Fill Me In

Latest Episodes:

Fill Me In #287: The threshold for the outside voice has dropped. Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

This week, Brian and Ryan campaign to join apocalyptic survival teams, argue about the powers imbued in Mjölnir, and learn a little bit about the Montreal Expos. There's a contest crossword (you can download it at https://www.dropbox.com/s/rnzvztp9rpoys2d/fmi286con.puz?dl=1), and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

If you get bored, 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 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
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 #286: Several shout-outs did not make the final cut, but we love you all the same. Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

This week, Brian and Ryan sit down with Hayley Gold and Mike Selinker to talk about the upcoming graphic novel "Letters to Margaret," a beautifully drawn story about politics, crosswords, and funny stuff. We encourage you to support their Kickstarter campaign, which launches at 3pm ET on Tuesday, March 9.

We also have a new contest crossword (you can download it at https://www.dropbox.com/s/rnzvztp9rpoys2d/fmi286con.puz?dl=1), and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

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

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

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
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #285: We built a fence. Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

This week, Brian and Ryan welcome a new member into the Pantheon of Compleatists, discuss whether Disney should support local comic book shops (they should), and pose an over/under on Will Shortz's retirement. Our contest puzzle comes from Neville Fogarty, and it's presented in Episode 284 (go listen!). Finally, join us on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

Matt Gritzmacher's Daily Crossword Links
Mars parachute puzzle
QVXwordz (Quiara Vasquez)
Norah's Puzzles (Norah Sharpe)

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

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

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
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #284: Neville likes a tidy wallet. Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

This week, Brian and Ryan are in the hot seat as special guest Neville Fogarty stops by to twist their brains with some fun puzzles! Neville gives us this week's Contest Puzzle (which is described in the episode, but not available for download). Also, Ryan taunts Brian about what is to come on our next Twitch stream -- join them at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

Matt Gritzmacher's Daily Crossword Links
Topple Magazine
Split Decisions website (warning: Comic Sans in play)
Cracking the Cryptic's Patreon and YouTube channel
Shrink-Wrapped Puzzles

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

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

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
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #283: Not garbage – they are actual pants. Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

This week, the Barnacle is back with talk of all kinds of "nyms" as well some racy background on "ya yas." We also got Necco wafers and bread flour, and maybe even a few crosswords. There's a non-crossword contest (you can download it at http://bit.ly/fmi282con), and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

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

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

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
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #282: I listen best if I'm not also talking at the same time. Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

This week, Brian goes back to school, Ryan suffers no sophomore slumps, and both agree that old candy is old. There's a brand new non-crossword contest (you can download it at http://bit.ly/fmi282con), and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

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

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

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
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #281: I lured you in with baseball, and then slapped you in the face with the prime minister. Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian hang out for a while with self-proclaimed computer girl and crossword maker Malaika Handa, creator of 7xwords.com. We have a contest crossword (you can download it at (https://bit.ly/fmi280con), and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

Malaika Handa on Twitter (and her bot) - and of course, her 7x7 crosswords project at 7xwords.com
Boswords, and the Winter Wondersolve
Grids These Days, puzzles by Paolo Pasco
Steve Mossberg's Square Pursuit
Brooke Husic's Xwords By A Ladee

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

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

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
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #280: The giggles are far from over. Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

This week, Ryan and Brian double down on interviews, and share conversations with both NYT Spelling Bee aficionado Deb Koker and our very own Barnacle, Ben Zimmer. We have a new contest crossword (you can download it at (https://bit.ly/fmi280con), and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Stuff to click:

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

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

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
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #279: Four humans, one podcast; none of them is macaroni salad. Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

In this week's super-sized episode, Ryan and Brian join forces with Chelsea Rowan and Grace Topinka, hosts of "Two Girls, One Crossword." We hope you like meandering conversations about musicals (especially Cats) and food (including "pizza"). We also have a contest puzzle by Brian Gubin (you can download it at (https://bit.ly/fmi277con), and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

Chelsea and Grace are on Twitter (@thegoodevegirls) and Instagram (@thegoodeveninggirls), and their podcast "Two Girls, One Crossword" is available on their website, Apple Podcasts, and other places you find podcasts.

Stuff to click:

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

And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon.

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
RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss
Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Google Voice (315-510-9892)

Fill Me In #278: Yes Arizona, no Gertie. Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

This week, The Barnacle (our own word oracle Ben Zimmer) stops by for a little behind-the-scenes on his linguistic research syst. We also have a contest puzzle by Brian Gubin (you can download it at (https://bit.ly/fmi277con), and you should check out our twice-weekly Twitch stream at https://www.twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

In this show, we also launch a proposal for a Crosswords Hall of Fame! We'd love to hear your nominations for the inaugural ballot – email those to us at fmi@bemoresmarter.com.

Stuff to click: