Not Skinny But Not Fat - Melissa Gorga: Bravo Rumors, Christmas With Teresa & the Sprinkle Cookie Empire

Episode Date: February 3, 2026

This week, Melissa Gorga is on the pod! . We talk celebrating Christmas with Teresa , where things really stand with her sister in law right now, and what she says to people who are convinced their reconciliation is tied to filming rumors.We chat about life without The Real Housewives of New Jersey, whether she misses it, and what if anything she’s heard from Bravo. She addresses cast speculation, who she’d want back, running into the Manzos and other blasts from the past. Plus, her sprinkle cookie empire, starting a family super young and how Joe changed his tune on having a working wife!This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Text NOTSKINNY to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. Get $25 off your first purchase when you go to therealreal.com/notskinnyTake proactive care of your health and head to opositiv.com/NOTSKINNY or enter NOTSKINNY at checkout for 25% off your first purchase.Go to ollie.com/notskinnny and use code notskinny to get 60% off your first boxGo to littlespoon.com/NOTSKINNY30 and enter code NOTSKINNY30 for 30% off your first orderShop Minnow's new apre-ski capsule collection at shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The following podcast is a dear media production. Welcome back to the not skinny but not fat podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Hirsch, and I still can't believe that I get to chat with some of my favorite stars on my very own podcast, where you'll feel like you're just talking shit with your best friends in your living room. I just took off my sweater,

and I'm not trying to be sexual. I'm trying to be the going between the hot and the cold is crazy. Like the, the amount that I am, freezing outside. Listen, New Yorkers don't complain this much. Usually it really has been excessively insanely cold here. Colder than Utah.

Colder than like literally anywhere. Also, you guys have taught me that the reason I wasn't as cold in Utah is because Utah has, it's dry cold and here. It's wet cold and wet cold sucks more than dry cold. So thank you for teaching me yet another thing. But yeah, so right now

I took my sweater off because what happens in New York is the apartments are so overheated and controlled by the building many of times, like in my building. So I'm like, I get back in and I'm like sweating and then you go out in your, so of course you get the freaking sniffles and all about. Anyway, happy, happy Tuesday, you guys. Welcome, welcome, back to not skinny but not fat to another new episode. I'm your host, Amanda, who just got back from Utah. I went for Sundance. It was so cool to be there for the, for my first first time and also the last time that Sundance is in Park City, which is like, became sad to me.

It's like, I'm such a easy, I'm an easy, sappy person. You know, it's like she's been here once and she's like, it's so sad. It's living Park City. Is it not? It's going to Boulder. It's going to bolter. I wonder if Robert Redford is rolling in his grave that, that, you know, Park City lost it. Robert Redford created Sundance, just, you know, I didn't know. I didn't know that he lived in Utah. He did. He died in Utah, too. Anyway, that's... I just found out Catherine O'Hara died. It's the worst day fucking, the way I screamed, I'm sure I'm not alone when I saw the variety. First of all, I saw the variety picture and I was like, I hope this isn't a death announcement.

Because sometimes it's not. Sometimes it's like the face of the person and it's like, oh, they're going to be a new movie. That's what I was hoping. But no, it was an announcement that she passed away. And I was like, ah, no. Like literally an insane person. Like, what an iconic human. It's like Diane Keaton all over again.

it's just so terrible. It makes me so sad. It actually, like, I was getting chills. Luckily, I saw this after I recorded a podcast, but it's, and she's young, she's 71. It's really, really, it's, I was going to say it sucks, but that's such a, you know, it's way more than sucks. Like, rest in peace, you angel, that brought us so much, you know, love and light to this world. And it's inspired so many.

and, you know, just, wow, what a human. Not to go dark and deep, but, oh, where, we were we, we were at Sundance. So that was really fun. I learned to ski for the first time, which is crazy. Everyone's like, you're from New York. How didn't you ski? I was like, I don't know. Not rich.

Like, I didn't come from a rich family. I don't know. We didn't go. Like, it wasn't a family cultural thing. It never happened. Like, my mom didn't ski. Like, I didn't ski. But I was down to try, and I thought it would be really fun.

especially because of his snowboarding accident. I thought like it would really just be so funny to go skiing after the snowboarding thing. And I think with my anxiety is like I feel like I'll get anxiety if I'm like unprepared for something. So I like prepared in my head so much for this ski situation as much as I could, like knowing that I'm going to need a lot of equipment and knowing this and knowing that, like in my mind prepared to fall or whatever. But like I think I pictured it that you get to a ski resort and you like maybe get on

a little lift and you like hop out of the lift like in a second and that's it. But like we got on this gondola that was 25 minutes and I was not well. And we were, I went with Cosamigos and I had a partnership with them which was super cool and we did red carpet premieres and part of the thing was like shooting some ski content and in the gondola they're like filming me. Like how do you feel? What's it? And I'm like, I'm having panic attack. And I think a lot of people just say that which I hate when it's used in vain. So they thought it was being funny and cheek. and I was like, no, no, I'm legit. And the skiing truck was trying to, like, talk to me about how we're going to ski.

And I was like, none of this can occur right now because I'm actually having a pandac attack. I'm not prepared to be in the air for this long. Like, it's just not, it's just not talk to me when we get there. And I'm like, how long? And every time I ask how long, it was like, oh, 10 minutes, five minutes. And I'm like, I want you to say nine seconds. Like, why is this so long? But what was funny is when we got off the gondola, it's like, you literally see three-year-olds.

and you're like, I am feeling kind of dumb right now. But it's so cute to watch these three, four-year-olds, and they start skiing when they're so little. So they've become fucking like Sean White. Anyway, on to the next, on to the next, on to today's episode. I am so excited to have Melissa Gorga here. She is just the funnest person that I've met recently in my life. You know what I mean?

Like, I feel like I love her on the show, Melissa, and I love her cookies and the family and, you know, the all of it. And that's like you meet her and she's literally a real sunshine. She's the most bubbly, the most fun, life of the party. Like her and Joe together, it's just like a vibe. It's like, Joe, that, bada, bing, bada, bang. And I was like, you need to come in the pod. Even though your season isn't airing right now, I don't care.

You know, I just want to talk to you and want you to come. And she walked in. It was so funny. She walked in. You'll hear it on the podcast. pod like she wanted to do earlier in the day and I couldn't. So she had like a few hours to kill and she comes in with like five shopping bags of like Prada, Louis Vuitton, like all huge. And I'm like, okay, pretty woman. And she's like, it's because of you. Because you couldn't do the podcast earlier.

I'm not doing it well, right? I'm like, wait, are you really blaming me? Like huge bags. It was so crazy. But I just think she's so who she is and so fun and I'm obsessed with her. So here you go, guys. enjoy this one with Melissa Gorga. You look so good. Thank you. I'm so excited that I got to see you like thrice in the past month. I know. People say thrice.

We had fun at that dinner. We had, well, I first saw you at the House Made premiere. Oh, right. You were sitting right behind me. Right. Which, like, I saw you and like seeing a familiar face, which was the first time we met in person because I've done your pot on. Yes.

Yes. And we didn't meet in person. But I was like, Millet. And I was like peeking out the window. You're like, are you good? I'm like, yeah, my husband's trying to get a car. Joe cracked me up. You crack.

I feel like you guys are just such a good time. We are. You really are. Like, you can immediately tell like, these are the vibes. I want to get a drink with them. I want to have dinner with them. I want to hang out with them. They're just fun and hilarious.

That's us. I feel like everyone who meets us pretty much says this, they get that. vibe. Like, you know it's going to be a good time. Everyone loves us. And you always, everybody always wants to like, grab a drink with us. I'm like, why? Why do we always have to cocktails? It's dry January. You're like, stop thinking we're fun. I know. Like, does anyone think we're a serious couple? We can be very serious. Well, I just like some behind the scenes is like the day of the house made, it started by me, well, I texted the threads team because I thought it was so funny because I did that event with threads and you came. But when you, on the house

made premiere day you you threaded like I'm so excited to the housemate and that like just cracked me I don't know why it was just such a good typo you're like this girl and then we get there and joe thought it was like what did you think it was oh oh he thought we were seeing handmaids tale he's like oh yeah this is the one with the red and the hats I'm like joe that's handmade I was cracking so he thought we were seeing handmaids I wrote housemate yeah and You know why, in his defense, it was very red. It was very red. It was very.

Oh, you're defending him. You know, you can't defend him. He always says the wrong thing. It's just Joe. But he comes on, like, when you go to these things, does he ask you? Like, where are we going? Ugh, I don't care about that movie or why do we have to go to this event? Is he who's more like into it?

Who needs to be dragged out? No, he's definitely more social than I am. Uh-huh. Oh, 1,000 percent. Really? Oh, yes. You would never maybe think that. Yeah.

Oh, Joe will sit and talk. you all day. You can be anyone anywhere. I met you yesterday. You're invited to pasta on Sunday. That's nice. It is night. Like, he's that guy that like if we're sitting next to someone on the plane. Like, I'm like this and the thing like, like, he's like this. So where are you from? What do you do for a living? Really? Oh, Joe? Yes. Oh, I could see how that gets annoying now. He's definitely more social than me. Although I'm normally social, I would say. But he's even more. than you. Oh, yeah. And the other thing that's cute about you, too, like, at the Threads dinner is, like, he's your, like, personal assistant slash paparato. Yes. Like, he's, he's, I've trained him well to take photos. He's, like, taking photos. We were taking, like, professional photos, you guys. And he was with his little iPhone.

Because he likes to be, like, behind the scenes. No, like, behind the scenes. He's like, I'm going to get, look at me. I like, look over here. I know. It's sweet. He's so fun. We, I know, I know. It's, I know. It's, it's sounds crazy, but we kind of grew up on TV together. We were only married for four, maybe five years, tops, because Antonia was five, like before, she was like four, maybe when I joined the show. So we, you know, we were newlyweds, basically trying to figure out if we liked each other. You know what I mean? And how long were you together before you got married? One year. We got engaged within, I want to say, six months. And we, we, we were. And we, we were together before you got married. And, we, we got, we got engaged within, I want to say, six months,

and we were married within a year. And Teresa said that he had at BravoConne one year, she said he had, like, fiancée's before. Yeah, she loves to tell that story. She wasn't the first. She wasn't the first. But it is a conflict, because, I mean, she didn't heard ofense, like,

he made the best choice. Oh, well, yes. I think I read that, yeah. Okay, good, yes. Well, we had a great BravoCon this year, maybe not previous years, was very nice. Wait, so he was engaged, like, ring and all? He was engaged once to, like, his, like, high school girlfriend, like, when he was so young. And then I think there was, like,

I don't want to say anything. I don't know, something that didn't work out. Yeah. It was, like, a quick thing. Yeah, supposedly they were mean, like, their family was mean to Teresa and his mom or something, like Teresa and his mom didn't like the second one's family. Okay. So that didn't work out. And then there's me. Wait, so he's been, then, but something in him was down to settle down from a young age. Sounds like. He's, he's, he's like a, he's a marrying type of guy. Yeah, he's definitely like a family guy.

Like, he's, he was not that guy who was, like, out in the clubs and, like, partied. Like, he has been a worker bee since the day I met him since he was 19. He would go out, but, like, he would roll up with his friends at, like, seven change for two seconds. jump in the car and, like, go where they were going. But he'd be the one that got up at 6 o'clock in the morning, went to work the next day. Yeah. And he was always like that. He's still like that.

We party and we'll go out and we get home from the city at, like, you know, it's 2 o'clock in the morning. By the time you drive home and you fall asleep, six a.m., he's out the door. And I'm just like, oh, my God, you're nuts. Like, six o'clock in the morning. Even though he could probably afford to, like, lay back for a minute. It's not in his, it's not in his, either of us. But that's an attractive quality.

It is. That's probably like something that you found attractive when you met him. Oh my God. It's the thing I said to him. I'm like he works so hard. And he had so much from, and he was like, and, you know, he had immigrant parents. Yeah. And he literally, everything he had, I mean, his dad was a shoemaker.

So he was self-taught pretty much into like construction. And it was so hot to me that he was just so young. I mean, he was 28. I was 24 and he was like, you were 24. When you met? I met him at 20. I married him at 25. Baby.

Mm-hmm. I'm that girl. You're that girl. Yeah, they don't do that anymore, right? Would you have seen yourself as being that girl? Like when you were growing up, did you also think, like, I'm going to get married young, have kids young? I would say that, yes. Yeah?

Yeah. I think so because my child, my family life between my mother and father was so crazy that I was like, oh, no. Like, I'm going to get married to, like, the best. And he's going to be home every night. And my whole family is going to have dinner together every night. And we do. And you do? Yeah, you want to hear something saying.

I just saw my daughter is dating a boy for pretty. How old is Antonia now? She's 20. She's fucking insane. Yes. Yeah, she's turning into a little mini-mee by the way. I could see she's doing red carpets with you. Yeah.

She's always been great at that. She speaks so well. That makes I get proud when she like, I don't know, when she speaks on a car, I like the way she's. And she doesn't try too hard. She's not so into this. Like she's... She's not.

She's so unapologetically Antonia. Like she doesn't... Well, tell me. She met a guy. Okay, yeah. So sorry, I go off on chance. She met a guy. She's been dating him for enough time that we, like, met the parents. Wait, you met the parents?

They happened to be there in Aruba this week, too. So we had drinks with them one night. And they were like, she was like, you know what my son told me about your house? Because he's been over a couple times. he's like, mom, they like eat dinner together every night. Like every time I go over there, they're eating dinner. And I started laughing. I'm like, is that strange?

She's like, kind of. Like, he was like, no, they literally are all sitting at the table like every time I'm there. And then I have to sit with them and eat dinner with them. It was like, I hope it. But yeah, we're still. You make it a point. I make it a point. And I'm already thinking about I worked all morning.

Like when I go home, I'm going to make dinner so we can all have dinner. So what are you going to make today? Because we know you had like a big. day and you were shopping really hard. Yeah, today I took out chicken, like thin sliced chicken breast, so I'll probably be organic. Yes. Oh my God. Yes, I do. And I'm like, yes, I do actually. I'll put zucchini and tomato on top because it's quick. It's like a one panner. So when I get home, I'll do that. I put it in the oven. My sons will come home from wrestling and football lifts and Joe will come home from work. And Antonia will have like, because she's home the whole month of January.

That's how University of Delaware, they're off. Oh, she's at UDell? UDell. Oh my God, that's like a school. My sister went there. Did she? And I visited her and I remember being like, it's a school.

It's fun. It's like a football school, right? Yes, it's sororities, fraternities, the whole thing. But at least it is close to you. It's close enough. That's why it's two and a half hours. So it's perfect.

Like she's gone, but she can come back when I need her and when she needs us. So it's great. And she loves it. And she happens to go to you. And meets a boy from East Hanover, New Jersey, which if you know East Hanover, New Jersey's, all the Italians.

Oh, really? Yes. And I'm like, and he's Italian. Yes. So it works. He looks like her dad. No. He reminds me of her dad.

Like, it's so funny. How is Joe with that with his little kid? At first, he was like not really wanting to meet him too much. He's like, it's not like, I don't want to meet multiple. Right. He's like, when it's serious, like, call me. And I'm like, well, it's been six months. Like, maybe.

we should let him come over and say hi. So, but Joe's the type of, he's like, I meet him and I want to be good to someone when I know it's like real. Yeah. But he met him when we really like him. He's a nice, he's a nice boy. It's intimidating to me, you guys, I feel like. I know.

And he's a little, he's quiet around us. And Tony's like, I swear he's not like that. I'm like, I'm shocked you like such a quiet boy. I'm like, your dad's so not quiet. And she's like, mom, he's not. He's just, I mean, I'm like, I get it. It's like probably a little strange for him, you know? He did like a hall I saw on Christmas.

I know enough. What do you think about that? I wish she didn't do the hall. Oh, yeah. Although I'm... I mean, obviously she's 20 years old. She's not going to be like, mom, can I post those? But she's like, everyone else can do them.

And like, but she's like, but I'm going to get heat. And I'm like... She got heat? Not really. Like a little bit. But, you know, I'm proud of the hall because I'm like, I'm Santa. Like, I did that. Like, I'm the one who went out.

I worked for it. I did that. I wrapped every one of those gifts for all three of my kids. And you know what? I grew up. like that where you wake up to like an abundance of gifts. And they don't have to be expensive gifts. They're just gifts. Like my mother would get some things from the dollar store just because it was an extra thing to open up. And it was like the bouncy ball that you hit that's attached to the mitt.

Yeah. Of course I've got to. Oh, see. Look at you from bouncy ball to like the largest bag they had at Louis. Okay. That's yes. But that's your fault. You totally did that to me. You know what? You worked hard. And you deserve it. It's the end of the year. And you like it. Yes. And it makes you happy.

I'm all business all the time. I'm a business woman. That's what I do 24-7. Everyone knows that about me. I've been like that since I was, I had a job at 14. My first job was on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk selling pizza at the pizza stand. And from there, it was like tanning salons and reality, reality companies. And just I have always been a girl that has three jobs at once, always.

Well, we, like, I remember from even the old days of New Jersey, like, you know, from the storylines of like Joe not wanting to work, you wanting to work. Like, it was always a thing. How is he now with it with the sprinkle cookies and envy and everything else you have going on? It's crazy now because now he won't let me stop. Now he doesn't want me. He's like, you're bringing in the dough. Yeah. So now he's like, do more, do more.

What's the next cookie? When's the new drop? When's the new drop? When's the new drop? If he's asked me one more time, when's the new drop? I'm like the drops coming. No stop. Yes.

That's amazing, though. We've trained him. Yes. But now I'm like, Jesus, what did I create? Yeah. I had to bust him into letting me work. And he's like, why are you home? When's the new drop?

I'm like, the drop. Stop it. And he's like, we need a peanut butter cookie. We need a chocolate chip cookie with sprinkles. So he's definitely. Changed. Yeah, he's changed. He's literally done a 180.

Like he still wants the dinner on the table. He does. But I do too. But you do too. Yes. That is special. I've been thinking about that with my kids, like that we don't. Because like I was, I'm doing like a reed design for my house.

So the interior designers were like, do you, what do you use the kitchen table for? Like, do you all eat together? And I was like embarrassed to answer it. You know, when you lie to like the wrong people, like they wouldn't judge me. It's like when you lie to your doctor about like having me drink. Yeah, but I was just like, yeah, we mostly like. And then I felt so bad about it. But you don't need to feel bad about it.

But it is, but it is something inspirational. It's aspirational to have dinner with your family every night, all eat together. But like, okay, so what do you do with like the boys obviously, I mean, the fact that they're eating zucchini grilled chicken. So they get mad when I make that because they want something a little bit like. No, they push the zucchini off. And I'm like, guys, it's so good. Antonia eats it like a savage and so does my husband.

But the two boys will just take the chicken off. Yeah. And one of them will throw some barbecue sauce on the. side, but it's still beautiful, soft chicken. But don't they want like a pasta? They, oh, no, we don't eat pasta during the week. You don't? Oh, no.

Like, pasta is a weekend treat? Oh, yeah. Pasta's for Sundays. Pasta's only for Sundays. Oh, yeah. Because carbs? We just, it's just not a thing. Like, you don't eat pasta during the week.

Oh, my God, stop shaming people that eat pasta during the week. I don't in my house. I guess as an Italian, we just eat pasta on Sundays. Special occasion pasta. Yeah, like, I think I would have a lot of. a little, like, I'd be like, I can't believe I just ate a bowl of pasta on a Tuesday. That's great. No, like, Tuesdays for, like, chicken.

You can have, like, a steak, a chicken. I make meatloaf. I make all kinds of different chicken. What else do I make? How did you learn how to cook? Like, was it something you saw my mom? My mother cooked, but my mother-in-law really taught me the most Joe's mom. Really?

Yeah. She was an amazing cook, and so was my father-in-law. And we had them over once a week for dinner. When my kids were little, they would come once a week. Yeah. And they would cook. at my house. And I was so, like, intrigued because they came from Italy and it was, like, different. It was so good. And I would sit with my father-in-law and watch him and he would help and I

cook with him. Like you had the patients, like, watch and learn. I was a old soul, I would say, at, like, as a 25-year-old girl. I just wanted to be a good wife and a good mom. And, like, I wanted to know how to cook. So wait, married a 24. No, engaged. No, actually, I got engaged in my 25th birthday. And gay 25th birthday married the following year? No, I got, I was 25 when I got married. And then Antonia? I got pregnant with Antonia two months after I got married. So I got married in August. I think I got pregnant with her in like November. And then she popped out in August. So a year after I got married, I had Antonio in within one year. Wow. Yeah, it was quick. Like, do you remember those early days of like being a new mom at 26?

I do. And I do remember struggling with it a little bit. I cried a lot. I have a box. It's a Louis Vuitton shoebox. I have a box of like some letters I used to write. Really? Yeah. And sometimes I read them and I'm like, wow. Do you think you had some like postpartum? No. No. I never had postpartum. And it's just one thing I didn't. Like I never wanted, never was mad about being a mom or like never felt stressed like that. Mom was like easy for me. It was I don't know. I think I was up there all alone. I think I was struggling. What's up there? What do you mean? So I lived up north with Joe. My whole family lives an hour and a half away and I'm very, I have a lot to know. What's up north? So Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Okay.

So up north in Jersey is like Bergen County, Franklin Lakes, where I grew up in Tom Drivers, New Jersey, which is more like the Jersey Shore. Oh, got you. So that's more south. It's more south. It's about like an hour and 15 minutes away. But it's, you know, you can't call your mom to say stop by for an hour. I want to like run to the mall or get my nails down.

or whatever it is. So I was kind of on my own and Teresa always, you know, was with my mother-in-law and her and I, you know, it was always a little bit what it was. It was like that from the beginning, from the get?

Not the very beginning, but, you know, pretty, pretty early on, which everyone saw, obviously, like, you know, Joey's christening, so my child. Right. Right. With how,

because I'm trying to put the timeline, like, go back in time. So you have Antonia 26, and then when she was four, you start the show. Yes. So four years after you become a mom. Tony was four, Gino was two.

Yeah. Joey was born on the show. He was two months. And here I am. My son's 15. That's crazy. Yeah. And I'm still happily married somehow.

I know. I mean, happily, you know, most of the time. You navigated so much, like, filming. Yeah. Like my whole life has basically, my whole married life. Would you ever, like, young Melissa, did she think she was going to be like a star on TV? did you have entertainment industry in the back of your mind, like, growing up? I always sang in the school play.

Like, I was always that girl, like, that was going to be in the opera and be the star in the opera, like that kind of thing. In the opera? Oh, yeah, we had an opera. I'll never forget. It was called the Rusty Dusty Opera Company. Did you have to, like, do opera shit? Oh, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, but I just sang regularly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. My dad was there with the big, like, VHS, like, camcorder, like, all proud. But, like, I always love. loved that. But no, I wasn't like trying to be famous. I graduated college to be a teacher. I'm a teacher. I'm certified K through eight in teaching. So I was going to become a teacher. That was the plan. That was the plan. I wanted to be a teacher. And then I got pregnant, you know, pretty quick after I got

married. And then Joe was kind of like, I'd really rather you like instead of having like a boss and going to school every day and not being able to go on vacation or then we have to find a, you know, help to, like, why don't you run my office from home and, like, stay home with Antonia. And so I used to put her in the bouncy chair and, like, take all of his, at the time he ran a really large landscape construction company. So it was a lot of, like, retaining walls and waterfalls and, like, backyard stuff. And I ran that for him. I would make all his estimates and send him on his way and take all the invoices. Did you like it? I loved it. I didn't mind. I always I wanted to be a teacher.

Like, I'm still mad at it and at my chalkboard. I did my student teaching and I taught. Oh, you did student teaching? Oh, yeah. You're ready to go if you wanted to do. I had a child the other day. They were like, I was your, they were huge. They were like, I was your third grade student.

I was like, oh my God. That's crazy. Yeah. Oh, my God. Alternate universe. In Bayo, New Jersey. We'll be right back after the break. I feel like part of adulting is like wanting to shop better by less random stuff, by less

fast fashion, maybe be more sustainable and like, you know, not have our closets full of just random things that you barely pull for. Pull for is like stylists speak. Keep up. So that's where like the real, real comes in. If you don't know about the real real, they're the leading luxury resell platform where you can buy and sell authenticated designer items from your favorite designers, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, all of it, the road. whatever your pick is. And what I love is how hands off it is, meaning like everything has authenticated by real experts. So I completely trusted as you should because it's not like AI robots.

It's real people authenticating everything. And there's such good finds on there and like unique things. Like if an influencer is posting a dress and goes like, I got this on the real real, you feel like fml. Like I can't have it. She got like a one of a kind piece. But don't you want that for your life? A one of a kind piece?

It just how chic. So the real real is the to go place for your next special piece and the easiest place to sell. If you have designer items that are collecting desks, send them into the real real. And they take care of everything.

Even the sending part. No, literally everything. The real real real is the most trusted name and authenticated luxury resale with over 10,000 new arrivals daily. No one does resell like The Real Real Real. And now get $25 off your first purchase when you go to the realreel.com slash not skinny. That's the realreel.com slash not skinny to get $25 off. Start shopping now at the realreel.com slash not skinny.

I love when brands I love partner with me here in my podcast because sometimes I discover new brands with partners. and sometimes it's like, I love a brand. And then they're like, let's work together. And I'm like, great, I'm buying you anyway. So if you have kids, you already know that feeding them can feel like a full-time job. And it could feel really stressful. It could feel like I am not a chef and all those things, which I am not.

And what actually saves me is a little spoon. Little Spoon makes fresh, healthy meals for babies, toddlers, and big kids. And it actually makes your life easier, especially on. the weekend for me just taking one of Little Spoons meals out of the freezer, popping in the microwave, and knowing that I'm giving my kid great food with hidden veggies, organic ingredients, no artificial stuff, no preservatives, no added sugar, literally real good food. It is so convenient. It is so good. And it supports babies from their very first feed with baby cereal and baby blends, which again, super easy comes in a little container. There you go. You don't even have to mush it

by yourself, use a machine clean. No, no, no, it comes ready to go. You love a pouch. They have pouches. They've thought of it all, you guys. Feeding the kids doesn't have to be complicated. Little spoon makes it easy with real nutritionally balanced meals and snacks designed for every stage.

It shows up ready to go, takes the pressure off, and somehow still gets devoured. I'm telling you, Lenny loves the hidden veggies. I think mac and cheese pasta, it's crazy. Like, he finishes the entire thing and wants more. No artificial flavors, dyes, sweeteners, or anything like that. And you know what? That's a win I'll take. Get 30% off your first online order at little spoon.com slash not skinny 30.

And the code is not skinny 30. So you go to Little L-I-T-L-E, Spoon, S-P-O-O-N dot com slash not skinny 30. And then you use the code, not skinny 30 to get 30% off your first order. If you're anything like meme, you care about your dog, just as much as you care about your kids. So obviously you care about what your dog eats. Leo, my dog, is getting old. He's about 13 years old. I think his teeth are shot. Like, definitely has cataracts. Like, we're, we're getting old over here. So one of the things we had to change up was the food that we give him. It was really important for us to give him, like, soft, fresh, human-grade dog food. So we found Ollie.

Ali is all of that and it's made with real ingredients you can recognize and you can trust. No mystery meat vibes. Delicious for your pet. I love that you can customize it. You tell Ali about your dog, their age, size, activity level, and they create a personalized meal plan. So it shows up at your door, perfectly portioned. I have to say perfectly chilled. Like it arrived, you know, when food is sent to you and it's like, okay, but actually like it's warm.

like this came frozen, which it's supposed to be. I didn't open the box right away and it was still like frozen, fresh, all good. The recipes are backed by vet nutritionist. Dogs absolutely love the taste, even the picky eaters. And you can use their app, which is super duper easy. Celebrate your number one Valentine, your greatest love, your dog. Head to ali.com slash not skinny. Tell them all about your dog.

Use my code, Not Skinny, and get. 60% off your welcome kit when you subscribe today. 60% off. It's a big discount. Plus, they offer a happiness guarantee on the first box. So if you're not completely happy, you'll get your money back. That's OLLI-E.com slash not skinny and enter code not skinny to get 60% off your first box. And we're back. So then the show comes up, how? So, oh my God, this is tale's oldest time, but they DM'd me on Facebook, on Facebook. And it comes back to the sprinkle cookies. Really?

Yeah, I think I put a post on Facebook. Yeah. Complaining that, you know, my sister-in-law threw my cookies in the garbage. She wasn't... Really? By the way, I don't, she wasn't, I don't know if she was famous yet. I'm not sure. But anyway, that kind of sparked probably something, who the heck knows?

And they DM'd me and they were kind of like, hey, we'd love to have you try out for the Real Housewives of New Jersey on Facebook. Back in the day, everyone used Facebook. Now I don't even touch Facebook. I know. I mean, I do a little bit, but not really. So you posted a post about the sprinkle cookies about your sister-in-law, Teresa. Yeah, like I was, she was on the show?

I can't remember if she was on or not yet, to be honest. I think maybe, I don't remember. But either way, it was just like. So she never liked your cookies? By the way, the producers were DMing every one. in everyone on the cast's life. Like, that's what they're doing right now. To all of my friends and cousins and family members,

they can tell you at any given moment, like, I just got a DM from the producers or from a casting agent. So that's what they do. That's their MO. They'll come to you on social and say, like, we'd love to interview you for the show. That's, like, their thing.

So when you get this DM, are you excited? No, I don't even remember. I feel like it was so long ago, but I was like, I didn't think it was real. I was like, it's probably fake. And I ended up doing the interview at my shorehouse. And my sister-in-law called me and she's like, you know, what's going on? I heard you're doing the interview.

I was like, yeah, I didn't do it yet. But I'm going to do the interview. And this was before I even had them come. Like the interview, I guess, is them coming to you and like videoing you. They're still doing now to people, which is so funny. And I told her like, yes, I'm going to have them come to my shorehouse. I'm going to see if I like it. And then I just kind of went from there.

Did she sound supportive at that point? Like she was... I don't know. Yeah. This is, you know, whatever. We're way past that at this point. Thank God. Yeah.

You celebrated Christmas together. We did. We just did. At your house. Yes. Yes. You extended the invite. Yes, I did.

How did you decide to do that? I think we were on a phone. I was talking to her and I was like, what are you doing for Christmas Eve? What are you doing for Christmas Eve? She had mentioned that she was going to be in her house with Louis family for both days or, yeah, something like that. So I had said, okay, well, maybe we'll go out to a dinner or something. You know, maybe we'll go to dinner.

We'll do something. And then I was speaking to Joe about it. And he's like, let's just have them all come here for Christmas Eve. And I think he called her and said, like, come to our house for Christmas Eve. And it was great. We had so much fun. We were up to like 2 o'clock in the morning playing pool, playing poker. We were like in my basement partying to like two, three o'clock in the morning.

Stop. Yeah. Gee, it was having so much fun. My sons, all their friends came over. They were all like playing poker. It was a really good time. Were the kids in touch throughout the time that you weren't? No.

So that's why this was a big deal for us. And so the kids were probably so happy too. So happy. So happy. And that's why I think Teresa and I and Joe, we were all like a little nervous because we had all connected already. We went to lunch. We've had a dinner.

We've done things, but we haven't connected the kids yet. So Christmas Eve was for us to really, like, connect the kids. That's special. And they connected instantly. They're cousins. They really, there's true love there. You know, they love each other. And you were telling me at the, when we met that, like, Joe is also so happy to, like, see everybody back together.

That's for me, like, in the beginning, you know, and I'm happy too now. I'm happy. Nobody wants to fight. Nobody wants to argue. But in the very beginning, I was like, this is going to make my husband so happy. And he's like a kid. You could see them. Like, I mean, who wouldn't be happy to reconnect with their only sibling?

With their only sibling? Yeah. So I was all about it. What do you think or hope is different about this reconciliation this time? You know what? I think it needs to last. And if it doesn't, then shame on all of us. Yeah.

Right? Like, shame on all of us if we can't pull this through. Like, life's too short. I feel like. Family's family. Yeah. I don't know that there's any other tries after that. Right?

It's kind of one of those things where it's like, I couldn't imagine. We're not even going to talk about that because it's going to less. Yeah. Yeah. Let's not put it out there. This time it's going to be okay. I think there was too many people in everyone's ears and just, you know, too many people trying to make points or prove things that obviously are not going to be proven. It's not like everyone's here and everyone's going to be together.

So it's like just, I don't know what. when it got so bad, but it got really bad. Yeah, it's been three years. Three years. And now have you, since Christmas, have been doing more kind of? Like, is it more in the day? Well, we leave. We left the day after Christmas.

Oh, you left to, right. But I was on the phone with Teresa yesterday talking about something else that's coming up. Yeah, so. What would you say to, to like people that are like, oh, they're just doing this because if they want to start filming again, they have to be good, like pessimists like that? If we all still didn't get along the way that we didn't, it would not be worth it to fake it for this show. Let's just put it that way because it would be, it is not a fun time to really not like someone and spend time with them or even fake spend time with them.

So everyone can believe that this is real because we would literally just pass on the show. But I'm not going to be around someone that I feel is toxic. or not good for my life or I'm scared of and I'm not going to do it. So it's real because I would never go any other way. What have you decided to change about? Because I feel like in situations with two people, right, you can only change your behavior, right? Like you can't force the other person to change.

So a lot of times if you want to make something work, whether it's in a relationship with a man, woman, whatever. Right. Like you have to say, I'm going to be more, you know, understanding. I'm going to get my ego. done. I'm going to accept more. Like, what are the decisions you made in this to like make it work? Exactly. And I feel like there's got to be ownership. There's got to be everyone on both parts, right?

So it's like, and you have to talk to yourself because I'm going to have to talk to myself, I'm sure. And I'm sure she's going to have to. And maybe Joe and maybe Louie, like, whatever it is. But everyone have a conversation with yourself when you get upset or you get mad or you're feeling a certain way. And remember what it feels like and remember that things are not such a big deal. I think that's like it escalates. relates quickly with you guys. Maybe take a second. Yes. Take a second. Take a second. Take a breather. It's not a big deal. Yeah. Well, I hope that this is like a happily ever after for everyone. I do too. I think it is. It is this time.

We're good. And you know nothing about the show. No. Aside from interviews, which you said are happening. I do know that they're actively searching for new girls. I know that. But do you have the confidence to say I'm going to be back? No. I'm not going to say that. No. I feel like. Yes, I think I would 100% do it again. It's part of my, like, I don't, honestly, it's weird, but like, I've done it for so long. Yeah. That it comes natural to me and it's not a big deal. And it's like they come in and nothing really changes.

They just kind of watch what goes on. Yeah. There's always something going on in my life in my house as it is. So it's like, I would do it again. But if not, I do feel. Yeah. If not, let's say. It opens a lot of doors.

You look, you would take like glass half full. look. Oh, 1000. Really? Yeah, there's a secret piece of me that's like how long, the show's not going to go on forever. Like at what point do you pull a, okay, time to, you know, of course, I'm sure, I mean, I think that way, but that's me. I'm a workaholic. Yeah. Some of the other girls on the show might be like, oh, when I'm done, I'm done. I can't wait to go like, relax. I'm like, what's next? So you would be equally as happy if you were passback or if God forbid one day the decision was made for you. No, I wouldn't say that I'm not going to be disappointed.

Yeah. Because I would be. Yeah. It's, listen, I've been here a long time. Yeah. I put a lot of effort into it. I put a lot of personal life, right, into it. But do I think I'd be devastated?

Like, it's ruining me. Like, I would, no. No. No. Would you be jelly of the newbies? I mean, maybe when I watch the show, I'd be like, oh, that looks fun. Or, oh, I would have said this. And I would have done that so much better.

Like, they definitely need me. I feel like really went up over the years. That's something really noticeable. Well, I think what happens is this show has been off the air now for two years. And I have been busier than I've ever been. So those sprinkled cookies are doing fucking bomb, right? Thank you. They're delish.

But I feel like the business is going really well. It's been insane. I can't even. Like you didn't think it would be this crazy. No. Like I knew they would be something. I always said they're going to do well. It's going to be something that does well.

It's going to be like a moment. Mm-hmm. I never knew it's like a thing, like a real legit. Like I'm going into King's stores now. I'm going into 10 more shop rights, the whole Saker group. Oh, you guys love Kings in Jersey. It's like the fancy like supermarket, right? Carolusies in Connecticut.

I just did an appearance there with hundreds and hundreds of people showed up and bought like six boxes. Wow. Like it was insane. Wow. It was insane. I saw Gia was doing rewatches a little bit. I know. I'm like, Gia, no, don't do it.

Oh, yeah. So how did you? You know, when I first, I meant it to, which, which, yes, I wanted to call her and be like, wait, why are you doing that? That can't be good, you know? Like, we're moving forward, not backwards. Oh, yeah, right. That is true. I know. I saw her say that.

Like if she sees the baptism episode or like. Well, she won't. She gets it. I mean, she knows, I guess. But I just don't get. I don't know. I'm like, oof. When those come on, I'm like, I don't want to see it.

I don't want to get mad. Have your kids, like, seen old episodes? Not my boys. Like, everybody's seen everything. But nobody, they're not like that in. They're not that into it. Antonia now, more now, because she's such a TikToker these days. And she's doing some influencing work.

She works with a lot of brands. Oh, she is? Oh, yeah. Antonio, she does great. Yeah. But you said she's not that into it earlier. She's not into like, it's hard to explain. Like, she's not.

Does she want like a, this kind of life? No. If it came to her, like she would, but she's not like, oh my God, I want to be in TV. Oh, no? No. Okay. What is she studying? She's there for marketing. So she would want to get like a normal job and everything? No. I know. Just no. I ask her every day and she's like, I'm going to open a business. Oh, yeah? Because she's, I think she's in business marketing. I'm sorry, business marketing. I don't know. I feel like she's going to open up a store of her own. She's, you think she's going to fall into your footsteps, huh? Yeah.

And I think that the Sprinkle company is let's Sprinkle is so big. Like I said to her, if you're smart, you're going to find how you're going to expand. Wow. And keep it moving. Yeah. So Joe thought his business was the family business. And look. Well, I'm like, okay, the boys definitely want to go into real estate.

They do. Yes. That they both say that. But my daughter is kind of like, she watches me, you know, which I love. Yes. You know what I was remembering your, I don't remember what season it was on when you were thinking of another baby or you were thinking of egg freezing. Do you remember that? Yes, I was 30.

Oh, that's what Rosanna was talking about today. I'm like, she's like, you froze all your eggs. I'm like, no, I didn't. What's all your eggs? Because we had a fertility doctor on today on Good Day, New York. And she was like, well, you froze all your eggs. I'm like, no, I didn't. I didn't end up doing it.

But now that's why. You didn't end up doing it. You were talking about it. We were going to do. it. They checked me out to see if I can have more. They said, yeah, you're good. You're healthy. You're ready to go. I was 30. It was going to, I was thinking I was turning 38 back here. And you wanted another one. I just was feeling it. Like, trust me, you're going to know what I'm talking about. Okay. You feel it at that point when you feel like it's about to end. Like, I need to decide.

It's now or never. Yeah. And I'm like, and you also feel like having another baby like keeps you young, keeps you in the mix. Like, not young, but like keeps you in the schools and in elementary. Wait, how many siblings do you have? Two, two sisters. Okay. But I was like an accident. So my sisters are 10 years older than me. Right.

And then they're both two years apart and I'm like 10 years later. But you're still close. Very close. Because 10 years when you turn 20 is nothing. Yeah. But 10 years when you're 10 and 20 is a big deal. Right. So I was always the baby until I turned 20 and they were 30 and then we were all like besties.

Right. Yeah. So do you remember that it for the fourth? How did you decide? I remember watching it. I, it just kind of like we went. And we went through it to see if it was even possible. Yeah.

They told me it was possible. And I wasn't going to, I don't think I was going to freeze my eggs at the time. I wanted to actually like get it. I wanted to see. It wasn't it. That's why it wasn't about freezing eggs. That's why everybody's confusing me today. It wasn't about freezing them as much as was, am I able to?

Yeah, to get pregnant. Could I do this again if I wanted to? Yeah. And he said yes. But we didn't end up. Do you have any regrets there? No. No.

Mm-mm. Oh, that's nice. I think I was meant to have three. Three. Three is a good number. It is. And now, especially, I've gotten such so much busier since that. Right.

That was 10. Well, no, that was like six years ago. So I had no idea all this was going to pop up. Right. I opened another envy. My clothing boutique is on Long Island now. So I have one in New York, one in New Jersey. Do you go to the Long Island one too?

Yeah. I go there like every two weeks. I'm there. I do all the buying. Nobody does the buying for my stores. I do the full buying for both of my stores. I run that. sprinkle company. Like, you know, I have help obviously, but like, that is all me. Everything is,

I'm a creative person when it comes to that. Like a lot of the marketing, I do have people that help me. I have social media and, but like, that's all me. Your hands on. That's me. Yeah. You go girl. Like on the way here, I was planning like the whole photo shoot for the next like drop. Like that's just, that's me. When's the next drop? A Valentine's Day. Oh, right. Yeah. That's huge because people give, these are gifts. They're huge. huge gifts. They come with a cute little notes. So everyone's like, and you have to see how funny some of these notes are like, I know you would never throw these in the garbage. Happy Valentine's Day to my sister-in-law that

I love that I actually do. Oh, my sister-in-law. It's just like funny, funny things. Like, congratulations on your redone home. They'll write. And if you know the show, you know that that's funny because I wrote that one just stupidly in a card. But like, it's just like all these funny sayings that people send, you know, or like, congratulations on your. your baby. I know she's going to love Sprinkle. I know she's going to be Team Sprinkle. Like, and then they send Sprinkle for the Sprinkle, right? For the babies. Like, it's a thing.

It's such a thing. Genius. Yeah. Thank you. Did Teresa eat Sprinkle cookies at Christmas? She did. She was a good sport. She was a good sport. And I appreciate her being a good sport. She always says, like, Sprinkle cookies are not her favorite cookie. But I'm like, but mine's good. You know. Yeah. She ate them. They love my coffee cake. I have like a crumb. Oh, I love coffee cake. A crumb. I. should have brought you one. You know, I left every... A full coffee cake. I know. I'm going to, I'm going to send it to you. But yeah, so the coffee cake's amazing. And she loves the coffee cake. And so does Louis, they like all love the coffee cake in that house. They just don't, you know,

they need to go with the coffee cake, not the sprinkle cookies. We'll be right back after the break. You, you guys know this about me. You know this about me. I'm a bar girl. I'm a have to have snacks to go in my back because my blood sugar will crash. And you also know that I'm a Protein girls. So the snacks I'm going to have now are going to have a purpose. They're going to have protein and they're going to actually hold me over. Iq bar fits all of those things. Okay. IQ bar makes plant-based protein bars that are really designed to not only give you that protein, but support focus, sustained energy. They're made with great ingredients. Mom approved, like Lyons Maine, magnesium, omega-3s, things that really help with brain health, not only getting that

protein in and not a lot of sugar to do the job. I love the nutrition ingredients on this. They're really, really good. Trust me, each bar has 12 grams of plant protein and only one gram of sugar and they're free from gluten, dairy, soy, and artificial sweeteners. This is really a good one, you guys. And they also have electrolytes. They have IQ mix sticks that are great. And they have coffee, like instant coffee vibes that are, it's called IQ Joe. So everything for everyone. And right now, IQ Bar is offering my special podcast listeners, 20% off all IQ bar products, including the ultimate sampler pack, plus free shipping. To get your 20% off, text not skinny to 64,000.

Again, you text not skinny for the number 64,000. That's not skinny to 64,000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. If you have kids, you know that buying swimsuits is weirdly annoying. They grow out of them really fast. They're either too trendy or too flimsy. half the time they don't fit right.

They get their too long to their knees. Whatever. I found the perfect swimsuit company that I love for Noah. It's called Minow. And I got him a gingham boys boardies last summer. And I got so many questions about them. It was crazy. Minot makes a really amazing kid swimwear.

It's classic. It's well made. It's designed to last more than just one beach day. It's quality. and you could tell it from miles away. The fabric is so soft, but so durable. It's not gimmicky, graphicy, like, trendy. It's just really good.

I also love that they're super thoughtful about sun protection. A lot of their styles have built in UPF, which just makes parents feel like there is something less to think about. All suits have UPF 50 plus protection blocking 98% of UVA and UVB rays. So aside from the fact, that I love Minot's swim suit collection for boys and girls and the whole

family. They have a capsule collection out now for winter. Okay, it's an Aprey Ski capsule collection. You guys have to check it out. Soft textures, thoughtful details, and nits designed to move from a day on the slopes

to cozy fireside moments. Shop Minot's new Apre ski capsule collection at shopmano.com and enter code Meet Minow 15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order. That's shopmanoe.com. The code is meet Minot 15 for 15% off your first order. If you've ever felt like your body is doing its own thing, which, you know, is half of my

life, like, hello, do I have control over this thing? Like mood swings, bloating, fatigue, like hormones just in complete chaos. This is for you. Oh, positive. Oh, positive. makes science-backed supplements designed specifically for women, and they focus on real issues that we deal with, not vague wellness promises.

Like hormone, digestion, stress, sleep, they get specific. What I really appreciate is that their products are formulated with real doctors, backed by real research, and made without those unnecessary fillers. It doesn't feel gimmicky, like other trending products that you feel like you need to keep up with. It's practical. because when you're dealing with PMS symptoms, bloating them makes no sense.

Low energy, like it gets crazy. And you need something. An O positive can fit into your routine without over-complicating it. I'm big on things just being easy and realistic. And this is one of those brands that actually feels that it's made for women. So if you're dealing with hormonal acne,

period bloating, cramps and mood swings, take proactive care of your health and head to O-Positive.com. slash not skinny or enter not skinny at checkout for 25% off your first purchase. That's O-P-O-S-I-T-I-V dot com slash not skinny for 25% off. So one of the most important parts of my daily routine, I would say, is to drink greens because I do not like to drink coffee first thing in the morning. It's not good for your gut. And I know that one of the things I'm not getting enough of our greens, like the Caesar salad does not count.

You know what I mean? I'm really into getting my greens. And Bloom makes a super easy daily greens powder that really is easy to fit into your schedule. You mix it into water or a smoothie and that's it. No prep, no blender, drama. If you don't feel like getting a blender, no pretending you're suddenly a green juice person. Like you could just smack it in, smack it out of wherever you want. It has 30 good for you ingredients, greens, fruits, vegetables, and probiotics.

the stuff you know you should be getting and hopefully you would have been getting from real food, but this just makes it that much easier to get it in. Get it in. Get it done. Also, digestion, bloating and just feeling less blah, especially on days where you're like not eating perfectly. You're like, I got my greens. Also, it tastes good. Not grassy, not punishment. Literally, easy to drink. So, easy to stick to. Bloom is gluten-free, dairy-free and doesn't have artificial stuff in it. It feels like such a smart add-on instead of another wellness thing

you give up after a week. So if you're looking for an easy way to support your gut and feel a little bit more balanced without overthinking it, Bloom is a good place to start. Right now, Bloom is offering their best offer anywhere here, especially for my listeners.

Use my code not skinny for 20% off your first order at bloomnU.com. That's BloomN-U-B-L-O-O-M-N-U.com. Enter the code not skinny to jumpstart your wellness journey. And we're back. What is something that throughout these years filming is something that no longer gets to you, like what people say?

Pretty much everything. Nothing gets. It's very hard. Really? Yeah. I mean, at this point, what could they, what haven't they said? I've been a stripper. I've been. I know, but that's far fed.

So I feel like that wouldn't offend you. Yeah. You know what I mean? I would say. say not much. Not much. No. I don't like if anyone ever says, like, I wasn't nice or if I was rude. Like, I'd never get that really. So that's, that would bother me. Because I'm very, like, kind to everyone I meet. And I give everybody a lot of my time when I meet them. I feel like that's the compliment I usually get. Is that when they meet us, everyone's like very, you know, happy.

Yeah. I don't know. What bothers you? Anything? I mean, I know that's, like, a little different if you're not on a TV show. Right. I feel like with a TV show, that's the thing with you guys. I feel like they feel like they have such crazy access to you like Bravo fans and they get so invested in your lives and in your relationship. Right. So they get into, I feel like Bravo fans, it's like, you're lucky to have them because it's obviously. Yes.

But it's also an intense fandom that could turn. Right. Yes. So that's like probably scary. It's always been like that. It's always been like that on Bravo. I've always been pretty lucky in that category. Yeah.

Yeah. It's not easy to be on Bravo or Housewives and remain, you know, sane all the time. And, you know, I feel like I'm a pretty level-headed. Yeah, you are. Yeah, I'm pretty level-headed. Where do you think you got that from? Like, just saying cool, calm, collected and new situations. I think that's just me.

That's my demeanor. That's my personality. I think a lot of the time before I speak. Yeah. I can be a little impulsive, though, with my actions. When I get mad, I'm impulsive. And here's the other thing about you, which I'll say. like you're smart, you know?

Well, thank you. And not everybody on the show has always been. Right. So sometimes it very much shows that you're actually smart. Right. Do you get what I mean? Yes. Okay.

I, well, thank you. Yeah. I appreciate that. So I think that also makes things easier. Like you're able to take a situation. I can, you know what it is. I'm also like going to dissect a situation where I'm like, I'm not going to come out. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong.

If you're wrong, you're wrong. If you're my buddy on the show and we're friends and you're wrong and I'm like, you're acting like an asshole. Yeah. Like, hello, you're wrong. But like, I don't hate you. I know how to get mad at you without hating you. Yeah.

Like, do you know what I mean? Like, I don't have time for getting that mad. Right. Like, life's good. Like, I like to see the glass half full. Because also, like, you're probably like fulfilled in your life. Right. And I want, I wish well for people.

I do. I want everyone to do well. I feel like when you do well, I do well, we lift each other up. I saw you made up with that, Kim D. Oh my God. Kim T. That's a blast in the past. Joe lifted her up and everything. That was funny. You know what? She's been out of nowhere. She just started becoming very supportive. Came to your like to envy, right? Yes. She came to my event. But before that she texted me and she said, I was wrong about you. I've been sitting back watching you. And she's like, you're, you know, you're a smart girl. You've always done everything right. I'm really proud of you. You've handled, like, this show, like a pro.

I think you've navigated it really well. Do you want to hear something funny? She texted me this morning when I got off Good Day, New York, because I co-hosted today. She watched? Yeah, and she was like, you just did so well. Like, I just was like. She's obsessed with you. She's so nice.

Okay, but you know what my, I'm like, does Kim D want to come back on the show? Probably. I think she would definitely take it if she. Like, so how do you know people's motives? Like, I feel like I would also, like, be sex. a little bit. Like the people close to me one and in.

I think I'm at the point now where I don't care. I don't like, you want to be nice? You love it. You like it. I love it. I don't,

I'm like, you know what? If you want to be nice, great. Let's be nice. Because I want to be nice. I don't want to fight. Who wants to fight?

Yeah. I don't want to fight with people. You don't care if people are being nice to you or trying to get in on the show. Like I can't help anyone get on the show. You can't help. Can't help them. Anyone who tells them they can get them on the show is lying.

Because you need to be like interesting on your own. Yeah. Like I can love five people and call Bravo all day and say they're the best. They do not care. They need to feel like they're the best. So it's like there's cast members maybe that promised people like I can get. You cannot. Nobody's getting anybody on the show and nobody's getting anyone kicked off the show.

Oh, that's another thing. They're just not. Like people think we have control over. We won't. I think people try to ice people out. Yeah. But 90% of the time it doesn't work. Yeah.

Like you see another Bravo shows as well. Like won't film with or whatever. Right. Was there a season where you almost didn't come back? My first season. My very first season, I was very stressed out over the editing. They don't do that anymore, by the way. But like, back in the day, they would put scenes together that were two different days.

Or you were, you were shaking your head about one thing. And it was totally at something else you were shaking your head about. So that drove me mad. Like, mad. Like to this day, people, this is such a crazy TikTok. People still show me my child in a bat, little Joey, two months old, in a bat costume on Halloween, laying. It's the funniest thing now. I can rewatch it all day because it's so cute and so funny and he had the best costume.

He's in a bat costume, like, laid down on the floor by my front door. I must have, like, put him down for a second. Yeah. And they, like, video the kid that I just, like, put him on the, the floor on Halloween. And it was like a scene where it was like, I was like, I want to go out for Halloween. I don't want to do trick-or-treat anymore. And it showed me like trick-or-treating for like two seconds with my son and I was freaked out because I'm like, it's a totally different day. I trick-or-treated for four hours. But like the way it seemed. Like it because it painted you as like a bad mom.

Yes. And that is my thing. So if you want to ask me, yes. Yeah. That's where I lose it. Because I'm like, I'm not, that I'm so opposite of it. Like I'll be a bitch. Call me a bitch. I'll be certain things, but like bad mom. Yeah, that you didn't like. So that was almost like a breaking point. You're like if you, if this keeps happening, like, I wouldn't want to do it. Right. Exactly.

I got it. Yes. That is rough. So they just stop doing it. Stop doing stuff like that in editing. I think that it just changed a lot as a whole, like the editing process and like they keep it really real right now. Yeah. Like what you do, what you say is what they're going to show, which I appreciate and I think everybody

appreciates. So the rumors right now. is that there's you, Teresa, Dolores, and Jen. Those are the rumors. Yeah, but that's not, like, there's, that's probably not true either. It's probably not true. No, there's, and then if it's another day,

you hear it's another group. Yeah. If you got to pick the perfect group for you. At this point, I don't know. Because we're too divided. And this is why I think Bravo is struggling. Struggling. Because if you ask me that question,

I can't barely answer it. Because you don't know, like, what's going on. Because it's too divided right now with certain people and certain things and certain. I just feel like I don't know how that would go. Who are you close with right now? So we know you're made up with Teresa. Yes. I'm close with everyone.

Margaret, I saw you with her at the thing. Margaret, Jen Fessler, Dolores, Rachel Fuda, Danielle Cabral. I don't talk to Jennifer. Danielle Cabral is so fun. She's so sweet. She is. And she really, she's like a good girl. She wears her, like she shows you how exciting, how excited she gets.

for all of this. I saw, I met her and I experienced that. She's very nice. She's very nice. You know what? She texts me today. She was one of the people who text me. Wait, how did everyone know?

Like, they just, everybody was watching. They were watching. Yeah. That's nice. She texted me today and said, you did such a great job. I was like, thank you. See, everyone's being nice right now, and Melissa. Everyone's being so, no.

No, but I think she meant it because deep down, I feel like that's something that she would really love to do. Yeah. So that's why I think she roots for for that. That's amazing. I love that. Girls, what do you call? Girls, girls. She's a girl's girl.

Girls girl. Yeah. Do you speak to the Manzo's that those seasons were? I just saw Caroline and Lauren in a local restaurant in Jersey. Like, like, they just happen to be there and we just happen to be there. And Joe and I were like, is that Caroline Manzo? Yeah. Yeah.

And we left up for her. Blast from the Pass. She was there. It was so funny. She was actually eating dinner with Lauren's ex-husband's new fiancé. I was like, wow. See, this would be interesting. You know? Listen, those were the days.

And Lauren's daughter. Lauren's daughter. Wow. With the new fiancé. So it was nice to see them. It was like, good-vives. It was very nice to see them. I always loved the Manzo's.

What about Jacqueline? Lareda. Be right. Haven't seen her, but in 10 years, I feel like I've never had a true argument with Jacqueline. I never, I will say I never understood why she suddenly like lost it on me and the last like seeing that she was on the show and we were no longer friends, but it was not by my choice. Like she just, it was all her choosing when I met up with Teresa when Teresa came home from prison

and she was just mad. And I never even came for her, never said anything wrong about her. I never had a problem with her. So I was always confused why she just didn't like, she just no longer liked me. And then I think she went on a couple podcasts, like not that long, just start talking about me out of nowhere. I'm like, I haven't seen you. What is she up to? I have no idea.

What about Danielle's stop? She DMs me recently. I know. She DM me recently and just said something nice, like very nice. And I said something nice back. I wish you well. I hope everything's good. Really?

Isn't that crazy? Like she responded to maybe like a story or something. Yeah, I want to say that or or she saw that. You know what? I think I saw a photo of her daughter and I liked it somewhere like, you know, it's Oh, maybe she got excited that you like that. Yes. And she said, I appreciate you liking that.

Yes, which was not. I will say she, oh, she's amazing, she raised amazing children. Yeah. She's good kids. They're smart girls and, you know, they're great. Sometimes kids that are raised like in, I feel like different environments where like a single mom, you know. They actually turn out. Yeah. It's like, with my kids, I'm like, China neglect that. I feel like that's why I'm the way I am. Because you had a different circumstance growing up. Yeah. It's crazy.

That's why like. That's why I can do it on my own. Like I was like always. I always just do it on my own. See? How do we get our kids like to have that when their home life is like good and stable? That's what I'm scared about. You got to fuck them up a little.

We have to fuck them up a little bit. Like leave them at school. Don't pick them up one day. Right. Like figure it out. Figure it out. Like I had to walk home from high school east a couple times. Right.

Figure it out. Like mom you forgot my lunch. Well go ask someone to borrow an apple. I know. Like figure it out. I'm not leaving this. And driving to New Jersey to get you your lunch. But you are.

But most of the time I do. Yeah. So that's the thing. We need to think about that. And now they're like DoorDash. I'm like, no one's home for dinner. I used to make a mac and cheese if no one's, if my mom wasn't home for dinner. You would make, I make a bologna sandwich.

You would fend for yourself. A baloney sandwich. Like they're ordering DoorDash and like full blown hamachi meals and sushi are showing up to my front door. And I'm getting a charge like 5499. I'm like, no. This is not. Wait, how old are the boys now? 18 and 15.

So going to call, like, you're going to be an empty nest or completely in like. No, no. Stop saying that. No, stop. Joey's a sophomore. 15. Right. Sophomore, junior, senior.

Yeah, we got a couple years. Yeah. No, yeah. And Antonio will be back by the time Joey leaves. So it's never going to happen for me. Not this girl. No, no, no. No, no.

And Gino, Gino wants to work with Joe, I think. It stays in the fan with you, Italians. That's nice. Yeah, I know. It's terrible. I know. I think Italians know how to like stay with their fam. Yeah, they do.

You know? Yeah. She's thinking about it. Yeah. Quick game before you go. Okay. A trend you're sick up. Like this is first thing that comes to mind.

A trend of your sick up. We'll edit it like you said it super quickly. The TikTok dances. The dances. You can't get down with them. Like I'm sick of having to keep up with like, oh, what's the trend? What's the trend? So she's, she's, the trend she's, the trend she's, the trend.

A celebrity. think is misunderstood? Billy Bob Thornton. What? Why? I'm so, I'm so obsessive landman. I don't think about anything else. I just want to go home right now so I can watch the next step. Is his character misunderstood? No, I think Billy Bob Thornton's always been misunderstood. I, by the way, heard that he's like, nicest, chillest, like rock star life, like right now in his life. I'm so fixated on him right now. Like what? You're like turned on? Oh, God. I mean, listen, no. But, like, I think he's a handsome man.

I always thought he had that, like. He has sex appeal. He's got that, like, like, rugged. That's the word I was looking for. It's because we're still thinking of him showing up to the premiere with Angel and Jolie. And, like, French kissing. Right, with the blood. Like, that's where we're right.

So he's your most misunderstood. That is the funniest answer. No, he's just, like, I can't wait to go and watch an ex episode. Yeah. You're just thinking of Billy Bob Thornt. Yeah. A Bravo opinion that would get you yelled at, like a hot bravo. take.

There's so many. And I'm scared. Do you watch, like, what's your favorite Bravo show that's not yours? I like Beverly Hills. I will go on the fact that, like, I do feel like Beverly Hills

does get away with murder a little bit. Yeah? When it comes to, like, not telling us everything. We're like, Jersey has to say, like, we get in trouble if we don't tell you what we ate yesterday, let alone who we're dating.

Yeah. You know, so. Are you talking about, like, Kyle? No, but I feel like they all have, they're all, not just Kyle, I feel like Kyle's now open and talking. I don't know. I just feel like they get to do a lot of interacting amongst like whatever goes on when they're together. Like we don't have to hear what happened in the past with them all the time or like who they're dating. Like now Erica has a new boyfriend. Like I want to know who Erica's dating.

Less of their personal life. That's interesting that they are allowed to do that. I'm so into Erica. I love her. Yeah. And so I want to know everything. We want to know more. I want to see what he looks like.

A moment that you wish cameras missed. The christening. The christening. Oh, yeah. That was hard. I cried for three weeks after that. Oh, wow. Cried.

Quit. Oh, yeah. I called. I was like, good. Bye. Like, motherfuckers, basically. And then came back. Yeah, I crawled under my bed and Joe had to pull me out.

I wouldn't go to the pickup line at school and pick up my kids. I was like, who am I? What did I do? they ruined our lives. Wow. Yeah. I was upset. Could you watch that episode now and like not?

Now it's like forever. Yeah. Now you're past it. 15 years later, I think I'm past it. I'm like, okay, I know how this story goes. Yeah. Yeah. You're amazing.

I love you. Thank you for coming. Same to you. And you're killing it. You're killing it. And everyone just loves listening to you. You have like something about you that's like trustworthy and peaceful and like chill and like, you're so interesting.

I appreciate you. You really are. glad that we met. Thank you. And we're so cute together. I love us. Thanks for having me. Thank you for coming. Thank you guys so much for listening to this episode of Not Skinny, but Not Fat. Follow me on Instagram at Not Skinny but Not Fat. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. Rate the podcast that you love so much on Apple Podcast and write a little review. If you tell me you did, I'll give you a big virtual smoocheroo. Thank you guys so much for listening and I'll see you next Tuesday.

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.