The Golden Child

Life Pool

Colokum Craft Coffee [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/colockumcraft-coffee] Use the Promo Code [WSMG15] For 15% of any purchase through June 2026 Boomer Bunker Dischord [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker-dischord] Become a Bunker Dweller Aaron Kickstarter [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/aaron-kickstarter] Help Aaron with his Spicy Kickstarter 561 Life Pool NATIONAL DAY: National Rocky Road Day Rocky Road has been around since the Great Depression and was supposedly named because life itself was a little rocky at the time. Chocolate ice cream, marshmallows, and nuts somehow became one of America's favorite comfort foods. The real question for the audience: Is Rocky Road actually anyone's first choice, or is it simply the flavor that survives because everybody respects it but nobody orders it? BIRTHDAY: Jerry Mathers (1948–Still Living) — Actor best known as Beaver Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver. THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 1983 — Mario Bros. Released in Arcades Before Mario became Nintendo's global mascot, he was just a plumber running through sewer pipes with his brother Luigi. The arcade release of *Mario Bros.* helped launch one of the most successful entertainment franchises in history. More than forty years later, Mario remains recognizable around the world. It's amazing to think a simple arcade game became movies, toys, theme parks, and a multi-billion-dollar brand. The discussion angle: what video game from your childhood consumed the most quarters? ---- BLEED LEAVE The latest workplace battle coming out of Washington centers on what some Democratic lawmakers are calling "economic violence." Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Adelita Grijalva, and Rashida Tlaib are backing the Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act, which would provide up to 12 paid days off annually for reproductive health issues. The proposal covers severe menstrual pain, menopause symptoms, miscarriages, abortions, vasectomies, biopsies, and other reproductive-related medical situations. The phrase "economic violence" is what immediately grabbed headlines. Supporters argue that many women face legitimate medical issues that force them to choose between their health and a paycheck. Critics argue that the proposal raises questions about workplace fairness, hiring practices, costs to employers, and whether businesses would quietly become less likely to hire women if additional mandated leave becomes law. This is one of those stories that instantly splits people into camps. One side sees compassion and modern healthcare protections. The other sees another expanding mandate placed on employers already struggling with labor costs. The bigger Road Rage 101 discussion might be whether America has reached a point where every hardship becomes a government leave category. At what point does workplace flexibility become impossible to manage? And at the same time, how many people are working through legitimate medical issues because they simply cannot afford not to? CALIFORNIA PRIMARY DAY IN THE SUN California heads into primary day with one of the most unpredictable governor's races the state has seen in years. With Gavin Newsom term-limited, voters are sorting through a crowded field that includes former U.S. Attorney General Xavier Becerra, billionaire Tom Steyer, Republican Steve Hilton, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Representative Katie Porter, Matt Mahan, and several others. Polls have shown Becerra, Steyer, and Hilton clustered near the top, creating uncertainty about who will advance under California's top-two primary system. Because the two highest vote-getters move on regardless of party affiliation, both Democrats and Republicans are watching turnout carefully. One of the biggest stories isn't necessarily the candidates themselves but the amount of money flooding into the race. Tech billionaires, political action committees, labor organizations, and advocacy groups are pouring massive resources into California politics. California often acts as a political laboratory for the country, meaning the issues debated today could become national debates tomorrow. For Road Rage 101, the bigger conversation may be voter fatigue. California voters are dealing with housing costs, insurance concerns, homelessness, public safety debates, and economic pressures. The question becomes whether voters are choosing a vision for the future or simply voting against what they are tired of seeing right now. LIFE POOL Every year somebody creates a celebrity death list, a bingo card, or what people jokingly call a "life pool." It sounds morbid, but the public remains fascinated by tracking the famous people we lose each year. In 2026 the list has already become surprisingly long, including names such as James Van Der Beek, Robert Duvall, Eric Dane, Catherine O'Hara, Chuck Norris, Neil Sedaka, Jesse Jackson, and others. Part of the fascination comes from generational reality. Many of the actors, musicians, athletes, and public figures who defined the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and even the 1990s are reaching ages where losses become more common. Every major death becomes a reminder not only of the individual but of a specific period in American culture. The interesting discussion angle isn't celebrity gossip. It's how people process memory through famous faces. Someone hears a celebrity died and suddenly they're remembering a movie theater from 1987, a television show from childhood, or a concert from decades ago. These stories often become conversations about our own lives rather than the celebrity's life. It's one of the few news topics where people from completely different political and cultural backgrounds can stop arguing for a minute and simply remember where they were when those people mattered. SHOW CREDITS: Thank you to my co-host, Ken Madden of MaddK Studio [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/maddk-studio] Audio credits and Producer Jason Radosevich Horrible Designs [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/horrible-designs] Cast: Kate the Duchess of NJ and John Jamingo of theBoomer Bunker [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker] Aaron of I had to Say it [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/i-had-to-say-it] Boomer Bob of the Boomer Bob Show [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bob] Lorenzo from Misanthrope Radio 2.0 [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/misanthrope-radio-2-0] Cody the Beard as the Last Word. Supporters: Steve McShane of the Razor Wire News [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/razor-wire-news] Josh Roberts from New Hampshire and you can always leave a comment by email: bruce@weatherdsoul.com [bruce@weatherdsoul.com]

Vacation Hangover

Colokum Craft Coffee [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/colockumcraft-coffee] Use the Promo Code [WSMG15] For 15% of any purchase through June 2026 Boomer Bunker Dischord [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker-dischord] Become a Bunker Dweller Aaron Kickstarter [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/aaron-kickstarter] Help Aaron with his Spicy Kickstarter 560 Vacation Hangover NATIONAL DAYS: SAY SOMETHING NICE DAY, GAME SHOW DAY, GO BAREFOOT DAY, OLIVE DAY, NAIL POLISH DAY, PEN PAL DAY, HEIMLICH MANEUVER DAY BIRTHDAY: MORGAN FREEMAN (89), MARILYN MONROE (100) 1962, ANDY GRIFFITH (100) 2012, HEIDI KLUM (53), ALANIS MORISSETTE (52), AMY SCHUMER (45) THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 1980: TED TUNERS CNN HITS THE AIRWAVES, 1967 THE BEATLES RELASE SGT PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND, 1638 THE PILGRIMS EXPERIENCED THE EARTHMOBE (1ST EVER EARTHQUAKE RECORED IN COLONIAL AMERICAN HISTORY) 50 WEIRDEST ROAD SIDE ATTRACTIONS (fiftygrande.com) Alabama (Boomer Bob): The Unclaimed Baggage Center-Scottsboro, Alabama- This massive 50,000-square-foot store is the only place in the US where unclaimed luggage from airlines and other transit sources is given a second life Arizona (Mcshane): The Thing- Bowlin’s Travel Center near Dragoon, Arizona- filled with bizarre artifacts, historical oddities, and alien lore. It’s not until the final room The Thing, a mummy-like figure on display California (Bruce): Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree- Leggett, California- This towering coast redwood tree stands about 276 feet tall and has a carved tunnel at its base, allowing cars to drive through its hollowed center, there are two other drive through trees on Highway 101, but this is the southernmost Illinois (Aaron): World’s Largest Catsup Bottle- Collinsville, Illinois- Towering at 170 feet tall, this structure resembles a giant bottle of ketchup and can hold up to 100,000 gallons of water, a water tower built in 1949 for the G.S. Suppiger Company, bottlers of the popular Brooks Catsup Kentucky (Sam and Cody): World’s Tallest Three-Story Building- Paris, Kentucky- on the corner of 8th and Main Streets in downtown, is recognized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! as the world’s tallest three-story building Minnesota (Producer Jason): Jolly Green Giant Statue- Blue Earth, Minnesota- At 55.5 feet tall (or more than 60, if you include the elevated base he stands upon), the statue of a shamrock-colored man dressed in a leafy toga stands tall New Hampshire (Josh): The USS Albacore- Portsmouth, New Hampshire- Originally an experimental submarine operated by the Navy, The USS Albacore was built to test and develop advanced hydrodynamic designs during the Cold War era New Jersey (John and Duchess): Lucy the Elephant- Margate City, New Jersey- Built in 1881, this six-story tall, wood and tin elephant was originally a marketing gimmick to attract real estate buyers, Lucy the Elephant served as a restaurant, a business office, a cottage, and a tavern North Dakota (Teresa): The Enchanted Highway- 32-mile stretch between Gladstone and Regent, North Dakota, is home to a series of enormous sculptures, each designed and crafted by local artist Gary Greff. Texas (Jose): Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum- San Antonio, Texas-This toilet seat-themed museum was the brainchild of Barney Smith, a retired master plumber with an eye for creativity and a penchant for the unconventional. Over the course of several decades, he turned more than 1,000 discarded toilet seats into canvases for his eclectic art Washington (Mr Coffee Bill): Big Red Wagon-Spokane, Washington- “The Childhood Express,” has been a landmark in Spokane’s Riverfront Park since 1990, this giant replica of a Radio Flyer wagon is 12 feet tall and stretches 27 feet long Wisconsin (Ken): Al Johnson’s Goats on the Roof- Door County, Wisconsin- Swedish pancakes topped with lingonberries and the goats that live on the restaurant’s grass-covered roof. The story goes that Johnson’s friend Wink Larson put a goat named Oscar on the restaurant’s roof as part of a birthday gag one year and a tradition was born ---- SHOW CREDITS: Thank you to my co-host, Ken Madden of MaddK Studio [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/maddk-studio] Audio credits and Producer Jason Radosevich Horrible Designs [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/horrible-designs] Cast: Kate the Duchess of NJ and John Jamingo of theBoomer Bunker [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker] Aaron of I had to Say it [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/i-had-to-say-it] Boomer Bob of the Boomer Bob Show [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bob] Lorenzo from Misanthrope Radio 2.0 [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/misanthrope-radio-2-0] Cody the Beard as the Last Word. Supporters: Steve McShane of the Razor Wire News [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/razor-wire-news] Josh Roberts from New Hampshire and you can always leave a comment by email: bruce@weatherdsoul.com [bruce@weatherdsoul.com]

The Golden Child

Colokum Craft Coffee [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/colockumcraft-coffee] Use the Promo Code [WSMG15] For 15% of any purchase through June 2026 Boomer Bunker Dischord [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker-dischord] Become a Bunker Dweller Aaron Kickstarter [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/aaron-kickstarter] Help Aaron with his Spicy Kickstarter 559 The Golden Child NATIONAL DAY: NATIONAL STREAMING FATIGUE DAY — Not officially recognized, but spiritually understood by anyone paying for multiple subscriptions and still saying, “There’s nothing to watch.” BIRTHDAY: MORRISSEY (1959–STILL LIVING) — Former lead singer of The Smiths known for influential alternative rock music and famously gloomy lyrics. THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 1980 — PAC-MAN RELEASED IN JAPAN — One of the most recognizable arcade games in history officially launched by Namco. 41 YEARS [https://nypost.com/2026/05/21/us-news/aimee-bock-minnesota-feeding-our-future-fraudster-sentenced-41-years/] Aimee Bock, founder of Feeding Our Future in Minnesota, was sentenced to more than 41 years in federal prison for orchestrating a $250 million pandemic-era fraud scheme involving federally funded child meal programs. Prosecutors said the nonprofit falsely claimed to serve millions of meals during COVID-19 while funds were diverted for personal enrichment. THE GOLDEN CHILD [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/seattle-cant-survive-critics-hammer-socialist-mayor-starbucks-reversal] Seattle City Councilmember Katie Wilson faced criticism after supporting positions viewed by critics as hostile toward Starbucks and major employers in Seattle, Washington. Opponents argued progressive leadership policies involving public safety, labor issues, homelessness, and business regulation continue contributing to economic struggles and instability in downtown Seattle. SMARTER THAN A FIRST GRADER? [https://notthebee.com/article/virginia-judge-drops-case-against-school-administrator-who-was-charged-with-ignoring-1st-graders-threats-before-he-shot-his-teacher] A Virginia judge dismissed charges against former Richneck Elementary School assistant principal Ebony Parker, who was accused of ignoring warnings before a 6-year-old student shot teacher Abby Zwerner in Newport News, Virginia, in January 2023. Prosecutors said they could not prove Parker’s actions directly caused the shooting.---- SHOW CREDITS: Thank you to my co-host, Ken Madden of MaddK Studio [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/maddk-studio] Audio credits and Producer Jason Radosevich Horrible Designs [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/horrible-designs] Cast: Kate the Duchess of NJ and John Jamingo of theBoomer Bunker [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker] Aaron of I had to Say it [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/i-had-to-say-it] Boomer Bob of the Boomer Bob Show [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bob] Lorenzo from Misanthrope Radio 2.0 [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/misanthrope-radio-2-0] Cody the Beard as the Last Word. Supporters: Steve McShane of the Razor Wire News [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/razor-wire-news] Josh Roberts from New Hampshire and you can always leave a comment by email: bruce@weatherdsoul.com [bruce@weatherdsoul.com]

No Schlitz!

Colokum Craft Coffee [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/colockumcraft-coffee] Use the Promo Code [WSMG15] For 15% of any purchase through June 2026 Boomer Bunker Dischord [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker-dischord] Become a Bunker Dweller Aaron Kickstarter [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/aaron-kickstarter] Help Aaron with his Spicy Kickstarter 558 No Schlitz! NATIONAL DAY: National American Red Cross Founder's Day recognizes Clara Barton and the humanitarian organization she launched in 1881. BIRTHDAY: Mr. T (Still Living) — Actor, wrestler, and permanent symbol of 1980s toughness. Best known for The A-Team and Rocky III, he somehow turned gold chains, mohawks, and yelling into a career that still works almost 50 years later. THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 1927 — Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic, landing in Paris after flying more than 33 hours alone in the Spirit of St. Louis. --- NO SCHLITZ! [https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/one-americas-oldest-beer-brands-discontinued-after-177-years-us] One of America’s oldest beer brands is reportedly disappearing after 177 years as Schlitz production quietly winds down. Once one of the biggest names in American beer, the Milwaukee classic struggled to compete in the modern craft beer era and changing consumer tastes. Another legacy American brand appears headed for the nostalgia shelf alongside payphones and ashtrays at McDonald’s. --- SLEEP CHIC [https://nypost.com/2026/05/20/health/ultimate-guide-to-sleep-hacks-which-ones-work-what-to-skip/] A growing wave of expensive “sleep optimization” trends is convincing Americans to spend heavily on gadgets, supplements, weighted blankets, mouth tape, cooling systems, and bizarre bedtime rituals. Experts say some methods may help while others are little more than social-media wellness theater dressed up as science and luxury self-care. --- JERSEY CURFEW [https://notthebee.com/article/jersey-police-enact-curfew-after-future-doctors-engineers-take-over-long-branch] Officials in Long Branch, New Jersey imposed a youth curfew after repeated incidents involving large crowds of teenagers causing fights, disturbances, and public safety concerns along the beachfront and downtown areas. Police increased enforcement as city leaders faced pressure from residents and businesses worried about chaos heading into the summer tourist season. ---- SHOW CREDITS: Thank you to my co-host, Ken Madden of MaddK Studio [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/maddk-studio] Audio credits and Producer Jason Radosevich Horrible Designs [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/horrible-designs] Cast: Kate the Duchess of NJ and John Jamingo of theBoomer Bunker [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker] Aaron of I had to Say it [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/i-had-to-say-it] Boomer Bob of the Boomer Bob Show [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bob] Lorenzo from Misanthrope Radio 2.0 [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/misanthrope-radio-2-0] Cody the Beard as the Last Word. Supporters: Steve McShane of the Razor Wire News [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/razor-wire-news] Josh Roberts from New Hampshire and you can always leave a comment by email: bruce@weatherdsoul.com [bruce@weatherdsoul.com]

Vegas Heart Attack

Colokum Craft Coffee [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/colockumcraft-coffee] Use the Promo Code [WSMG15] For 15% of any purchase through June 2026 Boomer Bunker Dischord [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker-dischord] Become a Bunker Dweller Aaron Kickstarter [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/aaron-kickstarter] Help Aaron with his Spicy Kickstarter 557 Vegas Heart Attack DAILY MARKERS NATIONAL DAY: NATIONAL RESCUE DOG DAY — Celebrates shelter pets finding homes and reminds America that mutts somehow end up being the smartest dogs in the neighborhood. BIRTHDAY: JOE COCKER (1944–2014) — Legendary blues-rock singer known for his raspy voice, wild stage movements, and unforgettable performance of “With a Little Help From My Friends.” THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 1873 — LEVI STRAUSS PATENTED BLUE JEANS — Blue jeans officially became American fashion, workwear, rebellion, and dad attire all at the same time. --- HEART ATTACK GRILL HAS VEGAS CORONARY The What: One of the locations tied to Las Vegas’ famous Heart Attack Grill has reportedly closed, with ownership blaming rising costs, declining conditions in parts of Las Vegas, and changing tourism patterns. The restaurant became nationally famous for hospital-themed servers and oversized burgers loaded with extreme calorie counts. The Take: Only Las Vegas could create a headline where the “Heart Attack Grill” gets taken out by economics instead of cholesterol. Somewhere a tourist in flip-flops and cargo shorts is pouring out a milkshake in remembrance. --- NYC MAN-EATER MANHOLE The What: A 56-year-old grandmother from Westchester County died after falling into an open manhole in New York City while utility work was underway. Investigators are now reviewing safety procedures and how the work zone was secured. The Take: At this point New Yorkers aren’t walking through a city — they’re navigating a live-action obstacle course. Between potholes, subway chaos, scaffolding, and now surprise death holes in the sidewalk, Gotham City is starting to feel less fictional every year. --- SHOT DETECTOR SHOT DOWN The What: Officials in Springfield, Massachusetts, voted to deactivate the city’s ShotSpotter gunshot-detection system roughly one week after a major active shooter event. Critics argued the technology contributes to disproportionate policing in minority and migrant communities. The Take: This debate basically comes down to one uncomfortable modern question: how do cities balance public safety, surveillance, policing, and community trust all at the same time? Because everybody says they want safer neighborhoods — right up until the methods become controversial. ---- SHOW CREDITS: Thank you to my co-host, Ken Madden of MaddK Studio [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/maddk-studio] Audio credits and Producer Jason Radosevich Horrible Designs [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/horrible-designs] Cast: Kate the Duchess of NJ and John Jamingo of theBoomer Bunker [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bunker] Aaron of I had to Say it [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/i-had-to-say-it] Boomer Bob of the Boomer Bob Show [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/boomer-bob] Lorenzo from Misanthrope Radio 2.0 [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/misanthrope-radio-2-0] Cody the Beard as the Last Word. Supporters: Steve McShane of the Razor Wire News [https://the-weatherd-view.captivate.fm/razor-wire-news] Josh Roberts from New Hampshire and you can always leave a comment by email: bruce@weatherdsoul.com [bruce@weatherdsoul.com]