#4435 (Part 2): The Fix Is In

Summary

TBTL Podcast Episode #4435 (Part 2): The Fix Is In

Release Date: April 2, 2025
Hosts: Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh

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1. Introduction to the Bonus Episode

In this special bonus episode of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live, hosts Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh come together to address unexpected technical challenges and share some lighthearted personal anecdotes. The episode kicks off with Luke announcing the rarity and exclusivity of this bonus content.

Luke Burbank [00:04]: "If you are hearing this right now, you are one of the few, one of the lucky, getting a special TBTL bonus episode lit."

2. Addressing Technical Glitches with Apple Podcasts

The primary focus of this episode revolves around a technical hiccup that led to Apple Podcasts users not receiving the recently published show. Andrew delves into the troubleshooting efforts undertaken to resolve the issue, expressing hope that future episodes will seamlessly reach all listeners.

Andrew Walsh [00:37]: "What happened today is we published a show about four or five hours ago, and everybody has received it except for people who use Apple podcasts..."

Luke humorously comments on the situation, highlighting the challenges of catering to all podcast platforms without neglecting smaller user bases.

Luke Burbank [00:22]: "Because I missed you, Luke. Isn't that. Do you need more than that, my friend?"

3. The Fake Podcast Experiment

To rectify the delivery problem, Andrew proposes an unconventional solution: creating a "fake podcast" in hopes of jostling the system to push the missing episode through. This experiment underscores their creative approach to problem-solving and showcases their playful dynamic.

Andrew Walsh [01:10]: "...this podcast that could potentially hit everybody's feeds, and I'm hoping it hits everybody's feeds."

Luke Burbank [02:23]: "This is what I'm going to say. Andrew, you attended the school of hard knocks when it comes to troubleshooting..."

4. Luke’s E-Bike Antics

Shifting gears, the conversation takes a personal turn as Luke discusses his new E-bike, highlighting his minimal usage despite the initial enthusiasm. His detailed account of assembling the bike and the subsequent lack of rides adds a humorous and relatable element to the episode.

Luke Burbank [03:24]: "Most Luke thing of all time, which Ask me how many times so far I've ridden my new E bike."

Andrew probes further into the bike's limited usage, leading to a candid reflection on Luke's meticulous nature preventing spontaneous rides.

Andrew Walsh [03:38]: "And in fact, it's only one."

Luke Burbank [03:40]: "It's a non-zero number that is less than two..."

5. The Dusting Dilemma and OCD Insights

A significant portion of the episode delves into an embarrassing moment Andrew experienced involving dust accumulation in Luke's studio. Andrew candidly shares his intrusive thoughts and compulsive actions to clean the poster, shedding light on his struggles with undiagnosed OCD. Luke responds with understanding and humor, reinforcing their strong friendship and mutual support.

Andrew Walsh [06:22]: "...this has only happened to me a couple of times in my life, and it has to do with my OCD, I think..."

Luke Burbank [08:14]: "I took no offense at all. And I... I would be absolutely up for that."

Their discussion extends to general housekeeping habits, with Luke humorously lamenting the relentless nature of dust despite constant efforts to maintain cleanliness.

Luke Burbank [09:27]: "I thought you know, but it's just going to resettle."

6. Concluding Remarks and Future Plans

As the episode nears its end, Luke and Andrew reflect on the unintended brevity of this bonus episode. They humorously contemplate setting a new standard for shorter show formats and joke about the possibility of releasing multiple mini-episodes daily. The lighthearted banter underscores their adaptability and commitment to entertaining their audience despite unforeseen challenges.

Andrew Walsh [10:19]: "It might actually set a new standard. So if you like shorter shows, maybe watch for more of this in the future."

Luke Burbank [10:25]: "Andrew, this is... what are we going to do if this, like, gets triple the normal downloads?"

The episode wraps up with a blend of gratitude and anticipation, leaving listeners amused and eager for future content.

Andrew Walsh [11:12]: "Thank you. All right, everybody, we will see you very soon..."

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Key Takeaways:

• Technical Challenges: The hosts transparently discuss the difficulties faced in ensuring their content reaches all listeners, particularly those using Apple Podcasts.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Andrew's initiative to create a temporary "fake podcast" showcases their innovative approach to overcoming platform-specific issues.
• Personal Anecdotes: Engaging stories about Luke’s E-bike and Andrew’s cleaning mishap provide depth to their on-air personalities, making the conversation relatable and entertaining.
• Friendship and Humor: The interplay between Luke and Andrew highlights their longstanding friendship, filled with humor, understanding, and mutual support.
• Future Directions: The episode hints at potential shifts in their content delivery strategy, possibly embracing shorter episode formats to better cater to listener preferences.

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This bonus episode of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live not only addresses immediate technical setbacks but also offers listeners a glimpse into the hosts' personal lives and the dynamic that makes their show uniquely engaging. Whether grappling with podcast distribution issues or navigating everyday challenges, Luke and Andrew exemplify resilience, creativity, and camaraderie.

Transcript

[Luke Burbank]

If you are hearing this right now, you are one of the few, one of the lucky, getting a special TBTL bonus episode lit. My name is Luke Burbank. Right over there is Andrew Walsh. To explain why, again, Andrew, we're doing a bonus episode lit.

[Andrew Walsh]

Because I missed you, Luke. Isn't that. Do you need more than that, my friend?

[Luke Burbank]

Honestly, that would be a good enough reason for me, my friend.

[Andrew Walsh]

It's been like, four hours since we've talked too much about the Mariners.

[Luke Burbank]

I was out here in the Madrona Hill studio missing you.

[Andrew Walsh]

I was. So here's the deal. I'm gonna do a slight correction. This podcast that we're doing here, this podcast that could potentially hit everybody's feeds, and I'm hoping it hits everybody's feeds. What happened today is we published a show about four or five hours ago, and everybody has received it except for people who use Apple podcasts, But that's.

[Luke Burbank]

One of the smaller podcasts.

[Andrew Walsh]

Yeah. Have you heard? I was going to ask. You're familiar with Apple Pocket? It's a boutique little operation, but I'm like, I don't want to leave those folks out. So here's the deal. I've been troubleshooting this for a couple of hours.

[Luke Burbank]

No, it's okay.

[Andrew Walsh]

And I'm just. There's not a lot you can do. I mean, troubleshooting. I've been hitting refresh on the Apple podcast app over and over, and I had a thought. I'm like, you know what? I'll bet you tomorrow when we publish our podcast, our regularly scheduled podcast, I'll bet you today's will show up with it. I don't know if you're familiar with the idea that the Internet is a series of tubes, but that is my understanding of it. And it really does work sometimes that when I publish one show, it'll sort of push the other show through the tubes. Luke, are you picturing that? Yes.

[Luke Burbank]

It's also how childbirth works. Sometimes if the first baby doesn't come out, you just gotta wait nine months.

[Andrew Walsh]

However, I like to think that this is more painful, what you and I are doing right to the listeners right now.

[Luke Burbank]

Well, this is the breach birth of podcast. Can someone reach in and turn the podcast around, please?

[Andrew Walsh]

Are we. Are we titling this? That. So here's the deal. I don't know if this, what we're recording right now, will live for the ages and stay in our podcast feed, but I wanted to create a little fake podcast here, put it in the feed, see if it shakes things loose. A little bit so everybody will hear this. But I'm doing it so that hopefully it shakes loose. This is not scientific. I need to be clear about that.

[Luke Burbank]

This is what I'm going to say. Andrew, you attended the school of hard knocks when it comes to troubleshooting funky things like this around publishing of podcasts. Being that our real show today was episode 4435 and a collector series, and the vast majority of those have been posted by you and with all kinds of weird hiccups and things, just workarounds and things that you've kind of learned over doing it thousands of times. So I totally believe in you that this is going to push today's episode through and then we'll come sliding on down like a placenta. I'm sorry.

[Andrew Walsh]

Oh God.

[Luke Burbank]

I'm very sorry that my mind is in the. I don't even know what you.

[Andrew Walsh]

I'm a natal unit.

[Luke Burbank]

I think I'm in the. I'm in the nicu and they need to unplug my mic now. Andrew, the reason that I was when you called me to propose this, I said, well, I'm just standing in the studios because I've spent a good portion of the afternoon doing the most Luke thing of all time.

[Andrew Walsh]

I sent you a photograph of the.

[Luke Burbank]

Most Luke thing of all time, which Ask me how many times so far I've ridden my new E bike. Ask me how many times I've had it out on the roads, the highways and byways.

[Andrew Walsh]

Okay, I know it's more than one because you know I know it's at least one because you told me about it.

[Luke Burbank]

At least one.

[Andrew Walsh]

Okay.

[Luke Burbank]

And in fact, it's only one.

[Andrew Walsh]

Is it? Is it at least one but less than two?

[Luke Burbank]

It's a non zero number that is less than two. And what happened was the day I got the bike, I put it together, I shirked all of my other duties and assembled the bike. I rode it up and down my street. As I mentioned back then, I felt weirdly self conscious, something I've got to work through. And then I was gone for a week plus. And then I got home and it's just been torrentially raining here where I am, so it has not been nice weather to get out on the bike. So the bike has only left this little room one time. But because I am the way that I am, I have accounted for every ass other than riding it, which is boring. I have accounted for every aspect of this bike's existence, including buying and installing this crazy rack from like the Netherlands that I hang it upon.

[Andrew Walsh]

Now I'm looking at this. It looks like it's hanging from the ceiling. It's way up there.

[Luke Burbank]

It's up there, but it is. I can reach it. I can pick the bike up, and I can hook it up into this rack, and it's up and out of the way mostly, anyway, so that I can.

[Andrew Walsh]

It's kind of blocking that TBTL post. I noticed it's just blocking my face on the TBTL poster.

[Luke Burbank]

It's interesting you zeroed in on that, because my original plan was to move that giant. The reason that poster is so large is because it was the actual poster from the venue.

[Andrew Walsh]

Yeah. From the Neptune.

[Luke Burbank]

It's enormous. And I was going to move it to a different wall in here, but I kind of like it. It's jaunty. It's like we're at a red Robin where there's too many things on the walls.

[Andrew Walsh]

Yeah, that's usually your aesthetic. Just like you love me.

[Luke Burbank]

Clutter, clutter, clutter, clutter. Give me some butter, as Shakespeare once said. So I spent a good portion of today attaching this bike rack and then, like, hanging from it to make sure it's got the. Like, I got all of the anchoring correct on it. And now this bike is up there and likely will never come down again. So it's a really nice art piece. Now that lives in the.

[Andrew Walsh]

I am. First of all, how heavy is that bike, though? E. Bikes are not.

[Luke Burbank]

Well, here's one of the great things. The battery. There's a little key mechanism. You can pop the battery out. So the battery is currently charging.

[Andrew Walsh]

Oh.

[Luke Burbank]

On a different part. And so that. That cuts down on the weight a little bit. And, Andrew, I'm sorry to tell you I'm strong. Strong.

[Andrew Walsh]

No, I know that. In more ways than one. Okay.

[Luke Burbank]

In the mold of Bolsonaro, I'm a strong man that I want to take over the media and get rid of democracy.

[Andrew Walsh]

So we're like six minutes into this thing, and I just.

[Luke Burbank]

Enough.

[Andrew Walsh]

My. Well, my idea was to not make this a real podcast and potentially delete it right away.

[Luke Burbank]

Don't delete it.

[Andrew Walsh]

You mentioned this poster, and I want to ask you. Are you just laughing? Because I now suddenly.

[Luke Burbank]

This is the moment that I'm realizing we might just be doing the vulnerable.

[Andrew Walsh]

I literally have to record with Genevieve after these messages here in a second. But when I think of this poster, and I've talked about this on one of my other podcasts, when I think of this poster in your studio, I have an intrusive, embarrassing thought about it. Do you have any idea why? I'll tell you. It has nothing to do with the.

[Luke Burbank]

Photo shoot, because the boat that we're in is on a trailer as opposed to in the water, but we think we're on the high seas.

[Andrew Walsh]

That's one of my favorite. This is one of those things where I hope you don't know why I'm embarrassed when I think of that poster, but I'm gonna have tell you why, which then sort of, I just end up, like, painting myself in the corner here. But when you and I. This was one of those moments that was, like. I didn't even. I couldn't even control my actions, sort of. This has only happened to me a couple of times in my life, and it has to do with my ocd, I think, my undiagnosed ocd. But do you remember the only time I've been to your studio? There we were recording the Thawne. We were streaming it and everything. And so we're spending a lot of time in there. And you had a lot of construction dust around, which you had explained. And there's nothing embarrassing about that, but it just kept driving me crazy on that. It's a frame poster.

[Luke Burbank]

Oh, I see. So the glass had, like, dust from all the work in here.

[Andrew Walsh]

And I thought, I'm just going to wet a paper towel and just clean that really quickly. And you won't even notice you were there. But I thought I could just do it smoothly. And I don't even think I was thinking it out that much. Like, there are times when my body just takes over. And I took a paper towel and I started wiping it, but then even with dampness, it didn't quite come off, and I was smearing it, and I was just so embarrassed. Like, why would I go into somebody else's house and start, like, trying to clean their house for them? That is a. That's a pretty rude.

[Luke Burbank]

No, no, no, no, my friends. I mean, honestly, if we. I think Genevieve says a version of this. If we can get your situation working to my benefit. Yeah, I don't. I don't take. I took. First of all, I don't even really remember that happening. We must. Maybe we commented on it at the time.

[Andrew Walsh]

It was pretty quick interaction.

[Luke Burbank]

I do. I took no offense at all. And I. If there's any time that you are in the neighborhood and you want to come over and you want to hyper fixate, as they say now on TikTok, on anything and make it better and clean It. I welcome that. And it doesn't feel like you're overstepping any bounds. I wish more people, when they were visiting, would take to tasks around the house. Around my house. I would be absolutely up for that.

[Andrew Walsh]

I thought it was a little bit weird that John did not have a feather duster with him the way I did when we came over to do the Thon.

[Luke Burbank]

So I have a selection of feather dusters now. None of them with actual feathers on them, but, like, I've got one for out here, which clearly I haven't been using enough. I've got one, I think, two in the house and somebody actually on the other show that I work on Livewire. We weren't. I don't think we were recording yet, but I was just kind of BSing with my friend Elena, who's on that show as well. And I was talking for some reason about dusting and how I had been dusting, but then it just got dusty again. And Elena goes, well, after you dust, do you then vacuum? I was like, I just assumed the dust goes to live with Jesus. Like, I love the feeling of. Of like, it's very satisfying in the moment to kind of go. And also, my house in the afternoon gets a lot of direct sunlight, which is.

[Andrew Walsh]

You see it all right.

[Luke Burbank]

Boy, that's. That's humbling. That's like the. That's like the camera at the self checkout. Like, you think you've got it together, you think your house is pretty tidy, and then hit that with a 5pm Sunbeam.

[Andrew Walsh]

Yes. Especially when the time starts to change and the sun is hitting at different angles throughout the year.

[Luke Burbank]

And I'm like. I thought this was. These looked like good hands. Like. So then I'm running around with the dust or just trying to, like, get all the surfaces. And it's very satisfying because, you know, it just kind of goes away. But I, you know, I think. I think anybody considering it for any amount of time will think, yeah, but it's just going to resettle. You didn't. I didn't like, you know, I didn't remove it from the. I didn't trespass it from the premises. I just kind of knocked it up for a few minutes before it comes back down to rest.

[Andrew Walsh]

Yeah. Now you're knocking up dust. All right, let's get out of here.

[Luke Burbank]

Okay. Okay. I. Honestly, Andrew, I don't think this is the worst episode we've done. Not even. Not even by a long shot.

[Andrew Walsh]

It might actually set a new standard. So if you like shorter shows, maybe watch for more of this in the future.

[Luke Burbank]

Andrew, this is. You know, you and I are longtime defenders of the long form, but what are we going to do if this, like, gets triple the normal downloads? We're going to have to face the fact that we need to start quibbing this.

[Andrew Walsh]

Okay, new plan. We're going to release 10, 10 minute episodes each day.

[Luke Burbank]

Yes. I'm going to go fix one thing on the bike.

[Andrew Walsh]

Okay.

[Luke Burbank]

That's unrelated to writing it in between each mini episode of tbtl. And then I'll come back with a full report. All right, thanks for listening, everybody. Let's. As I should have said at the top of the show, this is how I should have set it up. If you're hearing this, it worked.

[Andrew Walsh]

Yeah, well, no, this should. Well, yeah.

[Luke Burbank]

Well, let's hope it doesn't leapfrog the real show.

[Andrew Walsh]

Yeah, no, that is a good point. That is a good point. So everybody just push, please. Push. Breathe. Breathe. Push.

[Luke Burbank]

Thank you. All right, everybody, we will see you very soon, hopefully in this very place where you're hearing us. Thank you. You.

[Andrew Walsh]

Bye.