Plans Are Optional

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Your hosts, Andrew, Marty, and Neil will take you nowhere fast with this show about anything and everything. Join them as they debate, discuss, dissect, and deteriorate their topics!

Andrew, Marty, Neil


    • Nov 15, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 10m AVG DURATION
    • 215 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Plans Are Optional

    Episode #217 - Hannah's Love Boat Adventure

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 118:56


    I'm not sure if this is even a new episode or not. I don't have notes for it. Our listener Canadian Neil decided to hit us with the "Can't wait for season 2" so we decided to clap back with this!

    Episode #216 - Inside Girl & the Very Big Bangs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 72:38


    Hannah hasn't gone outside in three days. She works for 10… minutes, bills for 8… hours. Air fryers, tubas, and more. Mean while Mara rudely interrupts and let's everyone know how she feels about fireworks. Edited by Martin (nice! x2)

    Episode #215 - Dead Birds & the Terrible Pee

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 73:42


    Marty has a dead bird in a vent or does he? Who knows? Surely not Marty. Tom's puppy, Rory, is scared to pee outside. Andrew is moving, so the gang finger points editing responsibilities. No one wins. Edited by Martin (nice!)

    Episode #214 - An Adventure Awaits

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 122:45


    An adventure awaits! Our first part of our DND adventure is here, thanks to Michelle our editor this time around. She was entirely timely, Andrew was not. This is the our first step into DnD as a podcast, it won't be the last time! As you have noticed, things have gone off the rails in terms of releases. Irreconcilable differences between life and podcast has thrown a wrench into the soup. In good time though, we will be back more regularly, and without a doubt better. Credits: Dewdrops - Purple Planet music In Pursuit - Purple Planet music Our greatest Adventure - Purple Planet Music Subtle Library - Fabain Measures Sandy Beach Calm waves - JuliusH pixabay.com Crackilng fireplace - pixabay.com Forest with small river birds - pixabay.com Grill Restaurant - pixabay.com Flipping through a book - pixabay.com Beer Sounds- Marty Epiphany - Purple planet music Editor - Michelle

    Episode #213 - Vinyl Destination

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2023 69:08


    Yeah, who needs episode numbers anyways.

    Episode #209 - Sausage Girl

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 49:46


    Marty finally finds a reason to visit Andrew, and it isn't Andrew. Marty has also been secretly keeping a monthly playlist from everyone, the shame.

    Episode #208 - This Shit's Hot

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2023 79:54


    Earth acne and offense abound in this episode. Podcasters do not.

    Episode #207 - Bacon for the Masses

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 64:22


    This week: -Marty's Origin story -Tom's back broke from carrying the podcast -Hannah is looking for new neighbors -Andrew, also is looking to have new neighbors -Neil, could be a new neighbor

    Episode #206 - Sensitive Nails

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 74:06


    As the official notetaker of this here podcast, I failed. On the other hand, I watched some pretty good hockey. Apparently my listening skills are also lacking. We can find a way to blame Marty though.

    Episode #205 - Frisbee Isn't Fun

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2023 70:23


    Marty thinks Andrew is a better source of D&D info than the internet. He is also really bad at top 5's. Overall just a rough one for him.

    Episode#204 - Elderly Hobbies: Lubed Balloons

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 87:12


    This one kind of felt like we were in a rain delay and came out flat, popped if you will, to start off with. We really greased the rails though and got going. How could this not be sponsored?!

    Episode #203 - DND 101: Catnips

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 100:07


    There are no notes for this episode. There are a healthy amount of DND character building pieces for a trainwreck in the making though. Choo Choo.

    Episode #202 - Prison Neil

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2023 119:03


    We talked about pants, we talked about plans! Marty wears tight jeans to be more professional. There is a brief venture into the world of garbage can warfare. All good things. Remember what Neil says, "What we lack in quality we make up in quantity!".

    Episode #201 - Roll Three, Add One

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 64:57


    This podcast is a bit like a fungus, give it time and don't bathe and it will grow on you. Or more literally, the longer we record the bigger the podcast gets. There is a slight amount of planning in this one, so be warned.

    Episode #200 - 200 is the Loneliest Number

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 3:20


    For our 200th episode, we're celebrating with a Tom episode! We just want to say thank you to everyone who tunes in to listen to us every week. We really appreciate the support week in and week out! Without you all, this podcast wouldn't be what it is today.

    Episode #199 - Harry Grisha and the Snifflers Stone

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 91:03


    The book club finally happened! Don't worry, we promise the next one will be better. If we have said that before then please know we meant the next one and not this one. This is a good opportunity to remind everyone that washing your hands is important, as is social awareness.

    Episode #198 - Erosion from Below

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 81:46


    This episode was going to be called Soggy Concrete, looking back a few episodes though I realized it's basically the same title. So this is what you get. I see this trend continuing in a negative direction. We can only blame ourselves. Also, for I want this to be exhibit A into Neil's effort. If you notice his audio does get BETTER once he thinks we are actually going. I am going to take it as a win.

    Episode #197 - Two Legged Table

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2023 78:05


    Encouragement is offered to Tom to finish (start) the book he recommended for the book club. Andrew also tries, wait for it, planning! It didn't get far.

    Episode #196 - Cake Pops & Concrete

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2023 87:43


    Book club is still on, just don't ask Tom or Neil. Hannah is ready for another vacation, probably. Marty makes a late arrival, that's all we learn. We never got to what Andrew was doing for Valentines day, so we'll fill you in. He was editing this podcast due to the superior planning abilities and efforts of this ensemble. Oh, also dragons AND dungeons.

    Episode #195 - Tom the PawPaw

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2023 70:30


    Another 4 legs join the podcast. When in doubt, add more fluff.

    Episode #194 - Cursive Fetish

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2023 64:26


    We're the problem. It's we. Guest appearance this week from First Alert.

    Episode #193 - All-Dressed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2023 77:16


    Vinegar has no place on a chip, so we brought in a true Northerner to debate the issue. Marty got lost on the way home, I'm not sure if that made the podcast, but you all should know that.

    Episode #192 - Almost Farmers Only

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2023 72:43


    Hannah nails first impressions. Marty is still a Tyrant. Totally unrelated to the podcast, later this evening we played skribbl.io and we learned that Hannah's 'chasm' is 'scimitar'. She said scrimatr. Try that one on for size.

    Episode 191 - Plans Are Optional: A History

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2023 90:10


    Taco Bell is everywhere. Refunds are not.

    Episode #190 - Adult Hangover

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2023 93:54


    Turnt Tom, Motivated Marty, Happy Hannah, Nose-Breath Neil, and Adequate Andrew join forces this week to continue this weird quest of a podcast. Hannah corroborates Neil's claims of hurricane force winds as well. Madness.

    Episode #189 - 3 Beer Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2022 68:18


    The Holidays never end. Caitlin makes a surprise appearance. Hannah looks for her birthday meal, ALL PODCAST. Tom returns from Florida without an Alligator.

    Episode #188 - Boughs and Bones

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2022 83:24


    if someone wants to educate us, feel free. If you manage to make it too the end of this recording despite Neil and his proclivity for being the equivalent of the guy who shows up to school without a pencil, note book, or calculator..... I just want you to know we appreciate it. Merry Christmas!

    Episode #187 - Neil Can't Kneel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2022 97:54


    Is AI art good or bad? Who here hasn't seen the Muppet Christmas Carol?! Hannah gives meat away, like crazy.

    Episode #186 - Can't Get Snow Satisfaction

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2022 78:48


    Hannah wasn't here for this one, she was busy eating cold hot dogs out of the package. Marty won't help you to be helpful to be helpful, he will do it for a pat and a few words though. Andrew doesn't understand modern packaging. Neil is once again elusive. Tom is still wearing a white shirt.

    Episode #185 - Uncharted Flatulence

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2022 70:51


    Marty hates the holidays or his family, you decide.

    Episode #184 - Marty Lets Andrew Down, Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2022 75:23


    Marty refuses to enjoy anything. Tom prepares to debate himself. Andrew is older.

    Episode #183 - Melancholy and the Infinite Discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2022 138:13


    Marty and Hannah take the stage to build their budding relationship as the best couple on the podcast. Also, I have no notes.

    Episode #182 - The Woodpecker and the Tyrant

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2022 62:17


    The gang's all here for this one and Owen makes a surprise appearance. Neil claims his audio will be better than previous episodes, Marty is insistent on a podcast rebrand, and Tom has a run-in with a woodpecker on this week's This Damn House.

    Episode #181 - Terrible Couples

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2022 162:28


    How do you play the newly wed game if you're not married and only have 3 people? This is how, for far too long. 4'33"

    Episode #180 - NASCAR or Nothing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2022 95:16


    Marty just wants to talk about it. Neil rejoins the group from the wild. Hana Barbera. #notes.

    Episode #179 - Less Than a Boat, More Than a Canoe

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2022 62:55


    Tom had a bite of his dad's cheesesteak. Marty has a skincare regimen that requires space. Hannah smells considerably less than before. Basically the episode.

    Episode #178 - Practice with Pudding

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2022 85:06


    Two is the loneliest number that you'll ever do Two can be as bad as five It's the loneliest number since the number five

    Episode #177 - Something Something Cheesesteaks

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2022 71:33


    What makes a cheesesteak a cheesesteak? Better yet, why are cheesesteaks not actual steaks? EVEN BETTER, WHERE IS MARTY AND NEIL!?

    Episode #176 - The List (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2022 155:10


    Marty is a Riot Maker. Hannah wants MORE POWER! Tom has seen everyone in concert, he's probably even saw you! Neil "wasn't just high" in college. Andrew may never return.

    Episode #175 - The List (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2022 108:40


    Put this one on the record. The podcast actually followed through with something. If you recall, Hannah had the idea to relive the past through music. A list was made! You can even follow along and listen to it on Spotify, I don't know if it would help or hurt the experience...

    Episode #174 - Harry Potter Fan Fiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2022 70:45


    Does anyone write fan fiction about this podcast?

    Episode #173 - K-9 Ergonomics

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2022 89:11


    All hail the printer, if you're a cat.

    Episode #172 - Making a Mixtape

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2022 72:30


    Neil comes clean on his uploading issues. Hannah wants to steal our music. We still haven't done dinner.

    Episode #171 - Team Dinner Planning

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2022 63:29


    The notes say... Something about Tom and burn cream? Hannah doesn't have pre-cancerous cells! Neil like a rice cooker.

    Episode #170 - The Other Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2022 88:39


    So Vegas happened, for some. This week the crew talks about that with a special guest!

    Episode #169 - Flat Earth

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2022 0:21


    Send your questions about Neil and Tom's time at their convention to our Facebook @plansareoptional or our Twitter @optionalplans This is not a drill.

    Episode #168 - A Spirited Ride

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2022 93:16


    This is why we don't plan. Simple as that.

    Episode #167 - Andrew was Moonlighting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2022 88:17


    Andrew and Marty go wine tasting. Hannah continues to push the "other" podcast.

    Episode #166 - The Wormhole is Gone

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 86:51


    It's a bit like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

    Episode #165 - CHOO CHOO

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2022 61:42


    Apparently this field can't be left blank

    Episode #164 - The Turd in the Tank

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2022 62:52


    Marty gives the run down on how he handled Covid. Also, the rest of my notes are shit.

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