Pleasant Conversations

Happy Turkey Day! We hope you are all enjoying time with your loved ones and “gobbling up” all the good food being offered. We also hope your gravy isn’t tainted with bigotry.

In this special episode, our hosts are discussing the 1995 chaotic classic, “Home for the Holidays”. Spoiler alert: Jasmine is not a fan. If you have a messy family, you’ll feel right at home. If not, come see how the other half live (and love, in their own f’ed up kind of way). So grab a bottle of wine, help yourself to a heaping pile of mashed potatoes, watch out for flying turkeys, and join us for this extra helping of our Thanksgiving pleasant conversations!

The holiday season is nigh, so Jasmine and Michael have decided to take a break from the normal programming structure to bring you some special episodes to keep you in the spirit while the world continues to burn around us.

On today’s episode, our hosts travel back to 1987 for a John Hughes Thanksgiving classic comedy. Buckle up because we are taking the longest three-day journey from Manhattan to Chicago! So pack your obnoxiously large trunk, request extra bath towels from room service, and don’t piss off the lady at the rental car stand on your way to join us for our special, holiday pleasant conversations!

This week is the last traditional episode for the year, as we move into our special holiday episodes.

Our hosts talk health and body woes as they age, Michael talks cars and Fortnite and Jasmine talks babies when it comes to smiles for the week. Michael takes over the news desk this week and shares stories of nature and art becoming one for sustainability, Australia’s Women of the Year awards, and daycare centers from around the world ditching playgrounds for outdoor space for children to explore nature and its wonders.

The Wheel of Topics has our hosts talking about going on nostalgia trips, which causes Michael to have a TED talk about the 90s (many apologies to Jasmine for that). We end as we always do, sharing joy, getting a weekly affirmation (which has a picture that makes Michael slightly uncomfortable), and pleasantries.

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If not, join the rest of us for a few nips around the dumpster fire as we continue to procrastinate by having some pleasant conversations.

This week, our hosts recover from candy hangovers as they welcome us into November. This week’s smiles include co-workers and mental restarts. Jasmine shares how this Halloween was more enjoyable for her at her school, and Michael talks about the new Frankenstein film.

Jasmine brings us good news of churches standing up for queer rights and helping those in need during this furlough and the possible removal of SNAP benefits. She also shares a story about Halloween decorations helping kids with cancer. Michael shares fun facts about the month of November.

The Wheel of Topics has our hosts discussing bizarre traditions from around the world. We end with joys, an affirmation bonus card, and pleasantries.

Pop a Xanny, don your favorite sweater and scarf, buckle in for cold weather, and join us for some pleasant conversations!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Good News Links:

Dallas church paints rainbow steps in protest of Abbott's crosswalk order: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-church-paints-rainbow-steps-abbott-crosswalk-order/3935094/

Pastor turns down $1M in church donations, urges congregation to give to SNAP recipients instead: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/pastor-jamal-h-bryant-atlanta-snap-donations

Nearly 600 homes across the country are competing to put on the best Halloween displays. The money goes to cancer research: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/halloween-decorations-yard-display-st-jude

Our hosts are basking in their post-Halloween glow and marching forward into autumn. Jasmine and Michael have big news for the upcoming holiday season and want YOU to join them for an episode!

The news brings good stories about Alaskan pet rescue, climate talks with indigenous South Americans, Bon Jovi helps feed federal workers, eyesight being brought back to the blind through scientific advances, allergy prevention in infants, and Ireland ensuring art still thrives by actually helping artists afford to live while creating.

The Wheel of Topics has our hosts having a spontaneous wild card discussion about snacking. They wrap everything up with joys, an affirmation, and pleasantries (and lots of laughter about Michael’s run-in with an AI bot).

Get those big scarves out, enjoy all the pumpkin flavors before they turn to mint whilst walking through the falling leaves, and join us for a pleasant conversation.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Good News Links:

The other Alaska airlift: Volunteers save dogs from a flooded Alaska village, 1 tiny plane at a time: https://apnews.com/article/alaska-dog-rescue-typhoon-2025-kipnuk-82692b1d80db519b5eca33a1f41a7e36

Furloughed federal workers eat for free at Bon Jovi's 'pay it forward' restaurant: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/bon-jovi-soul-kitchen-government-shutdown

Tiny AI-powered eye implant helps the blind see again: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251020092818.htm

Advice to feed babies peanuts early and often helped thousands of kids avoid allergies: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/advice-to-feed-babies-peanuts-early-and-often-helped-thousands-of-kids-avoid-allergies

Ireland Makes a Program Offering Basic Income for Artists Permanent: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ireland-makes-a-program-offering-basic-income-for-artists-permanent-180987523/

Happy Halloween, listeners! This week Michael is joined by returning special guest Zachary to travel back to the turn of the century and discuss the 2000 horror comedy parody, “Scary Movie”!

Join our hosts as they laugh through their breakdown of this hilariously stupid film that rebooted the idea of a parody film, spawning five sequels (a sixth is coming next year!) and inspiring countless other films taking the piss out the genres we all know and love.

Pop some popcorn, grab your bootlegging camera, and be careful when you answer that landline without Caller ID. It’s time for another pleasant conversation…of terror(ish)!

This week, Jasmine and Michael take a break from normal programming to talk about a movie just right for Spooky Season! Let’s take a trip back to 1995 and visit the ghosts of Whipstaff Manor for a review of “Casper”.

Our hosts talk Halloween nostalgia and then do a full breakdown of the absolutely bonkers film that was meant FOR KIDS. Come laugh along with Jasmine as Michael revisits a movie he hasn’t seen in over twenty years, loses it over the many inappropriate moments, and gushes over Cathy Moriarty every chance he gets.

So grab a snack, yell at Dibs to tuck you into your baby cradle (even though you are an adult ghost), and settle in for a spooky, pleasant conversation.

This week, we are thrilled to have our dear friend Anna on the podcast! Join us as we talk about candy corn, multiple browser tabs, “Friday the 13th” in 3-D, community fundraising wins, birthday plan shenanigans, and paranormal activity.

The News Hounds bring us stories of NICU knits, HIV drug advancements, and food bank bakers. Michael also adds some fun, spooky facts to kick off October. The Wheel of Topics has our hosts and guest admitting guilty pleasures they are proud of.

We end with Ashes & Embers, what is currently bringing joy, a weekly affirmation, and pleasantries.

Now don’t slouch whilst sitting outside the principal’s office. Sit up, spit out your gum, pop your butterfly collar, and prepare to have a pleasant conversation!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Good News Links:

For premature babies, hand-knit clothes may be all that fits them. One woman has made and donated thousands: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/premature-babies-handmade-clothes

'We can end HIV': Groundbreaking preventative drug to be rolled out for $40 a year from 2027: https://www.france24.com/en/health/20250925-groundbreaking-hiv-prevention-injection-to-be-rolled-out-for-40-dollars-a-year-from-2027

When food banks need bread, 900 home bakers answer the call: https://apnews.com/article/food-banks-hunger-donated-homebaked-bread-175b9ac40a746a499a754f4e861557e7

It’s a complete energy shift from last week! In this episode, Jasmine and Michael carry on, no matter the incompetence of Velda Johansson or the government. Michael shouts out Illinois Zoomers and forgets the delightful Tony! Tony, you will have to join us at Judy’s!

The hosts talk smiles and recent joyous occasions. Our news hounds bring positive stories of solar power, gene therapy, tortoise safety, koala conservancy, free public transportation for kids, street safety, and wildlife wonders.

The Wheel of Topics has our hosts talking about their bucket lists (though it’s pretty much one broad item for both Jasmine and Michael). The segment concludes with Michael looking for someone to take care of him without a tether. We end the episode, as always, with what is currently bringing joy, a hilarious weekly affirmation, and pleasantries.

So, if you are in the giving mood without wanting anything in return, hit up that email and join us for this week’s pleasant conversation.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Meet Bernd das Brot, a depressed German loaf of bread that’s spent 25 years as a TV cult classic: https://apnews.com/article/bernd-das-brot-germany-582397aa7e741b56f0228feeece35a0d

Good News Links:

California’s first solar-covered canal is now fully online: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/california-first-canal-array-project-nexus

Breakthrough Gene Therapy Slows Huntington's Disease by 75%: https://www.sciencealert.com/breakthrough-gene-therapy-slows-huntingtons-disease-by-75

Drivers kept hitting tortoises at a Florida state park. Then one woman took action.: https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/09/16/honeymoon-island-state-park-dunedin-florida-gopher-tortoise/

NSW locks in great koala national park and brings in immediate ban on logging: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/07/nsw-locks-in-great-koala-national-park-and-brings-in-immediate-ban-on-logging

Children aged eight and below now eligible for free public transport: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/09/03/children-aged-eight-and-below-now-eligible-for-free-public-transport/

These Residents Built a $10,000 Bike Lane in Atlanta: https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/these-residents-built-a-10000-bike-lane-in-atlanta

Species hybrids, creatures once thought extinct and 3 more wildlife stories: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article312276861.html

Passengers shell-shocked after crab pinches seat: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr51n3q28wo

This week, our hosts are both feeling a little blah, but still try to bring the joy for you. Michael plugs Good Hang with Amy Poehler once again and shares two recent movie-going experiences. Jasmine brings us good news of free child care, a mental health awareness trek, NYC’s production of “black gold,” and students rallying for gun reform. Michael tells us about a wildlife overpass and then does a This Day in History.

The Wheel of Topics asks us what always makes us laugh. The hosts swap out Ashes & Embers for what’s bringing them joy right now and end with the weekly affirmation and pleasantries.

So, instead of feeding the plants, grab yourself a big ol’ mug of what makes you feel better when you’re under the weather and join us for some pleasant conversations.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Good News Links:

New Mexico set to become first US state to guarantee free child care: https://www.kob.com/news/top-news/new-mexico-governor-announces-launch-of-universal-free-child-care-program/

Man walks from Grand Haven to Miami to raise awareness about mental health: https://www.woodtv.com/news/ottawa-county/man-walks-from-grand-haven-to-miami-to-raise-awareness-about-mental-health/

New York City is turning millions of pounds of food waste into ‘black gold’ to improve the city’s soil health (How New York turns millions of pounds of food waste into 'black gold'): https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/how-new-york-turns-millions-pounds-food-waste-into-black-gold-2025-09-11/

Denver metro area high school students rally for gun safety 1 week after Evergreen High School shooting: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-area-high-school-students-rally-gun-safety-evergreen-shooting/