Podcast
Flightless Bird
Hosted by David Farrier · EN
Flightless Bird follows journalist David Farrier as he learns about what makes America special from his unique perspective as a Kiwi accidentally marooned in the Land of the Free. Infinitely curious but never judgmental, each week, David (along with cohost and American Rob) seeks to understand what makes America so unique, strange, and wonderful.
52episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Titanic Panic
4d ago00:54:54Summary readyIn this week’s Flightless Bird, David looks into a small but dedicated group of Americans who are still obsessed with the (alleged) sinking of the Titanic. They find it terrifying, they find it moving, they find it all quite hard to believe. In fact - did the Titanic even sink, or was it the sister ship, the Olympic? Farrier wants to understand why this tragedy is still felt so strongly, so many years on.Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryNest Sessions: Tim Kasher on Game Shows
1w ago01:01:25Summary readyIn this month’s Nest Session, David and Rob sit down with Tim Kasher, the frontman of Cursive. Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, Tim and his wife are borderline obsessed with American gameshows. Not only have they both appeared on major gameshows, Tim also hosts his own! Tim shares his insights into gameshow culture, before playing some stripped back songs in the Flightless Bird studio. You can find Tim Kasher here: https://www.instagram.com/timkasher/ https://www.instagram.com/cursivetheband/ Sponges of Experience: https://bornlosersrecords.com/products/tim-kashers-home-phone-sponges-of-experience-cd?variant=50060118294721 Musical Puke: https://linktr.ee/musical.puke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryLifespring Cult
2w ago01:05:10Summary readyIn this week’s episode of Flightless Bird, David looks into the bonkers world of the Human Potential Movement and Large Group Awareness Training - viewed through the lens of a child whose mother got sucked into the Lifespring cult in the 80s. Founded in 1974 by three people, Lifespring members found out that it was incredibly hard to leave, as their brains were systematically broken down and dismantled piece by piece. What can we learn from Lifespring, and is this kind of movement still an issue in 2016?Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryLive in Salt Lake City: Skinwalker Ranch, Caving, & Weiner Dog Races
3w ago01:50:15Summary readyFlightless Bird comes to you live from Salt Lake City, Utah. In a jam packed show, Rob and David share their experiences visiting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Gilgal Sculpture Garden, before being joined on stage by Brandon Fugal (the owner of the mysterious Skinwalker Ranch), Brandon Kowalis (an extreme caver who part of the ill-fated Nutty Putty cave rescue attempt) and Brad Wheeler (professional weiner dog racer). The show is opened and closed by the mesmerizing Salt Lake City-based musician Josaleigh Pollett. Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryAnna Konkle on Pen15 & the Sane One
4w ago01:28:27Summary readyDavid and Rob are joined in the studio by Anna Konkle, the co-creator and star of PEN15, one of their favourite shows of all time - looking at the trials and tribulations of being a seventh grader in the United States. Anna has a new book out - The Sane One - looking back at her real life, and real parents, that were part of the inspiration for her show.Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comAnna’s book, The Sane One: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-sane-one-a-memoir-anna-konkle/b03f30c6d183b728Watch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryWisconsin: Supper Clubs
May 1200:56:11Summary readyIn this week’s episode, as part of his “Wisconsin” series, David investigates the world of Supper Clubs in Madison. What the hell is a supper club, and why is this state obsessed with them? What is a Friday Fish Fry, and how creamy is a grasshopper? David attempts to find out.Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryNest Sessions: Nick Thorburn on Underground Comics
May 700:51:49Summary readyIn this month’s Nest Session, David and Rob are joined in the studio by musician Nick Thorburn (Islands, the Unicorns, Mister Heavenly, The Creem) to discuss his love of underground comics and fulfilling his dream of publishing his own comic with legendary publisher Fantagraphics. Nick - originally from Canada - shares his thoughts on the US, and his music with bands like The Unicorns and Islands, before sharing his favourite homemade American snack, and some charming acoustic renditions of his music. Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com The Cream: https://www.instagram.com/thecreeem/ Nick’s comic: https://www.fantagraphics.com/products/pear-shape Nick's book: https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/nick-thorburn/products/penguins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryICE Detention Center Visit
May 500:56:34Summary readyIn this week’s episode, David and Rob head to the Adelanto ICE Detention Centre in which is imprisoning New Zealand woman Everlee Wihongi, who holds a valid green card. Rob goes inside and spends an hour with Everlee, discussing what conditions are like, and why the New Zealand government refuses to offer any help. Meanwhile, David calls Everlee’s mother Betty at her home in Wisconsin, to talk about what it’s like to have a family member kidnapped by ICE.Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comEverlee’s GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-free-and-get-everlee-home Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryICE Kidnaps A Kiwi
Apr 2801:03:54Summary readyIn this week’s Flightless Bird we tell the story of Everlee Wihongi, a 36-year-old New Zealander on a green card, snatched by ICE at LAX airport. We talk to her mother Betty, trying to figure out why her daughter got kidnapped, and how to get her out again. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmal.com LINKS: - GoFundMe for Everlee’s legal fees: https://gofund.me/c9217e4f1 - Original Webworm reporting: http://www.webworm.co/betty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryWisconsin: Cheeseheads
Apr 2100:56:39Summary readyIn this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier travels to Madison, Wisconsin, to investigate the World Championship Cheese Contest. With 3375 entries and 150 classes, we are talking a lot of cheese. Hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, the comp has been running since 1957 - and this year was bigger than ever. Why is cheese so big in this part of the US, and what exactly is a cheesehead? All will be revealed in this very cheesy episode. Links: Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summary