Flightless Bird - David Farrier

Latest Episodes:

Nest Sessions: The Format on Fan Clubs & Being Birthed Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

In this month's Nest Session, David and Rob are joined on the couch by The Format's Nate Ruess and Sam Means, who met as teenagers at a Weezer concert while Sam was running the band's fan club. The two reflect on what it was like growing up in the scorching sprawl of the Arizona desert, and Nate shares his uncanny claim of remembering the exact moment he was born. They bring along an iced peanut butter latte for David to get his head around, before discussing the current state of America and the exhausting sense that we've all been here before. The Format then perform The Bar Is Set So Low, Back to Life, and Depressed.
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You can find The Format here:
https://www.theformat.com

https://www.instagram.com/theformat/
The Bar Is Set So Low: https://theformat.bandcamp.com/track/the-bar-is-set-so-low

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Schizophrenia Simulator Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David talks to someone who has schizophrenia. Christopher Grant talks about what it was like to grow up seeing the world a little differently than others, his growing struggles with mental health, and finally being diagnosed and treated. Chris now creates “schizophrenias simulation videos” which are watched by million of people. They are his attempt to let us see the world through the eyes of someone who sees and hears people, and entities, that aren't there.
LINKS:
This episode is based on original reporting from Webworm: https://www.webworm.co/schizophrenia/
Chris’ videos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoradmagical
Chris’ videos on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xoradmagical
More of Chris’ work: https://linktr.ee/xoradmagical
Upcoming Flightless Bird live shows:
3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC
4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX
4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFW
Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird
Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com

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Child Stars with Mara Wilson Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

In this weeks Flightless Bird, David and Rob talk to Mara Wilson about being a child star in films like Mrs Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street and - of course - the titular character in Matilda. Wilson has had time to reflect on those years, both the good and the bad - and explains what she’s found out. Mara - a podcaster, actor and author also appeared in the HBO documentary Showbiz Kids, so she’s been thinking about this stuff for awhile.
Upcoming live show dates:
3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC
4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX
4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFW
Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com
Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird

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90's Nickelodeon Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Flightless Bird, Rob schools David on Nickelodeon, the American TV channel launched on April 1, 1979, when David was just three years old. Nickelodeon gave us Rugrats, Doug, and SpongeBob SquarePants - and a bunch of shows David has never heard of like Are You Afraid of the Dark, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Keenan and Kel, and CatDog. What did it means to be a kid in America growing up with these characters, and what’s it like looking back? To explain: A Rob slideshow to rival all his previous slideshows.
Upcoming live show dates:
3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC
4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX
4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFW
Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com
Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird

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Hooters Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Flightless Bird, Rosabel muses on the fallout from her episode a few weeks ago, before David and Rob set off for Hooters - absolutely terrified to their core that they will be cancelled in the process by saying the wrong thing or looking in the wrong direction. They hear from a variety of former “Hooters Girls” (their term, not ours) over the last few decades, before talking to current Hooter ambassador Averey Tressler (who eagle eyed listeners may recognise from another All-American institution, The Challenge). Join us as we learn about Hooters - hoot hoot!
Email us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com
Join us on Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus episodes, too: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird
The Original Hooters guide for staff: https://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/so-you-wanna-be-hooters-girl?page=1

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Nest Sessions: Peter Matthew Bauer on Growing up in a Meditation Cult Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Nest Session, we’re joined by Peter Matthew Bauer of The Walkmen, who brings in a fresh Kentucky Southern Casserole for David and Rob to sample. Peter shares some pie, as well as what it was like growing up as part of a meditation cult, the oddness of astronomy to the current moment, and how saying no to your own destruction can be fun. Peter then preforms his songs Doom, Knife Fighter and Gold Paint for Blue Skies.
Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com
Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird
You can find Peter Matthew Bauer here:
https://petermatthewbauer.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/petermatthewbauer/
Doom Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1R_qJnxdTc

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Milky Bar Kid (AKA Falling in Love) Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David meets Doretta, an American who met and fell in love with a New Zealander - a man who happened to be one of NZ’s most well known celebrities: The Milky Bar Kid. Sort of. Back in the late 80s and early 90s the Milky Bar Kid starred in NZ’s biggest commercial. How did he end up in America, and with a woman who also has a past forged in chocolate?
- Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird
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- Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com

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Dungeons & Dragons Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David meets Phil - a man who’s been playing the same Dungeons and Dragons campaign since D&D was first released in 1974. Phil explains what’s so important about the game, and the friends he’s made and lessons learnt along the way. David then talks to the team behind D&D, to discus how the game has transcended generations and continues to grow in relevance after 50+ years!

Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird

Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com

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Rosabel Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

On this week's Flightless Bird, David Farrier temporarily halts his New Zealand holiday to bring you the guest to end all guests: Rosabel. If you've listened to Flightless Bird for awhile, you will be familiar with the Rosabel calls that kick many episodes off. You may also recall the time David cracked an egg on Rosabel's head. In this episode, let's learn a little more about Rosabel - and whether she has revenge in her heart.

Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird

Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com

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Tribute Bands Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David explores the world of the tribute band - meeting “Dirty Deeds”, America’s best AC/DC tribute band (yes, there are lots of them). With their youngest member in their 30s and their oldest in their 70s - David explores how these American friends ended up choosing to portray Australia’s biggest rock band, learning that the world of the tribute band is expansive, surprising, inspirational... and often deeply weird. Links: - Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com

- Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird

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