Ep 142: Morgana Robinson

Podcast Summary

• PlushCare's weight loss services and Mint Mobile's price drop: PlushCare helps people start their weight loss journey with certified physicians and FDA-approved meds, while Mint Mobile offers a more affordable unlimited plan for new customers.

  PlushCare offers a convenient and affordable solution for those looking to start their weight loss journey with the help of certified physicians and FDA-approved medications like Wegovy and Zepbound. Elsewhere, Mint Mobile is reducing its unlimited plan price from $30 to $15 per month for new customers, while 1800 Flowers continues to deliver smiles through their various offerings. On a lighter note, the Off Menu Podcast featured comedian Morgana Robinson, discussing her favorite food choices in a restaurant setting. PlushCare's weight loss services and Mint Mobile's price drop represent significant improvements for those seeking better health and cost savings, respectively. Meanwhile, the Off Menu Podcast offers an entertaining look into food preferences and the unexpected twists that can arise during conversations.

• Food associations and embarrassing experiences: Strong associations between food and experiences, whether positive or negative, can impact our food preferences and cause unexpected reactions.

  The speaker's association of certain foods with his cat's food has made him unable to eat those foods anymore due to the strong connection between the two. The speaker also shared an embarrassing experience where his wife nearly left him due to a foul smell in the bathroom, which was a combination of their own feces and their cat's litter box. The conversation then took a turn as Morgana Robinson joined the podcast and shared her dream of having a restaurant where strange things happened, including making tiramisu in her knickers. The speaker assumed she was talking about shitting herself instead, leading to a humorous exchange. Overall, the conversation was light-hearted and showcased the speakers' unique perspectives and sense of humor.

• The Significance of Accents in Identity and Communication: Accents play a crucial role in identity and can lead to misunderstandings. Clear communication is essential, and the richness and complexity of various accents and dialects should be appreciated.

  Accents play a significant role in people's identities and can cause misunderstandings. The speaker shared stories about the challenges of understanding different accents, including the confusion between "Kettering" and "Christina Aguilera," and the difficulty of learning a new accent for a sitcom role. Morgana, who was born in Australia but grew up in the UK, discussed her experience of being anglicized but still retaining her family's Australian accent. The group also discussed their admiration for people who can do accents well, with James sharing that he is particularly fond of Shrek's accent. The conversation highlighted the importance of clear communication and the richness and complexity of the various accents and dialects that exist.

• The Power of Passion and Confidence: Passion and confidence can lead to great enjoyment and success. Believe in your abilities and appreciate the finer things in life to boost your overall sense of happiness and fulfillment.

  Passion and confidence can lead to great enjoyment and success, as shown through the discussion about shoes, accents, and winning Taskmaster. The speakers express their love for new shoes and their confidence in their abilities, whether it's trying out a new accent or competing in a competition. They also appreciate the finer things in life, like sparkling water, which adds to their overall sense of enjoyment. The conversation also highlights the importance of believing in one's abilities and having faith in one's potential, even if others may not agree. Additionally, the speakers show a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition, which adds to the overall positive atmosphere of the discussion.

• Imagining a Family-Run Beachside Restaurant: Discover the charm of a family-run beachside restaurant with an old geezer owner, whistling and winking, and serving free limoncellos.

  During a conversation about imagining a dream restaurant, the speaker and I discussed various details such as location, atmosphere, and the role of the old geezer owner. The speaker wanted the restaurant to be on the beach, family-run, and had an image of being lightly harassed by locals. They also mentioned wanting free limoncellos and being around the old geezer owner, who would be whistling and winking at them. The speaker used phrases like "Mama Mia" and "sand in the toes, anything goes." They also recalled an experience with their mom making a strong limoncello and warned to be careful with it. The speaker mentioned wanting James the genie waiter to bring over the limoncello and the old geezer to be whistling and winking from the restaurant or beach. The conversation also included the speaker reminding me to "take my foot off the cunt pedal" which is a phrase they learned from Matt Berry. These phrases and details create a vivid image of a family-run, beachside restaurant with an old geezer owner, whistling and winking, and serving free limoncellos.

• Stray animals and their quirks: The speaker cherishes the uniqueness of stray animals and would adopt three, each with a specific limb requirement. They also accept the imperfections of food, only eating the untouched parts if an animal handles it.

  This conversation revolves around the speaker's peculiar preferences and experiences during a holiday, particularly involving stray animals and their interaction with food. The speaker expresses a fondness for stray pets, imagining having three of them, but with specific limb requirements. The conversation then shifts to discussing a hypothetical situation where a dog with a pigeon-like foot brings focaccia to the table. The speaker expresses that they would still eat the bread, but only the untouched part. The conversation also touches upon the speaker's past and their unique experiences growing up. The overall theme is the speaker's acceptance and appreciation of the quirks and imperfections of life, whether it's a stray pet or a piece of bread with an unusual handler.

• Food preferences influenced by various factors: People's food preferences can be shaped by packaging, texture, past experiences, and other sensory aspects.

  People's preferences and experiences with certain foods can be influenced by various factors such as packaging, texture, and past experiences. The speaker in this conversation shared an anecdote about how they used to buy Sesame Snaps frequently due to their perceived boost before performances, but disliked their texture and eventually stopped buying them. They also expressed a preference for a hypothetical sesame snack with a better texture and taste. The conversation then shifted to discussing winking experiences in Italian restaurants and the speaker's chipped tooth, which they attributed to opening bottles of beer with their teeth in the past. Overall, the conversation highlights the subjective nature of food preferences and how they can be shaped by various experiences and sensory aspects.

• Embracing Changes: Hair, Dining, and Octopuses: Aging brings unexpected changes, embrace them with humor and adaptability, consider all options before making decisions, and be mindful of our actions towards others and nature.

  Our conversation touched upon the topic of aging and the unexpected changes that come with it, using the example of hair and body changes. Ed shared a humorous story about the potential curse of curly hair getting curlier with age, which led to a discussion about the importance of embracing changes and finding ways to adapt. We also talked about the ritual of considering other options before making a decision, using the example of dining out and ordering food. The conversation then shifted to the documentary "My Octopus Teacher" and the debate over whether the filmmaker's actions were romantic or manipulative. Lastly, we discussed the importance of good gift-giving and the potential impact of technology on our lives, with a mention of the Oura digital picture frame. Overall, the conversation was a mix of humor, introspection, and insight into various aspects of life.

• Surprises and shared experiences strengthen relationships: Thoughtful surprises and shared experiences, like romantic dinners or favorite pasta dishes, can deepen relationships and create cherished memories

  Thoughtful surprises and shared experiences, such as a romantic dinner with vongole pasta, can strengthen relationships and create cherished memories. The speaker's wife's surprise gifts and their shared love for Whitstable's The Sportsman restaurant are examples of this. Additionally, the speaker enjoys pasta dishes with various sauces and shapes, and they have a collection of around 7 different types in their house. The conversation also touched upon the speaker's preference for a large portion of pasta and their love for the churizo broccoli pasta with chili, garlic, and capers. The mention of Aura digital picture frames as a suggestion for photograph-reminding gifts was also a part of the discussion.

• Benito's pasta-themed game struggle: Despite initial confidence, Benito found himself struggling in a pasta-themed game, revealing his past experiences and eventual acceptance of the challenge. Listeners were entertained by his frustrations and the unique approach of his father to watching the game.

  During a heated pasta-themed game, a participant, Benito, found himself in a predicament where he had to keep guessing pasta types to avoid being eliminated. Despite his initial confidence, he ended up struggling and was frustrated by the unexpected length of the game. The conversation revealed his past experiences with the game, his attempts to leave, and his eventual acceptance of the challenge. Listeners found amusement in Benito's struggles and the various pasta types mentioned throughout the discussion. The conversation also highlighted Benito's father's unique approach to watching the game, smoking a joint to pass the time.

• Unexpected experiences at a dream meal: Sometimes the most memorable meals are those filled with unexpected elements, creating entertaining and unforgettable experiences

  The dream meal discussed in the podcast, while delicious, is accompanied by an unpleasant setting filled with unwanted elements such as stray animals, a winking old man, and a local band playing regardless of preference. The speakers seem to find amusement in the situation, acknowledging the entertainment value of the unexpected experiences despite their discomfort. The conversation also touches on various food-related topics, such as spaghetti eating techniques and the debate over chopping spaghetti with a knife and fork. The speakers' backgrounds in the restaurant industry add an interesting layer to the discussion. Overall, the conversation highlights the idea that sometimes the most memorable experiences are the ones that don't go exactly as planned.

• Persisting in Pursuit of Dreams: Determination and creativity can lead to unexpected opportunities. Stay true to oneself and have the courage to take risks.

  Determination and creativity can lead to unexpected opportunities. The speaker shared their experience of trying to break into the entertainment industry with no formal training or connections. They resorted to creating their own showroom and presenting it to a potential agent, which led to their signing. Despite the initial apprehension and fear, they persisted and eventually found success. The speaker also mentioned their quirks, such as bringing their pillow everywhere and having a long neck, which added humor and relatability to their story. Overall, the conversation emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself and having the courage to take risks in pursuing one's dreams.

• Morgana's Love for Zucchini Fries: Morgana enjoys zucchini fries as an occasional treat but would miss chips if they were the only side option. She also shares her frustration with bad dining experiences and considers creating a character to entertain herself.

  Morgana, while not actually drunk, adopts a drunken persona and expresses her love for zucchini fries as an alternative to chips. She appreciates their occasional appearance on menus and enjoys them as a "cheeky greasy treat." However, if zucchini fries were the only side option, she would miss chips. Morgana also shares her frustration with a poor dining experience and contemplates creating a character to entertain herself during unpleasant situations. She reminisces about her past acting roles and shares a humorous story about a mouse in an Airbnb that caused damage to a rug. Overall, Morgana's conversation showcases her playful and expressive personality.

• Morgana's Unusual Dinner Preferences and Oscar Dreams: Morgana dreams of Cinderella winning at the Oscars and having champagne and a sexy companion at dinner, while avoiding red wine due to allergies.

  The speaker, Morgana, has had an unusual and diverse acting career, including roles as a mouse in the live-action Cinderella film, and has strong opinions about her dream drink and dinner companion. She is currently excited about Cinderella leading the fan favorite Oscars vote, and dreams of James Acaster winning an Oscar for his performance as John the mouse. During a hypothetical dinner, she would prefer champagne for the ultimate high, followed by white wine, and would be surprised and pleased if her dinner companion turned out to be sexy. She has a strong reaction to red wine, as it causes her to break out in hives.

• Savoring British Nostalgia with Small Treats and Traditional Dishes: The speaker cherishes the nostalgic feelings brought on by a British menu, indulging in small treats and traditional dishes, while appreciating the combination of hot and cold offerings and complementary beverages like limoncello and champagne, despite a less-than-ideal atmosphere.

  The speaker enjoys indulging in small treats, such as olives, posh nuts, and caper berries, alongside a British menu during special occasions. The menu brings back nostalgic feelings for the speaker, and they appreciate the combination of hot and cold dishes, particularly with a British dessert like sticky toffee pudding and ice cream. The speaker also expressed a fondness for limoncello and champagne to complement their meal. Despite some confusion about the order of dishes, they remain enthusiastic about the experience and appreciate the restaurant's dedication to its British roots. However, they also noted their displeasure with the current setting and expressed a desire for a more elegant atmosphere.

• Appreciating a unique dining experience despite imperfections: Enjoy the challenge and experience, not just the outcome. An open mind and adaptability enhance the fun.

  The setting of a restaurant or any experience doesn't necessarily need to be perfect to enjoy it. Morgana's experience at the "Dream Restaurant" was far from ideal with the presence of stray dogs and a lecherous old man, but she still appreciated the delicious food and the unique backstory it provided. In a game of guessing ingredients, Morgana was open-minded and didn't let her dislike for a particular ingredient affect her enjoyment of the meal. The importance of the game lies in the challenge of naming the ingredient, rather than the outcome. Morgana's love for guessing games and her ability to go with the flow, even when she's not the winner, adds to her fun and adventurous personality.

• James Acaster's Book and Vinyl, Discounted Cat Litter, and Mother's Day Savings: James Acaster's book and vinyl are now available for pre-order, Pretty Litter offers a discount for first-time orders, 1800 Flowers has Mother's Day savings up to 40%, and Quinn's provides travel essentials at discounted prices with ethical practices.

  James Acaster is releasing a book and a vinyl, which can be pre-ordered and purchased during his tour. Pretty Litter, a new innovative cat litter, is offering a discount with the code "acast" for first-time orders. This Mother's Day, 1800 Flowers is offering savings up to 40% on Mother's Day bestsellers. Quinn's is a brand offering travel essentials at discounted prices with ethical manufacturing practices. Rob Orton's podcast, The Rob Orton Daily Podcast, offers daily poems, stories, and amusing thoughts on various subjects. James Acaster's book, "James Acaster's Guide to Quitting Social Media, Being the Best You Can BE, and Cuing Yourself of Loneliness Volume 1," is now available for pre-order. His vinyl can also be purchased during his tour or on edgamblestore.com. Pretty Litter, the world's smartest kitty litter, is offering a 20% discount and a free cat toy for first-time orders with the code "acast." For Mother's Day, 1800 Flowers is offering savings up to 40% on Mother's Day bestsellers. Quinn's is a brand offering travel essentials at discounted prices with ethical manufacturing practices. Rob Orton's podcast, The Rob Orton Daily Podcast, offers daily poems, stories, and amusing thoughts on various subjects. Overall, there are various promotions and offerings from James Acaster, Pretty Litter, 1800 Flowers, and Quinn's, as well as Rob Orton's podcast, for listeners to enjoy and take advantage of.