We're Still Trying

About We're Still Trying

Join Zachary, Joe, and occasional guests for discussions on music, tech, personality, philosophy, and whatever else is on our minds.

Publisher

Joe Durnil, Zachary Todd

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jan 2024

Latest episode

30 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Jan 2026

   15: All of These Clamoring Fans

   After an extended break, we’re back for a reunion episode featuring a very special engagement, what we’re reading and learning about, six seven is unavoidable, and You Need a Budget. If you sign up using this link (https://ynab.com/referral/?ref=GNOdoU3IGWbUSbRZ&sponsor%5C_name=Zachary&utm%5C_source=customer%5C_referral), both you and Zachary get an extra free month of YNAB. Rejected Title Ideas: One of Us Has Changed a Lot I Don’t Know, I Just Post Things All the Haters From Seventh Grade Engagement Is Awesome Mallory Was in the Woods Waiting 2,500 Photos on the Frame An Ugly Version of Autumn Is There No Respite From the Six Seven? Your Foot’s First Line of Defense This Is Not Tax Advice

2. 

   23 Sept 2025

   Announcement: Currently on Hiatus

   Hello listeners, Zachary here. To our loyal listeners, I wanted to provide a brief update on the status of the show. It’s fair to say that our podcast episodes have been somewhat… infrequent. And with Joe’s recent move, scheduling and coordinating new episodes is now even more complicated. So I’d like to announce an undefined hiatus. We’ll be on a break until further notice — but who knows, maybe one of these days we’ll sit down to record again. In the meantime, maybe re-listen to all the old episodes, to take a little trip down memory lane. There are some good ones in there. In any case, we appreciate you, dear listener — because after all, you are the ones that make the show possible. Thanks for listening.

3. 

   13 Aug 2025

   14: I Prefer "Funemployed"

   Say that again.

4. 

   26 Mar 2025

   13: Zachary Math

   What mental gymnastics do we use when thinking about money?

5. 

   10 Dec 2024

   11: In Return, You're a Loser

   Host Lex Fridman explores the intersection of art and tech with a panel featuring the creators of Over the Garden Wall, discussing the mysterious series' themes and the future of AI.

6. 

   9 Oct 2024

   10: It Actually Used to Snow More

   What would it be like to live like a monk? Links and Show Notes: Space Jam (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Jam) DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuckTales_the_Movie:_Treasure_of_the_Lost_Lamp) The Brave Little Toaster (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brave_Little_Toaster) Baby Looney Tunes (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Looney_Tunes) Toyota Tacoma (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Tacoma) Older (and Wiser) - Album by Lizzy McAlpine (https://open.spotify.com/album/0jw9gOg8M1Ve6KpP4Iu7XF) indigo by Lizzy McAlpine (https://soundcloud.com/lizzymcalpine/sets/indigo) five seconds flat - Album by Lizzy McAlpine (https://open.spotify.com/album/5u8SP8bbxcA7zJoAusBfgc) F-1 Trillion: Long Bed - Album by Post Malone (https://open.spotify.com/album/4f2G7uAWqzpOPwEfCDV87A) Minecraft - Volume Alpha - Album by C418 (https://open.spotify.com/album/3Gt7rOjcZQoHCfnKl5AkK7) Jack Johnson And Friends: Sing-A-Longs And Lullabies For The Film Curious George - Album by Jack Johnson (https://open.spotify.com/album/3Jl7i9Vo0Ht4co9SqTFjQy) Curious George goes to prison (https://exampleschildrensbooks.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/george-prison1.jpg?w=610&h=477) Band | Dawson Hollow (https://www.dawsonhollow.com/) Foundations (Live) - Album by Worship Circle (https://open.spotify.com/album/2H9YBuJAzUQPraDEHN5F1o) Worship Circle FOUNDATIONS | LIVE Full Recording (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rtGDyiFzYE) God Has a Name (https://www.amazon.com/God-Name-John-Mark-Comer/dp/0310344204) Exodus 34:5-7 NIV - Then the LORD came down in the cloud - Bible Gateway (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2034%3A5-7&version=NIV) My new book: Slow Productivity - Cal Newport (https://calnewport.com/my-new-book-slow-productivity/) The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks (https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Fathers-Sayings-Christian-Classics/dp/0140447318) Walden (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden) The Light Phone (https://www.thelightphone.com/) Mepkin Abbey (https://mepkinabbey.org/) The great Fruit of the Loom logo mystery is solved (https://www.fastcompany.com/91056449/the-great-fruit-of-the-loom-logo-mystery-is-solved) False memory (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_memory#Mandela_effect) Over the Garden Wall (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_Garden_Wall) Martin Freeman (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Freeman) When Breath Becomes Air (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Breath_Becomes_Air)

7. 

   28 Aug 2024

   9: A Minefield of Memories

   R.I.P. Taco Bell. Links and Show Notes: What is GTD - Getting Things Done® (https://gettingthingsdone.com/what-is-gtd/) Use Reminders on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (https://support.apple.com/en-us/102484) Matthew 5:37 NIV - All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ - Bible Gateway (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A37&version=NIV) Hypnagogia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnagogia) Encounter — CSF Indiana University (https://www.csfindiana.org/encounter) Fillmore | Pixar Wiki | Fandom (https://pixar.fandom.com/wiki/Fillmore) ezh2o Bottle Filling Stations, In Wall, Outdoor | Elkay (https://www.elkay.com/us/en/drinking-water/bottle-filling-stations.html) Jeff A. Huston* : Bill C. Brown Associates (https://www.billcbrown.com/index.php?pageId=agentdirectory&mode=mod_md&action=display_detail&md_id=6) Gold standard (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_standard) Money’s Mostly Digital, So Why Is Moving It So Hard? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xzINLykprA) I shift into neutral to save gas. Am I killing my transmission? : Cartalk (https://old.reddit.com/r/Cartalk/comments/z03k8/i_shift_into_neutral_to_save_gas_am_i_killing_my/) Does Muscle Turn to Fat When You Skip Workouts? | Piedmont Healthcare (https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/does-muscle-turn-to-fat-when-you-skip-workouts#:~:text=A%20common%20misconception%20is%20that,orange%20turning%20into%20an%20apple.) Furniture Give-Away (https://www.myfga.org/) Worship Patches and Templates - Sunday Sounds (https://sundaysounds.com/) Dead Poets Society (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Poets_Society) The Tortured Poets Department (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tortured_Poets_Department) F-1 Trillion (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-1_Trillion) Telos (Zedd album) (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telos_(Zedd_album)) Infinite Health | Tycho (https://tycho.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-health) Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden - Valley (https://shopus.thisisvalley.com/products/water-the-flowers-pray-for-a-garden-limited-edition-water-colour-vinyl) The 20/20 Experience (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_20/20_Experience) twenty one pilots: Car Radio [OFFICIAL VIDEO] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92XVwY54h5k) Property owner to demolish KFC, Taco Bell on Third Street - Indiana Daily Student (https://www.idsnews.com/article/2023/08/property-owner-demolish-kfc-taco-bell-third-street-bloomington) Where Is Everybody? (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Is_Everybody%3F) 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%204%3A11-12&version=NIV)

8. 

   31 Jul 2024

   8: "I See Stuff Grandma!"

   What freaked us out as a kid? Links and Show Notes: No Good Deed (From "Wicked" Original Broadway Cast Recording/2003) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tht1OfDpnA0) The Wizard And I (From "Wicked" Original Broadway Cast Recording/2003) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds0eBEJtPhU) Dancing Through Life (From "Wicked" Original Broadway Cast Recording/2003 / Audio) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnIjnMDY5-c) For Good (From "Wicked" Original Broadway Cast Recording/2003) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8YMfgu92hQ) Defying Gravity (Dance Mix) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwK40XAN7CM) Wonderful - Wicked The Musical - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96P47MYipmY) Jonathan camey - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@Jonathancameymusic/videos) Abel Orta Jr. - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@AbelOrtaJr/videos) Multiplication Effect – Multiply Group (https://multiply-group.myshopify.com/products/multiplication-effect) Watch The Secrets of Hillsong Streaming Online | Hulu (Free Trial) (https://www.hulu.com/series/the-secrets-of-hillsong-41cb2b50-df48-485c-8963-0aafca4a8601) Liquid I.V. (https://www.liquid-iv.com/) How to Inspect and Buy A Used Car - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvKbarVtwhUv6bjLhJSyaEOxaYy03j7QS) How to Clean Out the ENTIRE Fuel System (Vandalized with Sugar in Gas Tank) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRM-n15tuXs) 2048 (https://play2048.co/) Dots (video game) - Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dots_(video_game)) Froggy Jump on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/froggy-jump/id364355046) Jetpack Joyride on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/jetpack-joyride/id457446957) Fruit Ninja® on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fruit-ninja/id403858572) Where's My Water? on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wheres-my-water/id449735650) Cut the Rope Remastered on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cut-the-rope-remastered/id1524615151) Ballz on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ballz/id1139609950) Coin Doubler | Jetpack Joyride Wiki | Fandom (https://jetpackjoyride.fandom.com/wiki/Coin_Doubler) AdVenture Capitalist on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adventure-capitalist/id927006017) Smash Hit on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smash-hit/id603527166) Inside Out 2 | Official Trailer - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEjhY15eCx0) Tell Me Why The Stars Do Shine Sing along with lyrics - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrfSMm1BcOQ)

9. 

   19 Jun 2024

   7: Ya Just Gotta Find That Balance

   "I’m learning how to budget my time in such a way that I can do things I enjoy well." Links and Show Notes: British people when the temperature hits the high 70's (https://preview.redd.it/rq7hg7kso47d1.jpeg?width=666&auto=webp&s=5977f22309bac064fa269e19938504ff53a35e41) How Air Conditioning Works (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVo0GuNm3Ek) Black box (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_box) ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.com/) That one scene from the Matrix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCZBY7a8kqE) The Last Five Years (film) (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Five_Years_(film)) I'm still...hurting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpI_Y0ZGkk8) Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus, Become Like Him, Do As He Did by John Mark Comer (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/83817455-practicing-the-way) Rob Bell (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Bell) Traction by Gino Wickman - Get a Grip on Your Business (https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book) 9Marks Online Bookstore (https://9marks.myshopify.com/) The Simple Path to Wealth (https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Path-Wealth-financial-independence/dp/1533667926) List of Pixar films (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pixar_films) The torn picture from Encanto (https://preview.redd.it/81kevj9y7z161.png?width=1024&auto=webp&s=0fb2c6d83bd971d91e7fdcace18ff1f219eca0f9) Zachary's favorite part of Cars 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi_kDT5L5s4) List of Walt Disney Animation Studios films (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Walt_Disney_Animation_Studios_films) List of Pixar films - Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pixar_films) Starlite Drive-In of Bloomington (http://www.starlitebloomington.com/) Toyota Previa (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Previa) Proverbs 26:4-5 NIV (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2026%3A4-5&version=NIV)

10. 

    31 May 2024

    6: I’m Just a Guy Trying to Get By

    There was no sink in the bathroom…0/10 stars. Links and Show Notes: USA Anthem but with gunshots, explosions, and eagle screeches (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ5khClAFIo) Sherbet (frozen dessert) (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherbet_(frozen_dessert)) Bloomington, Indiana Population 2024 (https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/bloomington-in-population) Salem Indiana (https://www.cityofsalemin.com/) El Maguey Mexican Restaurant (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g37503-d899084-Reviews-El_Maguey_Mexican_Restaurant-Salem_Indiana.html) "The biggest complaint we had with our visit was the state of the bathrooms in the bar area. Neither the men’s nor the women’s bathroom had sinks to wash our hands, or any means to clean them whatsoever. We also noticed two servers come out of those bathrooms, and we wondered (hoped!) they washed their hands somewhere in the restaurant. Very disappointed with our visit today, hopefully they will get the help they need to serve people properly...and put some sinks in the bathrooms!" WonderLab Ball Machine (https://wonderlab.org/maximum-effort-minimal-results/) Rogue Amoeba | Audio Hijack: Record Any Audio on MacOS (https://rogueamoeba.com/audiohijack/) Apple's first app subscription is here and now we'll be paying for our devices forever | Macworld (https://www.macworld.com/article/1815097/final-cut-logic-pro-subscription-mac-iphone.html) The redesigned iPad Air and new iPad Pro are available today - Apple (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/05/the-redesigned-ipad-air-and-new-ipad-pro-are-available-today/) Foley (filmmaking) (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_(filmmaking)) "Free" music composition and notation software | MuseScore (https://musescore.org/en) EveryDollar - Ramsey (https://www.ramseysolutions.com/ramseyplus/everydollar) Affinity – Purchase options and pricing (https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/affinity-pricing/) Procreate® – The most powerful and intuitive digital illustration app available for iPad. (https://procreate.com/procreate) Coin Doubler | Jetpack Joyride Wiki | Fandom (https://jetpackjoyride.fandom.com/wiki/Coin_Doubler) Meal Deals | Wendy's (https://www.wendys.com/mealdeals) ALDI doesn't take phone calls (https://help.aldi.us/s/article/ALDI-Store-Phone-Number) "Everything we do is to save our shoppers money on the food and products they want most. Rather than hire extra staff to answer phones and retrieve carts, our employees stay focused on serving our shoppers in stores. This saves us money, but more importantly we pass those savings on to our customers. Our website has information about our store locations and hours, current and upcoming ALDI Finds, answers to your frequently asked questions (FAQs)." Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear (https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits) The Last Five Years (film) (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Five_Years_(film)) Lizzy McAlpine - The new album 'Older' is out now (https://www.lizzymcalpine.com/) Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus, Become Like Him, Do As He Did by John Mark Comer | Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/83817455-practicing-the-way) 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%204%3A11-12&version=NIV) "11 ...and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." Master Oogway - Finally inner peace - meme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCBB54F77Ec) The Light Phone (https://www.thelightphone.com/)

11. 

    29 Apr 2024

    5: Itch the Scratch

    How many gallons to the mile do you get?

12. 

    25 Mar 2024

    4: The Soundtrack of My Life

    Don't buy a pickup truck.

13. 

    22 Feb 2024

    3: The Redemption Episode

    Featuring special guest: Carter Todd.

14. 

    29 Jan 2024

    12: Are We Just Babies?

    Tesla, taxes, and getting lost in the woods.

15. 

    22 Jan 2024

    2: The Good Type of Cringy

    Who is Dale's dad? Links and Show Notes: Police respond after teens enter closed AMC theater in Bloomington (https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/crime/2024/01/05/police-respond-after-teens-enter-closed-amc-theater-in-bloomington/72101312007/) I flew to Detroit to track down a Game Boy thief (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpPfCLjFVyo) Quittin' Time by Morgan Wallen (https://song.link/i/1540316732) Making Sense of God; Timothy Keller (https://timothykeller.com/books/making-sense-of-god)

16. 

    1 Jan 2024

    1: Cautiously Optimistic

    We're back!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

1,093,076

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

18

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

27

Contact We're Still Trying

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.