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[bright holiday music]

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[singer vocalizing]

- Hello, Laura, Ms. Ross.

Good morning, hello.

Can I take your coat for you?

- Oh, no thank you.

- Of course.

And how 'bout a coffee?

How would you like your coffee?

I can get you
whatever you'd like.

Anything to eat?

- Thank you, I can
get my own coffee.

- Hey, Jasmine?
- Mm hm?

- Hey, I think
we're fine in here.

Do you mind checking
in my studio

and seeing if they
need any help in there?

- Yes, Sir.
- Okay.

Hey, what did I say
about calling me sir?

- Not to do it.

I should just call you Paul.

- Exactly.
- Yes, Sir.

You're right.

So sorry.

- She's a good kid.

She's very excited to be here.

- Who is she?

Should I know who she is?

I'm usually very
good with faces.

- Oh no, that's our
new intern, Jasmine.

It's her first day.

- [sighs] I thought I
was losing my touch.

- Nah, still got it.

All right, you ready in there?

- Let's start talkin'.

- Okay, we are on in five, four.

[upbeat theme song]

- Hello ladies,

and any of you modern
thinking men out there.

Welcome to another episode

of the "Modernly
Independent" with me,

your host, Laura Ross.

If this is your
first time listening,

this is the podcast where we
discuss life as a modern woman

and how you don't
need anyone's help

to do what you
wanna do or to get

where you wanna be in
your life and career.

As always, I'm joined
by my dearest friend

and producer, Paul.

- Hello, hello and
good morning, Laura.

You're looking lovely as always.

- Ah, thank you.

How are you doing today?

- I'm doin' well, thank you.

I think I'm finally
recovered from last week.

- That's right.

Last time we were here,

we were getting ready
for Thanksgiving.

And what a Thanksgiving it was.

I had people over to my house

and in true "Modern
Independent" fashion

I made the entire meal
entirely by myself.

So, I'm gonna ask you, and
I want you to be honest.

- Whew.
- Paul?

- Okay.
- What did you think?

- I ate myself into a coma

if that's what you're
asking [laughs].

- That is what I'm
asking [laughs].

Great.

I made all of the Thanksgiving
goodies this year.

So Paul, are you
ready for a game of,

- [Laura and Paul] Name It!

- For those of you who are
new listeners to the show,

Name It is a quick
fire rapid challenge

where we try to name single
items within a category.

Today's category is
Thanksgiving food items.

Laura, go!

- Turkey.
- Tofurky.

- Mashed potatoes.
- Green beans.

- Yams.
- Apple pie.

- Salad.
- Mac and cheese.

- Pecan pie.
- Potatoes.

- Green bean casserole.

- A tuna fish sandwich [laughs].

- [laughs] I don't
think that counts.

- [laughing] I don't know why
I said tuna fish sandwich.

You know, in fairness,

I did have a sandwich that
afternoon before I came over

to your house for
that lovely dinner

because I was scared that I
would get full too quickly,

so I wanted to
expand my stomach.

- You pre-game.

- Mm hm, I'm quite the pre-gamer

when it comes to eating, yes.

- I don't, I just wait.

- But given that that's
not an actual answer

for a Thanksgiving food item,

I am going to award
you the point.

- Of course you are, thank you.

You're so generous.

For any of you listeners
out there, you can do this.

It takes a lot of time
and a lot of hard work,

but I felt so
accomplished in the end.

Having done it myself,

I think it made the food
taste that much better.

And you can take this mindset

to all other aspects
of your life.

I am getting the
signal from my producer

that it's time to listen to a
few words from our sponsors.

And when we come back,

we're gonna be reading
your comments and emails.

[upbeat podcast music]

- Good show today.

- Oh, you too.

- Thanks.

So, we've got something
to talk about.

- Oh, that sounds serious.

- Good news.

Well possible good news.

- Okay, hit me.

- Okay, so you know
how we've been doing

this podcast for
the last few years,

and so far things
have been really good?

- [Laura] Mm hm.

- We've had great reviews
and a steady increase

in our listenership,

but a few months ago
it's sort of plateaued.

- Okay.

We can drum up some ideas
to get more listeners.

- Right, well, I
might have a solution.

You know how we were
talking about reaching out

to one of those bigger
podcast networks?

- Yeah, wider audience,
more advertising revenue.

But I thought we were too small

for them to take us seriously.

- Well, I reached
out to a few of them.

I sent off some
links and one of 'em

just got back to me saying
we might be the perfect fit

to fill a void in their
female demographic.

- Are you serious?

- It's nothing concrete
yet by any means,

but you know, they're gonna
be taking an extra look at us.

- That's great.

- Yeah.

So, I was thinking that since
we're starting off December,

it would be really fun to
come up with a cool idea

to engage the listeners
for the rest of the month.

- Okay.

We have the award show buzz
with all the female nominees

and the progress being made.

- Right, which is great but
I was thinking this year,

it might be cool to do something

a little bit more Christmas-y.

[Laura inhales sharply]

- I like Christmas as
much as the next person.

- Oh, do you now?

- Unless the next
person is literally you.

- Thank you.

- I mean, I like
me some Christmas.

- Yeah.
- But don't we have

enough of it out there?

- Oh, as opposed to the lack

of Hollywood awards
coverage out there?

- Oh, oh good point.
- Yeah.

- Did you have any ideas?

- No, nothing certain yet,
but I'm marinating on it.

Big things to come, I promise.

Hey, congrats.

This is a really
good first step.

- Yeah.

Okay, so we will think about
it and we will talk later.

Right now I've got to
meet Mary for lunch.

- Oh, that's funny, I'm
meeting Erik for lunch.

- Do you think it's
the same place?

- Who knows?

But if it is, it certainly
isn't a coincidence.

They're one of those
perfect couples

who tell each other everything.

- Something we can
all strive for, right?

- [Paul] Right.

- Oh, Jasmine?
- Yes, Ma'am?

- Hi [laughs].

You can call me Laura.

I just want to
officially meet you

and welcome you to the team.

[upbeat music]

- [Mary] Thanks for
meeting me today.

- I love having a
lunch date with you.

- Me too.

- But it sounded like there
was something important.

Did you want to talk about it?

- Yes.

So, I'm not sure if you noticed,

you probably didn't notice

because you were a little
busy at Thanksgiving,

running around, handling
everything yourself and all.

- Okay, I get it.

Go on.

- So, I wasn't drinking
at Thanksgiving,

and there's a very
wonderful reason for that.

- Oh my goodness,
you're pregnant.

[Mary laughs]

- A baby?

Oh, that's awesome!

You are gonna be like
the best dad ever, man.

- Thanks, man.

It's still a little early,

but we wanted to
make sure we told

you and Laura first thing.

- Wow!

So, that's what Laura and
Mary's lunch is about.

- Well, that and
we wanted to know

if you and Laura would
be the godparents.

- Yes!

Are you kidding me?

Yes.

That would be...

Oh man, that would
be such an honor.

Wow.

"I'm gonna be a godfather."

- Don't do that again, please.

- No promises.
- I know.

- "I'm the godmother."

- Please, don't do that again.

- No promises.

In fact I can guarantee
I will do it again.

[Mary chuckles]

Please don't change your mind.

- Never.

I couldn't think of
anyone else I'd rather.

- I'm so excited for you.

And for me, actually.

- I'm just a little sad

that we aren't gonna
be pregnant together.

- Are you kidding me?

Do you think the
world could handle

both of us being pregnant
at the same time?

- Yes.

With you I can only imagine.

You know, our kids could
be pretty close in age

if you'd go ahead and
get hitched already.

- I'm not even dating anyone.

- You could be.

- You know, I always
thought it'd be fun

if you and I had kids
around the same time.

You know, they could be
on the same baseball team.

They could ride bikes to school
together, stuff like that.

- I'm one very key
ingredient away

from making that a reality.

- Why don't you
just ask her out?

- Who?

- Laura.

- Oh, come on man,
you know Laura.

- I do know Laura,
and I know you,

and I know you two are
perfect for each other.

You're in love with each other,

but neither of you
is gonna make a move.

- With her being Miss
"Modern Independent,"

I can hardly imagine that
she'd want me to ask her out,

and she clearly doesn't
see me that way.

So, while you're probably right,

I also really love
our friendship

and I don't wanna mess that up,

so it's probably for the best.

- He's my producer
and my friend.

That's it.

- That doesn't have to be it.

- If he was interested,
he would ask me out.

- You think so?

Really?

He knows you better than anyone.

You think he would ask Miss
"Modernly Independent?"

- Yes, that's me,
but I'm also a girl

and I'd like to be treated
like a lady and romanced.

Besides, I don't wanna
risk losing our friendship.

- Some risks are worth taking.

- Let's be done
talking about me.

Let's raise a...

Let's raise a fry to you
and me having a baby.

- [chuckles] Well,
actually it's me and Erik

that are having-
- To you and me having a baby.

[Mary laughs]

- To havin' a baby.

[Laura laughs]

- We got nine months
to prepare ourselves

for the adventure that awaits.

- What's all this "We"
and "Us" talk [chuckles]?

- I'm this kid's godparent,

and that is a role I plan
to take very seriously.

To us molding the future.

- You know, we could have
toasted without drinks

like normal people, right?

- Oh, you think I'm
gonna let my godchild

be raised like a normal person?

Not a chance.

- I knew this was
gonna be a mistake.

[Paul chuckles]

- I can feel that.

You know, I have a
ton of baby names

for you whenever you're ready.

- Oh, that's so kind of you,

but I think Erik and now can
take care of this on our own.

- Okay, so I'll write
him down for later then.

- Ladies.
- Hey.

- Mary, a hot cocoa for you.
- Oo.

Thank you, babe.

- Oh,

well, do you think
I'd be bold enough

to get Miss "Modern Independent"

a drink and deprive her
of getting one herself?

- Okay.

Well speaking of that, we
should get back to work.

- Bye.
[Laura squeals]

- Gimme a call.
- Okay.

- Yeah, gimme a call.
- Okay.

- Nice work.

- Y'all have a good show.

- [Mary and Erik] How'd it go?

- [sighs] No luck on my end.

She didn't say no, but
she's waiting for him.

- He's waiting for her.
[Mary sighs]

So, what do we do?

- Now, I think we need to
take this into our own hands.

- Hm, what do you have in mind?

- Well, we've got our
work cut out for us,

but this is gonna be really fun.

[bright holiday music]

[Jasmine chuckles]

- This is gonna be so much fun.

Oh!

[bright music]

- What are you doin' in here?

- Working.

- [Laura] Don't you have your
own office to do that in?

- Yes, but I don't
have a comfy couch

in my office and
you're not there.

- Yeah, 'cause I'm
working in my office.

- How was your lunch
with Mary yesterday?

- Good.

How was your lunch
with Erik yesterday?

- Good.

- [Laura and Erik] "They made me

an offer I couldn't refuse."

- What are you doing?

- Uh, Brando, "The Godfather."

What are you doing?

- I think it's pretty obvious
what I'm doing [laughs].

- We're gonna be godparents!

- Yes!

- You gotta work on your Brando.

- Yeah, sure.

Okay [laughs].

- Well, in other news,

I think I may have stumbled upon

the perfect Christmas
idea for the podcast.

- That's funny, so did I.

- Really?
- Yeah.

- You first.

- Well, I got an email from
a listener this morning

and it suggested that we do the,

- [Laura and Paul]
Christmas Challenge.

- Yep, well, this listener
must have doubled down

because I got the
same exact email.

What do you think?

- I like it.
- Yeah?

- Yeah, we do a new
Christmas-y thing

every day leading up
until Christmas Day.

- Yes, no, I think it's perfect.

I think it's a really fun
way to engage the audience

and capture the
network's attention.

- Yeah!

Yeah.
- Yes.

- What?

Where?

- I present to you,
the Christmas Challenge
calendar board.

- So, you were pretty confident
that we were doing this?

- Was I wrong?

- No, you were not.

- Well, I'm glad we're
on the same page then.

- But the listener's
email did not detail

what we were gonna
be doing each day.

- Well, actually
I did get a list

and in order for
them to be done in,

but per the listener's
request, I didn't look at it.

- Oh, you did this
board blindfolded.

- No, I used the
power of an intern.

- The what?

- Jasmine made it.
- Oh, yeah, yeah, Jasmine.

- So, shall we?

- Yes!

Well, thanks to this listener,

I think this is gonna be

an interesting month
leading up till Christmas,

don't you think, Paul?

- I do think so, yes.

I think it's gonna
be a really fun way

to get into the
Christmas spirit, yeah.

- Yes!

All right, well,
let's get started.

Paul, will you please
reveal day number one?

- Oh, the moment we've
all been waiting for.

- Paul is standing
up and reaching over

to our Christmas Challenge
board and reviewing number one.

- Day number one,
"Christmas music!

Kick off the season
by getting the warm,

fuzzy feeling inside
you by pushing play

on some classics,
some favorites.

Any kind will do,

but play Christmas music
and let it work its magic."

- Oh, Christmas music, huh.

Well, that's an easy one.

I think I'm gonna be getting
through this list pretty fast.

Okay, so any of you
indie poders out there,

please feel free
to join us on this.

- Yes, and we will be
posting every item up

on our website so
you can join along

and participate in this
Christmas Challenge with us.

Hey, make it a family affair.

- Or you can join me in showing

that you could enjoy
Christmas independently

if that's what you want.

And I'm gonna do this
one for everyone.

Here's some Christmas music to
get us in the holiday spirit.

[upbeat holiday music]

You know, it's day two.

- Day, number two, indeed.

Yes.
- Hm.

- I listened to
Christmas music yesterday

for like 24 hours straight,

and I gotta say, it's kinda
workin' its magic on me.

What about you?

- I listened during
the show yesterday.

I'm ready for my next task.

- All right, well let's
roll in five, four.

- Christmas time is upon us.

Welcome to day two of this
crazy adventure that we're on.

To reveal day two,

I'm going to throw it to
Mr. Christmas himself,

Producer Paul.

- Mr. Christmas.

That's a title I
could get used to.

- [Laura] Paul is reaching up.

He's grabbing number two

from our Christmas
Challenge board

and executes it perfectly.

- "Christmas cookies."
- Oo.

- I don't even have
to read the rest

of this because Christmas
cookies are my jam.

- Cookies are good.

So, what do I need to do today?

- "You are gonna need
some energy for the
rest of this list,

so let's give it to ya.

Everybody loves
Christmas cookies."

- True.
- "So, share some

with friends, family,
even strangers,

really anybody who could use
a little extra holiday cheer.

And don't forget to enjoy some
yourself while you're at it."

- Great.

So you heard it, poders.

It's,

- [Laura and Paul]
"Cookie time!"

- [laughs] We're so lucky.

We get to eat cookies
as part of our job.

[music continues]
[singer vocalizing]

Merry Christmas.
- Thank you, kindly.

- Of course.

[music continues]

- Merry Christmas.

Some fresh baked
Christmas cookies.

And I included some fun
things to help you decorate.

You and Mary can get into
the Christmas spirit.

- [laughs] Oh, thanks, man.

This is very nice of you.

- Yeah.

- I'm sure the missus will
be very happy to get these.

- Mm hm.

I even predated some so you can

just dig right in if you want.

- Even better.

Is this part of your
Christmas podcasting?

- Yeah.
- Do I smell cookies?

- It's like she has superpowers
now that she's pregnant.

[laughs] You wanna hang out?

- No thanks, I got some
more cookies to deliver.

- All right, well good luck.

- Thanks.

- [Mary] I'm sure
I'm smelling cookies.

What are they?

- Okay, well I better get goin'

and you better get
her these cookies.

- Yeah, thanks man.

- As we said last time,

we are changing up the
format a little bit

to be a daily mini pod
leading up until Christmas.

Paul, will you reveal
what we are doing today?

- "Hang a wreath.

There will be more Christmas
decorating to come,

but let's start with
a wreath on the door.

Just a way to warm your heart

as you walk into the door
of your home or office."

- Well, I don't have a wreath
on me here in the studio,

but that doesn't
mean I can't get

a little creative and make one.

All right.

Like I always say, don't let
anything stand in the way

of you achieving your goals.

With a little creativity,

out of the box thinking
and some extra red bows,

you can really
accomplish anything.

So, I am gonna have
Jasmine, our trusted intern,

she's brand new and lovely.

You're gonna hear from her soon.

She is going to just put this up

on the site so you can see it.

All that's left to do is
hang up this brand new wreath

that I made right
now on the podcast.

Good luck to all of you out
there on your Christmas journey.

- Wow, very impressive.

It looks like we've got a
Picasso in the studio, everyone.

- [Laura] You're so kind.

[Paul chuckles]
[Laura chuckles]

- Hey, how's the
mama to be feelin'?

- She's good, man.

Well, consumin' a lot
of Christmas cookies,

but she says it's
due to the pregnancy.

I however, think
it's just an excuse.

- Yeah, well, let's
not get in the habit

of cookie shaming pregnant
women now, all right [chuckles]?

- [Erik] [chuckles] Yeah,
I guess you're right.

How's the Christmas
Challenge going?

- It's going pretty good.

You know, I was
hoping that Laura

might be a little bit more
excited about it, though.

- What are you talkin' about?

- Well, you know,

I was really hoping that we
could do these things together,

but she seems more interested
in just checking items

off a list than really getting
in the Christmas spirit.

- Well, maybe she'll
get into it soon.

I mean, you're only
on day three, right?

Maybe she needs a
little bit more,

you know, motivation
or encouragement.

- Yeah, maybe.

- [Erik] Well, I gotta go.

- [Mary] Did you tell him?

- I will.

Paul, Mary says thanks
for the Christmas cookies,

and if you have any more, feel
free to dump 'em off here.

- Okay.

I'll drop some off tomorrow.

- [Erik] Thanks, man.

You're a lifesaver.
- Bye.

[Paul sighs]
[soft holiday music]

- How's it goin'?

- [sighs] Not great.

- What do you mean?

- They're taking very
different approaches

and she's not interested in
doing this with him at all.

- Well, let's give it some
time and see if that changes.

She can't do the
whole list by herself.

- I don't know.

She's a pretty
determined person.

- There's still time.

Um, what, um,

what did he say
about the cookies?

- He'll bring them tomorrow.

- Tomorrow?

- I know, he's a horrible friend

who's clearly not doing his
role as godfather any justice.

- Mm mm.

- What?
- I need all these.

- It's the season of
giving, not taking.

- Good morning.

Care for a breakfast cookie?

- [Laura] What's a
breakfast cookie?

- They're breakfast cookies.

- Wow, what a balanced meal.

- Mm hm.

- Do you happen to have any-

- [Paul] Oh, I got
you right here.

- [laughs] Very clever.

- [Paul] Thank you very much.

- Wow.

You are rolling day
two into day four.

- Well, you don't
have to just stop

an activity because
the day's over.

I mean, I haven't
stopped listening

to Christmas music
since the first day.

It's about getting into
the spirit of things,

not just checking
items off a list.

- Well, I think if
I'm doing my list,

the listeners will be happy.

- Sure, but keep in mind

we've also gotta
impress the network.

- You're right.

I should step it up
for them [sniffs].

Mm, nice.

- "For day four's activity,

we are gonna be writing and
sending Christmas cards.

It's a great way to keep
in touch with old friends

and reacquaint ourselves

with those we may
have lost touch with.

[upbeat holiday music]

[singer vocalizing]

Day seven is write
a letter to Santa.

It's an activity that
brings so much joy

to kids each year and can bring

the same to you as an adult."

[Laura exhales]

- "Dear Santa,

how are you?

Things are good here."

- "Dear Santa,

thank you for all the
joy that you have brought

and continue to bring to
children all over the world.

You are a true
inspiration to us all.

Merry Christmas, Paul."

- "I know what I want
for Christmas this year.

I want the network to
pick up our podcast."

Yeah.

- "P.S., please help us get
acquired by the podcast network.

Laura really deserves it."

All I'm saying is
that we're a quarter

of the way through this,

and so far, I feel like
maybe you're not caring

as much as I expected you to.

- Oh, well, I'm
coming in every day

and I'm doing
everything on the list,

so what is it exactly
that you want me to do?

- Well, yeah, you are completing

the list and reporting to
your listeners about it,

which is great.

I just feel like there could
be more energy put behind it.

Does that make sense?

- Yeah.

Do you want me to be
sprucing up the podcast?

Like, we could put
some more work into it.

I mean, it's not like we're on
TV or anybody's watching me.

- You're right, we're not on TV,

but pretty soon somebody
will be watching you.

- What?

- I talked to the
network this morning,

they really like
what they're hearing,

but before they
commit any further,

they wanna send
somebody down here

and check out how
our operation works.

- Okay.

When?

- Today.

- Okay.

Paul, wait, what did,
what are you saying?

Paul?

Paul, are you...

- Hey Jasmine, I
need three copies

of this put on my
desk right away,

and then this needs
to be proofread,

retyped and put on Laura's desk

before our two
o'clock recording.

And then this needs
to be collated and
delivered to HR ASAP.

- I'll get right on these on.

But oh, where is
the HR department?

I don't think I've been there.

- Okay, you know what?

Nevermind, I'll just take that
one back then, do it myself.

- That was really
painful to watch.

- What are you talking about?

- I'm talking about

the busy producer guy
routine you're doing.

- Well, excuse me for trying

to give off a good
first impression.

- Oh, is this
person coming soon?

- Honestly, I don't know.

I just know that a Michael
is supposed to be here today,

so I figured I'd get
down here to greet him

and then got a little
carried away giving off

the impression that maybe

we're a bigger deal
than we really are.

- I know.

- You know what?

These need to go
to our sponsors,

so let's just get right on that,

and then this, hi,

needs to be completely redone.
- Hi.

Hi, Chad.

Pay no attention to the
show going on over here.

Paul's just having a little bit

of a nervous breakdown.

- No, I'm not.

Thank you.

- I'm gonna go to work.
- Okay.

- Real work.

Good luck with Michael.

- Okay.
- Have fun.

- Thanks.
- Okay.

Did I get you the
licensing agreement?

- Mm.

- Oh, I forgot to
hand these to Laura.

- Okay, I'll get these to Laura,

the podcast host in the
third office down the hall.

- Yeah.

Okay.

And these need to be-

- Tabulated.

Got it.
- Tacked to a bulletin board.

- Yeah, what about those?

Do those need to be shredded?

And do those need to go

to the printers for
balloon printing?

- [Paul] No, stop.

Jasmine, just stop.

Okay, did you say
balloon printing?

What are you doing?

Okay, we're waiting for Michael.

Does that look like
a Michael to you?

- No.

Sorry, Paul, I just
really felt that one.

You know, I thought that Michael

would be really impressed
if he walked in on that one.

- Maybe.

- Hi.

Are you Paul?

- [Paul] Yes.

- I couldn't help
but overhearing.

You're waiting for Michael?

- Yeah, that's correct.

- [Michale] Hi.

- Hi.

- I'm Michael.

- I'm sorry, what?

- I'm Michael.

Well, actually it's
pronounced Michale.

- Oh, oh.

You're Michael?

- [Michale and Paul] Michale.

- She does look like a Michale.

- Okay, thank you
so much, Jasmine.

Hi, I'm so sorry.

It's such a pleasure
to have you here.

- Thank you, I'm
glad to be here.

[bright holiday music]

- Hi.

- Hi.

Paul, I see that you found a
fellow Christmas enthusiast.

- Oh [laughs], hi.

It is such a
pleasure to meet you.

I have been a fan of yours
for quite some time now.

- That is so nice of you to say.

Thank you.

- And I've been loving the
recent Christmas episodes.

It's really put me into
the Christmas spirit

as you may have
noticed [laughs].

Oh, I even brought some of
the cookies that I made.

- Wow!

- And don't worry,
I did it myself.

No pre-made dough or
store bought cookies here.

As you say, we can do
anything [chuckles].

- This is great.

Thank you so much.

That's so kind of
you to do this.

I really appreciate it.

And as much as I've
enjoying this, Paul,

I feel like you might
wanna get back downstairs

before we start so
that you can be there

when the big network
big wig gets here.

I don't mean to be rude.

I'm so sorry.

If you would like
a tour, Jasmine,

one of our interns would
love to take you on a tour

or if you're really
close with Pauly here,

he might want you to join
him in the big show down-

- Okay, Laura?
- Yeah?

- This is Michale
[throat clears].

- Hi, Michale.

Nice to meet you.

- [Michale] Hi.

- Michale is from the
network where ironically

there's no Michael
who works there,

and she's here to check out
how our operation works.

- I'm so sorry.

I'm, I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry.

- Me too.

[soft music]

[Michale and Paul
speaking indistinctly]

- So Michale, if you
have any questions

for me before the show, I'm
happy to answer some as well.

- Oh, thank you so much.

More than anything, I'm
just happy to be here.

Thank you so much, I'm
really just happy to be here.

- Oh.

I forgot to take
you off of mute.

- Oh [laughs].
- There we go.

- Sorry.
- Now she can hear you.

- Okay.

Thank you, Laura.

You can just pretend
I'm not here.

I'm just going to be a
silent observer [laughs].

- Great.

- That was my fault.

- Okay, well, I'm all set in
here whenever you're all set.

- Yeah, we're all sudden here.

We are on in five, four.

So, I count down silently

and then she just knows
to go on and talk.

[Paul whispering faintly]

Yeah.

- Hello, hello, hello.

I hope that you aren't getting
too sick of me and Paul yet.

You're [laughs]
probably not used

to this daily dosage from us,

but I really hope that
you're enjoying yourself.

Right?

Isn't that right, Paul?

- Yes, that is correct.

- Okay, well, let's just jump
right into day eight then.

- Oh.
- Day eight.

- Yes, day eight.

Okay.

Oo, a Christmas tree.

Personal favorite of mine.

- Let's see what the
card has to say about it.

- Oh, right.

- Yeah.

- [Paul] In my opinion,
best bakery in town.

- Oh, well thank you again
for the hot chocolate.

- Oh yeah, it's the best way

to keep warm on a
cold day like today.

- Hey, if you two don't mind,

I would love to
tag along with you

when you do your
Christmas tree shopping.

You know, kinda get a feel
for how you work together.

- We actually do the
activities on our own.

Oh.

- I just assumed from listening

that you two were really close.

- Yeah.

I mean, we've been
best friends for years.

- You know, Laura
likes to live the life

that she talks about on the air,

and I guess being independent
is a big part of that.

- I see.

Well, I guess I'll just
have to keep listening then.

I'm sure I can get a feel for
your work from the office.

- Oh, well, I don't
have any commitment

to being independent if
you'd like to join me.

I'd love to have you.

- That would be great.
- Okay.

I gotta warn you, I do my
Christmas tree shopping

just a little bit differently
than most [speaking faintly].

[soft holiday music]

- I decided to step
out of the normalcy

of the Christmas
tree lot this year,

and step into nature's
Christmas tree lot, nature.

I'm venturing out into the woods

to pick my own tree
and cut it down.

I hope it inspires you to
know that you can do that too.

And I have found a winner.

The next sound you hear
will be metal to wood,

sawing down the tress and
listening to the tree fall.

- Now, the key is to look
at it from all angles.

Most trees have a weak
side and sometimes

that's just what
you need to be able

to perfectly fit it in
the corner of a room.

And then sometimes you need-

- Sometimes you find the
perfect tree from all angles,

which gives you more
room for decorating

and the ability to
put it in a window

so it can be enjoyed
from all sides.

Boom.

- Wow.

Isn't that a beauty?

- [Michale] I know, right?

- Would you like the honors?

- I mean, I can give
it a go [laughs],

but maybe be ready
to jump in and help.

- This is the perfect tree.

You've got plenty
of room down there

at the base to make a cut,

but you don't have to
worry about making it even

'cause we'll just
make it straight

before we put it in the stand.

- This is so great.

I wonder how Laura's doing.

I hope she's all right.

- All right.

Oh, we're gonna do this.

Oh, right there.

Oh, that's the stuff [chuckles].

[sawing scraping]
[Laura grunts]

Oh, oh [laughs].

Take that, nature.

[Laura screams]

Ah, man.

[playful music]

[Laura panting]

I cut down the tree, and
I feel so accomplished.

Now I just need to get it to
the car and drive it home.

I need to get it to the car.

Oh.

- [Paul] Star
first and decorate.

- You decorate after.

No, no, no.
- Yeah.

- The star definitely goes last.

- [Paul] Oh, Laura.

Hey.

- Hi.

- I didn't realize
you were out here too.

- Yeah.

- [Paul] You okay?

- Yeah, I'm great.

Yeah.

- Okay.

Would you like some help?

- You know I don't.

All good.

Yeah.
- Okay.

[Laura grunting]

- Laura, that's a really
great looking tree.

- Oh, thank you.

So is yours.

- Are you sure you're okay?
[Laura grunting]

- Yeah, yeah.

- [Paul] Okay.

Well, we'll see you later.

- Bye, Laura.

- Have you guys see my car?

- Sorry.
- Okay.

- Isn't it a good
thing that she's here

and enjoying herself so much?

Doesn't that bode well for
you joining the network?

- Yeah, but does she
have to be so happy

with Paul all the time?

- He's the producer
of your show.

It's kind of his job, right?

- Well, it's just ever
since she got here,

they have been
completely inseparable.

- She's shadowing him.

- No, it's the Christmas
Challenge thing.

Ever since the
Christmas tree day,

they've done
everything together.

Day nine, Christmas
shopping together,

day 10 wrapping
presents together,

day 11 toy donation
together, day 12 eggnog.

- Okay, slow down.

There's nothing wrong with
drinking eggnog with someone.

- Oh, no.

They decided it would be best

if they made homemade eggnog
from scratch together.

[Mary sighs]
[Laura sighs]

They did the same thing
with the warm hot meal

and hot chocolate
for days 13 and 14.

- Well, have you thought
about joining them?

Or asking Paul to do any of
these daily things with you?

- I can't.

- Why not?

- The whole point of my
podcast is that I'm showing

that I can do all of
these things by myself.

What would it say
to my listeners

if I was just doing
everything with someone else?

- Maybe they would
think it's Christmas,

and it's not about checking
things off of a list

or doing things alone,

but about spending time
with the ones that you love.

[door opens]

- Babe, I'm home.

It's day 15,
Christmas movie time.

- Speaking of time
with loved ones.

[Laura chuckles]

- Laura, are you joining us?

- No.

You two have a
wonderful time together.

I don't wanna be a third
wheel, or a fourth wheel.

Are we counting the
little one in your belly?

- Sweetie, we would be
happy to have you join.

Or you could call Paul.

- No, I think I will
go home by myself.

I'm sure he and
Michale are watching

a Christmas movie
together right now.

- Think about what I said.

It's so much better to share
these things with someone.

[soft music]

- Oo.

- It's that time of year, folks.

It's time to sing.

- It seems that the Christmas
board is repeating itself.

If you recall,

we started this adventure
with Christmas music.

- Yes, that's true, but
this kind of Christmas music

is to be performed
by you for others.

It's time for
Christmas caroling.

- [Laura] Oh no, that
one's way too hard.

Oh, no.

- Hey, what's goin' on?

- Hi.

Well, I'm looking up Christmas
carols for me to sing tonight

that won't bring physical
pain to the listener.

- Come on, I've heard
you sing before.

You've got a lovely voice.

In fact, we could use that
voice of yours tonight.

- What are you talking about?

- Well, you know,
Christmas caroling

is usually done as
a group activity.

It's not so much a solo thing.

- You know-

- So far it's Michale, me,
Jasmine and her boyfriend,

really nice guy, and then
you, if you wanna join.

- I think I'm gonna
do this one solo.

Unfortunately, I don't
know any Christmas carols,

but fortunately I
have the internet.

- The internet.

Oh, the worldwide web.

I gotcha.
- Bye, Paul.

- [Paul] Okay, have fun tonight.

- Thanks, you too.

[anticipatory music]

I think I can make this work.

Yes.

Uh huh.

[bright holiday music]

[Laura knocks]

- Can I help you?

[Laura gasps]

- [laughs] Hi.

[man chuckles]

Yes.

Good evening.

I'm here to carol for you.

I don't need to tell you that,
I should just start singing.

- Oh, wait a minute.

My wife loves this stuff.

- Oh.
- Honey.

- Okay.
- Come out here.

- Cool.
- We have carolers.

She'll be right here.

Honey, come on.

- [Woman] I'm coming.

- [Man] Well, hurry it up.

- Why are you yelling at me?

- We have carolers.

- Oh.
- Oh, well, we have a caroler.

[woman laughs]

- [Woman] Okay.

- Oh, that's me now.

Okay [chuckles].

[Laura's throat clears]

♪ On the first day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me ♪

♪ A partridge in a pear tree

♪ On the second day
of Christmas, my true
love gave to me ♪

♪ Two turtle doves, and a
partridge in a pear tree ♪

♪ On the third day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me ♪

♪ Three French hens

- That's okay [chuckles].
[woman chuckles]

♪ Two turtle doves and a
partridge in a pear tree ♪

♪ On the fourth day
of Christmas, my true
love gave to me ♪

♪ Four calling birds, three
French hens, two turtledoves ♪

♪ And a partridge
in a pear tree ♪

♪ On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me ♪

♪ Five golden rings

♪ Four calling birds, three
French hens, two turtledoves ♪

- It has been quite
an adventure so far.

And my caroling last night is
something that we may never,

ever speak of again [laughs].

And we are well past
the halfway point

and a dear friend reminded
me about the holidays

being about spending time
with your friends and family,

people who mean the most to you.

I really hope that
these daily activities

are bringing you
closer to someone.

[gentle music]

It's been a crazy-
- Told you.

- Yep, you were right.

She certainly has
a way with words.

- She does.

- And with that, I'm gonna throw
it to Mr. Christmas himself

and ask you to tell
us what we have next

for all of our wonderful
people out there.

- "With Christmas
growing even closer,

it's time to decorate your home.

It'll fill your spirits
every time you come home

and do the same to
anyone who passes by

and sees the lights shining
the way for Santa to find you."

- Well, that's right.

It is time to decorate.

And I hope you caught that.

He said, "Decorate your home,"

not your house because
it doesn't matter

if you live in a house or an
apartment or even a hotel room.

It's your home for
the time being.

Time to make it festive.

- [Mary] I heard
what you said today.

Whoever that friend
is sure sounds

like they know what
they're talking about.

[Laura exhales]

- Even you have good
ideas sometimes.

It doesn't mean I'm gonna
start listening to you.

- [Mary] So, you aren't even
going to take your own advice,

which was actually my advice?

- Actually, I just loaded a
box of decorations into my car

and I'm gonna bring it over

to Paul's house and surprise
him, help him decorate.

- [Mary] Yay!

Stop wasting time on the phone
with me and get over there.

- Okay [laughs].

- [Mary] I'm invested.

Bye.
[Laura laughs]

[bright holiday music]

[keys thud]

- [Laura] Aw, man.

- Are you sure you
can spare all of this?

- Oh my gosh, it's
no problem at all.

You heard Laura the other day.

It may be a hotel that you're
staying in for right now,

but it's your home, so you
should decorate it that way.

- Well, I appreciate it.

[engine rumbling]

Definitely never decorated
a hotel room before,

but I think it
should be pretty fun.

- Yeah, you'll be great at it.

I'll load these in your car.

- Oh, thanks.

[soft music]

[keyboard keys clacking]
[staff chattering]

- Good morning.

- Sounds like you had a
good night last night.

- You know what, I did.

I spent the entire night
decorating my house

and you know how I love
some Christmas decorations.

- I do.

I'm glad you and Michale
had a good night.

- Michale?

- Good morning.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- I just wanted to say, Paul,

thank you again for last night.

- Yeah, did it all
work out for you?

- Yes, perfectly.

- Good.

- So, should we get
today's recording down?

- Yeah.

- Great, let's do that.

Yesterday's task was a big one.

Well, that depends on the amount

of decorating you wanted to do,

so today we're just
gonna get right to it.

Paul, what do we have today?

- [laughs] Yes.

Okay, before I read this one,

there's something that I
have to do real quickly.

- Okay.

For all you listeners, because
this isn't a visual format,

I'm gonna let you know that I
have no idea what's going on

and you are not missing much.

Oh, I take that back [chuckles].

Our producer, Paul,

is, I can't quite describe
what he's wearing.

- It's my Christmas sweater.

- [laughs] Yes, it's a Christmas
sweater and it's so very-

- Festive.

- Paul [giggles].

I have to know, why
was it under your desk

and are you peeking ahead

to see what we have on
our Christmas calendar?

- No, I have not.

When we started this
whole Christmas fun,

I just knew there would be a day

that would arise where
a Christmas sweater
was called upon.

- So, you hoped there would
be a Christmas sweater day?

- Well, maybe a
little bit of both.

Either way, I bought this
beautiful Christmas garment

last holiday season but never
had a chance to wear it,

so when we started the
challenge, I came in,

hid it under my desk
and was just waiting

for the perfect moment to
pull it out, which is now.

- [chuckles] It's
so you to do that.

And with that, I encourage
all of you out there

to go out and get
a Christmas sweater

that would bring this much joy
to the people in your lives.

- Great, and we are out.

- Please tell me, like how
long have you been waiting

with the Christmas
sweater [laughs]?

- Hey, I could not
wait for today.

- Wow.
- This has literally

been marinating inside
of me this entire time,

and I was just scrolling
through social media.

I found it and I was like,
[Laura laughs]

"I do not care what this costs."

- [laughs] Of course you would.

I love the lights on
the trees and the like,

the Christmas string.

Like, everything about it.

Do a little dance,
let me see it.

What's your favorite part?

- Of course, it's the
Christmas trees that light up.

- [chuckles] Mm hm,
it's perfect for you.

[Michale laughs]

- No.

Stop.

- Oh my gosh.
- Get outta here.

- Look at this.
- You gotta be kidding me.

Did you-
- Oh my gosh.

It's amazing.

- I...

There's...

Literally I am in awe right now.

- I mean, what are the odds?

We look so cute.

I feel like we need-

- Oh, great minds think alike.

All right, okay.

Yeah.

[bright holiday music]

- I listened to
your podcast today.

Sounded like you and Paul

were having some
fun times in there.

I assume it went
well at his place

with the house decorating?

- I'm afraid not.

- What are you talking about?

- Well, first of all, I did go,

but I never made
it outta the car.

- Did you chicken out?

- No, I didn't make
it outta the car

because when I got there,

Paul walked out of his
house with Michale.

So, I left before
they could see me.

- But what about today?

- Well, yeah, we had
a moment, but then...

- Michale.

- Yep.

Hm.

- Don't give up.

- Honestly, I
think I'm too late.

I missed my chance.

And honestly, it's
better this way.

She is perfect for him.

They're like two happy little
Christmas elves together.

Now I just need to focus on
making the network deal happen.

[soft holiday music]
[line trilling]

- [Paul] Hey.

- Hi.

Paul, I'm sorry
for bothering you.

- [Paul] You're not
bothering me at all.

What's up?

- Can we meet for
breakfast in the morning?

- [Paul] Yeah, sure.

Office break room at eight?

- No, away from the office.

Can we meet before we go in?

- [Paul] Yeah, sure.

Is everything okay?

- Yeah, yeah.

Everything's fine.

We'll talk at the cafe.

- [Paul] Okay.

I'll see you in the morning.

- Okay, bye.

[bright holiday music]

- Hey.

Oh, let me-
- I got you covered.

- Oh, thanks, but I don't do-

- Do coffee for the
month of December?

I know, it's hot chocolate.

- It really is a
wonderful month, isn't it?

- Yeah.

- So, what's goin' on?

- Michale's not gonna
walk in here is she?

- No.

- Okay, I wanted to talk
to you away from Michale,

so that means away
from the office.

- [Paul] Okay.

- You've been spending
a lot of time with her.

- Yeah, she's been
really helpful

and a lot of fun to do the
Christmas challenges with.

- I know.

Where do we stand
on the network deal?

- We don't really talk

that much business
when we're together.

I mean, we talk about
you and the podcast,

but not exactly where we
stand with the network per se.

- Okay, well, we're coming
to the end of the month

and soon she's gonna go back

to wherever it is she came from

and I wanna make sure that
we did everything possible

to make this happen.

So, what can I do
to win her over?

- She thinks you're awesome,
and she loves the podcast.

I don't know.

Maybe just spend
more time with her,

give her the chance to
get to know the real you,

see how awesome and amazing
the real Laura Ross is,

and then like me, she'll
fall completely in love with,

you know, um,
she'll fall in love

with the idea of
acquiring the podcast

and be a win-win for everyone.

[playful music]

- So, I'll join you two on some

of the upcoming Christmas
challenges, I guess.

- Yeah.

Yeah, that would be great.

- Great.

- Only eight more
days until Christmas,

so let's make sure
to make 'em count.

- Yeah.

[glasses clinking]

- Man, I do love hot chocolate.

- You're such a child.

- At heart, yes.

A child at heart.

[bright holiday music]

- It is one week till Christmas,

and we are getting down
to the nitty gritty

of this Christmas Challenge.

I really hope that you've
been enjoying yourself,

either listening to our exploits
or joining along with us.

Paul, will you tell
us what you have next?

[Paul chuckles]

Apparently Paul has decided
to keep this one a secret

and enjoy it all by himself.

- No, there's no way I would
deprive you of this one, Laura.

- Oo, I don't like
the sound of that.

- Today we are going to
be visiting Santa Claus.

- Like, take a kid to Santa?

- No, you wish.

"As a child, one of the
most cherished moments

was always going to visit Santa.

You sit on his lap,
he listens to you

and his presence magically
brings you warmth and love

and you usually get to
walk away with a candy cane

and an unmatched sense
of wonder and excitement.

It is now time as adults

for you to go and
regain that feeling."

- So I'm all for this,

but I think this should be
a group activity, right?

Let's all go see Santa.

[upbeat holiday music]

[singer vocalizing]

- Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

Now, Sammy, I know you've been
a very good girl this year.

- How do you know?

- Well, because you're
on the nice list.

[gasps] But I haven't
checked it twice yet.

You have been good, haven't you?

- Yeah, I was really good.

- Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

Well, that's so good to hear.

Well, in that case,

I think you can count on getting

that robot for
Christmas this year.

Does that sound good?

- Yeah.
- Good.

Ho, ho, ho, ho.

Have a very Merry
Christmas [chuckles].

[shutter flashing]

Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

- Thank you, Santa.

- You're welcome.

- I really think we got a lot.

Come here.

Was this so much fun?
- Ho, ho, ho, ho.

- Say bye.
- Bye Santa, love you.

- Okay, let's go.

Come on.
- Ho, ho, ho, ho.

- And that is what we are trying
to recapture for ourselves.

- I can't ever remember
being that happy.

- Hello there.

Is your little one around?

Did they run to the potty?

- Oh no, we're
here to see Santa.

- What do you mean?

- We're here to see Santa.

- Oh.

Okay.

Well in that case I
guess [throat clears],

you are about to
meet Santa Claus.

He's just the greatest, right?

- Yeah.

We're really excited
- Yeah.

- to meet Santa Claus.

- He's super great.

- This is gonna be the
best day of my life.

I love Santa so much.

I just can't even.
- Okay, that's good.

That's enough.

- Now remember, Santa has
lots of other kids to see,

so you can't stay
up there too long,

but he loves you so much and
is so excited to meet you.

We can even take your picture.

My good friend Chipper
right over there

just got a new camera
last Christmas,

and he would be happy
to take your photo,

or we can use mommy and
daddy's camera as well.

- Not a daddy, but
you can use my camera.

- All right.

It looks like he just finished
up with his last friend.

Who wants to go first?

- I'll go first.

- [Santa's Helper] Right
this way, little girl.

- Okay.

- Well hello, little girl.

- Hi, Santa.
- Ho, ho, ho, ho.

It's so nice to see you.

- Yes.

- Come over here and
sit on Santa's knee.

- Oh.
- I'm not gonna break,

you know?
- [laughs] Okay.

I'll sit right here.

- [Santa] Ho, ho,
ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

Now, have you been a
good girl this year?

- Yeah, for the most part.

- Hm.

That's nice to hear.

You know, Laura,

we all make mistakes sometimes

and may upset our mommies
and daddies and our friends,

but as long as we
work really hard

to make it right and be good,

you will for sure get
on that nice list.

- Thanks, Santa.

- Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

Now, what is it you
would really like

for Christmas this year?

- I think I know what I want.

I know exactly what I want.

- [Santa] Ho, ho,
ho, ho, ho, ho.

[Santa laughs]
[upbeat holiday music]

[shutter flashing]

[singer vocalizing]

[music continues]

- Family photo.

Very fun.

- Looks like it's time
for another field trip.

Okay, everybody scooch in.
- I have a lot.

- Oh.
- Scooch in.

We're taking a family photo
and you guys are my family.

Thank you so much
for doing this.

- I can take the picture.

- Well, thank you,
but you're family too.

You've been here
for almost a month.

Get on in here.

And I can figure out how to do

the timer on Paul's
camera, is it?

Paul, do you think you
could figure out the timer?

- I am not so good
with that camera.

Austin, could you set
it up on a timer for us?

- Thank you so much, Paul.

- Thank you, Austin.
[Laura chuckles]

- [Laura] Okay, where should I?

- Oh, squeeze in right here.

- Okay.

Great.

[laughs] Everybody
look at the camera.

Everyone say podcast.

- [All] Podcast!

- Let's take a look.
[Laura laughs]

[bright holiday music]

- All righty.

Well, thanks for coming over

to help make gingerbread houses.

I think this is gonna be fun.

- Well, I would've had
you over to my house,

but I figured it'd
be more festive here

and I don't wanna
make any assumptions,

but did you happen to have

all of these ingredients
already in your house?

- That assumption would be
completely correct, yes.

But what Christmas
would be complete

without all the gingerbread
house fixins, right?

- Well, thank you guys
for letting me tag along.

I would've had you
over to my hotel,

but well, it's a hotel [laughs].

- That's a good point.

So, have you all
done this before?

- I have.

It's been a tradition in my
family since I was a kid.

- Oh, cool.

Fun.

- I'm sure I did it
as a kid or in school.

I just have no recollection
and I have not done it

since I entered the
boredom of adulthood.

- Hm, well, before we begin.

♪ Up on the house
top reindeer pause ♪

- Oh.

- Hm.

- Gotta set the tone
for the evening, right?

Okay, let's get started.

- Oh, how do we do that?

- Okay, so your plate
is your workstation,

but also think of it
as your foundation.

The walls and the roof are
gonna be made outta gingerbread.

- Is that why they're
called gingerbread houses?

- You know what?

I never thought of it that way,

but you might be onto something.

- I'm so wise.

[Paul chuckles]

- And then you're
gonna use icing

to hold everything together,

and I suggest getting a
good layer on the bottom

so it holds the walls up,

but if you want to
cheat a little bit,

you can use a few of these
toothpicks to prop the walls up.

But don't tell anyone I
gave them to you, okay?

- Thanks for lookin' out for me.

- No problem.
- Hm.

- Other than that,
the sky's the limit.

You can make any kinda
house you want to.

I suggest probably putting a
door and some windows on it,

but hey, you do you.

- Who are the residents
of these houses?

- Oh, that would be those
fine friends of mine.

- Oh.

- Did you make
gingerbread men and women?

- Oh yeah.

Do you think I would
work with this one

for as long as I have and not

have a little sense
of female empowerment?

- Good on you.

- Hm.

- Let's get started.

- Let's do it.

- All right, let's start.

Okay, so where is
my foundation from?

♪ Rooftop, rooftop

♪ Up on the rooftop

♪ Up on the housetop
reindeer pause ♪

♪ Out jumps good
old Santa Claus ♪

♪ Down through the chimney
with lots of toys ♪

♪ All for the little
ones Christmas joy ♪

♪ Ho, ho, ho

♪ Who wouldn't know

♪ Ho, ho, ho

♪ Who wouldn't know

♪ Up on the housetop,
click, click, click ♪

♪ Down through the chimney
with good St. Nick ♪

♪ Up on the rooftop

♪ Up on the rooftop

♪ Rooftop, rooftop

♪ Up on the rooftop

[singer vocalizing]

- Well, ladies, we did it.

Or looks like two of us did it

and one of us sort of did it.

- Hey, my gingerbread
house has a story.

It's a jailhouse, and
people in jail deserve

a happy Christmas as
well, and this person is,

he wanted to be home so
badly he climbed all the way,

like dug a hole all year
long and he's coming out

with his cellmate and
they're gonna run home

just in time for
Christmas dinner.

- Yeah, I think the takeaway
here is there's no wrong way

to celebrate Christmas.

- Yeah.

- Merry Christmas.

[Laura laughs]

Are you sure you didn't break

through the roof
of the jailhouse?

- Well, that's the
guard [laughs].

- Oh.
- I see it.

It's like a control tower.

[upbeat holiday music]

- [Paul] Are you
ready for this one?

- [Laura] Yes.

- I don't know if you're ready.

- [Laura] Oh, come
on, bring it on.

- A good old fashioned
Christmas party.

- All right, folks.

We are going to have
a party [chuckles].

I imagine people all over
the office are slowly closing

their computers and
getting ready to celebrate.

- Well, keep in mind not all

of our listeners
work in an office.

- That's right.

You can translate this to
mean whatever works for you.

As long as you're celebrating

this joyful season with
the people in your life.

["Jingle Bells"]

[guests chattering]

♪ Dashing through the snow

♪ In a one horse open sleigh

♪ Over the fields we go

♪ Just laughing all the way

♪ Bells on bobtails ring

♪ Makin' spirits bright

♪ What fun it is
to write and sing ♪

♪ The sleighin' song tonight

♪ Oh, jingle bells,
jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells

♪ Jingle all the way

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh ♪

[crowd cheering]
[crowd applauding]

- Oh, wow.

Isn't that something?

- Yes, thank you to Sarah

from our marketing department
for sharing her gifts with us.

This is really special.

- If any of you are talent
scouts here in the audience,

she is the real deal.

- [Laura and Paul] Mm hm.

- And we still
have plenty of room

if anybody wants to
sign up to show off

their hidden talent tonight.

[crowd cheers]

- Oh, and if you haven't given
out your Secret Santa yet,

tonight would be the perfect
opportunity to do so.

Oh, who do we have next?

- Oh, next up we have
Jude who juggles.

- Wow.
[crowd applauding]

One of our technical
directors at the studio.

Apparently he has other talents.

- Yes.
- Come on up, Jude.

[crowd applauding]
[crowd cheering]

[bright holiday music]

[Jude grunting]

Wow, how about that?

[crowd cheering]
[crowd appliqueing]

- Wow.

Did you know Jude could juggle?

- When he started showing up
at the office a few months ago

with bruises all over his arms,

I thought there might be
something up with that.

- I feel like the practice
was probably worth it.

Do you know how to juggle?
[crowd laughs]

- I do, yes.

I juggle things at
the office everyday.

- Very funny.
[crowd laughs]

- What about you?

- I do not, no.

- Well, there's no time to learn

like the present is there?

Hey, Jude, can we get a couple

of those juggling balls up here?

[crowd laughs]

Great.

- Are you serious?
- Why don't you give it a go?

Yeah.
- Cool.

Here goes nothin'.

- Wow.
[Laura exclaims]

- Oo.

- [Audience Member] Woo!
[soft music]

- Thank you, thank you.

- Great.
- Very wonderful attempt.

[Laura chuckles]
[crowd laughs]

- Next up we have John, the
nicest custodian in the state.

He's gonna tell
us all the secrets

that he learned by
going through our stuff.

- Excuse me?
[crowd laughs]

- Yeah, I'm just kidding.

He's gonna do magic!

- Everyone, give it up for John.

[crowd cheering]
[crowd applauding]

[upbeat holiday music]

[crowd cheering]
[crowd applauding]

- I can't believe you guys put
this Christmas party together

on such short notice,

and it was so thoughtful for you

to let all the employees
out early today.

- Well, thanks, but
it's all credit to Paul.

- Oh, come on.

- He's the super producer here

and him putting together
this party is his talent.

- I have been very impressed
with Paul in my time here.

- Thank you.

- Laura, this is for you.

- [Laura] Oh.

- I drew your name
for Secret Santa.

- Thank you.

This is-

- Open it!

- Oh, 'kay.

Oh.

- I didn't know what to get you.

I mean, you're Miss
"Modernly Independent,"

and you're so good
at everything,

but then I saw you try to
juggle, and it was great, and-

- It's okay, I was horrible.

- Well, I thought you
might like to learn,

so I asked Jude and he
said you could have these,

so Merry Christmas.

- Thank you.

Sincerely, thank you.

This is so thoughtful and
yes, I will be mastering this.

- Okay, well, I have to go
get set up for my talent.

I'm up next.

- Yes.

Have fun.
- Good luck.

- Wow, she's just somethin'.

[all laughing]

[upbeat holiday music]

Our next performer
is a new member

to our team as of recently.

- Yes, she has been a
wonderful addition to the team

and you've no doubt seen her
running around the office.

- Yes, please
welcome our talented

and valuable intern, Jasmine.

[crowd cheering]
[crowd applauding]

- Hey, everyone.

I'm here today to talk to you
about scuba diving, all right?

And what we need to
know first of all

is that safety is
number one, okay?

So, we wanna get our
buoyancy clearing all set.

Make sure you have a
safe zone of entry.

All right?

Let's check our pressure next,
our air pressure, all right?

We wanna make sure

we have enough time
down there, all right?

'Cause if you don't
have enough time,

you're gonna run out of time,

you know what I'm saying?
[crowd laughing]

[tongue clicks] We don't
want that, all right?

So we've got air checked.

We got our buoyancy checked.

All right.

Make sure we have our water
nice and nice and toasty.

Just kidding, you
can't control that.

You kinda just gotta do whatever
you're gonna do, you know?

All right.
[crowd laughing]

So, air check.

[air puffing]

Cool, all good.

All right.

And then we're gonna enter.

We'll do entry, that's next.

All right, we're in the water.

All right, [speaking
indistinctly].

- Interesting.

[crowd laughing]

- Whoa!

No one's gonna believe
that we saw that.

We will, we'll know.

- [Jasmine] All right,
let's put out a call.

Woo!
[Laura chuckles]

We got limited air here, guys.

We gotta be careful.

All right, so solid form.

We got the froggy
as the first one.

Goin' on.

All right.
- Ew.

- All these limbs, we're
gonna make it happen, okay?

All right, there we go.

Look at us go.

Look at that, that's a whale!

Wow!

You won't be able to see that

without being in
solid form, all right?

- How much longer do you think
we should let this go on?

- [Jasmine] From the
ground, up to the top.

- Yeah, I think we should
put a stop to this.

- Yeah, I think so.

- Actually, Laura,

do you think you could
handle this on your own?

I had Paul for Secret Santa

and I was kinda hoping I could

give him his gift
if that's okay.

- Yeah, sure.

That's...

- Cool.
- Don't!

It's dangerous.

The real question is when
you're under that big blue,

you know, and you're lookin' up,

think about what your future
self on land would say.

Would they want you
to have this journey?

Think so, but I'll
tell you what,

you can't go under
unless you got safety.

Underwater safety up top foot,

you know what I'm sayin'?

All right, thank you
so much, everybody.

- Wow, thank you so much

to our resident
scuba diver, Jasmine!

[crowd cheering]
[crowd applauding]

- Thank you.

I was afraid I would
look silly up here,

but scuba really is one
of my biggest passions,

so thank you [laughs].

- You looked great.

Really great, and educational.

That is a tough act to follow.
[crowd laughs]

So, I'll take my turn.

Ladies and gentlemen,

it is time for a
Christmas classic

that I will try to do my best,
but I would really love it

if you would join in with me.

I'm sure you'll know it.

It is a Welsh melody
from the 16th century

by beloved Scottish
maestro, Thomas Oliphant.

♪ Deck the halls with
boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly

♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la

♪ Don we now our gay apparel

♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la

♪ Troll the ancient
Yuletide carol ♪

♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la

[crowd cheering]
[crowd applauding]

You guys are wonderful at this.

Now, the original Welsh lyrics.

Just kidding.

[crowd cheering]

We are gonna have
Sarah from marketing

come back up and
entertain all of us.

Sarah from marketing!

[crowd cheering]
[crowd applauding]

- You sure know a lot about
Christmas Carol history, huh?

- I did do a little
bit of research, yes.

- Well, I thought it was great.

- Thank you.

Do you know where Paul is?

- Michale said she
had a present for him,

but she wanted to give
it to him in private.

- Yeah.

- They're really cute
together, aren't they?

- Who?

- Paul and Michale.

They're like two peas
in a pod with how much

they both love Christmas
and both being producers.

It's really cute.

- Yeah.

[melancholy guitar music]

[glasses clinking]

And in conclusion,

I think we have the most
talented office around.

- I totally agree.

- I hope that you enjoyed
whatever festivities

you were able to put together

or are planning for the future.

- And most importantly,

we hope you had time to
enjoy this with a loved one.

- Let's move on to the next day.

- "Some Christmas
traditions we all know,

but we don't know
why they continue

to stick around year after year.

Mistletoe is one of those.

If you're standing
under some mistletoe,

it's bad luck not to
give someone a kiss.

So find a loved one, find
some mistletoe and find luck."

- Well, you heard it, folks.

Paul's the producer and you
have to do what he says.

Only two more days.

Great job, everyone.

Keep it up.

- Okay, and we're out.

Good work.

And I really think this has been

a wonderful idea
for the podcast.

- Yeah, it's been great.

- Hey, Laura?

There's something
that I've been wanting

to talk to you about.
[phone vibrating]

I was just wondering if you
had some time maybe later we-

- Hold on, I've gotta get this.

Hey.

Hold on just a minute.

Hey, this is gonna
take a minute.

Did you have a question
for me or anything?

- Oh, no, no, I'm fine.

- Thanks.

I didn't see Michale,

So when you go see her tonight,

make sure to bring
some mistletoe.

See you tomorrow.

[soft music]

I really thought we'd been
connecting these last few days.

- [Mary] Maybe it's not
what it looked like.

- No, I think it was clear.

And honestly, it's my fault.

I missed my chance.

And I'm really happy for him.

They're perfect for each other.

- I'm sorry.

- Me too.

Thanks, I'm gonna be fine.

I'll talk to you tomorrow.

- [Mary and Laura] Bye.

- Well, our Christmas Challenge
worked exactly as we wanted.

- Well, that's great.

- Unfortunately, it worked for
Paul and Michale, not Laura.

- No.

Oh.

Well, there's still time.

- According to Laura, it's
gonna take a Christmas miracle.

[soft holiday music]

- [Paul] Is there enough
ice cream in there for two?

- Hi.

- [Paul] Hi.

- How did, why are you up here?

- I wanted to tell
you something.

- How did you know
I'd be up here?

- Well, I think I know you
better than just about anyone.

- Well, yeah.

- Look, I've got something
to say and I just,

I can't wait any
longer to say it, okay?

- Where's Michale?

- Michale went home,

but I'm not here to
talk about Michale.

- Wait, Michale went home?

What happened with you two?

- I thought-
- I love you.

Okay?

Look, after the Christmas party,

Michale offered me a job working

as an executive
producer at the network.

- That's so exciting.

- But I told her no.

- [Laura] Why?

- Because I'd have to move away.

I thought about it, and the
more I thought about it,

the more it didn't feel right

and I realized that it didn't
feel right because of you.

- Me?

- Yeah.

I have felt this way about
you for the longest time

and I just didn't
know how to say it.

And I didn't want to
ruin what we have,

but I think you're the most
amazing person in the world

and working with you has been

the best experience
of my entire life.

Everyday, I look forward
to coming into the office

because I love my job.

That's because I love you.

I mean, I have my own office
and I don't even use it

because I wanna be close to you.

- I...

[soft music]

We don't want bad luck, do we?

- No.

No, we don't.

[bright holiday music]
[singer vocalizing]

[upbeat music]

- It's been a crazy
adventure here podcasting

this Christmas Challenge.

I am so thankful to
the mystery listener

who sent this to us.

You have changed our lives
more than you will ever know.

For our 24th day activity,

we have started a new
Christmas Eve tradition

of spending the
holiday together.

Something that I look forward

to doing for many years to come.

And now we have
come to the last day

of the Christmas Challenge,

which means it is Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas to you all,

and thank you for being
a part of this with us.

Remember, family can
mean so many things.

So, for your Christmas
dinner with family,

make sure that you're spending
it with the ones you love.

- So, here we go.
[all laughing]

- I still feel strongly

that you can do anything
you put your mind to.

It's okay to be independent,

but I've learned that it's
okay to have help sometimes.

In fact, some things
are better shared.

And starting in the new year,

you are all going to
be sharing this podcast

with a lot more people

because we will be joining
the Podworks network,

which is very exciting
because we will be reaching

a much bigger audience.

So this Christmas, be
sure to raise a glass

to the ones you love.

I guess all there
is left to say is...

- [All] Merry Christmas!

[soft music]

["We Wish You a
Merry Christmas"]