iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian fumble more name pronunciations [insert deep apologies], mourn over baseball and a lack of Cheez-Its, and marvel-slash-worry about the unmotivated free food on one particular airplane. What about the Spanish?! #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

This week, Ryan shocks Brian with animal basics, and Brian agitates Ryan with his least favorite podcast segment ever. There's another indie game that may or may not be good, a bit of off-season Learned League discussion, and tangible evidence of Antipodean pronunciations. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian reminisce jumping the shark, lie about the plot of Les Misérables, and revisit the undesirable debate of which actors are or are not Australian. All that plus a new segment about an old friend. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian tackle the solstice, Australian accents, more Hemsworths than you even knew existed, and two more new online puzzle games that may or may not be worth playing. And it all happens with barely a mention of baseball (hello, Claire). #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian try a few new games, learn (and don't learn) some pronunciation, and the biggest cliffhanger of the season so far will have been resolved before this show even airs. The (De)morest DeForrest, demerrier. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian's notabilia includes calendrical math, added NYT puzzles, a book too prestigious for this program's hosts, and a week of crosswords worth discussing and then forgetting. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

At the dawn of Season 12, Ryan and Brian discuss Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Shohei Ohtani, Alex Verdugo, Paul McCartney, Ava DuVernay, and Ana de Armas. This may or may not include crosswords, the MCU, and a fresh round of Kealoa. (Actually, it includes all three of those things.) #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian count down the days to Lollapuzzoola! What else? The science of finger-snapping, left-handed brass instruments, minor league baseball, a cranky rant about the NYT Games site, and a threat of further ice cream in Pleasantville. #crossword #podcast #lollapuzzoola

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian announce the constructor slate for #Lollapuzzoola! The tournament happens on Saturday, August 15, and while the NYC venue is sold out, there's both a waiting list and a way to just order the puzzles for home solving. Visit bemoresmarter.com for more! #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

This week, Brian tortures Ryan with a Frozen-themed Kealoa, yet Ryan's attempt to retaliate turns out to not be quite so evil. Lollapuzzoola is Saturday, August 15, which is a Saturday in August. Visit bemoresmarter.com for tickets and information! #crossword #podcast #lollapuzzoola

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian discuss canning, time travel, and begin the countdown to Lollapuzzoola (coming up on Saturday, August 15, which is a Saturday in August). Visit bemoresmarter.com for tickets and information! #crossword #podcast #lollapuzzoola

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

This week, Brian is in Maine, and Ryan is about to perform the fabled Reverse Hecht, whatever that means. There's also a deep dive into the wonderful world of Kealoa, including kealoa.puzzlehead.org, a new website from Eric Peterson! #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian try again to understand the ides, to pronounce things in Greek, and to offer more crossword content than food content -- and likely fail at all three. Between recording and releasing, it was confirmed that Brian was not, in fact, going to prepare steaks. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian consider the pros and cons of "Elsbeth," call into question 128th notes in music, and finish the Learned League cryptic clues they started about a month ago. This show was recorded on the Ides of June, so ... stalagmites. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Ryan is off losing money in Las Vegas, so we chanted "Barnacle! Barnacle! Barnacle!" -- and lo and behold, Ben Zimmer appeared to regale everyone with tales of the Scripps National Spelling Bee! Also: jealousy of the British, misery around baseball, and discussion of crosswords! #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian celebrate the Marx Brothers, Van Halen, and mediocre cryptic clues! Consider participating in the upcoming NPL Convention (puzzlers.org/convention/npl-convention-2026) and/or Scott Weiss's newest Anti-Match Quiz (www.tinyurl.com/AMTonys26). #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian continue their efforts to understand unusual math, this time courtesy of the Dozenal Society. Other topics include the Minute Cryptic, Les Miserables, and whether your streak stories are "interesting." #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian try to understand sexagesimal counting, take a crack at some cryptic crossword clues, and say the number five in a way they haven't said it in over two years. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian can't find a burger at a burger bar, learn about the Peanut Butter Lacuna, and marvel at the existence of a 6-day week. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian receive information about nuclear fusion, non-placental reproduction, and Högertrafikomläggningen, and yet feel they've actually learned nothing. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian investigate driving across borders, brainstorm modern means of cheating, and keep Carl the dog away from Coco (the cat). If you haven't already donated to These Puzzles Fund Abortion 6, you should consider doing so. #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian wonder about the Ides of April, the calendrical specificity of matzo ball soup, and how one learns to stay in their lane. All that plus a celebration for two new members of the International Viewers Who Eat Club! #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian get existentialist about technology, time travel, and driving on the other side of the road. Also, Lollapuzzoola 19 is on Saturday, August 15 -- get tickets at bemoresmarter.com! #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian investigate mustard, theme parks, and calendars -- and still, Ryan has no confidence over the security of his crossword streak as he travels back in time to New Zealand. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian don't understand international travel, cultural holidays, or the distinctions between two playwrights. Thanks to a mouse, this was recorded on a Friday, so it's up to the viewers to tell the hosts about the weekend puzzles. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian revisit Manet/Monet mnemonics, make an effort to self-educate on Jewish holidays, question the powers of various fruit juices, and get an abundance of antipodal advice on maintaining crossword streaks. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian delve back into food curiosities through no fault of their own! It was you, gentle viewers, who sent this stuff in! That, plus the usual junk (including an arboreal Kealoa). #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian ponder Manet/Monet mnemonics (say that ten times fast), feel ancient when faced with allegedly comedic "memes" and "other internet lore," and realize they don't actually understand how groundhogs determine the weather. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian discuss levels of pain (some of which they inflict on each other), listen to 50-year-old music, and dismiss potentially quality sandwiches by virtue of poor personal relationships. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian plan on matching dinners, nearly break records, and appreciate that an overseas listener wants America to find more positive new vocabulary. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

This week, it's the highlight of any FMI Season, because Ben Zimmer joins Ryan and Brian to discuss the 2025 Word of the Year! There's still plenty of the same slop there's always been, but skip to the 31-minute mark if you're here for The Barnacle. #woty #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

This week, Ryan is away, so Shannon Rapp (aka Norah Sharpe, an expert in sconces; the name is fake but the puzzles are real) steps in for discussions of crosswords, sandwiches, and thunder gods -- yup, even without Ryan, the topics still don't really change. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

This week, Ryan and Brian continue to suffer from bronchial ailments despite having both gotten all the appropriate vaccines. Also: should we move to Malta, is Hello Kitty a cat, and ought the host of a murder mystery party play a critical part of the story? #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

This week, Ryan and Brian don't really recap 2025 -- but it is the last show of the year. With that, we all wish you a happy holiday season, and look forward to continuing our weekly delivery of top*-tier, high*-quality, information-packed* podcast content in 2026! #asteriskmeansnotanyofthosethings

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Reposted by Fill Me In

Lollapuzzoola @lollapuzzoola.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Achievement unlocked -- Lollapuzzoola referenced on @jeopardyofficial.bsky.social !!! ❤️ Jenna LaFleur, reigning Lollapuzzoola champion. No spoilers in this video or this post, but it's been so great seeing an assortment of crossword stars (and Lolla alums!) on Jeopardy in recent months.

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

This week, Ryan and Brian dig deep into butts, shoulders, clams, and Caesars. How do you take yours? Try out the Contest of Still Going On (a standard crossword) available at bemoresmarter.com/fmicontest! #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

This week, Ryan and Brian dive into Lucky Charms, question the Kingston Trio, and discuss a challenge to the "get what it's called" rule. All that, plus a brand new Contest of Now (a standard crossword) available at bemoresmarter.com/fmicontest! #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

This week, Ryan and Brian don't know which cities are fictional, which currencies are spelled which way, or how much a baseball is worth. That, plus a Contest (a Rows Garden puzzle) available at bemoresmarter.com/fmicontest! #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

This week, Ryan and Brian learn about nicknames, heavy metal music, and history from 1981 -- plus, a brand new Contest of Now (a Rows Garden puzzle) available at available at bemoresmarter.com/fmicontest! #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

This week, Ryan and Brian talk about vacations and children and fanfic, oh my! This is your reminder to always get what it's called ... plus, there's a Contest of Still Going On (available at bemoresmarter.com/fmicontest)! #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Ryan is in Sweden with all the furniture and meatballs, Brian is in Syracuse with all the recording equipment. More baseball than sandwiches, but not as much as you might think. All that plus a new Contest of Now (available at bemoresmarter.com/fmicontest)! #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Ryan struggles between his needs of traveling the world and watching the World Series, while Brian just struggles. There's a Contest of Still Going On (it's a variety cryptic!), and lest you thought the sandwich stories were a thing of the past, they're not. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Go tell your plowman! This week, Ryan challenges Brian with Broadway history, Brian challenges everyone with a brand new Contest of Now (forms.gle/sy5JNUPS6E7q...), and Alex Verdugo can't leave well enough alone. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

This week, Brian is joined by Shannon Rapp for a super-sized episode with an insider's recap of the Midwest Crossword Tournament, hefty sandwiches, and a non-NYT Thunder Round with puzzles from the LA Times, Apple News, Universal, USA Today, and Fireball! #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Next week, FMI will be guest co-hosted by Shannon Rapp aka Norah Sharpe (the name is fake, but the puzzles are real)! Thunder Round: 10/6 NYer, 10/7 USAT, 10/8 Fireball, 10/10 Apple, 10/10 and 10/11 LAT, 10/12 Univ. Visit dailycrosswordlinks.com to find these puzzles (and more)! #crossword #podcast

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

This week, Ryan and Brian eat on the show. Sorry. Also: Blue Jays, Buckwheat Boyz, Bakers, and a Brinck Report. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

This week, Ryan and Brian sound like a couple of grumpy middle aged men -- but maybe that's what you're here for. It's almost October, which bears the bad news of post-season baseball. With any luck, everyone will lose this week and it can all be over. #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

This week, the Thunder Round features Ryan and Brian attempting the Wall Street Journal meta-week of contest puzzles. In addition, there's at least 6.022x10^23 sardines, bananas, and beets, as well as a battle of classic literature. Shana tova! #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

This week, everything is fine. Ryan and Brian get new insight on asymmetrical grids, dig unnecessarily deeper into peanut butter sandwiches, and find irritation in capitalism. Next week, the Thunder Round will be Wall Street Journal puzzles! #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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Fill Me In @fillmeinpodcast.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

This week, Ryan and Brian find more sandwiches in the viewer mail bag, ponder the power of the throat lozenge, and enjoyed the Fri/Sat puzzles more than the rest of the week (and a lot more than 1/7 of the week). #crossword #podcast bemoresmarter.com/fmi

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