The Catchup

In this Thanksgiving Special (recorded before the holiday), we discuss all of the things that has us giving thanks this year, and why we can be thankful despite the challenges life may present. We have several things we're thankful for, including some very personal to each of us. And these foundational things we're giving thanks is what allows us to move forward in positivity despite wha...

This week, would you eat meat grown in a lab? It's a question you're likely going to have to answer sooner than later. Right now, a company called UPSIDE foods is seeking approval from the USDA to bring their cultured chicken to market. This after approval from the FDA saying they found no major concerns in the meat. So how does it work? A Chicken receives a biopsy, and those cells are c...

Elon Musk is like the Grinch who stole Christmas. Because of him, thousands of Twitter employees are without a job for the holiday season. Why is it that Musk decided to let go of so many people upon taking control of Twitter? And how does this leave him open to lawsuits? We hypothesize there must be some logical answer for the future of the company, as it's highly unlikely the richest man in...

This week, we dive into the fearmongering that influences your vote. Why it's more than likely that you aren't voting for someone - you're voting against someone else. All too often we lack the knowledge of what a candidate stands for. That, in fact, is by design. In actuality it's much easier for candidates to force you to vote out of fear than it is vote what you desire. Beca...

It's a spooky edition of The Catchup with some REAL-LIFE ghost stories! We take turns sharing real-world ghost and spirit encounters, including John's trip to the haunted hotel known as The Elms near Kansas City. How a relaxing night visiting a speakeasy ended up as a classic scary movie plot. Plus, John shares his run-ins with snakes — including one that landed on his stomach — and Deni...

This week, it's an all-tech episode of The Catchup, with plenty to talk about! First, Google moves to drop stadia, it highly-invested game streaming platform, after a lack of success. Some say it's another round of Google implementing new tech that's not profitable. But what's the reason for the drop? And how does it affect online gaming? We discuss. Plus, more big changes at G...

This week, we're talking about a number of examples of cheating or bending the rules in sports, and how it affects our everyday life. Is there an inherent flaw in how we police the bending of these rules if there's money involved? We're using the key example of Tua Tagovailoa, seriously hurt with concussion-like symptoms after the Miami Dolphins allegedly didn't follow proper p...

This week, would you take a pill that gives you the benefits of exercise, without having to do in the work? MIT says such a pill is in the works due to rapidly growing obesity rates. But, what does this say about our society? And are those obesity rates truly accurate? We discuss!  Plus, how political games are making a mockery of what is the "right" thing to do ahead of the 2022 midterm...

This week, we're talking about how Adam Levine of Maroon 5 provided a masterclass in how NOT to talk to women. We take a look at how shared Instagram Direct Messages suddenly went viral, and show Levine's sloppy and inappropriate actions on a grand scale. One woman says she was taken advantage of and led to believe Levine's marriage was "over". And she may not be alone. Wh...

This week, it's an in-depth review on electric vehicles with a perspective only we can give. Denison gives his take on the 3 pros and the 3 cons of living with an EV - in this case, a Tesla Model 3. We all expect perks when it comes to life with a new electric vehicle. And of course, there are many positives and things to be excited about. But not everything is cake, and there are some conces...

In this week's episode, is there enough of a reason to upgrade your iPhone to the new iPhone 14? Or should you stay right where you're at? We're breaking down the pros, cons, and some of the biggest new features. But FIRST, we're kicking it off with news that the US is looking at expanding into digital currency. It's a big step and would make the US one of the first major...

This week, it's a continuation of the concern over worldwide water wars. We've already talked about the concerns in places like Jackson, MS and the desert southwest. But we're already seeing cracks in infrastructure and water resources around the world. We discuss how weakened infrastructure, lack in proper resource planning, and climate change are causing the formation of water war...

This week, fears of water wars are worsening across the country and the world as climate change and old infrastructure causes major issues for reliable drinking water. From a long-term boil water advisory causing Jackson, Mississippi to lose access to palatable and bottled water, to the Southwest facing extreme drought, signs of what many are fearing as a "water war" are growing. What do...

In this week's episode, we're diving into one of the ways Democrats are paying for things in the new Inflation Reduction Act - Increasing taxation on large corporations. Businesses that make over $1 billion (Dr Evil voice) per year now face a 15% corporate minimum tax rate increase. This is one of the ways the Biden Administration is making good on a campaign promise, while also funding...

This week, we're diving into part 2 of our 3-part series on the Inflation Reduction Act, now officially signed into law! We're talking about the bill's measures to make clean and renewable energy more affordable. Most of the bill is aimed at tax credits and rebates for consumers investing in things like solar panels, winde energy, and heat pumps. But is it enough to make clean, rene...

This week, we kick off our 3-part series diving into the intentions of the Inflation Reduction Act - designed to fight climate change, tax the rich, and more. We're kicking it all of with a look at tax incentives on Electric Vehicles. The government plans to provide up to $7,500 in tax credits for purchases of EVs. Think of it as sort of a rebate that comes further down the line. But, is it e...

This week, we take a trip down memory lane by highlighting all the technological marvels that still blow our mind, no matter how new or old. We start out by discussing older innovations like the fax machine or the iPod, and why their creation is still mind-blowing today. In fact, so much in the world around us are things once thought only possible in science fiction novels. But this week, we'...

This week, we're talking about the threat many kids face when going back to school following the continued rise in active shooter incidents at schools. Is it safe to go back into the classroom? We take a look at what some districts are doing to protect their students, and whether or not these measures - and the measures of the federal government - are enough to keep children safe and crack do...

This week, we're talking about the global heat wave reeking havoc across the world, melting infrastructure, causing wildfires, and impacting the health and wellbeing of us all. What are we doing right now to brace for impact from the sweltering heat? And an even greater question - are these a sign of things to come? Many scientists believe - yes, these extreme temps are what will become the n...

This week we're analyzing the new images from NASA's James Webb telescope, including why the vibrant colors and detail you see may not come exactly as they appear! Plus, what does this mean for the future of space travel and exploration? Is it one small step for an adventure into the unknown, or one giant leap? We then discuss what any discoveries from this telescope could mean for the f...

This week started off as a simple discussion. What happens when jobs pay you to go to conferences, learn, mingle, adventure and.... play? If we stop and think about it, aren't paying employees to go have fun - albeit in the name of their chosen professions - contrary to American workplace stereotypes? Or is the gain worth the time and money spent? We hypothesize that while on the surface it&a...

This week, we're talking about the new push to keep your gas-powered vehicle alive for years to come! Formula 1 is currently developing renewable fuel that would be carbon net zero! What does that mean? Well for one, no impact on the environment! F1 says no emissions would be added to the environment that aren't already there, which could mean an eco-friendly competitor to the latest aut...

This week, John and Denison jump into the high-speed world of sim racing, now seeing a new charge thanks to the release - and high impact updates - of Gran Turismo 7! We share the highlights of the game, compare the realism in GT7 to other big sim racing games like iRacing, Forza, Assetto Corsa, and more, and discuss why the franchise is once again a top player in the race to be the realest sim. W...

We jump into a good old-fashioned Catchup this week, as Denison shares details on how he landed a new (to him) Tesla Model 3 with all the autopilot features you tech-lovers could desire! It's a car review unlike any we've ever done before, as we dive in to the vehicle's driving capabilities, how long it takes to charge, how you plan a trip in an EV, and what it's like to have y...

This week, we're talking about the thing impacting all of us... high gas prices. In the past couple weeks, the steady climb of gas prices transitioned to a gigantic leap, setting record national prices, and showing no sign of slowing down. So it begs the question... will gas ever be affordable again? It's a tough time for high gas prices when combined with record inflation raising the pr...