Podcast Episodes, Commentary, Year-End Recap

Crooked River Cast Show 42

🎙️ 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 “About Us” page—yes, 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. 😂

Tom follows that up with an epiphany of his own. What used to be casual meetups—brothers-in-law grabbing food, drinks, and talking about whatever was going on—has 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?

Yes—this 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: “Can you find Robert on X?” (Seriously—can 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 tuned—because that idea is officially on the table.

This episode is reflective, funny, slightly depressing, and genuinely thoughtful—basically everything you’d expect when two guys look back on the year with one too many bourbons and a microphone.

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If you’ve enjoyed the Crooked River Cast this year, make sure you’re 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!

🔗: Citizens for Property Tax Reform

🔗: Ohio Tax

Crooked River Cast Show 41

🎙️ Forty Episodes In, The Year-End Recap (Part One)

Forty episodes. That’s a lot of headlines, hot takes, eye-rolling, and “are you kidding me?” moments. In Show #41, Robert and Tom kick off their end-of-the-year recap by looking back at how Crooked River Cast got here, why they started the podcast in the first place, and what they’ve learned after covering Ohio politics, national chaos, and everything in between—all while enjoying a fine pour of bourbon.

This episode is less about breaking news and more about reflection. Robert and Tom revisit memorable moments from the first 40 episodes, replaying clips that still hit, still frustrate, or still make them laugh. It’s a reminder of why the show exists: calling things as they are, cutting through nonsense, and giving Ohio-rooted commentary that doesn’t talk down to listeners.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a recap without grades being handed out. The guys rate Trump’s year, break down how Ohio’s government performed, and take a hard look at Cleveland’s mayors—what worked, what didn’t, and what left voters shaking their heads. No spin. No filters. Just straight talk and earned opinions based on months of coverage.

Between the clips, the commentary, and the bourbon-fueled conversation, this episode feels like pulling up a chair at the bar and replaying the year with friends who actually paid attention. And this is only Part One.

Settle in. Reflect. And get ready for Part Two.

Let’s not forget to sign the petition to abolish property taxes in Ohio!

🔗: Citizens for Property Tax Reform

🔗: Ohio Tax

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If you’ve been with Crooked River Cast from the beginning—or just found the show—make sure you’re subscribed and share this episode with someone who needs a smarter, sharper take on Ohio and national politics. Your support keeps the conversation going. By this time, you are recuperating from Christmas, and we hope it was filled with all the good and love that Christmas brings from our families to yours.

Crooked River Cast Show 39

🎙️ Vaccines, Votes, Vultures & Voyager 🚀🍻

Tom and Robert are back with another fast‑moving, no‑nonsense rundown of national headlines, Ohio politics, public health panic buttons, and a few stories that make you stop and say, “Wait… what?” From immigration rhetoric and vaccine debates to snow‑covered windshields and struggling breweries, Show #39 covers a lot of ground—then lightens things up with some genuinely good news.

🇺🇸 Trump, Somalis & Immigration Rhetoric

Trump’s comments about Somalis sparked backlash, media pile‑ons, and community responses—especially in Minnesota and Ohio. The conversation quickly moved from rhetoric to fraud allegations, doxxing, and political weaponization.

Sources:

🔗: Trump ventures deeper into anti‑immigrant language | AP News

▶️ YouTube: Columbus leaders stand with Somali community after comments made by Trump | YouTube

🔗: Somali fraud case in Minnesota, doxxing fallout | X

🏞️ National Park Service Shuffle

The National Park Service quietly dropped free admission on MLK Day and Juneteenth—while adding Trump’s birthday. Totally normal. Nothing political here at all.

Source:

🔗: National Park Service drops free admission on MLK Day, Juneteenth while adding Trump’s birthday

💉 Vaccine Rules, Flu Shots & Public Health Messaging

The FDA is raising hurdles for vaccine makers, citing serious safety concerns tied to COVID shots. Meanwhile, Ohio health officials continue pushing flu vaccines—even while admitting the match isn’t great. Add in “winter vomiting disease” and bird flu headlines, and the panic cycle spins on.

Sources:

🔗: FDA to raise hurdles for vaccines, faulting COVID shots for children’s deaths

🔗: CDC panel votes to stop recommendation for Hepatitis B vaccine

🔗: Northeast Ohio health officials urge flu vaccine despite imperfect match

▶️ YouTube: Flu vac causing flu | YouTube

🤢 Winter Vomiting Disease & 🦅 Bird Flu Panic

Doctors warn of a spike in so‑called “winter vomiting disease” across the Midwest—raising the obvious question: how exactly do they know? At the same time, bird flu is blamed for dozens of dead vultures in Clermont County.

🎙️The guys mentioned that there is a website to check out to find out if your doctor is getting paid by big Pharma, and wanted you to have the link, so here you go! 🔗: Open Payments Search Tool

Sources:

🔗: Winter vomiting disease’ on the rise in the Midwest

🔗: Tests say bird flu is to blame for more than 70 dead vultures in Clermont County

🐀 CRITTER CORNER

Citizenship, Voting & State Power

🗳️ Citizenship, Voting & Federal Oversight in Ohio

Sen. Bernie Moreno wants to ban dual citizenship—raising questions about triple citizenship and constitutional limits. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Frank LaRose announces a long‑term federal agreement to verify voter citizenship.

Sources:

🔗: Why Sen. Bernie Moreno wants to ban dual citizenship 🔗: LaRose announces 20‑year federal agreement to verify voter citizenship

🧠 Parental Consent & 👷 Youth Labor Laws

Ohio lawmakers are weighing parental consent for mental health emergencies—sparking concerns for abuse victims. At the same time, Governor DeWine vetoes a bill that would’ve allowed younger teens to work longer hours on school nights.

Sources:

🔗: How would a new bill requiring parental consent for mental health emergencies impact child sex abuse victims?

🔗: DeWine vetoes bill to allow 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds to work longer hours on school nights

📜 Historical Documents & 🚗 Snow‑Covered Cars

Lawmakers push a bill allowing the Ten Commandments in Ohio classrooms. Plus, a winter reminder: driving with snow on your car isn’t just annoying—it may be illegal.

Sources:

🔗: The Ten Commandments could be hung in Ohio classrooms under Republican bill

🔗: What Ohio law says about driving with snow on your car

🍺 Save Ohio’s Breweries (Drink More Beer)

More breweries have closed than opened in Ohio so far this year. The solution? Support local. Responsibly.

Source:

🔗: More Ohio breweries have closed than opened in 2025 so far

🌟 Good Things (Yes, Really)

🚀 Voyager Is Still Flying

Voyager 1 continues its journey and is set to hit another milestone in 2026—still sending data from interstellar space.

Source:

🔗: Voyager 1 set to achieve milestone in 2026

⛳ Ohio Kid Smashes Records

Canfield’s Preston Tolnar wins his second junior national championship, putting Ohio golf talent on the map.

Source:

🔗: Local golfer wins second junior national championship

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