Every Tuesday best friends Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden are joined by experts, newsmakers and celebrities in an attempt to find answers to the things that make us go…”Really? no, Really?” We invite you to join us, subscribe and even suggest topics, as we search for the answers to life’s most baffling, intriguing, confusing and annoying questions
The podcast Really? no, Really? is created by iHeartPodcasts. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tom Petty died in 2017, but his music continues to live on thanks to hits like "Refugee", "Here Comes My Girl", and "Runnin' Down a Dream." But recently Jason and Peter were stunned to learn that Petty didn’t write those songs alone. Really, no Really!
Mike Campbell was an original member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and co-wrote many of the band's legendary hits and was considered by Petty to be the Heartbreakers’ co-captain.
Campbell himself, continues to have an impressive career, now fronting the band The Dirty Knobs and playing and writing music with legendary rockers like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, George Harrison and more. But that got the guys wondering, what it’s like being the “unrecognized talent” regularly standing just behind and co-writing with iconic names?
While much of Mike’s career was alongside Petty, he notably gave Don Henley the music for his 1984 hit "The Boys of Summer" and he worked closely with Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin and too many others to name.
Campbell just released his first book: Heartbreaker: A Memoir
***
ON THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW MIKE:
Website (tour dates & tickets) - www.thedirtyknobs.com
Book - Heartbreaker: A Memoir
Instagram: @mikecampbellofficial
YouTube - @mikecampbellofficial
X - @MikeCampbellHQ
Facebook – MikeCampbellOfficial
***
FOLLOW ROBERT TILDEN:
Spotify: Boyo
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Who isn’t a Paul Reiser mega fan? The dramas like Stranger Things! The comedies like “Mad About You”! How about the action/adventures with The Boys! And who could forget him in Aliens! ALIENS! And now after a 32-year hiatus he’s back on the road doing stand-up comedy again. Really, no Really!
Comedian, actor, television writer, producer, author and musician Paul Reiser is one of Hollywood’s most prolific creatives.
Voted by Comedy Central as one of the Top 100 Comedians of All Time, Reiser – who came up alongside folks like, George Carlin, Robert Klein, and Jerry Seinfeld.
His most recent standup special – his first in 30 years – Life, Death, and Rice Pudding, was released late last year.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW PAUL:
Comedy Special: Paul Reiser: Life, Death, & Rice Pudding
Stand-Up: Comedy & Magic Club/Hermosa Beach/April 17
Website: paulreiser.com
X: @PaulReiser
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
She’s written several classic Seinfeld episodes including “Lip Reader” and “Rye Bread.” She’s also written more Oscar telecasts than any other woman… but neither of those facts are this week’s “Really”. No… she’s on to promote her new book with a really long title. Really, no Really!
Emmy-nominated six times for her writing on such classic television shows as Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, Saturday Night Live, and The Oscars, Carol Leifer won her first Emmy Award in 2024 for Outstanding Comedy Series as a co-executive producer of the HBO Max show Hacks.
She’s also written for other shows such as Modern Family, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Ellen Show, and many more.
***
ON THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW CAROL:
SEE: April 2nd, 2025 - BOOK SIGNING - BOOK SOUP WITH CO-AUTHOR RICK MITCHELL
Book: “How to Write a Funny Speech: for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want to Go to in the First Place”
Website: carolleifer.com
Instagram: @carolleifer
X: @carolleifer
Facebook: @CarolLeifer
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever pondered leaving the country… permanently? Dreamed about a perpetual change of scenery? International job opportunities caught your eye? Moving abroad is not only possible but it’s actually easier than ever! Really, no really!
If you’ve ever found yourself musing about any of those possibilities, we’ve got you covered. This is how you do it.
Known in the travel industry as “The Travel Detective,” Peter Greenberg broadcasts breaking news and investigative reports from around the world each week as Travel Editor for CBS News.
Additionally, Peter hosts The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg, The Royal Tour, and Eye on Travel.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW PETER GREENBERG:
Website: petergreenberg.com
Instagram: @petergreenberg
Facebook: @PeterGreenbergWorldwide
YouTube: @PeterGreenberg
X: @PeterSGreenberg
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Earlier this year we collectively watched in horror as Los Angeles burned. In all, at least 29 people were killed, 200,000 were forced to evacuate, and more than 18,000 homes and structures were destroyed.
Many, like our own Peter Tilden were forced from their homes. While thankfully his house wasn’t destroyed, it remains covered in a toxic soot, consisting of noxious chemicals and other unknown particulates. Months later his home, like so many others is still uninhabitable. Really, no really.
As Peter and other Angelinos struggle with insurance companies, shady contactors, temporary housing, and more, we wondered: How are people, whether by fires or floods, hurricanes or tornadoes, able to go home again?
That’s why we invited James Mayfield CEO of Mayfield Environmental, to educate us on what we all need to know in the aftermath of catastrophe.
For two generations James and his family have served Southern California as General Contractors for environmental cleanups. From biohazard and homeless encampment removal to Crime scene and drug lab clean-ups, Mayfield Environmental has seen it all and has a litany of certifications - making sure that when the worst happens, they clean it up the right way without taking you to the bank.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW JAMES:
Website: mayfieldenv.com
X: @mayfieldenviro
Yelp: Mayfield environmental solutions
Facebook: Mayfield Environmental Engineering
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
While Sex in Hollywood movies goes in and out of style, we seem to be in an upswing moment with Academy Award wins for nudity-containing films like Anora and The Substance. Jason personally has some scenes, mostly for comedic purposes but even then, performing it is complicated and often very, very uncomfortable.
The #metoo movement brought increased scrutiny to on-screen contact, and with that a relatively new position called an Intimacy Coordinator was born. Coordinators have recently become more common on set but… what does that person do? What qualifications does one have to have to be one… and does it really give performers a feeling of safety, security and control?
To answer that question, we brough on one of the industry’s pioneers in the field. Yehuda Duenyas is a SAG-AFTRA accredited Intimacy Coordinator who provides full-service Intimacy Coordination for film, TV, and theater productions.
Yehuda’s work and collaborations have received a Primetime Emmy award, 2 Webby awards, 8 Cannes Lions, 11 Clios, 2 Facebook awards, an OBIE award, among others.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW YEHUDA:
Website (Coordinator): yehudaintimacy.film
Website (Director): xxxyehuda.com
Instagram: ___x_x_x_y___
LinkedIN: Yehuda Duenyas
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Friend of the show, Howie Mandell is filling in for Jason Alexander. He’s the only man balder than Jason so… it works!
Lately, TikTok has been in the news with claims that it’s an arm of the Chinese Government - but with 170 million Americans on the app, is there a danger?
Billionaire Frank McCourt thinks this perceived danger can be turned into a positive by using TikTok’s American userbase to supercharge a brand new and improved internet. Really, no really!
Frank McCourt, Jr. is a civic entrepreneur and the executive chairman of McCourt Global, a private family company committed to building a better future through real estate, sports, technology, media, and capital investment industries.
Additionally, he's the founder of Project Liberty, a far-reaching, $500 million initiative focused on leading a movement of people who want to take back control of their lives in the digital age by reclaiming the internet.
Frank also owns the French football club Olympique de Marseille and formerly owned the Los Angeles Dodgers.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW FRANK:
Website (McCourt Global): mccourt.com
Website (Project Liberty): projectliberty.io
Website (Fix TikTok): thepeoplesbid.com
Instagram: @pro_jectliberty
X: @pro_jectliberty
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fatal and devastating fires recently upturned the lives of many Los Angelenos. Even now, with the fires thankfully extinguished, things aren't back to normal.
As you may know, we record several episodes in a day, that's allowed us to keep publishing during these difficult days. Some on our staff are still dealing with significant issues in the aftermath which have unfortunately prevented us from recording a show for you this week.
As we take care of some real-life business, we wanted you to know we aren’t going anywhere, we’ll be back NEXT WEEK with more of the zany, mind-blowing, off the wall science, pop culture, news of the day nonsense you’ve come to expect from us.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is a missile defense expert and a counter-terrorist authority who has consulted for Congressional Committees, the Pentagon, and the US intelligence community… he’s also a legendary guitarist who performed that sick solo on “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”. Really, no Really!
Skunk is universally recognized as a legendary guitarist. Best-known for his work with Steely Dan (as a founding member) and the Doobie Brothers, his versatility and highly developed technique as a soloist made him a hugely in-demand session guitarist from the '70s on to today.
In the mid-1980s, a series of chance encounters led Baxter to a second career working in the defense industry where his natural ability to look at existing technologies and to see alternate ways to use them, led to multiple security clearances and contracts consulting for a litany of major intelligence and defense agencies.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW SKUNK:
Website - jeffskunkbaxter.com
Facebook – SkunkBaxter
Instagram - @JeffSkunkBaxter
Album – Speed of Heat
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As TikTok America’s legal limbo continues, Australia became the first country in the world to ban minors under age 16 from social media. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant warned the world saying, tech companies aren’t doing enough to protect kids online. Really, no Really!
While the powers of social media apps are undeniable, the harms they cause are more… enigmatic. Even if harmful effects of social media are established, are bans an effective response? As this international debate rages on, there are millions of parents and young people looking down at their smartphones wondering what if anything they should do differently.
To break down the pros and cons of social media we’ve invited Dr. Jacqueline Nesi to make sense of it all. She’s an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University, where she studies how technology use affects kids and how parents can help.
She’s published over 50 peer-reviewed publications related to youth and technology use, and her work has been funded by organizations like the NIMH, NICHD, and NSF. She’s also testified before U.S. congressional subcommittees at both the national and state level on issues surrounding tech and mental health.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW JACQUELINE:
Website: jacquelinenesi.com
X: @jacquelinenesi
Substack: Techno Sapiens
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Survivor: Borneo – the very first season of Survivor, debuted on Network Television in the year 2000. And with it, reality TV began to transform America’s television industry.
25 years later the Hollywood Reporter proclaims that “Reality TV is on Life Support.
Sure, shows like Love is Blind, Real Housewives and new, up-and-comers like The Traitors are still very popular. But at the same time, more and more reality shows are being canceled, less episodes are being produced, and dramatically smaller budgets are being offered for any of it - indicating to both audiences and industry leaders alike that reality shows may be becoming extinct. Really, no Really!
Today, the guys will be talking to Emily Nussbaum, a Pulitzer Prize winning television critic and the author of: Cue The Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV. She’ll reveal some of the reality behind reality television and how much of it isn’t reality at all. Plus, she’ll discuss the long history of the genre, and the practicalities and impracticalities of its success and possible failure. Which leads me to say this episode of our show should be called: Reality. No Reality!
In 2014 she won a National Magazine Award for Columns and Commentary and in 2016 she won thePulitzer Prize for criticism. She’s written for The New Yorker, New York Magazine, Slate and The New York Times.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW EMILY:
Website: emilynussbaum.com
Instagram: @emilynussbaum
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ratings for professional sports are booming! Football is up, the WNBA continues to break records, people are even watching Major League Baseball! But despite record amounts of money flooding into professional basketball the ratings are actually sinking. Really, no Really!
And while neither Jason nor Peter are known for their athletic prowess, they both had the same question. Why? Is it the number of games, the officiating, a marketing flaw or has the game itself changed?
To answer those questions, we’ve brought in a true expert, four-time NBA champion, John Salley, he was the first player in NBA history to win championships with three franchises and he was a long-time host of The Best Damn Sports Show Period. If he doesn’t know… nobody does.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW JOHN:
Website: johnsalley.com
Instagram: @johnsalley
TikTok: @johnsalley22
X: @thejohnsalley
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You’d be hard pressed to find a Seinfeld fan who doesn’t know what “shrinkage” is. But in real-life shrinkage is a phenomenon that’s happening all around us and it means, companies are secretly selling us less product for the exact same price or even, at an increased price! In fact, one in three supermarket products have stealthily, shrunk over the past 4 years. And that means, we’re all getting much less product but actually paying more! Really, no really!
Edgar Dworsky who is known as “Mr. Consumer” has been a consumer advocate for over 45 years, and he joins Jason and Peter to expose selling scams, and to explain and reveal how many companies rely on and use “shrinkflation" and "skimpflation".
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW EDGAR DWORSKY:
Website: consumerworld.org & Mouseprint.org
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's an encore presentation of our Festivus episode... with a TWIST. Jason will forever be associated with the 166th episode of Seinfeld, which featured Festivus...the holiday where families air their grievances, then demonstrate feats of strength around an unadorned, aluminum pole. For Seinfeld writer Dan O'Keefe, the horrors of the real-life Festivus, invented by his mad genius father, were traumatizing events. Really, no Really!
But wait, that's not all. In this updated episode we have a very special performance of a brand-new Festivus song, with lyrics by Peter and music and vocals by Sunny and the Black Pack.
***
FOLLOW SUNNY AND THE BLACK PACK:
Instagram: @blackmediapresents
Facebook: @sunnyandtheblackpack
X: @blackmedia
FOLLOW DAN:
X: @djok_er
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In today’s episode, our guest, Dr. Jonah Berger, a Wharton School professor, best-selling author, and world-renowned expert on word of mouth, and consumer behavior…discusses with Jason and Peter, how his cutting-edge research, revealed the six types of words that can increase your impact… in every area of your life!
These are the “magic words” that salespeople use to convince clients to buy, customer service reps use to increase satisfaction, lawyers use to persuade juries, and you can use, to motivate people do things they otherwise wouldn’t do!
And by the end of this episode, you’ll understand how, by simply altering your words, you can increase your persuasiveness…by 30%!!! Really, no Really!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW DR BERGER:
Website: jonahberger.com
X: @j1berger
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans may be sent on a scientific round trip to Mars, potentially as early as 2035. Beyond the technical challenges, the big question is whether human beings would be capable of dealing with the long period of isolation and loneliness necessary to make the journey.
Anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, emotional dysregulation, weakened immune system and even hallucinations and delusions are just some of the effects of isolation; not exactly great traits when sending people to a distant planet. That’s why scientists all over the globe have begun researching isolation in some of the most remote places on Earth.
Dr. Beth Healey is not only one of those scientists…she’s also a research guinea pig who’s studying the effects of extreme isolation in Antarctica at the spaceflight research center ‘Concordia”, otherwise known as ‘White Mars’. Jason and Peter spoke with Dr. Healey about which human traits are best suited for handling long periods of isolation, how she personally deals with isolation and, how befriending a volleyball, like Tom Hanks did in the movie Cast Away… is an actual phenomenon. Really, no Really!
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW BETH:
Website – BethHealey.com
Instagram - @BethAHealey
X - @Bethahealey
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, actor, producer, author, and screenwriter, Jaleel White, discusses his instant fame playing Steve Urkel and how he dealt with the hostility it caused within his new TV family. He also explains the effect an all-white writing staff had on the all-black cast, and his feelings about Seinfeld and what the sitcom meant to 90’s kids of color. Jaleel also reveals why Family Matters could never exist again, and what happened when a studio boss told him to conceal the man-bulge in an aging Urkel’s pants. Really, no Really!
Jaleel is the winner of 3 NAACP Image Awards and has starred in Big Fat Liar, Sonic the Hedgehog, Grown Ups, and Scooby Doo. Most recently he can be seen on Game Show Network’s “Flip Side” and he will soon be seen on Disney’s, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”.
His memoir, “Growing Up Urkel” was released on November 19th of this year.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW JALEEL:
Website: jaleelwhite.com
Instagram: @jaleelwhite
X: @jaleelwhite
Facebook: @jaleelwhite
BOOK: “Growing Up Urkel”
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As of November 2024, recreational cannabis is legal in 24 states and it’s available medically or decriminalized in an additional 20. Clearly, the floodgates have opened, and the normalization of marijuana’s positive efficacy has taken hold. But what do we really know about the effects of pot?
Is there science-based evidence demonstrating what happens after long-term consumption? Is it true that teen emergency room visits are up, suicides and psychotic episodes are up, and schizophrenia is perhaps caused by cannabis? These became very personal questions when Peter realized he had become addicted to cannabis during the pandemic and struggled to stop.
Dr. Bertha Madras, the Director of the Laboratory of Addiction Neurobiology at McLean Hospital, professor of psychobiology at Harvard Medical School and one of nation’s leading experts on marijuana provided answers to all of Jason and Peter’s questions. And if you smoke pot or know someone who does… you may be surprised and shocked by what you’re about to find out. Really, no Really!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW DR. MADRAS:
X: @madras_bertha
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do a bouncer for The Rolling Stones, Elvis, The Wu-Tang Clan and Willie Nelson…an Emergency Veterinarian who had a show on Animal Planet…a People Magazine most available bachelor, and a professional stand-up comedian all have in common? This episode’s guest! Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald is every one of those things… Really, no really!
As a veterinarian, Kevin has assisted in 10 animal expeditions to Antarctica, Mongolia and Manitoba all focused on conservation. He was featured on Emergency Vets and E-Vet Interns for over 11 years on Animal Planet. As an established stand-up comedian, he has opened for Bob Hope, Jeff Foxworthy, George Lopez and Joan Rivers!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW KEVIN:
Website: drkevinfitzgerald.com
YouTube: @kevinfitzgerald2456
Facebook: @kevin.t.fitzgerald.1
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is self-help real or nonsense? Jason and Peter have always been skeptical of the ability for self-help books and seminars to impact and improve a person’s life…they even delved into the comedic aspects of the self-help world with their 2001 ABC sitcom “Bob Patterson.”
So, when they discovered that Judd Apatow…uber successful screenwriter, producer, noted comedian, author and director of a myriad of cultural-defining comedies such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, This is 40, Funny People, Trainwreck and The King of Staten Island was a bit obsessed with the self-help genre… they needed to find out why!
They discuss Judd’s journey to self-help, his unique Ayahuasca experience, and why he writes his comedies as dramas! Really,no Really!!!
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW JUDD:
Website: juddapatow.com
Instagram: @JuddApatow
Buy Tickets: www.juddapatow.com/events
***
FOLLOW REALLY, NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To be successful in business you need to be tough, unrelenting, ruthless…a shark, right? That’s why one of the most successful shows about business is called, “Shark Tank”! But is there a kinder way to dominate the corporate world?
Daniel Lubetzky created his self-made-multi-billions with one overriding agenda – to foster connection, understanding and most importantly, to promote kindness between people who are in conflict. Best known as the founder of KIND Snacks…in this episode he discusses how he almost made a $200 million dollar mistake, what it took to make Kind a successful brand, and his many charitable businesses, where his focus is empowering people to work across social divides, and to create real and lasting relationships.
AND…this kind man, is also the newest member of NBC’s, Shark Tank. Really no really!
***
***
FOLLOW DANIEL:
Website: daniellubetzky.com
Instagram: @DanielLubetzky
YouTube: @DanielLubetzkyOfficial
TikTok: @DanielLubetzky
X: @DanielLubetzky
Facebook: Daniel Lubetzky
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A violent undiagnosed aneurysm should have killed Sebastian Junger, a war reporter, a best-selling author, and an Academy Award winning documentarian. Junger came as close as anyone we know to dying, but he returned from the abyss and reveals what it was like.
For years Jason and Peter have heard about so-called NDE’s – near-death experiences where the clinically dead - miraculously resuscitated - come back to life with eerily familiar stories. Whether it’s long-dead relatives speaking to them from the afterlife, or encountering an enormous tunnel, illuminated by a brilliant, welcoming light…. are these stories evidence of a “Great Beyond”, or simply wild spasms of a dying brain? After Junger’s NDE, he launched an investigation and uncovered a possible third answer that may expand our understanding of the universe itself. Really, no really.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW SEBASTIAN:
His latest book: In My Time of Dying: How I came face to face with the idea of an afterlife
Website: SebastianJunger.com
Instagram: @SebastianJungerOfficial
X: @sebastianjunger
Facebook: @SebastianJunger
***
FOLLOW REALLY, NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is a growing phenomenon in the world of extreme fighting you might not be aware of. Of course there’s boxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts… but for people who want something more dangerous, more brutal…a sport that affords an opportunity to hit…or be hit with a sword, a mace, or even a battle axe - there’s now…Medieval Fighting! Really, no really!
Jason and Peter wondered why seemingly average Joes would spend thousands of dollars on armor and 14th century weaponry and travel the globe for an opportunity to fight in this brutal way. So, they turned to Simon Rohrich, a multiple world champion and expert in Medieval Fighting.
By day, Simon is an Arizona based inventor and technology consultant… but his other persona is, Baron Josef Donnerbauch, who is proficient in staff, axe and longsword armored combat, close quarters fighting, and grappling. He discusses the growing appeal of Medieval Fighting, how it may help war veterans suffering from PTSD, and what it felt like to have a large axe imbedded in his skull!
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW SIMON:
Website: simonrohrich.com
Instagram: @SimonRohrich
YouTube: @axemaster
X: @SimonRinventor
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 2020 "keto" was the most Googled food-related topic in the world. More than 23 million Americans have been on the ketogenic diet, yet many of the foods on the keto diet have been linked to heart disease, stroke, and other illnesses. So…is the ketogenic diet harming us or leading us to a healthy, buttery, red meat “promised land”? In this episode we attempt to get the answer. Really, no really!
Jason and to a lesser extent Peter have struggled with weight their entire lives. Jason can personally attest to his individual success/fail ratio on a multitude of diets AND his previous flirtation with the keto diet… which left him weighing less but with kidney stones and gout!
Dr. Ken Berry, a board-certified family physician, speaker and author based near Nashville, Tennessee whose focus is on the chronic diseases caused by the Standard American Diet and Lifestyle joins Jason and Peter to explain the benefits and to discuss the potential issues with the keto diet and its relationship to type 2 Diabetes, chronic inflammation, dementia and …keto crotch!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW DR. BERRY:
Instagram: @KenDBerry.md
YouTube: @KenDBerrymd
Facebook @KenDBerry.md
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Many industries, including toy and game makers, are increasingly depending on crowdsourcing for fresh ideas and to help decide what products to make. Outsourcing creativity to the masses can offer valuable feedback… but that data can also be misinterpreted, misunderstood or provide just-plain-bogus ideas.
The annual toy business in the United States is a $100 billion-dollar industry. It’s by far the biggest toy market in the world, but apparently the “titans of toys” are out of ideas. So now, their attitude about creating new “stuff” has shifted to an attitude of – you know what - you do it! Really, no really!
To breakdown the inner workings of today’s toy and game world, Jason and Peter turned to an old friend, David Fuhrer who has created and licensed more than 300 toys, games, and household products, generating retail sales of over $1 billion dollars. These include iconic products such as Nerf Vortex Football, Aqua Doodle, Twisty Petz, Guitar Hero Air Guitar, Bounce Around Tigger, Hershey’s S’mores Maker, and more. AND…he’s also the Guinness World Record holder for being the fastest backwards talker. Really, no Really.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW DAVID:
X: @funanuf123
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We now know that microplastics are literally everywhere! In our water, in our food, even in the organs of wild animals - found in the most remote places on Earth! But wait! Now scientists are discovering that there are even smaller fragments, called nanoplastic…so small… we consume them, potentially, with every breath we take. Really, no really!
These tiny particles and the chemicals that make plastics have been found in our brains, our lungs, kidneys, liver…even in men’s penises. Obviously, Jason and Peter had questions; so, they turned to the man who tests the levels of microplastics in the foods we buy and eat, Dr. James Rogers. He is the Director of Food Safety Research and Testing at Consumer Reports. He is responsible for leading the food safety and sustainability operations of the organization, including food testing, data analysis, and risk and safety assessments. As acting head of Product Safety Testing, he also oversees the team that assesses safe operation and use of consumer products.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW JAMES:
Consumer Reports website - www.consumerreports.org
LinkedIN – James E. Rogers, Ph.D.
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re in the golden age of finding and recovering trillion-dollar shipwrecks. These high-stakes, highly dangerous expeditions have been supercharged thanks to revolutionary deep ocean technologies. But… it’s not just the good guys searching through sunken Spanish galleons for gold doubloons; the rush to be first can sometimes get you killed. Really, no really!
Jason and Peter became aware of this phenomenon when they read about an elderly Florida couple arrested after appearing on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow. Appraisers were stunned to see gold ingots recovered “by a friend” from a shipwreck. Seeing the artifacts, French authorities claimed the couple were trafficking national treasures belonging to France.
The old adage “finders’ keepers” seemingly doesn’t apply - EVEN after spending years researching where the ships might be, then spending millions on expeditions HOPEFULLY finding the ship... hopefully. It seems like a lot of trouble when the country that lost and forgot about the treasure - hundreds of years ago can suddenly demand it back!
To help us salvage what’s actually going on… we turned to the “Indiana Jones” of underwater archeology -- Marine Scientist and Oceanographer, David L. Mearns – who is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club – he’s located 29 major shipwrecks and holds five Guinness World Records - including the deepest shipwreck ever found.
***
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW DAVID MEARNS:
Website: Blue Water Recoveries
X: @davidlmearns
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dungeons & Dragons, the legendary tabletop role-playing game featuring elves, dwarves, wizards, fighters, and legions of nerds is currently observing… its 50th anniversary! Really, no Really!
Over the five decades, the game has had its fair share of infamy with stories of “Satanic panic” and more recently, a resurgence after being featured on Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” But what is this game really about? And how can it be more popular than ever after 5 decades?
Jason and Peter, after much needling from the self -identified nerds on their production staff (and Jason’s son who is a proud Dungeon Master) bravely walked into the never-known realms of D&D with one of the game’s quintessential experts... Jon Peterson, who studies the history of games, especially tabletop role-playing games and wargames. His first book has just been re-released as “Playing at the World, 2E, Volume 1: The Invention of Dungeons & Dragons” which has been called "the first serious history of the development of Dungeons & Dragons" by the Village Voice.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW JON:
X: @docetist
Facebook: PlayingAtTheWorld
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’ve all seen videos of stage-hypnosis shows where seemingly random audience members are put to sleep, hypnotized and then… in no time, they’re clucking like chickens, dancing like ballerinas, or swatting away imaginary pests. Jason and Peter had to find out if this was something staged or “real” hypnosis.
Today’s guest, Dr. David Spiegel had the answer and reveals whether hypnotism can make people do things against their will, increase their physical strength and he even hypnotizes both Jason and Peter. Really, no really!
Dr. Spiegel has more than 40 years of clinical and research experience studying differing psychological disciplines, including hypnosis. He has used hypnosis since 1967, achieving and publishing results in more than 404 scientific journal articles, and 170 book chapters.
He is also the founder of Reveri, a self-hypnosis app.
So, sit back, get comfortable, and be prepared for a very, hypnotic episode…Really, no Really!
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW DR. SPIEGEL:
Website: reveri.com
Instagram: @Reveri
X: @reveri_health
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’ve all heard of The Nobel Peace prize and the Nobel Literature prize, Science, and Medicine prizes. Well, this episode has absolutely nothing to do with any of that!
But! If you come up with an idea that is an unusual or trivial or a bizarre achievement in scientific research, well then…we have an award for you. It’s called the Ig Nobel Prize, and anyone can win it, if their idea makes you laugh…and then… makes you think! Really, no really!
The Prize was created by today’s guest, Marc Abrahams who has awarded it annually since 1991. And the awards are handed out annually by genuine Nobel laureates, as they honor and celebrate the unusual, the creative and the imaginative… while also spurring people’s interest in science, medicine, and technology.
So be prepared to learn about woodpeckers and concussions, an unusual childbirth device and the importance of fish farts. That’s right… fish farts!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW MARC:
Website – Improbable.com
Mastodon - @MarcAbrams
Facebook - Marc Abrahams
Podcast – Improbable Research
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does your dog truly love you or are they faking it? A recent Newsweek cover story posed that very question and revealed that scientific research provides an answer! Really, no Really!
But can science really prove how your dog feels about you? Or for that matter, can it prove TRUE love, between animals or people? Fascinated by the scientific inquiry, Jason and Peter turned to Dr. Gregory Berns…the Distinguished Professor of Neuroeconomics at Emory University, and the scientist who conducted the actual “Love Research”, even going so far as using MRIs to discover what’s really going on in a dog’s brain!
Pet parents…prepare yourself for the truth!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW DR. BERNS:
Website - GregoryBerns.com
X - @gberns
Newly released book: “Cowpuppy: An Unexpected Friendship and a Scientist’s Journey into the Secret World of Cows”
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’ve all seen them…white streaks emanating from behind commercial airliners. Is it water vapor or is there something more nefarious being released at 30,000ft? Tennessee legislators were so alarmed by these white plumes, they just passed legislation banning so-called “chemtrails” and any other form of geoengineering. Really, no Really!
Chemtrails have been linked to conspiracies about secretive government forces who are using them to release chemicals that could cause sterilization, reduction of life expectancy, mind and weather control and a whole host of other sinister outcomes. But are any of these conspiracies real?
When Jason and Peter, saw that 6 or more states are taking up similar anti-chemtrail legislation, they turned to Dr. Joshua Horton, Senior Program Fellow for Geoengineering at the Harvard Kennedy School for answers.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW JOSH:
X – @joshuahorton533
LinkedIn – Joshua Horton
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is an entire world - just below our feet - that defies our conventional understanding of intelligence. It’s a superhighway of fungal interconnectedness, trillions of miles of fungal networks that enable trees to recognize their families, communicate with each other and even share resources. And those fungi, which may be hundreds of millions of years old, may just be the key to saving our planet from pollution and global warming!
In this episode, Jason and Peter are joined by Louie Schwartzberg, director of the beautiful 2019 documentary film, “Fantastic Fungi” to explore the amazing world of fungi and mushrooms, and to discuss their awe-inspiring power to heal, protect, and transform our world. And what's most shocking… mushrooms are more closely related to humans than they are to plants…Really, no Really!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW LOUIE:
Website - louiechannel.tv
Instagram - @LouieSchwartzberg
YouTube - @fantasticfungiofficial
X - @LouieFilms
TikTok - @louieschwartzberg
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a medical condition with symptoms that include difficulty focusing and staying on task, impulsivity and self-control issues. Worldwide over 336 million people live with ADHD including our own Peter Tilden – and they view it as a daily burden that makes simple tasks challenging and often anxiety-ridden. But one family, wildly famous throughout the social media stratosphere view their struggle with ADHD as something positive. Really, no Really!
Today’s guests! Kim and Penn Holderness are best-selling authors and their most recent book is , “ADHD is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD!
Known for their award-winning videos, they have garnered over 2 billion views and over 8 million followers across their social media platforms. They’re also award-winning podcasters and were the winners on Season 33 of The Amazing Race.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW THE HOLDERNESS FAMILY:
Website - theholdernessfamily.com
Facebook – The Holderness Family
YouTube – The Holderness Family
Instagram – The Holderness Family
TikTok – The Holderness Family
X – @KimDHolderness
Pinterest – Holdernessfam
Podcast – The Holderness Family Podcast
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Post-COVID, we are all living under evolved or flat-out different protocols. And many of us may be unsure which societal rules have changed and what new rules have emerged. Thankfully, New York magazine reformulated and clarified the guidelines concerning how we should all behave in a post -pandemic world. Really, no Really!
In this episode we discuss and analyze some of the “194 Modern Etiquette Rules for Life After Covid”with New York magazine editor Choire Sicha, who previously made waves as co-editor at Gawker (twice) and was the former editor at the “Styles” desk of the New York Times. You’ll learn whether it’s okay to Email, text & direct message at any hour. Whether it’s now okay to discipline your friend’s children. AND…if there’s ever a time when it’s okay to be a Karen?
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW CHOIRE:
Instagram - @choiresicha
X - @Choire
The article: “Do You Know How to Behave? Are You Sure?”
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Psychics. We see their tiny storefront shops in some of the most exclusive zip codes; Beverly Hills, Uptown Manhattan, the fanciest streets in your town – with sun-faded curtains and neon signs promoting palm readings, cures for curses and prophecies from your future. But there’s a much darker side hidden behind the tarot cards and crystal balls.
In this episode, Bob Nygaard, a private detective who has recovered millions of dollars for victims of psychic fraud reveals the techniques he uses to surprise and bust corrupt psychics.
He also reveals a HUGE SECRET to Jason and Peter about the covert organizations that run many of the psychic scams in an industry with a projected income of over…2 billion dollars a year! Really, no Really!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW BOB NYGAARD:
Website - about.me/bob.nygaard
X - @buncopi
LinkedIN – Bob Nygaard
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over the past several years people’s belief in ghosts, hauntings, and the supernatural have steadily crept up and recent studies reveal that 67% of Americans believe in the paranormal. Really, no really!
With the occult being one of Jason’s favorite topics, he and Peter wanted to examine the phenomenon with today’s hottest ghost hunters. Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej host Ghost Files – the popular show that investigates the world's most haunted locations in a quest to prove the paranormal. The unique twist in the Ghost Files format is that the hosting team consists of a true believer and a total skeptic!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW RYAN & SHANE:
Ghost Files Season 2 is coming in 2025
Instagram - @RyanBergara
Instagram - @ShaneMadej
YouTube – Ghost Files
Website – WatcherEntertainment.com
X - @wearewatcher
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Jason and Peter heard about a study suggesting that children in The Netherlands were the happiest kids in the world, their reaction was naturally…Really, no really!
They were determined to find out how The Netherlands was able to lay claim to having the happiest children in the world! And more importantly…if their claim was true, what could be learned from their child rearing techniques. They also wanted to figure out the correct name for the country, since people refer to it as - “Netherlands” or “The Netherlands” or “Holland”!
For answers they turned to an actual Netherlander (or whatever they’re called) Veronique van der Kleij. She is a child and school psychologist who has worked at The International School of the Hague with children, adolescents, and their families. She specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She also has a master’s in child and Adolescent Psychology, and a 2-year post-master degree in School Psychology.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW VERONIQUE:
Website: Calm-Mind-Psychology.nl
LinkedIN @Veronique van der Kleij
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The pandemic thrust millions of us into remote work, and the consensus for most of us is – we love it! Reduced commutes, getting deliveries, our own bathrooms, and the ability to hang out with our pets!
So then why are major employers increasingly pushing back against remote work while bemoaning quiet quitting and the degradation of office culture? And their biggest corporate complaint…less productivity…seems to be a lie! Really, no really!
Jason and Peter were surprised by this revelation and needed more info, so they enlisted the help of Nick Bloom. He’s Co-Director of the Productivity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and well equipped to explain not only the latest technological innovations created for at-home work but also the changing socio-economic realities that make working from home a critical part of our economy.
Professor Bloom is the William Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford University. He is the co-founder of WFH Research. He’s also the recipient of the prestigious Frisch Medal in 2010. In 2022 he was granted a Guggenheim Fellowship and Bloomberg ranked him as one of its 50 Most Influential.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW NICK BLOOM:
Website: WFHresearch.com
X: @I_Am_NickBloom
LinkedIN: Nick Bloom
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Like most people, you’ve probably heard of Mike Rowe because of his willingness to do over 300 strange, disgusting and unique jobs like – sewer inspector – cow inseminator and shark suit tester as the creator and host of Discovery Channel’s popular show “Dirty Jobs”.
But when Jason and Peter heard about his unusual start in the entertainment business, they invited him to discuss that…AND…the secret sauce that made Dirty Jobs a phenomenon. His podcast, “The Way I Heard It”, which has been downloaded nearly 300 million times. His new movie, “Something to Stand For” in theaters June 27th and available HERE. And his dirty joke... on Sesame Street! Really, no Really!!!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW MIKE:
Website – www.MikeRowe.com
Facebook – Mike Rowe
X - @MikeRoweWorks
YouTube - @TheRealMikeRowe
Instagram - @MikeRowe
Podcast – The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
Movie – “Something to Stand For”
Foundation - Mike Rowe WORKS
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sleep deprivation can lead to hypertension, compromised immunity, stroke, obesity, premature death, and a whole host of other serious maladies. Between 25 and 30 million Americans have insomnia at any given time; no wonder the newest trend in wellness is… “Sleep Tourism”. Really, no really!
But what exactly is “Sleep Tourism”? Jason and Peter were determined to find out, so they sought out global hospitality and travel expert Kaushik Vardharajan. And what they discovered was a world filled with A.I. powered beds, smart-sheets, quiet floors, and lots of fascinating hotel secrets you need to know. So, sit back, relax and maybe tonight, you’ll finally be able to get a good night’s sleep…
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW KAUSHIK:
You can find Kaushik on LinkedIn
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the United States, the airline industry loses an estimated 2 million bags annually. Now you might be wondering, where do all those lost bags end up? Well Jason and Peter were able to get a definitive answer to that question. The majority end up in Alabama! Really, no Really!
Our guest Bryan Owens discusses his unique family business…which has been dealing with lost and unclaimed luggage for over 50 years. Their enormous store, in Scottsboro, Alabama - which covers more than a city block - sells tens of thousands of unclaimed baggage items every year.
And with five decades of experience processing enormous volumes of lost items, Bryan reveals some of the one-of-a-kind pieces found in unclaimed luggage… including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian burial mask, a live rattlesnake, and even a shrunken human head which you can see in the store’s recently opened museum.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW BRYAN:
Website: UnclaimedBaggage.com
Instagram: @UnclaimBag
X: @UnclaimedBag
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You can now rent a professional bridesmaid for your wedding! Really, no really!
Before you ask the inevitable and logical question…why anyone would need to rent somebody to be their bridesmaid, consider this: twenty two percent of Americans say that it has been at least five years since they’ve made a new friend and nearly one-third say they have three or fewer close friends. With friendship in decline no wonder one woman, today’s guest has acted as a bridesmaid in hundreds of weddings for brides she didn’t know.
Jen Glantz is the world’s first professional bridesmaid and founder of Bridesmaid for Hire, she’s also a best-selling author, a blogger, she writes several newsletters, and she hosts the wildly popular podcast, You’re Not Getting Any Younger.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW JEN GLANTZ:
Website: BridesmaidForHire.com
Blog: The Things I Learned From
Podcast: You're Not Getting Any Younger
Instagram: @jenglantz
TikTok: @BridesmaidForHire
X: @jenglantz
Facebook: Jen Glantz
YouTube: @jenglantz
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A man attempted suicide by overdosing on a drug he was given in a clinical trial. He was rushed to a hospital in bad shape…shaking, breathing rapidly with a dangerously low pulse, and blood pressure that had bottomed out. He was eventually stabilized, but not by anything the staff at the hospital did. The treatment and cure? He was informed that the overdose he had taken was a placebo. He had downed 29 capsules that were effectively sugar pills and the cause of his medical emergency… was all in his mind…Really, no really!
Jason and Peter were fascinated by the seemingly lethal effects of an inert substance. And while they had heard about the placebo effect, they were amazed that it could be this powerful. To find out more, they sought out the world’s foremost expert and researcher on the subject. Dr. Luana Colloca is a distinguished professor at the University of Maryland and the Director of the Placebo Beyond Opinions Center.
As an NIH-funded, internationally recognized expert, Dr. Colloca and her team research human pain modulation in patients suffering from chronic pain hoping to deepen understanding of placebo and nocebo effects.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW LUANA:
Placebo Beyond Opinions (PBO) Center
Instagram: @CollocaLab
Facebook: @LuanaColloca
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you heard about Wally the 5-foot-long, 60-pound emotional support alligator? Wally’s owner sleeps with him, walks him on a leash, and even hosts children’s pool parties featuring the supposedly docile reptile. With their inhuman eyes, prehistoric looks, razor sharp teeth, and propensity to eat small dogs (and sometimes their owners), most of us have concluded that alligators are mindless, aggressive killing machines. Today’s guest says…we’re wrong. Really, no really!
We wanted to know if Wally’s antics represented the tip of the iceberg when it came to alligators demonstrating intelligence, receptiveness to petting and scratching, and if gators could express affection towards their human companions. Thousands of videos on Instagram and Tik Tok show people interacting lovingly with alligators so to understand the dichotomy of a predator with feelings we sought out Paul Bedard, one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet when it comes to understanding the psyche of wild alligators and how humans can interact with them in a safe and…get this… fun way.
Paul was featured on Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” for 6 seasons where viewers saw him catch and rescue alligators that were deemed a threat to people, pets, or livestock. Outside of the reality show, Paul leads The Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Sanctuary housed in the Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
ON THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW PAUL:
Everglades Holiday Park: EvergladesHolidayPark.com
Instagram: @gatorboysalligatorrescue
YouTube: @gatorboysoutdoors
Facebook: @GatorBoysPaul
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s episode is all about our frustration with customer service… which by anyone’s standards is getting worse and worse! You experience it every time you encounter a phone tree, interact with a chatbot, or deal with increasingly longer hold times. The truly shocking fact, the apparent ineptitude of most customer service departments is by design. Really, no Really!
Jason and Peter had to find out the reason a company would intentionally offer unsatisfactory customer service and became even more bemused when they realized that A.I. is going to impact the entire sector. That’s why they sought out Amas Tenumah, a customer service expert and technologist who has advised DirecTV, Fastly, Wendy's, Teleflora, and Coca-Cola. His work has been featured on NPR, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, and other business journals.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW AMAS:
Website: AmasTenumah.com
Instagram: @AmasTenumah
YouTube: @AmasTenumah
Facebook: Amas Tenumah
X: @AmasTenumah
LinkedIn: Amas Tenumah
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Robert Sapolsky a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant winner and professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University has rankled the scientific and philosophic communities by arguing one simple point: There is no free will! We only THINK we’re making our own decisions. Really, no really!
When Jason and Peter heard this, they realized that they had absolutely no choice but to contact Dr. Sapolsky so they could get him to explain his thesis…in a simplistic way…that even they could understand. And he did!
Dr. Robert Sapolsky is a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya, and the author of: Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, A Primate's Memoir, The Trouble with Testosterone, Monkeyluv, and his latest is Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will. He is a regular contributor to Discover.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW ROBERT:
His latest book: “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will”
TikTok: @ aprimatestiktok
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The cannabis available today is much, much stronger than the weed grandma was smoking back in her day and the effects on our brains are much more significant than previously thought. Really, no really!
Jason and Peter sought out Dr. Ryan Sultan an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University to understand the underlying reasons for our growing inability to get along but when we had him in studio we also picked his brain relating to his expertise in cannabis. He's also an expert in the areas of anxiety, mood disorders, depression, ADHD, and substance abuse. Ryan graciously agreed to help us understand why Peter has been so edgy lately since he's gone cold turkey off marijuana.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW DR. SULTAN
He is the director of Integrative Psych, as well as being director of Sultan Lab at Columbia University.
Instagram @rsultanmd
X @DrRyanSultan
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s becoming impossible to ignore the epidemic of public incivility. Tirades in supermarkets, performers pelted with projectiles, drunken movie goers brawling, tantrums on airplanes, and of course, the Oscar slap seen around the world! This can’t all just be coincidence. Social media constantly churns out evidence of this growing trend which begs the question: Which came first, the incivility or the smartphone cameras capturing it all? Really, no really?
Jason and Peter sought out an expert in human behavior to help discover the underlying reasons for our growing inability to get along. And Dr. Ryan Sultan an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University graciously agreed to help us understand society’s current decline in decency.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW DR. SULTAN
He is the director of Integrative Psych, as well as being director of Sultan Lab at Columbia University.
Instagram @rsultanmd
X @DrRyanSultan
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Harvard is teaching a course on…Taylor Swift? Yes! Harvard University, the one in Cambridge, Massachusetts has a new course about T-Swizzle whose Eras Tour has earned over 1 billion dollars so far. And whose latest album just broke multiple streaming records within hours of its release. Really, no Really!
Our initial reaction was to poo-poo the Harvard course because we happen to be congenital born poo-poo-ers. But when we investigated the course syllabus, we found it fascinating, and an easy A it’s not.
Jason and Peter have enlisted the talents of Professor Stephanie Burt -who teaches the Taylor Swift course at Harvard - to not only discuss her class, but to also take a closer look at the woman, her music, the music industry she has upended and her rabid fan base, the Swifties.
Professor Stephanie Burt is the Donald and Catherine Loker Professor of English at Harvard University and has published various collections of poetry and a large amount of literary criticism and research. The New York Times has called Professor Burt "one of the most influential poetry critics of her generation".
You’ll also hear how Jason and Peter gave Taylor a job, way back in the day. Really, no Really!
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW PROFESSOR BURT:
X: @accommodatingly
BlueSky Social: @notquitehydepark.bsky.social
Podcast: teamupmoves.com
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode attempts to answer the question… “Are airlines putting dangerous planes into the sky?” Recently, a Boeing 737 Max 9 had a door plug blow out at 16,000 feet, creating a gaping hole that sucked out, among other things…the shirt off the back of a startled teenager. Really, no Really!
That incident (along with a few others) reminded us of that Netflix documentary exposing the egregious decline of Boeing, a once great American manufacturer. 2023 was considered a travel nightmare for many and 2024 looks to be no better with shortages of air traffic controllers, pilots, and planes.
To enlighten us about the current state of air travel, Jason and Peter invited CNN’s, always entertaining - aviation expert and correspondent- Richard Quest. Richard has interviewed every major airline executive and covered the crashes of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, and the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW RICHARD QUEST:
X @RichardQuest
Quest Means Business, airs weekdays at 3pm ET / 12pm PT on CNN International
Pick up Richard’s book: 'The Vanishing of Flight MH370: The True Story of the Hunt for the Missing Malaysian Plane'
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fame! That mystical quality that often leads young stars to crushing downfalls, addiction, financial ruin, even personal tragedy. So, is it better to become famous later in life, when you hopefully have the wisdom and experience to handle it?
For one Tennessee housewife and in-home jewelry salesperson Leanne Morgan, success didn’t happen till her late 50s. That’s when her incredible talent, perseverance and whit enabled her to go from playing small comedy clubs, to arenas, landing a Netflix special, and getting the part of Reese Witherspoon’s big sister in her upcoming comedy with Will Ferrell!
When Peter saw Leanne perform, it evoked memories of comedic timing reminiscent of Joan Rivers. When Jason caught her stand-up act, he immediately fell in love. And apparently, he’s not the only one. Her first YouTube comedy special reached - over 50 million views! Really, no Really!
And we’re happy to say Leanne is joining us to talk about her special brand of Southern-inspired comedy and what it’s like to hit it big… later in life.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW LEANNE:
Netflix Special: Leanne Morgan: I’m Every Woman
Website: LeanneMorgan.com
Instagram: @LeanneMorganComedy
TikTok: @LeanneMorganComedy
YouTube: @LeanneMorganComedy
Facebook: @Leanne Morgan
X: @LeanneComedy
Pre-Order Book: “What in the World?!: A Southern Woman's Guide to Laughing at Life's Unexpected Curveballs and Beautiful Blessings”
Watch her on Amazon Prime’s forthcoming feature, You’re Cordially Invited, alongside Will Ferrell & Reese Witherspoon.
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As celebrities bask in their own fame, they are frequently offered exceptionally lucrative endorsement deals, often worth obscene amounts of money. But as this trend has grown over the past decade, many of the deals seem to be encountering significant problems!
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s wine brand may take a hit due to their acrimonious divorce. Diddy (formerly Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puffy and more) reportedly lost 18 brand partnerships due to assault allegations. And Adidas’s billion-dollar deal with the controversial Ye (formerly Kanye) may end up costing them over a billion dollars…Really, no Really!
So, is it worth hiring a well-known star to create awareness for your brand or has it now become a recipe for disaster? To help find the answer, Jason and Peter invited Mark Haas to join them. Mark is the CEO of The Helmsman Group which helps brands navigate the world of consumer-packaged goods and he’s helped over 200 new product platforms enter the commercial market— representing more than $2 billion in sales over the last decade.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW MARK:
Web: HelmsmanGroup.com
Instagram: @HelmsmanGroup
Facebook: The Helmsman Group
LinkedIN: Helmsman Group
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s episode could be titled, “Hello Newman” because the internationally loved actor, Wayne Knight visits Really, no Really to talk about his iconic roles... including Seinfeld’s scheming Postman Newman, and Jurassic Park's techno-wiz Dennis Nedry.
In this episode, Jason and Peter get Wayne to discuss what it’s like to get cast in projects based on his weight, being held hostage on the set of Oliver Stone’s JFK, and his bizarre audition with the director of Basic Instinct - Really, no Really!
In addition to the credits listed above, Wayne has appeared on Broadway in the plays Gemini, Mastergate, Art and Sweet Charity plus the movies… Dirty Dancing, Born on the 4th of July, Dead Again, JFK, Space Jam, For Richer or Poorer, Rat Race – and the list goes on!
He also voiced the villainous toy collector Al McWhiggin in Toy Story 2, plus characters in Tarzan, Kung Fu Panda, Harley Quinn and many other animated projects.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW WAYNE:
Wayne’s upcoming shows: Amazon Prime’s season 2 of Them and Max’s Bookie.
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is all about trying to figure out if TikTok - the video hosting platform owned by the Chinese company Byte Dance should be banned or not. Over 70% of young Americans use TikTok, which critics claim is spying on, manipulating, and spreading misinformation to its users. But is TikTok any different than Meta, Google, or X? Our guest’s answer may surprise you… Really, no really!
Bruce Schneier is a cryptographer, computer security professional, privacy specialist, who has been writing about security issues since 2004 and is a fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University; a Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School; a board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and AccessNow; and an Advisory Board Member of the Electronic Privacy Information Center and VerifiedVoting.org. He is the Chief of Security Architecture at Inrupt, Inc.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW BRUCE:
Bruce’s Blog: Schneier.com
X: @schneierblog
Facebook: Bruce Schneier
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode should be titled “Mission Insanity” because it’s all about exploring how Tom Cruise performs his own death-defying stunts…and why!
Jason and Peter were determined to find out the real reason Tom “risks it all” in every film. How he trains for a stunt that’s never been done before and whether he’s going to continue to try and outdo himself with each new film now that he’s in his 60’s!
And they succeeded in finding the person with the answers… Wade Eastwood. He’s best known as the Action Director and Stunt Coordinator for the Mission: Impossible franchise. He’s also a fixed wing & helicopter pilot, sky diver, rescue scuba diver, accomplished black belt martial artist, boxer, fencer, yacht skipper, highly graded horse rider who has advanced weapons skills… plus he races cars internationally, with a string of wins! And - he knows the secret to how Tom Cruise creates and executes jaw dropping, mind-blowing stunts.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW WADE:
Instagram @wadeeastwood
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In case you haven’t noticed, there appears to be a subtitle revolution, with current research showing that as many as 61% of us are using subtitles regularly. And that number is rapidly growing! Really, no really!
Everyone hasn’t suddenly become hard of hearing, so why are subtitles suddenly becoming the norm? This global entertainment trend is transforming the way we watch television and movies…and content creators secretly admit there is a problem that necessitates subtitles! So, we had to unravel the reasons why more of us are opting for on screen text.
To help us explain the subtitle takeover, Jason and Peter enlisted the services of film researcher and producer Ed Vega, who specializes in - as his bio says - all things cinema, from the intricacies of film history to the nuts and bolts of filmmaking AND prolific dialogue editor and sound designer Austin Olivia Kendrick whose notable work includes - Star Trek Discovery, the HBO series Barry, Monster High, Rugrats, Transformers: Earthspark among many others.
IN THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW ED:
Website: Vox.com
Instagram: @edfromqueens
***
FOLLOW AUSTIN:
Instagram: @aok.wav
TikTok: @aok.wav
Facebook: Austin Olivia Kendrick
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MrBeast aka 25-year-old Jimmy Donaldson is the biggest solo performer on YouTube. He’s followed by over 400 million people who watch his insane stunts and his enormous acts of philanthropy.
So, who is this introverted twenty-five-year-old and what makes him tick? Did he really figure out the YouTube recommendation algorithm, and what makes him different from thousands of similar creators on YouTuber? For answers we contacted a writer who for three days, embedded herself with MrBeast, in his enormous compound, in Greenville, North Carolina…Ej Dickson.
Ej is a Senior Writer for Rolling Stone and covers internet culture. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, New York Magazine, Elle, GQ, and Playboy, among others. She's also been featured on NPR's All Things Considered and This American Life, as well as the Hulu docuseries "Only Fans: Selling Sexy," The New Yorker once called her "ineffably cool."
ON THIS EPISODE:
***
FOLLOW EJ:
Web RollingStone.com
Podcast: Pod…CATS with Ej Dickson
Instagram @ejdickson
X @ejdickson
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 11 years on ABC’s Modern Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson never won a Primetime Emmy even though he was nominated 5 times. Jason, who reminds us often, was nominated 7 times for Seinfeld so in this episode, we find out who lost it, better. And Jesse’s show is so popular there are even versions in Chile, Greece, Russia, and even Iran! Really, no really?
Actor, author, podcaster, philanthropist, restaurateur, and activist Jesse Tyler Ferguson is best known for his portrayal of Mitchell Pritchett on the hit sitcom Modern Family. He’s also done a variety of stage and screen work including “Cocaine Bear”, and “Ice Age: Collision Course.” He won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in the 2022 Broadway revival of Richard Greenberg's “Take Me Out” and for his performance in 2016’s “Fully Committed”, Jesse won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW JESSE:
Website: www.jessetylerferguson.com
Podcast: Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Instagram: @jessetyler
TikTok: @jessetyler
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There’s a brand-new, George Carlin comedy special, which is mystifying and disturbing since he died in 2008!
Legendary comedian George Carlin was unceremoniously resurrected from the grave by a comedy podcast claiming to have created an AI-generated Carlin, based upon decades worth of his existing material. The special they created - “I’m Glad I’m Dead”- had the AI created legend commenting on current issues such as mass shootings, America’s class system, streaming services, social media…even Taylor Swift’s sex life…Really, no Really!
But the computer-generated version lacks Carlin’s brilliance and has created a brouhaha that leads us to an unsettled legal question…whether training A.I. language learning models on publicly available written, visual and audio content infringes on the copyrights of artists and authors. Is it ethical or legal for someone to create a new George Carlin, without his or his estate’s permission?
Jason and Peter needed to find out, so they went to the source, Carlin’s daughter, Kelly Carlin to discuss the controversy, her lawsuit, her dad’s legacy, and what she feels her father would have to say about the current controversy?
Kelly Carlin is a storyteller, writer, performer, photographer, a practitioner of Zen Buddhism and the daughter of the legendary comedian George Carlin who died in 2008. Since then, Kelly has upheld his legacy by spreading his life’s work through many media, protecting his work and image in the public sphere, and stepping into the limelight in her own right.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW KELLY:
Website: TheKellyCarlinSite.com
Memoir: A Carlin Home Companion: Growing Up with George
Podcast: Waking from the American Dream
Instagram: @KellyCarlinisHere
SiriusXM: The Kelly Carlin Show on Sirius XM’s Raw Dog (ch.99)
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Author Mary Roach is a hands-on writer specializing in science related topics that tap into some of the more curious and unexpected nooks of our lives. But “hands-on” doesn’t fully capture the lengths she’ll go to capture her stories – for her book examining the intricacies of sex, science, and relationships, she convinced her husband to have sex while monitored and recorded in an MRI, Ultrasound, Sonogram-like device…Really, no Really!
Mary Roach is an author specializing in popular science and humor having written seven New York Times bestsellers, including Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, STIFF: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers; GULP: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, and PACKING FOR MARS: The Curious Science of Life in the Void and her latest book, FUZZ: When Nature Breaks the Law.
Mary has written for National Geographic, Wired, The New York Times Magazine, Vogue, GQ, and the Journal of Clinical Anatomy, among many, many others.
Her 2009 TED talk, "Ten Things You Didn't Know About Orgasm", made the organization's list of top 10 most popular talks of all time.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Website: MaryRoach.net
X/Twitter: @mary_roach
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Snakes…why'd it have to be snakes? There’s a Burmese Python problem in Florida’s Everglades which is dramatically altering the ecological balance in the Sunshine State. Currently, the only way to control these non-native, invasive snakes, is to send hunters deep into allegator infested swamps to find, capture, and kill these apex predators. Really, no Really!
You might imagine these Hunters as burly “Crocodile Dundee-types” with sophisticated equipment, night vision, Rambo-style bowie knives, and guns, lots of guns. But reality is quite different. Our guest today Amy Siewe styles herself as the “Python Huntress;” she’s a 5’4, 120lbs. woman who by trade is a realtor, who regularly captures these beasts – some as big as 20 feet, 250 pounds - using only a canvas bag and her wits. She has killed over 400 pythons using a quick and humane method but the number of endangered or threatened native species being eaten by these pythons is getting longer each year.
Is this really the best solution to this problem and what does she do with all those dead snakes? The answers might surprise you.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Googleheim: Pythons are just one of the many invasive species harming Florida’s ecology.
FOLLOW AMY SIEWE:
WATCH Amy take down a 17ft python
Website: PythonHuntress.com
Instagram: @ThePythonHuntress
YouTube: Python Huntress Amy Siewe
X/Twitter: @AmySiewe
Facebook: Amy Siewe
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s an understatement calling it adventure tourism, at minimum its extreme travel, more accurately it’s insanely dangerous. Diving to crushing depths to glimpse the Titanic, sightseeing hostile dictatorships, postcard-shopping in active war zones – increasingly, people are choosing to go to these places…for vacation. Really, no really!
What could possibly possess a person to willingly put their lives in danger for a few photographs and an unusual stamp on their passport? You might expect these reckless tourists to be former Special Forces or folks with cultural ties so deep that it neutralizes the danger. Well…maybe those people exist but today Jason and Peter are talking to Mike Reiss, a middle-aged, Emmy-winning, Simpsons writer-producer whose wife compelled him to visit 136 countries, including Iran, Syria, and even North Korea!
Mike Reiss has won four Emmys and a Peabody Award during his twenty-eight years writing for The Simpsons. He ran the show in Season 4, which Entertainment Weekly called “the greatest season of the greatest show in history. And Mike claims to be happily married for over thirty years. We believe him…?
ON THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW MIKE REISS:
Podcast: What Am I Doing Here? with Mike Reiss
X/Twitter: @MikeReissWriter
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Eco-Consequences, Why We Overconsume and Deceptive Costs!
If you’ve returned holiday gifts or things you bought but didn’t need or the pants you bought in multiple sizes that didn’t fit…you are part of what’s being called the “return tsunami” - which costs the planet about a trillion dollars annually. Really, no really!
With free shipping and easy return policies, American’s are over-consuming and then sending stuff back in record numbers. But most buyers are completely unaware of what really happens to their returned items. When Jason and Peter discovered that many essentially ‘brand-new’ items end up in a pile so enormous that it can be seen from space…they had to find the expert who could break down the issues like a huge pile of Amazon boxes.
Dr. Dale Rogers is a supply chain guru. He is the recipient of the Academic Giant Award from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and in the Supply Chain Hall of Fame. He is currently the Director of the Frontier Economies Logistics Lab and the Director of the Internet Edge Supply Chain Lab at Arizona State University.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW DR. DALE ROGERS:
X/Twitter: @CariscaProf
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Disneyland has “smellitizers” that stealthily blow aromas to intensify visitor’s sensory experiences and create lasting memories! And Disney isn’t alone in this over 40-billion-dollar mechanization of our sense of smell. Celebrities, auto manufacturers, insurance companies and even the military have employed scents to influence people’s behavior, without them even realizing it. Really, no really!
To help Jason and Peter understand the enormous impact of the communal and commercial use of scents, they enlisted Dawn Goldworm, an internationally recognized olfactive expert.
Commonly referred to as a “nose” Dawn has more than 20 Years of experience designing fragrances for luxury brands such as: American Express, Lady Gaga, Mercedes Benz, Fendi, Ritz Carlton, Valentino and many more.
She also possesses a rare ability called “synesthesia” which blends her sense of sight, touch, sound, and smell, and is her secret weapon in designing unique and innovative scent creations.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Googleheim and the Olfactory Challenge!
FOLLOW DAWN:
Instagram: @dawn_goldworm & @12.29scent & @scentforgood
Twitter: @DawnKiren
Web: 1229scent.com
Dawn’s TED Talk: How to control emotion and influence behavior
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Jason and Peter read that actor, producer, director, author, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Bryan Cranston was retiring to spend more time with his family, in France, or something like that…they had to find out if it was true. Why would an actor in his prime retire now? The actual answer may surprise you. Really, no Really!
He has two Tony Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award nomination - and you probably know him best as Walter White from the series Breaking Bad which won him 6 Primetime Emmys.
In this in-studio sit-down, Bryan addresses his curtain call, takes a deep dive into his creative process, and reveals some quite novel and shocking life experiences…like being wanted for murder!
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW BRYAN:
Instagram: @BryanCranston
Facebook: Bryan Cranston
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
COVID killed the all-you-can-eat buffet, right? With fogged sneeze guards, giant shared tongs and serving spoons, communal cheese boards, bread baskets and chocolate fountains, buffet line etiquette issues, and the threat posed by double dippers…the all-you-can-eat-buffet suddenly became a high stakes game of food roulette forcing us to become amateur epidemiologists.
But wait, post COVID, America’s appetite for all-you-can eat gluttony has apparently returned - perhaps bigger than ever. Really, no really!
We had to find out the reasons for the resurgence of the buffet and the complex relationship between food and desire. And to help explain the buffet’s renewed appeal, economics, and practicalities, we enlisted one of the country’s most knowledgeable restaurant experts… Restaurant Business Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Maze.
Jonathan is a longtime industry journalist who writes about restaurant finance, mergers and acquisitions and the economy, with a particular focus on quick-service restaurants. He writes daily about the factors influencing the operating environment, including labor and food costs and various industry trends such as technology and delivery. He writes a weekly blog, “The Bottom Line,” and is the host of the weekly podcast “A Deeper Dive.”
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW JONATHAN MAZE:
Web: Restaurant Business Magazine
Podcast: A Deeper Dive
Blog: The Bottom Line
Instagram: @jonathanmaze
TikTok: @jonathanDmaze
Facebook: Jonathan Maze
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jason will forever be associated with the 166th episode of Seinfeld, which featured Festivus…the holiday where families express their disappointment in each other, then demonstrate feats of strength around an unadorned, aluminum pole. For Seinfeld writer Dan O'Keefe, the horrors of the real-life Festivus, invented by his mad genius father, were traumatizing events. Really, no Really!
Since the Festivus episode aired, it has been celebrated by a multitude of families, as an alternative to traditional holidays. But Festivus isn’t the only neuvo-holiday tradition; 20% of Americans say their families celebrate similarly bizarre holiday traditions.
To discuss the true origin and lesser-known details of his family’s holiday and talk about the phenomenon that Festivus has become, we invited Dan O'Keefe to reminisce and reflect. Dan is a writer and producer, who in addition to working on Seinfeld also worked on The Drew Carey Show, The Tonight Show, Married…with Children, Bevis and Butthead, Silicon Valley, Veep and many more.
ON THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW DAN:
X: @djok_er
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week’s show is all about the joy AND angst of gift giving, the importance of context and considering the message you want to send with your gift. Peter learns this when he gives Jason the gift of Rolling Stone’s bassist, Darryl Jones-for his own- personal bass lesson, and Jason points out the problems issues he has with this incredible gift…Really, no Really!
Coincidently, besides playing bass with the Stones, Miles Davis, Madonna, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Herbie Hancock (the list goes on and on) Darryl is a burgeoning actor having played several roles in some major projects. So why not knock out two birds with one Stone (pardon the intentional pun) in exchange for his talents as a musician, Jason offers his tips and advice on being an actor.
Darryl Jones was born on the south side of Chicago into a musical family. At 21, he landed a life-changing gig with the legendary jazz icon Miles Davis, with whom he would record and tour over the next five years.
In 1993, Jones was chosen to replace longtime band member Bill Wyman as bassist for the Rolling Stones. Since then, he has toured the world, performed on studio and live albums, and appeared in documentary “Darryl Jones: In The Blood.”
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW DARRYL JONES:
Online: www.darryljones.com
Instagram and Facebook: @DarrylJonesBassist
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recipients of a 2-word email or text as basic as… “Nice job” or “Great work” are misinterpreting these messages a whopping 60% of the time! Really, no Really!
If we are misconstruing simple and clear communications this often and assuming that our intended messages have been easily understood…and they are not…we could be in the midst of a real miscommunication crisis!
With technological communication growing exponentially and younger people often shunning older more analogue forms of communication (like actual phone conversations) Jason and Peter hunted down a man who could explain why such rampant miscommunication is happening, how to prevent it, and what our collective future looks like. That man is Dr. Nick Morgan, a legend in public speaking, a leading expert in rhetoric and body language and a sought-after communications theorist and coach.
Nick has worked with both political and educational leaders and is frequently commissioned by Fortune 50 companies to coach their CEOs and presidents.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW DR. MORGAN:
Online: www.publicwords.com
Podcast: Just One Question: Public Speaking Podcast
Instagram @DrNickMorgan
X @DrNickMorgan
Facebook @Dr Nick Morgan
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The New York Times claims that “Pickleball Noise Is Driving Everyone Nuts,” and that the noise is so maddening that many prospective home buyers are Googling “pickleball courts” to make sure their future homes are a safe distance from the racket. Really, no really!
While you might not know the rules, courts are popping up around the country making its popularity undeniable, growing by 40% in just the last 2 years. To get to the bottom of the noise hullabaloo, Jason and Peter reached out to the owner of a professional pickleball team...but not just any owner. They spoke with Joe Bonamassa…the blues guitar virtuoso and prodigy, who started his career at age twelve opening for B.B King…and has had eleven solo albums that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Blues chart.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW JOE:
Online: JBonamassa.co.
Instagram: @JoeBonamassa
YouTube: @JoeBonamassaTV
Twitter: @JBonamassa
Facebook: Joe Bonamassa
TikTok: @ JoeBonamassaOfficial
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vice Magazine dubbed tech millionaire Bryan Johnson “the most measured man in human history’” and the 45-year-old dares the world and the medical establishment to call bull$%*# on the $2 million-a-year anti-aging program he calls: "Project Blueprint." Really, no Really?
Johnson not only wants to LOOK younger, he wants to BE younger. Part by part, organ by organ, this Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur is measuring, testing, and then experimenting on each area of his body to rejuvenate and de-age it to such a degree that he hopes to extend his life beyond conventional means.
And it’s not just Johnson, there are billions of dollars currently being invested into research designed to stop, reverse, and prevent aging. Jason and Peter needed to investigate whether it’s possible to de-age and when they can start!
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW BRYAN:
Instagram: @bryanjohnson_
YouTube: @BryanJohnson
X: @bryan_johnson
TikTok: @_bryan_johnson_
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Peter recognized an expert he knew in the documentary “Sour Grapes” about high-end wine fraud and wondered how a so-called authority could be so easily duped. Astonished by the enormity of the black-market wine world, Jason and Peter started wondering about the nature of high-end products…are they actually superior? What they found out will definitely surprise you. Really, no really!
Realizing that they were incapable of discerning the difference between a thousand-dollar Bordeaux and Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck, they sought out Maureen Downey, the foremost authority on wine and wine fraud to teach them, and YOU the secrets of actually appreciating fine wine.
Known as “The Sherlock Holmes of Wine” and one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Wine” Maureen specializes in authentication and valuation. She advises the world’s top collectors, auction houses, wine merchants, restaurants, and hotels and has advised the FBI and the Department of Justice in several high-profile cases.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW MAUREEN DOWNEY:
Web: ChaiConsulting.com
Web: WineFraud.com
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Forget about the Statue of Liberty and Broadway shows; residents and visitors are signing up for Rat Tourism in New York City…Really, no Really!
As the rodent population grows in most major U.S. cities, the infestations have warranted the appointment of Rat Czars and unique and often unsuccessful-solutions for their eradication.
It appears that one man understands rats and their behavior better than most, preeminent Rodentologist, Dr. Bobby Corrigan. He has been inducted in the Pest Management Professional Hall of Fame, has worked with some of the most rat-infested cities, and of course, we had to talk to him!
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW BOBBY:
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Joseph Dituri, better known as “Dr. Deep Sea” set a new world record for the longest time…100 days…spent living underwater, without depressurization. Really no really!
Jason and Peter decided to find out how he did it, and why?
Today’s scientists possess more information about outer space than they do about our oceans which cover over 70% of the planet so Dr. Dituri decided to create a challenging project. He’s a University of South Florida educator who holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering and he’s also a retired U.S. Naval officer with numerous diving and deep-sea awards and accolades to his name. The underwater mission, dubbed Project Neptune 100, was designed to explore how the human body and mind respond to an extended exposure to pressure and confined isolation with the intent of benefitting future ocean researchers and astronauts on long-term missions.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW JOE:
Instagram: @DrDeepSea
Web: DrDeepSea.com
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This absolutely gob smacked Peter; Jason casually mentioned he was originally cast as Lt. Sam Weinberg in Rob Reiner’s Oscar nominated film, A Few Good Men. George Costanza alongside Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise? Really, no really!
So how did actor, comedian, impressionist, author, director, and podcast host Kevin Pollak nab the memorable Lt. Weinberg role…which ended up boosting his already growing credits? We needed to find out.
So, we reached out to Kevin who has appeared in over 80 films; including the cult classic - The Usual Suspects as Todd Hockney and played Phillip Green in Martin Scorsese's Casino. Recently Pollak was a regular cast member on Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He’s also a podcast pioneer hosting such classics as, Kevin Pollak's Chat Show, Talkin Walkin where he spoke only as Christopher Walken and most recently My Mrs. Maisel Pod.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW KEVIN:
Instagram: @kevinpollak123
YouTube: @kevinpollakschatshow
X: @kevinpollak
Facebook: Kevin Pollak
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It seems that the denizens of New London, Connecticut have real issues with forgiveness and letting go. Every year they throw a bizarre festival castigating the infamous American Revolutionary War-era traitor Benedict Arnold for giving information to the British forces leading them to raid and burn New London in 1781. The annual event consists of parades with revelers wearing tricorn hats, carrying mock bayonets and torches and other commemorations all culminating in the burning of Arnold in effigy after 242 years. Really, no really!
Forgiving is not always easy, it’s like trying to fold a giant fitted sheet—a seemingly impossible task that requires patience, flexibility, and perhaps a touch of divine intervention. So that got us thinking about how anger, resentment, and hatred impact our wellbeing and what the benefits of forgiveness may offer us. And because it’s what he does, Peter tracked down the Godfather of forgiveness, the man who recognized its power and has since dedicated his life to the research and proliferation of forgiveness.
Lauded as a “game changer in modern psychology” by the American Psychological Foundation, Dr. Robert Enright holds the Aristotelian Professorship in Forgiveness Science in the UW–Madison School of Education’s Department of Educational Psychology. He’s also a five-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, winner of the 2022 American Psychological Foundation’s Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology, and author of the first scientific study on person-to-person forgiveness.
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW DR. ENRIGHT:
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Three words we had no idea could go together: Naked + Comedy + Show…but apparently, they do. In the city that never sleeps, where dreams are born and laughter is the currency, there exists a comedy club that takes the phrase "bare it all" quite literally. Every month, in Brooklyn, female and male comedians, some you’ve even seen on the Tonight Show, America’s Got Talent, The Late Show and more, gather in the buff, to deliver standup comedy to an audience partially made up of nude and fully clothed attendees. Really, no really?
Jason and Peter began investigating so they went to the epicenter, to the guy who organizes, emcees, and performs in the Naked Comedy Show. Billy Procida is a New York City-based stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of: The Manwhore Podcast: Sex-Positive Conversations. He’s also the producer and host of "The Naked Comedy Show."
IN THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW BILLY:
The Manwhore Podcast: Sex-Positive Conversations
Instagram: @billyisprocida
X (Twitter): @TheBillyProcida
TikTok: @thebillyprocida
Naked Comedy Show tickets are on sale for October 20th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-naked-comedy-show-tickets-730398410307
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A new breed of vigilante has emerged - armed with expertise, wit, humor and a penchant for justice, these tech influencers have begun scamming the scammers…Really, no Really!
These digital crusaders adopt alter egos, ranging from confused grandmothers to bumbling millionaires, all in an effort to take online scammers down a rabbit hole of insanity and keep them from scamming other unsuspecting victims.
To find out more about this world, Jason and Peter contacted Kitboga, who after discovering that his grandmother was a victim to scammers targeting the elderly – began streaming his “scamming the scammer" calls. His viewership soon exploded not only making him an internet sensation but a new phenomenon in vigilante streamers.
ON THIS EPISODE:
FOLLOW KITBOGA:
X (Twitter)
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jason mentioned that when checking out a story on the world’s most dangerous jobs he discovered that topping the list - human cannonball. Peter then informed Jason that one of his very good friends just happened to be Ringling Brothers human cannonball…Really, no really!
Why put your life and limb on the line 12 times a week for your profession? What drives a Ringling clown to defy the clearly defined circus caste system and attempt to join the prestigious, aristocracy acts by being shot out of a cannon, traveling high above an audience and landing hundreds of feet away?
For 25 years Jon Weiss worked with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a Ringmaster, Clown and "Human Cannonball" – with over 5,000 notches in his cannonball belt. You also might know him as a contestant along with a fellow clown, on CBS’ The Amazing Race 4.
BONUS: Peter surprised Jason with an in-studio appearance of a potentially even more dangerous job – The Human Torch! Ray Wold has been performing in Cirque du Soleil’s “O” show in Las Vegas for more than 24 years, completely engulfing himself in flames as he casually sits on a chair reading a newspaper. Really, no Really!
In this episode:
Follow Jon Weiss the Human Cannonball:
Follow Ray Wold the Human Torch:
Follow us:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jason and Peter heard that a biotech company claimed that the long-deceased woolly mammoth will be brought back from extinction by 2027…Really, no really!
Are we on the cusp of a real-life Jurassic Park? With new technology available to de-extinct long dead animals, potentially change the genetic code of human babies and the possibility of creating synthetic life, we needed to get some clarity.
We had to find and talk to the man leading the science…and that man is Dr. George Church, known as the "father of synthetic biology. He is the Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Health Sciences & Technology at Harvard and MIT. In 2021 Dr. Church and entrepreneur Ben Lamm founded Colossal Biosciences, a synthetic biology company tasked in part with sequencing the remains of woolly mammoths which would allow them, in theory to “de-extinct” the ancient creatures.
In this episode:
Follow Dr. Church:
X (Twitter): @GeoChurch
Follow us:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Actor, producer, and director Alex Winter, best known for his role in the "Bill & Ted” films joins Jason and Peter to explain how YouTube’s algorithm is a beast that really can't be tamed once it's been unleashed, and it's already been unleashed. Really, no really?
Actually, the algorithm comment was made by Anthony Padilla the founder of Smosh in Alex Winter’s new documentary, "The YouTube Effect”. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022 and was just released worldwide on digital streaming services. Alex discusses YouTubes’ growth, his childhood acting years, his friendship with Keanu Reeves and all of the “stuff” just below what you’re reading right now↓
In this episode:
Follow Alex:
Instagram: @alxwinter
Facebook: @AlexWinterPage
YouTube: @theyoutubeeffect6823
X/Twitter: @YouTubeEffect
Follow us:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A House Oversight Committee investigating UFOs featured shocking testimony by seemingly credible sources claiming that alien spacecraft have visited the Earth!
Former US Air Force Major, David Grusch…under oath…stated that the United State government is in possession of extraterrestrial bodies. Really, no really? And even more startling is the reaction from the general public, practically nothing. Really, no really?
To help us sort through and understand the testimony, the evidence, and the poppycock we invited Dr. Joshua Semeter, the director of the Center for Space Physics at Boston University to join the podcast. Dr Semeter is one of 16 aerial-space experts appointed by NASA, charged with studying UFOs (now known as UAPs - Unidentified Aerial Phenomena.) Over a 9-month period, the team analyzed reports gathered from existing data: declassified footage, commercial data, and other sources to answer the question: Have intelligent aliens visited the Earth?
In the episode:
You can follow Dr. Semeter’s work on X (Twitter) @BU_spacephysics
Follow us:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jason and Peter are huge fans of the HBO series The Last of Us, featuring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in the adaptation of the award-winning Sony video game. In the show, the world is suffering from a fictional brain infection that hijacks humanity, turning most of the world into ravenous zombies. Scientists have noted that the show’s pathogen is inspired by a very real set of fungi that assumes control of an ant’s motor system making it a “zombie”. Today, with global warming, there is speculation that this fictional infection could be closer to reality than we may realize! Really, no really?
To tackle this infectious situation, we asked The Last of Us co-creator, co-writer, director, and executive producer Craig Mazin to help us understand the science behind the fiction. Craig is best known for HBO’s Chernobyl and a long list of hit comedies including The Hangover Part II and III, Scary Movie 3 and 4 and many more.
In this episode:
Follow us:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Walmart, UPS, and even Dominos are all planning on using ariel drone delivery and according to a Bloomberg investigation, Amazon alone has made a $2 billion investment. But is it realistic to envision a future where our valuable and often fragile packages and meals will be delivered by drones? What about challenges like air traffic management, drone battery life, hacking issues, unpredictable weather, noise pollution, limited payload capacity and obstacle avoidance?
Drone delivery startups claim that these concerns are all being addressed and that additionally, their technology promises convenience and efficiency… making delivery faster, and also environmentally friendly… Really, no Really!
Even though the thought of a fleet of drones buzzing over our heads seems quixotic, we increasingly live in a world where consumers are demanding delivery in an hour, a minute, right now!
To explore the reality of drone delivery - the technology, regulatory and safety issues, we invited Dr. Roger Connor to offer his considerable expertise and help clear the air regarding drones.
Dr. Connor curates The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum’s vertical flight collection (helicopters, gyroplanes, and vertical takeoff and landing aircraft), remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft systems, among many other things that fly up and down.
In this episode:
Follow us:
X (Twitter)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Broadway show The Phantom of the Opera, recently closed its doors after an unprecedented 35 year run and 13,981 performances. This begged the question, how can actors, singers, dancers, and musicians perform the same show over and over, night after night, without going out of their minds?
So, when Jason and Peter discovered that their friend, Scott Thompson has performed his solo Vegas show over 4000 times, it resulted in a well-deserved… Really, no really.
You know Scott as his alter ego, comedian Carrot Top and we figured he would be a great resource for explaining how one keeps their sanity when your life closely resembles “Groundhog Day.”
In this episode:
Follow Carrot Top:
Online: www.carrottop.com
YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @CarrotTopLive
X (Twitter): @RealCarrotTop
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Threads: @reallynoreallypodcast
X (Twitter): @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a world obsessed with vitality, health and self-improvement, the #coldplunge phenomenon has stormed the internet with over 1.3 billion views on TikTok, a multitude of celebrity aficionados and claims that it reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, is a weight loss miracle and can even stimulate hair growth… really, no really?
To understand the appeal and unravel the claims associated with cold plunging, we invited on one of its most vocal adopters, Adam Carolla - the comedian, actor, and host of the exceedingly popular podcast, The Adam Carolla Show.
We Discuss:
Follow Adam:
He can be found on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @AdamCarolla
On YouTube - @AdamCarollaVideos
And on TikTok @TheAdamCarollaShow
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Threads: @reallynoreallypodcast
X (Twitter): @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ridiculous! Stupid! If you want to money launder, why would you go to the Ozarks buy a strip club and open a Riverboat Casino? Oh sure, that’s not going to draw too much attention! So says Peter about Ozark, starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. Jason’s response… Really, no really?
To vet the realism of Ozark and to dive deeply into the trillion-dollar industry of scams, fraud, swindles, and money laundering we reached out to Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope, a professor of forensic accounting, a nationally recognized expert in white-collar crime, and author of: “Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry”. Dr. Pope is also the producer and director of the 2017 award-winning documentary, “All the Queen's Horses” which explores the astonishing story behind the largest municipal fraud in US history.
In this episode:
More from Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope:
Website: KellyRichmondPope.com (Play her interactive fraud games!)
Instagram & Twitter: @KellyRPope
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Threads: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Baseball and Rock & Roll both have their Halls of Fame, but so do Roller Derby, Insurance, even Towing & Recovery! The list goes on and on, but the category that captured our collective imaginations… the one dedicated exclusively to honoring those oversized and usually fur-covered entertainers… Mascots. Really, no really!
We were so intrigued by this commitment to the costumed team and company ambassadors that we invited Dave Raymond, the creator of the Mascot Hall of Fame , to be our guest. Dave also happens to be the original and iconic Phillie Phanatic!
We Discuss:
Find out more about Dave Raymond:
WEBSITE: daveraymondspeaks.com
Instagram: @DaveRaymondSpeaks
Twitter: @Emperoroffun
YouTube: @DavidRaymond1623
Follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Threads: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ray Kurzweil, the globally renowned scientist, and former Google engineer made many predictions in the 90’s, (the widespread use of laptops, wearable tech, digitized media, computer phones, facial recognition, remote learning and more…) so when he recently restated his prediction that humans will be able to achieve immortality by 2030… we of course responded with, “Really, no Really!”
Could immortality truly be achieved in 7 years? This being way above our paygrades, we turned to Richard Faragher, Professor of Biological Gerontology at the University of Brighton, the past Chair of the British Society for Research on Ageing, and the American Aging Association, who Aging Analytics named as one of the top 100 longevity leaders in the world.
We discuss:
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Threads: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mafia bosses recently apologized and offered reparations to the parents of a man whom they mistakenly killed and then dissolved in acid. Really, no really!
How do you mistakenly dissolve the wrong guy…can’t you just double check their identity on Google or Facebook? And is it now proper etiquette for mobsters to admit and then apologize for their mistakes? Is this part of a new “woke” Mafia in 2023?
We began to wonder if popular conceptions of how the mob operates were even accurate. And what’s behind our continued fascination with the Mafia, gangster movies and real-life murderous sociopaths? We needed to find out.
This journey required a bona fide mob expert and that’s why we reached out to journalist, author and VP at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas, Geoff Schumacher.
In this discussion you’ll learn:
More about the Museum: www.themobmuseum.org
More about Geoff: www.geoffschumacher.com
Follow Geoff on Instagram & Twitter: @geoffschumacher
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Threads: @reallynoreally.com
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’ve all seen steam rising from manhole covers in big cities like New York - but have you ever stopped and wondered why? Jason and Peter were curious and discovered that manhole covers literally explode all over NYC every year. Really, no Really!
Determined to discover the cause of these explosions and uncover the secrets that lurk below many of the world’s cities, they spoke with one of the planet’s foremost underground enthusiasts. Adventurer and history devotee Don Wildman is the host of the adventure series, "Cities of the Underworld," and he’s explored secret underground tunnels, catacombs, crypts, and entire cities completely hidden beneath more than forty cities around the globe.
The Conversation Includes:
Instagram & Twitter: @DonWildman
Don’s PODCAST: American History Hit
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Peter discovered that the most popular course in Yale’s over 300-year history was the “Class on Happiness”. Really, no Really!
In the modern era, happiness has become an industry, with motivational speakers and self-help gurus promising to teach techniques that unlock the gates to everlasting joy. Yet for many, happiness remains elusive because it’s influenced by numerous factors and is a deeply personal and subjective journey.
Since Jason and Peter (both experts when it comes to anxiety) are both aware of the greatly increased rates of depression in today's society, they decided to go to Yale in search of answers and possibly some personal joy!
Dr. Laurie Santos is a Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University, and teaches Psychology, and the Good Life - the happiness class. Dr. Santos created the course after witnessing and researching how depressed and overwhelmed her students and young people generally are. Give a listen... and you may find that your mindset changes… for the better.
We Discuss:
Dr. Santos’ Class is now available for FREE for teens: The Science of Well-Being for Teens
Check out Dr. Santos’ podcast, The Happiness Lab
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How did tipping get so confusing? The Cut, a New York magazine, recently published new guidelines for tipping and suggested a 20% gratuity, regardless of the level of service you received. Really, no Really!
The expansion of point-of-sale technology that prompts customers to tip at coffee shops and convenience stores has dramatically changed the way we perceive and engage with tipping. Should you now tip for a pack of gum or bottled water in situations where human interaction is minimal or non-existent? And just as tipping has gotten more confusing and uncomfortable, our tipping choices are prominently displayed on large swivel screens that invite others to scrutinize and judge.
To help Jason and Peter navigate and understand the new rules of tipping, they invited Michael Lynn, a professor of consumer behavior and marketing at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration to join them. He has been studying why and how Americans tip for decades.
Their Discussion Includes:
Michael Lynn is a nationally recognized expert on tipping who has written over 70 research publications on this topic. His work on tipping has been covered by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the International Herald Tribune, the Economist, and Forbes as well as by ABC's 20/20, BET's Nightly News, and NPR.
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Mickey Mantle baseball card recently sold for $12.6 million dollars and the collectibles market is valued at $458 billion dollars… Really, no Really!
Jason and Peter marveled why people collect comics, vinyl, sports memorabilia, video games, toys, cars, and autographs. Is it merely an investment or does it speak to something more fundamental about what captivates us? To help explore the psychology of collecting, they invited legendary collector Ken Goldin, who stars in the Netflix series King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch to join them on the podcast.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Watch Ken on Netflix’s "King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch"
Follow Ken:
Instagram & Twitter: @KenGoldin
Online: GoldinAuctions.com
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch FULL EPISODES on YouTube
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Peter and Jason discovered that there was a museum dedicated to failure, their response was of course… Really, no really?
They both began to ruminate about their own failures and the relationship between failure and innovation, so they turned to Swedish psychologist and innovation researcher, Dr. Samuel West for more insight.
Dr. West is the curator of the Museum of Failure, a collection of over 150 failed products and services from around the world. This rare collection includes flops designed by world famous companies like Colgate’s Beef Lasagna. And if anyone could make Jason and Peter feel better about their failed T.V. show… Bob Patterson… it should be Dr. West.
During their conversation you’ll hear:
WATCH Jason’s McDLT Commercial (not cringy at all.)
Learn more about Dr. Samuel West.
Online: MuseumofFailure.com & DisgustingFoodMuseum.com
Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: @museumoffailure
You can follow us:
Online: www.reallynoreally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What will you be like when you’re older?
As Jason and Peter bemoan their current state of crankiness - aches, and pains, increased lack of patience and errant hair growth, they also express their trepidation of becoming even more miserable as they age. But it doesn’t have to be that way… there can potentially be a state of real joy. Really, no really!
Joining us in-studio is an American Treasure, the personification of joy throughout life and into advanced age. Dick Van Dyke and his wife Arlene Silver joins us to talk about Dick’s life, his contributions and living with joy at 97!
The conversation is filled with many surprises:
Follow Dick Van Dyke:
Instagram: @official_dick_van_dyke
Twitter: @IamMrVandy
Author: Keep Moving: And Other Tips and Truths About Aging
You can follow us:
Online: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Everyone is bothered by certain sounds – chewing noises, dogs barking, babies crying, leaf blowers, but 20% of the population could have a very different, more visceral reaction - anger and panic! These intense reactions are attributed to a real condition called misophonia and it’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of how noise is increasingly driving us insane. Really, no really!
In a previous episode (S1/E15) Jason discovered that Peter has misophonia, defined by WebMD as a disorder in which certain sounds trigger emotional or physiological responses that some might perceive as unreasonable given the circumstance.
Jason and Peter wanted to better understand what this condition is since it affects so many people, so they sought out Dr. Jane Gregory, a clinical psychologist and researcher based at the University of Oxford. She is a leading expert in therapy techniques adapted specifically for misophonia and set up two of the first NHS psychology services for misophonia in the UK. She’s also the author of the forthcoming book, “Sounds Like Misophonia: How to stop small sounds from causing extreme reactions.” And she really hates the sound of her husband* eating and breathing.
Some of the topics they discuss:
Learn more about Dr. Gregory:
WEBSITE: SoundsLikeMisophonia.com
Instagram & Twitter: @SoundsLikeMiso
You can follow us:
Online: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram: @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok: @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook: @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter: @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
*They are doing fine.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Was your screen-time up last week? How’d that make you feel?
In a world where we underestimate our screen time by 100% and studies indicate that social media corrodes self-esteem - would we be happier with less tech in our lives?
There’s a place that’s effectively a Petri dish for this question; a so-called Quiet Zone that stands against the tides of technology… and Jason and Peter were driven to find out all about it! Really, no really!
In the Quiet Zone, anything that creates radio noise, like: microwaves, cellphones, combustion engines, Wi-Fi, even malfunctioning electric blankets are explicitly outlawed. Our guide this episode is Stephen Kurczy, an award-winning journalist and author of, “The Quiet Zone: Unraveling the Mystery of a Town Suspended in Silence.”
In this episode:
Learn more about Stephen: StephenKurczy.com
He Tweets! @StephenKurczy
You can follow us:
Online: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The man considered “The Godfather of A.I.” Geoffrey Hinton abruptly resigned from Google saying… a worst-case A.I. scenario could be on the horizon. With Big Tech companies going all-in on potentially apocalyptic technology while seemingly ignoring the “pause letter” concerned tech leaders created - we were left saying… Really, no,really?
Feeling that an informed discussion of A.I. and the potential destruction of humanity felt above their “pay grade”, Jason and Peter turned to Silicon Valley visionary Jaron Lanier.
Computer scientist, composer, artist, and author, Jaron Lanier stands alone as the father of virtual reality, having coined the term and also mixed reality. He was chief scientist for Internet2, led startups that were acquired by Google, Adobe, Oracle, and Pfizer and Lanier's books include: You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto, Who Owns the Future? and Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now.
He is also known as a constructive critic of technology.
Issues Jason, Peter and Jaron discuss:
Find out more about Jaron: JaronLanier.com
Guess who doesn’t Tweet or Tik or Tok… Jaron!
You can follow us:
Website: www.ReallyNoReally.co
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Really, no Really’s most controversial episode yet!
Microdosing! Millions of people, including your mee-maw and pee-paw, your 2nd cousin Leonard and your best friend’s dry cleaner are all ingesting small amounts of psychedelic mushrooms, LSD, and other hallucinogenic substances without any involvement by a physician.
Proponents claim it reduces anxiety and depression, enhances mood and boosts creativity and productivity. Really, no really?
Jason and Peter were determined to find out if these anecdotal claims were supported by any actual, scientific evidence. They contacted Professor Frederick Barrett, Ph.D. a cognitive neuroscientist based in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Associate Director at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research figuring that if anyone knows the hard science behind microdosing, it should be him.
Jason, Peter and Dr. Barrett discussed:
All psychedelic information is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice under any circumstance.
Follow Dr Barrett on Twitter: @FredBarrettPhD
You can follow us:
Online: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What drives people to take risks?
We’ve all encountered them - the kids who licked light sockets, roller skated while holding cars, jumped off roofs - and they did it just to see what would happen. As adults they do cave diving, heli-skiing, they scale cliffs, do big wave surfing, or fly in a wingsuit. But why? Is it for the adrenalin hit, are they acting out some unresolved childhood anguish, or is it due to a genetic disposition or possibly even mental illness? Really, no really!
Jason and Peter spent time with one of the poster-boys of risk. Paul ‘Mungo’ Mungeam, has travelled to over 95 countries, filmed in war zones, and worked on adventure reality TV shows with the biggest names in adventure like, Bear Grylls. He knows risk and he was willing to get quite candid about the toll it takes and the one job he wouldn’t take.
The issues Mungo discussed:
Learn more about Mungo: www.mungotv.com
Follow Mungo on Instagram: @MungotheCameraman
Follow Mungo on Twitter: @MungoMungeam
You can follow us:
Online: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A well-respected German ballet director, perturbed about a negative review, smeared dog feces in his critic’s face. Really, no really!
This story got Jason and Peter wondering about the nature of criticism - how we give it, how we take it, and how it affects us!
So, they enlisted Howie Mandel, who has critiqued all manner of performances over his 14+ years as a judge on Americas Got Talent… to discuss, interpret and analyze.
Howie had some interesting opinions and insights such as:
Follow Howie: https://twitter.com/howiemandel
Howie's podcast!: @HowieMandelDoesStuff
You can follow us:
Online: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the world emerged from the Pandemic, industrialists realized there weren’t enough microchips to go around. When the flow of chips stopped, so did factories. Supply-chains were crippled. The economy faltered and consumers were left scratching their heads wondering… how was it possible that no one was prepared for the great microchip shortage. Really, no really!
Was COVID-19 to blame, or offshoring by US manufacturers, or maybe it was due to the suspicious fires that destroyed chip factories? And can we trust that the problem has been resolved?
These questions… way too complex for Jason and Peter, resulted in a conversation with Steve Blank, considered one of the top Influencers in Silicon Valley and named by The Harvard Business Review as “One of 12 Masters of Innovation”.
Some of the issues they delve into:
Learn more about our guest: www.SteveBlank.com
Online: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Follow us on:
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your very own Iron Man suit controlled with just your mind. Thought directed videogames played directly from your consciousness. Want a higher I.Q … no problem, just get an implant!
Elon Musk wants approval for human trials for his Neuralink company’s implantable brain–computer interfaces. Could brains linked directly to computers be an imminent reality or are we dealing with science fantasy? Jason and Peter had to find out…so they spoke with a world-class neurologist and brain surgeon Dr. Daniel Yoshor.
From Parkinson’s to ALS, from blindness to depression, for weight loss and epilepsy, the applications to transform people’s lives are undeniable…but what are the ethical and moral considerations?
And could this be the critical technology that saves us all from renegade Artificial Intelligence .
You might be surprised by how quickly some of these ideas could become part of everyday life:
Follow Dr. Yoshor on Twitter: @DanielYoshor
You can follow us:
Online: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You are asked to co-write the next Avatar, but that movie needs to make over 2 billion dollars to break even – do you say yes? Really? No really?
The last Avatar was 12 years ago… and movies, the movie business and movie-audiences have changed drastically since then. Would Avatar: The Way Water float like Rose… or sink like Jack?
Rick Jaffa who along with his wife, Amanda Silver has penned The Planet of the Apes films, Jurassic World, Mulan – to name just a few - discusses James Cameron’s brilliance, risk taking and legendary temper.
ALSO:
Online: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Follow us on:
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
YouTube: @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wait…how many blunts a day can a rapper smoke?
Hearing that the number could be as high as seventy-five blunts a day, Jason and Peter- in search of the answer- went directly to the source.
Snoop Dogg’s former personal blunt roller, Ranagade PerRana reveals just how much pot is smoked and why some feel the need to employ a blunt roller.
Jason’s slew of allergies prevents him from partaking in the California marijuana renaissance so consequently, he had to learn pot terminology, and he and Peter also found out about:
Follow Ranagade PerRana on Instagram: @RanagadePerRana
To find out more about the "Really? No Really?" podcast go to: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Follow us on:
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is speculation that in the near future, space junk pollution will become so extreme that we will no longer be able to safely launch rockets into orbit, land-locking mankind on Earth forever. Really? No Really!
If space junk the size of a raindrop traveling at 17,000 miles an hour can cut through a half-inch solid aluminum plate like butter, what would it do to a space walking astronaut? Jason and Peter learn the horrific answer from their guest, former NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman who had an exceptionally close call with space junk during one of his 3 space walks.
This episode of RnR also explores the pitfalls of surgery in space, the possibility that extraterrestrial life exists on Mars, what happens when other long-mission astronauts on the International Space Station leave the seat up or use your space-tooth brush… and why you need to know enough Russian to say, “Hey comrade, time to take a shower!”
You can follow Garrett’s podcast, “2 Funny Astronauts” anywhere you get your podcasts. Or see it on YouTube @2FunnyAstronauts
He’s on Instagram and Twitter at: astro_g_dogg
Or you can check out his website at: GarrettReisman.com
To find out more about the "Really? No Really?" podcast go to: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Follow us on:
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
William Shatner has gone where no man has gone before… and at 92, he’s just getting started. Really? No, really! Jason and Peter had to find out how Bill remains curious, energized, motivated, and relevant.
WARNING: The interview did not go as planned!
While they may have retaken control near the end…Mr. Shatner was definitely in the captain’s seat. Here are just some of the stories you’ll hear (and for the first time get Bill’s definitive take).
Follow William Shatner:
Instagram & Twitter: @WilliamShatner
Website: WilliamShatner.com
Charity: HorseShow.org
To find out more about the "Really? No Really?" podcast go to: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Follow us on:
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
Watch full episodes on YouTube www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you’ve seen the Tom Cruise deepfake or any of the thousands of others online, it becomes obvious that an image or recording can be easily manipulated. Jason and Peter had to find out just how much of what we are seeing is faked, so they reached out to Dr. Hany Farid, who has been called “The father of digital forensics” for some answers.
But deepfakes are just the beginning. Companies like Meta are creating virtual worlds and estimates are that by 2026, 25% of us will be spending at least an hour a day immersed in virtual reality with Gen X consumers spending as much as 4 to 5 hours a day! Joanna Stern, senior personal technology columnist for The Wall Street Journal shares what it’s like to exercise on a virtual mountaintop, get singled out at a virtual comedy club, and she’s got some interesting predictions about the future!
Oh, and even though he knows it’s an episode about deepfakes... Jason gets deepfaked by Peter!
To find out more about the Really no Really podcast go to: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
YouTube (full-length video podcasts coming soon!)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Peter was told that Competitive Eating, a carnival favorite over a hundred years old, is done by professional eaters…who don’t chew!
Is this possible? Could that be right?
To sort out this gluttonous conundrum, Jason and Peter tracked down two world champions, Miki Sudo and Eric “Badlands” Booker who discuss their technique and speed eating secrets.
But the carnival fun doesn’t stop there because in the early 80’s, outrageous and death-defying carnival acts found a home on reality tv. Woody Fraser, who produced what many believe was the first reality television show, reveals the creative way he was able to put these dangerous acts, and stunts like the Bullet Catch on national television for our viewing pleasure.
To find out more about the Really no Really podcast go to: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
YouTube (full-length video podcasts coming soon!)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dogs are talking on social media! They hit buttons triggering prerecorded words that can inform their pet parents of their needs, their desires, their concerns, and even their opinions. But are they really communicating?
Could this just be some elaborate Internet hoax, or have we as human beings vastly underestimated the animal kingdom’s gift of gab? Think of the implications! Would you really want to know that your terrier thinks you’re an underachiever or that your shih tsu doesn’t trust your mate? And didn’t your defiled couch already send that message?
Jason and Peter spoke with some of social media’s superstar talking dogs and cats and their pet parents to try and get some answers.
And during their investigation they were presented with a whole host of surprising and astonishing animal behaviors that may just make you rethink what you decide to serve for dinner.
After listening to this episode, you’ll also be able answer the questions: What animal witnessed a murder and snitched to the police? And what armless and legless animal was able to drive a vehicle toward a visual target…Really? No really!
To find out more about the Really no Really podcast go to: www.ReallyNoReally.com
Instagram @reallynoreallypodcast
TikTok @reallynoreallypodcast
Facebook @reallynoreallypodcast
Twitter @reallynoreally_
YouTube (full-length video podcasts coming soon!)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jerry Seinfeld famously joked about bathroom stall doors in public bathrooms that don’t go to the floor. It’s a hilarious comedy bit but Jason and Peter take bathroom privacy very seriously, so they had to find the definitive answer. This led them to award winning, public restroom expert, Chad Kaufman who revealed the real reason stall doors aren’t longer AND the shocking truth about bathroom hand blowers.
As their investigation deepened, they realized that inadequately sized bathroom doors are just a symptom of a much larger problem in our homes and online. Most of us seem to be okay with the just…the illusion of privacy!
So Jason and Peter spoke to world renown white-hat hacker Ralph Echemendia about privacy, hacking and the end of passwords.
And to help us retain some dignity now that post Covid many of us are back to work, out and about and forced to use public restrooms, we enlisted the help of an etiquette expert, Diane Gottsman. She offers suggestions and some ground rules for making a trip to the restroom just a bit more comfortable.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.