All Things Cozy

Robert Balkovich (@robertbalkovich) returns to pump up more cozy jams! Click here to visit our Spotify playlist and listen to the songs we shared in this episode (and all the soothing sounds we've recommended over the years). This episode is dedicated to Fred "Unkee" Mann (1935-2020).

Simone Konu Rae (@SimoneKonu) flies in from the London College of Fashion to discuss the intersection of fashion and coziness so we all can emerge from our cocoons of isolation like cozily stylish butterflies. Gillian thrifts for the perfect fit, Matt rejects shorts, and Simone feels weird around cardigans. Check out @AlsoJournal for more style and design inspiration!

Top o' the morning to ya! Matt and Gillian find the cozy at the end of the rainbow with a discussion of St. Patrick's Day traditions and the 1981 animated television special The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold . Gillian sets squirrel traps to capture leprechauns, Matt dances with his grandpa's shillelagh, and both enjoy the dewy fragrance of A Lady in the Woods' " Irish Candle ." Thirsty for a spot of...

Gillian and Matt take a deep breath and find their center with a mindful discussion of guided meditation. Gillian brings Matt to a meditation class, Matt tries the app Headspace for self-guided meditation, and both embark on a doomed journey to the Silver Lake Library for aromatherapy meditation. Have you been meditating on joining our Patreon? Achieve enlightenment by signing up at patreon.com/al...

Kate Littleton (@KateLit27) joins Matt and Gillian to write love letters to a pair of the coziest romanic comedy movies: Down with Love and When Harry Met Sally. Kate has battle scars from making stained glass, Matt imagines an alternate reality where Meg Ryan married Randy Quaid, and Gillian rides off on a peony.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner so Matt and Gillian send their love to the cozy ships (relationships that is) that make their hearts sing, whether they be real, fiction, or fan-fiction. Gillian gets hooked on The Circle, Matt joins the cult of Buc-ee's, and both appreciate the scent of oud. Get ready for your hot Valentine's Day date by lathering up with a Soapy Gnome soap! Use code ALL...

Gillian and Matt serve up cozy cocktails and mocktails and rate them on flavor, difficulty, and of course, coziness. While they sip, Gillian learns the Spanish word for taco and Matt calls for an Encore! Cheers! Leave us a tip at www.patreon.com/allthingscozy. Cocktail Recipes: Hot Buttered Bourbon   Red Wine Hot Chocolate Bitter Lemon Spritz Mistletoe Mule  Mocktail Recipes:  Not Toddy Caramel Ap...

Matt and Gillian battle a Spiral Light candle and look back at 2019's coziest books, movies, TV shows, songs, and listeners. Happy New Year! Help All Things Cozy start the year strong buy joining our Patreon at www.patreon.com/allthingscozy !

Michael Sherman (@unqualified) stops by to light the menorah with Matt and Gillian and discuss cozy Hanukkah foods and traditions. Michael fries up latkes, Matt's a sour cream guy, and Gillian's an applesauce lady. Happy Hanukkah from All Things Cozy!

Alonso Duralde (@ADuralde) arrives on a one-horse open sleigh to chat about Christmas traditions and folklore from around the world with Matt and Gillian. Alonso opens presents on Nochebuena, Matt breaks opłatki on Wigilia, and Gillian escapes the Yule Cat. They also discuss Christmas in Japan, Goth Christmas, St. Nicholas Day, Christmas Conventions, and cozy songs of the season. Check out Alonso'...

Chef Kellie Blackburn (@chef_kellie_blackburn) cooks up tips to help Matt and Gillian prepare for a vegetarian Thanksgiving. Chef Kellie patiently teaches Matt and Gillian how to properly make mashed potatoes and shares recipes for butternut squash lasanga, tiramisu, and cauliflower mac and cheese. Happy Thanksgiving!

Give the gift of cozy this holiday season with the help Matt and Gillian's cozy gift guide! Matt and Gillian will each be giving away an item from their list to listeners who share this episode on social media. Listen to discover which items are included in the giveaway, and join Matt at the Redondo Beach Public Library on November 16th for Kensington Publishing's Mini Cozy Con. Matt's Gift Ideas...

Michael Varrati (@MichaelVarrati), writer, director, and host of the podcast Dead for Filth, rides his broom back to All Things Cozy to play fortune telling games and discuss horrific halloween history. Happy Halloween!

Traci Hall (@tracihallauthor) calls in from the beyond to discuss Mrs. Morris and the Ghost, the first novel in the Salem B&B Mystery series she writes with Patrice Wilton under the pen name Traci Wilton. Traci reveals how she and Patrice explored Salem, set the rules for the supernatural in their books, and negotiate potential disagreements. Gillian chows down on some pumpkin ravioli, Matt plays...

Christin Brecher (@christinbrecherbooks) calls in to discuss her debut novel, Murder's No Votive Confidence, and share what she's learned about candle making, Nantucket, and how to stay inspired while writing. Gillian is the class clown of candle making, Christin loves her weighted blanket, Matt has a close encounter with a bear, and everyone wants a candle clock. Learn more about Christin's writi...

T.C. LoTempio (@RoccoBlogger) calls in to discuss the first entry in her Purr N' Bark Pet Shop mystery series, The Time for Murder is Meow. We chat with Toni about the joys and challenges of making cats central characters in mystery novels, the influence of horror on her writing, and how a one-eyed Persian cat entered the picture. Matt watches Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Toni watches The Thin...

Matt and Gillian make the leap from candle reviewers to candle makers. Matt gets stabbed by a cooking thermometer, Gillian adds a little bit of herself to the candle, and both have unrealistic expecations for candle cooling.

Audiobook narrator BJ Harrison (@bjharrisonaudio) soothes Matt and Gillian with his euphonious voice as he describes his experiences narrating paranormal cozy mysteries, his Classic Tales Podcast, and how he makes his home studio cozy. The trio also chat about Gillian's love for plot holes, Matt chasing down a Halloween decoration, and BJ's professional responsiblity to avoid cheese. Finally, in a...

Gillian and Matt comfort themselves with food suggested by listeners. Gillian passes around hot potatoes, Matt puts eggs in a basket, and both call their moms for cooking advice. Join our Patreon and become a Cozy Commando! www.patreon.com/allthingscozy

Jennie K. Brown (@jenniekaywrites) calls in to discuss Prose & Poison, the first entry in the Cafe Prose Mystery Series she writes as Jemma Bard. Jennie shares her love for Shakespeare, walks Matt and Gillian through the self-publishing process, and describes how she made the leap from teaching to writing full-time. Jennie likes to watch the Agatha Raisin TV show, Gillian likes to watch TV alone,...

Matt and Gillian hide out at the Hatchery to chat about cozy reality television. Gillian seeks justice for Jessica Simpson, Matt wants to live on the Roloff farm, and both can't imagine what Newlyweds would have looked like if the producers got their first choice: Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley.

Vivien Chien (@vivien_chien) calls in to discuss her Noodle Shop Mystery series, bringing the voice of a mixed-race character to the cozy mystery genre, and the coziness of Cleveland. Gillian munches on mozzarella sticks, Matt sees an unauthorized musical, and Vivien shares her latest gaming obsession. Learn more about Vivien's writing and her latest novel, Murder Lo Mein, on her website: www.vivi...

With the help of their listeners, Matt and Gillian find coziness in topics like air travel, grocery shopping, and The Sopranos. Gillian busts out her Long Island accent, Matt dreams of an All Things Cozy hologram tour, and both are incredibly grateful to Kate Littleton for providing a candle for this episode that is truly an All Things Cozy milestone. Thank you, Kate!

Linda O. Johnston (@lindaojohnston) stops by to talk about her Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries, how she names the pets in her series, and how writing paranormal romance novels also informs her mystery writing. Linda shares her love for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Gillian takes a lovely tip to Vancouver, and Matt won't shut up about the Impossible Burger. Big thanks to Norma G for providing the ca...

Robert Balkovich (@robertbalkovich), Matt, and Gillian gather 'round a fireplace on Bainbridge Island, Washington, to share cozy vacation tips. While double-fisting coffee and rosé, Gillian confesss she needs to go to cutting school, Matt declares his love for small zoos, and Robert doesn't write for Lonely Island.