We spent the last week completely overwhelmed by a DIY kitchen remodeling project. We did a good job, we think ... but it's literally all we did! With one exception: we listened to music while we worked. So much music. And so we thought that we'd do something a little different this week and walk you through the records that we've been listening to, and play you songs off of each of them, and talk about what makes them compelling to us!

We made a Spotify playlist of all the songs in the episode ... it's here: https://open.spotify.com/user/121639430/playlist/1jHBiRx1uGk06ZhGlZIink?si=EgzL3o_EReOFXkwDZ_06dg

A list of the songs in this episode is below. If you like the music, support the artists; that's how you ensure that artists can keep making art that you like.

Fontaines D.C. – Liberty BelleDears – ThronesSleaford Mods – MoptopThe Murder Capital – Don't Cling to LifeCrows – Chain of BeingDavid Bowie – Boys Keep SwingingMurray Lightburn – MotherfuckersHave a Nice Life – Science Beat

We're back! Our podcast holiday was rejuvenating and much needed. But we did very much miss talking things through with each other and with you. So we're jumping right back in the deep end with this first episode of 2020. 

We had sort of an epiphany over New Year's about our relationship. We think it's going to be a game-changer for us, and we're excited to share it with you. Please post in the private Misfit Stars group or message us to let us know your thoughts!

It's the most wonderful but also fraught time of the year! The ambient stress level is elevated, here as everywhere. Holidays are stressful. And if you're in America, like we are, there's the added weight of the impeachment proceedings. We didn't intend to talk about the impeachment proceedings! But sometimes things just happen. Between that and reflecting on our last week, we're done for the year. We're taking the next two weeks off for the holidays – we'll be back on Wednesday, January 8th. In the meantime, connect with us in the Facebook group or anywhere else online that works for you. We hope you have a lovely holiday season!

We know that we present to the world as being generally cheerful; well-balanced and even-keeled. So it came as as much of a surprise to us as it surely will to you that Jamie had a fairly serious depressive episode over this last week! The clouds lifted yesterday, thank god. But it gave us a lot to talk about. We cover a lot of ground in this episode; if any of it resonates with you, we'd love to hear about it. And if anyone reading this is dealing with mental wellness issues, please feel free to reach out. We're always happy to listen. Hang in there. ❤️

You know how sometimes it can feel vulnerable and scary to open your heart to new people? We had some of that come up this last week. And then we talk through a Listener Topic from Jen O., about the lenses through which we see the world. Naturally we end up talking about religion. Because how could that not go there.

It's a car episode! We haven't had one of those in a hot minute. We recorded this driving through Northern California, on the way to spend some time with Shannon's mom and some dear friends. We've had an unbelievably tiring week – but very productive! We talk about that, and also a lot about Depeche Mode, who were really the original Misfit Stars.

It's our one-year podcast anniversary!

Shannon went to see Anita Hill speak this week! So naturally we spent most of this podcast talking about sexism. We feel like we should be further along at this point in our evolution as a species. Progress can be maddeningly slow sometimes.

We went down to Salem, Oregon this week to install a little recording studio in a homeless youth center! Plus we got taken on a surprise day trip adventure by dear friends. It was a good week. We'll talk about that, and we'll also talk through a Listener Topic from Scott S., on how we maintain social grace in awkward social situations. Plus, we learn in real time what a silver jubilee is and isn't. It's a process, people.

We had a couple of dear friends come visit us for a couple of days this week. One of them is a therapist, and she's been gaining expertise in this relatively new technique called CRM – Comprehensive Resource Model. And she did it with both of us one night! It was revelatory and deeply interesting. We go deep on each of our experiences with that in this episode.

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