The Brighter Side

The Brighter Side gang did the unthinkable: listened to younger versions of themselves wax poetic about everything from eating puke to the possibility of getting married. To celebrate officially passing the 600-episode mark, Ed, Amber, Julie, and Ashley dug into the archives for a Best Of, revisiting bear cunnilingus, the early days of the pandemic, and a few gems that made them think, “Wow, we re...

It's officially spooky season, so pull out your scaredy pants and let's rock. A car drives by with no headlights on, Bloody Mary pops up in the mirror, KILLER CLOWNS, and the scariest one of all: spontaneous human combustion. Julie and Amber go toe for toe sharing the things they were most scared of as children. Do these things still scare you? No? Prove it! Try to summon Bloody Mary without getti...

The Brighter Side has officially hit 600 episodes. Have we made you a more positive person? Is the world a better place? Who cares, we just wanna make people happy. Here's to 600 more!!! The Brighter Side is a cynic’s look at optimism. We try and find the positive in this horror show we call Earlth. Stay outta that church, and spark up a joint, because everything is going to be alright. We're in t...

The undeniably lovely Joyelle Johnson joins Amber and Ed to reminisce about the old days in NYC Comedy scene and share love for their friend Bird Luger AKA Kevin Barnett. The Brighter Side is a cynic’s look at optimism. We try and find the positive in this horror show we call Earlth. Stay outta that church, and spark up a joint, because everything is going to be alright. We're in this together. Ho...

Quick! Name your heroes. Got one? Don't got one? What does that say about you? How has society changed the way we look at heroes? Amber Nelson, Ashley Brooke Roberts and Julie Rosing discuss their personal heroes and what being a hero means to them. Hey, maybe you're a hero to someone and you don't even know it. You know what? You're OUR hero.  The Brighter Side is a cynic’s look at optimism....

It’s a SUMMERTIME HOOP-A-GOO-GOO! It’s vacay time BABY, what’s the worst that could happen? Oh, I don’t know, you find a snake in your rental? WOW your own personal nature documentary! A rip tide takes your drunk uncle? No more awkward stories around the dinner table! If something harshes your summer vibe, find the positive. The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Ea...

The Brighter Side is a cynic’s look at optimism. We try and find the positive in this horror show we call Earlth. Stay outta that church, and spark up a joint, because everything is going to be alright. We're in this together. Hosted by Ed Larson, Amber Nelson, Ashley Brooke Roberts, and Julie Rosing. Theme song by the Cowmen. Logo by Dave Koehler. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new...

If Ed and Henry have to talk about Vietnam on LPOTL for weeks then we ALL have to talk about Vietnam, right? That's how it works, right? I mean, who wouldn't wanna hear Amber's thoughts on the history of Vietnam? This episode Amber Nelson and Ed Larson are joined by Henry Zebrowski to search for the hidden brighter side of this horrible stain on our history.  The Brighter Side is a cynic’s look at...

Slap me with a turkey leg and call me a wench! We finally circled back to that Medieval Times convo. Who cares about historical accuracy when there's dragons blood on the menu. Staying with the dinner theater theme, Ashley teaches us about the once named Dixie Stampede: a place where historical truth is not an option but something that is haphazardously assigned as you walk in the door. Let's find...

I'm awkward, how do I stop feeling awkward? Does the feeling of awkwardness go away as you age? What is the difference between awkwardness and embarrassment? Are there specific awkward moments in history? Amber Nelson, Ashley Brooke Roberts, and Julie Rosing tackle these questions, as well as, share some of their awkward moments. But, again, are they awkward or are they EMBARRASSING? or MORTIFYING...

Got a case of the Mondays? Monday morning blues got ya down? There's a solution for that: The Brighter Side Podcast just moved to MONDAYS! Make listening to The Brighter Side your Monday Morning Meditation. Amber, Ashley and Eddie tackle Mondays in our first Monday episode. Does Monday have an origin story? Have you ever suffered from a case of the mondays? or what about the Sunday Scaries? Obviou...

Nostalgia! Why does it make us sad? Is nostalgia dangerous? Julie takes the girls through the history of the actual word nostalgia and how drastically it's meaning has changed since 1688. Ashley and Amber weigh in on what nostalgia means to them. They all share a time for which they are nostalgic. They discuss how nostalgia is used against us plebs by brands and politicians. Nostalgia can be dange...

Who wants some good news? We sure do. Amber, Julie, and Ashley round up some uplifting stories to help fight the doom and gloom. From world records involving bald caps to exciting breakthroughs in women’s health, they’re sharing the headlines that restored a little faith in humanity. Tune in for an episode full of reasons to smile on The Brighter Side! The Brighter Side finds the positive light in...

Birthdays! Everyone has one. Some people go all out, some try to hide from them, and some barely remember they're happening. Amber, Julie, and Ashley share stories from birthdays past, talk about their upcoming celebrations, and dream up the ultimate million-bajillion-dollar birthday. It's all on this episode of The Brighter Side! The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we c...

We're talking countries on this week's episode of The Brighter Side. Ed's got Grenada & Burundi and Amber's got Panama & El Salvador. Sit down, shut up, and let Ed and Amber drop a little knowledge on your ol' stinky butt. The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Earth, a cynic’s look at optimism. So put down the gun, stay outta that church, and spark up a joint, beca...

You ready to nerd out on Medieval history? Today, Amber, Ashley, and Julie are diving into one of history’s most fascinating eras, sharing strange facts and asking the important question: Were the Middle Ages really as romantic as we imagine, or were they just a sloppy, muddy time? The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Earth, a cynic’s look at optimism. So put down...

Eric is the show runner, director and co-writer of HGx2! Not just that, he is the full on director of LPNtv as a whole, he make the old girl tick. But where did he comes from? What does he look like? Who the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks is this freak? Find out on this week's Brighter Side w/Amber & Ed. Watch HGx2 on YouTube! The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Earth,...

Amber, Julie, and Ashley revisit their mood boards from the start of the year. Have they achieved all of their dreams? What’s it like to revisit your goals months later? And finally, are those people at the bottom of Julie’s board at church or in a work meeting? This and more on this week’s episode of The Brighter Side! The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Earth,...

Ed, Amber, and Ashley come together for this episode of Stories to talk about everything from the cost of pizza to orcas showing up in the English Channel. Listener mail at the end, and don't forget to buy local! The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Earth, a cynic’s look at optimism. So put down the gun, stay outta that church, and spark up a joint, because everyt...

Ashley and Amber have a spiraling discussion about their Summer Plans and just how they're feeling in general. Trigger warning for discussion about the cruelty of nature. PS-Ashley says she loves this story but didn't realize it was THIS story. PPS-Ashley made us write that. The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Earth, a cynic’s look at optimism. So put down the gu...

Amber, Julie and Ashley discuss psychological personality quizzes. Everything from Who's Your Disney Villain to the horse, ladder, cube thought experiment. These are good questions to ask your friends! The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Earth, a cynic’s look at optimism. So put down the gun, stay outta that church, and spark up a joint, because everything is goi...

Billy Nord is running for the Democratic seat in the Minnesota Senate and he sits down with Ed and Amber to discuss his campaign and maybe rage a little about current times. Can Billy take the heat? Tune in to find out! The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Earth, a cynic’s look at optimism. So put down the gun, stay outta that church, and spark up a joint, because...

Amber's pants are too tight! Ashley's car tires are about to explode! This week Amber and Ashley talk their plans for their respective summer breaks. Also, what's up with eggs? Why are y'all eating so many? We want to hear from you! The Brighter Side finds the positive light in this horror show we call Earth, a cynic’s look at optimism. So put down the gun, stay outta that church, and spark up a j...

It's the return of that good old classic Brighter Side game, Hoop-A-Goo-Goo! The theme of this edition is “Signs of the Apocalypse.” Eddie, Amber, Ashley, and Julie filled a hat with what they consider signs that the end is near. Each round, a player blindly picks from the hat, and the other contestants are tasked with finding the brighter side of the chosen apocalyptic scenario. Cats the size of...

Ever been personally victimized by a school dance? Amber, Ashley, and Julie relive proms, awkward slow dances, and the humiliating moments that somehow led to new friendships. Ashley talks about having a shaved head, we learn Amber’s mom tricked her into going to a dance, and that Julie tried on every prom dress at Macy’s. Along the way, the gals wonder what happened to all those people whose name...