National Short Fiction Day (12/21) - Hidden Holiday Hosts Episode 15

Episode 19: National Lost Sock Memorial Day. A Hidden Holiday Hosts Pre-party

After a great suggestion from some of our favorite fans, Dan & Cordy decided to try something new: Explore a user submitted holiday, and then discuss some of teh selections they didn’t make. It’s less than 15 minutes of breezy brainstorming, a little less structured than others, but not like that keeps us on track! Please comment here or text us with some suggestions we should take next time (Juneish). Don’t worry - we have new full-length episodes coming too! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cinemccord.substack.com [https://cinemccord.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Draw a Picture of A Bird Day (April 8th) - Hidden Holiday Hosts Episode 18

Draw a Picture of a Bird Day seemed like a fun, simple pick. But digging into the origins revealed the beautiful, if heartbreaking story of Dorry Cooper. She inspired people to create for the sake of it, and enjoy the process as a way to feel a bit better for a bit. Not to care about the outcome. The connections to our own lives & beliefs are robust, and we have lots of fun chatting through the activities, guests and even Cordy’s Aphantasia. Celebrate art, joy, and recovery by drawing a picture of a bird on April 8th or any other time of year. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cinemccord.substack.com [https://cinemccord.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

No Discrimination Day (March 1st): Hidden Holiday Hosts Ep. 17

March 1st is Zero Discrimination Day. In this episode, we dig into the history, symbolism, and social signaling of how we see each other: the roots of the holiday in the HIV/AIDS crisis, the “remissive” state of modern medicine, and how the 90s era of government silence shaped our current narrative. Of course there’s still some fun games, and way-too-inside jokes. Open your heart, check your bias, and join us for a celebration that’s way more existential than expected. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cinemccord.substack.com [https://cinemccord.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

National Hat Day (January 15th): Hidden Holiday Hosts Episode 16

January 15th is National Hat Day. The holiday feels… almost too obvious for Cordy. But as he and Dan quickly discover, hats are doing a lot more work than just covering heads. In this episode, we dig into the history, symbolism, and social signaling of hats: why we I wear them, what they say about us, and how something as simple as a fedora can quietly become part of a personal identity. Cordy reflects on how hats went from accessory to accidental brand, while Dan wrestles with the itchy, overheated reality of wearing one indoors. As usual we go through a lot, and highlight our favorite guests. Diving into peacocking, practicality, personality projection, and how hats can function as armor, shorthand, or beacon. It’s a surprisingly revealing conversation about how small choices turn into signals, and why no day (or outfit) is ever random. Put a lid on it, tip your cap, and join us for a celebration that’s way more existential than expected. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cinemccord.substack.com [https://cinemccord.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

National Short Fiction Day (12/21) - Hidden Holiday Hosts Episode 15

In this episode of Hidden Holiday Hosts, Cordy and Dan celebrate Celebrate Short Fiction Day, a holiday that lands on the shortest day of the year - making it the perfect excuse to curl up with a complete story in one sitting. Unlike sprawling novels or endless TV seasons, short stories demand intention - every character, detail, and moment has to earn its place. That constraint makes them powerful, memorable, and deeply human. We process mental health, build empathy inhabiting other perspectives, and make sense of uncertainty - especially the unknowns we can’t logically resolve, like death. Dan shares his recent dive into creative writing, including finishing short horror stories as a personal goal, while Cordy goes down a metaphysical rabbit hole - from movies and music to marketing and comedy. To celebrate the holiday, they suggest writing a short story in one sitting, reading an anthology, playing creative writing games, sharing prompts with friends, or even building a cozy “reading and writing nook” for the day. The emphasis isn’t on perfection - it’s on finishing, sharing perspective, and remembering that creativity is something humans need, not something reserved for professionals. Ultimately, this episode is a love letter to storytelling. No matter how short the form, stories are how we understand ourselves, each other, and the world. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cinemccord.substack.com [https://cinemccord.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]