Zero Blog Thirty
Epi4: Rob O'Neill
Most of the soundcasts I review tend to be of the comedy-oriented variety, and most of them tend to have some connection to the world of standup, improvisational, or sketch comedy. This particular entry is focused on a new soundcast, Zero Blog Thirty, which is filled with some very funny moments but comes from a world much different than comedy clubs, open mics, and the UCB.
Host Chaps McNealy is a Marine Corps veteran, wounded in battle, and decorated for his service to his country. His military career has been spent working with and training others to handle military working dogs. Bomb-sniffing dogs, the talented canines that search for IEDs, or improvised explosive devices.
Along with co-host Connor, McNealy has turned his blog into a podcast (hence the title) and it's an ear-opening listen into the world of the military -- both active and retired. Conversation sometimes turns serious, to subjects like PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) but, more often than not, McNealy, Connor and their guests crack each other up as they reveal some of weird and truly humorous things that happen both on and off-duty.
Which you might not think would be the case in the recent episode featuring their guest, Rob O'Neill, who became recognized as the Navy Seal who took out Osama Bin Laden. He goes into some details you may not have known about that particular operation, but then O'Neill and the show's hosts launch into a series of can-you-top-this drinking stories.
Such banter goes a long way to helping us to understand that these guys are just human beings that happen to have jobs that are probably a little different than the 9-to-5 flavors with which most of us are more familiar.
Earwolf Presents
Big Grande's The Teacher's Lounge
Earwolf Presents isn't so much a soundcast itself as it's a showcase for a variety of soundcasts that appear in some way, shape, or form on the Earwolf Network. Per the description online, it's "...a way to showcase some of our hilarious Earwolf guests who aren't able to host a weekly podcast."
Recently, the show featured the first episode from The Teacher's Lounge, a 6-part mini-series that's behind the paywall known as Howl.fm. The set-up is that the show is a podcast originating from the Hamilton High School's teachers' lounge, where every manner of topic relating to the students, the teachers, and beyond is discussed.
The talent pool behind the mics come from Big Grande, a soundcast cast drawn from Comedy Bang Bang, improv4humans, and With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus.
The inaugural episode we're treated to on Earwolf Presents, is entitled They're Pine, Nuts with Klaus Kendall. Other than Mr. Kendall, who is voiced by Paul F. Tompkins, the other teachers -- Mr. Cravy, Mr. Levis, Mr. Padre, and Mr. Weatherman -- are played by Drew Tarver, John Mackey, Dan Lippert, and Ryan Rosenberg.
In the conversational mix are pet peeves, the perils of boogie boarding, an ongoing divorce, and the announcement of a mayoral campaign by Mr. Levi, running on a platform of not driving after dark so he and others can safely walk in the middle of the street. Shop teacher Mr. Kendall drops by to talk about his abiding respect for wood, as well has his hatred for the animal kingdom.
Other Hamilton High teachers, administrators, and special guests appear on subsequent episodes.
Podcasts I'm also listening to this week: I'm Too Effing High -- Epi2: Mary Holland & Matt Newell; and That Awful Sound -- Epi69: Hot Dog Flavored Bullet
In addition to his weekly contributions to This Week In Comedy Podcasts for Splitsider.com, Marc Hershon is the host and executive producer of Succotash, The Comedy Soundcast Soundcast, featuring clips from comedy soundcasts (née podcasts) from across the Internet as well as interviews with podcasters, soundcasters, comedians, and assorted show biz folk.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.