Fill Me In

Latest Episodes:

Fill Me In #337: Ryan Hecht is a disappointing experience. Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian visit the spa, compare chicken fingers, and throw down some serious pi knowledge (not really). All that plus a contest crossword at https://bit.ly/fmi336con

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

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Helpful links:

Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

We're putting these words here to help with search engine optimization. We don't think it will work, but you probably haven't read this far, so it doesn't matter: baseball, crossword, crosswords, etymology, game, hunt, movies, musicals, mystery, oscar, pizza, puzzle, puzzles, soup, trivia, words

Fill Me In #336: Today's episode is dedicated to Harold T. Bers. Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian cover the diverse topics of hot sauce, #enigmarch, solving streaks, and a bit about a crossword constructor from the 1950s. All that plus a new contest crossword at https://bit.ly/fmi336con

Other stuff to click:

These Puzzles Fund Abortion Too, a fundraiser + crossword set
Scott Weiss's Anti-Match Quiz results
Patrick Berry's A-Frame Games

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

Drop us a note or a Tweet 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
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #335: I had a phone call with a yegg once. Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian are joined in the studio by the illustrious Rachel Fabi! And it's not just an interview - she's here for the whole show! Rachel is the co-host of Just Gridding (both the blog and Twitch stream), columnist at Wordplay, and co-editor of These Puzzles Fund Abortion Too, a brand new set of puzzles available as part of The National Abortion Access Fund-a-Thon. And if you want even more Rachel Fabi, follow her on Twitter.

Other stuff to click:

a "Bang-It" puzzle by Norah Sharpe
Food: pilaf, stew, ice cream, and My Two Souths
Our current Contest of Still Going On

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

Drop us a note or a Tweet 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
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #334: How about Lassie? Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

Ryan's still sick, but he gives at least 42% during this newest episode of Fill Me In. Also within: ice cream (and a puzzle promo), the 12 Guess Movie Game, and a beep. You'll know it when you hear it. All that, plus a new contest crossword at https://bit.ly/fmi334con.

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

Drop us a note or a Tweet 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
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #333: Dude, I could wreck you. Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

Turns out it was Covid. But Ryan soldiers on and we bring you another week of Fill Me In. More news on Franklin, gluttonous ice cream joy, and a new Anti-Match Quiz courtesy of Scott Weiss! All that, plus a contest crossword at https://bit.ly/fmi332con.

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

Drop us a note or a Tweet 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
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #332: Death tastes good on toasted rye. Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

This week, Ryan fights through some non-Covid illness LIKE A BOSS, and Brian plays along because what else is there to do? Lotsa Viewer Mail, including lessons on frosting, baseball, nicknames -- and the piece de resistance, some Where Are They Now? news from FMI's fake production studio. All that, plus a new contest crossword at https://bit.ly/fmi332con!

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

Drop us a note or a Tweet 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
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #331: Let's wreak some joy out there. Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian get a bit deeper into some Hex history, learn a bunch about Hebrew crosswords, get some backstory on the use of "Ace" for baseball stars, take a tic tac toe lesson from a pro, and explore a deep dive into ADO clues. All that, plus a contest crossword at https://bit.ly/fmi330con!

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

Drop us a note or a Tweet 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
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #330: One wrecking ball away from heaven. Jan 25, 2022

Show notes

He's back! This week, Brian is thrilled to welcome Ryan back into the studio for a show full of stories Hawaiian, deep dives ACEd, and thundery puzzles NewYorkTimesed. All that, plus there's a new contest crossword at https://bit.ly/fmi330con!

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

Drop us a note or a Tweet 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
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #329: Cryptics, cryptics, (almost) nothing but cryptics! Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

While Ryan is still on vacation, Brian is once again joined by Ben "The Barnacle" Zimmer! Coming in a smidge shorter than last week's show, Ben and Brian spend most of the episode talking all about cryptic crosswords -- history, evolution, Twitch streaming, and a Thunder Round of some of their favorites from the past week.

Find more of Ben Zimmer on Twitter and on his other podcast, Spectacular Vernacular. And read the two articles he mentions on this show, the ones from Beyond Wordplay and Slate.

There's a contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi328con

. And if you want to check out any of the cryptic crosswords mentioned on the show today, go to Daily Crossword Links for those and more!

Stuff to click:

MIT Mystery Hunt 2022 and the Hunt's archive
SkyKnit
Learned League

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

Drop us a note or a Tweet 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
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #328: 85% quality content; 15% pants. Jan 11, 2022

Show notes

This week, Ryan is in Hawaii so Brian is joined by Ben "The Barnacle" Zimmer! It's a super-sized episode jam-packed with Word of the Year reflections, New York Times crosswords in the Thunder Round, a little behind-the-scenes at Daily Crossword Links, Wordle (the wildest new word puzzle craze), and an assortment of nonsense including knitting, darning, and a soupçon of meat references.

Find more of Ben Zimmer on Twitter and on his other podcast, Spectacular Vernacular.

There's a new contest crossword, which you can download at https://bit.ly/fmi328con

Stuff to click:

Daily Crossword Links
American Dialect Society's Word of the Year announcement
Jeff Davidson's Crosswordle #1
The New York Times's article about Wordle
The New York Times Diverse Crossword Constructor Fellowship
Boswords, and the upcoming Winter Wondersolve
The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament
Cracking the Cryptic's take on Wordle
The Wordle game itself, in case you haven't found it yet
Damon Gulczynski's blog, Joe Pancake
The bagel video Brian talked about

If you get bored, write something for the Fill Me In wiki.

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. We shout out the names of our patrons on the first new episode of each month -- including today!

Drop us a note or a Tweet 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
Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002
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 / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

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