This week, the family recaps Christmas on the coast with a holiday trip to Trinidad (not Tobago, we promise). Think stunning ocean views, unexpected power outages, and Matthew delivering bathroom stories absolutely no one asked for but everyone somehow needed.

Anthony kicks things up a notch by terrorizing the family with a doll he found (because why not), while the house itself starts giving serious Winchester Mystery House… with a view energy. Naturally, chaos ensues.

We dive into what might be the most viral reel of 2025 and unpack our thoughts, which somehow leads us into a deeper conversation about monogamy, the animal kingdom, and what we really think makes relationships last. From societal pressure to personal insight, the table gets surprisingly reflective — before swerving again, obviously.

The family also talks about language and how some conservative, homophobic folks latch onto words like “transnational” and immediately jump to the wrong conclusions. Words matter, context matters, and yes, we have thoughts.

Anthony shares some joyful holiday news with the birth of a new animal, and then we answer a listener question that instantly sends us into laughter: What would your drag queen name be? Let’s just say creativity is high, dignity is low, and even ChatGPT (hello, Miles 👀) jumps in with opinions that make it all even funnier.

We wrap things up debating whether friends can overstay their welcome. Open-door policy… or hard boundaries? Is it okay if they’re laying in your bed and eating all your food? Opinions vary. And finally, Mom shares what may be the most embarrassing moment of her life — one that customer service reps everywhere might want to add to their training manuals.

It’s holiday chaos, unexpected depth, and laughs. You’ll want to hear this one.

It’s a big week at the table! Matthew starts us off with some good news — a well-earned promotion — before the family looks ahead to the holidays and a road trip to the coast that will absolutely test everyone’s patience. God help us all.

Of course, we can’t avoid politics this week. Between the latest presidential plaques and the upcoming Patriot Games (no, not Hunger Games, though the vibes feel similar), the family is once again very divided. Then things escalate as we react to news of a potential UFC fight in front of the White House. Is it bold? Is it tacky? Is it cheapening a national symbol? Strong opinions are shared, and the optics are heavily questioned.

Kelly brings a moment of reflection by sharing about monks currently walking for peace and humanity — which immediately derails when Mom realizes she thought monks didn’t talk, Matthew wonders how they handle bathroom breaks and Anthony is… deeply shook.

We wrap things up with a more thoughtful moment as Mom shares the “word of the year” from Merriam-Webster and other sources (schools? companies? we’re honestly not sure). Each of us then picks the word that defined our 2025 and the word we want to carry into 2026 — though Anthony’s 2025 word barely survives the episode… maybe 20 minutes, tops.

As always, it’s heartfelt, unhinged, and exactly what happens when this family sits down together. Pull up a chair.

One of our childhood fears officially came true when we dive into the story of a hiker who recently got stuck in quicksand — and yes, it unlocked a whole new level of anxiety for all of us. From there, it’s home project season as Mom, Dad, and Ant prep for winter weather, complete with Mom’s very helpful tips on how to handle “the tip” (wink).

The family hits the town fully convinced they’re dressed for the weather… except Mom may have stolen Ant’s winter wear, leaving her cozy and him frozen solid. He was raised right, apparently. We also get into bigger conversations this week: should police officers wear body cams, how we feel about new free days at national parks, and the increased pricing for international visitors.

Looking ahead to the holidays, the family shares plans to head to the coast for Christmas — skipping gifts in favor of building memories in a place Dad still finds comfortable. Because isn’t that the real gift? Fingers crossed everyone gets along. Plus, Matthew gives another health update and casually drops that he negotiated the price of a medical device. Who knew haggling was even an option?

As always, pull up a chair — it’s another full table conversation.