The Final Word with Jeff and Aaron: Recent Episodes
Jeff and Aaron
Welcome to The Final Word with Jeff and Aaron! A podcast about... well, a little bit of everything and some of nothing. Join Jeff and Aaron as they discuss such mundane things as backward animal noises, to current events and politics, and even a bit of theoretical physics for good measure.
Welcome to Season 2 of the Final Word! Yes, that's true fellow listeners, Jeff and Aaron have been going at this for over 1 year now - who would've thunk? (Certainly not Jeff or Aaron). The hiatus between Season 1 and Season 2 was a bit longer than expected - due to both logistical and technical issues (editing multiple audio files on a low-end MacBook Air, when you're used to doing it on a high-end MacBook Pro, makes for a rather frustrating experience - just ask Aaron, who's MacBook Pro died on him shortly after recording this Podcast...), but it was well worth the wait! Jeff and Aaron have three very special guests stars joining them for a truly wonderful and exciting start to drum roll please Season 2 of the Final Word (with Jeff and Aaron).
What will the year 2025 be like? Will we be entrenched in a terrifying dystopia with global warming out of control? Or will we be at the beginning of a new renaissance, the start of a Star Trek like utopia? Join Aaron and Jeff as they fall down the rabbit hole of this thought experiment.
Relevant Links
- Snail Teeth (trust me, it is relevant...)
Social distancing be damned, Jeff and Aaron have Skype! These intrepid podcasters continue their intrepid podcasting during this existential dread filled pandemic. Join them as they talk about coronavirus and masks, the 1999 cult-classic movie "The Iron Giant," and some wonderfully dumb wikiHow articles.
Relevant Links:
- Sports Illustrated - U.S. Supreme Court's Basketball Court
- wikiHow - How to Make a Glue Gun
- wikiHow - How to Dress for Graduation
A brave captain once said: "The acquisition of wealth is no longer the driving force of our lives. We work to better ourselves and the rest of humanity." This captain was of course Captain Jean Luc Picard of the U.S.S. Enterprise in the 24th Century. Could our society ever reach the utopian vision of Star Trek? Join Jeff and Aaron as they have a serious** conversation about what a future utopia might look like!
**And by serious, I mean not serious at all.
Join Jeff and Aaron next week as they discuss and review the 1999 cult classic "The Iron Giant"
In these times of trouble, and moments of existential dread, it's nice to be able to escape into a movie every so often. Join Jeff and Aaron as they discuss the 2017 Christopher Nolan film, Dunkirk. Perhaps a war movie is not the best way to escape for a couple of hours, but spoiler alert it's a really good film!
Relevant Links:
- How WWI Fighter Planes Fired Through Their Propellers
- Binaural Shepard Tone Generator
- The Sound Illusion that makes Dunkirk so Intense
Hey fellow podcast listeners! Jeff and Aaron are taking a bit of a more serious approach this week, as they talk about COVID-19 aka coronavirus. While it is important not to worry unnecessarily, it is also important to not downplay the threat of this novel coronavirus. As such, the podcast this week, while still maintaining Jeff and Aaron's signature irreverence, has a more serious tone with its intent on being both fun AND informative.
Relevant Links
- Don’t Panic: The comprehensive Ars Technica guide to the coronavirus
- US starts safety testing of coronavirus vaccine
Fear not! The long national nightmare is over, as Jeff and Aaron make their triumphant return after an over two week absent! Join them as they stumble through remembering how to successfully record a podcast.
Relevant Links (of a sort...):
- The New York Times: The 36 Questions That Lead to Love
Oof, this is why we need to pre-record more episodes and have extras waiting, but until we get to that professional level, please enjoy this 45 second apology
Jeff and Aaron needed another short break from podcasting - so listen to a heart felt apology by the two of them!
Jeff and Aaron take the Big Five personality test. What do the results reveal about your illustrious hosts? Listen to find out!
Relevant Links:
- Follow Along! - The Big Five Personality Test
Have you ever wondered how a podcast is conceived? No? Well find out anyway when Jeff and Aaron talk about where their ideas come from!
Returning from the outer rim at Galaxy’s Edge, Aaron has stories to tell. Let’s listen in…
Have you ever wondered how much an $1800 costs? Well you'd be shocked to find out, it's actually $1000!
Topics Include:
- Star Wars: Galaxy Edge
- Obviously, the $1800 lens
- Mount Fuji
- The continuing farce that is the Impeachment of Trump
Relevant Links:
- Pictures of the August 21, 2017 Total Eclipse of the Sun
Jeff and Aaron discuss the various absurdities and shenanigans around travel and flying.
As promised, we have a rather long discussion on the topic of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker and movie franchises as a whole.
Topics Include
- The Rise of Skywalker
- Retconning
- Impossible Pork - is it Kosher?
Relevant Links
Gold Plated Steak shakes head
Happy New Year! Jeff and Aaron are back and better than ever, the cats... not so much.
Topics Include:
- Cats, and are they out to kill us, or just each other.
- Frozen 2... really why Frozen 1 is a terrible movie.
- Movies in general.
Relevant Videos:
- Babka and Meow's... sit off?
Crack open a bottle of Manischewitz, and silence that crazy uncle. It’s time for another Holiday episode!
Topics Include:
- Christmas Tradition
- Chanukah Traditions
- Purim and Passover(?) Traditions
- Is Santa Real??
After a triumphant battle with strep, Aaron once again joins Jeff as they discuss their absolute favorite topic: Impeachment. That’s right, we are going to milk that topic for all it’s worth.
Not a fan of politics? Have no fear, for the other topics include:
- The Impeachment, and should Congressional votes be anonymous?
- Part 3 of a Trilogy(?) - The ongoing saga of Aaron’s Dad’s supposed identity theft.
- The Reddit subreddit - Am I the A**hole?
Relevant Links
- The Alternative Vote Explained
- Politics in the Animal Kingdom: Single Transferable Vote
While Aaron is out on sick leave (apparently, having strep is not too conducive to recording a podcast!), Jeff will regale you all with a story about a minor miracle.
Crack open a bottle of Martinelli’s Apple Cranberry Sparkling Juice and steel yourself for a semi-awkward evening with extended family because it’s time to talk Thanksgiving Traditions!
Topics Include:
- Thanksgiving Traditions
- The Comcast E.T. "sequel" short
- Black Friday
Relevant Links
- E.T. "Sequel" - A Holiday Reunion
Once again, the Government is committing crimes against the internet!!! I guess Pence will just pardon them.
Topics Include:
- The never ending saga of Donald Trump vs. the evil fake new; or, how Donald Trump is going to get Impeached.
- COPPA - Children's Online Privacy Protection Act; or how YouTube may have just screwed over everyone.
Relevant Links:
- Game Theory: Will Your Favorite Channel Survive 2020? (COPPA)
Jeff and Aaron needed a bit of a break from podcasting this week; but rest assured, they will be back next week, strong and better than ever!
Topics Include:
- Aaron gives a heart felt apology for not having a podcast this week. It will make you cry.
Is society as lawless as the people in Hollywood would make you believe??? ...probably not...
Topics Include:
- Jeff and Aaron discuss the Joker
- A follow up on identity theft
- What are we doing here? The WikiHow game.
wikiHow Links:
- How to Take a Shower with a new Tattoo
- How to Sew a Comforter
- How to Manifest Your Desires
- How to Clean Gas Logs
- How to Apply for Permanent Residency in Singapore
Don't worry, no quantum in this episode, well maybe a quark or two at the end.
Topics include:
- How does Google random?
- Freeze your fraking credit!
- Introducing HYPERtheticals.
Credit Freezing and Reporting:
- Freeze Equifax Credit
- Freeze Experian Credit
- Freeze TransUnion Credit
- Get Your Credit Reports Here
Other Relevant Links
- HYPERtheticals: 50 Questions for Insane Conversations
If the spooky name didn't scare you off, the Halloween vibes will. Just kidding, this episode has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween... Although global warming sure gives me a fright!
Topics include:
- Let's plant 20 million trees by 2020
- Quantum engagement is NOT faster than light
- Name that sound
It finally happened, crack open the champagne, set off the fireworks, Jeff and Aaron have a guest! Meet Matt Edlin, Jeff's shin'yū (best friend). Matt lived in Japan for nearly 3 years, and now he's back, just for this podcast.
Topics include:
- Politics! The latest Democratic Presidential debate - and all the absurdity thereof
- Japan, our dream destination
Bonus points, what does this episode title mean? ...close enough!
Starting a podcast is hard to do. Literally, starting the actual podcast is really hard! (And Jeff is a jerk.)
Knock Knock. Who's there? Interrupting home assistant. Interrupting ho... "I'm sorry I didn't catch that, could you repeat it" - Siri probably
Topics include:
- Keto Komments
- The continuing adventure that are the "36 Questions That Lead to Love"
- Childhood Injuries
Relevant Links
- The 36 Questions that Lead to Love
Woo Woo, what’s that I heard in the distance? Is it the sound of a second whistleblower? Buckle in for a hard and fast discussion about… dun dun DUN.... politics! Sit with us as we discuss the twists and turns of the current impeachment proceedings. For those who are faint of heart, fear not, we also discuss our driving and traveling misadventures.
Topics include:
- Trump Talk
- Gas (or lack there of) Stories
- And the little camera that could(n’t)
Sadly, life got in the way of producing a most excellent podcast this week. We'll see you next week!
(side game: count the umms/uhhs)
Welcome back fellow podcast listeners. In this episode, Jeff makes a terrible, terrible joke.
Topics include:
- The Climate Strike March and protests across the globe
- Fun childhood pranks
- Guess that animal sound (it's more complicated than you'd think).
Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me, I ain't the smartest tool in the shed. And I looked at them, and said, "Why are you talking to me?" Join Jeff and Aaron as they recount awkward stranger encounters, discuss a horrifying historical incident, and end the conversation with questions designed to start conversations.
Topics include
- Stranger encounters - good/bad and otherwise
- The W-Files (just listen, it'll make sense...sorta)
- 99 Random Questions
Relevant Links
- 99 Random Question
Welcome back everyone! After an unexpectedly long hiatus, Jeff and Aaron are back, and better than ever. Enjoy the show!
Topics include:
- Bringing sci-fi world to real life
- When time becomes a loop
- Would you rather's?
We're back! Sorry for the extended and unplanned hiatus - life has a way of being obnoxious. With that, let's get back to our regularly scheduled program, with this episode all about "wasting time." So, join Jeff and Aaron, and let's waste time together.
You "loved" it the first you'll LOVE it the second time. Back by the popular demand of 0 people, we give you the highly anticipated sequel to The 36 Questions That Lead to Love...Part 1? The 36 Questions That Lead to Love...Part 2! Do Jeff and Aaron fall in love this time? No.
New York Times article: The 36 Questions that Lead to Love
As Jeff prepares to leave for vacation with his family, he and Aaron reminisce about family vacations growing up. Where did they go? What did they do? Who vacationed best? Listen to find out!
How do you feel about Standardized Test?
a.) They're awful.
b.) I like to draw pretty pictures in the bubbles.
c.) The right answer is always "C."
d.) What's a standardized test?
e.) All of the above.
Listen as Jeff and Aaron discuss how awful Standardized Tests are, and their experiences taking them.
After failing miserably in trying to make a podcast on "Procrastination" (a podcast which was recorded in full, and is TERRIBLE!), Jeff and Aaron completely pivot and talk about Passion. Perhaps one of these days you, dear listeners, will get the privelege to listen to "Procrastination," though in all honesty it will be more of a punishment!
Would you rather listen to this podcast, or get a sharp stick in the eye? The answer should be obvious! If not, I'll be over here sharpening some sticks.
Do you ever think you're being spied on by Google, or Facebook, or even the....Government?! Well, you probably are, and you are probably the one that OK'd it (whether you knew or not!) With that being said, join Jeff and Aaron as they discuss the implications of privacy, or the lack thereof.
The Day Google Forgot to Check Passwords by Tom Scott: https://youtu.be/y4GB_NDU43Q
Things really start heating up (I can't believe I'm actually writing this...) when Jeff and Aaron take on the 36 questions that lead to love. Will they fall in love by the end of the episode? Will they still even be friends gasp? Will they solve who killed Mr Body with the candlestick in the conservatory? Find out on this exciting new episode of THE FINAL WORD (w/ jeff and aaron).
New York Times article: The 36 Questions that Lead to Love
Listen as Jeff and Aaron air some grievances by discussing their various pet peeves. What starts as an idea for a more laid back podcast, quickly evolves into something far more energetic and cathartic. This is a third sentence (Jeff made me write that).
Jumping off of our previous podcast on nostalgia, Jeff and Aaron will be discussing the quirks, frustrations, and fascinations of time. Along the way we'll touch on a natural consequence of time, mortality, and what would happen if everyone was suddenly immortal? So strap in and enjoy the ride!
Listen to Jeff and Aaron struggle through their first podcast. They will be discussing Nostalgia: what it is, what causes it, and how it works. Of course, they don't actually know anything about nostalgia other that personal experience, so it's a learning opportunity for all.