The Managing Expectations Podcast

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Managing Expectations is a podcast for interesting people by interesting people, wading into all the things that make them interesting - music, art, books, movies, and generally, the passing scene.

managingexpectations


    • Mar 21, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 8m AVG DURATION
    • 114 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Managing Expectations Podcast

    Byblos Mediterranean Restaurant x Wenger Abstracts & The Main St Fort Worth Art Fest

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 37:10 Transcription Available


    Howdy! We are very excited to be back for this special episode! This time we welcome Marios Hedary the owner/operator of Byblos Mediterranean Restaurant. Marios shares his story with us and how he and his restaurant contribute to the art scene in the DFW area.  Jeff will have several pieces of new work on display at the Byblos restaurant during the festival that runs from April 10-13 2025. More info below!! Come for the art, stay for the eggplant! https://wengerabstracts.com/ https://www.byblostx.com/

    A Few Notes on the Passing of Jimmy Buffett (Version1.1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 13:24


    A Few Notes on the Passing of Jimmy Buffett

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 13:23


    Episode 111: Wenger reads his essay on the passing of Jimmy Buffett.

    Time To Read: The Adventures of Stephen Hunter

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 85:18


    Wenger is joined by Al Viquez to discuss the novels of Stephen Hunter and his literary world of American warriors. Bob Lee Swagger is the main figure of Point Blank, Time to Hunt, and others. Swagger's father Earl is the protagonist in several books including Hot Springs and most recently, The Bullet Garden.  It's been said that nobody does guys and guns better than Hunter.

    109 It's Money That Matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 62:05


    Ep 109 It's Money That Matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 62:05


    A discussion of capitalism that runs from the bazaars of ancient Mesopotamia to self-satisfied burghers and VIP cards. How best to allocate limited resources? You know that it's true . . . 

    It's Money That Matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 62:05


    A discussion of capitalism that runs from the bazaars of ancient Mesopotamia to self-contented burghers with VIP cards. How best to allocate limited resources? You know that it's true . . . 

    EP 108 Gone Fishin'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 58:32


    With little explanation for their absence, and little rationale for their return, the boys are back to talk about fishing. Fishing is a sort of self-sufficiency, an aspiration, a nature idyll, a vital part of the whole ecosystem, an aesthetic, and fun. Stay until the end!

    Episode 107 - Friends and Family

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2022 82:21


    By Special Request — Chris Levine! Wenger and Brian are joined by friend of the show, Chris Levine, host of the Refresher Pop Culture Therapy Podcast. They talk about Chris's show, being nice, and being sad, mad, and glad!

    Episode 106-The Boys Are Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2022 77:34


    Wenger, Brian, and Paulie Fingers are back! The hiatus explained! (We're looking at you, Jimmy Smits!) Wenger's near-death experience! How much is too much stuff? A few observations about Twitter, and much, much more!

    Episode 104-Art Show!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 67:53


    Art Show! Join Wenger and Brian for a recap of Wenger's Art Show! It was a combination of chutzpah and fanciness brought to light by Mrs Wenger's appetizers. Paul is away, probably explaining soccer to some poor soul who dared ask about relegation. This is Episode 104 and not Episode 102 for a third straight time.

    Ep. 102: Señor Futbol Speaks!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2022 66:56


    Jeff, Brian, and Paul (mostly Paul) talk about the subtleties, intricacies, and nuance of The Beautiful Game. We learn a lot and hope you do too! MrsWenger.com ManagingExpectationsPodcast.com AllInADream.us

    Ep 102:Steady on, sir!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2022 78:57


    Downton Abbey, George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman, the National Trust, and Paul are English. Mary Tyler Moore, Wenger and Brian are American. Advantage:US. "Steady on, sir! The women have had enough of a shock for the day." MrsWenger.com ManagingExpectationsPodcast.com AllInADream.us

    Your Mission, Should You Choose To Accept It . . .

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2022 74:08


    Episode 101: Your Mission, Should You Choose To Accept It -- Wenger, Brian, and Paul discuss the last three Mission: Impossible movies. Meh - the Kremlin gets blown up, but how can Alec Baldwin ever not be seen as Jack Donaghy?

    Episode 100 - A thing like that...

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2022 84:43


    A very special episode indeed. The Managing Expectations Podcast is very pleased (read surprised) that we have been at this thing for 100 episodes. We thank you for your support and for following along. We are joined by Paul Southern and one of our favorite people, Chris Levine of the Refresher Pop Culture Therapy podcast. For this milestone of a podcast, we discuss what is the most important decade for music. Each guest gives his opinion, and just wait until you hear what Jeff has to say at the end! Thank you once again for all you do. Procure your own merch at https://www.managingexpectationspodcast.com/ Or buy cool cool stuff at https://www.mrswenger.com/ Scratch your nerd itch at https://allinadream.us/ And check out Chris Levine's really great Refresher: Pop Culture Therapy podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and elsewhere. Check out his website: https://refresherpodcast.yolasite.com/

    Episode 99(a)-Red Bull Space Jump and Performance Reviews

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2022 67:00


    Ep 99(a) After a very brief hiatus, Jeff and Brian discuss the Red Bull space jump event, how high is the stratosphere and the amazing professional benefits of a performance review. Procure your own merch at https://www.managingexpectationspodcast.com/ Or buy cool cool stuff at https://www.mrswenger.com/ Scratch your nerd itch at https://allinadream.us/ And check out Chris Levine's really great Refresher: Pop Culture Therapy podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and elsewhere. Check out his website: https://refresherpodcast.yolasite.com/

    Ep 99b Poetry Summer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 14:26


    Jeff is solo and reading his own poetry. The men don't know but the little girls understand . . .   Check out: ManagingExpectationsPodcast.com MrsWenger.com AllInADream.us WengerAbstracts.com

    Hong Kong - Then and Now

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2022 31:49


    Wenger is solo and talks about covering the handover of Hong Kong from the British to China in June 1997 and the state of play in the current moment. What people want of good government, what people will do when they're free to do as they please, and threats and rumors of wars.   www.ManagingExpectationsPodcast.com   www.MrsWenger.com   www.AllinaDream.com   https://refresherpodcast.yolasite.com  

    Ep 97…And You Are?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 68:49


    Jeff and Brian are joined once again by the smoothed voiced pitchman, Paul. Jeff is in a bad mood, so Brian and Paul do their very best to try to cheer him up by discussing some relevant topics. Things like Madonna, Phil Collins, Steely Dan, and the Cantina Scene from THE FIRST EPISODE OF STAR WARS. Procure your own merch at https://www.managingexpectationspodcast.com/ Or buy cool cool stuff at https://www.mrswenger.com/ Scratch your nerd itch at https://allinadream.us/ And check out Chris Levine's really great Refresher: Pop Culture Therapy podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and elsewhere. Check out his website: https://refresherpodcast.yolasite.com/

    Episode 96-Dissimilar Metals and Old Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2022 74:33


    Jeff and Brian are joined once again by the silver tongued Prince of England, Paul. They discuss whether or not highly trained teddy bears can defeat an army of Storm Troopers. They also discuss how the podcast is connecting people from around the country and the benefits (?) of attending your high school reunion. Procure your own merch at https://www.managingexpectationspodcast.com/ Or buy cool cool stuff at https://www.mrswenger.com/ Scratch your nerd itch at https://allinadream.us/ And check out Chris Levine's really great Refresher: Pop Culture Therapy podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and elsewhere. Check out his website: https://refresherpodcast.yolasite.com/

    Ep 95 Sexy Pizza and Gals' Shoulder Blades

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2022 71:19


    Stories of the Denver trip, including Brian's swanky accommodations and a gross story from Wenger. Paul, radiating civility, doesn't utilize his sonorous voice enough. Plus: Podcast merch has been procured! Procure your own merch at https://www.managingexpectationspodcast.com/ Or buy cool cool stuff at https://www.mrswenger.com/ Scratch your nerd itch at https://allinadream.us/ And check out Chris Levine's really great Refresher: Pop Culture Therapy podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and elsewhere. Check out his website: https://refresherpodcast.yolasite.com/

    Ep 94: The Timeline Checks Out

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2022 57:36


    Brian is revealed to be Jimmy Smit's biggest fan! Paul is revealed to have the lush vocal tones the people crave! And Wenger is revealed to serve no purpose here at all! Also: Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, comments on Johnny Depp/Amber Heard from guys who neither know nor care, and Brian DiPalma!

    Ep: 93 Boom Boom Boom Economically Powerful!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 68:23


     Jeff and Brian are joined by 2 special guests, Tirzah and Paul. They discuss inflation, housing prices, and a story about German economic policy. 

    Ep 92 3.0 Weng-man to Wingman: Review of Stevie Van Zandt's Unrequited Infatuations

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2022 50:01


    Wenger surveys Stevie Van Zandt's memoir, "Unrequited Infatuations" and looks at being the guy that the guy counts on. Van Zandt is Bruce Springsteen's once-and-future sideman, consigliere, wingman and his insight is interesting!   managingexpectationspodcast.com mrswenger.com allinadream.us  

    Ep. 91. Civility Above All Else!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2022 88:14


    In this episode Jeff and Brian are joined, once again, by Jeff's sister to take a trip down Wenger memory lane. They also discuss whether or not people like the smartest kids in class, the possibility of the Wenger family and Brian's relatives go way back, and more.  Special thanks to our sponsors- All In a Dream Comics Allinadream.us mrswenger.com

    Ep 90—The Universal Language of the Dodge Ram:

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2022 72:16


    Wenger and Brian are joined by special guest, Paul Southern (a Brit!) for a discussion about American dynamism, European provincial homogeneity, and the one kind of guy, the whole world over, who drives a Dodge Ram. Sponsors: MrsWenger.com ManagingExpectationsPodcast.com Allinadream.us

    Ep 89 — 1983: Reagan, Andropov, and the world on the brink reviewed.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 62:52


    Wenger is solo and reviews Taylor Downing's history of a crucial year in the Cold War.    MrsWenger.com Allinadream.us ManagingExpectationsPodcast.com

    Ep 88: What Now, Dog?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 72:59


    As awkward as Wenger's ultrasound was, it pales beside Brian cracking his colleague's back.   MrsWenger.com Managingexpectationspodcast.com Allinadream.us

    Ep: 87 The Inside Straight of Contagion

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2022 67:37


    Wenger returns from Florida (a state with which Brian has some familiarity) and is able to tell the tale. Also: The delay explained! What's with the eyepatch! Tales from the theater! And more!   Check out microwave bowl coozies at mrswenger.com Check out Managing Expectations Merch (with Big Big Face) at managing http://Managingexpectationspodcast.com Check out Silver Age comics and graphic novels at allinadream.us    

    Ep 86: Remembering P.J. O'Rourke

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2022 59:49


    Wenger & Brian remember noted humorist P.J. O'Rourke who died recently. They share some of his writings and review his career. And they still have time to talk about Matthew Broderick and Marlon Brando in Andrew Bergman's The Freshman! Check out merch at managingexpectationspodcast.com  

    Ep 85: It's All Just So Stupid

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 86:04


    Joe Rogan, Twitter Mobs, Cancel Culture, conscience, and the right from which all others are derived. 

    Ep 84: Wenger Sells a Painting!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2022 82:37


    The return of Justified, John Grisham movies, all about NOLA, and Wenger sells a painting!     managingexpectationspodcast.locals.com  allinadream.us  

    Ep 83: OVERTIME!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 101:10


    The Best Game(s) Ever — Wenger & Brian talk about the NFL playoffs, wild finishes, Bills/Chiefs, great quarterbacks, what to do when there's a tie, and the Colts/Giants 1958 Championship game. AND OVERTIME! Expanded and updated to cover the two league Championships. http://allinadream.us http://managingexpectationspodcast.locals.com  

    Ep 82 Science Fiction, Fantasy, and People Like Me

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2022 99:36


    Wenger is joined by Tirzah to talk about the movie Dune, Foundation on Apple TV+, they argue about Book of Boba Fett generally and Star Wars specifically, and the Hawkeye miniseries which harkens the return of the Florence Pugh Appreciation Society.    

    Ep 81: Guys Who Look Great In Tuxedos

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 61:11


    Wenger & Brian discuss three movies—No Time To Die, the absolutely, positively, completely final Daniel Craig James Bond; Penelope Cruz in The Queen of Spain; Six Minutes to Midnight with Eddie Izzard and little, pudgy Judi Dench. (SPOILERS for No(w) Time To Die.)

    Ep: 80 One of Two Pregnant Gals Sneaking A Smoke

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2022 102:12


    Wenger is joined by his little sister, Missy deG! They talk about food and fitness, Missy's ambition to be an Official Ambassador for Pro Compression Socks, how they both grew up in the same dysfunctional household but the dysfunction manifested itself differently for each of them. They talk about cringe-inducing episodes of their swinging' parents, and family friend Dale Slaughter. This one is insightful, psychologically relevant, and kind of funny. www.mrswenger.com www.allinadream.us managingexpectationspodcast.locals.com Help make @mkdeg95 a Brand Ambassador for @procompression by checking them out on Instagram    

    EP: 79 The Dogs on Main Street Howl

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2021 123:29


    Wenger is joined by Rob Squires, bass player for Big Head Todd and the Monsters to talk about Bruce Springsteen and the 1979 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. Later Wenger joins friends of the podcast and Managing Expectations Podcast Musical Brainstrust, Chris Galli, Chris Levine, and Devin McBride to further the conversation. Then Wenger and Squires put the chairs up on the tables. This is a combination of two knowledgeable, thought-provoking conversations about the seminal rock & roll record. But where's Brian?   Join us at managingexpectationspodcast.locals.com   Check out allinadream.us   Support Chris Levine's Refresher, Pop Culture Therapy podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2DMGZOGHcywWHRBLK8FEYU?si=gqrybrWqT422wHTE6QC-Rw   Check out Springsteen's Keynote address at SXSW 2012 at https://www.npr.org/2012/03/16/148778665/bruce-springsteens-sxsw-2012-keynote-speech

    Ep: 78 Guys Who Do Things

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 65:33


    Wenger and Brian discuss learning a trade, education, counting coup, and hang gliding, AND announce the next book club selection! (When something works, you stick with it!)  Check out Denver's All In A Dream Comics & Books allinadream.us Join us at managingexpectationspodcast.locals.com Listen to the only podcast better than ours: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cRHcnJRS0WNY8MbxN7dac?si=iZ6pcUXzQGK7RyEcpxRk1A    

    Ep 77: Something Bad Happened To A Clown

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 81:44


    Wenger and Brian talk about singer-songwriter Warren Zevon and uncover a nugget from Wenger's pubescent past! (It's embarrassing!)    Check out allinadream.us and managingexpectationspodcast.locals.com   Playlist https://embed.music.apple.com/us/playlist/to-understand-wenger-you-have-to-get-warren-zevon/pl.u-066r6FW0pxJd  

    Ep: If We Can Make It Through December

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 51:08


    Wenger and Brian begin the long, cold, dark gauntlet of the last month of the year by talking Fat Jeffy in a puffy coat, Daylight Saving Time, red corduroy, buses, Paddy Chayefsky, the House of Gucci's reaction to the House of Gucci movie, the Beatles, and music is math and math is hard. Check us out on managingexpectationspodcast.locals.com Support All In A Dream Comics & Books allinadream.us

    You, Shang-Chi, Are No Master of Kung Fu.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 70:15


    Wenger and Brian talk facial hair and jowl flexes, the difference between billionaires and teenagers, and the Shang-Chi movie and it's antecedents.   Like, subscribe, and share.  Check us out at managingexpectationspodcast.locals.com  Support All In A Dream Comics and Books allinadream.us

    Ep: 75 Sobriety Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 85:24


    Much like nature, sobriety is stupid - and preferable to the alternative. Do I get a chip or a medal or something or do I just get to say, well, that was 15 years.

    ep 74: Trio Tales

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 90:38


    Jared's trip to Spain was good but Wenger's was great! And Brian has had tapas.

    A Couple of Just Walk Arounds at the Leaf

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 76:42


    New episode! Grasshoppers at the Tin Whistle! When Brian is harder to find than Waldo, Jared joins Wenger to talk Dana Carvey, Johnny Carson and more!

    The Florence Pugh Appreciation Society

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 73:32


    Black Widow? You mean Scarlett Johansson was in that too? Wenger and Brian inveigh. 

    The Texas Embassy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2021 64:25


    Wenger and Brian talk “The Mountain Between Us” with Kate Winslet and Idris Elba, Jessica Lange, Slaughterhouse 5, Fajitas in London, and construction sites and manly showers.

    You Think That You Don't Understand the Supply Chain!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 69:02


    Wenger and Brian talk management theory, business practices, and why it's always the other guy's fault that you can't buy extra toilet paper. Also the tyranny of the Apple Watch and Wenger doesn't believe that energy drinks will kill him.

    Ep 71: With Respect to Abe Lincoln and Chiwetel Ejiofor

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2021 65:59


    Wenger and Brian talk Lincoln books, including Richard Slotkin's “Abe.” Brian discovers a stable of today's big actors in the 1980s “Miami Vice.” And Wenger burned an hour and forty-five minutes on Antoine Fuqua's “Infinite” and strongly urges you not to.

    Ep 70: Oh The Places You'll Go!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 92:09


    Brian relates the family vacation to, well, not exactly Branson, MO. Wenger mumbles and gripes about today's NFL and remembers Bill Clinton who is still very much alive and Norm MacDonald who sadly is not. But the boys remain united in their regard for character actor Margo Martindale.

    Ep 69: Darkness Visible Is What It Feels Like

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2021 47:29


    William Styron's book Darkness Visible is the best book on depression; Robert Timberg's The Nightingale's Song shows us Robert “Bud” McFarland's own struggle with it after the Iran-Contra scandal in the 1980s. Now take your best shot.   

    Ep 68: Mammalian Amalgam

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2021 72:07


    Places you don't want to visit, foods you don't want to eat! 

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