WSV’s Steph Hightree writes, “I think it is only natural we all wish for that small break where we can just be ourselves and not be mom for a minute. It doesn’t have to be as extreme as taking a whole vacation, it can just be hiding in the bathroom for 15 minutes to take a second to breathe, running to the store alone, going on a weekend trip, or in my case, driving eight hours away to a cabin in the woods to hopefully unwind and unplug.”

Doug and Alek are joined by Lisha and Jules McCurry (Screen Tea Podcast) to discuss mental health and parenting during a pandemic, the pros and cons of working in this environment (Lisha is a mental health professional and Jules recently returned to work after a long hiatus), and three movies they each watched once and will never watch again for whatever reason. If you have strong feelings about Fabergé eggs, bad Boston accents or the church that is cinema this episode is for you.

WSV’s Beca Welty writes, “If Bird Dog isn’t already on your list of Southwest Michigan restaurants to frequent, make note now. This establishment is busier than ever with their tantalizing brunch, lunch, and dinner menu and their options of dine-in or reservations for an igloo. Their dessert menu is also constantly updating and their social media presence is an excellent place to stay well informed on all new additions to their offerings. Pack up your appetite and head to Bird Dog in Mattawan for an unforgettable dining experience!”

Doug and Alek are joined by Justine Galbraith, an English teacher who recently penned an op-ed titled ‘I’m a teacher. Why am I considered expendable?’ for Michigan Advance. Galbraith shares the fear, frustration, and anxiety she has experienced as an educator amid a global pandemic, while Alek and Doug serve as a two-man hype team for teachers, listing their favorite fictional educators, and lamenting over the lack of Capri Sun, trail mix, and pizza parties they’ve experienced since reaching adulthood.

WSV’s Steph Hightree writes, “It may take years to realize that you have forgotten about yourself. I know it did for me. But when you finally break out of that mom cocoon it can feel refreshing to finally do something for yourself. It can be as simple as sitting down for 30 minutes to read a book or as elaborate as taking a kid free vacation to recharge your batteries. The reason I am writing this is to remind you that in the middle of the chaos, spit up, and dirty hair, you are in fact a person. You are still you.”