Welcome to the community! Before we get to our regularly scheduled programming, we're providing some background on how the podcast came to be and what you can expect to hear every week!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Send us an email: pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com

This week, Jasmine and Michael take a break from normal programming to talk about a movie just right for Spooky Season! Let’s take a trip back to 1995 and visit the ghosts of Whipstaff Manor for a review of “Casper”.

Our hosts talk Halloween nostalgia and then do a full breakdown of the absolutely bonkers film that was meant FOR KIDS. Come laugh along with Jasmine as Michael revisits a movie he hasn’t seen in over twenty years, loses it over the many inappropriate moments, and gushes over Cathy Moriarty every chance he gets.

So grab a snack, yell at Dibs to tuck you into your baby cradle (even though you are an adult ghost), and settle in for a spooky, pleasant conversation.

Jasmine is about to go on her much-needed vacation, so what better conversations are there for our hosts to have than about politics and animals! Don’t worry, the animals always outweigh the politics.

After some political griping, our hosts delight in some banter about 90s TV shows, good news in both the animal and environmental worlds, an educationally fun topic, Ashes & Embers, the weekly affirmation, and some pleasantries about being a responsible adult.

Now put down that fourth shrimp cocktail and go meet your activities director down on the poop deck, but watch your step, as they welcome you to join our pleasant conversations!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

Sea turtle nests hit a new high on the Texas coast: https://www.chron.com/life/wildlife/article/sea-turtles-nests-texas-20379265.php

World's oldest climate fund targets wildlife bonds for every country in Africa: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/worlds-oldest-climate-fund-targets-wildlife-bonds-every-country-africa-2025-07-17/

A new Trump policy asked national park visitors to report 'negative' content. They're writing compliments to rangers instead: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/national-park-trump-feedback-forms

Conservation Jobs Corps gives Midland teens hands-on STEM experience at I-20 Wildlife Preserve: https://www.mrt.com/news/education/article/conservation-jobs-corps-midland-stem-20775607.php

5,000 people express interest in running for office following NYC mayoral primary: 'Change is coming': https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/new-york-city-primary-zohran-mamdani-run-for-something

Gorillas return to San Antonio Zoo for first time in 30 years, featuring largest gorilla tower in the world: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/07/17/gorillas-return-to-san-antonio-zoo-for-first-time-in-30-years-featuring-largest-gorilla-tower-in-the-world/