What does it mean to get unstuck? To stay up when it’s dark, cold, or creatively blocked?

In this episode, Evan and Chris spiral delightfully from student slang and seasonal darkness into writer’s block, Pixar montages, AI shortcuts, ramen breaks, and the quiet power of choosing the journey over the destination.

It’s an episode about motion, momentum, and finding your own version of “up”...even when you’re not sure which way that is.

Got a story about what helps you get up-up-and-away? Drop us a note or a voice memo.

Follow @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads, and email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

00:00 Catching Up After a Long Break

00:13 The Six Seven Weekend Phenomenon

01:14 Cringe Moments and Trends

02:00 Introduction to Opposite of Neutral

05:35 Discussing Writer's Block and The Roots

12:31 The Concept of 'Up' and Staying Positive13:55 Exploring the Phrase 'Giving Up'

16:54 Seasonal Changes and Staying Uplifted

20:35 Weather and Daily Activities

21:02 Embracing the Weather

22:19 Optimism and Perspective

24:27 A Day in Spokane

26:13 The Movie 'Up' and Life's Journey

31:49 The Role of AI in Planning

38:36 Finding Direction and Support

40:09 Wrapping Up and Future Topics

An exciting discovery above the fridge. A cease-and-desist we’d actually celebrate. A snake story we can’t un-hear.

From there, Chris and Evan dive into the big theme of Season 3: Into the Unknown! We talk about stepping into uncertainty with humor, honesty, and a plan to “do the next right thing.”

We trace the unexpected comfort of Frozen II during COVID, Rumsfeld’s known/unknowns, and a history-nerd detour through Lewis & Clark. Chris shares his new-job/new-city “adventure mode” in Spokane (yes, there’s a sleeper sofa), and we close with why support systems matter when the map runs out.

Got a story about your own “into the unknown”? Drop us a note or a voice memo. How did you pick the next right thing?
Follow @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads, and email us at [email protected].

Next episode title : Up!

In this landmark 30th episode, Chris and Evan dive into the concept of milestones—both literal and metaphorical.

Exploring the origin of the term, they discuss milestones from the Roman Empire, connecting the historical markers with the metaphorical milestones in life. Reflecting on personal experiences, they uncover how milestones shift from tangible childhood achievements, like learning to ride a bike, to more nuanced adult realizations, such as recognizing a friendship or the bittersweet milestones of cleaning out a parent's home. Chris defines his lack of enthusiasm for explaining embarrassing accidents to ER doctors as a sign of reaching adulthood, and Evan shares the milestones reached after two years of doing the podcast.

Note: we had some internet issues during this episode, so the quality is a bit off in some places. Don't let that get in the way - we had a good time recording this.

Remember to follow us at @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads, and email your ideas and thoughts to [email protected].

We look forward to having you joining us for the kickoff of Season 3 when we will be discussing the topic "Into the Unknown”.

In this episode of Opposite of Neutral, Chris and Evan launch into a whirlwind of topics that range from cheese (per usual) to pillow preferences, before getting into the subject of blueprints. Evan breaks down the origins of blueprint-making—chemicals, UV light, and all—and dig into its existence as everything from a design essential to a metaphor for life’s plans.

They also get into the philosophy of planning—when it’s necessary, when it’s useless, and how blueprints became the perfect symbol for translating wild ideas into something tangible. Is the blueprint the point where ideas become real? Or is a blueprint the theory, and the reality is the building, widget, or whatever else the blueprint is used to make? Expect jokes about cheese fondue, debates about emergency drills, and a teaser about their next milestone-themed episode.

Grab a snack (may we suggest a hunk of Tillamook?) and join them for this exploration of structure, spontaneity, and the art of the happy accident.

In this episode of Opposite of Neutral, Chris and Evan dig into the messy world of miscommunication. They kick things off with a lighthearted dive into misheard song lyrics—Taylor Swift’s “Starbucks lovers,” anyone?—and how a simple misunderstanding can turn a phrase into something hilariously off the mark. From there, they take a closer look at how assumptions and lack of clarity can derail even the best intentions, whether it’s in relationships, work chats, or global diplomacy.

Evan brings in his tech expertise, breaking down how computers handle miscommunication through error-checking systems like checksums, and why humans could learn a thing or two from these methods. Chris ties it all together with a story about the Cuban Missile Crisis, where poor communication nearly led to nuclear disaster—talk about stakes.

Throughout the episode, they reflect on the challenges of balancing clarity with brevity, the role of over-communication in avoiding disaster, and how power dynamics shape who feels responsible for making sense of things. The conversation ends with a reminder that while most miscommunications are low stakes (misheard lyrics and grocery store texts), some really do matter (grading deadlines, anyone?).

Stick around until the end for a preview of the next episode: Blueprints—where Chris and Evan will explore the frameworks and hidden plans that shape our lives.

Follow @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads for more insights and share your thoughts at [email protected]. 

00:00 Game Day Confusion

01:24 Podcasting for Fun

03:38 New Year Resolutions

09:12 Miscommunication Mishaps

16:16 Understanding Checksums in Communication

17:15 Error Correction Techniques

18:52 Human Communication and Misunderstandings

20:32 The Role of Emojis and Non-Verbal Cues

22:39 Miscommunication in Everyday Situations

26:37 The Importance of Clear Instructions

32:04 Power Dynamics in Communication

39:44 High-Stakes Communication: Lessons from History

41:05 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Next Topic

In this episode of Opposite of Neutral, Chris and Evan engage in a lighthearted discussion about sandwiches, generations, and the completely unrelated topic of the sandwich generation. 

Evan does a deep dive into data from the original 1981 paper that coined the term. Together, they explore how generational relationships have changed (and stayed the same) over the past four decades. They also explore how community and family structures can provide crucial support, making a case for the importance of collective care in society. 

Next episode's theme: Miscommunication and Misunderstandings

Follow @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads for more insights and share your thoughts at [email protected]. 

00:00 Introduction and Nature Fair Mishap

01:26 Sandwich Stories and Preferences

08:54 Generational Differences and Technology

19:20 Gen X: The Slacker Generation?

20:43 Millennials and Gen Z: The New Slackers?

21:40 The Sandwich Generation: A Deep Dive

22:28 Generational Shifts in Family Dynamics

23:25 The Role of Education in Birth Rates

24:31 The Evolving Role of Grandparents

26:10 Challenges of the Sandwich Generation

34:18 Community Support vs. Family Support

38:36 The Joy and Burden of Caregiving

43:20 Concluding Thoughts on Generational Responsibilities

In this episode of "Opposite of Neutral," Chris and Evan explore the world of myths, exploring their emotional and cultural significance. They discuss the connection between myths and a ‘willing suspension of disbelief,’ from the Tiki-tiki room at Disneyland to cultural legends like the tooth fairy (or the Chilean Ratoncito Perez), with a focus on how they shape our perceptions and identity.

They explore power of storytelling in creating shared experiences that resonate across generations, and the need for new, inclusive myths to address modern societal challenges and promote unity.

Stay tuned for the next episode, which will explore the challenges and dynamics of the 'sandwich generation'.

Follow @oppositeofneutral for more insights and share your thoughts at [email protected]. 

00:00 Nostalgic Radio Memories

00:25 Defining Weirdness

01:56 Welcome to The Opposite of Neutral

02:24 Absentee Lesson Plans

03:38 Celebrity Encounters

08:27 The Magic of Myths

18:45 The Power of Shared Experiences

19:26 Cultural Erasure and Reclamation

20:19 Creation Myths Across Cultures

21:20 The Role of Myths in Identity

22:56 Myths of Hope and Oppression

25:43 Magical Realism and Family Lore

29:24 American Myths and National Identity

34:58 Conflicting Myths and Modern Challenges

38:35 Creating New Myths for Unity

41:49 The Magic of Belief

Evan and Chris dive into “The Best Words” as they explore the evolution of their language skills and the fascinating world of word origins. They discuss their personal experiences with different languages, emphasizing how context, culture, and travel have shaped their understanding of language.

Throughout the episode, Evan and Chris reflect on how language learning is influenced by visual cues and pronunciation nuances, sharing stories from their teaching days and travels. They marvel at the way words like "inshallah" and "albóndigas" carry cultural and emotional weight, illustrating the deep connections between language, identity, and memory.

They also touch on language mix-ups, like the British-American confusion over the term "rubber." They highlight how certain words sound good to say, hear, type, or spell.

Oh, and the first ever bleeped words of the podcast happen in this episode!

Stay tuned for the next episode, where they will explore myths and the storytelling traditions that shape our understanding of the world.

We’ve had over 1,000 listens to the podcast since we started! Thank you for being with us along the way.

Remember to follow @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and share your thoughts and episode ideas at [email protected]. 

In this episode of 'Opposite of Neutral,' Chris and Evan explore their eight-year friendship, delve into the mysterious code 'IO2P16,' and speculate on its potential meanings, ranging from chemical formulas to cultural references.

They discuss their personal experiences transitioning between different teaching roles and reflect on the dehumanization of being labeled by numbers, using characters like R2-D2 and Jean Valjean as examples. The conversation broadens into the philosophical realm of how creativity and monumental ideas can sprout from seemingly trivial beginnings, debating whether it's driven by divine inspiration or human ingenuity.

Along the way, they also touch on light-hearted topics like the intricacies of udders versus teats and the misuse of the word 'guesstimate.' This episode is a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and thoughtful exploration of what it means to make something out of nothing.

Remember to follow us at @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads, and share your thoughts and episode ideas at [email protected]. 

In the next episode titled “The Best Words,” Chris and Evan will explore the personal significance of their favorite words across different languages.

00:00 Reflecting on Eight Years of Friendship

00:12 Volunteering for Friends of the Forest

00:47 Defining Age Categories

01:18 Miscommunication and Clarity

01:54 Introduction to the Podcast

02:13 Evan's Return to Santiago

04:04 Chris's End of Summer Markers

06:00 Seasonal Produce and Local Delights

08:47 The Mystery of IO2P16

17:24 Making Something Out of Nothing

18:27 The Serendipity of Creation

18:58 Michelangelo's Divine Inspiration

20:48 The Science of Crystal Growth

23:00 Humanity's Search for Patterns

25:21 Mountains Out of Molehills

25:33 The Pettiest Arguments

27:39 The Problem with Misattributed Quotes

34:09 The Significance of Serial Numbers

37:05 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes

In this episode of "Opposite of Neutral," Chris and Evan embark on an expansive discussion of space, beginning with personal anecdotes that reveal how different cultures have reshaped their understanding of personal, physical, digital, and professional spaces. 

They delve into stories of adjusting to crowded environments overseas, the peculiarities of personal space in various countries, and how these experiences have influenced their perspectives on having and managing their own spaces.

From the challenges of digital clutter on their devices to the emotional aspects of creating personal sanctuaries at home, the conversation broadens to explore the diverse meanings of space in their lives. Then their talk ascends into the cosmic realm, discussing the night sky and the universe at large, reflecting on celestial phenomena and their significance in human culture and science.

Remember to follow us at @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and share your thoughts and episode ideas at [email protected]. 

Stay tuned for the next episode's mysterious theme "io2p16”. What does it mean!?