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Welcome to a milestone episode! Jen and Rachel celebrate their 10th show with gratitude, laughter, and a special guest appearance by master mixologist Ethan Welch. This episode is packed with personal stories, travel recaps, and a deep dive into the art of crafting the perfect pumpkin espresso martini—just in time for fall!

In This Episode:

• Celebrating Milestones:
  The hosts hit 100 downloads and reflect on their journey so far, sharing appreciation for their listeners and the community that’s grown around the show.
• Weekend Adventures:
  Rachel recounts a heartwarming trip to Oklahoma, reconnecting with family, exploring Broken Arrow, and enjoying the local farmer’s market. Jen shares her own mini-vacation to Bentonville, Arkansas, complete with brewery visits, brunch, and quirky encounters with locals (including two different Amys from Michigan!).
• Chocolate & Syrup Delights:
  The duo exchange thoughtful gifts from Kyya Chocolates and discuss their ongoing collaboration with a syrup company—hinting at future content and delicious pairings.
• Special Guest Segment – “Pumpspresso with Ethan”:
  Ethan Welch, local mixologist, joins the show live from Il Primo to teach Jen and Rachel (and you!) how to make three variations of the espresso martini, including a seasonal pumpkin twist.
  • Learn the history of the espresso martini
  • Discover tips for using vodka, cold brew, and even orange whiskey
  • Get pro advice on shaking techniques, garnishes, and how to achieve that perfect frothy top
  • Find out how to make your own pumpkin spice syrup and why fresh ingredients matter
• Behind the Scenes:
  The hosts share their excitement about recording on location, working with local businesses, and plans for more “in the wild” episodes.
• Community Shoutouts:
  Special thanks to Ethan, One Life Spirits, Il Primo, and Kyya Chocolates for their support and inspiration.

Key Takeaways:

• How to make classic and pumpkin espresso martinis at home
• The importance of fresh, local ingredients
• Tips for shaking, garnishing, and serving cocktails like a pro
• The value of community, connection, and celebrating milestones

Links & Resources:

• Kyya Chocolates (use Jen’s code JENKYYA10 for a discount!)
• One Life Spirits
• Follow us on Instagram:@SoThisHappened_podcast
• Tag us in your own “pumpspresso” creations!

Listener Challenge:
Try making your own pumpkin espresso martini and tag us in your photos! We’d love to see your creations and share them on our socials.

Thank you for listening, supporting, and being part of our journey. Here’s to many more episodes, adventures, and delicious drinks!

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Opening: Welcoming Vibes & Community Shoutouts

Jen and Rachel kick off the episode with excitement about reaching episode nine and their new weekly release schedule.
They express gratitude for listener engagement—comments, DMs, and voice messages—emphasizing the growing community.

Personal Catch-Ups: Mini Getaways & Family Visits

Both hosts share their upcoming Labor Day weekend plans: Jen is off to Bentonville, Arkansas, and Rachel is visiting family in Oklahoma.
Jen talks about finally visiting the headquarters of a company she collaborates with, promising to bring back chocolate for Rachel.

Nostalgia & Traditions: Chocolate Frogs and Family Memories

The conversation turns to fun traditions, like bringing back chocolate frogs from Harry Potter World.
Rachel reminisces about using the frog boxes as Halloween decorations and the boys’ reactions.

Creative Adventures: Sip & Paint Night

The hosts recount their recent experience at a local sip-and-paint class, hosted by their friend Esther.
They describe the supportive, no-pressure environment, the freedom to paint anything, and the joy of sharing their art on social media.
Details about the class logistics, Esther’s positive approach, and how the event supports children’s art classes.
Check out Esther's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/paint.and.play.with.miss.esther

Craft Fails & Artistic Mishaps

Jen and Rachel swap stories about their worst art projects, from bedazzled whiteboards to a solid clay gnome that almost exploded in the kiln.
Jen shares about attending a “sip and illustrate” class with her mom, struggling with figure drawing, and turning a failed sketch into a mermaid.

The Joy of Creating: Relaxation, Silliness, and Happy Accidents

The hosts reflect on how creative activities bring relaxation, inspiration, and a sense of fun.
They discuss the balance between following instructions and freestyling, and how embracing mistakes leads to memorable art.

Local Music Scene: Concert Adventures

The conversation shifts to a recent concert featuring local bands Calamity Cubes and Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy.
Jen shares the history of seeing these bands in tiny venues and the joy of reconnecting with old friends at the show.
Both hosts describe the unique energy of live music, the importance of stage presence, and the fun of dancing and crowd-surfing.

Concert Preferences: Arena vs. Local, Festival vs. Brewery

Through a playful “this or that” game, Jen and Rachel compare their preferences for big arena concerts versus intimate local shows, outdoor festivals versus brewery gigs, and merch splurges versus capturing photos and videos.

Pop Culture & Seasonal Shifts: Taylor Swift Engagement & Fall Vibes

The hosts react to the news of Taylor Swift’s engagement, sharing where they were when they heard and how it became a mini office event.
They celebrate the arrival of cooler weather, National Red Wine Day, and the return of pumpkin spice lattes and charcuterie boards.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events & Listener Engagement

Jen and Rachel tease future episodes, including a pumpkin spice espresso martini segment and an appearance at a local corset launch event.
They encourage listeners to send in “this or that” suggestions and reach out via email and social media.

Closing: Community Love & Sign-Off

The episode wraps with heartfelt thanks to listeners, a reminder to follow and subscribe, and a cheerful “cheers” to end the show.

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Episode 8: Lanterns, Lattes, and a Salem Surprise

Welcome back to another lively episode of "So This Happened" with Jen and Rachel! In Episode 8, your favorite duo dives into the joys of late summer, the excitement of upcoming adventures, and the simple pleasures of friendship, food, and community.

In This Episode:

• Weekly Release News: Jen and Rachel announce that "So This Happened" will now be released every Tuesday, (we mean Thursday!) giving fans more of what they love.
• Friday Fun at The Monarch: The hosts recount their recent Friday meetup at The Monarch, their go-to spot for great wine, delicious sausage and cheese trays, and the all-important whole grain mustard (it’s back!).
• Foodie Adventures: From conquering a dislike of olives to sharing tips for the perfect charcuterie experience, the conversation is full of laughs and relatable foodie moments.
• River Flicks Movie Night: The friends share their magical evening watching "Tangled" by the river, complete with food trucks, lanterns, and the Keeper of the Plains fire show. Pro tips for future attendees included!
• Pumpkin Spice Season: As the episode drops on August 28th—coinciding with the return of Pumpkin Spice Lattes—the hosts debate the merits (and timing) of fall flavors and cozy vibes in the summer heat.
• Fall Festivities & Local Favorites: Jen and Rachel reminisce about their favorite pumpkin patches (Cox Farms, Walters Pumpkin Patch), sunflower fields, and the explosion of pop-up fall events in their area.
• Travel Plans & Serendipity: Both hosts share upcoming travel plans, including trips to Boston, Seattle, Disney World, and a New Mexico camping adventure. They also recount the wild story of accidentally meeting in Salem, MA, on the same day!
• Chiefs Season & Holiday Hype: With football season kicking off and the holidays on the horizon, the hosts gear up for a busy autumn full of Chiefs fandom, holiday pop-ups, and festive crafts.
• Crafting for the Season: The episode wraps with creative ideas for fall crafts—ceramic candy corns, pumpkin carving, and wine cork garlands—plus a call for listener suggestions and participation.

Memorable Moments:

• The Monarch’s legendary sausage and cheese tray (and the return of the whole grain mustard!)
• Emotional reactions to the lantern scene at River Flicks’ "Tangled" screening
• The great pumpkin spice debate: is it ever too early?
• Accidentally meeting in Salem, MA, and honoring the history of the Salem Witch Trials
• Upcoming adventures: Disney World for a 21st birthday, New Mexico camping, and more

Listener Shoutouts & Calls to Action:

• The hosts love hearing from listeners—especially the moms! Leave a comment, share your favorite fall traditions, or suggest a craft for the next episode.
• Follow the show on Instagram (@sothishappened_podcast) and keep up with Rachel’s adventures at @studioellechappelle, and Jen's shenanigans at @jlarict

Next Up:

• More Chiefs coverage as football season heats up
• Fall cocktails (Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini, anyone?) with special guest Ethan
• Behind-the-scenes of Jen and Rachel’s upcoming trips and creative projects

Don’t forget: Subscribe, rate, and share the show with your friends. Happy PSL Season, and cheers to new adventures!

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