We choose our one-word themes for the year, and encourage listeners to choose their own theme for 2021, we discuss a hack for heading into the new year (plus a bonus wrapping-paper hack), and listeners suggest many practical, helpful ways to show love and support to someone who’s far away.

We review our “20 for 2020” lists and reveal what we did—and didn’t—get done in this strange year. We also talk about an easy hack to avoid leaving something behind, and Elizabeth gives herself a decorations demerit.

As a holiday gift for listeners, I read a story: Charles Dickens’s timeless ghost story, “A Christmas Carol.” These days, while many people have a general impression of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts , they probably haven’t actually read or heard the story.

As a holiday gift for listeners, I read a story: Charles Dickens’s timeless ghost story, “A Christmas Carol.” These days, while many people have a general impression of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts , they probably haven’t actually read or heard the story.

Fight through post-holiday haze, how to get more reading done, tackle the challenge of New Year’s resolutions—and an office-party demerit.

Let’s all walk for 20 minutes in 2020! The challenge is on! Plus a reminder to use Power Hour, and Elizabeth gives a gold star to a “Fall Frolic.”

Actor, singer, and writer Melissa Errico suggests the Eight Stones Method for creativity, the fun of choosing a family holiday movies, and we talk about the two philosophies of food encouragement (aka food pushing): “You Do You” and “Let’s All Join In.”

Try writing an aphorism, ways to use the UV index to protect yourself from the sun, and a deep dive into the question: “If you press others to take food and drink, why do you do it?”

We discuss why it’s important to avoid false choices, and talk to Whole30’s Melissa Hartwig Urban about eating right when faced with Halloween candy or social pressure.

Design your happiness project for 2019, follow the five-second rule, and suggestions for dealing with the challenge of gift-giving.