Welcome to episode 68. This week we're discussing the idea that when Christmas is done with, it's time to put down the decorations and plan for the year ahead. For us, we like to have it done before January 6, but some wait for the full twelve days before taking everything down. we also talk about the fine gifts we received and the fantastic food we ate over this period, along with thoughts and ideas for 2026. From Andre and Kirsten at StroongeCast, we'd like to wish you all a happy and healthy new year. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Hapless fly-tipper caught after leaving trail of paint in a car park' https://discover.swns.com/2025/12/hapless-fly-tipper-caught-after-leaving-trail-of-paint-in-a-car-park/

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 67. This week we discuss what you might be watching or listening to this holiday period, be that a favourite film with the family, a book you're hoping to catch up on or perhaps your favourite podcast. Andre and Kirsten would like to wish you a very merry Stroongemas, happy holidays etc and thank you for listening to us.

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 66. This week we discuss different Christmas traditions around the world. From a particular fast-food restaurant doing a roaring trade in Japan requiring reservations weeks or sometimes months ahead of time, to roller skating in Caracas, this list may surprise you. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Putin's scientists launch chilling squadron of remote controlled spy pigeons' https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/37457386/putin-scientists-launch-chilling-remote-controlled-spy-pigeons/

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 65. This week we discuss the Australian government's ban on social media for under 16's, the ramifications of the ban, the fact that 'Imaginary Friends' may no longer be imaginary courtesy of Chat GPT as they may still want to find ways to quote unquote 'connect' with people, isolation as a result of being locked out, VPN usage and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Swedish firm deploys crows to pick up cigarette butts' https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/01/swedish-crows-pick-up-cigarette-butts-litter

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 64. This week we discuss 'SAD' (Seasonal affective disorder ) in which, during certain parts of the year, you may feel particularly sad about life and the world at-large. We also discuss Kirsten's trip to Copenhagen and the Christmas Market at Tivoli Gardens in Denmark that she visited last weekend with her sister. Some info about SAD: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. SAD is sometimes known as "winter depression" because the symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter. Some people with SAD may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter. Source: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/ Please check in with friends, family or a medical professional if you feel like this is something you can relate to and may need help with. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Drunk raccoon goes on the rampage in liquor store before passing out in bathroom' https://apple.news/Alb3qYMN6Rt29lYVX5TZaOA

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 63 of StroongeCast. This week we discuss various kissing scenarios such as public displays of affection, cheek-kisses mostly done by some European countries, whether a father kissing his daughter is acceptable or not and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Flamingo missing from Cornwall park appears to be in France' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y0rr0yk11o?app-referrer=deep-link

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 62 of StroongeCast. This week we discuss the bad builders, the lazy workmen, the unthinking delivery people that don't leave things as they found them. From bath sponges as drain cleaners, to drinking cups as paint stirring devices and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Australian prisoner sues for his 'human right' to eat Vegemite' https://apnews.com/article/australia-prison-vegemite-ban-court-victoria-e46084defadc9757c8ecf2f53027d215

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 61 of StroongeCast. This week we go back to the Talking Hearts cards, as we had a quiet week in one case, and a busy week in another, which didn't give us a chance to find a different topic. The cards gave us some thoughtful or playful questions to ask one another however, which ended up leading down some curious rabbit holes. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'World's biggest spiderweb discovered inside 'Sulfur Cave' with 111,000 arachnids living in pitch black' https://www.livescience.com/animals/spiders/worlds-biggest-spiderweb-discovered-inside-sulfur-cave-with-111-000-arachnids-living-in-pitch-black

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 60 of StroongeCast. This week we discuss the idea of smacking a child as a form of punishment. Is it abuse or discipline? How much is too much? Is any amount required to make a point stick? Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Man Fakes Complete Blindness for Over 50 Years to Collect Disability Payments' https://www.odditycentral.com/news/man-fakes-complete-blindness-for-over-50-years-to-collect-disability-payments.html

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 59 of StroongeCast. This week we discuss the idea behind Trick or Treating, whether it's more of a thing in the US rather than the UK, thoughts on Halloween and our experiences with the supernatural. Our Stroonge News story of the week: "A father who works at a water park in Russia broke in overnight with his son to give the boy a memorable 11th birthday treat.' https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOG2ofejrWA/?igsh=MWdjdWRjeXkwNnZ0bw==

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 58 of StroongeCast. This week we discuss the art of compromise in a relationship, what roll disability plays, the ideas behind parenting and the fact that neither of us drive as this was a major wish for each of us. Kirsten is also suffering from a cold, so we kept the episode short. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Meteor strike' on Dublin beach was deep hole dug with plastic spade https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/66841235

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 57 of StroongeCast. In this episode we discuss the prevalence of AI in the media, online and elsewhere. It's hard to avoid the topic, as it worms it's way into our daily lives whether we want it to or not. Kirsten discusses it's use in beauty magazines and videos on social media, whilst Andre explains his interest in the music service Suno, and how he uses that service to recreate tracks he's written with AI's help. AI is a cautionary tale, and it's advised that everybody fact-check everything they see, hear and read especially these days. Take everything with a grain of salt. Our Stroonge News story of the week: Surprise at the Race: Meet Ludivine, the Dog Who Ran a Half Marathon | The Running Week https://www.therunningweek.com/post/surprise-at-the-race-meet-ludivine-the-dog-who-ran-a-half-marathon

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

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Welcome to episode 55 of StroongeCast. In this episode we discuss the control that parents have over their children's phones or tablets. At what age do you give your children a device? Do you give them one at all? The minefield of managing apps for children is a difficult one, and it can be difficult to get a balance between very strict control making your child feel stifled, or zero control allowing them to come across extremely unsafe material that no child should ever see. Our Stroonge News story of the week: Ctrl Alt Deleaf blows away competition as new leaf-busting train name https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgv80mxry1o

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 54 of StroongeCast. In this episode we talk about the fact that it's our one-year anniversary of the podcast, how we think it's gone so far, some of the things we may cover in the future, and how Kirsten has grown in confidence over the last year. There was a time when she'd have refused to be on mic at all, but doing this weekly has made it easier for her to talk to you. We also touch on the audio quality of some of our favourite podcasts and how some of them unfortunately fall flat, which is surprising, given the budget that some have access to. Lastly, a new, personalised birthday greeting should you want it. We're starting up a short audio segment called 'Stroonge Cards' which is a personalised greeting from your friends over at StroongeCast that sounds similar to the podcast. If you'd like such a greeting yourself, please get in-touch to tell us when your special day is, so we can record it for you. This of course doesn't go out on the podcast itself, it will be sent to you directly. Thank you for listening to a whole year of StroongeCast. Our Stroonge News story of the week: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz7r0rjzpqgo?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub&app-referrer=deep-link

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow us on Mastodon. Kirsten: https://universeodon.com/@Mooncat Andre: https://universeodon.com/@freakyfwoof

Welcome to episode 53 of StroongeCast. In this episode we discuss a video in which a man complains about his partner wearing heels to a party. He feels emasculated, and demands that his now x-girlfriend not go out in heels as it makes her taller than he is. Kirsten and Andre both decided this is a red flag and partners should not attempt to control what the other is wearing unless there is a compelling reason to do so, such as Andre going out in mismatched clothing by mistake, since he cannot see what colours are likely to clash with one another. The video that sparked this episode: https://youtu.be/Bj4ukwylyJQ?si=xYzdMKPbSkJ3Qkcd Our stroonge News article of the week: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjevlpd52vo.amp

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow us on Mastodon. Kirsten: https://universeodon.com/@Mooncat Andre: https://universeodon.com/@freakyfwoof

Welcome to episode 52 of StroongeCast. In this episode we discuss ways in which we as parents do our best to set good examples for our children. From not swearing or arguing, to behaving kindly to one another, we think that good manners cost nothing but a little time. Kirsten was on a bus and noticed an angry woman swearing at the bus driver in front of her teen-age sun which sparked this episode. For one thing it's bad manners and for another, it sets a terrible example for that child. By doing so, the mother normalises that behaviour and it may make the child think that it's also okay to do the same things under the same circumstances.

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow us on Mastodon. Kirsten: https://universeodon.com/@Mooncat Andre: https://universeodon.com/@freakyfwoof

Welcome to episode 51 of StroongeCast. In this episode we discuss the items we used to collect as kids back in the 90's, and some of the more modern trends such as Labubus and Jellycats. Kirsten remembers collecting Pogs and Spice Girl cards, whilst Andre didn't collect much of anything, though he remembers the old beep and bloop LCD games of the late 80's early 90's heard around the school playground. What did you collect as children? Do you collect anything now? Did your parents tell you about anything they collected as children?

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow us on Mastodon. Kirsten: https://universeodon.com/@Mooncat Andre: https://universeodon.com/@freakyfwoof

Can you Adam and Eve it? We've made it to episode 50 of StroongeCast! In this episode we tell you about Kirsten's theatre trip to see a murder mystery, Andre tells us about interviewing a famous Steel Pan artist Andy Narell, discuss the local phenomena known as Cockney Rhyming Slang, catch you up on our fun shopping trip and pizza outing and thank all of you for making it to episode 50 with us. It's been a lot of fun and we hope you'll stick around for the next 50. It's also Kirsten's birthday as well. Check out andre's interview with Andy Narell in-full on YouTube

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow us on Mastodon. Kirsten: https://universeodon.com/@Mooncat Andre: https://universeodon.com/@freakyfwoof

Welcome to episode 49 of StroongeCast. In this episode we tell you about Kirsten's theatre trip to see 'Stranger Things' live, Penny's broken nail, discuss our favourite ice cream and the fact that Andre probably doesn't dislike it as much as he thought he did, Notting Hill Carnival, Kirsten's birthday and quite a lot more. For more on the Stranger Things theatre show, go here: https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/stranger-things-the-first-shadow-tickets For the BBC article about hot homes featuring Andre, go here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clydlx24ej4o

Want to hear more or get in-touch?

find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow us on Mastodon. Kirsten: https://universeodon.com/@Mooncat Andre: https://universeodon.com/@freakyfwoof