StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 79. This week we discuss what it's like being apart for an extended period of time, ie when one of us is on holiday without the other, separation anxiety and all the strange, unusual noises that happen in the house when there are fewer people in it. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Cannibal jellyfish have invaded one of the most visited cities in Europe' https://metro.co.uk/2026/02/01/cannibalistic-jellyfish-invaded-one-visited-cities-europe-26650285/amp/ Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 78. This week we discuss the joys of visiting the UK job centre, which is the place responsible for getting people into work. We talk about the inaccessible form that Kirsten had to fill out on Andre's behalf because it was on many sheets of paper, and the two not so great experiences they had when attending an in-person meeting to prove that yes, Andre is indeed still blind and that it will never change. Our Stroonge News story of the week: ''I was rushed to hospital after my body turned blue'' https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/i-rushed-hospital-after-waking-33562265 Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 77. This week we discuss foods of the passed. Things we ate as children (and honestly probably shouldn't have) but we enjoyed them at the time. From plastic straws with almost raw sugar inside, to sweets in the shape of bugs containing liquid that burst when you bit into them, these are the memories of foods gone by. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Squirrel blamed for government Internet outage in Ohio county' https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/03/03/Medina-County-Ohio-Internet-outage-squirrel/6141772543216/ Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 76. This week we discuss 'Old wives' tales, sayings of popular wisdom (usually incorrect) passed down from generation to generation. From wearing high heels causing your baby to be cross-eyed, to wet hair being responsible for making you sick and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Watch robber break into jewellery store using forklift before fleeing on donkey' https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38188413/brazen-jewellery-thief-flees-donkey-after-forklift-gold-raid/ Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 75. This week we discuss the idea behind overconsumption and what we can do as a society to combat it, even in small ways. From donating food and clothing to friends and family or charity, to reselling old electronics or paying someone to fix them if needed, there's at least one thing to try and better this planet we call home. Stay to the very end for a post-podcast chat about EWaste, electronics, fixing things and saving old products from just being dumped. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Delivery driver abandons van on 'deadliest footpath' swallowed by sea' https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38233162/amazon-driver-van-deadly-footpath-sea/ Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 74. This week we discuss 'Triskaidekaphobia' or the fear of the number 13. As this episode lands on Friday The Thirteenth it felt like a good time to break down some of the superstitions around the number, the day, how it's had a cultural impact on society, and the fact that other places around the world have superstitions about different numbers that are not thirteen at all. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'American dad woke up from surgery fluent in Spanish' https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/us-dad-speaking-spanish-after-operation-explained-130199-20260106AAEelY_r6zPcscbx0KwS9ze0-PFtY3NJ5ucTeUc1oSVFj_mHiDazzQGYYnImWv0_aem_HeJnPgpgK3bOzMrnQWCXyw Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 73. This week Kirsten found a series of questions that you ask your partner. Andre had no idea about them in advance, so reacts to them directly. He chose not to find out before-hand so the answers felt more real. Perhaps try posing them to your significant other (or maybe best friend) to see what they have to say about you. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Hospital evacuated by bomb squad after man arrives with WW1 shell up his bum' https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/hospital-evacuated-bomb-squad-after-36652856?fbclid=IwdGRleAPvMcxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEelY_r6zPcscbx0KwS9ze0-PFtY3NJ5ucTeUc1oSVFj_mHiDazzQGYYnImWv0_aem_HeJnPgpgK3bOzMrnQWCXyw Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 72. This week we're discussing how we've changed both as a couple and individually. It's hard to see change when you've been together for a long time, but when we actually sat down and talked about it, we did notice some things that we were surprised to realise. Change is so gradual when you live with someone else, that it may not always be glaringly obvious that it's even occurring at all. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'This Hilarious McDonald's Review Is Going Viral' https://www.aol.com/articles/hilarious-mcdonald-review-going-viral-190932647.html Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 71. This week we're discussing whether having a drink when out with friends is necessary and expected, or safe to skip. For those who don't drink, are you considered 'the boring one?' Kirsten doesn't drink very much at all, and Andre may have a drink when out with friends or at a gig, but not always. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Clean-up underway after thousands of bags of chips and onions wash up on beach | ITV News' https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2026-01-19/clean-up-underway-after-thousands-of-bags-of-chips-and-onions-wash-up-on-beach Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 70. This week we're discussing some of the more unusual dreams we've both had, whether dreams have meanings behind them, and what people that have studied dreams in-detail have to say on the subject. Do you ever remember your dreams or do you pass through the night never knowing what your brain was cooking up behind the scenes? Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Beloved walrus penis stolen from N.J. cheesesteak icon. Owner is blubbering mad.' https://www.nj.com/food/2026/01/beloved-walrus-penis-stolen-from-nj-cheesesteak-icon-owner-is-blubbering-mad.html Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 69. This week we're discussing the point at which people stop having children, assuming they have any to begin with. for Andre and Kirsten they decided that two was the right amount, although if they'd have had a larger house and more money, the possibility of another may have been on the cards. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Christmas trees replanted to boost sea defences' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0kxezz63go.amp Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 68. This week we're discussing the idea that when Christmas is done with, it's time to put down the decorations and plan for the year ahead. For us, we like to have it done before January 6, but some wait for the full twelve days before taking everything down. we also talk about the fine gifts we received and the fantastic food we ate over this period, along with thoughts and ideas for 2026. From Andre and Kirsten at StroongeCast, we'd like to wish you all a happy and healthy new year. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Hapless fly-tipper caught after leaving trail of paint in a car park' https://discover.swns.com/2025/12/hapless-fly-tipper-caught-after-leaving-trail-of-paint-in-a-car-park/ Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 67. This week we discuss what you might be watching or listening to this holiday period, be that a favourite film with the family, a book you're hoping to catch up on or perhaps your favourite podcast. Andre and Kirsten would like to wish you a very merry Stroongemas, happy holidays etc and thank you for listening to us. Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 66. This week we discuss different Christmas traditions around the world. From a particular fast-food restaurant doing a roaring trade in Japan requiring reservations weeks or sometimes months ahead of time, to roller skating in Caracas, this list may surprise you. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Putin's scientists launch chilling squadron of remote controlled spy pigeons' https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/37457386/putin-scientists-launch-chilling-remote-controlled-spy-pigeons/ Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 65. This week we discuss the Australian government's ban on social media for under 16's, the ramifications of the ban, the fact that 'Imaginary Friends' may no longer be imaginary courtesy of Chat GPT as they may still want to find ways to quote unquote 'connect' with people, isolation as a result of being locked out, VPN usage and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Swedish firm deploys crows to pick up cigarette butts' https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/01/swedish-crows-pick-up-cigarette-butts-litter Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 64. This week we discuss 'SAD' (Seasonal affective disorder ) in which, during certain parts of the year, you may feel particularly sad about life and the world at-large. We also discuss Kirsten's trip to Copenhagen and the Christmas Market at Tivoli Gardens in Denmark that she visited last weekend with her sister. Some info about SAD: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. SAD is sometimes known as "winter depression" because the symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter. Some people with SAD may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter. Source: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/ Please check in with friends, family or a medical professional if you feel like this is something you can relate to and may need help with. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Drunk raccoon goes on the rampage in liquor store before passing out in bathroom' https://apple.news/Alb3qYMN6Rt29lYVX5TZaOA Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 63 of StroongeCast. This week we discuss various kissing scenarios such as public displays of affection, cheek-kisses mostly done by some European countries, whether a father kissing his daughter is acceptable or not and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Flamingo missing from Cornwall park appears to be in France' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y0rr0yk11o?app-referrer=deep-link Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 62 of StroongeCast. This week we discuss the bad builders, the lazy workmen, the unthinking delivery people that don't leave things as they found them. From bath sponges as drain cleaners, to drinking cups as paint stirring devices and more. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Australian prisoner sues for his 'human right' to eat Vegemite' https://apnews.com/article/australia-prison-vegemite-ban-court-victoria-e46084defadc9757c8ecf2f53027d215 Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 61 of StroongeCast. This week we go back to the Talking Hearts cards, as we had a quiet week in one case, and a busy week in another, which didn't give us a chance to find a different topic. The cards gave us some thoughtful or playful questions to ask one another however, which ended up leading down some curious rabbit holes. Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'World's biggest spiderweb discovered inside 'Sulfur Cave' with 111,000 arachnids living in pitch black' https://www.livescience.com/animals/spiders/worlds-biggest-spiderweb-discovered-inside-sulfur-cave-with-111-000-arachnids-living-in-pitch-black Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast

Welcome to episode 60 of StroongeCast. This week we discuss the idea of smacking a child as a form of punishment. Is it abuse or discipline? How much is too much? Is any amount required to make a point stick? Our Stroonge News story of the week: 'Man Fakes Complete Blindness for Over 50 Years to Collect Disability Payments' https://www.odditycentral.com/news/man-fakes-complete-blindness-for-over-50-years-to-collect-disability-payments.html Want to hear more or get in-touch? find all of our links on The StroongeCast website. https://onj.me/stroongecast You can also follow StroongeCast on Mastodon. https://hear-me.social/@StroongeCast