I'm excited to share a conversation with you this week that I had a while back with three of my dear friends who frequently join me for a virtual movie party – and have done so pretty consistently for almost six years now! We share our origin story, our best tips for starting your own movie watch tradition, and, of course, where we are finding or creating delight in our days.

You may remember these friends from a previous episode, but just in case, I'm excited to introduce them now. Joining me on the podcast today are Amanda, who works for a nonprofit in homeless outreach; Sarah, a college professor; and Anna, best friend of the show, corporate marketing pro, and writer extraordinaire.

We had so much fun making this episode for you, and I hope you feel like you're sitting on the couch with us as we talk and laugh, sometimes all at once.

Of course, because side notes and rabbit trails are still welcome on this show, we do get into scented pens, new earrings, Crock Pot recipes, and machines that speak in pirate. This is such a fun one, so let's get started!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• How I Met Your Mother
• Man on the Inside
• Episode #173 with Candace Shaw
• The Sorta Awesome podcast
• Set It Up
• @yourbarefootneighbor on Instagram

LET'S CONNECT:

• Find Mary on Instagram or in her Facebook group.
• Find Anna on Instagram or on her website.
• Find Sarah and Amanda in Mary's Facebook group.

My friend and friend of the show, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, is here today to talk about some of the children's books we're loving right now. You're in luck because we're both supremely qualified on this topic, as I'm a children's library worker and she's a children's author – but also, we can't resist talking about kids' books anytime we chat!

Of course, because side notes and rabbit trails are still welcome on this show, we do get a sneak peek into Dorina's newest writing project, while I share about the book reviewer I'm currently obsessed with. I know you'll love this episode, so let's get started!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Littlest Drop by Sasha Alper
• Mamie Takes a Stand by Marie Chan
• Sometimes I Am Furious by Timothy Knapman
• Downtown Doors by Natasha Tripplett
• Seoul Food by Erin Russell
• Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
• Kailani's Gift by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
• Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Fryer Brown
• I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
• Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown by Xochiti Dixon
• Penny Preaches by Amy Dixon & Rob Dixon

LET'S CONNECT:

• Find Mary on Instagram or in her Facebook group.
• Find Dorina (and sign up for her newsletter) on her website.

Today is about stories -- both the holiday movie variety you expect and something completely different! I'm joined by my good friend Becky Keife today to talk about stories and storytellers we're hooked on. Becky is a writer, speaker, and mom to three – as she puts it – hungry teenage boys, and we've known each other and worked together for nearly a decade. This is the first time she's been on this podcast, and we had a lot of fun sharing our very different stories with each other and with you.

Of course, because side notes and rabbit trails are still welcome on this show, we do get into my favorite seasonal snack and Becky's favorite all-time seasoning. Obviously you don't want to miss any of this, so let's get started!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Hot Frosty (yes, again)
• A Merry Little Ex-Mas
• Champagne Problems
• Jingle Bell Heist
• My Secret Santa
• Meet Me Next Christmas (yes, again!)

LET'S CONNECT:

• Find Mary on Instagram or in her Facebook group.
• Find Becky on Instagram or on her website, and find her book, A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul, wherever books are sold.