Society & CultureDocumentaryComedyExplicit

Flightless Bird

David Farrier

Flightless Bird follows journalist David Farrier as he learns about what makes America special from his unique perspective as a Kiwi accidentally marooned in the Land of the Free. Infinitely curious but never judgmental, each week, David (along with cohost and American Rob) seeks to understand what makes America so unique, strange, and wonderful.

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28 episodes
weekly
Avg 1 hr 9 min
English

Episodes 28

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May 26 · 1 hr 50 min
Live in Salt Lake City: Skinwalker Ranch, Caving, & Weiner Dog Races
Flightless Bird comes to you live from Salt Lake City, Utah. In a jam packed show, Rob and David share their experiences visiting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Gilgal Sculpture Garden, before being joined on stage by Brandon Fugal (the owner of the mysterious Skinwalker Ranch), Brandon Kowalis (an extreme caver who part of the ill-fated Nutty Putty cave rescue attempt) and Brad Wheeler (professional weiner dog racer). The show is opened and closed by the mesmerizing Salt Lake City-based musician Josaleigh Pollett. Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 19 · 1 hr 28 min
Anna Konkle on Pen15 & the Sane One
David and Rob are joined in the studio by Anna Konkle, the co-creator and star of PEN15, one of their favourite shows of all time - looking at the trials and tribulations of being a seventh grader in the United States. Anna has a new book out - The Sane One - looking back at her real life, and real parents, that were part of the inspiration for her show. Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Anna’s book, The Sane One: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-sane-one-a-memoir-anna-konkle/b03f30c6d183b728 Watch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on our episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 12 · 56 min
Wisconsin: Supper Clubs
In this week’s episode, as part of his “Wisconsin” series, David investigates the world of Supper Clubs in Madison. What the hell is a supper club, and why is this state obsessed with them? What is a Friday Fish Fry, and how creamy is a grasshopper? David attempts to find out. Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 7 · 51 min
Nest Sessions: Nick Thorburn on Underground Comics
In this month’s Nest Session, David and Rob are joined in the studio by musician Nick Thorburn (Islands, the Unicorns, Mister Heavenly, The Creem) to discuss his love of underground comics and fulfilling his dream of publishing his own comic with legendary publisher Fantagraphics. Nick - originally from Canada - shares his thoughts on the US, and his music with bands like The Unicorns and Islands, before sharing his favourite homemade American snack, and some charming acoustic renditions of his music. Feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com The Cream: https://www.instagram.com/thecreeem/ Nick’s comic: https://www.fantagraphics.com/products/pear-shape Nick's book: https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/nick-thorburn/products/penguins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 5 · 56 min
ICE Detention Center Visit
In this week’s episode, David and Rob head to the Adelanto ICE Detention Centre in which is imprisoning New Zealand woman Everlee Wihongi, who holds a valid green card. Rob goes inside and spends an hour with Everlee, discussing what conditions are like, and why the New Zealand government refuses to offer any help. Meanwhile, David calls Everlee’s mother Betty at her home in Wisconsin, to talk about what it’s like to have a family member kidnapped by ICE. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Everlee’s GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-free-and-get-everlee-home Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
April 28 · 1 hr 3 min
ICE Kidnaps A Kiwi
In this week’s Flightless Bird we tell the story of Everlee Wihongi, a 36-year-old New Zealander on a green card, snatched by ICE at LAX airport. We talk to her mother Betty, trying to figure out why her daughter got kidnapped, and how to get her out again. Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmal.com LINKS: - GoFundMe for Everlee’s legal fees: https://gofund.me/c9217e4f1 - Original Webworm reporting: http://www.webworm.co/betty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
April 21 · 56 min
Wisconsin: Cheeseheads
In this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier travels to Madison, Wisconsin, to investigate the World Championship Cheese Contest. With 3375 entries and 150 classes, we are talking a lot of cheese. Hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, the comp has been running since 1957 - and this year was bigger than ever. Why is cheese so big in this part of the US, and what exactly is a cheesehead? All will be revealed in this very cheesy episode. Links: Join us for bonus Flightless Bird episodes on Patreon: patreon.com/flightlessbird Contact us with your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
April 14 · 1 hr 8 min
Pro Puzzler
On this week’s Flightless Bird, David and Rob discover that doing jigsaw puzzles is not just a hobby - it’s a sport! They talk to US speed puzzler Karen Kavett - AKA Karen Puzzles - who’s about to head off to the 2026 USA Jigsaw Nationals. How big is the scene and what does it take to get to the worlds? What is the secret to doing puzzles very, very fast? David also reveals that he’s being sued in America after an article he wrote for Webworm, and Rob and David discuss the recent Flightless Bird tour which featured the one and only Rosabel! Links: Email us your feedback: flightlessbirdchat@gmail.com Karen Puzzles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenpuzzles/ Rosabel on tour & our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-rosabel-155107678 Why is David being sued? https://www.webworm.co/wildingpart9/ Vote for us at the Webbys: Or - https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/features/best-indie-podcast 1. ⁠Go to webbyawards.com 2. ⁠Click “Go Vote” button 3. ⁠Hit SEARCH 4. ⁠Type in “Flightless Bird” and click on “Flightless Bird” when it turns up 5. ⁠Cast your vote Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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