At the time of recording, the family is ringing in the New Year and reflecting on how they celebrated, while also mourning the official end of music videos on MTV. Yes, we are still not over it.

Things take a turn when we dive into Peruvian shamans and their very bold, drug-induced predictions for 2026, because why not start the year that way? Mom keeps us on our toes by mixing up some important details, including who may or may not still be alive, and somehow this all leads us into a surprisingly thoughtful conversation about Little House on the Prairie and whether it is fair to judge people of the past through today’s lens.

Matthew opens up about starting a new medication and shares some of the scarier side effects he experienced, making for a more serious and honest moment at the table. Anthony brings some practical New Year energy by breaking down California’s new opt-out process to finally cut down on spam calls and texts. Kelly rounds things out with insights on minimum wage, sparking a family discussion about what is realistic, what is livable, and what actually feels fair.

As always, it is thoughtful, chaotic, occasionally concerning, and very much a family conversation. Pull up a chair.

This week, the family recaps Christmas on the coast with a holiday trip to Trinidad (not Tobago, we promise). Think stunning ocean views, unexpected power outages, and Matthew delivering bathroom stories absolutely no one asked for but everyone somehow needed.

Anthony kicks things up a notch by terrorizing the family with a doll he found (because why not), while the house itself starts giving serious Winchester Mystery House… with a view energy. Naturally, chaos ensues.

We dive into what might be the most viral reel of 2025 and unpack our thoughts, which somehow leads us into a deeper conversation about monogamy, the animal kingdom, and what we really think makes relationships last. From societal pressure to personal insight, the table gets surprisingly reflective — before swerving again, obviously.

The family also talks about language and how some conservative, homophobic folks latch onto words like “transnational” and immediately jump to the wrong conclusions. Words matter, context matters, and yes, we have thoughts.

Anthony shares some joyful holiday news with the birth of a new animal, and then we answer a listener question that instantly sends us into laughter: What would your drag queen name be? Let’s just say creativity is high, dignity is low, and even ChatGPT (hello, Miles 👀) jumps in with opinions that make it all even funnier.

We wrap things up debating whether friends can overstay their welcome. Open-door policy… or hard boundaries? Is it okay if they’re laying in your bed and eating all your food? Opinions vary. And finally, Mom shares what may be the most embarrassing moment of her life — one that customer service reps everywhere might want to add to their training manuals.

It’s holiday chaos, unexpected depth, and laughs. You’ll want to hear this one.

It’s a big week at the table! Matthew starts us off with some good news — a well-earned promotion — before the family looks ahead to the holidays and a road trip to the coast that will absolutely test everyone’s patience. God help us all.

Of course, we can’t avoid politics this week. Between the latest presidential plaques and the upcoming Patriot Games (no, not Hunger Games, though the vibes feel similar), the family is once again very divided. Then things escalate as we react to news of a potential UFC fight in front of the White House. Is it bold? Is it tacky? Is it cheapening a national symbol? Strong opinions are shared, and the optics are heavily questioned.

Kelly brings a moment of reflection by sharing about monks currently walking for peace and humanity — which immediately derails when Mom realizes she thought monks didn’t talk, Matthew wonders how they handle bathroom breaks and Anthony is… deeply shook.

We wrap things up with a more thoughtful moment as Mom shares the “word of the year” from Merriam-Webster and other sources (schools? companies? we’re honestly not sure). Each of us then picks the word that defined our 2025 and the word we want to carry into 2026 — though Anthony’s 2025 word barely survives the episode… maybe 20 minutes, tops.

As always, it’s heartfelt, unhinged, and exactly what happens when this family sits down together. Pull up a chair.

One of our childhood fears officially came true when we dive into the story of a hiker who recently got stuck in quicksand — and yes, it unlocked a whole new level of anxiety for all of us. From there, it’s home project season as Mom, Dad, and Ant prep for winter weather, complete with Mom’s very helpful tips on how to handle “the tip” (wink).

The family hits the town fully convinced they’re dressed for the weather… except Mom may have stolen Ant’s winter wear, leaving her cozy and him frozen solid. He was raised right, apparently. We also get into bigger conversations this week: should police officers wear body cams, how we feel about new free days at national parks, and the increased pricing for international visitors.

Looking ahead to the holidays, the family shares plans to head to the coast for Christmas — skipping gifts in favor of building memories in a place Dad still finds comfortable. Because isn’t that the real gift? Fingers crossed everyone gets along. Plus, Matthew gives another health update and casually drops that he negotiated the price of a medical device. Who knew haggling was even an option?

As always, pull up a chair — it’s another full table conversation.

Matthew went on a “date”… and that’s where things immediately get interesting. He admits to using Dad’s illness as a get-out-of-jail-free card to escape awkward situations, and the family unpacks a night filled with red flags, probation revelations, and some truly questionable behavior.

We’re recording post-Thanksgiving, and one lesson is crystal clear: turkey should never, under any circumstances, be served medium rare. From there, the conversation turns to the Campbell’s Soup controversy and the statements that sparked strong reactions online, stirring up opinions around messaging, responsibility, and public response.

The family also dives into deepfakes, AI, and how this technology makes us feel — curious, impressed, concerned, and everything in between. Things get emotional as Dad shares a new diagnosis, leading to a raw and honest moment around health, uncertainty, and family. A strange chain of events sparks a bigger discussion about fate versus coincidence, and whether things really happen for a reason.

We wrap things up with what we’re watching and reading, plus Anthony’s tale of a “small hike” that somehow turned into six miles and left him feeling like a reluctant mountain goat.

As always, it’s real, reflective, and just the right amount of unhinged.

Is a Christmas gift registry helpful… or totally tacky? The family dives into holiday gifting etiquette, from gift cards and fake reactions to presents you definitely did not want. Matt openly admits he figures out who bought what before Christmas morning, while Mom has some very strong opinions on gift cards.

We also recap the family’s first-ever Korean BBQ experience, which somehow turns into Kelly nearly poisoning everyone and a lively discussion about restaurants, health inspectors, and how much trust you should really put in the system. Things take a turn as we unpack viral social media moments, including a DoorDash driver who took advantage of a customer caught nude on camera and a TikToker who put church generosity to the test.

And yes… we dabble in politics again, including a conversation about TSA bonuses that gets opinions flying. As always, it’s chaotic, opinionated, and way more honest than it probably should be.

Pull up a chair — dinner’s served.

This week, Sunday Family Dinner welcomes our first-ever guest at the table — Perez! The episode kicks off with plenty of laughs, including a haunting recap of the family’s ill-fated “healthy eating week” (boiled chicken, zero joy), plus the story of that one vacation where Matthew got way too drunk and decided to imitate a hotel fountain. Dramatically. Repeatedly.

Then we dive into one of the most chaotic family debates yet:
If you’re… getting intimate… and a family text or call comes in — do you answer it?
Let’s just say the opinions range from “absolutely not” to “it depends who’s calling” to “uh, is this a trick question?”

To top it off, Matthew gives us a moment where he sounds suspiciously like a flat-earther because gravity suddenly makes zero sense to him — and the family does not let it slide.

In the heart of the episode, Perez bravely shares his story about navigating CPS involvement, homelessness, and rebuilding his life. The conversation is honest, emotional, and incredibly grounding, balanced with the warmth, humor, and support that make these family dinners feel like home.

It’s messy, heartfelt, hilarious, and one of our most meaningful episodes yet.

💬 Join our Facebook group and jump in:
Do you answer family texts mid-romp? Did the boiled-chicken diet sound like punishment? And what resonated with Perez’s story?

And of course, we wrap with the eternal question:
“Who’s doing the dishes?”
…Perez. Obviously.

This week, the family heads out to support Matthew at his work event… and somehow ends up working the event. Let’s just say someone (👀 Tony) couldn’t be trusted alone with the chicken, and the stories only get more chaotic from there.

We also dive into the topic of layoffs — and specifically how not to handle them — plus a little political chit-chat because when do we not go there? Matthew shares a health update that leaves us a bit shaken (especially since his friends knew before the family!), and we’ve got a wild twist on our Día de los Muertos ofrenda that even we can’t believe actually happened.

It’s one of those episodes that hits the full range: funny, messy, heartfelt, and a whole lot of family realness.

Pull up a chair — you’re not going to want to miss this one.

The family’s serving up a full plate of Thanksgiving memories this week—complete with gravity-defying gravy, mystery utensils (was it a knife… or a fork?), and a reminder that no holiday is complete without a little chaos.

In our AITA story, we weigh in on holiday work coverage—and let’s just say opinions are strong. Then things take a turn when Anthony dives into 3i, ATLAS, and extraterrestrials (because nothing says Thanksgiving like a little conspiracy theory talk). The family teases a new trip on the horizon—can we say Vegas?

We also wade into the great “Doctor vs. Doctorate” debate—are they all “Doctor,” or not so fast? And finally, we dip our toes back into politics… which, of course, sends Anthony’s blood pressure soaring and Matthew grinning ear to ear.

Pull up a chair, grab some leftover pie, and join the laughter, debates, and the kind of family chaos that can only happen around our table.

Mom’s been cooped up too long — but don’t worry, she finally got out of the house and reconnected with an old family friend (and she’s got stories). Then she and Anthony hit a party where Mom’s fuzzy sweater made… a lasting impression — mostly all over the guests.

This week, the family digs into love languages — how we give and receive love. Some of us came prepared, and some (looking at you, Matthew) decided to just wing it, sending Anthony’s blood pressure through the roof. We dip a toe into religion talk (promise, it’s light), then debate the recent tear-down of the East Wing at the White House — and surprise, everyone’s got an opinion, even Tony.

And finally, there’s a new Netflix obsession: Boots. Matt’shooked… though it’s unclear if it’s because of the plot or the abs on screen.

🥘 Sunday Family Dinner Pot Roast

Perfect for cozy nights, leftovers, and pretending you’re living in a Hallmark holiday movie.

Pot Roast & Veggies

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 2 Tbsp butter

• 3–5 carrots, peeled & cut

• 3–5 celery stalks, cut

• Small bag of red potatoes, halved (peeled or unpeeled)

• ½ cup mushrooms, sliced

• ½ yellow onion, chopped

• 3–6 garlic cloves (plus extra slivers for the roast)

• Chicken & onion bouillon base

• 2 Tbsp Kitchen Bouquet

Seasoning Mix
(Combine in a small bowl)

• ½ Tbsp each: salt, pepper, rosemary, marjoram, thyme, oregano, onion powder

• ½ Tbsp Kinders All Purpose

• ½ Tbsp Kinders Prime Steak (black garlic & truffle)

• ½ Tbsp Kinders Buttery Herb

(Seasonings can be adjusted to taste—no judgment here.)

1️⃣ Prep your veggies
Wash, peel, and cut all vegetables. Set aside.

2️⃣ Season the roast
Use a knife to poke holes throughout the roast. Insert slivers of garlic deep into the meat. Rub Kitchen Bouquet and half of the seasoning mix all over the roast.

3️⃣ Sear
Add vegetable oil to a roasting pan and sear the roast on all sides. Remove and set aside.

4️⃣ Build the flavor base
In the same pan, melt butter. Add onions and mushrooms and sauté until softened. Stir in the remaining minced garlic and the bouillon base. Push everything to one side of the pan.

5️⃣ Rack it & stack it
Add a roasting rack to the pan. Place the roast on the rack and spoon the onion/mushroom/garlic mixture over the top.

6️⃣ Season the veggies
Toss all vegetables with olive oil and the remaining seasoning. Add veggies on top of and around the roast.

7️⃣ Add liquid
Pour water into the bottom of the pan until it’s about 1 inch deep.

8️⃣ Slow bake
Cover and cook low and slow at 300°F for about 4 hours, or until fork tender and around 195–205°F internal temp. Cooking time varies based on roast size.

9️⃣ Rest & serve
Let it rest a few minutes, then shred or slice. Serve with veggies and pan juices.

Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or that one neighbor who always “just happened to be driving by when you’re cooking.”

❤️ Enjoy!