Some might consider them guilty pleasures. But here at On Cue, it's our mission to rescue certain songs from the shadowy depths of shame and embarrassment. We're rebranding these savory and sweet auditory nuggets as GIVE NO F*CKS songs: tracks that might have caused a cringe when we were younger, but now we openly love with full-throated and reckless abandon.

Also, Liz's favorite thing this week: Trusted HouseSitters. Get 25% off when you use this link.

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 SOLDIER OF LOVE:

3 oz fresh spearmint tea, chilled
1 teaspoon of honey
1 oz herbaceous honey liqueur (we love Casa D'Aristi Xtabentún. For mocktail, use a anise syrup)
1 oz elderflower liqueur (for mocktail, use white grape juice and a few drops of orange blossom water)

Shake all ingredients with ice, then strain into a glass over fresh rocks. Garnish with fresh mint, star anise, or whatever else looks pretty and smells great.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:

Music From Episode 26 - Give No Fuck Songs

Record Of The Week

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

In the wake of a dramatic, far-reaching and consequential US election, you may be feeling drained, confused, overwhelmed or even brokenhearted. While we can't offer any quick fixes, we do appreciate that the right song at the right time can bring comfort, resilience, faith and a way forward. Putting together this episode was a cathartic and restorative exercise for us. Our hope is that it might bring you some relief as well.

Thanks to the musicians who keep making music, lifting us all up and pushing us forward. And thanks to all of you for listening.

Our favorite things this week are tools we've recently discovered to help us make sense of the world:

Thoughtful, nonpartisan news and analysis via Tangle News is here.

Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness, by Dr. Jamil Zaki, is here.

The official music video for Ólafur Arnalds' song 3005 is here.

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 is a variation on THE LAST WORD:

1 oz Laird's Apple Jack (for mocktail, use gingerale or ginger beer)
1 oz St. George spiced pear liquor (for mocktail, use a spiced pear syrup; we loved Crafted Cocktails Asian Pear Shrub)
1 oz yellow Chartreuse (for mocktail, use a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup dissolved in warm water, plus a pinch of saffron, cinnamon, and anise if you've got it)
1 oz fresh lemon juice

Shake all ingredients on ice, then serve strained into a sweet glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or a sprinkle of nutmeg.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:

Songs Of Hope

Record Of The Week

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

Meet our friend, Miguel Rodriguez! He's a professional saxophonist, with a love of jazz and improvisation. As a music producer, a developer of music-centered apps, and a multi-disciplinary collaborator, he dishes on his wide range of musical influences-- from Kenny G, Stan Getz and Sade, to N.E.R.D. and Mk.Gee.

Plus, we taste-test non-alcoholic adaptogen cocktails and expound upon the benefits of meditation and mindfulness.

You can check out his ongoing improvisational dance and music collaboration with Jake Kus Moyle here.

Reviews were mixed on this week’s drink, an alcohol-free "social tonic" called HIYO. It comes in a can, so there's no recipe to share!

This episode is produced and edited by Kathleen Gallacher.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE:

Music From Episode 24

Record Of The Week

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