In this episode of The Setlist of Life podcast, the Dolly 4 Sue bandmates reunite after the holidays for their signature blend of unscripted conversation, music nostalgia, and midlife humor. The episode kicks off with a discussion about "It Never Rains in Southern California" by Albert Hammond, inspired by Kirsten's rainy California trip, and explores the quirky world of rock flute in classic music.

The gang shares their post-holiday experiences, from keeping Christmas decorations up well into January to embracing the Scandinavian concept of "hygge" (cozy winter living). They tackle the annual debate about New Year's resolutions, with most agreeing they lack the follow-through, and discuss why the start of a new school year feels more significant than January 1st for fresh starts.

A highlight of the episode is a listener-created murder mystery featuring the bandmates as suspects in a pickleball-related poisoning case. The interactive game showcases the podcast's community engagement and playful dynamic. The conversation winds through topics including Diana Ross's impressive New Year's Eve performance, the Brooklyn Bridge TikTok prank that drew thousands, and a discussion about Las Vegas's Sphere venue. Throughout, the podcast delivers authentic conversations about parenting, music, and navigating midlife with humor and relatability—perfect for music enthusiasts balancing family life and nostalgic for classic rock's golden era.

• Skip January 1st for your fresh start - The bandmates reveal that back-to-school season feels more motivating for personal change than New Year's resolutions, which typically fail by "Quitters Day" (January 9th). The rhythm of a new school year—even for adults—taps into decades of conditioning for fresh beginnings.

• Keep your Christmas decorations up longer - Multiple band members embrace extended holiday décor through winter's darkest months, prioritizing coziness and mental health over arbitrary calendar dates. The aesthetic and mood benefits of twinkling lights can outweigh social pressure to take everything down immediately.

• Celebrate New Year's on East Coast time (when you're on the West Coast) - Why stay up until midnight local time? Kirsten's California relatives watch the ball drop at 9pm Pacific, then head to bed at a reasonable hour—genius time zone exploitation that honors the tradition without the exhaustion.

Resources & References Mentioned:

• Wired Magazine's annual game recommendations - Kirsten's cousin discovered "Herding Cats" board game from their year-end best games list
• Hygge concept - Scandinavian approach to embracing winter coziness discussed as alternative to "white-knuckling" through dark months
• The Sphere in Las Vegas - Immersive entertainment venue featuring "The Wizard of Oz" experience with 4D effects (wind, scents, etc.)
• Stranger Things series - Complete watch-through mentioned, with discussion of disappointing finale despite excellent earlier seasons
• Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve - Featured Diana Ross's performance at age 82
• Anthropic Rock prank - TikTok trend involving fake expensive rocks as gifts

Interesting Details:

• "Duper rating" - Pickleball skill ranking system (Leslie proudly maintains a 4.25)
• Quitters Day falls on January 9th (average day people abandon New Year's resolutions)
• Post-Coachella charity collections offer cheap camping gear from abandoned festival supplies
• Brooklyn Bridge New Year's prank drew thousands based on false TikTok claims of celebration

"New Year's resolutions are just elaborate plans to feel bad about yourself by January 9th. Save energy—embrace your chaos, keep the tree up, and remember: realistic is the harshest word of the year."