Episode Summary: TBTL #1002 – "That's A Ron Donald Don't!"

In the milestone Episode #1002 of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live, released on January 25, 2012, hosts Luke Burbank and Jen Flash Andrews navigate a lively array of topics, blending humor, insightful discussions, and engaging listener interactions. This episode, aptly titled "That's A Ron Donald Don't!," delves into personal anecdotes, cultural critiques, and quirky segments that epitomize the show's dynamic spirit.

1. Introduction to Ron Donald Do's and Don'ts

The episode opens with Luke introducing the concept of "Ron Donald Do's," a set of guiding principles aimed at professional and personal conduct. He humorously lists them as Politeness, Professionalism, Perfectionism, Proactive, and Being on Time (00:00). However, the conversation quickly takes a comedic turn as the hosts grapple with expanding this list, leading to playful confusion:

Luke Burbank (00:00): "It's crystal clear. Ron Donald do's. Okay, the four P's and one B. Politeness, professionalism, perfectionism, Proactive. Be on time."

Jen Flash Andrews (00:09): "I have a proactive suggestion."

Their banter sets the tone for the episode, emphasizing the show's lighthearted approach to discussing seemingly serious topics.

2. Introducing "That is a Ron Donald Don't" Segment

Jen unveils a new segment titled "That is a Ron Donald Don't," where they humorously caution listeners against certain actions or decisions. This segment serves as both comedic relief and practical advice, wrapped in the show's signature witty delivery.

Jen Flash Andrews (02:10): "We're giving them a giant rdd. Also, you know kids and how they have dreams and stuff."

This introduction paves the way for deeper discussions and listener interactions later in the episode.

3. Listener Eliza’s Journey as a Child Voice Actor

A significant portion of the episode features listener Eliza, who shares her nostalgic experience of being a child voice actor in the 1993 animated film "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story." Eliza recounts how she and her classmates were recruited by filmmakers to provide American English voices for the characters, highlighting the innocent enthusiasm of childhood stardom:

Eliza (03:05): "I was actually, I was so happy when I was climbing the stairs because I thought, now I'm getting my health back on."

Jen Flash Andrews (03:42): "Traffic has been insane in this town the last couple days."

Eliza elaborates on her limited recognition in the film, reflecting humorously on how her aspirations for a lasting acting career didn't quite materialize:

Eliza (37:45): "I'm a fundraiser. Not exactly the glamorous stardom I was aspiring to."

The conversation touches on themes of fleeting fame and the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, resonating with listeners who may have similar unfulfilled dreams.

4. Navigating Creativity: A Study on Idea Generation

Transitioning from personal anecdotes, Eliza introduces an intriguing discussion on a psychological study about creativity and idea selection. The study explores how allowing the subconscious mind to process ideas through activities like playing video games or engaging in unrelated tasks can enhance the ability to discern quality ideas from the initial plethora generated.

Eliza (14:24): "They said, first of all, that idea about sleep on it is totally true. If there's any way that you can go to sleep and let your subconscious work on it all night long."

Jen reflects on her own creative habits, recognizing the value in the study's findings and expressing intent to incorporate such practices into her workflow:

Jen Flash Andrews (17:46): "I don't. It never occurs to me to just get it to a certain point, leave it, come back to it a week later and say, oh, how's that?"

This segment offers listeners practical insights into enhancing their creative processes, encouraging a balance between active brainstorming and subconscious incubation.

5. Botany Breakthrough: Simplifying Plant Naming Conventions

Eliza shifts gears to discuss a recent development in the field of botany: the transition from Latin to English in naming and describing new plant species. She explains the challenges scientists face with Latin, a requirement that often necessitates the assistance of Latin scholars, thereby complicating the process:

Eliza (18:36): "And so they're required to describe it in Latin, to describe why it's new, its properties and all the things that make it."

The hosts critique the previous system's complexity and applaud the shift towards more accessible English descriptions, highlighting its potential to reduce fraud in the lucrative orchid market:

Jen Flash Andrews (19:40): "It's ridiculous because what they've provided a translation for everything, but it would be so much more intuitive to just use the English."

This discussion underscores the importance of language accessibility in scientific communication, advocating for advancements that streamline and democratize knowledge dissemination.

6. "Granny Time": The Mascot Naming Controversy

In another humorous yet pointed segment, the hosts delve into a local news story about a Utah high school overriding students' choice of "Cougars" as their mascot due to perceived offensive connotations. Eliza vehemently defends the term, arguing that it's simply an animal mascot:

Eliza (23:12): "Because it's an offensive term used for older women. I mean, talk about letting people steal the language."

Jen and Eliza chuckle over the absurdity of changing an animal mascot based on contemporary slang interpretations, with Jen sarcastically suggesting even more outrageous replacements:

Jen Flash Andrews (26:32): "They're gonna have to call the animal Cougar anymore. They're gonna have to call them MILFs."

This segment satirizes the complexities of modern language usage and the challenges institutions face in addressing cultural sensitivities without overstepping.

7. Trailer Talk: Wes Anderson’s "Moonrise Kingdom"

The hosts express their excitement over the trailer for Wes Anderson's film "Moonrise Kingdom," commending its visual aesthetics and the ensemble cast, which includes Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, and Frances McDormand. They discuss Anderson's distinctive filmmaking style, noting both its charm and occasional storytelling shortcomings:

Jen Flash Andrews (50:30): "It just makes you happy to watch it. And that's actually how I feel almost every time I go to a Wes Anderson movie."

Eliza echoes these sentiments, appreciating the director's ability to create visually stunning and emotionally engaging narratives, despite some plot inconsistencies:

Eliza (52:33): "It's visually stunning, as he always is... It just makes you happy to watch it."

Their critique highlights the delicate balance between artistic expression and narrative coherence in filmmaking, offering listeners an informed perspective on contemporary cinema.

8. Ron Donald Don't: Amanda Knox and Legal Woes

A pivotal moment in the episode features a Ron Donald Don't segment addressing the legal struggles of Amanda Knox, a Seattle-area woman wrongfully convicted of murder in Italy. The hosts fervently advise Knox and her family against returning to Italy due to ongoing slander charges and potential legal repercussions:

Jen Flash Andrews (43:07): "That is a Ron Donald don't. All Knox family members who can hear me right now do not go back to Italy for any reason."

They recount Knox's harrowing experience, including allegations of police brutality and wrongful detention, emphasizing the importance of avoiding further legal entanglements:

Jen Flash Andrews (45:16): "So if you are a Knox family member, this would be like Josh Vital and Shane Bauer going back to Iran because they've realized that they left their favorite hoodie there. It's just, you don't do that."

The hosts employ sharp wit to underline the imprudence of re-engaging with a hostile legal environment, providing a blend of humor and stern advice to their audience.

9. Sasquatch Party Fiasco: The Wine Debacle

Jen shares an amusing anecdote from her role as the emcee at the Sasquatch Music Festival's announcement party. Tasked with providing beverages, she opted for cheaper wine alternatives due to budget constraints, only to discover that the attendees preferred higher-quality selections:

Jen Flash Andrews (47:17): "But I was looking around, and I thought, I don't know who's gonna be drinking this wine... Nobody drank any of the cheap wine I bought."

Eliza and Jen laugh over the incident, highlighting the challenges of event planning and the hosts' relatable mishaps:

Jen Flash Andrews (48:58): "It's just awful. I would give anything for this to magically turn this into a bottle of Chateau St. Michel."

This story serves as a lighthearted interlude, showcasing the hosts' ability to turn personal blunders into entertaining content.

10. Literary Corner: Book Recommendations and Reading Habits

Closing the episode, Eliza recommends "The Scorpio Races" by Maggie Stiefvater, praising its blend of mythology and romance set against an Irish backdrop:

Eliza (54:35): "It's about this really, really famous race that takes place on this island off of Ireland between water horses. And it's really beautiful and funny and romantic and I really enjoyed it."

She discusses her disciplined reading routine, dedicating two hours daily despite battling insomnia, inspiring listeners to prioritize reading and personal growth:

Eliza (55:25): "I have to finish it all the way through... I set aside, you know, two hours every single day of solid reading time that I don't cheat on."

Jen reflects on her own reading habits, acknowledging the difficulty in carving out dedicated time but appreciating the importance of immersive literature:

Jen Flash Andrews (56:10): "I wish I could set aside two hours a day, do anything including this show."

This segment emphasizes the value of reading as both a personal joy and a means of continual learning, encouraging listeners to cultivate their own literary pursuits.

11. Closing Remarks and Sponsor Shoutout

As the episode wraps up, Luke and Jen express their gratitude to Eliza for sharing her unique experiences and reaffirm their commitment to delivering engaging content. They also take a moment to promote Chateau St. Michel, the show's official wine sponsor, encouraging listeners to visit their website for quality wine selections:

Jen Flash Andrews (48:58): "You can also buy it online. If you go to tbtl.net, we have a link to their website, and you can order."

The hosts conclude with their signature blend of humor and warmth, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next episode:

Jen Flash Andrews (57:15): "Thanks for listening. We'll be back here tomorrow with much more TBTL for you. Until we meet again, please remember, no mountain too tall."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ron Donald Do's Introduction (00:00):

  Luke Burbank: "Politeness, professionalism, perfectionism, Proactive. Be on time."

• Creative Incubation Insight (14:34):

  Eliza: "Sleep on it is totally true... Subconscious is working on it."

• Botany Naming Change (18:36):

  Eliza: "They're required to describe it in Latin... Most people don't speak Latin really well."

• Mascot Naming Frustration (23:12):

  Eliza: "Because it's an offensive term used for older women."

• Amanda Knox Advice (43:05):

  Jen Flash Andrews: "That is a Ron Donald don't... Do not go back."

• Wine Mishap Reflection (48:58):

  Jen Flash Andrews: "Nobody drank any of the cheap wine I bought. It’s just awful."

• Reading Discipline Admiration (55:25):

  Eliza: "I set aside two hours every single day of solid reading time that I don't cheat on."

Conclusion

Episode #1002 of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live masterfully intertwines humor, personal narratives, and topical discussions, offering a rich and engaging listening experience. From dissecting creative processes and botanical nomenclature to sharing listener stories and addressing international legal woes, Luke and Jen maintain a balance of levity and depth. Their ability to seamlessly transition between segments and maintain a cohesive flow ensures that both long-time listeners and newcomers find value and entertainment in each episode.

Listeners are left with a blend of laughter, thoughtful insights, and relatable content, making this episode a quintessential example of what TBTL stands for: navigating the complexities of life with friendship, humor, and a touch of absurdity.