7 chapters across the catalog
Oliver Stone, Russian Car Sales, College Football Championship
Filmmaker Oliver Stone is mentioned for his views on the Ukraine conflict, which the hosts compare to their own analysis. In Russian business news, the Kia Rio has overtaken the Lada as the best-selling car. The segment concludes with a look ahead to the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Kia Hit Piece, Native Advertising and Media Corruption
A news report from Benicia, California, regarding a fatal crash involving a Kia is analyzed as a potential "hit piece." The hosts note the repetitive naming of the car brand without mentioning the other vehicle involved. This leads to a discussion on the "Kia Soul" hamster commercials and the shift in power from publishers to advertisers in modern media.
Joan Rivers Tribute, Kia Optima Sales, Bob Woodward
Adam Curry shares personal memories of working with Joan Rivers at MTV, describing her as kind and professional. The hosts briefly mention a Kia Optima sales event before transitioning to a C-SPAN interview between Bob Woodward and John Dean regarding the concentration of power in the presidency.
Ham Gear Inheritance, Kia Soul and Atlas Shrugged
A listener describes inheriting ham radio equipment from his late grandfather and offers to share duplicates with the hosts. Another donor mentions spotting an "Who is John Galt?" bumper sticker on a Kia Soul, leading to a discussion about the car's quality and the "walking hamsters" advertising campaign. The segment includes a request for an "Atlas Shrugged" audio jingle.
The "Ford Focus Studio" reality show is cited as an example of embedded advertising. A discussion on the Kia Soul explores the idea of "green shaming," where driving older, less efficient vehicles like a Range Rover might lead to social or legal repercussions under future environmental policies.
A personal critique of Korean automobiles describes the Kia Soul as a "tin can" with uncomfortable seating and poor build quality. The Hyundai Sonata is similarly dismissed as a "gutless wonder" despite its attractive design, with a recommendation to stick to Toyota or Ford for better performance.
New Zealand Parrot Steals Tourist Passport
A Kia parrot in the South Island of New Zealand stole a British tourist's passport and flew into the brush, leaving the traveler stranded. Replacing the document through the British High Commission in Wellington is expected to take six weeks and cost $250.
