Rules of Dumb

René and Ben

René and Ben have made some mistakes. Along the way, they have found that many elements of conventional wisdom - rules of thumb - are no longer, or actually never were, relevant. They were just things to do because people always did them. In fact, those things people do are better-coined Rules of Dumb. With pop-culture as the backdrop, the duo explores and slaughter sacred cows. René and Ben dig into conventional ideas and explore alternative viewpoints all while finding the comedy in these commonly accepted notions.

  1. 31/03/2019

    Ep. 011: Stay Mad Aunt Becky

    Season 2 of the Rules of Dumb podcast starts off with a bang.  René and Ben discuss the recent FBI investigation of the college admissions scandal involving some well known-celebrities (Aunt Becky from Full House) and some high profile business people. The duo explores the spectrum of unethical behavior by Parents and College Coaches and Administrators in the admissions process as well as cases against Harvard College and the University of Texas to undermine their Affirmative Action efforts (#StayMadAbby).   Ben also shares some surprising results from a recent DNA test with Ancestry.com, and discovering some new family members. Tune in!

    1h 9m

  2. 24/01/2019

    Victory | Rules of Dumb Ep. 010

    In Episode 010 of the Rules of Dumb Podcast, René and Ben meet their goal of completing 10 episodes in 2018. The two celebrate this victory by answering questions from RoD listeners and rabid fans.  Please support the podcast by subscribing and leaving a review with a 5-star rating on iTunes. Follow Rules of Dumb on Instagram and Twitter at @rulesofdumb and you can email any feedback or show ideas to rulesofdumb@gmail.com. Enjoy

    1h 27m

  3. 08/01/2019

    My Date With Michelle Obama | Rules of Dumb Ep. 009

    In Episode 009, Ben shares the highlights of his recent date with forever First Lady Michelle Obama. Actually, 20,000 other people were on the date and René tagged along as well. René and Ben venture to the famous Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, NY and discuss the life-changing experience as well as some big takeaways from the recent Michelle Obama book tour.  Please support the podcast by subscribing and leaving a review with a 5-star rating on iTunes. Follow Rules of Dumb on Instagram and Twitter at @rulesofdumb and you can email any feedback or show ideas to rulesofdumb@gmail.com. Enjoy. René and Ben.

    59 min

  4. 30/11/2018

    Holla, Holla, Holla: The Art of Catcalling | Rules of Dumb Ep. 008

    In Episode 008 of the Rules of Dumb podcast, Ben and René are joined by their brilliant and hilarious Production Assistant, Sri, to discuss the ever-controversial topic of ghosting in dating and relationships. Yep, you guessed it; Ben and Sri are both guilty and confess to their bad deeds. René offers her expertise about approaching women, the ineffectiveness of cat-calling, and encourages a more refined approach to getting them digits. Please support the podcast by subscribing and please leave a review with a 5-star rating on iTunes. Follow Rules of Dumb on Instagram and Twitter at @rulesofdumb and you can email any feedback or show ideas to rulesofdumb@gmail.com. Enjoy! René and Ben

    1h 4m

  5. 20/11/2018

    Alternative Thanksgiving: 10 New Traditions | Rules of Dumb Ep. 007

    Thanksgiving. For some of us, this means one thing. All the sweet potato pie we can eat. For others, it’s a time to enjoy with family, watch a little football, tell tall tales about cousin Larry and relax. But for some of us, the thought of having to spend extended time with turkey-filled family members is problematic. The holiday can be very stressful for some and downright toxic for others. Though there isn’t much hard data on the topic, some experts report many people feel at least some degree of anxiety around the holidays for a variety of reasons, one among them being family conflict. In other words, the holiday season can be a rough time for a lot of us. But it is a good thing for you, you are listening to Episode 007 of the Rules of Dumb podcast. René schools Ben on 10 non-traditional ways to spend “Alternative Thanksgiving”. René does not necessarily say you have to spend the holiday alone, but she strongly suggests you remove yourself from a toxic environment. The theme is self-care. And she gives you 10 great ways to spend your holiday. Of course, if you’ve decided to skip Thanksgiving with family this year, you might feel anxious about how your family might react. René and Ben have some ideas that will help you there as well. Please support the podcast by subscribing and please leave a review with a 5-star rating on iTunes. Follow Rules of Dumb on Instagram and Twitter at @rulesofdumb and you can email any feedback or show ideas to rulesofdumb@gmail.com. Enjoy! René and Ben

    31 min

  6. 07/11/2018

    If Your Vote Didn't Matter, They Wouldn't Suppress It | Rules of Dumb Ep. 006

    This is an emergency episode! In Episode 006 of the Rules of Dumb Podcast, Ben sits down with Sri, the podcast’s PA to talk about this year’s upcoming midterm election. Sri turned 18 last summer and registered to vote making her eligible to vote in this year's midterm elections. The media has termed this midterm the most important "election of our lifetime" so we wanted to get her perspective as a millennial and a new voter. The two got into how in 2013, in Shelby County vs Holder, the Supreme Court deemed section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as unconstitutional. That decision has made it easier for states to engage in a campaign of voter suppression including, closing polling places, voter ID requirements, exact match practices, all in an effort to marginalize the votes of black people. The two also got into how mass incarceration aides in suppressing the black vote. Please support the podcast by subscribing and please leave a review with a 5-star rating on iTunes. Follow Rules of Dumb on Instagram and Twitter at @rulesofdumb and you can email any feedback or show ideas to rulesofdumb@gmail.com. Enjoy!

    33 min

  7. 25/10/2018

    Achieve Financial Independence w/ Jamila Souffrant | Rules of Dumb Ep. 005

    René abandoned the Rules of Dumb podcast for Episode 005. Well, that’s not exactly true. She was continuing her quest to become a yoga guru so she and Ben decided to switch things up. This week the podcast had its first guest, Jamila Souffrant. Jamila is a podcaster, writer and founder of JourneyToLaunch.com where she shares her journey to reach Financial Independence and helps others do the same. In René’s stead, Sri, RoD’s trusty Production Assistant, came off the bench to fill in. In the conversation with Jamila, she chronicles her journey from Jamaica to the US as an infant to the work ethic her mother and grandmother instilled in her. This eventually led her down a path of business and financial success that has to date culminated in Jamila and her husband saving $169,000 in two years. She talks about the events that led her to leave her six-figure corporate job, the life of a solo entrepreneur and mom, and her role in the FI/RE (Financial Independence / Retire Early) movement and how she thinks she can advance POC into financial freedom. At the end of the conversation, Jamila also lets us in on what she thinks is a Rule of Dumb: A conventional idea that many think is a great idea but she thinks might not be all it’s cracked up to be. You’ll want to listen until the end. René got to listen to the conversation Sri and Ben had with Jamila, and she was disappointed she missed out. René and Ben share their takeaways from all the knowledge bombs Jamila dropped. But not before René accuses Ben of being an “over-toucher” and a “hand-talker”. She also reveals she has a secret talent. Enjoy!

    1h 9m

  8. 12/10/2018

    The Robots Are Coming To Get Us | Rules of Dumb Ep. 004

    In Rules of Dumb, Episode 4, Ben laments his T-shirt collection is overwhelming and René suggests yoga is the answer to his stress. She tells us a bit about her quest to become a yoga master and how her family and friends view her newfound passion. Ben also admits his dislike for 80’s “quiet storm” music, much to René’s chagrin. Finally, the two discuss the comfort, or better said, discomfort each of them has with artificial intelligence and its intrusion into modern life. Clips from: The Joe Rogan Experience Podcast. Follow us Instagram and Twitter at @rulesofdumb. Enjoy!

    57 min
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About

René and Ben have made some mistakes. Along the way, they have found that many elements of conventional wisdom - rules of thumb - are no longer, or actually never were, relevant. They were just things to do because people always did them. In fact, those things people do are better-coined Rules of Dumb. With pop-culture as the backdrop, the duo explores and slaughter sacred cows. René and Ben dig into conventional ideas and explore alternative viewpoints all while finding the comedy in these commonly accepted notions.

Information

  • Creator
    René and Ben
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2019
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © René and Ben
  • Show Website
    Rules of Dumb