On Our Best Behavior

Kelli Szurek & Maccoy Overlie
  • 4.8 (18)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

On Our Best Behavior is a heartwarming podcast where Mom, Kelli and 16-year-old son, Maccoy delve into the complexities of school, life's struggles, highs and lows, and various challenges. With a blend of humor and sincerity, they navigate through these topics while sharing their own experiences and insights. Their conversations are not only relatable but also enlightening, offering listeners a fresh perspective on everyday issues. Alongside their engaging discussions, they welcome intriguing guests, adding a dynamic element to each episode. Tune in to join this duo on their journey of growth, learning, and discovery.

  1. 6D AGO

    What Got Us Through The Cold

    Send us a text A season can blur into beige before you notice, but this one handed us stories worth keeping. We open with slapstick honesty—a full-on ice wipeout while cradling a house-chicken who promptly saved herself—and a surprise visit from a three-legged husky who turned a quiet clinic morning into a memory. Between the bruises and the belly laughs, we found the thread we were missing: winter is lighter when you collect small joys on purpose. We warm up at a local artisan market over hot-chocolate cocktails, nerd out about handmade craft, and meet therapy alpacas patient enough to calm anyone’s nervous system. Then we pivot to what got us through long nights: Bob’s Burgers as grounding noise, Stranger Things for 80s nostalgia and character arcs, and a run of sports highs that made the Wolves, the Wild, and the Bears feel like necessary background hum. Culture isn’t just content; it’s how we pace our days and avoid doomscroll spirals. Not everything we watched was easy. The Diddy documentary sparked anger and hard questions about power, PR, and the cycle of abuse, pushing us to be sharper about media literacy and the kinds of true crime we consume. We trade notes on current reads—from twisty suburban thrillers to an autobiography by a diagnosed sociopath—and why stretching our perspective matters. Music ties it all together: Taylor for catharsis, 2010s playlists for memory lane, and holiday tracks that make a living room glow. We close with what feels urgent: a plainspoken call for empathy in a noisy, divided time. Stay in your lane, choose words you can live with, and remember that grace scales only when practiced daily. If you need a reset that mixes laughter, culture, and a nudge toward kindness, press play and settle in. If it resonates, share it with a friend, hit follow, and leave a quick review—whose winter could you lighten with a little warmth today? Support the show https://linktr.ee/onourbestbehavior

    42 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Finding The Cheese

    Send us a text The plan was simple: no plan at all. We hit record with nothing but caffeine, a messy outline, and a promise to tell the truth about the season we’re in. What unfolded is part comedy of errors, part love letter to the places and people that made us, and part survival guide for anyone trying to balance grief, money, and a little joy. We start on the surface—fountain drink alchemy, reusable cups, and office rules that ban heaters and humidifiers—then slide into the heart of the week: helping move parents out of a house that holds three decades of memories. There’s a neighbor’s hug that undoes us, deli ham preserved by a cold truck, and the now-legendary cheese discovered in a box labeled “bathroom.” Also a cat with nervous poops, because of course. Between jokes, we talk about how leaving a home means leaving a version of yourself, and how nostalgia hits hardest when the rooms are finally empty. From there, it gets quieter and a little eerie. A purse falls on its own. Movement flickers at the edge of vision. Is it stress, a trick of the light, or the kind of presence you feel when someone you love is gone but still near? We compare notes, set aside fear, and land on a practice: name it, breathe, and let the moment be kind rather than creepy. Then we rejoin the living—football in rival bars, a soft spot for Eminem, and sticker shock over concerts and the Sphere—before mapping a Disney trip with motion sickness fixes and a browse-everything-before-you-buy strategy to keep our budgets intact. If you’re navigating moving parents, packing chaos, ghost stories that might just be grief, or the impossible math of joy versus money, pull up a chair. We’ll give you laughter, permission to feel weird about it all, and a few practical paths: bring the blanket to work, set spending boundaries you can actually keep, and save room for the detours. Love the episode? Follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a laugh, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Support the show https://linktr.ee/onourbestbehavior

    33 min

  3. 11/11/2025

    Friendship, Fun, And Fierce Opinions

    Send us a text We start with a laugh-out-loud hangover debrief, then pivot into a sharp, empathetic breakdown of the Love Is Blind reunion—calling out awkward AI-sounding lines, unrealistic body expectations, and the way job titles can mask the truth about class and respect. It’s messy, honest, and kinder than the internet’s comment section. From there, we shift into joy and nostalgia. We map out Emily's Comic-Con game plan—VIP passes, a Brendan Fraser moment, Legends of the Hidden Temple shirts—and talk about why fandoms matter when you’re building new memories after loss. It’s part shopping list, part love letter to the 90s, and a reminder that shared rituals make grief gentler to carry. The heart of the episode is a candid conversation about ADHD and executive function. We unpack how everyday tasks can feel impossible, the power of gratitude journaling to shift mood, and realistic coping strategies that actually help: cleaning support to break shame cycles, music on burned-out days, and permission to choose tiny wins. Then we go deep on SNAP benefits and food access, disagreeing without disconnecting. One of us argues for healthier guardrails; the other defends dignity of choice and the realities of food deserts. No slogans, no shouting—just lived experience and public health context meeting personal values. If you’re here for entertainment with substance—hangovers, reality TV, Comic-Con plans, ADHD truths, and a respectful policy debate—you’re our people. Tap follow, share with a friend who loves Love Is Blind and big-hearted arguments, and leave a review telling us where you stand on snacks and support. Support the show https://linktr.ee/onourbestbehavior

    1 hr

  4. 11/04/2025

    Why Love Isn't Blind

    Send us a text Ever watch your favorite book turn into a movie and feel both seen and slightly betrayed? We dive straight into that delicious tension with Regretting You and a wave of upcoming adaptations like Verity, The Housemaid, and Reminders of Him, unpacking why certain casts nail the voice in your head while others miss the mark. From there, the conversation widens into memory itself: how All the Colors of the Dark earns its big ending by building layer after layer, and how memoirs get written from fragments, ghostwritten structure, and the artifacts we keep. Then the ground shifts. One of us is losing the family home—the place of Christmas mornings, tornado scares, daycare noise, and a deck built with a dad’s hands. We talk about the ache of letting go, the sibling politics of heirlooms, and why an Oreo tin can hold more meaning than a million-dollar remodel. At the same time, we celebrate small-house joy and local pride, trading notes on Anoka’s clean streets, historic houses, bookstores, and quietly excellent coffee. Practicality threads through it all: remote-work reset spots, budget beauty that doesn’t insult your wallet, and how to turn “pantry panic” into resourceful cooking and smart donations. Pop culture interrupts with a jolt: a chilling Ed Gein series as actor’s masterclass and cautionary tale, and a Love Is Blind season where no one says “I do.” We debate money, image, and values that only reveal themselves under everyday pressure—service staff, work hours, family habits. Finally, we get honest about addiction. Memoirs remind us dependency can grow anywhere, genetics included. Our family policy is simple and firm: if you feel unsafe, text a pin, and we’ll come—no lectures, no questions, just the ride. We close with small abundance: backyard eggs with sunset-orange yolks, coffee you’ll side-eye then love, and the relief of friends who show up. If this mix of story, home, pop culture, and practical care speaks to you, tap follow, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review. Your notes keep this little community growing. www.magicmind/best50 Support the show https://linktr.ee/onourbestbehavior

    1h 1m

  5. 10/13/2025

    When life is noisy, the brain is louder

    Send us a text A melted iced chai, a perfect box of McDonald’s fries, and an e‑bike cruising a 55‑mph lane shouldn’t add up to a conversation about mental health, bioethics, and public health—but that’s where the week takes us. We start with the small irritations that punch above their weight (Starbucks misses, Instacart fails, free pie Wednesdays, and the eternal sweatshirt purge) and follow the thread into why tiny frictions say so much about control, comfort, and how we keep it together when the world won’t cooperate. From there, we swing through pop culture—Taylor Swift’s new tracks, misheard lyrics, and why upbeat joy can be as disruptive as heartbreak—before plunging into a true crime rabbit hole that surfaces tough questions: What do we do with fractured memory, psychosis, and the limits of accountability? How do we care for people when stigma and access still lag decades behind the science? We unpack schizophrenia’s complexity, the role of genetics and environment, and why two brains with the same diagnosis can look completely different on imaging. The second half goes deep on systems: assisted choice and autonomy with real safeguards, the perverse incentives that rush primary care and underpay mental health pros, and the realities of clinical trials for rare diseases—from first-in-human phases to the impossible triage families face when hope is scarce. We talk consent, equity, and how to expand research without exploiting desperation. Along the way, we keep it candid, a little unhinged, and always grounded in real life: better guardrails for gun access, safer streets, and policies that treat neighborhoods like patients. If you’re into honest talk that connects everyday chaos to the bigger picture—mental health, genetics, ethics, and the practical fixes that make life livable—you’ll feel at home here. Hit play, send this to a friend who loves both fries and philosophy, and tell us: what would you change first? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help more curious minds find the show. Support the show https://linktr.ee/onourbestbehavior

    1 hr

  6. 10/07/2025

    Garlic or wet dog?

    Send us a text A mid-trimester lull doesn’t have to be dull. We trade quick hits on school tests, first-car boundaries, and the patience it takes to land that first job for deeper dives into what we’re reading and why it matters. From a fast-paced thriller to three standout nonfiction picks on depression, OCD, and Williams syndrome, we explore how good books stretch empathy, clarify language, and change the way we show up for people we love. These aren’t just summaries—they’re jumping-off points for better conversations at home. Life outside the mic gets real, too. A possum upends our tiny homestead and turns animal care into emergency triage; a neighbor helps with a raccoon; the bunnies con their way into a live trap—twice. We build a warmer space, literally and figuratively: a new hutch for cold swings, a refreshed studio with paint and a couch, and a slow plan for cameras so we can bring more of this chaos to YouTube without losing the thread. Between coughs and grocery runs, we also unpack the uneasy allure of true crime. Monster season three’s Ed Gein arc sparks a wider look at how isolation, control, and untreated illness shape notorious cases—and how to stay human while watching. We keep it light where we can—would-you-rather showdowns, bad jokes, and a tease for a returning friend who always brings a little chaos—the good kind. If you’re navigating teen milestones, curious about mental health reads, or just craving honest talk that moves from heavy to hilarious without whiplash, you’ll feel at home here. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a smart, warm listen this week, and drop a review to help more people find the show. What should we read or watch next? We’re taking recs. Support the show https://linktr.ee/onourbestbehavior

    29 min

  7. 09/23/2025

    Navigating Life's Chaos

    Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when two brutally honest friends with different viewpoints tackle everything from helicopter parenting to grief? Kelli welcomes Emily for a conversation that pulls zero punches while showcasing the beauty of friendship across perspectives. The duo starts by calling out the alarming trend of twenty-somethings who still have their parents make doctor appointments and call in sick to work for them. As healthcare professionals, they share jaw-dropping stories of adult patients who look to mom before answering basic medical questions. "Cut the cord, stop enabling them," Emily declares, as Kelli recounts how she's fostering independence in her teenage son by having him handle his own medical appointments. Their frustration extends to America's healthcare and insurance systems, which they colorfully describe as "the biggest fucking scam." From delayed cancer diagnoses to astronomical car insurance rates for teenage drivers, they highlight how these systems fail ordinary people while padding corporate profits. In a refreshingly frank discussion about female sexuality, they challenge misconceptions about women's desire. "If you want your woman to want you, you gotta preheat the oven," Kelli explains, highlighting how emotional connection and non-sexual intimacy serve as essential foreplay for most women. Their candid advice offers a roadmap for healthier relationships and more fulfilling intimacy. The conversation takes a poignant turn when Emily reflects on the one-year anniversary of her friend Patrick's death. "Grief is never linear for anybody," she shares, describing how emotions can blindside you when least expected. Their nuanced take on public grieving reveals a compassionate understanding that each person's grief journey looks different. Between weighty topics, they share hilarious stories from their epic 12-hour adventure at the State Fair, complete with unexpected friendships with vendors and traditions honoring loved ones. Their ability to move between profound emotional depth and lighthearted humor showcases the podcast's unique appeal. Ready for unfiltered conversation that makes you think, laugh, and maybe shed a tear? Subscribe now and join us next week when Maccoy brings his wild energy to the show! Magicmind.com/BEST50 Support the show https://linktr.ee/onourbestbehavior

    1 hr

  8. 09/16/2025

    Growing Up Never Stops

    Send us a text The dynamic mother-son duo has returned for an incredible fifth season, and the growth is remarkable. MacDog, once our seventh-grade podcast rookie, now navigates the complex world of eleventh grade with his signature blend of sarcasm, wisdom, and teenage nonchalance. This season premiere captures the essence of what makes this relationship so special – authentic conversation that ranges from academic frustrations to major milestones. MacDog's recent driver's test success marks a significant shift in independence, though his description of the D and V as "a shit show" reminds us that some experiences remain universally frustrating across generations. The excitement of driving to McDonald's and Target solo represents that beautiful, terrifying moment when parents begin loosening the reins. The junior year academic experience comes alive through MacDog's candid classroom rundown. His struggle with cabinetry class ("the machines are confusing"), half-remembered Spanish phrases, and passionate hatred for graphs in Algebra 2 paint a vivid picture of high school challenges. Meanwhile, family connections remain strong through weekend barbecues, dinner outings for pulled pork sandwiches, and trips to Minnehaha Falls complete with Italian ice tastings. What truly shines is their unfiltered banter – from the would-you-rather game involving awkward public nudity versus unfortunate bathroom accidents to a string of groan-worthy dad jokes that only a mother could love. Their easy back-and-forth captures the special dynamic that has made this podcast a favorite for parents navigating the teenage years. As they wrap up with confused Spanish phrases and promises of "more stories MacDog doesn't want shared," listeners are left eagerly anticipating what junior year will bring. Subscribe now to join this journey through the triumphs, embarrassments, and everyday moments that make the teenage years simultaneously maddening and magical. Magicmind.com/BEST50 Support the show https://linktr.ee/onourbestbehavior

    31 min
See All (150)

4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

On Our Best Behavior is a heartwarming podcast where Mom, Kelli and 16-year-old son, Maccoy delve into the complexities of school, life's struggles, highs and lows, and various challenges. With a blend of humor and sincerity, they navigate through these topics while sharing their own experiences and insights. Their conversations are not only relatable but also enlightening, offering listeners a fresh perspective on everyday issues. Alongside their engaging discussions, they welcome intriguing guests, adding a dynamic element to each episode. Tune in to join this duo on their journey of growth, learning, and discovery.

Information

  • Creator
    Kelli Szurek & Maccoy Overlie
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 On Our Best Behavior
  • Show Website
    On Our Best Behavior