The Jocular Pugilists
Two clueless individuals, who completely understand how misinformed they are‚ the Jocular Pugilists fearlessly explore their combined incompetence while seeking the truth behind the world's mysteries and its complicated occupants. With thirty-seven years of friendship, one global pandemic, three thousand miles between them, and countless ridiculous opinions—what could go wrong? They are the Jocular Pugilists.
Episodes
228 episodes
The Greatest Heist in History: Uncovering the Formula of How the Rich Stay Rich
Join the Jocular Pugilists as they delve into the fascinating history of income tax and unravel the strategies the wealthy have used to maintain their fortunes. Discover the loopholes, the pivotal moments, and the ingenious methods that have al...
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Season 11
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Episode 1
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33:08
Fun with Pharmaceuticals! Happy Commercials, Terrifying Side Effects
In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas take a deep dive into the bizarre world of pharmaceutical advertising—from catchy jingles and dancing actors to disclaimers about infections, organ failure, and even death.A...
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Season 10
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Episode 28
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45:49
Travel as a Time Machine
As we plan a summer trip, a simple question leads to a bigger conversation: what happens when you try to share a place that once meant everything to you?In this episode we talk about childhood travel, returning to places years later with...
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Season 10
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Episode 27
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42:14
The Most Important TV Show in American History?
In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas explore a groundbreaking television series that somehow managed to make audiences laugh while confronting the brutal realities of conflict. Blending sharp humor with moments of rea...
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Season 10
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Episode 26
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44:24
Surprising Cover Songs! The Good the Bad and the Unlistenable
Some cover songs honor the original.Some reinvent it.And some… should never have happened.In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas dive into the wild world of surprising cover songs — from jaw-droppin...
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Season 10
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Episode 25
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39:40
Drops of God, Wine and Re-releases
After talking about how difficult it is to find content we truly love, we stumbled on something fun and engaging: the Apple TV+ series Drops of God. The show blends history, adventure, and the art...
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Season 10
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Episode 24
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53:34
Why is it So Hard to Find Content We Actually Love in the Age of Endless Media?
Why do we keep rewatching The Office, MASH, or Frasier… when we have access to everything?In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas unpack why finding content we genuinely love ...
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Season 10
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Episode 23
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43:02
Groundhog Day, Déjà Vu, and the Science of Feeling Stuck
Why does Groundhog Day feel so unsettlingly familiar? Is déjà vu a glitch in the brain… or something more? And why do so many of us feel like life itself is stuck on repeat?In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists...
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Season 10
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Episode 22
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45:10
Calm in the Storm: Stay Unshakeable in an Over-Triggered World
Why do tiny annoyances feel like personal attacks? Why does your brain hijack reason the moment stress hits? And how do the calmest people in the room always seem to win?In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, ...
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Season 10
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Episode 21
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39:33
What Motivates You: From Purpose to Passion
In this episode, Phil and Tomas move from their usual lighthearted banter into a thoughtful discussion about New Year’s goals and the motivations behind them. They explore intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the challenge of balance, and how ch...
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Season 10
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Episode 20
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30:50
Immortality, Robot Surgeons, and Cork Jokes: Do We Really Want to Live Forever?
What happens when science starts reversing aging? Harvard geneticist David Sinclair says human cells can be de-aged. AI and robotics are accelerating medical breakthroughs. And suddenly, living to 120… or far beyond doesn...
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Season 10
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Episode 20
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35:12
The Empire Rarely Strikes Back: the Problem with Sequels
Most movie sequels are disappointing. Some are unnecessary. A few actively damage the original. So why do studios keep making them — and why do we keep watching?In this episode, Tomas and Phil dig into the strange math of sequ...
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Season 10
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Episode 19
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49:50
The Tipping Point: When Gratitude Became a Surcharge
Tipping used to be about service. Now it’s everywhere. Tomas and Phil break down how gratuity lost its meaning, why digital prompts make it worse, and how a once-elite custom became mandatory for everyone—whether you can afford it or not.
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Season 10
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Episode 18
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32:20
What Christmas Is Really About (and a Few Other Thoughts)
On Christmas Day, we’re revisiting our very first Christmas episode.Recorded years ago but still very much in the spirit of the season, this re-release finds Tomas and Phil talking through the origins of Christmas traditions, ...
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Season 10
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Episode 17
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32:44
Lights, Camera, Santa Claus: A Very Hollywood Christmas
Snow-covered small towns. Perfect families. Big emotions. Even bigger soundtracks.Somewhere along the way, Hollywood didn’t just depict Christmas — it defined it.In this episode, we unpack how film and t...
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Season 10
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Episode 16
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40:24
Have Yourself a Merry Little Stress-mas
The holidays crank up anxiety with packed schedules, family pressure, and wallet-draining shopping. Join the two wise Pugilists as they break down why this season stresses us out—and how to keep your sanity jingling all the way.
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Season 10
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Episode 15
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41:43
The Strange History Behind Common Superstitions
Why do we knock on wood, fear Friday the 13th, panic over broken mirrors, or side-eye a perfectly innocent black cat?In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, we unpack the strange, unhinged, and surprisingly logical history be...
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Season 10
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Episode 14
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36:59
From Powdered Wigs to Fidget Spinners: Four Centuries of Fads
Step into a time machine of trends! In this episode, we journey from the 17th century to today, exploring the wildest fads that captured people’s imaginations. From powdered wigs and hoop skirts to tulip mania, fidget spinners, and Crocs, we di...
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Season 10
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Episode 13
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44:50
The Weird Origins of Everyday Sayings
Ever wonder where our strangest idioms come from? In this hilarious episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas dive headfirst into the bizarre, dark, and downright ridiculous origins of everyday sayings — from “buttering someone ...
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Season 10
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Episode 12
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28:53
Casa Bonita: The Return of America’s Most Joyful Restaurant
Tomas and family travel to Denver to experience the legendary Casa Bonita — the cliff divers, the caves, the sopapillas, and the 1970s magic brought back to life by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. It’s part nostalgia trip, part ...
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Season 10
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Episode 11
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38:08
Vows, Vibes & Technical Difficulties: The Double Wedding Debacle (and a Puppy!)
Why have one wedding when you can stress through two? In this hilariously heartfelt episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil shares how he married the same woman twice—once in LA, once in New York—and somehow survived both. From u...
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Season 10
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Episode 10
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43:13
So You Wanna Be a YouTuber? Here's How You Do It.
Launching a YouTube channel sounds easy—until you’re crying over thumbnails, arguing about whether to wear pants on camera, and realizing your first video makes you look like a haunted potato. In this wildly funny and surprisingly useful episod...
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Season 10
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Episode 9
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28:59
The Science of Sweater Weather: Monsters, Mindfulness, and Maple Leaves
The leaves are falling, the air smells like cinnamon and bonfires, and somewhere in the Hudson Valley, Cookie Monster is leaf-peeping with a pumpkin donut in each hand. The Pugilists dive headfirst into the season — raking up thoughts on Yo...
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Season 10
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Episode 8
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35:48
Is Customer Service Completely Outdated?
Thank you for calling the Jocular Pugilists. This call may be monitored for quality assurance. Press 1 for English. 2 for Spanish. 3 for Chinese. 4 for Japanese 5 for Pawnee. 6 for Sarsi or hit # to bypass the other 7,100 languages sti...
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Season 10
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Episode 7
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36:10