Podcast
Reconcilable Differences
Hosted by Relay · EN
John Siracusa and Merlin Mann try to figure out exactly how they got this way. Hosted by Merlin Mann and John Siracusa.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
293: Swedish Sailor Soap
4d ago01:16:46Tap to summarizeSubtitle: This ain’t no Gendry boat.For people who don't personally enjoy being on a boat, John and Merlin sure talk a lot about boats. Links and Show Notes: For people who don't personally enjoy being on a boat, John and Merlin sure talk a lot about boats. (Recorded on Tuesday, August 4, 2026) Credits Audio Editor/Timbre Concern Troll: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Secret Weird Things People Do: Baseball Announcer Edition Awful Announcing’s video clip of Ben McDonald’s soap confession Thufir Hawat and his eyebrows Kelsey Pfendler - Wikipedia Kelsey Pfendler’s Instagram account: @yourowkelsey An example video from Kelsey Pfendler’s Instagram account Kelsey Pfendler’s website About Kelsey Pfendler’s boat First American Woman Rows Solo From California to Hawaii - The New York Times Outside’s article about Kelsey Pfendler Good Morning America’s segment about Kelsey Pfendler - YouTube Women & the Wind (2025) Reconcilable Differences #249: Tally HoThe Reconcilable Differences episode where we talk about the “Rebuilding Tally Ho” YouTube series. "You ever been in a boat before?" Ser Davos asks young Gendry.
Transcribe →292: Yarnfluencer
2w ago01:27:03Tap to summarizeSubtitle: One time, Merlin helped Joe Walsh fix his internet.John wants to talk about a phenomenon he's observed. Links and Show Notes: John wants to talk about a phenomenon he's observed. In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss Star City (Apple TV, 2025). You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program. (Recorded on Tuesday, July 21, 2026) Credits Audio Editor/Senior Valve & Reed Analyst: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Technology Connections on ceiling fans - YouTube Lionel Messi bathing Lamine Yamal…who he would later lose to in the World Cup final. Jamie Zawinski - Wikipedia An example of The JWZ Phenomenon Star City - Wikipedia
Transcribe →291: Too Good at Turning Off the Water
Jul 1701:19:08Tap to summarizeJohn conducts some non-elective plumbing, and your hosts check in on the World Cup. Links and Show Notes: John conducts some non-elective plumbing, and your hosts check in on the World Cup. (Recorded on Thursday, July 9, 2026) Credits Audio Editor/Brass Tackler: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. TBros: Trethewey Brothers plumbing in Massachusetts Mexico vs. England World Cup 2026 highlights - YouTube Mexico vs. England sets new record for most-watched soccer game in U.S. history Mexico vs. England World Cup 2026 match information
Transcribe →290: Toilet Cop
Jul 201:14:40Tap to summarizeSubtitle: Merlin doesn't want anyone policing his corn.Merlin wants to talk about computers a little, and John has questions about why you'd throw away a toilet roll that still has some slices on it. Then, your hosts discuss an upcoming movie remake that seems kind of difficult to understand. Links and Show Notes: Merlin wants to talk about computers a little, and John has questions about why you'd throw away a toilet roll that still has some slices on it. Then, your hosts discuss an upcoming movie remake that seems kind of difficult to understand. In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts share updates on one of their oldest topics: where they currently stand with sports and sports culture. You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program. (Recorded on Tuesday, June 23, 2026) Credits Audio Editor/Embouchure Director: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Designed in California: An Apple history podcast - Kickstarter Upgrade #624: The Memory Guys Toilet paper: 4 up, 2 across - Amazon.com Toilet paper: 30 rolls - Costco Magic (1978) Trailer - YouTube Sam Raimi To Helm ‘Magic’ For Lionsgate - Deadline.comA modern adaptation of the William Goldman original that starred Anthony Hopkins. Sam Raimi - Letterboxd Lars and the Real Girl (2007) Labyrinth 2, directed by Robert Eggers? - Letterboxd The men’s runner-up trophy “tray” at Wimbledon Jimmy Connors 1991 US Open run - YouTube FoxTrax (NHL glowing puck) - Wikipedia FoxTrak example - YouTube The terrible Gorton’s Fisherman New York Islanders logo (1995/96-1996/97) The current New York Islanders logo New York Islanders logo history(?) The New Yorker’s “View of the World from 9th Avenue” cover - Wikipedia
Transcribe →289: The Third Kind of Show
Jun 1901:21:47Tap to summarizeSubtitle: Siracusa remembers he was upset that his head was bleeding.Merlin's fans are spinning, and John has thoughts on a novel new Secret Weird Things People Do. Links and Show Notes: Merlin's fans are spinning, and John has thoughts on a novel new Secret Weird Things People Do. (Recorded on Tuesday, June 9, 2026) Credits Audio Editor/Woodwinds Wrangler: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. John’s appsHyperspace, SwitchGlass, and Front and Center. Jason Santa Maria’s website Jason Santa Maria’s website in 2005 How Bryce Harper uses toothpaste Can You Pet the Dog? - Wikipedia Can You Pet the Dog on Bluesky IEEE 754 - Wikipedia How Integers and Floats WorkA Wizard Zine, by Julia Evans An example of a “Natural Playground”
Transcribe →288: Live Service Game
Jun 501:34:18Tap to summarizeMerlin has a smell update, and John mourns the end of Destiny 2. This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by: Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Links and Show Notes: Merlin has a smell update and then claims that he and John will not be discussing a dog-involved shooting. Next, John mourns the end of Destiny 2, a game he has been playing for over a decade. So dawn goes down to day… In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss season 50 of Survivor. You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program. (Recorded on Tuesday, May 26, 2026) Credits Audio Editor/Conch Announcer: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. The Guardian blames the dog“Dog shoots woman with shotgun at Nebraska convenience store” On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King James Joyce - Wikipedia Stephen Colbert Takes The Colbert Questionert (Extended Version) - YouTube The End of Destiny 2“Every end is a new beginning” Penny Arcade’s farewell to Destiny Lorne Michaels - Wikipedia Simmotion Survivor - CBS.com Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans - Fandom.com Coldplay: Yellow - YouTube Fair-Play Whodunnit - tvtropes.org Parvati Shallow
Transcribe →287: Died of Robots
May 2101:08:03Tap to summarizeSubtitle: Don't bug the widow.This time around, it's homework, Merlin-style. Links and Show Notes: This time around, it's homework, Merlin-style. (Recorded on Tuesday, May 12, 2026) Credits Audio Editor/Tarantella Identifier: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. The Pasta SongMerlin's toot showing a video of his pasta timer. Tarantella - Wikipedia Tarantella in The Godfather Part II - YouTube @chrisgardner's question about aluminum foil - Mastodon The Great Aluminum Foil Debate: Shiny Side Up or Down? - America's Test Kitchen The Reason Aluminum Foil Has a Shiny and a Dull Side - Reader's Digest
Transcribe →286: Ain’t Nothin’ Gonna Break My Stride
May 801:49:54Tap to summarizeIn order to proceed with the extraction, John has needed to evolve his approach. This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by: Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Links and Show Notes: In order to proceed with the extraction, John has needed to evolve his approach. In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss homework. You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program. Recorded on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Credits Audio Editor/Merlin's Handler: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Reconcilable Differences #224: A Second Lap of the BabiesMaybe the episode where we talk about Dole raisins? GoodLinksJohn’s link-tracking app. American cheese - Wikipedia Emulsified, by Yo La Tengo - YouTube Visualizing The Simpsons episode ratings - Reddit John’s 24-second Marathon video - YouTube Break My Stride, by Matthew Wilder - YouTube Break My Stride, by Matthew Wilder - Wikipedia John explains his Destiny music videos - Hypercritical.co Pon farr - Memory Alpha
Transcribe →285: The Regular Amount of Hopelessness
Apr 2401:52:33Tap to summarizeJohn has some questions for Merlin. This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by: Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Links and Show Notes: John has some questions for Merlin. Credits Audio Editor/First Chair Saxophonist: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. I Deleted My Second Brain, by Joan WestenbergWhy I Erased 10,000 Notes, 7 Years of Ideas, and Every Thought I Tried to Save. YAGNI - Wikipedia XKCD #974 - The General Problem The IKEA Effect ATP Dev: Nuggets of Wisdom Jonathan Trott’s toot about Demolition Man and Taco Bell in Australia Demolition Man (1993) Pizza topping changes in Inside Out More country-specific changes in Inside Out - YouTube Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist - Wikipedia Dr. Katz, Season 1 Episode 2 - YouTube Not Too Soon, by Throwing Muses - YouTube Joaquin Phoenix Takes The Colbert Questionert - YouTube Sting Takes The Colbert Questionert - YouTube
Transcribe →284: Burger Boy
Apr 1001:24:44Tap to summarizeSubtitle: If you want to get into the puffy village, you have to have a child with you.What we talk about when we talk about bagging your own groceries. Links and Show Notes: Things kick off with some vintage and international Follow-Up on video extras. Your hosts also consider why you might not actually want to deliberately remove all the Fluoride from your family's drinking water. John admits he was once residentially saddled with persistently discolored drinking water. As a main topic, your hosts consider whether bagging your own groceries might not be the most durable analogy for how we navigate the present—let alone what we anticipate some eldritch, notional future. Expertise is agreed to be complicated. In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss why someone might choose to delete their "second brain." Should you consider throwing out everything you ever wrote down and just start over? Especially given that it can be difficult to meter the usefulness of a given 55-gallon contractor bag? You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program. (Recorded on Tuesday, March 31, 2026) Credits Audio Editor/First Chair Saxophonist: Jim Metzendorf Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano Music: Merlin Mann The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. SNL UK opening monologue - YouTube Nick Lowe - Wikipedia 'Born Fighters' 1979 Documentary Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds & Rockpile - YouTube Voice of Harold, from Dead Letter Office, by R.E.M. - YouTube Mike Martin‘s post about behind-the-scenes documentaries in Australia Jess Bowers’s post about EPKs (electronic press kits) Chad Hughes Interviews Todd Osgood from Project Farm - YouTube West Campus at Boston University Ski lift ticket holder (“wicket”) The Bluesky post by James in MN that gives the example of bagging groceries John D. Mott: Accused of Sexual Misconduct St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, in Smithtown, NY The Testament of Ann Lee - YouTube I Deleted My Second Brain, by Joan WestenbergWhy I Erased 10,000 Notes, 7 Years of Ideas, and Every Thought I Tried to Save Merlin’s garbage-free Readwise link for the “I deleted my second brain” post Tool For Thought, by Steven Johnson Elements of a ColdFusion application
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