Manic Joy

Dave just got back from the UK, where no one asks you for 25 percent on a cup of coffee. That turned into a full-blown debate between him and Reese about where tipping came from, why the U.S. can’t seem to stop, and all the ridiculous places we’re being guilt-prompted to tip these days. Along the way, they swap travel stories, pet chaos stories, and a truly unhinged $70 tip mistake that still haunts Reese. Buckle up — this one goes places.

Turns out, you really can turn off the U.S. government. Wild, right? Dave and Reese dive into how a shutdown actually happens, what it means for normal people (like, can it mess with your flight?), and why arguing over “fine print” can grind everything to a halt. Come for the martinis and tangents, stay for the cat-hair confessionals and government trivia you didn’t know you needed.

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Dave and Reese’s Connecticut getaway turns into an unforgettable mix of surprises: a black bear sighting, pizza pilgrimages, wedding dance floors, and a full-blown debate over tribute bands. (Spoiler: Dave would rather see a bad original band, Reese is all in on the cover songs.) Add in some Gen X dance moves, indigestion prep, and a cat-created crime scene back home, and you’ve got classic Manic Joy.

What keeps you grounded—and what throws you completely off? In this episode of Manic Joy, Dave and Reese dive into the rituals and routines that shape their days, from the comfort of morning coffee to the chaos of lost glasses. Along the way, they revisit the 30 minutes of brilliant conversation they forgot to record, debate whether routines are freeing or limiting, share stories about kids wrecking the house, and laugh about blow-dried balls, candy corn confessions, and Gordon Ramsay’s early-2000s insults. It’s a mix of habits, humor, and heart—just like life.