Just Getting Better

This week’s wine picks come with fizz, flavor—and chips.

Julia is sipping on Marqués de Cáceres Brut Cava, a dry Spanish sparkler crafted by winemaker María Gallo. She’s on a mission to expand everyone’s bubble vocabulary beyond Champagne and Prosecco—and explains why Cava deserves a spot in your glass (but please, no orange juice). Bonus points for pairing it with Aldi’s honey jalapeño chips.

Michelle brings Field Recordings “Skins”, a skin-contact white blend from California that drinks like sunshine in a bottle. Floral, textural, and super versatile, this orange wine is perfect with everything from salty snacks to dinner party mains—and easy to find at Whole Foods and indie shops alike.

Also in this episode:
– Julia’s favorite new color corrector (shoutout to Cali Ray)
– Michelle’s travel-size beauty hacks featuring Westman Atelier
– Why both hosts are solidly anti-mimosa
– And how to travel like a pro without sacrificing your blush stick

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Stop asking where the Obamas are — and start asking what you can do.

This week, we talk about ownership, the power of 3.5%, and why it only takes a small group to spark big change. Plus: Summer Fridays, Brad Pitt’s maybe-filler, Rare Beauty love, and an AITA about drinking alone that had us both shouting.

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Two wines, two winemakers we love — and why these bottles deserve a spot in your summer lineup.

Michelle kicks things off with Leah Jorgensen’s stunning Blanc de Cabernet Franc, a rare white wine made from Cab Franc grapes grown in Oregon. Bright, zesty, and full of minerality, it’s perfect for everything from popcorn and book club to cheese plates and patio nights. Leah is a creative force and a champion for Cabernet Franc, and this bottle shows just how good she is at her craft.

Julia brings it home with Massican’s Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay (2024) from Napa. Made by Dan Petroski, this wine is fresh, nuanced, and endlessly drinkable — the kind of Chardonnay that reminds you why Napa whites still matter. Dan’s literary and artistic approach to winemaking shines through, and this bottle is a party in itself.

Also in this episode:

– Why small-production wines are worth the hunt
– Julia on the power of boredom and why stillness matters
– Michelle’s discovery of Marley Spoon meal service and why she’s hooked
– Michelle on setting “Summer Friday” boundaries (and actually sticking to them)
– A fun detour into the world of perfumers

Wines:

– Leah Jorgensen Blanc de Cabernet Franc (Oregon)
– Massican Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 (Napa Valley, CA)

Vibes: meaningful pours, Summer Fridays, group texts, and giving yourself permission to slow down

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We’re talking about the little things that say a lot—like eating alone, sitting in silence, and being honest about the work you’ve had done. From solo dinners and the lost art of boredom to calling out celebrity “natural” beauty claims, this one’s about owning your choices without apology.

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Great wine isn’t just about what’s in the glass—it’s about who makes it, and why their story matters.

Julia and Michelle each bring a bottle this week that proves it:

Julia pours a bright, easy-drinking white blend from I Best Wines, a Black woman–owned brand out of South Africa. A mix of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, it’s the kind of bottle made for patios, picnics, or just winding down after a long day.

Michelle is sipping a beautifully expressive Grenache blend from Hamel Family Wines in Sonoma, crafted with volcanic soils and a winemaker obsessed with terroir. Light enough for summer but full of depth, it’s a perfect match for summer dinners or even a quiet glass on the porch.

Also in this episode:

– Why small producers deserve more of your attention

– How a simple weekly “brain dump” is helping Julia stay sane

– Michelle on why family time is still the ultimate reset Because good wine, like life, is always better when you pause to appreciate the story behind it.

Wines:

– I Best Wines White Blend (South Africa)

– Hamel Family Wines Grenache (Sonoma, CA)

Vibes: picnic tables, family dinners, clean notebooks, and wines with heart

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This week, we’re catching up on all the summer things—the funny, the frustrating, and the stuff no one really talks about. From sunscreen scars and protein pressure to public phone etiquette and a boyfriend who expected her to pick up the check (for 12 people), we’re talking about what it really looks like to take care of yourself—and when to say no.

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This week, Julia heads to the Finger Lakes with a 2019 Gewürztraminer from Dr. Konstantin Frank—off-dry, beautifully aged, and perfect for spicy food or peak summer salads. Michelle’s sipping “Glou Glou,” a chillable red from Troon Vineyard in southern Oregon. Made from Cinsault and Grenache, it’s bright, gulpable, low-ABV, and pairs well with everything from tacos to barbecue to beach reads.

Also in this episode:

– Why New York wines deserve way more love

– The brilliance of biodynamic winemaking (shout out to Craig Camp!)

– A plea to Oribe to bring back Michelle’s favorite red root spray

– And the heartbreak of another Dallas Stars playoff run gone wrong It’s wine talk, beauty rants, sports sadness, and a whole lot of summer joy.

Because sometimes, getting better looks like not turning on your oven and letting your produce do the talking.

Wines:

– Dr. Konstantin Frank Gewürztraminer 2019 (Finger Lakes, NY)

– Troon Vineyard Glou Glou 2023 (Applegate Valley, Oregon)

Vibes: chilled reds, fresh corn, hair dye drama, and peonies in bloom

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In this episode of Just Getting Better, Michelle and Julia cover everything from poor airplane hygiene and dinner-table flossing to deeper reflections on how judgment and etiquette are showing up in our post-everything world.

What starts as a hilarious catch-up on beauty finds and public pet peeves quickly turns into a thoughtful conversation about boundaries, emotional self-awareness, and why not everything needs to be shared—or judged—out loud.

Also in this episode:
– Office dress codes and why flip flops might be a step too far
– A “who raised you?” moment that lives rent-free
– Curiosity vs. judgment (and how to tell the difference)
– Flossing in public, gym speakerphone behavior, and emotional intelligence
– The latest “Am I the A**hole?” story that might leave you yelling at your phone

This one’s for anyone trying to make sense of modern manners, emotional bandwidth, and when to speak up vs. scroll on.

Mentions: I’m Judging You by Luvvie Ajayi Jones, NYT on digital etiquette, NYMag on office fashion
Vibes: nostalgic lip gloss, mall walkers, St. Tropez dreams, and emotional fluency

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If life’s felt a little loud lately, consider this your reminder to slow down and pour something thoughtful.

This week, Julia is sipping a high-altitude Malbec from Luigi Bosca Los Nobles—floral, engaging, and practically begging to be paired with mushroom risotto.

Michelle’s pouring a chillable red that stole her heart in Uruguay: a bottle of Mencía from Bodegas Mérica. Light, aromatic, and flexible enough to handle tacos, spice, and Texas summer heat—it’s the definition of drinkable.

Also in this episode:

– The game-changing travel tech upgrade Michelle swears by (hint: it involves a mouse)

– Why Uruguayan wine deserves more shelf space

– The power of wine with a story

– And how community and connection are helping us just get better, even when the world feels heavy

New episode is live on YouTube + all podcast platforms.

Follow us on Instagram: @justgettingbetternow

Stephanie Houston is a five-time founder, the first Latina to co-own a distillery in the U.S., and the powerhouse behind Island Getaway Rum.

In this episode of Just Getting Better, she shares her journey from Oak Cliff, Texas to the national spirits stage—and the family legacy she never saw coming. We talk about what it means to own your story, challenge the system, and build something with real impact—on your terms.

In this episode:

– The fight for better liquor laws in Texas

– Stephanie’s wild pivots: from medical staffing to trailer parks to spirits

– Discovering a direct ancestral link to Moctezuma—and why that matters

– Navigating generational trauma, pride, and ownership

– Why Island Getaway is more than just a name

Mentions: Texas Distilled Spirits Association, Oak Cliff, Deep Ellum, An article on shushing people in public

Vibes: Quiet power, reclaimed roots, a twist of lime Subscribe for new episodes every week.

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