The Podgecast with Christina and John

As the kids say, "It's been a minute!" We're in the process of relocating our Podgecast studio - and to be honest, one of the Podgecast members hasn't been pulling his weight as far as topics etc. But it's all good, because within the next 30 days, there will be so, SO much to talk about. Thanks for sticking with us!

Podgecast Ep. 172 - Ethan's 15 Minutes of Ranting by The Podgecast

Yeah, yeah, yeah... we know... the idea of endings being beginnings is cliche. But DAMN, these last few months have really shown us the kind of exclamation point recent endings have been. Have a listen.

It's been a hectic few weeks, and we've needed some recouping - so we're offering a small recap of the last few weeks. Have a listen!

Oliver Coronado - a student who John had a number of years ago was always a great student, and even in high school - it was evident that this guy was wise beyond his years. He was definitely someone who could cut through the bullshit and at a very young age was able to see things for what they truly were. We caught up with Oliver for the latest Podgecast. Have a listen!

We're extending our break this week. We brought our dog to get put to sleep last week, and I have to tell you it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It shook us - and we're just climbing out of this loss. We'll be back next week with a proper Podgecast. Thanks for hanging in there.

We got really bad news about our dog, Ella. John sent a quick message on our Podgecast stream to tell you about it. No crying, but it was damn close. Have a great holiday!

Yesterday was National Fast Food Day. I'd like to take credit and say it was with intention that we chose to talk about our love/hate affair with fast food, but that's simply untrue. But what IS true is Christina will often come up with these ideas and not have any idea how serendipitous things really are. But it happens more than you'd think. Have a listen!

Were we thrilled that Joe Biden won the election last week? Yes. Did we think it was going to be a slam dunk? We did. So while we were extremely happy that our guy won - not to mention a woman, and a person of color at that - is going to be the Vice President is both historic and something to be marveled at to be witnessing. We can't help but feel the sting of those record numbers who came out in SUPPORT of "you know who." We run the gamut of emotions, as usual, here at The Podgecast. Have a listen!

Both Christina and John avoided certain movies from their childhoods because they were deemed "too frightening." Well, this week, two of those films were conquered. For John, "Nightmare on Elm Street" haunted him. For Christina, it was "Child's Play." Listen to what these two adults who avoided two cheesy horror movies from the 1980s have to say about it!

It's very safe to say we miss Obama. In our quickest Podgecast yet, we discuss watching The Way I See It - the MSNBC documentary that just had us in tears from start to finish - about Pete Souza, the White House photographer under President Obama. When they say "you don't know what you got til it's gone," boy, this doc proves that. Only a week left and our national nightmare BETTER be over!

Back in 2013, maximum irony created a new phrasing surrounding the word, "BECAUSE." As in, "I LIKE THIS... BECAUSE, REASONS." It's ridiculous but managed to become extremely fashionable. And since one of the Podgecasters is extremely NOT fashionable, this never quite caught on. But we did manage to turn this ridiculous phrase into a spirited discussion about many different things from a delicious pork dinner to cancel culture. You know you want to listen!

One of the Podgecast folk loves horror films. The other is a big baby. Watching a horror movie a day all month long is tricky with said baby. That's not all this episode is about, however - it's also about what we consider real life horrors. (Like being chased by geese, for example...) Have a listen!

When working with wood, you always need to sand the edges. If not, you'll get splinters and the work will look shoddy. We've discovered that life is kind of like that as well. You can build the entire structure, but then you need to sand the edges. That's what's been happening lately. We've been "sanding" the "rough edges" of our lives. Have a listen to hear how we've been doing just that!

So on the Instagram, I ask another poster about notebook boxes. He was very helpful in my question and BAM - just like that we became pals on the internets. And this guy has so much going on! Engineer, fashion, geek-stuff, parenting, education... and then, one day, he casually tells me, "Oh, I ran for congress." WHAT? Yep! Oh you wanna hear all about it NOW, don't ya? Well, have a listen and you can!

THREE YEARS! We've been rocking this podcast! One hundred-fifty eight episodes! That's a LOT OF GABBING! It was three years ago that I asked Christina to come down to the basement and BAM, the Podgecast was born! This episode we reflect on how we've changed over the course of the three years. Have a listen to see how we've done!

If you grew up in the northeast in the 1980s, without a doubt you have either been to Action Park, or you saw commercials for this (in)famous "water park." The use of air quotes here is legit, because Action Park was really more of a real life Lord of the Flies - a free for all run by drunk, high, horny teenagers. The topic was explored thoroughly in the new documentary "Class Action Park" but Christina and John add their two cents to the discussion. Have a listen!

What does it mean to be "in the flow"? When we are embarking on something creative, something "non-traditional" we tend to overthink and over analyze and let our doubts get in the way of that wonderful creativity. Once you give yourself that permission, you find yourself being swept up in your creative endeavor... "in the flow." Time whips by... and maybe you surprise yourself! Cousin Elaina joins us from Seattle to talk about what it means to be "in the flow." Have a listen!

What happens when you are 100% certain that the purchase of an oatmeal cookie prevented a horrible, terrible accident? What if something told you, against judgement, "Buy that cookie." They're expensive, we're running late, we don't NEED a cookie, I just put my card away... all of the above were true... but still we bought the cookie. Something told us, just get it. And that intuition may have saved us from real harm. Have a listen!

Our guest on this week's Podgecast is someone we've known since 2012... Marcos De Los Santos. A former student of John's and current film student. In his scant twenty-something years is the heart and mind of a straight up baby-boomer. He loves old things, old music, old movies. We're banking on his huge success one day so we can exploit him for this episode. He's an awesome guy and we love him! Have a listen!

Podgecast Ep 153 - Long Game Life Hacks by The Podgecast

The phrase, "You can't see the forest for the trees..." means that we can't see a big picture idea because the little things are obscuring our vision. What if we can't see something we're expecting because something else has "sprung up" and it's preventing us from seeing it? This week's Podgecast is all about having a view we are expecting only to have the TRUTH show itself in its place. Have a listen, it'll all make sense. (BTW, one of us cries this episode... take a guess who!)

We've been seeing a lot more women taking ownership of their power in recent weeks - we're all for that here at the Podgecast. Whether it's standing up to a bully on the floor of the House of Representatives or changing a circuit breaker, young women are thriving in their power. (Not to mention it was a huge week for women in music!) Have a listen as Christina and John discuss the different ways women are capturing and using their power!

A crying fit at 6:45 in the morning led to this episode of The Podgecast. Christina is feeling all the feels as Emily is about to head off to college. When she came back to bed, she said, "This would make a great Podgecast." And it did. We were downstairs before 7:30 and we were recording. There's never any coincidences in Podgecast-land, we've been obsessively playing the game "Wingspan" for the last few weeks. And just like that, BAM! You got a theme! This one's a good one but a short one! Have a listen!

Podgecast Ep 149 - Elaina by The Podgecast

This kid! He's a teenager... he's heading in to HIGH SCHOOL! He's taller than both of us and he sounds like the clean shaven guy in the Oak Ridge Boys. (His, and Ethan's, voice is deep... listen for yourself.) But deep voice aside, he also is one of the most kid, caring and sensitive kids we've ever known - and we're not just saying that because we live with him. Have a listen to Ethan2020!

When kids are sent to their rooms, it's a "punishment." But if as adults we would GLADLY get sent to our room. We are noticing that adults currently are being sent to their rooms to "think about what they've done" and the problem is, when they come out, they HAVEN'T really thought about it, because they're still doing the same crap they've BEEN doing. Have a listen.

"The shadow" is a psychological term for everything we can't see in ourselves. Working with your shadow isn't easy. We go to great lengths to protect our self-image. Denying any part of yourself is denying YOU. Have a listen as Christina and John discuss SHADOW WORK! #no filter #shadow #shadow work #clouds #stormy #wear a mask #crazy karens #jung #psychology #be mindful #triggers

Father's Day just passed, and would you believe that we here at the Podgecast discovered a THEME about what lessons a father can give his son (positive AND negative.) Of course it seems that what we watched this weekend just happened to fall on the negative side, but that doesn't mean we have to FOLLOW those lessons - in fact we can choose to follow our OWN path. Have a listen to the latest episode!

What is the answer to, "Where do you hold a high school graduation during a pandemic?" The answer in these parts: At the local NASCAR track. Admittedly, we were apprehensive at first, but it turned out to be quite the celebration! Our latest Podgecast we celebrate our graduate and talk about her journey as well as our own in getting her to this point. There ARE a few tears, as to be expected... but good tears! Have a listen!

You know how we love our themes here at the Podgecast. We noticed that a lot of people who have normally remained quiet are no longer being silent. People are doing a lot more "snapping out of it" and "Snapping Back." And the visual validation of TWO snapping turtles in two different parts of town the same day we had these conversations really hammered this idea home. Have a listen!

An emotional week, for sure. We marched in memoriam of George Floyd - whose life was snuffed out under the knee of a Minneapolis Police officer. Our family participated in the George Floyd Memorial March this past Monday, then we recorded a podcast about what we were feeling. We kept quiet on Tuesday, but we're back at it today. In this hopeful hodgepodge of a podcast, we talk about what we can do to help. It's a heavy, important topic. Stay safe. #blacklivesmatter #georgefloyd #sayhisname #ripgeorgefloyd

So what can we say about a guest who not only brings his own topic... but brings his own GRAPHIC!? That's pretty cool. (Just saying, future guests don't HAVE to make their own graphics...) So this guy, a long time listener to The Podgecast, came prepared to discuss all manners of "Opening Up" - from the economy opening back up, to opening up emotionally and mentally... he was all over the place and guess what? He got Christina to tear up! It's true! Have a listen to this episode of The Podgecast with special guest, Charlie Peeke!

Zulay and John worked together for years at Harry Truman High School in the Bronx, NY. Now she's an assistant principal at a small high school in the Bronx! We have a talk with Zulay about all things education and we may or may not veer into geek territory. Have a listen and a laugh with The Podgecast's special guest, Zulay Martinez!

OOF! This pandemic is making us all kindsa turned around. I'm forgetting what day it is! Anyway, sorry we're so late this week. Our topic this week is a true Podgecast on a multitude of ideas... but all centered around the idea of RUN. Have a listen!

Many people are feeling lost during this time of isolation and quarantine. What if you were isolating BY CHOICE? Well that's just what Duane and Rena Ose did over 30 years ago. They walked into a remote part of Alaska and have lived off the grid since. Until last year, that is. They were part of a reality/competition show called Win the Wilderness where six couples were in competition to win Duane and Rena's remote home. This got us to thinking... while we haven't minded being quarantined, would we want to live in that level of remote isolation? Have a listen to the latest Podgecast and think about how remote of a life you'd want!

Who genuinely loves clowns? No one. If you are a person who says you love clowns, you're full of baloney. That being said, this week's podcast started out as a way of diving into our fears - especially in the midst of a global pandemic. But it was soon discovered that most fears are just hiding something else. Such is the case of the documentary "Wrinkles the Clown." The film started as what seemed to be a nightmare only to be exposed as a nightmare in our minds - the nightmare that WE created. It's confusing... but have a listen and maybe it'll make sense.

Some people never know what they want to do when they grow up. Some people find out along the way. Some people, like the subject of the documentary CHEF FLYNN, knew from the beginning. Did he really know, though? Either way, Chef Flynn McGarry knew what he wanted to quite early on. Watch this documentary either before or after listening. No spoilers to be had, but it's definitely an interesting look at this young artist.

This week, we talk about the documentary College Behind Bars - a film which highlights the Bard Prison Initiative. A program which educates convicts in the New York prison system. The documentary shows the astounding transformation of the students enrolled in the program and how even though the graduates might still be in literal prison, there is no question they have been freed of their own mental prisons. Have a listen!

Tina Coletta-Quinn... friend to the Podgecast, but more importantly friend to Christina and John. Tina, who moved to PA from Brooklyn (hence one of the B's) has been friends with Christina (the other B - for Bronx!) for over 25 years! The two have seen ups and downs... but have remained close throughout! Tina talks about all manner of topics in her journey. Have a listen!

We did. We watched the Tiger King. It was part of our unintended "Cringe Fringe Binge" it paired like a fine wine with the astounding Unorthodox. OK more like eating a Twinkie after an expensive meal. But during this pandemic, we needed something that made us feel less nuts. And man, the Tiger King delivered! Watch both and then have a listen... minor spoilers, but we save the good stuff for you to watch.

Podgecast Ep 132 - Pandemic And Chill by The Podgecast

Things are CRAZZZZZY! We try to make sense of a nutty time! Have a listen to this week's Pandemic Podgecast.

John met this week's guest in middle school. Then Christina met him in high school. (For New York City, those are pretty crazy odds. As the ride and song state, the world is indeed, small.) Thanks to social media, the three have been able to remain in contact and peek in on one another's lives. And what a life this guy is living! Police officer. Parent. Bomb squad. New Romance. Marriage. Parent AGAIN in his 40's and then soon after retirement and a new life in Florida. But as he tells us, he feels that he's only just begun. Strap in, folks! This Podgecast is over TWO HOURS, but as it was being recorded, time absolutely FLEW by. (Fun Fact - Two of the three people talking on this week's Podgecast took surreptitious pee breaks. Try to guess who and when!)

As usual, our theme presented itself to us this weekend. One of us went on a field trip to see someone famous, then a movie, then another movie... but the whole time, there was this theme of being INVISIBLE. In both positive and negative ways. Plus there's a pretty juicy revelation in this week's Podgecast. You HAVE to listen!

Podgecast Ep 128 - The 365 Movie Challenge with Special Guest: Rashan by The Podgecast

When someone is "ICED OUT" we say they're being kept out with intent. Sometimes we "ICE" people out emotionally. Sometimes you go to ice festivals two days in a row and after seeing that much ice, you're just plain "ICED OUT." This Podgecast is BOTH. But trust us, it's fun and short. Have a listen. Did we mention it's short?

Podgecast Ep 126 - The Chocolate Cake Incident by The Podgecast

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of..." Ohhhhh you guys are smart! You get the joke! But on a serious note, did you watch JLo and Shakira on the Superbowl? Can you believe JLo is 50??? We can't. So we had to talk about it. We also talked about how when we were kids, 50 looked so much older. Case in point: Blanche from The Golden Girls - she was 50 in 1985. But now that we're a couple of years away from being Golden Girls ourselves, we needed to process why! Why does 50 today look so different from the 50 of the past? Grab your ear trumpet and have a listen!

Who doesn't love a good rant? We all do, don't front. But who, after said rant, follows up with a spell of gratitude? Well, probably significantly less people do. One person that does is Christina. Hence the title of this week's Podgecast: Rantitudes. We're clever, right? #blessed

So one of the members of the Podgecast had a birthday this past weekend, and the OTHER member thought it would be a hoot to INTERVIEW the birthday boy. Have a listen to a fun and funny 90ish minutes where people ask John the burning questions, such as "Seriously, what's up with Gatsby?"