This Is Going Well, I Think With David Cooper

David will be at Burning Man for the next two and a half weeks. You can listen to him on Burning Man Information Radio (BMIR 94.5 FM). You can stream it in Canada and the US on the iHeartRadio App (link will be functional by next week) and globally at https://bmir.org. Here are the showtimes: Thurs Aug 24: 8–10pm Pacific (or 11pm–1am Eastern) Sun Aug 27: 4–6pm Pacific (or 7–9pm Eastern) Thurs Aug 31: early morning 4–6am Pacific (or 7–9am Eastern) Sun Sept 3: 2–4pm Pacific (or 5–7pm Eastern) Mon Sept 4: 8–10pm Pacific (or 11pm–1am Eastern) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 50th episode of This Is Going Well, I Think, we're joined by Samantha Bitty, a sexual health and consent educator. The episode kicks off with David sharing his woes over discovering his first gray pubic hair and then sharing an endearing story of helping an elderly lady go to the store. David asks if Samantha grew up in a naked house. Stemming from a troubling comment made by David's father, he turns to Samantha for insights: How does one navigate family members' problematic viewpoints? The discussion that follows explores the use of ableist language. David reminisces about a recent wedding he attended. Samantha analyzes David's "gay brother" defense. Diving deeper, they examine the intricacies of humour and offense. Samantha shares how a current injury of hers is being exacerbated by sex. Wrapping up the episode, the focus turns to a discussion about food, primarily revolving around soup—a favourite topic for David. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad

With no booked guests and the day rapidly approaching its end, David calls the show's producer, Dani, with two goals in mind: to annoy her and to check on the health of the show. The two engage in banter as David attempts to find something that Dani dislikes about him. After a confrontation involving their differing political views, Dani brings up the time David asked astronaut Chris Hadfield a forbidden interview question. New details emerge about the incident. (Bonus: you can listen to that interview here!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David starts the interview with an apology to science educator and evolutionary biologist Dan Riskin. The two catch up and talk about musicals. Dan discusses how leprosy is becoming endemic in Florida and then shares a bear tale from his recent vacation. David and Dan discuss a new study about the reasons behind why bees and wasps make their combs out of hexagons, but occasionally differ from their signature pattern. The two also discuss one way in which they can be jerks, how to deal with condescending people, and finally ponder the "ultimate goal" of life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, all the way from Kentucky, is the Internet's very own Queen of Chaos, Rayanna Brock. Rayanna opens up about the people's love for her eleven mugshots, each with a signature ear-to-ear smile. She shares the story of her first arrest, and she and David talk about Xanax addiction. Rayanna also gives us insight into the actions of one crazed fan and shares her thoughts on whether she embraces her nickname or not. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Five joins David once again, but this time, the discussion is much less serious. The meandering conversation unintelligently covers a range of topics, including: AI, the Turing test, simulations, extraterrestrials, conspiracy theories, and the societal changes brought about by the pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, it's "El Presidente" – the president of the International Naturist Federation (INF), Stéphane Deschênes. Stéphane is also the owner of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park. David and he begin by discussing an imaginary company called Lebb Media. They then dive into mixed-up ideas of masculinity and capitalism, and things get political. Afterwards, they have a conversation about the "dark side" of naturism and the bad actors he has encountered over the years. David shares an anecdote about a family attempting to smuggle naked photos of him across the border. Stéphane opens up about his suspension from Twitter and sheds light on the "nudniks" and vigilante groups who oppose naturist parks. Lastly, Stéphane finally tells David a little bit about the INF and being president. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The very British, the very Tony Five, joins the show after taking a month away. We're glad he's back! Tony fills us in on a harrowing trip to the United States to visit an ailing family member. After the trip, things go from bad to worse as Tony struggled with severe depression. Content warning: The topic of suicide is discussed in detail in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since David's mother is currently in town visiting, and he's heading off to the Burning Man event soon, here are a couple of phone calls he made to his mother at the event. In the first one, he confesses to masturbating next to her in bed when he was a child. In the second, he apologizes but then starts asking about intimate details of her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Ilana MacDonald from the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics goes over the blue moon, the super moon, and the full with David. The two briefly get caught in a black hole, or at least talking about them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, David talks about how there's no episode today. It's confusing, we know. Then he plays a clip of an interview with a drunken Irishman about the book Finnegans Wake. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natasha Vinik is in today. She and David catch up by having a nonsense conversation that touches on penis enlargement, and Natasha jokes about wanting men to join a new "sh*tty club." Natasha baits David by asking him for advice in selecting audio equipment for a new podcast. While sharing about losing a grandparent recently, Natasha explores her fraught relationship with her father through the lens of a bizarre text message. By the end of the episode, we finally find out the concept for Natasha's new dating podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. David Shusterman joins the show to discuss cosmetic penis injections – though the conversation never quite gets there. David (your host) attempts to solicit free urology advice, when an offhand remark about the Canadian healthcare system completely derails the interview. This leads into a deep, hour-long political discussion between the Davids, where topics such as media control, vaccines, monarchies, the role of government, election interference, and Tucker Carlson all come up. With wildly opposing viewpoints, the two engage in civil discourse and find that, as much as they are different, they also have maybe a thing or two in common. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David records a brief episode about quotes that are both stupid and profound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, David was tackling some homework in advance of the radio he does at the Burning Man event on Burning Man Information Radio (BMIR 94.5 FM). In the spirit of that, here's an archive clip from one of his shows on that station that includes David's girlfriend Miranda, George Stroumboulopoulos, and a "fungus hippie." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we bring you everything you wanted to know (and lots you probably didn't) from Dr. Penis, a plastic surgeon specializing in penis injections, whose real name is Dr. Norman Rowe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, David seeks free medical advice about his bowel problems from gastroenterologist Dr. Benjamin Schmidt. Dr. Schmidt answers the question: How many bowel movements a day is normal? We discover the reasons why the doctor chose to specialize in gastroenterology. Additionally, we get a brief overview of the genetic history of bacteria within the gut. Surprisingly, we learn that travel may have a positive effect on one's stomach. Then, David addresses his anal fissure issues, putting them to final rest. (Also: botox in your butt?! What?!) The two discuss Crohn's disease and how being an "anxious pooper" might not be terribly bad for your health. Dr. Schmidt shares some colorful stories from his experiences as a doctor. David explains what "lemur poop coffee" is – yes, it's a real thing. Dr. Schmidt also talks about the videos he's been working on and introduces us to "gut hypnotherapy". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once upon a time, David told a mediocre joke so many times on the radio that he got complaints. Rather than just stop telling it, he held a 22-minute funeral for it. Here's that funeral, from the archive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toronto-based comedian Natalie Norman joins David for a salacious conversation about masturbation, edging, pornography, and sex toys – including the Hitachi Magic Wand and the (poorly named) Womanizer. Somewhere in the discussion, Natalie confirms she'll be cat-sitting for David and asks if she can have sex in his apartment. Shifting gears while discussing the Burning Man event, the tone becomes somewhat serious as the two cover drug addiction, and mixing drugs and stand-up comedy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's science time! Evolutionary biologist Dan Riskin joins David to inform us that rattlesnakes enjoy cuddling. Then, it's tangent time as they discuss the fables of The Tortoise and the Hare, The Scorpion and the Frog, and a terrifying tarantula story – during which Riskin crescendos to profanity (bleeped by request). Due to Dan's use of the f-word, the two engage in a conversation about profanity in broadcasting. Additionally, one of the most best TV news moments is brought up: Mike Tyson swearing on live television. Somewhere amidst this chaotic episode, two more science news items emerge: people's willingness to endure pain in order to learn more quickly, and how helping young people feel competent and purposeful – not just happy – may improve grades. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices