Personal Stories Episodes

Why does every family have a "Timmy Wayne"? Why does Darin own 500 plastic spoons? And why are Rush fans arguing about one of the best drummers on the planet? This week, the guys discuss recording two episodes in one night, the mysterious art of podcast editing, Rush's new drummer Annika, an unexpected last-minute percussion gig, Record Store Day finds, Jim Steinman songs being used in bug spray commercials, Charlie's never-ending scooter negotiations, the legend of Timmy Wayne, Lost frustrat...

Mike is missing! Darin Blathers on About: Why Mike ain't hereCountry Cookers - new clipIHOP and Colonoscopies - censored bonus clipMike is in a weird mood before the show - censored bonus clipNew Uncle Chappy's Soothing Miracle Lip Balm commercial w Dave LaySexy Tarantula and the Shweaty Crickets - censored bonus clipWho ordered the pink X Box controller? Best of clip from episode 239What we would've talked about if Mike had been hereThe time Darin met Debbie Gibson - new clipHeart Doctor - n...

Episode 309 of Irritable Dad Syndrome features museum adventures, concert talk, podcast chaos, and stories that somehow become more ridiculous with every turn. This week includes: Bess went to a Penis Museum in Greece A really inappropriate dog story More talk about turtles having sex with inanimate objects A highly censored clip about a beaver website Libby is smart, especially when it comes to warming up bread Chicken salad with crack in it Mike's mileage game in his new car Best of c...

Episode 303 of Irritable Dad Syndrome features April Fool’s Day chaos, a trip to Chicago to pick up a new car, and an unforgettable Uber ride with a driver named Peter. Along the way, Mike and Darin share stories about a double date at a Lord of the Rings candlelight concert, restaurant mishaps, senior moments, and why some people seem to know way too much about knots. The episode also dives into pop culture with thoughts on Project Hail Mary, music talk about Keith Urban and Rush, and a compl...

Episode 299 of Irritable Dad Syndrome finds Mike and Darin celebrating the end of the 200-episode era while sharing stories about seeing Nine Inch Nails live, revisiting classic comedy movies, and dealing with one of the most shocking plumbing quotes imaginable. After attending a powerful Nine Inch Nails concert in Columbus, the dads debate the lasting impact of Trent Reznor’s music, the legendary Johnny Cash cover of “Hurt,” and the strange experience of hearing songs live that you never appre...

In Episode 297 of Irritable Dad Syndrome, Mike and Darin debate the grammatical difference between “Did you get an iced tea?” and “Did you get your iced tea?”—and somehow turn it into a full-blown family controversy. Along the way, they address an accidental on-air F-bomb, Spotify chaos, gym memory lapses, YouTube’s surprise EP drop, Alexa’s attitude problem, and a frozen cottage cheese “Reese’s Cup” recipe that may or may not taste like opossum. Comedy, confusion, Cincinnati chaos—and a Patreon poll to settle the iced tea debate once and for all.

A bizarre story sparks an episode full of strange encounters, uncomfortable memories, and the kind of storytelling that only works when you commit fully. Expect unexpected turns, strong opinions, and classic Irritable Dad Syndrome escalation.

Mike and Darin defend the legacy of Hills Department Store and why modern nostalgia keeps missing the point. A Midwest-flavored conversation about memory, shared experiences, and why certain places mean more than they probably should.

Stand-up comedian Georgia Warder joins the show to talk comedy origins, small-town roots, and how life experiences shape a comedian’s voice.

Two Devo concerts, one swollen eye, goat yoga, and an official apology tour to Mark Mothersbaugh.

College memories collide with middle-age reality as Mike and Darin reflect on aging, birthdays, and the absurd contrast between youth and adulthood.

Mike and Darin share concert trips, aging realities, digestion updates, and the unglamorous side of getting older with their usual honesty and humor.

Getting older hits different when fiber supplements become a serious topic. Mike and Darin dive into middle-age body surprises, health routines they never expected, and the comedy of realizing your body now has its own agenda.

Episode 252 of Irritable Dad Syndrome begins with disaster recovery: the guys explain how a “banger” episode was lost due to audio catastrophe, a fictional staff firing, and why quality control (usually) matters. From there, it’s classic IDS spiral energy. Mike and Darin debate vinyl vs CDs (snobs vs convenience), revisit a mind-bending mirror illusion from TikTok, question whether the Illuminati tried recruiting the podcast, and declare the word “besmirch” too ridiculous for real conversation. Also inside: A peacock reportedly loose in the neighborhood (or government bird psy-op?) Hotel room paranoia: do you hide your toothbrush? The return of Kroger Story of the Week featuring rain songs, aisle encounters, and “pot-sized spaghetti” controversy Bee “nature documentary” interruption ethics KISS “retirement” skepticism and Gene Simmons monetizing literally everything It’s meta, absurd, music-nerdy, grocery-store sociology, and mild conspiracy thinking — exactly …

Episode 251 of Irritable Dad Syndrome turns a routine eye doctor visit into a full emotional spiral, launches multiple “Kroger Story of the Week” submissions, and somehow detours into ocean terror, parasailing disasters, and alligator survival strategies. Darin recounts getting his eyes dilated, awkwardly explaining his lazy eye to a new doctor, and immediately becoming convinced he offended her — a theory he later backs up with a suspiciously high bill. Meanwhile, listeners continue fueling the show’s grocery store mythology with hot dog party stories at Kroger, including bulk meat purchases and strangers desperately hoping someone will ask, “Are you having a party?” Also in this episode: fear of deep water (thanks, TikTok), a bear casually swimming in the ocean, nightmare parasailing footage, why you should run zigzag if chased by an alligator, and the universal embarrassment of laughing at the wrong moment in quiet settings. Medical anxiety, grocery store sociology, irrat…

In Episode 249 of Irritable Dad Syndrome, Mike deals with storm damage after part of his house literally flies off, navigates wildly different contractor quotes, and debates whether “cheap” is ever the right choice when it comes to your roof. Meanwhile, Darin attends a concert alone and meets Screaming Cheetah Wheelies singer Mike Farris, has an almost-spiritual live music experience… and then Mike witnesses one of the most questionable live bagpipe performances ever during a St. Patrick’s outing. Also in this episode: vacation budgeting stress, Disney planning realities, beachfront hotel upgrades, book club suspicion, Breaking Bad parallels, Facebook arguments over favorite songs, and why saying something is your “favorite” always starts a fight. Homeownership anxiety, music snobbery, aging realization, and dad-brain spirals — this is peak IDS.

What starts as a normal restaurant visit turns into a story so upsetting it permanently changed one man’s dining habits. In this episode of Irritable Dad Syndrome, Darin explains a restaurant experience that went spectacularly wrong, while Mike admits to showering in the middle of the night and apologizing to his dog. The episode also detours into pop culture references, personal embarrassment, and saying things that may or may not offend Rick Springfield. If you like chaotic storytelling, uncomfortable laughs, and comedy podcasts that escalate quickly, this one delivers.

An innocent baked good becomes deeply uncomfortable in this episode of Irritable Dad Syndrome. Mike and Darin explore how quickly harmless visual details can trigger unintended associations, turning a normal moment into something you can’t unsee — or stop thinking about. What begins as a casual observation about a cinnamon roll quickly spirals into a conversation about visual humor, accidental innuendo, and the way the adult brain sabotages perfectly wholesome situations. Along the way, the guys talk about why certain images instantly derail conversations, how context disappears the moment something looks “wrong,” and why trying to recover only makes things worse. Awkward, funny, and painfully relatable, this episode showcases the Irritable Dad Syndrome talent for finding comedy in moments that go sideways without warning.

Fame, reputation, and uncomfortable reality collide in this story-driven episode of Irritable Dad Syndrome. Mike and Darin share personal experiences and observations involving Pete Rose, using them as a springboard to talk about gambling scandals, sports legends, and what happens when larger-than-life reputations meet real-world interactions. The conversation goes beyond baseball, focusing on how celebrity status changes behavior, how fans project expectations onto famous figures, and why meeting your heroes often feels stranger than you imagine. Along the way, Mike and Darin reflect on public judgment, moral gray areas, and the disconnect between how stories are told versus how they’re actually lived. As always, the episode blends humor, honesty, and self-awareness, turning a recognizable sports figure into a broader discussion about ego, accountability, and the weird dynamics of fame.

A strange phone call involving Tony Danza sends Mike and Darin down a familiar Irritable Dad Syndrome path: confusion, overthinking, and wildly unnecessary analysis. What starts as a simple story quickly turns into a discussion about celebrity encounters, everyday absurdities, and how normal life moments can spiral into comedy gold. This episode is a perfect example of the show’s laid-back, conversational humor and its ability to turn the mundane into something hilariously memorable.

Send us a Text Message. Dave Lay invades the studio, and takes you on a journey of the Best of Year 4! COLD OPEN MIKE AND DARIN IN THE SAME OLD FOLKS HOME WE’RE WAITING ON YOU TO LEAVE THE STAGE MIKE DIDN’T LEARN TO BLOW HIS NOSE UNTIL HE WAS IN COLLEGE DAVE’S MOM CALLS THE GRADY BIRTHDAY CAKE BENT CARROT DOT COM GUY FELL ASLEEP DURING A JOB INTERVIEW WITH MIKE JANEEN COYLE ACCIDENTALLY BUTT DIALED TIM CONWAY THE LADY AND HER LICENSE PLATE MIKE’S BANK ACCOUNT GOT HACKED BOY YOU SMELL ...

Send us a Text Message. This week, we catch up with Chris and Lisa Hughes. Remember them? They're the couple who proposed marriage on our podcast. They've returned to our studio to discuss how their families reacted to the proposal. Also, we talk about tomato sandwiches, whale penises, Johnny Cash doing laundry, Chris' short time working at Google and which of our patrons has the most punchable face. Thanks for listening to Irritable Dad Syndrome... now 100% gluten free #GOOGLE #REDHOTC...

Send us a Text Message. Previously available only to Patrons - we've (re)jiggered this classic Bonus Episode for all to enjoy! Join the boys as they discuss how Rocky 4 is really a musical, the man who fell asleep during a job interview, getting kicked in the face, the time Darin's kid pooped all over the floor in a public restroom and the best story ever about a homeless man who thought he saw a beaver! Note: This episode has been censored for public listening. Thanks. We hope you enjoy the s...

In this week's episode, Darin had his first-ever encounter with a major fan of the show in the wild! Additionally, he and his wife Libby are considering a career in professional grocery bagging. Mike made the choice to let his young, impressionable son watch Goodfellas, believing it to be more suitable than The Godfather. Don't miss Darin's review of the Southern Culture on the Skids concert... SPOILER ALERT: they announced they will be guests on this podcast!! It's a fantastic day to tune in...