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The Noras dive into the nostalgic world of board games, from classics like Monopoly and Scrabble to quirky favorites with names like "Sneaky Snacky Squirrels." Did you know Monopoly was initially rejected by Parker Brothers for being "too complicated"? Or that games can be categorized into four fundamental types: race games, space games, chase games, and displacement games? These frameworks help explain why we gravitate toward certain games and avoid others.

Along the way, we explore summer's hottest trends (sardine-themed decor, anyone?), discuss bizarre banned baby names from around the world (no, you can't name your child Santa Claus), and introduce the surprisingly effective "poop rule" for decluttering your home. Plus, we follow the strange case of an escaped pet zebra in Tennessee, which leads to an important question: why would anyone want an unpredictable exotic animal that tends to attack people?

Whether you're a dedicated game night enthusiast or someone who runs at the sight of a Monopoly board, join us for this playful exploration of how games shape our relationships and reflect our personalities. Share your favorite childhood game with us—was it an outdoor neighborhood classic or a beloved board game that still brings your family together?

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What happens when two friends with the same name tackle bizarre food combinations and debate the perfect pizza? Pure podcast magic.

This episode begins with a taste-testing adventure sampling the questionable limited-edition Beer Can Chicken flavored Pringles that leave one Nora gagging while the other surprisingly doesn't mind the bouillon-cube-like flavor. They follow this culinary experiment with Sprite mixed with iced tea—a strange beverage that separates in your mouth, hitting you with fizzy lemon-lime before transforming into tea. This leads them down a rabbit hole of unusual food trends, including the emergence of cereal milk cocktails where bartenders are infusing spirits with everything from Captain Crunch to Fruity Pebbles.

The conversation shifts to our mutual love of pizza, where we discover that 21% of Americans consider it their favorite food. We dive deep into regional styles—from the crispy, square-cut Chicago thin crust to foldable New York slices and artisanal wood-fired options. Personal preferences emerge: one of us orders "easy cheese" while the other draws a firm line at Hawaiian pizza ("Keep your fruit away from my pizza!"). We explore pizza's humble beginnings among Naples' working poor in the 17th century, trace its journey to America's first pizzeria in 1905, and share the surprising fact that pizza has even made it to space.

Whether you're a foodie, a parent, or just someone who appreciates authentic conversation, join us as we find humor, comfort, and friendship in life's small moments—and debate whether cold pizza for breakfast is genius or sacrilege.

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In this colorful episode, we kick things off with Noras play-by-play of an unforgettable night at Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour. The Queen Bey delivered a masterclass in performance art despite Mother Nature's obstacles. The concert stories lead us into an unexpected treasure hunt when we discuss Czech hikers who stumbled upon $360,000 worth of buried gold artifacts from the early 1900s—talk about being in the right place at the right time!

The conversation shifts to the curious world of color psychology as we explore what different colored heart emojis actually mean (careful with that red heart in professional settings!), what colors you should wear on first dates (green for women, lavender for men), and how color coding can revolutionize family organization. When Nora reveals her intricate color-coded calendar system where each family member has their dedicated color, it becomes clear how deeply colors influence our daily lives and relationships.

We couldn't talk about color without taste-testing some vibrant new treats, including Chocolate Covered Pretzel Oreos and Trader Joe's Root Beer Float pieces with popping candy. The episode takes a nostalgic turn when we discover Nora's preserved childhood collection of 72 Crayola crayons—still intact after all these years, saved lovingly by her grandmother who wouldn't let anyone else touch them.

From discovering that blue is the world's most popular color across ten different countries to debating whether "underwear as outerwear" should be a fashion trend, this episode celebrates how color shapes our world, our choices, and our memories. Join us for this spectrum-spanning conversation that might just change how you see the colors around you.

What colored heart emoji do you use most often, and did you know what it actually means? Share your thoughts with us on social media!

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Mother's Day celebrations kick off this week's episode, with stories of family gatherings and sports games.

Nostalgia takes center stage as they compare their wedding invitations from the early 2000s, marveling at the similarities in their choices and how wedding planning has changed in the digital age. "No websites, no email addresses – just phone numbers," they laugh, reflecting on their beautiful calligraphy and matching response cards. Their genuine friendship shines through as they appreciate these connections they didn't even know they shared when planning their weddings years before meeting.

Grab a glass of the drink of summer...the "spicy sav-bee" (jalapeño-infused sauvignon blanc) and listen in to the history of eyeglasses, the discussion meanders through topics with the natural flow of friends who are truly interested in each other's perspectives. Whether you're looking for entertainment, information, or just the comfort of friendly voices, this episode delivers with heart and humor. Subscribe now and join the conversation – these Two Noras will feel like your friends by the end of your first listen.

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Remember the satisfying feel of opening a quality stationery set? That first whiff of fresh paper? The smooth glide of a perfect pen? We're diving deep into our shared love of all things paper in this nostalgic episode that celebrates the tangible in our increasingly digital world.

Our journey begins with a hilarious taste test of Aldi's Summit Cola Diet, inspired by a viral TikTok claiming it's indistinguishable from McDonald's Diet Coke. Spoiler alert: the mouthfeel is subpar, but we've got tips if you're brave enough to try it yourself! We then share the bizarre tale of a YouTuber arrested for leaving a Diet Coke on a restricted island inhabited by an isolated tribe – previous unauthorized visitors weren't so lucky, meeting their fate at the end of bows and arrows.

The heart of our conversation celebrates the dying art of handwritten communication. We reminisce about our wedding invitations, our first personalized stationery sets as children, and debate the merits of mechanical pencils versus traditional ones. Did you know there's a "perfect pencil" that sells for $750? Or that pen caps have holes to prevent choking deaths?

We also explore paper's fascinating history from its invention in China around 121 CE to innovative modern alternatives like stone paper – a waterproof, tear-resistant option made from quarry remnants that breaks down in sunlight. Between fits of laughter over childhood memories of scented markers and crayon-eating mishaps, we contemplate whether the Christmas card tradition is what's keeping the stationery industry alive.

What writing implements do you swear by? Do you still send physical thank you notes? Share your stationery stories with us and join our celebration of the written word!

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Poor Nora! Has this ever happened to you? You take a couple pills to help with some cold symptoms, only to have it get physically stuck with you? Nora found herself in a real pickle and when Google suggested "immediate medical attention" she tried everything from drinking copious amounts of water to sleeping upright like "the Dutch used to sleep" and even going for a morning run - all while hoping the pill would dislodge itself without intervention. But fear not...the situation is under control now.

Between opening night celebrations of a junior high musical and surprise birthday festivities, the Noras share their parallel journeys auditioning for Wheel of Fortune. While one solved puzzles solo against the clock, the other competed live against fellow contestants, leading to good-natured speculation about who might actually make it onto the show. We even taste test the limited-edition "Moon Punch" Capri Sun created for the March lunar eclipse, which prompts nostalgic discussions about the juice boxes our parents would (or wouldn't) buy us as children.

The conversation shifts to bicycles - from childhood memories of banana seats and BMX bikes with pegs that "burned the inside of people's shins" to dreams of opening a bike shop called "Off The Chains." We uncover fascinating bicycle history, learning how early models were described as "uncomfortable, no brakes, dangerous, no steering" before the revolutionary idea of making both wheels the same size. Did you know a Tour de France cyclist once reached a speed of 63 miles per hour going downhill? That's like "you're going to die" fast.

Whether you're reminiscing about your first bike, wondering if robots should really be running marathons, or simply enjoying our signature "highs and lows" segment, this episode captures the small moments that make life both challenging and delightful. Join us for laughs, nostalgia, and the comfort of knowing we're all just figuring things out as we go.

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Phil Nawrocki joins us for our second Nightcap with the Noras! Listen in as he takes us on a journey from Chicago loft living to becoming a central figure in the Western Springs community.

What makes this conversation fascinating is Phil's natural path to local governance. After sending a hopeful email to the village caucus, he was told to "become president of your subdivision first"—a challenge he embraced wholeheartedly. Soon he was walking every street in Ridgewood documenting potholes and transforming neighborhood social gatherings. His hands-on approach demonstrates how accessible small-town governance can be when residents roll up their sleeves.

The episode takes a delightful turn when Phil reveals the origin story of Western Springs' famous "Penguin House"—an inherited tradition featuring 80 illuminated penguins that his family arranges in themed displays each Christmas season. From boxing rings to red carpets, these creative scenes have become a beloved community attraction created with the help of his four children. Equally charming is the tale of his wife Amanda's legendary jello shots color-matched to team uniforms at their children's sporting events.

Beyond the entertaining anecdotes lies a thoughtful exploration of what makes communities thrive. Phil describes Western Springs as "Mayberry-like," where neighbors know each other, stop to chat on sidewalks, and even knock on the village trustee's door with concerns. It's a refreshing reminder that meaningful connections still form the backbone of truly special places to live.

Have you witnessed how small acts of community involvement can transform a neighborhood? What traditions have you started that bring people together? Listen, reflect, and perhaps be inspired to take that first step toward deeper community engagement wherever you call home.

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From ancient hummus to 1950s French onion, the humble dip contains multitudes of culinary history worth savoring. Join Nora and Nora as they gleefully dissect the fascinating world of dips and the vessels that carry them.

The conversation begins with an unexpected National Banana Day celebration and a quirky gift exchange before diving into the surprising revelation that dips only became popular in American homes during the 1950s. This coincided with the rise of suburban entertaining and casual hosting, though essential dip components like sour cream (invented 1815) and potato chips (created 1853) had been around much longer.

The hosts passionately debate what makes the perfect dipping vessel, with sturdy pretzels earning high praise and flimsy crackers receiving justified scorn. This leads to nostalgic reminiscing about childhood dip adventures, including sitting on the steps of "the Castle" with French onion dip, Ruffles, and illicit tubes of cookie dough.

Whether you're Team Hot Spinach Dip or prefer your guacamole strictly chilled, this episode offers delightful food history, practical dipping advice, and the charming banter that makes these two Noras such engaging companions. Dip into this episode now and enhance your next casual gathering with newfound dip wisdom!

Subscribe for more joy, more giggles, and more fun as we explore the everyday topics that bring us together.