Episodi

  • Going Viral, Betting on Yourself & Starting Over | Scott Rogowsky

    Going Viral, Betting on Yourself & Starting Over | Scott Rogowsky
    Oct 19 2026
    Matt danced all night seeing the band Geese at Forest Hills Stadium and shares that getting out, dancing, and sweating alongside other people can be a great antidote to feeling down. Then Matt sits with Scott Rogowsky to revisit the rise and fall of HQ Trivia, the viral moments, what derailed the company, and why Scott is betting his own money on a new live gaming app, Savvy. Plus, they debate whether Phish will ever play the Super Bowl halftime show, who will be the last late-night host standing, and whether the Mets will ever win another World Series. Chapters: 00:00:00 Scott Rogowsky, custom suits, sports card relics, and comedy 00:04:42 Live late-night talk shows to viral internet video formats 00:09:12 Traditional stand-up comedy led to creative freedom 00:13:38 Perfectionism, workaholism, and high-pressure creative careers 00:18:02 Trading cards at Topps to a path in entertainment 00:22:20 Imposter syndrome and making sense of modern digital trends 00:26:48 Rise, cultural phenomenon, and scale of HQ Trivia 00:31:02 BTS chaos, missed career moves, and corporate dysfunction 00:35:30 Trying to save a sinking ship and the birth of the new Savvy app 00:39:58 Nostalgic broadcast history and building a live interactive network 00:41:35 Predictions on the Super Bowl, Phish, late-night television, and the Mets 00:45:00 Live musical interludes, and thoughts on inner peace Topics: The rise, viral peak, and chaotic collapse of HQ Trivia Self-funding Savvy, a new live interactive game show app Imposter syndrome and the internal conflict of viral success Going on a seven-day phone-free digital detox at the Hoffman Process Quitting stand-up comedy due to OCD and ADHD to pursue live hosting Perfectionism, catastrophizing, and midlife epiphanies Preserving energy, escaping political outrage, letting go FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 min
  • Iran, AI & the Future of the Democratic Party | Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari

    Iran, AI & the Future of the Democratic Party | Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari
    Oct 12 2026
    Matt Buechele reflects on the state of American politics, the temptation to give in to doom and gloom, and why he still feels hopeful about the future. Then Matt sits down with Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, the youngest woman serving in Congress. She talks about her Iranian-American family, her work at the United Nations, and the war in Iran. They discuss sanctions and internet access for Iranians, the fight to regulate AI, and the growing backlash against data centers. Yassamin also explains why she thinks Americans need to get more involved in peaceful protest, what Democrats could do if they win the House in the midterms, and why election integrity matters. Plus, Matt and Yassamin make predictions about which pop star might run for Congress, the next big bachelor party destination, and whether Taylor Swift will win an Oscar before Tom Cruise. Chapters: 00:00:00 Rep. Yassamin Ansari on youth in politics and serving in DC 00:04:48 Flight anxiety, Global Citizen Festival trauma, and congressional voting 00:09:02 Iranian heritage, parents fleeing revolution, and American democracy 00:13:31 War with Iran, foreign policy decisions, and military intelligence 00:18:02 Impact of sanctions, internet access, and target limitations 00:22:39 Epstein files, White House situation room, and government oversight 00:27:06 Congressional accountability, subpoena power, and holding leaders responsible 00:31:31 AI risks, data centers, and global technology regulation 00:36:08 Public activism, city council pushback, and fighting voter apathy 00:40:48 Midterm election strategy, election integrity, and youth voter turnout 00:45:04 Unwinding from DC politics, book recommendations, and daily schedule 00:49:49 Scottsdale nightlife, pop culture predictions, and Taylor Swift tour Topics: Serving as the youngest woman in Congress at age 34. Political career as an Iranian-American Democrat. Mother fleeing the 1979 Iranian revolution. Fragility of civil rights and American democracy. US foreign policy, sanctions, and military action in Iran. White House transparency regarding intelligence and foreign conflicts. Government accountability and the Epstein files cover-up. Existential risks of unregulated artificial intelligence. Local environmental impacts of AI data centers on water and power. Youth political activation and grassroots protest movements. FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot. FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 ora e 3 min
  • Planet of the Bass, Parody Songs & Immersive Theatre | Kyle Gordon

    Planet of the Bass, Parody Songs & Immersive Theatre | Kyle Gordon
    Oct 5 2026
    Matt Buechele spends a rainy weekend inside doing crossword puzzles, complaining about the news, and living like an 85-year-old. Then Matt sits down with musician and comedian Kyle Gordon to talk about going from UCB improv and making dumb songs with friends to accidentally going viral with “Planet of the Bass” – and the backlash that followed from fans and even Rolling Stone. Kyle also gets into his new album Kyle Gordon Is Everywhere, getting jacked for a Christmas song, and traveling to Eswatini to shoot “Mr. Jambo.” Plus, they make predictions about bras being thrown onstage, Taylor Swift’s next album, and whether Paul McCartney or Mick Jagger will live longer. Chapters: 00:00:00 Kyle Gordon on viral songs, tour prep, and losing his voice 00:04:48 Live show stage elements and touring new cities 00:09:02 Learning production, making beats, and early parody influences 00:13:31 Cutting his teeth doing live comedy and improv at UCB 00:18:02 Running marathons and taking time for mental clarity 00:22:39 Fitness culture, ultramarathons, and extreme haunted houses 00:27:06 Experiences in immersive theater and dating an actress 00:31:31 Parent reactions to viral success and writing genre parodies 00:36:08 Planet of the Bass virality, fan controversies, and music video rollouts 00:40:48 Getting in shape for the Steinman-inspired Christmas song video 00:45:04 Shooting the Mr. Jambo music video on location in Africa 00:49:49 Predictions on tour energy and Taylor Swift's next album release Topics: Kyle Gordon tour and vocal strain Making hip-hop beats in Cubase Flight of the Conchords impact Improv background at UCB and Magnet Distance running as a meditation Planet of the Bass viral rollout Filming Mr Jambo music video Extreme haunted house experiences Americana Heartland rock parody New album release and tour plans FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 ora e 2 min
  • Chris Rock, SNL & Family Group Chats | Nimesh Patel

    Chris Rock, SNL & Family Group Chats | Nimesh Patel
    Sep 28 2026
    Matt Buechele goes to a sweet sixteen and gets a front-row seat to the strange world of teenage birthday parties, complete with photo booths, the Cupid Shuffle, and an alarming number of boys with the same haircut. Then Matt sits down with Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Nimesh Patel to talk about becoming a dad, turning down a $120k comedy gig in Saudi Arabia, and his complicated relationship with money. They discuss how Chris Rock saw Nimesh perform and, three months later he was writing for the Oscars, followed by a year at Saturday Night Live. Nimesh also talks about his new Netflix special Buy the Dip, political comedy, crowd work, family group chats, and finding ways to make people laugh about complicated subjects without talking down to them. Plus, Matt and Nimesh make predictions about AI comedy festivals, celebrity advertising, and if the Knicks players will visit the White House. Chapters: 00:00:00 Nimesh Patel’s Netflix special Buy the Dip and economic anxiety 00:05:01 Comedy in Louisiana and examining political divides 00:10:02 Political views, family, and dealing with media chaos 00:15:01 Fatherhood, playing basketball, and mental resets 00:20:01 How Chris Rock discovered Nimesh Patel in a Brooklyn bar 00:25:01 Writing for Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update 00:30:01 Pitching sketches at SNL and learning industry lessons 00:35:01 Navigating political comedy during the Trump era 00:40:01 Nimesh's new Netflix special and handling the family group chat 00:45:01 Audience behavior during stand-up shows and comedy craft 00:50:01 AI comedy festivals, polymarket, and celebrity endorsement deals 00:52:57 Predicting the New York Knicks White House visit Topics: Chris Rock discovering Nimesh Patel Writing for Saturday Night Live First Indian writer in SNL history Turning down $125k for a show in Saudi Arabia Fatherhood and financial ethics The strategy behind crowd work Highlights from Buy the Dip special Economic anxiety and supply chains Media capture and political debates Celebrity ads and sports betting FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    59 min
  • Blackjack, Bad Decisions, & the Comedy Algorithm | Andrew Collin

    Blackjack, Bad Decisions, & the Comedy Algorithm | Andrew Collin
    Sep 21 2026
    Matt Buechele heads to the US Open, drinks a few Honey Deuces, and learns about Heineken Silver. Then Matt sits down with comedian and writer Andrew Collin to talk about gambling addiction and going too hard in Atlantic City. They discuss Andrew’s work with Nikki Glaser, opening for her across Europe, going from Knoxville to Paris, and the differences between American and European comedy audiences. They also get into stand-up in the age of crowd-work clips, the pressure to constantly feed the algorithm, writing political comedy without becoming a political commentator, and why it can feel impossible to stop chasing the next thing. Plus, they make predictions about prediction markets, the Super Bowl halftime show, and pumpkin spice drinks. Chapters: 00:00:00 Learning instruments and faking orchestra performances 00:04:08 Bonding with family over Meat Loaf and Tom Petty concerts 00:08:22 Finding comfort in boredom and sports vs. arts culture 00:11:03 Weddings at Mar-A-Lago and growing up in Florida 00:16:30 College blackjack addiction and getting shot at by a bird 00:20:07 Sports gambling apps and writing for the Golden Globes 00:23:02 European tour stories and testing French jokes on stage 00:27:00 Writing on the Tom Brady roast and changing stand-up culture 00:30:15 Navigating social media pressure and joke writing processes 00:35:33 Political comedy, Trump fatigue, and outrage in late night 00:40:02 Predicting the future of prediction markets and Super Bowl acts 00:44:48 Discussing open mic culture and starting over on podcasts Topics: Fake playing cello in school orchestra Bonding over Meatloaf with his father Growing up Jewish in rural Florida Attending an all-Christian school College gambling and blackjack addiction Performing standup comedy in Paris Clip culture and crowd work impact Writing jokes for the Tom Brady roast Navigating NYC real estate and rent Polymarket and Super Bowl predictions FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 min
  • Rom-Coms, Disney Adults, & the Hollywood Hustle | Jonah Feingold

    Rom-Coms, Disney Adults, & the Hollywood Hustle | Jonah Feingold
    Sep 14 2026
    Matt Buechele spots Zohran Mamdani riding his bicycle through the park with four guys in suits, kind of like The Sandlot, but with city government. Then he sits down with filmmaker, writer, director, and producer Jonah Feingold to talk about his new movie Busboys, starring Theo Von and David Spade. They chat about Jonah’s childhood obsession with Hook, his internship with Hans Zimmer, his love of 1940s comedies, and why he decided to stop waiting for Hollywood to give him permission to make things. Plus, Matt and Jonah make predictions about the next You’ve Got Mail, the future of dating shows, and never working with AI actors. Chapters: 00:00:00 Directing Busboys starring Theo Von and David Spade 00:03:22 Navigating dyslexia and reading classic books for writing 00:07:38 Finding inspiration in 1940s screwball comedies 00:13:00 Script writing process and leather notebook hierarchy 00:16:38 Childhood obsession with Captain Hook and character costumes 00:20:02 Analyzing Disney World Imagineering and fandom culture 00:24:21 Interning for Hans Zimmer and observing famous directors 00:29:01 Collaborating with film composers on custom character themes 00:30:33 Landing the job to direct Busboys for Hulu 00:36:37 Independent filmmaking hustle and securing brand sponsorships 00:41:02 Launching Romantic media brand and pitching new scripts 00:46:15 Movie predictions and modern rom com reboots Topics: Jonah Feingold on directing Busboys Interning for composer Hans Zimmer Writing scripts with dyslexia Influence of 1940s screwball comedy Pitching and financing indie films Working with David Spade and Theo Von Creating character themes with music The reality of Hollywood spec deals Building the romantic media brand Disney World design and fandom culture FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    58 min
  • Heated Rivalry, Expensive Bags, and Law & Order: SVU | Liza Treyger

    Heated Rivalry, Expensive Bags, and Law & Order: SVU | Liza Treyger
    Sep 7 2026
    Matt Buechele wonders whether American capitalism has finally become too absurd to parody. Then Matt sits down with actor, writer, and comedian Liza Treyger to talk about expensive handbags, her obsession with Heated Rivalry, and how the show inspired her to brush up on her Russian. They discuss her newfound love of reading, and why books have changed the way she writes and sees the world. Liza and Matt also get into why podcast bros appeal to men, women’s increasing independence, and the strange power of celebrity culture. Plus, they make predictions about THC-infused food, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, and whether America could one day elect a comedian president. Chapters: 00:00:00 Buying a $3,000 YSL bag for a book 00:03:48 Obsessing over Heated Rivalry 00:07:22 Finding 1 of 8 designer bags in the country 00:11:03 Social media addiction and Soviet Ukraine roots 00:15:08 Hiring a Russian professor to book auditions 00:18:22 Olivia Wilde, Keke Palmer, and talking shit 00:21:48 Male entitlement and why men fear single women 00:25:47 Trump, political comedy, and the Reagan effect 00:29:16 Matt reveals his Law & Order SVU history 00:33:06 Reading books to cure creative depression 00:37:05 THC salami and Taylor Swift wedding gossip 00:41:00 Choosing Wanda Sykes for president Topics: Buying a luxury bag for a book Obsessing over Heated Rivalry fandom Learning Russian for acting roles Soviet Ukraine roots and identity Male entitlement and incel culture Critiquing podcasters and politics Host reveals Law & Order SVU history How reading books cured depression THC salami and celebrity gossip Nominating Wanda Sykes for president FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    49 min
  • Subway Dicks, Comedy & Catholicism | Caitlin Peluffo

    Subway Dicks, Comedy & Catholicism | Caitlin Peluffo
    Aug 31 2026
    Matt Buechele has been catcalled twice by the same mysterious man on a Citi Bike and wonders what, exactly, you’re supposed to do when someone yells “great ass” directly into your ear. Then Matt sits down with comedian Caitlin Peluffo to talk about her experience on Netflix’s Funny AF with Kevin Hart, including the challenge of roasting Marshawn Lynch and making it to the finale. They discuss Caitlin’s unconventional path from performance art to stand-up, what it’s like watching her career take off, therapy, growing up Catholic, dating, and the dangers of spending too much time on your phone. Plus, Matt and Caitlin make predictions about subway dicks, meeting the Pope, and the next big dating-app gimmick. Chapters: 00:00:00 Caitlin Peluffo, city life, and early success 00:04:37 Small comforts, travel routines, and touring North Carolina 00:07:26 Handling canceled shows, burnout, and starting therapy 00:11:38 Auditioning for Netflix's Funny AF and reality TV psych evals 00:16:05 Roasting Marshawn Lynch on television while he had the mic 00:20:38 Handling sudden public recognition and fan interactions 00:22:37 College soccer at UCSD and pursuing fine arts degrees 00:26:06 Experiential art projects and discovering stand-up comedy 00:32:21 Zodiac signs, tongue readings, and encounters with psychics 00:37:41 Catholic upbringing, family politics, and childhood road trips 00:45:31 Screen time habits, social media anxiety, and career pressure 00:49:16 Future predictions, public urinals, and post-show tour plans Topics: Auditioning and competing on Netflix's Funny AF How therapy helped Caitlin relax before sets Overcoming childhood anxiety about reading out loud Roasting NFL legend Marshawn Lynch on live TV Getting in trouble for slapping a dead pig at Pratt Taking beta blockers to prevent stage anxiety Performing on Fallon and her dad's funny reaction Shifting from college soccer at UCSD to stand-up Handling weird and creepy DMs from viral crowd work Selling out the historic Gramercy Theater in NYC FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 ora e 2 min