Podcast Summary: TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live – Episode #913

Title: TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live
Host: Luke Burbank and Jen Flash Andrews
Release Date: September 21, 2011
Episode: #913

1. Introduction and Banter (00:00 – 03:10)

The episode kicks off with Luke Burbank and Jen Flash Andrews engaging in their signature playful banter. Luke humorously alludes to his romantic endeavors and weight tracking, leading to light-hearted teasing about his weight:

• Luke (00:42): "I actually went ahead and weighed myself yesterday, Jen, because I went for a run..."
• Jen (01:19): "You should feel good, because that means that my eyes view you through slimming lenses."

2. Show Time Change and Voting Appeal (03:10 – 07:08)

Luke announces significant changes to the show's schedule and appeals for listener support in a local podcast competition:

• Luke (03:20): "We've decided that we're gonna start doing the show at one o'clock every day."
• The hosts express frustration over their current standing in the Evening Magazine's Best of Western Washington podcast competition, passionately urging listeners to vote:
  • Luke (05:07): "There's no fucking way... that we can lose a local podcast competition in this town."
  • Jen (05:56): "All together, it was $4,848, which provided 22,000 meals get people in need."
• They emphasize the importance of listener participation in securing their position:
  • Luke (07:08): "Please, will you go to tbtl.net... Vote for us."

3. Satellite Reentry Discussion (07:08 – 12:13)

A humorous yet intriguing segment discusses the imminent reentry of a satellite with a minuscule chance of impacting someone on Earth:

• Luke (07:13): "The biggest announcement... it's a good chance we're all gonna die on Friday because of this satellite that's falling to Earth."
• Jen (08:40): "NASA has actually figured out that there's about 26 parts on this thing that are probably going to survive reentry and are going to hit Earth."
• They delve into the probabilities and safety measures, integrating comedic relief:
  • Luke (11:02): "I hope that when this junk lands, it'll land somewhere where people don't understand what it is."

4. Interaction with Chris Hayes and Susie Burbank (14:16 – 36:05)

The hosts attempt to connect with Chris Hayes, host of MSNBC's weekend morning programs. Instead, Luke's mother, Susie Burbank, joins the conversation:

• Susie (14:16): "Welcome back from the land of poor customer service and questionable bathing habits."
• The discussion shifts to the similarities between their show and Chris Hayes' program, focusing on authenticity and personal connection:
  • Susie (22:16): "Like there's a trust relationship that gets built. You guys do that... there's nothing that can go wrong here."
• They exchange anecdotes about hosting, television ratings, and maintaining an authentic connection with the audience.

5. Charity and Community Involvement (05:56 – 07:07)

Luke and Jen reflect on their successful fundraising efforts through TBTL, highlighting community support:

• Jen (06:26): "We brought in a legal team. It took about 45 seconds."
• They discuss raising funds for a food bank, emphasizing the collective effort and positive impact:
  • Jen (06:53): "It was $4,848, which provided 22,000 meals for people in need."

6. Sponsor Mention: Chateau St. Michel (40:57 – 43:23)

The episode features a segment dedicated to their sponsor, Chateau St. Michel:

• Luke (40:57): "We have an official sponsor of the show. They're called Chateau St. Michel."
• They share a listener’s experience integrating the sponsor's song into a tailgate party:
  • Luke (40:57): "Melanie... she said the wine was a big hit and that she'd been getting people to sing this song."

7. Music Break: Bright Futures – "Too Young to Kill" (36:00 – 40:57)

A musical interlude features the song "Too Young to Kill" by Bright Futures, formerly known as Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. Luke enthusiastically recommends the track:

• Luke (37:32): "I dare you, I dare you to listen to this song and to not tap your feet."
• The song plays, adding an engaging and lively element to the podcast.

8. Current Topics: "The Debt" Movie and Book Recommendation (42:46 – 50:59)

Jen discusses the critically acclaimed movie "The Debt," offering a detailed synopsis and personal endorsement:

• Jen (42:52): "The Debt is this really amazing movie... starring Helen Mirren and Jessica Chastain."
• Luke shares his book recommendation, "1493" by Charles Mann, delving into its exploration of post-Columbian ecological and social impacts:
  • Luke (44:37): "It's about basically what happened after Columbus sails to the Americas... I highly recommend it."

9. Listener Emails: Health and Consistency (47:13 – 56:21)

The hosts read and respond to listener emails, addressing topics like annual physicals and personal anecdotes:

• Crystal's Email (52:46): Clarifies an inconsistency about Jen's dietary habits:
  • Jen (52:50): "I felt all sheepish, too. I said, it is a rule that I don't have white stuff in my house... but when I was living in Indiana..."
• Steve's Email (53:58): Discusses television shows like "The Good Wife," with humorous confusion about plot details.

10. Conclusion and Reminders (57:14 – End)

As the episode winds down, Luke and Jen reiterate the importance of voting for their podcast and remind listeners of the new show time:

• Jen (57:20): "Starting tomorrow we're going to be podcasting live at 1:00pm Pacific Time, not 2:00pm Pacific Time."
• They encourage continued listener engagement and tease the next episode's content, ending with a final musical recommendation.

Notable Quotes

• Jen Flash Andrews (01:19): "You should feel good, because that means that my eyes view you through slimming lenses."
• Luke Burbank (05:07): "There's no fucking way... that we can lose a local podcast competition in this town."
• Jen Flash Andrews (06:53): "It was $4,848, which provided 22,000 meals for people in need."
• Luke Burbank (22:16): "Like there's a trust relationship that gets built. You guys do that... there's nothing that can go wrong here."
• Jen Flash Andrews (52:50): "It is a rule that I don't have white stuff in my house... but when I was living in Indiana..."
• Jen Flash Andrews (06:44): "All Together, it was $4,848, which provided 22,000 meals get people in need."

Key Insights and Themes

• Community Engagement: The hosts emphasize the importance of listener support, both in competitions and charitable endeavors, showcasing the power of their dedicated audience.

• Authenticity: A recurring theme is the value of being genuine and creating a personal connection with the audience, as discussed in their interaction with Susie Burbank.

• Humor and Relatability: Throughout the episode, Luke and Jen utilize humor to discuss serious topics, making the content engaging and relatable.

• Cultural References: The podcast incorporates discussions about contemporary media, including movies and television shows, aligning with listeners' interests.

Conclusion

Episode #913 of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live offers a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, community engagement, and insightful discussions on current topics. Luke Burbank and Jen Flash Andrews maintain their engaging dynamic, encouraging listener participation while tackling a variety of subjects with wit and authenticity. Notable segments include their passionate plea for voting in local competitions, a humorous take on a satellite reentry scenario, and thoughtful recommendations on media and literature.

For those who haven’t tuned in, this episode provides a snapshot of the show’s vibrant and personable atmosphere, making it a valuable listen for fans of conversational and community-focused podcasts.