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What Just Happened?

Asking the question: What just happened?
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What Just Happened?
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Now displaying: Category: general
Mar 5, 2024


In 1993, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks starred in the hit romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle. With its quirky characters, clever writing, and stellar soundtrack, not only did the movie put the city of Seattle on the map, it was a huge box office success, and has since been recognized as one of the great romantic comedies. As it turns out, and to David’s surprise, Sleepless in Seattle was also one of teenage Eugene’s favorite movies. In this episode, David and Eugene stroll down memory lane, and discover a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship of this film that neither of us recognized as kids. Eugene questions whether Walter was such a bad fit for Annie, while both David and Eugene discuss how little details like the peeling of an apple, dropping a bundle of mail, or sitting on piano keys are still memorable decades later. As always, thanks for watching!

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whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic.” - Sam Baldwin

Feb 20, 2024

As Eugene notes in this episode, it’s not a surprise that David has “authority issues.” In this second half of the discussion of Jocko Willink’s book, “Extreme Ownership,” we talk about the idea of being a true believer, whether Jocko is right when he says being a true believer is necessary to being a good leader, and David gets personal in his view of why his reluctance to “drink the Kool-Aid” would make him a lousy leader of any institution or organization. 

In November 1978, American cult leader and mass murderer Jim Jones ordered more than 900 members of his cult to drink a mix of Flavor Aid laced with cyanide and commit “revolutionary suicide.” Since then, the term “drink the Kool-Aid” has come to mean believing in foolish or dangerous ideas based on a misguided faith. As always, thanks for listening! 

Threads @davidchang99
X @davidgchang
whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

“In order to lead, you must believe.” - Jocko Willink

Feb 6, 2024

My daughter thinks the phrase “you can’t swing a dead cat in this town” is absolutely ridiculous, and to be fair, she’s not wrong! That said, you can’t swing a dead cat these days without hitting a couple self-help gurus and podcasters who love them. But the self help book, “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink caught my attention a while ago, and to me it genuinely reads different than what you typically see on the shelves. Willink is a former navy seal who emphasizes humility and detachment from ego as much as being "hard core." It’s also one of several books I’ve been meaning to talk about on this podcast. In this episode, David and Eugene discuss the concept of extreme ownership, what it means, its pros and cons, David fanboys about Jocko for a few minutes, and we discuss why the phrase “try harder” might mean something very different and ultimately more important than simply, for example, waking up two hours earlier or doing fifty extra pushups. As always, thanks for listening! 

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X @davidgchang
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“There is no one else to blame.” - Jocko Willink

Jan 23, 2024

After a long time away, David finally gets a chance to ask Eugene the burning questions he’s been wanting to discuss. Ever a trooper, Eugene is a willing participant in following David down rabbit holes, even when addressing A.I., whether boys have positive role models, why parents should never turn their backs on their children, or how to respond to David’s severe case of Trump derangement syndrome. As always, thanks for listening! 

Threads @davidchang99
X @davidgchang
whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

Just open your window
And follow your memory upstream
To the meadow in the mountain
Where we counted every falling star
- Paul Simon

Jan 9, 2024

We’re back! David and Eugene reflect on the past year and look ahead to 2024. Eugene talks about why 2023 was such a challenging year, while David discusses his marathon goals, his desire to finally pick up a camera, and what Deion Sanders and marching band taught him last year. As always, thanks for listening!

Threads @davidchang99
X @davidgchang
whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

“These kids are ready. We prepare them not just athletically, we prepare them mentally for things and challenges that are going to happen in life as well. So, I like what I see on a daily basis. I really do. Matter of fact, I love these kids. I really do.” - Deion Sanders

“A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.” – Herman Melville

Jun 20, 2023

How has the way we parent changed, for better or worse, since David and Eugene were kids? How do we approach major life choices without anxiety or regret? We discuss these questions and more in the second half of our conversation with our dad, Dr. Jonathan Chang.

We’re taking our yearly break for the rest of the summer and will return in the fall. We hope you have a wonderful summer. We appreciate your hanging out with us and as always, thank you for listening!

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"The choices we make today create the future that we are dreaming of." - Kapil tetarwal

May 30, 2023

CW: This episode contains conversations about parents who don't accept their child's sexual orientation. 

It's helpful to have someone in your life you can ask hard questions. I'm lucky enough to consider both my dad and my brother Eugene among such people. In this episode, our special guest Dr. Jonathan Chang returns to the podcast to share his wisdom and a perspective that comes with age. Why do some public figures seem to go from relatively normal to abruptly crazy? What makes parents turn their backs on a child who they love but who comes out as gay? Critically, I should note that none of these questions are directed at dad personally in any way, nor do I expect he'll have all the answers. But it's precisely because I consider dad a safe person that we can raise sensitive and challenging but what I believe are important questions in an open manner. As always, thanks for listening!

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in." ― Alan Alda

May 16, 2023

I (David) have always had a hard time answering this question. In part because I'm from a family of immigrants but also because we lived in so many places over my childhood. This is the second half of David and Eugene's episode about home. We discuss our "Alien Space Club," the difficult move to Wilmington, Delaware, and what home means for us. As always, thanks for listening!

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"Home is where one starts from. As we grow older the world becomes stranger, the pattern more complicated ... a lifetime burning in every moment." - TS Eliot

May 2, 2023

Home is where the story begins. Home is not a place but a feeling. David and Eugene have lived in several homes over time, in different parts of the U.S. In this episode, we discuss the places we lived, from our earliest memories to significant events (like the time Eugene broke his femur), and how these spaces shaped and influenced our childhood. As always, thanks for listening!

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” – Maya Angelou

Apr 18, 2023

Everyone I know, to a person, says they need more sleep. Yet the modern age is not conducive to getting a full eight hours. After a brief discussion about the modern weight loss "miracle cure" Ozempic, David and Eugene get into the nitty gritty of sleep habits, and some of the psychology and hard choices that keep us from going to bed. As always, thanks for listening! 

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” — Irish Proverb

Apr 4, 2023

You can't pick up your smartphone these days without seeing the latest crazy headlines about artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, and how they will take over the world. David and Eugene wanted to take a different approach on the topic and ask what happens if/when people start forming friendships with AI. David plays devil's advocate and argues that having AI friends might be normal in the future, and that may not be a "bad" thing. It's fair to say Eugene has ... a different opinion. As always, thanks for listening! 

Music:

GroovyD - Take Off

Declan DP - Wonderland

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"AI can be our friend." - Bill Gates

Mar 21, 2023

The average person lives about 4000 weeks. To author Oliver Burkeman, that sounded absurdly brief. So in response to this “radical finitude,” Burkeman wrote the kind of self-help book that David has been wishing for years. One that doesn’t necessarily provide ten tips and tricks for a more productive morning, but asks some of the deeper, more difficult questions about what we spend our 4000 weeks doing, and what we think makes our time worthwhile. In this episode, David and Eugene discuss some of the key ideas from the book, “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals,” while Eugene talks about why the book may not necessarily be for him. As always, thanks for listening! 

Music:

Markvard - Hold On

Nomyn - Farewell 

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"Time is a river which sweeps me along, but I am the river; it is a tiger which destroys me, but I am the tiger; it is a fire which consumes me, but I am the fire." - Jorge Luis Borges 

Mar 7, 2023

The word “hobby” has connotations of something trivial or inconsequential. (The word’s roots refer to “an activity that doesn’t go anywhere.”) But I’m coming to realize just how important and life sustaining hobbies can be in our lives. In this episode, David and Eugene reflect on their lives over the past year, the function of hobbies in their purpose, and Eugene explains why his catchphrase of 2023 is “the ordered year.” As always, thanks for listening! 

Music:

Wanheda - Dawn

tubebackr - Mosaic 

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"Today is life — the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with GUSTO!” - Dale Carnegie

Feb 21, 2023

As it turns out, when you put four middle age men in front of a microphone, they have a lot to say. It’s a good thing none of our wives prefer the “strong silent type” haha! This is the second half of our conversation with Sam Chung and Rob Koh. As always, thanks for listening!

Music:

VDGL: Sheherazade 

LiQYWD - Miss You 

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

Feb 7, 2023

We hope everyone’s 2023 is off to a good start! This week we bring back long time friends of the podcast and Ironman triathletes Sam Chung and Rob Koh. But this time around the tables have turned, as Rob and Sam put David and Eugene on the hot seat, and have some questions for us to answer. As always, thanks for listening!

Music:

Atch - Right Here

LiQWYD - Keep Trying

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

Dec 14, 2022

In the second half of our discussion on the Karate Kid sequel, David and Eugene discuss Daniel-san, Miyagi, Sato, Kumiko, the romances, plot twists, final battle, what happens to these characters after the movie (which we know thanks to Cobra Kai), and the impact this movie had on our lives. After three episodes over two years, it’s safe to say we’ve squeezed all the juice we could out of this film.

We’re taking our annual winter break following this episode and will be back in 2023. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and as always, thanks for listening!

Music:

Bill Conti - Daniel Leaves

Peter Cetera - Glory of Love

Reach us at

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"Because, Daniel-san, for person with no forgiveness in heart, living even worse punishment than death." - Miyagi

Nov 29, 2022

Last year around this time, David and Eugene reviewed one of David’s all time favorite movies, “An Ode to My Father.” Because we had so much fun with that episode, we decided to take another ride on the nostalgia train, this time revisiting the 1986 martial arts sequel, The Karate Kid Part II. In addition to discussing the movie itself, we talk about what it felt like watching this movie growing up, whether it still holds up, and seeing it now through a more grown up lens. As always, thanks for listening!

Music - Bill Conti

Reach us at

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"Never been attacked by tree." - Miyagi

Nov 15, 2022

Putting all the Twitter drama aside for the moment, David presents an actual, non-trolly theory for how Elon Musk can heal and ultimately unify a broken and divided America. Suffice to say Eugene ... has questions. We also talk about the pros and cons of tracking health data, the future of robot companions, and whether rich Californians will stand to give up their gas powered Ferraris. As always, thanks for listening!

Music:

tubebackr - Silk

Herr Fuchs - The Elon Musk Song

Reach us at

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

​"After all, the chief business of the American people is business." - Calvin Coolidge​

Nov 1, 2022

David and Eugene talk about how our drinking habits have changed, and for David why he's nearly stopped drinking alcohol all together. The topic of alcohol is admittedly too big to address on this podcast, let alone in a single episode. Instead, we focus on how our habits have changed specifically since the start of the pandemic. We also discuss that other addictive chemical compound — caffeine — and why neither of us can seem to quit coffee (yet). As always, thank you for listening!

Music:

Late Nights - LiQWYD

Alcohol - Barenaked Ladies

Reach us at

Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

“It becomes a joy not to drink.” - Annie Grace

Oct 18, 2022

The second of our two part series on the SF Marathon. David and Eugene discuss the highs and lows of the race, our biggest takeaways, Eugene's surprise mystery SECOND race, and what we hope to get from running in the future. As always, thanks for listening!

Music:

New Lands - Alex Productions

Running Up That Hill - Mozartine 

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"All I do is keep on running in my own cozy, homemade void, my own nostalgic silence. And this is a pretty wonderful thing. No matter what anybody else says." - Haruki Murakami 

Oct 4, 2022

What possesses anyone to run one mile, let alone 26.2? David and Eugene talk about our attempt to complete the San Francisco Marathon this past summer. We discuss why we run, our running histories, the training, and the many MANY logistics leading up to the race. As always, thank you for listening!  

Music:

Trip - Sakura Girl

Let's Get It Started - One Step Ahead 

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SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW What Just Happened? on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.

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whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"How do you know if someone ran a marathon? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you." — Jimmy Fallon

Jul 26, 2022

Time can be a strange thing. David and Eugene recorded this episode earlier this summer, making predictions about events happening in the near term. Predictions are never easy, and some of these events have already happened. After catching up on how we're doing mid-year, we make our best guesses about a variety of topics including electric cars, Roe v. Wade, the state of the economy, and (dare I say it?), how COVID may finally "end." Yes -- this is how the two of us have fun!

We're currently on summer hiatus but will be back in the fall. As always, thank you for listening!  

Music:

Journey - Roa

Into the Night - Yoasobi

Follow me on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/34364-david?order=d&shelf=read&sort=date_read

SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW What Just Happened? on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.

Reach us at

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Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

Jun 15, 2022

We've never done 3 movie reviews in a row on this podcast, but there's no question that the independent juggernaut Everything Everywhere All At Once merits its own attention. This is my NON-spoiler review and response to this film, and the many interesting questions it raises. As always, thank you for listening!

Follow me on Goodreads:

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SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW What Just Happened? on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.

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"Of all the places I could be, I just want to be here with you." — Evelyn.

Jun 2, 2022

David and Eugene are joined by friend of the show and former naval officer Rob Koh to discuss Top Gun: Maverick. We talk about whether the movie lives up to the hype, how Tom Cruise is able to unify the left and the right, and why this is such a special franchise especially for Rob and Eugene. As always, thanks for listening! :)

(This is the 2nd of three consecutive movie episodes. The next episode will be about Everything Everywhere All at Once, and then we'll taking a break from cinema for a while!)

This episode is dedicated to Rob's friend Lt. Cdr. Frank C. Wittwer, a fighter pilot, who died in a tragic training exercise in 2006. https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/FRANK_C._WITTWER,_LCDR,_USN

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"The end is inevitable, Maverick. Your kind is headed toward distinction."

"Maybe so, sir. But not today."

May 17, 2022

After a brief spring hiatus, David and Eugene are back to take a deep dive into Marvel’s latest, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (with spoilers!). We talk about the movie’s themes of grief, power, and abuse of power, the controversial decision to go "horror," why we think Elizabeth Olsen stole the show, and whether it’s ever okay to invite your ex to your wedding. As always, thank you for listening!

Follow me on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/34364-david?order=d&shelf=read&sort=date_read

SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and REVIEW What Just Happened? on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.

Reach us at

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Twitter @davidgchang

whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

"I love you. But I get scared." - Stephen Strange

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