Get along, all ya self-quarantining little doggies and listen to the Gorillamen talk about country music! (From Texas, no less!)

Yeeeeeee-hawwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!

• What was the first country song you remember hearing?
• What was your impression of country music when you were younger?
• What's your impression of country music now?
• What makes country music popular?
• Are any of the stereotypes about country music (and its fans) true?
• When were you most into country music?
• What made you tune out of country music?
• Who is the best all-time country artist for you?
• Best all time country song?
• Worst All Time Artist?
• Worst all time song?
• Is there any country you're into currently?
• What's the future of country music?

Once the perceived domain of crunchy hippies, vegetarianism is much more than Birkenstock sandal-wearing hipsters who smell like patchouli. Around the world, it is the diet of many faithful sects; it sustains many top athletes; it is embraced by Hollywood and your average person alike. Dare we say it has even seen mainstream success in recent years?

While one of the Gorillamen has not eaten meat since well before the start of Men in Gorilla Suits, we have yet to discuss eating plants. So...this time around, we change that!

Here's what we chat about:

• What is your earliest memory of the concept of not eating meat?
• Are you now, or have you ever been, a vegetarian or vegan? (If so, when and why?)
• Why do you think there's a growth of vegetarians and vegans in the world right now?
• Vegans especially have a reputation for being pushy in their views. Do you think there's truth to that?
• Along those lines, why do you think some people are so aggressively opposed to the idea of not eating meat – to the point they will tease plant-based eaters for their choices?
• The Burger King Impossible Whopper has received a lot of attention. What are your thoughts about mock meats?
• Why do you think there are so many different kinds of vegetarians (examples: ordinary vegetarians, vegans, people who prefer being called plant-based instead of vegan)?
• Do you think all the different ways of being a vegetarian or vegan make it hard for meat-eaters to warm to the concept?
• What role does environmentalism play in the growth of vegetarianism/veganism?
• Hell, let’s just go there: what are your feelings toward People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals?
• Legislation has been written in many states saying it's illegal for whistleblowers to secretly film the mistreatment of livestock...and some legislators want to make referring to plant-based milks as "milk" and veggie burgers as "burgers." What are your thoughts about all that?
• What is the future of plant-based eating?

We here at Men in Gorilla Suits are looking for 25 self-motivated people to join our team! Get in on the ground floor and make as much -- or as little -- money as you'd like. Great opportunity for stay-at-home moms or anyone wanting a side hustle that will break them free from the bonds of their 9-to-5 day jobs. Set your own hours -- be your own boss! We'll be visiting your airport Marriott soon, so sign up now!

This week, we're talking about multi-level marketing schemes. (Oh, wait...we're calling it "network marketing" these days...)

Here's what we discuss:

• What’s the first pyramid scheme you ever heard of?
• The first one you experienced?
• Has anyone ever tried to get you into an MLM/pyramid scheme?
• Have you ever fallen for one in any way, including buying the products?
• Why do people fall for pyramid schemes and MLMs?
• Should MLMs be illegal?
• Are all MLMs bad?
• Are there any good MLM products?
• What’s the worst MLM you’ve ever heard of or experienced?
• What’s the future of pyramid schemes/MLMs?

Friday, February 7, marks the completion of Year Seven of Men in Gorilla Suits!

While we've never taken the Two-Guys-Talking-About-Random-Things podcast genre by storm, we'd be lying if we said seeing the growth we've had over the years didn't mean anything to us.

So, to all who listen...THANK YOU!!!

Okay, and now on to the latest episode, which is all about...unemployment!

Here's what's discussed:

• Who is the first working person you remember who ended up facing unemployment?
• When was the last time you were unemployed?
• What is the longest you've ever been unemployed?
• Why do you think some people absolutely freak out when they are faced with unemployment?
• How is unemployment damaging?
• We've touted strong employment rates for close to a decade in the U.S. Do you think things are as strong as politicians claim?
• Do you think companies prey on people they know are unemployed or underemployed?
• Have you ever been unemployed by design (i.e. quit and not had another job lined up)?
• What do you dislike most about the times you've been unemployed?
• Is there anything you like about being unemployed?
• Do you ever worry there may be a time you're not able to find employment?
• What is the future of unemployment?

Break out the Rubik's Cubes and spin that vinyl ya damned hipster -- this time around the Gorillamen are getting Retro!

Here is what's discussed...

* * *

• What was the first thing you heard described as retro?
• What’s your favorite retro thing right now?
• What’s something you thought was dead that was brought back because of its retro appeal?
• What’s the best retro trend?
• The worst?
• Why do you think retro stuff is so popular right now?
• If you could bring back any product from your childhood, what would it be?
• Were things better “back in your day?”
• Have you ever seen a retro thing that was way worse than you remember the original being?
• Way better?
• What’s the future past of retro?

This week, we're nailing bitches and battlin' bros...it's all about toxic masculinity!

[And if you're completely new...uhm...we're not fans of toxic masculinity. Gorilla Shawn is currently at DisneyWorld and Gorilla Christopher just helped his wife of 27+ years with the lunchtime dishes...]

Anyway, here's what we talk about this time around:

• When did you first hear about toxic masculinity?
• Growing up, were there toxic males close to you in life? Who? (And how do you think that affects boys?)
• Why do you think toxic masculinity exists?
• Have you ever been a toxic male? How?
• Is the very term "toxic masculinity" too broad a term? (i.e. Is it too easy to just dispel anything one doesn't like as toxic?)
• What do you think about those who say this is all blown out of proportion -- that men are just being men?
• How do you think we combat those who say it's all just the way men are?
• Can a guy be both tough but tender without being labeled toxic?
• Do you think the current political state plays a role in toxic masculinity? How?
• It seems there are always new reports coming out about men and loneliness. What role do you think toxic masculinity plays in that?
• Why do you think there's such a push-back by toxic males against the concept of toxic masculinity?
• What is the future of toxic masculinity?

Gorilla Shawn decided a look back at the year that was would be snazzy...and Gorilla Christopher agreed. So, here's what we thought about 2019...

* * *

• What was the first thing this year you thought was cool?
• What was the best thing that happened to you this year?
• Worst thing?
• Best thing that happened in the world?
• Worst?
• Favorite episode of men in gorilla suits?
• Favorite other piece of media from this year?
• Thing you wish you’d done this year?
• Thing you wish you’d done better this year?
• What’s your hope for next year?

This week, we're talking about the most fun you can have staring at a dead body: funerals!

(Well, most fun for most of us...the Gorillamen do not want to think of what would do it for many others...)

* * *

• What is the first funeral you remember?
• What do you see as the role of funerals in society?
• How much do you think social norms factor into funerals?
• Have you seen any breaks from traditional mores where funerals are involved? Any changes you’d like to see?
• Have you ever had to arrange or help in some way with a funeral? What did you think?
• What are your thoughts about the funeral industry?
• When you die, do you want a funeral? If so, what would you like?
• What’s the best funeral you ever attended?
• What’s the worst funeral you ever attended?
• What is your favorite movie, book, or song about funerals?
• If you could attend any funeral in history, which one would you attend?
• What is the future of funerals?

Gorilla Christopher has been sick for a week, and it's Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., so let's get right to what we chat about this episode...about streaming services.

* * *

• When was the first time you heard of a streaming service? (Music or video)?
• What’s the first streaming service you used?
• How many streaming services do you use now?
• How many are paid vs. unpaid?
• How much do you spend on streaming?
• What’s your favorite streaming service?
• What’s the worst streaming service?
• Do you still subscribe to cable/satellite or other TV?
• Have you ever subscribed to a streaming service for one show only?
• Is streaming a threat to traditional media?
• Is that a bad thing if it is?
• How has streaming changed your daily life, if at all?
• What’s the future of streaming?

Instead of complaining about how busy this week is for Gorilla Christopher, he's just going to post what he and Gorilla Shawn talked about this week:

• When were you first aware of this thing called complaining?
• Are you much of a complainer?
• When you do complain, what do you tend to complain about?
• How well do you handle being around people who complain?
• Why do you think some people complain as much as they do?
• What role do you think social media has played in complaining?
• Where do you hear most of the complaining you’re exposed to?
• Do you think complaining accomplishes much?
• What do you most dislike hearing people complain about?
• Do you think complaining can become almost addictive?
• If someone wanted to stop complaining as much as they might, what advice would you give them?
• What is the future of complaining?