The Wayward Dragons

Olympic Scandals, Draco Malfoy’s Fortune, and the Great Chicken Smell Lawsuit

This episode of the Wayward Dragon podcast features our hosts diving into a mix of personal updates, bizarre global news, and their latest media reviews. From Olympic "penis-gate" to the trial of social media giants, the duo balances heavy topics like the Epstein files with lighthearted banter about fast-food feuds and Harry Potter mascots.Personal UpdatesKelsey discusses her exhaustion from working six-day weeks and her relief at the Midwest "false spring" melting the snow.Johnny shares updates on his kickball league and a recent Magic: The Gathering tournament held for his birthday.The News DeskKidnapping Mystery: The hosts discuss the alleged kidnapping of a Today Show host’s mother, involving a bizarre one-Bitcoin ransom and suspicions of an "inside job".Olympic Scandals: A breakdown of "penis-gate," where male ski jumpers are accused of using fillers to increase suit drag for better flight. They also touch on crumbling gold medals and a Norwegian medalist who used a press conference to confess to cheating on his girlfriend.Society & Tech: * Discussion on research suggesting "Zoomers" are the first generation to be less educated/intelligent than their predecessors.Updates on the Epstein files, including speculation about Ghislaine Maxwell’s prison "double" and Epstein’s alleged active Fortnite account in Israel.Instagram leaders testifying in court regarding the platform's addictive design for youth.Bizarre Headlines: * Draco Malfoy becoming the accidental face of Chinese New Year due to a name translation quirk.A Raising Cane’s in Boston facing eviction because the landlord claims the building smells too much like chicken.A "Home Alone" inspired drug dealer in the UK who booby-trapped his house with flamethrowers and man-traps.Reviews & MediaAnime: Johnny reviews To Your Eternity, praising the first two seasons but admitting he is struggling with the third.Books: Kelsey discusses finishing A New Lease on Death and her interest in Ann Rule’s true crime books, though she is considering a "DNF" (Do Not Finish) for an Egyptology book that feels too "whiny".Background Noise: Kelsey admits her love for having Dateline on as background sound while doing chores.Tarot DrawThe King of Cups: Represents wisdom, compassion, and the need for diplomatic action.The Seven of Swords Reversed: Indicates imposter syndrome or self-deception, urging the listener to give themselves graceWe are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery (we are reading in publication order). Please be patient with Kelsey, she never reads a series start to finish without reading things inbetween!Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World is on Fire: From Government Shutdowns to AI Hallucinations

Hello and welcome!! This is what we covered in this Wayward Dragons Podcast:Pop Culture & Personal AnecdotesTribute to Catherine O’Hara: The hosts mourn the reported death of actress Catherine O’Hara, discussing her legacy in films like Home Alone and The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as her role in Schitt's Creek .Midwest Weather: The episode begins with a discussion on surviving severe Midwest snow and ice storms, including stories of people in Arkansas "sledding" in kayaks on solid ice .National News & PoliticsGovernment Shutdown: The hosts mention a partial government shutdown occurring after Congress failed to pass spending bills .SNAP Benefit Changes: They detail new work requirements for SNAP (food stamp) recipients, which now apply to able-bodied adults up to age 64 .Job Market Criticism: One host argues that the perceived abundance of jobs is a "facade," claiming many companies post fake openings for tax breaks while requiring "bullshit" credentials like high school transcripts for experienced workers .Voting Rights: A federal judge’s ruling is discussed, which struck down parts of an executive order requiring citizenship verification for voter registration .Legal & Safety IssuesMardi Gras Shooting: The hosts report on a shooting at a Mardi Gras parade in Louisiana that injured six people, including a child .Meta Trial: The episode covers a trial in New Mexico where Meta (Facebook) is accused of failing to protect children from sexual solicitations documented by undercover state investigators .ICE and Civil Unrest: A large portion of the episode is dedicated to harsh criticism of ICE operations, which the hosts allege involve the murder of protesters and civilians . They also discuss a "general strike" and local efforts by officials in New York and California to block ICE cooperation .Bizarre & Tech NewsVacuum Incident: A man in Central Florida was reportedly arrested for performing sexual acts with a vacuum cleaner in public .AI Hallucinations: The hosts laugh at a report of tourists traveling to a small Australian town for "famous hot springs" that do not exist, having been fabricated by an AI travel algorithm .Unearthing History: A 140-year-old wooden ship, the Lawrence and Mackenzie, was recently unearthed on the New Jersey shore due to storm surges .Real ID Fines: The hosts warn listeners about a $45 TSA fine for travelers who do not have a "Real ID" star on their license .BooksHow To Become The Dark Lord or Die Trying Django WexlerTarot cardsQueen of Swords and the 2 of Pentacles We are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery (we are reading in publication order). Please be patient with Kelsey, she never reads a series start to finish without reading things inbetween!Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moon Nukes, Muppet Magic, and the Insurrection Act

Hello and welcome everyone! This is what we will be talking about in this episode!Political news:Venezuela Invasion: The hosts discuss the US entry into Venezuela, noting that fentanyl was allegedly classified as a weapon of mass destruction to justify the move. They also touch on the seizure of oil tankers and reports of experimental weapons being used.The Greenland Acquisition: Discussion regarding Donald Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland, which has reportedly caused friction within NATO and prompted naval responses from Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Germany.Minneapolis & Ice Unrest: Following three confirmed murders by Ice agents on New Year’s Day, Minneapolis has become a flashpoint for protests. The hosts discuss the administration's use of the Insurrection Act and the push by several states (NJ, NY, OR, CA) to limit Ice cooperation or abolish the agency entirely.Reproductive Rights: California Governor Gavin Newsom has notably refused to extradite a physician to Louisiana for mailing abortion medication, citing California’s Telemedicine Abortion Shield Law.🧪 Science, Tech, & "The Weird"From quantum warfare to lunar power, the episode highlights several strange developments:Quantum Cyber Weapons: China is reportedly testing over ten experimental quantum tools for military intelligence and stealth.Nuclear Moon Power: NASA aims to place a nuclear fission reactor on the moon by 2030 to support long-term settlement.Florida News: In a classic "weird news" segment, a man was arrested on a construction site wearing a red lace bra and a G-string while concealing a gun in silicone breast implants.Cemetery Theft: A Pennsylvania man was arrested for stealing over 100 human remains from a historic cemetery.📚 Media Reviews & Personal LifeThe hosts shared their current reads and cultural interests:Magic: The Gathering: Johnny expresses excitement for the new Lorwyn/Shadowmoor set. They discuss a new music video, "Bogart Ballad," created in collaboration with the Jim Henson Company.Book Reviews: Kelsey is reading A New Lease on Death by Olivia Black and struggling with a heavy Egyptology series, The Space Between the Stars.Film Review: Johnny recommends "The Order," starring Jude Law as an FBI agent pursuing white supremacists.Nursing Home Struggles: Kelsey vents about the physical toll and strict regulations (like hand sanitizer overuse) during state surveys at the nursing home where she works.🔮 Tarot ReadingThe episode concludes with a dual card pull for the listeners: Seven of Pentacles: Hard work, perseverance, and the promise of a harvest after toil.Six of Cups: Nostalgia, happy memories, and reconnecting with the past or community.We are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery (we are reading in publication order). Please be patient with Kelsey, she never reads a series start to finish without reading things inbetween!Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stolen Lobsters, Burnt Cornbread, & Anxious Roombas

Hello and welcome to this episode of The Wayward Dragons Podcast!Life UpdatesHolidays: Kelsey’s holiday was marred by resident deaths at her workplace (a care facility), which she found emotionally draining. Johnny’s holiday was low-key, but he suffered a minor injury while cooking cornbread for New Year’s—he burned his hand on a cast-iron skillet after the oven temperature sensor malfunctionedNews & Pop Culture"Gachiakuta": Rated as the #1 anime of 2025 by Teen Vogue. Johnny described the premise: a boy is thrown into a "pit" for criminals where he discovers he has superpowers to fight trash beasts"One Piece": They discussed the "Egg Island" (Egghead) arc. Johnny noted that the creator, Eiichiro Oda, stated the anime would stop airing weekly to preserve quality and avoid burnout, moving to a seasonal format"The Apothecary Diaries": Mentioned as a top contender and nominated for Anime of the YearScreen Time Study: A Singapore study linked high infant screen time to increased anxiety in teenagersNew Dog Breeds: The American Kennel Club added three new breeds, including the Brittany Spaniel and American Teddy Roosevelt Terrier"Zootopia 2": Surpassed "Frozen" as the top-grossing Disney animated filmNeuralink: Elon Musk announced plans for high-volume, automated brain implant surgeries by 2026Weird Crime: $400,000 worth of lobster was stolen en route to Costco, and thieves in Germany drilled into a bank vault to steal $300 million.Penny Funeral: A "mock funeral" for the penny was held at the Lincoln Memorial after the U.S. stopped minting themReviews & RecommendationsBooks:"Evil in Me" by Brom: Johnny’s "Book of the Year." A horror/punk novel set in the 80s about a delinquent girl named Ruby Tucker who gets possessed by a demon via a ring and has to bring about the apocalypse. He praised the heavy punk music influence"The Midnight Library": Kelsey’s first favorite read of the year. She described it as a heavy but uplifting "It's a Wonderful Life"-style story about a woman exploring alternative lives after a suicide attempt"In the Lives of Puppets" by T.J. Klune: Kelsey’s funniest read, described as "Robots meets Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." She highlighted the anxious Roomba character (Rambo) and the nurse robot (Nurse Ratched)"When Women Were Dragons": Kelsey found this book disappointing, noting it lacked a plot and read too much like an autobiography, despite the interesting premise of 1950s women turning into dragonsMovies/TV:"The Long Walk": Johnny highly recommended this 2025 movie adaptation of the Stephen King novel. He described it as a dystopia where 50 young men must walk without stopping until only one survives. He praised the psychological depth and acting"Supernatural": The hosts expressed frustration with the series finale, feeling it was unnecessary and emotional damage for the fans"The Reckoning": They watched this documentary featuring 50 Cent2026 Resolutions & Tarot ReadingJohnny: Aims to read one book a week (52 total) and listen to a different music genre every week of the year (starting with European Pop).Kelsey: A joint resolution with her husband to be consistent—specifically with the gym, yoga, cooking at home, and using her new adjustable loom to knit a blanket.Johnny pulled the Ace of Wands (signifying new potential, inspiration, and passion projects).Kelsey pulled the Page of Pentacles (signifying ambition, diligence, and laying foundations for the future).We are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery (we are reading in publication order).Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Butter Knives, Blizzards, & Robot Vacuums

Personal UpdatesHoliday Work Chaos: Hayden, who works as a director of operations for an orchestra, shared stories about the chaotic holiday season. He detailed a "run-out" concert where stagehands went to the wrong high school (30 minutes away), forcing him to load and unload equipment in a snowstorm.Phone Upgrades: Kelsey discussed getting a new flip-style smartphone that reminds her of the Gameboy SP, while her husband Zach got a new fold phoneInternet Issues: They briefly discussed a failed attempt to switch to AT&T internet, which lasted less than an hour before they switched back to Xfinity.News SegmentsThe hosts discussed a wide variety of news topics, ranging from sports scandals to oddities:Michigan State Football Scandal: They discussed the firing of coach Sherrone Moore (referred to as Sharon Moore in the text). He was charged with stalking and breaking into his mistress's home with a butter knife and kitchen scissors after she tried to end their affair.Brown University Shooting: They covered the recent shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where two people were killed and nine injured. They noted police had released a photo of a suspect.Cannabis Reclassification: Donald Trump is reportedly considering reclassifying marijuana to Schedule III to allow for more medical research Tesla Robotaxis: Tesla is planning to test robotaxis in Austin, Texas, with no safety drivers, which the hosts noted as concerning given previous issues with autonomous vehicles .Entertainment News:Dick Van Dyke turned 100 years old.Lindsay Lohan has been revealed as the voice of Maggie Simpson in a new Simpsons segment .Rob Reiner's son was arrested for stabbing his parents (Rob Reiner and his wife).Odd News:Care Bear Bandits: Seven teenagers dressed in Care Bear costumes were arrested for trespassing in a vacant hotel in Wisconsin .Nativity Fugitive: A fugitive in Italy was caught hiding in a nativity scene by posing as a "fourth wise man".Littering Fine: An 86-year-old man in the UK was fined £250 for "littering" after spitting out a leaf that blew into his mouth.Word of the Year: Merriam-Webster’s word of the year is "Slop," defined as low-quality digital content produced by AI.Book Reviews & Media"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" by Caitlin Doughty: Hayden finished this book and highly recommended it. He noted it changed his perspective on death and family involvement in the grieving process."The Royal Governess" by Wendy Holden: Hayden has just started reading this historical fiction novel about Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood governess."Out of Air" by Rachel Reece: Kelsey read this YA book about kids breathing underwater in an air pocket. She found the narrator of the audiobook very whiny."In the Lives of Puppets" by T.J. Klune: Kelsey loved this book, specifically highlighting a character named Rambo, an anxious Roomba vacuum robot, as hilarious. She recommended listening to the audio version.2026 Goals & ResolutionsKelsey: Wants to grow the podcast and her cottage bakery business, and stay off her phone to read more.Hayden: Wants to detach from his phone and be more creative (art, miniatures) and allow himself to be bored to stimulate creativityWe are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery (we are reading in publication order). Please be patient with Kelsey, she never reads a series start to finish without reading things inbetween!Please rate, review and subscribe! Don’t forget to tell a friend!You can join us on Facebook and Instagram!If you have a topic/book recommendation or if you need someone to talk too, you can email us at thewaywarddragons@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.