The Mothball Prophecies

This week Sam, Mel, Grae, and I (Spellcheck) all crammed into the pod office to talk about whatever's been filling our brains for the last few weeks. We had our coffee and snacks and just had a regular (for us) conversation. Once or twice a month, we'll be dropping an episode of just our ADHD braindumps. After existing every day in the world, like we all must, sometimes we just want to to let our minds go to autopilot, and we want you all to be a part of it. Topics range from new hobbies, Spartan races, vultures, being a kid again, and doing the thing that makes you happy. We love you guys. Let's hang out. 

This Curio Corner is mostly about the cool stuff the Mavens talked to Jessie (British fashion historian in the making and parallel universe Spellcheck) about on Monday's episodes. It's also something of a walk down nostalgia lane for Sam, Mel, and Grae: internet connections in the 90s, music from their formative years, and early signs of neuro divergence that are so obvious, it's truly astounding. Listen in for lessons on Tuberculosis Chic and its lasting influence on fashion, the surprising science behind why all of us should be taking cold showers, and Spellcheck's newest obsession: Pond's Cold Cream and vintage skincare. 

Step into a parallel universe with our guest this week, where Spellcheck is British and went to university to study the history of fashion (which, in reality, is something Spellcheck genuinely wanted to do). A certain writer for the podcast was shocked more than a few times. The similarities are numerous. Jessie (ghostsintime) a person of the English persuasion, is an absolute doll. Sweet and polite, knowledgeable about her subject, she was a joy to chat with. The Mavens are smitten. Her Instagram account is filled with beauty-related historical posts and reels, some of which lean heavily toward the bizarre. We don't know about you, but we've never considered adding a raw meat mask to our nighttime skincare routine. Jessie is younger than everyone on the Mothball team, and we all felt it when the topic of 90s fashion came up. Grae pops up momentarily to defend the voluntary taking of cold showers. Barbies, the Spice Girls, and the "Goth to History" pipeline all make an appearance. If you haven't already, Jessie recommends watching The Love Witch (2016) as soon as humanly possible.

Sam and Mel sit down to share the unlikely demise of Evergleam Christmas Trees, what boundaries their implementing with collectibles, and share about the oldest crewel.

We're all finally settling down from the rush and bustle of Thanksgiving (if you're in the States, anyway) and our butts are more than ready for a long sit on the couch. The weather in Idaho is getting colder and snowier as the days pass, sending us all into the pod office with hot coffee and retro crocheted afghans. This week, the hygge mood is complete as Sam and Spellcheck have a relaxed chat with vintage maximalism enthusiast and down-to-earth music teacher, Kristi Snarsky. Her collection is a choreographed ballet of mid-century color and class. Her precise decorating skills are the envy of the team, with teal and pink playing a central role. Bowls and platters and Pyrex, oh my! Kristi brings to light the concept of boundaries within a collection and we all get confused about how to pronounce Cathrineholm. Plus, Sam gets a chance to brag about the amazing holiday Holy Grail item she recently acquired. 

We could have listened to Josh talk for hours and hours about all the incredible parts of his collections and his plans to spread that knowledge to the masses. But we all have lives to live and families to tend to. In lieu of having Josh back to nerd out over pirate history (which we're hoping to make happen, don't you worry), your weekend Curio Corner has Sam, Spellcheck, and Grae in the Pod Office chatting over an actual mountain of silver in Bolivia, Sam Bellamy's treasure on the shipwrecked Whydah, and a brief history of the flintlock firing mechanism on those fancy pistols seen in every pirate movie ever made.  

Good morning, Mothballers. The team was hit with a few curve balls this year and we are more than ready to get back to what brought us together in the first place: Collectors and their stories. To celebrate our renewed joie de vivre, we have an incredible guest who's ready to wade with us through a topic never before visited by the Mavens... Literal pirate treasure! Josh Scott of Redbeard Coins,Commodore Coins, and Tortuga Trading, is a real life treasure hunter. He collects and sells gold doubloons, pirate weapons, rare documents and books, and more. He has so many other unique items in his personal collection and available in his store, but we just don't have enough space or time to give them justice. Josh is enthusiastic, charismatic, and deeply knowledgeable about his subject. He was so electrifying to talk to that the Mothball Team has already claimed him as one of our own. If you watched The Goonies or Pirates of the Caribbean as a kid and dreamt of a map with a big, red X on it, then you cannot miss this episode. 

Last week the Mavens had a grand ol' time with @fare11kat, a previous guest that the Mothball team adopted by force. Lady Erin of the Almost-Hairless Cats is a dashing young woman with hair of fire and a ridiculous streak of good luck. But her latest episode seemed different. Truncated, somehow... Where did the Curio Corner go? During the 100th episode, Sam and Mel announced that we would be trying out a new format for the show. Interviews will still come out on Mondays. But the Curio Corner will be its own episode, a treat for the weekend, released on Thursdays. With this being the maiden voyage of said experiment, the Mavens are joined by Grae (because he was already in Sam's basement) to mull over the existence of luck and chat about the most recent estate sale.

This week on The Mothball Prophecies, we talk holiday traditions. Sam,Melissa, and Grae reminisce about childhood meals, grandparents houses, and horrifying genetic turkey mutations.

Erin Pipgras, perhaps better known as fare11kat on Instagram, has been a guest on the show before (episode 39, if you're curious about our first encounter with her). Obviously we all fell madly in love with each other, but in a sweary, meme fueled sort of way. Erin has become a staple in every day conversation for the Mothball team, and is frequently asked to petition the universe on our behalf. On top of being perhaps the luckiest human in Wisconsin, she also has the distinct honor of igniting a new porcine passion in Spellcheck. Hear tell of the mighty pig of fortune and how luck isn't really luck. Melissa and Sam talk shop and Sam 

used the word "gooses" about half way through the interview. This editor threw up slightly. Fortunately, we're all still friends.