The Jocular Pugilists

Los Angeles at a Crossroads: The 2026 Mayoral Race

Los Angeles may be at a crossroads. This week, the Jocular Pugilists dive into the 2026 LA mayoral race through the eyes of Phil, who recently spent time canvassing door-to-door for a little-known candidate and got a firsthand look at what Angelenos are actually talking about beyond headlines and social media. Along the way, the conversation takes its usual strange detours: Tomas losing weight and realizing his ancient bargain-bin T-shirts are now hanging off him like one of Marlon Brando’s infamous late-era muumuus, Phil attending another Hollywood “For Your Consideration” event with Jason Bateman.  But underneath the silliness is a serious question: Can one of the greatest cities on Earth still find its footing? The Jocular Pugilists try to stay politically homeless in the best sense of the word — not rooting for parties, ideologies, or teams — just hoping that whoever leads Los Angeles next can help the city thrive again. Because whether you’re Republican, Democrat, Independent, or completely exhausted by all of it… everyone wants LA to work. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com [thejocularpugilists@gmail.com] And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com [https://thejocularpugilists.com/]

Weird Social Rules We All Follow (For No Reason)

Why do we text before calling, face forward in elevators like NPCs, and panic when someone sees the “typing dots”… but never replies? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, we dive into the weird, unwritten social rules that somehow run our lives—and question who made them in the first place. From old-school etiquette to modern-day nonsense, we break down: *  Why calling someone without texting first now feels like a crime  *  The anxiety of the “three dots” text bubble (you know the one 😳)  *  Why you’re apparently not allowed to skip show intros… but we all do anyway *  Elevator silence, gym influencers, and other bizarre public behavior  *  Old-school rules like “no elbows on the table”—and whether they actually made sense  *  Why society went from suits and manners… to “anything goes” chaos  👉 If you’ve ever wondered “Wait… why do we even do this?”—this episode will make you laugh, rethink everything, and maybe break a few rules on purpose Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com [thejocularpugilists@gmail.com] And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com [https://thejocularpugilists.com/]

Catalina Island Travel Guide… Honest and Slightly Unhinged

What do you get when you mix a chewing gum billionaire, roaming buffalo, overpriced Bloody Marys, and a suspiciously fast “time-warp” hike? Welcome to Catalina Island—and another slightly unhinged episode of The Jocular Pugilists. Phil thought he was getting a normal birthday weekend. Instead, Stacy secretly put together a surprise trip to Catalina Island — complete with ferries, golf carts, ocean views, old Hollywood vibes, and an island that somehow feels both frozen in time and strangely futuristic. In this episode, we take you on a hilarious (and occasionally informative) trip to Catalina, where: *  Golf carts are basically Lamborghinis 💸  *  Buffalo roam free because… Hollywood logic  *  The ferry has a “VIP section” that may or may not just be a $20 flex  *  And somehow, a 45-minute hike turns into a 5-minute return trip (science still pending)  We also dive into Catalina’s wild history—from smugglers and Spanish explorers to Wrigley gum money turning it into a resort playground—plus honest takes on whether it’s actually worth the trip or just a very pretty tourist trap. 👉 If you’re into travel stories, sarcasm, and discovering how quickly a vacation can turn into a business idea involving golf cart monopolies… this one’s for you. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com [thejocularpugilists@gmail.com] And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com [https://thejocularpugilists.com/]

Savoring the Foods We Love (But Won’t Admit): A Culinary Confession

Do you ever feel guilty about your food cravings? From Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to Belgian chocolates, join the Jocular Pugilists as they dive into the delicious world of guilty pleasures. Discover why we crave what we do and how to enjoy it without the guilt. Tune in for a fun, flavorful journey! Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com [thejocularpugilists@gmail.com] And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com [https://thejocularpugilists.com/]

The Unintentional Cult of Personality: Purpose-Driven Influence

What if the people who change the world… never meant to? This episode dives into the unintentional cult of personality, exploring how some individuals became iconic figures simply by being true to their purpose—not by seeking fame. We contrast purpose vs. popularity—and ask a bigger question: in an AI-driven world where there’s less we have to do, will we finally discover what we’re meant to do? Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com [thejocularpugilists@gmail.com] And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com [https://thejocularpugilists.com/]