Ashley and Brad Show

News; birthdays/events; best smells (list from around the world); word of the day. News; MTV trivia; game: quiz; game: feud. News; best national parks to visit in the winter; essential' household items you should never throw away; have you ever gotten hurt playing with your kids? (funny story from Poland) News; smart dog escapes from animal shelter...funny video; game: calendar trivia; goodbye/fun facts....national kettlebell day. The kettlebell, cast-iron weight, shaped like a cannonball with a handle...it's origins trace back to 18th-century Russia, where it was initially used as a counterweight for measuring goods. Over time, Russian farmers and strongmen began using kettlebells for strength training. In 1948, kettlebell lifting became the national sport of the Soviet Union. Circus strongmen frequently demonstrated their power with the kettlebell. Some of these circus folk even came to America with their kettlebells, establishing their gyms here, and introducing the American public to this cool new fitness fad. By the 1950s, this new trend had almost vanished from all fitness centers and gyms, however, and would only come back years later. Kettlebells are a great workout tool, burning more calories than your average exercise...an elliptical machine burns only 50 to 125 calories during the same time a kettlebell exercise would burn 300 calories.

News; birthdays/events (LAURALEE'S BIRTHDAY...Ashley's sister); there's goat yoga, cow cuddling farms, and bunny island...fun or gross?; word of the day. News; game: 1976 trivia; do you use your kids as an excuse to buy something you want?; Buzzfeed list of movies that have a different takeaway when you watch again as an adult. News; game: #1 hits from 1976; best travel destinations for 2026; pop culture as courses in college...currently: Taylor Swift, The Beatles, The Golden Girls...what/who do you think would make a good artist to study on the collegiate level? News; game: I should have known that...yes or no?; do you believe these 'fuel myths'?; goodbye/fun facts....national apricot day...related to the peach, the apricot's velvety flesh is quite similar. However, the texture of the golden-orange fruit is firmer, and the flavor more tart than its cousin's. Apricots originated in northeastern China near the Russian border in ancient times. Later, the fruit was introduced to Europe and Armenia. The apricot found its way to North America when English colonists settled in Virginia. The apricot is a versatile ingredient lending itself to both sweet and savory dishes. Perfect for snacking, apricots are the best fresh off the tree...and dried, they are delicious in healthy granola or a salad. Plus they are loaded with vitamins including Vitamin C, B-6, Magnesium, Iron, and Calcium, and are also an excellent source of fiber.

News; birthdays/events; did you ever belong to a celebrity fan club...do they even still exist?; word of the day. News; people born in January might get shortchanged in the birthday present department; if you borrowed something and ruined it...would you come clean or pin it someone else?; game: prison commissary price is right. News; Buzzfeed list of 'outdated' home trends that need to make a comeback; CES 2026 gadgets; game: word ladder. News; do you prefer a weighted blanket or electric blanket in the Winter?; game: general trivia; goodbye/fun facts....show and tell at work day...just like you used to do in kindergarten-- but this day is for adults to indulge themselves! While the exact origins of the activity are unknown, one of the first references to show and tell was in the 1954 journal "Childhood Education." The activity can help children build storytelling abilities, bridge the school and home, encourage bonds with one another, and enhance their communication skills....and the same can happen for adults at the workplace.

News; birthdays/events; are you a fan or a fantatic?; word of the day. News; new app for watching TV...but works like a dating app; game: outburst; the new bedtime alarm trend. News; most people would choose this food for their last meal...Ashley would even eat this; game: I should have known that; 38% of men think women should never do this. News; the great sandwich survey 2026; game: everybody knows;  goodbye/fun facts....national tempura day...Although the Portuguese living in Nagasaki in the 16th century introduced it, tempura...or deep frying food in it's distinctive batter, as no bread crumbs are used--has become entrenched in Japanese culture. The great thing about this batter is that it is highly versatile and so it can be teamed with a wide range of seafood, vegetables, and meat. And if you want something sweet, you can even make tempura with chocolate and ice cream. 

News; birthdays/events; 2025 list of overused words that people want banned in 2026; word of the day. News; reasons NOT to call 911...would you ever do any of these?; game: songs with 'change' in them; 52 week challenge...for money.  News; lots of students will have this experience during spring break;  game: Foolish Frankie plays famous songs...can you guess these?; do you rant and rave when you get upset? News; would you rent your clothes out?; game: mindtrap; goodbye/fun facts....National Shortbread Day: the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treat is Scotland's best gift to the world. Baked without a leavening component such as baking soda or powder, it's dense and rustic texture stands out from any other! Originating in Scotland in the 12th century and benefiting from cultural exchange with French pastry chefs, shortbread's original recipe calls for a simple mix of butter in the flour. The fattening of the dough shortens it, hence the name 'shortbread.' shortbread has variants worldwide, including Danish butter cookies and Irish "shortie" biscuits. Why not start the new year on a sweet note by enjoying this Scottish delight?

News; birthdays/events; what are some things to look forward to in 2026?; word of the day. News; game: quiz; game: feud; how do you really feel about Mondays? News; study--7 mental strengths that are rare today...part 1; study--7 mental strengths that are rare today...part 2; where do you hide cash in your house? Ashley's grandma used to hide it in the freezer! News; things you should never apologize for; game: calendar trivia; goodbye/fun facts....weigh in day...the holidays are officially over and unfortunately, due to the amount of food and drink consumed during the holiday season, chances are you may have gained a bit of weight during the holidays. But as unnerving as it is to get on that scale...it's better to know exactly where you are so it doesn't get out of hand. If you're having problems deciding what foods you should be cutting down on/eating more of, and which exercises you should be doing to help you achieve your goal weight, there are plenty of dietitians, nutritionists and personal trainers out there who will be glad to help you get healthier and lose weight the right way. So take a deep breath, exhale, then get on that scale!

News; birthdays/events; what are pop culture predictions for this year?; word of the day. News; game: new year's resolutions trivia; a new restaurant is going with a famous board game motif; do ease back into your new year work scedule or just in and get going? News; game: battle of the sexes part 1; game: battle of the sexes part 2; how long does it take you to write the current year on forms/checks? News; great 'Ted Talks' to watch; winter is most people's least favorite season...how do you make it 'tolerable'?; goodbye/fun facts....national buffet day...The buffet table itself derives from the Brannvinsbord, a type of Swedish beverage table from the 16th Century. This was a buffet system where women and men ate in different rooms but still had an array of food to choose from. In the 18th century, the modern buffet began appearing as a smorgasbord. The smorgasbord was initially a table where pre-dinner drinks and nibbles were served to a group of guests separately from the main dinner, but over time people started to use it to serve the main meal too. The word 'buffet'' actually originates from a type of French sideboard used to serve food and the word was much easier to pronounce in the English-speaking world and was considerably easier to remember. In the 1940s the American buffet began in Las Vegas...and by the 1980's buffets were commonplace...not so much anymore.

News; birthdays/events; things to buy in January; word of the day. News; game: New Year's resolutions trivia; what were the best movies in 2025...did you see any of these?; what's on Expedia's destinations of the year list for 2026? News; game: now and then; what did you learn from 2025?; how young is too young for kids to do laundry?...Most dads think this age is ideal. News; game: true or false New Year's traditions; Parade magazine: things you should always keep to yourself; goodbye/fun facts....Public Domain Day is the time to show appreciation for and celebrate the various works of literature and music that become free to access for the public. Copyrighted works that have been around for a number of years will eventually enter the public domain....meaning anyone can legally use it without having to ask permission or pay royalties. While the rules are different in each country regarding the length of time, in many countries (like the United States and Europe), the time frame is 70 years after the original artist's death, but some works may last for up to 100 years before entering into public domain. For 2026: books like The Maltese Falcon, cartoons: Bettie Boop and Blondie and Dagwood, from music: songs Georgia On My Mind and Dream a Little Dream Of Me.

News; birthdays/events; NYE fun facts/trivia; word of the day. News; if you are 'new' to the gym...keep these rules in mind; game: pop culture from 2025;  why you should keep lots of salt in your house. News; if you lived near a factory would you complain to the city council about the smell? does it depend on the odor?; game: saxophone quiz; places you shouldn't use your phone (because people use them EVERYWHERE!) News; Hollywood reporter's list of 'the best moments of 2025'; game: headlines/hoax ---truth or trash?; goodbye/fun facts....National Champagne Day, celebrated informally on December 31, is all about enjoying sipping on this bubbly beverage. It comes at a perfect time on New Year's Eve, especially for champagne lovers, giving us an even better excuse to pop open a bottle — or two! Genuine champagne only comes from France's Champagne region. French law protects where and how it is made. Unlike other wines, Champagne ferments in the bottle allowing the vintner to trap the CO2 in the bottle. The bubbles give Champagne its effervescence.  If it's not from France...it's called: prosecco, sparkling wine, cava, cremant, and espumante.

News; birthdays/events; New Year's traditions around the world; word of the day. News; would you pay more for a "certified pre-owned" item?; game: guess the sax solo; besides your keys, wallet, and phone...what 3 other things do you always make sure you have before you leave the house? News; what are you doing for "twixmas"; Mind the gap 1; Mind the gap 2. News; how to celebrate New Year's Eve at home with kids; are you more likely to finish your tasks/to-do's when someone offers to help you? would you ask for help or wait for someone to offer?; goodbye/fun facts....national bacon day...The United States and Canada make bacon from the pork belly. Other countries around the world use the side and back cuts of pork. The meat is cured in either a salt brine or a salt pack. It is then either dried, boiled, or smoked....but every bacon eater agrees--everything tastes better with a little bacon. You can even also find many items flavored or scented with bacon, including popcorn, soap, candles, air fresheners. The word "bacon" can be traced back to various languages from before the 12th century. Most notably from the French word "bako" and the Germanic "bakkon" which specifically refer to the rear of the pig. The popular phrase "bring home the bacon" can be traced to the 12 century, in the English town of Dunmow. The church promised to reward a side of bacon to any married man who swore before God and the congregation that he would not quarrel with his wife for a year and a day.

News; birthdays/events; what's the "7-38-55" rule when it comes to communication?; word of the day. News; game: quiz; game: feud; how much will a night out for New Year's Eve really cost? News; NFL has a mimosa drink for every team...some of them have very odd ingredients; besides the obvious (registration papers etc)...what are some things you should keep in your car?; great storage solutions for holiday decor (from The Today Show) News; game: calendar trivia; home/crafts to 'repurpose' your Christmas tree; goodbye/fun facts....Pepper Pot Day...aka 'The Soup That Won The War.' The war here refers to the American Revolutionary War for independence from Britain. The Philadelphia Pepper Pot soup is a peppery thick soup made up of beef tripe, whatever vegetables are available, and of course, lots of peppercorns. During the war, in 1777, the winters were harsh, and the farmers refused to sell food to the Continental army, and instead sold it to the British. Christopher Ludwig was the baker general, which meant that his primary task was to bake bread for the troops. But in this scenario, with no grain to eat in sight and faced with the prospect of starvation, George Washington put Christopher Ludwig in charge of feeding his men. And Christopher Ludwig presented the Pepper Pot soup. Perfect for a cold winter day!

News; birthdays/events; what's on your to-do list on the day after Christmas?; word of the day.  News; game: FM radio trivia; if you missed this holiday movie...insiders say it's worth the watch; besides resolutions...what are you hoping for 2026? News; game: Boxing Day trivia; do you wait until after the new year to make any returns/buy things or are you gonna do it today/this weekend?; If you are working in the office until the first of the year…are you getting ANYTHING done? News; game: general trivia (winter); what does your horoscope hold it store for you in 2026?; goodbye/fun facts....national thank you note day...The first thank you notes originated in the 1400's when Europeans exchanged greeting cards with friends and family. In 1856 Pouis Prang introduced thank you notes to the United States after he immigrated from Germany. The practice of expressing thanks through handwritten notes became particularly popular in the United States after etiquette expert Emily Post emphasized its importance in her book on manners. This day is a gentle reminder of the importance of gratitude, especially in our fast-paced, digital world. Writing a thank you note is a heartfelt gesture that shows you genuinely appreciate the kindness, support, or gift you've received.

News; birthdays/events; Jim Gaffigan comedy bit about Christmas; word of the day. News; do you rip open the Christmas gifts or open them methodically?; Guinness record for singing Christmas carols; game: Speak out. News; Christmas fun facts part 1; Nate Bargatze Nativitiy scene Christmas; game: Jingle Bells song quiz. News; Christmas fun facts part 2; game: Christmas trivia; goodbye/fun facts....National Pumpkin Pie Day celebrates the pumpkin pie, a traditional dessert that is enjoyed in North America..typically eaten during the fall and early winter, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas. In fact, those two holidays are the days when most pumpkin pies are eaten by Americans! The history of the pumpkin pie is a little fuzzy, but its origins seem to date back approximately 400 years. This was in the early 1600s, when settlers in the New World may have used the gourds to make some sort of pie. Pumpkin pie is a type of custard pie, as its filling is a custard made with eggs, milk, sugar, and spices...In the Caribbean, pumpkin pie often includes coconut milk and spices like ginger and allspice, offering a tropical twist on the classic dessert.

News; birthdays/events; Ashley and Brad read The Night Before Christmas; word of the day. News; game: what is Santa called around the world?; Butterball Turkey hot-line part 1; Butterball Turkey hot-line part 2. News; how often do you use QR codes...sometimes there are no other options; The Christmas Song quiz pt 1; The Christmas Song quiz pt 2. News; don't buy your boss a gift!; people have won funny "lifetime supplies" of products (contest winners); goodbye/fun facts....National Eggnog Day. A sweet beverage made from milk, sugar, spices, cream, and eggs, eggnog has been enjoyed by families a day before Christmas for centuries now. Liquor is optional for those who want to get more festive....and then it's technically called egg milk punch. We drink it chilled...In Iceland, eggnog is served hot as a dessert, offering a comforting treat during the cold months. We really only drink eggnog during the holidays...And according to Indiana University's statistics, Americans consume over 135 million pounds of eggnog annually. But if you want the flavor in other things--you can find eggnog flavored coffees, teas, baked goods, and puddings.

News; birthdays/events; should you be able to claim your pet on your taxes?; word of the day. News; game: Jeff Foxworthy's 12 days of Christmas trivia; it's festivus...how much do you know about this 'holiday'?; law enforcement list of things not to leave in your car druing the holidays (or ever really). News; game: baby boomer holiday trivia; where is the grossest place on a plane to store your coat?; what to do with all those Amazon boxes?!?!? (beside recycling them!). News: game: Christmas kid jokes; last minute gift ideas (from Good Housekeeping); goodbye/fun facts....national pear month...most pears get harvested during the month of December. Pears also have high nutritional value-- more fiber than bananas, oranges, and strawberries and pears are hypoallergenic, safe for people with allergies to eat, and has pectin which helps control high cholesterol. A recent survey showed that 84% of shoppers cannot tell when a pear is ripe. The best way to check if a pear is ripe is the check the stem of the pear...and you can help the ripening process by putting the pears in a brown paper bag on your counter for a day or two. Peak season is Sept-Jan btw.

News; birthdays/events; is it rude to bring store bought items to a potluck or holiday party/gathering?; word of the day. News; pep talk hotline; game: quiz; game: feud. News; how many Christmas trees do you have in your house? is there a thing as too many?; do you think you made Santa's naughty or nice list this year?; how much would you pay to skip seeing your in-laws over the holidays? the average person says this much!! News; game: calendar trivia; what's the part of Christmas/Haunkkah you could do without?; goodbye/fun facts....National Pfeffernusse Day--dedicated to the tasty cookie called Pfeffernuss which translates in english to peppernuts...named so because of it's recipe: nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, black pepper, mace, anise, sugar, butter, eggs, and flour. The spiced holiday cookie is believed to have originated in Germany, but it is also very popular in Denmark and the Netherlands. Johann Fleischmann created the recipe in 1753 and in 1800 The German Mennonites settled in Northern America, bringing along the Pfeffernuss recipe. Pfeffernuss is often confused with Russian tea cakes because they are both rolled in powdered sugar...but they are very different cookies!

News; birthdays/events; are you planning on traveling more in 2026?; word of the day. News; porch pirates...you won't believe how much they steal!!!; game: backward Christmas songs; the perfect indoor winter temperature (according to experts). News; between sugar, gingerbread and shortbread...what's your 'go-to' holiday cookie?; game: Christmas word ladder; things you should never leave unattended in public. News; if someone was blocking your view would you ask them to move? what if it was a celebrity?; game: Christmas song titles; goodbye/fun facts....National Oatmeal Muffin Day...the healthy muffins that look like cupcakes but satisfy your sweet tooth. Muffins have been around for several centuries, beginning with English-style muffins dating back to the 10th century in Wales. By the end of the 18th century, Americans improved on the recipe for muffins and developed it into what we know today as quick bread muffins, prepared in individual molds. The oatmeal provides fiber and if you add things like raisins, bananas, blueberries and other healthy fruits and/or nuts...it will not only compliment oatmeal muffins but add even more health benefits.

News; birthdays/events; what's your favorite cold weather/winter comfort food?; word of the day. News; game: Christmas songs without the lyrics; is there an "extreme" decorator in your neighborhood?; if you could spend the holiday season anywhere in the world...where would you go? News; game: songs that feature ho-ho;  what are you buying for your cat/dog?; what famous TV/movie house would you like to own so people could come tour it? News; game: Steven Speilberg (birthday) trivia; move over Weinermobile...there's a new mascot on wheels; goodbye/fun facts....national twin day. This one-of-a-kind connection. Whether they look alike or not, twins often move through life side by side, building a bond that's hard to explain. Fascinated by twins...either in literature, tv shows, and real life. The idea of celebrating twins isn't new though. In fact, Twinsburg Ohio started its own festival back in 1976. That small gathering grew into the world's biggest twins event, held each August. Twins are increasingly common, with roughly 1 in 42 children born as twins globally, a rate that has risen significantly since the 1980s due to factors like women having babies after the age of 35 and fertility treatments. 

News; birthdays/events; this or that holiday list; word of the day. News; most recognizable Hollywood voices; forgotten habits from the 1980's that build character; game: name the artist singing Jingle Bells. News; funny Amazon package delivery story; common brand names we're mispronouncing (Porsche); game: name that Christmas song (without the lyrics) News; if you had the money would you pay someone to put up and take down your holiday decor?; game: quotes from Christmas movies; goodbye/fun facts....national say it now day...We all need to make time for gratitude. National Say It Now Day gives us a chance to pause and reflect on what people mean to us. We encourage people everywhere to take a moment to tell their friends and loved ones how much they mean to them while they are still around to hear it. It's more than saying "thank you." It's letting someone know specific examples of how they've impacted your life....you might even be surprised by how much it will boost your self esteem and mindset.

News; birthdays/events; what's your "bah humbug" part of the holiday season?;  word of the day. News; game: 5 second rule; how do you feel about no landlines anymore?; do you always say 'Merry Christmas'? News; game: Christmas movie trivia; what's your favorite smell when you walk into the grocery store?; what are kids grateful for this holiday season? (cute list) News; game: movies trivia; do you plan on giving your neighbors holiday gifts?; goodbye/fun facts....Stupid Toy Day---Beanie Babies, Pet Rock, and Tamagotchis — we all had our fair share of stupid childhood toys and we're guilty of playing with them each night till our eyes gave out. Today is an ode to the idiosyncrasies of our childhood and how the stuff that now seems stupid to us was once something we guarded with our lives. With Christmas coming up and Hanukkah already here: we'll gift our kids with toys that they will laugh about decades from now.