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Comical Start

537 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 rating

Don't let the name fool you. This is not a comedy podcast. Send feedback to [email protected].

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Episodes

I Don't Like to Say "Panic"

May 18, 2023 08:00 - 41 minutes - 18.8 MB

Baseball and nice weather. What more could you ask for? How about some new cooking tips? Mark brings Truth Facts. After an obvious tangent regarding toilet paper, Mark wants a metaphorical discussion of productivity and deadlines. Grant brings Calvin and Hobbes. A power outage has caused some introspection. Send feedback to [email protected].

More Like Milking a Cow

May 11, 2023 08:00 - 48 minutes - 22 MB

We’re at the intersection of technology and music. Mark has something new to share. Expensive audio equipment probably isn’t worth it. Grant brings Cornered. He monologues before Mark asks for clarification on something related to wine for which Grant can only provide a conjecture. Mark brings The Adventures of Business Cat. Awards are awarded. Send feedback to [email protected].

Had Any Good Pineapples Recently?

May 04, 2023 08:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MB

Official documents are a pain, particularly when they aren’t on your person. Grant doesn’t put in enough effort to please Mark in this landmark episode, so sniffing and pulling of produce is addressed. Mark brings Sarah’s Scribbles. Grant listens to new music, while Mark has only recently begun adventuring into new audio domains. Grant brings La Cucaracha. Mark would not read the magazine in question. Suddenly, a pivot to Minor League Baseball teams. Send feedback to [email protected].

Well-Designed and Awful

April 27, 2023 08:00 - 45 minutes - 20.7 MB

Mark and Grant attempt to learn something new from the internet, which is always a dangerous place to go. Grant had a watch whoopsie. Grant brings Calvin and Hobbes. Mark rapidly loses the plot as he discovers an incredibly bad website with a strange inventory in the online shop. Mark brings Freshly Squeezed. Your hosts plan their sabbatical. Send feedback to [email protected].

Aspect Ratio of an Elephant

April 20, 2023 08:00 - 45 minutes - 20.7 MB

Spicy thumbs and long walks to the store are your standard weekend fare. That’s really not as green as your hosts would have thought. Mark brings Super-Fun-Pak Comix. He unexpectedly asks Grant to defend his monitor situation. Moose are hard to appreciate. Grant brings Barkeater Lake. What’s worth your time to do? It’s hard to put a price on experience. Send feedback to [email protected].

It All Really Started on Thursday

April 13, 2023 08:00 - 47 minutes - 21.6 MB

Mark wants to vicariously experience Grant’s lackadaisical weekend. Social batteries get drained like all others. Grant brings FoxTrot Classics. Mark would like to add a couple air quotes to that. Your hosts agree that eggs have gotten worse, but this one hot tip may change the game. Mark brings Ollie and Quentin. Grant confuses anatomical features with pink invertebrates. He also has a picnic blanket. Send feedback to [email protected].

A Specific Instance of Coleslaw

April 06, 2023 08:00 - 42 minutes - 19.4 MB

Mark is finally taken in by the promises of ChatGPT to do silly things. He spends far too much time amusing himself with fake episodes. Grant smiles along. These titles and descriptions are cheeky and subtle. Mark brings Poorly Drawn Lines. Grant pronounces a name correctly, and your hosts discuss radio. It’s basically a forgotten technology. Grant brings Baldo. Well, kind of. Send feedback to [email protected].

The Can Shed

March 30, 2023 08:00 - 45 minutes - 20.8 MB

Mark has a vibrant drink, and Grant requires more insight into a line of fizz-producing products. Grant brings Pearls Before Swine. He basically asks Mark to search something for him, and they both end up using a certain large language model instead. Mark brings Ordinary Bill. Delegation is difficult. Hot tip of the day: use it as training. Send feedback to [email protected].

My Cow's Number

March 23, 2023 08:00 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MB

It turns out that a lack of instructions doesn’t lead to a great recipe outcome. Using a Goldilocks approach may fix some of the issues. There are issues with some online schooling platforms. Mark brings Sticky Comics. Grant considers things that aren’t all that amazing in his apartment, and a few things he adores. Grant brings Lucky Cow. Idle car games are rather amusing. Send feedback to [email protected].

An Infringement On My Freedom

March 16, 2023 08:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MB

A certain island nation really needs to up its design game. Grant brings Lola. Mark dives deep into his soul via self-reflection questions from Grant. Personal accountability is difficult. Mark brings Pearls Before Swine. Negative feedback is way easier to handle than flattery. Send feedback to [email protected].

I Have a Bear In My Desk

March 09, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MB

After circumspect conversation related to a certain regional religion, Mark discusses some of his tourism and Grant gives some pro-tips about honey. Mark brings Haircut Practice. The benefits of various moisture levels in burritos are interrogated. Grant brings Cathy Classics. Shipping isn’t too awful these days. Send feedback to [email protected].

Something Silly Like “A Farm Madam?”

March 02, 2023 09:00 - 42 minutes - 19.3 MB

Your hosts wish they were cool, too. Mark admits to also using a to-do list. In fact, he’s a certified master. Grant brings Marmaduke. One tenuous leap later, meme knowledge quickly turns into a broader conversation about capturing information. Mark brings Moderately Confused. He fails to sell Grant on the concept of crossword puzzles. Send feedback to [email protected].

…And I’m All Out of Food

February 23, 2023 09:00 - 41 minutes - 18.9 MB

Things go a little haywire during the intro. Capitalism is given a critical look, followed by discussion of jurisprudence. Despite what his lovely wife has to suggest, he refuses to have a cherry. Turns out niche products aren’t that niche. Mark brings The Wandering Melon. Car accessories are discussed, particularly those that create holes and safety concerns. Grant brings Ink Pen. Panera is now a genre of salad. Send feedback to [email protected].

You're Such a Good Little Scientist

February 16, 2023 09:00 - 45 minutes - 20.9 MB

Grant weighs in on the big game, and Mark shares the most-discussed storylines from penalties to Super Smash. Grant got a boo-boo in a way that neither host can discern, and Mark impresses Grant with his OSHA compliance. Grant brings Red and Rover. Mark has indeed experienced blindness from obvious items, as recently as the day of recording. They swap several tales. Mark brings The Adventures of Business Cat. Grant failed to get himself stuck in a tree, and Kelly Clarkson has made some sol...

Allegedly a Raincoat

February 09, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MB

Mark and Grant share their varied issues with technology. A Trader Joe’s scam is followed up by a potential dine-and-dash. Mark brings Art by Moga, and gives Grant an assist on comic interpretation. Grant provides a healthy dose of reality. Rain jackets can be awesome. Grant brings Luann. He is nice enough to praise Mark for his descriptive capabilities. Mark is not a dancer. Send feedback to [email protected].

So You're a Hider

February 02, 2023 09:00 - 45 minutes - 20.9 MB

Mark has a new toy, and is thrilled about what it could mean for his hobby. He’s also curious about Grant’s history with graphic novels. The conversation is surprisingly insightful. Grant brings Non Sequitur. Mark details his casual approach to cable management. Mark brings Back in the Day, but there’s no time. Send feedback to [email protected].

236: You Can’t Inception Me

January 26, 2023 09:00 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MB

Mark provides necessary updates on the state Mario Kart in the household. He likes being a bully to the computer players. Names are difficult. Grant reads the recording timeline too quickly. Mark brings Eyebeam. Is there any meaning to be taken from dreams? Who cares? Winter driving in real life is exciting enough on its own. Grant brings Candorville. He quizzes Mark on his ambitions for the future. Mark comes in with a hard dose of reality. Send feedback to [email protected].

You Can’t Inception Me

January 26, 2023 09:00 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MB

Mark provides necessary updates on the state Mario Kart in the household. He likes being a bully to the computer players. Names are difficult. Grant reads the recording timeline too quickly. Mark brings Eyebeam. Is there any meaning to be taken from dreams? Who cares? Winter driving in real life is exciting enough on its own. Grant brings Candorville. He quizzes Mark on his ambitions for the future. Mark comes in with a hard dose of reality. Send feedback to [email protected].

I Think it’s All Giggling

January 19, 2023 09:00 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MB

As is tradition, there is a recap of some excellent food. Grant takes it in stride. Then the quadrennial review happens thanks to data that… Wait… It has an unresolved error. Yikes. Grant brings Peanuts. Mark immediately takes issue with the talking points, and Grant pivots to eye correction tools. Mark brings Mt. Pleasant and requests Grant discuss his relationship with antiquated books. Send feedback to [email protected].

235: I Think it’s All Giggling

January 19, 2023 09:00 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MB

As is tradition, there is a recap of some excellent food. Grant takes it in stride. Then the quadrennial review happens thanks to data that… Wait… It has an unresolved error. Yikes. Grant brings Peanuts. Mark immediately takes issue with the talking points, and Grant pivots to eye correction tools. Mark brings Mt. Pleasant and requests Grant discuss his relationship with antiquated books. Send feedback to [email protected].

I Would Never Name My Child Zeke

January 12, 2023 09:00 - 46 minutes - 21.1 MB

Mark has a couple stories of things not quite fitting correctly. Grant comes in with  personal experience to waylay future issues. Mark brings Lost Sheep. All sorts of folks visited suburban houses in the early 2000s. Your hosts have different memories of frozen food/ice cream distributors from the great state of Minnesota. Grant brings JumpStart. What’s in a mystery? How do you deal with an unknown situation? Send feedback to [email protected].

234: I Would Never Name My Child Zeke

January 12, 2023 09:00 - 46 minutes - 21.1 MB

Mark has a couple stories of things not quite fitting correctly. Grant comes in with  personal experience to waylay future issues. Mark brings Lost Sheep. All sorts of folks visited suburban houses in the early 2000s. Your hosts have different memories of frozen food/ice cream distributors from the great state of Minnesota. Grant brings JumpStart. What’s in a mystery? How do you deal with an unknown situation? Send feedback to [email protected].

Sounds a T-Rex Has Never Heard

January 05, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MB

Mark is paralyzed by choice regarding discussion topics over the past few weeks. But your hosts manage to strap themselves in and tackle a few topics that are as unimportant as ever. Grant brings Lio. He has a couple quick questions that Mark won’t play along with. All of a sudden, your hosts find themselves discussing ostriches and rheas. Mark brings Nothing is Not Something. Bubblegum tastes like bubblegum. Send feedback to [email protected].

233: Sounds a T-Rex Has Never Heard

January 05, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MB

Mark is paralyzed by choice regarding discussion topics over the past few weeks. But your hosts manage to strap themselves in and tackle a few topics that are as unimportant as ever. Grant brings Lio. He has a couple quick questions that Mark won’t play along with. All of a sudden, your hosts find themselves discussing ostriches and rheas. Mark brings Nothing is Not Something. Bubblegum tastes like bubblegum. Send feedback to [email protected].

Dazzy Vance

December 29, 2022 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MB

After a quick Christmas card check in, Mark discusses his work trip. Speaking of which, neither of your hosts are “jet-setting”, regardless of which definition you choose. Baseball statistics are not infallible. Mark brings Off the Mark. He’s curious about the noises emitted from phones, particularly those that historically have contained rhythmic elements. Grant brings Berkeley Mews. Advent calendars? They’re pretty good. Send feedback to [email protected].

232: Dazzy Vance

December 29, 2022 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MB

After a quick Christmas card check in, Mark discusses his work trip. Speaking of which, neither of your hosts are “jet-setting”, regardless of which definition you choose. Baseball statistics are not infallible. Mark brings Off the Mark. He’s curious about the noises emitted from phones, particularly those that historically have contained rhythmic elements. Grant brings Berkeley Mews. Advent calendars? They’re pretty good. Send feedback to [email protected].

231: The First Thing I Ever Buy Out of an Elevator

December 22, 2022 09:00 - 41 minutes - 19.2 MB

More updates! Furniture, mail, travel: what a potpourri of miscellany! Mark got a great deal, and discovered a flaw in our new-fangled postal technology. Grant brings The Born Loser. The only connection Mark is able to make is a piece of fine teenage literature that throws Grant for an incredible loop. Mark brings Off the Mark. Your hosts reminisce about a simpler time when our phones made noises. Send feedback to [email protected].

The First Thing I Ever Buy Out of an Elevator

December 22, 2022 09:00 - 41 minutes - 19.2 MB

More updates! Furniture, mail, travel: what a potpourri of miscellany! Mark got a great deal, and discovered a flaw in our new-fangled postal technology. Grant brings The Born Loser. The only connection Mark is able to make is a piece of fine teenage literature that throws Grant for an incredible loop. Mark brings Off the Mark. Your hosts reminisce about a simpler time when our phones made noises. Send feedback to [email protected].

My Left Hand Will Come to the Rescue

December 15, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MB

We’ll keep it simple: no comics were read in the making of this episode. What began as a simple question about phone cases snowballed into Grant learning much more about his phone than he reckoned he would coming into this recording. Send feedback to [email protected].

230: My Left Hand Will Come to the Rescue

December 15, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MB

We’ll keep it simple: no comics were read in the making of this episode. What began as a simple question about phone cases snowballed into Grant learning much more about his phone than he reckoned he would coming into this recording. Send feedback to [email protected].

229: Safer Than a Jar

December 08, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MB

There are updates on some of Mark’s tools. It’s not particularly interesting, but you get what you get. Grant brings Pibgorn. Mark needs to get over his qualms with the phrasing of a request, but he does his best to interact with the spirit of the conversation. Mark brings Lard’s World Peace Tips. He attempts to deliver an earnest compliment, and some real advice may have actually been discovered. Send feedback to [email protected].

Safer Than a Jar

December 08, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MB

There are updates on some of Mark’s tools. It’s not particularly interesting, but you get what you get. Grant brings Pibgorn. Mark needs to get over his qualms with the phrasing of a request, but he does his best to interact with the spirit of the conversation. Mark brings Lard’s World Peace Tips. He attempts to deliver an earnest compliment, and some real advice may have actually been discovered. Send feedback to [email protected].

I Can Make a Cake With Broken Eggs

December 01, 2022 09:00 - 46 minutes - 31.6 MB

Grant owes some communication, and your hosts explore the metaphorical financial ramifications of being late to a conversation. Advice is swapped both ways. Mark brings xkcd. What’s the use of a GPS when you know where you’re going? That depends on where you happen to live. Grant brings Poorly Drawn Lines. Grant attempts to reference something that Mark has very little experience with, and doesn’t even finish his point before the recording ends. Send feedback to [email protected].

228: I Can Make a Cake With Broken Eggs

December 01, 2022 09:00 - 46 minutes - 31.6 MB

Grant owes some communication, and your hosts explore the metaphorical financial ramifications of being late to a conversation. Advice is swapped both ways. Mark brings xkcd. What’s the use of a GPS when you know where you’re going? That depends on where you happen to live. Grant brings Poorly Drawn Lines. Grant attempts to reference something that Mark has very little experience with, and doesn’t even finish his point before the recording ends. Send feedback to [email protected].

Anti-Blenderness

November 24, 2022 09:00 - 46 minutes - 21.5 MB

It’s only been a few days in the real world since the last recording, so your hosts actually remember enough to have some flow between episodes. Why dirty extra dishes? After a failed segue, Grant brings Calvin and Hobbes. One long-winded transition later, your hosts discuss jargon and ideas in their professional vernacular. Mark brings Home Free to talk about lost and abused toys from childhood. Send feedback to [email protected].

227: Anti-Blenderness

November 24, 2022 09:00 - 46 minutes - 21.5 MB

It’s only been a few days in the real world since the last recording, so your hosts actually remember enough to have some flow between episodes. Why dirty extra dishes? After a failed segue, Grant brings Calvin and Hobbes. One long-winded transition later, your hosts discuss jargon and ideas in their professional vernacular. Mark brings Home Free to talk about lost and abused toys from childhood. Send feedback to [email protected].

226: We Know What Lincoln Logs Are

November 17, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MB

It all gets off to a slow start, but your hosts find their groove. Spices can really sneak up on you. Mark brings Real Life Adventures. After a quick editor’s note, your hosts compare fire-building tactics. Do any of you remember Bionicles? Grant brings Heart of the City. He’s a simple man with a simple question about work cuisine. Send feedback to [email protected].

We Know What Lincoln Logs Are

November 17, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MB

It all gets off to a slow start, but your hosts find their groove. Spices can really sneak up on you. Mark brings Real Life Adventures. After a quick editor’s note, your hosts compare fire-building tactics. Do any of you remember Bionicles? Grant brings Heart of the City. He’s a simple man with a simple question about work cuisine. Send feedback to [email protected].

225: Of Course They Needed a Handkerchief

November 10, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MB

Mark fights through sleepiness, and Grant gave 100% effort to achieve 85% of what was needed. Your hosts connect with their past, and discuss punctuation at length. Grant brings a Lola comic. While the conversation roams around, he does pin down Mark for an opinion on hankies. Mark brings Ordinary Bill. You never know what Grant will be wearing. Send feedback to [email protected].

Of Course They Needed a Handkerchief

November 10, 2022 09:00 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MB

Mark fights through sleepiness, and Grant gave 100% effort to achieve 85% of what was needed. Your hosts connect with their past, and discuss punctuation at length. Grant brings a Lola comic. While the conversation roams around, he does pin down Mark for an opinion on hankies. Mark brings Ordinary Bill. You never know what Grant will be wearing. Send feedback to [email protected].

224: The Idea of Candy Corn

November 03, 2022 08:00 - 45 minutes - 20.8 MB

Your hosts can’t help dabbling in pen territory yet again. But, Mark quickly moves to reprimanding Grant’s lack of communication, and overall disinterest in a fine Disney Halloween movie. We’ll get ‘em next year. Mark brings a Domestic Abuse comic, and the transition to it in the show is just as awkward as typing this into the show notes. Luckily, your hosts pass it by and instead discuss food construction, or whatever better phrase that exists. Grant brings Cornered. Mark does a hard pivo...

The Idea of Candy Corn

November 03, 2022 08:00 - 45 minutes - 20.8 MB

Your hosts can’t help dabbling in pen territory yet again. But, Mark quickly moves to reprimanding Grant’s lack of communication, and overall disinterest in a fine Disney Halloween movie. We’ll get ‘em next year. Mark brings a Domestic Abuse comic, and the transition to it in the show is just as awkward as typing this into the show notes. Luckily, your hosts pass it by and instead discuss food construction, or whatever better phrase that exists. Grant brings Cornered. Mark does a hard pivo...

223: Mutilated Graveyard of Egg Yolk

October 27, 2022 08:00 - 47 minutes - 21.7 MB

Grant has quite a revelation about energy usage in electronics, and Mark solves one of his tech problems. Then, your hosts discuss fountain pens at length. Mark is drinking the kool-aid, and Grant is happily serving more. Grant brings Thatababy. He almost had an oopsie on a grocery shopping trip. Mark brings Cattitude — Doggonit. Grant indeed doesn’t mind having weird art in obscure places. Send feedback to [email protected].

Mutilated Graveyard of Egg Yolk

October 27, 2022 08:00 - 47 minutes - 21.7 MB

Grant has quite a revelation about energy usage in electronics, and Mark solves one of his tech problems. Then, your hosts discuss fountain pens at length. Mark is drinking the kool-aid, and Grant is happily serving more. Grant brings Thatababy. He almost had an oopsie on a grocery shopping trip. Mark brings Cattitude — Doggonit. Grant indeed doesn’t mind having weird art in obscure places. Send feedback to [email protected].

222: Suburban Shopping Center, U.S.A.

October 20, 2022 08:00 - 41 minutes - 19.1 MB

Standing is worth it, and belly-button height is ideal. And those suburbs? Wowee, what a nostalgic, if nominally stressful, experience. Mark brings Grand Avenue. Does Grant identify with Autumn? Does he like the Halloween spirit or Spirit Halloween stores? Grant brings Pickles. Get the exclusive on Mark’s current ironing situation. Send feedback to [email protected].

Suburban Shopping Center, U.S.A.

October 20, 2022 08:00 - 41 minutes - 19.1 MB

Standing is worth it, and belly-button height is ideal. And those suburbs? Wowee, what a nostalgic, if nominally stressful, experience. Mark brings Grand Avenue. Does Grant identify with Autumn? Does he like the Halloween spirit or Spirit Halloween stores? Grant brings Pickles. Get the exclusive on Mark’s current ironing situation. Send feedback to [email protected].

Second Tier Half-Priced Appetizer

October 13, 2022 08:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MB

Some new decorations, and Grant had a pretty low-key weekend. Mark drove quite a while. Applebee’s menu items are discussed. Grant brings JumpStart. His technology took a swim, and Mark is impressed that he’s never had any other issues in the past. Mark brings Everyday People Cartoons. School supplies are pretty neat, and Grant was mature at a young age. Send feedback to [email protected].

221: Second Tier Half-Priced Appetizer

October 13, 2022 08:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MB

Some new decorations, and Grant had a pretty low-key weekend. Mark drove quite a while. Applebee’s menu items are discussed. Grant brings JumpStart. His technology took a swim, and Mark is impressed that he’s never had any other issues in the past. Mark brings Everyday People Cartoons. School supplies are pretty neat, and Grant was mature at a young age. Send feedback to [email protected].

Trying to Ignore the Thrill of It

October 06, 2022 08:00 - 33 minutes - 15.2 MB

Enjoy an abbreviated episode where Mark talks about the goings-on of his honeymoon.

220: Trying to Ignore the Thrill of It

October 06, 2022 08:00 - 33 minutes - 15.2 MB

Enjoy an abbreviated episode where Mark talks about the goings-on of his honeymoon.

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