Join Christine, Kirsten, and Aaron—as they prepare for "snowmageddon" while exploring this week's musical theme: "Riding the Storm Out" by REO Speedwagon. This unscripted conversation blends music nostalgia with midlife authenticity as the trio shares storm preparation strategies (including the viral tarp trick), debates Breaking Bad's intensity, and discovers the therapeutic power of playing piano during solo weekends.

The episode features an entertaining Mount Cleverest trivia game revealing fascinating facts: goats have rectangular pupils, humans are the only animals with chins, and only twelve people have walked on the moon. Between questions, they explore the challenges of treadmill monotony (solved by iFit's virtual travel experiences), the awkwardness of manicures versus pedicures, and why Simon and Garfunkel's catalog remains timeless for piano practice.

Music education takes center stage as Aaron discusses teaching drums to his daughter, while Joey pursues prog rock and metal bands at music school in Boston. The conversation touches on how music history classes made world history finally click, the connection between 20th-century art and music, and why R.E.M.'s early '90s alternative sound still resonates today. Perfect for midlife music enthusiasts, parents navigating the chaos, and anyone who believes the best conversations happen when musicians gather—even without their vocalist.

3 Counterintuitive Insights

• Stock your pantry, not your fridge during storms - While everyone rushes to fill their refrigerators, the real strategy is buying non-perishables like peanut butter that don't require power (or use the snow as a natural cooler outside)

• The hand dentist principle - Not all self-care is equally relaxing; pedicures beat manicures because you can multitask and avoid awkward face-to-face silence while someone works on your extremities

• History becomes interesting through music - Learning chronology through music history classes reveals more about world events than traditional history courses; the cultural context makes dates and movements finally stick

3 Key TakeawaysActionable Steps

1. Try the tarp trick for winter weather: Lay tarps on stairs, driveways, or create a designated potty area for elderly pets before snow hits—then simply pull away the snow-covered tarp the next day
2. Use iFit or similar apps to combat treadmill boredom: Virtual travel experiences through Morocco, Portugal, or Patagonia transform monotonous cardio into cultural education
3. Play brain games like Spark's Chrono: Challenge yourself to put historical events in chronological order—it's harder than you think and keeps your mind sharp

Conceptual Insights

1. Parenting creative kids requires strategic non-interference: Show them something interesting, then walk away—let curiosity drive their learning rather than correction stifling their exploration
2. Travel transforms abstract history into tangible experience: Visiting places like Rome's Colosseum or Pompeii creates emotional connections that textbooks never could, especially for young learners
3. Multidisciplinary learning reveals hidden connections: Integrating subjects (like studying 20th-century music alongside 20th-century art) creates deeper understanding than isolated study ever will

Additional Information

Resources & Apps Mentioned:

• Spark (app with Chrono game) - Chronological ordering game for history buffs
• iFit - Interactive fitness app with virtual travel experiences and competition shows
• Mount Cleverest - Trivia game featured in episode

Books & Shows Referenced:

• The Charm Offensive - Rom-com novel about a Bachelor-type show
• Breaking Bad - Intense drama series (intense for sensitive viewers)
• Stumbled - Light comedy mockumentary about junior college cheerleading coach

Music & Artists Discussed:

• REO Speedwagon - "Riding the Storm Out"
• Simon & Garfunkel - "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Cecilia," "Scarborough Fair"
• R.E.M. - "Man on the Moon," early '90s alternative era
• Les Misérables & Phantom of the Opera - Musical theater playbooks
• Bach French Suite - Classical piano piece
• Gin Blossoms - '90s alternative band (saw live in Tempe)

Museums Mentioned:

• Musical Instrument Museum (Tempe, AZ) - Described as incredible, featuring instruments from around the world plus celebrity artifacts
• Experience Music Project (Seattle) - Interactive music museum focusing on Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain
• Museum of Language/Words (Washington, D.C.) - Linguistics-focused museum

Fun Facts Learned:

• Goats have rectangular pupils for better depth perception while climbing
• Humans are the only animals with chin protrusions
• 12 humans have walked on the moon (all during Apollo missions)
• "Hirple" (limp awkwardly) and "kirple" (saddle strap) both rhyme with purple
• The King of Hearts has been clean-shaven since the 1500s
• Roblox (2006) predates Minecraft (2011)
• Average person walks equivalent of 3 Earth circumferences in their lifetime

Backstage Wisdom

"Wonder Bread bags over snow boots taught us resilience; now we're teaching our kids drums, buying tarps for storms, and realizing Breaking Bad is too stressful when you've made it to midlife without bad decisions."