In today's bonus episode, Rachelle and Kelsey discuss the cinematic experience that is 2015's The Spirit of Christmas. Warning: we could not stop talking about sex and drugs in this episode, maybe because the movie is so chaste.

Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here!

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se’era, Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Se’era Spragley Ricks (@seera_sharae), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

Thank you so much to some eagle-eyed listeners who alerted us to the fact that we mistakenly published an earlier version of this episode, which contains an error mixing up the Arctic and the Antarctic, which are–famously—polar opposites. If you’re reading this, then you’ll hear the correct version, thank goodness. And as promised in the Instagram post, this version also has Kelsey crying in it. ❤️

It’s a beautiful day for some big changes and gossip on the high seas! We have been keeping a secret from you for a while, and it’s time to finally share!

Follow Rachelle on Instagram @heyydnae

Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here!

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Se’era Spragley Ricks (@seera_sharae), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

Gossip skeptic Hrishikesh Hirway joins us for a deep dive into the history of a (close) family full of secrets, lies, and prophecies.

Follow Hrishi on Instagram @hrishihirway

Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here!

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Credits read by Sean Conard. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

Caroline O'Donoghue joins us from across the pond for a story about art collectors with too much time and money on their hands. 

Follow Caroline on Instagram @czaronline

Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here!

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Credits read by Carey T. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

Tis the damn season for hometown crushes! Carson Olshansky joins us for a story about running into your high school crush while holiday shopping. 

Follow Carson on Instagram @carsonolshansky

Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here!

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Credits read by Madeline Carey. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

Tobin Low is back for a story about a mysterious lobsterman and his cousin and how he brought a community together during season one of lockdown. 

Follow Tobin on Instagram @tobinlow!

Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here!

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

Please make your gift today and help us reach our goal of 2,024 donors so we can keep on making interesting and beautiful things for you. THANK YOU! https://on.prx.org/3QEIIJk

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Credits read by Tiffany. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

Josh Gondelman is BACK for a story about gross boys who love each other very much. 

Follow Josh on Instagram at @joshgondelman!

Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here!

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Credits read by Sara Fagan. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

Our old friend Samantha Irby is back for a story about what could go wrong when you bring a wild animal into your home. 

Follow Sam on Instagram at @bitchesgottaeat!

Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here!

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Credits read by Miranda Kramer. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

Our own Alex Sujong Laughlin joins us for a tale of petty thievery plaguing the Dept. of Sanitation during the most wonderful time of the year: Garbage Man Appreciation Week. 

Follow Alex on Instagram at @alexlaughs! 

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Credits read by Jessica An. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.

When you cheat at bingo, the house always wins. Danielle Henderson joins us again for a story about how far parents will go to raise money for their kids' soccer team—and to gamble. 

Follow Danielle on Instagram and subscribe to her newsletter! 

Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here!

Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets!

You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs), Ozzy Llinas Goodman (@ozzy_llinas), and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Credits read by Loren Sanchez. Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.