The Empty Bowl

The Empty Bowl

A meditative podcast about cereal from cereal eater Justin McElroy and Cerealously creator Dan Goubert.

Episodes

March 22, 2026 43 mins

This is the one-hundred and twenty-eighth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Gabe Fonseca returns to sub in for Justin, inform Dan about a Dollar Tree-exclusive cereal, and count down Cap'n Crunch's greatest/weirdest hits!

Catch up on our cereal rankings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tinyurl.com/tebrank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Support us on Patreon at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/theemptybowl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

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This is the one-hundred and twenty-seventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Dan boldly names the most beautiful cereal box ever, Justin finds his new favorite uncanny mascot, and we both reevaluate our veneration of Neutron Berries.

Catch up on our cereal rankings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tinyurl.com/tebrank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Support us on Patreon at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/theemptybowl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

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January 23, 2026 39 mins

This is the one-hundred and twenty-sixth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Trolls Trix refuse to be forgotten, Justin does a (very) last-minute taste test, and we both put our heads together to solve Cap'n Crunch's big mystery.

Catch up on our cereal rankings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠tinyurl.com/tebrank⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Support us on Patreon at ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/theemptybowl⁠⁠⁠⁠!

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December 31, 2025 39 mins

This is the one-hundred and twenty fifth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we count down the most delicious and despicable new cereals of 2025. This time, our lists diverge more than ever, a cereal company outside of the Big 4 dominates, and a reliably terrible flavor profile continues its reign of terror.

Catch up on our cereal rankings at ⁠⁠⁠tinyurl.com/tebrank⁠⁠⁠!

Support us on Patreon at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/theemptybowl⁠⁠⁠!

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December 20, 2025 44 mins

This is the one-hundred and twenty-fourth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which the Cap'n presents a Conundr'm, Dan and Justin bond over a nauseating cereal experience, and we hear from an unnamed cereal legend.

Catch up on our cereal rankings at ⁠⁠⁠tinyurl.com/tebrank⁠⁠⁠!

Support us on Patreon at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/theemptybowl⁠⁠⁠!

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November 17, 2025 43 mins

This is the one-hundred and twenty-third episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we preview General Mills' 2026 new cereal lineup, contemplate moving to Mexico, and reflect on our brushes with cereal's A-list.

Catch up on our cereal rankings at ⁠⁠tinyurl.com/tebrank⁠⁠!

Support us on Patreon at ⁠⁠patreon.com/theemptybowl⁠⁠!

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October 29, 2025 39 mins

This is the one-hundred and twenty-second episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Pop-Tarts hit the gym, Honey Bunches of Oats come for the holiday cereal throne, and a '70s legend enters our cereal ranking battle royale.

Catch up on our cereal rankings at ⁠tinyurl.com/tebrank⁠!

Support us on Patreon at ⁠patreon.com/theemptybowl⁠!

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October 3, 2025 44 mins

This is the one-hundred and twenty-first episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Kellogg's of Mexico brings our prophecy to life, two (cold) hot cocoa cereals duke it out, and our cereal ranking series returns with gusto!

Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!

Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!

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September 7, 2025 38 mins

This is the one-hundred and twentieth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Dan sleeps in an egg, Justin hallucinates marbits, and we explore the many layers of what makes the perfect cereal treat.

Check in our cereal rankings ⁠⁠here⁠⁠!

Support us on Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠⁠!

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August 5, 2025 45 mins

This is the one-hundred and nineteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we pity Oreo Puffs, brush our teeth with Lucky Charms, and demarcate oblivion with porridge.

Check in our cereal rankings here!

Support us on Patreon here!

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June 29, 2025 47 mins

This is the one-hundred and eighteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which the Monsters go Muppet (maybe), Dan sweats over Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Justin drools over Frosted Mini Chex.


Follow along with our cereal ranking here.

Check out our Patreon here.

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May 11, 2025 38 mins

This is the one-hundred and seventeenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which a savory cereal packs surprising depth, Walmart delivers an even bigger shock, and we're forced to rank a cereal we can't even believe is on the list.

Follow along with our cereal rankings here!

Check out our Patreon here!

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April 13, 2025 38 mins

This is the one-hundred and sixteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we snitch to the WBDGCP, the Cap'n sets the bar for vanilla, and we ponder our priciest cereal purchases.

Follow along with our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!

Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!

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March 2, 2025 33 mins

This is the one-hundred and fifteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Dan's soul-bowl cereal returns, Raisin Bran leaves its comfort zone, and we brainstorm which liquids would make for a solid cereal.

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February 2, 2025 41 mins

This is the one-hundred and fourteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which everyone in the world tells Justin about a new cereal, Life's newest flavor is a real mouthful, and we answer the age-old question once and for all: Boo Berry or Count Chocula?

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January 5, 2025 46 mins

This is the one-hundred and thirteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we tackle 2025's first new cereals before looking back at 2024's biggest breakfast-aisle wonders and blunders.

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December 15, 2024 45 mins

This is the one-hundred and twelfth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we investigate a corn puff-ification epidemic, Dan takes on a chocolate trio, and inscrutable cereals of yore come under scrutiny.


Check out our Cereal Ranking progress here.

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November 16, 2024 41 mins

This is the one-hundred and eleventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which General Mills overloads us with new cereal news, Bailey's brings the bite, and we finally make our cereal ranking progress public (check it out at tinyurl.com/TEBrank).

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October 29, 2024 38 mins

This is the one-hundred and tenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which no Squishmallow goes to waste, we ideate the perfect cereal shape, and Dan praises a zeitgeist-defining gorilla.

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October 7, 2024 42 mins

This is the one-hundred and ninth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Life self-nullifies, Carmella meets her match, and we make what is easily our most controversial Cereal Ranking decision yet.

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