My Daily Ritual: TBTL (Or, Why Being an Australia Ten is Rawr)

I have a morning ritual: Coffee, breakfast, and TBTL.

The existence of this podcast called TBTL (Too Beautiful to Live) started coming into my consciousness perhaps a year ago, like one of those cultural phenomena that you hear rumblings of for so long that you can no longer ignore it, except I think this was just in my particular circle. I had no idea what it was, but subscribed to the podcast, just to see what all these random sources were going on about.

At first, this rambly, inside-jokey, indie-band loving show made absolutely no sense to me. I found it tedious. But, something kept me listening, and coming back for each new episode. And now, this weird little “imaginary radio” show has become such a part of my life, and a major connection to home. Remember when I asked what my culture is? TBTL is part of my culture.

Here’s the deal with TBTL: Once upon a time, it was a radio show out of Seattle, but after being cancelled, it became a daily podcast. The host is Luke Burbank (my NPR loving friends – you may have heard him on “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me”). He’s a charming, smart, liberal-minded, sometimes neurotic 30-something one-time NPR reporter. He broadcasts from his house, and Skypes in Jen Andrews, former produce and the true heart of the show. She’s been on a cross-country road trip since I started listening. They are also often joined by audio-guru, Sean DeTore, who is a sweet little brother character – you know, the one who is a bit of a mess in his life, but you know he has to figure it out on his own, and he’s a great guy, so you can’t get too chuffed about it? Also popping in from time to time is Luke’s steady, kind, NPR reporter girlfriend, Vanessa. And, also, their cat Pagoda and dog Momo. Basically, they chat for an hour or so about news stories, their daily lives, music, TV, and what’s going on with their wildly devoted “Tens of listeners.” Sometimes they solve mysteries. They intersperse music – often some indie rock band I’ve never heard of (occasionally, I even find great new songs). From time to time, Luke interviews celebrities – most recently Ben Gibbard and David Sedaris.

They also populate the show with these crazy audio drops from “Arrested Development,” “30 Rock,” and various hilarious movies and Youtube clips. They are so ingrained that I can’t help but quote them, all the time, usually to blank stares. “Bacon is good for me!” “I know she’s a brownish area. With points.” “Did you poop?” Friends, if I say something weird to you, it’s probably from TBTL, and I probably can’t help it.

No, I know, it sounds absurd. I wouldn’t listen, either.

But there’s something about the chemistry that works. They remind me of my friends, and their conversations sound a lot like the ones I used to have on great Friday nights after work. Do they ramble from one topic to another, sometimes? Yup. Are they obsessed with silly things like the Large Hadron Collider and the Insane Clown Posse? Oh, yeah. Are their jokes wildly inside? Often.

It’s just like everything I love about being with a group of my favorite friends.

Also, I value them so much now that I’m in Australia because they keep me connected to the things in the U.S. that people are really talking about. Not what’s in the New York Times, but the crazy news stories, viral videos, and television “events.” I learned about double rainbow guy, Willow Smith, Antoine Dodson, and Four Loko from TBTL.

Most of all, now that I’m far from my friends and family, TBTL feels like a constant source of home. I can’t have a party line phone call with my Friday Night Friends everyday, but I can spend an hour with people who remind me of them, with all of their silliness, love for each other, and sometimes even poignancy.

Having TBTL to keep me grounded to my sense of home is“rawr.” Trust me, that’s a good thing.