Podcast Summary: The Opinions – "See Ya, 2024. Here’s What We Loved"

Release Date: December 31, 2024
Host/Author: The New York Times Opinion
Duration: Approximately 9 minutes

Introduction

In the final episode of 2024, The Opinions by The New York Times Opinion reflects on the past year by highlighting cherished moments and personal favorites from the staff and listeners. Hosted by Meher Ahmed, the show embraces a theme known as "keepers"—elements from the year that individuals wish to carry forward into the new year. This episode serves as a heartfelt compilation of hobbies, habits, activities, and personal discoveries that brought joy and solace during a challenging year.

Meher Ahmed's Introduction to "Keepers" [00:15 - 01:54]

Meher Ahmed, an editor for Times Opinion, introduces the concept of "keepers," a tradition now in its second year. She explains that these keepers can range from hobbies and habits to books and movies—anything that provided comfort and enjoyment throughout the year. Meher shares her personal discovery of Fragrantica, an online community for fragrance enthusiasts. She describes how immersing herself in the vibrant and often humorous discussions about scents became a therapeutic escape:

"I kind of discovered this community of fragrance heads talking to each other and describing perfumes and scents in kind of outlandish and hilarious ways... I've managed to shut my brain off in a way that I haven't really figured out how to otherwise." (00:57)

Meher emphasizes the collective contributions from the staff and listeners, aiming to end the year on a lighter note despite the global challenges faced.

Roland on AI Karaoke with Former Presidents [01:54 - 03:07]

Roland, a producer on The Ezra Klein Show, shares his amusement with AI-generated karaoke performances of former U.S. presidents. He highlights the creative fusion of politics and entertainment, where AI brings presidents like Trump, Biden, and Obama to life singing contemporary songs. Roland's favorite instance is a duet of "Love" performed by Trump and Biden:

"My favorite one is Trump and Biden doing a duet of Love." (02:29)

He appreciates how these AI renditions provide a refreshing break from political rhetoric:

"Listening to them sing these songs, it was pretty refreshing to actually hear something coherent come out of their mouths." (02:42)

Laurie Sims on Reconnecting Through Shared TV Shows [03:07 - 05:12]

Laurie Sims from Brunswick, Maine, recounts a significant personal journey in 2024: reconnecting with her sister after nearly four decades apart due to religious differences. The sisters found common ground in watching the TV show Shrinking together. Laurie describes how synchronized viewing sessions and mutual discussions about the show strengthened their bond:

"We try to watch it together... it's a great combination of watching a fun television show, but also just... we kind of share a brain on some of these things." (04:19)

Laurie highlights the importance of shared interests in mending and nurturing relationships despite geographical separation.

Victor Lopez on Urban Gardening [05:12 - 05:54]

Victor Lopez from São Paulo, Brazil, shares his passion for gardening within the constraints of urban living. Residing on the 22nd floor of a high-rise, Victor cultivates fresh herbs and various fruit trees, transforming his balcony into a green oasis:

"I have little mango trees, growing, papaya trees, cocoa trees, all in my balcony... I think gardening is such a powerful way to connect with the world we live in and with ourselves." (05:12)

Victor encourages others to embrace gardening, even in limited spaces, as a means to foster a deeper connection with nature and oneself.

Cornelia Channing on Morning Rituals Without News [05:54 - 06:59]

Cornelia Channing, an editorial assistant in the opinion section, discusses a positive habit she adopted in 2024: eliminating morning news consumption. Recognizing the stress that news cycles can induce, Cornelia replaced her morning podcasts with classical music from WQXR:

"I found that taking 20 or 30 minutes in the morning... putting on WQXR, which is a classical radio station, was a much nicer way to enter the day." (05:54)

She specifically mentions enjoying Chopin's Etudes, which help her start the day with inspiration and positivity rather than anxiety:

"I find that there's sort of a drama to listening to them in a row, and it sort of helps me start the day with a little bit more of a sense of inspiration and awe rather than maybe dread." (06:26)

Sophie’s Culinary Adventures [06:59 - 07:22]

Sophie from New Hampshire expresses her renewed love for cooking, a passion heightened in 2024. She recently hosted her first Friendsgiving, where her apple tarts were a standout favorite. Sophie revels in experimenting with new recipes and hosting friends for baking sessions, finding joy in both culinary creativity and social gatherings:

"I recently hosted my first Friendsgiving and I made these awesome apple tarts and they were definitely a hit." (07:07)

Her enthusiasm for cooking represents a delightful personal tradition she plans to continue into the new year.

Jessica Gross on Impromptu Friendships [07:22 - 08:56]

Jessica Gross, an opinion writer and working mother of two, reflects on the value of spontaneous social interactions. Balancing work and family life often makes planned outings with friends challenging. Jessica found that impromptu hangouts—spontaneous meet-ups without extensive planning—provide meaningful and timely connections:

"What I really love about impromptu hangs is sometimes you're going through a hard day and you really need that connection in the moment..." (07:50)

She emphasizes the warmth and reinforcement of friendships that occur when friends are available to connect spontaneously, as opposed to rigid, pre-scheduled gatherings:

"When someone is actually available to connect in that moment, it is so warm and so wonderful and really cements your friendship." (08:20)

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, the host invites listeners to continue following The Opinions on various podcast platforms. The closing credits acknowledge the dedicated team behind the show, from production to engineering, underscoring the collaborative effort that brings these heartfelt stories to the audience.

Key Takeaways:

• Community and Connection: Whether through online forums, shared interests, or spontaneous meetups, building and maintaining connections is a recurring theme.

• Personal Well-being: Adopting new hobbies, such as gardening or cooking, and establishing positive morning routines can significantly enhance personal well-being.

• Adaptability: Embracing changes, whether in relationships or daily habits, demonstrates resilience and the ability to find joy amidst challenges.

This episode of The Opinions serves as a reminder of the simple pleasures and personal victories that can help navigate a difficult year, offering listeners inspiration to carry forward what they love into 2025.

Notable Quotes:

• Meher Ahmed [00:57]: "I've managed to shut my brain off in a way that I haven't really figured out how to otherwise."

• Roland [02:29]: "My favorite one is Trump and Biden doing a duet of Love."

• Laurie Sims [04:19]: "We try to watch it together... we kind of share a brain on some of these things."

• Victor Lopez [05:12]: "I think gardening is such a powerful way to connect with the world we live in and with ourselves."

• Cornelia Channing [05:54]: "It was a much nicer way to enter the day."

• Jessica Gross [07:50]: "What I really love about impromptu hangs is sometimes you're going through a hard day and you really need that connection in the moment."

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