Podcast Summary: Fudd Around And Find Out

Episode: New Year, Same Podcast
Release Date: January 16, 2026
Hosts: Azzi Fudd & Ashanti Plummer

Episode Overview

This episode of Fudd Around and Find Out kicks off the new year as Azzi and Ashanti reunite to recap their holiday adventures, reflect on traditions and gifts, share New Year’s resolutions, and give listeners an open look into life as an elite athlete in the middle of UConn’s basketball season. The second half delves into personal growth, team performance on and off the court, and peppered in are fan interactions and a signature “What the Fud” segment spotlighting hilarious and heartfelt listener moments from 2025.

1. Holiday Reflections & Traditions

Christmas Rewind (02:30–09:36)

• Azzi shares her family’s low-key Christmas traditions: ordering pizza, matching pajamas, movie marathons, gift exchanges (where she’s “Santa”), and big family dinners. Due to basketball, her family woke up at 5am to celebrate before her early flight. She highlights the importance of family, and how even non-blood guests are “family.”

  • Quote: “My family is the best... They all woke up early for me so we could have our normal Christmas tradition.” (05:03)

• Ashanti describes her rotating location Christmases, often spent in Arizona with a large extended family—board games, soul food or Jamaican feasts, and a lot of music and singing. Despite not inheriting the singing gene, she relishes her role as the dancer and “hype woman.”

  • Quote: “My family, they are musically inclined... I'm in the background just making sure I sing low enough that no one hears what's really going on.” (07:07)

Best Gifts Received (05:20–09:38)

• Azzi got new books, bookmarks, a suitcase scale (for her notorious overpacking), and jewelry. But the real gift was special family time and guests.

  • Memorable Moment: Story about her family sticking to “Santa” rules and waking up at 5am for her (05:03).

• Ashanti received a devotional book from a close friend, with handwritten notes, calling it “super intentional, super thoughtful.” She also appreciated other presents like a watch and bag.

Best Gifts Given (09:38–10:17)

• Ashanti gave her mom a big box of clothes from Hope York City, a brand they both love.

  • Quote: “She was ecstatic. Ecstatic. Ecstatic. So that was probably my favorite gift.” (09:30)

• Azzi made a faux “certificate” for her family: a promise of travel to visit her wherever she gets drafted to the WNBA, with all expenses on her.

  • Quote: “I’ll pay for everyone’s trips... so it’s like a weekend with just my mom, or just my dad, or a sibling weekend. Just fun.” (10:10)

Christmas Meals (10:21–10:53)

• Both recount meals that mostly mirror Thanksgiving—with rib roast, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes for Azzi’s family, while Ashanti has a mix of classic soul and Jamaican cuisine depending on which side of her family she’s with.

2. Ringing in the New Year

New Year’s Eve Stories (11:01–12:22)

• Azzi spent NYE after a game and a teammate’s birthday, hanging out and playing “Werewolf” so intently they missed the ball drop entirely.

  • Quote: “We were locked in, playing that, talking, having a good time... we forgot to watch the ball drop. I was actually really upset about that.” (11:21)

• Ashanti had a whirlwind: after Christmas in New York, she flew to Memphis for NYE before heading to Miami for an event. She celebrated with friends and family at a hotel party as the new year came in.

NY Superstitions & Traditions (12:23–14:10)

• Ashanti brings up NY superstitions—like eating grapes under the table for love—and jokes about having participated in the past, but skipped it this year.
• Azzi admits she isn’t superstitious: “Who cares? ...nothing’s embarrassing.” (16:41)

Cottage Cheese Care Package (14:20–16:18)

• Social media conversation about Azzi’s notorious love of cottage cheese erupts. She shows off branded merch from Good Culture (including a custom cottage cheese spoon).
• Ashanti confesses she hasn’t tried it, but will, with Azzi’s support. Azzi provides cottage cheese recipes and fan stories about trying it.

3. New Year’s Resolutions & Personal Growth

Resolutions for 2026 (16:37–18:53)

• Azzi’s Resolutions: Remove concepts like “embarrassment” and “insecurity” from her mindset, stop procrastinating/avoiding things (especially when texting people back), and work towards reading the whole Bible in 2026.

  • Quote: “Nothing’s embarrassing. Like, it happened. I’m not gonna be embarrassed about it.” (16:41)
  • Quote: “I’m trying to read the whole Bible this year.” (18:13)

• Ashanti’s Resolutions: Journaling, betting on herself in media/hosting, and deepening her relationship with Christ—plus reading the Bible cover to cover.

  • Quote: “The number one biggest thing is to deepen my relationship with Christ and then everything else I mentioned.” (18:00)

• They commit to being accountability partners for faith-based and personal growth.

4. UConn Basketball: Midseason Check-In

Conference Play & Team Vibe (22:03–26:27)

• Team Atmosphere: Azzi describes how the team is undefeated entering conference play, practices are hard but rewarding, and chemistry/confidence are high.

  • Quote: “Basketball is amazing when you really enjoy who you’re playing with and everyone’s confident.” (22:17)

• Growth & Coach’s Expectations: Coach Geno continues to “humble” them, always pushing the team to improve.

  • Quote: “Coach seriously never fails to humble us in practice.” (22:53)

• Personal Goals Update:

  • On leadership: Azzi feels she’s becoming more decisive and vocal but still has room to grow (23:30–23:57).
  • On risk-taking: She’s getting aggressive defensively and shooting more decisively:“For this year, I feel like I’ve definitely been a lot more risk-taking, especially on defense, taking—not more shots—but not hesitating as much.” (24:15)
  • On rebounding: Celebrates grabbing 8 rebounds, admitting it’s intimidating but key to her growth.
  • Layup “slump”: Drops the label entirely, choosing positive language going forward.

• Team Trust:

  • Quote: “If we’re in another one of those [close game] situations, we can trust that whoever is in that position is gonna make the right play.”* (25:38)

• Quirky Ritual: Azzi admits to her habit of holding someone’s finger in the huddle—a comfort carryover from high school.

  • Quote: “It just makes me feel safe. I really don’t know. I don’t have, like, a real reason—just to annoy people, probably.” (26:49)

5. What the Fud: Listener Submissions & Fan Interaction

Notable "What the Fud" Moments (30:10–35:41)

• Top Fan Submissions (2025 Recap):

  • Stranger Things’ sad finale (no spoilers!)
  • Listeners vent about friend drama (“If people try to leave your life, open the door and let them.” – Ashanti, 32:44)
  • Azzi's good culture cottage cheese obsession highlighted by fans
  • Ashanti hilariously eating dinner with Azzi’s family post-game… without Azzi
  • Fans express excitement at small gestures, like Azzi joining TikTok Lives: “You don’t realize, like, the smallest things that you do showing up for people... it really means a lot.” (35:03)

• Memorable Quote:

  • Azzi: “They must have been praying for me. So thank you, whoever did that. I really appreciate it. I have been feeling super blessed lately.” (Church jersey sighting, 30:47)

• Hosts Express Gratitude:

  • Ashanti thanks the pod’s community for its warmth: “They show a lot of love.” (35:38)

6. Notable Quotes & Moments

• Azzi on keeping perspective:
  • “Nothing’s embarrassing… I’m not gonna be embarrassed about it. I’m not gonna be insecure about it. Whatever.” (16:41)
• Ashanti on evolving traditions:
  • “Christmas, the last three years have been spent somewhere different… But my favorite is honestly just being with family, singing and laughing.” (07:07)
• Azzi on positive language:
  • “I’m going to stop saying I’m in a layup slump because I’m not!” (23:53)
• Ashanti on NYE in New York:
  • “Real New Yorkers, we do not go see the ball drop… imagine standing there… wearing diapers.” (12:27)
• Fan interaction appreciation:
  • “I love when I get to meet the girls at games. That’s one of my favorite things.” (35:06)

7. Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [02:30–09:36] Holiday Recaps & Traditions
• [09:38–10:53] Gifts: Given & Received
• [11:01–12:22] New Year’s Celebrations
• [12:23–14:10] NY Superstitions & Cottage Cheese Banter
• [16:37–18:53] New Year’s Resolutions & Accountability
• [22:03–26:27] UConn Basketball: Team, Coach, Personal Growth
• [30:10–35:41] Fan "What the Fud" Round-Up

8. Tone & Vibe

The episode is upbeat, warm, and candid—Azzi and Ashanti’s dynamic is playful, genuine, and supportive, mixing humor with vulnerability. The podcast balances behind-the-scenes athletic insight with approachable conversation, making listeners feel like part of the family.

In Summary

New Year, Same Podcast is a feel-good reentry to the new year—a celebration of growth, tradition, and the bonds within basketball, family, and the fan community. Azzi and Ashanti blend peak athlete insight with everyday relatability, making this a must-listen for sports fans and young women alike.