Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Downloads

Content

Ohhhhhkay, for the last 2 years, I've been working on a new show with your Podmother Jarrett. I wasn't going to "announce" it yet, but Patrons are family and I'd love your thoughts.

 It's called "Holidays (Observed)" and it's a quick forecast of the week's weird holidays PLUS a deep dive on one or two holidays: the history, the context, who petitioned for it to be a holiday, if cake is involved, what you wear, etc.

ADVICE WE NEED: Would you want the deep dive to be for

-- a holiday that week or

--a random one that could be happening any time of the year?

I'm torn because I want the deep dive holidays to be evergreen and like you could jump in and listen to any episode at any time. I also want people to have time to plan a weird little party for them if they choose. Also if folks don't listen for more than 15 days or 5 episodes, Apple Podcasts stops downloading and alerting subscribers.

BUT, maybe everyone only wants current ones?

So: 1) current holidays for that week only or 2) random holidays that can happen at any time? Either way you'll get a lot of trivia, history, science, and backstory.

Let's discuss below. I heart you.

-Your Father of the Pod and also yer podmom

Ps: I'm attaching the theme song made by our dear composer friend Jason Scardamalia for fun.

Comments

C dB

Festive for the rest of us. Also, Holidays as dietary reward cycles.

Laura McLean

First of all, LOVE this idea and can’t wait! I’m down with option 2! I tend to skip around podcast episodes and don’t necessarily need them to be in any kind of order. Thanks for considering us, Poddad and Podmom!

Blue Poems

I like the idea that it’s an upcoming holiday, whether it’s the next week or later in the future

Samantha Duka

Random ones at any time of year!

Audrey Lloyd

A holiday that week or the upcoming week! So it’s fresh in your mind when to celebrate!

Camila Gamino

Would love to know about upcoming holidays that are low key not known so I definitely choose option 1

Valerie Hanley

Oooo this is a fun concept! I like the weekly holidays idea!

Chelsea Eckhart

Maybe both? Main focus are more current ones but you also share a fun one you’re interested in

sidney

i would *love* heads-up on random holidays throughout the year

Dana

Maybe next month? An episode released in June could showcase July holidays

Steven Lee

Why not release episodes a few weeks or a month in advance of the holiday, that way people can get prepared for “International Cheesecake Day” for example.

30.004861 cm of fun!

I think weird holidays coming up the week or following week would be a super fun format! Sort of like how On This Day in Esoteric Political History kinda fudges the "around" this day

Mie [me-ay]

maybe like a fun mix of both?? like a deep deep dive into whatever’s happening that week, and then a lil honourary (slightly less) deep dive into a random one? but also totally understandable if that’s too much to cover in one episode!!!!

Matt Ceccato

I like the idea of the random holidays. Any chance to learn about a new holiday is a good one

Madelyn Smith

I love the idea of holidays anytime starting with the weirdest :)

Brendan Dean

Could you do ones on that week when they line up but also random ones on weeks without a weird holiday? Or like do them thematically (like spooktober ologies)?

Anna Thompson

I'd love a deep dive on a random holiday and then end with some smaller holidays happening around when the podcast is released. That way I have time to plan my cake in the future but can also do something small to honor the upcoming festivities

Crystal Wilson

I'd love them in order, like a week ahead.

Amie Allen

It would definitely be fun to know about it a head of time and throw a little party if we want…I’m definitely that kind of person so that’s my vote.

Alyssa Wright

Holidays for that week! I think it would be fun for it to be current and I’ll get learn about some obscure holiday coming up in the immediate future ☺️ can’t wait to listen!

Jessie Dragon

While I understand the desire to be able to just start wherever, I think the best thing to do would be focusing on what’s “relevant” for the week

Mykenzie King

What if the pod was like a month ahead, but in order. Every holiday is one month from when the pod drops. So people can plan parties if they want for the holidays but it is not completely random. So for example, a Juneteenth episode would have been dropped last month and a Fourth of July ep would drop this month.

Casi J

I vote "that week" or a "upcoming holiday". New podcast sounds like so much fun! Can't wait.

Elta Sparks

Maybe one of each? Do a current one and a rando

SarahThere

My 2 cents? Random. It’s easy to get sick of a holiday theme when it’s already everywhere you turn. Plus, if there’s something new about a holiday that we learn and want to participate in, it’s probably too late if we are hearing the podcast right around the time of the holiday.

Monica Olvera

Cinco de mayo as celebrated in parts of the USA and México.

Chelsea Eckhart

Love the theme song too. Can’t wait to listen to that then hear about a national poop holiday 😂

Z

Upcoming holidays

Klarissa Pierce

I like the randomness! I have no real reason for why so unfortunately I can't elaborate, but it is indeed how I feel 😁 also love the idea can't wait

Elta Sparks

Ps I am SO EXCITED and so happy for you 🖤🖤🖤

C dB

Also, are holidays for Calendar Huggers, investors, or what?

SheilaMarie

I think one the following week would be fun, and give you time to plan.

Monica Olvera

St Patrick’s Day celebrated in different countries.

Hannah Pimley

Both work, but I like the one that is focused on a holiday that week a bit more. You could keep it even looser, like upcoming this month, so people can prep if they want to celebrate!

Jasmine Tsai

Why not a bit of both?! Start the month with random ones and the last week of each month have one where we can prep for and celebrate!

Lauren Hurlburt

I'm super bad at listening to podcasts when they actually come out. I'll listen to 4 episodes in a row a month later. I think just random throughout the year would be great. Plus if I wanted to celebrate it, I'd have more then a few days warning (if I managed to hear the episode on time) can't wait to listen to it!

Twenty Three Skidoo

Oooh! This sounds awesome, especially since I enjoy weaving holiday themes into my therapy sessions with my students (I’m a speech-language pathologist). I’d prefer to hear about current holidays but would definitely listen if it was random.

Anastacia Tisdale

I would love the deep dive to be into a holiday happening that week. This sounds really exciting!

Wendy Ardolina

Great idea!! Maybe current for that month? Could be that week, could be 4 weeks away. Stays current but gives people time to plan, and gives you more flexibility?

Allison P

I think random holidays is fine! I tend not to listen to podcasts right when they're dropped. Excited to listen to this when it comes out!

erica smith

What about if you did one of each but teased the upcoming ‘current’ one for the next week at the end of the episode so friends could plan ahead? So a current one, a ‘anytime’ one and then tease the next weeks current holiday ( let me over explain lol!)

Tom Boodry

My vote is for random. That theme song is giving me Sunday morning mass flashbacks

Erin Erskine

Hmmm…a week seems like short notice to learn or change plans to accommodate change. Maybe Two Weeks Notice?

Julia Taylor

This is a really fun idea!! :) I think having them be random would work well so you can mix and match for more flexibility!

Monica Olvera

Personal holidays, such as “Gotcha Day” for when we adopt human and non-human family members

Hope J 🏳️‍🌈

First off, that theme song is amazing! So simple, but beautiful. I think, personally, I would like to learn about random holidays, especially if one week doesn’t have one associated with it (I doubt it, but you never know). I would definitely be interested in this podcast, especially when it comes to historic holidays that are no long observed or holidays celebrated by non-mainstream religions.

Badoopadoo!

I think mixing it up with random holidays and some that are coming up soon is a great idea! I also think wanting to allow your listeners time to prepare for one of the deep-dive holidays is super thoughtful, and that would probably be more achievable by choosing a random holiday (or something coming up but not immediately - maybe feature a July holiday in June?)

Dawn Dolobowsky

I would prefer the shows to focus on upcoming holidays, but you could always have the occasional wild card. Also I cannot wait for this.

Monica Olvera

Quinceañeras, not necessarily a holiday, but def rich history and practice

Eil Be Gone

I like the idea of upcoming weird holidays!

Rachael Lemont

Random! Sometimes before an actual holiday you’re sick to death about hearing about it already so I possibly wouldn’t listen to it until later anyway, but that could just be me!! Either way I’m sure it’ll be great, it sounds like fun!

Katie Murray

Sounds fun!! I vote for a quick overview of the holidays happening the upcoming week and then a deep dive on a holiday that isn’t necessarily happening the upcoming week.

Charlotte Parkinson

I LOVE this for you. Dig the theme tune. If it was going to be a holiday that week, might be too short notice for people to plan and observe, but the topic is great, interesting and informative for people to pick up whenever. I will support whatever you decide pod daddo. Yes, daddo although autocorrect changed it to daddy and that made me uncomfortable.

Dangereux

This is a great idea! I think I’m leaning towards the episodes being released for the upcoming holidays because it allows for the opportunity to celebrate them. How am I to know I should be celebrating National Bloody Mary day unless I’m told? Either way looking forward to this one

Connor they them

Hi Alie. That's sounds really interesting. If I had to pick between those two options I think I would choose a deep dive on one that is happening that week. However, I know this wasn't one of the options, but I do have an idea. What if you do one deep dive about a random holiday and one deep dive about one happening the following week. That way there is time to plan a party and you can still listen at any time. Can't wait to listen.

Colin Matthew

Random as long as the date is in the title of the episode so if I want a holiday in a specific month, it's easy to find.

Kristen Butler

Could it be a mix? Like, a deep dive about one specific holiday but at the end, share some upcoming holidays next week/month? Longer episodes about a specific holiday, but shorter episodes about This Week in Holidays? Also may I please suggest Towel Day make it onto the pod at some point? :) This sounds fantastic, can’t wait for it to come out!!

Abraham Livingston

I say for whatever is happening that week. Even if it’s not listened to at that time of year, it’s kinda cool to think of the time that the podcast was made. Plus it would be easier to choose to observe for those listening to it when it comes out since its fresh on their minds.

Ry_ofthetiger

Love this idea! I can think of at least three friends that will be all over this. Both 1 and 2 are good options but what about a secret 3rd option where you do a deep dive for a holiday the week (or two) following the episode. It will give folks a little time to plan while remaining timely. You could of course lend yourself a little flexibility to feature more distant holidays when needed. Just my two cents! Excited to dive into some celebrations with you, Poddad & Podmom!

Alaina Mooney

Current holidays! And because you’re you, random holidays will always be sprinkled in. I don’t think it would be weird to listen to them out of order/out of that week in any case. Whatever you decide I’m here for it. #wardpodchild4life

Annmarie Everhart

I vote for the holiday for that coming week! But maybe at the end of the episode, you could mention the next 2-3 holidays you will be covering, so if someone hears one that really speaks to them, they have time to plan?

Forky

I like the idea of random OR upcoming but not the same week!! Like listening a month out, so I can learn abt it and opt to celebrate if it sounds cool (or acknowledge it for other friends who do!)

Emory Blair

I was thinking this too!!

Ben Beardiac Fiore

I love this and would listen. Personally I like the idea of a mix of "here's what's happening this coming week" and "here's a deep dive on this particular thing happening this week". If it's too disconnected from the time of the year, then it's harder to plan around it. E.g., if I'm learning about Talk Like a Pirate Day 3 months before it happens, as much as I want to throw a themed costume party for it, I WILL forget about it in the intervening months.

Frances Hurst Brubaker

I like the ideas I'm seeing otherwise talk about of the holidays being random but within an upcoming month or 2 month period, so like deep dives on holidays by season but random within the given season... does that make sense?

The Bloated Toad

What a great idea! I think it would be really cool to have holidays the week the show comes out. I think learning about a holiday that’s going on the week you hear about it every week sounds like a really fun routine. I assume there are hundreds of holidays totally unknown to most folks that are deep dive worthy. Anyway good luck with the show, I can’t wait to hear it.

Monica Olvera

I just posted a bunch of ideas, and didn’t understand the assignment because I was so excited and didn’t read the instructions. My bad. Would love a mix of info on holidays as they are coming up, as well as sprinkling of holidays that maybe aren’t coming up, or aren’t practiced widely, or are no longer observed

Paula M

Fun! And Random!

Michelle Butcher

I LOVE this idea!! I’d vote for an option 3…maybe deep dive for a holiday that’s happening in the next 2-4 weeks so that we can plan ahead & celebrate along if we’d like to. Still close enough to the actual date to be current, but enough lead time to give people more of a chance to listen if they don’t listen on the actual release date & still prep for any celebrations if the idea piques their interest. Best of luck! I can’t wait!

Jennasis

Linear is better. Let me know what's coming up so I can plan or be involved with the holiday. But do it a month or so in advance. Want to talk about September holidays? Do it in August. I'd say be at least a month ahead of when it is.

Cecily Templeton

My vote is for random! Then you can pick the most interesting all the time. I can mark my calendar for it if I want to celebrate. National Dought Day just happened and it's one of my favorite holidays :) The history is actually pretty neat!

Spicy Native

It depends on what you want your upload schedule to be like. You have a big enough following where I feel like you won't fall off the radar and Apple podcasts won't stop alerting people. But I do understand the fears of the show not being relevant. I think that you could possibly get away with both concepts, but that depends on how you upload. Once a week would be different than once every two weeks. I think ultimately my vote is for "random holidays" as it might be more welcoming to random listeners but I definitely think you could pull off a weekly holiday schedule. perhaps start with one concept and then introduce the other later on as a segment? (ex. One random holiday episode juxtaposed to regular weekly content once a month). Just my thoughts, congrats on the new podcast and I can't wait to listen!! The theme song is amazing 💛

C dB

How are Holidays related to temperature outside? Seasons?

E S

Current - I'd like to hear about coming weeks to plan celebrations.

Gabrielle Charbonnet

Some of the holidays might well overlap sometimes, and then you could do both. I think for many holidays, it’s more fun to have the podcast near to the actual holiday. Also, how will you determine what makes an actual ‘holiday” and what isn’t? (Like National Doughnut Day?) And I agree that some people might want to learn about a holiday in time to plan a Mabon party, say.

Bennett Vanderbosch

I think maybe having it be like a monthly forecast could be good. "Here's a fun one next month you can plan for." That way it's still on a schedule that feels nice but gives time for party planning.

Erica Flory

Could you do a bit of both?

Kody Murdock

Random! I feel like that has less constraints :)

Katie Hammond

Love the overall concept. My partner thinks timely episodes would be best. Or deep dives about a week before the actual holiday. I want whatever you'll enjoy making the most, because I'll listen either way.

Katie Bauer

I am SO down for weird little celebrations. It would make it easier to act upon the new knowledge if the holidays were coming up in the next week or two from the date of publishing. Please let a lot of them be food-related. 🤞

Creme de la cremily

Random seems like it’d make the most sense, since lots of folks might not be listening weekly (especially if they find a podcast weeks/months/years after it started airing)

Ray Holloman

I like the holiday of the week, because then each year you could learn about various ones and then have holiday celebrations all of the time.

Diane Schmidt

Random but with a deep dive into one coming up. What fun!

Hogtown Pens

Love the idea of the next week's holidays because you can wrap current events into it! Just number the weeks of the year and maybe you do every even week this year, every odd week next year, to keep the pressure level manageable

Rachael Lemont

Same!! Summer is barely starting but can’t wait for spooky season!!

Heather Horton Whedon

I love this idea! Personally I would love holidays pertaining to the week of the episode because there’s an immediacy to it, a connection to that juicy chunk of a thing we call a week in which is falls. Perhaps near the end of the episode you could include tidbits about holidays further into the month as a heads up for those wishing to plan to observe it in some way. I’m thinking the best of both of your ideas is totally bunting-worthy. This is a great idea! Sincerely, an excited future pod-celebrant, Heather Horton Whedon

Noel Dietz

I love the random holiday model, because I'm highly likely to plan a celebration of a random holiday. Can't wait!

Chrysalis Ashton

I love this idea! My preference would be random throughout the year since I can’t always listen every week. I agree with others that if the date was in the title it would be easy to find at any time of the year!

Sydney Koenig

I LOVE this idea and will be listening the hell out of it!! I vote you do a few mini dives into the weekly holidays and then pick a deep dive for a few that are in the upcoming month so there’s time to prepare!!

Julie Dupre

I like option 1 especially if it’ll be a new episode each week. I’d love to hear more ologies/Alie’s voice as much as I can. As long as it’s not too much work for you. If so, option 2 will still make me happy.

James Nance

I love this! For the deep dives, I like Michelle Butcher's idea of doing one that's happening soon-ish, not necessarily that week. But it'd also be cool to hear about some random one in a completely different time of year! Give yourself some flexibility. We will listen and love it regardless!

Nick Holthaus

I vote for current holidays but maybe ones that will occur in a week or two so we can prepare.

Kelsey lore

I think the most fun is doing it shortly before the holiday! That way we can tell our friends and family about it, and it will help build the hype for it! I love this idea, and am so excited!

Ben and Ford

I like the idea of a deep dive on the holiday that week. Or you could do smaller holidays happening that week and one for a holiday 2 weeks/a month out, so people have a little bit of time to plan, but its still relevant.

Kelly King

I second this! I won't remember if you talk about something 6 months away, but within the next month would be memorable!

Julia Lorraine

This theme song is banging! I think shortly before the holiday would be great!

Yasmine Alu

Would love weekly holidays!!

Will

I think it would be more interesting/relevant if you’re doing it for holidays that are coming up soon so you remember and can show off to your friends that you know about the holiday. That said, I think you shouldn’t make it too prescriptive- only do upcoming holidays if there is a good one and otherwise just do a random holiday

The Bloated Toad

Was this inspired by wolfenoot? your enthusiasm for it in the episodes in which it’s mentioned was delightful.

Roxanne Cheng

I vote for current holidays that are coming up in the next week or so. Love your show and will listen, no matter what the holiday you are discussing! Best of luck and try not to overwork!

Oren Simchy

first of all, I LOVE that theme/mélange of vocal harmonies!! Anyway, I get a little befuddled and excited when considering all of the obscure, random holidays that occur almost every day of each year. Therefore, I’d probably choose option 1. But either way, I trust your instincts, Alie! P.S. My dog, Lucy, told me to tell you, she is thrilled about the new podcast idea. But also that it wouldn’t hurt to really include as many dog-centric holidays as possible as part of the new pod.

Aki

1! Although both seem fun, upcoming seems more timely and would keep me hooked to listen to the podcast. If it was random I think I’ll still give the podcast a listen but not with the same urgency.

Kasey Carrick

I like the random idea to not keep them bound by time, and also if you get down a rabbit hole that leads to other rabbit holes, you’ve given yourself the freedom to follow a thread in the next few episodes!

Kasey Carrick

also, SO EXCITED I LOVE THIS IDEA PLS FEED MY BRAIN

Saracha

Random one that could be happening any time of the year

Domino Cohn

Love the theme music. It is crackin me right up. Hm, I vote holidays coming up. If you can do a few holidays a week, there must be an awful lot that 1- I’ve never heard of, 2- I need educated on, and 3- I will not remember without some trivia to sticky note to it in my brain.

Jan Zenkner

Current one, I would like more but listen to it whenever it is released really

Yuri

Okay, I want to say for that week because that sounds really fun, however I don't know if I would go back and listen to the ones I missed because it would feel out of date even though it wasn't. I think I'd be more likely to tune in regularly if they were random. But I think it would be really cool to mention at the end maybe a few that are upcoming. I listened to the theme song.... And I'm sorry but I really don't like it. It is way too white Christian, I had immediate ickiness because they totally dominate and have taken over so many things. I know this wouldn't be your take on it, but that's what the music says to me. I would hope that your episodes would include holidays from all around the world, however that is also tricky because for instance I really like Casey from the tree podcast, but some of the stuff he said about Japanese cherry trees and their place in Japanese culture... I can't even. So maybe you'd need like some guests from that culture. Anyway if there was a way to make the theme song More inclusive, assuming that's what you're going to do on your show, that would be great.

Sarah Gabriel

Both ways, for sure! Just like you have ologies and smologies (well, not exactly like that), you could do a calendar-bound and an evergreen. Every other week? 1st and 3rd calendar, 2nd and 4th evergreen, and if there is a 5th week, some kind of surprise for us celebrants… maybe 5th week is ideas for a new holiday related to some social justice cause you want to shine a light on.

Lauren Silvers

That theme is an immediate love on my end. I think current holidays would be a little more… applicable interesting, with others scattered as wanted/needed due to there being so gosh dern many of them. I’m already excited at the thought of learning more on a lot of them because holidays can be downright weird and fascinating. Thank you much for asking and sharing Podrents.

Yuri

Taken over so many holidays

Frankie Sellitto

I think you could do a mix of upcoming and anytime, but focusing on the timely ones for the deep dives

Dave DeBaeremaeker

I say random, but a best attempt at making them timely. There are so many holidays that get clustered at the same times of the year that its likely there will be weeks where is hard to cover them all, and weeks where there are not enough.

Yuri

Also congratulations! And I totally can't wait to hear both of you!

mish the fish

why not both? you could do random ones so people can plan for them but i also think it would be cool to do established holidays like labor day on the day because we generally already know how to celebrate it

Alli B

I think random somehow makes sense. I like the idea of listening anytime with the occasional upcoming topical one (like the Ologies about the sun and the eclipse episode!).

Christa Avampato

Thing 1.) I love this podcast idea. Thing 2.) I love you. Thing 3.) let those deep dives happen about holidays at any time and we'll all mark the future dates in our calendars! xoxo

Grayson

Either way you decide to do it, I’m excited and will listen! Sounds fascinating and fun!

Megan Lynch

I think random is good as it avoids seeming like a pile-on when it comes to holidays some folks have aversions to or get triggered by.

okayest mom

love this idea! so fun! I think I like the idea of doing holidays a little in advance. so, showcase ones coming up within the next week. thanks! so excited for more content from you! and our PopMom!

Terena

Random could be fun. And to make it exciting you could “spin” a month wheel and whichever it lands on could inspire the holiday. Or throw a dart at a map to select the country. This will set up next week’s choice. I love random!

Valerie N

Great idea!! I love the theme song so much. My vote is a few mini dives into weekly holidays and then a deep dive into an upcoming holiday. I can’t wait to listen to whichever one you choose to do!

Alie Ward

Ooooh, thank you for this! The inspiration for it to be pious and ridiculous is because holidays come from Holy Days and International Hot Dog Month as a holy day was funny to me, because humans just make shit up as we go along I hope with that in mind the tone hits different. Also thanks for that about cherry blossoms! As the pod has progressed I've done more asides for context and I hope that has helped though the years! Always love your questions. xoxox <3

Megan Lynch

I hope you bring up how all holidays "are made up". Sometimes with new things people get balky when it comes to it being made up, but - like language - all holidays are made up. Some are just made up less cynically/commercially than others...

Cat Baklarz

I vote for upcoming but maybe a lot before the week of. Maybe 2 weeks?

Harper

I’m for doing the holidays that week, if only for the ability to have excellent and relevant topics to nerd about when meeting new people. In this community I’m sure I’m not the only one whose go-to social tactic is info dump.

Olivier Calas

Great move Alie and awesome theme song! As for which formula is preferable, no doubt in my mind that the first one is it! That way you keep it current and relevant. Looking forward to the launch;-)

Amy Johnson

I would definitely love to learn about a holiday right before it happens. I would be one of those weirdos making a special meal or something similar and posting for my friends

The Awkward Cactus

I feel like upcoming would be fun! On my desktop at work it always tells me what minor holiday it is and I always mention it to my patients 😂 a few weeks ago I was excited to tell everyone it was national bee day! it would be fun to have some little facts to share with them!

Wetland Warrior

So so fun yay!! I think hearing about a holiday coming up that week would be the most fun. That way you get excited each week to hear about something new that’s actually going to be happening in a few days. Love the idea thanks for sharing!!

Sarah Voll

If they’re released the week of the holiday I’ll probably always be disappointed I missed it. I vote random or a few weeks out at earliest. Love this idea!

Amber Dickerson

I would love to hear about current-ish holidays, but maybe with a week or two lead-time so we could plan celebrations if so inclined.

Rayna

current!! I’m just imagining all the awesome fall episodes you could have — día de los muertos, indigenous peoples day, Halloween of course ‼️, Diwali. It would be so cool it hear the stories of the holidays that week kind of like the podcast Not Past It.

Cyntia B

I think random would be funner, especially since some moments of the year are more holiday-heavy, and others lighter. I'd love to also hear about holidays which have died off though! Not only the ones still observed today.

Jacob Paul

Instead of holidays happening that week, how about two weeks in advance? Gives people plenty of time to plan a little party, but still aligns with the right time of year 😁

Gerhard van der Watt

I would say a random one as I don't get to the latest releases in a timely manner and often I scroll back and (re)listen a much older episode that catches my eye.

Cassie Chatwin

I would pick an upcoming holiday so we can find ways to participate! This sounds like a great show

Ellomellie

I vote doing a holiday that follows the week after the podcast releases, but definitely a current one as opposed to a random one!

Kimberly Coburn

Yes yes! Current -ish holidays with suggestions (perhaps from your loyal podchildren) of how one might celebrate! Wolfenoot roast meats and full moon cake vibes!

Mark McPhillips

I would find it more interesting listening to episodes come out in real time if they were seasonal. Like others have said, putting them out a week or two before they happen gives listeners a chance to observe them. Personally I wouldn't mind a back catalogue that wasn't current as I always feel like I'm venturing into the past when I catch up with a podcast versus listening to the new eps

Jenna Congdon

I really like the idea of just doing random ones, since not everyone (including me) listens in order. However, maybe you could do a short segment where you quick read off holidays happening that week or month? That way people know what's coming up, but don't feel out of the loop if they want to jump into an episode at any time. (ALSO PS I AM SO THRILLED TO HEAR ABOUT THIS. IT IS GOING TO BE FRICKIN WEIRD AND I CAN'T WAIT)

Sleepy John

It would be nice to hear about National Spring-Loaded Donut Day, or whatever, a week or two in advance, so that we can be prepared to astound our friends with our knowledge.

Marla Kaseff

Either way, it’s a great idea! I would go with random though.

PopsicleEmperor

I like the idea of holiday the week! like giving folks a week ahead to celebrate it! and would mesh well with celebrating big holiday specials!

Katy

I'd get more excited about ones that are relevant at the time posted (like, happening that week or maybe up to a couple weeks out). Anyone who wants to just jump into less timely ones can still go to the archive.

Darren Bush

I'd say keep them seasonal (within a month either way). That way they're semi-topical, and if it lines up that Arbor Day is that week, awesomesauce. If you have a holiday-light month, punt.

Ashley Adair

Absolutely yes to this idea. Like others have suggested I like the idea of deep diving one of the holidays for that week, and putting the episode out a week or two in advance of said holidays.

Tre C

What if, after covering a holiday for that week, you mention one or two similar holidays that we have time to prep for? So, you talk about National (U.S.) Chocolate Cake Day in January, then follow-up by noting chocolate cake-adjacent holidays that are coming up (like National Devil's Food Cake Day in May and/or German Chocolate Cake Day in June). It could also be fun to find out if people outside the U.S. have their own versions of the holiday or picked a different date for the same one.

Ivan Gonzalez

If you think about it, the best option will be current/upcoming. In that way people that listens every week can learn about the holiday in advance, and for folks that listen it later (maybe years later) for them will be random holidays until they catch up😅

Dave Brewer

I would suggest a holiday the next week. That way you could prepare for giant meatball day or dress like a chicken day or whatever.

Cassandra Grafstrom

I’m for random ones and titling the date/season it is celebrated in the title. Not every week is going to have a particularly interesting holiday and it seems like a lot of pressure.

Matt D

Definitely random. Easier to make episodes that really excite you rather than trying to force excitement just because it's the only one available for that week

Michele Smith

My 11-year-old daughter says random because “this week” doesn’t give enough time to plan a celebration. She likes the idea of “holidays two weeks from now.”

Angellica Stanley

I like the idea of random holidays, but I think having some order might be easier to follow.. like by seasons/time of year. Additionally you could throw in some strange “national day of..” stuff. For example it was national donut day yesterday. Like who decided that!? Is there a secret committee somewhere just making things up so we all have a reason to celebrate haha! 😊

Rob Hover

I love the idea of doing upcoming holidays (within a month or less of the episode) so that listeners can jump in on the celebration

Kristin

Love this pod idea!!! I'm an erratic listener (none for a month & then binging all in a row) so random works fine for me personally :) and true gives more opportunity to actually plan a celebration! as well as more flexibility to deep dive on the BEST (what if there are 2 awesome ones in the same week? what if some weeks are kinda lame?)

Riley Mac

Can appreciate the desire to discuss date specific topics close to the date, but indeed if one peaks our interest would love to pull together a celebration for it! Perhaps episode deep dives on a particular theme of holidays?

Rowena Z

I like the idea of holidays happening that week!

Nick

My opinion: #1, all your work is excellent, and #2, “this week” sounds like an unnecessary source of stress in production; therefore, go with random and we will all be happy!

John Worster

I don't think that I could tell someone that their idea for a podcast was ever a bad idea. You could start at the begining of the month, and list every holiday for the month. The deep drive could be for the week of those holidays. By telling people about all of the holidays at the start of the month, it would give them a heads up in case the holiday is important to them. Would you only focus on U.S. holidays? Or mention an interesting one reconized in another Country?

Jeri Webb

Hey podparents, LOVE this idea! I think it would be more appealing to do holidays that were coming up (maybe two weeks out instead of the same week so people could do a tiny bit of planning if they felt like it) rather than random throughout the year, when they might not be as memorable/actionable.

Allison Holloway

Random, for sure - because there are some *really random* holidays out there!

Kristin Zimmerman

I like the idea of holidays happening soon but with some time to plan for them if you want to celebrate. So holidays 1-4 weeks out or so. Added flexibility for choosing interesting stories as well.

Natalie Strebe

I vote option 1, would be fun if you are listening in order as it comes out, it’s like a bonus, a perk for being the first to listen! But I would still listen to past episodes even if it was way past that holiday

Julie S

I like the idea of a holiday that's in the next couple weeks. Gives you enough time to prepare, but not so much time to forget that it's coming up.

Melanie Timm

I think I would want to hear about holidays that are happening next month. One thing I think that will be tricky is that similar holidays are celebrated at different times of the year in different places. I also would love to learn about holidays that aren't celebrated (or as widely known) anymore for consideration of bringing back :)

Erin White

ooh, i love the idea of random one at random times and they don't have to be current ones in case you wanna celebrate something extinct just for fun.

Laura Kinney

What about if the first episode of the month was for a holiday in that month and subsequent episodes were random? Pick ones that people might be most likely to have a party for for the first ep of the month. That would give folks up to a few weeks to plan their shindig depending on the timing instead of less than a week’s notice. Then the other weeks can be more historic/esoteric/ interesting but not super fun sounding/ whatever

Mimz

Elliot & I think random holidays! That way you can plan if you don't listen that week still! Also, more info the better, the weirder the better!! Eee so excited! Will it be be you and podmom hosting like the Alie-ology ep? We loved that! You 2 are très chouette!

Dani

Me and my partner vote for option 1! How exciting to be in the know 🤩

SuchaHotMetz

I think it makes the podcast nore relevant to gave a holiday the week of or before release date. I think a famous birthday/event each week as its own mini feature would be super cool as well. Would help add a surprise each week and flesh out lengths of episodes as needed.

Rozelyn Hesby

Maybe mix it up some? Start with current holidays for the week, then delve deeper into another holiday, preferably a month or so later than the pod date on case someone what’s to observe the holiday (like wolfenuit)

Jen

I like both ideas, but ones for That Week are a bit more exciting because they're coming up real soon!

GhoulNextDoor

I think upcoming ones sound super fun! Maybe with some special exception episodes thrown in for ones that were just especially exciting or don’t have a firm day/ time in which they are celebrated?

Lauren Legg

I think it would be good to do it a week or two prior to when the holidays are happening, so if someone did want to prepare something for it then they can and then listeners know what will be happening in the coming weeks. Also because if you told me about a holiday that was happening months down the line I would definitely forget about it by the time it comes around

James Jakes

So to begin with, I don't often listen to podcast episodes within a week of their posting, so I'd hate to learn about a holiday after it's already happened. It's nice to have something to look forward to if I decide to celebrate it

San Juan Josie

Lots of fodder for fun. Humanity loves their frolic and ritual. Yes, a timely beginning of the month. The rest are wild cards, seasonal, global, cultural, ancient, biophilia, etc. Solicit “new made-up” holidays from creative listeners once a year for a full episode?

Emily Oxford

As a chronic podslacker who is always behind, I’d be frustrated that I missed the holidays discussed so I’d like to see them posted a few weeks before the actual date. Love this idea and can’t wait to see it.

Cliff Thornton

Oh boy! I like them both but lean a little more towards option 2 so I have time to plan some weird holiday parties. Need those extra days to sync schedules and devise the menu, ya know? I’m also very hopeful that this new pod has field trips. Like - “remember when we learned about Groundhog Day a few months ago? Damn straight guess who’s going to Groundhog Day this week?!?!” And then pod the shit out of that circus.

Andy McAdams

Hit the major ones near their time on the calendar, but go where the stories take you. If you don’t have a holiday for that episode release date, do a deep dive on an interesting one. I would be excited to listen to any podcast you produced.

Olivia Coppin

I think random holidays at any time. Gives me something to look forward to next year hehe!!

Rachel

I like what I've seen other people post which is for the deep dive to focus on a holiday 2-3 weeks away. Then folks can prepare and you can have fun reminding them during the actual week in the quick round up section!

Dayna Mallett

Is 3) a holiday coming up in a month or two, so if it's appropriate for cultural outsiders to celebrate, they have time to prepare an option?

Kristen Rosenblum

I think posting a week or 2 before allows people to celebrate if they want to and you could show off some of the celebrations you partake in on Instagram/social media- would be fun to have more excuses to get together with friends :)

JENN 'Benthopelagic squirrel' ALVAREZ

Love the theme! I hope there are a lot of silly holidays. Like..World Earthworm Day and at least one holiday involving frogs! And obvs I'm here for it!

Hex

A month ahead or so I think would be best

Crystal Mendoza

I love the preview method! Let us know what holidays are coming up and if there’s any weird ones I can make cake for. 🎉

Orla Spurr

Sounds like most people want upcoming holidays. I don't really mind, especially bc I don't live in the US which I presume would be the focus? For what it's worth, I think it will still be evergreen :) I don't need it to be timely/relevant to me to enjoy listening

Nina Giacobbe

Maybe a format that does both? A deeper dive into an upcoming holiday and a mini dive on a random holiday (which could be covered more deeply in a future episode).

Natasha Stroebl

I usually listen to the most recent episode without keeping up with each one, so, I would like to hear about a holiday that is coming up in the near future (say 6-14 days). Close enough so I will remember to note the date when it occurs, but far enough that I won't miss it if I listen six days after the episodes release.

Chris Moore

Your daughter is brilliant! I didn’t even think about having the time to potentially prepare for the holiday: that could be so much fun!!!

Mx. Artemisia

THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT! Genuinely one of my favorite internet rabbit holes. I'd definitely prefer episodes about holidays within the week. It'll give people things to look forward to and celebrate :)

Kate Arnold

Why can’t it be both? I think having time to plan for the weird holidays to celebrate them would be fantastic. That way I wouldn’t forget about planning for one that tickles my fancy by having to wait a year. And history/random fun facts bout major holidays are awesome—maybe release in that quarter leading up to one?

Theladyisageek

Another option: a holiday within the next couple months. Gives people a chance to plan. Then you can read Patrons' recaps of their celebration as a callback to a previous episode and shoutout to engaged fans.

Lynette Dávila

Maybe have the deep dive be on the holiday that's coming up I would do a week in advance but then talk about holidays that are adjacent to that one in some way no matter the time of year. I hope that makes sense.

don2737

Random holidays. Over time as past episodes build up, I'd do a search for holidays I'm interested in, or scroll the list. I rarely listen to podcasts that are standalone subjects by date, but by my interest. I go back years finding old "ologies" for instance, don't pay much attention to the latest episodes, I'll get to them.

Robin C Pike

I'd be interested in ones in the next couple weeks, so I have time to plan. I'm a planner.

Malia 🌀🩻

Deep dive on the holiday of the week!! That way I can use my knowledge as an opener at the bar.

Kevin Parichan

One the one hand, I'm usually 6+ months behind. On the other, I do read the posts that go along with the new episodes, so if it was featuring an odd holiday for that week, I could at least "celebrate" it even if I didn't get a chance to listen to the related episode.

Olivia Lester

I would do holiday of the week in a week in advance:)

Archie George

Random holidays, or holidays happening in a month.

Patricia Brewster

The week before the holiday. Can’t wait for the deep dive into Columbus Day, which I call Jeffery Dalmer day and thanksgiving.

Christy Brockett

I was assuming it would include global holidays. I hope that it would. Learning about holidays around the world would be super interesting to me. I would like upcoming or current holidays bc I think I would be more likely to listen keep up it. I will listen either way though.

Florence Yuan

I like the idea of discussing holidays which are either occurring that week or in the next 1-2 weeks, so that we can plan ahead a little bit! Could give patrons an earlier heads-up about holidays so that we get more time to plan if desired :)

Jill Gregory

I think I'd prefer you talking about an upcoming holiday (within 1-2 weeks.)

Orla Spurr

I think it probably will, but I suspect that the US has the most listeners of any country to Alie's other shows so it would make sense for there to me a good number of those holidays in the show

Danae DeJournett

I second everyone saying that you should do the holiday in advance so people have time to get a party planned! I would have loved to know that yesterday was National Donut Day so I could have planned accordingly.

Waylo

I agree! So we know how we should be celebrating next week!

Eating dog hair for a living

I like the idea of having a show for the holiday coming up. What I don't like is when someone demonizes a person that's been dead for hundreds of years and tries to use what he did in the past as a reason to have everyone hate on that person or "holiday". No we don't agree with how things went down then but we're better educated now than our ancestors. Point is it happened, we can't change the past but we can learn from it and not breed hate out of it.

Roger Joys

Holiday of the week... maybe 1-3 weeks in advance

Jet

If you deep dive only one I'm definitely in favour of doing one 2-4 weeks after the release of the episode. If you deep dive two, I think one from that week + an upcoming one is the best case scenario

Annabelle

I vote to cover holidays coming up in the next week or two. I think it’ll be more fun and interesting for it to be current and relevant. Either way love the idea, it’ll be great no matter what you decide!

Liz Sinclair

LOVE this. My vote is for discussing the holidays that are coming up in the next couple of weeks so it’s timely but not immediate.

Yuri

Okay that's way more funny! At first I thought I missed something about international Hot dog Day being in the song, and I went back to listen to it, and although it would have been funnier with the international hot dog in the song, it's way funnier with the context that you said. The comment about Casey was something that he said on his own podcast, not yours. I'm completely fangirling right now that you said you love my questions!!!!

Organic Free-Range Lily

Fun concept! :) I would prefer episodes about the weird holiday of that week. If you do episodes about random holidays, then the holiday date would have to be included in the podcast title, ideally at the very beginning, which would be odd. 🙃

Mike Campbell

For the reasons mentioned, I’d be in favor of not at all trying to sync the content to the current/coming week. Presumably, most of these holidays are ~annual events; so people can always add a note to their calendar for the next one. Two candidates for a good middle ground would be: A. have a feature that collects all the holidays sorted by date, re(li)gion, etc. and/or B. don’t tie the content to the current week but do tend to favor holidays that are coming up within several weeks to give celebrants time to make plans and order whatever paraphernalia they’ll need. (Hopefully no sacrificial animals involving anything smarter than an earthworm. In fact, let’s give earthworms a pass too.)

Michelle Fullner

I like the holidays NEXT week idea that others have voiced!

Mckaylia Marshall

Upcoming holiday! Maybe a week ahead. Maybe you don’t do it weekly. That sounds like a lot for you and for me lol.

Kristen Alberty

I love the idea of a holiday for the week or an upcoming week! I usually end up ~1-3 weeks behind on podcasts because I'm very particular about how I'm listening to them, but I don't find that to be a problem for me. For example, I listened to the hellos episode a week or two after the eclipse and while I wished I had known more before the eclipse, it was so enchanting to get to listen after the fact and relive the sense of awe I felt while it was happening

Shoshana Belle

Adding to the votes for holidays a few weeks in the future (especially for those of us who don’t listen to new episodes immediately) + occasional random ones. - Avid Fan, Also, happy to be a source for info on wacky, rare, and wonderful Jewish holidays (from the annual to the once-every-28-years)

King Donna

Option number 3, month prior to holidays and we theme so hard partying. I'm a little worried that the BS holidays are gonna be too many. If I'm not mistaken there are just a couple people filing hundreds at the behest of corporations. International coolness instead 🤞

EvasiveDodge

each coming week is far better

Sam and Katie

Yes, I like the idea of the deep dive being a month or so ahead of the holiday. ✨️ -Sam

Suzanne Farr

Ologies is so well produced and I love Smologies for playing in my middle school art room. I wish you luck with the holiday show, and vote for number 1. However, I also don’t want you to get podcast burn-out. Watch yourself in terms of overcommitment. Your Mom, Suzanne

Sasha

can you do holidays that are some time in the following month? that would give you more flexibility and give people time to make plans to observe

Sasha

unrelated to timing but you should have Casper Tur Kuile as a guest at some point. he’s done a lot of work on secular rituals that bring people together :)

Susan G

I like the idea others have said about doing it for a holiday that is coming up in a week or two, so there is time for people to learn about it and then observe the holiday if they want to! We could all share our photos of the holidays that we do then observe.

Amber Pineda

Upcoming holiday or like a month ahead! I don’t always listen right as they come out, plus I can see people ( myself included) might want to throw obscure holiday parties.

Maclean Olson

Maybe 2 random holidays to keep downloads current and then during the actual week of each holiday replay that segment so we refresh our memory? I always enjoy re-listening to previous episodes since they’re packed with great, detailed, funny information I may have missed or need a refresher on.

Kathleen Carlson

I love the idea of doing the deep dive for a holiday coming up in the next month or so to allow for prep time for celebrations if we want to. I’m very excited for this idea!!

Mike Ramsey

Love this idea! I'd vote for either coming this week, or in the next few weeks. When browsing the back catalog, I think folks would look for whatever tickles their fancy, not just the matching week.

Maclean Olson

Or maybe additional information added for the week-of episode.

Elizabeth Mena

I think you should discuss upcoming holidays, so we can plan celebrations or regale our friends and families with relevant facts during the following week or two.

Rachel Selby

I love either, but I am leaning toward random holidays rather than holidays that week. I would love to be able to have time to plan 🕺🏼

Julia Hutton

what about a holiday episode every week or two (relating to an upcoming holiday that week or so). then, as time goes on, you can rebroadcast or mention upcoming holidays (linked to past shows) as new shows are published... and the show will cycle and build on itself?

Caro Young

That sounds so amazing!!! M leaning towards upcoming holidays but maybe you can do one of each?

con

It could be cool to do random holidays that are the week after? So if people wanna celebrate they have a week to prepare!!

Gaelicpearl

I'm joining the call for overview of holidays that week, deep dive on a holiday happening sometime in the next month so we have time to plan a celebration if we want to. Also will you consider including literary holidays? A friend and I celebrate Wig's Good Day (July 20) from Once On a Time by A.A Milne.

Bridget Bartholome

Just completed a human geography course & i adore the marriage of science and culture. Upcoming holidays, that way we are tuned in to the world more in the current moment, which unifies and excites. People can eventually research your archive and you can rebroadcast. Such a rich and thick exploration, yahoo!

Leon Taylor

Whatever you end up doing will be amazing.

Meg Ahern

Love this! I think random ones are good. Or if you go "current"/upcoming, I support interpreting that loosely (like in the next month or two)

Rebecca Morrison

I too vote for upcoming but a combo could be equally cool

Doug Stewart

If I had to choose it’d be one coming up that week/month. Basically let me know with time to do something about it.

Hannah H

I’d pick one coming up within the next month or so - enough time to plan some observence event but not as rushed or strict as within the week!

Lauren M

Upcoming for sure. It's bad enough we have to see turkeys and mistletoe in October. 😅 Don't throw them at me in May too!

ale

Hi Dad! I'm pro week hyperspecific holidays. It's the third week of July and it's national hotdog Day? Tell it to me that week so I can buy some veggie dogs. And so I can listen in December when I'm nostalgic for warmer weather and can go back to the feed from previous times and reference the dates. PS love the theme song!

Jae Steinbacher

I’d listen either way! Curious if this will also be an “adult” or clean podcast. I’d love all the sexy/grimy/gory details and inclusion of holidays like Zaddy Day etc. that aren’t gonna show up on a school calendar.

Deb K

I will love listening to, whatever you decide to do. By the way, your new theme music is fun…I’m traveling in Germany right now and thinking about it playing in some of the churches I’ve been in made me giggle 🤭. Well done and I can’t wait!

Agata Kajewska

BEST NEWS EVER!!!! Reading about weird holidays and world's days is a little daily pleasure my family enjoy (as well as laughing out loud at the oddest name's days in given day). So I would love to hear more on current ones!

Dana Jolley Ramirez

Option 1 is my preference, but I will listen either way you chose to do them!

Dorit

That week is my vote too!

Tea Danilović

Marketing-wise, I think upcoming would be useful, but like, coming within the month (as people have already mentioned) Why? Well, say I learn on Oct2nd about a holiday that takes place on the 12th—on the 12th, I can be like "hey guys, did you know today is tank top day and it was invented by ____ for _____ reason?" The only reasonable response to this is "where tf did you get that from" and then you can share the pod with friends Having it close like that means I won't forget about the holiday I wanna tell people about by the time it actually arrives!

JKH

Alie! I love this concept!! As a regular listener of pods who listens as soon as they drop, I would love timely episodes. I think for people who find the pod after the fact, it won't matter. And as a chef, I look forward to your take on all the food holidays. 🌮🥨🍤🍟🍕🍦

Mariko

I like the timed episodes. But maybe, if possible, you could give a little teaser at the end of each episode so we can prep for the next one? Like, if it's going to be National Reindeer Urine day, I would need some advance notice to lay in my supplies. Whichever way you go, this sounds like a fabulous podcast!

Rebecca Jackson

I’d say have it at least within the same month as the episode.

Lee L

Random holidays is my opinion. So that a listener can come in at anytime. I always feel too pressured if I have to listen at a certain time or specific order.

Penny Loader

Love a random one, but I get the party planning aspect, maybe release them the month before? Because don't you think the anticipation is half the fun? ❤️

Penny Loader

Also, not sure if you have planned to do Australia Day yet - but that might be interesting for the rest of the world, because it's a day-of mourning for indigenous people, but while there is no political will to change it, there are lots of alternative suggestions (like May 8) for celebrating Australianess

Naomi Jane

I'd say vaguely seasonal, but there's no way I listen to a majority of episodes of podcasts I subscribe to in the week they're released. Also, a request that you may consider us easily confused international listeners & put any written months as their letter names, rather than numerical, for ease of glancing at a description and understanding it's 2nd November, not 11th February 😂

Celeste

Option 2

Kevin Tiemeyer

This is so cool!! I would say deep dives on a day that is the next week, or within the same month.

Björn Fredberg

My vote goes for current week! Is this going to only include North American holidays? Other countries (Sweden) have some good ones too...

Barry Walsh

Love the concept! I think keeping it to the week/month ahead is best so you can get in the holiday mood. The marketing world has already made some holidays waaaay too long.... Advertising Halloween in August, Xmas in Sept etc is just kinda suffocating

Nikki Paige

If you're doing a discussion about 2 holidays in an episode, split the difference - one that's upcoming soon, and one that's from any random time!

AussieColin

My first reaction was "How can there be enough holidays to fill out a podcast", thinking of Christmas, Easter, Halloween etc. Then I realised (I assume) that you were talking about the ones like International Day of Education and the like. :-) I'd definitely give the podcast a try. Your wonderful sense of humour is guaranteed to make the historical aspect entertaining. Definitely "Talk Like a Pirate Day" needs to be in there!! One obvious drawback is that I can see from google that there are plenty of these holidays but, unlike Ologies, it IS a finite resource. Still, it should be very interesting while it lasts. I'd suggest not having each week's podcast cover ALL of the ones for that week but just a subset, thus leaving some for next year. Please do make sure that you don't make it US-centric. You've generally been great in that respect in Ologies and it is much appreciated.

Moo

Holidays coming up next week, deep dive into one of those, fun random-date holiday as your "episode secret".

Claire Nurc

How about quarterly, rather than just random? 1 from the week and then a more random one, but instead of totally random, do one coming up in the next 3 months to keep it vaguely relevant for those who listen fairly soon, but not off putting for late listeners. Also nthing the request not to use American date numbering of the eps for your international listeners, also please include international holidays, there are some great British folklore ones, French and Germans have some weird ones too, but I would personally like to discover non-Western ones

Deanna Wood

I choose option 1. It just makes more sense to me.

Charlie

Hi, a bit of both would work well I think, one that is this weeks and then one that is a fixed amount of time away...peoples memory is short, too far ahead and it won't feel relevant enough xx Not a fan of the intro music, it feels like I'm back in church :o Could it be more upbeat? :D

Gregor

I'd want to hear the podcast in advance of the holiday in question, so I could make preparations to celebrate in a new & deep-divey way.

Wemily

Why not a mixture! Maybe the 'current' ones with like a 1 or 2 week delay so people have time to join in

Yngvi

I would go with the random option. There are so many holidays that are happening and you would feel a lot of pressure trying to keep up with the upcoming holiday, possibly getting yourself into stressful situation of not making it on time. Based on when you will plan to start with this, I would pick random, but upcoming holidays. In that way, you could have enough time to prepare it and as well it would be on time for listeners. Or, did you think of alphabetical order of holiday name?

Nicky G

I feel like a mix of relevant holidays (within the month) and a random one would be fun! Deep dive into holidays celebrated by various cultures and toe-dips into cutesy ones like national doughnut day (that was this past week!)

Leila Laco

Maybe you could talk about one upcoming holiday, and a related one later in the year? So if it's a particular religion/culture, talk about another significant holiday for those people. Or if you were to cover Earth Day in April (22nd) you could then talk about UN Environment day on 5th June and the links between the two. This might not work with every holiday, but I think it could be interesting to do for some episodes

Honey

I think a mix is a nice idea, but it might also work to cover holidays maybe a month in advance? So you’re covering future holidays that still feel chronologically relevant

Marianne Thomas

First, I love this. I started something similar on Facebook in 2016 called Celebrate Everything & people really enjoyed it. Even had a couple folks reach out to say it was helping them through hard times. Unfortunately 2016 was such a bitch year I ran out of cheer myself! I like the idea of deep diving something upcoming, maybe 4-8 weeks ahead? I rarely listen to episodes as they come out because I don't have time to listen most days, but I think that would give folks time to plan something if they're into it. If it's a little time sensitive people might prioritise that listen, like I do around holidays. Can't wait to hear your creation!

Marianne Thomas

As a northern hemispherer, that would be really interesting. I know a little bit about the history but not much about the current debate.

Marianne Thomas

The struggle is real! Number of times my brain's gone "wait, what's the 26th month?" 😂

Marianne Thomas

As someone who once did a year trying to celebrate all the holidays, there are So Many! International Sausage Day, Naked Gardening Day, saint days, indigenous holidays, international religious ones like Holi, 2 Eids, Brothers Day..... Most days have several associated celebrations worldwide. It's brilliant!

Olga Kolesnikova

I think holidays at any time. What if there are holidays that you only celebrate once every 10 years or something?!? 🤔 This is such a great idea for a show I can't wait!

Naomi Jane

Jufemberly is my favourite month!

Lyssa Mercier

Great idea, this sounds really fun and interesting, no surprise coming from our favourite podparents!😉 I think it would be cool if the deep dive was for a holiday anytime in that month or the next so it's sort of seasonal.

Saoirse Fern

I like current (ish) holidays, especially if the deep dive is for a cultural one that's celebrated in a particular region globally or in a diaspora.

Ani Gee

I was going to say the same thing. Chronologically relevant it's a good phrase. I random holiday that year could feel forever away, especially for your spicy listeners 😉😉 but if it's coming up... Better! And we can still plan a party🥳!

Paulina Krasińska-Sroka

After careful consideration I'm voting random! Working in content management (marketing) I automatically went for current holidays, but that stems from aiming to make, for example blog posts, high in Google search at relevant time. But thinking about it, I came to conclusion that it doesn't really apply to podcasts. Plus, I believe that sometimes deep dive can lead you into historical and/or geographical details that might also add different date of occurrence for given holiday. And people who'd like to celebrate would probably appreciate a bit more heads up than one week ;) So in the end, I'm choosing roughly in the same season, but random. Just don't talk about Easter the day after and we should be good! 😁

John Bochanski

I think having it have a quarterly window might work nice. Not so much pressure that you need to listen and plan each week, but it will be relevant to that season.

Sharon Sikorski

I say mix it up. Keep it open enough that you can be responsive to listeners and to your own interests. And absolutely no wearing yourself out. Go with what makes you joyful.

Donald Hodges

The holiday that week. A nod to everything that represents the March of time, the Book of Hours, the narrative of the lives we live. Has to be concordant. If you want some serendipity (duh it's Alie), you can veer off some week where there's no official historic holiday and select one of the uncountable new declarations, maybe national grapefruit day or national honeybee day (just an example). But keep it calendar oriented. Most people don't want to watch Holiday Inn in July.

mariia k

2, cause if the rest of the episode will be about the holidays of the week then maybe one special deep dive one should be more open to the rest of the year or maybe like a bit of a close window like quarterly, some that are a few months away yk p.s love the theme song

Tricia Griffith

I love this idea! I don’t know how good at planning for that week I would be, should I want to celebrate. What about in the next month? You could do anything in a sort of 2-3 week range. Otherwise, I’d probably vote for random between the two choices 🙃

Marisa

Do both random and deep dive into one or two happening that month.

Stephanie Trout Berman

I LOVE your DEEP DIVES!!!! I am thinking of you (protecting my podparents)...when I say weekly may be too much pressure? I am liking either the monthly theme or quarterly that others are suggesting. Also, will this be under "Ologies", or a separate Podcast named "Holidays (Observed)? How will I find you??? So excited to learn so much more about how, why, when, where these traditions or newly made traditions began...keep it simple PodMum!

Jessica Rudd

Okay this is such a great idea! I’m super excited to see what you come up with. I think a mix of both is probably the way to go. I like what some folks are saying about picking holidays from the upcoming 3 months or so. You kind of get the best of both worlds that way - it’ll be great to hear about upcoming holidays for those tuning in when the episode is first released, but then I think it would also be enjoyable to listen to anytime of year.

Pavka34

Maybe a monthly deep dive on a holiday that month? If you do it monthly you can keep it unpredictable, zig when we zag, etc.

Ivelisse Sanchez

Excited for this new show!! I think either is fine, but I’m leaning toward the holiday of the week because in and of itself is educational. Like hayyyyy…I didn’t know Sept 8th is national blah blah blah day! It’ll be easier to remember which random holidays occur which days/weeks.

Sandy Moore

I would enjoy a holiday of the week. Thanks, Dad.

Christina Samela

How about holidays in the upcoming MONTH? That way the eps aren't limited to only that week's holidays, and people have a touch more time to bake a cake :)

Gretchen Schroeder

I think that relatively random would be good. Maybe seasonally specific. I don't know that I would be interested in a deep dive of a fall holiday in the middle of spring, and where the rest of the podcast is telling me about spring holidays. So... thematically similarilar.

E Jordan

Showing us the origin of holidays that happen during a given month is perfectly fine. I agree, learning about the origin of holidays is very interesting (the origin of Valentine's Day for example). Make it easy on yourself Dadward. You're only human and should be treated as such. Love you!!

Emily Totero

Maybe there’s a way to do both? I like the idea of hearing about ones happening that week because, let’s be honest, I’m not going to remember they’re happening more than a month from now. But maybe the deep dives could be about holidays later in the month or later in the season. So excited to listen to this!!

Erin Bagley

I was literally just wondering about all of the obscure holidays. At a blood lab I go to regularly, they have a whiteboard with the day's obscure holidays. It's a fun distraction while getting poked. I like the idea of a deep dive on a holiday from the same week/month.

DrewK

What about a random holiday that's happening this month? I sometimes don't get to listen to the pod for a few days and I'd hate to have already missed the random holiday of the week.

Jeanette-o-saur

I'd like to request that the holiday date be in the title, so if I'm scanning past episodes for what's coming up soon I can find it and re-listen. OR have a master calendar with all episode holidays on it! And the calendar links take you to the episode. Like a year round advent calendar where every door is a podcast!

Katherine Crawford

I’d love if it was prior to the holiday so we have time to listen and prepare beforehand if we want! I’ve been wanting to get into weird holidays because the current suite of Christian and nationalist ones just don’t cut it for my soul. I like to at least celebrate solstices and equinoxes, and things like wolfenoot are great too… can’t wait to hear what you drum up!!

Kim Bernard

Is there a holiday for every week of the year? I guess I already need a holiday deep dive if I didn’t know that! Are we talking religious/national holidays specifically, or anything, like World Krill Day? I think I’d like to get deep dives maybe a week or 2 ahead of the holiday. So, not the same week to give me time to plan a party to celebrate. Thanks for keeping our brains sharp and giving us interesting reasons to throw a party :)….. Also, the theme song is amazeballs

Robb and Carol Hermes

Awesome, Pod-dad! After the pandemic isolation we need more reasons to celebrate and get together with friends So, of course, my vote is for random holiday presentations with enough time to buy accessories!

Justin Bowen

If we're talking world holidays, one per week for holidays in that week. If for just the US, are there even holidays every week?

Yalang

I’d like a little bit of prep time,also. Maybe 2 weeks before the holiday is observed, have a deep dive. Seems like there are enough holidays out there that you would need a quick overview of everything going on everywhere for that month or week with a quick explanation of the quirkier, less familiar and then on to the main topic.

Liz Cleveland

Agree about wanting time to hear/learn about the holiday prior to it arriving on the calendar. Maybe one a month?

Sara Cooper

I like the idea of 2-4 weeks ahead of time in case we wanted to celebrate on an exact date. Because if we are just dipping in here and there, we can already make it as random as we want. 😜

Adam Drake

I mean: December alone will be bananas! 😊 I agree re: enough time in advance to prepare. But also: No pressure!

Matt Hirschl

The REAL answer: 1) Do it for holidays coming up that week. It will make it feel more topical. 2) Release the holidays that will be covered ahead of time. This process will allow those that want to throw a random party time to plan.

DON BERNSTEIN

Even if they are current (say, for the coming week) you can still listen to any episode anytime. Also, no one needs Apple podcasts. Try Podcast Republic.

Rhiannon Williams

A mix! You could mostly do random dates, but post closer to the date for major holidays (or particularly celebratory lesser known). Takes the pressure off your timeline but still gives listeners a reason to keep up.

Tara Villanova

I was going to say random holidays, but then I read the other comments here. Hmmmm it would be nice to learn about the ones coming up instead, but I feel like that makes it harder for you and I was trying to be considerate of your sanity, lol. But, I think I'm convinced to go with choice #1. Love you two!

Fuzzgoddess

1. The current holidays, so you can get the overview on all for the week and then a deep dive on one of those. Otherwise I would forget the deep dive by the time it's relevant.

Andrew Perkins

A deep dive - gee dad, it sounds like there's a rich vein ready for the picking (see? mixing metaphors isn't rocket surgery, but back to the matters at hand). As far as releasing them into the podiverse, I'd think releasing the holiday for the upcoming week has a better chance of watercooler chat, IM asides, adieus, and office attire. Love your shows, thanks for the smologies spinoff - great for the kiddos and the adults. Looking forward to hearing your new show!

Makalea Napoleon

Current holidays. I like the idea of covering the holidays that will be coming up for the following week. Gives time to plan ahead and catch up on listening to the podcast.

Rik

For some reason I'm thinking random, maybe because I'm not a big holiday celebrating person but would love to hear about them for sure!

Rik

BTW - great theme song, by chance I was passing the huge neighborhood church - rainy Sunday morning, cool out, it's windows open and their choir reverberating matched your theme nicely :-)

Elaine Lamirande

I like the month-ish ahead of time deep dive idea mentioned by others. That gives us enough time to prep for the holiday of interest! A week isn't enough time to shop properly ;) Thanks for asking us!

Emily Woodland

This is a great podcast idea! So excited to listen. I agree with several other folks on here— covering holidays maybe 2 to 4 weeks out would be great.

Regular K

I love how you do Halloween and holiday themed episodes around that time of year, but they do have a seasonal flavor that sometimes outshines the interesting sociological aspects of the observance. If you want to dive into holidays for their social meaning, I think if you highlight holidays that are not culturally popular to the majority of your listeners, they will be more likely to see each one from a perspective not already tinted by seasonal anticipation.

poppy

Do we mean random like holidays you can throw in at any point during the year as it suits you? because I very much like the idea of putting a celebration in when we're in a long uneventful part of the year for pizzaz.

Wynter Fenn

I vote current! Educate folks on the upcoming holiday and it's relevancy could be that more sticky in the mind than if it were say 6 mo away. Could also plant new seeds for ideas that folks could act on with the upcoming date.

Sébastien Mouttet

Love the idea. I'm just afraid that if it's too America-centric or "colonialistic" it'll be marginalizing. For instance, Canada's latest holiday, the Day for Truth and Reconciliation was first observed on September 30th 2021. Nepal has 32 holidays (the most in the world), and did you know that Trinidad and Tobago's holiday landscape was formed by colonial rule, African beliefs, and Indian traditions? T&T has a holiday called Indian Arrival day. Operating within a global and decolonizing approach I think will offer a plethora of subjects to discuss!

Tom Whittaker

I would love to learn about holidays from "around the world" that are not just US or religious-focused. For a weekly, I would say anything coming up in the next 3-4 weeks, and the on-line Title should probably contain the name and dates, for "listen later".

Suzanne W

I vote upcoming holidays a month or so out, not limited to the U.S. - looking forward to the show!

Ashlee Dent

I love the idea! A month out for around the world holidays is my vote. About a decade ago I did “Easter around the world” where I cooked about 10 items that were spring traditions for different cultures. It was fun, tasty, and something we still talk about to this day! Definitely more than a week is needed so folks can prep. Especially if there are crafts/recipes/kid friendly involvement ideas. Thanks podmama and podpapa!

Taylor Kendall

https://macandcheeseday.wordpress.com/ This site honors the life and legacy of Daniel Awesomepants, Jr., a first-grader at PS138X in 2005. Over the winter break, Ms. Gold, a starry-eyed young teacher, assigned students the task of inventing a holiday. Although only 3 of her 28 students completed the assignment, Daniel returned with the classic: Mac and Cheese Day, dedicated to his mother and father…and to himself. Our group of chosen family celebrates this all together to this day. It was M&C day observed on Zoom for a few years there. Can you think of a better thing to bond over? All denominations of M&C welcome, gluten-free, vegan, spicy, creamy, stove-top and baked.

decimals and more

Amazing! Why box yourself in? Let it be whichever holidays you want! Maybe you could have a specific segment that highlights a holiday coming up in the next few weeks and bring on a person or two have have observed it or are planning to. Side note: when i taught first grade in public schools we taught about some of the “major” holidays and highlighted how different cultures around the globe celebrated the exact same holiday. That would be an interesting aside for some of the more widely celebrated ones. Cant wait!

Emily Krieger

Random anytime a year works for me and then maybe for biggie holidays you could that week run the evergreen ep about it? I think random works in general because I appreciate an opportunity to get my pregame on using my newfound knowledge if I so desire.

Sharon Tender

I vote random holiday topic!! That way you can do an episode when you’re inspired to do it and not when you’re facing a deadline.

Sharon

Why not do a preview of one that is coming up in the coming month. That way people will be able to react to it and celebrate should they be so inclined. Random is - well too random. Doing it the week it’s going to happen feels to close. A man nah or so out feels like a great window. It’s seasonal and pertinent if you don’t get to each podcast as soon as it comes out. PS I love this idea!

Alicia B

Limiting the scope to only holidays happening that particular week seems like it would be really difficult to accomplish timing-wise? I would be fine with a random holiday! Also, this sounds great!!

Faith Stemmler

I vote release the episode about the holiday a month before so people can learn about it and get amped up for said holiday, while having cool facts to tell your family at the holiday party if there should be one.

Jaedin Guldenstern

Down for holidays close-ish to release day!! This is such a COOL idea 😎

Haley K.

Holidays about a month out! I want to know what I should be excited for and you always make me so invested and excited for things I never thought I’d be invested in!

Jade O.

My vote is for more current holidays! I like the idea that other people have floated about them being like a month out so you have enough time to prepare, plus maybe it'll be easier on your end!

Sarah Meaden

What if you did a blend of both? The holidays coming up in the next week and then a random holiday with a few quick facts that may not have enough deep dive information for a whole segment on the show nearest the date? Like - yes this week's is about Juneteenth but did you know that since 1996 we celebrate National Fruitcake Toss day on a random day in January? It's the excuse you need to get together with all your family and hurl your unwanted holiday fruitcake as far away as you'd like! Kind of like your secrets at the end of Ologies.

Britt Gilley

Current holidays! People would probably talk about it more with their friends/coworkers or be more inclined to share the episodes if they’re timely. So excited to hear more from you! I’ve been a fan of Ologies for years

Dianna Smith

Why can’t it be a mix of both? Depending on what’s interesting that week.

Peta Luck

How does one person have so many cool ideas? Anyways, as I am an Australian and living in your holiday future, I love the idea of month-ish . So mebbe "fixed holidays" could be on a rotational calendar. May - here's stuff RIGHT NOW and here is June's stuff (deep dives into Solstices and Solstice Festivals in both Hemisperes ;) )

Peta Luck

Also, I would buy an app for that, or a Google Calendar Plug-in - or subscribe to a Google Calendar of "days to remember and do cool and quirky things because these are the H-Ology-days"

Peta Luck

AND, can someone tell me if there REALLY is a "Leave a zucchini on your neighbour's porch" day?

Mouse Paxton

This sounds like a really fun idea! As other people have said, I think having the episodes release like a month or so ahead of the actual holiday would be best. That way people have time to prepare if they do want to celebrate any of these holidays!

Matty Sallin

I vote for current ones so I can plan a weird little party for it. Also: Hi Alie!

Maureen

Current!

Teresa & David

"Both?" "Both." "Both is good." Yeah, do one of each every time!

Abby Sellers

If you do one deep dive a week, do current. If you do two deep dives a week, then do one of each. Love this pod idea!

Lucy McGuffie

I haven't read through all 388 comments so apologies if food-related traditions have already been mentioned. My husband is an avid barbequer and we have food-related traditions for every holiday. He enjoys barbequing turkey for Thanksgiving and prime rib for Christmas, but that leaves pork and/or ham without a holiday. Growing up, my family would commonly do ham for Easter, but as adults my husband and I are not religious and do not celebrate Easter as a holiday. We just decided that our "ham holiday" will be our anniversary, or more festively, our "hammiversary". BTW, I love the idea for this new podcast. Holidays and traditions are really special to me. Major holidays are a time to remember what's really important, celebrating with family- either biological or chosen, and reminiscing about past holidays and loved ones we have lost but are not forgotten. I'd also love to hear about quirky minor holidays. I vote for highlighting one that occurs during the upcoming week.

Emily P

Yes! I will 100% subscribe and listen to this show!! I think always doing them a month in advance makes sense! That way people have a few weeks to prepare a party or activity. If it's in a random order then we will all forget or lose enthusiasm by the time the holiday comes around.

Emily P

That being said.... I will absolutely still listen if they are random 😂 I just love your work Alie!

Justin Goodhart

As many have said, current, but with a couple weeks or a month in advance so that if people want to celebrate they can prepare. I like the idea of timely episodes!!

Alan Gross

Several of the comments already hint at this: how about a compromise, say, a deep dive on a holiday in the near future, say within the coming month.

Jasmine Liu

Hi! I LOVE this idea! I do this as part of my job! I create guides/toolkits about holidays/observances/awareness time periods that are generally identity-related, but not always, for employees at a university. I have surveyed many people about this, and the suggestions for current, but not today are what I hear, too. Everyone wants time to plan but not have too much lead up time that they forget. When it comes to cultural observances, I think it is more important to think/talk about them when there isn't an observance telling us to, but I realize that is not how most people feel and learn. I would be happy to share research/resources if you are looking for any. My main focus at work is cultural competency, but holidays are one of my hyper focuses, in general.

Christine Hurley

I also vote current, about 3-4 weeks out and social media can link to the relevant episodes on the day of the holiday

Suzen Baxter

Holidays in the next month or two would give me time get to the episode and to plan. If I fall behind on listening, I typically catch up in chronological order. I’d probably miss most holidays in the same week.

Spencer Parks

Mostly I agree with "current" but instead of "that week" it could be a couple weeks in advance (episode airs June 1, holiday is on June 15). But I agree with at least one other person who said that it could be a split. One current, and the other holiday could be 4-6 months out (or just random). On another note, for a whole year on my podcast "The Dictionary" I read off the list of holidays for that day/week/month (national and international) at the end of each episode, but didn't really get into any details expect on rare occasions where I was curious and read a brief description on the fly. There's a LOT of holidays! You'll have no lack of content. :)

Kirsten Love

Current but with enough lead time (few weeks) to have a chance to listen to episode and be ready when holiday arrives. Minor ones can be "off schedule" to fill in the quieter times.

Rachel

I am another vote for the few weeks/1 month in advance team. Also, I love this podcast idea and cannot wait to listen.

Magsaroni

I vote for random! If there aren't any interesting or researchable holidays that particular week, there will always be good content that way.

Hope Rider

I like current or couple of weeks in advance, but I will listen either way :)

Dawnaechello

I like the current week rundown with a random deep dive.

Meagan Walker

Mostly current would be cool, because either way I can listen to random episodes! But there’s also a chance to catch recent episodes either way upcoming holidays.

Fistful of Cheese

Another vote for a few weeks ahead of time! Personally, I usually binge a podcast for a while, then switch to another, then come back. Would it be too annoying to split a major holiday into multiple parts, so the release schedule would still be weekly leading up to it? Thanksgiving 1 of 4, 2 of 4, 3 of 4, 4 of 4. More work to produce in segments, and might be annoying for listeners to get only partial content, but you'd be able to keep a consistent download / listen schedule. But if you're covering one subtopic each week, it might be worthwhile. Feel free to disregard if it's not a good format!

Lisa

Another vote for the weeks ahead of time idea. :)

Zoe Litton

I really love the idea of doing it a few weeks ahead of time!

Becki Grady

I vote for a split episode. Maybe one holiday happening this week that I can still get in on, and one random one that I can plan for. Even if I listened to the episodes out of order or months later, I would still be getting the backstory of each holiday, and the date so I could still plan for the next one. I can't wait!

Kathleen Brown

Random ! Holiday Chaos Activate 🥳

Meaghan Walsh Gerard

I think #2, or something like that. Let me know about the weird thing I can plan for next year, or whatever. As someone who regularly hosts "offbeat" holiday parties, I'm stoked!

Dave Langlinais

My advice would be to TRY to get a holiday for the week-of as often as you realistically can, but definitely not to constrain yourself to just that. If there are no conveniently placed holidays on a given week, then - just hit us with an off-the-wall holiday (preferably one we've never heard of) at random.

Meaghan Walsh Gerard

Also, the theme song! Totally threw me back to 1996 when everyone was nuts about Gregorian chants!

Emily Graber

I'm in camp choose a holiday that happens in a few weeks! Or current holidays happening that week. People can always go back and listen to holidays from other parts of the year.

Ann Hanlin

I think a holiday for the next week would be great—it gives me enough time to throw something together if I’m excited by it, but if it were given to me randomly throughout the year I would absolutely forget that the holiday exists til it comes around lol. Happened to me with national cheese day this year 😭💔🧀

Sam Bringman

Any time of the year! Let’s you follow your interest if there’s a niche holiday that you want to research but isn’t happening anytime soon.

Gene Phillips

I think that a split episode would be good. Pick a holiday two or three weeks ahead that you think would be fun to celebrate and offer and ask for suggestions how. Also, do a really deep dive on holidays that have a rich history even if problematic.

Julie Noble

Seconding “two or three weeks ahead”—gives time to those of us who don’t always listen on time.

Julie Noble

Requesting that the just-passed, mushroom art hide-and-seek, Game of Shrooms makes it into the episodes next May-June!

ben_and_his_beard

Of those two choices, I'd prefer #2 purely to give you the most flexibility to find holidays and arrange the resources/people to help understand them. If I can go beyond those choices, I would instead broaden from weekly to SEASONAL brackets. Let winter be full of winter holidays, spring with spring, and so on. That would give you (and anyone looking to celebrate) as much as (but not always) three months lead time which would also allow late listeners to participate. Technically it might make most sense to offset by half a season so that the end of winter is preparing us for early spring, early spring for late spring, and late spring for early summer. The added seasonal theme would give an excuse to talk about the different hemispheres and climates that we often pretend are identical to our own (do seasonal shifts even line up on the flip side?), as well as about the various calendars (both modern and historical) which we've anchored our holidays to. PS: I've often wished it was more appropriate (as a kid) to dabble in random cultures' holidays to understand, explore, and fit myself into the world rather than being press ganged into celebrating them until they become boring and unrelatable. Love seeing that you're working on opening the door to my curiosity. PPS: Can we treat animal migrations as non-human holidays? Cicadas, birds, salmon breeding seasons, etc. Just a few big wonderful, yearly celebrations from our alternately evolved friends.

Larissa Sevcik

I'd listen to either one, though my preference would be for option 1. I really enjoyed how your Heliology episode aired right before the eclipse - it got me really pumped for the big day! Something a next month or two in the future would be fine too - I think I'd be a bit bummed if an episode dropped today for something that happened last week.

Keely Chavez

I love to BE random, but I def won't remember in > 2 weeks... so the sooner the better for my addled mind. Also, my dog Jack votes for the theme music. Last, don't blow your holiday wad. We want this to be an ongoing show!

chris clanton

Whichever you go with, this will be great. I'd suggest not constraining yourself to either format. Some weeks it may be apropos to do a Holiday of the Week, others less so. Let the available content decide which format in a given show.

Karen Seidler

Random is good. Sounds like fun!

Andrew Piechocki

I think a month lead would be good. That way you know what's coming up if you listen to recent episodes. But if you want random holidays,you can listen to random episodes. It's the best of both worlds. Doing them a few weeks ahead of the episodes also makes it easier if, in a year or two, someone wants to scroll back to find episodes on upcoming holidays, they can by sorting by release date. Also, some holidays move so wouldn't be the same day/week/month each year. Would you name the episodes after the day/week/month of the year or after the holiday? If you randomly select holidays to present on, I would suggest including some sort of date marker in the title so people can have a way to find holidays relevant to a particular date.

Robin F.

Something that might be a challenge are times of the year that may have many holidays at once—I’m looking at you, December! But I would prefer timely episodes of holidays coming up. I’m interested in holidays around the world, and your listener-ship is probably international too.

Robin F.

I guess “weird” holiday might be subjective 🤔 Maybe you are referring to more generic holidays rather than Halloween or Obon or Easter or Thanksgiving, etc

Greg Lewis

Hey, Alie. There is an annual publication that we Librarians love called CHASE'S CALENDAR OF EVENTS, started by the brothers Chase in 1957. It goes day-by-day with all the holidays - regional, national, international - on every day of the year. Every public library will have a copy in Reference. But if you want to be more specific, there are lots and lots of fascinating Jewish holidays. Many seem to be of the same pattern (They tried to kill us, we survived, let's eat...). For example, do you know about the holiday of PURIM? It's kind of like Jewish Mardi Gras - costumes, carnivals, songs, special treats, drinking so much you can't tell the bad guy (Haman) from the good guy (Mordechai). I borrowed this from the Internet: "Purim is an occasion to turn things upside down with costumes, pageants and treats while celebrating the triumphant story of an unlikely heroine (a Jewish orphan named Esther)—in an interfaith marriage—and the downfall of an evil villain." We had a Purim party at our house every year while my kids were growing up and each family had to do a skit since making a fool of yourself is part of the fun. It was always our favorite holiday. Feel free to contact me anytime! Fern Zalin - Patrion with Greg Lewis

Dorrie Coffman

I would say if not that week, at least in the rough calendar vicinity. Personally I’d love most of the focus to be on global holidays and traditions, as opposed to anything US based. If US based, a deep dive into where the tradition originated and how we’ve changed it. Along those lines I’m curious about traditions that immigrants brought with them that their descendants have maintained, that may have fallen out of tradition in their original religion.

Margaret Downs

Yep, I'd really love to hear about holidays around the world as well!

CurtisDawg

As in "holidays", are you thinking (maybe it's just me) National Day of Whatever? i.e. National Tequila Day (7/24 - my birthday...) I think that would be kinda cool. But so would world holidays. Who came up with these ideas, why, but more importantly - tell me why should I care and then want to celebrate with others.

Ryan Marlow

Option 1 sounds good, although tbh I am still catching up on years of back episodes of Ologies so it's not like I'll see them right away anyway 😅

Emmett

Can’t wait to listen! I think current/upcoming holidays for the deep dive would be great. And if the research doesn’t come together in time or if there are no particularly interesting holidays for a certain week, I would not be mad at an episode that explores a random one every now and then! :)

Lesley Longhurst

Do what works for you, dear Pod-father. Mix and match if you want to: do current ones when it works out, and something different at other times. I’ll have it in my playlist no matter which way you choose to go.

Nicole Pernat

Hi Alie et al.! I like the idea of current / shortly upcoming holidays since it's more relevant and probably therefore more memorable :) Seconding Emma O-E's comment, also wouldn't mind a sporadic rando to fill gaps. Would loooove to hear about pagan holidays! And holidays from cultures around the world / history. PS: LOVE the Gregorian chant-like intro attached to the email! :D Thanks for asking for our input and for all the work you do!!

Ruby

Random please, but a link (if already covered) and a shout out to that weeks holidays. I LOVE THIS IDEA.

Jonah Leahy

Ok so defo not an already established holiday, BUT! John Green recently made a video about "Beef Days" which are essentially supposed to act as a type of feast holiday (re: thanksgiving) but as a celebration of how to reduce our carbon emissions. It could be fun to talk about as perhaps a collab? Might be worth a looksee at least https://youtu.be/lzWlrARDVbQ?si=pSILGksREAKXTbQM

Jeffrey Vanderlip

I like the idea...I hope you will include international cinnamon roll day!

Bianca Palm

Upcoming would definitely be best. To allow party planning time could do a week or so ahead

Lyette LeBlanc

Omg! If we could have it a couple weeks ahead of air date!!! Ive wanted to do this for my class but never have time!!! You have my dream iob 🥰

Sweet Chili

I’d say current, for the week- or the next week at the latest. That will help with people staying subscribed, I think. I have to say though, I usually know if I’m going to stick with something immediately. I also use Spotify, and idk how metrics work with that one, but even if I don’t listen, I hit ‘mark as played’… thinking it at least counts as a play for the creator? 🤞

Hillary

Why not both? Discuss the “current” ones and deep dive into an upcoming one?

Laura Fitzgerald

I like the idea of highlighting a few weird ones that are maybe a week away, and then doing a deep dive into either one of those or one that’s further away but in the same month. This sounds like such a fun idea either way!

Dan Straughan

Either works. Of course, I would HAPPILY listen to Alie read the phone book, so probably my opinion not worth much.

Anna Skellenger

Hello, I love this! I go on national day .com every day and use it as an evebreaker in emails often. This is the show for me. And…¿por que no Los dos?

Jeanie Beanie

Upcoming holidays would be fun for planning to recognize/celebrate them. I have had parties for Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (1st Sat. In Feb.) 🍦 As far as listening off schedule, it will still be fun and informative.

Neries virens

Upcoming holidays I think would work best, give us something to look forward to!

Linden

I would definitely like at least one week before the holiday actually occurs to prepare, so that people can actually celebrate these holidays and not just learn about it. However during the actual week it is in it would also be nice to have a reminder that the holiday covered in the previous week is going on soon! I am SOOOO excited for this new podcast because Allie ALWAYS does a great job at her podcasts!

Iris Clover

I had a weird holiday calender but I lost it when my mom kicked me out. I'm so glad I could listen to Alie Ward talking about weird holidays! I like the upcoming holidays, but as someone who can't keep up with podcasts right when they come out, I like the random holidays more.

Catherine BH

I like the idea of upcoming holidays, or maybe once a month or every other month do an upcoming holiday and then random ones for the other episodes. But my husband thinks if people are going to listen to current episodes, do current holidays, otherwise there's no real reason to listen regularly. Our smologites are undecided but think it's an interesting idea. So no real consensus from our family!

Val Vanderlip

I agree with random holidays because I too, like some others here don’t keep up with weekly podcast releases. I would listen to any holiday information at any time.

BadWolf1701

I would love random cause then i could potentially plan for them if it was upcoming, plus just fun to learn

A Laura Borealis

I think random would be cool!! We always celebrated Bastille Day growing up and it wasn’t until college that I realized maybe that was strange. But I’m glad we did it, because I have an oddly different appreciation for the French Revolution and it’s a load of a fun to make my husband observe. All to say, random holidays are cool

Donoiw

Upcoming Holidays. Maybe a few weeks in advance of the celebration, or something like that.

Between Dumplings

Related/relatable? I'd love to hear about milestones or holidays from other cultures. For example Kanreki: in Japanese culture. At 60 years old you begin your Kanreki year. It is the first time in your life that the planets are aligned in the same positions as the day you were born so we celebrate with a rebirth sort of thing. You are meant to reflect in the year how you will begin your new life at 61. What will you leave behind? What will you allow in, etc. I'm certain every culture has these unique milestones and it would fascinating to learn of others. Sorry if this is too far off track. Re: actual questions asked. Upcoming with time to celebrate but also random would be less pressure.

Natalie Parsons

I was all for this week until you said about planning a party, yes please give us time but not necessarily a whole year to plan a weird celebration for a weird holiday. X

Maria Andrus

Can we have both? That way you don't have to choose between 2 equally as fun things! And you could have fun picking out whatever one you wanted or felt like talking about that week. I love hearing about the weird weekly holidays as much as learning the back story of the big ones.

Kimberly Halloran

Both are great ideas and this idea is so exciting! Im thinking about this from a planning point. Are there enough holidays to stay current? Will there be times of the year where you are struggling for topics for each week's show... and other times of the year when you feel like you can't cover everything you want to cover? I like the idea of planning a party about it....(or even to be able to share weird facts you learned with family or friends when the holiday comes! This will be a great way to spark conversstions!) but what if people don't listen ahead of time enough to play if it's the holiday of that current week. Maybe you could try to be a month-ish - or 2 even three ahead.... bc adults.... need time to plan parties haha

cash.ruska

Hey Dadward, not sure where to put this so you have a chance of seeing it, but here goes nothing. I’m really unsettled by the childhood obesity joke you made on the first episode of Holidays Observed. As a life-long fat person, it’s my reality that all family functions and food-centered holidays come with comments about how much I eat and how much I weigh. It’s not a laughing matter for me or the millions of people who experience fat-shaming on a daily basis. I’d love to see a version of that video with the childhood obesity joke omitted so that more people don’t continue to see it and assume that it’s an acceptable joke to make. Maybe doing some more learning about the lived experiences of fat people and the horrific impacts of medically weaponizing fatness through obesity diagnoses would be impactful to you as well. Sincerely, Your Fat Fan

Kate E

Great idea! Another vote to highlight holidays happening a few weeks after the episode airs. Perhaps the month or week of the year could be in the show title so you can go navigate around in time. Also hoping for world holidays, and various cultural or historical holidays. ETA - maybe this goes without saying bc you guys are not disrespectful people, but you may want to be careful characterizing a holiday as “weird”. “Weird” to me may be a cherished memory or culturally important holiday to you. I’ve heard children of immigrants talk about how other kids called their culturally traditional lunch “weird” because it wasn’t the standard American PB&J, and it was hard and painful

JMash

I haven't read through the comments but I was thinking of grouping them by month, and then do them the month before. Are you devoting a whole episode to one, or are they short takes?

-e-

To build a binding context for your weekly holiday forecast, how about some //asides->/ during the deep dives to connect human culture back to respective EarthSky sources & explore how seasonal flux has influenced in creating iconic cultural traditions-- across lat+long/time, exploring how the compulsion to be creative, spiritual, and reverent is an attribute of all modern Humans: an instrinsic spark that ought to connect us. But then... how has the evolution of technology affected the way people celebrate Holidays, mutating and forking olde country buffet of ideas, original ingredients now obscured?

Josie Arnold

I would love holidays that are coming up, that week or just vaguely around when the show is released. Listen, I’d tune in anytime about any holiday, but maybe if it happens within a few days/weeks of the episode I can make people think I’m super cool and know everything about a holiday as it happens. Then again, ‘super cool’ feels like an unrealistic goal for me…

Jeff McKee

Perhaps it could be a recurring episode done once a season where we could explore a new holiday each time?

olivewing

I like the idea of doing seasonal holidays, so it could be holidays happening any time that season, that way it doesn't have to be based only on a specific week/month and it will give time to plan those weird little parties depending how far away in a season something is

Brandon Metchooyeah

That week. Because then while your listening, it's more relevant because that holiday is right now or soon to be.

elfmangirl

I love the idea of holiday deep dives within a month of the actual holiday. I'd be interested in any holiday at any time, but most interested nearer the day so I can celebrate paperclips and other fasteners on the actual day of binding. Whichever way you proceed with this, I'm so excited and can't wait for the strange, wonderful world of everything I didn't know I needed to know about every holiday I didn't realize was an actual thing! I'm also excited to discover the holidays that don't exist but actually should!

Frankiemouse

I just saw this post today and I love the idea of I’m in the camp of the episode being about an upcoming holiday maybe a few weeks or month or two before it occurred so you can talk your friends into celebrating it. But I’ll take whatever you come up with. 😊. P.S. I love the theme music!!

Dustin LaRue

Love the idea and not to be that guy but what if you did both??? Pick maybe a local and far away holiday thats current and then one just random out of a hat holiday.

Torrence Welshans

Random holidays! The week of or before riles up my anxiety for some reason.

theshampooplanet

Random holidays work better for this structure I think... Though you could also start with some of the furthest or recently past holidays to give a runway for it to be released maybe a month before the holiday (little more time for people to discover and incorporate into their plans!)

Chris Eff

I feel like having two holidays per episode, one upcoming and one random so there’s value in listening actively week to week OR jumping into an episode at any given time.. I like the idea of learning about and planning a wee celebration of an upcoming day, it would add a little secret sauce to the soup of our lives.

Chris Eff

If I have to vote for one or the other though, I vote for upcoming holidays. There’s more incentive to listen to new episodes each week as they drop and gives us a reason to crack a mother effing beer to celebrate. I trust enough people will discover the podcast later and dive into old episodes and keep them all toasty.

HazHydro

When I taught religious education (the Unitarian Universalist version of Sunday school), my favorite curriculum was "Holidays & Holy Days". It was great to explore unfamiliar celebrations from different cultures, especially to see the similarities to our typical U.S holidays in what superficially may seem foreign. I think you have a great idea and one that will be unique from Ologies. As for what holiday, festival, or celebration to choose, if there isn't one that calls to you for that week, go wider. Besides, you want to have more than a year's worth of topics. Whatever you choose, I am looking forward to it. I am almost caught up with the back catalogue and don't know what I'll do when I can't listen to several hours of Alie a day.

Acanthesaurus

I LOVE it! How about doing the small ones a few weeks or a month in advance of them, and the bigger ones farther in advance? Like the Winter Solstice panoply of holidays could even drop in June. That would give you a popular rerun when it actually arrives. Love your work, PodDad!

hanidon

I like the idea of a random holiday for the deep dive, and a little 'holiday forecast' segment for the coming week.

Amandragora

Timely that week sounds nice, if not just for the organizing aspect; especially if you’re searching archives for a specific time of year. In my weekly work meetings I always add which National or International Day it is. There are definitely some weird ones.