Darwin and Cat : Pop Culture Garbage Barge

This week on Pop Culture Garbage Barge, Darwin and Cat unleash an episode all about pets -- the lovable, chaotic, expensive little freaks who somehow became the center of our lives.From the days of backyard dogs, roaming neighborhood cats, and suspiciously short lifespans, to modern pet culture complete with birthday parties, emotional support animals, and pet luxuries nobody saw coming, the duo explores how animals went from household extras to full-fledged family members.Along the way: Cat shares a childhood pet story involving numbers that escalated horrifically, Darwin revisits a long family history of deeply questionable dogs, and both reflect on the pets they loved, lost, and still talk about to this day.Funny, heartfelt, and gloriously unhinged -- this episode has teeth.Welcome aboard the Garbage Barge.

This week on Pop Culture Garbage Barge, Darwin and Cat take a trip back to one of the strangest traditions of growing up: the school assembly.What starts as a welcome break from class quickly turns into something else entirely -- somewhere between educational, bizarre, and occasionally traumatic. From celebrity guest speakers with unexpected agendas to “helpful” instructional films that went spectacularly off the rails, the lessons weren’t always what schools thought they were teaching.Along the way, the duo digs into the surprising history behind assemblies and the rise of educational films designed to shape teenage behavior.Add in hungover teachers, apathetic students, and a few moments that can never be unseen, and you start to wonder if any of this was actually helping… or just permanently scarring an entire generation.All in the name of education.Welcome aboard the Garbage Barge 

This week on Pop Culture Garbage Barge, Darwin and Cat salute the risk-takers who moved humanity forward. They also examine a very different kind of risk: the incredibly questionable decisions they made growing up completely unsupervised.From early explorers to space-age brilliance, history is built on bold moves that probably shouldn’t have worked. Meanwhile, back on Earth, two middle schoolers are sneaking out at 2am to meet someone with a nickname that should have been a huge red flag.Add in cliffside adventures, lawn darts, killer bees, and a childhood shaped by quicksand warnings and zero helmets, and you start to see the problem.Somewhere between groundbreaking achievement and absolute chaos lies the question: How are we still alive?Welcome aboard the Garbage Barge 

On this episode, Darwin and Cat revisit the golden age of the American mall, when it wasn’t just a place you went, it was where everything happened.From unsupervised teenage adventures to bizarre “theme” malls, the duo digs into what made malls feel like their own world, and why that world stuck with us.Along the way: a questionable run-in with mall security, a “glamorous” forgotten store, and the kind of moments that could only unfold under fluorescent lights.There’s also a quick look at how malls rose, ruled, and quietly faded into obscurity. When Tiffany sang "I Think We're Alone Now" who knew she'd be forecasting the future of the mall. If you grew up with a mall nearby, you’ve probably got stories.This is ours.

Join Darwin and Cat as they rewind to the glorious, chaotic era of the neighborhood video store, when Friday night meant wandering fluorescent aisles of plastic cases and hoping the movie you wanted wasn't already checked out.The Garbage Barge sails through the strange rituals of VHS culture: late fees, judgmental clerks, mysterious back-room curtains, and the eternal command to Be Kind, Rewind.Along the way, Cat explains how a video store owner once denied her a rental card after a disastrous encounter, and Darwin reveals the truly questionable films he discovered on the discount rack. Plus, the small-town scandal that erupted over a stash of missing "naughty" tapes.If you ever wandered the video aisles hoping that something, anything good would appear, this episode may unlock a few long-lost memories.

Join Darwin and Cat as they revisit the strange and wonderful world of Columbia House mail-order music. For one penny, millions of kids suddenly had access to stacks of CDs, tapes, and vinyl albums delivered straight to the mailbox. What could possibly go wrong? The Garbage Barge sails through the golden age of music clubs: the irresistible deals, the tricky fine print, the mysterious monthly selections you never asked for, and the creative ways music lovers tried to outsmart the system. Along the way, Cat reveals the childhood records she was deeply ashamed of, while Darwin unveils the diabolical plan that freed him from his mounting Columbia House bill. And it worked with BMG too.  If you ever taped a penny to a postcard and hoped for the best, this episode may unlock a few buried memories -- and possibly a lingering balance due.

In this episode, Darwin and Cat travel back to a time when summer meant piling into the family car, or boarding a flight for the ultimate destination: the amusement park. But was it all fun and magical?From sketchy wildlife drive-throughs and eerie fiberglass giants to a nauseating Ferris wheel of doom, the duo unpacks the weird, the wild, and the long gone. Plus, Darwin shares a band-trip disaster that spiraled into a plumbing tragedy, and Cat may still be on the run after an incident at an Italian American celebration.  Motion sickness, questionable safety standards, and at least one situation involving flashing lights on the side of a major interstate. Welcome aboard the Garbage Barge.

This week, Darwin and Cat rewind to the golden age of sitcoms — when television stopped being fluff and started reflecting real life. From the groundbreaking independence of The Mary Tyler Moore Show to the quiet, adult wit of The Bob Newhart Show, and the junkyard brilliance of Sanford and Son (including Cat’s deeply confusing childhood identity crisis involving Redd Foxx), the duo unpacks the characters who raised us, made us laugh, and shaped who we are.Plus, Darwin and Cat debut their own sitcom theme… and yes, it tells the entire story in two gloriously dramatic verses. Cue the laugh track and welcome aboard the Garbage Barge.

In this episode, Darwin and Cat return to a time when McDonald’s was a special treat, fries were sacred, and the glowing Golden Arches promised perfection. But it wasn’t all magical. From terrifying playground equipment and forgotten mascots to failed menu items, corporate weirdness, and a deeply uncomfortable McNugget sex talk, Darwin and Cat unpack how McDonald’s shaped their childhoods – and quietly reshaped America itself. Get ready for creepy rides, off-putting statues, jazz-club delusions, and the homogenization of the American highway. Welcome aboard the Garbage Barge.

In this episode, Darwin and Cat return to a time when books were trusted, trauma was “character-building,” and no adult ever bothered to skim past page one. From glossy music books and beloved “classics” to required school reading that felt more like court-ordered punishment, Darwin and Cat unpack the books that shaped, scarred, and permanently rewired their brains. Get ready for haunted attics, sad animals, creepy aunts, and naked Beatles. Welcome aboard the Garbage Barge. 

In this episode, Darwin and Cat go off the hook and back in time—when the telephone was a lifeline, a household centerpiece, and a surprisingly effective gateway to juvenile crime. Cat revisits her former life as a prolific prank caller, Darwin confesses his complicated relationship with the phone, and both reflect on an era of shared lines, zero privacy, and conversations that became public events, whether you liked it or not. Along the way, childhood panic, parental fear, and the end of the prank-call era collide with an unexpected reckoning involving Corey Feldman. If you remember when calling someone required courage, patience, and a dangerously long curly cord, this one’s for you.

In this episode, Darwin and Cat dive headfirst into the toys we begged for, the toys we never got, and the deeply questionable ones we did. From Dream House heartbreak and Sea Monkey lies to My Buddy trauma and more, this is a tour of childhood disappointment with lasting consequences. If you’ve ever written a letter to Santa that went unanswered—or got something that raised more questions than joy—this one’s for you.

Darwin and Cat Garbage Barge #1 kicks off with equal parts chaos, retro trauma, and deeply questionable food choices. From Frankenstuff hot dogs and Velveeta confessions to government cheese, parental misinformation, and childhood logic that absolutely did not hold up, the duo cracks open the weird artifacts that shaped them. It’s part comedy, part memory lane, and part existential cheese crisis. If you grew up awkward, allergic, confused, or slightly feral, welcome aboard. The Garbage Barge has left the dock.

Originally released 12/22/2024 (Season 1, Episode 11). Merry Christmas from Darwin and Cat! New season debuts January 5th, 2026. Original description: This week Darwin and Cat share some Christmas stories from their years in radio. Did you know stations got vicious over xmas music? It happens. Also on this episode D&C share some of their personal Christmas memories. Most importantly you'll learn that there are RULES for Christmas. F*ck*ng rules, actually. Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas from D&C.

Coming soon...

REPLAY from Thanksgiving 2024. Happy Thanksgiving from Darwin & Cat! Original description: One time Cat massacred a tofurkey live on air and people didn't realize it wasn't ever alive. Oopsiedoodle. Every year we'd get requests for Darwin's story about how he got a 22 pound turkey stuck on his arm. This became a tradition. One year we prank called the "Butterball Hotline" for help. Enjoy this vintage audio from the Darwin and Cat Radio Show originally broadcast in November 2007. Happy Thanksgiving!

On this Season One wrap-up, Darwin and Cat look back at the wild ride that began as a hit morning-radio show, detoured through reality-TV chaos, crashed and burned, and found redemption as a podcast. From bits that made the Enquirer to listener confessions and celebrity strangeness, this episode is packed with comedy, cringe, and a little revenge—plus a peek at what’s next for the duo who prove that even after the crash, you can still rebuild the magic.

Before podcasts, there was radio—and Darwin and Cat were groundbreakingly weird on it. In this episode, the duo cracks open a box of broadcast chaos, revisiting their solo years and spotlighting the peak of the original Darwin and Cat Radio Show. From awkward early voices to full-blown, high-ratings mayhem, it’s a curated collage of cringe, sketch comedy, sharp one-liners, and moments that somehow convinced people to hand them a mic… again. Come for the comedy; stay for the unhinged energy of two radio misfits clearly destined to team up. 

In this raw and personal episode, Darwin and Cat dive deep into the music that saved their weird little lives—from Cat’s punk rock awakening to Darwin’s lifelong love of Sinatra and space-age bachelor pad sounds. It's a heartfelt audio memoir of lifelines, obsessions, and WTF moments (including one unhinged mom and some extreme Shaun Cassidy confusion). Because for some of us, music isn’t just a soundtrack—it’s survival. If you’ve ever been a punk weirdo, a vinyl nerd, or just someone who needed a song to make it through the day—this one’s for you.

This week, Darwin and Cat switch gears with a personal update that’s equal parts awkward, heartfelt, and hilarious. Cat recounts the bizarrely polite story of losing something dear—and what, exactly, she stuffed in her bra on the way out—while Darwin drops a bombshell about his next big life and career move. This episode is packed with unexpected turns, nostalgic callbacks, a celebrity medical horror story, and a sneak peek at where the show is headed next season. Hint—it’s sailing straight into more comedy and chaos, with no life raft in sight.

In this episode, Darwin and Cat mourn the slow, cringeworthy death of commercial radio—once a cultural cornerstone, now a relic of corporate bloat, fake “local” flavor, and DJs with more ego than insight. With their signature comedy and real-life stories (including Cat driving into a Mexican parade and Darwin’s traumatizing encounter with Aqua-Net), they peel back the curtain on how the industry sold its soul. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Darwin and Cat share bold ideas for what radio could be, if anyone had the guts to try something new. This episode is for anyone who’s ever yelled at their car stereo and thought, ‘Holy hell – radio blows!’

On this episode, Darwin and Cat celebrate their 25th show with their first AMA: Ask. Us. Anything. From behind-the-scenes broadcast disasters and childhood confessions to surprising musical pasts, reality TV fame, and one unforgettable sports mix-up—no topic was off-limits. Darwin recounts the chaos of keeping WEQX live during a power outage, Cat shares her deathrock days as drummer of the Super Heroines, and together they open up about their enduring friendship, office mischief, and the lessons they’d take into a do-over of their old morning show. This episode is part confessional, part roast, and 100% Darwin and Cat.

Everyone’s had a boss—some great, some… not so much. In this episode, Darwin and Cat share quick stories about their own lineup of bosses before welcoming their very first guest: former boss Dan Austin. Together, they dive into EQX lore, uncover what management really thought about Darwin and Cat during their time at Albany Broadcasting, and much more.

Like most people, Darwin and Cat have had their fair share of Coworkers from Hell—and in this two-part episode, they're all making an appearance.In Part Two, meet the omnipresent pest who flashed her lady bits, the beloved coworker we lost, one rare gem who wasn't from hell, and a non-radio colleague who will make you think twice before ever trusting a Frosty again.

Like most people, Darwin and Cat have had their fair share of coworkers from hell—and in this two-part episode, they’re all making an appearance.In Part One, meet the infamous colleague with questionable hygiene, the Jesus Freak, the oddly specific “Black Jewish NASCAR fan,” the know-it-all who impulsively bought a gas station, and the "third wheel" we were SURE was decades older than he actually was.But wait—there’s more! Tune in next week, where we dive even deeper into the dredges of workplace humanity with Co-workers from Hell, Part Two. 

On this week’s episode, the duo dives deep into their nerdy radio roots. From Cat’s wild teenage adventures hanging out at KROQ with Rodney on the Roq and the Poorman – including a truly bizarre Ric Ocasek story – to Darwin’s obsession with distant AM stations and his college radio days with his first on-air partner – this episode is a love letter to the magic of radio. Along the way, they revisit the golden age of Casey Kasem countdowns, the rise of WEQX, and a surreal night involving Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), Rob Dickinson (Catherine Wheel), and Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing). It’s a story of fandom, questionable decisions, weird coincidences, and how two awkward kids with a love of radio ended up behind the mic together.

In their early days at WZMR, Darwin and Cat made the rookie mistake of accepting low salaries without negotiating for more. From a disastrous first meeting with inedible food to an awkward attempt at shaming management into a raise with a game called, “Who Makes More?” — the duo shares their frustrations with the station's undervaluation of their work. Hear about a bizarre meeting that included foot-related topics, triple coupons, a seven million dollar check, and the weirdest meeting notes ever.

Suspended? Fired? This week's story has it all—and somehow, Rachael Ray is at the center of it... or is she? Join Darwin and Cat as they dive into the bizarre chain of events that led to their "suspension"—a wild ride involving a questionable stunt, an (alleged) celebrity scandal, and the National Enquirer. Yes, really. Tune in to hear the true story of how everything went off the rails.

Darwin and Cat had their fair share of bosses—some great, others forgettable. But one stands alone. Enter The Wrecking Ball. Devious and gargantuan, he obliterated everything in his wake—Darwin and Cat included. His wife was a peach too. This episode uncovers the chaos, betrayal, and wreckage left in their path. Buckle up.

After the show ended in 2008 did Darwin and Cat just vanish? What ever became of them? Find out in this episode how life took them both on unexpected and surprising paths. No, not the golden path - not that surprising.

Darwin and Cat have always pushed the limits on their radio show—largely because that was their job. Sometimes they pushed too far. Their version of a trip to the principal’s office was the dreaded “SEE ME” email from the boss. In this episode, Darwin and Cat count down their five most infamous moments. They also unearth vintage clips that somehow didn’t get them in trouble back then—but probably would today. With hindsight, they’re owning up to their past, roasting their younger selves, and reflecting on how much society has changed. One thing that hasn’t changed? Cat still doesn’t regret saying “oily turd.”

Dive into Darwin and Cat’s rollercoaster journey as they edge close to fame with Sirius Satellite Radio, have an unexpected run-in with Anderson Cooper, and uncover the mayhem that ensues when Sudafed and booze mix. Oh, and hear why Cat feels bad about her reaction to Darwin’s gift that could have saved her life.

For a brief moment, Darwin and Cat were "famous" thanks to Cat turning her world upside down to be a swap mom on the ABC-TV reality show "Wife Swap" (Season 4, Episode 10 - McGoldrick/Noel). In this episode, Darwin and Cat share their behind-the-scenes experience, revealing what it was like to be on reality TV during its peak, and sharing some secrets about the show. The swap mom from Texas joined Darwin as a co-host for the morning show, while Cat embarked on a new life as a pet cremator. Discover why Cat chose to do Wife Swap and hear Cat expose what was real and what was "fake.” This is an unheard backstory you definitely won't want to miss.

You might not believe this but Darwin and Cat were the darlings of the HR dept. at Albany Broadcasting. No, really - HR *liked* Darwin and Cat. After listening to this episode you'll find out why.

People always ask "did you get to meet famous people" - well sure of course. Then they ask what they were like. Well, some were nicer than others. This week Darwin and Cat talk about their worst guests and worst interviews ever. The parade of mental patients, clowns, and mishaps includes: Allison Mack, Travis Meeks (Days of the New), Paul DiMeo, High Pitch Eric (Howard Stern Show), Jeff the Drunk (Howard Stern Show), Crazy Cabbie (Howard Stern Show), Three Days Grace, Chelsea Handler, Buckcherry, Trapt, Jared from Subway, Dennis Hof, Art Alexakis (Everclear), Elmo from Elmo and Patsy. #AllisonMack, #TravisMeeks #DaysoftheNew, #PaulDiMeo, #HighPitchEric #HowardSternShow, #JefftheDrunk , #CrazyCabbie, #ThreeDaysGrace, #ChelseaHandler, #Buckcherry, #Trapt, #JaredfromSubway, #DennisHof, #ArtAlexakis, #Everclear, #ElmoandPatsy

This week Darwin and Cat share some Christmas stories from their years in radio. Did you know stations got vicious over xmas music? It happens. Also on this episode D&C share some of their personal Christmas memories. Most importantly you'll learn that there are RULES for Christmas. F*ck*ng rules, actually. Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas from D&C.

If the records weren’t free, we’d be all news! Yes, the records were free for radio stations. Yes, radio stations depend on advertising to exist and in this episode Darwin and Cat talk about some of the more memorable advertisers that they encountered along the way. Wonky eyes, crushed cars, a lesbian bar that wasn't, and everything in-between.

The show was great until it wasn't. Unfortunately the honeymoon ended and the war began. In this episode Darwin and Cat discuss how their initially little pranks turned into passive-aggressiveness driven by a jerk boss. Eventually everything came to a head and one of them got up and quit the show. Beret insults and head injuries abounded. In short, s**t got bad. But some yellow snow fixed everything.

Every job in every business has had to deal with the one person we dread the most: the consultant. Darwin and Cat recall the not-so-productive time spent with one, and how years later they figured out exactly why it was so bad. (Hint: he thinks he’s an expert on Yacht Rock but he actually doesn’t get it at all. )They called him “Poodles” and he was a world class arrogant a$$høle.

One time Cat massacred a tofurkey live on air and people didn't realize it wasn't ever alive. Oopsiedoodle. Every year we'd get requests for Darwin's story about how he got a 22 pound turkey stuck on his arm. This became a tradition. One year we prank called the "Butterball Hotline" for help. Enjoy this vintage audio from the Darwin and Cat Radio Show originally broadcast in November 2007. Happy Thanksgiving!

What starts out as a good idea to help out around the holidays quickly morphs into a two week saga with Darwin and Cat living in an RV with no food, no heat, and no prospects for survival. Okay, maybe that last one is a bit dramatic. Or is it? Also find out why they'd (mostly) do it again.

In this episode Darwin and Cat take on the role of Toto to pull back the curtain on what happens behind the scenes at a radio station. It's magical, scary (listener loaf), mysterious, and everyone is broke. Plus you can hear how Darwin and Cat's faces end up melted on the side of a highway, and learn exactly how thick Woody Allen is. Because you know you want to know.

Darwin and Cat were proud to not be the poop and fart morning show, but somehow those two topics always found their way to D&C. Sure, poop and farts are funny but not when your desks are outside the bathroom like D&C. Nor when you get sent to a mountaintop to find a virgin toilet for people to put their face in.

Darwin and Cat were always being signed up for bad promotions. Rarely D&C were asked for their thoughts. Usually someone just signed them up to do things. There were booze cruises that made listeners want to jump off the boat (and they did). Other times, against their better judgment, D&C found themselves at the county fair. Then were was an assignment at Walmart. Camping happened too, somehow.

Darwin and Cat (okay, mostly Darwin) are not getting used to the early hours for the morning show. Also, they're still living in Vermont well over an hour away from the studios and have to get up extra early. Sleep deprived, over booked with events to promote the show, and mildly delusional, they resort to sophomoric prank calls to amuse themselves. Everything goes sideways when they accidentally get kicked off of public television. Embarrassing.

This is the story of the Darwin and Cat Radio Show: how they met at WEQX, began one of the first podcasts ever (back when podcasts were new), and landed a morning show at WZMR. In the beginning, when Marconi transmitted sound, he never meant for this to happen.

The Most Famous Mid-Market Show You’ve Never Heard is Back - the Darwin and Cat Radio Show, minus the radio part. This is the story of our show - a behind the scenes look at morning radio in the late '00s. Yes, a show about a show. Coming to you in fall 2024.