The Absurdists
The Absurdists is a weekly podcast where co-hosts Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy take you on a hilarious and thought-provoking journey through the bizarre, the whimsical, and the downright absurd aspects of modern life. Whether they’re discussing peculiar inventions, absurd laws, or the quirks of daily communication, Marlo and Mary bring humor, curiosity, and light-hearted banter to every episode. With a focus on finding joy in life’s oddities, The Absurdists is a show that embraces the weird and invites listeners to laugh at the unexpected. Tune in for engaging conversations, amusing stories, and a reminder to embrace the absurdity in your own life!
Episodes
March 30, 2025 • 42 mins
On this episode of The Absurdists, Marlo and Mary take absurdity to new heights—literally. Broadcasting as a simulcast with The Tech Ranch, the duo dives headfirst into the story of astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who blasted off for an 8-day mission... and stayed for nine months.
What began as a technical demonstration aboard Boeing’s Starliner became a real-life Gilligan’s Island of the cosmos. From drinking...
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February 14, 2025
Welcome to our latest deep dive into the wonderfully weird world of absurdity! In this episode of our absurdist podcast, "Curtains, Curses, and Coded Chaos: An Absurdist Odyssey," hosts Mary Murphy and Marlo Anderson explore an eclectic mix of theater superstitions, digital mishaps, and offbeat cultural quirks that redefine what it means to be truly absurd.
Unraveling Theater Superstitions
The episode kicks off with a journey into...
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January 25, 2025 • 31 mins
Welcome back! After a holiday hiatus, Marlo and Mary dive into the bizarre, funny, and often dark origins of common expressions we use every day. From "raining cats and dogs" to "kick the bucket," this episode explores the fascinating history behind these sayings and how they’ve evolved over time. Along the way, you'll hear hilarious banter, personal anecdotes, and even a discussion about buttering up deities!
What You...
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December 19, 2024 • 28 mins
Numbers: we use them to measure time, count calories, and set speed limits. They’re supposed to bring order to the chaos of life—but what happens when numbers get a little too absurd? In this laugh-filled episode of The Absurdists, co-hosts Mary Murphy and Marlo Anderson unpack the bizarre world of numbers with stories so ridiculous, they’ll have you checking your calculator twice.
“It’s Just One More Donut—Relax!”
Mary kicks th...
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December 10, 2024 • 60 mins
The Mandela Effect: When Our Collective Memory Plays Tricks On Us
Remember when Darth Vader said, "Luke, I am your father"? Or when Captain Kirk would regularly say, "Beam me up, Scotty"? Well, prepare to have your mind blown – neither of these iconic phrases was ever actually said in their respective franchises. Welcome to the fascinating world of the Mandela Effect, where our collective memories don't quite match up with reality....
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November 25, 2024 • 65 mins
From Velvet and Big Cucumbers to Absurdist Graffiti: A Wild Ride with Marlo and Mary
On the latest episode of The Absurdists, Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy take us on another rollercoaster ride of hilarity and peculiar musings. From wardrobe confessions (blue velvet, anyone?) to the accidental messages that left their senders red-faced, the duo keeps the laughs coming.
Marlo reminisces about the unexpected texts and voicemails th...
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November 20, 2024 • 61 mins
In this delightful and laugh-out-loud episode of The Absurdists, co-hosts Mary Murphy and Marlo Anderson take us on a whimsical stroll through the past. Together, they explore a variety of once-popular phenomena and inventions, rating them as either “Baby, Come Back” or “Forget About It.” Prepare yourself for an entertaining blend of nostalgia, absurdity, and quirky insights as the duo dissects bygone cultural staples and ponders t...
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November 1, 2024 • 32 mins
The Most Absurd World Records You Never Knew Existed
Ever wonder who holds the record for balancing a running lawnmower on their chin? Neither had we, until this week's episode. Marlo and Mary dove headfirst into the weird world of record-breaking achievements, and folks, it's even stranger than we imagined.
Did You Know People PAY to Break Records?
Before we get into the truly bizarre stuff, here's something that blew our minds:...
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In this latest episode of The Absurdists, Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy dive headfirst into the hilariously quirky world of human rituals, customs, and behaviors that, at a closer look, seem utterly absurd. With their characteristic wit, the duo unravels the strange ways people engage with everyday customs and habits that many of us take for granted, prompting laughter, reflection, and perhaps a little confusion along the way.
The...
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October 8, 2024 • 71 mins
Are birds watching us? The Absurdists investigate!
Birds Aren't Real: Government Drones in Disguise?
One of the first conspiracy theories discussed is the internet-born idea that birds are actually government surveillance drones. According to this theory, all birds were replaced by mechanical lookalikes in the 1950s. Our hosts humorously point out the existence of ornithology and the impracticality of such a massive undertaking....
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October 2, 2024 • 69 mins
In Episode 10 of The Absurdists, Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy take listeners on a journey into the absurdity of beloved childhood nursery rhymes. But this time, they’re not just recalling the catchy tunes from our youth—they’re digging deep into the surprisingly dark and twisted origins of these innocent-sounding jingles.
Exploring the Dark Side of Nursery Rhymes
From Humpty Dumpty’s tragic fall to the grim reality behind “Ring...
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September 20, 2024 • 64 mins
In this hilariously absurd episode of The Absurdists, hosts Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy take us on a whimsical journey through their recent experiences and quirky observations. Marlo shares stories from his recent travels to London and Paris, offering a unique perspective on everything from international McDonald’s menus to cross-cultural miscommunications.
The episode kicks off with Marlo’s adventures in Europe, where he had a...
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September 16, 2024 • 29 mins
Hey there, folks! Marlo Anderson here, and boy, do I have a doozy of an episode to share with you. This week on The Absurdists, Mary and I took a deep dive into some of the craziest collections you've ever heard of. I mean, we're not talking about your run-of-the-mill stamp collections here - we're talking about the kind of stuff that'll make you go, "Wait, what?"
First off, we've got this guy who's collected over 500 traffic cones...
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September 3, 2024 • 29 mins
Have you ever picked up a product and burst out laughing at its warning label? You're not alone! In a recent episode of The Absurdists, hosts Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy took a deep dive into the world of the most bizarre and downright absurd warning labels ever slapped onto consumer products. Buckle up (but not in your wheelbarrow) as we take you on a wild ride through some of the most head-scratching cautionary notes out there...
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August 17, 2024 • 65 mins
Hey everyone! Mary and Marlo here, bringing you the highlights from our latest episode of The Absurdists. We had such a great time diving into some of the everyday absurdities we all face—hyperconnectivity, the pursuit of happiness, and, of course, the myth of multitasking. If you missed the episode, here’s a little taste of what we discussed.
Hyperconnectivity: The Double-Edged Sword
Mary: Let’s start with how connected...
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August 8, 2024 • 67 mins
In this latest episode of The Absurdists, hosts Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy delve into the world of ghosting, the absurdity of modern communication, and the hilarious antics of prank calls. As always, they bring their unique blend of humor and insight to everyday situations that are anything but ordinary.
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August 4, 2024 • 60 mins
Embracing the Absurd
Highlights from the Latest Episode of The Absurdists
In a world where logic fails and reason pales, two heroes rise above the mundane to bring you the absurd. Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Absurdists! This week, co-hosts Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy take us on a whimsical journey through some of the most absurd inventions that have ever graced our reality.
A Hilarious Introduc...
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July 2, 2024 • 44 mins
Dive into the delightful madness of "The Absurdists" with hosts Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy in our inaugural episode! This week, we explore some of the most bewildering and hilariously inexplicable laws from across the United States. From prohibitions on wearing false teeth without spousal approval to bans on misplacing misplaced pigeons, our hosts tackle each topic with their trademark wit and irreverence.
Marlo and Mary don...
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June 30, 2024 • 67 mins
Welcome to another episode of "The Absurdists," where logic takes a back seat and curiosity reigns supreme. In this episode, titled "From Why to Why Not," hosts Mary Murphy and Marlo Anderson take us on a verbal escapade across the American landscape, not by car or plane, but through the intriguing stories behind some of the most bizarrely named towns in the United States.
A Road Trip Like No Other
Imagine starting a...
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