Nick welcomes writer Marnie Shure for a wide-ranging conversation that blends upcoming live storytelling, food obsession, and a touch of seasonal chaos. Marnie talks about the next Mortified show coming in February, then dives into holiday food talk with authority, covering the best cranberry sauces on the shelf, what actually makes a great grilled cheese, and a gift guide packed with standout Chicago food finds. She also delivers her monthly Horror Report, complete with stories from her recent visit to Halloween Horror Nights.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a tour of truly bizarre Christmas traditions from around the world. Iceland’s terrifying Yule Cat gets its due, Venezuelans roll to church on skates, and Krampus lurks right on schedule. Esma also shares a personal holiday revelation from her childhood, where Santa never showed up, but Jesus very much did. The mix of food, folklore, and personal stories keeps things funny, strange, and perfectly on brand for the season. [Ep 412]