In this episode, Angie and Shelly dive into the topic of AI in the most Hot Flash Chronicles way possible. It starts with cookie baking, food talk (obviously), and quickly turns into a very real conversation about how artificial intelligence is already part of our daily lives. From AI phone assistants and social media trends to fears about jobs, body image, creativity, and authenticity, this episode balances humor with thoughtful insight.

They talk about what they would love an AI clone to handle, what they never want it touching, and why intention matters more than the technology itself.

🍪 Cookie Baking and Food Detours Russian tea cakes, German cookies, biscotti, sourdough, and why every episode somehow becomes a food episode

🤖 If We Had an AI Version of Ourselves Cleaning grout, folding laundry, making phone calls, potty training dogs, and doing all the chores we hate

📞 Real Life AI in Business Angie shares how her AI receptionist is booking clients and why transparency matters

🚗 Smart Cars and Coffee Cup Alerts When your rental car thinks you need caffeine and starts judging your life choices

🧠 How AI Is Changing Work From programming to customer service to education and why prompting is becoming a real skill

📸 AI Images and Social Media Holiday trends, filters, viral prompts, and the difference between fun and misrepresentation

💄 Is AI Harmful to Women A real conversation about body image, feminism, filters, makeup, and intention

📷 Why Real Photos Still Matter Why connection, trust, and human presence cannot be replicated by AI

⚖️ Good Bad or Somewhere in the Middle Why most technology lands in the gray area and how humans adapt

🔮 The Future of AI Will AI talk to other AI, replace jobs, create new ones, or just continue to evolve alongside us

😂 Rapid Fire and Food Closes Fig sourdough, New Year intentions, vision boards, and pistachio gelato dreams

📢 Follow and Support the Podcast 🎧 Podcast Episodes: https://hotflashchroniclespodcast.podbean.com 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-flash-chronicles/id1802239722 🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5f8iMNCItgjL79nC1jXA5w 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HotflashChronicles 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotFlashChronicles 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotflashchroniclespodcast 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hotflashchronicles 🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hotflashchronicles

💬 If you had an AI clone, what task would you hand off immediately and what would you never let it touch. Be honest. We want to know.

Angie and Shelly are all in on the holiday spirit in this light and funny episode. From weather shifts and morning coffee rituals with dogs to the chaos of family travel, Friendsgiving, quartets, and cookie baking days, this conversation is full of real life holiday energy. They share the traditions they love, the ones they have outgrown, and the ones they are reinventing as grownups.

This one is warm, cozy, relatable, and keeps the holiday stress to a minimum.

☕ Cozy Season Vibes Dark mornings, fuzzy blankets, warm drinks, and dogs who may or may not be on social media

🎄 Decorating on Your Own Terms From three trees to one tree, from garlands to just a few sparkly touches, finding what feels right this year

🦃 Thanksgiving Recap Travel, traffic, Friendsgiving that lasted till midnight, and a smoked turkey that absolutely slapped

📅 Holiday Scheduling Without Regret Learning to plan ahead, block days off, and say no without guilt

🎁 Gift Giving With Less Stress Buying for grandkids, choosing experiences, sticking to budgets, and not needing to shop for twenty eight people ever again

🔥 Holiday Food Love Turkey, brisket dreams, oysters in the smoker, curry wonton soup, homemade candy, and Angie’s sourdough selling out

✨ Traditions That Stick Christmas tacos, Chinese food on the day after Christmas, nostalgic memories, cookie baking days, and favorite ornaments

💬 Social Comfort Zones Why some parties feel amazing and others feel like a hostage situation, and how to honor what works for you

😂 Sandwich Ploppers and Childhood Craft Projects Kitchen gadgets, sentimental preschool ornaments, blown glass bird decor, and the stories behind them

📢 Follow and Support the Podcast 🎧 Podcast Episodes: https://hotflashchroniclespodcast.podbean.com 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-flash-chronicles/id1802239722 🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5f8iMNCItgjL79nC1jXA5w 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HotflashChronicles 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotFlashChronicles 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotflashchroniclespodcast 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hotflashchronicles 🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hotflashchronicles

💬 What are your must do traditions this time of year? Do you decorate early, shop late, bake with friends, or lean into quiet nights? Tell us how you make the season feel special.

In this episode, Angie and Shelly talk about how the holidays shift as life changes. Kids grow up, families move, routines evolve, and suddenly you are trying to figure out what the season looks like for the version of you that exists today.

Instead of forcing the old traditions or pretending everything feels perfect, they talk honestly about learning to create new rhythms, smaller moments, and gentler expectations. There is plenty of laughter, some real talk about missing people, and a reminder that you get to choose the kind of holiday that feels right for you.

🎄 Letting Go of Perfect Holidays – Why it is okay if your season feels different than it used to

💬 The Emotional Side of December – How to ride the waves without shaming yourself for feeling off

🌟 Small Traditions That Still Spark Joy – Soup nights, baking days, lights on the porch, tiny moments that feel easy and warm

🥺 Missing Loved Ones – Navigating the quiet places in the season when people you love are far away

🛋️ A New Way to Decorate – Maybe it is three trees, maybe it is a cozy blanket and a candle. Both are valid

❤️ The Power of Kind Moments – How a stranger’s compliment completely changed the direction of Angie’s day

🫂 Finding Connection That Fits Your Energy – Reaching out, asking for company, or choosing a quiet night for yourself

🎁 Giving in Simple Ways – Cards, smiles, check ins, warm words, small gestures that matter more than gifts

✨ Creating a Holiday That Supports You – You do not have to match anyone else’s version of the season

📢 Follow and Support the Podcast 🎧 Podcast Episodes: https://hotflashchroniclespodcast.podbean.com 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-flash-chronicles/id1802239722 🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5f8iMNCItgjL79nC1jXA5w 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HotflashChronicles 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotFlashChronicles 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotflashchroniclespodcast 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hotflashchronicles 🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hotflashchronicles

💬 How are you redefining the holidays this year? Smaller gatherings, new traditions, cozy nights at home, or something totally different? Share your version with us. We love hearing how people make the season their own.