Merry Gift-Mas
Mortified
rating: 4 out 5
For folks who cringe a bit when they remember their first love, Merry Gift-Mas has a standout section from an adult woman recalling her struggle to find the right gift for the boyfriend who had everything. Her frank writing and confusion about the role of sex in love lead to several laugh-out-loud moments.

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Useful Idiots

Benjamen Walker
Benjamen Walker’s Theory of Everything
rating: 4 out of 5
For folks who’s paranoia may be getting the best of them, Useful Idiots takes you one drop further down the rabbit hole. Was Edward Snowden actually a patsy? What do Pink Floyd, Jackson Pollick, and Donald Trump share in common?

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The New You, It’ll Do
Hillary Frank
The Longest Shortest Time
rating: 3 out of 5
For folks who’s are long time listeners of The Longest Shortest Time, this podcast is a trip down mememory lane with a nice update to close out the year. For newer listeners, this episode is for those who are fearful that parenting will change them.

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Stephanie Beatriz, Reality Bytes, and Cookies with Dorie
Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen
Nerdette
rating: 3 out of 5
For fans of Brooklyn 99, this episode includes some quality time with one the characters. I wish that there had been more time with the delightful Dorie on her cookie cookbook. Bring on the World Peace cookies, Dore. We need you!

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Getting Unstuck
Shankar Vedantam
Hidden Brain
rating: 5 out of 5
For anyone who has ever felt lost or like they can’t find their path, Getting Unstuck explores the possibility that there is not one true path.

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It’s Not Us, It’s You
Robert Krulwich
RadioLab
rating: 3 out of 5
For long-time RadioLab listeners this episode will bring back some old favorites, most notably Amy Pearl from the Alpha Gal episode. The telethon continues between segments with Robert and guest host Manoush Zomorodi finding cutesy and cutesier ways to ask for money to support RadioLab.