In this episode, we hit pause on the year and take a look back before charging ahead.

We kick things off with Christmas. Specifically, the kind with too much food, loud games, and a Boxing Day party packed with friends. Shawn asks Leah what she got for Christmas. Leah does not return the favor. Classic. She did, however, score some LEGO and gear to support her growing beekeeping ambitions.

From there, we talk shop. Etsy sales were solid, but holiday shipping delays were not. We vent a little about customers blaming sellers for postal delays. Once a package is dropped off, it’s out of our hands. If only everyone believed that.

A major conversation centers on parasocial relationships and how deeply people connect with online personalities. This comes up through discussion of the reported death of YouTuber Adam the Woo and how quickly misinformation spreads, especially when audiences feel personally invested in creators they’ve never met.

Closer to home, we talk about Algoma Steel announcing major layoffs this spring and what that means for our community. We also reflect on the passing of the last surviving Dionne Quintuplet. Shawn shares some perspective from his years living in North Bay, where they were born.

Looking back on 2025, we run through some big milestones: road trips, Florida travel, a cruise, a quick hit at Halloween Horror Nights, and planting a pear tree in our backyard to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.

Shawn also shares an update from the postal world, where after two strikes and nearly two years of negotiations, the union and corporation finally reached a contract settlement.

We wrap things up by looking ahead to 2026. Bees are coming to the backyard. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres soon. And in August, we’re heading out to the World’s Longest Yard Sale, because of course we are.

Thanks for being part of the ride—past, present, and what’s coming next. ☕🎙️

This week's podcast promo: Earth Station Trek

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