Reconcilable Differences

Reconcilable Differences

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Reconcilable Differences episodes

  • 297: Bison William

    John's account's still locked, Merlin knows just enough to be angry, and Casey has opinions about which way his snacks should face.

    Links and Show Notes:

    John's account's still locked, Merlin knows just enough to be angry, and Casey has opinions about which way his snacks should face.

    (Recorded on Tuesday, September 29, 2026)

    Credits
    • Audio Editor/Track Bouncer: Jim Metzendorf
    • Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
    • Music: Merlin Mann
    • The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
    • Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. New member special! Relay.fm > Membership > Access members-only podcasts

      Find the “Crossover” feed and look for the episode with the title “Wartime Camarero.”

      Camarero, the thoroughbred racehorse - Wikipedia Off Menu (Podcast) FB24976658: My Apple Account is locked every day TN3150: Getting ready for dataless files Doritos - Wikipedia
      1 hr 25 min
    • 296: The Bird’s Bedroom
      Subtitle: Jim can only talk in saxophone.

      John has Follow-Up on what he was mad about last time.

      Links and Show Notes:

      John has Follow-Up on what he was mad about last time.

      In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss Merlin's recently empty nest.

      You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program.

      (Recorded on Tuesday, September 15, 2026)

      Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode.
      1 hr 27 min
    • 295: If I Adjust for Europe

      John eventually tells us what it is he's so mad about.

      Links and Show Notes:

      John eventually tells us what it is he's so mad about.

      (Recorded on Tuesday, September 1, 2026)

      Credits
      • Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
      • Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
      • Music: Merlin Mann
      • The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
      • Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Give to St. Jude! John’s Mastodon thread about his Apple ID problem “That’s where I’m a Viking!’ “Synecdoche” pronunciation video - YouTube

        Sent to us by Kieran Healy

        John’s pronunciation guy: Julien Miquel “Sfogliatella” “Samhain” “Siobhan”
        1 hr 32 min
      • 294: Grumpy 37
        Subtitle: Loneliness is where John is a Viking.

        What is the role of loneliness on "Survivor?"

        Links and Show Notes:

        Things kick off unexpectedly. For Merlin, anyway. Honestly, that's what had happened.

        And, then, an old friend from the before times has a Thing It Took Him Too Long to Realize. It involves music and butts. And, while your hosts can recall that the listener's wife was way more famous, they can neither remember her name nor pronounce his.

        For a main topic, John and Merlin consider the role of loneliness on Survivor. Every dingaling has a plan until they get punched in the face. So, what do we think about all that isolation, privation, paranoia, and self-doubt? Even setting aside the sunburns and the Fijian food, this is not an environment in which Merlin would thrive.

        In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss self-quantization. What are we measuring, and what is that helping us manage?

        You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program.

        (Recorded on Tuesday, August 18, 2026)

        Credits
        • Audio Editor/Key Master: Jim Metzendorf
        • Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
        • Music: Merlin Mann
        • The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
        • Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. ATP #703: Part of a Healthy Breakfast

          The ATP episode where John tried to explain Docker (starting at 1:51:26).

          A timestamp link to John's Docker explanation in ATP #703 The Survivor 50 cast - People.com Carrot in a Box - YouTube Carrot in a Box: Rematch - YouTube Liz is emotional about Applebee's on Survivor season 46, episode 10 The cast of Veep talks about their final season - YouTube
          2 hr 4 min
        • 293: Swedish Sailor Soap
          Subtitle: This ain’t no Gendry boat.

          For people who don't personally enjoy being on a boat, John and Merlin sure talk a lot about boats.

          Links and Show Notes:

          For people who don't personally enjoy being on a boat, John and Merlin sure talk a lot about boats.

          (Recorded on Tuesday, August 4, 2026)

          Credits
          • Audio Editor/Timbre Concern Troll: Jim Metzendorf
          • Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
          • Music: Merlin Mann
          • The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
          • Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Secret Weird Things People Do: Baseball Announcer Edition Awful Announcing’s video clip of Ben McDonald’s soap confession Thufir Hawat and his eyebrows Kelsey Pfendler - Wikipedia Kelsey Pfendler’s Instagram account: @yourowkelsey An example video from Kelsey Pfendler’s Instagram account Kelsey Pfendler’s website About Kelsey Pfendler’s boat First American Woman Rows Solo From California to Hawaii - The New York Times Outside’s article about Kelsey Pfendler Good Morning America’s segment about Kelsey Pfendler - YouTube Women & the Wind (2025) Reconcilable Differences #249: Tally Ho

            The Reconcilable Differences episode where we talk about the “Rebuilding Tally Ho” YouTube series.

            "You ever been in a boat before?" Ser Davos asks young Gendry.
            1 hr 17 min
          • 292: Yarnfluencer
            Subtitle: One time, Merlin helped Joe Walsh fix his internet.

            John wants to talk about a phenomenon he's observed.

            Links and Show Notes:

            John wants to talk about a phenomenon he's observed.

            In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss Star City (Apple TV, 2025).

            You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program.

            (Recorded on Tuesday, July 21, 2026)

            Credits
            • Audio Editor/Senior Valve & Reed Analyst: Jim Metzendorf
            • Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
            • Music: Merlin Mann
            • The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
            • Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Technology Connections on ceiling fans - YouTube Lionel Messi bathing Lamine Yamal

              …who he would later lose to in the World Cup final.

              Jamie Zawinski - Wikipedia An example of The JWZ Phenomenon Star City - Wikipedia
              1 hr 28 min
            • 291: Too Good at Turning Off the Water

              John conducts some non-elective plumbing, and your hosts check in on the World Cup.

              Links and Show Notes:

              John conducts some non-elective plumbing, and your hosts check in on the World Cup.

              (Recorded on Thursday, July 9, 2026)

              Credits
              • Audio Editor/Brass Tackler: Jim Metzendorf
              • Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
              • Music: Merlin Mann
              • The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
              • Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. TBros: Trethewey Brothers plumbing in Massachusetts Mexico vs. England World Cup 2026 highlights - YouTube Mexico vs. England sets new record for most-watched soccer game in U.S. history Mexico vs. England World Cup 2026 match information
                1 hr 20 min
              • 290: Toilet Cop
                Subtitle: Merlin doesn't want anyone policing his corn.

                Merlin wants to talk about computers a little, and John has questions about why you'd throw away a toilet roll that still has some slices on it. Then, your hosts discuss an upcoming movie remake that seems kind of difficult to understand.

                Links and Show Notes:

                Merlin wants to talk about computers a little, and John has questions about why you'd throw away a toilet roll that still has some slices on it. Then, your hosts discuss an upcoming movie remake that seems kind of difficult to understand.

                In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts share updates on one of their oldest topics: where they currently stand with sports and sports culture.

                You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program.

                (Recorded on Tuesday, June 23, 2026)

                Credits
                • Audio Editor/Embouchure Director: Jim Metzendorf
                • Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
                • Music: Merlin Mann
                • The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
                • Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. Designed in California: An Apple history podcast - Kickstarter Upgrade #624: The Memory Guys Toilet paper: 4 up, 2 across - Amazon.com Toilet paper: 30 rolls - Costco Magic (1978) Trailer - YouTube Sam Raimi To Helm ‘Magic’ For Lionsgate - Deadline.com

                  A modern adaptation of the William Goldman original that starred Anthony Hopkins.

                  Sam Raimi - Letterboxd Lars and the Real Girl (2007) Labyrinth 2, directed by Robert Eggers? - Letterboxd The men’s runner-up trophy “tray” at Wimbledon Jimmy Connors 1991 US Open run - YouTube FoxTrax (NHL glowing puck) - Wikipedia FoxTrak example - YouTube The terrible Gorton’s Fisherman New York Islanders logo (1995/96-1996/97) The current New York Islanders logo New York Islanders logo history(?) The New Yorker’s “View of the World from 9th Avenue” cover - Wikipedia
                  1 hr 15 min
                • 289: The Third Kind of Show
                  Subtitle: Siracusa remembers he was upset that his head was bleeding.

                  Merlin's fans are spinning, and John has thoughts on a novel new Secret Weird Things People Do.

                  Links and Show Notes:

                  Merlin's fans are spinning, and John has thoughts on a novel new Secret Weird Things People Do.

                  (Recorded on Tuesday, June 9, 2026)

                  Credits
                  • Audio Editor/Woodwinds Wrangler: Jim Metzendorf
                  • Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
                  • Music: Merlin Mann
                  • The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
                  • Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. John’s apps

                    Hyperspace, SwitchGlass, and Front and Center.

                    Jason Santa Maria’s website Jason Santa Maria’s website in 2005 How Bryce Harper uses toothpaste Can You Pet the Dog? - Wikipedia Can You Pet the Dog on Bluesky IEEE 754 - Wikipedia How Integers and Floats Work

                    A Wizard Zine, by Julia Evans

                    An example of a “Natural Playground”
                    1 hr 22 min
                  • 288: Live Service Game

                    Merlin has a smell update, and John mourns the end of Destiny 2.

                    This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by:
                    • Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
                    • Links and Show Notes:

                      Merlin has a smell update and then claims that he and John will not be discussing a dog-involved shooting.

                      Next, John mourns the end of Destiny 2, a game he has been playing for over a decade. So dawn goes down to day…

                      In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss season 50 of Survivor.

                      You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program.

                      (Recorded on Tuesday, May 26, 2026)

                      Credits
                      • Audio Editor/Conch Announcer: Jim Metzendorf
                      • Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
                      • Music: Merlin Mann
                      • The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
                      • Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. The Guardian blames the dog

                        “Dog shoots woman with shotgun at Nebraska convenience store”

                        On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King James Joyce - Wikipedia Stephen Colbert Takes The Colbert Questionert (Extended Version) - YouTube The End of Destiny 2

                        “Every end is a new beginning”

                        Penny Arcade’s farewell to Destiny Lorne Michaels - Wikipedia Simmotion Survivor - CBS.com Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans - Fandom.com Coldplay: Yellow - YouTube Fair-Play Whodunnit - tvtropes.org Parvati Shallow
                        1 hr 35 min

                      About Reconcilable Differences

                      From the publisher's feed

                      John Siracusa and Merlin Mann try to figure out exactly how they got this way. Hosted by Merlin Mann and John Siracusa.

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