đď¸ Bourbons Later: Existential Dread, & 2026 Predictions – The Year-End Recap Part Two
If Part One was the reflection, Part Two is what happens when the bourbon gets refreshed⌠then poured neat⌠then goes back to ice because, well, too many bourbons at this point.
Robert and Tom pick up right where they left off, easing into the second half of their year-end recap with drinks in hand and absolutely no plan to keep things light. Somewhere between pours, Robert has a realization: they now actually look like the photos on the âAbout Usâ pageâyes, the very images I, your webmaster, chose when building the site. I fully expected this moment to happen on-air someday, and here we are. đ
Tom follows that up with an epiphany of his own. What used to be casual meetupsâbrothers-in-law grabbing food, drinks, and talking about whatever was going onâhas quietly evolved into the weekly Crooked River Cast. The difference now? The conversation is brought to you, the listeners. And because of that, the guys admit they now intentionally hold back on sharing news or updates with each other during the week, saving it for the show to get real, unfiltered reactions.
Then⌠things get philosophical.
With the end of the year staring them down, Tom drops the cheerful reminder that time feels like it speeds up because it becomes a smaller percentage of your remaining life. Thanks for that, Tom. Robert responds by asking the truly uncomfortable questions: How many Christmases do we have left? How many more times will we see our parents? Our family?
Yesâthis episode briefly takes a bourbon-soaked detour into existential dread.
But fear not!
The guys course-correct with one of the most important questions of our time: âCan you find Robert on X?â (Seriouslyâcan you?) From there, Tom asks about resolutions for 2026, which naturally turns into a real conversation about how to improve the show and make Crooked River Cast even better for our listeners next year.
That momentum carries them straight into predictions for 2026, mixing speculation, humor, and the kind of insight that comes from paying attention all year long. And before wrapping up, Tom drops a big one: he wants to set up a Crooked River Cast meetup next year. Stay tunedâbecause that idea is officially on the table.
This episode is reflective, funny, slightly depressing, and genuinely thoughtfulâbasically everything youâd expect when two guys look back on the year with one too many bourbons and a microphone.
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If youâve enjoyed the Crooked River Cast this year, make sure youâre subscribed and share the show with someone who appreciates honest conversation, Ohio-rooted perspective, and the occasional bourbon-fueled spiral. Your support keeps this thing going. Happy New Year to all – May 2026 be good to everyone.
Let’s not forget to sign the petition to abolish property taxes in Ohio!
đ: Citizens for Property Tax Reform
đ: Ohio Tax