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Judge John Hodgman

Judge John Hodgman

John Hodgman and Maximum Fun 812 Episodes Aug 19, 2026

Judge John Hodgman is a comedy podcast where real-life disputes are settled in a fake internet court. Despite having no legal background, Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn arbitrate cases ranging from whether a hot dog is a sandwich to when a collection becomes a hoard. Listeners submit their disputes for judgment, and the show provides humorous yet thoughtful resolutions. The podcast is produced by Maximum Fun.

Episodes

Night(shade) Court
Night(shade) Court Aug 19, 2026 01:09:13 What is the best way to ripen a tomato? Jay says that a tomato is best eaten straight off the vine, hot from the sun, with a little salt. His wife, Gina, says that while that sounds lovely, if they let their tomatoes ripen on the vine, the local wildlife will get to them first! She likes to pick them as they start to ripen and finish the process inside a paper bag with a banana. Jay wants her to s
School House Dock-et
School House Dock-et Aug 12, 2026 01:11:07 Summer is almost over, which means we’re going BACK to school - Judge John Hodgman style. We’re clearing the docket of all your pressing (and not so pressing) back-to-school-related disputes: from extracurriculars to PTA conflicts, and most importantly, how to keep class supplies IN the classroom. Follow along as Judge John and Bailiff Jesse Thorn rule on cases like: should you force your daughter
Sheets and Desist
Sheets and Desist Aug 5, 2026 01:10:52 Dan says his fiancée, Elissa, sleeps poorly and that her bedtime laptop use is to blame! But she says playing video games on her laptop HELPS her sleep! They quiet her anxious thoughts and help her wind down. Dan wants to keep all screens out of the bed. He says, “If you bring the laptop into bed, I’M SLEEPING DOWNSTAIRS!” Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/spinynorman82 for naming
Force Masseur
Force Masseur Jul 29, 2026 01:01:56 Natalie brings the case against her boyfriend, Mike. Mike has been living the Sharper Image dream for the last 12 years: his own in-home massage chair! It’s not just a source of relaxation for him. Mike says it’s a fun piece that makes visiting their home a unique experience! But Natalie doesn’t want their home to offer guests a unique experience. She wants their guests to have a comfortable seat
Exculpa-trophy Evidence
Exculpa-trophy Evidence Jul 22, 2026 01:09:00 If you win "Best Feature" at a film festival, but the festival doesn't give you a trophy, can you make your own trophy? Or is that too cringe? Spouses and filmmakers Kaye and Mariel disagree! Their film THE REBRAND (trailer here) won several film festival awards! But most of the festival organizations did not provide trophies, or any physical representation of the win for that matter. Kaye wants t
Road Rules
Road Rules Jul 15, 2026 01:09:03 VROOM VROOM! Buckle your seatbelts and pile in our station wagon, because this week’s episode is all about ROAD TRIPS! From passenger etiquette to divvying up the driving duties, we’re covering any and all disputes related to car travel. Should you divide up driving duties by hour or by mile? Which is the better way to road trip: getting to your destination faster or stopping and enjoying the sigh
Counter Argument
Counter Argument Jul 8, 2026 01:10:18 Andie is tired of James leaving breakable items in peril! He plates, microwave dishes full of hot food, and even his ipad hanging on the edge of their countertops and tables. James says it’s easier to pick up items when they are not flush with the surface. But it stresses Andie out! She’s worried one errant hip bump will send all the hot food flying. James argues that saving a plate from crashing
Crime and Bunishment and Mailbags
Crime and Bunishment and Mailbags Jul 1, 2026 00:58:16 It’s summertime, so we’re opening the member mailbag! We’ve pulled the greatest hits from our Members Only Mailbag, to give you a taste of the unfiltered JUSTICE that our members get every month. In this episode, we talk about: picking up critters in the wild, state birds, cutting a sandwich, and goth parts of Los Angeles. Plus, a classic dispute of night owl versus early bird... and hanging drywa
TEASER: Members Only Mailbag June 2026
TEASER: Members Only Mailbag June 2026 Jun 30, 2026 00:05:21 It’s the Members Only May Mailbag! This month: the science of moving with a moving truck, cross-country tandem bike rides, and much more! Plus, producer Jennifer gets a new catchphrase! Here's a bit from this month's episode. If you want to listen to the rest, head to your bonus content feed! Not a member yet? You can become a member TODAY at maximumfun.org/join. Just $5 a month gets you immediate
Passover-ruled
Passover-ruled Jun 24, 2026 01:12:50 Marc is Jewish, and Marianne is Catholic. Together with their extended family (and friends!) they celebrate a LOT of holidays. The dispute? When a holiday falls in the middle of the week, as many Jewish holidays do, Marc would prefer to celebrate them on a Saturday night instead, so more of their loved ones can join. But Marianne says no! It's not kosher! Who's right? Thanks to reddit user u/lexfr
Special Episode: JJHo Visits Tijuana with Al Otro Lado
Special Episode: JJHo Visits Tijuana with Al Otro Lado Jun 22, 2026 01:31:05 We are excited to share this very special bonus episode featuring our trip to Tijuana and the border wall with the non-profit group Al Otro Lado. If you'd rather watch the full video version of this episode, tap here. Al Otro Lado is a bi-national organization that provides free legal and humanitarian aid to immigrants, deportees, and separated families. Thanks to the leadership of Jesse Thorn and
Pecks and Balances
Pecks and Balances Jun 17, 2026 01:14:02 Erich brings the case against his wife, Allison. When they first started dating, they had a tradition called the "safety kiss." If they were driving anywhere, they would check their seatbelts, secure the dogs, and then kiss each other for safety. They are now expecting their first child. Erich wants to reinstitute the Safety Kiss tradition. But Allison is opposed! She doesn’t want to teach her chi

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