Explore every episode of the podcast That Sounds Like A Lot with Matt Buechele

When the news starts to feel like too much, sometimes all you can do is laugh. On his new podcast, That Sounds Like A Lot, comedian and writer Matt Buechele walks you through the biggest news of the week, then sits down with a guest to figure out what is actually worth paying attention to. This is not the place to get the news. It is the place to feel a little better about it. New episodes every Friday starting May 1, part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Subscribe below to watch on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@thatsoundslikealot ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social LISTEN ►Spotify: http://vmpod.co/tslalspot ►Apple Podcasts: http://vmpod.co/tslalapple⁠ __________ ABOUT THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT Every Friday, viewers and listeners can tune in for host Matt Buechele’s upgraded “walk-and-talk” monologue, unpacking the stories that shape culture, politics, and the increasingly strange rhythms of modern life. Each episode then expands into a funny, thoughtful conversation with a guest about what actually deserves attention, what’s wildly overhyped, and what we’re getting wrong. There might be music. There might be absurdity. There will always be laughs. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. ABOUT MATT BUECHELE Matt Buechele is an award-winning comedian, writer, and composer based in New York. His satirical videos about culture, politics, masculinity, and the internet have earned nearly 1 million followers and more than 200 million views across platforms. His work has been featured on Comedy Central, Netflix, and The New York Times, and he previously wrote for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He also releases music under the artist name Booshell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele walks-and-talks his way through the White House Correspondents' Dinner chaos, the case for adding ballrooms to every school in America, and why we've gotten numb to political violence to the point that half the country just calls it staged. This is That Sounds Like a Lot, the show where comedian Matt Buechele breaks down the news of the week (even when it’s way too much) and talks to interesting people about what’s actually worth paying attention to. This week, Matt sits down with comedian and author Zach Zimmerman to talk about dating apps (Zach is a bi king now), attachment styles, and growing up around conservative religion. Topics - Body image and online presence - Dating, bisexuality, and polyamory - Attachment styles and over-pathologizing - Religious upbringings and family dynamics - Standup, career motivation, and creative risk - Phones, attention, and “the brick” - Consumer rewards, coffee, and everyday economics - Substances: weed, gummies, and shrooms - Listener advice - “too much” or manageable situations - Zach’s new book: Ship Mother and parent-child reconciliation - Art-making in dark times and “hope as a discipline” - Comedic predictions CHAPTERS 00:00:00 White House Correspondence Dinner and Gunman Manifestos 00:03:00 Zach Zimmerman on the Video Podcast Body Reveal 00:04:59 Entering the Bi King Era and Dating App Boundaries 00:07:55 Roasting Matt Buechele’s Avoidant Attachment Style 00:13:02 The Pastor to Comedian Pipeline and Religious Upbringing 00:18:32 Using the Brick Phone to Kill the Scroll 00:21:35 The Aging Crisis and Creative Resistance 00:26:05 Dunkin Rewards Point Inflation and Loyalty Program Betrayal 00:34:24 That Sounds Like A Lot Construction Worker Woods Poop 00:41:27 Ship Mother and the Chaos of a Bermuda Cruise 00:53:29 Hope is a Discipline and Creating Art During a War 01:01:46 The Protestant Theology of the Rapture and Vanishing People That Sounds Like A Lot is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions and Port Royale in partnership with Vox Media and AND Media. Music by Matt Buechele. FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele rants through the escalating Iran conflict, Operation Epic Fury, the collapse of Spirit Airlines, and why it suddenly feels like Americans are paying more for everything while somehow getting the bolted-down lawn chair version of life. Then he sits down with comedian Jay Jurden to talk about accidentally wandering into the Ralph Lauren mansion on the Upper East Side, the changing comedy landscape, internet masculinity, growing up queer in Mississippi, and why suddenly every man in his 30s seems to be on Propecia. Topics: - Luxury fever dreams - Consumerism vs. longevity - The "death of expertise" - The manosphere pipeline - Captive audiences and "murder world" death machines. - Men’s maintenance era - Crypto is chlamydia - Pixelated sexual awakenings - The mandatory metropolitan draft - Remarkable vs. Relatable - The "Sheriff of the C-Train" - Aging and persistence - Comedic predictions CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Operation Epic Fury and the Spirit Airlines Rosary 00:06:33 The Vacation Tax: Mississippi Parents vs. London Weddings 00:13:45 The Death of Expertise: Why Vibes Ruined the Skillset 00:19:30 Being Remarkable vs. Relatable: The Magician's Craft 00:26:03 The Mr. Beast Pipeline and the Rise of Aggrieved Youth 00:32:30 From AOL Chatrooms to the Mandatory Metropolitan Draft 00:39:01 American Ninja Industry: Holding onto the Next Career Grip 00:45:30 Commercials for Opinions: Readjusting Post-2020 Expectations 00:52:42 Crypto is Chlamydia: Captchas and Investment Red Flags 00:58:45 The Men's Maintenance Era: Propecia and Aging Gracefully 01:04:36 Luxury Grievances: The Delta One TSA Disaster 01:11:30 The Accidental Boomer and Predicting the First Queer NBA Star That Sounds Like A Lot is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions and Port Royale in partnership with Vox Media and AND Media. Music by Matt Buechele. FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele breaks down the impossible cost of modern life, and why everything feels like a luxury experience or a gambling app. Then, on his way to jury duty, Matt reflects on America’s inability to sit quietly in a room for three hours without pretending to be racist to get out of it. Then he sits down with writer and journalist Chloé Cooper Jones for a conversation about chaotic weekends in upstate New York, swimming in lakes that may or may not heal you spiritually, and the strange intimacy of male friendship. They also talk about disability, ambition, why reading is sexy, and the freedom that comes with getting old enough to stop caring what strangers think of you. Topics covered:  - The Fiddler on the Roof audition  - Disability in the media - Writing for the 14-year-old self - Looksmaxxing & longevity biohacking through reading - The “saintly” trap & disability as inevitability  - The labor of being seen - Mortal peril as a love language - The Anti-Inspiration Narrative - G-suite infidelity Chapters: 00:00:00 Dynamic Pricing and the Rising Cost of Living  00:01:26 Matt’s Jury Duty Experience  00:03:13 The Used Swim Goggles Gift  00:05:28 The Farm Stand Fiasco & "Trump Ate My Dog" Shirt  00:11:52 Lake Minnewaska and the "Pearl vs. Maniac" Dynamic  00:17:17 Running 18 Miles to the Beaches of Normandie  00:25:22 Growing Up in Kansas and the Power of Libraries  00:31:38 The Theater Audition That Changed Everything  00:40:42 Rejecting Expectations and Chloe's "Easy Beauty" Memoir  00:58:04 Dilemmas: Sharing a Car with an Ex & G-Suite Infidelity  01:08:55 Teaching Writing at Columbia and the Reality of AI  01:18:19 Final Predictions: Politics, Handwriting, and Florida  FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/  ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot  FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/  ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell  ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele breaks down Trump’s mysterious $2 billion “slush fund,” why no trustworthy operation has ever used the phrase “slush fund,” and the growing trend of college graduates booing AI commencement speeches delivered by men who look like they own underground bunkers in New Zealand. Then he sits down with filmmaker Celine Song to talk about modern masculinity, internet identity, vulnerability in art, adapting The Seagull in The Sims 4 on Twitch, and their shared addiction to Fortnite and other deeply time-consuming video games. Topics covered:  Personality tests, identity, and labels Social skills and meaningful connections “Past Lives” misinterpretations  Heroic masculinity and men behaving well  Challenging the trope of male characters as lazy or villainous  Consent culture vs. rape culture  The pandemic and creative transitions  The haenyeo, elderly Korean free-divers Addictive personalities and gaming culture  Writing, directing, and acting  Chapters:  00:00:00 Critiquing AI obsession and modern tech culture 00:02:53 Celine Song on astrology and Virgo personality traits 00:05:48 The importance of reading the room and social skills 00:09:10 Vulnerability and open-hearted communication 00:14:00 Why "Past Lives" is not a love triangle movie 00:15:47 The problem with internet film discourse and movie reviews 00:17:35 Depicting heroic masculinity and men behaving well in cinema 00:22:57 Historical context of consent culture and generational decency 00:30:00 The impact of the 2020 pandemic on theater and playwriting 00:37:00 Directing Chekhov’s "The Seagull" inside The Sims 4 00:43:20 Hardcore gaming: Fortnite, Elden Ring, and addictive creativity 00:54:40 Movie franchise predictions and voice acting careers FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele breaks down the New York Knicks making the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years, the terrifying possibility of a Manhattan championship riot, and the upcoming UFC fight on the White House lawn featuring a lineup that feels suspiciously close to a county fair sponsored by Monster Energy. Then he sits down with comedian and writer Alexandria Love to talk about surviving late night TV, sharing a tiny office at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, New York slowly turning you into a louder person, comedy partnerships, sports betting apps, Taylor Swift discourse, and trying to build a creative career while the entertainment industry melts in real time. Topics Covered:  Working for the Tonight Show and being in writer’s room Moving from Oakland to LA and surviving the industry How professional friction builds career skills. Why late-night TV feels like the Titanic. Revisiting the bits that didn’t make the air. Predictions for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Deleting dating apps and modern dating. The rise of AI therapists and digital habits. Oscars: Michael B. Jordan vs. Timothée Chalamet Chapters: 00:00:00 NYC culture and meeting Alexandria Love 00:05:00 Writing for the Tonight Show and After Midnight 00:10:27 Career advice: how professional friction builds skills 00:16:14 The future of the late night TV industry 00:21:00 Stand-up comedy vs. digital content production 00:27:16 Taylor Swift’s new album and pop culture review 00:32:42 Career transitions: from law school to comedy 00:38:53 The reality of living in New York vs. Los Angeles 00:44:17 Behind the scenes: the Tonight Show writer’s room 00:51:50 2026 predictions: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce 00:57:27 Dating app trends and deleting the Feeld app 01:02:07 Oscar predictions: Michael B. Jordan vs. Timothée Chalamet #AlexandriaLove #ProfessionalFriction #ComedyWriter #TaylorSwiftHotTakes #ModernDating #JordanVsChalamet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele breaks down why tiny indie films with names that sound like shuttered strip clubs are suddenly beating massive studio franchises at the box office, and why audiences seem increasingly desperate for something that doesn't feel focus-grouped to death.  Then he sits down with Kareem Rahma to talk about building Subway Takes into an internet institution, the weird economics of making things online, arguing with commenters, country-house dad life, late night TV's future, and the challenge of making meaningful art while still paying the bills. They also get into New York, burnout, family, and Kareem's political philosophy: if you want to be rich, be rich — we'll take care of the rest. TOPICS COVERED: Keep the Meter Running with Kareem Rahma Shooting on NYC trains Why creators need security From digital creator to producer Viral burnout and fame Future of late night on YouTube Will digital creators win Emmys A one billion dollar wealth cap CHAPTERS: 00:00 Kareem Rahma on shooting Subway Takes 04:40 Filming with security and getting recognized 09:20 Building the New Hollywood in New York 14:00 Why the digital creator label is frustrating 18:40 Fame and the dream of being a one hit wonder 23:20 Comparing traditional late night to YouTube 28:00 Why digital shows need brand deals and ads 32:40 Dealing with viral comments and internet culture 37:20 Personal life and providing for family 42:00 The Socialist Capitalism political party idea 46:40 Running for mayor and 2028 election predictions 51:20 The future of awards and driverless cars in NYC FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social #KeepTheMeterRunning #SubwayTakes #NewHollywood #SmallTownMayor #LateNightFuture #WriterVsCreator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele celebrates the New York Knicks' historic Finals comeback, the return of civic pride to New York City, and why a basketball team might be doing a better job bringing Americans together than just about anything else right now. Then he sits down with comedian Fumi Abe to talk about growing up in Ohio after immigrating from Japan, the strange economics of stand-up comedy, touring with TikTok stars, marching band humiliation, cross-country crushes, and what happens when a comedy writer suddenly starts making enough money to ignore parking tickets. They also get into late night TV, social media fame, upstate New York, and why the true sign of success might just be buying the expensive rice. Topics: Life as a touring stand-up comedian Writing for James Corden in Los Angeles Performing on Fallon and Colbert Internet viral culture changing comedy  Secrets of late night TV writing Creating comedy inspired by everyday life Hot takes with Fumi Abe Making it big on the internet Chapters: 00:00:00 Fumi Abe’s viral podcast clip story 00:05:45 Touring revenue and quitting writing jobs 00:11:30 Performance of wealth in LA and Upstate New York 00:17:15 Making internet jokes work on a comedy stage 00:23:00 Growing up in Ohio and high school sports 00:28:45 Being an organic folk drummer in Brother Goose 00:34:30 Leaving music business for the comedy grind 00:40:15 Navigating social media and getting older fans 00:46:00 Experience writing for James Corden in LA 00:51:45 Stand-up sets on Fallon and Colbert 00:57:30 Comedy writing process and the urologist bit 01:03:15 Predictions for self-driving cars and airplanes FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele breaks down the World Cup coming to America, the shared confusion of getting to MetLife Stadium, and why international visitors keep looking at American food like it's a science experiment. He also takes on primary election season, campaign spam, and the annual transformation of abandoned storefronts into political headquarters nobody asked for. Then he sits down with writer, actor, and internet icon Brenda Cullerton for a conversation about New York in the 1970s, accidentally building a creative life by following curiosity instead of a plan, and why making things with people you like is still one of life's greatest pleasures. Along the way, they get into writing copy for Star Wars toys, tarot cards, stand-up comedy, social media brain rot, the surprising upside of living rich and dying poor, and whether America is actually getting dumber or if we're just filming it more. Topics : Writing star wars copy in the seventies Being the secret voice of darth vader Living in a ninety-five dollar studio Why remote work is a virtual prison The value of peaking late in a career Navigating nyc fashion and elitism Handling creative rejection and hubris The terror of bad tarot card readings  Chapters: 00:00:00 Brenda Cullerton paid $95 a month for a studio in Gramercy Park 00:03:48 Writing for Darth Vader and Office Habits 00:10:03 Politics and Common Sense 00:15:12 The Approachable Coastal Elite 00:20:49 Handling Creative Criticism 00:25:46 Rejection and Artistic Failure 00:30:31 Birthday Drama and Boundaries 00:35:24 Tarot Readings and Curses 00:40:30 NYC Mayor and Local Politics 00:43:45 The Strait of Vermouth and Geography 00:48:54 Modern Education and 80K Tuition 00:55:17 Summer Predictions and Closing FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/  ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell  ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele breaks down Washington's mysterious reflecting pool saga, why America suddenly can't stop talking about the color of swamp water, and the surprising symbolism of a government struggling to fix a reflecting pool. He also reports back from Los Angeles, where self-driving cars, delivery robots, and eerily empty sidewalks make New York feel almost normal. Then he sits down with creator and Brooklyn Coffee Shop star Pooja Tripathi to talk about leaving a career in fashion, discovering comedy later in life, weird temp jobs, improv classes, internet fame, and building one of the internet's most beloved comedy series from a tiny Brooklyn coffee shop. They also get into Japan, social media brain rot, comment-section warfare, and why embarrassment is usually a sign you're headed in the right direction. Chapters: 00:00:00 Why creator Pooja Tripathi quit her dream job 00:06:22 When the self-serious fashion world got old  00:18:40 Turning a green screen sketch into a viral hit series 00:24:42 Why being embarrassing is a creative superpower 00:30:56 The extreme rise of male beauty standards 00:36:12 Industry gatekeepers and the "Too niche" Myth 00:42:10 My chill boss was working two secret jobs 00:49:10 Why the world of improv comedy is so nerdy 00:55:13 International vs global production costs 01:01:21 Comparing the noise of New York City to Japan cities 01:07:41 Predicting the first influencer brand trip to space Topics:  Quitting a corporate fashion career at Bloomingdale's  The logistical absurdity of filming in Tokyo vs Kansas City  Why improv feels like a trap  Dealing with modern social media comments  The rise of leg lengthening surgery for men  Japan’s cleanliness and quiet vs NYC  Treating TikTok like high-end HBO productions  Predicting the first influencer brand trips to outer space  Being an only child prepares you for comedy FOLLOW THE SHOW  ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/   ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell   ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele takes aim at the political double standards that are driving the country apart, asking why some scandals end careers while others barely register. From Graham Platner’s failed Senate campaign to President Trump’s $5 million civil judgment, what does accountability even mean anymore? Fred Armisen joins Matt in Los Angeles to talk about filming Wednesday in Ireland, the enduring magic of Hollywood, self-driving cars, and why no one notices the things you’re most self-conscious about. They also dive into Saturday Night Live, with Fred sharing stories about legendary castmates, sketches that bombed, the surprising origins of “The Californians,” and returning for the show’s 50th anniversary. Plus, they discuss music, Devo, the B-52s, and Fred’s 100 Sound Effects album before wrapping up with a round of predictions about Lorne Michaels, UFOs, and Broadway. Chapters: 00:00:00 Fred Armisen, Wednesday S3, and Studio Magic 00:05:42 Waymo Logistics and Bullying Delivery Robots 00:11:30 Mastering the Perfect Fred Armisen Impression 00:17:15 Pitching "The Snob Test" Reality TV Idea 00:23:00 The Genius of the 2000s SNL Cast 00:28:45 Behind the Scenes of The Californians Sketch 00:34:30 Backstage at the SNL 50th Anniversary 00:40:15 Drumming for Devo and the B-52s Live 00:46:00 Pittsburgh Hype and the Stomp Clap Hey Era 00:51:45 Creating the 100 Sound Effects Album 00:57:30 Lorne Michaels and the Future of SNL 01:03:15 UFO Skepticism and Broadway Musical Dreams Topics: Filming Wednesday Season 3 in Ireland Survival tips for New York subways The danger of LA delivery robots Pitching The Snob Test reality show Inside the SNL genius all-star cast How The Californians became a hit Drumming for Devo and B-52s live Why Lorne Michaels won't retire The era of Stomp Clap Hey music UFOs and why aliens are bored of us FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America just turned 250, and Matt Buechele argues that it doesn't need another culture war—it needs a constitutional rewrite. His proposed amendments tackle everything from celebrity gambling ads and AI data centers to Supreme Court term limits. Then he sits down with writer, performer, and solo-show mastermind Gabe Mollica to talk about friendship, ambition, changing careers, and the strange challenge of figuring out what kind of creative life you actually want. They get into stand-up comedy, working in television for the first time, Sondheim musicals, horse lawyers, reality TV, and the surprisingly powerful feeling of finding the right creative collaborators. Topics: Working 12-hour days on a tv staff Opening set for a future J-6 rioter Booking standup sets at hostels Moving from bar shows to solo specials Using TV writing to fund my part Millennials and the marriage dilemma Being featured on This American Life The hierarchy of 50 US states Father’s career as a horse lawyer A handwritten letter from sondheim Working for Matthew Gray Gubler Writing for the creator of Monk SNL, Tina Fey, and Lorne Michaels predictions Chapters: 00:00:00 Working for the creator of Monk on Einstein 00:05:38 Why comedy club pay is stuck in 1979 00:10:50 How politics and Trump killed creative optimism 00:15:48 The luxury of being pampered on a network TV set 00:20:58 Sitting at coffee shops and writing jokes 00:26:30 Designing roads to keep people out of New York 00:31:41 The raw energy of early reality television 00:36:44 Watching my father achieve a 30-year dream at 50 00:42:11 Why Whiplash is the ultimate movie for artists 00:47:32 Searching for pretty melodies in the woods 00:53:01 Pitching a high-concept jukebox musical in reverse 00:58:36 Predicting if Lorne Michaels will ever actually retire FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele breaks down how Congress keeps getting older, but nobody seems to have a plan for what happens when elected officials freeze mid-speech, disappear for months, or quietly leave office without anyone noticing. He also gets into the growing trend of family members stepping in to keep political dynasties alive, and argues that if you’re asking the country to trust you with the government, the least you can do is let us know where you are. Then, comedian, songwriter, and The Tonight Show writer Brooks Allison joins Matt for a conversation about comedy, music, and what happened after “Planet of the Bass” became a Billboard-charting hit. They talk about writing for late-night TV, chasing creative ideas, confess their favorite ways to procrastinate (including Grand Theft Auto), and explain why posting sincere music online can be scarier than telling jokes. Chapters: 00:00:00 Brooks Allison, Comedy glow-ups and splurging on gear 00:05:07 Performing live comedy vs. late night writing 00:10:13 The viral success of Planet of the Bass 00:15:18 Behind the scenes at the the Tonight Show 00:20:20 The realities of late night tv production 00:25:26 Internet culture, outrage, and goldfish brains 00:30:32 Navigating work mistakes and corporate culture 00:35:34 Brooks Allison’s solo music and balancing creative work 00:40:36 High school music nostalgia and loving The Shins  00:45:39 Unwinding with video games and living with cats 00:50:41 Future career predictions Topics: Fan of late night to TV writer Writer on strike in 2023 Splurging on a $3,000 Gibson guitar The stress of walking cats in public Writing for The Tonight Show Making the viral Planet of the Bass How the internet ruined our focus Houston Cougars sports fans Nostalgia for The Shins  FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/   ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell   ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele imagines what The Odyssey would look like if it were directed by some of Hollywood’s biggest filmmakers. From Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler and Wes Anderson, to Quentin Tarantino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emerald Fennell, Martin Scorsese, and Guillermo del Toro, he reimagines Homer’s epic through each director’s unmistakable style. Then Matt sits down with comedian and writer Tess Gattuso to talk about stepping away from social media and what brought her back. They discuss making comedy in the age of algorithms, building a creative career, caring for loved ones with dementia, the frustrations of the American healthcare system, political activism, wellness culture, neurodiversity, and why real-life community matters more than ever. Chapters: 00:00:00 Tess Gattuso multi-talents must stay optimistic 00:05:14 Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 30 Rock influences 00:10:59 High school activism and finding your voice 00:15:54 Systemic failures in the American healthcare system 00:19:14 Why I quit social media at my career peak 00:24:53 Reclaiming your nervous system from the internet 00:30:44 Behind the scenes of launching Barbie’s TikTok 00:36:55 Navigating political polarization in comedy 00:42:08 The rise of McWellness and health grifters 00:46:35 Medical gaslighting and the 10-year diagnosis loop 00:53:51 Surviving Hollywood with delusional belief in your work 01:01:48 Navigating a career with an ADHD diagnosis Topics: Quitting social media at its peak Managing digital burnout and health Behind the scenes: Barbie TikTok Activism and writing with Jane Fonda The 10-year diagnosis loop for women Systemic failures in US healthcare Caregiving for paranoid schizophrenia Delusional belief in creative work Modern LA wellness culture and robots ADHD diagnosis and neurodivergence FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/   ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell   ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele explores the strange cultural phenomenon of turning adorable animals into internet celebrities, why we become so invested in their lives, and what happens when our favorite feel-good stories start competing with an endless stream of bad news. Then Matt is joined by writer, comedian, and actor Gil Ozeri, whose uniquely absurd comedy has made him a cult favorite through his legendary Snapchat videos, Big Mouth, Happy Endings, Comedy Bang! Bang!, and more. They talk about committing completely to a bit, creating comedy that's impossible to describe until you experience it, his unforgettable Bane impression, and the long, weird path to making a career out of making people laugh. They also discuss letting go of perfectionism, surviving a rapidly changing entertainment industry, and Gil makes predictions about the future of The Simpsons, Toy Story, and which fast-food chain is primed for a comeback. Chapters: 00:00:00 Shooting new show 100% with Nick Kroll 00:02:37 Surreal Snapchat videos and early bits 00:08:06 Creating absurd brand sponsorships 00:13:54 Commitment to committing to the bit 00:19:15 Breaking into comedy writing in your 30s 00:24:32 Navigating TV writers rooms 00:30:10 Improv training and early stage career 00:35:48 Pitching TV shows in Hollywood 00:41:15 Writing for Big Mouth and animated TV 00:46:30 Evolution of internet comedy and social media 00:52:10 Iconic Comedy Bang Bang impressions 00:57:25 Fast food marketing and subway rebranding Topics:  Shooting new show with Nick Kroll    Surreal Snapchat comedy bits    Creating absurd brand sponsorships    The art of committing to the bit    Breaking into TV writing in your 30s    Navigating Hollywood writers' rooms    Improv roots and early stage career    Pitching original TV shows    Writing for Big Mouth & animation    Iconic Comedy Bang Bang impressions    FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/   ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell   ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele attends a City Hall wedding and wonders whether love is real and lasting or simply about finding someone to ride the life roller coaster with when the world gets scary. Then Matt sits down with comedian Chloe Radcliffe to talk about her journey from managing soda inventory at Target to stand-up, screenwriting, and her solo show Cheat. They discuss speech and debate, finding comedy after getting laid off, writing a movie for a major studio before knowing how to write a movie, and the terrifying experience of realizing nobody in the room knows what they’re doing. Chloe also opens up about cheating, monogamy, desire, emotional affairs, and why turning the worst parts of yourself into comedy can feel like a form of bloodletting. Chapters: 00:00:00 Chloe Radcliffe, screenwriting, phone addiction, hometowns 00:05:25 Overcoming phone addiction and managing career anxiety  00:11:07 Channeling ambitious energy into stand-up comedy and writing  00:17:12 Transitioning from speech and debate to comedy stages  00:22:45 Navigating corporate life at Target HQ and supply chain work  00:28:10 Leaving corporate supply chain for full-time comedy  00:33:50 Selling movie pitches to Sony without experience 00:39:25 Invisible industry work and Hollywood screenwriting realities  00:44:50 Creating the solo show Cheat and sharing radical honesty  00:50:15 Exploring emotional cheating and the psychology of infidelity  00:55:40 Examining love versus desire in modern relationships  01:01:05 Baby talk and lack of dishonesty impact relationships Topics: Managing soda inventory at target hq Speech and debate as comedy training Pitching to Sony without experience Learning studio screenwriting on the job Managing screen time and phone habits Compulsive radical honesty with bosses Origin of the solo comedy show Cheat Sleeping with the FedEx delivery guy Navigating love vs. sexual desire Defining the lines of emotional affairs FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/   ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell   ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele talks about influencer culture, a corgi who became internet-famous from inside a backpack, and the strange ways the internet shapes how we see ourselves and each other. Then Matt sits down with comedian, writer, and podcast host Akilah Hughes to talk about her podcast, Rebel Spirit, which follows her return to her Kentucky high school to push for replacing its Confederate mascot with a biscuit. They discuss why people hold onto Confederate symbols, and the challenge of changing traditions. They also reminisce about their Saturday Night Live auditions and talk about internet outrage, parasocial relationships, and when to stop taking the internet’s bait. Chapters: 00:00:00 Akilah Hughes, What a Day podcast, career pivots 00:04:14 Discussing Rebel Spirit and historical mascot debates 00:08:03 Examining public reactions to monument removal and social change 00:13:19 Navigating life in New York versus California 00:17:06 Reflecting on hosting news podcasts during turbulent times 00:22:50 Auditioning for Saturday Night Live during the pandemic 00:31:58 Facing the challenges of acting auditions and industry dynamics 00:36:24 Unpacking internet outrage and online commentary 00:41:29 Debating parasocial obsession and body image in social media 00:46:25 Playing small D energy with political tropes 00:51:41 Predicting the next viral internet animal 00:55:08 Guessing future video game characters and political figures Topics: Akilah Hughes: comedy and podcasting The pandemic SNL audition process on Zoom Changing the rebel high school mascot Auditioning for Colin Jost & Michael Che Hollywood’s struggle with podcasting Impact of southern history & statues Ariana grande, body image culture, media gaslighting Work life in NYC vs. Los Angeles Predicting the next viral character on Fortnite FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/   ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell   ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Buechele has a message: go out. Say yes to the party, text back that Hinge match, find the afters, and stop letting your phone become your entire social life. It’s time to raise the Q3 numbers, bring back bacchanalia, and fight back against a year that’s been screwing us all. Former New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander joins Matt to talk about the wild year that took him from being arrested at an ICE protest to becoming the Democratic nominee for Congress. He tells Matt what happened when he tried to help an immigrant leaving immigration court, why he chose to cross-endorse Zohran Mamdani in the NY mayoral race, and how he learned to put the team ahead of his own political ambitions. Plus, Brad and Matt talk about Eric Adams, the future of New York, housing, public schools, and Brad’s surprisingly strong opinions on fizzy iced coffee. Topics: NYC political career and campaign ICE protests and civil disobedience Immigration and economic drivers Lessons from the NYC mayoral race Ranked choice voting strategy Housing costs and rent affordability Public transit and infrastructure Education and school integration Foreign policy and Middle East stance Predictions on politics and NYC trends FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/   ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell   ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices