Smirk

Smirk is a podcast incorporating creative writing, humor, and spirited discussion. Each episode contains a short story written by one of our authors, which immediately leads into a light-hearted and fun discussion centered around the moral of their tale. As well as learning whether their story was truth...or fiction.

Family Matters | 100 04/13/2021

Family Matters | 100 Our story, Family Matters, centers around the shell of a fractured family. One child trying to fit in, one unsure of where they belong, and one parent trying to navigate it all. We paddle the stormy waters of family on Episode 100 of SMIRK, what family means, and why family matters. As well as bring Season 4 to a close. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/18706958

Fin. | 99 03/30/2021

Fin. | 99 Our story, Fin., revolves around two friends partaking in the end of a legacy. But do our favorite properties in film, television, and the like ever truly end anymore? We discuss the reality of our inability to accept finality and more on our latest episode of SMIRK! /episode/index/show/smirk/id/18536948

Perseverance | 98 03/16/2021

Perseverance | 98 Our story, Perseverance, takes us on a journey of dreams and ambitions before leading us into a discussion on the final frontier...space. What is out there, and do we truly ever want to find out? All this and more on our latest episode of SMIRK! /episode/index/show/smirk/id/18345695

A Hog of a Log | 97 03/02/2021

A Hog of a Log | 97 On this episode, Aaron, Amanda, and Zack create a story on the fly to close out another SMIRK of trictional hijinks! Where will it all lead? Take a listen to A Hog of a Log and find out. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/18155714

Never Meet Your Heroes | 96 02/16/2021

Never Meet Your Heroes | 96 Our story, Never Meet Your Heroes, leads us into fandom and a lot of love for Lou Diamond Phillips, before spiraling into a discussion on a few celebrities we have enjoyed - Joss Whedon, Gina Carano, Kevin Spacey - who falter and the question becomes: can you remain the same fan of their work as you used to be...and can they ever come back? All this and more on our latest episode of SMIRK! /episode/index/show/smirk/id/17967629

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start | 95 02/02/2021

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start | 95 On this episode - Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start - Zack takes on a journey of a father and son bonding for the first time over something completely unexpected: video games. Our discussion spirals into a conversation on powerful experiences through games, do games provide superior storytelling, and much more on this edition of the SMIRK podcast. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/17787626

THE BED | 94 01/19/2021

THE BED | 94 On this episode, THE BED, Amanda reveals a story about artistic expression, and the differences that can arise from unique pieces of art. This spirals into a conversion on what defines "art", when does restriction of a voice boil into censorship, and why do so many people have mommy issues. Intriguing, fun, outlandish - this is SMIRK! /episode/index/show/smirk/id/17605346

A Leap Toward A New Year | 93 01/05/2021

A Leap Toward A New Year | 93 On this episode, A Leap Toward A New Year, Aaron's story follows Rose, an influencer more concerned with clicks than personal safety. Her exploits lead into our discussion on New Year's resolutions, do they really work? Deep conversation and several hijinks ensue on this episode of SMIRK. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/17429096

Saying Goodbye to 2020 | 92 12/22/2020

Saying Goodbye to 2020 | 92 On this episode of Smirk, we say goodbye to the year that was 2020. No short story this episode, just a few conversations on the year that was - hobbies we picked up, essential workers, do Christmas lights help change a mood - and hopes for a far more upbeat 2021. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/17217233

The Adventures of Princess Gwendolyn | 91 12/08/2020

The Adventures of Princess Gwendolyn | 91 On this episode, The Adventures of Princess Gwendolyn, listener Brandon Smith shares his first attempt at a short story with this riveting tale about a young girl trapped between fantasy and reality. The story leads us into a discussion which veers in every possible direction, for better and worse. You don't want to skip this episode of SMIRK! /episode/index/show/smirk/id/17110940

A Heart of Gold | 90 11/24/2020

A Heart of Gold | 90 On this episode, A Heart of Gold, Amanda's story begins with Jessica, a woman on a mission to spice up her relationship. But plans quickly take a turn for the worse, when Jessica makes a horrendous discovery. This leads our discussion to venture down a rabbit hole of ideas: affairs, forgiveness, and how would you punish someone you love? THIS is Smirk. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/16934786

The Art of the Deal | 89 11/10/2020

The Art of the Deal | 89 On this episode of Smirk, The Art of the Deal, Zack takes us down a dark path as his story unveils a deal with the devil. Which leads us to the obvious question: how much would you sell your soul for? /episode/index/show/smirk/id/16746263

June The 13th | 88 10/27/2020

June The 13th | 88 On this episode of Smirk, June The 13th, Aaron's short story takes us back to the morning of June 13th, 1977, as Laurie ventures down a trail of horror that leads into our discussion of slasher movie culture and why such death and despair appeals to so many people. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/16547171

It Just Takes One | 87 07/07/2020

It Just Takes One | 87 On this episode of Smirk, It Just Takes One, our short story leads us into a discussion on mentors and where they pop up in your life. Does one even know they're a mentor, and what does that mean as far as personal inspiration? /episode/index/show/smirk/id/15114332

Night of the Living Divot | 86 06/22/2020

Night of the Living Divot | 86 On this episode of Smirk, Night of the Living Divot, our story revolves around a father and son dealing with a rather peculiar situation on the golf course. The conversation quickly evolves into the explosion in popularity of zombies in modern culture, and why we're so fascinated by them. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/14917457

The Curious Case of Cale's Color Conundrum | 85 06/08/2020

The Curious Case of Cale's Color Conundrum | 85 Zack tells a tale of a magical world hidden away in the most unlikely of places before diving into an often hilarious discussion on just about everything. This episode wildly veers everywhere from the disappearance of laundry socks, how to properly carry your cash, and the mysterious history of garden gnomes. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/14708909

A Teacher's Plight | 84 05/26/2020

A Teacher's Plight | 84 On this episode, Zack and Aaron are joined by guest host Scott Clark to discuss Erin's Law, a law designed to encourage communication between children and educators on child body safety. Please note this episode might not be suitable for all listeners. Find out more info at ErinsLaw.org /episode/index/show/smirk/id/14571194

The Assassination of Fake News | 83 05/11/2020

The Assassination of Fake News | 83 Fake News. It's the term of the now. None of us know what to believe anymore, nor why we should. But journalists are still out there, risking their lives to relay the truth...but will anyone ever believe them? On this episode of Smirk, Aaron's story leads into a lengthy discussion on the current environment of news and opinions taking over our airwaves. Can you trust the news anymore? /episode/index/show/smirk/id/14368865

The Outlaw | 82 04/27/2020

The Outlaw | 82 Governments across the world over history have been known to try to control their people through restrictions on the most important right humans have: knowledge. By controlling what you read, they control what you think. On this episode of Smirk, Amanda's story leads us into a discussion on what the world of the future would look like, if reading was taken away from us all. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/14160653

For The Black | 81 04/13/2020

For The Black | 81 Madness, disparity, hopelessness. On this episode, Zack unveils a tale inspired by H.P. Lovecraft meant to dive into a simplicity of human life: what does it take for your own surroundings to drive you mad? /episode/index/show/smirk/id/13964519

The Spark of Charlie No-Face | 80 03/30/2020

The Spark of Charlie No-Face | 80 Do you believe in Urban Legends? Those odd tales of warning often including murder or the supernatural? What if they were, in fact, real? Aaron's tale this week revolves around The Spark of Charlie No-Face, which leads he and guest host Brian Williams down a path of discussing their own fascination with the concept of Urban Legends. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/13746947

A Dog's Paw | 79 03/16/2020

A Dog's Paw | 79 Animals, pets specifically, provide friendship many of us are lacking in our everyday lives. Loyal, understanding, forgiving. On this episode, Amanda opens with a tale on pets, before special guest Brian Williams joins us to dive into the topic of animals and unique friendships. You won't want to miss this episode of SMIRK! /episode/index/show/smirk/id/13552643

It Knows No Bounds | 78 03/02/2020

It Knows No Bounds | 78 On this episode, Zack takes down a rabbit hole not many will wander. Launching from his original short story, the conversation quickly spirals into a controversial topic where we address a polarizing question: how much family love is TOO much love? Don't miss this uncomfortably hilarious episode of Smirk! /episode/index/show/smirk/id/13370381

This Love Is On Fire | 77 02/17/2020

This Love Is On Fire | 77 On this episode, Amanda writes a tale that devolves into a dissection of tragedy and morality, which of course spirals into a spirited discussion on where exactly our empathy ends. And, of course, food. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/13163888

Two Corpses, Everything's Fine | 76 02/03/2020

Two Corpses, Everything's Fine | 76 On this episode of Smirk, grab a notepad and settle in...for murder! We're trying something a little differing this time, as our story reveals itself as a full-fledged murder-mystery. Only after we discuss and dissect our love for the genre will we reveal the killer. Can you guess it before the murderer's identity is unmasked? /episode/index/show/smirk/id/12993158

Never Too Late | 75 01/20/2020

Never Too Late | 75 On this episode, Zack takes a trip into less-charted territory with a tale of inspiration. With Never Too Late, Smirk takes a look into what our aspirations mean to us. When do you become too old to accomplish your dreams? /episode/index/show/smirk/id/12808424

Crossing The Line | 74 01/06/2020

Crossing The Line | 74 Amanda takes us through a story that leads us into a conversation about the perils of social media on our latest episode of Smirk, Crossing The Line. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/12536537

Everyone Get On Board! | 73 12/25/2019

Everyone Get On Board! | 73 On this episode, Everyone Get On Board, our short story dives into the insanity that are board games! Why are we so hyper-competitive, and what are the best ones to play? Season 3 kicks off with an enjoyable return to form as we prepare for the best SMIRK season yet! /episode/index/show/smirk/id/12516296

Pull Down Your Pants And Slide On The Ice - Season 2 Finale | 72 06/17/2019

Pull Down Your Pants And Slide On The Ice - Season 2 Finale | 72 Our Season 2 finale of SMIRK has arrived! On this episode, Aaron, Amanda, and Zack create a story on the fly - this time incorporating random listener suggestions - to close out another season of trictional hijinks! Where will it all lead? Take a listen and find out, and then come back later this Fall for SMIRK: Season 3! /episode/index/show/smirk/id/10106589

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black | 71 06/10/2019

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black | 71 On this episode, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, our short story dives into the power of story: what is it that captures our attention, captivating our senses and intriguing our imagination? Over the last several months, a good story seems to be the answer for every entertainment issue in play, so it's time for Smirk to discuss. /episode/index/show/smirk/id/10106521

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