TBTL- Too Beautiful to Live artwork

TBTL- Too Beautiful to Live

1,446 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 2.2K ratings

TBTL (Too Beautiful to Live) is a daily weekday podcast from Luke Burbank and co-host/producer Andrew Walsh. It is about life, current events, popular culture, puttering, serial boat ownership, and Tonight Pants. Hotline: (206) 414-8285.

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Episodes

#3721 It’s My Way Or The Subway

July 06, 2022 19:37 - 1 hour - 30.9 MB

Andrew is very agitated about upcoming changes to the sandwich menu at Subway. Luke had a real scare with his cat, Bubbles, this morning. And a listener needs help navigating a small-ish issue with his neighbor.

#3720 I’m Not A Lawnmower Man, I’m A Lawnmower, Man!

July 05, 2022 20:21 - 1 hour - 36.3 MB

Luke and Andrew began their 4th of July Weekend hoping to get a lawnmower and a dog, respectively. Today they report back on their adventures. 

#3719 Yes, Mayhem

July 04, 2022 17:00 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MB

Luke’s attempts to get his hands on a lawnmower continue throughout the show, as he receives many updates and mixed messages from hardware stores around the Pacific Northwest. Plus, the internet is desperately trying to find the woman who won almost all the cooking prizes at a Virginia-Kentucky district  fair.

#3718 Yo Gabapentin

July 01, 2022 18:03 - 1 hour - 35.8 MB

Andrew’s dog-ological clock is ticking again, Luke runs into issues buying a new lawnmower, and the Marsupial Gurgle website is entering a new phase of life.

#3717 It’s A Zeller’s Market

June 30, 2022 19:15 - 59 minutes - 27.3 MB

Bubbles the Cat got up to a lot of trouble in Luke’s studio yesterday, almost completely sabotaging today’s show. Plus, employees at Medieval Times want to unionize, Bed, Bath and Beyond stores may be cutting air conditioning to save money, and AirBNB says “no more parties!”

#3716 The Rural Brewer

June 29, 2022 20:41 - 1 hour - 38.4 MB

Andrew went to the dump yesterday, where he hoped to avoid getting “hollered at.” Results were mixed. Plus, Luke is in email hell. And a drunk man in Japan lost a thumb drive containing personal and banking information of a half a million people. Photo of Shoreline Transfer Station art by Martin Auad via Creative Commons license. The photo in the transfer station is called Terra Firma by photographer Steve McGehee.

#3715 Jerry Of The Jungle

June 28, 2022 20:20 - 1 hour - 40.2 MB

Andrew’s War On Blackberries leads to an encounter with a new neighbor. Luke almost struck a deal with the world’s sketchiest electrician. And a listener shares an incredibly cringy story from the workplace.

#3714 Bramblin’ Man

June 27, 2022 19:42 - 1 hour - 34.3 MB

Andrew went to war with blackberry bushes this weekend. Luke took his shirt off at a pool party. And a Mariners fan somehow managed to get pizza delivered to a bummed-out baseball player at Angel Stadium during a game. 

#3713 A Supremely Bad Day

June 24, 2022 20:47 - 1 hour - 41.6 MB

Luke and Andrew try to process the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade. Plus, Andrew got fired from a job yesterday. (Sorry, it wasn’t TBTL.) 

#3712 Pho Fighters

June 23, 2022 20:49 - 1 hour - 32.3 MB

After hearing from many listeners, Luke has a new theory as to why some characters pronounce the word “bear” like “bar.” Andrew disagrees. Plus, a sriracha shortage may be around the corner, and a photojournalist captures a breathtaking moment as a swimming coach makes an underwater rescue.

#3711 Diss And Vinegar

June 22, 2022 20:08 - 1 hour - 33.4 MB

Luke taste-tests the new “Healthy Coke” alternative, which is essentially vinegar and water. Andrew does not. Plus, Luke met Russell Wilson last night and encouraged him to reprise his Mr. Unlimited character.

#3710 A World Of Yurt

June 21, 2022 19:53 - 1 hour - 34.1 MB

Luke and Andrew discuss foldable shovels, tents you can’t touch in the rain, and how time-lapse photography is getting Luke through his renovation projects. 

#3709 Headbutt First, Ask Questions Later

June 20, 2022 19:31 - 1 hour - 31.9 MB

The universe tried to thwart Luke’s plans to enjoy an outdoor concert this weekend, but fun prevailed! Plus, Bubble The Cat gives Luke a scare, and a TBTL Ten teaches the boys something important about beach tar.

#3708 Getting Jiggle With It

June 18, 2022 01:06 - 1 hour - 34.7 MB

Andrew and Luke (with a little help from the New York Times) dig deep into the charming and fascinating story behind the “Jiggle Jiggle” rap that’s taken over TikTok and the world. 

#3707 Cliffs Nopes

June 16, 2022 19:14 - 1 hour - 36.4 MB

Listeners go into deep sleuth mode to try to find the origins of Luke’s new favorite photo of Andre the Giant. Plus, competing op-eds in the Washington Post debate the pros-and-cons of digital QR code menus in restaurants. 

#3706 Didn’t Know You Like To Get Sweat, Though

June 15, 2022 18:35 - 1 hour - 39.2 MB

Luke and Andrew marvel over “Fake Klay Thompson'' getting access to the court at the NBA Finals because he kind of sort of looks a little like the real Klay Thompson. Plus, Luke stumbles on the coolest photograph he’s ever seen, and he needs help tracking it down. 

#3705 Burbank’s Hierarchy Of Worries

June 14, 2022 19:30 - 1 hour - 35.6 MB

Sweden has rolled out some sexy-talking garbage cans and Andrew is not into it. Meanwhile, the Space Needle owners are suing a coffee company over a logo that subtly uses the shape of the Space Needle, leading Luke to wonder about the legal status of tossed salad and scrambled eggs. (They’re calling again.) 

#3704 Bearly Andrew

June 13, 2022 19:12 - 1 hour - 43.8 MB

A listener stumbles on a sketch that looks like Andrew…or does it? That’s the debate. Plus, Luke’s attempts to return a demolition tool go sideways at Home Depot.

#3703 Ah, That’s My Brain!

June 10, 2022 18:37 - 1 hour - 35.4 MB

Luke got a taste of the sweet new Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me digs last night. And Andrew has a new catch phrase. And scientists are checking their hypotenuses on water consumption for humans.

#3702 A Pyramid Of Nonsense

June 09, 2022 20:06 - 1 hour - 31.8 MB

Luke’s seatmate on his trip to Chicago has him thinking about the world at large, and how he moves through it. Meanwhile, Andrew’s trying to figure out a dang meme and his dang Ticketmaster app, each to no avail.

#3701 The Man In The High Russell

June 08, 2022 19:53 - 1 hour - 43.1 MB

Luke is considering a “dopamine reset”, while Andrew learns that he really got away with something on his recent trip to the King County dump. 

#3700 Mr. Unliiiiiiivable!

June 07, 2022 20:09 - 1 hour - 37.1 MB

Luke and Andrew try to discuss their respective Britta water filters without sounding tooooo fancy. Plus, Luke destroyed part of his home with a mini-hammer yesterday…and he’s just getting started!

#3699 Seize The Bidet

June 06, 2022 18:34 - 1 hour - 41.7 MB

Luke ran a half-marathon that he wasn’t fully prepared for. It went both better and worse than he expected. Plus, Tens of listeners weigh-in on Septic Tank Talk, and Andrew has a new puttering project.

#3698 Don’t Be Careful What You Wish For

June 03, 2022 19:32 - 1 hour - 40.3 MB

Luke picked up the phone to make a difficult phone call today, taking a major step in his own personal growth. Plus, the faceless company that owns the rights to Elvis Presley’s image and likeness is cracking down on Elvis-themed weddings in Vegas.

#3697 Kempting Fate

June 02, 2022 20:27 - 1 hour - 39.6 MB

Luke has a very satisfying adventure with his new septic tank, and Andrew takes a trip to the Shoreline dump, where he was inevitably hollered at. Plus, Luke is puzzled by a couple of homemade bumper stickers, and his cat Bubbles has learned how to fly. 

#3696 There’s A Wrong Way To Right-Size

June 01, 2022 19:29 - 1 hour - 39.6 MB

Luke and Andrew are beguiled by a homemade bumper sticker created by one Walter Burbank. They also discuss the major league baseball player who has an almost comic ability to hit home runs at the exact wrong time.

#3695 The Scootercycle Diaries

May 31, 2022 19:59 - 1 hour - 41.3 MB

Andrew’s drive home from Denver was less uneventful than he had hoped, but he learned a lesson or two along the way. And Luke here’s back from his AirBNB host after sending him a few gentle suggestions for future guests.

#3694 If You Can’t Handle Me At My Ben Gibbard, Then You Don’t Deserve Me At My Bon Iver

May 30, 2022 17:00 - 34 minutes - 15.9 MB

Luke and Andrew wrap-up their adventures in Denver with a final walk-through of their AirBNB and an accidental visit to the Adult Bookstore district. 

#3693 Copyrights And Copywrongs

May 27, 2022 18:29 - 1 hour - 37.6 MB

Luke and Andrew wrap-up this year’s TBTL-a-Thon as Andrew plots-out his trip back home and Luke plots to stay in Denver forever.

#3692 Responsibly Snoozed

May 26, 2022 18:41 - 1 hour - 45.1 MB

Day Four of the TBTL-a-Thon arrives and finds Andrew and Luke oversleeping and trying to trick Enterprise into giving Andrew a new rental car…which was QUITE the adventure.

#3691 Pizza Is My Co-Pilot

May 25, 2022 18:43 - 1 hour - 39.6 MB

Luke and Andrew try to offer the Tens of listeners a distraction from the gut-wrenching news of the day by examining Andrew’ snack choices on his road trip out to Denver this week. They also take calls from listeners who have wifi stories and some amazing kitten advice to share. 

#3690 The Mitsubishi Massage

May 24, 2022 18:48 - 1 hour - 31.2 MB

Andrew celebrates two big technology wins as he and Luke stream the show live from Denver for Day 2 of the TBTL-a-Thon. Plus, Luke jogged past Russell Wilson’s new football home today and felt some feelings.

#3689 There’s Something About The Soul Of A Yaris

May 23, 2022 18:10 - 1 hour - 35.8 MB

Live From Denver! Luke and Andrew kick off TBTL-A-THON 13 with a live-streamed broadcast from their temporary studio. They also try to figure out what drives Andrew’s car-rental decisions and if their AirBNB is owned by a Scientologist. Plus, phone calls! Fun!

#3688 Phyllistrations

May 20, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MB

TBTL Friendo Phyllis “Fletch” Fletcher stops by to talk about her newest journalistic endeavors and to help Luke and Andrew announce the new TBTL-a-Thon donor gifts! 

#3687 You’re On Thin Eggs, Buddy!

May 19, 2022 18:29 - 1 hour - 36 MB

Now Luke’s having TBTL-a-Thon stress dreams, and he’s locked in Kafkaesque a battle with his internet provider. Meanwhile, Andrew shares some fond memories of winters on Lake Winnipesaukee.

#3686 Get A Load Of This Kai

May 18, 2022 20:21 - 1 hour - 50.7 MB

A quick mention of Mike Tyson’s Punch Out becomes anything but quick once Luke discovers a special YouTube video related to the topic. Plus, Andrew is trying to take lessons from his stress dreams as the TBTL-a-Thon approaches. And a kid named Kai got to live his own dream when he was invited to drum with Pearl Jam. 

#3685 Big Clammy Energy

May 17, 2022 19:08 - 1 hour - 33.9 MB

Luke and Andrew wonder which one of them would win if they arm wrestled each other, but they make no plans to do so. They also inexpertly discuss the design flaws of some of the Galactic Empire’s transport vehicles.

#3684 And You Don’t Believe In A Todd?

May 16, 2022 19:30 - 1 hour - 36.6 MB

Luke joins the show from the storied Algonquin Hotel in New York City, where he’s doing his best “Dorothy Parker After A Long Jog” imitation. Meanwhile, Andrew’s anxiety about the upcoming TBTL-a-Thon is reaching new, albeit unjustified, heights.

#3683 Deuterocanonical Deets

May 13, 2022 20:56 - 1 hour - 43.3 MB

Luke and Andrew discuss cats, kittens, Showtime at the Apollo, smokeless tobacco, Baz Luhrmann screeners, TBTL trivia night, cycling, lawnmowers, tractors, Tweety Bird t-shirts, and, of course, the Shroud of Turin.

#3682 The Show, It Makes Us Old

May 12, 2022 20:42 - 1 hour - 34 MB

A quick apology to Luke turns into a half-hour conversation about the viscosity of condiments. Plus, Andrew accidentally found himself embroiled in a home project last night involving something that looks like a little robot head.

#3681 Bagetting The Question

May 11, 2022 19:56 - 1 hour - 42.9 MB

Luke finally brought his new kitten home yesterday, and he’s deeply, madly in love…although it was tough to take her away from her first family. We get all the deets on that, plus, Jon Bon Jovi seems to be losing his voice, and people are concerned.

#3680 You Gonna Finnish That?

May 10, 2022 20:21 - 1 hour - 46.5 MB

Apparently Canadian astronauts are no longer allowed to commit space murder. Plus, Luke’s getting his kitten tonight!

#3679 The Space Noodle

May 09, 2022 19:55 - 1 hour - 33.2 MB

Luke tweeted a photo from the Seattle airport this weekend, and it got the attention of some city leaders. Will Luke be the change he wants to see in the world?

#3678 Dino Night

May 06, 2022 18:28 - 1 hour - 36.9 MB

TBTL Friendo Brendan Francis Newnam hops on the show to talk about his new travel podcast, Not Lost, which includes a fateful trip to Vegas with one Luke Burbank. Plus, Andrew finally opens up about the first time he saw Jurassic Park.

#3677 Whole Glottal Love

May 05, 2022 19:34 - 1 hour - 36.2 MB

Now that The Seattle Sounders are the best soccer team in North America, Luke and Andrew try to jump on the bandwagon. Meanwhile Andrew refuses to hear Luke’s compelling argument as to why he should install a Pickle Ball court at his new house.

#3676 Let’s Turn This Milhouse Into A Milhome

May 04, 2022 19:52 - 1 hour - 32.7 MB

Luke joins Andrew in his new studio for the first time to discuss his serendipitous morning and a chance meeting in the Greenlake neighborhood. Plus, new details are out about the woman who fell down a trail toilet during a hike recently. The details are dazzling.

#3675 I Know What You Were Singing Last Summer

May 03, 2022 19:11 - 1 hour - 32.8 MB

Luke and Andrew deal with a verifiably Bad News Day for America by soaking up some radio sunshine from the Tens of Listeners. Luke joins the show from Stockton, California, which happens to be home to one of TBTL’s youngest fans. He and Andrew also hear from a youthful singing sensation on the TBTL voicemail line.

#3674 A Couple Of Dopes Talking About Soaps!

May 02, 2022 19:10 - 1 hour - 30.1 MB

Luke suffered some DEEP embarrassment at the airport yesterday, but Andrew talks him through it. They also learn about one man’s efforts to recycle gently used bars of soap left behind in hotels.

#3673 Repo Boys Becoming Repo Men

April 29, 2022 20:48 - 1 hour - 42.9 MB

Luke is obsessed with a new TikTok trend that is very difficult to describe, but that doesn’t stop him and Andrew from trying! Plus, Luke’s favorite magazine gets an exclusive interview with the man who was secretly recorded dipping his hot dog into his beer at a Yankees game.

#3672 The Ancient Art Of Belgian Phone Throwing

April 28, 2022 21:51 - 1 hour - 40.9 MB

Something incredible happened to Luke earlier this week, and he didn’t even plan on telling us about it. What the heck? He and Andrew also discuss the story of a woman who called 911 after falling down into an outhouse toilet. 

Guests

Nora McInerny
4 Episodes
Ken Jennings
3 Episodes
Chris Gethard
2 Episodes
Hari Kondabolu
2 Episodes
Bob Newhart
1 Episode
John Hodgman
1 Episode

Books

Thicker Than Water
1 Episode

Twitter Mentions

@chrisfluming 1 Episode
@maxandivan 1 Episode
@rachelwenitsky 1 Episode
@nickciarelli 1 Episode