Rings all my bells. I’m getting to the point in life where it’s very hard to stay interested in most podcasts, but this one is a winner. Wide and varied interests, smart banter, and about the things I want to hear about. Culture high and low. Love it and will definitely be tuning in.

It’s a cool show. The one guy says he doesn’t think. The other guy is way into ghosts. They both like Twin Peaks. Oh, and the one looks like the other sounds and vice versa. How weird.

I’m always drawn in by the subject matter they discuss only to find that, while the hosts are obviously very smart, they’re just not particularly well-informed about the subject that intrigued me in the first place. That might be more forgivable were it not for their off putting self-assurance.

It’s hard out here with all the smart stuff being serious and the funny stuff being dumb, but these guys bridge the gap. This podcast has been around for a long time, and it’s only gotten better over the years. It has introduced me to interesting and sometimes important topics in philosophy and psychology, and it’s a been a barrel of fun. I really do think it’s valuable to continue to engage with topics like these as we get into our careers, and further from school. I believe this podcast has made me a better thinker. They aren’t afraid to grapple with forbidden knowledge, either. Listening to this for a couple of years will do you as much good as a University of Austin diploma, in my mind.

I can honestly say that these two got me through philosophy grad school, covid, and what not else. I wish they were my friends, or even better, my therapists. Keep up the good work, Tamler & Dave! ✌🏾

Long time listener, but lately have been feeling very alienated by what appears to be casual misogyny. While discussing the ick, there had been statements made about it being a predominantly female activity and in the same breath saying it was trivial. Maybe you just haven’t identified the genesis correctly, maybe the “ick” has been something that has been in female space since the birth of romantic relationships, but the phenomenon you are actually witnessing is female spaces becoming more public. The accidental comment about ick destroying relationships was very telling. Again long time listener, but this space is feeling less philosophical and more brohan lately.

This show is many things. Stupid, humble, cocky, brilliant and inclusive. An organized mess of the primate experience. Many wonderful things, but not smug.

Long time listener first time caller. Cmon guys why the T Swift slander? It’s giving misogyny.

Really enjoy the chemistry between the co-hosts. Borderline developing a parasocial relationship just from how much fun I have listening to them interact. My favorite subjects are philosophy and psychology, but it’s the first time I’ve found a podcast that doesn’t just come from an analytical point of view, but through a fun conversation between genuine friends who just so happen to be experts on the subjects.

Very Bad Wizards is fantastic. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (you won’t cry), you’ll wish they put out episodes daily. Maybe not daily, but Dave and Tamler are fun, funny, entertaining, smart, and I always learn some good stuff. How they get away with some of the edgy (razor sharp edge edgy) content and discussions while managing to keep their professorships is a true mystery. VBW rules!

Palatable

Repugnant

It’s remarkable how many of the Deadwood cast also appeared in NYPD Blue. Milch, it seems, was very loyal. IMHO, the best TV series ever. Although Northern Exposure was pretty good as well 😎

Honest

I love these guys. This has become the only podcast I listen to in the past year. I highly recommend the Patreon $2 and up to get “The Ambulators” episodes about the HBO show, Deadwood.

I really like this show, the interplay of psychology, philosophy, modern science, timeless classics and pop culture makes VBW an all time favorite. As a pastor and Christian missionary of 20 years I especially appreciate the way the hosts handle questions of religion and spirituality. I’ve learned a lot and been provoked to deeper thought. So why the but? Why four stars only? Interstellar gets two stars! Are you kidding!! Are you out your mind!!? Like I can understand how interstellar may not be 5 star material but, by Jove man, a 2 star evaluation of this particular picture puts into question your qualifications in evaluating anything!! And it’s KaramaZov not “karamaTSov” … it’s a russian surname that is made up two roots “Kara” meaning fate or doom and “Mazov” meaning one who smears. Has nothing to do with Matsa bread or barmitzpahs! Leave the TS out of Dostoyevsky! But other than these two fatal flaws the show, the hosts, the topics … priceless!

Makes me laugh. Makes me think. Two of my favorite things.

Unbearable American academics used to having a captive audience.

My favorite podcast I’ve found! Currently trying to catch up on the decade of episodes I’ve missed. Dave and Tamler are simultaneously funny and informative, with the perfect mix of clashing opinions that allows the listener to be entertained and engaged. I feel like these two professors have become my best friends even though we’ve never met. Keep it up guys!!

Love these two and their banter and their terrific analysis of academic and literary texts. Moved to rate by the cringey superficial analysis of the political landscape. Docked zero stars for the distasteful discussion but please guys if you’re going to lampoon and criticize politicians for their flaws start with the worst politician in US history.

Love the show - been listening for many years!

It’s The Odyssey, you idiots

Insightful and hilarious

Serious subjects handled without self-seriousness. The way the hosts handle the material and each other is refreshing and at least as instructive as the material itself.

[Upgrading back up to 5 stars because last few episodes have been great and podcast is now ad-free, which I appreciate] Original 4 star review: Dave and Tamler are great to listen to but they seem to be putting less effort into the show and choosing low hanging fruit to cover. I would rather hear more episodes that are in depth discussions, instead of surface level readings of books or movies. I also feel that the podcast has become shorter over time. Longer and more in depth discussions would be an improvement.

Long time listener, first time review (sorry). Especially stoked on this show now that it’s 100% listener supported

Been listening for years, one of the few pods I listen to that makes me laugh out loud in public.

Been listening to these guys for almost 5 years now. Thanks for many laughs and insights. You two have helped me through some very hard times!

Felt creepy, broey vibes as they so comfortably sexualized women. Especially from two “thinkers” who tout a moral compass.

Super refreshing to hear discussions of science and philosophy delivered with such incisive levity and wit.

Great show. It’s serious and absurd and informative and entertaining and also a bit degenerative—which is to say it’s perfect.

I need a supercut of the debates w/ Christina Hoff Sommers and any instance of Paul Bloom

These two are my favorites.

See above.

Love the format and discussions. Enjoy how they AVOID culture war nonsense. Podcast has expanded my reading and interest a great deal.

“We’ve made enough of that” when it comes to Hamas October 7th attacks. Please tell that to the families of children still kidnapped in Gaza right now. Easy to criticize Israel’s approach to a genocidal group without offering any real long term alternative to dealing with Hamas other than actively disarming them.

I have been an avid listener for some time. Highly recommend their stimulating topics and analyses. I donate to their patreon for extra access— the brothers Karamazov series and extra content is excellent.

The logical endpoint, or midpoint… or vanishing point of my existence.

Great podcast but the music is cringy I just had to say that

Two academics who never lost touch of being first and foremost human. They laugh, and curse, fight, share insights, and cover a range of material from Borges to the Big Lebowski. Something for everyone that loves learning. They have a crudeness kept steady by a refreshing humility made possible by their genuine differences sure — but also their real friendship. Highest recommendation

Wonderful discussions and, honestly, some pretty decent beats!

The kind of half-misogynists you can get behind

Interesting insights into topics high, low, and middle brow and fun takes on current culture and events. Plus, tasty beats. Bonus material? Worth it.

The hosts clearly enjoy taking on topics from pop-culture to philosophy through amusing banter

I’m a cardiac nurse who paid my way through nursing school by working in bookstores, and spent as much time as possible reading philosophy or poetry or Cormac McCarthy (RIP). There’s not a lot of intelligent banter at work, unless it’s terrible nursing humor…this makes me feel less alone in the world. My only request is more please.

The subjects these men cover is often wide-ranging and interesting, but they ramble too much and talk about things off-topic, especially at the beginning of the show. It’s like two friends sitting on the couch Saturday afternoon who eventually find their way onto one topic of discussion for awhile. Basically, you often have to skip parts of the podcast to get past them chit chatting. They also curse sometimes when it doesn’t seem warranted by anything.

Proof that you don’t need to be all that intelligent to be a professor. Fun show.

just enough woke

Amazing content but the guy with the higher pitched voice (David I think) needs to chill with the forced/fake laughs every 60 seconds.

I like the film episodes quite a bit. Could do without the chatter at the top of episodes and wish they wouldn’t interrupt their guests as much, but an enjoyable and intellectually satisfying show.