The Bobby Bones Show: Coolest Moments of Our Year & The Great Thanksgiving Debate

Date: November 22, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones (w/ co-host Mike D)

Episode Overview

In this holiday special episode, Bobby Bones and Mike D share their favorite moments of 2025 and get honest about the quirks and stresses of Thanksgiving traditions, holiday shopping, and personal style transformations. The episode is a relaxed, witty, and feel-good conversation—perfect for the pre-Thanksgiving mood. Listeners get personal stories about family dynamics, Costco chaos, competitive grocery shopping, and candid discussions about embracing change, confidence, and identity through style and self-expression.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Food & Family Traditions

• Holiday Anticipation:

  • Bobby and Mike D kick off with thoughts on Thanksgiving approaching, with Bobby emphasizing family over food this year.
  • "I think I get excited for everything around it. Just holidays in general, getting to see family more. I used to be really excited for the food, but this year it's a little bit different." (Bobby, 03:23)

• Alternative Thanksgiving Meals:

  • Mike D highlights how he and his wife make the holiday easy by ordering gluten-free and vegan sides from a favorite restaurant.
  • "This is like the scenario I dreamed about growing up...I just want to pay for it." (Mike D, 04:07)
  • Discusses hating fruit salad duty as a kid and the trauma of cutting up fruit every year.

• Kitchen Avoidance:

  • Both hosts joke about avoiding kitchen duties, particularly the messy and gross tasks (like deboning chicken or turkey), and buying pre-made food at Costco instead.

2. Costco Adventures & Grocery Store Chaos

• Love/Hate Relationship with Costco:

  • Both gush over Costco's bulk deals and unique offerings (giant pies, collectible cards, random finds), but lament storage space and the overwhelming crowds—especially on weekends.
  • "I love Costco. That's like, in my 30s. I've really settled into, like, I just love Costco." (Mike D, 05:55)

• Costco Checkout Line Drama:

  • Vivid recollections of near-fights in chaotic checkout lines and struggling with the 'line luck' curse.
  • "I don't do well at picking lines." (Bobby, 07:40)

• Grocery Store Rage:

  • Discuss competitive energy at the Costco gas station—people cutting gas lines and feeling protected by being in the car.
  • Both share how rushing (at stores or in life) often leads to more mistakes and stress.

3. Slowing Down and Embracing Self-Compassion

• Clumsy Mishaps and Rushing:

  • The guys debate productivity vs. moving slow, admitting that hurrying only leads to more accidents and frustration.
  • "When I move quickly, I get so much more clumsier...Does that happen to you?" (Bobby, 11:36)
  • Mike D confesses to being a naturally slow walker and driver, calling himself "the sloth from Zootopia." (14:08)

• Competitive Streak:

  • Mike D is a slowpoke in life but turns ultra-competitive when running on trails—“if someone tries to pass me, I take off." (14:25)

4. Highlighting the Coolest Moments of 2025

• Mike D’s Super Bowl Experience:

  • Mike went to the Super Bowl, which he never thought possible, and shares the surrealism and cost-prohibitive reality of attending.
  • "That's the thing that not most people do. And I never really thought I would go to a Super Bowl." (Mike D, 19:17)
  • Dreams of attending the Super Bowl only if his beloved Dallas Cowboys play, or if Bad Bunny plays the halftime.

• Musical Milestones:

  • Mike D's current musical hero is Bad Bunny (previously Post Malone), mentioning he'd consider international travel just to see him perform.
  • Both discuss what makes a show or concert worth traveling for, with Vegas residencies topping the list.

• Bobby’s Hosting Debut on Rebel Jukebox:

  • Bobby beams about hosting her first full TV special where the audience controlled the performance elements, calling it a “bucket list” moment.
  • "It felt like it was one of those kind of bucket list moments that I didn't really know existed." (Bobby, 24:15)
  • Shares the challenge and triumph of “in-ear” monitors while hosting—being thrown off by hearing your own voice echo in a crowd.

5. Style, Transformation, and Confidence

• Mike D’s Desire for Change:

  • Feels stagnant after three years of the same look (2022–2025) and is itching to reinvent—new tattoo, glasses, and haircut, possibly a mullet.
  • "I need to revamp myself a little bit because ... I feel like I've been the same for like the last three years." (Mike D, 34:14)

• Tattoo Talk:

  • Plans to get a Simpsons-themed tattoo, combine creative inspiration and personal meaning.
  • Details of design: Bart falling, skull version included, all-black ink with etching for texture.

• Hair and Apparel Evolution:

  • Grappling with idea of bleaching hair again or going for a trendy Mohawk-mullet hybrid.
  • Considering more eyewear flair, contemplating bold glasses or even trialing contacts despite squeamishness.

• Pushing Past the Comfort Zone:

  • Host advocates for embracing bold personal change, comparing the confidence boost of new hairstyles and dressing up (referencing Amy’s new confident style).

• Fashion As Self-Expression:

  • Both agree that looking good in what you wear translates directly into feeling good and being more confident—citing studies, anecdotes, and fashion experiments.
  • "When I dress in something that feels, like, comfortable in me, I just feel like I operate better." (Mike D, 44:53)

6. The Meaning of Change

• Notable Reflections:

  • Tattoos are framed as permanent stories that become part of who we are.
  • Changing appearances (hair, clothes, accessories) are reversible, so “full send” is encouraged.
  • Bobby addresses the stigma and curiosity around radical hair changes and hopes for a more supportive attitude.

• Motivation and Inspiration:

  • Mike D credits Amy (a fellow show member) for inspiring the desire to up his style game.
  • Discusses the psychology of dressing up for work vs. “saving” clothes for going out.

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Thanksgiving Sides on Easy Mode:

  • "I just want to pay for it."
    — Mike D (04:07)

• Costco Chaos and Line Luck:

  • "I don't do well at picking lines."
    — Bobby (07:40)

• Realization About Rushing:

  • "When I move quickly, I get so much more clumsier. Like, the amount of things that I drop and hit and move just exponentially increases."
    — Bobby (11:36)

• Self-Description:

  • "I am the sloth from Zootopia."
    — Mike D (14:08)

• Concert Travel Philosophy:

  • "I don't really think about traveling to go to things anymore ... unless it's Vegas."
    — Mike D (22:54)

• TV Special Hosting Bucket List:

  • "It felt like it was one of those kind of bucket list moments that I didn't really know existed."
    — Bobby (24:15)

• Desire for Change:

  • "I feel like I need to revamp myself a little bit."
    — Mike D (34:14)

• Tattoo Inspiration:

  • "Simpsons has been my favorite show since I was a kid. I think that inspired me to want to do creative writing..."
    — Mike D (35:39)

• Fashion & Confidence:

  • "When I dress in something that feels, like, comfortable in me, I just feel like I operate better."
    — Mike D (44:53)

• On Permanent Tattoos:

  • "I think if you were in a good state of mind when you got it, live with it. It becomes a part of you."
    — Mike D (48:34)

Important Timestamps

• Thanksgiving Traditions & Food Alternatives: 03:14–05:06
• Costco Tales & Line Luck: 05:39–08:59
• Clumsiness When Rushing: 11:28–13:44
• Slow Walker Confessions / “Sloth from Zootopia”: 13:02–14:10
• Big Moments of 2025: 18:58–23:36
• Rebel Jukebox TV Special: 23:44–28:17
• Style Transformation Discussion: 33:51–48:47
• Tattoos and Permanent Change: 47:45–49:05
• Closing Thoughts on Change & Confidence: 50:04–51:14

Takeaway

This episode blends holiday humor with real talk about family, adulthood, and the perpetual journey of self-expression. Bobby and Mike D unpack why traditions matter, how modern conveniences and quirks shape our holidays, and the importance of personal reinvention—reminding listeners to slow down, embrace change, and never underestimate the value of comfortable fashion.

Perfect to listen for:
Anyone who loves friendly banter, candid life reflections, and is seeking inspiration to change things up in the new year—or just survive Thanksgiving at Costco.

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Listen to the full replay for more behind-the-scenes stories and holiday hype!