Mak’s Shark TikTok Obsession | Chosen Family Podcast

[@stephtaylor6292]

Ash, Alayna, and Mak pointing out each others Neurodivergent traits at this point is like the Spiderman pointing meme, I swear!

[@Mariethechaotic]

Lmao, truly

[@savy70832]

Alayna getting things shipped to Ashley’s address and Ashley’s reaction is the most mom and dad conversation ever 😂

[@emilyd4230]

loved mattea’s contributions to this episode 😭 (counter crawling, ponytail moment (non-ponytail moment), hamilton singing, lil wave at the end)

[@RoBayliss]

the flirting between Alayna and Ashley was intense this episode 🤣

[@Raddiebaddie]

Ashley: the Germans will know The Germans: We don’t know 👀😅

[@mero8374]

true 😂

[@madi32]

Sad but true.

[@DDD2323-z5i]

I'm not German but my family has always done this tradition lol

[@shae113]

It appears to be an American tradition that became popular mostly in the Midwest part of the country (the middle portion) and the only German connection seems to be that the original ornaments were made in Germany. The Midwest is very high in people with German heritage, so they likely picked it up, associated the "made in Germany" with "the German's do this" & it became a thing. It makes as much sense as the "Italian Dominic the Donkey" thing.

[@DeathLikesPizza]

As a german, i dont know anybody who hides a pickle in the tree

[@stephtaylor6292]

Alayna subjectively asked to speak about sexuality Immediately uncomfortable. Alayna asked objectively to speak about sexuality through her ''therapist lens'" providing some distance, IMMEDIATLEY comfortable and in her element. lol...the contrast and immediate switch up is so funny to me and incredibly relatable! I get it I do...being the observer is easier than being the observed, even around the same subject. Objectivity allows us to view things that we find interesting in our lives with out the heaviness of subjective viewership and all that may come with it. It makes sense but so funny and loveable to watch happen in real time. Love you !

[@twildabuckingham]

You might be having a stroke

[@bingbongalong]

I love that Mak is just a boy from the 40s with her long johns and pocket knife 😂 24:39

[@ThatGirlShelbyy]

"Is it matt rife's D.V joke?" "They don't deliver those here" THE WAY I CACKLED 😂

[@Can-dice88]

I laughed way too much when Ashley moaned for Alayna and I also had a moment I was thankful I watch this alone. 😂

[@birthe33]

As a German...I have never in my life heard about this pickle thing 😂

[@mero8374]

i was always wondering if other germans are listening to the podcast. hallo 😊

[@beba225]

It was a Woolworths marketing gimmick. 😢

[@kristinavernaldi]

Same. And me neither ;) @mero8374 Habt ihr das Special von Ashley vor ein paar Monaten live gesehen? Da waren super viele Deutsche im Chat ;)

[@overlordofducksandbroccoli]

Ich war so verwirrt als die das gesagt hat

[@BeccyD]

When I got a pickle from an American friend I was so confused. It's not a tradition at all 😂

[@twilighttess211]

I LOVE Alayna’s reaction to anything remotely naughty😂

[@_asantesana_squashbanana_]

Lol. I low-key feel like there's this Freudian thing going on there. Like it'd be hilarious if she was actually a dominatrix in her private life or something. Probably handcuffs her girlfriend, tickle tortures and refers to her in explicits. Without going too into detail. NOT TRYNA BE DISRESPECTFUL I'M JUST SUSPICIOUS AND LAUGHING AT THE IDEA OF ALAYNA BEING SOME SECRET TICKLE MONSTER.

[@el_2904]

Lmao Ashley “I CAN’T today with Missouri” 😂😂

[@stephtaylor6292]

Ashley's sliding down chair exit is the way to exit. cute!

[@eyeseajujubee]

Mattea’s chaos and climbing on the counters added so much fun to the episode 😂 I’m short so I’ve always climbed on counters to reach.

[@gabriellebradley5161]

Florida Park ranger here, it's super adorable seeing mak nerd out about the shark teeth!

[@JuMixBoox]

As a German, I can't believe that the pickle thing is real. It's an urban legend that Americans believe we do this and we absolutely don't and I didn't think anyone actually does. Not to shit on Ashley's family tradition, if you enjoy it, it's awesome! I am also team real Christmas tree, but that is because I sell them, so I kind of have to. I see it more as planting a tree for X amount of years (more than you think) that otherwise wouldn't have been there instead of as cutting down a tree unnecessarily that would otherwise have stayed. That's how it is here at least.

[@CarissaWyles]

It might be a German-american thing. I've heard of the tradition, it's fairly common here. (I'm in California)

[@JuMixBoox]

@@CarissaWyles Interesting!

[@PawsitivelyQuestionable]

One of my most treasured memories is getting a cheistmas tree from our forest with my father and decorating it for christmas. Usually because the tree probably wouldnt make it into the new year ( because it was next to a bigger tree that would kill it ir just couldn't handle the freeze) traditions make a massive difference

[@4lovebysara]

​@CarissaWyles I'm in CA too & we were gifted one a few years ago! It's just my wife & I usually, though, so we put it up but thats about it lol.

[@miraaa19]

I've seen pickle ornaments being sold at christmas markets here in Germany but I don't know any family that actually has that tradition 😅 Sounds fun though!

[@boredveryverybored9887]

Alayna's special interested joke was so good. I'm autistic, it landed very nicely

[@justhaveaniceday7]

Petition to get the 'bean grinder' bit as a short! Please, that would make ALL of my days significantly better -and all the days of the people i'm sending this short to- 😇😂

[@JulesLern]

The more I watch these podcasts, the more I’m just dying laughing at all the little jokes and idiosyncrasies 😂😂 SO entertaining!!!

[@jeanbateup1567]

Mindlessly scrolling on sm, sees notification that there's a new chosen family ep, starts watching and immediately feels better and has the motivation to get out of bed and actually do sonethibg productive 🥰 thank you and all the love from Australia ❤️

[@Isa_may]

Yes omg also watching from australia 😅 best part of the week for reals

[@finntrew9184]

It is Wednesday my dudes 😎 good morning!! It's another grey and drizzly day here in Cornwall, but this pod makes it feel like the sun is shining 🌞

[@Floating-Stick]

Same in the Midlands. Horrible flooding and grey Sky's. They bring a light into the dark.

[@lyndseyglasko5571]

@makingemi hey mak I have a shark fun fact for you, I learned in college during a seminar about sharks that the color of the teeth help to identify how old they are. If it's black it's technically fossilized and it could be millions of years old. So a grey color would be younger and brown/tan even younger. I love collecting shark teeth in Florida so your segment made my day 😊 also a great beach to go to in Florida for shark teeth is Blindpass Beach in Englewood Florida. It's smaller and usually never too crowded.

[@TolPhontos]

As a german I can say that the pickle thing is not a general german tradition, it may be a regional thing, but the only time I ever hear about it is from americans 🤷‍♂

[@kapowjam3462]

I'm imagining Mak's shark teeth mining was essentially panning for gold - as someone who's from the west

[@aprilshuyler4283]

Lmao aw Mak. As someone on the spectrum, sometimes it can be just "I don't like loud noises and want shark teeth." It is a spectrum, after all! ❤ But also, no pressure. If you don't think you're on the spectrum, that's okay, too.

[@theincredibleknuffibar4834]

I have to say, you guys have become such a normal part of my week that I have developed a huge parasocial relationship with all of you 😂 It really feels like I'm hanging out with the homies

[@Isa_may]

And I thought this couldn’t get any more chaotic 💀 (best part of my week ❤)

[@Lucy83Letten]

As an east german i never heard this pickle thing before, but there are regions in Bavaria and Thuringia where this is still partly the case. It is called Weihnachtsgurke (Christmas pickle).

[@ashgavs]

That would make sense because that is where my family is from. Ironically the JEWISH side of my family. Some weird shit happening on my mom's side.

[@kristinavernaldi]

Really? I am from Thuringia and I've never heard of this :D

[@eloiselamie7325]

The first girl I had a crush on collected shark teeth, especially from Venice, Florida. She was so into it, I think she’d collected over 15,000. Thanks for the reminder Mak, those are happy memories!

[@kimberlydidia39]

Your shark teeth were very cool, Mak!

[@Jiddy12345]

Fulton staring at the camera

[@JuMixBoox]

I can't believe all three cats appeared before the intros.

[@hi-yo1kq]

Lived in Germany for most of my life childhood and never heard of the pickle tradition, but your tangerine tradition is probably also German. On Saint Nicholas day (6th December) kids get a tangerine in their shoe

[@_asantesana_squashbanana_]

Of all places why in a damn shoe 🤢 lol

[@pCadavez]

Alayna's "well well" movie bully attempt is just too funny

[@Z_Galaxy]

I feel like all the cats fit each if their personalities the best

[@scubagoldfish45]

Well well well. Did we have beans for dinner and Nerds for dessert? 😂

[@myflyingkidney]

i love the flirting between alayna and ashley it is so funny

[@LauraTheExplorer24]

Shark teeth are cool. Show us a new one each episode, Mak! ❤

[@RondyWooten]

Audio listeners are missing out, and I'm ok with that.

[@katiebooth4000]

can we have a whole ep of mak talking through the shark teeth collection please, it was so great ❤

[@mommyissuesmusic]

23:56 Reverse! Reverse! Went too far! 😂😂😂

[@thecasualwarframer3020]

... catching this video at 3:00 AM ... Who posts videos at 3:00 AM? Whoever you are, thank you. I needed something to watch.

[@miem9775]

The Christmas pickle is a myth apparently. Lots of germans don't know it and it seems to be an americanised tradition.

[@hannabeth151]

Thank you Mak for your teeth. I really enjoy stuff like that and I thought it was interesting ☺️

[@SpaceyD]

I love your dead dad jokes Ashley!

[@spriddlez]

I didn't find the "well well well" funny but I did enjoy seeing how much the well well well bit made Ashley and Alayna laugh :)

[@yeahokay...actuallynah]

I'm new to the fam so I've been watching older eps and i have to say this is by far the best ep in every way possible. The flirting btwn mum and dad, Mattea's appearance, Maks adorable enthusiasm for the most random things, the humour. WE NEED MORE AT THIS LEVEL 💛🧡💛🧡

[@MichelleNeelinMedia]

Love that Mak talks about how she doesn’t know about Mercury Retrograde as Mercury just went Retrograde.

[@DesertIslandDisk]

16:34 literally my first thought when I saw the thumbnail was “this is so autistic” (I’m autistic I’m just playin) Also self diagnosis is valid. Getting professionally diagnosed is super expensive and not everyone has the ability or privilege to receive a diagnosis. Not saying this to push anything on Mak either but if people do a shit ton of research on their own about autism and themselves and decide to self diagnose, that doesn’t invalidate people who are professionally diagnosed, nor take away from people’s “real” struggles (by that I mean all struggles are real, one person’s struggles aren’t more real than others just because a doctor said so)

[@gio_isabella]

“Come, come to Kansas City” is the sweetest I’ve ever heard Ashley talk and it melted my heart

[@ttarotkidd]

as an autistic person who has been following Mak for years I've always thought she was autistic lol. and that both her and Mattea are neurodivergent in some way bc they have that unique and creative way of thinking and communicating to each other :)

[@lyssmcd_2544]

At your next Patreon or listener milestone, can you guys do a video of helping Mak get her passport? Please? I love this podcast so much and I love the passport bit.

[@MaddieMadMoo1]

I am so glad I waited until after work to watch this, rather than just listen. This was so much chaos, but I loved it. This is the highlight I need to get through the mid week slump. Mattea climbing on the counter had me in stitches, and Ashley sliding down the chair was so cute. The more I watch you all the more I love you all and feel like I should be like that crazy great aunt every family has and adopt you all. I am English and we used to put stockings up and always had a tangerine (or clementine), a few chocolate coins and some nuts placed in our stockings. Me and my younger brother would save some foil from chocolates and wrap random suprises for my Dad and put them in his stocking, things like pickled oions or brussell sprouts, even when we were older, he died when I was 20 (I am now 46) but if he was still alive we would still do it as I am sure he would still play along with it.

[@kaiya33123]

Mattea in the background🤣🤣🤣💜💜

[@petra_pan777]

I am from Germany and I have never heard of the pickle ornament tradition😅

[@fionag7589]

Same

[@ThatOneJuliet]

I've only heard it from Americans and they somehow think we do this in Germany. it's so weird

[@coolsenjoyer]

Yeah because it's something that German immigrants to America came up with in like 19th century and somehow that developed into a myth that it originates from Germany

[@itsmj3103]

"The Christmas pickle is a German-American Christmas tradition. A decoration in the shape of a pickle is hidden on a Christmas tree, with the finder receiving either a reward or good fortune for the next year."

[@Miss.sassycassy]

How does mak feel about eye contact with strangers?😂😂

[@appropriateinput]

Did the entire podcast have a stroke?! 😂😂😂 4:57

[@timothyhayes9724]

Oh my God my family is not the only one doing the pickle thing!!! Finally! My pickle-hiding people!

[@JanneBernards]

I am guessing, but "Tangerines in the stockings" probably comes from "tangerines in the shoes" for Saint Nicolas (Sinterklaas) day, who Santa Claus was based on. It's a holiday from Flanders and the Catholic parts of the Netherlands and Germany. The day before Saint Nicolas day kids put out their shoes in front of the fireplace and add artworks they made and treats for Saint Nic and his trusty horse who walks on rooftops so they can deliver treats and gifts through the chimney. Tangerines (seasonal in late fall) and baked goods (kruidnoten, pepernoten, speculaas, ... idk the English names for these if any exist, but you can look them up on Wikipedia) are the traditional things children would get.

[@Andy-ru2eb]

I have watched every single episode and I think I laughed at least once in each of them, but I don't know why, today I laughed so much. Thank you for this episode, it was so funny and it made my crappy day a lot better ❤

[@ellendegenerate3000]

yess I just found out about the pickle the other day at a Christmas Market in Berlin

[@moramit7915]

29:03 anybody else hearing TJ Mack's song "pickle in the fridge" when ashley says pickle in the tree??

[@mommyissuesmusic]

I am coiling up and dying (for other reasons 😈) at the thought of Alayna’s dirty talk. Teeeheeeheeee

[@swiftie4856]

Pickle tradition is the bomb don’t worry Ashley I know what it is

[@joybubbles]

Online tests for spectrum stuff isn't enough to give you a diagnosis, but it's good to indicate if it's worth pursuing a diagnosis from a more legitimate provider.

[@FJA---]

This is probably one of your most bizarrely funny episodes yet. Hard not to laugh.

[@CleoBearRogers]

Like a little worm in the sun 🤣🤣

[@rulynnklapp]

can confirm im a german i love the pickle tradition my family has a pickle ornament we reuse every year

[@OddAudrea]

I was gonna listen on spotify but as soon as I heard Mattea was climbing a cabinet in the background I was like, time to go back to youtube

[@itslildil]

i was about to go back and watch the old podcasts i’ve missed but realized that matt rife was cancelled recently and wanted to find the episode that you guys would address it… bc i knew y’all would

[@ripley2995]

Love this pod. I know you guys are super busy and have your own lives but plz make these longer if you want 🙈

[@reelfinsfishn3869]

Aw Mak I live in Venice and look for shark teeth while watching the sunset. Casperson is already pretty known so you are not blowing up the spot 😂 I’m sorry they didn’t care about your interests. However I’m very glad you found some while you were here. Also st Pete to Venice is a hell of a drive for shark teeth

[@megancurtis9502]

This is one of the shortest episodes in a while but it's also one of the funniest so idc 😂

[@Grounded_Gravity]

I for one thought "WELL WELL WELL..." was hilarious!

[@poppetanya]

Im so fucking early its sick! lmaooo Will be back to edit this by the end of the episode! 23:44 - 24:15 26:26 - 26:42 37:50 - 38:18 Are all extremely important moments pfffttt

[@naty58pr]

I got a call yesterday to come in to work today during our holidays shut down... sooooo here iam "working" while i watch a CFP marathon. ❤❤❤

[@rhaelity]

I thought the WELL, WELL, WELL! was hilarious and even joined in. Hahahah!!! 😂

[@jada.mar0489]

As someone who is not on the spectrum but also shares an interest in sharks I found Mak’s segment interesting. I recently found my first shark teeth and it is an exciting thing for sure.

[@mariannetfinches]

Loved this episode! We have a glass pickle decoration, for no other reason than it seemed cooky. Bought it from an artist from London. Never knew it was a thing in the US!

[@cakebow6320]

23:54 THE GOOSEBUMPS not in a good way I GOT

[@fionawilliams5477]

I had to pause this for a second to recover 😂 I was listening on Spotify and Ashley mentioned maks 'altoid tin' and I was literally looking at those on Pinterest and making one at that time

[@melaniek.7257]

I am not neurospicy, but my GF is. But Mak talking shark teeth is just so cute. I love when people get excited about sth random. It shows the little kid in us❤

[@CassidyQuinn]

I am a fellow Christmas Pickler, Ashley!! Ok that sounded weird... but yes, we do the Christmas pickle in our house too! Well... we did before my mom died and now we don't really do Christmas LOL (that felt like a very Ashley twist to this comment... 🤣😭)

[@ashgavs]

I felt that

[@starz_z_z9309]

THE PICKEL ORNAMENT!!!!

[@starz_z_z9309]

i know some people use larger/normal sized pickle ornaments but my familly uses a teeny tiny pickle and we always fight to see who can find it first on christmas morning

[@DDD2323-z5i]

I'm not German, but I am from NYC, and every year my family does hide a pickle ornament on the tree hahha Maybe it's just a New York thing now

[@s1yfox14]

Already commented on the German Christmas pickle myth: The tangerine tradition IS actually likely German, surprise, surprise! It originates from the December 6th St. Nicholas holiday, where we get tangerines in our shoe on the morning of the 6th if we were good children and also cleaned our shoes beforehand. In our family, we also often get a bunch of nuts and chocolate coins/Christmas sweets. It's kind of like a mini Christmas, and I feel like the whole Christmas stocking thing is just the American way of taking the St. Nick's day stuff and moving it to Christmas Day. Which btw- Germans celebrate Christmas on the night of the 24th rather than on Christmas Day/Morning.

[@melissaeastridge7402]

I’m part German and just heard about this pickle thing too😂 it’s a pretty weird tradition but I honestly love it

[@narkolator]

My fam used to do the pickle in the tree! And now my home is super broken too!

[@ethevillagecryptid2293]

My family also gets its pickle in the tree tradition from the Jewish side of the family somehow!

[@ashgavs]

REALLY???

[@ethevillagecryptid2293]

@@ashgavs Yes!! My mom's family was Jewish but not very religious and she and her brother really wanted a Christmas tree, so her mother relented under the condition that they call it a "Hannukah bush" and hide it in the corner so the rabbi wouldn't see it when he drove by their house. At some point, my grandmother learned about the pickle tradition and decided to participate. My grandmother hid that tree in the corner and that pickle in the tree until her death, upon which my mother inherited the pickle ornament and the family tradition continued.

[@graceweber1265]

Def know about the pickle ornament 😂😳my older siblings always pushed me out the way for the one in the tree

[@mommyissuesmusic]

Loved this episode. So, so funny. You technically actually answered a question. We found out what was dinner. 😂😂😂

[@Emily.03]

When I was about 9 my family took a trip to Florida and we went to the shark tooth beach and after around 3 hours of looking hadn’t found anything and right before we left I found a hugeee shark tooth about the size of half the palm of my hand it was awesome

[@maryhendon5557]

This came out after the KC show. We had so much fun seeing Ashley in person. Love from Kansas City ❤

[@megansleeman7859]

I loved this episode! One of my favorites for sure! Mak, sharks are cool! I used to have a shark tooth necklace and I lost it! 😢

[@_asantesana_squashbanana_]

Same! It was a cool shark tooth fossil too. Loved it so much I wore it in highschool even though I wasn't allowed. Should have known I was gay back then but I didn't. I was just going through the 'I kissed a girl' wave of '08 like the rest of the girls my age, but also having those homoerotic friendships on the side and feeling so confused/betrayed when they got boyfriends. Lol like yay happy for you but hey wait no you're mine? *glares from a distance in lesbian* Edit - we should go out and get ourselves another shark tooth necklace. We deserve it. 🦈

[@susannahsaurus]

Pickle ornament is so ubiquitous that even Dollar Tree has them!

[@shobo4482]

alayna looks so good omg (yes this is completely unrelated to the episode)

[@colorfulsunkaila]

When they both said welllll I would’ve said oh shoot guys I think it’s processing , I need another software update 😂

[@gil8548]

Your interactions are just priceless!! Love watching you, your banter, humour and seriousness are just freaking awesome 💜

[@slamapoop]

This episode needed more of everything... more moaning... more giggling... more shark teeth... more indoor parkour

[@sam2633]

@28:27 RELATABLE. icebreaker question at work was "what are you least excited about for the holidays?" and I was trying to think of the Socially Acceptable answer that was also true and just kept coming up with more and more depressing Not Socially Acceptable answers. somehow they let me get by without answering or even asking me my answer 🙏