Topic: Dogs

To mark the 50th episode milestone, the hosts share what they are drinking. One opens a Brew Dog IPA while the other enjoys a spiced rum, leading to a brief discussion on their favorite liquor cabinet staples.

A discussion on the best movie soundtracks of all time highlights Guardians of the Galaxy, Reservoir Dogs, and Pulp Fiction as gold standards. The hosts explore how a good soundtrack creates an "audio palette" that unifies different musical styles under a single cinematic theme. They also mention the unofficial Spotify playlists for The Big Lebowski and the aggressive electronic tone of The Matrix.

A social media post regarding the influx of dogs in office environments as people return from lockdown caused an unexpected viral reaction. The speaker expresses frustration with pets causing distractions and interruptions during professional meetings, arguing that offices are not appropriate places for animals. The post led to a surge in followers from high-ranking civil service officials, creating a dilemma because the "Dating Dad" Twitter profile used for the post contains personal content unsuitable for a professional audience.

The hosts address the serious topic of suicide prevention, noting that the Being Fine book supports a charity called Black Dog. They provide contact information for MyBlackDog.co, Samaritans (116-123), and CALM (0800-585858) to support men who may be feeling isolated or overwhelmed. The segment encourages men to seek help early rather than waiting for a crisis to escalate.

The hosts discuss an article from Psychology Today regarding why dogs are popular, focusing on their energy, acceptance, and readiness to play. Crabtree describes how he tries to emulate his dog, Maupin, when greeting his daughters to bring more joy into the household. They encourage parents to say "yes" more often to children's requests for play and treats to foster magical moments.

The host reflects on the difficulties of balancing professional work with childcare during school holidays and lockdowns. The discussion moves to the unpredictability of working with animals and children, leading to a debate about the controllability of cats versus dogs. Personal anecdotes are shared regarding childhood incidents with pets, including a Jack Russell bite and allergies to neighborhood cats.

Paul Elliott explains that completing daily tasks is a form of keeping promises to oneself, which builds mental health and self-esteem. He also discusses his journey toward becoming more emotionally demonstrative with his family, a trait he had to learn as an adult. Johnny Jensen shares a similar experience of improving his relationship with his own father.