43 chapters across the catalog
Mimi brings nine audio clips (ISOs) for the production segment, though Adam finds many of them too long for standard use. They play clips featuring Asmongold and Tucker Carlson, debating which ones are suitable for future show production. The segment highlights the collaborative effort in selecting the "sound" of the podcast.
The benefits of audio-only media are explored through the lens of political deconstruction, noting that visual cues often distract from a speaker's actual message. A specific example involves California Governor Gavin Newsom, whose physical "gyrations" are said to mask his verbal inconsistencies. A technical aside explains how mercury-backed mirrors in barber shops reflect a higher Kelvin range, creating a harsher, less flattering light than traditional silver mirrors.
Television Production Dynamics, Control Room Relationships
Personal anecdotes from careers at MTV and Tech TV illustrate the importance of maintaining good relationships with technical crews, including lighting and sound engineers. Control room staff often hold significant power over how "talent" appears on screen and may record "hot mic" moments if they feel disrespected. The discussion details the technical evolution from tape delays to modern digital switching.
The hosts engage in an "ISO off," comparing two short audio clips to determine which is better for future production use. They settle on a "Sunday Funday" clip, noting its relevance to the current broadcast day.
The hosts review potential "ISOs" (isolated audio clips) for the show's soundboard. Candidates include Jen Psaki saying "We don't block anything" and a clip of someone saying "I think it is terrific." They ultimately select the "terrific" clip for its versatility in future media deconstruction segments.
End of Show Mixes, Fall Back Theme, Time Change
The hosts select the "Fall Back" audio clip as the theme for the end-of-show mix, reflecting the recent daylight saving time change. They credit the various producers who contribute audio mixes to the program.
The hosts compete to select the best "ISO" (isolated soundbite) to end the show. Options include "You're completely wrong," "Who cares about Twitter followers," and "Sort of leaves you physically sick," with the latter being chosen as the favorite.
The hosts review new audio jingles submitted by producers, including variations on the "You will eat ze bugs" theme and a clip featuring New York City Mayor Eric Adams. They select the most effective clips for future use in the program.
ISO Soundbite Competition and "This is Like Crack"
The hosts engage in a playful competition to select new "ISOs" (isolated soundbites) for the show's production. They test various clips, including "This is like crack" and "Thank you for having me," ultimately debating which audio snippets have the most comedic or utility value for future episodes.
The hosts review several short audio clips (ISOs) to determine which will be used as the closing jingle. They settle on a clip of Alex Jones saying "They need the money" as a humorous nod to the show's value-for-value model.
The hosts engage in their traditional end-of-show process of selecting a short audio clip (ISO) to close the episode. After reviewing several options, they settle on a clip of Joe Biden saying, "Gotta go get some mac and cheese," which is then layered with other sound effects for the final out-cue.
The hosts search for a new "ISO" (isolated audio clip) to use in the show's production. They debate between a clip of someone saying "ridonculous"—attributed to Rachel Maddow—and a clip about "wreaking havoc on the industry." They ultimately settle on "ridonculous" despite finding it "shitty" and "worthless," noting that show production quality is often cyclical.
The hosts debate which audio clips to use for the end of the show, including a "Don't block me, John C" jingle and a clip of "Q is back." They review various listener-produced mixes and discuss the merits of different voiceovers.
The hosts select and test audio "ISOs" (sound bites) for the episode, including a clip of the phrase "babies are being vaporized." They discuss the technical aspects of audio compression and dynamics to ensure the sound bites have the desired impact for the show's conclusion.
The hosts review potential new sound effects (ISOs) for the show, including a clip of a cow in "anguish" and Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying "terrible." A humorous clip of someone claiming they "don't speak Russian" is also considered. The segment provides a behind-the-scenes look at the show's audio production process.
TASCAM Audio Interface Performance and Production Quality
A TASCAM audio interface was discarded after listener feedback indicated it lacked the expected high-quality production sound. Comparisons are made to the MXL 990 microphone, which was noted for having a distracting "comb filter" effect that made it unsuitable for professional use. The technical limitations of the TASCAM and Roadcaster units are criticized, specifically regarding their inability to provide professional control over the audio chain and their tendency to produce a "calming" NPR-style sound rather than an aggressive, engaging tone.
ISO Jingle Selection, Smorgasbord and Happy Days
The hosts selected new "In Search Of" (ISO) jingles for the show's soundboard. The chosen clips include a "Smorgasbord" line featuring Yogi Bear and a "Happy Days" musical sting. These audio elements are used to punctuate segments and respond to listener contributions during the live broadcast.
The hosts experiment with audio clips of Amy Goodman coughing and "amygdala hijacking" to create a potential show remix. A brief tangent mentions annoying YouTube advertisements regarding "belly fat."
Critique of End-of-Show Mixes and Graphic Arts
A discussion on the differences between graphic artists and audio producers reveals that graphic artists are generally more receptive to critique. The hosts express a preference for end-of-show mixes that tell a story or use clever sampling rather than just placing a musical bed under random clips.
In honor of the 1,300th episode, a medley of classic No Agenda jingles and isolated audio clips (ISOs) is played. The collection includes various historical soundbites, including a tribute from a "John Galt" character and clips of Pastor Manning. The hosts discuss the origins of long-running show memes and the evolution of their audio database.
