Featuring Claire, a rogue estrogen patch, and one absolutely enormous turkey cutout

We tried a new set up this week. Of course we did. We try a new set up every week, which is probably why the algorithm looks at Landline and thinks, “I’m sorry, who are these people and why are they in a different hostage situation every episode.”

In case anyone was worried, the Band-Aid on my arm is covering my estrogen patch. Is it working. Mostly. Did it fall off again. Yes. Did I tape it down with a child’s waterproof bandage because I’m an adult woman hanging on by a thread. Also yes.

This week’s episode covers:

* Thanksgiving chaos

* Whether little kids dressing up as pilgrims and Indians is sweet or deeply offensive

* Childhood crafts that should have been red flags

* What prayer actually is

* Why gratitude is harder than it sounds

* The spiritual equivalent of glue-bean candle holders

* Plus, a brief detour into whether Christopher Columbus was at Thanksgiving (he was not)

But the heart of the episode is this: What does it mean to pray, and why does it feel complicated.

I asked listeners what prayer means to them. Some people said they love it. Some said they hate it because of what it “used to mean.” Some were raised on fear-based prayer. Some had no idea where to start. Claire and I talk through our own practices, missteps, and the surprising simplicity of gratitude when life is at its weirdest.

And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we talk about what it means to give thanks as adults who have been through a pile of life already. Bodies falling apart. Recoveries. Careers that swing between “thriving” and “hair on a biscuit.” Holidays that feel tender, funny, or just plain confusing.

Landline is almost at the finish line

We have one episode left this year. Depending how life shakes out, this may be the end of Landline for now. A beautiful, unhinged, heart-forward little season that went from a real studio to my living room floor with a tripod that hates me.

If you want Season 2, here is the deal:

We need to hit:• 10K YouTube subscribers• 500 Substack followers

If you have ever enjoyed this show, this is the moment to help keep it alive.👉 Tap “follow” here on Substack

It takes two seconds and it legitimately matters.

Thank you for listening, calling, writing, praying, disagreeing, and showing up for this show.We love you. See you for the Christmas finale.

And someone please remind me to fix my lighting situation. Twice. Maybe three times.

Inga

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