This Is Going Well, I Think with David Cooper

David covers a racoon rescue, New York's Fat Beach Day, and cooperative monkeys. Then journalist and trauma researcher Tamara Cherry discusses her book The Trauma Beat: A Case for Re-Thinking the Business of Bad News. Tamara says due to the impact it has on victims and journalists: crime reporting needs to change. Then, it's how a shocking number of parents go into debt over trips to Disney with kids with personal finance expert and author Matt Schulz. Foreign correspondent Tony Five and David discuss "Hawk Tuah" girl and the British monarchy. Comedian Annick Adelle relays the difficulty of doing a podcast. Finally, the show's Intern Zach Zhang talks about a recent infestation in his room.

It's interview mayhem on This Is Going Well, I Think! David leads science man Dan Riskin on a meandering stream-of-consciousness journey about joysticks. Dan shares a study that implies those with celebrity obsessions may be better people to their friends. Competitive eater Nick Wehry – ranked #4 in the world – talks about his adventures stuffing down food, and how he met his wife Miki, also a competitive eater who's ranked #1 in women's. (Together they make the best competitive eating couple who ever lived!) Sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty discusses great first dates as well as standards and expectations in dating. Finally, technology expert Carmi Levy reveals the story behind a stroke he had at 46. Carmi announces a possible flip-phone comeback, and potential warning labels required for social media.

David and Tony Five try something new and interactive. Fungus expert Arturo Casadevall and author of What If Fungi Win? describes how The Last of Us could actually happen – that is, a zombie fungus apocalypse. Author and paramedic Matthew Heneghan relays his story about how admitting he was an addict was hard, but how the harder part came later. Millionaire mentor Bernadette Joy talks about crushing money goals, and shares a simple tip that'll help you decide what – and what not – to buy. Finally, psychologist Dr. Marlene Taube-Schiff, who works with Anxiety Canada chats about anxiety, PTSD, and OCD with David.

David shares stories about McDonald's drive-thru tech gone wrong; an Ohio attorney's pringles prank; and a cheater who's suing Apple. Then, it's Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday with Gary Direnfeld. Gary and David discuss good uncomfortable vs. bad uncomfortable. Occupational therapist Adam Ly goes over "time blindness" in response to a viral video that sparked outrage. Film critic Richard Crouse chats about movies that traumatized millennials. (No, it's not richardcrouselikesmovies DOT net.) Foreign correspondent Tony Five gives a Bulgarian airport update from an airport in Bulgaria. Finally, David discusses what you should – and should not – share with ChatGPT with Daniel Tsai, a business, law, and technology expert.

David reflects on his birthday and shares stories about a double death and a baking soda related courtroom drama. David interviews Glenn Robinson of Obscurest Vinyl, the hilarious "record label" with greatest hits (you've never heard) like I Glued My Balls to My Butthole Again and Rubbin' and a Tuggin' My Nips. Then, toy influencer Jay Glatfelter goes over why grown-ups surpass preschoolers as the biggest toy consumers. Foreign correspondent Tony Five calls the show from Sofia, Bulgaria. Toronto-based pilot John Tory, Jr. explains what a "dutch roll" is and how it happened recently on a Boeing airliner. Finally, gerontologist and author Sherri Snelling explains what The National Day of Joy on June 26th is, and why most Americans say their parent is their best friend.

David's top stories for the day: a litter box-based 911 call, the FAA sues an unruly passenger, and a photographer loses an award;Alan Gratz, the author of 20 novels for young adults including Refugee, Heroes, and Ground Zero talks about the latest controversy around a Florida school board banning his book, aptly named Ban This Book;Associate professor of biology at University of Toronto, Rosalind Murray addresses David's worry about dengue fever and summer travel;Foreign correspondent Tony Five and a sleepy David go over conversation topics suitable for radio as generated by AI;UK-based film critic (and cat daddy) Luke Hearfield goes shares picks from the Cannes Film Festival that are potentially Oscar material; and finallyDan calls the show's producer Dani and then he rants about Wham's music video for Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

After a silly start, David goes over a NASA false alarm and a Wells Fargo firing. Then it's science man Dan Riskin with the science behind questions: Can we fully enjoy art when we disapprove of the artist's ethics; and do men buy guns to make up for their penis size? David pitches Urine Luck: A Graphic Novel About Incontinence to Dan (see podcast cover art). After that, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Marc Lewis and David discuss addiction, and the therapeutic approach called Internal Family Systems (IFS). Professor of linguistics at Georgetown University Dr. Deborah Tannen and David discuss the worst 1-word text message you can send. Finally, relationship and marriage counsellor Laura Press shares some of the dangers of VR pornography.(Check out Dr. Marc Lewis' book The Biology of Desire, and Dr. Deborah Tannen's NYT bestseller You Just Don't Understand.)

David covers an ailing singer put in a straight jacket, an underwear party cancellation, and a furry but invasive crab. Then, it's Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday with therapist and social worker Gary Direnfeld. David and Gary discuss Father's Day and forgiveness. After that, it's tech industry news with expert Carmi Levy where "Apple Intelligence", Elon Musk's tantrum, and a YouTube stunt are covered. Finally foreign correspondent Tony Five weighs in on "Apple Intelligence" – or perhaps unintelligence?

David shares news stories of the day involving: a drunk schoolteacher, a banned book, and Mr. Monopoly. Then, author, psychosexual therapist, and resident intimacy expert at 3Fun, Gigi Engle goes over a new relationship trend: pebbling. After that, psychologist Dr. Juli Fraga discusses a recent Washington Post article she wrote about letting go of grudges that can harm your health. Sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty goes off on tolyamory. Comedian Natasha Vinik shares her experience having just performed at the Netflix is a Joke festival.