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🎙️ SYSK Episodes
#071525
The Great Big Yarn of Mel's Hole
"Maybe it would be like Joe vs. Volcano and it would just spit us right back out like Tom and Meg."
— Josh
Josh jokingly suggests jumping into Mel's Hole might work like the volcano in Joe Versus the Volcano, referencing Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's characters.
Jul 15, 2025
#112823
Plate Tectonics Are What Makes Earth Inhabitable
"Like Joe versus the volcano because that was a pretty amazing site."
— Josh
Josh jokingly references the movie Joe Versus the Volcano when discussing volcanic footage in the documentary Fire of Love.
Nov 28, 2023
#032922
How Light Pollution Works
"Remember that great shot? Yeah, of course it was just made up, but it was a great-looking shot in Joe versus the volcano."
— Josh
Josh references a memorable moonlit ocean scene from the film while discussing sea turtles and moonlight.
Mar 29, 2022
#120520
SYSK Selects: How Chaos Theory Changed the Universe
"Watch Joe versus the volcano instead great movie"
— Chuck
Chuck recommends Joe Versus the Volcano as a better alternative to the depressing Revolutionary Road.
Dec 5, 2020
#050518
SYSK Selects: Are there undiscovered people?
"It's not like bringing orange soda to the Waponi Woo. Joe versus the volcano."
— Josh
Josh references the film to contrast the fictional happy first contact with indigenous people versus the grim reality.
May 5, 2018
#041317
How Supervolcanoes Work
"Or Joe versus the volcano. Sure. Very nice."
— Josh
Josh makes a playful reference to the movie title when discussing how volcanologists categorize supervolcanoes.
Apr 13, 2017
#100616
Why Did Easter Island's Civilization Collapse?
"Are you alluding to Joe versus the volcano? No. Oh, okay. That's the Waponi woos."
— Josh
Josh references the film when Chuck mentions 'Rapa Nui' and the fictional island setting.
Oct 6, 2016
#071916
How Chaos Theory Changed the Universe
"Watch Joe vs. the Volcano instead. Great movie."
— Josh
Josh recommends Joe Versus the Volcano as a lighter alternative to Revolutionary Road.
Jul 19, 2016
#082913
How did 168 conquistadors take down the Inca empire?
"It's not like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan jumping in the volcano"
— Josh
Josh used this movie reference when discussing how Incan child sacrifice wasn't like a lighthearted Hollywood movie.
Aug 29, 2013
#052611
How do I start my own country?
"we were talking about Joe versus the Volcano, obviously, which we've mentioned before"
— Chuck
Chuck mentions the movie when discussing how entrepreneurs might want islands for mineral rights, referencing the fictional mineral 'boobaroo' that Lloyd Bridges' character wanted from the Waponi island.
May 26, 2011
#123010
How Volcanoes Work
"Do you ever see Joe versus the volcano? One of my favorite all-time movies."
— Josh
Josh brings up the movie as an example to relate to volcanoes, describing it as one of his top five favorite films.
Dec 30, 2010
#012810
Are there undiscovered people?
"It's not like bringing orange soda to the Waponi Woo. Joe versus the volcano."
— Josh
Josh references the movie to contrast its lighthearted portrayal of cultural contact with the deadly reality of disease transmission to isolated tribes.
Jan 28, 2010
#011910
Why are honeybees disappearing?
"I imagine some bee in like a crumpled fedora carrying a briefcase returning to the hive. Joe versus the bee hive. I love that movie."
— Josh
Josh references the movie when discussing stressed-out bees returning to their hives as a factor in colony collapse disorder.
Jan 19, 2010
Cast
Tom Hanks
Joe Banks
Meg Ryan
DeDe / Angelica / Patricia Graynamore
Lloyd Bridges
Samuel Harvey Graynamore
Dan Hedaya
Frank Waturi
Ossie Davis
Marshall
Barry McGovern
Luggage Salesman
Robert Stack
Dr. Ellison
Amanda Plummer
Dagmar
Lala Sloatman
Waitress
Abe Vigoda
Chief of the Waponis
Carol Kane
Hairdresser
Branscombe Richmond
Waponi
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