88 episodes

Welcome to the Whiskey Bench, where we pair cocktails with conversation. Whether we’re diving deep into a meaty subject like the history of fascism or why monetary policy drives inflation, or just bringing you the highlights of a crazy news week, we aim to look past the simple answers and discuss the complexity of our wild world. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join us on the Whiskey Bench.

Whiskey Bench Whiskey Bench

    • Society & Culture

Welcome to the Whiskey Bench, where we pair cocktails with conversation. Whether we’re diving deep into a meaty subject like the history of fascism or why monetary policy drives inflation, or just bringing you the highlights of a crazy news week, we aim to look past the simple answers and discuss the complexity of our wild world. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join us on the Whiskey Bench.

    #84 Ranch Water + Squatters, Spending Bills, Cannibalism, and Inner Monologues

    #84 Ranch Water + Squatters, Spending Bills, Cannibalism, and Inner Monologues

    Join the Whiskey Bench as Kat and Stephen discuss squatter rights, spending packages, cannibalism, and inner monologues. 
    Ranch Water
    3 oz. blanco tequila1 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice (about 1 shot)Topo Chico, chilledFresh lime wedge for garnishAdd ice to your favorite glass, and pour in tequila and lime juice. Top of with Topo Chico, and garnish with a wedge a lime.Relevant Sources:
    Budget ProjectionsSenate Passes $1.2 T PackageMTG's Measure to Oust Mike JohnsonPride Flags Banned at US Embassies NYC Squatter Rights are Most LenientBill Filled to Prevent Squatter RightsSquatters Rights Violates the Takers ClauseHome Owner Arrested for Trying to Remove Squatters“Is it time for a more subtle view on the ultimate taboo: cannibalism?”Do you have an inner monologue?


    Remember, always drink responsibly and cheers to a fulfilled life with all its beauty!
    Follow the hosts on Twitter:
    Torna: @Mtn_TornaKat: @KatJDwyerConnect with the Whiskey Bench on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, all at @whiskeybenchpod. Or shoot us an email at whiskeybenchpod@gmail.com.
    Thank you to Reagan James for use of our theme music, The Habit, off her album, Message. Follow her work on Spotify and Apple Music!
    The Whiskey Bench is a proud founding member of the Highline Media Network, a collective of artist owned podcasts by normal people in normal places. Learn more at www.highline.network. 

    • 1 hr 35 min
    #83 Singapore Sling + Transgender Healthcare, Hate Speech Laws, and Migration

    #83 Singapore Sling + Transgender Healthcare, Hate Speech Laws, and Migration

    Join the Whiskey Bench for a casual session of talking shop. Kat and Stephen riff about "new" information revealing some shady dealings surrounding transsexual "healthcare", a movement in the west seeking to undermine freedom of speech, migration, state of the union, and a handful of rants the round it off.
    Singapore Sling
    1 ½ ounces gin ½ ounce cherry brandy¼ ounce Cointreau¼ ounce Bénédictine4 ounces fresh pineapple juice½ ounce fresh lime juice⅓ ounce grenadinefew dashes of Angostura bittersOptional: Slice of pineapple or maraschino cherry, for garnishShake all ingredients and serve in your favorite glass garnished with a lemon peel.
    Relevant Sources:
    Uncertainty in Transgender CareConcerns about Risks of Child TransitionNew Hate Speech Laws in the WestPunishment for Potential CrimesIrish Hate Speech BillElon Musk, Donald Trump Jr and the Irish Hate Speech RowPolice Hunting "gender-critical women"Chinese Migrants and the Southern BorderChinese Fastest Growing Group Crossing Mex-USA BorderLaken Riley Murder


    Remember, always drink responsibly and cheers to a fulfilled life with all its beauty!
    Follow the hosts on Twitter:
    Torna: @Mtn_TornaKat: @KatJDwyerConnect with the Whiskey Bench on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, all at @whiskeybenchpod. Or shoot us an email at whiskeybenchpod@gmail.com.
    Thank you to Reagan James for use of our theme music, The Habit, off her album, Message. Follow her work on Spotify and Apple Music!
    The Whiskey Bench is a proud founding member of the Highline Media Network, a collective of artist owned podcasts by normal people in normal places. Learn more at www.highline.network. 

    • 1 hr 36 min
    #82 Whiskey Bench is so Back

    #82 Whiskey Bench is so Back

    Join the Whiskey Bench for its 2024 kickoff. After a hiatus of nearly 8 months, Kat and Stephen are back! This episode is all about talking shop, and catching up.
    Gin Blossom
    2 oz ginhalf a lemon1/2 oz Lillet Blanc1/4 oz St. GermainShake all ingredients and serve in your favorite glass garnished with a lemon peel.

    Remember, always drink responsibly and cheers to a fulfilled life with all its beauty!
    Follow the hosts on Twitter:
    Torna: @Mtn_TornaKat: @KatJDwyerConnect with the Whiskey Bench on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, all at @whiskeybenchpod. Or shoot us an email at whiskeybenchpod@gmail.com.
    Thank you to Reagan James for use of our theme music, The Habit, off her album, Message. Follow her work on Spotify and Apple Music!
    The Whiskey Bench is a proud founding member of the Highline Media Network, a collective of artist owned podcasts by normal people in normal places. Learn more at www.highline.network. 

    • 1 hr 30 min
    #81 News and Brews: Killer AI Drone + Wuhan Leak

    #81 News and Brews: Killer AI Drone + Wuhan Leak

    Join the Whiskey Bench for a discussion for a well overdue episode of news and brews. Kat and Stephen have vanished off the face of the earth the last couple months, but are making a comeback. Tune in to hear about rogue AI drones killing their operators to complete their preferred tasks, breaking news (3 years old...) about how the Wuhan lab leak theory is in fact real and not racists, and how nuclear weapons need to be more gay.

    Shorts Brewery: Hopstache
    Relevant Sources
    Amazon Shuts Down Smart Home for False Accusations A Tale of Unwanted Disruption: My Week Without AmazonAir Force's Story of Killer AI DroneHighlights from RAeS Summit National AI Research and Development Strategic Plan 2023

    Remember, always drink responsibly and cheers to a fulfilled life with all its beauty!
    Follow the hosts on Twitter:
    Torna: @Mtn_TornaKat: @KatJDwyerConnect with the Whiskey Bench on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, all at @whiskeybenchpod. Or shoot us an email at whiskeybenchpod@gmail.com.
    Thank you to Reagan James for use of our theme music, The Habit, off her album, Message. Follow her work on Spotify and Apple Music!
    The Whiskey Bench is a proud founding member of the Highline Media Network, a collective of artist owned podcasts by normal people in normal places. Learn more at www.highline.network. 

    • 1 hr 2 min
    #80 Irish Maid + SVB Collapse

    #80 Irish Maid + SVB Collapse

    Join the Whiskey Bench for a discussion about the SVB collapse. Kat and Stephen dive into fractional reserve banking, bonds, inflation, and alternatives to the current system. Is this collapse as big a deal as people are making it out to be? What are the side effects of bailing out these banks? The Bench gets into all this and more.

    Irish Maid2oz Irish Whiskey3/4 oz lemon juice1/2 oz St. GermainecucumberMuddle cucumber in shaker and add ingredients. Shake with ice and strain into desired cup. Garnish with cucumber slice and enjoy.
    Relevant Sources
    Failure of Fractional Reserve BankingSilicon Valley Bank DrownedBank Blame Game IntensifiesKhan Academy Fractional Reserve BankingKhan Academy BondsSVB and the Fed

    Remember, always drink responsibly and cheers to a fulfilled life with all its beauty!
    Follow the hosts on Twitter:
    Torna: @Mtn_TornaKat: @KatJDwyerConnect with the Whiskey Bench on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, all at @whiskeybenchpod. Or shoot us an email at whiskeybenchpod@gmail.com.
    Thank you to Reagan James for use of our theme music, The Habit, off her album, Message. Follow her work on Spotify and Apple Music!
    The Whiskey Bench is a proud founding member of the Highline Media Network, a collective of artist owned podcasts by normal people in normal places. Learn more at www.highline.network. 

    • 1 hr 29 min
    #79 News and Brews: COVID Research + Norfolk Southern

    #79 News and Brews: COVID Research + Norfolk Southern

    Join the Whiskey Bench for another episode of News and Brews. It's not the first time Kat and Torna have talked about COVID, and it won't be the last. For years countless credible doctor, institution, and individuals had been arguing that natural immunity was robust, and masks were not as effective as gov. officials were leading you to believe. As more and more data are being released the public, the mainstream views on masking and natural immunity are shifting. The once conspirators are proved right again. The Bench also goes down the rabbit hole of Norfolk Southern after the events in East Palestine, OH. Torna follows the money, and dives into the mindboggling connection between Norfolk, Blackrock, Vanguard, US Gov, Ukraine, and media.  Beer of the Week: New Hokkaido Yamabiko Rice LagerRelevant Link:
    Masks Did NothingMask Study CochraneNatural ImmunityPast Infection Protection Against Re-infectionBiden Admin Negotiates with WHOWHO Zero Draft Norfolk Donates $1.1 millionUnions Leverage for Sick Leave After AccidentNorfolk Disaster Could Happen AgainHow Blackrock Shapes Your LifeZelensky Meet with CEO of BlackrockRemember, always drink responsibly and cheers to a fulfilled life with all its beauty!
    Follow the hosts on Twitter:
    Torna: @Mtn_TornaKat: @KatJDwyerConnect with the Whiskey Bench on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, all at @whiskeybenchpod. Or shoot us an email at whiskeybenchpod@gmail.com.
    Thank you to Reagan James for use of our theme music, The Habit, off her album, Message. Follow her work on Spotify and Apple Music!

    • 1 hr 43 min

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