Roderick on the Line podcast artwork

PODCAST · society

Roderick on the Line

Merlin Mann’s frank & candid weekly phone call with John Roderick of The Long Winters.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Aug 30, 2026 · Source feed

  1. 642

    Ep. 638: "The Great Boy Theory"

    The Problem: The child is the father of the horse. (Recorded on August 24, 2026.)

  2. 641

    Ep. 637: "River Lion"

    The Problem: Trees can’t eavesdrop. (Recorded on August 17, 2026.)

  3. 640

    Ep. 636: "A Baseball Game Long"

    The Problem: That type is Eric. (Recorded on August 10, 2026.)

  4. 639

    Ep. 635: "Champagne Funeral Room"

    The Problem: We’re living in an earnest time. (Recorded on August 3, 2026.)

  5. 638

    Ep. 634: "Turnkey Friend"

    The Problem: Gateway to Recreation (Recorded on July 27, 2026.)

  6. 637

    Ep. 633: "The Grandmother of Europe"

    The Problem: They’re all iconoclasts. (Recorded on July 13, 2026.)

  7. 636

    Ep. 632: "Lady Applause"

    The Problem: John tries to see the people who are singing. (Recorded on July 6, 2026.)

  8. 635

    Ep. 631: "European Party"

    The Problem: You can still save this. (Recorded on June 29, 2026.)

  9. 634

    Ep. 630: "Until There's Shame"

    The Problem: John could tell by his hair. (Recorded on June 22, 2026.) Talking Heads - Live in Rome (1980)

  10. 633

    Ep. 629: "Popper Girlfriends"

    The Problem: Merlin’s education is somewhat spotty. (Recorded on June 15, 2026.)

  11. 632

    Ep. 628: "My Legacy"

    The Problem: Nature is healing. (Recorded on June 8, 2026.) 👔 You can buy some of Roderick’s garments via eBay.

  12. 631

    Ep. 627: "American Morning"

    The Problem: Most of us don’t think of ourselves as a project. (Recorded on June 1, 2026.)

  13. 630

    Ep. 626: "Chili Dog Meetup"

    The Problem: The top bunk is the worst bunk. (Recorded on May 25, 2026.)

  14. 629

    Ep. 625: "Sixteen-Hour Train"

    The Problem: Loved ones are always the weak point. (Recorded on May 4, 2026.)

  15. 628

    Ep. 624: "All the Words"

    The Problem: I don’t like the way you are. (Recorded on Monday, April 27, 2026.)

  16. 627

    Ep. 623: "Local Tony"

    The Problem: An abundance of respect and caution. (Recorded on Monday, April 20, 2026.)

  17. 626

    Ep. 622: "Internationally Embarrassing"

    The Problem: Merlin also finds himself elusive. (Recorded on Monday, April 13, 2026.)

  18. 625

    Ep. 621: "Son of the Turf"

    The Problem: That’s fighting the last war. (Recorded on Monday, March 30, 2026.)

  19. 624

    Ep. 620: "Blown Glass Float"

    The Problem: It was like fighting a dumb bear that thinks you’re playing. (Recorded on Monday, March 23, 2026.)

  20. 623

    Ep. 619: "Dad Island"

    The Problem: John didn’t have his good glasses on. (Recorded on Monday, March 16, 2026.)

  21. 622

    Ep. 618: "The Bishop of the Past"

    The Problem: John didn’t make it this far because there was any plan. (Recorded on Monday, March 9, 2026.)

  22. 621

    Ep. 617: "Sandy Pockets"

    The Problem: By the time the world comes around, you’re not in charge of it anymore. (Recorded on Monday, March 2, 2026.)

  23. 620

    Ep. 616: "Accruing Crust"

    The Problem: You can’t assign specialness. (Recorded on Monday, February 23, 2026.)

  24. 619

    Ep. 615: "Number One Madam"

    The Problem: We were slender then. (Recorded on Monday, February 16, 2026.) Links “Against the Wind” — Bob Seger (1980) — “What to leave in? What to leave out?” Dave Nanian — Mastodon post about his original ’81 copy — the friend who sparked the dB’s conversation The dBs — “Black and White” (Repercussion, 1982) Don Dixon — “Girls L.T.D.” — solo track from the guy who co-produced early R.E.M. Sneakers (band, ~1975) — early NC power pop band featuring Dixon, Easter, and Stamey before they were famous Movies with Mikey — “But, did you knowwww?” Richard Hugo — “Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg” Candide — Voltaire (1759) — third episode running where Merlin has mentioned Cunegonde Claudine Longet — French singer who shot Olympic skier Spider Sabich; married to Andy Williams “Spicks and Specks” — Bee Gees (1966) — Merlin: “one of the purest pop songs ever written” “You Give a Little Love” — These crazy kids and their pies. From Bugsy Malone (1976) Marshall Brodien’s TV Magic Cards — Merlin bought his trick cards at Walgreens Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) — Roderick cites Cameron Crowe on the film’s tragic subtext about being pressured to lose virginity Groundhog Day (1993) — “what a fucking great movie”; Ned Ryerson as “one of the all time great character actor appearances” Nut Tree (Vacaville, CA) — roadside attraction with amusement park and small airport; Roderick and his dad flew there in a small plane

  25. 618

    Ep. 614: "Velour Cannon"

    The Problem: cats are not afraid to send a message. (Recorded on Monday, February 9, 2026.)

  26. 617

    Ep. 613: "Patella Screws"

    The Problem: John took an impact (Recorded on Monday, February 2, 2026.)

  27. 616

    Ep. 612: "Regular Doors"

    The Problem: John had to enter the order portal. (Recorded on Monday, January 26, 2026.)

  28. 615

    Ep. 611: "Integrity Olympics"

    The Problem: John doesn’t see an apple. (Recorded on Monday, January 19, 2026.)

  29. 614

    Ep. 610: "The Wrong Side of Capitalism"

    The Problem: They just want you mad. (Recorded on Monday, January 12, 2026.)

  30. 613

    Ep. 609: "A Mule with a Checkbook"

    The Problem: His family was run on guilt. (Recorded on Monday, January 5, 2026.)

  31. 612

    Ep. 608: "Texting Bitch Face"

    The Problem: There are people who always want to know things. (Recorded on Monday, December 29, 2025.)

  32. 611

    Ep. 607: "Buffalo Sober"

    The Problem: it was the nadir of hand chocolate. (Recorded on Monday, December 22, 2025.)

  33. 610

    Ep. 606: "Cowboy Chords"

    The Problem: All the people with taste died. (Recorded on Monday, December 15, 2025.)

  34. 609

    Ep. 605: "Final Creek Boss"

    The Problem: John is the most left-alone person in the whole region. (Recorded on Monday, December 8, 2025.)

  35. 608

    Ep. 604: "Unintentional Curator"

    The Problem: You can feel the sheep. (Recorded on Monday, December 1, 2025.)

  36. 607

    Ep. 603: "Fewer Me"

    The Problem: They’re already having enough trouble getting the shrimp out of the rice. (Recorded on Monday, November 24, 2025.)

  37. 606

    Ep. 602: "Cinnamon Toast"

    The Problem: John wasn’t made to leave it. (Recorded on Monday, November 17, 2025.)

  38. 605

    Ep. 601: "The Milk Problem"

    The Problem: It felt like a future dream. (Recorded on Monday, November 3, 2025.)

  39. 604

    Ep. 600: "Lifestyle Manager"

    The Problem: John was in dignity emergency mode. (Recorded on Monday, October 27, 2025.)

  40. 603

    Ep. 599: "Speculative Heights"

    The Problem: There’s no there there. (Recorded on Monday, October 20, 2025.)

  41. 602

    Ep. 598: "Prescription Sandwich"

    The Problem: It was like sitting on two Reubens. (Recorded on Monday, October 13, 2025.)

  42. 601

    Ep. 597: "The Referee of Negativity"

    The Problem: John is more than a large cat. (Recorded on Monday, October 6, 2025.)

  43. 600

    Ep. 596: "Enough of a Truck"

    The Problem: John has a very curious tongue. (Recorded on Monday, September 29, 2025.)

  44. 599

    Ep. 595: "Everyone Was Named Randy"

    The Problem: You don’t expect it to be sharp where it is. (Recorded on Monday, September 22, 2025.)

  45. 598

    Ep. 594: "Composite Sketch of Pain"

    The Problem: He had eaten all the cool. (Recorded on Monday, September 8, 2025.)

  46. 597

    Ep. 593: "These Are the Days"

    The Problem: John had one child. (Recorded on Monday, September 1, 2025.)

  47. 596

    Ep. 592: "Existential Gravy"

    The Problem: He commutes on a magic carpet. (Recorded on Monday, August 25, 2025.)

  48. 595

    Ep. 591: "Sandwich Commando"

    The Problem: What are you prepping for? (Recorded on Monday, August 18, 2025.)

  49. 594

    Ep. 590: "Want Other Things"

    The Problem: John is one of the happiest dads. (Recorded on Monday, August 11, 2025.)

  50. 593

    Ep. 589: "Dress Audience"

    The Problem: John couldn’t make lawn bowling. (Recorded on Monday, August 4, 2025.)

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Merlin Mann’s frank & candid weekly phone call with John Roderick of The Long Winters.

HOSTED BY

Merlin Mann

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Roderick on the Line have?

Roderick on the Line currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Roderick on the Line about?

Merlin Mann’s frank & candid weekly phone call with John Roderick of The Long Winters.

How often does Roderick on the Line release new episodes?

Roderick on the Line has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Roderick on the Line?

You can listen to Roderick on the Line 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 Roderick on the Line?

Roderick on the Line is created and hosted by Merlin Mann.
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