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PODCAST

The Midlife Critics Podcast

The Midlife Critics

Find us on Facebook private groups. Our goal is to open your mind authentically through music. That includes new and old songs in rock, country, hip-hop, alternative, metal, blues, funk, punk, and anything that tickles our fancy. We get into new songs, emerging artists, and unappreciated deep cuts. We’re opinionated, but open minded and love every minute of it. That’s what we hope you get out of this.

music music commentary

All Episodes

02:14:13

Season 3 Episode 50: Our Top Songs of 2025...

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/12/30

Listen to Nathan Ferrell, Steve Strait, Wellington Davis, Claire Knight, Bryan Mosby, and Grant Wasson join your host Burke Wasson for the most conversation we've ever had on this podcast, counting down the results of our group's songs of the year poll. The full list will be revealed in the Facebook group shortly . For now, find out what they are, which song is #1, and what we think of all of it. Plus, a celebrity drops by. And the panel hijacks the podcast when Burke loses his

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01:22:15

BONUS EPISODE: Merry Christmas, Mom & Dad

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/12/25

Special message from Burke Wasson:Curt and Gretchen Wasson's span of influence on their sons is far-reaching and our topic of this very special episode. My brother Grant and I talk for an hour and 19 minutes on memories from childhood, when our parents were 10 years or more younger than we are now. You're going to hear some great stories, clips from several songs, and how Grant and I became who we are musically. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you may need Kleenex. You'll also hear a recording that I made

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01:26:56

Season 3 Episode 49: Last Chance 2025 #FreshCuts

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/12/11

Wellington Davis and Claire Knight join your host Burke Wasson to get into this week's songs - which will go into our big songs of the year poll on Friday, Dec. 12. We also reveal a specially themed future #FreshCuts volume, discuss how our kids integrate our music into their lives, and put some perspective on Travis Boots' efforts to infuse more hip-hop into the group. The 2025 Last Chance #FreshCuts playlist and standings will come out on Friday.

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01:23:30

Season 3 Episode 48: 2nd Chance #FreshCuts

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/12/05

In this specially themed episode, Wellington Davis and Steve Strait join your host Burke Wasson to get into songs reconsidered. These songs didn't get enough votes the first time around, and now we've given them the respect that they're due. We now like a good number of songs that we originally rejected...but we still don't like others. More episode info will post by Friday, Dec. 5. Enjoy!If you enjoy this podcast, you can donate any amount, big or small, to keep it going through the following

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01:41:12

Season 3 Episode 47: Happy Thanksgiving (#FreshCuts...

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/11/26

In this special Thanksgiving episode, your host Burke Wasson gives thanks to The Midlife Critics and is joined by fellow critics Wellington Davis, Nathan Ferrell, and Steve Strait. We discuss everything from Sigourney Weaver, Bill Paxton, and the movie "Creepshow" to cross-genre bands, artists better to hear as an album than in #FreshCuts, "unc" rock hate gone too far. And Wellington perhaps performed surgery during recording. It's all part of the fun, and we have a great discussion on our songs of

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01:50:57

Season 3 Episode 46: #FreshCuts Vol. 86 (King...

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/11/21

Your host Burke Wasson is joined by the return of “King Wellington” Davis, Bryan Mosby, Jesse Morgan, and Nathan Ferrell to discuss our favorite songs from #FreshCuts Vol. 87. We discuss. And now that we’ve figured out how to discuss songs we don’t like, we take advantage of that in this episode. If you enjoy this podcast, you can donate any amount, big or small, to keep it going through the following apps:PayPal at wasson.burke@gmail.comVenmo at @Burke-WassonCashApp at $BurkeWassonThank you for

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02:05:16

Season 3 Episode 45: Agree To Disagree (#FreshCuts...

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/11/14

In a frankly honest episode, we cover more personal territory than perhaps ever in the first half-hour and discuss how to critique songs we don’t like. Wes Dorris, Steve Strait, Travis Boots, Nathan Ferrell, and Wellington Davis join your host Burke Wasson to cover this and our songs of the week from #FreshCuts Vol. 85. Synth soundscapes, loving optimism, quality trap rap, double-digit-minute epics, German psych garage rock, Afro-beat, and new Roy Orbison-esque crooning highlight our songs of the

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01:31:52

Season 3 Episode 44: #FreshCuts Vol. 84 (A Colorful...

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/11/07

Eric Prykowski makes his podcast debut, and Nathan Ferrell and Steve Strait join your host Burke Wasson on a finely rambling yarn of our favorite songs from #FreshCuts Vol. 84. Plus, Nate has earned a new position in The Midlife Critics. Find out what on this episode. If you enjoy this podcast, you can donate any amount, big or small, to keep it going through the following apps:PayPal at wasson.burke@gmail.comVenmo at @Burke-WassonCashApp at $BurkeWassonThank you for your support. It means a lot and

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01:46:18

Season 3 Episode 43: Felt, Foals & Foos

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/10/31

This is a heck of an episode counting down our songs of the week from #FreshCuts Vol. 83 (Standings below). Bryan Mosby, Jesse Morgan, Travis Boots, Wellington Davis, and a mystery guest join your host Burke Wasson. Plus, we have insights on a bite or a scar or perhaps a birthmark in a video of one of our songs, the roots of Travis' underground hip hop taste, physical ailments of middle age, and Wellington closes the episode with a horror flick idea for Travis. If you enjoy this podcast, you can

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00:54:34

Season 3 Episode 42: Taking Back the American Flag

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/10/24

In this short but sweet episode, Steve Strait joins your host Burke Wasson to discuss our songs of the week from #FreshCuts Vol. 82. Steve and Burke ponder classic rock being an ironic prison, the movie that "The Hangover" ripped off, progressive jazz and progressive rock, the perfect 2 a.m. song, and taking back the American flag. Plus, Steve forgets one of his #FreshFour picks from 2 weeks back. It's all in good fun, so enjoy this brief 54-minute episode. There is no mention of songs without

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01:48:18

Season 3 Episode 41: #FreshCuts Vol. 81

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/10/16

What happens when pigeons play ping pong while some butthole surfers look on in front of some pruning shears in a beach bar with an Otis Redding poster? Listen to this episode to find out. Travis Boots, Wellington Davis, and Nathan Ferrell join your host Burke Wasson to discuss our songs of the week from #FreshCuts Vol. 81. If you're feeling anxious, listen to some music. And enjoy this podcast. The Vol. 81 vote standings will post Friday, Oct. 17. For now, listen and enjoy. If you enjoy this

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01:59:28

S 3 E40: #FreshCuts Vol. 80 (with new features!)

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/10/09

This episode makes history, being the first to preview two future #FreshCuts nominated for Vol. 81. But before that, your host Burke Wasson is joined by Wellington Davis, Steve Strait, and Bryan Mosby to get into our #FreshCuts countdown from a raucous Vol. 80. There was a lot more metal than typical. Also some deep punk talk. And some controversy over a certain #FreshCut being included. This episode is fun, deep, and highly entertaining. Don't play this one on 1.5 speed. It's meticulously

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01:24:57

S 3 E 39: #FreshCuts Vol. 79

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/10/03

A mix of aggression and thoughtfulness dominates our songs of the week from #FreshCuts Vol. 79. Plus, your host Burke Wasson experiments with some new sound mixing. With special guests Claire Knight, Travis Boots, Wellington Davis, and Nathan Ferrell. Plus, Nate and I end the episode critiquing Bourbon & Beyond. The standings will post in the group this weekend. In the meantime, listen to the podcast to hear how our songs stacked up, and a lot more Stray Cuts than usual. If you enjoy this podcast,

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01:04:49

Season 3 Episode 38: The Pod Is Back!

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/09/26

Steve Strait joins your host Burke Wasson to discuss our emotionally and politically charged songs of the week from #FreshCuts Vol. 78. We cover a lot of ground, go a lot of places we didn't expect, and even discuss what our pets think of our music. If you enjoy this podcast, you can donate any amount, big or small, to keep it going through the following apps:PayPal at wasson.burke@gmail.comVenmo at @Burke-WassonCashApp at $BurkeWassonThank you for your support. It means a lot and helps cover

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02:14:41

Season 3 Episode 37: #FreshCuts Vol. 77 (An Instant...

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/09/10

This past week's #FreshCuts will go down in Midlife Critics history as maybe our best yet. And so will this episode - which vacillates between sharp analysis, personal insight, and off the rails commentary. It also has a ton of guests, as your host Burke Wasson is joined by Wellington Davis, Claire Knight, Bryan Mosby, Travis Boots, Nathan Ferrell, and Steve Strait to discuss our songs of the week. This episode will have chapters and playlist links by Wednesday. In the meantime, enjoy! If you enjoy

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01:21:58

Season 3 Episode 36: W is for Wellington, Wednesday,...

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/09/05

0:00-4:54: My Anxious Week, Community Support, and the #1 Song Tiebreaker4:54-14:29: Diving into Heatmiser's 'Get Lucky' and Victory Theatre Experiences14:29-21:02: Exploring Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Other Fresh Cuts from the Mid-List21:02-30:42: From Detroit Cobras to ‘Cocaine Hippo’30:42-42:30: The Flaming Lips' Foresight, Neil Merriweather, and Wednesday's Unique Vocals42:30-47:39: Unpacking Danger Mouse's Prolific Production with Karen O and Beyond47:39-56:56: Analyzing Wednesday's 'Pick Up

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01:05:18

Season 3 Episode 35: #FreshCuts Vol. 75 (World Wide Wes)

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/08/28

Wes Dorris joins your host Burke Wasson to count down our mostly unheard by us songs of the week from #FreshCuts Vol. 75. We also ponder why no one is starting a music video channel in 2025. We want our MTV...because MTV is pure ridiculousness! Literally! The playlist will post Friday evening. For now, enjoy the episode. If you enjoy this podcast, you can donate any amount, big or small, to keep it going through the following apps:PayPal at wasson.burke@gmail.comVenmo at @Burke-WassonCashApp at

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01:19:09

Season 3 Episode 34: #FreshCuts Vol. 74/ R.I.P. Brent...

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/08/22

Nathan Ferrell, Travis Boots, Steve Strait, and Wellington Davis join your host Burke Wasson to discuss our favorite #FreshCuts from the past week. Plus, find out what our kids think of last week's #1 song. We discuss our recent trip to St. Louis to see Broncho at Off Broadway, break down how patient you have to be to enjoy prog, and discuss why Kurt Cobain owes Killing Joke a sandwich. The #FreshCuts standings will be revealed in this episode info on Friday evening. For now, enjoy the ride on this

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01:31:37

Season 3 Episode 33: #FreshCuts Vol. 73

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/08/14

What happens when you get your host Burke Wasson and stalwart midlife critics Travis Boots, Wellington Davis, and Steve Strait together in the same recording session? Hot four-way action. Hear Travis' continued evolution getting into "good shoegaze" and "bluegrass with balls." Hear Steve wax poetic on more Swedish stoner rock and dark hip-hop. Listen to Wellington marvel at the eclecticism of this week's songs. Wellington and Travis also react to news of one of their favorite overlooked artists

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01:55:42

Season 3 Episode 32: #FreshCuts Vol. 72

The Midlife Critics Podcast ·

2025/08/09

Wellington Davis, Nathan Ferrell, Jesse Morgan, Travis Boots, and Bryan Mosby join your host Burke Wasson to break down our songs of the week from #FreshCuts Vol. 72. Wellington shares a big piece of his personal journey. Nathan ponders nominating songs to mess with people. Jesse shares his concern for people who nominate sad songs (even though he did, too!). Travis marvels at 2025 being a great year for new rap. And Mosby questions how Burke doesn't know a certain song that made our countdown this

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