Are We Seriously About to Lose TikTok?, Starbucks Wants To Be Your Friend Again

Millennial: Pretend Adulting, Real Talk

• Welcome to #Millennial, the home of pretend adulting and real talk!
• We spend time discussing the latest on the Los Angeles wildfires in California - where are they at, how contained are they, and how many people are being affected? Looking to help? Donate to the American Red Cross to support wildfire relief.
• We also have a slew of mini political updates: Pam wins the first correct prediction of 2025 (that Trump will fly the flag at full mast for his inauguration because he's a giant baby), SCOTUS to hear a case challenging key provisions of the ACA, and of course... the TikTok question. Are we going to need to satisfy our scrolling addiction elsewhere after January 19th?
• How would we feel about losing TikTok? Won't people just... find something else?
• Oh wait, Americans have already started signing up for another Chinese-owned Tik-Tokesque app called Red Note. Lol.
• It seems like the US government isn't the only thing going backwards in 2025: Starbucks recently announced changes to try and win back customers by bringing back those cool coffee shop vibes that make customers want to enjoy the cafes as a third space.
• Starbucks specifically plans to bring back the self-serve condiment bar because we're not worried about spreading germs anymore and eliminate the non-dairy milk surcharges (ok this is good). They also plan to add more comfortable seating and provide the option of receiving your drink in a ceramic mug to inspire you to hang around the 'Bucks and socialize a little. Ahh the smell of burnt coffee and capitalism in the morning!
• Don't miss this week's recommendations! Look for a silent book club near you (Pam), ShoreExcursionsGroup.com to book cruise ship excursions that don't cost an arm and a leg (Andrew), and our What the Hype?! episode on Onyx Storm predictions (Laura).

And in this week's installment of After Dark:

• In honor of this show's 10th birthday, we play tribute to its predecessor, Smart Mouths (rip).
• Laura was apparently kinda bitchy via email in those days. Sorry!
• And for a MuggleSuck throwback: we remember the days of wizard rock on the Harry Potter conference circuit. If a certain wrocker's walls could talk...

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