Voice Notes

Welcome back to Real Life & Rambles, where we are really alive and really rambling. Today we navigate the profound mysteries of favorite colors, animals, and bodies of water... and the meaning behind it all. No pressure, but your answers reveal something deeply existential about you (which we will reveal tomorrow).

Along the way, we learn about the delicate politics of stuffed animal favoritism, the ethical dilemmas of saying “goodnight” in the correct parental order, and a childhood spent fearing the police over stepping on a suspiciously placed silver button for many torturous months / years to come. Also featured: frisbees as micro-cities, a series of unanswered “am I safe?” and “am I loved?” questions, and a heartfelt shout-out-to-God and Grove Park.

Don't miss the end with our surprise musical guests for a surprise song. All our XOXOs. 

Welcome to today’s episode, where we turn our entire day into an ASMR experience—except instead of relaxing whispers, it’s mostly chaotic noises with mouth smacking and wheeze-laughter in the background. 

We packed up and left Venice, where one of us achieved peak mosquito defense with Taylor's method of sleep known as "cockooning". We then boarded another fast train to Naples, made two new friends, and attempted to describe an indescribable Airbnb host who lead us to the coziest, most thoughtful Airbnb in existence—complete with handwritten notes, mystery candies, and mosquito repellent that felt personally placed there by God.

All in all, it was a lovely travel day. We aren't super confident in the last 2 episodes... but hey, that's show business. ;) Stay tuned to see if we ever figure out how to pronounce anything in Italian as we begin our adventure in Naples! And yes, we are trying with daily lessons on Babbel. 

It's day 16 and Perri is embarrassed at her “Happy Birthday” which then spirals into an existential debate on the correct way to say umbrella (um-BRELL-a? UM-brella?) and an impromptu musical number inspired by rain and Rihanna. Is this a musical episode?

We navigated a beautifully dreary day in Venice, and debated whether romanticized rain is just wet inconvenience in disguise. Along the way, we processed what felt like absolute horror of revealing you’re from Atlanta in an international tour group (should we start saying Schlabino Island instead?) and why is that, ATL is cool - you know?

It’s a chaotic, too comfortable, and hopefully relatable episode (we listen and we don't judge)—perfect for anyone who’s ever felt the need to defend their hometown, feel the rain on their skin, or overthink how they pronounce everyday words.

Stay dry, stay dramatic, and, for the love of all things linguistics, send in your umbrella voice notes.

Welcome to Voice Notes, where this time, we switch things up by facing each other while recording, which apparently feels like a date (and you, dear listener, are third-wheeling).

Topics of discussion include:

    •    A dramatic retelling of how last night’s episode went too long, involved a mild existential crisis, and ended in discussing the marriage advice to never go to bed angry.

    •    Perri’s well-documented clubbing schedule (Tuesdays & Thursdays, mark your calendars) and the resulting concern that this information might end up in a church bulletin

    •    Fur coats. Specifically, the excessive number of them in Italy and which one Taylor would wear (spoiler: a cropped white one for maximum cuteness)

You're in for us developing our morning announcement voices, observed European things, and whether certain Italian lingerie shops are actually selling Halloween costumes.

It’s a 10/10 mix of deep thoughts, travel observations, and absolute nonsense—yeah, sounds like us. 

Venetian Bed Bugs, Satin Floss, and Poop Anxiety: A Love Story

Ah, day 14—where the ramble is ramblin', but the commitment to daily voice journaling remains strong. In today’s installment, we learn that floss matters, and apparently, only satin floss is fit for us (how posh). Meanwhile, the old floss, possibly made of barbed wire, has been retired with great ceremony.

But floss isn’t the only thing we are battling. Allow us to introduce The Mosquito-Bed Bug-Phantom Itch Epidemic of Venice. There are bites. Many bites. Are they mosquitoes? Are they bed bugs? Will they crawl into mouths at night? We have committed to not Googling for answers until we have completed our stay.

Speaking of discomfort, there's been a submitted question from a faithful listener... regarding panxiety. Is this a male thing or a people thing? Tune in to find out. 

We also reflect on how this daily podcast has unexpectedly made us feel closer than ever to friends and family—despite being across the world. The big takeaway? Whether it’s sharing travels, anxieties, goofy banter, or your very specific floss preferences, staying connected is all about making time to share your life with people and them share it back for one big family style feast of friendship. 

Welcome to Day 13: Sunday Street Sessions in Venice, where we take you with us through the streets. You may also call this episode, Street Sermons, as we all walk away inspired by Taylor's words as a fill-in street preacher. 

Did you know Europe has a different daylight savings time than the U.S.? Now you do! Time’s still confusing, but who cares when you’re exploring Venice’s bridges, palaces, and mysterious Jell-O water?

Welcome to the magical land of Venice, where the time zone is a mystery, Sunday school memories are randomly shared, and ancient rules are casually discussed.

Welcome to Time Zone Talk, the only show where we announce the time zone everywhere, but that's all. It’s Friday, we’re tired, and we may or may not have spent an unhinged amount of time watching Lost (season three, don’t spoil it).

The highlight of the evening? A gourmet dining experience featuring… yummy worms! No, no, not worms. Yummy worms... you'll get it when you hear it. 

In other news, we learned the hard way that if a restaurant has a guy outside aggressively luring you in, it’s a tourist trap. Consider yourself warned. We also confirmed that yes, wearing the same sweatshirt for five days in a row is totally fine as long as you change your pants occasionally. 

Our grand adventure of the day? A no-GPS wandering walk where we got lost on purpose… only to be thwarted by an urgent bathroom break. Turns out, public restrooms are mythical creatures in this part of the world. If you find one, treasure it.

That’s somewhat of a wrap on today’s chaotic recap! HUGS! 

It's Day 10 over here! Do you miss us yet? Probably not because if you're listening to us jabber on and on through these voice notes, then you may be more sick of us now than ever.

Today, we finally realized why our dinners have been so empty: Italians don’t eat before 8 PM (duhhh). Tonight’s meal featured the “best lasagna ever,” followed by our every-other-day gelato tradition. Also, Taylor graciously gives the bidet another shot… 

Tomorrow, we’re aiming for an earlier start at a coffee shop. But for now, it’s Survivor time. 

Goodnight, good morning, and good afternoon! (That should cover all of our bases...)

This episode is bound to be disappointing to listen to... it's a chaotic, effort to chat and cook - but coming to you straight from Venice!

    1.    Fresh pasta is elite—stay calm and cook it for much less time than you've ever cooked pasta before.

    2.    Trains in Italy are fast— like so fast and so fun.

    3.    Bidets remain a mystery—but there may be an update on that tomorrow.