Pre-Eight, with Griffin McElroy

In this 87-minute episode of Jordan, Jesse, GO!, hosts Jesse Thorne and Jordan Morris welcome Griffin McElroy, author of the new choose-your-own-adventure book *The Stowaway*, for a chaotic, affectionate, and deeply meta conversation about nostalgia, podcasting, and the enduring power of community. The episode opens with a playful, absurdist monologue about embracing childhood joy, followed by a detailed, hilariously exasperated tutorial on setting up a Roku stick—complete with emotional breakdowns and a 55-minute rage phase. The hosts dive into their favorite background content (lo-fi beats, car review videos), discuss problematic artists, and reminisce about childhood reading, particularly the terrifying *Choose Your Own Adventure* series. Griffin shares his journey into writing for the franchise, emphasizing his desire to keep it light and accessible for kids. The heart of the episode centers on the MaxFunDrive, a member-supported pledge campaign for Maximum Fun, a worker-owned cooperative that funds the network’s shows. The hosts passionately explain how listener support keeps the shows alive, pays creators fairly, and maintains artistic independence—especially in contrast to corporate podcasting. A high-energy quiz game pits Jordan against Griffin in naming Star Wars characters, real baseball players, and made-up names, with Griffin ultimately winning. The episode closes with heartfelt tributes to the longevity and resilience of their show, the importance of listener support, and the joy found in shared absurdity and community.