Brian Merkel and Brian Shipper host conversations with people that drive for a living as they share their wild and crazy experiences from the road. Becoming stranded, bad storms, weird hitchhikers, saving someone from an accident, seeing UFOs, and so much more! If you've experienced it, Brian and Shipper want to talk about it!
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Our panel of Paris-based journalists review the week's international news: the stories that made the headlines and also those you may have missed! Join us every Friday at 7:10pm Paris time.
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EURO PUDDING is a podcast in English (with weird accents) by European screenwriters, for the professionals of the television business. And it's delicious.
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True stories from history as told by a hot pocket enthusiast and an amphetamine-fueled academic from the other side of the river. www.wetalkaboutdeadpeople.com For interviews and VO services, email [email protected]
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Pope Francis: A life & legacy, “Vladimir, STOP!”, Risk of war between India & Pakistan
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46:11The world said goodbye to Pope Francis this week. Tens of thousands of mourners queued to pay their respects as he lay in state in St Peter’s Basilica over three days of mourning. We discussed his life and legacy, the geopolitics of his papal funeral, and look towards the conclave that will follow. This week, Russian forces launched the heaviest as…
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In this week's episode, Brian and Brian are joined by Mikki a former truck driver turned accountant. Mikki shares harrowing near-misses and eerie encounters to the humbling challenges of life behind the wheel, each story unveils the raw and often humorous realities of the trucking lifestyle. She tells us about the adrenaline of dodging reckless dri…
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'She kissed the ground and she liked it': Space rides, Ukraine, Iran & What is a woman?
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46:17A week on from Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff's meeting with Vladimir Putin, Witkoff has been in Paris for transatlantic talks. We assess the state of play for Ukraine. We also look at the significance of US-Iran nuclear talks – the first major level of engagement in years. We then discuss the significance of the UK Supreme Court’s landmark ru…
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Back It Up| 205: Furries In The Fast Lane
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1:12:30In this week's episode; Picture this: Alan, a seasoned Uber driver with a treasure trove of stories, from the outrageous to the downright bizarre. Imagine navigating through the streets, only to find yourself amidst the chaos of a furry convention, or inadvertently becoming a confidante to the intoxicated secrets of strangers. Alan's adventures spa…
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Ken opens up about life after a devastating neck injury, sharing raw stories of pain, recovery, and resilience. From battles with workers' comp and SSDI to finding humor in goats replacing lawnmowers, he reflects on the emotional weight of chronic pain, lost passions, and adapting to new realities. Blending grit with humor, Ken also dives into the …
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What if no one blinks? Trump tariffs & Beijing brinkmanship, Inside Khartoum, Is Germany 'back'?
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45:21In a week where US President Donald Trump played fast and loose with world markets, his global tariff threats became a reality, with brutal and immediate economic fallout. Dozens of countries reached out to negotiate – or, as Trump described it – begged and pleaded to have the import taxes on supposed friends and foes removed. We also saw supposed …
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In this week's captivating episode, we sit down with seasoned trucker and trainer Devin, who shares his rich experiences from the road. Devin's stories offer a blend of humor, insight, and practical advice, covering everything from training new drivers to maintaining health and fitness in the trucking lifestyle. His discussions extend beyond drivin…
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Brian, Shipper, and Mike dive into a no-holds-barred conversation that jumps from busted coffee machines and cryptid lore to electric vehicles, rising bills, and government red tape. They tackle unions, social security, foreign aid, and the chaos of executive orders—all while weaving in sharp humor, everyday struggles, and a deep nostalgia for simp…
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Trump tariffs & viral penguins, Le Pen found guilty
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46:42The past week will be, according to US President Donald Trump, "remembered forever" for what happened on Wednesday, April 2. "Liberation Day", as he called it, saw the US leader announce sweeping tariffs on friend and foe alike. There's no denying the magnitude of a move that is causing international panic and a slump in the global stock markets. A…
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War and peace-talking: Signalgate, Turkey protests, Ukraine's truce stalls
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45:28This week has seen the biggest unrest in Turkey in a decade. Mass street protests have taken place there in the face of a heavy government crackdown, where large gatherings have been banned, social media has been limited, and almost 2,000 people have been arrested. It's also been a week that's exposed a huge lapse in the internal comms of the Trump…
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Back It Up| 208: Blizzards and Lot Lizards | Pt. 2
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57:03In this week's episode, Brian and Brian are joined by Kyle to finish up the multitude of stories he has. He recounts his epic drive across Canada and his family's historical ties to the Alcan Highway. They swap tales of Canadian bacon, Oregon coast road trips, and quirky trucking escapades, including navigating border bureaucracies and military bas…
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Buckle up for a lively ride as the hosts of Hammer Lane Legends tackle wild road stories to the ever-evolving world of trucking tech. With humor and candid confessions, they dive into AI-driven rigs, the struggles of ELDs, and the chaos of modern media. From dog-walking mishaps to political hot takes, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, a…
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This week, a high-stakes call between the Russian and US leaders shaped the Ukraine conflict, with Russia claiming a diplomatic victory while key issues remained unresolved. Meanwhile in Gaza, Israeli air strikes reignited violence, killing over 600 Palestinians, including children, and deepening PM Binyamin Netanyahu’s political crisis. Plus, the …
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Blockbusters don’t move themselves—Hollywood’s Teamsters do. Scott, a fourth-generation Hollywood trucker, joins Brian, Shipper and Mike to reveal the high-speed, high-stakes world of hauling movie magic. From Avengers to Iron Man, hear how rigs, stunts, and set moves make the impossible happen. Exploding Dr. Pepper trucks? Slicing a Rolls Royce in…
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‘Yes, but’: Truce seeking in Ukraine, Mark Carney's elbows
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46:13This week, our set of experts gathered around Gavin Lee to take a look at the latest in the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire proposal, clashes and mass killings in Syria and Donald Trump's tariff war against the EU and its neighbouring countries. It has been a week of suspicion and distrust with the sudden prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine. Proposed after…
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Back It Up |113: Welcome To Wyoming
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1:46:07In Episode 113: Welcome To Wyoming, Brian and Shipper chat with Joe, a fuel hauler from Wyoming. Joe began his journey trucking at a young age. Like many in the industry, his influence came from his father, who had also been a driver. As the guys discuss the pros and cons of trucking and what comes along with the job, Joe also shares some of his st…
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In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends, Brian, Shipper, and Mike dive into a hilarious and nostalgic conversation filled with personal anecdotes, driving frustrations, and DMV woes. They reminisce about childhood cartoons, classic TV, and the evolution of media while swapping stories about vehicle mishaps and tire troubles. With plenty of laughs an…
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‘Gratitude’ expressed, ‘apology’ received, Ukraine back at the table
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45:55This week, the US tightened the screws on Ukraine, pausing military aid until Kyiv shows more willingness to negotiate – starting with handing over half its rare earth resources to America. Moscow welcomed the shift, calling it “aligned with the Kremlin’s vision,” while Ukraine scrambled to smooth things over with a letter to Trump. Trump also kick…
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Back It Up | 203: Straight From The Pitt | Greg Szilli
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1:11:47In this week's episode, Brian and Brian are joined by their longtime colleague Greg Szilli. Greg, quickly dives into anecdotes and updates from his life. He then takes a more serious turn as Greg shares a deeply personal health struggle stemming from diabetes that led to the loss of his eye. Despite the gravity, the guys remain hopeful and spirited…
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In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends, Brian, Shipper, and Mike sit down with Randall to swap trucking stories filled with humor, challenges, and decades of experience. From hauling chickens to mastering flatbed driving, they explore the evolution of truck stops, safety regulations, and the unspoken rules of the road. With laughs, personal anecdot…
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'This is going to be great television': Trump and Zelensky in furious row
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44:28There have been unprecedented scenes in the White House this Friday: a fierce row unfolding in front of cameras at the Oval Office between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader was described as "disrespectful" by both Trump and US Vice President JD Vance, who also accused him of playing to the media. Four internationa…
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Back It Up | 156: This Guy Looks Demon Possessed! | Elly - Part 1
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1:33:48In weeks episode, 156: This Guy Looks Demon Possessed!; the guys are joined by Ellie, a long time City Transit Driver, for Edmonton, Alberta. Ellie has been in City Transit for more than 20 years, and she has the stories to back it up! In the over 20 years, Ellie has amassed a MASSIVE list of absurd, wild, and hilarious stories, too many for us to …
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In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends, Brian, Shipper, and Mike mix humor with heartfelt moments as they swap trucking stories, debate real ID regulations, and share their thoughts on cruising. The conversation takes a deeper turn with discussions on data privacy, evolving vehicle technology, and the emotional story of a young cancer patient suppo…
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In Putin's orbit, Trump & the 'madman theory', Europe's defining moment, German election
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46:26Three years after ending all official communications with Moscow, the US government is suddenly back in Russia’s orbit. The two nuclear powers sat down in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to find a path to ending the Ukraine war and more besides. The talks were no longer about how to deal with the aggressor in the conflict, but how to normalise relations an…
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Back IT Up| 181: BREAKROOM WithGary & Lisa
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1:46:12This episode was absolutely wild! Any time we have Gary and Lisa on the show, we never know where the conversation will go. This episode was no different! The conversation was absolutely wild, and went all over the place. It was absolutely hilarious!! We hope you enjoy it! KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD: www…
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In this episode, Kyle opens up about his emotional journey through career shifts in trucking, from navigating job transitions and agricultural hauling to the fallout of a career-altering accident. The hosts dive into the intricacies of trucking, from delivering spent grain to dairy farms to the economics of agricultural transport. They also explore…
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90 minutes that changed Ukraine, 'Uncle Sam & Uncle Sucker', AI unleashed, Musk vs Altman
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46:12This week, Moscow got what it wanted. A Trump-Putin call ended with talk of visits and no NATO future for Ukraine. As Vladimir Putin steps back in, Volodymyr Zelensky risks being shut out and the EU warns of a behind-the-scenes deal. In Gaza, the truce nearly collapsed as Hamas delayed hostage releases, citing Israeli violations. Donald Trump launc…
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Back It Up | 166: Mastering the Road
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1:56:00In this week's episode Brian and Shipper are joined by Kevin, to share his journey around the industry. Scott grew up seeing trucking all around him and developed an interest from a young age. He started out driving for a farmer during the summers as a kid. As he got older, Kevin transitioned his career from trucking to law enforcement and stayed i…
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In this episode, the hosts dive into lively banter about workplace antics, trucking industry challenges, and California wildfires. They explore traffic innovations, the frustrations of modern vehicle designs lacking spare tires, and the nostalgia of classic cars. The conversation weaves through fuel prices, cryptocurrency, and the struggles of mana…
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Trump 'floods the zone', France's 'Monsieur Confidence', UK plays the 'Grey Man'
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44:00This week, Donald Trump’s latest bombshell—suggesting the US should own Gaza and relocate its population in what he calls a Real Estate solution. Critics call it ethnic cleansing; he calls it Gaza Lago. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer kept a low profile at his first EU summit as Trump threatened tariffs on the bloc. And over in France, PM François Bayrou h…
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Back It Up | 187: Rolling Strong-man
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1:23:02In this week's episode the guys are joined by Paul in studio. Paul is a seasoned truck driver with 28 years of experience. From tackling weight issues as an overweight truck driver to making a crucial decision to prioritize health and fitness, Paul explores his journey through different shifts and various challenges in the trucking industry, includ…
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