Meal Preppin' and Plannin'

Natalie and Brandi are back! After a little summer break, they’re catching you up on all the things — summer fun, art projects, writing, life changes, and the messy in-between. In true Banter and Beyond fashion, they invite you back into the chat for laughter, reflection, and an honest summer recap

The chaos continues! In Part 2 of the garage sale adventure, Natalie and Brandi are back with more laughs, fun friends who visit the sale, and a few questionable haggling decisions. Did the infamous bath mat finally sell? Did Natalie actually survive the madness? Tune in to find out what garage sale-ing together was really like. 

This week, Natalie decided to join Brandi's annual multi-family neighborhood garage sale and—spoiler alert—she immediately freaked out. While Brandi and her family were in chill, seasoned-pro prep time, Natalie was spiraling with questions like “Do you really have room for all this stuff?” and “How are you not stressed, I feel overwhelmed by what's happening over there?” So the ladies decided to break it all down in this episode: how Brandi and her crew prep, price, stay organized-ish, and keep the chaos fun. It’s a little all over the place, just like the sale itself—but what's Banter and Beyond (or a garage sale) without a little mess right?

Welcome to the group chat! In this super fun episode, Natalie and Brandi dive into all the group chats — from Instagram to Marco Polo, Messenger to text threads. Whether you thrive in a buzzing group chat or exit them every chance you get, you’re sure to relate to this one. Plus, you listeners brought in some hilarious responses that sent the ladies  into full-on laughter mode. Tune in, mute if you must (you won’t want to though)  — just don’t leave the group chat!

Ever wondered what it’s like to take off on your own, with no plus one, no packed itinerary for someone else, just a little brave curiosity? In this solo episode (fittingly!), Natalie is reflecting on the beauty of solo travel, what it taught her, and why it might be exactly what you need, too. From chasing art history in Rome to swimming solo in the South of France, to realizing that moving abroad might not be so far-fetched after all, this is a love letter to independence, intuition, and the power of going alone.

In this episode of Banter and Beyond "We Asked"...a lot of questions. In this raw conversation Natalie and Brandi showed up with little to no preparation—just meaningful questions and open hearts. The goal? To speak from the moment and answer with whatever was on their minds. From serious to thought-provoking, with a touch of silliness (because of course), this episode is a reminder that sometimes the best conversations happen when you don’t have a plan—and this one definitely proves it.

This week Natalie and Brandi dive into the delicious and sometimes hectic task of feeding our families. Brandi comes in hot with her tried and true ways of prepping  while Natalie keeps it real on the "I don't really do much prepping" side of things...or so she thought. Together with input from their loyal listeners they cover everything from the "I don't" meal planner to the organized weekly planning moms. Whether you're a seasoned Sunday weekly prepper or flying by the seat of your grocery list at all times - there's something in this episode for you.  

After the last episode was taken over by the Red Robin Fiasco (Ep. 25 - Drinky Drinks Gone Wrong) Brandi and Natalie are back to the banter with all the recent things happening in their lives. From travel updates to lip stains, hiding at the gym and stupid commercials, they cover it all and more in this episode. Be sure to  tune in and try to keep up! 

So much for going out for drinks with your hosts of B&B! What started as a girls night out quickly turned into a lesson in boundaries, perception, and how our past experiences can impact the way we react to uneasy situations. After being bothered by a drunk man at a bar, Brandi felt anxiety, fear, and frustration, while Natalie—seeing things differently—felt almost numb to the invasion, worry for Brandi, and compassion for whatever this man may (or may not in Brandi’s opinion) be dealing with. Though this episode stems from an uncomfortable situation, the banter is filled with laughter from your hosts. Grab a drink (or maybe don’t) and join us for Drinky Drinks gone Wrong.  

This episode is intended for mature audiences only and broaches a number of topics that are sensitive in nature. In this two-part conversation Brandi and Natalie welcome a special guest to dive into the realities of marriage, divorce and finding yourselves after life takes an unexpected turn. From childhood trauma and beliefs they took into their marriages to moments they thought they found a forever love, these ladies show strength and vulnerability while sharing their stories. The courage these two have carried through their struggle and their healing is truly empowering. Whether you’ve been through a divorce or held a friend’s hand through it this episode is sure to speak to you.