Stand Up Scuttlebutt

We kick things off with Liz doing her absolute best to maintain composure while telling a story about beavers—yes, the animal—and failing spectacularly. Immaturity levels are high early. Then Rick and Evan break down (and role-play) a very real email exchange between Rick and the corporate real estate company he leases office space from. There’s a late fee, a request for accountability, and a firm...

Rick kicks off the show with his annual adventure: attempting to buy his wife the perfect birthday gift. He and Evan both admit that surprising their wives is statistically impossible, emotionally hazardous, and spiritually defeating. Liz assures them this is universal—her husband can’t pull it off either. Then the gang dives into the national meltdown over the new Pantone Color of the Year. Why i...

Rick and Liz return from the holiday break ready to catch up—while Evan attempts to recover from a Monday Night Football hangover. The gang dives into the late-night suburban scandal of a Ding-Dong Ditch gone wrong: When are you officially too old for this prank? And is there an appropriate, HOA-approved time window for sprinting away from someone’s front door? Rick shares how he accidentally land...

An article in the Boston Globe asks a big question: Why are so many young, ambitious women suddenly convinced a woman's natural place is in the home? Liz brings the highlights, and the gang unpacks the tension between ambition and contentment with plenty of laughs. But first! Rick shares a text exchange with a woman from the Boston comedy scene who was outraged— outraged —that he didn’t book a sin...

This week on Small Town Scuttlebutt , the gang digs into stories about neighbors who make you question humanity. One guy gets reported to the HOA because his garden looks too nice . Another woman tells her neighbor to stop looking at her dog because it makes the dog upset. Are these people real—or just suburban fever dreams? Meanwhile, Rick’s growing a mustache strictly for Instagram clout, Evan’s...

The gang sounds off on the latest parenting trend: birthday gift registries for kids. Is this thoughtful or just tacky consumerism wrapped in a bow? Plus, a new “New Rick vs. Old Rick” moment as he wrestles with how to handle an airline inconvenience — Zen traveler or vengeful passenger? Liz questions when it’s time for kids (and adults) to hang up the Halloween candy bag, and Evan reels in a mass...

This week on Small Town Scuttlebutt , Rick kicks things off with big news about a new comedy show he’s hosting. Then Evan dives into the NBA gambling scandal with his trademark mix of excitement and conspiracy. Finally, Liz opens up about her 17-year-old son’s shifting priorities and the parental struggle of trying to keep a teenager grounded in reality. Three hosts. Three stories. One show cut sh...

When does “living with Mom” stop being traditional and start being tragic? There is a growing trend of grown men staying home while their mothers head to work—and pay the bills. Also, Rick enjoys a trip to NYC while hoards of angry people in his small town assemble on street corners for No King's Day, Evan gets caught in a coven of witches, and Liz falls in love with a chatbot!

In this episode, Rick talks with Richie Welch — a contractor by day and a stand-up comedian by night. Richie represents the fourth generation of his family working at Welch Corp, a major player in Boston’s construction and redevelopment scene. When he’s not on a job site, he’s performing or producing comedy shows around Boston. Rick and Richie also get into parking etiquette, New England sports te...

This week on Small Town Scuttlebutt , Rick, Liz, and Evan cover the kind of news that makes you wonder if anyone’s in charge anymore. A brand-new house gets built on land that was never even sold, a squirrel goes feral, and Rick finds himself fending off a pack of 30 cyclists who confuse the road for a parade route. Meanwhile, Liz greenlights her son’s mid-season football debut, and Evan witnesses...

Rick sits down with his longtime friend Jim James for a conversation that’s less about winning arguments and more about asking questions. The two dive into current headlines—Pete Hegseth shaking things up at the Department of Defense, Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, Bad Bunny snagging the Super Bowl Halftime slot, and a few other cultural curveballs. The twist? Rick and Jim don’t see eye-to-eye on much...

In this episode, Rick sits down for an in-depth one-on-one with Pablo Gazmuri, AI & Healthcare Technology Leader at Microsoft. They dive into the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence—what it can already do, what’s coming next, and how it’s transforming the way we monitor and manage our health. Pablo shares practical insights into the future of AI-powered healthcare, along with tips o...

You've seen the altercation where a crazy lady gets in a guy's face about a baseball. Now let's talk big picture here, she was wrong but is it alright for society to endlessly mock, condemn, and chastise her? 67% of the hosts of this show say, "yes!". Also, starting your day with a jump-scare, kids don't like starting school later, and getting your annual physical every seven years.

Most people in your community know where to find answers regarding town affairs. The others go to Facebook because, well, um, meh - we don't know. Liz presents a case study in passive aggressive bitchery (yes, that's a word). It's been going on for almost a week! Are these two "ladies" done yet? Also, Evan is mad that school starts before Labor Day and Rick is still reading the school emails that...

Everyone’s chasing happiness, but some folks need GPS. Rick brings an article busting the myth that minimalism brings joy, suggesting community involvement instead. Liz hates it for a billion reasons, and Evan’s just thrilled his kid’s at summer camp for two weeks.

Rick "went on vacation in Belmont, MA" and spent six days at McLean Hospital, a renowned psychiatric care, research, and education facility. He talks about what led him to admit himself, and walks us through the whole experience from intake to discharge. Did Rick come out a better man? You decide! RICK'S MESSAGE TO LISTENERS - If you are suffering from depression and do not know where to begin rec...

Sydney Sweeney wears jeans and some angry people made it about Nazis? Also, Rick and Mike share the gayest straight camping trip, and Liz sees Rod Stewart perform in concert at age 82.

A Mom stirs it up when she encourages her kid to fight his bully. Some parents love the idea while others think diplomacy in the principal's office is the higher road. Also, TV show recommendations, GILFS, and Rick emails his neighbors to complain about their landscapers.

Rick hangs out with Carolyn Plummer. She's a 20-year veteran in the Boston comedy community and has travelled all over the country. Her biggest stage was Denis Leary's Comics Come Home 26 at the TD Garden for the Cam Neely Foundation.  Rick and Carolyn also talk about the upcoming show they are doing together in Wolfeboro, NH with Steve Hytner, A.K.A. "Kenny Bania" from Seinfeld .

End of Days may be upon us because a pedophile was one "I do" away from tying the knot with a kid at Disney Land Paris. Also, Rick and Evan each have a hall pass for the same super model, which parlays into the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, which segues into unhealthy body image expectations. Time for a donut.

Just when you thought customer service couldn’t spiral further into the abyss, here strolls in Gen Z with zero f*cks to give. No “hello,” no “how can I help you,” just a little turd staring at you, daring you to initiate the order. Your move—order or silence? Also, Evan is an allergy-sufferer with vim and vigor, Liz tries to coach up her teenage son in the kitchen - on how to move things in the fr...

One mom finally snaps and calls out her kid’s school for treating parents like unpaid interns — all in the name of mental health. Hear what kind of reaction she's getting! Also, Rick praises one of his daughter's teachers, Evan defends wearing crocs and free t-shirts, and Liz reflects on a recent parenting decision.

Every week for five years we have delivered a marginally funny show so let's celebrate. Not so much for us, but for you the listener who's tolerated us this long. Rick, Liz, and Evan share their observations of the week, read listener emails, and pay tribute to their sponsors, APC Pest Control, Perez Martial Arts, Royal Pizza, and Winslow Design. Then, Boston-Based Headliner, Kathe Farris sits dow...

We get it. You have a dance recital, a graduation, a baseball game, and need to find time for groceries. You're the one who decided to provide enriching lives for your children, not us! Nonetheless, we commiserate with you. But first, Rick shares the biggest laugh you'll get from the internet and a rant on "Mom Hockey".

Mrs. Hemmingsworth isn't taking her top off at the July 4th cookout but she is ranting like a lunatic at a referee on a soccer field because her kid is not playing enough. We brag about being the "independent, latch-key kids, who didn't care!" What happened? Also, TV commercial characters, shoulder-slung fanny packs, and child neglect!