Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt
Welcome to Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt where cousins Christmas and Cara tick off the wild, sometimes ridiculous wishes from the bucket list of the late, great Bonnie—Christmas's mom and Cara's bonus mom. Every episode, we unpack grief and life’s absurdities through belly laughs, bizarre encounters, and the kind of soul-searching that only happens when you're half a bottle deep into questionable wine, munching on crackers and what-the-hell-is-this cheese. It's not just about where we go, but the oddballs we meet, the unbelievable stories we gather, and the existential crises we tackle together. Strap in and hold on —Bonnie's list i...
Marriage: It's a Team Sport With Mismatched Jerseys
Two decades of marriage has taught us that every couple creates their own unique contract, with different rules, boundaries, and arrangements that work specifically for them. We explore what makes marriages last and how to navigate the complexities of sharing your life with another person.
• Identifying deal breakers early in the relationship creates clear boundaries
• Having separate finances can eliminate major sources of conflict for couples with different spending styles
• Finding ways to accommodate each other's quirks without constant criticism
• The "marriage contract" concept—recognizing that each couple creates their own terms
• Adjusting expectations...
Sending Our Trauma on a Quaint Seaside Vacation (Jessica Fletcher is Our Travel Agent Now)
We've decided to visit Maine for our next scavenger hunt adventure instead of our original plans for London or Italy. Neither of us has ever been to Maine, but we're excited for lobster rolls, amazing chowder, and exploring destinations like Portland and Ogunquit.
• Using an Alaska credit card companion fare to travel as far as possible while staying in the U.S.
• Planning the trip for late October/early November
• Excited about the connection to "Murder She Wrote" which was set in fictional Cabot Cove, Maine
• Looking forward to trying authentic lobster rolls and comparin...
Mother's Day...and Other Landmines
We're back after a short hiatus due to life commitments, travel plans, and some social media frustrations that temporarily derailed our recording schedule. We dive into the complexities of Mother's Day and how it affects people differently depending on their relationship with motherhood.
• Breaking down why Mother's Day is more complicated than just celebrating mothers
• Examining whether wishing "Happy Mother's Day" to non-mothers is appropriate
• Discussing the varying expectations mothers have for the holiday
• Exploring how to celebrate the day when you've lost your mother
• Sharing personal experiences of how we observe (or don't obse...
Mother's Day..And Other Landmines
After a brief hiatus, we're back to discuss the complexities of Mother's Day after losing a mom. We explore how this "celebration" can bring up difficult emotions for those experiencing grief, infertility, or complicated family relationships.
• Reflecting on an uncomfortable interaction where a woman was upset about being wished "Happy Mother's Day" by a non-mother
• Discussing our low-key approach to Mother's Day celebrations versus people who have much higher expectations
• Sharing how other families have found ways to honor deceased children on Mother's Day through celebration of favorite foods and memories
• Comparing Mother's Day and Fath...
If Juneau, Juneau... (Alaska Part 3)
From floating among glacier ice chunks to soaring down North America's longest zipline, our Alaskan adventure delivered one extraordinary experience after another. The majesty of the Hubbard Glacier left us speechless as we kayaked through what our guide described as "a giant margarita" of floating ice, witnessing the thunderous calving of ice chunks into the crystal-clear waters. Though we missed our kayak excursion in the Indian Islands due to timing confusion, the resulting Zodiac tour took us to breathtaking wilderness areas where we spotted sea lions, otters, and countless seabirds against pristine backdrops.
The adrenaline peak of...
Bars, Bears, and Bald Eagles, Oh My! (Alaska Part 2)
The Alaskan adventure contiinues as we fulfill Bonnie's last wishes by spending time together & processing grief in our own unconventional way.
• Boarding a small, luxury Seabourn cruise ship in Vancouver after spending the night at Pan Pacific Hotel
• Experiencing an unexpected customs incident where Christmas's sentimental pocket knife is confiscated
• Coining the phrase "Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt" when explaining our trip to new friends Luke and Michael
• Exploring Ketchikan including Dolly's House historic red light district tour and local dive bars
• Discovering the challenges of getting around in small Alaskan towns with no Uber acces...
Bonus Patreon Preview: Birth of an Reluctant Book Club
Where we discover we both like to read different things and aren't fans of book clubs, but decide to start one anyway:
• Discussing our reluctance about traditional book clubs
• Establishing a 100-page rule to skip boring books
• Sharing recommendations and personal tastes in books
These book club episodes will be available only on our Patreon so join us over there for all the conversations where we'll recap the books and act like Hollywood producers who cast the characters.
Welcome to Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt
Holla at us with ques...
We Went to Alaska and All We Got Was a Giant Sprinter Van (Alaska Part 1)
Welcome to Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt
Holla at us with questions or comments:
Email: dmshpod@gmail.com
Insta: @deadmomscavengerhunt
Follow us on Facebook!
Christmas IG: @drugstorecowgirljewelry
Cara IG: @cara.steinmann
OR you can get all the uncut video and audio if you join us on Patreon. See you there!
Mouthtape: I Should've Taped Your Mouth Shut Years Ago!
Mouth tape is gaining popularity as a unique and practical solution for reducing snoring and improving sleep quality. We share personal experiences, testimonials, and dive into the reasons why this unconventional method is worth trying for anyone struggling with sleep disturbances.
• Exploration of mouth tape as a solution for snoring
• Discussion of personal experiences and testimonials
• Consideration of safety measures and product selection
• Humorous contrasts between sleep-related choices
• Emphasis on building a community around sleep solutions
https://www.roomref.com/
Welcome to Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt
Holla at...
Death Doulas and The Right to Die
This episode explores the complexities of end-of-life choices, focusing on Bonnie's journey with terminal illness and her decision to pursue a dignified death. We explore the emotional terrain around the right to die, the role of doulas, and the importance of open conversations about death.
• Sharing the journey of a mother diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
• Discussing the implications of California's End of Life Option Act
• Exploring the importance of death doulas for families
• Highlighting the need for open conversations on end-of-life preferences
• Reflecting on the significance of personalized arrangements for a peaceful goodbye
• Emphasizi...
The Mothwoman Cometh- New Fear Unlocked
Ever been haunted by the creepy-crawlies of your childhood? We’ve turned our fears into fodder for fun stories, starting with an earwig encounter that spiraled into a lifelong moth aversion. Get ready to laugh along with our Bodega Bay camping tale, where moth earrings serve as a symbol of irony and acceptance. You'll hear how a cousin's story inspired quirky nighttime rituals like covering our ears with hair, and how a moth-in-ear incident brought it all full circle. We promise you’ll find humor and possibly a few relatable moments in the ways we've learned to cope with thes...
To Shout Out or Not to Shout Out
We tackle the topic of how to recognize and celebrate people and experiences without relying on the phrase "shout out." The episode explores creative alternatives to express gratitude and includes personal anecdotes and insights into the evolution of podcast recognition language.
• Reflecting on the frequent use of "shout out"
• Exploring playful alternatives for recognition
• The great alcohol debate: brown vs. clear
• Clarifying past confusions regarding family dynamics
• Encouraging listeners to engage in creative expressions of appreciation
Welcome to Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt
Holla at us with questions or comments:
Email: d...
Da F**K is a Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt?
This episode is an intro into what a dead mom scavenger hunt even is and helps describe how we plan to honor Bonnie's legacy while reflecting on the beauty of friendship and family amidst loss.
• Discussing Bonnie's influential role in our lives
• Delving into Bonnie's illness and her final wishes
• The emotional blackmail that sparked the scavenger hunt
• Highlights from our memorable Alaska trip
• Celebrating the connections made through shared experiences
Welcome to Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt
Holla at us with questions or comments:
Email: dmshpod...
Welcome to Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt
Join us on Dead Mom Scavenger Hunt! Listen for a quick breakdown on what you can expect.
Holla at us with questions or comments:
Email: dmshpod@gmail.com
Insta: @deadmomscavengerhunt
Follow us on Facebook!
Christmas IG: @drugstorecowgirljewelry
Cara IG: @cara.steinmann
OR you can get all the uncut video and audio if you join us on Patreon. See you there!