Wine Together

This week’s pour: Cantine Due Palma Primitivo Sedotto 8 2024. We paired this with homemade Hawaiian pizza… and what a discovery we made in the process.😉💜We gave this young Primitivo a quick decant (about 25 minutes) before dinner and it absolutely paid off. The wine opened beautifully… softening the edges and allowing more of the ripe fruit and spice notes to come forward.The pairing surprised us in the best way. The smokey ham, bubbling mozzarella (Deb‘s favorite part), sweet pineapple (Brooke’s favorite part), and a slightly charred crust worked incredibly well with the rich, jammy personality of the Primitivo. The wine‘s dark berry fruit leaned into the sweetness of the pineapple while the acidity helped cut through the cheese and salty ham… wow! Something for everybody with this wonderful pairing!This pairing felt fun, relaxed, and a little rebellious in the best possible way. Hawaiian pizza can divide a room… or a family, a country… geez! But with this wine? It all comes together quite harmoniously.😁💜We are fully committed to team pineapple.🍍Tasting Notes: • Ripe black cherry • Plum preserves • Blackberry jam • Light baking spice • Hint of cocoa • Soft vanilla finishWhy the Pairing Worked: • Sweet pineapple matched wine‘s ripe fruit profile • Ham brought salt and smokiness • Tomato sauce balanced the richness • Decanting softened the youthful intensity of the wineQuick Wine Talk:Primitivo is a Southern Italian grape most associated with Puglia. It’s known for producing bold, fruit-forward wines with generous alcohol and plush texture. Interestingly, Primitivo is genetically related to California Zinfandel - which explains why fans of big California reds often love this style.Cheers,B & D 🍷💜

This week‘s wine and food was a bold and surprisingly cozy pairing: a 2022 Salice Salentino Rosso alongside a BBQ Chicken grilled cheese served on sliced ciabatta. The sandwich brought together shredded BBQ chicken, melted cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and red onions pressed into crispy grilled ciabatta - smoky, sweet, spicy, and rich in all the right ways! Mmm… mmm… mmm.😋 The Salice Salentino Rosso delivered dark berry notes, soft spice, and enough earthiness to balance the sweetness of the barbecue sauce while standing up beautifully to the sharp cheddar and heat from the peppers.What really worked was the contrast: • smoky + fruity • sweet + savory • creamy cheese + structured red wine • spice + dark fruitThe cheddar especially helped bridge the wine and food together, making the pairing feel fuller and smoother with every bite. This pairing felt relaxed, comforting, and perfect for a casual night that still felt a little elevated. Cheers,B & D 🍷💜

Casa Santos Lima 'Bonavita' Tinto is a popular, budget-friendly Portuguese red wine from the Lisboa region, known for its fruity profile with notes of cherry, plum, and berries, often with hints of spice or oak from aging. It's a blend of grapes like Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Castelao, and Syrah, making it a smooth, easy-drinking wine that pairs well with grilled meats, pasta, and barbecue. Key characteristics     •    Origin: Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal     •    Grapes: A blend, commonly including Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Castelao, and Syrah     •    Flavor profile: Ripe red and dark fruits (cherry, plum, fig, blackcurrant), with some vintages showing chocolate, liquorice, or spice notes from oak aging     •    Style: Full-bodied, smooth, and fruity, with good acidity     •    Aging: Often aged for a short period (e.g., 6 months) in American oak barrels     •    Food pairings: Excellent with roasted red meats, barbecue, pizza, pasta, and cheese     •    Value: Considered a great value for its price point We paired this wine with classic steak and eggs Portuguese style (meaning with rice and potatoes-French fries for us) and it was an excellent plan.😁This wine was less than 6 CHF/bottle… was better when decanted… and checked off all our boxes for what we look for in a wine and food pairing. Great material to chat about.🍷Cheers,B & D🍷💜

This week’s pour:Be Dream Red BerryThis week we opened a „sweet little bottle“ - literally… 50cL and just 7.1% ABV.This Swiss red blend came in sweet, fruity, and somewhat easy to drink. But this episode turned into something more interesting than expected… We explored the relationship between sweetness and alcohol in wine, breaking down how fermentation works:Yeast converts sugar into alcoholWhen fermentation is stopped early, leftover sugar creates sweetness That often results in lower alcohol content + sweeter wine.Sounds simple, but the pairing told a different story. We paired this wine with braised pork chop and blueberry sauce with mashed potatoes on the side. We expected a complementary balance of fruit and richness… instead the wine‘s sweetness overpowered the dish, turning the experience into what we called:„Dessert fighting dinner.“This led to one of our favorite takeaways of the episode… not every wine is meant to be paired with food.Some wines (like this one) are better enjoyed on their own, slightly chilled, or alongside an actual dessert.Final verdict:A fun, fruit-forward, low alcohol „vibe wine“ that’s easy to sip - but better solo than at the dinner table.😉Cheers,B & D 🍷💜

🍷Wine: Balance Chenin Blanc Colombar 2025🍲 Pairing: Cape Malay Chicken CurryThis week’s pot leans bright, youthful, and unapologetically easy to enjoy. The Balance Chenin Blanc Colombar 2025 is a young, white blend, and that youth works in its favor. Unlike many young red wines - which can feel tight, tannic, and a little aggressive - young white wines tend to show off their best qualities right away: freshness, fruit, and approachability.This wine delivered exactly that!Expect:Ripe orchard fruit (think pear, apple)A touch of tropical sweetness Light, refreshing acidityA noticeable sweetness that lingers And yes - this wine is decidedly on the sweeter side, which turned out to be a key part of the pairing.Cheers, B & D 🍷💜

Wine: Palooza Creation Rosé 2024Food: Mexican Chicken Street TacosStarted out as crisp, light, and fruity… turned into tequila-like somethin‘ somethin‘… just sayin‘ we didn’t expect that.Brooke is showing some real confidence by going outside the box with the food and wine pairings! Cheers,B & D💜🍷

This week’s pour takes us straight to Northern Spain - where the wine is bold, the food is hearty, and chorizo is doing exactly what it was born to do… steal the show!😁🔥This is one of those pairings where nothing is competing - everything is just… agreeing with each other.The wine is medium-bodied (just right for those winters that just don’t want to let go)… notes of red cherry, raspberry, maybe a little plum… spicy like vanilla and clove…The tannins are smooth and approachable.The food pairing was perfect! A chorizo-based stew with big chunks of potatoes, onions, and peppers in a paprika-laced broth that was begging for bread and wine.😁🍷Good food, good wine, and great conversations are the ingredients for an almost perfect life!💜Cheers,B & D🍷💜

Apologies for the audio issues at the beginning of the episode!This week, we enjoyed Los Pasos 2024 Carménère, a wine that really leans into approachability and balance. 🍷Carménère, originally from Bordeaux but now mostly famously grown in Chile, is known for its softer structure - and this bottle absolutely delivered on that promise. On the palate, this wine was smooth and easygoing, with low tannins that made it incredibly drinkable from the first sip. It didn’t overwhelm - it complemented. And honestly, that’s exactly what you want when you’re pairing with a dish that already has a lot going on. We paired it with pork steaks rubbed with mint, rosemary, and paprika, served alongside a homemade honey mustard sauce, roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, and green beans - and it worked beautifully. The herbal notes in the rub played nicely with the subtle green, slightly peppery character that Carménère is known for, while the richness of the pork and sweetness from the sauce were balanced out by the wine‘s smooth, mellow profile.And a quick note - decanting was absolutely the right move here. Even though this is a lighter, low-tannins red, giving it a bit of air helped open it up and made those flavors feel more expensive and integrated.Overall, this was one of those pairings where nothing competed… everything just clicked… or did it clique? It certainly seemed to be drawn together naturally.😉💜🍷Cheers,B & D

This week’s pour is Epicuro Rosato, a vibrant Italian rosé that brings together fresh fruit, bright acidity, and easy-drinking charm. Typically sourced from sun-soaked regions like Puglia or Sicily, this style of Rosato reflects warmth, ripeness, and a relaxed approach to wine. The perfect way to welcome the new warm weather.🌞Made from red grape varieties such as Negroamaro or Nero d’Avola, Epicuro Rosato offers aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and watermelon, with subtle floral notes and a hint of citrus or minerality. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.We paired this Rosato with sea bass and risotto, a combination that highlights the wine’s versatility at the table. The bright acidity cuts through the richness of the risotto, while the delicate fruit complements the mild, flaky character of the fish. The result is a balanced pairing that feels fresh, cohesive, and effortlessly satisfying. In Italy, Rosato is often enjoyed casually and almost always with food… less about overthinking and more about enhancing the moment. This bottle is a perfect example of that philosophy: approachable, food-friendly, and ideal for a relaxed, flavorful meal. 🍷🍇💜

This week Brooke & Dr. Deb paired a Cab Sav with steak 🥩… not a surprise to anyone… 😁Terraced Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is bold, smooth, and ready to make friends with dinner.🍷🥩In the glass on will find blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry… this is followed by hints of cedar, cocoa, and a touch of mint on the finish. The tannins are present but polished - the kind that remind you tha Cabernet is built for food.Speaking of food… this wine is basically asking for steak, lamb, grilled mushrooms, or a big cozy bowl of beef stew. It’s structured enough to stand up to a hearty meal but still easy to enjoy on its own. Our final thought: A Chilean Cabernet that delivers classic dark-fruit character, a little oak spice, and the kind of balance that keeps you reaching for the next sip.😘Cheers,B & D 🍷

This week we explored Noirillon Assemblage de Cépages Rouges, a classic French-style red blend from a French-speaking region of Switzerland. The red blend creates a wine that is approachable, fruit-forward, and food friendly. On the nose one might notice aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, and plum, along with subtle hints of black pepper and dried herbs. On the palate… one likely notices soft tannins and fresh acidity. Flavors often lean toward bright red fruits with a touch of spice and a smooth, easygoing tannins finish. We suggest letting it breathe for about 15-20 minutes to open up the fruit and aromas… and serve slightly cooler than room temperature (15-17 degrees C) to keep the fruit fresh and lively.This wine is meant to be shared around the table, so grab your friends and family, a couple of pizzas, and enjoy the time together.😁

This week we had Giulia Pinot Grigio delle Venezuela DOC 2024, a bright, classic expression of northern Italian Pinot Grigio.The delle Venezie DOC covers three major regions in northeastern Italy: Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino. The DOC was established specifically to protect and standardize high quality Pinot Grigio production. When you see “delle Venezie” on the label it signals a clean, controlled, and stylistically consistent wine.This wine is stainless steel fermented. This process preserves freshness and aromatics rather than adding oak influence. The goal? … purity and drinkability.😉At the price point and the need for fish at least once per week, this wine choice was a no-brainer.

From Vine to Stein 🍺This week, we took a little detour from the vineyard… and headed straight to the beer hall!😁Instead of wine, we poured Pilsner Urquell, the original pilsner - first brewed in Plzeñ, Czechia 🇨🇿 in 1842.Yes - the original Pilsner!Before Pilsner Urquell, most beers were dark and cloudy. When this clear, golden lager debuted it completely changed beer history. Most of the world‘s lagers trace their roots back to this recipe.What we tasted, saw, and experienced:Brilliant golden color with a dense white headFresh aroma of soft malt a d floral Saaz hopsCrisp bitterness balanced by subtle sweetness Clean, refreshing finish with that signature snapThe Pairing:We paired it with wurst and beer gravy.And this worked because … the carbonation cut through the richness of the sausage … the bitterness balanced the savory gravy … and the malt sweetness complemented the meaty flavors.It was hearty, comforting, and absolutely spot on! 👍Why this beer matters:Pilsner Urquell literally means „Original Source.“ That is more than marketing fluff - it is honestly the source of the pilsner style of beer.🍻 Today, more than 2/3 of beer brewed globally is inspired by the golden Czech classic.Sometimes stepping outside of wine reminds us how fermentation history overlaps. Grapes 🍇 or grains - it’s all about balance, craftsmanship, and tradition.Cheers to curiosity and great pairings.

A red wine that needs a bit of a chill was not what we were expecting when we bought this at our local grocer for less than 7CHF, but it is one of our favorites in 2026!🍷😘We paired this with pappardelle pasta and lamb - a rich, savory, and herby dinner - because this easily digestible meal lets the fruit and warmth of the wine shine without overpowering the dish. A match that felt (to us) cozy, rustic, and very Italian. 🇮🇹 This wine was made for the table, good conversation, and going back for one more bite! 😁💜B & D

This week we paired a Malbec with chicken … not the usual. We know that it is non-traditional to pair this red wine with chicken and rice, but the chimichurri‘s acidity makes this Malbec feel right at home.As Deb said, „you don’t have to do steak with Malbec.“ Brooke definitely chose well with the pairing this week.

Our first wine from Austria 🇦🇹 did not disappoint. We will definitely try more wines from this delightful country. Brooke cooked a perfectly crispy veal schnitzel and added mashed potatoes with a sweet mushroom gravy. It was a perfect comfort food meal for a cold winter night. ❄️❄️The conversation about this food and wine pairing was fun and light-hearted as any conversation about food and wine should be!💜

Another rich red wine 🍷 and delicious meal prepared by Brooke help guide this chat today!Bordeaux wines are often well served with a variety of meats and roasted veggies or a hearty stew in the winter… Brooke chose something in between. A French Chicken Marengo served over jasmine rice was the perfect addition to our chosen wine for the evening. We hope you will find inspiration to spend time with family and friends over a hearty meal and good wine.🍷 Santé!

In today‘s podcast Brooke and Deb chat about their experience with their wine choice for this week - Cune Rioja Reserva 2019.From the perspective of two women who simply enjoy sipping good wine 🍷… eating good food … and chatting about life’s adventures, this wine offers a warm and friendly moment for both of us.This week Brooke prepared a tapas with Manchego cheese and fresh tomatoes atop crispy Zwieback topped with fresh Slovenian olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic. 😚 Salud! B&D

With our special guest, Todd Lipman, Brooke and Deb get down to the business of planning and making resolutions for 2026. Brooke wants to find a paying job, Deb wants to get her health on track, and Todd just wants to make sure everyone is ok. We are grateful for the many years we have had as a family. It is one of the most important roles we have had in the past 31 years. So here we go… sending well wishes to close out this year to family, friends, listeners, and watchers. We appreciate you all.🧡💜

Nothing says, „I love you“ much better than being present. In this episode we continue the theme of Charles Dickens‘ A Christmas Carol and talk about our own present day thoughts/plans for Christmas 2025. We are a quarter of the way through this century… we are living through parts of history which may not be remembered fondly, but we can do our part to make our own lives and the lives of those we care most about worth remembering. Be kind, be respectful, care for and love those in your circle. Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

Brooke and Deb are excited to share some of their favorite memories of their Christmas‘ past. We love this time of year and since moving abroad have learned so many different traditions which we will likely incorporate in the future. Some favorite movies mentioned:The NutcrackerThe Wizard of Oz (Christmas Eve Eve)A Christmas StoryTV Shows mentioned:The animated Christmas classicsTed Lasso Christmas showThe Brady BunchYouTube channels mentioned:Daniel ThrasherBooks/stories mentioned: A Christmas Carol

It’s time for Christmas Markets! The website where we found the dates:www.myswitzerland.com This is the Swiss tourism site.Our most important markets:SolothurnZurichBaselBernBielOltenOf course our favorite is in Italy! 🇮🇹 Milan! Wonderful memories.🤶🏻🎄

How do we know we are mature?A few notes:Taking responsibility for our actions Demonstrating emotional stability Demonstrating self-control Showing empathyShowing respect for othersPossessing patienceBeing flexibleSelf-awareness Ability to maintain healthy boundaries Improving communication skillsBeing open-mindedBeing willing to admit mistakes Showing resilience in the face of adversity

The list Deb referenced is as follows:Be specific in your „thank you‘s“Handwritten notes/lettersGive compliments Acknowledge actionsHelp others Be kindGive a small giftBe a good listener Celebrate time togetherCelebrate themShow your supportBe respectful Smile oftenWe know it often is not intentional to not acknowledge your appreciation for others. However, if you recognize that you may have failed to show your appreciation please remember it is never too late to circle back and be generous with your words and actions so that others see that you appreciate them.We appreciate all of you!💜

Brooke and Deb chat today about Art. All forms of art are creative expressions from one’s passion (and perspective). Our family is loaded with Artists…Todd- creative in word expression and with drawing, painting…Justin- writer of poetry and lyricsMason-writer of stories a d poetryEmilia- drawing, painting, pottery, photography and written expression Rinn- drawing, painting, photography and written expression Brooke- dance and creative movement All are artists in their own unique way. We mentioned Rinn‘s Instagram:@roseboyartsWe encourage everyone to do what you love and express yourself without reservation. You are all beautiful. We appreciate all that everyone brings to the circle. 🩷

In this episode, Brooke and Deb share some of their favorite stuffed animals. 🧸 Brooke has too many to count and has no plans stop collecting any time soon!😁What often begins as „one“ favorite over decades becomes „too hard to depart with.“ Deb has many „Teddy Bears“ that she cannot imagine living without. We are funny creatures, huh?🤔 We hope that you have something that brings you joy. We appreciate everyone who follows along.

Brooke and Deb are joined by Rinn (Brooke’s brother/ Deb‘s son) to talk about and read ghost stories from their current local areas.

Today Brooke and Deb talk about mistakes… we all make them, but do we fix them in a way to keep our reputations a d relationships strong? That is the key… Brooke stated that she hopes she is mature enough to reflect on whatever someone feels safe enough to share with her that could be seen as „a mistake.“ I think she is correct about that. We all need to continue to grow… continue to care… continue to respect ourselves and others. And if we make a mistake we should learn from it, apologize if necessary, and grow as we strive to be better versions every day.

In this episode, Brooke and Todd discuss the beginning of the European 2025-26 football season!

Brooke and Deb do not dispute that facts are facts and do not change without proof. However, perspective is different and honesty with others often is clouded by that perspective. One thing we decided in the end is… if your honest observation differs from another’s… choose to leave it rather than try to win an unwinnable argument. Mentions:Ted LassoCaddyshack30 Rock

Brooke and Deb share their own definitions and experiences of „the supernatural“ in this episode.Neither have experiences or fears around the subject, but both have a respect for anything that may or may not be possible. As mentioned in the show… we hope to at we can all learn to listen to the better angels which lie/live within us… because violence, hurtful words… these things never settle differences. It is always better to walk away than to intentionally cause hurt and pain.

Our guest for September is Julia Dietmar - CEO of Open Wardrobe.Open wardrobe is an app designed to help one fully organize and plan to utilize their personal wardrobe. From creating new outfits with what currently exists in one‘s closet to help with packing for travel, this app as well as the web version and its extension provides tools and tutorials for helping you digitize your current selection of clothing. Julia shares her personal desire to help consumers be more sustainable with their wardrobe to hopefully lessen the more than 11.3 million tons of textiles which are thrown out every year. Julia says, „the AI used with Open Wardrobe is not designed for perfection, but rather it is designed to spark creativity in the consumer.“ Julia also says that for an item to be considered „sustainable,“ it should be worn 30 times, but the average item is worn just 7 times by the average consumer. Always think in terms of cost per wear.There is a lot of useful and entertaining information in this episode. We hope that you enjoy it.And remember, if you want to take advantage of Julia‘s team‘s expertise you can get 30% off the $49 Premium Membership by entering the code WINE30 when prompted on the app or website.WINE30One more interesting quote from Julia, „We should focus on the value of garments rather than newness.“

In this episode, Brooke and Deb talk about HESO… the Solothurn Herbstmesse (much like a county fair in the US). This year’s HESO runs September 19-29. We look forward to freshly made Berliners … much like a jelly-filled donut. 🍩 We promise to add photos from HESO to our Instagram page. Documentaries mentioned:Sunderland ‘Til I DieWelcome to WrexhamYouTube Channels mentioned:Dr. MikeLegal Eagle

Today Brooke and Deb talk about journaling. Both Brooke and Deb journal for personal reasons. Deb recently learned that one style of journaling that she does is called « junk journaling » … she is not crazy about the term, but loves to fill her books with momentos such as stickers, brochures, and pictures and that is exactly how she understands junk journaling looks.Also, Brooke has committed to walking up the mountain to Weissenstein with Deb… stay tuned for that update!😁💜

In this episode, Brooke and Deb reflect on the month of September. For both Brooke and Deb, the start of school is one of their fondest thoughts when reflecting on past Septembers. 📚📙The two also have a few songs that keep the month of September close to their hearts.Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green DaySeptember by Earth, Wind , & FireThe many festivals in this part of Switzerland 🇨🇭 are also fun reasons to be talking about this month on a podcast. However, for Dr. Deb at least, the best reason to talk about September is because she celebrates the birthdays of both Justin and Rinn.

In this episode, Brooke and Dr. Deb spoke about the end of summer. What does the end of summer bring?- change out your clothes/closet- change out your shoes- change your exercise schedule- change your attitudeWe all get into a flow when the weather changes and become comfortable with our schedule, but it is important that we remain aware of how to care for ourselves so that we can care for others. So… with that said… take care, everybody. We appreciate you.

Airlines… the good, the bad, and the ugly! Well… our conversation was all the bad and the ugly with a sprinkle of good. We agree that airlines do not do enough to make the customer experience worth the hassle and the price.Brooke mentioned that she watched a clip from John Oliver regarding airlines and the safety issue is something that needs to be taken more seriously as it supposedly was in earlier years. Also mentioned… the board game Monopoly, but not in a fun and assured way. And honestly, if Dr. Deb is talking about it, there is nothing affirming to say. Her experience with that game has never been positive.

Although Brooke had the Faustino Crianza in Switzerland (which is posted on the Wine Together Instagram page), Dr. Deb and Hubby Todd drank a Chianti while recording this episode. Dr. Deb and Hubby Todd talk about their latest adventures on their trip to the US. They have camped, used Air B&B, stayed with family and are currently at a resort in Virginia Beach, VA. This trip has included hiking 🥾, waterfall seeking, and spending time with their kids… unfortunately, minus Brooke. 😞Stay strong, People… spread love and kindness.

Brooke and Dr. Deb had the trip of a lifetime to London in a continued celebration of their birthdays in 2025!A friend invited Dr. Deb to London in April to see the Alice Cooper-Judas Priest concert in July. Brooke tagged along and the celebration doubled. The stay at Hotel 41 on Buckingham Palace Road was more than anyone could hope for to celebrate the emergence of their 60th year on earth, but it was made more special with friends and Brooke. A huge shout out and thank you to Carolien and Marcos. Brooke and Dr. Deb share some highlights of the trip in this episode and promise to take more trips to be able to share the beauty of learning through travel. We met some wonderful people on this trip and will hopefully stay in touch to have some of these beautiful souls as guests on future episodes.

In this episode of Football Friday, Brooke and Todd discuss their favourite moments of this year's Women's Euros!

Today Brooke and Deb talk about one of their favorite things… castles. The magic and mystery of a castle intrigues both hosts for different reasons. Deb says silly things like “house hunting” when speaking of the beautiful buildings and Brooke just thinks of the fantasy of living like a princess (or maybe the keeper of the Torture Room - who knows!)🤣Fresh off a tour of one of Switzerland’s +500 castles and castle ruins - Schloss Thun - Brooke and Deb are still excited about the fantasy experienced from that short visit.

Today Brooke and Deb are joined by most of Brooke’s siblings to chat about anything and everything to make Mama’s birthday unforgettable. Joining are:Rinn, Emilia, and Justin. Mason was unavailable and has promised to join again in another episode.

On this episode, Brooke and Deb talk about rock music…. It’s origins, some favorite sub-genres, favorite bands, favorite songs… as stated in previous episodes, music works as a magic healer to Deb and this topic will always be one she enjoys. Brooke likes many types of music for a variety of reasons, but she has fond memories of living in a home where rock music (and other music) has been celebrated, talked about, and danced to for most of her life.We hope you have fond memories of positive experiences through music and dance in your life.

In this week’s episode, Brooke and Deb talk about fashion. Brooke admits she does not follow „old rules“ regarding her fashion choices and she feels confident in her choices. Brooke also recognizes that she only began seriously focusing on her fashion in the last few years. From hair to make-up to clothing, Brooke is „all in“ on being a fashionista. Deb… not so much, never has been, likely never will be… and that is ok.They both admit that living so close to Milan has been a lesson in fashion trends whether they like it or not. Both Brooke and Deb are confident that their fashion choices will change as they continue their journey… to wherever. 👗 👠

Today Brooke and Deb talk about Summertime! What a funny word, huh? Summertime. It is the time of year when the weather is usually hottest… the sun is usually brightest… and people are sometimes quite happy. Students are not in school, families take vacations, and people like me (sun worshipers) sit in the sun for pure enjoyment. Brooke and Deb both admit that they like summertime.We like the long days when bars by the water are open late… we spend time near or on some water for entertainment… and our skin gets a little golden brown. We hope that everyone who watches and listens has a safe and fun summer. Thank you.Book mentioned:The Sun and The Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

Brooke and Deb continue to celebrate Pride Month alongside their own family members who are proudly a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Today’s topic is Etiquette. The comparison of different cultures helps one understand that this topic is not the same between people in different countries, states… and as we discovered while chatting… different generations. Books mentioned:All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. JohnsonThe Culture Map by Erin Meyer

Happy Father’s Day! And also, Happy Pride Month!This episode is a shoutout to all who celebrate either as a father or as one who loves their father. We appreciate all that Todd has done over the years as „Dad.“ Book mentioned:What’s the T?by Juno Dawson

In this episode, Brooke and Deb share their personal routines for self-care, both physical and mental. Brooke shares that she is noticing changes to her skin and needs to change her routine skincare because of these changes. On the physical aspect of self-care they talk about skincare, hair care, and healthy eating/drinking. On the mental aspect of self-care they both share their concern for others and the importance of caring for and showing respect to others. Care for and respect for others was a primary component of Dr. Deb‘s research in educating autistic students in higher education. However, the same principle applies to how we react to and with everyone in our everyday interactions. At the start of Pride month we want to say that our care and respect reaches beyond the members of our own family in the LGBTQIA+ community. We see you, we hear you, we care for and respect you.

In this episode, Brooke and Todd recap the 2024/2025 season!

This week Brooke and Deb tackled conversations regarding cultural differences in regard to compliments to strangers and food preparation. (Please people, a salad deserves more than a partial cherry tomato!)They also mentioned generational differences around drinking alcohol. There was mention of alcoholism.The takeaway is… don’t judge others… just be kind and caring. There is enough divisiveness without adding fuel to that fire. Ton Holland’s non-alcoholic beer brand is BERO.Podcast mentioned by Brooke:Reddit on Wiki