This week is one spicy meatball of joy! Michael’s filler words are back! Jasmine has some great news, both personal and global, and then talks some trash, bringing out Michael’s Greek temper. The Wheel of Topics takes J & M on a trip to the days before smartphones and Michael shakes his fist at the kids on the lawn. Our hosts introduce a new regular segment for the Curbside Cool-Down: Ashes and Embers.

The coup de grace: Jasmine sends us off with an IMPECCABLE impression of Dr Teeth!

Go see Jasmine at the L.A. Festival of Books and find Michael yelling at people throwing their trash in your local waterways!

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Email us: pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com

Good News Links:

Japan Creates Plastic That Dissolves In Hours In The Ocean And Enhances Soil Health: https://japandaily.jp/japan-creates-plastic-that-dissolves-in-hours-in-the-ocean-and-enhances-soil-health/

Speaker Johnson suffers a defeat in his push to block parents in the U.S. House from proxy voting: https://apnews.com/article/proxy-voting-discharge-petition-moms-anna-paulina-luna-118e3ff0fb12137714862c99a6bc92dd

Senate rebukes Trump’s tariffs as some Republicans vote to halt taxes on Canadian imports: https://apnews.com/article/congress-tariffs-trump-republicans-a45b4d4da013e4ce1ce434b81337e3ec

Up to 4,000 places set to be rolled out at school-based nurseries from September: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-dfe-department-for-education-england-newcastle-b1220201.html

So long, Strom: Cory Booker breaks Thurmond’s Senate record with 25-hour speech: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/01/cory-booker-record-breaking-senate-speech-00265142

After living “life in a trash bag” himself, a man has donated 250K backpacks to restore dignity for foster youth: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/comfort-cases-backpacks-for-foster-youth

Nationwide 'Hands Off!' protests erupt against Trump and Musk: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/05/nx-s1-5353388/hands-off-protests-washington-dc

Volunteers assemble for Food Bank of Delaware after Trump administration cancels 900,000 meals: https://www.wdel.com/news/volunteers-assemble-for-food-bank-of-delaware-after-trump-administration-cancels-900-000-meals/article_12693b64-b74c-483f-bb77-cb43c24651b2.html