The Rachel Hollis Podcast

902 | New from YouTube: A pumpkin cheeseboard...

October 28, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The episode centers on Rachel Hollis attempting to create a pumpkin-shaped charcuterie board outdoors without a proper kitchen, emphasizing embracing the messy middle of any new endeavor. 
  • The host strongly encourages listeners to subscribe to the podcast as a vital way to support the show and ensure they don't miss new episodes. 
  • The messy middle phase of any project or goal is where most people quit, but perseverance through this unattractive or monotonous stage is necessary to reach the finish line. 

Segments

Sponsor Ad: Luxury Home Goods
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Paragold curates a large selection of heirloom quality furniture, lighting, and decor from top design brands.
  • Summary: Paragold offers an extensive collection of high-quality furniture, lighting, and decor, catering to styles from traditional to modern. They emphasize insider access to stunning, heirloom quality pieces for every space, both indoors and out. Customers can shop in-store or online at paragold.com.
Sponsor Ad: Durable Boots
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(00:00:26)
  • Key Takeaway: LL Bean boots are handcrafted in Maine since 1912 using full-grain leather and triple needle stitching for longevity.
  • Summary: LL Bean focuses on creating lasting products, exemplified by their boots crafted for over a century. These boots feature durable rubber bottoms and triple needle stitching, promising items that last a lifetime. Consumers can find their pair at LLB.com.
Pumpkin Cheeseboard Challenge Setup
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(00:01:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Rachel Hollis is attempting to recreate a Pinterest-inspired pumpkin-shaped cheeseboard without a recipe or a functional kitchen.
  • Summary: The host was inspired by a pumpkin-shaped cheeseboard found on Pinterest and decided to attempt recreating it live on the show. She lacked the food stylist’s recipe and steps, forcing an improvisational approach. The challenge is compounded by the fact that she is attempting this creation in her backyard instead of a kitchen.
Podcast Subscription Call to Action
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(00:01:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Subscribing to a podcast is one of the most effective ways to support the host and staff, ensuring consistent episode delivery.
  • Summary: Subscribing to a regularly listened-to podcast directly supports the show and its staff. This action guarantees the listener never misses a new episode drop. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, noting that unsubscribing is a simple, one-click process if they change their minds.
New YouTube Show Format Announcement
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(00:02:43)
  • Key Takeaway: The Rachel Hollis Podcast has a new YouTube format featuring cooking, chatting, and recipe/product testing, akin to a daytime talk show.
  • Summary: The audio version is an adaptation of a new YouTube format for The Rachel Hollis Podcast. This new show involves cooking, chatting, and trying various recipes and products. While not claiming expertise, the host hopes the content is entertaining, and the YouTube link is provided for the full visual experience.
Listener Good News Postcard Request
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(00:03:24)
  • Key Takeaway: The host requested listeners send physical postcards containing good news to foster a tangible connection in the digital world.
  • Summary: The host asked listeners to send physical postcards with good news, contrasting the digital nature of modern communication. She expressed surprise at the positive reception to this request from the community. The segment details her excitement checking the mailbox for the first time and finding an unexpected package.
Pumpkin Cheeseboard Ingredient Selection
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(00:04:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The theme for the pumpkin cheeseboard is using orange-colored cheeses, with Aged Mimolette being selected for its color despite the host’s unfamiliarity with its taste.
  • Summary: The cheeseboard is designed to look like a pumpkin, making orange color the primary selection criterion for ingredients. The host chose Gouda and Aged Mimolette, noting the latter was chosen specifically for its vibrant orange hue and the face-like markings on its rind. The host also improvised a pumpkin stem using a cheese straw painted with Q-tips, embracing the experimental nature of the process.
Sponsor Ad: Dog Food Quality
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(00:07:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula dry dog food is made with high-quality protein, antioxidant-packed fruits, and nutrient-rich vegetables.
  • Summary: Blue Buffalo dog food is highlighted for its superior ingredients designed to help dogs thrive. The formula includes high-quality protein alongside antioxidant-packed fruits and vegetables. Listeners are directed to feedbluefood.com to learn more about the product.
Sponsor Ad: Healthy Halloween Snacks
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(00:08:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Thrive Market offers healthier, ingredient-restricted swaps for Halloween treats, providing 30% off the first order plus a free $60 gift.
  • Summary: Thrive Market is recommended for stocking up on healthier alternatives to traditional Halloween candy, helping to avoid sugar crashes. They feature over 1,000 ingredient restrictions, ensuring curated, feel-good pantry staples and treats. New customers using thrivemarket.com/slash rach receive 30% off their first order and a free $60 gift.
Opening Listener Gift Package
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(00:09:20)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener named Mandy from North Bend, Oregon, sent a box containing cranberry fruit tarts and pineapple upside-down cake candy from Cranberry Sweets in Coos Bay.
  • Summary: The package received was from a listener named Mandy, who included treats made locally in Oregon. The items included chewy, sour cranberry fruit tarts and pineapple upside-down cake candy. The host sampled the cranberry tart, noting that cranberries require added sugar to be palatable.
Charcuterie Board Assembly Techniques
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(00:11:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Effective charcuterie board building involves creating a feeling of opulence by using filler underneath items to bring food to the top of the platter.
  • Summary: A key technique for visually appealing boards is creating an illusion of abundance, similar to how caterers use filler under serving dishes. The goal is to make the board look like it is spilling over, which is achieved by incorporating many colors and textures right to the edges. Symmetry and strategic placement of items that won’t easily fall off are important for presentation.
Sponsor Ad: Walt Disney World
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(00:16:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Walt Disney World Resort offers an adventure with the best atmosphere on earth, inviting listeners to find their moment.
  • Summary: The advertisement encourages listeners to visit Walt Disney World Resort for an adventure. It suggests the resort provides an unparalleled atmosphere for visitors. The call to action is to find your moment at the resort.
Sponsor Ad: Skinny Pop Popcorn
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(00:16:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Skinny Pop popcorn is a satisfyingly salty, light, and airy snack made with only three simple ingredients.
  • Summary: Skinny Pop is presented as an irresistibly tasty and better-for-you snack option. The original ready-to-eat popcorn is made using just three simple ingredients. It is popular for both sharing and solo snacking due to its satisfying flavor profile.
College Visit and Tailgating Experience
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(00:17:24)
  • Key Takeaway: The host attended her first college football game and tailgate at Northwestern, noting the lack of expected choreography in both the a cappella show and the game atmosphere.
  • Summary: Rachel Hollis visited her son Jackson at Northwestern for Parents’ Weekend, attending her first college football game and hosting a tailgate. She expected more choreographed cheering and dance routines from the a cappella group and the game atmosphere than what was present. Her tailgate was notably alcohol-free due to uncertainty about campus rules, yet it still attracted about 20 people.
Home Renovation Chaos and Perseverance
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(00:19:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The messy middle of any significant life change, like home renovation or personal development, is often unattractive and monotonous, causing most people to quit.
  • Summary: The host’s current home chaos, including a backyard cement removal project that overwhelmed her husband, illustrates the difficulty of the ‘messy middle.’ This phase is characterized by unattractiveness and monotony, which leads many people to abandon their goals. The key is to keep moving forward, even one step at a time, to eventually reach the desired finish line.
Episode Conclusion and Future Promise
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(00:24:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Despite current production limitations (poor sound, no kitchen), the host commits to showing up and improving the podcast weekly.
  • Summary: This was the second episode under the new format, and the host acknowledges they are still learning and figuring things out. She promises that the sound quality will improve and that they will eventually have a functional kitchen. Listeners are asked to provide feedback on segments as the team continues to show up with what they have.
Sponsor Ad: Northwell Health
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(00:25:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Northwell Health is actively rebuilding healthcare to better serve women’s needs, resulting in more women choosing their system than any other in New York.
  • Summary: Northwell Health is working to correct historical deficiencies in women’s healthcare by rewriting the score and rebuilding the system piece by piece. They aim to provide the comprehensive care women deserve. More women in New York choose Northwell than any other health system, and details are available at raisehealth.com/women.