amber and Michael discuss the following topics with their guests: a new app made just for kids on campus; what you need to know about setting up your family with Uber rides; a start-up that is making video dubbing a cinch thanks to A.I.; and America’s oldest magazine is betting big on OpenAI. Links to this week's stories and discussion: [09:11] Ted…
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Restarting Stand-up; Copywriting and Comedy with Kevin Rogers
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New comics will appreciate the advice from touring comedian Kevin Rogers, who took 12 years off to build a family and business, who then had to turn his comedy creation machine back on to create 20 minutes of new material in a new generation with a whole new comedy lens. Kevin Rogers is a comedian, business guru, and author who helps businesses wri…
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Improv in Acting with Dan Bakkedahl (aka Congressman Roger Furlong)
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Actor and improvisational comedian Dan Bakkedahl stops by the podcast to chat about acting, improv, auditioning for roles, starting out in Chicago, and heightening comedy scenes. Dan is known for his role on the sitcom Life in Pieces, as Congressman Roger Furlong on the series VEEP, and as Steven Nugent in the series Legit. He also worked as a corr…
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All Your Base Are Belong to Us – U.S. Military Installations
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EPISODE 114 | All Your Base Are Belong to Us – U.S. Military Installations The United States spends more on their military than the next nine countries combined. With around 450 bases (or maybe 500 or maybe 750 or maybe 800 or even more) operating more than 111,000 installations in 80 or more countries, there’s a lot to keep track of. In fact, no o…
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Warning Labels for Social Media + AI Help With Your Inbox | TF383
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Amber and Michael discuss the following topics with their guests: keeping your digital assets safe after you’re gone; everything you need to know about Apple Intelligence; an AI-powered email app that helps you fly through your inbox; and the latest tech for seniors aging in place. Links to this week's stories and discussion: [08:06] Michael Okoye:…
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Developing bits, Doing the small things, and Dry Bar Specials with "The Dented Can" Dobie Maxwell
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Stopping by the Funny Muscle Podcast is “The Dented Can” Dobie Maxwell. He is a comedian, actor, radio personality, comedy instructor, comedy writer and author. His passion for comedy and mentoring is quickly apparent. We chat about how he earned his set on the Late Late Show, his comedy lens, joke development, his recent Dry Bar Special, and doing…
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Power Is Power: The Vulnerable Electrical Grid
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EPISODE 113 | Power Is Power: The Vulnerable Electrical Grid Guest: Chris Underwood, author of the The Cold Winter series Our digital age needs electricity more than anything else. But what would happen is part of the power grid went down during one of the worst winter storms in history? That's the premise of Chris Underwood's thriller series The C…
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Chatting with the "Bad" Boy of Comedy: Tom Clark
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The "Bad" Boy of Comedy from Wisconsin Tom Clark joins the Funny Muscle Podcast to talk about: * What’s it like to do a set on Conan *Tips of doing clean comedy (especially in Utah) *How he added vulnerability to his comedy persona *Advice he learned from doing New Faces in the Montreal Comedy Festival Tom has appeared on Conan, Netflix, Comedy Cen…
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A comedian starts a joke by making an interesting assertion. The audience wonders, “How will they ever prove that to us with their unique take?" Mike and Chris talk about the tactics to make that happen as they break down some pro comic bits and teach how to write jokes with "premise intrigue." Like play-by-play sports analysts, they also freeze fr…
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EPISODE 112 | GESARA & the Red Caesar What do proposed economic reforms, the idea of a post-constitutional American dictator and Christian Nationalism have in common? Donald Trump, for starters - at least for some people. Scammers and grifters of all stripes find common ground with would-be authoritarians in a weird confluence of conspiracy narrati…
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Meta AI Trains On Your Data + A Clean(er) Economy | TF382
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Amber and Michael discuss the following topics with their guests: how AI can help make building safer; new tech and a much-needed clean economy; how to sell secondhand stuff; and why airplane turbulence is getting worse. Links to this week's stories and discussion: [08:39] Peter Evans: xtractone.com [18:26] App-tastic [25:56] Nicholas Parker: clean…
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In the Writers Room at Key and Peele: Chatting with Rich Talarico
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I spill my drink, and my friend says, “Ya done messed up Ay-Ay-Ron!” My friend is quoting the viral Key and Peele sketch: The Substitute Teacher. In this episode of the Funny Muscle Podcast, we got to chat with the writer who came up with that sketch: Rich Talarico. He’s a Peabody Award-winning writer/producer with four Emmy and four WGA Award nomi…
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London Drugs Refuses Hacker Ransom + Robotic Super Limbs in Space | TF381
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Amber and Michael discuss the following topics with their guests: why some of the world’s top tech companies are setting their eyes on the future of education; how robotic super limbs can help astronauts; why Microsoft’s new recall feature might be a wee bit scary; and how putting away your phone during weddings this summer may be the new norm. Lin…
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EPISODE 111 | Us vs. Them: Antisemitism Goes to School Guest: Scott Shay, president of Chai Mitzvah and author of Conspiracy U Hamas forces swept into Israel on October 7, 2023, committing atrocities and taking hostages. Literally the next day, American student groups were blaming Israel. Protests on campuses began to multiply and today the situati…
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