There exists places in which we collect and create experiences that prey on our base fears and curiosities. Why do we cross their threshold, intentionally and essentially inflicting harm trauma upon ourselves? What within compels us to strive to experience fear? We also talk about porn in this one!

Mentioned material this week

Jacob Geller. Control, Anatomy and the Legacy of the Haunted House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mexs39y0Imw

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Connect with The Empress: http://instagram.com/kati.vanloo on Instagram

Connect with The Hermit: https://linktr.ee/chknfoot

Mental, physical and emotional health can take a runny nose dive. What are the good memories about our favorite diseases? In a society that champions wealth before health, what can we do to maintain ours? Also, remember daytime tv in the 90's? Good times.

Stay up-to-speed with the podcast and DM us your gratitude crystals on Instagram @theempressandthehermit

Connect with The Empress: http://instagram.com/kati.vanloo on Instagram

Connect with The Hermit: https://linktr.ee/chknfoot

Mascots, thrill rides, bodily functions caused by these things and perhaps undercooked poultry; we're talking theme parks on this episode. Turns out Kati is a something of a daredevil while Andrew might be the most frightened child in the land.

Mentioned material this week

TPMvids: https://www.youtube.com/@TPMvids

Stay up-to-speed with the podcast and DM us your gratitude crystals on Instagram @theempressandthehermit

Connect with The Empress: http://instagram.com/kati.vanloo on Instagram

Connect with The Hermit: https://linktr.ee/chknfoot

Life is a beautiful thing, doubly so when you've got your little buddies with you. We're talking about pets!

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Connect with The Empress: http://instagram.com/kati.vanloo on Instagram

Connect with The Hermit: https://linktr.ee/chknfoot

P.E., sports, recess...Remember these things? Did you do these things? Were you "supposed to do these things" but you hung out under the bleachers and made out with Donna Sullivan (not a real person)? A lot of our formative memories came about as a result of the things we did on and off the gym floor as youngsters. Mile runs, weird games, good memories...the Presidential Fitness Test also happened. Woof.

Mentioned material this week

Ice Cream Sandwich

my thoughts on school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd6ctfNsveg&t=9s

Stay up-to-speed with the podcast and DM us your gratitude crystals on Instagram @theempressandthehermit

Connect with The Empress: http://instagram.com/kati.vanloo on Instagram

Connect with The Hermit: https://linktr.ee/chknfoot

It can be a simple thing, a roll of the dice, or a complicated, sprawling role playing experience or something in between. Games, and playing are important, and something Kati and I hold dear. To us, games represent family, bonding, even greater delving into our deeper selves. Unless it's Monopoly! Monopoly sucks.

Mentioned material this week

No Rolls Barred:

15 Most INSANELY Expensive Board Games Ever Made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxnWLaIZ0wI

10 Most Beautiful Board Games Ever Made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJrJAhLuSnw

10 Reasons Why Monopoly Sucks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LYqAgxLhXo&t=421s

Stay up-to-speed with the podcast and DM us your gratitude crystals on Instagram @theempressandthehermit

Connect with The Empress: http://instagram.com/kati.vanloo on Instagram

Connect with The Hermit: https://linktr.ee/chknfoot

Many, MANY things changed for many, MANY people pre and post pandemic. What were your plans? What were your dreams, goals, fears etc and what are they now? We talk about ours.

Stay up-to-speed with the podcast and DM us your gratitude crystals on Instagram @theempressandthehermit

Connect with The Empress: http://instagram.com/kati.vanloo on Instagram

Connect with The Hermit: https://linktr.ee/chknfoot

We're talkin' sweet, delicious and certainly not nutritious snacks. Candy is one of those very nostalgic things for us, evoking times gone by with loved ones and even the beginnings of our own relationship with each other. This topic came about because of an unholy collaboration: mac and cheese and candy canes, and moves through our ranking of some of our favorite (and least favorite) treats.

Mentioned material this week

How Tootsie Rolls Saved the Troops: https://youtu.be/gDIv-byz7cQ

Weird History Food: https://www.youtube.com/@weirdhistoryfood

Stay up-to-speed with the podcast and DM us your gratitude crystals on Instagram @theempressandthehermit

Connect with The Empress: http://instagram.com/kati.vanloo on Instagram

Connect with The Hermit: https://linktr.ee/chknfoot