You Know What I Mean?

Bethany Johnson and Kait Stankowski
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This is the conversation that starts with dogs and somehow ends up being about everything else. You Know What I Mean is hosted by Bethany and Kait - two dog trainers who accidentally built their lives, businesses, and friendships around the dogs they love. Each week, we talk about real-life dog stuff - not training drills, but the messy, funny, humbling, meaningful parts of it. The business side. The friendship side. The “can you imagine?!” moments. The parts that change you. It’s honest. It’s a little ridiculous sometimes. And it’s the kind of conversation you’d usually have over coffee.

  1. 8 hrs ago

    From Family Drama to Fiber

    This week, Bethany and Kait catch up after a much-needed vacation and quickly realize this episode is going to cover... just about everything. Bethany shares stories from her family beach trip to Amelia Island—from discovering the joy of traveling with just one dog to navigating complicated family dynamics that unexpectedly brought up memories of her dad. The conversation turns into an honest discussion about people-pleasing, walking on eggshells around certain family members, and learning to enjoy your own vacation without feeling responsible for everyone else's experience. They also talk about: Why life with one dog suddenly feels like a luxuryBeach vacations, golf carts, and boogie boardingTeddy's hopeful adoption updateWorking with hounds, Catahoulas, and reactive dogsWhy so many owners forget to use the training tools they already haveSummer dog training when it's way too hot outsideVacation routines that actually leave you feeling refreshedThe second half of the episode takes an unexpected turn into weightlifting, nutrition, and building confidence in the gym. Bethany and Kait share how strength training completely changed the way they think about food, why progressive overload matters more than fancy workouts, and the advice they wish someone had given them when they first started lifting. Whether you're here for the dog talk, the life conversations, or just enjoy listening to two friends wander from family vacations to protein, fiber, and gym confidence, this one's packed with the kind of honest conversations that make you feel like you're sitting at the kitchen table with friends.

    1h 4m

  2. Jun 24

    Find Teddy a Home

    This week we're talking about all the things that somehow end up connected: fake diamond rings, trainer guilt, beach vacations, aging dogs, fairy gardens, and why we both spend way too much time worrying about things that are probably fine. We chat about the emotional side of dog training, the moments that stick with you after a successful go-home, and why the trainers who care the most are usually the ones questioning themselves the most. We also share updates on Roadie and Charlie, discuss what it means to make difficult decisions for the animals we love, and put out a call to help find a home for an adorable little dog named Teddy. Plus: beach trip prep, lawn mowing in a bikini, million-dollar house shows, fairy garden dreams, and Bethany's surprising new obsession with a fake ring she can't stop wearing. As usual, it's part dog training, part life update, and part conversation that somehow ends up somewhere neither of us expected.

    58 min

  3. Jun 17

    Can We Please Support the Owner?

    This week we're talking about the gap between dog training theory and real life. Kait shares an update on Hank, an English Lab who's proving that even dogs from carefully researched breeders don't always fit the stereotype. Meanwhile, Bethany talks about working with multiple board-and-train dogs, introducing new dogs safely, and how experience changes the way trainers view behavior, socialization, and confidence. The conversation then shifts into a bigger discussion about e-collar stigma, owner support, and what happens when dog owners feel judged instead of helped. From frustrating vet visits to social media criticism, Bethany and Kait share why they're passionate about helping owners feel confident making decisions for the dog in front of them—not the dog someone on the internet thinks they should have. Along the way they discuss reactive dogs, boundaries, socialization myths, why dogs don't need to love every experience, and the growing divide between online dog training opinions and real-world results. Plus: sweet potatoes, Bee's Knees cocktails, and a confession involving wine and dog socialization that probably should have stayed off the podcast.

    1h 4m

  4. Jun 11

    Old Dogs, Trader Joe's & Changing Your Mind

    This week, Bethany and Kait catch up after a few technical difficulties and dive into one of those conversations that somehow covers health scares, old dogs, social media, tornado warnings, comfort TV shows, and childhood bus rides.Kait shares a positive update after her ultrasound and the two talk about being proactive with health, family history, and why having more information can sometimes feel empowering instead of scary.Bethany opens up about Charlie's recent procedure and the complicated emotions that come with loving an aging dog. From the little habits that quietly become part of daily life to the unexpected reminder of how much one dog changes the feeling of an entire house, it's an honest conversation about getting older alongside the animals we love.The conversation shifts into creativity and business, where they talk about making content that actually feels authentic, changing your mind about what you want, and why putting yourself out there matters even when the numbers don't immediately reflect it.Along the way they also discuss: Full body scans and preventative health Charlie's Batman-style recovery cone The thirty-day video challenge Why authentic content is worth creating Supporting other creators instead of just watching from the sidelines Their shared obsession with The Great British Bake Off and Clarkson's FarmKait getting stuck in the back room of Trader Joe's during a severe storm Tyrone the owl and the backyard mouse problem Why Bethany might secretly make an excellent bus driver And the importance of looking for the good things, even during difficult seasons It's one of those episodes that's less about having all the answers and more about appreciating the people, pets, and little moments that make up everyday life.

    57 min

  5. Jun 3

    kies, Comment Sections & Emotional Support Gardening

    This week, Bethany and Kait catch up on everything from mysterious mood swings and abandoned cookie stand dreams to dog training controversies, fitness tracking, and the strange things that happen when you spend too much time reading Facebook comments. Bethany shares her latest hyperfixation - briefly convincing herself she should start a neighborhood cookie stand before one underbaked cookie and a stomachache sent the entire business plan into retirement. The conversation turns into a surprisingly thoughtful discussion about creativity, chasing new ideas, and why some interests seem to show up again and again throughout our lives. The two also talk about tracking macros, muscle gain, unexpected carb counts, and how paying attention to nutrition can actually help you eat more - not less. Of course, they can't stay away from dog training for long. Kait shares a story about an owner who cancelled training after being told e-collars would cause "psychological damage," while Bethany vents about the never-ending parade of Facebook experts who seem determined to argue about training methods they don't understand. Along the way they discuss: Why some dog-owner pairings are a better fit than othersWhat they'd do differently with certain clients if they could go backHow expectations shape success in dog trainingGardening updates, flower obsessions, and mushroom compostMarriage, moods, and how partners affect each other's energyThe Great American Baking ShowMosquito attacksAnd why Casey might be one of the funniest accidental comedians aliveA little dog training, a little life advice, a little emotional support gardening - basically a normal episode of You Know What I Mean.

    1h 4m

  6. May 27

    The Pool Fight, The Gallbladder & The Garden Center

    This week on You Know What I Mean, Bethany and Kait catch up on everything from mysterious health scares and frustrating doctor appointments to marriage arguments in the pool, emotional support gardening, and the reality of figuring out whether or not you want kids. Kait opens up about recent health anxiety after dealing with abdominal pain, night sweats, and the exhausting experience of trying to advocate for herself in the healthcare system - while Bethany shares how a simple Instagram post about not having children unexpectedly shifted the way she views her mom, marriage, and current life. The conversation bounces between deep and ridiculous in the best way possible: raccoons named Two Smokes, public pool trauma, cats on harnesses, why dog trainers don’t actually obsess over dogs all day, and the oddly healing power of repotting flowers while emotionally spiraling. They also talk about conflict in relationships, the emotional “messy middle” of life decisions, Louie’s personality glow-up, why four dogs somehow works in Bethany’s house, and the realization that maybe appreciating your own backyard pool is a metaphor for life. Basically: part therapy session, part dog podcast, part gardening podcast, part existential crisis. Exactly how you’d expect.

    59 min

  7. May 20

    Raccoons, Roleplay & Reactive Dogs

    This week on You Know What I Mean, Kait and Bethany catch up on life, wildlife, and dog training chaos. Kait shares the terrifying night she thought an intruder was breaking into the house while Casey was away… only to discover the real culprit was a raccoon with very strong opinions about bird feeders. Meanwhile, Bethany gives a front yard gardening update and talks about the unexpected emotional growth that comes with realizing your neighbors might actually like you after all. The girls also answer a listener question about dogs losing their minds at the front door - covering place command, meaningful e-collar levels, practicing before the “big moment,” and why waiting until your dog is already spiraling usually makes everything harder.

    39 min

  8. May 13

    Glimmers, Therapy & Loose Chickens

    This episode starts exactly how you’d expect from us - mid-conversation, laughing, and absolutely no formal intro energy. We talk glimmers (including sweet potatoes, butterflies, and bird sounds at sunrise), relationship therapy breakthroughs, growing together in marriage, and how differently families communicate. Somewhere along the way: Bethany has to chase escaped chickens mid-recordingKait confesses to buying herself flowers at the roller rink and pretending they were from a crushWe relive our high school soundtrack era featuring Britney Spears, Spice Girls, JoJo, and Limp BizkitWe talk about confidence, growing up insecure, and why feeling truly seen matters so muchPlus: reactive dog boarding guilt, giving family members dog instructions, and why one bad weekend won’t ruin your dog’s trainingHonestly? This episode feels like sitting at the kitchen table with friends while everyone talks over each other in the best possible way.

    1h 17m
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About

This is the conversation that starts with dogs and somehow ends up being about everything else. You Know What I Mean is hosted by Bethany and Kait - two dog trainers who accidentally built their lives, businesses, and friendships around the dogs they love. Each week, we talk about real-life dog stuff - not training drills, but the messy, funny, humbling, meaningful parts of it. The business side. The friendship side. The “can you imagine?!” moments. The parts that change you. It’s honest. It’s a little ridiculous sometimes. And it’s the kind of conversation you’d usually have over coffee.

Information

  • Creator
    Bethany Johnson and Kait Stankowski
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Bethany Johnson and Kait Stankowski
  • Show Website
    You Know What I Mean?

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