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Modern Talk

by Tommy Waite

"Modern Talk" solo episodes follows my story of chasing the new crazy American dream. I try to better myself while also searching for a balance of work & play in my hero's journey through the lens of an absurdist.Guest episodes get curious and I turn my philosophical questions around to them. I want to know how and why they got where they are now and also their thoughts & theories on life. We get as serious as "what happens when we die?" and as silly as "would you rather be trash or a trash can?"

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Episodes

  1. Time to Smile (ITWT35)

    In Touch with Tommy 35 “Why not me” miracles, in the shower smell a flower, charge it to the game, change your game, homesickness, hey, first paid podcast editing job, certified classic birthday day, dominate Dinucci, who’s on first? Me. #87 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt35 This is an AI-generated...

  2. Tammy (ITWT34)

    In Touch with Tommy 34 “The Cutter,” edge rather than taunt, how you do it is how you do it, I’m Thor, the secret is behind avoidance, and never never gonna give ya up. #86 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt34

  3. Silliness: Open for Business (ITWT33)

    In Touch with Tommy 33 I reward myself from a playoff win with a hot chocolate milk, my favorite street, my favorite father story, give back, kids have it hard, don’t talk behind my back in front of me, and I wonder who is it? #85 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt33

  4. Face Pain (ITWT32)

    In Touch with Tommy 32 Be undeniable, water is bad, emotional impermanence, and overcorrecting selfishness. #84 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt32

  5. Feel The Ball (ITWT31)

    In Touch with Tommy 31 Join me with my new setup with meaningful decor, managing pees, my right one survives a sunrise hike, I sneak a slice of pizza, I rip Drip Baylss, I’m okay just now, widdle a king’s table to a TV tray, and Bugs Bunny Boundaries. #83 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt31

  6. Baby Rock Steps (ITWT30)

    In Touch with Tommy 30 My Myrtle family takes me to a cabin in the mountains, I’m 25 going on 19, I get my first stalker, become big pickler of the week, and almost join a gym. #83 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt30

  7. Jayden Baker: Anyways

    “Hey camera man, give me a jam” My six-year-old friend and I talk about the meaning of life, death, what she thinks about the world, her suggestions for the education system, what’s frustrating about adults, and Frozen bedsheets. #82 tommywaite.com/podcast/jaydenbaker

  8. Cotton Candy Spinner (ITWT29)

    In Touch with Tommy 29 We catch up after a Christmas hiatus talking about my eviction, having a loser mentality, knowing what to do with the ball before you touch it, Christmas Sheetz anxiety, pickle/kick ball Venn diagram, Dillon downs a Christmas beer, we steal a rooftop, Tatum helps beasts…

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  9. Gotta Be Kiddin' Me (ITWT28)

    In Touch with Tommy 28 We’re all hookers, hurt people hurt people, don’t make sense, I have a bad case of the “you don’t tell me what to do”s, and I talk to my child self. #80 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt28

  10. Candle Time (ITWT27)

    I lose the ugly gingerbread house contest, I wear a skirt in a parade, fascinated by the choices in a one-man play, it’s not cool to not be cool, and ‘this’ too. In Touch with Tommy 27 #79 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt27

  11. Perhaps (ITWT26)

    We’re all dumb, Tommy’s Take on Planes, Trains and Automobiles, hellos & goodbyes, be decisive to flow, I show my toes at a waterpark, and getting caught doing the right thing. In Touch with Tommy 26 Full show notes: tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt26 #78

  12. Billy Baker: Hero Built

    Billy’s a chill military guy with two jobs, four kids, and two wives (at different times of course). Billy’s ultimate goal is to be a proud farm owner called “Baker’s Acres.” We talk about growing up as a quiet, funny kid and how having a kid at 19 grew him up fast. #77 Full show notes:...

  13. No Free Air (ITWT25)

    In Touch with Tommy 25 Is art for the artist or audience, Meat is gross, no free lunches, expectations vs manifestations, and I’m a toenail hero. #76 Full show notes: tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt25

  14. Steady Funny Eddie (ITWT24)

    In Touch with Tommy 24 I conveniently forgot to shave in November, go to a diaper party, it’s good to be a kid again, and HURTS! #75 Full show notes: tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt24

  15. Middle Is Best (ITWT23)

    In Touch with Tommy 23 Fresh off The Nuance Nuisance (ITWT5), I learn avocado is lit, set intentions, do what you want, and I eat a whole rotisserie chicken. #74 Full episode notes: tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt23

  16. Beautiful Fountain (ITWT22)

    In Touch with Tommy 22 Halloween episode! I talk about loss, acceptance of change, (un)communicated expectations, I don’t believe, and I’m Tommy frickin Waite. #73 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt22

  17. Cold Water (ITWT21)

    I recap my time home in Pittsburgh, I’m hit with a whirlwind when I get back to Myrtle, a guy next to me attempts a joke at the urinals, love is love, I figure out the great mystery of - the friendzone - and the MultiMcFlyverse. What are you afraid of? #72 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt21

  18. We Don't Care (ITWT20)

    I turn 26 with you, read a birthday blog I wrote in 2018, and get surprised. #71 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt20

  19. Sandwich Irons (ITWT19)

    What’s your ideal sandwich? #70 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt19

  20. Intermingling (ITWT18)

    Tommy’s Take on Remember The Titans, motorcycles are too loud, and we play “Is It Racist?” #69 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt18

  21. We're All Friends (ITWT17)

    How to eat like a Bachelor, we’re all just a hang out away from being friends, and rocked like a Hurricane. #68 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt17

  22. Stay Ready (ITWT16)

    Tommy’s Take on Teen Wolf (1985), Practical Living with blinds, softball soliloquies, and relationship crop tops. #67 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt16

  23. Burghers at the Beach w/ Scott Petraca

    My roommate and I talk about growing up in Pittsburgh, going to military school, love of thrifting, and we play games at the end! #66 tommywaite.com/podcast/scottpetraca

  24. Silly Fun Boy (ITWT15)

    Gather ‘round the fire for some camp stories, practical ways of living, wheatgrass shots, insect friends, and zoom out together. #65 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt15

  25. Everything's A Lesson (ITWT14)

    Apple flimsy up the numbers in the fall, softball gets hard, I get my stuff back while looking silly, and I don’t consider how I feel. #64 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt14

  26. Discipline with the Flippin' (ITWT13)

    I go fake fishing with a toddler, what I appreciate about being single, why sports are silly, my Dad pulls a Peter Griffin, stand updates, keeping happiness sunny side up, and emotional Jack in the Boxes. #63 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt13

  27. Get Gratitude While You Can (ITWT12)

    I paint someone’s face, the phone background dilemma, picture taking hack, I get a poor person notch in my belt, and my first attempt at crowd work didn’t go as planned. #62 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt12

  28. Flimsy Up the Numbers (ITWT11)

    Tommy’s Take on Karate Kid (1984), Bill Withers tells on himself, making girls feel comfy, and I confront my incongruent shoulders. #61 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt11

  29. Vengeful Path (ITWT10)

    Past week’s trip to Virginia with Pete, tread cautiously down a vengeful path, Hannah & Sammy offspring, small stuff can affect the big stuff. #60 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt10

  30. Reset Button (ITWT9)

    I use people’s stuff for free, the perfect balanced day, being a peacemaker in the playoffs, you get a peak at my only fans, and I’m the styleless stylist. What’s your perfect day? #59 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt9

  31. Serial Sneezer (ITWT8)

    House Hopper, Cashing In listener, Ideal Bachelor padder, Overstimmer, Practical liver, sneezer, movie watcher, easy crier. #58 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt8

  32. Rounded Blue Square (ITWT7)

    New shoes & new music from Childish Gambino, anklet poetry, LED installation, and The Nuisance is back. #57 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt7

  33. Ball Abilities (ITWT6)

    I get a kick out of kickball, exceeding low expectations, staying positive in the face of cigarettes, circumstance victims, and things get a bit less harry. #56 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt6

  34. ITWT5 [YouTube Exclusive]

    YOUTUBE EXCLUSIVE: https://youtu.be/FTI8ZrmuCNs 0-3 on break ups, how many “best friends” can you have, nuance in texting, supporting myself through creativity, and we get into more rumblings thus far. What’s your relationship record? #55 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt5

  35. Anthony La Bianca

    The Star of Street Walking!! We discuss acting, poetry, and loss. #54 tommywaite.com/podcast/anthonylabianca

  36. Tommy's Target (ITWT4)

    Tommy’s Target’s target audience, productive procrastinator, Johnny Carson makes his first appearance on Modern Talk (even though I’m more of a Larry Sanders guy), perfectionism in creative processes, and boobies #53 tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt4

  37. Vacation Until Further Notice (ITWT3)

    In the closet, scary & exciting coffee opportunity, and introducing Mr. Harry Frickin Sparklezzzzz I challenge people to live life like they’re on vacation and only work to stay on vacation. tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt3 #52

  38. Sticky Angles (ITWT2)

    BIE (Big Intern Energy), seeing green for stepping up my game, self-critical of my self-editing, mandatory allergic & voluntary vegan, and sticky angles. tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt2 #51

  39. In Touch with Tommy

    A new season for Tommy!! The wave has crescented on the Solo Seas, and now I want to update you on my hero’s journey! Pete’s friends visit, we get Hawaiian & have a LuWOW at church, and save a turtle without using straws. Keep in touch!! tommywaite.com/podcast/itwt #50

  40. Episode 49: Bunt (SSS13)

    Being ready to be ready, funny on my feet, and bunting for the win! tommywaite.com/podcast/sss13 #49

  41. Episode 48: Hero (SSS12)

    Presence, hate, and heroics. Please enjoy random photos from that week -- #48 tommywaite.com/podcast/sss12

  42. Episode 47: Benjamin Conner

    We get into Ben’s love of coins, his childhood growing up as a missionary kid growing up in Mexico, and his decision to go from a loan officer to a nurse. Also, he is the inspiration for the character “Ben” in Street Walking! #47 tommywaite.com/podcast/benjaminconner

  43. Episode 46: Josh Sullivan

    On a special Thanksgiving podcast, I guest host The Business Connect podcast. We talk about how to stay focused, having a savage mind, and a couple classic Modern Talk questions. #46 tommywaite.com/podcast/joshsullivan

  44. Episode 45: "I'm an Absurdist" (SSS11)

    I'm a spiritual do-anything-for-a-laugh competitive movie star. #45 tommywaite.com/podcast/sss11

  45. Episode 44: SSS10

    I have my first bar experience, the news comes to the open mic, and a 9-year-old slams me at bowling. #44 tommywaite.com/podcast/sss10

  46. Episode 43: SSS9

    A cat co-host joins me at the new place I’m staying! #43 tommywaite.com/podcast/sss9

  47. Episode 41: American Crazy Dream (SSS8)

    “I’m trying to feel my feelings. But I’m also trying to chase my dreams.” tommywaite.com/podcast/sss8 #41

  48. Episode 42: Red Rachel Lapp

    We talk about her favorite self, OCD, play games, and she turns the mic on me at the end! tommywaite.com/podcast/redrach #42

  49. Episode 40: Solo Summer Season Seven (SSS7)

    I get mad that I lost to Pete and my khaki shorts. But it's not really about that. And I talk bout the mysteries of ~eye contact~ tommywaite.com/podcast/sss7 #41

  50. Episode 39: SSS6

    My first Sunday at the church, I had a dream, and more! tommywaite.com/podcast/sss6 #39

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TOPICS IN THIS SHOW

Absurdist Lens American Dream Cultural Critique Hero's Journey Philosophical Dialogue Self-Improvement Solo Storytelling Work-Life Balance

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

"Modern Talk" solo episodes follows my story of chasing the new crazy American dream. I try to better myself while also searching for a balance of work & play in my hero's journey through the lens of an absurdist.Guest episodes get curious and I turn my philosophical questions around to them. I want to know how and why they got where they are now and also their thoughts & theories on life. We get as serious as "what happens when we die?" and as silly as "would you rather be trash or a trash can?"

HOSTED BY

Tommy Waite

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Modern Talk have?

Modern Talk currently has 90 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Modern Talk about?

"Modern Talk" solo episodes follows my story of chasing the new crazy American dream. I try to better myself while also searching for a balance of work & play in my hero's journey through the lens of an absurdist.Guest episodes get curious and I turn my philosophical questions around to them. I...

How often does Modern Talk release new episodes?

Modern Talk has 90 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Modern Talk?

You can listen to Modern Talk 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 Modern Talk?

Modern Talk is created and hosted by Tommy Waite.
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