The Clopen Effect

We kick things off with a hilarious story from our co-worker who carried 100 balloons for 1.5 miles from the store to an office party (yes, people stared). Then it’s all about GERMS — the gross, sneaky, everyday kind that hide where you least expect them. Fun, funny, and a little bit ewww - this episode has it all!

All The Clopen Links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs! https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩  Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop:

Available wherever you listen! (https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop)

🟢 30 Days to Building Resilience in the Workplace:

https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.

From hot dogs at Coney Island to lamingtons in Australia, competitive eating contests are one of the strangest - and most fascinating - traditions around the world. Today, we’re talking about the wild history, the training secrets, and even the dangers of this stomach-stretching sport.

All The Clopen Links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs! https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩  Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop:

Available wherever you listen! (https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop)

🟢 30 Days to Building Resilience in the Workplace:

https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.

Wowee, we do love to laugh at ourselves! This episode is no different! We talk about road trips and rest stops, snacks and car ride games. Thanks for being here! We are really having a great time with all of you!

All The Clopen Links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs! https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩  Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop:

Available wherever you listen! (https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop)

🟢 30 Days to Building Resilience in the Workplace:

https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.

This week, we talk about classic wives' tales, we read some great ones from our listeners, and get a little depressed about zoos. Oops. Anyway - enjoy this week's episode!

All The Clopen Links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs! https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩  Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop:

Available wherever you listen! (https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop)

🟢 30 Days to Building Resilience in the Workplace:

https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.

Food festivals are so fun! We love them and talk about the most popular, iconic, largest, quirkiest, weirdest, and longest-running. We talk about our local ribfest and the Bristol Renaissance Faire (Kenosha, WI).

All The Clopen Links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs! https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩  Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop:

Available wherever you listen! (https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop)

🟢 30 Days to Building Resilience in the Workplace:

https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.

ROY G. BIV

Colors don’t just look good in a store, they actually do something to our bodies.

When our eyes see a color, the signal travels to our brain, and that can change how we feel, even how fast our heart beats.

Red makes your heart beat faster. That’s why stores use it for clearance tags and sales—it screams buy me now!

Yellow is like sunshine. It makes your brain feel happy and alert. That’s why you’ll see yellow on bananas, mustard, or bright sale signs.

Green is calming. It reminds us of nature and health. That’s why it shows up in produce, organics, and anything eco-friendly.

Blue slows us down. It feels safe and trustworthy. That’s why so many water bottles, toothpaste boxes, and even banks use blue.

Orange is energizing. It makes us feel playful and even a little hungry. Think of pumpkins, Reese’s, or Cheetos!

Purple is rare in nature, so our brains connect it with luxury or special treats—like grapes, lavender products, or fancy candy wrappers.

And then there’s black and white. Black feels powerful and sleek—think electronics or high-end handbags. White feels clean and simple—like milk, sugar, or Apple iPhones.All The Clopen Links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs! https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩  Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop:

Available wherever you listen! (https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop)

🟢 30 Days to Building Resilience in the Workplace:

https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.

In this episode, we chat the world of bread and the math behind it (sort of), with our special guest, Jason!

• Jason 'drives' us through his bread delivery route, explaining how the numbers, store stops, and fresh bread logistics all come together.
• Meredith tries her best to follow along, but admits… she still doesn’t really understand how it works. (Bread routes are complicated, okay?)
• We take a fun detour into a Bread Quiz, which ChatGPT created and yes, Cass’s name is in it! She’s AI famous now.
• Oh, and surprise twist: Jason used to marry people! (As in, officiate weddings, not collect spouses 😆)

It’s one part carbs, one part tomato sandwiches, and all the way hilarious.

All The Clopen Links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs! https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩  Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop:

Available wherever you listen! (https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop)

🟢 30 Days to Building Resilience in the Workplace:

https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.

Guests: Mama Brianna & Baby Daisy 🌼

This week, we welcome the sweetest guests, Mama Brianna and her 9-month-old daughter, Daisy! We explore the origin of the name Daisy, its meaning (“day’s eye”), and why it's the perfect fit for such a bright little soul.

We also give a shoutout to Dented Gate Flower Garden in Woodstock, IL, a local gem filled with natural charm.

Then, we slightly dive into the growing world of thrift shopping:

🛒 Surprising stats on how much people are really spending.

🌍 Why thrifting is trending with Gen Z and millennials.

🏬 Popular secondhand retailers and online platforms.

💸 How resale culture is changing how we think about fashion and saving.

From baby names to budget buys, this episode is full of fresh takes and fun facts!

🟢 First 100 people can use code BUILDRESILIENCEFREE at https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?couponCode=BUILDRESILIENCEFREE

All The Clopen Links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs! https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩  Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop, available wherever you listen! https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.

We ket AI write this recap, Lol:

In this laugh-out-loud episode of The Clopen Effect: A Funny Retail Podcast, Cass shares a wild story about a customer who stood directly in her way — and refused to budge. We break down the awkwardness, the tension, and the hilarity that happens when retail workers are just trying to do their job… and shoppers are just trying to pretend they don’t see you.

Then, we dive into 20ish different types of shoppers we all know and love. Whether you’ve worked retail or you’re just a curious customer, you’ll recognize these familiar personalities:

• The Laser-Focused List Follower
• The Meanderer
• The Storyteller
• The Cart Curator
• The Aisle Lurker
• The Power Shopper
• The FaceTimer
• The Price Checker
• The Zen Shopper
• The Silent Stalker
• The Know-It-All
• The Impulse Buyer
• The Panic Shopper
• The Time Traveler
• The Sample Hunter
• The Repeat Returner
• The Buzzing Browser
• The Blocker
• The Deal Chaser
• The Oversharer

We also chat about:

• How retail employees navigate awkward aisle standoffs
• Why common courtesy in stores seems to be fading
• How different shopping styles affect the clopen shift
• And yes… the shopper who tries to read your name tag mid-confrontation

If you’ve ever worked a closing-to-opening shift (aka a clopen) or felt invisible in a vest and name tag, this one’s for you.

All The Clopen Links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs! https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩  Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop:

Available wherever you listen! (https://linktr.ee/anxietymakesmepoop)

🟢 30 Days to Building Resilience in the Workplace:

https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.

She’s back! In Part 3 of our Secret Squirrel series, our favorite AP expert returns to talk about the people who take a chance at stealing and how often they get caught. We explore the quick decisions, bold moves, and bizarre attempts that happen every day in retail. We also play the '"Have You Ever?" game for some fast and fun AP confessions. Be sure to stick around until the end when Secret Squirrel shares one of her most unforgettable stories yet.

All The Clopen Links:

https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect

$2/month keeps us recording and bringing you all the laughs!

https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/support

👕 Buy Our Cool Merch:

https://www.zazzle.com/the_clopen_effect_t_shirt-256038010043042814

💩 Check Out Our Other Podcast – Anxiety Makes Me Poop:

Available wherever you listen!

🟢 30 Days to Building Resilience in the Workplace:

https://www.udemy.com/course/buildingresilienceatwork_in30days/?referralCode=BD92C36502C5E19AA273

All material, unless otherwise stated, written and performed by The Clopen Effect.