2025 Year in Review: Laughs, Struggles and Surprises – Ep. 391

Shanna

Hi, welcome to Big Fat Positive with Shanna and Laura. On this week's episode, we have our weekly check-ins. We have our special segment, Year in Review, where we find out how soccer fits into my overall year vibe, the amazing things Laura's kids have taught her this year, and so much more. Let's get started. Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 391, our last episode of 2025. Hi, Laura. Hi, Shanna. Hi. Why don't you kick us off for this episode with your check-in for the week? What did you and your family do this week?

Laura

Oh, nothing. We just flew all the way across the ocean to go visit a tropical paradise.

Shanna

Please do because I've been dying to know how this trip went. I haven't spoken to you since you got back. And I'm like, did it go well? Did it go bad? What happened? What happened? What happened?

Laura

No, it went great. So okay, there was a bit of a rollout of who was on this trip with us So my mom flew into LA the day before we left and then we all went my mom and the four of us to Maui So then two days later, my friend Alia and her family came and like they were staying at the same resort. We kind of planned it that way. Like it was all kind of inspired by Alia's trip. And I was like, ooh, wouldn't that be fun to join her? And so we figured out that there was going to be some overlap in our time off. And so she arrived at the resort with her two daughters who are like exactly the same age as my kids. So fun. So fun. then like the next day my stepdad showed up then like two days later my brother and his wife Erika showed up so it was like just this this whole rotating crew. And my mom and Neil are still there. They're staying there for like another week and a half, I think.

Shanna

As they should, because your mom's birthday is coming up, right? Like she can make a whole thing of this trip.

Laura

Exactly. That was kind of the whole point was like it was going to be my mom's birthday trip. And so we had to leave before her actual birthday. But we did celebrate her birthday with a luau, which was very fun. Oh, how fun. I mean, it was fun. It was also super expensive and oggy. I think he ate a roll, like one singular roll. He didn't want to eat poi. He had zero interest, negative interest in poi. Oh, no, I'm sorry. He also ate a whole shit ton of pineapple. Oh, there you go. So he probably ate one entire pineapple and a roll. Was it a King's Hawaiian roll? I think it was a Hawaiian roll, not by the King's Corporation. It was a independent one. So Sebastian was actually free because under five was free. So at least there was that. Very nice. They had a great time they loved they kept asking like what are we getting the flower necklaces like.

Shanna

He was like, yeah, because I picture him like fire dancers and kind of like, I don't know, exciting music.

Laura

Yes. He woke up in time for the fire dancers and that's all he really wanted to see anyway. He was like, this is what I want. And the fire dancers did not disappoint. So he was very happy with that. And yeah, I mean, honestly, we didn't really do all that much except for swim and hangout, which in my opinion is like a perfect trip.

Shanna

Yes. Yes. That's, I mean, that's what vacation is all about. I mean, no, it's not. There are people like different types of vacations. But for me, that's the kind of thing I like. Did they enjoy the beach and the ocean water and the waves and all that?

Laura

Oh, yeah. I mean, the water is so warm there compared to here. I mean, the water in LA at the beach is so cold even in like the height of summer. So they were just like, Oh my gosh, I can just go swimming. I mean, we kind of were alternating between the beach and the pool. There was a beach right off the resort, but it wasn't like the best beach. So we did drive to a couple different beaches. But, you know, the pool was nice because there were chairs next to the, you know, next to the pool that we could sit in and take turns with the kids. And Aki's really getting good at swimming. So we're finally at the point where like Corey could kind of just like hang out next to the pool and watch him. And he was safe enough. Also, I should point out it was so cool at this resort because it was this gigantic pool.

Shanna

Yes. The one I went on that I injured myself was about 50 feet up and we had to go stairs up up up up up up up so it was a long slide down.

Laura

Oh, yeah No, this was not this was probably like 12 stairs up, you know that sort of thing It was a smaller one, but the kids I mean Sebastian especially he was living on that slide He got to know the guy who was like being a lifeguard in a traffic monitor at top he would come down from his shift and we'd be like in the other pool or something. And he'd be like, ah, there's Sebastian. You know, like talking. Oh my god. So cute. So funny. It was so cute too because he was doing his like independent play thing every time he was going down the slide. And so I'd hear him doing like sound effects of like whatever like imaginary fight scene he was in or like starship battle or something. Like, you know how like a water slide, it was a tubular one, like it just projects the sound all the way to the

Shanna

You know, it is so hard to leave. It's such an amazing place. I hope we can go back soon. I want to go with you guys. I know that would be so fun.

Laura

Yes. But I am now going to say aloha to my check-in because it is time for you to check in.

Shanna

Yes. And I'm going to say aloha to my check-in, even though it has nothing to do with my check-in. You weren't in Hawaii just secretly hiding around the corner from us the whole time. Yeah, I was there. I was just trying to avoid you the whole time. You're going to see enough of this bee, man.

Laura

OK, so how'd it go? I do know that you texted me midweek while I was like on the beach or something, being like, hey, can you send me your pumpkin pie recipe?

Shanna

Yes. And I thank you very much for taking your time out of the warm aqua blue ocean to give me this pumpkin pie recipe. Thank you. Anytime. Yes.

Laura

Okay, but did it come to fruition? I don't think I ever saw a report or maybe I did, but I was too busy at the luau.

Shanna

Yeah, you probably were. The report is that CeCe was extremely enthusiastic about making the pie. Elle was too, but it was a little more hit and miss here and there. But I had a kitchen helper in CeCe and we decided we were going to make this thing from scratch. Now, let me tell you, Laura, I've never made a pie in my life, maybe one pie ages ago.

Laura

That blows my mind because in my mind you're like this massive baker that you're always baking stuff. Like you do all this cake decorating and I just mind blown. Yeah.

Shanna

It's because I don't care for pie as much I think is the thing. I like it when I eat it, but I'm never like truly excited about it. Whereas cake I really love. I just, I love chocolate. I love frosting. I love really sweet stuff. smushy, fruity things, not as much of my jam. But it's a tradition, right? And Cece really wanted to make a pumpkin pie. And we had some little mini pie pumpkins left over from Halloween that were still in our house and still looked great. So she's like, I want to roast those. I was like, are you sure? Because I have a can of pumpkin here that's really easy. No, no. So we cut that thing open. We roasted it. We made the dough. Is it dough? See, I don't even know. Is it crust? Yeah, pie dough.

Laura

Pie dough. Well, the crust. But it starts as dough. Yes, the dough becomes a crust.

Shanna

Exactly. So we made the dough that we turned into a crust. I bought some beans so I could blind bake my crust. Yeah. All these things I'd never done before. And it was really, really fun.

Laura

I'm impressed. Because that's like going zero to 60 on the pie thing. You're just like, no, I'm going to make the crust from scratch. I'm going to blind bake it. I'm going to roast the pumpkin like you went all in. So how did it turn out though?

Shanna

It was not a very good looking pie. In retrospect, I could have done better, like making the crust look really nice and decorative. I didn't know that ahead of time, really. So it didn't look great, but I got to tell you, it tasted amazing. The girls loved it. Elle was like, I didn't even know if I wanted to try it, but I did and it's amazing. It's the best pie I've ever had. I was like, really? Oh, and we made the whipped cream from scratch, too.

Laura

Oh, yeah, that makes a big difference. I love homemade whipped cream. I could live off of homemade whipped cream until I died of heart attack.

Shanna

I know. It's so good. So it was a big success. And my favorite thing about it, of course, is that my kids helped me, especially CeCe. You know, she was really part of the process. And that's what I was hoping to get from the experience is like, let's do this together, as opposed to this is the thing that mommy does and then presents it to you after you've played all day.

Laura

Yeah, this is something I've been thinking a lot about, actually, is like making the invisible work visible, especially for our kids, just to show them that it's not just like, you know, it's funny because in our house, we say like mama magic, like mommy's magic. And like, yeah, I love being thought of as magic, but I also want you to see that I've just been working all day to get this done, you know? Yeah. So I love that. I think that's great. Plus, I do think things taste better when you have some investment in it, you know?

Shanna

Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think so. And overall, the meal was really wonderful. I'm glad I didn't make a turkey because I really don't have an interest in that. I'm not very good at making turkey, so we didn't deal with that. We made all the yummy sides that we like, and we had our pie, and we played a fun game, and I'll talk about that in the final segment. But overall, it was just like a lovely low-key holiday, and it's exactly what I needed. Yay! I'm so glad to hear that. Thanks. But that's it for my check-in. Shall we move on to our special segment? I think we should. All right.

Laura

We are back and our special segment this week is a old classic. It's something we've been doing every year actually since 2019, Shanna, can you believe this?

Shanna

What?

Laura

Yeah, every year since 2019. We have done a year in review where we ask ourselves some questions to reflect on the previous year. And I do remember, like I knew we did it in 2019 because I remember being like, next year we're going to get so much Done, like we were so optimistic. Yeah, little did we know. Little did we know. And that's what makes this segment so fun, right? It's because we don't actually know what's coming for us, but we can look back on the previous year and see how things have gone and just take a moment to reflect, right? Yeah, yeah, I love this segment. Yes. And if you feel like it listeners, no pressure, but you could take this time to reflect on the questions we ask each other and answer them yourself. You can answer them just for yourself. You could write them in a journal or, you know, you could send us a voice memo if you want. We love those. Yes, we do.

Shanna

Okay, okay. I am bringing myself back to the moment. I was watching CECE's soccer game or soccer practice or something out of nowhere. fucking soccer ball, came flying out nowhere, whacked me in the side of the head, knocked off my glasses, and it turned out it gave me a concussion. Why does this kind of sum up my year?

Laura

Yeah, just dodging soccer balls, flying at you. Oh, I wish I had dodged it, Laura. I wish I had. No, I didn't. The question is how many did you actually dodge this year? And you didn't even realize it or you did and you're like, oh, that was a close call. It was just that one really blindsided you.

Shanna

Good question. Maybe for every head slam, I avoided a hundred head slams. Who knows? Who knows?

Laura

Oh, man. Yeah, that story and the fact that the dad who kicked it like scurried away without even coming to check on you. I know.

Shanna

It's like, what? Just like the whole thing had an air of like confusion and chaos and like what the heck? So yeah, I feel like I felt that quite a few times this year.

Laura

I do feel like that is such a metaphor for being a mom, though. It's like you're getting slammed to the ground, and your kids are just like, doop-a-doo. Mom, where's my juice box, you know?

Shanna

Your face is in the mud. You're like, that's right here, honey. Being a mom in a nutshell. OK, but what about you, Laura? I want to know the same thing. What's a moment from this year that perfectly captures the vibe and overall tone of 2025 for you?

Laura

Okay, so I was thinking about this and the thing that comes to mind is this big event that I attended right before my book came out. It was the end of September. Our book was coming out in like a week or something and Gia managed to get us a booth at this event called the Pasadena Celebration of the Young Child. Oh yeah, I remember you talking about that. Yeah. And it was a very last minute thing that we found that we were even invited to it. And we had to scramble to like get all of our materials printed and get a banner printed. And of course I would have to like design all these things. And we had to come up with like, what's our booth going to be like? What activities are we going to have? Yada, yada, yada, right? And that was you know, a hectic couple days trying to get ready for this event. And then we get there and it's huge. It has so many people there.

Shanna

Yeah, absolutely. You've been very busy in so many different ways this year. And yeah, the whole of all those different things. And often they happen at the same exact time because, you know, when you're working on stuff at home or, you know, at an event that your kids are at, your kids are there too. And it's like trying to be like, oh, I can't do it all at the same time.

Laura

Yeah. And you can't give 100% to everything. It just, it feels very scattered to me. But I'll talk a little bit more about that in another question, I think. But yeah, that was the moment that really stuck out to me as like very emblematic of this year.

Shanna

Yeah, I can see that. Okay Laura, here's another question for you. What was a small parenting when you had this year that didn't feel big at the time but actually was?

Laura

The one that comes to mind is spontaneously buying blank notebooks for the boys. you know, I just thought of it as like, oh yeah, they can have their own notebooks, you know, like whatever. I think the first ones were actually like composition notebooks that we got at the store. And it may have been Corey who bought the first one. I don't even remember. But in retrospect, that was just such a huge shift for them. They loved having their own books, right? They were like, oh, this is mine, right? You know, we put their names on the front and they would just like grab them. And even Sebastian who, you know, doesn't know how to write and Augie is still learning. And Sebastian at the beginning of this year, like couldn't draw anything representative. Like he was just drawing basic shapes and stuff.

Shanna

Yeah.

Laura

And what I've realized is that over the course of the year, we've gone through multiple notebooks, of course, but it's really given the boys a landing spot for their creativity and some ownership over it, I think. And they're obsessed with their notebooks. Sebastian calls it his comic book, which I think is so cute. He's like, I need my comic book.

Shanna

That's so awesome. And I'm jealous that your kids don't scrawl private over the front of all of their notebooks like some kids I know. So I can't look through them and see what they've been up to.

Laura

I do ask if I can look. And Augie sometimes will be like, no, no, don't look at that one. But he for the most part hasn't figured out that he can keep it a secret. And I haven't introduced him to that yet. I do ask. I'm like, can I look through your notebook? But yeah, it is very cute and adorable. And I think because I don't call it a diary, right? Like it's not their diary. It's their sketchbook. Yeah, but that was definitely something I didn't expect to be so impactful, but has been great for us. I love it. How about you, Shanna? What was a small parenting win that didn't feel big when it happened? But now you realize, wait, that was a big deal.

Shanna

For me, I think a small win was saying no to a lot of activities that I was trying to do with the kids. In other words, narrowing the scope of their extracurricular activities for a long time I've been in this scramble of I want them to do everything I want them to be exposed to all these sports and activities and I see other people's kids doing all these different activities and then I'm like oh my kids are missing out like I gotta get him into that and then you know we're part of the YMCA and they offer a lot of classes and sports for And I feel like, well, I gotta take advantage. And so I sign them up for all this stuff. And it's just been stressful, I realize. Now that I've narrowed the scope, I think about this summer. I was like, enough with this. Like, they've decided to just stop showing up to soccer. Like basketball was a fail, right? And I was like, enough.

Laura

Yeah, I remember the argument about the wide-legged jeans and the soccer. It's like, you don't need that in your life. You know, two activities seems like enough for me, like, or a lot. I'm impressed because, I don't know, I get easily overwhelmed by all the scheduling and I can't imagine doing more than that. So I'm glad that you are narrowing your scope as you put it. That's good.

Shanna

Yeah. Yeah. I am, too. And I think they're happier about it, too, because there's not all these choices I'm throwing at them. And they're like, I don't know. I've never tried folklorico. Maybe I should. You know, it's like it doesn't need to happen.

Laura

Yeah.

Shanna

Maybe one day, but not today. That's awesome.

Laura

Okay, Shanna, this next question is one I think we've answered almost every year. I know we've read it before, which is, what made you laugh the hardest this year?

Shanna

I love this question and I kind of hate it because every time it comes up, I'm racking my brain. I'm like, I want to be the mom that's like, this wonderful moment I had with my children where we were all laughing and it was amazing. We have had a ton of laughs as a family. My kids are hysterical. They do dances and performances and make jokes. Elle made a terrific joke the other day about music notes and it's so funny. But then I'm always like that one thing I watched that's the thing that made me laugh so hard that I cried and that's what it was again this year.

Laura

Okay well that's useful information too okay because it's so nice and heartwarming to hear that oh you had Just a huge laugh with your family but that's not replicable for our audience right like they don't have your family they can't hear L tell a joke so you tell them about the show that made you laugh they can bring that into their own life.

Shanna

I hope people like this if they watch it or if they have. Okay, so it's not actually a show. It's a stand-up special and it's Nate Bargazzi's special that came out in December 2024. I watched it this year. It's on Netflix. It's called Your Friend, Nate Bargazzi. And I don't know why that particular special just tickled my funny bone so hard. I was watching it with Steve after the kids went to bed one night and I was laughing so loud. Like at almost every joke, I love his like dry delivery, his like kind of confused vibe he has with his big eyes. I just, everything about him I think is like funny and endearing and his jokes. He makes a lot of jokes about his marriage and his kid and like getting a dog. And I don't know, it just hit the sweet spot for me. And I was just like crying by the end of it.

Laura

I'll have to watch that. I've only seen little clips of his comedy. So, but that's good. I mean, jokes making you laugh is a pretty good answer for this one.

Shanna

Yeah. Yeah. I think, I mean, I think that was the intended purpose of his special. So and it worked on me at least. So if anyone else watches it, I wouldn't, I want to know what you think too. So definitely let me know. But what about you, Laura? What's something that made you laugh really hard this year?

Laura

It's so funny because every time this question comes up, my issue is that I cannot remember. I can remember laughing. And usually it's like laughing with Cory about something until we both can't breathe. But can I remember what we're laughing about? No, not really. And a lot of times it's like we are laughing at something hilarious the kids are doing that's not meant to be funny. And so we have to like hide it from them and like walk out of the room because we're crying, laughing and like trying really hard not to let them know that we're laughing at them. And they get real mad, real mad if we're like, we're not trying to laugh at our children. It's just sometimes they do hilarious shit, you know. And so you're just like, you know, you just have to laugh. I have one TikTok that I do remember like crying, laughing over. Which one? I'm going to send it to you. Can you watch it right now?

Shanna

Oh, nice. I love a comment section. All right. Let's see. Thank you, David, baby. I love Lita. Lita, my favorite. I love Lita. Okay, Lita is maybe a tiny poodle mix of sorts with just bedhead for days and wild eyes and sitting with her little Chihuahua buddy in the back seat of a car. Okay, Lita looks, I'm not even sure the right word.

Laura

Old is the first one that comes to mind. Lita definitely has cataracts in both eyes. Like they're basically white. The fur around her mouth is gone. Like she just kind of looks like she has like false teeth in almost, I would say. Yeah. Lita looks rough around the edges, I would say.

Shanna

She does. She does. But I bet she's got a heart of gold. But she is a funny cute adorable looking dog. All right, let's see what the comments are here.

Laura

Oh, poor Lita. So that definitely made Cory and I like cry laugh just very randomly, right?

Shanna

Yeah, I love that kind of thing. There's the user I follow. I think her name is Claire Bratton who every week or so will do a video like this where she'll show the video like this Lita video and then she'll share some of her favorite comments. that are hilarious and her laugh is so infectious and she gets me laughing like if she would have done this video and I saw it and she read those comments I would have been probably crying too. So definitely follow her she's real funny.

Laura

I will have to do that and then I also just want to mention so in case anyone thinks I'm tiktok addict, which I am. But I did have a real answer for this question, which is our new kitten pumpkin is definitely what really made us laugh the most this year, because she's so funny. She's a very funny little girl. I'm looking at her right now. She's a real sweetheart, but she's also a real stinker. So that's my official answer, but also lead of the skeletal dog. This is up there.

Shanna

I love it. I love it. All right, Laura, here's another one for you. What did you learn about yourself this year that you didn't expect?

Laura

You know what was really surprising to me was the revelation I talked about on the show about how I actually think I like bounce houses still.

Shanna

So you're saying you want me to rent you a bounce house for your birthday party next year.

Laura

That might be... Well, I did that for my four-yearth birthday, remember, but I think that was a little too close to my postpartum. I had been back on the Pilates train, so I think I might need to redo. But maybe not a bounce house for my birthday, but maybe going places, just the two of us. You know what comes to mind is the rage room we did, where we just smashed crap. Like, that was fun just for us, you know?

Shanna

100%.

Laura

Like, I want to do more stuff like that. I think as an adult, you start to realize that, like, there's more to life than just, like, going to a restaurant and sitting around and talking to your friends. Like, that's fun. Like, you know, that's what we do every time we get babysitters. Like, we go to a restaurant so we can have, like, a quiet meal. But I'm like, no, I want to, like, I want to go by mini golf just with us or something. I don't know. I'm open to suggestions.

Shanna

You know I am down for that kind of thing it reminds me of how when Steven I had a date night I was like okay we can eat but I want to do something so we might bowling yeah or in the past we would go play darts you know it's an activity I am just a person I love to incorporate an activity or a game or Something fun into the social aspect in the conversation and and all of that one activity that I saw recently that I was like that looks really fun is one of those circus schools that they have like go up on the trapeze like fly. I think that would be so exciting and I would love to do that.

Laura

I want to do that. I did that once when I was like 13 on a vacation. Really? Yes. And I loved it. I'm sure they told this to all the 13-year-old girls, but they said I was really good at it. at the trapeze. I bet you were. So I will join you at Circus School.

Shanna

Yeah, this is making me excited to do more fun things too because I'm right up there with you. I don't do enough of that stuff. I took the girls to a new indoor playground the other day and it had trampolines and then a huge pit, like a foam And they're like, come play with me, play with me. I'm like, fine, fine, fine. And like my friend laughed. And this was just me and the girls. I was done having conversation. I was like, okay. And I like bounced so vigorously on this trampoline, like making them fly high. And then I was like, they're like, go in the pit. I was like, okay. And I like dove into the pit. And it was really fun. It was that kind of thing that's like, I don't ever do this kind of thing. It's like something you're not supposed to do. as an adult, but it was a blast.

Laura

Yeah, exactly. All right, this is a mission for both of us for 2026. Yeah. Okay. But what about you? Did you learn anything surprising about yourself this year?

Shanna

I did, but it's not nearly as fun as yours.

Laura

Perimenopause is one of those things that really activates the Bader-Meinhoff effect for me, which if you don't know what that is, which you shouldn't, I don't know why I know what it is. I know a lot of useless trivia.

Shanna

Well, I was a little too embarrassed to ask because I feel like it's something you've told me before that just left my brain probably due to perimenopause. But please tell me.

Laura

The Bader-Meinhoff effect is that thing where you learn about something and then it shows up everywhere, right? Like you learn that about perimenopause and then all of a sudden everyone's talking about perimenopause. It's Bader-Meinhoffing for me because like at first I was like, peri what? I didn't even know there was a perimenopause like earlier this year. And I don't know if it's the Bader-Meinhoff effect or that there's suddenly so much more information about it, but I feel like it's everywhere. So we definitely need to do a big topic on it.

Shanna

Yeah, yeah, I think we should for sure.

Laura

OK, Shanna, next question. This one's a really fun one. And I'm curious to hear what you have to say. The question is, what did one of your kids teach you this year?

Shanna

Well, obviously, they've taught me a slew of slang that I never knew I needed in my life. Six, seven. But when I was thinking about this one, I thought of how L has handled growing up this last year. And I feel like it was a big year in maturity for her. Like she turned nine, right? And right around that time is when she was asking questions about the leprechaun and Santa. And I kind of had to like, you know, tell her the truth about that. And not long after I had a conversation with her explaining how she was a rainbow baby, meaning I had a miscarriage before I had her, you know? Some, just bigger kind of coming of age things are coming about in her life now that she's nine. We've been having discussions about puberty and she's been having some, you know, friendship conflicts that we've worked through and stuff.

Laura

It's such a nice big picture thing that she taught you, as opposed to what my kids taught me.

Shanna

I can imagine you going to a trivia night with your just most elite trivia buddies. And it's the winning question about Five Nights at Freddy's. And you're like, I got this, guys. I got this. And it's just so wrong because it's been telephoned so much.

Laura

Having kids has helped me a few times in my like online trivia league that I'm in because there's some questions that'll come up that'll be about like kids music or kids shows. And it's just like for me, I'm just like, this is the easiest question I've ever answered. And, you know, I would never have known it was a thing that existed. So, yeah, I'm sure this will actually help me in the future. Yeah. I also just, it makes me realize that they have taught me a lot about media. Like, I know so much about Star Wars. that I never would have thought that I could be that person who could just recite different minor characters' names and where they play into the whole timeline. It's just not anything I would have known about. Even knowing that Corey was a big Star Wars fan, I would just be like, that's cool that you like it. I have no interest. Now I'll be like, oh my gosh, that's Babu Frick.

Shanna

Yes. That's me with the fringe characters of Bluey. Not so much anymore, but back in the day, you know, it's like, yeah, just knowing those fine details. But speaking of media, I feel like my kids have exposed me to a lot of fun pop music that I wouldn't listen to otherwise. They're always like, oh, can you play this one song because they heard their friends sing it or something? I'm like, oh, sure. And I'm like, ooh, I like this jam. And I'm just like listening to it over and over. Ordinary by Alex Warren is one that came up this year. It's an example. It's like, oh, I like this song. That's fun, you know.

Laura

See, my kids don't teach me about that stuff. TikTok teaches me about that stuff. I feel like TikTok is the reason I am at all up to date on music. Like, and I know about Ordinary because I'm like, that was a TikTok song, you know, like, ordinary, that one, right? Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, OK. Yeah. You're going to know all about it. Yeah. I've seen some dances.

Shanna

We need someone from the young generations to teach us these things, Laura. It's true. Us and our Perry menopause days.

Laura

Yeah. Oh, you know, speaking of which, I actually do have a question about media that's been impactful for us this year. But I'm thinking maybe we should do it after the break. Oh, yeah, let's do it.

Shanna

We're back and we've got a couple more year-end questions for each other. Laura, first of all, what show, podcast, or book brought you comfort, escape, or joy this year?

Laura

Okay, I'm not sure if I made this one of my BFPs earlier this year or not, but if I didn't, I should have because the amount of joy this show brought me is just like immeasurable. And I should say it's not a very joyful show. necessarily, but it brought me joy. And that show was the second season of Severance on Apple TV+.

Shanna

Oh yeah, you mentioned how much you love that. Tell me more because I still haven't gotten around to watching it and it's just on my list of things to do.

Laura

Oh my gosh. Okay. So I know there's a lot of people. It's a very polarizing show, okay? It is a weird show. It is at the very beginning of the first season a slow show and that turns a lot of people off. But I have to say, and I think I don't know if we ever talked about this on the podcast, but I will say it again if I did. that the season finale of season one is like the best episode of TV I have ever watched basically I mean like it's like that and the season finale of the leftovers or the series finale I should say of the leftovers those two like up there for me and we waited for. ever. I think it was like three years? No. I mean, it felt like three years. I might have been like a year and a half. But we waited a long time for season two, and it finally premiered back in January 2025. And it was just exactly what I needed. It's like, it's weird and intellectual.

Shanna

Oh, yeah.

Laura

That was just so devastating and, you know, disruptive to our lives because we evacuated, but also just like disruptive to just our whole area because it just, it caused so much suffering for so many people I know and so much sadness. And just to have severance to like every week look forward to and have as a distraction was really nice. So definitely the second season of severance, I cannot wait for season three. And listeners, if you guys are into severance, like you can always DM me with some theories, okay? Because I'm always up for talking about it.

Shanna

Fun. I love a show like that that builds a world and community outside the show itself. That's really cool.

Laura

Yeah. How about you, Shanna? Do you have a show or a podcast or a book that stood out?

Shanna

When I was thinking about this question, I made a list of. A ton of stuff, a ton of podcasts I've listened to that I love this year, some books, some shows. I really consumed a lot of media this year and I didn't realize it. I think it's because I've been commuting to work so much that I just listen to a ton of stuff these days. But when you were mentioning Severance, it reminded me of the show that I have been into in the last few weeks and that is The Chair Company. on HBO, which is the Tim Robinson show.

Laura

Yeah, Tim Robinson. I was going to say I all I know about it is that Tim Robinson is in it and it's supposed to be good. That's like literally all I know about it.

Shanna

Yeah, it's so good. I've been a Tim Robinson fan for years. I love Detroiters. I love I think you should leave. We've watched those sketches lots of times in our house. Steve and I love Tim Robinson. And so when this show came out, I was very intrigued. It's on HBO. So it's a different like echelon of, I don't know, elitness that, you know, what he usually does. So that's cool. And it's like a serial show. And it blends his quirky humor with like a workplace mystery as well. But it's it's got some really weird quirky laugh out loud moments that we had to like rewind and watch again. And I don't know, I just loved it was exactly the like, kind of tone of weird funny mystery show that I love. It was really right up my alley.

Laura

That's awesome. Indeed. I always like your recommendations because I often take them and I just want to mention, honorable mention to the book, The Carpool Detectives that you recommended a while back. Oh, yeah. I finally listened to it. It came up on my Libby queue and I listened to it and I loved it. I listened to it like I just blew through it. I wanted to keep listening. Never want to take the headphones out and stop listening to it. So that was a really good recommendation. I just wanted to let you know. Oh, good.

Shanna

Yay. I'm glad you liked it. And listeners, if anyone out there has recommendations of shows, podcasts, books you think we might like, send them our way. I love taking recommendations. So please, hit me up.

Laura

Yes, please. Okay, Shanna, we have one more reflection question for 2025. And that is, okay, imagine yourself a year from now. It's the end of 2026. And I'm sure you like me love a New Year's resolution. We love a to-do list. I'm sure you're thinking about all the things that you would have accomplished by the end of the year. But I want you to set that aside. And my question is, at the end of 2026, how do you hope you feel?

Shanna

This is great because I don't often think ahead into the future about things like that. I'm already thinking ahead of my to-do list of what I want to accomplish. And thinking about how I want to feel is such a great twist on it. Because let me tell you, right now I feel like I've gotten hit in the head by a soccer ball this year. Yeah. The ups and downs and I've got a big transition with leaving my job at the end of the year and so it feels right now at the end of 2025. Unstable or a scattered or chaotic like that's kind of how I'm feeling ending this year. I didn't know that I would end the year this way right so if I could. hope for what I want next year to feel like I would like it to be more calm, more intentional, stable and joyful about the things going on in my life. Even if there are ups and downs, I hope that I can approach them with a bit more stability.

Laura

I love that. That really resonates with me. You'll probably hear why in a second.

Shanna

Oh, OK. Well, tables have turned. I would love for you to answer that question as well.

Laura

Yes. OK. So I'm the same way. Like the whole, like, what's going to happen at the end of 2026? My first thought is, like, I want to have done this, this, and this. You know, like, I want to, like, accomplish all these things. And then my whole MO is, like, ignore your feelings. You're there. Not important, you know.

Shanna

Yeah.

Laura

And I want to find a way to stay connected. Yeah, so that is what I'm hoping.

Shanna

I love all those. Yeah, that all resonates with me too. I mean, I feel so good inside just talking about it and hearing your answer about it as if it's like an intention that we could set for the new year. And it doesn't have to be a to-do list or task-oriented. But what we do if we can do it with the intention of like trying to you know manifest those feelings inside of us i think that that's like a nice guiding light for sure the next year i love that thank you for sharing that all you too.

Laura

Well, I love this segment. I look forward to it every year. Me too. But for this year, for 2025, we have wrapped it up. This is our 2025 wrapped, everyone. And we should wrap up this segment and move on to our BFPs and BFNs. Let's do it.

Shanna

We wrap up every episode with our Big Fat positives or Big Fat negatives of the week. You're up first, Laura. What you got?

Laura

I have a BFP for sure. All right. OK, so my Big Fat Positive this week is snorkeling with Augie in Hawaii. Oh, fun. I mean, it was snorkeling in general is the BFP, but what was so cool was that Augie was super into it and really game to try. And, you know, it's tricky to snorkel. You got to get that mask on. It's uncomfortable. You got to figure out how to do the actual snorkel thingamabob in your mouth and get the flippers on. Like, it's a whole thing. But he was so excited by the prospect of doing it, right? And so we're like, OK, we're going to do it. And we went to snorkel bobs which is a chain in Hawaii and got some snorkels for the week and we got some for Sebastian he tried a little bit but he wasn't really you know it was it takes a lot of coordination he was like that's not is not his jam quite yet.

Shanna

Yeah.

Laura

But I love snorkeling. I did it a lot growing up with my parents, and I just think it's so fun. And so once Augie kind of got his sea legs, if you will, we were able to go out snorkeling a bunch of times. We would drive to different beaches around the west side of Maui. And we were determined to find a sea turtle because they're all over that area. And I had swum with sea turtles at multiple beaches in Maui in the past. And so I was like, I know they're around. And we would just be sitting, looking at the ocean and see their heads pop up. I'm like, there's a sea turtle. But we had trouble actually finding one while we were snorkeling. Until the very last day, the last full day we were there, I was like, oh, we need to go to this one beach, mile marker 13, I think is where it is. There's like a beach just on the side of the highway. And I had been there a long time ago with Corey.

Shanna

That is so fun. Did he talk about the animals he saw afterwards a lot?

Laura

Oh, yeah, constantly. Like now it's just all conversations are about the sea turtle that we hide out with.

Shanna

That's so fun. I want to go do it.

Laura

And I do want to say that Sebastian did that last day. He wanted to try one more time. And so with Corey, he put on his mask and his storkle. And he did get to see the sea turtle for like just a couple, like probably like 30 seconds, but he saw it. And so he was really excited by that.

Shanna

Yay. Oh, I'm glad he got the experience. Were there any like cool, pretty fish or anything?

Laura

So many. Yeah, it was beautiful. There were these really colorful parrot fish and...

Shanna

That rolled right off your tongue, friend. I'm very proud of you.

Laura

You know, it's that thing where you learn something as a kid and then you just know it. But if you tried to learn it as an adult, it would be so hard. Yeah. Yeah, tons of beautiful fish. So yeah, it was great.

Shanna

Love that. Oh, what a great experience.

Laura

What about you, BFP or BFN?

Shanna

I have a BFP. Yay. Yay. The day before Thanksgiving, I was waiting to get my hair done at the salon and suddenly I was like, you know, one of my favorite things about the holidays when I grew up was getting together as a family and playing a game. My favorite was always Pictionary. I thought it was so fun to get together with my extended family. We'd all get Get together after dinner and drop pictures and laugh and play a game. And we do games at our house. But I'm like, I want to make a concerted effort to make that a tradition for the holidays for us. So maybe I'll buy Pictionary. So I went online and found Pictionary. But then I also found some other options. I was like, ooh, maybe I could get a more modern drawing game, something. And I landed on a game called Telestrations.

Laura

I'm jealous because we're not there yet, right? Like we couldn't play that with Sebastian yet. I don't think his drawing is getting really good, I should say. Like we, you know, at the beginning of the year I said he could only draw like Scribbles basically and now he's really doing amazing Representative drawings like I'm so proud of him But we're still not there right and also he can't read so like you have to be able to like read and keep it quiet, right? Yeah, so I'm jealous because that sounds super fun

Shanna

Yeah, it's very fun. I mean, maybe we should just have a mom's game night. You know, we don't have to be with our kids to have fun, right? That's something we were talking about earlier. That's true. That is true. But anyway, again, it was Tellistrations. I'll put a link if anyone wants to check it out. We enjoyed it a lot. So fun. Fun. But yeah, that's it for me. And oh my gosh, I think that's it for our show. And that's it for 2025. What?

Laura

You can send all your severance theories to us on social media at BFP Podcast. We also have a website, BigBatPositivePodcast.com, and you can send us an email to contact at BigBatPositivePodcast.com. And finally, if you want to join the coolest group of people on the internet, just search Facebook for BFP Community. It is a private group, so you You've got a request to join, and you've got to answer those two membership questions. Otherwise, we won't know that you're not a robot, just trying to get in and do your robot things in our group, okay? So once you do that, though, you'll be sent straight through to all the amazing conversations in there. I don't think a single one has been about Severance so far, so, you know, get on that group.

Shanna

Our show is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko, and Steve Yager. Thanks for listening, everyone. Have a big, fat, positive year.