The Jocular Pugilists

The Jocular Pugilists take an international field trip to Budapest, where the water comes in shot glasses and the showers require an instruction manual.Fresh off a work trip to the Hungarian capital, the crew gets into Budapest’s Buda-versus-Pest personality split, Danube views, towering history, weirdly efficient yellow-cab Ubers, and the terrifying math of paying 5,000 forints for a salad. There is also a crash course in Pálinka—the 50% alcohol “finish it or we’re enemies” drink—and a Hungarian word for kisses that Americans should absolutely approach with caution.Plus: the history of a city in turmoil, why Budapest is becoming a serious production hub, how Dune made Hungary look like Arrakis, and whether a person could realistically trade Los Angeles prices for a year in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.In this episode: Budapest travel stories: solo walking, safety, food, tipping, currency, and culture shock  Buda vs. Pest: castles, commerce, hills, history, and the Danube in between  The hotel shower that nearly became an athletic event  A suspiciously empty restaurant, two shaved-head guys, and a salad worth paying cash for  Pálinka etiquette: 50% alcohol and zero room for interpersonal beef  Why “puzzi puzzi” does not mean what American ears initially fear  Budapest’s World War II, Soviet-era, and post-communist history  George H. W. Bush’s unexpected Budapest cameo Dune, Origo Studios, production incentives, and why filmmakers keep looking toward Hungary  The case for moving abroad—or at least putting Budapest on the travel list before your next Volvo service appointmentLet us know what you think.Email Phil or Tomas at: [email protected] check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

Everyone seems to have an opinion on SpaceX. Some see the company becoming the backbone of global communications, space transportation, and even future off-world industries. Others see a company valued on dreams rather than profits. Tomas and Phil step into the ring to debate the biggest IPO ever, discussing Starlink, Elon Musk, reusable rockets, lock-up periods, valuation, and whether SpaceX could actually be the opportunity of a life time.Let us know what you think.Email Phil or Tomas at: [email protected] check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

Intermittent fasting has been praised as a breakthrough for weight loss, better health, sharper focus, and even longevity—but does it really live up to the hype? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, the guys dig into the promises, pitfalls, and practical realities of fasting windows, skipped breakfasts, late-night cravings, and the science behind it all.Is intermittent fasting a sustainable lifestyle shift, or just another wellness trend dressed up with a clock? Tune in as the Pugilists weigh the benefits, challenge the claims, and have some laughs along the way.Let us know what you think.Email Phil or Tomas at: [email protected] check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

Making friends as an adult can be surprisingly difficult. Between work, family responsibilities, busy schedules, and the routines of everyday life, many people find that building new friendships after 30 takes far more effort than it did in their younger years.In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Tomas and Phil explore the challenges of making and maintaining friendships in adulthood, share personal stories about the connections that have shaped their lives, and discuss why meaningful social bonds are so important for both mental and physical health.From awkward introductions and expanding social circles to the science behind friendship and longevity, this conversation looks at why human connection remains one of the most valuable investments we can make.Join us for a thoughtful, humorous, and heartfelt discussion about friendship, community, and why it’s never too late to make a new friend.Let us know what you think.Email Phil or Tomas at: [email protected] check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

Join us as we re-visit the very first episode of the Jocular Pugilists.“Ouch that hurt. Sure, I asked what you thought, but I didn’t want to know the truth.”  How honest can you really be with someone and how do certain relationships dictate your level of truthfulness? Join our intrepid reporters as they try to uncover the truth behind Honesty while lying to each other the whole time.  For more fun, go to:https://thejocularpugilists.com/Let us know what you think.Email Phil or Tomas at: [email protected] check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

Los Angeles may be at a crossroads.This week, the Jocular Pugilists dive into the 2026 LA mayoral race through the eyes of Phil, who recently spent time canvassing door-to-door for a little-known candidate and got a firsthand look at what Angelenos are actually talking about beyond headlines and social media.Along the way, the conversation takes its usual strange detours: Tomas losing weight and realizing his ancient bargain-bin T-shirts are now hanging off him like one of Marlon Brando’s infamous late-era muumuus, Phil attending another Hollywood “For Your Consideration” event with Jason Bateman. But underneath the silliness is a serious question:Can one of the greatest cities on Earth still find its footing?The Jocular Pugilists try to stay politically homeless in the best sense of the word — not rooting for parties, ideologies, or teams — just hoping that whoever leads Los Angeles next can help the city thrive again.Because whether you’re Republican, Democrat, Independent, or completely exhausted by all of it… everyone wants LA to work.Let us know what you think.Email Phil or Tomas at: [email protected] check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

Why do we text before calling, face forward in elevators like NPCs, and panic when someone sees the “typing dots”… but never replies? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, we dive into the weird, unwritten social rules that somehow run our lives—and question who made them in the first place.From old-school etiquette to modern-day nonsense, we break down: Why calling someone without texting first now feels like a crime  The anxiety of the “three dots” text bubble (you know the one 😳)  Why you’re apparently not allowed to skip show intros… but we all do anyway Elevator silence, gym influencers, and other bizarre public behavior  Old-school rules like “no elbows on the table”—and whether they actually made sense  Why society went from suits and manners… to “anything goes” chaos 👉 If you’ve ever wondered “Wait… why do we even do this?”—this episode will make you laugh, rethink everything, and maybe break a few rules on purposeLet us know what you think.Email Phil or Tomas at: [email protected] check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

What do you get when you mix a chewing gum billionaire, roaming buffalo, overpriced Bloody Marys, and a suspiciously fast “time-warp” hike? Welcome to Catalina Island—and another slightly unhinged episode of The Jocular Pugilists.Phil thought he was getting a normal birthday weekend. Instead, Stacy secretly put together a surprise trip to Catalina Island — complete with ferries, golf carts, ocean views, old Hollywood vibes, and an island that somehow feels both frozen in time and strangely futuristic.In this episode, we take you on a hilarious (and occasionally informative) trip to Catalina, where: Golf carts are basically Lamborghinis 💸  Buffalo roam free because… Hollywood logic  The ferry has a “VIP section” that may or may not just be a $20 flex  And somehow, a 45-minute hike turns into a 5-minute return trip (science still pending) We also dive into Catalina’s wild history—from smugglers and Spanish explorers to Wrigley gum money turning it into a resort playground—plus honest takes on whether it’s actually worth the trip or just a very pretty tourist trap.👉 If you’re into travel stories, sarcasm, and discovering how quickly a vacation can turn into a business idea involving golf cart monopolies… this one’s for you.Let us know what you think.Email Phil or Tomas at: [email protected] check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

Do you ever feel guilty about your food cravings? From Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to Belgian chocolates, join the Jocular Pugilists as they dive into the delicious world of guilty pleasures. Discover why we crave what we do and how to enjoy it without the guilt. Tune in for a fun, flavorful journey!Let us know what you think.Email Phil or Tomas at: [email protected] check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com