Gerry Dempsey/Matt Smith - Podcast Details

Shows

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E41 Meditation and living in the momentAre you alive right now? Of course you are, but are you living in the moment? Most of us run around like so many chickens with our heads cut off and the boys wonder why. Join them for a moment of Zen, meditation, and mindfulness. Otis catches a glimpse of his former self through the eyes of a kid enjoying his first Bills game! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-12-1856 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E40 Big Brother is watchingTechnology is ubiquitous. Unfortunately, like our Miranda rights, anything we say or do can be used against us in a court of law or the one of public opinion. The guys discuss the many benefits and pitfalls of our modern technology advancements. Bonus story about how Demps stumbled upon a potential new fetish. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-12-1154 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E39 The outrage over TwitterDid Elon Musk buy Twitter in a boozy, pot fueled fit of hubris? Or is he playing 3D Chess while everyone else plays 52 pickup? Should we follow Sam Harris' lead and ditch Twitter? There is only so much outrage one can handle, so come listen as our guys distill the truth from all the noise. Otis argues online with a bonafide Nazi! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-12-0742 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E38 Side Hustles and the Gig EconomyWhether you are Pete Rose, Minnesota Fats, or used to like going to Studio 54, most people these days have some kind of side hustle. Listen along as Demps realizes he needs to have something to do to stay busy, even if it's just for fun. Otis recounts a time he was asked to be the voice of reason. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-11-2743 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E37 Billszard 2022Find out what happens when seven feet of snow falls on a city in one day! Demps shares his family recipe for frozen snowballs! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-11-2044 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E36 SchadenfreudeDo you enjoy shameful pleasure? "Sign me up!" is what Demps' says. The guys wonder if enjoying the suffering of others is healthy or if it exposes the darker, more sinister side of humanity. The holiday season is upon us and Matt has flashbacks to his "Mickey Rooney" days. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-11-0636 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E35 MinimalismDo you have too much stuff? Is your mind cluttered? Folks, minimalism isn't just for the poor. Join our special guys as they weigh the pros and cons of minimalism in today's society. Otis wonders if keeping up with the "Jones" is a fool's errand and Demps thinks mother nature is a pack rat! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-10-3044 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E34 Cognitive Bias?The Onion says "Stereotypes save time", but is it true that most people go around doing very little thinking and letting our instincts and pre-formed opinions color our thoughts, judgments and decisions? Come find out what the boys have uncovered regarding internal biases and if those same thought processes are being used to manipulate us by the people in charge, whoever they are. Matt confesses he has Sunday scaries! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-10-2351 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E33 What is Stoicism?Are you the strong silent type? Perhaps you wear your heart on your sleeve? Maybe you hate cliches' and just want people to give it to you straight? The boys sit down and discuss what Stoicism is, and how/if people practice it today. This week's episode will resonate with kids of all ages, whether you're a drama queen who overshares or is figuratively crippled by your emotions. Demps learns a new way to say f*ck you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-10-1654 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E32 Stan CultureWhat is Stan Culture? The guys were asked, and they have delivered. Listen along as they break down how a simple fondness for a person or thing can become an obsession and morph into something more sinister like stalking, cyber-bullying, or even murder. On a more positive note, Demps proves that meeting your hero can be an amazing experience. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-10-0949 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E31 No Fun LeagueRemember the days of playing pickup football where all you needed was a Nerf and your buddies? The suits from the NFL and others have managed to extract a lot of the joy we experienced playing sports as kids and replaced it with a corporate thirst for profits. Matt rediscovers his throwing arm while dealing with a local nuisance. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-09-1850 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E30 The Queen is DeadBob Dylan famously wrote "You gotta serve somebody" and with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the boys were inclined to wonder who should be served and what, exactly, should we serve them? Also, Matt asks if the King has ever used duct tape or WD-40. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-09-1143 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E29 Adrenaline Junkies!Do you like to take risks? Most people would say no, only to get into a tin box on wheels to do one of the most dangerous things ever invented by man! The Guys examine why some people live for risk taking, and ponder whether or not it is a mental condition? Also learn how Matt drove a point one time by driving a nail through his heel. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-09-0442 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E28 Cancelling Student DebtNever a borrower or lender be! It's a fact that these words of wisdom are not heeded in today's world. Cancelling, or transferring the massive student loan debt is a hot topic so the fellas decided to pop open the hood and take a look. Demps learns the hard way not to mess with his garage door and leave it to the professionals. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-08-2857 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3E27 Unpopular TakesIf everyone is jumping off a bridge, are you going to? In today's hyperconnected world, we are learning fast that just because something is popular, there is no guarantee it is going to be good. Join the discussion and learn, for example, why today's country music is as bad as your dad's was, but in its own terrible way! Bonus material- Otis never goes number two in public restrooms. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-08-2153 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E26 Remote WorkI love rush hour traffic! Said no one ever. During the pandemic, many of us lucky enough to have jobs were forced to work remotely. Now, we're being harassed to get our buts back in the office and folks are confused as to what the optimal work-life balance should look like. The boys decide to have a look see. Also, Demps fills us in on the reason you have to turn your video camera on manually. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-08-1450 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E25 Bruce Springsteen ticket debacleDo you love seeing live music? We all do but have you seen the price of concerts these days? The guys discuss the outrageous cost of concert tickets as a harbinger of the decline of society. Find out why Otis wishes he was a vampire. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-08-0742 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E24 The American Dream of Home Ownership!Remember when they chanted "Forty acres and a mule!" No, you probably don't and more importantly, why would you care? A large chunk of the American Dream is owning your own home. Join the guys as they try to figure out if there is any value in owning your own home or if being part of "Generation Rent" is a better option! Demps discovers that China doesn't have property taxes! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-07-2445 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E23 What is a Karen?Are you a Karen? We hope not! Seriously, the "Karen" phenomenon has been around for a long time but like all of the worst things about society, the internet and pervasive video have only managed to intensify our disdain for the worst behaviors that humans exemplify. Demps meets a male Karen, or Chad, at a local Starbucks. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-07-1739 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E22 Is Print Dead?Otis and Demps are both avid readers and students of life but they part company on the best way to consume the written word or to quote Otis "carve up the monkey". From junk mail to making copies at the office, Americans waste millions of tons of paper every year with no end in sight. Our guys look for answers on how to turn the tide and be better stewards of planet earth! Demps admits to killing lots of trees while using his body as an amusement park! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show...

2022-07-1039 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E21 BillionairesDo you have a billion dollars? Most of us don't even have a billion doll hairs! Either way, we all know being rich doesn't suck. Our guys get after this one like the early bird getting the worm so take a deep breath for a not so deep dive on why we have mixed emotions about what to do with these people. Also don't tell Demps he is probably a C player! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-07-0347 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E20 Electric VehiclesAre you sick of high gas prices? Of course, but are you prepared to drop fifty thousand bucks on a zero emission electric car? Elon Musk thinks so, but our guys aren't so sure about that. Plug in, take the ride, while the guys discuss things like flying cars, the Simpsons, and the greatest super food ever, the potato. Otis wants to know why electric cars are so darn ugly! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-06-2642 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E19 Driving ourselves crazyPicture yourself flying down the highway without a care in the world. Awesome, right? Now wake up and realize that most of our driving time is wasted getting cut off in traffic and being disrespected in general by our fellow drivers. Have a listen as the guys recount some horrible life experiences of their own while admitting to performing some of the worst driving habits ever exhibited by man. Demps also brags about the time the California Highway Patrol needed a plane to catch him speeding. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-06-1938 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E18 PersonalityAre you Type A? Perhaps you are the other type. Come along for the ride as the guys talk about different types of personalities, why some personality types are better suited for some jobs, and if there is any value in being passive aggressive. Demps considers getting his nipples pierced as well. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-06-1251 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E17 Tort Law and Justice for AllHave you been injured by someone else's negligence? Did you win a big settlement? Donning their figurative seersucker suits, our hosts do their best "Matlock" to unravel the gordian knot that is the litigious nature of life in the USA. Bonus story about a flaming asshole. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-06-0538 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E16 What is inflation?What is inflation? Like death, taxes, and herpes, inflation is never fun, and never goes away. The boys have done the research on this one folks so get comfy, crack a cold one, and listen along as they come to the sad conclusion that inflation, while awful, cannot continue to rise, and will come back to earth eventually. The question is, are you prepared for a crash or a soft landing? Also, Demps considers his connection to Danny DeVito. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-05-2251 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E15 Bucket ListWhy do people waste the present lamenting the past and/or fearing the future? Who cares is a better answer. Life is short, and you could die right now for all you know so listen to the boys wax on about things like travelling to Finland, bungee jumping, and swimming with great white sharks. If you're breathing, it's not too late to start living, even if all you want to do is yell at a grocery clerk about the rotten cheese they sold you. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-05-1443 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E14 War is not art!Are you a peacenik? Aren't we all? The last time we checked the answer was no. Come along for this crossing of the Rubicon, and see what our special guys have to say about why wars suck for everybody, including the rich. Unless, of course, the rich are deceiving us! Make sure to stay to the end for a breakdown of the best/worst songs written about war. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-05-0852 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E14 War is not art!Are you a peacenik? Aren't we all? The last time we checked the answer was no. Come along for this crossing of the Rubicon, and see what our special guys have to say about why wars suck for everybody, including the rich. Unless, of course, the rich are deceiving us! Make sure to stay to the end for a breakdown of the best/worst songs written about war.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-05-0852 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E13 Irish StewThe boys take part in a roundhouse discussion that includes fighting amongst themselves, dealing with the kids, and the value of a big sigh. Demps wonders why his son thinks he is being judgmental! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-05-0245 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E12 Crime and Reward!"Don't do the crime if you can't do the time." A classic phrase repeated to kids everywhere when getting busted for stealing from a convenience store. But do those words ring hollow? Global organized crime is a $5T per year business and Otis and Demps kick the beehive to see what the buzz is all about. Come have a listen, a laugh, and a pause at why the world is rife with crime and if there is anything to be done about it. Stay to the end for a story about Otis' addiction to cheese danish. --- Support...

2022-04-2441 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E11 Are we Free?The pandemic has altered our world in many ways. From actual death caused by the virus, to what Demps calls a mere inconvenience. Join the conversation as the guys consider what freedom is today and how even the definition of the word can be interpreted to mean vastly different things. Also learn why Demps got kicked out of a Buffalo Bills game for exercising his freedom to contract cancer. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-04-1038 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E10 SocialismEveryone dreams of a socialist utopia, yet many are confused by what socialism means. Join our fearless hosts as they parcel out and deconstruct the differences between economic realities and falsehoods being dispensed daily like so many useful placebos! We also find out why Otis has a statue of Leon Trotsky, whose only crime was to dream of a better life. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-04-0349 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E9 Hal Higdon InterviewThe fellas sat down with Hal Higdon, a founding father of the marathon revolution as Demps like to call it. Hal has been a lifetime runner and has competed at the highest levels in the sport. He has written many articles and books about running and contributed to Runner's World Magazine. His work has inspired, motivated, and taught millions of everyday folks the benefits of getting out on the road and just running for the fun of it. Also Demps talks about the time he had plantar fasciitis! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show...

2022-03-2735 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E8 CommunityHave you ever asked yourself who puts the "you" in community? Life is about many things, and one of those things is dealing with other people. Take a ride with the guys down Good Intentions road as they get technical about what it means to be a part of a community, and if it's worth the trouble. Demps also explains what a litmus test is. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-03-2036 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E7 Is honesty the best policy?Everyone lies. Just ask Snopes. Otis and Demps confess that lying was key to their survival growing up, and while they prefer to be lied to most of the time, they ponder whether the truth sets any of us free. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-03-1433 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E6 GamblingDo you love to win and hate to lose? Who doesn't? The fact that any of us are alive right now has been a giant crap shoot when you think about the odds. Come join the boys as they weave through the seedy and lucrative world of gambling from street bookies, to Native American casinos to the likes of Dave Portnoy and online sports betting, they cover it all. Make sure you listen to the part where they poke fun at the only casino owner who lost bigly, which is hard to do when the fix is in. ...

2022-03-0628 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E5 Why do we love to argue and fight?They say if everyone you meet is an asshole, you may be the asshole. Come listen to the guys NOT argue about why it seems more interesting to fight and argue with each other instead of just getting along! Added bonus; Demps almost admits he has a Napoleon complex. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-02-2038 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E4 Are you a Narcissist?Everyone on the planet seems to agree that Donald Trump is a narcissist. But let's be honest, most of us barely understand the condition and are hardly qualified to diagnose it in others. Join us as we take a look at this very popular and ugly personality disorder and break down what it means, and if we posses any of the tendencies of this crippling affliction. You may just end up finding some empathy for the Orange Cheeto! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-02-1350 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E3 Finding balance thru Martial ArtsAre you humble? Would you like to be humbled? Join the guys this week with special guest Rich Brzezinski. Rich is an old pal of Demps' who manages his busy schedule with self-discipline and jiu-jitsu. Make sure to listen to the part where Otis recounts his battle with a rare form of vertigo! Not the U2 song, either. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-02-0636 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E2 Being your own bossYou're not the boss of me! A phrase we've all screamed at someone at some point in our lives, but the question remains: who is your boss? Teresa Dempsey joins the guys to discuss entrepreneurship and what it takes to follow your passion and strike out on your own. Stay until the end to find out why pigs are committed to you enjoying your breakfast! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-01-3044 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S3 E1 Is science fiction?Do you follow the science? Of course you do, but when is science fiction and when does fiction become science? The good news is no one knows and if you think you do, you're probably wearing a tin foil hat! Strap in, hold on for dear life while our favorite smart guys attempt to boil the ocean on this very deep topic. We also find out if Otis whupped his dad's butt. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-01-2345 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2 E26 Second ActsDo you love your job? Do you even like it? For most of us, asking these questions is a moot point because we don't think we have a choice. Join Otis and Demps as they speak candidly about what their next moves are going to be as they ease into semi-retirement and ponder the importance of hobbies and other interests outside of work. Make sure you catch the part where Otis expresses gratitude to the folks who allowed him to be himself! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-01-1639 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2 E25 Rites of PassageIf we're lucky, we get to grow old and die, but do any of us grow up? Otis and Demps explore the history of maturity and how diverse cultures throughout time have marked the passage from youth to adulthood, from the pedestrian to the unbelievably bizarre! Also find out if Demps really made his kid stand on a fire-ant mound to prove his toughness. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2022-01-0929 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2 E24 What do we know about Death?Everybody gotta die sometime, right? We sure do, but life is for living. Christmas is a time for giving gifts and getting into fights but on a deeper level we take the deadest time of the year, winter, to celebrate the best thing in the world, which is life! Come join the fun as Otis shares his darkest fears about death and Demps' only fear is that he has a drink before meeting his maker! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-12-3041 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2 E23 Why we love Slang words!Do you speak slang? Sure, but whose? Otis and Gerry cut through all the jargon, red tape, and/or minutia and end up having a big glow up at the end. Bonus story about the time Matt took a bath with his dog! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-12-1739 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2 E 22 Holiday TraditionsDo you love holiday traditions? Most of us do and shockingly, the fact that we do may be a sign that we're all insane. Have a listen to Otis and Demps slog through the meaning behind some of our most treasured practices, why they are important, kind of dumb, and why you should never go into the bathroom when Krampus is around. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-12-1039 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2 E21 Nature versus NurtureAre you a product of your environment or did you come from the factory the way you are? Come explore this complex and interesting topic with our hosts and discover why shavings make a pile, whether that pile comes from beard clippings or a hunk of cheese. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-12-0338 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2 E20 Role ModelsAre you a role model? For better or worse the answer is yes. Join the fellas for a captivating look at how society loves putting people on pedestals and of course, knocking them down. Stay till the end to find out what happens when you head butt a tree. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-11-2934 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E19 The Peace with DrugsDo you take drugs? Maybe you're just high on life. Yeah sure you are! Please join our resident mad men as they do their best to figure out where America will go next with our relationship with drugs. Matt questions why we all just can't get along and laugh insanely when we are in excruciating pain like he did when he broke a bunch of bones one time. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-11-1938 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2, E18 What is hubris?Do you like fancy words? Hubris is one of those words that sounds as funny as the people who put it to use. Come listen to the boys make fun of themselves while being introspective. Also find out why the largest purchase most people will ever make in their life can suck. (Note-Minor technical difficulties). --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-11-1735 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E17 Conspiracy TheoriesDid you know there are people who don't believe in dinosaurs? Yep, it's true. Conspiracy theories have been around since Eve fed Adam the poison apple (or did she?). Join in as the guys wade into the murky waters of their favorite conspiracy theories like QAnon. Are these theories based in reality? Sure, they are, just like Demps' dream where he may have had a non-consensual encounter with an octopus. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-11-0835 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E16- Is College worth it? Part IIWe've all heard the phrase, "buy the ticket, take the ride!" But is the ride worth the price of the ticket? Come listen in to part two in our series about whether or not college is worth is or is there a better way to spend those precious salad days! Make sure you listen to Demps tell us why its a bad idea to pass out drunk before attending RA training. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-11-0239 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E15 The College Dilemma Part 1Is college worth it? A hotly debated topic these days and when you look at the cost of getting a four year degree, you have to ask yourself exactly just what you're getting for your money and what the return is on your investment. Join the guys for part one of their two part series where they shed their clown masks to take a semi-serious look at the state of higher learning and question whether or not college is worth the cost and what other career choices are out there. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

2021-10-2635 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E14 Why we despise salespeople.Is today a great day for you to buy a car? Of course it is! Folks, none of us like being separated from our money, yet we are constantly bombarded by sales pitches everyday and made to fear we are missing out on that next great deal. Don’t fall for that nonsense! Instead, listen to our lovable fools wax fondly about being trusted advisors and selling value. We also get to listen to Otis relive his glory days as a door-to-door insurance salesman! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-10-1738 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E13 Fight or Flight?According to experts, humans are the most domesticated of all the animals. Our collective unconscious, or instinct, is always at work keeping us safe, albeit mostly from ourselves. Come join the fun and learn how Otis and Demps fought their way out of the warzone known as suburbia only to parachute back in to become the faithful guardians of their respective families. Also get an update on Otis' win/loss record in the savage world of "bum fighting." --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-10-0833 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E12 Why people crave fameAndy Warhol famously said "In the future, everyone will be world famous for fifteen minutes." If you take him at face value, you have to consider the fact that if everyone is famous, fame loses relevance, right? Join the fellas as they slog through the swamp of what it means to be famous and why regular folks would even care about fame! Also hear Demps' drunken tale about stealing the mike from Dave Rubin at a Jordan Peterson event! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-10-0133 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E11 Learn, Experience, Teach!The experts say it takes ten thousand hours of practice to master something. If that is true, Demps has mastered the art of being a pain in the ass! Join our "experts" as they venture unprepared into the jungle of how people learn, experience and teach as part of the human condition. Make sure you stay till the end as they boys talk about a real world time "portal" that will leave you questioning your own existence! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-09-2536 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E10 When is it ok to mock people?No one knows where or how the insult industry was born, but the fellas are certain it’s here to stay. Pull up a stool as Matt & Gerry take a very serious look at why we make fun of people as a way to show affection or make us feel better about ourselves. And in Gerry's case, being mocked was a literal shit show, thanks to his dad who forced him to shove his arm into the clogged pipes of his family’s home. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-09-1829 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E9 What it means to be WiseAre you wise? If you're reading this we’re going to assume you aren't, but there is still hope for you. Unlike knowledge or education, wisdom is something you can only gain through living, including painful experiences and making a metric ton of mistakes. Pull up a sofa, or davenport as the old folks used to call them, and listen along as our boys take a swipe at what it means to be wise. Make sure you stay till the end so you can hear Gerry's awful account of how it cost him twenty dollars to remain sober one ev...

2021-09-1140 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E8 Guilty as charged!Are you a sinner? Of course you are. According to the bible, even a sweet, innocent, beautiful newborn baby is guilty right out of the gate! Lets face it, we are all guilty of using the power of guilt and or shame to fuck people up whether justified or not. How come? Because it works. The boys have way too much fun confessing their own sins and laughing at the world of guilt while still admiring the utility of this very misunderstood and frequently abused emotion! I would guilt you into listening but that would be so wrong! ...

2021-08-2831 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E7 Is it smart to be dumb?How dumb are you? A phrase uttered by many a parent, teacher, spouse and cop. Of course we're all dumb at times but thankfully even a broken clock is right twice a day. Grab a drink and pretend you're sitting at the bar with Demps and Otis as they address the age old question: "Is any of us dumber than all of us?" Added bonus: Demps discovers the Ancient Greeks actually had a god of stupidity! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-08-2131 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2, E6 There is no God!Do you believe in a higher power? Are you a snake handler? According to most internet searches, about 70 percent of people believe in some kind of "man in the sky" to whom we all answer. Atheists in the US comprise 2.4 percent of the total population. But what our guys found odd thru research was that most intellectual leaders who identify as Atheist spend their days mocking and denigrating the various religions of the world. Come along for a thoughtful review of this "non" religious belief system. And stay to the end to find out what the hell a God...

2021-08-1032 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2 E5 Are you the devil's friend?Folks, Otis and Demps are trying hard to understand this whole devil concept. Join them for a lighter look at the darker side of life. Stay to the end as Otis waxes on and off about the boys of summer. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-08-0432 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E4 Is it ok to complain?Are you a chronic whiner? How come? Listen, everyone complains and our guys are no different. Sit back, relax and listen as our boys weigh the value and cost of complaining, and if it does any good. They delve into the emotional justification for what experts call "catharsis" while Demps ponders why such a word was even invented. We also learn that Otis' spawn is an expert in European football and uses that expertise to complain at a much higher level than you can. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-07-2228 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E3 Artificial Intelligence, friend or foe?What in hell's creation is artificial intelligence? Let's face it, no one even knows what organic intelligence is but since our guys are fearless, lets join them as they dive head first into the shallow end of the pool! Like skipping stones across the water that go further without getting too deep, Demps and Otis give a very high level review of what AI is, the potential benefits of it, as well as the dark side. Stay to the end where Demps contemplates a movie where there are sexy robots all around and an altercation with an AI check-out...

2021-07-1827 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E2 Does Altruism exist?Let's face it folks, for the most part, we are all coin operated meat puppets. While the word altruism sounds nice, the guys are questioning if being kind just for the sake of being kind even exists today. Come hang out and listen to our ardent hosts serve up a helping of selfishness, greed, and humble bragging disguised as kindness. Also listen to Demps consider why his dad, after bringing eleven kids into the world, never ran away and joined the circus! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-07-1029 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room S2,E1 The Anti-hero ParadoxBreaking rules can be fun, but how do you know which ones to break and for what reasons? In a follow up segment to why people break their own rules and look like hypocrites, the guys navigate this gauntlet of cactus and broken glass trying to extract wisdom from a stone. We learn from science that all animals are hard wired to imitate each other and follow rules. Humans, however are the only living thing that can imagine a world without us in it, so how should we be spending our time? As Demps says, we should be having...

2021-07-0326 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #31 Are we all hypocrites?When we are kids we're taught to follow rules. Somewhere along the line, if we're smart enough, we figure out which rules apply to you and which ones are for all the other "suckers"! Come have a seat at the bar with the guys as they discuss why everyone seems to be a hypocrite these days and why only parents have earned the right to be a hypocrite. Also get a strange glimpse into the abyss of Demps' mind as he conjures his spirit animal! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-06-2735 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #30 We are one tribe!Why is America so divided? Whatever happened to rugged individualism? And since when did the open exchange of differing opinions and ideas suddenly become taboo in the Land of the Free? The boys dive into the Viper’s Nest, go off the rails and ask: “What would Gerry do?” Join us! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-06-2046 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #29 Eat the Rich!?It's quite fashionable to hate rich people. Even if you're a millionaire, you can still loathe those awful billionaires and for some, they deserve to be reviled. Money is the root of all evil, so let Otis and Demps take yours if only to save you from evil itself. Seriously, give a listen to the discussion and have a laugh on the guys' dime as they explore the runaway American dream of getting rich and living like there's no tomorrow. As the Stoics preached; "Memento Mori" which, if you know Latin like Otis does, is a reminder that we...

2021-06-1136 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #28 Addicted to Sports!Every kid has fond memories of getting their ass kicked in sports one way or another. Were you aware that the art of playing is hard-wired into all animals, including humans? I bet you do now! Join the guys as they playfully discuss people's obsession with pro sports, the art of play, and what can go wrong when we take things to far. Be sure to listen to the end where Otis discusses outfoxing a fox. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-06-0534 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #27 Cancel Culture & Comedy!When can we cancel "cancel culture"? Haven't we all had enough of this exhaustive and disturbing social experiment? Our team is joined today by veteran journalist and stand-up comic, Rob Gavin. Rob, known for his reporting on the NXIVM Cult, dives deep into the serious business of being funny for a living. Listen as the guys consider if the whole cancel culture in comedy is more of a witch hunt that the actual Salem trials. As Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote in "Young Goodman Brown", "the fiend in his own shape is less hideous than when he rages in the breast...

2021-05-2943 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #26 Social Media breakdownDo you recall MySpace? Well ok, boomer! Just kidding. Social media appeared on the "scene" in the early 2000's and what started as a fun way to share pictures and stories with family and friends has become a Jeckyl and Hyde scenario with respect to the ways social media is used. People use it for eveything from sharing cat videos and tender moments to threatening violence and spreading fake news. Once again, we are reminded of the danger of unintended consequences. We also find out about Matt's private coffee mug collection, so give a listen and leave us you...

2021-05-2436 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #25 Is Music truth?Who doesn't love rocking out to your favorite tune as you're flooring your bitchin' Camaro down the highway? Music is as essential to humanity as water and air are to life itself. Please join us and have a listen as the boys delve into the world of music and touch on how the soundtracks of our lives energize, comfort, or even make us wonder how a band as sucky as the "Eagles" have become an iconic part of the fabric of "Merika, as Otis likes to say. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey...

2021-05-1640 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #24 In DOGE we trust!What is DOGE coin? Well, if you have some spare change in a couch cushion you may want to open a Robinhood account right now and start buying it up. Investing in cryptocurrencies like DOGE is the latest rage and possibly the future according to some, while others consider it snake oil and even an existential threat to world order! Our hosts scratch the surface and discuss DOGE, why SNL is so bad even when we want them to succeed and why Elon Musk refuses to stick to what he is good at, which seems to be smoking weed...

2021-05-1239 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #23 Pet Mania!What's more American than owning a pet? We don't know so the boys sought out and found a Canadian to answer this question. Kara Fernstrom, host of "The Conquest of Bliss" and resident of the Great White North joins our favorite idiots and does a tremendous job "herding the cats" as they say. Join along for the fun and some more serious conversations about how a dog saved Demps' life, whether a black cat is truly thinking about murder as it forces you to pet it, and why the phuck did Otis have 20 cats at one point in his...

2021-05-0842 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #22 The Disney Experience!Where is the happiest place on earth? If you said Disney, there may be something wrong with you. Walt Disney is dead but his dream lives on and for some of us, it's more of a nightmare. Both Otis and Demps have done their time at the Magic Kingdom and the results are in. Come take a listen as they dissect the good, the bad the and phucked-up nature of one of America's strangest obsessions. The best part is, it won't cost you four months' salary! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-05-0131 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #17 Are self help books any help?Why do I need help if I'm supposed to help myself? Sounds counterintuitive but Americans spent $11B in 2018 on the self-help industry. From books to seminars to motivational speakers that live in vans down by the river, people need, and are always looking for something. We humans are odd in that we always want more. Otis and Demps break the mold. Not only are they satisfied with having less, they seem to find comfort in having and doing less. They enjoy the fact that they have peaked in life and the view going downhill isn't so bad. The net...

2021-04-2833 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #21 Should a grown man wear shorts?Who doesn't love wearing shorts? Demps was shocked to discover a subculture of humans called "Never shorts" (cleverly enough) that walk amongst us and are almost exclusively men. The guys are joined with shorts enthusiast and brother of Otis, Joe3 as they take a closer look at this mysterious group of fashionistas. We all can agree that shorts on men at the office can, and should get you a "talking to" from Human Resources, but what about the times where it may be unclear as to whether shorts are appropriate or not. This episode is must for all folks...

2021-04-2434 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #20 What's the deal with Religion?Have you ever wished you were a cult leader? Maybe you are one. There are over 10,000 identified religions in the world and the guys are wondering who has it right!? Come join the insanity as Otis and Demps take a light-hearted look at some of the weird religions out there (spoiler alert, they're all kind of strange) and why they exist. From worshiping the sun and handling a snake, to examining some of the worst things people do in the name of their creator, the guys leave a lot of stones unturned but find some gold under the ones...

2021-04-1841 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #19- Interview with "Partial Credit" host, Lucas DanielsOtis and Demps are joined by Lucas Daniels, host of "Partial Credit". A podcast about the things you didn't learn in school that if you had, you may have not wanted to skip class as often as you did! Lucas has a special way of making learning fun with his co-host, or partner in crime, Lily. Lucas and the guys cover some interesting ground and go from homesteading to exorcism, from Nicola Tesla to Dorothy Parker, and many points in-between. How people consume learning has changed a ton since these guys were in school but as students of life, t...

2021-04-1030 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #18- The boy who cried "mountain cat"!Have you ever told a fib to make a story interesting? Of course you have. It's called artistic licensing! Have you ever had that friend who will attempt to ruin your perfectly awesome and entertaining story with their very boring facts? Yes, you have. For all we know, you may be that friend. The boys are joined with another lifelong pal and Cross-Fit enthusiast, Brian Frawley. Come along as we journey back to Lake Tahoe where Demps had a very close encounter with either a wolf or perhaps a bobcat. It may have even been the mythical Chupacabra because...

2021-04-0327 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #17-The Irony of Self-helpWhy do I need help if I'm supposed to help myself? Sounds counterintuitive but Americans spent $11B in 2018 on the self-help industry. From books to seminars to motivational speakers that live in vans down by the river, people need, and are always looking for something. We humans are odd in that we always want more. Otis and Demps break the mold. Not only are they satisfied with having less, they seem to find comfort in having and doing less. They enjoy the fact that they have peaked in life and the view going downhill isn't so bad. The net...

2021-03-2633 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #16-What is Americana?What the hell is Americana? Is it the food? The music? The sports? Or is it a state of mind; the desire to connect with one another on a personal level? The guys explore the background of Americana, reminisce about their own experiences and ponder about how Americana has shaped the lives of all of us, not just here in the States, but across the globe. We end up right back where we started. Home. And whether you're Tom Morello doing the Boss doing Steinbeck or you're Dorothy from Kansas, we all know there is no place like home.

2021-03-2034 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #15- On giving and receiving AdviceIn today's world, advice is dispensed like LSD at a Grateful Dead show. Why? Do people even follow their own advice? Do they eat their own cooking? Our esteemed colleagues go deep on this one and end up in the weeds as usual. Poking around as only they can do at some of the best and worst advice they've been given, things they have found useful in life, and the caution they employ when it comes time for them to dole out advice to earnest younger folks looking to gain an edge in life. Give this one a listen...

2021-03-1232 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room #14 What does being Smart mean?Have you ever heard someone tell you how smart they are? They usually have to since you’d never know by listening to them talk. Our fearless hosts peel back the proverbial onion and take a look at what being smart is and if you make the cut. Whether you are street smart, book smart or just want to look smart, come have a laugh with the guys and remember none of us is as dumb as all of us! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-03-0628 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room The Quest for Fun!Our boys are self-admittedly not the smartest people you’ll ever meet. So what? Who cares? One thing Gerry and Matt share in common is their love of a fun time. You’d think this is a universal commonality, but is it? How many people do you know that are the absence of fun? We live in a world of big data, analytics and enough math to make you puke, so why shouldn’t we measure how much fun we have? We should, gosh-dang it! Come hang with the lads and get in on the fun they are having but do...

2021-03-0626 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room The Importance of NicknamesDid you have a nickname growing up? Did you earn it? Did you grow into it? Were you one of those people who gave yourself your own nickname? Tell the truth, we won't judge (too much anyway). Back in day, kids like Matt and Gerry loved nicknames and viewed them as a term of endearment. To receive one (think Animal House), could be an honor and a curse. The guys discuss and reminisce about some of their favorite sobriquet's folks have used to describe them over the years. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show...

2021-02-1926 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room Awful Job Interviews OneEveryone at some point has had to interview for a job. Do they all suck? Of course they do. Some of us have had to conduct interviews with prospective candidates. Which side of that coin sucks the worst? Aren't job interviews tedious? Don't expect any answers from us. Matt and Gerry ponder why this process is still such an awkward experience, and ultimately wonder why we should give any phuxx at all. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-02-1334 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room Figuring out FatherhoodEveryone has stories about how they were raised. There are good, bad, and just plain weird things that happen to everyone. Gerry and Matt take a look at how they were raised as kids, what they’re doing different, and questioning the whether having a “parenting plan” even makes sense in today’s world. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-02-0838 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room Lazy is the new busy.Do you need a couch day? Of course you do. Let’s face it folks, being lazy is instant gratification. In a world of over-promising and under-delivering, Gerry and Matt have once more, knocked it(whatever it is) out of the park. Their ground-breaking and thoughtful analysis of what the Scandinavians call Niksen, the art of doing nothing, will not just smack you in the face, it will literally make you run for the nearest sofa. Why does being lazy get a bad rap? We don’t know, and are, as you guessed it, are too lazy to figure it o...

2021-02-0345 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room The Sex talk...Sex is, for lack of a better term, a paradox. Now the boys don't like to use big words like paradox, but lets face it, sex is something we do a lot (if we're lucky), and refrain from talking about at all costs. From "I don't kiss and tell" to watching your dad wince as he tries desperately to avoid having the "talk", Matt and Gerry decipher why sex is such an awkward topic. They have an uncanny ability to not just address the elephant in the room, but stare him down as he uses a blow-dryer on his...

2021-01-3046 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room Time for a drink!It's a simple known fact that our guys like to have a drink, unwind and have some fun. Our episode today takes us through some of the best bar stories we have, as well as a history of how Gerry and Matt began their love affair with alcohol. Share the laughs as well as some tips on where to get a great drink and meet some friends whether you're in NYC, Albany, or San Francisco. Get yourself one of your own favorites as you relax and let the guys do the talking. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters...

2021-01-2646 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room Death, Taxes & Pushups with Ted SkupAre you tired of being soft? Are you sick of expensive gyms? Author Ted Skup joins the guys today to share his story of how logging almost fifteen millions pushups has shaped his body and his life. In "Death, Taxes, & Pushups", Ted chronicles how he begins every day with a thousand pushups, and how that one habit has changed his entire life. He also shares great stories about competitive dancing and living the good life. Ted possesses a positive attitude that is absolutely contagious. He is an inspiration to us all so come have a listen, do some pushups...

2021-01-1933 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room Terrible Jobs!Unless you are a trust-fund baby, you have had to work at least one menial, entry-level job that you will always remember. Was it Mc Donald’s? It may have been working for your pops at his place of business? Maybe you were the much-maligned resident assistant at your college, selling out your fellow students for free room and board? Lets face it, most jobs suck ass, which is why we get paid to do them. The guys have had their fair share of awful jobs where they toiled away building their “brand” as we call it today! Join Matt a...

2021-01-1650 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room Corporate America, devil or angel?Matt and Gerry take a oversimplified look at the modern corporation. A topic way over both of our heads, we fearlessly attack this subject with all our combined brain power! Gerry spent some of the best years of his life serving his masters at several huge corporations, making a pile from the shavings while Matt has assembled an amazing lifetime of experience reporting, analyzing and interpreting how our institutions like business, government and even the bible influence our daily lives. What can or should we do about it? We don’t know but we do our best to make ou...

2021-01-1046 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room The fight against being a fatty!Being a fatty is no joke. Both Matt and Demps have been up and down the dial with respect to weight gain, weight loss and the constant pursuit of great tasting food that won't leave you looking like a couple o' hundred pounds of chewed bubblegum. We all love food, sometimes a bit too much. Join our hosts as they explore the human experience with food. From the junk food mecca that is Buffalo, to why pizza sucks in Albany and Raleigh-Durham! We ask the questions, and wait for you to come up with the answers. There is more...

2021-01-0832 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room Maiden Podcast-Breaking down the Jordan B Peterson phenomenonGerry and his pal Matt “Otis” Smith attempt to understand the “Jordan Peterson” phenomenon. A therapist and professor of psychology, Dr. Peterson has spent most of his career toiling away in relative obscurity. His rise to fame has captured the attention of the world. Canonized by some as a new-age hero while being vilified by others for some “dangerous” opinions and commentary, the guys discuss the “phenom” and try to decipher what’s real, what’s BS, and if they should even care. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-01-0342 min

The Smartest Guy in the Room Fitness is a journeyThe guys are no spring chickens but love keeping in shape regards of what that shape is. Gerry has completed three full marathons in his lifetime while Matt still competes in powerlifting just because he likes it. They talk about their own personal relationship with fitness, what keeps them motivated, and they take a brief look at the latest fitness trends. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gerry-dempsey/support

2021-01-0225 min