Shawn Johnson & Andrew East | Inside Reality TV’s Special Forces: Marriage, Faith & Survival!

#881. Before she was selling out theaters, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes was a Bay Area girl chasing signs from the universe — like making the Raiderettes squad or landing a role as an extra on Friends. In this episode, Anjelah takes Kaitlyn through the ride of how her comedy career began! She shares how a simple stand-up class birthed her legendary “Nail Salon” bit, the behind-the-scenes chaos of writing and filming Bon Qui Qui for MADtv (and why she was fired), and the moment her sister’s unwavering belief kept her from packing up and quitting comedy altogether.The two also dive into Anjelah’s wildest fan encounters, her pregnancy journey, and what it was like to be a regular at Central Perk before becoming a household name herself. This episode is the perfect combo of comedy, heart, and everything in between!If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Boulevard: For a limited time, Boulevard is offering new customers 20% off your first year subscription. Learn more at JOINBLVD.com. Figs: If you're in healthcare—or shopping for someone who is—you can get 15% off your first order at wearfigs.com with the code FIGSRX.Progressive: Visit Progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (3:31) – The stand-up class that changed everything: how one joke turned into her iconic “Nail Salon” bit and launched her comedy career.(7:45) – Behind the scenes of Bon Qui Qui: the chaos, the sketches, and the shocking reason she got fired right after it went viral.(15:00) – Her pregnancy journey revealed: from natural conception to the unexpected twists along the way.(29:43) – From San Jose to Central Perk: how she became a regular on Friends — her dream show — before anyone knew her name.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#880. Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson and former NFL player Andrew East are back on the pod — and they’re spilling on their boldest challenge yet: competing side by side on Special Forces. From brutal days in the Sahara desert to the heartbreak of leaving their three kids at home, Shawn and Andrew reveal how the show pushed them to their absolute limits — and what it uncovered about resilience, teamwork, and their marriage.And just when you think it can’t get more real, the conversation takes a powerful turn. Kaitlyn, Shawn, and Andrew open up about faith, doubt, and the search for hope in a world that can feel overwhelming. It’s raw, unfiltered, surprisingly hilarious, and guaranteed to leave you thinking long after the episode ends.If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Boulevard: For a limited time, Boulevard is offering new customers 20% off your first year subscription. Learn more at JOINBLVD.com. Figs: If you're in healthcare—or shopping for someone who is—you can get 15% off your first order at wearfigs.com with the code FIGSRX.Progressive: Visit Progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (10:35) — Andrew drops 17 pounds in the desert—what they were actually eating on Special Forces(25:12) — Reality stars aren’t always what headlines say—certain cast members blew them away behind the scenes.(34:58) — Kaitlyn’s mental state hits peak chaos the last time Shawn & Andrew came over… you’ll laugh and relate(45:10) — Deep, raw, and honest: has their relationship with God ever wavered?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#879. Jessie James Decker and Eric Decker are taking us behind the scenes of their wild ride on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test — and trust us, you’ve never seen them like this before. From last-minute casting to surviving with only three pairs of underwear (yes, really), the couple shares the grit, fears, and teamwork that got them through one of the hardest experiences of their lives.They open up about the challenges of icy water drills, makeshift bathrooms, and what it was like to push each other’s limits on camera. Jessie reveals the moment she realized Eric is the ultimate teammate, while Eric shares the surprising side of Jessie that left him saying, “damn, that’s kinda sexy.” Plus, find out which of their kids demanded they better not come home without finishing the mission.Beyond the show, Jessie and Eric get candid about 15 years of marriage, the secret values that keep them strong, and even their go-to date night (spoiler: it involves a hot tub). Jessie also teases her Christmas movie debut, new music with Joss Stone, and what’s next for her career. This episode has laughs, tears, and all the unfiltered Decker realness you love.If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Booking.com: Booking dot YEAH! Find exactly what you’re booking for. Book today on the site or in the app.Boll & Branch: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com/vine20.Nutrafol: For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code VINE.Apartments.com: The Place to find a place!Wayfair: Cozify your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. That’s WAYFAIR.com. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (3:25) - The shocking contracts contestants have to sign before Special Forces (“if you die, it’s not their fault!”)(18:10) - Eric reveals the unexpected side of Jessie he discovered — and why it was “kinda sexy”(22:45) - Jessie outs Eric for being the cryer in the relationship!(34:45) -The Deckers get real about date nights… including naked hot tub confessionals!(38:30) - Jessie spills on her acting debut in a Christmas movie and how it all came togetherSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#878. Clea Shearer, co-founder of The Home Edit and breast cancer survivor, is back on the podcast for a deeply personal conversation you won’t forget. She opens up about the moments that tested her strength — including a recent implant scare that felt like starting over — and the realities of treatment, recovery, and the anxiety that comes after.Clea shares how she navigated these challenges while raising her kids, how she found purpose in her journey, and the lessons she’s learned about listening to your body, advocating for yourself, and embracing life’s most difficult moments.Her new book, Cancer Is Complicated: And Other Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned, is out today. Listen to this episode now to feel inspired — whether you’ve faced cancer or are just looking for a story of courage, hope, and perseverance, Clea’s journey will remind you to embrace life’s challenges and find meaning in the moments that matter most.If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Booking.com: Booking dot YEAH! Find exactly what you’re booking for. Book today on the site or in the app.Paka: To grab your PAKA hoodie and free pair of alpaca crew socks, head to GO.PAKAAPPAREL.COM/OTV and use my code OTV. Better Help: Off the vine listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/vineReal Real: Get $25 off your first purchase when you go to TheRealReal.com/vine.Quince: Go to QUINCE.com/vine for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Audible: Your first great love story is free when you sign up for a free 30-day trial at Audible.com/vine.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 8:06 – Chemo vs. radiation: the difference and what they do to your body.16:10 – How cancer changed the way Clea sees herself.28:30 – High-functioning women miss the signs: Clea’s advice to slow down!40:28 – The heartbreaking and powerful way Clea told her kids about her cancer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#877. She was Carmella for over a decade — the moon-walking, trash-talking Princess of Staten Island — but now Leah Van Dale is finally ready to share who she really is. From NFL cheerleader to history-making WWE Superstar, Leah takes Kaitlyn through her unbelievable journey — including the shocking moment she was released during maternity leave. She opens up about identity shifts, the guilt of missing her “old life,” and how she’s learning to separate herself from the character fans knew for 11 years.Leah gets raw about postpartum truths no one talks about — from postpartum rage to living with Drop Foot — and how those struggles inspired her to launch Snatch, a new community for moms. Plus, she shares what it’s really like being a stepmom in a blended family, why this pregnancy has been even harder than the first, and the surprising dream she’s still chasing outside the ring. Tune in NOW! If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Booking.com: Booking dot YEAH! Find exactly what you’re booking for. Book today on the site or in the app.Chewy: Right now you can save $20 on your first order and get free shipping by going to Chewpanions.chewy.com/OFFTHEVINEPODCASTPura: This week only, subscribe to two premium fragrances per month for twelve months and they’ll send you a Pura Plus starter set free—that’s a $70 value! Head over to pura.com now and grab your free set before the offer ends.Figs: If you're in healthcare—or shopping for someone who is—you can get 15% off your first order at wearfigs.com with the code FIGSRX.Better Help: Off the vine listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/vineEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (3:10) Behind the scenes of being a professional cheerleader and the insane weigh-ins.(15:30) WWE shocker: Leah was let go during maternity leave and how she handled it.(23:40 The unexpected birth injury that changed her postpartum journey.(25:45) Launching Snatch: why Leah created a community for moms and what’s next for the brand(41:40) Leah’s dream beyond wrestling: Broadway!!!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#876. Sandy Gallagher is here spilling everything from behind the scenes of Perfect Match and The Ultimatum! From her very first reality show casting to the chaos of the infamous kissing challenge, she gets real about what went down, her storyline with Louie, and the wild moments the cameras didn’t capture. She also shares her take on Louie spoiling the season by dating Huda, navigating love and jealousy on set, and the surprises of watching herself on screen.Beyond the drama, Sandy opens up about life after reality TV—how Perfect Match reshaped her approach to dating, the new relationship she’s in, and why she’ll never date someone younger again. Tune in for the ultimate girl yap session you won’t want to miss! If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Booking.com: Booking dot YEAH! Find exactly what you’re booking for. Book today on the site or in the app.Better Help: Off the vine listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/vineMacy’s: Shop the Macy’s Fall Fashion guide at macys.com or in store!Pretty Litter: Right now, save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy at PrettyLitter.com/vine. Boulevard: And for a limited time, Boulevard is offering new customers 20% off your first year subscription. That’s JOINBLVD.com to learn more!EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (17:50) – The Kissing Challenge: Who did Sandy really think she was kissing, her rankings, and the chaos that went down.(25:00) – Louie Spoils the Season: Sandy reacts to Louie dating Huda and the drama it stirred among the cast.(30:25) – Quitting Her Job on a Whim: The day before The Ultimatum called, Sandy walked away from her corporate life.(43:09) – Life After Reality TV: Sandy opens up about her new relationship and navigating love post-show.(48:00) – Big Cast Fight: The all-cast mixer showdown that never made it to the show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#875. Kaitlyn sits down with Rachael Staudt from Hulu’s new show Are You My First? for her very first interview since the season wrapped — and with no reunion yet, this is the conversation fans have been waiting for!!From never-before-heard behind-the-scenes moments to the burning questions the internet can’t stop asking — what really happened after filming? Where do things stand with Michael? Who’s still close, who’s not, and what shocked Rachael the most when the cameras stopped rolling?Plus, Kaitlyn dives into Rachael’s personal journey with vaginismus and the exciting new chapter she’s writing… literally.If the finale left you with questions, you’ll definitely want to tune in now!If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Apartments.com: The place to find a place!Better Help: Off the vine listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/vineQuince: Go to QUINCE.com/vine for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Progressive: Visit Progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 4:53 – How Rachael got cast on Are You My First?16:46 – Where things stand today with Michael.50:45 – Rachael opens up about her journey with vaginismus.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#874. Love isn’t about finding “the one”… it’s about finding the person who makes you more you. Mindfulness expert, author, and podcast host Case Kenny joins Kaitlyn to unpack how to approach dating and relationships with confidence, optimism, and presence.From ghosting and scarcity mindsets to reigniting the spark after years together, Case shares practical ways to get out of autopilot and back into curiosity, playfulness, and noticing in your relationship. He explains why the promises you keep to yourself matter most, how to spot red flags early, and what it really means to “settle up” instead of settling down.If you’ve ever wondered how to attract empowering love, how to know if it’s the right partner, or how to break free from feeling stuck — this episode will change the way you think about love.If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Booking.com: Booking dot YEAH! Find exactly what you’re booking for. Book today on the site or in the app.Audible: Your first great love story is free when you sign up for a free 30-day trial at Audible.com/vine.Pura: Upgrade your home today—shop the Fall Collection now at pura.com.The Real Real: Get $25 off your first purchase when you go toTheRealReal.com/vine. Make sure the vine is all lowercase!Apartments.com: The place to find a place!EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (7:44) - Why Case Kenny HATES the phrase “settling down” (and what you should do instead)(11:30) - The #1 toxic dating mindset keeping you stuck in the wrong relationships(23:40) -  Can you really avoid ghosters?(26:50) - The surprising science behind what actually keeps long-term love alive (hint: it’s not sex or money).(44:20) - Case’s powerful definition of a soulmate (and why you may have more than one).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#873. Kaitlyn sits down with history-making Sports Illustrated cover star Lauren Chan — the first out lesbian and first Chinese person to land the SI Swimsuit cover.Lauren gets real about discovering her sexuality while married to a man, turning heartbreak into pride, and why representation is the driving force behind everything she does. From “gay audacity” to being trolled by Ben Shapiro, to falling in love on set with her now-partner, Lauren doesn’t hold back.She spills about her time on Canada’s Drag Race and The Traitors Canada, admits she’s gunning for a spot on Real Housewives, and reveals her dream of hosting a queer dating show.It’s raw, inspiring, and laugh-out-loud — and by the end, you’ll see why Lauren Chan is a voice we all need right now.If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Nutrafol: For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code VINE.Pura: The Fall Harvest Sale is on at Pura! Head to pura.com and save up to 25% before the season slips away.Lady World: Come Join me for a fun weekend! Get your tickets now at LadyWorld.COEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (4:20) — How She Made History: From fashion editor to SI’s first lesbian cover star.(10:45) — Coming Out Shock: Realizing she was gay while married to a man.(24:30) — Reality TV Secrets: Behind the scenes The Traitors Canada + her dream queer dating show.(32:45) — Ben Shapiro Called Her Ugly?! Lauren breaks beauty standards and shuts down critics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#872. From flying fighter jets to inspiring audiences worldwide, Michelle “MACE” Curran’s story soars above and beyond. Once a shy small-town kid battling social anxiety, she went on to become the Lead Solo Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds—one of the most elite positions in aviation.In this episode, Mace shares what it really takes to become a fighter pilot, the near-catastrophic flight that earned her the call sign “Mace,” and the reality of often being the only woman in the room. She and Kaitlyn dive into her new book The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower, unpacking the tools she uses to turn fear into confidence and why boldness is built—not born.From high-G turns in the cockpit to captivating keynote stages, Mace proves that bravery isn’t about being fearless—it’s about showing up anyway.If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Progressive: Visit Progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance.Better Help: Off the vine listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/vineWayfair: Cozify your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. That’s WAYFAIR.com. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.Lady World: Come Join me for a fun weekend! Get your tickets now at LadyWorld.COEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (4:03)– The Moment She Knew She Wanted to Fly Fighter Jets(24:00) – The Story Behind the Call Sign “Mace”(29:30) – Becoming Only The 2nd Woman as Lead Solo Pilot(51:35) – How Mace Met Her Husband on Bumble(58:25) – Turning Fear Into a SuperpowerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.