PLATE & PONDER: Empty-Nesting with Jen & Chris Fenton

Jen & Chris Fenton
  • 5.0 (18)
  • RELATIONSHIPS

Join a powerhouse married couple—empty nesters turning their kitchen table into a hub for unfiltered conversations on life's big questions. She's a dedicated inner-city charter school director, elected official, and former school board president; he's a seasoned media executive, professor, and author. Together, with decades of experience in parenting, politics, public service, and purpose, they sip wine, share a meal, and dive deep into current events, cultural shifts, geopolitical headlines, and the hilarious highs and lows of empty-nest life. Expect candid debates, heartfelt stories, intriguing interviews, belly laughs, and no-holds-barred insights that challenge your views and spark your curiosity. Perfect for fans of thoughtful political podcasts, relationship dynamics, and real-talk commentary. Unscripted. Unfiltered. Unapologetically real. Grab a seat—new episodes weekly. Download & Follow now to join the conversation!

  1. Copenhagen Live: Iran War, Michelin Food Secrets (Danish HOT DOGS!), Skinny Danes, & Walt Disney's Fascination with Tivoli!

    1D AGO

    Copenhagen Live: Iran War, Michelin Food Secrets (Danish HOT DOGS!), Skinny Danes, & Walt Disney's Fascination with Tivoli!

    Send us Fan Mail Chris flies solo from Copenhagen in this explosive Plate & Ponder episode that’s blowing up feeds for all the right reasons. We’re going deep on the Iran conflict while stuffing our faces with Michelin-starred Danish magic that’ll make you book a ticket tomorrow. Then we spill the real tea on why Danes are naturally skinny — it’s NOT the gym, it’s the diet (and yes, it works).  Next: Tivoli Gardens — the actual insane fairytale park that inspired Walt Disney (you’ll never see Disneyland the same way again). We also dive into Copenhagen’s shockingly clean harbor water you can actually swim in AND DRINK, and roast the city’s “meh” airport… while throwing serious shade at LAX and JFK. “You two have no excuse still though, so get your butts fixing it up... STAT.” Raw, hilarious, and unfiltered from the streets of Copenhagen — this is the episode everyone’s sharing. Hit play before your algorithm buries it.  New episode of Plate & Ponder is LIVE. Copenhagen just raised the bar.

    22 min
  2. Mardi Gras Debauchery: A Discussion with Dream Daughter, KAYLIE FENTON (ft. Megan)!

    MAR 26

    Mardi Gras Debauchery: A Discussion with Dream Daughter, KAYLIE FENTON (ft. Megan)!

    Send us Fan Mail MARDI GRAS MAYHEM MEETS EMPTY-NESTING REAL-TALK WITH OUR AMAZING DAUGHTER, KAYLIE FENTON! (And a guest starring call-in from Megan!) Buckle up, because the latest Plate & Ponder Empty Nesting episode is an absolute RIDE!  We sat down with our daughter for a no-holds-barred Father-Daughter debate on New Orleans and Mardi Gras… and things got WILD fast.  We’re spilling it ALL:  The jaw-dropping floats and bead-chasing chaos.  Topless women, drunken idiots, overdoses, and the unclassy party side nobody talks about.  Fraternity (NOT FRAT!) date parties, Mississippi River inner-tube floating madness, and those “what happens on Bourbon stays on Bourbon” nights BUT ALSO…  The CLASSY side — mind-blowing restaurants, killer bars & clubs, relaxed cable car days gliding through the city, and the hidden new neighborhoods you HAVE to explore. It’s hilarious, honest, a little shocking, and 100% the kind of raw parent-kid conversation every empty-nester needs!  One minute we’re laughing till we cry… the next we’re debating whether Mardi Gras is worth the hangover.  You’re gonna want to listen with your own adult kids — then immediately text them “WE’RE GOING TO NOLA!”   Drop a  in the comments if you’ve survived Mardi Gras… or if this episode just convinced you to book tickets!  #MardiGrasDebate #NewOrleansVibes #EmptyNesting #PlateAndPonder #FamilyPodcast #NOLA2026

    26 min
  3. Iran at War, ER Nightmares, High School Heartbreak, Civil Discourse, Trump, & Choosing Joy

    MAR 22

    Iran at War, ER Nightmares, High School Heartbreak, Civil Discourse, Trump, & Choosing Joy

    Send us Fan Mail Plate & Ponder w/ Special Guests FARNAZ GOLSHANI & DR. LAWRENCE FLECHNER: “The Forbidden Dinner Table Bomb: Iran at War, ER Nightmares, High School Heartbreak, Civil Discourse & Why We’re Still Choosing Joy” What happens when the most dangerous conversation in America collides with the most terrifying moments of parenthood? In this raw, unfiltered dinner-table episode, we finally pull up a chair to the forbidden topic: Iran, the escalating war, and why nobody’s allowed to talk about it without getting canceled. But we don’t stop at geopolitics. We weave it straight into the chaos of real life — the ER nightmares that every parent dreads, the broken system of modern medicine that’s failing our kids when they need it most, and the gut-wrenching fear that hits when your high-schooler is suddenly the one on the gurney. We talk raising teens in a world that feels like it’s on fire. We explore why civil discourse is dying… and how to bring it back to your own kitchen table. And through it all, we ask the hardest question of 2026:  How do you keep choosing joy — really living life to the fullest — when the headlines scream otherwise? No screaming. No talking points. Just FOUR friends over plates of food AND WINE, doing what we do best: pondering the un-ponderable with honesty, heart, and zero filter. This one might get us in trouble. It might also be the most important conversation you hear all month.  Hit play. Pour the wine. Bring the tissues… and maybe a second helping of courage. #PlateAndPonder #ForbiddenDinnerTalk #IranWar #ParentingInCrisis #ChooseJoy

    38 min
  4. Tanking Oscars Ratings, Celebs on Ozempic, Fenton's A.D.D., & the Unpaid TSA

    MAR 19

    Tanking Oscars Ratings, Celebs on Ozempic, Fenton's A.D.D., & the Unpaid TSA

    Send us Fan Mail PLATE & PONDER EPISODE DROPS — CHAOS MODE ACTIVATED! Chris Fenton’s MASSIVE A.D.D. is running the show (apologies to Jen who has to keep the show on track... sort of!) as he bounces from topic to topic like a pinball on Red Bull!  He roasts the annoyances of getting OLD (yes, he now owns his own blood pressure machine — full grandpa era unlocked ), drags Hollywood for its jaw-dropping lack of self-awareness (everyone please get out of THE BUBBLE - for the sake of our Industry!), tears into the TERRIBLE Oscar ratings (and we wonder why? Where are the big stars? Clooney, Damon, Affleck, Pitt, Cruise, etc etc), goes deep on the Iran War & climate change madness, calls out celebrities who are WAY too skinny (actually this bugs Jen more than Chris), and asks the million-dollar question: WHY THE HELL AREN’T WE PAYING TSA WORKERS MORE?! Zero filter. Zero chill. Pure rant energy. AND JEN REIGNS IT IN. Somehow... She really does work magic at times! If you love unhinged real talk with zero Hollywood BS, this one’s for you.  Listen now — And let us know what topic hit you hardest? Drop it in a DM to @thedragonfeeder or @feeding.the.dragon! And follow, download, enjoy, engage, and review!!!!  #PlateAndPonder #ChrisFenton #OscarsFail #HollywoodExposed #TSAWorkers #ADDRealTalk #GettingOldSucks

    37 min
  5. OSCARS OPULENCE: Hollywood's Job Massacre, Iran War Drums, Union Fury, Ellison's Empire, & Crickets

    MAR 15

    OSCARS OPULENCE: Hollywood's Job Massacre, Iran War Drums, Union Fury, Ellison's Empire, & Crickets

    Send us Fan Mail  OSCARS CHAOS UNLEASHED: Hollywood's Imploding Empire Exposed!  In this explosive episode of PLATE & PONDER: Empty-Nesting with Jen & Chris Fenton, we dive headfirst into past & current issues inside Hollywood as well as various past Academy Awards meltdowns – from jaw-dropping controversies (oh, yeah, who can forget Will Smith or Harvey Weinstein) and red-carpet scandals to the brutal downsizing that's gutting Tinseltown. Thousands of jobs vanishing overnight? We break down the film industry's mass layoffs, union strikes igniting fury across studios, and the seismic Warner Bros. acquisition by Paramount that's reshaping Hollywood's power map. But that's not all – we connect the dots to global tensions with the escalating Iran conflict, as it seems the war drums are only beating louder... And does some of it tie back to entertainment's elite? Maybe... And there's the current spotlight on the Ellisons' billion-dollar moves, insider secrets, and what this means for your favorite films (or lack thereof)... and your comfortable, neighborhood theater! Jen and Chris serve up unfiltered insights over a delicious meal, watching jet skis and waves break in the South Bay behind them... On a day that feels more like July than the Sunday of the Academy Awards...   Is this the end of Hollywood as we know it? Maybe... Tune in NOW! And please share (follow, download, review, & engage) the episode to others if they're ready to ponder the plate of chaos along with us!   #Oscars2026 #HollywoodCrisis #IranConflict #UnionStrikes #EllisonEmpire #PlateAndPonder

    42 min
  6. Turbulent Travels, Robotic Revolutions, Epstein, Iran, Nostalgia, & AI Disruption

    MAR 14

    Turbulent Travels, Robotic Revolutions, Epstein, Iran, Nostalgia, & AI Disruption

    Send us Fan Mail An Explosive Episode:  Pondering Turbulent Travels, Robotic Revolutions, Epstein, Iran, Nostalgia, & AI Disruption! And, even better, JEN FENTON IS BACK!!! Buckle up, foodies and thinkers! In this mind-bending episode of Plate & Ponder: Empty-nesting with Jen & Chris Fenton, we dive fork-first into a whirlwind of chaos, conspiracy, and cutting-edge craziness that'll leave you hungry for more.  We kick off with Turbulent Travels – those nightmare delays turning airports into battlegrounds! With NOLA Airport being GROUND ZERO. Then, brace for Robotic Revolutions! Humanoid bots are invading our lives – think Tesla's Optimus flipping burgers or Boston Dynamics' dancers out-maneuvering humans. Are we on the brink of a sci-fi utopia or a robot uprising? Chris geeks out on the tech, while Jen ponders if she'll be replaced on the podcast (HINT: She won't since our fans like her more than Chris!). Shifting gears to the shadowy side, we unpack the Jeffrey Epstein saga – fresh twists in the scandal that refuses to die. Or, at least, Chris talks about his argument with GROK over whether it was morally fine to put Epstein into a photo of his friends. No breather here – straight into the Iran Conflict, where geopolitical fireworks explode! Missiles, alliances, and oil drama: We start to break down the latest escalations... until we stop, deciding that on a Sunny Saturday, we should keep things more light & fun! So then we go with Nostalgia, and the memories we hold vividly in our minds that are quite different than the reality! Reliving glory days – from '80s mixtapes to childhood triumphs -- and even Chris's reunion with the Mira Costa Lacrosse team last night who asked him to announce their nighttime game... And HE LOVED EVERY minute of it!  Finally, the grand finale: AI Disruption! From ChatBots & Agents trading Bitcoin to others hiring (or renting humans) to do "human things" that AI can't... at least as of yet... Join Jen & Chris for laughs, insights, and mouthwatering moments that blend the profound with the profane. Whether you're pondering over pasta or commuting in chaos, this episode is your ticket to enlightened entertainment. Tune in now – in no matter what of the 50 countries around the world were this amazing podcast is now available...... Iran, you next???  Available on all major platforms. We are #PlateAndPonder #MindfulMunching. Please follow, download, review, engage, and enjoy!!!

    43 min
  7. China Spy Ships, Iran War, TSA Lines, Rebuilding the Rust Belt, & Hollywood Chaos

    MAR 11

    China Spy Ships, Iran War, TSA Lines, Rebuilding the Rust Belt, & Hollywood Chaos

    Send us Fan Mail BREAKING: We're Back with a BANG!  Sorry for the hiatus, folks—Jen and I have been crushing miles on the road like absolute beasts. But hold onto your seats because Chris is flying SOLO for the FIRST TIME EVER! Picture this: Me, behind the wheel, racing from Amsterdam, NY to Albany Airport, dropping truth bombs and wild stories non-stop. Buckle up—this episode is PACKED with jaw-dropping intel, personal vibes, and insider scoops you won't get anywhere else!  What's on the menu? Let's dive in: Beijing's Spy Game Exposed! – They're watching EVERY MOVE of the US military off Oman's coast. What's their endgame? We break it down.Iran War: The Real Deal – Forget the headlines; here's the unfiltered truth on what's REALLY brewing in the Middle East.Kaylie Fenton Levels Up! – Our girl's officially a Pi Phi sister! We just crushed Parents' Weekend meeting her new fam—pure vibes and epic connections!Family Glow-Up Alert – Caught up with my parents in NY, and they're straight-up thriving: Looking younger, healthier, and living their BEST life. Heartwarming AF!Pomp Interview Drops SOON – Anthony Pompliano grilled me in NYC—get hyped for the full episode hitting your feeds in days. Business, crypto, and bold takes incoming!Sticker Mule: Rust Belt Revival Heroes – One factory at a time, they're rebuilding America's heartland. Innovation meets grit—total inspiration!BAD COUNSELORS: Movie Magic Alert! – This blockbuster's storming theaters near you. Comedy, laughs, and edge-of-your-seat twists—don't miss it!Hollywood Chaos Unleashed – What's popping in Tinseltown right now? Scandals, stars, and industry shake-ups—we spill the tea!We ARE PLATE & PONDER... Crushing it across 50 NATIONS AND COUNTING!  Who's tuning in? Drop a comment, share with your crew, and let's make this episode go VIRAL!  Listen NOW!

    32 min
  8. Ditching Canadian Winters for Jimmy Buffett Chilling, Epstein Conspiracies, Beer Pong Battles, Frat House Chaos, & Beach Bliss in SoCal!

    MAR 5

    Ditching Canadian Winters for Jimmy Buffett Chilling, Epstein Conspiracies, Beer Pong Battles, Frat House Chaos, & Beach Bliss in SoCal!

    Send us Fan Mail Empty-Nesting Parents, Picture this: Imagine it's Spring Break, and the sun-soaked beaches of MANHATTAN BEACH are calling louder than any alarm clock. In this explosive episode of PLATE AND PONDER, we dive headfirst into the ultimate frat house and lacrosse-team frenzy—think epic beer pong tournaments & beach dice where the stakes are high, the laughs are endless, the sunsets are perfect, and the spills are legendary. Fraternity life and bro-bonding comes alive with stories of brotherhood, wild initiations, and those unforgettable nights that blur into hazy mornings --- AND AS EMPTY-NESTING PARENTS, you get to hear 10% of it, because you offered the kids a place to come --- that was cost efficient.... YOUR HOME! Forget the frozen tundra of Canadian campuses, where blizzards bury your dreams under feet of snow. Down here, it's all about that beach lifestyle: golden sands, crashing waves, and perfect weather that makes every day feel like paradise. We're talking non-stop chilling—lounging with cold brews in hand, bonfires under starry skies, and spontaneous adventures that redefine "fun." Who needs McGill University lectures when you can have volleyball showdowns and sunset surf sessions? We'll break down why ditching the Great White North for this sunny escape is the smartest move any college kid could make—no passports required, just pure vibes..... FOR ONE FULL WEEK! But hold on, things get even wilder. We unpack the infamous Jeffrey Epstein saga—the scandals, the conspiracies, the high-profile connections that still send shockwaves through society. Is there more to the story than meets the eye? Tune in for insider scoops, theories that'll blow your mind, and how it ties into the hedonistic underbelly of elite party scenes. Whether you're reliving your glory days, figuring out how to lure your children home for Spring Break, or just planning your next getaway, this episode is your ticket to chaos and chills. Don't miss out—grab your headphones and join the madness! WE ARE, PLATE AND PONDER! Please download, follow, and, most importantly, ENJOY!

    42 min
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Join a powerhouse married couple—empty nesters turning their kitchen table into a hub for unfiltered conversations on life's big questions. She's a dedicated inner-city charter school director, elected official, and former school board president; he's a seasoned media executive, professor, and author. Together, with decades of experience in parenting, politics, public service, and purpose, they sip wine, share a meal, and dive deep into current events, cultural shifts, geopolitical headlines, and the hilarious highs and lows of empty-nest life. Expect candid debates, heartfelt stories, intriguing interviews, belly laughs, and no-holds-barred insights that challenge your views and spark your curiosity. Perfect for fans of thoughtful political podcasts, relationship dynamics, and real-talk commentary. Unscripted. Unfiltered. Unapologetically real. Grab a seat—new episodes weekly. Download & Follow now to join the conversation!

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