Garage Logic – "Best Of GL: Thanksgiving Day Edition" Date: November 27, 2025 | Host: Gamut Podcast Network
Episode Overview
This "Best of Garage Logic" Thanksgiving edition serves both nostalgia and humor, blending classic GL banter with cherished tales from the archives. Host Joe Soucheray ("The Mayor"), joined by Chris Reavers, Kenny Olson, John Height, and The Rookie, revisit memorable Thanksgiving stories—focusing on food heap-management competitions, family traditions, and pointed commentary on Minnesota culture and common sense. The episode is threaded with the show’s signature tongue-in-cheek tone, ribbing, and a deep affection for midwestern living.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Thanksgiving Food Traditions: Plate vs. Heap Management
- Vertical Heap Management: Joe humorously recalls his uncles Jimmy and Paul, notorious for their Thanksgiving "heap management"—not just piling food, but stacking it expertly in a gravity-defying mountain.
- Heap vs. Plate Management: The team analyzes the difference between careful plate management (think: professional waiters) and the wilder art of heaping, reserved for family-only, no-judgment holiday gatherings.
- The Ritual of Repeat Heaping: It's not just about the first massive plate—true champions like Jimmy and Paul excel by going back for seconds (and sometimes thirds), each time with full, impressive heaps.
"This is vertical heap management. When they’re walking, it’s a practiced, steady pace. What they’ve got is a top-heavy heap."
— Joe Soucheray (02:22)
"When you’re with a family in a family environment at an Easter, a Thanksgiving or a Christmas—it’s heap, it’s heapology and more than that, it has nothing to do with management. It’s heapology."
— Joe Soucheray (05:00)
- The Importance of the Nap: The traditional post-feast nap is analyzed as an integral part of the eating event, often coinciding with the time others are cleaning up.
"The nap is almost instantaneous with dinner and coincides with any kind of cleanup that has to be done."
— John Height (06:42)
2. Honest Self-Assessment: Who Are the Real Champions?
- A friendly debate emerges: Could Rookie compete with Uncle Jimmy and Paul? Consensus: youth and lack of repeat performance hold him back.
- "Repeat heaping" becomes the mark of a seasoned Thanksgiving eater, not just a one-off effort.
"You stand no chance. You’re too young. Your skills aren’t ready. You just haven’t done this enough."
— Joe Soucheray (08:47)
3. Classic GL News Roundtable – Stories and Satire
- Marathon Milestone: The crew briefly acknowledges a woman who’s run a marathon in every state, humorously noting her limited time for international marathoning. (12:08)
- AC/DC Monopoly Release: Discussion of band-themed Monopoly games, pausing to rib Angus Young’s schoolboy outfit. (12:50)
- Oddball News Highlights:
- British soldier leaves friends money for Vegas party in his will (14:11)
- Chinese man modifies Nissan into a "Lamborghini", promptly impounded (15:32)
- Bizarre crime and animal news, delivered with rapid-fire quips and trademark irreverence
"But he still ended up with a Nissan, didn't he? It's still a Nissan." — Joe Soucheray (15:54)
4. Coyote Comedy: Urban Wildlife Policy Satire
- The group skewers news that St. Paul's animal control is proud that wild animals, specifically coyotes, now choose to live in the city.
"I think it speaks well of our city that wild animals choose to live here. It speaks to the care we've put into our environment that it's a welcoming place for a multitude of species."
— Quoting Molly Lunaris, St. Paul Animal Control (21:02)
- The team mocks the bureaucratic optimism, raising real concerns about safety (pets, children) and lampooning the idea of actively recruiting coyotes.
"She acts like there was a convention and the coyotes chose Minnesota over Omaha or Chicago."
— Joe Soucheray (22:39)
- Nostalgic reflection: When dogs roamed leash-free, they "kept wild animals out," tying broader societal changes (like stricter leash laws) to unintended consequences. (26:56)
5. Turkey of the Year Tradition
- Joe traces the storied history of the “Turkey of the Year” award, started in 1978, running through infamous recipients—Woody Hayes, Lou Holtz, Jesse Ventura, and more—as a testament to Minnesota sports and civic life.
"In 1978, Woody Hayes was the big winner that year, after he punched a player on the sidelines ... The year 2000, the year that changed everything in Minnesota—Governor Jesse Ventura..."
— Joe Soucheray (30:21)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Heap Management Masterclass:
"It’s the whole thing, you know, back and forth and then while they’re done ... they might say, 'Is there one cold beer left?' Rookie's got a long way to go."
— John Height (08:03) -
Midwestern Satire of City Policy:
"She acts as though St. Paul has successfully recruited a new ethnicity to town. Because she said ... we're open to all species."
— Joe Soucheray (26:29) -
Banter on Being a Good Cat Neighbor:
"How’s your neighbor? He’s a pretty damn good cat neighbor. What does he rank out of 10?"
— Chris Reavers & The Rookie (28:39)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Thanksgiving Food Heap Discussion: 02:22 – 09:32
- Marathon/Iron Women News: 12:08 – 12:34
- AC/DC Monopoly & Odd News: 12:50 – 15:32
- Pet Crimes & Hand Sanitizer Drinker: 16:37 – 18:52
- Coyote Controversy and City Policy Satire: 21:02 – 30:14
- Turkey of the Year Recap: 30:21 – 32:28
Tone & Style
Peppered throughout is GL’s easy camaraderie, local references, skepticism for bureaucratic pronouncements, and a warm embrace of blue-collar Minnesota sensibilities. The episode is equal parts light-hearted roasting and nostalgic reflection, offering listeners a familiar, family-around-the-table experience.
For the Garage Logic Uninitiated
This episode is a quintessential sampling of Garage Logic’s enduring appeal—a blend of tongue-in-cheek social commentary, community storytelling, humblebragging over food rituals, and a gentle poking at local institutions. Even if you're not from "Gumption County," the universalities of family, tradition, and municipal oddity make this a satisfying holiday listen.