PODCAST · comedy
Hardly Focused
by Solid Listen
Since 2009, the hosts of Hardly Focused have relentlessly made fun of pop culture, current events, and each other. Join them every Thursday as they pick apart the news and struggle to stay on-topic.
Episodes
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748: Keep Me Young, pt. II
Blake Jennings and Heather Jones from the podcast KEEP ME YOUNG join Jack and Zach for this installment of Hardly Focused! Blake and Heather reminisce about how they met, and what lead them to start a successful show. They're also celebrating 50 episodes together! Also discussed in this episode…
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747: Televised Executions
These are strange times indeed. Nidal Hasan, the gunman behind the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, is on death row and will be executed by firing squad. If that isn't extreme enough, "Secretary of War" Pete Hegseth says Hasan's execution will be broadcast live. Jack and Mike discuss this bold move, and...
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746: Angry Chair
It's a mental health installment of Hardly Focused! Jack is an angry man, and is seeking help. A lifelong client himself, Nate educates Jack on cognitive behavioral therapy, and how he might benefit from it. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad…
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745: If You See Something, Say Something
Jack and Becky have an existential crisis over being elder millennials attending rock and/or roll concerts. As they observe, Olivia Rodrigo's crowd consists of the mothers chaperoning their kids while yearning to be at a Taking Back Sunday show, while Taking Back Sunday's audience should consider...
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744: Say What?
Artificial intelligence continues to take over pretty much everything, but not without the occasional hiccup. Jack and Becky discuss the "actress" Tilly Norwood, an English AI model that glitches out mid-interview with Piers Morgan and begins to speak Chinese. Really though, is an AI glitch...
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743: The Commonwealth v. Lindsay Clancy
Massachusetts is home to several high-profile court cases. From Karen Read, to Brian Walshe, and now Lindsay Clancy, the trial of whom has the attention of the Commonwealth and beyond. Jack and Mike are joined by a special guest - Mike's wife, Sara! - to discuss the Clancy case, with Jack getting...
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742: Leonida Man
The "extended look" preview of Grand Theft Auto VI is here, and it's beautiful. Of course, this big reveal was not without portions of the game leaking over the past week. Jack and Nate geek out over how great GTA VI looks, and make a list of things to do across Vice City! Also discussed in this...
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741: Play It Bogart
Patricia Inga Bogart - AKA QueenPiB - joins Jack and Zach for this festive installment of Hardly Focused! Being a streamer herself, PiB talks with Jack and Zach about the controversy over Amazon using Twitch content to train AI models. Jack also shares PiB's frustration over Sonic the Hedgehog 2...
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740: Cartel Ghouls
Break out the tinfoil hats! Jack and Mike talk about the next entry in the Elder Scrolls series, for clues have been given about its subtitle and/or location. This is what happens when a game gets announced a decade too early! Also discussed in this installment of Hardly Focused: Grand Theft Auto...
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739: One Helluva Toe Stubbing
All eyes in Massachusetts are on the Lindsay Clancy trial. Acc and Jack discuss the background of the case, and the possible outcomes. Lindsay's not the only psychosis-sufferer in the news, as Perez Hilton's horrifying TikTok livestream defines a clear line of desensitization. Also discussed in...
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738: Top 8
Remember Myspace? Jack and Zach reminisce about the good ol' days of 2005, when customizing a Myspace profile provided invaluable skills in coding web pages. Myspace is apparently being revived, again - and if this attempt doesn't work, the current owners will just try again. Also discussed in…
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737: BJ Shea is a Geek
Seattle radio legend BJ Shea joins Jack and Zach in this installment of Hardly Focused! BJ discusses his career in radio, including his monumental run in morning drive on KISW and later succeeding Danny Bonaduce(!) across the street at KZOK. Jack, Zach, and BJ also dive into geekdom, with BJ…
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736: Gas Leak
Much to Zach's chagrin but Jack's delightful, this installment of Hardly Focused stinks! Literally. People are panicking over the "diarrhea parasite," and it seems that Taco Bell's lettuce is to blame. Take Dr. Drew's advice, and don't worry about it! Also discussed in this episode: Canada is on...
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(From the Vault) 716: Keep Me Young, pt. I
From January 22, 2026: Blake Jennings from the podcast Keep Me Young joins Jack and Zach for this installment of Hardly Focused! From video games to music to theater, there are laughs and non-sequiturs aplenty. It's safe to say Blake adapts to the Hardly Focused insanity with the greatest of…
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735: 21st Century (Digital Boy)
In this episode of Hardly Focused, Jack, Mike, and Nate pour one out for physical media. Beginning in 2028, Sony is going digital-only, and will no longer release new PlayStation games on disc. Of course, the internet is up-in-arms over the news, with pitchforks out and pirate hats on. Also...
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734: See You in Vice City
The marketing blitz for Grand Theft Auto VI is in full swing! Because it's 2026, it would be highly unusual if this was without controversy. Acc and Jack discuss everything related to GTA, from the franchise's history, to the unbelievable weight of expectation, to how the ever-increasing price of...
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733: Epic
An example of why this podcast is called "Hardly Focused" - a discussion about Faith No More reuniting turns into reminiscing about The Great Mighty Poo from the Nintendo 64 game Conker's Bad Fur Day. Jack and Nate try their best, but staying on-topic remains a regular struggle. Hey, at least…
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732: The Backlog Only Grows
With the various fests and showcases underway, Acc and Jack have a lot of gaming news to cover! Alien Isolation 2 exists, Cuphead is getting TWO sequels, and one of the best Zelda entries is getting a full-blown remake. Which game will excite Acc to finally use his Switch 2? Will Jack ever make a...
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731: LEGO My LEGO!
To what lengths should one go to recover their incredibly expensive LEGO collection? Jack and Nicole dive head-first into the Bricks and Minifigs saga. While more information has come out since their discussion, there's a lot to unpack - theft, arrests, lawsuits, and a hilarious response from...
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730: Skynet FM
For worse or for worse, the artificial intelligence takeover continues! Jack and Nate discuss a company that's experimenting with AI-powered radio stations, complete with digital on-air presenters. Nobody can make a horrific natural disaster sound jubilant like a computerized DJ! Also discussed…
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729: Good Night, and Good Luck
It's a sad day in America, as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert approaches the end of the world. Jack shares for Mike and Becky his thoughts about the program and franchise, as well as its penultimate episode. Becky and Jack also recap their visit to the Ed Sullivan Theater last year to attend a...
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728: Firecrackers
It's a Nintendo-heavy installment of Hardly Focused! In one corner, Becky is deep into collecting Pokémon cards, while learning from Jack the ins and outs of the franchise. In the other corner, Nate and Jack are cautiously optimistic about the newly-announced Star Fox game on Switch 2. How many...
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727: Thinking with Portals
"I think my frontal lobe finally developed." That's the realization Jack finally has while regaling to Acc his fourth-ever play through of Portal 2. As a personal rule, Jack only plays Portal 2 once every five years, but this most recent jaunt was much faster than he was anticipating. Is this…
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726: Celebrities Suck
It's the tail-end of tax season in the United States, with the deadline to file having already passed. Jack shares for Zach and Becky a list of things Americans are most likely to spend their tax refund on. That's IF they receive a refund; Uncle Sam isn't making it easy this year! Also discussed…
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725: Sorry Focused
Believe it or not, there are actually some "old man yells at cloud" opinions out there that today's generation agrees with. Jack, Mike, and Nate go through the list of annoyances folks of all ages can align on. Surprisingly, "listening to Hardly Focused at full volume in public" is not on it…
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724: Tonight, Tonight, Tonight, pt. I
It's the 17th anniversary of this podcast - six under the banner "Hardly Focused" - and there's no better way to celebrate than with a guest co-host! Actor and voice-over artist Fard Muhammad joins Jack to share their own respective experiences taking in late night tapings, from Conan O'Brien's...
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723: Exfiltrate
Marathon is the newest game from Bungie, the studio behind the legendary franchises Halo and Destiny. A follow-up to the mid-90s series of the same name, Marathon is an extraction shooter, in the same vein as Escape from Tarkov and ARC Raiders. Set on the planet Tau Ceti IV, "Runners" face off...
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722: It's in the Water
Why is Florida the way that it is? Is it because of the sulfur in the water? Jack and Nate wonder where it all went wrong in the Sunshine State, while Jack reviews his experience at Super Nintendo World and Epic Universe in Orlando. Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: Saturday Night...
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721: I Love This Product
Was Highguard - the live-service shooter from Wildlight Entertainment - set up to fail? Lukewarm reception to its announcement trailer and eventual release have gamers comparing Highguard to Concord, another short-lived multiplayer title. Acc and Jack consider the time and effort spent on...
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720: Living in a Box
What are the best state capitals to live in? Which ones are the worst? How many of New England's made WalletHub's list? These are the important questions that nobody asked, but that Jack answers anyway for Nate and Zach. All told, it should surprise nobody where Boston lands on the list in terms…
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719: Watch Out! You're Gonna Crash! Aahh!
Poor Lindsey Vonn. First, she ruptures her ACL; then, she crashes during a downhill ski run at the Olympics and suffers a gruesome leg injury. To top it off, Lindsey's own father gives her the "dad treatment" in an interview with the AP. Jack, Mike, and Nate wonder if Lindsay should have retired...
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718: Americano Idiota
The Super Bowl is almost here, and the New England Patriots are in it for the first time since 2018! Of course, nothing is without controversy these days, for not everyone is on board with Bad Bunny performing at the half-time show. Jack, Mike, and Becky discuss Turning Point USA's upcoming...
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717: Getting Killed
Who would have thought a documentary about Melania Trump would under-perform at the box office? Oh, that's right - everybody. Acc and Jack dive into this new Brett Ratner-directed documentary, which is expected to make a mere sliver of its production and marketing budget at the box office. Also...
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716: Keep Me Young, pt. I
Blake Jennings from the podcast Keep Me Young joins Jack and Zach for this installment of Hardly Focused! From video games to music to theater, there are laughs and non-sequiturs aplenty. It's safe to say Blake adapts to the Hardly Focused insanity with the greatest of ease! Discussed during this...
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715: Real Talk
In the first installment of Hardly Focused for 2026, Jack and Zach are none too pleased about artificial intelligence. For that matter, neither is musician Mark Tremonti, who believes AI-generated "fake art" will one day overtake the real thing. At least Bandcamp is doing it right by outright...
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714: I Don't Even Know What Time It Is!
Good news: Kids in New York City public schools are benefitting from a system-wide ban on cell phone! They're socializing, and there is a noticeable improvement in focus. Bad news: Without their phones to assist them, these kids have no idea how to read analog clocks. Nicole and Jack discuss and...
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713: Meatheads
It's a 1-2-3 punch of bad news in this installment of Hardly Focused. Jack and Mike discuss the mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island, the mass shooting in Sydney, Australia, and the shocking murder of Rob Reiner. Of course, these things all have to happen around Christmastime, right?...
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711: Cranberry Sauce Tastes Better Out of the Can
It's a Thanksgiving-kind of installment of Hardly Focused! Jack and Mike discuss the science of planning for the holidays, and revisit a classic Turkey Day freakout. Also, what's the best and worst food to serve on Thanksgiving? Discussed elsewhere in this episode: A poor soul from Medford, MA…
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710: Riot for Nothing
It's finally happening - the "Epstein files" are one step closer to being released. Shortly before this episode was recorded, both the U.S. House and Senate voted to pass the bill that will make public the emails, the characters, and more. Acc, Jack, and Mike discuss and wonder what - if anything…
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709: Deeds for Eddie McDowd
There's a reason why this podcast is called "Hardly Focused," and this episode exemplifies it! Jack, Nate, and Zach are all over the place, discussing everything from medical ailments to Nickelodeon's finest live-action shows from the late 1990s. Remember - do good, else you'll be turned into a…
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708: You Don't Mess With the Zohran
Rockstar Games is known for its secrecy, so it's a big surprise when news drops about unconfirmed projects. Co-founder Dan Houser reveals to IGN the existence of cancelled single-player DLC for Grand Theft Auto 5. Jack and Mike talk about what could have been, and what made the previous game's…
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707: Sleeping Patterns
The former reality television host who is now in control of the United States has declared an end to the "console wars." Not only was artificial intelligence used in this announcement, but GameStop - desperate to maintain relevancy in 2025 - jumped in on the bit. Jack and Zach question this, and...
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706: Doesn't Afraid of Anything
Gamers are losing their collective minds over the announcement - Halo is coming to PlayStation! After 20+ years on Xbox and PC, the Halo franchise is joining Sony's platform with the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved. Acc and Jack discuss the newest entry in the series, and how it builds upon the...
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(From the Vault) 685: Generationally Speaking
From May 02, 2025: Jack saves the worst news for last in this episode featuring tech journalist Florence Ion. Microsoft is increasing the price of its entire Xbox line, including its consoles and peripherals. Jack and Flo lament that it's only going to get worse, thanks to an ever-volatile…
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705: The Spirit of Radio
In a move the music world did not see coming, Canadian music legends RUSH are touring again! German-born musician Anika Nilles will be honoring the late Neil Peart, drumming alongside Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Jack schools Mike on Nilles' background, Rush's touring plans, and Peart's lyrical...
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704: For Lorenzo, the Future Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion
Acc and Jack discuss content creator Brittney Rae Carrera's big cameo on the premier of Hulu's Chad Powers. There's one problem with it, though; Carrera learns - as she's watching the show - that she's been replaced by the "Hawk Tuah" girl. Was this just a really elaborate sketch, or a stroke of...
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703: It Can Only Good Happen
Ol' Bone Spurs is at it again! First he tries to get Jimmy Kimmel thrown off ABC, and now he's having trouble with... well, everything else. Speaking, escalators, existing in general - the man is a mess! Jack and Nate poke fun at the latest escapades involving our nation's "leader." Also…
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702: Cheese Sandwiches Forever
Remember LimeWire? It's back, in NFT-form! More importantly, it's now the proud owner of the Fyre brand, which convicted fraudster Billy McFarland recently put on the auction block for chump change. Jack, Zach, and Becky discuss this oddball pairing, while reminiscing about the days of the "old...
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701: I'm Afraid of Americans
Jack and Mike dust off this podcast's flagship segment, "How F***ing Dumb Are You?!" In the States, a Publisher's Clearing House winner is in financial trouble after the company went bankrupt and stopped paying him. Jack thinks he should have built a nest egg and kept working, to avoid such...
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The 700 Club
It's the 700th episode of this podcast! Jack is joined in-studio by Zach, and Molly joins through a series of tubes from smoggy California. Lots of topics are discussed in this packed installment of Hardly Focused, with Jack running through a list of the biggest things that have happened over the...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Hardly Focused have?
Hardly Focused currently has 190 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Hardly Focused about?
Since 2009, the hosts of Hardly Focused have relentlessly made fun of pop culture, current events, and each other. Join them every Thursday as they pick apart the news and struggle to stay on-topic.
How often does Hardly Focused release new episodes?
Hardly Focused publishes regularly with 190 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Hardly Focused?
You can listen to Hardly Focused 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 Hardly Focused?
Hardly Focused is created and hosted by Solid Listen.
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