Welcome back to the Rick’s Rambles Podcast, and welcome to our final episode of 2025! We’re closing out the year with a warm, fun, and reflective show that blends nostalgia, mental health encouragement, music history, and a little quirky joy—just the way we like it.

We kick things off with a nostalgic look at a true American road trip icon: Howard Johnson’s. Remember the bright orange roofs and family stops along the highway? We dive into the history, memories, and cultural impact of this once-everywhere landmark.

In our mental health segment, we talk about peace—and why constantly chasing it might actually keep it just out of reach. What if peace isn’t something we find… but something that finds us?

Next, it’s time for The Story Behind the Song, featuring the timeless Christmas classic “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives. Learn how this song came to be and why it still holds such a special place in holiday music history.

As always, we wrap things up with our special days of the week, highlighting fun, unusual, and feel-good reasons to smile.

✨ Nostalgia

Thanks for being part of the journey this year—and for listening to the Rick’s Rambles Podcast.