Best John Flansburgh Podcasts (2025)

Co-hosts Jon Uleis and John Walker close out this podcast mini-series with a visit from lawyer, writer, and raconteur Jamie Lincoln Kitman, aka They Might Be Giants's longtime manager. Jamie offers an insider's view of several pivotal points in the band's career, as well as some poignant insights into the strength of John Flansburgh and John Linnel…

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8th Secret Ep: Dial-A-Song Classics ft. Andrew Tisher 2:31:20

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3y ago2:31:20

2:31:20

Free when you podcast from work! Co-hosts Jon Uleis and John Walker find it hard to believe that it's taken this long to get to the topic of They Might Be Giants's Dial-A-Song, the phone service started in 1983 that served as the incubator for hundreds of songs, some of which made it to albums, and some of which were never revisited by the band. Th…

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Bonus Ep: Flansburgh on the Line (August 22, 2001) 40:57

3y ago40:57

40:57

“We've been doing this for nineteen years now,” said a reflective John Flansburgh in 2001, perhaps not aware that They Might Be Giants would “do this” for another nineteen years and then some, with no signs of stopping. And thanks to this recently unearthed, 21-year-old phone interview, you can hear the most gregarious John hype the band’s then-upc…

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7th Secret Ep: Solo Johns ft. Will Hines 1:59:59

3+ y ago1:59:59

1:59:59

Making 23 albums since 1987 has kept They Might Be Giants pretty busy, but that didn’t stop songwriters/frontmen/BFFs John Flansburgh and John Linnell from developing a few solo or spinoff projects. What can be gathered from these scattered releases? What is the meaning of John without John? And, most importantly, where do these walking, talking so…

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David Bowie's Unreleased Album Toy - With Producer Mark Plati 39:09

3+ y ago39:09

39:09

Host Rich Mahan welcomes producer Mark Plati to The Rhino Podcast to discuss the recently released David Bowie Album, "Toy". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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6th Secret Ep: Live Giants! ft. Mike Buffington and Mitch Friedman 1:53:00

3+ y ago1:53:00

1:53:00

Obviously boasting two fantastic songwriters helps, but a major factor in They Might Be Giants’s long career is their constant touring and energetic live shows. Whether as a duo or as a six piece—or any other configuration you can imagine—this is a band obsessed with taking their music directly to the fans. In 2020, a massive and nearly sold out to…

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Idlewild Warnings/Promises With Roddy Woomble & Rod Jones 39:14

3+ y ago39:14

39:14

This week, Host Rich Mahan is joined by Idlewild's Roddy Woomble & Rod Jones to talk about the 1st ever vinyl release of their 2005 album, Warnings/Promises. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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David Crosby's IF ONLY I COULD REMEMBER MY NAME with writer Steve Silberman 54:26

3+ y ago54:26

54:26

This week, host Rich Mahan is joined by writer Steve Silberman for a deep dive into David Crosby’s IF ONLY I COULD REMEMBER MY NAME on its 50th anniversary. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Special guest They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh 57:53

3+ y ago57:53

57:53

This week, co-hosts Rich Mahan and John Hughes welcome John Flansburgh from They Might Be Giants, as they do a deep dive into the duo’s impressive catalog, along with a preview of their new album/hardbound book entitled BOOK. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-in…

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Gerry Rafferty's REST IN BLUE 38:07

3+ y ago38:07

38:07

This week, host Rich Mahan is joined by Martha Rafferty, the daughter of Gerry Rafferty, for a deep dive into her father’s career, including the new album REST IN BLUE, fully realized from demos Gerry was working on before he passed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se…

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The Replacements' SORRY MA... 40th Anniversary 1:11:48

3+ y ago1:11:48

1:11:48

We celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Replacements indie/punk classic SORRY MA, FORGOT TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH with Replacements biographer Bob Mehr, Twin/Tone Records founder Peter Jesperson and Rhino A&R Jason Jones. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

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5th Secret Ep: The One Where You're No Longer Alive ft. Shawn Jones 1:27:51

3+ y ago1:27:51

1:27:51

Death and serious injury are things nobody can avoid forever, and They Might Be Giants have never shied away from this ugly truth in their music. The band does, however, bring their trademark dry humor and knack for catchy, hook-filled music to the table when they deal with these heavy subjects. So the result is never just gloomy for gloom's sake, …

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Special guest Tony Visconti talks T. Rex 1:00:46

3+ y ago1:00:46

1:00:46

Acclaimed producer Tony Visconti joins us to discuss the 50th anniversary of T. Rex’s classic ELECTRIC WARRIOR. Tony walks us through its creation in this fascinating look back at a stone rock classic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

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Bonus Ep: Going Major with Bo Orloff, Ira Robbins, and Sue Drew 2:17:03

4y ago2:17:03

2:17:03

Uleis and Walker are back with a one-of-a-kind episode that looks at the days when They Might Be Giants went from indie label darlings to major label upstarts, and from a two-man outfit with pre-recorded backing tracks to touring with a kickass live band. Each guest—management company go-to guy Bo Orloff, music writer Ira Robbins, and Elektra A&R p…

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Special guests the legendary Cheech & Chong! 43:19

4y ago43:19

43:19

Believe it or not, 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the debut album (aka “The Yellow Album”) from comedy legends Cheech & Chong. Both Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong join host Rich Mahan for a deep dive into the making of this comedy landmark. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#…

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Chicago at Carnegie Hall Part Two with Lee Loughnane and Tim Jessup 51:35

4y ago51:35

51:35

50 years ago, Chicago was the first non-classical group to play eight shows over six nights at Carnegie Hall. Original Chicago Member Lee Loughnane and Engineer Tim Jessup join host Rich Mahan to continue their deep dive into the new CHICAGO AT CARNEGIE HALL: COMPLETE DELUXE EDITION boxed set. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal…

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4th Secret Ep: Educational Value ft. Greg Simpson 1:26:46

4y ago1:26:46

1:26:46

Between their kids albums, the handful of fact-based songs from their regular rock records, and a reputation for being generally cerebral, They Might Be Giants are often categorized as a band that makes music with the intention of teaching the listener something about the world. But is that abiding impression based on anything more than a small sli…

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Chicago at Carnegie Hall with Jimmy Pardo and David Wild 52:43

4y ago52:43

52:43

50 years ago, Chicago was the first non-classical group to play six nights at Carnegie Hall. Super fans Jimmy Pardo and David Wild join host Rich Mahan this week for a deep dive into the new CHICAGO AT CARNEGIE HALL: COMPLETE DELUXE EDITION boxed set. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com…

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War Pt. 2 with special guests Lonnie Jordan & Jerry Goldstein 40:37

4y ago40:37

40:37

Join host Rich Mahan as he continues his in-depth chat with founders Lonnie Jordan and Jerry Goldstein, digging into War’s rich history. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Special guests Lonnie Jordan & Jerry Goldstein from War 37:48

4y ago37:48

37:48

Join host Rich Mahan as he explores the rich history of this classic American band with founders Lonnie Jordan and Jerry Goldstein. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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The amazing Morris Day of The Time! 34:02

4y ago34:02

34:02

This week, we're joined by the legendary Morris Day from The Time to talk about their classic catalog and their upcoming tour. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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The great Micky Dolenz talks "Dolenz Sings Nesmith" 37:01

4y ago37:01

37:01

This week, we're joined by none other than The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz to talk about his latest project DOLENZ SINGS NESMITH, as well as the upcoming THE MONKEES PRESENT THE MIKE & MICKY SHOW tour! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

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Bonus Ep: Seriously Joking with Paul Myers 51:19

4y ago51:19

51:19

Paul Myers is an author (books about The Kids in the Hall, Long John Baldry, Todd Rundgren, and Barenaked Ladies), a musician (The Gravelberrys, Flam!, and The Paul and John), a podcaster (The Record Store Day Podcast), and more. Part of that "more" includes being a big They Might Be Giants fan, which is why Paul joined cohosts John Walker and Jon …

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Christian Nesmith, producer of "Dolenz Sings Nesmith" 26:30

4y ago26:30

26:30

This week, we're joined by musician/producer Christian Nesmith, who helmed the latest release from The Monkees' Micky Dolenz, DOLENZ SINGS NESMITH. Christian tells us about the challenges behind re-imagining his father's classic catalog, working with Micky and the upcoming Monkees tour. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California…

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2nd Secret Ep: Ambassadors of Love ft. Abi Bash 1:34:33

4y ago1:34:33

1:34:33

Painter/illustrator Abi Bash, aka one of our favorite humans, aka the person who did the art for this very podcast, helps co-hosts Jon Uleis and John Walker choose some exemplary songs from the TMBG catalog that deal—explicitly or not—with love. Good love, bad love, one-sided love, imaginary love, creepy love; it’s all here, well-represented by the…

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Celebrating Duran Duran's RIO with music journalist Annie Zaleski 1:01:44

4y ago1:01:44

1:01:44

Believe it or not, Duran Duran’s classic album RIO turns 39 years old this week! Join host Rich Mahan as he welcomes Annie Zaleski, author of the new 33 1/3 book about the making of RIO to discuss the album’s impact and influence more than three decades on. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art…

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The Smiths with SHOPLIFTERS OF THE WORLD director Stephen Kijak 45:54

4y ago45:54

45:54

Join host Rich Mahan as he welcomes Stephen Kijak, director of the new movie SHOPLIFTERS OF THE WORLD, to discuss the cultural impact of The Smiths and what they have meant to generations of music fans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

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Aretha Franklin Part Two 37:29

4y ago37:29

37:29

Join host Rich Mahan, SoulMusic.com founder David Nathan, and Rhino A&R Patrick Milligan as they continue their deep dive into Aretha Franklin’s stellar career, behind-the-scenes stories and the making of the upcoming boxed set ARETHA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-…

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Aretha Franklin Part One 39:32

4y ago39:32

39:32

Join host Rich Mahan as he welcomes SoulMusic.com founder David Nathan and Rhino A&R Patrick Milligan to discuss Aretha Franklin’s stellar career, behind-the-scenes stories and the making of the upcoming boxed set ARETHA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

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The Amazing Todd Rundgren Part 2 40:42

4y ago40:42

40:42

Singer/songwriter/producer extraordinaire Todd Rundgren returns to join host Rich Mahan in a deep dive into his vast musical legacy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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John Flansburgh Podcasts

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