Episodes

  • Costco, Lena Dunham & Coach the Dragon Slayer
    Apr 20 2026
    KP Parker and Matt Bragg discuss everything from Costco hauls to cult leaders of reality TV.

    Bulk Buy Bliss: Matt reports on his first-ever Costco trip, complete with impulsive purchases, life-changing appliances, and the strange joy of buying in bulk.

    Fame, Friendship, and Fallout: A peek into Lena Dunham’s new memoir sparks a conversation about well, Lena Dunham...and who she is.

    Enter the Dragon Slayer: KP introduces Matt to one of Survivor’s most unforgettable characters—a man equal parts philosopher, leader, and chaos agent—and they wonder what makes someone compelling, even when they’re "a lot."

    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intro & greetings
    02:15 Naming Matt's company
    04:15 Matt has discovered Costco
    09:05 Lena Dunham memoir moment
    15:40 Meet the Dragon Slayer
    21:25 Goodnights & sign-off

    For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    23 mins
  • Graveyard Drinks & Other Unique Dates
    Apr 19 2026
    KP Parker, Josh Gondelman, and Matt Bragg discuss unforgettable dating stories from the internet, from eerie graveyard hangs to unexpectedly emotional burgers.

    What You'll Hear:

    It Happened One Night: A setup from an ex leads to a spectacularly awkward date… and an even more surprising love story. Along the way, the crew weighs in on red flags, green flags, and the curious middle ground in between.

    Graveyard Energy Check: Is sipping a drink among headstones romantic, reflective, or just a little too much for a first date? The group debates vibes, boundaries, and perspective.

    The Burger Incident: One well-meaning takeout order spirals into a quietly chaotic kitchen moment. It’s a tender reminder that sometimes the smallest things carry the biggest feelings.

    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intro & greetings
    01:00 A trip to Wales and impossible spellings
    05:50 Dating stories begin
    07:30 Graveyard date debate
    11:57 Story two begins
    15:10 Sweet ending and reflections
    16:10 Wind down & goodnights

    For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    18 mins
  • The Secret Lives of Soap Opera Stars
    Apr 18 2026
    Kristen Meinzer and Jacquis Neal tumble down a nostalgic rabbit hole all about soap operas.

    Soap Star Origins: From Michael B. Jordan to Demi Moore, they trace the surprisingly star-studded pipeline from daytime drama to Hollywood fame—and why soaps are the ultimate acting bootcamp.

    Packing, Planes, and Pet Peeves: A cozy detour into travel habits, suitcase strategies, and a few dream upgrades to air travel that feel… suspiciously appealing.

    Wild Plots, Real Love: Vampires, long-lost twins, rapid aging kids—why soap operas swing big, and why that’s exactly what makes them so comforting to return to.

    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intro & travel talk
    03:00 Packing strategies and plane dreams
    06:10 Rabbit hole begins: soap operas
    08:30 Childhood memories and favorite shows
    12:00 How soap operas are made
    15:00 Fictional towns and wild plotlines
    17:00 Why soap operas still matter

    For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    22 mins
  • A Blog Anniversary Party Meet Cute & Our Latest Book Recs
    Apr 17 2026
    Josh Gondelman and Kristen Meinzer host a cozy, wide-ranging book club chat.

    What You’ll Hear

    From TV Teens to Timeless Stories: Kristen talks about teen shows that actually feel real, and why some one-season series leave the biggest mark.

    A Book That Feels Like a Hug: Kristen shares a joyful read that’s equal parts funny, human, and quietly reassuring—plus a sweet story about how Josh and his wife first bonded over words.

    Reading the World, One State at a Time: A peek into how Kristen’s 50 states reading project is going.

    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intro
    01:00 Favorite shows we're watching
    04:45 The Nightly Book Club begins
    06:30 Kristen surprises Josh by reading his book, Nice Try
    10:00 Listener recommendation
    11:30 Books from Mississippi & Alaska
    15:00 Current reads & "shaggy" stories
    17:00 Promoting creative work without the cringe
    20:00 Books on deck?
    21:50 Goodnights

    For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    23 mins
  • The Challenge Lore w/ Avery McClure
    Apr 16 2026
    KP Parker and Jacquis Neal take a ride on the pop culture time machine with dream guest, comedian Avery McClure.

    What You’ll Hear

    Read 'Til Failure: Avery shares a bedtime routine that starts with good intentions, a book, and about three pages before sleep wins.

    The Coziest Sleep Setup: Heated blankets, cool air, and the delicate balance of being perfectly warm where it counts.

    Reality TV Betrayal Hall of Fame: A wild trip back to 2016 and the unforgettable moment The Challenge's Johnny Bananas made a decision that still stings.

    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intro & Guest Avery McClure joins the slumber party
    01:00 Bedtime routines and reading habits
    05:00 Heated blankets and sleep preferences
    08:00 Pop culture time machine: The Challenge: Rivals III
    15:00 The betrayal that shocked reality TV
    18:00 Love Is Blind and awkward first meetings
    21:00 Goodnights

    For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    23 mins
  • Big Mistakes, Ryan Gosling & The Drama
    Apr 15 2026
    Kristen Meinzer and Wils Pelton swap current pop culture obsessions and compare notes on what’s worth the watch.

    What You’ll Hear:

    What We’re Watching: From a chaotic small-town comedy to a space mission with an unexpected companion, they unpack what’s working, what’s not, and what might surprise you.

    To Spoil or Not to Spoil: A gentle debate on going into movies blind, plus a few recommendations that are best experienced with as little context as possible.

    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intro
    01:00 An 11-year-old’s NYC bucket list
    03:00 Big Mistakes on Netflix
    06:30 When shows take time to click
    08:00 A love letter to Weeds
    10:30 Project Hail Mary review
    13:30 The joy of going in blind
    16:00 Ryan Gosling appreciation

    For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    18 mins
  • Mean Girls (Sophia's Version)
    Apr 14 2026
    Josh Gondelman and Sophia Wilson Pelton revisit the movie Mean Girls from memory, with plenty of glorious detail and a few lovable detours.

    Memory Lane: Sophia takes on the full plot of Mean Girls from pure recall, from the Plastics to the Burn Book to one very unfortunate bus encounter. Josh jumps in with the bits that stuck, proving that some movies really do live in your brain rent-free.

    High School Logic: Along the way, they marvel at teen power structures, homecoming-level cruelty, and the kind of elaborate prank planning that probably could have been used for greater good.

    A Respectful Request: Tonight’s listener goodnight goes out to a crew of midnight mockingbirds who may be looking for love, but could really stand to lower the volume.

    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intros & hotel living gripes
    03:03 Sophia’s brother's visit and peak NYC weather
    05:08 Do you remember Do You Remember?
    06:06 Sophia tries to recall the plot of Mean Girls
    20:20 Josh fills in a few missing Mean Girls details
    22:37 Listener Julia's goodnight to the mockingbirds

    For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    25 mins
  • Crying Into Alfredo & Other Bad Dates
    Apr 13 2026
    Sophia Wilson Pelton and Kristen Meinzer swap real-life dating stories and sort them into red, green, or beige flags.

    What You'll Hear:

    Accidental Texts & Honest Mistakes: A first-date phone mishap leads to an unexpectedly sweet reveal—plus a gentle debate on whether confidence or honesty wins in awkward moments.

    When Pasta Becomes a Red Flag: A dinner order triggers a dramatic emotional spiral, raising the question of timing, healing, and what we owe each other on a first date.

    Moms, LinkedIn, and Light Stalking: A well-meaning parent turns a little curiosity into a full-on connection request, sparking a conversation about modern dating etiquette in the digital age.

    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intro & birthday plans
    03:30 Dating stories begin
    04:00 The accidental text dilemma
    10:30 The chicken alfredo incident
    14:15 LinkedIn and mom mishap
    20:30 Why we love these stories
    21:00 Goodnight

    For the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    22 mins