Presenting Episode 17: "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!"

To all the haters who said we'd never be able to incorporate Steve Martin and John Candy into a cover graphic for a TCG episode, feast your eyes on this. We can't hear your hating anymore over the sounds of champagne bottles popping at headquarters. Seriously, this is a big deal.

You know what else is a big deal? Voting "YES" on anything to approve greater transit infrastructure. Why? Because if you live in a city of any kind, take a few minutes to read about how it has developed. It didn't happen on its own; it took buses, trains, airplanes, and all sorts of creative ways to shuffle those together into a dense urban fabric to make your beloved hometown the hometown that it is today.

What we're trying to say it, Bret and Tyler have got some opinions to share with you on the matter, and maybe may convince a few of you to give a different form of transit a shot than your usual. Because that's how you get to really know a city.

ALSO, we get a surprise appearance from our buddy Dennis (yes, the diving expert from Episode 2!), who gives us a quick preview of an episode we have coming up about My Refuge House, a locally based org that's doing some incredible work.

Enjoy! Below, or on iTunes.



Produced by Tyler S. for TDC Productions
Theme Song: "The Face of the Earth" by The Dismemberment Plan
Other Music Included:
Skankin' Pickle - "I Missed the Bus"
Pete Rock - "Take the D Train"
The Monkees - "Last Train to Clarksville"

And don't forget to hit up THE CASUAL GEOGRAPHER ON...
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Episode 16: Viva Mexico (Central) is now posted!

Okay, explanation time. Lost somewhere in our genuine enthusiasm for finally doing an episode about Mexico (it took us 16 episodes to get here, so right there... pretty sad on our part) was the omnipresent reality that Mexico is a big enough country to inform an entire SEASON of podcasts like ours. Or an entire podcast series. Which would make sense, because there are several (like this, for example).

Fortunately, most of this episode concentrated on Mexico City and Cuernavaca, thanks to the experiences of our esteemed guests, Jessica and Michelle. Both of them have spent quality time down in Morelos State and el DF, respectively, and had plenty of great stories to share about it.

Hopefully, this episode becomes the first of several episodes on our neighbors al sur. We did touch a bunch of important bases, discussing cuisine, indigenous culture, and of course, the juggernaut influence of Mexico's political scene. Jess was there for the election of the oh-so-beloved President-to-be, so prepare for some fascinating stories of election gladhanding/giftcard distribution.

Anyway, suggestions for new episodes about other regions of Mexico (each state could have its own episode, for real) are very welcome. For now, sit back and enjoy this excellent scratching of the surface, right here or on iTunes.



Produced by Tyler S. for TDC Productions
Theme Song: "The Face of the Earth" by The Dismemberment Plan
Other Music Included:
Café Tacuba- "Cero y Uno"
Maná - "Me Vale"
Twin Steps - "The Junkie Song"

And don't forget to hit up THE CASUAL GEOGRAPHER ON...
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Episode 15 Posted! What We Did on Our Summer Vacation

We're back! At least, on iTunes, where you can find our latest episode if you choose that route, and we hope you do. It's also embedded below.

Now, let's talk about it. Bret and Tyler both decided to travel this summer (as they are wont to do), and they're back to tell you how things went for them! Tyler already checked in with a special from Columbus, OH, so he's already beat that whole story in the ground. But Bret, as well as Tyler, took the opportunity to head east over the last month of the summer, and you won't believe what they found!!!

Actually, you probably will, because it wasn't anything particularly unbelievable. Beautiful scenery, interesting characters, and other issues that made them rant things for you and you only. For one thing, Bret was in Maine! What do you know about Maine? Not enough, I imagine. It's way up there.

They also tackled a number of other topics there isn't enough time to enumerate here, just tune in and enjoy yourself. See you this Thursday LIVE on Kbeach.org at 1pm PT with our MEXICO episode!




Produced by Tyler S. for TDC Productions
Theme Song: "The Face of the Earth" by The Dismemberment Plan
Other Music Included:
Rush- "La Villa Strangiato"
The Leftovers - "Make You Mine"
Airbag - "Coleccionista de Discos"

And don't forget to hit up THE CASUAL GEOGRAPHER ON...
Facebook - Twitter - Email

Season 2 Premiere THURSDAY at 1pm

If you're not listening, then you're just missing out. Because we may mess up and edit it out of the podcast.

But seriously, Season 2 premiere tomorrow at 1PM PT on Kbeach.org. Set your internet-dials.

We all had interesting summers to talk about, as well as some teasers for upcoming shows we're pining to throw in the general direction of your ears. We don't have any good graphics to summarize what tomorrow's show's going to be about, so here's a picture of Walter Matthau. Who doesn't miss him?

Episode 14 Posted! "C-Bus a bus! (Columbus, OH)"

Oh, hey! It's been quite a summer, hasn't it? Bret and Abel stuck around in SoCal and had various adventures of their own (to be recounted in a future episode), while Tyler spent a large chunk of the past couple months between Our Nation's Capital as well as the the capital of the state which has been referred to often as a solid microcosm of our nation, Columbus, O-H? (I! O!)

There are many things about Columbus that many folks out on the coasts do not know. For one thing, it rules! It's also relatively (or extremely, depending on where you're at) cheap to live in. Funny how that happens when you don't insist on planting your stakes next to an ocean. Anyway, let's talk about our special co-hosts for this week's episode.

Tyler is joined by Sumukh and Justin, a pair of C-Bus friends with a collective heart of gold. Individually, their hearts are part zinc alloy and actual heart material that makes it possible for them to live, but as a pair, they're worth a billion dollars in pure, uncut Au. What I'm trying to say is, they're funny and have a great podcast of their own called Comedifans! that Tyler had been a guest on a week prior to recording this episode. They were also joined by Travis Irvine, someone who has run for mayor of Bexley, US Congress, received his Masters' in Journalism from Columbia University, and made a series of legendary appearances on Tyler's previous radio show. Tune in to hear all about how C-Bus has shaped these dudes into the fine individuals you're hearing today, as well as how Jay Leno's camp pointedly screwed Travis over. (True Story)

Zach, hard at work. Or posing. (Megan Barnard Photo)

ALSO ("There's More!?" - You), Tyler sits down with an enterprising young pedicab driver named Zach, who imparts wisdom from years of pulling Columbus' drunkest and/or most enthusiastic tourists and/or OSU fans all over the roads of Short North, the Arena District, and anywhere else there's a calling. If you've ever wondered what the life of a pedicab driver is like, wonder no more! Enjoy! (Subscribe on iTunes, too)

So, if you're ever traipsing through the Midwest, don't miss this town. Try some Jeni's Ice Cream, have a few drinks at the Surly Girl, Bodega, or any other one of their dozens of great pubs, and scarf down a Late Night Slice before heading home. When you wake up, get to Skillet early to eat one of the best breakfasts you'll ever have. And go Crew! And Jackets! And Clippers (AAA)! Rock n ' Roll.

Produced by Tyler S. for TDC Productions
Theme Song: "The Face of the Earth" by The Dismemberment Plan
Other Music Included:
Delay- "Stand Me"
Love Culture - "Soul on the Sea"

And don't forget to hit up THE CASUAL GEOGRAPHER ON...
Facebook - Twitter - Email

Episode 13 Posted: Bikes, Bikes, Bikes!

We here at The Casual Geographer loves ourselves some Earth. Trust us, if any extraterrestrial force showed up and put it in danger, there's little question how we'd react. Anyway, as it turns out, it's no secret that a number of terrestrial forces have been chipping away at our fine planet for a long time. Take a good look at the Hollywood sign if you're in South Central LA. We'll wait. Oh, you can't see it? That's a bummer.

The automobile's a great invention, no doubt. It compressed space and time and made it possible to travel great distances around this world that Will Smith loved enough to punch an alien in face over. But, there's no denying that cars have unleashed a giant smoggy ghost over many of our major cities and have been bending the international weather patterns and such. (If you are a crazy person who denies human-made climate change, please comment. We could use the entertainment! Just, please check your spelling.)

ANYWAY, now that inflation has dropkicked our wallets in the face with gasoline prices hovering well above $4 per gallon in many places around the US, many people have taken to the buses (good idea!) and their own bikes (even cheaper!) to get from point A to point B. Lest we forget all of the people who enjoy pulling the two wheels out of the garage on weekends for recreation and a quality workout. This episode is for those people!

Tyler, Bret, and (eventually) Abel talk about their own experiences as cyclists in and out of the SoCal area, as well as tips for how to build your own bikes, protect those bikes, and ultimately yourself when out for a spin. Listen here or on itunes, and hope you enjoy it, no matter how shackled you are to your car!


And because (again) we love you, here's a Long Beach bike map by our very own Bret!

Produced by Tyler S. for TDC Productions
Theme Song: "The Face of the Earth" by The Dismemberment Plan
Other Music Included:
The Vandals - "OK"
The Lovin' Spoonful - "Summer in the City"
This Bike is a Pipe Bomb - "The Black Panther Song"
The Descendents - "Bikeage" (you think we couldn't play this?)

And don't forget to hit up THE CASUAL GEOGRAPHER ON...
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Episode 12 Posted - "Live from CGS" or "Davis Rock City"

We couldn't decide which title I liked more, and to be honest, there's a huge amount of time to write this week's spiel unfortunately. But what we will say is that the 66th Annual California Geographical Society meeting was a blast this past weekend. Memories, networking, and geospatial things and cultural scientific...stuff galore. Bret and Tyler piled into a hatchback (as you'll hear them whine about in the episode) and drove the many hours up to the serene NorCal burg of Davis for the meeting, and got the chance to record a few choice convos with a few conference VIPs. Dig in right here, and of course, who could forget the obligatory iTunes link (you should subscribe, you know).


SEGMENT BREAKDOWN, BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU.

1. Bret loves his CA Pistachios, and he reads why on the back of the bag.
2. Bret, Tyler, and their erstwhile companions Kat and Inky (David, according to the IRS) say hello from scorched desert on the way back down to SoCal.
3. SONG: el Trono de Judas - "Txoko Bizirik!"
4. Bret and Tyler interview Anita, a proud Basque-American from NorNev (Northern Nevada...I'm never going to use that shorthand again) about her research about the Basque People's history and current places in the United States. Interesgarri!
5. SONG: La Polla Records - "Revolucion"
6. Bret and Tyler chat with the righte honourable Dr. Steve Graves, the organizer of the feast, aka this year's CGS President about the conference and his own recent research. Spoiler: it involves weed.
7. SONG: Tad - "Just Bought the Farm"
8. "The Arctic Circle Circle" - Tyler sits down with David and Ashley, both of the CSU system and quite knowledgeable about that area in the great white north that some countries are totally gonna be fighting over in a few years or something.
9. SONG: Tortoise - "Glass Museum"
10. Bret and Tyler chat with Dr. Ray Sumner about her chance visit to the world's most freakishly environmentally sustainable university in the self-named Kaust, Saudi Arabia. 
11. SONG: Artie Shaw - "April in My Heart"
12. We say goodbye. Tear.

How awesome does this episode sound, seriously? If you aren't already jamming this one in your ears now, we don't know what to tell you. Actually, we do. You should listen, because we had fun and maybe you'll have fun listening to the sounds of it, and perhaps learn something.

Produced by Tyler S. for TDC Productions
Theme Song: "The Face of the Earth" by The Dismemberment Plan
Other Music Included:
See the breakdown above, since they were appropriate to their segments (generally).

And don't forget to hit up THE CASUAL GEOGRAPHER ON...
Facebook - Twitter - Email

And (for the last time, because the show is tonight), if you're in the area, come to our first Comedy Showcase! 8pm @ Pizza Pi, $7 Suggested Donation, all going to benefit the CSU Long Beach Geography Student Association. It's going to be a blast. Flyer with more details here.