🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE

Episode 170 – Trump chokes

In an unavoidably morbid and uniquely American turn of events, Andy and Roger process the death of Donald Trump—reportedly from choking on a Big Mac aboard Air Force One—and its implications for U.S. and global politics. While most media is still in stunned reaction mode, the duo skip the spectacle and explore what this means for MAGA, the Republican Party, and America’s political psyche.

JD Vance is now president (pending swearing in), and the discussion probes whether the MAGA movement survives without its cult leader, or if it dissipates into factions. Can Vance maintain the energy, or is this the beginning of a Republican identity crisis?

Andy and Roger also explore the Democrats’ next moves in a post-Trump world, whether the media can survive without their orange cash cow, and what global allies (and enemies) make of the latest American chaos. Plus: is it actually possible that McDonald’s has killed a U.S. president?

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#TrumpDeath #BigMacGate #JDVance #MAGAMovement #AmericanPolitics #USPresidency #RepublicanParty #Democrats #PoliticalChaos #TrumpLegacy #PresidentialSuccession #Populism #ConservativePolitics #MAGA2026 #VanceEra #USMidterms #GlobalPolitics #AndyAndRoger #TheMiddlePodcast

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🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE

Episode 169 – Nanny state

Roger returns from a chaotic family trip to Malaysia with war stories from airport border security, forgotten backpacks, and a renewed appreciation for Australian food safety standards. Andy and Roger reflect on the nanny state versus the wild chaos of Southeast Asia—where you might find horse meat next to the Fruit Loops.

The conversation spirals into parenting styles, travel hazards, and whether Australian children are overprotected. They debate the merits of haggling at night markets, the ethics of domestic helpers in countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, and whether Australia should embrace a “maid economy” of its own. There's a touch of philosophy, some light intergenerational resentment, and a surprising amount of time spent on seatbelt regulations.

They also touch on generational roles, multi-generational households, and the underexplored potential of grandparents as a solution to the childcare crisis. A meandering and provocative episode that may or may not be sponsored by Bluey.

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#NannyState #ParentingStyles #TravelWithKids #AirportSecurity #MalaysiaTrip #FoodSafety #HagglingCulture #AsianMarkets #DomesticHelpers #MultigenerationalLiving #ChildcareCrisis #FilipinoMaids #GlobalInequality #AustralianCulture #ExpatLife #RogerAndAndy #TheMiddlePodcast #CrossCultural #ModernParenting #LawAndOrder

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🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE

Episode 168 – Make friends

In this episode, Andy and Roger wrestle with the timeless advice of Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, asking the important question: does any of this still work in 2026?

Roger recounts a conversation with a new migrant seeking advice on making friends in Australia, prompting a deep (and often reluctant) dive into Carnegie’s greatest hits. Andy questions whether trying to be liked is inherently inauthentic, while Roger attempts to rehabilitate the usefulness of smiling, remembering names, and basic human warmth.

They also touch on workplace culture, social awkwardness, Friday drinks, and the delicate art of not being a jerk. Along the way, they explore masculinity, authenticity, and the tension between self-improvement and selling out. Andy reflects on the joy of disassembling Lego, while Roger admits to hoarding four bins’ worth of Christmas rubbish. No one comes out looking good.

Also covered: packing fatigue, moving-house misery, and why everything ends up in a box labelled “misc.”

Hashtags:

#DaleCarnegie #HowToWinFriends #MakingFriends #SocialSkills #AndyAndRoger #AuthenticityCrisis #AustralianCulture #WorkplaceDynamics #FridayDrinks #Minimalism #MovingHouse #MaleFriendship #SelfHelpBooks #PodcastChat #PackingProblems #CulturalAdvice #SmilingIsWeird #NameMemoryFail #SocialNorms2026 #StatusAnxiety

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