It's Pretty OK

This week, the gang gets together to discuss recommendations. Is it better to get a good recommendation or to give one? Does the decision change if it’s not about a good recommendation, but just any recommendation? And why are we all so self-centered? Plus, a Pierce apology and a trivia question about unlikely high school classmates.

MUSIC: “Detective Lieutenant” – Drug Church

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sean is back and the full gang is talking about revisiting movies that you used to watch when you were a kid. Just how goofy is the Ewok storyline from Return of the Jedi? Was his portrayal of the Scorpion King really what catapulted Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson towards becoming the biggest movie star in the world? And is the fact that Flubber is only about 90 minutes long enough to offset the fact that it’s, well, Flubber?

MUSIC

“Without Me” – Eminem

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

Sean on the On the Record with Ambi podcast (Apple Podcasts)

Big Thief performs “Simulation Swarm” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (YouTube)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the gang gets together (minus Sean) to talk about local celebrations. Not so much the big things that gain a national reputation like Mardi Gras or the cherry blossom festival in DC — more like your small-town strawberry fests and whatnot. Plus, as always, Pierce apologizes, and we have a rock trivia question.

MUSIC: ”Now & Later Gators” – Freddie Gibbs, Curren$y and the Alchemist

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the gang convenes to talk about the various perks that are afforded to the modern knowledge worker by their employer — especially all the branded jackets and backpacks and such. How should we feel about being made walking billboards for our companies? And what happens when we don’t work there anymore?

Somewhat predictably, Sean lashes out at corporate America, although it may just be because he’s not getting any swag at work. And there’s a Mad Men reference…but it’s not from Pierce for once.

MUSIC: “Country” – Good Morning

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: What ‘Severance’ Gets Right About Infantilizing Office Perks (The New York Times)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the gang talks about the flood of entertainment content based around problematic tech CEOs like Travis Kalanick (Uber), Elizabeth Holmes (Theranos), and Adam Neumann (WeWork). Why are there so many books, shows, podcasts, podcasts based on books, shows based on podcasts, etc. about these people?

MUSIC: “Halfway Out the Door” – Romero

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, it’s just Sean and Pierce, and they’re trying to talk about the Academy Awards — and awards shows in general — while desperately avoiding any discussion of the only part of the Oscars that anyone really seems to be talking about. Did it work? Hard to say.

MUSIC: “Change Your Mind” – BAD MOVES

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unfortunately, the initial version of Episode 314 was lost to a technical issue. But in exchange for waiting it out for a week, you get an extra special version of the pod recorded LIVE from the triumphant return of the It’s Pretty OK “Corporate Retreat”/NCAA Tournament Trip!

After a night of drinking many — and we do mean many — tiki drinks in Raleigh, first-time/long-time Robert joins the gang to discuss cocktails and whether or not they should be a little bit disgusting.

MUSIC: “Phantoms (feat. Open Mike Eagle and Kendra Morris)” – Czarface & MF DOOM

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the gang is talking about what has certainly felt like the most hyped sporting event of our lifetimes: Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final regular-season game against North Carolina. Are they talking about the game itself? Of course not. They explore why it feels so weird to have farewell tours for coaches — or for any individuals in team sports, for that matter — and how this is probably all ESPN’s fault.

MUSIC: “Stuck” – Oceanator

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the gang is talking about Wordle and other games that don’t let you do infinite play. Does it turn into a minor squabble over Wordle “hard mode”? Sure does. Does it then segue into a grim look at the future of the ever-consolidating entertainment industry? You better believe it!

MUSIC: “The Hardest Cut” – Spoon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the gang is talking about Netflix and the explosion of approximately 8 billion new shows of varying quality, seemingly tuned to every possible combination of micro-interests. What’s the deal with that? And why does Sean hate the word “content” so much?

MUSIC: “Amber” – 311

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.