Don’t freak out, but I quietly added something to the TBTL website recently. Feel free to ignore it. But I wanted to let you know, just in case. 

Hello, by the way! This is Andrew. I hope you are doing well. 

As you know, TBTL is more than a podcast, it’s a community. And that community takes many shapes. There are occasional meet-ups around the country, organized by the Tens of listeners. Sometimes Luke and Jon and I plan our own events where we trick you into doing our work for us, like last month’s bracelet-making party. And, of course, there are the live shows, like the one coming up in Philadelphia! (Get your tickets here.)

But a huge part of TBTL’s community-ing happens online, like in the classic sTens Facebook group where (I assume) listeners gather to chat about how brilliant and correct Luke and I are about everything we discuss on the show. (I would share a link here, but apparently that group has gone so far underground that only B.A. Baracus could tell you how to join, and he’s not talking.)

One of my favorite TBTL gathering places online is the Slack page, where there’s plenty of conversation about the daily podcast, but also sub-groups where Tens chat about all kinds of topics, like music, cooking, board games, politics, TikTok, television shows, pet pics, and (of course) their own personal garbage anxieties.

There’s also our TBTL Instagram feed, and there’s even a corner of Reddit dedicated to TBTL (although it looks like most of the posts there have been gathering dust for a while.) 

Recently, though, a small cadre of listeners has been congregating on Discord, a messaging and chat site that has been growing in popularity over the years. Once the realm of gamers and geekers, Discord has lately become a gathering site for other podcast communities, like Comedy Bang Bang and our friends over at Text Me Back. 

Now, I know a lot of you have followed me on too many dead-end social media journeys over the years. (Anyone remember Ello? Or that reconstituted MySpace site that I was obsessed with for five minutes in 2022? That one is still alive, by the way.) So you may be reluctant to jump onto the Discord train -- and that is FINE! I promise, it’s not replacing Slack or Facebook or any of the other ways you connect with us and our fellow Tens. It’s just another option for folks who are interested in Discord and are looking for some TBTL love over there. 

So, once again, here’s an invite link to the TBTL Discord server, if you’re so inclined. And if you lose this email and are looking for the link later, I’ve added it to our Contact Page, where you can find all the different ways to stay in touch. 

As for me, on this sunny Friday afternoon, I’m headed to my own community gathering place: Goldie’s Shoreline Casino, where I intend to eat too much, drink just enough, and watch the Mariners disappoint me in ways I’m not even creative enough to imagine yet.

Have a great weekend, everyone! Luke and I will talk to you on Monday. 

Andrew

Hey Dummies

Music For Your Weekend

Luke’s Pick: Big Dawgs by Hanumankind

“This song started popping up in my feed a few weeks ago, and I thought maybe it was AI? Or an older song I didn’t know about that had been re-recored by some dude in India? Then I zoomed in on the lyric “standin on business” (one of my least favorite neologisms btw) and realized, “oh shit, this is a new song, and it absolutely RULES”. Sooraj Cherukat records under the name “Hanumankind” and his song "Big Dawgs" is my music for your weekend recommendation. Warning: only listen to this song if you want to feel completely invincible and like ever decision you've ever made was exactly right.”

Andrew’s Pick:  Crossed The Line by Ratboys

“As Luke talked about his exploits at Portland’s Pickathon on Monday’s show, I saw that the Chicago band Ratboys was on the lineup. I’ve shared other songs from their latest album before, but this is an excuse to share one more. Each song on Windows has a slightly different sound, with some sliding much closer to Americana than this particular track.  But I like the straightforward punky/poppy nature of this quick hit. As I like to say, ‘Ratboys: Don’t judge them by their name!’”

Listener Joseph: How Much Would It Change? by K.ola

“A few weeks ago, I ordered a bundle of handmade, lathe cut records from a small record label/zine publishing company in Philadelphia. I found out about the label because they released solo records from Spencer Moody from the Murder City Devils and Joe Jack Talcum from The Dead Milkmen, so I was surprised when I played the disc and it was a delicateful, kinda Regina Spektor-y song by an Icelandic songwriter called K.ola (short for Katrín Helga Ólafsdóttir I later discovered). Give it a listen! Is really pretty and dreamy.”

Ten Of The Week

What’s your name and where do you live? 

Elissa Adelson. Bellevue, WA. 

When did you start listening to TBTL? How did you find the show?

I listened in the radio days. I had this a.m. radio I used to take into the backyard while my kids ran around so I would listen to KIRO a lot back then. I got a little lost when podcasting started to happen, but I figured things out and have been in a constant state of time banditry ever since.

How would your friends describe you?

Quiet. Silly. Creative. A picky eater. Somewhat nerdy.

What was your favorite cereal when you were a kid?Is it still your fav? 

Cap'n Crunch Crunchberries, but I would take anything sweet because my mom usually bought "healthy" cereal, so I would have to go to the neighbor's house for my sugar fix. It isn't my favorite now because I don't eat much cereal and my sweet tooth is less demanding these days. I will definitely indulge every so often for nostalgia's sake, but then I get a tummy ache.

What food do you love to eat the most of?

Tomatoes.

What’s the best or worst nickname you ever had?

The worst is Ratcake. My maiden name is Rettke, and when I was in the first grade some kid misread my name and then was super pleased with herself and just kept saying it.

If you could play one song on TBTL, what would it be?

Maybe something by Duran Duran because I am a bit of a Duranie. Or maybe "Boing Boom Tschak" by Kraftwerk, because that's always fun to hear.

What’s a special skill that you have?

I can clap with my very flat feet. The pride level is low, though.

What’s a skill you *wish* you had?

I wish I had a beautiful singing voice in order to bewitch the masses.

If you were driving down the street and you saw Luke and Andrew on the sidewalk, what would you yell at them as you drove past?

I would probably stop. Maybe clap the ol' feet?

Can other Tens find you on social media?

I'm on facebook and I am @elissa.adelson on Instagram

Hey, it’s Andrew here again. Just a reminder that you can find our Ten of the Week form here! If you’ve never been a TOTW before  (or if it’s been a really, really long time) fill out our little questionnaire. And check out our Ten of the Week archive here!

This Week On TBTL

#4264 The Wrong Foot

Monday, August 5

Luke had an irritating interaction with a barefoot fellow this weekend, while Andrew came to the realization that not everyone likes him. They also hear from a listener who explains why you should always take your phone into the bathroom with you. 

#4265 Variations On Meme 

Tuesday, August 6

Andrew tries to help Luke with his footwear choices ahead of Luke’s big trip to Italy, but Andrew is literally the worst person for the job. They also discuss the Olympics and Luke’s Tom Arnold/Tim Walz unification theory. 

#4266 Son Of Salmon 

Wednesday, August 7

Luke and Andrew discuss the non-baseball entertainment options at T-Mobile park, including the hot-dog parachutes and the new Salmon Run race. Plus, Luke has discovered a new way to drink his coffee, and he’s surprised how good The Jinx 2 is.

#4267 The Chappell Of Love 

Thursday, August 8

Luke rode in a driverless car yesterday! LUKE RODE IN A DRIVERLESS CAR YESTERDAY!

#4268 To The Extreme

Friday, August 8

Andrew has a song stuck in his head, and Luke is here to figure out what the heck it is. Plus, festival goers in San Francisco are burying hidden, boozy treasure to avoid overpaying for concert drinks.