Sure Jan! With Jan!

A Fuel Moon H3 Production

An insightful Gen X Perspective on life, blending humor and reflections on the past and present. Consistently entertaining, occasionally serious, but always engaging!

  1. 3d ago

    Sure Jan Podcast S2 E40

    Prius Rage, Tiny Toy Crimes & Other Adventures: Season 2, episode 40! Jan is two episodes closer to 80 and already eyeing the big 100. In the meantime, there’s plenty to discuss: a commute that tested every ounce of Gen X self-control, hands that are staging a very inconvenient protest, and a tiny dog with the destructive instincts of a demolition crew.Jan vents about a panic-braking Prius driver who left a gap so enormous the entire right lane seemed to move in. Then comes an honest update about arthritis pain, stiff and swollen hands, and waiting to see a rheumatoid specialist. It’s tough to exercise when your body’s response to the idea is basically, “Absolutely not.”There’s also a look at how dentistry has changed, a return to Disney for Star Wars and ESPN, some complicated feelings about the Raiders, and a nostalgic appreciation for classic Charlie Chan mysteries. Jan shares a memorable nickname from the motorcycle days: “the recruiter.” Make of that what you will.Chupa earns her own spotlight as the fearless destroyer of toys, treats, and assorted household objects—with one surprising exception: a lamb chop toy from Jan’s mom. That toy brings back a tender memory, and Jan shares a sweet idea for a possible animated series featuring Chupa.Plus: a workday wardrobe mishap involving an estrogen patch, and recommendations for the Charlie Chan films Dark Alibi and The Chinese Cat—where Mantan Moreland, according to Jan, steals the show.Like, follow, and share the podcast; adopt, don’t shop; and give your pets a little extra appreciation for the toys they haven’t eaten yet.Instagram YouTube Website

  2. Sep 24

    Sure Jan Podcast S2 E39

    Jan is back with a chaotic collection of personal updates, everyday annoyances, questionable online advertising, nostalgic memories, and enough Chupa-related nonsense to qualify as a full pet comedy special. The episode begins with a health update, as Jan explains that this round of COVID was significantly less fun than the first. After recovering from that unpleasant experience, Jan finds a new reason to be irritated: getting trapped behind a school bus traveling well below the speed limit. With traffic piling up for two miles and impatient drivers becoming increasingly aggressive, Jan makes the responsible choice not to pass a bus full of children—even if other drivers apparently believe arriving somewhere three minutes earlier is worth risking a felony. From there, Jan takes aim at Bitcoin-mining game advertisements promising effortless wealth, early retirement, and the suspicious ability to make more money than your boss while doing absolutely nothing. Jan explains why these games are unlikely to produce anything more impressive than a couple of dollars a week after hours of watching ads. In other words, the real cryptocurrency being mined is apparently everyone’s patience.An innocent shopping trip for Chupa’s next indestructible dog toy leads to a reading-glasses crisis. While browsing a listing for a five-pack of dog toys, Jan briefly interprets “5 pack” as “SPACK” and is left wondering what on earth a “hedgehog SPACK” could possibly be. It’s a small typo-that-never-was with enormous comedic potential. The kitchen portion of the episode features thawing chicken, leaking packages, and the very real horror of discovering a suspicious puddle in the refrigerator. Jan explains the logic behind using paper plates during the thawing process: because cleaning chicken juice out of the back of the fridge is an experience nobody needs twice.Jan also gets nostalgic after Instagram serves up clips from classic Disneyland attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, and Bear Country Jamboree. The memories bring up thoughts of family, Jan’s late mother, and a Disneyland from before Toontown even existed. The conclusion? The nostalgia is strong, but the modern park may not contain enough of the old attractions to justify the trip—unless Star Wars and Universal Studios can help make up the difference.Naturally, the episode eventually returns to Chupa, the aggressive-chewer Cheweeny with no respect for personal space. Jan recounts the dog’s attempts to lick ears, noses, faces, and, in a truly horrifying accident, the back molar. The incident sends Jan straight to the toothbrush, accompanied by understandable gagging and several questions about where that tongue has been.Chupa’s latest obsession is a noisy ball that has become a permanent feature of daily life. The ball goes outside, comes to bed, and gets tossed so often that one of its noise-making parts has already given up. The real conflict begins when Chupa wants to play tug-of-war and Jan wants her to let go. After repeated instructions, Chupa finally releases the ball—directly onto Jan’s sternum. It is less “fetch” and more “blunt-force negotiation.”Jan wraps up with excitement about voting in November and reminders to adopt rather than shop, spay and neuter pets, try to be civil, and avoid letting people walk all over you. Recovering from a particularly unpleasant bout of COVIDThe ethics of passing a slow school busWhy Bitcoin-mining game ads deserve serious skepticismA mysterious “hedgehog SPACK” that was actually a five-packThe dangers of thawing chicken without backup platesDisneyland nostalgia and memories of Jan’s motherChupa’s horrifying tongue-related behaviorThe noisy dog toy that refuses to retireA perfectly aimed ball to the sternumVoting, pet adoption, and standing up for yourselfInstagramYouTubeSure Jan Website

  3. Sep 17

    Sure Jan Podcast S2 E38

    Jan opens up about being sidelined by COVID during vacation, then turns the episode into a stream-of-consciousness mix of pet stories, local road frustrations, and nostalgic TV and food memories. It’s a personal, off-the-cuff episode built around everyday annoyances and small comforts—with Jan doing what Jan does best: turning minor inconveniences into surprisingly entertaining stories. Jan begins the episode while battling COVID, congestion, and the unmistakable voice of someone who sounds like they should be hosting a late-night soul music program.A vacation becomes an unexpected quarantine, complete with plans to watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy and embrace hobbit culture through the magic of second breakfast.Jan explains why cyclists riding on busy country roads have become one of her biggest driving peeves.She reflects on the evolution of customer service—from desperately wanting to speak with a real person to now preferring a website that will solve the problem without making her talk to anyone.A viewing of The First 48 sparks a discussion about memorable gangster nicknames and Jan’s lifelong disappointment at never receiving a truly cool nickname.Jan lays down the rules surrounding her name: Jan is acceptable, Janny may be tolerated, but Janet is entering dangerous territory.Chupa’s Fi collar reveals that the dog has already accomplished an impressive number of steps before most people have finished waking up.Jan shares the story of Chupa’s extremely noisy crinkly rooster toy, which provides hours of entertainment for the dog and a rapidly deteriorating relationship for everyone else.The rooster toy takes a violent turn when Chupa repeatedly uses it as a wet, floppy face-whipping device.Jan remembers her mother’s love of cottage cheese, blue cheese, and other foods Jan describes with considerably less enthusiasm.She considers how her mother’s rural upbringing during the early 1940s may have shaped her willingness to eat a much wider range of foods.Jan revisits Buffy the Vampire Slayer and discovers that nostalgia can occasionally be a very confident liar.Fi collar Buffy the vampire slayer (1992) InstagramYouTubeWebsite

  4. Sep 10

    Sure Jan Podcast S2 E37

    Jan starts this episode by testing a new Maono microphone and hoping it sounds as clear in the final recording as it does while she is talking. Naturally, the mic test quickly turns into a collection of rants, memories, and everyday disasters. First up is a serious motorcycle peeve. Jan, who has been riding since she was fourteen, explains why passing on the right in a narrow, single-lane on-ramp is dangerous, illegal, and completely unnecessary. With concrete barriers on both sides and no room to escape, one impatient rider nearly causes another driver to swerve into the wall. Jan’s advice is simple: wait until the road widens. Apparently, a few extra seconds is too much to ask.The motorcycle rant leads to a hilarious reference to a South Park episode about bikers, proving once again that traffic irritation and questionable television humor are natural conversation partners. Next comes breakfast betrayal. Jan plans to enjoy chocolate-covered Hostess donuts with a thermos of milk, but the milk tastes like Dawn dish soap because the thermos was not rinsed properly. She tries to power through it with the help of the donuts and jokes that maybe the dish soap will clean the inside of her body and dissolve some belly fat. It is not a recommended diet, but at least her teeth felt clean. Then the toilet paper joins the list of enemies. A piece of hidden plastic keeps snagging the roll every few pulls. Jan removes one piece, thinks the problem is solved, and later discovers another. The conclusion is obvious: even the toilet paper has developed an attitude. Jan also shares the story of a thoughtful Halloween gift from an employee and his girlfriend. The basket includes Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, a light-up ghost, and a LEGO flower arrangement that took three hours to build. Unfortunately, the flowers are top-heavy and leap out of the basket when Jan gets home. She ends up collecting LEGO petals from the driveway and quietly planning to rebuild the arrangement before the gift-giver finds out. Chupa provides the next disaster by destroying a tiny beaver chew toy almost immediately. The toy starts with ears and legs but quickly loses both. Jan is left staring at what she describes as a “deaf, hairy, legless beaver.” It may be the most disturbing product review ever given for a dog toy. The episode takes a warmer turn when Jan remembers growing up in a musical household. She talks about playing drums along with K-tel albums and mixtapes, as well as playing trumpet, guitar, piano, and violin with friends and family. She also gives her mother credit for supporting the drum set—even though it was positioned above the living room.Jan returns to her new microphone and shares her optimism that it will provide clearer podcast audio. She also talks about rewatching The Thing and Blade Runner, two movies she enjoys more each time because she continues to notice details she missed when she was younger. The final section focuses on dyslexia. Jan discusses flipping numbers, switching letters, and the frustration of catching some mistakes while missing others. She credits Microsoft Word’s red spellcheck line with saving her from plenty of writing disasters and helping her improve over time. This episode is a funny tour through reckless drivers, soap-flavored milk, rebellious toilet paper, LEGO destruction, pet chaos, classic movies, childhood music, and the daily challenges of dyslexia. It is personal, unpredictable, and unmistakably Sure Jan. Remember to like, follow, and share the podcast—and adopt rather than shop. Also, rinse your thermos thoroughly. InstagramYouTubeWebsite The ThingBlade Runner Maono Microphone

  5. Sep 3

    Sure Jan Podcast S2 E36

    Jan records an episode that moves from grief after the loss of her mother into the small, chaotic details of daily life, from bad California drivers to her cat’s wildlife “gifts.” The episode is personal, funny, and loose in structure, with Jan using the show to process loss, vent about annoyances, and share a few updates about the podcast itself. Jan opens by talking about her mother’s death a week earlier and how grief is hitting later, leaving her physically exhausted and unfocused.She vents about California freeway driving and one specific driver who slowed her down, then sped up when she tried to pass.Jan shares a story about her cat, Feral Bueller, bringing a live baby rat into the house and her attempt to help it survive.She reflects on rescuing animals from her warehouse job, including cats and possums, and how often those rescues happen.Jan gives a behind the scenes update on the podcast, saying she is not ready to show her face on video yet but may add YouTube shorts and other visual content later.She talks about her preference for ambient lighting, smart bulbs, Alexa control, and solar lighting.Jan looks back on teenage canal walks in the fog with a friend, including the eerie, funny, slightly reckless atmosphere of those nights.She shares a story about accidentally saying “pap smear” instead of “CPAP machine” while trying to remember a friend’s camping question.Jan discusses upgrading her microphone and improving audio quality for future episodes.She closes with a tribute to Dolly Parton, a mention of watching 9 to 5, and a shameless plug for her dog Chupa in a calendar contest.“It’s traumatic when you lose somebody that has been the family matriarch for so long.”“It’s better to have them twenty feet ahead of you every second than twenty feet up your ass.”“Me no like it no spider flamethrower flamethrower.”9 to 5 movie with Dolly Parton, Lilly Tomlin and Jane FondaInstagramYouTubeWebsite

  6. Aug 27

    Sure Jan Podcast S2 E35

    Maybe Ask Your Muscle Car to Pass a Test? Jan opens with a rant about muscle car drivers who seem incapable of driving like they own the car they’re in, then moves through a string of personal stories, from a neighbor finally standing up to a bully next door to a discussion of the Luigi Mangione case and the legal chaos around it. The episode closes on a more heartfelt note as Jan shares the unexpected death of her mother, reflecting on grief, childhood memories, family preparedness, and the surprising comfort of pets during hard times.Key topics Jan goes off on muscle car drivers who buy powerful cars but drive like they’re afraid of the gas pedal.She compares today’s muscle car owners with the old-school hot rod drivers she grew up around.Jan tells a story about mistaking a packing mailer logo for a spider and nearly losing her mind.She introduces her duplex neighbors and explains the tension with a mean neighbor who keeps picking on an Iraqi woman.Jan celebrates the moment her neighbor finally stood up for herself and shut the bully down.She shares her take on the Luigi Mangione case and the strange legal strategy around the dropped federal charges.Jan reflects on how the case brought attention to something many people would have ignored.The episode takes a personal turn when Jan reveals that her mother passed away unexpectedly.She shares childhood memories of riding bikes with her mom and learning the neighborhood by heart.Jan talks about the importance of spending time with your parents while you still can.She notes that her pets, especially Chupa, seemed to sense her grief and stayed close in a comforting way.She ends with a reminder to get family affairs in order and a teasing promise of the Bueller story next week.“If you drive a car like that, you should have to pass some kind of a test.”“First of all, shut the f**k up.”“Spend as much time as you can with them because who knows how much time they have left.”Comedy can come from everyday irritation, but the best moments land when they feel specific and lived-in.Standing up for yourself can completely change the energy of a toxic situation.Grief hits harder when it arrives alongside ordinary life, which is exactly why this episode feels so human.The episode balances rage, humor, and vulnerability in a way that keeps it personal and memorable. Instagram YouTube Websiste

  7. Aug 20

    Sure Jan Podcast S2 E34

    Jan hosts an off-the-cuff episode that moves from everyday annoyances to health, pets, nostalgia, and a few absurd tangents along the way. It matters because the episode turns ordinary frustrations and small wins into a very personal snapshot of week-to-week life, with plenty of humor and a distinctly Gen X perspective. Jan talks through a rough Monday caused by forgetting medication, the misery of slow drivers in the fast lane, and the accidental comedy of grabbing dog treats instead of peanuts. The episode also touches on house and work hassles, pet ownership, cremation and tree-burial ideas, and a nostalgic goodbye to Columbia House. Jan opens with a recap of a week that was eventful, tiring, and not quite great, but not terrible either.A major rant centers on drivers who sit in the fast lane without maintaining speed, creating a rolling traffic jam.Jan realizes a bad Monday was caused by accidentally skipping all medication, including arthritis and pain meds.A snack mix-up leads to grabbing the dog’s treats instead of the butter toffee peanuts Jan was craving.A printer problem turns a long batch of work paperwork into a low-ink disaster.Jan jokes about never being able to fully rinse soap off hands, especially with bad water pressure and weather.The episode shifts into a reflection on death, cremation, tree burials, and what kind of legacy people leave behind.At work, Jan mistakes a toolbox cart for a boom box for a split second, calling it a very Gen X mental leap.A cat litter cleanup turns into accidental fishing language, with Jan joking about scooping giant clumps like catching fish.Jan shares a funny observation about Chupa, a dog, chewing on a stuffed cow toy and looking like a livestock predator.The episode closes with nostalgia for Columbia House and a short self-written parody line about digital media ending that era.Like, follow, and share the podcastRecommend the show to someone who enjoys similar humorAdopt, don’t shopSpay and neuter petsColumbia House InstagramYouTubeWebsite

  8. Aug 13

    Sure Jan Podcast S2 E33

    Jan opens this episode with a near-miss driving incident, then moves through a loose but personal set of reflections on stress, taxes, lottery winnings, generational humor, and true crime shows. The episode mostly works as a stream-of-consciousness update, with Jan’s opinions and commentary carrying the show from one topic to the next.In this episode: Jan shares a close call in a roundabout with a truck driver and vents about aggressive driving and entitled behavior.Jan talks about a strange night waking up feeling like an elephant was sitting on the chest, then jokes that it might be time to cut all the hair off.The lottery jackpot comes up, along with a rant about taxes, bonus pay, property taxes, and why winnings should be more protected from government cuts.Jan explains why winning anonymously would be the only sensible way to handle a massive jackpot.Gen X humor gets a shoutout through Gina Scott Williams and the way she responds to younger generations criticizing Gen X.Jan reflects on how quickly time passes, realizing that things remembered as being “20 years ago” were often 40 years ago.A nostalgic stretch covers favorite crime and mystery shows, including Cops, America’s Most Wanted, Unsolved Mysteries, Cold Case Files, Forensic Files, and The First 48.Jan likes The First 48 for following detectives from the initial call through the case-solving process, including rookie-to-veteran progression.A true crime story about a husband murdering his wife leads to frustration over custody of the grandchildren and the wife's family being kept away.Jan argues that children should not be used to isolate or brainwash the other side of the family.The episode closes with a heat warning for listeners in hot areas, plus the usual reminders to adopt, not shop, and spay or neuter pets.Instagram YouTube Website

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

An insightful Gen X Perspective on life, blending humor and reflections on the past and present. Consistently entertaining, occasionally serious, but always engaging!