Meet the Mess

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast, Jen and Karyn discuss the viral raccoon who went on a drunken bender, and Pope Leo’s unexpected appearance at a rave!

Also in the news, Sabrina Carpenter responds to the Trump administration using her song in an ICE video, Kristi Noem thanks Trump for stopping hurricanes, MAGA erupts over a pink sweater, and Costco sues the administration over tariffs. Plus, did the administration commit a war crime in the bombing of a Venezuelan boat? And is Admiral Bradley being set up to take the fall?

In lighter news, Mormon women are taking over our screens, and “airport divorces” are on the rise! Plus, hear a list of things people stop tolerating as they get older. How many resonate with you?

On Meet the Mess, bestselling authors Jen Lancaster & Karyn Bosnak dive into the messiest news stories and hottest topics of the week to give a fresh and entertaining take on current events and life in general. An extended video version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” is available to paid Substack subscribers. Visit meetthemess.substack.com for more.

Meet the Merch:

• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetTheMess

Connect with us on Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/meetthemesspod

• https://www.instagram.com/jennsylvania

• https://www.instagram.com/karynbosnak

Connect with us on TikTok:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@meetthemess

• https://www.tiktok.com/@karynbosnak

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast, Jen and Karyn dive into one of Thanksgiving’s most popular traditions: the cousin walk. Are you taking one this year…or pretending you have no idea what everyone’s talking about? 😅 Plus, Susan Powter is back, and there’s a new Netflix documentary to prove it!

Also on deck: Kash Patel has reportedly used SWAT teams to protect his girlfriend, the Trump administration sets its sights on Mark Kelly, a surprising number of top MAGA accounts on X aren’t even based in the United States, and Gen Z is trying to make smoking cool again. 🤨

And finally, the results are in on the most infuriating airport behavior, and a Campbell’s Soup executive gets caught trash-talking both the company and its customers in a secret recording.

On Meet the Mess, bestselling authors Jen Lancaster & Karyn Bosnak dive into the messiest news stories and hottest topics of the week to give a fresh and entertaining take on current events and life in general. An extended video version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” is available to paid Substack subscribers. Visit meetthemess.substack.com for more.

Meet the Merch:

• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetTheMess

Connect with us on Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/meetthemesspod

• https://www.instagram.com/jennsylvania

• https://www.instagram.com/karynbosnak

Connect with us on TikTok:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@meetthemess

• https://www.tiktok.com/@karynbosnak

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast, Jen and Karyn are back! The House voted to release the Epstein files, but will it actually happen? Meanwhile, Trump delivers a completely bananas speech to McDonald’s franchise owners and tells a female reporter, “Quiet, piggy.”

Also on deck: a behavioral scientist breaks down what it means when someone does (or doesn’t) return their cart. Plus, Kim Kardashian fails the bar exam, the FDA removes the black box warning from menopause hormone therapy, and a flamingo escapes a British zoo and decides to retire on a beach in the south of France. And finally, do you have a preferred font?

On Meet the Mess, bestselling authors Jen Lancaster & Karyn Bosnak dive into the messiest news stories and hottest topics of the week to give a fresh and entertaining take on current events and life in general. An extended video version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” is available to paid Substack subscribers. Visit meetthemess.substack.com for more.

Meet the Merch:

• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetTheMess

Connect with us on Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/meetthemesspod

• https://www.instagram.com/jennsylvania

• https://www.instagram.com/karynbosnak

Connect with us on TikTok:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@meetthemess

• https://www.tiktok.com/@karynbosnak

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast, Jen and Karyn break down that overly intimate embrace between Erika Kirk and JD Vance. Does Usha need to worry?

Also on the docket: The Dodgers win the World Series! Kash Patel allegedly used a government jet for date night, British Vogue declared having a boyfriend officially embarrassing, and AI might be ruining (or improving?) modern dating.

Plus, Millie Bobby Brown filed a harassment and bullying claim against David Harbour, journalist Michael Wolff sues Melania Trump, and Kim Kardashian earns zero stars on Rotten Tomatoes.

And, since Trump is threatening to withhold SNAP benefits until the shutdown ends, here are some tips on where to donate and how to help:

* Donate to No Kid Hungry, dedicated to providing free meals to kids

* Donate to Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the US

* Send cash to Americans missing their SNAP food benefits via Give Directly

* Donate to World Central Kitchen to help federal workers and their families affected by the government shutdown

* Apps like NextDoor can help you find people with specific needs in your neighborhood

* Apps like FoodFinder and Plentiful can connect you with local food resources for those in need

* If you want to stay close to home, check with you city to find local food banks or community fridges to see what items they need most (often non-perishables, hygiene items which SNAP doesn’t cover)

* Provide extra support by assembling “care bundles” that include household items, hygiene products, diapers, wipes, etc., and donate to local food pantries for families in need

On Meet the Mess, bestselling authors Jen Lancaster & Karyn Bosnak dive into the messiest news stories and hottest topics of the week to give a fresh and entertaining take on current events and life in general. An extended video version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” is available to paid Substack subscribers. Visit meetthemess.substack.com for more.

Meet the Merch:

• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetTheMess

Connect with us on Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/meetthemesspod

• https://www.instagram.com/jennsylvania

• https://www.instagram.com/karynbosnak

Connect with us on TikTok:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@meetthemess

• https://www.tiktok.com/@karynbosnak

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast, Jen and Karyn discuss the government shutdown, rising health insurance premiums, and the looming freeze on SNAP benefits!

In pop culture news, hear about the new Lily Allen album that details her messy split from actor David Harbour, and how a shocking number of leading men don’t wear underpants.

Plus, would you rent a billboard to find a husband? One Bay Area woman did and it’s kind of working. Also, hear how reading transformed the life of a former prisoner, why people in Japan are renting grandmas, and how wine lovers are literally working for their vino.

Meanwhile, Karyn goes down a rabbit hole trying to decode the latest TikTok buzz words: 6–7, white trash cheekbones, low-income eyes, and rich white girl eyes. And don’t miss the feel-good baseball moment of how a little-known Dodger led the team to victory in Game 3 of the World Series.

On Meet the Mess, bestselling authors Jen Lancaster & Karyn Bosnak dive into the messiest news stories and hottest topics of the week to give a fresh and entertaining take on current events and life in general. An extended video version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” is available to paid Substack subscribers. Visit meetthemess.substack.com for more.

Meet the Merch:

• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetTheMess

Connect with us on Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/meetthemesspod

• https://www.instagram.com/jennsylvania

• https://www.instagram.com/karynbosnak

Connect with us on TikTok:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@meetthemess

• https://www.tiktok.com/@karynbosnak

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast: Jen and Karyn tackle the very important topic of Advent calendars! Find out the good, the bad, and the googly-eyed! 👀

Then, Karyn shares a candid cancer update before she and Jen pay a very special tribute to a Meet the Mess legend: Meatball.

Next, hear about the latest health trend: poop cameras! Then, Jen and Karyn drop a record number of F-bombs while unpacking the chaos of the Trump administration. (As Logan Roy would say: “These are not serious people.”) And finally, would you spend three days in total darkness for “wellness”? Because honestly, it sounds like hell. Listen to all this and more in an extra-long episode!

On Meet the Mess, bestselling authors Jen Lancaster & Karyn Bosnak dive into the messiest news stories and hottest topics of the week to give a fresh and entertaining take on current events and life in general. An extended video version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” is available to paid Substack subscribers. Visit meetthemess.substack.com for more.

Meet the Merch:

• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetTheMess

Connect with us on Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/meetthemesspod

• https://www.instagram.com/jennsylvania

• https://www.instagram.com/karynbosnak

Connect with us on TikTok:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@meetthemess

• https://www.tiktok.com/@karynbosnak

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast, the Souptember champion is crowned! 🥣👑 Congrats to Dre and Monsieur Meatball, our official MESSiahs of Soup!

Then, for a special treat, Jen and Karyn are joined by the fabulous ladies from How To Be Less Old, Emily Freda Foster and Deanna Cheng, plus their Gen Z correspondent Sarah to break down Taylor Swift’s brand-new album, The Life of a Showgirl. Expect some hot takes and debate!

Also on deck: the Chicago ICE invasion, the rise of social wellness spas, a student who faked her way into Yale, and why phone bans in schools might actually be a good thing.

On Meet the Mess, bestselling authors Jen Lancaster & Karyn Bosnak dive into the messiest news stories and hottest topics of the week to give a fresh and entertaining take on current events and life in general. An extended video version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” is available to paid Substack subscribers. Visit meetthemess.substack.com for more.

Meet the Merch:

• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetTheMess

Connect with us on Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/meetthemesspod

• https://www.instagram.com/jennsylvania

• https://www.instagram.com/karynbosnak

Connect with us on TikTok:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@meetthemess

• https://www.tiktok.com/@karynbosnak

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast, Jen and Karyn dive into Pete Hegseth’s military meeting in Virginia, Mercedes’ bold decision to bring back buttons (finally!), Ryder Cup mayhem, and Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s surprising split. They also unpack Trump’s YouTube shakedown, the wild “med bed” conspiracy theory, and Dolly Parton’s health concerns. And, expect lots of detours on things like good hair color, quicksand, the Bermuda Triangle, and more!

🎶 Before we continue, have you heard the hottest song of the summer? It’s called “7 Inches” and it’s a banger.

📊 This week’s poll: Do people still care about what happens on Bravo (like the Real Housewives) or

🥣 Karyn’s Recipe Corner: Lazy French Onion Soup

So you want French onion soup and you want it now. Well, do I have a recipe for you! First, slice a yellow onion. Next, melt some butter in a pot (not a pan!), and add the onion. Cook until the onion is caramelized, and then deglaze the pot with some dry sherry. Add some fresh or dried thyme leaves, and then a bunch of beef broth. Bring to a boil, and then lower the heat and cover the pot. Simmer for 20 minutes or so, and voilà! Put the soup into a bowl and top with Gruyère or Swiss cheese. It’s not gourmet, but it hits the spot!

✨ For our paid subscribers: Don’t miss the extended version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” and “Bless This Mess” segments. Upgrade now to join the fun and support the show. Thanks for being part of our community!

🔗 Links to things we mentioned this week:

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast, it’s officially Hot Dog Day!🍴 Watch as Karyn tries mustard on a hot dog for the very first time. Also, Jen and Karyn dish on Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late night, and discuss the bizarre (and cringe-worthy) antics of Trump and Stephen Miller at Charlie Kirk’s funeral.

But that’s not all! Jen and Karyn make a real-life phone call (or three) just to hear a poem, break down the tell-tale signs of a happy dog, and spill the latest on the new Lilith Fair documentary.

Here’s a fun poll related to this weeks’ discussion.

And, check out this awesome billboard!

For our paid subscribers: Don’t miss the extended version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” and “Bless This Mess” segments. Upgrade now to join the fun and support the show. Thanks for being part of our community!

Here are links to things mentioned this week:

Move over, Meet the Press—it’s time to MEET THE MESS!

This week on the podcast, Jen and Karyn are serving up hot takes, spicy questions, unpopular opinions and more! Is mustard mandatory on hot dogs? Which type of French fry reigns supreme? Are sock-sleepers secretly monsters? Find out the answers to all this and more!

Plus, if you secretly delight in destroying your loved ones in board games, Karyn’s got the inside scoop on how to win at Monopoly! And, hear the latest on the next Golden Bachelor, a luxury travel agent to the rich and famous, the best kind of underwear, SOUPtember and more!

On Meet the Mess, bestselling authors Jen Lancaster & Karyn Bosnak dive into the messiest news stories and hottest topics of the week to give a fresh and entertaining take on current events and life in general. An extended video version with the “Hot Mess of the Week” is available to paid Substack subscribers. Visit meetthemess.substack.com for more.

Meet the Merch:

• https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetTheMess

Connect with us on Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/meetthemesspod

• https://www.instagram.com/jennsylvania

• https://www.instagram.com/karynbosnak

Connect with us on TikTok:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@meetthemess

• https://www.tiktok.com/@karynbosnak