Podcast Summary: "Not Thankful for Phil"

Podcast Information

• Title: I've Had It
• Hosts: Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
• Episode: Not Thankful for Phil
• Release Date: November 26, 2024

Overview In the "Not Thankful for Phil" episode of "I've Had It," hosts Blessica "Pumps" and Angela "Dawn" engage in a candid and comedic discussion about their frustrations surrounding Thanksgiving traditions, particularly the performative aspects of gratitude and forced family interactions. The episode delves into their disdain for the holiday's commercialization, the problematic historical narratives taught to children, and the emergence of Friendsgiving as a supposedly alternative celebration. Additionally, they explore various amusing and baffling posts from the Nextdoor app, highlighting the absurdities of neighborhood interactions.

The Performative Gratitude of Thanksgiving Blessica and Angela open the discussion by expressing their overwhelming fatigue with Thanksgiving’s obligatory expressions of gratitude. They criticize the superficiality of the tradition, especially when surrounded by challenging family dynamics.

• Blessica Pumps [02:19]: "I just think that question is entirely out of line."
• Angela Dawn [03:06]: "What kind of question is that?"

They argue that the forced sharing of gratitude often feels insincere, especially in families where underlying tensions exist. Blessica emphasizes her frustration with the performative aspects of the holiday:

• Blessica Pumps [04:07]: "It's such performative bullshit. You're sitting there with your family... Let's quit with this bullshit."

Historical Inaccuracies and Colonialism The hosts delve into the historical portrayal of Thanksgiving, criticizing the sanitized version taught in schools that overlooks the brutal realities of colonialism and massacres of indigenous peoples.

• Angela Dawn [05:32]: "Yes."
• Blessica Pumps [05:32]: "And then you start studying it and you find out it was this bloody massacre."

They highlight the discrepancy between the wholesome stories presented in childhood and the harsher truths, advocating for a more honest acknowledgment of history.

Disdain for Thanksgiving’s Overlap with Christmas Blessica expresses her intent to overshadow Thanksgiving by starting Christmas preparations early as a form of rebellion against the holiday’s timing and overshadowing by Christmas festivities.

• Blessica Pumps [03:59]: "I am going to start putting up my Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving just for spite."

She criticizes the back-to-back nature of Thanksgiving and Christmas, suggesting it exhausts the celebratory spirit and adds unnecessary pressure.

The Rise and Frustrations with Friendsgiving Friendsgiving is presented as a trend aimed at providing an alternative to traditional Thanksgiving gatherings. However, the hosts express their annoyance with this practice, viewing it as another performative event that merely adds to the holiday stress.

• Blessica Pumps [14:14]: "Every year someone wants to host the Friendsgiving. I have to cook. You have to bring something. It's just a second Thanksgiving."

They argue that Friendsgiving piggybacks on the existing holiday, crowding an already busy weekend without offering a meaningful alternative.

Confrontation with a Neighbor: "Phil" A significant portion of the episode focuses on the hosts' negative experiences with a neighbor named Phil. They recount an encounter where Phil imposed intrusive and threatening questions about their Thanksgiving gratitude, which left a lasting impression.

• Angela Dawn [01:47]: "Okay, this happened to me last night and I fucking had it."
• Blessica Pumps [02:36]: "Shut up. What I'm thankful for is that I haven't run into you in decades and I literally don't remember your name."

Their interactions with Phil symbolize the broader theme of unwanted and forced social interactions, exacerbating their disillusionment with Thanksgiving traditions.

Navigating Political Tensions in Social Settings The conversation shifts to the challenges of identifying and interacting with individuals holding opposing political views. Through anecdotes from activities like pickleball, the hosts express their discomfort and reluctance to engage with people they perceive as politically incompatible.

• Blessica Pumps [07:08]: "Do you really want me to stand there and tell you no?"
• Angela Dawn [09:31]: "I'm thankful that I never have to see you again. You Trumper."

They discuss the tension between maintaining civility and asserting their boundaries in politically charged environments.

Amusing and Baffling Neighborhood Interactions on Nextdoor Blessica, Angela, and Kylie navigate through a series of humorous and perplexing posts from the Nextdoor app, showcasing the variety of neighborly interactions. From bizarre requests for gravy to questionable advertisements, the hosts entertain listeners with their reactions and commentary.

• Blessica Pumps [23:29]: "How post. Oh, my God. Pooping sounds on South 42nd Avenue."
• Angela Dawn [39:27]: "It's got to be some kind of fetish that's just not normal."

These segments highlight the absurdity and unpredictability of online neighborhood platforms, providing both humor and social critique.

Personal Stories and Reflections The hosts share personal anecdotes that illustrate their broader frustrations and coping mechanisms. From Blessica’s role as a supportive parent to Angela’s experiences with unsolicited attention, these stories add depth to their grievances and connect with listeners on a relatable level.

• Blessica Pumps [12:58]: "This year, we are unable to attend because my youngest son, Roman, is playing varsity basketball."
• Angela Dawn [43:56]: "I have two sons now that I don't know... they think I'm the dumbest, most obnoxious, miserable human on the planet."

These reflections underscore the personal impact of societal pressures and unwanted social obligations.

Conclusion: Embracing Authenticity Over Forced Traditions In wrapping up, Blessica and Angela reaffirm their stance against the performative and obligatory aspects of Thanksgiving. They advocate for authentic connections and genuine expressions of gratitude, rather than adhering to societal expectations that often feel hollow and contrived.

• Blessica Pumps [44:35]: "Happy Thanksgiving, everyone."
• Angela Dawn [44:36]: "Happy Thanksgiving."

Their final remarks emphasize a desire for listeners to find their own meaningful ways to celebrate, free from the constraints of forced traditions.

Notable Quotes

• Blessica Pumps [04:07]: "It's such performative bullshit. Let's quit with this bullshit."
• Angela Dawn [03:06]: "What kind of question is that?"
• Blessica Pumps [14:14]: "Every year someone wants to host the Friendsgiving. It's just a second Thanksgiving."

Final Thoughts "Not Thankful for Phil" presents a raw and humorous take on the complexities and frustrations surrounding Thanksgiving traditions. Through their spirited discussions and relatable anecdotes, Blessica and Angela encourage listeners to question societal norms and seek more authentic and fulfilling ways to celebrate gratitude and community.