The Idiot Philosophers

Rattlesnakes. Colorado and Utah rivers. Questionable childhood decisions. Kurt Russell. And somehow The Idiot Philosophers ended up in a podcast competition. Charlie and Slats head back to their Colorado roots with stories about growing up around the Roaring Fork Valley, rafting Westwater Canyon and Skull Rapid, Aspen and Snowmass, and doing pretty much everything their parents told them not to do.

Plus, they talk about The Idiot Philosophers landing in the Top Host competition, memories involving John Denver, Jimmy Buffett and Cher, and why Kurt Russell is at the top of their dream podcast guest list.

Welcome to The Idiot Philosophers, where two lifelong friends apply questionable wisdom to life, the world, and whatever else happens to come up.

• (00:00) - The Idiot Philosophers

Accents, culture, technology, differences between British/American culture, neurodiversity, the serenity prayer, mental health, cultural differences, personal growth, societal norms.

The Idiot Philosophers explore deep topics with a guest who happens to have an actual education and a really cool (smart sounding) British accent! They’ll explore the views of both British and American culture, the importance of neurodiversity, timeless wisdom of the serenity prayer, and how British Telly kicks ass. We’ll dive into cultural insights of each side, reflect on living a balanced life, and how to get through the seemingly global chaos.

Mother's Day, family, resilience, childhood memories, personal growth, relationships: A heartfelt conversation on motherhood, personal resilience, and family memories, highlighting the influence of mothers and family bonds. Slats Overspeed & Charlie Wilde discuss a mom's influence on resilience and personal growth, memories of family and childhood, and lessons learned from family relationships.

Since nobody else (according to them) is doing a podcast, they thought they'd give it a go. They've been there, done that, and think they might just have wisdom to share. You may learn something but probably won't. Slats is former military and a current airline pilot. Charlie is a national radio host (formerly) and currently a ne're do-well with a mic. They grew up as neighbors in grade school, started families, and followed separate paths... but always remained the best of friends.

The Idiot Philosophers, AI, technology, humor, artificial intelligence rage, tech frustrations, AI interactions, podcast, funny tech stories. Slats & Charlie discuss artificial intelligence, revealing how AI can be subjected to the wrath of human emotions. This episode features candid conversations about arguing with AI, tech frustrations, the quirks of modern gadgets. And hear how the less tech savvy of the pair (Slats) is able to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most advanced airline jets in the sky, to destinations worldwide with confidence and skill. You'll also discover how a new medication helps a condition that's becoming more prevalent these days, "AIRD," Artificial Intelligence Rage Disorder. (This is fake. The guys made it up. But don't be surprised if this DOES become a condition big pharma creates a TV ad for soon!)

Slats is NOT fond of his daughter's 18-year-old cat, Lilly, but his wife is VERY fond of her leaf blower... one of Charlie's least favorite sounds. They'll discuss their cross-country road trip that includes a stop in Dodge City, Kansas. Obviously, they HAD to stay at The Wyatt Earp Hotel but were amazed, as they checked in, to find that the huge picture of a man, hanging behind the check-in desk, was NOT Wyatt Earp! Since nobody else (according to them) is doing a podcast, they thought they'd give it a go. They've been there, done that, and think they might just have wisdom to share that you may learn from. (This is their first episode.) Slats is former military and a current airline pilot. Charlie is a national radio host (formerly) and currently a ne're do-well with a mic. They grew up as neighbors in grade school, started families, and followed separate paths... but always remained the best of friends.

Andy Talbott, former U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilot, joins Slats Overspeed and Charlie Wilde for a conversation about aviation, adversity, leadership, brotherhood, family and the pursuit of excellence.

Andy Talbott traces the journey from growing up in rural Kansas and catching the “flying bug” at age four during a trip to the Kennedy Space Center, to earning a private pilot's license while still in high school, attending Kansas State University, pursuing Naval Aviation and ultimately flying with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

But this conversation goes well beyond airplanes and air shows.

Andy Talbott talks about the culture behind the Blue Angels, the trust required when people's lives depend on one another, and how great leadership can make every member of an organization feel that they matter. The conversation explores humility, mentorship, family, teamwork, resilience and the importance of learning from mistakes.

One philosophy sums up much of Andy Talbott's journey:

“Adversity is university.”

Andy Talbott also takes The Idiot Philosophers inside the Blue Angels demonstration, including the extraordinary precision required to fly formations and maneuvers with aircraft sometimes only inches apart.

And because these are still The Idiot Philosophers, Charlie Wilde manages to contribute a story involving a Piper Tomahawk, an unfortunate flying date, some ill-advised wingovers and spaghetti.

In this episode:

• Catching the aviation bug at age four
• Earning a pilot's license while still in high school
• Pursuing aviation without money or connections
• Overcoming adversity and bad decisions
• Becoming a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and Blue Angel
• Leadership and the Blue Angels' culture of excellence
• Brotherhood, trust and teamwork
• Humility, mentorship and family
• Inspiring the next generation of aviators
• Flying Blue Angels precision maneuvers
• Why “adversity is university”
• One spectacularly unsuccessful airborne date

Following the Blue Angels, Andy Talbott continued his Naval Aviation career, including service with VFA-86, the “Sidewinders,” and later commanded Strike Fighter Squadron 143, the “Pukin' Dogs.”

Today, he brings lessons from aviation, leadership and high-performance teams to his work with T.O.P.P.S. Leadership Consulting: Talent, Obedience, Persistence, Precision and Success.

The Idiot Philosophers: real stories, questionable wisdom.

CHAPTERS

• (00:00) - Opening & Welcome

Slats met his future wife, Katie, when they were both in high school. Over the next 15 years, they did their own thing, but it would become apparent to both of them that they were meant to be together.  In this episode, "She Loves Me," he explains why his 28 year marriage is so strong, despite many ways he almost screwed it up. Charlie admires Slats for having such a strong, loving marriage but can't help if a little "snarcasm" comes through due to his own failed marriage. (But they'll about THAT on another episode of The Idiot Philosophers entitled, "She Loves Me Not.")

While nobody has the "secret" of a long, loving, solid marriage, Slats and his wife have weathered the challenges of staying together while being apart. Thanks to Slats' military service, then his chosen career as pilot for a major airline, that separation often brought them closer as a couple; a challenge while raising 3 children, but they did it and are as in love now as they've ever been.