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It's been a long time in the making, but here it is: the big hug. Paul and Mike's twenty-two-year hug-free friendship finally advances to the next level as they lock limbs for 38 solid minutes. Mathematically, that's the cumulative sum of all the lost hugs that most normal friends would have generously administered unto one another throughout their relationship -- but Paul and Mike withheld for some reason. New bonds are cemented, tears are nearly shed, and a hug is definitely documented. Fall into the arms of an old friend and enjoy!

Wouldn't you know, the day Paul DesCombaz and Mike Brady were set to attempt the hug challenge, Paul woke up with a fever and had to cancel. For those of you who know Paul personally, canceling at the last minute is actually called "pulling a Paul D." But Mike knows that that type of behavior is a thing of the past and chooses to believe that Paul is telling the truth about being sick. He must believe it if only for his own sense of dignity. As Paul convalesces, check out this excerpt from last week's show to re-acquaint yourself with the hug challenge and how it emerged organically from the conversation. Why not share this condensed highlight clip with your friends and family? Please help spread the word and reserve your spot in Valhalla! Thanks and enjoy.

This week, after owning up to the fact that they've been too easy on themselves of late, Paul and Mike eschew the usual format and ponder their lives — going all the way back to the first day of kindergarten. Then, in an attempt to further correct this ghostship adrift, they devise a challenge so odd it may require some A/V equipment rental. All this and a visit from Mary DesCombaz! Do enjoy.

Take those old records off the shelves because this week, Paul and Mike sit and listen to them by themselves. Does today's music got the same soul as that old-time rock 'n' roll? There's only one way to find out... Also, some new characters emerge to liven up the festivities. Finish that hunk wedding cake and enjoy!

Two tear-filled weeks after issuing their crying challenge, Paul and Mike check in with each other to see who did the most tissuing. Sad tales are told, jokes are made, things get real! Plus special guest, Paul's wife Mary, gets on the microphone to assign next week challenge. Enjoy!

By now, you surely know the name Paul DesCombaz, but do you really know the man? This week, Paul and Mike delve deep into this man we know as Paul to poke, prod, and pull everything we can learn about not only what makes him tick, but what tickles his tickle bone (AKA funnybone.) It gets dark, but it also gets light, so silence your smartphones and enjoy! Also: sad sandwiches. Please write: notsofastcast@gmail.com

Take your seats, ladies and gentlemen! This week the podcasting world's answer to Ben Brantley, Paul DesCombaz and Mike Brady, lurk smugly through Broadway's hallowed lobbies to soak in and pass judgement on one of the Great White Way's most honored and oft-maligned rock-musicals, "Rent." What is it about? When was it made? Why does everyone sing-talk so darn much? Let's figure it out! Grab your seat (but slam your Pinot  'cause no food or beverages are allowed in the theatre) and enjoy!

There was a time when the Internet did not exist. Most choose to forget that time. This week, Paul and Mike jump into a proverbial time machine (as opposed to a literal one) to revisit those dark, lonely, click-free days of yore to see if there's anything to do these days besides Tweet. Meanwhile, Paul's own past comes back to haunt and Mike is haunted by a head cold. Download this episode and enjoy.

Paul and Mike certainly aren't the first two jerks to read and discuss the smash hit erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey, but they are the first to do so on this particular podcast. Or do they? In this fun-filled ep, Paul reports the latest Chris Gaines news, Christian Grey talks about his favorite band, and a new challenge is put forth that has the boys wondering if they gots what it takes to makes it happen. Plop into a chaise lounge and enjoy!

This week, Paul and Mike take a sneak peek into the future of movies, music, TV and tech (the 2 M's and the 2 T's.) Prejudgments are forged. Opinions are vocalized. Seeds are planted. Then, things take a turn. A turn for the better or a turn for the worse? Snap on your cans and decide for yourself...

Hold onto your cowboy hats! Reality and dillusion face off in this very special episode. Paul and Mike examine the life (if that's what you call it) of Chris Gaines. If you don't know who that is, just hit play and enjoy. If this is old news to you, also hit play and enjoy!

At long last, Paul and Mike report back on their individual challenges from two weeks prior. Paul unveils his opinion of the films of Igmar Bergman and Mike pulls the veil off his family's sometimes awkward dynamic. High school friends (and would-be friends) are fondly recalled and the cat is let out of the bag! Grab a tissue and enjoy...

Every once in awhile (this being the first time) Paul and Mike take a break from the weekly grind of challenging themselves to try things they don't particularly like to talk about something they particulary love in a series called Yes So Fast. This inauguaral edition of YSF is all about SY, or to spell it out for you, Sonic Youth. If you've somehow never heard of Sonic Youth, they're a legendary rock band. But don't worry, Paul and Mike will guide you through their rich musical history with tender, loving, baby-soft hands. Insert your earbuds and enjoy! And if you somehow haven't read Kim Gordon's new book, do that, too!

This week, Paul and Mike are audibly more relaxed, loose, and lazy with their places behind the microphones of this very podcast. They debate the merits of editing this very podcast. They reflect upon the first four episodes of this very podcast. It's a very podcast podcast! Paul eats 'kraut. Mike reads comics. All this and a message from an old friend. Enjoy!

This week, saloon doors burst open as Paul and Mike hazard to enter the straw-floored honky tonk known as New Country Music (cue needle scratch.) The boys ride the bucking broncos of today's hottest country hits and lasso them into chaw spit faster than a tater in a Caroliner hog-toss. Or, to put it in city-folk talk, they listen to Billboard's top ten new country songs of the week and re-rank them in accordance to their personal tastes. Pull up a hay bale and enjoy!

Paul and Mike screen Michael Bay's Transformers Quadrilogy. Through the shrapnel and alien robot grease of this cinematic hell-scape, they thoughtfully discuss the merits of the films. Do Paul and Mike experience a transformation of their own? Grab a tub of popcorn and find out! They also share some of their personal favorite movies of all time, as a nice change of pace.

Having challenged themselves to learn all the can about ultimate fighting, Paul and Mike spend a week inside the proverbial Octagon (is that supposed to be capitalized?) and live to tell about it. Guest expert and MMA fan Bruce McGuire raises the level of the conversation to ultimate status. To borrow a phrase from the sport in question which means "a strike that leaves an opponent unable to continue and results in a premature conclusion to a bout" this episode is a "knockout!"  Now we're learning things!

In this first episode, hosts Paul DesCombaz and Mike Brady attempt to introduce themselves as well as layout the premise of this podcast. That premise being this: Paul and Mike take another look (or a first look) at things that they have written-off, disregarded, or predetermined as unworthy of their precious time.  Each week, they'll immerse themselves in some cultural phenomenon or life experience that they've up to now classified as "not for me." "Not so fast, " a nagging voice within themselves will scold. "Don't knock it 'til ya tried it!" Well, they'll try it and either continue to knock it or, in some cases, discover a new like, love, passion, or pastime that they would have otherwise have gone to their respective graves having ignored like idiots. Welcome and enjoy, if you graciously allow yourself the option of doing as such.