On Episode 66 of So THIS Happened, the Wichita podcast hosted by Jen Cole and Rachel Chappelle, the Sip Squad gets a head-to-head This or That, a debrief of the Rocky Horror Wichita dress rehearsal at the B-29 Doc hangar, and a big, cozy, in-depthly conversation about the autumn pause: that little window in October and November to look back on the year before the holidays hit. Plus, Rachel hears "'tis the damn season" for the very first time.
🥂 THANK YOU, SIP SQUAD SPONSORS
Vu Events (it had to be Vu!), Colour Thairapy, and Backspace Media.
🆚 THIS OR THAT: JEN VS. RACHEL IS BACK
Trend Decoder took the night off so the OG game could return. Each host writes her own answer, guesses the other's, and flips. Final score: Rachel wins, 4-3. 🏆
- Hot cider or PSL? PSL for both. Jen's came from the Rocky Horror Wichita specialty menu at Reverie Roasters, made with real pumpkin puree. Her verdict: Reverie wins. Bonus love for the Yumkin from Wichita Brewing Company.
- Old photo albums or phone memories? Phone for both, and they hate it. Print your photos, label the backs, and put them on the walls.
- Hometown visit or new traditions? New traditions, for both. The date matters less than the people around the table. Jen still gives Enid Lights Up the Plains her flowers, though.
- Rewatch an old favorite or try something new? This one was the tiebreaker. Cue Practical Magic 2, Hocus Pocus 2, and a movie night in the works.
📸 On the record: Rachel's resolution is to print off more photos. We're checking in come December. Hold her to it.
🎭 ROCKY HORROR WICHITA: DRESS REHEARSAL DEBRIEF
Their friend Joseph greeted them at the B-29 Doc hangar, and he's also the reason So THIS Happened is now an official sponsor of the show. Find us in the Playbill! We look good in print.
- The cast was fully in character, and it barely felt like a dress rehearsal. The lights, the artwork, and the costumes were incredible.
- There's a specialty menu from Blue Moon Catering (yes, there's a caviar option), and the cocktail bar is open for the whole show.
- It's interactive: callouts from the audience are part of the fun, and the cast feeds off them.
- After opening night, Jen celebrated with Brent and the cast on the patio at Goldfinch.
🎟️ TICKETS: rockyhorrorwichita.com
- Thursday, October 29, 7 PM. A few tickets are left.
- Friday, October 30: SOLD OUT
- Saturday, October 31: 7 PM, plus a Halloween midnight showing with plenty of seats left. Jen will be there!
- Rachel's tip: snag the purple rows if you can.
🍂 THE AUTUMN PAUSE
Rachel brought this one. It's that feeling in October and November when you look back on everything that changed this year, feel excited about what's next, and actually have a minute to sit with it before the holiday go, go, go.
- Rachel calls it "excited but calm, cozy and reminiscent." It's the season of flannels, combat boots, and preparing for winter.
- Holiday gatherings are when families finally catch up, sometimes with a "wait, you've been in that job for SIX years?!" moment.
- Auntie Rachel is in the house! Rachel's brand-new niece arrived early as an October baby. 💜
- If this year were a book: Job Hunting, Balls at the Boathouse, New Job, Riverfest Main Stage, New Wheels, and Auntie Mode.
- Nostalgia: comforting or achy? It's both. Think '90s TikTok carousels, Polly Pockets, the David the Gnome theme song, and Tiny Toons. Rachel's take: "Anger is misplaced sadness."
- Protect your peace: say no (or meet people halfway), build in buffer time, and let yourself recharge. Jen's recharge after a 12-hour Walnut River Brewing event day in Topeka was a full pajama weekend.
💜 This season isn't joyful for everyone. Check in on your people, even the ones who always seem to be smiling. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
🎶 HITS DIFFERENT: "'tis the damn season" (evermore, 2020)
Rachel's first listen: "Totally a cuffing season song." Her new theory is that Taylor isn't always writing love songs. She's writing to her life and to herself. Her question for the Sip Squad: how many of you have had an ex hit you up around the holidays? 👀
Jen's take: the song takes her straight back to college breaks and having that one "home for the holidays" person to escape with. The plot twist: these days she goes home with her husband, who's from the same hometown, and her mom still puts them up in a hotel. Escape, achieved.
📣 BEFORE YOU GO
- It's hoodie season! Shop the Uncorked & Slightly Unhinged line. Two of our merch lines give 10% of profits to Ballet Wichita. 🩰
- Rocky Horror Wichita tickets: rockyhorrorwichita.com
- Follow, comment, and leave us a review. Make it rain five stars. ⭐
So THIS Happened is Wichita's podcast for real talk, local culture, and the occasional Taylor Swift spiral. Hosted by Jen Cole and Rachel Chappelle. New episodes drop weekly. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
