You Know What I Mean?

Bethany Johnson and Kait Stankowski
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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. 5d ago

    Vaginas, Vacations & Very Big Ideas

    Bethany and Kait are back for a little catch-up before Kait heads off to Hawaii! Kait shares her excitement about her upcoming trip with Casey, the very detailed instructions she's leaving for Roadie's dog sitter, and how much she's been enjoying working alongside Britney as she starts building a team. Bethany talks about life with puppy Stanley, finding her excitement for work again, and the new website project that's making her actually look forward to sitting down at her computer. They also catch up on their latest Great British Bake Off opinions, including why they miss Prue so much, and somehow end up discussing sweaty childhood memories, embarrassing wardrobe choices, and Bethany's dream of befriending an older gentleman named Herb who might eventually leave her something in his will. Plus, Bethany shares a sweet moment involving a friend who reminds her of her dad, they talk about connecting with loved ones who've passed, and why sometimes stepping away from social media feels so good. A little dog training, a little life lately, and plenty of conversations that go absolutely nowhere you'd expect.

  2. Oct 8

    Puppies, Bake Off & Making Memories

    This week, Bethany and Kait catch up on Great British Bake Off, puppy life, dog training, and why apparently poop finds its way into every conversation they have. Bethany shares an update on Stanley, what she’s learning from raising a puppy again, and what life feels like after losing Theo and Charlie. Kait talks about her first overnight sleepover with her niece Eloise, which leads to a bigger conversation about childhood memories, being the kind of aunt you want to be, and the people who make an effort to stay in your life. Plus, they finally watched Casey’s hilarious behind-the-scenes Trainer In You video, debate their favorite Bake Off contestants, discuss lemon cake, crusty cuticles, and somehow end the episode with Bethany completely frozen on Kait’s screen.

  3. Sep 23

    Malinois, Boston Terriers & Bad Decisions

    After a couple weeks off, Bethany and Kait are back catching up on a lot of life. Bethany shares about losing Theo and Charlie, the grief-filled decisions that somehow led to almost adopting a Malinois, and eventually bringing home Stanley. They also catch up on Kait’s and Bethany’s current training dogs, the things even experienced trainers still second-guess, and why expectations and structure can look completely different from dog to dog. Plus, puppy life, Great British Bake Off, sweater weather, tiny dogs with big opinions, and the questionable decisions you make when you probably shouldn’t have access to Petfinder.

  4. Sep 2

    The Things We Used to Do

    This week, Bethany and Kait are catching up on everything from the skincare products that absolutely annihilated our faces in the early 2000s to the hobbies, habits, and questionable decisions we’ve left behind as we’ve gotten older. Kait shares about a late-night concert with her sister and friend, getting her new camera and taking photos of Rho, and why Casey immediately got emotional watching it happen. She also talks about her current group of training dogs, an upcoming evening pack walk, and why she’s learned not to create expectations about a dog—or a person—before giving them a chance to show you who they actually are. Bethany is getting ready for a birthday beach weekend, attempting not to worry about Charlie OR her very broody chicken Diane while she’s gone, and preparing herself for a new round of board-and-train dogs after getting a little too comfortable with an exceptionally easy one. They also get into comfort shows and what happens when you learn a little too much behind-the-scenes information about the characters you love, Bethany’s former marathon-running era, Kait’s 10K accomplishment, why neither of them has any desire to become a runner now, and the possibility of somehow still convincing themselves to do a 5K together. Plus: being easily influenced, spending way too much money on poke bowls, a very good dirty cabbage recipe, childhood necklaces, chickens with complicated social lives, the Hot Dog Runners business that thankfully never happened, and the time Bethany accidentally spent an entire day—and $800—getting her hair done. Basically, it’s an hour of two friends talking about dogs, food, getting older, things they’re loving lately, and all the random thoughts that somehow make perfect sense by the end.

  5. Aug 26

    We have A LOT to catch up on

    After a three-week break, Bethany and Kait are back with plenty to catch up on. Kait shares all about her trip to South Carolina for her cousin’s wedding, adjusting from Southern humidity back to dreamy Wisconsin weather, and an encouraging update on Roadie after starting a new medication. Meanwhile, Bethany has apparently entered her skincare, nail sticker, and golf era—and shares the emotional story of getting her dad’s golf clubs from her mom and the perfectly timed hawk that showed up shortly after. Of course, there are plenty of dog updates. Bethany is working with a German Shepherd who might actually be too perfect for her training videos, while Kait has an adorable crew of puppies that are reminding her just how fun training can be. They also get into family dynamics, the things you complain about to your spouse or best friend but somehow can’t say to the actual person, and a very important debate over how late is too late when someone is coming to your house for dinner. Plus, they look back on the latest Trainer In You and why being around other trainers leaves them both feeling reenergized about their businesses, talk about the weird negativity in the dog training world online, and catch up on everything else they’ve missed over the last few weeks. And somehow there’s still time for Kait’s cat Fit terrorizing the nicest man alive (Bobby), Bethany getting put in Instagram jail, birthday and beach plans, senior dog life, Trader Joe’s hot honey mustard, golf, workout progress, and Casey unexpectedly becoming an aerobics instructor in a tiny pink shirt. Three weeks without recording apparently gives them a lot to talk about.

  6. Jul 22

    The One About Sourdough & Stubborn Dogs ⭐

    This week, Bethany and Kait settle in with afternoon coffee and somehow manage to cover everything from sourdough starters and favorite TV shows to board-and-train updates, dog training philosophy, and why trusting your instincts matters more than trying to prove something. They dive into the realities of working with challenging dogs, including the difference between dogs who genuinely try versus dogs who constantly test boundaries, why progress isn't always linear, and the importance of setting realistic expectations for owners. They also share a behind-the-scenes look at making difficult decisions during training and why safety should always come before showing off what a dog might be capable of. Along the way, they chat about: Bethany's best sourdough loaf yet (and her newest rosemary experiment)The surprisingly satisfying process of baking breadWhy some dogs need more accountability than othersThe challenge of sending board-and-train dogs homeLearning to trust your instincts as a trainerWhy you don't have to force every dog to be socialLiving with easy dogs after years of training difficult onesFavorite comfort TV shows, books, and nostalgic moviesDance classes, golf lessons, and hobbies they'd love to tryWhy years seem to fly by while weeks somehow feel so longIt's a conversation full of laughs, honest dog training stories, and reminders that sometimes the best episodes are the ones that wander from one topic to the next—just like a chat between friends.

  7. Jul 15

    Finding the Glimmers

    This week, Bethany and Kait catch up on everything from wild board-and-train dogs to social media side hustles, dream vacations, new cars, therapy, and the little moments that have been making life feel really good lately. Kait shares the story of one of the most fascinating dogs she's worked with—a Catahoula who seemed to tap into pure instinct the second his paws hit the grass. The two talk about how every dog teaches you something new, even after years of training, and why sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference. They also chat about: Dogs that come to training with very different foundationsThe challenge of retraining behaviors that were taught with different expectationsThe reality of trying out brand partnerships (including the "everyone got diarrhea" saga)Affiliate links, influencer culture, and the side hustles that almost become full-time jobsWisconsin heat versus Florida heatKait's new SUV—and the mystery of the distorted windshieldPlanning another beach trip togetherAging dogs, forever puppy faces, and soaking up every season with the dogs we loveCouples therapy, communication, and why talking things through mattersThe episode wraps up with a conversation about "glimmers"—the small moments that remind you to slow down and appreciate the life you're building. Whether it's walking through the garden at sunset with a dog by your side, realizing your seven-year-old dog still has a puppy face, or simply having something exciting to look forward to, it's a reminder that joy often lives in the ordinary. It's one of those episodes that feels less like a podcast and more like sitting around the kitchen table catching up with old friends.

  8. Jul 8

    What's Been On Our Minds

    This week, Bethany and Kait catch up on everything from upcoming vacations to senior dogs, difficult board-and-train cases, and Bethany's newest obsession... owning a golf cart. They talk about planning beach trips, why Bethany suddenly understands the magic of beach chairs and umbrellas, and how a relaxing vacation completely changed the way she thinks about slowing down. The conversation also dives into caring for aging dogs, navigating routines that make them feel safe, and the emotional side of leaving pets while traveling. They also chat about: Why chickens might actually be meaner than dogsKait's newest board-and-train dogs (including an adorable beagle and a very vocal Catahoula)The mental side of being a dog trainerHelping owners versus talking about dog training theoryConfidence that only comes with experienceSelling the camper van after years of adventuresBethany's ever-growing list of hobbies—including bracelet making, knitting, and convincing herself she needs both a cat and a golf cartAs always, it's equal parts dog training, life updates, random tangents, and two friends laughing about whatever comes to mind. If you've ever planned your next vacation before the current one is over, started a hobby that lasted approximately one afternoon, or found yourself emotionally invested in chicken drama, this episode is for you.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Bethany Johnson and Kait Stankowski
  • Show Website
    You Know What I Mean?

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