The Twist Podcast with Mark and Rick
News & Politics
About
The Twist is a weekly podcast co-hosted by Mark McNease and Rick Rose that focuses on news, culture, politics, and current topics. The show is LGBT-centric, with irreverence and the co-hosts' interaction as its center.
Episodes
- The Twist Podcast 328: Lincoln Memorial Kiddie Pool, Praise for Penzeys, and What Bugs Us This Week
On further reflection, this week Mark and Rick do cannonballs into Trump's giant kiddie pool, sing the praises of Penzeys super-progressive spice empire, and sound off on what bugs us this week.
- The Twist 327: Supreme Disgrace, Met Gala Fail, and The Twist On a Hot Tin Room
Welcome to The Twist, episode 327. Mark and Rick take on the news from a crazy week, finger wag the Supreme Court, dish on the Met Gala, and reveal some unknown facts about Tennessee Williams.
- The Twist Podcast 326: Luggage Cart Wars, Rick Joins Substack, and An Interview with Angela Luna
Welcome to The Twist, episode 326. We have a packed show for you today. The luggage cart wars are real — we're talking about the unspoken battlefield of airports and hotels where perfectly reasonable people turn into territorial strangers…
- The Twist 325: Weekly News Roundup Returns, Road Trip Fun Facts, and Rick Interviews Enjoyiana Nururdin
Episode 325 of The Twist is packed. Mark and Rick dig into the week's biggest news stories in their Weekly News Roundup — the headlines, the highlights, and the takes you won't get anywhere else. Then things get a little lighter with Road…
- The Twist Podcast 324: Venal Virtue Signaling, Gardening Goodness, and an Interview with Alexandra Paul
This week Mark and Rick reveal fun facts about cloning, the benefits of gardening, and cringey virtue signaling. After that we soak up some wisdom from Jo, following Rick's interview with actor and activist Alexandra Paul.
- The Twist Podcast Android News Edition: Science, Politics, Entertainment and Culture Small Plates
Meet the android versions of Mark and Rick — same voices, same sensibilities, significantly less coffee dependency — and they're here every week with The Twist Podcast: Android News Edition , your weekly roundup of everything worth knowing…
- The Twist Android News Sunday: Four Features, Two Clones, One Love
If you've been listening to The Twist Podcast for any length of time, you know that Mark and Rick have opinions about things. Culture, politics, food, entertainment, the general state of the world as it lurches forward into whatever this e…
- The Twist Podcast 323: Arrival of the Androids, Fonthill Castle Fun Facts, and Courtney Bryan Talks AI (Interview Part 2)
Mark and Rick are back with a packed episode. First we pull back the curtain on something new coming to The Twist, our Android News Edition, a dedicated midweek (for now) show where Mark and Rick's android selves plug into entertainment, f…
- The Twist Podcast 322: Annual Spring Issue, New Letters from Jo, and Rick Interviews Courtney Bryan (Part 1)
Welcome to The Twist Podcast, Episode 322. Spring has officially arrived, and Mark and Rick are celebrating the season with a jam-packed episode. We kick things off with some springtime conversation — what's blooming, what's buzzing, and w…
- The Twist Podcast 321: Fabulous Foot Massages, Philly Fun Times, and Rick Talks to Guns to Gardens
Welcome to The Twist Podcast, Episode 321. Join co-hosts Mark and Rick as we adjust to the time change, check out Mark's trip to Philadelphia, hear Rick's interview with Guns to Gardens, and find out what listeners spend on their pets. The…
- The Twist Podcast 320: Tooth Worms, Best Climates to Live In, Terrible Texting and More
Welcome to The Twist Podcast, Episode 320. Join co-hosts Mark and Rick as we drill into the bizarre history of teeth, with tooth worms and contagious cavities. Then we hear from friends and fans about where the climates they prefer to live…
- The Twist Podcast 319: Bad Bunny Banger, Travel Packing Tips, Vacation Recap and More
This week on The Twist Podcast with Mark and Rick, we dance to Bad Bunny's tune, share listener suggestions for travel packing, and catch up with Mark after a whirlwind vacation. Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and every angel's…
- The Twist Podcast 318: Secrets of Greenland Revealed, Mark Loves Eat Clean, and Our New Twist Hit List
This week on The Twist Podcast, we're serving up fun facts about Greenland that might surprise you (hint: it's way more interesting than just ice). We also recommend Eat Clean, a food delivery service that makes healthy meals easy and sati…
- The Twist Podcast 317: Good News Roundup, AI Shaming, and Our Weekly Recommendations
In Episode 317 of The Twist Podcast, co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose freshen the air with a good news roundup, a conversation about AI shaming, and our weekly recommendations for TV, books and culturee. We dig into why good news matter…
- A Twist Podcast Bonus Interview with Audiobook Narrator Daniela Acitelli
I had the pleasure of interviewing audiobook narrator and friend Daniela Acitelli, whose narration of three of my books is a highlight of the audiobook experience for me. We talked about her craft, her journey, and her life as an American…
- The Twist Podcast 316: ICE Cold Killers, January Fun Facts, and an Interview with Steve Wylie
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for our take on murder in Minneapolis, where ICE is as cold as a Minnesota cemetery in a snuff film. We follow it with some January fun facts, Twist Podcast survey results, and an interview with sho…
- The Twist Podcast #315: 2026 Blastoff, Mark Loves Kristy Lee, and Emma Lyons Reviews 'Trainwreck: The Real Project X'
The Twist Podcast blasts into 2026 with our usual mix of pop culture, media commentary, and personal reflection. Hosted by Mark McNease and Rick Rose, this entertainment and commentary podcast ignites the new year with sharp observations,…
- A Twist Podcast Bonus Interview: Rick Rose In Conversation with Sonia Thomas on Life's Next Chapters
A Twist Podcast Bonus Interview features host Rick Rose in conversation with Sonia Thomas as she reflects on retirement, her career with DHS and ICE, and her newest chapter as founder of SimplyHygge. Sonia shares insights on public service…
- The Twist Podcast #314: So Long 2025, and a Rick Rose Interview with Rose Parade Host Mark Steines
As 2025 heads for the exit, The Twist Podcast co-hosts Rick Rose and Mark McNease say a fond and farewell to the year that was, touching on pop culture, media moments, and our own post-holiday fun. Then Rick flips the camera for a special…
- The Twist Podcast #313: Kennedy Center Dishonors, Worst Holiday Movies Ever & An Interview with Author and Pop Culture Historian Herbie J. Pilato
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for our take on the Kennedy Center desecration. From there we lean into the lighter side of the season with a spirited list of the worst holiday movies ever made, celebrating classic clunkers and fe…
- The Twist Podcast #312: Indiana Comes Through, Worst Words of 2025 Survey, and Ice Skating Fun Facts
In this episode of The Twist Podcast, co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose take on politics, culture, and everyday absurdities with their trademark irreverence and personal spin. From unexpected political backbone in Indiana to linguistic c…
- The Twist Podcast #311: The Twist Gets a YouTube Channel, December Fun Facts, and Jo's Wisdom Returns
NOTE FOR VIDEO: Hang on till the 7 minute mark for full-screen view. Our IT department is still learning. Join Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we try out our fun Christmas hats, offer up the holiday survey results, and have a good time in th…
- The Twist Podcast #310: On to Christmas, Colonoscopy Gift Ideas, and Prime's 'The Outsider' Chills
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we head for the Christmas homestretch, take a break for Mark's colonoscopy, and recommend Prime's 'The Outsider' for some winter chills.
- The Twist Podcast #309: Not So Quiet Piggies, Fun Thanksgiving Facts, and Emma Zoe Lyons Talks John Candy
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we shout to piggies everywhere (never be quiet!), check out some fun Thanksgiving facts (Jefferson was not a fan), and check in with Emma Zoe Lyons on the John Candy documentary.
- The Twist Podcast #308: New Time Same Great Taste, Plus Epstein's Besties, Frankenstein's Soul, and a New Twist Survey!
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we record at our new afternoon time slot, chat about the Epstein coverup, stan on Frankenstein, and offer up a brand new survey!
- The Twist Podcast #307: Democrats Crush It, Rick Hearts Jennifer Lawrence, and the Nashville Tenors Deliver
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we bask in electoral victory, say what bugs us, and recommend Jennifer Lawrence's new flick and the Nashville Tenors' amazing vocals.
- The Twist Podcast #306: Halloween on the High Seas, Roaming Around Rome, and Some Twist Must-Sees
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as Mark podcasts from his Royal Caribbean cabin on the highest of the high holidays - Halloween! Thare are a lot scarier things out there these days.
- The Twist Podcast #305: Shuddering Shutdown, Survey Results, Emma Talks Bad Bunny, and Rick Interviews Filmmaker Oliver Franklin Anderson
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we weather the Epstein shutdown, review the latest Twist survey results, learn all about Bad Bunny from Emma Zoe Lyons, and enjoy Rick's interview with Wisconsin filmmaker Oliver Franklin Anderso…
- Twist Podcast #304: Kimmel Calamity, New Fan Photo, Reel Time with Emma, and Rick Talks with Muralist Matthew Yerby
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for the death of free speech, new survey results, a brand new Reel Time with Emma review, and Rick's conversation with 50-sate muralist Matthew Yerby.
- The Twist Podcast #303: Vacation's a Drag, Cracker Barrel Crack Up, and Emma Zoe Lyons Reviews 'Coming Out Under Fire'
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose in this post-Provincetown recap. We talk drag, the Cracker Barrel uproar nobody cared about, and enoy another great review from Emma Zoe Lyons.
- The Twist Podcast #302: P-town Bound, Rick Reunites with Bev, and Emma Visits Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose in this pre-Provincetown vacation podcast. Rick fills us in on some hot new Rice Krispy treats, chats with Bev about their game show past, and joins Emma for her review of the Mr. Rogers documentary.
- The Twist Podcast #301: Ice Cream Clones, Jaws at 50, More Fan Photos, and Rick Catches Up with Q Brown
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we practice our survival skills, enjoy the dulcet tones of Mark's cloned voice, hear Emma's take on 'Jaws at 50,' and catch up with Q Brown in an exclusive Rick Rose chat.
- The Twist Podcast #300: Fireworks, Jumbotrons, Birthday Wishes, Zachary James Interview and So Much More
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we throw a studio party for our 300th episode. We started The Twist in 2018 and we're as irreverent as ever. They'll never paint over our rainbow lives or our sparkly podcast, as we enjoy a PBS r…
- The Twist Podcast #299: Disappearing Client Lists, New Wisdom of Jo Audio, and Emma Zoe Lyons Reviews HBO's 'Enigma'
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we hunt for Jeffrey Epstein's mysteriously vanishing client list, share more fan facts and photos, dig the Wisdom of Jo in her own words, and enjoy Emma Zoe Lyons' review of HBO's 'Enigma.'
- The Twist Podcast #298: Big Monstrous Bill, 'Poop Cruise' Movie Review, Fan Photos, and a Rick Rose Chat with Adele George
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we choke on the Big Ugly Bill, take our wins where we can get them, learn about the 'Poop Cruise' from Emma Zoe Lyons, and enjoy Rick's conversation with author Adele George. Plus our weekly surv…
- The Twist Podcast #297: Creepy Daddy Fantasies, Earth Quake in New York, and an Interview with Author Christopher A. Micklos
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we analyze MAGA's creepy daddy fetish, applaud democracy in New York City while it's still a thing, and enjoy a new Rick Rose interview with author Christopher A. Micklos.
- The Twist Podcast #296: Cuckoo for Cosplay, Posse Comitater Tots, and Rick's Interview with Dr. Elijah Nicholas
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we rate Kristi Noem's costume changes, ponder the military intervention in L.A., and enjoy Rick's interview with Dr. Elijah Nicholas.
- The Twist Podcast #295: Proud and Loud, Snoozing the News, and Rick Talks Eurovision with Charlie Porter
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we anticipate America's last legal Pride month, shun the hideous headlines, and listen to Rick talk Eurovision with Charlie Porter.
- The Twist Podcast #294: Surviving Martha's Vineyard, Insane Trump Posse, and Rick's Interview with Author Dean Robbins
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as Mark recounts his harrowing cruise catastrophe, we ponder the coming wreckage of Trump 2.0, and Rick chats with Wisconsin author Dean Robbins.
- The Twist Podcast #293: Taking an Escape Cruise, This Week's Survey, and a Rick Rose Interview with Poet Dr. Tacey Atsitty
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as Mark prepares to flee on a cruise ship and Rick offers another great interview, with Dr. Tacey Atsitty, winner of the Wisconsin Brittingham Prize for Poetry.
- The Twist Podcast #292: Garden Goodness, Peanut Butter Possibilities, and an Interview with Filmmaker Dasha Brown
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we make the most of a dying empire, calculate the number of peanuts in a jar, and enjoy Rick's interview with filmmaker Dasha Brown.
- The Twist Podcast #291: Taser Treats, Vanishing Venezuelans, and an Interview with Madison's Own Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we wade knee-deep in the MAGA madness, defend the Constitution, and enjoy Rick's interview with Madison City Council's Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford.
- The Twist Podcast #290: Corey Kills It, Wisconsin Wins It, and the Fall of the Cadbury Egg
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we salute Corey Booker and the voters of Wisconsin for showing us the way, and grieve the loss of Cadbury Egg's royal warrant after 170 years. Beyond sad.
- The Twist Podcast #289: American Gulag, Stuffed Pretzel Logic, and The Twist Goes Bi (Weekly) Through Summer
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we model the latest in detention chic, rave about stuffed pretzels, and come out as biweekly through the summer.
- The Twist Podcast #288: Noel Coward in Philadelphia, Rick Rose in Madison, and America Tanks Bigly
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we check out Noel Coward's 'Hay Fever,' Rick's return from Mardi Gras, and America's escalating decline.
- The Twist Podcast #287: Mad King Donald, Death Becomes the Tonys, and Another Rick Rose Interview
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we say goodbye to democracy, sing the praises of Broadway's 'Death Becomes Her,' and listen to a great Rick Rose interview with Brett Malone.
- The Twist Podcast #286: Kennedy Center DOA, Apocalyptic Fun Facts, and a New Rick Rose Interview
Join Mark and Rick as we throw a rose on the grave of the Kennedy Center, serve up some fun facts about the apocalypse, and listen to Rick's interview with Sowan Weaver.
- The Twist Podcast #285: Coup Coup Cachoo, WTF Just Happened, and Another Rick Rose Interview
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a bloodless coup! Join Mark and Rick during these darkest of times for some fun facts, frivolity, and a Big Middle Finger to the fascists. Also a great Rick Rose interview with Sean Bode.
- The Twist Podcast #284: America Gone Wild, Jesus vs MAGA, and Some Cruise Vacation Memories
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as our heads spin at how quickly Emperor Cretin is destroying everything. We also take sides in the Jesus vs MAGA debate, and enjoy Mark's most recent cruise craze memories.
- The Twist Podcast #283: Slouching Toward Greenland, TV Recommendations, and the Fall of Facebook
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we buckle in for years of MAGA madness, pray for Greenland (and Panama and Canada), offer up some good TV eats, and explain why Facebook is yesterday.