The Nightly

Greta Johnsen takes a call about mysterious nighttime noises, possible ghosts, and the surprisingly practical perks of a haunted house. What You’ll Hear The Ghost Test: When weird sounds, misplaced keys, and flickering lights could just as easily be everyday life, how would you know if a ghost had moved in? Greta and caller Alex investigate. Tea, Spices, and Other Evidence: A conversation that wan...

Greta Johnsen chats with listener Ian about comic books, comfort reads, and the surprisingly cozy art of adaptation. What You’ll Hear The Perfect Wind-Down: Ian explains why comic books became his bedtime ritual, and how a few pages can help quiet the noise of a busy day. Finding Yourself Again: A conversation about parenthood, personal hobbies, and rediscovering old passions during life’s biggest...

Greta Johnsen and caller Bobby dive into the dragons, drama, and family dynamics of House of the Dragon. What You’ll Hear Why We Love a Good Fantasy Feud: Greta and Bobby unpack what makes House of the Dragon so compelling, from succession battles to the kind of family tension that feels surprisingly familiar. Team Black at Bedtime: A spirited conversation about favorite characters, shifting loyal...

KP Parker and Matt Bragg wander from Wisconsin lake merch to ferret racing, quiet camping, and the noble art of retiring into the woods. What You’ll Hear Lake Life and Stolen Valor: KP shares the story behind her Wisconsin shirt, her Montana sweatshirt with no Montana backstory, and the adult-brain challenge of learning to swim. Cute Animals, Questionable Roommates: Beavers, koalas, chinchillas, f...

Matt Bragg and KP Parker wonder which surprisingly attainable life skills are still worth learning. What You’ll Hear: The Skill We Missed: Matt brings a supermarket-walk revelation to the table: why aren’t we better at throwing things? The conversation drifts into running, math, and the oddly specific talents they wish they had. Treat Books & Reading Hacks: KP reveals the truth behind her speedy r...

Matt Bragg opens the Pillow Fort phone lines for a listener with one very reasonable question: why would anyone choose to live near alligators? What You’ll Hear Costco Confessions: Matt shares the details of his latest bulk-buy receipt, from tea bags to cat litter to the mysterious items no one remembers purchasing. Alligator Anxiety: Caller Josh wonders how people calmly coexist with giant reptil...

Josh Gondelman and guest host Ian Chillag answer life’s smallest household questions with surprisingly big philosophical energy. What You’ll Hear Egg Carton Etiquette: Josh and Ian consider the proper way to remove eggs from a carton, from careful balance to full refrigerator performance art. Toilet Paper Freedom: A classic over-or-under debate becomes a gentle invitation to let go of tiny househo...

Josh Gondelman and Ian Chillag swap favorite zoo memories and tackle a surprisingly serious question about racing animals. What You’ll Hear: Checking In on the Animals: Ian shares stories from his old Chicago zoo route, from optimistic flamingos on gray winter days to wild dogs that seem just as curious about people as people are about them. The Case of the Massachusetts Polar Bear: A conversation...

Josh Gondelman and guest host Ian Chillag open the Pillow Fort with a heroic hiccup cure and wander into the weird little magic of making art. What You’ll Hear The Hiccup Whisperer: Ian reveals the guided meditation he uses to cure hiccups. Make It Weirder: Josh and Ian talk about why the strangest details are often the most human ones, from ghost hands to thunder descriptions to the joy of lettin...

Josh Gondelman and Ian Chillag swap sleep grievances, bedtime quirks, and surprisingly delightful tales from history’s strangest exits. What You’ll Hear: Sleep Red Flags After Dark: A listener’s list of bedtime grievances sparks a conversation about falling asleep to TV, wearing socks to bed, shared pillows, and the little habits that make a sleep routine uniquely yours. The Chaperone Pillow: Ian...

KP Parker and Matt Bragg investigate a bear costume insurance scam and weigh their chances in a surprisingly intense bed rot competition. What You’ll Hear The Bear Necessities: A trio of luxury car owners tried to blame a very suspicious “bear” for thousands of dollars in damage. The evidence is memorable, the execution is questionable, and the wildlife expert’s verdict is delightfully straightfor...

KP Parker and Matt Bragg sniff out whether pets are secretly the best matchmakers. What You’ll Hear Puppy Love Logic: KP shares what it’s like hosting a dating show where strangers meet the dog before the human. Some pups charm instantly, and some bring a little more chaos to the set. Claudia Climbs Higher: Matt gives an update on his cat’s first outdoor adventures, including the classic problem o...

Josh Gondelman opens the phone lines and chats with a listener about decluttering, childhood mementos, and the surprisingly emotional art of deciding what stays and what goes. What You’ll Hear: The Memory Box Dilemma: A listener shares the challenge of sorting through years of keepsakes—from old concert tickets and school IDs to T-shirts that hold more memories than practical value. The Things We...

KP Parker and listener Leigh explore the meaning behind handmade gifts, family traditions, and the projects that somehow keep finding their way back to us. What You’ll Hear: The Magic of Making Things by Hand: From knitted Pikachus to tiny ponchos, KP and Leigh talk about why handmade items feel different—and why a little extra effort can make something feel priceless. Crafts, Memories, and Family...

Matt Bragg opens the pillow fort call-in line and has a chat with a listener about her move from New York to Norwich. What You’ll Hear Drownload Diaries: Matt reports back from Download Festival, where heavy metal, mud, Vikings, and one falafel-loving Cannibal Corpse fan all make an appearance. Lost in Translation: Listener Liz shares the small but mighty language surprises of life in the UK, from...

Josh Gondelman and journalist Elise Hu talk with a caller about a snack-loving pug, family food boundaries, and the delicate art of not being outsmarted by a dog. What You’ll Hear A Pug With a Plan: Listener Kimmie’s pug is sweet, round, and always ready to scarf down unattended toast. The group considers what happens when a determined dog meets a distracted household. Dinner Without the Drama: El...

Josh Gondelman and Elise Hu take a nostalgic trip through the delights of state fairs, county fairs, and the simple joys of an unstructured summer. What You’ll Hear: Fried Food and First Freedoms: Jenny calls in to share her love of state fairs, sparking a conversation about deep-fried treats, giant butter sculptures, and the unforgettable feeling of roaming a fair with friends for the first time....

Josh Gondelman and journalist Elise Hu swap summer traditions, childhood nostalgia, and the surprisingly revealing art of pillow fort design. What You’ll Hear Pillow Fort Personalities: From strict pillow-only construction to full-scale living room renovations, Josh and Elise explore how a person’s fort-building style might say more about them than they realize. Sidelines and Scandinavian Wisdom:...

KP Parker and Matt Bragg swap hot-weather survival strategies, questionable science facts, and fond memories of waterbeds. What You’ll Hear: Cooling Off, One Appliance at a Time: Matt explains how an ice machine became the newest star of his kitchen, sparking a debate about the most life-changing gadget money can buy. The Rise and Fall of the Waterbed: A conversation about cooling mattress hacks l...

KP Parker and Matt Bragg swap unlikely history lessons, from a legendary World Cup upset to a border dispute sparked by one very hungry pig. What You’ll Hear: The Miracle on Grass: A team of teachers, dishwashers, and a hearse driver walk into the 1950 World Cup—and somehow make sports history. KP brings the underdog story; Matt brings the football fan perspective. When Sports Were Amateur: A conv...

KP Parker and Matt Bragg unpack a whirlwind work-trip romance that ends with a second-story escape and then take a surprisingly deep dive into Type A and Type B personalities. What You’ll Hear The Great Balcony Getaway: In tonight's Reddit bad date story, a chance meeting at a conference turns into an instant connection, a return visit, and one very questionable exit strategy. Dating at Warp Speed...

Josh Gondelman and guest host comedian Alison Leiby set sail on a cozy conversation about ferries and the joys of taking the scenic route. What You’ll Hear Ferry Weather Forever: Alison makes the case for New York City’s most relaxing form of public transportation, from waterfront views to the simple pleasure of feeling briefly on vacation. Two Boats and a Dream: A pandemic-era comedy gig leads to...

Josh Gondelman and guest host Alison Leiby celebrate 25 years of a comedy classic that shaped their sense of humor. What You’ll Hear The Summer Camp Movie That Changed Everything: Josh and Alison revisit Wet Hot American Summer, from its stacked cast to the delightfully strange comedy that made it an instant favorite... for a certain kind of comedy fan. Friendship Lore & Favorite Comedies: A conve...

Josh Gondelman and guest host comedian Alison Leiby swap stories about surprise run-ins, celebrity sightings, and the one casino game they’d actually like to understand. What You’ll Hear Everybody’s Here: A chance anniversary dinner turns into an unexpected reunion, complete with Shirley Temples, karaoke memories, and the particular magic of running into friends where you least expect them. Famous...

Josh Gondelman and guest host comedian Alison Leiby imagine a world with friendlier neighbors, cozier apartments, and cats who might just become roommates. What You’ll Hear: The Great Pillow Debate: From flat pillows to pillow stacks to pets that double as armrests, Josh and Alison compare the sleep setups that help them settle in for the night. Neighbor Goals: After years of hallway hellos, Aliso...