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Trying To Be Better with Joel and Steve

by Trying To Be Better Podcast

A podcast of two longtime pals, talking about all the things, and trying to be just a little better at humaning.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Oct 12, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. TTBB 208 - The Legacy Program

    Joel goes totally off the deep end about UFOs. That's it - that's the podcast. OK fine - they also talk about Daylight Savings Time (whatever that is), Snarky Puppy, Johnny Mullenax, Intimacy Choreography, Tana French, and Joel's upcoming sabbatical! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and…

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  2. TTBB 207 - Make A Decision

    Joel and Steve talk about... Football! It might be a first. Also about concerts, Grief Bacon, and Insane Clown Posse! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at [email protected] or DM on...

  3. TTBB 206 - The Files Are Already Scrambled

    Joel and Steve discuss sports mascots, traveling, piracy, Times Square and other miscellany. Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at [email protected] or DM on Bluesky you will be entered...

  4. TTBB 205 - Phish Dick's Super Pod!!

    This is a two-parter, first part is 'before' two Phish shows @ Dick's Sporting Goods Park in beautiful Commerce City, CO - the second part is after. They also went to Meow Wolf in Denver in between, which was Just Exactly Perfect! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve...

  5. TTBB 204 - No Perfect Shows

    Joel and Steve reconvene and catch up - Steve is in a play and Joel saw a bunch of plays! Steve is in "Anything Goes" at The Nebraska Communities Playhouse in Hickman, NE, and Joel visited TTBB friend and and past TTBB guest Armando McClain at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR....

  6. TTBB 203 - Scan and Destroy

    Joel and Steve reconvene to do whatever the hell it is that they do - now with Integrity! Everyone should listen to "Slacker Dave Loves Nebraska" podcast, available on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@SlackerDaveLovesNebraska Also - Ariel Hyatt's step dance Instagram is an immediate dopamine…

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  7. TTBB 202 - I'm A Mover Not A Dancer

    Joel and Steve talk about Phish! For those of you still left, they also talk about Joel's recent health debacle, Steve's artistic endeavors, ZooFest and other ephemera! Watch the Bouncing Around The Room from 7/10/2026 here: https://youtu.be/xkckP5TZVV4?si=GfVmrF48o27fJn4T Be sure to Like…

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  8. TTBB 201 - Birthdayversary!!

    Joel and Steve are celebrating!! Today is Steve's birthday, and Joel's anniversary! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at [email protected] or DM on Bluesky you will be entered into a...

  9. TTBB 200 - POOL

    Joel and Steve celebrate the beginning of summer (and their 200th podcast!) by creating Fresh Content - just for you, the dedicated listeners of TTBB Nation! Steve is acting again, Joel is going to New York and there are many things to do in SE Nebraska - shoutout to The Omaha Buzz for compiling…

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  10. TTBB 199 - Colin Egger

    Joel and Steve have been talking about getting Joel's older brother Colin on the pod since its inception, so for about 5 years. Today it actually happened! All it took was a bike ride and the promise of some pizza, they should have thought about that a lot sooner! At any rate - it was worth the...

  11. TTBB 198 - Use The Force Luke

    Joel and Steve mostly talk about introversion, Bob Weir, Florence and the Machine, streetcars and games you can play on them. Mostly. Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at...

  12. TTBB 197 - Open The F-ing Strait!!!

    Joel and Steve managed to get it together for a second week in a row to celebrate a new and unprecedented level of insanity coming from our nation's highest office! It's So Good, and so many laughs! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them!…

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  13. TTBB 196 - It Is What It Is

    Joel and Steve welcome you back! They've decided that really what they like doing is 'starting' - staying consistent is a... work in progress. Regardless - they're glad to be back together and glad you're here! They have both been traveling a bit, and having local adventures. Be sure to check out...

  14. TTBB 195 - My Algorithm Is Still An Algorithm

    Joel and Steve have brand new war to play with! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at [email protected] or DM on Bluesky you will be entered into a quarterly drawing for a now Limited...

  15. TTBB 194 - A Stranger In The Alps

    Joel and Steve... are not dead yet! It's been one month since they last spoke IRL or here. Pretty weird, but it's pretty weird times! Lots to talk about, and they do that Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email...

  16. TTBB 193 - Cybertruck of Justice

    Joel and Steve (sort of but not really) regret yet another extended absence from you, the dedicated listeners of TTBB Nation! It couldn't be helped, but know that they do love you - and that they can change! They discuss the murders of US Citizens at the hands of ICE, and related issues -...

  17. TTBB 192 - Gianna Urbauer

    Happy 2026 to TTBB Nation! To celebrate Joel and Steve have a most distinguished guest - Gianna Urbauer, who just happens to be Steve's daughter! This will definitely go in the books as a major parenting victory for Steve, as well as being a great conversation! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe…

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  18. TTBB 191 - That's Showbiz!

    Joel and Steve return from their longest break in five years - thanks to TTBB Nation for standing by, we do appreciate you! They have a somewhat valid excuse is that they were both busy putting together Steve's acting debut, which - all in all - was a success on many levels! And, also - you know…

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  19. TTBB 190 - Not *THE* Method

    Joel and Steve, once again, are careening wildly into 'The Holidays'. They unpack going to a Celebration of Life, and what it means to 'accomplish things', and Joel gives Steve some sort of solicited acting advice! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you…

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  20. TTBB 189 - All The World's A Stage

    Joel and Steve enter their 6th year of the TTBB Podcast with a fun talk about the Donkey Work of Acting, the prison of being 'cool', Wyrmwood's album release party, Trey Anastasio Band and Rail Riders. If you want to see the production of A Very Merry Nebraska City Christmas Carol - here's the...

  21. TTBB 188 - 5 Years?!?

    Joel and Steve did TTBB #1 on 5/16/2020, so welcome to their 5 Year Anniversary Rerun!! They will be back with you shortly, but in the meantime they would like to convey their gratitude to TTBB Nation for listening and to all of the past (and future) guests for their time and insight. Onward!! Be...

  22. TTBB 187 - Special Guest Cole Eisenmenger!

    Joel and Steve are delighted to welcome musician/songwriter Cole Eisenmenger from Omaha, NE on the pod! They talk about his band Wyrmwood and their upcoming album release, music, music therapy, bobble heads, discovering new music and more! Wyrmwood is having an album release party at Slowdown in...

  23. TTBB 186 - Come Back To Consistency

    Steve was out past his bedtime getting down in Omaha. (And, in this case, 'getting down' means sitting and enthusiastically tapping his foot and nodding his head.) Joel is reading Buddhist Monk stuff, while Steve is listening to a biography of Robert (R.) Crumb. Both equally transcendent and...

  24. TTBB 185 - Lovers Bits

    Joel visited lovely (really) Sioux City, SD and Steve had family in town. Also - we sort of like The Admiral in Omaha, but not enough to go there on a school night. Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel...

  25. TTBB 184 - No Joke On Snake!

    Joel saw "The Outsiders" musical, and Steve saw Peach Trucking Co. play some mighty-fine Allman Bros music. Beyond that - everything is fine! You can watch "Next To Normal" here: Next to Normal | About | Great Performances | PBS Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and...

  26. TTBB 183 - Free Parking

    Joel and Steve come back from a well-deserved break to discuss , Joel's new devised work with his students - and the fact that Joel is going to be directing Steve (!) in a play! Here's the Elephant Graveyard video Steve was referencing:...

  27. TTBB 182 - Keep It Light

    Chappell Roan, Covid, Husker Football, A Nebraska City Christmas, Ex Nihilo Festival Omaha, Bob Odenkirk, car shows - It's All Happening! For information on the Ex Nihilo Festival in Omaha see Soundarte.MX's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/soundarte.mx/ Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and...

  28. TTBB 181 - Protest At The Co-op

    Joel and Steve discuss Joel's Alien Colonoscopy (he wishes), Drive-In Theaters, Pickleball, Working out, and maybe buying a Nintendo Switch2 when the time is right. Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel...

  29. TTBB 180 - The Opposite of 'Yes' is 'Me'

    Steve played a musical Free Improv gig last night, and Joel stopped by to check it out, and Joel is facing a new term of new drama students and has a couple revelations! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email...

  30. TTBB 179 - The Level Is Hot

    Steve went to New York City; Joel is going back to work! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at [email protected] or DM on Bluesky you will be entered into a quarterly drawing for a now...

  31. TTBB 178 - Interview with JWG Wise

    Joel and Steve are delighted to chat with JWG Wise - the creator of the horror audio drama Weeping Cedars. Weeping Cedars (and its related shows Samite and Wrought of Amber) are richly, deeply layered serials that are fascinating and addicting. Check out all of the Weeping Cedars stories at:...

  32. TTBB 177 - AI Relationship Goals

    After yet another multi-week break (Summertime!) Joel and Steve reconvene and reconnect! Joel's yard is immaculate and stylish, Steve made the Executive Decision to pull the podcast off of Spotify, but not (yet) out of his life. (It's complicated.) Check out the Carl Hiassen novel "Squeeze Me"...

  33. TTBB 176 - Hang In There, Baby!

    Joel and Steve wake up extra early to bring you - the dedicated TTBB listener - fresh content! They saw the re-release of "This Is Spinal Tap" yesterday, and eagerly awaiting the release of "Spinal Tap II - The End Contiunues!" in September. Steve saw some great local prog-rock (Underbite) and…

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  34. TTBB 175 - Over There

    Hey Everyone - Welcome to the Summer of Joel and Steve! Thanks for allowing them to take a few weeks off. Joel was in Europe, and Steve was... doing other things! Check out Larry Wish from Minneapolis, MN: The Mind is the Builder | Larry Wish Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel...

  35. TTBB 174 - Shoving Freedom Down Your Throat

    Joel and Steve get together to discussvthe mandatory freedom that is being given to certain members of the United States this week! Check out Picklefest in Columbus, NE! Columbus In Action Presents: Picklefest 2025 Tickets, Sat, Jun 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite Be sure to Like, Follow,...

  36. TTBB 173 - Don't Want No Korn In My Funk

    Joel won't eat mushrooms, and Steve wants his funk to be the P-Funk, Mothership and all. They - shockingly - have opinions. TAKAAT - Is Noise, Vol. 1 | TAKAAT (of Mdou Moctar) | Purplish Records Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited...

  37. TTBB 172 - 2025 Mother's Day Spectacular!!

    Joel and Steve wish all of the mother's out there a very happy Mother's Day! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at [email protected] or DM on Bluesky you will be entered into a quarterly...

  38. TTBB 171 - I'm An Artist!

    Joel and Steve prevail over unforeseen technical issues to provide you - the dedicated TTBB Listener - with Fresh Content! Joel admits he was wrong, and Steve has a personal realization that is actually positive! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen…

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  39. TTBB 170 - This Is The Album You're Dealing With

    Joel and Steve power through in pretty much the exact opposite configuration as last time - Joel is well rested and ready to go, Steve is... less so. But - the show must go on! As any long-time listener of TTBB knows - when there is sleep deprivation involved, the good stuff comes out! Be sure to...

  40. TTBB 169 - Space Food Noodle Cup

    Joel and Steve discuss Steve's train obsession, David Lynch/Twin Peaks, and the Hands Off protest in Lincoln, NE yesterday. Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at [email protected] or DM…

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  41. TTBB 168 - Mosaic of Bullshit

    Joel and Steve both... wake up! They wake up from non-restful slumber to give You - the dedicated TTBB listener - Fresh Content! They really don't have a lot to talk about - just... you know... It's a good time! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve...

  42. TTBB 167 - We Got Our Brains Cleaned!

    Steve made his free improv music debut last night, and Joel was in the house! Many thanks to everyone at Project Project in Omaha, NE for the opportunity! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve…

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  43. TTBB 166 - Trojan Horse of Joy

    Joel just got back from a nice little tropical vacation, and Steve went on an entirely different kind of trip. Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at [email protected] or DM on Bluesky…

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  44. TTBB 165 - Daddy Needs An Outlet!

    Joel has ongoing power struggles with Maven. Who is a dog. We understand this dynamic. Steve is making weird music and quite happy about it! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Limited Time Offer - if you email Joel and Steve at...

  45. TTBB 164 - The Waffle Iron is Always Hot

    Steve made a fly-by-night trip to New York City do to participate in a live Guess The Year show at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village - much fun was had! There is a lot of really great stuff happening in the world. Despite - you know - Everything. Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review...

  46. TTBB 163 - Box Step and Jazz Hands!

    Joel and Steve are finally well enough (physically anyway) to reconvene to provide you - the dedicated TTBB listener - some Fresh Content! They are acutely aware that any distraction from the veritable hellscape that is our current situation is welcome, but they also try to find ways to stay sane...

  47. TTBB 162 - How You Doin' Buddy?

    Joel and Steve reconvene to check in for no particular reason. Everything is great! Joel did some theater stuff, Steve packed in some fun things before he goes back to work! Be sure to Like, Follow, Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to them! Follow on Instagram...

  48. TTBB 161 - Please Stand By

    The rumors of the death of the TTBB podcast have been... Greatly Exaggerated. Joel and Steve are alive and well, and are beyond delighted to bring you - the dedicated TTBB listener - Fresh Content for 2025! What does the new year have in store for all of us? That's anybody's guess - but know that...

  49. TTBB 160 - Sarah Rasby

    Joel and Steve are delighted and honored to welcome their first guest since July, 2023 - Sarah Rasby! Steve talke a couple podcasts ago about attending a grief and gratitude workshop with Sarah, and she agreed to come on the pod and speak about her grief journey, and where that has led - and is...

  50. TTBB 159 - Friendship Accelerator

    Joel and Steve celebrate their 4th Podcast Anniversary by creating fresh content for you - the dedicated TTBBPodcast listener!! Be sure to Like/Follow/Subscribe to and Review Joel and Steve wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, email Joel and Steve @...

About this show

A podcast of two longtime pals, talking about all the things, and trying to be just a little better at humaning.

Hosted by

Trying To Be Better Podcast

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does Trying To Be Better with Joel and Steve have?

Trying To Be Better with Joel and Steve has 211 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on November 1, 2026.

What is Trying To Be Better with Joel and Steve about?

A podcast of two longtime pals, talking about all the things, and trying to be just a little better at humaning.

How often does Trying To Be Better with Joel and Steve release new episodes?

Trying To Be Better with Joel and Steve publishes every two weeks, based on its 211 episodes since November 2020.

Who hosts Trying To Be Better with Joel and Steve?

Trying To Be Better with Joel and Steve is created and hosted by Trying To Be Better Podcast.
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