Ashley and Brad Show

News; birthdays/events; most embarrassing thing that happened to you as a kid?; word of the day. News; facts about 4th of July; game: patriotic word ladder; most annoying words Americans say. News; July 4th pet safety; game: patriotic trivia; what time should fireworks stop at night? News; would you give up your seat for an elderly person or a pregnant woman?; game: patriotic songs; goodbye/fun facts....National Barbecued Spare Ribs Day...a lot of us spend the day celebrating July 4th by grilling various kinds of meats and vegetables. Barbecue lunches are common and everyone is eager to show off their grilling skills! Spare ribs were intended to be served grilled. Short or long, over charcoal or gas, and in the heat of summer with various dips and sauces...but if you don't want to eat meat...today is also Jackfruit Day...which people adhering to a plant-based diet use as meat substitute and many people love jackfruit with bbq sauce! Although jackfruit is challenging to prepare....it does come canned, frozen, and vacuum packed in many grocers and retailers nationwide. So enjoy some meat or non meat alternative bbq today!

News; birthdays/events; is happiness a grand illusion?; word of the day. News; game: everybody knows; can you pass the srt test?; would you book a vacation based on your sign? News; game: I should have known that; does your company do fun events...bowling, movies, picnics etc?; a fun/funny look at America (since July 4 is tomorrow). News; game: Tom Cruise birthday trivia; maximize your day and double your productivity in less than 5 minutes a day; goodbye/fun facts....International Drop a Rock Day...along the lines of random acts of kindness. Just about everyone can join in on the fun. Drop a rock day involves finding or buying some rocks, decorating or painting them however you'd like and putting them around at the park, hiking trail, lakeside, neighborhood or other greenspace to leave little messages of hope and light on rocks. As a civilization...we have been writing or painting on rocks since the ancient caves tens of thousands of years ago! With the advent of drop a rock day...every year there is a theme...and this year's theme is HOPE...Just remember to keep the rocks in places where people can find them – and away from areas where they might be a nuisance for a lawnmower!

News; birthdays/events; why don't we "coupon" as much as we used to...what about digital coupons?; word of the day. News; who do you think is the coolest actor? study shows what makes people 'cool'; game: Larry David trivia; how long do you need to wait to discuss a show's "spoiler"? News; remember garanimals? (Ashley thinks some adults still need that) but what if AI could help dress you?; game: drum intro songs; how likely are you to "play with fireworks"? News; according to Allstate insurance...2025 list of the best and worst drivers (cities); game: prison commissary price is right; goodbye/fun facts....Made in the USA Day...it's celebrated a couple days before Independence Day when patriotic feelings are at an all-time high. Made in the USA Day encourages the manufacturing of goods in America and customers to choose these goods instead of those that are imported from elsewhere. The labels on products that signify the country of origin are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While these labels are mandatory for imported goods, only some products made in America must have the labels. It's not always possible....but maybe at least try to buy exclusively American-made products at least today. There's a website: authenticity50.com is a site dedicated to those that hand-make or manufacture products in America.

News; birthdays/events; throwback music is the #1 thing that triggers happy memories...what on your top 3?; word of the day. News; the movie theater business model could be gone before we know it...what do you think they should do?; game: Dan Aykroyd trivia; do you make weekly meal prep calendars? are you super inspired to try new meals? News; Paul McCartney revealed his 3 favorite albums of all time...what's one of yours?; game: celebrity audio books; hidden costs of vacation. News; would you rather watch real fireworks or drones? some fireworks have really bizarre names btw!! (like "unicorn puke"); did you stop eating/drinking something only to start again after many years? Ashley did!!; goodbye/fun facts....second Half of the Year Day...the 182nd Day of the Year) is an opportunity to take a step back, and analyze your year thus far with your goals and objectives (forget the New Year’s resolutions, which likely didn’t survive beyond February), and take action to get back on track if required. It’s an excellent time to reflect on your money, nutrition, work, and other parts of your life that you might wish to change. Make the rest of the year count!

News; birthdays/events; do you wait for Amazon Prime Day to buy stuff? Ashley has a bunch of stuff in her cart!; word of the day. News; Ashley's friend doesn't like new technology because she can't manually adjust the time; if you plan on driving a lot this summer...car maintenance myths; the average American has 7 vhs tapes...still!!! News; what are you most looking forward to in July (besides fireworks)?; game: quiz; game: feud. News; even the guy who invented Chat GPT says 'beware'!!; game: calendar trivia; goodbye/fun facts....world snorkeling day...Snorkeling is the practice of swimming through the water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped breathing tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. It requires little effort as long as one knows how to swim, as you don’t need training or any complicated equipment. The first use of ‘snorkel’ was in November 1950, when the Honolulu Sporting Goods Co. introduced a ‘swim-pipe,’ urging children and adults to ‘try the human version of the submarine snorkel and be like a fish,’ likely referring to the German word ‘schnorchel’ that originally referred to an air intake that was used to supply air to the diesel engines of U-boats. No coastline nearby? Watch a live reef stream or explore an interactive marine tour online. Some aquariums offer high‑quality videos of tropical ecosystems. These let you see sea turtles, rays, and reef fish in real time. Kids and adults alike can join the adventure from any room with Wi‑Fi.

News; birthdays/events; do you judge people on what they eat? HALF of us do!!; word of the day. News; research shows we all need daily awe...what's yours?; game: Mel Brooks birthday trivia; what one talent do you wish you had? News; how much work do you do "off the clock"?; game: Jaws movie trivia; what's the weirdest thing you've ever owned?...how did you get it? News; people are surprisingly sensitive about how tall they are...and we start shrinking well before we think we do!!; game: song title trios; goodbye/fun facts....National Bingo Day... this timeless game that has evolved from a simple lottery in 16th-century Italy to a digital phenomenon in the 21st century....it first came to the U.S. in the 1920's...but it was called “Beano". It was standardized by Hugh J. Ward where players used a cardboard sheet, dried beans, and a rubber stamp to participate in the fun....Legend has it that the name “Bingo” emerged from a winner’s excited slip of the tongue, replacing “Beano.” After that — as they say — the rest is history. No complex rules here. Basically, if you can count, you can play Bingo and you can play for big money...Catherine Zeta-Jones’s father won a significant bingo prize, which funded her theater school education, propelling her acting career.

News; birthdays/events; would you eat dandelions?; word of the day. News; game: percussion--clapping in songs; BMW has a new blinker system...using the driver's eyes!; plain Jane/plain Joe is the new normal. News; game: battle of the sexes part 1; game: battle of the sexes part 2; do you keep thermostat down for the dogs when you aren't home? News; how early to get to the movie theater?; July 4...long weekend things to do; goodbye/fun facts....National Bomb Pop Day...the Summertime favorite that reminds us of fireworks! The Bomb Pop was invented by D.S. Abernethy and James Merritt in 1955 during the outset of the Cold War. The duo came up with this cool, frozen treat as a way to reflect American patriotism and ease tensions felt in households watching U.S. and Soviet Union navigate the possibility of a nuclear war. Original Bomb Pops were a combination of cherry (red), lime (white), and raspberry (blue). However, since 2015, several other flavors are available...the Bomb Pop story is not without its share of controversy, too. In 1989, Popsicle released the Firecracker Pop as the Bomb Pop’s direct rival...so whichever brand you enjoy...enjoy one today!

News; birthdays/events; can you act "over-confident"?; word of the day. News; returnless returns...good idea?; game: songs with sax solos; list of Star Wars action figures worth the most money. News; bizarre items you can't bring on planes; game: password; would you try a beauty product if it made you smell bad? News; what's the most mileage you've ever put on a car?; game: movies trivia; goodbye/fun facts....National Strawberry Parfait Day. The dessert’s name means ‘perfect’ in French...The traditional parfait is a dessert of ice cream or frozen custard layered with fruit and whipped cream in a tall stemmed glass....but strawberries are in peak season right now..which makes them the perfect summer snack packed with flavor and health benefits. Use this day as an excuse to eat strawberry parfait for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also have it as a midday snack. You can customize it any way you'd like: plain yogurt, greek yogurt, non dairy yogurt, ricotta cream, Granola, nuts and seeds, or even pretzels.

News; birthdays/events; ways to keep cool; word of the day. News; game: 1 second songs; what's something you HAVE to do every summer?; there are luxury boats, yachts, superyachts, and then what Jeff Bezos has. News; game: TV theme show music; gen z job "requirements"; how many of these money wasting things are you guilty of? News; game: general trivia; 70% of us write less than 3 checks a year...but some businesses only take cash or checks...when was the last place you went to that didn't take cc or e-payments?; goodbye/fun facts....National Upcycling Day is all about turning something old into something new again! There are tons of websites and guides that can introduce you to upcycling and show you how to make new furniture, accessories, and even a few handy tools out of things you might otherwise throw away. Artists in the Netherlands turned a defunct Boeing 747 into a functional conference room. That's obviously large scale...but in the 1930s, families transformed feed sacks into dresses, curtains, and other essentials after the great depression. Nowadays people transform jars, cans, and other containers into planters, storage solutions, or decorative items or repurposing metal items like cans, old tools, or even washing machine drums into planters, fire pits, or other functional objects.

News; birthdays/events; how often do you shop online when you're shopping in the store?; word of the day. News; game: quiz; game: feud; things not to leave in your car in the Summer. News; frugal habits that make sense at home but send the wrong message at work; state fair food; things your parents warned you about that actually came true (did you think eating your veggies and saving money was a good idea as a kid)? News; craziest thing that ever happened to you (one in a million list); game: calendar trivia; goodbye/fun facts....National Pecan Sandies Day (whether you say it as ‘pee-can’ or ‘peh-kahn,’) it's a textured, crunchy, buttery, tree nut cookie. The sandy (or ‘sablé’) is a type of sugar or shortbread cookie. The word ‘sablé’ is French, meaning ‘sandy,’ due to the crumbly texture of the cookie, which comes from the sandy, breadcrumb-like texture when mixing the flour and butter. The name also works because of the sandy color of the cookie. The traditional pecan sandy has a toasted pecan pressed into the cookie and is garnished with a flurry of powdered sugar... it melts in the mouth and goes amazingly with a glass of cold milk or a hot beverage like tea. The name ‘Sandies’ was registered by the Keebler Company as a brand name in 1955 and Keebler makes 3 kinds of 'sandies'...plain, pecan, and cashew.

News; birthdays/events; are you happy about the first day of summer or does it make you sad?; word of the day. News; have you ever gotten a raise without asking or do you have to sit thru those annual "performance review" meetings to see if you're gonna get a raise?; game: classic TV clips; if other planets have resources we need/use...should we go and take it or are damaging the solar system by being greedy? News; body part model...which body part would you model???; game: backwards song game; women's intuition SFA. News; Summer crowd strategy; game: piano intros; goodbye/fun facts....national flip flop day....Sandals resembling the erstwhile flip flops have been around for many years... the earliest recorded sandals come from Egypt but there sandals worn by the Ancient Greeks and Romans and Mesopotamians. These versions were made from a variety of materials – papyrus leaves, palm leaves, leather, wood, rice straw. The design of the modern-day sandal is inspired by the Japanese ‘zori.’ The Encyclopedia of History of Japanese Manners and Customs states Japanese children used these flip flop-type shoes when first learning to walk. In 1945 the Japanese zori is brought into America by returning soldiers; this creates a flip flop craze in the US. These days...americans own several pair of flip flops...we spend about 2.5 billion a year as a country.

News; birthdays/events; Reddit list of "common knowledge" facts...how many do you know?; word of the day. News; what little things/habits do you do to make your next day easier? (i.e. set out clothes the night before); game: guess the TV show; party etiquette question...do you still need to give a gift if you're not going? does it depend on the party? News; Mental Floss list...U.S. cities with the most expensive hotels; game: product jingles the winner of the Lay's potato chip 'new flavor' contest. News; could you"live on the frontier"?; game: outburst; goodbye/fun facts....Do you prefer it dry, dirty, shaken, or not stirred? That’s the question we’re all asking on National Martini Day. There are a few conflicting stories about who created the martini. One story says the martini evolved from a cocktail served at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco during the mid-1800s. Another says the martini was originally called “The Martinez,” named after the California Gold Rush for the town of Martinez. Early martinis were made with wine, gin, and an olive. But since have expanded to many exciting flavors! The martini didn't get lots of exposure until the James Bond movies debuted in the early 1960s....James Bond’s preference for a “shaken, not stirred” martini popularized this preparation method. However, traditionalists argue that martinis should be only stirred to preserve the integrity of the gin.

News; birthdays/events; how do you get copies of store receipts?...(Ashley's SFA); word of the day. News; signs that your house is a target to get robbed; many people seem to have "office burnout"...but there is a surprising new culprit; game: Paul McCartney word ladder. News; would you want to be a 'test house' for new technology?; Summer activities from 'yesteryear' that could revive modern culture; game: just over $700 pyramid. News; did you hear about the tourist that accidentally ruined a museum piece then tried to walk away like it never happened!!; game: who are these celebrities in an interview; goodbye/fun facts....International Picnic Day. Picnics have been a staple of most cultures for years and, believe it or not, their popularity can be traced directly to the French Revolution. When informal outdoor meal becames a popular pastime in France after the French Revolution when commoners were allowd in the country’s royal parks. "Pique-nique" is the French word for picnic....combination of "piquer" (to peck or pick) and "nique" (a trifle or something of little value), suggesting a light, informal meal. In the Southern Hemisphere, people use the warm-weathered Christmas time to enjoy picnics. 55% of young Americans said having a picnic was their favorite warm-weather activity. To many, a picnic isn’t complete without some sort of activity to play in-between plates. With something as simple as a frisbee or as elaborate as a scavenger hunt.

News; birthdays/events; how many days can you deal with hot summer days before you agree to adjust the thermostat in the house?; word of the day. News; game: mascot trivia; we have adult kickball leagues but what other kids games would you love to participate in?; most dangerous and safest nations to visit (or avoid) in 2025. News; game: mindtrap; at what adult age did you finally start appreciating your parents/really bonding?pets that make others think twice about hanging out with you. News; game: Boom goes the Trivia; the 4 "s" words that can predict if A.I. will take your job; goodbye/fun facts....National Cherry Tart Day....there is a bit of a debate on the day this is celebrated...some say today, some say the 18th and others say the 21st. But everyone who loves cherry tarts would probably celebrate on all 3 days. The cherry tart dates back to Michigan during the mid-1800s. Michigan is one of the largest producer of tart cherries in the U.S. Some people believe the cherry tart is very similar to the Crostata di ricotta e visciole. This Roman Jewish tart is made with ricotta and sour cherry jam and is believed to have originated during the late1600's. While many people may be familiar with the cherry pie as an all-American treat, the cherry tart may be slightly less well-known. In a cherry tart, the fruit is presented in an open-faced crusty pastry shell...and btw...we're in peak cherry season right now!!!

News; birthdays/events; recent college grads say this is more anxiety inducing than breaking up with someone; word of the day. News; game: quiz; game: feud; (aside from religious books) are there books that changed your life/how you think about things? News; how would you feel if your favorite food/candy was declared "unsafe"?; sitting in a hot tub and/or sauna is just as effective as 30 minutes of exercise...would you do that instead?; do you work harder on Mondays then trail off by Fridays? News; game: calendar trivia; do you go to the movies to see all those "anniversary re-releases"? goodbye/fun facts....international waterfall day...Waterfalls have a way of stopping us in our tracks. International Waterfall Day invites everyone to pause and marvel at these natural wonders. From the roar of Niagara to the misty veil of Angel Falls, each cascade tells its own story. It's not just their beauty but also their role in our world. They provide fresh water, support wildlife, and draw visitors from all corners. Find a nearby waterfall trail and hit the path. If travel isn’t an option, stream waterfall videos or documentaries.

News; birthdays/events; when was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone?; word of the day. News; what's stopping us from being more adventurous on our "bucket lists"? (besides financial constraints); game: potpourri trivia; dealing with entitled co-workers or customers at work. News; game: Toy Story movie trivia; Friday the 13th...it's not all bad luck; finance buzz...things smart people have stopped buying. News; game: famous guitar licks; top 10 favorite TV dads of all time; goodbye/fun facts....National Golf Cart Day. The first golf cart was invented in 1932 by Lyman Beecher. As an avid golfer, Lyman was looking for a transportation alternative to continue golfing after arthritis set it. He built a cart that could carry him and his clubs....but it had to be pulled by a caddy. During the 1950s, golf carts advanced to become motorized and powered by gasoline. Unfortunately, they were still not widely accepted as most were banned golf courses due to noise and exhaust. That setback led to electric-powered carts and by the end of the 1950s, country clubs across the country began renting golf carts to their members for a more leisurely golf experience.

News; birthdays/events; when it comes to armrests...which one is yours?; word of the day. News; if you've been waiting for an appointment with a specific Dr (but it conflicts with something in your schedule) what do you do? even famous people have that problem; Game: Superman Trivia; best place to hide an extra key. News; do you ever really read the rules of board games?; game: harmonica songs; not every celebrity loves social media...(many agree with Brad). News; great advice your dad gave you; game: celebrity endorsements; goodbye/fun facts....Raggedy Ann and Andy Day...beloved little red-headed rag doll and her little brother...who captured the hearts of so many children over the last century! back in 1915 Johnny Gruelle receives the patent for the Raggedy Ann doll character then in 1918 Gruelle’s first book in the series, Raggedy Ann Stories, is published and 2 years later Raggedy Andy is introduced Ann’s feisty little brother and closest buddy appears in Gruelle’s books and as a doll. the story behind Gruelle's patent are these...Some versions say that the author and illustrator, Johnny Gruelle found an old doll without a face in his parents’ attic and thought it would make a good character for a story. Other versions have him writing the stories for his daughter, Marcella. and in 2002, Raggedy Ann is inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

News; birthdays/events; what's your average bedtime?; word of the day. News; have you ever made a "9-ender" decision?; how much would you pay for peace and quiet?; game: American Idol quiz. News; most boring things that we face as adults; men have their "ideal body" (what they think women want to see...but this is really what women want to see?; game: E.T. movie trivia. News; best and worst places to propose; game: Jurassic Park movie trivia; goodbye/fun facts....National Corn on the Cob Day falls on June 11 — the perfect pre-summer date. (Although, for most home gardens, mid-June is still too early for the harvest.) The history of corn dates back to nearly 7,000 years ago in Mexico. Originally growing as a wild grass, corn was eventually grown as a crop and harvested. From Mexico, corn eventually spread north into what is now the U.S. Native Americans planted and harvested corn, making it plentiful across tribes. Today, corn is found across North America....and there are dozens of ways to jazz it up besides just salt and pepper like: Cajun...just mix garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper, paprika and oregano or Citrus Seasoned Salt...Add sea salt, hot smoked paprika, black pepper, smoked salt, and finely grated orange zest or Italian Corn on the Cob...parmesan cheese, powdered garlic and italian seasonings.

News; birthdays/events; do you display awards, diplomas, plaques etc in your home or is that just for the office? what if you work from home?; word of the day. News; game: celebrity autobiographies; aside from 3 day weekends/holidays, when was the last time you forgot what day it was?; vacation reminders from law enforcement. News; game: audio movie clips; July 4 is on a Friday...take Thursday off too?; Father's Day gift ideas that aren't grill related. News; game: movies trivia; can you be mad at your kid when you get a call from school that they did something kinda bad...but you secretly want to be proud. (funny dad/son story); goodbye/fun facts....National Iced Tea Day to celebrate one of Summer's favorite refreshing drinks. Whether you prefer sweetened or unsweetened, with or without lemon..of course, tea has been around since 2700 bc in China. A man named Thomas Lipton opens his first tea shop in Glasgow in 1876...but iced tea didn’t burst onto the scene and win over America’s hearts and minds until 1904 when visitors to the St. Louis World’s Fair were greeted by exceedingly hot weather. Tea plantation owner and merchant Richard Blechynden, who was present at the fair, took advantage of the situation by selling chilled tea drinks instead of hot tea as a cold refreshment. The rest is history.

News; birthdays/events; do you support aesthetic treatments for teenagers or is that a bridge too far?; word of the day. News; would you watch the 'global barista championship'? (Ashley is very intrigued); game: quiz; game: feud. News; we tend to enjoy things the more we know/understand them (rules to sports, the lyrics behind a song etc)...is there something you want to learn more about?; it seems like so many retail stores are putting other retails stores in their space...is it becoming too cramped?; if you could make one food calorie-free forever....what would it be? News; new baby shower trend; game: calendar trivia; goodbye/fun facts....National Meal Prep Day is quickly becoming an important global "holiday". Meal preparation is sometimes ignored as to-do lists and work schedules continue to impact lifestyle choices. However, health experts believe that it is the ideal scroll for healthy living. planning meals ahead of time may appear to be a difficult task, the advantages well outweigh the effort...especially once you get a pattern down. Experts say most fridge based items won't be fresh after 5 days...but there are many items you can make an freeze for up to a few months! and you can't find lots of meal prep idea websites online.