"No Bad Ideas"

Of course there are bad ideas. Like, a lot of them.
But any idea can become a good story.

About

No Bad Ideas is a storytelling gameshow where we take the worst ideas from the Internet and try to turn them into stories that are actually good.It's the creation of Gabriel Urbina, Sarah Shachat, and Zach Valenti, three writer and artist-types who, in order to stay fresh creatively, have an excuse to hang out with each other once a week, and check in on what they're working on, take a terrible idea they found on the Internet each week and turn it into a compelling narrative. Or as close as they can get in 30 minutes.If you're someone trying to be creative yourself or even if you just appreciate a good story, you'll enjoy listening to Zach, Sarah, and Gabriel figure out how to make sense of the best (worst?) absurdities the Internet has to offer. We guarantee there have definitely been worse ideas.

Episodes

Happy July! We return from our month-long hiatus with two ideas that are the exact opposite of summer fun, but we're going to try and turn them into some hot hot IP anyway.First, Zach brings us a Texas tragedy and we Tarantino it up a notch into a three-part (plus interludes) hunt for buried treasure where the Ennio Morricone score will be pumping. Then Sarah tells us a magical tale of petty corporate overreach, and we turn it into a spy comedy where a very special card that could spell nuclear annihilation requires a quest to win it back.Plus: The problem with KaibaCorp, a straight-up Breaking Bad reunion, full Terminator mode, literally over a million Magic cards, and Yosemite Sam on Bumble.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcript Coming Soon

We're back and we're jumping right into some supernaturally awful badness this week!First, Gabriel brings us the story of a very unconventional crime-fighting strategy and we turn it into the story of a young priest who gets in way over his head – although with hardened criminals or the demons of hell, TBD. Then Zach draws on the occult powers of the Am I The Asshole subreddit to tell the story of a woman who takes on a dubious personal responsibility that divides her family, and we adapt it into the story of multiple secrets that all come out... in the bedroom.Plus: Photo Day at school, a Die Hard situation, addiction to every single drug, the role that Rachel McAdams wins an Oscar for, and the scale of not badass enough vs. human rights violation.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcripts Coming Soon

Today on the show... Art criticism! Pizza! Organized crime! Crap! And special guest stars Bob Raymonda and Jack Marone, co-creators of the Forgive Me! podcast!In today's first bad idea, Gabriel brings us the story of a ballet director who took a rather... unorthodox approach to expressing his displeasure at a critic's evaluation of his work. The gang makes it into a film that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "giving someone shit." Then, Sarah brings us the story of a mafia boss who foolishly did some press to raise his profile. The squad takes this material and runs with it all the way to a movie about a man who dared to dream about pizza glory despite his criminal upbringing.All of that, plus: Javert characters, traveling plumbers, mirthful smiles, copycat critics, and the thrill of the spotlight!Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
For more of Bob and Jack's work, check out the Forgive Me! podcast.

Transcript Coming Soon

What's even better news than a new episode of NBI? What's EVEN BETTER news than a new 70mm print of Boogie Nights? Film critic extraordinary Ethan Warren has just the qualifications to help us turn horrible ideas into movie pitches, and we're delighted to invite him to the NBI hot seat.First, Zach gives us a Twitch stream gone awry and we turn it into a truly twisted animated rom-com thriller about two fish (yes fish) with an entire Internet full of possibilities. Then Gabriel offers up an unusual relationship quandry and we turn it into a mumblecore classic of irrational love, and a married couple who both really need to break up and kind of deserve each other.Finally, we talk to Ethan about the joys of writing about cinema, how to watch attentively, finding the right entrance to a rabbit hole, and just who this Paul Thomas Anderson guy is, anyway.Plus: the perfect combination of high stakes and ASMR, a convenient paraglider, an overwhelming passion for Arbys, Kids in the Hall candy, and reading through the terms of service.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheDevil/comments/10n8mx6/comment/j67gtvo/?utmsource=reddit&utmmedium=web2x&context=3)
For more of Ethan's work, you can buy his book! Check out The Cinema Paul Thomas Anderson: American Apocrypha as an ebook or pre-order a physical copy now! You can also find more of Ethan's work on his website and also check him out on Twitter.

Transcript Coming Soon

Today on No Bad Ideas... fraud! Inflatable dolls! Possessed objects! American cinema! And more!For our first bad idea today, Zach brings us an article about some financial crimes inspired by the 1999 film Office Space. The gang decides to turn that into a radical reboot of a very, very different movie: Saw! Then, Gabriel presents the story of a man who used an inflatable Grinch doll in order to use the carpool lane on the highway. The trio turns it into a story of a man who is forced to reckon with his distaste for the Christmas holidays by a very unusual presence.All of that, plus: people riding shotgun, shopping malls burning down, criminal masterminds, bonding experiences, and deep wells.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

We're back! New year, same human species, which means EVEN MORE! BAD! IDEAS!
The NBI is back and better than ever in this year 2023 AC (after covid). We are tweaking the show's release schedule - because it's ours and we can do that - so look forword to bi-monthly episodes of NBI hitting your feed every other Monday.
Starting with this one! Gabriel kicks us off with one last holiday tradition that can also settle scores all year round, and we turn it into a heartwarming tale of two families who need to save face, protect cute animals, and fake an epic fight. Then Sarah brings us a tale of military misconduct that we spin right around into a story of byzantine beaurocracy gone mad... but as shot by Michael Bay.Plus: not paying attention in Biology class, abusing power for oral health, failing upwards, dreams of becoming a rodeo clown, and the next step for The People's Court.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcripts Coming Soon

It's the last episode of No Bad Ideas of 2022! We are celebrating with stories about online harassment and dysfunctional families!For our first story, Zach brings us the story of weaponized online harassment. The gang does their best to turn it into a horror story about death that can be directly sent to those you don't like... and then bring back a classic NBI villain from a previous story to make it all come together. Then, Gabriel brings us the story of a family where half the members are treated as second-class citizens. The squad turns it into an anti-romcom about someone that wants to get out of a relationship without breaking up with their partner... and then into a Snowpierecer-style action thriller.Plus: deadly tweets, the Lord's work, Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett dynamics, Star Wars villains, and NBI's first spinoff series, Monocle Zach.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcripts Coming Soon

We return this week, or at least two of us do, to inflict terrible ideas onto one of our favorite people in podcasting: Wil Williams!Sarah kicks us off with a high school student's nightmare made somehow even worse, and we turn it into a spy heist thriller in the grand tradition of Agent Cody Banks. Then Zach takes us to a terrible idea that fortunately never reached 30,000 feet, but we imagine the terrible story and tonal chaos that would ensue if someone brought a gun onto an airplane... inside of a chicken.Finally, we have a great conversation with Wil about finishing up the final season of Valence, how characters shift and reveal new facets of themselves across mediums, the importance of accountability and collaborators, the references that can help capture the feeling of a fictional world, and more.Plus: a superspy double agent, a sound designer's dream, the goth girls/barbie girls alliance, #rawchicken, and stealing from Little Miss Sunshine.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
If you want to check out Wil and more of their work, you can check out Valence online or on your favorite podcatcher, and also check out Wil's website.

Transcripts Coming Soon

Today the NBI squad is joined by a voice actor of intrigue and mystery, the amazing Josh Rubino, to talk about bears, wolves, and evil villains!In our first idea, Gabriel brings us the tale of two wrestlers who take on a bear and find it to be a... surprisingly challenging experience! Who knew?! The gang turns it into a gritty, grizzly reboot of a beloved cartoon show. Then, Sarah brings us the story of a scheme to make wolves less comfortable around people. The gang turns it into a heartwarming story of a child reconnecting with their estranged parent in the woods with paintball.All of that, plus: the secrets of voice acting, riled-up savage animals, Ranger Rick, dangerous games, and a bloody collar, tie, and hat.
Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
To check out more of Josh's work, please check out their website and their Twitter!

Transcripts Coming Soon

We're back to take some more bad ideas to incredible new heights! First, Sarah brings us a tale of a dinner gone awry with potential links to organized crime, and we turn it into the gritty Princess Diaries reboot none of us realized we needed. Then Gabriel takes us to the never-ending well of Bad Ideas, Reddit's Am I The Asshole, and we turn the story of a big communication failure over dinner into a domestic horror/thriller made possible by working from home.Plus: the world's saddest treehouse, straight assholery, Olivia Rodrigo's next single, the version of Don't Worry Darling that we deserved, and Anya Taylor-Joy, Queen of the Mafia.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcripts Coming Soon

Today on No Bad Ideas... Alligators! Bees! Construction! Violence! Annoyance! And more!In our first bad idea today, Gabriel brings us the story of a Florida man who resorts to violence to solve the problem of the loud construction site next to his home. The gang turns it into an action film about a construction crew to escape from a deadly game of hide and seek with forty alligators. Then, Zach brings us a story about bees being used as a deadly weapon. The gang turns it first into a sequel for the story from the first bad idea and then into a sequel to Home Alone! Let us dance a ballet with bees!All of that, plus: the next Liam Neeson, disaffected youths, franchises, a rich and storied history with trauma, and one last job.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcript Coming Soon

Today we have a fantastic guest in the NBI hot seat: Zoe Tokushige returns to No Bad Ideas hot off the publication of her first (very good) book, Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish.We begin with an idea of Zach's about a suburban mystery in the heart of Texas, and we turn it into a dark and twisting thriller with death (or at least social death) as the stakes. Then Sarah offers up an Am I The Asshole post about a snooping mother-in-law, and we transform it into the remake of Rear Window that the 21st Century deserves.Finally we talk to Zoe about encountering her work in the wild, how she thinks about revision and feedback, different ways to visualize storytelling, and even more!Plus: A Don Quixote moment, the link between media conglomerates and homeowners associations, the slow adoption of the iPhone, timid lawful good adolescents, and a lot of nervous energy.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
Plus: an emoji house!If you want to check out Zoe's work, you can find Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish wherever fine books are sold and you can also check out Zoe's website, Twitter, and Instagram.

Transcript Coming Soon

Today on No Bad Ideas... NPCs! Internet drama! Bad communication! Grandma!In our first bad idea, Zach brings us the story of a troubling trend online where people are starting to treat real life people as video game NPCs. The gang creates a story about a person who is transported into a video game just to play the part of a storekeeper NPC. Then, in our second bad idea, Gabriel gives Zach and Sarah a choice between two options. They choose the NSFW one, and have to contend with a woman's radical solution to the problem of her boyfriend calling her something she doesn't like in bed. It goes to the only logical place this story could go: the White House.All of that, plus: the way it used to be, angry stump speeches, Poké Marts, compromise, and 24-hour paparazzo surveillance.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcripts Coming Soon

We're back! And we return with two classics NBI genres of bad idea. First, Gabriel brings us an Am I The Asshole post about overbearing mothers during wedding planning, but definitely not in the way that you think. We turn it into a trippy, hallucinogenic virtual reality experience gone wrong where the path to emotional truth is paved with simulations. Then Sarah brings us a tale of technology on airplanes going wrong in a seemingly harmless but very strange way, and we, of course, turn it into an Alfred Hitchcock thriller.Plus: the multi-channel silent disco, hacked Alexas, interrobangs, a very specific set of circumstances, and Season 2 of The Rehearsal.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcripts Coming Soon

Our apologies for the slight delay on this week's No Bad Ideas, but we think this one's worth the wait. Zach has secured his NBI hotseat in an exciting new spot and we're all ready to turn to some terrible ideas into okayish pitches!We start with Mr. Valenti who has an Am I The Asshole post that separates the cats from the dogs and the healthy relationships from Break Up With Him Already ships. We take it and concoct a (somehow) sillier and more arbitrary conflict that will make or break a relationship. Next, Sarah offers up an instagram ad for a very specialized service and for a very targeted demographic, but we turn it into the next hit CW show about an isolated town in Alaska in want of some spiritual guidance but with plenty of washboard abs.Plus: Great Uncle Wildemar, the definition of coquette, the Kristen Bell of today, a lot of forbidden fruit, and a fun couples activity for Tom Holland and Zendaya.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcript Coming Soon

It's finally the end of the summer! We celebrate with a flight, a fistfight, some fast food, and body swaps!In our first bad idea, Gabriel brings the story of a mid-air flight between a plane's pilot and co-pilot. The gang turns it into a gritty, Martin McDonagh-esque suspense theater play about a situation doomed to blow up at just the wrong moment. Then, Zach horrifies Sarah and Gabriel with a story of little kids working at a McDonald's. The team pitches a new Freaky Friday-style story about adults and children swapping bodies and learning heart-warming lessons.All of that, plus: the Gods of Maximum Comedy, bars that are underground, the gritty Cabin Pressure reboot that we were all waiting for, a better boxing match, and our collective Sauron eye.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcripts Coming Soon

The show's original trouble troika is back together with the triumphant return of Zach Valenti this week! And we do have trouble here at NBI HQ:First, Sarah brings us an unusual problem plaguing the great city of Venice and we turn it into the story of a father looking out for his sons who accidentally finds the thrill of a lifetime. Then Zach offers up a typical tale from the world of Venture Capital and we create a story of temptation at scale, and whether a small-time schemer can play in the big leagues.Plus: Dad Bod Law, Fight Club Act 2 energy, Fight Club Act 3 energy, beeping Calzones, and some apologies to Australia.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcripts Coming Soon

Zach is missing this week, but to make up for it we have the honor of hosting a returning champion in the No Bad Ideas arena: Eli Barraza, creator of The Far Meridian, returns!We can certainly use the help, as in the first idea, Gabriel presents a criminal's desperate attempt to evade the police, and we turn it into both a horrifying and heartwarming tale of a man who needs to embrace his inner-bear, but not the way that you think. Then, Sarah offers up what is perhaps the weirdest billboard to ever grace Toronto, Canada and we turn it into a the story of a man who will sell or borrow almost anything to escape an evil curse, even if it means getting a little cheesy.Finally, we talk with Eli about The Far Meridian Season 3 (no spoilers), the origins of the series and how it has evolved, the joys and challenges of monologues, how to focus on characters (and vibes), and even more.Plus: the worst version of Build-A-Bear, the magic powers route, the musical horror genre, the most bemused Catholic priest ever, and a live recreation of Paddington 2.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
To check out The Far Meridian, you can visit their website and their crowdfunding page for Season 3, or listen to the show wherever you cast your pod. You can also find Eli on Twitter.

Transcripts Coming Soon

Today on No Bad Ideas: Florida men! Manliness! Puns! Conspiracies! Father-son treasure hunt teams! And special guest star Chris Dole!In our first bad idea, Gabriel presents a Key West tradition: the Ernest Hemmingway lookalike contest! The squad tries their best to turn it into a story about a camp where men (and one intrepid woman) are sent off so they can learn to be more like the legendary writer. Then, special guest Chris Dole bring us the story of a father-son treasure hunting team who claims the FBI is hiding a cache of gold from them. The team works together to turn it into a heartwarming, inter-generational story about a family discovering the most valuable thing in the world. (Gold, it's gold, gold is the most valuable.)All of that, plus: Blackspire mountain, crime scenes, ghosts, entertainment industry insider news, and enormous quantities of alcohol.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
For more of Chris Dole's work, check out Arden and the upcoming My Big Score.

Transcripts Coming Soon

Today on No Bad Ideas: priests! Exorcism! Cooperation! People getting fired! And more!Sarah brings us a story about how demand for exorcisms is going through the roof! The gang turns it into a film about how an overworked set of priests reaches out to the leaders of other religions to help them meet a small town's hunger for exorcism. Then, Zach brings us the tale of a company that is trying to automate and outsource other company's firing needs. The squad spends some time coming up with the 2022 remake and update for 2009's Up in the Air.Plus: harried montages, the Powers-That-Be, the A-Men, arthouse plays, and being-laid-off consultants.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcripts Coming Soon

Sarah is out this week, but Gabriel and Zach are joined by writer, director, and filmmaker Maegan Houang for two bad ideas involving peanuts and intelligence tests!In our first bad idea, Gabriel brings the story of a man who dutifully pushed a peanut up a mountain to break a world record. The gang turns it into a Rat Race-style eccentric millionaire-driven comedy of errors. Then, Zach presents a slippery tale of a man who was turned away from a job as a police officer because... he scored too highly on an intelligence test. Everyone struggles with how to turn that into a forward-facing story with anything approaching sympathetic characters. Then, we get to talk to Maegan about her career, visualizing songs for music videos, and dealing with the challenges of morale on film sets.All of that, plus: reboots of Fitzcarraldo, family feuds, structural wrappers, sci-fi societies, prescient questions, and Jurassic Park for Psychopaths.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
For more on Maegan and her work, check out her website.

Transcripts Coming Soon

Sarah is out this week but we have two stellar guests to fill out the required level of madness at No Bad Ideas HQ: the wonderful Chris and Jenn Sugden have returned!First up, Gabriel brings us a contest that could only take place in Florida and we turn it into an underdog story of an amateur hunter who would give St. Patrick a run for his money. Then Zach gives us yet another reason for why everything is horrible and talks us through the burgeoning private lie-detection industry protecting people from honest conversations with their spouses; we then turn it into a drama of ethical dilemmas, lying liars who lie, and honest brokers who need to start lying too.Finally, Jenn and Chris talk about translating Victoriocity from a much-beloved podcast to an exciting upcoming novel, how their comedy background informs how they think about stories, balancing backstory for new and old audiences, and how they manage writing collaboratively.Plus: The pre-1950 snake-hunting code of honor, the return of the zoetrope, the end of frivolous things, lying plants, and Big Pete.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
If you'd like to check out the Sugdens' work, you can check Jenn and Chris out on Twitter and visit Victoriocity's website and listen to it wherever fine podcasts are downloadable.

Transcripts Coming Soon

The squad is back for a new episode, featuring murder, terrible hotels, and special guest star Octavia Bray, creator of Life with Leo(h)!For our first bad idea, Zach brings us a twisty tale of corporate corruption, greed, murder, shady stuff, and... well, lots of incompetence. The team pitches a film about a group of investigators who think the criminals they are pursuing are way, way, way better at crime than they actually are. Then, Sarah presents an article about an aggressively awful combination hotel/art installation experience in the Swiss Alps. The team puts together a film about a scam that tries to exploits privileged white people's worst tendencies until it all goes horribly, horribly wrong.All of that, plus: 1% Illuminati stuff, graves in swamps, Swiss chocolate, the weight of spinning plates, and poetically just comeuppances.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
For more on Octavia's work visit her Twitter, and check out the Indiegogo for Season 2 of Life with Leo(h)!

Transcripts Coming Soon

The Bad Ideas crew is joined by Avery Trufelman, the creator of Articles of Interest, to tackle bad ideas featuring relief funds, online casinos, and busted stereotypical gender roles!In our first bad idea, Sarah brings us the story of a man who received a much more generous Covid relief payment than he was expecting. The gang turns it into a film about a man who is desperately trying (and most failing) to get rid of as much money as he can as quickly as possible. Then, Zach presents a unique marketing tactic: small phones specifically designed to be put in, ahem, hard to reach places. The squad turns it into a story about a scheme to make money from within the walls of a prison, and how it helps the meanest, burliest, most manly inmates in the yard get in touch with their sensitive side.All of that, plus: highly orchestrated schemes, Werner Herzog, supply chain issues, emotional connections, and butts.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
For more on Avery's work, visit her website. For more information on the Louis Armstrong House Museum, visit their website.

Transcripts Coming Soon

Unfortunately, we're short a Gabriel this week but we've tricked one of our favorite people in podcasting to come join us for a dose of silliness at NBI HQ: the great Lauren Shippen is here!And there's plenty of silliness to go around. First, Zach brings us a small town conspiracy that definitely does not involve Banksy, and we spin it into a story of CC that also, definitely, does not involve Banksy. Then Sarah brings us the story of an author who probably shouldn't have written an essay about committing a murder, and we turn it into the story of a writer who burned out who needs to hit the best-seller list and is willing to die, or kill, trying.Then we talk to Lauren about the origins of her latest show, Mirage Diner, and its journey to the Tribeca festival, the various ways one can go about creating ideas for podcasts and the different ways they can come to fruition, the advantages of owning what you make, the reasons to leave series alone when they're done, and even more.Plus: Murder Zines, a mix of Catch Me If You Can and Lemony Snicket, scathing commentaries on municipal funding, real vibes, and a gcal sync across the multiverse.Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
To listen to the premiere of Mirage Diner at the Tribeca Fest on June 8th in New York, head here for tickets! For more of Lauren's work, you can check out all the quality shows by Atypical Artists. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.

Transcripts Coming Soon

We’re delighted to have not one guest this week, but two! Phillip Thorn and Øystein Brager, masterminds behind The Amelia Project, have come to NBI HQ put their considerable talents (and cocoa) to much sillier use.We start with an idea from Gabriel about the way a couple can exert the ultimate pressure on their child to have grandkids, and turn it into a stealth Failure To Launch reboot that none of us wanted or needed. Then, Phillip and Øystein bring a bad idea of their own! We take the antiquing score of a lifetime and turn it into a sculpture with an ancient curse that reverberates across many lifetimes and an opportunity for Adam Driver to return to his sleezebag roots.Finally we talk to Phillip and Øystein about their podcasting journey: what they’ve taken from their theater background, how they come up with characters, and even get an exciting announcement from them about future seasons of The Amelia Project!Plus: Bizarro courtroom dramas, hidden deadlines, 16th century tails, a suitcase full of seashells, and a polycule with Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, and Dame Maggie SmithToday’s Bad Ideas™:
Idea 1
Idea 2
To check out The Amelia Project, visit their site, and for more of Øystein and Phillip, find them on Twitter!

Transcript Coming Soon

It’s back to basics this week as just Gabriel, Sarah, and Zach are at NBI HQ today, but we’ve brought some truly terrible ideas with which to torment each other!First, Gabriel finds a sweaty Reddit post about unreasonable expectations for normal water temperature and personal space, and we turn it into a horror meet-cute where the audience is going to end up rooting for a literal hell demon. Then Zach brings us tale of unintended environmental consequences and we turn it into a political farce that hopefully would lure Simon Pegg back into acting.Plus: giant eagles, surveillance-oriented boyfriends, two tanks just lying around, Jerry from down the pub, and lost episodes of Seinfeld.Today’s Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Transcript Coming Soon

Today on No Bad Ideas: Bears! Legal advice! Revolution! Fandom! And special guest star, Marissa Tandon, creator of new audio fiction series, That Vampire Show!In our first idea, the gang has to confront the Bear League! When a family discovers that the strange noises coming from the crawlspace under their house are a family of five bears, how will they evict these unwanted woodland tenants? Then, a bakery's new fire policy defies all common sense and good practices. In our imagination, it sparks a revolution of the working class, who seize the means of hot dog production by force!All of that, plus: NFTs of buns, this is fine dogging, digitally aged-up Kristen Stewart, environmental ramifications, and things that make you realize you need to eat the rich at a certain point.Today’s Bad Ideas™:Idea #1
Idea #2
For more of Marissa's work, check out Tandon Production's website and her Twitter. And tune into That Vampire Show wherever quality podcasts are sold!

Transcripts Coming Soon

We’re delighted to be joined this week by the incredibly talented Ellen Winter, musician, writer, and teaching artist extraordinaire!First, Zach brings us a Reddit query which we immediately decide is a horror movie, and what follows is a quest to decide just how weird a horror movie we’re making. Then Gabriel puts us all on blast with the story of a specialized cafe for writers in Japan, and we turn it into a story that is absolutely not about writers but is about creativity on a deadline and a young producer who must contend with the most dysfunctional band of all time.Then Ellen comes back to us with an idea of her own: a short but evocative missed connection from Craigslist, which we turn into a twisted reckoning between Nick Cage and Cate Blanchett which is also obviously a meet cute; then we talk to Ellen about the importance of play and jam sessions to the creative process, how to get started and think about the component parts of a piece, and how to plug into what you’re most excited about.Plus: a pre-wrapped A24 movie, an impressive amount of surveillance, a Miyazaki liminal multiverse, some perpetually too hot tea, and Adam Drivers all the way down.If you want to check out Ellen’s work, go listen to Every Feeling I’ve Ever Felt, 36 Questions, and follow her on Twitter.Today’s Bad Ideas™:Idea #1
Idea #2
Idea #3

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Today on No Bad Ideas... long-winded essays! Lost ideas! And special guest star, podcast producer Ponders!On our first bad idea... well, we run into some technical problems and lose the audio for the first chunk of the episode. Oh no! But never fear, we come back with a vengeance for our second bad idea, a tale of woe featuring a friend breakup and the longform essay that accompanied it. The gang and Ponders turn it into the quirky, Spike Jonze romcom we didn't know we needed. Then, Sarah and Gabriel have a fascinating conversation with their guest about empathy in podcasts and how it impacts the writing of audio fiction.All of that, plus piña colada song situations, underpaid writers, Editing Gabriel, Arcade Fire soundtracks, and email notifications that know you far too well.Today’s Bad Ideas™For more of Ponders's work, check out their Twitter as well as their shows Accession and The Wanderer.

Transcripts Coming Soon

Sarah’s out today, so we’re especially delighted to be joined by the incredible Mary Kate Wiles of Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Shipwrecked Comedy, and web video fame!Mary Kate’s first go in the NBI hot seat begins with the story of a bad liar from Alabama, which the gang turns into a heist with high rewards, deeply annoying stakes, and incredibly slow moving escapes. Then they meet the soon-to-be mother-in-law from hell and turn it into a family drama that is a trick, potentially a trap, and features the worst piggy bank of all time.Then the guys talk to Mary Kate about, among other things, the origin of Shipwrecked, the legacy of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, wearing many hats at all times, and why every actor should produce something.Plus: a new sub-genre of heists, Eugene O’Neill plays come to life, decoy invites, Timothée’s Logan Lucky moment, and the Rachel Getting Married of it all.Today’s Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
If you’d like to check out more of Mary Kate’s work, follow her on Twitter and Patreon, go watch The Fairly Oddparents: Fairly Odder and go explore the fine literary comedy of Shipwrecked!

Transcripts Coming Soon

We’re so lucky to be joined this week by not one but two adorable little audio guys: Multitude’s own Eric Silver and Mischa Stanton!We start with the worst/most bored security guard of all time and we turn it into a high espionage heist (of course), with the plots coming from inside the Kremlin, but not before making a ton of Red Notice jokes along the way. Then we visit the capital of world/bored ideas: Florida. We take a story about a man’s crossbow theft and turn it into the remake of Don Quixote that all of us end up really wanting to see.Then Eric and Mischa discuss benefits of and considerations to take into account when you work with your friends, the kinds of creativity that happens when you feel free to collaborate, making things for yourself vs. making things in the hopes it’ll be made by a big company, and much more!Plus: Zoom’s newest software update, absurdist period pieces, CGI monstrosities, a fleet of windmills, and the most obnoxious motorcycle in the state of Florida.Today’s Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2
If you want to check out more of Eric and Mischa’s work, check out some of their wonderful shows like Join The Party, History Daily, and StarTripper!!, follow Eric and Mischa on Twitter, and sign up to join the MultiCrew for even more Multitude goodness.

Transcripts Coming Soon

Sarah is out this week, but we are joined by special guest co-host Sam Long of Singing Land Studios and Honey and the Sting. Together, we tackle two new bad ideas, featuring brains, snakes, and other slithering creepy-crawlies!In our first story, Zach brings us a report on the neurologist who was so set on pushing the envelope on what's possible that he ended up getting his own brain operated on. The team does their best to turn it into a Jekyll and Hyde drama of a man who expands his mind but maybe gets a little more than he bargained for. Then, for our second idea, Gabriel brings us the story of a man who tried to smuggle a lot of reptiles past the border. The squad tries to turn it into the story of a man who makes his living by providing a witch's coven with their animal supplies.All of that, plus: hypothetical story land, tongue hissing sounds, cesspools, curses, and hours-long sunbaths.Our first bad idea begins at 5:00 and ends at 19:16. The second idea begins at 19:35 and ends at 23:40.Today’s Bad Ideas™
Idea #1
Idea #2
For more of Sam's work, check out Singing Land Studios and the EarthSpirit Voices Podcast. For more work by other members of Honey and the Sting, check out work by Melanie Hsu and Jess Best!

Transcripts Coming Soon

About Us

Gabriel Urbina - Gabriel Urbina is a Costa Rican-American writer, filmmaker, and science fiction lover. When he’s not too busy taking dictation from the voices in his head, Gabriel juggles, has strong opinions about movies, and sleepwalks an alarming amount. He lives in Brooklyn. Learn more about him on his website and follow him on Twitter.Sarah Shachat - Sarah Shachat is a writer and editor from New Orleans, even though she doesn't sound like it. She writes audio fiction, creative nonfiction, picks apart old films and tv shows, and drinks a lot of black tea. She knows, she knows, she doesn't have a website, but you can say hi to her on Twitter.Zach Valenti - Zach Valenti is an artist and entrepreneur based in New York City. He is currently working as a filmmaker, author, voiceover artist, and full-time nerd. Learn more about Zach on his website and follow him on Twitter.

Music in No Bad Ideas comes from State Shirt and Jahzzar via Free Music Archive.