Black cats: the purr-fect Halloween decoration, or so they seem. But how did these sleek, sometimes misunderstood felines become a spooky season staple? Join us on this episode as we scratch the surface of black cat lore! We'll journey from ancient reverence to the dark days of the witch trials, where the Church played a significant role in their bad rap. Discover how these creatures became entangled with witchcraft and superstition, and even discuss their modern-day resurgence, from pop culture icons like Katy Perry to the simple truth: these cats are just innocent, loving pets who deserve a forever home, not a scary reputation. Tune in to clear their name!

References:

1. Cambridge Dictionary – Superstition Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). Superstition. In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved October 6, 2025, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/superstition
   

2. History.com – Black Cats Superstitions Yuko, E. (2021, October 13). Why black cats are associated with Halloween and bad luck. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/articles/black-cats-superstitions [www.history.com]
   

3. HowStuffWorks – Why Are Black Cats Considered Unlucky? Turner, B. (2023, August 15). Why are black cats considered unlucky? HowStuffWorks. https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/why-are-black-cats-considered-unlucky.htm [animals.ho...fworks.com]
   

4. Chewy – Black Cat Breeds and History Mellen, G. (2025, April 30). Black cats throughout history. Chewy. https://www.chewy.com/education/cat/general/black-cat-breeds-and-history [www.chewy.com]
   

5. Hartz – How Black Cats Came to Halloween Hartz. (n.d.). Why are black cats associated with Halloween? https://www.hartz.com/how-black-cats-came-to-halloween/ [www.hartz.com]
   

6. Meowingtons – Black Cats and Halloween Meowingtons. (2023, October 24). How black cats became associated with Halloween. https://www.meowingtons.com/blogs/lolcats/how-black-cats-became-associated-with-halloween-black-cat-day [www.meowingtons.com]
   

7. Library of Congress – Origins of Halloween Traditions Thomas, H. (2021, October 26). The origins of Halloween traditions. Headlines & Heroes. https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2021/10/the-origins-of-halloween-traditions/ [blogs.loc.gov]
   

8. Wellness Pet Food – Black Cats Facts Wellness Pet Food. (2021, November 15). Black cats: 6 facts you should know. https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/blog/black-cats-6-facts-you-should-know/ [www.wellne...etfood.com]
   

9. Greater Good – Black Cats in Shelters Greater Good Charities. (2024, October 31). Black cats in shelters: The facts behind the stigma. https://greatergood.org/blog/black-cats-in-shelters-the-facts-behind-the-stigma [greatergood.org]
   

10. NADOVet – Black Cat Safety on Halloween Coronado Veterinary Hospital. (n.d.). Black cat safety on Halloween. NADOVet. https://nadovet.com/blog/black-cat-safety-halloween/ [nadovet.com]
    

11. Catster – Famous Black Cats Catster. (n.d.). Famous black cats. https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/famous-black-cats/

Sunflowers aren't just a pretty face, they're a true marvel of nature. Join us as we explore the secrets of this iconic late summer bloom, from its ancient origins as a staple crop for Native Americans to its modern-day use in everything from cooking oil to renewable energy. We’ll uncover how they follow the sun, break down the surprisingly complex structure of their "false flower" head, and discuss the world's tallest-ever sunflower, grown to the height of a three-story house. We'll also dive into the fascinating world of sunflower colors beyond the classic yellow and celebrate their incredible versatility and undeniable cheer.

References

1. Britannica – Sunflower PlantEncyclopaedia Britannica. (2025, August 22). Sunflower. https://www.britannica.com/plant/sunflower-plant

2. ProFlowers – Sunflower FactsProFlowers. (n.d.). Sunflower facts. Retrieved September 17, 2025, from https://www.proflowers.com/blog/sunflower-facts

3. Kew Gardens – SunflowerPOWO. (2025). Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://www.kew.org/plants/sunflower

4. YouTube – Sunflower Time-LapseBoxlapse. (2020, May 22). Sunflower time lapse - seed to flower in 83 days [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RBktO4RK8s

5. Smackin’ Sunflower Seeds – How Tall Can Sunflowers GetSmackin’ Sunflower Seeds. (n.d.). How tall can sunflowers get. Retrieved September 17, 2025, from https://smackinsunflowerseeds.com/blogs/blogs/how-tall-can-sunflowers-get

6. FTD – When Do Sunflowers BloomFTD. (n.d.). When do sunflowers bloom. Retrieved September 17, 2025, from https://www.ftd.com/blog/when-do-sunflowers-bloom

7. The Daily Blooms – Sunflower FactsThe Daily Blooms. (n.d.). Sunflower facts. Retrieved September 17, 2025, from https://thedailyblooms.com/blogs/news/sunflower-facts

8. Growing Family – Sunflower Puns and JokesGrowing Family. (2023, April 25). 70 sunflower puns and sunflower jokes to make you smile. https://growingfamily.co.uk/jokes-and-puns/70-sunflower-puns-and-sunflower-jokes/

9. Bloom & Wild – Meaning and Symbolism of SunflowersBloom & Wild. (n.d.). Meaning and symbolism of sunflowers. Retrieved September 17, 2025, from https://www.bloomandwild.com/the-blog/meaning-and-symbolism-of-sunflowers

We're tackling the sartorial rule that has stumped America for decades: "Don't Wear White After Labor Day." Join us as we unravel the surprising history behind this fashion faux pas, from its origins in the catty social circles of 20th-century New York to its unexpected metaphor to the meaning of Labor Day and the fight for workers' rights. Tune in to learn what Labor Day really signifies and whether it's finally time to break this outdated rule.

References:

1. U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Labor Day history. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

2. Holmes, M. (2022, August 30). Why can't you wear white after Labor Day? Here's the history behind the fashion rule. The Pioneer Woman. https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/a40246129/white-after-labor-day-history/

3. Schulman, M. (2022, September 5). Can you wear white after Labor Day? Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/wearing-white-after-labor-day

4. The Wardrobe Consultant. (2022, September 5). Can you wear white after Labor Day? The Wardrobe Consultant. https://www.thewardrobeconsultant.com/blog/can-you-wear-white-after-labor-day

5. Union Plus. (n.d.). Labor Day history. Union Plus. https://www.unionplus.org/page/labor-day-history

6. Labour Day. (2025, August 30). In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labour_Day

7. Haymarket affair. (2025, August 30). In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_affair

8. International Workers' Day. (2025, August 30). In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Workers%27_Day

9. Leslie, O. (2022, September 1). Why the U.S. celebrates Labor Day instead of May Day. Observing Leslie. https://observingleslie.com/magazine/why-the-us-celebrates-labor-day-instead-of-may-day