Spencer Explores the Universe

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Spencer Albee and trusty sidekick Amanda Pond invite a diverse roster of guests to discuss the things in life that they love obsessing over and that truly make them happy.

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    • Aug 6, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 11m AVG DURATION
    • 94 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Spencer Explores the Universe

    Shutdowns, George Harrison and The Beach Boys

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2021 75:23


    This week, the fellas gripe more about the rising Covid cases that threaten their professional and personal well being, but then ease in to a nice talk about All Things Must Pass at 50 as well as two ne Beach Boys 50th anniversary reissues. Enjoy!

    Ghostbusters Trailer, Bob Odenkirk, Anti Vaxxers, MCU/DCU And Air Pod Max Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 68:55


    Zach, Why The Hell Haven't You Watched Parks And Rec? Also, Loki.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2021 57:50


    Spencer here. You know when you know something is awesome, and you tell your friend who you know will love it that it's awesome and then years later, they still haven't seen or heard it? Yeah, that. Plus we talk a little bit about Loki.

    Summer Of Soul Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 65:41


    This week, the fellas talk about the new Questlove-directed movie Summer Of Soul, which documents a summer-long festival that took place in Harlem in 1969 and featured an incredible lineup. The footage was recently unearthed in a basement and restored. They are joined by Zach's father Archie Jones, who has seen just about every act on this lineup (and many, many more) in the same era that this festival took place. Thanks for joining us.

    Jay Leno SUX + Blow Up The Show Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 76:32


    Conan Exits Late Night + Blow Up The Show Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2021 60:49


    Let's Blow Up The Show Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2021 47:33


    Spencer and Zach are gonna blow up the show. They'll probably put it back together, but they're definitely blowing it up first. Join the fellas as they kick around ideas for new concepts.

    Raiders Of The Lost Ark Turns 40

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 86:30


    This week, the fellas celebrate and discuss one of the finest motion pictures of all time, Raiders of the Lost Ark. At the end of the show, we spin a read-along story book record that they recently unearthed. Enjoy!

    On The Road Again...Babyyyyyy...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2021 57:10


    Live music is back....BABYYYYY. (listen and it'll make sense) Spencer played his first live show post pandemic this weekend and Zach tagged along for the ride. This week the fellas discuss the ups and downs of the return of live music and then walk down memory lane and discuss crasy gigs from the past . Bone ape tit!

    Best Of The Best: Albums from 1971

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 51:22


    Apple TV+ just launched a new documentary series outlining certain years starting with 1971. Though the pilot was weirdly John Lennon heavy and kind of meh, it did get the fellas to thinking about the sheer volume of significant albums that came out that year. In this week's episode, Spencer and Zach put the music of 1971 to the bracket test to see who among giants will reign supreme.

    Quick Pitch 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2021 17:49


    Part two in the Quick Pitch series, wherein Spencer and Zach give each other movie titles that they made up and the other reverse engineers the movie's plot, stars and director allbased on those titles. Enjoy!

    SAZETU: Bracing for Re-Entry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 59:22


    Quick Pitch 1: Welcome To The Quick Pitch

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2021 23:17


    Based upon the wildly popular episode "The Pitch" S03E16, Spencer and Zach decided to keep the party going with "Quick Pitch", a weekly short in which the fellas provide each other with an original movie title, and the other makes a "quick pitch", providing key plot points, actors and director. Let's give this a green light!

    Paul McCartney: RAM at 50!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 49:59


    The fellas discuss one of the greatest albums of all time, Paul McCartney's RAM. Though hugely successful commercially, RAM was not received well by critics upon its initial release. Through the years, the album has found a loyal and loving listener base and is now widely regarded as one of the first "indie pop" records. Enjoy.

    The Pitch! - Brainstorming Movies From Title Backward

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 51:31


    SA+ZJ came up with a bunch of movie titles (to non-existing movies) and presented them to each other. From there, the fellas come up with the plot, key stars and attach a director. We actually want to see these movies. Enjoy the show!

    What The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Got Right...and Wrong.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 81:04


    This week, the fellas pull apart the recent 6 episode Marvel series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with an eye towards the deep seated, and meaningful racial implications of the plot developments.

    A Pandemic Of Pets: Pet Advice From The Experts

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 58:38


    A LOT of people got pets during the pandemic. This week, the fellas are joined by Ginger Browne Johnson and Robin Elliot of the Veterinary and Rehabilitation Center of Cape Elizabeth to discuss how to properly care for our furry friends in a lasting and meaningful way.

    The Case For Paul Simon (with guest Peter Donovan)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2021 73:45


    This week, the fellas discuss a recent article on Paul Simon having sold his publishing rights that reduced him to a "footnote" to Bob Dylan. With the help of their friend and fellow musician Peter Donovan, Spencer and Zach create and discuss a lengthy playlist that proves that he is far from a footnote.

    SAZETU- S03E12 - Guest: Our 6th Grade Teacher, Diane Murphy.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 74:38


    This week, the fellas welcome their 6th grade teacher, Diane Murphy to the show. They cover a lot of conversational ground, but especially the current state of the education system and how much has changed and even regressed since their time together in the 1980 and 1990s.

    SAZETU - S03E11 - Sleeper Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2021 87:33


    This week, Spencer and Zach discuss a list of movies that aren't necessarily cult hits, that the fellas don't think quite got their due praise. They also share some titels with each other that the other has not seen yet. It was a nice talk, and it made them want to watch more movies. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

    SAZETU - S03E10 - Patton Oswald - What Went Wrong With Star Trek?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 53:15


    The fellas rope in their first big time guest in the hilarious Patton Oswald, who, like your hosts, is a huge nerd. This week they all discuss the ins and outs of their beloved Star Trek franchise.

    SAZETU - S03E08 - Best Of The Best: Quentin Tarantino

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2021 87:19


    SAZETU - S03E07 - Describe A Movie Plot Poorly

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2021 59:16


    The first entry in our new MEME-inspired series called "What's The MEMEing Of This!?!", wherin your hosts base whole shows off of MEMEs they saw on line. This week, Spencer and Zach welcome their beloved guest Briana Holt to describe the plots of movies badly. For example, off mic, Spencer described Raiders of the Lost Ark as follows: "An art thief attempts to steal valuable artifact from special interest group during wartime." That pretty much sums up the show. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed making it.

    SAZETU - S03E06- Unsung Heroes - Woman's History Month Edish

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 75:39


    This week, Spencer and Zach celebrate some of the unsung female heroes of the entertainment industry, specifically Delia Derbyshire, the godmother of electronic music, and Marcia Lucas, editor of Star Wars.

    SAZETU S03E05 - ZachJones- Be Nice! - song by song discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 68:39


    This week we celebrate the release of Zach's 'Be Nice!" album; a compilation of new material and previously released singles and B-sides.

    SAZETU - S03E04 - Black History Month: When and how we were introduced Black History

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 65:09


    This week, Zach and Spencer, from the same hometown and black and white respectively, have a conversation about their experiences in learning about black culture. How they learned, when they learned and from whom.

    SAZETU - S03E03 - Greatest Love Songs Playlist/BHM music conversation.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2021 76:59


    This week, the fellas assemble a playlist of the greatest love songs of all time, and with it being Black History Month, they put the focus on Black artists. After they make the playlist, they have a discussion about the overreaching influence of black artists across nearly all popular American and British music. Enjoy!

    SAZETU S03E02 - Annoying Words and Phrases

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2021 71:31


    SAZETU - S03E01 - The Art Of The Back Handed Compliment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2021 42:57


    In the season three premier, we learn that J.E.F.F.REE 2//D (the robot made of junk) has been attacked and destroyed, forcing Spencer and Zach to upload his consciousness to the podcast. The show is now alive and it is called SAZETU. To celebrate, Spencer and Zach spend the better part of an hour insulting each other, or rather, passive-aggressively complimenting each other.

    SAZETU S02E32 - Covid Cuties and KaKas: The Year in Review Season Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2020 66:18


    Covid is no joke, but sometimes you have to look on the lighter side of shitty things to get through it. In this episode, the season two finale, Spencer and Zach look back on the year in news, health, life and entertainment and place the subjects in to one of two categories: Covid Cuties and Covid KaKas. Please enjoy and Happy New Year.

    SAZETU S02E31: 'Twas The Night Before Bull$#@t - A Critical (Not For Kids) Reading Of The Christmas Classic

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2020 48:04


    We celebrators of Christmas have read "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" to our young ones before bed, and have woken up and exchanged gifts. Spencer and Zach thought a critical reading of the Christmas classic for the adults was in order. All in good fun. More foul language than usual.

    SAZETU S02E30 - McCartney II Review With Rolling Stone Senior Editor Patrick Doyle

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2020 81:30


    This week, Spencer and Zach sit down with Patrick Doyle, their old friend who just so happens to be a senior editor at Rolling Stone, and just so happens to have written the current RS cover story on McCartney and Taylor Swift. All three are McCartney nerds, insightful critiques ensues.

    SAZETU S02E29 - Monday Think Piece - Movie Theaters Going Downstream

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2020 59:21


    This week, Spencer and Zach discuss Disney's big announcement, Christopher Nolan's reaction to that and ponder potential outcomes if movie theaters go by the way of the Dodo.

    SAZETU S02E28 - The Popsicko Vol.2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2020 89:04


    This was Zach's idea, we swear. This week, Zach interviews Spencer and they discuss Spencer's latest record, The Popsicko Vol.2, which is out now. It's a pretty deep dive, we hope you enjoy it.

    SAZETU S02E27 - Best of the Best SNL Cast Members Part 3- FINALS

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2020 77:13


    Spencer and Zach have worked their way through 64 cast members over 45 years of SNL and it's come down to two. This week, the fellas pull apart the talents and careers of both of these comedy legends. At the end of this epic showdown, there will be no losers, only winners. Ok...maybe two losers...the hosts.

    SAZETU S02E26 - Best of the Best SNL Part 2 - 1990-Present

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2020 102:10


    This week, the fellas continue their discussion and put the SNL cast 1990-present to the bracket test. Only one cast member shall reign supreme and go up against last episodes' winner in part three.

    SAZETU - S02E25 - Part 1 of 3 - BOTB - SNL Cast Members

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2020 91:26


    This week for the holiday, Zach and Spencer take the BOTB bracket system and apply it to the cast members of SNL. This episode is 1975-1989, the next (which will post soon) is 1990-present and the third is deciding the final winner. We hope you enjoy the journey.

    SAZETU - S02E24 - Pizza...It's All Good!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2020 71:44


    In this episode, Spencer and Zach talk about pizza, and how even the worst slice of pizza is still pretty good (as long as it's cooked). They the get in to more nuanced details in regards to style and toppings. Probably the most important episode yet.

    SAZETU S02E23 - Marty Rifkin - Multi-instrumentalist

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2020 74:40


    Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Glen Campbell, Elton John, Weird Al, Dwight Yoakam and Hans Zimmer. What do they all have in common? This week's guest. This week Spencer and Zach welcome the delightful Marty Rifkin and talk to him about his experiences creating music with some of the biggest legends in music history.

    SAZETU S02E22 - Best Of The Best: Iconic Screen Vehicles

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2020 84:13


    This week, the fellas set up an epic 32 slot bracket and tackle which of movie and TV's iconic vehicles are THE BEST. A-Team van? KIT? Ectomobile? We would say "you decide", but Spencer and Zach are gonna do that.

    SAZETU S02E21 - The Daylight Savings SPECTACULAR

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 57:58


    Halloween? Whatever. Elections day? Psssh. We've got bigger fish to fry here (#noshade vegetarians). The real issue at hand in this climate is...what do we do with Daylight Savings Time? This week SpenZach pull apart the western world's relationship with Daylight Saving Time, and determine, definitively whether not not it stays.

    SAZETU S02E20 - Halloween Special - Rebroadcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2020 84:41


    A rebroadcast of last year's Halloween Special, wherein Spencer's friend and registered Maine Guide Tom Belluscio recounts his experience of being stalked while on a solo canoe trip...or was he? Either way, it's a scary story with intense sound design that'll give you goosebumps. Happy Halloween. Enjoy!

    SAZETU S02E19 - Best Of The Best - Cereal Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2020 54:50


    Special K, Life, Cheerios, Froot Loops, Shredded Wheat…So many classic cereals, barely any of them good for you, nearly all of them delicious. This week, Spencer and Zach give cereals the bracket test. Only one cereal can be a killer!

    SAZETU - S02E18 - Tom Petty 'Wildflowers And All The Rest' reissue

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2020 72:09


    This week, Spencer and Zach pull apart one of their favorite records, Tom Petty’s ‘Wildflowers’, which was just reissued with 10 additional tracks that were originally intended to be a double album upon its initial release. The fellas share stories, discuss album personnel and reflect upon one of Tom Petty’s crowning achievements.

    SAZETU S02E17 - John Lennon - GIMME SOME TRUTH - Ultimate Mix Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 66:50


    This week, Spencer and Zach welcome longtime friend, collaborator, Grammy nominated recording engineer and fellow Beatles fan Steve Drown to discuss John Lennon's newly released “GIMME SOME TRUTH”, a collection of newly remixed Lennon singles and deep cuts.

    SAZETU - S02E15 - Best of the Best: Sandwich Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 75:30


    sandwich • noun • sand·​wich •ˈsan(d)-ˌwich: two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between. This week, the fellas put their trusty Best of the Best Play-at-Home Brackets (tm) to the test. This week’s subject? Sandwiches. In a conversation they thought would take 5 minutes, Spencer and Zach truly end up discussing the virtues of each type of sandwich before making their choices. Only one shall reign supreme.

    SAZETU - S02E13 - That said...

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2020 71:04


    This week, the fellas improvise all of the music in the show (basically sick jazz) and offer up a bunch of “open faced compliment sandwiches.” There’s a lot of vitriol out there these days, and sure, who doesn’t like to pile it on with everyone else. That said… Spencer and Zach thought it best to offer some compliments before airing their grievances. This show comes in hot, with on point critiques of…microwaves. Enjoy!

    SAZETU - S02E12 - Road Trippin'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 75:29


    Zach just flew to California to empty his apartment and drove back east with the past ten years of his life in the back seat. This was a melancholy experience, at best. This week, Spencer and Zach talk about his experience having driven straight across the country from Los Angeles to Maine and his takeaways from the trip. The boys also wrote a brand new country song to mark the occasion. Hee Haw.

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