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Hello. You're about to drift into an episode of the Nightly, a podcast designed to help you unwind and relax. For the full phone free immersive light experience. Visit Hatch Co. Enjoy. Hello, everyone. What a beautiful evening. I'm kp.
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And I'm Sophia. Welcome to the Nightly from Hatch, a slumber party for pop culture lovers. And we have our own little summer party guest tonight because we're joined by the hilarious Joel Kim booster. Hi, Joel. Hi.
A
Hi, Joel. Thanks for joining our slumber party.
B
Wow.
C
Thanks for having me. I'm so excited. Light as a feather, stiff as a board.
A
Ah. We should do Bloody Mary in the mirror. Yeah, let's do it.
B
Let's do it.
A
Let's do it.
B
Let's summon something, y'. All.
C
Tonight, whoever falls asleep listening to this, we will put your finger in some warm water.
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Just your one little finger.
B
One little finger. You're gonna wake up with profane images all drawn on your face.
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Happy, happy Spotify wrapped day.
C
Oh, my goodness. I haven't even looked at mine yet. I know what it's gonna be, though. I know exactly what it's gonna be.
A
Yeah. What's your prediction?
C
My top two listens are gonna be SZA and Frank Ocean and Solange. Because that's what I listen to when I have sex.
B
Okay.
C
Right.
B
And that's, like, mostly when you're listening to music.
C
Just curious, that is. Actually, I'm so much more of a podcast person.
A
When you're having sex?
C
Like, when? No, never while I'm having sex. The dulcet tones of Ira Glass soothing me into orgasm. No, I. When I'm working out or when I'm driving, which is, like, probably the two other times. I mostly listen to podcasts or books on tape or something along those lines. Like, I need a lot of context, I guess. And so I only really listen to music when I'm having sex or when I'm having sex. Writing. And when I'm writing, I tend to listen to the same album over and over and over again or the same artist. And it's mostly Maggie Rogers.
B
God, that is good.
A
Great.
B
I love that girl. Love her horribly.
C
Yeah. No, Jean, she. I wrote the entire script of Fire island, basically listening to her second album on repeat.
A
She needs a credit in the credits.
B
She does.
C
Yeah.
A
She should.
C
She should get residuals that I don't even get.
A
Yes, give them to her. Just donate them.
B
She should make more than you.
C
Yeah.
A
When I'm writing, I can't listen to, like, words, because then I start, you know, writing the words. That I'm hearing. So I have to do only instrumental and listen. I hate to say it, but there's a guy that is spinning vinyls on YouTube and it's like Marxist morning with Russian vinyls from the 60s period. And I'm like, listen.
C
I am in that world as well. I listen generally speaking to a lot of house music. And that is another thing that I listen to a lot of when I'm writing. Like, I love like a good, like I'm a SoundCloud person. I'll go on SoundCloud and find like a mix that I have, you know, a set that I've been there live to witness and then relive it while I'm writing.
B
Yeah, yeah. Sometimes when I'm writing, the way I say it sounds like I'm lying, but sometimes when I'm writing and for you.
A
To go third too, you're like, and now it's my turn as well.
B
When I write too. No, but sometimes I put on crazy flute music. Stand up to the flute. I'm like vibing af.
A
You need to get the venue to play the flute music as you deliver it too.
C
Just to kind of get that your walk up music. Yeah, that'll hype the crowd up.
A
That could be really good. Well, let's get unhyped up, go over to the sleep realm of things. Joel, do you have sleep tips? Like, is there something that you're like if I give listeners anything right now, sleep wise, this is what I need.
C
I have to say, I actually was just diagnosed with sleep apnea last year and it was because I did a sleep study and it showed that on an average night of rest, when I'm sleeping, For quote unquote, eight hours, I would be waking myself up upwards of 60 times a night and be getting roughly two hours of restful sleep in an eight hour night's rest. And I would only be hitting REM cycle maybe one time in that two hours because I was waking myself up so frequently and I didn't even know that I was waking myself up this many times until my part partner moved in and he noticed that I was like gasping for air next to him in bed. And so I have this sleep AP machine now and it is working. But unfortunately, I think because my body was used to running on two hours of sleep for God knows how long, I will sleep continuously without interruption, but only for about four hours before my eyes pop right open and say, well, this seems like more than we ever have gotten before. So that seems like enough.
A
Something's wrong. We're dying. We're hibernating.
C
And so, yeah, my doctor says it's gonna take a long time for me to adjust to sleeping better. And I have to say, if this is how prolific I've been on two hours of sleep, it's over for everyone when I start sleeping eight hours again.
A
That's the thing. You and REM hadn't met, but it is about to be so crazy.
C
Exactly, Exactly. It's really bad, though, because we've now fallen into this habit, my partner and I, where both of us will fall asleep on the couch in front of whatever we've got on the television or YouTube or what have you. We'll both fall asleep on our. Our couch and then wake up at like 3 and move down to the bed. And neither one of us has the wherewithal to be like, you know what? We should be grown ups and like, turn in, do the normal bed thing. And. No, it's. It's bad. I. I've continually fallen asleep to housewives screaming at each other, which does not, I think, support healthy sleep. So I'm definitely not the person to ask for sleep advice because while things have worked out for me, I don't know that I can replicate the success for someone else.
A
Yeah, totally.
C
With my sleep schedule.
A
I think we hatch should do a noise to go to sleep too, which is just like simulated housewife yelling. That could be kind of annoying. I was just gonna say for people.
C
Worked for.
A
Okay, let's switch on. Over in this slumber party from talking about sleep to talking about games, let's talk about what would we rather do? How's everyone feeling if we hit some? Would you rather.
B
Highly positive.
C
I would love that.
A
Okay, here's our first one. Would you rather star in a Hallmark movie or a Christmas action movie?
C
Oh, I mean, that seems pretty easy to me.
B
At least you go first.
C
I think the Christmas action movie is the one you want.
A
Yeah.
C
I mean, there's so many great examples of it. I think you have a better chance of sort of tripping into iconography with a Christmas action movie than you do with a Hallmark movie. Not to say that it's not possible.
A
Yeah.
C
But I do think, like, Die Hard obviously, is, like, probably the number one most fought over. Is it a Christmas movie? Is it an action movie? Is it both sort of movie? But I think even, like, the recent ones that have come out that I've had a lot of fun with, like, Krampus.
A
Oh, I love Krampus. Oh, my God.
C
Was really fun. The one with David Harbour that came out where he was. It was like basically reverse Home Alone where Santa was murdering all of these criminals. I wish I could tell you what it is, but hopefully you're already halfway to sleep by now, so you won't remember anyways.
A
Yeah, this is the part of the podcast where we can say whatever we want. No one's gonna.
C
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just think there's something so fun about a, like, PG13 holiday action movie, no matter how bad it is.
B
I agree.
A
Yep.
B
Yeah. I think I would also choose the Christmas action movie for similar reasons. I feel like, of course, it'd be better for my career. Of course. Of course. But listen, guys, if you're listening, I'd take either.
C
Gladly. Know that.
B
Hold that. Know that.
C
I'm in no position to be turning down work from the Hallmark Corporation.
B
I'm like, hallmark, reach out. It'd be fun to be in an action movie. Also, you'd feel. You'd feel badass.
C
Like, that's like, on the bucket list. Like, put me in coach. I want to do.
B
Oh, I bet you can do it. I bet you'll get there.
A
I'm kind of like just getting in my feet wet into the action genre. And I'm like, they're really. They're good. They're just fun.
C
I know. There's just no other way to say it.
A
They're fun, they're good. I'll devil's advocate the Hallmark movie, which is like, if your goal is to make some quick, perhaps money by being in a movie and not having to do stunts, not really having to act very well.
C
I'm pretty sure those movies shoot in, like, two weeks, two days.
A
Yeah.
C
I don't think it's a very long production process.
B
It's a get rich quick scheme of sorts.
A
So if your goals are, like, you can really just show up, get to know the script in the morning, shoot it in the afternoon, I think then great.
B
Yeah.
A
And that's not to take anything away from Hallmark. You're making great art. Art is subjective. It's incredible art. I saw Frosty with Abs, whatever that movie was, and I think you guys are doing great stuff.
B
Oh, I haven't seen that.
C
You gotta check it out. And I also think we have to include here if we're talking about Hallmark. Hallmark is not just what's on the Hallmark channel. It's a vibe that's so true. Like, Netflix has Hallmark movies, even though they're not called Hallmark movies. You know, Lifetime obviously dips their toe into that genre a lot but like, yeah, just because it's not on Hallmark doesn't make it not a Hallmark movie.
B
No, there are a lot of Hallmark movies on Netflix. I immediately thought of the. That lesbian one with Kristen Stewart.
C
Oh, that's on Hulu, my friend. Oh, that's.
B
Woo. There's Hallmark movies all around us.
C
Happiest season. Happiest season. God bless. Godspeed.
A
And I do just to zoom out. I mean, it is truly crazy to have Hallmark known for making cards and ornaments in store. Be like sort of holding it down. Really lovely as a streaming service. So, yes, God bless. I think we're all in alignment though. We're gonna do Christmas action for now.
B
It's gonna be the three of us and we're gonna be starring in a Christmas action movie. Okay, I have another. Would you rather, for the table, would you rather be stuck in an enemies to lovers arc or caught in a messy love triangle?
A
Oh, y', all, this one's really easy.
B
Wait, I actually have to think about this.
C
I mean, I guess it depends on what you mean by stuck. You know, like, does that mean that you never.
B
You never make it to lovers.
C
You're internally in this loop with, like, romantic blue balls where you never quite exit the enemy's phase and never get to the lover's phase. Because if that's the case, then I take the messy love triangle.
A
That's true.
C
There's a promise of at least like, you're coming out the other side. If you're stuck, then in a will they, won't they situation, then I, you know, I don't know how to help you.
A
You're so right. Because I was gonna say it's for me, easy enemies to lovers. Because I just really don't wanna have to deal with a third personality trait. I barely wanna deal with my own. I barely wanna deal with anyone's trait.
C
Who has the energy. Yeah.
A
So to me, it felt easy to say enemies to lovers. But you're right. If it's like a toxic, like, and we're breaking up and we're getting back together and we're enemies now and we're lovers again, then. No, I. I mean, I'd rather. The triangle. Yeah.
B
Yeah. I'm trying to think. I don't really know the reason, but my heart is telling me. Messy love triangle.
A
Yeah.
B
Just because I'm like, that sounds so exciting.
C
Well, as a queer person, it is sort of our birthright to be in messy love triangles. It's either one of two things. It's like there's not enough of Us. So I'm alone and sad. Or I have somehow found two people to also be frustrated and upset by.
B
So I'm also like, of course, in the polyamory capital of the world, Brooklyn, New York. So it feels like that is just something that's bound to happen to me.
A
And as a straight person, I think the Enemies to lovers works because you kind of just, like always, are gonna hate your husband and your husband's gonna hate you.
B
Right?
A
I don't believe that. I don't believe that. No, it's fine.
B
Being married to a man, in a way, is enemies to lovers.
A
Sort of being stuck in heterosexuality is sort of kind of an enemy thing.
B
A constant war with yourself and your partner. Thank you.
A
That's what they meant by stuck. That's it.
B
Yeah. I've never been in either of those situations. But the thing about the Enemies to lovers, it's fun is that I, of course, had this thing happen to me this year where I read a bunch of those Emily Henry rom com books that are about straight people. Absolutely. They love an enemies to lover moment in that book. So, like, when I hear that, I'm kind of like, okay, I'm in the books that I'm reading about. I've read about this. I know what to do.
A
They're obsessed with it. And I don't think I've ever met somebody that's actually done it irl. I mean, it's so rare irl, I think, to be like, no, I hate this person's guts. Unless I think I'm like. My first impression is usually if I don't like you, I'm not gonna, like, start to like you.
B
Yeah, that's how I feel as well.
A
But you're right in the books. I mean, her biggest one is, like, grumpy, emo writer who hates the coastal town moves in. And you're like, that guy sounds like a sad sack. He sounds miserable.
B
I know.
A
Okay, we're all in a masculine love triangle.
B
We're all. Once again, it's the three of us guys.
A
Perfect. Let's do one last one. Okay.
B
Okay.
A
Would you rather trade wardrobes with Lizzie McGuire?
B
Oh.
A
Or get a makeover from what not to wear? We're kind of throwing it back on this one.
C
This is tough. I grew up with both of these properties, I have to say.
B
Same.
C
And really enjoyed both of them. I think, quite honestly, I'm already halfway there with the Lizzie McGuire option. Like, it's a lot of early 2000s fashion crop tops, those colors that we all know what I'm talking about teal and magenta. And so I could see myself. Obviously, it's not something I'd want to wear every day, but that's sort of where I would want to live. Not so much in the Kohl's cash that what not to wear was doling out.
A
That's the thing. I mean, they were obsessed with a blazer, and I just can't. And they would take, like, a cool sort of, like, you know, maximalist weirdo woman who's kind of just, like, having a little fun with being a funky chica, and they'd be like, ew. Everyone's embarrassed by you. Ew, Ew, ew. Please.
B
I know. They really were like, your family begged us to come here.
A
Your family thinks you are so chopped. It's so scary. You're scaring them because they like mixed patterns. And everyone was like, I know. Kill her.
B
Burn her.
A
Oh, kill her. Or put her in a blazer with, like, a ponytail.
B
Kind of the same.
A
So I'm definitely doing Lizzie McGuire, because at least. I mean, swing big, take some risks.
C
Exactly. Exactly.
B
Okay, y', all, I'm dissenting.
A
Okay, Please.
B
I just think that with the Lizzie McGuire, it would give me a touch of gender euphoria. No, dysphoria. Maybe both.
C
So really rolling in the dice.
B
I know. I think I'm unfortunately. I really am not happy to say it. I wish I was braver, stronger, more playful, but that I'm gonna unfortunately have to take the hit, and I'm gonna have to get my ass handed to me by the whatnot to wear. However, they are making a new spin off.
C
Not spin off. Yeah. It's called wear whatever you want.
B
Oh, my gosh.
A
A total 180 from what they were.
C
Saying, which I don't support either. I don't support that.
B
I know. Me neither. When you said that, it made me upset. I was like, stop.
A
That's not what you guys were preaching. I kind of took the Lizzie McGuire as, like, anyone from the cast. So I thought maybe Gordo.
C
Oh, yeah, you could give Gordo.
A
You could give Gordo.
B
I will sit in the pocket of Gordo.
A
Sit where he sat.
B
I will sit where he sat. I feel like I probably have many pieces right now that are like, Gordo. I'm like.
A
It was kind of like a long T shirt with a short T shirt over top.
B
Okay. See?
A
And bowling shirts.
B
That is my culture.
A
Totally.
B
Okay, then I'll take Gordo. And I feel like, oh, is he wearing, like, weird hats?
A
No, I don't Think he was a hats guy?
B
No, Then. Then I'm good then. I'm. I'm. I'm happy with Gordo.
A
Okay. Because I did, like. I liked Lizzie McGuire's little friend who had, like, a little purple streak in her hair or whatever, because everyone did at that time. Oh, yeah, she had some good outfits, too. She was like Avril Lavigne punk.
C
Wasn't her name like Lalanne?
B
I hope so.
A
That's actually beautiful.
C
Let that mystery rock you to sleep.
B
The outfits in the Lizzie McGuire Movie were so iconic, though. The ones that she wore in the. Do you know what I'm talking about when she's singing?
A
I do, but I, like, can't. I was, like, out of her grasp by then.
C
It's like a puffer gown.
A
Yeah, it was a puffer gown. Igloo gown.
B
Yes. Ugh. That's amazing.
A
That's beautiful.
B
Someone's got to bring that back.
A
Well, we were kind of aligned on most things, and I appreciate, Sofia, that you went your own way for a bit, and then we got you right back.
B
Immediately came back. I'm like, so easily.
A
That was really stressful when you weren't with us.
C
Allured back to our side with Gordo.
A
And that's why this is a messy love triangle, because we're messy.
B
Trust that. I don't want to go with the what not to wear people. So the second you threw me that life raft, I'm like, I'm ready to go.
A
Just give me a second. I'm Gordo. I'm Gordo.
B
Literally. I'm Gordo.
A
I'm Gordo. Okay, well, these were all really agreeable. And before we wrap, Joel, is there anything our listeners should be checking out that you've been working on?
C
Lute Season 3 is airing now. I believe by the time this is out, the entire third season will be out for you to binge and catch up on. I'm in a small part of K Pop Demon Hunters. I don't know if you've heard of it.
A
Oh, my God, I love it.
C
And I'll be on the Scrubs revival, which is premiering in February of next year.
B
Oh, my gosh.
A
Wow. These are all kind of really iconic things. That's so exciting. Angel, we're drifting to bed. We shot up straight when we heard the things you're working on, and now we're drifting back to bed. And if you could give our guests a very special good night. Set the scene. Getting comfy?
C
Yeah.
A
What are we saying?
C
I'll take it from the second one. I've woken up on the couch. I'm confused about where I am. I don't know what time it is, but I am moving slowly down my stairs into my bedroom where I place the sleep AP machine on my face. Turn it on. Turn on. Usually a podcast, maybe something like this. Actually softly drift to sleep, but not before I say goodnight to my fiance future husband. Actually, by the time this airs, maybe husband.
B
Oh my God.
C
And give him a good squeeze because that's my favorite part of going to bed and waking up is waking up next to him.
A
Wow.
C
Good night everyone.
B
Oh, that was really sweet. And congrats on your impending wedding or marriage.
C
Thank you so much.
B
And now I. I think I'm also ready to say good night. So this has been lovely. Good night, Joel and good night, kp.
A
Good night, Sophia. Good night, Joel.
C
Good night.
A
To learn more about our phone free light and audio experience, head to Hatch co. You can also follow us at HatchPodcasts.
This episode of The Nightly invites comedian, actor, and writer Joel Kim Booster for a lighthearted, bedtime-friendly slumber party. The hosts and their guest dive into musical habits, sleep routines, pop culture games, and nostalgic wardrobe debates—all aimed at helping listeners unwind for the night. The tone is playful, intimate, and full of banter, making it feel like listeners are hanging out with friends before bedtime.
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[01:16–02:37]
[04:05–06:10]
[06:31–18:12]
[06:46–10:26]
[10:26–13:46]
[13:57–18:12]
[18:12–19:43]
The episode is warm, silly, and comfortingly conversational, full of pop culture nostalgia, inside jokes, and gentle camaraderie. It’s perfect for winding down, with a relaxed—but quick-witted—energy, and a soft ending that gently ushers listeners toward sleep.