Laughter Included

By John McMahon (aka Johnny Mack)

Laughter Included (formerly The Mack & G Show) is a podcast about real life, real laughs, and finding the funny in the chaos of everyday adulthood. Hosted by John McMahon — aka Johnny

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FAQs about Laughter Included:

How many episodes does Laughter Included have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.

Laughter Included episodes:

November 13, 2025 Aliens, Ghosts… and Our Vanishing Co-Host?!
Ricky’s missing. Lights. Woods. No texts back. So John taps guest host Drew while producer Matt rides shotgun as the guys launch the first episode under the new name—and dive straight into aliens, UFOs, and ghost stories (plus a Phoenix trip, a brutal round of golf, and bar trivia redemption).
From frat-house sky zigzags to Starlink “train” sightings, abduction hot spots, and the eternal debate—haunted house overnight or alien abduction if you’re guaranteed to survive?—this one’s peak dad-brain curiosity with plenty of laughs, skepticism, and just enough creep factor to keep you listening.
Highlights include:
• Ricky’s mysterious disappearance — was he possibly abducted by aliens?
• Starlink vs. real UFO sightings
• Our favorite alien movies
• More ghost stories and a creepy sleep paralysis moment
• Another round of Can You Name ’Em — Alien & Ghost Edition
• Alien abduction or night at a haunted house — what would you choose?
Whether you’re into the paranormal, dad humor, or just love a wild story, this episode delivers.
Timestamps:
00:00 Ricky’s Gone — Possible Alien Abduction?
01:34 The New “Laughter Included” Era
02:35 The Catch-Up: Phoenix Trip, Bad Golf, Trivia Win
06:22 Matt’s Bowling Comeback & Weekly Updates
07:08 Main Topic: Do You Believe in Aliens?
08:57 Frat-House UFOs, Starlink, and Desert Lights
14:02 Time Travel, Lost Civilizations & Big What-Ifs
18:02 Favorite Alien Movies & Pop-Culture Encounters
20:07 Ghosts & Spirits — Who Really Believes?
23:30 Creepy Encounters: Sleep Paralysis & Dorm Hall Voices
31:03 Game Time: Haunted States & UFO Hot Spots
41:01 Would You Rather — Haunted House or Alien Abduction?
Links & Mentions:
SpaceX Starlink satellite “train” explainer
Navy/UAP (“Tic Tac”) declassified videos
Rendlesham Forest incident (UK)
Cash–Landrum incident (Texas)
Signs (2002)
Life After People (History Channel)

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Laughter Included Store

Follow us:
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Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Join our Newsletter
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51min
October 30, 2025 Ghost Video, Halloween Chaos & When Kids Go Solo
It’s the Halloween edition, and the dads are in their bag: childhood chaos with eggs and shaving cream, Costco candy temptations, the big-bowl etiquette dilemma, and a heated candy draft—Reese’s vs. Kit Kat vs. Snickers. Ricky relives an emotional NHL homecoming, Matt’s bowling team nosedives, and John debates when kids can finally trick-or-treat without a parent shadowing them.
We also trade scariest-movie picks and Matt drops the story of a ghost caught on camera in an old New England house—plus a rapid-fire “Can You Name Them?” on top candies, festive states, and horror films. If you’re a 35–60 dad who loves laughs, nostalgia, and a little spooky…this one hits.
Highlights include:

• Ghost video that still freaks us out
• Best vs. worst Halloween candy debate
• When kids can trick-or-treat alone
• Bruins captain homecoming emotion
• “Can You Name Them?” Halloween edition
• Green screen…exposed (for real)
Stick around for timestamps to jump right to the good stuff.
Timestamps:
00:00 Halloween Edition Intro & Setup
01:33 The Catch-Up: Orlando Trip & Missing Disney
03:02 Ricky on Bruins Captain’s Emotional Return
07:24 Matt’s Bowling Team Slump & Jersey Debate
10:39 Halloween Memories: Eggs, Shaving Cream & Chaos
14:16 Favorite Candy Showdown & Massachusetts’ Surprising #1
18:37 Big Bowl Etiquette: Take One or Handful?
19:29 Why Trick-or-Treating Has Declined
21:29 Scary Movies: Then vs Now
24:36 Matt’s Ghost Story That Freaked Everyone Out
31:04 “Can You Name 'Em?” Halloween Edition Game
39:54 Mailbag: Trick-or-Treat Age & Green Screen Reveal
Links & Mentions:
The Ouija Board
The Exorcist (1973)
Hereditary (2018)
The Conjuring (2013)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
The Ring (2002)
Ancient Aliens on History Channel

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Mack & G Store

Follow us:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Twitter
Join our Newsletter
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47min
October 16, 2025 The Truth About Guys’ Nights and Marriage Guilt
New studio energy! In this episode, a recently married producer joins the table as we trade real-world marriage tactics for dads—how to balance guys’ nights, video games, and being present at home. We also tackle the New England apple-picking debate, swap bee-sting mayhem, and confess why the show took a two-month break.
Before the wrap, we hit rapid-fire sports lists, from the NFL’s oldest franchises to the cities with the most championships—great bar-stool ammo for Sunday football. Keep listening for the funniest bowling-league banter you’ll hear all season.
Highlights include:
• The “equal time” marriage rule for nights out
• Video-game confessions (Warzone & Borderlands 4)
• Bee allergy story that ended in an ambulance
• Apple-picking: worth it or waste of time?
• Oldest NFL teams & title-rich cities trivia
👉 Stick around to hear Matt’s first-day hazing, the great “guys-night” marriage debate, and one of the most hilarious bowling-league stories ever told.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & Welcome to Episode 34
02:41 The Catch-Up: Fall, Family & Fairs
05:45 Bowling League Drama & Big Ball Bag Jokes
08:33 Marriage Rules for Guys’ Night Out
12:40 Gaming Confessions & Wife Tolerance Levels
17:00 Follower Mailbag: Showers, Hiatus & Apple-Picking
26:57 Sports Trivia Showdown
30:00 Wrap-Up & Matt’s First Show After-Party
Links & Mentions:
The Makeshift Project (on TikTok)
The Topsfield Fair
Call of Duty: Warzone
Borderlands 4
Scott Boras (on Instagram)

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Mack & G Store

Follow us:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Twitter
Join our Newsletter
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37min
October 02, 2025 We’re Back from the Dead: Fall Favorites & Theme Park Upsells
After a short break, we’re back with a dad-focused catch-up. From the softball team’s unlikely run from last place to the finals, to Ricky’s ongoing knee drama, this episode has plenty of laughs, stories, and real-life dad grit.
Then we get into theme parks—the rising costs, confusing upsells, and the strategies that actually work. From Disney’s Lightning Lane to Universal’s new Epic Universe, we lay out what’s worth the money, what isn’t, and the one sneaky hack you need to know. If you’re a dad planning a family trip—or just love a good rant—you’ll want to hear this.
Highlights include:
• Softball finals recap & team awards
• Ricky’s knee replacement decisions
• Fall favorites: football, cider donuts, and lots and lots of leaves!
• Disney & Universal upsells explained
• The ride-hack every dad should know
This episode blends family life, fall traditions, and theme-park survival tips into a mix that every dad can relate to.
Timestamps:
00:00 Show Intro: Back from Summer Break & Softball Finals Run
02:00 Ricky’s Knee Injury and Surgery Decisions
06:30 Johnny’s Mid-Week Health Scare
10:20 Fall Favorites: Football, Donuts, and Family Traditions
14:40 Pumpkin Spice, Streaming Sports, and Seasonal Rants
20:00 Dealing with Leaves, Lawns, and School Traffic
26:00 The Real Costs of Disney & Universal Trips
30:00 Lightning Lane, Upsells, and What’s Worth Paying For
34:00 A Sneaky Ride Hack That Actually Works
37:00 Alcohol in the Parks, St. Louis “What If,” and Wrap-Up
Links & Mentions:
Disney Lightning Lane Passes
Universal Express Pass
The Best Apple Cider Donuts on the North Shore
Nason's Stone House Farm
What's Happening - Doobie or Not Doobie: Part 1 + 2

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Mack & G Store

Follow us:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Twitter
Join our Newsletter
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40min
July 31, 2025 Caught on Kiss Cam: CEO’s Life Explodes
In this episode, Johnny Mack and Ricky G are back with relatable dad-life hilarity, diving into two major themes: the pain of picking the wrong checkout line and the viral Coldplay kiss cam scandal that cost a CEO his job and marriage.
From RFID tech and self-checkouts to brutally honest takes on surveillance culture and viral justice, this one’s got it all. Plus, Ricky falls in love—with a cooler. You’ll laugh, nod your head, and maybe rethink your next shopping trip.
Highlights include:
• Choosing the wrong checkout line (again)
• The Igloo cooler that stole Ricky's heart
• Magic Bands and the future of shopping
• Coldplay’s viral kiss cam chaos
• Is viral justice fair… or dangerous?
Whether you’re a middle-aged dad or just hate the express lane roulette, this episode hits home.
Timestamps:
0:00 Episode intro & summer studio updates
1:25 Follow us on social + send us topics
2:57 Ricky reconnects with a lifelong friend
4:00 Epic travel stories and phone photography tips
5:24 The great checkout line debate
6:49 Why choosing a cashier is a gamble
7:53 Costco vs Stop & Shop efficiency
9:21 Ricky's Walmart cooler purchase story
10:48 RFID tech & Disney Magic Bands
13:02 Self-checkout vs honesty tests
14:03 Bag charges & the return of free bags
14:39 Magic Band data tracking & China parallels
16:09 Should stores just remove checkout lines?
17:58 Kiss Cam scandal: the Coldplay incident
20:10 Who’s to blame—camera guy or the cheaters?
22:04 Ring cam reveals Eddie Haskell moments
23:05 When viral shame goes too far
24:38 Classic viral moments: David After Dentist, Janet, etc.
25:59 Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow & Modern Family
27:26 Actor from Boardwalk Empire shoutout
28:44 Final wrap-up & listener engagement call
Links & Mentions:
Igloo IMX Cooler (Ricky's New Favorite)
Boardwalk Empire Actor: Bobby Cannavale
Disney Magic Bands Overview

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Mack & G Store

Follow us:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Twitter
Join our Newsletter
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31min
July 10, 2025 Tackle Football Brawls, Brady Debates & Backyard Feasts - w/ Joe Carpineto
In this episode, we dive into childhood chaos, cooking traditions, and parenting curveballs with Joe Carpineto—a longtime friend of Ricky G and a true Revere original. If you grew up throwing full-contact hits in the street, this one’s for you.
From thorn bush tackles and dodge-the-bully plays to giant pig roasts and navigating his son’s diabetes and celiac diagnoses, Joe’s stories are raw, hilarious, and totally relatable. Oh—and we finally settle the Brady vs. Belichick debate. Maybe.
Highlights include:
• Brutal backyard tackle football stories (with thorn bushes)
• Wild catering gigs and Italian family feasts
• Parenting through diabetes, celiac disease, and teenage chaos
• Sub and pizza shop debates across Boston
• Hot takes on Brady, Belichick, and Star Wars
• Music and movie breakdowns from Guy Ritchie to The Beatles
Get ready to laugh, argue, and maybe crave a steak and cheese.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode 31 Begins!
00:29 - HP Printer Rant and Canon Upgrade
03:27 - Guest Intro: Joe “Vish” Carpineto
06:05 - Tackle Football Brawls in Revere
10:06 - Hallway Baby Bonnet Story
12:33 - Childhood Pranks & ATC Mischief
16:44 - Joe: ChatGPT Before ChatGPT
17:00 - Learning to Cook with Grandma
20:04 - Joe’s Most Stressful Catering Job
24:00 - Parenting Through Type 1 Diabetes & Celiac Disease
28:10 - Boston’s Best Steak and Cheese Subs
32:44 - Pizza Talk: Bianchi’s, Regina, Santarpio’s
34:26 - Soccer: Yes or No? A Dad Debate
41:12 - Brady vs. Belichick: Who Gets More Credit?
47:11 - Star Wars: Overrated or Iconic?
50:17 - Guy Ritchie, Wes Anderson, and More
54:17 - Best Band Ever? Joe Makes His Case
Links & Mentions:
La Caja China pig roasting box
The Bear (FX)
New Deal Fruit - Deli & Subs
Ted Lasso on Apple TV+

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Mack & G Store

Follow us:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Twitter
Join our Newsletter
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1h 3min
June 26, 2025 Guest Vent Mode: ON (Crossover with the VentThis Podcast)
In this special crossover episode, John and Rick join forces with Chris and Paul from the VentThis Podcast for a wild ride through dad life, streaming disasters, and household rage moments only a parent could understand.
From the pain of empty shampoo bottles to the betrayal of dry cereal and missing toilet paper, this episode is a hilarious look at the everyday chaos we all pretend not to lose our minds over.
Highlights include:
• The art of dad venting
• Streaming cliffhangers that never pay off
• Petty household frustrations every dad will relate to
• Party guests using the curtains for… WHAT?!
• TV shows we loved—and those that failed us
Buckle up—this is middle-aged madness at its finest.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Episode 30 Begins!
00:39 – Intro: Meet Chris and Paul from VentThis
01:17 – How The Mack & G Show Started
04:12 – Are Dads Too Soft? A Parenting Debate
06:46 – The Great Empty Package Vent
08:09 – Shampoo Bottles, Sneaky Tricks, and TP Theft
11:18 – Kids’ Wasteful Habits (and Dad Solutions)
12:45 – Big Toothpaste, Big Shampoo, Big TP
15:02 – The Curtain Incident at a Teen Party
19:01 – Who Leaves One Sip of OJ?
20:00 – Cereal Without Milk: A Dad Tragedy
21:06 – Rick's Ice Water with Oreos Controversy
27:02 – Streaming Shows That Lost Us
30:45 – Great Shows That Didn’t Get Renewed
32:59 – Weekly Drops vs Binge Releases
36:43 – White Lotus: Brilliant or Overrated?
39:51 – Modern Family, Sitcoms, and Dad Comfort TV
41:12 – Phil Dunphy = Johnny Mack?
42:04 – VentThis Call-In Challenge

Links & Mentions:
VentThis Podcast on YouTube
VentThis Instagram
Night Sky (Amazon Prime)
White Lotus (HBO)

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Mack & G Store

Follow us:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Twitter
Join our Newsletter
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44min
June 15, 2025 Backyard Pools, Cookouts & Summer Chaos
In this summer-themed episode, Johnny Mack and Ricky G crack open the cold drinks and dive into their favorite warm-weather memories. From old-school pool days and Red Sox on the radio to grilling hacks and public water park trauma, this episode is packed with dad-life stories and relatable laughs.
They also explore what summer looks like today—whether it’s SharkTivity apps, fighting over thermostat settings, or debating the true MVP of dessert: slush or ice cream.

Highlights include:
• Hitting at Fenway Park (with an audience!)
• Classic 1980s pool and beach traditions
• Thermostat wars & lawn mowing rituals
• Water park horror stories (flip-flops required)
• Ice cream vs. slush: the ultimate dad decision
Fire up the grill and join us for a laid-back episode full of nostalgia, honesty, and laughs.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & green screen experiment
01:41 Recap: Vent This podcast appearance
02:39 Upcoming collab: The Midlifers podcast
04:00 Johnny hosts Father’s Day trivia
04:40 Ricky hits at Fenway Park
06:26 Local softball league kickoff
07:26 Childhood pool stories & summer freedom
09:20 River Beach, Biankey’s pizza, and Kelly’s chowder
12:04 Cape Cod vacations & pond swimming
14:28 Summer baseball burnout & AC battles
18:00 Slip ‘n slides, sprinklers, and city hydrants
21:00 Pet memories: Tiger the special cat
24:00 Red Sox radio nostalgia & Pedro/Clemens
26:39 Favorite summer songs: Will Smith, Van Halen, Go-Go’s
30:38 Adult summers, Cape trips & SharkTivity
34:09 Jaws trauma & favorite shark movies
35:00 Softball brotherhood in Boxford
36:21 Cookout vs. BBQ: the real difference
37:03 Hamburger or hot dog?
38:17 Ice cream vs. slush debate
41:00 Mowing the lawn = dad therapy
43:02 Renting pools & Airbnb drama
47:23 Public pool horror & Action Park documentary
50:22 Grilling favorites: sausages, steak, and toasted buns
55:00 “Make you a plate” meaning & grilling hacks
1:02:02 Hot dog tips, fried bologna & watermelon tricks
1:04:30 How to support the show & what’s next

Links & Mentions:
Class Action Park Documentary (HBO)
Sharktivity App – Atlantic White Shark Conservancy
Friends Talking Shop Podcast
The Midlifers Podcast

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Mack & G Store

Follow us:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Twitter
Join our Newsletter
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1h 7min
May 22, 2025 We Lived Through This… But Our Kids Never Will
In this episode, Johnny Mack and Ricky G get nostalgic—and a little fired up—as they look back at “Things We Don’t Do Anymore.” From payphones to floppy disks and Blockbuster to pen pals, this is a dad-centric trip down memory lane packed with laughs, gripes, and the occasional sentimental moment.
They also debate which old-school habits we actually miss… and make bold predictions about what today’s kids will never do by the time they’re our age.

Highlights include:
• Growing up with landlines and dial-up modems
• Forgotten school projects like pen pals and microfiche
• Renting VHS tapes and the smell of a video store
• Walkmans, Scholastic Book Club, and printed maps
• What will our kids stop doing in 30 years?
Stick around for classic dad commentary, retro reflections, and what’s next for The Mack & G Show.

Timestamps:
00:00 Episode 28 Begins!
02:08 Midlife Podcast Collaboration Tease
04:25 Action Hero Bracket Preview
05:56 Today’s Topic: Things We Don’t Do Anymore
07:30 Payphones, Car Phones, and Corded Landlines
10:42 Kids Taking Over CarPlay & Music Battles
14:34 Pen Pals & Childhood Disappointments
18:01 Scholastic Book Club & Book Nostalgia
20:05 Physical Maps, AAA TripTiks & Navigation Memories
23:30 Traveler’s Checks, Paper Tickets, and Phone Books
26:00 Typewriters, Microfiche, and Floppy Disks
31:12 Blockbuster, VHS Rentals & LaserDiscs
33:33 Developing Film & Disposable Cameras
35:30 CDs, Vinyl, and Record Stores
37:28 Going to the Movies & Marvel Obsession
42:20 What Our Kids Won’t Do in 30 Years
46:54 Things We Miss vs. Glad Are Gone
50:00 Sneak Peek: Upcoming Guests & Action Hero Bracket
51:07 Patreon Plug & Final Sign-Off

Links & Mentions:
The Midlifers on YouTube
Gary Gulman (Ode to the Discman)
Gary Gulman (The Greatest Smartphone Story Ever Told)
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Mack & G Store

Follow us:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Twitter
Join our Newsletter
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52min
May 08, 2025 Jimmy Marra’s Journey from FedEx Nights to Hardscape Days
In Episode 27 of The Mack & G Show, we sit down with Jimmy Marra—founder of JMarra Hardscapes and full-time FedEx driver—who’s juggling a booming backyard business, fatherhood, and life in the suburbs.
We dive into Jimmy’s journey from basic landscaping to launching his own hardscaping company. He shares the chaos of raising four sports-crazed kids, balancing side hustles with a demanding day job, and the DIY spirit that led him to install fiberglass pools and build outdoor kitchens. Along the way, we get into neighborhood beefs, tricky customers, lawn care tips, and how his dad inspired his work ethic.
Highlights include:
• How Jimmy launched JMarra Hardscapes
• Balancing FedEx work with his own business
• Raising 4 kids in youth sports chaos
• Installing fiberglass pools & outdoor kitchens
• Crazy customer stories & neighborhood disputes
• Lawn care tips for beginners
• Fatherhood lessons and dad frustrations
Whether you’re a suburban dad, backyard project junkie, or just love hearing how regular guys grind and grow—this one’s for you.

Timestamps:
00:00 Episode 27 Cold Open
05:12 Meet Jimmy Marra, Hardscape Pro & Dad of 4
07:08 Sports Chaos Raising Four Athletic Kids
10:41 Why Lacrosse is Replacing Baseball
13:04 From FedEx at 2:30 AM to Running a Business
16:34 Mama Bear Moments That’ll Hit Home
24:36 The Wildest Backyard Pool Build Story
32:08 Backyard Golf Retreat for the Win
37:15 Lawn Tips Every Dad Should Know
44:22 Moles, Chipmunks & Backyard Battles
53:14 How Jimmy Handles “Scope Creep” with Clients
58:48 His Son’s Excavating Biz and Proud Dad Moment

Links & Mentions:
🧱 JMarra Hardscapes on Facebook
🚜 Marra Excavation on Instagram
🏛️ The Residence on Netflix
💧 Rain Bird Irrigation
🌱 Home Depot Overseeder Rental

Support us:
Patreon Site
Visit the Mack & G Store

Follow us:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Twitter
Join our Newsletter
...more
1h 6min

FAQs about Laughter Included:

How many episodes does Laughter Included have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.