Bald, Blind, and Buddies

Where we’ve been and where we’re going: Season Two Review

John Boland and Timothy (Timmy) Cordes review themes and key guests from the last season. They range from technology and artificial intelligence to insights into policing and politics. The Buddies brainstorm options for next season including ideas like multi-part series, upcoming guests, possibly more mental health topics, and other themes. ***Contest*** Submit your theme song for next season for a chance to be featured and credited and a gift. Listen up for details. Tim’s whack-job is a mother who publicized her son’s humiliation and demonstrates a misunderstanding of discourse. John’s hero gave a full-throated defense of Israel. Referred to: US Rep. Virginia Foxx tells NC student he was indoctrinated | Raleigh News & Observer [https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315726849.html] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYHpF-uFQkQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&img_index=2] post of mother upset with rep Bill Maher on Israel [https://youtu.be/BHOJCbRJu28?si=ZdmF8e_jZ0F2s32U] Why AI is a train and not a bicycle [https://youtu.be/BHOJCbRJu28?si=ZdmF8e_jZ0F2s32U] We would love to hear from you. Drop a comment or email us at IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM]. Please, like, share, and subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Rob Rosen on his new book Crimes of Omission

Rob Rosen joins John Boland and Timothy Cordes to talk about his new book Crimes of Omission: Distorted Justice: The Media’s War on Truth. Rob uses a recent example from NPR to show how what is said is as important as what is left out and explains how his book explores this theme with critical stories over the past 2 decades. We discuss the reasons for media’s focus on something other than truth. We consider objectivity and sensationalism. We note that comedy is subject to the same forces as journalism and highlight the success of comedians who call out both sides. Rob offers us reasons for hope and strategies to see past the media fragmentation. Referred to: Crimes of omission by rob rosen on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=crimes+of+omission+rob+rosen&adgrpid=1339207736587080&hvadid=83700770338833&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=104744&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83701711330089%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22568_13494428&mcid=0d23116aaa8f3ae69d606a3ab76ef46f&msclkid=ef555f12877b1a5f49a336ec039d40a8&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_1hqu0dvjre_e] NPR public editor admits glaring absence of Jewish victim’s voices in coverage of Michigan synagogue attack [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/npr-public-editor-admits-glaring-absence-of-jewish-victim-s-voices-in-coverage-of-michigan-synagogue-attack/ar-AA20gZBN] We would love to hear from you. Drop a comment or reach out to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM]. Please, share, like or subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

You own it, you should be able to fix it: the Right to Repair

Timothy Cordes and John Boland discuss the concept of “right to repair.” Tim explains how the Digital Millenium Copyright Act allows companies to lock consumers into exclusive arrangements where they are beholding to the company for repairs. Consumers become licensees instead of owners. The Buddies discuss how John Deere recently settled a $99 million class action suit from farmers over this issue, but it’s not just tractors that are impacted. Tim gives examples from Apple, to printers, and coffee makers. John discusses other practices which take advantage of human tendencies and gives his personal example of this locked-in system in action. There is hope, and the buddies discuss efforts to correct this problem at the state and national levels. Tim’s heroes are community members helping their own. John’s hero is Senator Ben Sasse. Referred to: Deere settles US right-to-repair lawsuit with $99 million fund, repair commitments | Reuters [https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/deere-settles-us-right-to-repair-lawsuit-with-99-million-fund-repair-commitments-2026-04-07/] Unlocking the Black Box: How the DMCA Became a Barrier to Repair – Journal of High Technology Law [https://sites.suffolk.edu/jhtl/2025/10/18/unlocking-the-black-box-how-the-dmca-became-a-barrier-to-repair/] HP printer class action suit ends in disappointment | PCWorld [https://www.pcworld.com/article/2646919/hp-printer-class-action-suit-ends-in-disappointment.html] Dead Simple Hack Allows For “Rebel” Keurig K-Cups | Hackaday [https://hackaday.com/2014/12/10/dead-simple-hack-allows-for-rebel-keurig-k-cups/] Right to Repair Laws Have Now Been Introduced in All 50 US States - iFixit [https://www.ifixit.com/News/108371/right-to-repair-laws-have-now-been-introduced-in-all-50-us-states#content] We would probably love to hear from you. Drop a comment or email . IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM]. Please, like or subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Should we care about the Mike Vrable story.

Timothy Cordes and John Boland dive into the Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini story. John asserts that people’s business that does not impact their work should be theirs alone, and John bemoans our Victorian culture. The Buddies agree that Dianna Russini’s relationship could have compromised her journalistic independence, and they note the currently abysmal trust in the media. Tim offers a set of ancient rules which could help one avoid these types of problems going forward. Tim’s whack-jobs are the teachers in Madison, Wisconsin who would rather protest than teach children—the job they are paid to do. John’s hero is someone anonymous who unselfishly took on a major challenge, and John uses this as an example of the heroes quietly walking among us. Referred to: What Happened with Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini? Photo Controversy, Explained [https://www.today.com/news/sports/mike-vrabel-dianna-russini-photos-explained-rcna341854] The Front Runner: The Real History of the Gary Hart Scandal [https://time.com/5444465/gary-hart-donna-rice/] Journalism’s Essential Value | The New York Times Company [https://www.nytco.com/press/journalisms-essential-value/] Madison schools closed May 1 for immigrant rights protest | channel3000.com [https://www.channel3000.com/news/madison-schools-closed-may-1-for-immigrant-rights-protest/article_df33815c-4c78-4177-a0f1-86120f236648.html] We would love to hear from you. Send show ideas, your heroes, comments to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM]. No AI pitches, please. We’re using our brains and we hope you will use yours, too. Please show that you care, like and share. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Our “careful” thoughts On J.D. Vance, the Pope and expertise.

After a week in which J.D. Vance told Pope Leo XIV to be “careful” with his theology, Timothy Cordes and John Boland spend time on the Vice-president.   John acknowledges that evil happens when others enable it and is frustrated with otherwise highly capable people like Vance who perform that role.   Tim notes that Vance has been committed to his ambition throughout and swapping ideologies in service to that may be no conversion at all.   The Buddies talk about Tom Nichols piece in the Washington Post as an example of America’s no longer respecting expertise. Both concede that the experts have given up much of their authority through their choices.   John’s whack-jobs are the sports organizations who somehow thought they could welcome gambling in without consequences for the game or their fans.   Tim’s hero of the week is Catholic Charities of Miami -Support Our Mission [https://www.ccadm.org/support-our-mission/?cid=701G0000000mwYF] Who have been threatened by funding cuts from the current administration. Please, consider giving.   Referred to: Trump yanks millions from Catholic Charities amid Pope feud [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/ar-AA211gJw] Pope James David Vance the First - The Atlantic [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/04/pope-jd-vance-iran/686826/] 13 things to know about J.D. Vance’s Catholic journey - Catholic Telegraph [https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/13-things-to-know-about-j-d-vances-catholic-journey/97116] Higher education’s frozen yogurt moment by the Washington Post [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/04/19/yale-report-shows-colleges-universities-face-reckoning/] Guardians' Clase, Ortiz plead not guilty in pitch-rigging case [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47970429/guardians-clase-ortiz-plead-not-guilty-pitch-rigging-case] George's Life Hack [https://youtube.com/shorts/RKLXnY5920o?si=DyU1C0EcxTShb2ke]  We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment here or send questions to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTAC.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTAC.COM].   Let's keep talking.     This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]