PAFO - Pond Around and Find Out

Chris Pondoff, Zoë Mendenall, Kurt Garner
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Comedy Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

PAFO is a loose, unscripted conversation show from the Pondoff’s Anonymous Network. No guests, no agenda, no pressure to land on a takeaway. Just people talking, wandering, circling ideas, and seeing what happens when you stop trying to be productive. Sometimes funny, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes a little off-track, always honest. Pond Around. Find Out.

  1. "Peggers Can't Be Choosers"

    1d ago

    "Peggers Can't Be Choosers"

    This week may be the most off-the-rails PAFO yet. Chris, Zoë, and KG somehow cover conspiracy theories, first dates, AI doing everyone dirty, and an article from across the pond that sends the entire conversation into a tailspin. If you've ever wondered how three people can spend over an hour getting from debating whether Stevie Wonder can actually see to bedroom activities from our neighbors in the UK, you've found your podcast.The crew has an honest conversation about addiction, gambling, marijuana, kratom, mental health, and why so many people unknowingly self-medicate while searching for relief. Zoe opens up about her bipolar diagnosis and what that journey looked like, while Chris shares why PAFO exists in the first place—to remind people that recovery is possible and help is always within reach.Whether you're here for the outrageous stories, the completely unplanned tangents, or the moments of genuine vulnerability, this episode has all of it. _____________________Illinois Recovery Center:⁠ https://illinoisrecoverycenter.com/⁠Find us on Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube.⁠https://www.facebook.com/pondoffsanonymous⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/pondoffsanonymous⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@pondoffsanonymous

    1h 35m
  2. "I Gave It To That Ground Beef"

    Jun 24

    "I Gave It To That Ground Beef"

    This week on PAFO, the crew is settling into the newly renovated studio. Talking sponsorship opportunities and international travel plans, near-death experiences, and the ongoing debate over who is and isn't "in the know."KG recounts a terrifying highway encounter involving a flying tire, Chris had a close call with a falling tree branch and is convinced fate occasionally keeps people around for a reason. Meanwhile, Zoe introduces the group to a local food-share program, discusses community, generosity, and the unexpected joy of meeting people outside your usual circles.The conversation bounces between tornadoes, bonfires, childhood mistakes, first jobs, and Father's Day plans.

    1h 54m
  3. "That's A Total Bruce Move"

    Jun 17

    "That's A Total Bruce Move"

    This week on PAFO, the gang is settling into the newly redesigned studio. Furniture updates and studio makeover talk quickly spirals into Grand Theft Auto debates, college drama, airport horror stories, TSA pat-downs, purity culture, and dirty cities rankings. Zoë shares one of the most memorable stories from her college years, reflecting on friendship, loyalty, chronic illness, and the moment she chose to stand by someone when everyone else walked away. Meanwhile, Chris recaps a meaningful trip to Denver, talks about speaking at a recovery event, and somehow turns a TSA screening into one of the funniest segments of the episode. The conversation bounces between serious and ridiculous in classic PAFO fashion—touching on recovery, friendship, travel, self-awareness, church culture, and the importance of finding people who have your back when life gets messy. There are stories about pedicures, migraines, hot dogs, Indian food, college covenants, and airport security procedures that probably shouldn't be discussed in this much detail.

    1h 38m
  4. "Thiccc With Three C's"

    Jun 10

    "Thiccc With Three C's"

    This week on PAFO, the crew catches up after a busy few weeks and covers everything from Italy trips and coffee shop drama to airport etiquette, conspiracy theories, private jets, and the strange emotional hangover that can follow a meaningful experience.Kurt shares stories from his recent film project in Northern California, including guerrilla-style filming on Napa highways, truck stop encounters, and the unexpected challenge of saying goodbye to people you only knew for a few days but genuinely connected with. The conversation turns into a thoughtful discussion about comparison, uncertainty, career transitions, and the feeling that everyone else's life might be moving faster than your own. At least until someone starts talking about Denver airport conspiracies.Elsewhere, Zoë wraps up her time at Café Dolce, reflects on finishing another major chapter of school, and realizes she may owe herself a long-overdue celebration. Chris prepares for a trip to Denver, discusses faith, purpose, and recovery work, while the group debates airport behavior, Southwest Airlines, kids on planes, private aviation, and whether anyone is actually prepared to be the hero in an emergency exit row.A conversation about moving forward, staying present, and trying not to lose your mind while traveling.

    1h 41m
  5. "If You're Moody, Just Say That"

    Jun 3

    "If You're Moody, Just Say That"

    On this episode of PAFO, the crew covers everything from studio upgrades and questionable Facebook Marketplace purchases to purity culture, dating, cheating, and the weird ways our past shapes how we see relationships today. What starts as a conversation about new chairs and a future couch quickly turns into a surprisingly thoughtful discussion about scarcity mindsets, childhood experiences, religion, and the stories we inherit from our families.Zoe shares memories from growing up in purity culture, including some of the bizarre lessons and shame-based messaging that shaped how an entire generation viewed sex and relationships. The conversation explores everything from church retreats and double standards to what happens when those beliefs collide with real life and adulthood. Along the way, the group tackles infidelity, heartbreak, accountability, and why some relationship endings are easier to walk away from than others.The episode also features updates on Kurt’s upcoming film project in Northern California, discussions about online outrage and social media arguments, and a behind-the-scenes look at how the podcast continues to evolve both on camera and behind the scenes. There’s plenty of laughter, a few uncomfortable truths, and the kind of honest conversation that makes PAFO feel like hanging out with friends.

    1h 58m
  6. "Uncle Bubby Got Peed On Again"

    May 27

    "Uncle Bubby Got Peed On Again"

    This week on PAFO, the conversation goes absolutely everywhere—and somehow circles back to birds, bowel emergencies, race cars, gambling, and getting peed on.The gang starts by reflecting on their emotional conversation with Kira Andersen before quickly veering into movie talk, bad acid trips, airport drug smuggling strategies, and the age-old question of whether a grown man should call his parents for help when a bird gets loose in his house. Along the way, Chris shares stories from the Indy 500, Kurt reveals the depths of his irrational fear of winged creatures, and Zoë learns far more than she ever wanted to know about some of the crew's younger years.The episode also touches on sports fandom, gambling culture, the Cardinals' "Tarps Off" phenomenon, Discovery Zone nostalgia, dating someone who loves birds when you're terrified of birds, and why Canadian geese may actually be society's greatest protected threat. If you've ever called your parents during a crisis, trusted a fart you shouldn't have, or wondered whether a bird could legally claim squatter's rights in your home, this episode is for you.

    1h 28m
  7. "We're Only Here Because Of You"

    May 20

    "We're Only Here Because Of You"

    On Episode 19 of PAFO, the gang once again dives headfirst into the terrifying modern hellscape known as dating apps — and somehow ends up talking about happy ending massage parlors, foot rubs, secret high school boners, tequila-fueled first dates, and a Bumble interaction so wild it feels AI generated.KG breaks down an absolutely unbelievable dating app saga involving a woman who initially called him the “hot silver fox from the gym” before spiraling into accusations, manipulation tactics, repeated phone calls, and a full psychological warfare campaign after learning he talked to a mutual acquaintance. Along the way, the crew debates height preferences, ghosting etiquette, “keyboard courage,” dating app culture, and the emotional damage caused by a simple “No lol.”The episode also veers into stories about shady massage parlors in Sauget, terrifying first dates, creepy coincidences, gym transformations, hypermobility, and why tequila continues to ruin lives one bad decision at a time. Uncomfortable, deeply relatable, and wildly chaotic — this is PAFO at maximum internet poisoning.

    1h 48m
  8. "God Was In That Chili's That Night"

    May 18

    "God Was In That Chili's That Night"

    On Episode 18 of PAFO, Chris & KG break down their wrestling weekend and tell one of the most chaotic stories imaginable. What starts as Zoe’s all-day car disaster spirals into rental car problems, mystery wheel keys, AAA confusion, and a check engine light that somehow appears after the car is “fixed.”Meanwhile, Kurt and Chris recap an absolutely surreal weekend at an SICW wrestling fan fest featuring Marcus "Buff" Bagwell, chain restaurant adventures, Chili’s theology, spit kink conversations that should probably stay off the record, and one of the strangest celebrity hangouts they’ve ever experienced. Somewhere in the middle of all of it, the conversation unexpectedly gets heartfelt — touching on disability advocacy, respite nights for families with special needs children, faith, sobriety, burnout, and the weird beauty of shared human chaos.It’s one of those episodes where every time you think the conversation has peaked, it somehow gets stranger. Hilarious, uncomfortable, wholesome, and unhinged in the best possible way.

    1h 45m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

PAFO is a loose, unscripted conversation show from the Pondoff’s Anonymous Network. No guests, no agenda, no pressure to land on a takeaway. Just people talking, wandering, circling ideas, and seeing what happens when you stop trying to be productive. Sometimes funny, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes a little off-track, always honest. Pond Around. Find Out.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Pondoff, Zoë Mendenall, Kurt Garner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Chris Pondoff, Zoë Mendenall, Kurt Garner
  • Show Website
    PAFO - Pond Around and Find Out

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