About this episode
In this episode, Merlin Mann reflects on various cultural references and personal memories, exploring themes of nostalgia and the passage of time.
The Problem : We were slender then. (Recorded on Monday, February 16, 2026.) Links “Against the Wind” — Bob Seger (1980) — “What to leave in? What to leave out?” Dave Nanian — Mastodon post about his original ’81 copy — the friend who sparked the dB’s conversation The dBs — “Black and White” ( Repercussion , 1982) Don Dixon — “Girls L.T.D.” — solo track from the guy who co-produced early R.E.M. Sneakers (band, ~1975) — early NC power pop band featuring Dixon, Easter, and Stamey before they were famous Movies with Mikey — “But, did you knowwww ?” Richard Hugo — “Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg” Candide — Voltaire (1759) — third episode running where Merlin has mentioned Cunegonde Claudine Longet — French singer who shot Olympic skier Spider Sabich; married to Andy Williams “Spicks and Specks” — Bee Gees (1966) — Merlin: “one of the purest pop songs ever written” “You Give a Little Love” — These crazy kids and their pies. From Bugsy Malone (1976) Marshall Brodien’s TV Magic Cards — Merlin bought his trick cards at Walgreens Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) — Roderick cites Cameron Crowe on the film’s tragic subtext about being pressured to lose virginity Groundhog Day (1993) —…
People in this episode
Host: Merlin Mann
Topics covered
- music
- film
- personal anecdotes
- pop culture
- philosophy
Keywords
- Bob Seger
- Groundhog Day
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High
- Claudine Longet
- personal anecdotes
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Mastodon, dB’s, Sneakers, Movies with Mikey, Bugsy Malone
Books & works: Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg, Candide, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Groundhog Day, Black and White, Girls L.T.D., Spicks and Specks, You Give a Little Love, TV Magic Cards
Places: Vacaville, CA
More episodes of Roderick on the Line
- Ep. 628: "My Legacy" · June 8, 2026
- Ep. 627: "American Morning" · June 1, 2026
- Ep. 626: "Chili Dog Meetup" · May 25, 2026
- Ep. 625: "Sixteen-Hour Train" · May 4, 2026
- Ep. 624: "All the Words" · April 27, 2026
- Ep. 623: "Local Tony" · April 20, 2026
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