Remember Being a Herb? (with Simon O'Connor of Modest Mouse)

On this episode of the podcast, Vanessa and Jonah are joined by musician Andrew McMahon (Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin) to discuss how he defied the odds and instead of quitting piano lessons like we did, became a professional musician who wheeled a sticker-covered piano onto the stage of the Warped Tour and has became a well-respected musician who admittedly never really uses music theory. Vanessa and Andrew also finally reconcile a long-standing dispute about Andrew not emailing her back when she reached out to him as a complete stranger to talk about their shared cancer diagnosis and Jonah admits that he recently pulled a similar move when he was diagnosed with his own type of leukemia in 2019. We also play a special version of CEO TAKEDOWN: SOMETHING CORPORATE edition where we debate the Ok Go/Post Cereal controversy, the "Pepsi, Where's My Jet?" documentary and our complicated thoughts about A&W Root Beer's mascot. Be sure to check out Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness' new album "Tilt At The Wind No More" when it comes out on March 31st, just don't email him to tell him your thoughts because he probably won't write you back! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Feb 20231h 9min

For our first ever in-person podcast, this week Jonah and Vanessa are joined by a bonafide musical and pop-culture legend: "Weird Al" Yankovic! Vanessa runs her own song parodies from college by our guest today to get his feedback, we dig deep into the history of Weird Al's favorite cereal and present him with a very special gift. Along the way we also talk about his favorite cartoons from growing up, his tour rider snack situation and what goes through his mind when he's onstage singing his hit song parodies to audiences all over the world. Finally we play a game of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we get everyone's take on the return of mood rings, Pizza Hut's New Yorker pizza and Vienetta Ice Cream. You've heard plenty of interviews with Weird Al before but has anyone else asked him about Black Flag or Kudos bars? Terry Gross look out, we're coming from your job! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Jan 20231h 6min

This week on the podcast, Jonah and Vanessa are back with another one-on-one episode to stage an in-depth discussion of Guns N' Roses' classic nineties video trilogy of "Don't Cry," "November Rain" and "Estranged." In the process Jonah recalls the time their mom took him to see Guns N' Roses with Skid Row in 1991 on the "Use Your Illusion Tour" (where he used dried blood as a fashion accessory), Vanessa's childhood fascination with Stephanie Seymour and, seriously, what was the deal with that dolphin? We also discuss the time that Jonah interviewed Slash, our favorite moments from the aforementioned videos and the time the Bayer kids saw GNR together in Cleveland in 2006 and were kicked out of the backstage area just moments before the band took the stage. Judging by this timeline we are overdue to see the band again soon, so if any of the members are listening to this podcast please feel free to reach out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Jan 202358min

This week on the podcast we are joined by our friend, musician Rachael Cantu! Rachael stopped by the podcast to talk about how she has a lot in common with both of the Bayers. Among other topics we discuss our mutual friendship with the vastly underrated band Limbeck, message board culture, our "bad kid" moments as teenagers (straight-edge kids can be a bad influence, too) and the time Jonah missed seeing Sublime at a tiny club in Cleveland because of his weeknight curfew. We also dig deep into our favorite movie soundtracks ranging from Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" to "Empire Records" and Vanessa gives her take on what we'll call "Sugar Ray fan mentality." Finally we play a round of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we tackle deep dish pizza chips, the Frasier reboot and the return of McDonald's Peppermint Mocha coffee drink. If you're not content listening to all this incredible content, frankly we don't know what to tell you! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Jan 20231h

On this week's episode the Bayers welcome the hilarious, sweet and immensely talented Sam Richardson! Listen to Sam and Vanessa reminisce on their Chicago comedy days and try their best to breakdown popular improv form The Harold. Plus, they improvise what Jonah's dream was last night! They also talk nostalgic action-packed shows from Thundercats to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and how Sam is always ready to morph into a Power Ranger the instant they need him. Whether you're on the planet Rafcon, Thundera, or Earth, this wildly funny episode is a must-listen!!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Jan 20231h 3min

On this week's episode the Bayers welcome the bestselling author, writer, actor and most importantly friend, Jessi Klein! They're talking local papers and the rare honor of being featured in them, and Jessi reveals her guest starring role on Sesame Street as the winner of her school's spelling bee! Also, the trio discuss the ongoing mystery of how ice cream is made aside from in the ice cream machine that always sabotages people on cooking shows, as well as the mystique of the Snoopy Sno-Cone machine. And speaking of toys, they also ask the age-old question: has anyone ever gotten a rock tumbler to work? Plus, they talk about the early nineties fixation with American flag etiquette and how Jonah really didn't care for it, and they brainstorm some pretty epic ideas for seasonal flags. Check it out!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Jan 202349min

Vanessa and Jonah wish you all a Happy Holidays and listen to one of their favorite episodes with dear friend of the pod, Beck Bennett. Please rate and review the show on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-did-we-get-weird-with-vanessa-bayer-and-jonah-bayer/id1586365658 -- In this seminal episode, Jonah and Vanessa sit down with the incomparable Beck Bennett (Saturday Night Live) to discuss his love for Lean Pockets and other cultural touchstones from the past. They also delve into the infamous lore that Jonah and Vanessa's dad is, in fact, the first person to ever be named "Todd." Spoiler alert: Vanessa is a great wedding guest and she just might come to your party if you invite her.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Des 20221h 6min

This week on the podcast we are joined by the Bayers' longtime friend, solo artist and the frontman of the band Motion City Soundtrack, Justin Courtney Pierre, to reminisce about CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE books. We discuss why this book series was the most interactive entertainment a kid could find in the 1980s and how it encouraged creativity in a way we didn't fully comprehend at the time. Along the way we dig into formative childhood memories, why Jonah rebelled against pencil grips to write in a way that has never once interfered with his life and Vanessa's guess-and-check chemistry class controversy that has led her on a decades-long campaign against a certain high-school teacher's reasoning. We dig deep into the new Dunkin Donuts' inferior new rewards program on a segment called CONGRATULATIONS, YOU PLAYED YOURSELF and explore how corporate profits and diluted coffee go down even smoother than a Peanut Butter Cup latte. We also talk CEO culture, frequent flyer point strategies and the slippery slope of stoichiometry. If you're looking for a podcast where the coefficient equals tons of laughs plus psychological insights, you've come to the right place. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Des 202258min