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Scapegoats & Straw Men

by Pete Fernbaugh, Lakin Weaver

Welcome to the World's One-Billionth Podcast, Scapegoats & Straw Men! Two guys deconstruct logical fallacies of all kinds (and create some of their own in the process). Join us for weekly installments on a whole host of topics ranging from the very serious to the absolutely absurd. Embrace the Blame. www.blubrry.com/ssmcast

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

Episodes

  1. Cold Cut: Our Greatest Hits and Tropes

    Every band has its greatest hits. Every TV show has its greatest tropes. We're not any different. In this Cold Cut from TGT 50, Lakin and Pete gab the gamut of topics we've beaten to death many times before, all in one concise 18-minute package.

  2. TGT 51: The Trump Pervasion

    The talking continues as Pete and Lakin muse upon the pervasion of Donald Trump. They also muse upon sexual orientation and epigenetics. But somehow it circles back to Trump. Everything circles back to Trump. Eventually. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  3. TGT 50: The Broken Toilet of Existential Dread

    The talking continues as Lakin extols the virtues of self-winding mechanical watches and Pete breaks a toilet. Throw in a dash of existential dread and an apocalyptic cover of "Nearer, My God, to Thee," and you have a beautiful day in the TGT neighborhood. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast...

  4. 6: Sh*t from a Hat (Repodcast)

    A fiendish fedora tricks two logical humanoids into defending irrational thought. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  5. Cold Cut: Good Friday Shiva (Repodcast)

    Following up on our repost from yesterday, it's only appropriate that we include the Cold Cut from SSM 4. Here's how we described it way back then: "On this Good Friday edition of 'Cold Cuts,' two Gentiles discuss their preference for Shiva rituals, especially after dealing with their fathers'...

  6. 4: (Don’t Fear) The Reaper – Easter Edition (Repodcast)

    Given that it's Easter weekend, let's revisit a podcast we recorded in March 2015 that's all about our inevitable fate. Here's how we described our discussion way back then: "Death weighs heavily on the minds of a twenty and thirtysomething as they contemplate whether life, liberty, and the…

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  7. TGT 49: Inside Our Mind Palace

    The talking continues as Lakin and Pete take a tour of several mind palaces, ranging from the Current Occupant of the White House (COWH) to wedding photography to event boundaries to paranoia about Internet security. It's a hodgepodge of thoughts that occasionally resemble conversation, all with…

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  8. TGT 48: A Master Class on Masterclass

    You've probably seen those MasterClass ads on YouTube and Facebook, the ones in which a celebrity promises to make you almost as good as they are at something. In this episode, Pete and Lakin discuss the MasterClasses of Gordon Ramsay, Dustin Hoffman, and deadmau5. Also: Santa Clarita Diet,...

  9. TGT 47: Lakin Reviews the Food Network (and Other Fun Rabbit Trails)

    The talking continues as Lakin gives the most comprehensive review of the Food Network's Programming you'll ever hear. Because Pete lacks any relevance to the modern world, he simply listens and does his best to act like he knows what the Food Network is. He won't be winning an Oscar for this...

  10. TGT 46: We Are Confident Idiots

    The talking continues as Pete and Lakin discuss a great article by researcher David Dunning titled "We Are All Confident Idiots." In fact, we encourage you to give it a glance before listening to us gab about it. The article can be found here:...

  11. Cold Cut: A Nasty Woman Speaks (Epilogue)

    In this Cold Cut from TGTs 44 and 45, we wrap up our conversation with Famous Friend and (self-professed) Nasty Woman Micah Labishak, as she gives her final thoughts on the Women's March and what we all can do going forward. She and Lakin also compare a few more knitting notes in anticipation of...

  12. TGT 45: A Nasty Woman Speaks

    Our conversation with Famous Friend and (self-professed) Nasty Woman Micah Labishak continues on this episode, as Pete and Lakin discuss Micah's experiences at the Women's March on January 22. We also demand to know why she accepted a paycheck from George Soros to attend the March.…

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  13. TGT 44: A Nasty Woman Speaks (Prologue)

    In a special Monday edition of Two Guys, Talking, we welcome Famous Friend and (self-professed) Nasty Woman Micah Labishak into the SSM studios via Skype. Lakin and Pete's main intent was to talk with her about participating in the Women's March on Washington a week ago Saturday. Being who they...

  14. Cold Cut: Two Guys, Talk Tech

    In this Cold Cut from TGT 43, Pete accidentally lets it slip that he thinks technology still runs on watch batteries, and Lakin explains the recent challenges Apple has had in marketing AirPods to the public. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  15. TGT 43: Trumpocalypse Now!

    On the eve of Donald Trump's Presidential Inauguration, Lakin and Pete muse upon the surreality of it all. In case you were wondering, they do descend into self-reflection, which is not exactly a character trait of our 45th President. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  16. TGT 15: We Have a Picture Window

    This week’s TGT is a rerun from December 14, 2015, in which Pete and Lakin discuss a plethora of topics revolving around voyeurism. And join us this Thursday when brand-new episodes of TGT resume. Scapegoats & Straw Men TGT 15 “We Have a Picture Window” www.scapegoatsandstrawmen.com...

  17. TGT 42: Swipe Right (in the Name of Love)

    The talking continues this week as Lakin and Pete discuss love, marriage, open relationships, sex, vibrators, and any other salacious buzzwords that will arouse the pornbots and give us unwanted hits. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  18. TGT 41: The Star Wars Holiday Special

    The talking continues this week as Pete and Lakin recount the movie everyone else is talking about, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," with no regard for Spoilers (there are many) and a high regard for the prequels (they're weird that way). They also give Forest Whitaker acting advice.…

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  19. Cold Cut: Westworld, Nudity, and Base Desires

    In this Cold Cut from TGT 40, Lakin and Pete offer additional thoughts on Westworld and its troubling analysis of morality and ethics. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  20. TGT 40: Nihilism (The Pronunciation Doesn’t Matter)

    The talking continues as Pete and Lakin struggle valiantly to focus their jabbering jaws on discussing Doctor Strange and Westworld, but the elephant in the room still manages to rear his ugly hair for a fleeting moment. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  21. TGT 39: Dancing with Nihilism

    The talking continues as Lakin and Pete explore nihilism while doing the Hand Thing. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  22. Cold Cut: Plot Holes

    In this Cold Cut from SSM 41, Pete and Lakin perform the story "Plot Holes" by omegaokami from the No Sleep subreddit as part of SSM's Spoken Word Musical Theatre Campfire Trilogy.

  23. TGT 38: What Lakin Recommends Pete Ignores

    The talking continues as Lakin realizes that Pete never acts upon his entertainment recommendations. This leads to a firm resolution to never recommend anything to Pete again until he watches Shameless. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  24. 41: Spoken Word Musical Theatre-Campfire Trilogy (Part 3 of 4)

    Two performance artists and their Bohemian friend tell tales of vengeance, dementia, stolen identities, and of course, murder, even as their custom-edited campfire shows no signs of burning out. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  25. 40: Spoken Word Musical Theatre-Campfire Trilogy (Part 2 of 4)

    Two performance artists and their Bohemian friend spin tales of demented twins and predatory Walmart shoppers, all around a campfire that burns eternal in the human ear. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  26. Cold Cut: America’s First Sexually Involved Presidents

    In this Cold Cut from TGT 37, Pete and Lakin speculate about Hillary and Bill's sex life. The conversation is more lurid than the reality.

  27. TGT 37: Children of Bill, Children of Steve

    The talking continues as Lakin pitches Apple's next award-winning (albeit tasteless) marketing campaign and Pete revels in his adeptness at creating awkward situations, especially at weddings. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  28. 39: Spoken Word Musical Theatre-Campfire Trilogy (Part 1 of 4)

    Two performance artists and their Bohemian friend celebrate the Dog Days of Summer with ghost stories and urban legends set to music and a campfire that was inserted in post-production. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  29. TGT 36: Republican Bush People

    The talking continues as Lakin and Pete marvel over the absurdity of the 2016 election and Lakin's newest fascination: Discovery Channel reality shows. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  30. 38: Apt Psychopath (Part 2 of 2)

    Our podcast philosophers continue their debate over Stephen King's "Apt Pupil" and the extent to which humans are barely restrained animals. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  31. TGT 35: An Existential Civil War

    The talking continues as frightening thoughts about our feeble humanity lead Pete and Lakin into a cheerier discussion about The Flash and Captain America: Civil War. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  32. 37: Apt Psychopath (Part 1 of 2)

    Stephen King's "Apt Pupil" sparks an intense discussion between two podcast philosophers over the factors that influence a person's psychopathic behavior. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  33. Cold Cut: Treading the Community Boards

    Your theatrical hosts discuss their various stagebound pursuits in this Cold Cut from TGT 34. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  34. TGT 34: A Yen to Create, A Yen to Destroy

    The talking continues as Lakin and Pete gab about almonds, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, and Cabaret.www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  35. 13: The Zeitgeist of ’76 (2015)

    As our summer hiatus comes to an end, we present once again our Fourth of July episode from 2015. Join us next Monday when the new season of SSM officially begins. And this Thursday: a brand-new TGT. Happy Independence Day! www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  36. TGT 33: Summing Up Our Experiences

    The talking continues as Lakin and Pete consider how they are becoming odd composites of their parents. Also: No politics in this episode either. You're welcome! www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  37. Cold Cut: Grease is the Worst Musical Ever!

    How do you like that clickbait headline? We're pretty proud of it ourselves. In this Cold Cut from TGT 31, Pete and Lakin talk about their hatred of "Grease," along with a few tidbits on King, Cruz, and Carly. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  38. TGT 32: Our Politics-Free Edition (We Promise)

    Pete and Lakin do their best to avoid politics as they discuss terrorism and the fear it instills in people. Also: Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Shameless, and 24. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  39. Cold Cut: God Bless America

    In this Cold Cut from SSM 36, Lakin and Pete wrap up their discussion on Donald Trump's ascendancy to the GOP presidential nomination with various ruminations on how this isn't the End of All Things (even though they know it probably is). www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast...

  40. TGT 31: Here Lies Prince’s Vault (and Other Musical Musings)

    The talking continues as Pete and Lakin discuss Prince's vault and its rumored contents, along with philosophical rabbit trails into what it means to be someone's fan and why no one person has the monopoly on intelligence. Also: Jared Leto's semen. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast...

  41. 36: Crouching Donald, Hidden Trump

    Two Mind Ninjas are hurled into a long national nightmare after an orange, hairy, bellowing Man-Child defeats Reason and Logic using Fear and Hatred. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  42. Cold Cut: Blame Game – DLC and Amazon Prime

    In this Cold Cut from SSM 35, Lakin and Pete give their blames for the week, and trust us, folks! They're about as first world as you can get. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/scapegoatsandstrawmen www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  43. 35: How to Build a Pyramid

    Is it easy to build a pyramid? Actually, yes. As long as you can siphon success from the hopes and dreams of your friends. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/scapegoatsandstrawmen www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  44. TGT 30: Batman v Superman – Dawn of Illiteracy

    The talking continues as Lakin and Pete discuss critical reaction to the recent release of a small indie flick about middle-aged men working out their issues. Also: illiteracy, Joel Osteen, the Robot Army, and Breaking Bad. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  45. Cold Cut: More Predictable Hat Sh*t

    In this Cold Cut from SSM 34, we elicit more predictions from the leprechaun's hat. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  46. 34: Sh*t from a Hat IV – The Reckoning

    Two sedentary seers conjure up predictions about the future based on questions from a leprechaun's hat. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  47. TGT 29: Spirit Science in the Sky

    The talking continues as Pete and Lakin discuss extremophiles, Edward Snowden, The Walking Dead, and Shameless without mentioning Donald Trump once. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/ssmcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  48. 33: Socialism on Trial

    Two social engineers plot to take over the national conversation by dissecting what a particularly devious word means. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/SSMcast www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  49. TGT 28: Donald Trump Has Jazz Hands

    The talking continues as Pete and Lakin muse about two topics that have no discernible connection: Donald Trump and jazz. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/scapegoatsandstrawmen www.twitter.com/SSMcast

  50. 32: Search Engine Heroes – Quantum Mechanics

    Two master practitioners of the ancient art of Google Fu apply their formidable skills to deciphering Quantum Mechanics. www.ssmcast.com www.facebook.com/scapegoatsandstrawmen www.twitter.com/SSMcast

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Welcome to the World's One-Billionth Podcast, Scapegoats & Straw Men! Two guys deconstruct logical fallacies of all kinds (and create some of their own in the process). Join us for weekly installments on a whole host of topics ranging from the very serious to the absolutely absurd. Embrace the Blame. www.blubrry.com/ssmcast

HOSTED BY

Pete Fernbaugh, Lakin Weaver

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Scapegoats & Straw Men have?

Scapegoats & Straw Men currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Scapegoats & Straw Men about?

Welcome to the World's One-Billionth Podcast, Scapegoats & Straw Men! Two guys deconstruct logical fallacies of all kinds (and create some of their own in the process). Join us for weekly installments on a whole host of topics ranging from the very serious to the absolutely absurd. Embrace the...

How often does Scapegoats & Straw Men release new episodes?

Scapegoats & Straw Men has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Scapegoats & Straw Men?

You can listen to Scapegoats & Straw Men 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 Scapegoats & Straw Men?

Scapegoats & Straw Men is created and hosted by Pete Fernbaugh, Lakin Weaver.
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