Times Like These

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A podcast about navigating life and trying to appreciate the small details along the way. Join four lifelong friends, now in their mid-40s, as they discuss marriage, fatherhood, movies, sports, faith, food and drinks, and most certainly watches. Easy listening, fun, funny, personable. We appreciate someone who builds a cocktail at home the same way it should be served at a bar. That's someone aware of the small details in life and that ultimately, we wear a nice watch or make a cocktail the right way, not to show off to others, but because we enjoy it ourselves. Welcome to Times Like These.

Wes Encalade, Blake Encalade, Scott Schlegel, Steven Schlegel


    • Apr 8, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 55m AVG DURATION
    • 91 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Times Like These podcast is an absolute gem for anyone seeking entertaining and relatable content. Hosted by the charismatic Schlegel Twins, Blake, and Wes, this show instantly captures your attention with its natural, funny, and genuine vibe. From the very first episode, you feel like you're just one of the guys, joining in on their conversations and jokes. It's a highly recommended listen for those looking to have a good time and unwind.

    One of the best aspects of The Times Like These podcast is the perfect balance it strikes between deep discussions and lighthearted humor. The hosts effortlessly navigate serious topics while sprinkling in moments of laughter and wit. This ability to seamlessly transition between different tones keeps the show engaging and enjoyable throughout each episode. Additionally, the camaraderie between the Schlegel Twins and their friends shines through, creating an atmosphere that is both comfortable and entertaining.

    While The Times Like These podcast has many strengths, there are a few areas that could use improvement. Firstly, some listeners may find that the watch talk takes up too much of the podcast's focus. While it can be interesting to hear about different timepieces, those who aren't passionate about watches may feel left out or disconnected from these portions of the show. Finding a way to strike a better balance between watch-related content and other topics could enhance the overall appeal and accessibility of the podcast.

    In conclusion, The Times Like These podcast is a must-listen for fans of witty banter, interesting stories, and authentic deep conversations. The Schlegel Twins, along with Blake and Wes, create an atmosphere that makes you feel like you're hanging out with your best friends every week. While there might be room for improvement in terms of balancing watch talk with other subjects, this podcast remains highly entertaining and enjoyable. Don't miss out on this hilarious journey into friendship!



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    Latest episodes from Times Like These

    Taking a Break

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 0:29


    With our spring schedules busy with travel and family activities, we are taking a little break.  Stay tuned for more episodes in the future.

    E86: If You Build It, He Will Come

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 52:53


    In this episode, the fellas give a nod to the sports lovers by breaking the crowd with some of our favorite memories of great sports moments. They then shift gears to have a fantastic discussion around a more delicate watch topic: What to do when you buy a new watch but don't love it? They finish by celebrating MLB Opening Day with a chat about what makes baseball special. And with some great audio from James Earl Jones, and writing from George Will, they hope you enjoy it too!

    E85: It Aint Easy Being Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 55:42


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd with a percentage quiz testing how well they know the habits of their fellow Americans. They then honor St. Patty's Day with a fun and wide-ranging discussion of green-dialed watches. They finish by taking a Time Machine back to the 80's to discuss Saturday mornings as a kid. 

    E84: I Bought a Hat

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 49:07


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd with a Taylor Swift song quiz to try and earn their Swiftie status. They then discuss how it affects their view of a watch when a friend already owns it. They'll finish with a thoughtful discussion around the art of the compliment…how to give and receive them well. 

    E83: An Evening With Christopher Ward

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 62:24


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd by choosing which three streaming services they can't live without…and why. They then recap a wonderful night at Christopher Ward's only North American showroom, thanks to our friend, Trey. They'll finish with a mid-level potato on things they wish they better understood. 

    E82: Are These Watches Worth It?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 66:21


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd with some harrowing and humorous five second stories, including the dangers of trying to train for a marathon with a stray dog. They then delve into some iconic watch brands and models to ask …”Is it worth it?” They'll finish with a mini deep potato discussing the concept of “love languages” and how they best show and receive love. Our number one love language is when listeners recommend TLT to a friend!

    E81: The Rolex Explorer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 56:24


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd with a game called "The Inconvenient Burglar," in which they discuss what a burglar might steal if his only goal was to make your life more annoying. They then turn their attention to a new watch alert for one of the hosts. They'll finish with Wes keeping us fresh on the music scene with some new jams from 2024 worth our time. 

    E80: So Long, 2024!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 46:59


    In this end of year episode, Wes tests the fellas with a crowd breaking quiz to see how much they remember about 2024. The guys then enjoy a discussion around their favorite watch releases of the year and some watchy hopes for 2025. They'll finish with a “life's too short” conversation discussing some serious (and not so serious) themes to make the rest of their lives as rich as possible. Happy New Year from your friends at TLT!

    E:79 Scotch and Stitch's Christmas Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 73:05


    In this episode, the fellas channel their holiday Siskel and Ebert as they judge a Christmas Movie Tournament to determine the best Christmas movie ever.  They'll then discuss the year in watches before being joined by Scotch the Elf and his associate, Stitch, for a gift exchange.

    E78: All-Day Defibrillator

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 60:08


    In this episode, the fellas back into a crowd-breaker pondering their names before Steven shares his arduous (and hilarious) car buying adventure in Tulsa. They then discuss whether they have a watch collecting “plan”, and the different collecting styles of the group. They finish with a discussion on sports viewing habits and how to navigate the landscape of a congested sports (and entertainment) world. Stick with these guys and you'll be okay. 

    E77: The Black Box

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 58:01


    In this episode, the fellas meander their way to a crowdbreaker involving some crazy hypotheticals. Then they discuss TV dial watches … their history and recent resurgence, along with some pieces that are worth a look. They'll finish with a conversation about collaboration. 

    E76: Election Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 50:53


    In this special Election Day episode the fellas begin with a cheers to democracy and an electoral college quiz. They then educate themselves and the listener regarding the wristwatch game for each candidate. Are America's wrists in good hands? They finish by sharing their hopes for future elections and are even joined by a (legitimately) surprising visit from Uncle Sam. If anyone can calm the nerves of a jittery nation, it's him. 

    E75: The One Watch Collection

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 63:55


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd with an intense (nonsensical) game of “Is it a real paint color?” They then stop down for a spirited discussion of one-watch collection options at a few different price points. They'll finish with a very neighborly chat about what makes a good neighbor…and a bad one. 

    E74: Mum's the Word

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 59:08


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd by tackling a super sports quiz. They then invite Chat GPT into the studio to roast each of our beloved watches. They'll finish with a discussion of Homecoming rituals and the mystique of the mum. 

    E73: Gentlemen Fell Trees

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 52:44


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd by learning if they have what it takes to be a true gentleman. They then discuss the concept of the (largely bygone) employee recognition watch. Stay tuned till the end for a deep potato in sheep's clothing as they discuss how to navigate the upcoming election. 

    E72: Bucket List Bonanza

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 49:45


    In this episode, we'll welcome back football season by debating the Mt. Rushmore of iconic NFL helmets. Then, we recap a recent trip to Vegas and a visit to the largest watch store in the United States. We finish with a discussion of bucket lists. Stay tuned to the end as we tell you what to do before you die and update our programming schedule for the fall.  

    We'll be back next week, TLT Fam!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 0:19


    Apologies, TLT Fam! We had a couple scheduling conflicts this week. We'll be back next Tuesday with Episode 72. 

    E71: Taco Burger

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 47:12


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd by ranking their top five fast food burgers, which somehow includes tacos. After that, they celebrate a new watch purchase and a big birthday before finishing with a mini deep-potato discussion about coaches and the profound impact they make. Enjoy!

    E70: Back To School

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 43:58


    In this episode, the fellas discuss the highs and lows of going back to school. They then let the listeners know about a chance to pick up a watch at a discount and tell the story of Hodinkee. We'll finish with a toast to happy hour and a talk about it's evolution. 

    E69: Would You Lather?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 43:57


    In this episode, the fellas break the crowd with a game of “this or that” before talking through reasons to buy a first watch and attaching watches to life events. Finally, the guys share who their “leaders” are - the people who they look to for inspiration and guidance in style, food, spirituality, and other aspects of life. 

    E68: Watches for Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 47:59


    In this episode, the guys wade into a little public restroom talk before turning their attention to a much cleaner topic…some excellent watch options for women. They finish with a return visit to counselor's corner to work through a barbershop dilemma. 

    E67: Refrigerated Mattress Toppers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 43:31


    In this episode, the fellas will share several popular sayings that really grind their gears. Attention then turns to a fun discussion of buying and selling watches with friends, before ending with some purchase recommendations that make life better. And we may even have a brief visit from 90's country star Doug Stone, or at least someone claiming to be him. 

    E66: Skiing with Guns

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 47:18


    In this episode, we'll light the torch for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Then we shine the brand spotlight on Longines, a Swiss watchmaker with incredible history. We finish with a fun discussion around summer blockbuster movies through the years. Get your popcorn ready!

    E65: Women's Shoes & other Guilty Pleasures

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 44:54


    In this episode, we talk about our guilty pleasures, then discuss unnecessary and obsolete items (including mechanical watches)….

    E64: Tick Tock Radio

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 58:37


    In this episode, we'll welcome Steven back before discussing all things AI…it's impact on society and our podcast. We finish by taking a look at dive watches at a few different price points. When the bots take over, you should at least have a nice summer watch. 

    (Archive) E2: Dos Felix

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 55:21


    Summer travel has your podcast buddies passing like ships in the night, so we thought we would take you all the way back to the beginning. This is our first episode (even though it's titled "E2"). We plan on being back in the studio next week. In the meantime, enjoy a classic show recorded when Times Like These was called Small Seconds.

    E63: Big Streets of Seville

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 63:38


    In this Steven-less episode, we discuss a few things that underpromise and overdeliver, we'll compare some watch companies to car manufacturers, and we will take a brief look at what we've been up to so far this summer.

    E62: A Bad Case of Wet Leg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 46:45


    In this episode, we share some things we enjoy and recommend to our friends. Then, with summer settling in; we'll take a deep dive into water resistance.

    E61: Hotels Love Scott

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 50:02


    In this episode, we take a look at our Mt. Rushmores of male actors, then we discuss a new watch that Steven bought (kind of).

    E60: That's What Willie Was Singing About

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 43:35


    In this episode, we discuss the Bloody Mary, we'll talk about some potentially awkward social situations, and we will take a brief look at inherited watches.

    E59: High-End Clowns

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 37:26


    In this episode, we will discuss the things we no longer need to know because we carry a cell phone, we take a deep dive into the Tudor Black Bay line, and we'll see if we can help Wes plan his anniversary.

    E58: The Summer Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 35:22


    Summer is upon us (well not officially, but it's hot in Texas). In this episode we discuss summer activities we enjoyed as kids, we'll take a look at some examples of summer watches, and even share some opinions on summer style.

    E57: A Podcast About Nothing (and Everything)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 35:54


    In this episode, we see what happens when we don't have a run sheet and don't plan out any segments.  Enjoy!

    E56: I Have to Have Potty

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 33:57


    In this episode, we play a game of “this or that”, covering lots of topics, with watches included, of course. We finish with some talk about road trips. 

    E55: Band or Racehorse

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 58:36


    In this episode, we will play the classic game of Band or Racehorse, we'll take a broad look at dress watches, and discuss some of our favorite cocktails in different scenarios.

    E54: An Episode Unlike Any Other

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 55:32


    In this episode, we'll hear about Steven's trip to The Masters, take a look at what was new this year at Watches & Wonders, and we'll have some nostalgic car talk. 

    E53: Knights of the Pod Table

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 46:38


    In this episode, we'll play a game of Celebrity Dead or Alive, discuss a possible podcast watch acquisition, and Wes will try to convince us not to wait, but instead to fix it now.

    E52: Mastering the Walk-Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 54:03


    In this very sporty episode, we'll take a look at baseball walk-up songs, discuss the overlap of watches and golf, then consider the opening of a new baseball season.

    (Archive) E29: I've Got Pink Chinos

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 59:07


    Some nasty weather and a little illness prevented us from recording this week.  But we've brought back a classic for you - if you missed this one, you're in for a treat! We will be back in the studio with something new and fresh next week.

    E51: Swatch Watches and Hammer Pants

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 54:07


    In this episode, we take a look at some of our favorite album titles, we'll learn more about the Swatch watch and the Swatch Group, then finish with a discussion around what it means to leave childish things behind you.

    E50: Dreaming of Rolex While Sleeping in a Ball Pit

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 58:31


    In this episode, we'll take a look back at COVID 19, ask the question "Does Rolex really need to advertise?" and talk about our sleep habits.

    E49: Mascot Madness

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 63:00


    In this episode we rank the cereal mascots, we'll take turns building a three-watch collection for $6K, then discuss all things weather.

    E48: Spring Break, Greek Style!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 55:46


    In this episode, Wes shares about seeing U2 at The Sphere in Vegas, we'll discuss ladies' watches, then finish by chatting a bit about spring break.

    E47: Watch Dial Colors

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 49:55


    In this episode, we talk about what we feed our dogs, we'll take a deep look at watch dial colors, then save a little time to discuss hobbies.

    E46: The Listenerville Zoo

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 59:06


    In this episode, we enjoy some joke talk, we'll discuss some watches that are more budget-friendly, then we share a few insights into the art of hosting.

    E45: Carving the Valentines Pumpkin

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 56:36


    In this episode, we kick it off with a game of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, get back to basics and cover some commonly used watch terminology, then we discuss some less than popular characters in an segment we call "Don't be that Guy!"

    E44: Does This Episode Make Me Look Fad?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 59:48


    In this episode, we play a game of Name That Tune, we'll discuss the intricacies of watch sizes, as well as a topic Scott has been clamoring over...fad talk.

    E43: Pete Groundhog

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 52:13


    In this episode, we will find out if the Times Like These hosts are smarter than a 5th grader, discuss some watch buying pitfalls, and then review the movie Groundhog Day.

    E42: Diamond Bling-Bling Guy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 57:18


    In this episode, we start off by playing the match game, then we'll discuss the people you might meet in a watch shop, we finish up with a little talk about dads.

    E41: Watch Sherpas for Hire!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 46:12


    In this episode, we will play a game of $100,000 Pyramid, tell the story of watch shopping with a friend, and discuss the most fun times in our lives.

    E40: Ins and Outs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 57:26


    In this episode, we will review the holiday season, discuss the ins and outs of 2024, as well as the ins and outs of watches in 2024, then we take a look back at the regular season of the NFL now that it's playoff time. 

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