De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan - Taryn & Rick Newton on Parenting Advice, Juggling 5 Kids, & Working With Your Spouse

Episode Date: August 30, 2023

Hey De-Influencers! It was about time we switched it up a bit. This might be one of our FAVORITE episodes because it includes one of our FAV couples, Taryn and Rick Newton! If you know em' you love em' and this episode is sure to make you love them even more. Enjoy!

All right, guys, welcome back to your favorite podcast. D-Inflience. That was good. That was really good. That was actually pressure to do that. I know your heart rate kind of like starts to jump. This actually might be one of my favorite podcast and we haven't even recorded it yet because I have some like true friends over. A lot of times it's like people that you're just meeting and you're like, okay, how's this going to go?

But I feel so comfortable. So we have Taryn and Rick Newton, ladies and gentlemen. Yay. And you guys know, so they live in Dallas. How long did it take y'all to get here? We moved here in 2015. No, I mean to the house. Oh, sorry.

How long to take all to get to Dallas? Oh, to get to Dallas. No, no, to get to our house. 40. So that's the thing. People think that we're so close. And they're like, why don't you guys hang out more? And we're like,

go over for coffee. Do you know Dallas traffic? No, Dallas traffic and you all have five kids. We have like a bundle of kids. It's not as easy to like just like slip over. But now we met before I even had kids. I know. We met at the.

So if you would have brought your kids over, I would have been like, I've been like, let's not have kids. And now, now I'm like bring them all over like party. It's so crazy to see like how you've like moved to a different phase. I feel like we met at McKinsey Child and we were doing like a floral thing. And we both were like epically failing at it. And so we're like, all right, we're going to be friends because we're like not doing great at this floor or okay or whatever the case. Tell her the story. That's so funny.

She was anxious that day. So I was like, I think I've told you this since. But because I know I was like trying to think, how did I meet Taryn? Like what was the first? I knew that I followed you, but I never actually met you in person. And it was at that McKenzie Child's event. And I was having like a panic attack. I don't know why that day.

You know when sometimes you just wake up and you're like up the worst. It was a lot. Yeah. Was it the crafting? No. I was like, I was like Danny. get together. You were horrible at making these wreath. Wasn't it wreaths? Yes, I think it was. Yeah. It was like for Christmas and people were like banging it out and I was just like I

that was like my actually I think one of my first influencer events. Maybe that's why. And so I just felt like nervous and I don't know why I was just like I'm grabbing you and we're about to just like do this together. Was I wearing wigs? Yes, you were wearing a wig. That's why you're anxious. That's why I was anxious. Because I was wearing I think I was wearing like a new wig and I was really nervous to meet everyone because I felt like oh my gosh they're going to judge me like my hair and I remember I buddyed up with you yes I was like okay finally like I have a friend yes but then you were you were telling us earlier you were like I wonder if she likes me oh yeah then I got home because you know when you're also anxious you're like not the coolest person ever you're not like really like a vibe

like Danny's weird yeah so I thought maybe you thought I was weird after that no I was just like all right this is like my type of gal like I was just like we're viving out Rick do you remember when we met you and I he's like well I journaled about it I'll never forget it what I will legitimately say is that Rick and as you know I have met like many influencer husbands and you are a standout

because Rick does not really particularly care to go to influence but you know what I'm going for Jordan Massey's spot I know he's your number one I know he's your number one yeah no we met at the the water park with Bryce Horton oh yes that was a

first time I mentioned. And Jen Reed was there? Yep. Remember? Wow. Was that the first time? Yeah. And we were stressed out and we only had one kid and then I saw you with like five and I was like.

Yeah. I was like, dude, what? And Bryce was great with like three kids and I was like I'm. We had one baby. I was like I need to grow up. I remember that. It was inspiring because I think we didn't have a lot of friends that had babies at all. And then we see y'all rolling and y'all are so chill.

Like nobody's freaking out. Like the kids are sometimes freaking out, but whether it's Bryce's kids, but y'all's kids. But y'all are so chill. Like, everybody had their cool, but, you know, you've done it a couple times. You kind of have to be. You're, like, going to lose it. Yeah, you kind of have to be.

So for people that don't follow or don't know who y'all are, maybe just share a little bit about who y'all are, what you post online, and, yeah, just a little synopsis. Yeah, so I'm, you know, kind of awkward, but I'm going to be like, I'm Taryn Newton. That's my time. But we are from Michigan. So a lot of people, I feel like, know that.

But if you do not, we're from Michigan. He's from Detroit, born and raised. We're from, like, completely different backgrounds. Like, I was, like, suburban. He's, like, city of Detroit boy, completely opposite. And I, like, grew up, like, where it was, like, a melting pot of people. Yeah. He actually did not, like, meet his, like, really first white person until he went to college.

No way. Yes. How. Facts. That was weird out of my mind. What did you think? I was, like, weird at all these white. white people.

It was completely opposite backgrounds. And so I'm like from where we had like a storm door. Our door was like unlocked. And he's like, I will lock every door possible quickly. My car is open in the houses. I'm like, go lock the door. Wow, that's crazy. So we met in college.

It's been a heck of a journey through college. And then we took some time apart when we were dating. We had Cameron before that. And then he's now 15. And then we reconnected, got married in 2013, moved here. We were broke as a joke, moved here in 2015. Wow. Yeah.

Yeah. Oh, 2015. Yes. And it was so crazy because he, we, like, wanted a better opportunity. And then he got a job offer. Yeah, because I was like, one thing we won't do is like, some people will strike out, like, no job, no nothing. I'm just go down there and I'm like, well, if we can transfer our jobs, then we can go. So we try to transfer our jobs down.

So we were loading up. What were we all doing? What were we all doing? So I'm in HR. So and then you were at that point I transitioned out of the mortgage industry in the car industry like doing like automotive finance. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, transferred down, got a job offer the day we were driving out down here.

And it's been. Yeah. And then I started like randomly. It was like Rick was doing photography at the time. No way. And we're, yeah. So you're the creative. Rick is the OG Instagram husband.

I used to do weddings, family portraits. He is not. I actually didn't know that about you. So like I literally, if Rick has my phone like he will randomly, if you. you guys ever see like a random thing pop up on my stories just like shoot me a text because that means that Rick was like holding my phone and like randomly pull something with his fat fingers I always hit a button he's not he can't do what you do I can't do the girl you still but you have the creative like mind okay I think it has surpassed where I'm at now was it just a way

people trusted you at their weddings was it just a way to get girls so he was doing photography And so I was just like, hey, can you, like, shoot some stuff in our apartment courtyard of me? And that's, like, you know, you had to do, like, aesthetic, cute blog photos. But who were, like, how did you know this world existed? Were you following people? How did you know? Yeah. So I don't even know.

Yeah. So I actually started, like, getting on the radar of, like, do you remember Jay Scott, like, Jade? Yes. Yes. I remember, like, you were, like, taking your photo with a, like, camera up here trying to show your outfit. She used to nail it. Yeah.

And so, like, I, that was, like, my vibe. And so, like, I was, like, trying to do that. And I will never forget, like, when I got my first offer, it was like from an Etsy shop, we'll never live it down. Yeah. It was like macaroon necklaces. Do you remember those macarone necklaces? Wait, it was in the earrings. Yes, in the earrings.

And I had to take the picture and send them back. Yeah. You're like, Rick, like, I get to wear this necklace for a day. Please take my photo. Oh, my gosh. So it was 2016. And then, ever since then, like, we kind of just kept doing life. And I actually never used to show up my kids, like, at all.

At that point, we only had two. And I was like, this is awkward. Like, I'm in a dressy. I was, like, really dressy fashion. It was just really awkward. And my kids were, like, on the other side of the door. I'm like, don't come in. You know, it was just weird.

It was just weird. Yeah, and I wasn't involved in it. So I took a year off from blogging. And then when I had Cyrus, he's now five. I was like, let's try this. And let's just try to, like, be ourselves. Like, let's just show our life. And then it's kind of took off from there.

And we kind of just, like, do life with our community. and we kept having a bunch of kids. And here we are. Was that planned? Yeah, it was planned. Cameron was not. Cameron was only like, oh, okay. This is happening.

I was 20 when I had Cameron. So it was just like trying to finish college, trying to figure this out. Because birth control does not work. Nope. We actually were, I was actually on birth control when I got pregnant with Cameron. No way.

I'm not going to freak people out on the method, so I'm not going to share that. Yeah. Because we were going to be like, yeah. But, yeah. But, yeah. Yes, all of our others were planning.

We were trying for that girl. So did you know you wanted a big family or were you just trying to get a friend? I wanted three. Did you come from a big family? No, one brother. Wow. So that's why I always wanted a larger family. Yeah.

Yes. That makes a good compromise. Is it? It's here now. Done. More? No. Done.

Done. I want to know like what it's like having a girl now because you'll just had your first girl. And that's so different, right? He's just lighting up right now. I mean, yeah, going from being like a boy and mom, or just a boy dad, and mom, what I was saying, boy mom, that's such a different vibe.

It is. It's crazy. Like, a lot of people were like, oh, it'll change you. And I was like, I don't know, a kid's a kid. But then what I find myself doing is little things for her, that if it were my boys, I'd be like, I'm not doing that. Yeah.

And so it's those little things, I'm like, primping her hair, cleaning out her ears. My boys, I'm like, ah. You're fine. You're fine. You're a little ashy. It's okay. You know, like he's like, like, lotioning her up, all this, like, self-care.

It's, honestly, she's, like, already ficey, but I would say she's, like, the perfect end to our family. And, like, she's just really sweet. So her turning one, it's just, you could tell, like. And it's everybody, like, even our 15-year-old, like, he walks in. And you would think, like, he's too cool for school. He, like, walks in, like, where's my baby girl? That's so sweet. Yeah, like, we were even at, like, a school event.

And, like, clearly, you're going to act like, we're not. existing, right? Your school event, around your friends. He's like, on the field. On the field, picking up his baby sister, giving her kisses. Like, all of the boys are so smitten with her. He's going to be, like, treat a girl really well one day because he had a little sister like that. My brother was not like that. Her first boyfriend is going to run into some serious intimidation with four brothers. They're so protective over her. Even if I'm like trying to do something, they're like, no, stop touching sister. Yeah. Sister doesn't like that. Sister doesn't like that. And so, she's starting to already see that and like be a little spicy so we're like all right girl it does not

all like mind you she does have a name her name is cc although i do say girl a lot i call her girl i'm like mama i call so yeah and i'm like i always call it like hey girl but like we were like why do you call your daughter girl and i'm like i don't know it's just a term of endearment my mom caused me girl like a lot so it's like it's just how it happens but it's cute so what was it like watching rick become a girl dad because it yeah that has to be like see the different side of it It's been really nice. I will honestly say, though, Rick is already a softie. Like, he...

Big teddy bear? Yes, big teddy bear, super affectionate. He's on from the streets. Yeah. The streets of Detroit is not happening here. Like, he will, like, tear up about, like, stuff. Like, if he'll look at a picture of his boys, I'm putting you on blast. Like, he'll be, like, tearing up.

Like, he is a big softie, so it just made him even more of a softie. Yeah. He's definitely, like, his love language is definitely, like, showing affection. That is not mine. So I'm like, I'm like acts of service. Okay. So he's like, if I'm not giving him like rubbing your arm, I'm like, yeah, that's me too.

That's Jordan. It's always hard because your spouse is. It's so much easier to go to sleep if your backs are getting around. That's all I'm saying. That's all I'm saying. Your spouse's love language, I feel like is always the opposite of what is natural to you. And it's like a, I think God designed it that way. Yeah.

So that we could learn to be selfless. Yeah. Yeah. It is, I mean, it's the same thing. Jordan is so he likes. to be, I cannot stand being coddled. I feel like I am just being like, I'm in a lock and I'm like, but like, I'll do it because I know that's what he likes.

Yes, like I have to do that service. It's for him. It's for our marriage. Like, I'm there for it, but, and he likes words of affirmation. So would you say, like, you're more of, like, who's more logical, who's more of, like, the spontaneous one? She's fantastic. I am spontaneous, but, like, calculated spontaneous.

Okay, yeah. So, like, I've looked at my calendar. and I could probably be spontaneous this day, if that makes sense. But I have a different set of logic than he has. Like, I'm the type where do we really need to leave the door unlocked? And he's like, so it's like we have, we're logic, more logical and different. Why is like, pretend logic? This is what we need.

Clip that, clip it, clip it. What do you mean pretend logic? I'm kidding. Listen, Rick, I totally get what I'm saying. We really balance each other out, though, I would say, because we're completely opposite. Like, there's aspects that we would never hit if she wasn't as spontaneous as she is. Yeah. No, I love that.

And so I feel like, you know, we've gotten to see a different side of y'all going on influenza trips together. We've seen you on trips with your kids. I've seen you on trips without your kids. Yeah. Yeah. So we've kind of seen both sides. Oh, yeah, we went to Bahamas. And the one thing I will say is, like, y'all are incredible parents.

Oh, thank you. And, like I was telling them, it was actually very inspired. for us to see like how you guys are around your kids because you're still willing you're still able to like pour out and to like hang with people but like you prioritize your kids and specifically Rick like he doesn't complain at all like I've seen you on trips or you just step in and you're like like I feel like you do a lot of things that maybe like the stereotypical male wouldn't do and like you step in and you like own it and you don't complain and your kids like just like adore you it was really cool to see y'all in where did we go with the kids?

Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico. Yeah, Puerto Rico with the kids. I was like, this is so cool. It's very, like, it's good to be around people like that because it rubs off on you. Yeah. It's also super fun when you guys, like, go on trips without your kids because there's so much pent up.

Yes. Yeah, y'all are like probably the most fun. Yes. I still think, like, number one, I talk about this a lot, like, the Massies. They're probably, like, they're just so fun. Yeah, they are. How many kids do they have? They have five, too.

They have five, too. You should see us, like, when we. go to a restaurant. Parents with five kids, like when they get away from their kids, they're the most fun to hang out with it. Hands down. You're like hands free. I can do me now. Let's go. Like I'm here. I have a question though. So with five kids, can you guys like walk us through? What did the logistics of your life look like? Like how do you? I grilled Taryn when we were in Puerto Rico about your morning routine. Yes. Just like, tell me like what is the morning routine? Like carpool. How does that work? Because they're all in sports too. Or most of them are in sports and have activity.

Like how do you live your life? It's a mess most time. It's a calculated mess. It is. Right. So we, I mean, morning is relatively. So one thing for us is that we like to keep them morning very calm because I feel like before we have our kids go out into this world that we want to give them one confidence to

be able to take on whatever the day brings and then a sense of peace. So like we get up. Rick has actually been working out like so I work out three days a week. He works. Oh my gosh. She's flexing it on this right now. Oh, cameras on, they know. So he wakes up early.

They're going to be like, wow, Rick is so buff. Yes, he's trying to act so buff now. I'm like, works out one time. That's a guy. But legitimately, we stagger our days of working out. And so we both work out before our kids are going. And then we... What time?

So he works out at six. Yeah, we both work up by 45. So we both work out early because I feel like for me, it gives me more energy to take. on the day. I hate working out the morning, but it's the only way to get it done. He's actually not a morning person at all. So you're a night out. You told me though. Yes, I'm a morning person. So I feel like that's the key is like we get them up. What's nice about having older kids is that we try to make it where they get them on their own selves dressed and ready to go in the morning. But the big thing for us

that we also like to always say is because we never want our older, the older siblings to feel like their younger siblings are an obligation or a chore. So we take on a lot of that way. Like people often ask me, like, does Cameron watch the kids a lot? And really, he doesn't. For real. If we, like, are in a bind, like, hey, have to go to the store or something like that. But he's not our, like, built-in babysitter because we want him to be able to have a connection with his siblings that is separate from work.

That's really sweet. That's really intentional. I'm glad that you told me that because if I have four kids, I'd probably, I probably would have made it into all the work. Yeah. Yeah. So that's something that we're very intentional. So they don't really get their older, younger siblings dress. But I feel like I'm downstairs in the kitchen most of the time.

Rick is doing, like, all. they're like, hey, let's get you like the logistics. And then I'm making lunches, getting them out, doing the final checks on their bag. And then Rick does a lot of the driving of the carpool. And then I will be like with CC in our cash that's not in school, like the logistics. And then I typically will start my workday. He's starting his workday. And then right now we're remodeling the house.

So I feel like that's he's a whole project manager for that right now. Oh, so you're managing that too? Oh, my gosh. Yeah. Yeah, you have to. have to. I feel like I know more about construction than I ever wanted to in my entire life. Like, literally. Yeah. So then before you know, I feel like you blink and it's time for school pickups. Yeah. So, you know, but a big thing for me too is I color code our planner and every kid in person and the family has a color.

So that way we all understand. And we have a big giant calendar board too that we everybody's responsible for knowing and looking at where they need to go for that week. We're even starting Cyrus. Like Cyrus, you have responsibilities. You have your soccer. I have football. Yes, you do. You know what I mean? And so everybody's responsible for that. And then Rick and I have like weekly check-ins before the week starts to make sure that we are in sync about everything that happens that week. Yeah. Because you have to. There's so many kids. So you guys like have weekly family meetings. We call it our family business meeting. And it's like where we talk about operations of our life. And so I've been trying to get her on this train. You have to though because the reason why

why is like I'm the type where when I want to talk about something, Rick may not want to talk about something and it was causing friction in our marriage. She wants to talk about it like during the game. No, truly. It's not good for me. That's what's been most interesting to me about like marriage with kids is like you can't just like, oh, let's talk about it now. It's like there are times like you have to learn discernment of hey, it's not a good time to bring this up to Danny. You have to kind of like find your spots and for her too. But that weekly meeting, a lot of the coaches that like I follow like Jefferson, Bethke, I talk about him a lot. He is a huge proponent of these weekly family meetings,

just to keep the spouses, like, in sync with one another. And on the other side of that, like, she was feeling like, I have to find the right spot to be able to talk to you. It's not during the game. It's not first thing in the morning. So then it's like, okay, hey, on Sundays at 6, this is what we do. Right. We talk about calendar.

We talk about finances. We talk about what's working and what's not working. And you come to each other respectfully. It's not like your nag session of, like, you aren't doing this right. but it's coming together so we can like work on our family operations. Is it a set agenda? Like a structured templated? It is a structured.

So we call it a family business meeting. We learned it at church years ago on counseling. And ever since we've been doing it and it has been a game changer for us because managing operations and we only had three kids, I think, at the time. And it's hard. And you could be and you could also become passing chips where it's just like, all right, you're going here, you're going here. And so we try to like leave the.

the defense is at the door at that meeting so we can be able to talk and get stuff done. What about date nights? Do you have like a scheduled date night? That is, we don't have a schedule, but it is required that we do day nights because Once a week. We cannot do it once a week. Logistically, nobody wants to watch five kids once a week. Yeah.

Like logistically, nobody's watching five kids. Can you take my five kids every week? Yeah. Probably not. But we try to, I would say we do it twice a month. Yeah. We do it twice a month. Yeah.

industry, I feel like, you know, we kind of have built-in date, days, nights every day, you know, and that's what's, I think that's one of the benefits of working together in this industry is it's been the most fun. It can be fun to work together too. It can be hard and it can be frustrating. But like, when you do finally figure out your flow, like the days that we're not working to them, I'm like, oh, I kind of miss him. Yeah, yeah, totally. During COVID, like everyone was like, like, oh, my gosh, I see my spouse all the time. I was like, oh, this is like a Tuesday for me. Yeah. Was that a hard transition when you guys did start, working together?

It's had his challenges. It's had his challenges. I would say just because honestly though, because Rick, Rick works on the back end of the business, I don't see him a ton. Especially now too with this house stuff happening. He's always at that new house, like working on that.

But I feel like he's in his spot and I'm in my spot and I talk to him about the boring part of the business. But he's not like necessary like a creative. So he's not like sitting there like helping me think of ideas. So it does kind of give us some separations. And because we have so many kids before you know it and we don't have a nanny every day yeah so before you know it like

tag you're in go be with cc you know what i mean like we divide and conquer yeah so it's kind of nice because it makes it where we're not like on top of each other um did you struggle with like a lot of i feel like instagram husband struggled with this where it's like when you started working together you left your job which was like provisional did you struggle with ego at all like transitioning on she's smiling So I'm just curious. You know, I don't, I wouldn't say I struggle with that piece. I think I struggle with the fact like her work schedule and the way she works and the way her mind works is like she always, there's no off. Right.

You know what I mean? And so that was the biggest piece. It's like, okay, you used to 8 o'clock, 5 o'clock, I'm done. Let's work on this at 6 or 7 or 8. And so that piece of, hey, I could be on at any moment. I think that's where I struggle with. Did you guys establish like rules to kind of like mitigate something? of that stuff or is it still kind of all?

We probably should. Because like what happened typically, what happened last week is like he'll like come up to me and like hug me but I'm like a mad woman typing on my computer and he wants to like me to turn off my brain but like I can hug you right now but I'm still going to be thinking about the work that I have to do. So true. And so you know I know that that's not necessarily right. Right.

You know what I mean? But sometimes it's maybe like setting boundaries saying like after five and if he does that after five and it's like okay Danny like this is time for family but it's like I think Jordan to like your point I feel like sometimes Jordan has to understand like if it's 12 o'clock like I'm in the mode and like I'm working and so if we had like traditional jobs you wouldn't be able to just come and hug me in the middle of the day you know that would be like I do but yes it's all true you know and so I think like just having those little boundaries or um we try really hard like on the weekends to not work. But sometimes it's like fun. So we're just like posting stories because it's fun and we're

just going for it. But I feel like we prioritize things on the weekends and prioritize each other after five and our family after five. Which is like, which is helped. But I don't know. I don't feel like I do really. Well, sometimes a quickie in the week. Oh my gosh. Dude, I'm like honestly so with you. I'm so with you on that. Seriously. Wait, does that, does that happen? Because like I fight for those all the time. I will say, I will say there's, there's, there's, there's. There's. There's. I know, we have, yeah, there's been. I'm saying there's numerous attempts.

She's like, don't wait, don't get a credit over here. But like for us, I don't know how many people are in y'all house. That's what I'm saying, like,

I literally like that, that action try to happen and I'm like, our nanny is about to walk in here. Like, what do you want to do? And I'm like, and I'm like, she'll understand.

He does the same thing. We got five minutes. I'm like, hey, babe, like, I'm going to work out in seven minutes or like our assistant's going to be here in six minutes. Oh, we got time.

Yes. Yeah. For me, for me, it's kind of like part of the fun. It's like, oh, we can't get caught. Can we? Can we? Can't we? I don't know.

Let's work it up. Seriously, I almost, we don't even like that we did this because I feel like it's validating. Yeah. They're not like, we'll tax later. Share stories. You know what's funny, though? When I did the Q&A of like what questions to ask you, first of all, people are obsessed with you.

Literally every single answer was like, oh my gosh, I love them. They're my favorite to follow. Like, I was like, I know you'll do. But like, what does? the questions. Like, I hate some questions. But one of the biggest questions was how y'all keep your

marriage spicy? I mean, I don't know if people do you guys know this man? Like, this man is just like... He's a machine. He's just very... Rick is very carefree. Like, he is

Intergram 9, which is like the peacemaker. It's my dad. Yeah, like he... Why do you guys know this thing? He's... I, he didn't want to take it, but I'm like you're taking the test. That is part of the...

I'm a three. Okay. And so, yes. And so he just loves to love. He's very affectionate. He's very spicy. And yeah. You know what I mean?

Like he, he's not a complainer. Yeah. So like I think it's kind of hard to not keep the magic happening. I'm irresistible. Okay. That's what I'm from that. Okay.

Did you guys hear that voice? Did you guys hear that voice? Yeah. So like when I met Rick, he was doing like nighttime radio at our college. That is great. And so ever since and he tries to like sometimes sneak in that like radio voice. I'm like, please stop. I'm dead.

I didn't know that you were on the radio. Yeah, yeah. It was like 1 a.m. to like 4. Yeah, it was like not prime hours. Wait, can you give us a little like, like what would you introduce? This is Midnight Love with Rick on WIDR 89.9. And the show was Midnight Love.

Yeah, this guy's a machine. What about like, so you're an Enneagram 9. So I went to, I see like a. Which is the peacemaker, right? Yeah, the peacemaker. They're chill. Yeah, very chill, very easygoing. I was telling Danny, I went to a therapy session two weeks ago.

I have this guy Chandler. He's the best. He's like, I'll give you the number after. You know what he told me? He told me that I needed to focus on having more friends. And I'm not a big friend guy. Like, I like my kids. I like doing things on my own.

Do you have friends? I do have friends? He's the same way, though. You're the same way. Like, if you, don't you feel like if you put a night out with your family or your friends on the table? What are you going to choose? I'm going to pick my family.

Same. Like that's, yeah, that's what I. For example, there was, um, there was like a night where, because we have like a friend group where like all the girls will hang out and then all the guys will go hang out. And there was a night where all the girls got together. We went to dinner. And then all the guys, all the husbands went to, you're like, let's go. I went to, I went to see a movie by myself.

He was to see a movie by himself. And I'm like, babe, this is just like, this is a kind of like a one-time thing. We're like they all get together. So I'm kind of like, this is the time. If you're going to go, like, make an effort. They all do a Bible study together each week. They do these like meet up. It's not them.

It's me. I just like, in society's trying to push me to have all these guy friends. Can you say that to you though? Yeah. I'm 100% like. People are calling Rick. Yeah. Yeah, totally.

No. I would be offended if I'm not in the group text. And he would be. He really would be. Yeah. I feel like I'm active in it, but I don't, when it comes down to the doing the Doing the thing? Yeah.

I'm like, no, I much rather do this. No, 100%. What are your hobbies? Video games. What do you play? Xbox. I play Madden, Call of Duty. Warzone?

Sweet, we got to play. He likes reading books. Yeah. Oh, what do you read? Right now, I've gone through, well, I don't have time to sit and read, so I'm doing a bunch of audiobooks. Same. Everything.

What speed? Tom Clancy. Do you do like expedite at speed on your audio book? Oh, no, I have won. I do. Oh, man. man, you got to crank it. No, don't.

Your brain will expose. I'm at two and a half. Yeah? Two and a half? How do you intake it? You just, if it's... If it's fiction, I won't do two and a half because you can't enjoy it. But if it's like, like, self-help or anything like that, I mean, I'm cranking through four books a day.

But I'm sorry, a week, a week, a week, a week. He'll be read. I did 18 books this summer and I was like, that's pretty good. He only does self-help, though. So he's kind of like listening to take like the tidbits and then like a pie him in his life. Because most, most, most, most, I'm just getting entertained. If I read a book, it's going to be a self-help.

Yeah. Like, I don't, like, I know that the world is all, especially influencers are all into the Colleen Hoover. Colleen Hoover, yeah. I'm going to, it's a self-book. I'm telling you, Tarynx. I might have some books to change your mind. Just start cranking it up.

Your brain will catch up. Yeah. You got train it. I'm actually the person where like, sometimes I could be in the car and, like, I will do a podcast or a podcast or I just like will sit in silence with my thoughts. I'm really weird. See, what's so interesting about that? Because we're both three's.

And so like I can get in the mode of like doing a lot of self-help, but it almost like gives me more anxiety. Yeah. When I start learning too much because I take it so to apply it and you want to apply it. I take it so extreme and I can't focus on anything else and I become like obsessed. I have like a very obsessive person and I like that. So I feel like when I read now, I do like a lot of personal stuff and it's like a moment for me to relax. What is Tom Clancy right? He's all like a spy action.

Oh cool. That's what I like. I like the thrillers. murder mystery. I'm like, somebody's getting locked in the basement type of thing. Like, do you get mad when he plays video games?

No, because he does it in moderation. Yeah. Because, I mean, our schedule just simply won't allow. Like, our kids sports are insane.

We happen to have our 15-year-old that had to be good in a sport. So, like, his stuff is just next level, you know, and so. It makes me angry

that they get to play video games more than me, though. Yeah, I was going to ask. I want to be doing that. Yeah, do you bond with your boys?

Like, playing video. Oh, 100%. See, 100. Me and Stratton are going to so bond. Dude, we will have Fortnite on every TV in the house

and we'll be like, that is so fun. But that kind of irritates me at the same time because like instantly that automatically makes it where I'm not cool. Like how do I compete with that? Right? Like you have Fortnite like happening. But wait till C.C. grows up.

Yeah. I mean, you're going to have so. American girl. You're going to have so much. So like my boys just don't think I'm cool. Like my boys think I'm cringy. And I'm like, Like, I had Cameron at 20.

Like, I should be a cool mom. And he doesn't think I'm cool. Wait, that's a really actually interesting question. Do you ever feel, because you have so many boys, do you ever feel left out? Yes, 1,000% because he's like the cool dad, like, doing all this cool stuff that I'm like, then I come in like trying to like dance and they're like, mom, stop. You know what I mean? That's hard. I get that.

Okay. But that was so cute the story that you posted yesterday. Yeah. About cam shaving. Yeah. Like Cameron's getting like facial hair. And I was like, I have more chin hair than I. I was dying laughing.

I thought that was so funny. Yeah. Yeah, but no, I mean. He's always stroking it. Yeah. And it's like two strange. It's like, man, I'm a man. And like, now that like he made it on varsity, like as a 10th grader, like you can't tell

him anything at this point. Wow. As a 10th grader? Yeah. Wow. Good for him. He just feels like. He's on top of the world right now.

Yes. That's another thing I was going to ask you all. So, you know, they obviously see your marriage, which is like probably the biggest influence in their lives, like how you guys live your life. how you work together, how you work individually. How do you keep your boys like so, I mean, of course they're kids. So like kids are kids, but like just good kids, wholesome kids. Yeah, that's a good question.

You know, kids with manners. I feel like nowadays that's got to be tougher because it's like if mom's not cool, how are they listening? I mean, I think we work through it. We talk through it a lot, integrity. That's a big thing that we talk about quite often. And just being intentional, what you expose your kids to, who you allow your kids to be around because everybody's morals.

We say a lot. Like, no, that works for them in their family, but in the Newton family, this is what we go about it. You know what I mean? So it's just not missing the moments to have those like intentional moments. Well, you know, so-and-so is a, and that's cool and that's fine for them. But this is how we're going to do it over here. Yeah.

Like it's our choice. Like our third grader, well, he's in fourth grade now, but at the time in third grade, he was like requesting an Apple Watch. You don't need Apple Watch. And he was like, everybody in my class has an Apple Watch. well, in our house, that's not what's happening. So I feel like for us, like, I think that integrity for me is, like, the biggest thing that somebody have, you know what I mean?

Like, integrity. And so that's what we model for our kids. Like, what happens behind closed doors when nobody's watching is that those big moments that really define who you are. That's so good. What's the social media policy, like, with your kids? It's hard. Oh, it's so looming.

So, you know, and it's also kind of hard because I feel like there's not a ton of influencers with older kids. Right. Because you guys are all younger. That's why you guys are so fascinating to me because it's like our, it's going to be our future. Yeah. And like I, it's, I can't imagine like kind of, you're the trailblazer. Yeah, like I want to go like search somebody's page and get like, how did they do it?

You know, and I, of course I could like go to like some parenting. But no, you're kind of the first, like the first of your time. So how we've navigated it and it will change probably for every kid. So we look at our son that he, our oldest son is kind of more reserved, more shy. I've talked to you guys about Cameron. And so we've been really wanting to have him get more social, right? Because we always say, like, you can't live in isolation, you know? And so what we decided is in this world, Snapchat was something that was a major no for us.

Yeah. Like, you're like, nope, not doing it. For you guys know all the reasons. I don't need a list. Yeah. 100%. So he did a PowerPoint presentation of why he went to Snapchat. Unprompted.

I was like, oh, we're doing this. Yes. What a boss. Yes. And so it was still a no, but we will consider it. The thing about us is we're never from a place of no without giving explanation. I feel like that's our generation. That's how it was.

It was like no without anything. But you don't really mow the kid and help the kid understand if you just come from a place of no with nothing else. So we always talk through everything. We talk about risk. We talk about why we're saying no, why we're considering it. And so for us, we ultimately, I would say after a year, decided to do Snapchat for him. So he just got Snapchat. this summer. Yeah, this past summer. Yeah, and so going into 10th grade year. But the reason why

is because a kid that is, was not super social, that's how they're social. They don't text anymore. They don't text. That's how they communicate. They do not understand. They take their phone call. They take their phone calls on Snapchat. Wow. I've heard that. Everything is through Snapchat, which is also kind of scary at the same time. But Rick set up his page, which people always ask me how you set up. Yeah. So how did you do that? This is good advice. Yeah, so they've got a parental control unit on there where you can go in, you can make it to where they can't share their location, you can see who they're snapping, you can see the frequency of it, that type of deal. Like it streams to your account essentially?

It doesn't stream what it does, though. Like, I can log into mine and then I can see what he's doing. I won't see the actual message, but it's like, oh, you've been texting or snapping. Claudia, you know, 58 times. You probably need to two. What are you all right, let's look at it. And then also, I mean, you're a child. the phone belongs to us we allow you to use it i will go through your phone i will look at everything

it's not scared hey hand me your phone let's see what's going on yeah so that's was number one that's awesome and another thing is for we have a time limit on how long he can snap and then he checks his phone in at at nighttime like the phone's not going upstairs because i feel like after dark always gets kind of crazy on social media so he checks his phone in with us but you know that may change he does not have TikTok. He has Twitter for football and recruitment purposes because I guess they don't you don't send film anymore right like you get recruited through like Twitter so he has a Twitter account and then he has an Instagram page that I manage for football and basketball purposes. Yeah like is that how a lot of kids are kind of getting their stuff out there? Just prepare for this like

I remember at midnight when I was like learning about this and I went on a rabbit hole and I was like Rick oh my gosh. He was like going into like eighth grade year and I was like going into like eighth grade year And I was like, oh my gosh, kids are getting recruited by Instagram. He doesn't have an Instagram page. So basically now you get recruited by how like your Instagram page. Like not based on their followers. No, not followers. They'll put like, you'll put your highlight.

Their highlights. Right. Oh, and that's how recruiters are finding it. And so it's like, all right, I'm in Washington. I might not make it to a Texas game, but I've seen this. Maybe it would be viral. Yes. Yeah.

So it's a different ballgame. So Twitter and Instagram or something like that we had to kind of. to add just for, he expressed that he wants to play college ball. So since he's off TikTok and I'm assuming most of his friends are on TikTok, does he have a better perspective of how it's like, is he like mom, dad, like TikTok's ruining kids' lives? Like what is his perspective on TikTok being kind of outside of that addiction? Yeah, he, I think he says that some girls are, he says, kind of thirsty on TikTok. That's what he says.

And that's what's so hard is like, and because they're kids, they don't realize it's going to follow them forever. And like, we didn't have that. And same thing with even like getting into college, you know, going through a sorority or getting into a club, whatever. Like we didn't have Instagram. Yeah, we had Facebook. You made that private and like, we're good. But like now you have everything out there and it lives forever and it's just so, it's so different.

Yeah. And we tell them that anything that you put out there in the internet can be for anybody to find. And so he knows that too just from the nature of my job. And so I think, but what is kind of interesting, our perspective is that seeing his mom be on social media, it gives him a little bit different of a perspective. Yeah. So I don't feel like he like glamorizes social media. Does that make sense? No, totally. He sees it as like for what it is because he's seen the back. Yeah. Yeah. Behind the scenes. He knows it can be a business. So he probably respects it for what it is. And he probably can see through things that it's not. It's not. Yeah. And he sees how people hurt me from it. You know, so he sees the bad side of it. So I think he kind of also had his own discernment for it. But Snapchat was one that we did finally reluctantly give. That was our, I would say that was our biggest. moment for parenting. Hey, the PowerPoint presentation probably would have gotten me.

That would sold me. If you took the effort to do that and like you're going to walk and and it's kind of all those things for me, I would say, you know what? I'm going to trust you with it. But the one time you mess up, it's gone. And that's where it's gone. It's like, there's no do-over. I want you to have this freedom.

I want you to talk to your friends. I want you to stay up to date and like use it for the good things that it can provide because I'm sure it's great. They can communicate, hang out, whatever. But that one time. Yes. Over forever. So you move out of house.

That's funny. That's like you were right there. Because that's exactly how the conversation was like, you know, but we also ultimately trust him. Like he's never done anything for us. And that's where I said every child will be different because, you know, maybe what we do for Calvin may look different based on Calvin's personality. And Cyrus, yeah. And so we took it by a camera.

He's an awesome kid. Yeah, you know, he gets great grades. He's never really been in trouble. It's like sometimes it's not even like, it's like you just want to protect them. You want to protect them. Yes. You're so innocent. Because you can't unsee things.

Do you guys think that, so like, like, let's say like we were the first generation that didn't have social media and then had it. And then you got Gen Z that like now grew up with it essentially. Do you guys think it'll be kind of like smoking where it was like, oh, you can smoke on airplanes. You can do all this. But then like like the next generation generation alpha or whatever will kind of be like, I think I don't really like what it did to them. So we're going to like we're going to like self govern and tone it down.

Like do you see it like continuing to roll? Because I feel like and I've told Danny this like I think that people even are. audiences, right, are starting to understand what it's doing to their contentment, like, doing to their mental health. And I feel like they're starting to kind of like pull back. a little bit. And so I, I just feel like everything kind of works itself out. Do you all see Generation Alpha being more addicted or less addicted? I think less. I think less too. Well, I think that's crazy. Yeah. Because I mean, Cameron doesn't, you know, he doesn't, he's not pressing us for TikTok. Like that was never a thing. And he's never and truly, he's just texting his people on

Snapchat. So he's not like, oh my gosh, can you please get me on TikTok? I want to like he's not trying to do that. You know, so I think, I don't think he's even does dance a lot either. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He doesn't really desire that. So I think it could go that direction. That's so interesting. So I do, I have one more question about parenting and then I want to talk more about like girls business. Dreamland Baby Co is the official sponsor for today's episode. Go to dreamland babyco.com and enter code. at checkout to save 20% off site wide and free shipping. I love sharing tips and lessons that I've learned as a mother.

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Because like you're not just giving, it's a gift that keeps on giving. And like what's more valuable than sleep? Really nothing. I've learned that the hard way. But now I sleep like 11 hours. true do you all have any family traditions because we're trying to figure out great questions and coming from Michigan I mean our families are here in Dallas but just because we're newer newer parents we want to have those family traditions that our kids can always like rely on and come back to and we're still kind of figuring them out do you all have something I would say family traditions slash ritual so traditions like family reunion every year like ritual would be like we sit together and have family dinner every night or something

like that. So traditions or rituals. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I would say that we, we sit down for dinner. We don't do it every night, but we make sure to do it at least three times a week, which for our busy schedule with sports, that's a win for us. And when we don't, they'll request it. Yeah, if they don't, because they know we do it, they request it. Another big thing is that we always have a family game night because that's critical for us just to unplug and be with the our kids. Turn off the TV. You know, set night or just kind of very, very, Yeah, typically Sunday. Sunday.

It may have to shift. It may have to shift if we have like a tournament, but we always do a family game night. That is something that we always do. Do they have fun? Yes. They're very competitive. Every night they've been asking for them, like, we have to do our game night. Like, we have it coming, but.

We didn't get back till late. See, that's something that's so fun about having a big family. Yes. That you can do stuff like that. Oh, I love that. Yeah. And then we always have like a time where we're always like cooking. Like we've been very intentional with cooking with the boys.

And at first it started to be honest. It started as like a content. and then it became like a thing that we regularly do with them every week and then they look forward to it. How do you guys focus on making sure that the bonds amongst like the kids themselves like is strong? Like how do you facilitate more of like a teamwork environment amongst your kids? Not so it's like, oh, we have to lead everything, but they almost have a culture within themselves. One thing we always tell them is that, you know, your friends will come and go, but your brothers

and now sister, that's who you're going to be with. You know what I mean? And try to make sure that they understand. the importance of family, and I'm going to choose them before I choose anybody else. So we'll revisit that when we see priority start to shift, and they start leaning because they're kids. I want to go play with so-and-so around the corner and start leaning towards or mistreating. Like, no, let's pause.

Let's talk about this. Let me help you understand. Yeah, I think that we always, and honestly, they do it themselves. But I also think that Rick and I are very much, like, he'll be sometimes like, maybe we should just drive separate cards because it makes sense. I'm like, no, we're going to be together. I like, I think. She will have me drive.

Because sometimes logistically it makes sense. 30 minutes off the way to come get her so we can ride together. I want to be as a family. And I think that they see how much like we stress the importance of us being together, the kids. And then it just naturally flows with them. Like Cameron chooses to be with his siblings even at 15 and he's has this age gap with him. Yeah, that's amazing. I think top down and also just like seeing us connected.

And that's why I think it's always important that we have our date night. Because if we're not in sync and if we're not like bond it, then it feeds to the kids. Yeah. So you started your blog in 2015, you said, when you used to, 2016. 2016. So it's been what, seven years? Yeah. And I took a year off.

You took a year off. So it's been six or seven years. So you said you got your first brand deal from, or not Brando, but like opportunity, I guess. Oh, my first brand deal was Lipton. Liptin ice. We were drinking Lipton all summer. I think they needed like six Instagram. pose. It was like, nines. It was like pennies. I called them from work and I was like, I made it.

That's so funny. So when did you realize, A, you could do this as like a career and be like, what did you immediately sign with a manager? Were you negotiating all your own brand deals? Like, can you kind of walk me through how it kind of started to take off? Yeah, so I would say it really did not kick off for me until 2018. Okay. So 2018, it really, it really, really kind of kicked off for me. And it was when I came back and was like, I'm just going to be authentic. Like my trial at the time,

like there was Cyrus crawling around there. It was very kind of just authentic. And I would say 2018 is when it started. 2020 is when it really got kind of nuts. Because that was when like the movement of like Amplify Black Voices happened. Did you have a manager at the time? I signed with a management company 2020. In 2020.

Probably because you were like, I need help. There's this too much. Yes. So 2020 I signed with a. management company because it was just like brand deals. I wasn't I was trying to be a parent still was working full time. Oh you were still in HR? Yes. Was Rick still working full time? Yes. This wasn't even that long ago. No. So and that's where it's so funny because like people will be like oh you guys have

always like no we're working our corporate jobs. Yeah. Here's a thing. Doing stuff on lunch breaks. You know what that's also what keeps you so relatable a lot of times because sometimes like I've been doing this for 11 years and sometimes I feel like I have a screw list because I'm like I don't even remember what it's like. Like, you know, I started doing this when I was 19 in my college dorm room. Like, people are like, are you okay? I'm like, I don't know. I don't know any different, you know? Yeah, and that's the thing about it.

Like, we've worked. And, you know, the thing about it that I'm very open about is like when you have been broke as a joke, like Rick and I have been at one point, you are very cautious with the movement. So, like, some people, like, jump at the idea of being an entrepreneur. That was not us. Yeah, like, we did not want to jump and leave our corporate jobs for nothing and, like, not know the uncertainty.

We had so many kids too. Yes. So we stayed in our corporate, like, jobs as long as we possibly could. So when you, when Rick came over, you started working together, were you still having, like, what was your favorite part of working together like that? Because it's totally different. You probably got more freedom. But also, I'm sure it can be stressful.

But, like, what were the perks that you felt? I mean, to be honest, I would feel like the biggest perk is honestly the parenting aspect. That was the biggest thing. Yeah, because we, I know for my job, I had like a long commute. He had an hour commute over. I had an hour commute. It was weekends as well. He had to work on weekends.

I was literally not being able to be at kids games, call. Oh, hey, how did you do? Yeah. I was, it was just absent. Yeah. So that instantly changed. It allowed, you know, more flexibility to be able to, hey, all right, I'm going to go to your game.

I'm going to be able to do this. That's so cool. And then to think about Rick's personality of like with being a dad, you know, for him, it's just kind of like, it was really taking a lot of joy out of his life. Yeah. It was taking a lot of joy out of his life, not being able to be there at the games because of work. And so I would say the biggest freedom of becoming an entrepreneur and not going in 9 to 5 was truly just the freedom to be with our kids more.

That's so cool. Because that was the one piece that I didn't want to do. Like growing up, my dad worked seven days a week, like 360 days a year. And he hated it. You know, but he had to do it. Yeah. We would wake up, have Christmas, super early in the morning, four or five o'clock. go to work. And I was like, okay, I don't want to repeat that. Yeah. I'm going to be able to be present

if I can change it. And what's so cool is like you probably live every day with so much appreciation too. You know, like just so that's how I mean, we definitely feel that way. Yeah. Just like you said, having the flexibility to be with your kids is everything. There's really nothing else that I would value as much as that. Like the time, because time is finite. And like when you have that time with your kids, like there's nothing greater. Yeah. You just like are just so, we feel very blessed to have that. So you signed with a manager in 2020. And did you're like what, what change when you said?

What does your manager do for you? How to change the workflow? Or does it kind of still look the same? Who are you all signed with? Parker. Parker. Parker management. Yeah, I would say it helped kind of do the back end for me because that's like very tedious

of like contracts, you know, the stuff that you really don't think about. So we can focus more on like being with our community. So I would say like they helped with that at first in 2020. I would say they really, I mean, they still help bring me deals, but like I think that now a lot of people know kind of who I am. So I feel like often, you know, it's kind of a thing like, hey, they come to them to be intentional. Right. But I feel like back in 2020 when you say like they were really having to do a lot more like sourcing up the jobs. Yeah, but they do a lot of back in for me and make it where I can be more present with my kids.

Yeah. That's what's so crazy is like, I'm like, everybody knows who y'all are. Like, how did you just sign with marriage in 2020? Yeah, I truly. All the kind of, like, blew up. Yeah. Right? And that's why I was like, you know.

That was kind of also like the wave of the mommy blogger. Yeah. I would say so. Like in 2018, like, it got out of like on the street, you know, taking a blog photo. It's getting real. Like it was the wave of like, let's stop trying to be perfect all the time. Yes.

Let's actually show our lives. Yes. And the people that hit it just right. Like, I feel like ended up like kind of growing fast. Yeah. But this actually kind of. plays into so these are the audience questions that I have that we wrote down that we're going to ask you and this one was like probably the most asked question um are you and danny actually friends

in real life dude this happens all the time so it was this and are you you know we do our monthly dinners like are you jenryd man and Allison uh you know rambling redhead gen like are y'all actually friends in real life and i'm like they think that like y'all got together for a photo on I'm like, let me just say you something. Taryn knows way more about me than probably a lot of other people. And I know a lot about you too. You know. Okay, so the thing about it, and I think you talked about this on one of your podcasts, but I feel like sometimes we can talk about things that sometimes we can't even talk about

like with our friends that aren't on the internet. And so I have come to Danny on problems, even recently, on in Jordan to Rick, you know, and vice versa. I think because you guys sometimes get what's at stake. And you know what's going on with our life. And so 1,000 percent, I called you on multiple instances of like, hey, what are your thoughts on this? Same with parenting, though. Like whenever, like I feel like you're someone I would call whenever like Stella and Stratton are getting older.

And like I just feel there's like this sense of peace like whenever I'm around like you and those girls. And we genuinely are friends. We're probably like deeper than friends. It almost feels like family because there's a sense of peace. I'm like, oh, she just gets it. Even like y'all walking into my home, I feel. feel sometimes pressure to like present my home in a certain way to some people but y'all walk up from like oh they'll get it yeah there's a ping pong table there's yeah it's cool and i don't feel

like you just feel comfortable and so like to have y'all in dallas is like the biggest blessing because i don't think that every city has that and like i genuinely gen like we've never felt competitive with each other no we're always like rooting each other on it's like you like it's like oh Terran's killing it, she got that brand deal. Like, I love that. She's my friend. Like, go girl. Yeah, like totally, like, root you on.

And what I also like is, you know, I feel like sometimes people think it's like a, like I'm like a tiny fish because you're such a sumo, like, size, amazing person that you are. And I feel like you've never made me feel like, hey, what you're doing is not important. You've never made me feel like small by any means. Like, you just are the most supportive person that I feel like one of the, out of our friend group. And I feel like you're such a cheerleader for us. And so I don't know. That's sweet.

Should you guys hug? Yeah. You know, but I think that like generally I feel like two people are probably like, hey, you're younger than us. And I feel like it doesn't really matter. I feel like we connect. Yeah. You know, like even.

Oh, I don't even look at it anymore. I don't even like. It's so weird. It's like I think that we both get stuff from each other. Yes. It's so mutual. Yeah. I feel like that's like the husband culture too.

Like the insert. Like I feel closer to the. Instagram husbands. He's like, Rick, you're actually my best friend. Like, yeah, listen, I don't do friends, but you can, you want to be best friends or what? No, but I feel like there's just so many nuances to what we do. That it's, it's really kind of like a good community within the husbands too because it's like, hey, like, you get. You know, they're struggling with this.

And it's like, man, totally get it. Yeah. In similar stages of life, similar stages of business. It doesn't matter. Like, it's just, we're all going through this very similar situation. Yeah, we just saw the Beverly. at this wedding and, you know, I was looking at them and I just go, guys, we've seen some stuff together. I was like, we've lived life together. Like, because we've been friends with them for eight

years. And I knew that I knew Laura and Markey before I was married to Jordan. Wow. The, the best part of our industry is like we probably won't see, I mean, we probably won't see you guys for another six months. I hope we do. But like what, but when we see each other, it's like instant. Yeah, like, let's pick right back up. Like, I feel like I know you. We follow each other. there's just a mutual respect it's a very interesting but strong community I would say I agree the next question is let's see oh what is your favorite brand deal been Lipton iced tea you never forget you per well do you have a favorite do you know my brand deals yes so Rick doesn't manage like any of that so like if I'm posting like something for a brand deal

I'd be like hey I have to post this partnership he's like oh okay I didn't know that like he doesn't He's posting the competitor at the same time of accident. Like, he doesn't know, like, any of it. Legitist. He's like, yes. That's the T is really good. Yes. So there has been moments where I'm like,

you legitimately cannot wear this, right, when I'm, like, talking about this or whatever thing is. He's like, he doesn't know, like, my roster of, like, my brand deals or anything like that. I would probably say, like, just opportunities in general to, like, go and experience different places with our kids. Like, we had a brand deal where we got to, like, go on a ski resort. That's what I was going to do with.

Colorado. And I would say like we partnered with Vail Resort. I love Vail. That started a new tradition. Yes, that's a tradition. We do our ski trip every year and. Was that your first time skiing, right? No, wait.

No, I've always skied. I was a part of a ski trip. So this one's ski club. But your little babies were skiing. Yes. Mind you, I didn't even know she's on a ski club. This is how we're so opposite. He's never, he's skied one time.

One time. Senior trip. Yes. Senior trip. In jeans. They took a whole bunch of like city of Detroit. It went to the, On a ski trip. Meanwhile, we're out.

We're, we get there, right? So we're going to ski. Well, we're going to fail. It's going to be great. Okay. I'm like, okay, we're going to struggle together. Yeah. We get out there.

She's, oh yeah, I used to be in a sleep club. Like going down blacks. Yeah, I'm actually a really good skier, to be honest. Are you, are you blues? Blues are blacks? So I could totally do more, but I don't like the fear of being scared skiing. Yeah, same.

So that's how I am. Like, every time I start, we always do a refresher class. and I always do the group that Rick's in because I want us to ski together and always never never fails every year they're trying to move away. They move me up and they're like I'm like look dude

I will quit this class right now and then so one time like I'm like on this like blue or something and like Rick sends me a picture of them like moving their skis like through the snow yeah it just got me wiggling my feet I said Taryn they're like pizza pie if this doesn't progress french fry

pizza pie I'm like this does not progress quickly I'm out And then he's always so struggling where that he ends up every time this instructor wants to be with him. And they literally go on the lift together. He's giving him lessons. Yeah. Meanwhile, Cameron's doing blacks. He's like, hey, take this fireball shot.

Our ski trips are also like a big tradition for us. Like, we do that every year. And it's the boys' favorite trips. Like if you were to tell them anywhere that they could go, they're going to say a ski trip. That's so cool. We love Hale too. Yeah, we love it. That's good.

I love that. We should do that with our kids. Yeah. Because Jordan's an amazing skier. I love skiing. It's so good. We should go, Red. I know.

Why have we been? We need to go. We need to go. Wait, like, where are you really at? Are you greens at least? Is that the first one? Yeah. Yeah, that's okay, you can do greens.

Just not steep, it's not steep hills like blues. I could probably do. No, you could do. No, we did blue last time. Oh, yeah. We were doing blues. And I don't mind falling. Yeah, it's cool.

So, no, he did, we were doing blues. Okay, good. The next question people want to know is, how is the building process and what's the story behind moving? Oh, my gosh. I get like a twitch. Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait.

Yeah. You know, honestly, when we started our, we started almost a year now. And so we bought a house, completely gutted it and remodeled it. Okay. Because we want it land. And so. With all those kids, it's better to have land. Yeah, we want it land and it's fun.

I will say, like, nobody ever says a remodel or any type of. build any home improvement is fun no so we're pushing through yeah yeah i've like i've wanted to sumo slam him a lot sometimes of this because because i want to use that communication is key and sometimes like i have a design look yeah and so he'll walk through on another side of it yeah and it's just a whole thing it's uh the rebuild is going good we're almost at the tail end of it it's just been a process yes it's And it's tested us. It's been, it's been, I think it'll come up. That's what they say.

I mean, it looks beautiful from what I've seen. Interior designers are really like marriage counselors. Yeah, 100% for sure. Yeah, they really are. I just gave up on everything. I just like, pool, I was like, mm, you decide. It was so funny. Like, because we were looking at pillows, like our swatches for our outdoor.

Like, we have a small little, like, sofa out there. We were going to get some, like, custom pillows made. And they brought over all these colors and we're looking at them. I'm like, you know, I really like any of them. Like any of them. And Jordan's like, well, I like this one, blue and green. I'm like, well, I like it even just, I don't like that one. And I'm like, okay.

He goes, okay, I'm going to leave the room. Yeah, not the hill I'm going to die on. You know, I like a lot of it. Luckily for me when it comes to the look of things, I really. He doesn't care, but then. She'll give me options. I'll give it, like, if I'm torn between something. Or do you like this?

And then I'll say, okay, I like this. If this, you tell me where I want the speakers, I'm picking that all day. Yeah, yeah. Tell me where we need TVs at. Ethernet cables, that's me how it looks. So then it has caused some problems when he goes to the house more, and he doesn't know necessarily because I designed it with our interior designer. Yeah.

So then when there's an issue of something like CeC's towel is wrong, he's not going to know that it's wrong. Yeah. Do you know what I mean? Totally. So I'm like, you got to know, you got to print out these papers and know this. Yeah. So I'm walking in with my binder.

It's like, well, the wife said this. She's like going in each one, like, put it up like, is this right? But on the flip side of that, you go into the other in the playroom, they have the TVs mounted on the wrong side of the wall. I would have never known that. She said, oh, they were? Yeah. Hey.

Hey, you're a team. Hey, there we go. Teamwork. That's like us, except for Jordan had the TV mounted in that room, like almost to the ceiling. Oh, that is like a pet peeve? True. Rick will literally do that with TVs and pictures. I'm like, who is literally looking at a picture up here?

He was like, well, it's at my height level. Well, I'm at 5, 3 and a half. How tall are you? Oh, you did say the half. So that's good that you've done. I did it because it's being before. The truth behind that TV story is, I never told you this. The contractors came over and they were like, where do you want us to hang in?

And I literally just go, just do what you think looks good. And then I left the room and they hung in like near the ceiling and I go, ah, that's a little high. I come home. I'm like, do you're doing? Yes. That's literally what we're going to look at up. You're like, ah, you've figured that. It doesn't work.

Two more questions. One, people wanted to know more of your story, like the story of, like, how y'all separated for a little bit. You don't have to go into it if you don't want to. No, I mean, we're kind of open about it. Because, I mean, it molded us. I always say that we do not have, like, the fairy tale story. And, but it kind of has molded us to where we are now that I feel like we're kind of

living in fairy tale. Yeah, like, it was such a hot mess how we started. Yeah. It was college. off again on again, be irresponsible with me like, oh, okay, we're in an argument. Like, all right, well, this girl over here, you know, I'm gonna go talk to her.

And then, you know, just not really growing up in the time frame that needed to happen. Yeah, so we had Cameron, so we were dating and then we got pregnant with Cameron and then we like attempted to try to like make a family happen, right? Like we were like, okay, even though like our foundation was like completely a hot mess. There was no foundation.

Well, at that time, you were, yeah, How old were you? 20? I was 24? 25? 25. Okay, yeah. So you were out of college, but you were still in college, right?

He was like the super, super senior hanging around like the college campus. So anyway, I was like trying to finish college, but like he's in a fraternity. And so like he was all about that life, you know? And so, you know, I was then like trying to figure this out, trying to like make this a family. he wanted to be out in the streets essentially. Yeah. And, you know, and then he also did not have a supportive friends that were like, you know, like, giving you like, all right, man, you got some responsibilities.

They're like, oh, you want to do it? Let's go. You know what I mean? Like, oh, you're in a fight with your girl. You want to go out and meet some girls? Okay, let's do it. Let's go. Let's go do that.

Yeah. And so that kind of happened. Cameron came and it just clearly just showed how toxic our relationship, it exposed it even more, I would say. And then I would say also being young. and then having a kid, not being married. So then you've got stressors from that, irresponsibility and maturity.

Then it's not like we have money, right? Right. So then you're broke. And it's like, perfect storm. Yeah. And you know, so like, you know, Rick, I'm open. We're open that he stepped out in our relationship. And, you know, we finally called it quits.

Just because for the betterment of Cameron, I think that that's what I appreciated us. Even in a toxic situation that we were like able to say like, we have to put Cameron first and us being together is not going to work. And so I actually moved back home, which is 45 minutes from our college town. And we were like co-parenting like everything, like completely separate. Yeah. For like a year and a half, two years. And then and then we, I'm like, I'm on the other. Yeah. So we, I feel like I've never really like fully heard this story. Like it was completely and like he would

get Cameron, I think on the weekends. You drive up, get Cameron, bring Cameron back. So like that's a part of me that like always has a soft spot for Cameron because like he just like had to do endure so much kind of and so I was living with my dad with Cameron and so I was also like a server at Red Lobster trying to do all this and then we started dating other people I was dating someone he was dating and then I think we both kind of just were like hey let's kind of revisit we were doing counseling just for Cameron because it was so toxic that it wasn't even like individual counseling or like couples counseling. Both.

Okay, got it. And so just to like be able to like. We still have to be able to raise this kid. Yes. Was it counseling with the intent of getting back together or just, hey, how can we be the best co-parents? Yes. Got it.

That's really cool that y'all were doing that. Yeah. So we did that. I don't even know why we did it. Yeah. I think it was because it was so bad. Like we argued a lot. Yeah, but a lot of people would just be like, I'm out.

I'm out. And like one of the parents would just step out and be like, you figure it out. Like if you're, if this is not going to be good. So. And in this time, that we're doing that and you weren't even planning to be together is like huge yeah so we we reconnected i really don't know how we reconnected it was like it kind of think we just started well feeling drawn yeah and i mean at the end of the day we kept seeing each yeah so we just kept feeling drawn and then

you know we rekindled got back together got engaged my he proposed to me when we were actually in texas we weren't living here at the time um Thanksgiving like we were all going around like saying what we're grateful for for Thanksgiving and then my brother-in-law had him be last and then he was the last one so we've been through a heck of a journey um crazy yeah does Cameron remember any of that he knows that we weren't together like he was our ring here at our wedding at our wedding but he does remember he does no like he doesn't he remembers like being at like papa's house yeah yeah yeah but we've always shielded that from him because like we're even if we have like disagreements now like we try to like keep it where the kids don't really know

know what's happening all the time. Right. You know, it's important for them to know, like, healthy disagreements, but. And healthy, like, what are they saying, counseling? They can see the disagreement, but also let them see the reconciliation. Yeah. You know what I mean? Because if you model that nothing ever goes wrong.

Right. Then when they see that, they're like, wait a minute, nothing's ever supposed to go wrong. But no, you can have healthy conversation, healthy disagreement, but then also let them see the reconciliation as well on how to help helpfully resolve the disagreement. So we had to kind of brick by brick rebuild our foundation. Yep. And ultimately we had that time to really kind of like date other people and be like, no, I actually at the heart of that person.

I actually like this person. I actually like this person. Because you're so young and you're like you don't really know. So much of it probably had to be just like maturity and like growing up and getting into the real world and all that. Growth and recognizing what you truly have. Right. You know what I mean? Because a lot of times it's like you take things for granted.

if you don't see the value in it. Yeah. That's really good. Yeah, I mean, you've told me that story multiple times, and, like, it's hard for me to even, I'm like, what? Because y'all's marriage is so strong. And just the example you guys are, too, as parents and everything, but I'm sure that you guys look back on that and they're like,

oh, our marriage would not be what it is without that season. In many ways, like, that scenario was very, like, really hard. It was kind of traumatic, you know, like, just, you know, having this new baby and, you know, and then to rebuild your trust. and all that that had to come with it. And we took our time and do it. And I'm so glad we did it. You know, I can't imagine this, like, not with him.

That's so sweet. Yeah. I love that. Next question. This is actually our last question. We can make this more lighthearted. I have one more question. Okay.

No, you go ahead. Two more questions. Okay, then you go first. I just want to know. Rick, have you ever, you're an Enigram 9, but you grew up in Detroit. Have you ever been in a fight? Yes. Really?

How many? How tall are you? Oh, no fight that I ever started. No, I believe that. I believe that because you're a nine. Yeah, you're a peacemaker. You're a peacemaker. How many fights have you been in?

Did you win? Yes. That's what I thought. I knew it. I was rude for you. Were they all in college? No. I mean, starting in middle school.

I got, well, not count of neighborhood fights. People always wanted to fight my brother. Really? Yeah. And so he's got like, I don't know. I don't know what. You probably tried to, It's kind of like

Diminish the fights You tried to Try to put out the fire But then it's one of those things Where you grow up All right if we're fighting And we're fighting Yeah

In college there was other people And in middle school That's cool I've never been a fight I've never I've had people that wanted to I don't think I've ever been in a fight No

He's never been in a fight I've had people that wanted to fight me But I've actually never physically been in a fight Yeah I've had in high school Like one girl kind of came out for me Forb's track It was on the you know

the track squad, you know, track team. But no, my mom, my mom, like, she was the oldest of five. She basically raised all of her siblings. And my mom, it was like the time mom was like, you know what, Danny? If some girl comes up to you, you punch her right in the face. And I'm like, I'm like this little girl, like those little, like, I'm like, mom, really? You know? It just wasn't in my blood.

But you know that Latino blood, like you don't mess. Totally. Your mom in my girl. My mom punched a girl in high school because a girl came out. A girl came up and stole her basketball. And, you know, they came up and started getting in her face. And my mom just punched her. Because her dad told her to.

Boom. My grandpa was like, somebody messes with you. That girl apologized to. You know what? My mom said she did not mess with her anymore. Boom. Danny Austin promotes violence on the D.N. There is like one time that I will get violent with someone.

If someone is like hurts my kids, like, I will. And I don't even care if I win the fight. But I'm going to punch you. I'll go to jail. That would be her first fight. No, I would, like, I've never wanted to fight anybody because I'm actually not very, like, confrontational. I really don't like fighting. Yeah, I mean, me either.

No, I don't know that's okay. Yeah. So, like. Were you there at Maddie Nelson's event whenever we won't say what she was saying? Oh, yes. I was just dying laughing because it's always the girls that you never think that would, like, would fight. Yes. Did Maddie punch someone?

No, but Maddie, I'll say it because she'll think it's funny. But Maddie was like, yeah, like, what did she say? She was like, if someone messes with my friends, like, I'll fight him. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, one thousand. And it's like little Maddie. Yeah, you would never know. She will go to war for you.

And she's like, no, like I will like. She will go to war. Yeah. Yeah. And I appreciate that. But like that's how I, like people just always wanted to fight me growing up. But I feel like I never wanted to fight them. And then I was like, mom, what am I doing?

Yeah. You're like, use your words. Okay. So last question is more lighthearted. What would your kids say? Like how would they describe you as a person? Oh. Both of you.

Okay, you start. All right. I think they would say he's silly. He loves us and smart. I would say loving. I would say a hard worker for me, for sure, and makes good food. If I'm thinking about like Cyrus or like my five-year-old. But I will say, you know, that's where sometimes I would get that mom guilt of like, hey, they see me working.

You know, but I won't ever. I won't ever apologize for that. Like, I think it's going to make them really good hard workers, you know, and I think that it is, like, kind of empowering that they see, like, their mom working and building the life, you know, for their families. So I think that they appreciate that. I totally agree with you. My mom worked a lot, too, and, like, we always had a nanny. And I don't, I never looked back at my mom thinking. Like, I was always actually going to school and be like, yeah, my mom's like, so my mom would, like, go sell, like, little, like, key chains on the street at El Mercado in San Antonio.

So it wasn't, but I was like, yeah, my mom's selling key chains and cats. Like, what's your mom doing? You know, you just think it's cool. You respect it. And so I love that. Well, thank you guys for coming today. This might have been one of the best ones. Okay, I hope you guys.

Truly. See you guys before six months from. Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I'm totally down for it. I'm just saying it just happens that way. He's like, call me. Yeah.

I will say it's kind of hard, though, because you guys go to sleep super early. You guys are like the oldest young person I know. Yeah, we are. Oh my gosh. Eight o'clock. We're going to dinner at. seven tonight with friends and I'm like I hate when she does this I'm gonna die I'm like I'm like I'm like we're not gonna be home until nine I'm gonna be I'm gonna go to bed at 9 30 are you kidding

yeah they're literally the oldest young people meanwhile I'm going to sleep at like 1 a.m. I know you're a night out real quick tell people where they can find you Taryn Newton you want to say you know your handle share the handle Rick you matter I'm saying that as a joke just to put in perspective that this man knows nothing he's going to his Instagram page yeah Rick Dean is it Rick D Newton So basically just come to my page. Rick, share your Xbox Live Gamer tag.

Oh, is Rick D. Hala. That was his radio name, by the way. That should be your Instagram. No, it should not. No, that's a very Xbox Live gamer tag. It did used to be my Instagram. Parents like, please know. Okay, so we got the handles.

Well, yeah, thank you all for coming. Thanks for listening to everyone. Feel free to subscribe if you would like and we'll talk to you later. Bye. Bye.