The Open Tabs Podcast

The Open Tabs Podcast

Ctrl + Alt + Discuss. The Open Tabs Podcast is what happens when two friends sit down with zero structure and way too many opinions. Billy and Joe bounce between tech, trending topics, millennial life, pop culture, and whatever tab their brains click on next. Think late-night conversations, mild existential crises, and dad jokes that probably should’ve stayed in draft mode. If your brain has 37 tabs open at all times… you’re in the right place. New episodes every week. Keep the tab open.

  1. Jul 27

    Technology Was Supposed to Make Life Easier. What Happened? | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 24

    Technology was supposed to make life faster, easier, and more convenient. So why does parking require an app, ordering lunch require an account, and watching television cost as much as cable again? In Episode 24 of the Open Tabs Podcast, Billy and Joe discuss restaurant loyalty apps, QR-code menus, streaming subscriptions, digital tickets, smart-home devices, smartphones, AI, and all the modern conveniences they complain about but could never surrender. They also settle some important debates in “Old Way or New Way?” and confess which supposedly toxic modern habits they secretly enjoy. What was supposed to make your life easier but somehow made it worse? Tell us in the comments. Visit the Open Tabs Podcast: https://opentabspc.com #OpenTabsPodcast #Technology #ModernLife CHAPTERS 00:00 QR Code Menu or Printed Menu? 00:34 Technology Was Supposed to Make Life Easier 03:08 What Technology Has Actually Improved 07:00 When Technology Creates More Problems 08:07 Did Streaming Just Become Cable Again? 13:35 Technology That Creates More Work 13:59 Restaurant Apps and Loyalty Programs 17:52 Ticketmaster and Digital Tickets 20:07 Why Does Everything Need an App? 22:17 Paying More to Avoid Advertisements 25:54 Old Way or New Way? 30:37 Smart Homes and Smartphones 31:56 Joe Brings Back the Home Intercom 35:07 Billy’s Walkie-Talkie Obsession 38:00 How Technology Is Affecting Children 43:08 Smartphones as Social Pacifiers 51:08 Modern Conveniences We Couldn’t Lose 54:00 Letting AI Make Your Phone Calls 57:00 Toxic Modern Habits We Secretly Love 59:24 My Phone Is for My Convenience 1:00:39 When Is Using AI Going Too Far? 1:04:12 Delete One Modern Technology 1:10:31 What Made Your Life Harder? REFERENCES https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67005

    Technology Was Supposed to Make Life Easier. What Happened? | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 24

  2. Jul 21

    New Job, Tomorrowland Vegas & Atlanta’s World Cup Report Card | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 23

    Joe shares the big news: after a layoff, he landed a new role he’s genuinely excited about. Then Joe and Billy break down the hiring-process green, yellow, and red flags that can tell you plenty about a company before day one. Also on this episode: a very fake weight-loss sponsor, a possible Tomorrowland expansion to Las Vegas in 2027, and whether Atlanta—and MARTA—passed the World Cup hosting test. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Episode 23 01:40 Camping, 5Ks, kayaking & staying active 06:18 Joe’s big job news 18:12 Hiring green, yellow & red flags 23:58 Fake sponsor: Fridge Recruiter 25:00 Tomorrowland may be coming to Las Vegas 33:43 Could we survive a three-day music festival? 39:51 Did Atlanta pass the World Cup test? 41:31 MARTA’s huge ridership numbers 43:34 Did the World Cup change our minds about soccer? 48:21 Atlanta and MARTA’s report cards 51:32 Our most memorable World Cup moments 1:00:16 Would we go to an Atlanta soccer match? 1:00:53 Dragon Con, Atlanta, and closing thoughts What hiring red flags have you seen? And would you travel to Las Vegas for Tomorrowland? Drop your thoughts in the comments. #OpenTabsPodcast #Podcast #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #Hiring #Tomorrowland #TomorrowlandVegas #EDM #MusicFestival #LasVegas #Atlanta #WorldCup #MARTA #Soccer #AtlantaUnited #DragonCon #Georgia RESEARCH SOURCES Tomorrowland Las Vegas reporting: https://www.beatportal.com/articles/1517126-tomorrowland-teases-2027-las-vegas-event World Cup final recap: https://apnews.com/article/4a3a8c93c0b21c1db866f7bd857f1c32 MARTA World Cup report: https://itsmarta.com/marta-safely-moves-millions.aspx

    New Job, Tomorrowland Vegas & Atlanta’s World Cup Report Card | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 23

  3. Jul 14

    Two Introverts Walk Into a Podcast… | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 22

    Would you rather speak to 1,000 people from a stage—or make small talk with 20 strangers at a barbecue? Billy and Joe both chose the stage. In Episode 22, two self-described introverts explore what introversion actually means, why it isn’t the same as shyness or social anxiety, and where “ambiverts” fit into the equation. They compare social batteries, recovery time, work conferences, unexpected grocery-store encounters, solo travel, remote work and the strange comfort that comes from having an assigned role at a social event. Billy shares how volunteering completely transformed an intimidating singles gathering, while Joe reveals why filming wedding B-roll provides the perfect excuse to briefly disappear. They also discuss practicing social skills, finding the balance between solitude and isolation, and why enjoying people doesn’t mean wanting unlimited access to them. Plus: an introvert rapid-fire round covering texts versus calls, concerts versus house parties, solo vacations, Irish goodbyes and strangers at the door. Where do you fall: introvert, extrovert or ambivert? And which would you choose—1,000 people from a stage or small talk with 20 strangers? 🌐 Learn more about the show: https://opentabspc.com Subscribe, leave a comment and join Billy and Joe for two friends, zero structure and way too many open tabs. Chapters: 00:00 1,000 People or 20 Strangers? 01:20 Two Introverts Walk Into a Podcast 03:33 What Introversion Actually Means 05:38 Introversion vs. Shyness and Social Anxiety 07:34 Do We Become More Introverted With Age? 12:50 Introvert, Extrovert, or Ambivert? 13:08 The Wedding Test 16:09 Billy’s Singles-Group Story 19:45 Volunteering at Dragon Con? 20:12 The Work Conference Dilemma 23:30 Can Social Skills Be Practiced? 30:05 Avoiding People at the Grocery Store 35:52 Five Seconds of Fear or a Lifetime of Regret 38:08 Paying the Social Battery Bill 40:38 How Work Drains Introverts 43:02 Remote Work, Isolation, and Finding Balance 46:59 Introvert Rapid Fire 51:39 What We Love About Being Introverts 53:48 We Like People in Manageable Doses #Introvert #SocialBattery #OpenTabsPodcast

    Two Introverts Walk Into a Podcast… | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 22

  4. Jul 7

    AI Wrote Our New Theme Song... and It's Actually Good?! | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 21

    Joe shares the personal story of recently being laid off and what he's learned about faith, careers, leadership, and preparing for the unexpected. Then we shift gears and do something completely ridiculous... We challenge AI to write a brand-new hip-hop theme song for the Open Tabs Podcast—and honestly... it's way better than either of us expected. Along the way we talk Fourth of July traditions, Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race, AI creativity, reality TV, foldable phones, pineapple on pizza, and bring back one of our favorite fake sponsors. If your brain has 37 tabs open at all times... you're in the right place. 👍 Like the video 💬 Tell us: Would you actually listen to an AI-generated song? 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode. New episodes every week. Ctrl + Alt + Discuss. Chapters00:00 Welcome & Fourth of July Weekend 04:20 Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race & Night Nation Run 09:30 Joe Opens Up About Being Laid Off 31:05 Faith, Careers & Preparing for the Unexpected 39:20 Can AI Really Make Good Music? 42:15 Creating an AI Theme Song Live 48:10 Open Tab or Closed Tab? 57:00 Listening to Our New AI Theme Song 1:00:50 Fake Sponsor: LinkedIn Premium 1:02:20 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

    AI Wrote Our New Theme Song... and It's Actually Good?! | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 21

  5. Jun 30

    The Truth About Side Hustles: What Actually Worked (And What Failed) | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 20

    Everybody online seems to have a side hustle making thousands of dollars a month... so why does it feel so much harder in real life? In Episode 20 of the Open Tabs Podcast, Billy and Joe share their honest experiences trying everything from Uber, Lyft, Turo, ACX audiobook narration, YouTube, Facebook Marketplace ideas, consulting, candle making, and more. Some ideas worked. Some failed spectacularly. Others taught valuable lessons without making a dime. We also dive into: • Why social media makes side hustles look easier than they really are • Hidden startup costs nobody talks about • Whether hobbies should stay hobbies • Creative side hustle ideas you've probably never considered • What we'd actually do if we needed an extra $1,000 a month today Whether you're looking for extra income or just curious about the reality behind the hype, this episode is an honest conversation about trying, failing, learning, and finding opportunities. We'd love to hear from you: What's the best side hustle you've ever had? Leave a comment and let us know! 🎧 New episodes every Monday. Connect with us: 🌐 https://opentabspc.com 📧 connect@opentabspc.com Chapters 00:00 Welcome! Are Side Hustles Really Worth It? 02:20 My First Side Hustles: Golf Balls, Candy & eBay 05:00 Uber & Lyft: When the Gig Economy Actually Paid 11:00 Why Gig Apps Aren't What They Used To Be 17:20 Turo: Airbnb for Cars... What Could Go Wrong? 26:35 ACX Audiobook Narration: 21 Auditions, Zero Jobs 30:00 The Hidden Cost of Creative Side Hustles 32:00 Should You Turn Your Hobby Into a Business? 32:45 The $9,000 Candle Hobby 40:30 The Most Creative Side Hustles We've Seen 49:30 If We Needed $1,000 This Month... 54:05 Side Hustle Myths Nobody Talks About 56:45 Does Every Hobby Need to Make Money? 1:00:15 Rapid Fire: Side Hustle Edition 1:02:30 Why Taco Mac Doesn't Sell Tacos 1:03:50 Final Thoughts #SideHustles #PassiveIncome #Entrepreneur #GigEconomy #OpenTabsPodcast

    The Truth About Side Hustles: What Actually Worked (And What Failed) | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 20

  6. Jun 22

    Why Americans Love Driving | Road Trips, RVs & the Open Road | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 19

    Why do Americans love driving so much? This week on Open Tabs, Billy and Joe dive into America's obsession with road trips, RVs, road-trip memories, and the freedom of the open road. Joe shares his experience as an RV owner during the COVID travel boom, while Billy compares van life, international travel, trains, and life on the road. They debate driving vs flying, explore whether high-speed rail could ever work in America, discuss the future of personal flying vehicles, and share some hilarious rapid-fire travel takes. Whether you're a road-trip veteran, an RV enthusiast, or someone who'd rather fly than spend 10 hours behind the wheel, this episode is packed with stories, travel debates, and plenty of laughs. 🎙️ Open Tabs Podcast — Ctrl + Alt + Discuss Chapters00:00 - Welcome & The RV Boom During COVID 01:40 - What Exactly Counts as an RV? 03:15 - Joe's RV Ownership Journey 05:50 - The Hidden Costs of RV Life 08:30 - RVs vs Hotels, Airbnb & Camping 11:30 - Why Americans Love Driving 13:00 - Europe vs America: Different Ways to Travel 17:20 - How Far Is Too Far to Drive? 21:10 - Joe's 29-Hour Cross-Country Road Trip 24:00 - Why Road Trips Build Relationships 27:30 - Billy & Joe's Birmingham Road Trip Memory 29:15 - Hidden Gems Along America's Highways 33:20 - Dream Two-Week Road Trips 37:15 - Are RVs Losing Popularity? 38:00 - Why America Is Behind on High-Speed Rail 43:40 - The Future of Transportation & Flying Cars 49:50 - Why Americans Prefer Being in Control 54:00 - Rapid Fire Travel Takes 01:01:00 - Final Thoughts & Closing

    Why Americans Love Driving | Road Trips, RVs & the Open Road | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 19

  7. Jun 15

    Is Atlanta Ready for the World Cup? | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 18

    Atlanta is hosting the world this week—and we’re asking the uncomfortable question: are we actually ready? In this episode, Billy and Joe dive into what visitors will notice when they land at Hartsfield‑Jackson, from the sheer size of America to Atlanta’s car‑first culture and the much‑debated MARTA transit system. We talk about recent crime headlines on MARTA, new multi‑million‑dollar security measures, and the long‑overdue upgrade to Atlanta’s train fleet—including open‑gangway cars, charging ports, and better luggage and bike space. Then we zoom out: why do Americans love driving so much, why is public transit so hard to get right in a spread‑out Southern city, and what would it take for Atlanta to feel like Barcelona or London on rails? It’s not all doom and gloom—we also give Atlanta its flowers. We get into Southern hospitality, the BeltLine, the “Hollywood of the South” film boom, the civil‑rights legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the city’s insanely underrated food scene (barbecue, Waffle House, Truett’s, ramen, fusion spots, and more), and what locals totally take for granted. Finally, Billy closes with a reminder about Georgia’s local elections, why city and state races matter so much to your daily life, and why you can’t complain if you don’t vote. Chapters00:00 Welcome to Episode 18 01:10 Atlanta Hosts the World Cup 02:20 What Surprises International Visitors About America? 06:00 Why Americans Love Cars 11:00 Atlanta's Transportation Challenge 13:30 MARTA Safety Concerns & Federal Investigation 19:20 MARTA's New Train Cars 24:20 Can Atlanta Transit Keep Up With Growth? 30:40 Is Atlanta Ready For The World Stage? 31:20 What Atlanta Should Be Known For 34:40 Atlanta's Food Scene & Southern Hospitality 36:00 Coca-Cola, Civil Rights & Atlanta History 38:10 What Atlantans Take For Granted 45:00 Best Foods To Try In Georgia 49:30 The Atlanta BeltLine 53:00 Georgia Election Day Reminder 54:10 Closing Thoughts 🎙️ Open Tabs Podcast Two friends. Infinite tabs. Zero agenda. If your brain always has 37 tabs open, you're in the right place. 🔗 Watch on YouTube and follow the show: Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opentabspcListen on Spotify / Apple / And many othershttps://opentabspodcast.riverside.com/ Connect with us on social: https://www.facebook.com/opentabspc https://www.instagram.com/opentabspc New episodes of Open Tabs every Monday from Atlanta, Georgia. #Atlanta #WorldCup #MARTA #OpenTabsPodcast

    Is Atlanta Ready for the World Cup? | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 18

  8. Jun 8

    Why Friendship Gets Harder As You Get Older | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 17

    For the first time ever, Billy and Joe are recording the Open Tabs Podcast in the same room—and what starts as a conversation about getting older turns into a surprisingly deep discussion about friendship, vulnerability, mental health, and why so many of us still don't feel like real adults. Why do friendships become harder to maintain as we age? Why does losing a close friend feel like grief? And why do so many people in their 40s still feel like they're just pretending to have life figured out? Along the way, Billy shares his experiences with depression and finding community through mental health treatment, while Joe reflects on parenting teenagers, vulnerability, and the importance of investing in relationships that truly matter. Whether you're navigating adulthood, struggling with loneliness, or wondering if everyone else has life figured out (spoiler: they don't), this episode is for you. Chapters00:00 – First In-Person Recording & Looking Older 02:15 – Feeling Like You're Still a Kid 06:00 – Friendships Across Different Life Stages 09:10 – Losing Friends & Being Ghosted 15:40 – Why Vulnerability Is Worth the Risk 20:00 – The Friends You Can Always Count On 22:45 – Why Adulting Never Gets Easier 27:15 – Finding Friendship Through Mental Health Struggles 32:00 – Depression, Stigma & Oversharing 36:10 – Trauma Bonds vs. Healthy Relationships 40:30 – Final Thoughts on Grace, Acceptance & Connection

    Why Friendship Gets Harder As You Get Older | Open Tabs Podcast Ep. 17
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About

Ctrl + Alt + Discuss. The Open Tabs Podcast is what happens when two friends sit down with zero structure and way too many opinions. Billy and Joe bounce between tech, trending topics, millennial life, pop culture, and whatever tab their brains click on next. Think late-night conversations, mild existential crises, and dad jokes that probably should’ve stayed in draft mode. If your brain has 37 tabs open at all times… you’re in the right place. New episodes every week. Keep the tab open.

Information

  • Creator
    The Open Tabs Podcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Open Tabs Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Open Tabs Podcast