Pumpkin Spice Salmon and the 9/11 Conspiracy Scale | 10/17/25

A possum stole Halloween, the CIA controls the weather, Pumpkin Spice Salmon, and Newfoundland has a new city with an unbelievable name. Nothing’s real, freedom’s optional, and we’re totally fine. Let’s unpack this chaos.
Keith and Brad bring another unfiltered Friday Happy Hour to life: skewering fake news, conspiracy theories, and the weirdest trends of 2025. The duo takes a curious and unapologetic look at how digital illusions, government mistrust, and cultural manipulation shape modern society, simultaneously laughing about pumpkin spice salmon, possums with attitude, and weird town names like “Dildo, Newfoundland.”
Brad opens up about the challenges of storytelling in today’s age of distrust, and Keith breaks down his viral “9/11 Conspiracy Scale.” They also examine the Farmer’s Almanac vs. government weather lies, the return of Junior Mints in surgery (yes, really), and what King Charles II’s tragic inbreeding says about unchecked power. Whether you’re here for AI conspiracies, health insights, or just pure podcast gold, this episode brings nostalgia, humor, and media analysis together like no other. One of the most raw and engaging cultural commentary podcasts you’ll hear all year.
Chapters:
00:00 The Burden of Heroism
03:01 Super Mario Brothers: A Deeper Look
06:01 Reflections on Nostalgia and Movies
09:01 The Dynamics of Sports Fandom
11:59 Alcohol and Youth Culture
14:55 The Evolution of Combat Sports
18:02 The Future of Fighters and Their Careers
21:13 Social Media Shenanigans and Group Chats
24:30 Ties in Football: A Rare Occurrence
27:55 Excitement for Upcoming Games
31:52 The Human Centipede and Disturbing Films
36:12 MLB Showdown: Yankees vs. Red Sox
39:01 Pop Culture References and Movie Critiques
40:00 Nostalgia for Childhood Movies
41:01 The Impact of Sports Movies on Culture
42:00 The Evolution of Air Bud and Its Legacy
43:03 The Absurdity of Animal Sports Movies
44:03 Fantasy Sports and NFL Discussions
48:59 Upcoming Movies and Entertainment Trends
51:54 Weekend Plans and Closing Thoughts
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/at-the-mic-with-keith-malinak2022/donations