# 408 - Lessons from College and Life with Ila

Many of you know my podcast producer Halston Ray, who has worked with me and Bert for the past eight years. In this episode, Halston shares that he’s moving on to pursue his dream of making music in Nashville.We reflect on his journey from delivering pizzas to producing podcasts, the lessons he’s learned over the years, and why now feels like the right time to take the leap. I couldn’t be prouder of him and everything he’s accomplished. Please join me in wishing him the best as he begins this next chapter. And don’t forget to stream his music and show him some love! Stream “With The Sun”https://open.spotify.com/track/4JFWKUfLgtCtqK68IrOX7H?si=w-9TKh4NQb6eKRucqGsgzw Follow Halston Ray https://youtube.com/@halstonray?si=RoCOYxCP27dp1S7Thttps://www.instagram.com/halstonrays/?hl=en --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Shopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife  ASPCA Pet Insurance - To explore coverage, visit https://ASPCApetinsurance.com/WIFE --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang Amazon - https://amzn.to/4oGiWSD Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781668066898 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Presale bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty #podcast #leeannkreischer #bertandleeann     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyle Thiermann joins me to talk about his book One Last Question Before You Go, a thoughtful guide designed to help readers ask their parents meaningful questions that reframe how we see them. Kyle shares how asking the right questions can unlock powerful family stories, deepen connection, and give us new insight into who our parents are beyond their roles. We also explore how storytelling plays a vital role in family learning and emotional legacy. Buy Kyle’s book “One Last Question Before You Go” - https://amzn.to/3KGgrly Follow Kyle https://www.instagram.com/kyle_tman/ --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors BetterHelp - Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://betterhelp.com/wifeShopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife  --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang Amazon - https://amzn.to/4oGiWSD Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781668066898 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Presale bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty⁠⁠ #podcast⁠⁠ #leeannkreischer⁠ #bertandleeann   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cathy, Kirsten, and I sit down to talk about How About Now: Poems by Kate Baer. We explore the poems we connected with most, whether the tone feels heavy or introspective, and what the collection reveals about navigating the everyday. We also dive into how poetry can find beauty in the mundane, and why reading work like Baer’s feels so important right now. --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Brunt Workwear - Get $10 Off @BRUNT with code WIFE at https://www.bruntworkwear.com/WIFE   #BRUNTpod Factor - Eat smart at https://FactorMeals.com/party50off and use code party50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang Amazon - https://amzn.to/4oGiWSD Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781668066898 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Presale bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty #podcast #leeannkreischer #bertandleeann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a year since my daughter Ila joined me on the show, and I’m so excited she’s back! We dive into our thoughts on The Golden Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and The Bachelor,  what we love, what we don’t, and the moments that had us yelling at the screen. Ila also shares what college has been like so far, her journey studying interior design, and how much she’s grown since leaving home.  --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Uncommon Goods - To get 15% off your next gift, go to https://UNCOMMONGOODS.com/LEEANN.  Shopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife  --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be “How About Now: Poems” by Kate Baer Amazon - https://amzn.to/47CgcPQ Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9780063306080 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Presale bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty⁠⁠ #podcast⁠⁠ #leeannkreischer⁠ #bertandleeann        Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Sickler’s new special Live and Alive is out now! He shares with me the creation of his stand up, why he was meant to be a girl dad, and highlighting his lowlights in life through the special and his podcast The Honeydew. Check out Ryan Sickler YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rsicklerhttps://www.instagram.com/ryansickler/?hl=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryansickler/ --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Shopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife  Factor - Eat smart at https://FactorMeals.com/party50off and use code party50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be “How About Now: Poems” by Kate Baer Amazon - https://amzn.to/47CgcPQ Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9780063306080 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Presale bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty #podcast #leeannkreischer #bertandleeann      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m so grateful for your trust in me to offer advice on everything from finding yourself to communicating better, parenting, and so much more. If you have a question or want to hear Bert and me weigh in, call me at (818) 949-8536, we love hearing from you. --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Uncommon Goods - To get 15% off your next gift, go to https://UNCOMMONGOODS.com/leeann Brunt Workwear - Get $10 Off at BRUNT with code WIFE at https://www.bruntworkwear.com/WIFE  #Bruntpod Select Quote - Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, and save more than fifty percent at https://SELECTQUOTE.com/WIFE. --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be “How About Now: Poems” by Kate Baer Amazon - https://amzn.to/47CgcPQ Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9780063306080 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Presale bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty #podcast #leeannkreischer #bertandleeann   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cathy, Stacey, and Christine join me for a follow‑up conversation about how they’re feeling after working with Danese Rexroad from Ways2Well. We talk about their progress, any changes to their medication, and whether they’re actually remembering to take it. We also reflect on how little our own mothers discussed menopause, and how it feels like our generation is the first to truly acknowledge it and get proper treatment. Ways2Well is offering our listeners 10% off Comprehensive Bloodwork Health Tests, Supplements, and Peptides. Use code: WOTP https://ways2well.com/?ref=WOTP --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Shopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife  --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be “How About Now: Poems” by Kate Baer Amazon - https://amzn.to/47CgcPQ Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9780063306080 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Presale bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty⁠⁠ #podcast⁠⁠ #leeannkreischer⁠ #bertandleeann  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whitney Cummings and Chris Cole are engaged! In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to finally find the right person, the journey toward motherhood, and how comedy continues to evolve alongside real life. It’s a warm, funny, and honest conversation about love, timing, and growing into the next chapter. Follow Whitney Cummingshttps://www.whitneycummings.com/ https://www.instagram.com/whitneycummings/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@whitneycummings/videos  Follow Chris Cole  https://www.instagram.com/chriscobracole/?hl=en --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors BetterHelp - Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://betterhelp.com/wife Shopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife  --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be “How About Now: Poems” by Kate Baer Amazon - https://amzn.to/47CgcPQ Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9780063306080 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty⁠⁠ #podcast⁠⁠ #leeannkreischer⁠ #bertandleeann        Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, author of You, Your Husband, and His Mother, joins Kirsten, Cathy, and me to dive into the complex world of mother-in-law relationships. Tracy breaks down the dynamics between a husband and wife, and why it’s essential to address an overbearing in-law early and openly. We also explore the different types of mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws, and how to navigate those roles with understanding, boundaries, and compassion. Buy “You, Your Husband, and His Mother” by Dr. Tracy Dalgleish Amazon - https://amzn.to/3VbSi8c Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9798217045600 Follow Dr. Tracy Dalgleish https://drtracyd.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drtracyd/?hl=en --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Shopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife Select Quote - Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, and save more than fifty percent at https://selectquote.com/WIFE. --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be “Manufacturing My Miracle" by Jill Dopf Viles  Amazon - https://amzn.to/4mh8XC4 Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781538197226 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty⁠⁠ #podcast⁠⁠ #leeannkreischer⁠ #bertandleeann      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paulina Pinsky is back, and this time she’s engaged! In this episode, we reflect on how we continue to learn from each other despite our age gap, and dive into the importance of self-actualization and always asking yourself “why” as you grow. Paulina also opens up about how she’s processed her trauma and how beautifully she’s evolved since we first met. Follow Paulina Pinsky https://www.paulinapinsky.com/the-artists-way-course https://www.instagram.com/paulina_pinsky/?hl=en --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Uncommon Goods- To  get 15% off your next gift, go to https://UNCOMMONGOODS.com/leeann.  ASPCA Pet Insurance - To explore coverage, visit https://ASPCApetinsurance.com/WIFE Factor - Eat smart at https://FactorMeals.com/party50off and use code party50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year.  --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be “You, Your Husband, and His Mother” by Dr. Tracy Dalgleish  Amazon - https://amzn.to/3VbSi8c Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9798217045600 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour --------------------------------------------------- LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! --------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW LEEANN: Facebook▶ https://www.facebook.com/wifeotp  Instagram▶ https://www.instagram.com/leeannkreischer  iTunes▶ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wife-of-the-party/id1343348729  Official Website & MERCH▶ https://www.wifeotp.com Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! #wifeoftheparty #podcast #leeannkreischer #bertandleeann       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices