Words Are Hard

Merry Krampus! And Happy Holidays! This Boxing Day episode we discuss some characters of Christmas/Yule/Winter Holiday folklore from different cultures including Frau Perchta, La Befana, Caga Tio, and everyone's favorite, most beloved of them all, Krampus! Sadly we couldn't cover all the interesting folklore figures but we encourage you to do some research of your own! Check out Piper CJ on Instagram and Tiktok (she has a Masters in Folklore), read books such as "The Scary Book of Christmas Lore: 50 Terrifying Yuletide Tales from Around the World (Dark Fairy Tales And Folklore)" by Tim Rayborn, and/or watch the movie Krampus. We hope you have a wonderful, relaxing holiday season. Comment to share some of your culture's favorite folklore tales and holiday traditions with us! Alright, I'm going to go ride the Yule Cat into town to get some last-minute ingredients for cookies. Krampus is, like, so cool - Jen Krampus is, like, so hot - Aimee Pittsburgh Penguin Holiday Videos: ⁠Penguins Christmas Vacation⁠ (2014) ⁠Penguins Home Alone⁠ (2015) ⁠Penguins: Elf⁠ (2016 - Matt Cullen is our dad) ⁠2017-2021 with Bloopers⁠! I love them & you can never make me hate them - Aimee Hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Hotline *Call 988* or (800) 273-8255 LGBTQ Trevor Project Lifeline: (866) 488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860 National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673 Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 National Helpline: (800) 662-HELP (4357) Call BlackLine: (800) 604-5841 StrongHearts Native Helpline: (844) 762-8483 Hurricane Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Cross Hurricane Relief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Way North Carolina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gaza/West Bank Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Nations Relief & Works Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Save the Children ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anera⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PCRF: Palestine Children's Relief Fund⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MAP: Medical Aid for Palestinians⁠

Continuing our conversation from last week on our two dark & thrilling shows, this week we're finally starting to talk about a new beloved show, Evil (watch on Paramount+)! It's equal parts creepy & funny, a fantastic cast who enjoyed working together & playing these characters, possibly the best intro song of any show, & Stephen King loves it - who are we to argue with the King of horror?! Also, Jen had some amazing accomplishments this episode: she plugged a USB in correctly the first time & she's aware of a current trend on social media. We are very proud of her. TW: Religious trauma, demons/demonic possession, serial killers, murder, gore, mentions of racism, sexism, & child SA, nuns, loud children, controversial opinions (Kristen + Ben, sorry about it...) - Make sure to check out more TW if you plan on watching the show, we have only just started talking about the show but, for example, in later seasons there is some self-harm so just make sure to check on all the possible TW before watching this amazing show because we do highly recommend it. Intro Song: The Count by Audiomachine Pittsburgh Penguin Holiday Videos: Penguins Christmas Vacation (2014) Penguins Home Alone (2015) Penguins: Elf (2016 - Matt Cullen is our dad) 2017-2021 with Bloopers! I love them & you can never make me hate them - Aimee Hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Hotline *Call 988* or (800) 273-8255 LGBTQ Trevor Project Lifeline: (866) 488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860 National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673 Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 National Helpline: (800) 662-HELP (4357) Call BlackLine: (800) 604-5841 StrongHearts Native Helpline: (844) 762-8483 Hurricane Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Cross Hurricane Relief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Way North Carolina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gaza/West Bank Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Nations Relief & Works Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Save the Children ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anera⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PCRF: Palestine Children's Relief Fund⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MAP: Medical Aid for Palestinians⁠

Tis the season for... horror and suspense. If you're not really feeling in the holly jolly spirit this time of the year, then do we have an episode for you! This week we discuss Grotesquerie, a horror drama mystery on Hulu. It has some good plot twists, a random musical moment, and Taylor Swift's boyfriend.* TW for murder, suicide, religious trauma, and mullets. There will be spoilers! Also, no offense, but no one can beat the hot priest from Fleabag. *Travis Kelce is the Tight End for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes is the QB **Sidney Crosby is the best 87 (and only 87 I recognize) - Aimee Out of Context Quotes: "A TOWEL AND COWBOY BOOTS?! NO!" "She's a low-fat nun." "In his congregation the blood of Christ is a protein shake." "And the body is a Cliff bar." Dah hoo door-ay, dah hoo door-ay welcome Christmas bring good beer - Jen Hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Hotline *Call 988* or (800) 273-8255 LGBTQ Trevor Project Lifeline: (866) 488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860 National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673 Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 National Helpline: (800) 662-HELP (4357) Call BlackLine: (800) 604-5841 StrongHearts Native Helpline: (844) 762-8483 Hurricane Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Cross Hurricane Relief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Way North Carolina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gaza/West Bank Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Nations Relief & Works Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Save the Children ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anera⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠PCRF: Palestine Children's Relief Fund⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠MAP: Medical Aid for Palestinians⁠

It's the much anticipated Book Club episode! For our trial run of the Book Club (Name TBD) we're reviewing the short story of Pig in the Derby Hat - a cozy mystery with supernatural elements. If you've read it, let us know your thoughts on it! Visit our Instagram for inspired food & drink recipes you can enjoy while reading the book & listening to this episode of the podcast! If you'd like a little more to create that cozy atmosphere while you enjoy your baked goods, tea, & book/podcast, here's a link to a cozy kitchen ambience - Cozy Autumn Night Kitchen Ambience | Fall Night With Crickets, Wood Stove, Cooking Out of Context Reviews: "Podgy Piggy need food" "[He] barged in like 'there's trouble, right here in River City!'" "BYOB - Bring your own broom" "The Swiss are behind this..." Hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Hotline *Call 988* or (800) 273-8255 LGBTQ Trevor Project Lifeline: (866) 488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860 National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673 Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 National Helpline: (800) 662-HELP (4357) Call BlackLine: (800) 604-5841 StrongHearts Native Helpline: (844) 762-8483 Hurricane Donations: ⁠⁠⁠Red Cross Hurricane Relief⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠United Way North Carolina⁠⁠⁠ Gaza/West Bank Donations: ⁠⁠⁠United Nations Relief & Works Agency⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Save the Children ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Anera⁠⁠ ⁠⁠PCRF: Palestine Children's Relief Fund⁠⁠ ⁠⁠MAP: Medical Aid for Palestinians

*Whispers* Aqua Tofana... (...Uk'otoa...) This week we talk about the trending Aqua Tofana, more specifically, why it's trending right now & the history of this deadly elixir. Bonus, we get to enjoy Jen's TED Talk on a variety of plants, their medicinal uses, & potential harmful side effects. Shout out to The Poisoner's Cabinet & Lore for helping us with the historic details. And a special shout out to our #1 fan, Shakesy-P! Hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Hotline *Call 988* or (800) 273-8255 LGBTQ Trevor Project Lifeline: (866) 488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860 National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673 Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 National Helpline: (800) 662-HELP (4357) Call BlackLine: (800) 604-5841 StrongHearts Native Helpline: (844) 762-8483 Hurricane Donations: ⁠⁠⁠Red Cross Hurricane Relief⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠United Way North Carolina⁠⁠⁠ Gaza/West Bank Donations: ⁠⁠⁠United Nations Relief & Works Agency⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Save the Children ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Anera⁠⁠ ⁠⁠PCRF: Palestine Children's Relief Fund⁠⁠ ⁠⁠MAP: Medical Aid for Palestinians

Owls, larks, pigeons, penguins - this is a fowl episode. This week we discuss the centuries long feud between morning larks and night owls. Hopefully we can work towards being more understanding of each other with some much-needed insights into how the other half lives and create a better society for all where we live in harmony! Or at least let us night owls get more sleep, we are so tired.... Hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Hotline *Call 988* or (800) 273-8255 LGBTQ Trevor Project Lifeline: (866) 488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860 National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673 Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 National Helpline: (800) 662-HELP (4357) Call BlackLine: (800) 604-5841 StrongHearts Native Helpline: (844) 762-8483 Hurricane Donations: ⁠⁠Red Cross Hurricane Relief⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County⁠⁠ ⁠⁠United Way North Carolina⁠⁠ Gaza/West Bank Donations: ⁠⁠United Nations Relief & Works Agency⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Save the Children ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Anera⁠ ⁠PCRF: Palestine Children's Relief Fund⁠ ⁠MAP: Medical Aid for Palestinians

Let's escape our depressing reality by talking about reality tv! The Secret Wives of Mormon Lives - no wait, The Secret Wives of House Lives? No.... This episode Aimée can't hold it in any longer and must discuss a show she watched months ago despite Jen's hatred of reality tv. However, maybe Aimée can convince her to come around... Also, exciting announcement - our first book for a trial run of our book club! Not the official start so don't stress about finding & buying this book, just figuring out how we want to do this together. Book will be announced the first episode of the month as well as on our Instagram & we'll discuss the book the final episode of the month. Start brainstorming names for the book club! Hotlines: National Suicide Prevention Hotline *Call 988* or (800) 273-8255 LGBTQ Trevor Project Lifeline: (866) 488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860 National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673 Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 National Helpline: (800) 662-HELP (4357) Call BlackLine: (800) 604-5841 StrongHearts Native Helpline: (844) 762-8483 Hurricane Donations: ⁠Red Cross Hurricane Relief⁠ ⁠Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief ⁠ ⁠United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County⁠ ⁠United Way North Carolina⁠ Gaza/West Bank Donations: ⁠United Nations Relief & Works Agency⁠ ⁠Save the Children ⁠ ⁠Anera PCRF: Palestine Children's Relief Fund MAP: Medical Aid for Palestinians

Tis time for the Poe-cast! Join us for a mini celebration of the macabre. We discuss one of our favorite authors Edgar Allan Poe - his life, legacy, & legend of his mysterious death. We hope you learn some new fun facts about our beloved author & laugh along with our nonsense (even though Aimée regrets messing up her bit about how Poe died but in her defense it was 1am....in a warehouse) Let us know your favorite Poe works, any theories you have on his life, if you got any of our random references, & how many times we sang "Good Morning, Baltimore!" You can take the girls out of musical theater, but you can't take the musical theater out of the girls - Joe Mama. TW: Alcoholism, Murder, Death, Child/Infancy Death, Child Brides, & Deadbeat Dads Hurricane Donations: ⁠Red Cross Hurricane Relief⁠ ⁠Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief ⁠ ⁠United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County⁠ ⁠United Way North Carolina⁠ Gaza/West Bank Donations: ⁠United Nations Relief & Works Agency⁠ ⁠Save the Children ⁠ ⁠Anera

Sorry for the late episode - it's been an unexpectedly busy, stressful, and chaotic month. Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Let's clear off Aimee's notes app! But first, a little housekeeping. Then a chaotic hodgepodge discussion of theatre memories, fridgescaping, & probably angering multiple countries with our bad accents & hot takes. Hurricane Donations: Red Cross Hurricane Relief Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County United Way North Carolina Gaza/West Bank Donations: United Nations Relief & Works Agency Save the Children Anera

We discover the complexities of Aimee as she gets vulnerable & prepares to defend her guilty pleasure movie against the harsh critiques of Jen who expected better from her. If you're ever wondering what Jen is feeling just look at her face because it's written all over it. And if you're wondering who's more adaptable - it's Aimee. We also briefly relive a little trauma, discuss our love of the Muppets, & dancing with Thor?

Welcome to the first episode of Words Are Hard, a new podcast! Get to know your hosts & new best friends Aimee & Jen a little bit better while they discuss goals for the podcast, hobbies, travel plans, & the afterlife. Grab a snack, your favorite drink, & cozy up with us!