Small Town Scuttlebutt

Comedian Carolyn Plummer joins Rick for the first episode of the newly rebranded Stand-Up Scuttlebutt. Carolyn is one of New England's most recognized comics, having performed at TD Garden as part of Comics Come Home. Carolyn shares stories from her comedy journey, including performing at a nudist resort, which is as awkward as it sounds. Then Rick and Carolyn discuss the challenges of moving, the summer jobs that helped shape them, and why neither of them has ever gotten a tattoo. Carolyn's also attempts to justify buying an electric grill. The episode wraps up with spirited opinions about music as Carolyn shares her love of the Grateful Dead and Rick explains why Phish is the worst band to ever exist. Sponsored by APC Pest and Termite Control - APCPest.com

In this one-on-one episode of Small Town Scuttlebutt, Rick talks with friend, sponsor, and local business owner Rolando Perez about his family’s journey from Cuba to the United States. His family left by boat during the Castro era with $47 and the risk of being captured. Although Rolando was only two years old at the time, he shares stories passed down to him — including an uncle sentenced to five years of hard labor cutting sugar cane after a failed attempt to defect, and a grandmother arrested for selling coffee to support the family.At a time when immigration is often discussed in negative terms, Rolando offers a different perspective. Now a grandfather and owner of a martial arts business, he reflects on his life, his family’s sacrifices, and why he believes the United States offers opportunity.Listen for a firsthand account of perseverance, family history, and perspective.

You saved the money. You booked the trip. You just want five days without nonsense. So why is some guy named Todd up at 6:03 AM claiming four pool chairs with towels? This week, Rick kicks things off with a proclamation: Resort chair-saving is not just annoying — it’s a moral failure. For those who are simply trying to escape the daily grind, nothing says “relaxation” like fighting territorial warfare over a chaise lounge.Evan introduces “OK or Not OK?” and puts vacation behavior on trial with five scenarios that will absolutely divide the room. Then, Liz takes us into the deep dive on “Vacation Brain” — the idea that when people travel, courtesy checks out before the luggage does. Is vacation brain a real mental shift or is it just entitlement with a boarding pass?This week's episode is brought to you by APC Pest Control and Royal Pizza!

Rick is joined by Boston-area comic and neighbor Kathe Farris for an episode that perfectly sums up New England living at its finest. They kick things off with the New England Patriots heading to another Super Bowl and how casually cool it is to live near the stadium—especially when a flyover rattles your house. They recap the blizzard and their wildly different survival strategies: Kathe did the responsible thing—stocked up, shoveled, and stayed warm—while Rick opted to sleep outside under a tarp next to a fire like a man auditioning for a show on the History Channel. Then they dig into doing comedy later in life, how it compares to the younger crowd coming up now, and why experience beats chasing trends every time. In the second half, Kathe unveils the latest creations from her Go Cork Yourself collection—hand-painted corks featuring everyone from John Cena to Eleanor Roosevelt to David Hasselhoff. You’re going to want one. Possibly several.

It’s the heart of a New England winter, so Rick, Liz, and Evan talk about the real, practical ways people keep themselves sane when it’s dark, cold, and relentless. Whether it’s staying active, leaning into competition, or just finding small daily rituals that make winter feel survivable, they break down how different personalities handle seasonal affect disorder without losing their minds.Then they dig into a viral post from a dad who admits he hates playing with his kids—is that an uncomfortable truth a lot of parents relate to, or a line that shouldn’t be crossed? And finally, they debate the growing pushback against Dry January and make the case for doing the opposite just to keep a social life alive through the winter.

Rick goes one-on-one with Melissa Rush, a Boston-based stand-up comedian, for a candid conversation about comedy, ADHD, and modern adulthood. They discuss living with ADHD—and whether it’s a disability or a superpower—dating after divorce, and the realities of promoting stand-up comedy on social media.Rick and Melissa also talk comedy in and around Boston, reflect on college life in the 1990s, and share personal takeaways from the events and cultural shifts of 2025. Honest, funny, and relatable, this episode is a grounded look at comedy, focus, and figuring things out as you go.

We kick things off with Liz doing her absolute best to maintain composure while telling a story about beavers—yes, the animal—and failing spectacularly. Immaturity levels are high early.Then Rick and Evan break down (and role-play) a very real email exchange between Rick and the corporate real estate company he leases office space from. There’s a late fee, a request for accountability, and a firm refusal to budge. Is Rick right to push back, or is this just the cost of dealing with “the system”? You decide.In the second half, Liz brings an AITA submission from a dad who’s not thrilled with his wife’s insistence that their daughter’s boyfriend pay for everything. Chivalry, expectations, and what we’re actually teaching kids—all up for debate.Small problems. Big reactions. And at least one conversation that probably didn’t need to happen… but did anyway.