Crooks and Nannies

Erin and Vaughan recently returned from a marvelous getaway to Mexico City and Oaxaca. From baked goods to mashed bugs, the food was an adventurous delight. And the mezcal flowed like wine.

Kirsten is at the helm for this episode of the podcast. She wants to know about the high school versions of her fellow Crooks and Nannies. The crew opens up about power trips, soccer goals, impromptu speeches, fates resisted, and firewood hauled. 

How did Crooks and Nannies form? When did Sarah befriend Kirsten? Who shared a cry during class scene work? The answers to these questions, and more, are answered on this episode. 

Sarah and Kirsten administer a Twilight quiz to Cullen lore novice Brendan. Erin, avowed to Team Bella, bears witness. 

Kirsten's car went missing, and her search brought her to places she'd never been. Brendan represented himself in traffic court. Dan's first car was a Crown Vic. Vaughan learned to drive a stick shift in record time. 

Obsessions come in many forms. For Elise, it was Michelle Kwan posters, cat traps, and laminates. Sarah spent countless hours directing and producing Sims music videos. Meanwhile, Erin was learning womanly lessons from an American Girl Doll. Kirsten remained laser-focused on providing a better life for her Webkinz.

A turkey beheading gone wrong forever haunts Vaughan's family. Sarah's Thanksgiving centers around green bean casserole, while Brendan sticks with turkey. Kirsten brings a homemade French silk pie to share with her friends. 

The first snow of the season has fallen! Brendan calls Erin and Vaughan on the telephone check on their coziness. Erin leads a discussion about fun snow day activities.

Elise and Kirsten join Brendan to recap Crooks and Nannies trip to Gloucester, Massachusetts for Sarah and Patrick's wedding. It was a glorious event. Tears were shed, chowder was consumed, and memories were made.

Elise, Vaughan, and Brendan show off their physical scars and share the stories behind them. From burns to bald spots to bloody teeth, these injuries left a mark. Don't attempt such stunts at home.

Welcome to the Crooks and Nannies Beerfest! Kirsten, Bryna, and Brendan sign up to take a domestic beer challenge. The featured beverages are Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Michelob Ultra. Vaughan administers the test, and the results might jostle your Solo cup.

Erin's gardening idol doubted her questionable okra methodology. Over the years, Erin has earned her green thumb. 90s and 2000s angst envy drives some of Erin's musical tastes. A recent pickleball showdown turned bloody. 

Dan finds a way to satisfy his Malort curiosity before he Vaughan and Brendan dig deep into their pasts to share random and bizarre experiences from adolescence. 

Sarah wows Brendan and Vaughan with in-depth readings of the twelve houses of their astrological charts. Vaughan brings an assortment of essential oils to set the proper mood.

Sink your teeth into this episode and you'll get an earful of Brendan's Evander Holyfield moment. Also, which famous rapper did Brendan fanboy at a Halloween parade, and which iconic Chicago skyscraper was said rapper dressed up as for the occasion? 

For those considering facial hair, Dan promises that grooming a full beard is remarkably easy. One legendary SNL sketch still bears great significance for Dan each fall. Dan gave Brendan a peppery gift which led to a uniquely Chicago experiment

Sarah dabbles in astrocartography. Her Sun Line guided her to Chicago, with an assist from Love Is Blind. Sarah also reveals the secret to her photoshop proficiency and describes her ideal Home Goods-centric Sunday. 

Elise is a fan of the British game show Taskmaster, so much so that her birthday activities pay homage to the program. Elise shares hot takes on rapid-fire random things, from eels to escalators. Also, learn why you might want to abandon your gas grill for a more Icelandic grilling tradition

Heed Bryna's advice, for she'll rarely steer you wrong. On this episode, she offers recommendations on Pizza Friday dance parties, the most acceptable place to cry in public, and how a musical movie novice should prep for a viewing of Wicked. Bryna maintains faith that Chipotle will someday redeem itself for a most unwelcome change in quesadilla construction. 

Kirsten's Chicago happy place isn't the lakefront, the 606, or even Gene's Sausage Shop (although she did bring her family to Gene's for a memorable visit.) Kirsten's off-the-radar, concrete zen garden is adjacent to a different Chicago institution, however. Also discussed: cheese curds, Taco Bell sauce packets, and Charlotte's Web

Vaughan schools us on the little-known cajun horseback sport of Tournoi. Vaughan's grandfather was a Tournoi champion, and he's got the T-shirt to prove it. Thrifting on tequila might lead you towards hockey fandom, or you might find garbage in your New Trier hoodie pocket. Plus: Vaughan's big job announcement.