Loi Dunk

Send a textWeird news!Protein is the hottest nutrient right now. Some think there's no such thing as enough. But a protein bar designed to give you cancer? Barbara and Teja think that's a step too far.Then there's the head scratcher. What happens when a Waymo gets a ticket? Guess the police need some guidance on that one. #weirdnews #comedy #protein #proteinbars #waymo

Send a textA few decades ago, Barbara and Teja would read entire issues of Inc. Magazine while waiting for their slow, screechy 14.4 modem to connect them to a wild, uncharted land called 'The Internet'. Now? Barbara has created her own custom GPT—a personalized AI that can crank out first drafts for technical and marketing text in seconds. They talk about how Large Language Models work, why it’s teeth chattering, and what it means for creativity in the AI age.#customgpt  #techknowledgy  #artificialintelligence #ai #aicreativity  #marketingtools  #BarbaraAndTeja #loidunk  #aiforwriters #generativeai #chatgpt

Send a textYour friendly neighborhood voice and upper airway specialized speech-language pathologist, Barbara has a few things to say about the presentation of Dixie's polyps as portrayed in 9-1-1 Nashville. #voicedisorders #voice #commentary #comedy

Send a textSpending summers doing nothing would be awesome...until it's not. Barbara and Teja peel away at Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as expected in the series We Were Liars, but uncover some shock and awe that would put any super-privileged debutante in the worry box. #wewereliars #tvreview #humor

Send a textWeird News! Teja reports on the story of Virginia news anchor Olivia Jaquith, who kept broadcasting after her water broke live on air. Three hours. Zero panic. Just contractions and commitment.Meanwhile, Barbara brings us the story of Kathy Bailey, who turned her daughter’s fortune cookie into a $50,000 lottery win—thanks to some prophetic numbers and the "fortune cookie" bonus round. Should the daughter get a cut?#weirdnews #WaterBreakOnAir #OliviaJaquith #PregnantAnchor #LotteryWin #FortuneCookieLuck #StrangeButTrue #LoiDunk #BarbaraAndTeja

Send a textIn this Loi Dunk: Weird News episode, Teja introduces us to a pet zebra in Tennessee who decided to treat himself to a little solo adventure, including a scenic trot through town and dinner in a meadow. Who doesn't like a little alone time? Yes, you can have a pet zebra in Tennessee. Should you? That’s a different question. Find out what other weird pets are or aren't allowed in Tennessee.Barbara brings in a story that’s musical and microscopic. Nanoscientists have built the world’s tiniest violin, smaller than a human hair. It's not just an expression anymore. It's the perfect gift for the emotionally dramatic flea in your life.Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @loidunk

Send a textBarbara and Teja talk K-Pop Demon Hunters! We're loving the action, attitude, and sparkle. Barbara struts her fandom in her Mystery Saja-inspired wig.From the high-energy battles to the hilarious character moments, this movie might be one of the most fun surprises of the year.#kpopdemonhuntersnetflix

Send a textIn this episode, Teja goes full rant-mode on the eternal curse of yard work. Barbara has a high-tech solution: robotic lawn mowers. They exist. One is even guided by satellites, but it costs more than your first car.Barbara and Teja roll through the surprisingly competitive world of robotic lawn care—from fancy GPS-guided lawnbots to slightly more “budget-friendly” options. The real question is: would a cat ride one like it’s a grass-trimming Roomba?How far will we go for the dream of sipping lemonade while the robots do all the yard work? Tune in and find out.Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @loidunk

Send a textIn this episode, Barbara and Teja dive into the colorful, action-packed, and occasionally absurd world of anime and manga. Barbara confesses her deep affection for Spy x Family and reveals that her first-ever crush wasn’t human. (But he had expressive eyes, a cape, and a bird-shaped helmet.) Meanwhile, Teja shares what it was like growing up with anime and manga in Japan, where it was less “niche obsession” and more “part of life.”From psychic kids and secret agents to awkward middle school feelings, we explore what makes anime and manga so special—and why these stories stick with us long after the final panel.Subbed, dubbed, or wildly emotional—we’re here for all of it.Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @loidunk

Send a textIn this Loi Dunk: Weird News episode, Barbara and Teja serve up two stories that land somewhere between “impressive” and “sounds sussy.”First, Barbara introduces us to a man who went to the trouble of breaking his own Guinness World Record by balancing 96 spoons on his body. Why? We’re not entirely sure, but we respect the dedication to cutlery-based glory.Then Teja brings us an unsettling yet oddly compelling case from Australia: a woman accused of poisoning her in-laws with a mushroom dish. Was it a foraged faux pas or something more sinister? That's up to the jury now.Read the full stories• Spoon balancing champ: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2025/5/man-balances-96-spoons-on-body-to-break-own-record-i-can-stick-any-object-to-my-skin• Mushroom murder trial: https://apnews.com/article/australia-mushroom-trial-erin-patterson-wilkinson-60b08cdcc496032499ec9676681289a5Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @loidunk

Send a textIn this episode, Barbara and Teja dip their toes into the surprisingly strange history of shoe sizing. Did you know that grains of barleycorn were once the standard unit for measuring feet? Shoe sizes were based on cereal math. Then there was the mid-century trend of using x-ray machines in shoe stores. It seemed like a way to find your perfect fit. It turned out that prolonged radiation exposure wasn’t the foot-care breakthrough we hoped it would be.Come for the barleycorn, stay for the vintage tech that really should stay in the past.Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @loidunk

Send a textIn weird news, Teja takes us to Japan, where scientists are painting dark stripes on cows to protect them from horsefly bites. It actually worked. Score one for cows in cosplay! Barbara considers zebra-striped onsies to keep her horsefly nemeses at bay.Barbara's story has us rolling into Pittsburgh, where Balls Out Bowling is a real event hosted by a nudist organization. Between the puns and innuendos, Barbara and Teja express genuine admiration for the confidence it takes to take to the lanes sans clothing, except for the shoes, of course. Hygiene, after all.Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @loidunk#weirdnews #comedy #cows #bowling

Send a textSound the alarm for how much we love 9-1-1. From high-stakes rescues to heart-squeezing emotional arcs, this show delivers everything we crave in a first-responder drama. And don’t get us started on the cast chemistry, because wow. Every character feels essential, and the ensemble clicks like a well-oiled fire truck.We talk about that unforgettable scene between Athena and Chimney (no spoilers, promise) and how it showed just how powerful this show can be, thanks to two actors who absolutely crushed it.Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @loidunk👨‍🚒 If you love heroic chaos with a side of emotional depth, this one’s for you.#911onFOX #911onabc  #FirstResponderDrama #TVShowsWeLove #AthenaGrant #Chimney #FoundFamily #CharacterChemistry #EmergencyTV #BingeWorthyTV #NoSpoilers

Send a textBarbara and Teja test out the brand-new AirPods Pro 3 to see if Apple’s latest earbuds live up to the hype. Teja is especially curious about the improved background noise handling, because who doesn’t want to actually hear everyone spill the tea in a crowded café?As for the new live translation feature, it’s still a little clunky, but give it some time. Maybe they'll even eventually add Klingon.Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikiTok: @loidunk#airpodspro3 #airpodspro #techreview

Send a textBarbara and Teja share their love of ABC’s High Potential, a fresh twist on the civilian-helps-detective formula. We compare it to other quirky-genius shows we’ve loved and why High Potential is different. Morgan isn’t just brilliant. She’s neurodiverse while being relatable and genuinely connected to the people around her.A clever take on a familiar genre, it might just become your next binge-worthy favorite.Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @loidunk#highpotential #comedy #neurodiversityaffirming

Send a textIt's a Loi Dunk Weird News edition! Today, Barbara and Teja bring us two animal headlines that teeter between “aww” and “what now?” First: the Bronx Zoo is raising a baby vulture using a disturbingly lifelike hand puppet. Then it’s off to Texas, where police gently escorted a loose donkey off a busy highway like it was late for brunch.From bird puppetry to hooved fugitives, we’ve got the internet’s weirdest news—served with commentary, curiosity, and the occasional side-eye.🔗 Read the full stories:• Vulture chick + puppet drama: https://apnews.com/article/nyc-bronx-zoo-vulture-chick-puppet-feeding-c804354bfc99348903365c2e0888dcd6• Donkey on the run: https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/05/19/Live-Oak-Police-Department-donkey-lake-highway/5001747675077/Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @loidunk#weirdnews #todayilearned #animalnews #funnynews #vultures #donkeys

Send a textBefore we had smartphones doing calculus in our pockets, we had calculators. In this episode, Barbara and Teja take a light-hearted stroll through the history of those button-filled brain boosters—from clunky desktop models to solar-powered sidekicks, and the golden era of the TI-83. Where does the abacus fit into all of this?We marvel at how engineers helped Apollo 13 get back to Earth using slide rules, and explore how these humble devices became the unsung heroes of classrooms, labs, and kitchen drawers everywhere. Come on, you know you still have one (or two) somewhere.Come for the retro tech, stay for the existential math flashbacks.Find us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok @loidunk#CalculatorHistory #RetroTech #TechNostalgia #Abacus #SlideRule #STEMHistory #MathThrowback #Edutainment #VintageTech #DidYouKnow #FunFact #GeekCulture

Send a textBarbara and Teja dive into the glorious, action-packed world of The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah. Yes, she kicks butt. Yes, there are explosions. And yes, sometimes it’s wildly over the top—but that’s part of the charm. Because deep down, don’t we all wish we could be a hero like the Queen?We talk about why the show works, from the high-stakes drama to the warm, believable bond between Robin, her daughter Dee, and Aunt Vi. It’s a blend of vigilante justice and cozy family dinners—and somehow, it just works.📺 Whether you're here for the action or the auntie wisdom, come hang out with us as we celebrate one of TV’s most entertaining reboots.#TheEqualizer #QueenLatifah #TVReview #RebootSeries #FoundFamily #BingeWorthy #TVTalk #PopCulture #RobinMcCall #AuntVi #MustWatchTV #StreamingNow

Send a textYour chameleon comedy hosts are back at it again. We're heading on a new content adventure. It's a rebrand! Get the why, the what, the where... and find out how a decades-old nonsense word came to symbolize an outlook on life. Whatever.   It's all good.   Loi Dunk

Send a textWe appreciate you rating and reviewing Living Forward on your favorite podcast app.In this episode, we dive deep into two of life's greatest puzzles: the Declaration of Independence and actual puzzles. One thousand pieces of historical text—what could go wrong? Tune in as we discuss the satisfaction and frustration of tackling a thousand-piece replica of America's most famous document. But don’t worry, it's not just about history; we also explore Barbara’s new album! The title track, "56 Fishes" is inspired by the varied worldviews of the signers of the Declaration. A genre-blending amalgam of neo indie, indie pop, dark alt pop, and industrial pop, the project is coming together one song—and one confusing fish—at a time. Metaphors fly faster than puzzle pieces. This episode explores the creative mind of an artist trying to solve much bigger puzzles in life.Whether you’re into puzzles, music, or if you just want to know why fish are schooling with the Founding Fathers, this episode is the ride you didn’t know you needed.Follow us on Instagram @wearelivingforward 

Send a textJoin Barbara and Teja as the roast in the Boston heatwave with their broken air conditioner? Why not add some podcast recording to our sweaty saga. The big story today is Teja's new project—a dramatic podcast series titled Caucus: After the Fall. He'll talk about the unique way the story was scripted - or unscripted, if you will. From the origin of the story to the music and foley effects. Teja and Barbara take you backstage for this dystopian, speculative fiction story.Follow us on Instagram @wearelivingforward

Send a textAre there monster truck rallies in Madison, Wisconsin? Maybe. But there's definitely Epic - and now Barbara's medical center has Epic too! Does that make us Epic?In this episode, Barbara and Teja talk about the two-year transformation of her medical center from the Southwest Airlines of medical technology into a jet fighter.Integration of all those systems feels good, but how should we prepare our clicker fingers for all the extra activity? How do patients benefit from it all? And why don't any of these systems talk to each other? What about AI.Be Epic with us today on Living Forward!Follow us on Instagram @wearelivingforward

Send a textWe've got a new episode and a new microphone setup. We're loving the upgraded sound quality. We start with more "owies", telling you about Barbara's recent car accident, caused by a loose dog. Shout out to airbags and seatbelts! Next, Teja takes us to Tokyo for his pandemic-delayed high school reunion. Reconnecting with classmates from around the world revived the unique dynamics of their close-knit international group. Teja also reflects on how Tokyo has evolved into a cosmopolitan hub while maintaining its distinct Japanese charm, blending global influences seamlessly into everyday life.In our final chapter, we challenge listeners to create a Living Forward dance for Instagram. Will anyone take us up on it? @wearelivingforwardSee you in the episode!

Send a textIn this episode of Living Forward with Barbara and Teja, we dive into the dynamic world of AI and its growing impact on our lives. Join us as we explore the benefits and challenges of learning how to harness the power of AI as a tool, discuss the fascinating yet concerning phenomenon of AI hallucinations, and bemoan the apparent decline of our favorite visual AI tool. How is Barbara bringing an AI assignment into her university classroom? What are Teja’s experiences and concerns about AI tools in visual art? Is there a difference between machine learning and AI? Is there a future for self-driving cars on the streets of Boston?Whether you're an AI enthusiast or a cautious observer, this episode is packed with valuable insights and engaging discussions. Tune in and join the conversation!Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforward 

Send a textDrama, outer space, and a giant telepathic spider. These are the essence of Spaceman starring Adam Sandler. Barbara and Teja pivot from The Out-Laws 😖to Spaceman 🤨 in search of cinematic mastery aaaannnnd the results were less than stellar. Join us while we dish about joy and heartache of cringe-worthy movies. Find out more about Barbara’s new tattoo in the process! Should Teja get one too?Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforward 

Send a textJoin us for our 24,000 step-per-day trip to Disney World! Teja pampered his bad leg in the mornings, while Barbara and our daughter hit the early entry lines. We go deep into the immersive Star Wars experience and speculate about the happiest dungeon in the world. With expert help from Haley at Wishing Well Travel (not sponsored), we managed to navigate the intricate dance of magic bands, dining plans, and Lightning Lanes. Tune in for our Disney episode.Traveling to Disney?Here's Wishing Well Travel: https://wishingwelltravel.com/ (not sponsored)

Send a textOur favorite shows are back and we’re happily streaming again! With the actors and writers strikes behind us all, we'll tell you what's hooked our attention. There’s Nathan Fillion in The Rookie and unexpected depth in 9-1-1 Lone Star. There's the speculative genius of For All Mankind and the quirkiness of Will Trent. How we still find time to write and get to work on time, is anyone's guess.Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforward

Send a textWe’re back! With all the regularity of the BBC’s Doctor Who season schedule, we’re on the mic again. This week we’re poking fun at the ratings and review systems that are foisted on us every day. Who decided frowny faces should measure sadness? And are more of them a good or a bad thing? On a personal note, Barbara shared her health challenges from COVID to cancer, with a side of surgery. Through it all, creativity became a lifeline, with flash fiction, a geek love ballad, and a newfound appreciation for Rush.Join us as we navigate the bizarre world of reviews, where every rating has a story, and every frowny face has its day.Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforward

Send a textWhat could possibly keep two of the biggest rock bands throughout decades performing for die hard fans? Rosanna. So, don't stop believing that iconic melodies, lyrics and voice qualities of Journey and Toto will continue to wow millions of crazed-fans around the world! Journey’s on the road again, and Barbara and Teja Totolly met them all the way at their 50th anniversary concert tour. We got the T-shirts to prove it. Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZXJoin us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardhttps://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textBarbara and Teja attempt to stretch their luck by testing their physical flexibility and mobility. While following along a virtual class, they try their best to manupulate their muscles and ligaments they didn't even know they had. Can they survive rotating their hips like pretzels and dialing their kneecaps like doorhandles? Maybe... Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZXJoin us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardhttps://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textThis is not about finding the best deals on family-sized hand sanitizer or stockpiling frozen salmon. It's about a self-indulgent, one-hour experience in a box-store traveling exhibit of an immersive full-body massage chair. Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZXJoin us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardhttps://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textIt would be a cold day on the South Pole if Hollywood ever got foreign accents correct. Self-appointed culture investigators, Barbara and Teja mock the incompentance of directors and casting agents and end up surrounded by Yakuza penguins.Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZXJoin us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardhttps://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textOwning, caring for and loving all that is "cat", will furnish your home with a profusion of fur and all that comes of its relationship to the feline monster.Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZXJoin us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardhttps://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textBarbara and Teja defy escape velocity and return unharmed from an event horizon time-slip. 14 months may have passed since their last podcast, but you know...stuff. Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZX Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardhttps://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textWould you trust artificial intelligence to dress you? Barbara and Teja use the DressX app augmented reality feature to explore the world of digital fashion. They will dazzle social media fans with styles that will blow your mind! (and maybe your budget too...) We'll be releasing the pictures on our socials and our web site too!Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZX Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforward https://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textBarbara goes solo this week with her inspirational tale of learning to snorkel. Sit on the edge of your seat as she stares down barracuda, wrestles with an inflatable dinghy, and masters the sea with her stellar doggie paddle. The coral was totally worth it. Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZX Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforward https://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textCryptocurrency is here to stay! Impress Elon Musk at the next SpaceX company outing with your wealth of knowledge. And find out why a TV show phenomenon might not be the best thing to base an investment on. Take the cryptocurrency quiz with Teja and see if you have what it takes to succeed in the cyber economy! Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZX Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textIt would have been easier to just buy a loaf of fresh bread from the bakery. But this is Barbara and Teja we're talking about. So, a quick visit to the Dedham Public Library to borrow a breadmaker, a multi-isle cruise at the market for specific bread-making ingredients, and an eye-bleeding read-through of the breadmaker manual, and they're all set. Or are they? Dedham Public Library "Objects to Borrow"! https://dedham-ma.libguides.com/objectsSign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZX Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textThe true test of technology isn't what it can do, it's what it can't do. Teja saw a slick advertisement for the new app Count This. Now he and Barbara are on a quest to have the app count everything in their house. Where will it succeed or fail? Will this new technology save them the pain of having to count all of the grapes in the fruit drawer or from confusion when sorting their socks? Tune in and find out!Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZXJoin us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardhttps://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textTeja studied cinema. Barbara did not. So when they decided it was time to decypher the volumenous symbolism in the movie Blade Runner, Barbara started packing to move off-world. Drenched in sci-fi, religious, and film noir references the movie left them both looking for an umbrella. And they still have no clue as to where the dove came from.Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZXJoin us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardhttps://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textIt was supposed to be a fun afternoon out, to see the Imagine Van Gogh exhibition, but instead turned into a three-month wait. Yup! Barbara missed the invisible gorilla when buying the tickets. How could this happen, you ask? Join us and we'll tell you all about how our brain's selective attention system can ruin an otherwise lovely afternoon.Sign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZXJoin us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardhttps://www.facebook.com/livingforwardpodcast

Send a textFacebook's massive outage this week is the perfect opportunity for Barbara & Teja to display their explainer skills so you can look hip and informed at your next distanced dinner party. The world may not have come to an end, but with millions of people's eyeballs unable to keep scrolling, visits to ophthalmologists may be up. Get your emergency outage supplies and join Barbara & Teja as they debrief about this major internet meltdown.Join us on Instagram @wearelivingforwardSign up for our newsletter! http://eepurl.com/hH5nZX

Send a textLong ago, we could all hanker for a hunk of cheese, but these are the days of nondairy alternatives! Never ones to shy away from a fun trend, for one exclusive night, Barbara and Teja eschew the cow, the goat, and the yak, and instead dive into a taste test of plant-based nondairy yogurts.  Sign up for our monthly newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/hH5nZX

Send a textThe heat is on when Barbara and Teja take a glass blowing lesson! There's nothing like standing next to a burning furnace of molten glass on a 95 degree day. Can Barbara handle the pressure? Can Teja remember what color he picked? They are now armed with new and saucy-sounding vocabulary. Who knew glass blowing was so edgy? No podcasters were harmed in the making of this episode. Sign up for our monthly newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/hH5nZXHere's where we took our glass blowing lesson: https://hoogs-and-crawford-glass.square.site/(not sponsored)

Send a text50 episodes in, and Teja mistakes a pumpkin for a watermelon. No excuses for Teja, and a win for Barbara. Join these two fruit juices for a celebration of this huge milestone, and the announcement of their big, fresh, flavorful development! Sign up for our Newsletter!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/datenighttvInstagram: @ourdatenight

Send a textIt's been a decade since Barbara and Teja have strolled the fancy Newbury Street, downtown Boston. They were supposed to have been at a play, but due to an unannounced change of address, ended up in a high energy, outdoor sidewalk Japanese restaurant for matcha highball and lychee martinis. Teja and Barbara have an announcement about the podcast.Instagram @ourdatenightFacebook: Date Night with Barbara and Teja

Send a textThere's no such thing as an empty nest when Barbara & Teja are around. After exploring the depth of their obsession with apps, they manifest their impressions of the show Manifest. Such potential and then...spoiler alert! 

Send a textAs Barbara and Teja prepare for their daughter to leave for college, they ruminate on their own college-bound experiences from opposite sides of the planet. Avoiding the topic again and again, they slowly build a layer of denial, awe and humor as they give into the inevitable.

Send a textThey say accidents happen for a reason. Sometimes those reasons have dire consequences, and sometimes they have glorious outcomes. And sometimes, they have both. Celebrate 30 years of happy accidents and a most painful marriage proposal, on this special Valentine's Day episode of Date Night with Barbara and Teja!Find us on Facebook at Date Night with Barbara & Teja and Instagram @ourdatenight! Don't forget to subscribe and please do us the favor of rating and reviewing us on your favorite podcast app.If you'd like to know more about our friends at Horse Thieves Tavern, here's their web site:https://www.horsethievestavern.com/* not sponsored, just helping out our local restaurant community that has been so hard hit by COVID-19.

Send a textCan a hobby be tedious, complex or even boring? No! Barbara and Teja unleash their passion for hobbies they have, wanted to have, or failed at.Visit us on Facebook: Date Night with Barbara & Teja and on Instagram @ourdatenight