Before GPS was built into every phone and car, getting somewhere new required a very different set of skills. In this episode of really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas, we take a nostalgic trip back to the days of paper maps, road atlases, and printed MapQuest directions.

We talk about how weather can shape our routines, how people navigated before smartphones, and why traditional navigation skills still matter today. From reading map legends and understanding topography to knowing the difference between latitude and longitude, we explore the tools and knowledge that once helped people find their way.

Along the way we share stories about questionable shortcuts, getting lost, and the anxiety (or freedom) that comes with navigating without GPS. We also play a fun game about navigation terms and discuss how even birds like the Indigo Bunting use celestial navigation.

As technology continues to change the way we travel and communicate, we ask an important question: have we gained convenience at the cost of losing our sense of direction?

Join us for a fun and thoughtful conversation about maps, navigation, technology, and the balance between modern convenience and traditional life skills.

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Production Assistance: DCB Productions

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2026 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

In this episode, Michael-Thomas and Sierra dive into childhood nostalgia, snow days, book recommendations, and the complicated pressure behind choosing a career path.

From marine biologist dreams and architect aspirations to the influence of media and the reality of changing majors, this conversation explores how our professional lives evolve — and why that’s completely normal.

We talk about vocational training, societal expectations, career pivots, and finding purpose in unexpected places.

If you’ve ever felt uncertain about your future, this episode is your reminder: it’s okay to change your mind.

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Production Assistance: DCB Productions

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2026 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.

“Calm down.”

Few phrases are more triggering — or more dismissive.

In this episode, Sierra and Michael-Thomas explore why being told to calm down can feel invalidating and why it often makes situations worse. They discuss emotional triggers, tone policing, hormones, relationship dynamics, and the importance of empathy in communication.

Instead of dismissing emotions, what if we got curious about them?

This episode blends humor, vulnerability, and practical insight as they unpack how to respond to heightened emotions in healthier ways — and what to say instead.

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Production Assistance: DCB Productions

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2026 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.

We Really Need to Talk About Grocery Store Behaviors

Why can we explore space… but not return a shopping cart?

In this episode, we unpack the unspoken rules of the grocery store — from aisle blocking and abandoned perishables to the chaos of self-checkout and the moral test that is returning your cart.

Somehow we detour into space exploration, ocean fears, warehouse clubs, and the psychology behind why milk is always in the back.

We also talk about:

• Why grocery store etiquette actually matters
• Self-checkout survival skills
• Sample station strategy
• Supporting local butchers and small businesses
• The subtle kindness that makes shopping better for everyone

If we can map Mars, we can handle the produce section.

Let’s talk about it.

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Production Assistance: DCB Productions

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2026 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.

We’re back.

Season 1, Episode 18 of Really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas marks our return from a short holiday break — and yes, we’ve officially started filming.

This week, we’re diving into pet peeves — the everyday behaviors that somehow feel like personal attacks. From public etiquette fails to habits that honestly should be illegal, nothing is safe.

Same opinions. Slightly upgraded production.

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Follow the show, leave a review, and tell us your biggest pet peeve — we might feature it in a future episode.

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Production Assistance: DCB Productions

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2026 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.

In this special episode of really…, Michael-Thomas is joined by the OG Bestie, Kaitlin, who steps in as guest host while Sierra is living her best yogi life. Together, they take a nostalgic walk down memory lane as lifelong “theatre kids,” reflecting on high school drama, community theatre days, and the formative experiences that shaped their friendship. From stage lights and show tunes to the bonds built backstage, this episode celebrates the magic, mayhem, and meaning of growing up in the theatre.

Plus, this marks a milestone moment for the pod — it’s our last audio-only episode as we prepare to transition really… to YouTube. Curtain up on a new chapter!

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop is now up and running!!! go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2025 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.

Happy Holidays!!! It’s the finale of our Favorite Things series, and we’re ending on a high note — music. 🎶

In this episode, we’re talking about the songs, artists, and sounds that have shaped us, comforted us, hyped us up, and lived rent-free in our heads for years. From throwback favorites to current obsessions, we dig into why certain music sticks with us and how it becomes the soundtrack to different seasons of life. Expect nostalgia, strong opinions, and the kind of musical tangents you’d only have with friends who really love music.

Press play and join us as we wrap up the series the only way that makes sense — with music we really… love.

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop is now up and running!!! go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2025 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.

In this installment of our Favorite Things series, we turn our attention to the TV shows that have shaped our humor, our nostalgia, and our comfort viewing. Sierra and Michael-Thomas dive into the series that defined different seasons of their lives, the shows they revisit again and again, and the ones they quote far too often. From iconic sitcoms to dramatic gems to the unexpected favorites that stuck with us, this episode is a celebration of the stories we watch on repeat. Settle in, press play, and see if your favorites make the list.

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop is now up and running!!! go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2025 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.