Creating a dream dinner party isn't so different from filmmaking. There's lighting, production design, set dressing, storyline, pacing, interpersonal chemistry, music supervision and even costuming to consider. Plus food, of course!

This week, Trish walks us through her perfect fantasy dinner party, leaving no detail unexplored. Her playlists for every stage of the evening are linked below.

You can find the game Wavelength here.

Also, this week, Liz's favorite thing is English chocolate. She introduces Trish to her top four varieties and we rank them!

We love hearing from you! Got a question or topic for discussion in a future episode? Please email us or send a voice memo to hello@oncuepodcast.com.

This episode is produced and edited by Kathleen Gallacher.

This week's cocktail or mocktail-- THE STEAL AWAY:

2 oz dry gin (for mocktail, use limeade or lime soda)
1 oz fig liqueur (we used Zachlawi Fig Arak. For mocktail, use apple juice with a few drops of anise extract)
1 oz date syrup
½ oz fermented lemon juice (Chef Nina's simple recipe for fermented lemons is here)
½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 drops of cardamom extract

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, then shake, strain into a cute glass, and garnish with fresh fruit or dried flowers.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:
Trish's Cocktail Hour Playlist
Trish's Dinner Table Playlist
Trish's Parlor Games Playlist
Episode 35 - Trish's Dinner Party
Record Of The Week
Theme Song - Ends Of The Earth

This week, Liz and Trish decided to shelve the scheduled episode to talk instead about something pressing and personal—the devastating fires in Los Angeles. In light of the ongoing crisis, they reflect on the overwhelming emotions of helplessness, anger, and hope that so many are grappling with.

To help process, Liz has curated a playlist of songs for the planet. This playlist ranges from uplifting and inspirational tracks to more raw and angry anthems, capturing the wide spectrum of emotions we experience in the face of disaster. Whether you need a moment of catharsis or a spark of hope, this collection offers something for everyone.

This week Trish's favorite thing is the power of bravery—the bravery of first responders, of course, but also the everyday heroes: people showing up for their neighbors, the animals surviving the chaos, and everyone coming together to face the unthinkable. Bravery is showing up, even when the odds feel insurmountable, and Trish celebrates the courage on display in these unimaginable times.

No cocktail this week—just a gentle nudge to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, especially in times of stress. Take care of yourselves!

We’d love to hear from you! Have thoughts, feelings, or reflections on the fires, bravery, or the playlist? Or just want to connect? Send us an email or voice memo at hello@oncuepodcast.com or DM us on Instagram. We’re here for you.

This episode is produced and edited by Kathleen Gallacher.

Liz's Songs for the Planet

Record of the Week

Theme Song - Ends of the Earth - Simon Steadman and T.T. Magruber

This week, we examine and discuss the movie Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), diving into the iconic soundtrack and the way it underscores the film's characters, storylines, comedy, and themes.

Also, Trish's favorite thing this week is the book THE RED TAROT, by diviner and educator Christopher Marmolejo.

We love hearing from you! Got a question or topic for discussion in a future episode? Please email us or send a voice memo to hello@oncuepodcast.com.

This episode is produced and edited by Kathleen Gallacher.

This week's cocktail or mocktail-- THE STRUMMER ("Strummah"):

1½ oz of vodka (for mocktail, use sparkling water or lemon soda)
½ oz Chambord (for mocktail, use raspberry syrup or cran-raspberry juice)
¼ oz dry Vermouth (for mocktail, use white grape juice or sparkling water)
¼ oz Alkermes Liqueur, which you'll never be able to find. So substitute with Campari... or if you wanna lean into the cough syrup experience, try Maraschino liqueur. (For mocktail, use vanilla syrup or a few drops of vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon, anise, nutmeg or your favorite spice or extract)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, then shake, strain into a cute glass, and garnish with fresh or freese-dried raspberries or dried flowers.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:

Music From Episode 33 - Grosse Pointe Blank

Record Of The Week

Theme Song - Ends Of The Earth - Simon Steadman and T.T. Magruber

In preparation for 2025, we're celebrating and imagining what might lie ahead. From musicians and filmmakers we're watching, to composers we'd love to hire to score the entire year-- join us in laying out a smorgasbord of exciting possibilities.

Also, Trish's favorite thing this week is fingerless gloves.

We love hearing from you! Got a question or topic for discussion in a future episode? Please email us or send a voice memo to hello@oncuepodcast.com.

This episode is produced and edited by Kathleen Gallacher.

This week's cocktail or mocktail-- THE POMPOM SOCK:

Start by making strawberry syrup: Combine a medium-sized bag (about 3-4 cups) of frozen strawberries, 2 cups of water, and 2 cups of sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a few minutes and remove from heat. Once cooled, strain out the fruit and refrigerate the syrup in a jar.

For the cocktail:
½ oz limoncello
½ oz strawberry syrup
3 oz champagne

Pour the limoncello and strawberry syrup into the bottom of a champagne glass or flute, then top with cold champagne. Garnish with fresh or freeze-dried strawberry and/or a lemon twist.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:

Music From Episode 32- Happy New Year!

Record Of The Week

Theme Song - Ends Of The Earth - Simon Steadman and T.T. Magruber

Happy holidays to all! This week, we're exploring Christmas songs made famous by the movies in which they first appeared.

Plus, Liz's favorite thing is The Corduroy Cuddle, which may or may not lead to a new career as a Professional Cuddle Service Provider.

We love hearing from you! Got a question or topic for discussion in a future episode? Please email us or send a voice memo to hello@oncuepodcast.com.

This episode is produced and edited by Kathleen Gallacher.

This week's cocktail or mocktail-- THE HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS:

Start by rimming a martini glass with crushed candy cane, using agave or some other sticky syrup to hold the chunks of candy to the glass.

For the cocktail:
1½ oz vodka (for mocktail, use cream soda or water if you like it less sweet)
1 oz vanilla liquor (we like Giffard Vanille de Madagascar Liqueur. For mocktail, use vanilla syrup or four drops of vanilla extract plus a teaspoon of sugar dissolved in an ounce of water)
1 oz peppermint schnapps (for mocktail, use peppermint syrup or five drops of peppermint extract plus a teaspoon of sugar dissolved in an ounce of water)

Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice, then served strained into your rimmed glass.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:

Music From Episode 31 - Holiday Songs From Movies

Record Of The Week

Theme Song - Ends Of The Earth - Simon Steadman and T.T. Magruber

Does the world need another year-end list? Probably not. But we put our own spin on one anyway. Songs and movies to ring out the year, On Cue-style.

Plus, Trish's favorite thing this week is rodent contraceptive.

We love hearing from you! Got a question or topic for discussion in a future episode? Please email us or send a voice memo to hello@oncuepodcast.com.

This episode is produced and edited by Kathleen Gallacher.

This week's cocktail or mocktail-- PEARL:

Start by making a spiced ginger syrup. Combine in a saucepan:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
one large ginger root, chopped or grated

Let the mixture come to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit until it's room temperature. Strain out the ginger, then store in a jar in your refrigerator.

For the cocktail:
1½ oz vodka (for mocktail, use lemon soda)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz ginger syrup

Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice, then served strained into a chilled glass straight up. Sprinkle nutmeg on top.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:

Music From Episode 30 - 2024 Retrospective

Record Of The Week

Theme Song - Ends Of The Earth - Simon Steadman and T.T. Magruber

Up here in the Northern hemisphere, as the shortest day of the year draws near, we're snuggling up with our honeys and sharing our perfect movie date nights, complete with soundtracks, heartwarming films, and sexy songs. Light a candle or two and join us!

Plus, Liz's favorite thing this week is the bundle of family films she's seen in 2024 with her son, Oliver and her wife, Kathleen.

We love hearing from you! Got a question or topic for discussion in a future episode? Please email us or send a voice memo to hello@oncuepodcast.com.

This episode is produced and edited by Kathleen Gallacher.

This week's cocktail or mocktail-- THE BEARSKIN RUG:

Start by making a spiced ginger honey syrup. Combine in a saucepan:
1 cup honey
1 cup water
one medium-sized ginger root, chopped or grated
1 tbsp ground cinnamon or 3 cinnamon sticks
1 tbsp ground or whole cloves
1 tbsp nutmeg
½ tbsp vanilla extract
Let the mixture come to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit until it's room temperature. Strain out the spices, then store in a jar in your refrigerator.

For the cocktail:
1 oz Irish whiskey (for mocktail, use 2 oz ginger ale)
1 oz Grand Marnier (for mocktail, use 4 splashes of orange bitters or a few drops of orange oil extract)
1 oz cassis liquor (for mocktail, use cranberry juice)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz ginger syrup

Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice, then served strained into a chilled glass straight up or over fresh rocks. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of fresh orange.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:

Music From Episode 29 - Favorite Movie Date Nights

Trish's sexy Bossa Nova datenight playlist.

Record Of The Week

Theme Song - Ends Of The Earth - Simon Steadman and T.T. Magruber

How do we get permission to use a song in film or TV? Who needs to be paid, and what's the process? With years of experience under her belt, Liz gets into the nitty gritty of music clearances and dishes the dirt on which artists are hard to clear, which artists she loves to place in projects, and what issues you never knew had to be considered along the way.

Also Trish's favorite thing this week is a hardboiled egg.

We love hearing from you! Got a question or topic for discussion in a future episode? Please email us or send a voice memo to hello@oncuepodcast.com.

This episode is produced and edited by Kathleen Gallacher.

This week's California sober mocktail-- THE FAVORED NATIONS:

4 oz Magic Cactus botanical elixir (we used the spiced peach flavor)
½ oz spiced pear shrub (we used the Crafted Cocktail Asian pear)
2 oz soda water

Pour all ingredients over ice, stir gently and serve on the rocks, garnished with candied ginger.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:

Music From Episode 28 - Music Clearances

Record Of The Week

Theme Song - Ends Of The Earth - Simon Steadman and T.T. Magruber