Conversation on Tap

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose and Joel discussed Critical Race Theory, a recent controversial subject, with guest Sam Rocha. But, first, Jose and Joel kicked back some beer crafted by Joel himself. This was a delicious an imperial ale with over 9% alcohol content. It was yummy! For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the meaning and origin of the word "Catholic", while Joel talked about the psychological theory of imagining what you want-- and the consequences of not getting it. In the main segment, Jose and Joel chatted with Sam Rocha about Critical Race Theory. We began the conversation by talking about Sam's new Podcast entitled Folk Phenomenology. The conversation then moved into the Black experience in the United States and the emergence of Critical Race Theory following the assassination of Martin Luther King, JR. Sam then beautifully unpacked the history of education for Black and minority Americans in public schools. We ended the discussion about how much of what passes for conversation around race in the United States is centered around what is convenient and comfortable for white Americans. It's a great discussion for anyone looking to learn more about this  In the final segment, Jose talked about the Loki series, which you can watch on Disney+, and Joel talked about some bands, such as the Wallows, the Beach Boys' song "Big Sur," Alexander Paak and Bruno Mars' new song called "Leave the Door Open," Mandolin Orange, and Milk Carton Kids. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose is joined by his wife Christina to discuss their shared love of Disneyland. But, first, Jose and his wife Christina talked about what they were drinking. Christina was drinking a delicious mango White Claw, while Jose drank some Sierra Nevada Dankful.  For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about Walt Disney's support of St. Joseph's hospital, while Christina talked about Walt Disney's faith. In the main segment, Jose and Christina talked about Disneyland. They shared their top three favorite non-ride things to do, their top three places to eat, and their top three rides. Be sure to hit them up on social media if you agree with their rankings-- or if you disagree! In the final segment, Jose and Christina talked about the Podcast called Smartless, by Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman. Jose even introduced an ad for Sam Rocha's new Podcast entitled Folk Phenomenology.  That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose is joined by the funny and faith-filled Jeannie Gaffigan to discuss her suffering from a brain tumor-- and how faith, family, and humor helped with her recovery. This is part two of our two-part conversation. But, first, Jose and his wife Christina talked about what they were drinking. Christina was drinking a delicious Bubly, while Jose drank some Sierra Nevada Dankful, which is very hoppy.  For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about pain and suffering in the Book of Job, while Christina talked about her fears of spiders!   In the main segment, Jose and Jeannie Gaffigan talked about her brain tumor and recovery. This was the stuff of Jim's stand-up, but it wasn't so funny at the moment. Jeannie's recovery was made possible by the love of her family, the development of her faith, and moments of humor. This led her to get more involved in philanthropic actions, such as the Imagine Society and Dinner with the Gaffigans. We also talked about her husband's Twitter tirade during Lou Holtz's speech at the RNC, during which he attacked Joe Biden's faith. The interview ended with Jeannie interviewing Jose about his life and teaching experience. This was definitely an awesome conversation and left an impact on Jose! In the final segment, Jose and Christina talked about the Disney movie titled Cruella, starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson.  If you missed part one of our discussion, then click on the following link: Part 1. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose is joined by the funny and faith-filled Jeannie Gaffigan to discuss her life, her faith, her career, and more.  But, first, Jose and his wife Christina talked about what they were drinking. Christina was drinking Sierra Nevada's Wanderland, a delicious nectarine ale, while Jose drank some Sierra Nevada Torpedo, which is very hoppy.  For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about how readers of the Bible sometimes overlook Jesus' humor in his parables, while Christina talked about the history of roller derby.   In the main segment, Jose and Jeannie Gaffigan talked about her life. This was a long discussion, so this will only be part one of two. We discuss her childhood in Milwaukee, how she came to enjoy working in the theater, teaching Shakespeare to teens, and her hilarious altercation with Jim Gaffigan that led to them eventually getting married and having five kids. We also talked about her book When Life Gives You Pears and their TV Land Show The Jim Gaffigan Show. This part of the interview ends with her taking her children to the doctor and learning that she herself needed immediate medical attention. Check out next week's episode for the rest of the story! In the final segment, Jose talked about the Amazon Prime movie titled Without Remorse, and Christina talked about the Iration's latest album Coastin.  Be sure to come back next week for part two of Jose's interview with Jeannie Gaffigan! That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose has a conversation about racism against Asian Americans with Matt Kappadakunnel.  But, first, Jose and his wife Christina talked about what they were drinking. Christina was drinking the delicious Fig Mountain Lizard's Mouth, while Jose kicked back a White Claw.  For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the sin of racism, and Christina talked about the sugar alternative Maltitol.   In the main segment, Jose and his guest Matt Kappadakunnel discussed racism against Asian Americans, especially in light of a surge of attacks in recent months. The conversation began with going over some key moments of Matt's life before moving into how the murder of George Floyd and the book How to be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi, inspired him to be more outspoken against the sin of racism. They also talked about some of the stereotypes and societal pressures that Asian Americans face, especially the model minority pressure. Finally, the two of them talked about the documentary The Problem with Apu. It's a great discussion! In the final segment, Jose and Christina talked about a SyFy show they have been watching called Resident Alien. Be sure to watch this hilarious show! That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose and Joel answered.  But, first, Jose talked about drinking the delicious Fig Mountain Lizard's Mouth, while Joel talked about an Imperial Stout by Dustbowl. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the world's second oldest woman who survived COVID, and Joel talked about a TED Talk by Tali Sharot on positivity. In the main segment, Jose and Joel went though 10 questions from The Book of Questions, by Gregory Stock. These were some deep questions that forced us to confront our mistakes, our dreams, and memories. It was an interesting discussion, especially when the two talked about the super powers they would love to possess. They even had a hilarious discussion about a time they killed and ate an animal-- sorry, PETA. The two learned a little more from one another, and, hopefully, the listeners learned a little more about the two co-hosts. In the final segment, Jose and Joel talked about what they have been watching: Jose talked about The Chicago Seven on Netflix, while Joel talked the new Clap and Your Hands Say Yeah album and the Apple TV show Ted Lasso, starring Jason Sudeikis. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose and Joel interviewed David Lafferty to discuss the state of QAnon since the 2020 election.  But, first, Jose talked about his guilty pleasure: White Claw. Joel talked about a delicious peanut butter beer that he made at home. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about Gwen Stefani receiving an annulment, while Joel talked about an MIT study that showed fake news traveled faster than factual news. In the main segment, Jose, Joel, and David Lafferty talked about QAnon. They started their conversation by looking at the quasi-religious and cult-like qualities of QAnon. They also discussed how utterly bizarre it was to see how this online conspiracy, found in the dark corners of the web, became such a beast that they were able to storm the Capitol. Many of QAnon's followers, they noted, had left the conspiracy theory altogether, while others looked to explain away inconsistencies by synthesizing QAnon with other conspiracy theories. Before they wrapped up, they discussed all of the ways that QAnon has been proven wrong over the years. A fascinating discussion! In the final segment, Jose and Joel talked about what they have been watching: Jose talked about Ford V Ferrari, while Joel talked about Finding "Ohana." That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose interviewed Theresa Zoe Williams, the host of the new Podcast Up Too Late. For the intro and outro, Jose is joined by his lovely wife Christina!  But, first, Jose and Christina enjoyed some delicious White Claw, which has 5% alcohol by volume.   For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the Catholic origins of McDonald's Filet-O-Fish, while Christina talked about Killer Cells and her infertility journey. In the main segment, Jose was joined by Theresa Zoe Williams to discuss her new Podcast. They start by talking about how they both met their spouses at the same Santa Maria Starbucks, just off the 101. They then talked about their mutual love for Punk Rock. Jose and Theresa also dished on her new Podcast, which was inspired by late-night talk shows. They also get into the topic of funny women and the hilarious Coffin Tweet that brought Theresa's Twitter fame. The two also spent some time talking about Theresa's writing, both fiction and non-fiction. Finally, the two of them talked about how wonderful it is to see God throughout the culture, even in the unlikeliest of places. In the final segment, Jose and Christina talked about what they have been watching: Jose talked about One Night in Miami, while Christina talked about Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose interviewed Joe Payne, an independent journalist in Santa Maria. For the intro and outro, Jose is joined by his lovely wife Christina!  But, first, Jose and Christina enjoyed some delicious White Claw, which has 5% alcohol by volume.   For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about Joe Biden's Catholicism, while Christina reflected on Jesus calming the seas and wind. In the main segment, Jose was joined by Joe Payne to discuss local and national politics. They discussed how Santa Maria's reputation as a bastion of conservatism is coming into conflict with the progressive organizers on the ground, especially during the Black Lives Matter protests. We also discuss the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th, which was attended by a local man named Doug Dougherty. Of course, we had to mention Andy Caldwell, who lost his challenge against incumbent Rep. Salud Carbajal. We also looked at the state of the Republican Party and the reign of Trump. But we end on a positive note by looking at the beginning of the Biden administration and our hope for the country in the coming years. In the final segment, Jose and Christina talked about what they have been watching: Jose talked about Wandavision on Disney+, while Christina talked about Rob Lowe's Podcast Literally and Matthew McConaughey's book Green Lights. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose and Joel return from their hibernation to discuss what they have been up to these last few months. Unfortunately, this episode was recorded just before Thanksgiving-- and we are now posting in mid-January. We are hoping to get back into the swing of posting every week! But, first, Jose and Joel pour themselves some delicious brew. Jose kicked back some delicious Belching Beaver, while Joel drank some mysterious German brew that we could not pronounce.  For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the McCarrick Report, while Joel talked about the issue of a shrinking populationhttps://www.bbc.com/news/health-53409521. In the main segment, Jose and Joel talked about their lives over the last few months. Jose has had a few disastrous events, while Joel has completed the remodel of his home and visited his sons in college. They also shared some of their experiences with Distance Learning and how teachers are not a fan of it-- but they're also not a fan of contracting COVID and bringing it home to their families. The second half of the episode was dedicated to dissecting the 2020 election results and sighing in relief about Joe Biden's victory. They also discussed the decline of Fox News and predicted that Trump would not attend the Inauguration of Joe Biden. In the final segment, Jose and Joel talked about what they have been watching and listening to: Big Thief, South Park, The Queen's Gambit, The Mandalorian, Christmas music, season 4 of The Crown, and more! That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose interviewed Paul Fahey, a contributor to Where Peter Is. For the intro and outro, Jose is joined by his lovely wife Christina!  But, first, Jose and Christina celebrate the joyous return of Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company's Lizard's Mouth, which has 9% alcohol by volume.   For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about predestination, while Christina talked about the Glee curse. In the main segment, Jose was joined by Paul Fahey to discuss Pope Francis, particularly his book The Name of God is Mercy. They spend the bulk of their time talking about what Pope Francis means by mercy, as well as the misconceptions his critics have about mercy in general. They refer to parables, such as the lost sheep and the prodigal son, to drive the point home. It's an engaging conversation between two people who have a lot of admiration for Pope Francis. In the final segment, Jose and Christina talked about what they have been watching: Jose talked about Down to Earth, a docu-series on Netflix, while Christina gushed about the new Iration album . That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose interviewed David Lafferty, a contributor to Where Peter Is. For the intro and outro, Jose is joined by his tocayo Jose Segura, who has been on the show many times!  But, first, Jose and Jose chat about conspiracy theories, such as the moon landing, Covid-19, and the JFK assassination. Afterward, they chat about what they have on tap.  For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about freedom, while Jose talked about the movement to canonize Carlos Acutis, the first would-be patron saint of the internet. In the main segment, Jose was joined by David Lafferty to discuss QAnon. They talked about the origin of QAnon and how their first major conspiracy-- Pizzagate-- went disastrously wrong. David also spoke about the disgraced and discredited archbishop Vigano, who wrote a QAnon inspired letter to Trump. The discussion also looks forward to the future of QAnon and their waning influence with each failed prediction. It's an engaging and fun discussion! In the final segment, Jose and Ramon talked about what they have been watching: Jose watched Eurovision on Netflix, while Jose watched The Expanse on Amazon Prime.  That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose interviewed Robin Shelby, the wonderful actress behind the iconic Slimer character from Ghostbusters 2. For the intro and outro, Jose is joined by Ramon Campoamor, the host of Dad's Podcast Project.  But, first, Jose and Ramon chat about what they have on tap. Jose is once again enjoying some delicious Guinness Extra Stout, while Ramon was getting tipsy on H20-- known more commonly as water. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about ghosts, while Ramon talked about the "Right to Repair."  In the main segment, Jose was joined by Robin Shelby to discuss her experience as Slimer and reflect on her life as part of the iconic Ghostbusters franchise. We begin by talking about her life before Slimer, including her work on the movie Willow. We also talk about what it was like to be inside of the Slimer suit, as well as the team effort required to bring Slimer to life. Robin also talked about meeting Bill Murray on one of the days of filming. We talked about some of her other films and theater work, including her role as Lady Slimer in the all-female cast of Ghostbusters: Answer the Call. It's an engaging and fun discussion! In the final segment, Jose and Ramon talked about what they have been watching: Jose watched Hamilton on Disney+, while Ramon watched Upload on Amazon Prime.  And be sure to check out Ramon's Podcast! That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap!  In this episode, Jose continues his discussion with Sam Rocha, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada, to discuss socialism and his recent debate against Trent Horn on Catholic Answers. For the intro and outro, Jose is joined by his wife Christina.  But, first, Jose and Christina chat about the delicious Guinness Extra Stout that they yummily swallowed. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the hideous Abby Johnson video entitled "My Biracial Boy," and Christina talked about how she has learned so much from Emmanuel Acho's YouTube series "Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man." In the main segment, Jose is joined by Sam Rocha to discuss socialism. The conversation begins with a discussion about capitalism; Sam is quite charitable with his capitalist interlocutors. We then move into a discussion about how the Affordable Care Act-- also known as ObamaCare-- isn't actually socialism at all, despite critics' claims. This moves into a discussion about Black Lives Matter and racism in our country. We also take some time to discuss how socialism actually plays out in capitalist countries around the world through welfare programs and social safety nets. Jose then asks Sam if the term "socialist" is even worth using in our time due to the negative connotations Americans reflexively hold. As we began to wind down the conversation, Sam reflected on the Magnificat, Mary's radical prayer of confronting power in this world. The episode ended with a beautiful and deeply personal connection for Sam to a previous debate he participated in at Wabash College. This was definitely an awesome discussion, in its truest sense. We are also grateful that Sam gave us permission to use his music in this episode and in the previous episode, too. Check out his YouTube Channel for more of his great music! In the final segment, Jose and Christina talked about how they have been watching the Netflix show The Floor is Lava. It is a fun, family show! That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

In this episode, Jose is joined by Sam Rocha, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada, to discuss socialism and his recent debate against Trent Horn on Catholic Answers. For the intro and outro, Jose is joined by his wife Christina.  But, first, Jose and Christina chat about what they are drinking: Christina was drinking the delicious chai tea from Trader Joe's, while Jose had a Cabernet Sauvignon from JLohr. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the Americanism heresy, and Christina talked about the firing of several cast members on Bravo's Vanderpump Rules for racist behavior. In the main segment, Jose is joined by Sam Rocha to discuss socialism. The conversation begins with a discussion about how Sam made his way from Texas to Vancouver, as well as his love of music. As they moved into their topic, Sam took some time to rebut critics who claimed that he never defined the word "socialism," which he clearly did throughout his arguments, to the point of offering three tangible examples. The two then discuss the actual application of socialism through a discussion of orthopraxy, as well as looking at how socialism has played out in world history, rather than being confined to a pithy definition. As they begin to wrap up part one, Sam juxtaposes socialism against capitalism, particularly from a biblical perspective. In the final segment, Jose and Christina talked about how they have been watching the Netflix show The Politician.  That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Cheers!

In this episode, Jose and Joel pour themselves some delicious coffee and discuss the murder of George Floyd by Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the parallels between the killings of George Floyd and Jesus, and Joel used his time to discuss Mile's Law, which has to do with how a person's position in society or in a structure influences their perspective on policies. In the main segment, Jose and Joel did their best to temper their anger while discussing the murder of George Floyd. They started by going through the timeline of George Floyd's deadly encounter with the police. Their discussion went into examples of police brutality, from Michael Brown to Eric Garner to Breonna Taylor and more. They also discussed the looting and rioting, though they stressed that the overwhelming reaction to the killing has been peaceful protests. We also talked about reforming the police departments, defunding the police, Black Lives Matter, and Trump's role in all of this. We ended the conversation on a hopeful note. In the final segment, Jose talked about how he has been watching Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story, whereas Joel talked about the recent David French article. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

In this episode, Jose is joined by Ken Miller, the editor of Las Vegas Magazine, to discuss Las Vegas' plans for reopening in the midst of the Coronavirus. For the intro and outro, Jose is joined by his wife Christina.  But, first, Jose and Christina chat about what they are drinking: Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company's Hoppy Poppy. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about how a person could fulfill the CDC's handwashing guideline of 20 seconds by saying the Our Father, and Christina called out guys for using the game Words With Friends to creepily hit on women. In the main segment, Jose is joined by Ken Miller to talk about developments in Las Vegas regarding the plan to reopen during the Covid-19 epidemic. The governor of Nevada was scheduled to give an announcement before our interview but had to cancel due to the fact that he had been exposed to the virus. We also take some time to talk about the horrendous interview the Las Vegas mayor had on Anderson Cooper. We also talk about what Las Vegas will look like as the casinos begin to reopen. Ken also gives his advice about how to have a good time in Vegas, and we talk about our favorite Las Vegas movie. It's a fun conversation!  In the final segment, Jose talked about how he has been watching the Disney+ docuseries entitled Gallery, which is about the making of The Mandalorian; Christina has been watching reaction videos on Youtube by people like Jamel AKA Jamal, Rebecca the Vocal Athlete, and Beth Roars. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

In this episode, Jose and Joel are joined by Roger Hall to discuss the Trump presidency and the protesters of the Coronavirus protection guidelines. But, first, Jose and Joel chat about what they are drinking: Heineken and Blue Moon Belgian White. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the etymology of the words hocus pocus, and Joel used his time to discuss political purity tests and Michael Moore's recent documentary assailing environmentalists. In the main segment, Jose and Joel were joined by Roger Hall, a history professor at Allan Hancock College, for an informed discussion about the historical context of the Coronavirus pandemic and the Trump administration. The discussion begins with some background on Mr. Hall's credentials and then moves into his love of teaching, especially teaching history. The conversation really began when they started to discuss his letter to the editor regarding the ill-informed protests in Santa Maria and around the nation. From there, they discussed the Trump administration's handling of the response, as well as Trump's incompetence as president. The conversation ended with a comparison of the presidencies of Trump and Abraham Lincoln. It's an amazing discussion! In the final segment, Jose talked about how he has been watching a YouTube show called Hot Ones, whereas Joel talked about the hilarious impressions of Sarah Cooper. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap! In this episode, Jose and Joel are joined by Henry Houston to discuss journalism and writing for the Eugene Weekly. But, first, Jose and Joel chat about what they are drinking: Lagunitas IPA and St. Pauli Girl. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about how virtual masses just aren't the same as attending in person, and Joel used his time to call out Andrew Sullivan for criticizing the 1619 Project, though he gave him credit for calling out the left on the Tara Reade scandal. In the main segment, Jose and Joel were joined by Henry Houston for a lively conversation. They started the conversation by going through some of Jose's favorite articles written by Henry: Country Grammar, in which Henry was able to meet with Garth and fulfill his childhood dream; Shatner: The Final Frontier, in which Henry recalls his interview with William Shatner; and Nerd Bashing Time, in which he interviews the MAGA-hat-wearing MMA fighter Colby Covington. From there, we talked about whether Star Trek or Star Wars was better, what it's like to get hate mail, journalistic standards, and the reaction to Oregon's Coronavirus health guidelines. It's a great discussion about the real work that journalists do to bring citizens independent news. In the final segment, Jose talked about how he has been watching a YouTube show called Hiking With Kevin, whereas Joel talked about a New Yorker piece about Greenwich Republicans who support Trump, the Michael Jordan docu-series entitled The Last Dance, and a rapper from Oxnard named Anderson Paak. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap! In this episode, Jose was joined by his wife Christina to discuss how they are entertaining themselves during the Coronavirus quarantine. But, first, Jose and Christina chat about what they are drinking: Modelo Especial. It goes down easy! For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about Eastertide and why the roots of Easter in Passover, and Christina talked about the Zombie Snail. In the main segment, Jose and Christina have a wide-ranging chat about all of the movies and TV shows they are watching during the quarantine. They are watching the juicy shows on Bravo, especially Vanderpump Rules, Summer House, Shahs of Sunset, and the various Real Housewives shows. They also talk about The Invisible Man, so watch out for spoilers! But they also can't help themselves when it comes to tangents about Predator, Harry and the Hendersons, and more! They also discuss Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen and Netflix's Tiger King. In the final segment, Jose talked about how he has been watching a new crowd-funded show entitled The Chosen, whereas Christina has been reading Idiot, Next Level Basic, the Tattooist of Auschwitz.  That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap! In this episode, Joel and Jose were joined by Gloria Soto, a Santa Maria councilwoman, to discuss how the city is responding to the Coronavirus. Because of social distancing, this was our fourth episode to be recorded via Skype, so please bear with us as the sound quality wasn't especially at its finest.  As we started the episode, Joel said that he was out of beer, while Jose drank the last of the delicious Negra Modelo in his refrigerator.  For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about why Easter is celebrated on Sundays, and Joel shared a link (IHME) and his frustration that the media isn't comparing the predictions for Coronavirus and the actual numbers. In the main segment, Joel, Jose, and Gloria talked about her work on the City Council to confront the challenge of the Coronavirus in our community. Gloria was born and raised in Santa Maria to parents who immigrated to the United States in 1988. Now, after a year into her first term, she has been leading the fight to keep people in their homes and to keep businesses in their spaces. We also discuss how she has been working to help small businesses in our community and opportunities to make housing more affordable. One of the challenges that she has had to confront is a cultural insensitivity by some in City Hall who don't understand the immigrant or working class people in our city. So, she has made sure to get out Coronavirus information and practices out to Spanish speaking and Mixtec speaking residents. We also take time to thank our field workers and medical staff, who are working to feed our families and bring us healing, respectively. It was quite the discussion with a very charming and intelligent young woman! In the final segment, Joel talked about how he has been listening to Bill Withers' music and playing a game called JetPunk-- and now he knows where Angola is! Jose talked about playing the new Spider-Man game and the new Star Wars: Fallen Order game. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap! In this episode, Joel and Jose were joined by Mike Lewis, the managing editor and co-founder of Where Peter Is, to discuss Pope Francis and his reactionary critics. Because of social distancing, this was our second episode to be recorded via Skype, so please bear with us as the sound quality wasn't especially at its finest. We will improve the sound, hopefully, as we do more episodes using Skype. As we started the episode, Joel grabbed himself a brew called The Dog Ate My Homework, while Jose drank a delicious Negra Modelo. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about why God isn't punishing us with the Coronavirus, and Joel talked about the Semmelweis Effect. In the main segment, Joel, Jose, and Mike talked about the impetus for creating Where Peter Is, an online Catholic media outlet. Much of the conversation focused on Pope Francis' vision of the Church-- and how right-wing reactionaries have tried to thwart that vision through the use of Catholic media that has become increasingly similar to Fox News. We also talked about some of Pope Francis' critics, from Cardinal Burke to Raymond Arroyo, as well as allies, from Cardinal Tagle to Austen Ivereigh. We end the segment by looking forward to who Mike thinks could inherit the papacy. In the final segment, Joel talked about a pianist named Olafson and encouraged people to check out healthdata.org. Jose ended the show by giving a rundown of the Netflix series called The Tiger King.  That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap! In this episode, Joel and Jose were joined by Jose Segura, the President of the Santa Maria Elementary Education Association, to discuss the impact the Coronavirus is having on California teachers. Due to the fact that this is a rapidly evolving pandemic, it should be noted that California schools are now closed for the remainder of the academic year. Because of social distancing, this was our second episode to be recorded via Skype, so please bear with us as the sound quality wasn't especially at its finest. We will improve the sound, hopefully, as we do more episodes using Skype. As we started the episode, Joel grabbed himself an 805, Jose finished off the Coronas, and Jose Segura poured himself a chocolate stout. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the need to use this shelter-in-place time to work on your interior life, Jose Segura talked about the luxurious quality of sweat pants, and Joel sought clarity about discerning God's will in prayer. In the main segment, Joel, Jose, and Jose Segura talked about how teachers have adapted to the world of distance teaching. They also talked about how the initial school closure was met with resistance by local teachers because the school district insisted that teachers teach remotely from inside the campus, rather than at home. They also talked a little about when they thought we would be returning to campus-- and whether or not we would get our Chromebooks back from students. In the final segment, Jose Segura talked about the new season of Westworld, while Joel talked about the show The Plot Against America and Jose talked about the Showtime series Dexter.  That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap! In this episode, Joel and Jose were joined by Luke Laurie to discuss the Coronavirus pandemic. This was recorded almost a week beforehand, so the information, while accurate at the time, doesn't capture the worsening situation we face today. Because of social distancing, this was also our first episode to be recorded via Skype, so please bear with us as the sound quality wasn't especially at its finest. We will improve the sound, hopefully, as we do more episodes using Skype. As they started the episode, Joel and Jose poured themselves some Coronas, both as a bit of gallows humor and a show of solidarity with the Corona company. For their FRED Talks, Joel sat this one out, but Jose talked about the global population of Catholics, a topic on his mind as they prepared to discuss a global virus. In the main segment, Joel, Luke, and Jose talked about the Coronavirus. They talked about the origin of the Coronavirus, as well as why it is also called Covid-19. They also talked about the mishandling of the pandemic by the Trump administration, as well as the lack of urgency at all levels of government until it was too late. The trio also talked about ways to prevent catching the virus and flattening the curve. If you would like to know more about this virus, then this is the episode you need to listen to! In the final segment, Joel talked about some bands that he has been listening to lately, and Jose shared his impressions of the Hulu docu-series entitled Hillary. That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to Conversation on Tap! In this episode, Joel and Jose were joined by Jesse, Jose's brother, to discuss the death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and the other victims of the tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.  As they started the episode, Joel and Jose poured a delicious pint of Howling Gourds: Pumpkin Ale, while Jesse poured himself a cold soda. For their FRED Talks, Joel talked about the exciting sport known as frisbee golf-- also known as frolf-- and Jose talked about the potential introduction of married priests in the Amazon (**update: Pope Francis punted on the issue for further discussion). This latter topic was of particular interest to Joel, who's father was a married Lutheran pastor.  In the main segment, Joel, Jesse, and Jose talked about the death of Kobe Bryant. It was a shocking and unexpected death and one that tore at the hearts of people all across the country and the world. Jesse and Joel are huge basketball fans, so they dived into the details of Kobe's career, while Jose talked about some of the cultural impact. The trio also confronted the issue of rape allegations made against the NBA legend and how that dramatically changed his life; Jose brought up the fact that Kobe was returned to his Catholic faith by this major failing. They wrapped up by talking about how Kobe's death and the subsequent tributes hit them especially hard. In the final segment, Joel talked about a show called The Outsider. Jesse talked about binge-listening to the Your Own Backyard Podcast and some of the recent developments in the case. Jose, on the other hand, watched Ad Astra and was struck by the theme of the film. Let us know if you followed our recommendations! That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

 Welcome back to Conversation on Tap! Unfortunately, we have had some technical difficulties that have set our Podcast back a bit, but we have been purchasing some new audio recording equipment and are ready to get back into the Podcasting game!  In the meantime, we have been granted permission to share the episode of the Dad's Podcast Project that featured Joel and I as guests. We were awe-struck by how professional Ramon's Podcast was, which is what inspired us to step-up the quality of our show. Also, I want to acknowledge that this is our two year anniversary as a Podcast! Woot woot! Here's to 2020 being our breakout year! Please go check out The Dad's Podcast Project both in audio and visual form. We hope to see you guys very soon! Cheers!

Welcome back to another episode of Conversation on Tap! In this episode, Joel and Jose had a potpourri conversation-- we talked about several random topics! As they started the episode, Joel and Jose poured a delicious pint of Frothbite IPA by Alvarado Street Brewery. The can's label was hilarious and the beer was tasty. We highly recommend it. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about Pope Francis's 83rd birthday, while Joel talked about "cute aggression." In the main segment, Jose and Joel talked about the impeachment of Trump, which seemed to really set Jose off. That segued into a discussion about which 2020 candidate was the most viable in running against Trump. From there, Joel brought up the attempts by some Christians to create a duality between the material and the spiritual, which lead into a discussion about Christmas. Jose then took some time to discuss his frustrations at work, but Joel talked him off the ledge. As they wrapped up, they talked about Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and offered final predictions. In the final segment, Joel gushed about a band called Big Thief and Kiwanuka. Jose, on the other hand, really enjoyed The Irishman. Let us know if you followed our recommendations! That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Cheers!

Welcome back to another episode of Conversation on Tap! In this episode, Jose interviewed Ramon Campoamor from the Dad's Podcast Project, who joined Jose to discuss the joys-- and struggles-- of parenthood. Unfortunately, Joel was dealing with a family issue and could not be present for the interview, but he was able to record the beginning and end of the episode. Let's please keep Joel and his family in our prayers for good health! As they started the episode, Joel and Jose poured a delicious glass of SoCal Kooks by Humble Sea Brewing Company. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about the Vatican's Devil's Advocate, while Joel quizzed Jose about some mind blowing facts presented by Life Hacker. As Jose began the interview with Ramon, they talked about the health of Ramon's daughter, who recently had to have an MRI. They also discussed the state of society whereby both parents have to work and have an income, even though many families would prefer to have one of the parents stay home to raise their children. They also had an amusing chat about being competitive with your children-- and not letting them win. They also talked about the rise of the anti-vaccination hipsters who are ignorantly causing the return of long defeated diseases, such as measles. It was such a great conversation about being a parent, especially a parent who has to find time to record, edit, and publish Podcast episodes! In the final segment, Joel gushed about a band called Sault, which he discovered through NPR. Jose encouraged folks to check out the new Podcast from America Magazine's Michael O'Loughlin entitled Plague: Untold Stories of Aids and the Catholic Church. Check it out! That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram. And be sure to follow Ramon's Podcast wherever you listen to Podcasts! Cheers!

Welcome back to another episode of Conversation on Tap. We were especially honored to be joined by Chris Lambert from the Your Own Backyard Podcast, who joined us to discuss the disappearance of Kristin Smart in May 1996. But first we pour ourselves a tasty pint of Devil's Gulch Hazy IPA. For our FRED Talks, Jose talks about how Vatican City has the world's largest crime rate, while Joel waxes poetic about how people are rather pessimistic about the state of the world. As Joel and Jose interview Chris Lambert, they first ask him some questions about how he got into the subject of Kristin Smart and how he quit his job in order to complete his Podcast project (support Chris at this GoFundMe). The conversation turned to focus on the life of Kristin Smart and what we know transpired on that fateful Memorial Day weekend in 1996. They also discussed the evidence that clearly ties Paul Flores to her disappearance, as well as his parents as likely accomplices in the cover-up. They also discussed the incompetence of the Cal Poly Campus Police, which led to the 1998 Kristen Smart Bill. As they wrapped up, they asked Chris about what he thinks happened and what he has planned for the future of the Podcast. In the final segment, Joel and Jose gushed about The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda. Check it out! That's all for this week, but keep up with the Podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram. And be sure to follow the Find Kristin Smart Facebook page for all of the news regarding the ongoing investigation! #justiceforKristin Cheers!

In this episode of Conversation on Tap, I sit down with myself over an Easy Jack IPA to discuss the supposed conversion of Kanye West. Caution: I am not particularly kind to Kanye, Kim, or Trump-- or Joel Osteen. It's a brief 20 minute soliloquy, but I pack in quite a bit of theology, politics, and music, so brace yourself. This is a bonus episode, so stay tuned for episode 37, which will be an interview with Chris Lambert, the creator and host of the Your Own Backyard Podcast. So, stay tuned! Cheers!

Welcome to another episode of Conversation on Tap! In this week's episode, Joel and Jose chat about cults. But before they dive into the main topic, they gush about Figueroa Mountain's Danish Red Lager. It's got a rich flavor and is quite a sight to see in a cold pint glass. For their FRED Talks, Joel talks about the educational principle of contingency, while Jose bemoans the lack of knowledge among American Catholics of the Eucharist. In the main part of the show, Joel and Jose discuss infamous cults like Jonestown and Heaven's Gate, while also noting some similarities between Trump and cult leaders like Charles Manson. As they close out the show, Joel talks about the great Netflix show entitled Mindhunter, while Jose encouraged listeners to check out his friends' Podcast My Brother's Wife and Me and Him. We hope that you will join us next week for another episode of Conversation on Tap! And please be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Cheers!

Welcome back to another episode of Conversation on Tap! This week, Joel and Jose sit down for an interview with one of their beloved colleagues: Linda Diepenbrock. She's a passionate Brit who is retiring and looking to travel the world. But before they began their interview, Jose and Joel shared a shot of Fireball in honor of Linda. Jose also mentioned that the combination of Fireball and Angry Orchard Cider makes the delicious drink Angry Balls-- try it out! For their FRED Talk, Joel talked about the trend in education encouraged by the work of Carol Dweck called Growth Mindset, while Jose talked about the awkward intersection of politics and faith over the abortion issue. In their interview with Linda, they discuss how she changed the culture of the school, mainly in the direction of collaboration. But Linda was also hugely influential in pushing for better strategies for teaching writing and a new approach to getting students to read. They wrapped up by talking about her passion for traveling and what she wants to do with her retirement years. Joel and Jose were so heartbroken to say goodbye to Linda, but she will have so much enjoyment in her retirement. To wrap up, Joel talked about a wacky show he's been watching called Letterkenny, while Jose was excited to share Jesuit Autocomplete. We thank you all so much for listening to our humble little Podcast! Please continue the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to share these episodes with friends and family! We will see you next week! Cheers!  

Welcome back to another episode of Conversation on Tap! We have been on hiatus due to our crazy work schedule and the fact that I now have to wrangle a baby. But we are back with some episodes that have been sitting on my computer waiting impatiently to be edited.  In this episode, Jose is joined by his brother Jesse and their uncle Ernie-- and Jose holds his daughter throughout the episode. There was so much more to discuss about the woes of driving, so the three of them share some driving horror stories. But before they started their conversation, Jose shared that he and his Uncle Ernie were drinking the delicious Luponic Distortion, while Jesse drank some classic Coca Cola.   For their FRED Talk, Jesse talked about how customers and employees should all get along, and Jose talked about the first book to be printed using the printing press: the bible.  As the conversation was underway, Jose, Jesse, and Uncle Ernie all shared stories of being trapped, wrecking cars, getting tickets, and the future of trucking in the age of self-driving cars. It was a lot of fun having this conversation! In the Outro, Jesse talked about the Netflix show Jailbirds, while Jose gushed about The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Thank you so much for joining us this week! We hope that you enjoyed this episode as much as we did. We look forward to Joel returning for next week's episode. And please find us on Facebook and Instagram-- and spread the word about our show! See you next week! Cheers!

Welcome back to another episode of Conversation on Tap! It's been a busy time for Joel and Jose due to the end of the school year, but they are looking forward to getting in some great interviews over their summer vacation. In this episode, Jose and Joel discussed driving and all the annoyances they encounter on the road. But before they buckle up for this discussion, they pour themselves a delicious margarita with Hawaiian red salt on the rim. For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about how Christians are no longer bound by the tithing law of the Jewish temple, while Joel talked about the Dunning-Kruger Effect. In their discussion about driving, they talked about road rage, tailgating, using the roundabouts properly, the autobahn, car accidents, and more. Their discussion was also interrupted occasionally by classic comedy bits that only emphasized their points. As they wrapped up, Joel talked about Game of Thrones and Jose talked about how he and his wife are obsessed with 20/20 on Hulu. Thank you so much for listening! Please be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, where you can share these episode with your friends and family. We would also really encourage you to rate and review our show on iTunes. Cheers!

Welcome back to another episode of Conversation on Tap! In this week's episode, Joel and Jose take listener questions. But first they drink some delicious Hemp Ale from the Humboldt Brewing Company. It was a delicious beer and didn't at all make us want to jam to reggae music. As they drank their ale, the two began their FRED Talks: Jose talked about the actual significance of the numbers 666 in the Book of Revelation, while Joel talked about the extinction event that wiped dinosaurs from the face of the earth. Joel was surprised to yet again have listener questions! But we got quite a few questions and could only answer a handful: our first question asked us to stroll down memory lane and remember our first time drinking; the second question asked Jose to talk about the Catholic perspective on the LGBT;  the third question had to do with the significance of Captain Marvel; the fourth question sought our input on Israel; and the final question asked us if we thought social media had affected millennials ability to socialize. As they wrapped up, Jose talked about the Netflix biopic of Motley Crue entitled The Dirt, and Joel talked about the return of Game of Thrones. We thank you so much for listening, and we hope that you will join us again next week! Cheers!

Welcome to another episode of Conversation on Tap! This week, I am joined by my little brother Jesse to discuss the Marvel Cinematic Universe leading up to Avengers: Endgame. Before we begin, Jose pours himself some Ruthless Sierra Nevada, while Jesse pops open some grape soda. As they drink, Jose uses his FRED Talk to discuss the origin of Easter and debunk the idiotic idea that it is Pagan in origin. Jesse, conversely, talks about fights in hockey. In the main segment of the show, Jose and Jesse discuss the beginnings of the MCU, built upon Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man and the genius of Kevin Feige. Afterward, they spend the bulk of their time going through the Marvel timeline, taking a few brief moments per film to discuss its significance. They also take time to talk about their favorite-- and least favorite-- Marvel films. Before they wrap up, Jose and Jesse also share their predictions about Endgame. In the final segment of the show, Jose and Jesse talk several minutes to unpack the latest Star Wars trailer, especially the menacing Palpatine laugh at the end! That's all for this week! Join Jose and Joel next week as they take listener questions. Cheers!  

Welcome back to another episode of Conversation on Tap! This week, Joel and Jose politely discuss religion. While the two of them do not agree on the issue of religion, they nonetheless model how two people can civilily discuss a touchy topic. Before they dive into the topic, Joel and Jose pour themselves some delicious Guinness stout. The drink was delicious and smooth! For his FRED Talk, Joel discussed the Spring Equinox, which transitioned nearly to Jose’s topic of establishing the date of Easter every year. As they talked religion, Joel and Jose each shared their background with faith: Joel was raised by a Lutheran Pastor and Jose is a cradle Catholic. They also went back and forth over the logic or reason of faith, which Joel believed was lacking. They also discussed how different religions have different concepts of God, and Jose explained the Catholic Church's position on salvation for people outside the Church. They also discussed the differences between the various Christian denominations. In the outro, Joel talked about several things: the new Vampire Weekend album, the Tame Impala album, and Andrew Sullivan. Jose shared that he watched the movie The Promise, starring Oscar Isaac, which was about the Armenian Genocide carried out by the Turkish Ottomans during World War 1. That's our episode this week! We thank you for listening and hope you will join us next week! Cheers!

Welcome to another episode of Conversation on Tap! This week, Jose and Joel were joined by their good friend Jose. The three of them shared opinions they hold that are either unpopular or deeply controversial. But before they started the main segment of the show they poured themselves a few pints of Santa Maria Brewing Company's B410. As you could probably deduce from the episode, we did not expect the beer to hit us so hard, so quickly! It was dangerously delicious! In their FRED Talks, Joel talked about the impact of the moon and sun on the tides, (co-host) talked about why Catholics have a crucifix and not a plain cross, and Jose (guest) talked about the need for people to vaccinate their children. As they moved into the main segment of the show, Joel talked about how he actually believes we as a society should talk more about race; Jose (guest) talked about how the beloved Dr. Seuss was actually pretty racist; and Jose (co-host) talked about the issue of abortion-- though it became a multifaceted conversation about sex. As the show ended, Joel strongly recommended Captain Marvel. Jose (guest) talked about the Netflix documentary entitled Behind the Curve. Jose (co-host) talked about the Pope Francis documentary entitled A Man of His Word. Thank you for joining us for the exciting episode! We hope you join us again next week. Please share this episode with friends and family, too. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram at Conversation on Tap! Cheers!

Welcome to another episode of Conversation on Tap! This episode was recorded after the November 2018 Congressional election, but Jose was unable to edit the Podcast in the weeks and months after his baby was born. So, this episode is late, but the content is definitely still relevant!  In this week's episode, Joel and Jose's great friend Scott joined them to discuss the historic Congressional election of 2018. But, first, Scott poured a round of delicious Yuengling, a treat that few people on the West Coast have enjoyed.  For their FRED Talks, Jose talked about how some Christians or pseudo-Christian denominations mistakenly believe the name of God is Jehovah (spoiler: God's name is Yahweh), while Joel talked about the art of using a credit card to rack up points to travel the world.  In the main segment of the show, Scott, Joel, and Jose all talked about the history making results of the 2018 election. While the three of them had hoped for a larger blue wave, they were nonetheless encouraged that the Democrats took back the House. They also looked at some problematic ideological tenets of today's conservatives, as well as some of the undemocratic feature of our system of government. Scott and Joel even take time to offer Jose some parenting tips! Finally, they looked toward the future and at some potential 2020 challengers. To wrap up the show, Joel gushed about A Star is Born and insisted that Lady Gaga should win an Oscar. Jose talked about Leah Remini's show Aftermath, which focuses on the cult-like practices of Scientology. Thank you for joining us! We were so glad Scott could join us, and we hope he comes back soon! Next week, we will be talking about our unpopular opinions. Cheers! 

Welcome back to another episode of Conversation on Tap! This week, Joel and Jose sit down with the Santa Maria Running Man: Tim Espinoza. They also enjoy some delicious holiday brews, such as Half-Moon Bay's Pumpkin Harvest and the Lump of Coal stout-- both of which were purchased from BevMo! Before they begin the interview, Jose and Joel engage in their FRED Talks. Jose talks about the dualism in some Christian denominations that pit the body against the soul, while Joel tells everyone his secret recipe for toffee! Over the last few years, locals in Santa Maria have watched the Santa Maria Running Man traverse Broadway on foot in a style of running that has been described as "parkour." His style of running has attracted quite a number of followers on Instagram, too. But Joel and Jose sit down with the man-- Tim-- to hear his success story of overcoming drugs and becoming an inspiration to so many people. In the outro, Joel gushes about a movie called Free Solo, while Jose raves about the third season of Daredevil. Be sure to join us next week as we talk with our good friend Scott about the 2018 elections and the new Congress! Cheers!

Welcome to another episode of Conversation on Tap! It's been a few months since our last episode, unfortunately. But that was due to the fact that Jose's baby came a few weeks early and completely dominated his time. Now that Frankie is a few months old and Jose and Christina are a little more settled, Jose is ready to jump back into the Podcast! This episode is quite a bit old, as a consequence. Joel and Jose recorded this episode at around Oktoberfest and Halloween, so those will be the references made during the show. As they move into the main topic, Jose and Joel are joined by their wonderful friend Deanna. The trio discuss food, Small World, tri-tip, and more! In the final segment of the show, Jose discussed the slanderous letter by Archbishop Vigano, which called on Pope Francis to resign; Joel talked about a documentary on Netflix that highlighted the exploitation of the incarcerated by private prisons. We have two more episodes in the can, though they are old at this point. Regardless, they were fascinating conversations and Joel and Jose want to share them. After those are posted, the Podcasts that follow will be up to date!   Thanks for listening!   Cheers!

Welcome to another episode of Conversation on Tap! In this episode of Conversation on Tap, Jose is joined once again by his brother Jesse in order to talk about upcoming comic book movies. Before they get started, Jose drank some delicious Hoppy Poppy by Figueroa Mountain Brew, while Jesse drank a New York Seltzer. As we moved into the FRED Talks, Jesse talked about his preference for DVDs and Blu-Rays over streaming devices, while Jose talked about how the Vatican is the world's smallest sovereign nation. In the main segment of the show, Jesse and Jose talked about some comic book movie updates. Unfortunately, due to Jose's busy schedule, this episode was delayed in posting by a couple of weeks, so some of the news is a bit "old," but we nonetheless enjoyed the conversation. So, we began by breaking down the Captain Marvel trailer, then segued into the images of Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, which looked a bit like Cesar Romero meets John Wayne Gacy. We then spent a good deal of time talking about the impending departure of Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill from the DC movie universe. Once again, DC really shows how they can take perfectly good comic book characters and completely destroy them! In the last segment, Jesse talked about LA Beast's YouTube Channel about competitive eating, while Jose talked about Frasier. We look forward to next week's episode, which will be on food. Thank you for your patience and for continuing to listen to our show! Cheers! 

In this episode of Conversation on Tap, Joel and Jose interview Abraham Melendrez, a candidate for the Santa Maria-Bonita School Board. Abraham has been endorsed by local teachers, and, as teachers, Joel and Jose are very honored to have him on the show. Before the show got underway, Joel and Jose talked about their drink: Rincon, which is Spanish for "corner" or "the spot." In their FRED Talks, Joel talked about the true meaning of some celebrations, such as Cinco de Mayo; Jose talked about the Catholic bishops document called Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship; and Abe talked about taking some time off to camapaign. As the conversation started, Joel and Jose asked  Abe a series of questions about his background, experience as an EL (English Learner) student, and his priorities for the school board. As they wrapped up, Jose talked about Bob Woodward's latest book entitled Fear and Ike Ndolo's latest album called Shine; Joel talked about an article called Everything You Know About Obesity is Wrong; and Abe talked about catching up with Stranger Things. That was our show! We hope you will encourage your friends and family to vote for Abe for school board! Cheers!

In this week's episode of Conversation on Tap, Joel and Jose explore the topic of boycotts. Before we do, however, Joel and Jose pour themselves some delicious Samuel Adams Boston Lager. For their FRED Talks, Joel talked about the Keto diet, which emphasizes fatty foods over carbs and sugars; Jose talked about the release of a letter by the former Vatican nuncio to the US, which called on Pope Francis to resign. As we moved into the main topic of the show, Jose's wife joined them for their conversation. Joel, Jose, and Christina explored the etymology of the word "boycott," as well as some historical examples of boycotts, such as the Boston Tea Party and Montgomery Bus Boycott of the 1950s-- and we even give a shout out to the woman who first refused to give up her seat: Claudette Colvin. Our discussion also turned to current boycotts of Chik-fil-a and In-N-Out. But we really got into the weeds of how the recent controversy over Colin Kaepernick and Nike's decision to highlight him as a spokesperson for their 30th anniversary ad campaign. We pondered over why this has suddenly turned into a test of people's patriotism by the right. As the show wrapped up, Joel, Jose, and Christina talked about the new Jack Ryan show, and Jose talked about Bishop Barron's Pivotal Players series, specifically the episode on St. Francis. That is our show for this week! We hope that we will join us for our next episode! Cheers!

Welcome to another episode of Conversation on Tap! In this week's episode, Joel and Jose are joined by their good friend Andy to discuss comedy. But, first, they opened up some delicous Anchor Steam beer, which Andy was kind enough to bring for us. For the FRED Talk, Joel and Andy talked a little bit about being "preacher's kids," as well as the particulars of their fathers' respective denominations: Lutheranism and Church of Christ/Methodist. Jose, on the other hand, took a break from his series on the pope to address the recent uncovering of decades of child sex abuse in the Church, the overwhelming number of which took place before the 2002 Dallas Charter written in the wake of the Spotlight reporting. Once the trio started discussing comedy, they covered the history of comedy, the rise of confessional or autobiographical comedy, and the controversial comedians were also mentioned. The issue of whether it is possible to separate the person from their comedy also came up, especially for comedians like Bill Cosby or Louis CK. The question that they keep returning to is whether or not there is a line that the PC police should stand guard of. This segment ended with a look forward to women and minorities in comedy, as well as the prevalence of comedy specials on Netflix. In the final segment of the show, Joel talked about the pop/punk band entitled Joyce Manor. Andy also shared a little about Aki Kumar, who plays blues harmonica with a Bollywood flavor. Jose discussed the Brave New Films documentary entitled Healing Trauma: Beyond Gangs and Prison. This episode took a little long to edit-- Joel and I are back to work again, but we will do our best to be more regular with our episodes! We will see you next week! Cheers!

Welcome to another episode of Conversation on Tap! In this week's episode, Joel and Jose are joined by John, who is Joel's neighbor, to discuss free speech. But before the conversation began, Joel and Jose talked about the delicious Quadruple Boulevard Brew. It was a delicious and sweet beer! For their FRED Talk, Joel talked about a TED Talk by Lera Boroditsky that he watched, which was about the power of words to shape our thoughts; Jose continued his talks on the pope by discussing the pagan temple that Christ used as a backdrop in Matthew 16:18. Once the conversation began, John, Joel, and Jose discussed the controversy circling Sarah Jeong and the New York Time's refusal to let her go. They also dived into the troubling trend on some college campuses to create "safe spaces" for students who are triggered by contradictory viewpoints. This then led to some discussion about the recent decision by some media platforms to delete InfoWars and Alex Jones' content: should we be doing that sort of thing? Is his content worth protecting? The conversation ended with a little discussion about how public education must really emphasize critical thinking if we are going to have a citizenry capable of seeing through the nonsense of some public figures. For the outro, Joel talked about Stephen Malkmus and his great music, while Jose got philosophical about Pinocchio. That's all for this week, but we hope that you continue the conversation on our Facebook page-- please share the episode with your friends and family. Thank you for listening to this week's episode and we look forward to seeing you next week!

Welcome to another episode of Conversation on Tap! In this week's episode, Joel and Jose are joined by a local community organizer named Hazel Davalos. But before we spoke with her, we poured ourselves a few pints of Stockyard Oatmeal Stout, Danish Red Lager, and some more of that tasty Mississippi Mud. For their FRED Talks, Joel talked about the Redwood trees of California, while Jose continued his talks on the papcy. Once the show was underway, they spoke with Hazel about her work with CAUSE. The organization is focused on organizing members of the community, especially the disenfranchised, marginalized, and undocumented. Hazel also talked about the impact ICE has had on our community and how that has been an organizing force. But Hazel also talked a bit about how her faith has aligned with her organizing work. We were so glad to have her (and her one year old) join us on the show! As they wrapped up, Jose talked about the Netflix show Bobby Kennedy for President, while Joel talked about the article Lane Davis' Civil War-- and said that he enjoyed Mission Impossible: Fallout. Thank you so much for joining us this week! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We will see you next week! Cheers!

In this week's episode, we welcome Joel back from his vacation! As the episode got started, Joel and I poured ourselves a pint of Moose Drool, by the Big Sky Brewing Company, but we drank almost all of it before recording! For our FRED Talks segment, Joel talked about surfing ettiquette, while Jose talked about the fact that Pope Francis is the 266th pope, the first being St. Peter. In the main segment of the show, Joel and Jose took some listener questions: (1) what has Joel been up to? (2) Which is better: Star Wars or Star Trek? (3) How does Jose feel about being a dad, and does Joel have any parenting advice? (4) Should we forgive Hulk Hogan and James Gunn? (5) What's our take on conspiracy theories, such as the Sandy Hook false flag conspiracy? In the final segment, Jose talked about Bishop Barron's DVD series on the mass, and Joel talked about Dave Matthew's latest album. But Joel also talked a little bit about President Barack Obama's speech recently in South Africa. This was a fun episode for us, and we look forward to getting more questions from you! Please join us on Facebook and leave us your questions! Next week, we will be having an awesome interview, so you will want to hear that conversation. See you next week! Cheers!

In this week's episode of Conversation on Tap, Jose continues the podcast without Joel. The guest this week is Tony The Beat, who hosts the Spread Hope Like Fire Podcast. Tony The Beat not only has a Podcast, but he is also a self-published author. He joined Jose to talk about mental health issues. They talk about the unfortunate stigma against mental health disorders, which leads many to refuse help. Many of these issues are perpetuated by Hollywood, media, and by the constant drive to blame mass shootings on mental illness-- rather than taking steps to pass sensible gun control laws. This was quite the somber topic, but Jose and Tony were both in agreement that laughter sheds light on the dark issues tucked away out of sight. As they ended the episode, Tony The Beat talked about his love for The Office, while Jose talked about the amazing Pixar film Inside Out. We hope that you enjoyed this episode! We will see you next week. Salut!

In this episode of Conversation on Tap, Jose is joined by... Jose, who was a guest in a previous episode. We begin the episode by drinking the delicious Barrel House Mango IPA-- a drink so good that Jose (the regular co-host) got slightly drunk and spilled his beer. For their FRED Talk, Jose (guest) talked about the cancellation of the Roseanne show after a series of racist Tweets; Jose talked about the exact date of Jesus' crucifixion. They also discussed the Janus decision by the Supreme Court and how that will impact public sector unions. But, once they got started, the two Joses took sides: Marvel or DCEU. On the one hand, DC has been raking in the dough at the box office, but Marvel has a visionary in the guise of Kevin Feige. They also take some time to discuss moustache-gate and the fact that both Superman and Batman have mothers named Martha. It was quite the nerdy chat, but as the Mango IPA flowed the two Joses focused more and more on DC and less on Marvel. As they wrapped it up, Jose (guest) talked about watching Netflix's The Toys That Made Us; Jose talked about how Queer Eye made him cry. Hopefully, you enjoyed the discussion! If you did, then please share this episode with your friends on social media. We will see you next week! Salut!

In this episode of Conversation on Tap, my brother Jesse joins me to discuss the latest Marvel film: Ant-Man and the Wasp. Caution: spoilers ahead! We break down the overall plot of the film, debate whether or not it is better than the first Ant-Man film, discuss the pros and cons, and speculate about how this film will impact Avengers 4. It's a brief 30 minute chat, but we pack in quite a bit of nerdy talk, so be prepared! This is a bonus episode, so stay tuned for episode 17, which will be a long discussion about whether the MCU or DCEU is the best. Cheers!