Stranger Than Christian with Christian Carrion: Recent Episodes
Christian Carrion
It’s been called “the ultimate social-distance podcast” and “...trapeze without a net”. Complete strangers. No script. Listen as I, Christian Carrion, engage in spontaneous conversation with people from all over the world. New episodes go live every Saturday on all streaming services. Exclusive content available to my supporters on Patreon @ patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Learn more at strangerthanchristian.com
Final episode. I talk with the longtime announcer of The Price is Right and Supermarket Sweep.
I talk with a freelance researcher and chocolate enthusiast from Finland.Follow me on Twitter @strangerthanC
I talk with a sales administrator originally from Salem, Massachusetts.Follow me on Twitter @strangerthanC
I talk with a pest control specialist, hip hop promoter, and former DJ from Buffalo, New York.Follow me on Twitter @strangerthanC
I talk with a consultant living in Los Angeles, CA...who found me by Googling himself.**New episodes every Saturday @ strangerthanchristian.com and all major streaming services. Follow me on Twitter @strangerthanC**Made using the STEM PLAYER by YEEZY TECH
I talk with a chicken feed manufacturing associate from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We discuss food prices, racism, murder, blushing, hospitality, Los Angeles, and more.**New episodes every Saturday @ strangerthanchristian.com and all major streaming services. Follow me on Twitter @strangerthanC**Made using the STEM PLAYER by YEEZY TECH
I talk with an astrologer and witch from Lititz, Pennsylvania. We discuss neurodivergence, mental health, clowns, trust, family, bi wife energy, Marc Sumnmers, toxic masculinity, TikTok, her past lives, autism, trauma, and much more.Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian* Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice *
I talk with a philosopher who was born in India, but is currently living in Estonia. We discuss his childhood, time, family, school, religion, George Carlin, existentialism, and much more.Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian* Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice *
I announce my next project. Then I talk with a fellow aspiring broadcaster from Connecticut. We talk about youth, tenacity, college, engineering, radio, podcasting, math, profanity, expertise, Gamestop, SNL, confidence, snowboarding, and much more.
Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian
* Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice *
I talk with a mental health professional and practicing Buddhist from California. We discuss Judge Judy, Bob Barker, minimalism, self-care, spirituality, game shows, dreams, loss, fire, tiny homes, resilience, and much more.Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian* Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice *
I talk with a teacher and former dog catcher living in South Korea. We discuss our love of animals, life in Korea, pizza crimes, the spirit of adventure, how he lost 100 pounds, his first day on the job, his typical day as an English teacher, the concept of fluency, Choco Pies, his role as the resident American, and much more.Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian* Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice *
I talk with an unemployed streamer from New Jersey. We discuss microphones, Jersey Shore, his suicide attempts, acid, mushrooms, survival, antidepressants, The Real World, Twitch, vaping, personal growth, and much more.Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice ****
I talk with a forklift operator and filmmaker from Georgia. We discuss creativity; passion; Saturday morning cartoons; his artistic inspiration; Class of 3000; hip hop; our life’s purpose; his podcast; Spongebob Squarepants; Tyler, the Creator; Big Pun; The Simpsons; Yeezy Foam Runners; and lots more.Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice ****
I talk with a web designer from Seattle, Washington. We discuss our mental health, our emotional health, our fears, podcasting, quitting jobs, self-care, rent, and much more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice ****
I present three episodes of the short-lived spinoff of Stranger Than Christian, which I produced while I was working from home in early 2021.Theme song: Fernanda and The Ephemeral - Only Me [instrumental remix]Written by Fernanda Franco and Alex Patriereleased April 2, 2021Fernanda Franco - Lead Vocals and Background VocalsAlex Patrie - Keyboards and SynthsZack Rosenberg - GuitarsZack Ross - BassNick Morcaldi - DrumsRecorded at Roxbury StationMarc Wager Weisgal - Engineer, Mixing, and MasteringBandCamp Link: https://fernandaandtheephemeral.bandcamp.com
I talk with a college professor and sex researcher from Fort Worth, Texas. We discuss sex, death and McNuggets. Then he gives me a tarot reading. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice ****
(My wife and) I talk with an improv comedian and podcaster from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We discuss audio editing, the importance of a sense of humor, improv vs. stand-up, how to prepare for my show, taking podcasting seriously, efficiency, Nintendo Switch, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Resident Evil, The Sims 3 (this is where my wife comes in), humidity, pleather, circus peanuts, personal digital assistants, and lots more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice ****
I record my intro from the Holiday Inn Express on Long Island. Then, from my studio, I talk to a stand-up comedian with cerebral palsy from Nottingham, England. We discuss his comedic inspiration, his efforts toward disability awareness, gardening, support systems, political correctness, depression, selflessness, judgment, panel shows, and much more. Check out Benny Shakes at bennyshakes.uk Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice ****
I talk with a fiction author and prize-winning Associated Press journalist. We discuss popsicles, her travels around the world, making friends, the West Haven Board of Education, journalism school, her books, typing speed (300-400 words per minute!), tendonitis, writing obituaries, fear, mass graves, adaptive technology, her work with street gangs the time she infiltrated a Venezuelan prison by pretending to be a nun, and lots more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice ****
I talk with a podcaster and musician originally from Belgium, but currently living in Texas. We discuss roller coasters, Milli Vanilli, Weird Al, Kanye West, Busch Gardens, the DIY aesthetic, the future of podcasting, lo-fi, 1980s media, Soggy Biscuit, the time his band was ripped off by a hotel owner in Greece, and lots more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice ****
I talk with a combat medic in the Army Reserve originally from Romania, but currently living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We discuss country living, house cleaning, disgusting people, disgusting housekeepers, her adventures backpacking across Europe, how to spark a conversation with a stranger, staying home, friends vs. acquaintances, minimalism, Romanian literature classes, the dangers of water, the death of her grandmother from COVID-19, stress, self-care, selfishness, the staffing shortage in healthcare, the vaccine, and lots more.Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice ****
I make a huge announcement. Then I talk to a hotel manager from New Haven, Connecticut. We discuss my dad’s public access TV show, prank calls, Wegmans, how to be a good hotel worker, The Christian Show, management, doing shots at work, my experiences as a contestant on Millionaire and The Chase, humility, “HOW SWAY?”, Kanye West, COVID, Norm, and more. How many tons of corn do you think are in Pennsylvania right now? Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I celebrate 60 episodes of Stranger Than Christian by looking back at clips of the dozens of conversations I’ve had thus far. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with a spooky girl from Houston, Texas. We discuss ghosts, death, diabetes, Are You Afraid Of The Dark, Red Bull, formaldehyde, Pascal's Wager, cauliflower rice, Emily Rose, and much more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I discuss my Easter weekend. Then I talk to an English teacher living in South Korea. We discuss hip hop and Choco Pies. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with a life coach and cannabis educator from Washington, DC. We discuss public transportation, getting high, Family Feud, misconceptions about cannabis, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, muggles, her butter machine, public speaking, living to work vs. working to live, edibles, child pageantry, losing friends, our original TV show ideas, not living in Hollywood, losing her home to water damage, her podcast, climbing Mount Everest, and more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with one of the most prolific voiceover artists working in Canada today. We discuss punctuality, desire for the stage, typecasting, the diet of a voiceover artist, the “Don Grant” type of voice, replacement Jeopardy hosts, New Haven, working from home, what I’ve learned from interviewing over 100 people, honesty, the effect of my wife’s COVID-19 diagnosis on our marriage, essential workers, people not liking us, and more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with a child care specialist from Kansas. We discuss sneakers, being creative, asparagus, smuggling, inability to focus, OCD and ADHD, TikTok, the block button, dial-up, 9/11, the word “nice”, feline diabetes, how toddlers learn words, fostering self-esteem in children, emotional intelligence, apologizing, passion, adverse childhood experiences, patience, generational trauma, Francis Mallmann, what would happen if my guest was a Nazi, and more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
[trigger warning: graphic descriptions of death and execution methods from 56:00-1:02:29] I talk with a freelance writer from Syracuse, New York. We discuss 90s internet, CD burners, the cotton gin, Ethiopia, Napster, hopelessness, Joe Rogan, teachers, the city bus, the Civil War, podcasting, skill machines, Simon, Atari, unusual deaths, and lots more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with my wife. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with a court interpreter and former journalist living in Los Angeles. We discuss her book, the problem of femicide in Mexico, changing careers, her kidnapping, finding happiness, underground wrestling, her experiences as a female journalist, depression, translating books, "stage health", drug cartels, overcoming her fear of the freeway, and much more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with a former professional wrestler and $250,000 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire winner from Connecticut. We discuss high school, craving attention, our varied neuroses, New Haven pizza, our game show victories, weddings, losing friends, snorting barbecue seasoning, the 24-Hour Game Show Marathon, self-awareness, mental health, work-related stress, Foxon Park soda, and much more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Music by Medline from the album Solstice released on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with a podcaster from Romania. We discuss anti-maskers, exploding computers, my antidepressant journey, how it feels to have our own shows, existentialism, life skills, 90s MTV, beauty in the music industry, Susan Boyle, Queen For A Day, reality TV in East Asia, bookstore Jeopardy, GameGrumps, Kanye West, spiritual twins, passion, fame, fantasy, impressions, and much more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Theme song: "Scrabble" by Medline from the album Solstice on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with an audiobook editor from Tennessee. We discuss social anxiety, microphone technique, marriage, conflict, baking, weddings in the time of COVID, making faces under our masks, working from home, making music, Tetris, spatial awareness, hospitality in Amish Country, "Witness", and much more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Theme song: "Scrabble" by Medline from the album Solstice on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I talk with a business owner from Mexico. We discuss traveling, love, marriage, automation, government, COVID, English, Spanish, robots, tequila, and lots more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian Theme song: "Scrabble" by Medline from the album Solstice on My Bags Records, France https://mybags.bandcamp.com/album/solstice
I discuss my wife's COVID-19 diagnosis and how it's affected us lately. Then I talk with an IT professional from Hungary. We discuss the pandemic, the vaccine, the end of life as we know it, cast-iron pan care and maintenance, thrift shopping, working from home, urban legends, "me" time, self-care, bicycling, meditation, and much more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian
I talk with an author from British Columbia, Canada. We discuss the US Capitol attack, racist experiences, speaking Spanish, how she moved to Canada after Trump's 2016 victory, Mr. Potato Head, PTSD, laziness, airplanes, Press Your Luck, my game show journey, the first great thing she wrote, smoke spots, and much more. Visit strangerthanchristian.com
I talk with a former celebrity chauffeur and security guard from Virginia Beach. We discuss baldness, podcasting, his adoption journey, masculinity, anti-maskers, how he got into transportation, Pharrell, meeting Slick Rick, our hip-hop celebrity encounters, his non-profit, and much more.
I talk with a substitute teacher, aspiring programmer, and sex worker from Washington, DC. We discuss Santa Claus, raising an autistic son, being away from the classroom, her first job as a stripper, OnlyFans, Roblox, BASIC, beauty, erotic paintings, self-love, and much more. Support me at patreon.com/strangerthanchristian
I talk with an Amazon delivery driver from Washington. We discuss switching jobs, hotel horror stories, a day in the life of an Amazon employee, black coffee, marriage, minimalism, Target, fake people, and much more. Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/strangerthanchristian
trigger warning: emergency alert system sfx between 25:30-27:00I talk with a hostel owner from New Zealand. We discuss the hospitality industry, having kids, being close with our siblings, the Emergency Alert System, running a hostel during a pandemic, photography, judging a book by its cover, and much more. I call my brother.
I talk to an organizational expert and new mom from Queensland, Australia. We discuss The Simpsons, priorities, farmers' markets, minimalism, pursuing dreams, Hungry Jack's, Royal Farms, Taco Bell, and much more. Lily flushes the toilet.
I talk with a fellow podcaster from Brooklyn, New York. We discuss Pogs, online dating, confidence, Team Cheerios, the pandemic, discovering self-identity, his growing up as a Muslim child in New York in the wake of 9/11, how I met my wife, and much more.
I talk with a medical student originally from India, but currently living in Tbilisi, Georgia. We discuss virtual learning, eczema, bedside manner, Steve Jobs, our love of technology, digital minimalism, nervousness, and much more.
I talk with a barbershop quartet singer from Texas. We discuss our appearances on The Price is Right, explaining the jokes, the meme harvest, The Simpsons seasons 1 through 14, growing up with music, and lots more. And he sings!
I reflect on the passing of Alex Trebek. Then I talk with a pub quiz host from Canada. We discuss game shows.
I talk with a Chinese food restaurant employee from Seattle, Washington. We discuss wildfires, food waste, protests, the Amish, missing our parents, mental health, speaking Cantonese, and lots more.
I talk with a university lecturer and naval architecture expert living in South Korea. The future of sea travel, eating caterpillars, The Game of Life, and lots more.
I talk with a stand-up comedian from Germany. We discuss embarrassment, whippets, her book, improv, the yellow M&M, and lots more.
I talk with an educational software marketer from Massachusetts. Parenting, driving tests, the punk scene, quilting, and lots more.
I talk with a Pizza Hut assistant manager from New Hampshire. We discuss divorce, customer service, our dads, and lots more.
I talk with a workshop designer from Brooklyn, New York. We discuss our childhoods, the size of the sky, record player repair, eating mangoes at the bus stop, and lots more.
I talk with a fellow podcaster from New York. We discuss gaffs, having material in the chamber, procrastination, creativity amidst the pandemic, editing, locking my wife out of the house, being part of the Apocalypse Podcast Network, speaking face-to-face, podcast promotion, the origin of my idea, talking about sex, being open, mutual honesty, hypocrisy in society, unsolicited advice, discussing sexual violence, the story of her psychotic episode, how to pass the time in a psychiatric ward, white privilege, electroconvulsive therapy, hospital food, her daily gratitude list, depression, normalizing all emotions, mindfulness meditation, the Calm app, my first experience with meditation, body scans, how to protest the treatment of people of color in America while living away from a large metropolitan area, death videos, and Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
My guest cancelled on me, so I shared my Zoom link with millions of people on Twitter, promising to talk to the first person to click on it. This episode is the unedited result of that effort.
I talk with a bus driver and youth pastor from eastern Kentucky. We discuss driving, youth group, my home church, the effects of the pandemic on his congregation, Bonnaroo, how he got involved in his church, going through the motions, emotional intelligence among teenage boys, the positive effects of participating in team sports, high school theater, improv, alcoholism, his turning point, prayer in school, spilling the tea, keeping up with slang, his podcast, Food Network, rating restaurants, hospitality, Kanye West, my dad, political apathy, media bias, support of Trump, tolerance, hypocrisy in the news, the Pledge of Allegiance, the mustard seed, Christian intolerance, and Big Chungus.
Support me on Patreon! patreon.com/strangerthanchristian I talk with an author from Portland, Oregon. We discuss current everyday life in Portland, living in Los Angeles during the 1992 riots, broadcasting, 9/11, Rodney King, biased journalism during the 1965 Watts riots, desensitization, the ability of the human brain to process all the bad things in the world, perspective, rioting as social change, the shortcomings of history education in America, his time in film school, how he became an author, getting reviews, having the energy to write a book, my BuzzerBlog.com article about the rumored lost episode of Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego, the lost episode of The Newlywed Game, writing as a journey, inspiring me to write a book, game shows of the 70s and 80s, his creative process, keeping it natural, interviews vs. conversations, mutual honesty, hearing your own voice, how I used to practice speaking, my embarrassing first few episodes, getting over my nerves during my first conversation, Zen, what he sees for the future of Portland, honesty, hope, and gravity.
I talk with an aspiring professional e-sports player originally from Portugal, but attending college in Denver, Colorado. We discuss our COVID-19 tests, the finer points of Super Smash Bros, online learning, stress related to buying too many games, having parents that enabled our childhood hobbies, Nintendo, Mother 3, game analysis, the path to e-sports stardom, Dance Dance Revolution, gaining emotional intelligence, empathy, self-awareness, the end of Mario’s last relationship, regret, learning from failure, male emotional honesty, listening, anger, being a class clown, knowing when to stop, it being like that sometimes, pickles, cheese, and jank.http://www.strangerthanchristian.com
I talk with a theatric percussionist who is from Australia, but is currently stuck in Singapore due to the coronavirus pandemic. We discuss audiobooks, Hallmark products, travel difficulties, quarantine, her life as a music student, the internet, Kanye West, accents, jet lag, missing her cats, feline obesity, overthinking, strategies for avoiding stage fright, feminism, empowerment, listening, giving advice, telling stories of sexual assault through percussion, conveying emotion with drums, breaking equipment on purpose, ASMR, anti-consumption, plastic waste, farmstand shopping, nervousness, and wooder.
I talk with a home-based IT professional from Texas. We discuss his start in the industry, the Apple II, the struggle of locating replacement vintage computer parts, taking things apart, (not) putting things back together, creativity, the job market, the decline of broad knowledge, the value of experience, the skill of walking non-technically inclined people through troubleshooting, communication, patience, puzzles, IT through the lens of the pandemic, remote technology, mistrust of the cloud, mistrust of Windows updates, procrastination, connected nature, laziness, Path Tactics, the joy of simple computer gaming, Tetris, escapism, reading, getting banned from the public library, how I learned to use the internet, floppy disks, DOS games, ASCII art, the loss of imagination, wood shop, essential work, needing a break, how God works, the relaxing quality of meeting new people, my hospitality career, my upcoming job interview at a local radio station, the uncertainty of the pandemic, changing careers, taking risks, going on adventures, the fear of being unproductive, life in the country, seeking encouragement, and Zork.
I talk with a sales manager, former professional poker player, and Tetris master from Illinois. We discuss gratefulness for quality interpersonal relationships, javelins, manufacturing guidelines, Olympic sponsorships, the differences in equipment for male and female athletes, the greatest sport in the world, internal and external battles, how he got into professional poker, how to stay awake at a casino table for 60 hours straight, Diet Coke habits, the hospitality industry, the importance of a good front desk, life as a business traveler, the end of his gambling career, what makes a good coach, self-improvement, his love of bourbon, the qualities of a good whiskey, my short-lived affair with apple pie moonshine, the virtues of Tetris, hometown heroes, learning to prioritize, Game Boy, Tetris 99, e-sports, commitment, and Fireball with root beer.
Now part of the Apocalypse Podcast Network! Find your next favorite podcast at Apocalypse PodcastNetwork.comI talk to an improv comedian from Belgium. We discuss his art, comedic and dramatic improv, groupthink, the unusually confrontational nature of improv, the state of federal funding for artistic endeavors in Belgium, the difficulties of working in improv professionally, Whose Line Is It Anyway, the film Don't Think Twice, getting recognized on the street, shyness, being the front man, not being the front man, the similarities between improv and wrestling, Catch, bombing on stage, personality, the parallels between musicians and comedians, the joy of making people laugh, developing wit, not knowing when to stop, meditation, Belgian comedic role models, improv hot spots in America, experience vs. profitability, the feeling that no one's listening to this, and rashes.
I talk to a night auditor and quiz master from Norway. We discuss feline affection, his pub quiz, how to write good trivia questions, the Norwegian competitive quizzing scene, Jeopardy, the lack of quiz bowl in Connecticut schools, our adventures as overnight hotel workers, logical reasoning, guest satisfaction, the time Norten reassembled a cat's jaw in the hotel lobby, the time I cleaned up an overflowing whirlpool tub with a vacuum cleaner, pet policies, Forbes, why I started this podcast, what brings tourists to Norway, the area's best seafood restaurant, juggling, life with a prosthetic eye, the time Morten's eye fell out, having a sense of humor, and three bananas.
I talk to a flight attendant and former child actress from Los Angeles, California. We discuss technical issues, uniforms, the creeping desire to be famous, getting older, taking pride in adulthood, my game show career, the death of Phone-A-Friend, her experience as a contestant on Let's Make A Deal, receiving our prizes, broken sofas, my experience playing Hollywood Squares against someone who didn't know how to play tic-tac-toe, crying, Jeopardy, seeing The Daily Show live, Stephen Colbert, Alex Trebek's replacement, James Holzhauer, her childhood acting career, her podcast, discipline, accomplishment, and the joy of shopping for Command Strips.
I talk to an artificial intelligence expert from India. We discuss the fundamentals of machine learning, future applications of artificial intelligence, the Indian education system vs. the American education system, learning English, setting children up for success, our first computers, learning how to use the internet, the quarantine in India, the draw of tourists to Lancaster County, Indian snack foods, veganism, the team Akshay works with, the dangers of AI, surveillance, fear, the eventual integration of new technology into everyday life, inconsistencies in worldview, coding, challenging the American productivity mindset, Akshay's blog, the vilification of journalism, click-farming, and the Apple IIe.
I talk to an Afro-Uruguayan foreign trade investigator and aspiring actress from Argentina. We discuss the stress of her job, her move from Uruguay to Argentina, my damn cat, breaking into the theater and television industries, Afro-Uruguayan representation in Argentinian media, racism in South America, racism in Connecticut, microaggressions, Tinder, my short-lived acting career, making people laugh, the time I was the President of the United States, loneliness, how she chose her current career, female empowerment in business, the crumbling of celebrity culture, the Blackout Tuesday bandwagon, Black Lives Matter, the Black and Latinx experiences, economic segregation, the Italian diaspora, Sabrina's podcast, not knowing how to speak Spanish in America, rolling your Rs, and refrigerators refrigerators refrigerators refrigerators refrigerators.
Angel is a self-made entrepreneur and beauty queen from the Philippines. We talk about our home studio setups, the struggles of growing up without much money, the love of learning, history class in the Philippines, preparing for a beauty pageant, competitive PowerPoint battles, my love of being embarrassed, how she started her own business, philanthropy, Filipino business role models, her podcast, Steve Jobs, asking permission, confidence, outsourcing, being a fun manager, the moment I realized the pandemic was going to have a massive effect on my professional life, working from home, lack of communication, the value of vulnerability, taking the pandemic seriously, the errors of coronavirus terminology, flu shots, applying hospitality skills to everyday life, and local honey.
I talk to an unemployed beer deliveryman who moved from California to Florida a week ago. We discuss new changes of pace, minimalism, lack of respect for professional authority, taking pride in a job, buying electronics on Craigslist, stolen bikes, how to steal from Sunglass Hut, working in loss prevention, being homeless, drug addiction, sympathy, empathy, Dillon's childhood, how his mother saved his life at five days old, an accident which left his arm partially paralyzed, depression, suicide, meditation techniques, forgiveness of self, the pandemic, meeting people in Florida, dealing with loss, Tears for Fears, Soundgarden, and white butterflies.
(NSFW) I talk with a sex worker and adult content creator from Sweden. We talk about porn-stardom, her exhibitionism, losing her virginity at 14, the myth of sexual liberation in Sweden, the stigma of sex work, the economics of making internet porn, avoiding the statistics, amateur porn vs. big-budget adult entertainment, representation, community, making fetish videos, crushing, mental health struggles, Twitter DMs, separating business and pleasure, drawing the line, Raspberry Pi, Nintendo, PlayStation, learning English, sex-positivity, and hiccups.
I talk with a professor and fellow storyteller from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We discuss the social dynamic between John and his son, meeting his wife, Rocky Horror, neuromythology, teaching, storytelling, regretting the childhood view of reading as a chore, movies taking the place of literature, bad sequels, the gradual decline of The Simpsons, adventures in Las Vegas, Lancaster drivers, Boston drivers, LA drivers, what I originally wanted to do with my life, why I don't want to be a stand-up comedian, Jeopardy, how game shows influenced my personality and career choice, working on a cruise ship, Greek mythology, choosing friends, hanging out with people who take risks, life philosophy, Chuck Barris, suicide, themed date nights, and fucking up.
I talk with a wildlife biologist and bee researcher from Montana. We discuss weather patterns, macro-vertebrates, the difficulties of studying bees, snuggling, how and why she became a biologist, the concept of zero, parasitic bumblebees, the murder hornet in America, the love of birds, Connecticut's parakeet infestation, feline depression, whether honey is vegan, trickery, the transition from homeschooling to public school, religious doubt, true science, being friends with the popular kids, troublemakers' names, 90's pop, Mr. Rogers, toxic masculinity, having weird interests, dating, her first same-sex date, coming out, population decline, how to save the bees through planting, bumblebee fuzz, how bees brush their hair, Bee Movie, the biggest bee she's ever seen, trivia, Jeopardy, anagrams, my brain, We Didn't Start The Fire, and the garden hose of uniqueness.
I talk to a recent college graduate from Ohio. We discuss her podcast, the awkwardness of recording alone, adding the adobo, virtual graduation, the memories created during quarantine, limbo, rebelling against pop culture, How It's Made, Jeopardy, my game show career, the water cycle, buzzer strategies, pub trivia, Cory Anotado's Game Show Gauntlet, quiz culture, the first time meeting someone who matches your nerd energy, the ownership of video games as personal victory, Bratz, the Game Boy Micro, unknowingly donating to a friend in need, the importance of reaching out, our first concerts, being young, being old, television on September 11, Kanye West, sociopolitical performance art, and Sena Day.
RIP George Floyd. I talk with a supermarket worker from Scotland. We discuss working during the pandemic, studying psychology, student debt, being a good listener, empathy in our childhood, the introduction of the internet to our households, post-Industrial Revolution optimism, the midnight Keystone to Lancaster, BBC Ceefax, the love of analog technology, growth in relationships and marriages, self-awareness, organized religion as control, the Catholic Church, "guarantee culture" in America, the worldwide overload of information, and hindsight.
I talk to an actor, broadcaster and former game show host from Texas. We discuss technical difficulties, Celebrity Sweepstakes, drunk and indignant celebrities, getting slapped in the face by Joey Bishop, the disappearance of the master tapes of his most popular series, how to handle Tina Sinatra swearing at you on live TV, how he lucked into his first hosting gig, working with Burt Reynolds, being known as the patron saint of unsold game show pilots, my first interview ever, living with Parkinson's disease, his friendship with Alex Trebek, accidentally throwing away a handwritten script from Woody Allen, and the love of hospitality.
I talk with a construction worker and coronavirus survivor from Florida. We discuss cliques in the workplace, moving from Florida to Idaho to North Dakota and back, podcasting during a pandemic, having a child at age 17, meeting his wife at Steak n Shake, self-tattooing, Adventure Time and 90s animation, making Molotov cocktails, setting the woods on fire, how I got fired from my first hotel job, doing donuts, how he contracted the virus, how he recovered, and cold showers.
I talk with CeCe from Las Vegas. We discuss creativity, slot machine strategies, the urge to leave our hometowns, honesty in media, multi-instrumentalism, the underground mall in Atlanta, fried alligator, and me.
Chris is a hotel revenue manager and cardistry aficionado from Virginia. We discuss unexpectedly landing careers in hospitality, the stress of working at the front desk, learning magic at a young age, being honest about mistakes, our first-ever computers, the golden age of the internet, cell phone addiction, the pursuit of validation, the lost art of conversation, and more. Also, somewhere in there, Chris teaches me how to do that thing where you shoot a deck of cards from one hand to the other.
No agenda. No script. Listen as complete strangers become friends. strangerthanchristian.com
I talk with an artist and former teacher from Iowa. We discuss the merits of modern art, the challenges of grading student work, the realization of lifelong dreams, the saga of the false rape accusation that cost him his job, his subsequent suicide attempt, the value of a good wife, the podcast he does with his brothers, and compassion.
I make a new friend from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We talk about our mental health, supportive and unsupportive work environments, applying the rules of improv to everyday life, the Oscars, Canadian currency, cognitive dissonance, forced patriotism, and Conan O'Brien's Wild Desk Ride at the NBC Experience Store in New York City.
Bobbie is a journalist, new mom, and ceramic artist from Kentucky. We talk during her morning walk.
Kevin is a fire-breathing, poly-amorous paralegal and community organizer from Virginia.
Darren is an English tutor from the Philippines. Recorded in a 1993 Saturn SC2 traveling down Interstate 95 in Connecticut.
Lindsey is a theater enthusiast, former teacher, waking nightmare sufferer, Twin Peaks collector, recovering Tetris addict, and mayor's daughter from Indiana.