The Nightly

KP Parker, Josh Gondelman, and Matt Bragg discuss unforgettable dating stories from the internet, from eerie graveyard hangs to unexpectedly emotional burgers.What You'll Hear: It Happened One Night: A setup from an ex leads to a spectacularly awkward date… and an even more surprising love story. Along the way, the crew weighs in on red flags, green flags, and the curious middle ground in between.Graveyard Energy Check: Is sipping a drink among headstones romantic, reflective, or just a little too much for a first date? The group debates vibes, boundaries, and perspective.The Burger Incident: One well-meaning takeout order spirals into a quietly chaotic kitchen moment. It’s a tender reminder that sometimes the smallest things carry the biggest feelings.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & greetings01:00 A trip to Wales and impossible spellings05:50 Dating stories begin07:30 Graveyard date debate11:57 Story two begins15:10 Sweet ending and reflections16:10 Wind down & goodnights

Kristen Meinzer and Jacquis Neal tumble down a nostalgic rabbit hole all about soap operas.Soap Star Origins: From Michael B. Jordan to Demi Moore, they trace the surprisingly star-studded pipeline from daytime drama to Hollywood fame—and why soaps are the ultimate acting bootcamp.Packing, Planes, and Pet Peeves: A cozy detour into travel habits, suitcase strategies, and a few dream upgrades to air travel that feel… suspiciously appealing.Wild Plots, Real Love: Vampires, long-lost twins, rapid aging kids—why soap operas swing big, and why that’s exactly what makes them so comforting to return to.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & travel talk03:00 Packing strategies and plane dreams06:10 Rabbit hole begins: soap operas08:30 Childhood memories and favorite shows12:00 How soap operas are made15:00 Fictional towns and wild plotlines17:00 Why soap operas still matter

Josh Gondelman and Kristen Meinzer host a cozy, wide-ranging book club chat.What You’ll HearFrom TV Teens to Timeless Stories: Kristen talks about teen shows that actually feel real, and why some one-season series leave the biggest mark.A Book That Feels Like a Hug: Kristen shares a joyful read that’s equal parts funny, human, and quietly reassuring—plus a sweet story about how Josh and his wife first bonded over words.Reading the World, One State at a Time: A peek into how Kristen’s 50 states reading project is going.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:00 Favorite shows we're watching 04:45 The Nightly Book Club begins06:30 Kristen surprises Josh by reading his book, Nice Try 10:00 Listener recommendation11:30 Books from Mississippi & Alaska15:00 Current reads & "shaggy" stories17:00 Promoting creative work without the cringe20:00 Books on deck?21:50 Goodnights

KP Parker and Jacquis Neal take a ride on the pop culture time machine with dream guest, comedian Avery McClure.What You’ll HearRead 'Til Failure: Avery shares a bedtime routine that starts with good intentions, a book, and about three pages before sleep wins.The Coziest Sleep Setup: Heated blankets, cool air, and the delicate balance of being perfectly warm where it counts.Reality TV Betrayal Hall of Fame: A wild trip back to 2016 and the unforgettable moment The Challenge's Johnny Bananas made a decision that still stings.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & Guest Avery McClure joins the slumber party01:00 Bedtime routines and reading habits05:00 Heated blankets and sleep preferences08:00 Pop culture time machine: The Challenge: Rivals III15:00 The betrayal that shocked reality TV18:00 Love Is Blind and awkward first meetings21:00 Goodnights

Kristen Meinzer and Wils Pelton swap current pop culture obsessions and compare notes on what’s worth the watch.What You’ll Hear:What We’re Watching: From a chaotic small-town comedy to a space mission with an unexpected companion, they unpack what’s working, what’s not, and what might surprise you.To Spoil or Not to Spoil: A gentle debate on going into movies blind, plus a few recommendations that are best experienced with as little context as possible.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro 01:00 An 11-year-old’s NYC bucket list03:00 Big Mistakes on Netflix06:30 When shows take time to click08:00 A love letter to Weeds10:30 Project Hail Mary review13:30 The joy of going in blind16:00 Ryan Gosling appreciation

Josh Gondelman and Sophia Wilson Pelton revisit the movie Mean Girls from memory, with plenty of glorious detail and a few lovable detours.Memory Lane: Sophia takes on the full plot of Mean Girls from pure recall, from the Plastics to the Burn Book to one very unfortunate bus encounter. Josh jumps in with the bits that stuck, proving that some movies really do live in your brain rent-free.High School Logic: Along the way, they marvel at teen power structures, homecoming-level cruelty, and the kind of elaborate prank planning that probably could have been used for greater good.A Respectful Request: Tonight’s listener goodnight goes out to a crew of midnight mockingbirds who may be looking for love, but could really stand to lower the volume.CHAPTERS00:00 Intros & hotel living gripes03:03 Sophia’s brother's visit and peak NYC weather05:08 Do you remember Do You Remember?06:06 Sophia tries to recall the plot of Mean Girls 20:20 Josh fills in a few missing Mean Girls details22:37 Listener Julia's goodnight to the mockingbirds

Sophia Wilson Pelton and Kristen Meinzer swap real-life dating stories and sort them into red, green, or beige flags.What You'll Hear:Accidental Texts & Honest Mistakes: A first-date phone mishap leads to an unexpectedly sweet reveal—plus a gentle debate on whether confidence or honesty wins in awkward moments.When Pasta Becomes a Red Flag: A dinner order triggers a dramatic emotional spiral, raising the question of timing, healing, and what we owe each other on a first date.Moms, LinkedIn, and Light Stalking: A well-meaning parent turns a little curiosity into a full-on connection request, sparking a conversation about modern dating etiquette in the digital age.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & birthday plans03:30 Dating stories begin04:00 The accidental text dilemma10:30 The chicken alfredo incident14:15 LinkedIn and mom mishap20:30 Why we love these stories21:00 Goodnight

Josh Gondelman and Matt Bragg host a cozy, space-themed Sunday pub chat.What You’ll HearPadel, Pickleball, and Matcha Opinions: A sporty new obsession meets a very strong take on matcha and whether it’s secretly just...mud?Artemis II and Big Sky Feelings: A listener voice memo sparks a curious conversation about space travel, moon missions, and what it means to look back at Earth.Artemis II-themed Pub Trivia: From splashdowns to astronaut menus, the questions get tricky, the guesses get bold, and one answer lands surprisingly close.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & greetings01:00 Padel vs. pickleball03:13 The matcha debate05:35 Mali's listener voice memo06:18 Why space still amazes us08:00 Moon gravity hypotheticals09:00 Project Hail Mary thoughts11:00 Working out in space13:45 Artemis II-themed pub quiz begins14:24 Splashdown location16:16 Astronaut menu mystery20:00 How far did Artemis II go?23:19 A very sweet goodnight

Sophia Wilson Pelton and Kristen Meinzer talk sleepless solidarity with author Allison Winn Scotch.What You'll Hear Insomnia Club: Allison shares the bedtime routine that keeps her as cozy as possible, from nightly reading to crisp cotton sheets, plus the late-night brain games she uses when sleep refuses to cooperate.Found Family After Dark: The trio digs into Allison’s new novel about four insomniacs who meet online and build a real-life connection, then talk about why stories of belonging hit especially hard when the world feels a little unsteady. Bedside Table Energy: Before lights out, everyone swaps recent reads and recommendations, from friendship novels to art theft nonfiction to family mysteries and memoirs. CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & welcome00:50 Allison Winn Scotch’s bedtime routine02:06 All about Allison's latest novel, The Insomniacs 05:02 Real-life insomnia coping tricks06:19 Why are we fascinated by cults?10:12 Writing outside one's comfort zone11:47 What’s on Allison’s bedside table?13:45 More book recommendations17:13 Goodnight to fellow insomniacs