This week we stop being polite and start getting real with comedian, writer and podcaster Hari Kondabolu! We reminisce about our internships: Vanessa's time at the Oxygen network and Sesame Street, Hari's time as a "Clintern" for Hilary Clinton and Jonah's days interning in the music department at the production company behind this week's topic: MTV's THE REAL WORLD! Together, the three of us reminisce about the groundbreaking reality show, our favorite memories from the early seasons, how the show mirrored our culture—and Jonah gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse about working the front desk of Bunim/Murray Productions in fear of an appearance by Puck! Finally we play a round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN where we debate the difference between bedspreads and quilts, the trend of false advertising when it comes to fast food commercials and why there aren't enough greeting cards for super specific events. Hari's new comedy special VACATION BABY is now streaming for free on YouTube and the companion album (EXTENDED) VACATION BABY is available on Bandcamp. 

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Break out the Manic Panic and Doc Martens because this week we dig deep into nineties fashion with musician Alicia Bognanno aka Bully. We talk about our experiences taking foreign languages in high school, respective anxiety dreams and the year Jonah and Vanessa took a French class together despite the fact that he was two grades ahead. We also dig deep into the history of belly button rings, discuss whether they're making a comeback and share other piercing stories from our adolescent years. Finally, we play a round of BACK TO THE PRESENT where we reminisce about now-defunct mailorder catalogs ranging from Carvin Guitars (Jonah) to Delia's (Vanessa) as well as those Best Cuts catalogs where you could pick out your future hairstyle (Alicia). Did Jonah actually visit the NYU school of dentistry and have college kids work on his teeth in order to save money? You'll have to listen to this episode to find out—and while you're at it you should also pre-order Bully's upcoming album LUCKY FOR YOU, which comes out on Sub Pop Records on June 2nd. 

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We could not be more excited to welcome our close personal friend to the podcast this week: Musician and actor, Jason Isbell! You've heard him talk about his '59 Les Paul but have you heard Isbell break down the difference between dry snacks, snacks that are a test of class and snacks that are a proof of class? Plus, from transporting Kudos bars to Handi-Snacks, we talk about the benefits of Jason's proto-grunge ensembles of cargo pants and flannel shirts. We also discuss why so many heavy metal musicians are nice people, Jason's real-life encounters with members of Metallica and Pearl Jam and what it was like being raised by teenage parents and lots of grandparents in Alabama. As if that weren't enough, we finish up with a round of CHANGE.DORK where we weigh in on important petitions regarding Primus signature guitars, Georgia Gold vs Hot Chicken at KFC and if a collaboration between Isbell and John Mayer is in the works. (Spoiler alert: It isn't.) Be sure to check out Jason's new documentary RUNNING WITH OUR EYES CLOSED which is now streaming on HBO Max and pick up his latest album with the 400 Unit, WEATHERVANES, when it comes out on June 9th. 

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This week on HDWGW, we are joined by actress and comedian Jenny Slate to discuss everyone's favorite plush toy that resembled a sleeping bag: POPPLES! We discuss the difficulty but satisfaction of putting the popple back in its home, the curious nature of celebrity poppels and the recent cartoon reboot of the celebrated brand. We also discuss Jonah's cool new GQ hat, embarrassing encounters while buying ice cream and why there's few feelings on Earth better than receiving a free Bluetooth speaker. (No mugs, please.) Finally we play an inspired round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN where we go "battlezone" about lawnmowers, discuss how you should treat your bicycle when parking it outside a Subway Restaurant and debate whether magazine coupons belong to you or to the library where you're reading the latest issue of People. The results just might surprise you. 

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Break out your skate deck and board shorts but this week on the podcast we are reminiscing about skateboard culture with Vanessa and Jonah's old friend, Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World. From being too afraid to drop in on half pipes to the Bones Brigade and hoverboard rumors, we reminisce about what it was like to try to pull off tricks before the existence of YouTube. Plus, Jonah and Jim talk about the time Jonah traveled to Europe two decades ago to write a feature on the band during their first U.K. tour, Vanessa recalls her own run-ins with the celebrated rock band and we get the scoop on how much control Jimmy Eat World had for the video for "Lucky Denver Mint," which essentially served as the trailer for the 1999 film "Never Been Kissed." (Spoiler alert: The band didn't have any.) Finally, we play a round of change.dork where we discuss why the Florida Panthers should most definitely keep "Sweetness" as their goal song. #SaveSweetness

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By popular demand, this week we have another music video-themed episode, however this time it's dedicated to Vanessa's picks of her favorite music videos from her childhood and adolescence. In that spirit we tackle the extended cut of Paul Abdul's classic video for "Rush, Rush" and discuss the time that Vanessa had a conversation with Keanu Reeves about making it. We also delve into the dramatic video for Bon Jovi's power ballad "Always" and Jonah recalls the time that Richie Sambora snubbed him because he wasn't in a band playing at Madison Square Garden. (Still not bitter about that, Richie.) We also dig deep into Soundgarden's psychedelic visual companion to "Black Hole Sun" and Jonah gives a little love to Metallica's austere clip for "The Unforgiven," which is a little too dark for Vanessa's taste. Whether you're a fan of Vitalogy or Vibeology, there's something for everyone on this Bayer-centric episode of HOW DID WE GET WEIRD?

"Rush, Rush" (Extended Version) by Paula Abdul Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxJAxF-3a38

"Always" by Bon Jovi Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BMwcO6_hyA

"Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mbBbFH9fAg

"The Unforgiven" by Metallica Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckom3gf57Yw

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On this week's episode we are thrilled to welcome the hilarious Carmen Christopher!! Not only do Carmen and the Bayer siblings participate in a Matthew McConaughey impression showdown for the ages, which includes Jonah's impressive Kermit-the-Frog-doing-McConaughey, but Carmen and Vanessa get into their time doing comedy in Chicago including when Carmen saw Vanessa audition for SNL! Plus, we talk about those anxiety-provoking school dances and how Jonah "hated" them but seemed to go to a lot of them, how Carmen would roll up to them looking cool in his Girbaud jeans, and how Vanessa never knew if anyone would ask her to dance, but ultimately took her rightful place as Prom Queen senior year. A true must-listen, folks!!

Check out Carmen Christopher in NYC or LA. Get your tickets below:

New York City - April 7 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/574649982567

Los Angeles - April 24 - https://www.elysiantheater.com/shows/carmenchristopher

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Listeners, you're in for a treat this week because we are joined by comedian, actor and writer Brian Posehn. We discuss Brian's formative years and how he managed to befriend both metalheads and popular kids in high school, even if that was way less dramatic than it is in John Hughes movies. We also discuss how he got his start in comedy, his current reality television picks and the time Vanessa forced all of her friends to watch an episode of "Say Yes To The Dress" when they were trying to be social at a party. For our topic, we get deep into the history of NERDS candies and its many offshoots including Nerds Rope, Nerds Cereal and Big Chewy Nerds. Finally, we play a spirited round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN where we try to get to the bottom of several complaints from some pretty unreliable narrators. But take it from a RELIABLE narrator, this episode is a must-listen!

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This week we are joined on the pod by comedian, writer and actress Patty Guggenheim, who you might recognize from her iconic role as Madisynn King on She-Hulk: Attorney At Law! Patty discusses her time bonding with Vanessa over Zoom as they played a game that Jonah still doesn't understand called Mafia, we discuss the origins of the term "Schnecken" and Patty's favorite hometown foods. We also reminisce about the phenomenon of the wearable personal stereo known as POCKET ROCKERS and the fact that both Patty and Vanessa owned the minicasette of Tiffany's version of "I Think We're Alone Now." Plus, we marvel at the wide variety of artists who allowed their music to be licensed to what was essentially a toy and the fact that Jonah didn't realize that their theme song was a Creedence Clearwater Revival hit that was retooled as a catchy jingle. Last but not least, we play a game of CHANGE.DORK where we review petitions about knee-high Converse sneakers, official high school anthems and a polarizing opinion on string cheese etiquette.

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This week on HDWGW, we could not be more excited to be joined by legendary comedian, acclaimed actor and our podcast network boss, Will Ferrell! On this episode, you'll hear Vanessa and Will trade behind the scenes stories about Saturday Night Live, we discuss Will's childhood love Monopoly and how Monopoly money and played into his career at SNL and so much more! Plus, Will regales Jonah with his stories about growing up with the members of Rage Against the Machine and we talk about Will's favorite childhood show, Scooby-Doo. Finally we play a thrilling round of Change.dork where we all weigh in on if school desserts should be mandatory, the pros and cons of Velcro shoes and if the next Batman should in fact be Will Ferrell. Once you hear his audio audition, we dare you to say otherwise!

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