Not Your Average Holiday

The Most Important Object in the Universe | Towel Day

What can a towel teach you about you? The vibe for this one is a bit different—in the best way. This week, Matt and Akshay celebrate Towel Day, honoring the late Douglas Adams. What starts as a holiday about innocent, fluffy towels quickly becomes something more thoughtful than expected. This episode leans introspective, exploring life, the power of shifting perspective, and how to handle the unexpected things that threaten to derail your entire galaxy—while still delivering the jokes and moments you’ve come to expect. Think of it like a good movie: a little more heart, a little more meaning… and still plenty of laughs when you need them. __________________Sources & References * Towel Day & Hitchhiker’s Guide [https://www.space.com/towel-day-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy] * Who Was Douglas Adams [https://www.thecollector.com/who-was-douglas-adams/] * Lifestyle Changes for Heart Health [https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/life-after-a-heart-attack/lifestyle-changes-for-heart-attack-prevention#:~:text=Quick%20Facts%20*%20Healthy%20habits%20are%20the,pressure%20and%20blood%20sugar%20at%20healthy%20levels.] * Cleveland Clinic: How Often to Wash Towels [https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-should-you-wash-your-germ-magnet-of-a-bath-towel] * Adams, Douglas. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Pan Books, 1979. * Gaiman, Neil. “Douglas Adams Obituary,” The Guardian, 2001 * Remembering Douglas Adams [https://www.neilgaiman.com/Cool_Stuff/Essays/Introductions/Remembering_Douglas] * NBC News Tribute [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6867061] Song Credits / Music * Dancin in the Tub — Family Kush * Just Candy — Just for Kicks * Maps Without Names — Risian * Hallow — Stephen Keech * The Barrenness of a Busy Life — BENJA * Departure — Stephen Beddall * Limitless — Stephen Beddall __________________ There are 52 weeks in a year. How are you celebrating this one? Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday and follow on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. Join Matt and Akshay for weird stories, bad jokes, and unique celebrations every week. #TowelDay #DouglasAdams #HitchhikersGuide #NotYourAverageHoliday #PodcastLife #WeirdHolidays #LifeLessons #ComedyPodcast #GeekCulture #IntrospectiveHumor #FluffyThoughts

Why Do Only Chickens Get Dances? | Dance Like a Chicken Day

Do you really not want to be like a chicken? What do you have against ducks? This week, Akshay and Matt celebrate Dance Like a Chicken Day, the one holiday where you’re fully encouraged to briefly ignore all dignity and let your feathers fly. In this episode, they: * Dive into the surprisingly strange origins of this wedding dance floor staple * Draft the next animals that deserve their own dance craze * Reflect on their own public humiliation… sorry, dance histories If you’ve been waiting for a sign to flap your wings in front of your boss this week, this is it. Consider this episode your official permission. Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is not liable for any resulting dance parties or cease and desist letters stemming from your newfound dance confidence. _________________ References/Sources * https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-oddities/the-birdie-song-how-a-swiss-wrote-the-most-annoying-song-of-all-time/90561194 [https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-oddities/the-birdie-song-how-a-swiss-wrote-the-most-annoying-song-of-all-time/90561194] * https://web.archive.org/web/20100203225653/http://www.kjrh.com/mostpopular/story/josef-hardt-mr-oktoberfest-dies/EJL2iD5uEUmaoFVihieG7g.cspx [https://web.archive.org/web/20100203225653/http://www.kjrh.com/mostpopular/story/josef-hardt-mr-oktoberfest-dies/EJL2iD5uEUmaoFVihieG7g.cspx] * https://stagemusiccenter.com/music-school-blog-winchester-acton-ma/2020/9/4/accordion-history-fun-facts-and-benefits-of-learning [https://stagemusiccenter.com/music-school-blog-winchester-acton-ma/2020/9/4/accordion-history-fun-facts-and-benefits-of-learning] * https://www.cacklehatchery.com/20-weird-and-wonderful-facts-about-chickens/ [https://www.cacklehatchery.com/20-weird-and-wonderful-facts-about-chickens/] Music Credits * “Dancin in the Tub” — Family Kush * “And He’d Say OO-La-La Wee Wee” — Pietro Deiro * “Linger” — Marshall Usinger * “Jaan” — Sharabina __________________________ Listen now and celebrate something weird this week. There are 52 weeks in a year—how are you celebrating this one? Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday and follow along on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. Join Matt and Akshay for weird stories, bad jokes, and uniquely questionable holidays every week. Hashtags #DanceLikeAChicken #ChickenDance #FunnyPodcast #ComedyPodcast #WeirdHolidays #HolidayPodcast #NotYourAverageHoliday #PodcastClip #NewPodcast #Humor #ComedyContent #WeeklyPodcast #CelebrateAnything #RandomFacts #LightheartedContent

Where Do Lost Socks Actually Go? | Lost Sock Memorial Day

There are many theories on where lost socks end up ranging from the strange to the downright unbelievable, but one thing is certain... we have all mourned a lost sock and someday will mourn one again. This week, Matt and Akshay celebrate Lost Sock Memorial Day, a holiday dedicated to honoring those we’ve lost over the past year — specifically, the single socks that vanished without explanation. Think the “In Memoriam” segment of the Oscars… except instead of celebrities, it’s the quiet disappearance of your once-proud sock collection.From the depths of the Sock Drawer of Despair, they explore surprising sock facts, the strange history of socks, and a series of increasingly questionable theories about where missing socks actually go. Including, yes… sock-stealing gremlins with suspicious motives.They also investigate whether this is just laundry chaos… or something far more organized than we’d like to admit. Sources / References • https://www.blacksocks.com/en-us/pages/sock-loss [https://www.blacksocks.com/en-us/pages/sock-loss] https://nationaltoday.com/lost-sock-memorial-day/ [https://nationaltoday.com/lost-sock-memorial-day/] https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/socks-market [https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/socks-market] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH7AW8xUGD0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH7AW8xUGD0] https://thesocksource.com/blog-title-5/ [https://thesocksource.com/blog-title-5/] https://www.ransomspares.co.uk/blog/news/history-of-the-tumble-dryer.htm [https://www.ransomspares.co.uk/blog/news/history-of-the-tumble-dryer.htm] https://news.samsung.com/global/sock-horror-mystery-of-missing-socks-is-solved-scientists-reveal-why-socks-go-missing-in-the-wash-and-how-likely-it-is-to-happen [https://news.samsung.com/global/sock-horror-mystery-of-missing-socks-is-solved-scientists-reveal-why-socks-go-missing-in-the-wash-and-how-likely-it-is-to-happen] https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/05/06/spells-curses-and-ways-to-see-the-future/ [https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/05/06/spells-curses-and-ways-to-see-the-future/] https://news.gallup.com/poll/692738/paranormal-phenomena-met-skepticism.aspx [https://news.gallup.com/poll/692738/paranormal-phenomena-met-skepticism.aspx] https://www.britannica.com/event/Black-Sox-Scandal [https://www.britannica.com/event/Black-Sox-Scandal] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shoeless-Joe-Jackson [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shoeless-Joe-Jackson] https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/jackson-joseph-jefferson-wofford/ [https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/jackson-joseph-jefferson-wofford/] https://www.omnicalculator.com/everyday-life/socks-loss-index [https://www.omnicalculator.com/everyday-life/socks-loss-index] Song Credits / Music * Dancin in the Tub — Family Kush * Investigation — Max H * The Worrisome Winding Path — Quinten Coblentz * Burning the Silence — Role Shpigler * Moonrise — Piotr Hummel There are 52 weeks in a year. How are you celebrating this one? Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday and follow on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.Join Matt and Akshay for weird stories, bad jokes, and unique celebrations every week.

Is it the shoes...? | Two Different Colored Shoes Day

Two Shoes, One Risk: The stories behind our biggest chances Every day is full of tiny risks, just waiting for you to step out into them. This week, Matt and Akshay celebrate National Two Different Colored Shoes Day, a holiday dedicated to one simple act of courage: wearing mismatched shoes as a reminder that you’re capable of taking on risks of any size. Along the way, they share some of the biggest risks they’ve taken in their own lives and the challenges they’re still working up the courage to face. Are you ready to feel slightly motivated… and maybe slightly judged by your own comfort zone? This episode might be exactly what you need. Also, fair warning: brace yourself for an overwhelming amount of soul-lifting background music. We regret nothing. Sources / References https://www.nationaltwodifferentcoloredshoesday.com/founder [https://www.nationaltwodifferentcoloredshoesday.com/founder] Song Credits / Music * Dancin in the Tub — Family Kush * Signs of Life - Zac Nelson * Fall - Naski * The Obscure Truth - Alon Ohana * infinite dreams - Out of Flux There are 52 weeks in a year. How are you celebrating this one? Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday and follow on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.Join Matt and Akshay for weird stories, bad jokes, and unique celebrations every week.

Plumbing Curses and Bad Decisions | Hug a Plumber Day

There is no greater truth than everybody poops. This week, Matt and Akshay celebrate the people who make it possible for the rest of society to politely pretend that isn’t true. From unclogging disasters to keeping clean water flowing, plumbers do the dirty work that keeps modern life running smoothly. That’s right, this episode is all about the unsung heroes we honor on Hug a Plumber Day. Along the way, Matt and Akshay dive into the surprisingly fascinating history of plumbing, the massive impact plumbers have on public health and modern civilization, and some of the most famous plumbers (real and fictional) to ever pick up a wrench. If you are lucky, they may also share a few personal plumbing mishaps that may or may not have required professional intervention. The episode wraps up with a party game you might be tempted to bring to your next dinner gathering. Just don’t blame us if your friends never invite you back. Sources / References Holiday Background National Day Calendar – Hug a Plumber Dayhttps://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-hug-a-plumber-day-april-25 [https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-hug-a-plumber-day-april-25] World Plumbing Council – World Plumbing Dayhttps://www.worldplumbing.org/worldplumbingday/ [https://www.worldplumbing.org/worldplumbingday/] History of Plumbing Plumbing Manufacturers International – Plumbing Timelinehttps://www.safeplumbing.org/about-pmi/timeline [https://www.safeplumbing.org/about-pmi/timeline] This Old House – History of Modern Plumbinghttps://www.thisoldhouse.com/plumbing/99977/history-of-modern-plumbing [https://www.thisoldhouse.com/plumbing/99977/history-of-modern-plumbing] Famous Plumbers & Cultural References Benjamin Franklin Plumbing – Famous Plumbers in Historyhttps://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/dallas/blog/2017/february/the-most-famous-plumbers-in-history [https://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/dallas/blog/2017/february/the-most-famous-plumbers-in-history] Action Jackson Plumbing – Famous Plumbers You May Not Knowhttps://www.actionjacksonplumbing.com/blog/plumbing-company/10-famous-plumbers-you-may-not-know-about [https://www.actionjacksonplumbing.com/blog/plumbing-company/10-famous-plumbers-you-may-not-know-about] Mandurah Plumbing & Gas – Famous Plumbers Around the Worldhttps://mandurahplumbingandgas.com.au/exploring-the-wonderful-world-of-famous-plumbers [https://mandurahplumbingandgas.com.au/exploring-the-wonderful-world-of-famous-plumbers] The Gentlemen Plumbers Calgary – A Short History of Mariohttps://www.thegentlemenplumberscalgary.com/calgary-help-a-short-history-of-mario [https://www.thegentlemenplumberscalgary.com/calgary-help-a-short-history-of-mario] WTOP – Why Super Mario Became a Plumberhttps://wtop.com/entertainment/2020/09/surprising-reason-nintendo-made-super-mario-a-plumber-35-years-ago/ [https://wtop.com/entertainment/2020/09/surprising-reason-nintendo-made-super-mario-a-plumber-35-years-ago/] Fun Facts & Plumbing Trivia Angi – Common Plumbing Problemshttps://www.angi.com/articles/plumbing-problems.htm [https://www.angi.com/articles/plumbing-problems.htm] Call NuBlue – Plumbing Facts Plumbers Want Homeowners to Knowhttps://callnublue.com/blog/15-plumbing-facts-plumber-wants-homeowners-to-know/ [https://callnublue.com/blog/15-plumbing-facts-plumber-wants-homeowners-to-know/] Big B Home Pro – Random Plumbing Factshttps://www.bigbhomepro.com/blog/10-fun-random-plumbing-related-facts/ [https://www.bigbhomepro.com/blog/10-fun-random-plumbing-related-facts/] Call Dixie – Wild Facts About Plumbinghttps://calldixie.com/blog/5-wild-facts-about-the-world-of-plumbing/ [https://calldixie.com/blog/5-wild-facts-about-the-world-of-plumbing/] Caccia Plumbing – Fun Plumbing Factshttps://cacciaplumbing.com/blog/fun-facts-about-plumbing/ [https://cacciaplumbing.com/blog/fun-facts-about-plumbing/] Song Credits / Music * Dancin in the Tub — Family Kush * Eminence Landscapes (Pizzicato Version) — Ian Post * Famous (Instrumental Version) — BalloonPlanet * Until Dawn - Jeremy Chontow There are 52 weeks in a year. How are you celebrating this one? Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday and follow on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.Join Matt and Akshay for weird stories, bad jokes, and unique celebrations every week.