This episode of The Setlist of Life begins by jokingly lamenting the absence of bandmate Cow Bell Chris, who chose to attend the Frozen Four college hockey playoffs over the podcast recording.

The main topic of conversation revolves around travel. Kirsten is embarking on a European trip to Milan, Budapest, and London, partly for a soccer game and partly to meet distant relatives in Hungary, including a mysterious "Granny" she's never met. Leslie is heading to Miami with her youngest son for a relaxing pool and golf trip. This travel theme leads to discussions about European food, particularly Hungarian goulash and pickled foods.

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to a humorous anecdote about Leslie's recent phone mishap. Due to a Costco phone deal and a misunderstanding about phone colors and activations, Leslie's daughter accidentally received Leslie's's new iPhone, and vice versa. This resulted in Leslie being without a phone for three days and having to drive to Pennsylvania to retrieve it. This experience highlights our dependence on smartphones and the unsettling feeling of being disconnected.

The phone story naturally transitions into a discussion about doomsday prepping. Leslie reveals her "doomsday tub" with solar phone chargers, and the conversation expands to generators, water purifiers, and even a family zombie apocalypse plan with Pennsylvania as a central meeting point. Aaron, initially skeptical, is gradually drawn into the conversation, and Kirsten expresses interest in starting her own doomsday box.

The episode lightens up with a dad joke submitted by listener Charlie and then moves into a personality quiz involving choosing which pets to abandon in a forest scenario. The quiz results are humorously analyzed, revealing insights into the bandmates' values regarding ambition, courage, stability, and playfulness.

Kirsten then shares a pleasant experience of tulip picking at a local farm, describing the beauty of the tulip fields. This leads to a brief discussion about lavender fields and the possibility of lavender picking.

Finally, Leslie recounts a funny story about her son JJ and a school-wide email prank. A student emailed all the "James" in the school suggesting they "fight it out" for the name. While intended as a joke, the school principal took it seriously, leading to a humorous misunderstanding and JJ having to explain the situation to the vice principal.

The episode concludes with farewells as Leslie and Kirsten prepare for their respective trips, and a promise of a travel report in the next episode.

1. Embrace the Unexpected: The episode celebrates spontaneity and embracing the unknown, whether it's traveling to meet distant relatives or navigating a phone-less few days. Leslie's "go big or go home" vacation philosophy encourages listeners to step outside their comfort zones.
2. Technology Dependence is Real: Leslie's phone mishap vividly illustrates how reliant we've become on smartphones and the surprising sense of isolation and vulnerability experienced without one. It prompts reflection on our digital dependence and the value of basic preparedness.
3. Humor is Essential: The podcast uses humor throughout to navigate everyday life, from travel mishaps to school email pranks. The dad joke and the personality quiz lighten the tone and emphasize the importance of laughter and lightheartedness.
4. Preparedness Provides Peace of Mind: The doomsday prepping discussion, while somewhat humorous, touches on a genuine desire for security and control. Having basic emergency plans and supplies can offer comfort and a sense of readiness, even if the scenarios seem improbable.
5. Personality Quizzes Can Be Fun (and Slightly Insightful): The personality quiz, though lighthearted, sparks a conversation about personal values and self-reflection. It highlights how even simple activities can offer glimpses into our own motivations and priorities.

• 00:00 Introduction and Musical Guests
• 02:58 Travel Plans and Family Connections
• 05:51 Adventures in Food and Cultural Experiences
• 09:10 Spring Break Plans and Family Dynamics
• 12:14 Technology Troubles and Phone Mishaps
• 19:53 Doomsday Prepping and Emergency Preparedness
• 26:55 Pop Culture References and TV Shows
• 36:16 Resourcefulness in Survival Stories
• 39:57 Listener Engagement and Community Connection
• 40:25 The Joy of Dad Jokes
• 41:54 Psychological Tests and Self-Discovery
• 54:29 Flower Picking Adventures
• 01:00:04 Humor in School Life and Creative Pranks