Hey Riddle Riddle – Patreon Preview #350: The Beak & Bones Society

Release Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Adal Rifai, Erin Keif, John Patrick Coan (JPC)
Main Theme:
This episode is an improv-heavy, comedic journey as the hosts attempt to infiltrate a (fictional) secret society known as "The Beak & Bones Society." The gang navigates absurd initiation rituals, personal anxieties, and classic riddle-adjacent shenanigans, blurring the line between parody mystery, improv comedy, and light puzzle play.

Episode Overview

The hosts find themselves stumbling into the world of secret societies—specifically "The Beak & Bones Society"—where getting accepted is harder than it sounds, especially when you're distracted by tuna cans, grievances of rejection, and debates over who qualifies as a "Kyle." Their signature blend of improv, meta-commentary, and self-deprecating wit drives a loose, playful narrative.

Key Discussion Points & Improv Segments

1. Pre-Society Anxieties and Rejections

• Erin, Adal, and JPC discuss their lack of experience with secret societies and anxieties about being rejected.
  • Erin (06:44): “I’ve never been in a secret society before. Or a club really. And I’m just scared you guys are going to be let in and not me.”
  • JPC proposes a "package deal" for the society: all three join, or none.

2. Gaining Entry to The Beak & Bones Society

• The hosts strategize how to enter, with Erin humorously worried about deleting a tweet (06:08).
• They are welcomed by the Grand Raven (Adal as character), but Erin bungles their entrance by loudly dropping a tuna can—a recurring bit.
  • Erin (07:57): “The tuna can. It was in my back pocket. I forgot it was there.”
  • Grand Raven (Adal) (08:03): “Did someone drop something? That stinks.”

3. Escalating Absurdity – Tuna Can Fiasco

• Erin tries to deflect suspicion for the tuna can, blaming another society member, who is quickly ejected, possibly “to death” (09:02).
• Running jokes about having more than one tuna can and disowning responsibility are layered throughout the segment.

4. Secret Society Ritual Weirdness

• The induction grows stranger: odd password moments, lights going on and off, and the ceremony derailed by both chaos and confusion.
  • Adal (10:07): “It’s been a lifelong dream to be in Beak and Bones, sir. The best avian themed secret Club this side of the Mississippi.”
  • Grand Raven and members provide dry, comedic responses, treating the process as a matter of utmost gravity.
• Ongoing lampooning of the exclusivity and odd traditions of secret societies.

5. Who’s a Kyle?

• The society seems filled with people named “Kyle”; Erin is mistaken for Kyle, and a tangent on the existence of women named Kyle ensues, including Real Housewives references.
  • JPC (10:28): “I’ve always wanted to meet a woman Kyle.”
  • Adal (Grand Raven) (10:37): “Most of the women Kyles are Kylies.”

6. Splitting Up & Alternate Societies

• Members are randomly pulled into groupings; John Patrick Coan is ushered to a different room, while Erin ends up talking with people who run a "Kyle XY" recap podcast (13:37).
  • Kyle (character, JPC) (13:35): “We do a Kylexy recap podcast. Fun format: I have seen every episode. Alan never has and never retains information about it. Groundhog Day meets Kyle XY.”
  • Erin agrees to leave a five-star review but admits she doesn’t listen to podcasts (14:16).

7. Nepo Babies, Legacies, and Ritual Disrobing

• A quick debate ensues over who is a “nepo baby” versus “legacy” member of the society, with comically convoluted distinctions.
  • Adal (14:49): “Then why even bring it up, though? Know what I mean?”
• JPC is instructed to “shed his clothes and lay down in the nest,” resulting in more confusion and embarrassment; the group tries to cover him up.
  • Adal (15:25): “Whoa. What is going on with that tattoo?”
  • JPC (15:32): “Not a tattoo. It’s actually a birthmark. Yeah, the doctor slapped my little hiney so hard when I came out.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Erin (11:08): “Well, Kyle, turn the lights off when—”
• JPC (JPC as moving society member) (11:10): “I say Dr. Christmas Jones. Two people grabbed me and ushered me into a different room.”
• Adal (Grand Raven) (12:28): “Let it be known, Kyle, take note. It’s all or nothing for these three. For the two and for the two.” (Indicating confusion and chaotic rules.)
• Erin (13:37): “Oh, a pod.” (After being invited to join the Kyle XY podcast.)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 06:08 – 07:22: The group discusses membership anxieties, podcast as a package deal.
• 07:23 – 09:09: Enacting entry, tuna can mishaps, Grand Raven's sternness and the ejection of a non-guilty member.
• 10:07 – 11:08: Formal requests to join, society lore, and avian themes.
• 11:09 – 13:15: Gendered naming tangents, more ejections, and group splintering.
• 13:37 – 15:00: Conversation with "Kyle XY" podcasters, industry nepo/legacy distinctions.
• 15:10 – 15:54: JPC’s ritual disrobing, body marks, absurd ceremony climax.

Tone & Style

True to Hey Riddle Riddle’s style, the episode is dominated by playful, rapid-fire improvisational banter. The tone is irreverent, silly, and intentionally chaotic, mocking secret societies by heightening their most arcane traditions to absurd levels.

For Listeners New and Old

Even for those unfamiliar with the show, this episode delivers a wild, imaginative narrative fueled by improv and running jokes. The lack of straightforward riddles is part of the fun—expect off-the-wall transitions, meta-commentary on podcasting, and enthusiastic riffing on everything from club memberships to '90s TV deep cuts.

Note: The episode, being a Patreon bonus preview, ends mid-ceremony with a classic, tongue-in-cheek call to action for listeners to subscribe for the full chaotic adventure.