The Christmas Specials We Love

Hey The Holiday Specials We Love fans, we are simulcasting a little RGF from the Heal Squad — We go deep into Mary Poppins lore — Walt waiting for Julie Andrews, the Oscar revenge arc, and why sometimes patience (and instinct) beats studio executives. We detour through Chuck Barris buying a bar out of spite, the slow demise of the newspaper comics page, we talk reality TV ethics sparked by America's Next Top Model. We talk snowstorms, Netflix deep dives, kid influencers, and the fine line between tough love and cultural time travel. Then — as always — we land whereit matters most: candy. Bazooka vs. Double Bubble. Wintergreen supremacy. Canada Mints making a comeback. Jordan almonds as decorative betrayal. And a butterscotch sundae so transcendent it nearly required a moment of silence. Cherry Red Boy, the ribbon candy conversation continues. As always, text your thoughts (Bazooka or Double Bubble?) to 351-251-2511, and don’t forget to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. We'll Talk Shawtly!

On this episode of The Holiday Specials We Love, we simulcast a little RGF from the Heal Squad! We go deep into the great chocolate divide: Hershey vs. Toblerone, plain bar vs. triangular prestige, and why sometimes the snap of a classic Hershey square still wins. We talk frozen York Peppermint Patties, Andes Mints as the rare “free chocolate” victory, and the movie theater trifecta — Snow Caps, Raisinets, Goobers — with a strong defense of sweet-and-salty as a time-honored cinematic tradition. We dip into Bomb Pops and ice cream truck economics, and the sudden cultural rise of pistachio chocolate. We digress to talk, ski ball, and ice cream novelties. We talk about energy vampires online and the art of not taking the bait. We reflect on acting class, unexpected encouragement, and what it feels like to try something new without knowing where it leads. And we touch on that late-winter stretch — the in-between season — when you’re waiting for spring, Opening Day, and the next wave of holiday momentum. As always, text your thoughts (Hershey or Toblerone?) to 351-251-2511, and don’t forget to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Talk Shawtly!

Hey HSWL FANS! Happy Valentine’s Potluck! It wouldn't be potluck with out our fave-Hot Buttered Popcorn dancers and why they should be the next Super Bowl halftime show. We go deep into all things Valentine's Day! We talk Roman festival chaos to St. Valentine legends to the greeting-card takeover (shoutout Esther Howland), plus standardized lace, ribbons, and UGH! Cupid….Love and light to the Cupid community. We talk Cadbury vs. Hershey (aka the chocolate Hatfields and McCoys), candy hearts, Spree vs Sweethearts, and the brutal truth about damage to your tooth enamel if you are over-served. And yes, we digress to discuss: doilies. What are they? Why do they exist? Why are they always dusty? If you’re under 80, we have questions. We talk elementary school Valentine trauma, carnations in high school, and we all agree: Valentine’s Day is basically the Day of Dread. As always, please give us a 5-star review on Apple. Text us your thoughts at 351-251-2511. We’ll Talk Shawtly

Hey HSWL FANS! On this The Holiday Specials We Love, we are simulcasting a Heal Squad Regular Guy Friday with — candy history, childhood memory, Hollywood mess, and why certain things just don’t work the way they used to. We correct a major oversight and talk Life Savers. The rolls. The hole. Pep-o-mint, Wint-O-Green, butter rum. Checkout counters, impulse buys, and whether Life Savers have been quietly pushed down. Cherry opinions. Mint loyalty. The rich-kid Life Saver gift packs. Old gum, novelty candy, and flavors you remember forever — sometimes for the wrong reasons. Gumballs at the bottom. Screwballs vs. Cannonballs. Circus Fun. Push-Ups. Why half of childhood treats were about the prize, not the taste. We also talk sick kids, late nights, steam showers, middle-of-the-night cleanups, and the moment you know everything’s fine again — when a kid looks at you and says, “Get up.” We pivot to talk Hollywood. The Ryan Reynolds / Blake Lively / Justin Baldoni situation, power plays, public pile-ons, and why the old Hollywood rules don’t seem to apply anymore. Tiki bars. Bar-arcades. Neon lights. Why vibe matters. Why independence matters. As always, please give us a 5-star review on Apple. Text us your thoughts at 351 251 2511 Talk Shawtly

Hey HSWL FANS! Merry Christmas Eve Holiday Specials We Love Fans, coming to you from our phones and cars as we squeeze in the must-needed Christmas Eve chat. We talk the catering, colored lights, cookies, candies and a little Kardashians. Kev is on the seen with Elf Emily at the Mart reporting on the status of the decoration availability. We talk the much anticipated Cookies of the Past Podcast launch, why fried dough is better than any holiday extravagant dessert display and why it really is all A few shout outs- a few laughs and a bit of MPedness. This one is raw- no edits- so if there please be patient with any flubs. Merry Christmas Eve! As always, please give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Text us your thoughts at 351 251 2511 and find us on Patreon. Talk Shawtly.

Hey HSWL FANS! Merry Christmas Eve Eve Holiday Specials We Love Fans, coming to you from our phones as we squeeze in one more holiday chat. We talk the true meaning of the season, give an update on the progress of getting Rankin/Bass their duly deserved Star on the Hollywood walk of fame, and talk and how holiday spirit shouldn’t end when December 25th does. We talk Boxing Day — what it actually is, why it needs better branding — and how Kwanzaa perfectly carries the season through the post-Christmas week. Why Church shouldn’t be from 6 to 8 and then AGAIN, the next day- and how choosing between that and hanging with Dad and friends will empower your kids. We talk Christmas Eve expectations, and why this time of year should be about joy, generosity, family, and kids in pajamas — not obligation or guilt. Keep pressing to make this day official – with “and so unto you” as your response! As always, please give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Text us your thoughts at 351 251 2511 and find us on Patreon. Talk Shawtly.

Hey HSWL fans! This episode of Holiday Specials We Love we take on one of the more obscure — and mystical — Rankin/Bass specials: The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus from 1985. We talk the opening with immortals, spirits, and endless titles, and how it immediately signals that this one hits different. We talk candy-cane ratings -nine, plus an advent calendar or was it really a bag of circus peanuts? We talk reused puppets, Japanese animation, immortals, whimsy, wizardry and just WHY. We talk the Wizard of Oz connection with a little inside baseball into L. Frank Baum — including his Hollywood home and how far ahead of his time he really was. More inside baseball when we realize the actor who voiced young Santa went on to produce shows we all know and love. Let us know if you are amongst the cult members who watch this one on the regular-we- are not. As always, please give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, find us on Patreon and text us your thoughts at 351-251-2511. Talk Shawtly.

Hey HSWL FANS! Welcome to a very Special Christmas Sunday Sunday Set UpHoliday Specials We Love/ Heal Squad simulcast. We talk Christmas decorations, neighborhood light displays — the joy of driving around, tuning in, and appreciating the effort people put in just to make strangers smile. No competition, no spectacle — just holiday spirit doing what it does best. We talk seasonal standards. Holiday cookies should not be everyday cookies. Holiday popcorn tins should not be carried by the tin alone. Is Crumble Cookie overrated? Is a more peanut, less brittle campaign needed? We talk about missing people who are no longer here, and how the holidays can make that absence feel louder — especially during firsts. We talk remembering, honoring, and the belief that those we love never really leave us. They’re still with us, in small moments, signs, and memories that show up right on time. As always, please give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, text us your thoughts at 351-251-2511, and find us on Patreon-It’s Free Christmas Sunday is here.å Talk Shawtly  

Hey HSWL fans! It’s another Holiday Specials We Love – Chat Edition, driven by your questions and fueled by pure holiday nostalgia. This time, we dive into childhood Christmas memories — from first-grade holiday plays and forgotten Christmas songs to paper-plate reindeer, glitter disasters, and classroom parties powered by Doritos, cupcakes, and Elmer’s glue. There’s a deep dive into when we all really found out about Santa, including one reveal that lingered in the Pumpkin Patch a little longer than most, and another that hit hard on a kindergarten bus ride home. We talk Gen-X parenting realities, why a little holiday magic still matters, favorite Christmas movies, unforgettable gifts like Atari and Pong, and why fourth grade might have been peak Christmas for a lot of us. We shout out listeners, candy-cane ratings, Monkees trivia, and the shared memories that keep this season feeling magic — even when the truth eventually catches up. As always, please give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, text us your thoughts at 351-251-2511, and find us on Patreon. The holiday season is in full swing. Talk Shawtly.

On this episode of The Holiday Specials We Love, we dive into The Monkees’ Christmas Show — an episode that sparks debate right away and lands somewhere between two and a half candy canes and a half a ribbon candy-a new Holiday Specials We Love Low! We talk the odd babysitting story, the ultra-serious rich kid who has everything except love, and the way the show bounces between kid-show chaos and 60s hippie weirdness. We talk the long stretches, the mistakes and the moments where the message finally starts to click. We go a little inside baseball on— the a cappella performance of “Ríu Ríu Chíu.” how bold the choice was, how difficult it is to pull off , and why it’s especially impressive coming from a group that was cast as actors first, not an a cappella quartet. We talk the fourth-wall-breaking finale, when the Monkees bring the cast and crew on screen, thank them by name, and do something television simply didn’t do at the time. Our new mission- to get the Monkees in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame —  they beat the best, outselling the Beatles and the Stones at their peak, actually sang their own songs, they’re due! The march to Christmas is in full swing! Text us your thoughts to 351-251-2511. We are now on Patreon- It’s Free and shows drop early! Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Talk Shawtly!  

On this episode of The Holiday Specials We Love, we dive into Davey and Goliath: Christmas Lost and Found — the 1965 holiday special that takes a quieter, more serious approach to Christmas- and earns a solid four to four and three-quartas Candy Canes! We talk Davey starting the special with no Christmas spirit at all, his attempt to find it by decorating the house, buying presents, smelling the tree, eating cookies, and organizing a nativity play with the Jickets- who- by the way- may have turned dark in their teen years. Goliath stays by his side, Sally anchors the story, and the creche-whatever that is- sits at the center as Davey tries to make sense of what Christmas actually means. We talk what makes this one feel so different — kids running the world, no adults in sight, Christmas trees being sold on the side of the road, long stretches of silence, and the bold choice to open a Christmas special with “I hate Christmas”. We talk why it works — how Christmas isn’t found through decorations or tradition, but when Davey gives up the one thing he enjoyed most to help someone else. It’s understated, sincere, and lands without ever spelling out the lesson. Text us your thoughts to 351-251-2511, and please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Talk Shawtly

On this episode of The Holiday Specials We Love, we are sharing an episode of The Heal Squad’s The Sunday Set-Up, where we dive into something most of us were never taught, but all of us are carrying: Shadow Love. We talk why the shadow has been mislabeled for so long — treated as something to fix, hide, or overcome — when it might actually be doing the opposite. What if the shadow isn’t the problem at all, but the bodyguard? The part of you that stepped in early to protect you, keep you safe, and help you survive. We talk the idea that anger, ambition, desire, and intensity aren’t flaws to be corrected, but signals with purpose — parts of you that got pushed aside, not because they were wrong, but because they were misunderstood. We talk simple ways to reconnect with those parts: asking what your shadow has been protecting, reclaiming your voice and fire, and letting wholeness — not fear — take the lead. This isn’t about becoming softer or smaller. It’s about integration. About power that comes from knowing yourself fully.If you’re in a season of growth or change, this one hits home. Because your next chapter isn’t about fixing who you are — it’s about finally owning all of it. Text your thoughts 351-251-2511, and please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Talk Shawtly!

On this episode of The Holiday Specials We Love, we head to the island for Gilligan’s Island’s one and only Christmas episode — “Birds Gotta Fly, Fish Gotta Talk.” We talk candy cane ratings, the reused pilot footage, and why this episode feels different from most holiday specials. We break down the early TV budget tricks, the “bottle episode” energy, and how this installment doubles as both a Christmas episode and an origin story. We also talk the moment that makes it all work — Santa’s appearance. Not explained. Not the Skipper. Just Santa. And the simple reminder that gratitude matters: the castaways may be stranded, but they have each other, and that counts for something. We talk the perfect casting that couldn’t be replicated, and how time has been kind to shows once written off as corny. We have a little Kev on the scene on Tina Louise, her weight of carrying an iconic role, her complicated relationship with the show, and why Ginger Grant remains unforgettable. As always let us know your thoughts as we march into the 12 days of Christmas Text us at 351-251-2511 Please us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Talk Shawtly

On this episode of The Holiday Specials We Love, we go all things Brady with the 1969 classic “The Voice of Christmas,” the very first holiday outing for The Brady Bunch. How the Brady’s  Zoom-before-Zoom opening sends us into a nostalgia spiral —  three channels, UHF antennas, and a time when families watched TV together. We talk the mix of sweetness and “wait… was this always a little dribble?” that hits on rewatch, and how losing Carol’s voice turns into one of the most faith-forward Christmas plots network TV ever allowed before the 70s sanitized everything. We talk how Cindy emerges as the show’s true believer, the iconic church finale, and Florence Henderson’s real-life hoarseness woven into the storyline. We also break down the episode’s writing bumps — from the suddenly “worst Christmas ever” meltdown to the mall Santa who’s clearly just working for his Schlitz, Winstons, and scratch-offs. We talk cast chemistry, how this episode cemented the Bradys as favs, and why the nostalgia hits harder now as their fanbase ages out. Plus: real trees shedding under hot lights, politically incorrect musical cues, HGTV’s Brady renovation, and even a detour that adds Gilligan’s Island’s Christmas episode to the winter viewing program. This one lands a solid 3½ candy canes. Text your thoughts or favorite Brady holiday memories to 351-251-2511, and don’t forget to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Talk Shawlty

On this episode of The Holiday Specials We Love, we dive-into or ummmm cry into Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey, the 1977 Rankin & Bass Special with German roots. We talk how that what we perceive as our weaknesses can often become our greatest strengths. We cry with Nestor from the abuse from the other animals, being literally thrown into the snow, to losing his mom, to being physically and emotionally abused. We talk the sleezy salesman who says long ears are on-trend- to Mary’s Jedi Mindtrick. To Nestor- listening to the voices on his journey thru the sandstorm helping Mary and Joseph reach Bethlehem. Where was the apology from Olaf? Did Tilly have to shine SO bright? And Spieltoe-What? Why? A strong 4¼ - 4 ½ candy cane rating, although not sure this will be an every year watch- it’s just a bit much. As always Text us your thoughts and any Q&A to 351-251-2511.   Please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Christmas Season is in Full Swing! Talk Shawtly!

Welcome back  Holiday Specials We Love fans, On this episode we talk  “2000 Miles” and the real story behind the Pretenders Christmas song, the importance of a full package Christmas —Christmas Eve magic, Christmas Day travel, matching pajamas, family celebrations, and why anything less than the full package just doesn’t work. We assign The Brady’s and Nestor the Long-Eared Donkey as part of the Winter Reading Progrum. Talk the need to promote Christmas Eve Eve, The “Wait…we’re working today?” and the belief that this day should already be a holiday. We talk gifting the community — a backyard setup complete with a shed for Santa, decorations, lights, and even a movie screen. The philosophy is simple: do the heavy lifting first, then bring in the elves. We dive deep into hot chocolate — memories of growing up with “scalding brown water,” to Kev’s winter hack: warm milk, maybe a little cream, and real whipped cream (love and light to the Cool Whip community). There’s even a name drop over the Kraft family’s silky, decadent hot chocolate at the Patriots game, which instantly set a new bar for what cocoa should be. Text us at 351-251-2511, and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find the show! Talk Shawtly!

On this Black Friday edition of Holiday Specials We Love, we talk about how most people don’t buy because they want the item — they buy because they want the feeling they think the item will give them. And how that feeling is almost always tied to some form of scarcity. We look at how consumption becomes an attempt to patch an internal leak with an external object, and how that leak usually carries the same message: you're not enough. We ask the real questions behind the impulse. We get into how joy can free us from overconsumption, what “California sober” actually means, and why saying “never” with any addiction may not always be the most effective strategy. And what’s with people who don’t like dogs or Christmas trees? Happy Black Friday and Happy Thanksgiving! Text us at 351-251-2511 and don’t forget to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Talk Shawtly!

On this Black Friday edition of The Holiday Specials We Love, we talk Black Friday Madness and not madness —the years when Black Friday really was Black Friday. We talk numbers-the peak of 2013–2014: midnight openings, camping outside Best Buy, packed malls, doorbuster chaos, and the kind of scenes that made the news (for both the right and wrong reasons). We compare that with Black Friday of today: shopping from your phone, Cyber Week deals starting before the turkey is carved, Buy Now Pay Later acting as the new layaway, and AI suggesting half your cart. The numbers show the shifts — fewer dollars per shopper, more people out hunting deals, and a whole lot less “rush the doors at 3 a.m.” We digress to talk old-school radio DJs, SiriusXM holiday channels, and the pure childhood thrill of listening to school closings (hearing your school’s name really did feel like winning the lottery). We talk stores still open on Thanksgiving, the malls that haven’t given up, and the ones opening later and later. Happy Thanksgiving & be safe out there! Text your black Friday memories and Christmas Chat show ideas to 351-251-2511, and don’t forget to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Talk Shawtly!

On this episode of The Holiday Specials We Love, we dive into Bob’s Burgers and its first-ever Thanksgiving special — An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal — the episode that launched an entire holiday tradition. We talk about the absurd brilliance of Bob’s devotion to Thanksgiving, his meltdown over being separated from his beloved turkey, and how one too many sips of absinthe send him into a full-blown hallucination starring a talking bird named Lance. Kevin Kline chews the scenery as the landlord Calvin Fischoeder, Linda turns family chaos into theater, and the kids take their fake-family roles way too seriously — in the best possible way. We also talk why this one works so well — the mix of heart, dysfunction, and total unhinged humor that Bob’s Burgers does better than anyone. It’s the perfect reminder that Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be flawless to be special. Sometimes all it takes is family, food, and maybe a little absinthe. Text your favorite crazy Thanksgiving moments to 351-251-2511, and don’t forget to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Talk Shawtly

On this episode of The Holiday Specials We Love, we dive into Cheers: “Thanksgiving Orphans” from 1986 — one of the most beloved Thanksgiving sitcom episodes ever made. We talk the chaos that unfolds when everyone’s plans fall through and the gang ends up at Carla’s house. Norm forgets to cook the turkey, Diane arrives in full pilgrim attire, Sam’s date cancels and we are reminded of the struggles of the big box TVs. We talk the sharp writing, perfect pacing, and heart beneath the humor. The legendary food fight that begins with a spoonful of cranberry sauce and ends in sitcom history. It’s classic Cheers:  fast, funny, and somehow deeply human — capped by Sam’s quiet toast “to Coach,” creating one of the show’s most touching moments. We go behind-the-scenes: the mostly improvised food fight, Rhea Perlman hiding her pregnancy behind props, and how the studio reportedly smelled like Thanksgiving dinner for days after filming. Vera finally “appears,” sort of, and Diane’s colonial costume gets the send-up it deserves. Thanksgiving Orphans is a reminder that the best holidays aren’t always the ones you plan — but the ones you survive together. Text your favorite Thanksgiving memories to 351-251-2511, and don’t forget to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Talk Shawtly