She's the ex wife. She's the girlfriend. They should hate each other. They definitely shouldn’t want to start a podcast together. But sometimes life works in mysterious and magical ways. These are the musings, reflections and occasional accidental insights of two women who have become great friends against the odds. How are they able to put aside their egos and overcome conventional hang ups about each other? How do they inspire each other to be better mothers, friends and partners? How can they laugh about the stuff they laugh about after everything they've been through? And, most importantly, who the hell are Liletta and Mirena???
Where the heck have Mandy and Holly been for the last four months?!?! Listen to their latest episode to find out about the levels of Covid hell they found themselves in, the highs and lows of the holiday season, an epic shopping trip that ended in milkshake disaster, how pepperjack cheese ruined the day, and what bright spots are ahead in 2023. Stay until the end to hear an unexpected on air surprise! Spoiler alert: it was an earthquake (we suck at keeping secrets!).
It does seem like everyone is talking about wellness these days, so Liletta and Mirena are back to take a crack at it like only they can. They discuss a medical update (walking is HARD), crazy close encounters at the Stevie Nicks concert, the unexpected dimensions of grief, making plans to be more social AND alone, and why we should spend lots of money on ourselves. While discussing the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, our fearless heroines check in on themselves and each other because…that's just what ex-wives and current girlfriends do.
Ugh. August. It's over now but it was a doozy and Liletta and Mirena just had to deal with some stuff. But they're back with an almost 3 hour episode, so break it up into chunks and listen at your leisure. Even though this past month kinda was the armpit of summer, they have so much to be grateful for and music is at the top of the list. Mandy and Holly again take turns sharing some songs that help them get through life. They also discuss why Mandy slept in Eric's bed, their experience at a cat cafe, and why Mandy stopped listening to Billy Joel (you're welcome, Mandy?). Music truly can heal us. (Please, please, please don't sue us, Beyoncé.)
Liletta and Mirena put their headphones back on after another long-ish absence away from recording. Eric re-joins them to wrap up his interview and unsuccessfully try to contribute his ideas for the podcast. But first, the three of them breakdown the long list of losses they've experienced YET AGAIN and discuss how their unusual Dynamic brought them even closer during their tough times. Two big takeaways - you can and should find humor in just about everything and blueberry scones from Whole Foods are amazing.
Holly and Mandy talk about the immeasurably devastating loss of Holly's sister Heidi. Grief can develop in both surprising and predictable ways. It's something that touches everybody at some point in their lives, so the more we talk about it, hopefully the more we can relate to one another. There is so much more that connects us than what divides us. Bottom line, Heidi was simply amazing and everyone should know about her. (But also- why is Mandy suggesting Holly kiss someone for 6 seconds? I mean, Holly is always down to clown, but what does that have to do with grief???)
It finally happened. We had a three way…..conversation on the podcast. Eric - the ex husband and current boyfriend - finally stops by for a lighthearted, loose and feel good catch up about sports, current events, pop culture, politics. JUST KIDDING. We didn't talk about any of that stuff. We actually talk about all the hard and uncomfortable stuff, but with a lot of laughs thrown in for balance. We talk about the pros and cons of our often complicated dynamic of three, we take a personality test (is one of us a sociopath?) and we reveal sensitive things to each other for the very first time. Is ours a tricky dynamic? YES. Would we do it any differently if we could? Probably not. No. Maybe, but probably not. Also, tune in to hear Eric try and talk his way out of a corner when he describes the differences between Mandy and Holly. Holy cow - that part was real fun.
Welp, we thought that 2022 was going to help us get over that “languishing” feeling we were experiencing. And, it did, sort of. But not in a good way. Besides discussing grief and divorce, we also address important questions like, why did Holly's mom call Mandy? Which family members finally caught Covid? Who struggles walking up and down stairs? What do vaginas and the Civil War have in common with grief? Why did we say this was episode 23 when it's actually episode 22??
We made it through another year, everybody. Mandy and Holly - and the world - may be a little worse for wear but we're still here to talk about it, and we're truly grateful for that. So we're sharing a few of our takeaways of the year that was in the hope that we can make 2022 maybe a touch less sucky. Appreciating the little things, being ok with feeling just ok, and always trying to find a way to laugh about it all...these are some of the impressions 2021 made on us. And there was plenty to make us laugh, including an unexpected guest at Holly's birthday dinner, celebrity break-ups (wait, John Mulaney and Olivia Munn had a baby???), orange gummy bears, and our kids. Always our kids. Thanks for not breaking us, 2021. We may not be “stronger” but we got a podcast episode out of it so, f you.
When the ladies said they like making lists, they weren't joking. This episode mercifully wraps up this three-part exercise by covering the highs and lows of their divorce experiences. It's not all fun and games, except for that time when Holly performed an elaborate magic trick and accidentally levitated her car, only to have “David Blaine” come to the rescue. No, you are not hallucinating. You really did just read that, and it really happened. Find out what that has to do with divorce and so much more, including how one of the items on Mandy's list almost made Holly spit out her Starbucks all over Eric's expensive recording equipment. Bottom line, listen to this episode about lists and then you can officially check it off YOUR list.
Do you like to listen to grown ass women cry? Yes? Then this is the episode for you. In part 2 of 3 (yes, it's a trilogy now, just like “The Godfather” and just as long) of their LISTS episode series, Mandy and Holly cover everything from their treasured possessions to their darkest moments, with a little help from people who inspire them the most. And trigger warning: someone does throw up in the course of recording this episode. Did we mention the crying? There's just so much crying.
Mandy and Holly love making lists. They help create order in a chaotic world, and don't we all need some of that these days? And believe it or not, there are still things M+H don't know about each other, even after one year of talking incessantly about themselves. So here's a list of reasons why you should drop everything and listen: 1. They cover A LOT of wide-ranging topics2. Words are awesome3. Listening to our podcast is on YOUR to-do list, admit it!4. Maybe it will inspire you to make your own lists5. Lists are sexy and so is eating an appleConfused? So was Mandy a lot of the time after hearing Holly's lists. Enjoy, and thanks for listening to us for one whole year!
What do you get when you mix Mandy with some good old-fashioned and all-consuming anxiety? Manxiedy. While it's no laughing matter, she and Holly do their best to examine why it's a particularly challenging time for Mandy, and for a lot of women right now. It's all a juggling act and sometimes we drop the balls. The women share what's been taking up their time lately and also follow up with new details related to episodes past. From back-to-school woes and no hot water for weeks, to Korean mushroom juice and sharing a razor with your ex, they cover a lot in this one. Buckle up because the struggle, and the Manxiedy, are real.
Here are the stages of divorce: the beginning, the middle, and the NEVER ENDING. Divorce doesn't have a stopping point; there's no divorce diploma certifying you are now qualified to “move on” with your life. In this episode we share our struggles of “transitioning” throughout life as divorced women. How do you re-adjust to the world opening back up again? Where do you draw boundaries for yourself? What strategies are helpful for surviving the next big change? Will Holly and Eric ever get married?? Like Charles Darwin always said, “Learn to transition or the universe will f*^% you forever.” No wait, that was Holly who said that. His real quote was really smart - listen to find out what it is!
It's been a minute since L & M - or anyone for that matter - were able to experience some of their favorite extracurricular activities. So as the world opens back up, it seems like a good time to slowly get back into the rhythm of “normal” life, whatever that means. Listen as they talk of their recent experiences indulging in some of their most beloved and missed pastimes, along with attempts at trying new and scary things. They task themselves with accomplishing the same to-do list, which involves being touched by strangers, “unexpected” cheese, almost giving mouth-to-mouth to a spider, driving aimlessly for hours, playing with actual fire, and eating mushrooms. “Those” mushrooms, you ask? Just listen. Oh, and Holly cries again.
Podcast co-hosts, Liletta and Mirena, discuss the unexpected, the unexplained, the unusual topics no one else is talking about. When will we see Bill Gates on Bumble? Why are more women getting divorced in their 50’s? How dangerous is the “mother martyr” phenomenon? Is it even possible to be happily married AND live with the same person every single day? What does your Amazon search history really say about you? What’s it like to co-parent a dog with your ex-husband’s girlfriend? Could Mandy ever be a lesbian? Just stuff like that.
The tables have turned on Mirena! Now it's Holly's turn to ask Mandy any question she wants. Will they be uncomfortable? Will they be funny? Will they be thought-provoking? Will they be revealing? Yes, oh yes. They will most definitely be revealing, in every sense of the word. Teasers: Easter eggs (real ones - not Taylor Swifties), Viva Las Vegas, the ocean is fucking scary, existential moments remind us we are immortal...unlike vampires, and nude beaches aren't for everyone. Big prize goes to the person who can guess how many times Mandy covers her face in embarrassment. (Answer: 147)
As if sitting down with your ex-husband’s forever girlfriend every few weeks for a candid conversation wasn’t unconventional enough, in this episode Mandy gets to ask Holly any question she wants and Holly must answer. Anything is fair game - past relationships, childhood memories, deep self-reflection, and, of course, intimate details of her current relationship with Mandy’s ex. Get your mind out of the gutter, people. It’s not that kind of podcast. But it is raw enough that Holly needs a lot of liquid courage to get through it. So settle in, get yourself all cozy, and enjoy Mandy living out every ex-wife’s not-so-secret fantasy. (Payback is a B though and next time it’s Holly’s turn.)
Holly and Mandy analyze how the Netflix show “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce” portrays life after marriage. Short answer? It’s a train wreck. Long answer? Listen to this episode. Longer answer? Listen AND watch along with us as we provide running commentary, with uncomfortable sex scenes and irritatingly inaccurate depictions of families going through divorce in abundance, not to mention impractical wardrobes. Not one person wearing a hoodie and leggings! WTF??
You want a revolution? How about a revelation? Let’s “normalize divorce”! Mandy and Holly talk about how history, society, laws, expectations, and personal inhibitions negatively affect the way divorce is viewed. And, obviously, they use “The Crown,” Marvin Gaye, Jon & Kate Plus 8, and Kasey Musgraves to help promote their “positive approach to divorce” campaign. Did they have to include Wayne Newton? Probably not, but it certainly makes it more interesting.
What's the Meme-ing of Life?The Answer: Stanley Tucci, space trash, baby teeth, rescue dogs, leather tunics, Mullets and Marmots, fairy lurers, awesomeness, and petty theft.Another question: Who are these Women of Memes and what are they talking about???
Holly (the girlfriend) and Mandy (the ex) wrap up 2020 from their divorced, single mom perspectives. Mostly it was a lot of crap. A little humor and some self-reflection, but mainly a lot of crap. Will 2021 be any better? Judging from the fact that this episode was recorded while a coup was attempted at the Capitol building, outlook not good (no wonder Holly’s mom was crying!). It shouldn’t be surprising who is this episode’s “fuck you forever” recipient. But then again, we are going to host a happy hour Zoom, so there’s some sunshine on the horizon!
Parenting after divorce, it’s a bit like a Dr. Seuss book - Are You My Other Mother? One Kid, Two Kid, Three Kid, Four Kid. Oh, the Faces You’ll Disappoint. Mr Brown Can Vacuum, Can You? It can all be an overwhelming and unexpected journey to parent in a blended family. How much trauma is ok before it screws up the kids for good? The ex and the girlfriend try and break it all down despite regular interruptions, day drinking (it’s Happy Hour somewhere, and always in our hearts), and the beautiful chaos of the holiday season.
Besides chocolate, wine, and girl time, what else helps you survive a divorce? Mandy (the ex) and Holly (the girlfriend) explore how MUSIC played a pivotal role in their lives while their marriages were ending and they were figuring out how the fuck to navigate their new selves. Listen along to the songs they picked that narrate their struggles and revelations. Can a Spotify playlist be too far away? Apologies in advance for the “dead puppies” comment.
Online Dating...The profiles. The excitement. The thrills. The possibilities. The reality: it sucks, especially if you are a single mom in her 40s. Swiping and texting and drinks, oh my. Mandy (the ex) entertains Holly (the girlfriend) with embarrassing and outrageous stories of her experiences meeting men. Find out who gets an "F you forever" this time and, is there really anything wrong with vanilla sex?
Mandy is his ex wife and Holly is his girlfriend...and they actually really, really like each other. They have professional photos to prove it! In this episode they talk about a momentous event in their lives and all the weird and wonderful details involved. Let's just say it can be summed up in three words - Jews, jacuzzis and jumpers. Oh, and the phrase "F You Forever" - let's get that trending. Listen to find out what it all means.
The ex and the girlfriend - yes, of the same man - discuss how their respective experiences with divorce have made them stronger....most of the time. Strongish maybe? Whether it involves fixing a toilet or getting laser hair removal, empowerment comes in many forms.
Mandy (the ex) and Holly (the girlfriend) discuss all the awkwardness, hilarity and all around weirdness that comes from spending time together as one big happy (mostly) blended family. It seems to be working for the kids, but is it always best for the grown-ups involved?
She's the ex wife. She's the girlfriend. They should hate each other. They definitely shouldn’t want to start a podcast together. But sometimes life works in mysterious and magical ways. These are the musings, reflections and occasional accidental insights of two women who have become great friends against the odds. How are they able to put aside their egos and overcome conventional hang ups about each other? How do they inspire each other to be better mothers, friends and partners? How can they laugh about the stuff they laugh about after everything they've been through? And, most importantly, who the hell are Liletta and Mirena???
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