The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - An Affair To Remember with Margaret Josephs and Joe Benigno

Episode Date: April 9, 2025

Everyone's favorite pigtail-wearing RHONJ star Margaret Josephs and her husband Joe sit down with co-star Jennifer Fessler to talk about how their love affair led to their happily ever after. The couple is talking about divorce and kids, prenups, and the complexities when your ex-spouse passes away. Plus, Jennifer gets an update on Joe's health and how the couple REALLY feels about the stagnant status of Jersey Housewives.    Email us at: [e-mail] or call us at 844-4-I Do Pod (844-443-6763)Follow I Do, Part 2 on Instagram and TikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, luckily, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend's been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone.

Hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That seems inappropriate. Maybe find out how it ends by listening to the OK Storytime podcast and the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh, my God, perfect.

And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search Emergency Intercom and listen now. Our IHeart Radio Music Festival, presented by Capital One, is coming back to Las Vegas. Vegas. September 19th and 20th.

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print. Tim McGraw. Tickets are on sale now at AXS.com. Get your tickets today. AXS.com. Every case that is a cold case that has DNA. Right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime. On the new podcast, America's Crime Lab, every case has a story to tell. And the DNA holds the truth. He never thought he was going to get caught. And I just looked at my computer screen. I was just like, I gotcha. This technology is already solving so many cases. Listen to America's Crime Lab on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What would you do if one bad decision forced you to choose between a maximum security prison

or the most brutal boot camp designed to be hell on earth? Unfortunately for Mark Lombardo, this was the choice he faced. He said, you are a number, a New York state number, and we own you. Listen to shock incarceration on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's I-do Part 2. I'm one of your celebrity mentors, Jen Fessler. You know me from the Real Housewives of New Jersey and the Podcast I co-host, two Jersey Jays. I have been having so much fun on this podcast, getting to chat with people who found love in their chapter two.

And today, my guests are my dear friends, an amazing couple. Everyone loves them. You know them from Real Housewives of New Jersey. Please help me welcome Margaret Joseph's and Joe Benigno. Oh, my God. We're so happy to be here. Hi, you guys. Yeah, with our dear friend, Jen Fessler.

Yes, I have to say, so far, since I've started hosting these, I do part two. I've had only really people that I love on. Friends. Oh, I had those farmers on who I did love them too. I have to be honest with you. I have to listen to the farmers. Who doesn't love a farmer?

They are so cute. They're adorable. They're doing this new show. But we digress. So we're here to talk about Margaret and Joe. You guys, we're going to go through some things for our listeners that things that I probably know, but they don't. And I know things that, you know, because we have a lot of viewers and listeners

that are not necessarily even. housewives people. So, yes, is there anybody in this world? Well, listen, I understand it. A lot of people don't watch housewives. That's true. Well, they have Bravo in their blood. Yes, okay.

So let's talk a little bit about, to get to chapter two, we're going to start with chapter one. So I want to know a little bit about your first marriages. And, Joe, let's start with you. I don't know, you know, however much you want to kind of reveal about what it was like in your first marriage, how old were you when you got married, how many. I guess a brief synopsis would be, I was married when I was 30 years old. That's old. Yeah.

I was old. Jeff was 36. I was the last one of my friends. Yeah. And I had the first kid when I was 35. Okay. And I have a son and a daughter. And one is now 34.

The other was 33, right? 33. Yes. I love that you're asking Margaret. So you're asking me, and I didn't birth those years, so yes, I mean, you're asking me. And over time, we grew apart as couples do occasionally when you have kids, when they have, there's a lot of stress involved with the children. Basically, we were like, we were mostly separated for a few years before the divorce because we lived, like, almost separate lives. Is that what it was?

Yeah, I think so. I just think that you were two different people. There you go. What did you just say? You were very different people. Because I'm going to be 70 years old this year and my freaking brain don't work. I don't even believe you. No, no, no.

You look great. It's impossible. No, why don't you just be very candid? You were very different people. Well, let me ask you this. Before you met Margaret, was the marriage already, were you already on the out? Oh, yes. You were.

For a long time. I was, we had way different ideas on basically everything after the kids came and And the kids wanted to hang out, as kids do, they want to hang out with the dad and play around and the mother wants to be strict. Yeah. And the dad lets them fool around. So is that, was that sort of when it started, like the separation between, like, child, child rearing and things that we like to do. Like we had completely different ideas on what was fun, you know, for us as a couple. Yeah.

And it just diverged from there. And then I wanted my kids to get into college before I thought about separating or getting divorced because this way they were separated out of the entire argument. That's so interesting because I remember those thoughts going through my mind when Jeff and I separated. My kids were much younger, but I thought, okay, we can't get divorced until they go to college and we should get all of that stuff. And then I don't know how you guys felt, but like my kids went to college, it would have been maybe even harder, at least in my same. situation. I feel like they would have been when my son first went away to college, the dog died. I thought he was going to have a nervous breakdown. So, you know, he just felt so far away. But anyway, okay, Margaret, you're up. I mean, Joe, Joe's so funny. He's like, he doesn't really talk about his first marriage. It's actually kind of fight. You're like, well, it's way in the past. You know, it's, it's. I mean, are you guys, well, I'm jumping head, but are you guys in a place right now where she could hear it? Like, hear you talking about. let me say this, my ex-wife is buddies with my wife. Yeah, now we're very good.

Only Margaret Joseph. Only Margaret Joseph. It was important to me because we did not have a good relationship, his ex-wife, myself, but now we do. And I think she's, you know, we've come to a very good place. We bonded over a common enemy. So that was, you know, that was. I'm trying to wait.

My head is spinning over who that is. That would be Joe's son's ex-wife. Got it. Yes, which is great. Yes. We love her. You know, her and I both agreed. She was never good enough for our son.

Nothing like a nasty daughter-in-law to bring. Nothing like a nasty daughter-in-law to bring the wives together. Yes. My first husband, I was madly, I will be honest, like I was, well, Joe, were you madly in love with her when you first met her? Yes, I'm sure. Of course. Yeah, I mean, that was like your third engagement. It was?

Well, practice makes perfect. Wow. Okay. Joe was not candid. You had like numerous engagements before you. America. I went out a real lot. I was like a whore. Really? A man whore is not, I mean, engaged. A whore is one thing. Joe just, I want to giggle a little bit because Joe's care just, just, Joe's not shorted up.

His chair went all the way down. Yes, but you were graceful about it. I think you're not to be stand up. Yeah, there you go. There you go. But, I mean, engagements, I mean, I believe it in terms of the hoaring. I had my own hoaring that went down in my 20s, but in terms of engagement. So you were engaged twice before you tied the knot twice or three times Joe Joe is having what is going on here that you're you're not remembering no two times

Don't you get asked a lot about that Do you guys get at Yes we get asked love But Joe locks out of all the pair People ask us about how we met Yeah I know see that's right From like that second forward So that's like I was just thinking that

That's easy to come up with I was thinking that A broken engagements Met his wife They got married You know, Joe is a very nice, I think, a devoted first husband And a devoted second husband But I think you were

I'm more devoted second husband Okay Yeah, but that's a nice thing to say Oh, he is, he's a great husband I can't see it I know, but even saying that for, you know, your first wife I don't know if she would agree But I mean, that's a nice thing

For Margaret to say, yeah I don't know what she would say Okay I think you were a good husband You were a good provider, you were home a lot You didn't go away a lot You weren't like a dirty stay out Oh no

Okay, no I can't believe you just said dirty stay out My best friend uses that expression all the time It's one of my favorites You know unlike your wife You know My wife is a dirty stay out I love to stay out

I was gonna I was about to say you I know you're talking about your ex-wife To me dirty stay out is dirty No I wasn't dirty I'm a stay out I like to do my late nights I'm not dirty I know I call it a dirty stay out

because she's not home I'll supper with me No yes that's You guys my head is I have to slow down Because my head is spinning I'm like as you're saying that I would know I wanted to say like how Joe always wants you to be there at the airport, like, to pick him up.

Never happens. These guys have the greatest relationship. I adore him, but I am not doing the airport pickup. I know the way I feel about the airport pickup. I think it's rude that even asks. But hold on. It happened twice, though. It did happen twice.

I don't think it's nice to ask again. Don't even ask. I'm taking a car service. I don't want someone to pick me up the airport. Me neither. I don't want an airport pick up. Don't ask me to pick up the airport. Me neither.

My kids don't ask me to pick him up at the airport. I'll send a car service. I'm not waiting. Yes, exactly. I'm not doing that nonsense. Yes, I'm digressing. So you and Jan were madly in love when you met. Yes, I was really crazy for him.

I think because he had the three kids. It was important to me to marry someone who was a good father. You know, maybe the good husband part. You know, I missed out on a little. Not that he was a bad husband, but he was controlling. He was older, you know, and he was a great guy, you know. But it was his second. So I was his second wife.

Right. I was always the second wife. I've never been a first wife. Right. So the, you know, I was younger. I was 24. He was 44. Wow. We did 20-year-age difference. I mean, you probably told me that, but 24 is young.

Yes, I was 24. I moved in with him when I was 24. He was 44. I had a beautiful family, beautiful life. I had full-time help. I had a very beautiful privileged life. Hold on. I thought I knew everything. 24, I must have known, but 24 to 44, just real quickly, just how did you meet a 44-year-old to 24? I worked in the Garmin Center. Right. Oh, yes. I was a dress designer. He owned Joseph's Brothers lace and embroidery. You know, very, you know, the Joseph's brothers, you know, big in the lace and embroidery. Okay. You know, Garvin Center is very different. He had just gotten divorced.

You know, he looked younger. But he was, he was a great father. He had custody of three children. His ex-wife lived in Florida. Were you nervous about that? No, I was delusional. I thought it was, oh, no big deal. We have help.

We have kids. They go to sleep away camp. Not about, I'm very maternal, though, you know, contrary to popular belief in the bravo world because people think you're maternal in the bravo world um in our inner circle okay but in because i don't you know put my kids on television everything else people know jo knows i'm like a hover right what am i like yeah never ends it does it is no i mean i know your relationship yeah with my son and yes and then uh jan and i had a son together which you know we're not going to say names because i don't like to put it out there yes um and same thing i think you know it's very hard when you

you have children someone and i think The thing with James, though I think he was, his amazing father, very devoted father. I said to him, you know, you got the father thing so perfect, you know, the second time room. I don't think it got the husband thing perfect. And I'm not insulting. It just. You're talking about Joe or Jan? Jan.

Joe's got the husband things. No, Joe's perfect husband. Yes, I know. I'm obsessing. Agreed. Do I not say it? Yes, but not enough. Yes.

It's never enough. Even the last few weeks, have I not had a newfound obsession again? Yeah, I don't understand it. I love that. I have. I've been enjoying. I've been like, you're unbelievable.

I've had a new found obsession. She keeps watching all these mopey movies. I think that's what it is. But I, you know, but I do, I'm happy the life I had the first time. I had a beautiful life, a beautiful family. You know, it was great, but we did grow apart. I think I change. You change as you get older.

I don't regret anything. But, you know, I wanted something different. We were combative, you know. But were you either one of you thinking of divorce before you met each other? Were you going to sit it out? Oh, you both were in that mindset. Yes. Oh, absolutely.

Did you talk about it with your exes? I mean, I was definitely in therapy, couples therapy. We were in therapy. We had issues. I did not, you know, I was married 20 years. It's a long time. Yeah, because I was a young girl. That's a long time.

I'm learning all this stuff. I thought I knew it all. Yeah, I was a young. I mean, I was with him. 20 years maybe I was married 18 of the 20 you know it is but we're together I was 24 I didn't move out until I was 44 right um but we I was with him a very long time and I did you know Joe's kids had gone to college um but yeah we we had known each other for years for years really yeah but we never but not as like as like sort of acquaintances was there a spark when you guys like

was there always a flirtation going on when you saw each other no never flirtation We would see each other parties. We were friends with this lovely gay couple who were decorators and interior designers. Marco and... Chris and Marco. Right. Yep.

Okay. Who, you know, broke up also. Right? Yeah. And... So you would see each other with your exes. Yes. Okay.

Yes, we'd be a party. Joe's wife would never go to the parties. My wife never went. Okay. Well, maybe once. A dinner for Marco's dad. Yeah. And then we would see each other at these events.

And Joe and I would always chitch it, you know, just nicely. But then years later, I needed work done. in my home. Yeah. And you had some work done in your home. I had some work done in my home. But all my guys used to do work for Chris. We used to do, he was like a big decorator.

So we would do entire homes. Basically rip him apart and make beautiful edifices. And so they told me, and I don't really pay attention to the names. My brain is dead. So they told me we were going to go over Margaret's. And I said, Margaret. I know Margaret. No, I said, who the hell is Margaret?

I didn't remember. And they were like, no, no, you know who she is? And I was like, no, I really don't. And we went into some house. And I'm walking around the house with my notepad and I'm just making notes. I'm like, well, we're going to do this, this, this, this, this. And then she came down the stairs and it came to me who she was, and that was that. In pig tails.

What do you comment on what I was wearing? She was wearing a wife beater and no bra. Boom. I was wearing my pajamas, white beard, no bra and pig tails. I can't. Big tails. Let me just tell you, for all our listeners, that's not that unusual. Margaret, I've seen Margaret, we've all seen Margaret.

To know her is to know what she looks like naked. She's a very free spirit. Yes, and I came down to my pajon bottoms, like, and a little rib tank top. And no brab. And if you know what that is, you guys, it's a very thin material. Yes, it is. So that was it. Well, my God.

I was just about hooked right on the spot. Oh, no. Yeah. Yeah. But it wasn't like all of a sudden, oh, my God. You know, we developed a friendship. We were both in bad marriages. Yeah, you know, it's not like all of a sudden I'm like sleeping with Joe.

It's not, that's not the way it happened. It was months and months later. Took a long time. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly and now I'm seriously suspicious. Well, wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the okay story time podcast. So we'll find out soon.

This person writes, my boyfriend has been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't. don't trust her. Now he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Now hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate. Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor and they're the same age. It's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet. So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his professor or not? To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hello, it's Daniel Official. Writer Strong. And Wilfredel from PodMeets World. And we're bringing you Viva Las Content.

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I don't write songs. God write songs. I take dictation. I didn't even know you've been a pastor for over 10 years. I think culture is any space that you live in that develops you. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us podcast, I sat down with Warren Campbell, Grammy-winning producer, pastor, and music executive to talk about the beats, the business, and the legacy behind some of the biggest names in gospel. R&B, and hip-hop. This is like watching Michael Jackson talk about Thurley before it happened.

Was there a particular moment where you realize just how instrumental music culture was to shaping all of our global ecosystem? I was eight years old, and the Motown 25 special came on. And all the great Motown artists, Marvin, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Diana Raw. From Mary Mary to Jennifer Hudson, we get into the soul of the music and the purpose that drives it. Listen to Culture Raises us on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What would you do if one bad decision forced you to choose between a maximum security prison or the most brutal boot camp designed to be hell on earth? Unfortunately for Mark Lombardo, this was the choice he faced.

He said, you are a number, a New York State number, and we own you. Shock incarceration, also known as boot camps, are short-term, highly regimented correctional programs. that mimic military basic training. These programs aim to provide a shock of prison life, emphasizing strict discipline, physical training, hard labor, and rehabilitation programs. Mark had one chance to complete this program and had no idea of the hell awaiting him the next six months. The first night was so overwhelming, and you don't know who's next to you.

And we didn't know what to expect in the morning. Nobody tells you anything. Listen to shock incarceration on the IHeart Radio, App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I remember you told me a story that I actually thought was very romantic where you guys were in the city walking across the street. Yes, coming from pestis. Okay, so tell that story.

I love that story. It is. It's a great story. It's complicated, obviously, because at that point, you guys were both married. We were. But it tells the story of what was between you. And it was, and, you know, I didn't think it was going to have a weird, went to discuss work, I used to put up these displays for business. She brought these plans that were like multiple pages.

And I really, normally for work, I look at it. I got the gist. I know what we're going to do. Now we don't have to talk about it anymore. But I'm looking at these plans. No, no. Why don't you say how nervous you were? Wait, why don't you say you sat at the bar at Nune at Pestys, you order a cocktail?

I probably did. See, he's remembering, like, the actual business of it. You're remembering, like, the fact that his heart was a flutter. No, Joe told me. I thought it was odd. I went to me in Pestis at noon and you ordered a cocktail. I was like, wow, that's so weird. He's wearing your cocktail at noon.

Well, anyway. I kept the shirt. I still had this shirt I wore that day. It was a little Western shirt with little flowers and I was very strange. But did you know at that point were you like, this is, I'm getting. No, but I wanted to look cute. And I remember I had platform high heels and bell bottom jeans. Shocker.

I don't remember what I wore. But you were having the cocktail. Did you were a little, or was it just Margaret bringing pages and pages of plans? No, no. Probably because I was meeting March. but I had had World War 450 that morning. Got it. I was so angered.

I can't even tell you. And I see Marge and, you know, of course, I feel better because she's Marge. Right. And Marge is, we're talking and she knows me real well by then and she says, what's the matter? And I was like, blah, blah, blah, blah, and I'd tell her what happened. And then Marge in turn tells me that she had fight number 300 that morning. Right. Right.

And both of us were like, you know, like, it's almost as if the angst comes out of you now, you know? Yeah. And then we settled down and we probably didn't talk about the work anymore, right? And then what happened we walked across the street? Oh, that was freaking wild. So, you know, one of those once in a lifetime events. So it was, I remember it was raining out and she had some sort of kerchief or whatever you call it? I don't know what that all was.

You got a curtship. Anyway. Intage baby Joe. Yes. She put the... Thanks, Grandma. Go ahead. Anyway, she put it over both our heads, which I was like, I'm usually with a guy who I can stand in the middle of a pouring rain, and I don't know, I don't care.

And she puts her over our heads, and we're walking, and she has her normal six or ten-inch high heels on. Right. And she stumbled. And so I have fast reaction. I caught her, right? And I pulled her into me, so she wouldn't. fall. And that was it. I was hit like an electric shock from

my head to my toes and I was like, holy shit, what was going on here? Like the instant bang. I just got like, I actually just got chills. So did I. That's so. Just many years later. It's like the most beautiful, perfect love story, except that you were both married.

Yes. But like if it wasn't, but there is that. Like you can't. It really didn't matter that we remember. Yes, I know you can't take away that that was what was going on. No, it was. And I knew, like, And I felt it too. I was like, oh, I'm in trouble. Like, what is going on here?

This is crazy. Yeah. This is terrible. Like, I don't know what to do here. Yeah. And then, you know. And it wasn't like, oh, my God, I have to have sex with this girl immediately. It was like instant attraction.

It was not sex. That's a, that's, I love that because I was about to actually say to you like, you know, I think a lot of people feel the spark. They're married. They connect. There's something that happened. different than this. I feel like this was like

we're in trouble. Yeah, it wasn't a sexual thing. I mean, obviously, I wanted to have sex with him, but I'm saying it wasn't that. It was like, I'm crazy for this guy. And now, you know, people step out on their marriage. They want to have sex with someone.

It happens. They could recover from that and everything else. This was something that I couldn't recover from. Right. I get that. This was something that went too far. Oh, you wanted to recover.

No, no, no. But you know what I'm saying. Because at that point, it would have been Easier probably to recover, but there was no recovery. There was no recovering. I get it. You know, and I knew that. And, you know, months went on and, you know, we got together.

Did you guys at the beginning of it, were you saying to each other, this has to happen? Like, we can't. Was it really quickly with that you were like, we got to leave and we got to start over? Or does that take some time? No, not right away. Because we were both hesitant because both of us were really somewhat family-oriented. Right. Yeah.

We were both like into our family and I was like, what am I going to do? My older kids were out. Right. My son was still home. Right. You know, I was like, you know, my family dinner's on Sunday night and I was like, but I was like, I can't let my son see me unhappily married. That's not healthy for him. And I can't be without Joe.

And this is no way. And I can't live like this. And, you know, and I think you obviously felt the same way. Sure. Before you told your spouses or had that discussion, which I want to talk about, but did you confide in friends? Was there anyone? Yes. And how did your friends react?

Well, my one friend. totally um did something horrible my best friend in the world who i wrote about in my book uh the betrayal was unbearable what did she do um this is terrible you know because it was gonna unravel her life um this is terrible um you don't know this got you know just horrible so i was like listen this is all my my other friends understood because they knew i was in a tomorrow you know my marriage wasn't perfect they knew my the rest of my life was and they they were like it's a big decision and they understood um my other friend was horrible.

Horrible. Well, what can we tell, like, just listeners, because I have to tell you, when Jeff and I separated and we had come from infidelity and all of it, but like my friends were always supportive. Well, thank God. Let's do what is going to make you happy, Jen. I think people should not be judgmental. Yes.

Because no one, your life, no one knows what's going to happen. And I think to turn on your best friends, I mean, this is someone who I was the maid of honor in her wedding. And I needed her the most. And to turn on me, she, and I just want to say this, I was so heartbroken, her husband had said to me, you're driving, I'm watching you drive a runaway train, you're going to wind up alone, you're going to have nobody, you're going to be alone with your mother and your son on a holiday, like really sick, sick, disgusting things. And it was bad. And I was like, you know, it's not like I was in a perfect, I was marriage. And everybody knew that.

They knew I had a great life and a beautiful thing. But I was like, Jan deserved to be happy as well. He deserved to be at someone who was manly and on a great team. We were in therapy. You know, he obviously was not as happy with me either. He wanted some. As much as he loved me, he wanted me to be different. I was spontaneous.

I'm crazy. You know what I mean? Yes, I know what you mean. You know, Joe is a spontaneous person. He could accept my spontaneity. He could accept my risk-taking, live life on the edge. Jan was risk-adverse. He was happy with a risk-adverse life.

I totally get that. Like, I have that, Jeff, I think one of the reasons why we work is because he looks at me like Joe looks at you like. Yes. Well, I don't know what the fuck I stepped into here. But he's, yes. But it is. But it is entertaining. Yes, he's the man behind the woman.

He loves you and no matter, you know. He likes the craziness. Yes. You know, yeah. As much as Jan family attracted, he could not tolerate it. I mean, he was going to blow his brains out being with me. That's so interesting. So it just, so my one friend really, one of my, really turned on me, right, Joe?

Yeah, she did. That's really, I have to say, like, no, and got involved with my children. That's sick. And caused a lot of family tumult. Well, you know, something, I will say that when Jeff and I got back together, I did have a couple friends. They didn't say it. They said it to be supportive, but they said, Jen, have you really given yourself a chance? Like, you're getting back together already just because it didn't work out with this boyfriend.

How do you know that there's not? But I knew, like that's why maybe you just have to trust yourself. Like you want to talk to your friends and be able to get the input. But I think, at least for me, I think for you too, like I knew that I wanted to be with Jeff. Like this was done. No, exactly. And I wanted to be. Listen, you were leaving your boyfriend to go be with Jeff.

Right. Which I thought was so fabulous. But also, but like there's, whatever your friends are at the end of the day, and I think it's hard, but especially in a scenario like this when you're on your second time around or there's infidel. Like you have to trust yourself no matter. Yes. And ditch any fucking friends that talks to you like that. And I get a lot of flag. People like, you cheat, you shoot.

That's the way. No, it wasn't about that. It was about I knew I didn't want a life of being unfaithful or being something like that or being unhappy. I want to be with someone who was a partner who, you know, was just as crazy for me as I was for them who accepted me for, you know, my flaws and all. And that we were a team. Yeah. And I, you know, and as much as Jay and I were a team for the family, we weren't a team for each other. Yeah, yeah.

And I wasn't, you know, I wasn't on his page either. You know, I didn't agree with a lot of things. You know, as much as he didn't agree with me. So, and Joe and I were a team. I love that. Well, Joe, I mean, guys don't always have the friendships that, that we do. But did you have friends supporting you? How is that?

I have, I have a lot of acquaintances, and I have maybe on a handful of really true. friends and they stood by you and they're true friends like no matter what I would want to do they would want to pour you they'll go and they backed me good and some of them told me I was you know like I was an idiot but you know whatever you want to do that's what we're going to do no okay one friend told him that he was an idiot no we in front to the diner even funnier no he goes like this he's like Joe that girl's high maintenance written all over her but is that like and And he goes, he goes, is that what you want? He goes, she's more than high maintenance to, I was livid.

She was livid. I was livid. I go, that's the first thing he says about me. Do we talk to him anymore? Yes. Oh, good. Okay. Actually, you know, I don't think it's a big deal.

You know what I mean? Plus, I mean, if they're real friends, they are looking out for you, but like the friend that you described Margaret is not a friend. Is that like, what's that supposed to mean? Right. Well, it means it's, it accurately describes you. I don't even think it's an insult. It is what it is.

It's like, so what does that mean? Is that supposed to be a turnoff, high maintenance? Clearly not. Who I want somebody who's maintained? Well, that's not exactly what it means. What does it mean? Oh, expensive. I knew that that's what we were getting.

Guess what? Yeah, I am expensive. And I work a lot and I do very well. I always had a business and everything else, yes. Well, guess what? I was expensive and I didn't work a lot or do very well. So you got lucky, Joey. Yes, exactly.

Thank you. And there's nothing wrong with that. Well, okay. Just regulate the economy. Listen, this is a hard one. We're going to just talk about it. It's okay. Quickly, because I've had a hard time answering these questions, and I wasn't divorced.

I was just separated, but the kids. How did you tell the kids? That was the worst day in my life. I know. I remember my own day when we told them that we were separating. But anything that you want to tell us about, you know, for people that are either going into part two or dealing with this kid's thing, any advice or any. Yours wasn't as rough for something. You got off the hook so easy.

Really? It was very difficult. Your kids were a little older. My kids were probably 18 and 20. It's a hard age. No, and then, okay, that's very hard. But they were both starting their lives doing things. Okay.

My son. You were closer with your kids, I feel like, than your ex-wife was. Did you guys tell the kids about each other or just that you were going to get separated or divorced? my kids knew my kids knew that um not that i was with margaret that i but like i was friends with margaret they knew that and then at some point what are you making face for me so then we moved right into a beach house but that's a whole old story yeah maybe they're not they figured it out they figured it out quickly yes yes and no and and then at some point my ex-wife did burst into the room where the kids were with me and she's screaming about life in general.

And the kids are looking at her, looking at me. And, you know, they're basically looking at me for, like, what's up with her. Right. You know, because she was so off the charts. They knew they weren't happy. Oh, yeah. My kids knew we weren't happy. And to be honest, we would do with my wife wasn't happy with the three of us.

Right. Okay. I mean, yeah. Okay. So your kid's situation wasn't as, I think his situation, they were living, I mean, you were living separate lives even before I got in the picture. Oh, by far. Okay, so it wasn't a shock to the kids.

Mine was a disaster, okay? It was heartbreaking. It separated my family. You know what it was? I had a beautiful family life, even though they knew I phogeant. So mine was the worst day in my life. I could start crying now, just thinking about it. Yeah.

It was horrible. My older kids were older. My son was only 15. He was going away to a summer program. And they had no idea? They knew things weren't good, but they really... were like they couldn't believe it they were just so devastated and they were i mean i'm saying like late 20s early 30s they were my stepkids and they had a freak out and my son was like 15

very very upset very upset so joe and i went i said you know we're separating we're probably getting divorced um i went to live with joe for that summer maniloken in a beach house jan didn't handle it either when he he handled it terribly he handled it absolutely terribly and really, you know, didn't want to take any responsibility on his part. It wasn't about Joe. You know, Joe was, eventually we were going to get divorced anyway. I think Joe was like a catalyst. Yep. I think it, he moved along quicker. And we were meant to, clearly meant to be together. This is so many years later. And then, you know, two of my kids didn't speak to me for a very long time. Right. Right. Right. We're very devastated. But they had trauma from their own life because, you know,

their mother wasn't in their life and had left them. And I think it was like a form of abandonment, even though I wasn't leaving my kids that, you know, they were grown adults. Of course. My son, who was 15 at the time, believe it or not, understood more.

Really? Because he had lived with us all the time. And then... Oh, God. I just... It was the hardest day of my life just saying that we were separated. The worst day in my life.

It was so brutal. It's brutal. I mean, I was sick. Remember, I was crying on the beach all the time. Fourth of July, I'd always be with my family in the Hamptons, but I was a Manilokin. I was sick.

I was throwing up. Oh, God. You know, it was a very hard time, but I knew I could not sacrifice my life. If I wasn't good for me, I couldn't be good for the rest of my kids or my family. You know what I mean? Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I mean, when we told our kids, I was, I couldn't just, we couldn't just keep going. It would just that, they say, I've heard people say that, like, you get divorced when you're at the point where the money doesn't matter.

It's not that the kids, obviously the kids. kids matter. Yes. But living like that is the only thing, you can't live like that another day. Yeah. I mean, yeah. The money definitely does not matter for me. I walked out of that door and I gave up my house. I gave up, I wound up paying alimony. You're still paying alimony. Yep. How many more checks you have left? Not many. I know. So right the exact number. No, let me tell you. No, he knows the exact number. He writes the number on the bottom of everyone. Oh, just to give her a little. I live for that. Well, she doesn't get it. It goes to the state. But you know what? I live for that level of. I live for that level of. petty. That's Joe's pettier than I am.

Come on now. All right, Joe, Joe, who's pettier? You or me? Oh, I can hold a grudge till the end of freaking time and hate you forever. I'm not like that.

Okay, so all you listeners who are Housewives fans, that is not at all what you would think. He, Joe Bineer, you come off as your sugar on the show. No, he is.

He's very sweet, but he can be very, you know, he's like, you know, he's been paying alimony a long time at this point. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Oh, wait a minute, Sam.

Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend has been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now, he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate.

Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend. boyfriend's former professor and they're the same age. And it's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet. So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his professor or not? To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Hello, it's Daniel Fischel, writer Strong, and Wilfredel from PodMeets World. And we're bringing you Viva Las Content. That's right. We are back in Las Vegas, the city of sin, and giving the people what they want. A full week of Y2K content. Wait, we're back in Vegas? Tell me why. Well, for the Backstreet Boys residency at Sphere, of course.

We sat down with Kevin Richardson and A.J. McLean just minutes before they took the stage, and our very own Wilfredel basically became the newest member of the band. Boy band, please. Plus, the man who has the longest running comedy show on the strip joins us and gets his props. It's carrot top, baby. And finally, we all L-O-V-E-Hur, Ashley Simpson-Ross, joins us to talk about her upcoming sold-out Vegas residency. It's a full week of nostalgic interviews you don't want to miss. Listen to PodMeets World on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

December 29th. 1975, LaGuardia Airport. The holiday rush, parents hauling luggage, kids gripping their new Christmas toys. Then, at 6.33 p.m., everything changed. There's been a bombing at the TWA terminal. Apparently, the explosion actually impelled metal, glass. The injured were being loaded into ambulances, just a chaotic, chaotic scene. In its wake, a new kind of enemy emerged, and it was here to stay.

Terrorism. Law and Order Criminal Justice System is back. In season two, we're turning our focus to a threat that hides in plain sight. That's harder to predict and even harder to stop. Listen to the new season of Law and Order Criminal Justice System on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I don't write songs. God write songs.

I take dictation. I didn't even know you've been a pastor for over 10 years. I think culture is any space that you live in that develops you. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us podcast, I sat down with Warren Campbell, Grammy-winning producer, pastor, and music executive to talk about the beats, the business, and the legacy behind some of the biggest names in gospel, R&B, and hip-hop.

This is like watching Michael Jackson talk about thoroughly before it happened. Was there a particular moment? where you realize just how instrumental music culture was to shaping all of our global ecosystem. I was eight years old, and the Motown 25 special came on. And all the great Motown artists, Marvin, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Diana Raw. From Mary Mary to Jennifer Hudson,

we get into the soul of the music and the purpose that drives it. Listen to Culture raises us on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What would you do if one bad decision forced you to choose between a maximum security prison or the most brutal boot camp designed to be hell on earth. Unfortunately for Mark Lombardo, this was the choice he faced. He said, you are a number, a New York State number, and we own you.

Shock incarceration, also known as boot camps, are short-term, highly regimented correctional programs that mimic military basic training. These programs aim to provide a shock of prison life, emphasizing strict discipline, physical training, hard labor, and rehabilitation programs. Mark had one chance to complete this program and had no idea of the hell awaiting him the next six months. The first night was so overwhelming, and you don't know who's next to you. And we didn't know what to expect in the morning.

Nobody tells you anything. Listen to shock incarceration on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Listen, you are divorced, and it sounds like, well, if Margaret is friends with your ex, you have to be at least friendly with her now. No. Oh, well, I was hopeful. No, not real. I don't, I rarely text anything with her. Okay.

And I don't get involved with stuff unless my kids call me and say, oh, my God, this is happening. And my daughter recently called me up and said, I have. I had to go do something about it. I had a beautiful relationship with my ex-husband. I know you did. And he passed away. But, you know, and he took it much worse with the divorce because Joe's wife actually wanted the divorce.

She wanted a divorce. Wow. Would you guys have any advice to give in terms of, there's really nothing? I don't know if there is any advice that you can give for people telling their kids. I don't know if I would have any. I think you have to be, don't give any dirty details. I don't think anybody should discuss infidelities. I don't think anybody needs to know that.

You don't have to be brutally honest. But I think just honest enough that we love each other, it's just not working out. It has nothing to do with you. You know, you say that to the kids, right? Yes. I wish I had a parent who had, I went through as a kid a lot of divorce. My parents were both divorced multiple times. But I remember one of them.

And a stepfather saying to me and to my sister, she's cheating. No, it's terrible. It is right. I would just say like, you know, when Jeff and I separated. No blaming. There was no blaming. There was only propping each other up. I mean, that's what I would suggest.

That's what it is. And I think that's the most important thing, though, that doesn't happen. No, it does not. I heard through the grapevine that all these accusations on my part, which were all false. I was, I heard through a grapevine that I had cheated from the day we were married. You never. You weren't like a goody tissue. Who said that? Did your kids think that?

No, my kids know me. Okay. But that's what, was your ex spreading that around? Sure, that's the story I got back. Wow. See, that's what upset me because there's one thing, listen, I could be a lot of things, but I was very, very devoted to my kids and my family. They were my entire life.

I was devoted to my in-laws, everything else. I was also a very doting wife. Granted, I did cheat on my house. I did. It's a fact. I did. But. So did.

by the way. I mean, not first. You know, and that doesn't mean, you know, there's worse things you could do. It doesn't erase. It doesn't erase all the good things. And years of devotion and everything else. So I felt, you know, very upset that, you know, my ex-husband, Jan, you know, did not handle it really correctly.

Yeah. Because he kind of, you know, made himself out like he was very much a victim. A victim. And I was like, you got, you got a. dial it back you know i go come on but to the world and to everyone else he's like it looks like you went on to this beautiful life um you know your business was doing great you moved to this great house um then you got on tv you know and and to the world look like uh margaret had everything and poor and poor jan and nothing well that's not true right you know what i'm saying yeah jan you know

Jan got my whole house Jan got out, you know, but everybody was like poor, you know, in the public eye or whatever it was, or in everybody else's eye was like poor jam. But Jan didn't have to work. I relate to everybody did that. Even though Jeff had an affair

when I ended up leaving and everyone was like poor Jeff, which is so interesting, even including my mother. Yes, exactly. So, yeah, which is upsetting. It's strange. It's like, you know, my other friends, but I think the kids You know, we're like they saw their father sad and they felt bad, you know.

Right. No, but I felt bad. Listen, I even felt bad for Jan. I think I had some weird guilt for years myself. I was just like, because he would call me. I mean, he didn't know how to use the printer. Legit, he'd come to our house and Lexi and I would do the print, right? Yeah.

But then he met a beautiful woman who was, it's very bizarre. It was, who was it, Joe? My wife's best friend. What? Yeah, and they started dating. Wait, what? Yeah. I thought I knew you.

What are you talking about? He's making this shit up. No, no, no. Jan's girlfriend, when he passed away, had been dating Joe's ex-wife's best friend for three years. Wow. And I know they were crazy about each other. You told me that-crazy.

And they met each other on a dating site. And the funny thing is the first time I met her, I was like, what are you doing here? Oh, my God. Because I had known her for 20-some-odd years. And then you saw her through Jan? Yeah. That is the weirdest thing.

Isn't that the weirdest thing? Well, she knew because she knew about because they went on a date. And then, of course, Jan was like, my ex-wife, she's on housewives, you know, say so like that. And she was like, and he goes, you know, she left me for the guy. You know, he gave this story. You know, she was dating the contract. And she goes, is your ex-wife married to Joe Benigno? And then she said it to him.

How did your ex take that? Is that the end of their friendship? I don't think they liked it. I don't know. No, she didn't like it. No, probably not. She told me she didn't like it. It kind of, they weren't as close.

They weren't really friends after that. Really? I mean, it's so funny. Like, it's just so much, there's so much heartache, but to get to where you are now. I mean, I think about that so often, like, with part two. I think about sometimes, and you guys tell me what you think, but my grandparents were so miserable at the end of their lives. Like, I guess that back in the day, you know, the woman was responsible for the kids, the house. you had to come in and my nan was saying to me

there always had to be a meat and a vegetable and a starch and whatever and but there was so much resentment built up that at the end of their lives they just couldn't stand each other and I think to myself like while divorce I don't recommend it and I'm sure neither one of you

it's not a party but now you're at the point in your lives you're older and you are enjoying your life with this person that you love and all of the heartache I'm happy to say here you are I mean I'm sure there are people that regret it But I think that some people make it through and they love each other till the end of the time on first marriages, you know, like they meet, you hear people, they meet in high school and they get married, have a bunch of kids and life is good. And for a lot of other people, and I think the majority of Americans, it's much better the second time around.

Yeah, no, I mean, honestly, I'm on my second, whatever, sort of, but like. Yeah, no, whatever, you know, it's. But whatever it is, like now, especially as I get older, I can't imagine being in an unhappy marriage at our ages, you know, that would suck. No, I just, A, I don't suffer well. That's my life. Right? Like the White Lotus. Yes.

Women. Yes. I can't be uncomfortable. I died. I was like, I could not be. Right. Me too. I'm too old to be uncomfortable.

I would have to kill myself if I wasn't rich. No, that was a classic line. Yeah. But I also do feel it. And I think sometimes I'm feeling emotional lately because I'm just like looking back on my life and everything we did to get here and, you know, everything I've been through.

Right. You know, and I had, you know, I reminisce. I had a beautiful life the first time. But I, you know, and that was the time I raised my kids and everything else. But the part two of my life, you know, is about, you know, my kids are up and out. It's about you.

It's about me and my husband and, you know, and my dog. Especially the dog. And their dog got, well, let's put them the correct order. It's about you, your dog, Lexi, and Joe. Yeah, yeah, yes. No, and it's just like... And throw her mother in before me. Oh, excuse me, Martin Sr. No, sorry about that. No, but I'm just saying, we do have a beautiful life together. And a tan girl, throw her into. The tanny girl. Yeah, I have to make sure I give a spray chat. I need her number, by the way, but okay, go on. So, yeah, no, I totally get that. And so I think a lot of times, I do get emotional. Sometimes I'm sitting on

the sofa, watch that and I start crying because I'm just like, oh my God, I do feel like it is the second chapter, but I feel like we're in, like, the last leg. Yeah, we are. I mean, I'm putting myself in there. We are. Right? And I have a lot of gratitude now. I do, too.

At our age. It's just like, look at you. You just, you know, you just got your beaches. It's just like, it's just to have, be in a happy marriage because so many people are not. No, exactly. Like I call, how many times a day do we talk on the phone? Quite a few. Endless.

Your best friends. Yeah. I call Joe constantly, you know, we shower together and that's not code for sex. No. Sort of is. Unfortunately. No, it's not. No, no, no, no, no.

We don't, we don't have sex in the show. We're just, like, even though we built two showerheads, he insists on just, like, going under my shower head. Well, it's our showerhead. Yes, I'm like going on your side. Okay, so, having said that, because that's, like, still honeymoon phase, I was going to ask you guys, like, now you move in to the beach house and you're actually together. Was there ever any, like, wait, whoa, whoa, shit.

What have we done? Was there ever any? Nope. Never. Not of that. Not a day, not a day. You just, you knew that that's what had, it was, this was meant to be. It meant to be.

I was obsessed with him from the beginning. I love that. I love that. Yeah. Why, you're saying you're obsessed with me from the beginning. I am obsessed with you. I'm like, I'm obsessed with you. I'm still obsessed.

He is. That's actually a fact. So tell me now a little bit about your feelings on, and this is sort of making a sharp right or a sharp left. But let's talk prenups for a moment because I just had Dolores and Paul on and we spoke a little bit about them. I spoke a little bit about my idea. I feel like now I think prenups are fabulous invention. but everyone feels differently about them. How do you guys feel about them?

I don't see a need for it. No, I see a need for pre-ups with certain people. I think people need a pre-nup. I don't need a pre-nup. Joe and I didn't do a pre-nup, but I do agree with pre-ups. We did, listen, we were very specific with our estate planning, though. Yeah. I think the estate planning is super, super important.

Right? Yeah. Which is, when you say estate planning, you're saying that at, right, when you croak. Right. when you croak and but but but and that you have you know that no matter what this is what we're very big the way we did it is we're very big with separating the life insurance is who's getting what we did that kind of planning yeah i mean i think that's so smart for a second time because kids yeah because listen we own separate things joe owns apartments this we set everybody up the right

way we planned it that way i have so many friends who also they they've lost a parent and then there's a step-parent involved, and that just becomes a total nightmare. No, we have everything in writing who's getting what's happening. So all the children are okay. So nobody's fighting over it. No one's fighting over everything. The dog gets everything. Yeah, exactly.

All, everything goes to EdieB gets everything. No, so we, you know, we arranged things that way. Yeah, yeah. Tell us. But I do believe in a pre-nup. I mean, obviously certain people should have gotten, you know. But we got together. I mean, I was super, you know, though I've had taken some hits.

I mean, I had a very big thing when we got to. We were both equally as successful when we got together. You own a lot of real estate. I had a big business, you know. Yeah. But we were like. Well, if I had to do it again, if I was doing it again, there would be prenups. Yeah, there was a third time.

I'm not saying because I'm such a millionaire even, but I just think things get so messy. And I'm. They do. They do. And I agree with, I definitely agree with the pre-nup, but we did more post-nupy kind of almost, right? we didn't do any pre and then we just figured on well the kids got to be taken care of yeah and we made sure of that we have everything in writing for the kids yeah i love that my boyfriend's professor is way too friendly and now i'm seriously suspicious

oh wait a minute sam maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit well dakota it's back to school week on the okay story time podcast so we'll find out soon this person writes My boyfriend has been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now, he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone. Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate.

Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor, and they're the same age. And it's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet. So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his person? professor or not. To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hello, it's Daniel Official.

Rider Strong. And Wilfredel from PodMeets World. And we're bringing you Viva Las Content. That's right. We are back in Las Vegas, the city of sin, and giving the people what they want. A full week of Y2K content. Wait, we're back in Vegas? Tell me why. Well, for the Backstreet Boys residency at Sphere, of course. We sat down with Kevin Richardson and A.J. McLean just minutes before they took the stage, and our very own Wilfredel basically became the newest member of the band. Boy band, please. Plus, the man who has the longest running comedy show on the strip joins us and gets his

props. It's carrot top, baby. And finally, we all L-O-V-E-Hur, Ashley Simpson-Ross, joins us to talk about her upcoming sold-out Vegas residency. It's a full week of nostalgic interviews you don't want to miss. Listen to PodMeets World on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. December 29th, 1975, LaGuardia Airport. The holiday rush, parents hauling luggage, kids gripping their new Christmas toys.

Then, at 6.33 p.m., everything changed. There's been a bombing at the TWA terminal. Apparently, the explosion actually impelled metal, glass. The injured were being loaded into ambulances, just a chaotic, chaotic scene. In its wake, a new kind of enemy emerged, and it was here to stay. Terrorism. Law and order, criminal justice system is back. In season two, we're turning our focus to a threat that hides in plain sight.

that's harder to predict and even harder to stop. Listen to the new season of Law and Order Criminal Justice System on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I don't write songs. God write songs. I take dictation. I didn't even know you've been a pastor for over 10 years. I think culture is any space that you live in that develops you. On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us podcast, I sat down with

Warren Campbell, Grammy-winning producer, pastor, and music executive to talk about the beats, the business, and the legacy behind some of the biggest names in gospel, R&B, and hip-hop. This is like watching Michael Jackson talk about thoroughly before it happened. Was there a particular moment where you realize just how instrumental music culture was to shaping all of our global ecosystem? I was eight years old, and the Motown 25 special came on. And all the great Motown artists, Marvin, Stevie Wonder, Tim. from mary mary to jennifer hudson we get into the soul of the music and the purpose that drives it

listen to culture raises us on the iheart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts my name is ed everyone say hello ed from a very rural background myself my dad is a farmer and my mom is a cousin so like it's not what do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club i know it sounds like the start of a bad joke but that really was my reality nine years ago I just normally do straight stand-up, but this is a bit different. On stage stood a comedian with a story that no one expected to hear. Well, 22nd of July 2015, a 23-year-old man had killed his family. And then he came to my house.

So what do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? A new podcast called Wisecrack, where stand-up comedy and murder take center stage available now listen to wisecrack on the iHeart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so just to touch on this very briefly but when jan passed away which was what two thousand twenty two years ago two uh was it three years ago it'll be three years years in August, yeah, three years. Right. And I mean, you talked about it a little bit on the show, but how Joe supported you through that.

Yes. If you want to just give us just an idea of. Well, I mean, Marge was going through extreme grief. It was her. Did that make you feel anyway? I felt empathetic towards her grief and how she felt and how her son and I didn't know the stepkids. So the other ones fell. Well, you knew how Brett fell. One Brett. And so you just support how she wants to deal with it. If she had decided to deal with it by not dealing with it,

I would have supported that too. But we ended up having, what do you call my thing? Shiva. What do you call that thing? Well, it's not a funeral. So we had the shiva. The non-Jew. At your house. Yeah, at my house. So, and I was fine, just like have everybody over. No, you were so supportive. Well, I had known Jan for years. And you were friendly with him. Yeah, it was friendly.

I mean, we weren't best buddies. We weren't going out camping together. Right, right. You know, we went out to dinner a few times and he was fine. And his girlfriend, I knew forever. Right. It was just, you know, it was shocking because he was the picture of health. So I think it was such shocking.

I think I ran five miles a day. I remember that. Yeah, and he was so healthy. And you know what? Joe was so supportive of that. And that just shows what a great, confident, secure man. He is in our relationship because, I mean, I was a mess. And you were more worried about that.

If you guys did watch the show, Margaret talked a lot about feeling guilty that she was so sad and devastated. You know why I was so devastated. I knew Jans since I'm 24 years old. Right. That's the first thing. To watch my kids so devastating. Father of my children. I mean, I grew up with them.

He was like, by the time we were divorced, it was like having a crazy uncle. You know. Yeah. He was the witness to my life. before I knew Joe. You know what I mean? And it's like I knew him longer than anybody. So poor Joe, you know, had to deal with the hysteria.

I mean, we have a picture of Jan hanging in my living room when Jan from the 1970s. I could start crying about that now. It's so, you know, it's a weird thing to have that because Joe didn't, and I'm not insulting your relationship. Jan and I had a different kind of relationship than him and his ex-wife. Jan and I had a history of, because he was so much older than me, you know, what we had gone through. And I think Joe and his ex-wife didn't have that kind of relationship. And his kids don't have that relationship with his ex-wife. You're, you know, where my kids are obsessed with me, but they were equally as obsessed with Jan.

Don't you agree? Yeah. Yes. Yes. No, I was at that Shiva and not a happy time. and your kids were so devastated. No, and to this day, I mean, you know, we are so devastated. That was the one thing.

We were both, that was the only thing Jan and I agreed on was the kids. We were both obsessed neurotic wrecks. You know, just not a neurotic wreck. Right. Jan and I were neurotic wreck. I mean, maybe that's something to be said for that because I'm a neurotic wreck and Jeff Eshler's not. He's not. Jeff is actually just like I am.

He is. Yeah, so I know. That's a good comment. You need someone who's steady. You can have been married. Opposites attract. Yes, they do. They do.

It can't be too neurotic wrecks. No. No, because then that would be a disaster. Yes, and I think that's probably what it was. But it's just so interesting to note, because I know that you were so worried about Joe during that time, and Joe was fine and worried about you. Yeah, no, he was so good. And, you know, I mean, like, you know, and that was the one thing I think he probably felt bad because he couldn't make it better. No one can make that better, you know.

But I feel like, you know, I'm very good also, and I think you're good this way. Like, you know, in times grief, we make a lot of jokes. Yeah. You know, which does help you get through. Of course. you get through things. I mean, when I went to the cemetery and I should not make a joke about this and my kids will kill me. But it's the only thing that gets me through. I went with my son and oh, you know, the headstone, I was not happy with the headstone. That's so you. I'm not happy with

the headstone, right? You're not kidding. Uh-huh. Well, I mean, it said, besides, it just was, first they, before they even got the headstone, they spelled his name wrong. And they got, the date wrong that he died. I was having a freak out. Of course. Is that a problem? Of course you are. I was like, I would actually say that. This is like a Larry David episode. Then we go and it's, you know, it's not the proper unveiling. And, you know, my son and I go, it's the day he died. I'm crying. It's sweating. It's August. It's this. It's that. I'm going. We're putting the rocks. You know, with the Jewish religion. You know, and poor Joe's waiting for we're going to go to lunch afterwards or whatever. And we go and we get there. My son doesn't want me know what the

headstone says. And I have nothing to do with that. Because I'm the. ex-wife. So I should have nothing to say. You don't know from that. Let's get real. Margaret doesn't, no, no, no. There's no, I mean, come on. Nothing, nothing gets done without Margaret's approval. Stop. But I, but they're not going to tell me what the headstone says. And everyone likes steps out of it. It says, beloved, um, you know, son, father, brother, life partner. Would you have wanted to say husband? It could have said love of my life. It could have said, if she wanted that, you know, the girlfriend. It could have said anything.

Life partner. Who approved this nonsense? I was like... You don't think that was a little bit of transference there, like getting so upset about that when there was actually... You're at the funeral of this... No, it wasn't the funeral. It was last year.

Oh, it was the unveiling? It was like the... It was right before the unveiling. Oh, okay. Got it. It was like life partner. Yeah. Who puts that on a tombstone? And you made a scene?

I was only myself and my son. Okay, good. It wasn't really the official unveil. I mean, then I started laughing. Then I was like, all right, he, all right. Listen, here's the thing, though, you're still worried about him in death. No, no, no. You want it to be right.

I wanted it to be right. I said, like, I go, this is unacceptable. I go, this is. And, did it change? Any, any, no, it did not change yet. Well, we'll know who he is. If we go to the cemetery, we'll be able to find it. No, I've complained to my other children.

I was like, who said this is okay? It should be changed. Love my life. I go, it doesn't have to say husband because clearly, even though he was the husband of two women. You know, it was just, you know, for the girlfriend. Could say love my love. Right. Could have said him alone.

Life partner doesn't make any sense. There's so many times where I'm like, that's so Margaret. This is just so Margaret. Like it's not even your problem. It was the girlfriend's problem. So I just said, what are you going to do when I die? Stuff me. Yeah, I'm going to put it next to my bear.

You'll put it next to the bear on the hallway. Oh, that's romantic. Just change my outfits. I love that. Make sure I'm wearing my good hair pieces. Obviously, obviously. We'll have Julius do it. So, okay, you guys, a couple more things first.

Because, again, whoever is out there listening to it's a band of the show knows that that Joe was diagnosed with prostate cancer last season. Thankfully, thankfully, thankfully, it was such early stages that nothing had to be done. But where are we at now? Let our view. They just, they, the doctors monitor me. They want to take tests constantly, you know, but nothing's, nothing's changed. Okay, good.

Yes, thank God. It has not advanced. It's still stage one. And, you know, they said because Joe got it, you know, later in life, and they did a genomic test that his is very slow growing. Okay. And it hasn't changed. So they're just going to keep monitoring yet. But my numbers dropped for some crazy reasons.

The TSA numbers. PSA. PSA. Yes. His TSA. His TSA, he could still get right through the airport. I could get right on that plane. You could get right on the plane with his PSA and his TSA.

Okay. Okay. Yeah, the PSA numbers dropped for some crazy-ass reason. Which was good. which was fabulous news time but he is you know but it was still there and um but we're monitoring and it goes every six months okay all right so tell me what we've left out you guys is there anything you want to tell our listeners in terms of things that you suggest advice follow your heart march is running for president no no no march should be president with everything's going on i could do

a hundred times better job there would be no tariffs see that see that people out of business that's a whole other story okay We're going to go now into what really counts you guys the most out of all of this. Housewives. What do you think of the show? Yes. What do you think about what's happening with the show? What do I think is?

I think it's ludicrous. No, Joe, you know what I think? I think, um... Wait, I'm sorry, Marge. Tell me why you think it's ludicrous. Because not for anything. I mean, the show was on in like 30 some odd countries. We had the highest ratings everywhere.

For the most part, the cast got along in Mexico. with each other most part most part well and and the people who didn't mesh really did not film with us that much so the show is i i'd say very successful and i think that the management wherever whether it was a production company or bravo themselves um did not give us enough um we didn't get enough episodes they had i think they had more than enough things go on that they could film. And we were successful. And I think it's ludicrous state for them. I think it got a little dark. I think it got a little dark. I understand. I understand. I just know and Joe saying, we were, we still had great ratings. The dead of the summer. You know that. I know Sundays. It was the dead of the summer on a

Sunday where I don't feel like watching TV myself. I think our ratings were great. But I do think it is time for a little change up. Listen, we're close. We have close friendships with the other ways on the show. I think certain things turn too dark where people can't be around each other. That's a given. Sure. Well, listen, don't you feel like now I'm watching Atlanta, obviously, yes. Last, our Sunday night, that was talk about dark.

Yes. I think a few things, you know, and I think the social media leaks. Social media leaks. Social media leaks. I think things happened. I'm kind of enjoying my, you know, break. You know, but it was a big part, you know, it was a bit, you know, you were on a little bit, you know, for a shorter time. But it was a big part of your life, even the short time.

As a friend of, yes. Because it takes over. It does take over. So it is, but I enjoyed the time with the people I love. Yeah. You, Melissa, Rachel, Dolores, you know what I'm saying? And before that, though, years that before us, you were still loving it. I still loved it, even though I, you know, some parts I couldn't stand.

You know, I love my crew. Right. I love the production. You know, I love being part of the brother of film. But, you know, nothing lasts forever. That's the other thing. Nothing lasts forever. It's a part of my life.

It's not my whole life. Do you want it? I don't know you're asked this. Because I'm asked it constantly, and I'm not, I haven't been on the show for the time that you have or had the impact. But do you want it to come back? If you do, what do you want to see? Of course, listen, I never want to see Jersey go away. I think it's just such an iconic show. I'd like to come back in a fun way. I think people want it. But if it, I would have liked it to go out on more of a high. Yeah. You know what I'm saying.

as opposed to the way it did. So I would love that. Don't you feel like, because I mean, again, like people recognize you that don't recognize me. You've been doing this for way longer. But don't you feel like everyone seems to want it so badly? Yes. Like everybody's like.

Everyone asked. Everyone. But I look at it this way also. Atlanta went away for a few years and came back. Yeah. And maybe some new alliteration. I don't think a total reboot would happen. But we'll see what happens.

Yeah. And I don't know where I'm going to be a year from now. I don't know where you're going. going to be a year from now. No one knows what's going to happen a year from now. Right. But, you know, we'll have to see what happens. That's kind of the way I feel. You know, I mean, I was on it the past two years and I want to know, like, I'm just missed the show. Like, forget me on it. Like, what now? What is going to happen? Where is Margaret? Where is. Yeah. And I think everybody's life is going to change and new things are going to happen to everybody.

And I think there'll be new stories. There's something about Jersey, right? And I'm saying it's Because of you are first and foremost. Yes. There is something about Jersey. There's authentic friendships and relationships. People say the family thing. And of course I talk about Melissa and Teresa and there is that. But I don't know.

I don't know if something's in the water in Jersey, I think, that just made the show so addicted. Well, I think people are very authentic. Yeah. I think it's very authentic relationships. Not a lot of airs maybe put on as much as they are in some of the other shows. I think it's authentic relationships. Yeah. I mean, I even said with Beverly Hills.

and I love Beverly Hills, by the way I was watching and everything else. You know, I don't know. I think sometimes people don't say things as bluntly. Maybe we're more direct. Well, when you say we, I know you mean you, not as blunt as I am. No, we, you say things direct, also. You're more direct than them. Yeah, I think I am too.

I mean, listen, it's something you have to get used to. I mean, I don't know if you ever really had that. You never really had to get acclimated. You went in with... Well, I was in business a long time. I'm working with men and this, that and the other thing. And, you know, you don't get if you don't ask. Yeah.

Or say. Well, the producer said to me before I started filming season 13, your job is to say what you think. So things that you would never say, now you say them. And that took a little getting used to for me to be able to articulate, I think you're a fucking bitch. Like that's, you know, that's not a normal thing necessarily to say to somebody who you're friends with or were friends with it. It's tricky. but you got the hang of it fast. It took me a little more time.

I like to say. I know you do. I like to say in my real life too. I know you do. But then I like to move on very quickly because I don't like to hold a grudge. Yes. Unlike my husband, it's a little grudge holder.

I'm never crossing Joe Benigno ever, ever, ever. And I have to put one more thing in it. What people don't realize is on the show they watched all of us talk, mingle, fight, get along, and now they're not filming. But the people who we were friends with on the show were still genuinely friends with and that does not stop people we we are we might argue and we make up right Jeff and I might go to someplace and we we do the same thing we watch no we never fight but we watch the girls like right have a discussion about oh yeah look at us with our nonsense

I know right and we still do have it we I do I will speak for myself so when they're watching Jersey they're really watching real life yeah it doesn't change the only difference is there's a camera or not a camera. Yeah. But it's exactly the same. Yeah, that's true. It's interesting. We go to events together.

We do fun things together. Our feelings get hurt still. So I think it's... I just recently went to something like that. I mean, listen, look just even on White Lotus, the female friendships. Right. It's very accurate. Yeah, it is actually, except I hate all three of those bitches.

So I didn't like one of them. Did you? I did. I did. I did. I did like her the best. Yes. She was certainly the most authentic.

I wanted to punch the other one in the face. The pretty one. They were all pretty. I shouldn't say that. But the one that was like the movie star. Yeah, I didn't like her. A noxious woman. I didn't like her either.

Anyway, you guys, I don't know how long we've been going. I could go on. I think this was great. Thank you. I love you guys so much. Love you. I just also want to say to listeners like, I don't know, it doesn't always work out like Margaret and Joe.

But I don't know. I think it's such a, it's so fabulous to hear a story like yours, to know that like you went through hell, especially Margaret, you were saying like with the kids and here you are and crying on your couch yes minus out of six kids well everything's great with five okay one not so good but you know what five is good these are grown adults can't want them all yeah five i'd say no but i mean you're sitting on the couch crying because you're so grateful and i and i am so grateful and joe and i are it's a long time already i mean even

we didn't get married till 2013 but it's a long time yeah yeah so listen i mean there's something to be said for all of that. I love you both so much. We love you. Thank you for coming in. We love Jeffrey. Thank you. Thank you. And thanks to all the listeners. There you go. Okay. Thank you both so much for coming on and being so open. And thank you for all the advice that you gave. It was, in my humble opinion, really great advice. So listeners, are you going through a divorce? Are you trying to navigate life after a breakup? Call us, email us, follow us on socials. All the information will be in the show notes. Make sure to rate and review the podcast, please. I do to an I-Heart podcast where falling in love is the main objective.

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