The Toast

Jon and Alex with Alex and Jon: Wednesday, December 10th, 2025

December 10, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Alex and John shared the deeply personal story of their first pregnancy loss and how they navigated subsequent content creation using dark humor, which ultimately resonated positively with their audience. 
  • The couple discussed their intentional decision to not show their baby, Lucy, on social media to protect her privacy, despite acknowledging that not showing children can sometimes negatively impact creator income. 
  • Alex and John revealed their background as wedding filmmakers, which explains the high production quality of their current content, and they discussed how working together has tightened their conflict resolution skills. 
  • The hosts expressed skepticism regarding celebrity claims of never fighting in their relationships, contrasting Travis Kelce's claim of no fights with Taylor Swift and George Clooney's similar assertion about his marriage to Amal. 
  • The conversation shifted to the difficulties of managing finances and taxes as content creators, with one host sharing a past experience of severe IRS penalties due to underreporting income. 
  • The hosts discussed the recent release of Jen Shah from prison after serving 33 months for a telemarketing fraud scheme, noting the relatively short sentence compared to the original sentencing. 
  • The hosts and guests discussed the lasting public memory of a celebrity's past weight loss, noting that people still comment on it decades later. 
  • The conversation shifted to nostalgic discussions about 90s/early 2000s Disney Channel programming, including TGIF shows and DCOMs like *Smart House*, which one host admitted does not hold up well upon rewatching. 
  • The hosts concluded by advising against overthinking transitions ('getting lost in the sauce') when wrapping up a podcast segment, suggesting it's okay to end abruptly. 

Segments

Guest Introduction and Background
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(00:00:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Alex and John, guests on The Toast, are introduced as Ruby’s godparents and long-time TikTok content creators.
  • Summary: The segment opens with the introduction of guests Alex and John, who are identified as the godparents of Claudia Oshry’s child, Ruby. They established their presence on TikTok starting in 2020, initially focusing on relatable, stereotypical married life content. The couple has been married for six years, having started creating content shortly after their marriage.
Navigating Pregnancy Loss
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(00:03:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Alex and John used dark humor in their content to process the trauma of losing their son at 26 weeks gestation.
  • Summary: The hosts discussed the mentally ill response from some followers who felt personally betrayed by Alex and John announcing a pregnancy after leaning into ‘DINK’ (Dual Income No Kids) content. Following the loss of their son at 26 weeks, they returned to content creation using dark humor about rescinding and then re-applying for their ‘DINK’ status, which was surprisingly well-received. They sought external team feedback before posting the sensitive content, ultimately feeling relieved by the positive reception.
Deciding to Try Again
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(00:07:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Alex waited six months post-loss and initiated trying again only after learning of Claudia Oshry’s pregnancy, utilizing therapy like EMDR to manage trauma.
  • Summary: Alex shared that she waited six months before attempting to conceive again, noting that healing from trauma is not linear and she started EMDR therapy after becoming pregnant with Lucy due to panic attacks. She felt a sense of relief only after passing the gestation period where she lost Leo, and felt fully better once Lucy was born. John emphasized that he deferred entirely to Alex’s timeline regarding trying for another child.
Parenting Content Strategy
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(00:09:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Alex and John creatively maintain their content style by using a bow on Alex to represent their baby, Lucy, avoiding creating a digital footprint for her without consent.
  • Summary: The couple consciously chose not to share photos of Lucy online, believing it is not the child’s job to be on social media and wanting to protect her from potential online creeps. They creatively substitute Lucy in their content by having Alex wear a bow, signifying that she is playing the role of the baby, a tactic that has proven successful and funny. They noted that some managers reportedly favor creators who show their children, but they prioritize privacy over potential income increases.
New Parenthood Realities
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(00:13:31)
  • Key Takeaway: New parenthood heightens emotions, leading to intense fear and respect for mothers, while sleep training methods vary widely between parents.
  • Summary: The conversation touched on the necessity of sleep training, noting that experiences differ drastically between parents with babies who sleep through the night early and those who do not. Alex described her breastfeeding journey as relatively easy post-trauma, while John admitted to being the designated diaper changer initially due to Alex’s C-section recovery. John also experienced intense emotional reactions, sobbing at the pediatrician’s office, highlighting the heightened fear that comes with parenthood.
Filmmaking Background and Business
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(00:34:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Alex’s formal background in filmmaking and media communications informs the elevated quality of their content, leading them to delegate editing tasks to maintain quality.
  • Summary: Alex revealed she has a lifelong passion for filmmaking, studying communication media in college before working on pesticide documentaries and wedding videography. She trained John in camera operation and editing when they started their joint business, Madison Gray Media, which is now an umbrella for their various ventures. They now delegate editing to a trusted editor, Sean, to manage the time-consuming nature of their podcast production.
Spotify Wrapped and Celebrity Fights
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(00:36:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Travis Kelce revealed his Spotify Wrapped top album was Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ while George Clooney’s claim of never fighting with his wife was met with skepticism.
  • Summary: Travis Kelce shared on his podcast that Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ ranked as his second favorite album on his Spotify Wrapped, with a children’s song ranking first. The hosts expressed disbelief over George Clooney’s claim that he and Amal have never had a fight in ten years, contrasting it with their own daily conflict resolution. Alex and John noted that their podcast serves as a form of public conflict resolution for them.
Celebrity Relationship Fights
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(00:42:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Travis Kelce and George Clooney both claimed to have never fought with their partners, which the hosts found unbelievable.
  • Summary: The hosts reacted to Travis Kelce stating he hasn’t fought with Taylor Swift in two years, comparing it to George Clooney’s claim of never fighting with Amal in ten years. They asserted that all couples fight, citing their own relationship as an example of daily banter leading to love. The segment also briefly touched upon George Clooney’s bachelor history before marrying Amal.
Postpartum Hair Loss Concerns
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(00:43:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Postpartum hair loss commonly occurs several months after childbirth, even following a loss.
  • Summary: One host shared experiencing postpartum hair loss three months after losing her baby, noting this delayed onset is common. She is currently taking vitamins to prevent further hair loss while breastfeeding. The discussion highlighted that various postpartum physical changes continue even after experiencing a loss.
Pregnancy High Risk Factors
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(00:44:31)
  • Key Takeaway: A high-risk pregnancy was attributed to a two-vessel cord and a velamentous cord insertion.
  • Summary: The host revealed her first pregnancy was high risk due to specific placental and umbilical cord issues. These issues involved a two-vessel cord and a velamentous cord insertion, which are critical lifelines for the babies. Initial uncertainty from doctors about the condition later escalated into serious concern.
Banter vs. Actual Fights
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(00:45:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Healthy relationships feature daily banter that listeners might mistake for genuine fights, distinct from navigating new life challenges.
  • Summary: The hosts differentiated between daily banter, which they engage in frequently, and actual fights, which occur when navigating new challenges like starting a company or having a child. They noted that listeners often perceive their podcast debates as genuine animosity, but it is a form of healthy disagreement. They believe love can be expressed through poking fun at those you care about.
Jen Shah’s Early Release
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(00:46:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Jen Shah was released after serving 33 months (two years, nine months, and 23 days) for a telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable communities.
  • Summary: Jen Shah has been released from prison after serving significantly less time than her original six-to-eight-year sentencing recommendation. Her crime involved a large-scale telemarketing fraud scheme that stole life savings, leading to suicides among some elderly and disabled victims. The hosts expressed outrage that she served such a short sentence given the severity of her actions.
Vulnerability to Scams
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(00:47:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Even savvy individuals can be susceptible to scams, as evidenced by one host’s partner nearly falling for multiple schemes.
  • Summary: One host’s partner, John, is frequently targeted by scams, including one involving gift cards for internet discounts and another where scammers used AI to impersonate a business contact. The host herself was scammed previously, resulting in fraudulent Verizon bills and cell phone purchases that damaged her credit. They emphasized how difficult it is for vulnerable populations, like Jen Shah’s elderly victims, to avoid such fraud.
Freelancer Tax Fears
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(00:49:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Freelance content creators fear jail time due to the complexity of accurately reporting income and accruing massive penalties for past underreporting.
  • Summary: One host shared a past IRS letter detailing a $100,000 underreported income with $99,000 in penalties due to a three-year delay. This experience caused her to overpay taxes moving forward to avoid jail, which she considers her biggest fear. They noted that navigating taxes while operating a business across different locations is inherently confusing.
Parental Fears and Nanny Concerns
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(00:51:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Beyond personal safety, the hosts’ biggest fears involve harm coming to their children, contrasting with mundane fears like public embarrassment.
  • Summary: The hosts identified harm to their children as their primary fear, contrasting with John’s fear of public defecation. They discussed the overwhelming nature of modern parenting concerns, such as the potential negative effects of phone usage (like radiation) near infants. They agreed that some modern parenting tools, like the Nanit monitor, are indispensable despite potential anxieties.
Attachment Parenting Phone Use
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(00:52:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Extreme attachment parenting advocates suggest avoiding phone scrolling even while breastfeeding, a standard practice for many mothers.
  • Summary: The hosts referenced Courtney Kardashian’s extreme attachment parenting style, specifically the critique that scrolling on a phone while breastfeeding is detrimental. One host admitted to scrolling during feedings to stay awake, noting that the constant vigilance required by some parenting philosophies is unsustainable. They concluded that parents must choose which modern anxieties they will prioritize to avoid going ‘crazy’.
Alix Earle and Braxton Berrios Breakup
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(00:54:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Alix Earle and Braxton Berrios reportedly split after two years due to distance, as she prefers Los Angeles and he is based in Florida for the NFL.
  • Summary: The breakup between Alix Earle and Braxton Berrios is confirmed to be distance-induced, stemming from their geographical separation between LA and Florida. The hosts agreed that being an NFL partner with that schedule makes long-distance relationships difficult. They also debunked a viral screenshot suggesting a New York quarterback was involved, which Earle confirmed was fake.
Instagram Close Friends Culture
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(00:55:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Close Friends stories function as exclusive social clubs, with some creators strategically adding famous individuals to boost visibility.
  • Summary: The hosts discussed the exclusivity of Instagram’s Close Friends feature, noting that being added feels like joining a secret club. One host admitted to adding famous people like Hailey Bieber and Gwyneth Paltrow to her Close Friends list to increase the chance of them viewing her content. They agreed they would never post their children on Close Friends due to the risk of leaks.
Content Creator Platform Earnings
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(00:57:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Facebook Reels currently offers the highest payout rates for content creators compared to TikTok or YouTube views.
  • Summary: The hosts revealed that their primary source of income from views comes from Facebook, where their Reels content performs exceptionally well. They noted that TikTok growth has slowed, and neither they nor their peers monetize heavily through YouTube views. They advised focusing on platforms with better ad revenue rates, like Facebook, over others.
Howard Stern vs. Kim Kardashian
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(01:06:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Howard Stern is denying Kim Kardashian’s claim that he mocked her 2016 Paris robbery as fake, though a clip shows him expressing doubt at the time.
  • Summary: Kim Kardashian accused Howard Stern of joking that her Paris robbery was fabricated for insurance money during a recent episode of The Kardashians. Stern countered by playing a 2016 clip where he stated he did not believe the robbery was fake, suggesting Kardashian selectively edited the evidence. The hosts sided with Kardashian, arguing that victim-blaming is inappropriate regardless of the truth.
UES Mom Private Jet Query
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(01:10:48)
  • Key Takeaway: An Upper East Side mother caused controversy by asking if it was wrong to fly private while her son flew commercial with his soccer team.
  • Summary: A viral post from a UES mom questioned the ethics of flying private for herself while her son flew coach with his travel soccer team, requesting a nanny chaperone. The hosts noted the absurdity, suggesting that if the family has the means, they should fly private for comfort. They also criticized the trend of parents pushing children into year-round travel sports, living vicariously through their kids.
Favorite Comedies and Movie Quality
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(01:16:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Classic 2000s comedies like Mean Girls and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days achieved a cultural impact that modern streaming content rarely matches.
  • Summary: The hosts listed Mean Girls and Legally Blonde as highly quoted favorites, noting Mean Girls’ unparalleled cultural impact on their generation. They expressed a preference for movies that ‘feel like a movie’ rather than the overly crisp, high-quality look associated with ‘Netflix lighting.’ They praised Rachel McAdams for her range in films like The Notebook and Spotlight.
Enduring Weight Loss Perception
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(01:21:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Public memory often fixates on a person’s past physical appearance, even decades after significant changes have occurred.
  • Summary: People still remember a specific individual as being overweight, despite him having lost over 100 pounds 20 years prior. He continues to receive comments about this weight loss, which occurred when he was 19, even though he was almost 40 when he lost the weight. This illustrates the persistence of outdated public perceptions.
Nostalgia for TGIF and DCOMs
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(01:22:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs) like Smart House are often viewed as technologically dated upon rewatching.
  • Summary: The hosts referenced classic TGIF programming, including Boy Meets World and Even Stevens. They specifically mentioned Smart House, which one host recently re-watched and found to be ‘so stupid’ and not well-preserved over time. The outdated technology depicted in the film, such as devices resembling early iPhones, contributed to its dated feel.
Podcast Segue Philosophy
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(01:22:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Effective podcasting sometimes requires avoiding over-analysis of transitions and concluding segments directly.
  • Summary: One host appreciates that on The Toast, they do not always find a perfect segue between topics. The advice given is to avoid getting ’too lost in the sauce’ looking for the perfect transition. Sometimes, it is better to simply wrap up the segment directly rather than overthinking the conclusion.
Closing Remarks and Scheduling
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(01:23:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The next day’s episode of The Toast will be released later than usual due to the host traveling across state lines.
  • Summary: The hosts thanked the guests and promoted the show’s availability on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. A special episode is scheduled for the following day, but listeners are warned that its release will be delayed by several hours because the host must travel across state lines to record it.