Shows
The Perfect ShowFive Dollar Couch - Part OneThis month Scot turns his sights to a couch he got in college for only five dollars. Why was this so huge and how can we get from pleasant memories about a couch to a quest to make music? It's since AI music has become much more common that Scot now needs to be a little more self-sufficient in his music sourcing needs. To be more sure of it all being sometimes significantly flawed human creation. Join Scot on a fraught-filled path that brings him in contact with a whip salesman, an...
2025-10-2850 min
The Perfect ShowSuperman In 3 PiecesThis is an episode all about Superman, told through the lens of three different pieces of art. Scot picked 3 pieces that have been really special to him and others over the years, and talks about them and what makes them such good representations of the things that make Superman so special. Scot looks at a page from All Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, a page of Superman For All Seasons by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, and a Superman sketch by Chris Samnee. Scot talks Superman through comics, al...
2025-08-0552 min
The Perfect ShowSeason 3 Trailer - The Perfect ShowAfter an extended break The Perfect Show is back! Here's a trailer for the upcoming season: https://perfectshowpodcast.com/ Transcript: Hi, I'm Scot Maupin, and welcome to The Perfect Show - where in a series of very much unperfect episodes, I bring you the story of one thing I've flagged as a perfect object or experience from my life. I tell you about it, we explore what makes it so special, and then I try to recreate it in some way in the present, and hopefully fall down some weird rabbit holes along...
2025-02-1901 min
Solutions From The MultiverseSolving Hiring Prejudice: Make Educational Attainment a Protected Class | SFM E90Send a textCould your diploma be silently sabotaging your job prospects? This week we're tearing down the ivory towers of higher education, proposing a radical shift in hiring practices that could ignite a firestorm of debate. Buckle up as we examine the prospect of educational attainment as a protected category, challenging employers to value skills and achievements over the name of your university. Our conversation spans the potential upheaval of prestigious institutions' business models to the real implications of meritocracy versus privilege in the job market. We're not shying away from the tough questions: Is an...
2024-04-3035 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Sugar Cravings: The Quest for a Sweet-Free Life | SFM E89Send a textEver wondered if Venus, the goddess of love, could catch waves on her iconic shell? We've got that covered, and much more, in a whimsical journey through art and the lighter side of life's curiosities. Our banter takes us from the strokes of Botticelli's brush to the pressing question of why our toothpaste tastes so darn sweet. We'll share laughs and insights, exploring how the classics influence our modern hobbies, and even venture into the trial and tribulations of concocting homemade toothpaste – because who doesn't want a little DIY in their dental routine?
2024-04-2534 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Zoochosis: Introducing Zootopia | SFM E88Send a textLet's kick things off with a bit of unexpected whimsy as Tsunami Jake sends us down a rabbit hole of prison reform, sports, and the colorful world of mascots. It's 'The Longest Yard' meets real life, and you won't want to miss the laughs and insights. But it's not all jest; we segue into the significant topic of plummeting birth rates, picking apart Ezra Klein's take and offering our own solutions from a previous episode that champions accelerated education and women's empowerment. And for those craving some cuteness overload, our live bunny cat cam...
2024-04-0947 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Opioid Abuse: Bike Lanes to Fix Back Pains with Bedford Williamson | SFM E87Send a textEver found yourself questioning the quirky blend of senses known as synesthesia or wondering how a simple car accident could spiral into an opioid addiction? We've roped in Bedford Williamson, a cherished voice on our show for the third time, to tease apart these intricate topics with us. Our lively banter soon gives way to a deep dive into how our daily commutes and healthcare decisions could be inadvertently fueling a public health crisis. We're pulling back the curtain on the opaque links between transportation, chronic pain, and the surge in opioid dependencies, urging...
2024-04-0240 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Movies: Songs In All Films with Bedford Williamson | SFM E86Send a textEver ponder why our feline friends emit those curious chirps when eyeing birds through the window? We kick off with a whimsical discussion about these endearingly odd behaviors before shifting to the silver screen's latest hot topic – the 'Roadhouse' remake. With Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor stepping into the dance-free zone of this classic's redo, we're stirring the pot and asking: is the magic of the original being sidelined for star power? Bedford Williamson joins us once more, bringing his sharp wit and cinematic savvy to the table, ready to dissect these film industry ch...
2024-03-2636 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Free Speech: The Paradox of Tolerance | SFM E85Send a textHave you ever stopped to consider what a world without coffee or sushi might look like? It's not just a caffeine-deprived dystopia we're talking about, but a real consequence of the shifting climate that's threatening the staples we hold dear. As we unravel the threads of climate change's impact, we also tip our hats to cities like Albuquerque for championing free public transit—a move that could ripple through our communities and the environment in surprising ways. Plus, we don't hold back on sharing those personal, rainy-day bike rides that bring a smile, even am...
2024-03-191h 02Solutions From The MultiverseSolving Marriage: Information for Building Stronger Marriages | SFM E84Send a textNEW: This episode we recorded in both audio AND video, so if you'd like to watch a video version of it with Adam and Scot's faces, check out: https://youtu.be/K-oM6RMAzIIWhen I tied the knot, I wasn't handed a magical manual for a blissful marriage—just a state-issued pamphlet as thin as my patience with bureaucracy. Let's tear that pamphlet apart as we navigate the precarious, but often rewarding, landscapes of marriage and family dynamics. With a mix of humor and seriousness, Scott and I dissect the ina...
2024-03-1257 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving the Climate: Apple Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) | SFM E83Send a textPrepare to be tickled by the thought of "Parks and Rec" star Adam Scott endorsing our humble podcast, as we find ourselves wrapped up in a name game that's equal parts amusing and bewildering. But it's not all chuckles and snickers; we strap in for a heady debate on Apple's potential pivot into the nuclear scene with the whimsically coined "Apple Core" reactors. This week's episode jaunts from celebrity musings to the fertile ground of energy innovation, offering a blend of laughter and contemplation that's sure to energize your curiosity.With the...
2024-03-0534 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Healthcare: Rebranding Medicare For All For the Baddies | SFM E82Send a textDiscover the unexpected economic advantages of Medicare for All — a concept that may sound controversial but holds promise for both public welfare and corporate America. Join me, Adam Brous, alongside my insightful co-host Scott, as we unravel healthcare's Gordian knot. This episode isn't just a dialogue; it's an exploration of a groundbreaking perspective that sees Medicare for All not as a burden, but as a potential jackpot for the business world.We're no strangers to the hefty price tags attached to private healthcare taxes, including premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. However, this time we...
2024-02-2734 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Education: Advertise Getting More Education & Scot's Great Idea Show | SFM E81Send a textEmbark on a linguistic escapade with us as we traverse the playful avenues of the Spanish language and its cultural idioms. Prepare to chuckle as our guest and I compare the youthful charm of 'muchacho' with the gravitas of 'hombre' and share a laugh over the endearing oddity of international expressions. But it's not all about the words we say; we also muse over the unexpected innovations that sprout from life's little conundrums and how film and television are uniting audiences across language barriers. Trust us, by the end of our conversation, you'll see...
2024-02-2039 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving the Lottery: Introducing the Neighborhood Lottery w/ Owen Raisch | SFM E80Send a textEver wondered what happens after the confetti settles for lottery jackpot winners? Join us, Scot Maupin and Adam Braus, along with our thought-provoking guest Owen Raisch, as we lay bare the emotional rollercoaster of instant wealth and its less-often-discussed pitfalls. Buckle up for a candid chat filled with laughter over language faux pas and heartwarming visions of how a 'Neighborhood Lottery' could foster community development and change the narrative from personal gain to collective prosperity.Lotteries, often perceived as a beacon of hope, harbor untold stories from the founding of historic American...
2024-02-1346 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Sleep: Sleeping Outside Under Sticks and Leaves | SFM E79Send a textHave you ever stumbled upon a musical gem that felt like it was crafted just for you? That's what happened to me, Adam Brouse, with "Tokyo" by The Books, and it sparked a delightful journey into the serendipity of music discovery. Scott Moppen and I share this audio odyssey, weaving together the threads of enchanting tunes, sleep's evolution, and the great outdoors. We muse over a world where the simulated starry nights indoors could rival the thrill of sleeping in nature's own cradle.The cozy allure of outdoor slumber — no tent required — is m...
2024-02-0630 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Hyperinflation: 'Don't Inflate for Me Argentina' — Hayekian Currencies | SFM E78Send a textPrepare to be whisked from the playful world of innovative shower systems to the economic trials of Argentina, all within a single episode. With new President Javier Miele at the helm, we tackle the nation's inflation crisis head-on. Our discourse, laced with humor yet grounded in reality, explores the vibrant culture and fiscal challenges that define Argentina today. Beyond the whimsy of gravity-defying showers, we delve into Miele's libertarian strategies aimed at rejuvenating the economy, painting a vivid portrait of a country on the brink of transformative change.Hayekian currencies emerge as...
2024-01-3050 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Society: Extended Civil Families | SFM E77Send a textReady to be part of a family like no other? Imagine a world where your kin might include a comedian, a policy wonk, or even a Brazilian goose trained as a security guard. That's the kind of wild ride we're inviting you on with Scott Moppen and Adam Prouse, as we tackle the outlandish yet thought-provoking concept of extended civil families, inspired by none other than Kurt Vonnegut. We promise an episode where laughter meets innovation, and you'll find yourself both entertained and enlightened by our musings on redefining community support.Forget...
2024-01-2543 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Housing/Climate: Fun First Cities - How to Clone Austin, TX | SFM E76Send a textWe can't ignore the elephant in the room—climate change. The stark reality of its impacts, including the 2023 peak in coal usage, serves as a reminder that our actions today sculpt the world of tomorrow.Fasten your seatbelts as we zoom into the magnetic pull of cities like Austin, where the secret ingredient to its charm is nothing other than 'fun'. It's a provocative thought—the notion that a city's cultural vibrancy could be the magnet for economic prosperity. And we're not just talking theory; I open up about my brush with the...
2024-01-1642 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Podcasts: Putting Podcasts on the Radio | SFM E75Send a textEver wondered how a fart noise machine could segue into a revolutionary idea for AM radio? That's exactly where my co-host Scott and I start our latest episode of Solutions of the Multi-various, but trust us, the conversation escalates quickly. We're tossing around the game-changing notion of big-name streaming giants like Spotify revitalizing the AM waves with podcast programming. It's a fusion of old-school and cutting-edge that could redefine passive listening and content discovery. So, forget about the noise of the day; we're here to tune you into the potential harmony between podcasts and...
2024-01-0926 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Literisy: Fohnetic Inglish Spelling | SFM E74Send a textHapy Nu Year! Dear listeners! Scot and Ih coudn't reezist bringing in the nu year with a bang, and trust me, this episohd iz the fihercracker yoo'v been wayting fohr. Buckel up az wee whisk yoo araund the glohb with a tapestry of Nu Year'z frazes, gigel ohver cultural quirks, and reveal the zesty chalengg Scot sets fohr himself—embrasing the contentious condiment nohn az manaiz. Az wee mul over our rezolooshuns, wee sprinkel in a dash of political hewmohr, remihnding us al that our aspirashuns can bee just az lofty az aur ability to...
2024-01-0259 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Higher Education: New Non-Profit Colleges—The Caging of the American Mind | SFM E73Send a textAre you ready to have your perspective on American higher education thoroughly challenged? Brace yourselves as we bring to the table, "The Caging of the American Mind", a book that shines a torch on the issues plaguing American higher education today. Far from blaming political correctness or multiculturalism, we delve deep into the problems of sky-high costs and predatory practices rampant in higher education. Our fascinating conversation will give you a fresh viewpoint on what's really wrong and how we might borrow solutions from other universes.Stay tuned as we explore the...
2023-12-2659 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Calendars: The Norse Calendar System | SFM E72Send a textA few clarifications : 1) our current calendar is the Gregorian calendar. The Julian was similar but came before that. 2) the solar year is roughly 365 days long and the lunar year is roughly 354 days so the month of Yule is always 11 days long. 3) Braus weighs 13.5 stone. Ready to shake up your golf game and shake off an outdated calendar system? We're plunging headfirst into the exciting world of Park Golf on today's episode, a simplified version of the classic sport that's winning hearts worldwide. We'll pop open a surprise package from the USA Park Gol...
2023-12-1947 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Podcasting: A Foray into Asynchronous Podcasting | SFM E71Send a textWhat if the future of podcasting isn't live and synchronized, but rather recorded at your convenience? We’re pioneering into the uncharted territory of asynchronous podcasting and believe us, it’s been quite a ride! We'll share the highs and lows, the convenience versus the occasional disconnect, and the interesting parallels with other forms of asynchronous communication. Tune in to find out if we think this could be the modality that changes the podcasting landscape forever!However, not all that glitters is gold. We faced some critical challenges with asynchronous podcasting that left...
2023-12-1237 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving the Climate: Replace Urban Highways w/ Beautiful Neighborhoods | SFM E70Send a textAre you ready to challenge conventional wisdom? This episode is a journey into unexpected climate change solutions. We're shaking things up by talking about deconstructing highways and replacing them with multi-use neighborhoods. Imagine a world where highways, traditionally seen as symbols of progress, are torn down to make way for sustainable, human-scale neighborhoods that breathe new life into our cities and revolutionize the way we view urban planning. This isn't just an ecological endeavor. It's a socio-economic one, too.We then get a little eccentric, veering into the world of panic rooms...
2023-12-0557 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Ratings: Rating Movies, Books, and Food w/ Net Promoter Score (NPS) | SFM E69Send a textWhat if there was a way to truly express your opinions on movies, restaurants, and more, using a simple scoring system? Welcome to our new recording space in Oakland where we're about to explore how the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a tool known to the marketing and product design world, can revolutionize the way we evaluate our entertainment and dining experiences. From dissecting classic movie archetypes and recognizing exceptions like District 9, to discussing the human instinct for storytelling and the solid foundation a three-act structure provides - we're shedding light on the fascinating world...
2023-11-2843 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Ethical AI: Navigating the Ethical Challenges with Ben Byford | SFM E68Send a textImagine a world where artificial intelligence reigns supreme, making pivotal decisions that directly impact humanity. Sounds like a dystopian movie plot, right? Not in this thought-provoking episode with AI ethics expert Ben Byford. Ben unravels the complex web of AI ethics, shedding light on the importance of ethical considerations in AI deployment and consumption. How do we instil morality in a machine? Could AI ever be sentient? And what on earth is a "Jiminy Cricket" module for AI? Get ready for a deep dive into these pressing questions and more.As we...
2023-11-211h 29Solutions From The MultiverseSolving Emotions: How to Feel All Your Feelings | SFM E67Send a textStrap in as we navigate the complex landscape of emotions. Feelings – good, bad, and ugly, they're all essential. We're shining a light on the importance of understanding and expressing emotions, and the contrasting ways different cultures and genders approach this. Let's not forget the intriguing twins paradox – two doctors in one family. And, the cherry on top - the prospect of earning a PhD by publication. You'll never look at your feelings the same way again.Lastly, we'll set sail on the pursuit of happiness. Often linked to our emotional state, happiness isn...
2023-11-0841 minSolutions From The MultiverseSolving Social Justice: A Personal Safety Theory of Social Justice | SFM E66Send a textAre you ready to fasten your seatbelts and embark on a journey where we tackle the real essence of safety, its influence on progress, and the way it shapes the notion of justice? Get set to traverse the intriguing world of football, examine the role of safety in the professional success of Deion Sanders, and chuckle over the quirky title of the Tight End position. We also meander into the realms of pop culture, reminiscing about the Hanson family, hitting the high notes with K-Pop, and journeying through historical events like the fall of...
2023-10-3153 min