Sage-Based Wisdom

Jana and Brian celebrate the arrival of "Hot Mess Summer," swap stories about Pride parties, cat chaos, and the horror-comedy obsession that is Widow's Bay , all while making the case for embracing cellulite, imperfections, and a little more joyful messiness. They also answer a listener's question about why asking for help can feel so impossible, unpacking the myths of radical...

Jana and Brian compare notes on embracing their "dumb bitch era," from Peloton workouts and UCLA writing classes to recovering from the flu and rediscovering the joy of summer. They unpack why climbing Mount Everest might be humanity's most unnecessary hobby, debate the ethics of adventure tourism, and answer a listener's plea for help getting her partner to finally do the dish...

Jana and Brian discuss neighborhood weed diplomacy after Jana's flight attendant neighbor confronts her about balcony smoking, debate the merits of cigarettes versus vape pens, and unpack why billionaires with too much time on their hands might be humanity's greatest threat. They also weigh in on a listener's quest to become the breakout star of an Indigenous joy panel, offering adv...

This week Jana and Brian are joined by Indigenous creators Kairyn Potts and Scott Wabano for a chaotic conversation about Indigenous dating, toxic masculinity, gay gossip networks, crack-smoking politicians, chest plates, and their new reality series Reservations for Two—the first Indigenous blind dating show in Canada. Plus, the crew tackles listener gossip, debates why men want children, and off...

Jana and Brian are joined by environmental strategist Jade Begay (JADED) to talk climate justice, Standing Rock, Native politics, and the very real possibility of launching a queer medical tourism empire. They also advise a listener worried about being a stoner parent by exploring weed stigma, bad girl eras, whimsical living, and whether taking a gummy might actually make you a better mom. FOR MOR...

Jana and Brian are joined by comedian Dylan Adler to discuss Wasian drama, Japanese and Native wisdom stereotypes, and, of course, gay stuff. Along the way, they discuss the ol' Pledge of Allegiance and Brian's Palm Springs orgy schedule. They give a listener trying to build community with their neighbors some advice about how to even do that. FOR MORE OF US IN YOUR LIFE, BECOME AN OFFIC...

Jana and Brian discuss the emotional manipulation of dog TikTok, the terrifying freedom of being single with no responsibilities, and why getting canceled on feels better than receiving flowers. Along the way, they spiral through Beyoncé concert economics, the “burnt toast theory,” gay men motorboating Jana in New York, and the psychological depths of bimbofication via Brian Noem’s alleged balloon...

Jana and Brian are joined by comedian and filmmaker Blake Pickens to discuss Seattle, Native comedy crowds, sleep schedules that signal either wellness or unemployment, and whether couples actually need to live together to be in love. Along the way, they debate Pearl Jam, eagle feather etiquette, Oklahoma rivalries, and relationship fart milestones. They give  listener with suspiciously dramatic f...

Jana and Brian discuss Botox, secret nice apartments, fry bread innovation, and whether human composting is actually the most ethical way to die. Along the way, they unpack whale intelligence, tramp stamp aspirations, and why powdered sugar might secretly be a lethal topping. A listener writes in wondering if they’re too emotionally attached to their cat, and the hosts deliver deeply conflicting a...

Jana and Brian are back in their ménage à trois era (you, them, and the listener) and covering everything from Jana’s mysterious upcoming hockey movie to Brian’s road life revelations and questionable wellness choices. They break down a chaotic Instagram reel full of woo-woo advice, debate gratitude lists, and spiral into stories about road rage, touring struggles, and stomach issues. A listener w...

Jana and Brian discuss Brian's travels to NYC for shows and his feelings about being back in the city they both love. Jana spills the tea about basement shows and how every comedian should be grateful for any performance venues. Jana plays an Instagram reel about applying for a job whilst on the rag, and the two give out scholarly advice to a caller.  FOR MORE OF US IN YOUR LIFE, BECOME AN OF...

Jana, Brian, and special guest Marcella Arguello (Bitch, Grow Up, Abbott Elementary) get into everything from the chaos of comedy touring to the very real question of whether LA is still “the place” to be. Marcella shares why she left California for Chicago and how stepping away from the industry grind created space for clarity, growth, and better comedy, while the group spirals (productively) thr...

Jana and Brian are back in their internet episode era (no guest today!) as they spiral from pandemic nostalgia and saxophone karaoke lore into TikTok discourse, pajama teens, and why straight men should maybe… just kiss. A listener question about getting soaked while doing dishes leads to surprisingly real advice: you might just be doing everything too fast. The takeaway? Not everything needs to b...

Jana and Brian are joined by comedian, writer, and cultural critic Danielle Perez (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Overcompensating, The Night Agent, Ballard) for a wildly unhinged episode that spirals from political scandal and discourse into the ethics of kink, TMZ as the new people’s press, and the increasingly blurred line between power, performance, and delusion. Along the way, they unpa...

Jana and Brian are joined by comedian Hayden Johnson (Funny or Die, Netflix is a Joke, New York Comedy Festival) for a delightfully unhinged dive into van life fantasies, the undeniable hotness of smoking (unfortunately), and the growing suspicion that straight men might, in fact, be the gayest among us. From chaotic industry stories and accidental green room segregation to \a fully realized busin...

Jana and Brian are joined by comedian Tommy Do (Overcompensating, The Other Two, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, People We Meet On Vacation, and Hacks) for a chaotic, globe-trotting, and deeply unserious exploration of solo vacations, gay gym culture, and the increasingly cursed state of the internet. From Fort Lauderdale nude beaches and “living for the plot” to Japan travel prep, int...

Jana and Brian are joined by comedian Sam Taggart (StraightioLab) for a wide-ranging and deeply unserious investigation into gay travel lore, Mr. B&B, and why Fort Lauderdale might be the spiritual home of the “I’m so back” mindset. Along the way they spiral into Speedos, secret vacations, Japan travel stories, and the philosophical highs and lows of declaring yourself “so back” only for life...

Jana and Brian are joined by comedian Zach Noe Towers (E!, Comedy Central, Netflix, Good Sod Pod) for a chaotic, deeply educational exploration of gay hookup apps and the complicated taxonomy of twinks, otters, bears, and daddies. The trio debates sobriety, weed as a coping mechanism for the horrors, and whether personal growth in your 40s is just finally caring less during sex. In the advice segm...

This week, Jana and Brian are joined by poet and writer Tommy Pico for an episode that spirals from fart science to social media detoxing, cousin jealousy lore, and Tribal Chairman drag names. Along the way, they invent new anatomy terminology, debate lying for mystique, and remind you that everything is connected…including your microbiome. A grad student called in after being accepted to two conf...

Joined by television writer Michelle Davis (After Midnight, Ziwe, A Black Lady Sketch Show), the conversation ricochets from pickup basketball and dating lore to Zoom romance during the pandemic. The trio unpacks the chaos of writers’ rooms, getting canceled six months after signing a lease, and why West Hollywood can spiritually exhaust even the strongest among us. They spiral into pandemic panic...

Jana and Brian dive headfirst into TikTok withdrawals and Instagram Reels methadone. Brian recommits to finishing his stand-up hour after what he calls a “comedy sabbatical,” Jana productivity-maxes on antidepressants, and together they unpack algorithm slop bowls, Threads nostalgia, Land Back discourse, and why every app now feels like it was invented by a supervillain. In the advice segment, a s...

Jana and Brian welcome a very special guest straight from Jana’s bedroom to the couch musician and Gen X icon, Steve Jenkins. Hear them talk Succession finale worship, Mad Men propaganda, wallet chains, gay fashion crimes, and whether rich people are, in fact, the worst. Along the way hear from Brian about his ongoing existential crisis about becoming a daily vlogger in pursuit of filming a stand-...

NOTE: This episode was recorded in early January. This week on Sage-Based Wisdom, Jana and Brian ping-pong from SAT scores and stress dreams to Bri’s week-three vlog era, construction chaos, and a renewed commitment to 2026 being the Year of the Bitch™. AKA stop people-pleasing, start roasting the powerful, and please keep your eyes on the alley. In the advice section, a listener doesn’t even ask...

Joined by stand-up comedian and longtime NYC sketch scene legend Brigid Boyle, the conversation spirals from cosmetic procedures, aging, dating, desire, power, and why fantasy is often hotter than reality. Together, they unpack slut energy vs. slut behavior, fear of commitment, and the psychological thrill (and terror) of actually being seen by another person. The trio dives deep into roleplay fan...

Jana and Brian spiral productively into a full-blown stand-up special intervention. What starts as a casual check-in turns into a radical commitment to being delulu on purpose: chasing a Hulu/Netflix special, vlogging the process, and refusing to wait for permission. Along the way, they unpack rage as creative fuel, why bombing is actually essential to comedy, clowning vs. cringe, and whether stan...