A podcast about the pursuit of knowledge through interesting and engaging conversation, hosted by Agent Palmer. Released every other Tuesday.
Episode 168 featuring the return of Edward O'Hare, who has been my guide through this Star Trek journey, and we're going to reflect on my adventures with the crew of Voyager, before I embark on the next mission: Enterprise. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode AgentPalmer.com AgentPalmer.com/StarTrek Other Links Palmer's Trek: Star Trek: Voyager Even Outdated Legacy of Winning is Useful Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
2/3/26 • 76:51
Episode 167 with Jamie Ryu who is on the show to pull back the curtain on the publishing industry. Plus her own journey to starting a company bridging the gap between traditional publishing and self-publishing, and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode AgentPalmer.com JamieIsReading.com Contrarian Publishing Other Links About Alex (or Big Chill 2.0) Gets it Right when Tearing Down Fake Online Friendships I'm Damn Glad Tim Matheson Wrote His Autobiography Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
1/20/26 • 64:15
Episode 166 with Jason Pilling who is on the show to discuss his musical origins as well as some influences and processes. Plus, making music you want to hear, lyrics, poetry, an eight beat note and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode AgentPalmer.com JasonPilling.com Jason Pilling Music - DIY Electric Upright Bass Build Jason Pilling on Spotify Jason Pilling on YouTube Other Links 2025 Lookback: Becoming A Parent Didn't Make Me Any Less Palmer A Canadian So Nice, Coupland Covered Him Twice Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
1/6/26 • 67:54
Episode 165 features Beth, Theo, Ed, Kristen, Dave, Stef, Mark, Dan, and Brian. Discussing trips through books and music, old movies and new experiences, talking nerdy, relationship origins, job searching, the always ubiquitous why question and of course, I double check my levels! Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode AgentPalmer.com Reading, Writing, and Gardening with Beth Tabler Musically There and Back Again with King Triumph Talking Star Trek: The Next Generation with Ed O'Hare No Stranger to Fiction with Kristen Hamilton To Sing or Not to Sing with Dave Hulegaard Meet the Stershics Part I: Podcast Fun We Are Tangent Bound with Mark Bogner Optimist Dan Evans talks with Pessimist Agent Palmer When Art and Entrepreneurship Meet, Brian Found Paradise Other Links The Beauty of the Bay is captured in Michener's Chesapeake 'Time Machine' is a great reintroduction to Minchin's smart music Fortunes to Uplift J.B. Manas had me at Jurassic Park with dragons Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
12/23/25 • 65:49
Episode 164 features Kat the Dungeon Mom, who is here to talk about being the game master. Plus loving the performing arts, teaching, raising a child, concerts, events, and much much more… Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Kat The Dungeon Mom Linktree AgentPalmer.com Other Links 'Time Machine' is a great reintroduction to Minchin's smart music In 'This Wheel's on Fire,' Helm adds needed voice to The Band's end Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
12/9/25 • 74:08
Episode 163 features the return of one of my best friends Jason Zapata. He's back to tackle some of Proust's Questionnaire, plus ch-ch-ch-changes, responsible technology usage, virtues, authors, unfinished projects and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode What is the Proust Questionnaire? JasonZapata.com AgentPalmer.com Friendship Episode I: Jason Zapata Other Links These are the Bobs I like, I like, These are the Bobs I like. (Top 10 Real Bobs) The Beauty of the Bay is captured in Michener's Chesapeake Special Guest Executive Producer: Bill Sweeney Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
11/25/25 • 68:56
Episode 162 features Greg Costikyan a game industry veteran who's published games for a variety of platforms from the table to the phone as well as more than a few novels. You'll hear us discuss that plus his career, a little bit of process, plus adaptability, teaching, cooking, and much much more… Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Costik.com Early Internet Offers Practical Fantasy in Magic of the Plains: By the Sword (A Book Review) AgentPalmer.com Other Links A Good Documentary is more than Rare or Recovered Footage Bogner's building an exciting world starting with The Dreamweaver Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
11/11/25 • 54:04
Episode 161 features Adam Ortiz, deputy secretary for the Maryland Department of the Environment, and we touch on public service, but that's not why he's here. You'll hear us talk about why I invited him on the show, and just how much we have in common; baseball, music, and more. Plus you'll hear us discuss mid-atlantic sports towns, fulfillment, wonder, trading album recommendations and much much more... Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Keeping the Country Clean (S5E03) -The Good Government Show with guest Adam Ortiz AgentPalmer.com Other Links It's Easy to Like I Like Me Film and to Miss John Candy An Austen Adaptation to Desire Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
10/28/25 • 72:19
Episode 160 features B P Kelso. Who is among many things, an engineer by trade, a scriptwriter, an author, and a dad. We discuss storytelling, adaptation, reading, always learning and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode BPKelso.com PlayingwithPlays.com AgentPalmer.com Other Links Rock doc shows that, just maybe, Simple Plan can be 'Perfect' Eruption did not ignite a fire in my Crichton-loving heart Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
10/14/25 • 67:46
Episode 159 features the return of one of my best friends Christopher J. Hughes. He's back to tackle some of Proust's Questionnaire. And aside from explaining what to do when things are 25 pixels to the left we discuss art, color, the creative process and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode What is the Proust Questionnaire? TriforceDad.com AgentPalmer.com So You Made A Movie Friendship Episode II: Christopher J. Hughes Other Links A Robert by any other name might not make this list results of search| provide a perfect snapshot via google Special Guest Executive Producer: Bill Sweeney Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
9/30/25 • 76:29
Episode 158 features Laura Eppler who I've known for quite a while and who's become a very good friend. She's here on the show to discuss her second career as an officiant. In fact, just over one year ago from the release of this episode she married Stef and I in our backyard. We discuss that second career, plus boredom, writing, and divert into a tangent or two… Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Laura Eppler, Celebrant on Facebook Meet the Stershics Part II: I Do AgentPalmer.com Other Links Another Cup of Coffee Facts from Agent Palmer
9/16/25 • 64:47
Episode 157 features Kevin Freitas who, as you'll find out, could be who he says he is or he could be 17 hobbies in a trenchcoat. We discuss his online handheld computer museum, music, programming, photography, 3d modeling, and even go back as far as Geocities, perhaps even further… Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode kevinfreitas.net handheldmuseum.org AgentPalmer.com Other Links Breakaway Femmes makes me hope for a three-week women's Tour de France Bond and The Beatles have more in common than a theme song and revolvers Don't Copy Xerox's Errors as Told in Fumbling the Future Executive Producer: Stefanie Stershic Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
9/2/25 • 67:22
Episode 156 features Lucy who started homesteading for one very specific reason and now, well, entrepreneur farmer could very well be her descriptor in the future. We discuss her journey through homesteading, the trials and unexpected expansions along the way, plus gardening, chickens, goats, pigs, geese, sheep, turkeys and much much more… Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode hopefulhomesteaders on Instagram AgentPalmer.com Other Links Art and investment: Appreciating collecting animation cels The Royal Cousins Reimagines Fictional History as Breaking News Bulletins Executive Producer: Stefanie Stershic Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
8/19/25 • 62:33
Episode 155 features the return of the original Palmer Files guest Bill Sweeney. He's back to tackle some of Proust's Questionnaire. And aside from explaining what this isn't, we'll discuss Skype, basements and attics, poetry, the flow state, and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode What is the Proust Questionnaire? WickedTheory.com AgentPalmer.com Other Links Casthen Gain expands Hansen's epic worldbuilding started in Graven Trilogy Palmer's 2025 Tour de France Recap Special Guest Executive Producer: Bill Sweeney Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
8/5/25 • 71:00
Episode 154 features Bryan Tuk who's here to bolster the rhythm section with his drums, his law degree, and his musical educator self. During this episode we discuss Bryan's path from when he first picked up the sticks to graduating law school, with enough tangents and conversation to cover just about everything in between and beyond those two points of reference. From here on out you'll hear us discuss the drive to help creatives, connecting with an audience, teaching and learning, the sorry position of the arts and music education right now, and much more Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode The House of Tuk Tuk Law AgentPalmer.com Other Links Like climbing a Stairway to Heaven, Becoming Led Zeppelin doc takes its time to showcase the band Imagica is an epic tome worthy of your time Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
7/22/25 • 71:52
Episode 153 features my Cousin Sarah who's here to talk about science, water, engineering, weather, the non-profit space, plus running, saying no, and much much more… Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Sarah Diringer Consulting AgentPalmer.com Other Links NASCAR needs new gas in the tank beyond Dale Jr Earl Weaver and the evolution of baseball take the field in The Last Manager Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
7/8/25 • 70:51
Episode 152 features the return of one of my favorite Canadians, and just one of my best friends, Chris Maier. He's here to tackle some of Proust's Questionnaire. And aside from catching up, we'll discuss relationship communication, accountability, Canada, misfortune, and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode What is the Proust Questionnaire? How Was Your Week, Honey? Our Line Notes AgentPalmer.com Other Links The Dying Art of the Animation Cel Michael Caine does his best spy work as author of fast-paced Deadly Game Special Guest Executive Producer: Bill Sweeney Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
6/24/25 • 69:16
Episode 151 features my wife Stefanie, who is back to talk about our adventures as new parents. From coming home with a baby to adapting to a new normal that is constantly changing, we're surviving, but how? Listen to find out. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode AgentPalmer.com Other Links Coupland's Tomb Raider guidebook is an artifact in its own right The Cap is more about life than it is about survival Special Guest Executive Producer: Stefanie Stershic Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
6/10/25 • 54:55
Episode 150 features my wife Stefanie, who has returned to join me in telling the tale of our adventures in pregnancy through to the delivery of our healthy baby. Who, if you listen closely, will make their debut appearance on this podcast at some point in the background. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Expecting Better by Emily Oster AgentPalmer.com Other Links Geddy Lee's Show About Bassists is Worth Discovering, Even If the Platform Hides It Coupland Uncovers the Future of Bell Labs and More in Kitten Clone: Inside Alcatel-Lucent Special Guest Executive Producer: Stefanie Stershic Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
5/27/25 • 56:52
Episode 149 features my friend Brian Wcislo, who's here to tell his tales of growing up, starting businesses, life altering experiences, boundary pushing, and finding his place in the world. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Brian Wcislo on LinkedIn AgentPalmer.com Other Links GoldenEra is as precise as a watch laser in GoldenEye 007 documentary A Review Loosely Based on A Guide for the Perplexed: A Novel Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
5/13/25 • 62:13
Episode 148 with a great friend to me and this show, long time listener, first time guest, Dan Evans. We talk about our shared experience looking for work, being prepared, the cost of creative things, and much much more… Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Follow Dan on Threads: @redbeard73 BlueSky: redbeard73.bsky.social AgentPalmer.com Other Links A Complete Unknown does justice to Dylan's electrified 1965 revolution Are you really Chasing Black Unicorns? Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
4/29/25 • 74:07
Episode 147 with Mark Bogner of Tangent Bound, the podcast, the podcast network, and now media network. We discuss the origin of all three, as well as our similar paths to podcast listening. Plus, collaboration, momentum, DVD extras, mistakes, laughter and plenty of, you guessed it, tangents. All aboard! Let's get tangent bound! Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Tangent-Bound Media Network AgentPalmer.com Other Links Tales Before Tolkien confirmed my love for more modern fantasy Looking Through the Digital Library: A to Z Bands Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
4/15/25 • 65:19
Episode 146 with the return or more accurately the continuation of my conversation with Hal Nathan. During this episode you'll hear us discuss editing and process, movie length and consuming film and media, structure and creation, plus I may or may not rant about the film industry… Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode HalNathan.com The Passing of the Storyteller – A Story and the Process and Journey of That Story by Agent Palmer AgentPalmer.com Other Links A positive light has gone out: On the death of Andrew Belling The Enduring Wisdom of Simon Wilder in With Honors Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
4/1/25 • 80:36
Episode 145 features the return of my friend and Master to my Padawan in all things Star Trek, Edward O'Hare. He has been my guide through my Star Trek journey and in this episode we're going to reflect on my adventures on Deep Space Nine, before I embark upon the next Voyage... Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode WickedTheory.com AgentPalmer.com/StarTrek AgentPalmer.com Tweets @AgentPalmer @LilEddieOHare @ThePalmerFiles Other Links The Monster Book of Zombies reanimates a horror trope Palmer's Trek: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Special Guest Producer: Bill Sweeney. Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
3/18/25 • 67:45
Episode 144 features Alyssa LaBotz, entrepreneur, freelancer, video editor, traveler, and a fellow coffee drinker. We discuss starting in economics and ending in editing, finding time for ourselves, burnout, balance, structure, age, and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode labotzmedia.com Roaming with Alyssa RetroDaze AgentPalmer.com Mastadon @AgentPalmer Other Links Anything but alien: "Aliens in the Prime of Their Lives" touches all of humanity My Arthur Treacher's uniform still smells, but memories of my first job are fresh You can also hear more Palmer occasionally on Our Liner Notes, a musical conversation podcast with host Chris Maier or as co-host of The Podcast Digest with Dan Lizette. Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
3/4/25 • 69:46
Episode 143 features Hal Nathan, recent film school graduate and someone who's just newly out of the structure of formal education and wondering what comes next. We discuss that and how he got into film, writing, editing, what film school does and doesn't prepare you for, accepting not bad, and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode halnathan.com AgentPalmer.com Mastadon @AgentPalmer Other Links The Satire of Franken's "Why Not Me" is Now Just Our Reality The Weekend (Days of the Week) Shuffle Playlist You can also hear more Palmer occasionally on Our Liner Notes, a musical conversation podcast with host Chris Maier or as co-host of The Podcast Digest with Dan Lizette. Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
2/18/25 • 71:42
Episode 142 features Ken Sweeney, host of The Comfortable Spot podcast. We discuss being curious, podcasting, creating and momentum, starting in music, success and replication, the voice as an instrument, Star Trek, old television, keeping it classy, Dick Cavett and much much more. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode thecomfortablespotpodcast.com AgentPalmer.com Mastadon @TheComfortableSpotPodcast @AgentPalmer Other Links Zinoman's biography of David Letterman should make your Top Ten list on Late Night The Catcher Was A Spy isn't just for Baseball and Espionage Fans You can also hear more Palmer occasionally on Our Liner Notes, a musical conversation podcast with host Chris Maier or as co-host of The Podcast Digest with Dan Lizette. Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
2/4/25 • 71:51
Episode 141 features Alex T. Dragonson. Who happens to share more than just a few fandoms with me. We met on Mastodon and outside of a few threads there, this is our first real conversation. We discuss music, knitting, anxiety and anxiety remediation, work life balance, early internet experiences, hermitcraft, FOMO and much more! Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode WizardofDocs.neocities.org AgentPalmer.com Mastadon @wizardofdocs @AgentPalmer Other Links Sometimes Three Isn't the Magic Number An Object of Beauty is in the Eye of the Bookholder You can also hear more Palmer occasionally on Our Liner Notes, a musical conversation podcast with host Chris Maier or as co-host of The Podcast Digest with Dan Lizette. Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
1/21/25 • 61:58
Episode 140 features Bill, Kristen, NJ, Essa, Stef, Jess, and Danno discussing voices, not working, dinner, communication, decisions, and perhaps even some sociology (or perhaps it's psychology) and more from the One Final Questions after-credits of this very podcast! Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode WickedTheory.com HoneyBears & SydneyBeans lanternaudioworks.com EssaHansen.com playitdailyukulele.com Expertease From Brain to Keyboard on Twitch AgentPalmer.com Twitter @wickedtheory @kmaemaier @EssaHansen @BadWolfBay87 @AgentPalmer Mastadon @FromBrainToKeyboard @AgentPalmer BlueSky @FromBrain2Keyboard @AgentPalmer Other Links A Reflection on Things Unfinished and Unwritten Is Worst. Person. Ever. a condemnation of all of us? You can also hear more Palmer occasionally on Our Liner Notes, a musical conversation podcast with host Chris Maier or as co-host of The Podcast Digest with Dan Lizette. Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
1/7/25 • 62:24
Episode 139 features my wife, Stefanie Stershic. During this episode we continue our conversation, starting from her cross country journey to move in with me, continuing with our years living together, and culminating in our nuptials. Mentioned and Helpful Links from This Episode Listen to 50 Questions with Stefanie (Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcast) From Brain to Keyboard on Twitch AgentPalmer.com Mastadon @FromBrainToKeyboard @AgentPalmer BlueSky @FromBrain2Keyboard @AgentPalmer Other Links The Thurber Carnival is short and sweet It's not Murphy's law. Robinson proves you're just Toast You can also hear more Palmer occasionally on Our Liner Notes, a musical conversation podcast with host Chris Maier or as co-host of The Podcast Digest with Dan Lizette. Music created and provided by Henno Heitur of Monkey Tongue Productions. --End Show Notes Transmission--
12/24/24 • 51:11
