Tom and D

Tom and D

by Two24media
ComedySociety & Culture
Season 2
Josiah Hesse on “On Fire for God,” Religious Trauma… & Runner’s High
We got him! Josiah Hesse—journalist, author, and a guy who’s lived through some things most people only read about. We get into his books, including Runner’s High—a deep dive into the hidden culture of cannabis use among elite athletes and the emerging science behind the elusive, exhilarating “runner’s high” they’re all chasing—and his latest, On Fire for God… a brutally honest memoir about growing up in rural Iowa inside the world of fundamentalist Christianity, where faith, fear, poverty, and politics all collide in ways that are hard to fully understand unless you’ve been there—or read his story. So yeah… we went there. And touched the third rail: religion, politics… and cannabis. It’s real, it’s thoughtful, it’s surprisingly funny—and it lives right in that messy space where all of these worlds overlap. This is a must-listen episode—one that might challenge you a little, and stick with you longer than you expect.
S2 · E6
Apr 16, 2026
53:03
Dave Hill: Kicking Cones & Shredding with Tenacious D
In this episode of Tom and D, we sit down with comedian, musician, and all-around chaos agent Dave Hill—a guy who somehow manages to shred on guitar and deliver razor-sharp comedy at the exact same time. You might know Dave from touring with Tenacious D, where his unique blend of stand-up and face-melting riffs has made him a fan favorite. Or maybe you’ve seen his wildly entertaining online videos—featuring everything from aggressively flipping off inanimate objects to drop-kicking unsuspecting traffic cones with unmatched commitment. We talk about how he built that signature style, the crossover between music and comedy, life on the road, and the art of committing fully to a ridiculous bit. It’s a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, unpredictable, and genuinely insightful. If you like your comedy loud, weird, and a little bit rebellious, this one’s for you.
S2 · E5
Mar 22, 2026
34:31
When AI Actors Bomb the Audition — With Viral Director Sergio Cilli
What happens when an AI actor completely bombs an audition? Sergio Cilli — the Emmy-winning director behind the viral “Director Auditions AI Actor” series that’s been cracking up filmmakers, actors, and AI geeks across the internet. If you’ve seen those painfully funny videos where a director tries to audition a photorealistic AI actor and the performance goes completely off the rails… that’s Sergio. Using real prompts (often displayed right on screen), Sergio puts today’s AI video and generative AI tools through their paces — revealing the uncanny, awkward, and sometimes hilariously broken reality of AI acting. On this episode of Tom and D, we talk with Sergio about the rise of AI in film and media, why these videos exploded online, what AI still can’t do (at least not yet), and whether human actors should be laughing… or quietly updating their résumés. He’s hilarious. He’s brilliant. And yes — we got the guy.
S2 · E4
Mar 6, 2026
36:30
From Avatar to Diving Into Dreams: Szilvia Gogh on Going Deeper and Finally Having Enough
In this episode of Tom and D, we sit down with Szilvia Gogh, one of Hollywood’s top underwater stunt divers whose work spans major films like Avatar and dozens more across the globe. From growing up in communist Hungary to becoming the youngest female PADI Course Director and a key figure in underwater stunt coordination, Szilvia’s story is as fearless as it is inspiring. We talk about her new book, Diving Into Dreams, the raw hunger for freedom that pushed her across oceans and industries, built a hollywood career, and how cancer, mindfulness, and entrepreneurship forced a total reset realizing the power of "enough". Plus, she shares some wild behind-the-scenes stories from Avatar and life as one of Hollywood’s top underwater stunt divers. It’s a bold, honest conversation about ambition, burnout, reinvention, and what it really means to stop chasing and start living.
S2 · E3
Jan 28, 2026
49:14
Zero-G Photos & Vomit Rockets: Parker Rice Takes Us to Space (and Back)
Today’s guest, Parker Rice, is a photographer and NASA commercial spacesuit tech who taught astronauts how to take killer photos… in actual space. He spills the good, the bad, and the deeply gross—from building gear that works in zero gravity, to shooting jaw-dropping images on the space station, to surviving the legendary zero-G vomit spray. We also get into his wildest wildlife photography stories and why old-school film is making a comeback as the ultimate middle finger to AI fakes, especially for courtrooms and anyone who needs proof that an image is actually real. It’s part science, part art, part chaos. Laugh, gag a little, and space out with Tom and D.
S2 · E2
Jan 11, 2026
42:17
When AI Can’t Read the Room (with Social Video Creator Husk) Awkward Honesty, Zero Self-Awareness
This week we kick off our 2nd season as we sit down with Husk, the quietly brilliant and quirky mind behind those social videos where AI is dropped into everyday human interactions—and comedically exposes just how weird those moments already are. By letting AI respond with total sincerity (and zero social instinct), Husk holds up a mirror to modern conversation, etiquette, and overthinking, maybe without realizing it himself . We talk about why these videos work, what AI gets hilariously wrong about being human, and why awkwardness might be the most honest thing we’ve got left. Funnier still, we even do a few live and on-the-spot conversations to see Husk in real-time. Give Husk a follow on instagram @Husk.irl and on TikTok @Huskistaken
S2 · E1
Dec 31, 2025
39:15
Season 1
Talent, Representation, and calling BS in the name of Festivus— with Marci Polzin
Marci Polzin of Artistic Talent Inc.—and Tom’s longtime voiceover agent—joins us to talk real representation, real talent, and what it actually takes to last in this business. In true Festivus fashion, we air our grievances: AI, race-to-the-bottom pricing, and the Tilly Norwoods of the world cheapening brands in the name of “innovation.” As we close out 2025, we look ahead to another year of strong opinions, questionable takes, and absolutely no plans to tone it down. More nonsense incoming.
S1 · E27
Dec 26, 2025
45:19
Part 2: Ian Petrella — From "A Christmas Story" to "The Shark That Roared"
You know him as Randy, the bundled-up little brother from the holiday classic A Christmas Story — but Ian Petrella’s story didn’t end with “You’ll shoot your eye out.” In Part 2, Ian joins Tom and D to dive deeper into his evolution from beloved child actor to documentary filmmaker and producer. The conversation centers on The Shark That Roared, a new documentary executive produced by Kevin Smith, exploring the unlikely second life of Jaws: The Revenge — once a notorious box-office flop, now a full-blown cult classic. Timed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jaws: The Revenge, the film examines how fandom, nostalgia, and pop-culture reevaluation can completely rewrite a movie’s legacy. Ian breaks down how the project came together, why this film deserved a reassessment, and what it’s like shepherding a passion project with deep roots in cinema history. Expect Hollywood war stories, cult-movie love, and a thoughtful look at how time can turn “failure” into fan obsession. 🦈 The Shark That Roared — Coming Summer 2027 Part nostalgia, part film history, and fully on-brand Tom and D.
S1 · E26
Dec 13, 2025
30:19
“You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out, Randy! — Ian Petrella from A Christmas Story Tells All”
Ian Petrella—better known as Randy from A Christmas Story—joins Tom and D with unt ld stories from the set, the cast, and the fans, plus what it’s really like living in (and giving tours of) the real A Christmas Story house. From hilarious fan encounters to behind-the-scenes surprises, Ian shares it all—just in time for the annual TBS marathon of the holiday classic.
S1 · E25
Nov 25, 2025
43:53
CultureCares: How to Build Teams That Actually Work — with Marcia Beckner
This week on Tom and D, we’re joined by Marcia Beckner—THE preeminent CEO Mentor and Culture Strategist at CultureCares.com—who helps nonprofit leaders build inclusive, connected teams and rediscover the joy in leading. Marcia shares real-world strategies for improving workplace culture, unifying teams, and addressing burnout before it takes root. Along the way, she gets a front-row seat to one of the most “challenging” but hilarious work environments of all— the one on this podcast. From playful chaos to genuine insights, this episode offers a mix of laughter, leadership wisdom, and a little cultural intervention in real time. Be sure to subscribe and share with ten thousand of your closest friends—because great culture (and great podcasts) are meant to be shared.
S1 · E24
Nov 7, 2025
35:43
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