#cbb presents

The holidays can be a time of merriment and cheer. A time for friends and family to gather and take refuge in the warming bonds of fellowship to celebrate life and make it through the harsh winter months. But for others, like me, the holidays are a slow, malicious torture. Every Christmas tree, every parent and child in matching sweaters, and every wreath and every bell that jingles reminds you of your own utter loneliness- your own deeply, deeply Dr. Phil guest-level dysfunctional family and sends you into a soul crushing, noose-googling depression that you just barely get through year after year. To you, to me, to us I say this: I'm sorry you're going through this. It's not fair and it's not right. You have goodness and light in you just because you exist. You matter. You are deserving of love, warmth, friendship and good fortune no matter your flaws. Even though you have never figured out what to do with your life and have at times been a financial burden and a financial parasite to the people closest to you. Even though you have spoken out in anger at people who did nothing wrong to you. Even though you breathe through your nose down the back of peoples necks on the bus. Even though you bite down on your fork creating a sphincter-tightening scrape across your teeth with each bite of pitiful slop you shovel into your chapped mouth at a diner counter while eating alone, again. Even though you can't play music or dance or sing or do anything you still matter. This tough time you're going through is temporary. It's scientifically impossible for it to last forever. Things will get better. You will get better. Keep going- don't give up. Stay here. The world is a better place with you in it. Happy holidays and may we all have a happy and healthy new year.

-Full Throttle! With Bob Ducca EP 0.85 - The Santa's Sack Batch (feat. Jason Mantzoukas)

The 2024 Podcast Roundup

My annual podcast roundup isn’t a countdown of my favorites, but rather a reflection on some of the audio programs that made the biggest impact on me over the past trip around the Sun. Maybe you enjoyed some of these as well. Or maybe you have some of your own favorites that you’d like to recommend to me and everyone else. Podcasts are everywhere these days! If you want your own, all you have to…