On today's episode, we learn the time-honored Irish tradition of avoiding bad luck and guilt by eating Pork and Sauerkraut on New Year's Day. Join us as we delve into the rich history and cultural significance of this comforting dish, passed down through Tony's mom's generations as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.

Every year, the capstone of the holiday season culminates with New Year's Day. All of the good feelings and warmth of the season begins to ebb away once the rains of January come. Much like the hardworking Irish who weather life's storms with resilience and sacrifice, this dish embodies a blend of robust flavors that mellow and mature over time.

Just as the pork slowly simmers to perfection, tenderizing with each passing hour, so too do the Irish people, their spirit growing stronger with each challenge they face.

It's a celebration of longevity and endurance, where the savory tang of sauerkraut represents the trials and tribulations of life, softened and enriched by the hearty essence of pork: a symbol of luxury and fulfillment.

Collectively they are symbols of a new day, a new start. A second act.

This year is particularly poignant, as Tony's mother recently passed away three months prior to the recording of this episode. Grief is as much a part of Joy as Pork is to Sauerkraut. And while we frequently experience both as independent emotions, together is when they feel the most profound.