All Things Cozy

Alonso Duralde (@ADuralde) arrives on a one-horse open sleigh to chat about Christmas traditions and folklore from around the world with Matt and Gillian. Alonso opens presents on Nochebuena, Matt breaks opłatki on Wigilia, and Gillian escapes the Yule Cat. They also discuss Christmas in Japan, Goth Christmas, St. Nicholas Day, Christmas Conventions, and cozy songs of the season. Check out Alonso's Christmas decoration Instragram account (@dxaxtree) and book (Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas). Merry Christmas!

Gillian and Matt dive into the cozy design fad of tablescaping, tips for decorating your table, and the wondrous world of tablescape competitions.

Why do so many people find reading stories about murders and crimes cozy? Dr. Brian Clack, Professor of Philosophy at the University of San Diego, engages Matt and Gillian in an application of Edmund Burke's definitions of the sublime and the beautiful on the cozy mystery genre. Learn more about Dr. Clack's work at USD's Humanities Center here: https://www.sandiego.edu/cas/humanities-center/

Matt and Gillian fire up the oven to cook the granddaddy of all cozy foods — the casserole. What's even cozier than casserole? Giving. To support those who are using their voice to affect systemic change, Matt and Gillian have made charitable donations to Black Girls Code and the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and encourage those who can to donate, support, and engage with your community and each other.

Christmas comes early when Nate Atkins (@nateatkins3), writer of Netflix's A CHRISTMAS PRINCE films, climbs down All Things Cozy's chimney to discuss the process behind making Christmas movies feel Christmas-y and why they lend themselves to the supernatural. Keep up with Nate's work at nateatkins.com and consider leaving a present for All Things Cozy at patreon.com/allthingscozy

To celebrate listeners leaving All Things Cozy over 100 five-star reviews on Apple Podcasts, here's a special bonus episode of Gillian and Matt discussing the un-fur-getable CATS (2019). Sit back, bust out the Friskies, and learn if CATS is their Jellicle Choice or something that belongs in the litter box. Think our show is meowvelous? Consider joining the rest of the cool cats on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/allthingscozy

Matt and Gillian enroll in Professor Laurie Santos' "The Science of Well-Being" class on Coursera, which explores research-based strategies for increasing happiness. Gillian savors sushi, Matt struggles with social comparison, and both eat too fast. Does listening to our show make you happy? Consider joining our cozy club at patreon.com/allthingscozy

V.M. Burns (@vmburns) Zooms in to chat with Matt and Gillian about Bookmarked for Murder, the latest installment in her Mystery Bookshop Mystery Series. Valerie describes the opportunities presented by writing a closed circle mystery, the inspiration for her spunky senior citizen characters, and answers the age-old question: Is it more difficult to train dogs for competition or write a mystery? Visit vmburns.com to discover more of Valerie's writing and join the cozy club at patreon.com/allthingscozy.

Robert Balkovich (@robertbalkovich) returns to pump up more cozy jams! Click here to visit our Spotify playlist and listen to the songs we shared in this episode (and all the soothing sounds we've recommended over the years). This episode is dedicated to Fred "Unkee" Mann (1935-2020).

Simone Konu Rae (@SimoneKonu) flies in from the London College of Fashion to discuss the intersection of fashion and coziness so we all can emerge from our cocoons of isolation like cozily stylish butterflies. Gillian thrifts for the perfect fit, Matt rejects shorts, and Simone feels weird around cardigans. Check out @AlsoJournal for more style and design inspiration!