Hopelessly Unedited

What happens when you try to guess the news based only on headlines?Chaos.In this episode, we react to bizarre real-world stories, from sheeptaking over supermarkets to deep-sea creatures and stolen KitKats. Somewherealong the way, we question morality, survival, and… how toilets work in space.It’s weird. It’s unfiltered. It’s very us.Press play if you want something light, ridiculous, and unexpectedlythoughtful.

What is expat life actually like, beyond the Instagram version?In this episode, we’re joined by Ronit’s daughter, who has been living in Korea for over four years. From teaching kids to navigating cultural expectations, she shares what surprised her most about living abroad.We get into the reality of expat communities, cultural misunderstandings, food differences, and the small everyday things that make life in Korea feel completely different from the US.It’s honest, funny, and occasionally chaotic, especially when a mother and daughter are involved.

Travel sounds exciting… until you’re actually doing it.In this episode, we get into the real side of traveling—from airport stress and plane etiquette to weird food, packing struggles, and everything in between.We also try a rapid fire round of travel questions, which goes exactly how you’d expect.It’s messy, honest, and very unfiltered—just how we like it.

This week, we tried something new… and immediately proved we are not game designers.From chaotic storytelling games that made zero sense, to ridiculous movie title mashups, to a surprisingly competitive Mahjong confession, this episode is what happens when two friends attempt “structured fun” and end up laughing their way through the mess.We also revisit:– The fish eye vs. Rocky Mountain oyster debate (yes, it’s back)– Why game nights are some of the best memories you can make– And how not understanding the rules might actually make things betterSometimes the point isn’t winning… it’s the chaos along the way.Do you still do game nights, or is this a lost art?

Spring feels like it should be the best season… but is it?In this episode, we go back to our childhood memories of spring in Hong Kong and France, from chocolate Easter traditions to extreme humidity you can actually feel on furniture. Then we fast forward to life in the US, where spring means fake warm days, endless rain, mud season, and yes… ticks.Lots of ticks.Somehow we also end up talking about:• Lily of the valley and French traditions• Hiking season and Pacific Northwest weather chaos• Why Maine spring is basically survival mode• And whether lotion might secretly be the best tick repellentSpring is beautiful… in theory.

Kids are weird.And if we’re honest… we were too.In this episode, we share the strange, gross, and hilarious things we did growing up, from snot walls and smell tests to fart jokes and food experiments that probably shouldn’t have happened.Somewhere along the way, we all learned what’s “acceptable.” But did we really change… or just get better at hiding it?A chaotic, funny, and slightly uncomfortable trip down memory lane.

In this episode, we talk about one book that truly changed my life.After reading Dancing with Life by Phillip Moffitt, I started to see things differently—how I react to situations, how I hold onto emotions, and how much of my own suffering I was actually creating without realizing it. We get into the idea of letting go, attachment, and what it really means to “dance with life” instead of trying to control every outcome. From relationships (including questionable ex-boyfriends 😄) to everyday frustrations, this conversation explores how a simple shift in perspective can bring a surprising sense of freedom.It’s not about being perfectly calm or never losing it—it’s about what happens after, and how you choose to move forward.If you’re into books, personal growth, or just figuring life out as you go… this one’s for you.If you want something completely different, I also recommend The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson—a really intriguing true story about the cholera outbreak in Victorian London.

In this episode, WizCate and I talk about the French books that shaped who she is today. From childhood classics to stories she discovered later in life, these books reveal not only great storytelling but also a glimpse into French culture, history, and how people’s values evolve over time.Books have an incredible power to influence our lives. They introduce us to different worlds, challenge our thinking, and sometimes stay with us for decades.Cate shares the titles that left a lasting impression on her growing up in France. Many of these stories capture life in the “old world” of France and reflect the social changes that shaped generations.We’ve included her full reading list at the end of the episode notes. If you haven’t read them yet, consider checking them out from your local library.What about you?Which book shaped the way you see the world?Tag someone who needs a new reading list, and let’s celebrate the books that helped shape who we are.Books discussed in this episode include works by Émile Zola, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Jules Verne, Albert Camus, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and more.📚 Books Mentioned in This EpisodeÉmile Zola — Les Rougon-Macquart Cycle (20 novels)Including:La Fortune des RougonL’AssommoirNanaAu Bonheur des Dames (The Ladies' Paradise)GerminalLa Bête Humaine (The Beast Within)L’Argent (Money)La DébâcleLe Docteur PascalGuy de MaupassantBel-AmiPierre et JeanBoule de SuifLa Parure (The Necklace)Le HorlaLes MisérablesNotre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame)Le Comte de Monte-Cristo (The Count of Monte Cristo)Les Trois Mousquetaires (The Three Musketeers)La Dame aux Camélias (The Lady of the Camellias)Victor HugoLes MisérablesNotre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame)Alexandre DumasLe Comte de Monte-Cristo (The Count of Monte Cristo)Les Trois Mousquetaires (The Three Musketeers)La Dame aux Camélias (The Lady of the Camellias)Jules VerneVingt mille lieues sous les mers (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea)Le Tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours (Around the World in Eighty Days)Voyage au centre de la Terre (Journey to the Center of the Earth)Honoré de BalzacLe Père GoriotAlbert CamusL’Étranger (The Stranger)Antoine de Saint-ExupéryLe Petit Prince (The Little Prince)Medieval Arthurian LiteratureChrétien de TroyesPerceval ou le Conte du GraalLancelotYvainTristan et IseultMedieval Travel ChronicleWilliam of RubruckItinerariumFrench & European Comics (Bandes Dessinées)TintinAstérixLucky LukeLes Schtroumpfs (The Smurfs)The Incal

Join Ronit and WizCate as they casually explore Chinese astrology through the Fire Horse and Fire Goat signs. From personality traits and elemental influence to cultural superstitions in the Chinese zodiac, this episode is less textbook and more honest conversation — with plenty of personal insights and “wait… that’s so me” moments.No experts. Just opinionKeywords:Chinese astrologyChinese zodiacFire HorseFire GoatZodiac traitsCultural superstitions

WizCate and Ronit dive into Chinese New Year traditions — from old wives’ tales to family rituals that may sound strange… but somehow still work.Through Ronit’s personal stories and cultural context, we explore the superstitions that shape the Lunar New Year. No sweeping. No shoe shopping. No crying. But plenty of laughter.How much of it is tradition? How much is belief? And how much is just human psychology?Topics Covered:• Chinese New Year traditions• Lunar New Year superstitions• Cultural symbolism and old wives’ tales• Why you shouldn’t buy shoes during Chinese New Year• The psychology behind superstition#ChineseNewYear#LunarNewYear#ChineseTraditions#CulturalPodcast#Superstitions#HopelesslyUnedited

In last week’s episode, we made an unedited decision on the fly — just as Rich was about to respond to Cate’s scientific skepticism about UFOs… we hit stop.This episode picks up exactly where we left off.Rich explains why he believes there’s more going on than people realize. Cate pushes back with logic, data, and hard science.So what actually counts as evidence?What counts as belief?Is there a middle ground between curiosity and irrationality… between skepticism and closed-mindedness?And then we go there.How much does Elon Musk really know?I asked. Rich answered.No scripts. No edits. Just three adults trying to make sense of the unknown.Part II of our UFO debate starts now.

SummaryWe are discussing UFO with Rich Cranor. Rich lives an extraordinary life. He goes from the tech industry to filmmaking and music, while delving into the intriguing world of UFOs and government disclosures. We discussed the societal shifts post-2001, the acknowledgment of UFOs by the government, and perhaps even deep state involvement in UFO technology. Rich also touches on ancient alien theories and the skepticism surrounding the lack of concrete proof. The conversation emphasizes the importance of open discourse on these topics and the need for curiosity in understanding our place in the universe.

n this episode, Ronit and WizCate admit something controversial: not every wildly popular book or movie deserves universal praise.From Avatar to The Pillars of the Earth and the ever-polarizing Outlander, they talk through what worked, what didn’t, and why “everyone loves it” isn’t a good enough reason to force yourself through a story.Honest opinions, no literary guilt, and a gentle reminder that entertainment doesn’t have to be universally loved to be worth discussing.

Martial arts—aka Kung Fu—films are a cornerstone of Asian cinema and wildly different from Western action movies. From absurd humor and gravity-defying fantasy to poetic storytelling and deep emotional themes, the genre does it all.In this episode, WizCate and Ronit explore two very different classics: the fun, silly, action-packed Shaolin Soccer and the award-winning masterpiece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.Watch Shaolin Soccer free on Pluto TV (Spanish dub) or rent on Amazon Prime Video. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is available on HBO Max.Seen them? Tell us what you think in the comments or email us at [email protected]

WizCate and I decided to chitchat about U.S. box hits that were remakes of French films. With our resident Frenchwoman, we talk about the French cult classic La Cage aux Folles and its American remake, The Birdcage.Did you know Three Men and a Baby was a remake of the French film Trois hommes et un couffin?How different are the remakes? Listen or watch to find out.

In this episode, WizCate and I talk about the things that still give us culture shock after decades of working in corporate America.Some of it gets a little heavy and annoying, and some of it is funny but all real.If you have a corporate moment that makes you laugh (or cringe), send it to [email protected]. We’d love to share it and laugh with you.

WizCate and I explore our cultures through food. Ronit puts WizCate’s food IQ and tolerance to the test by asking her to identify ingredients from photos of Chinese dishes. WizCate then flips the script, sharing photos of some of Ronit’s favorite French dishes and the stories behind them.We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

After four weeks and four warm-up episodes, WizCate and I decided it was time to officially launch Hopelessly Unedited. So we’re marking Episode #5 — the lucky one — as our official launch episode.This time of year is all about family and friends coming together, whether to celebrate the season or simply to be together. Family gatherings aren’t always easy, but in this episode, WizCate and I choose to focus on the moments that make this season joyful.I share a fond family-gathering experience with a delightful French family in Paris — very different from American family gatherings, at least in my book. WizCate reads a short story she wrote about a holiday gathering in an unnamed town. You can also find the story on her Substack, "The Long Table". Since this is our official launch, I also give a quick recap of the conversations that came up during our four-week warm-up period.Please follow us, share your questions and feedback, and let us know what topics you’d love for us to cover. For next week’s episode, we’d love to hear about international foods you’ve eaten — especially ones that surprised you when you found out what they actually were.We look forward to hearing from you.