This week, we give some holiday wishes to our listeners (and Michael stumbles through some basic Hebrew). Fish doorbells and more “A Goofy Movie” content are keeping a huge smile on Jasmine’s face. Michael confuses Ricky Martin and Chris Pine (as one does) and talks about his love for “Waitress” (the movie and the musical).

In the news: gun control, political drag queens, women athletes representing hard at the 2028 Summer Olympics, sea turtles are making a big return (cue Michael ranting about paper straws), New Mexico’s free child care, and microbes giving life on other planets (and Michael biffs a “Saved by the Bell” reference — the song is “A 12” not “K 12”).

Muckles at the Movies is all about the love Michael has for Ryan Coogler’s hit film “Sinners”! Listen for his spoiler-free review and overall thoughts on the film and its amazing cast. The Wheel of Topics takes our hosts to a deserted island. They finish the episode with their Ashes & Embers, the weekly affirmation, a plea for more listener submissions, and Michael’s “I’m pleasant damn it” leaves Jasmine speechless.

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Email us: pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com

Check out the Fish Doorbell: https://visdeurbel.nl/en/

Good News Links:

Colorado now has one of the most restrictive gun laws in the country: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/semi-automatic-firearms-colorado-restrictive-gun-law-signed-governor-jared-polis/

An Austin drag queen is teaching people about the Texas Legislature — in the club: https://www.kut.org/austin/2025-04-15/austin-tx-brigitte-bandit-drag-politics-events

Tara Hoot: @tarahoot

Female athletes to be in the majority at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after big win for women’s soccer: https://apnews.com/article/ioc-fifa-2028-olympics-womens-soccer-8a881f452c544d204662e237a55a7a3f

Endangered sea turtle populations show signs of recovery in more than half the world, survey finds: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/endangered-sea-turtle-populations-show-signs-recovery-half-world-surve-rcna201788

New Mexico made childcare free. It lifted 120,000 people above the poverty line: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/11/childcare-new-mexico-poverty

Scientists detect signature of life on a distant planet, study suggests: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/17/science/k218b-potential-biosignature-webb/index.html