the objective JERK

Dealing with the chaos of home renovations can be a maddening experience—especially when you're grappling with a pervasive depressive mood and the triggers of PTSD. How do you stay composed when everything around you feels like it's falling apart? Join me, your host, as I confront the frustrations of having contractors in my home. From unexpected changes in plans to the unbearable smell...

Are iconic franchises like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Lord of the Rings being ruined by misguided attempts to cater to specific audiences? We make a bold case that recent marketing strategies are not just costly but also detrimental to these beloved series. Join us for a candid critique that questions why high costs and low viewership seem to plague today's blockbuster shows and movies. Fr...

Is the legal system rigged against Trump supporters? Tune in as I unleash a fiery critique on the current political climate, drawing some controversial historical comparisons to highlight the injustice I see in today's legal battles. Alongside this intense debate, I extend a heartfelt shout-out to my old high school friend Christine, who has recently started listening to the podcast. Switchin...

Becoming a godfather isn't just about the title; it's a journey filled with laughter, reflection, and the occasional awkward family photo. Join me as I traverse the complexities of this new role, while peeling back the layers of childhood politics that emerged during my son's school election. This episode is a mosaic of personal tales, from managing ADHD amidst the whirlwind of hobb...

Ever faced the daunting challenge of breathing new life into an old space with creativity as your only currency? Well, I've been right there, tearing down walls in my Philippine abode, forging a living space that's less about cash splashes and more about crafty dashes. The Objective Jerk is back, dear listeners, and this episode is all about the serpentine economy, my 'hobo remodeli...

Embark on a cinematic journey through the lens of Zack Snyder's filmography as we dissect the nuances of his signature style and the strong reactions it elicits within the critic community. This episode peels back the layers of Snyder's work, from the slow-motion spectacle to the moments where the narrative blurs, and we offer a candid take on the films that resonate with us and those th...

Awakening from a spell of depression, I find myself grappling with a complex web of issues that tug at the very fabric of our society. We begin by examining the hushed discourse surrounding the Nashville shooter, an event that was shrouded in deafening silence by mainstream media. The shooter's transgender identity, I argue, has led to an unsettling reluctance to engage in necessary conversat...

Ever wondered how a Quentin Tarantino film can leave you reeling, yet craving more? Buckle up, cinephiles, as we take a no-holds-barred tour of Tarantino's eclectic filmography. From the gritty opening scenes of "Reservoir Dogs" to the unexpected twists in "The Hateful Eight," I'm spilling my rankings and candid thoughts, holding nothing back. You're invited to w...

Rising from the ashes of a creative sabbatical, yours truly, the Objective Jerk, has circled back to the airwaves with musings that traverse the unpredictable terrain of motivation and the curious practice of demarcating podcast seasons. Imagine, if you will, a podcast odyssey that stretches from the whimsical early days alongside "American Kalbo" to the stark silence of a break and the...

Ever missed out on an April Fool's prank that you wish you'd pulled off? I come clean about the shenanigans that could have been with my kids and reflect on an Easter adventure that went beyond the usual chocolate egg frenzy. Amid the laughter, we slide into a more sobering conversation sparked by a social media post - a candid exploration of the perplexing ways society sometimes values...

Ever found yourself wistfully reminiscing about the golden days of action cinema, where testosterone and explosions ruled the screen? That's exactly where I found myself recently, pouring over memories of watching "Commando" and "Predator" with my grandfather, and how those moments framed my views on Hollywood's take on realism. Join the conversation as I dissect the...

Ever been caught in a red tape nightmare? That's where you'll find me in our latest episode, as I unravel the annual ordeal of submitting my kids' birth certificates for a tennis tournament. It's a tale that pits the invaluable against the bureaucratic, where the fear of losing original documents looms large, and the lack of trustworthy family stateside turns a paperwork proble...

As a former soldier, the discipline from my army days unexpectedly became my ally in confronting the daily battles of mental health. From the moment the sun peeks above the horizon, my mission is to maintain a routine that steadies the unpredictable waves of mood swings. Today's episode walks you through my morning rituals, the deep comfort I find in the pages of the Bible, and the raw truth...

Ever wondered how the competitive edge in your kid's pageant could mirror the cutthroat world of movie franchises? Join me as I reflect on personal experiences with my son's recent pageant performance—where, despite a stellar show, another act's similarity seemed to eclipse his—and draw parallels to the strategic timing plays I've observed in the industry. Revel in our shared p...

Struggling through the fog of depression and the rollercoaster of a possible bipolar disorder, I've had my fair share of tough days, and today's chat is a candid take on those challenges. Reflecting on a therapy session that missed the mark, I peel back the layers on how mood swings can unexpectedly disrupt our journey to wellness. The episode takes an intriguing turn as I recount my day...

As I traverse the winding path of America's political and social terrain, it's hard not to feel a sense of longing for a more stable tomorrow. Memories of my service days come rushing back, painting a vivid picture of the critical role Iraqi interpreters played, intertwined with stories of loyalty and deceit. We're considering bringing on a former interpreter, now making his mark as...

When tragedy strikes on a movie set, the repercussions ripple beyond the immediate horror, sparking debates and demanding a closer look at the practices we often take for granted. That's exactly where we venture this episode, dissecting the layers of the Alec Baldwin shooting incident, a harsh reminder of the price of negligence. With the spotlight on the inexperienced armorer, Hannah Gutierr...

Join me as I whisk you away on a journey back to the carefree days of youth, where the simple act of watching 'Clue' could shape one's taste in cinema for a lifetime. Childhood was a different game back then—latchkey freedom, the early forays into cooking, and the bliss of unsupervised summers are the landscapes we explore, with a side of humor about my 'crap moods' and th...

After evading a nasty bug and a crushing creative drought, yours truly, the objective jerk, is back in the game with a punchy critique that's been aching to burst forth. Picture this: the '90s animated X-Men series, ripe for a comeback but shackled by the all-too-familiar grasp of modern political correctness—will it soar with nostalgia or crumble under the weight of contemporary narrati...

Embark on an auditory expedition that grapples with the enthralling enigmas of conspiracy theories, from whispered talks of the JFK assassination to the contested lunar landing. We tackle the grip these tales have on our perceptions of truth, all while weaving in a personal narrative of my own tussles with the digital tools that shape our stories. Adobe's subscription snags and my return to G...

Nostalgia for the pigskin parties of my youth clashes with the present disconnect I feel towards the NFL, a sentiment that surges as the Niners and Chiefs prep for the Super Bowl. My musings transcend the simple thrill of touchdowns; they're steeped in the camaraderie of shared moments with my grandfather and military buddies, the devotion to my Minnesota Vikings, and the subsequent disillusi...

Ever found yourself tangled in the web of Adobe's intricate software suite, or considered a nostalgic return to the simplicity of GarageBand and iMovie? I sure have, and in today's candid chat, I'll be taking you along the bumpy road of my digital content creation journey. It's a tale of grappling with the allure and frustrations of Adobe's offerings, from the initial char...

Have you ever felt the thrill of starting anew in a foreign land, only to stumble over the day-to-day quirks that remind you you're not in Kansas anymore? That's the heart of our latest episode – a personal journal entry meets tech talk where I lay bare the complexities of expatriate life in the Philippines, contrasted sharply with the comforts of home in the States. The techie in you wi...

When my son gave a simple nod of thanks for his new truck on his 17th birthday, it sparked a profound realization about the complexities of gratitude and how we pass these values on to our children. This episode is a hearty blend of personal reflections on fostering appreciation in the family, seasoned with a delightful dash of daily humor as I recount the tale of a stray cat's unexpected ado...

Navigating the life of a podcaster isn't all smooth sailing, and I've had my fair share of obstacles lately, from wavering motivation to an acute coffee shortage that almost spelled disaster. And while I've been wrangling with these everyday antics, I've also been revisiting the nostalgia-packed "Batman: The Animated Series," which led me to ponder the broader implica...