About this episode
• Ad read for Modern Plumbing Industries with character improv • Shout-out to small, family-owned businesses and Modern Plumbing's legacy • Guest Rauce Padgett joins the show • Tech complaints about new studio setup • Discussion on Adderall, productivity, and memory struggles • Poor sales of new Tom and Dan shirt; Danger Brains designed the logo • Reflection on branding and the outdated original logo • Plug for Orlando Science Center's "Mess Fest" with elephant toothpaste • Fringe Festival kicks off; Rauce promotes his show "Ten More Sketches" • Fringe praised for artist support and global reputation • Artists keep earnings directly, unlike traditional entertainment models • Fringe compared to capitalism without corporate control • "Six Guitars" success story from Rauce's brother • Rauce recommends his show as a Fringe entry point • Fringe content shifting toward higher quality comedy • Fringe prep includes five months of writing and rehearsing • Use of AI to rehearse lines; Rauce blames memory issues on past drug use • Dan says talk radio ruined his memory for scripts • Preference for improv and instincts over rigid scripts • Comedy writing needs a character engine and clear structure • Sketch example: homophobic gay cowboy based on heartbreak • Jim Colbert's advice on story structure referenced • Danger of becoming a generic "host" personality • Risks of outdated sketch premises and over-refining comedy • Need for consistent tone and strategic sketch order • Some jokes flop despite strong rehearsal feedback • Performing often reveals unexpected crowd favorites • Frustration when popular band songs are covers; Weezer's "Africa" mentioned • Ad read for My Eternal Vitality and Dr. Powers • Andrea's nutrition coaching and Mother's Day promos at MEV • Praise for collagen therapy, cold hammer, and MEV's judgment-free vibe • Air T&D discontinued due to market shifts and mismatched guest base • Joke about old lesbian couples booking the Airbnb • Rauce accused of not being fun; agrees he reflects others' energy • Tom shares frustrations around theme parks and parenting dynamics • Tommy didn't want gifts—just a "lazy stick" and compression socks • Family secretly got annual passes without telling Tom • Tom talks about trying to plan meaningful moments for Tommy • Reflection on time anxiety and raising kids • Comment on Dan's post wanting to hang with Maisie forever • Rauce writes future messages to his kids through social media • Dan writes nightly emails to his daughter as if from beyond the grave • Social media awkwardness around expressing love or status updates • Phones shrinking attention spans; new Florida law bans phones in schools • Crystal cried with relief over the phone ban • Kids don't know life without smartphones; 2009 seen as tipping point • Phones replacing boredom and killing introspection • Personalized algorithms creepily accurate—Rauce got a dog med ad • Praise for no-phone events like Chappelle shows and Epic Universe previews • Less phone use leads to more presence and less drinking • Marriage reflections: different blanket needs and conversation effort • Smugglers Run ride stories—Tom critiques the fake interactivity • Guests yelled at staff over malfunctions; parents already stressed • Rise of the Resistance praised for immersive quality • Tom annoyed by fellow guests trying to steal focus with jokes • Tommy gets his first phone, but only for text and FaceTime • Debate on giving kids smartphones and pressure to conform • Ross jokes about being pressured to perform at open mics • Dan shares being asked to sing on command by Jeff Howell • Fantasy vs. reality: Tom dreams of being a piano man in a restaurant • Talent expectations in casual settings called out as annoying • Joke about Tommy breakdancing to impress strangers • Promotion of "Ten More Sketches" and reminder to buy Fringe buttons • Mo DeWitt and Mortgage Guy Don sponsor Rauce's show • Joke about human vs. AI jingle writers—"John Jacob Jingle Writer Smith" • Wrap-up with joke feedback banter and sign-off ### **Social Media:** [Website](https://tomanddan.com/) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/tomanddanlive) | [Facebook](https://facebook.com/amediocretime) | [Instagram](https://instagram.com/tomanddanlive) **Where to Find the Show:** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-mediocre-time/id334142682) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2FtZWRpb2NyZXRpbWUvcG9kY2FzdC54bWw) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Mediocre-Time-p364156/) **The Tom & Dan Radio Show on Real Radio 104.1:** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-corporate-time/id975258990) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2Fjb3Jwb3JhdGV0aW1lL3BvZGNhc3QueG1s) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Corporate-Time-p1038501/) **Exclusive Content:** [Join BDM](https://tomanddan.com/registration) **Merch:** [Shop Tom & Dan](https://tomanddan.myshopify.com/)