The Jocular Pugilists

Journey, Styx, Hall & Oates, ABBA, Toto, Billy Idol, Foreigner, Steely Dan, John Williams, Bugs Bunny classical music—nothing is safe when The Jocular Pugilists take on the hilarious shame and secret joy of guilty pleasure music. In this episode, Phil and Tomas confess the songs, bands, riffs, ballads, and movie scores they once hid from friends but still can’t bring themselves to turn off. Fr...

Every year, millions of people ask the same question: Where should I live? Whether it’s rising housing costs, changing tax laws, remote work, natural disasters, healthcare, or simply the feeling that there might be a better life somewhere else, more people than ever are rethinking where they call home. But we think most people are asking the wrong question. Instead of searching for the “best” stat...

The Jocular Pugilists take an international field trip to Budapest, where the water comes in shot glasses and the showers require an instruction manual. Fresh off a work trip to the Hungarian capital, the crew gets into Budapest’s Buda-versus-Pest personality split, Danube views, towering history, weirdly efficient yellow-cab Ubers, and the terrifying math of paying 5,000 forints for a salad. Ther...

Everyone seems to have an opinion on SpaceX. Some see the company becoming the backbone of global communications, space transportation, and even future off-world industries. Others see a company valued on dreams rather than profits. Tomas and Phil step into the ring to debate the biggest IPO ever, discussing Starlink, Elon Musk, reusable rockets, lock-up periods, valuation, and whether SpaceX coul...

Intermittent fasting has been praised as a breakthrough for weight loss, better health, sharper focus, and even longevity—but does it really live up to the hype? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , the guys dig into the promises, pitfalls, and practical realities of fasting windows, skipped breakfasts, late-night cravings, and the science behind it all. Is intermittent fasting a sustainable...

Making friends as an adult can be surprisingly difficult. Between work, family responsibilities, busy schedules, and the routines of everyday life, many people find that building new friendships after 30 takes far more effort than it did in their younger years. In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , Tomas and Phil explore the challenges of making and maintaining friendships in adulthood, share...

Join us as we re-visit the very first episode of the Jocular Pugilists. “Ouch that hurt. Sure, I asked what you thought, but I didn’t want to know the truth.”  How honest can you really be with someone and how do certain relationships dictate your level of truthfulness? Join our intrepid reporters as they try to uncover the truth behind Honesty while lying to each other the whole time.  For more f...

Los Angeles may be at a crossroads. This week, the Jocular Pugilists dive into the 2026 LA mayoral race through the eyes of Phil, who recently spent time canvassing door-to-door for a little-known candidate and got a firsthand look at what Angelenos are actually talking about beyond headlines and social media. Along the way, the conversation takes its usual strange detours: Tomas losing weight and...

Why do we text before calling , face forward in elevators like NPCs, and panic when someone sees the “typing dots”… but never replies? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , we dive into the weird, unwritten social rules that somehow run our lives—and question who made them in the first place. From old-school etiquette to modern-day nonsense, we break down:  Why calling someone without texting...

What do you get when you mix a chewing gum billionaire, roaming buffalo, overpriced Bloody Marys, and a suspiciously fast “time-warp” hike? Welcome to Catalina Island —and another slightly unhinged episode of The Jocular Pugilists . Phil thought he was getting a normal birthday weekend. Instead, Stacy secretly put together a surprise trip to Catalina Island — complete with ferries, golf carts, oce...

Do you ever feel guilty about your food cravings? From Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to Belgian chocolates, join the Jocular Pugilists as they dive into the delicious world of guilty pleasures. Discover why we crave what we do and how to enjoy it without the guilt. Tune in for a fun, flavorful journey! Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out ou...

What if the people who change the world… never meant to? This episode dives into the unintentional cult of personality , exploring how some individuals became iconic figures simply by being true to their purpose—not by seeking fame. We contrast purpose vs. popularity—and ask a bigger question: in an AI-driven world where there’s less we have to do, will we finally discover what we’re meant to do?...

Before podcasts, before Spotify, before your uncle started one no one listens to… there was radio —and apparently, a whole lot of drama, stolen credit, and questionable business ethics. In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , we take a hilarious (and mildly educational) deep dive into the history of radio —from Nikola Tesla getting absolutely robbed, to Marconi cashing in, to how we somehow end...

Join us on a journey through the heart of Savannah as we explore whether this charming Southern city is more than just a picturesque getaway. We’ll dive into the unique experiences, vibrant cocktail spots like The Bamboo Room and Savoy Society, and the undeniable allure of Spanish moss-draped streets. But the big question remains: could we actually see ourselves living in this Southern gem? Tune i...

Why does something as small as chewing too loudly… or not using a turn signal… feel like a personal attack? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , Phil and Tomas dive into the strange, hilarious, and surprisingly revealing world of pet peeves — from their linguistic origins to the deeper psychology behind why certain behaviors push us over the edge. From bad drivers and customer service nightm...

Join the Jocular Pugilists as they delve into the fascinating history of income tax and unravel the strategies the wealthy have used to maintain their fortunes. Discover the loopholes, the pivotal moments, and the ingenious methods that have allowed the rich to thrive, and see if we can decode the formula that keeps them at the top. Perfect for anyone curious about the intersection of history, eco...

In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , Phil and Tomas take a deep dive into the bizarre world of pharmaceutical advertising—from catchy jingles and dancing actors to disclaimers about infections, organ failure, and even death. Along the way they explore the history of modern medicine, the rise of drug advertising on television, and the complicated relationship between pharmaceutical innovation...

As we plan a summer trip, a simple question leads to a bigger conversation: what happens when you try to share a place that once meant everything to you? In this episode we talk about childhood travel, returning to places years later with the people we love, and the surprising realization that the moments we remember can never be perfectly recreated. Travel turns out to be more than just a destina...

In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , Phil and Tomas explore a groundbreaking television series that somehow managed to make audiences laugh while confronting the brutal realities of conflict. Blending sharp humor with moments of real tragedy, the show changed what television storytelling could be. The conversation dives into why the series still resonates decades later, how it balanced comed...

Some cover songs honor the original. Some reinvent it. And some… should never have happened. In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , Phil and Tomas dive into the wild world of surprising cover songs — from jaw-dropping reinventions to baffling musical decisions that leave you questioning everything. From Austrian brass bands covering Queen to Dolly Parton’s unexpected take on Led Zeppelin, from...

After talking about how difficult it is to find content we truly love, we stumbled on something fun and engaging: the Apple TV+ series Drops of God . The show blends history, adventure, and the art of wine — and in its second season, it travels to Georgia, often considered the birthplace of winemaking. That sent us back to an earlier episode where we explored the origins of wine and Georgian wine...

Why do we keep rewatching The Office , MASH , or Frasier … when we have access to everything ? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , Phil and Tomas unpack why finding content we genuinely love feels harder than ever — despite unlimited streaming platforms, endless podcasts, and infinite algorithms promising the “perfect” recommendation. From media overload and algorithm fatigue to nostalgia,...

Why does Groundhog Day feel so unsettlingly familiar? Is déjà vu a glitch in the brain… or something more? And why do so many of us feel like life itself is stuck on repeat? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , Phil and Tomas dive deep into the origins of Groundhog Day, the science and psychology of déjà vu, and the enduring cultural impact of the Groundhog Day movie — from ancient pagan rit...

Why do tiny annoyances feel like personal attacks?  Why does your brain hijack reason the moment stress hits?  And how do the calmest people in the room always seem to win? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists , Phil and Tomas explore the psychology, biology, and social dynamics behind staying calm under pressure — from fight-or-flight brain chemistry to modern trigger culture, road rage, cust...

In this episode, Phil and Tomas move from their usual lighthearted banter into a thoughtful discussion about New Year’s goals and the motivations behind them. They explore intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the challenge of balance, and how changing cultural and secular norms have reshaped what drives people today. Drawing on personal experience, they reflect on coming from modest beginnings, wha...