the objective JERK

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...

As I reminisce about celebrating Christmas amidst the tropical warmth of the Philippines, I can't help but marvel at how the holiday spirit thrives even without the nippy air and snow-dusted rooftops. This episode is an intimate reflection on the vibrant and heartfelt festivities that light up the streets here, standing in stark contrast to the cold Christmases of my U.S. past. You'll jo...

Ever feel like you have to make everyone agree with your opinion? Particularly when it comes to your favorite comic book heroes? Today, we peel back the layers of fanboy frustrations, the quest for consensus, and the beauty of individuality in the world of comic books. From my discovery of Batman through movies, not comics, to my tragic loss of a beloved comic collection in a flood, we traverse th...

Imagine a world where cell phones are a menace and Facebook is your political battleground. That's a glimpse into our world, the world of this podcast. Jerk openly shares his perspectives on tech-dependency and the political discourse that accompanies our digital lives. Jerk explores his own journey with Facebook, and how he has reshaped his digital presence to create a thriving podcast commu...

Ever wondered why the Hollywood bigwigs spend so much on movies that seem to lack quality? Could there be a possibility of money laundering, or are we just witnessing a deluge of incompetence? We'll unpack these perplexing questions in a fiery discussion that scrutinizes Hollywood’s extravagant budgets, and their questionable impact on production quality. We also highlight a low-budget Japane...

Ever have a movie that just sticks with you? A film you can watch again and again? For me, that's the Band of Brothers, a series that's been part of my viewing ritual since 2003. This passion for WWII-themed media can be traced back to my grandfather's fascination with the war era - a fascination that, in turn, sparked my interest. Join me as I delve into the impact of WWII on popul...

Ever questioned the sanity of celebrities threatening to leave the country based on election results? Ever pondered why some 20-year-olds are moved by Osama bin Laden's letter to America, yet display hypocrisy and ignorance? Brace yourselves for a deep dive into these paradoxes as we explore the often-overlooked facets of political discourse. We're going headfirst into the astonishing co...

Have you ever found yourself getting lost in the world of Godzilla and Titans? My son and I have, and that's just what we did when we sat down to dissect the trailer for the upcoming TV show 'Monarch Legacy of Monsters'. With an array of diverse characters and impressive special effects, this new series feeds our shared love for all things Godzilla. As we speculated on potential sto...

Imagine if the government could control what you see online. Sounds far-fetched? We're jumping into the controversial world of the Patriot Act and Biden's Rules, scrutinizing its inception in the post-9/11 era, its evolution, and its potential expansion via the upcoming Patriot 2.0 (Biden's Rules). We dissect the criticisms it's faced for its broad scope and lack of oversight....

Are we witnessing the demise of our dedicated military force due to skewed recruitment strategies? Brace yourself for an intense discourse that scrutinizes the evolution of military recruitment commercials, from being driven by patriotism and duty, to seemingly pandering to the LGBT+ community. We dive deep to unravel the repercussions, questioning the supposed decrease in military recruits and th...

Navigating through the tricky waters of a controversial active shooter incident, we tackle the surprising withholding of the shooter's manifesto. Has the usual transparency been compromised in this situation involving a trans individual? We think so. We'll take you through why the delay in its release, a stark deviation from typical protocols, is concerning and how it blurs our objectivi...

Ever had a run-in with the cops that completely ruined your day? Join me as I recount my outlandish experience during the Day of the Dead celebrations in the Philippines. The entire event was a cocktail of chaos and disarray and I had my fair share of frustration that led to an unexpected encounter with the police. Along with that, I also share my absurd struggle to maintain my sleep schedule duri...

How much does humor really shape our lives? And how much does it change over time? We take you on a journey from the wisecracks of popular 90s TV shows, like 'Friends,' to today's humor as shaped by YouTube and social media. We reminisce about the comic genius of Matthew Perry, mourn his recent demise, and broach the controversy surrounding his stance on vaccinations. As we consider...

Ever grappled with the highs and lows of an unpredictable mental health journey? I've been there. Experiencing everything from manic highs to depressive lows and PTSD, I've often found solace in the unlikeliest of places - a morning spent cleaning the graveyard with my beloved wife. This intimate conversation explores the intricacies of my personal mental health journey, providing insigh...

Join us on this journey as we unpack the divisive and complex issue of gun control, ignited by a recent tragic mass shooting in Maine. Don't be fooled into thinking removing guns is the panacea to the problem, as it oversimplifies the issue. Together, we explore a different perspective, advocating for stricter measures to control gun acquisition and illegal gun sales, and examining the role g...

Have you ever experienced a health scare so daunting, it makes you question everything? Well, we did briefly while grappling with dengue fever. We shed light on these tumultuous experiences, while also taking you on a virtual tour of our homeland, the Philippines. We chat about the fascinating range of transport modes here - from electric scooters to tricycles - even a golf cart-like vehicle for t...

Embarking on a deeply personal journey, I unpack my battle with depression in this episode of Objective Jerk. You'll hear about the challenging decision to stop medication, my struggle with staying motivated, and how the sweltering heat plays its part. I delve into my past as a law enforcement officer and examine its potential role in my mental health challenges. Life's not all clouds th...

Have you ever considered the deep-seated motivations behind your stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict? Let's embark together on a journey of introspection and critical thinking, as we dissect the complexities of the Middle East turmoil. We'll dig deep into the perspectives of liberals, conservatives, and Christians, probing the root of their convictions. From a place of personal faith...