9 chapters across the catalog
Orin's Hummus Boycott and San Francisco Protests
Orin's Hummus, an Israeli restaurant in San Francisco, was targeted with graffiti and boycott flyers during a pro-Palestine demonstration. The flyers called for a boycott of several Jewish-owned businesses in the city. The restaurant's manager emphasized that the business focuses on food rather than politics, while the hosts discuss the quality of authentic hummus from the region.
The hosts thank the "No Agenda Nation" for their contributions of time, talent, and treasure, noting the show went full-time around episode 100. They review the artwork for episode 1599 by Matt Boisvert, titled "Drop The Op," which features a subtle misspelling of "Hamas" as "Hammas." This leads to a tangent about the quality of hand-ground hummus in the Middle East.
The hosts select "I eat kale, it is dangerous" as the episode's primary soundbite (ISO). They briefly discuss the historic coalition formed to unseat Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which includes an Arab party for the first time. The segment ends with a lighthearted debate about who makes the best hummus, with the hosts favoring Palestinian preparations.
Thanksgiving Production Banter, Hummus Pronunciation
The hosts engage in banter regarding their Thanksgiving Day recording schedule and the pronunciation of "hummus." Adam Curry mentions receiving numerous corrections from listeners in Israel and the US on the proper Arabic or Hebrew pronunciation. The segment highlights the "value for value" interaction between the show and its global audience.
Sir Hummus and the Middle Eastern Peace Through Food Theory
A donor from Lebanon, knighted as Sir Hummus, suggests that the conflicts in the Middle East could be resolved if people focused on their shared love of hummus. John C. Dvorak provides a critique of commercial hummus brands, praising Oasis and Sabra while criticizing "hippie hummuses" found at Whole Foods. The hosts jokingly propose a "hummus-off" to create peace in the region.
Knighting of Sir Hummus and Middle Eastern Spirits
The hosts perform a knighting ceremony for Sir Hummus from the Middle East. They discuss the traditional anise-flavored spirit "Arak," comparing it to Greek Uzo, French Pastis, and Italian Sambuca. The segment reinforces the "value for value" model of the podcast.
Hummus Diplomacy, Middle East Conflict, Palestinian Restaurant
In a lighthearted tangent, the hosts suggest that the Middle East conflict is ultimately a dispute over who makes the best hummus. John C. Dvorak recalls visiting a Palestinian restaurant in a Los Angeles alley that served the best handmade hummus he has ever had. They joke that "hummus diplomacy" could solve regional tensions if everyone could agree on a recipe.
Matt Walsh, Viral Parody of Identity Politics
A viral video by Matt Walsh parodied modern identity politics and "outrage culture." The rant, which featured a man "literally shaking" after being called "sir" at a grocery store, was mistaken for a real event by some social media users who failed to recognize the irony.
A brief culinary discussion focuses on the quality of store-bought hummus in the United States. Comparison is made between the Sabra brand, which uses soybean oil, and Yousef's Hummus, which uses olive oil. The hosts express a preference for authentic Middle Eastern preparation methods over national brands.
