A Note to Listeners: This is another episode from the vault that Jim has been relentlessly hounding us to publish. Recorded back in late summer when life was simpler and Peggy's biggest worry was hosting 89 people in her backyard with only one bathroom available. We're clearing the backlog one episode at a time—you're welcome, Jim.

What starts as a casual catch-up about summer travels becomes a masterclass in party planning anxiety. Peggy reveals the elaborate (and slightly terrifying) logistics of hosting bluegrass band AJ Lee and Blue Summit at her house—complete with a hospitality rider, professional sound guy, makeshift lighting, backdrop installation by her son Gavin, and the band doing laundry in her home. Oh, and Charlie won't be back until 4pm the day of the 6:30pm concert. What could go wrong?

In this episode:

• Jim's epic LA trip to see Cyndi Lauper's final farewell tour performance at the Hollywood Bowl (featuring surprise guests Cher, Joni Mitchell, John Legend, and SZA—plus multiple song restarts)
• Jim's elaborate ketchup smuggling operation: bringing two bottles of Heinz No Sugar Added across the country
• The great burger debate: In-N-Out vs. Fatburger vs. Islands (spoiler: get fries at In-N-Out, shakes at Fatburger, burgers at Islands)
• Beth's Rod Stewart concert, Maine lobster adventures, and her upcoming Japan trip (country #41!)
• Shelly's Grand Rapids weekend with Peggy featuring breweries, bocce ball, the Gilmore Car Museum, and tribute concerts at Connor Prairie (Fleetwood Mac, dueling Elton John/Billy Joel pianos, and Fab Four Beatles)
• John's bathroom ticket proposal for Peggy's concert (one ticket = one bathroom use)
• The revelation that Beth got drunk on margaritas in Connecticut and accidentally told people about the podcast
• Why Jim's body apparently emits "an odor that is exactly the same as mosquito sex"
• The tragic loss of four email subscribers (RIP)

Plus: Detailed discussion of Hollywood's post-strike struggles, the Billy Joel documentary on HBO, and whether we'll all win the Powerball.

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Fun Fact: Recorded in late August/early September 2024, approximately 48 hours before Peggy's backyard concert. We still don't know if it was a success or a disaster, but we're assuming Charlie made it home in time and the single bathroom survived the evening.

Warning: Contains extensive burger taxonomy, Hollywood gossip we can't share (Alex Berger is still working in the industry), and the controversial claim that John doesn't think phones are really listening to us. Also: Peggy wants people to pee on her bushes to keep the deer away.