The Nightly – "Class Liars, Wicked & Candlelight"
Podcast: The Nightly by Hatch Podcasts
Episode Date: December 7, 2025
Hosts: Sophia & Chat Jack “Chiquis” Kees
Overview
This cozy late-night episode invites listeners into the Hatch Pillow Fort where relaxed, playful conversations meander from childhood “class liars” and the social dynamics of middle school, to reflections on the transformative power of theater (especially the musical "Wicked"), and the simple joys of candlelight. The show is designed as a fun, pop-culture slumber party, serving as a calming, feel-good escape at the end of the day.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. “Class Liars”: Playground Legends and Childhood Fibs
[01:46–08:45]
- Recollections of School Liars:
- Jacques reminisces about “Brandon,” the class liar—known for tall tales about owning the coolest brands ("FUBU" jerseys) (02:06).
- Quote: “He became like everybody's enemies. But you kept him close... so you know you can find out what he's lying about.” — Jacques (02:36)
- Sophia shares her own school liar story: a classmate whose dad was “Michael Jordan’s physical therapist”—a fantasy, as “they’re not coming to Oregon!” (03:03–03:32).
- Jacques reminisces about “Brandon,” the class liar—known for tall tales about owning the coolest brands ("FUBU" jerseys) (02:06).
- Confessions of Harmless Lying:
- Both hosts admit to small lies as kids — pretending to be older or from "somewhere cooler" for social capital.
- Jacques: “I would always pretend like I was a year older because I was always the youngest in my class.” (03:32)
- A poetic justice twist: Jacques’ lie about being from Detroit was caught by none other than Brandon, the habitual liar himself (05:00).
- Quote: “Guess who, like, pretty much caught me in the lie? ...Brandon.” — Jacques (05:08)
- Both hosts admit to small lies as kids — pretending to be older or from "somewhere cooler" for social capital.
- Social Reflection:
- They laugh about every class having its “weird liar,” a perfect universal icebreaker (05:36).
- Nostalgia for the “roast” culture of school and the curiosity of seeing one’s childhood self through an adult lens (05:52–06:33).
2. Would You Go Back? Hypotheticals and Regret
[06:33–09:21]
- Classic “Go Back or Get Rich?” Game:
- Jacques raises the meme: Would you take $10 million now, or go back to age 10 with all your current knowledge?
- Both hosts prefer taking the money, finding the prospect of re-living childhood with adult knowledge overwhelming.
- Quote: “Given the things I know, I don't think... I would be able to amass $10 million by now.” — Sophia (07:40)
- Discussion of the emotional cost of “going back”—risking losing cherished memories for the vague promise of money or control.
- Jacques references "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind": “One little thing could change so much.” (08:23)
- Quote: “I don't want to lose any of the good moments that I've had too.” — Jacques (08:43)
- Jacques references "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind": “One little thing could change so much.” (08:23)
- Quick nod to Chicago sports heartbreaks and the butterfly effect of changing a small event (08:45–09:11).
- Jacques raises the meme: Would you take $10 million now, or go back to age 10 with all your current knowledge?
3. Airing of Gratitudes: Wicked and Candlelight
[09:21–18:40]
Jacques's Gratitude: The Magic of Wicked
[09:48–15:21]
- Personal Story:
- Jacques shares his deep gratitude for the musical "Wicked"—the first Broadway show he saw and a formative moment for his passion as a theater kid (09:53–12:14).
- Quote: “You could change people's trajectories and lives... I never seen anything like that.” — Jacques (11:00)
- Reflects on how theater shapes identity and culture, drawing comparisons between the impact of “Wicked” and classics like "West Side Story" (12:15).
- Jacques shares his deep gratitude for the musical "Wicked"—the first Broadway show he saw and a formative moment for his passion as a theater kid (09:53–12:14).
- Excitement for the "Wicked" Movies:
- Grateful for positive reception of the new film adaptations and for "the world speaking positively about some theater stuff" (12:57).
- Dream Casting:
- Jacques would be “Fiyero” if he could pick any “Wicked” role (14:17). He notes that his first Fiyero was Black, so for him, “Fiyero’s always been Black” (14:30).
- Quote: “Fiyero or the wizard kind of are your options... I don't want to be Bach.” — Joking about role preferences (14:52)
- Jacques would be “Fiyero” if he could pick any “Wicked” role (14:17). He notes that his first Fiyero was Black, so for him, “Fiyero’s always been Black” (14:30).
Sophia's Gratitude: The Glow of Candlelight
[15:29–18:42]
- Simple pleasures:
- Sophia cherishes the mood-altering power of candles, especially large, unscented ones for “vibes”—and revels in the ritual of reading by candlelight (15:34–16:17).
- Quote: “The OG light source for a reason... It really improves my mood and it makes me happy.” — Sophia (16:17)
- Sophia cherishes the mood-altering power of candles, especially large, unscented ones for “vibes”—and revels in the ritual of reading by candlelight (15:34–16:17).
- Candle Shopping Habits:
- Jacques shares enthusiasm for collecting candles from different places—even Cracker Barrel (16:25–17:33).
- Lighthearted exchange about the best candle scents and brands (e.g., “PF Candles” for earthy scents, Bath and Body Works), and the strategizing of which candles to buy for maximum effect (17:08–18:20).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Let kids lie. It’s funny. Let them lie.” — Sophia (02:51)
- “I wish I could just go back and watch, like, just from like... Like a voyeur. Just watch... the dumbest roast, like, you, Pepsi Head.” — Jacques (05:52)
- “It's almost like a... BC and an AD, like, before Wicked and after Wicked for, like, somebody like Ariana Grande.” — Jacques (13:35)
- “The flickering of the lights is perfect for everything. It's perfect for reading, TV...it’s perfect for booty duty. It’s perfect for everything.” — Jacques (16:54)
- “I really just like, I think I spent so long just having scented candles that I was like, wait, I can buy like a pack of huge candles that are the same price as like one scented candle and it can just astronomically increase the vibes in here.” — Sophia (17:51)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [01:46] — Beginning of “class liar” stories
- [03:32] — Confessions about childhood lies
- [06:33] — “Would you go back or get rich?” dilemma
- [09:44] — Start of “Airing of Gratitudes” segment
- [09:53] — Jacques’s heartfelt story about Wicked
- [14:17] — Dream Wicked casting
- [15:29] — Sophia expresses candle gratitude
- [16:25] — Candle shopping hilarity
- [18:20] — Favorite candle scents
Closing Thoughts & Tone
With warm, playful banter and a gentle pace, "Class Liars, Wicked & Candlelight" channels nostalgia, appreciation for art, and love for the little things. The hosts' vulnerability and humor invite listeners to revisit their own fond memories and practice gratitude—leaving everyone a little cozier, more connected, and lighter before drifting off to sleep.