Bachelor Happy Hour Podcast Summary

Episode: Christina & Brayden: One Year of Marriage | Happy Hour
Release Date: December 9, 2025
Hosts: Joe Amabile & Serena Pitt
Guests: Christina Mandrell & Brayden Bowers

Episode Overview

This episode commemorates Christina and Brayden’s first year of marriage. Hosted by Joe and Serena, themselves Bachelor in Paradise newlyweds, the conversation is lighthearted, candid, and full of real-life updates—from ultra-marathons and parenthood challenges to sobriety journeys and unusual birthday gifts (spoiler: it involves a snake).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Anniversary Reflections and Relationship Milestones

• Christina and Brayden share the many significant dates in their relationship:
  • When they met, first started dating, got engaged, and their wedding (12/12/24).
• Both couples agree that anniversaries feel more significant as the years go on:
  • Serena: “I feel like the more years from the marriage, the more it becomes significant.” (06:17)
  • Joe: “Yeah, that’s what I think too.” (06:39)
• Brayden lightens the tone: “I feel like five years is like you can start, like, really celebrating—like, we made it five years. One year is, like, an accomplishment...especially with this one!” (05:02)

Life Updates: Parenting, Schedules, and Sports

• Their daughter Blakely’s golden birthday (turning nine on the ninth) is a big event. The family’s schedule is packed with soccer tournaments and birthday festivities.
• Brayden is preparing (minimally) for an upcoming ultramarathon:
  • “I kinda signed up on a whim… I spent 120 bucks to get a ticket, and I’m running it next weekend.” (08:04)
  • He’s previously run three marathons, but admits: “I haven’t known you since you’ve done a marathon.” — Christina (08:39)
• Christina coached Blakely’s recreational soccer team to a championship:
  • “I peaked, now. That was… that was it!” (11:27)
  • Brayden jokes, “She brings it up at least, like, once a day.” (11:29)

Nashville vs. California: Sobriety & Lifestyle

• The couple currently lives in Nashville, but miss the weather, food, and culture of Southern California.
• Christina discusses her sobriety journey:
  • Sober for almost two years: “That’s been a big lifestyle change for the better.” (13:19)
  • She candidly discusses initial challenges and the positive impact it’s had:
    • “At first I did not. I do feel so much better now. I feel so much more, period. Like, I feel so much more emotions.” (21:52)
  • Brayden expresses his support: “I’m very proud of her… being constantly surrounded by [alcohol] can be very challenging.” (22:08)
• Nashville night life gets less attention now; instead, the couple enjoys escape rooms.
  • “We’ve done every single escape room. We wait for the new ones to come out.” — Christina (13:36)
  • Escape room strategy: “For your score to count, you can’t use more than three clues. That’s like the rule.” — Brayden (14:10)

Parenting Highlights & Unique Birthday Gifts

• They joke about how quickly their daughter is growing up:
  • Brayden: “Her attitude is getting there. To preteen. It starts at nine.” (28:27; 28:32)
• The most unusual highlight: they're gifting Blakely a pet ball python for her birthday.
  • “We got a ball python.” — Brayden (30:16)
  • The story includes meeting “Reptile Steve” in his snake-filled shed, a detail that drew laughs and concern from the hosts.

Holidays, Traditions, and Family Life

• Discussion about whether Blakely still believes in Santa (she doesn't, after an accidental reveal by Brayden).
  • “…I kind of forgot that people believe Santa’s not real.” — Brayden (39:35)
• Their take on holiday decorating:
  • Christina confesses, “I think about going in the attic, getting all the decor down, and then putting it right back a couple weeks later.” (41:54)
• The "real vs. fake Christmas tree" debate:
  • Brayden insists: “I’m not gonna get a fake [tree]. I think it’s sacrilegious.” (48:13)
  • Joe and Serena share that they opt for a convenient fake tree due to NYC apartment life.

Pets, Parenting Beds, and Sleep Battles

• The couple has two large dogs.
• Debate over whether pets (and kids) belong in the bed:
  • Brayden: “My dog’s sitting over and he’s looking at me because he knows what we’re talking about...” (43:57)
  • Christina: “When I’m half asleep and I have to get up... I can’t get up, you’re getting buried.” (44:12)
• Their daughter frequently joins them in bed in the middle of the night: “I just see the shadow standing over the bed.” — Brayden (44:20)

Staying Active and Adventurous

• Brayden discusses his lack of preparation for the ultramarathon but looks forward to the mental challenge.
  • “I like challenging myself mentally… my mind’s in control of my body, you know what I mean?” (25:31)
• Unexpected athletic moments:
  • Brayden shares a story about being "recruited" by an indoor skydiving instructor who calls him a natural:
    • “He did say I was a natural athlete… but I think he was just trying to sell me something.” (26:17; 28:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brayden (on anniversaries):
  “I feel like five years is like you can start, like, really celebrating—like, we made it five years. One year is, like, an accomplishment…especially with this one!” (05:02)

• Christina (on her sobriety):
  “At first I did not. I do feel so much better now. I feel so much more, period. Like, I feel so much more emotions. And so he’s been dealing with that.” (21:52)

• Brayden (on sporting injury):
  “…I was like, I gotta beat this kid. And so we were sprinting… that extra gear just took my hammy out… I did win, but… I was limping off the field.” (09:40–10:02)

• Christina (Birthday surprise):
  “I got her a backpack, and we’re going to put this inside of it, Something she’s been asking for for a very long time…so we’re gonna… We got a ball python.” (30:16)

• Brayden (meeting Reptile Steve):
  “…I just drove an hour… and went and met him in his shed out behind his house where he has a thousand snakes by myself.” (31:31)

• On the holiday tree debate:
  Brayden: “I’m not gonna get a fake. I think it’s sacrilegious. It’s just…not good.” (48:13)
  Serena: “They can get a real tree. I’m for it. It’s so…cozy.” (48:22)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:48 – Main episode begins: Introductions and catching up
• 04:36 – Christina and Brayden’s multiple anniversary dates discussion
• 07:12 – Parenting life and Blakely’s golden birthday plans
• 07:35 – Brayden’s ultramarathon plans
• 11:10 – Soccer coaching glory and family sports life
• 13:08 – Christina’s journey to sobriety
• 13:36 – On life in Nashville and finding fun as a sober couple
• 21:12 – Handling social events and mocktails
• 23:35 – Christina shares her reason for quitting drinking
• 30:16 – The ball python birthday present
• 39:13 – Does Blakely still believe in Santa? (Holiday traditions)
• 41:40 – Christmas prep, real vs. fake tree debate
• 43:35 – Pets and kids in the bed
• 47:02 – Brayden’s ultramarathon fueling & lifestyle
• 48:29 – The fate of last year’s Christmas tree

Tone & Atmosphere

• The conversation is lively, humorous, and earnest—a mix of playful ribbing, gentle confessions, and supportive partner dynamics.
• Both couples openly share real-life challenges (sobriety, parenting, hectic schedules) while keeping the dialogue relatable and fun.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers Bachelor Nation fans a genuine glimpse into Christina and Brayden’s first year of marriage—moments both silly (snakes!), heartfelt (sobriety support), and relatable (holiday prep procrastination). Listeners will come away smiling, likely questioning their stance on fake trees and maybe even escape rooms.

Stay tuned to Christina and Brayden’s socials for marathon updates—and possibly a video featuring Blakely’s python birthday surprise!