# 105: John Swartzwelder

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/500-open-tabs-6718631/105-john-swartzwelder
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/500-open-tabs-6718631/105-john-swartzwelder.md
Podcast: [500 Open Tabs](https://stenobird.com/podcast/500-open-tabs-6718631)
Published: 2026-02-18T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.art19.com/episodes/7d432d66-cea7-4437-a31f-957509ad9703.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
Audio file: https://rss.art19.com/episodes/7d432d66-cea7-4437-a31f-957509ad9703.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/500-open-tabs-6718631/episodes/105-john-swartzwelder
Duration seconds: 4606

## Resource

This week we're joined by special guest Kaveh Mohebbi of the Cinema Rex podcast as he tells us about the myth surrounding John Swartzwelder, the most prolific writer in the history of The Simpsons whose voice helped shape the show and who may or may not actually exist. A listener mail tells us the insane story of the first gas balloon flight. Episode Tabs: John Swartzwelder, Sage of “The Simpsons” https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/john-swartzwelder-sage-of-the-simpsons Listener Tabs: The First Gas Balloon Flight https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-first-gas-balloon-flight/ Email your closed tab submissions to:  500opentabs@gmail.com Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs 500 Open Tabs Wiki:  https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki 500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide):  https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7 Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord!  https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to  nebula.tv/500opentabs See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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## Transcript

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