Coffee And Cuddles

coffeeandcuddles67

We talk about coffee, brewing,drinking, etc. We also talk about couples and cuddles stuff. This is not a relationship primer. What works for us, may not work for you.We dont fit into just one category.

  1. Jun 20

    Coffee and Cuddles S4 Ep 10 Back It Up

    They say man plans and God laughs—and after an unexpected hiatus, Craig (Coffee) and Anna (Cuddles) are back to explain exactly what went down. Now that school is officially out for the summer, Anna shares a terrifying middle-of-the-night health scare that spiraled into an ongoing, severe 10/10 back pain saga. From a bizarre 99-year-old urgent care doctor to an emergency room visit at Memorial Care in Long Beach, the duo navigates the frustrations of a new mattress fail, inconclusive CT scans, and prepping for upcoming physical therapy. Meanwhile, Craig drops some major personal updates, celebrating nearly four years of sobriety and a successful round of dental surgery. He also shares a massive milestone: maintaining an A at the University of Phoenix, pushing through online business management courses, making the dean's list, and joining multiple national honor societies despite a lifetime of being told he wasn't cut out for academics. Wrapping up with a heartfelt discussion on chronic pain management, teacher retirement realities in California, and community shout-outs, this is an unfiltered episode you won't want to miss. Episode Highlights: Summer Break & The Back Saga: Anna shares the intense physical toll of an unexpected midnight health episode that completely threw out her back just as the school year ended.The Medical Merry-Go-Round: Navigating different opinions from eccentric urgent care physicians, the ER team at Memorial Care Long Beach, and a primary care doctor while awaiting physical therapy.The 14-Inch Mattress Fail: Why the duo's brand-new replacement mattress might be headed straight to Facebook Marketplace.Four Years of Sobriety: Craig reflects on his upcoming August sobriety milestone and the daily choice to stay on a healthy path.Crushing the Academic Odds: Craig discusses maintaining his straight-A average at the University of Phoenix, overcoming old special education labels, and proving a toxic high school math teacher entirely wrong.A Heartfelt Request for Advice: With Anna's severe back pain impacting her daily life, the hosts call on any California teacher retirement experts to reach out regarding medical retirement guidelines.Key Takeaways & Local Notes: Calling All California Educators: If you have expert knowledge on CalSTRS or medical retirement rules for California teachers, please message the show to help Anna navigate her next steps before the new school year.Our Two Cents: As always, your mileage may vary! Have a wonderful week ahead, God bless, and thank you for tuning in.Connect With Our Friends: Support Diane Napper for Minnesota Senate: Check out her platform and support her campaign for Minnesota State Senate District 63 at https://dianenapper.com/Real Estate Needs in New Jersey: If you are buying or selling a home in the Garden State, connect with Craig's high school friend and top realtor, Jeff Gagnon, via Re/Max at https://www.remax.com/real-estate-agents/jeffrey-gagnon-east-brunswick-nj/102123684  Send us Fan Mail Support the show listen to all episodes on spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0mpZTxFGmEGcDIVKkvuYsa?si=243a2e2be7b84990

    21 min
  2. May 31

    Coffee and Cuddles S4 Ep 9 A Cut Above

    After a few weeks' hiatus, Craig and Anna are back with a brand new episode filled with life updates, countdowns, and hilarious stories. Anna breaks down her survival strategy for the final nine days of the school year and her weekend mission to prep her classroom for an upcoming fire inspection. Craig gives an update on his healing hand, shares his recent scheduling saga with medical transportation, and tells an unforgettable story from his days working at Harbor Freight. Plus, the duo dive into Anna's fast-paced binge of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, embracing her new "nerd alert" status.  Episode Highlights: The 9-Day Countdown: Anna counts down the final days of the school year and discusses the exhausting logistics of classroom time. Hand Recovery & Arthritis: Craig shares an update on his hand's range of motion and the natural trade-offs of arthritis kicking up as he heals. The WellBe Logistics Saga: Craig details his scheduling frustrations with his Grandpad device and missing his requested doctor appointment rides. The Classroom Purge: Preparing for a fire inspection, letting go of a historic 29-year-old chart stand, and giving away classroom furniture. Calm Down Corners: Anna plans for future classroom improvements using a bag of fidgets and a miniature teepee tent. The Legendary Harbor Freight Story: Craig recalls a stubborn customer who literally took his backseat out and left it in the parking lot to make a toolbox fit. Nerd Alert Era: Binging The Mandalorian, asking questions every 45 seconds, and why Craig loves having a nerdy girlfriend who is getting into the Star Wars universe. Smart Cars & Summer Wrap-up: Whimsical thoughts on custom Smart Cars painted like Little Tikes toys, grocery pickup pranks, and shifting the podcast schedule over the summer. Key Takeaways & Local Notes: Torrance Freebies: If you are in the Torrance area and need a five-drawer file cabinet or a collapsible chart stand, let them know! Craig will wheel it to your car, but he absolutely will not load it. Our Two Cents: As always, your mileage may vary. Have a great week ahead, God bless, and we love you! Send us Fan Mail Support the show listen to all episodes on spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0mpZTxFGmEGcDIVKkvuYsa?si=243a2e2be7b84990

    25 min
  3. May 18

    Coffee and Cuddles S4 Ep 8 Triggered

    We're back! Whether you like it or not, Coffee and Cuddles are back behind the microphones after a two-week hiatus. It has been a wildly busy couple of weeks, packed with school, family events, and some major medical updates.  In this episode, Craig (AKA Coffee) shares the saga of his left hand. After months of fighting for proper care and struggling with severe trigger finger—to the point of having only 10% use of his hand—he finally went under the knife. He gives a massive shout-out to his incredible surgeon in Long Beach and shares the hilarious contrast of walking out of the operating room flexing his fingers while everyone else was still completely numb.  With Mother's Day fresh on their minds, Anna (AKA Cuddles) and Craig also take a trip down memory lane to celebrate a major milestone: seven years of friendship. They reveal the heartwarming (and slightly accidental) story of how they first met in the virtual world of Second Life, how Craig "fanboyed" over Anna's DJ sets on T1 Radio, and how they officially became the inseparable "A Team".  Plus, they dive into what it takes to make a long-distance virtual friendship transition successfully into the real world, the art of daily compromise, and a recent Mother's Day shopping trip to the Fabric Barn that ended with a surprise crafting machine.  Pull up a chair, grab your beverage of choice (whether it's Ziggy's Coffee or "green dirt" matcha), and join the conversation! Send us Fan Mail Support the show listen to all episodes on spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0mpZTxFGmEGcDIVKkvuYsa?si=243a2e2be7b84990

    20 min
  4. May 2

    Coffee and Cuddles Season 4 ep 7 Teach Me:Why Teachers Are Reaching Their Breaking Point

    Welcome to May! In this episode, Craig (aka Coffee) and Anna (aka Cuddles) dive deep into the world of education. After a quick recap of a busy trip to Los Angeles and Pasadena—complete with a special delivery for a favorite barista at Ziggy's Coffee—the conversation turns to the heart of the show: the joys and intense challenges of being a teacher in today’s world. In This Episode: The "Rally Monkey" Mission: Why Craig had to jump out of the car at Ziggy's to surprise Mary Grace.Family Reflections: A heartfelt tribute to Craig’s cousin, Tony, and the importance of treating children with respect.The Reality of Teaching: Anna shares her 25+ year journey in the classroom, from the inspiration of her own 4th-grade teacher to the modern-day struggles of administrative "piling on," testing pressure, and student behavior.Success Stories: Moving memories of students like Victor, who found his voice through song, and Brittany, whom Anna cheered for all the way to her wedding day.The State of the Classroom: A candid look at why 40% of teachers leave the profession within five years and the hidden work that goes into sub plans and weekend prep.Favorite Quotes: "See a need, fill a need... You need stuff and I need room in my house. Win-win." — Craig"I think somebody was watching over me and saying, 'You're frustrated now, but think of the kids who need you.'" — AnnaShow your appreciation! If you know a teacher, buy them a coffee, give them a hug, or just acknowledge the incredible work they do every day. Connect with us: Check out Remainders Creative Reuse in Pasadena for amazing sustainable art supplies: https://remainderspas.org/ Don't forget to Rep the Halo! 😇☕️ Send us Fan Mail Support the show listen to all episodes on spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0mpZTxFGmEGcDIVKkvuYsa?si=243a2e2be7b84990

    30 min
  5. Apr 18

    Coffee and Cuddles Season 4 Ep 6 I Got You: The Relief of Not Being Alone

    Hosts: Craig (AKA Coffee) and Anna Episode Summary In this episode, Craig and Anna explore the profound difference between being physically present in a relationship and truly "having" your partner. They discuss the transition from past experiences of isolation—where they felt they had to handle everything alone—to a partnership defined by proactive support and mutual recognition. Using a mix of personal stories and a very famous movie metaphor, they break down why the simple phrase "I got you" is the ultimate relationship safety net. Key Takeaways The "Two People, One Brain" Connection: How treating your partner the way you want to be treated creates a relationship where needs are anticipated rather than negotiated.Proactive vs. Obligatory Help: Craig shares why he jumped in to help Anna when she was sick—not because it was his "job," but because he is wired to take the weight off her shoulders.The Art of Hearing: Why listening isn't enough. Craig explains how repeating back key parts of a conversation ensures your partner feels genuinely heard and validated.Breaking the Cycle of "One-Upping": A look at the toxic dynamic of "who had the worse day" and how to replace it with simple, restorative sympathy.Memorable Moments & Detours The Titanic Metaphor: Anna compares the feeling of a supportive relationship to the moment Rose realizes she isn't alone on that floating door.The 91 Freeway: A classic Southern California moment discussing the "parking lot" that is the 91 freeway.Bobby the Caretaker: A heartwarming story about a medical facility worker named Bobby and the power of a simple thank-you card.Portillo’s vs. Porto’s: The team clears up the very important distinction between cake shakes and potato balls.  Listener Challenge We want to hear your "I got you" stories! How do you show your partner that they aren't in this alone? The first person to send us feedback gets an exclusive Coffee and Cuddles fridge magnet!  Connect With Us Support the Show: Please share this episode if it resonated with you! Our Parting Shot: "This is just our 2 cents worth. Your mileage may vary."  "We love you all and God bless."  Send us Fan Mail Support the show listen to all episodes on spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0mpZTxFGmEGcDIVKkvuYsa?si=243a2e2be7b84990

    19 min
  6. Apr 4

    Coffee and Cuddles S4 ep 5 Orange You Glad

    In this lighthearted episode, Craig and Anna explore the "silly love tests" trending on social media—like the infamous mustard and ketchup tests. The duo puts their own relationship to the test with a "Love Meter" quiz, debating everything from matching western shirts to the "correct" way to load a dishwasher. Between the laughs, they share a deeper look at what real love looks like: doing the small things for each other without being asked. Key Discussion Points The Love Meter Quiz: Anna grills Craig with "inane" questions to test his devotion, including whether he’d let her choose his date-night outfit and if he’d watch her favorite "stinker" movies every year on their anniversary.The Matching Shirt Trauma: Craig recalls a cringeworthy fashion moment from his 20s involving matching western shirts with flame designs.Social Media "Tests": A discussion on the "Mustard Test" and why purposely making a mess to test a partner might be a red flag rather than a bit of fun.Household Harmony: The "Unicorn" husband reveals his secrets: Craig handles the laundry, dishes, and cooking, all while avoiding the "wrong way" to load the dishwasher debate.What is Real Love?: Moving past the silly tests to appreciate the everyday acts of kindness, from opening car doors to finishing the laundry before the other person gets home.Notable Quotes "If your way works, then it doesn't matter if your way works or not because there's no need to quibble." — Craig "Real love is the things that you do for each other without being asked to do them." — Anna "If you're in a relationship where you feel that you have to do testing on your partner, then break up and go find someone else." — Craig Mentioned in this Episode New Coffee and Cuddles Website: Check the link in our bio to find our new hub.The Beehiiv Newsletter: Sign up via the new website for monthly tips, tricks, and "fur baby" photos.Straight No Chaser: The source of their favorite matching t-shirts.Cheese in a Can: The ultimate "Love Meter" home game prize.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show listen to all episodes on spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0mpZTxFGmEGcDIVKkvuYsa?si=243a2e2be7b84990

    25 min
  7. Mar 28

    Coffee and Cuddles S4 Ep 4 Newly Equipped

    In this episode, Craig and Anna test out their brand-new recording gear while diving deep into the great coffee debate. From local favorites in Lakewood to the "sugar bomb" blended drinks at Starbucks, the duo compares corporate chains versus mom-and-pop shops. The conversation also takes a culinary turn as they discuss managing health with Mounjaro, the surprising benefits of chickpea pasta, and a household debate over chicken breasts versus chicken thighs. Key Discussion Points The New Setup: The show features improved audio quality thanks to a new Bio OnX mixing board and new microphones.Coffee Culture:Ziggi’s Coffee: A new favorite spot in Lakewood located at Bellflower and South.Starbucks: A shoutout to the friendly staff (Liz and Hannah) and a discussion on Anna’s "sugar bomb coma drinks."Solid Coffee Roasters: A brief mention of past visits to this local establishment.Health & Diet:Craig shares an update on his seventh week using Mounjaro and managing weight loss alongside diabetes.Exploring low-carb alternatives like Banza chickpea pasta and red lentil pasta.In the Kitchen:Craig shares a DIY honey-garlic-chili sauce recipe featuring soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.A breakdown of their variation on the "Fluff and Poco" recipe from Quincy’s Tavern, including the transition from chicken breasts to thighs.Notable Quotes "She's gone to the dark side, or would that be the dark roast side? I'm not sure." — Craig "If you close your eyes and you hold your nose, it's almost pasta." — Craig (on chickpea pasta) Mentioned in this Episode Ziggi's CoffeeQuincy’s TavernMcCoy (The Podcast Dog)Send us Fan Mail Support the show listen to all episodes on spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0mpZTxFGmEGcDIVKkvuYsa?si=243a2e2be7b84990

    21 min
  8. Mar 9

    Coffee and Cuddles S4 Ep 3 Swipe Right

    We apologize for the audio issue. It sounded like a good recording. Some pc gremlins had a field day with the post-production. After trying to fix it, we are unable to make it better. We will do better next episode. In this episode of Coffee and Cuddles, Craig and Anna dive deep into the world of modern dating. From the "three-second rule" of swiping on apps like Tinder and Bumble to the more detailed, old-school profiles of Match.com and eHarmony, they explore how we connect in a digital age. They share personal stories about their own "honest from the start" beginning in Second Life and recount the chaotic, nerve-wracking story of the first time they finally met in person at the airport. The Evolution of Dating: A look at the pros and cons of instant-match apps versus the more thoughtful "computer dating" of the past.  Real-Life Chemistry: Why meeting "in the wild" at work or school often feels more organic than a screen, despite the smaller dating pool. Honesty vs. "Perfection": Craig and Anna discuss why they never use the word "perfect" and the dangers of lying on your profile just to get a date. The Puppy Family Reunion: A quick recap of their recent day spent at the local park with five of McCoy’s siblings and a whole cast of new dog friends. The "Swipe Right" Game: Craig and Anna play a round of "what-if" questions, revealing their biggest profile red flags (looking at you, expensive eyewear and smoking!) and what emojis would best describe each other. Airport Adventures: The hilarious and stressful story of Craig picking up Anna at a major international airport and immediately asking her for directions the moment they pulled away from the curb. First Impressions Matter: You never get a second chance to make one, whether it's through a photo or a face-to-face greeting. Vulnerability Wins: Starting a relationship "from ground zero" with total honesty is the best way to avoid "the ship sailing" on a potential connection later. The "McCoy" Update: Even a submarine veteran can be overwhelmed by the anxiety of a crowded airport, but a pack of puppies at the park makes it all worth it. Connect with Us: Follow our journey as we navigate business, school, and life in Lakewood, CA. If you have a "dating app horror story" or a favorite "met in real life" moment, we want to hear it!  Send us Fan Mail Support the show listen to all episodes on spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0mpZTxFGmEGcDIVKkvuYsa?si=243a2e2be7b84990

    30 min

About

We talk about coffee, brewing,drinking, etc. We also talk about couples and cuddles stuff. This is not a relationship primer. What works for us, may not work for you.We dont fit into just one category.