becoming friends with...

becoming friends with...dune (1984)

becoming friends with…Dune –  Spice-Fueled Nostalgia & Wormhole Tangents
 
In this episode of becoming friends with…, four slightly-fried friends meander through a hazy fog that begins with wayward banter and ends knee-deep in Arrakis sand. The first segment is pure heady chaos—Steven Seagal’s arm-flailing jog becomes a spiritual metaphor, nostalgic VHS memories, and nobody can quite remember who started what story, or why. It's exactly the kind of conversation you'd expect from old friends who might’ve hit the bong a few too many times in the 90s—and never stopped.
 
But then, somehow—like finding a sandworm in your backyard—they tumble headlong into Dune. The David Lynch version, of course. Childhood memories of confused theater outings, parental missteps involving Fatal Attraction, and itchy poison ivy screenings all swirl together like spice in the wind. The gang breaks down the film’s cosmic exposition overload, Lynchian weirdness, and questionable voice-overs while lovingly roasting the movie—and themselves—into the stratosphere. Whether you’re a diehard Lynch fan or just here for the laughs, this episode is a perfect blend of cosmic cinema chat and ridiculous real-life reflections. Like Dune itself, it’s messy, ambitious, and somehow unforgettable.

becoming friends with...lost highway

becoming friends with...lost highway
Wet Butts, Vinyl Dust & Lynchian Loops
Before things get dark and dreamy with Lost Highway, the crew takes a long, weird walk through Record Store Day—full of slippery nostalgia, mysterious green vinyl, and just a hint of haze in the air.
There’s talk of swampy music videos, Post Malone being crowned record store wizard, and a heated debate over why no one pressed Monster Magnet on 4/20. Adam Sandler’s cassette tapes make a triumphant return, complete with big, hairy balls monologues. Someone might’ve even been duct-taped in a music store bathroom. Allegedly?
Eventually, they veer off into David Lynch territory—but not before flipping through jazz records, marveling at cosmic album art, and lovingly roasting the absurdity of it all.
🚨 Side effects may include: spontaneous giggling, unexplained cravings for vintage stereo equipment, and a vague sense that time isn't real.

becoming friends with...inland empire

Lynch, Loops & Losing Your Mind…Am I Watching a Movie or Having a Psychic Break?!!!??!
Three dudes. One Lynch film. Infinite confusion. This week, the boys accidentally watched Inland Empire and now they’re not sure if they’re still in it. What starts as a David Lynch discussion quickly dissolves into a full-blown metaphysical panic attack—screaming Laura Dern faces, cursed rabbit sitcoms, and at least one semi-serious theory involving Polish ghosts and haunted camcorders…all leaving the boys wondering if they’re all just characters in someone else's Inland Empire?
But first, there’s an hour of beautifully unhinged warm-up. The gang drifts through aging stoner reflections, weird body pains, local TV fever dreams, and snack-based existentialism. A mysterious VHS tape resurfaces—familiar to all, though no one recalls renting it… or returning it. Reality starts to wobble before Lynch even shows up.
Eventually, they tackle the film. They try to track the story, talk Lynch’s digital grime obsession, and praise Laura Dern for holding the whole surreal mess together with sheer force of will. But the deeper they go, the more unglued things get—time loops, emotional spirals, and Chris possibly merging with a lamp.
If you’ve ever found yourself barefoot in a dream version of your own house, holding a remote that doesn’t work while a woman sobs on TV and a laugh track echoes from nowhere—this episode’s for you. Press play, light up, and hope you come out the other side. It’s maddening, hypnotic, borderline nonsense—but it sticks with you. Wait…is that about this episode or the movie? You tell me, Bucky.

becoming friends with...mulholland drive

Deep Vibes, Dream Logic & Flaming Nips
 
This episode finds Rene, Byron & Chris—your favorite philosophically-inclined couch surfers—falling headfirst into David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive. Expect hazy dream logic, espresso-fueled mobsters, voyeur limos, and the mystical terror of the “blue key,” all filtered through that slightly-baked lens where everything means... something?
 
In between Lynch spirals, the crew spirals into stoner-friendly side quests: 90s TV like NewsRadio, old SNL weirdos, The Dark Crystal's puppet-induced paranoia, and Fire in the Sky (aka the ultimate “don’t get abducted while high” movie). AI chaos hits hard too, including a cursed image of Jeff commanding a robot army, nips ablaze—and trip out over the Costco Bros becoming Ow My Balls in real time.
 
It’s a loose, loopy, laugh-heavy trip that somehow ties back to Lynch’s dream logic and Hollywood nightmares. Classic baked chaos.

becoming friends with...blue velvet

'Three aging stoners stumble their way into David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet”… eventually.'
In this wildly off-the-rails episode of becoming friends with..., Byron and Rene (both skeptical former film majors) welcome new friend Chris for a hilarious deep-dive that’s equal parts Lynchian cinema, VHS store nostalgia, bizarre high school stories, and chaotic reality TV takes. From Flavor of Love bathroom disasters to passionate defenses of the Gin Blossoms, it’s like hanging out with old friends who get high and accidentally forget they’re recording a podcast. It’s funny, weirdly touching, and surprisingly insightful — a must-listen if you’ve ever loved David Lynch, loathed film school snobs, or just miss talking movies in the video store parking lot.

becoming friends with...eraserhead

Prepare yourself for the first becoming friends with... podcast, where some aging stoners, fueled by a lifetime of shared experiences, tackle the big questions and the not-so-big ones, all with a healthy dose of laughter and surprising insight. In this episode, Rene and Byron dive deep into the mind-bending, surreal world of David Lynch's cult classic, Eraserhead. They'll unpack the symbolism, the eerie atmosphere, and the unforgettable images, offering a unique blend of philosophical pondering and hi, thoughts.
 
It's not all Lynchian nightmares! They also flex their creative muscles by brainstorming an indie film version of the classic "Who's on First" routine and explore a brand new RPG, breaking down the mechanics and debating the best way to roll dice (or maybe just roll one). A sweet tooth and memories lead to a delightful tangent about their favorite sugary treats, and they celebrate their unexpected love for yacht rock, inspired by the smooth sounds of Thundercat and the impeccable taste of Danny Brown, proving good music transcends genre, and it definitely hits different when yer a little...elevated. It's a journey through film, comedy, gaming, snacks, and smooth music, all with the laid-back, insightful charm that only America's favorite Rene and Byron can provide. Dig it.