Josh joins a secret society and Howard takes an online IQ test that pronounces him a genius. Plus, Gregor finally pinpoints the root of Jonathan's un-marketability: there's only one of him.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: Adam and Eve
Jonathan reads the story of Adam and Eve in front of a live audience at the WInnipeg Comedy Festival. With musical guests John K Samson of The Weakerthans, Christine Fellows, and Leanne Zacharias.
Whether you're an early adopter or a modern-day Luddite, there's no denying that the internet is playing an ever-increasing role in our society. But what is it doing to our brains? We speak with Pulitzer Prize nominee Nicholas Carr about how the web is changing how we think. Plus, Jonathan's 70 year-old father explains YouTube, and a love story that revives a method of communication even slower than snail mail.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: The Reverse Life
Gregor encourages Jonathan to embrace his cavemen roots by joining the Barefoot Movement. Plus, Howard sets up a live puppy cam of his pet pugs to share their cuteness with the world. *Disclaimer: Please note that no animals were harmed during the recording of this episode.
Of all the deadly sins, Envy is perhaps the darkest. No one wants to admit to harbouring such a mean little emotion. And yet, we've all experienced it at one time or another. This week, we speak with author Joseph Epstein about the sin, and hear the confessions of a woman who envies everyone she meets. Plus, David Rakoff on the smouldering malice of envy.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: Bernice Meadows
Jonathan finds out his radio show has won an award. The trouble is, it's not in a particularly flattering category. Plus, Howard Chackowicz becomes an International Ladies Man.
Jonathan explores the deadly sin of Lust. A young girl finds her first love at a Weezer concert, an adolescent boy grapples with unexpected desires, and Dan Savage on the most famous teenage lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: Visiting Hours
Howard enlists Jonathan to help him mentor troubled teens at the local community center. And Jonathan reads "Five Visits with Dina and Buzz", about his parents, in front of a live audience in Vancouver. Plus, a musical performance by Hannah Georgas.
Can anger be healthy? Why is God allowed to get angry but we're not? From anger management for children to unhelpful meditation exercises for adults, Jonathan explores the deadly sin of Wrath.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: Cain and Abel
Jonathan reads his story of Cain and Abel in front of a live audience in Vancouver, during the 2010 Olympic Games. Plus, musical guest Hannah Georgas is on hand to play a few tunes.
It's time to face the music for aging child-star Randy Dandy as he discovers that showbiz isn't so kind to the acne-ridden teenager. Plus, a woman tells the story of how one little lie launched the performance of a lifetime.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: Multi-Media
Howard discovers his sensitive side and becomes an artist. Plus, Josh tries to quench his thirst for knowledge by going back to school, and Gregor reveals how he's been keeping close tabs on Jonathan's comings and goings. And what would a british WireTap sound like?
Two tales of man and machine: In the first, a man travels through space with a robot that wants to kill him... as would anyone, the man being extremely annoying. And in the second, the true story of a man who used a tape recorder to document every minute of his life, for three years.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: The High Cost of Living
Howard puts his financial journalism skills to the test as he interviews Alex Blumberg about the economic crisis. Plus, Jonathan offers up some business tips to help his goddaughter with her lemonade stand.
Real life caped crusader, Master Legend, fights crime in Orlando, where he's dedicated his life to making the world a better place. Plus, kids share their fan letters to Batman and WireTap's go-to party animal, Cookie, reveals her favourite superhero.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: My Imposter
Jonathan discovers a fake Jonathan Goldstein posing as him on Twitter. The Jonathan Goldstein showdown goes down as the real Jonathan confronts his imposter. Plus, musical guest Hannah Georgas.
Gregor encourages Jonathan to bulk up for the role of a lifetime. Plus, a woman snacks in her sleep and Howard embarks on a hunger strike to raise awareness for pug rights.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: How To Be Funny
Two humourologists lay down the rules of comedy, from dancing with a lamp shade on your head to using a pause for comedic effect. Plus, Howard tries to spice things up on WireTap with some good old canned laughter. And Josh tries to convince Jonathan that "Can I be Frank'n beans" is the funniest joke ever.
While first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, receives honorary degrees from MIT, second man on the moon, Buzz Aldrin, is stuck doing space-themed fast food restaurant openings. Listen in to their embittered email exchange, featuring David Sedaris as Armstrong and Jonathan Goldstein as Aldrin. Plus, the senior astronomer of the SETI Institute, Seth Shostak, discusses the search for extra-terrestrial life, and a travel agent offers Jonathan the trip of a lifetime.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: Patent Pending
A friend of Howard's tries to get Jonathan to invest in some groundbreaking inventions: A toothpaste dispensing toothbrush, a lie-down toilet, edible pen tops... Plus, an automated relationship replacement hotline that helps mend broken hearts.
WireTap's party girl in residence, Cookie, offers tips on how to let loose with the youngsters, well into your thirties. Plus, Howard proposes an autumnal response to Spring Break, and a young girl embarks on the age-old pursuit of trying to impress the cool kids.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: High Art/Low Art
Jonathan and Gregor take a ride in the Wayback Machine to find out what it would have been like if they were the Marx Brothers. Plus, Josh invents his own brand of cola and uses Jonathan as a guinea pig in a blind taste test.
Comedian Rob Corddry tells the story of a detective confronted with the biggest case of his career: a stolen soul. Plus, suffering from temporary loss of vision, Jonathan calls up a TV watching service for the blind. Featuring Gregor Ehrlich and Sean Cullen.
This episode is not available for on-demand listening, but you can purchase it on iTunes.
Part 2: All Beasts Go to Heaven
Worried about what would happen to your pets in the event of the Rapture? Put your fears to rest as we speak with Bart Carter, an atheist who has post-rapture animal rescue all figured out. Plus, Jonathan pet sits Howard's pugs, Desmond and Bruce. And a short story from David Eagleman's book "Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives."
