How Did We Get Weird with Vanessa Bayer and Jonah Bayer

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Remember the Sony Sports Walkman? (with Mike Kinsella of American Football) Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

This week, the Bayers welcome Mike Kinsella of American Football to the podcast! We talk about Mike eating deep dish as a little kid growing up in the Chicago suburbs, playing shows with Cap'n Jazz as a teenager and owning the most controversial baseball card of the 80s. We also get some exclusive stories from friend of the podcast and fellow American Football member (and Mike's cousin), Nate Kinsella! For our topic we discuss the Sony Sports Walkman, something Mike would listen to during long road trips next to his older brother Tim, in the backseat of the car. From the autoreverse to the heavy-duty yellow casing, this machine truly had it all. We also discuss our first cassettes and debate if the Beach Boys song "Kokomo" benefited from studio trickery that has never been exposed until this episode. (Kokomogate?) Finally we play around of CHANGE DOT DORK where we debate the merits of an American Football-themed mural in Champaign-Urbana, the return of Hershey's Dunkers and should the residents of Mike's hometown of Buffalo Grove be allowed to own backyard hens? You'll have to listen to find out. In the meantime you can catch American Football on tour and pick up their new album, LP4, now.

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MEMORIAL DAY RE-AIR: Remember DEVO? (with Fred Armisen) May 25, 2026

Show notes

MEMORIAL DAY RE-AIR: The one and only Fred Armisen (Portlandia, Saturday Night Live) stopped by the podcast this week to discuss his first concert experience: Seeing DEVO at Radio City Music Hall on October 31st, 1981, right down the street from where Fear were destroying the SNL set at 30 Rock. In this largely music-themed episode, we also discuss Fred's love of all things goth, playing drums alongside his heroes like The Clash and his personal connection with Halloween that goes back to childhood. Equal parts hilarious, educational and sentimental, this truly is an episode for the ages—and for those who want a quick and easy way to get rid of their garbage!

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Remember Hot Chips? (With Claudia O'Doherty) May 18, 2026

Show notes

On today's new episode we welcome back our friend, the hilarious actress, writer and comedian Claudia O'Doherty! Vanessa talks about a star-studded brunch she just attended which leads to the Bayer siblings explaining to Claudia what Good 'N Plenty candy is and she's not interested! And we ask Claudia: what is Britbox and should we get it? Plus Vanessa and Claudia muse on how they didn't know each other during those crazy times when they were coming up in their respective comedy scenes. Then Claudia gets into her topic of Hot Chips and teaches the Bayer's the best way to coat hot chips (you may refer to them as fries) with ketchup! And in a delightful game of CHANGE DOT DORK we debate the merits of The Body Shop bringing back their original White Musk scent in addition to the new vegan version (and ask why isn't all perfume vegan?), bringing back Australian Toaster Biscuits, and making a Knitting Emoji happen (spoiler alert, it has happened!) So be sure to listen to this wonderful episode and if you're in New Zealand be sure to check out Claudia in "New Zealand Spy" and if you're in the US or even other places be sure to check out Claudia and Vanessa in John Early's new film Maddie's Secret! out next month!

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Remember Health Food Stores? (with Dean Spunt of No Age) May 11, 2026

Show notes

On this week's episode, we are joined by our old friend Dean Spunt of the band No Age! We talk about how Jonah met Dean in Los Angeles when Dean was working at a vegan restaurant, how Dean gets enough protein as a vegan for nearly 30 years and what it was like returning clothes to stores as a wardrobe stylist. We also get the definitive story of how Dean got in a car accident with one of the Backstreet Boys and ended up using his settlement money to start the punk label, Post Present Medium. We also get into Dean's early experiences of health food stores, from hanging with GT to the magic of shopping the bulk section. We also learn about the DIY roots of Erewhon, Vanessa's experience eating non-vegan butter ice cream and the importance of supporting local co-ops. We also play a game of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we discuss our opinions on KFC's vegetarian nuggets, the Little House On The Prairie Reboot and the return of Fruity Pebbles' birthday cake-flavored cereal. Be sure to check out No Age and Dean's solo material via Drag City Records. You can learn more about Dean's label at postpresentmedium.bandcamp.com!

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Remember Infomercials? (with Michelle Collins) May 04, 2026

Show notes

On today's new episode the Bayer siblings are thrilled to be joined by the hilarious comedian Michelle Collins! Jonah's got a new popcorn maker and the trio get into their favorite popcorn and the exotic places they'll go to get it! Plus Michelle tells us what it was like growing up in Miami and we do a deep dive on her career and a debunk of some false Wikipedia narratives about her! Plus we reminisce on an old favorite, Infomercials! And how kids today don't know the joy that is turning on the tv and being exposed to an extended advertisement! We get into our favorite infomercials, like a knitting machine that Vanessa is still thinking of getting, and our favorite informercial-adjacent products, including a lot of kitchenware that has unfortunately been retired in our homes. And in a rousing game of CHANGE DOT DORK, we discuss the pause of The Real Housewives of Miami, bringing back Dr. Pepper-flavored Lip Smackers, and a campaign to cover the entire top of Pop-Tarts with frosting. This delightful episode is a must-listen!!

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Remember Video Arcades (with Brian Diaz of Edna's Goldfish/The Reunion Show) Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

This week on the podcast we have HUGE breaking news about our years-long quest to be inducted into our high school's prestigious Hall Of Fame—and we couldn't pick a better guest to share this important moment with than musician, photographer and bass tech, Brian Diaz! We talk about Brian's formative musical experiences from playing saxophone in the Long Island ska band Edna's Goldfish to being the bass tech to some of the biggest artists in rock such as Mark Hoppus and Pete Wentz. We also discuss the fact that Brian and Jonah's first concert experience was Guns N' Roses, a band Brian has not only worked for but actually performed with during soundcheck while working for bassist Duff McKagan! We also get into the topic of video arcades, from pumping quarters into Ms. Pac Man as a kid to hanging out at Barcades as an adult. We also explore the appeal of pinball, the logistics of having a full-sized arcade game in your apartment and basing your favorite restaurant on their video game selection. Finally in a round of CHANGE DOT DORK we debate the merits of petitions advocating for more left-handed guitars, bringing back classic Pizza Hut vibes and inducting Alice In Chains into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Say hi to Brian if you see him on the road and you can check out his amazing street and music photography at https://www.briandiazphoto.com!

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Remember Getting Beat Up? (with Craig Wedren of Shudder To Think) Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

You know Craig Wedren as the frontman for the post-hardcore band Shudder To Think and composer for the soundtrack of your favorite television shows and movies, but were you aware he grew up as a scrappy kid in the Cleveland suburbs just like us? From sharing the same hangouts as Jonah to participating in his high school's theatre program like Vanessa, we share a long list of similarities. However one thing we don't share is getting beat up, something that happened to Craig quite a few times due to his dedication to punk fashion and desire for attention from girls. However it's not all dark: We also talk about Craig's lifelong friendship with collaborator (and former band manager) David Wain, what it was like performing on Lollapalooza '94 and the origins of his seventh grade band, Immoral Majority. As if that wasn't enough, we play a game of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALIGA where we debate the Robocop reboot, the return of Kentucky Fried Chicken's honey barbeque flavor and Mr. Pibb's second act. Be sure to pick up the deluxe edition of Craig's album, "Dream Dreaming" which is available now!

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Remember High School Hangouts? Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

This week on the podcast, the Bayer siblings lament the demise of the Dunkin' Donuts in Solon where Jonah spent his teenage years with other young punks, talking about NOFX and eating Bavarian cream doughnuts. We explore why you need to tear down an entire building to build a drive-through, the rise of "grab and go" food culture (the breakfast crowd is lovin' it) and the rise of the "third place." We also discuss our own third places growing up, from the roller rink to friends' houses and explain why a cafe inside of a bank will never be a fun place to hang out, no matter how much the marketers want to convince you otherwise! We also deter into our teenaged fashion choices and if we ever truly felt cool as kids in any environment. Finally we play a round of CHANGE DOT DORK where we debate the merits of rebranding Chuck E. Cheese as an escape room, building a multi-purpose ice and roller skating rink in Kentucky and preventing Dunkin' Donuts from building a dive through in one community who values city planning over crullers.

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Remember Hypercolor? (with Ariana Jackson) Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

On today's new episode the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome writer, producer and dear friend Ariana Jackson! You may know the show "Brilliant Minds" that Ariana currently writes on, but did you know that Ariana formerly wrote and performed and sang as a member of BLOOMERS? That's right, we get into Ariana and Vanessa's time in their collegiate all-female sketch comedy and musical parody troupe, plus Vanessa reveals another very cool Bloomer that she got to work with recently! And we reminisce about the times when Jonah and then Ariana visited Vanessa when she was working on a cruise ship, and how Jonah sadly missed some serious ship glow-ups. Plus we get into the iconic fashion trend that was HYPERCOLOR and how we loved our color-shifting outfits. And we get into the trend before the trend (Freezy Freakies, anyone?) and does color-changing clothing still exist today? (Spoiler alert: it does!) And finally, in a delightful game of CHANGE DOT DORK, we're discussing bringing back Philadelphia Cream Cheese Snack Bars, getting a female cereal mascot out there, and should Weird Al perform at the Superbowl Halftime Show? (Duh) So please enjoy this wonderful episode with our Bloom-Tastic friend!!

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Remember Pass The Pigs? (with Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins of Tigers Jaw) Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

On today's podcast we are joined by longtime bandmates and honorary siblings, Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins of the band Tigers Jaw! We start the episode with Jonah's adventures selling a used air fryer, what its been like for Ben and Brianna to be playing music together for 20 years and how the town of Scranton has handled the influence of "The Office" for better or worse. We also get into Ben's now defunct but still beloved doughnut shop, the Philly doughnut scene in general and how Tigers Jaw uses their tour rider as an excuse to try new cereal options. Finally we get into our topic, the board game Pass The Pigs, which started at Ben's grandmother's house (Brianna's grandmother had a Sega, no big deal) and is now gifted by Tigers Jaw to the bands that open for them... with the light gambling aspect being fully optional. Finally we play a round of YES-TALGIA OR NO-STALGIA where we discuss the return of McDonald's Shamrock Shake, another Charlie's Angels reboot and is Progresso's viral Soup Drops candy really something worth savoring? Don't forget to check out Tigers Jaw's brand new album "Lost On You" which is available now on Hopeless Records and make sure to catch them on tour when they come to your town!

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