The Ascertainers

Send us Fan Mail Episode 18 is a case study in ADHD.  We are all over the map--even more than usual... Mark's salmon shirt Crayons--specifically Burnt Orange Mark sends Jim back to Episode 1  Ascertainers Facebook page excuses Quarterback Shout out to You Betcha Guy The most obscure Radio Game to date Quadriceps Contusion Phil Collins controversy reboot Jim's Ram Jam rant Grab Bag concep...

Send us Fan Mail As the title indicates, bit of a mixed bag.  We get into music a little later, but you have to battle your way to the prize. Jim's Community Service Mark Beats Jim at Golf (a/k/a Blind squirrel finds nut) Errors and Omissions Big night at Newt's Mark gets snubbed by an Audie! Blue Swede or Blue Suede? Radio Game: Pablo Cruise and the Aztecs RIP to our rodent mascot Tony...

Send us Fan Mail As the title indicates, we had a visitor on this episode.  What's kind of interesting is that we had been in the basement and recorded one episode before we saw the vermin.  Then he became fearless and we're lucky to be alive.   Second episode with neighbor Charlie.  Any early jitters were gone, and we flew through a ton of topics.  Here's a recap: Mark's Phobi...

Send us Fan Mail This episode brings us our third guest--Charlie from down the street.  Charlie is a former professional broadcaster and decided to slum it for a night with us.  High/lowlights include: Mark got beat at golf by a guy wearing jeans More submarine talk--definitely too soon The Marklaughlin group gets destroyed Rick Moranis gets some significant time Judd Apatow movies Dickhead Jim Mo...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 14, Jim feels the need to tighten a few things up now that it looks like we'll be doing this for a while. Mark enjoys his first Newt's sponsor beer Randolph Mantooth is discussed Stage fright at the pee trough Mark's Country Club gets a mention Jim pays the oddest compliment ever about his buddy's podcast The Public Appearance (and what Mark didn&apo...

Send us Fan Mail Let's see if the title of this episode attracts or repels listeners. We spend just a little time on Ms Swift early and then move on to our random list of topics that you've grown to love/hate. We now have downloads from 4 countries:  USA (USA! USA!), Germany, India and now Canada.  How's it goin' up there, eh?  Nice fires you hoser. Mark's pop culture refe...

Send us Fan Mail Here we are at Episode 12 already.  Let's get to the highlights, shall we? Mark still gets the newspaper. The Ascertainers secured their exclusive Newt's sponsorship. Mark won the Radio Game (even though he could have been disqualified). In case you missed the second bullet point--WE GOT A HANDSHAKE DEAL. AT NEWT'S!  Sure, it's got a few caveats and is to be pa...

Send us Fan Mail So, this episode was recorded immediately after we finished Episode 9 (Underrated Bands) because we want to get a couple extra episodes in for when we can't swing a weekly recording session.  As a result, we are well-oiled and a little loud (OK, Jim is a lot loud at times--very sorry). In this episode, you will hear: Too many Newt's mentions. Guest, Brother J gets way mo...

Send us Fan Mail This one starts off innocently enough but takes a few twists and turns.  There are laughs to be had, so it may still be worth a listen. Pretty significant fail while trying to gain efficiencies by slimming down the intro and Radio Game explanation. We discuss the different restaurant we tried while we have Newt's sweat out our negotiation tactics. Radio Game = Shit Show.   Bu...

Send us Fan Mail How did we make it to Episode 9 already?  We had no expectations going into this--which is probably a good thing, since we haven't delivered much.  We are still having fun though, so we'll forge ahead.   Thank you for listening! On this episode, you'll hear: A shout out to our German listener Mark's case of mistaken identity (or is it his alter ego?) (SPOILER A...

Send us Fan Mail We are already tired of each other, so we added a guest this week.  You may remember him referenced in Episode 7 as the tank top/flip flop wearing weed whipper.  That's right Audie J (a/k/a JT) joins us as we talk about more music, revisions to top 5 bands from our youth and general Tom Foolery. We are 0 for 3 on the Radio Game, although someone had the correct guess one week...

Send us Fan Mail Will Episode 7 be lucky?  You tell us. Week 2 of the Radio Game--more like weak 2.  No winner.   Kentucky Derby Wager Results and a half retraction.  Newt's Sponsorship update.  Listener suggestion--Top 5 Bands (from High School).  Neighborhood observations. Improper weed whipping footwear.   Mark remembers his lawn being "the best."   Headphones/Spanish Class/Clair...

Send us Fan Mail You talked, we listened!   We tapped a local artist to create a little theme music.  He had heard a few episodes and put together a little number that he felt exemplified our mojo.  Big thanks to Audie for the music. In this episode we learn about Mark's tendency to be a bit particular (When you say anal, it's OK, but when you type it......particular looks way better). ...

Send us Fan Mail We made it to Episode 5.   If this is your first time listening, where have you been?  Listening to Mick Jagger music and bad-mouthing your country I'll bet (Bonus points if you can name the movie).  This should be our last music-free Episode as we are anticipating a juicy new original tune written especially for the podcast. The Episode starts with a more concise intro, whic...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 4, Mark and Jim reveal some of the feedback they've received.  Yes, between the email (theascertainers@gmail.com) and texts, they now have feedback.  By all accounts, they liked it better before there was feedback. What do the people want to hear?  Bumper music.  That's pretty much it.  The assumption is that the music will take over and Mark and Jim will be a...

Send us Fan Mail Mark and Jim search for the correct balance of being cordial/raking the other over the coals, as we arrive at Episode 3.    Mark goes full geek as he discusses his love for Star Trek and delights Jim with his retelling of when Spock got the Spores.  Battlestar Galactica fans will be happy to know that Mark is fully in the tank for the remake.   We briefly touch on the irony of Jim...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 2, Mark and Jim decide to imbibe a bit before recording (as opposed to just during the recording).  The results:  We should probably do a little less pre-game hydration. If this Episode were a musical genre, it might be Improvisational Jazz--free flowing, unpredictable, and nobody really likes it.  We come to realization that nobody cares about our opinions, they just l...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Mark and Jim.  Neighbors for 20+ years with 2 microphones and a dream.  A dream of cracking a few beers and a few laughs for the world to hear.  Today they introduce themselves, explain the podcast name, and what Generation Jones is.   Other totally interesting topics include:  When cartoons tipped us off to political correctness, early concert experiences, Marks's obses...