In Search of an Argument Jim Gentile, Shelly Cummings, John Heintz and Peggy Bennett

If you suffer from Ah Choo Syndrome (yes, that is a real thing) and/or want to know why Beth has trouble with math or Jim is such a bad dancer, Shelly Cummings has the answers for you. In this episode Shelly performs another tour-de-force exploration of the infinite landscape of human genetics.

John Heintz leads the group in a discussion on International Women’s Day inspired by a Washington Post article. The writer highlighted that women have left the workforce so rapidly during the pandemic that woman participation is as low now as in 1988. President Biden called this loss of women in the workforce a national emergency.

The gang considers the pandemic’s disproportionately negative impact on women, the significance of women’s day in the US and abroad, the impact of closed schools, balancing child care and work at home, unequal pay for women, celebrations of the day around the world, the United Nations’ role in the day and its mission, the day’s changing significance, attitudes toward the holiday and Peggy and Beth’s suggestion that women get cards and gifts to celebrate.

Beth Shannon leads a discussion about the joys of the great outdoors. She and John and Peggy and Shelly talk about a variety of activities they enjoy that involve communing with nature. Jim does not.

Rob Finch joins the gang as this episode’s guest. Rob is a denizen of Times Square, raconteur, avid theatergoer, and producer of musicals. Rob was one of the producers of the 2016 Los Angeles showing of Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along. He was also a producer of the 2018 version of Once On This Island, which won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Jim, John, Peggy, Shelly and Beth are joined by returning guest Richard Tobin. They each pick a favorite recording from the decade of greed, the 1980s and talk about why they love it.  Jim pays homage to Dr. Johnny Fever, the zonked out DJ from the cult sitcom, WKRP In Cincinnati.

The Gang of Five has a very long discussion centered on the momentous events of the week of January 4, 2021, focusing on 1) The insurrection at the Capitol; 2) The Democrats’ victory in the Georgia Senate runoffs; 3) The questions regarding vaccination efforts in the United States.