The Toast

The Story Of Us: Friday, December 12th, 2025

December 12, 2025

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  • The hosts are celebrating the final show of the year for *The Toast* on Friday, December 12th, 2025, with Jackie returning from maternity leave and an extra interview with Jenny McCarthy included at the end of the episode. 
  • The segment 'Co-Journer's Truth' was introduced, where Jackie shared her truth about using cabbage leaves to absorb breast milk during weaning, while Claudia shared her truth about being happy to be back and managing her feeding schedule. 
  • Time magazine named 'Architects of AI' as its 2025 Person of the Year, featuring key figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Sam Altman, which the hosts discussed alongside their own 'entertainer of the year' picks. 
  • The hosts discuss the expectation that Taylor Swift's documentary will address heavy topics like the Vienna terror threat and South American tragedy due to the real-time filming nature of the tour. 
  • Jenny McCarthy shared her difficult experience on *The View* due to being hired for pop culture commentary but forced into polarizing political discussions. 
  • Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg met at a *Blue Bloods* taping, and the intense loyalty and sisterhood of the 'Blockheads' fandom were highlighted as a positive force in her life. 
  • The conversation highlights concerns regarding common cosmetic ingredients like parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and heavy metals (like lead) found in many makeup products, especially those not safe for pregnancy or breastfeeding. 
  • A clean beauty brand called Formless Beauty, founded by the guest (Jenny McCarthy, based on show notes), was created to exclude over 900 ingredients deemed unacceptable by the Environmental Working Group and is now stocked in 480 Sprouts stores. 
  • The guest expressed a strong desire to launch a 'podcast era' and enthusiastically offered to appear on The Toast with Jackie Oshry and Claudia Oshry, as well as on 'The Masked Singer'. 

Segments

Hosts Welcome and Guest Return
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(00:00:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Jackie returns from maternity leave for the final episode of The Toast of the year.
  • Summary: The hosts opened the show, welcoming listeners to the final episode of The Toast for the year. Jackie confirmed her return from maternity leave, noting she had an extra interview scheduled with Jenny McCarthy. The episode is framed as a reunion and the ‘Story of Us’ for the hosts.
Jenny McCarthy Interview Tease
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(00:01:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Jenny McCarthy is featured in an unannounced interview segment because she is open to discussing any topic, including her dream job as a singing competition judge.
  • Summary: Claudia mentioned overbooking her maternity leave coverage, resulting in an extra interview with Jenny McCarthy at the end of the episode. McCarthy is praised for being willing to discuss anything, unlike some guests who avoid certain topics. Her role as a judge on a singing competition is highlighted as Claudia’s ’lifelong dream.'
Patreon Content Recap
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(00:02:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Patreon subscribers received recaps of Dancing with the Stars, Seeker Lives, and Mormon Wives reunions while Jackie was on leave.
  • Summary: The hosts reminded listeners that Jackie covered several shows on the Patreon during her leave, including the finales of Dancing with the Stars and Seeker Lives, as well as the Mormon Wives reunion. The main episode will feature five standard stories.
Publicist Frustrations and ‘Truth’ Segment
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(00:03:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Jackie expressed extreme frustration with publicists during her time off, leading to the suggestion of a new segment called ‘Co-Journer’s Truth.’
  • Summary: Jackie stated she never wanted to interact with another publicist again, promising to share her ’truth’ about the experience later on Patreon. The hosts brainstormed a new segment based on their regular FaceTime check-ins, settling on ‘Co-Journer’s Truth’ for sharing personal updates.
Claudia’s Cabbage Truth
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(00:05:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Claudia revealed she is using cabbage leaves in her bra to help absorb breast milk and reduce supply while weaning her son Max.
  • Summary: Claudia shared her truth: she is covered in cabbage leaves due to starting her weaning journey, noting the cabbage is effective for absorbing breast milk and reducing supply due to engorgement. She confirmed that others, including Snookie, recommended the method, and she does not mind the smell, viewing the cabbage as a ‘built-in snack.’
Claudia’s Morning Routine and TV Queue
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(00:06:21)
  • Key Takeaway: Claudia woke up extra early to prepare brisket and manage her three-hourly feeding schedule to be ready for the video recording of The Toast.
  • Summary: Claudia’s truth was her happiness to be back for the video show, requiring extra preparation time around her non-pumping feeding schedule. She mentioned having a brisket in the crockpot and needing to watch a specific podcast interview, which she could not recall at the moment.
Charlie Puth Super Bowl Anthem
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(00:09:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Claudia expressed excitement for Charlie Puth singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, citing his vocal talent despite any personal reservations.
  • Summary: Claudia stated she is looking forward to Charlie Puth’s performance at the Super Bowl, noting he is vocally talented and she is ‘holding space for him.’ Jackie agreed that his only job is to sing well, and she humorously noted his voice is somewhat ‘girly.’
Jenna Bush Hager Co-Host Selection
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(00:10:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Chanel Jones was confirmed as the new co-host for Jenna Bush Hager on the morning show, a selection the hosts found obvious because she was already an NBC employee.
  • Summary: The hosts confirmed Chanel Jones was selected as the new co-host, noting it was an obvious choice given her existing role and relationship with Jenna. They speculated that the ‘Jenna and Friends’ period was simply a time buy while Chanel was on sabbatical for her husband’s health. Justin Sylvester reacted to not getting the job by referencing the Devil Wears Prada scene where Miranda chooses Emily over Nigel.
Celebrity Relationship Updates
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(00:13:19)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts acknowledged the unexpected pairing of Glenn Powell and Michelle Randolph as a major celebrity ship, while Claudia expressed mourning over the Braxton/Alex breakup (‘Brallex’).
  • Summary: Glenn Powell and Michelle Randolph were named an iconic duo that the hosts never predicted, illustrating that ‘man plans, God laughs.’ Claudia expressed sadness over the breakup of Braxton and Alex, stating she is in mourning and not cheering the split.
Sponsor Reads: Nanit, Squarespace, Quince, Rocket Money
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(00:14:53)
  • Key Takeaway: Nanit is promoted as the number one smart baby monitor, Squarespace is highlighted for its new AI design intelligence, Quince offers high-quality goods at low prices, and Rocket Money helps manage subscriptions and bills.
  • Summary: Nanit is endorsed heavily, especially for its new dedicated screen monitor, promising parents 36 more nights of sleep annually. Squarespace’s new design intelligence uses AI to help users build personalized websites easily. Quince offers designer-quality items like Italian wool coats at significantly reduced prices by cutting out middlemen. Rocket Money is recommended for tracking spending, canceling unwanted subscriptions, and potentially negotiating lower bills.
Time’s 2025 Person of the Year
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(00:21:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Time named the ‘Architects of AI’ as its 2025 Person of the Year, recognizing the technology’s seismic shift into the present year.
  • Summary: The recognition honored the group responsible for AI’s massive impact across American life, including figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Sam Altman. Claudia preferred a single choice like ChatGPT but acknowledged Time’s choice to recognize the major industry players. Claudia used AI to ask what it learned about her this year, revealing she is a detail-oriented cook who values nuance.
Khloé Kardashian Flirts with Teacher
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(00:31:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Khloé Kardashian publicly flirted with high school teacher Jacob Myers Norris on Instagram, leading to fan excitement and speculation about a potential reality TV storyline.
  • Summary: Khloé commented ‘How was your day? Asked and answered’ on Norris’s post, who replied positively and noted his friends were pressuring him to follow up. Claudia believes the interaction is pure but suspects any resulting relationship will be manufactured for the next season of her show. Claudia prefers Chloe date someone ‘adjacent’ to fame, not ’too regular’ like a teacher.
Paramount/Skydance Warner Bros. Bid
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(00:35:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Paramount Skydance is raising its hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery by up to 10% (to $33/share), potentially covering the $2.8 billion breakup fee with Netflix.
  • Summary: The increased offer, nearly $86 billion total, is an aggressive move to secure Warner Bros. Discovery and prevent its merger with Netflix. Claudia supports Paramount’s bid to maintain competition in the streaming market, fearing Netflix becoming a single dominant entity would lead to higher prices. The appearance of HBO Max content on Netflix suggests the merger process is already underway internally.
Kyle Cooke Shotgunning Truly
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(00:38:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Loverboy founder Kyle Cooke was filmed shotgunning a competitor’s hard seltzer, Truly, which is ironic given his alleged efforts to get Hannah Berner fired for promoting Truly.
  • Summary: The Summer House trailer confirms Kyle and Amanda’s relationship is strained, with Kyle allegedly staying out all night at a fan’s apartment and being filmed drinking Truly. The hosts discussed the rumor that cast members pour out Loverboy and refill the cans with their preferred drinks, like rosé or tequila, to avoid blurred labels. Claudia ultimately stated she champions Kyle and Amanda’s ’true love’ despite his poor behavior.
Taylor Swift Tour Documentary
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(00:47:49)
  • Key Takeaway: Taylor Swift’s documentary features emotional, real-time footage where she tearfully discusses dodging a ‘massacre situation’ following terror threats in Vienna and Liverpool.
  • Summary: The documentary goes deeper than expected, showing Swift crying in her costume after meeting with victims’ families. She admitted that this was the first tour where she felt she was ‘skating on thin ice’ due to the series of violent threats. The hosts were surprised by the heavy content, expecting a more surface-level look at costume choices.
Taylor Swift Documentary Expectations
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(00:49:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The real-time filming of Taylor Swift’s tour documentary necessitates addressing major incidents like the Vienna terror threat.
  • Summary: The documentary format, involving real-time interviews, means Taylor Swift must address significant tour events, such as the Vienna terror threat and a tragedy in South America where someone passed from heat stroke. Listeners anticipate seeing how these events impacted her experience, moving beyond surface-level content like outfit choices or mashup intricacies.
Spotify Wrapped Video Criticism
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(00:51:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Taylor Swift faced viral criticism for promoting her documentary immediately after thanking fans in her personalized Spotify Wrapped video.
  • Summary: Taylor Swift’s personalized Spotify Wrapped video, sent to top 1% listeners, included a promotion for her new documentary, leading to backlash online. The hosts noted the irony of a top artist needing to promote new content to her most dedicated fans. One host received a video from Peppa Pig, noting the difference in content compared to major artists.
Year-End Wrap-Up and Patreon Content
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(00:53:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts are concluding the regular show for the year but will continue with bonus content including a Jenny McCarthy interview and five episodes on Patreon.
  • Summary: The hosts acknowledged that the past year held the most change for The Toast, referencing the ‘frame hate era’ which they feel is now over. They encouraged listeners to join Patreon for year-end content like top stories and personal reflections. The final regular show segment precedes the scheduled Jenny McCarthy interview.
Jenny McCarthy Interview Introduction
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(01:03:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Jenny McCarthy is introduced as a dynamic figure with multiple career eras, including being a host, founder, and The Masked Singer judge.
  • Summary: Jenny McCarthy expressed excitement to be on The Toast and was praised for being dynamic across her career, including her time on The View and Sirius XM radio. She revealed she is launching a hybrid talk show/podcast in the fall of the following year. McCarthy also shared that she was considered for The Masked Singer but passed on the opportunity.
Jenny McCarthy’s View Experience
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(01:04:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Jenny McCarthy’s tenure on The View was stressful because she was hired for lighthearted pop culture commentary but was forced into polarizing political debates.
  • Summary: McCarthy described her time on The View as difficult because the show reverted to political fighting, which caused her body to experience stress-induced earthquakes. She felt unprepared to comment on complex political issues without constant news consumption. She noted that her lane on The Masked Singer allows her to remain a pop culture guru.
Meeting Donnie Wahlberg Story
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(01:05:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Jenny McCarthy met her husband, Donnie Wahlberg, while interviewing him for her VH1 talk show after initially meeting him as a guest on Watch What Happens Live.
  • Summary: McCarthy initially flirted with Donnie Wahlberg on Watch What Happens Live but stopped because she mistakenly believed he was married. Four months later, while interviewing him for her VH1 show, she confirmed he was single and they ended up talking for 90 minutes instead of the scheduled four to six minutes. They frequently rewatch their first interview segment, noting their current dynamic was present from the start.
Masked Singer Judging Dynamics
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(01:08:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Jenny McCarthy focuses on giving positive feedback on The Masked Singer because her role is pop culture expertise, not vocal critique, and she is highly competitive, winning the Golden Ear Trophy multiple times.
  • Summary: McCarthy prefers giving ‘flowers’ rather than insults on the show, focusing her commentary on the contestant’s story and courage rather than vocal skill. She revealed that guesses made too early are often removed during the editing process, which frustrates her competitive nature. She estimates her guess accuracy rate is between 30% and 40%.
Pop Culture Takes: Taylor Swift & Harry/Meghan
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(01:22:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Jenny McCarthy became a Taylor Swift fan after enjoying a song on TikTok without realizing the artist, and she hopes Swift has a baby soon to experience motherhood’s paradigm shift.
  • Summary: McCarthy admitted to being a recent convert to Taylor Swift’s music after enjoying a catchy song on TikTok, only realizing the artist later. She expressed a desire for Swift to have children so her music could explore the profound shift in perspective that motherhood brings. Regarding Harry and Meghan, McCarthy sympathizes with their desire to leave the public eye but criticizes the hypocrisy of seeking attention while claiming to want privacy.
Jenny McCarthy’s Formless Beauty Brand
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(01:34:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Jenny McCarthy founded Formless Beauty because her MTHFR gene mutation requires her body to avoid hormone disruptors found in many cosmetics, leading her to create super clean products now sold in 480 Sprouts stores.
  • Summary: McCarthy created Formless Beauty due to her own health sensitivities, including the MTHFR gene mutation, which impairs the body’s ability to detoxify. She emphasized that many products marketed as ‘clean’ still contain hormone disruptors, which is why her brand focuses on true ingredient purity. The brand started with three lip glosses and has expanded significantly, including a launch in 480 Sprouts locations.
Glutathione and Tylenol Link
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(01:35:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Tylenol use is cautioned against for individuals with certain genetic predispositions because it lowers glutathione levels.
  • Summary: Individuals with kids who have autism may share a genetic predisposition that lowers glutathione. Glutathione depletion is cited as the reason why Tylenol use is discouraged in these cases. This connection emphasizes the importance of avoiding substances that negatively impact the body’s detoxification capacity.
Formless Beauty Clean Ingredients
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(01:35:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Formless Beauty was specifically formulated without hormone disruptors and is safe for breastfeeding mothers and those with autoimmune conditions.
  • Summary: The brand was created for people who need super clean products because their bodies cannot detoxify effectively, including those with lupus or allergies. Their mascara is noted as being one of the few available without hormone disruptors. The brand launched with three lip glosses to test consumer interest in truly clean beauty.
Pregnancy Makeup Safety Shock
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(01:36:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Many commercially available makeup products contain ingredients unsafe for use during pregnancy, leading to consumer surprise.
  • Summary: One speaker realized that certain makeup items, like Milk Hydrogrip Primer, were not pregnancy safe after receiving feedback on a TikTok video. Harmful ingredients commonly found in makeup include parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and heavy metals like lead. Formless Beauty adheres strictly to Environmental Working Group guidelines, excluding over 900 unacceptable ingredients.
Podcast Promotion and Closing
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(01:37:14)
  • Key Takeaway: The guest, Jenny McCarthy, agreed to a 10% discount code for Formless Beauty and expressed eagerness for her ‘podcast era’ and a potential ‘Masked Singer’ appearance.
  • Summary: A 10% discount code was established for listeners of The Toast with Jackie Oshry and Claudia Oshry to use for Formless Beauty purchases. The guest referenced her past career eras (Playboy, Reality TV, The Masked Singer) while anticipating her upcoming podcast era. The recording concluded, marking it as the final interview for the year.