(Photo: "Stand By Me") - The late (and great) Rob Reiner was prescient. Maybe we can't handle the truth... Or perhaps many in leadership want to make sure we never come to know it. Whether red or blue or green or purple, it simply doesn't matter. This past weekend was tragic, and a symptom of much of what isn't working within our system... the system of humanity.

Yes, this show is about escapism and bantering about interesting subjects that fascinate us all on a daily basis.

It's also about the trials and tribulations of empty nesting... Something that's brand new for many of us...

But it also has to address serious topics with a deep respect. So yeah, we talk about our dislike of Los Angeles Airport during the holidays (and most every other time). And our love of having the kids home for the holidays too. And the holiday fireworks and the fun celebrations this time of year.

But we also had to address this weekend. From the tragedy on Australia's Bondi Beach, to the horrors at Brown University, and, of course, to the brutal ending of the talented Rob Reiner's illustrious life. Our hearts are broken.

It's Plate & Ponder: Empty Nesting with Jen & Chris Fenton...

Yeah, we were an empty house for only a beat... That Thanksgiving to Christmas return to school barely lasted more than a blink of an eye, and now the kids are back!

Game on!

First one back to the South Bay is the VIP of VIP's, Lauren Crotty. Part of the family of South Bay Royals known as The Crottys!!!

She's a Georgia Bulldog, and once we get thru the catching-up chit-chat, we go straight to what it is to be a true DAWG!

Lauren walks us thru SEC Football, Greek Life, Chicken and Waffles, the hot spots in Athens, the latest Athens Music Scene, and, of course, where she LOVES to study!

It's all here in one single episode! THIS IS LAUREN CROTTY, THE SEC EDITION!

Welcome to PLATE AND PONDER: EMPTY NESTING WITH JEN & CHRIS FENTON.

Please follow, download, review, and, most importantly, enjoy!

A final Sunday evening before we go FULL-HOUSE for the next month with the kids home for the holidays... That means one last leisurely dinner with our friends Katie & Phil Brodkin (and our epic dogs). Then the chaos of college kids will sweep thru our little beach town!

Most importantly on this episode, we celebrate the TENTH BIRTHDAY of our favorite furry friend, FLYNN!

Then we discuss the importance of pets to the well-being of their owners. You want to live longer and healthier? Get a dog (or any other pet for that matter)!

We move on to the "COVID Induced Reluctance to Leave the Couch" that happened to all of us (and remains), and why, you MUST break thru it. 100% of the time, you'll be happier that you got out and socialized with friends, rather than binge watched the latest whatever on Netflix......

And finally, a quiz is taken by Chris to see just how well she knows and understands (and listens to), Jen! And guess what? He passes with flying colors!

Please follow, download, review, and enjoy! We'll be launching new episodes regularly throughout December, so get ready for MASSIVE FUN and ENGAGING CONVERSATION as we continue to PLATE & PONDER!

PS. GO TULANE AND GO MIAMI! College Football Playoff bracket has been announced! Let's GO!

Yes, Los Angeles has tunnels, and we've used them! Want to know where they are? We tell you!

And what happened to the old Water Cooler? You know, the one that we all gathered around and conversed about who-knows-what -- regardless of political affiliations, religious beliefs, or what-have-ya...

And what about the television shows we discussed around those said-coolers?

And, oh yeah, a near miss with Jury Duty this week...

And finally, what's the deal with Potluck dinners and gatherings? Is that old-fashioned and COVID infested? Or are they coming back??

We cover it all on this episode! Please follow, download, review, and enjoy!!!!!!!!

For all of us newbie empty-nesters, our small town felt completely overrun by college kids returning home to get some free meals, have mom do their laundry, catch-up with old friends at their former stomping grounds, and, eventually, leave a little bit of havoc in their wake... And it all repeats again in a few weeks after Finals!

So yes, we discuss that a bit... But we also hit some serious topics too:

1 - Coaching loyalties, both in high school sports and college.

2 - USC Trojan achievements (Don't worry Bruin fans. We do it quickly!).

&

3 - The Challenge Beijing poses on Hollywood and the world thru mandated narratives. ("Zootopia 2" has re-wakened The Dragon!).

Jen and Chris are back as a solo duet, and we are loving it...... Hopefully you do too!

Please follow, download, review, and enjoy!!!!!!!

EMPTY NEST = FULL NEST = OUR TOWN IS PACKED WITH KIDS HOME FROM COLLEGE!

AND WE LOVE IT!!!!

We have Eric & Jenna Brodkin, Dash Seiffer, and Kaylie & Dylan Fenton as our VIP GUESTS on this amazing episode.

It's a short one, because they all have things to do (PG-13 Kind of Stuff), but we do cover:

Some Glazing...

Puppies...

Thanksgiving Favorites...

COVID Connections...

And a lakeside story for the ages...

Please follow, download, review, and ENJOY..............

Empty-Nesting? Say what? We don't have that today! It's Thanksgiving, and we have a FULL HOUSE, so our son, Dylan Fenton, joins the podcast to share his insights from Montreal, Canada, where he attends McGill University, playing lacrosse with some living legends (lots of shoutouts) and studying international business (while also finding some time to be a bro at Zeta Psi)....

Serious topics today include (FYI, THE STOKE WAS SICK!):

AI use at McGill University...

The stressful experience of Car Buying (and when the best time of year is to actually buy a car)...

The differences between the USA & Canada, and what do Canadians think of us down South...

The beer selection up North and the beauty of the 5.9!

Oh, and of course, how much Dylan loves and cherishes his amazing parents...

Download, Follow, Review, and Enjoy......And HAVE A FANTASTIC THANKSGIVING!!!

EMPTY NESTING HIATUS ALERT!!!!!!!!!!

We have one kid back from Tulane - Kaylie!

One more, Dylan, coming home later this week!

It's Thanksgiving! AND WE HAVE A FULL HOUSE IN THE WORKS! So why not talk to our kids about life and global issues over dinner and a drink....

Serious Topics Include:

Fake Plastic Christmas Trees vs The Real Thing

AI as a Tool for College

AI vs Human Interaction for Things That Are REAL!

Nothing better than the perspective of an 18-year-old. Let's go!

Enjoy, Follow, Review, and Download........ And thank you!