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Roderick on the Line

Merlin Mann
Seattle
Parenting
The Long Winters
Diabetes
Real Estate
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Seattle Music Scene
Social Media
Interest Rates
Technology
Aging
Music Industry
Homeownership
New Year's Party
Friendship
Suburban Life
Mental Health
Mid-Century Modern Architecture
Health
Apple

Merlin Mann's frank & candid weekly phone call with John Roderick of The Long Winters

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes641Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Roderick on the Line

Latest Episodes

The Problem: Trees can’t eavesdrop.

(Recorded on August 17, 2026.)

The Problem: That type is Eric.

(Recorded on August 10, 2026.)

The Problem: We’re living in an earnest time.

(Recorded on August 3, 2026.)

The Problem: Gateway to Recreation

(Recorded on July 27, 2026.)

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

John Roderick
Musician, The Long Winters
The Long Winters
Episode: Ep. 636: "A Baseball Game Long"
Non-binary teen
A high school student interested in post-hardcore music and tour management
Episode: Ep. 567: "A High Teen"

Hosts

Merlin Mann
Host of the show; long-running, candid conversational style with co-hosts and guests.
John Roderick
Co-host, musician; brings storytelling and musical context to discussions with humorous, insightful banter.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • I should have been building trail in 6th grade

    I often refer to John and Merlin as my progressive dads. John is one of the best story tellers I’ve ever heard, and Merlin is truly the funniest person I’ve ever listened to (You Look Nice Today, baby). Thanks for all the great shows and keep them coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    flyboy_24
    United States5 months ago
  • 2 guys, 2 mics, a timeless combo

    This podcast works on the same sturdy principles that made shows like Car Talk delightful for years. 2 guys who really like each other and who share a common sense of irony and humor just go at it for an hour, spinning up yarns and ideas. It’s like eavesdropping on the most interesting people at a party.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BradPDX
    United States6 months ago
  • Welp

    It’s rough to listen to now. Guys didn’t learn anything from Covid as they’re all on pharma drugs now. Prayers for Merlin’s kid.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    james12121
    United States8 months ago
  • Entertaining and truly helpful

    I only started listening to this podcast because my brother’s name is Roderick. But I was hooked immediately. I love John’s stories, but plenty of people have pointed that out. The absolute best thing for me about this podcast is Merlin Mann’s delightful overthinking of his ADHD. He speaks to me in my language, and I find his “mental technologies” to be truly life changing. It has really helped me think about my own life in a more gamified way, which makes it much easier to get through the day. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jess@canteen
    United States10 months ago
  • John Roderick is the best ever but

    The show would be great but Merlin interrupts every other second and doesn’t shut up. More John please.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    SoJerZee76
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, entertaining, and sometimes punky in cultural reflection and nostalgia.
Long-form chats and personal anecdotes that mix humor with sharp cultural observations.
Two hearty friends with great storytelling chemistry; banter feels like eavesdropping on a terrific conversation.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 601: "The Milk Problem"
Q: Do you think that would be useful for our listeners to think about and try to apply in different situations? Rather than just being snarky about it?
Yes, it is useful. Everything is a signal chain, so understanding your inputs and outputs can help in many situations.
Ep. 594: "Composite Sketch of Pain"
Q: Do you have any tips for the modern generation navigating their own cultural identity?
They reflect on how experiences shape identity, emphasizing the importance of being curious and learning from various experiences, not just sticking to one narrative.
Ep. 594: "Composite Sketch of Pain"
Q: How do you see the influence of 50s culture on modern life?
They discuss nostalgia and how it impacts their perception of culture today, often feeling overwhelmed by the size of today's global culture.
Ep. 544: "The Hay Bale Stage"
Q: When was the last time that you got sick?
The guest mentions feeling a scratchy throat but reassured himself that he wasn't getting sick, as he had a great show performance recently.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Roderick on the Line

What is Roderick on the Line about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two longtime friends—Merlin Mann and John Roderick—exchange freewheeling, story-forward conversations that blend personal memory, culture, travel, and everyday observations with sharp humor. Across episodes, listeners get a steady stream of candid banter, witty riffs, and thoughtful digressions about aging, fame, media, and the small rituals of daily life. The format often feels like a long, intimate chat between two creative collaborators, with a mix of nostalgia, pop culture references, and offbeat details that can feel both nostalgic and timely.

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How many listeners does Roderick on the Line get?

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What are the audience demographics for Roderick on the Line?

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How many subscribers and views does Roderick on the Line have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Roderick on the Line?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Roderick on the Line:

1. Omnibus
2. Reconcilable Differences
3. Do By Friday
4. The Talk Show With John Gruber
5. Accidental Tech Podcast

How many episodes of Roderick on the Line are there?

Roderick on the Line launched 15 years ago and published 641 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Roderick on the Line?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Roderick on the Line?

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What guests have appeared on Roderick on the Line?

Recent guests on Roderick on the Line include:

1. John Roderick
2. Non-binary teen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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