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*We realize it is hotter than Hades right now in the Midwest. When we recorded the episode, it was a rare cool summer day. We are not crazy. ;-) * Six years after his first visit to Cliterally Speaking, award-winning comedian, actor, writer and master storyteller Don Reed is back—and somehow there’s even more to talk about. Don catches us up on the remarkable chain of events that grew out of one of the biggest disappointments of his career: being personally selected by Johnny Carson to appear on The Tonight Show, only to discover that his own manager had kept the opportunity from happening. Decades later, that unfinished story led Don to the National Comedy Center, where he finally performed the set Carson had approved and received a standing ovation. What once felt like a devastating missed opportunity ultimately became the inspiration for Don’s one-man show The Never Too Late Show and his forthcoming memoir, Here’s Donny: A Memoir of Hard Knocks from Pimp Town to Tinsel Town, scheduled for release in summer 2027 through Simon & Schuster. But this conversation is about much more than show business. Don takes us inside Redwood Nights: Storytelling Under the Stars, the extraordinary gathering he created beneath the redwoods in Marin County, where phones are put away, wine and food are shared, and people reconnect through what Don calls not artificial intelligence, but “authentic interaction.” We talk about why storytelling demands a different kind of vulnerability than stand-up comedy, and why sometimes the funniest people become even more compelling when they stop chasing the next laugh and simply tell the truth. And then there’s the love story. Don shares how a friendship of 35 years unexpectedly became something more, and why falling in love later in life felt less frightening and more certain than anything that had come before it. Emily shares a little of her own love story, and the conversation becomes a beautiful reminder that our capacity to dream, create, change, connect, and fall wildly in love doesn't come with an expiration date. Naturally, there is wine. Don introduces us to the remarkable story behind the McBride Sisters Collection, while Emily and Michelle open one of the last bottles in Emily’s cellar from a beloved Rhône winemaker. Along the way, we talk fathers, family, missed chances, homelessness, perseverance, storytelling, food, friendship, second acts, and the strange way the road you never intended to travel can sometimes take you exactly where you needed to go. Because maybe “too late” isn't really a thing. In this episode: The Tonight Show opportunity Don almost had—and the betrayal that kept it from happeningPerforming his Johnny Carson-approved set 30 years laterWhy Don now believes missing that original opportunity may have changed his career for the betterHis forthcoming memoir, Here’s Donny: A Memoir of Hard Knocks from Pimp Town to Tinsel TownThe creation and magic of Redwood Nights: Storytelling Under the StarsWhy vulnerability changes comedy and storytellingDon’s father, his childhood and the stories that shaped East 14thFinding love after 35 years of friendshipWhy dreams—and love—don't have expiration datesAnd, of course, the wine Follow Don Reed on Instagram: @donreedwow Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered what it takes to bring your favorite t-shirt from an idea to your closet? This week, Michelle and Emily welcome a very special guest: Emily's fiancé, Bret Schnitker—entrepreneur, global apparel expert, world traveler, and co-host of the Clothing Coulture podcast. Bret shares the unlikely path that led him from a California surfer kid and aspiring actor to becoming a leader in the international fashion industry. Along the way, he reveals how a mentor changed the trajectory of his career, what he's learned from manufacturing around the globe, and why relationships matter just as much as business strategy. The conversation also turns personal as Bret and Emily share how friendship, collaboration, and mutual respect slowly grew into love. It's an honest discussion about finding your person later in life, balancing work and romance, and why great conversation may be the sexiest quality of all. Of course, it wouldn't be Cliterally Speaking without a little laughter, plenty of relationship banter, and a bottle of excellent rosé. In this episode:How Bret accidentally found a career in fashionThe surprising journey from retail to international apparel manufacturingWhat really goes into making the clothes we wearManufacturing, politics, and the changing global economyWhy mentorship can change the course of your lifeHow Bret and Emily met—and why they kept their relationship quiet at firstFinding love after life's detoursWhy intellectual connection matters just as much as physical attractionWedding plans, future adventures, and a few laughs along the wayWine of the WeekBrook & Bull Rosé by winemaker Ashley Trout (Walla Walla, Washington) A refreshing summer rosé that even converted a self-proclaimed rosé skeptic. Emily and Michelle also reminisce about Ashley's previous appearance on the podcast and toast to friendship, great wine, and meaningful conversations. Connect with Bret & EmilyLearn more about Bret and Emily's work in the fashion industry through their podcast, Clothing Coulture, where they explore apparel manufacturing, global sourcing, design, and the ever-changing business of fashion. Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, we're simply catching up—and somehow that turns into one of our favorite kinds of episodes. Michelle reflects on the incredible response to the second performance of Girlfriend Medicine and what's next.Why producing theater is equal parts magic, chaos, and troubleshooting.Emily shares stories from Cabo—including the tragic loss of another jar of honey to airport security.We dive into dynamic pricing, digital price tags, and whether retailers should know more about us than we know about ourselves.A preview of our upcoming Hot Flash episode breaking down Missouri's ballot issues.Wedding veils, traditions, and how history shapes the rituals we still follow today.Plus, plenty of laughs about lubrication, menopause, friendship, and the wonderfully random places a conversation can go after a glass (or two) of wine.And yes... About 20 minutes from the end, our recorder batteries quietly gave up. We didn't realize it until much later, so the final part of our conversation is lost to history. Consider it proof that sometimes the best conversations happen when no one's recording. Cheers! Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Twitter: @cliterallyspea1 Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi All! Michelle and Emily were joined by artist, scholar, and all-around fascinating human Patricia Olynyk for what was supposed to be a conversation over a bottle of wine. As it turns out, one bottle wasn't nearly enough. In this episode of Bodies, Bones, and Bordeaux, they talk art. They talk science. They talk friendship. They talk about the strange little coincidences that make you wonder if there's something more going on in the universe than we're meant to understand. Michelle shares updates on Girlfriend Medicine and the growing community that is taking shape around friendship and connection. Emily talks weddings, new beginnings, and the wisdom that comes with embracing life's next chapter. Together with Patricia, they wander into conversations about medical humanities, body modification, forgotten women in history, museums filled with human remains, the ethics of scientific discovery, and why some stories deserve to be told long after the people themselves have been forgotten. They talk about how history has shaped the way we see our bodies and each other. They talk about stigma, healing, archives, and the importance of asking uncomfortable questions. They also talk about ghosts. And witches. And whether good summer panties might actually qualify as a public service. The first bottle of the afternoon was a 2024 Brondelle Bordeaux Rosé—light, peachy, and apparently the perfect pairing for conversations about personhood, plague, ghosts, and whether spirits might still be hanging around old churches. Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our YouTube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for behind-the-scenes moments from our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up and running: http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence and online exploitation. Please take care while listening—and reading. Step away if you need to. We’ll be here when you get back. Hi All! Michelle and Emily start this episode the way all good things begin—catching up, sipping wine, and easing back into their rhythm together. There’s talk of tornadoes, travel, Emily's wedding (!!), and the continued excitement around Girlfriend Medicine (the world premiere SOLD OUT! But there's a second performance on May 30th, tickets on sale now!). The wine of the show? Seven Springs Pinot Noir (Oregon)—and let’s just say… she’s bold, she’s earthy, she’s got a little edge to her, and she absolutely kept up with this conversation. And then… the conversation turns. What starts light gets real—because there are some things happening right now that we can’t just scroll past. Michelle and Emily talk through the SAVE Act, what it could mean for voting access, and why something that sounds simple on paper (just “show your documents”) isn’t actually simple at all—especially for women. Name changes, life transitions, missing paperwork… it adds up quickly. They also get into the bigger picture—what happens when access to everyday systems (like voting… or even banking) starts requiring more and more proof. And because apparently we weren’t done being unsettled… they dive into a CNN investigation exposing online communities where violence against women isn’t just happening—it’s being taught, shared, and normalized. Yeah. That part. It’s not an easy conversation—but it’s an important one. They talk about fear. They talk about silence. They talk about why it feels harder than ever to just… talk about things. And they ask the question we’re all sitting with: What are we actually going to do about it? As always—thank you for being here, for listening, and for being part of this conversation. Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Watch our YouTube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind-the-scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On May 16, 2025, St. Louis was hit by an F3 tornado that left 4,500 households without shelter. It's been 7 months since the tornado hit, and still, so much is left to be done to get people back into their homes. Emily and Michelle welcome Ali Rand, the guiding force behind the St. Louis Street Angels, and one of her volunteers (and Michelle's son), Will Ratcliff. Ali was a stay-at-home mom of 5, living in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, MO, enjoying that beautiful Friday afternoon before the tornado hit St Louis, including her own home. She has started Street Angels, a grassroots volunteer movement born of devastation but motivated by a love for her adopted hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. They talk about the effects of their continued efforts to rebuild, how to stay motivated in the face of adversity, the beautiful friendships made, and the stronger sense of community that is being created daily. They still need our help. The families and the neighborhoods still need our help. Do what you can, please share. Every little bit helps. Jeio Prosecco graced their glasses. Follow Ali on Instagram @alirand Listen to her on another podcast about her efforts. https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/house-of-lou/episode-22/ Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Watch our YouTube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind-the-scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi All! Emily and Michelle were enjoying a Saturday afternoon of wine tasting and catching up when, after one bottle of champagne, they were inspired to open another and record an episode. This is that episode! They talk art. They talk about connection. They talk about the changes in their lives since the last episode. Emily shares how much the loss of her dear Iggy Pup impacted her and how she has worked through her grief and recreated her four-legged family, growing it to THREE!!! Michelle revealed a new project she has been working on, Girlfriend Medicine, which will premiere in March of 2026. The delicious second bottle they are drinking is Champagne Godmé Sabine - Blanc de Blanc. They talk about Emily's upcoming 'big birthday' and how much our perspectives change as we get older. They mourn the loss of Diane Keaton. They talk about reshaping feminism. They talk about how we have been conditioned to assign value to our lives and ourselves. They laugh about reaching the age when "no one wants you." They muse on how to increase the frequency of good sex over bad sex. They laugh and celebrate all that is wonderful about being together and how much they appreciate the opportunity to share with you, their dedicated listeners. Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Twitter: @cliterallyspea1 Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you believe we're on Season 10?!?! We have been feeling all the feelings with what has been going on in the world right now. We share our thoughts while enjoying a lovely bottle of Domaine Moutard Brut Blanc de Blancs. We talk about the challenges facing us as women, as businesspeople, as compassionate and empathetic members of society, and how we are trying to keep some hope in our lives. Our conversation is real and authentic as always. We're so glad to be back in front of the microphones because we need to be connected with each other as well as with you our listeners. We talk about celebrating the small wins in our lives as a form of self-care and hope you will do the same. Drop us a note, tell us how you're doing. Thank you for listening, subscribing, and supporting us and each other! Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Re-releasing in honor of International Orgasm Day on July 31! (Originally published in 2021). Emily and Michelle are joined by Dr. Donna Marshaye-White. While drinking a delightful bottle of Elocuenta Cava Brut, their discussion runs the gamut from sex toys, multiple orgasms, authentic orgasms, faking it or not, Self-Love, Practice makes Perfect and Zodiac Sex Positions! This episode will definitely get you prepared for the International Orgasm Day! Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Twitter: @cliterallyspea1 Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Be on the lookout for the launch of our live-streaming channel on Twitch, CliterallySpeakingPodTV. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June is Lipedema Awareness Month! So we thought we'd share this episode again - originally released in February 2020 - to do our part in raising awareness for this progressive fat disorder disease. Feel free to share this episode with anyone you think would benefit from learning about and knowing more about Lipedema: The Disease they call FAT!*********Michelle and Emily share a decadent bottle of Emmolo wine while learning about Lipedema with their guest Dr. Catherine Seo, founder of Lipedema Simplified.They learn the difference between Lipedema and Lymphedema (listen to Season 1, Episode 24 "The Beauty Queen with the Big Leg" to learn about Amy Rivera's battle with Lymphedema.) From www.Lipedema-Simplified.org: Lipedema is a relatively common fat disorder that is often mistaken for simple obesity. Its clinical diagnosis is an adipose tissue disorder or a lipid metabolism disorder. A typical lipedema patient is a woman who struggles with large hips and legs, usually out of proportion to the rest of her body. Lipedema also appears in the upper arms. One of the hallmarks of the disease is that lipedema fat is relatively unresponsive to diet and exercise. These measures may lead to weight loss in other areas, but the size of the hips and legs remains disproportionately large.Lipedema affects over 17 million women in the United States. However, 98% don't know, instead they think they're to blame. They discuss fat shaming, society's fat bias, and the medical community's ignorance of Lipedema. They discuss early signs (family history - genetic link), therapies (nutrition, movement, decongestive therapy, manual lymphatic drainage massage, compression pumps), prevention (nutrition, movement, lifestyle changes, awareness). Dr. Seo's organization, Lipedema-Simplified, focus on five factors needed to have a full life while managing Lipedema: physical, mental, psychological, emotional, and social.Dr. Seo's documentary called: "Lipedema - The Disease they call Fat" is available for free on Facebook or for purchase on Amazon.Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.comFacebook: @cspeakpodcastInstagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcastTwitter: @cliterallyspea1Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions.Be on the lookout for the launch of our live-streaming channel on Twitch, CliterallySpeakingPodTV. Our patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle and Emily laugh their way through the aftermath of Michelle's relationship break-up. They share a bottle of Costco chablis (you must listen to hear their review, (no spoilers here) and explore the nuances of the on-again/off-again relationship, how it ended, how Michelle has processed its ending, and the way they both look for the bright side of life. As they say, sometimes the universe clears the unwanted debris from our lives and that's okay. Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Twitter: @cliterallyspea1 Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle and Emily welcome award-winning mixologist and Drink Masters reality TV show contestant Meredith Barry to the podcast. They learn about the amazing journey Meredith has been on, from starting at a country club her dad managed to competing in Netflix's TV series to owning her restaurants while sharing a delicious bottle of Pinot Nero from Antonutti. Meredith shares her insights on lessons learned and applied as she overcame various challenges within the industry. She's just getting started! To learn more about Meredith, visit her website https://www.meredithbarry.com Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Twitter: @cliterallyspea1 Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle and Emily welcome Maria Alyokhina (Masha) of P***y Riot to the podcast. P***y Riot was visiting St. Louis for a concert through a special arrangement with Barrett Barrera Projects. Listen to this intimate, informative, and powerful conversation with Masha as she tells the story of P***y Riot, her time in the Russian penal colony, life after incarceration, and the challenges of speaking out and making art under a dictatorship. Masha remains hopeful for the world, taking inspiration from the suffragettes and feminist activists around the world. "The world needs feminism" "Art Can Change the World" "Without the fight, it will all disappear..." Masha Alyokhina If you haven't listened to the episode right before this (Part One - Riot Days) where Michelle & Emily talk about the impact of meeting P***y Riot and the subsequent conversations, we highly recommend that you do. You can follow P***y Riot on Instagram @pussyriot and YouTube @wearepussyriot You can get Masha's book Riot Days on Amazon. Here's the description from Amazon. "A P***y Rioter’s riveting, hallucinatory account of her years in Russia’s criminal system and of finding power in the most powerless of situations In February 2012, after smuggling an electric guitar into Moscow’s iconic central cathedral, Maria Alyokhina and other members of the radical collective P***y Riot performed a provocative “Punk Prayer,” taking on the Orthodox Church and its support for Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian regime. For this, they were charged with “organized hooliganism” and were tried while confined in a cage and guarded by Rottweilers. That trial and Alyokhina’s subsequent imprisonment became an international cause. For Alyokhina, her two-year sentence launched a bitter struggle against the Russian prison system and an iron-willed refusal to be deprived of her humanity. Teeming with protests and police, witnesses and cellmates, informers and interrogators, Riot Days gives voice to Alyokhina’s insistence on the right to say no, whether to a prison guard or to the president. Ultimately, this insistence delivers unprecedented victories for prisoners’ rights. Evocative, wry, laser-sharp, and laconically funny, Alyokhina’s account is studded with song lyrics, legal transcripts, and excerpts from her jail diary―dispatches from a young woman who has faced tyranny and returned with the proof that against all odds even one person can force its retreat." Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Twitter: @cliterallyspea1 Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emily and Michelle share a bottle of Chateau Petit-Freylon - a delightful red Bordeaux while reflecting upon their experience meeting and talking with P***y Riot. It was important to Michelle and Emily that they share their thoughts and feelings with you before you listen to the episode with Maria Alyokhina. They also want to hear from you. How have you been impacted? What are your takeaways? Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings - email [email protected]. Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Twitter: @cliterallyspea1 Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally released in December 2021 - we had such fun making it then, we wanted to share it again with y'all! New episodes coming in the new year!!! Have some holiday fun with Michelle and Emily as they do a dramatic reading of the Christmas Classic - "Twas the Night Before Christmas" intermingled with holiday trivia and their own philosophical musings on this classic poem. You'll never look at Santa or mistletoe the same way again!!! Michelle and Emily wish all their listeners a wonderful holiday season and a joyous, prosperous, and peaceful new year! Thank you for listening and subscribing to Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. Visit our website: www.cliterallyspeakingpodcast.com Facebook: @cspeakpodcast Instagram: @cliterallyspeakingthepodcast Twitter: @cliterallyspea1 Please call our comment line: 812-727-0794 Watch our youtube channel (Cliterally Speaking the Podcast) for all the behind the scenes discussions during our recording sessions. Be on the lookout for the launch of our live-streaming channel on Twitch, CliterallySpeakingPodTV. Our Patreon site is up - visit it here - http://bit.ly/32uOnVT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.