Pleasant Conversations

This week, our hosts catch up on Jasmine’s friend’s baby shower and Michael’s recent trip to NYC. This week’s topic is all about removing inventions from history, where Michael drags social media, and Jasmine is ready to go after Big Selfie. Michael then introduces her to Tilly Norwood. We finish the show with Pleasantries about leftover screws and a literal cool-down about awkward first dates. So...

Today’s episode starts off with Michael telling Jasmine which dog they both are based on their birthday, and then the hosts play catch-up. Today’s topic is about specific time travel points, and Michael spirals into a story about Muzzy (the 1980s alien who taught kids foreign languages). Pleasantries dive into the crappers, and the Cool Down brings us back to history. So throw on some period-speci...

This week, we find out that Jasmine hates Fall. Welp. To make her day, today’s topic is about the holidays. *BOOM* To no one’s surprise, Michael waxes nostalgic about holiday traditions and goes on a tangent about pies. Pleasantries continue the food theme, and the Cool Down brings up awkward interactions (and Michael goes down a deep rabbit hole due to a “Dear Evan Hansen” reference). So don your...

Michael starts this week with a quick “Ain’t That Good News” segment about using celebrity for good and a cute construction kitty named Sue! Today’s topic is about the unexplained social rules we observe…well, MOST of us. Michael uses the word “jabbering”—twice. The topic really gets both hosts heated more than Canadian hockey players. We end with the pleasantries of a silent elevator and cool dow...

What resistance theme would your dinner party be? Whilst cutting cheese with a guillotine, our hosts are still trying to beat the heat, and Michael talks about some sad, patriotic art. This week’s topic is introverts vs. extroverts, where Michael rambles, and Jasmine brings us back to center. Our hosts also talk about the pleasant side of forgetfulness and cool down with a discussion about worst i...

This week is another shorty. Michael talks about the DC Grand Prix’s failure and Rosie’s return to talk TV. The Wheel of Topics has our hosts talking about art and how to critique your friends.  Jasmine brags about not losing socks in either the washer or the dryer, and Michael gushes over the wonders of leftovers. So start your engines, hold onto your socks, heat some leftovers, and prepare to lo...

This week is short, but sweet, and Michael may have come up with an app that you better not steal! Partnerships, however, may inquire within. Our hosts speak on confidence and delusions (someone give Michael uppies onto his soapbox), discuss how missing an exit can lead to other opportunities and another copyright moment brought to you by Michael, and then cool down with some stories of karma. Tod...

***The first drop had some tech issues, which are hopefully corrected with this new upload*** This week, Michael continues his D23 updates (old news, we know) and talks MCU casting. He and Jasmine talk more about the House of Mouse and capitalism. Michael shows off his new sound effect for his week’s topic, which can wait until later (heh). They then discuss the failures of technology that could p...

This week, Michael’s microphone was turned up a bit too much on his end and was picking up every weird huff and puff as he talks festivals and movies. Then he completely nerds out on this week’s topic—Jasmine is a little less enthused. Our hosts discuss how they would be pleasant after a work “whoopsie” and the Cool Down features some hot takes. So break out your intergalactic translator to lodge...

Jasmine and Michael are back, dear listeners—this time with some new sound effects and a slightly different format. Don’t worry, it’s not that different. Our hosts catch you up on life during hiatus and then go right into this week’s topic (which Michael thought of so many more things to add during his listen-back for air). We finish with the returns of “I’m Pleasant, Damn It!” and “The Curbside C...

Happy New Year, dear listeners! We at Pleasant Conversations hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones. Jasmine and Michael are still decompressing after the holidays and decided to start this month with a look back at the podcast’s inaugural season. In our first Pleasant Conversations Rewind, we hop in our DeLorean to travel back to August 2025 for Jasmine’s Game Night Birt...

It’s the final special episode for this holiday season! Jasmine and Michael hope you all had a wonderful time during the holidays with your loved ones and that you enjoyed our break from normal programming. We wanted to get more to you, but life had to life, and time ran thin. But I digress. This week, we want to wish all who celebrate a very happy Kwanzaa! And what better way to celebrate than to...

Merry Christmas and look out for those pesky flying mammals pulling a fat guy in a sleigh! This week, Jasmine and Michael are joined by the pod’s personal guru, Lucas! Randy Brooks wrote a song that incensed grandmothers for decades and then Time Warner made an animated special about it! That’s right, your Christmas gift from the pod is a discussion about “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”. Grab...

Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate! This week’s episode, we dive into an animated classic telling of the “Meanie of Chanukah” and are joined by an extra-special, first-time guest, Melissa! As this is the first time Michael is joined in his “studio” with a guest, the sound is different, but the laughs are still the same. Join Jasmine, Michael, and Melissa as they discuss an episode of the Nickelod...

Jasmine and Michael are plugging along with their holiday movie reviews with a modern classic musical adventure. Take a journey with our hosts as they travel to a Dickensian English village of a different timeline, filled with whimsical inventors, plucky kids, magical toys, randy postwomen, and the legendary Phylicia Rashad. Spoiler alert: they loved this movie! So dust off your magic robots and t...

Happy December 1st, dear listeners! Mariah Carey has emerged from her slumber, and it’s time for peppermint mochas, sugary treats, sleigh bells, and some of the best AND worst holiday movies and specials. First up, our foul-mouthed bestie from Down Undah, Cass, joins us to discuss a holiday murder mystery brought to us courtesy of Lifetime. This movie has everything: snowy scenes in an old mansion...

Happy Turkey Day! We hope you are all enjoying time with your loved ones and “gobbling up” all the good food being offered. We also hope your gravy isn’t tainted with bigotry. In this special episode, our hosts are discussing the 1995 chaotic classic, “Home for the Holidays”. Spoiler alert: Jasmine is not a fan. If you have a messy family, you’ll feel right at home. If not, come see how the other...

The holiday season is nigh, so Jasmine and Michael have decided to take a break from the normal programming structure to bring you some special episodes to keep you in the spirit while the world continues to burn around us. On today’s episode, our hosts travel back to 1987 for a John Hughes Thanksgiving classic comedy. Buckle up because we are taking the longest three-day journey from Manhattan to...

This week is the last traditional episode for the year, as we move into our special holiday episodes. Our hosts talk health and body woes as they age, Michael talks cars and Fortnite and Jasmine talks babies when it comes to smiles for the week. Michael takes over the news desk this week and shares stories of nature and art becoming one for sustainability, Australia’s Women of the Year awards, and...

This week, our hosts recover from candy hangovers as they welcome us into November. This week’s smiles include co-workers and mental restarts. Jasmine shares how this Halloween was more enjoyable for her at her school, and Michael talks about the new Frankenstein film. Jasmine brings us good news of churches standing up for queer rights and helping those in need during this furlough and the possib...

Our hosts are basking in their post-Halloween glow and marching forward into autumn. Jasmine and Michael have big news for the upcoming holiday season and want YOU to join them for an episode! The news brings good stories about Alaskan pet rescue, climate talks with indigenous South Americans, Bon Jovi helps feed federal workers, eyesight being brought back to the blind through scientific advances...

Happy Halloween, listeners! This week Michael is joined by returning special guest Zachary to travel back to the turn of the century and discuss the 2000 horror comedy parody, “Scary Movie”! Join our hosts as they laugh through their breakdown of this hilariously stupid film that rebooted the idea of a parody film, spawning five sequels (a sixth is coming next year!) and inspiring countless other...

This week, Jasmine and Michael take a break from normal programming to talk about a movie just right for Spooky Season! Let’s take a trip back to 1995 and visit the ghosts of Whipstaff Manor for a review of “Casper”. Our hosts talk Halloween nostalgia and then do a full breakdown of the absolutely bonkers film that was meant FOR KIDS. Come laugh along with Jasmine as Michael revisits a movie he ha...

This week, we are thrilled to have our dear friend Anna on the podcast! Join us as we talk about candy corn, multiple browser tabs, “Friday the 13th” in 3-D, community fundraising wins, birthday plan shenanigans, and paranormal activity. The News Hounds bring us stories of NICU knits, HIV drug advancements, and food bank bakers. Michael also adds some fun, spooky facts to kick off October. The Whe...

It’s a complete energy shift from last week! In this episode, Jasmine and Michael carry on, no matter the incompetence of Velda Johansson or the government. Michael shouts out Illinois Zoomers and forgets the delightful Tony! Tony, you will have to join us at Judy’s! The hosts talk smiles and recent joyous occasions. Our news hounds bring positive stories of solar power, gene therapy, tortoise saf...