Podcast Summary: TBTL #4346 - "The Cold Stove League"

Episode Information

• Title: The Cold Stove League
• Release Date: November 27, 2024
• Hosts: Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh
• Description: Hosted by longtime friends Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh, Too Beautiful To Live (TBTL) navigates the whimsical and serious aspects of daily life, blending humor with insightful discussions on a variety of topics.

1. Introduction and Setting the Scene

The episode kicks off with Luke Burbank humorously addressing potential biases in his reporting, paying homage to his role model, Walter Cronkite. Luke quips, “He gave me a gift I can never repay, a $25 gift card to coconuts. If only I had used it before all their locations closed. Tbtl.” (00:00). This lighthearted start sets the tone for an episode filled with camaraderie and playful banter between the hosts.

Andrew Walsh joins in with playful skepticism about the podcast’s relevance, leading to a humorous exchange about their potential earnings:

• Andrew: “We can make a lot of money on this. If you're making these out of thin air, I mean, there's no overhead. We're gonna be rich. Oh, my God. One hundo a day, both of us.” (00:55)
• Luke: “Five hundo a week.” (01:03)

This banter underscores the show's informal and friendly dynamic.

2. Personal Milestones and Birthday Celebrations

The hosts celebrate Luke's birthday with heartfelt yet humorous exchanges:

• Andrew: “Happy birthday.” (03:05)
• Luke: Shares a personal story about receiving a birthday message from Gretchen, an Oakland A's fan considering switching allegiance to the Dodgers. Luke reflects, “I am not going to answer how I'm doing because that's irrelevant. Now what I need to do is convince her not to be a Dodgers fan.” (04:14)

This segment highlights the hosts' personal lives and their knack for intertwining them with broader topics.

3. Sports Talk: Baseball and the Mariners

a. Gretchen’s Team Dilemma

Luke discusses his conversation with Gretchen, who is contemplating shifting her support from the Oakland A's to the Dodgers. He humorously attempts to persuade her by offering to buy Dylan Moore jerseys:

• Luke: “How many Dylan Moore jerseys do I have to buy you to bring you over to the Mariners?” (04:31)

Andrew joins the conversation, adding his thoughts on the longevity of player associations:

• Andrew: “It’s like Ichiro’s assistant.” (04:43)

b. Seattle Mariners’ Offseason and Media Coverage

The hosts delve into the state of the Seattle Mariners, critiquing their offseason preparations and the Seattle Times' focus on minor updates:

• Andrew: “The Mariners are emotionally at the point where they're ready to hire a new hitting coach... this is the lowest level of news you could be giving me.” (08:35)

Luke echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the need to support dedicated sports writers:

• Luke: “Let’s keep these guys employed. Let’s keep the paychecks coming in because... they are scouring the dregs of November non-news to try to justify their jobs as Mariners beat writers.” (09:55)

c. The Extension Cord Saga

A significant portion of the episode revolves around Luke’s neighbor, Seth, and his extended use of an outdoor electrical socket:

• Luke: Narrates the issue where Seth, a helpful contractor, has left an extension cord strung across their walkway for over 20 days, causing mild frustration.

Andrew probes into the situation with humor:

• Andrew: “Are you trying to ask someone on a date or something?” (40:26)

The conversation explores themes of neighborly assistance, communication breakdowns, and the patience required in communal living situations.

4. Family and Work-Life Balance

Andrew shares insights into his relationship with his father, highlighting their differences in work ethics and boundaries:

• Andrew: “My dad is in his 70s... he just does it.” (33:29)

This segment delves into generational differences in approaches to work and personal boundaries, adding depth to the hosts' personal narratives.

5. Donor Acknowledgments

The hosts take a moment to thank their supporters, acknowledging individuals from various locations who contribute to the sustainability of TBTL:

• Andrew: “Thank you, Julie. Also, Alice Weimers and Gabe Claire of Davidson, North Carolina...” (53:04)

These acknowledgments foster a sense of community and appreciation among listeners.

6. Comedy Spotlight: Chris Fleming

A notable portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Chris Fleming's stand-up comedy, particularly his bit titled "Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me":

• Andrew: Describes receiving multiple fan messages about Chris Fleming’s performance: “Chris Fleming is a very funny person... tied to the show we work on, which is funny.” (56:17)

Chris Fleming’s routine satirizes public radio humor, leading to mixed reactions from the hosts:

• Chris Fleming (Clip): “Where are they recording? Wait, wait, don’t tell me... these elder neoliberals are just...” (57:57)

Andrew expresses a sense of defensiveness towards the portrayal, while Luke emphasizes the humor and relatability:

• Andrew: “It's hard for me to listen to that without feeling slightly personally dissed...” (65:03)
• Luke: “But it's a rich topic because he's basically like, roasting this thing that everyone has a shared experience with.” (66:33)

This discussion highlights the complexities of comedy and personal identity within public discourse.

7. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

As the episode winds down, the hosts reiterate their thanks to donors and briefly touch upon upcoming events and personal anecdotes:

• Andrew: “Please join us for that. In the meantime, have a great Wednesday, take care of yourselves and please remember, no mountain too tall and good luck to all.” (74:04)

Luke adds a humorous sign-off related to the extension cord issue:

• Luke: “Power out.” (74:38)

Notable Quotes

• Luke Burbank (00:00): “He gave me a gift I can never repay, a $25 gift card to coconuts. If only I had used it before all their locations closed. Tbtl.”

• Andrew Walsh (00:55): “We can make a lot of money on this. If you're making these out of thin air, I mean, there's no overhead. We're gonna be rich. Oh, my God. One hundo a day, both of us.”

• Andrew Walsh (08:35): “The Mariners are emotionally at the point where they're ready to hire a new hitting coach... this is the lowest level of news you could be giving me.”

• Andrew Walsh (72:43): “All right, so on that. On that note, Andrew. And again, I want to be. I want to be. I want to be clear here and say that I'm an American hero...”

• Chris Fleming (57:57): “Where are they recording? Wait, wait, don’t tell me... these elder neoliberals are just...”

Key Takeaways

• Personal Relationships: The episode delves into the complexities of neighborly relationships and familial bonds, highlighting both the perks and frustrations that come with close-knit communities.

• Sports Fandom: A significant focus on baseball, particularly the Seattle Mariners, showcases the hosts' deep engagement with sports and their critical perspectives on team management and media coverage.

• Humor and Defensiveness: The segment on Chris Fleming's comedy underscores how humor can intersect with personal identity, eliciting both appreciation and defensive reactions from the hosts.

• Community and Support: Acknowledging donors emphasizes the importance of community support in sustaining creative endeavors like TBTL.

Conclusion

In "The Cold Stove League," TBTL #4346 delivers a blend of personal anecdotes, sports commentary, and comedic critique, all wrapped in the hosts' signature humor and candidness. Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh navigate through everyday frustrations, celebrate milestones, and engage in thoughtful discussions, making the episode both entertaining and relatable for listeners.

Timestamp Reference:

• 00:00 - System Introduction
• 00:55 - Andrew on Podcast Viability
• 03:05 - Birthday Greetings
• 04:14 - Conversation with Gretchen
• 08:35 - Mariners’ Offseason News
• 33:29 - Andrew on Father's Work Ethic
• 53:04 - Donor Acknowledgments
• 56:17 - Chris Fleming's Comedy Clip
• 65:03 - Andrew on Defensiveness
• 74:04 - Closing Remarks

Note: The timestamps correspond to the points in the transcript where significant discussions occur.