FLOTUS 4eva

Ok. We're back! We know a 7 month hiatus wasn't ideal, but it had to happen. Now we're back discussing our girls in full. We start off by chatting about Nancy's confusing birthday and name. We discuss Nancy's career as an actress, which was just a placeholder for her aspiration of a housewife. Eventually Nancy takes charge of Ronald's campaign and gets them into the White House. Her humble beginnings wouldn't stop her from becoming a star. Also, we discuss the metaphorical choreography Doug is doing for Kamala and Claire's interior decorating. Also-when WAS Elyse's dad born?? We love ya!! 

In this final episode of our Rosalynn series, we discuss the legacy that Rosalynn continued far after her time in the White House. Knowing that this was recorded before her passing, we want to acknowledge the sadness her family is likely feeling which also acknowledging the enormous legacy she has left behind. More than ever, we feel grateful to be doing this project which highlights the work of these often forgotten women. Recorded this summer, and in true FLOTUS 4eva spirit, we are share this legacy with joy and laughter. Love to all the Carter's- love to Rosalynn. Enjoy

In an absolutely unbelievable turn of events- WE'RE BACK. And no, before you think there is some amazing dramatic story about why we left, there really isn't one. But we apologize for the mid-lady escape. This week we bring you Part Two of our Rosalynn story. We discuss her time in the White House and her eager spirit to get things done in the way only an expert FLOTUS can. We also discuss all the things Claire and Elyse have done since March, all the albums Taylor Swift has put out recently and the absolute chaos the Kennedy's keep causing. HAPPY SUMMER. 

Ok! We're back with our first FLOTUS who is still alive!! This is big news, but our girl Roselyn also made her own space in the political sphere despite her humble beginnings in Plains, Georgia which Elyse and Claire approximate had 52 families in it when Roselyn grew up there. We discuss her meeting James Early (Jimmy). Their early courtship, moving back to Georgia to take care of the Peanut Farm and eventually becoming First Lady of Georgia. Also, we discuss Jimmy faking his time in the Navy and Roselyn's true distain for her husband. J/K, J/K- we LOVE their LOVE. And you! 

It breaks our hearts to say goodbye to Betty this week! But instead of focusing on that (it is almost Valentines day!) we'll focus on all the amazing things our girl did post White House. We discuss Betty's eventual stint in rehab and her drive to make rehab chic and fun for all. We talk about her continued activism with the ERA, abortion rights and one very exciting tag team with Maureen Reagan (Bonus Ep!) Mostly we fawn over how much we love Betty and what wonders she did for us all. Also, Claire and Elyse plan a trip to Michigan and buy coffee mugs with presidential pets on them. Tell someone you love them!! Love you! 

We're back! Betty Part Two. While our girl wasn't in the White House long, she makes a mark as a fierce supporter of Abortion Rights, the ERA, Prom, and King Sized Beds. We talk about how Betty broke the mold in terms of what a First Lady could say, do and be. We also discuss her continued battles with Tweedle Dee and Dum. And also how Susan is still our Queen. Claire and Elsie also proclaim that they may never see the sun again. Enjoy! 

Happy New Year everybody! We are BACK. Ok. So yes, we did take a four month hiatus, but a lot happened to update you on. Also, we couldn't be more excited to be back with our girl Betty. We begin her journey to FLOTUS by talking about her time as a dancer, her first husband, the single girl montage of our dreams and finally meeting, falling in love and marrying Gerald Ford. We stop just before her time in the White House, but don't worry parts two and three are coming. Betty, you were never a Republican. Love you!! 

Well, your girls finally did it. We finished out summer project of recapping Showtime's, The First Lady. In this finale episode we discuss the Betty Ford Center, the League of Nations, WWII, Michelle's horrible college roommate, and the darkness of 2017 (worse than 2016, spoiler alert) For the first time ever we take issue with Betty and her definition of dark times and addiction as Claire remembers the year 2015. This has been an amazing summer. We are taking September off to refocus on FLOTUS on the road and the next bunch of modern First Ladies as we continue to this project, which will likely go on until 2026. We hope you had an amazing summer! 

Once again we thrill you with our second to last episode of Showtime's, The First Lady. In this episode we discuss Betty eventual stint in Rehab and how much we wish we could have been Betty's roommate. We talk about Hick's desperate monologue and how hydrated she must of had to be to give it. We don't really discuss Michelle this ep because, spoiler alert, Hillary loses. Plus we mourn the end of the series and invent our dream seasons with our dream casts. We can't wait to finish out summer with you all!! One more episode left. We hope you enjoy Episode 9! 

We finally took one moment out of our busy summer to give you this Live episode of FLOTUS 4eva recorded on July 30 at EZ Lover in Brooklyn, NY. Themed Christmas in July, we give you the history of Christmas in the White House. We take things all the way back to Abigail and John through our very own Dr. Jill. We discuss the more memorable, the scary, and the wild Christmas's through the years. All ending in a game of "Who Designed It" where we ask people to figure out who designed the unnecessarily elaborate White House gingerbread houses. Thank you to all who came out to support and laugh!! We love ya!! 

A bonus episode for you all as Elyse and Claire prepare for their LIVE SHOW: July 30, 7pm EZ Lover in Brooklyn! This episode takes us all the way back to April when Claire and Elyse couldn't find a map anywhere and ended up very far away in Ohio. We recount our adventures in Gettysburg, our trip to the Lucy Webb Hayes house and the charming city where she lived. We also recount the harrowing experience of eating Pizza Hut off of a towel and a hotel run by eleven-year-olds. We can't wait to see your summery tan faces THIS Saturday!! XOXO, Chiclet City. 

Back with Episode 8 of The First Lady. A very Showtime version of the lives these women led (Also, Showtime, sponsor us) We talk about Eleanor ruining dinner and Elyse gets ideas for her families Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. We discuss Michelle's horrible guidance counselor, and we say goodbye to our darling Betty in the White House. Betty finally gets to California, but it's not the retirement dreams she was hoping for (although the decor is V good) Plus, the return of the giant Roosevelt cup! Live Show July 30, EZ Lover in Brooklyn. We love you. But seriously, STAY HYDRATED. 

Your girls are on Ep 7 of Showtime's The First Lady (yes, we know the series ended months ago). In this ep we discuss some darker issues that come up with our girls. Michelle is livid about gun violence, El is standing up to the DAR and Betty is finally going to hit the campaign trail, but not without a drink first. We can escape the fact that this is a heavier episode but we try to keep it light and mostly try to figure out where Gerald gets his sweaters and where FDR gets his teacups. Plus! Our Live show July 30!! In Brooklyn! 

SO, the world is crumbling and six people have royally fucked it up, but that doesn't mean that your girls won't deliver a one of the kind sixth episode. In this episode we discuss the our girls and their wild ways of acting out. One having an affair, one throwing a prom at the White House and one going behind her prez husbands back to handle legislation. All three of our first daughters make a big show this episode, especially Malia Obama who saved Marriage Equality while studying at a pizza party. Claire and Elyse also discuss their seven favorite things and why Amelia Earhart was just trying to escape toxic work culture. This one is absolutely off the rails. Love you! 

It's raspberry season and Claire is forcing Elyse to tell her that her raspberries taste good. Right off the bat Elyse's world is rocked by inflation and we loose our mind of breakfast tacos. But back to our girls. In this ep Michelle is gets an enormous amount of flack for wanting kids to have vegetables. The drama with El and Hick continues and they are being spied! And our girl Betty undergoes a massive surgery with grit and humor. We are completely falling apart but the pod is crushing. Stay hydrated! Go to the beach! love you!

Back with Episode four! In this episode we discuss all of our girls on a breaking point, with healthcare, with substances and with Love. It's a jam packed episode with chaos and drama included. Also! We announce our live show, July 30!!! 

Your girls are back! We needed a quick break to recoup from our Ohio trip and the world literally crumbling around us. But we are so happy to be back and talking about our girls starring in their very own Showtime TV series. This week we recap episode three where we find out all about how Betty, Michelle and El met their president-to-be husbands. We hope you enjoy!! 

Your girls are back!! And this week we're back with an incredibly esteemed and special guest. We sit down and talk with Dr. Katherine Jellison, a professor at Ohio University as well as researcher on Women's Studies, US History and Social History. Along with all that, Dr. Jellison has been credited as being a First Ladies expert! We discuss how Dr. Jellison found her way towards researching the First Ladies. We also discuss the categories of First Ladies that Dr. Jellison created to associate with each First Lady as she takes on the role and makes it her own. It was a honor to sit down and have this conversation! We hope you enjoy! 

We're back with our girls, El, Betty and Michelle. This week we recap episode two of our favorite Showtime series. And this week all of our girls have made it to the White House. We discuss the differences in their forced occupations and the reluctance that came with it. We also find out how many episodes there are in total and realize how long we'll be doing these recaps.   But in all seriousness, what's happening with the Roe V. Wade strike is impossibly horrible. Donate if you can: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fundabortionnow Stay sane everyone, we love you. 

Your girls are back! We pivot slightly from our regularly scheduled programming to bring you recaps for the next few weeks of the new and exciting show, The First Lady. In this first episode we discuss the three women  we'll be watching in this show. We discuss their appearance in the White House and the huge circumstances that found them there. We discuss the the possible themes that tie these women together and how we think Dakota Fanning NEEDS to work more. Looking forward to the next few weeks!! 

Born on St. Patrick's Day, this FLOTUS takes world traveler to another level. We discuss Pat's humble beginnings and her necessity to work many jobs at once. We discuss the interesting start to her and Richard Nixon's love affair and their passion for community theater. We talk about the incredible things Pat did for the blind and deaf and how she wanted to make the world more accessible for all people. We can't shy away from Watergate here and how Pat's improv training helps her cope. Our feelings are mixed and complicated for Pat but mostly, we love YOU. Enjoy! 

Get ready, our girl takes the White House by storm! We discuss how Ladybird combined southern charm and legislative knowledge to make for a power house combo. We dive into Ladybird beautification project as well as her incredible feat of carrying on Jackie O's legacy. We discuss the terrible war in Vietnam and how it almost tore the Johnson family apart. But somehow Ladybird is (literally) smiling through it all. Finally, we tell the tale of visiting Ladybird Wildflower Conservatory and how you must go!!!  We love you AND Ladybird. 

The episode you've all (just Claire) been waiting for. We are talking about the REAL LBJ. In this ep we talk about Ladybird's controversial and tragic family from Texas and Alabama. We discuss the chaotic 10 week courtship of her and Lyndon, their marriage, their family and Ladybird's side hustling business deals. We discuss her commitment to being a political wife and her incredible composure when it came to dealing with all of Lyndon's nonsense.  We also give Ryan Murphy 100 new ideas for Netflix mini-series. Ryan, seriously, Call US. 

Bonus Ep!! We could not be more excited if we tried. On this bonus episode we talk with one of our very favorite people, Actor, Adam Chanler-Berat. Along with being one of our best friends, Adam has also just finished a sold out run of the musical Assassins. This ties him loosely to knowing about presidents and First Ladies and so duh we had to have him on. We talk about the ghosts in his theater, the motivations behind what makes a person want to boldly kill a president, and Scientology. Adam also blows our mind by telling us the most wild story of Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes. You really can't miss this. I mean seriously. Enjoy!! 

We round out our Jackie experience with this final episode, which in hindsight we should have just called "Jackie O." We discuss the post White House life of Jackie. We talk about her second marriage and the stark difference in weddings (We need the attendees of that wedding on the pod ASAP.) We talk about the many houses Jackie lived in post White House and how which ones we would take care of/live in. We discuss Jackie's brief but influential publishing career and the loads of things she did to make NYC so beautiful (New York or Nowhere!) Jackie, you're an icon. It's been an honor.  Things also discussed: Fancy chocolate, Prince Charles's pinky finger, and chaotic New York weather. 

Back with Jackie O Part Two!! You may think that this is going to be a dark episode, and it is. We discuss Jackie's rise to FLOTUS and the way she was determined to make the role her own. We talk about the highly public restoration of the White House which leads to a mini series of palaces around the world. We discuss about how essential Jackie was in JFK's diplomacy and how she makes Khrushchev chuckle. We, of course, talk about Jackie's tragic end to her time in the White House and how she was determined to keep Jack's legacy intact (Without burning letters!!) We love you! 

Ok! We are back with another three parter on none other than the iconic Jackie O. We begin this story in New York (Or Nowhere!) and discuss Jackie's deep love for her father and all things horses. We follow Jackie to Paris where she has the most transcendent (and normal!) moments of her life. Jackie gets an internship, tries to transfer, and continues to adore weekends away from the big city. And then of course, we meet up with the Kennedys, which ultimately change Jackie's life forever. Jackie, we can't wait to be with you for the next three weeks. Here we go!! Happy Valentine's Day love bugs! 

We thought Bess Truman was a hard turn from Eleanor. Well get ready for an even harder turn. Mamie delivers up heteronormativity to the max. And we are here for it, sort of. We discuss Mamie's upbringing as a wealthy midwest girl, her devotion to Ike and her love for all things First Lady. We also theorize when dentistry became a real necessity and assume that Mamie is likely the person who invented Go Fund Me. Claire brings an absolutely biting energy and Elyse loves it. Mamie, we're sorry we were so hard on you, but you were a little mean. Love you! 

We take a sharp left turn with our next FLOTUS, Bess Truman. A star basketball player and women who just wanted to keep her head down and have a simple life becomes First Lady when FDR dies after being prez for 1000 terms. We talk about how Bess never really got to live in the White House because spoiler, THERE WERE RATS. Even when Bess tried to navigate the social scene of Washington she really didn't do too well. We introduce the true star of the ep , John McShane. An absolutely chaotic "architect" who mostly goes to sports games. Stay warm! Stay hydrated! We love you! 

Our final send off to our very favorite girl! Part three of Eleanor ends our Roosevelt saga and we are admittedly a little sad :(. We talk about the amazing work that El did after her time in the White House. We discover that you can read every entry of My Day and analyze her entires. We discuss Hillary Clinton's obsession with El and her very real attempt to communicate with her beyond the grave. Lastly, instead of giving El advice we decide to listen to her advice and attempt to give our own before realizing ultimately that El is obviously Queen. 

We're back with a thrilling second part to what is an absolutely necessary three part series. In our part two we discuss Eleanor's time in the White House. Her commitment to the Home Economics movement and making FDR's home life truly terrible. We introduce essential characters like Ms. Nesbit and Hick. Finally, we give El a 10/10 for her time in the White House. She crushes. 

Happy New Year! We are back with Part One of an epic three part series on none other than the great, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt. In Part One we discuss El's early life in Manhattan and her tragic first ten years of life. But that didn't get our girl down. At 15 El heads to London where she meets likeminded women who inspire her to become the Eleanor we know and love. We discuss her meeting with FDR and the shocking 1918 discovery that changes El's life forever. Omicron and the holidays took us off the grid for a while, but just like Eleanor we have come back triumphant!    Also, our New Years resolution is complete because Elyse's mom listens to the pod. We are so grateful for you! 

Lou! Very specifically named Lou, not Louise or Louisa, is our First FLOTUS to come to us from Iowa. Lou specializes in all things outdoors becoming the first female to earn a four year degree in geology. So yes, already she is a Queen. We talk about her and Hoover's world travels before Bert becomes prez and try to figure out how they had SO much money (spoiler: don't ever take an unpaid internship.) We discuss how awfully they managed the Great Depression because mostly Lou just wanted to be a motivational speaker and go on field trips.  Also, Elyse retells the entire Charles Lindbergh drama and Claire fawns over a picture of Lou riding a donkey holding a rifle. And! Rebecca the Raccoon is BACK. 

We've made it to the roaring 20's and that means short hair, pants for women and jazz music. For everyone except Grace. but not to fret, Grace lives her best life with with her sorority sisters, Helen Keller and the most iconic White House pet to date, Rebecca. We go on a wild ride with Grace, ultimately deciding that she was rebellious in her own way, even when Cal told her not to be. We discuss he four year college degree, her life long community service, her intense love for the Red Sox and of course, her pet raccoon.  Claire gives a mini home renovation update, Elyse highjacks Rebecca's Wikipedia and we figure out what to get each other for Christmas. Also, please  wear socks when you're playing tennis. Adore you! 

Despite the fact that there is an entire home renovation show going on outsides Claire's door, we are still here to give you another FLOTUS episode. Flo Harding takes the First Lady role by storm becoming the first FLOTUS to vote, first FLOTUS to operate a movie camera, First FLOTUS to lead a parade and the a true inspiration to Nancy Regan by keeping an astrologist close by at all times. Flo was a women of contradictions, but we are here for them all.  We hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving. This year we are grateful for YOU. 

Ok. So yes, we are still reeling from Red (Taylor's Version) but we are coming at you with another Lady. Dare we say, our First Female Prez. We tell the tale of Edith Wilson. A descendant of Pocahontas AND Martha Washington. A famously poor student, Edith instead was taught to read and write by her grandmother and her 26 canaries. Edith lands the FLOTUS gig after a troubled first marriage, and while her president husband is sick, Edith spends two years making decisions of how to get the US through WWI.  Also, Elyse starts another murder rumor and we discuss whether Claire would find it more difficult to run the county or dog sit Roy. XOXO. 

BACK! After a two month hiatus, FLOTUS 4eva is back and so grateful to be! We launch right in with a tale about Ellen, a proud southerner and absolutely had Reconstruction merch. We discuss her being tricked into marrying Woodrow Wilson and her low key FLOTUS vibes, though they were only a year. We also discuss, Margaret, the oldest Wilson daughter and how she used the FLOTUS position to launch her singing career.  This is a truly special episode for us as we in real time catch up after two months of not seeing each other. Other topics include: Red (Taylor's Version), Marathon Shenanigans (a Duck) and how Topo saved us in Savannah. Love you. Stay hydrated! 

We got another Ohio lady for ya. A women who likely should have been president, mostly because her husband just deeply wanted a Supreme Court job. We talk about how getting closer to the suffragette movement is going to change the First Lady role in a deep way. We also discuss Nellie's immediate action upon arrival and her triumphant healing from a stroke.  Also, Claire and Elyse get real about their new hobbies and encourage everyone to try something new. You'll definitely fall, but then you get to get back up. We love you. Stay hydrated, get vaccinated, xoxo. 

We finish out our TR trilogy with Edith Carow Roosevelt. TR's second wife and lover of anywhere that she could hide from other people. We talk about Edith and Teddy's early romance and Claire hypothesizes on why the two split with the narration of pop music. We discuss the enormous job of having to run the Roosevelt household and the remarkable job Edith did solving the Russian-Japanese conflict. Edith and TR were not without flaws though. We discuss the troubled relationship Edith had towards managing the press, her house, Alice and TR all at once. Also- Sandra Lee. Love you people! 

Although neither one of these ladies were technically FLOTUS, they were both too good to pass over. Alice Hathaway Lee, TR's true love who was Good Vibes Only. A true sunshine that sadly passes away before TR gets to the White House. We discuss their Harvard romance, and the way TR needs to leave after she dies to find new Good Vibes. While Teddy ventures out west, at home in NYC is growing the true star of this episode: Alice Lee, TR's daughter. We talk about Alice's antics in the White House. Her incredibly sharp tongue and her relentless attitude that made her a start for decades to come- Seriously- Bobby Kennedy is her friend!! This ep has it all, Good Vibes, Mixed Vibes, A snake called Emily Spinach and a new hashtag #justiceforBamie. We love ya! 

FLOTUS is back on the road! This time we head out to the Great Gatsby vibes of Oyster Bay to visit the home of our next First Lady, Edith Roosevelt. We talk all about how Edith clearly had better style than TR and how she really just wanted to hide from her husband, kids and the secret service. We, of course, became best friends with our tour guide Tyler and are curious about the logistics of how he'll move the TR statue up to Sagamore from the Natural History Museum. Also! We break into a graveyard. 

Like a homecoming for Claire and Elyse. We recount the joys of Canton, Ohio and their very own darling, Ida Saxton McKinley. We discuss how thrilling it probably was to babysit at the White House as well as how thrilling it is to babysit in New York City in your 20's. As the most formally educated FLOTUS at the time, Ida had a love for education and finance. Sadly, Ida's life is filled with tragedy, but this leads her to become a Buddhist. After all, Ohio was the California of the late 1800's.  Also, Elyse finds a new job live on the pod and we congratulate ourselves in a big way for making to the 20th century. Stay cool! We love ya!! 

We are back with a fabulous story about a First Lady who knew how to keep busy! We learn that Ohio was like the California of its day and that getting a divorce in Indianapolis was truly chic. We also have another women tasked with having to upgrade the White House, but this time its in worse shape than you can even imagine. We talk painting china, the DAR and the only reliable way to get rid of rodents.  Plus, Claire and Elyse go into detail about their feelings on the movie Ratatouille  and an almost missed flight to Texas. 

You know it's absolute chaos when you meet your future prez husband as an infant when he's buying you a baby carriage. Frances was here for that drama. We discuss Frances's love of the "arts" and the press. We talk about how this two time FLOTUS actually gets a second chance with love after her husband's death. Claire recounts the truly harrowing and impressive story of Grover Cleveland's jaw surgery and we finally start to get truly excited about the suffragette's and their place in history.  This ep has it all: a surprise marriage, a secret surgery, a battle with the press and ANOTHER recession. 

Ellen, a socialite of New York City in so many ways. We discuss the many parties thrown at her Lexington Avenue House and how this may have been the only thing her and her husband had in common. We discuss Ellen's brief thoughts behind divorcing the future prez and why you must dress appropriately no matter the season! After losing Ellen before she even gets to see Arthur as prez, Molly (his sister) steps up to the plate and for the first time brings together a group of FLOTUS'S that has Elyse and Claire truly jealous.    Also, Elyse tries to plot how to take over the lease on the Lexington Ave house and Claire tells the story of a truly infuriating subway encounter of a man who had pizza on his socks. We're so happy to be back. 

FLOTUS on the Road is back with an extra special episode with our Presidential Scholar Tiger McGinley. We discuss his love for presidents and what makes a president truly special. He explains to us how the president's job has changed, how Teddy Roosevelt was unable to sit down and why Barak Obama is a repeat answer for so many of our questions. While we site his intelligence on many of our episodes- this chance to hear him speak is truly a gift!  Also, Elyse gets one more person to agree with her theory of how we could have avoided Nixon altogether. 

Another Ohio lady loving education and her FLOTUS duties! Lucretia shows us her deep love for all things knowledge and preservation. We discuss her eerily similar vibe to Jackie Kennedy, her love for a nice glass of wine and why the White House security was oddly lax. Sadly, Lucretia is only FLOTUS for a few short months as her husband is shot by one of the most bizarre and excited assassins (who later claims insanity and blames doctors- but also PLEASE germ theory hurry up and get invented!)  Claire and Elyse fall victim to the busy summer life in NYC but are still here to bring you another chaotic ep. Happy pride! Happy summer! We love you! 

Lucy! Our first college educated First Lady. A total powerhouse, maybe (definitely) even more so than her husband. We talk about the fine line between the suffragette and the temperance movement. Elyse recounts a harrowing story reminding us of the importance of indoor plumbing- which we just got in the White House- Thanks Lucy. We also talk about how exciting it is to stay up all night with your girlfriends talking on the first ever telephone with Alexander Graham Bell, who Claire calls Thomas Edison. Classic. (Who cares about the men though??) Lucy made her mark and we are so grateful for it.   

Back with our regularly scheduled programming! We discuss how fabulous it is  being set up with someone who is described as a "golden person" and Claire shares how she missed her opportunity to be First Lady. Elyse talks about her passion for psychics and why that makes her love Julia even more. We discuss Grant's horse riding hobby and how being in the right place at the right time can really work! This episode has it all, presidential drama, a fabulous love story and a canary funeral. 

We conclude our two special Bonus EPS with a play by play of our fabulous trip. Elyse finally reveals her opinions on Sheetz vs. Wawa. We describe the true crime moments of being stuck in small town Pennsylvania (You'll never believe the name of the town!?) Claire revives her love for Hanson. We brave the oddly cold memorial weekend going on Ghost Tours, getting room service and driving many, many miles.  Back next week with more of our Ladies, but first- this! 

We are ON THE ROAD. And what a thrill it is. We have the absolute pleasure of sitting down and talking to Michelle Guillon, the Director of Research and Collections at the First Ladies National Library in Canton, Ohio. Michelle, an incredible wealth of knowledge, facts and compassion. She tells us how she landed her dream job, which First Ladies have been the most consequential throughout history and which ones probably would have made better presidents then their husbands :))).  Tune into this wonderful interview as part one of our two part FLOTUS on the road series. We'll be back next week with a recap of the whole trip!