The Nightly

By Hatch PodcastsHealth & Fitness

The Nightly episodes

July 11 Benidorm: A Cartoonish Facsimile of Home
Josh Gondelman and Matt Bragg swap vacation stories, travel quirks, and the bittersweet feeling of being so right.

What You'll Hear

The world's shortest victory lap: Matt wins a disagreement over a glass coffee cup...but it was probably not for the best. It's a triumph that comes with a broom.

A tour of Benidorm: Matt introduces Josh to England's favorite seaside escape in Spain, where belly-busting breakfasts, poolside beers, and familiar pubs create a vacation destination unlike any other.

Places that feel strangely familiar: From movie locations and famous song lyrics to grumpy train announcements and vacation nostalgia, they explore why some places feel iconic long before you ever visit.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro & greetings
00:30 Matt's coffee cup disaster
03:40 Plastic cups, microplastics & Bovril
07:40 Pool beers and vacation mode
08:45 Why Benidorm is basically England in Spain
12:30 Movie locations and famous landmarks
14:45 Songs that make places feel familiar
17:15 Vacation expectations vs. real life
19:05 Public transit personalities & customer service
21:10 Good nights
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
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26 min
July 10 Best Sports Mascots
Josh Gondelman and Caller Haley tumble down a delightfully sleepy rabbit hole about sports mascots, hometown pride, and the creatures that somehow end up representing entire teams.

What You’ll Hear:

A Love Letter to Austin: Haley shares her favorite parts of life in Austin, from year-round swims at Barton Springs to dancing the night away with live music.

Mascots, Explained... Sort Of: A simple question sparks a surprisingly deep conversation about coyotes, billy goats, elephants, banana slugs, and why team mascots rarely seem to match the team name.

Dream Team Draft: Josh and Haley imagine the mascots they’d create from scratch, proving that armadillos and great blue herons deserve a little more time in the spotlight.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro & a memorable night of comedy
06:00 Haley calls in from Austin
07:30 Barton Springs, swimming, and live music
11:20 The question that keeps Haley up at night
12:00 Sports mascots and hometown team names
13:00 Ellie the Elephant and favorite mascots
14:10 The Banana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz
15:30 Designing a mascot from scratch
18:00 The legend of the King Cake Baby
22:45 Goodnights to mascots everywhere
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 min
July 09 Life In A Big Family w/ Kristen Meinzer
Kristen Meinzer talks to a caller about the laughter, traditions, and lifelong bonds that come with growing up in a big family.

What You’ll Hear

The House That Never Felt Empty: Peggy shares joyful memories of six siblings, station wagon road trips, backyard games, and family traditions that turned everyday moments into lasting stories.

Growing Older Together: The conversation explores how big families evolve over time—from caring for aging parents to creating a support system that lasts long after childhood.

Why Family Traditions Matter: Kristen and Peggy reflect on the rituals, inside jokes, and shared history that give families a unique culture, no matter their size.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro & themed fan cruises
04:18 Growing up in a family of six kids
09:15 A support system that lasts a lifetime
14:24 Learning self-reliance and sharing
16:07 Kristen's blended family story
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
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23 min
July 08 Bring Back DVDs! w/ Kristen Meinzer
Kristen Meinzer explores the surprising comfort of physical media with a caller, from beloved books and Blu-rays to the simple joy of choosing something from your own shelf.

What You’ll Hear

The Little Rituals of Growing Up: Kristen reflects on childhood memories of voting with her mom, balancing checkbooks, and the everyday moments that once felt like the ultimate signs of adulthood—and which ones still do.

Why Ownership Feels Different: A conversation about what we lose when everything lives in the cloud, why physical books, records, and movies create a deeper connection, and the surprising reality of "buying" digital media.

Starting a Collection Without Breaking the Bank: Practical, encouraging advice for anyone curious about collecting physical media, plus a reminder that your favorite movie doesn't have to impress anyone but you.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro & childhood signs of adulthood
03:53 Meet Callum from Washington, DC
05:27 The case for physical media
12:05 How to start a collection
17:12 Bringing back a little analog joy
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
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24 min
July 07 Living Alone After College w/ Kristen Meinzer
Kristen Meinzer talks to a listener about graduation, empty apartments, and the strange in-between season that comes after a big life change.

What You’ll Hear

The Quiet After Commencement: Just days after graduating college, Kyra finds herself living alone for the first time. What happens when a home that was full of friends suddenly gets very, very quiet?

Are You a Roommate Person?: Kristen reflects on her own experience living solo, while exploring the different ways people find comfort, connection, and community.

Building a New Routine: From coffee shop writing sessions to future adventures at Disney, a conversation about navigating uncertainty and creating something to look forward to each day.

CHAPTERS
00:37 Meet Kyra from Evanston
03:28 Finding a new routine
07:24 Does a busy schedule change everything?
09:43 Advice for the transition period
14:18 Kristen’s first solo apartment
16:13 The Disney College Program adventure
18:37 A goodnight to former roommates
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 min
July 06 Should You Honeymoon in Polar Bear Town? w/ Kristen Meinzer
Kristen Meinzer helps a newlywed decide whether a long-dreamed-of polar bear adventure belongs on the honeymoon itinerary.

What You’ll Hear

The Honeymoon Dilemma: Noreen shares her dream of visiting Churchill, Manitoba—a remote Canadian town famous for polar bears, beluga whales, and unforgettable wildlife encounters—and wonders if it’s the right choice for a honeymoon.

A Love Letter to Canada: From Niagara Falls and ice wine to Prince Edward Island and Anne of Green Gables, Kristen and Noreen swap favorite Canadian memories and travel dreams.

When to Save a Dream Trip: Together, they explore whether some adventures deserve their own spotlight—and why a future anniversary trip might be the perfect excuse for a little novelty, wonder, and just a hint of peril.

CHAPTERS
01:37 The case for Churchill, Manitoba
05:04 Growing up with polar bear dreams
07:10 Favorite places in Canada
12:21 What do we do with old travel memories?
13:41 Honeymoon or separate adventure?
17:40 Goodnights and prom season wishes
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
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24 min
July 05 Sunday Edition: Writing a Graphic Novel
On this special Sunday interview episode, Josh Gondelman is joined by guest JD Amato, a writer whose debut middle grade graphic novel (The Endless Game) was published earlier this year. They wander into the flashlight-lit world of graphic novels, childhood games, and bedtime imagination.

What You’ll Hear

The Endless Game Begins: JD shares how his new graphic novel grew into an 80-year game of capture the flag, complete with secret roles, neighborhood lore, and the kind of adventure that keeps kids reading past bedtime.

Kids, Bikes, and Big Feelings: Josh and JD talk about writing for young readers, building characters who feel real, and why even the quiet kid hiding in the bushes deserves a heroic moment.

Comics Before Dreams: Inspired by listener Ian, JD reflects on why graphic novels might be the perfect pre-sleep stretch for your imagination.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro & welcome to our guest, JD Amato!
01:40 Kids reading past bedtime
03:00 Why graphic novels make great bedtime reading
04:26 The Endless Game and an 80-year capture the flag adventure
05:13 Turning the story into a visual world
07:38 Sophie Morse’s character designs
09:06 Building color, place, and visual flow
10:37 Writing without over-outlining
13:36 Discovering characters through the story
15:19 Drawing bikes 200 times
16:22 Setting the book in a no-screens 90s world
17:33 Kick the Can, flashlight tag, and neighborhood rules
19:16 Writing big feelings for kids
21:33 What role would you play in the game?
22:00 Comics as dream preparation
25:00 Good nights
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
31 min
July 04 New Socks & the Smell of the Summer
Josh Gondelman and Matt Bragg beat the heat with holiday laundry, fresh socks, and a sleepy round of summertime "would you rather."

What You’ll Hear
Heat Waves & Holiday Packing: Matt makes the case for cold weather, nice jackets, and the strange fashion sacrifices required before a vacation.

The New Sock Renaissance: A humble drawer refresh becomes a surprisingly powerful act of self-care, with a few SpongeBob socks left in the emotional archive.

Summer Hits & Poolside Peace: Josh and Matt choose between making the song of the summer or starring in a blockbuster, then settle the eternal beach versus pool debate.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro & greetings
00:36 Matt makes his case against hot weather
02:16 Holiday laundry and World Cup optimism
04:36 Sports fandom, comedy, and useful delusion
07:00 The joy of buying new socks
12:34 Happy Fourth of July and housewarming parties
14:44 Summertime Would You Rather begins
15:00 Summer blockbuster or song of the summer?
19:42 Beach day or pool day?
21:38 Goodnights
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28 min
July 03 Running 50 Marathons
KP Parker and Caller Rosie talk about chasing a marathon goal that spans all 50 states.

What You’ll Hear:

A Very Long To-Do List: Rosie shares her quest to run a full marathon in every state, and how a goal that takes years can be surprisingly calming.

The Scenic Route: From Philadelphia streets to humid Florida mornings, they explore how running can become a unique way to experience a new place.

Finding Your Pace: Rosie reflects on the unexpected moment she fell in love with running and offers gentle advice for anyone thinking about starting their own endurance journey.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Movie theater memberships and popcorn economics
03:30 Meet Rosie and her 50-state marathon goal
06:35 Favorite races and seeing cities on foot
07:04 Hills, humidity, and race-day challenges
08:00 The marathon with a donkey
09:30 Learning to love long-distance running
10:30 Advice for aspiring marathoners
13:00 Why so many biologists run long distances
13:46 Marathon-running parents and goodnight wishes
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
19 min
July 02 The Imperfect Bedtime Routine w/ Greta Johnsen
Greta Johnsen talks to a caller about bedtime routines, imperfect habits, and the small rituals that help a busy household wind down.

What You’ll Hear

The Myth of the Perfect Routine: Virginia shares what evenings actually look like in her Brooklyn home, from late dinners and dog walks to navigating a teenager’s sudden bursts of nighttime creativity.

The 87 Percent Club: Greta explores why routines don’t have to be perfect to be helpful, and how a little self-compassion can make bedtime feel a lot less like homework.

Tiny Rituals, Big Comfort: From horoscopes and short stories to beloved lip balms and the joy of a perfectly dialed-in mattress, a conversation about the little things that make bedtime feel like home.

CHAPTERS
01:13 Meet Virginia from Brooklyn
03:49 What an ideal evening looks like
07:49 Short stories for winding down
09:00 Letting go of bedtime perfection
13:00 Finding a show to watch together
17:24 Favorite lip balms
For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 min

About The Nightly

From the publisher's feed

Where your late night thoughts go to rest. Monday through Saturday, listeners call in to share whatever's on their mind before bed. On Sunday, we take a deep dive on one of the week’s topics.…