Topic: Chilies

The hosts observe that social media success is often driven by a "self-pity promotion machine," where users receive more engagement for being sad or outraged. They analyze a viral TikTok of a woman claiming she must leave the country because of a Chili's commercial. They suggest this is a sophisticated "outrage marketing" strategy designed to make people search for the advertisement.

John Dvorak recommends the Chili Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University for high-quality, non-commercial chili seeds. The site offers over 100 varieties, including scorpion peppers. The hosts also discuss the challenges of gardening in extreme weather, noting recent hail damage to their property in Texas that they chose not to report to insurance.

Adam Curry provides a "Foodie Tip" regarding Thai chilis, noting that their thin skins allow them to be stored in the freezer for years without losing quality. The hosts sign off by teasing Episode 1701, which will feature a Star Trek theme. They thank the producers for 1700 episodes of support.

The show acknowledges significant donations from producers, including Dustin Sonderreger, Adam Urbano, and Hollywood producer Dana Brunetti, who promoted his film "Gran Turismo." A knighthood ceremony is held for Dame Emma, Sir Sonderreger, and Sir Alan. Listener notes cover topics such as the decline of the ATM business, weight loss success, and local meetups in Indiana and Georgia.

Donations from Associate Executive Producers include a discussion on the proper way to eat Cincinnati chili—served over spaghetti with cheese, onions, or beans. Another producer provides information on "heme," a fermented GMO soy ingredient used in fake meat products like Beyond Meat. A Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard is also recognized for his support.

A formal knighting ceremony is held for Dame Jesse Lee, Sir Anthony, and Sir Grease Monkey, featuring the traditional "Hookers and Blow" and "Cincinnati-style chili" motifs. The hosts also promote an extensive list of upcoming No Agenda meetups in Denver, Nashville, Charleston, and the Netherlands. These producer-organized events are highlighted as the core of the show's community engagement.

Audio clips from various No Agenda meetups in Castroville, San Diego, and Memphis are played. A report from a Texas meetup mentions a "banana wine" with a serious flaw, and a Denver producer sparks a debate by mentioning he puts beans in his chili, a practice forbidden by Texas tradition.

Sir Andrew and Emma Pilgrim announce a "Best Chili Cook-Off in the Universe" meetup scheduled for March 21st in Pittsburgh. The segment includes various donor shout-outs and a discussion on the "value-for-value" model that sustains the podcast.

The Midland, Texas No Agenda meetup was forced to move to a Chili's restaurant because Governor Greg Abbott ordered the closure of bars. Other upcoming meetups are scheduled for Ohio, Seattle, and Malta. Organizers encourage listeners to use the dedicated meetup website to find or create local gatherings despite ongoing regional lockdowns.

A story from Rio de Janeiro involves a "pepper-eating challenge" between two journalists at a barbecue restaurant. After the speaker swallowed several hot peppers with no reaction, the competing journalist attempted to do the same but turned "beet red" and suffered physically because he had previously been faking eating them.

The hosts thank various donors, including Dame Susan Johnson and Sir Scott of the Cheshire Plains, who is recognized for his "No Agenda" novels. A discussion about John C. Dvorak's award-winning chili recipe ensues after a donor points out a typo in the online version. Several listeners are elevated to knighthood for reaching the $1,000 cumulative donation threshold, including Sir Purfluous of the Best Words.

The hosts discuss a listener-requested chili recipe available through the show's online resources. A donation from a helicopter pilot prompts a mention of "Vortex Ring State," a dangerous aerodynamic condition. The segment includes a list of $50 donors from various locations, including North Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania, while jokingly correcting a donor's attempt to use a favorable Canadian exchange rate for their contribution.

ABC News is accused of utilizing "reverse native ads" by running negative stories about companies like Apple to pressure them into advertising. A report on an iPhone 6S catching fire is cited as an example. Additionally, a report on a data breach at Chili's Grill & Bar is criticized for including "spurious" promotional information about the restaurant's menu items.

The BJ Consulting Group in Osaka, Japan, reports on their success cooking "Dvorak's award-winning chili" for a local barbecue. They issue a "Chili Challenge" to Dame Astrid in Tokyo. The segment includes a discussion on the availability of specific chili powders and the use of homegrown jalapenos in Japan.

John C. Dvorak recounts his experience winning the People's Choice Award at a Comdex chili cook-off in Las Vegas. To secure the win against a rival from Texas, Dvorak hired professional showgirls to solicit votes from attendees. The story is used as a metaphor for modern voting systems and the potential use of "bots" or "girls" to influence podcast award rankings.

The hosts thank their executive producers and grant new knighthoods to donors. Adam Curry shares a story about burning a batch of Dvorak's chili recipe while becoming engrossed in the movie Pacific Rim. They also acknowledge a donation from a producer in Denmark.

John C. Dvorak recounts winning a "People's Choice" chili cook-off at Comdex by hiring showgirls to solicit votes, illustrating his cynical view of public voting contests. The hosts discuss the futility of competing in modern podcast awards without the use of voting bots or similar aggressive marketing tactics.

The specific culinary customs of New Mexico are examined, particularly the ubiquitous question of "red or green" chilies. The term "Christmas" is identified as the local shorthand for requesting a mix of both sauces. This cultural nuance is presented as essential knowledge for anyone dining in the region.

A new "four-bean bogative chili" recipe is released to the mailing list and added to the show's recipe archive. The inclusion of beans is noted as a disqualifier for traditional chili competitions, which typically mandate meat-only entries.

The hosts compare weather conditions between Austin, Texas, and Northern Silicon Valley following the Thanksgiving holiday. Discussion covers the "comedown" from Black Friday, local temperature drops, and the necessity of bringing chili pepper plants and bougainvillea indoors to survive an overnight frost in Texas.