Explore every episode of the podcast Flightless Bird

In this week’s Flightless Bird, we revisit what the heck is going on with the banning of Kratom and 7-OH after the DEA got involved. We talk to a major manufacturer of these so-called “gas station drugs” to get his take on things, before revisiting Michael from our last episode to see if he’s kicked his habit. We also hear from listeners about their experiences, and catch up with musician and friend of the show Anthony Green about his experiences with hard drugs, and where Kratom fits in for him.Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: http://patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Flightless Bird, David takes a long hard look at himself, and in doing so, takes a long hard look at Canada. To help Farrier on his journey into understanding more about Canada - the Flightless Bird team is joined in the studio by author, podcaster and proud Canadian Liz Plank. Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: http://patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Watch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob and David are joined in the studio by Medium Build, AKA US singer songwriter Nicholas Carpenter. Medium Build have been incredibly busy over the last few years, touring heavily and playing festivals like Coachella, Outside Lands, and Austin City Limits. He’s here to talk about his career and music, but also what it was like to discover he was a sperm donor kid. He also performs a special acoustic set in the Nest Sessions studio, and shares an incredibly tasty American treat.You can find Medium Build here:https://www.instagram.com/mediumbuild/https://www.mediumbuildmusic.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/3C6wmSgnZuqxVQyBWujBsnJoin us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: http://patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Flightless Bird - still reeling in the fact Donald Trump just renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America, David decides to investigate the wonderful country of Canada, encountering bagged milk, clowns, and an American-Canadian hybrid baby.Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: http://patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Flightless Bird, David investigates ranch dressing, one of America’s favourite things! Over 40% of Americans list ranch as their favourite dressing - and is particularly popular in the midwest. David sets out to meet one of LA’s biggest ranch enthusiasts, who takes David through his own private Ranchella: Tasting the best of the best and the worst of the worst. From Hidden Valley to Wish-Bone, McDonalds to Trader Joes. David eats all the ranch.Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: http://patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Flightless Bird, David investigates America's obsession with timeshares - going undercover at a timeshare sales session, where he feels his sanity slowly slipping away as the hours pass by.More on timeshares: https://www.go-koala.com/timeshare/resources/are-timeshares-scams Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: http://patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Flightless Bird, David heads to Wisconsin Dells, America's "waterpark capital" - discovering a chaotic holiday spot that's like Las Vegas for kids, all high on sugar and waterslides. He then turns his attention to the locals who have lived here all their lives, and the stories they have to tell. What does The Dells mean to them? Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Watch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Jorgensen of Armor for Sleep joins Rob & David for this month’s Nest Session, where he talks about the themes of their seminal work “What to Do When You Are Dead,” before sharing a truly unhinged American meal with David. Ben also talks about growing up in New Jersey and how involvement with school invention competitions changed his life, before sharing three acoustic cuts live in the studio. You can find Armor for Sleep & Ben Jorgensen here: https://www.instagram.com/benjorg/ https://www.instagram.com/armorforsleep/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7eSbps3Uha3MMBNWhMYa2H Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: http://patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, David travels to Wisconsin to meet up with Everlee Wihongi, the New Zealander kidnapped by ICE at LAX, released after 73 days in prison. She and her mother Betty reflect on what it was like the day she got out, and the people she left behind.Everlee’s GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-free-and-get-everlee-home Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: http://patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob takes David out to the iconic American chain Chilis to eat some baby back baby back baby back ribs. David discovers how the first ever Chilis was a post office on Greenville Avenue in Dallas that closed down in the 70s, reopening as a casual dining restaurant that eventually spread to over 1600 locations around the US. Rob shares the secrets of Chili's menu, and we hear from Flightless Bird listeners with their own Chili's tales.Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob are joined by “Meekah,” AKA Kaitlin Becker - the much loved children educator known for her work with the likes of Blippi and Ms Rachel. She talks about how she got into this unique field, and about her place in the world of kid’s YouTube, entertainment and education in the United States. From screen time to Blippi’s Harlem Shake past - Flightless Bird gets into the weeds. Becker also talks about her exit from the world she had helped create: What went down, and how she views her time in retrospect. Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s Flightless Bird comes to you live from Dallas, Texas, where David and Rob explore the city and interview a range of guests to dig deeper into what Dallas is all about! On the couch is Stefano Daza Arango from Colossal, to talk about their quest to bring the wooly mammoth and moa back from extinction, along with JFK researcher Robin Brown (who you may remember from Netflix’s Dark Tourist). There’s also a live music set by Matthew Logan Vasquez of Delta Spirit, and holy heck we missed the headline: ROSABEL JOINS US LIVE ON STAGE! Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob look into the proliferation of gas station drugs like kratom and the more powerful 7-OH. What are these drugs, who is using them, and why? And how are these opioid substitutes even allowed? David talks to Pat Aussem from “Partnership To End Addiction" to find out more, before meeting a man who is heavily addicted to 7-OH, who breaks down what it’s like, and how hard it is to get off them.Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob are joined on the couch by actor Rahul Kohli. Originally from London, Rahul moved to LA where he ended up being cast in some of David’s favourite shows including iZombie and Netflix’s Midnight Mass. But what really caught our attention recently is that Rahul is starring in a massive Playstation videogame. Rahul is an avid gamer - so this was his dream come true. But as Rob and David discover, the job came with a darker side as well. Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David looks into the state of trash in the USA, through the eyes of a New Yorker who’s made it her mission to clean up all the trash on the Brooklyn bridge. New Yorkers produce more than 14 million tons of waste every year, with 44 million pounds of trash flung onto the curb every day. Begging the question: What’s it like in the rest of the country?Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this month’s Nest Session, David and Rob sit down with musician Matthew Logan Vasquez, best-known as the co-founder and frontman for Delta Spirit. Vasquez has a rich history with Flightless Bird, scoring the early episodes and opening up a few of their live shows! Vasquez tells Rob and David about his run-ins with the US healthcare system while he navigated a botched vasectomy. When all the genital talk is out of the way, he plays some beautiful tunes in the Flightless Bird studio. You can find Matthew Logan Vasquez here: http://www.matthewloganvasquez.com/ https://www.instagram.com/matthewloganvasquez/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ndN8LWSsLWQqbWVJD8miG?si=_qQ2Ad_aQ8G660MtJ-pQCQ https://open.spotify.com/artist/1xVWSPiw5B0OduIC0DSu3V?si=LrEk3-1dRvegecvHZfZ7mA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s Flightless Bird comes to you live from Austin, where David and Rob explore the city before interviewing a range of guests to dig deeper into what Austin, TX is all about! They meet Merlin Tuttle, the legend responsible for the bats under the bridge, and who helped change Austin’s (and America’s) perception of this misunderstood animal. They’re also joined by Erik Sprague AKA the Lizardman - best known for his body modification, including his sharpened teeth, full-body tattoo of green scales, bifurcated tongue, subdermal implants and green-inked lips. If that’s not enough, criminologist Kim Rossmo delves into the Rainey Street Ripper and "The Yogurt Shop Murders" to try and understand the difference between a real serial killer and a myth - and to top it all of, Rosabel appears - thanks to Webworm’s Patreon members! Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Watch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob have the pleasure of being joined on the couch by actor Rachel Bilson, to talk about the American juggernaut of pop-culture: The OC. Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David travels to New York to the debut live show of America’s newest boyband, Boy Throb. Formed in October of last year, the three American members of Boy Throb are attempting to get an 01 visa for their fourth member Darshan, who’s in India. Begging the question: What is Boy Throb, exactly? David attends a packed Bowery Ballroom show in an attempt to find out. Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Watch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David looks into a small but dedicated group of Americans who are still obsessed with the (alleged) sinking of the Titanic. They find it terrifying, they find it moving, they find it all quite hard to believe. In fact - did the Titanic even sink, or was it the sister ship, the Olympic? Farrier wants to understand why this tragedy is still felt so strongly, so many years on.Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comWatch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this month’s Nest Session, David and Rob sit down with Tim Kasher, the frontman of Cursive. Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, Tim and his wife are borderline obsessed with American gameshows. Not only have they both appeared on major gameshows, Tim also hosts his own! Tim shares his insights into gameshow culture, before playing some stripped back songs in the Flightless Bird studio. You can find Tim Kasher here: https://www.instagram.com/timkasher/ https://www.instagram.com/cursivetheband/ Sponges of Experience: https://bornlosersrecords.com/products/tim-kashers-home-phone-sponges-of-experience-cd?variant=50060118294721 Musical Puke: https://linktr.ee/musical.puke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of Flightless Bird, David looks into the bonkers world of the Human Potential Movement and Large Group Awareness Training - viewed through the lens of a child whose mother got sucked into the Lifespring cult in the 80s. Founded in 1974 by three people, Lifespring members found out that it was incredibly hard to leave, as their brains were systematically broken down and dismantled piece by piece. What can we learn from Lifespring, and is this kind of movement still an issue in 2016?Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flightless Bird comes to you live from Salt Lake City, Utah. In a jam packed show, Rob and David share their experiences visiting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Gilgal Sculpture Garden, before being joined on stage by Brandon Fugal (the owner of the mysterious Skinwalker Ranch), Brandon Kowalis (an extreme caver who part of the ill-fated Nutty Putty cave rescue attempt) and Brad Wheeler (professional weiner dog racer). The show is opened and closed by the mesmerizing Salt Lake City-based musician Josaleigh Pollett. Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and Rob are joined in the studio by Anna Konkle, the co-creator and star of PEN15, one of their favourite shows of all time - looking at the trials and tribulations of being a seventh grader in the United States. Anna has a new book out - The Sane One - looking back at her real life, and real parents, that were part of the inspiration for her show.Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comAnna’s book, The Sane One: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-sane-one-a-memoir-anna-konkle/b03f30c6d183b728Watch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, as part of his “Wisconsin” series, David investigates the world of Supper Clubs in Madison. What the hell is a supper club, and why is this state obsessed with them? What is a Friday Fish Fry, and how creamy is a grasshopper? David attempts to find out.Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this month’s Nest Session, David and Rob are joined in the studio by musician Nick Thorburn (Islands, the Unicorns, Mister Heavenly, The Creem) to discuss his love of underground comics and fulfilling his dream of publishing his own comic with legendary publisher Fantagraphics. Nick - originally from Canada - shares his thoughts on the US, and his music with bands like The Unicorns and Islands, before sharing his favourite homemade American snack, and some charming acoustic renditions of his music. Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com The Cream: https://www.instagram.com/thecreeem/ Nick’s comic: https://www.fantagraphics.com/products/pear-shape Nick's book: https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/nick-thorburn/products/penguins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, David and Rob head to the Adelanto ICE Detention Centre in which is imprisoning New Zealand woman Everlee Wihongi, who holds a valid green card. Rob goes inside and spends an hour with Everlee, discussing what conditions are like, and why the New Zealand government refuses to offer any help. Meanwhile, David calls Everlee’s mother Betty at her home in Wisconsin, to talk about what it’s like to have a family member kidnapped by ICE.Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comEverlee’s GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-free-and-get-everlee-home Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird we tell the story of Everlee Wihongi, a 36-year-old New Zealander on a green card, snatched by ICE at LAX airport. We talk to her mother Betty, trying to figure out why her daughter got kidnapped, and how to get her out again. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmal.com LINKS: - GoFundMe for Everlee’s legal fees: https://gofund.me/c9217e4f1 - Original Webworm reporting: http://www.webworm.co/betty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier travels to Madison, Wisconsin, to investigate the World Championship Cheese Contest. With 3375 entries and 150 classes, we are talking a lot of cheese. Hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, the comp has been running since 1957 - and this year was bigger than ever. Why is cheese so big in this part of the US, and what exactly is a cheesehead? All will be revealed in this very cheesy episode. Links: Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob discover that doing jigsaw puzzles is not just a hobby - it’s a sport! They talk to US speed puzzler Karen Kavett - AKA Karen Puzzles - who’s about to head off to the 2026 USA Jigsaw Nationals. How big is the scene and what does it take to get to the worlds? What is the secret to doing puzzles very, very fast? David also reveals that he’s being sued in America after an article he wrote for Webworm, and Rob and David discuss the recent Flightless Bird tour which featured the one and only Rosabel! Links: Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Karen Puzzles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenpuzzles/ Rosabel on tour & our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-rosabel-155107678 Why is David being sued? https://www.webworm.co/wildingpart9/ Vote for us at the Webbys: Or - https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/features/best-indie-podcast 1. ⁠Go to webbyawards.com 2. ⁠Click “Go Vote” button 3. ⁠Hit SEARCH 4. ⁠Type in “Flightless Bird” and click on “Flightless Bird” when it turns up 5. ⁠Cast your vote Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, we return to Nick from last year’s Parasocial Listener Episode. Nick had been diagnosed with a rare kind of brain tumor - rare in that you can remove it, but it keeps coming back. In today’s episode, Nick has taken a leap of faith and arrived in New Zealand, to eat meat pies, surf, and visit Hobbiton. We catch up with Nick as he meets some fellow Flightless Bird listeners, goes on some soaring adventures, and has a terrifying encounter in a cave. Links:Nick’s paragliding experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l8QYZW2v_INick’s band Pookie: https://www.instagram.com/pookietheband/ The Friendship Paddle: https://www.friendshippaddle.org/ Vote for our Webby: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/features/best-indie-podcastJoin us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Nest Session, David and Rob are joined by Genevieve Schatz, frontperson of Chicago indie band Company of Thieves. Schatz has been on quite the journey since fronting that band - which includes delving into a new type of field: being a clairvoyant! What does this mean exactly, and what’s the boundary between woo and reality? Genevieve also performs in the Flightless Bird studio, showcasing her lyricism and vocal prowess in a pretty hypnotic way!Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird You can find Genevieve here: https://www.instagram.com/gemmebean/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob talk iconic series Goosebumps - discussing their favourite books in the series, the joy of the Scholastic Book Fair, and how Goosebumps have managed to sell over 400 million copies around the world. David then interviews the man himself - R.L. Stine - who has just finished writing his latest book: A book for adults. Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob have Korean-American chef Roy Choi in the studio to talk food trucks. The creator of legendary Korean-Mexican taco truck “Kogi”, Roy talks about his influences growing up, launching a game-changing food truck, and what makes food trucks so important in America’s DNA.LINKS:Upcoming Flightless Bird live shows:3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC 4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX 4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFW Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David talks to a woman who’s been working at a law firm for over a decade that represents motorists who get hit by trains. How is this a full time job? Well, there are around 1300 train derailments in the US every year - 3.5 per day. Since 1975, those derailments have killed 467 people, 12,500 people maimed along the way. Then there are all the incidents of trains hitting cars, mostly at railway crossings. Last year, trains hit cars 1,870 times. 247 people died in the process - and 623 were injured. The year before that, even more people died being hit by America’s trains. David talks survival tips, and tries to get to the bottom of why this is happening. LINKS: Upcoming Flightless Bird live shows: 3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC 4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX 4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFW Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David talks to two former members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses religion in the USA, to find out what it’s really like inside. Can members really not pledge their allegiance to the American flag? Are they really not allowed to have blood transfusions? Are they not allowed to be gay? Is there anything JW’s *are* allowed to do, besides door knock? David tries to find out. LINKS: Upcoming Flightless Bird live shows: 3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC 4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX 4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFW Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this month's Nest Session, David and Rob are joined on the couch by The Format's Nate Ruess and Sam Means, who met as teenagers at a Weezer concert while Sam was running the band's fan club. The two reflect on what it was like growing up in the scorching sprawl of the Arizona desert, and Nate shares his uncanny claim of remembering the exact moment he was born. They bring along an iced peanut butter latte for David to get his head around, before discussing the current state of America and the exhausting sense that we've all been here before. The Format then perform The Bar Is Set So Low, Back to Life, and Depressed. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird You can find The Format here: https://www.theformat.com https://www.instagram.com/theformat/ The Bar Is Set So Low: https://theformat.bandcamp.com/track/the-bar-is-set-so-low Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David talks to someone who has schizophrenia. Christopher Grant talks about what it was like to grow up seeing the world a little differently than others, his growing struggles with mental health, and finally being diagnosed and treated. Chris now creates “schizophrenias simulation videos” which are watched by million of people. They are his attempt to let us see the world through the eyes of someone who sees and hears people, and entities, that aren't there. LINKS:This episode is based on original reporting from Webworm: https://www.webworm.co/schizophrenia/ Chris’ videos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoradmagical Chris’ videos on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xoradmagical More of Chris’ work: https://linktr.ee/xoradmagical Upcoming Flightless Bird live shows:3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC 4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX 4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFW Join us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weeks Flightless Bird, David and Rob talk to Mara Wilson about being a child star in films like Mrs Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street and - of course - the titular character in Matilda. Wilson has had time to reflect on those years, both the good and the bad - and explains what she’s found out. Mara - a podcaster, actor and author also appeared in the HBO documentary Showbiz Kids, so she’s been thinking about this stuff for awhile.Upcoming live show dates:3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFWFeedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, Rob schools David on Nickelodeon, the American TV channel launched on April 1, 1979, when David was just three years old. Nickelodeon gave us Rugrats, Doug, and SpongeBob SquarePants - and a bunch of shows David has never heard of like Are You Afraid of the Dark, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Keenan and Kel, and CatDog. What did it means to be a kid in America growing up with these characters, and what’s it like looking back? To explain: A Rob slideshow to rival all his previous slideshows.Upcoming live show dates:3/29 in Salt Lake City at the Depot https://bit.ly/flightlessSLC4/2 in Austin at Emo's https://bit.ly/flightlessATX4/4 in Dallas at the Texas Theatre https://bit.ly/flightlessDFWFeedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us for bonus episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, Rosabel muses on the fallout from her episode a few weeks ago, before David and Rob set off for Hooters - absolutely terrified to their core that they will be cancelled in the process by saying the wrong thing or looking in the wrong direction. They hear from a variety of former “Hooters Girls” (their term, not ours) over the last few decades, before talking to current Hooter ambassador Averey Tressler (who eagle eyed listeners may recognise from another All-American institution, The Challenge). Join us as we learn about Hooters - hoot hoot! Email us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Join us on Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus episodes, too: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird The Original Hooters guide for staff: https://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/so-you-wanna-be-hooters-girl?page=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Nest Session, we’re joined by Peter Matthew Bauer of The Walkmen, who brings in a fresh Kentucky Southern Casserole for David and Rob to sample. Peter shares some pie, as well as what it was like growing up as part of a meditation cult, the oddness of astronomy to the current moment, and how saying no to your own destruction can be fun. Peter then preforms his songs Doom, Knife Fighter and Gold Paint for Blue Skies. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird You can find Peter Matthew Bauer here: https://petermatthewbauer.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/petermatthewbauer/ Doom Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1R_qJnxdTc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David meets Doretta, an American who met and fell in love with a New Zealander - a man who happened to be one of NZ’s most well known celebrities: The Milky Bar Kid. Sort of. Back in the late 80s and early 90s the Milky Bar Kid starred in NZ’s biggest commercial. How did he end up in America, and with a woman who also has a past forged in chocolate?- Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird- Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod- Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David meets Phil - a man who’s been playing the same Dungeons and Dragons campaign since D&D was first released in 1974. Phil explains what’s so important about the game, and the friends he’s made and lessons learnt along the way. David then talks to the team behind D&D, to discus how the game has transcended generations and continues to grow in relevance after 50+ years! Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Flightless Bird, David Farrier temporarily halts his New Zealand holiday to bring you the guest to end all guests: Rosabel. If you've listened to Flightless Bird for awhile, you will be familiar with the Rosabel calls that kick many episodes off. You may also recall the time David cracked an egg on Rosabel's head. In this episode, let's learn a little more about Rosabel - and whether she has revenge in her heart. Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David explores the world of the tribute band - meeting “Dirty Deeds”, America’s best AC/DC tribute band (yes, there are lots of them). With their youngest member in their 30s and their oldest in their 70s - David explores how these American friends ended up choosing to portray Australia’s biggest rock band, learning that the world of the tribute band is expansive, surprising, inspirational... and often deeply weird.  Links: - Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com - Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this month’s Nest Session, David and Rob are joined on the couch by Chat Pile, one of David’s favourite bands who hail from Oklahoma. Raygun Busch and Stin talk about their shared - and differing - experiences being sent to church camp growing up, and explain the origin of their name, referencing the massive hills of hazardous waste found in their home town. If you want to find out what a “chat rat” is, then this is the episode for you. The two then dish out their favourite American snack, before performing broken down versions of two of their deeper cuts - Tenkiller and King. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.comJoin us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flightlessbird You can find Chat Pile here:https://chatpile.nethttps://www.instagram.com/chatpilebandDavid recommends God’s Country, Cool World and In the Earth Again (with Hayden Pedigo). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David looks at Best Friends, one of America’s largest animal rescue groups. Promoted by the likes of Mark Wahlberg, and with its own Nat Geo show “Dog Town”, David discovers Best Friends had its origins in a cult called “The Process Church Of The Final Judgement”. They wore a lot of black, had big big iron crosses around their necks, and liked keeping big dogs as pets - mainly German Shepards. Rumours spread they were involved in ritualistic murder - and by the time the Manson murders happened, prosecutors alleged there were links between Charles Manson and “The Process”. Under the leadership of “Mary Ann MacLean” the cult would undergo a series of changes, eventually ending up as - you guessed it - Best Friends. David meets a corner member who was born into the cult, and alleges what is now Best Friends’ Utah HQ was built - in part - by children. Support Flightless Bird on Patreon: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Flightless Bird takes a few weeks off for the holidays, we hear from self-proclaimed parasocial podcast listener Nick. He emailed us with a story he wanted to share - explaining how it all started on a Zoom call with his boss, when suddenly he felt like he’d been hit over the head with a bat. We think Nick’s story is intriguing and inspirational - and we wanted to share it with you as we head towards the end of 2025. Flightless Bird is taking a few weeks off, and returns on Tuesday January 6. LINKS: The Friendship Paddle: https://www.friendshippaddle.org Nick’s bands are Uncle Uncle (https://www.instagram.com/uncleuncleband/?hl=en) and Pookie - whose track “Thank You For Your Service” played us out this week: https://open.spotify.com/track/7zOeJ0T7S5VEgp5RvsRCAL?si=f5277282b92043c6 JOIN US ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird Email us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flightlessbirdpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob delve into the deeply American world of Reality TV. They talk to Sara Reddy - one of the minds behind Honey Boo Boo and a number of record-breaking reality TV shows - before meeting reality TV veteran Jordan Wiseley. - JOIN US ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/flightlessbird - Email us: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com - Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightlessbirdpod - Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flightlessbirdpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices