Let’s not kid ourselves … The holidays are never easy. And putting together this week’s episode of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour was particularly trying …

In fact, after an hour-long Skype-based conversation with their trans-Atlantic guest, Alex Lewczuk, your friends in podcasting, Dean Haglund and Phil Leirness, were shocked to discover that almost none of it was recorded!

So, they just kept talking … Without starting over! If it seems a little bit like joining a conversation in the middle, well … that’s EXACTLY what it IS! It’s a fun, free-wheeling conversation, however, about such a wide range of topics as ageism in the media, science-fiction, academia, Roman settlements, ancient cathedrals, Christmas markets … and more!

Those of you familiar with Phil’s extra-curricular activities know that he is a regular contributor to Alex Lewczuk’s Midweek Drive program(me) for Siren FM and Southside Broadcasting in the UK. You also might remember hearing Alex as part of the 28 hour Mayan podcastathon Dean and Phil conducted last year at this time.

Though, it lacks structure, due to the structure not being recorded, this week’s show is sure to stuff your stocking with audio good cheer. The elves at Rational Exuberance have edited together several holiday-themed goodies for inclusion in this week’s show – another way in which its like no other episode you’ve heard!

Happy Holidays, one and all!

Because Dean Haglund is packing up for Galaxy Fest in Colorado Springs, Colorado (to perform comedy and show The Truth Is Out There), and Phil Leirness is hitting the road for the 2012 International UFO Congress in Fountain Hills, Arizona (where the TRUTH is also screening), this week’s installment of YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour is coming to you a few hours later than we like.

It is, however, one of our very best shows!

That it’s President’s Day in the U.S. leads to a discussion of presidential UFO lore, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, JFK, Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball and Merv Griffin. The special friendship between The UK’s “The Midweek Drive” and YOUR Chillpak Hollywood Hour, leads to a discussion of Phil’s pajamas and his forthcoming tour of the UK. The book The Wayfinders leads to a discussion of cultural relativism, the biosphere, the ethnosphere, the living history of Los Angeles, and Dreamtime and The Dream Factory. An Albert Einstein quote leads to a discussion of the intuitive mind and the rational mind and the way we might move beyond divisiveness in an effort to address the common challenges facing us all. The Chillpak Hollywood Live Event of the Week leads to a discussion of Phil’s admiration for an actress he had never before seen, the best director working in theatre today, and the way storytellers’ strengths in one medium can serve as weakness in another.

All that, plus TWO Chillpak Hollywood Lawsuits of the Week (the one involving Chris Pine, “Captain Kirk” from JJ Abrams’ re-boot of Star Trek is a particular hoot.

Your friends in podcasting definitely brought their “A” game. We hope you will enjoy it enough to share it with others …