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A
At ikea, your dreams can come true. Well, maybe not the ones where you're being chased by a monster. We're talking about kitchen drinks, and there are IKEA products and solutions for all of them, whether it's a whole new kitchen, a statement glassware set, or just new cutlery. If you got big dreams or small dreams and any size of budget, IKEA can help you bring them to Life. Visit IKEA US DreamKitchen to learn more. Dream the possibilities.
B
Hello, and welcome to this episode of Kennedy Saves the World. It's happy hour. The holidays are in full swing, so it is time to make something celebratory with one of the most celebratory people here at Fox. She is incredible. She always looks amazing. She always has a massive smile on her face for whomever she meets. She takes great joy, not only in her work, but most importantly, being a mom. And she is awesome. Carly Shroom. Cause you're finally here. I'm so excited.
C
I have been looking forward to this.
B
I've been trying to mocktail with you for so long.
C
Can we go do a little cheers?
B
Yes. Cheers.
C
This looks.
B
This is a fun little holiday creation.
C
Oh, my gosh.
A
Yeah.
C
That is equal parts wonderful and magical. Made by you. You even sprinkled some deliciousness on top.
B
Of the whipped cream. Yeah, that's just a little bit of cinnamon. Because, you know, if you get a straw full of cinnamon and whipped cream with the. So it would be amarula, which is my favorite South African liqueur. It's kind of like a South African Bailey's.
C
Oh, I didn't know that.
B
And I was introduced to it last year before I went to South Africa by Jack Maxwell. And then when we got there, they're like, oh, yeah, no, this is like our national drink. And they served it everywhere.
C
This is why we must travel to learn.
B
Exactly right. And it's incredibly versatile. So they would serve it with coffee, and they would serve it in the morning with coffee if you wanted it. And this has some root beer.
C
Oh, it's perfect because. And it looks like a little Christmas tree.
B
Exactly. Who doesn't love a root beer float? And so I'm a big believer that your. Your glassware doesn't have to go with the exact right thing. Yes. I don't think you necessarily have to have a Tom Collins glass or a highball glass or a Nick and Nora. Like, if something like this is a celebratory shape. And I know it's probably not meant for a sweet and creamy dress with cream on top, but it looks so cute.
C
It looks like a Christmas tree. And we are festive.
B
Yes, we are.
C
Do you know what I just said to Janice? She was like. We were talking about the holidays, and she's like, what are you doing? And I'm off the. The week between Christmas and New Year for the first time. I'm so excited. And I was like, I want to put peppermint schnapps in absolutely everything.
B
Good for you.
C
She was like, that's your plan? I said, yes, that's my whole plan.
B
I think you can, because if you put it in a mocha, I mean, it's essentially what they make at Starbucks. Peppermint schnapps, which is a little bit of.
C
And you're not on terror, so something. Peppermint schnapps in hot cocoa.
B
Yeah.
C
And then you turn on. It's a Wonderful Life is like living.
B
Okay.
C
Living.
B
You're not going to believe this. I've only seen the end of It's a Wonderful Life, which is not wonderful. So when he's, like, running through the town and no one knows him and he's miserable, I'm like, this is the worst movie ever.
C
But then we get to the wonderful after. You haven't seen the end End?
B
Well, I saw the end, but I was so traumatized by. Wait. Kennedy. So I didn't watch the beginning. I don't know the lead up. I just know that he's.
C
Oh. That he almost jumps off a bridge.
B
Like, I'm like, okay, you've got this. No. Suicidal, depressed guy who's being rejected by everyone he loves. Like, what if you only watch that part of it?
C
It's a horror film.
B
Yeah, It's a depression movie. Yeah.
C
No, it's so good. Oh, you should. You should do that this year.
B
Totally.
C
Make that, like, your one thing. You will love it. Your whole world will be changed. Okay.
B
Because we are trying to fill the docket with the best Christmas presentation.
C
It's a Christmas tradition for a reason. Like, there's a reason this was.
B
See, I love. I'm so glad you said that because, I mean, I love traditions. And all that means is you go back to something you've already done and do it again.
C
I know.
B
It doesn't mean you have to do it every year. It doesn't mean if you didn't do it five years ago, you don't bring it.
C
You don't have to bring. You can bring it back.
B
You can bring it back. Anything you want that you've done in the past, bring it back. It's officially a tradition.
C
What's your favorite one for Christmas?
B
Oh, Sound of Music. Oh, really? Yeah. And so now I'll turn it on while I'm cooking and the girls will float in and out and. And be like, aw. And watch for a few minutes and then they'll float away.
C
But it's like this is what it feels like to be with mom around Christmas. Yes. So I'm kind of forming those traditions now.
B
But that's what's so exciting about having little kids.
C
I don't really have. To be honest. I don't. I don't really have any with Brock yet.
B
But he's. Is this his first like lucid Christmas?
C
Yeah, for sure. Last year. Well, he was, he wasn't even one last year for Christmas, so he was like into.
B
So he was still a baby. Like before one, you're still a baby. But now he's almost too.
C
Yeah.
B
So he gets everything. But. So now is the time where you can lay the foundation for some really fun traditions. So my brother and their family, before they get up and open presents, they always have donuts and orange juice in bed. I need this. Like they all pile into the same bed and they do that before they open presents. And they still do it. And my nieces and nephew are all in their 20s and they still do it. Yes.
C
Oh my gosh. I love that.
B
Yeah. Like everyone sleeps at my brother and sister in law's house and they do that. I get up at like 4 in the morning and make the. It's the one day where I make cinnamon rolls. So I make cinnamon rolls and my mom's like egg souffle recipe, which sounds fancy. It's not. It's just like, it's pieces of gluten free bread with spreadable cheese and butter and then it soaks overnight. And milk and eggs.
C
Anything you say.
B
And then cheese on top. Bake it.
C
It sounds.
B
And that tastes like Christmas.
C
Your house probably smells amazing.
B
Yes.
C
Cinnamon roll.
B
Homemade cinnamon rolls.
C
Like, do you put whole milk or like heavy whipping cream in the cinnamon roll tray? I just saw.
B
Oh, I've never heard that.
C
Okay. So I just saw a video of somebody doing it and it looked gross in the beginning and then they came out so like fluffy.
B
Oh, that's nice.
C
Moist.
B
So I again, I have to make them gluten free and for some reason I don't know what it is. Like I cannot get my flour to react with yeast and so I have to fight like crazy to not have little hockey pucks. Oh, but you overcompensate with lots of sugar on butter.
C
Oh, and the like, cream cheese frosting.
B
Yeah, cream frosting. Like a half an inch of cream cheese frosting.
C
Cream cheese frosting could solve a lot of problems. Really could, like, you do like a couple world leaders around a table solving an issue, just fire some cream cheese frosting. Everyone's like, you know what? We all agree on this. Yes, this is good.
B
That's so funny you said that, because I remember during the Iraq war when Saddam Hussein was still alive, Kelly Slater was like, if George Bush and Saddam Hussein could just go surfing and just like paddle out for a couple hours, like, they could totally solve the whole thing. Okay, so this week, and he was absolutely. He's absolutely right.
C
You know what? Okay. Along that line, this weekend, my husband and I were talking about, we were trying to find one thing that everybody agrees on, like, around the world, like every single person, 100% of individuals agree on. And then there's like, caveats, like, well, this is kind of like, I kind of. But like kids. Well, some people, you could say you could put an abortion argument into that. Blah, blah, blah. So there's always like little things like, oh, we don't agree. And I was like, macaroni and cheese. Yeah, like, everybody agrees on macaroni and cheese.
B
Well, you know, you throw bacon in there and that then you have a.
C
Consensus 100%, although I don't.
B
And it can be turkey bacon. You just need the bacon flavor. For those who don't eat pork, I.
C
Don'T like the breaded topping. That's where I draw.
B
So I'm glad you brought that up because this is critical because a lot of people include Mac and cheese on their Christmas table. My nephew is a chef, and so we were making our traditional Fourth of July bacon lobster Mac and cheese. Oh, wow. We make it every year. He now makes the sauce for it, the bechamel sauce, because he's like, so soft. He's got real skills. So we didn't have any gluten free bread to make the topping. He goes, oh, that's okay. Do you have potato chips? I'm like, yes, I have potato chips. In fact, I have salt and vinegar kettle chips. So we just crushed them and put the salt and vinegar chips on top. And I will never do anything else with Mac and cheese.
C
Okay, I'm gonna try that. I've never made macaroni and cheese before.
B
But when I do, it's not bad.
C
It seems a little bit.
B
The only part that's kind of labor intensive is the Sauce.
C
Yeah. Well, you don't have to. Cheese.
B
Yeah. But if you have a Cuisinart and it has, like the grading plate, you just go, re.
C
I don't care. I know. Re.
B
That's right. And I'm sure there are a lot of ninjas that have that, too. Don't go anywhere. More Kennedy saves the world right after this.
C
This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the.
B
52 episode podcast series, the Life of.
C
Jesus, A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts in. In my next. I live. Well, you live in New York City too, right? Yes. Do you have kitchen space? That's what's lacking. I feel like every New York City apartment, there's like, one thing.
B
Yes. They're all. You always have to give up something. So this time around, we gave up cheap rent. Okay. That's when we gave up the stuff. You know what?
C
Cheers.
B
You know what?
C
Listen, you only live once.
B
Cheers to the sea. You only live once. Okay, but finally, like, that'll probably be.
C
My next give up.
B
Exactly.
C
Because right now I'm like, in the middle.
B
I had a galley kitchen, which I hated.
C
Oh, I have that.
B
Because I was just shoved into this little shoebox and I couldn't talk to anyone. I'd have to pop my head out. Like, I saw that. I know, I know. Or like, what'd you say?
C
Yeah.
B
Can I be part of the conversation? No.
C
So I have this. I have a kitchen that's sort of like a galley kitchen. Kind of hard to explain, but just there's shelves that are covering the TV or like, any signs of life. So I'm always like this.
B
Yeah. And you're tall. I'm like, yeah, I'm with it. I get that. I see you. That's how I do it. Yeah.
C
So that's me. Yeah. Next. Next time around.
B
Yes.
C
Yes.
B
So finally we have, like, an open kitchen where. And it's my favorite thing in the world is to be cooking and baking and talking. Like, I love to have all those things happening simultaneously. That is my happiest place. Even though I. My girls always make fun of me for swearing when I'm baking, because baking is so precise and if something goes wrong, and I always tell them, the more I swear, the tastier it will be.
C
100%.
B
You get a few MF bombs. Like, you know that's gonna be good.
C
Salt in a sweet recipe is Always a good thing.
B
We all know how good salted caramel is.
C
Bingo. That could be something we all agree on, too.
B
Yeah, but more traditions.
C
Yeah, more traditions. Cooking with all those things.
B
Cooking with Christmas music, baking. And then, you know, it's like, I love putting on the cider and cinnamon sticks and just, like, throw like, nutmeg and whatever else just so it. The smell of the bubbling, simmering cider with fresh cinnamon sticks. No.
C
Have you ever had mulled wine before?
B
Yes, I had it in Montreal last year.
C
Really?
B
It was amazing.
C
My mom. That's a family tradition. My mom makes that.
B
Maybe not for Brock this year.
C
Not. No, no, no.
B
Maybe we would like to.
C
He's a Tyler, so he's, like, always acting a little. A little drunk with the, like, little cute beer belly.
B
Oh, my. He. Okay, so I have to tell you at the Fox Christmas tree lighting. Yes, Lawrence. I have adorable video. I got video of you taking video of Lawrence.
C
Because I got a bad video.
B
Oh, yeah. It's so cute. Of Lawrence throwing your. And your baby is so big. I thought Lawrence is gonna throw his back out. And Lawrence is a substantial person.
C
He is huge. Yeah.
B
Okay, now I have to bring it.
C
Up, but I love that Lawrence did that, because he's the kind of guy that I don't. You know, he's not. Kids are, like, not in his world right now.
B
Yes.
C
But he paid special attention to Brock. Oh, my God.
B
This is Carly Shimkiss watching Lawrence Jones.
C
Oh, you gotta send this to me.
B
Throw her sweet Brock up into the air. Oh, my gosh.
C
You have to send this to me.
B
Yeah.
C
Cause I want to show Lawrence that. And then Lawrence can show.
B
Cause that's a full workout.
C
That is a full workout. And honestly, Brock is like, half of his size.
B
Yes. No, that's. I was like.
C
He's like a sturdy.
B
He's like a sturdy. When did Carly's baby turned six?
C
I know. That's.
B
Yeah, yeah. Cause your husband is tall, too.
C
He is. He's. Yeah. And he's like, just like kind of a broader, broader chap. So I think Brock's gonna be a big, big boy.
B
The savior of humanity. We need them. We've had so many boys and pearls sipping oat milk lattes that we really need, like, we need some men strapping, fun dudes to come back and make everything better.
C
He may not be two yet, but the future of humanity rests on Brock's brothers.
B
And he has to know that that can be. That could be one of your Christmas traditions. Yes. How are you going to save the world.
C
Brock, tell us now.
B
Go.
C
He's like, trucks. Balls, Balls.
B
Trucks. Taxi. Okay, well, yeah, you know, he's not wrong. Taxi.
C
He knows all the city words. Isn't that crazy?
B
That's hysterical.
C
He knows taxi. Taxi. Pigeon. I know. Our nanny teaches him like these things.
B
Oh, that's great.
C
Isn't that funny?
B
Yeah.
C
Yeah, I like that.
B
Oh, Alvin Bragg.
C
He does not. And we'll never know that.
B
No. I saw Alvin Bragg at Del Frisco's and I went up to him, I said, you are single handedly ruining the city. You did not. And he was like, what? And he was like, completely taken aback. I don't know. Just a group of. Probably leave it to you. Yeah. And he was like, what? And I said, you are single handedly ruining the city. Ruining. And I gave him the Romanian glare, like, and then walked away.
C
That's amazing. He needs to know. He does. I'm glad you did that.
B
I am not pleased.
C
Yeah, Remember that day one memo where he was like, none of these crimes are actually crimes anymore.
B
Yeah.
C
That's what you point to if yes or a follow up yes.
B
So if I see him again, I'm going to print that out, carry it with me, put it in my pocketbook.
C
Kennedy, this is what I love about you. First of all, you're the sweetest person in the entire world. Reasons. So many was there for me when I was pregnant, like, in a big way. Also, I really, I don't know if I've ever said this to you before, but I credit you with like, giving me a chance to be on tv.
B
What?
C
Yes. Because you allowed me to be on your. Your Fox Business show really early on.
B
Oh, that's amazing.
C
Yeah, totally. You don't remember this? Maybe you don't. You know what? This might be an example of little thing to you, but big thing to the person. Because I'm sure there's been examples of that with everybody, but you definitely did that. I remember the moment too. We were in the elevator bank. I said, hi. You said hi. You go, you should be on my show. And then I was like, oh, my God. Which meant everything to me at the time. And then when I actually got the email, I was like, oh, my gosh. And then other shows started allowing me on.
B
That's so cool.
C
Yeah. So I say that because you are the kindest person, but you're also such a straight shooter and would do that to Alvin Bragg. So you are the perfect, perfect mix. You are like a black and white cookie. It's like you get all of it.
B
If anyone messes with my friends, you.
C
Get the salty, you get the sweet. But in the best way possible.
B
Oh, that makes me so.
C
I don't want to overshadow with the Alvin Bragg point, but truly, you gave me so much of my career.
B
That is unbelievable.
C
I would say you. I would say Greg Gutfeld and Neil Cavuto and of course, Imus.
B
Oh, that's incredible.
C
That's the fourth.
B
That's amazing. But that's one of my favorite things about Fox is it doesn't matter where you're from. If you bring the skills, it truly is a meritocracy. And there are people here who are like, oh, no, absolutely.
C
But you would do that. Like, a lot of people would be like, ah, she's so young. Whatever.
B
No, you are so prepared for everything. It's amazing. And also, like, it's one thing to be prepared. It's also one thing to internalize, think about it and deliver something that people wouldn't expect. That's what you do, though, which I love. That is the mark of a good broadcaster, a great broadcaster. And now when you're rich and you have your Sean Hannity private plane, you have to give me a ride.
C
Oh, my gosh, I will. And I won't have a gallery kitchen anymore.
B
That's step one. Get me out. I want to see people as I come. Yes. And you will.
C
Yeah.
B
Thank you. Well, here's to many traditions.
C
I am so glad. I didn't even expect to say that to you. It just came out.
B
It is so, so sweet. Cheers to you.
C
Cheers to you.
B
To Christmas and to enduring friendships.
C
To Christmas, enduring friendships, traditions, yummy food, and watching It's a Wonderful Life start to finish. You are missing out. Make that the new tradition.
B
We will recocus when I've done that. Yes. I love it. Cheers, everybody. Cheers to everyone. Bedford Falls, his husband Kennedy saves the world. Along with Carly Schemke, I'm Kennedy. Listen ad free with a Fox News podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts and Amazon Prime. Members can listen to this show ad free on the Amazon music app. Oh, go ahead and leave me a review while you're there. I'd love to hear what you have to say. You've been listening to Kennedy Saves the World on the Fox News podcast network.
Host: Kennedy
Guest: Carley Shimkus
Date: December 18, 2025
This festive episode of "Kennedy Saves the World" is a joyful celebration of holiday traditions, personal connections, and the importance of creating new memories. Host Kennedy is joined by her Fox News colleague Carley Shimkus for a lively, laughter-filled holiday happy hour. The conversation is a blend of Christmas mocktails, cherished family rituals, cooking mishaps, motherhood milestones, and heartfelt reflection on friendship and gratitude.
[00:54 - 02:35] Kennedy and Carley begin with a “mocktail” toast, sipping a festive drink concocted with Amarula (a South African liqueur), root beer, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Memorable Quote:
“If you get a straw full of cinnamon and whipped cream... it’s just a little bit of cinnamon. Because, you know, why not?”
— Kennedy ([01:25])
[03:03 - 04:39] Carley confesses her love for "It’s a Wonderful Life" and her plan to spike holiday drinks with peppermint schnapps, teasing that Kennedy has only ever watched the depressing part of the classic film.
Notable Exchange:
“I’ve only seen the end of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ which is not wonderful...”
— Kennedy ([03:08])
“But then we get to the wonderful after!”
— Carley ([03:19])
Discussion of personal Christmas movie favorites and the evolving nature of traditions, with Kennedy revealing "The Sound of Music" fills her home with holiday spirit.
[04:45 - 05:53] The conversation shifts to the excitement of passing down and inventing new family rituals, especially with young children.
Memorable Quote:
“You can bring it back. Anything you want that you’ve done in the past, bring it back. It’s officially a tradition.”
— Kennedy ([04:14])
[05:55 - 08:51] The duo takes a culinary detour, gushing over homemade cinnamon rolls (with a debate about cream cheese frosting and heavy cream) and the universal appeal of macaroni and cheese.
Cooking Mishaps & Tips:
Memorable Quote:
“Cream cheese frosting could solve a lot of problems. Really could. Like, you do a couple world leaders around a table solving an issue, just fire some cream cheese frosting at it—everyone’s like, you know what? We all agree on this.”
— Carley ([06:30])
[09:15 - 10:39] Both lament the “galley kitchen” life common in New York apartments and celebrate the dream of open, social kitchens. Kennedy calls her kitchen the “happiest place” when she can cook, bake, and chat with family.
Memorable Moment:
“The more I swear, the tastier it will be.”
— Kennedy ([10:32])
[11:32 - 13:21] Lighthearted recounting of the Fox News Christmas tree lighting, where Lawrence Jones lifts Carley’s sizable toddler, Brock.
Notable Quote:
“We need some men, strapping, fun dudes to come back and make everything better.”
— Kennedy ([12:40])
[14:08 - 15:30] Carley expresses deep gratitude to Kennedy for helping launch her TV career, sharing a story about their first meeting in an elevator and Kennedy’s early support.
Memorable Exchange:
“You are the kindest person, but you’re also such a straight shooter... You are like a black and white cookie. It’s like you get all of it.”
— Carley ([15:02])
“If you get a straw full of cinnamon and whipped cream... it’s just a little bit of cinnamon. Because, you know, why not?”
— Kennedy ([01:25])
“I’ve only seen the end of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ which is not wonderful...”
— Kennedy ([03:08])
“But then we get to the wonderful after!”
— Carley ([03:19])
“You can bring it back. Anything you want that you’ve done in the past, bring it back. It’s officially a tradition.”
— Kennedy ([04:14])
“Cream cheese frosting could solve a lot of problems. Really could...”
— Carley ([06:30])
“The more I swear, the tastier it will be.”
— Kennedy ([10:32])
“We need some men, strapping, fun dudes to come back and make everything better.”
— Kennedy ([12:40])
“You are the kindest person, but you’re also such a straight shooter... You are like a black and white cookie.”
— Carley ([15:02])
| Time | Segment | |----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:37 | Festive drinks & toast | | 02:35 | Christmas movies & traditions | | 04:45 | Evolving/founding family rituals | | 05:55 | Holiday baking and mac & cheese | | 09:15 | Life in NY kitchens | | 10:55 | Sensory Christmas traditions | | 11:32 | Parenting: Fox tree lighting & Brock anecdotes | | 13:23 | Kennedy’s Alvin Bragg confrontation | | 14:08 | Mentorship & career gratitude | | 16:25 | Final cheers and wrapping up |
This episode offers a delightful blend of holiday cheer, candid confessions, kitchen stories, and genuine appreciation between colleagues and friends. Whether discussing Christmas movies, culinary mishaps, or the importance of having each other's backs, Kennedy and Carley exemplify the spirit of the season—love, gratitude, and tradition, both old and newly made.