PODCAST · news
Give Us the Launch Codes
by Travis M. Baker & Thomas N. Flores III
Two absolute working-class nobodies from Southern California with no formal qualifications to credibly talk about anything - politics, pop culture, sports, current events, etc. - yet think they're more qualified to talk about all of those things because they do it with food and beverages!
Episodes
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Ghost of Contagion's Past (Ep. 100)
A little plague outbreak in Siberia has gotten Tom & Travis a little nervous. It might amount to nothing, but we can't help but flashback to six years ago when we started hearing about a viral outbreak from a Wuhan lab. Wait, was that REALLY six years ago??? All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Enter the Ad-Ness (Ep. 99)
It's midterm time. You know what that means? SO! MANY! EMBARRASSING! COMMERCIALS! Travis provides Tom with a sample of them from the boring to the bizarre! All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Murder on the Air Waves (Ep. 98)
Bombing American cities? Live-streamed executions? Halloween monsters giving saving accounts to children? Boy it has been a strange week! At least for Travis, the Dodgers are in the NLCS again. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Trump and Dumber (Ep. 97)
Vince McMahon's wife has decided that your college major isn't worth receiving loan money... and she can decide that for some reason. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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The Nepo Baby's Triumph (Ep. 96)
The law doesn't matter. The rich always get their way. And Hollywood is about to get even smaller. The Paramount/Warner Bros. Skydance merger is going to happen after all and Travis is crashing out about it. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Just... Why? (Ep. 95)
An Ivy League school has a most heinous scandal involving a most heinous crime... and now it's a culture war topic because that's America today. In a world that seems designed to sympathize with sex criminals, Tom & Travis choose to instead ask why sex criminals choose to not be better people.…
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Give Us the Commissioner's Chair (Ep. 76)
Originally recorded June 6, 2026. We’ll take the launch codes, but we also have some thoughts on how to do sports! Travis & Tom take on the NFL, MLB, Olympics, Soccer, and much more. Put us in your office, Roger Goodell! We’re ready! All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Rooting for Pain (Ep. 94, GIVE US THE LAUNCH CODES)
Originally recorded December 7, 2025. Tom is a fan of a lot of sports teams who have been bad lately - something a Dodger fan like Travis has difficulty relating to. What is that like? All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Desperately Needed Vacation (Ep. 93)
This is what happens to our show when we need a vacation - a directionless drone on whatever is happening. Is this one of our worst episodes? Maybe. Don't worry, we're taking the month off. Hopefully, we're get it together afterwords. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Politics Does Your Groceries (Ep. 92)
So many food recalls. So many food-borne illnesses. Travis and Tom talk about how maybe having an anti-vax, alternative medicine wacko who once had a worm in his brain run the government's department that oversees food safety isn't the best idea. All socials: @giveusthelaunchcodes
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The Game Has Changed (Ep. 64)
Originally recorded April 11, 2026. Travis & Tom examine from their armchairs the state of the video game industry as consoles and games get more expensive, game memory files take up bigger chunks of our hard drives, and less games being made by major publishers, and the fact that games take too...
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The Hot Dog Fixation (Ep. 91)
Chaos on the USS Lincoln (and probably the whole darn War Department)! Propagandists Struggle to Respond! Tom & Travis bring up a funny Fox News segment with a Marine veteran with a funny name who makes funny analogies about hot dogs and IED explosives to outright shame Americans in uniform…
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The Eldest Boy's New Cloak (Ep. 90)
The day we recorded this, it was Tater Tot's birthday. But you know who hasn't been a good, happy-birthday boy? Paramount Skydance and owner David Ellison, who's desperation in buying the Looney Toons studio for his Star Trek studio knows no bounds. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Anything to Get Tom to Watch 'Battlestar Galactica' (Ep, 89)
Tom made Travis watch a cop show that's been off the air for 13 years! What's so special about this show? Is it one of the best shows ever made as Tom says? Is there anything of value society can draw from it? What does 'The Pitt' even have to do with this (besides having the actor who plays Dr....
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F*** IT! - House of Leaves/Who Goes There? Discussion (Ep. 56)
Originally recorded March 7, 2026. On this "F*** IT!", Tom and Travis talk about books. But not just any books - spooky books! One was made into a very famous movie while the other is so twisted that it literally can't be filmed!!!! All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Hot (Different) Ones (Ep. 72)
Originally recorded on May 9, 2026. Tom and Travis give their spiciest, non-political (mostly) takes. 'Nuff said. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Burning Libraries for Emails (Ep. 88)
AI companies like Anthropic are buying up rare books, scanning them, and then destroying them - as opposed to donating them to libraries. Travis & Tom unpack some more sociopathy of AI companies as the bubble gets closer and closer to bursting! All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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High on Reading (Ep. 59)
Originally recorded March 20, 2026. Travis & Tom notice how we talk about books weird and different compared to other art forms. In this episode, they try to deconstruct this through celebrity culture, English class memories, and social media addiction. Unfortunately, Tom took some edibles before...
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O Captain, My Miss Honey ft. Miss Sky (Ep. 87)
Travis & Tom dress up for school as they talk to Miss Sky about teaching, particularly teaching middle schoolers. No alcohol was consumed during the recording of this episode. No HBO-style cursing took place during the recording as well. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Helping Hands ft. Spencer from Social Services (Ep. 86)
Long-time friend and first-time guest Spencer from Social Services drops by to dispel myths and misconceptions about what Social Services are. Are they strictly out to split children from their parents? Or are they actually here to help you? All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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F*** It! - A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms/Primal Discussion (Ep. 58)
Originally Recorded on March 20, 2026. Tom & Travis change it up for this F*** It! to talk about two current, half-hour, hyper-violent TV shows currently on the HBO Max app. One is animated and one is live-action. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Making a Vandal (Ep. 85)
Turns out you can't just go to prison for touching the peeling paint in the DC reflecting pool. Tom & Travis go over how David Hearn's exoneration is just another example of the great braindrain on the federal government since Trump took over agian. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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F*** It! - Berserk/Battlestar Galactica Discussion (Ep. 84)
Travis & Tom got two properties known for being "dark and gritty". Tom recommends a hyper-violent manga. Travis recommends a GOOD adaptation of a Star Wars rip-off. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Seriously, Give Them to Us (2026 Edition) (Ep. 66)
Originally recorded April 18, 2026. One year later, Travis & Tom update their ideas on what they would do if they could rule America with an iron fist! All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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You're Not Angry Enough (Ep. 83)
Trump & Friends started a war [AGAIN] that's creating a global energy crisis that threatens to destabilize the world economy and make our lives worse. And yet doesn't it feel like everyone's pretending that these things aren't happening??? Tom & Travis touch base on global crises again as they…
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We Take the Colbert Questionaire (Ep. 68)
Originally recorded April 26, 2026. Supposedly, you can get to know a person best with a list of questions curated by CBS's departing Late Night host, Stephen Colbert. Tom & Travis give their own answers to such questions. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Philosophize This! (ft. Jonny Baker, PhD) (Ep. 82)
Travis & Tom get very heady this week talking to a legit philosopher! No, really! Dude's got a doctorate and everything! He's even got a wicked idea on what happens after death, so get ready to think a little. All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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RIP Gerry Conway's Greatest Creation (Ep. 70)
Originally Recorded May 2, 2026. Comic book legend Gerry Conway passed away this year, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable characters like the Punisher... a character whose symbol has been tarnished by cops, military servicemen, and fascists. Subscribe to Patreon to listen to support us!...
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The Super Duper Halfway 2026 Movie Recap! (Ep. 81)
Our longest video yet is about... movies! Tom & Travis recap six movies released in 2026 - Backrooms, Hoppers, Supergirl, Toy Story 5, and We Bury the Dead! And then some rants about the state of Hollywood or whatever. The stupid video Tom made Travis to watch: https://youtu.be/Kg5iz4NFTxo...
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Musings from a Fictional Pittsburgh Hospital (Ep. 80)
Did you know that the latest season of 'The Pitt' takes place on 4th of July? Travis & Tom take the opportunity in this episode to reflect on the state of America and its people using [*checks notes*] a popular TV show about working in a hospital. Subscribe to Patreon to listen to exclusive...
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No, You Don't Need to See My Father's Day Post (Ep. 79)
A Father’s Day Baseball tale from Travis leads into a bigger discussion with Tom on the usage of smartphones and social media over the past 20 years. Somehow, early 2000s reality TV makes it into the convo to and is related. Financial Times video on smartphones & birthrates:...
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Pride/Humiliation (Ep. 78)
In this episode, Travis is the one that gets drunk. How could he not after a wild week of good sports, bad sports, increasing economic uncertainty, cops killing dogs and babies, and a stupid war that America started that is about to end (hopefully) in a very stupid way? Subscribe to Patreon to...
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Toy Hi-Story (Ep. 77)
What were the best selling toys of each year of Tom & Travis's lives? And what does this tell us about the world today? Hint: It ALL goes back to gambling.... Subscribe to Patreon to listen to exclusive episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/GiveUstheLaunchCodes All socials @giveusthelaunchcodes
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Did the Pope ACTUALLY Declare a Holy War on AI? (Ep. 75)
The Chicago Pope just declared a Holy War on AI? Or did he? Could you use religion to get OUT of using AI at work? Will this make Tom & Travis go back to church and take communion again? Listen to find out more! [And no, we won’t actually tell you how Game 2 ended.] Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical...
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The Mountain Dew Curse Strikes Again! (Ep. 74)
Wanna know why Tom & Travis couldn't make a new episode last week? It's cause we were worried Tom would get evacuated due to a toxic chemical tank possibly exploding! In this episode, Tom & Travis recaps the bizarre story that made national headlines about a little town close to our home called...
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When In Doubt, Press X (Ep. 73 - GIVE US THE LAUNCH CODES)
[This episode was recorded in 2025.] Just as they did with movies and music, Tom & Travis take another stroll through memory lane - this time with video games. Join us as we relive the 90s Nintendo domination, the absurd hype for Halo 3, and neverending juggernauts of Call of Duty and Madden!...
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Give Us the Flux Capacitor (Ep. 62)
ORIGINALLY RELEASED ON PATREON! We call ourselves 'Give Us the Launch Codes' but true power is if you somehow master TIME! Travis & Tom give their listicles on which historical events would they alter - from Biblical times all the way to as recent as 2010! CORRECTION: 32:03 - Travis wishes to...
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Defecation 2026: Beyond Guv'er Dome! (Ep. 71)
Gavin Newsom will be saying "Sayonara!" soon, so we gotta find his replacement. There are a lot of choices. Are any of them good? Well.... Subscribe to Patreon to listen to exclusive episodes! Our latest is a fluff piece where Travis & Tom give their hottest takes:...
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American Psychosis: Part Deux - Who Cares? (Ep. 69)
Someone tried to shoot President Trump... AGAIN! And everyone just nodded off it feels like. Travis & Tom talk about why people either don't care or are conspiratorial about it. Subscribe to Patreon to listen to an exclusive episode! Our latest pays tribute to the late comic book writer Gerry...
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Paradise Outside Paradise (Ep. 67)
This week, Travis & Tom talk about whether post-apocalyptic gangs and factions are depicted realistically when Travis notices a different take on the trope on the latest season of Hulu's Lost-knockoff, 'Paradise'. Subscribe to Patreon to listen to an exclusive episode! Our latest has Travis & Tom...
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What Did You Expect? (Ep. 65)
Warehouses be burnin'! Are these just crazy folk or is this a sign of a societal shake-up? Travis & Tom discuss! Subscribe to Patreon to listen to an exclusive episode! Our latest is about what we would do if we were dictators: https://www.patreon.com/c/GiveUstheLaunchCodes Instagram:...
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Bad Bet (Ep. 63)
Gambling is more legal than ever and it's everywhere... and it's making everything worse. Even the Iran War is affected by it. Travis & Tom give their experiences with gambling and what they think needs to be done to fix this. Subscribe to Patreon to listen to an exclusive episode! Our latest is...
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I Just Like Things (Ep. 61)
Travis returning from WonderCon inspires Tom to pontificate on the nature of fandom and the outside world's reaction to it. Also an update from Tom on 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'. Subscribe to Patreon to listen to exclusive episodes!: https://www.patreon.com/c/GiveUstheLaunchCodes I…
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What is a Talent Manager/Film Producer? (ft. Wesley Hauptman) (Ep. 60)
THE INTERVIEWS ARE BACK! Travis & Tom's good friend, Wes, is an entertainment manager/producer playing the game of show biz! Wes talks about developing talent, pitching movies, the changing state of Hollywood, the film festival circuit, and why LA doesn't have the best bagels! Subscribe to…
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Will There Be A War for Me? (Ep. 54)
ORIGINALLY RELEASED February 28, 2026 on Patreon! Travis & Tom round out the week with death and destruction in the world - leading up to the recent Israeli-American attack on Iran which killed their Supreme Leader. Travis & Tom lament the possibility that they - and we - have never truly seen...
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Good as Poo (Ep. 58)
ORIGINALLY RECORDED DECEMBER 2025: Have you ever felt like the products you loved are getting worse for the sake of more money? Travis & Tom talk about the Enshitification phenomenon! And yes, that is a real word - they talk about that too! CORRECTIONS: 6:16: Travis meant to say “FTC” (Federal...
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For the Men Who Own Everything (Ep. 57)
Hollywood is about to have one less studio as Paramount Skydance is set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. But how did we get here? In this super long and detailed episode, Travis takes Tom through the zig-zaggy history of these two storied institutions from the silent film era to the beginning…
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I DON'T Want to Believe (Ep. 55)
We could be talking about we just attacked Iran and took out their leader, but Travis & Tom wanted to talk about something funnier - the government declassifying all files on aliens and UFOs to cover up the Epstein files. Watch how our two hosts try so hard to find something to talk about with…
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What's Eating Travis Bake...r? (Ep. 53)
Both Travis and Tom are nobodies. But this week, Tom tries to make Travis a little less of a nobody with some “getting to know you” questions. Waste of time? You decide! Subscribe to Patreon to listen to an exclusive episode! Our latest is about what it’s like to suffer as a fan of a bad sports...
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The Wars In Our Star (Ep. 52)
‘Star Wars’ - America’s favorite piece of anti-fascist media - has a new boss taking over, which leaves Travis and Tom squinting their eyes. As they talk about where the franchise has faltered in the last eleven years, they also have the gall to pitch ideas to Dave Filoni and Lucasfilm for where...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Two absolute working-class nobodies from Southern California with no formal qualifications to credibly talk about anything - politics, pop culture, sports, current events, etc. - yet think they're more qualified to talk about all of those things because they do it with food and beverages!
HOSTED BY
Travis M. Baker & Thomas N. Flores III
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Give Us the Launch Codes have?
Give Us the Launch Codes currently has 101 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Give Us the Launch Codes about?
Two absolute working-class nobodies from Southern California with no formal qualifications to credibly talk about anything - politics, pop culture, sports, current events, etc. - yet think they're more qualified to talk about all of those things because they do it with food and beverages!
How often does Give Us the Launch Codes release new episodes?
Give Us the Launch Codes publishes regularly with 101 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Give Us the Launch Codes?
You can listen to Give Us the Launch Codes 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 Give Us the Launch Codes?
Give Us the Launch Codes is created and hosted by Travis M. Baker & Thomas N. Flores III.
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