Podcast Summary

Who Smarted? – "Why is New Year's Eve such a big deal?"

Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media
Featured Voices: Adam Tex Davis, Sophie Plitter, Brandon Bayless, Jerry Colbert, Kim Davis, Jenna Hoban

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode of "Who Smarted?" explores the global significance of New Year's Eve, examining why it is celebrated, how different cultures around the world mark the occasion, the origins of New Year's traditions, and the science and history behind resolutions. With their hallmark blend of humor and fun, the hosts turn New Year's Eve into a journey through international customs, ancient history, and practical advice for young listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Unique Global Traditions (00:01–02:15)

• Host Adam Tex Davis opens with a rapid-fire overview of curious celebrations around the globe:
  • Spain: Eat 12 grapes at midnight for prosperity (00:31)
    • Quote: "In Spain, we eat 12 grapes, one for each strike of the midnight clock. Hopefully it will bring us prosperity and good fortune in the New Year." – Sophie Plitter (00:31)
  • Brazil: Offering flowers and candles to the ocean deity Yemoja (00:45)
  • Italy: Wearing red underwear for luck and success (01:06)
  • Chile: Celebrating in cemeteries with ancestors (01:18)
  • Greece: Hanging onions on doors for renewal (01:26)
    • Quote: "Oh, I'm not sad. It's the onions. Happy New Year." – Kim Davis (01:37)
  • Turkey: Sprinkling salt for peace (01:43)
  • Denmark: Smashing plates at neighbors' doors to leave aggression behind (01:57)
    • Quote: "Some say the bigger the pile of broken dishes, the more luck will come their way. But please, do not try this at home." – Adam Tex Davis (01:58)

2. Common (and Quirky) New Year's Traditions (02:15–03:25)

• Listeners are encouraged to share their favorite traditions—fireworks, the Times Square ball drop, staying up late, making noise, and resolutions.
• Adam prompts: "But why do we celebrate New Year's Eve? ...What's with all the crazy traditions?" (02:24–02:50)

3. The Science of Resolutions and the SMART Method (03:25–05:50)

• Resolutions: Importance as a motivational tool.
• Keeping Resolutions: 90% break them; Feb 1 is the most common day to give up (04:03)
  • Quote: "90% of people break their New Year's resolution at some point during the year. And more people break their resolution on February 1st than any other day." – Adam Tex Davis (04:03)
• SMART Goals:
  • Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound
  • Example: Practicing soccer every Wednesday for half an hour until season start.
    • Quote: "No, no, no. I didn't mean your resolution wasn't smart. I meant smart as in an acronym. S M A R T..." – Adam Tex Davis (04:28)
    • "Best of all, you can adjust as needed. If you miss a Wednesday, that's okay. Just make it up or do it the following week. You don't have to be perfect." – Adam Tex Davis (05:36)

4. The Ancient Roots of New Year’s (05:50–09:42)

• Origins of Resolutions: Date back to 153 BC, to Janus—the Roman god with two faces, symbolizing reflection and looking forward (05:57).

  • Quote: "Janus, a God with two faces. One looking forward towards the future and one looking backwards towards the past." – Adam Tex Davis (05:57)

• Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah): Lunisolar, in September (06:35)

• Chinese New Year: Lunar calendar, varies from late Jan to early Feb, 15 days, marked by dragon dances, dumplings, and lanterns; each year is linked to a zodiac animal. Other Asian countries have their own versions.

• Other New Years: Tibetan Losar, Persian Nowruz, Nepal (April), Senegal (June), India’s Diwali (October)

  • Quote: "In fact, you could travel the world and celebrate New Year's all year long." – Adam Tex Davis (08:13)

• Why Different Calendars? Geographical and historical separation; knowledge-sharing was slow (08:55–09:07).

  • Joke: "You mean the Dark Ages before the Internet?" – Sophie Plitter (09:07)

• Ancient Babylon (2000 BC): New Year's was celebrated on the first new moon after the vernal equinox.

  • Associated with the sky god Marduk’s victory over Tiamat (09:42).

• Roman Calendar Evolution: Year start often changed by emperors; adopted Julian calendar in 46 BC at 365 days and 12 months (10:22–11:11).

  • Quote: "I'll call it the Julian calendar, after me, Julius Caesar." – Jerry Colbert (10:51)
  • Joke: "Or you could call it the Cleopatran calendar after me, seeing as I suggested it makes sense." – Jenna Hoban (10:57)

5. American Traditions: Times Square and the Ball Drop (11:43–13:09)

• Times Square Ball Drop:

  • 1st Times Square NYE party ended in fireworks; switched to dropping a 700-pound ball for safety (12:00–12:17)
    • "Let's drop a 700 pound iron and wood ball down a pole instead." – Kim Davis (12:00)
  • The ball drop idea was borrowed from England’s time ball at Greenwich (12:26)
    • Time balls helped ship captains set their chronometers; about 150 worldwide.
  • Times Square ball has dropped every year since 1907 (except during WWII blackout years when crowds celebrated with chimes instead) (13:09–13:24)
    • "Still, crowds gathered in Times Square and celebrated with a minute of silence, followed by the ringing of large chimes..." – Kim Davis (13:24)

• Common US Customs: Counting down, making noise, and singing "Auld Lang Syne."

6. The Song “Auld Lang Syne” (13:41–14:53)

• Origins: Scottish folk melody, lyrics by poet Robert Burns (14:15)
  • Quote: "Auld Lang Syne means times long past, and while the lyrics seem nonsensical, it's played on New Year's Eve all around the world, from the USA to Russia to China." – Adam Tex Davis (14:24)
  • Sample lyric performed by Kim Davis to the standard melody (14:36)
    • "Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind..." – Kim Davis (14:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Unique Traditions:
  • “Put down the cereal bowl.” – Adam Tex Davis, urging not to smash plates at home (02:15)
• On Goal Setting:
  • “You don’t have to be perfect. The important thing is putting a plan in place.” (05:47)
• On History Before the Web:
  • “You mean the Dark Ages before the Internet?” – Sophie Plitter (09:07)
• On Global New Years:
  • “In fact, you could travel the world and celebrate New Year’s all year long.” – Adam Tex Davis (08:13)
• On Midnight Music:
  • “...it's played on New Year's Eve all around the world, from the USA to Russia to China.” – Adam Tex Davis (14:24)

Important Timestamps

• 00:01–02:15: World traditions rapid tour
• 03:25–05:50: The science of (and trouble with) New Year’s resolutions, the SMART method
• 05:57–11:11: The history and calendars of New Year’s
• 11:43–13:09: The story of Times Square’s ball drop and its original inspiration
• 13:41–14:53: The song "Auld Lang Syne" and its significance

Tone & Style

The episode is light, humorous, and highly interactive, filled with playful banter, character voices, jokes, and friendly encouragement. The hosts use real-world examples and lively storytelling to make history and science fun and approachable for children and families.

Conclusion

This “Who Smarted?” episode transforms New Year's Eve from a single night of parties and fireworks into a rich, global tapestry of tradition, science, history, and song. Listeners come away not only understanding why people mark the turning of the year, but also how to set goals, appreciate cultural diversity, and even join the world in a collective midnight singalong.

Final Note: (Listener shout-outs and credits were given, maintaining the show’s warm and community-driven tone.)