Tristan and Alex examine how work and creativity shape our lives, from time spent at a feel-goodery factory to the experience of arranging your own mother’s funeral. They ask whether wealthy and poor people face the same struggles and why healthcare remains tied to a 40-hour workweek. The episode includes two recorded poems by Debasery (A Friend of Yours Has Other Friends and Luxury Lobotomy), a story from Alex about anarchy in action, and reflections on how nostalgia, free time, and past employers influence what drives us to keep going, make art, or step away. We sample Tristan’s track Economic Fear from the album Ambient Distress, you can hear the full version on Bandcamp. All transition music is by Fat Kneel, also on Bandcamp and used with permission.

Fat Kneel - https://fatkneel.bandcamp.com

Tristan - https://tristanwelch.bandcamp.com

Debasery - ig: @debasery

Maybe today we remember pets or animal companions that have touched us deeply. Perhaps today we live in honor of them. We remember the way they made us feel, or moments we shared both beautiful and tragic. We are so lucky to have animals around us all the time, working alongside us to keep this ball rolling up the hill.

At this moment, let us recognize that perhaps even Sisyphus had a companion. Is this artistic license yes, but one must imagine Sisyphus happy, no?

Good morning world. Today we all have choices, what shall we do with those choices? And if you know someone who doesn't have access to choices, let's start there.