In our conversation, we share humorous anecdotes about health issues, particularly focusing on kidney stones and family health matters. We explore the challenges of communication within families during health crises, the importance of humor in coping with serious topics, and the joys and struggles of gardening as a family activity. Our discussion highlights the unexpected lessons learned from life's challenges and the value of maintaining a light-hearted perspective even in difficult situations. We also explore a variety of humorous topics ranging from hotel experiences and car accidents to the quirks of language and food. We share personal anecdotes, discuss the logic behind movie heists, and reflect on how humor evolves across generations. Our conversation touches on the peculiarities of spelling in the English language and the evolution of food terminology, particularly focusing on the concept of food edges and the idea of selling just the outer parts of popular foods.

Hello to our neighbors all around the world!!!   We're joined at the virtual table by our Australian friend, Jasmine (Ruigrok) Mollison. She has some valid questions about church business and whether there's a ditch on the other side of the road that we may be headed toward...

If you don't have a friend like Jasmine, pray like crazy that God would send you one!

You can email the Comedian's family at [email protected].  G-day, mate!

In this engaging conversation, we reflect on nostalgic memories of Willy Wonka, share humorous anecdotes about drain maintenance and household repairs, discuss the nuances of language, particularly the word 'tasty', and explore the concept of positive self-talk. We also touch on the challenges of finding sponsorship for our podcast and the humorous side of landscaping and weed management. In this lively conversation, we explore the quirky world of goats, discussing their potential as pets and farm animals, the concept of goat yoga, and the economics of goat farming. We delve into the humorous aspects of goat ownership, including the challenges and benefits. Our discussion then shifts to the idea of food preferences in heaven, the value of earthly items in the grand scheme of eternity, and a light-hearted exploration of wigs and the licorice plant. We wrap up the conversation with a curious look at banana wine and its unexpected pairings.

In this engaging conversation, we explore a variety of themes ranging from the challenges of air conditioning to our unique experiences of traveling in Madagascar. We share humorous anecdotes about bartering in local markets, daily life in Madagascar, and the Mercy Ship's role as a floating hospital. Our discussion also delves into the challenges of performing improv comedy in sensitive environments, reflecting on the importance of preparation and collaboration for future projects. In this engaging conversation, we explore the humorous and insightful journey of selecting designer cologne, comparing it to our experiences with coffee and nostalgic drinks. We discuss the social dynamics of fragrance, the feedback process, and the costs associated with luxury scents, all while sharing personal anecdotes and laughter.

Hey, Neighbor!

We start with a long excerpt from C.S. Lewis' Prince Caspian. That's called a "cold open," and it's very hip and interesting!  (Eventually it will tie into the discussion about bad church leaders and what to do when they're going THE OPPOSITE WAY from Jesus.)

Next, John has been kindly asked not to come back to his home church of 35 years. This is necessary for unity! We must all get excited about the mission of bringing in lots of new baby Christians--who will presumably be asked to leave in 35 years...

Then: The Peaches reads quotes from "The Unstuck Church," which was written by a business consultant and is now being used as a play book for how to act less like a church and more like a Chik-Fil-A.  This was the book that was used in the attempt to hijack Faith Baptist Church in North Carolina, and now it has landed in Kokomo. 

Later:  Now that everyone is nice and angry at how positively STUPID it is to throw Lucy out of the family because her crying is raining on your parade, we return to Narnia...Where Aslan tells Lucy what to do when the people with the power won't listen to you.

Email the Comedian's family at [email protected] . If you have some experience with The Unstuck Group or other "consultants" who are influencing church culture, reach out! You're not crazy. 

Well, neighbor, she finally did it.  The Peaches chased EVERYONE else away from the table!

In a couple days, John will be rested and ready to record again.  But--in the meantime--you should brush up on your knowledge of Hostile Church Takeovers and the Business of Doing Church. 

That information will come in handy when we share the details of what has been happening in our local congregation...  (It's pretty outrageous.) (But the Peaches is being the "opposite of candid" for now.) 

How are the elders treated in your church? I don't mean the PR guys who act as middle-managers in a glorified Sunday Coffee Shop with Live Band.  I mean, the people in your church who are ELDER--those who have raised faithful kids and who love God's Word and have been bearing good fruit for decades?  Are they respected for their wisdom?  Or are they chased out of the congregation because they are resistant to change and it puts a damper on the CEO's business strategy?   

Check out the documentary on YouTube: "Hostile Takeover, How One Church in NC Almost Lost Everything." It's your homework before our next discussion!  :) 

Also, email us at [email protected] to share any encouraging stories of Faithful Christians you know.  Five kids and 20 grandkids?  Yes, please. 

Hey, Neighbor!  The Comedian Next Door, John Branyan, is not at the table. (And neither is the PodNinja.)  But have no fear, the McBabies are here!

While Bridger takes his nap, the rest of us (Cami, Collin, Emmi, and Silas) chat about what makes us laugh and which of our family members are "THAT" child.  

Contact the Comedian's family by emailing [email protected] 

In this episode of the Riff Session, we engage in a light-hearted conversation that spans various topics, including our upcoming trip to Madagascar, cultural exchanges during mission trips, and humorous discussions about classic monsters like vampires and werewolves. We also touch on survival strategies in a zombie apocalypse and share our experiences with extreme weather and ice fishing. In this engaging conversation, we explore various themes ranging from seasonal activities and childhood memories to the humorous aspects of pain and the science of humor measurement. We share personal anecdotes about winter activities, school seasons, and encounters with fire ants, leading to a discussion on the Schmidt Pain Index and the nature of humor in everyday life. The conversation culminates in a humorous critique of advertising, particularly focusing on Palmolive commercials and the absurdity of using dishwashing liquid for hand care.

Hey, Neighbor! Don't mind The Podcast Ninja, with one foot out the door.  He would much rather be watching the Pacers Game 7 than sitting at the table.  (And, truly, he has done a LOT of communicating this week, so he has earned it.)

Shout out to the China Compass podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! Luke and Missionary Ben recorded their Final Game predictions and have plans to recap the whole series soon.

Next:  Women in basketball. Is it a good thing to "have each other's back" by beating the crap out of your opponents?  Nobody condones violence... but they totally do!

Finally:  Are women actually more LOYAL to their tribe than men?  Luke isn't convinced. But C.S. Lewis once wrote about the "intense family patriotism" of the wife/mother...

Contact The Comedian, John Branyan, by emailing [email protected]

Hey, Neighbor! Hand things to babies when you want them to fling them to the floor. 

Next, congratulations to the protesters for braving the flood and keeping all the kings away from America.

Later, Michael Tate of the Newsboys issued a public apologiy for grievous sin.  Why do we keep getting surprised by celebrity culture producing these sorts of scandals?   

In a similar vein, what would cause a teenager to tag along with his irresponsible buddies on spring break to Panama City?  Maybe it's the same lack-of-thought when a boy makes a pass at a girl who's engaged?

Make sure you stay at least long enough to hear John sing about Captain Crunch...

Contact the the Comedian John Branyan on the Fight Laugh Feast network by emailing [email protected].