Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Shawnaci Schroeder

Episode Date: February 2, 2021

Content creator Shawnaci Schroeder is here to talk about her career transition into bring more content into your feeds, helping to promote diverse and black voices, married life, and...a VERY awkward confession walk-in.  Caldrea - Get 20% off with code OTV20 when you buy online at Caldrea.com  Hemp Fusion - Go to HEMPFUSION.COM and use promo code VINE for 20% OFFyour purchase. Turbo Tax - TurboTax Live tax experts give you the confidence to know that your uniquely you taxes are done right. The Jordan Harbinger Show - Subscribe to the Jordan Harbinger show now at jordanharbinger.com/subscribe ! Geico - Go to geico.com, get a quote, and see how much YOU could save.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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and I think you will as well. Search for the Jordan Harbinger show. That's H-A-R-B as in boy, I-N as in Nancy, G-E-R on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Caldrea. Caldrea's unique sense transform your daily routine with a dose of lux and touch of the good, clean fun. Get 20% off with code OTV-20 when you buy online at caldraia.com. That's C-A-R-E-A.com. Add wonder to your washing. And turbotax. Get your taxes filed quickly and easily and get back to all those amazing things people do every day. TurboTax. All people are tax people. Vino's do you rent or own your own home? Sure you do. And I bet it can be hard work. It's easy, bundling policies with GEICO. GEICO makes it easy to bundle your homeowners or renter's insurance along with your auto policy.

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Lots of wine. Get ready to shake things up. Here's Caitlin. Welcome to Off the Vine. I'm your host, Caitlin Bristow. Today on the pod, I'm sitting down with an incredible content creator who is obsessed with fashion, isn't afraid to talk about both fun and important things in life. She recently transitioned from a really long-time career to a new chapter where she'll be focused

on bringing more content into your feeds, which I love following her. I'm so excited to see what she does. I'm hoping you're as inspired by her story and just listening to this podcast and her background and overall outlook on life as I was when we connected recently over Zoom. It's a really good, feel-good podcast. It was really nice to get to know each other. So I hope you enjoy today's episode with Shaughnessy Schroeder. Okay, so you now are a full-time content creator, which is crazy because I know

leaving your past job and doing this full time was probably a huge step for you. So congratulations on that. But from what I know, you did not intend to become an influencer exactly. You got started on, I think, YouTube when you're engaged to your now husband and started creating videos around wedding planning. Am I right? Yes. Yeah. So it started really as just like, we were getting married and I was trying to find like a way to like figure out the nitty gritty stuff about wedding planning. Like I feel like you can easily figure out like where a venue is like all that but it's like I need to know like like someone should have told me to create like a separate email for stuff like this nitty gritty stuff like I just didn't know and so I like create a video

that was like and it's still up like don't go watch it but go watch it because it's funny I'm going to it's like the worst um but it had like 10 tips for like the best things that you should know when you're getting married and they were all like small like tips like that and then I feel like I started to like connecting with people and then it just kind of like took its own thing Really? It just kind of took off from there. I just watched your stories. They're very, like, aesthetically pleasing and comforting. Like, there's something, there's something about watching me of all these, like, nice neutral colors and trends. And, like, you were telling us, where were you? What shop were you at with the furniture stuff? I don't know. What day was that? I feel like I shop so much. Oh, really? It was either today or yesterday. It was either Target or, like, I try to shop small a lot, too, because I like finding stuff that other people don't have. I just. I'm like so annoying about that. I feel like I'm always like like what like hole can I go into to find stuff that like other

people don't have. Yeah. And I think I was at either Target or this place called Magnolia Lane. They don't have a Facebook. They don't have an Instagram, which is like, yes, they have nothing. There you go. So yeah, I think it was probably there. Oh, there's, I don't know why I just was like watching.

It was one of those stories or you know a lot of times you click through people's stories when years I was like, oh, I don't really want it to end. It was nice. Oh, thank you. I hang out there on there a lot. And I think it's just because I'm really chatty. Like I started like journaling when I was like 10. And I feel like I almost journaled.

So I just didn't annoy my parents because I just am like so chaty. So I feel like now I just like chat with all my friends on Instagram. Like we call them friends, not like followers because I feel like that's weird. Yeah, I get that. Yeah. So we just like chat a lot. See that's okay. So I went from, you know, I come off a TV show and people called them fans.

And I was like, no, no, no. Like I can't get used to the turn. fans because it made me feel like I was a bigger deal than I was. And I'm like, I'm just Caitlin. I don't want fans. I want. And then so I started calling them followers. And then I got creeped out by the following thing because an influencer thing, because I was like, ooh, I probably shouldn't influence people some of the time. And I don't want that pressure on myself and that responsibility. But guess what? That's what comes with being a content creator. And I kind of wanted to talk to you about that because I think like a lot of people on

social media right now, you didn't go into it exactly knowing you're going to have this. responsibility to speak on politics or movements or anything like that. But you started to become pretty active on your platform when it comes to using your voice and sharing your thoughts. And I feel like everyone feels that responsibility to speak up. But do you think people are now looking to you and expecting you to speak up on a little more? I'm glad I grabbed the wine. I don't know if you have wine. I feel like this was like. Dude, I, I can't believe I'm going to admit this because I really didn't think I was going to. And I don't know if you're down with this or not, but I always have wine. Go get your wine. I can't drink this by myself.

I took an edible and I'm like, I don't feel anything. I'm not kidding. I actually don't feel anything. I took like the tiniest bit because I was like, I don't know, because I'm trying to not drink wine during the week because Jason is competing against me right now to have as many checkmarks as we can for nights off drinking in two months. And I am beating him by one checkmark right now. and I'm the most competitive person. Otherwise, I would absolutely 1,000% be having wine with you right now. But I had a little something, something in my system. I can't believe I just admitted that on the podcast.

No, that's perfect. I mean, I feel like now I don't feel bad. I actually poured for the listeners, they probably can't see this. But this is like not like a regular glass of wine. This is like a very full glass. That was like, okay. My mouth's watering. It's so good.

But I was like, I can't keep pouring glasses while I'm on this pod. So let's just pour one big one. and then I'll just be like, I just have one. Like, it's fine. That's what I do all the time. Oh, I'm so sad. We'll, we'll podcast again and I'll have wine with you next time because it feels wrong to not have wine. And I'm so glad do because that's literally what I do every time I've podcast. So you just, you enjoy your wine. I'll pretend like my mouth is salivated and watching you drink wine right now. I also saw that that was not spade and sparrows and we're going to send you some. The wine looks great. And it looked delicious as you reported on your Instagram story,

but we're sending you some spade and sparrows because I think you do it. Perfect. Perfect. I'm like a huge wino. I love wine. I'm not not a wino in a sense of like actually knowing what's good and what's not good. I think this is from like all the, yeah, I just like it. That's me. Okay, cool. So I feel like because I just kind of started in social media and it just kind of like snowballed into something and the people are like, oh, like, you know, I'm a new follower and I'm like, oh like, okay, that's like weird. Like it just seems almost weird to talk about things that are like really close. to my heart. I feel like, you know, you talked about a lot of the stuff that's going on this year. It's been a crazy year. And I feel like for me, like I have a very hard time being vulnerable.

And like before I knew we were going to chat, I was thinking like, okay, you really have to like focus on that. Because I feel like before I'm like going into the space of being vulnerable, I really have to like think like focus on that, like make that an intention. So on social media, it's difficult. And I'm sure you are well aware because anytime, time that you like share something, whether it's like a book that you like or like somewhere you like to shop, someone's probably, I think, differently than you. And usually for me, I don't have a difficult time talking about stuff like that. If someone disagrees with me, it's like, okay, whatever. Like, I like Target. You don't. And when it's something that's like so personal and things that like

affect my family, my friends sharing and talking about stuff like that is almost harder because I know that someone's not going to agree with me. And then I'm like in a vulnerable place of like, feeling like I need to make sure that I'm patient and kind within the conversation. But I'm also like super angry. So it's a hard balance for sure. Yeah. Well, that's because people, I mean, no matter what size you're following is, you do have this expectation to speak up on important things.

And I get that. I never obviously thought in a million years I was going to have close to two million followers. Never. And with that, I just feel, I feel a lot of pressure. but I feel like it's important as well. So it has forced me to definitely do more research, learn more, grow more. And it has gotten, I mean, I'm still, I do find it hard because I am a vulnerable person

and I am very open and honest. And I'll talk about anything. And this year I have found it challenging to navigate my way through speaking about these kinds of important things. And I wondered, has it gotten easier for you, harder for you? Like, how did you discover to use your voice and talk about these things? things without like where do you find that line i guess of like what you share and don't share and your thoughts well i live in a small town so um i feel like living in a small town with

people who like i mean their life experience and i love living here so i'm not saying like that i don't but i feel like when you don't see things outside of your town um and just for your listeners or anyone my town has i live near a town that has like a hundred thousand people but the town I actually live in has like 12,000, I think. Wow, really? Yeah, it's so small. We have like a little corn festival and like it's adorable. Yeah, it's in the middle of nowhere.

But it's so cute. But I feel like when you grow up in a town and you marry in the town, you live in the town, your like head is like your only focus is what you've seen your whole life. So I feel like I already had to like get used to navigating like hard conversations anyway. But it wasn't really something. that people asked about um but now i feel like this year and last year just like more than ever people are asking more um or they're just telling their opinion maybe more or maybe i'm seeing it more

because i'm more aware of it um so it's definitely hard to navigate but i feel like i am more open to sharing because i feel like more people are listening which makes me feel more comfortable sharing because it's like people are ready to learn so at least hopefully they are no i i agree with you i think they are I think it's, I think it's super important. And I heard you, this is how we have met was through my girlfriend, Bailey. And I heard on you on Bailey's podcast about your involvement with your local Black Lives Matter chapter and how there were a lot of things people didn't know you were doing behind the scenes because it wasn't such a huge part of your public persona. Are you still doing that involved in your local community and stuff? Yeah.

So my sister is actually the president of our Black Lives Matter chapter here. Yeah. And she started like five years ago. and it's not something I've ever really talked about literally until last year. And I just started talking about it more because my sister being the president, like I know what her heart is and what the organization's heart is. Like they created a book library, like for kids who like don't have access to books with like black protagonists.

Just like stuff that I don't think people think about. They've like done a lot of donations with like clothing drives and stuff. but it's just a space to uplift black people but also to like hold people accountable at the same time so like with the like officers in our community they actually had like a coffee and like what was it called it was called like coffee and conversation I think where like people in the community and people like that were you know in that space they kind of communicate with each other and it kind of helped to break down some of like the discomfort there so just like rebuilding what has kind of been broken. So I'm like super involved. I feel like I donate a lot more than

like physical involvement because they, I mean, it's, it's a lot of work. And I commend them for all of their work. But yeah, it's, I feel like it's so important to try to stay involved, but also like you do have to protect your own heart and your own peace too. So yeah, I try to dabble as much as I can. Yeah. I mean, well, that's, that's cool that there's even like, you know, something like that in your small community. And is there a greater platform that you think people should get more involved in when it comes to this? I feel like, even platforms you like to follow things where people can, you know, get more educated and, and learn. I think the biggest thing is just, like, trying to learn. And for me, reading and like podcasts and listening to stories is like most

effective. For you, I don't know if you're aware or like just listeners in general, my husband, he's actually like white. And so we like come from different backgrounds. And like we both grew up in small towns, but I feel like we have a different perspective of like what we've seen in living in a small town. But he's more aware of a lot of things that I feel like I deal with that I maybe don't talk about because he's seen it. And so I feel like if you don't have people in your life that are like different than you, and that's not just like in color, just like literally anything like size like gender whatever right you don't have people in your life that are different than you i feel like you can easily be like a one-track mind yeah um so i feel like reading is huge

because if you're not around people that aren't like you like reading a podcast you can listen to their stories and kind of take it in um one book that i really recommend and i feel like a lot of people read this year was um so you want to talk about race yeah that one is like a lot of like actionable steps and then another one um i feel like that i really resonated with was um it's by austin channing brown i forget what the book is called um i think it's called i'm still here by austin channing brown and she's like a woman who's like extremely like successful um grew up in mostly white spaces like went to a predominantly white church i feel like i resonated with a lot of things within her because she was very quiet and not like quote unquote angry or talkative about like things like this

yeah and um she kind of talks about her experience and it's like really eye opening just for someone who is in a very like elevated lifestyle i guess so i feel like learning is huge um just like podcasted books yeah i've i'm actually going to look into that last book you said i love reading and it's one of those things where i'm like i love the okay here's the problem i love the idea of reading because once I do get into a book, I can't put it down. And I love doing that. But I don't know why it takes me so long to get into one. But when it's educational, I find it easier to get into, actually. But I was reading actually an article that featured you and you gave a really cool piece of advice that I would love you to dive into a bit. You said there is a quote that sticks with you when it

comes to finding your purpose. And it's the secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine. So can you talk to me a little bit more about that? Because I am intrigued. Yeah. I feel like that kind of goes even along with reading because I read like every day, I read 20 minutes at night. I've started trying to read 10 minutes in the morning, but like, I mean, that's a lot because like it's the morning you want to go, go, go. But my routine is so like regimented, but I feel like it keeps me like sane. Like I wake up in the morning. Usually I'll like try to read something. I'll turn on some music or podcast depending on like where my head's at. If I'm like a little stressed, listen to music. If I'm not stressed, podcast. And then I feel like I clean a little bit in the morning

just to make the house like really clean, light some candles. I just am very like, I love my schedule because I feel like if you can get into a good routine, it sets you up for just like a good day. I don't know. Maybe that's just me, but I feel like, no. If I'm out of my routine, I'm just like, what the heck is going on? I need to like go back to sleep and start over again. No, I think you're right. I have actually, I just talked to Jason about this today this morning because I've been making my bed every morning and I've been like doing the same thing, cleaning. I've been trying to meditate more than I already did. And I said to him, I said, it's so funny how happy I am when I wake up in the morning

in the past like couple of years. One, because my life is just different in that way, but two, because I have been, I don't allow myself to just oh okay i take that back i do allow myself to just lay in bed and have shit days of doing nothing if i'm hormonal if i'm feeling depressed if my body needs that i really do but when i just wake up i think about things i'm grateful for i make my bed i light candle same thing i clean and and just from doing that i don't know how long now but i'm like it's so weird i used to wake up and feel immediately depressed i used to immediately think about negative things I used to immediately dread anything that had to do with laundry or cleaning or what I had to do in my day.

And it was somewhere along the way of the last two years that my head space has shifted into this like wake up feeling positive and get things done. Like, I think that might be allowing myself to have those shitty days as well and lay in bed and do nothing. Do you ever have those? Oh, heck yeah. I feel like, oh, God. I feel like I wish I could like explain just my whole life story. such a short time but like I'm a totally different person now than when I was in high school than when I was in college and like I didn't end up graduating college. I don't know if like

you're aware, but like I just didn't know who I was. If you looked at my style back in high school, like I literally look like just a replica of like literally everyone. And I feel like then I was really like I would wake up and just not want to like, I would just want to go back to sleep, you know um and i feel like like you said like just having a routine for me just puts me in such a good head space um but then on those days where i'm like stressed or like overwhelmed when i give myself that time i feel like it almost renews me because it's like okay i gave myself that space i can like get it all out i can cry i can eat the ice cream like and all that and then just like move on yeah yeah it's i feel like a lot of people or maybe and this is how i used to be it was

I would feel like I was doing something wrong if I wasn't doing something because, and that has to do social media too. You're seeing everyone doing all these things and you're like, wow, I'm laying in bed, eating and like feel like crying and questioning everything. Like that's because nobody obviously talks about that on something like, well, I try to, but I think that has to do with the whole comparison thing. Let's take a quick break and talk about one of my favorite things, and that's sleep. Having a good night's sleep is one of the best feelings in the world, but even though we know it's

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improve your life. So that sounds cool. We really enjoy the show and we think you will as well. Search for the Jordan Harbinger show. That's H-A-R-B as in boy. I-N- as in Nancy. G-E-E-R-E-R on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Now back to Off the Vine with Caitlin Bristow. I don't know if I let you finish about this. The secret future is hidden in your daily routine. Is that what you mean? Like just like like setting yourself up for success like that mentally?

Yeah. I think like if I don't, if I don't have my routine, it doesn't like or if I, I guess I'll explain this. Having my routine almost gives me like the stepping stones to like what I need to do next. So like it just sets me up for like a good day because it's like, okay, I know that I read five days a week. So I know that I'm learning or like I know that I like had X, Y, and Z to do so I can finish that. And then I can have time to like relax because like my routine, I make sure to have time to just like do nothing. So I don't feel like I'm not doing enough. And I don't feel like I'm doing too much. I feel like it's a good balance because I really try to stick to a routine. Yeah. I try and tell Jason all the time. I'm like you got to shut the brain off at a certain time. of the night like he just goes goes and he's such a hard worker and he's like he almost over does it because he's so passionate about working and he's such a go getter that I'm like you have to shut it off like because I'll be making dinner and we'll like sit down and he's like

I could just see his with wheels turning and I'm like oh my gosh just it's and that's because I have been able to shut it off and separate those things like work and life and have that balance but I just think you know so many people in life or they struggle to find their purpose and passions in life and it seems like you've kind of been able to do that and I wanted to know where that shift was for you along your journey of life from you know you was at high school to you now and and how did you do it I feel like and this is going to sound so cheesy but I'm telling you it's like so serious yeah I feel like I like when I found myself and I just was like happy just like with myself it was like it doesn't matter what i do because i'm just happy with me like

for a long time i wasn't that way um and now i'm just like so happy with just like myself that i feel like whatever i do i'm just happy in that if that makes sense no i get that it's i always i feel like it's people want to know like a uh a how to or a simple answer but it really is just working on yourself. It really is just like figuring out who you are. It really is just going through the years of your life, making mistakes, failing, learning. It really is something that does come with age and things that have happened in your life to help you grow. And it's how you take those life lessons to grow from them. Because I mean, not to bash on like a past relationship, but a couple of my past relationships, I have felt like I just continue to want to grow as myself.

I wanted to always be better than I was the last year. I always wanted to learn more about myself, figure out what makes me happy, why I'm depressed, why this, why this, and always work on myself. And you kind of outgrow people in your life, whether that's relationships, friendships, whatever. But I just feel like that's the simple answer is to find happiness within yourself. And if you don't work on yourself, it's like, what's the alternative? You're literally just going to sit wherever space you are.

So like if I didn't continue to work myself, I'd still be that girl in high school. wearing, I don't know, don't look at any old pictures of me, like wearing something that was not me, like not even enjoying anything because I'm doing it for other people. Like, so, you know, that's the alternative. So it's like, well, you might as well at least try to work on yourself because you'll at least get some progress, hopefully. I always wonder if you have to go through that, though, to be able to come out the other side. I always wonder, like, I always preach, you know, be yourself. and if you want to do this, do this. And I'm like, but, but I only learned that from going through the phases where I tried to

please everybody else. And I tried to be somebody I wasn't. And I hit rock bottom and all those things. So I'm like, when I preach that, how do I say? But also, also try and fit in so you learn how shitty it is to go through that. Literally. Yeah. I mean, that's so true.

Because I feel like if I didn't have that, then I wouldn't know that, like, how good I feel now in comparison to like how crappy I felt then. Right. Yeah, I always think about that. I'm like, God, I was such an idiot, but like that makes me realize how cool it is to not be cool. You know what I mean? Like just from being such a dumb, dumb dingling back in my day. Do you ever like cringe and just like think back? And it's like, why did I ever like say that, do that, wear that? It just, I feel like, I don't know. And I hope for your listeners, just for everyone who like maybe is in that space. Like I hope that. something of like what we're saying really like sticks because i know there's people in my life that like they are in that space right now and they're a lot younger um but i feel like you really do have to like work on yourself and you don't see how much of a like carbon copy you are or how much you're trying to please people until you're not in that space anymore and then you're like wow like

who was i then right it's so hard to because i you know who who isn't on ticot copying someone else's content. It's, it's what we do. We, we try and mimic their words. We try and mimic their dance moves. Their humor, their style, their everything. I do it. I'm going on their lip-sinking all the time. And I always think about that for like my nine-year-old nephew, my 13-year-old niece, how impressionable they are from all these TikToks telling them what to do, who to be, how to be how to be funny, how to, and you're just trying to mimic those things on from social media. And it just I don't know if there's any way to control that. I think it's always about leading by example. but is that all you think we can do is just lead by example?

Yeah, and I think not even just like for me, I feel like when I started building most of my confidence, it was like I would do something or I'd like make a goal to do something. And then I'd be like, I freaking did that. Like I did that like by myself. No one else did it with me. Like I did that. I wasn't trying to be anyone else.

I did that. And so that like built my confidence or continue to build my confidence. Yeah. So I didn't feel like I needed to be like someone else to do whatever I was trying to do. So I know. I feel like there's a lot of ways to get there. Is there one way? I don't think so. But right. I know. This is something I think about often, especially for when I think about having kids and stuff. But I just, yeah, you speak about, you know, how you tried to dress in high school to fit in or it wasn't you. How do you describe your style now? Because you are a fashionista. You're so good with style. You have like, I don't know. I always envy people who have style because my style is like, like, like, I would ask you, how do you describe your style? And you would probably know you asked me. And I'm like, I don't know.

I'm like, whatever is cheap and whatever the stylist says I look good in and whatever I just throw together that day. But I love that, though. That's you. Yeah. I mean, the beauty, all of it. It's so you. I feel like for me, my style, I'd explain it, very neutral, very comfy.

Like, anything that's comfy and neutral is like my vibe. My style used to be very. similar just not cute like I used to I used to wear like cut off jean shorts and like big big teas and like kind of dressing I have two brothers and I had I have three sisters and my sisters would be like let's play barbie dolls my brothers would be like let's climb trees and I'm like cool let's do that and so yeah so I wanted to like dress for that but it wasn't like in by any means and it also wasn't cute looking back but now I feel like my style almost like emulation like that. It's like very comfortable. I could probably go out in climatry if I wanted to

because it's like literally sweatpants. But I just didn't know at the time that that's how I really wanted to dress. And like I was saying about like old pictures and stuff, I used to dress like that when I was younger because I didn't care what people thought. And then I got into that space of like, well, I should probably like look cute or I should probably. And then I'm wearing like freaking polos and like skinny jeans and like that's just not me. And then I got to the space of like being like I love what I love and I'm going to wear what I wear and like now I will literally wear sweatpants out like if clubs and bars were open like I would literally wear like a cross top blazer that's like sweatpants material I have been doing that since I was 18 years old okay I used

to go to the bar when I was I was I probably 20 with my girlfriend 20 to 21 somewhere in that area and we would be like looking to flirt with boys and I swear I said we would talk about this all the time when we went we went to our club in the pajama in our pajamas once i've never been a hit on more of my life because it's just like that it's like you're comfortable you're confident you're you know you are feeling you and you don't care who else is wearing what in this bar we would do it all the time we would wear sweatpants to the bar and people like i remember the bouncers one time told me like you can't wear your slippers tonight kately like because i just got to a point of like literally wear my slippers into the bar and i was like okay fair fair fair but that's it's it's it's

It's funny how the more comfortable you dress and, like, to fit the way you feel, the more confident you are. True. And I was just thinking, why you were saying that, I feel like you were saying you got hit on a lot. Well, people could probably freaking pick up on your confidence. It's like, this girl walked in in pajamas and, like, slippers. Like, you're freaking confident.

I mean, I'm not confident in my own house sometimes in some of my pajamas because they're not cute. So, you know, I just, yeah, yeah. That's, I mean, I did. Jason, oh, boy, thank you. sometimes like the other day actually now twice a week I'm trying to do this where I like put on like a hair treatment and then I have a heating cap that goes on top of it and I pop my retainers in and then I've got these pajamas that are like not sexy at all and then I'm like okay this is kind of embarrassing but at the same time I don't care no I feel that I literally have this

black bonnet and I probably need a new one but my I have a large head like you for listeners you guys can't see my head's large, but also my hair is large. Your hair is large and I'm so jealous of it. I just, all I wanted in life was like big curly hair. Always. What's so funny, though, is I actually didn't start wearing my hair like this until March of this year. Isn't that crazy? Yes. And it's it just suits you. You look so good. I love it. Thank you. Well, I mean, like I said, living in a small town and when you, like, there's no one here that looks like me in this way. Um, so you just have to really, really be comfortable with yourself to just do what you truly feel like is best for you. And so in March, I mean, I was at home. I was like, you know what? I'm just going to like wear

my hair, like the way that I think it should be worn. I can't even. I mean, I guess I don't know, but I can't picture it any other way. It wasn't cute. I'm going to go back and like stalk you on Instagram for a while just so I can see. All right. I do love this time of the pod where I get to talk about the brand that's on my show because I'm sitting here right now smelling one of their incredible products. I'm talking about Caldrea. Caldrea is here to help change your home care routine with their amazing scents and their products such as hand soap, lotions, and more. I have to say, I really do enjoy taking care of my home and taking care of myself so much more when the products I'm using smell like heaven. I'm talking about scents like sea salt noroli,

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hand the whole thing off from start to finish so that you can focus on your baby photographer career, maybe. Whether you want to file with help of an expert or let an expert file for you, TurboTax Live tax experts give you the confidence to know that your uniquely U. taxes are done right. Into it, TurboTax Live. You're listening to Off the Vine with Caitlin Bristow. Speaking of not cute things. Do you have any confessions to share with me today? Oh, God, yes.

Okay. I always get the biggest smile on my face when people start to confess someday because I'm like, what's it going to be? This is making me sweat. Those are going to be the good confessions. Okay, it has to do with the bathroom. Okay, great. Okay.

I got to set the scene, okay? So you think that my town. We'll close our eyes. Yes, yes, close your eyes. So you think that I live in. a small town. My husband grew up an even smaller town. I mean, I think their population is like a thousand people or like, no way. Not kidding. Like when I first met him, we walked around the block and he was like, this is a town. This bowling alley burned down one year. Like, I mean, yeah,

so small. So setting the scene, we were at his parents' house, love them to death. They are like very, very sweet, kind people, but also very quiet people. Okay. Yeah. Oh boy. I am not. I mean, as you can tell, like a ball of craziness. So usually when we go there, it's just, we'll watch TV and we'll just kind of like, one person will say something and then it'll be quiet. And then someone else will say something and it'll be quiet. So just giving the vibe, very quiet, like, chill place. Yeah.

So I had to go to the bathroom. Oh, no. I was good. And there's two bathrooms. And I should have went upstairs. Don't know why I didn't. Oh, no. I also should have not.

on the bathroom door. Oh, no. And I just bargeant, she's being me loud, just whatever, didn't even knock. And my husband's dad is sitting on the toilet. Yes. And just, I, he, oh, my God. Sitting on the toilet, he looks at me. I look at him.

He looks at me. And I was like, oh, my God. I just shut the door. I was like, what the heck? like so he comes out of the bathroom not one word has been said and this was like five years ago no stop it no you guys can talk he came out of the bathroom he just pretended it never happened yeah stop but now you've talked about it no so now we're probably going to talk about it if you listen to oh my gosh that's amazing yeah that is one of the most that and like walking in on your

parents like doing something or them walking in on you like those three right there might be the most embarrassing things of them all i feel like it's more uncomfortable if you don't talk about it like i mean if i if i walk into someone and i'm like oh my god it's awkward weird well like uncomfortable and then you walk out and you're like ha ha like whatever it happens like it's like it's not as uncomfortable but literally never talked about it ever it's like you're right it's when you don't talk about it that makes it 10 times more awkward i hope you guys talk about it. about it now just if that's what comes from this podcast you have to tell me because I'm like you have to talk about it now you know it would be more uncomfortable if they listen to the podcast

and we still don't talk about it's like so it happened we saw each other you came out and then we talk about the podcast you listen you do it do you think they would say if if they heard it they're really quiet people so they might not like they're just they're just so sweet like but they're just very quiet people in that way. So, like, so funny. Yeah. I can't imagine. I mean, that's Jason's family is very loud in the best way possible. Like, they're like loud and proud from Buffalo, New York. And they're just like they are who they are. And I love it. And my family is loud except for my dad, which is like the quietest. But it's so funny because I can't imagine being with quiet, quiet parents. Yeah. I mean, my family is very similar. It sounds like to Jason's because, like,

I remember when my husband, we've been together for eight years in total, but only married for two. Yeah. When we first met, he came over to my house and was like, wow, like everyone just kind of talks over each other. I was like, yeah, we do, all of us. But I have five siblings and then my two parents and, you know, dogs and stuff, it's just loud. Oh, yeah, you have five siblings. That does not call for a quiet household. No, no.

Okay, I want to play one game with you before we go. Okay. I feel like I need to pick up my drink because I've had like barely any. That's what happens to is I get so chatty that even if I do have a glass of wine, I'm still not feeling anything, by the way. So there's that. Before we play this game, can I say one thing? Yeah, please. Okay. So do you remember when you used to like crash weddings? Yeah. I invited you like five years ago to my wedding. And you didn't ever see it. You didn't ever see it. But I just want to say, I feel like your vibe is just so freaking fun. You need to start crashing weddings again. Oh my gosh.

Thank you. You're welcome. That's so funny that you and imagine I did. And then we've been like friends since. That's wild. Where did you get married? In Peoria, Illinois. So literally middle of nowhere, another middle of nowhere place.

That's so funny. Oh my gosh. I should start crashing weddings again. I mean, that's not very pandemic friendly. But at the same time, that's, we're going to turn a corner here. We are. I'm going to start doing that again. You know what?

I'm going to start doing that again. It was so fun. I think I've crashed five now, five weddings, and it's truly one of my favorite pastimes. I feel like you would come in just like balls to the walls, like just make it so fun. And that's, I mean, what everybody needs at their wedding.

Damn, I am fun at weddings. I will give myself that I love a good wedding. Oh, I can't wait for mine. Like the pandemic. I'll crash yours. No worries. well you're invited so we can pretend you're not and then you can crash it but i'll have like a set up for you and your husband and you're you actually have a spot at the table okay cool okay

amazing um okay my game for you is called we're strange but we're not strangers so i heard that you love playing games as do i everything board games card games i'm a huge game guy and i saw one of the ones you love is we're not really strangers which is so cool and i thought i could ask you a few questions from that one no shana see a bit more so let's get let's get deep here are you ready i don't know these questions get deep like like i know i'm glad i've only had like i haven't finished this glass yet because i don't want to be like crying or anything you can take another step i'm going to i'm going to go through a few and try and get some good ones um okay what part of yourself do you need to break up with

my so I have this thing everyone who knows me my husband before I go anywhere he's like don't come on too strong okay and I am well aware that I come on very strong with friendships friendships when I feel like there's someone that I like want to be friends with or we vibe and I'm like I could see her being my best friend for life I come on really strong yeah I need to like just tone it down bit because I need to be okay with not everyone liking me. I'm fine with people that I don't really care for. Like, they don't have to like me. If it's someone, I feel like we be friends. Like, I have a thing. Like, I need to let that go. That's so cute that your husband says, don't come on just trying. Literally. Okay. How would you describe your relationship with yourself in one word?

Happy. Perfect, simple. Love it. Happy. Oh, that just made me happy. And you had a genuine smile on your face when you said it. Okay. What are you proudest of yourself for for saying no to recently? Say no to. That's a hard one. We can skip that one.

Go to another one. Let's come back to that one. Okay. I've got to think about that. Okay. Wait, finish this sentence. I want to give myself permission to feel. Press permission to feel confident.

Oh, I like that. In my head, I was like angry, like depressed. I give myself. I like that, confident. Yes, you give yourself that permission. I like that answer a lot. Okay. Last one.

Hmm. Has a stranger ever changed your life? I don't know. Bailey was a stranger at one point. I feel like she has definitely changed my life. I love that. Bailey is incredible. She's really one of the most thoughtful, kindest humans I think I've ever met my life. She really is. Like we actually met because of her podcast and I texted her not that long ago. I was like, I remember when you like wanted me to be on the pod and like we kind of knew each other, but not really. And I was just like, oh, like it's just, you know, like whatever. And then we just like clicked. And then I saw her heart. And then I saw her heart. and how she like really cares about people and I feel like I don't know she always has me thinking and learning and so yeah I appreciate her me too um I'm actually looking at this little jar she made me

for Christmas and it's this little jar with a bunch of pink sticky notes in it all folded up and there's like a hundred of them and it's like a hundred things that she like loves about me that if I'm having a bad day I just go and pull one of those out of the jar and read it I know that's so sweet. And I was like, oh my gosh, how did you even think about that? Like, she always thinks and she'll always send me Canadian treats. Like, if I had a bad day, she'll, like, send me a bag of ketchup chips and something from Canada. And I'm like, oh, and that makes me feel like a dick because I don't ever, I'm not like the best gift giver or the most thoughtful gift giver. So then I'm like, wow, I need to step up my friendship game here. Well, when I went full time, she like sent me

a bottle of champagne and like I I was just like what I know I know that's what she makes me out of the blue yeah she's the most thoughtful human well you're going to have to send me your address so I can send you some of my white wine so you don't have to drink the other stuff that you are even though look good but I just if people come to follow you on your page what can they expect out of posts and stories and like if you could sum it up the first thing I would say is just positivity overall. Like I am just, my mom, I feel like I get this from her. She has always been the type of person where she wakes up in a good mood every day.

And like I get that from her. And so like more than anything, you'll see just like me being positive, whatever avenue that's in, whether that's like showing a hall or like cleaning stuff or whatever. It's just always going to be positive. And I feel like even when I am vulnerable and like talking about things that are hard, I feel like I still try to keep a really good perspective. So that's like how I could sum it up the best. I love it.

And you do you always do that where you kind of go shopping and you like talk about good deals. Oh, God. Yeah. I mean, I shop so much. You'll see a lot of neutral like clothing, tons of cozy stuff. You'll see like grocery halls of like the best things to eat, cleaning products that are great to use in your house. It's a nice dog who is freaking huge and cute. What is your dog's name again?

It starts with a bean. Yeah. Bain. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, my God. Wilder and just the biggest, chunkiest, like, cutest little thing ever. He is so, so cute.

Well, who doesn't love an account to follow where they have a voice that they use for important things, clothes to dogs, and just positivity. I love what you're doing. Thank you so much. Oh, and where, what is your Instagram? So people can follow you.

Okay. So I have to spell it because I'm going to be totally honest. When I listen to podcasts, I never click in the little whatever description thing. I just don't. And so for you, if you're listening and you don't do that, this is for you. It's spelled S-H-A-W-N-A-C-I-S-C-H-R-O-E, D-S-E-N-D-A-R-S-E-R-S-E-R-S-E-R-S-E-R-S-E-R-S-E-E-R-S-E-E-R-E-R-E-R-E-R-E, and that's, I love both ways, and it's such a beautiful name. Well, thank you so, so much for coming on the podcast.

I'm so glad we got a chance to meet over Zoom at least anyways. And maybe one day in person, that would be really lovely. We will have wine and play games. At that wedding, for sure. Yes, at my wedding, hopefully before that, but you never know. Yes. Amazing. Thank you so, so much for coming on the pod.

Thank you. I appreciate this so much. I'm Caitlin Bristow. I'll see you next Tuesday. Thanks for listening to Off the Vine with Caitlin Briscoe. Get new episodes every Tuesday exclusively on podcast.1.com, the Podcast One app, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. All right. Do you own or rent your own home? I'm sure you do, and I bet it could be hard work. But you know what's easy? Bundling policies with GEICO.

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