SmartDrivel

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Ep.88: Thumbs Up or FU? Dec 13, 2021

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You are on a great vacation. One you have saved up for and planned for years. You leave the friendly confines of the U.S. and head overseas. While in the MidEast, you wish to show your appreciation for good service and, since you don’t know the language, you give a hearty thumbs up to your waiter. Who promptly spits in your soup because you just gave him, what amounts to in his country, the middle finger. This horror scenario happens more than you would think as different countries have different customs and offense is taken without intention. Clear your plate in the U.S.--you loved the meal. Clean your plate in Asia--you offended them. In this episode, Jon and Kurt give a few fun examples of this dynamic in the hopes your foreign travels go smoothly.

Ep. 87: Tale of the Tape: 1960s vs. Today Dec 06, 2021

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The last 60 years have brought an onslaught of evolutionary and technological advances that have drastically re-shaped humanity. And speaking of re-shaping, boy these last six decades have had a huge impact on the shape of things--as in the body. In this episode, Jon and Kurt look at how the average American has changed since 1960. Height. Weight (spoiler alert--it’s not a pretty stat). Connubial patterns. Average age. College educated. Etc. It is a shockingly fun episode to see the changes and debate if they are for the better or not.

Ep.86: For All Intensive Purposes Nov 29, 2021

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Sayings have made their way into the vernacular that are just plain wrong. There are many common phrases that we mix up and mess up. When we proudly declare “that was a bold faced lie” or “it’s a doggy dog world” or “card shark” and many, many others, we are in fact saying them all wrong. In this episode, Jon and Kurt uncover many of these erroneous expressions and provide the actual correct versions. So “hone in” and take a listen.

Ep.85: It’s All Greek To Us Nov 22, 2021

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The civilization of Ancient Greece emerged into the light of history in the 8th century BC. Normally it is regarded as coming to an end when Greece fell to the Romans, in 146 BC. What is amazing is that this long gone civilization has had an enduring impact on life throughout the centuries. Jon and Kurt investigate how the ancient Greeks still permeate our society. They discuss how we name our cars, household cleaners, fancy scarves, sports teams, sneakers and more after Greek gods and heroes despite having no connection to a long-gone dynasty. Heck, even condoms carry proud Greek heritage.

Ep.84: I Put a Spell on You Nov 15, 2021

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Curses. Jinxes. Hexes. Call them what you want, it all boils down to the same thing...life is unpredictable at best, and worse when your fate is altered by forces out of your control. In this episode, Jon and Kurt look at the stories behind some famous curses in history. Spooky. Ain’t it?

Ep.82: What Would You Try? Nov 01, 2021

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If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you do? From the existential to the mundane, Jon and Kurt examine different careers and adventures that they would try--knowing they were safe from failure.

Ep.81: Big Little Things Oct 25, 2021

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The expensive, large purchases we make--like houses, cars, jewelry--get all the attention, but it is the little things that actually make the biggest differences. In this episode, Jon and Kurt pay tribute to those small purchases with outsized impact.

Ep.80: Did You Smell That? Oct 18, 2021

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Smells can put you in a great mood, can be offensive to your innards, can be meditative, and can conjure up nostalgia. How is it that this one sense impacts so much of our psyche and emotional well being? Well, Jon and Kurt chat about the good, the bad, and the just plain ol’ smelly aromas out there. Take a whiff for yourself.

Ep.79: Do Not Pass Go Oct 11, 2021

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The boys struck out on a path this episode to talk about board games. The classic games found in most homes that engendered laughter, cheating, family bonding, family arguing, and all around great memories. Come have a listen and pull up a chair at the Smart Drivel kitchen table as we set out to play some Monopoly, Clue, Life, Stratego, Chess...well, you get the idea.

Ep.78: Raindrops on Roses Oct 04, 2021

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Tired of beating the curmudgeon drum, Jon and Kurt decide to focus on some of their favorite things. There are no pet peeves in this episode, no discussion of the problems in society these days, and no conversations about things they can live without. Instead, this is an unabashed traipse through fields sprouting with their favorite stuff.

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