bestie approved

Travis Rhoden & Emma Hesser
  • 4.9 (21)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

This is a wild time to be alive and sometimes you just need to hang out with your best friends to remind you that everything is going to be okay. Travis and Emma are two former finance bros and best friends who have a lot of opinions. Kick back and hang out with your new besties each week as they navigate grad school and motherhood, unpack their feelings about the Real Housewives and other Bravolebrities, spiral and scream into the political void, complain about anything and everything, and figure out life one unhinged conversation at a time. Come for the tea, stay for the friendship. From Indy to wherever you listen to podcasts, we love you!

  1. the government doesn't want my thoughts.

    May 24

    the government doesn't want my thoughts.

    It’s our one-year anniversary episode and we’re celebrating by spiraling through family discoveries, conspiracy TikTok, Hello Kitty identity politics, Reddit moderator tyranny, reality tv chaos, and the end of a deeply unwell trip to Vegas with the women of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. timestamps 0:00:12 what’s the last song you listened to? 0:01:44 looking back on one year of bestie approved. 0:06:32 Travis's Kentucky family found the pod. 0:09:03 5G is stealing our thoughts and prayers. 0:20:41 our favorite new book about Donald Trump. 0:24:13 Hello Kitty isn't a cat?! 0:29:31 complaining. 0:36:09 our feelings about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. 0:49:01 manifesting refund policies with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. 0:57:20 reworking bestie approved & reality roundup. 1:01:36 The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 1 episode 12: “Sinners in the City” 1:38:45 attention from The Real Housewives of Atlanta on social media. 1:39:46 we love you! This week, Travis and Emma look back on a full year of bestie approved. Then we head straight into the weirdest corners of the doomsday-prepping internet with EMF-blocking hoods, 5G thought theft, and the very important question of what exactly “the waves” think they’re going to find in our brains. Spoiler: probably not national secrets. We also discuss Rihanna Teixeira’s gloriously empty Trump “biblical proof” book, the horrifying revelation that Hello Kitty is apparently not a cat, and the deeply upsetting math of her being five apples tall but only weighing three apples. Emma mourns the loss of Jeopardy sweetheart Jamie Ding, while Travis airs out the 3D printing subreddit moderators after being banned for not having enough karma. In reality roundup, we get into the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Orange County spinoff, the problem with trying to build a Housewives-style universe out of MomTok, and why Taylor Frankie Paul’s chaos may have been the engine holding the whole thing together. We also discuss Scamanda Frances and her remarkably low refund rate. Finally, we recap The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1, Episode 12: “Sinners in the City.” The Vegas trip fully detonates as Jen Shah rejects peace, Meredith disengages with Olympic-level grace, Baby Gorgeous navigates a hostage negotiation, and Heather somehow remains loyal past the point of reason. Then everyone heads to a hypnotist/mediator/psychic, where the group collectively confirms that nobody trusts Jen. from Indy to wherever you listen to podcasts, we love you! rate and review the pod on Apple Podcasts!check out the bestie approved website: bit.ly/4cEkgl5follow us on social media: bestie approved Linktreeemail us: hello@bestieapproved.com the government doesn’t want my thoughts. © 2026 by Travis and Emma is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

    1h 40m
  2. this might be the end of #MomTok.

    Apr 23

    this might be the end of #MomTok.

    This week, Travis and Emma are unpacking politics, Needohs, moms hiding in closets, and a wild reality roundup. Nothing is off limits this week, so hang out with us while we go on this wild ride. timestamps 0:00:12 last songs we listened to 0:01:00 Emma's hiding in the closet 0:03:34 Bryon Noem's lovely big t**s 0:11:36 Nēdos 0:16:16 Heidi healing her inner child 0:23:07 complaining 0:34:30 reality roundup 0:34:46 new rules on RHOSLC 0:39:51 our thoughts on Ladies of London 0:42:13 Secret Lives of Mormon Wives 0:54:08 some love for our podcast friends 0:55:42 RHOSLC season 1 episode 11 recap this week we dive into: Emma hiding in a closet during Auggie’s nap time and the unimaginable lengths moms will go to for a moment of peace.tittie time with Byron Noem, hypocrisy, and performative homophobia. (McCreesh 2026)grown ups being so obsessed with Nēdos that they’re mowing families down in Target to get one. (Notopoulos 2026)the woman dressing up like Junie B Jones and dancing up and down the aisles of Target to heal her inner child. (Heidi (@classicheidi) 2026)Emma complains about the hellscape of elementary school soccer leagues and Travis complains about his Pappaw’s new obsession with Facebook Marketplace. reality roundup: the new rules in contracts for The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. (Smith 2026)our thoughts on Ladies of London.our complicated feelings about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and why it might be the end of #MomTok. (Chinman, Mandell, and Flam 2026)Travis and Emma finally get to revisit The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City! RHOSLC season 1 episode 11: “All Bets Are Off” the unsettling dynamic in the Cosby household.Whitney’s family dinner with her dad, brother, and sister brings up some feelings for Travis.Heather goes on a dream double date with Jen and Coach Shah. Hopefully Big Daddy got his Slurpee on the way home…the women (minus Mary) go on their first cast trip to Las Vegas and are greeted with a fun poem.Lisa and Meredith seem to find some resolution with Whitney on the racetrack.Jen has a complete inability to let literally anything go. from Indy to wherever you listen to podcasts, we love you! rate and review the pod on Apple Podcasts!check out the bestie approved website: bit.ly/4cEkgl5follow us on social media: bestie approved Linktreeemail us: hello@bestieapproved.com this might be the end of #MomTok. © 2026 by Travis Rhoden and Emma Hesser is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.

    1h 27m
  3. RHOA season 17 premiere: reality roundup with Husbands Watching Housewives.

    Apr 11

    RHOA season 17 premiere: reality roundup with Husbands Watching Housewives.

    We got to hang out with our premiere besties, Scott and Geoff, twice in one week (what an honor and a privilege) to unpack another season premiere. This time we covered the season 17 premiere of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and we had an absolute time! Connect with us check out the bestie approved website: bestieapproved.comall of our social media: bestie approved Linktreeemail us: hello@bestieapproved.comCheck out Husbands Watching Housewives (friends of the pod) website: Husbands Watching HousewivesApple Podcasts: Husbands Watching HousewivesTikTok: @husbandswatchinYouTube: @HusbandsWatchingHousewivesLinktree: Husbands Watching Housewives

    1h 9m
  4. RHORI series premiere: reality roundup with Husbands Watching Housewives.

    Apr 8

    RHORI series premiere: reality roundup with Husbands Watching Housewives.

    We got to hang out with our premiere besties to unpack the series premiere of the Real Housewives of Rhode Island! Connect with us check out the bestie approved website: bestieapproved.comall of our social media: bestie approved Linktreeemail us: hello@bestieapproved.comCheck out Husbands Watching Housewives (friends of the pod) website: Husbands Watching HousewivesApple Podcasts: Husbands Watching HousewivesTikTok: @husbandswatchinYouTube: @HusbandsWatchingHousewivesLinktree: Husbands Watching Housewives

    1h 15m
  5. PREVIEW: it's giving Atlanta LIVE with Husbands Watching Housewives.

    Season 1 Trailer

    PREVIEW: it's giving Atlanta LIVE with Husbands Watching Housewives.

    The premiere besties are back again for the season 17 premiere of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and we’re livestreaming this one! Hang out with us on YouTube, Instagram Live, Twitch, or Kick. Ask questions. Turn Travis talking about his love of Atlanta into a drinking game. Click here to learn more! We can’t wait to see you Monday, April 6, at 8pm ET/5PM CT!

    1 min
  6. Emma's triumphant return and Travis's kidney stones.

    Mar 30

    Emma's triumphant return and Travis's kidney stones.

    THE BESTIES ARE BACK TOGETHER!! 🎉🎙️ Emma’s back for her first episode after her maternity break with baby Auggie, and the chaos picked up right where we left off. This week, Emma shares a little bit about how round two of having newborn is going for her. 👍🏽 good news: Auggie is sleeping through the night. 🥱 bad news: Emma is choosing to do her dishes instead of napping. Travis unpacks living through his worst fears when he found out how kidney stone surgery works, so he gave himself the gift of a 3D printer! He has been hyperfocusing on looking for literally anything he can print, and he’s also looking for love with a 3D Print YouTuber! 😍 we also dive into: a quick shoutout to our new podcast friends on First Time in Drag! 🎧🫶🏽the uncomfortable TikTok of the McDonald’s CEO trying a new “product” on the menu.Travis is confused about a mom salting her kids.Casey Rose Wilson from Bitch Sesh convinced Travis that he needs an Alaskan king bed.Ashley Tisdale decided to step away from her famous mom group and told the entire world about it.our grievances with Stevia and social media apps.Lisa Barlow being the reason that 2026 kicked off on a positive note.reality roundup is all about the best season The Traitors has ever had!🎙️ share bestie approved with your messiest friend. 🤩 rate and review the pod wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎧 from Indy to wherever you are, we love you! ❤️ timestamps 00:00:01 we'te back! 00:01:23 Emma had a baby. 00:06:46 Travis had a kidney stone. 00:09:49 Travis bought a 3D printer. 00:13:33 First Time in Drag is bestie approved. 00:14:26 forcing a CEO to eat his own product. 00:18:35 salting your kids? 00:25:45 Travis wants an Alaskan king bed. 00:28:08 Ashley Tisdale left her mom group. 00:38:04 complaining. 00:43:39 Lisa Barlow liked our New Years post!! 00:47:17 reality roundup: season 4 of The Traitors. connect with Travis & Emma check out the bestie approved website: https://bestieapproved.com/ all of our social media:bestie approved Linktree email us: hello@bestieapproved.com Emma's triumphant return and Travis's kidney stones. © 2026 by Travis and Emma is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

    1h 9m
  7. Shaded Reality roundup with Ann & Marie

    Mar 7

    Shaded Reality roundup with Ann & Marie

    This week, Travis is hanging out with Ann and Marie from Shaded Reality for a reality roundup crossover that covers everything from Bravo obsessions to The Traitors chaos to the messy world of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The sisters from Shaded Reality share how their podcast came to life, what shows they love covering, and why reality TV continues to pull them in. From there, the conversation turns into a rapid-fire mix of Housewives opinions, dream cast friendships, Swig drink orders, and which iconic Bravo women they’d bring back and banish from their screens forever. The group also gets into Whitney Leavitt’s Ziwe interview, upcoming Bravo premieres they’re excited about, and a deep dive into The Traitors finale. Then they revisit key moments from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, unpacking cast dynamics, relationship red flags, and the kind of reality TV mess that keeps everyone watching. And of course, it wouldn’t be bestie approved without a little complaining. Follow Shaded Reality: @shadedrealitypod everywhere!New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. linktr.ee/ShadedRealityPod Listen if you love: BravoThe Real HousewivesThe TraitorsSecret Lives of Mormon WivesReality TV recapsFun pop culture conversationsPodcast friend collabs Connect with Travis & Emma Check out the bestie approved website: bestieapproved.comall of our social media: bestie approved Linktreeemail us: hello@bestieapproved.com

    1h 43m
  8. fast fashion, endless ads, and a bathtub splash.

    Jan 29

    fast fashion, endless ads, and a bathtub splash.

    We love a chaotic catch-up and a Bravo deep dive. This week, we get into our 2025 Apple Music Replays and YouTube recaps, spiral about ads, consumerism, and the absolute chokehold TikTok Shop has on us before we unpack some uncouth Facebook Marketplace behavior. Then we close it out with a full reality roundup about Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1, Episode 10: “In Hot Water.” in this episode: YouTube Recap stats and Travis being in the top 1% of viewers for Sexy Unique Podcast (hey dolls!).Apple Music Replay 2025. complaining: Facebook Marketplace is the third circle of hell and the TikTok ads that feel predatoryconsumerism, nonstop ads, fast fashion, and trying to prioritize quality.travel daydreams & Taylors upcoming plans to be very mindful and very demure.reality roundup: RHOSLC S1E10 “In Hot Water” sponsors & links 🛌 Cozy Earth: Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more. Get 41% OFF with promo code: BESTIE 👕 HyperNatural: The Best Men’s Polo Shirts-Men’s Journal. Get 20% off with promo code: BESTIE.

    1h 24m
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Trailers

Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

This is a wild time to be alive and sometimes you just need to hang out with your best friends to remind you that everything is going to be okay. Travis and Emma are two former finance bros and best friends who have a lot of opinions. Kick back and hang out with your new besties each week as they navigate grad school and motherhood, unpack their feelings about the Real Housewives and other Bravolebrities, spiral and scream into the political void, complain about anything and everything, and figure out life one unhinged conversation at a time. Come for the tea, stay for the friendship. From Indy to wherever you listen to podcasts, we love you!

Information

  • Creator
    Travis Rhoden & Emma Hesser
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Travis & Emma 2026
  • Show Website
    bestie approved

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