Eric had a great birthday with lots of cake. Meanwhile Stacy has been rowing to build strength a la Hanz & Franz from SNL in the late 80’s. Supposedly there was going to be a movie with Arnold Schwartzenager, but he was too busy to make it happen – Eric said they did a read-through on Conan O’Brian and it was funny! Birthday goodness. Gertie is also dealing with lame healthcare processes and isn’t even cheering up for green beans! Eric dislodges a core childhood memory for Stacy when he says the phrase, “Chicken & Rice,” while he recalls the Saturday morning jingle about beans and rice. Somehow this leads to fond memories of port wine spread (Eric found a Merlot cheese spread) and an offer to share a recipe for a pinecone cheese “ball.” In other news, Eric’s band Battersea had a gig with a small but enthusiastic crowd. Follow them for future show details. As for Cultural Blindspots, we’re kind of contrarians, we didn’t watch what we supposed WHEN we were supposed to so now, we’re making up for lost time. Stacy watched “The Princess Bride,” which is considered a comedy classic while Eric watched “Starship Troopers,” which might be a considered a cult classic/satire. He also recommends some other shows and movies he’s been watching that are (surprisingly) good. Their weekly topic about straws leads to a brilliant idea involving Starbucks, old bank tubes and saving the world. DAMTT is on Facebook and Instagram as @dontaskme to talk or email [email protected] Next week: Pick one song to play on repeat

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It’s Eric’s birthday along with the Earl of Sandwich and Steve Zayn. Stacy fetes the big day with Nothing Bundt Cakes and kind words; after all, it is World Kindness Day! The latest for Eric is his almost complete deck, the newly installed solar panels, and his (and Gertie’s) medical checkup. Ironically both father and (dog) daughter have high cholesterol for which one of them takes a pill the size of a grain of rice. Eric is healthy otherwise, but Gertie might need a little extra help. Although Eric does need periodontal surgery and in sharing his pre-appointment, he tells the story of how the assistant unceremoniously told him about a booger. He about died from embarrassment. Meanwhile Stacy may have given some rando guy her fries today assuming he is unhoused cringe or kind? For their Cultural Blindspots, both Stacy and Eric watched movies set in November which is rare. Stacy watched “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” while Eric revisited the “Back to The Future” trilogy the first of which is celebrating its’ 40th Anniversary! Eric also recommended the “Death by Lightening” series about James Garfield; arguably a period in history that is also a blind spot. The episode ends with the common theoretical question, “What 3 things would we take on a deserted island?” Clearly Eric is more hopeful with his choices, Stacy’s eating chicken. DAMTT is on Facebook and Instagram as @dontaskme to talk or email [email protected]

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In this episode of "Don't Ask Me to Talk," Stacy and Eric pull the thread on a variety of stories and musings, from the embarrassing (for Stacy) moment of pulling a hair off her male friend’s sweater only to realize it was still attached to his chest, to the should have been awkward moment of a waiter spilling Coke on Eric’s girlfriend’s sweater (he was deft so it was fine). This leads to a rabbit hole about how Europeans drink soda without ice (Stacy is NOT a fan), Eric's ice-chewing habit, the common practice of offering women in labor ice chips to chew on, and Eric training to be his mother’s Lamaze coach (he got out of it when literal push came to shove)! They share life updates, including Eric’s Halloween adventures (or lack thereof), in a medical mask and the sad closing of his go-to pharmacy Bartell (with no S).

Tune in as they explore Cultural Blindspots and the shame associated with having them (sorry, not everyone has seen Rambo). In honor of spooky season Eric watches "Drag Me to Hell" and "American Psycho" while Stacy reflected on the tactile, but short joy of listening to full albums on a record player. For their topic of the week they discuss video games - the social aspect of gaming, and nostalgic memories of arcades and early video game consoles and Beatles Rock Band. It's a lively mix of stories, humor, and insights—perfect for those who love a good tease of everyday life. DAMTT is on Facebook and Instagram as @dontaskme to talk or email [email protected] Next time: 3 Things to take on an island

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Stacy's back from Italy and Eric's still back from Iceland, The UK and France. together they talk about their adventures in site seeing, lingering illnesses, best impulse buys and more. Next week: video games.

DAMTT is on Facebook and Instagram as @dontaskmetotalk Email [email protected]

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The gang is back together again, although not in studio so the sound may be different in this episode. Eric is just back from his European vacation and Stacy is on the eve of leaving for her trip to Italy. For the first half of the show, Stacy peppers Eric with questions about his trip – “the roses” or highlights and “the thorns” or struggles. Unsurprisingly the biggest thorn was the stress of wondering whether the apartment Eric booked in Paris would let him in as he had no communication prior to his arrival. While it all worked out in the end (thanks to the ‘Frenchies,” the process was a thorn in Eric’s side. However, the roses were in full bloom as he and the girlfriend got to visit some new and old favorite places. Eric also got to see some of his all-time favorite bands/musicians while traveling – from the Woodentops and Noel Burke to Edwyn Collins (on his farewell tour) and The Divine Comedy. For the second half of the show, Eric and Stacy shared that they both checked off another Cultural Blindspot; for Eric, The Fugitive and for Stacy, Citizen Kane. They agreed the former was enjoyable if farfetched while the latter was “meh” making its’ reputation as one of the greatest films made all that much more perplexing. In the end they barely touch on the topic of the week, so next week’s episode topic is TBD. Tune in for relatable laughs and pop culture tangents. DAMTT is on Facebook and Instagram as @dontaskmetotalk Email [email protected]

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DAMTT: Rats & Cats, Mahjong and Holiday Décor Debates

In this episode of "Don’t Ask Me to Talk," Stacy shares while visiting “Joan” (her mother), she’s been painting ladybug rocks for her mother and friends, sparking memories of “A Bug’s Life” and Denis Leary’s hilarious ladybug character, Francis. Things take a turn as Stacy reveals an unfortunate update about a now-infected cat scratch from her grandcat Wilson—cue the Dr. Pimple Popper reference—which leads Eric to recall a classic Seinfeld moment questioning how dermatologists save lives. The duo debates the credibility of certain medical professions, with Eric voicing skepticism about chiropractors. Stacy also recounts joining her mother-in-law and her friends for a lively game of mahjong, while Eric muses about games popular among the older demographic, like golf, poker, and cribbage. Meanwhile, Eric discovers another dead rat in his crawl space and once again tackles the smell with his trusty (and minty) odor killer. As he continues to finalize his travel plans in France, he jokes he might end up sleeping on the streets. The Cultural Blindspots segment features Eric’s passionate correction that “records” is the right term (not “vinyls”) and his review of “Rosemary’s Baby” starring a young Mia Farrow, as well as the prequel “Apartment 7A” with Julia Garner. They talk about the darker side of some of these classic movies and their infamous directors. Wrapping up, the hosts dive into the week’s hot topic: when is the right time to decorate for major holidays? Eric introduces the term “Summerween” to describe the ever-earlier arrival of Halloween décor in stores, sparking a lively debate about trends, retail pressure, and personal preferences. Tune in for laughs, pop culture tangents, and quirky household stories! DAMTT is on Facebook and Instagram as @dontaskme to talk or email [email protected]

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Stacy and Eric kick things off trying to figure out a smoother transition into the show besides “How you doin?” like Joey from Friends. Somehow that leads to conversation about Seinfeld episodes that touch on the infamous J. Peterman catalog and the evolution from collecting CDs to streaming favorite shows on demand now. Eric reports in from his European travels, sharing highlights from his multi-city trip—sightseeing, catching shows, and wondering if he’ll spot the Northern Lights in Iceland. Stacy questions Eric about his radio career beginning in Alaska, he goes on to describe the unique seasons and travel quirks of living in Juneau/Ketchikan. Cultural Blindspots return as Eric admits he’s never seen Forrest Gump, while Stacy suggests a movie night like their previous Godfather viewing. Eric reviews "The Paper" (an Office spin-off), shares his fascination with "Top of the Pops," and muses about quirky UK TV culture. Meanwhile, Stacy recounts her first trip to Applebee’s, a different kind of Cultural Blindspot, and their “studly” pretzels. The hosts then dive into “The Right Way” to tackle everyday household routines from dishwasher loading, toilet paper orientation, sandwich cutting, to folding socks. Eric and Stacy compare their habits, debating both sides of each topic. Tune in for travel tales, pop culture deep-dives, and playful domestic debates! DAMTT is on Facebook and Instagram as @dontaskme to talk or email [email protected]

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In this episode of "Don't Ask Me to Talk," co-hosts Eric Reidar and Stacy Heller kick things off with their signature upbeat banter and a shout-out to their intro music creator, Dave Nelson. Eric discusses the ups and downs of planning his trip to the UK, debating hotel choices and the reliability of online reviews, while Stacy shares updates about her ankle injury and her cats. They also touch on navigating small talk, with Eric recounting an awkward interaction with an acquaintance, and Stacy (in Dear Crabby mode) offering advice on how to handle conversations about pregnancy with sensitivity. For their segment Cultural Blindspots, Stacy reviews the classic film "Annie Hall" and reflects on its significance, style, notorious director, and iconic clothing (Diane Keaton) and performances. Eric talks about watching Hitchcock’s "Dial M for Murder," commenting on its plot, music, and the contained setting, as well as his quest for 3D movie experiences (perhaps a dedicated channel???). The hosts then dive into the main topic of the week, exploring which TV worlds they’d like to inhabit, from nostalgic sitcoms like "Mr. Belvedere" and "Family Ties" to modern series such as "Severance." The discussion is lighthearted, touching on the appeal and pitfalls of different fictional universes, and wraps up with a preview of next week’s topic about household debates, like pre-rinsing dishes before the dishwasher. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the show on social media and share their thoughts. DAMTT is on Facebook and Instagram as @dontaskme to talk or email [email protected]

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In another classically tangential episode of Don’t Ask Me to Talk, Stacy sips from her trusty Owala bottle while sparking a debate on banning plastic water bottles and recycling schemes that may or may not involve mailing empty bottles to Pollywood. Meanwhile, Eric recounts his misadventures at a Nicky Glazer show—complete with a surprise Amanda Knox comedy set and losing his car in a mystery garage while “The Girlfriend” battles a bug. Stacy continues to battle her ankle injury and referees a feline feud that ends with her “grandcat” Wilson scaling her leg like a tree. The duo swaps wild bumper sticker sightings, Dear Abby zingers, and Reddit threads, then dive into their “Cultural Blindspots” segment with reviews of classic British films. Plus, Stacy’s bottled water family history and a quick stop in Flint, Michigan keep the laughs, if not the water, flowing. Tune in for witty banter, awkward encounters, and a clever take on everyday quirks! DAMTT is on Facebook and Instagram as @dontaskme to talk or email [email protected]

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Stacy and Eric Tackle Luck vs. Intelligence, Neighborhood Oddities, and Cultural Blindspots

This week on the podcast, Stacy tries her hand at the show intro (with questionable results—Eric’s still the pro!). She shares her idea for an “empty nest” social channel: just her and her husband deciding what stays and what goes as they clear out their home. Stacy also recounts a recent visit to a Silent Book Club with her daughter Annie, describing the unique blend of quiet reading and casual socializing. The experience reminds her of the TV show “Silent Library” a reference unfamiliar to Eric!

Meanwhile, Eric finds himself in a late-summer mood, reflecting on missed opportunities as the season ends. He tells a story about his mysterious neighbors, whom he mostly knows through their dogs. After noticing water running at “Lucky’s” house (name changed to protect the innocent), Eric tries to alert his neighbors and is met with confusion—only to discover later that the culprit was a house sitter and the water feature was intentional. Eric is gifted a thank-you gift card. This story sparks a conversation about the proliferation of doorbell cameras and their surprising role on social media.

For this week’s Cultural Blindspot, Eric watches “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” and enjoys the film’s edgy humor and rare collaboration between Warner Bros. and Disney characters. He learns it’s based on the novel “Who Censored Roger Rabbit?” and notes how well the film holds up.

On the other side of the pop culture spectrum, Stacy dips her toe into horror with “Scary Movie,” appreciating the parody despite her lack of horror film experience. Eric recommends “Shaun of the Dead” as a follow-up. Their discussion leads to classic comedy: Stacy references Carol Burnett’s famous “Gone with the Wind” parody, a nod that surprises Eric.

The main topic: Is it better to be lucky or smart? Stacy argues that luck sometimes plays a crucial role—she credits luck for scoring her house. Eric reflects on career-related luck during the pandemic. Ultimately, they agree: It’s best to be smart enough to recognize opportunity and humble enough to be grateful when luck strikes. Pressed to choose, though, both lean toward luck.

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