Fill Me In

Latest Episodes:

Fill Me In #547: It started to arrive late, and continued to get progressively later the more it arrived. Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian announce the constructor slate for Lollapuzzoola! The tournament happens on Saturday, August 15, and while the NYC venue is sold out, there's both a waiting list and a way to just order the puzzles for home solving. Otherwise the show includes solfege, Cooper cheese, Tarik Skubal, FMI's alleged ranking among comedy podcasts in Hong Kong, and the latest Anti-Match Quiz from Scott Weiss.

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Do you enjoy our show? Actually, it doesn't matter! Please consider leaving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. This will help new listeners find our show, and you'll be inducted into the Quintuple Decker Turkey Club.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Fill Me In #546: The younger the kid, the longer the trip. Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

This week, Brian tortures Ryan with a Frozen-themed Kealoa, yet Ryan's attempt to retaliate turns out to not be quite so evil. That, plus baseball, vacation plans, and a new online crossword game with a twist. Lollapuzzoola tickets are running low, so visit bemoresmarter.com to sign up!

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Fill Me In #545: Botulism of the podcast. Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian discuss canning, time travel, and begin the countdown to Lollapuzzoola (coming up on Saturday, August 15, which is a Saturday in August). Visit bemoresmarter.com for tickets and information!

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Fill Me In #544: More of a mess than a pleasure. Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

This week, Brian is in Maine, and Ryan is about to perform the fabled Reverse Hecht, whatever that means. There's also a deep dive into the wonderful world of Kealoa, including Kealoa Reference, a new website from Eric Peterson! Goooooo, Max Muncy!

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Fill Me In #543: What's a goldfish? Or why did I say it? Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian try again to understand the ides, to pronounce things in Greek, and to offer more crossword content than food content -- and likely fail at all three. Also, between recording and releasing, it was confirmed that Brian was not, in fact, going to prepare steaks.

Stuff to click:

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Fill Me In #542: Stethoscope. Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian consider the pros and cons of watching "Elsbeth," call into question the value of 128th notes in music, and finally finish the Learned League cryptic clues they started about a month ago. This show was recorded on the Ides of June, so anything that comes out wrong can be blamed on ... something.

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Fill Me In #541: Never once have I touched a niblick. Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Ryan is off losing money in Las Vegas, so we all chanted "Barnacle! Barnacle! Barnacle!" -- and lo and behold, Ben Zimmer appeared in the studio to regale everyone with tales of the Scripps National Spelling Bee! That, plus jealousy of the British, misery around baseball, and even discussion of some crosswords.

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Fill Me In #540: It wasn't as big as it was assumed to be. May 26, 2026

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian celebrate the Marx Brothers, Van Halen, and mediocre cryptic clues, all at varying levels of ... celebration. Consider participating in the upcoming NPL Convention and/or Scott Weiss's newest Anti-Match Quiz.

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Fill Me In #539: Maybe it's fun to count to B. May 19, 2026

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian continue their efforts to understand unusual math, this time courtesy of the Dozenal Society. Other topics include the Minute Cryptic, Les Miserables (but not really digging into Musical Theater analysis, sorry), and whether your streak stories are "interesting."

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Fill Me In #538: If you ever do that again, we're through. May 12, 2026

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian try to understand sexagesimal counting, take a crack at some cryptic crossword clues, and say the number five in a way they haven't said it in over two years. Also, check out the new charity pack of crosswords, Midis for Minnesota.

If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

Drop us a note or a DM or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you.

Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Instagram / Bluesky

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected