Premeditated Opinions

Josh & Pamela

Some thoughts are premeditated. These are worse. Join Pamela & Josh for a fun-filled, highly opinionated spiral through what it means to live in today's world.

  1. It’s Giving Right to Repair... Kind Of (Part 1)

    APR 29

    It’s Giving Right to Repair... Kind Of (Part 1)

    This week on Premeditated Opinions, we’re kicking off a two-part conversation on something that sounds niche… until you realize it affects literally everything you own: Right to Repair. From cars to phones to tractors, the question is simple:  👉 If you bought it… do you actually own it? To help us unpack it, we brought in people who actually live this world: Scott Blair — longtime friend of Josh and Pamela Thomas, career technician with 20+ years of experience Josh Thomas — Pamela’s husband (yes, there are two Joshes in her daily life, and no, it’s not confusing at all… we’re doing great) Together, we get into what this looks like in the real world, not just headlines and hot takes. 🔧 In Part 1, we break down:  What “Right to Repair” actually means (and why it’s trending)  How modern vehicles are built to require manufacturer access to function  The growing role of software, programming, and proprietary systems  Why a “simple fix” can turn into a dealership-only situation  The tension between consumer rights, safety, and corporate control Because here’s where it gets frustrating: You can replace the part. You can install it perfectly. …and your car still won’t work without access to the right software.  🔍 Also in this episode:  A casual story about someone being on fire (as one does)  The difference between knowing how to fix something and being allowed to  The Dunning-Kruger effect, but make it mechanical  Why EVs and high-voltage systems raise the stakes significantly  The reality of dealerships vs independent shops vs DIY This isn’t a rant. It’s not a takedown. It’s a real conversation about a system that’s evolving fast—and the trade-offs most people don’t see until they’re stuck in it. Part 2 drops in two weeks. If you’ve ever:  tried to fix something and hit a wall  questioned why everything requires special access  or just want to understand how ownership actually works in 2026 …this one’s for you. Support the show Stay Connected with us on these platforms: Website: https://www.premeditatedopinions.com Youtube: https://youtube.com/@premeditatedopinionspodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@premeditatedopinions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premeditated_opinions/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@premeditated_opinions And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share us with your friends and family!

    51 min
  2. It's Giving, Menstrual Leave Debate

    APR 20

    It's Giving, Menstrual Leave Debate

    This week, we’re trying something new. Less “what just happened?” and more “let’s actually talk about it.” Our main topic: Should workplaces account for real life… specifically women’s health? We’re diving into a piece of legislation out of Kenya that allows women to take up to two days off per month for menstrual health, and unpacking all the thoughts that come with it: Is this progress… or complicated progress?Where’s the line between fairness and equity?And why does the U.S. still feel like it’s behind on even the baseline (looking at you, PTO and maternity leave)?We bring both perspectives (female and male) and let it get a little uncomfortable, a little honest, and a lot more nuanced than a hot take. Because the reality is: people don’t perform well when they’re forced to ignore being human. Also in this episode (because we can’t stay on one lane): 🚀 The Artemis II mission and why four astronauts might be modeling better humanity than the rest of us 🌍 The unexpected emotional impact of… space? 👶 The math problem that is childcare, maternity leave, and existing in America 🎬 Our official (and slightly emotional) endorsement of Project Hail Mary 🎙️ A peek into our new format, recording remotely, and figuring it out as we go This episode is thoughtful, a little rebellious, occasionally sarcastic, but grounded in one idea: If we want better outcomes, we might need better systems. Wild concept. Follow & Support If you liked this episode, follow us on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. It helps more than you think, and it keeps us talking into microphones instead of just yelling into the void. Support the show Stay Connected with us on these platforms: Website: https://www.premeditatedopinions.com Youtube: https://youtube.com/@premeditatedopinionspodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@premeditatedopinions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premeditated_opinions/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@premeditated_opinions And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share us with your friends and family!

    1h 11m
  3. It’s Giving, Reset Energy

    APR 1

    It’s Giving, Reset Energy

    We’re back. Not in a “nothing happened, everything’s normal” kind of way… but in a “life happened, we took a beat, and now we’re figuring it out in real time” kind of way. After an unexpected 3-week hiatus, this episode is a reset. We’re talking about:  Where we’ve been (mentally, emotionally, and logistically)  Why we hit pause—and why that mattered  What’s changing with the podcast (format, cadence, and expectations)  What’s staying the same (the honesty, the humor, the slightly unhinged commentary)  And how we’re approaching this next season in a way that actually works for real life Because here’s the truth: We love this podcast. We love this community. But we’re also not interested in running ourselves into the ground to keep up appearances. So we’re doing something radical (apparently): We’re adjusting. This episode sets the stage for what’s next— a slightly different rhythm, a little more flexibility, and the same conversations you came here for. If you’ve ever:  Needed to step back and regroup  Felt the pressure to “keep going” when you probably shouldn’t  Or are trying to build something sustainable without losing yourself in the process You’ll feel right at home here. We’re not starting over. We’re just doing it differently. And honestly? That might be better. Support the show Stay Connected with us on these platforms: Website: https://www.premeditatedopinions.com Youtube: https://youtube.com/@premeditatedopinionspodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@premeditatedopinions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premeditated_opinions/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@premeditated_opinions And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share us with your friends and family!

    29 min
  4. We Accidentally Roasted Congress While Debating Dog Breeds

    MAR 3

    We Accidentally Roasted Congress While Debating Dog Breeds

    This week on Premeditated Opinions, we do what we do best: Have strong opinions about extremely low-stakes topics…  and then accidentally wander into politics anyway. Inspired by the party game Bad Opinions from Dyce Games, we decided to put ourselves on the spot and answer prompts like: What would you do if you were invisible for a day?What movie series is wildly overrated?What dog breed are you not fond of?What job should everyone experience at least once?What city won’t exist in 50 years?Who should retire immediately? (👀)Somewhere between Limp Bizkit, Le Mans racing, Mission Impossible slander, and doodle dogs catching strays… we: Defend servers and retail workers with our livesQuestion the entire concept of career politiciansAccidentally roast Tom CruiseConfess our guilty pleasure songsDiscuss why some cartoons are simply not for usAnd agree that most of Congress should probably pack it upThis episode is pure “strong opinions about small things”…  until it isn’t. If you love: Low-stakes debatesDry humorMild chaosSlightly unhinged cultural takesAnd emotionally responsible spiralingYou’re home. Grab the game, play it with friends, and then come argue with us in the comments. And yes, we still want you on Substack. That part was not a joke. Dyce GamesDyce Games supports and sponsors this podcast!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Stay Connected with us on these platforms: Website: https://www.premeditatedopinions.com Youtube: https://youtube.com/@premeditatedopinionspodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@premeditatedopinions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premeditated_opinions/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@premeditated_opinions And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share us with your friends and family!

    53 min
  5. All Of Our Theology Is Written in Pencil

    FEB 24

    All Of Our Theology Is Written in Pencil

    This week on Premeditated Opinions, we’re doing something a little different. We’re not here to drag anyone.  We’re not here to start a denomination.  We’re definitely not starting a cult (Substack jokes aside). But we are talking about church hurt, purity culture, deconstruction, and what spirituality looks like on the other side of it. After attending an event featuring Dr. Hillary McBride and Joshua Harris — yes, that Joshua Harris of I Kissed Dating Goodbye fame — we realized it was time to offer some clarity about where we stand spiritually… and how we got here. In this episode, we unpack: Growing up in high-control evangelical environmentsPurity culture, modesty policing, and the damage it doesBeing on church stages while quietly unraveling insideGetting “dress-coded” for worship leadingDiscovering affirming churches and asking better questionsDeconstruction: what it actually means (and what it doesn’t)Why Christian nationalism feels like a breaking point“All my theology is written in pencil”Why you can sing worship songs without agreeing with every lyricAnd whether you can just declare yourself a frog (you cannot)This isn’t a takedown of faith. It’s not anti-spiritual. It’s not anti-church. It’s a conversation about how spirituality can be formative, beautiful, and grounding, without being harmful, exclusionary, or weaponized. We talk honestly about: Why some of us still speak Christianity as a “native language”Why others don’t want to use that label at allAnd why asking questions doesn’t make you broken, it makes you awakeIf you’ve ever wrestled with religion… If you’ve ever felt betrayed by church culture… If you’ve ever tried to reconcile faith with politics… If you’re spiritually curious but institutionally skeptical… This one’s for you. We’re not offering answers. We’re offering context. And maybe a little breathing room. Support the show Stay Connected with us on these platforms: Website: https://www.premeditatedopinions.com Youtube: https://youtube.com/@premeditatedopinionspodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@premeditatedopinions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premeditated_opinions/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@premeditated_opinions And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share us with your friends and family!

    1h 9m
  6. Valentine’s Day, But Make It Confusing

    FEB 17

    Valentine’s Day, But Make It Confusing

    This week on Premeditated Opinions, we celebrate two very different American traditions: Chicken and waffles at a dive bar on Valentine’s DayCongressional hearings that feel suspiciously like reality televisionYou’re welcome. We kick things off with the evolution of Pamela’s now-sacred Valentine’s tradition: a quest for chicken and waffles that began in Louisville, survived a hookah bar, endured relocation to Dallas, and somehow now involves five adults, one confused hostess, and another confused server. From there, we spiral (politely) into: Why traditions matter more than the foodThe difference between cynical Valentine’s Day and choosing funDogs, brisket at 1AM, and questionable trimming decisionsAnd then, because we live in 2026 and nothing is calm, we talk about: Political hearings that feel like scripted televisionWhy following historians like Heather Cox Richardson keeps us saneThe difference between staying informed and doomscrollingThe danger of theatrical politics replacing serious governanceEpstein files, conspiracy culture, and why accountability still mattersWe don’t pile on.  We don’t scream.  We do, however, expect adults in power to behave like adults. And because we refuse to end on doom and gloom, we pivot to: Out-of-country vacation dreamsBeach vs. mountainsRV life, Big Bend, and why plumbing is non-negotiableThis episode is equal parts: friendshipfrustrationfoodand fully baked thoughtsIf you’re trying to balance staying informed without losing your mind, and also just want to laugh about confusing a Valentine’s Day server, you’re in the right place. Support the show Stay Connected with us on these platforms: Website: https://www.premeditatedopinions.com Youtube: https://youtube.com/@premeditatedopinionspodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@premeditatedopinions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premeditated_opinions/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@premeditated_opinions And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share us with your friends and family!

    57 min
  7. Only We Could Miss the Point This Thoroughly

    FEB 10

    Only We Could Miss the Point This Thoroughly

    This week on Premeditated Opinions, we do what we do best: take a party game that was absolutely not designed for philosophy… and immediately turn it into one. Use this affiliate link to check out all of Dyce Games party games, and support us! https://www.amazon.com/BAD-CHOICES-Have-Adult-Party/dp/B07RJ215S3?maas=maas_adg_B4627958FD98D6C37E32AA61B0EB2A9B_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas Using Bad Choices as our extremely loose framework, Pamela and Josh work their way through a series of “would you rather” questions that somehow unlock conversations about: money, desperation, and what survival actually looks liketherapy, language, and why naming things makes them survivablepsychics, tarot, spirituality, and our collective discomfort with mysterypower, corruption, and whether authority actually changes peoplezombie apocalypses, medication logistics, and realistic self-assessmentrelationships, insecurity, boundaries, and knowing when to walk awayreality TV, catfishing, and why boredom might be the real villainSomewhere between “Would you drink human blood?” and “Would you amputate a finger for $50k?” we end up talking about dignity, values, and how much money is actually enough to compromise them. This episode is: not seriousnot safenot advice…but it is honest, funny, and accidentally revealing. If you enjoy conversations that start ridiculous and end reflective — with plenty of detours, side comments, and self-awareness along the way — you’re in the right place. Support the show Stay Connected with us on these platforms: Website: https://www.premeditatedopinions.com Youtube: https://youtube.com/@premeditatedopinionspodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@premeditatedopinions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premeditated_opinions/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@premeditated_opinions And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share us with your friends and family!

    58 min
5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Some thoughts are premeditated. These are worse. Join Pamela & Josh for a fun-filled, highly opinionated spiral through what it means to live in today's world.