Pleasant Conversations

This week, our hosts start off discussing upcoming travel plans. Then Michael dives into positive trends of pitties, podcasts, viral singers, and the rebellion in a galaxy far, far away.

In the news, J & M celebrate the environment with the return of sea turtles, ocean-saving efforts, 3-D printing as an eco warrior, an environmental journey that would make Julie Taymor jealous, and a firefly lottery (not the concert) in the Smokies. They wrap things up with some events happening around the world in May.

The Wheel of Topics sets off a nerd alert, and our hosts talk time travel (and discover they are obsessed with Paul Walker and Rachel McAdams)! We find out Michael wants to go to Victorian England to see…the gas lamps? (NERD) Then J & M just go hog wild about time travel movies and shows.

Jasmine needs a name for her “Curbside Cooldown” alter ego! The “Ashes & Embers” this week are short and to the point, and the affirmation for the week is sweet.

It must be a day ending in “y” because Michael sends us off with yet another “Grease 2” reference.

Remember to rate us and leave us a comment on whichever platform you use and send in your pleasant news, personal stories, and whatever is helping you have joy in these uncertain times.

Until next time, stay pleasant!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Good News Links:

Biologists celebrate recovery mission as 31 critically endangered sea turtles return to the Atlantic Ocean: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/kemps-ridley-sea-turtle-rescue-north-carolina

'Revive Our Ocean' initiative launched to protect coastal waters: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/revive-our-ocean-initiative-launched-protect-coastal-waters-2025-04-24/

Researchers create 3D-printed seawall to protect marine life from coastal erosion: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/miami-researchers-textured-seawall-coastal-erosion

Lifesize herd of puppet animals begins climate action journey from Africa to Arctic Circle: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/apr/25/puppet-herd-animals-climate-crisis-africa-arctic-circle-little-amal

National park's annual 'firefly lottery' opens for lucky winners to see an 'otherworldly' light show: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/synchronous-fireflies-lottery-national-park

Festival de Cannes: https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/

RHS Chelsea Flower Show: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show

Vivid Sydney: https://www.vividsydney.com/

Cheese Rolling Gloucester: https://nationaltoday.com/event/cheese-rolling-gloucester/

Monaco Grand Prix 2025: https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2025/monaco

This week, we give some holiday wishes to our listeners (and Michael stumbles through some basic Hebrew). Fish doorbells and more “A Goofy Movie” content are keeping a huge smile on Jasmine’s face. Michael confuses Ricky Martin and Chris Pine (as one does) and talks about his love for “Waitress” (the movie and the musical).

In the news: gun control, political drag queens, women athletes representing hard at the 2028 Summer Olympics, sea turtles are making a big return (cue Michael ranting about paper straws), New Mexico’s free child care, and microbes giving life on other planets (and Michael biffs a “Saved by the Bell” reference — the song is “A 12” not “K 12”).

Muckles at the Movies is all about the love Michael has for Ryan Coogler’s hit film “Sinners”! Listen for his spoiler-free review and overall thoughts on the film and its amazing cast. The Wheel of Topics takes our hosts to a deserted island. They finish the episode with their Ashes & Embers, the weekly affirmation, a plea for more listener submissions, and Michael’s “I’m pleasant damn it” leaves Jasmine speechless.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: [email protected]

Check out the Fish Doorbell: https://visdeurbel.nl/en/

Good News Links:

Colorado now has one of the most restrictive gun laws in the country: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/semi-automatic-firearms-colorado-restrictive-gun-law-signed-governor-jared-polis/

An Austin drag queen is teaching people about the Texas Legislature — in the club: https://www.kut.org/austin/2025-04-15/austin-tx-brigitte-bandit-drag-politics-events

Tara Hoot: @tarahoot

Female athletes to be in the majority at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after big win for women’s soccer: https://apnews.com/article/ioc-fifa-2028-olympics-womens-soccer-8a881f452c544d204662e237a55a7a3f

Endangered sea turtle populations show signs of recovery in more than half the world, survey finds: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/endangered-sea-turtle-populations-show-signs-recovery-half-world-surve-rcna201788

New Mexico made childcare free. It lifted 120,000 people above the poverty line: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/11/childcare-new-mexico-poverty

Scientists detect signature of life on a distant planet, study suggests: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/17/science/k218b-potential-biosignature-webb/index.html

Extra, extra! Michael’s a bully who talked so long during a segment that he started the next one without asking Jasmine to contribute. To be fair, he was discussing the Hulu miniseries “Dying for Sex” and got caught up in the moment.

This week, Jasmine and Michael talk about the 30th Anniversary of “A Goofy Movie”, good news from around the world (including sports—what??), and Michael makes a very crass joke (sorry, Mom).

The Wheel of Topics gets our hosts talking about things they used to believe as kids, but don’t anymore. And then Michael does a mini discussion/review of “Dying for Sex”, the Hulu miniseries and the podcast it was inspired by.

Don’t do your “Michael’s Filler Words” drinking game this episode because you will end up in the ER.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: [email protected]

Good News Links:

Volunteers in the Bay Area are building DIY benches for bus stops that don’t have anywhere for people to sit (Guerrilla activists are remaking Bay Area transit stops on their own): https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/guerrilla-transit-activists-bus-benches-bay-area-20234113.php

Alex Ovechkin breaks Wayne Gretzky's NHL goals record with 895th of his career: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alex-ovechkin-breaks-wayne-gretzkys-nhl-goals-record-895-career/

Technology developed by MIT engineers makes pesticides stick to plant leaves: https://news.mit.edu/2025/mit-engineers-develop-pesticides-stick-on-plant-leaves-0325

Clean energy powered 40% of global electricity in 2024, report finds: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/08/clean-energy-powered-40-of-global-electricity-in-2024-report-finds

Volunteers plant record number of trees in woodland: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz03d18erp0o

Stir stick to detect if your drink is spiked developed by UBC researchers: https://globalnews.ca/news/11101145/stir-stick-drink-spiked-ubc-researchers/

Eastern monarch butterfly population nearly doubles in 2025: https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/eastern-monarch-butterfly-population-nearly-doubles-in-2025

You can buy a pebble from the 'tariffed' Heard Island penguins to support wildlife conservation: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/trump-tariffs-heard-island-penguins-pebble-export

Beavers back in river for first time in 400 years: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78jd6dqjzyo

This week is one spicy meatball of joy! Michael’s filler words are back! Jasmine has some great news, both personal and global, and then talks some trash, bringing out Michael’s Greek temper. The Wheel of Topics takes J & M on a trip to the days before smartphones and Michael shakes his fist at the kids on the lawn. Our hosts introduce a new regular segment for the Curbside Cool-Down: Ashes and Embers.

The coup de grace: Jasmine sends us off with an IMPECCABLE impression of Dr Teeth!

Go see Jasmine at the L.A. Festival of Books and find Michael yelling at people throwing their trash in your local waterways!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: [email protected]

Good News Links:

Japan Creates Plastic That Dissolves In Hours In The Ocean And Enhances Soil Health: https://japandaily.jp/japan-creates-plastic-that-dissolves-in-hours-in-the-ocean-and-enhances-soil-health/

Speaker Johnson suffers a defeat in his push to block parents in the U.S. House from proxy voting: https://apnews.com/article/proxy-voting-discharge-petition-moms-anna-paulina-luna-118e3ff0fb12137714862c99a6bc92dd

Senate rebukes Trump’s tariffs as some Republicans vote to halt taxes on Canadian imports: https://apnews.com/article/congress-tariffs-trump-republicans-a45b4d4da013e4ce1ce434b81337e3ec

Up to 4,000 places set to be rolled out at school-based nurseries from September: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-dfe-department-for-education-england-newcastle-b1220201.html

So long, Strom: Cory Booker breaks Thurmond’s Senate record with 25-hour speech: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/01/cory-booker-record-breaking-senate-speech-00265142

After living “life in a trash bag” himself, a man has donated 250K backpacks to restore dignity for foster youth: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/comfort-cases-backpacks-for-foster-youth

Nationwide 'Hands Off!' protests erupt against Trump and Musk: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/05/nx-s1-5353388/hands-off-protests-washington-dc

Volunteers assemble for Food Bank of Delaware after Trump administration cancels 900,000 meals: https://www.wdel.com/news/volunteers-assemble-for-food-bank-of-delaware-after-trump-administration-cancels-900-000-meals/article_12693b64-b74c-483f-bb77-cb43c24651b2.html

As Milton Berle said on many occasions, “Brace yourselves, ladies, it’s gonna be a long one”! Jasmine talked so much this week, we broke an hour!

(Kidding, we know who the real Chatty Cathy of the duo is.)

This week J & M have a nice, long catch up, share news of importance (Jasmine) and vengeful otters (Michael), discuss personal growth goals, and introduce a new segment to the Curbside Cool-Down: Muckles at the Movies (I’m already changing it post-recording because I like this title more), where Michael reviews “Snow White”. Spoiler Alert: Someone was not good.

This episode is chock-full of silliness, sound effects insanity, and a “Back to the Beach” reference!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: [email protected]

Good News Links:

https://newatlas.com/environment/google-firesat-satellite-wildfires-orbit/

California’s surfboard-mooching sea otter has returned to Santa Cruz for the summer: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-05-29/californias-surfboard-stealing-sea-otter-returns

(Thanks Jesse!)

Harvard says tuition will be free for families making $200K or less: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/harvard-tuition-families-making-200k/story?id=119874241

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Casting Sets a Marvel Studios Livestream Record with 275 Million Views: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/avengers-doomsday-cast-livestream-views/

First Amendment win: Federal judge blocks Texas A&M's drag ban: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/federal-judge-blocks-texas-am-drag-ban

'StoryRx' initiative prescribes storytelling for older adults: 'Boosts survival odds by 50%': https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/life-story-club-storytelling-prescriptions

Welcome to the new podcast “Jasmine & Michael’s Disney Tips”. Just kidding. This week, though, Jasmine & Michael do spend a good chunk talking about the place that Walt built, thanks to the Wheel of Topics. Michael has birds on his bird brain and also opens up about his fear of cruises. Jasmine brings us some good housing news and introduces a new segment to help us cool down and prepare for the week. Just like the Good Ship Lollipop, we’re all-inclusive, so join us on the shuffleboard deck for some shrimp cocktail, Negronis, and Pleasant Conversations.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: [email protected]

Good News Links:

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/big-brothers-big-sisters-returns-to-new-orleans-after-20-years-being-closed-by-hurricane-katrina/

Little Free Library opens its 200,000th book box in a milestone for youth literacy: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/little-free-library-200000-milestone

Record-Breaking Migration of Orange-Bellied Parrot Will be Flying High After Years of Conservation Work Pays Off: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/record-breaking-orange-bellied-parrot-migration-expected-after-years-of-hard-conservation-work-pay-off/

A Black-led church is turning their underused land into affordable housing for their neighbors: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/church-affordable-housing-service-faith

KAIST team discovers molecular switch to reverse cancer cells: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250206/KAIST-team-discovers-molecular-switch-to-reverse-cancer-cells.aspx#

3D-printed tiny homes made from recycled plastics offer speedy transitional housing to LA wildfire victims: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/azure-3d-printed-homes-los-angeles-wildfires

Adorable oldest choir, with average age of 94, win record title during Christmas concert: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2025/1/adorable-oldest-choir-with-average-age-of-94-win-record-title-during-christmas-concert

This week, Jasmine and Michael are punchy thanks to spring allergies and just *gestures blindly to everything around*. Jasmine helps to make the news more fulfilling, and Michael talks galactic real estate. The Wheel of Topics finally comes through with something a little more fun, and the duo relives some Disney trauma. Grab your antihistamine and favorite cocktail or mocktail, and join us for some “Pleasant Conversations”!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: [email protected]

Good News Links:

Minnesota House rejects banning transgender athletes from girls sports: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/03/minnesota-house-set-to-vote-on-banning-transgender-athletes-from-girls-sports

Travis Kelce transforms $3.3M mansion into transitional housing for homeless youth: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/travis-kelce-donates-mansion-homeless-youth

Wildly Kind’s “A Call to Kindness”: @be_wildlykind

How volunteer 'bar fairies' incentivize safety in the state with the worst drunk driving rates: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/montana-bar-fairies

Astronomers discover 128 new moons orbiting Saturn: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/11/astronomers-discover-128-new-moons-orbiting-saturn

Welcome to the community! Before we get to our regularly scheduled programming, we're providing some background on how the podcast came to be and what you can expect to hear every week!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Send us an email: [email protected]

Jasmine and Michael sit down for the first episode of “Pleasant Conversations”, and it all goes pretty well. Self-Discovery is the topic of the day and upon listening back, Michael has discovered his vocabulary mostly consists of filler words (drinking game/BINGO for the folks at home). After crushing the topic, Jasmine gives us a spin on her fun wheel, and we’re all the better for it. It’s a packed episode that still manages to get a “Grease 2” reference in at the end. Pull up a seat and join us ‘round the dumpster fire!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: [email protected]

Good News Links:

Calls to Congress: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/us/politics/congressional-phone-lines-trump-musk.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vU4.JpN7.1YXzr_AcTgVn&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

5 Calls: https://5calls.org/

Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown: https://news.mongabay.com/2025/02/nearly-20000-animals-seized-in-global-wildlife-trafficking-crackdown/

Pritzker Signs Karina's Law: https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/10/pritzker-signs-karina-s-law-remove-guns-domestic-violence-situations

LA Housing Complex for Homeless: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/shipping-container-housing-la-homeless

Ted Lasso Season 4: https://secretldn.com/ted-lasso-season-4-details/#:~:text=A%20tweet%20shared%20by%20Sigmund,production%20is%20in%20full%20swing.

World's Smallest Otter: https://news.mongabay.com/2025/02/worlds-smallest-otter-makes-comeback-in-nepal-after-185-years/#:~:text=Scientists%20have%20confirmed%20the%20presence,districts%20of%20Kailali%20and%20Kapilvastu.

YouTuber Fundraised for Trans Lifeline: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/02/magic-the-gathering-youtuber-raises-half-a-million-for-trans-lifeline/

Trauma-Informed Tiny Home: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/homeless-ikea-tiny-home-trauma-informed

New York Shields Abortion Pill Subscribers: https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pills-new-york-hochul-12dc697d30967808aed9c3e4db2b1ff2

Neo-Nazis Targeted Majority-Black Town: https://thepositivecommunity.com/2025/03/02/neo-nazis-targeted-a-majority-black-town/

Positive Perspectives Link:

Un-Trump Your Life and the World: https://marla-rose.medium.com/47-ways-to-un-trump-your-life-and-the-world-96403d0e5e8a

Five years ago, the world was completely changed by a devastating pandemic. Quarantines were mandatory, masks and gloves were the trending accessories in grocery stores, and we all had to find new ways to connect with one another. Video conferencing became a very popular way for communities to gather, kvetch, have a happy hour, attend religious services, get divorced, play games, etc. In November of 2020, a group of podcast fans got together virtually to celebrate one of their birthdays. Another video call was held for Thanksgiving, then more going into the holidays and beyond. For about a year, a community was created consisting of people of all different ages, backgrounds, and countries. 

That’s where we, Jasmine and Michael, met and connected. Years later, we have decided to start a podcast. Will it work? Will people care? We’re not sure. We just figured we’d invite others to take part in our discussions. We’ll have weekly catch-ups, guests, games, a wheel of topics, audience suggestions, and a closing segment inspired by Ouiser Boudreaux of Chinquapin Parrish to ensure we go out on a positive note no matter how heated we get. Pull up a chair and join us around the dumpster fire for some ‘Pleasant Conversations.’