https://catharticyardstick.com https://catharticyardstick.com/flyingcheeselogo.png https://catharticyardstick.com en-us © Ray and Mark Conceived in a dream and fueled by an endless fascination in the great human experiment that is life on earth, we bring you the Cathartic Yardstick Podcast. These are the random musings of two old guys and one-time college roommates who find themselves in similar existential states after following different career paths. It is about the conversations that two ex-roommates, who have a shared history through life’s journey, would have with each other. The Cathartic Yardstick is about life, love, philosophy, natural and supernatural phenomena, and what happens when you finally have enough time to contemplate what just happened and what comes next. Wed, 9 Aug 2023 22:28:00 EDT Random Musing of Two Old Guys Ray and Mark no Conceived in a dream and fueled by an endless fascination in the great human experiment that is life on earth, we bring you the Cathartic Yardstick Podcast. These are the random musings of two old guys and one-time college roommates who find themselves in similar existential states after following different career paths. It is about the conversations that two ex-roommates, who have a shared history through life’s journey, would have with each other. The Cathartic Yardstick is about life, love, philosophy, natural and supernatural phenomena, and what happens when you finally have enough time to contemplate what just happened and what comes next. Ray and Mark questions@catharticyardstick.com https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Reality.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Professor Mike as we discuss our limitations in understanding the true nature of reality. Wed, 9 Aug 2023 22:30:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk reality with Mike. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Professor Mike as we discuss our limitations in understanding the true nature of reality. no 34:57 reality,Mike,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%2050th.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts commemorate our 50th episode with a look back at some show highlights. Tue, 11 Jul 2023 20:26:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk 50th episode. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts commemorate our 50th episode with a look back at some show highlights. no 1:03:24 anniversary,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20AI.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the risks and rewards of using ever-advancing AI technology. Will AI bring a boom or doom to our future? Fri, 2 Jun 2023 11:54:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk AI. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the risks and rewards of using ever-advancing AI technology. Will AI bring a boom or doom to our future? no 50:26 AI,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20NewsItems.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss some interesting items in the news. Are we alone in the universe, or are there entities who want to get up close and personal with us. Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:40:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk UFOs. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss some interesting items in the news. Are we alone in the universe, or are there entities who want to get up close and personal with us. no 45:31 Omaumau,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Amazon.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss funny product reviews left on Amazon. Sometimes levity is where you least expect it. Sat, 11 Mar 2023 13:35:00 EST Ray and Mark We talk Amazon Reviews. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss funny product reviews left on Amazon. Sometimes levity is where you least expect it. no 26:02 funny, amazon, reviews,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Changes.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss changes in technology and society that have occured in our lifetime. Is the rate of change accelerating or is it the same as it ever was. Mon, 13 Feb 2023 19:24:00 EST Ray and Mark We talk changes. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss changes in technology and society that have occured in our lifetime. Is the rate of change accelerating or is it the same as it ever was. no 58:30 Changes, technology,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20GospelJohn.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Professor Mike to discuss the somewhat unique Gospel of John - beyond the bumber stickers. Thu, 30 Jun 2022 18:05:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk to Mike. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Professor Mike to discuss the somewhat unique Gospel of John - beyond the bumber stickers. no 46:56 Gospel of John,gnosticism,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Veil.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts do a book report about Messages from Beyond the Veil by Reginald H. Gray and David J. Dye. Were a group of pre-war spirtualists contacted by messengers? Maybe. Wed, 27 Apr 2022 09:59:00 EDT Ray and Mark We read a book. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts do a book report about Messages from Beyond the Veil by Reginald H. Gray and David J. Dye. Were a group of pre-war spirtualists contacted by messengers? Maybe. no 23:37 spirtualism,book,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20CampFire.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts sit by the campfire and regale each other with strange and mysterious stories gleaned from the internet - Plus a few from personal experience. If it is on the internet, it must be true. Tue, 8 Mar 2022 11:04:00 EST Ray and Mark We tell campfire stories. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts sit by the campfire and regale each other with strange and mysterious stories gleaned from the internet - Plus a few from personal experience. If it is on the internet, it must be true. no 47:54 internet,campfire,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Predictions.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Elise to discuss trends and make predictions. Will 2022 bring about fundamental changes or just be the sequel to 2021 that nobody wanted? Fri, 4 Feb 2022 11:51:00 EST Ray and Mark We talk about 2022. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Elise to discuss trends and make predictions. Will 2022 bring about fundamental changes or just be the sequel to 2021 that nobody wanted? no 47:05 predictions,Elise,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Nightmares.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the strange world of nightmares - more specifically, our nightmares. Join us in a peek into our subconscious minds - if you dare. Sun, 19 Dec 2021 12:01:00 EST Ray and Mark We talk about Nightmares. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the strange world of nightmares - more specifically, our nightmares. Join us in a peek into our subconscious minds - if you dare. no 45:20 Nightmares,dreams,dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20WoolyMam.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the merits and possible unforseen consequences of trying to repopulate the world with wooly mammoths. We also talk about the billionaire boys club in space. Sat, 6 Nov 2021 14:21:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk about Wooly Mammoths. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the merits and possible unforseen consequences of trying to repopulate the world with wooly mammoths. We also talk about the billionaire boys club in space. no 28:32 Wooly Mammoths, Bezos, Musk, dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Exorcism.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Professor Mike to discuss the current proclivity for exorcisms in the Catholic Church. Production note: we recorded on a warm evening with the windows opened, that sound is actual crickets and not our audience. Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:20:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk about Exorcism. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Professor Mike to discuss the current proclivity for exorcisms in the Catholic Church. Production note: we recorded on a warm evening with the windows opened, that sound is actual crickets and not our audience. no 42:01 Exorcism, Catholic, dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20UAP.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the recent release of a UAP report to Congress. We speculate about what this really means and wonder if we are not alone in the cosmos. Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:00:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk about UAPs. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the recent release of a UAP report to Congress. We speculate about what this really means and wonder if we are not alone in the cosmos. no 42:19 UAP, UFO, dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20WOM.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts bring Professor Mike back to the podcast lounge. We bask in his wit and wisdom while hurling random questions at him. Sun, 23 May 2021 14:00:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk to Professor Mike. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts bring Professor Mike back to the podcast lounge. We bask in his wit and wisdom while hurling random questions at him. no 40:11 Mike, funny, dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Paranormal.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts talk to two real paranormal investigators as we confront our fears and facination of things that go bump in the night. Fri, 7 May 2021 18:07:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk to paranormal investigators. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts talk to two real paranormal investigators as we confront our fears and facination of things that go bump in the night. no 45:50 Paranormal, ghosts, investigators, dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Talking.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts ask each other random questions. Sun, 21 Mar 2021 11:58:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk to each other. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts ask each other random questions. no 46:55 Ice Breakers, dad jokes, Random questions https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20TZFaves.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts travel to the dark recesses of a little place known as the Twilight Zone to explore memories of favorite episodes. Mon, 26 Oct 2020 08:50:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk Twilight Zone. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts travel to the dark recesses of a little place known as the Twilight Zone to explore memories of favorite episodes. no 42:13 Serling, dad jokes, Twilight Zone https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Klaatu.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts investigate the rise and fall of a Canadian band that had some people believing that the Beatles had reunited. Sun, 16 Aug 2020 13:29:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk Klaatu. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts investigate the rise and fall of a Canadian band that had some people believing that the Beatles had reunited. no 39:22 Klaatu, dad jokes, Beatles https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%2028if.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts investigate the urban ledged that Paul McCartney died in 1966 and was secretly replaced by a body double. Mon, 13 Jul 2020 13:13:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk Beatles. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts investigate the urban ledged that Paul McCartney died in 1966 and was secretly replaced by a body double. no 32:37 Paul is dead, dad jokes, conspiracy, urban ledgend https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20SpaceX.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts reflect on childhood memories of the Space Race and react to the return of manned US space flight in the form of a private start-up company. Sat, 13 Jun 2020 13:29:00 EDT Ray and Mark We talk space. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts reflect on childhood memories of the Space Race and react to the return of manned US space flight in the form of a private start-up company. no 30:05 SpaceX, dad jokes, space race https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20QuizShow.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts take some internet quizzes to help pass the time in quarantine. They discover that they are old versions of Bones and Spock who are worth a million. Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:03:00 EDT Ray and Mark We take some quizzes. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts take some internet quizzes to help pass the time in quarantine. They discover that they are old versions of Bones and Spock who are worth a million. no 29:06 pandemic, dad jokes, internet https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Viral2.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the ever changing COVID-19 outbreak. Will society be changed forever, or will we be soon to forget the lessons that we have yet to learn? Tue, 30 Mar 2020 16:44:00 EDT Ray and Mark The COVID-19 Pandemic, Part 2 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the ever changing COVID-19 outbreak. Will society be changed forever, or will we be soon to forget the lessons that we have yet to learn? no 25:07 COVID-19, pandemic, dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20GoingViral.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss COVID-19. Can a few dad jokes help get us through this crisis? Let's hope so. Thu, 19 Mar 2020 16:44:00 EDT Ray and Mark The COVID-19 Pandemic Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss COVID-19. Can a few dad jokes help get us through this crisis? Let's hope so. no 32:06 COVID-19, pandemic, dad jokes https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20LostColony.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the enduring mystery of the lost colony of Roanoke Island. Sun, 2 Feb 2020 20:00:00 EST Ray and Mark The mystery of Roanoke Island Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the enduring mystery of the lost colony of Roanoke Island. no 22:55 mystery, Roanoke, Lost https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Octoberfest.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts sample some craft brews with their progeny and discuss the dubious history of nutmeggers. Mon, 28 Oct 2019 20:00:00 EDT Ray and Mark We drink beer. >Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts sample some craft brews with their progeny and discuss the dubious history of nutmeggers. no 32:04 beer, craft brew, kids, nutmeggers https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20TimeTravel.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts ponder the immutability of time and wonder if something can be done about it. Thu, 17 Oct 2019 21:18:00 EDT Ray and Mark We ponder time travel. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts ponder the immutability of time and wonder if something can be done about it. no 34:14 time travel, space, mystery https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20RNA.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, freshly back from a brief summer hiatus, your intrepid hosts record a podcast guided by no more than the random firing of neurons. Tue, 3 Sep 2019 21:36:00 EDT Ray and Mark We riff on random neural firings. Dear listeners; in this episode, freshly back from a brief summer hiatus, your intrepid hosts record a podcast guided by no more than the random firing of neurons. no 30:36 Summer, UFOs, time travel https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Amelia.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the brilliant career and mysterious disappearance of Amelia Earhart. Sun, 21 Jul 2019 14:55:00 EDT Ray and Mark We reflect on the brilliant career and mysterious disappearance of Amelia Earhart. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the brilliant career and mysterious disappearance of Amelia Earhart. no 42:01 Amelia Earhart, mytery, aviation, poineer https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20PastLives.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the development of theosophy and its impact on the belief in past lives in Western culture. Sat, 13 Jul 2019 04:51:00 EDT Ray and Mark We explore evidence for past lives, Ray is not convinced. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the development of theosophy and its impact on the belief in past lives in Western culture. no 30:01 unexplained, reincarnation, theosophy https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Numbers.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts tackle the interesting and mysterious subject of shortwave numbers stations. Wed, 26 Jun 2019 18:50:00 EDT Ray and Mark We explore the mysterious world of short wave numbers stations. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts tackle the interesting and mysterious subject of shortwave numbers stations. no 30:13 unexplained, espianage, numbers stations, society https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20UFOs.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts tackle the subject of unexplained areal phenomena, a.k.a UFOs. Mon, 17 Jun 2019 21:05:51 EDT Ray and Mark We talk about recent developments in the world of UFOs. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts tackle the subject of unexplained areal phenomena, a.k.a UFOs. no 34:34 UFOs, UAEs, aliens, space https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Tesla.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the life and legacy of Nikola Tesla. Sun, 16 Jun 2019 09:49:51 EDT Ray and Mark We discuss Tesla - the scientist not the car. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the life and legacy of Nikola Tesla. no 25:43 Tesla, current war, Edison, Westinghouse https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Career.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts take a career survey to find out if they made the right choices. Sat, 8 Jun 2019 12:27:11 EDT Ray and Mark We wonder if we made the right choice. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts take a career survey to find out if they made the right choices. no 31:20 careers, career test, no regrets https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Folklore.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss family legends, folklore, and foibles. Sun, 19 May 2019 19:01:05 EDT Ray and Mark We regale our listeners with tales of wonder. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss family legends, folklore, and foibles. no 33:16 folklore, family, foibles https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20PhillyEx.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the Philadelphia Experiment and the lure of conspiracy theories. Sat, 27 Apr 2019 20:10:07 EDT Ray and Mark We discuss a simple naval procedure that bacame a full blown conspiracy. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts discuss the Philadelphia Experiment and the lure of conspiracy theories. no 22:52 Philadelphia Experiment, Eldridge, conspiracy https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Belief.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Professor Mike in the Podcast Lounge for a discussion about belief. Sat, 13 Apr 2019 20:40:52 EDT Ray and Mark We invite Professor Mike to the podcast lounge for a discussion of belief and mythos. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts are joined by Professor Mike in the Podcast Lounge for a discussion about belief. no 33:41 Belief, Professor Mike, mythos https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%2060.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts tackle the subjects of aging and death with their usual grace and wit. Thu, 21 Mar 2019 20:56:16 EDT Ray and Mark Redident sexagenarians Ray and Mark talk about getting older. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts tackle the subjects of aging and death with their usual grace and wit. no 29:13 aging, gerontology, turning 60 https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Top5s.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts list their top 5s in a number of subject areas as they approach life's penultimate stage. Sun, 03 Mar 2019 19:59:55 EST Ray and Mark Redident sexagenarians Ray and Mark talk about getting older. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts list their top 5s in a number of subject areas as they approach life's penultimate stage. no 55:42 lists, top 5, internet culture https://catharticyardstick.com/podcasts/CY%20Dust%20Bunnies.mp3 Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts react to an interview that went off the rails and go a little off the rails themselves. Sat, 02 Feb 2019 19:20:55 EST Ray and Mark We cringe at an obscure YouTube video. Dear listeners; in this episode, your intrepid hosts react to an interview that went off the rails and go a little off the rails themselves. no 26:57 random thoughts, youtube