Frankie Talks Too Much

It is officially my birthday month, which means I get to be a little more dramatic than usual. This week we’re on our road trip out west, and I’ve come to one very important conclusion: overnight hotel stops make road trips infinitely better. We also made an official stop in Cheyenne, so yes, I’m counting Wyoming as another state visited. Along the way I was reminded just how painfully dry Utah and Las Vegas are (my lips and nose are fighting for their lives), why Midwest drivers are simply built differently, and how surreal it was taking my own kids to BYU after so many changes. Between late-night chats with my cousin until 1 a.m., catching up with family, spending time with my aunt in Vegas, and surviving a church building with no air conditioning, this trip has been equal parts nostalgic and chaotic.
 
I also get a little more vulnerable than usual. I share how growing up hearing “we don’t have the money for that” shaped the way I think about finances today, leaving me somewhere between a spender and a saver. I break down exactly what we spent on our Hawaii reunion and this road trip, why I wanted to be transparent about it, and how I’ve realized that comparing your finances to someone else’s is almost always pointless because everyone is building a completely different life. Travel is something our family chooses to prioritize, even if it means saying no to other luxuries, and I don’t take for granted that we’re able to do these trips.
 
Plus, I confess that I’m becoming way too picky about cleanliness, wonder if clutter is turning me into an unfun person, realize families with three or more kids are playing life on expert mode, and admit that maybe I don’t actually want everyone’s “tea” after all. Then we wrap things up with my first impressions of Married at First Sight—including my early red flags, favorite couples, questionable family dynamics, and all my completely unqualified predictions. Finally, I share my goals for the week ahead: survive California without blowing the budget, stop worrying about everything happening back home, and somehow learn our Samoan Flag Day dances.

This week I’m recapping our last-minute trip to Oahu, which somehow turned into me realizing my parents have become the world’s most stressful retired travelers. I also confess to being way too hard on them, rant about why airports are basically my personal nightmare (if you clear your throat every five seconds, I will notice), and question why I continue to pack a blow dryer for Hawaii. We also get into vacation budgeting, the emotional crisis of posting vacation photos on Instagram, and whether I’d even go on a trip if I couldn’t post a single picture from it. (The answer is… complicated.)
 
Then I’m sharing all of my Oahu favorites—from Foodland poke and Waimea Valley to the places I’d probably skip next time—plus why Dante and I genuinely love traveling with our kids, even if it isn’t the most relaxing vacation imaginable.
 
Finally, I’m reviewing everything I watched on the flights, including The Drama, How to Make a Killing, Voicemails for Isabelle, and the latest chaos from 90 Day Fiancé. We wrap things up with this week’s to-do list, because apparently the vacation ends when it’s time to clean out my car and immediately pack for another trip.

This week was pure chaos in the best way. I booked a last-minute trip to Hawaii, bought a fancy new camera that I absolutely love… right after questioning every financial decision I’ve ever made, accidentally drove on freshly paved roads because apparently no one thought to tell me, went to the Post Malone concert, struggled through sculpt classes (why are they trying to kill me?), and realized spending time with my grandparents is becoming one of my favorite parts of life.
 
This episode is basically one long argument for why quitting isn’t always quitting. Sometimes it’s just choosing yourself. I’m talking about why I quit the PowerLife challenge, why I’ve stopped forcing myself to finish books, shows, and other things that make me miserable, the lifelong battle of being a recovering people pleaser, setting boundaries without spiraling into guilt, and all the random things people have quit that ended up leading them somewhere better. Turns out “never give up” is occasionally terrible advice.
 
Then we get into the important stuff: reality TV. I’m sharing my anxiety after watching Shipwrecked, my completely unqualified opinions on 90 Day Fiancé, picking sides at the Real Housewives of Rhode Island reunion, trying to understand Suddenly Amish (while somehow falling in love with Kendra and Judah), and cheering on Jasmine as she continues to humble the boys on Love Island UK. Come hang out while I talk way too much about absolutely everything.

This week I’m catching you up on everything from surviving Solidcore and a parasite to my ongoing adventure of trying to figure out social media. I talk about why posting can be so fun and so discouraging at the same time, my unexpectedly successful low-spend month, and why seeing the live-action Moana made me laugh, cry, and reflect on what it was like growing up Samoan and learning to embrace my culture.
 
I’m also sharing what’s been making me anxious lately—from concert weather and rental house stress to preschool costs and a pregnancy scare—as well as my latest obsessions, including the new giraffe enclosure at the Kansas City Zoo, binge-watching Worst Neighbor Ever, and wishing I could plan vacations for a living.
 
And of course, we wrap things up with plenty of pop culture! I’m sharing all my thoughts on the Love Island USA finale, 90 Day Fiancé, Taylor Swift’s wedding, a quick movie review, and my goals for the week ahead as I officially enter the one-month countdown until my 30th birthday.

This week on Frankie Talks Too Much, I’m catching you up on everything that’s been happening lately—from wrapping up summer school and summer camp with my kids to celebrating the Fourth of July, surviving the constant feeling that there just aren’t enough hours in the day, and reminding myself that taking care of myself makes me a better mom. I’m also sharing why I think “do it scared” might be the motto of my life right now as I try to keep up with posting content, plus stories from our trip to the Omaha Zoo and my very strong opinions on fireworks.
 
Of course, we have to talk about everything I’m currently obsessed with, including second dinner at 9 p.m., Coke Zero with lime, letting calls go straight to voicemail, Solidcore, planning an imaginary Disney vacation I’ll probably overthink to death, and the black Toyota Land Cruiser that’s living rent-free in my mind.
 
Then we’re diving headfirst into pop culture. I have plenty of thoughts on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rumored wedding, why I don’t understand the hate Taylor gets, why I’m dying to see the dress and the photos, and my biggest hot take about the relationship.
 
We’re also breaking down another chaotic week of Love Island USA—the couples, the heartbreak, movie night, apologies, double standards, and all the messy drama that somehow helps me unwind after a long day of motherhood. Plus, I’m sharing my thoughts on the latest couples from 90 Day Fiancé, the nonstop feuds on The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, and why Emily Kiser’s pregnancy announcement reminded me why I’ve always respected the way she shares her life online.
 
To wrap things up, I’m sharing my to-do list for the week, including trying the PowerLife challenge, planning our big summer trip, finding a dress for my sister’s wedding festivities, making summer memories with my kids, catching up with friends, and finally seeing the live-action Moana.
 
Thanks for hanging out with me for another episode. If you also spend your evenings watching reality TV to recover from your real life, I think you’ll feel right at home here.

This week I’m sharing everything from surviving eyebrow threading (why does it hurt that much?) to spiraling over feeling behind in life and wondering if starting a podcast was a terrible idea… only to realize maybe being constipated was contributing to the drama. 😂 We chat about comparison, gratitude, family reunions, missing my brothers, taking long walks to clear my head, and why Pinterest thinks I need a water fountain.
 
Plus, I have my very first special guest on the podcast—my husband, Dante! We talk about how we met, our favorite trips together, what he really thought when I decided to start a podcast, and we answer a bunch of ridiculous “would you rather” questions, settle some TV and movie debates, and put our marriage to the test with a few impossible choices. It’s a little heartfelt, a little chaotic, and a lot of fun.

Summer is flying by and I am feeling personally victimized by the fact that July is basically here. This week, I talk about the creator-content rabbit hole taking over my social media feeds, surviving sore muscles at PowerLife, and how I attended a surprisingly bougie FIFA watch party hosted by my husband’s company.
 
In pop culture, I dive into Toy Story 5, I share my thoughts on Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album, and I gush over the chaotic perfection of Las Culturistas. Then it’s time for a very passionate Love Island recap featuring mailbox trauma, shocking dumpings, Casa Amor anticipation, and a few islanders I would happily remove from the villa myself. I also break down the latest drama from Love Island UK, 90 Day Fiancé, and Real Housewives of Rhode Island.
 
Plus: Tom Holland can’t keep a secret, Bonnie’s parents need to supervise their child, haunted house date stories, and a reminder that I am now ten books behind on my reading goal. As always, come for the pop culture opinions, stay for the overthinking.

This week on Frankie Talks Too Much, I’m sharing all about my week at Girls Camp, what teaching at church has taught me lately, and my surprisingly positive thoughts on teenagers. I also talk about my latest obsession with PowerLife Pilates and the random things currently taking up space in my brain.
 
In pop culture, we’re diving deep into Love Island USA and Love Island UK, my thoughts on Sol, Aniya, Trinity, Bryce, and KC. Plus, thoughts on The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, Abbott Elementary, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and McBee Dynasty.
 
I’m also discussing my current obsessions—including the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson, the FIFA Club World Cup, good friends, average influencers, and why hearing someone announce they’re having their last child always gets me emotional. Finally, I’m sharing what’s on my to-do list, from Father’s Day planning to relearning Portuguese and making time to see Toy Story 5.

This week on Frankie Talks Too Much, I’m talking about the vulnerable reality of starting a podcast, battling imposter syndrome, and why creativity sometimes means being willing to be bad at something before you’re good at it. I share highlights from a busy week of dance recitals, parenting debates over extracurricular activities, and my ongoing Zillow dreams of somehow living both by the ocean and in Kansas City.
 
I’m also giving updates on local adventures, my complicated relationship with farmers markets, current obsessions (including Swig cookies, McDonald’s nuggets, yoga, and limiting my social media time), plus plenty of pop culture chatter. From Love Island and 90 Day Fiancé to Real Housewives, books, and everything in between, we’re covering whatever happened to be taking up space in my brain this week.

Welcome to the first episode of Frankie Talks Too Much! I’m introducing myself and sharing what you can expect from this podcast: stay-at-home mom life, pop culture takes, books, Kansas City happenings, and plenty of random tangents. This week I’m talking Love Island USA, Island Fest, reading goals, manifestation, puzzles, church camp stress, and why I desperately need a new planner. Thanks for joining me—let’s yap!