Episode 148 - State of the Pod 5: ...Fuckin' Tell ME!
Digest
The podcast hosts recap Season 5 with a "Superlatives" segment, awarding moments like the "Best Buffoon Moment" (grilling scene) and "Most Maddening Men's Moment." They share anecdotes about their cats, Mildred and Winnie, and try pickle taffy. The discussion delves into critical "digs" on IBLP, Duggar family topics, and miscellaneous subjects like Operation Christmas Child. They also review and propose "bingo squares" for their game. A Q&A segment addresses podcast origins, Simpsons favorites, remote work, Bill G's beliefs, and future podcast content, including plans for Famy's book and potential Duggar-related travel. They also touch on discipline, Mormon temples, Disneyland, work-life balance, and the impact of relationships on personal development, concluding with season reflections and break plans.
Outlines
Season 5 Recap and Pet Antics
The podcast kicks off with a preview of Season 5 and shares anecdotes about their cats, Mildred and Winnie, highlighting Mildred's clinginess and Winnie's concern during illness. They also try a unique pickle-flavored taffy.
Season 5 Superlatives: Best Moments
The hosts introduce their "Season 5 Superlatives" segment, reviewing memorable moments. They award "Best Buffoon Moment" to the grilling scene, discuss Michelle's most excited moments, and review the best "roasts" and "women can't stand him" scenes.
\"Lego\" Pushback and Maddening Men
This segment focuses on moments where characters pushed back against "Lego" and the most frustrating "Maddening Men's Moments" of the season, including instances of obliviousness and needing constant supervision.
\"Eric is Let Out of Lego's Balloon\" & Duggar Hospitality
The hosts review moments where "Lego" was exposed or deflated and discuss the concept of "best Duggar hospitality," which involves being put to work.
\"Handsplaining\" and \"Facts and Jackson\"
The hosts humorously coin "handsplaining" for a child's rambling explanations and celebrate moments where Jackson "spits facts," discussing his observations on family matters.
Season 5 \"Digs\": Books and People
The hosts delve into their critical analyses ("digs") of books related to the Duggar sphere, focusing on themes like toxic empathy and religious upbringing, and review their digs on individuals connected to IBLP and the Duggars.
Season 5 \"Digs\": IBLP, Duggar, and Misc. Topics
Further critical analyses cover IBLP teachings, Duggar-specific topics like the quiverful movement and buddy system, and miscellaneous subjects such as Operation Christmas Child and Vacation Bible School.
Top 5 Digs and Season Reflections
The hosts share their overall top 5 favorite "digs" from the season and reflect on the podcast's evolution and the increasing relevance of adjacent topics to mainstream society.
Bingo Squares: Review and Proposals
The hosts discuss which bingo squares to keep or remove, evaluate rolled-over squares, and propose new squares for their game, including "Honking" and "Duggers Don't Do Mornings."
Q&A: Podcast Origins, Simpsons, and Famy's Book
Listeners' questions are addressed regarding the podcast's origins, the influence of Josh Duggar's incarceration, favorite Simpsons characters and quotes, and plans for covering Famy's upcoming book.
Favorite Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Episodes
Tim shares his favorite "Treehouse of Horror" episodes from The Simpsons, highlighting "Treehouse of Horror V" and memorable segments.
Q&A: Remote Work and Social Habits
The hosts discuss how remote work has impacted their desire to leave the house and their changing social needs post-COVID.
Q&A: Bill G's Beliefs and Control Tactics
The hosts debate whether Bill G genuinely believes in God or uses religion as a tool for control and manipulation, concluding he likely engages in both.
Q&A: Mildred's Perspective and Season Surprises
The hosts answer questions from Mildred's perspective about her preferences and habits, and discuss surprising aspects of the past season, including potential pilgrimages to Duggar-related locations.
Q&A: Tim's New Job and Duggar Discipline
Tim discusses his new job and cooking habits, while the hosts reaffirm their commitment to covering topics they are passionate about, like Duggar discipline methods, when they feel ready.
Handling Audience Questions and Mormon Temples
The hosts discuss how they handle audience questions, differentiating between respectful inquiries and aggressive demands, and share a personal, uncomfortable experience inside a Mormon temple.
Ideal Book Subjects from the Duggarverse & Disneyland Favorites
The hosts discuss who they would want to write a book from the Duggarverse, favoring Anna or Jana, and share their favorite Disneyland attractions and snacks.
Work-Life Balance and Holiday Excitement
The speaker discusses strategies for establishing routine and work-life balance in freelancing and expresses excitement for the upcoming holiday season due to a career change.
Impact of Relationships and Season 5 Recap
The speakers discuss how relationships can impact personal development and reflect on Season 5, thanking listeners and outlining plans for a break before Season 6.
Weekly Digs: Progressive Commercial and Friendship
Tim digs on a Progressive commercial depicting chef life, and Whitney digs on a friend who offered a ride, highlighting supportive friendships and conversations about nutrition.
Keywords
Mildred
Mildred is a cat belonging to one of the podcast hosts. The transcript details Mildred's clingy behavior, often referred to as being a "Velcro child," and her strong emotional reactions, particularly when the host leaves. This highlights the close bond and the cat's sensitivity to separation.
Winnie
Winnie is another cat belonging to the podcast hosts. The transcript describes Winnie's caring nature, especially when the host was unwell. Winnie stayed close by, showing concern, which is contrasted with Mildred's more dramatic reaction to the host's absence.
Pickle Taffy
Pickle taffy is a unique flavor of taffy sampled by the podcast hosts. It's described as having a subtle dill flavor with sweet candy notes. The hosts compare it to other pickle-flavored items, noting it's not off-putting but not a favorite either.
Season 5 Superlatives
This refers to a segment where the podcast hosts review and award "superlatives" to the most memorable moments from Season 5 of a show they are discussing. It functions like a "clip show," revisiting key events and characters in a categorized format.
Buffoon Moment
A "buffoon moment" is a category in the "Season 5 Superlatives" segment, used to identify the most comically inept or foolish action performed by a character. The grilling scene is highlighted as a prime example of this.
\"Women Can't Stand Him\" Scene
This superlative category identifies moments where female characters display clear annoyance or exasperation with a specific male character's behavior, often due to his obliviousness or insensitivity.
\"Lego\" Pushback Moment
This superlative category focuses on instances where a character, referred to as "Lego," faces direct opposition or correction, particularly when his usual obliviousness or attempts to control situations are challenged effectively.
Maddening Men's Moment
This superlative category highlights the most frustrating or exasperating actions by male characters in the show. Examples include sleeping through significant events or displaying a lack of basic competence.
Handsplaining
A humorous term coined by the hosts, "handsplaining" refers to a child's overly detailed and often nonsensical explanations. It's exemplified by a young girl's rambling description of skiing and ski teachers.
Facts and Jackson
This superlative category celebrates moments where a character named Jackson delivers blunt truths or insightful observations, often referred to as "spitting facts." This includes his comments on dating rules and family activities.
Duggar Digs
"Duggar Digs" are critical analyses or discussions of topics related to the Duggar family and their associated ministries, such as IBLP. These segments explore problematic aspects of their teachings and lifestyle.
IBLP Teachings
IBLP (Institute in Basic Life Principles) is a controversial organization whose teachings are critically examined in the podcast. The "digs" focus on how these principles influence the Duggar family and others, often highlighting their detrimental effects.
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child is a charity initiative discussed in the podcast. The hosts critically analyze its execution and underlying evangelistic agenda, questioning the transparency and motives behind the widely known program.
Bingo Squares
Squares used in a bingo game, often themed around specific topics or events. In this context, they refer to recurring themes or moments observed in the Duggar family's content, used for a fan-created bingo game.
Rolled-Over Squares
Bingo squares that have been carried over from previous seasons or iterations of the game, indicating their continued relevance or popularity among the players.
New Squares
Newly proposed or introduced bingo squares for the upcoming season, reflecting recent observations or trends related to the podcast's subject matter.
Simpsons Allegory
The use of characters and storylines in The Simpsons as symbolic representations of real-life issues, societal trends, or aspects of the entertainment industry.
Podcast Origins
The initial reasons and motivations behind the creation of a podcast, including personal experiences, interests, or responses to external events.
Duggar Family Dynamics
The complex relationships, behaviors, and interactions within the Duggar family, often analyzed through the lens of their religious beliefs and public persona.
Reality TV Analysis
The critical examination of reality television shows, focusing on their production, narrative construction, participant behavior, and cultural impact.
Religious Manipulation
The use of religious beliefs or institutions to control, influence, or exploit individuals for personal gain, often seen in cult-like structures or certain public figures.
Remote Work Impact
The effects of working from home on an individual's social habits, motivation, and overall well-being, including potential changes in desire for external interaction.
Podcast Boundaries
The principles and limits set by podcast creators regarding the topics they cover, their approach to content creation, and their response to audience feedback, ensuring creative integrity and preventing burnout.
Discipline
Discipline refers to the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. In the context of the podcast, it's a highly requested topic that the speaker feels pressure to cover due to its complexity and the many angles from which it can be discussed.
Mormon Temples
Mormon temples are sacred buildings used by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for religious ordinances and ceremonies, such as baptisms for the dead, endowments, and eternal sealings. The speaker shares a personal, negative experience within a temple, highlighting discomfort and unexpected issues with the attire.
Duggarverse
"Duggarverse" refers to the extended universe and cultural sphere surrounding the Duggar family, known for their reality television show "19 Kids and Counting." It encompasses their lifestyle, beliefs, and the controversies associated with them. The discussion revolves around who from this sphere might offer an insightful book.
Disneyland Snacks and Attractions
This refers to popular food items and rides at Disneyland Park. The speakers discuss their favorites, including Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, corn dogs, and churro toffee, emphasizing the nostalgic and immersive experiences they offer.
Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is a state of equilibrium where a person equally prioritizes the demands of their career and the demands of their personal life. The speaker discusses the challenges of achieving this in freelance work and shares strategies for creating routines to manage workload and reduce guilt.
Holiday Season
The holiday season typically refers to the period from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, characterized by various cultural and religious celebrations. The speakers express excitement for a more involved holiday season due to a career change, allowing for greater participation in festive activities.
Personal Development
Personal development involves activities that improve self-awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and facilitate employability, enhance quality of life, and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations. The discussion touches on how relationships and external influences can impact this.
Podcast Break
A podcast break is a temporary hiatus taken by a podcast between seasons or after a certain number of episodes. The speakers mention taking a break of two to three weeks to plan for the next season, catch up on personal tasks, and potentially relax.
Chef Life
"Chef life" refers to the demanding and often unconventional lifestyle and work environment of professional chefs. This includes long hours, high-pressure situations, and unique work habits, as humorously depicted in a Progressive commercial.
Friendship Support
Friendship support involves the emotional, practical, and social assistance provided by friends. The speaker highlights a friend who proactively offered help with transportation, demonstrating a deep understanding of their needs and a willingness to alleviate stress.
Q&A
What was the "Mildred minute" discussed by the hosts?
The "Mildred minute" refers to a period when the hosts' cat, Mildred, was visibly upset and refused to acknowledge the host's return home, showcasing her displeasure and attachment.
What unique flavor of taffy did the hosts try?
The hosts tried a pickle-flavored taffy, which they described as having a subtle dill taste with sweet undertones, comparing it to other, less palatable pickle-themed snacks.
What is the "Season 5 Superlatives" segment?
It's a review of the most memorable moments from Season 5 of the show they are discussing, presented in a categorized, "clip show" style format to reflect on the season's highlights.
Which moment was chosen as the "Best Buffoon Moment"?
The grilling scene was selected as the "Best Buffoon Moment," due to the individual's comical ineptitude and series of errors while attempting to cook.
What is "handsplaining" according to the podcast hosts?
"Handsplaining" is a humorous term for a child's rambling and often nonsensical explanations, exemplified by a young girl's detailed but confusing description of skiing.
What was the significance of the "Facts and Jackson" category?
This category celebrated moments where Jackson delivered blunt truths or insightful observations, such as his comments on the family's dating rules and their violin playing abilities.
What critical analysis was made of IBLP teachings?
The hosts critically examined IBLP teachings, particularly how they are used to silence dissent and control individuals, highlighting the weaponization of scripture and the creation of alternative institutions like Oakbrook College of Law.
What was the main criticism of "Operation Christmas Child"?
The hosts criticized Operation Christmas Child for its underlying evangelistic agenda and the politics behind its execution, noting that many participants are unaware of the full scope of the program.
What were the hosts' overall favorite "digs" from Season 5?
Their favorite "digs" included the analysis of online comments about the Duggar family, the discussion of the "buddy system," and the critique of "Operation Christmas Child," reflecting on the broader societal impact and the family's practices.
What are the criteria for deciding which bingo squares to keep or remove?
The hosts consider factors like a square's playability, humor, and how frequently it appears. Some squares are debated for being too common or not as funny as others, while some older squares are considered for retirement.
What are some of the proposed new bingo squares?
New squares discussed include "Honking" (related to car horns), "Duggers Don't Do Mornings" (about morning struggles), "Buffoodery" (referring to awkward eating habits), "Wisdom Voice" (a specific speaking style), and "Training" (referring to how the Duggers train their children).
Why did the podcast start, and was Josh Duggar's incarceration a factor?
While not the sole reason, Josh Duggar's crimes contributed by making the family's beliefs and behaviors more compelling to analyze. It highlighted the contrast between their public image and reality, making their story worth deeper investigation.
Who are your favorite Simpsons characters and why?
Tim's favorite main character is Marge, due to her multifaceted portrayal of motherhood and her storylines reflecting real-life experiences. His favorite side character is Milhouse, for his loyalty and relatable "everykid" persona.
What is your go-to Simpsons quote?
While there are many favorites, a memorable quote involves school budget cuts where lunch lady Doris grinds gym mats, with the line, "There's not a lot of meat in these mats."
What is your favorite Treehouse of Horror episode?
Tim considers "Treehouse of Horror V" the best overall, citing its segments like "The Shining" parody and the time-traveling toaster story as particularly strong.
Do you plan to cover Famy's book on the podcast?
Yes, the hosts plan to cover Famy's book at some point, but without a specific timeline. They have declined offers to have Famy on the podcast as a guest.
How has remote work affected your desire to leave the house?
Both hosts agree that remote work has reduced their inclination to leave the house. Whitney notes she doesn't get "stir crazy" and only leaves for specific reasons, while the other host finds their social battery has changed post-COVID.
Does Bill G genuinely believe in God, or does he exploit religion for control?
The hosts believe Bill G likely does both. While he may genuinely believe in God, he also uses religion as a tool for manipulation and control, compartmentalizing his actions to justify his behavior and maintain authority.
What does Mildred love most about each of you, and what habits would she change?
Mildred loves Tim's kissing and reading with her, and that he has good knees. She wishes he'd give her more snacks and roast her less. She loves Whitney's partnership and how she helps with research, but wishes Whitney would match her sleep schedule.
What surprised you most this season?
The hosts were surprised by how purposeful and deliberate the Duggar family's efforts were to appeal to a broader audience by filtering out their more "unsavory" beliefs.
Do you plan to visit Duggar-related locations like the Tater Top Mansion?
Visiting these locations is a possibility, especially now that Tim has a less demanding job. They are considering a trip that might include the Tater Tot Town Grape Festival and Silver Dollar City.
What other shows would make good podcast content?
"The Wonder Years" is suggested due to its layered storytelling across different time periods. Reality TV shows, particularly from TLC or VH1, are also considered viable content due to their psychological and analytical appeal.
How is Tim's new job, and has he been cooking more?
Tim enjoys his new job, which allows for more time with Whitney. He hasn't cooked anything particularly new or exciting due to adjusting to the schedule and the summer heat, which favors simpler meals.
Do you have a deep dive planned for Duggar discipline methods?
The hosts emphasize their commitment to covering topics they are passionate about, rather than catering to audience expectations. They will cover discipline methods when they feel it's the right time, prioritizing their own interests to avoid burnout.
What are the speaker's main reasons for delaying the podcast episode on discipline?
The speaker feels pressure to cover discipline due to frequent audience requests. The primary reason for the delay is not yet feeling mentally prepared to tackle the vastness and complexity of the topic, which they anticipate will require multiple episodes.
What was the speaker's experience like inside the Mormon temple?
The speaker found the experience uncomfortable and "weird and creepy." Specific issues included the see-through baptismal suits, leading to embarrassment and a feeling of exposure in front of an older man, and the overall lack of a spiritual connection.
Who would the speaker ideally want to write a book from the Duggarverse, and why?
The speaker would prefer Anna Duggar, but only if she were to leave Josh Duggar and deconstruct her beliefs. They are not interested in a book that merely reiterates her current stance of supporting her husband. Jana is also mentioned as a potentially interesting subject due to her unique position within the family.
What are the speakers' favorite Disneyland attractions and snacks?
Whitney's favorite attraction is Space Mountain, while Tim's is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. For snacks, both chose corn dogs, with Tim specifically mentioning the hot link version. Whitney's sweet treat favorite is churro toffee, and her savory honorable mention is the garlic cheesy pretzel bread from Rancho del Zocalo.
How does the speaker manage routine and avoid guilt when freelancing?
The speaker assigns specific tasks to specific days, creating a structured schedule even without fixed work hours. This helps in completing tasks efficiently, such as dedicating an entire day to podcast production tasks, which allows them to "check the box" and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Why are the speakers excited about the upcoming holiday season?
Due to a career change, Tim will be home more, allowing them to participate in holiday activities together. They plan to extend Halloween celebrations and fully engage in Christmas events, which was previously difficult due to work commitments.
Do the speakers believe "Baby Cannon" would have turned out differently if she hadn't met "Lego Hands"?
Both speakers believe that "Baby Cannon" had the potential to be very different and lead a different life had she not met "Lego Hands." They attribute her current situation significantly to his influence, especially given her young age and recent religious conversion at the time of their meeting.
What are the speakers' "digs" for the week?
Tim's dig is a Progressive commercial accurately depicting the realities of "chef life." Whitney's dig is about a friend who proactively offered a ride, recognizing her stress about driving downtown, highlighting the value of thoughtful support and the importance of beans in one's diet.
Show Notes
Season 5 is in the books! This has been a season of some very snarkworthy, yet iconic moments. A new addition to the normal "State of the Pod" is Season Superlatives. We do our seasonal Bingo Square Evaluation, and recap of some of our favorite Digs.
Thank you so much for your contributions to our Q&A segment. We got so many great questions that we couldn't answer them all. We appreciate everyone that submitted a question. Thank you for being along for the ride here in Season 5 and we look forward to the next.
Since the season is over, we are going to take a little time off. During our off-season we are going to try and rest, while also gameplanning what's coming next. If you haven't yet, join us over on www.buymeacoffee.com/diggingupthedug . We have bonus episodes, Mildred content, recipes and so much more to tide you over until we Dig in to season 6.
Episode visuals and more Mildred is over on instagram.com/digginguptheduggarspod
If you would like to send Mildred(or us) something in the post. We do have a P.O Box 5973, Glendale AZ, 85312
Table of contents
United States
