The Rachel Hollis Podcast

907 | Testing a New Cookbook, I Almost Got Arrested, You Guys Sent SO Many Postcards!!

November 11, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The episode introduces a new, informal podcast format for "The Rachel Hollis Podcast" involving cooking, chatting, and testing products/recipes amidst the chaos of Rachel Hollis's home renovation. 
  • Rachel Hollis tested a recipe from Alexis DeBoshnek's cookbook, successfully making baked halibut with pesto using only a toaster oven to demonstrate making do with limited resources. 
  • The host shared several listener-submitted postcards containing good news, including one listener who successfully navigated a near-arrest situation stemming from an unpaid 2020 speeding ticket. 

Segments

Sponsor Ad: LL Bean
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: LL Bean boots are highlighted for their century-long commitment to quality craftsmanship, being handcrafted in Maine since 1912.
  • Summary: Many fashion brands are criticized for lacking quality, contrasting with LL Bean’s focus on creating heirloom pieces. Their boots are designed to withstand years of harsh weather conditions. Listeners can find these boots at LLB.com.
Sponsor Ad: Smilo Cancer Hospital
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(00:01:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Smilo Cancer Hospital integrates pioneering research from Yale Cancer Center, including genetic-based targeted therapies and clinical trials.
  • Summary: Personal breakthroughs are often enabled by medical advancements. Smilo offers care from a multidisciplinary team dedicated to specific cancer types. They emphasize powering breakthroughs with great care.
Podcast Format Introduction
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(00:01:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The Rachel Hollis Podcast has adopted a new YouTube-based format featuring cooking, chatting, and product testing.
  • Summary: The host expressed emotion about filming inside the partially renovated house, which requires moving equipment frequently between rooms. This new format is described as Rachel’s version of a daytime talk show, intended to be entertaining. The full video experience is available on YouTube.
Cookbook Testing Setup
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(00:04:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The host is testing a complex recipe from Alexis DeBoshnek’s cookbook using only a toaster oven to prove accessibility.
  • Summary: The host follows Alexis DeBoshnek’s cookbook, noting that half the recipes are simple for weekdays and the other half are more complex for weekends. She is attempting a weekend recipe despite the current limitations of her kitchen space. The goal is to show listeners they can cook with what they have.
Home Renovation Updates
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(00:06:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Significant progress in the home renovation includes the installation of new floors and the removal of protective plastic sheeting.
  • Summary: The removal of floor planks down to the basement required walking on plywood for a period before the actual floors were installed. The removal of plastic sheeting covering the arches, which had been in place for weeks, was a highly emotional moment for the host. The dining room is currently being painted, marking a major improvement from its previous depressing state.
Pesto Preparation Challenges
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(00:08:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Making pesto without a food processor requires manual chopping techniques, such as using a mortar and pestle or a rough chop.
  • Summary: The recipe calls for a food processor, which is unavailable, forcing the host to rely on manual methods like a rough chop, termed the ‘country chop.’ The host and producer briefly debated the correct pronunciation of ‘pestle’ versus ‘pestole.’ The refrigerator has now been moved inside the functional room.
Listener Postcard Good News
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(00:09:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners sent numerous postcards sharing good news, including one celebrating five years of self-employment as a designer and single mom.
  • Summary: The host expressed deep gratitude for listeners taking the time to send notes despite the effort required. One postcard from San Antonio celebrated Carla turning 40 and achieving five years of self-employment. Listeners are encouraged to continue sending updates.
Sponsor Ad: Wayfair & Racketon
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(00:10:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Wayfair is offering early Black Friday deals up to 70% off starting October 30th, while Racketon allows stacking cash back on top of existing sales.
  • Summary: The host is excited to decorate her nearly finished home for the holidays and recommends Wayfair for unique decor styles. Racketon enables stacking cash back (e.g., 15% back on top of a 20% sale) at retailers like Target and Sephora. Membership for Racketon is free and includes a welcome bonus.
Halibut Cooking & Arrest Warrant Story
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(00:17:44)
  • Key Takeaway: The host received a formal warrant for arrest notice regarding an unpaid 2020 speeding ticket, which she confirmed was legitimate after calling the Austin Sheriff’s Department.
  • Summary: While preparing the halibut by layering lemon slices and pesto, the host recounted receiving a startling yellow postcard detailing an arrest warrant. After calling Precinct 3 in Austin, Texas, she verified the ticket from February 2020 and confirmed her signature on the document. The halibut is baked in the toaster oven for 13 to 15 minutes.
Rach Review: Martha Stewart Cake
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(00:20:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Martha Stewart’s salted chocolate caramel cake, sourced via Gold Belly, earned a high rating of 4.8 out of 5 for its moist texture and balanced flavor.
  • Summary: The cake was tested after the host watched Martha Stewart’s MasterClass episode featuring its creation. The packaging from Gold Belly was superior to a previously reviewed Milk Bar cake. The sea salt flakes provided by the company are essential to cut the richness of the moist chocolate cake and caramel.
Sponsor Ads: Squarespace & BetterHelp
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(00:22:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Squarespace offers an all-in-one platform for website building, and BetterHelp provides access to over 30,000 licensed therapists for emotional support.
  • Summary: Rachel Hollis uses Squarespace for her acre.com landing page, noting its ease of use even for non-designers; listeners can use code RACH for 10% off. Therapy is recommended as a worthwhile step, especially during seasonal changes, and BetterHelp matches users with licensed therapists. Listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/rach.
Halibut Final Tasting & Wrap-up
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(00:25:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The baked halibut with pesto was successfully cooked in the toaster oven and deemed impressive enough to serve to guests.
  • Summary: The fish flaked beautifully, and the host fed a bite to producer Jack, noting how impressed guests would be with the dish. The host reiterated that if they can make it with a toaster oven, listeners can manage it at home. The episode concluded with a final postcard reading from Hawaii and a request for listeners to share the podcast.
Podcast Production Credits
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(00:27:29)
  • Key Takeaway: The Rachel Hollis Podcast is produced by Rachel Hollis and edited by Andrew Weller and Jack Noble at LinkedIn.
  • Summary: The production team is acknowledged for their work on the show. LinkedIn is advertised as a resource for small businesses to find qualified candidates quickly, with 86% of businesses getting a qualified candidate within a day. The Home Depot’s Black Friday deals on pre-lit trees are also promoted.