The Book Lisp – Episode: "Hot Tub Jon Machine"

Hosts: Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna
Date: November 3, 2025
Book of the Month: 12 Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Episode Overview

In this cozy, caffeine-fueled Sunday morning episode, comedian Sarah Colonna and former NFL player Jon Ryan dive into November’s pick, 12 Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber—a lighthearted, Hallmark-esque romance. The hosts humorously reflect on personal traditions, decorating struggles, family dynamics, and the onset of the holiday season, drawing inspiration from the book’s themes of transformation, first impressions, and spreading Christmas spirit. The episode also showcases Jon’s intense Christmas decorating obsession, Sarah’s journey to appreciating holiday cheer, and tales from holidays past—often with a comedic twist and plenty of marital banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Season Kickoff and Personal Traditions

• The couple sets a festive, relatable tone, joking about Mariah Carey signaling the start of Christmas:

  "I love this new tradition... the start of the Christmas season is announced by Mariah Carey." – Jon [04:03]

• Jon and Sarah discuss the American urge to skip Thanksgiving in favor of Christmas and how both holidays can meld together in November.
• Personal birthday placements close to major holidays spur stories of combined celebrations and sibling rivalry:

  "...My brother was the youngest. They'd bring him a little gift, too. Oh, well, then where's my fucking gift at? Linda, come May 14...” – Jon [06:49]

2. First Impressions & Changing Dynamics (Book-Inspired Themes)

• Inspired by 12 Days of Christmas, the duo debates changing first impressions and how people’s attitudes can shift abruptly, sharing stories from their professional lives:
  • Jon recounts his NFL coach’s relentless negativity suddenly turning to indifference—a sure sign of looming cut:

    "The second he started treating me differently, I'm like, I'm done..." – Jon [10:13]

  • Sarah reflects on similar vibes when leaving Chelsea Lately, noting how being on the way out changes relationships.
  • They critique the phrase "true colors," arguing that people often wait for confirmation of their biases:

    "Someone can go and do A...A...A...99 times, and then one time they do B and you're like, there it is, that’s the true thing. Whereas I think it’s actually the person...waiting until that person does that and be like, told you so.” – Jon [11:42]

3. Holiday Decorating and Differing Traditions

• Jon’s Christmas fanaticism contrasts with Sarah’s minimalist LA habits before they met, prompting playful banter:

  “I sent you a Christmas tree on December 1st...do I just throw this out now?” – Jon [19:49]

• Jon reminisces about his first Seattle apartment:

  “I just decorated the pole as if it were a tree...from like the street you just see one glowing pole in the middle of one condo.” – Jon [25:23]

• Decorating disputes arise, especially about indoor vs. outdoor flair, and Jon’s massive off-site Christmas storage:

4. Family Ornaments, Stockings, and Collections

• Sarah details her family’s cherished motley ornaments (e.g. the carrot ornament), and her tradition of tiny stockings for every pet—Scooter the guinea pig included.
• Both hosts fondly recall family stockings with hand-sewn birth years, and Jon shares stories of his mom’s “magazine-worthy” Christmas decor, balancing sentimental macaroni and popsicle-stick ornaments with curated collections.
• Jon’s Department 56 villages (Christmas Vacation, Whoville, A Christmas Story, and this year, Home Alone) are a recurring topic, and the perils of cats, guests, and irreplaceable figurines:

  "The people that mess with it the most are the people at our freaking Christmas party...These aren't toys people, these are collectibles!" – Jon [38:03]

5. Alone on Christmas and ‘Hot Tub Jon’ Origin Story

• Jon shares unvarnished, solitary Christmases in his NFL days—anecdotes Sarah delights in for their poignant comedy:

  “I was sitting in my hot tub one Christmas morning...my phone and speaker just go right to the bottom of the hot tub. You know, it’s probably played Silent Night... all the way to the bottom.” – Jon [23:32]

• Sarah revels in the image of “Hot Tub Jon,” alone-ish but content.

6. Romance, Breakups, and Relationships Around the Holidays

• Book themes spark a wider discussion: Are holidays catalysts for new relationships or breakups?
  • Sarah suggests both—festivity creates opportunities to mingle or amplifies stress leading to splits:

    "I think it's 50/50, because...holidays can be a lonely season...or...you're just like in the festive mood. So maybe you're a little more horny—sorry, I said the word horny everybody." – Sarah [41:06]

  • Jon reminisces about teenage superstitions of breakups before holidays to dodge gifts:

    "People would always break up, like, before Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or their birthday...Every time someone broke up like, see, told you." – Jon [45:25]

• There's a shared, light-hearted acknowledgment: despite stress, they "made it" and now embrace holidays together.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On True Colors and First Impressions

  • "That’s my pet peeve—people wait for the one thing to confirm their narrative." – Jon [11:42]

• On Christmas Joy and Live Comedy

  • "You’re gonna come to see me in Spokane Comedy Club on New Year’s Eve...If you’re in the area, Snowy, we can cuddle." – Sarah [02:17]

• On Decorating Disputes

  • “You get the side eye or just, like, silently gets moved upstairs onto that Christmas tree.” – Sarah [29:41]

• On Collectors’ Anxiety

  • “My palms were itchy all night...waiting for that guy to walk out the door so I take that ornament down.” – Jon [30:18]

• On Department 56 Villages

  • “These aren’t toys, people. These are collectibles, okay? Limited edition...Have some respect.” – Jon [38:03]

• On Holiday Hookups

  • “Where’s your horny single friends? I’m like, I got one in the corner…” – Jon [43:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:21–01:50 – Opening Banter; Holiday Season Kickoff
• 03:59–05:38 – Debating Thanksgiving vs. Christmas; Family and Birthdays
• 07:50–11:41 – Book’s Theme of Changing First Impressions; NFL and Chelsea Lately Anecdotes
• 13:23–14:49 – The Hallmark Vibe; Debbie Macomber Christmas Book Tradition
• 17:15–22:23 – Christmas Traditions, Decorating, Divided Holidays, and Family Rituals
• 23:32–24:41 – “Hot Tub Jon” and Alone on Christmas Story
• 25:23–26:42 – Seattle "Christmas Pole" and Decorating Stories
• 30:03–32:40 – Sentimental Family Stockings & Ornaments
• 35:43–38:23 – Villages, Cat Disasters, Collectibles, and Party Trauma
• 40:28–46:18 – Romance, Relationship Dynamics, Holiday Hookups, and Sarah’s "horny" confession
• 46:25–47:10 – Wrap-up, Announcements, and Book Club Updates

Episode Style & Tone

Lighthearted, witty, personal, and engaging, with Jon’s good-natured, holiday-crazed storytelling and Sarah’s wry, observational humor. The couple’s chemistry and genuine affection shine through as they tease each other and share family lore, welcoming listeners into their inside jokes and traditions.

Next Steps and Book Club Announcements

• Sarah’s December book pick will be announced on Instagram (@thebooklisp) and in their Facebook group “People Book Listeners.”
• Patreon subscribers get bonus content, live hangouts, and short story reviews on the 5th, 15th, and 25th of every month.

If you’re new, this is a great primer: you’ll laugh, rethink your “true colors” philosophy, and maybe get inspired (or intimidated) by Jon’s zest for Christmas. Whether you go all out or leave your tree in a box, Jon and Sarah’s relatable banter sets a festive mood for book lovers and holiday fans alike.