Podcast Summary: Hey Riddle Riddle – Episode #364: "What a Wonderful Phrase"

Release Date: July 9, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode

In episode #364, titled "What a Wonderful Phrase," the hosts of Hey Riddle Riddle—Erin Keif, John Patrick Cohen, and Adol Refai—return to recording in person amidst an unusually sweltering Chicago summer. Balancing their trademark humor with creative riddles and improvisational scenes, the trio delivers an engaging and entertaining episode that delves deep into their improvisational prowess and collaborative spirit.

2. Recording in the Heat

The episode kicks off with the hosts discussing the challenges and absurdities of recording live in the intense Chicago heat.

• Erin Keif shares her experience about braving the heat: "I decided to come at the hottest time of the year where there's, like, a heat warning every day. My phone keeps being like, don't go outside, please." (01:43)

• John Patrick Cohen humorously exaggerates the temperature: "It is 1 million degrees outside." (01:37)

• Adol Refai adds to the banter: "I'm in my slut summer, my slummer, if you will." (14:57)

Their lighthearted exchange sets the tone for an episode filled with camaraderie and witty remarks.

3. Presenting Original Riddles

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to presenting and solving original Broadway-themed riddles crafted by Erin Keif and her friend Michael. These riddles challenge the hosts to think creatively, often resulting in humorous improvisational scenes.

• Erin Keif introduces the segment: "I have some original riddles that have a new riddle format written by my friend Michael that I also wrote some as well." (13:47)

• The riddles are designed to have dual answers—one literal and one metaphorical—adding layers of complexity and humor.

Notable Quote:

• Erin on the difficulty of the riddles: "These are hard. So I'd say between me and Michael's, maybe only two of these I think work well." (15:18)

4. Improvisational Scenes Based on Riddles

Following the riddles, the hosts engage in improvisational skits that bring the riddles to life, particularly drawing inspiration from Broadway musicals.

• Adol Refai suggests a playful scene: "JPC and Aaron, you are a married bear couple and your baby bear..." (19:12)

• The trio enacts humorous scenarios, such as a Shakespearean courtroom scene and reinterpretations of classic musical moments, blending absurdity with theatrical flair.

Notable Quote:

• John Patrick Cohen on improvisation: "This is just like that Monday morning. We're more evolved now. But we used to sometimes start recording at like 9pm and go till 1 in the morning on a Sunday night." (13:00)

5. Listener Interaction: Voicemail on Burnout

The episode features a heartfelt voicemail from a listener named Taylor, who shares her struggles with burnout—a topic that resonates deeply with the hosts.

• Taylor's Voicemail: "I'm in my mid-20s where I'm working in school and just have a lot on my plate and I love, love what I'm doing, but I'm just exhausted all of the time..." (65:07)

• The hosts respond with empathy and share their personal strategies for coping with burnout, emphasizing the importance of mental health and self-care.

Notable Quotes:

• Erin Keif on her mantra: "All I have to do is breathe and enjoy the people that I'm around. And that usually is enough to at least go, yeah." (66:11)

• John Patrick Cohen on therapy: "There is nothing like talking through your issues with a professional. It can give you, like, new perspective." (38:47)

6. Creative Process and Collaboration

Throughout the episode, the hosts discuss their creative processes, particularly how they craft riddles and collaborate on improvisational content.

• Erin Keif explains the origin of the riddles: "Michael, I have some original riddles that have a new riddle format written by my friend Michael..." (14:00)

• They explore the balance between structure and spontaneity, highlighting how their collaborative efforts enhance the show's dynamic.

Notable Quote:

• Adol Refai on the dual nature of riddles: "And one of them is a little bit more literal, and one of them is a little bit more metaphorical." (51:30)

7. Conclusion and Future Plans

The episode wraps up with the hosts discussing upcoming shows and projects, maintaining their engaging and humorous rapport.

• John Patrick Cohen announces tour details: "We went to Chicago and the Twin Cities. Those shows, we did get audio recordings from them." (72:28)

• They also promote future episodes and encourage listeners to join their Patreon for exclusive content.

Notable Quote:

• Erin Keif on their creative endeavors: "We might actually only get through the ones that Michael wrote. Thank God, because mine are significantly worse." (57:35)

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Creative Collaboration: The synergy between Erin, John, and Adol showcases the importance of teamwork and diverse creative inputs in producing engaging content.

• Mental Health Awareness: By addressing burnout through listener interaction, the hosts highlight the significance of mental well-being, especially in creative professions.

• Humor and Improvisation: The blend of humor with improvisational skits based on riddles adds a unique flavor to the podcast, making it both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "I could touch Adol's arm right now. I can kick GBC in the shins." — Erin Keif (01:18)

• "It is 1 million degrees outside." — John Patrick Cohen (01:37)

• "We kept talking over her. She wanted to get in on that Star wars bit." — Erin Keif (13:47)

• "I mark the start, I note the end. I pass around but rarely bend. I'm a part of life like stars and rain but when I'm gone none can remain." — Erin Keif (58:33)

• "All I have to do is breathe and enjoy the people that I'm around. And that usually is enough to at least go, yeah." — Erin Keif (66:11)

Conclusion

Episode #364 of Hey Riddle Riddle seamlessly blends humor, creativity, and meaningful discussions, offering listeners a memorable experience. Whether it's tackling challenging riddles, engaging in theatrical improvisations, or addressing real-life issues like burnout, the hosts deliver content that is both entertaining and relatable. This episode exemplifies the show's unique approach to intertwining puzzles with improvisational comedy, making it a standout installment in their series.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections as per the guidelines.