Jonni and Maria discuss all things holiday - from dealing with the recession to how to painlessly alter your shopping habits to be a force for good, to the traditions we hold dear from childhood, and those we create - or lack thereof - within our own families. And while we're not giving away cars Oprah-style, we share some of our favorite things that make great last-minute gifts. We wrap with a conversation on healthy mindsets for the season.

Plus, Japan adventures, Spartacus, board games, 5Ks over 50, job-hugging, 2026 sort-of-goals, and more tomfoolery.

REFERENCES MENTIONED:

Job Hugging

Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast with Ina Garten

Websites:

Etsy.com

LittleBlueCart.com

ShopRedBag.com

Board Games:

Ticket to Ride

Mind the Gap

Favorite Things/Gifts:

Aura Frames

Conversation Cue Cards by Jen Mueller

RIO (Reach International Outfitters)

Rogue Star Beauty

Perbelle

Ursa Major Skin Care

Woobles Crochet Kits

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow/DM us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com

Today Jonni and Maria talk about joy: All the ways we find it, it finds us, and how we need it in tough times. From game show addictions to leafing through old photo albums and building Chambers of Connection, we discuss the important role community, camaraderie, and laughter play in our lives and how you can find ways to stay involved while still embracing joy right now. And we share a few must-watch shows and must-listen podcasts to add some levity to your life.

Plus, improv, illness, a Night at the Museum, white noise, disposable cameras, Harry Potter, and more tomfoolery.

REFERENCES MENTIONED:

Love is Blind

Project Runway

Night at the Museum

SNL 50th Anniversary

Schitt's Creek

Loot

The Detectorists

Search Engine

No Such Thing

Chamber of Connection

California Academy of Sciences Penguins and Pajamas Program

Shutterfly

Artkive

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow/DM us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com

Jonni and Maria discuss how we can balance what's happening around us and why building community will be the key to making it through, finding joy, and activating change. We discuss why we're all grieving something. We share about optimism, activism, the cycle of progress and retreat, and how we can find sanity and sanctuary while still staying involved. Listen in to think and laugh about how we're all dealing with change in work and in our personal lives and how we can find joy, link arms, and move forward.

We share resources and experts that will help you find joy and take action.

Plus, chicken coops, improv shows, love and loss, social media sanity, kids, and more tomfoolery.

References Mentioned:

Jonni's show Big Tech at Jet City Improv (February 2025)

Courage to Advance: Breaking the ‘Things Will Get Better’ Cycle with Aaron Delgaty, PhD

The Ezra Klein Show

Heather Cox Richardson

Ruth Bader Ginsburg on The Pendulum as the symbol of the United States

ResistBot app

1440

Tangle

All There Is podcast with Andersen Cooper, exploring grief

The Empathy Edge: Stephanie Sarazin: What Is Ambiguous Grief and How To Show Up

Life is Beautiful

The Parrot Tico Tango

Not mentioned but a great perspective!

Elisa Camahort Page: Where Do We Go From Here? (about social media usage)