Surivor and Pokemon with Sam Mitchell & Dalton McGhiey (134)

90s Nickelodeon with Luc Leavenworth (136)

Jul 6, 202657 minSummary

In this episode of Tangents: A Trivia Workshop Podcast, guest Luc Leavenworth, a high school assistant principal, returns to the hot seat for a remarkable trivia performance. Luc brings his characteristic enthusiasm, balancing personal anecdotes with an impressive display of knowledge that ultimately leads him to set a new personal high score of 33 points without a single miss. The conversation moves through a wide array of topics, spanning classic cinema, music, and pop culture. Luc navigates complex wordplay categories and challenging prompts, demonstrating his breadth of knowledge by correctly identifying everything from 1950s film taglines to Pixar trivia and literary references. Along the way, the discussion takes lighthearted detours into favorite TV theme songs and personal reading recommendations, such as the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. The episode highlights the competitive yet supportive spirit of the trivia workshop format. Luc’s strategic navigation of categories—including a strong run through homophones and the American Something series—showcases his ability to synthesize obscure details under pressure. It is a masterclass in trivia strategy, filled with wit and genuine curiosity, culminating in a triumphant session for the podcast regular.

We'll Do It Live...Washington Football with Frank Dicken at The Cidery (135)

Jun 29, 202615 minSummary

In this episode of Tangents: A Trivia Workshop Podcast, host Russ welcomes back recurring guest and friend of the show, Frank Dicken. A newly licensed nurse, Frank stops by while at the Seventh Street Cidery in Springfield, Illinois, to catch up on his life, his recent career transition, and his excitement for upcoming summer travel and concerts. The core of the episode features an engaging trivia session where Frank navigates a wide variety of topics. He demonstrates impressive knowledge in food and drink, correctly identifying items like quinoa, Tater Tots, and Beef Wellington, while also navigating challenging questions about television culture, including The Bear and South Park. The conversation shifts gears to sports, where Frank showcases his expertise in Washington football history, correctly identifying legendary figures such as Doug Williams, Art Monk, and Lawrence Taylor. Throughout the session, the host and Frank explore interesting tangents, moving from medical science to pop culture and historical milestones. They conclude the game with a final question about the Bible, rounding out a fun and challenging trivia experience.

From Star Trek to Boy Bands with Ian Schulze & Alissa Bonjour (133)

Jun 17, 202659 minSummary

In this episode of Tangents: A Trivia Workshop Podcast, host Russell welcomes guests Ian Schulze and Alissa Bonjour for an engaging session of trivia and conversation. Ian, an avid fan of Star Trek and Pink Floyd, demonstrates his deep knowledge throughout a fast-paced game, tackling categories ranging from historical museums and classic codes to iconic pop culture moments. He shares his passion for creating specialized trivia flashcards, which he develops to help others learn complex subjects like sports and history. Following Ian’s round, Alissa joins the discussion, pivoting the conversation toward her own interests, including Ted Lasso, boy bands, and her personal journey in the trivia community. As a busy parent, she reflects on her transition from an active trivia host to a casual participant and podcast listener. The guests discuss their shared appreciation for quality television, such as the series Shrinking and the career of producer Bill Lawrence. Throughout the episode, the atmosphere remains warm and intellectual, highlighting how trivia serves as both a challenging competitive pursuit and a meaningful way for people to connect over their specific passions.

Scott Anglemyer & Brandon Fellows (132)

Jun 11, 202653 minSummary

In this episode of Tangents: A Trivia Workshop Podcast, host Russ is joined by two recurring players, Scott Anglemyer and Brandon Fellows, for a deep dive into trivia, pop culture, and personal recommendations. Scott kicks things off by sharing his enthusiasm for the Netflix miniseries Death by Lightning and its source material, Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard. He also discusses his experiences with local bar trivia and his participation in Learned League. Following Scott, Brandon discusses his perspective on the HBO series about professional bowling and his long-standing, dedicated re-watching habits for the classic detective show Columbo. The participants engage in a lighthearted exchange regarding celebrity lookalikes, with Scott recalling comparisons to Roger Ebert and Mark Hamill, while Brandon notes his resemblance to NFL quarterback Joe Flacco. The latter half of the episode shifts into an engaging trivia challenge where both guests demonstrate impressive breadth of knowledge, covering topics ranging from 1970s history and advertising mascots to professional football and geographical facts. Scott concludes his run with a thoughtful message highlighting the importance of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Down With the Sickness 2 - with Jeff Clear and Matt Lamia (131)

Jun 1, 202645 minSummary

In this episode of Tangents: A Trivia Workshop Podcast, host Russ engages in a trivia marathon with two guests, Jeff Clear and Matt Lamia, as they navigate a series of challenging categories. The session begins with Jeff Clear, who demonstrates his expertise across a variety of subjects, particularly comic books. Jeff successfully tackles questions ranging from the history of the comic strip For Better or For Worse to identifying characters like Ant-Man and Pikachu. His run includes an impressive streak in children’s literature, where he showcases his knowledge of authors like Beatrix Potter and E.B. White. Following Jeff, Matt Lamia joins the show to put his own trivia skills to the test. After an initial struggle with pop culture and music-themed questions, Matt finds his rhythm when the conversation shifts to his chosen category: the television show Friends. He expertly fields questions about character arcs, celebrity guest stars like Julia Roberts, and iconic sitcom moments. Throughout the episode, the discussions highlight the fun of trivia, the occasional frustration of a missed answer, and the hosts’ mutual appreciation for the craft of quiz-building.