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Roderick on the Line

Merlin Mann
New Year's Party
Seattle
Parenting
Adult Adaptation
Technology
Mexico
Friendship
Modern Technology
Gambling
Sports Betting
Childhood Experiences
Mental Health
Covid-19
Patches
World War II
Washington Crew
Truman Capote
BJ Novak
John Krasinski
Sit-Stand Desks

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes617Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Roderick on the Line

Latest Episodes

The Problem: John didn’t make it this far because there was any plan.

(Recorded on Monday, March 9, 2026.)

The Problem: By the time the world comes around, you’re not in charge of it anymore.

(Recorded on Monday, March 2, 2026.)

The Problem: You can’t assign specialness.

(Recorded on Monday, February 23, 2026.)

The Problem: We were slender then.

(Recorded on Monday, February 16, 2026.) Links

* “Against the Wind” — Bob Seger (1980) — “What to leave in? What to leave out?”

* Dave Nanian — Mastodon post about his original ’81 copy — the friend who sp... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Non-binary teen
A high school student interested in post-hardcore music and tour management
Episode: Ep. 567: "A High Teen"

Hosts

Merlin Mann
Co-host and participant in conversations, engaging in philosophical discussions with humor and reflection on everyday life.
John Roderick
Co-host and musician known for insightful storytelling intertwined with humor, contributing to reflective and engaging discussions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • 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 Statesa month 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 States2 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 States4 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 States6 months ago
  • Fun, old-fashioned, two friends talking podcast

    This is a nice, check in, podcast with two friends about the goings-on and the feelings about the goings-on in the life of John Roderick Iand Merlin Mann.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    modhran
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There's a mix of positive feedback regarding the insightful storytelling and personal anecdotes that resonate deeply yet lightly reflect on complex life themes.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and humorous dynamics between the hosts, finding their friendship both relatable and entertaining.
Some feedback expresses frustration about interruptions during dialogues, with a desire for more space for storytelling, especially favoring the contributions of John Roderick.

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
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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?

A candid and humorous conversation unfolds each week between two friends who navigate a broad array of topics stemming from personal anecdotes to societal reflections. Their discussions often meander through nostalgia, philosophical musings about aging, parenting dynamics, and the humorous intricacies of modern life, such as technology and communication. The dialogue is enriched with a unique blend of humor and sincerity, fostering connections with listeners who appreciate introspective storytelling and the exploration of daily life landmarks.

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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. Judge John Hodgman
4. 99% Invisible
5. Blank Check with Griffin & David

How many episodes of Roderick on the Line are there?

Roderick on the Line launched 14 years ago and published 617 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Roderick on the Line?

Recent guests on Roderick on the Line include:

1. Non-binary teen

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