The Empty Bowl
A meditative podcast about cereal, hosted by Justin McElroy and Dan Goubert. Each episode explores different cereals, their history, and the joy of eating them. The show aims to provide a calming, nostalgic experience for listeners.
Episodes
One Hundred and Thirty Five
This is the one-hundred and thirty-fifth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Dan gets a little kooky, Justin gets a new favorite spoon, and our show gets a new URL.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/emptybowlshow!
One Hundred and Thirty Four
This is the one-hundred and thirty-fourth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which there's much abuzz about Pop-Tarts, Dan gushes about granola, and we pit The Most Divisive Cereal of Today against some of The Most Divisive Cereals in History.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!Follow us
One Hundred and Thirty Three
This is the one hundred and thirty-third episode of The Empty Bowl, in which HUNTR/X breaks a curse, Dan determines whether Backflip Cereal stuck the landing, and Justin discovers the funniest cereal mail-in premium of all time.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!Follow us on Instagram at
One Hundred and Thirty Two
This is the one hundred and thirty-second episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Count Chocula soft-launches his return, Magic Spoon parasitizes Pop-Tarts, and we (extra) boldly go where no Empty Bowl episode has gone before.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!Follow us on Instagram at instagram.c
One Hundred and Thirty One
This is the one-hundred and thirty-first episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Justin questions HUNTR/X's business sense, Dan recounts a cereal miracle, and we both try our best to assign an objective value to Cap'n Crunch's shovelware era.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Thirty
This is the one-hundred and thirtieth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Tony skips the butter, Cinnamon Toast Crunch puts strong roots in newly broken ground, and Dan shares the best cereal he picked up on vacation.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Twenty Nine
This is the one-hundred and twenty-ninth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Cap'n Crunch has got to be kidding us, Dan tries the world's first cereal made from...yeugh...and Pop-Tarts finally does what people have been asking them to do for, like, 50 years.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Twenty Eight
This is the one-hundred and twenty-eighth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Gabe Fonseca returns to sub in for Justin, inform Dan about a Dollar Tree-exclusive cereal, and count down Cap'n Crunch's greatest/weirdest hits!Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Twenty Seven
This is the one-hundred and twenty-seventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Dan boldly names the most beautiful cereal box ever, Justin finds his new favorite uncanny mascot, and we both reevaluate our veneration of Neutron Berries.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Twenty Six
This is the one-hundred and twenty-sixth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Trolls Trix refuse to be forgotten, Justin does a (very) last-minute taste test, and we both put our heads together to solve Cap'n Crunch's big mystery.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Twenty Five
This is the one-hundred and twenty fifth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we count down the most delicious and despicable new cereals of 2025. This time, our lists diverge more than ever, a cereal company outside of the Big 4 dominates, and a reliably terrible flavor profile continues its reign of terror.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at pa
One Hundred and Twenty Four
This is the one-hundred and twenty-fourth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which the Cap'n presents a Conundr'm, Dan and Justin bond over a nauseating cereal experience, and we hear from an unnamed cereal legend.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Twenty Three
This is the one-hundred and twenty-third episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we preview General Mills' 2026 new cereal lineup, contemplate moving to Mexico, and reflect on our brushes with cereal's A-list.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Twenty Two
This is the one-hundred and twenty-second episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Pop-Tarts hit the gym, Honey Bunches of Oats come for the holiday cereal throne, and a '70s legend enters our cereal ranking battle royale.Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Twenty One
This is the one-hundred and twenty-first episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Kellogg's of Mexico brings our prophecy to life, two (cold) hot cocoa cereals duke it out, and our cereal ranking series returns with gusto!Catch up on our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Twenty
This is the one-hundred and twentieth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Dan sleeps in an egg, Justin hallucinates marbits, and we explore the many layers of what makes the perfect cereal treat.Check in our cereal rankings here!Support us on Patreon here!
One Hundred and Nineteen
This is the one-hundred and nineteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we pity Oreo Puffs, brush our teeth with Lucky Charms, and demarcate oblivion with porridge.Check in our cereal rankings here!Support us on Patreon here!
One Hundred and Eighteen
This is the one-hundred and eighteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which the Monsters go Muppet (maybe), Dan sweats over Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Justin drools over Frosted Mini Chex.Follow along with our cereal ranking here.Check out our Patreon here.
One Hundred and Seventeen
This is the one-hundred and seventeenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which a savory cereal packs surprising depth, Walmart delivers an even bigger shock, and we're forced to rank a cereal we can't even believe is on the list.Follow along with our cereal rankings here!Check out our Patreon here!
One Hundred and Sixteen
This is the one-hundred and sixteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we snitch to the WBDGCP, the Cap'n sets the bar for vanilla, and we ponder our priciest cereal purchases.Follow along with our cereal rankings at tinyurl.com/tebrank!Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/theemptybowl!
One Hundred and Fifteen
This is the one-hundred and fifteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Dan's soul-bowl cereal returns, Raisin Bran leaves its comfort zone, and we brainstorm which liquids would make for a solid cereal.
One Hundred and Fourteen
This is the one-hundred and fourteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which everyone in the world tells Justin about a new cereal, Life's newest flavor is a real mouthful, and we answer the age-old question once and for all: Boo Berry or Count Chocula?
One Hundred and Thirteen
This is the one-hundred and thirteenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we tackle 2025's first new cereals before looking back at 2024's biggest breakfast-aisle wonders and blunders.
One Hundred and Twelve
This is the one-hundred and twelfth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we investigate a corn puff-ification epidemic, Dan takes on a chocolate trio, and inscrutable cereals of yore come under scrutiny.
Check out our Cereal Ranking progress here.
One Hundred and Eleven
This is the one-hundred and eleventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which General Mills overloads us with new cereal news, Bailey's brings the bite, and we finally make our cereal ranking progress public (check it out at tinyurl.com/TEBrank).
One Hundred and Ten
This is the one-hundred and tenth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which no Squishmallow goes to waste, we ideate the perfect cereal shape, and Dan praises a zeitgeist-defining gorilla.
One Hundred and Nine
This is the one-hundred and ninth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Life self-nullifies, Carmella meets her match, and we make what is easily our most controversial Cereal Ranking decision yet.
One Hundred and Eight
This is the one-hundred and eighth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Justin's life is in Jimmy Dean's hands, Dan does some Pop-Tarts geometry, and we both keep ranking old cereals, because it ain't much...but it's honest work.
One Hundred and Seven
This is the one-hundred and seventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Toucan Sam explores his final frontier, a Cereal of the Year contender comes out of nowhere, and Dan's Movie Corner returns for an especially Freaky film.
One Hundred and Six
This is the one-hundred and sixth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which the Kelce brothers defy reason, Pop-Tarts approaches singularity, and we embark on the most ambitious project of our cereal podcasting career.
One Hundred and Five
This is the one-hundred and fifth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Cereal Time's Gabe Fonseca subs in for Justin again for some compulsory exclamations, a trio of chocolatey newcomers, and a souped-up trivia gauntlet that might just stump the web's biggest cereal expert.
One Hundred and Four
This is the one-hundred and fourth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we witness the dawn of Meowberry, Cinnamon Toast Crunch boldly goes where it's already gone before, and Dan exposes Jerry Seinfeld's big cinematic blunder.
One Hundred and Three
This is the one-hundred and third episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we climb a mountain of new cereal news, Dan becomes Walmart's clown prince, and Justin revisits an under-acknowledged classic.
One Hundred and Two
This is the one hundred and second episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we contemplate "loaded cakes," celebrate a post-recall return, and say the names of a lot of old cereals.
One Hundred and One
This is the one hundred and first episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Tony the Tiger makes cookies, Dan lives más, and we both ideate our Monstersonas.
One Hundred
This is the one-hundredth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we present our longest cereal conversation yet, thanks to all the questions and support from listeners like you.
Ninety-Nine
This is the ninety-ninth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which an '80s classic returns, 2024's first contenders enter the fray, and we look back at 2023's cereals from top to bottom.
Ninety-Eight
This is the ninety-eighth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which the Cap'n raises eyebrows about his eyebrows and we hash out MishMash Cereal, before answering a bunch of questions you didn't ask us.
Ninety-Seven
This is the ninety-seventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which General Mills reloads its cereals, Dan locks lips with Boo Berry, and we put out a casting call for mascot cohosts.
Ninety-Six
This is the ninety-sixth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we do a quick catch-up with the present before taking a fantastic voyage into the past.
Ninety-Five
This is the ninety-fifth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which our most-awaited cereal of all time finally materializes, Walmart presents a toothsome trio, and Justin runs through Dan's Monster Cereal Trivia Gauntlet.
Ninety-Four
This is the ninety-fourth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we dive into autumn Crocs-first, Dan pays tribute to Honey Bunches (again), and Justin ponders the past.
Ninety-Three
This is the ninety-third episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Snoop expands his empire, live reviews abound, and we get experimental...very, dairy experimental.
Ninety-Two
This is the ninety-second episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Justin explains the plot of Miraculous, Dan explains what cereal his cat smells like, and we both explain the secret to peak late-night cereal snacking.
Ninety-One
This is the ninety-first episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we gush about Chex, Justin does a live taste test, and we give you the low-down on the best cereals still available in stores.
Ninety
This is the ninetieth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which a new Monster Cereal rises, Great Value shines, and we do something we've somehow never done in the first eighty-nine episodes of this show.
Eighty-Nine
This is the eighty-ninth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Malt-O-Meal braves new frontiers, ICEE Cereal tries to be cool, and Tres Leches Toast Crunch gets Dan dancin'.
Eighty-Eight
This is the eighty-eighth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which ICEE evades antitrust laws, Cap'n Crunch becomes a crude changeling, and Dan posits a theory of maximally medial munchability.
Eighty-Seven
This is the eighty-seventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Kellogg's attempts a miracle, Cheerios triumph (as usual), and we explore brave new refrigerated frontiers for hypothetical cereals.
Eighty-Six
This is the eighty-sixth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we fill up on puddin' pies, sweet white sauce, and all the grins & smiles & giggles & laughs we can handle.
Eighty-Five
This is the eighty-fifth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which milks multiply, Honey Bunches stay GOATed, and we celebrate cereal's subtlest satisfactions.
Eighty-Four
This is the eighty-fourth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Cheerios scratches an itch, Malt-O-Meal is redeemed by dough, and we consider cereal from a cat's-eye view.
Eighty-Three
This is the eighty-third episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Malt-O-Meal reeks, Post goes to court, and TikTok tries hacking cereal (again).
Eighty-Two
This is the eighty-second episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we assess a menagerie of Minis, mint, and misreported discontinuations.
Eighty-One
This is the eighty-first episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we look back at 2022's best, brightest, and plain ol' not-rightest cereals.
Eighty
This is the eightieth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we celebrate a birthday, the holidays, and varieties within varieties.
Seventy-Nine
This is the seventy-ninth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we contemplate red Berries and red noses, plus oat-less options and oatmeal in disguise.
Seventy-Eight
This is the seventy-eighth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we declare our cereal of the year before even tasting it, Dan tries some buttery U.K. grub, and we rack the brains of our nation's proudest Kraveiacs.
Seventy-Seven
This is the seventy-seventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which bunnies become reindeer, ghosts become yogurt, and cereal box trends become too hip for us old souls to follow.
Seventy-Six
This is the seventy-sixth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Reese's get recursive, the Count & Frank get baked, and we tackle a handful of your miscellaneous musings on munchability.
Seventy-Five
This is the seventy-fifth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Boo Berry mimics Trix, a Target employee outperforms Kellogg's, and we ideate the ideal musical cereal lineup.
Seventy-Four
This is the seventy-fourth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Snoop preempts Nintendo, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch gets hot, which gets Dan bothered.
Seventy-Three
This is the seventy-third episode of The Empty Bowl, in which our milk turns green, pink, and...bean flavored?
Seventy-Two
This is the seventy-second episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Superman misses an opportunity, Cheerios misses the point, and we ponder a world where there's only one cereal company.
Seventy-One
This is the seventy-first episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Malt-O-Meal gets creative, H-E-B gets chocolatey, and Pop-Tarts get...less dry? Or at least, we think they do?
Seventy
This is the seventieth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Tony goes to the dark side, formative snack memories resurface, and Justin gulps big. Real big.
Sixty-Nine
This is the sixty-ninth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which OJ overthrows milk, Sonic gets corny, and Froot Loops straws finally resurface.
Sixty-Eight
This is the sixty-eighth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we doodle snickers, crave rubble, and plan a full day of cereal meals.
Sixty-Seven
This is the sixty-seventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Dan feels old, Lucky turns out to be young, and we share which timeless cereals are actually gluten free.
Sixty-Six
This is the sixty-sixth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which LeBron dunks on Fred, Pop-Tarts get custardy, and we ideate the ideal American cereal sampler.
Sixty-Five
This is the sixty-fifth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Magic Spoon appeals to our tastes, nut milk gets extra creamy, and Dan shares his pick for Cereal's Defining Box.
Sixty-Four
This is the sixty-fourth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which frogs are misidentified, Wendy's & SpongeBob swap sides, and the boundaries of what defines Trix are tested.
Sixty-Three
This is the sixty-third episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Cinnadust rules everything around us, Plentifull wins Dan's heart, and 2021's best & worst cereals get their due scrutiny.
Sixty-Two
This is the sixty-second episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Mrs. Butterworth bottles her lifeblood, Justin explains PJ Masks lore, and [REDACTED] sweeps our Cereal Emperor Election.
Sixty-One
This is the sixty-first episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Cereal Time's Gabe Fonseca subs in for Justin!
Sixty
This is the sixtieth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which it's up to you to decide whether Justin or Dan deserves to be cereal's God Emperor.
Fifty-Nine
This is the fifty-ninth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Krispy Kreme puts swirls on swirls, we ideate the ideal "apple pie toast," and deeply personal sogginess preferences come to light.
Fifty-Eight
This is the fifty-eighth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which we praise Chexian geometry, identify ivory entertainment paste, and test Justin's cereal trivia expertise.
Fifty-Seven
This is the fifty-seventh episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Peppa meets Pop, Dan guzzles a candle, and Justin transcends dairy.
Fifty-Six
This is the fifty-sixth episode of The Empty Bowl, in which Pebbles are beautiful, Bowl Buddies are bountiful, and Dan relives a classroom cereal catastrophe.
