Thank you to everyone who joined, upgraded or boosted during this year's MaxFunDrive! To show our appreciation, we've put together a special D&D one-shot starring some outstanding MaxFun hosts. Join Dr. Goodbones, Fissure Pryce, Greese, Thousand, Wum and Little Steven of Lilyhammer on their quest against the corporate tyranny of Lord [REDACTED] & G…

This is it, mallrats. The final matchup. These two titans have fought hard to get here and it is up to you to crown the Malliest Mall Store. Hot Topic vs Bath and Body Works. Plus we talk to author of Meet Me by the Fountain and mallrat Alexandra Lange about her childhood mall, new "third places" and her prediction for the winner of today's matchup…

We're in the final stretch of March Malldness, fellow mallrats. It's the FINAL FLOOR and we're talking about Hot Topic and GameStop. We talk about our positive and not so positive memories of each store, ways each store could improve and play a few games with commish Christian Duenas. Which store should move on to the finals? Find us on social medi…

We're in the final stretch of March Malldness, fellow mallrats. It's the FINAL FLOOR and we're talking about Vans and Bath and Body Works. Two titans of the mall but only one can win. We talk with Production Fellow Daniel Huecias about ways we can improve each store and play a few games with commish Christian Duenas. Wanna get involved? Find us on …

The Mall-lite 8 continues with Food Court vs Mixed Nuts. Snacks vs Scene. Wetzel's Pretzels vs Hot Topic! Wetzel's Pretzels was our fifth seed in the Food Court and has surprised all but one of us with its win after win. Gen-Z correspondent Ashley Dueñas knew all along what kind of contender we had on our napkin-covered hands. We talk about shoppin…

We're wrapping up the Mall-lite 8 and going though the stories of The Sharper Image and EB Games/GameStop. Which store will move on to the next round? It's up to YOU! DadCore catalog The Sharper Image has dominated the Tech & Gifts region as the first seed. Did the now defunct store-turned-brand only make it this far due to a lucky bracket draw? Ga…

We're onto the Mall-lite 8 and going though the stories of Macy's and Vans. Which store will move on to the next round? It's up to YOU! Mall directory icon and dependable parking lot entrance Macy's has dominated the Department Store region as the first seed. We talk about Macy's place in the present-day mall and whether or not it's the 'empty calo…

We're finally here, folks. It's the Mall-lite 8. We're doing things a bit different for these matchups. We're going though the histories of each store and talking about our own memories attached to the stores in each matchup. First up, it's PacSun and Bath and Body Works. PacSun has been picking up a lot of steam during our matchups and it's now go…

Hello mallrats! We're at the end of the region finals in Tech & Gifts! Which is the malliest of this matchup: Sharper Image or See's Candies? It's up to you to decide who should be part of the Mall-ite 8! Maximum Fun Technology and Data Specialist Danny Baruela's pick is Sharper Image. He's going to tell you why it's not just iconic. But, Sharper I…

Mallrats! The Sweet 16 heads to every young mallrat's dream, Fun & Games, and only one can make it through to the next round. It's up to YOU! Producer Christian Dueñas tells us why KB Toys is the perfect introduction to mall culture to children. Producer Valerie Moffat explains how no mall is complete without a GameStop and its ruthless trade-in va…

Hello mallrats! The March Malldness Sweet 16 heads to the oasis of the mall, the Food Court. Pizzeria Sbarro takes on pretzelria Wetzel's Pretzels and only one can make it through to the next round. It's up to YOU! Senior Producer Kevin Ferguson tells us why no mall is complete without Sbarro serving a slice of New York pizzeria-core. Technology an…

It's the big one folks, two titans of the mall industrial complex battle it out in the Mixed Nuts region. It's Hot Topic vs Spencers Director of Development and Membership April Pendergraft defends Spencers and explains the difference between "best mall store" and "malliest mall store" Communications Specialist CN Josephs is defending Hot Topic. We…

Mallrats! This Sweet 16 matchup is for the people who love to browse, Bath and Body Works faces off against Zumiez in the "I'm Just Looking" region. Only one can make it through to the next round. It's up to YOU! Director of Business Operations Stacey Molski lights the candle for Bath and Body Works and shares how cucu-melon defined her t(w)eenhood…

Hello mallrats! We're getting deeper into the Sweet 16 and in one of the most hotly contested regions so far: Cool T(w)eens. PacSun and Urban Outfitters will duke it out and only one can make it through to the next round. It's up to YOU! Producer Jennifer Marmor defends Urban Outfitters and tells us about how clutch UO's curation can be for the t(w…

Hello mallrats! We are moving along to the Department Store region to talk about which is the most malliest one: Macy's or Nordstrom! Only one of these iconic department stores will make it to the Final 8 and it is up to you to decide! But don't worry, we have two more Maximum Fun staffers here to guide you through this tough decision. CEO Bikram C…

Hello mallrats! Its the first matchup of our Sweet 16. Two iconic stores battle it out in our search for the malliest mall store. This time, it's Vans vs Foot Locker. Only one of these shoe store juggernauts can make it through and it's up to YOU! Production Fellow Daniel Huecias is defending Vans and tells us why that checkerboard slip-on pattern …

Hello fellow mallrats! Join MaxFun producers Christian, Jennifer, and Raghu on their journey to find the malliest mall store. We started off with a bracket of 64 mall stores and whittled it down to just 16. Now we need your help to find our winner! We discuss the process of cutting our stores down to the Sweet 16, our underdogs, and favorites to wi…

Troubled Waters is a reboot of our long-running pop culture quiz show International Waters, hosted by Dave Holmes. We've endeavored to keep the spirit and tone of the original IW, though there are a couple key differences between the formats of both shows. On Troubled Waters, we no longer have British comics and American comics facing off against o…

An episode of Stop Podcasting Yourself with guest Paul F. Tompkins. Dave and Graham from Stop Podcasting Yourself will be joining us for MaxFunCon 2011.jesse@maximumfun.org

Marc Maron performing standup at MaxFunCon 2010.jesse@maximumfun.org

Al Madrigal performing standup at MaxFunCon 2010.jesse@maximumfun.org

The hilarious Maria Bamford performing standup at MaxFunCon 2010.jesse@maximumfun.org

Jad Abumrad gives the MaxFunCon audience some insight into how Radiolab is made. Jad explains some of the behind-the-scenes techniques used to make the information presented on his radio program sound like music.jesse@maximumfun.org

Tickets go on sale Black Friday at MaxFunCon.com.jesse@maximumfun.org

Tickets for MaxFunCon 2011 will go on sale on Black Friday, November 26th.jesse@maximumfun.org

Chef Julia Crookston will be our in-house cooking instructor at MaxFunCon, and she'll be helping us make delicious zucchini pickles in her workshop. Her cooking tip for today: experiment with making your own salad dressing. It's easier than you think.jesse@maximumfun.org

Sketch group Elephant Larry offers this take on pre-movie entertainment.jesse@maximumfun.org

This week's podcast features Jesse's recent conversation with Merlin Mann about his forthcoming book Inbox Zero, the difference between thinking and doing, distractibility, and perceived barriers to doing work. In other words, how (and why) you should just keep moving.jesse@maximumfun.org

Merlin Mann shared his thoughts on creativity and producing creative work in a very popular talk at last year's MaxFunCon. Maybe you couldn't make it in 2009. Well, you lucky duck, Merlin will be joining us again this year. In anticipation of next week's podcast, in which Jesse will be talking to him about his upcoming book, we're sharing the advic…

A few months ago, MaxFunster Merlin Mann (of 43 Folders and You Look Nice Today fame) conducted a live interview with MaxFunster John Hodgman (of Daily Show and Areas of My Expertise fame). Enjoy the conversation betwixt the two.jesse@maximumfun.org

We guarantee the always epic Andrew WK will be ready to motivate and inspire you again at this year's MaxFunCon. Need to get pumped up now? Take a listen to his live interview and performance on an episode of The Sound of Young America taped at WNYC.jesse@maximumfun.org

Al Madrigal is a super guy. He's hilarious is for one: You've probably seen him on Conan or on Craig Ferguson, he is Jury Award winner for Best Stand-Up Comedian at the Aspen Comedy Arts Festival.We've actually known Al since our college radio show days... and even then he was always helpful, friendly and all-around awesome. And that is the kind of…

Jonathan Coulton returns to perform at MaxFunCon after touring his new DVD/CD combo of live performances, it's called: BEST. CONCERT. EVER. If you've never heard his songs before then seriously: get ready to have a new favorite person in your life.jesse@maximumfun.org

The Bammer will be returning to MaxFunCon this year, but not only to perform: She will also be leading a standup comedy open-mic for comedians of all levels of skill, so if you've always wanted to give standup comedy a try- now's your chance!jesse@maximumfun.org

Marc Maron is one of our headliners at MaxFunCon 2010 and one of our favorite comedians ever. His very own podcast, WTF, remains the top ten on iTunes popularity because yeah: he is that good. Here he is with Janeane Garofalo, an old friend & partner in crime in the alternative comedy scene of the 90's.…

Some comedy from our pals Elephant Larry, Kasper Hauser and Clifford & Kidd. Catch them all at MaxFunCon 2010.jesse@maximumfun.org

A live recording of Jimmy Pardo's Never Not Funny from MaxFunCon 2009, with guest Maria Bamford.jesse@maximumfun.org

From MaxFunCon 2009, Jonathan Coulton introduces keynote speaker: John Hodgman.jesse@maximumfun.org

From MaxFunCon 2009, a live performance by the hilarious Hard N Phirm.jesse@maximumfun.org