Season Ten! Sounds exciting, no? Well, if you know the show then you know exactly how exciting it is. This week's topics: Wilbur, chicken, more chicken, Kealoa, Greek phrases, middle names, a contest puzzle, a Thunder Round, some glitchy Zoom, and a big shout out and thank you to our loving and dear Patreon supporters. Also: buy the Lollapuzzoola s…

PLOT TWIST! If you know, you know. And if you don't — give it a listen. Season 9 wraps with one of the most delightful surprises in the history of FMI, and we're not even talking about a brand new contest puzzle (!!!), available at bemoresmarter.com/con457. And anyone still looking to take part in Lollapuzzoola from home, the puzzles are available …

This week, Ryan and Brian aren't the only ones apparently ramping up to Lollapuzzoola – buy your puzzles now at bemoresmarter.com. Also, Ryan wants YOU to choose his new middle name AND what to get tattooed on himself. What a world! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, don…

This week, Ryan and Brian get big news from Brooke Husic and Sid Sivakumar about Lollapuzzoola, which happens in less than two weeks (August 24, 2024). Learn who's writing the puzzles, and sign up now at bemoresmarter.com to get all the content while it's still hot and fresh. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wi…

This week, Ryan and Brian learn more than they even knew existed about Ample Hills Creamery, the interrobang, and the Willow Lane parking lot in Bethesda, Maryland. How will you find out when their pizza is? You locate the squeak, and then that's where you put it. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if y…

This week, Ryan and Brian examine both intended and unintended puns, induct several new members into the BFVWE club, and suffer through enough Kealoa to shoo away our loyal audience. (We're sorry.) If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy ou…

This week, Ryan and Brian learn more (but perhaps not enough) about Russian geography, more (and definitely more than needed) about diuresis, and find vast disappointment in this week's NYT puzzles. (Spoiler alert.) If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreo…

This week, Ryan and Brian debate the merits of Cheez-It varieties, find certain canned foods disgusting, and and return to Kealoa with some random rivers. Also, breaking news: the theme for this year's Lollapuzzoola is revealed! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate …

This week, Ryan's show lasts about three and-a-half minutes longer than Brian's thanks to the boonies of Maine and its relative lack of internet signal. Still, there's some discourse on shorts and trunks, diaereses and umlauts, and whether drinking counts as eating. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if…

This week, Ryan and Brian confuse umlauts and diaereses, liquids and solids, good pencils and bad pencils, and "Fill Me In" and "White Christmas." Watch Ryan solve his 1000th NYTXW in a row on Wednesday 7/3 @ 10:15pm ET/7:15pm PT on twitch.tv/nextdoorcomics If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're f…

This week, Ryan and Brian recap Westwords (spoiler-free!), continue The Stopwatch Saga, learn more about minor league baseball alternate names, and struggle to understand the timelines of presidential family trees. Stuff to click: The Syracuse Brannock Devices The Malmö Oat Milkers Ramen is too spicy Denmark has the least spicy food in the world We…

This week, Ryan and Brian learn about international cuisine, discover more music involving cheese, and celebrate the reunion of a man and his stopwatch. Phew, that's a lot to get through in 90 minutes. Stuff to click: The Saucy Nugs Guy Primus - Sailing the Seas of Cheese Dead Milkmen - Beige Sunshine 15 Delicious Reasons to Visit Taco Bell around …

This week, Ryan and Brian analyze some music (this, this, and this), attempt to clarify when exactly this particular episode of FMI was published, and return to the NYT crosswords for what will certainly once have been a cranky Thunder Round. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanth…

This week, Ryan and Brian dig into some fusion cuisine (we sincerely hope the chewing sounds aren't disgusting), learn a little more about the English horn (though not enough), and imbue two scoops of Kealoa into something of a cola war. Also, a non-NYT Thunder Round (featuring Wyna Liu's 5/14 New Yorker, Ryan McCarty's "Chasm No. 14 (Themeless)", …

This week, Ryan and Brian hang out in the Viewer Mail bag for an extended length of time, but all in the name of education! Lessons include: Crosswords via Kickstarter: A-to-Z Crosswords Noodles: Nongshim and Buldak M*A*S*H: the cast and the music Creole: the language, the peoples, and the cuisine Potatoes: Why We Double Fry The Fries Hap(p)less Ba…

This week, Ryan and Brian learn the history of language, the dangers of potassium, and (maybe?) the gender identity of Chat GPT. This week's Baker-Grapevine scores: baseball 2, sandwiches 7, kealoa 0. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy…

This week, Ryan and Brian review the days of the months, attempt to choreograph a song that doesn't exist, and learn a few letters of Morse code. Yikes, was that a woodpecker? If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy our show? Actually, it d…

This week, Ryan and Brian are each a little pestier than usual, and ... okay, being real, Brian was super grumpy and Ryan wasn't making things any better. No Kealoa this week, but there is a useless fact, plus a Thunder Round of non-NYT puzzles: "Permanent Record" by Daniel Bodily (Universal, April 24) "Academic Terms" by Erica Hsiung Wojcik (The M…

This week, Ryan and Brian don't have iPads, don't have endorsement deals, don't enjoy meaningless facts or guessing games, and don't really like most of the puzzles they solved. Honestly, if you're looking to take a week off from FMI, this might be the week to take. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if…

This week, Ryan and Brian speak over music, customize their burgers, share more McCartneys than Jesuses, and offer one of the most nail-biting thrillers Kealoa has ever known -- but we won't harp on it, give a listen yourself. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to…

This week, reigning ACPT champion Paolo Pasco stops by for a chat, but not before Ryan and Brian learn a few new facts about defiant bagel slingers, George Lopez, and the curious lives of Captain and Tennille. Here are links to Paolo's work at the Atlantic, The New Yorker, his XWordInfo profile, his blog (which has good content, though hasn't been …

This week, Brian returns from the ACPT with all the news (but none of the puzzles), and Ryan hacks and coughs his way through another Thunder Round with all the puzzles (but none of the news?). Look, just because we don't think Alex Eaton-Salners is actually Will Shortz doesn't mean that he couldn't be. If you get bored (how could you?!), write som…

This week, Ryan and Brian make their ACPT predictions, consider their options for another eclipse in 2241, and attempt to learn pronunciation. We edited out most of Ryan's ills and woes, but there may be a few stray sneezes. On behalf of the wonderful constructors of our most recent Contest of Then, we would like to promote both the Midwest Crosswo…

This week, Ryan and Brian are joined by correspondent and superlinguist Ben Zimmer, who chats it up on topics like fluffles, ghost words, mountweazels, Hamburglars, Horshacks, and hurkle-durkles. Also, the Content of Still Going On still goes on — solve it here! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you…

This week's long show is attributed in no small part to analyses of poetry, of cultural songs, and of hot dogs. Ryan and Brian are also thrilled to present a brand new contest puzzle, thanks to Shannon and Will — solve it here! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate t…

This week, Ryan and Brian touch UPON topics such as Cheez-Its, Carrie Underwood, and Candleshoe (yes, we've bantered on this topic before), but it's clear Ryan won't wind up ATOP any tournament leaderboards if he can't get to Stamford. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, …

This week, Ryan and Brian realize they know less than they thought about the "Welcome Back, Kotter" universe, mixology, and French pastries ... though Ryan knows more than anyone expected about geography -- but does anyone know who he is? If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropi…

This week, Ryan and Brian dig into a spate of television and movies, make but one small reference to a musical, and otherwise feel old about everything. (Someone, dear lord, send us email -- we need to hear from you to feel validated!) If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, …

This week, Ryan and Brian make more plans to see the solar eclipse in April, take a brief trip down a BEQ-specific memory lane, and invent a new contest that may require people to have never listened to this show. Ah, so very poetic. Stuff to click: nationaleclipse.com an article and video about Brendan Emmett Quigley Jane Asher's Wikipedia page (b…

This week, Ryan is away, so Brian is joined by fellow Syracusian and all-around crossword superstar Rachel Fabi! Topics include rice, the eclipse, Taylor Swift, Super Bowl updates -- but also breaking news about These Puzzles Fund Abortion 4, coming out in March! If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if yo…

This week, Ryan and Brian are in a hurry, but that doesn't stop them from learning more about soup, stew, barnacles, and Jack Nicholson. Did you know there's going to be a total eclipse in April in Syracuse? Consider thee informed. Stuff to click: The 46th Annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament facts about barnacles that article that spells th…

This week, Ryan pronounces names and shapes, and emails famous people whilst Brian plots mischief, tries again to know anything about soup, and stews over what is and isn't fair. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy our show? Actually, i…

We all have expectations for our lives that have been built with our growing faith as we continually hear the Word of God. Natural obstacles seem to materialize that hinder our journey toward those expectations. We can see financial blessing from the Word, but then the rent or mortgage increases, food and gas prices go up, our hours at work or inco…

We all have expectations for our lives that have been built with our growing faith as we continually hear the Word of God. Natural obstacles seem to materialize that hinder our journey toward those expectations. We can see financial blessing from the Word, but then the rent or mortgage increases, food and gas prices go up, our hours at work or inco…

This week, Ryan challenges the equity of Kealoa AND knows something about soup, all of which puts Brian into a rather grumpy mood. It's either a week of frustration and mediocrity, or of eggs and chickens. ¿Por qué no los dos? If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to…

If you have had situations in your life that you have overcome through faith in God's word before for similar situations (finances, heath, etc.), but now what you are facing seems to be beating you, make sure you tune in to the service today. We will be looking at the disciples who had this very thing happen to them, and Jesus taught them how to ov…

If you have had situations in your life that you have overcome through faith in God's word before for similar situations (finances, heath, etc.), but now what you are facing seems to be beating you, make sure you tune in to the service today. We will be looking at the disciples who had this very thing happen to them, and Jesus taught them how to ov…

Friends, viewers, countrymen, loan us your ears? Ryan and Brian take turns in two different quizzing hot seats and a surprise audio segment includes MLB predictions and new developments in breakfast namesakes. Stuff to click: Where's Waldo got banned? Boswords' 2024 Winter Wondersolve The menu at First Watch Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus (just…

Can our sin be the cause of an affliction we can't seem to get freed from? That's a question Jesus answers in John 9. Many people, just like in Jesus' day, saw sickness, affliction, and such trouble as being caused by sin, and the disciples asked Jesus about this with the man born blind. Jesus gives a clear answer for the question, and we also see …

Can our sin be the cause of an affliction we can't seem to get freed from? That's a question Jesus answers in John 9. Many people, just like in Jesus' day, saw sickness, affliction, and such trouble as being caused by sin, and the disciples asked Jesus about this with the man born blind. Jesus gives a clear answer for the question, and we also see …

Some things God gives to us through His mercy. Others come through the Covenant we have a believers. But there is a third way. All of these are covered in this wonderful prayer from Nehemiah 9.Pastor Stephen Hecht tarafından oluşturuldu

Some things God gives to us through His mercy. Others come through the Covenant we have a believers. But there is a third way. All of these are covered in this wonderful prayer from Nehemiah 9.Pastor Stephen Hecht tarafından oluşturuldu

January! Again! Ryan's back for a Kealoa he wishes he could avoid, and Ben Zimmer returns with a Word of the Year recap. There's some saucy language (courtesy of the WOTY content), so let this be your warning. Stuff to click: Westport Library crossword tournament Great British Bake Off hosts discuss American snack foods American Dialect Society (an…

Why did the blind man of Bethsaida need Jesus to lay His hands on his blind eyes twice before he could see clearly? No other time did Jesus lay hands upon or touch a person needing healing more than once. There must be a reason, right? In this service we look at this healing encounter to understand what we are to learn as it is told to us in Mark 8…

Why did the blind man of Bethsaida need Jesus to lay His hands on his blind eyes twice before he could see clearly? No other time did Jesus lay hands upon or touch a person needing healing more than once. There must be a reason, right? In this service we look at this healing encounter to understand what we are to learn as it is told to us in Mark 8…

What is the context of these great words “The Joy of the Lord is our strength?” These words were spoken by Ezra, and Nehemiah records them here in chapter 8:10. When you see the context and perceive the full meaning in its setting, you will realize why standing on these words hasn’t always strengthened you and understand better how to let them do s…

What is the context of these great words “The Joy of the Lord is our strength?” These words were spoken by Ezra, and Nehemiah records them here in chapter 8:10. When you see the context and perceive the full meaning in its setting, you will realize why standing on these words hasn’t always strengthened you and understand better how to let them do s…

Happy New Year! To celebrate, Ryan has gone AWOL, so we're delighted to bring Ben Zimmer back into the studio. We've got announcements and teasers and puzzles and Lingo and ... does anyone have a Hebrew word list? Stuff to click: Natan Last's essay in The New Yorker, "Can Crosswords Be More Inclusive?" David Steinberg's swan song? Daily Crossword L…

There is a difference between begging for something from God and receiving it through faith, and this healing encounter Jesus has with the Deaf man from Decapolis helps us to see the difference in our own lives. Our flesh doesn’t receive on faith principles, but by presumptions of its own devising resorts to things like begging. The compulsion to b…

There is a difference between begging for something from God and receiving it through faith, and this healing encounter Jesus has with the Deaf man from Decapolis helps us to see the difference in our own lives. Our flesh doesn’t receive on faith principles, but by presumptions of its own devising resorts to things like begging. The compulsion to b…