Brains, Brawn, and Bougie

In this episode of Brains, Brawn, and Bougie, the ladies go deep into the depths of their spending habits.  What are they willing to pay for no matter the cost and what are the things that really are meaningless.

Eileen is dealing with two brides at opposite ends of the decision making spectrum. She’s attempting to stay in the 98% middle ground until someone needs to either slow their roll or get pushed to commit.

Renee seals the deal on what a basic old lady she is but even basic bitches can spend too much on sports bras and walking shoes.

Patty has a come to Jesus moment when she discovers her fashion spirit icon is Rose from Golden Girls.  Time to rethink the wardrobe.

Remember to like, share and follow and if you have a topic you want us to tackle, email us at [email protected]. 

In this episode of Brains, Brawn, and Bougie, Patty, Eileen, and Renee give their true thoughts on some real-life Am I the Asshole? Redditt posts. From bathroom boundaries and awkward relationship dynamics to wedding expectations, family drama, and a mother-in-law demanding a DNA test, these stories have us asking: Who’s wrong, who’s right, and who needs to mind their own business?

After all the opinions are given the most pressing question on Renee’s mind is, do raisins belong in Thanksgiving stuffings?  Eileen tells her it’s a German thing but Renee’s father-in-law is German and he never requested raisins in the dressing!

When it comes to DNA testing we learn that even though Patty’s daughter is a foot taller than her, she is pretty sure Maggie is really hers. That means no genetic testing - yet!

Of course there were multiple opportunities to pick on Eileen about over-purchasing eyeglass frames and clothing. But, more importantly, did she get to talk about MURDER?!?

Remember to like, share and follow and if you have a topic you want us to tackle, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of Brains, Brawn, and Bougie, Patty, Eileen, and Renee get real about expectations—where they come from, how they affect our relationships, and why they can leave us frustrated, disappointed, and wondering, “What the hell did I do?”

From unspoken family expectations and relationship disappointments to the pressure we put on ourselves and others, we discuss the difference between what we expect and what we simply assume. Because let's face it: nobody can read your mind!

Plus, you’ll hear how Eileen got in trouble!  Joel tattled on her to the doctor.  But the doctor already knew the assignment…provide Eileen with a cast that limits her from moving furniture but allows her to dress up in her fancy ass outfits

Patty’s on a no “cake talk” list.  She did really well until she just couldn’t hold it in any more.  That’s OK, it’s a big honor and privilege to make the wedding cake for a friend's son’s wedding.

Renee combines her math and science skills to find the optional time that Norman has to sit in his basket after eating to find the intersection of digestion and puke.  Twenty-two minutes for the win!

Remember to like, share and follow and if you have a topic you want us to tackle, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of Brains, Brawn, and Bougie, Patty, Eileen, and Renee talk about boundaries, difficult relationships, and the fine line between protecting your peace and shutting people out. We all know you can’t control what other people do - however, you can control what you do and what your responses are.  

Parental boundaries, friendship boundaries, personnel boundaries and sadly the newest kid on the block, political boundaries are all part of the discussion.

Patty opens up about one of the most difficult boundaries she ever had to maintain while raising her daughter, sharing a deeply personal story about loving someone struggling with alcoholism while protecting her child from the consequences. Her experience highlights an important truth: you cannot control another person's choices, but you can decide what you will and will not accept in your own life.

Then, the conversation gets even more interesting with a round of “Boundaries or Bullshit?” The hosts tackle real-life scenarios and debate whether they're examples of healthy boundaries, unspoken expectations, avoidance, controlling behavior, or just plain bullshit.

As usual, we tend to go off the rails at times. You not only hear unfiltered comments about boundaries, we also discuss how best to ruin a vacation…bring your middle schools along!  How best to stress more during the holidays…make your kids dress up for holiday card pictures! And the final take away…….don’t be a dick!

Remember to like, share and follow and if you have a topic you want us to tackle, email us at [email protected].

What does it really cost to be a woman?

In this episode of Brains, Brawn, and Bougie, Patty, Eileen, and Renee take a candid—and sometimes hilarious—look at the financial, professional, social, and even emotional costs women face every day.

From the pink tax and the gender pay gap to salary negotiations, the motherhood penalty, workplace expectations, and the cost of staying safe, the conversation quickly becomes about much more than money. And, as usual, three lifelong friends started talking about pink tax and somehow ended up discussing Larry (and his other brother, Larry), Uber, military policy and a dog in a laundry basket!

The bigger conversation is that the cost of being a woman isn't always something you can calculate in dollars.

Sometimes it's the extra money.
Sometimes it's the missed opportunity.
Sometimes it's the unpaid work.
And sometimes it's the mental energy required simply to feel safe.

If you have a topic you want us to tackle, email us at [email protected].

Warning: This episode contains adult language and candid discussion of women's experiences with safety, discrimination, and violence.

Grab a friend or two and make some plans to get out and enjoy some live entertainment. Make memories while you support gig workers, or someone famous and over priced. How about a comedy show or sporting event?

Eileen educates the masses on David Cassidy and the Partridge Family.  Renee provides the extra knowledge that they may have lived in a school bus.

Renee impresses Patty that she does indeed enjoy going to the theater but draws the line at going to the Nutcracker.

Patty brags about living in a town with top notch talent available EVERYWHERE…at every establishment in Nashville while simultaneously being able to hang out with Nate at the Nate Lab.  What she didn’t talk about is going to 2 Super Bowls and the Olympics….sounds like we need another episode on this topic!

In this episode of Brains, Brawn & Bougie, Patty, Eileen, and Renée tackle the question of how to stay relevant with plenty of laughs and lots of strong authentic opinions. The conversation explores how women can continue to grow, contribute, reinvent themselves, and find purpose as the world changes around them. Is relevance about your job, your age, your technology skills—or is it something much bigger?

Life certainly has its challenges.  Sometimes they are big and sometimes they are enormous.  Sometimes they are just plain annoying - at least for Patty and Eileen! The fact that they podcast with someone that can’t get a grip on the difference between relative and relevance is KILLING them! That’s OK Renee, sometimes friends can be mean ;-)

Patty is a lover of education. Lives it, loves it, shares it! However she draws the line with 30 year olds in dorm rooms! She is all about adults going back to college whenever they want, just don’t hang out in the dorms.

We find out what sends Eileen over the edge 100% of the time….when someone pretends they can give 110%. If you’re foolish enough to tell her that, be prepared for a lecture on how percentages work to follow.

Come along on our tribute to Dolly Parton which Eileen loved because she got to channel her inner Dolly - literally!   Dolly was an accomplished humanitarian who happened to be able to sing, act, write and compose all while having the unique talent of bringing mankind together.  She was the best parts of all of us wrapped up in an underwire bra.

Renee is just along for the ride. No country music knowledge, no southern knowledge and no real knowledge about Dolly at all except for her love for Dolly being a badass with a sweet smile on her face.

Patty rebounds from her six stitch trauma to add the correct southern pronunciation of Tennessee.  She has ALL Dolly facts archived in her brain like only a truly Tennessean can.

Eileen nails her tribute right down to the bee hive and butterflies.  Preloaded with not only a push up bra but all things Dolly and the contributions she made throughout her life.

Can you even believe it  - this is our 25th podcast!! The ladies talk about how Brains, Brawn, and Bougie was started, and walk down memory lane as we reminisce about what we were doing in our lives at the age of 25, our 25-year class reunion, our kids at 25, and more. 

Deja vu or perhaps a little like the Twilight Zone, at 25 years old Patty was working at a small Iowa college living in Cedar Rapids. Her daughter is about to turn 25 and what is she doing…..working at a small Iowa college and living in Cedar Rapids!! A little scary! We wonder if doing a podcast is in her future.

Renee is still stuck on bathroom etiquette! First toilet paper and now toilet seats. If you go to Renee’s house and leave the toilet seat up she may lecture you.  No one wants to look into a toilet. SHUT IT!

Inappropriate pictures may or may not be on Eileen’s USB (which is stealthy kept in her glasses), on her wrist, or on a popsicle stick for everyone to see.  Just remember the ones on a stick will be smaller than real life. What a 007 life she leads. IMPRESSIVE! 

We love our listeners and are looking forward to our next 25 episodes! 

Taking care of Mother Earth is something we all want to do but it often feels like our little part is never enough. In this episode, the Brains, Brawn, and Bougie women discuss the things we can do to be sustainable in our own lives - while also doing our part for the environment. Topics include fast fashion, small appliance overload, and real vs artificial Christmas trees. The distress of food waste and the bright spot of new innovative packaging on the horizon is shared.  Can banana peels, mushroom stems and chewing gum save us all?  Come along for a listen and find out.

As for the Brains, Brawn, and Bougie women - Eileen gets thrown under the bus….Christmas trees, shoes and glasses.  However, is she out of the norm?  You decide but the answer is still yes! It has been revealed that Patty has extraordinarily aggressive heels. Is a regular pedicure advised or perhaps she should just stop buying cheap ass sheets. Renee has yet another “Elaine from Seinfeld” moment when she confesses her wardrobe is painfully out of date resulting in her thinking, “is it possible I’m not as attractive as I think I am?”  It’s time to move that shit on girl!