TEASER: Members Only Mailbag April 2025

Beth says that her friend, Aaron, "broke" their favorite board game by working too hard to "optimize gameplay." The way Aaron plays is just NO FUN, says Beth! But Aaron says that identifying systems IS fun! Who's right? Who's wrong? Plus! Swift Justice cases about plant propagation containers and the pronunciation of the word, "hammock."We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/YouKnow4Kids for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

The new episode of the Members Only Mailbag is in the members-only bonus feed! This month, the J Squad is talking about an airport dog for some reason. We hope you enjoy this short clip! For the entire episode, and the back catalog of ALL of our bonus episodes, join Maximum Fun at $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Lauren loved playing the piano as a child and regrets quitting. She wants to get a piano and start playing again. But John says pianos are too big and too loud. He thinks she should get a keyboard instead. Then Lauren can play in total silence with headphones on. This makes Lauren sad! Who's right? Who's wrong?Check out this episode on YouTube for Lauren and John's melodica/guitar performance! We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/lexfri for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Daryl loves soup! But her husband, Adam, hates it. Daryl has stopped making soup at home and misses it. Adam says that he wants her to stop talking about soup in public. It makes him feel bad. Daryl just wants more soup in her life. Who's right? Who's wrong?We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/Mr-Duck1 for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Kalee and Nik both want their dad's cool ring in the shape of a lion's head. The problem? Their dad is still alive! Who's right? Who's wrong? Plus, a woman who believes she is owed a cruise from her friend and a man who would like his good buddy to stop telling their coworkers he used to sleep without sheets on the bed! Recorded LIVE at the Ann Arbor District Library.We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/taako-salad for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

The trash pickup schedule in Nick and Michele’s neighborhood is confusing. No one knows when to bring their bins out! Nick wants to put an automated digital sign in their front window that displays the schedule. But Michele is opposed! She says the sign is TACKY. Who's right? Who's wrong? With Guest Bailiff Jean Grae!Jean Grae's IN MY REMAINING YEARS is out NOW! Buy it online, borrow it from your library, go to your local bookstore, or get that audiobook!Thank you to all of our members for making this show possible! If you joined, upgraded, or boosted your membership during the MaxFunDrive, you helped us reach our goal of 2500 New/Upgrading/Boosting members! Don't miss our celebratory Get Your Pets! Refresh your spring wardrobe with Judge Hodgman, Bailiff Jesse and his dogs, and all of your pets wearing spring clothing! Thursday, April 3 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET on the Judge John Hodgman Youtube channel.We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/_magpie_ for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

The new episode of the Members Only Mailbag is in the members-only bonus feed! Not yet a member? Here's a taste of what you can expect from the J Squad every month in the bonus content feed. For the entire episode, and the back catalog of ALL of our bonus episodes, join Maximum Fun at $5 a month. Your memberships are what make our show possible. They really do keep the lights on here at Maximum Fun and pay the people whomake your favorite shows. We cannot make our show without our monthly members. So if you have joined Maximum Fun or upgraded your membership, we are so grateful to you. If you haven't yet, it's not too late! Check out everything you can get by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

There's another drop in the members-only bonus feed! Both on audio AND video! Here's a clip from Lawn and Hors D'oeuvres Live in Los Angeles! But what about the rest of the case and the episode? You'll have to be a member to hear the rest or watch the entire live show in full. Just go to maximumfun.org/join and join at the $5 a month level or higher. You'll get immediate access to our whole catalog of bonus content including this episode, our Spring Break movie FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY watch-along, the JJHo Spring Break Beach House Party special, and much more!  Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Gaela and Cesca are identical twins. Gaela wants to pull some classic twin-switch pranks but Cesca thinks these types of pranks are hack! What does Judge John Hodgman think? With identical twin Expert Witnesses Jason Sklar and Randy Sklar! Who's right? Who's wrong?We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/mkbecker for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Brian brings the case against his wife Cheri and their daughter Lauren. The family has a long-running joke where they declare who is the Gumby. That’s right, Gumby. The mid-20th century claymation cartoon. Brian says that he is the Gumby of the family. But Lauren and Cheri disagree. He’s Pokey, AT BEST! Who's right? Who's wrong?Lauren and Cheri have visited Judge Hodgman's Court before. If you haven't listened to them in Mr. Commode's Wild Ride, you are in for a treat! Lauren's newsletter Podcast The Newsletter is at podcastthenewsletter.substack.com. Subscribe for podcast news, interviews with folks in the industry, and thoughtful recommendations! We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/heyyou11 for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!