The Nightly

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 HearHeat 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.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & greetings00:36 Matt makes his case against hot weather02:16 Holiday laundry and World Cup optimism04:36 Sports fandom, comedy, and useful delusion07:00 The joy of buying new socks12:34 Happy Fourth of July and housewarming parties14:44 Summertime Would You Rather begins15:00 Summer blockbuster or song of the summer?19:42 Beach day or pool day?21:38 Goodnights

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 HearThe 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.CHAPTERS01:13 Meet Virginia from Brooklyn03:49 What an ideal evening looks like07:49 Short stories for winding down09:00 Letting go of bedtime perfection13:00 Finding a show to watch together17:24 Favorite lip balms

Greta Johnsen takes a call about mysterious nighttime noises, possible ghosts, and the surprisingly practical perks of a haunted house.What You’ll HearThe Ghost Test: When weird sounds, misplaced keys, and flickering lights could just as easily be everyday life, how would you know if a ghost had moved in? Greta and caller Alex investigate.Tea, Spices, and Other Evidence: A conversation that wanders delightfully through chamomile pronunciations, alphabetized spice racks, and the comfort of a well-earned bedtime routine.Dream House Haunting: If a ghost were real, could it do something useful? From making iced tea to changing fitted sheets, Greta and Alex imagine the ultimate sleep-supportive spirit.CHAPTERS01:25 A mysterious nighttime noise05:00 The spice rack test10:49 Chamomile tea talk16:43 Designing the ideal bedtime ghost17:28 Goodnight to Mom

Greta Johnsen chats with listener Ian about comic books, comfort reads, and the surprisingly cozy art of adaptation.What You’ll HearThe Perfect Wind-Down: Ian explains why comic books became his bedtime ritual, and how a few pages can help quiet the noise of a busy day.Finding Yourself Again: A conversation about parenthood, personal hobbies, and rediscovering old passions during life’s biggest transitions.When Adaptations Actually Work: From graphic novels to blockbuster movies, Greta and Ian explore what makes a great adaptation—and why sometimes the screen version wins.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & listener call01:18 Why comic books help Ian fall asleep04:00 Rediscovering comics after becoming a parent07:42 Graphic novels Greta loves08:53 Recommendations for comic newcomers11:05 The art of adaptation13:17 Dune, fandom, and faithful changes15:00 When the adaptation is better17:35 Little Women and favorite book-to-screen stories19:26 Surprise cameos and familiar faces22:06 Goodnights and Buffy the bull terrier puppy

Greta Johnsen and caller Bobby dive into the dragons, drama, and family dynamics of House of the Dragon.What You’ll HearWhy We Love a Good Fantasy Feud: Greta and Bobby unpack what makes House of the Dragon so compelling, from succession battles to the kind of family tension that feels surprisingly familiar.Team Black at Bedtime: A spirited conversation about favorite characters, shifting loyalties, and whether Rhaenyra really has what it takes to unite the realm.Dragons, Wind-Downs, and Late-Night TV: They compare bedtime habits, discuss watching fantasy epics before sleep, and share the very different ways they settle their brains afterward.CHAPTERS03:00 House of the Dragon for beginners06:09 How it differs from Game of Thrones09:15 Why A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feels different10:00 Family drama in fantasy and real life11:06 Watching dragons before bed13:26 Predictions for Season 3

KP Parker and Matt Bragg wander from Wisconsin lake merch to ferret racing, quiet camping, and the noble art of retiring into the woods.What You’ll HearLake Life and Stolen Valor: KP shares the story behind her Wisconsin shirt, her Montana sweatshirt with no Montana backstory, and the adult-brain challenge of learning to swim.Cute Animals, Questionable Roommates: Beavers, koalas, chinchillas, ferrets, and dangling caterpillars all get their sleepy little moment in the spotlight.Peace, Quiet, and One-Word Stories: KP makes the case for serene camping, then admits she was once gently scolded by a park ranger for laughing too loudly after midnight.CHAPTERS00:00 Wisconsin merch and stolen Montana valor02:00 Learning to swim... as an adult03:24 Beavers, koalas, and ferrets, oh my06:38 Chinchilla roommates and ferret smells08:43 Ferret racing and tiny tube athletes10:39 Dangling caterpillars 13:11 Polly’s Book Club flyer14:20 Kid-friendly camping and protecting your peace16:29 A park ranger story time18:35 Adult lego problems20:31 Goodnights

Matt Bragg and KP Parker wonder which surprisingly attainable life skills are still worth learning.What You’ll Hear:The Skill We Missed: Matt brings a supermarket-walk revelation to the table: why aren’t we better at throwing things? The conversation drifts into running, math, and the oddly specific talents they wish they had.Treat Books & Reading Hacks: KP reveals the truth behind her speedy reading style, while Matt shares his latest sci-fi obsession. Along the way, they compare comfort reads, ambitious books, and the joy of finding stories that pull you in.LAN Parties, Sour Candy & Energy Drinks: A nostalgic detour into gaming nights leads to dangerously sour snacks, age-restricted caffeine, and a heartfelt appreciation for people who take their jobs very seriously.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & a supermarket thought01:24 Skills we wish we had03:00 Running, math & speed reading11:50 The Last of Us and favorite games14:05 LAN party nostalgia15:30 The world’s sourest candy16:25 Energy drink age limits18:35 Good nights & the Corby trouser press

Matt Bragg opens the Pillow Fort phone lines for a listener with one very reasonable question: why would anyone choose to live near alligators?What You’ll HearCostco Confessions: Matt shares the details of his latest bulk-buy receipt, from tea bags to cat litter to the mysterious items no one remembers purchasing.Alligator Anxiety: Caller Josh wonders how people calmly coexist with giant reptiles, especially when “just chilling in the water” still involves teeth.Wildlife PR Problems: Deer have Bambi, alligators have… less helpful branding. Matt and Josh consider whether fear can be normalized.CHAPTERS00:00 Matt's Costco receipt03:48 Caller Josh joins the Pillow Fort04:35 Why live near alligators?07:24 Deer, ticks, and acceptable neighbors08:40 Alligator vs crocodile PR10:25 Josh’s Florida alligator encounter14:00 Can you tune out alligator fear?17:31 Progress toward alligator acceptance18:09 Goodnights