Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew

By Shawn Johnson + Andrew EastSociety & Culture

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Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew episodes

October 16 things are getting intense... | special forces episode 4
special forces episode 4 is here and we're back with another recap!!
things are only getting more intense, and watching this season after experiencing special forces ourselves brings back SO many memories. from the physical challenges to the mental battles, there's really nothing that can prepare you for what it's like until you're actually there.
this week we're breaking down episode 4, sharing our reactions, giving a little behind-the-scenes perspective from our own experience, and talking about what it really takes to make it through special forces: world's toughest test.
whether you've been following along since episode 1 or you're just joining us, we're so glad you're here! let us know your thoughts on this week's episode in the comments and who you're rooting for!
love you guys!
shawn & andrew
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subscribe for more special forces recaps and new episodes of couple things every week!
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#specialforces #specialforcesworldstoughesttest #couplethings #shawnjohnson #andreweast

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49 min
October 15 what we learned traveling with kids | disney cruise line
family vacations with kids... equal parts chaos, adventure, and memories we'll never forget 😂
this week on couple things, we're talking the pod remote and talking all things family travel! from the challenges of packing up and traveling with three kids to why we think making these memories together is always worth it.
we're sharing some of our favorite family vacation moments, what we've learned about traveling with little ones, and our recent experience aboard Disney Cruise Line! between the excitement, the activities, and getting to experience a little Disney magic together, it was such a special adventure for our family.
a huge thank you to Disney Cruise Line for having us and helping us create memories we'll cherish forever! ❤️
we'd love to hear from you guys! what's your favorite family vacation you've ever taken, and what are your best tips for traveling with kids?
love you guys!
shawn & andrew

(00:00) traveling with kids: what’s worth it + what’s not
(01:11) Shawn’s childhood Disney cruise memories
(02:00) how we grew up vacationing differently
(03:09) why Disney works for the whole family
(05:07) the family travel equation + what makes a trip worth it
(07:35) five questions to ask before traveling with kids
(08:49) Disney World vs. Disney Cruise: which is more worth it?
(10:52) routines while traveling with young kids
(12:36) ranking family trips: Disney, skiing, Dubai + Japan
(18:09) the Tijuana mission trip + teaching kids to serve
(20:13) Pigeon Forge, Branson + Wisconsin Dells
(26:45) learning to travel with kids as parents
(27:47) rapid-fire: the best ages for different trips
(31:30) the East family’s rules for traveling with kids

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37 min
October 13 special forces episode 3 recap
we're back with another special forces recap, and episode 3 is bringing back ALL the memories!
as former contestants on we're back and breaking down this week's challenges, the growing pressure on the recruits, sweet moments, our favorite quotes and contestants AND what it's actually like to experience these moments firsthand.
from the physical demands to the mental battles, we're sharing our reactions, behind-the-scenes insight, and the things you don't get to see on tv. plus, we're talking about who's impressing us, who we're rooting for, and how quickly everything can change when you're in that environment.
if you're watching along with us, let us know your thoughts on episode 3 and what you want us to cover next week!
thanks for watching and being part of the east fam! ❤️

(00:00) episode 3 recap + what to expect
(01:45) packing your Bergen + the weight requirements
(03:31) dish duty + hygiene
(05:34) the mind games behind the challenges
(07:26) hand-to-hand combat
(10:27) “red mist” + what happens when you lose control
(12:20) athleticism, turning off your mind + emotional awareness
(16:16) Alicia Baumgartner takes on the milling challenge + why her technique stood out
(20:12) Maksim’s heartbreaking story + vulnerability
(23:50) the interrogation challenge + sharing your story
(26:00) the matchups + facing your fears
(28:00) watching your child struggle + a parent’s perspective
(30:00) preparing your kids for hard things
(32:00) Alexia opens up to her dad
(34:00) “our world is violence” + the Special Forces mindset
(35:37) understanding the world through a soldier’s eyes
(38:00) exhaustion, emotions + what’s coming next
(40:00) final thoughts + looking ahead to the next episode

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42 min
October 13 Olympic Couples Talk Love, Marriage & Competition | Chock & Bates
We sat down with Olympic ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates to talk about what it takes to compete at the highest level alongside the person you love. From becoming partners on the ice to falling in love, getting married, and continuing to chase huge goals together, Madison and Evan share what their journey has really looked like behind the scenes.
We talk Olympic pressure, marriage, trust, competing as a couple, and what keeps them coming back after all these years. As athletes ourselves, we loved getting to compare experiences and hear what it’s like when your teammate also happens to be your spouse.
This was such a fun one. Enjoy!
(00:00) we have a couple crush
(01:30) what’s your dynamic as a couple?
(03:20) navigating the rough times & going home
(05:30) life post-olympics
(07:06) the community around chock & bates
(09:00) who is more likely to be…?
(18:45) confidence on the ice
(21:00) feelings are moldable
(23:44) the subjectivity of our sports
(27:40) the mixed zone & kiss and cry cameras
(32:15) quantitative vs. qualitative “success data”
(34:27) the journaling process
(39:35) the art of designing costumes
(43:15) our shared love of sports & vacations
(45:13) the post-olympics blues
(47:18) what’s next for chock & bates?

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50 min
October 08 everything you didn't know about our special forces experience
we're back with even MORE special forces stories... and this time, we're hearing them straight from our instructor! 😂
today we're sitting down with Jovon "Q" Quarles (aka DS Q), our former directing staff instructor from special forces: world's toughest test, and our longtime friend Ian Schinelli, a former navy SEAL who actually went through BUD/S training alongside Q!
this was our first time seeing Q since filming in Morocco, and it's safe to say it's a VERY different experience sitting across from him when he's not yelling at us.
we're getting into all the behind-the-scenes moments you didn't see on TV, which contestants Q thought would make it to the end, stories from some of our toughest challenges, and how our special forces experience actually compares to real navy SEAL training. 😂
Q and Ian also share some pretty unbelievable stories from their own time in the military, what it really takes to survive BUD/S and hell week, and why mental toughness is so much more than physical strength.
we also dive into life after serving, finding purpose outside of the military, and what happens when you step away from something that has defined so much of your life.
between the hilarious stories, special forces memories, and some really meaningful conversations, this one was so much fun. we hope you enjoy it!
thank you to our sponsors!
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1 hr 16 min
October 02 special forces episode 2 recap
We're back for special forces EPISODE 2!
this week we’re getting into everything that went down in episode 2 - the moments that made us cringe, the challenges that looked even worse knowing what they actually feel like, and the things we noticed as people who have been on the other side of it.
we’re sharing our reactions as the episode unfolds, talking through the recruits’ decisions, and comparing it all to what we experienced during our own time on special forces.
if you watched episode 2, come hang with us for the recap and tell us what you want us to break down next week!
love you guys!
shawn & andrew

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48 min
September 30 shawn’s dancing with the stars memories + reacting to this season
quick note before we get into it- we had a little technical hiccup while recording this episode, so the audio may sound a bit off at times. we hope you still enjoy this fun throwback with us! 🫶
Dancing with the Stars is back, so obviously we had to talk about it. 🪩
We’re reacting to this season’s cast, the performances and everything that’s happened so far — while also taking a trip down memory lane to Shawn’s own time in the ballroom. From favorite memories and behind-the-scenes moments to what it’s like watching the show now after actually competing on it, there was a LOT to unpack.
Let us know who you’re rooting for this season and what you want us to talk about next! 🕺💃
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50 min
September 25 special forces episode 1 debrief | behind the scenes + our reaction
special forces is BACK and we’re officially debriefing every episode 👀
as former contestants, we’re breaking down episode 1 from a completely different perspective - what surprised us, what looked painfully familiar, what you don’t fully see on tv, and what was probably going through the recruits’ heads during those first challenges.
we’re talking first impressions, the toughest moments of the episode, who stood out, and all of the little details that brought us right back to our own special forces experience.
if you watched episode 1, come recap it with us and let us know what moment you want us to talk about next week! We're so excited!
Love you guys!
Shawn & Andrew

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54 min
September 24 330 | special forces is BACK… and we have thoughts
we’re back in the world of special forces… thankfully from our couch this time 😂
every week, we’re breaking down the newest episode of special forces from the perspective of two people who have actually been through it. we’re talking about the moments that made us cringe, behind-the-scenes insight to each show, what’s even harder than it looks on tv, what brought back some VERY specific memories, and all the things we noticed that you might not catch unless you’ve been there.
plus, we’ll be making our predictions for what happens next so if you’re watching along this season, come debrief with us every week 👀

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(00:00) SPECIAL FORCES IS BACK!
(03:50) what Special Forces does differently
(10:14) what this new series will look like
(12:11) our experience on season 4
(18:10) what you don’t see + how you win
(24:06) what we learned from Special Forces
(26:55) what to expect this season
(34:05) the different team dynamics
(35:42) this season’s Special Forces cast
(48:00) our predictions for this season

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53 min
September 17 329 | what changed after having kids
what actually changes after having kids? from our marriage and friendships to our priorities, routines, and the little things we never saw coming, we’re talking about all the ways becoming parents has changed our lives. the good, the hard, the hilarious, and everything in between. what surprised us most, what we miss about life before kids, and what we wouldn’t trade for the world. what changed you the most after having kids? and if you don’t have kids, what do you think would change the most if you did?
love you guys!
shawn & andrew
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(00:00) 62 people under one roof: family reunion
(06:38) no more “selfishness”
(13:13) the identity shift
(16:30) marrying a “new person” + sharing your best friend
(20:48) a whole new number of tasks + styles
(23:50) “hyper-ultra-rigidness”
(26:00) appreciating time in a new way
(28:00) new worries + ambitions
(33:10) being intentional with our health
(34:13) how friendships change
(35:27) stress, control + risk
(36:40) how faith has changed
(37:25) how relationships with parents change
(39:00) what do I actually care about?
(40:25) kids are a delayed mirror

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44 min

About Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew

From the publisher's feed

Former Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson and NFL player Andrew East sit down to share their most vulnerable sides and open up like they never have before. Tune in to hear one of the most celebrated couples on social media walk you through some of their most memorable moments together. Get ready to laugh and cry as you hear some of the most embarrassing and raw stories that have never before been shared.