In this episode of The HLS Podcast, the crew dives fork-first into one of Black culture’s most iconic metaphors: the cookout. But this time, we’re not debating real celebs—we're handing out imaginary plates to cartoon characters, Muppets, and talking animals. From Panthro to Garfield, Moana to Kermit, we explore who really belongs at the cookout… and who brought raisins in the potato salad.

We also break down ChatGPT’s takes on our personalities in animal form (spoiler: one of us is a crowned eagle), talk Sesame Street’s radical roots, and ask why the hell people are still inviting folks who don’t season their food. It’s messy, it’s cultural, and it’s hilarious.