a.k.a. That’s All We Have to Say About That

Welcome BACK to Season 2 of What Do You Think [of This]?! Considering the—now iconic—start of Season 1 (see Episode 22 “Season’s Rankings: Tournament of Nostalgia”), we felt some pressure to come out of the gate swinging. So we did just that with one of Josue’s all time favorite movies, Forrest Gump. He certainly knew this movie a little bit better than Jeff, who had limited exposure growing up because of some of the more salacious elements. It was a fun way to kick off the new season and the new year.

But first things first, we have an update about gluttonous backyard squirrels and a literal quiz about metaphors. After you listen, scroll to the poll or get in the comments and let us know whether you think Forrest Gump holds up, or if it is pure nostalgia. And all new for season two, let us know if YOU want to be a voice on our podcast! You can either send us a voice memo pitch of your nostalgia based recommendation, or ask us and we’ll give you some options from our list of upcoming episodes. Email any of that to ideas@WDYT.show. Thanks to our Ronie Cruz for providing this week’s content intro!

Chapters

00:00 New Beginnings and Birdwatching Adventures

05:57 QUIZ TIME: Gump Inspired Metaphors

12:37 Introducing Forrest Gump

14:33 Where We Started with Mr. Gump

18:05 Cast and Character Development

20:48 The Magic Behind Forrest Gump

26:25 Life Lessons: Simplicity and Perseverance

35:33 Inspiring Us All…for No Particular Reason

39:02 Historical Context and Innovations in Filmmaking

46:50 Character Arcs: Forrest, Jenny, and Lieutenant Dan

54:39 The Power of Details: Ping Pong and Sound Design

59:39 Alternate Realities and Profanity in Literature

01:04:33 Destiny vs. Free Will: Forrest Gets Philosophical

01:16:21 What Do We Think [of This]?!

01:22:01 Closing the Loop on Humpty Dumpty

01:25:46 Looking Ahead: We Want You on the Podcast

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“All Eyes on You” - Copyright ID# DQASZJP28PSAN6W7

(a.k.a., “Alice Through the Looking Glass (with Jimmy Abyad)”)

It’s a new year and we are on the cusp of a new season of “What Do You Think [of This]?!” releasing next Thursday, January 9th. We can’t wait to dig into a fresh list of nostalgia, but not before re-experiencing this special treasure for the first time on video! This hilarious review of a 1980s masterpiece is even better with facial expressions, and more so with our first ever in-studio podcast guest.

Remember that YOU can be a voice on our podcast! (We explain at the start of the episode). Send us a voice memo pitch of why your nostalgia based recommendation is worth revisiting. Email it to ideas@WDYT.show.

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This week we have a special guest in the studio, and it’s not the white rabbit that you expected to find. Jeff’s brother Jimmy (a.k.a., ‘Second Desk’) visits the pod as our resident Wonderland expert, because—that’s right—we are back for PART 2 of Alice’s crazy, wild ride — this time in reverse! Don’t worry if you missed part one…so did we. Initially. But in part two the story gets curiouser and curiouser, and we realize that there is way more to relate to in the story of Alice than any of us may have realized. We also have a new quiz where Jimmy and Josue face off, or team up, to answer some trivia about Alice.

If either of these episodes have inspired you to take a trip down this 2-part rabbit hole from 1985, you can currently watch it on YouTube using the links below. There you can also find links to Jimmy’s socials as well as our YouTube show channel and instagram feed for fun video extras. Let us know if you have suggestions for future episodes at ideas@WDYT.show⁠. And scroll down on Spotify to vote in the episode poll — Do YOU think this movie holds up?!

Chapters

00:00 We want YOU on Season Two!

02:20 Introduction and Our Special Guest

04:28 Childhood Reflections and Adult Aspirations

09:33 QUIZ TIME: Alice Trivia

15:29 Setting the Stage for Alice Through the Looking Glass

21:54 Seeing Alice through Jimmy's eyes

26:46 The themes of Alice coming to the surface

31:07 Kids are dumb and 'adults' are mean

38:53 Dee and Dum: A Musical Interlude

42:45 Carol Channing Steals the Show

47:56 Humpty Dumpty as a source for childhood trauma

52:07 The Battle of Cake, Trust and Figures of Authority

01:02:08 Alice's Growth: Navigating Between Chaos and Reality

01:07:25 Out-of-it Adults Navigating Children's Questions

01:12:40 Alice achieves anxiety-inducing expectations

01:17:24 Facing Fears and Growing Up

01:23:54 What Do You Think [of This]?!

01:30:08 Closing the Loop

01:33:25 Suggestions suggestions

01:34:48 Reflections on Adaptations and Storytelling

01:38:09 What's Coming Next

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Alice in Wonderland (1985) [Part 1] - https://youtu.be/AnRAjBVjiDw?si=AsBC6-05tGBuLbzQ

Alice in Wonderland (1985) [Part 2] - https://youtu.be/VwI0Exlgu0M?si=Ng_OedWRfZfScZTQ

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All Eyes on You - Copyright ID# DQASZJP28PSAN6W7

(a.k.a. “The Godfather is an Episode You Can’t Refuse”)

Christmas has come and gone, but we hope that you—like us—are still merry and filled with joy! “What is this new episode in my feed,” you may ask. Well while we are still hard at work in our podcast workshop getting things ready for season two, we have something special just for YOU. In the two remaining weeks leading up to January 9th we are re-releasing some of our favorite episodes with never before seen video footage! And this one has some special AI-inspired additions.

Remember that YOU can be a voice on our podcast! (We explain at the start of this episode). Send us a voice memo pitch of why your nostalgia based recommendation is worth revisiting. Email it to ideas@WDYT.show.

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Whether you’ve seen The Godfather or not, you know the Godfather. This movie (and book) is quoted, referenced, and featured all over popular culture. So we decided we ought to take a look and see if it is everything it’s cracked up to be. We’ll explore iconic characters, memorable quotes, questionable morality and family loyalty. Does this style of storytelling really have an enduring legacy, or is it overrated?

Follow us on Instagram for show clips and subscribe to our YouTube channel for fun clips and to be the first to know about our next “Test Kitchen!”

Chapters

00:00 We want YOU on Season Two!

02:52 Introduction and Food Talk

09:54 Quiz Time! Godfather Cultural References

14:28 Introducing The Godfather

16:01 Character Development and Family Dynamics

23:08 Plot Summary and Key Events

30:19 What is this story really about?

31:47 Themes of Power and Morality

35:32 A great strategy to tell a story about the mob

49:20 Iconic Scenes and Quotes

01:02:32 What Do You Think [of This]?!

01:08:24 Closing the Loop on Frankie Valli, Frank Sinatra, and Italian Geography

01:12:08 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

01:22:13 What do YOU think and a TEASE for next week!

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All Eyes on You - Copyright ID# DQASZJP28PSAN6W7

We are on a break, but more of a Rachel break than a Ross break… What we mean is, we are getting ready for season two, and in the meantime we have something special for YOU. In the 3 weeks leading up to January 9th we are re-releasing some of our favorite episodes with never before seen video footage! That’s right. When we first started experimenting with a camera in the studio, we saved some test footage and now we are syncing it with the audio and repackaging it for you to enjoy over the Christmas holiday season.

Aaaaaand all new for season two, YOU can be a voice on our podcast! (We explain at the start of the episode). Send us a voice memo pitch of why your nostalgia based recommendation is worth revisiting. Email it to ideas@WDYT.show.

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In our 12th episode, Jeff introduced Josue to the music of Frank Sinatra, exploring his classic album 'Classic Sinatra' which features his greatest performances from 1953 to 1960. They discuss their favorite tracks, the well-crafted lyrics and unique skills of Sinatra, and the cultural significance of his work. They also touch on the evolution of music and how Sinatra's style continues to influence artists today. But first, a quiz that tells us what kind of mobster Josue really is!

We hope you’ll listen to this iconic album and let us know in the comments if you think Classic Sinatra: His Greatest Performances 1953-1960 still holds up.

Chapters

00:00 We want YOU on Season Two!

02:28 Introduction and Weekly Updates

07:50 Car Troubles and Experiences

13:39 QUIZ Time! (And Episode Overview)

21:33 Introducing "Classic Sinatra: His Greatest Performances from 1953-1960

35:26 Favorite Tracks and Personal Connections

51:30 What If Every Song Was a Type of Chocolate?

01:05:55 What Do You Think [of This]?!

01:10:06 Closing the Loop

01:13:37 What Are You Thinking?

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All Eyes on You - Copyright ID# DQASZJP28PSAN6W7

a.k.a. "Simply the Best of the Best"

It’s our season 1 finale of “What Do You Think [of This]?!” and the stakes have never been higher. We are pitting nostalgia against nostalgia in a bracket that as ridiculous as it is epic. That’s right, we are looking back through everything we have consumed since episode 1 and making the final decision. When all is said and done, who will really come out on top and what pure nostalgia will be left on the cutting room floor?

After you listen, scroll to the poll and let us know which of our top four you think should have won it all. Did your favorite not even make it to the final lineup? Let us know in the comments. And all new for season two, YOU can be a voice on our podcast! Send us a voice memo pitch of why your nostalgia based recommendation is worth revisiting. Email it to ideas@WDYT.show. Thanks to our families for providing this week’s content intro!

Chapters

00:00 Special Hiatus Episodes on the Way

05:58 What’ll be new in Season TWO

08:27 Introductory Supercut

10:30 Round ONE: The Big Bad Bracket of Nostalgia Begins!

31:51 Round TWO

49:25 Round THREE

01:04:46 Round FOUR

01:10:54 Who doesn’t make the final cut?

01:12:02 The Final Four

01:17:10 The FINAL Round - duel to the death

01:25:01 Wrapping up Season 1

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All Eyes on You - Copyright ID# DQASZJP28PSAN6W7

(a.k.a. "I’m Dreaming of a More Christmassy Movie")

We are full on into Christmas mode, and a week listening to Bing Crosby has inspired us to make it two weeks with this nostalgia-infused holiday ‘classic’ — White Christmas! There’s singing, there’s dancing, there is a smidgen of holiday cheer…but is there snow?? We all agree there should be snow, right? And also Christmas? Let’s find out. But first, let’s see if you can score higher than Josue on this year’s Christmas quiz.

And before you leave, let us know what you think. Does White Christmas hold up? If you’re on Spotify, scroll down and vote in our poll. Everywhere else, let us know in the comments.

New for season two, YOU can be a voice on our podcast! Send us a voice memo pitch of why your nostalgia based recommendation is worth revisiting. Email it to ideas@WDYT.show. Thanks to Elizabeth Escobar for providing this week’s content intro!

Chapters

00:00 Christmas Traditions and Gift Exchanges

08:21 QUIZ TIME: Christmas Trivia

20:26 Introducing 'White Christmas'

29:55 Will we ever see WHITE...or CHRISTMAS?

35:44 Let's Talk About the Talent

42:46 Romantic Tensions and Plot Conflicts

48:53 Christmas Themes and Musical Elements

55:06 Genuinely Charming Characters

01:02:35 What Do We Think [of This]?!

01:10:17 Our Christmas Essentials

01:21:24 Season 1 Finale is Coming Next!

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O Christmas Tree Jazz - ID# 5BSGVWYJKZD7VWTZ

All Eyes on You - ID# DQASZJP28PSAN6W7

(a.k.a. "Kicking of the Holidays with Chuck and Bing")

Happy turkey day! The gates have opened on the holiday season, and we have a cornucopia full of suggestions that may or may not hit the mark. We started with a quick look at an animated Peanuts classic, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. After that, Jeff introduces Josue and us to the first Christmas vinyl he thinks you should spin, now that it’s legal to deck those halls. Courtesy of Bing Crosby, we have a great lineup of classics alongside some questionable additions. (What even is ‘The Littlest Angel?!’). By the time you get to your pumpkin pie, we will be rounding things out with a handful of must-listen albums to arm you for the most festive holiday season yet. Get in the comments and let us know your personal essentials for experiencing a classic holiday. And if you’re on Spotify, vote in our poll to tell us whether you think Bing Crosby’s Christmas Classics stand the test of time, or if they’re just pure nostalgia. Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Send those to mailto:ideas@WDYT.show. Thanks to Jen Fogg for providing us this week’s content intro. If you’d like to be a voice on a future podcast, send us a voice memo with your nostalgic recommendation. Chapters 00:00 Thanksgiving Traditions and Favorites 06:40 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special 27:13 Introducing Bing Crosby's Christmas Classics 43:46 What Makes a Nostalgic Christmas Song? 47:43 Is a White Christmas a reasonable expectation? 53:38 Musical Medleys and Their Impact 54:55 Critique of 'The Littlest Angel' Song 01:01:15 Theological Reflections on Christmas Songs 01:05:42 Nostalgia vs. Authenticity in Christmas Music 01:10:17 Essential Christmas Music Recommendations 01:22:24 Favorite Christmas Movies and Their Impact WDYT?! on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/wdyt.show WDYT?! on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@wdytshow WDYT?! Store — ⁠https://www.stickermule.com/wdytshow⁠ WDYT?! Everywhere — ⁠https://WDYT.show

(a.k.a. "Seize the Pape")

Extra, Extra! We hope you were able to finish that giant turkey leg from last week, because today’s headline says that it’s time to take on our first nostalgic musical — Newsies! While Jeff feels pretty familiar with the musical genre, this one actually came from Josue’s past. And he is pretty sure we will all love it. There’s only one way to find out. But before we do, Jeff guides all of us through our first No-Look Art Studio. So grab a paper and pencil and play along. Chances are you’ll do better than Josue.

Scroll down and vote on the Spotify poll to let us know what you think of Newsies. Do you have a suggestion of a future musical we can revisit? Let us know in the comments or email them to ideas@WDYT.show⁠.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Our First Musical Episode

01:37 Personal Musical Experiences and Early Performances

05:38 No-Look Studio: Drawing Odie (Play Along)

22:07 The Devastating Reveal

23:15 Introducing 'Newsies'

25:15 Some Historical Context

29:16 Character Analysis and Cast of 'Newsies'

35:23 Child Labor and Musical Resilience

40:12 If I Hear the Word "Papes" One More Time...

48:31 Is This Musical A Movie?

52:17 The Pape Thickens

01:00:01 The Power of Collective [Musical] Action

01:08:16 What Do We Think [of This]?!

01:19:05 Closing the Loop: Spaghetti Origins and Chucky

01:22:08 Final Thoughts and Future Episodes

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