Jingle, jingle, jingle. It’s that time of year when the air is cold, everything smells like cookies, and your wallet is mysteriously on fire. Yep, Christmas is back in full force, and All I Want for Christmas Is You is about to hit you like a rogue snowball to the face. This is the season where we spend hours hunting for the perfect gifts for friends and family, only to realize that somehow, every year, Christmas gets a little more expensive. There’s a quiet business model at work, one pushed by Santa and companies alike, all neatly wrapped in jolly spirit, twinkling lights, and quality time with the people we love.

Join Justin on the latest episode of the LeisureHub Podcast alongside his guest Austin as they reminisce about all things holiday related. From consumerism and favorite Christmas movies to what they genuinely love most about this time of year, nothing is off the table. So throw on your favorite ugly sweater, grab some hot chocolate, and settle in. It’s time to tune in.

Timestamps

00:01:41 - Intro

00:06:04 - Getting into the Christmas Spirit

00:23:54 - Gifts that Keep on Giving

00:40:06 - Christmas Big Sellers

00:53:23 - The Beauty of Consumerism

01:14:18 - Outro

There’s a point in your 30s when you realize your “younger self” set a bar that’s tough to reach. Whether it’s running as fast, recovering as quickly, or just finding the energy to stay active after work, the competition isn’t with others anymore — it’s with who you used to be.

In this episode of the LeisureHub Podcast, Justin and his newest guest, Dimitri, dive into what it really means to keep up with your younger self. From the physical reality of slowing down to the mental challenge of accepting change, we explore why so many adults struggle with balancing nostalgia and growth. Are we trying to relive our glory days, or redefine what being “in shape” means today?

Timestamps

00:01:16 - Intro

00:08:00 - Less Is More

00:22:54 - Planning Every Detail

00:47:45 - The Cost of Traveling

01:01:20 - Outro

A lot of us carve out time in the summer, or even randomly throughout the year, for a weekend trip or a longer getaway. We head to new towns, cities, states, or countries to see something different, meet new people, and spend time with the ones we care about.

But somewhere along the way, trip planning turns into trip managing. We map out every stop, every meal, every outfit. And while there’s nothing wrong with being prepared, sometimes all that planning takes the fun out of it. Do we really need to control every detail, or is it okay to just figure things out as we go?

In this episode of the LeisureHub Podcast, Justin is joined by Thomas, a longtime road tripper who knows a thing or two about traveling with a minimalist mindset. Together unpack why the best travel moments often come from what you didn’t plan, and whether a “perfect trip” actually exists.

Pack light, mentally and literally, and come hang out for a conversation that might change how you approach your next adventure.

Timestamps

00:01:16 - Intro

00:08:00 - Less Is More

00:22:54 - Planning Every Detail

00:47:45 - The Cost of Traveling

01:01:20 - Outro

With the rise of anime, creators are under more pressure than ever to craft compelling stories and release new episodes in record time. Thanks to social media and shorter attention spans, fans expect their favorite shows or manga to drop on a weekly basis, but is that pace really sustainable?

In many cases, a manga takes years to complete. Meanwhile, studios start the anime adaptation before the manga even finishes, and before long, the anime catches up, or even surpasses, the source material. With no original content left to adapt to, studios are forced to create what’s known as filler episodes, which don’t always sit well with fans.

So the question then becomes: should a manga be completed before its anime adaptation begins to avoid these problems?

Join Justin on the latest episode of the LeisureHub Podcast, along with his friend and guest Adam, as they debate whether anime adaptations should wait until the story is fully told. Animate yourself and tune in to the discussion!

Timestamps

00:02:33 - Intro

00:13:42 - Rise in Popularity

00:26:50 - Production Issues

00:42:42 - Fillers Can Work

00:58:42- Modern Strategies

When it comes to baking, the debate is always whether it’s an art or a science. But what if it’s deeper than that? Not every hobby is meant for everyone. Sometimes, the right one gives us a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and a way to decompress—a temporary escape from life’s challenges.Join Justin on this episode of the LeisureHub Podcast as he’s joined by a surprise guest: baker and philosopher Thomas. Together, they explore the deeper meaning behind baking and why it resonates with so many people.Grab your oven mitts and mixing bowls, and tune in to the latest episode of the LeisureHub Podcast.

Flip the Halloween coin, but before you toss it, take your pick: Trick or Treat?! Growing up, trick-or-treating was a staple for kids across the country. From dressing up as a favorite character to eating your weight in candy. As we get older, that love for trick-or-treating doesn’t fade away; it just changes shape to fit our adult lives.

There may not be a night where adults go door-to-door under a full moon collecting candy, but plenty of traditions have taken its place: costume parties, Halloween bar crawls, contests, and more. So if you could create your own “adult version” of trick-or-treating, what would it be and what would you want instead of candy?

Join Justin and his Spooktober guest, Kylie, on the latest episode of the LeisureHub Podcast as they explore what the perfect adult Halloween might look like. Grab your favorite drink, unwrap a candy bar, and join in on the fun.

Timestamps

00:02:05 - Intro

Every now and then, a game comes out that is massively loved—featuring quality gameplay, a compelling story, and well-received reviews. But sometimes, there’s just one "problem"… the protagonist is a girl!

Having a female lead has become more common than ever—and rightfully so. It provides much-needed representation for women in gaming. Yet, for some reason, certain parts of the gaming community take issue with it.

Is this backlash rooted in sexism, or is there something more to it? Join Justin and Pedro as they dive into this heated topic on the latest episode of the LeisureHub Podcast!

Time Stamp

00:01:04 - Intro

00:05:07 - The Rise of Female Protagonists in Gaming

00:18:48 - Backlash Against Female Leads

00:42:19 - The Importance of Representation

00:57:36 - Accurately Conveying a Character

01:09:22 - Outro

Over the past decade, more and more gamers have seen their favorite games turned into movies or TV shows. Nowadays, it seems like every major success gets its own adaptation. Unfortunately, not all of them do well—but the ones that satisfy gamers’ cravings for more only help solidify these franchises as legendary.  

Join Justin and Pedro on the latest episode of the LeisureHub Podcast as they reminisce about video game adaptations that actually hit the mark. Butter up your popcorn and kick back for a fun discussion! 

00:01:04 - Intro

00:05:07 - Game to Movie Adaptations

00:18:48 - The Good, Bad, and the Iconic

00:42:19 - Some Adaptations Have Fallen Flat

00:57:36 - The Future of Game to Movie Adaptations

01:09:22 - Outro

Every gamer can spout their favorite games off the top of their heads at a moment's notice.  After engaging in your hobby and wanting to know more and more you start to pay close attention to the hands behind the iconic video games that you’ve come to know and love. Join Justin and Pedro as they highlight some of the top dogs in game development. They talk about studios like Naughty Dog, Bungie, Santa Monica Studio, and more! Buckle up and learn more about your favorite game devs.

00:01:01 - Intro

00:04:26 - Iconic Game Studios

00:28:41 - Uknown Games that Devs Created

00:41:23 - Game Difficulty & Accessibility

00:59:24 - Leisurely News

01:12:51 - Outro

Gaming has been around for 3000 years and has taken multiple shapes over the years. Everything from board games to drinking games to charades. But as of the last 70 years the form of “gaming” that we have all come to know and love has been the latest version to sweep hobby enthusiasts off their feet. Gaming has become more versatile and more accessible than ever before, and mobile gaming has been introduced. Join Justin and Pedro on the latest episode of the LeisureHub Podcast as they dissect mobile gaming and the mark that it has made on traditional gaming. Turn your notifications off and lock into the latest episode!

Time Stamp

00:01:09 - Intro00:02:56 - Positives/Negatives00:28:58 - The Stigma Behind Mobile Gaming00:47:57- Mobile Gaming Has Transformed the Industry 00:54:47 - Leisurely News01:11:32 - Outro