Don't Panic Radio Show

The same thing will not work on every child every time. And the same thing will not work on the same child every time. It takes a diversity of tactics to raise a child. And it will take a diversity of tactics to fix our society.

Dee Snider knows he messed up. And we know that he knows that he messed up. When someone is caught and they know they're caught, a good dad knows how to make it a teachable moment and not a chance to rub it in.

The medication that induces safe, legal abortions was recently struck down by a judge in Texas. Why is this bad and how can we engage with people who don't know this is bad? Paul and Steve touch the third rail of family reunions. How to discuss abortion and other hot topics.

This episode might save your life. Paul had a heart attack so you don't have to!

Spoiler alert: The Last of Us is not a show about zombies. It is a show about being a dad. Paul and Steve end Season One of Better off Dad by asking the question: what makes a dad.

The US government is threatening to ban TikTok again. The official narrative makes no sense, so follow the money. And, why you should delete all your social media accounts (according to Jaron Lanier). Who's Jaron Lanier? Check him out: http://www.jaronlanier.com/

The end is nigh! But why should we be in a hurry to get there? Some say that if the fascists take over, the whole system will collapse and something better will take its place. So, why not speed up the process so we can get to the fun parts of the apocalypse? This is an unbelievably bad idea. Here's why...

We seem to have forgotten, "Never Forget". We seem to have forgotten, "Never Again." We seem to have forgotten about the early warning signs of Fascism that they taught us in school in the 70s. Paul and Steve are here to remind you this week. Trigger warnings/Content warnings: we talk about suicide, genocide, transphobia, homophobia, antisemitism, and other horrible stuff in this episode. Here are some resources: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/ https://www.aclu-in.org/ https://timothysnyder.org/books/on-tyranny-tr https://www.indianayouthgroup.org/ https://www.hrc.org/ https://indypride.org/ https://indianapolisrecorder.com/    

Put your mask on first so you have enough oxygen to be there for your kids. We have all ignored this critical safety instruction at some point. Hear from Paul and Steve as they urge you to find a thing for yourself, to not be ashamed to unplug when you need to recharge, and to be strong enough to ask for help.

So what does a famous gamer/streamer/YouTuber think of The Last of Us adaptation from game to show? You may know him as penguinz0 or just Charlie, but he knows games and he knows adaptations. Better off Dad video: https://www.youtube.com/@betteroffdad25 Cr1TiKaL's video: https://youtu.be/Frevlg_nR8E

Unless you're a gamer, you'll want to quit The Last of Us halfway through the first episode like I did. But encouragement from Paul and from the author of John Dies at the End convinced me to give it another go. Trust me, push on and Episode 3 will make it worth your while. Better Off Dad with Paul and Steve

Exploring the Pros and Cons of AI Writing and AI Art: A Dad-to-Dad Discussion. Better off Dad with Paul and Steve Opening theme by MP Cavalier

Better off Dad with Paul and Steve. From Board to Reality: Monopoly as a tool for radical change. Change the rules and teach your kids how to undo capitalism.

Not just advice, but bad advice. Aggressively bad advice, in fact. With his effortless stroke of genius, Steve ruined Christmas again for anyone who is unfortunate enough to be within ear shot. Check out Better Off Dad with Paul and Steve, from Big Broccoli Studios!

Pets die. People die. What's to be done? Ah well, ah well. Just do what you know. You've got this; Paul and Steve are here to help.

SPOILER ALERT. Paul and Steve grew up in the 1940s northern Indiana. Maybe that's why we love A Christmas Story - a Christmas movie that tells a story about Christmas for kids growing up in 1940s northern Indiana. In this episode: A Christmas Story Christmas episode, Paul and Steve reminisce about days gone by, good old days that never really existed, and the movie that Paul absolutely hated. Let us know what you think.

In the beginning, there were many firsts. Toward the end there are many lasts. The problem with lasts is you don't necessarily know when they happen. This week the Dads are trying to figure out how to enjoy every moment.

The Red Wave that Wasn't. We avoided the worst. And now we promise we will stop talking about politics so much. After this episode. We are relieved and we are ever vigilant because you are never more than 2 years away from the most important election of your life.

Today is Election Day 2022 in the US. The boys are pissed and they are not holding back. .Recorded on election eve, Paul and Steve lay out the two important things about this year's US congressional election. Human Rights and Democracy. The GOP is not just threatening but have already begun to dismantle the rights of people with a uterus, queer people, and people of color. This has been their unashamed platform, not the opinion of a couple over protective dads. Also on their platform? Discarding votes if Republicans don't win. They have not only threatened but have begun to dismantle the votes of millions of people with whom they disagree. So, anyway, if you are on the right, prepare to be pissed. If you are on the left, prepare to cheer and still be pissed. If you are in the radical center, prepare to be yelled at and ridiculed. The gloves are off with this one. Listen. Then, go vote if you haven't already. "We are never more than 2 years away from the most important election of our lives" - unknown “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” – Nelson Mandela

Twitter.com is now a thing that Elon Musk owns. If you know Paul and Steve, you will not be surprised by this quick take on the whole Twitter.com situation.

Every dad's goal is to raise a safe, healthy, happy, independent kid. But what happens when you get there? Steve has questions and Paul has answers. Paul has two kids over the 18 mark and Steve is about to have his first cross that magical, arbitrary age. So, what do you do? How do you handle it? 1. Each kid is different, so you have to tailor the rules to that kid's needs 2. General rule for while they are still in the house: you are the landlord and they are the tenant. Rent may not be money but it may be pulling their own weight. Adhering to a curfew may be just respecting the other tenants. Use your imagination. 3. The circle of "outside the house" has been growing since they first had an overnight. When they turn 18, it just takes another wide step. They've been preparing for this and you've been preparing for this. This week's book suggestion: Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall: A Parent's Guide to the New Teenager by Anthony E. Wolf 

Apparently this is the TV episode. From our favorite shows when we were kids to our kids' favorite shows and what we're watching. Check it out and tell us what you're watching these days.

Every dad knows about food. What's good? What's not good? What did we eat back in the day? What are our kids eating nowadays? Paul and Steve decided we needed a little break from all the seriousness so they chatted about pizza burgers, soy burgers, eating cake with chopsticks, and the perks of being the child of school staff.

What is wrong with healthcare in our society? Like most problems, the issues are systemic and require systemic solutions. Paul and Steve discuss how to make sure you and your kids get the right care when you can't rely on the system to operate in the best interest of the patients.

Paul and Steve take up the serious topic of how to keep your kids safe and how to teach them to keep themselves safe in an unsafe world. Reminder: if you feel like saying something to my son in a truck stop bathroom, you always have the option of keeping your mouth shut. One MAGA trucker found out the hard way that speaking vile filth in real life has consequences. He went full on snowflake faster than I could turn my cap backwards.

Working to Live or Living to Work? How to raise our kids with an abundance mindset in an increasing scarce world. Or, how many avocados does rent cost? The post that started it: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (H/T to Pauly V) Podcast episode where Zoomers talk about the world they are inheriting from us: It Could Happen Here: The 9/11 Cult

Part 2: Power Dynamics. Previously, we talked about the academic part of school. This time, we are talking about the uneven and useless power dynamics. Why does the school-to-military pipeline only happen at poor schools? How to deal with security guards in school (and at State Fair active shooter incidents) and bully teachers. And a challenge this week: Change our minds. We say some controversial stuff that might make you mad. And we would love for you to set us straight. Tell us your side of the story and your ideas for making school work better. But what do we know? We're just trying to do the right thing when things are hard. AND IT SHOULDN'T BE THIS HARD!

Our kids spend more time in school than almost any place else. So why does school still suck after all these years. It will come as no surprise that Paul and Steve have some thoughts on the matter. From Springfield Township to the MIT of the Midwest and from weeding carrots to heading up the most powerful D&D party of all time, these guys have some genius (and hilarious) ideas about what's wrong with education in this country. Steve has been heavily influenced in his ideas on education by Seth Godin (ever hear of him?). Seth's podcast is here: This is Akimbo Here's the recipe for a Geometry Sandwich: Freakonomics Radio: America's Math Curriculum Doesn't Add Up

What are parents concerned about these days? Paul and Steve run through their top 10 list this week (which includes at least 16 things). Changing diapers, social media, school, violence, work, money... well, how about I just put the list down below. Also, for expecting parents, here's a couple book recommendations. From Steve: Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads by Gary Greenberg | Goodreads From Paul: She's Having A Baby and I'm Having A Nervous Breakdown And now the 16 item top 10 list: Changing diapers (both parents taking care of the kids) Online relationships Screen time/phones Social media Bullying Guns Bigotry, racism,  violence against BIPOC, LGBTQ, and other marginalized groups Leading a fulfilling life while making a living Education versus training Raising them to be anti-racist Dating when you have kids Being a single parent Keeping our own identity beyond being a parent Empty nest syndrome figure out our Sunday night back-to-school groove. Self check out

Nobody Wants to Work!! Paul and Steve respond to this tired old statement with facts, but more importantly with logic and ridicule. From low unemployment, to lingering pandemic problems, to late stage capitalism, and unwillingness to subject our youth to undignified wage slavery, we break down the real reason why Arby's still hasn't opened their lobby/dining room. Facts don't care about your feelings, so here they are: Current Employment Statistics - CES (National) : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) Jobs_and_quits_rate.webp (1468×417) (wikimedia.org) Millennials became the largest generation in the labor force in 2016 | Pew Research Center Share of working U.S. teens increases in summer, but less so than in past decades | Pew Research Center Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions | CDC

Introducing another regular talker from Big Broccoli Studios. It's Better off Dad with Paul and Steve. Just two dads trying to figure out how to do the right thing when things are hard. In Episode 1, we cover the history of the Don't Panic Radio Show, try not to swear (while swearing a lot), and try to describe what Better off Dad is all about. We also touch on school sports, mental health care, and parenting in general. If you or someone you know needs legal help for queer issues, check out this free resource: Lambda Legal

The Russians are threatening to stop cooperating on the International Space Station. Should we care? Are they for real? What's the deal with space anyway? Mentioned in this episode: Russia, Citing Sanctions, Threatens to End International Space Station Cooperation (improvethenews.org) Head of Russia's space program says sanctions could imperil future of space station | PBS NewsHour Iron Sky: The Coming Race BigBroccoliStudios.com New Tales of the Mysterious Traveler

Chris Mercer and Eric Salt have been on the trail of something from out of their pasts, and out of the sky. Their search leads them to the home of hermit Willey Chambliss, who may hold the answers they seek. Sheriff Hoyt left the hustle and bustle of the city, for the peace and quiet of a small town, only to have it get turned upside down as the four men head for a collision course with...The Collectors! Enjoy this special treat for Don't Panic followers. And if you like it, search for Mysterious Traveler by Paul Schultz and subscribe to hear more!

Russia is reframing its goals in Ukraine and making it seem like their new strategy was their actual strategy from the beginning. Meanwhile, US President Biden is reframing his remarks about removing Putin from power. The underdog Ukraine is doing better and fighting fiercer than anyone thought. In the words of the great philosopher Mike Tyson, everybody has a plan until I punch them in the mouth. Ukraine has punched Putin in the mouth and now everybody is trying to figure out the new plan. Mentioned in this episode: Day 33 Roundup: Negotiators Travel to Turkey, Ukraine Retakes Irpin, Biden Walks Back Putin Remarks (improvethenews.org)

Ukrainians might be pushing back the Russians in some areas. The Russians are blowing up bridges. Why? Russian spies in Poland. Western spies in Russia. Russian spies in the US. Still no No Fly Zone. Humanitarian corridors in the most inhumane of circumstances. Mentioned in this episode: Day 28 Roundup: Biden Arrives in Brussels for Summits as NATO Pledges to Double Eastern Flanks (improvethenews.org) 220 | Robert Farley: Air Wars in Ukraine in Beyond | The Realignment

We have all fallen for the misleading video or the headline that turns out to be false. In this episode, Paul and Steve work through a few recent stories about the war in Ukraine that turned out to be not so accurate. They also give some pointers and share examples of how they sniff out the fake stuff. U.S. sponsored Biolabs in Ukraine? Ukraine biggest donor to Clinton Foundation? Rothschild family connection to invasion of Ukraine? Biden selling Alaska back to Russia? Babylon Bee: Satire or thinly veiled conservative shitposting? Fact check: What's true and what's false about the invasion of Ukraine (usatoday.com)

NATO leaders visited Kyiv at great personal risk Russian and Ukraine are still talking - while Russia is pounding civilians and Ukraine continues to hold its own. Look at a map if you want to understand why Sweden, Norway, Finland, and others might be worried. Is there another side to this story that makes sense? Does the devil even need an advocate here? Podcast mentioned at end of episode: https://martyrmade.com/thoughts-on-ukraine/

The war in Ukraine has become medieval. The people are suffering under the Russian sledgehammer, siege doctrine while the Ukrainian military continues to hold its own. Meanwhile, what is the Russian aim in all this? What can they hope to accomplish at this point?

Great conversation with Jeff Woods, who has been experiencing Ukraine, Russia, and other Black Sea outposts since the early 90s. As the rest of us are pivoting from being experts on virology to experts on global politics and war, Jeff is already there. He has been following post Cold War politics and war since the fall of the Soviet Union. His take is better than most. He was able to join us from a ship floating in an undisclosed location in the vicinity of Norway. Sources mentioned in this episode: Michael McFaul twitter: @McFaul Malcolm Nance twitter: @MalcolmNance Natasha Bertrand twitter: @NatashaBertrand John Sipher twitter: @john_sipher Tom Nichols twitter: @RadioFreeTom Nina Jankowicz twitter: @wiczipediaAuthor Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom (Netflix documentary) Occupied (Netflix fictional series about a Russian "invasion" of Norway)    

Six or seven days into the invasion of Ukraine and Russia is struggling. They may have taken one town and on the verge of taking another - both in the supposedly pro-Russian area of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia is shelling cities and bombing TV towers. The 40 mile long convoy is apparently inching its way toward Kyiv. Will western aid help Ukraine? How much support can the west provide without triggering WWIII? What does all this have to do with Twisted Sister, strip poker, and cornered rats? Mentioned in this episode: improvethenews.org @KyivIndependent @IAPonomarenko https://www.dancarlin.com/product/common-sense-323-gas-up-the-cold-war/

Second conversation about the war in Ukraine. Heavy fighting in Kyiv and Kharkiv; the reality TV hero we needed; talks in Belarus (hope it's not a trap); Putin pulling out the big threats; we are all international finance experts now. Mentioned in this episode: improvethenews.org

In the early days of the full scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Paul and Steve sat down to chat about first impressions and nervous speculation.

You cannot talk about the Cold War without talking about Berlin. In a personal aside, Steve talks about the time he went to East Germany and East Berlin in 1987, and again in 1990. Before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Oh, and he was able to score a few souvenirs along the way.

Introducing Soft Core History Season 1: Russia. This is Episode 1: Putin's Green Men. As you may have heard, Russia has been threatening Ukraine's border again. Depending on who you listen to, Russia is either preparing a full scale invasion of Ukraine to try and restore the Soviet Union or they are understandably just protecting their borders from NATO expansion. So, you may think to yourself, I should maybe read up on what's going on. Like, you remember something about Crimea which was part of Ukraine but is now part of Russia and you remember that Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union but left when the Soviet Union collapsed. But how did we get from their to here? Fear not, dear listener. Paul and I have read the Wikipedia articles for you. And we will get you caught up on how we got from point Y to point Z. Episode 1: Putin's Green Men will cover the period from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the annexation of Crimea and the invasion of eastern Ukraine

In this series wrap-up, Paul and Steve discuss their favorite stories in this series. Has Paul managed to turn Steve from sceptic to fan? What do the two friends see as the future of comics? Give a listen and find out. Thanks for listening to this twelve episode podcast series that was a year in the making and a labor of love for us here at Big Broccoli Studios. There are plenty of other stories to tell, so if you would like a second season of We’ve Got Issues, let us know. For more great shows or to connect with Paul and Steve, go to BigBroccoliStudios.com

What started out as a murder mystery unravels into a master plan of world peace by a madman as Steve and Paul wrap up ten comic book tales designed to turn any comic book naysayer into a fan. For more great shows or to connect with Paul and Steve, go to BigBroccoliStudios.com

Heralded by Time Magazine as one of the 100 best English-language novels, DC Comics’ 12-issue series Watchmen, published from 1986 to 1987, is just two big for just one episode. In part one, Steve and Paul discuss the first half of an epic story that begins as a murder mystery, where things aren’t as they seem in this alternate reality tale of the 1980s. For more great shows or to connect with Paul and Steve, go to BigBroccoliStudios.com

Spanning six issues, across all three Spider-man titles, Kraven’s Last Hunt sees the wall-crawler squaring up against his most dangerous foe. Published in 1987, by Marvel Comics, it’s a personal tale for writer J.M. DeMatteis, with art by Mike Zeck, exploring what it means to be a man, what it means to be an animal, and the madness that lurks between the two, as well as what it means to be a hero. For more great shows or to connect with Paul and Steve, go to BigBroccoliStudios.com

In an alternate reality mini series written and drawn by Frank Miller, published in 1986, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns told the tale of an aging Bruce Wayne’s return to the mantle of the Caped Crusader to save darkness that had befell Gotham City. The series also changed Batman’s image forever, as well as ushering in the fourth age of comics history, known as the Dark Age. Fans either love or hate this series, but it’s success cannot be disputed as many of its story elements have made it to the big screen version of the Dark Knight. For more great shows or to connect with Paul and Steve, go to BigBroccoliStudios.com

If an earnest talking to from an old African American gentleman to Green Lantern, a decade earlier, was the birth of comics being suddenly woke, one word uttered in anger by the X-Men’s youngest member, helped comics reach adulthood. Written by Chris Claremont, with art by Brent Anderson, Marvel Comics Graphic Novel #5, commonly referred to by its title, “God Loves, Man Kills” is a good place for readers to start reading X-Men stories as it may seem familiar, having been influential on the X-Men movie franchise. For more great shows or to connect with Paul and Steve, go to BigBroccoliStudios.com

In 1982, while sharing a taxi ride in New York City, writer Chris Claremont and artist Frank Miller hatched the plot for the four issue Wolverine mini series. Meanwhile, while sharing a bus stop on a stretch of country road nine miles from nowhere, Steve and Paul hatched a friendship that has spanned nearly four decades. Hugely influential not just in the way Wolverine was written from that point on, the mini series was influential on Paul as well, and later became one of Steve’s favorite stories in this series. For more great shows or to connect with Paul and Steve, go to BigBroccoliStudios.com