Today on No Bad Ideas... fraud! Inflatable dolls! Possessed objects! American cinema! And more!

For our first bad idea today, Zach brings us an article about some financial crimes inspired by the 1999 film Office Space. The gang decides to turn that into a radical reboot of a very, very different movie: Saw! Then, Gabriel presents the story of a man who used an inflatable Grinch doll in order to use the carpool lane on the highway. The trio turns it into a story of a man who is forced to reckon with his distaste for the Christmas holidays by a very unusual presence.

All of that, plus: people riding shotgun, shopping malls burning down, criminal masterminds, bonding experiences, and deep wells. 

Today's Bad Ideas™: 
Idea #1
Idea #2

Today on No Bad Ideas... fraud! Inflatable dolls! Possessed objects! American cinema! And more!
For our first bad idea today, Zach brings us an article about some financial crimes inspired by the 1999 film Office Space. The gang decides to turn that into a radical reboot of a very, very different movie: Saw! Then, Gabriel presents the story of a man who used an inflatable Grinch doll in order to use the carpool lane on the highway. The trio turns it into a story of a man who is forced to reckon with his distaste for the Christmas holidays by a very unusual presence.
All of that, plus: people riding shotgun, shopping malls burning down, criminal masterminds, bonding experiences, and deep wells. 
Today's Bad Ideas™:  <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2022/office-space-movie-plot-gave-zulily-engineer-a-blueprint-for-financial-fraud-prosecutors-allege/">Idea #1</a> <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arizona-police-grinch-carpool_n_639b4c54e4b0f4895ad95fe3">Idea #2</a>

The No Bad Ideas Podcast is the creation of Gabriel Urbina, Sarah Shachat, and Zach Valenti, three writer and artist-types who, in order to stay fresh creatively, have an excuse to hang out with each other once a week, and check in on what they're working on, take a terrible idea they found on the Internet each week and turn it into a compelling narrative. Or as close as they can get in 30 minutes.

If you're someone trying to be creative yourself or even if you just appreciate a good story, you'll enjoy listening to Zach, Sarah, and Gabriel figure out how to make sense of the best (or worst?) absurdities the internet has to offer. We guarantee there have definitely been worse ideas.

No Bad Ideas

The creators of Wolf 359 talk about the unceasing rollercoaster ride of pursuing creative careers in a time... that is now. In a world... that is this one. In a podcast... that you should totally subscribe and listen to.

A Grand Total of Zero Saw Movies

Happy Labor Day! We are still laboring on a project we can't tell you about (yet) but we have worked mightily to find some bad ideas on the Internet and think that you'll enjoy the results! 

First, Gabriel brings us an Am I The Asshole post full of culinary spite that we turn into a fractured fairy tale where ritual matters, at least to the eldritch abomination that lives in the lake. Then, Sarah brings us a tale of extreme sports fandom and we turn it into a complex thriller of celebrity and identity (with apologies to Elizabeth Olsen). 

Plus: the ultimate in 'senpai, notice me, please,' strong villain energy, real legal troubles, some mythic mythbusters, and a subtle tomato vibe. 

Today's Bad Idea: 
Idea #1
Idea #2

Happy Labor Day! We are still laboring on a project we can't tell you about (yet) but we have worked mightily to find some bad ideas on the Internet and think that you'll enjoy the results! 
First, Gabriel brings us an Am I The Asshole post full of culinary spite that we turn into a fractured fairy tale where ritual matters, at least to the eldritch abomination that lives in the lake. Then, Sarah brings us a tale of extreme sports fandom and we turn it into a complex thriller of celebrity and identity (with apologies to Elizabeth Olsen). 
Plus: the ultimate in 'senpai, notice me, please,' strong villain energy, real legal troubles, some mythic mythbusters, and a subtle tomato vibe. 
Today's Bad Idea:  <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/tmxe42/aita_for_being_mad_my_bf_wont_make_noodles_the/">Idea #1</a> <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/28/sport/brazil-fan-neymar-will-intl-spt/index.html">Idea #2</a>

It Couldn't Hurt... 

Apologies for the delay in this one - travel, work on new projects, and some health road bumps (everyone is okay!) kept this one from being done properly until right now!

Today in No Bad Ideas: self-expression! Grumpy men! Aggressive sea animals! And more!

In our first bad idea today, Zach brings us the story of a French man who fought for his right to not be fun at work. The squad works to turn it into a comedic battle of workplace manners. Then, in the second idea, Sarah gives us the gift that keeps on giving: a chance to talk about the surfboard-stealing otter that has been terrorizing the shores of Santa Cruz. The gang turns it into the story of a tricksy otter that teaches an aspiring surfer how to master the art of riding the waves. 

All of that, plus: 24-year-old party animals, bon vivants, grape crushing, aquatic homeownership, and cozy remakes of Jaws. 

Today's Bad Ideas™: 
Idea #1
Idea #2

Apologies for the delay in this one - travel, work on new projects, and some health road bumps (everyone is okay!) kept this one from being done properly until right now!
Today in No Bad Ideas: self-expression! Grumpy men! Aggressive sea animals! And more!
In our first bad idea today, Zach brings us the story of a French man who fought for his right to not be fun at work. The squad works to turn it into a comedic battle of workplace manners. Then, in the second idea, Sarah gives us the gift that keeps on giving: a chance to talk about the surfboard-stealing otter that has been terrorizing the shores of Santa Cruz. The gang turns it into the story of a tricksy otter that teaches an aspiring surfer how to master the art of riding the waves. 
All of that, plus: 24-year-old party animals, bon vivants, grape crushing, aquatic homeownership, and cozy remakes of Jaws. 
Today's Bad Ideas™:  <a href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/11/30/a-french-man-has-won-the-right-not-to-be-fun-at-work-in-a-landmark-court-battle#:~:text=Do%20you%20hate%20your%20boss,At%20least%2C%20not%20in%20France.">Idea #1</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/07/13/1187295769/otter-santa-cruz-surfboard-surfers-california">Idea #2</a>

Otter Miyagi

Today on No Bad Ideas... Wedding planning! Service Industry workers! Big purchases! TLC's new show My Surprise Bris! And more!

For our first bad idea, Gabriel brings us the story of someone who had to walk out on their surprise nuptials. The gang turns it into a fast-paced, Jacques Tati-esque romantic comedy about two waiters who have to hold a wedding together. Then, Zach keeps the episode on theme with the tale of someone who had to reckon with their wife surprising them with the news that they bought a yoga studio. The squad works to turn it into a heart-warming story of a beleaguered spouse who has to turn a yoga studio profitable to keep her marriage afloat.

All of that, plus: unconscious wedding planners, inciting assholes, Uncle Jimbo, George Clooney cameos, and moments of super-sizing. 

Today's Bad Ideas™: 
Idea #1
Idea #2

Today on No Bad Ideas... Wedding planning! Service Industry workers! Big purchases! TLC's new show My Surprise Bris! And more!
For our first bad idea, Gabriel brings us the story of someone who had to walk out on their surprise nuptials. The gang turns it into a fast-paced, Jacques Tati-esque romantic comedy about two waiters who have to hold a wedding together. Then, Zach keeps the episode on theme with the tale of someone who had to reckon with their wife surprising them with the news that they bought a yoga studio. The squad works to turn it into a heart-warming story of a beleaguered spouse who has to turn a yoga studio profitable to keep her marriage afloat.
All of that, plus: unconscious wedding planners, inciting assholes, Uncle Jimbo, George Clooney cameos, and moments of super-sizing. 
Today's Bad Ideas™:  <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/14d57d9/aita_for_leaving_my_surprise_wedding_because_i/">Idea #1</a> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/14xzeqj/aita_for_yelling_at_my_wife_because_she_used_our/">Idea #2</a>

A Grand Total of Zero Saw Movies

In 1 playlist(s)

No Bad Ideas

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips