Long time fan and I’ve just upgraded to a paid subscription. I’m coming to see you in Sydney next week, which I am very excited for! I had bought two tickets and will now be going on my own. Thought I’d offer for you to giveaway my spare ticket?
Love the new merch designs. Jess, you capture the soul of Webworm so perfectly!
My AMA Q may be too personal, so please interpret it to answer however you feel comfortable...You wrote about your ADHD diagnosis months back (spring maybe), and I wanted to follow up on your journey as a fellow late-dx ND person. How's that going? Was it worth getting an official assessment? Are you learning more about your brain and settling into your "new" identity?
I didn't find it shocking in any way, more just interesting.
I got prescribed adderall, and it works to a point (I am a lot more efficient) but it also makes me too speedy.
I am currently on nothing - and waiting to get some slow release meds to see how they work.
So, no magic fix. But just knowing how my brain works makes it easier to get less frustrated with myself. That alone has helped, as I tend to get very easily frustrated with my behaviour.
Late diagnosed(I'm 37, dx at 35) AuDHD here, and straight up, the understanding of myself and my behaviors, and learning how to accommodate myself has really changed my life.
And there are non-stimulant med options as well, those work better for some. I'm currently untreated for ADHD bc I've got too much other health stuff going on to deal with it atm
Hey David, so it's not a question as much as it's something I've been wanting to share with you for a while. My name is Itai, I'm a writer, creator and director from Israel. My young brother, Guy, passed last year after taking his own life. He was 18 years old, and despite the 10 year gap between us - we were very close and shared a lot of creative hobbies. He was also a trans kid and lived with many difficult mental struggles that led him to end his life at such a young age.
I've shown him "Tickled" and ever since he was pretty much obsessed with you, and often told me about his dreams and plans on making "David Farrier style documentaries" about weird and obiscure things he'd find online. He was honestly one of the funniest, most talented people I've ever known and I truly believed he's going to do all of those crazy things he was planning to do. Unfortunately, he didn't get to fulfill those dreams after all.
I'm quoting here some messages from one of the very last chats we had before his passing:
"Just finished Dark Tourist. Something really awakened in me after seeing David's stuff. I've seen so many documentaries, but it blew my mind how he really puts his unique persona in the front and leads the story with his own voice."
"Why is he so good at this??? It's the like Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement. New Zealand creators are just the best at what they do for some reason. It's kinda annoying really."
"I feel so inspired by his shit. It really gave me a push to watch more documentaries. I've seen some really bad Netflix ones and it only made me appreciate him even more. He really knows how to tell a story and make it funny and feel like something you've never seen before. I really wanna do something like that. But he's this famous director from New Zealand and I'm just this kid with severe depression and zero motivation stuck at my parents house sitting all day doing nothing. What are the odds I'll actually get out of here and make something that involves traveling around and talking with people?".
To the last message I've responded: "Dude, you got your camera and a microphone and you're a so much more talented now, at 17, than most 30 year olds I know. Go and do it, I'll help you if you need anything". A few months after that, I took him for a Eurotrip for his 18th birthday. We've seen our two favorite bands live - The Who and Tenacious D. He took his own life 2 months after that.
So, as i've said, it's not really a question. I just felt like I needed to share with you, and in a way to thank you for inspiring my little bro and giving him this boost of creativity in the last year of his life. Thanks again. Love your stuff. Sorry for the sad-story-dumping.
Itai - I am speechless. You went and fucking choked me up. I'm just - um - incredibly honored that you shared that? It goes without saying, but I am so, so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have thanked him for being into that show, and yeah - maybe told him our bungled plans for a season two. Fucking life. I am so, so glad you got to see The D and The Who. Those memories will stick and I imagine are wonderful and incredibly hard to think on.
Got my FB tshirt last week, already on its third rotation in the wardrobe!
No questions, but I have a confession: for the first time, I couldn’t finish a FB episode. I got 40 minutes into the election episode and I had to bail, I couldn’t bear the thought of hearing hope turn to despair.
I've been proudly wearing my FB shirt since it arrived!
My question: I discord you through the cryptid factor and short poppies - do you have a favourite episode of each of these? And also, do you have any fun stories to share from short poppies? It's such a great show!
Thanks for repping this weird newsletter out in the real world. As someone who wears nothing but t-shirts of things I like, I really appreciate this. I think probably the most insane thing with Rhys bringing me in to Short Poppies (I was still doing news full time, Tickled was a few years away from falling in my lap) is that I got to share scenes with Sam Neil (WTF!!!!) who had the funniest fucking plot of being a bee keeper with only one bee. Also - the legs scene with Steve Merchant which I think I was cut out of was AMAZING just because I was a giant fan at the time (since come to the conclusion he's a bit of a dickhead, but back in 2014 it was a thrill). I think that lifeguard epi was probably my favourite - beach time, great crew, and Merchant - taller and ganglier than I was at the time.
Don't worry, I'm 37 and only got my learner's licence last year! I took some lessons and hated it. My anxiety was through the roof, and I decided it wasn't worth it. Plus cars are really fucking expensive. I have come to the conclusion that driving isn't for everyone (despite what most people say), and that's okay.
Have you ever thought about "flipping the script" so to speak and doing an episode of flightless bird that is about a kiwi topic? I've been seeing a lot of content about Haka, the Maori dance. I first saw it last week in relation to an MP performing the dance in protest to a controversial bill that aims to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi. Maori culture has always really interested me. I'm assuming it is not dissimilar to American's relationship with Native American's but I'd love to know more. Or you could go for a softball like vegamite although maybe that is Aussie. You get it :)!
Also, are you a cat person or a dog person? You strike me as a cat fan and I've always wondered! I listen to Armchair quite a bit and Monica's cat hate makes me sad.
Definitely! I am going to be recording some episodes in Australian when I am there in about a week - and when I am in NZ next year (hopefully) I will do some more NZ episodes (and your suggestion is great).
These are some older ones on FB:
33: New Zealand Vacation
In this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier returns to Aotearoa, New Zealand, to investigate why so many of New Zealand's native birds are flightless. Literally. David sets out to find three such creatures: The little penguin, the kakapo and - of course - the useless kiwi bird. What happened to their wings, and why does the world’s heaviest parrot choose to live in the forest floor instead of the majestic trees? David learns why New Zealand birds are so stinky, and marvels at the weight of the extinct Moa. Also - why did the world’s biggest FLYING bird live in New Zealand? And why does one particular flightless bird lead to so many ghost scares each year?
75: Feijoas
This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier finds himself stranded back in New Zealand, waiting for his new American Visa to be issued. He decides to investigate New Zealand’s most famous fruit - not the kiwifruit, but the feijoa. They’re an icon in New Zealand, put in everything from chocolate to vodka. Farrier then sets out to understand why the feijoa has never taken off in America - and is shocked to find an underground network of feijoa lovers throughout California.
76: Lord of the Rings
This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier still finds himself stranded back in New Zealand, waiting for his new Visa to be issued so he can make more American Flightless Birds. Cut off from America, he decides to do one of the most touristy things he can imagine: He sets off for Matamata and the tiny sleepy village of Hobbiton. Left over from the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, he goes to meet Hobbiton general manager Shayne Forrest, who takes Farrier around the most incredibly detailed living film set he’s ever seen. Farrier discovers that Hobbiton has recently opened up a Hobbit house, so Farrier goes inside to experience it with an American man called Matt. Outside, Farrier is lucky enough to meet Pickles, Hobbiton’s one and only rescue cat.
PS: I am mainly a cat man (I grew up with SO many cats) - but dogs are great too. Animals are the best, and never trust someone who doesn't like animals.
I just listened to that feijoa episode a few weeks ago and bought a plant because of it! If you’re in Adelaide three years from now once it’s matured, they’re on me! 😂
Give it heaps of water! I've had fejoas grown here (Adelaide), they smell like home but they're always tiny and tough and gritty. I always eat them when I'm gifted them but they're always a bit sad! Best of luck to yours 😍
Just wanted to say that I listened to your episode on feijoas last week, and your description has set me on a hunt for them in Sweden! I've seen them listed on some wholesale grocers websites, haven't had the chance to go check out if they're actually in stock at the moment though. Hoping I find some! 🤞
I really hope I have not said the expectation too high! Part of their charm in NZ is that they are just EVERYWHERE. In season, you can't move for feijoas!
I'm sure they'll be great! I don't expect the ones who would make it to Sweden to be amazing because they'll be coming all the way from Colombia, but you got me curious!
I recently found some finger limes, after years of seeing them on MasterChef Aus, and they're probably way better over there, but it was still amazing to finally get to try some 😍
David!!! You made my day! Thank you. Looking forward to reading this. I know you’re not a Hollywood elite but you feel kinda famous to me.
P.S can you ask Rob the name of the Indian restaurant he recommends? You two were talking about Indian restaurants on a recent episode but can’t remember which one. I live in rural western Colorado and I never get to eat at cool restaurants like the ones they have in LA but I’ll be passing though on Saturday so here’s my big chance!
David has done some episodes on New Zealand/Aotearoa cultural topics, whenever he's been back home since starting the pod! If you scroll back through the FB episodes feed, I'm sure you'll find them ☺️
I’m new to Webworm but have been a loyal FB listener and just want to say I so appreciate all you do! I was raised in the evangelical bubble (so glad to have broken free!) so I especially enjoy hearing about your experiences related to it. I don’t have a question specifically, just wanted to say keep doing what you’re doing and I love the new direction of the podcast! I am relating to it a lot and working up the courage to have some tough conversations with my family members :)
Thanks so much for saying. I see you. I listed a bunch of my Webworm Christian stuff here if that helps you find old stuff: https://www.webworm.co/p/megachurch
And the very first Flightless Bird hit on this topic a little! Episode one: Religion.
Speaking of immigrating to NZ, we're doing a free webinar tomorrow for how those in the USA can immigrate to NZ after a recent shocking and unfortunate event. Didn't want to post a link without consent though, as don't want to be that guy who spams adds on others pages.
Personally, with who the current suggestions Trump is making for top posts, I have moved from reasonable annoyance towards actual fear. Wondering if the US will start seeing a mass exodus of the educated and newer wealthy.
Thanks David. Link to the webinar is at http://bit.ly/starskiwi and we'll run through a few options but mainly focus on answering questions.
I am curious how you found this place? I love hearing how people find their way here.
Next year in LA - yes. I am figuring out if I can do other US cities. I am badly organised, so figuring things out outside of the city I am in is always hard for my brain!
But I'd like to do some screenings with added popups, fun around it.
I just find getting people all together in a cinema is very fun.
I have a terrible memory for this kind of stuff (too much space taken up by random pop culture trivia, apparently), but I believe I first heard about you through Tickled, followed you on some social platform and then made my way to Webworm from there. I was a free member for a while, upgraded after a couple months, and then lurked for a while before finally commenting.
Webworm is really the only place I regularly post nowadays (I still find it a bit astonishing when you or anybody likes or responds to my comments), so thanks for making a nice little community where even a terminally shy person like me feels comfortable expressing themselves.
I have lived on and off in NZ since 2003, and I remembered you (David) from TV3 news from when I was a teenager. I moved back for good in 2019, and then found Webworm through an article about golliw**s in 2021 still being made and sold in Aotearoa, which I was very shocked about. My grandma gave one to my daughter, and after I explained to my 3 yr old that they were racist, she dropped it and never played with it again. Easier to explain to a kid about how golli's are racist than an adult!
Been supporting since 2021 and I've never second guessed having my subscription!
come to the Bay Area! Santa Cruz would be my vote, we have a few quirky independent theaters that would be awesome for webworm events. but SF would be fine too, I guess lol
I don't remember exactly how I found webworm but I watched Dark Tourist and Tickled both shortly after their release dates. Somehow didn't realize they were both done by the same guy (I'm terrible with names lmao). Then I think I probably rediscovered you through Short Poppies and/or The Cryptid Factor, realized you were the same guy that did DT and Tickled lol, found Flightless Bird from friends who were fans of SP and TCF (one of whom was Ro <3 ), and then stumbled upon Webworm about 2 years ago, probably through those same friends.
I watched dark tourist shortly before the pandemic hit. I loved how open you were to new experiences (maybe a little too open - you’ve been exposed to an alarming level of radiation multiple times), and how you approached almost everything with genuine curiosity in the show, so I started following you on instagram. Your responses of, “You’re living it,” when people asked about dark tourist season 2 in the early days of the pandemic played a small part in keeping me sane during those days. I’ll shamefully admit that it took a while for me to subscribe to Webworm, but I still kept up with what you were doing and writing about through IG. Eventually, I subscribed to the free version, and now I’m a ✨paid subscriber✨
Thanks for finding your way here. It's the only place I really enjoy talking to people who I don't necessarily directly know. I've made new friendships here. So, grateful you are here
I think we are now in Dark Tourist Season 8, and it's VERY, very dark.
I found you via Flightless Bird via Armchaired and Dangerous via Armchair Expert. Your name was familiar since I'm in Aotearoa probably from 3 News. Then I came to Mr Organ screening in Christchurch that you were at and had a chat. I love your tenacity, openness and quirk. And your love of animals and willingness to engage here and at your events.
I like people. It's generally fun meeting them, and I feel lucky that the people who like my stuff also seem to be interesting, good people? So yeah - awesome.
I juuuust ordered my grey FB tshirt and wore it last weekend...it was an immediate favorite, so comfy and looks cool, too! I only wish I had a tee with my favorite insult (I think maybe you wrote it in an IG comment?) - "fucking brussels sprout." I hate them, so it's such a brilliant insult to me! OH! The AMA! Umm...favorite Christmas tradition, if you have one? Birthday cake doesn't count. :P
Have you ever tried the ‘cocktail’ of Baileys and Amaretto? Can’t remember what it is called but it is gorgeous but to be approached cautiously as so delicious you can end up with a stonking hangover.
There's a story in my family, about 50 odd years ago in the early 70s when my younger brother was little my father had his boss around for dinner, with his wife and young son. My brother was already put out because he was relegated back to a high chair to fit everyone at the table. Halfway through the meal he threw a Brussel Sprout at my mum's head and said " you know I don't like these bloody little cabbages" so in our family that's what they are known as!
Your little brother was a wise man at a tender age. Or, I assume it was a tender age, as he fit in a high chair. But I won't judge what a family must do to entertain guests!
Ugh...roughly 50 years ago I was a kid in a high chair and now I'm feeling like another grey hair just emerged!
Your podcasts keep me sane on my way to and from work as a therapist in a high school. Thank you!
Question: Do you feel like you’re able to make the kind of content you want more now since you’re out from The Umbrella? As in, do you have more freedoms/less rigidity?
Now that you’re out on your own, are you considering a new theme tune? Because I think your mate Liam could make something chaotic and catchy as hell 👀
Any chance you’re planning a trip back to NZ in 2025, specifically to the South Island? Nelson would love to host you! Alternatively Nelsonions would happily drive the 5hrs to Christchurch to see you too x
I am going to be in NZ in 2025 - and I do want to plan some stuff that exists out of Auckland. Noted.
Nelson is so sunny and beautiful, and my dear from Christie is from there who once travelled with me to Mongolia to try and find the Mongolian Death Worm back in 2009! A lifetime ago!
In a sea of horrible some flicks of light. Alan Jones, the Sean Plunket of Australian airwaves who for decades spread and enabled a vile shit pile of racism and misogyny from his 2GB platform has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault. Many brave and fearless women have come forward with credible allegations resulting in his arrest.
He of course is pleading his innocence as they all do. And the justice system does not guarantee justice for his alleged victims, for he will have high powered silks to plead his case.
The question now is also who were his protectors and enablers. For the Alan Jones of this world can only act in their vile way because the are protected by other rich powerful and vile men.
Hi David, as I write this I am having my morning coffee while contemplating the train wreck that is the USA, Seymour's betrayal of Te Tiriti and here in Australia, the prospect of the repugnant Peter Dutton who wants to fill Australia with nuclear power stations despite no way to safely dispose of the waste being elected in the next Australia election. No question just a dreary vent at our part of the world
Hi David,
Long time fan and I’ve just upgraded to a paid subscription. I’m coming to see you in Sydney next week, which I am very excited for! I had bought two tickets and will now be going on my own. Thought I’d offer for you to giveaway my spare ticket?
Thank you for creating such wonderful content.
Hey! Glad you nabbed a ticket! I will pin this comment in case anyone sees it and wants in.
See you in... about a week. I need to pack.
Lol I read that as "filthy lobbyists" and now that's the one I want 🤣
It can be whatever you want it to be in your mind!
Love the new merch designs. Jess, you capture the soul of Webworm so perfectly!
My AMA Q may be too personal, so please interpret it to answer however you feel comfortable...You wrote about your ADHD diagnosis months back (spring maybe), and I wanted to follow up on your journey as a fellow late-dx ND person. How's that going? Was it worth getting an official assessment? Are you learning more about your brain and settling into your "new" identity?
I didn't find it shocking in any way, more just interesting.
I got prescribed adderall, and it works to a point (I am a lot more efficient) but it also makes me too speedy.
I am currently on nothing - and waiting to get some slow release meds to see how they work.
So, no magic fix. But just knowing how my brain works makes it easier to get less frustrated with myself. That alone has helped, as I tend to get very easily frustrated with my behaviour.
Late diagnosed(I'm 37, dx at 35) AuDHD here, and straight up, the understanding of myself and my behaviors, and learning how to accommodate myself has really changed my life.
Exact same here, even down to the numbers!
Same! Diagnosed 35, now 38!
Oh I’m ADHD diagnosed at 44!
After 18 months on short acting it started to make me feel like an anxious wind up toy, speeding up and crashing down 3x a day.
Finally got long acting last month and it’s been much more pleasant. I hope you can try the slow release soon and they work out for you too, David!
And there are non-stimulant med options as well, those work better for some. I'm currently untreated for ADHD bc I've got too much other health stuff going on to deal with it atm
Hey David, so it's not a question as much as it's something I've been wanting to share with you for a while. My name is Itai, I'm a writer, creator and director from Israel. My young brother, Guy, passed last year after taking his own life. He was 18 years old, and despite the 10 year gap between us - we were very close and shared a lot of creative hobbies. He was also a trans kid and lived with many difficult mental struggles that led him to end his life at such a young age.
I've shown him "Tickled" and ever since he was pretty much obsessed with you, and often told me about his dreams and plans on making "David Farrier style documentaries" about weird and obiscure things he'd find online. He was honestly one of the funniest, most talented people I've ever known and I truly believed he's going to do all of those crazy things he was planning to do. Unfortunately, he didn't get to fulfill those dreams after all.
I'm quoting here some messages from one of the very last chats we had before his passing:
"Just finished Dark Tourist. Something really awakened in me after seeing David's stuff. I've seen so many documentaries, but it blew my mind how he really puts his unique persona in the front and leads the story with his own voice."
"Why is he so good at this??? It's the like Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement. New Zealand creators are just the best at what they do for some reason. It's kinda annoying really."
"I feel so inspired by his shit. It really gave me a push to watch more documentaries. I've seen some really bad Netflix ones and it only made me appreciate him even more. He really knows how to tell a story and make it funny and feel like something you've never seen before. I really wanna do something like that. But he's this famous director from New Zealand and I'm just this kid with severe depression and zero motivation stuck at my parents house sitting all day doing nothing. What are the odds I'll actually get out of here and make something that involves traveling around and talking with people?".
To the last message I've responded: "Dude, you got your camera and a microphone and you're a so much more talented now, at 17, than most 30 year olds I know. Go and do it, I'll help you if you need anything". A few months after that, I took him for a Eurotrip for his 18th birthday. We've seen our two favorite bands live - The Who and Tenacious D. He took his own life 2 months after that.
So, as i've said, it's not really a question. I just felt like I needed to share with you, and in a way to thank you for inspiring my little bro and giving him this boost of creativity in the last year of his life. Thanks again. Love your stuff. Sorry for the sad-story-dumping.
Itai - I am speechless. You went and fucking choked me up. I'm just - um - incredibly honored that you shared that? It goes without saying, but I am so, so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have thanked him for being into that show, and yeah - maybe told him our bungled plans for a season two. Fucking life. I am so, so glad you got to see The D and The Who. Those memories will stick and I imagine are wonderful and incredibly hard to think on.
Much aroha (love) your way.
Feeling a lot about this one. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your reply David. I'm sure he would have been excited about this. Much love back.
Thanks for sharing this, it was really a really beautiful thing to read 🌷
Got my FB tshirt last week, already on its third rotation in the wardrobe!
No questions, but I have a confession: for the first time, I couldn’t finish a FB episode. I got 40 minutes into the election episode and I had to bail, I couldn’t bear the thought of hearing hope turn to despair.
Love you and WobbybWob working together 💛
That's OK - also, the skip button can be good in some instances. You are in control!
(But also it's totally fine to shut something off!)
I've been proudly wearing my FB shirt since it arrived!
My question: I discord you through the cryptid factor and short poppies - do you have a favourite episode of each of these? And also, do you have any fun stories to share from short poppies? It's such a great show!
Thanks for repping this weird newsletter out in the real world. As someone who wears nothing but t-shirts of things I like, I really appreciate this. I think probably the most insane thing with Rhys bringing me in to Short Poppies (I was still doing news full time, Tickled was a few years away from falling in my lap) is that I got to share scenes with Sam Neil (WTF!!!!) who had the funniest fucking plot of being a bee keeper with only one bee. Also - the legs scene with Steve Merchant which I think I was cut out of was AMAZING just because I was a giant fan at the time (since come to the conclusion he's a bit of a dickhead, but back in 2014 it was a thrill). I think that lifeguard epi was probably my favourite - beach time, great crew, and Merchant - taller and ganglier than I was at the time.
I'm such a big fan of Sam Neill, his character was brilliant! It must have been such a thrill to get to work with him. Thank you!
He was also just so kind and nice. 10/10 class act, even when doing a little cameo on a small series!
Great questions, I was about to ask the same ones! 😂
Ok: what's a skill you wish you could do (that others do well) that you're shit at? Take your time 😏
I don't drive. I'm 40 and it is my single greatest failing... Maybe a bit hyperbolic 🤷🏻 Just get your licence Paula!
I wish I could dance. I wish I had rhythm.
As for not driving - at least you're being good for the environment. That's a really good thing.
Rhythm is learnable. Some people have more innate rhythm than others, but it's ultimately a skill. You could dance!
You clearly haven't met me and my uptight Christian ways!
I've dealt with your kind before. I know what's possible.
You could learn. It would make for great content at the very least
Don't worry, I'm 37 and only got my learner's licence last year! I took some lessons and hated it. My anxiety was through the roof, and I decided it wasn't worth it. Plus cars are really fucking expensive. I have come to the conclusion that driving isn't for everyone (despite what most people say), and that's okay.
Have you ever thought about "flipping the script" so to speak and doing an episode of flightless bird that is about a kiwi topic? I've been seeing a lot of content about Haka, the Maori dance. I first saw it last week in relation to an MP performing the dance in protest to a controversial bill that aims to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi. Maori culture has always really interested me. I'm assuming it is not dissimilar to American's relationship with Native American's but I'd love to know more. Or you could go for a softball like vegamite although maybe that is Aussie. You get it :)!
Also, are you a cat person or a dog person? You strike me as a cat fan and I've always wondered! I listen to Armchair quite a bit and Monica's cat hate makes me sad.
Definitely! I am going to be recording some episodes in Australian when I am there in about a week - and when I am in NZ next year (hopefully) I will do some more NZ episodes (and your suggestion is great).
These are some older ones on FB:
33: New Zealand Vacation
In this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier returns to Aotearoa, New Zealand, to investigate why so many of New Zealand's native birds are flightless. Literally. David sets out to find three such creatures: The little penguin, the kakapo and - of course - the useless kiwi bird. What happened to their wings, and why does the world’s heaviest parrot choose to live in the forest floor instead of the majestic trees? David learns why New Zealand birds are so stinky, and marvels at the weight of the extinct Moa. Also - why did the world’s biggest FLYING bird live in New Zealand? And why does one particular flightless bird lead to so many ghost scares each year?
75: Feijoas
This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier finds himself stranded back in New Zealand, waiting for his new American Visa to be issued. He decides to investigate New Zealand’s most famous fruit - not the kiwifruit, but the feijoa. They’re an icon in New Zealand, put in everything from chocolate to vodka. Farrier then sets out to understand why the feijoa has never taken off in America - and is shocked to find an underground network of feijoa lovers throughout California.
76: Lord of the Rings
This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier still finds himself stranded back in New Zealand, waiting for his new Visa to be issued so he can make more American Flightless Birds. Cut off from America, he decides to do one of the most touristy things he can imagine: He sets off for Matamata and the tiny sleepy village of Hobbiton. Left over from the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, he goes to meet Hobbiton general manager Shayne Forrest, who takes Farrier around the most incredibly detailed living film set he’s ever seen. Farrier discovers that Hobbiton has recently opened up a Hobbit house, so Farrier goes inside to experience it with an American man called Matt. Outside, Farrier is lucky enough to meet Pickles, Hobbiton’s one and only rescue cat.
PS: I am mainly a cat man (I grew up with SO many cats) - but dogs are great too. Animals are the best, and never trust someone who doesn't like animals.
I just listened to that feijoa episode a few weeks ago and bought a plant because of it! If you’re in Adelaide three years from now once it’s matured, they’re on me! 😂
Give it heaps of water! I've had fejoas grown here (Adelaide), they smell like home but they're always tiny and tough and gritty. I always eat them when I'm gifted them but they're always a bit sad! Best of luck to yours 😍
Thanks for the tip, I will! Also nice to see another Adelaide-dwelling worm here. 😊
Just wanted to say that I listened to your episode on feijoas last week, and your description has set me on a hunt for them in Sweden! I've seen them listed on some wholesale grocers websites, haven't had the chance to go check out if they're actually in stock at the moment though. Hoping I find some! 🤞
I really hope I have not said the expectation too high! Part of their charm in NZ is that they are just EVERYWHERE. In season, you can't move for feijoas!
I'm sure they'll be great! I don't expect the ones who would make it to Sweden to be amazing because they'll be coming all the way from Colombia, but you got me curious!
I recently found some finger limes, after years of seeing them on MasterChef Aus, and they're probably way better over there, but it was still amazing to finally get to try some 😍
Our native birds are stinky? Oh no 😭
Well I know that our sea birds are, but they can't help that
PS - RE: Haka, today in case you missed. Thanks for raising this: https://www.webworm.co/p/haka
David!!! You made my day! Thank you. Looking forward to reading this. I know you’re not a Hollywood elite but you feel kinda famous to me.
P.S can you ask Rob the name of the Indian restaurant he recommends? You two were talking about Indian restaurants on a recent episode but can’t remember which one. I live in rural western Colorado and I never get to eat at cool restaurants like the ones they have in LA but I’ll be passing though on Saturday so here’s my big chance!
David has done some episodes on New Zealand/Aotearoa cultural topics, whenever he's been back home since starting the pod! If you scroll back through the FB episodes feed, I'm sure you'll find them ☺️
I’m new to Webworm but have been a loyal FB listener and just want to say I so appreciate all you do! I was raised in the evangelical bubble (so glad to have broken free!) so I especially enjoy hearing about your experiences related to it. I don’t have a question specifically, just wanted to say keep doing what you’re doing and I love the new direction of the podcast! I am relating to it a lot and working up the courage to have some tough conversations with my family members :)
Thanks so much for saying. I see you. I listed a bunch of my Webworm Christian stuff here if that helps you find old stuff: https://www.webworm.co/p/megachurch
And the very first Flightless Bird hit on this topic a little! Episode one: Religion.
Thanks for being here!
Speaking of immigrating to NZ, we're doing a free webinar tomorrow for how those in the USA can immigrate to NZ after a recent shocking and unfortunate event. Didn't want to post a link without consent though, as don't want to be that guy who spams adds on others pages.
Personally, with who the current suggestions Trump is making for top posts, I have moved from reasonable annoyance towards actual fear. Wondering if the US will start seeing a mass exodus of the educated and newer wealthy.
Thanks David. Link to the webinar is at http://bit.ly/starskiwi and we'll run through a few options but mainly focus on answering questions.
Link us up please - and good luck!
Hey, I'm really interested in your webinar. How can I find it?
You can find it at http://bit.ly/starskiwi
Any upcoming Webworm pop-ups/events planned for LA?
Can't think of anything better at the moment, so I'll turn the tables: do you have any questions for Webworm readers?
I am curious how you found this place? I love hearing how people find their way here.
Next year in LA - yes. I am figuring out if I can do other US cities. I am badly organised, so figuring things out outside of the city I am in is always hard for my brain!
But I'd like to do some screenings with added popups, fun around it.
I just find getting people all together in a cinema is very fun.
Looking forward to it!
I have a terrible memory for this kind of stuff (too much space taken up by random pop culture trivia, apparently), but I believe I first heard about you through Tickled, followed you on some social platform and then made my way to Webworm from there. I was a free member for a while, upgraded after a couple months, and then lurked for a while before finally commenting.
Webworm is really the only place I regularly post nowadays (I still find it a bit astonishing when you or anybody likes or responds to my comments), so thanks for making a nice little community where even a terminally shy person like me feels comfortable expressing themselves.
I have lived on and off in NZ since 2003, and I remembered you (David) from TV3 news from when I was a teenager. I moved back for good in 2019, and then found Webworm through an article about golliw**s in 2021 still being made and sold in Aotearoa, which I was very shocked about. My grandma gave one to my daughter, and after I explained to my 3 yr old that they were racist, she dropped it and never played with it again. Easier to explain to a kid about how golli's are racist than an adult!
Been supporting since 2021 and I've never second guessed having my subscription!
come to the Bay Area! Santa Cruz would be my vote, we have a few quirky independent theaters that would be awesome for webworm events. but SF would be fine too, I guess lol
I don't remember exactly how I found webworm but I watched Dark Tourist and Tickled both shortly after their release dates. Somehow didn't realize they were both done by the same guy (I'm terrible with names lmao). Then I think I probably rediscovered you through Short Poppies and/or The Cryptid Factor, realized you were the same guy that did DT and Tickled lol, found Flightless Bird from friends who were fans of SP and TCF (one of whom was Ro <3 ), and then stumbled upon Webworm about 2 years ago, probably through those same friends.
I watched dark tourist shortly before the pandemic hit. I loved how open you were to new experiences (maybe a little too open - you’ve been exposed to an alarming level of radiation multiple times), and how you approached almost everything with genuine curiosity in the show, so I started following you on instagram. Your responses of, “You’re living it,” when people asked about dark tourist season 2 in the early days of the pandemic played a small part in keeping me sane during those days. I’ll shamefully admit that it took a while for me to subscribe to Webworm, but I still kept up with what you were doing and writing about through IG. Eventually, I subscribed to the free version, and now I’m a ✨paid subscriber✨
Thanks for finding your way here. It's the only place I really enjoy talking to people who I don't necessarily directly know. I've made new friendships here. So, grateful you are here
I think we are now in Dark Tourist Season 8, and it's VERY, very dark.
As much as I enjoyed season 1, 8 is far too many seasons to live through.
I think I got here via something you wrote for The Spinoff back in 2020.
I think this was my favourite Spinoff piece: https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-best-of/06-03-2018/the-mystery-of-zach-new-zealands-all-too-miraculous-medical-ai
They still have a great site and do great work - I studied with Duncan Grieve who started it. Small world!
I found you via Flightless Bird via Armchaired and Dangerous via Armchair Expert. Your name was familiar since I'm in Aotearoa probably from 3 News. Then I came to Mr Organ screening in Christchurch that you were at and had a chat. I love your tenacity, openness and quirk. And your love of animals and willingness to engage here and at your events.
I like people. It's generally fun meeting them, and I feel lucky that the people who like my stuff also seem to be interesting, good people? So yeah - awesome.
I juuuust ordered my grey FB tshirt and wore it last weekend...it was an immediate favorite, so comfy and looks cool, too! I only wish I had a tee with my favorite insult (I think maybe you wrote it in an IG comment?) - "fucking brussels sprout." I hate them, so it's such a brilliant insult to me! OH! The AMA! Umm...favorite Christmas tradition, if you have one? Birthday cake doesn't count. :P
Christmas tradition for me - I think it's finding a New Zealand beach and having a drink or a snack there. Warm sand between my toes.
Friends.
Family, if I can (geography is hard).
AND DON'T ERASE MY BIRTHDAY MY MAIN TRADITION IS A SLICE OF BIRTHDAY CAKE AND A SHOT OF BAILEYS YUM
You can get baileys flavored Christmas Cake too...
You can get birthday cake flavoured Baileys did you know? It's shit but so is normal Baileys
My friend made me a Baileys birthday cake once. I am seeing her again for my birthday this year, and I hope against hope I get another one. YUM!
Baileys is not shit, it is the nectar of the gods!
I would NEVER! I just assume birthday cake is THE favorite thing. So maybe I should have asked, your SECOND favorite thing :P
Have you ever tried the ‘cocktail’ of Baileys and Amaretto? Can’t remember what it is called but it is gorgeous but to be approached cautiously as so delicious you can end up with a stonking hangover.
There's a story in my family, about 50 odd years ago in the early 70s when my younger brother was little my father had his boss around for dinner, with his wife and young son. My brother was already put out because he was relegated back to a high chair to fit everyone at the table. Halfway through the meal he threw a Brussel Sprout at my mum's head and said " you know I don't like these bloody little cabbages" so in our family that's what they are known as!
Your little brother was a wise man at a tender age. Or, I assume it was a tender age, as he fit in a high chair. But I won't judge what a family must do to entertain guests!
Ugh...roughly 50 years ago I was a kid in a high chair and now I'm feeling like another grey hair just emerged!
Your podcasts keep me sane on my way to and from work as a therapist in a high school. Thank you!
Question: Do you feel like you’re able to make the kind of content you want more now since you’re out from The Umbrella? As in, do you have more freedoms/less rigidity?
Yeah - it's pure freedom now. We can do whatever we want.
I feel very lucky, and much less stressed out.
Now that you’re out on your own, are you considering a new theme tune? Because I think your mate Liam could make something chaotic and catchy as hell 👀
That is a spectacular collection of tshirts!! 👏🏻
Any chance you’re planning a trip back to NZ in 2025, specifically to the South Island? Nelson would love to host you! Alternatively Nelsonions would happily drive the 5hrs to Christchurch to see you too x
I am going to be in NZ in 2025 - and I do want to plan some stuff that exists out of Auckland. Noted.
Nelson is so sunny and beautiful, and my dear from Christie is from there who once travelled with me to Mongolia to try and find the Mongolian Death Worm back in 2009! A lifetime ago!
Spoiler: We did not find it.
If you’re coming to Nelson, you HAVE to visit Ginger and Schnitzel in Golden Bay!
Taupo please
In a sea of horrible some flicks of light. Alan Jones, the Sean Plunket of Australian airwaves who for decades spread and enabled a vile shit pile of racism and misogyny from his 2GB platform has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault. Many brave and fearless women have come forward with credible allegations resulting in his arrest.
He of course is pleading his innocence as they all do. And the justice system does not guarantee justice for his alleged victims, for he will have high powered silks to plead his case.
The question now is also who were his protectors and enablers. For the Alan Jones of this world can only act in their vile way because the are protected by other rich powerful and vile men.
I hope the system works and gets the correct outcome that honors his victims. Horrible.
Not to get petty, but that green tracksuit he was photographed in kinda says it all? https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/alan-jones-charged-over-allegations-he-indecently-assaulted-young-men/ar-AA1ufuyr
*vom*
Hi David, as I write this I am having my morning coffee while contemplating the train wreck that is the USA, Seymour's betrayal of Te Tiriti and here in Australia, the prospect of the repugnant Peter Dutton who wants to fill Australia with nuclear power stations despite no way to safely dispose of the waste being elected in the next Australia election. No question just a dreary vent at our part of the world
Fucking Dutton. That is all I have to say. Trump being elected just emboldens him.