Happy Hour with Dennis and Erik
A candid and open weekly discussion between Dennis and Erik over drinks
285 episodes
latest
fortnightly cadence
English language
Explicit rating
https://happyhour.fm/rss.xml
Episodes
Reading the feed…
A candid and open weekly discussion between Dennis and Erik over drinks
Reading the feed…
The hosts discuss Erik and Dennis nearly missing the week, then joke about a “belt that’s not a belt” and spotlight Duluth Trading Company suspenders that hook on the sides to better hold pants up, especially for working and for people without hips. Erik shares eclipse follow-up, including a Veritasium balloon video capturing the moon’s shadow, why total solar eclipses are more common in the Northern Hemisphere, how pinhole images form regardless of hole shape (tree-leaf crescents), and facts about multiple eclipses per year plus an upcoming lunar eclipse. Dennis recounts seeing an Allman-rela
The hosts discuss Erik’s experience watching a total solar eclipse from his town in Spain, including cloud cover, a brief 51-second totality, a noticeable temperature drop, and how rare full eclipses are; he also considers a road trip to Gibraltar/Morocco for next year’s eclipse and talks about coping with heat without air conditioning. Erik shares other U.S. trip stories: a raccoon appearing at a campsite, golfing with Phil in high-tech carts that shut down in restricted zones, and his 17-year-old daughter staying longer in the U.S. for work, friends, and an imminent driver’s license, enabled
The hosts discuss Erik and Dennis catching up after missing July recordings, starting with drinks and updates. Dennis recounts intense 16-hour renovation days on a house he co-owns with his son, juggling grandkids, staging the home with art and religious/spiritual decor, and navigating showings, an accepted full-price FHA offer after a single showing, and inspections while clearing out the garage. Erik shares recent North Carolina trips including kayaking and camping, noting a storm later hit their campsite, and tells a mishap where he capsized on fast water and lost an expensive iPhone in the
The hosts discuss Erik and Dennis missing a week due to illness, then riff on recent political news and optics around Trump and JD Vance, including Vance’s awkward foreign-trip moments, Trump’s transparency about taking credit and shifting blame, and how staff manage Trump’s exposure to boos and media. They contrast Trump with Obama and mention the World Cup crowd-mocking concern. The conversation pivots to nature and trees, including the interconnected aspen colony Pando and the book The Understory, with darkly comic asides about bugs and decay. Erik recounts an Amsterdam conference trip feat
The hosts discuss Erik's tech conference in Portugal, describing travel to Coimbra, a shipping-container “box” hotel, and stumbling into the university’s huge graduation party with floats, capes, heavy drinking, and chaotic streets. Erik shares two customer-service contrasts: a local shopkeeper who let him take a beer on trust despite having no cash, and a restaurant that took two hours to serve goat stew. Dennis then recounts buying tiny washers at a hardware store and debates returning an extra one, plus home-sale renovations involving uncovering/downsizing a window potentially blocked by a
The hosts discuss Erik and Dennis catching up on their busy weeks, including Dennis’ band gig at the Old Dog Tavern with a big, energetic crowd, and Erik’s packed weekend in Spain: seeing a play in Bilbao, playing a rainy low-tide beach golf tournament, and joining a long muddy forest hike outing with lessons about oaks, beech trees, and holly seed germination via birds. Dennis describes home projects sealing and adding a recycled door under a deck, plus mishaps with a drill tearing their shirts. They share odd body experiences like cramps cured by pickle juice and Erik’s disorienting wake-up
The hosts discuss early recording technical difficulties before Dennis recounts a fishing trip to the Pere Marquette with his longtime friend Jim, including a near-landing of a big bull trout and Jim losing a fish after insisting he didn’t need a net. They then talk about Dennis’ wife traveling to Wilmington, North Carolina, and Erik's wife accompanying her sister to the Canary Islands for a nose job. They shift to late-night TV, including Strike Force Five reuniting, Stephen Colbert’s show ending, and frustrations with CBS/Paramount amid political talk about Trump, war, Congress, and the Supr
The hosts discuss Erik returning to Spain after a week in London and how crossing streets in the UK prompts second-guessing, prompting Dennis to recount a childhood jaywalking accident where a motorcycle severely injured his ankle and left him in a full leg cast for months. They compare big-city office life and commuting with working from home, then Dennis shares a long-running oak furniture story that leads to his “tool of the day,” a vibrating square sander used to restore an old round oak table. Erik describes speaking at a London conference, playing a sponsor’s space-bar game that earned h
The hosts discuss Erik recording from a minimal London hotel, including his trip to see comedian Tiff Stevenson at Soho Theatre, accidentally buying tickets for the wrong night, and being helped by staff with rebooking and unused preordered drinks, plus meeting Stevenson afterward. Erik recounts a Sunday visit to Highgate Cemetery to see graves like Douglas Adams, George Michael, and Karl Marx, reflecting on how quickly most people are forgotten and on European grave “rental” reuse. He also tells a Canary Wharf cocktail-bar story where he had to show a passport scan for entry and was enticed b
The hosts discuss a “bookend” to their prior episode by recording hours before a moon mission lands back on Earth after setting a record for the farthest humans have traveled, then Erik and Dennis talk about reading Andy Weir’s "Project Hail Mary" and its disorienting, mystery-forward style. They recap the latest "DTF St. Louis" episode, calling it tragic, debating Clark’s choices, speculating about suicide and the unexplained bike, and noting a podcast interview claiming the show’s sign language is not accurate ASL and its St. Louis details are underused. Dennis tells a long story about dange
The hosts discuss Erik and Dennis’ April Fools check-in, then Dennis recounts spending over an hour cutting a few quarter-round trim pieces while flipping a house due to repeatedly orienting the angles wrong. Erik describes seeing the Ryan Gosling film adaptation of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary in Spain in an English-language showing with friends and praises how the movie captured his favorite novel, leading to a broader talk about adapting books to films versus miniseries, including Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America. They shift to analyzing HBO’s DTF, including a scene highlighting Floy
The hosts discuss Erik and Dennis reaching the podcast’s seven-year anniversary, then riff on prime numbers, including Erik’s “prime ages” idea for his family and Dennis using counting primes to fall asleep. They debate an old marketing adage about not knowing which advertising works, contrasting brand influence with modern ad tracking. Dennis describes managing diabetes with a continuous glucose monitor, frustrations with insurance and doctors not being data-driven, and Erik’s interest in tracking health stats. They review the TV series “DTF St. Louis,” praising its nuanced, nonlinear storyte
The hosts discuss Trump’s unchecked power, arguing that U.S. checks and balances are failing as he wages a war with Iran without a congressional declaration and imposes broad tariffs while allies like Canada and Spain refuse support after not being consulted. They mention resignations and whistleblowing in the national security apparatus, fears of a widening conflict involving multiple countries, rising gas and grocery prices, and how the public’s attention is driven by cost-of-living impacts. They also cover Republican subpoenas related to Epstein, ICE leadership shakeups, and the difficulty
The hosts discuss escalating conflict involving the Middle East, Europe, and U.S. bases in Spain, criticizing Trump and his administration for shifting justifications, denying it is a war, and creating political and economic fallout, including eroding independent support and midterm implications. They mention Spain sending support to Cyprus, cabinet turmoil including Trump firing Kristi Noem and appointing a sitting senator to replace her, and speculation about impeachment tied to the Epstein files and testimony alleging Trump assaulted a 14-year-old. They also talk about fears of nuclear esca
The hosts discuss why Erik and Dennis missed three weeks of recording, blaming a calendar/email mix-up, then pivot to Trump’s State of the Union as a spectacle, including Congressman Green being removed, Republicans chanting “USA,” low Supreme Court attendance, and mention of Epstein survivors as guests. Dennis recounts a morning of dizziness and monocular double vision that resolved, an ophthalmologist visit with no clear cause, and updates on rehabbing a house, band rehearsals and upcoming four-hour shows using the Band Helper app, and seeing guitarist Ellis Tinsley. Erik describes recent ra
The hosts discuss Dennis' concussion and subsequent health issues alongside a string of family illnesses. They delve into a myriad of topics, including their exhaustion from recent medical woes and the stomach flu that swept through Dennis' family. Movie reviews take center stage as they critique the film 'Sinners' for its cinematography and plot twists, along with 'Night Bitch,' leading to a deeper conversation about parental struggles. Dennis also explores his passion for the blues, discussing his band's recent gigs and new music gear. Political commentary ensues, touching on Trump, the upco
The hosts discuss Dennis slipping on ice and sustaining a mild injury. The discussion then shifts to dreams and their odd nature, followed by a review of a book and the intricacies of dream-sharing. Erik shares a recent trip to Madrid, describing crowded streets, the worst pizza, a surprise theater visit, and a treacherous drive through a snowstorm. The conversation features a deep dive into time travel movies, particularly 'About Time,' noting its emotional impact and excellent writing. Dennis talks about upcoming plans and a recent blues festival, then closes with updates on band rehearsals,
The hosts discuss their holiday preparations, including a family tradition of exchanging books. Dennis shares about finding a book from 1954 deemed the funniest book ever. They talk about re-reading favorite books and the joy found in rediscovering passages. Dennis mentions his band, The Mojo Riot, and their upcoming Christmas gig. The conversation shifts to holiday movie traditions, including popular choices like 'Elf' and 'Love Actually.' They also discuss the cultural impact of Mariah Carey's Christmas song. The latter part of the conversation covers political figures and current events, to
The hosts discuss Dennis' near accident driving on icy roads and how winter weather has heavily impacted his area. Dennis recounts his experience with a traffic offense and navigating the legal consequences with a retired judge's help. They also reminisce about past instances where they used connections to help friends in legal trouble. The conversation shifts to humorous ideas for novelty t-shirts and amusing anecdotes about estate peppercorn rent payments. They talk about shows they enjoy, including 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul,' as well as recommending the new Apple TV show 'Pluribu
The hosts discuss Dennis' snowy December birthday, his snow-shoveling adventures, and a malfunctioning hot tub. They reminisce about previous conversations, including a lost recording of Erik's trip to New York where he visited the Comedy Cellar and learned a life lesson about taking the less traveled path. They also talk about Erik's trip to London for work, staying in a cramped hotel, and exploring the city. Dennis shares his experiences with flight delays and layovers, while both host discuss various lounges, bars, and restaurants they've visited during travels. The script ends with light-h
The hosts discuss Erik's recent adventures in New York City, filled with various captivating experiences. Erik shares the story of his arrival in Manhattan, selecting a hotel, and navigating the city's subway system. He recounts his dinner at a steak bistro, a morning walk in Brooklyn, an unexpected tour through a Hasidic Jewish neighborhood, and his delight in seeing iconic locations from his kids' favorite TV show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Erik also narrates attending a Louis CK show at the Beacon Theater and participating in a fun recording session of The Tonight Show. The day ends with visits t
The hosts discuss Dennis' recent weekend getaway to Muskegon, Michigan, where he attended a blues event and explored local breweries. They delve into a variety of topics, including musical performances by the Vincent Hayes Band and a jazz musician from Detroit, food at breweries, and natural scenic views. The conversation shifts to discussions about bands like Tenacious D, artists like Jacob Collier, and experiences with songwriting and music. They also touch upon recent political developments, including the dynamics within the Senate during the government shutdown, the future of national elec
The hosts discuss Erik's visit to a casino in Malta with his colleagues, which ended with him quickly losing 50 euros at a blackjack table. Dennis reminisces about a poker game in Tacoma, Washington, where he won big and then lost significantly. They touch on daily life, including Dennis' dedication to fixing his barn from squirrels and looking after his grandchildren. Shifting gears, the conversation covers U.S. political updates, including a recent Democratic sweep in off-term state and local elections, implications for the mid-terms, and criticisms of Trump's policies and actions. Future pl
The hosts discuss Dennis' recent experiences with fish tales involving salmon fishing in Pulaski, New York. Erik shares his trip to Malta, delving into the island's rich history and blend of cultures. They comically explore the logistics and challenges of salmon fishing. The conversation eventually shifts to the No Kings protest movement and the U.S. political landscape, addressing the Democratic Party's leadership crisis and upcoming midterm elections. The episode concludes on a lighter note with humorous exchanges and a song improvisation.
The hosts discuss Erik's time in Alicante, Spain for an annual conference, his experiences, and the local attractions. They switch to Dennis's preparations for his annual Salmon River fly fishing trip, encounters with airline regulations, and humorous packing incidents. They debate the dynamics of golf crowd behavior during the Ryder Cup and the American heckling of Rory McIlroy. Movie discussions include Liam Neeson’s 'The Commuter' and Joel Edgerton’s 'The Gift.' Lastly, they touch upon political issues like Trump's behavior towards military generals, comparing it to authoritarian practices.
