Coming to you live from Bristol Brewing! We kept the subtle background noise so that you felt like you were right in the brewery having the conversation with us!

When we say there are so many interesting nuggets throughout this entire episode, we aren’t kidding.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

Bristol Brewing donates 100% of their profits from their Give Back Mix Pack to three local organizations totaling $790,000 to date, and running. What?!?! That’s incredible!! We discuss these local organizations which include:

• Friends of Cheyenne Cañon
• Venetucci Farm
• Smokebrush Foundation For The Arts 

OTHER COOL THINGS WE LEARNED IN THIS EPISODE

• Whether or not Mike and Amanda Bristol can pick out their own beer in a blind taste test
• The secret to their Pumpkin Ale tasting so good
• Hilarious stories related to the popularity of the Venetucci Pumpkin Ale
• How to get the most flavor when sipping a beer (like when wine people swirl their glass and stick their noses in it!)
• The most unusual ingredient they’ve been asked to try in a beer
• The Bristol beer that has won 10 medals at the Great American Beer Festival
• The beer that should be served with ice cream

MYTHS WE ADDRESS - FACT OR FICTION? WE GET THE TRUTH BEHIND THE FOLLOWING:

• The Bristols use Ivywild school lockers to age their beer.
• You can hear children’s laughter in the brewery at night. 
• The brewery was started as a dare.
• The Ivywild School bell rings when a new beer is released.
• Bristol is planning to open an actual “Beer School.”

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Lauren’s Pick: Cookies with Santa by Colorado Springs Moms Collective

Sunday, December 1st at First & Main Town Center Upper Loft

10% discount using code SPRINGSANDTHINGS

Carly’s Pick: Ask the Actors at The Fine Arts Center

December 1 at 5:00 PM

This event will begin immediately following the Dec. 1, 2 p.m. performance of The Little Mermaid. It is free and open to the public; no reservations required. 

AWESOME SPONSOR ALERT

We are thrilled to have Core Collective as our very first sponsor!! Pilates is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. Their classes are designed to help you build strength and flexibility, improve your posture and mental health, and reduce stress. On top of that, they're offering one heck of a deal!

If you use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS, you can get 3 classes for $30 now through the end of 2024! Head to corecollectiveCOS.com to get this offer!

As always, remember to drink responsibly!

Join Carly Ries, Lauren Ferrara and special guest Carissa Niemeyer, co-owner of the beloved Story Coffee, as they spill the beans (pun intended) on the rich and aromatic world of coffee culture in Colorado Springs! 

From awkward coffee shop moments to heartfelt stories of connection, this episode celebrates simplicity, community, and the joy of a really good cup of coffee. Whether you’re a die-hard coffee fan, a curious minimalist, or someone who just loves a good story, this conversation will perk you up. 

COLORADO SPRINGS COFFEE SHOPS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Story Coffee
• Solar Roast Coffee
• Loyal Coffee
• BLK MGK in The Mining Exchange
• Cinchona Coffee 
• Frankly Coffee
• Switchback Coffee Roasters
• Building Three Coffee
• Kairos Coffee House
• Sacred Grounds 

AWESOME SPONSOR ALERT

We are thrilled to have Core Collective as our very first sponsor!! Pilates is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. Their classes are designed to help you build strength and flexibility, improve your posture and mental health, and reduce stress. On top of that, they're offering one heck of a deal!

If you use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS, you can get 3 classes for $30 now through the end of 2024! Head to corecollectiveCOS.com to get this offer!

PICKS OF THE WEEK

• Carly and Lauren's Pick: Baloonacy at the Milibo Art Theater
• Carissa's Pick: Downtown Colorado Springs Shop Local Win Local

MISC MENTIONS

• Coffitivty
• Nightingale Bread
• Principal's Office

Don’t forget to hit subscribe, grab your favorite brew, and tune in for a dose of inspiration and caffeine!

Today, we’re tackling something that seems to hit us all as the year winds down. November brings a whirlwind of activity: from election season with all its buzz and urgency to the holidays, just around the corner, adding their own layer of excitement—and, let’s be honest, feelings of overwhelm!

So, how do you beat the burnout and actually enjoy this season without losing your mind?

We’ll share our personal tips, favorite local escapes, and stress-busting spots around Colorado Springs to help you keep your cool and find some balance.

So, grab your coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s dive into all the ways to find your calm in the city we love.

AWESOME SPONSOR ALERT

We are thrilled to have Core Collective as our very first sponsor!! Pilates is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. Their classes are designed to help you build strength and flexibility, improve your posture and mental health, and reduce stress. On top of that, they're offering one heck of a deal!

If you use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS, you can get 3 classes for $30 now through the end of 2024! Head to corecollectiveCOS.com to get this offer!

PICKS OF THE WEEK
Lauren: Beaver Moon Celebration at SunWater Spa
Carly: Acacia Park Holiday Celebration

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Forest Bathing

• Bear Creek Nature Center
• Above the Clouds Forest Bathing at Mueller State Park
• Flying Pig Farm
• Garden of the Gods Forest Bathing

Massage

• Nicole Kunz on Colorado Avenue (not online

Outdoors/Nature

• Mt. Cutler
• Frisbee golf at Cheyenne Mountain State Park

MISC

• Mindful Mornings
• Acey Holmes with BoredLess
• Bemis School of Art at the Fine Arts Center
• Kinship Landing 
• The Mining Exchange

Welcome to the first-ever episode of Springs and Things, the show where two friends take you on a wild ride through the heart of Colorado Springs!

In this debut episode, we get real about what made us want to start a podcast together, a little background on who we are, and, of course, how this friendship blossomed.

Stick around to hear about our “Picks of the Week” — where we each choose our favorite thing happening around town right now. Trust us, you’re going to want to mark these on your calendar!

So, settle in, grab a cup of coffee, and get to know us! We're so excited for this new adventure!

AWESOME SPONSOR ALERT

We are thrilled to have Core Collective as our very first sponsor!! Pilates is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. Their classes are designed to help you build strength and flexibility, improve your posture and mental health, and reduce stress. On top of that, they're offering one heck of a deal!

If you use the code SPRINGSANDTHINGS, you can get 3 classes for $30 now through the end of 2024! Head to corecollectiveCOS.com to get this offer!

PICKS OF THE WEEK
 
Carly: Pub Trivia, including: 

• Geeks Who Drink - Colorado Springs (locations include Tony's, CO.A.T.I, Mother Muff’s and more)
• Pub Dog
• Bristol Brewery

Lauren's Pick: The City Dog and The Prairie Dog at the Fine Arts Center

Welcome to Springs and Things, the podcast where two close friends spill the tea on all things Colorado Springs!

From quirky neighborhood lore and hidden spots only locals know about to the events you’ve just got to check out. If it’s happening here, we’re talking about it!

So, who are we? We are Lauren Ferrara and Carly Ries, two friends who are obsessed with this city -- we like to think of ourselves as the hype girls for COS, but we're not just here to chat about the touristy stuff.

We’re uncovering the story behind a mural downtown, we’re hitting up the newest show, and debating which coffee shop actually serves the best cappuccino!

And we’re creating space for community, culture, and joy!

Springs and Things is here to give you a true insider’s view, with plenty of laughs. We’re not just guides—we’re in it with you, getting excited about what makes this city tick.

And we want you to join us for every sip, every story, and every laugh along the way. So, if you’re a local who wants to get even closer to your city or a visitor hoping to see beyond the tourist trail, this podcast is for you.

Oh, and trust us, we’re not holding back. Think of it like a friendly chat where we dive into the funny, the fascinating, and even the odd side of the Springs.

We’ll cover hot topics and bring you the latest buzz from around town, but we’re also digging into the history, the hidden legends, and the little-known stories that make Colorado Springs feel like home.

So, subscribe now and join us for Springs and Things! We’re here to bring you along for the ride with our light-hearted take on the city we LOVE.

You never know what’s coming up next—whether it’s a wild local tale, a new favorite spot, or a bit of neighborhood trivia you’ll want to share. Together, we’ll explore the Springs like you’ve never heard it before.

So, get ready to sip, laugh, and discover the stories that make Colorado Springs one of a kind.

Welcome to Springs and Things!