Welcome to #Millennial, the home of pretend adulting and real talk!
We spend time discussing the latest on the Los Angeles wildfires in California - where are they at, how contained are they, and how many people are being affected? Looking to help? Donate to the American Red Cross to support wildfire relief.
We also have a slew of mini political updates: Pam wins the first correct prediction of 2025 (that Trump will fly the flag at full mast for his inauguration because he's a giant baby), SCOTUS to hear a case challenging key provisions of the ACA, and of course... the TikTok question. Are we going to need to satisfy our scrolling addiction elsewhere after January 19th?
How would we feel about losing TikTok? Won't people just... find something else?
Oh wait, Americans have already started signing up for another Chinese-owned Tik-Tokesque app called Red Note. Lol.
It seems like the US government isn't the only thing going backwards in 2025: Starbucks recently announced changes to try and win back customers by bringing back those cool coffee shop vibes that make customers want to enjoy the cafes as a third space.
Starbucks specifically plans to bring back the self-serve condiment bar because we're not worried about spreading germs anymore and eliminate the non-dairy milk surcharges (ok this is good). They also plan to add more comfortable seating and provide the option of receiving your drink in a ceramic mug to inspire you to hang around the 'Bucks and socialize a little. Ahh the smell of burnt coffee and capitalism in the morning!
Don't miss this week's recommendations! Look for a silent book club near you (Pam), ShoreExcursionsGroup.com to book cruise ship excursions that don't cost an arm and a leg (Andrew), and our What the Hype?! episode on Onyx Storm predictions (Laura).

And in this week's installment of After Dark:

In honor of this show's 10th birthday, we play tribute to its predecessor, Smart Mouths (rip).
Laura was apparently kinda bitchy via email in those days. Sorry!
And for a MuggleSuck throwback: we remember the days of wizard rock on the Harry Potter conference circuit. If a certain wrocker's walls could talk...

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