Episode Summary: "Elf on the Shelf Ban + Easy Karaoke Hits"

The Nightly (Hatch Podcasts) – December 19, 2025
Hosts: kp & Josh

Overview

This cozy, late-night episode of The Nightly welcomes listeners into a relaxed “pillow fort” of pop culture advice and bedtime conversation. kp and Josh answer listener questions about creating meaningful family holiday traditions (including a spirited stand against Elf on the Shelf) and serve up confidence-boosting karaoke song recommendations for first-timers. With their signature warmth and playful banter, the hosts reassure listeners that traditions and musical sing-alongs can (and should!) be low-stress and high-fun.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Maximizing Home Coziness

(00:46–03:17)

• kp shares updates about making their home extra cozy for winter: new soundbar, TV mount, and plans for blackout curtains.
• Josh relates with his own blackout curtain experience:

  “I wake up in the morning and I’m like, is it 4am? Is it 10am? I do not know.” (01:19, Josh)

• Conversation spirals into the science of circadian rhythms and a possibly apocryphal story about a “bear den” sleep study.

  “They put this man in like a bear den… and we’ll see what the human’s natural circadian rhythm is.” (02:34, kp)

• Both agree on the value of re-interpreting cozy routines for personal comfort.

2. Listener Question: Establishing Family Holiday Traditions

(03:48–11:50)
Listener Melissa (new parent) asks for favorite holiday tradition ideas.

• Gift-Giving Excitement
  kp describes their family’s inability to wait:

  “My mom would be too excited for us to open our presents. And so…on Christmas Eve evening, we would open one present just to get the ball rolling. And then… we would end up opening all of our presents on Christmas Eve.” (05:00, kp)

• Josh shares logistical realness about Hanukkah gifts when traveling, leading to his family simplifying to fewer, more meaningful gifts.

  “We recently simplified...we’ve consolidated a little bit, and it just makes things logistically easier.” (07:27, Josh)

• Friends as Family
  Josh suggests “whoever’s around” gatherings, like a Christmas Eve Friendsgiving, for those far from family.
• Ornament Tradition
  kp’s family gives one special ornament per year, often reflecting interests (“...a guitar for my sibling if that year they really enjoyed playing guitar.” 09:16, kp). They suggest thrifting vintage ornaments for an extra-special touch.
• Choosing, Not Inheriting Traditions
  Both hosts stress the freedom to create or adapt traditions, including parting ways with ones that cause stress rather than joy.

3. The Great Elf on the Shelf Ban

(10:17–11:50)

• kp and Josh both emphatically reject Elf on the Shelf:

  “I can’t be doing the elf guy.” (10:17, kp)
  “That is just a snitch for babies.” (10:26, Josh)

• kp highlights the burden placed on parents:

  “...the amount of effort we are forcing these parents to do when it already seems like the hardest thing in the world is to have a baby… And then you’re making these elves… It won’t be happening in my home.” (10:29–10:49, kp)

• They discuss how creating elaborate traditions (like scavenger hunts) can set unrealistic long-term expectations:

  “My mom, one year for Easter did like a crazy scavenger Easter egg hunt… Unfortunately, every Easter up until this one… we’re like, are you going to do that again?... I can’t set the Elf on the Shelf precedent that he’s a mischief maker every day.” (11:17–11:37, kp)

• Both agree: Know your limits; traditions should reduce, not add, stress.

4. Listener Question: Beginner Karaoke Hits

(12:10–19:44)
Listener Mark wants confidence-building karaoke song suggestions.

• Josh’s Karaoke Philosophy:

  “Find a song that you love and that you have a hunch that...everyone knows well, and then kind of open it up to the room for participation. Right. Nostalgia often helps.” (12:42–12:58, Josh)

• Top Beginner-Friendly Picks:
  • “Mr. Brightside” (The Killers) – Unifying chorus, limited vocal range.
  • “All the Small Things” (Blink-182) – “Quite a talky range. People are really going to sing that chorus.” (13:57, kp)
  • “I Want It That Way” (Backstreet Boys) – Especially great for a duet/switching verses.
  • “Wannabe” (Spice Girls) – Guaranteed sing-along.
  • “Torn” (Natalie Imbruglia) – Crowd pleaser with bonus points for theatrics;

    “I am on the floor...not lying naked per se, but I am lying on the floor.” (19:19–19:33, kp)

  • “It’s Tricky” (Run DMC), “Rollin’” (Limp Bizkit) – If you’re ready for playful rapping or more intensity.
• Key Karaoke Tips:
  • “Keep it short, keep it familiar, look for help.” (15:26, Josh)
  • Choose songs within a manageable vocal range: “So many times you see someone try to sing Don’t Stop Believin’...and then it gets to the end and...they don’t have the vocal range.” (15:10, Josh)
  • Always preview lyrics for any language/content concerns.
  • Bring a second person up for a duet to spread the nerves and boost fun.
  • Don’t be afraid to inject personality—one friend does Weird Al every time:

    “And that’s so funny. That’s what he’s doing. He’s...doing that or the B52s. And that’s his personality.” (17:55–18:02, kp & Josh)

  • Hosts recall personal experiences singing songs their friends didn’t know, and emphasize the importance of picking things with broad appeal but not at the expense of enjoyment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Home Cozy-fying:
  “I really have been getting my home maximalized for coziness.” (00:47, kp)

• On Traditions:
  “You can create new traditions. You can innovate off of old traditions. You don’t have to keep participating in traditions that don’t feel good or fun or satisfying.” (04:32, Josh)

• On Saying No to Elf on the Shelf:
  “...the amount of effort we are forcing these parents to do when it already seems like the hardest thing in the world is to have a baby...It won’t be happening in my home.” (10:29–10:49, kp)
  “That is just a snitch for babies.” (10:26, Josh)

• On Beginner Karaoke:
  “Find a song that you love and...everyone knows well, and then...open it up to the room for participation.” (12:42, Josh)
  “Look for the helpers. That’s how Mr. Rogers suggests you start picking a karaoke song.” (15:31, kp)
  “There is also this kind of genre of songs that aren’t great songs but are great karaoke songs...Charisma, movement, personality.” (18:38–18:50, Josh & kp)

• On Performance Flair:
  “Every time they say ‘lying naked on the floor’, I am on the floor. And...there’s sort of a sing along aspect, a move along dance with it. That can work because she’s describing stuff and I’m doing it.” (19:19–19:33, kp)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:46–03:17: Cozy home tips, blackout curtains, and sleep science banter
• 03:48–11:50: Family traditions brainstorming and the Elf on the Shelf anti-recommendation
• 12:10–19:44: Karaoke song advice: easy hits, duet ideas, and performance tips

Final Thoughts

With playful camaraderie and realistic advice, kp and Josh make the case for joyful, self-designed holiday traditions and low-pressure karaoke fun. Their gentle humor and honest takes provide real comfort and inspiration for listeners looking to unwind and embrace connection, minus the stress of impossible holiday (or pop star) standards.