PODCAST · comedy
Fill Me In
by Be More Smarter
Fill Me In is a crossword podcast, or at least, that's what it pretends to be. Most of the time, it's about other things (including, but not limited to: soup, Thor, Rosana Ñler, sandwiches, Stephen Sondheim, Viewer Mail, vuvuzelas, inappropriate glorification of the E Division, and more), but occasionally, we also talk about crosswords.
Episodes
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Fill Me In #556: If you hit the mute button on the radio, how do you know when it's done? That's one of those Plato-Socrates questions.
This week, Ryan and Brian fumble more name pronunciations [insert deep apologies], mourn over baseball and a lack of Cheez-Its, and marvel-slash-worry about the unmotivated free food on one particular airplane. What about the Spanish?! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the...
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Fill Me In #555: There's a lot of should in this world.
This week, Ryan shocks Brian with hitherto unknown animal basics, and Brian stirs and agitates Ryan with his least favorite podcast segment ever. There's another indie game that may or may not be good, a bit of off-season Learned League discussion, and tangible (or whatever the aural version of...
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Fill Me In #554: The second ring of adjacency.
This week, Ryan and Brian reminisce jumping the shark, lie about the plot of Les Misérables, and revisit the undesirable debate of which actors are or are not Australian. All that plus a new segment about an old friend. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki....
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Fill Me In #553: Everything is words.
This week, Ryan and Brian tackle the solstice, Australian accents, more Hemsworths than you even knew existed, and two more new online puzzle games that may or may not be worth playing [1|2]. And it all happens with barely a mention of baseball (hello, Claire). If you get bored (how could you?!),...
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Fill Me In #552: They should call it Small-ta.
This week, Ryan and Brian try a few new games, learn (and don't learn) some pronunciation, and the biggest cliffhanger of the season so far will have been resolved before this show even airs. The (De)morest DeForrest, demerrier. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me…
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Fill Me In #551: Never try.
This week, Ryan and Brian's notabilia includes calendrical math, added NYT puzzles, a book too prestigious for this program's hosts, and a week of crosswords worth discussing and then forgetting. All this attempted in good faith while Ryan is away from home with an uncooperative computer. If you...
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Fill Me In #550: Four out of three, or four to seven.
At the dawn of Season 12, Ryan and Brian discuss Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Shohei Ohtani, Alex Verdugo, Paul McCartney, Ava DuVernay, and Ana de Armas. This may or may not include crosswords, the MCU, and a fresh round of Kealoa. (Actually, it includes all three of those things.) If you get bored...
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Fill Me In #549: We've been on as long as "Cheers."
This week on the Season 11 finale (why? we don't know why), Ryan and Brian explore the nuances of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, compare the legacy of Fill Me In to that of classic 1980s television, and mention a few places for puzzles, including Lollapuzzoola, Scott Weiss's Squonkland (plus the...
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Fill Me In #548: You've unlocked the key of your hand.
This week, Ryan and Brian count down the days to Lollapuzzoola! Although the NYC venue is sold out, there's both a waiting list and a way to just order the puzzles for home solving. What else? The science of finger-snapping, left-handed brass instruments, minor league baseball, a cranky rant…
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Fill Me In #547: It started to arrive late, and continued to get progressively later the more it arrived.
This week, Ryan and Brian announce the constructor slate for Lollapuzzoola! The tournament happens on Saturday, August 15, and while the NYC venue is sold out, there's both a waiting list and a way to just order the puzzles for home solving. Otherwise the show includes solfege, Cooper cheese…
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Fill Me In #546: The younger the kid, the longer the trip.
This week, Brian tortures Ryan with a Frozen-themed Kealoa, yet Ryan's attempt to retaliate turns out to not be quite so evil. That, plus baseball, vacation plans, and a new online crossword game with a twist. Lollapuzzoola tickets are running low, so visit bemoresmarter.com to sign up! If you…
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Fill Me In #545: Botulism of the podcast.
This week, Ryan and Brian discuss canning, time travel, and begin the countdown to Lollapuzzoola (coming up on Saturday, August 15, which is a Saturday in August). Visit bemoresmarter.com for tickets and information! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And...
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Fill Me In #544: More of a mess than a pleasure.
This week, Brian is in Maine, and Ryan is about to perform the fabled Reverse Hecht, whatever that means. There's also a deep dive into the wonderful world of Kealoa, including Kealoa Reference, a new website from Eric Peterson! Goooooo, Max Muncy! If you get bored (how could you?!), write...
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Fill Me In #543: What's a goldfish? Or why did I say it?
This week, Ryan and Brian try again to understand the ides, to pronounce things in Greek, and to offer more crossword content than food content -- and likely fail at all three. Also, between recording and releasing, it was confirmed that Brian was not, in fact, going to prepare steaks. Stuff to...
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Fill Me In #542: Stethoscope.
This week, Ryan and Brian consider the pros and cons of watching "Elsbeth," call into question the value of 128th notes in music, and finally finish the Learned League cryptic clues they started about a month ago. This show was recorded on the Ides of June, so anything that comes out wrong can be...
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Fill Me In #541: Never once have I touched a niblick.
Ryan is off losing money in Las Vegas, so we all chanted "Barnacle! Barnacle! Barnacle!" -- and lo and behold, Ben Zimmer appeared in the studio to regale everyone with tales of the Scripps National Spelling Bee! That, plus jealousy of the British, misery around baseball, and even discussion of...
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Fill Me In #540: It wasn't as big as it was assumed to be.
This week, Ryan and Brian celebrate the Marx Brothers, Van Halen, and mediocre cryptic clues, all at varying levels of ... celebration. Consider participating in the upcoming NPL Convention and/or Scott Weiss's newest Anti-Match Quiz. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the…
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Fill Me In #539: Maybe it's fun to count to B.
This week, Ryan and Brian continue their efforts to understand unusual math, this time courtesy of the Dozenal Society. Other topics include the Minute Cryptic, Les Miserables (but not really digging into Musical Theater analysis, sorry), and whether your streak stories are "interesting." If you...
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Fill Me In #538: If you ever do that again, we're through.
This week, Ryan and Brian try to understand sexagesimal counting, take a crack at some cryptic crossword clues, and say the number five in a way they haven't said it in over two years. Also, check out the new charity pack of crosswords, Midis for Minnesota. If you get bored (how could you?!)…
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Fill Me In #537: Of all the things I've called you, loud is not one of them.
This week, Ryan and Brian can't find a burger at a burger bar, learn about the Peanut Butter Lacuna, and marvel at the existence of a 6-day week. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy…
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Fill Me In #536: A bulldog-shaped turkey named baritone saxophone.
This week, Ryan and Brian receive information about nuclear fusion, non-placental reproduction, and Högertrafikomläggningen, and yet feel they've actually learned nothing. (Cover art this week is by John Froehlich, and it's pretty cool.) If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the...
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Fill Me In #535: A bagel is not a solution.
This week, Ryan and Brian investigate driving across borders, brainstorm modern means of cheating, and keep Carl the dog away from Coco (the cat). If you haven't already donated to These Puzzles Fund Abortion 6, you should consider doing so. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for...
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Fill Me In #534: What's the juice inside the sand art thing?
This week, Ryan and Brian wonder about the Ides of April, the calendrical specificity of matzo ball soup, and how one learns to stay in their lane. All that plus a celebration for two new members of the International Viewers Who Eat Club! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for…
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Fill Me In #533: There's no Tuesday puzzle for the first fifteen hours of Tuesday?
This week, Ryan and Brian get existentialist about technology, time travel, and driving on the other side of the road. Also, Lollapuzzoola 19 is happening on Saturday, August 15, and tickets are available now! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if...
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Fill Me In #532: Extremely low jostle tolerance.
This week, Ryan and Brian investigate mustard, theme parks, and calendars -- and still, Ryan has no confidence over the security of his crossword streak as he travels back in time to New Zealand. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling...
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Fill Me In #531: The epitome of serendipity.
This week, Ryan and Brian make no progress in understanding international travel, cultural holidays, or the distinctions between two playwrights. Thanks to a mouse, this week's show was recorded on a Friday, so it'll be up to the viewers to tell the hosts all about the Saturday and Sunday…
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Fill Me In #530: How do you get juice from a nearly desiccated plum?
This week, Ryan and Brian revisit Manet/Monet mnemonics, make an effort to self-educate on Jewish holidays, question the powers of various fruit juices, and get an abundance of antipodal advice on maintaining crossword streaks. All that plus annoying the crap out of Ryan with another Kealoa. If…
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Fill Me In #529: Serving all American style sandwiches done in wraps, hot dogs and milk shakes.
This week, Ryan and Brian delve back into food curiosities through no fault of their own! It was you, gentle viewers, who sent this stuff in! That, plus the usual junk (including an arboreal Kealoa). Stuff to click: Grid Prix, a new crossword tournament in Michigan (March 19) The Breakfast…
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Fill Me In #528: About halfway between where we are now and Sacramento.
This week, Ryan and Brian ponder Manet/Monet mnemonics (say that ten times fast), feel ancient when faced with allegedly comedic "memes" and "other internet lore," and realize they don't actually understand how groundhogs determine the weather. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something...
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Fill Me In #527: Flower power, Monet.
This week, Ryan and Brian discuss levels of pain (some of which they inflict on each other), listen to 50-year-old music, and dismiss potentially quality sandwiches by virtue of poor personal relationships. Stuff to click: The Globe and Mail Puzzles and Games "Cover of the Rolling Stone" Manet &...
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Fill Me In #526: One of the two words is crab.
This week, Ryan and Brian plan on matching dinners, nearly break records, and appreciate that an overseas listener wants America to find more positive new vocabulary. Go watch some Catherine O'Hara movies this week. She was a legend. (This has nothing to do with the podcast, we're just fans.) If...
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Fill Me In #525: I had it with the back side to me.
This week, it's truly the highlight of any Fill Me In Season, because Ben Zimmer joins Ryan and Brian to talk about the 2025 Word of the Year! There's still plenty of the same slop there's always been, but jump ahead to about the 31-minute mark if you're just here for The Barnacle. Stuff to…
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Fill Me In #524: I can't think and see at the same time.
This week, Ryan is off doing Ryan things, so Shannon Rapp (aka Norah Sharpe, an expert in sconces; the name is fake but the puzzles are real) steps in for discussions of crosswords, sandwiches, and thunder gods -- yup, even without Ryan, the topics still don't really change. Stuff to click: Daily...
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Fill Me In #523: The power of the preposition.
This week, Ryan and Brian continue to suffer from bronchial ailments despite having both gotten all the appropriate vaccines. To be clear, we still believe in vaccines! Things we don't necessarily believe in: whether we should move to Malta, whether Hello Kitty is a cat, and whether the host of a...
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Fill Me In #522: A quasi fictionalized version of what i saw that day.
This week, Ryan and Brian attempt to launch into 2026, but Brian is exhausted from a trip to Portugal and Ryan has "a throat thing." All that plus recording the show on a Friday just means that the year is off to a stumblier start than anyone expected. If you get bored (how could you?!), write...
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Fill Me In #521: Smaller in people, bigger in land.
This week, Ryan and Brian don't really recap 2025 -- but it is the last show of the year. With that, we all wish you a happy holiday season, and look forward to continuing our weekly delivery of top*-tier, high*-quality, information-packed* podcast content in 2026! *not any of those things If you...
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Fill Me In #520: Some Mexico is the same amount of north as some Texas.
This week, Ryan and Brian dig deep into butts, shoulders, clams, and Caesars. How do you take yours? Try out the Contest of Still Going On (a standard crossword), and win either a puzzle subscription or a brand new car*. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki....
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Fill Me In #519: It's a conversation ender.
This week, Ryan and Brian dive into Lucky Charms, question the motivations of the Kingston Trio, and discuss a challenge to the "get what it's called" rule. All that, plus there's a brand new Contest of Now (a standard crossword). If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill…
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Fill Me In #518: Ump for Anatevka.
This week, Ryan and Brian don't know which cities are fictional, which currencies are spelled which way, or how much a baseball is worth. There's a Contest of Still Going On (which is a Rows Garden puzzle), and here's a link to the next season of Fireball Newsflash Crosswords. If you get bored…
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Fill Me In #517: Not if it happens in Hebrew.
This week, Ryan and Brian learn about nicknames, heavy metal music, and history from 1981. All that, plus a new Fandom Feast, a new Anti-Match Quiz from Scott Weiss, and a brand new Contest of Now, which is a Rows Garden puzzle! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me…
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Fill Me In #516: Up until a zillion o'clock in the morning.
This week, Ryan and Brian talk about vacations and children and fanfic, oh my! This is your reminder to always get what it's called ... plus, there's a Contest of Still Going On (it's a standard crossword)! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're...
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Fill Me In #515: These sounds will be lost to Sweden.
Ryan is in Sweden with all the furniture and meatballs, Brian is in Syracuse with all the recording equipment. More baseball than sandwiches this week, but not as much as you might think, all things considered. All that plus a new Contest of Now (it's a standard crossword)! If you get bored (how...
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Fill Me In #514: Your tether is loose and frayed and flimsy.
Ryan struggles between his opposed needs of traveling the world and watching the World Series, while Brian just ... struggles. There's an active Contest of Still Going On (it's a variety cryptic), and lest you thought the sandwich stories were a thing of the past -- they are not. If you get bored...
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Fill Me In #513: Our beards put together are longer than either of our beards.
Go tell your plowman! This week, Ryan challenges Brian with Broadway history, Brian challenges everyone with a brand new Contest of Now (really!), and Alex Verdugo can't leave well enough alone. Things to click: The Contest of Now! Get the puzzle here. Submit your answer here. Read the PUZ file...
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Fill Me In #512: Carry your own light.
This week, Brian is joined by Shannon Rapp for a super-sized episode with an insider's recap of the Midwest Crossword Tournament, hefty sandwiches (including cheese preferences and Shannon's Mount Rushmore), and a non-NYT Thunder Round with puzzles from the LA Times, Apple News, Universal, USA...
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Fill Me In #511: One time is a fluke, two times is less than a fluke
This week, Ryan and Brian eat on the show. Sorry. Also: Blue Jays, Buckwheat Boyz, Bakers, and a Brinck Report. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy our show? Actually, it doesn't...
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Fill Me In #510: Weekly for the lawn, seasonally for the snow.
This week, Ryan and Brian sound like a couple of grumpy middle aged men -- but maybe that's what you're here for. It's almost October, which for some listeners, bears the bad news of it being baseball post-season. With any luck, everyone will lose this week and it can all be over. If you get…
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Fill Me In #509: Sardine routine.
This week, the Thunder Round features Ryan and Brian attempting to unravel everything about the Wall Street Journal meta-week of contest puzzles. In addition, there's at least 6.022x10^23 sardines, bananas, and beets, as well as a battle of classic literature. Shana tova! If you get bored (how...
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Fill Me In #508: The main quality of Stephen Sondheim is orchestra pit curiosity.
This week, everything is fine. Ryan and Brian get new insight on asymmetrical grids, dig unnecessarily deeper into peanut butter sandwiches, and find irritation in capitalism. Next week, the Thunder Round will be Wall Street Journal puzzles! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for...
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Fill Me In #507: You're a pseudo-step-father.
This week, Ryan and Brian find more sandwiches in the viewer mail bag, ponder the power of the throat lozenge, and enjoyed the Fri/Sat puzzles more than the rest of the week (and a lot more than 1/7 of the week). Stuff to click: The XWordInfo Merch Store Scott Weiss's Anti-Match Quiz (with…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Fill Me In is a crossword podcast, or at least, that's what it pretends to be. Most of the time, it's about other things (including, but not limited to: soup, Thor, Rosana Ñler, sandwiches, Stephen Sondheim, Viewer Mail, vuvuzelas, inappropriate glorification of the E Division, and more), but occasionally, we also talk about crosswords.
HOSTED BY
Be More Smarter
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Fill Me In have?
Fill Me In currently has 555 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Fill Me In about?
Fill Me In is a crossword podcast, or at least, that's what it pretends to be. Most of the time, it's about other things (including, but not limited to: soup, Thor, Rosana Ñler, sandwiches, Stephen Sondheim, Viewer Mail, vuvuzelas, inappropriate glorification of the E Division, and more), but...
How often does Fill Me In release new episodes?
Fill Me In releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 555 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Fill Me In?
You can listen to Fill Me In on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Fill Me In?
Fill Me In is created and hosted by Be More Smarter.
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