The Nightly — “Dog IS Hobby” w/ Listener Kelly

Host: Hatch Podcasts
Date: January 7, 2026
Guests: Kelly (Listener from Chicago), KP, Kristen

Episode Overview

This cozy, pop-culture-infused episode of The Nightly focuses on the art of hobbies—finding them, talking about them, and learning to embrace the everyday joys they bring. Listener Kelly joins co-hosts KP and Kristen to chat about the sometimes-awkward question, “So, what do you do for fun?” Together, they explore how simple pleasures, like hanging out with your dog or attending free community events, are worthy hobbies in and of themselves. The vibe is gentle, accepting, and full of offbeat humor, perfectly crafted for relaxing and winding down at bedtime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Awards Season and Sequel Naming Confusion

(00:34–04:50)

• Hosts banter about the pressures of keeping up with movies and shows during awards season.
  • KP jokes: “I feel like, you know, you've got to be watching and listening to something every, every gosh darn day around here to make sure you're up to date.” (00:46)
• Entertaining gripe about confusing sequel/subtitle naming conventions.
  • KP: “It shouldn't be Zootopia 2, it should be 2 Topia... I was watching the Planet of the Apes ones recently and it's not 1, 2, 3, 4, it's dawn of the Planet of the Ape. Rise of the Planet of the Ape. Here comes the planets and here are the apes.” (01:45)
  • Kristen: “It's not always obvious. Especially if maybe there was a downfall of the Planet of the Apes. The final battle of the Planet of the Apes.” (02:30)
• Wicked franchise discussion leads into the night’s main topic: whether sequels always live up to the hype and how that ties into our love for pop culture.

2. Listener Hotline: Kelly’s Hobby Dilemma

(04:50–07:14)

• Kelly introduces herself from Chicago and validates the hosts’ confusion about Wicked sequels.
  • Kelly: “I've seen both the movies. I've seen the play. I believe this is the end for at least these two movies. But like you said, there could be a spin off in the future.” (05:41)
• Main question: How to answer the “What are your hobbies?” question in a way that feels interesting (and how to find or talk about hobbies in general).
  • Kelly: “I have a cute dog and we go for a walk.” (06:49)
  • “I'm looking for some advice on talking about hobbies, finding an interesting hobby or at least making a normal activity sound interesting, too.” (07:12)

3. The Many Forms of Hobby — Reframing and Recommendations

(07:14–15:31)

Library Events & Community Resources

• KP’s advice: “The free library has crazy events going on at all times... there's a lot of things that you just got to do for the story and if they're free at the library, there's some story that you're going to get out of it.” (07:14, 08:22)
• Kristen adds: “So many things you can do at your public library. Artist talks, book clubs… I went to one a few weeks ago and George Takei was there.” (08:27)

Museums and Parks

• Museums, especially smaller or niche ones, host “funky events” worth exploring.
  • KP: “There's this new occult museum near me… that's not necessarily something that I super care about, but I think it's really interesting.” (09:07)
• Parks are rich with nature walks, birding, art activities, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Kristen: “The park systems have so many great opportunities to take classes in flower identification, bird watching… community fridges… volunteering.” (09:43)

Volunteering

• Volunteering is both rewarding and a source of social connection and new skills.
  • Kristen: “[Volunteering] can be a great opportunity to discover a hobby of something you might enjoy doing. And I volunteer with my own community fridge, which has become a hobby of mine.” (10:45)

Hobbies Can Be Anything

• KP reminds: “The hobby can be anything. It can be watching, it can be driving, it can be shopping.” (17:47)
• Kristen, on walking as a hobby: “Sometimes I'll walk 30 miles in a day. I'll just walk and walk and walk... I've walked to JFK airport from my neighborhood before.” (18:26)
  • KP: “This is a total reveal. Kristin, this is so interesting. You're just like your own mode of transportation.” (18:41)

Crafting & "Dog Is Hobby"

• Crocheting and ceramics come up as popular tactile hobbies, with caveats about cost and accessibility.
• Kelly’s joy in everyday pet parenting is reframed as a valid hobby.
  • KP: “I think dog is hobby.” (15:48)
  • Kelly: “Now, my dog, mom, you know, that's my hobby.” (16:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

• On Hobby Validity & Dog Parenting:

  • KP: "That is like a absolutely, completely normal thing to be like, yeah, my hobby is movies and TV and reality TV or whatever it is... I think dog is hobby." (15:48)
  • Kelly: "He's a mini golden doodle. Very cute, very silly. He's about 1 years old, so a lot of energy. But you're right, it's personality. Now, my dog, mom, you know, that's my hobby." (16:14)

• On What Makes People Interesting:

  • Kristen: "Interested people are interesting people. And I can tell you're curious. You are interested in others, you're interested in the world, and that makes you interesting. ... So I wouldn't even worry about, do I come off as interesting in this conversation. ... It doesn't matter if you think you're interesting. Tough cookies. You are, you just are." (19:34)

• On Not Needing Extreme Hobbies:

  • KP: “I was asked a similar question to this guy at a wedding and his hobby was like high mountain climbing... I found him to be one of the most boring people I've ever spoken to. So, you know, it doesn't matter what the hobby is. It's about the person behind it.” (20:23)

• On Lying About Hobbies for Fun:

  • KP: “And always, when in doubt, you could just lie too. Which is fun at a party.” (21:02)

Essential Timestamps

• [00:34] — Show opens, awards season and the struggle to keep up
• [01:42] — Sequel-naming confusion and pop culture riffing
• [04:50] — Listener Kelly arrives via the Nightly Hotline
• [06:21] — Kelly’s main question: how to talk about hobbies (especially when “dog mom” feels boring)
• [07:14–09:43] — Library, museum, park, and volunteer hobby recommendations
• [12:49] — Discussion expands to ceramics, crafts, and the joy of making things
• [15:31] — “Dog is hobby” and broader musings on what counts as a hobby
• [18:26] — Epic walking as a hobby
• [19:34] — Kristen’s advice on what makes someone truly interesting
• [21:16] — Winding down, goodnight wishes, and Kelly’s bedtime with her dog (“Sweet dreams to little Sam, the little mini golden doodle.” (21:40))

Key Takeaways

• Hobbies don’t have to be quirky or impressive to be meaningful. “Dog is hobby” and so is watching TV, walking, or just being interested in the world.
• Community resources like libraries and parks are goldmines for free, accessible, and low-stress ways to meet new people and try new things.
• Self-acceptance and curiosity trump performance. If you’re interested, you’re interesting.
• Creativity and connection are everywhere: “Sometimes you just gotta do it for the story.”

Tone & Atmosphere

Casual, witty, and gently validating—a warm late-night chat among friends. The hosts make even mundane topics feel special, delighting in the serendipity and the simple joy of sharing, suggesting, and encouraging.

Closing Goodnight:
Kelly: “Sweet dreams to little Sam, the little mini golden doodle. And we are both going to get a really good night's sleep tonight.” (21:40)
KP: “Good night, Sam. Good night, Kelly. And good night, Kristen.” (21:57)
Kristen: “Sam, please accept my virtual belly rub. Good night.” (22:00)