Hugging And Learning

The first time you do anything is complex — the first time you have sex, the first time you learn your boyfriend's real name, the first time you're low-key slut-shamed by the boarding school friends you are too old to still be living with in your 20s. Will Natalie navigate the choppy waters of this new life phase with grace and strength? Will Jo voice a value judgement on her friend's decisions? Will the origins of this random Australian child ever be made known to us? Tune in to find out!

Show: THE FACTS OF LIFE \\ "The First Time," Season 9, Episode 16

Air Date: February 6, 1988

Find it: good luck!

Snack: Caramel Coconut Oreos

Further Reading:

• 15 Facts About the Facts of Life | Mental Floss
• Lisa Whelchel Explains the Controversial 'Facts of Life' Virginity Episode | Yahoo

Y'all… did you know the Netflix SHE-RA reboot is like, really really awesome?! This week, we're back on Etheria for a way more nuanced plot and character discussion than we've ever had about this world. It's almost like this show isn't a half-hour commercial for toys! Join Chelsea, Andrew, Adora, and the other Princesses of Power (one of whom is Friend of the Pod Vella Lovell) as we do some actual learning in this time of virtual hugging.

Show: SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESSES OF POWER \\ "No Princess Left Behind," Season 1, Episode 9

Air Date: November 13, 2018

Find it: on Netflix

Snack: Chewy Cookie Butter and Crunchy Birthday Cake Cookies from Partake

Further Reading:

• She-Ra and the Princesses of Power | Wikipedia
• Inside the Groundbreaking Queer Reboot of 'She-Ra' | Rolling Stone

Figuring out if most VSEs of DIFF'RENT STROKES did more harm or more good, requires a degree in advanced mathematics. This one is no exception. Did we learn something about street buskers with epilepsy? Sure. But at what societal cost? All this and more will be pondered at length.

Show: DIFF'RENT STROKES \\ "A Special Friend" Season 7, Episode 24

Air Date: May 4, 1985

Find it: good luck!

Snack:

• Butter Rum LifeSavers
• Health Discovery Super Food Nutrient Crackers

Further Reading:

• Myths About Epilepsy | Epilepsy-Ohio.org
• Epilepsy Myths | Epilepsy Society

Ah, THE OFFICE. So lovable. So quotable. So still finding its footing in this episode (but that's a great thing!). Come along with three perennial OFFICE re-watchers as we join the ultimate fan of hugging and foe of learning — Michael Scott — and the rest of our heart's coworkers on Diversity Training Day. Buckle up.

Show: THE OFFICE \\ "Diversity Day," Season 1, Episode 2

Air Date: March 29, 2005

Special Guest Star: Larry Wilmore

Find it: on Netflix

Snack: Trader Joe's Almond Croissants

Further Reading:

• Diversity Day (The Office) | Wikipedia
• The Office (Classic): Pilot/"Diversity Day" | The AV Club
• Broccoli Rabe (Andy's way)
• Broccoli Rabe (Chelsea's way)
• DIY Ninja Mask VS MarMar!

Welcome to Bonanza City, where a group of 40 children will be allowed to form their own society — as long as it adheres exactly to the parameters the producers have laid out for them. In the early days of reality TV, it was quite literally the Wild Welcome to Bonanza City, where a group of 40 children will be allowed to form their own society — as long as it adheres exactly to the parameters laid out by the producers. In the early days of reality TV, it was quite literally the Wild West, and no one knows that better than the parents who signed waivers that absolved CBS of responsibility should their children literally die. Strap in, because this is gonna be a MEGASODE. It's sinister as hell here in Kid Nation, and we all have a lot to learn.

Show: KID NATION \\ "I'm Trying to Be a Leader Here" Season 1, Episode 1

Air Date: Sept 19, 2007

Find it: on YouTube

Snack:

• S'Mores Chewy Chips Ahoy from Nabisco
• Double 'D' Sugar Free Marshmallows

Further Reading:

• Kid Nation | Wikipedia
• 8 Reasons CBS' 'Kid Nation' Was More Traumatizing For Children Than 'The Hunger Games'
• A CBS Reality Show Draws a Claim of Possible Child Abuse | NY Times
• Sophia Wise on Kid Nation | YouTube

If you were going to spend an hour this week listening to Hugging and Learning, we'd like to encourage you to listen/subscribe to one of the following comedy/pop culture podcasts instead:

Still Processing

Minority Korner

Why Won't You Date Me?

The Nod

So Here's What Happened

Introverted Black Girl

FruitLoops: Serial Killers of Color

2 Dope Queens

Code Switch

The Read

Be well. Raise hell. Black Lives Matter.

It's 1991, PSA and VSEs are all the rage, but one show dares to be different: EERIE, INDIANA — TWIN PEAKS for TWEENS. If you remember this show (which ran for a single season and was a nearly-perfect ratings bomb), you probably remember it fondly. Join Chelsea, Andrew, and Very Special Guest Allie Fireel as we plumb the depths of this smart, layered show to arrive at a unanimous conclusion: NBC was not ready.

Show: EERIE, INDIANA \\ "Just Say No Fun," Season 1, Episode 6

Air Date: October 27, 1991

Very Special Guest: Allie Fireel (Artistic Director of Louisville Fringe Fest)

Find it: on Amazon Prime Video (free)

Snack:

• Outshine Mango Fruit Bars
• Trader Joe's Springle Jangle

Further Reading:

• Eerie, Indiana | Wikipedia
• B.F. Skinner | Wikipedia
• Eerie, Indiana Was a Few Dimensions Ahead of Its Time | The AV Club

We hate to break it to you, but if your childhood recollections of Gordon Shumway include character traits like "loveable," "caring," or "friendly," you might want to rewatch ALF. Preferably with a good snack or a stiff drink close at hand. Join your hosts, Ronald Reagan (not really), Harry Shearer (yes really) and a very callus and unfeeling extraterrestrial as we debate nuclear disarmament and the addition of a second phone line as equally-weighted issues in the life of the Tanner family.

Show: ALF \\ "Pennsylvania 6-5000," Season 1, Episode 4

Air Date: October 13, 1986

Special Guest Star: Harry Shearer (in voice actor capacity)

Find it: on Amazon Prime Video (free with ads)

Snack: Kellogg's Chocolate Cupcake Pop-Tarts

Further Reading:

• How Did Alf Work? | Mental Floss
• 25 Fun Facts about ALF | Mental Floss
• Nuclear Warfare | Wikipedia

Can mythical anthropomorphic bears have sensitive, consent-filled filled relationships with the visually impaired? Don't get your hopes up. Join Chelsea, Andrew, Miles, Tummi Gummi, Duke Igthorn, and (Ka)Trina the shepherdess on an adventure where we learn a lot about self-sufficiency and nothing at all about sensitivity.

Show: GUMMI BEARS \\ "What You See is Me," Season 1, Episode 11a

Air Date: December 7, 1985

Find it: on Disney+

Snack: Lolli and Pop's Gourmet Gummy Bears

Further Reading:

• Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears | Wikipedia
• 9 Furry Facts About Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears | Mental Floss
• Brain 'rewires' itself to enhance other senses in blind people | Science Daily
• Myths and Facts about Blindness | National Federation of the Blind

This episode has it all: accidental wife-punching, a small drug overdose, thirty-five glorious seconds of verbal gymnastics, the Mary Tyler More Physical Comedy Spetacular — and that's BEFORE we get to the special message about prescription drug abuse! They don't make 'em like this anymore, folks. Come on in (and look out for that ottoman)!

Show: The Dick Van Dyke Show \\ "Pink Pills and Purple Parents," Season 4, Episode 10

Air Date: November 25, 1964

Find it: on Hulu

Snack:

• Kellogg's Peeps Marshmallow Cereal
• Lay's Baked Chips Cheddar & Sour Cream

Further Reading:

• 6 Little-Known Facts About The Dick Van Dyke Show | Mental Floss
• 16 reasons not to use someone else's prescription medicine | Everyday Health