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Parenting a neurospicy kid is a special type of challenge. Former teacher Caitlin and ADHD mom Ariella share real strategies for the trenches (because ‘just listen OMG’ isn’t working).

BTW: Your kid isn’t giving you a hard time—they’re having a hard time. And you? You’re doing better than you think.

• This episode’s blog post (+ Sources & Mentions)
• Subscribe to our newsletter!
• Our ADHD Playlist on Spotify

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Who Should Listen

• Parents who’ve googled “why does my ADHD kid argue about EVERYTHING?” at 2 AM
• Anyone who’s found a lost permission slip in the freezer
• Teachers who want to better support ADHD students (and their exhausted parents)

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What You Get In This Episode

1. The ‘47 Asks’ Challenge: Why your kid genuinely doesn’t hear you (and how to ditch the nagging).
2. Transition Meltdowns Decoded: The 3-phase science behind “GET IN THE CAR RIGHT NOW” fails.
3. The Love of Arguing: Why your child debates like a tiny lawyer (and how to redirect it).
4. The ‘Lost & Found’ Cycle: “Launch pads” and “drop zones” and visual checklists for forgetful kiddos.

Listen for the full list plus science-backed strategies to cope.

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Bios

• Caitlin (CK): Former teacher who’s witnessed and caused ADHD chaos.
• Ariella Monti: Author and ADHD mom who bribes with screen time (and refuses to fight about jackets).

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Sources & Mentions

Get the full list plus links in this episode’s blog post.

• ADDitude Mag
• Book: The Explosive Child by Ross Greene (collaborative problem-solving).
• Instagram creators: 
  • Dr. Steven Storage
  • NurtureADHD

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Ever stand in front of an open fridge for 3 minutes, then eat a fistful of shredded cheese like a goblin? Asking for a friend. This week, we’re serving up real ADHD nutrition hacks (no kale… unless that’s your thing).

• Get even more content from this episode’s blog post, linked here.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

—

Who Should Listen

• ADHDers who’ve ever meal-planned on Sunday and eaten cereal for dinner by Tuesday.
• Parents of neurospicy kids who survive on the same 3 foods.
• Anyone who thinks “rotisserie chicken is a personality trait.”

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What You Get In This Episode

1. The Protein Paradox: Why you need ‘emotional support cheese’ (hint: dopamine boost).
2. Carbs Aren’t the Enemy: Pair them with protein to avoid hangry meltdowns (e.g., Goldfish + peanuts = survival snack).
3. Fridge Feng Shui: Hide veggies in the crisper? Bad. Put grapes and yogurt at eye level? Genius.
4. Sensory Hacks: Like how to make your “safe foods” work harder.
5. Rotisserie Chicken Worship: How one $8 bird can fuel 3 meals (salad, soup, general garnish).

Actionable Tips

• Grocery Shortcut: Buy pre-cut veggies/fruit (yes, it’s more expensive—but actually eating them is priceless).
• Grazing Menu: Keep “protein stations” (e.g., nuts, jerky) where you hyperfocus, like your desk or couch.
• Texture Fix: Hate mushy food? Try crunchy peanut butter on apple slices instead of sandwiches.

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Bios

• Caitlin (CK): Former teacher who knows exactly which kids are running on 3 Pop-Tarts and ADHDer-mom.
• Ariella Monti: Novelist who knows the power of cold pizza + a handful of almonds, and ADHD-mom to a neurospicy and food-particular child.

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Sources & Mentions

• The ADHD-Dopamine Link: Why You Crave Sugar and Carbs | ADDitude Mag
• 4 Ways ADHD May Affect Your Eating Habits—and How to Get Back on Track | SELF
• The ADHD Dietitian on Instagram
• Why Sugar is Kryptonite: ADHD Diet Truths | ADDitude Mag
• Dopamine: What It Is, Function & Symptoms | Cleveland Clinic
• Intuitive Eating: Benefits and Principles | Cleveland Clinic
• Comorbid health conditions in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses | ScienceDirect
• Book to consider: Finally Focused by Dr. James Greenblatt and Bill Gottlieb, CHC (AD

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

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Ever hyperfocus through breakfast and lunch, then inhale an entire bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos at 3 PM? Same. ADHDers Caitlin and Ariella Monti break down why ADHD brains treat food like a dopamine slot machine—and how to stop the guilt spiral.

• Get even more content from this episode’s blog post, linked here.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

—

Who Should Listen

• Moms who’ve eaten "just one more cookie" 7 times
• ADHDers whose fridges grow science experiments
• Anyone who’s cried after forgetting to take dinner out of the freezer

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What You Get In This Episode (aka “Why We’re Like This”)

1. The Dopamine Chase: 
   • Carb-heavy, crunchy, or Tajín-covered foods = quick brain rewards
   • "It’s not laziness—your brain is literally starving for stimulation"
2. Meal-Skipping → Hangry Meltdowns: 
   • Hyperfocus mutes hunger cues until you’re "crying over burnt toast" level
   • Pro tip: Set a "snack alarm" (even if you ignore it twice)
3. Executive Dysfunction Dinners: 
   • Rotisserie chicken = MVP when cooking feels like "advanced calculus"
   • "Salad kits > farmer’s market dreams. Fight me."
4. The Binge/Guilt Cycle: 
   • Impulsivity + emotional dysregulation = "I’ll just have one… oh no"
   • ADHDers are 4x more likely to develop eating disorders

WHEN TO GET HELP:

• If food feels out of control, seek: 
  • Registered dietitians (RDs) (not just "nutritionists")
  • Therapists specializing in ADHD + disordered eating

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Bios

• Caitlin (CK): Former teacher, current "red no. 5" apologist
• Ariella Monti: Author, ADHD advocate, and "frozen pizza is a food group" realist

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Sources & Mentions

• Ariella’s Snack Hack: "Keep a jar of mixed nuts on your desk to prevent hanger!"
• The ADHD-Dopamine Link: Why You Crave Sugar and Carbs | ADDitude Mag
• 4 Ways ADHD May Affect Your Eating Habits—and How to Get Back on Track | SELF
• The ADHD Dietitian on Instagram
• Why Sugar is Kryptonite: ADHD Diet Truths | ADDitude Mag
• Dopamine: What It Is, Function & Symptoms | Cleveland Clinic
• Intuitive Eating: Benefits and Principles | Cleveland Clinic
• Comorbid health conditions in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders: An umbrella review of systematic

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Thanks, y'all!

Send us a Text!

Back-to-school season is nearly here, and former teachers Caitlin & Jenny are begging you: Don’t be the parent who shows up hoping for a conference at dismissal or CCs the principal ‘just to be safe.’ This CK & GK classic is a hilarious (but brutally honest) guide that reveals the unwritten rules of teacher etiquette—so you can avoid becoming a teachers’ lounge horror story.

• Get even more content from this episode’s blog post here.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

—

Who Should Listen

• Parents who’ve ever thought, “But my child would never…” (FYI: They would.)
• Anyone who’s ever panic-bought a spiral notebook instead of a composition notebook because “they’re the same thing” (FYI: No they aren’t.)
• Mama-Bears who need some guidelines for school communication (FYI: No more 9 PM emails!).

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What You Get In This Episode

1. Supply List Savvy: Why the right scissors matter more than you think (and how to recover if you messed up).
2. Birthday Treat Fails: The shocking reason your homemade cupcakes might come back home uneaten.
3. Homework Lies Exposed: How to spot your kid’s “I finished it at school!” fib (without playing detective).
4. Email Etiquette: When to schedule that angry message (hint: after wine o’clock = bad idea).
5. The Principal Rule: Why CC’ing the admin first is like tattling in grownup font.

Bonus! Actionaable Tips

• Birthday Hack: Email teachers a week early with: “We’d love to celebrate! What’s your policy?” (Template in our Instagram highlights!)
• Homework Trick: Make “Show me before screens” your mantra (even if it’s crumpled at the bottom of their backpack).
• Conference Prep: Always send 2-3 specific questions first (e.g., “How’s his focus during group work?”).

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Bios

• Caitlin (CK): Former teacher who definitely judged your pickup line conference attempts.
• Jenny (GK): Mom and assistant principal who forgives your supply list fails (but still side-eyes unscheduled cupcakes).

—

Sources & Mentions

• Must-Read: The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey (For “my child would never” recoverers).

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Ever stare at a blank page, willing your ADHD brain to just create already, only to end up deep-diving into crow memes instead? This episode’s for you. 

Caitlin and guest co-host Ariella Monti (author, fellow late-diagnosed ADHDer, and mom of an ADHD son) share hilarious, real-world strategies to unstick your creativity—without guilt-tripping yourself into oblivion.

• Get even more content from this episode’s blog post here.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

—

Who Should Listen

• Moms who’ve ever hyperfixated on literally anything instead of their passion project.
• ADHDers who thrive in chaos but crash when creativity feels like a chore.
• Anyone who needs permission to take a damn break without self-shaming.

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What You Get In This Episode

1. Workspace Hacks: Why a window + Bluetooth speaker might save your sanity (and how to ADHD-proof your creative zone).
2. The Art of Strategic Procrastination: Why “hammock time” is scientifically valid (and how to explain it to your judgy inner critic).
3. Flexible Structure FTW: Ariella’s “pottery journal” method for breaking big projects into dopamine-sized bites.
4. Body Doubling Magic: How to harness the power of creative peer pressure (even if your “office” is a Discord server).
5. Permission to Rest: Why creativity blocks aren’t failures—and how to work with your brain’s chaotic cycles.

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Bios

• Caitlin (CK): Unmedicated ADHD mom, former teacher, and professional overthinker who’s obsessed with yogurt pretzels.
• Ariella Monti: Author of Roots and Ink, pottery enthusiast, and queen of “flexible structure” (who also bribes you with 20% off her books using promo code CKANDGK).

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Sources & Mentions

• Creativity and ADHD: Don't Stifle Your Creative Mind | ADDitude Mag
• The Creativity of ADHD | Scientific American
• Side Effects of Medication: Will ADHD Meds Squelch My Creativity? | ADDitude Mag
• ADHD and creativity | Understood.org
• ADHD and Creativity: Unveiling the Hidden Superpowers of Neurodiversity | NeuroLaunch
• ADHD and Writing: Overcoming Challenges and Harnessing Creativity | NeuroLaunch

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Thanks, y'all!

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Why do ADHD moms go from talking about birds to debating Chris Evans’ best role in 2.5 seconds? Surprise—it’s not distraction (okay, not just distraction)—it’s your creative superpower. Here’s how ADHD brains are wired for next-level creativity (and how to harness it).

• Get even more content from this episode’s blog post, here.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

• Moms who’ve been called “too much” for seeing connections no one else does.
• ADHDers who hyperfocus on Pinterest projects at 2AM (then forget to eat).
• Anyone who needs science-backed proof their brain isn’t broken—it’s brilliant.

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What You Get In This Episode

1. The 3 ADHD Creativity Superpowers
   • Divergent thinking (how you leap from birds to Chris Evans in one convo).
   • MacGyver-mode: Using paperclips for everything but paperwork.
   • Inventing truly new solutions (not just recycling old ones).
2. Why Hyperfocus = Your Secret Weapon
   • How falling down hobby rabbit holes makes you weirdly skilled.
3. The Dark Side >> Next Episode!
   • Why chaos kills creativity (and how to build a “stimulation station”).
4. Pro Tip
   • Brain dump first to avoid abandoned crafts/half-written novels.

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Bios

Caitlin Kindred: ****ADHD mom who once turned a cereal box and a paperclip into a Wi-Fi extender (it worked for 5 seconds).

Ariella Monti: ****The friend who documents your chaos and says “that’s genius, actually.”

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Sources & Mentions

• Creativity and ADHD: Don't Stifle Your Creative Mind | ADDitude Mag
• The Creativity of ADHD | Scientific American
• Side Effects of Medication: Will ADHD Meds Squelch My Creativity? | ADDitude Mag
• ADHD and creativity | Understood.org
• ADHD and Creativity: Unveiling the Hidden Superpowers of Neurodiversity | NeuroLaunch
• ADHD and Writing: Overcoming Challenges and Harnessing Creativity | NeuroLaunch

Tag us with your best MacGyver mom hack! (We’re still using LEGOs as phone stands.)

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Thanks, y'all!

Send us a Text!

When ADHD emotions hit, ‘just breathe’ doesn’t cut it. Here’s neurologically-backed first aid for meltdowns—no toxic positivity, just tools that actually work when you’re spiraling.

• Get even more content from this episode’s blog post here.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!
• Homework: Pick one tool from the episode to pair with your biggest trigger this week—then DM us your win (or fail!). As always, no judgment.

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Who Should Listen

• Moms who’ve cried in the pantry after snapping at their kid over a single sock.
• ADHDers told they’re “too sensitive” when their brain is literally in fight-or-flight.
• Anyone who needs strategies faster than their next emotional tailspin.

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What You Get In This Episode

1. The Ice Pack Hack: How cold water on your wrists can halt a meltdown mid-spiral.
2. “Name It to Tame It”: The 5-second game to ID emotions before they hijack you.
3. Angry Laundry Therapy: Why throwing sock balls resets your nervous system (science agrees).
4. Emotional Menus: Pre-planned coping strategies for predictable triggers (bonus: ours includes sour candy).
5. Sensory Shock Tactics: From sour candy to fidget toys—instant brain redirects.
6. Rage Journaling 101: How voice memos or rants prevent emotional bottling.
7. Self-Compassion ≠ Coddling: Why ADHD brains need this neurological first aid.

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Bios

Caitlin Kindred: ADHD mom, regular frustration-crier, and enthusiastic sock-ball thrower.

Ariella Monti: The friend who hands you ice packs and sour candy during meltdowns.

—

Sources and Mentions

• 🧠 CHADD – ADHD emotional dysregulation research.
• 📚 ADDitude Mag – The holy grail of ADHD info.
• 🎧 How to ADHD (YouTube) – Visual explainers on emotional hijacking.
• 🔉 Loop Earplugs – Caitlin’s overstimulation lifesaver (not sponsored, just obsessed).
• 📖 Ariella’s Roots in Ink – Use code CKANDGK for 20% off at ariellamonti.com.

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Thanks, y'all!

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Your ADHD brain isn’t ‘too sensitive’—it’s wired for emotional whiplash. Here’s why (and how to survive it)!

• Get even more content from this episode’s blog post, here.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

—

Who Should Listen

• Moms who can’t hear one more noise without losing it.
• Women labeled “dramatic” for intense emotional reactions.
• Anyone whose RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria) turns a thumbs-up reaction into “they hate me.”

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What You Get In This Episode

1. The science behind ADHD emotions: Why your brain’s amygdala and prefrontal cortex are frenemies.
2. Mom-specific triggers: Overstimulation meltdowns, invisible labor resentment, and the “what’s for dinner?” rage spiral.
3. Why RSD isn’t “just insecurity” (and how mom guilt amplifies it).
4. Hormones + ADHD: Why estrogen drops make Bluey a tearjerker.
5. Sneak peek: Tools to short-circuit meltdowns (coming in Part 2!), like why naming your ADHD brain helps—meet ‘Gladys the Chaos Goblin!’

—

Bios

Caitlin Kindred: ADHD mom, former teacher, and recovering Lego-yeller. Still apologizes to her former students for her stapler-related outbursts.

Ariella Monti: Author, ADHD creative, and Roots in Ink novelist who battles RSD one thumbs-up emoji at a time.

—

Sources & Mentions

• 🧠 CHADD – ADHD emotional dysregulation research.
• 📚 ADDitude Mag – The holy grail of ADHD info.
• 🎧 How to ADHD (YouTube) – Visual explainers on emotional hijacking.
• 🔉 Loop Earplugs – Caitlin’s overstimulation lifesaver (not sponsored, just obsessed).
• 📖 Ariella’s Roots in Ink – Use code CKANDGK for 20% off at ariellamonti.com.

P.S. Tag us with your most “ADHD emotional whiplash” moment—we’ve all yelled at a single LEGO on the floor.

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Thanks, y'all!

Send us a Text!

Jenny spent our entire girls’ trip stealing my travel hacks—from a $11 life-changing wrap to the ADHD-friendly ‘Caboodle’ that organizes my chaos. Here’s the full list of affordable, mom-tested essentials that made her say ‘I need that!’ (and the epic curb-fail that made vendors gasp).

• Subscribe to our newsletter!

—

Who Should Listen

• Moms who overpack but still forget everything.
• ADHD travelers who need systems that actually work.
• Anyone who’s ever been jealous of a friend’s carry-on game.

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What You Get In This Episode

1. The $11 wrap that outshines cashmere (and the viral TikTok hack Jenny missed).
2. ADHD packing wins: Clear “Caboodle” organizers, AirTag luggage tracking, and the airplane seat-back pocket that’s chef’s kiss.
3. Jenny’s steal-worthy list (including the cuticle oil pen you’ll use daily).
4. The turtle incident: Caitlin’s slow-mo ice cream spill that became a core memory.
5. Pro tip: Why you should always pack blender sounds in your mental vacation kit.

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Bios

Caitlin Kindred: Chronic overpacker, BuzzFeed deal addict, and mom who once survived a 10-day trip with two carry-ons.

Jenny GK: The friend who borrows your lip balm but upgrades your life with $11 Amazon finds.

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Sources & Mentions

• Find items mentioned in this episode on our Favorite Finds page!

P.S. Tag us with your weirdest travel essential—we still swear by portable white noise machines.

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Thanks, y'all!

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Ever feel like you’re faking it just to survive motherhood/adulthood? Spoiler: It’s not impostor syndrome—it’s ADHD masking. Learn how to ditch the exhausting act without setting your life on fire.

• Get even more content from this episode’s blog post, here.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

—

Who Should Listen

• Moms who feel like they’re pretending to function while drowning in chaos.
• Women who downplay their struggles because “we’re all tired.”
• Anyone who’s been called “too much” or “scatterbrained” but knows there’s more to the story.

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What You Get In This Episode

1. The truth about masking: Why ADHDers (especially moms) become masters of disguise—and how it backfires.
2. Burnout red flags: How to tell if you’re actually burned out (and not just really tired).
3. Unmasking strategies: Practical ways to honor your brain without abandoning responsibilities.
4. The “should” trap: Why societal expectations set moms up to fail—and how to rewrite the script.
5. Rest as rebellion: Why sleep isn’t selfish (and how to fight guilt-free for it).

—

Bios

Caitlin Kindred: ADHD mom, former teacher, and perpetual chaos wrangler who’s survived burnout (twice). Specializes in laughing so she doesn’t cry.

Ariella Monti: Author, ADHD creative, and yoga teacher who actually understands neurodivergent brains (no essential oil pseudoscience here).

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Sources & Mentions 

• Why ADHD Masking Is a Form of Self-Sabotage | by Sharon Saline, Psy.D., Nathaly Pesantez for ADDitude Magazine 
• Rising from ADHD Burnout: A Recovery Kit for Women | by Kate Moryoussef for ADDitude Magazine
• 🎮 Squirrel Bingo: The anti-shame game for ADHDers (linked in blog!)
• 📱 Bird Feeder Cam: Caitlin’s hyperfixation (because squirrels are menaces)
• 📚 Roots in Ink: Ariella’s spicy novel (Use code CKANDGK for 20% off!)

The best support is a rating and a share.

Love,
CK & GK

Support the show

View our website at ckandgkpodcast.com. Find us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on
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Thanks, y'all!