The Amy Plus Podcast

We drop napkins at Michelin restaurants on purpose, and time how long it takes them to pick it up. (Single Thread? 21 seconds. Per Se? 55. Barcelona? Three and a half minutes.) In this episode, I sit down with my husband Joe for a fun catch-up on everything going on in our lives right now.

We recap our 12-year anniversary weekend at the Bel Air Hotel, the spa, the Marilyn Monroe history, caviar and truffle fries by the pool, and a 2006 Château Latour at Michelin two-star restaurant Mille's that was one of the best wines we've ever had. We also share the big news: we're grandparents! Baby Noah is here (9 lbs 1 oz, came out perfect), our daughter Kelly just landed at Cook Children's in Fort Worth, and Joe opens up about what it actually feels like to be "Pops." Plus, our Ocean Boulevard new build in Newport Beach is weeks away from hitting the market, and we're breaking down the strategy behind no open houses, James Roper Curzon artwork, and why the right buyer just needs to walk in and fall in love.

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Why are luxury pieces so expensive, and are they actually worth it? Today I'm taking you inside my Laguna Beach closet to break it all down. From a $3,000 Brunello Cucinelli sweater I got for a fraction of the price, to the rarest Hermès bag in the world (a Himalayan crocodile Birkin that Joe gifted me for our 10-year anniversary), I'm showing you what's in my closet, why these pieces cost what they do, and how I shop luxury for less.

We're getting into Brunello's humanistic capitalism philosophy, the small Italian village where one person hand-crafts each piece, my 70%-off Neiman Marcus strategy, Hermès Togo leather and saddle stitching, and an incredible alternative from my friend Mookie Bolton whose exotic bags rival a $70,000 Kelly for a fraction of the price. Plus Joe surprised me with the sweetest anniversary gift, you'll see it.

If you love luxury fashion, closet tours, and shopping smart — SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications 🔔 This is the kind of content I personally love watching, so I'm sharing it with you.

🎧 Amy Plus Podcast: https://www.amyplusjoe.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyplusjoe 🛍 Shop my looks: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/@amyplusjoe

Should it really take 30 minutes on the toilet? According to Dr. Patel, a board-certified gastroenterologist, if your poop is ready,  it should take less than a minute. In this episode, she breaks down the stuff no one talks about but everyone deals with, from pelvic floor dysfunction to why doom-scrolling on the toilet is actually making things worse.

Dr. Patel is a keynote speaker, Instagram favorite, and one of the most relatable doctors you'll ever listen to. We get into the real science behind bloating, constipation, how menopause and hysterectomy change your gut, the truth about food sensitivity tests, whether gluten and dairy are actually the problem, what Ozempic really does to your insides, alcohol's effect on your microbiome, Amy's wild pizza parasite story, and three simple hacks every woman should know. This one is packed

00:00 – Cold Open: Let's Talk Guts & Butts
01:15 – Meet Dr. Patel + How We Met in Vegas
04:17 – Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Explained
08:00 – Why Gut Health Took Over the Internet
15:45 – Hysterectomy, Menopause & Your Gut
20:20 – Diaphragmatic Breathing for Constipation
26:00 – 3 Simple Hacks: Stool, Water & Fiber
30:57 – Does Wine Wreck Your Gut? (Honest Answer)
33:05 – Ozempic & GLP-1s: What They Really Do
37:00 – Amy's NYC Pizza Parasite Story
43:00 – Food Sensitivity Tests: Worth It or Waste?
46:54 – The Truth About Gluten & Dairy

What happens when a fall from five stories up, Spinal cord AND brain injury in one shot? Trial lawyer Tina has seen it and fought for it.

In this episode, she opens up about the cases that keep her up at night, the invisible injuries juries can't see, and why she shows up to court in Chanel platforms.

I'm joined by Tina, a powerhouse trial lawyer who specializes in catastrophic brain injuries and somehow also happens to be one of the most fashion-forward women I know, think Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Fendi, and a mixed-metal jewelry game that breaks every rule. We get into her origin story (it started with a woman crying on the courthouse steps), running a law firm while raising two boys, New York Fashion Week survival tips, luxury hotels, her designer friends, and how she balances being a wife, mom, boss, and fashionista without losing herself.

00:00 – Cold Open: A Five-Storey Fall
01:30 – Meet Tina + Today's Fit Check
08:00 – NYFW, Being a Mom & Wearing Many Hats
15:00 – Favorite Hotels & Hidden LA Gems
22:00 – The Courthouse Steps Moment That Changed Everything
30:00 – Always On Call: The Reality of Running a Firm
38:00 – Courtroom Fashion & Breaking Stereotypes
45:00 – Luxury Cars, Rolls-Royces & Racehorses
52:00 – Designer Friends: Vogue World & Parsons Couture
1:00:00 – Social Media, Her Sassy Alter Ego & Closing Tips
1:10:00 – Deep Dive: Spotting an Invisible Brain Injury

Today on The Amy Plus Podcast, Amy sits down with Rachel Uchitel media personality, entrepreneur, and host of Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel, a podcast built around the people and stories that deserve more compassion, context, and truth. 
Rachel shares how her life was “reduced to a headline,” why that label follows women differently than men, and how she turned public scrutiny into a purpose-driven platform. 

They also talk Palm Beach culture, why it’s often misrepresented on TV, and what “quiet wealth” really looks like. 
Plus: fashion, private club dynamics, building a successful podcast, and the real mindset behind reinvention.

Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of sensitive topics and wellness/mental health themes for conversation purposes only.

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Comment below: What part of Rachel’s perspective hit you the most?

00:00 Intro: meet Rachel Uchitel 
00:49 Boca studio + Palm Beach life 
01:24 Rachel’s podcast “Misunderstood” + what it’s built on 
03:08 Podcasting advice: niche, format, staff, monetization 
05:58 “What’s your fit?” + Palm Beach style talk 
06:36 Alice + Olivia, events, and foundation work 
08:15 Wedding ring + “the ring is about the man” take 
10:26 Luxury shopping on sale + Neiman timing 
13:13 Wedding covered by People + how it happened 
20:17 Dirty Dancing lift first dance story 
30:47 Members Only: Palm Beach — why locals got offended 
36:09 “Train wreck?” + reality TV incentives 
37:45 What “Misunderstood” really means (the mission) 
44:09 Why men get comebacks easier than women 
48:28 Dream guests + bucket list interviews 
56:10 Future show ideas + closing 

Note: This episode includes wellness discussion for general interest and is not medical advice.

Private clubs, couture, charity galas… and the real rules behind Palm Beach status.

In this episode of The Amy Plus Podcast, Amy sits down with Taja Abitbol from Netflix’s Members Only: Palm Beach, one of the most talked-about new reality series set inside the world of elite memberships and high-society drama. 

Taja breaks down what Palm Beach life is actually like, why memberships matter, what the culture really feels like, and how people navigate exclusivity, etiquette, and the social hierarchy. 

They also get into Taja’s wellness world, including Taja Drip, IV therapy and longevity routines (for general interest only, not medical advice). 

 0:00 Intro + meet Taja 
 1:10 Why you “need both” beach life + golf club life 
 3:30 Palm Beach Island vs Palm Beach County (and why people got upset) 
 5:40 Fashion + “never show up underdressed” 
 10:10 Is the show a trainwreck… or just true? 
 11:10 Why memberships run everything 
 16:40 Cast dynamics + “queen” talk 
 18:35 The premiere drama + security moment 
 37:00 Caviar moment + what didn’t make the cut 
 40:20 Peptides + bringing longevity into luxury hospitality 
 45:25 Life with MLB legend David Cone 
 49:00 Wrap 

 AmyPlusJoe.com

In Part 2, Amy sits down with Alicia Zuckerman Stuard, the concierge jeweler behind the sparkle for top PGA players and their wives, and the woman building a multi-million dollar “by-referral only” jewelry experience for serious diamond lovers. 

This episode goes deep into what high-net-worth clients actually do: how they buy, how they insure, how they transport million-dollar pieces, and why “private” doesn’t mean quiet, it means intentional. 

We talk about:

• The most expensive piece she’s sold to a PGA client ($1 million) 
• White-glove delivery: Brinks trucks and hand-delivery by plane 
• The moment Amy lost a diamond earring in the water on vacation (and why insurance matters) 
• Why Jewelers Mutual is the gold standard in her world 
• Engagement ring trends shifting beyond ovals into elongated cushions, pears, marquise and more 
• How Alicia’s business exploded during Covid, selling $5K to $50K pieces by text message 

If you love luxury, but you also love smart, this one’s for you.

Follow Alicia:
Instagram: @jewelsby.alicia
Family business: leosjeweler.com

More from Amy:
amyplusjoe.com
Subscribe + comment, we read them.

Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not financial or insurance advice.

Ever wondered what it really takes to design, build, and sell a $21,995,000 oceanfront home in Orange County?

In this episode of The Amy Plus Podcast, Amy sits down in her own home with legendary luxury realtor John Stanaland to pull back the curtain on ultra-high-end real estate, record-breaking deals, and the emotional side of letting go of a dream home.

From his $45M sale in Newport Coast to setting price-per-square-foot records along the coastline, John shares how he thinks, negotiates, and protects his clients at the very top of the market — while Amy shares the five-year journey of building this house with Joe from the ground up.

In this conversation, they talk about:

• The moment Amy knew this was “the one” — like putting on the perfect wedding dress
• Why she and Joe decided to bring their custom oceanfront home to market at $21,995,000
• How John’s “elite strike force team” quietly does the volume of a huge real estate group
• The story behind his $45M Newport Coast sale and solving a last-minute title issue to close
• How he thinks about price per square foot, comps, and why two homes 100 yards apart can be millions of dollars apart
• John’s first reaction walking into Amy and Joe’s home (and why this one “sits above” most of what he’s seen)
• Amy’s “pinch me” moment writing down $21,995,000 for the first time and tearing up in her bedroom overlooking the water
• How a self-professed workaholic still sneaks away to fish bluefin with Starlink on the boat so he never fully “clocks out”

If you love luxury homes, design, investing, or Orange County real estate, this episode gives you a rare look at both sides: the sellers who built the dream… and the agent trusted to make history with it.

🔗 Stay Connected

• Listen to more episodes & get all the links: amyplusjoe.com
• Watch the podcast: YouTube @AmyPlusJoe
• Follow Amy on Instagram & TikTok: @amyplusjoe

Make sure to subscribe, like, and comment if you want more inside stories from the world of luxury lifestyle, real estate, and the people behind the properties.

1. 00:00 – “Wedding dress” moment walking into the house
2. 00:40 – Introducing the $21,995,000 oceanfront listing
3. 01:05 – Why Amy and Joe chose John over other big-name agents
4. 02:55 – John’s ‘elite strike force’ team and record-setting portfolio
5. 03:23 – Inside the $45M Pelican Hill Road North sale
6. 05:05 – Solving a title issue and closing $45M in a weekend
7. 13:52 – John’s honest first reaction walking into Amy’s home
8. 20:29 – Amy writes “$21,995,000” for the first time and tears up
9. 24:29 – How price per square foot really works on the OC coast
10. 43:02 – Fishing, bluefin season, Starlink… and never really stopping work

Welcome back to the A+ Podcast. In this Part 2 episode, Amy sits down again with Orange County dermatologist Dr. Zenovia Gabriel to get very real about modern beauty culture from oversized lips and overdone faces in Newport Beach to acne, Accutane, hair loss, lasers, and TikTok skincare trends. 

They talk about why so many women in Orange County feel pressure to “keep up,” how social media and filters are affecting teen girls, the truth about fillers and migration, low-dose Accutane, adult acne, yeast acne, collagen stimulation, laser hair removal, female hair loss, peptides, and what’s actually worth your money versus snake oil. 

ABOUT DR. ZENOVIA GABRIEL
Dr. Zenovia Gabriel is a board-certified dermatologist based in Orange County and the founder of her own clinical-grade skincare line. She’s known for her honest, evidence-based approach to acne, aging, hair loss and cosmetic dermatology, and for helping patients look refreshed — not overdone.

Listen to more episodes and find all the links:
amyplusjoe.com

Watch the Amy Plus Podcast on YouTube:
@theamypluspodcast

Follow Amy on social:
Instagram, TikTok, YouTube: @amyplusjoe

DISCLAIMER
This conversation is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your own doctor or dermatologist before starting or changing any treatment.

00:00 – Welcome back to Part 2 with Dr. Zenovia Gabriel

01:38 – Orange County vs LA: how women see themselves and beauty culture differences 

Dr Z Podcast 2

03:25 – Oversized lips, high cheekbones and the “done” Southern California look

05:19 – Real Housewives of Orange County and how they changed the OC aesthetic

06:47 – What Dr. Zenovia and Amy are wearing: vintage Chanel, Italian shoes and sentimental jewelry

10:12 – How Amy found “the best Orange County dermatologist” through a perfectly put-together realtor

11:50 – The number one question she gets at the bar: are fillers bad and do they migrate? 

Dr Z Podcast 2

14:12 – Overfilled faces, consultation as an art, and “broken mirror” facial dysmorphia

18:01 – Melting filler, reshaping faces and why she refuses to put her name on fake-looking work

25:09 – Adult acne, yeast acne, diet, stress and why acne is making a comeback at every age 

Dr Z Podcast 2

29:44 – Dr. Z’s 4-step acne protocol and low-dose Accutane myth-busting

32:22 – The psychological side of acne and how clear skin changes confidence

43:00 – Why laser hair removal is one of the best gifts you can give yourself

50:27 – Female hair loss, hysterectomy, Nutrafol/Viviscal, collagen and her hair-growth game plan 

Dr Z Podcast 2

57:39 – Slugging, salmon sperm, beef tallow and why she sticks to evidence-based skincare over trends

If you watched Season 2 of the Netflix show “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” you saw the polished ending… but not the full story of why veteran DCC Kaydianna MacKenzie walked away.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Kaydianna on the Amy Plus Podcast, we pick up after the cameras stop rolling and dive into what was really happening behind the scenes.

Kaydianna opens up about:
- Stepping into a leadership role and the pressure that came with it
- The TikTok Lives that sparked questions, assumptions, and chaos online
- Being suspended, feeling pushed to “spill more,” and how it all impacted her mentally
- Wrestling with guilt, people-pleasing, and her faith through the whole experience
- How she now sees God’s hand in closing one chapter and opening another
- The mentoring program she’s creating to help young women find their identity and confidence

This episode is emotional, raw, and healing. It’s for anyone who’s ever walked away from something they loved, felt misunderstood online, or struggled to choose peace over staying in the spotlight.

💬 COMMENT  
What part of Kaydianna’s story hit you the hardest?

🕊 DISCLAIMER  
All references, discussion, and any brief clips from “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” are for commentary, criticism, and discussion only. All footage and trademarks related to the show are the property of Netflix and the Dallas Cowboys / Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organizations. This podcast and channel are not affiliated with or endorsed by Netflix, the Dallas Cowboys, or the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

🎧 LISTEN  
Catch both Part 1 and Part 2 of this conversation on the Amy Plus Podcast on all platforms, or at AmyPlusJoe.com.

0:00 – Why did Kaydianna really leave at the end of Season 2?
0:40 – Taking on a leadership role inside DCC
5:15 – What happened when a veteran returned and dynamics shifted
8:25 – Mid-season tension and the emotional toll behind the scenes
11:45 – The TikTok Live with her mom and the questions that exploded
16:50 – Feeling pushed to “spill more” and navigating online chaos
18:20 – Suspension, consequences, and how it all actually went down
22:30 – Social media pressure and the fear of saying the “wrong” thing
25:10 – Owning mistakes, grace, and learning in public
27:55 – Processing everything through faith and asking, “Where was God in this?”
31:20 – Remembering the joy: little girls, game days, and what DCC still means to her
34:35 – Realizing four years on the most iconic squad is still a huge gift
36:40 – Introducing her new mentor program and who it’s for
40:00 – Helping young women find their identity beyond a uniform or title
43:10 – TikTok following, criticism, and not letting the audience define her
45:20 – Amy’s “mom” advice, faith reminder, and what’s next for Kaydianna
46:25 – Where to follow Kaydianna and closing blessings