The Kerfuffle

Fake news is a startup hack that was possible because the news complex was outmoded. The byproduct is the emboldenment of the “Van Halen Generation” and it will wreak havoc for a short while. It’s all going to be OK (maybe).

Everyone knows that focus is the key to mastery—but what if that’s not the only approach? Hans and Eric contemplate the merits of taking on many disparate creative projects.

After a three month hiatus, Hans and Eric are back—just in time to say Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays, or “don’t let your sick kid make dessert for the rest of the family.” This time we talk about holiday expectations, the Christmas spirit, making your own gifts—and other (sort of) festive stuff.

Most experiences aren’t good or bad. They’re how you perceive them. There’s more to it than that, though. The way you look at a scenario doesn’t only color it; your perspective transforms it. Hans and Eric discuss how lenses change as we age, and ask how one might adopt better—more flexible—ones.

When Eric finished high school, he left town, burned his annuals, and was grateful to never have to go back. 25 years later, some are gearing up for a reunion. In spite of how he once felt, Eric’s curious to go back—but has some reservations.

Most creative work doesn’t get the audience, or reception, it should. Maybe this is because we’re under the misimpression that if we make something great, the world will pound a path to our front door. Hans and Eric talk about what it takes to make a buck, the need to connect with an audience, and whether doing these things might make you a sell out.

Want to paint, record a song, or write a book? If so, you’ve likely struggled with ideas. In this episode, we look at how creativity gets stymied by preciousness and ego. We also start a drinking game, get soapy, and listen to Eric apologize for some of the stupid things he’s said.

Since 1984, Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip have mesmerized Canadians with their stories of Bill Barilko, Bobcaygeon, and butts wigglin’. Hans and Eric share what it all means to them, while recounting memories of rabbit ears and motorcycle trips.

There’s no shortage of commentary about Donald Trump and his strange ascension in the American presidential race. What made this possible, though? Hans and Eric ruminate on a Trump-conducive environment.

We want new things. We trim our hedges. We complain about Mondays. But why? Are these in fact topics that matter to us, or do we feel kinship in these shared experiences? Today we talk about common narratives, disenfranchised workers, and more.

It seems like everyone’s dying… but are they? Could it be that in The Facebook Era, we’re simply more aware of passings? In this episode, we ask how social media is changing our perceptions of death. Along the way, we stumble into a number of tangents.

In this, the very first episode of the Kerfuffle, we start by asking what our podcast should be about—and why we should create one in the first place. Along the way we talk about pit parties, da dam ting, and how everything is “meta” if you’re a teenager.