Pleasant Conversations

Michael complains about the heat (again), but the mood in the studio is a hell of a lot lighter than last week. Jasmine is going on vacation, and our hosts talk roller coasters and rides that are duds. BREAKING NEWS: Michael didn’t update his script. After this delightful fumble, we get into Good News and a Muckles at the Movies. We end the episode with our spin around The Wheel, an affirmation, a...

This week, Michael is in a funk, and you can tell (be prepared for an ASMR voice). It’s Bastille Day, so he tries to lighten the mood with some terrible French *insert stereotypical Chef Louis laugh here*. Jasmine shares smiles caused by the niece and Michael talks naughty BINGO, “Sinners” joining his list of comfort movies to watch at home, and “Jurassic World: Rebirth”. He then goes into a more...

This week's episode drops right after the Fourth of July, and the fireworks are going off in the studio! (Watch your fingers!) Our hosts' smiles are filled with love. Jasmine gushes about her new job, and Michael gushes about Cree Summer for way too long. The news brings us stories of HIV drug developments, a silly bear trapped in plastic (NOT Michael for once), and support for families affected b...

Move over, Sylvia Browne! This week, we end Pride month by casting magic missile and are joined by our spiritual advisor, Lucas! We reminisce about how we met and when we all had an adventure together a few years back. Then we get into some mystical s*** right off the bat, which sends us on a tangent about animals (shocker). The news brings us stories of Utah Pride, a Midwest town’s first-ever dra...

It’s the third episode in our Pride celebration! We welcome our friend Zachary (aka Gorgeous) to the pod this week, and Michael has met his match when it comes to podcast Chatty Kathy’s. Our hosts and guest catch up and quickly fall down the Disney rabbit hole (as they are wont to do). Gorgeous becomes our new arts correspondent and gives us his thoughts on the Tony Awards. Apologies to non-theate...

Welcome back listeners, as we are joined by our first guest! The wonderful Cass joins us from the future in Sydney, Australia for a pleasant conversation full of laughs, deep talks, and so much profanity. Cass brings us news and personal stories from Down Undah, including a very important story about housing for trans individuals in New South Wales. Jasmine and Michael bring trans, queer comic boo...

It’s Pride Month and Lucky Number 13! This week, Jasmine and Michael kick off their four-part Pride celebration with recaps of their week and upcoming June plans. (And, yes, you heard Michael say he worked at a Renaissance Festival once.) The news brings us a last gift from Pope Francis and what will be a theme the entire month: positive LGBTQIA+ news from around the world! We also get a Muckles a...

This week, Jasmine and Michael go off the rails and forget that when the episode drops, it will be Pride month (except we all know who actually forgot). Jasmine finally shares her plans for June, and, shocker, they are Disney-related. So, yet again, the podcast visits the Haus of Mouse for a bit. Then, Michael talks Ren Faires. The news dives into environmental activism, the return of Sesame Stree...

**Please forgive this week's sound issues. Michael tried a different audio setup, which led to some unexpected problems during recording.** This week, our hosts become unhinged pretty early on. Jasmine regales us with stories from her trip to the Grammy Museum, which rivals Michael’s recap of his vacation last week! We’ve got good news on women’s health, post-Brexit reconciliation, sweaters for pe...

Buckle in, kiddos, we have another marathon episode. This week, Michael is back from vacation, and our hosts have A LOT to say (yes, even Jasmine) because there is some catching up to do! Jasmine fills us in on the L.A. Times Book Festival, and Michael gushes about his Orlando adventure. Seriously, the smiles segment takes up about half of the episode—but they are worth it! Michael talks Marvel (r...

On a very special episode of “Pleasant Conversations,” the gang has to intervene when Jesse becomes addicted to caffeine pills due to the stress of exams and performing in a girl group. Kidding. This week, our hosts take a break from their regularly scheduled program to give listeners insight into who they are. Jasmine and Michael use categorized questions, chosen at random, to interview each othe...

This week, our hosts start off discussing upcoming travel plans. Then Michael dives into positive trends of pitties, podcasts, viral singers, and the rebellion in a galaxy far, far away. In the news, J & M celebrate the environment with the return of sea turtles, ocean-saving efforts, 3-D printing as an eco warrior, an environmental journey that would make Julie Taymor jealous, and a firefly l...

This week, we give some holiday wishes to our listeners (and Michael stumbles through some basic Hebrew). Fish doorbells and more “A Goofy Movie” content are keeping a huge smile on Jasmine’s face. Michael confuses Ricky Martin and Chris Pine (as one does) and talks about his love for “Waitress” (the movie and the musical). In the news: gun control, political drag queens, women athletes representi...

Extra, extra! Michael’s a bully who talked so long during a segment that he started the next one without asking Jasmine to contribute. To be fair, he was discussing the Hulu miniseries “Dying for Sex” and got caught up in the moment. This week, Jasmine and Michael talk about the 30th Anniversary of “A Goofy Movie”, good news from around the world (including sports—what??), and Michael makes a very...

This week is one spicy meatball of joy! Michael’s filler words are back! Jasmine has some great news, both personal and global, and then talks some trash, bringing out Michael’s Greek temper. The Wheel of Topics takes J & M on a trip to the days before smartphones and Michael shakes his fist at the kids on the lawn. Our hosts introduce a new regular segment for the Curbside Cool-Down: Ashes an...

As Milton Berle said on many occasions, “Brace yourselves, ladies, it’s gonna be a long one”! Jasmine talked so much this week, we broke an hour! (Kidding, we know who the real Chatty Cathy of the duo is.) This week J & M have a nice, long catch up, share news of importance (Jasmine) and vengeful otters (Michael), discuss personal growth goals, and introduce a new segment to the Curbside Cool-...

Welcome to the new podcast “Jasmine & Michael’s Disney Tips”. Just kidding. This week, though, Jasmine & Michael do spend a good chunk talking about the place that Walt built, thanks to the Wheel of Topics. Michael has birds on his bird brain and also opens up about his fear of cruises. Jasmine brings us some good housing news and introduces a new segment to help us cool down and prepare f...

This week, Jasmine and Michael are punchy thanks to spring allergies and just *gestures blindly to everything around*. Jasmine helps to make the news more fulfilling, and Michael talks galactic real estate. The Wheel of Topics finally comes through with something a little more fun, and the duo relives some Disney trauma. Grab your antihistamine and favorite cocktail or mocktail, and join us for so...

Jasmine and Michael sit down for the first episode of “Pleasant Conversations”, and it all goes pretty well. Self-Discovery is the topic of the day and upon listening back, Michael has discovered his vocabulary mostly consists of filler words (drinking game/BINGO for the folks at home). After crushing the topic, Jasmine gives us a spin on her fun wheel, and we’re all the better for it. It’s a pack...

Welcome to the community! Before we get to our regularly scheduled programming, we're providing some background on how the podcast came to be and what you can expect to hear every week! Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod Send us an email: pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com

Five years ago, the world was completely changed by a devastating pandemic. Quarantines were mandatory, masks and gloves were the trending accessories in grocery stores, and we all had to find new ways to connect with one another. Video conferencing became a very popular way for communities to gather, kvetch, have a happy hour, attend religious services, get divorced, play games, etc. In November...