TBTL Episode #4558: "Two Bros, Bro-ing It Up"

Air date: September 19, 2025
Hosts: Luke Burbank, guest David Romano (Luke’s brother, filling in for Andrew Walsh)

Episode Overview

This Friday edition of TBTL is a classic "two bros, bro-ing it up" hangout episode. With Andrew still out, Luke invites his brother David Romano ("David from the Basement") as guest cohost. The show blends Luke’s signature stream-of-consciousness observations on daily life, friend banter, and favorite topics—this time including the profound question of "fall vs. summer," Seattle Mariners and Seahawks sports talk, the latest on In-N-Out Burger, childhood nostalgia, and weekend plans. True to TBTL form, the episode is equal parts earnest, digressive, and deeply Pacific Northwestern.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Opening Ramble: The Many Ways to Live (00:00–01:37)

• Luke muses about the diverse ways people live: from "wearing matching rings with their boyfriends" to "popping ollies off a half-pipe."
• Sets a tone of light-hearted, universal curiosity and gentle absurdity:

  “Some people are in, like, a bunch of snow and they're like, that's fine and normal. … What are you guys up to?” – Luke (00:45)

David's Introduction & Brotherly Banter (03:29–08:38)

• David Romano joins as guest co-host, rechristened "DAV Burbank."
• The brothers riff about managing recording duties, sleep deprivation, and working multiple jobs post-radio.

  “Because commercial radio pays so well… the lead producer for that morning show is so overpaid that he also pulls shifts at a local restaurant to supplement the family's income.” – Luke (07:24)

• David details his epic Mariners fandom, how late games ravage his sleep, and balancing family with baseball.
• Luke frames this as not-yet-the-sports-part but a preview of what's coming.

Weekend Plans & Domestic Life (08:38–14:14)

• The bros exchange their laid-back weekend plans:
  • David: cherishes time with daughter Gemma, enjoys low-key anniversary celebrations, yardwork, apple picking.
  • Luke: boating with friends, but frets about not actually loving the "speedboat" part.

    “I want it to be a floating square that just kind of like, moves along, you know, at a reasonable pace. Maybe have a drink or two and just kind of take in the natural beauty.” – Luke (13:02)

• David really loved childhood inner-tubing (“one of the most fun memories I can think of as a kid”) vs. Luke’s aversion to being thrown from inflatable rafts.

The In-N-Out Burger Discourse (21:44–24:51)

• Luke observes a “manageable” line at Washington’s first In-N-Out as evidence that "nature is healing."
• They riff on In-N-Out’s overhyped reputation:

  “The general consensus was In-N-Out’s not really worth the wait … By far and wide, people dislike the fries.” – David (22:01) “When you talk to an In-N-Out apologist and you say, yeah, but the fries are bad, they're like, you just got to get them hot. And I'm like, I don't know.” – Luke (22:44)

• Broader corporate, “bad politics” convo tags on, using Ben & Jerry's and Nexstar Media as cautionary tales.

Donor Thank Yous & Quick LA & Skateboarding Tangents (25:46–29:36)

• Standard TBTL community donor thanks, sprinkled with in-jokes ("dazzling donors").
• Luke and David connect donor home cities to skateboarding icons, family, and Tony Hawk nostalgia.

Main Topic Discussion: Fall vs. Summer Showdown (29:36–44:30)

The Debate Setup (29:36–32:16)

• Luke sets up an epic talk radio-style debate: which is better, fall or summer?
• Both hosts reflect on how their experiences have evolved from childhood (summer worship) to adulthood (growing fall appreciation).

David’s Pro-Fall Manifesto (32:16–35:21)

• David’s devotion to fall pushed him into team autumn somewhere in his 20s:

  “All of a sudden fall became the coziest, most fun season … It means cozy food, it means cozy television and movies, it means cozy music.” – David (33:33)

• Credits the end of school breaks and shifting adult routines; calls hot summers “unbearably hot,” and loves the smell/feel of autumn rain.

Luke’s Summer Sentimentality—and Realization (35:21–41:55)

• Luke realizes his summer attachment is tied to his work schedule, which (like a child’s) involves lighter demands and “catching my breath.”
• Both agree that fall brings superior outfits (“cardigans!”), food, and atmosphere but that January and February are the "bad months" to be endured.

  “If I can just deal with 60 to 80 not great days… that’s 90 days maybe; if I can just—90 Day Fiance.” – Luke (42:12)

The Value of Seasonal Transitions (43:45–44:30)

• David asserts the best times are the "dynamism" of fall-to-winter and spring-to-summer transitions, with unpredictable weather and leaves changing.

Sports Badlands: Seattle Mariners & Seahawks Deep Dive (44:30–80:03)

“Sports Badlands” Entry & Seattle Sports Group Text Drama (44:30–52:17)

• Cue the infamous “seahawks anthem” song. Luke warns: non-sports fans can log off!
• Luke and David address a recurring text thread debate: the emotional chaos sown by friend "Ders," who doom-spams every Seahawks setback.

  “It feels to me like he'll only be happy if we all admit that the Seahawks are going to go 0 and 17… It doesn't feel like there's any winning unless you are in as dark a place as he is.” – Luke (51:31)

• Luke describes how blocking Ders improved his fan experience; David concedes that Ders adds "texture" but sometimes goes overboard.

Seahawks & Mariners: This Week’s Highs & Lows (52:17–62:28)

• Recap of last weekend: Seahawks win convincingly in Pittsburgh, Mariners in the midst of a win streak; sports euphoria and TikTok-driven schadenfreude about Steelers fans melting down.
• Express delight watching ex-Seahawks DK Metcalf and Geno Smith struggle elsewhere.

Mariners vs. Astros—Setting the Stage (62:28–71:43)

• The bros preview a crucial Mariners-Astros series with postseason implications. The Astros are cast as “the bad guys,” referencing Enron, cheating scandals, and trauma from playoff defeats.
• David describes butterflies and “a weird amount of confidence” in this Mariners team.

  “I've never watched the team that has as many opportunities as they have…” – David (58:06)

• Both break down why this Mariners squad feels different: depth, clutch hitters, and trade pickups like Naylor.
• Luke likens facing the Astros to “facing Smaug—a lethargic dragon with one fatal vulnerability.”

Will The Mariners Make the Playoffs? (68:48–73:08)

• They agree stats say yes (>90% chance), and David is cautiously optimistic—not curse-level but “weirdly good feeling.”
• Luke likens past Mariners teams to “betting on just one number on roulette,” while now “we’re covering enough of the board.”

Seahawks’ Season Outlook (73:08–80:03)

• David: Seahawks defense is "legit" under Mike Macdonald; sees a division win as plausible, “not leaps and bounds behind” other NFC teams.
• Luke: Sam Darnold’s functioning as a good game-manager, offense has room to grow but defense can keep them in games.

  “If you can get a dominant defense and then figure out a couple of things on offense, you've got a recipe for winning some games in the NFL.” – Luke (77:22)

Notable Quotes

• “That was the thing, because otherwise it's just kind of a funny quirk … but like, that literally could have saved the game. It ultimately didn't, but being up by one run versus being up by two runs is massive.” – Luke, on a rule challenge in baseball (64:00)
• “This team feels like they have infinite potential if they stay on track, you know?” – David, on Mariners playoff hopes (70:21)

Notable Moments & Quotes With Timestamps

• On the diversity of human experience:

  “Some people saw the House of Horrors at the county fair and they were like, I'm gonna be that. What are you guys up to?” – Luke Burbank (00:45)

• Mariners sleep rhythm confession:

  “I'm claiming sleep bankruptcy at that point, accepting my fate.” – David Romano (08:17)

• Speedboat discomfort philosophy:

  “I don't like going fast on really anything. … I’m not into a fast car.” – Luke (13:09)

• In-N-Out fry reality:

  “I think by far and wide, people dislike the fries. And I have to agree.” – David (22:01)

• On getting older and water sports:

  “If I flew off of an inner tube now going at 30 miles an hour, it's pretty much curtains for me.” – Luke (19:40)

• Comparing Houston Astros to Smaug:

  “They're like smaug. Smaug is very scary, but Smaug is also very old and also has a vulnerability and is very… egotistical.” – Luke (66:50)

• Fall’s adult appeal:

  “All of a sudden fall became the coziest, most fun season. … It means cozy food, cozy television, movies, cozy music…” – David (33:34)

• Seattle sports text chain drama:

  “It feels to me like he'll only be happy if we all admit that the Seahawks are going to go 0 and 17… It doesn't feel like there's any winning unless you are in as dark a place as he is.” – Luke (51:31)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening Life Musings: 00:00–01:37
• Luke & David Banter, Sleep Deprivation & Mariners: 03:29–08:38
• Weekend Plans & Boating Philosophy: 08:38–14:14
• Nostalgia & Water Sports: 14:14–21:44
• In-N-Out Burger Segment: 21:44–24:51
• Donor Thanks & LA Notes: 25:46–29:36
• Fall vs. Summer Debate: 29:36–44:30
• Sports Badlands – Seahawks & Mariners Deep Dive: 44:30–80:03
• Show Close, Goodbyes, and “No Mountain Too Tall”: 80:03–81:06

Conclusion

This episode is classic TBTL: digressive, affectionate, and anchored by the chemistry of two brothers goofing and musing their way through everyday anxieties, nostalgia, and sports obsessions. Listeners get the signature blend of earnest Pacific Northwest micro-topics—fall weather, speedboats, fast food, and Seattle sports—punctuated with memorable rants and playful philosophy.

Ending catchphrase:

“No mountain too tall—”
“—and good luck to all!”
(81:03)

Power Out.