Episodi

  • Episode 143: Comfort Food Personalities - Chef Boyardee and Orville Redenbacher

    Episode 143: Comfort Food Personalities - Chef Boyardee and Orville Redenbacher
    Oct 7 2026
    Today we continue our conversation about food products named for real people. We've moved out of the restaurant and into the grocery store to see what pop culture deliciousness awaits. First, we get a little saucy with our Italian buddy Chef Boyardee. Then we grab some popcorn to go with our pop culture as we get buttered-up with our old friend Orville Redenbacher. These two personalities have been part of our households for years living in our cupboards and on our kitchen tables, a couple faces grinning back at you representing the great American success story. So order up a couple of dirty pasta water martinis, dig the butter out of the fridge and don't forget the can opener. Join us for a healthy meal at our reserved table back here in the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Chef Boyardee Orville Redenbacher - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-143-food-personalities-2 - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 min
  • Episode 142: Comfort Food Personalities - Bob Evans and Nathan Handwerker

    Episode 142: Comfort Food Personalities - Bob Evans and Nathan Handwerker
    Sep 23 2026
    A lot of chain restaurants and widely-known food products have real names and personalities behind them. Some of these businesses put their founders front and center — a certain international chicken chain comes to mind — while others stick with founders’ names even when the motivations for starting the business get lost as the times and brand stories change. Today we discuss a couple of our favorites: Bob Evans and Nathan Handwerker (you know, the hot dog guy). So ask the bartender for a couple of Bourbon Teas and tuck the tablecloth into your shirt. It’s time to grab your knife and fork, ‘cuz we’re digging into some tasty stories back here in the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Bob Evans Nathan Handwerker - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-142-food-personalities-1 - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 min
  • Episode 141: Greetings from Two Designers - Postcards for Ham Radio and Our Nation's Landmarks

    Episode 141: Greetings from Two Designers - Postcards for Ham Radio and Our Nation's Landmarks
    Sep 9 2026
    Postcards. Even in the age of instant communication, receiving a postcard in the mail is pretty fun. Friends checking-in from familiar haunts or destinations unknown with little pieces of mailed artwork. Today we’re discussing a couple of iconic types of postcards that have delivered surprise and delight to mailboxes for decades: QSL cards and the giant letter “Greetings From” souvenirs. So ask the bartender to mix a couple of Caribbean Postcards and grab a pen and a couple of stamps. We need you to listen closely and confirm you’ve received our broadcast from right here in the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: QSL Cards Greetings From Postcards - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-141-postcards - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 min
  • Episode 140: Dogs Playing Poker, Ernest P. Worrell and Pitchmen Going Pop (Classic Episode)

    Episode 140: Dogs Playing Poker, Ernest P. Worrell and Pitchmen Going Pop (Classic Episode)
    Aug 26 2026
    We're still on summer vacation, so we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. Hey, Vern. In this episode we discuss how artwork advertising cigars became a cornerstone for kitsch and a character promoting local businesses became a movie star. What is the deal with dogs playing poker, anyway? And how did Ernest P. Worrell go from plugging local car lots in Nashville to saving Christmas in movie theaters across the country? We answer these questions and introduce you to what may be the coolest artist name in history. So, find your best convenience store-bought cigar, mix your booze with a fun, fizzy soda, and join us once again as we belly up to the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Dogs Playing Poker Cassius Marcellus Coolidge Jim Varney - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-140-when-pitchmen-go-pop - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 min
  • Episode 139: The Origin Story of Psychedelia (Classic Episode)

    Episode 139: The Origin Story of Psychedelia (Classic Episode)
    Aug 12 2026
    With news of Ken Kesey’s bus Further returning to San Francisco, we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. Today we’re taking a trip through the looking glass. We return to our series kickoff on psychedelia by discussing its origins, the impact on a generation of pop culture and its lasting effects. Psychedelia’s origins are messy, fascinating, and full of odd little historical crosscurrents. We discuss science, bicycle rides and the first official album of psychedelic music. So, ask the bartender for a couple of Psychedelic Frogs—and to see if they can stop the walls from dripping rainbow colors—as we chase the white rabbit through the window and back into the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Psychedelia Albert Hofmann Aldous Huxley Timothy Leary Ken Kesey The 13th Floor Elevators - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 min
  • Episode 138: Signs of the Times - Barber Poles and Pawn Broker Balls

    Episode 138: Signs of the Times - Barber Poles and Pawn Broker Balls
    Jul 29 2026
    We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. There are visual icons that have symbolized professions for so long their origin stories are unknown to the very customers served by them. These independent businesses are owned by all kinds of people serving millions on a daily basis throughout the world, all using these same basic signs outside their establishments. We're discussing barber poles and pawnbroker balls, two symbols that, unless you’re truly in the middle of nowhere, you can find within minutes of where you live, work or both. So order up a couple of Barber Beers. We’re lookin' good and feelin' good, back here in the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Barber Pole Pawn Broker Balls - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-138-signs-of-the-times - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min
  • Episode 137: Pop Culture Products - Wonka Bars and Duff Beer

    Episode 137: Pop Culture Products - Wonka Bars and Duff Beer
    Jul 15 2026
    Today we’re going to use our imaginations a little bit. We’ve brought a couple of interesting products with us to the bar...but not just any products. These two were originally created for movies and television, and later made the leap into the real world once they became household names. We’re having dessert first as we sample a Wonka Bar and then we're wetting our whistles with a couple of Duff Beers. So order up a couple of chocolate martinis. We’re licking our fingers and raising our glasses, back here in the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Wonka Bar Duff Beer - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-137-pop-culture-products - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 min
  • Episode 136: KISS, The Bicentennial and the Year 1976 (Classic Episode)

    Episode 136: KISS, The Bicentennial and the Year 1976 (Classic Episode)
    Jul 1 2026
    In honor of the nation’s 250th birthday, we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. Why 1976? Plenty of reasons. We discuss each of our ages in this, the banner year our nation was turning 200 and everything in sight had bunting and was painted red, white and blue. KISS was at the height of their powers as Michael Doret’s amazing album art from “Rock and Roll Over” was gracing turntables from coast to coast and the timeless bicentennial star logo from designer Bruce Blackburn was on everything from postage stamps to NASA equipment. And last but not least, Richard Nixon enters the conversation (but not the bar). - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Bicentennial Logo KISS Rock and Roll Over - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-136-1976-classic - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 min