TBTL Episode #4647: Reminisce Me With That

Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Luke Burbank & Andrew Walsh

Episode Overview

On this Thursday edition, Luke and Andrew reflect on the enduring appeal and accidental archiving of TBTL, prompted by a listener's deep-dive into the show's history and discovery of a "missing episode." Their discussion meanders through nostalgic introspection, podcasting philosophy, lost audio lore, and a surprisingly deep exploration of regional fast food rivalries. The episode is, at its core, a meditation on what it means to do a daily, personal audio diary—with all the mundane, messy, and authentic moments that come along with it.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kicking Off: Food Comedy & Weather Updates

• Andrew opens with a parody of foodie influencer culture, inventing elaborate dishes (“yuzu pepperoni cup ranch vodka pasta at sausage hole collective,” [00:00]), riffing on the proliferation of quirky food spots.
• Luke welcomes listeners, noting the freezing weather and triumphant pre-heating of the Madrona Hill studio, setting a cozy, conversational tone ([01:31]).
• Casual banter about yard moles, bunnies, and backyard critter problems segues into home improvement talk and the ongoing renovations in Andrew’s basement ([05:03]-[06:33]).

2. The “Missing Episode” Mystery

• Andrew introduces an email from Max, a longtime listener and occasional live-show guest, who’s been relistening to the TBTL archives and discovered a gap: episode 1475 is missing ([07:06]-[11:34]).
• The missing episode is shrouded in lore: the episode just after it references “making up for Wednesday’s depression fest,” sparking curiosity about what exactly went missing.

3. Podcast Philosophy: Disposable Media or Living Diary?

• Andrew and Luke reflect on how TBTL functions more as a “five-day-a-week audio diary” than a hyper-focused, standalone content machine:

  “Obviously, it’s always had a component that focuses on your life and personal experiences... And of course there’s a narrative arc.” – Andrew Walsh ([08:47]) “There’s no thread on TBTL.” – Luke Burbank ([08:47])

• The hosts admit to not remembering what they talked about even hours after recording but acknowledge that the show’s longevity and candor are what draw listeners back in.

4. Revisiting the Lost Tape: Anxiety, Change, and Realness

• Andrew locates a backup file and plays a “cringey” snippet. He’s self-conscious about how anxious he sounds as he was in the midst of a life transition—moving to LA, splitting households, feeling uncertainty.

  “I'm having trouble even remembering... I keep picturing myself leaving my Wallingford apartment here, but that's not the case.” – Andrew ([21:36]) “What I was hearing was a person who was just, like, without a filter, just reporting how they were feeling... I was sort of intrigued.” – Luke ([23:56])

• The archival audio comes to represent the core value of the show: documentation of authentic, sometimes awkward, but memorable moments between two friends navigating life’s changes.

5. Behind the Scenes: Workplace Politics & Podcast Survival

• Andrew shares a previously untold story about his tumultuous transition to KCRW and an awkward confrontation with host Madeleine Brand over whether he could continue TBTL while producing her show ([27:17]-[35:54]).

  “It was just a reminder that what we’re doing here sort of is more than just Juggalo talk…” – Andrew ([34:33])

• Luke credits Andrew’s stubbornness for the show’s survival, recognizing the risk Andrew took to keep doing both:

  “Had you done that in those days, this thing would have just stopped existing. Because... I was not capable on any level of, like, continuing this thing solo.” – Luke ([36:05])

6. Conspiracies Large & Small: Drawn Conclusions from Coincidence

• The missing episode prompts a riff on conspiracy theories—sometimes, missing files are just accidental, not a cover-up for on-air drama:

  “Conspiracy theories make dumb people feel smart.” – Luke ([37:19])

7. Regional Restaurant Lore: Taco Time NW vs. Taco Time International

• An unexpectedly deep dive into the history and geopolitics of the Taco Time chains in the Pacific Northwest, sparked by a donor’s location in Tumwater, WA ([44:11]-[54:56]).
• The hosts lay out the difference between “the bloodline of Taco Time” and interloper chains, weaving local nostalgia into brand loyalty debates, and expand on other split Seattle food institutions like Paseo, Un Bien, and Ezell’s.

8. Roller Coaster Terrors & Anxiety

• Riffing on roller coaster safety, Andrew’s irrational fear of having to descend on foot after a ride gets stuck is palpable and relatable:

  “My biggest... I'm getting upset thinking I'm seriously having a physiological reaction to this conversation right now.” – Andrew ([69:19])

• Luke, in contrast, gets existential about the imaginary dangers of fair rides ([65:14]).

9. Listener Appreciation & Blursday Messages

• The pair transition into the week’s donor thank-yous and Blursday (birthday) messages, which are sparser than usual ([41:33], [73:49]).
• Luke gives a special birthday shoutout to Becca:

  “Happy birthday from me and my enlarged prostate.” – Luke ([80:29])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On TBTL’s Essence:
  “The main thing this show has going for it, if anything, is that it happens five days a week and our lives continue to sort of occur... we talk about how we're feeling on that day, or what happened the night before…” – Luke Burbank ([25:40])

• On Workplace Tensions:
  “What you say reflects upon me... that was in the backdrop of all of this. I'm now having my first real misgivings...” – Andrew Walsh ([33:02])

• On Nostalgia & Cringe:
  “If I could show you, like if you could see close up the hairs on my arm... are standing up at the very thought of listening to our own voices from... 10+ years ago.” – Luke Burbank ([18:05])

• On Being Real:
  “I'm just curious… because I don't remember what was the opening tape, and is it something we'd still play today?” – Andrew Walsh ([18:35])

• On Split Local Chains:
  “Do you feel like this region that we live in is especially prone to restaurateurs... like Taco Time, Paseo, or Ezell's?” – Andrew Walsh ([54:56])

• On Roller Coaster Dread:
  “The idea of... having to unbuckle my seatbelt, move that thing up and of my own... of the roller coaster car, do we... call it so high up? Higher than some airplanes fly, Luke. That's scientific.” – Andrew Walsh ([69:42])

• On Blursday Drought:
  “Does that indicate a tremendous lack of coitus nine months previous to this week or a tremendous fall off in our listenership?” – Luke Burbank ([03:44])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00-01:30] – Food parody intro & studio updates
• [06:06-07:18] – Listener Max’s email about the missing episode
• [08:36-10:15] – TBTL’s narrative “arc” and disposable media talk
• [18:05-23:56] – Playing/reflecting on “lost tape” of Andrew’s anxious episode
• [27:17-36:05] – Workplace drama: Madeleine Brand vs. TBTL
• [44:11-54:56] – Taco Time NW vs. Taco Time International deep dive
• [65:00-71:51] – Roller coaster phobias and horror stories
• [73:49-80:29] – Blursday messages, Wordle strategies, and extended tangents

Additional Notes

• Ad segments, intros, and outros are intentionally omitted from this summary; all focus is on the main episode content.
• Throughout, Luke and Andrew’s signature blend of tangential but affectionate banter remains front and center, with nostalgia and friendship as unifying themes.

Power Out!