In this episode of A-Squared Ramblers, hosts Alex and Adriana ease into January with a realistic take on resolutions, burnout, and what it actually looks like to build better habits without the perfection pressure. They talk about the “slow month” that somehow flies by, the relief of a three-day weekend, and how weather shifts can set the tone for motivation (or lack of it).

From there, the conversation turns into a deep dive on modern coping and community. Why Dry January can be so hard, how Gen Z seems to be rewriting social culture, and the surprising rise of “soup nights,” low-key hangouts, and even foraging hobbies. Alex also shares an update on finally trying line dancing at the Nashville Palace (and loving it), plus the real-time learning curve of keeping up with experienced dancers.

They wrap by talking fitness consistency, what it takes to rack up gym visits, the reality of chasing 10,000 steps while working from home, and the balance between cutting, bulking, and long-term sustainability. Plus a quick detour into consumer habits, online shopping temptation, and why “limiting” might be more realistic than “discontinuing.”

In this episode of A-Squared Ramblers, hosts Alex and Adriana kick off the new year by unpacking what “going all-in” really looks like in 2026. From reset days and post-holiday reality checks to fitness goals, career growth, and the discipline behind real change, the conversation blends reflection with forward momentum.

Alex shares his approach to sustainable resolutions - including a transition from bulking to cutting, pursuing new opportunities at work, and seriously exploring a master’s degree - while Adriana offers perspective on consistency, motivation, and the value of human connection in a hybrid work world. Along the way, the two debate remote work vs. office life, the true cost of commuting, and whether learning line dancing in Nashville might be the most unexpected resolution yet.

It’s a thoughtful, honest start to the year. Less about perfection, more about intention, effort, and showing up.

In this episode of A-Squared Ramblers, hosts Alex and Adriana kick off the post-holiday season by recapping Christmas travels, unexpected weather, and the strange whiplash that comes when the holidays are suddenly…over.

From there, the conversation takes a delicious detour into gas-station greatness as Alex introduces Adriana to the cult-like phenomenon of Buc-ee’s. Complete with brisket burritos, spotless bathrooms, and shockingly high wages. The discussion expands into fast-food frenzy territory with In-N-Out’s long-awaited arrival in Tennessee, secret menu must-orders (hello, Animal Fries), and whether the hype is actually justified.

The second half of the episode shifts gears into pop culture and travel etiquette, covering classic musicals, modern streaming surprises, why movie theaters have lost their charm, and the chaos of flying; especially when kids, parents, and patience collide. The episode wraps with a thoughtful (and slightly spicy) debate on parenting styles, public spaces, and whether child-free flights might actually be the future.

It’s a ramble full of food, fandoms, frustrations, and first-world problems. Just the way we like it.

In this episode of A-Squared Ramblers, hosts Alex and Adriana ease into the holiday season with reflections on Christmas nostalgia, traditions, and the subtle stress that comes with December. From revisiting Home Alone and the iconic house to discussing modern decorating trends, minimalist trees, and the pressure of holiday aesthetics, the conversation stays cozy, thoughtful, and real.

They also share where they stand on decorating fatigue, last-minute gift shopping, shipping woes, and the growing tension between tradition and trend. Along the way, Alex recaps a whirlwind Miami trip and Pokémon GO adventure, Adriana brings the festive cheer, and both bond over karaoke, Last Christmas by Wham!, and what it really means to “feel” Christmas.

The episode wraps on a heartwarming note with a special holiday moment that perfectly captures the spirit of the season.

In this episode of A-Squared Ramblers, hosts Alex and Adriana dive into a cozy, chaotic debrief of Thanksgiving and the start of December. From surprise cold fronts to even more surprising food opinions. Alex recaps his trip back to Nevada, last-minute turkey-breast experiments, pork loin for the main feast, and a dangerously good homemade coconut cream pie that temporarily dethroned his mom’s traditional pumpkin pudding cake. Adriana shares her dream Mexican-themed Thanksgiving spread — tamales, Spanish rice, nopales, sopa/fideo, cabbage, casseroles and endless leftovers — plus Black Friday traditions and her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary complete with church, vow renewals, and a very picky encounter with veggie-loaded rice at Dos Amigos.

From there, the Ramblers veer straight into a full-on food personality test: peas as a hard “no,” squash and zucchini wars, ground beef vs steak, fruit pies, eggplant at conferences, olives on pizza, cottage cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, raw vs cooked carrots, and the age-old question: is it really about flavor or texture? Alex talks about bulking-season meal prep with butternut squash, zucchini, chicken and avocado, while Adriana breaks down what she will and will not try, no matter how lovingly it’s prepared. They wrap with plans to ask their moms what baby foods they actually hated as kids and tease a follow-up in the next episode, all while inviting listeners to share the foods they still refuse to eat.

In this episode of A-Squared Ramblers, hosts Alex and Adriana reconnect as Alex broadcasts from his makeshift holiday studio back in Nevada. He recaps a whirlwind week of Nashville Nights—from hidden Christmas pop-up bars and woo-girl karaoke chaos to rooftop dancing and an ill-advised yet glorious 2 a.m. corn dog.

Adriana brings her own twist of holiday magic with a wild small-town serendipity story: her childhood friend and her college friend, who have never met and live in completely different states, randomly strike up a conversation at a pizzeria - all because of their connection to her.

But the festive energy shifts as the hosts dive into the rising AI cheating wars sweeping schools and colleges. They explore false plagiarism flags from grammar tools, unsuspecting students getting burned by sketchy “free AI helpers,” and the real tension this creates for teachers, districts, and academic integrity.

It’s cozy, chaotic, nostalgic, and timely. Everything that makes A-Squared Ramblers exactly what it is.

On this episode of A-Squared Ramblers, hosts Alex and Adriana dive into the brave new world of alternative work schedules after Adriana’s campus rolls out a 4×10 option. They unpack who’s jumping at the chance for three-day weekends, why her own department is staying loyal to the classic 8-5, and all the messy logistics no one quite thought through: holiday weeks, office hours, supervision, and whether those extra hours turn into quiet productivity or glorified social time.

From there, the conversation spirals delightfully into “holiday math” and Veterans Day trivia: why November 11 never moves, how that ties back to World War I, and how it all differs from floating holidays like MLK Day, Presidents Day, and Thanksgiving. That leads straight into a spicy, nuanced debate over who should count as a “real” veteran and what it should take to earn the title and benefits. From full terms vs. early honorable discharge to combat vs. non-combat roles. They wrap by teasing a future deep dive on wild PTO policies and inviting listeners to share their own workplace stories on the A-Squared Ramblers website and socials.

On this episode of A-Squared Ramblers, hosts Alex and Adriana dig into the messy, hilarious reality of the holiday season. From government shutdown drama and grounded flights to staffing shortages at BNA, Alex walks through the logistics and cost of getting home to Nevada - and why convenience sometimes wins out over saving a couple hundred bucks. Meanwhile, Adriana suddenly realizes she’s hosting Thanksgiving again, debates ditching the traditional turkey for tamales and a full Mexican spread, and shares how her family reacts when she dares to challenge the sacred stuffing-and-turkey script.

The conversation widens from the dinner table to the broader holiday mood: grocery store freebies (hello, free 20-pound turkey), the TikTok-fueled trend of putting up Christmas lights and trees on November 1st, and whether Thanksgiving is slowly getting erased between Halloween and Christmas. Alex confesses his undying loyalty to eggnog and late decorating, while both hosts unpack how politics, historical baggage, and family fallouts have complicated what used to be a simple day of gratitude. They close with a peek into Alex’s corporate world - remote culture vs. office brain breaks, company feasts, and how his employer has scaled up without over-relying on contractors - proving that even our work lives shift with the season.