The Chat

Episode 24 - Chatting about mystery box storytelling, why a friend will jump in a hole with you, commiserating about the worst part of writing a book, how men develop respect after fist fighting, and why authors are the most dramatic people.

Episode 23 - Robert’s startling confession, naming your AI before it commits suicide, how Carlos got advice from Sigmund Freud without needing a seance, and how driving your enemies before you and hearing the lamentations of their women has become a lost art.

Episode 22 - Chatting about writing and finishing a series, keeping up with old friends, rediscovering the fundamentals, writing our own biographies, sharing your struggles, and the value of working your @$$ off for success.

Episode 21: Carlos chats with his friend Mike Rhodes of Cleerly Health . They also delve into Red Bull beginnings, the evolution of sales, preventative healthcare, the current state of Atlanta, looking out for goats and embracing AI for a better world. If you're interested in finding out more about Cleerly Health, or want to share with your primary care provider, visit Cleerly at CleerlyHealt...

Episode 20 - Special guest Robyn Haines asks Robert fan questions about his books, and they chat about his Indiana Jones moment, how Robert’s kid guessed a story secret no one else has, how to plot a book, and the unfortunate trend(?!) of men in yoga pants.

Episode 19 - Robert chats with special guest Robyn Haines about her career as a veterinary pathologist, what she does, about that time Robert wrestled a bear, the immense casualties of the recent chicken flu, using taxidermy for comedic purposes, and the circuitous route Robyn took to get to where she is.

Episode 18 - Why Carlos is overstimulated, on AI and optimism, raising awareness with Chris Pratt, why Robert believes the Foundation series is a crime against humanity, a meditation on Kevin Smith’s Askewniverse, and a discussion about the merits of the cinema-going experience.

Episode 17 - Chatting about the SVB Bank run, Monopoly should just be a board game, Tennessee’s electric vehicle future, overthrowing governments for bananas, men’s desire to follow the call to adventure, and musings on meth.

Episode 16 - Learning to load and fire a cannon, why Mickey Mouse could be the next porno star, the concept of luxury beliefs, everyone should be punched in the face at least once, what wealth meant to us growing up, on owning a house, not pigeonholding children, a short delve into the book The Devil in the White City, and Robert’s review of John Wick 4.

Episode 15 - Chatting about vacations, finishing a book series, why the Canadians should make a small change to their otherwise excellent national anthem, the pitfalls of English cuisine, why you should invade an Iraqi restaurant immediately, the ins and outs of patisserie, the guttersnipe press attack on Brandon Sanderson, and South American burglary gangs.

Episode 14: Part 2 of Robert's chat with Dan Prestegaard. Chatting about comedy and character, the downfall of Marvel, modern storytelling, the appeal of sports, Staten Island’s place in the NYC hierarchy, and traveling for research versus using Google Earth.

Episode 13: Chat with Dan Prestegaard. Chatting about what a Chief Information Officer is, avoiding hackers, how the internet is forever, the New York State of Mind, raising daughters, and the best breakfast and best burger in Nashville.

Episode 12: Robert chats with his friend Mike Lorenz about knowin’ when to fold ‘em, Robert’s new concept of “intellectual licensing,” their ground zero experience with the 2008 financial crisis, why Mike believes Bitcoin is the future of money and all other cryptocurrencies are sh*tcoins. Disclaimer: this episode's content is not to be construed as financial advice. 

Episode 11 - Chatting about Roald Dahl’s post-mortem edits, why snipers are the best, how we should deal with objectionable statues, when to quit, having an English degree sucks, and forgiveness.

Episode 10 - Chatting about finishing books, how learning can be fun, frustrations of writing, pulp fiction, and Robert’s dissertation on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Power Broker.

Episode 9 - Chatting about Paris, the other white meat, all things Yellowstone, the miserable lives of rockstars, the science of insomnia, and not exhibiting signs.

Episode 8 - Chatting about crime, shooting at planes in Mexico, urban doom loops, and the greatness of New York.

Episode 7 - Chatting about writing, motivation, why nobody writes like Tom Clancy anymore, tripping balls, and why you shouldn’t do drugs, kids.

Episode 6 - Chatting about why we won’t buy Teslas, fan baiting, racism, the time Robert got accused of being a bank robber, and the LOL-worthy demise of Buzzfeed at the hands of ChatGPT.

Episode 5 - Chatting about Carlos’s family history, places to see in DC, celeb sightings, how raw milk drinkers are a cult, buying a tank, and why Tom Wolfe is right about modern art.

Episode 4 - Chatting about Charles Murray’s book Coming Apart , the downfall of Marvel and Star Wars, the Spare and the human fascination with royalty, the problem with ex-Marines, and guns.

Episode 1 - Chatting about business, origin stories, restaurants, the consequences of ChatGPT and fencing off subjects of debate.

Episode 2 - Chatting about knives, why Asheville, North Carolina is both beautiful and terrible, homelessness in America, kids and marriage, SBF and redemption, and how the news gets made.

Episode 3 - Chatting about China’s hegemonic plans, corruption around the world, Tiktok, the glories and perils of farmsteading, bingeing Suits and why neither of us became lawyers.