Mention It All - The Altercation Heard ‘Round The World Ft. Monique Samuels (RHOP)

Episode Date: September 21, 2020

Bari and Dylan kick off the week by recapping the latest episode of Potomac, complete with some major Michael/Ashley revelations and the big altercation. Then, they’re joined by RHOP’s Monique Samuels (and T’Challa, briefly), who opens up about how her experience on housewives has changed over the years. She discusses what it’s like to host the women at her home, and her 10-year plan for Not For Lazy Moms. Rory: Rory makes it simple to connect with a healthcare professional online, and see if personalized prescription skincare treatment is right for you. Go to hellorory.com/Mention to try the nightly defense for just $5. It’s free to chat with the doctor, and your first order is just $5! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Girl, winter is so last season. And now Springs got you looking at pictures of tank tops with hungry eyes. Your algorithm is feeding you cutoffs. You're thirsty for the sun on your shoulders. That perfect hang on the patio sundress. Those sandals you can wear all day and all night. And you've had enough of shopping from your couch. Done hoping it looks anything like the picture when you tear up on that envelope.

It's time for a little in-person spring treat. It's time for a trip to Ross. Work your magic. Betches Media presents Ha ha laugh funny Mention It All A Bravo by Betches podcast We don't say that but now we said it

With Dylan Hafer Who gonna check me, boo? And Barry Rosenfeld I need to start drinking alcohol Now go to sleep week Hey everyone Welcome back to another episode of the Mention at All podcast

I'm Dylan Hafer And I'm Barry Rosenfeld Starting off a fresh new beautiful week A fresh new beautiful week of fall weather. It's nice and crisp outside. I'm wearing Ugs right now.

You know, this is my favorite time of year. It's, I feel comfortable. My electric bill isn't going to be $300 because I'm not blasting the AC all the time. You know, we're getting into a nice time. Yeah, like honestly, I hope everyone's mood shifts

with the season. Like, everyone's, It's nicer and kind and like everything. I had a great weekend. Did you? I had a nice weekend. It was very relaxing. I think honestly, like, it's funny because I feel like a lot of people, their mood

gets worse when it starts getting cold outside. I fucking love. I'm an ice queen. I'm kind of the opposite because in the summer, I'm just like uncomfortable. And like anytime I go somewhere, I feel like I'm a mess. And now it's like, yeah, I'll go for a little walk. I'll go. sit outside to eat and not be sweating the whole time.

You know, I'm not mad about it. And honestly, I feel like Real House of Potomac, they also were filming last fall. So we're getting like some fall fashions. Yes. They're like maybe fashion. Well, yeah. Like, yeah, no, it's true.

Yeah, no. That is so funny. Right when they were, we'll get into it. But right when they were all walking into that winery, chilly and in their jackets. I was like so happy. I was like, this is so exciting. I went to a winery this weekend and did any was there any physical altercations at your winery trip? There were none because everyone was safely social distanced, um, on the feet, either on a field. They didn't let people in. I've never obviously been to a winery during a pandemic, but I go,

I go all the time. Um, and they all handled it really nicely. And there were no physical altercation. no, not that I saw, but... You weren't close enough to, like, mess with anyone's hair and, like, flip their hair up and then... No, definitely not. And also, like, if anyone did that to me, whoo-no. You do not touch my hair. Speaking of physical altercations,

don't go anywhere at the end of this episode because we have an interview with Monique Samuels. We, Barry, how does it feel? We have now been on a Zoom call with Tichala. Wait, okay. not even Tichalla. Well, first of all, when you guys see the YouTube video that we have with Tichala, like I am freaking out.

Like I can't compose myself. Like I talk about Tichala every episode. And like, Monique had him just sitting there when the camera came on. And I was like, um, I don't get Starstruck that easily. But Tichala was like a little bit of presence. Tichala was cool. But honestly, Dylan and I have interviewed like quite a few ladies from Potomac this season. already. And they're all very pleasant, very nice women and enjoyable. And all of our interviews have

been really good. So I'm excited for you guys to hear this one. Unfortunately, Tichalla's not there for the interview. So you don't get to hear him like squawking. He's not like calling anyone a trick in the middle of the interview. But he flew away. Monique was like he loves the ringlight. I was like same, Tichala, same. We all love a ring light. Okay. So last night's episode, there was a lot going on. and we immediately need to talk about Ashley and Michael because honestly my job was like on the floor when I was watching this. So Ashley and Michael,

after the whole debacle at the lakehouse and the photos that leaked to the blogs, they go to lunch and they're talking about this and they actually says that they went out to do it in public because they didn't want to get upset in front of the baby, which I feel like is an interesting kind of reasoning. It's like you could have someone else watch the baby for like an hour. I don't know.

There was also no yelling in the scene we saw. So I was like... I know. I kind of liked Ashley's decision to do this in public because it made it feel like there was no way for Michael to escape. 100%. I think that's why people do things in public more often, though. So basically they're talking about this.

And we find out over the course of the conversation, that they've had in the past an open relationship where they have brought other people into their sex life. Just say it. They have had threesomes. They have had multiple threesomes. Okay. So this episode, there's a lot going on, but I think it's so important to just note that

this is the first time that Ashley has really been what feels like mostly honest about this situation. Because for so much of the last four seasons, she's been, you know, coming after. the other women for talking about their marriage and constantly denying that anything is happening or anything is wrong or there's any kind of, you know, situation happening. And it's so refreshing to finally feel like we're getting closer to what the actual reality is of the situation. Yes. And going off of what you just said at the winery, I appreciated when Ashley actually said that when she was like, I have not always been on the same page as you guys with your relationships.

I have definitely talked shit about you guys, so I appreciate you all being on my side. You know what I mean? So she was very upfront about that. Because I think she, right now, I feel like she feels caught. She knows she is taking her man's side with this. She is standing with him. She knows what he did was wrong.

She's like admitting that. And she says, if it happens again, it is done. That's it. And I think the thing with the other women is that, yes, they are messy sometimes and might be obnoxious. when it comes down to it, they care about Ashley and they want her to be okay. And so I think for Ashley to finally kind of accept that and move forward in that direction with like being a little bit open with the other woman, it immediately makes Ashley so much more sympathetic and you finally feel like,

okay, like yes, thank you. You're acknowledging this. And now I feel like you can maybe, you know, move forward and make smart decisions rather than last season when it felt like she was in total denial and just didn't want to deal with any of this. And I get that it's hard. But then we're at this lunch and Michael all of a sudden asks if they can cut. And he's like, I'm done, I'm done talking about this. Like we don't have anything else to talk about like, can we cut? And the producer comes over and he's saying that can we cut? And I was dying because Ashley this whole time is just eating her salad, like nothing is happening. And she's like, I don't know, we're here. Like, we're doing this on camera. Like, whatever. And it's so funny to me because I don't understand

like what Michael thought was going to happen in that moment. Like, it's already on camera. Like, are you just, you're like sick of filming and you don't want to do it anymore? Like, at that point, like, the damage is done. I think, first of all, if we had a dollar for every time we saw producer and any franchise this season, like, it's getting a bit much. But I think at that point, we've all been there. You've had enough of the conversation. Like, I think he was really about to, like, lose it. But, yeah, Ashley was unbothered by this. And she was like, I kind of really loved that because she was like, who the fuck are you?

You just got caught. We will do this. And you will get exposed. Here's the thing. The actual, like, situation was that, Dylan, you need to tell me how you feel about this because I have my thoughts. Michael was at a strip club. He met a girl. She asked if he wanted to go to a hotel.

Ashley claims he took the bait. They went. He got so drunk, he passed out on the bed and doesn't remember. But he did admit them making out in the cab. Here's to me where it gets a little blurry, right? Because if this was my man, no. You remembered kissing her in the cab. But then you blacked out immediately after. when you got to the hotel room and also, sorry, biggest red flag of them all.

Why did you not have any clothes on in the morning if you just passed out because you were so drunk? So that picture, this random girl took of him, listen, guys, I'm a woman. I have everyone's been there. I am a detective. I know everything. Why did he have no clothes on? Why was he literally checking his phone, putting his watch on, taking his sweet-ass time to get out of this hotel room? Are you kidding me? Oh my God. When Ashley goes, I know those underwear. Why was he in his underwear?

If you are drunk and passing out, you did not have time to take your clothes off. There is no doubt in my mind. They did not just kiss in the cab. I will tell you that. This episode is brought to you by Prime. Obsession is in session. And this summer, Prime Originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories.

and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice. Off campus, L, every year after, the love hypothesis, Sterling Point, and more. Slow burns, second chances, chemistry you can feel through the screen. Your next obsession is waiting. Watch only on Prime. Okay, the thing is, I think it's really funny. Later in the episode, when we're at the winery,

Monique, or Karen and Wendy, we see. are not buying that nothing else happened. And I would imagine the other women feel the same, even if they didn't say it on camera. And I love when Wendy said, have you seen Michael? Who's cuddling with that? I know.

But not, I mean, yeah. Not to be rude, but it just doesn't make sense that you would be partying with a stripper and then you make the choice to go back to the hotel room and like nothing happens. Like it would be, it's one thing to say like, oh, we didn't have sex. But to be like, nothing happened

once we were in the hotel room, it's like, then why were you even in the hotel room? And why were you in your underwear? Hello, that is like, why? He didn't have clothes on. What do you mean? You don't just like lay down and like take a night off with a stripper and just like get in your underwear

and nothing happens. Like, are you kidding? Look me in the face and tell me nothing happened. Here's the thing, though, which I get. She's believing him and he's giving her this much information about them kissing, I think, so he looks better, you know, because he's admitted. It would be worse if he was like, nothing happened, nothing happened, but he's giving a little bit.

So we believe. And I think she's, whether or not she truly believes it, she's chosen to accept it in this situation. And she set the boundary that this is the last time. And I loved the scene when she was with her mom and her younger half-sister, who I, have we seen her on the show before? I don't know if I knew that- She's talked about her, but I don't know if- I forgot that Ashley had a teenage half-sister.

So it was nice to see them interacting. And I really felt for Ashley's mom in that moment where she's seeing this situation that she's seen time and time again. And she's like, Ashley, like, come on. And for Ashley to say, I'm not scared to leave him was, you know, that was a big moment. And I hope she means it. Because it's like we, I like Ashley, I think we're all kind of rooting for Ashley. and I don't, you know, I want her to do, it's her choice, but like, girl.

I agree. And I think that it is confusing to a lot of people because she is pregnant right now with their second child. However, I will not hold that against anyone because a lot of people, like, of there, I think right now thinking about just the baby, you know, like so the baby has another sibling, but also like I cannot get involved. Like, it's not, not my anyone's business to like get. Yeah, we'll see.

We'll see. going on. But we saw, I love these parts of the episodes where we see, like you just said Ashley and her mom. We saw Robin and Giselle Furniture shopping, which was interesting, but not that interesting at the same time. And then we also saw Monique in her business meeting for not so lazy moms, which I really appreciated because I love seeing the housewives in any show in their business, like meetings and seeing really how they work with that and what goes on behind closed doors, although we did find out that not for lazy moms is not profiting as much as they'd like for his time. The ticket sales for the live show aside, because I know that it can be

hard to sell tickets, whatever. I don't, I'm not like begrudging her that. I think it's, that's like an easy thing to make fun of, but I think that's like kind of stupid. But when she was talking with Chris, and she said that she had spent like $200,000 on. It's unclear if that's like the entire, not for these moms brand. I think it's everything. I think it's everything. But so it sounds like she spent that much and basically gotten none of it back. And I think it's an interesting question when you're talking about like a partner being supportive.

And it's like there's an difference between being supportive and saying you can have whatever you want, do whatever you want. It's all good. I'm supportive. and saying, like, you know, I support you, but at a certain point, we're going to have to, like, re-look at this and decide. And I think Chris was just trying to be a little bit practical. And Monique was, like, we're not shutting this down. And I think they need, I hope they get on the same page about kind of, like,

expectations and where this is actually going. Because, you know, I mean, if you're trying to make a business, like, you can't just keep pouring money into it forever. And- Well, she did also say that, like, she just wants. wants to break even, which like everybody does. But the more you spend, the longer it's going to take for you to break even, because now your spend is higher than you probably originally thought it was going to be.

Maybe the potty training book has been bringing in the big books. Yeah. So we are now, I thought this was so funny, the reason we were all at the winery. I say we, like we are there. Giselle is in her element. She is celebrating herself. She is making this all about her, what she's totally entitled to,

but she's celebrating her literary award. And I nearly fell off the couch. This whole episode I wished was just about Karen. She to me has gotten funnier, like way funnier this entire season. They pant to Karen's confessional and she says, Giselle's hosting skills suck and I wish I was Skyped in. And I was like, you are, that was so funny. Like, she goes, I'm standing there.

We're standing there and doing absolutely nothing. Girlfriend, though, in their defense, you're at a winery. Like, you're just supposed to be tasting wines, you know? Like, there's not, like, an itinerary. But. I did think they could have had, like, a table to sit at. Absolutely. I did think that, too.

And also, I thought it was weird that, not to be honest, that Giselle was pouring the own wine. Like, when you get there, usually you have someone explaining what all the old. But honestly, again, we're filming. That probably wasn't part of, like, there wasn't. going to be a random guy there. Right. It felt like somebody, it felt like somebody that worked there set up the table before anyone arrived and then the staff just left. Yeah. But, okay, so we're at this winery. Ashley kind of fills the girls in on what's happening and she's, I loved when she said

she didn't want to take the spotlight and just all was like, no, take it. I'll get it back when I And, okay, the biggest revelation to me that Ashley made, I literally like shrieked when she said this. They had a threesome after a David Getta concert. Wait, at a what concert? After a David Getta concert. David Getta, yes, yes. I was dying because that's just like the funniest, like, specific event to be like, well, we saw this woman at the David Getta concert.

and then, you know, one thing led to another. I mean, his music is good, but I knew. We knew it was going to happen. We knew the whole episode was going to lead up to it. And then the fight was just going to get cut off. Like, we knew that. But the arguing was getting heated, like, heated. And I was, like, getting nervous a little bit.

I actually was only because we knew there was an altercation. So I was like, oh, my God, like, what's going to happen? but I did think it was funny that twice Wendy took a wine glass out of Candace's hand and then she took a knife, which by the way, it was not a butter knife. It was a cheese knife. It was kind of sharp. Yeah. Okay. The thing with this situation, first of all, it started so gradually that if I didn't know what was coming, I would have been shocked because it started out, everyone was standing there so casual. When Ashley was talking, I thought the group was, was really calm and supportive and, you know, it seemed like it was a really positive atmosphere, whatever. And then honestly, for the second episode in a row, I was just frustrated with Monique because when Candice brought up the fact that when she said that Monique was pretending to be asleep, when she left the Lakehouse, Monique could have so easily just said, oh, I'm sorry, like, I wasn't pretending, but I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to you at the Lakehouse. and that would have been the end of it

but her response was so defensive and like combative and it's like it just kept building and building and building and then when they were having they're two fully separate like Candice is talking to Wendy

and Monique is talking to everyone else and they're both talking about each other but not to each other and they're just getting more and more and more worked up and it was like oh God you can just see it spiraling out control before your eyes. And you know a fight's getting more heated when they just repeatedly repeat the same sentence over and over.

Like Monique said continue to twirl like 14 times in the episode. And I was like, oh my God. And then Candace was like, no, no. And like just do it like repeat. And I was like, guys, just like say what you want to say to each other. This is so I'm getting, I was like a ping pong match. And I was like, oh my God. But then here's a thing.

I know what you're saying with the sleeping thing, but I started laughing. because I was like, well, if she was sleeping, maybe she doesn't know what she was talking about. Right, but still, it's like... I know, I agree. I know. I know. Because obviously, Candice's comment was shady or whatever, but nobody was at that level. Like, they were being perfectly civil to one another,

and then it just was like, you guys know how you can get. Here's the thing, the only thing I don't agree with, because, you know, I watched Candace on watch... Live last night and she was very cool, calm and collected. And listen, we, we have said this before too. Andy Cohen said it too. Why don't they get along? Nobody knows. I think, but listen, there's all, someone has a person in their lives, so they just don't like and they don't know why. It's like normal. And I think for Monique, it's Candace. Like, it's just, that's what it is. And that, that's normal. And so the thing I don't agree with is that Monique did kind of flick her hair a little bit.

I think that was a little bit of a, but in her defense, Candice said, drag me, she's the one. And that does seem like a little bit of a, you know. It's like a come on. Exactly. So they both were in the wrong in that sense. But I guess we will see next week really what happens and who brings it on more, I guess. I think that's the thing for me. People keep asking whether I'm team Candace or team league.

And first of all, I think it's too early to really decide. But also, I think it's obvious that they're both in the wrong. Correct. And so it's like neither of them have dealt with this in a super mature, you know, way. So it's like, you know, I have my feelings about each specific thing. Like, I think the way Moni candle things at the lakehouse was not good. But that doesn't mean that the whole issue is her fault. So it's like, you know, we'll see how it plays out.

Obviously, we haven't even gotten to like the fight fight yet. And then on top of that, I'm sure there's just going to be, you know, fallout for the rest of the season. And Monique doesn't even go on the Portugal trip. So it's going to be interesting. Yeah. Well, this was a very good, heated episode. I mean, I don't know. These women just like bring it every, every week.

And it's like, it's almost like too much. I'm like, oh my God. I know I needed to like take a drink of water. Okay, I'm just going to say my number one, Bravo, love in the group, I'm going to give to Ashley. Okay. Because after such a long time on this show and issues with Michael, it was, it felt like a real, a real growth moment to finally see her discuss this stuff and deal with it and address it. And I hope it's just onward and upward from here.

And, you know, I want the best for her. But I'm also glad that she is not. pretending that everything's okay on camera anymore. Yeah. It was getting old. I agree with all of that, but I'm going to go ahead and give mine to Karen Hugar because, oh my God,

she has just been for me these past few weeks. Like, you know, for me, Karen's always not been my number one. I don't know why. Like, I always liked her, but I just like, I don't know. Now she has upped on my ranking and her commentary is just a lot for me.

Same with her fashion and her behavior, all around. I'm giving it to her. Can I just say, Karen posted a couple photos on Instagram this weekend in this neon, neon, lime green dress, and she looks the best she has ever looked. Yes, I agree. I know. She, like, she got her hair together.

She's looking snatched. You know, she just looks great, and I'm happy for her. And I hope Ray is saying those three words to her. Me too. She deserves it. Okay, guys, don't go anywhere. Stick around for our interview with Monique Samuels, and then we will be back on Thursday for another episode.

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Hey. How good? How have you been? How has quarantine been with three kids, a bird, etc. It's been interesting, as always, but we just adapt. You know, I try to always look at the positives of every situation. And my positive is that I get to spend more time with my kids and my husband and my bird without having to run around all over the place.

And quite frankly, I'm loving the whole, like, Zoom press. You know, I don't have to go anywhere. I don't have to sit in traffic. I don't have to travel. I'm actually enjoying being home. It's so interesting. We talked to Ashley, right, around the week the season premiered.

And she was saying it's so different doing kind of this whole season premiere thing from home that you're not coming to New York, traveling, doing all these in-person events and stuff. What has the experience been like this season compared to other seasons, kind of just the whole thing of being on air again? Oh gosh.

Well, I think the anticipation, the whole buildup, because we were supposed to air in May, and then we were pushed back for so many months, And we have, because of quarantine, a lot of new viewers. So it was like a gift and a curse. You know, we had a lot of people that were able to kind of catch up on the past seasons. And then they're just waiting for season five and everyone's anxious and ready. So I think it kind of helped the show in a sense because people who never looked at Housewives of Potomac before, they had time to watch a new series.

And they love it. So it's been, I think it's been good. That's actually an interesting. I didn't even think of that because we're all home that of the new viewer part. But I remember Dylan and I were in a Zoom with you and all of the

housewives right before the premiere. And I remember like everyone around and we were like saying to all of our friends, like you need to watch Potomac. You need to watch Potomac. Like it's the underdog. Like it's the best franchise out there. So now I'm happy that all

these new viewers are there. It gives me a new light on that. Yes. Yes, no, I love it. I love it. It's been really good. So, and it's nice that people are like really supporting the show. Like you said, we have new people. We have fans that have always been around. So I think it's been great for us. How do you personally feel that you approach the show differently now that you've been on four seasons, you're not at all new to the group anymore? How is it mentally kind of a different

thing than it used to be for you? It used to be fun. Now it's just crazy now because it's like you come into this and it starts out with just like getting to know people and just being yourself and just having a good time. And then as seasons go on, it's like now you start finding out people are like plotting behind the scenes and doing all of this nasty stuff. When I like how swarves when I see like the fun shade and all of those different things, there's going to be some drama and arguments. But it's more so fun. And a lot of the ladies on our show, we're like natural-born comedians. So it's like, let's just stick to that. You know, so it's different because it's like I went from like, oh, this is a fun experience

to now I have like people attacking me and my family. You know, so it's just, you know, it is what it is. I just have to roll with the punches and just adapt to how things are. Right. So as viewers, obviously, we enjoy the drama part of it. But it is real. And I feel like a lot of people don't realize that what you just said, like, it does affect your family. It does affect anything that you kind of do.

So that is important to think about. But going off of that, going into the season, you obviously were going through some tough situations and moments to watch. So how did that prepare you for you to go through that again? It's there's really no way to prepare. It's more so how you change your. mindset about every situation you deal with. So for me, with the whole aftermath of the physical education and all of those things, like I said, I'm a person who always tries to focus on the positives in any situation and the journey afterward. What I learned about myself after the fact

is what I focus on. So it may be a little tough watching week to week, not really knowing what's going to be shown, what's not going to be shown. But I know the outcome and I know how I ended up at the end of the road. So I just have to be patient as every week goes by so that the fans and viewers can see the full picture. So every episode is a buildup. So, you know, it's just going for the ride. I can't, I'm only going to control what I can.

I can't control everything. So I just know who I am, and I know how things turn out, and I know how much better of a place I am because of it. I feel like y'all's show is so much of a roller coaster, episode to episode, even like commercial break to commercial break. So much changes. So we just finished up this lakehouse trip that you so graciously hosted.

What is that, what does it feel like when you're hosting all these women at your home for a whole trip that's going to be on the show? Because it's not like when y'all go to a hotel somewhere and it's like, oh, well, like, Monique planned the trip. It's like you were, they're at your house eating your food. Like it's no. So I think a lot of people just assume like oh you know when we go on these trips like you said you're getting extra help because you don't have to worry about cleaning service. You don't have to worry about ordering food and all of those different things. When I hosted this trip at my house, I actually hosted the trip. I got the house prepared and I'm very hands on. So me and my team, my personal team, put this thing together. We found the caterer, which was referred to me by a friend. We had to put together the menu to make sure that it accommodated everyone's appetite in whatever their dietary restrictions are. We had to make sure that there was enough food and snack while we're staying at this house, which is like 30 minutes away from civilization. So it was a lot. I had to make sure the house was stocked with toilet paper and all of the basics, you know.

And then also make sure that the women felt like they were comfortable, you know, felt like they're being treated special, had to plan out the activities, had to come up with the itinerary. So this wasn't some, oh, production did it all. No, Monique and her team. So to hear all of the complaints and all of the minuscule things that were going on when I'm like putting blood, sweat, and tears into this,

and that doesn't include things that I was working on at the same time. Like my live podcast show, which was coming up, dealing with my business, handling my kids, you know, going from being a mom of two to a mom of three was very difficult and having to navigate how to make sure that the whole family is good. My husband was coaching football. So I'm the one that's traveling back and forth, getting the kids from school, getting them home, going back into mommy mode up until they go to bed and then still handling business after hours.

So there was a lot that led up into that trip. I was completely exhausted. When I look at the footage, when I'm watching the show, and I'm looking at my stuff. And I'm looking at my And I was like, galley, I look so tired. I could see it in my eyes. And all of those feelings, like, came back as I was watching each episode play out. I was like, man, that was a tough time. Dylan and I, when we talked about it last week,

we were like, we wish we were there. Like, it looked really fun and relaxing. Like, well, it would have been relaxing for us, not you. But it looked like a fun, just like kick back, relax, have drinks by the pool type of getaway. But it didn't pan out that way. didn't pan out that way exactly. Not exactly. Not exactly. And I'm used to hosting family and friends at that particular house all the time. And I've never experienced anything like what went down

that was new for the house. And I had to sage it a good three times after the left. What was, what kind of went through your mind that first day that you were there when Wendy and Ashley had their big issues? Because that was kind of the first time you had really seen that side of Wendy at all. So what was that, like, how do you react when you see that for the first time from someone new? Well, that wasn't the first time. That was the first time. Of course. Okay. Oh, no, I saw Wendy in action even before that. But it was just the fact that we had just gotten to the house. I'm telling you, it was like everyone dropped their bags. We all gathered into the kitchen and bam. And I was like, geez, Lord, can we unpack first? Like, can I pour

the champagne into the glass before we go in like this it was so crazy as shocking as it was for the viewers it was very shocking in that instance for all of us because i don't even think ashley was talking to wendy i think her and robin were having a conversation and then wendy kind of like inserted herself into that um so it was just weird um how she introduced the topic but once i understood where she was coming from when we had our sidebar, I was like, okay, I get it. It was a trigger that was pulled, and it is what it is. Like, she felt some type of way, and she felt like what she sacrificed was just as important as everyone else is. So I totally get it. So hindsight, 2020. And I love that even Tishalla got involved. Like, it was that extreme, you know? He had to break it up.

But so we've seen you on a journey with Not for Lazy Moms for the past few years. But now with your book, where do you see this whole thing going in the future? So I have a whole 10-year plan laid out for Not-For-Lazy moms. And every time we accomplish one goal, we just keep moving on, checking off the checklist. So we started out as a Facebook page six years ago. Then it turned into the website. Then that turned into the podcast. Now we have Not for Lazy Moms books.

We have an app that's being developed that will be coming out the early part of next year. So we're just checking on right down the line. Wow. This conglomerate of a community for new generation parents who want it all, they do it all, but they want to also know that they're not alone. And I think that was the main inspiration behind me

starting Not for Lazy Moms is the fact that there was a lot of things as a parent that I experienced. And I said, wow, I don't remember my mom going through this or my grandparents talking about that. And I realize that as women, a lot of times we don't share our struggles. So we think we're alone. So the whole point of the site, one of the major things

we have on the website is called confessions. And we allow for moms and dads to kind of write their confession anonymously about whatever it is that they're feeling or going through. And there's so many people that relate to it. So it makes you feel like, wow, I'm not in this journey alone. And I thought that I was the one struggling, but turns out everyone's struggling.

So it kind of makes you feel like, okay, I'm doing the best that I can and it's working. Wow. Obviously, we saw you pregnant on the show previously, and now you have three kids, like you said, that was a big adjustment. Were you relieved to not be pregnant when you were filming season five,

or was it just as difficult or even more so? I feel like that's, I can't imagine doing it, well, like being pregnant. Oh, it was tough. It was tough. And I try to get along to go, I try to get along to go along and do whatever I can. And there was a lot of times where I wanted to complain

or I didn't feel like it, but I was like, okay, I'm here. I'm doing what I have to do. I didn't use my pregnancy as an excuse. So being that I was not pregnant for season five, I was just so relieved. I was like, yes, I can finally like hang out and I can hang up late and I can have a drink. And you know, and I don't have to feel like I'm holding

group back from doing anything because I'm pregnant. So it was nice to finally just feel like a whole woman again. And that's some alien incubating, you know, a child. Were there ever, was there ever a time where you thought about before going on to the show where you didn't want your kids shown on television? No, I just felt like whatever we did show would be something that would just be almost like a backdrop. So I'm not one to kind of like bring my kids issues

onto the show and make a story about it. You know, I just, I don't agree with that. I think kids are innocent. They aren't under contract. They're not being paid. They didn't choose this. So if we do show them, it'd be more so family dynamic,

what we're doing as a family unit. And so far, that's what we've been able to accomplish. Because I don't want my kids filling any weight or expectation from people and viewers that they don't even know, you know. Right. I actually, I think on Potomac, that's something that is really fun that not all of the Housewives franchises have that you have, you know, young kids at home. And so you guys are all going through

different stages of this whole motherhood thing. And, you know, seeing Ashley this season be open about her postpartum issues and that's really interesting. And, you know, she said that she considered not coming back for this season. And so I think it's great that you, that you guys as a cast in general are really open about that stuff because everybody does go through it that has kids. Yes, it's absolutely true. Even when I was pregnant with Chase, I actually consider not coming back too, because when you're pregnant, you're trying your best to just make sure that you're protecting this child that's growing inside you. They can feel every bit of stress and pressure that you feel. So you feel way more guarded, especially during pregnancy. And when you've experienced a miscarriage,

and then you're pregnant and you know that the stakes are a lot higher, you really feel protective over your room. So I totally felt her when she said that because I could relate. Right. So after all this and your book, and I'm sorry, the 10-year plan is just so motivating for me. I'm like, wow. I'm like, what am I doing tomorrow? I know.

I was like, shoot, I don't know. Like, what am I doing after this? Have you received feedback, whether it be good or bad from the community or that you've belt or from other moms that you know or don't know? Yes, I've received both, both sides. More so positive than negative. They do love the fact that we're so open, especially on the podcast, because me and my husband, I'm the host.

My husband's a co-host and another one of my Notful Lazy Mom's contributor, Allie. She's also a co-host. And they like hearing the different perspective from husband and wife. And they like to hear the males perspective. So that's really been good. I think the biggest complaint that I've ever received is the name because a lot of people, they'll hear the name, but they don't actually go to the website and investigate what it's about. So I'm basically saying that this is a community for everyone because being a mom and being lazy just don't go together.

There's no such thing of a lazy mom. So it's a play on words, you know, not for lazy moms, aka it's for everybody. Right, right. I loved seeing Chris last episode holding baby Dean. It was like, he was like a big teddy bear holding a little baby, but he looked so natural. Like he was like, yeah, give me the baby. I know what to do. Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah. I love it. Okay, so we have a little game that we like to play. We've had Ashley and Wendy on the show answer the same set of questions. So we're going to ask you a bunch of questions. And for each, you're going to answer which fellow cast member you would choose for the given thing. And they're not, they're not super stressful. Don't worry.

Okay, so first, right off the bat, who in your cast would you take motherhood advice from? I would take motherhood advice from Karen because her kids are grown. So she's literally in all the stages that I have not gotten to yet. Yeah, I like that. I like seeing Karen with her kids on the show too. Whose closet would you raid? My own. Dine to Karen. That has not been a popular question.

Nobody wants to stick to their own style. Who would you want to plan your next vacation and they do not have to go on the trip with you? They're just making the arrangements. Definitely Ashley. She's the world traveler out of the whole group. Actually, fun fact, when I went to Thailand, I actually reached out to Ashley. We went to Thailand three years ago with the kids. And I actually reached out to Ashley because I knew she had been.

there before. And she gave me tips on hotels to stay at and everything. We actually took her recommendation and stated in the peninsula in Bangkok. Oh, wow. I think maybe I'll reach out to her like in the future if I'm going somewhere. Who would you want to cook you dinner? Cook me dinner. Maybe you know, I'll say, Karen, because I trust her. I know she won't poison my food. And she's actually cooked for me before. So she makes a. Bad salmon. And when I mean bad, I mean good. I can imagine that.

That makes sense. Who would you trust to take relationship advice from? Karen. Interesting. Look, she's the most seasoned when it comes to marriage. That's true. I'm going to give her her props where props are due. Like, I don't know many people that have been married for almost 30 years

and can be open about their ups and downs and still make it through. Yeah. Who would you let decorate your house? We're getting a nervous look around the screen from Monique right now. Well, I know off the bat who you wouldn't have. I like my own taste and I'm not knocking anyone else's, but I'm going to have to go with me. I decorated my house and I think it looks pretty good and I'm not going to judge anybody else's. I do have to say this question and the closet are the two where everyone chooses themselves. And last, which housewife from another city would you want to join the Potomac cast with you?

Definitely, Portia from Atlanta. Yes. You guys went to Mexico together, right? Yes, yes, that's my girl. She's hilarious. Like, she's so funny. Like, oh, my God, love her. That's such a good time.

How did you guys kind of become friends with each other on top of just being like two people on two Bravo shows? When she was, she did a tour with Vivica Fox where they did the play and it came to D.C. And that was actually my first time meeting her in person. We talked over like social media. So we exchanged numbers and we hung out for dinner after the play was over.

And we just hit it off. And we just stayed in touch ever since. Oh, that's so fun. It's like a nice organic housewife friendship. Yeah. Monique, tell everyone where they can listen to your podcast and check out all of the projects you have going on. Okay. So my podcast is Not for Lazy Moms. You can find it on anywhere you love to download your favorite podcast by searching my name or searching Not for Lazy Moms. You can also follow us on Instagram, same title, Not for Lazy Moms, and then our website, Not For Lazy Moms.com. Make it easy for everybody.

And of course, don't forget to watch Real Housewives of Potomac Sunday nights at 9 on Bravo. This season is no joke. It is not messing around, and we are enjoying every week for sure. That's Monique. This was so much fun. Thank you. Thanks so much for joining us, Monique. Yes, it's a pleasure.

Thank you. All right, I'll take care. All right. You too. Bye.