Épisodes

  • Episode 127: Psychedelia Comes Down, Hangs Around and Gets Reinvented

    Episode 127: Psychedelia Comes Down, Hangs Around and Gets Reinvented
    Feb 18 2026
    For one last time, we’re delving into the depths of our expanded minds to talk about the impact of psychedelia on popular culture. We may have been at the bar a bit too long getting our minds…expanded. We have a lot to talk about today as we discuss what happened with psychedelia after The Summer of Love and Woodstock. (Spoiler alert: Nothing like going mainstream to kill a counterculture style.) So help us out by grabbing a couple of Flaming Unicorns as we come back down to earth, right here in the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Psychedelic Era Psychedelic Fashion John Alcorn Roger Dean McDonald’s TV Commercial Kai’s Power Tools - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-127-psychedelia-part-3 - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 min
  • Episode 126: The 1960s and the Era of Peak Psychedelia

    Episode 126: The 1960s and the Era of Peak Psychedelia
    Feb 4 2026
    In our last episode we talked about the origins of psychedelia and learned about Bicycle Day celebrated every April. (Hint: it involved a lot of science and experimentation along with maybe a little bit of balance.) Today we dive into the era of peak psychedelia: the mid ‘60s. We talk about the design and music inspired by this—ahem—experimentation and how that informed pop culture for a generation. So, ask the bartender for some Magic Mushroom cocktails and join us as we trip our way back into the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Psychedelia Human Be-In Wes Wilson Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely Robert Crumb Rick Griffin Victor Moscoso Alton Kelley Stanley Mouse - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-126-psychedelia-part-2 - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 min
  • Episode 125: The Origin Story of Psychedelia

    Episode 125: The Origin Story of Psychedelia
    Jan 21 2026
    Today we’re taking a trip through the looking glass. We’re kicking off our series on psychedelia with its origins, the impact on a generation of pop culture and its lasting effects. Psychedelia’s origins are messy, fascinating, and full of odd little historical crosscurrents. We discuss science, bicycle rides and the first official album of psychedelic music. So, ask the bartender for a couple of Psychedelic Frogs—and to see if they can stop the walls from dripping rainbow colors—as we chase the white rabbit through the window and back into the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Psychedelia Albert Hofmann Aldous Huxley Timothy Leary Ken Kesey The 13th Floor Elevators - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-125-psychedelia-part-1 - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 min
  • Episode 124: Talking Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts (Classic)

    Episode 124: Talking Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts (Classic)
    Jan 7 2026
    We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. What do Betty Crocker, Charlie Tuna, Tony the Tiger and the oddball characters from Off Limits Cereal have in common? Along with fellow creatives Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts of the “Kirk and Kurtts” design podcast, they were all our drinking buddies one evening! We chewed the fat with Kirk and Andy about some classic characters and their impact on pop culture (and snacking), and why these same techniques invented decades ago still work today. Order a Bedrock Fizz for yourself (and maybe a few for all of us). It’s time to join four designers back in the bar. - - - - - ⁠Watch the full conversation⁠ on our YouTube channel and ⁠visit our full episode page⁠ for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: ⁠Betty Crocker⁠ ⁠Charlie the Tuna⁠ ⁠Tony the Tiger⁠ ⁠Off Limits Cereal⁠ ⁠Aura Bora Water⁠ - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit ⁠our merch page⁠ to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on ⁠Patreon⁠ for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 min
  • Episode 123: The Origin Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

    Episode 123: The Origin Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    Dec 24 2025
    We have one more Christmas gift for our listeners! Today we’re going to be talking about a holiday icon that began as a marketing stunt. (Let’s be honest. Sometimes it feels like Christmas is just one big marketing stunt.) But we’re with friends, so we're getting into the Christmas spirit. (Or spirits!) Today we’re going to be talking about everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer, Rudolph, and his origin story from a retail store’s marketing department to being the guide at the front of Santa’s sleigh. So ask the bartender for a couple of Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzers because it’s the holiday season back here in the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-123-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 min
  • Episode 122: Trailblazing Toys - Hot Wheels Cars and Mego Action Figures

    Episode 122: Trailblazing Toys - Hot Wheels Cars and Mego Action Figures
    Dec 10 2025
    Just in time for Christmas, we've brought some classic toys with us that have become iconic collectibles. First, we suggest you grab your seat belt and buckle-up as we white knuckle the wheel and talk the fast-paced glitz of Hot Wheels cars, and then we’re gonna fight for truth and justice as we get our hands on some highly collectible Mego superhero action figures. So order up a couple of Caped Crusaders. We’re gonna be crossing the finish line with all of our Super Listeners, right here in the bar. (And just like airline-size liquor bottles, these toys make perfect stocking stuffers.) - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: • Hot Wheels Cars • Mego Action Figures - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-122-trailblazing-toys - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon or subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 min
  • Episode 121: Giving Thanks for Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms

    Episode 121: Giving Thanks for Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms
    Nov 26 2025
    As we head into the holiday season, we’re giving thanks by spotlighting the four freedoms—Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Fear and Freedom from Want—along with the man who brought them to life in ways everyone could understand: Norman Rockwell. We talk about how while critics threw shade his way, Rockwell created what is arguably the most iconic Thanksgiving image of all time, parodied and remixed over the years. So mix up a couple of vodka and cranberries and serve them up in a gravy boat. It's time to join us as we give thanks to be with you, our listeners, back here in the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Norman Rockwell Four Freedoms Freedom From Want - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 min
  • Episode 120: Politicians, Superheroes and Stars - Noteworthy Magazine Covers

    Episode 120: Politicians, Superheroes and Stars - Noteworthy Magazine Covers
    Nov 12 2025
    Magazines. They’re still big business, but today’s magazines are a pale imitation of what they once were. And being on a magazine cover meant that you hit the big-time. Sometimes that was amazing, other times not so much. Today we’re discussing some iconic covers that made statements from the shelves of newsstands and delivered surprises to unsuspecting mailboxes. John Lennon, Demi Moore, Richard Nixon, New York City, Apple and Batman have all made the cut. So ask your bartender for a round of Boulevardiers and make sure all your subscriptions are up-to-date. We’re bringing a tall stack of reading materials with us to the bar. - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: Wired Vanity Fair The New Yorker Rolling Stone Esquire Life - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-120-noteworthy-magazine-covers - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit our Merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 min