<![CDATA[bestie approved]]> https://www.bestieapproved.com/ This is a wild time to be alive and sometimes you just need to hang out with your best friends to remind you that everything is going to be okay. Travis and Emma are two former finance bros and best friends who have a lot of opinions. Kick back and hang out with your new besties each week as they navigate grad school and motherhood, unpack their feelings about the Real Housewives and other Bravolebrities, spiral and scream into the political void, complain about anything and everything, and figure out life one unhinged conversation at a time. Come for the tea, stay for the friendship. From Indy to wherever you listen to podcasts, we love you!

]]> RSS.com 2026.401.141116 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 02:02:05 GMT en f3087878-e3f5-5b4f-b7f7-42b466cdf251 https://media.rss.com/bestieapproved/20250509_090555_d9a9377c990d57aa8e86c1ff8bb308be.png bestie approved https://www.bestieapproved.com/ yes Support Travis & Emma 2026 Travis Rhoden & Emma Hesser Travis Rhoden & Emma Hesser true episodic 04ced860-30f9-11f0-af5a-b325c3dd9650 podcast Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA false <![CDATA[RHOA season 17 premiere: reality roundup with Husbands Watching Housewives.]]> We got to hang out with our premiere besties, Scott and Geoff, twice in one week (what an honor and a privilege) to unpack another season premiere. This time we covered the season 17 premiere of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and we had an absolute time!

Connect with us

Check out Husbands Watching Housewives (friends of the pod)

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2724872 5ceb54cb-bbc9-4dd6-9d4f-3203f0d85479 4120 full 1 1 33 33 true Sat, 11 Apr 2026 02:00:10 GMT false Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA Atlanta, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, 30303, USA <![CDATA[RHORI series premiere: reality roundup with Husbands Watching Housewives.]]> We got to hang out with our premiere besties to unpack the series premiere of the Real Housewives of Rhode Island!

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2710594 a0061ad7-d230-473b-b773-ca2535ee3b23 4499 full 1 1 32 32 true Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:59:54 GMT false Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA Rhode Island, USA <![CDATA[Emma's triumphant return and Travis's kidney stones.]]> THE BESTIES ARE BACK TOGETHER!! 🎉🎙️ Emma’s back for her first episode after her maternity break with baby Auggie, and the chaos picked up right where we left off.

This week, Emma shares a little bit about how round two of having newborn is going for her. 👍🏽 good news: Auggie is sleeping through the night. 🥱 bad news: Emma is choosing to do her dishes instead of napping.

Travis unpacks living through his worst fears when he found out how kidney stone surgery works, so he gave himself the gift of a 3D printer! He has been hyperfocusing on looking for literally anything he can print, and he’s also looking for love with a 3D Print YouTuber! 😍

we also dive into:

  • a quick shoutout to our new podcast friends on First Time in Drag! 🎧🫶🏽
  • the uncomfortable TikTok of the McDonald’s CEO trying a new “product” on the menu.
  • Travis is confused about a mom salting her kids.
  • Casey Rose Wilson from Bitch Sesh convinced Travis that he needs an Alaskan king bed.
  • Ashley Tisdale decided to step away from her famous mom group and told the entire world about it.
  • our grievances with Stevia and social media apps.
  • Lisa Barlow being the reason that 2026 kicked off on a positive note.
  • reality roundup is all about the best season The Traitors has ever had!
  • 🎙️ share bestie approved with your messiest friend. 🤩 rate and review the pod wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎧 from Indy to wherever you are, we love you! ❤️

timestamps

00:00:01 we'te back!

00:01:23 Emma had a baby.

00:06:46 Travis had a kidney stone.

00:09:49 Travis bought a 3D printer.

00:13:33 First Time in Drag is bestie approved.

00:14:26 forcing a CEO to eat his own product.

00:18:35 salting your kids?

00:25:45 Travis wants an Alaskan king bed.

00:28:08 Ashley Tisdale left her mom group.

00:38:04 complaining.

00:43:39 Lisa Barlow liked our New Years post!!

00:47:17 reality roundup: season 4 of The Traitors.

connect with Travis & Emma

check out the bestie approved website: https://bestieapproved.com/

all of our social media:bestie approved Linktree

email us: hello@bestieapproved.com

Emma's triumphant return and Travis's kidney stones. © 2026 by Travis and Emma is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2664327 b4074a66-ebca-46f6-a433-6c83ae467ff8 4144 full 1 1 31 31 true Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[Shaded Reality roundup with Ann & Marie]]> This week, Travis is hanging out with Ann and Marie from Shaded Reality for a reality roundup crossover that covers everything from Bravo obsessions to The Traitors chaos to the messy world of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

The sisters from Shaded Reality share how their podcast came to life, what shows they love covering, and why reality TV continues to pull them in. From there, the conversation turns into a rapid-fire mix of Housewives opinions, dream cast friendships, Swig drink orders, and which iconic Bravo women they’d bring back and banish from their screens forever.

The group also gets into Whitney Leavitt’s Ziwe interview, upcoming Bravo premieres they’re excited about, and a deep dive into The Traitors finale. Then they revisit key moments from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, unpacking cast dynamics, relationship red flags, and the kind of reality TV mess that keeps everyone watching.

And of course, it wouldn’t be bestie approved without a little complaining.

Follow Shaded Reality:

Listen if you love:

  • Bravo
  • The Real Housewives
  • The Traitors
  • Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
  • Reality TV recaps
  • Fun pop culture conversations
  • Podcast friend collabs

Connect with Travis & Emma

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2607780 6ed2dbd6-a4c5-49d0-b618-40d97134ef2a 6176 full 1 1 30 30 true Sat, 07 Mar 2026 02:59:00 GMT Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 84111, USA <![CDATA[fast fashion, endless ads, and a bathtub splash.]]> We love a chaotic catch-up and a Bravo deep dive. This week, we get into our 2025 Apple Music Replays and YouTube recaps, spiral about ads, consumerism, and the absolute chokehold TikTok Shop has on us before we unpack some uncouth Facebook Marketplace behavior. Then we close it out with a full reality roundup about Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1, Episode 10: “In Hot Water.”

in this episode:

  • YouTube Recap stats and Travis being in the top 1% of viewers for Sexy Unique Podcast (hey dolls!).
  • Apple Music Replay 2025.
  • complaining: Facebook Marketplace is the third circle of hell and the TikTok ads that feel predatory
  • consumerism, nonstop ads, fast fashion, and trying to prioritize quality.
  • travel daydreams & Taylors upcoming plans to be very mindful and very demure.
  • reality roundup: RHOSLC S1E10 “In Hot Water”

sponsors & links

🛌 Cozy Earth: Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more. Get 41% OFF with promo code: BESTIE

👕 HyperNatural: The Best Men’s Polo Shirts-Men’s Journal. Get 20% off with promo code: BESTIE.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2487856 de5f4e05-8849-4fc7-86e1-34bb54d347cf 5045 full 1 1 29 29 true Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 84111, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[Wade Belair’s villain origin story.]]> This week, Travis is hanging out with his new podcast friend, Wade, for a chaotic, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartfelt journey that covers reckless walkers from New York to Indy, rapid-fire hypotheticals, and Wade’s real story about coming out while navigating a closeted relationship and what he learned about love, boundaries, and healing.

🚨 content note: This episode includes discussion of coming out, closeted relationships, toxic relationship dynamics, and references to narcissistic abuse. 🚨

New podcast friend: Wade Belair (NYC-based startup investor, planning a master’s in psychology and mental health counseling).

“Slow walkers… reckless, inconsiderate walkers… I am going to die in 20 seconds if you don’t move.”

in this episode:

  • Meet Wade: New York City life, startups, and his journey into mental health counseling
  • Rapid-fire this-or-that with absurd hypotheticals before the mess begins
  • Complaining: slow walkers and uncouth main character public behavior
  • Gym culture & gym etiquette
  • Wade’s story: coming out, self-worth, and the complexity of loving someone who isn’t out
  • Biggest lesson learned: what he would have done differently and why love can feel addictive
  • Dating & healing advice: no timelines, focus on friendships, stay open, and don’t spiral diva!

If you enjoyed this one, share bestie approved with your messiest friend and please rate and review bestie approved wherever you get podcasts!

From Indy to New York, we love you! ❤️

Connect with Wade

Connect with Travis & Emma

Wade Belair’s villain origin story. © 2026 by Travis & Emma is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2415554 094415b7-3dd3-4bb5-bd0c-c7ab963bfc0e 3349 full 1 1 28 28 true Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT New York, New York, New York, 10007, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[Travis FINALLY learns about wind with a literal scientist.]]> Mama, let’s research wind and find out where it comes from! bestie approved became a science podcast this week and we healed from the trauma of wind being one of the things we simply don’t understand. Travis is hanging out with his podcast friend and science bestie, Dr. Jeff Zurek, to help us finally get to the bottom of this mystery.

Then we said mama, let’s research some more and unpacked how wind is related to climate change and how important it is for us to do something about that!

🎙️ share bestie approved with your messiest friend. 🤩 rate and review the pod wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎧 from Indy to wherever you are, we love you! ❤️

Connect with Jeff

Connect with Travis & Emma

Travis FINALLY learns about wind with a literal scientist. © 2025 by Travis & Emma is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

References

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2415552 01d25824-8584-4900-b64f-e598b27a5d21 2105 full 1 1 27 27 true Wed, 31 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMT Alberta, Canada Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[finding meaning and purpose with the president of the Corbin Bleu fan club.]]> Travis is hanging out with his cousin, Taylor, again this week for more tales from the hell that is being a teacher in 2025 and a full reality roundup where we unpack Taylor’s first experience with the Real Housewives ever!

this week, we get into:

  • Taylor looking for deeper meaning literally anywhere and everywhere
  • Taylor’s leadership experience in the most unlikely organization
  • updates from this week in teaching
  • Travis’s week from hell
  • a very special reality roundup where Taylor shares her thoughts from her first Real Housewives experience, followed by a deep dive into Season 1, Episode 9 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC): “Hip Hop & Heartbreak”

Share bestie approved with your messiest friend. Rate and review the pod wherever you listen to podcasts. From Indy to wherever you are, we love you! ❤️

Connect with Travis & Emma (and Taylor)

finding meaning and purpose with the president of the Corbin Bleu fan club. © 2025 by Travis & Emma is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2415540 d2ab404a-8ca9-4731-b9e2-ca6ec26e4281 7463 full 1 1 26 26 true Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:00:00 GMT Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 84111, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[let your inner child go for a hot girl walk with Amy Dickens.]]> This week, Travis is hanging out with Amy Dickens to talk about why adults desperately need more play, more aliveness, and more FUN. We dig into burnout, healing, nervous system regulation, and the tiny habits that can change everything. Grab your copy of Amy’s book, 101 Ways to Spread Joy, and let’s get to work and spread some joy!

connect with Amy

connect with Travs & Emma

Share bestie approved with your messiest friend. Rate and review the pod wherever you listen to podcasts. From Indy to wherever you are, we love you! ❤️

let your inner child go for a hot girl walk with Amy Dickens. © 2025 by Travis & Emma is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2415525 4b785969-715e-4b5e-9fbc-25c3c26780d9 3780 full 1 1 25 25 true Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:00:10 GMT Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[I find myself to be a lover of whimsy.]]> Emma is officially on baby-watch, so Travis’ cousin Taylor jumps in for a collab episode that turns into a chaotic-but-wholesome catch-up: current hyperfixations, teacher life in 2025, AI in the classroom, and a group rant about men…in public spaces.

Share bestie approved with your messiest friend. Rate and review the pod wherever you listen to podcasts. From Indy to wherever you are, we love you! ❤️

Connect with us

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2402510 1b96013c-7c28-4203-aa9e-0ec146a43c20 5117 full 1 1 24 24 true Sun, 21 Dec 2025 13:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[seed oils and MLM takedowns.]]> This week, Emma shares a pregnancy update, Travis tries to take down a pyramid scheme on TikTok Live, and they both spiral over seed oils. For reality roundup, we get into a full breakdown of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1, Episode 8 (Hot Tub Confessions).

Share bestie approved with your messiest friend. Rate and review the pod wherever you listen to podcasts. From Indy to wherever you are, we love you! ❤️

Connect with us

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2402503 cc1ed879-163c-43e9-81cc-d3d979fc3faa 5172 full 1 1 23 23 true Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:58:47 GMT Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 84111, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[going back to where it all started with Jolenta Greenberg]]> Happy Jen Shah Prison Release Day to all those who celebrate! Emma’s having an amazing time with her perfect baby. This week, Travis is hanging out with comedian, podcast host, and pop culture connoisseur, Jolenta Greenberg.

In honor of Jen Shah’s prison sentence ending early, Travis and Jolenta are taking it back to where this journey started and unpacking one of the most iconic two-part episodes of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City- I Was Driving Carpool! (Season 2 Episode 9) and Highway to Veil (Season 2 Episode 10).

Follow Jolenta because she’s so cool and deserves your attention ❤️

Connect with Travis & Emma

🎧🎙️ Listen to bestie approved wherever you get podcasts. If you like the show, leave us a 5-star review and we will share it with the world (we love attention). 🤩 Share the pod with your messiest friend and always remember- from Indy to wherever you are, we love you! ❤️

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2376574 469a3987-309e-4644-9f1d-13072e2f20e0 5269 full 1 1 22 22 true Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:00:16 GMT Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 84111, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[pretty rich women doing pretty rich things]]> REALITY ROUNDUP WITH OUR PODCAST FRIENDS!

Travis is hanging out with the bestie approved returning champions, Scott and Geoff from Husbands Watching Housewives, to unpack the season 15 premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!

Share bestie approved with your messiest friend. Rate and review the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We love you! ❤️

This is also our first attempt at a video episode! Check it out on YouTube!

Connect with us

Check out Husbands Watching Housewives (friends of the pod)

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2374792 b640acef-3c85-4a70-93f0-d94d1b9a7781 5404 full 1 1 21 21 true Sun, 07 Dec 2025 19:37:56 GMT Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California, 90210, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[toxic news and twitter fights with Dave & Lisa]]> 🚨 A quick heads up: This week’s episode is way more political than usual. 🚨

Emma literally just had her baby and she’s home hanging out with that perfect little baby angel. 🥹👶🏼 Travis is trying to navigate the world without Emma while she’s on her maternity break, so he’s hanging out with two of his new podcast friends, David and Lisa Beckemeyer, from This Week in Outrage. We dive into why everything feels so loud, angry, and broken right now, and why there’s actually way more middle ground (and exhausted, reasonable humans) than the internet wants you to believe.

We get into:

  • How David went from getting into Twitter fights and doom-scrolling cable news to starting a research-driven podcast about toxic polarization and building bridges.
  • The concept of the “exhausted majority”- the huge group of people who don’t love either party, hate the constant outrage, and don’t realize they’re actually part of the majority.
  • Why our brains love feeling morally superior and how partisan media (on both sides) profits from keeping us angry and addicted.
  • The wild case study of The Necessary Conversation podcas (it’s actually not satire).
  • Trump as a “charismatic hero” for some people, and what happens psychologically when your entire identity is wrapped up in one politician.
  • DEI, Target, culture wars, and why some folks feel like they’re “losing the culture” regardless of facts and reality.
  • A revelation about trad wives, the manosphere, Project 2025, and the strange obsession with deciding how other people should live.
  • RFK Jr., beef tallow, anti-vax conspiracies, and the Noah’s Ark experience in Kentucky.

If you’re exhausted by the 24-hour news cycle or just confused about how we got here… this one’s for you. 💖

Connect with David & Lisa

Outrage Overload: interviews with scientists, researchers, and practitioners on toxic polarization and bridge-building.

This Week in Outrage: David & Lisa’s weekly show breaking down the latest political chaos with humor and nuance.

Sponsors from this episode

🛏️ Cozy Earth Ridiculously soft bamboo sheets that keep you cool all night. Get 41% off anything on the site with code BESTIE at checkout at cozyearth.com.

👕 HyperNatural Jade-stone fiber polos and tees named Best Men’s Polo Shirts of 2024 by Men’s Journal. Get 20% off with code BESTIE at hypernaturalstyle.com.

Connect with Travis & Emma

WE FINALLY HAVE A WEBSITE: bestieapproved.com

Follow us everywhere: linktr.ee/travisandemma.com

Email us: hello@bestieapproved.com

🎧🎙️ Listen to bestie approved wherever you get podcasts. If you like the show, leave us a 5-star review and we will share it with the world (we love attention). 🤩 Share the pod with your messiest friend and always remember- from Indy to wherever you are, we love you! ❤️

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2366936 d03c1bce-7829-43ce-bb7f-da50fc721bd8 5190 full 1 1 20 20 true Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:00:23 GMT Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, 20004, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[Travis and Emma want to have Lisa Barlow's resilience.]]> Sorry it’s been a chaotic couple weeks for us and we took an accidental break from the show! This week we get into a Mandela Effect from Travis’s middle school years (the Beyonce remix of In Da Club), we also lean into being an AI-first podcast (spiraling over AI psychosis and AI in general), and Travis makes a pitch for the besties to be bartenders on Watch What Happens Live. For reality roundup, Travis and Emma unpack season 1 episode 7 of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

Share bestie approved with your messiest friend. Rate and review the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We love you! ❤️

Connect with us

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2335136 de6b5972-2ae3-444a-9ca6-4407507264f6 5954 full 1 1 19 19 true Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:00:19 GMT Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 84111, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[remember when Lady Gaga investigated January 6th?]]> This week, we dive into Gavin Newsom dragging his political opponents to hell on Twitter, Lady Gaga investigating January 6th, people believing Helen Keller wasn't a real person, and a chaotic reality roundup with season 1 episode 6 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

Share bestie approved with your messiest friend. Rate and review the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We love you! ❤️

Connect with us

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2279846 e7983956-babf-4cc3-9d95-9f21376baabf 5483 full 1 1 18 18 true Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:22:35 GMT <![CDATA[reality roundup: RHOP season premier with Husbands Watching Housewives.]]> 🎙️ MORE PODCAST FRIENDS! 🎧

Don't call it a comeback...call it a takeover! Scott and Geoff from Husbands Watching Housewives are back for another collab with Travis and Emma to unpack the season premier of The Real Housewives of Potomac!

Share bestie approved with your messiest friend. Rate and review the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We love you! ❤️

Connect with us

Check out Husbands Watching Housewives (friends of the pod)

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2259404 30c3f717-f659-494f-84b5-325ef32869cb 4342 full 1 1 17 17 true Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:01:19 GMT Potomac, Potomac, Montgomery County, Maryland, 20854, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[Valter is very upset right now.]]> This week, Travis and Emma are recording remotely (practice for future guests 👀) but they're still bringing the same chaos and laughs.

  • Emma’s pregnancy update (little August is now the size of spaghetti squash).
  • The DUDEROBE solution to fragile masculinity in robes.
  • Natural vs. clinical deodorant.
  • Pet-parent struggles: from pulling rope out of Boomer’s butt to shaving Max’s.
  • Fast-food sauce tragedies (Burger King and Taco Bell, we’re looking at you).
  • reality roundup:
    • RHOSLC Season 6 trailer (Lisa Barlow never disappoints 🔥)
    • Karen Huger’s post-DUI “free woman” moment.
    • RHOSLC S1E5 recap.

They also shout out listener reviews, talk family reactions to the pod, and reflect on what makes their chemistry click. Shorter ep this week, but packed with iconic moments.

Connect with us:

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2240318 273f4f1b-89f5-482d-9557-dac381fcabc1 3549 full 1 1 16 16 true Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:00:24 GMT Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 84111, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[reality roundup: RHOSLC season 6 premier with Husbands Watching Housewives]]> Travis and Emma are joined by Scott and Geoff from Husbands Watching Housewives to unpack the season 6 premier of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City!

Share bestie approved with your messiest friend. Rate and review the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We love you! ❤️

Connect with us

Check out Husbands Watching Housewives (friends of the pod)

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2223671 40f18bc5-16c3-47f9-8ed7-22cb79ac008c 4605 full 1 1 15 15 true Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:39:36 GMT Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, 84111, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[and just like that, we missed our connecting flight.]]> Travis is back from Podcast Movement 2025, Emma’s fighting pregnancy pains, and the besties have so much to catch up on.

This week, we get into:

  • Emma’s pregnancy update (he’s huge and likes to party in her uterus)
  • A scathing review of And Just Like That
  • Behind the scenes at Podcast Movement and Travis’s chaotic journey back home
  • The girl who refused to check her bag and made Travis miss his connecting flight.

As always, follow us everywhere, rate & review the pod to help us grow, and share us with your messiest friend!

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2191987 6e8599bc-3535-40f1-9aa4-9604a8c6e297 6050 full 1 1 14 14 true Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:30:16 GMT Travis on finding love in baggage claim. <![CDATA[Emma's rage and Travis's Raisinets.]]> Travis wakes up in full chaos mode and Emma is in no mood to deal with his nonsense, but that doesn’t stop the besties from diving into everything from trash bagels to driving lessons with the Barlows.

This week, we get into:

  • The emotional rollercoaster of a morning FaceTime
  • Travis’ horrific first trip to Dollar General
  • Would you ever buy a ticket to someone’s wedding?
  • How much money is too much money to still be miserable
  • The death of fall & spring
  • The return of the tandem bikers
  • Reality Roundup: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1, Episode 3

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2176713 2e38cbd8-eb4d-4cd4-98d2-4c53d1037b4e 5497 full 1 1 13 13 true Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:00:32 GMT <![CDATA[stop optimizing, start writing to your prison penpal.]]> Travis and Emma dive headfirst into the chaos of their shared notes app and bring you a mix of hot takes, rants, and reality TV breakdowns.

They start with Nelly Furtado’s comeback performance and the unhinged internet discourse around her looks, leading into a bigger conversation about Ozempic culture, compounding pharmacies, and America’s broken healthcare system.

From there, Emma gives a pregnancy update, Travis rants about stores getting rid of baskets, and the two of them debate whether folding laundry should be automated or savored with gratitude.

In Reality Roundup: Jen Shah is allegedly banning Ghislaine Maxwell from her prison yoga classes, Jax Taylor is (probably) running his own fan account, and the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City ladies are three hours late to dinner but right on time for a fight.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2176441 4061c059-e713-4645-be62-de6148341459 5569 full 1 1 12 12 true Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:00:36 GMT <![CDATA[crayons, communism, and hospital smells.]]> After a short break, Travis and Emma are back, and today’s episode is stacked. Emma shares a pregnancy update and gets real about scoliosis, overheated classrooms, and why her hearing is suddenly failing. Travis details a hilarious (and infuriating) saga with Fabletics customer service, and they both dive deep into the chaotic mess of ICE expansion in Indiana, immigration policy, and why they’re not here for fascist Barbie governors.

Later, they talk about:

  • Listener shoutouts (hey Argentina and Australia!),
  • The wild new prison roommate for Jen Shah and Elizabeth Holmes,
  • School supplies discourse and how parents are somehow mad about sharing crayons,
  • And the first episode of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, where Jesus, drama, and hospital-smelling shade take center stage.
]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2171361 57cf6953-897f-4b68-8dae-c9151fbfe124 6585 full 1 1 11 11 true Sun, 17 Aug 2025 17:57:10 GMT <![CDATA[Kesha changed Travis's life after three ER visits.]]> In this milestone 10th episode, Travis and Emma are embracing the chaos, from hospital visits to pop culture commentary. Get in for the joyride.

Emma kicks things off with a pregnancy update that includes an ER scare, an extra-large baby (hi, little papaya!), and new ways her son is keeping her on her toes. Meanwhile, Travis details his own unexpected trip to the ER after mysteriously passing out on campus.

They discuss Travis’s life-changing Kesha concert experience, and announce that he’s heading solo to Podcast Movement 2025, so if you’ll be in Dallas, hit him up for a guest swap!

From there, it’s classic bestie approved chaos: A listener shoutout that gets way too emotional (thank you, Jordan 🥹), a deep-dive into Hollister’s “vintage” collection, vanity sizing, and what fashion even means anymore, g=the most unhinged take on the internet: don’t date feminists??? (cue rage), a rant about Trisha Paytas, Travis gets mad at the Heritage Foundation for trying to “woke-proof” your estate plan, and the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion recap!

There’s some serious stuff this week, including discussions around motherhood, trauma, and religious pressure, but also a lot of laughs, cathartic yelling, and the usual amount of oversharing.

We love you from Indy to Egypt! See you next week, besties 💕

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2143446 ae8b6f3f-2339-4ba0-b460-80f0ea3d25de 5547 full 1 1 10 10 true Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:30:15 GMT <![CDATA[it’s hot and everyone is chewing]]> This week, chaos reigns and sweat is abundant. Travis and Emma kick off with a pregnancy update that includes mango-sized milestones, nasal congestion, and a deeply personal couch groove. Emma’s car still isn’t fixed, which means you’ll be hearing about that for weeks. Meanwhile, Travis accidentally signs up for umbilical cord storage emails and regrets everything. The besties dive headfirst into Republicans fighting with AI robots on Twitter (excuse us, X), Elon Musk’s imaginary America Party, and what it means to be “woke” in the year of our Lord 2025. Spoiler: they are not impressed.

Also in this week's reality roundup:

  • The long-awaited return of Ladies of London
  • A piping hot recap of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives episodes 9 and 10, featuring: beignet diplomacy, the worst baby announcement timing in history, and one last final roast of Demi, who should never be allowed to cry on camera again
  • Why Jessi and Mayci are the undisputed queens of the season

Share bestie approved wtth your messiest friend. Rate and review the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We love you! ❤️

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2136072 16058c21-35d6-4bba-8268-d3b82348a6ed 5994 full 1 1 9 9 true Thu, 24 Jul 2025 17:42:36 GMT <![CDATA[babies, baking, breakdowns & betrayal]]> mama let’s research! help us decide what our next deep dive should be by completing this quick survey: mama let's research some legal drama

In this jam-packed episode of bestie approved, Travis and Emma are catching you up on everything, from vivid pregnancy dreams and baby August’s current produce comparison (spoiler: he’s a cucumber) to Carnival Cruise chaos and an absolutely unhinged house fire story that has everything: a heart attack, a deaf daughter with long COVID, and a smoky old-fashioned. Bless Nancy.

Emma’s dreams are weird, her baby’s kicking, and her sleep is a mess, but nothing compares to the real-world drama on their TV screens. The duo dives deep into The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives episodes 6, 7, and 8, covering everything from Whitney’s polarizing apology attempts to Demi’s villain arc, Layla’s neutral zone failures, and Taylor’s descent into winged retaliation.

The Mormon Bake Off is a hit and the hot chocolate is a miss. Plus, Jessi gets the heartbreak edit after Demi’s betrayal, and the girls try to keep their halos in place at a Saints & Sinners party that ends with raised voices and fallen friendships.

Also in this episode:

  • Travis goes off about racism on Carnival Cruises
  • Emma defends Keith Sweat karaoke moments on viral cruises
  • Everyone needs an Etsy witch or a priest after the house fire saga
  • Jesse deserves better (again)
  • Demi, please stop talking about other people’s money
  • Taylor’s wings defy physics (and taste)

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2118376 44ae2076-35ae-4057-b37f-ea98b9109277 6533 full 1 1 8 8 true Thu, 17 Jul 2025 12:30:24 GMT <![CDATA[baby onions, Vogue (DJ Meredith Marks remix), and a #MomTok hostile takeover attempt.]]> This week, Travis and Emma unpack their feelings about the Diddy verdict, Anna Wintour's exit from Vogue, and why Love Island contestants need to learn basic human communication. The besties have complaints and grievances (as always). Plus, Emma's onion-sized baby is developing ears (and fat!) and Travis relives the trauma from his pool encounter with the world's most annoying stranger before we get into MomTok on Reality Roundup.

mama let’s research! help us decide what our next deep dive should be by completing this quick survey: mama let's research some legal drama

Highlights

  • Emma’s 17 weeks into her pregnancy and Baby August is the size of an onion! He’s also starting to hear Travis’s filthy mouth, among other voices.
  • Travis is a little fired up over the verdicts in the Diddy trial.
  • 2025 will be Anna Wintour’s last September Issue at Vogue, which feels like it’s marking the end of an era.
  • We look back on the wonderful memory from Gigi Hadid’s birthday party where her mom allowed her to indulge in the tiniest piece of her own birthday cake.
  • DJ Meredith Marks is absolutely bestie approved and continues to prove that she is endlessly talented as she headlines Prides across the country.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: “The Book of Divisions” (season 2, episode 5)

In this week’s Reality Roundup, we open up the truth box with MomTok as we unpack the bunnies at Whitney’s baby shower, Mikayla’s never-ending hatred for Whitney, and Jen’s complicated relationship with the truth. Jessi continues to be a perfect, beautiful angel while demon monster Demi lays the groundwork for a hostile takeover attempt. Will MomTok survive?

Share bestie approved wtth your messiest friend. Rate and review the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We love you! ❤️

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2102266 75b431eb-6784-481c-84b3-b08f66a2775e 4604 full 1 1 7 7 true Sat, 05 Jul 2025 16:42:58 GMT complaints about Love Island and ADHD medication DJ Meredith Marks is bestie apprvoed. <![CDATA[ruined engagements and the secret life of Arby's coupons]]> This week on Bestie Approved, Travis and Emma are feeling the love and the drama. Emma shares a pregnancy update (hello, baby avocado! 🥑), but also gets candid about body image struggles and the weird early bump zone where everyone thinks you just went to a buffet. Meanwhile, Travis has a bone to pick with tandem bikes and Valentine’s Day (spoiler: he hates both). The besties lovingly argue their way through the chaos, of course.

Then things get juicy.

A viral TikTok meltdown over an engagement ring email spirals into a deep dive on wedding culture, toxic planning, and why “my honey, my sweetheart” is a red flag.

In this week’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives recap, the Halloween party explodes, the Chippendales cause tension, and someone definitely didn’t tell the truth (Jen, we’re looking at you 👀).

Plus, we shout out our favorite sponsor-in-our-heads, Arby’s (sponsor us, please) and reminisce about vape punch cards (ew).

Whether you’re here for the mess, the friendship, or the fertility updates, we’ve got you. Now hit play and ride that tandem bike straight into the chaos.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2088145 b6409a3c-f977-441d-9cc9-daf568b70d79 5893 full 1 1 6 6 true Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:00:41 GMT <![CDATA[one of the bedbugs ate my podcast title.]]> This week’s episode is pure chaos in the best way possible. Travis and Emma are back with your favorite combo of pop culture commentary, deeply unserious opinions, and a little moral outrage.

First up: CupcakKe’s new track, It’s iconic. It’s unhinged. It’s art. Travis and Emma break down their favorite (insane) lyrics and give CupcakKe her flowers as the lyrical genius she is.

Then it’s time to complain, obviously. From waiting behind a soda-fueled van-load of children at Swig to the rise of the 4AM Club conspiracy theorists on TikTok, your besties spiral through cultural nonsense like only they can.

Reality Roundup:

  • Love Island USA has lost the plot. It’s supposed to be about being hot and making out, not finding your “forever person.”
  • The Traitors season 4 cast announcement drops, and the besties give their hilarious (and surprisingly insightful) commentary. Candace Dillard, Lisa Rinna, Dorinda, and more? We’re IN.
  • Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: The first two episodes are out, and the tea is piping hot. Taylor vs. Dakota. Jen is lying. Miranda might be telling the truth? Taylor’s mom wants to be Taylor? There’s a lot to unpack.

Bonus: A very special guest joins the pod this week. Emma’s son, Jack, drops by to give listeners a special message.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2082351 c239759a-6ac9-4719-ace7-c83c4897382f 5538 full 1 1 5 5 true Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:13:38 GMT Mayci sets the bar from the beginning in season 2. <![CDATA[Smurf hormones, billionaire breakups, AI therapy, and wagon wheel watusi.]]> This week, Travis and Emma are diving deep into the weird, the wild, and the wildly unhinged- from pregnancy side effects turning toilet seats blue to Elon Musk’s chaotic spiral into MAGA meltdown territory.

Emma shares a hilariously alarming pregnancy symptom that leads to an unexpected ChatGPT diagnosis.

Travis unpacks the unravelling bromance between Elon Musk and Donald Trump…and he couldn’t help but wonder, was the Tesla titan’s political gamble worth it?

The besties commiserate over expensive notebooks, AI addiction, and the uncanny valley of our tech-obsessed world. Are we losing our ability to think for ourselves?

They rant about HOA lawn tyranny, the environmental crimes of grass, and dream of clover-covered fairy lawns.

Finally, they drag the plot holes in Burlesque and question why Cher needed to scream “wagon wheel watusi” to carry the plot.

Whether you’re here for laughs, late-stage capitalism takedowns, or just a little bestie wisdom, this one’s for you.

✨ Highlights:

• A toilet seat pregnancy reveal?!

• Elon vs. Donnie: The billion-dollar feud

• The $105 notebook no one asked for (but Travis needs)

• AI girlfriends, grocery lists, and the ChatGPT therapy dilemma

• A passionate plea to dethrone HOA-mandated grass

🫶🏽 Rate us, subscribe, and tell your messiest friend to listen. We love you. ❤️connect with us

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2069972 411e8ea2-5951-49f7-b2b1-22a47d483417 3607 full 1 1 4 4 true Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:01:06 GMT <![CDATA[Bethenny Frankel is Travis’s hero and Target betrayed us]]> 🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride Month, besties! This week we’re talking about why changing your own oil is hot but not for us and how yoga teachers can read your soul. From Bethenny Frankel’s Sports Illustrated moment (and her immaculate honey brown hair) to Target’s depressing DEI backslide, we’re spiraling in every direction. Travis shares his first (and possibly last) yoga class, we dissect the Moana in-flight entertainment, and Emma educates us on the wild world of $7,000 Labubu dolls.

Also in this episode:

  • a horrifying pregnancy update with a happy ending.
  • the rise and fall of Tom Girardi.
  • Travis defends his hero.
  • we find ourselves asking for sponsorships from Bravo and/or Andy Cohen.
  • we unpack our feelings about Target and their 2025 Pride collection.
  • why J.W. Marriott is an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
  • when you need to tell your kids to sit the hell down.
  • and we finally find out what a labubu is.

It’s unfiltered. It’s chaotic. It’s everything you didn’t ask for, but needed anyway.

A huge shout out to @eessavibe for letting us use his hilarious audio in this week’s episode.

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2061356 b65006e0-1955-415d-aca5-6337b26ed1d3 2572 full 1 1 3 3 true Fri, 06 Jun 2025 12:01:23 GMT <![CDATA[not our first rodeo]]> Welcome back, besties! In this week’s episode, Travis and Emma dive headfirst into the chaos of adulthood, pregnancy updates, first jobs, and the baffling scam that is American healthcare.

We ask the big questions:

  • Why does health insurance feel like a trap?
  • When did we realize adulthood was a scam?
  • Do babies think… and what is thinking anyway?
  • Why is the Titanic still in the news?
  • And are old wives’ tales just misogyny in disguise?

Emma updates us on week 11 of her pregnancy (yes, Travis did invite a pregnant woman to join a dodgeball league) and we find out the truly cursed way Travis found out she was expecting. We reminisce about our first jobs (Hollister perfume clouds and pizza shop gang members included), talk about what makes us feel unhinged, and try to make sense of weird pregnancy myths. Plus: ✨ spatial awareness rants, ✨ compulsive cuticle clipping, ✨ the trauma of listening to people eat, ✨ and a romantic cruise ship Celine Dion moment Travis will never forget.✨

We wrap it up with things we don’t understand (brains!) and some very important public pleas:

  • If you’re a brain surgeon, please email us.
  • If you know why babies remember the womb, PLEASE email us.
  • And if you just don’t understand something either — we want to hear it!

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2038214 f7ec418d-548d-4810-865d-9f6bc07e2e4e 3545 full 1 1 2 2 true Wed, 21 May 2025 02:00:15 GMT <![CDATA[the soft launch no one asked for]]> In our very first episode, we attempt to soft launch this podcast with all the professionalism of a cardboard car held together by super glue. Join us at the beginning of a journey that might be the greatest (or most unhinged) friendship experiment in human history. We cover the origin story of bestie approved, why stay-at-home dads are treated like saints, how to identify your suburban mom era through hot glue gun purchases, and why Travis once asked if he needed to take off his shoes at a hospital metal detector.

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episode credits

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2027749 ea800eaa-ea79-44ff-a704-1a6e2aa3673b 2349 full 1 1 1 1 true Wed, 14 May 2025 03:18:51 GMT <![CDATA[PREVIEW: it's giving Atlanta LIVE with Husbands Watching Housewives.]]> The premiere besties are back again for the season 17 premiere of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and we’re livestreaming this one!

Hang out with us on YouTube, Instagram Live, Twitch, or Kick. Ask questions. Turn Travis talking about his love of Atlanta into a drinking game.

Click here to learn more! We can’t wait to see you Monday, April 6, at 8pm ET/5PM CT!

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2681327 152ca277-2641-424a-a803-d441d6c3ed39 46 trailer 1 1 true Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:17:52 GMT false Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA Atlanta, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, 30303, USA <![CDATA[podcast friends: The Girls Room is bestie approved!]]> 🎙️ BONUS EPISODE WITH OUR NEW PODCAST FRIEND! 🎧

hey besties! Travis and Emma got to hang out in with their new podcast friend, Brittany in The Girls Room, and they had an absolute time! From raging Gaylors to actually gay cookie company CEOs, this was a really fun show.

Brittany is so much fun, and it was so cool of her to have us on. Do us a favor and tell your messiest friend about The Girls Room because it’s definitely bestie approved! We can’t wait to do this again! ❤️

🎧 check out this very special bonus episode where we get into it all:

  • Taylor Swift theories 🧐
  • Crumbl’s CEO and the silly joke that turned into a coming out announcement 🍪🌈
  • The parallels between Lil Nas X and Amanda Bynes 😥❤️‍🩹
  • Why Charlie XCX is that girl and Travis just really needs her to be okay 🫶🏽
  • The guilty pleasure that is the Kardashians (but not for Travis) 😤

from Indy to The Girls Room to wherever you’re listening, WE LOVE YOU! 🫶🏽

meet Brittany in The Girls Room! (I like eggs.🥚)

connect with the besties

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2250026 f1bfbf1f-0e64-47a4-8c22-4a1134b34245 1973 bonus 1 1 true Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:00:50 GMT Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA Indianapolis, Indianapolis city, Marion County, Indiana, 46204, USA <![CDATA[bestie approved is HERE!]]> Two former finance bros. Zero idea what we're doing. 100% commitment to complaining about everything.

From Real Housewives takes to things we genuinely don't understand (wind, brains, the ocean), we're serving chaos with a side of friendship goals.

Current status: 32 listeners and growing (we're basically famous)

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]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/bestieapproved/2069944 6d0c4bf8-cbd7-4992-b9e7-c30527623880 41 trailer 1 1 false Thu, 12 Jun 2025 05:29:25 GMT