The College Years

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The Sound of Young America: The College Years is a chronicle of the rise to power of three young men who would one day become kings of the radio field. Comedy, interviews, banter, delight.


    • Jan 27, 2011 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 53m AVG DURATION
    • 92 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The College Years

    Baseball

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2011 61:21


    Jesse speaks with Tim and Eric, about their early love for the game, and their intense trivia knowledge of it. Then Will Carroll talks to Jesse about the current steroid issue in baseball. They discuss local baseball teams of the Bay area, as well as injury and trading reports. Lastly, Jesse talks to Bill Lee about what it's like to get older but still love playing the game of baseball enough to continue.

    Podcast: The College Years: RIP Hedberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2011 58:28


    Jesse sadly announces Mitch Hedberg's passing and reflects on his work as a comedian. Then comedian Al Madrigal speaks about his upcoming appearance at the 826 Valencia Comedy Benefit and also takes time to look back at Hedberg's life. Then comedian and radio host Mark Maron talks about his experience as a radio personality and role in comedy.

    Rebirth 3/24/05

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2011 59:37


    Jesse talks to New York writer, artist, and musician Paul D. Miller, AKA DJ Spooky. Then writer Sharon Waxman talks about her book Rebels on the Backlot, which discusses the indie film explosion of the mid 1990's.

    My My Marmot 3/17/05

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2011 59:18


    Jesse speaks with the founders of the Lebowski Fest, Will Russell and Scott Shuffitt. Then, author Seth Greenland talks about his book Shining City. Finally, callers call in to talk about marmots! What's a marmot, you ask? Listen to find out! Or google it.

    Literary Magic 3/3/05

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2010 60:12


    Jesse talks to Amy Krouse Rosenthal, writer of numerous books for children and adults, host of NPR's Mission Amy KR, and creator of numerous short films.  Next Jesse talks to Ricky Jay: magician, author, actor and historian.

    Hollow Men 2/24/05

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2010 60:34


    Jesse talks to Doug Benson about who will win the 2005 Oscars. Then comedy troupe The Hollow Men storm onto the show. Shenanigans abound!

    The Sound of Young American Splendor 2/17/05

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2010 56:28


    In this episode, Jesse recalls an interview he and Jordan conducted with Colin Meloy, singer/songwriter of The Decemberists. Then Jesse interviews Harvey Pekar, best known for his autobiographical "American Splendor" comic series.

    Beyond the Fringe 2/10/05

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2010 58:06


    In this episode, Jesse talks to a curator from the United States Museum of Television and Radio about the "Beyond the Fringe" show of the early 1960s.

    Free-est Form Radio 2/3/05

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2010 58:02


    In this episode, Jesse starts off by explaining the newfangled technology of "podcasting." Then Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster talk to Jesse about the age old technology of radio. The back half of the episode is a track taken from a best of The Best Show on WFMU.

    Back from Jury Duty 1/20/05

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2010 57:53


    The College Years is back from jury duty!  On this episode, get to know the sketch comedy troupe, Olde English.  And then look forward to Jesse's interview with director, actor, and writer Paul Feig.

    Christmas in September 12/09/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2010 60:11


    It's The College Years' holiday special!  Oh happy day.  Celebrate Christmas in September with Found magazine editor Davy Rothbart, author Christopher Moore, filmmaker John Waters, comedian Patton Oswalt, and even Jesse's little brother.

    Party Time! 12/02/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2010 55:13


    In this episode, The Sound of Young America celebrates The Second City, one of comedy's great institutions.  Appropriately, Jesse talks to Anne Libera, author of The Second City Almanac of Improvisation.

    R.I.P. ODB 11/18/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2010 58:25


    Today's episode is a very special tribute to Ol' Dirty Bastard.  In it, Jesse and guest-host Jim "Master of Would You Rather" Real welcome Improv Everywhere founder Charlie Todd, and partake in a little radio improvisation themselves.  

    Strong Words 11/11/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2010 48:04


    In this episode of The College Years, Jesse Thorn welcomes a few notable men. To start things off, Jesse welcomes Chuck D, of Public Enemy fame.  For the second half, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, also known as Tim & Eric, visit the show to talk about Tom Goes to the Mayor.

    Steve Harvey's Giant Teeth 11/04/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2010 61:55


    On this edition of the The College Years, Jesse welcomes guest hosts Rob Baedeker and James Reichmuth of Kasper Hauser fame and eternal MaxFun friendship.  First off, the gentlemen talk with the casting director of Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge.  Next, Jesse interviews Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors.  And lastly, the hilarious Zach Galifianakis drops by for a brief interview. 

    Show People 10/28/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2010 57:49


    On this edition of The College Years, Jesse and guest-host Steve Palopoli welcome SuicideGirl Pearl and monologuist Josh Kornbluth.  

    Free Form 10/14/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2010 58:48


    Jesse Thorn, by his lonesome, welcomes two very funny men on this episode of The Sound of Young America.  Look forward to the great writer and radio host Tom Scharpling as well as  the never not funny comedian Eugene Mirman.

    It's All Politics! 9/30/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2010 93:15


    Listen in as Jesse Thorn and special guest host, Maria Schell welcome truly talented people on The Sound of Young America.  You can look forward to writer Kristin Gore, funnyman Patton Oswalt, and graphic novelist Art Spiegelman on this week's show.  

    Chosen People 9/2/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2010 86:19


    In this edition of The College Years, special guest-host Kathi Kamen-Goldmark joins Jesse as they welcome a few chosen people on The Sound of Young America.  First, Jesse and Kathi talk to Chris Jackson from H.O.P.E. in America about Paris Hilton's 2004 dallience with literature.  Right after that, Count Bass D drops some knowledge on the show.  And to end things, Sarah Silverman graces the show with her funny.   

    Hello Possums! 8/19/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2010 111:54


    In this episode, Jesse starts things off with a celebration of the music of Randy Newman.  Then, cartoonist Dan Piraro talks about Bizarro and politics.  Also, Dame Edna Everage graces the show with her presence. 

    Mashup 7/22/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2010 112:35


    Co-hosted by Jamis MacNiven, W. Kamau Bell, and Al Madrigal, this week's show has filmmaker Tyler MacNiven, author Steve Almond, artist Marc Horowitz, and musicians Tony Goldmark and Jacob Slichter.

    Mad Libs 7/15/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2010 99:46


    Co-hosted by Brian Lane and Arthur Gauss, this week's show has artist Brandon Bird, author Geoffrey Nunberg, and comedians Jimmy Pardo and Shelley Berman.

    First Impressions 7/8/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2010 93:09


    In this episode, Jesse welcomes writer Joanne Gilbert, comedian Jeff Richards, and writer-comedian Harmon Leon.

    God Bless America 06/17/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2010 69:46


    Historian Kenneth C. Davis & Comedian Patton Oswalt on the show. PLUS some standup by "The Jazz Comedian" Franklyn Ajaye.

    Come Fly With Me 5/27/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2010 52:01


    Comedians Jasper Redd & W. Kamau Bell on the show, PLUS a contest to win a chance to fly with Jesse on a WW2 Red Baron Pizza biplane!

    Sticking it to The Man 5/20/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2010 44:13


    Today's Theme is: Sticking it to The Man. With guests Michael Slack & Rich Stimbra of the San Francisco Comedy College, and Davy Rothbart of FOUND! Magazine.

    R.O.C.K! 5/06/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2009 54:24


    Our rock star friend, Andrew W.K., give's Jesse's little brother Brendan some rock n roll advice. Brendan Thorn (aka Eddy Demon) is the frontman of the band Total Annihilation.

    FOOD: 4/29/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2009 56:06


    Today's theme is FOOD - Our guest is Jamis McNiven, eccentric restaurant mogul of Bucks of Woodside and the author of Breakfast at Bucks: Tales From the Pancake Guy.

    A Doozy 4/22/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2009 59:04


    Hang It Up / Keep It Up - PLUS: Andrew W.K rocks The Sound of Young America.

    Pathetic! 4/15/09

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2009 53:23


    Today's Theme: Pathetic! Tales of a woe and failure.Featured guest is The Onion's Maria Schneider: She's the creator of the comic strip Pathetic Geek Stories.

    NEW new 4/08/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2009 49:57


    In today's episode: The Sound of Young America boys showcase some of their comedy chops with their sketch group Prank The Dean. Also an interview with Santa Cruz's long-form sketch group Freefall.

    April Fools! 4/01/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2009 51:58


    In today's episode: What type of girl is best? Sarah Silverman is best. Also writer/musician Seth "Fingers" Flynn Barkan discusses his book "Blue Wizard Is About To Die! which is a poetry book... about video games.

    Making The World A Better Place 3/25/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2009 56:06


    Brian "Back In Business" Lane covering for Jordan Morris in this installment of TSOYA. With guest Patton Oswalt and the comedy stylings of Jesse's little brother: Brendan Thorn.

    The High Five Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2009 43:52


    Jesse and Jordan interview Teddy from The Gaskets and hold a contest for Willl Durst tickets. Good times and Capri Suns.

    Duets 1/29/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2009 48:28


    Jesse and Jordan and later Brian interview sketch comedy power duo Eric Slovin and Leo Allen of Slovin and Allen. Top notch episode: all killer, no filler.

    Good Friends and Good Times 2/5/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2009 47:29


    Jesse and Jordan host this College Year with rock and roller and high five ambassador Teddy from The Gaskets. Throw in some ticket giveaways, some music, and some mocktails and you've got a hell of a show.

    The Road 2/19/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2009 60:28


    Jesse and Jordan host a comedic romp through comedy with an interview with The Second City's Allison Bills. Also in this episode: some Nichols and May bits and talk of Rooster T Feathers and its patrons.

    LA to NY 2/12/04

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2009 53:43


    The College Years is back with a vengeance! Our hosts, Jesse, Jordan, and Brian interview famous comedian Doug Benson on the Marijuana-Logues and The Oscars. Also in this show, NY correspondent "Big Time" Gene O'Neill and a joke about The Sound of Young America getting broadcast nationally.

    The Kids Are Alright 12/11/03

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2008 44:17


    Boy oh boy do we have a show for you. Famous actor-turned-musician Steve Burns, of Blues Clues fame is interviewed by Jesse and Jordan. Much more in this program including fan-favorite Jesse's Little Brother Brendan Tells a Joke, an interview with foreign correspondent, Giant Talking Bear, and advice for Jesse's brother, John.

    Look! Up in the Sky! 10/23/03

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2008 54:44


    Ladies and gentlemen, this one is a doozy. Join Jordan and Jesse on a particularly poor recording in which a flugtag participant and the Sklar brothers are interviewed. Also: the extreme weatherman, Jim Real's Would You Rather, The New Sincerity Minute, and 60 Minutes commercials.

    USA A-OK 9/1/03

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2008 53:17


    Step right up for a heck of a show, folks! This week: professional namer Dave Hurlbert and "Big Time" Gene O'Neil are interviewed by your hosts Jordan and Jesse. Also in this spectacular spectacle: Jim Real's Would You Rather and campaign commercials.

    Dustin Diamond Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2008 42:00


    This week, an interview with one of America's favorite icons, Dustin Diamond. Jesse, Gene and Jordan talk with Screech about how he chooses work, his band and the Milwaukee Metal Fest as Gene tries to derail "Choo Choo!". Please note this is a repost.

    Outcasts 10/09/03

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2008 52:45


    In this lonely episode of The College Years, Jordan and Jesse are joined by author of Masters of Doom, David Kushner. Also, comedy from and interview with a Emily Plum of Anne Francisco & Her Cable Car Casualties. Also, Jim Real's Would You Rather and Running The Numbers.

    The Dangerous Streets 10/16/03

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2008 56:40


    Holy guacamole it's been a while since the likes of The College Years has rolled around. This program, hosted by Jordan and Jesse this week, has Joshua Piven (author of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook and As Luck Would Have It) and referee Jingy of Kaiju Big Battel. Also in this episode: Jim Real's Would You Rather?, Hang It Up/Keep It Up, and the historic first mention of The New Sincerity. This one's a keeper, folks.

    Superheroes 4/17/03

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2008 42:21


    A star-studded episode of The College Years, hosted by Jesse and Jordan, featuring Patton Oswalt and Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, a rock and roll band. Bold statements and double-decker tacos--just two of the many things you'll hear in this blast from the past.

    Sexiness 4/3/03

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2008 48:10


    Spooky Suicide and Katie Suicide of The Suicide Girls join Jordan and Jesse for this arousing episode of The College Years. Also in this episode: Jim Real's famed "Would You Rather?", Erotic Confessions, Point/Counterpoint: Sexual intercourse or the new Zelda game?, and A Tribute to France.

    Passion 2/20/03

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2008 43:39


    Tommy Davidson formerly of In Living Color joins Jesse, Jordan, and "Q" for a scintillating edition of The College Years featuring erotic confessions.

    Mysterious Wonders, Wondrous Mysteries 12/5/02

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2008 49:12


    Davy Rothbart of Found Magazine and Horatio Q Fizzlebottom--Santa Cruz's most eccentric millionaire--joins Jordan, Jesse, and Gene. Also in this episode, dreaming of Christopher Walken and "Would You Rather?"

    A Living Hell 10/24/02

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2008 49:28


    Rock and roll band The Flipsides and George Ratliff, director of the documentary "Hell House" join Jesse, Gene, and Jordan in this edition. Other than that, not much else.

    Cult of Personality 9/26/02

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2008 56:48


    Comedian Louis CK joins Jesse, Gene, and Jordan on this week's installment, with a special appearance by JB Smooth, but before that: A tribute to Adam West and "Who Would Win in a Fight?" with Jim. All this and more on this week's The College Years.

    All the World's a Stage 2/27/03

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2008 60:33


    Theremin player Joseph Minicello joings Jesse and Jordan for this week's action-packed show. In this show: Jordan's little sister calls seeking advice, "Mace Detective, Private Detective" episode "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone," Running The Numbers, Myths and facts about homosexuals, and "Would You Rather?"

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