New Season: ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Dying For Sex (Wondery)
Special Feature Episode: New Season: ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast
Date: November 10, 2025

This episode is a playful crossover introducing season three of Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast. Host James Austin Johnson (“The Grinch”) welcomes whimsical holiday chaos with comedy, celebrity guests, and riotous banter. The featured guest clip includes a lively exchange with the Jonas Brothers (Nick, Joe, and Kevin), blending their famous sibling dynamic with the Grinch’s irreverent humor. While usually focused on deep, personal journeys, in this special holiday segment, the podcast celebrates fun and family dynamics, holiday traditions, and the ever-messy notion of “heartthrobs” and “bad boys.”

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introductions and Setup

• [00:00–00:53] The Grinch (James Austin Johnson) introduces the new season and its star-studded lineup.
  • Explains the show's "family holiday chaos" tone.
  • Promotes the podcast as a sanity-saver during noisy family road trips.
  • Previews upcoming guests (Jonas Brothers, Mark Hamill, Gronk).

The Jonas Brothers Join the Show

• [00:53–01:22] The Jonas Brothers (Nick, Joe, Kevin) join the Grinch for a humorous, no-holds-barred interview.
  • Immediate, easy banter; playful comments about the Grinch’s lair, including jokes about mold and bad smells.
  • “I want black mold.” — The Grinch (01:05)

Jonas Brothers’ Sibling Rivalry and Dynamics

• [01:38–02:55] The Grinch probes the brothers about who is the biggest "heartthrob."
  • The brothers banter about who wins the "heartthrob" title depending on the day.
    • Nick: Modest, said to "thrive on Tuesdays" due to his Broadway career.
    • Joe: Claims to peak on weekends (“Max Heartthrob”).
    • Kevin: Receives praise from Nick as "really shining at the moment."
  • “You need some runway to get heartthrobby.” — The Grinch (02:07)
  • “Nick’s done a lot of Broadway. So Mondays were like his Sunday, you know, so Tuesday’s like first day back at work.” — Kevin (02:59)

Grinch’s Theatrics and The Bad Boy Test

• [03:12–03:56]
  • The Grinch discusses his own musical/theater past—performing a one-man show of grievances and starting “crowd work.”
  • “My clips went viral and the virus I had went viral. Everyone got sick who came.” — The Grinch (03:35)

Who’s the “Bad Boy” of the Group?

• [03:57–04:45]
  • Brothers debate “bad boy” status: Joe “can’t be tamed,” Kevin’s messy habits at the others’ homes, Nick’s occasional biker jacket.
  • Banter escalates into mock accusation of dominance—leaving cups behind as a “sign of dominance.”
    • “It's like a dog peeing on a flagpole...” — The Grinch (04:18)
    • “Reminder, I'm marking my territory.” – Kevin (04:31)
  • “I'd rather him pee on it than leave a sparkling water.” — Joe (04:36)

Musical Licenses and Pride

• [04:45–05:12]
  • Kevin clarifies he has a real motorcycle license, “just a Vespa”—delighted mockery ensues.
  • “I can't ride a motorcycle, but can wear the jacket for sure.” — Nick (04:55)

Album Talk & Whoville

• [05:12–06:08]
  • Grinch jests about their album title “Greetings from your hometown,” feigning outrage that it could reference grimy Whoville.
  • The Jonas Brothers play along, ask about visiting Whoville, and the best time of year to come.
  • “I’ve had some really nice nights around Christmastime just sort of rooting through people’s cabinets..." — The Grinch (05:30)
  • Grinch comically confesses his court-ordered podcast duty after his past Christmas spree.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 01:05 | “There was crown molding here and I said, no, you don’t understand. I want black mold.” | The Grinch | | 02:07 | “You need some runway to get heartthrobby. You need that free Saturday.” | The Grinch | | 02:59 | “Nick’s done a lot of Broadway. So Mondays were like his Sunday… Tuesday’s like first day back at work.” | Kevin Jonas | | 03:35 | “My clips went viral and the virus I had went viral. Everyone got sick who came.” | The Grinch | | 04:18 | “It’s like a dog peeing on a flagpole...” | The Grinch | | 04:31 | “Reminder, I’m marking my territory.” | Kevin Jonas | | 04:36 | “I’d rather him pee on it than leave a sparkling water.” | Joe Jonas | | 04:55 | “Can’t ride a motorcycle, but can wear the jacket for sure.” | Nick Jonas | | 05:30 | “I’ve had some really nice nights around Christmastime just sort of rooting through people’s cabinets...” | The Grinch |

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Highlighted Segments (Timestamps)

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Meet the Jonas Brothers | Opening banter & environment jokes | 00:53–01:22 | | Heartthrob Debate | Brothers debate who’s the heartthrob | 01:38–02:55 | | Bad Boy Test | “Dominance” and “bad boy” roles in the band/family | 03:57–04:45 | | Song & Whoville | Talk about new album and Grinch’s Whoville backstory | 05:12–06:08 |

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Summary Tone and Style

The episode is fast, witty, and playful, with the Grinch embodying comic mischief and the Jonas Brothers gamely riffing on their own reputations. The humor is irreverent yet family-friendly, mixing classic holiday nostalgia with modern, self-aware celebrity commentary.

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Takeaway

While this special doesn't delve into the signature emotional depth of Dying For Sex, it offers holiday fun and clever sibling sparring—reminding listeners that both laughter and “bad boy” antics can bring families together, especially during the chaos of Christmas.

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Transcript

[A]

It's that time of year again. The Grinch, played by me, James Austin Johnson, is back and jollier than never. Whoville's sassiest late night talk show host returns for season three of Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast with a sleigh full of a list. Guests like the Jonas Brothers, Mark Hamill, and Gronk, just to name a few. Not to brag, but this year's lineup is sweeter than a cup full of nog. Are you about to spend five hours in the car with your beloved kids this holiday season driving old granny's house? I am picturing screaming, fighting back to back hours of the K Pop D Demon Hunter soundtrack on repeat. Well, when your ears start to bleed, I have the perfect thing to keep you from rolling out of that moving vehicle. And it's something for the whole family. Listen to Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. I'm about to play a clip from Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast. Follow Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

Please welcome Nick, Joe and Kevin, the Jodas Brothers. What's up, guys? How you doing?

[A]

Hello.

[C]

Hello.

[D]

Yeah, so happy to be here. We're big fans.

[E]

Love what you've done with the place.

[B]

Oh, thank you.

[C]

Yeah, the mold is a nice touch.

[B]

Thank you. Yeah, there was crown molding here and I said, no, you don't understand. I want black mold.

[C]

Yeah, it shows.

[B]

Okay.

[E]

Mr. Grinch, can I ask you a quick?

[B]

Sure.

[E]

What is that smell?

[B]

You're gonna have to be more specific.

[E]

I think it's coming from that hallway.

[B]

Oh, down there.

[C]

It burns a little bit.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm burning some incense to try to cover up the smell of laundry that I have kind of not dealt with for a couple.

[E]

Okay, well, do you have any plugs we could use for our nose or anything?

[B]

No. From one heartthrob to a trio of heartthrobs. Which one of you is the most heartthrob IOUs? This is my first question. Okay. Ooh, I really wanna know this. And feel free to, like, vehemently argue about it in front of me. I love to sow discord among family members.

[D]

Well, I think we all have our moments, but I think Kevin's really shining at the moment. He's doing a great job.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

Thanks, Nick. Appreciate that.

[E]

I disagree.

[D]

Classic Joe.

[E]

I think on weekends I can be Max Heartthrob.

[C]

That's true.

[B]

You need some Runway to get heartthrobby. You need that free Saturday.

[C]

Yeah. He's got to work up to it. The scruff's got to get to that perfect level. You know, you shave on Monday. By Saturday, it's like right where it needs to be.

[B]

I actually have to be shaved. I can't shave myself, so I hire some people to shave me.

[E]

That sounds expensive.

[C]

How long does it usually take?

[B]

Well, I do it on February 29th.

[E]

Oh.

[B]

So I can only do it once every four years. So I think that explains my general kind of furry nastiness.

[C]

That does explain a lot, actually.

[B]

Anyway, come on. All right, so it sounds like it's Joe on the weekend. What about a Tuesday? Who's got Tuesdays?

[C]

Oh, Tuesday's Nick. Yeah, Nick's a Tuesday guy all day.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

I've always thrived on Tuesdays.

[B]

Yeah. Okay, so there's just some je ne sais quoi.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

How about Tuesday for you? You just look in the mirror, you thank God it's Tuesday.

[C]

Nick's done a lot of Broadway. So Mondays were like his Sunday, you know, so Tuesday's like first day back at work, you know.

[B]

Oh, okay, cool. Yes, Broadway. That's a fun schedule, right? Easy, chill.

[D]

Easy schedule. Grinch. I think you came to Broadway a couple of years ago.

[B]

I mean, I've done some Broadway. Yeah. I had a one man show where I basically sat on a stage and it was just a list of grievances, people I'm aggrieved against.

[D]

You actually started crowd work.

[B]

You started the trend, the sort of the crowd work clip thing. Yeah, I had some clips go viral and I had.

[C]

Yeah, you were very clippy.

[B]

Yeah, my clips went viral and the virus I had went viral. Everyone got sick who came.

[D]

Oh, that's right.

[E]

I think I was there.

[C]

Yeah, it was your fault. That's right.

[B]

Yeah. I was patient zero for something that doctors were really mystified by for a while. But it all worked out okay. I guess I know whose heart throbby on whatever days. But who's the bad boy? Every group's got a bad boy.

[C]

Joe really just can't be tamed.

[E]

No, no, no, hold on. Kevin likes to leave items out at me and Nick's home.

[D]

Yes.

[E]

He'll leave like a cup, like half drank cups. And I think he's a bad boy. Cause he just. He won't do it at his home.

[B]

I don't know.

[E]

It's as if it's.

[D]

It's annoying.

[C]

It's a sign of dominance.

[E]

Yeah, I would not call it dominance. You think it's dominant? It's like a dog Peeing on a.

[B]

Flagpole, which is, if I'm not mistaken, a sign of dominance. Or at the very least, it's some kind of communication that says, hey, y' all know who peed here?

[E]

I'm the eldest.

[C]

Reminder, I'm marking my territory. No, it's something I have to work on. I'm sorry that I do that to you gentlemen.

[E]

I'd rather him pee on it than leave a sparkling water.

[D]

I'm good without that.

[C]

Without the urine.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, maybe we don't actually want urine everywhere. I would reconsider that if I were you. But, you know, the quick test for bad boy is who's pulling off a biker jacket?

[E]

I've caught Nick in a couple of biker jackets in my day.

[D]

Yeah, I have been known to wear a biker jacket.

[B]

You like a jacket?

[D]

Can't ride a motorcycle, but can wear the jacket for sure.

[C]

I've got my motorcycle license.

[D]

Oh, oh, another thing that makes Kevin the bad boy.

[B]

All right, well, okay, he's actually got. He's got his moped license.

[D]

It's not even a motorcycle.

[C]

No, I have my full motorcycle. I just have a Vespa.

[B]

Okay, well, that's not a motorcycle. Your latest album is called Greetings from your hometown. My hometown?

[A]

Really?

[B]

Why would you name your album after a dump like Whoville?

[D]

Unfortunately, never been to Whoville. Seen a lot of pictures and videos. Looks like a lovely place. What's the best time of year to go to Whoville?

[B]

I would say the best time, honestly, is winter. I mean, I've had some really nice nights where I've gone out around, say, Christmastime and just sort of had a lot of fun sort of rooting through people's cabinets. And I'm not referencing anything specific, but there's one holiday in particular a few years back where I just kind of had my run of the place. It was really fun. Everybody was just, like, at some party, and I just kind of stole and vandalized and destroyed a lot of cool stuff and got in a lot of trouble with it. And actually, this podcast is a part of my court ordered recompense for that deed, so. Yeah, good times.

[D]

I think we heard about that one.

[A]

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