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Narrator/Advertiser
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
Joe
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Serena
I consider myself to be a pretty good gift giver. I've got my list.
Joe
Checked it twice, probably three times. She takes the holidays very seriously.
Serena
I can't help it. You know. I love finding the perfect gifts. And Walmart has all all the top brands. Nespresso, Sonos, Nintendo, Nintendo at Walmart.
Joe
Who knew?
Serena
I know. And more.
Joe
Get all the brands everyone loves at Walmart. Head to Walmart.com or download the Walmart app to get all your gifts this season.
Narrator/Advertiser
Chapter 18 Prince Lorian's voice gently wakes you from your dreams of him.
Joe
I can't face one more sunset without you by my side. Come with me and I vow your desires will be my North Star forevermore.
Narrator/Advertiser
You're ready. You have Nexplanon etnogestrel implant 68mg radiopeg to prevent pregnancy. Nexplanon is a non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm and may take a few minutes to insert by your doctor. Don't use Nexsplanon if you're pregnant or may be pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be while in common ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs with less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use Nexplanon for one year. Nexplanon is over 99% effective. No matter the fantasy, talk to your doctor, call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexsplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about Nexplanon. We know no one's journey is the same.
Serena
That's why Delta SkyMiles moves with you. From earning miles on reloads for coffee runs, shopping and things you do every.
Narrator/Advertiser
Day to connecting you to new experiences.
Serena
A SkyMiles membership fits into your lifestyle, letting you do more of what makes you you.
Narrator/Advertiser
It's more than travel. It's the membership that flies, dines, streams, rides, and arrives with you.
Serena
Because when you have a membership that's as unique as you are, there's no.
Narrator/Advertiser
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Joe
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Braden
Hey everyone.
Joe
Welcome back to Badger Happy Hour. I'm Joe.
Serena
And I'm Serena and we are here.
Joe
Today with Braden and Christina. Welcome back to Badger Happy Hour, guys.
Braden
How are you doing? Good.
Christina
Out of this world.
Braden
Yes. I really. She don't want me to do the background, but I felt like it was, you know, appropriate.
Christina
Yeah.
Serena
Yeah. You're listening and not watching on YouTube right now. Braden and Christina have a. What even is this? An outer space view of Earth as.
Joe
I kind of like it. I find that to be.
Serena
It's kind of soothing. It's blue twinkly lights.
Joe
I'm enjoying speaking to you guys like this.
Braden
I'm glad that you know it's keeping your attention that's important. So hopefully the viewers agree.
Serena
So last time we had you guys on here was right after you got married, which was almost a year ago now. When's the exact anniversary date?
Christina
Oh, you're right. The 12th. Oh my gosh. Did you give me a present? It's not. I need to get on that. I actually thank you for bringing that up. I would have never thought of that. Did you?
Braden
Wow.
Joe
You would have never thought of your one year anniversary. No, I mean we're not actually big anniversary. We're not like big on that either. But I think maybe as time goes on, you may like as once you hit like the 10 year mark.
Braden
Yeah. I feel like five years is like you can start like really celebrating like we made it five years. Like one year is like, you know, I mean, it's a. It's an accomplishment, you know, especially with this one, but. Oh, I'm just kidding already.
Christina
No, I feel like it should be a big deal because we have so many random dates of like, when is our actual anniversary. So really we should just hone in on the. 1212. It was 1212 24. Which is. That's why we did it on that date. We should do something. But we have the date of when we met, but we weren't allowed to announce it, that we were dating because paradise hadn't come out yet. The date that we were able to launch the fifth. Yeah. Oh my gosh.
Braden
You knew that that was the day we first met.
Christina
Yeah. And then.
Braden
And then our anniversary when we started dating was 9, 18. So we actually started dating like, like boyfriend, girlfriend. Pretty fast because. Boating accident.
Christina
Engaged.
Braden
Engaged was 1 4. Yeah. Look at me. I'm the one who remembers the dates in this room.
Serena
Look at you. Good with numbers.
Braden
Yeah. And I remember our anniversary, which apparently someone for your copy.
Christina
It was a total joke.
Serena
My mom texts us every year on our. The anniversary of the day we got engaged and is like, do you know what day it is? We're like, no. They're like, it's your engagement anniversary.
Joe
We're the same as you guys, where we just have a. There's a lot of dates in the mix.
Serena
Yeah.
Joe
So it makes it difficult.
Serena
This will be what, our third wedding anniversary in September. I feel like the more years from the marriage, the more it becomes significant. Is that weird to say? Like, I feel like I just.
Joe
I said that three minutes ago.
Serena
Yeah. But yeah, I thought you were saying, like, you start celebrating it once it's been more. But for me it like locks into my mind.
Joe
No. Yeah, that's kind of. I'm. We're on the same page. That's what I think too.
Christina
Great point. Just there.
Braden
Also, I feel like. I feel like, honestly, similar to like Valentine's Day. It's like, I know it sounds cliche or cheesy, but it's like every day needs to be an anniversary, you know, I mean like they're. Although you can celebrate, you know, and go out to dinner or do something.
Christina
Nice or Valentine's Day, but really?
Braden
Yeah. So, I mean, I don't know. I feel like. I feel like it's like you should celebrate it every day, you know? Okay.
Joe
Yeah.
Serena
So no plans for the anniversary yet. Maybe we'll do something special.
Christina
Well, we have. We actually. Blakely, she's at school right now, so she can't hear. We have a surprise birthday party that we're throwing for her golden birthday, which is. She's starting nine on the ninth, so that's tomorrow. So we have, like, a lot going on with that. And then we have soccer tournaments every single weekend. Yeah, we are full, like, just normal life right now. We're wiping it.
Braden
And then I have a ultramarathon on Saturday.
Christina
Tell them so.
Joe
Yeah. Okay. Ultra marathon is. What is that? How many miles is that? 56.
Braden
Yeah. So it's like one and a half marathons, I think. Or. No, sorry.
Joe
It's a marathon's 26.2, so that would be 50. So. Yeah, 52.8, something like that.
Braden
Oh. So I really don't have a whole bunch of information. I kind of signed, really.
So Blakely, soccer coach, he, like, does ultra marathons and Ironmans and stuff like that. And me and him, we're getting it talking, and I was like, you know, I've always wanted to do one. He's like, well, I'm doing one this, like, you know, in two weeks. He's like, do you want to do it? I'm like, yeah, I don't know if. How fast I can go. And he's like, well, I'm taking it pretty easy. He's like, you seem like you're in decent shape. I'm like, all right, let's send it. So I got spent 100, what, 20 bucks or something like that to get a ticket, and I'm running it next weekend, so. Okay.
Joe
Have you run a marathon ever?
Braden
I read. I've ran three marathons now.
Joe
Yeah. Okay.
Serena
Okay. Okay.
Braden
It's been, like, a couple years since I ran my last marathon.
Christina
I haven't known you since you've done a marathon.
Braden
Yeah. Okay, so it's been a minute. I was gonna. Recently, but honestly, like, stepping in, like, I just. I just. If I do another marathon, I want to actually train for it and try to beat my last, like, my best time. So, like, the best time, what, 3. 46.
Joe
Okay.
Braden
So. Which isn't, like, crazy impressive, but it's sub four, so I would like to get, like, sub three hours and 30 minutes, I think, is, like, what my next goal would be.
Christina
Well, let me.
Joe
That's my. That's my next goal.
Christina
Be realistic here with the last one. You were totally going to do it. You were. And he is very, very athletic. But while were we. While we were at field day.
Braden
Oh, shoot. Yeah.
Christina
He ended up pulling his hamstring and so he was still going to run the marathon.
Serena
And I'm like.
Christina
And I called him like, no, we're not doing that. Like.
Braden
Yeah. So I've learned. I mean, I'm not old. I know I'm not old, but I feel like I'm like, my body's starting to get a little bit older to where I have to stretch now before I do things.
Christina
Um, he was running the 50 yard dash against one of the older brothers. It was like this 18 year old.
Braden
He was like 20. He was 20, but he was like, I guess he ran track for his college or something like that. And I was like, I gotta beat this kid. And so we were sprinting and it was like neck and neck. And I was like, tried to kick it up that extra gear, like, as we were nearing the finish line. And that extra gear just took my hammy out. So that was a. That was a learning experience for me. I did win, but.
Serena
Okay.
Braden
I mean, I. I was limping off.
Serena
The field in the long run.
Braden
Yeah.
Joe
Have you. Have you trained at all for this? Like, how are you training right now? Nothing. No running at all.
Braden
I'm just gonna send it. I. I feel like. I mean, for me at least, like, with the experiences that I've had with marathon. So I've sent a marathon before. So, like, my first marathon was the one that I got 346 on. I trained for my second one that I ran. I didn't train for. I had signed up like, pre Covid and then the marathon got canceled and then basically, like, it, like, just re. Like resigned me up for a new one. And the new one, I got like an email the day before and I was like, oh, shoot, I have a marathon tomorrow. And I was like, eating pizza. And so that was a really tough run for me. I still got like 4 hours and 26. 26 or 7 minutes. It was in the 20s, but yeah, it was. I feel like I could do it.
Joe
Wow. I mean, Ultra's. Yeah, Ultra's wild.
Serena
Scared for him.
Christina
I'll be at the finish line.
Joe
No, you won't.
Braden
You'll be at Blakely soccer tournament.
Christina
Oh, yeah, that's right. The coach and him are both not gonna be there.
Braden
Yeah.
Joe
So who's gonna coach the soccer team?
Christina
Me.
Braden
You could. She's coached.
Christina
We did, actually. I don't know if we were doing this last time we chatted, but we did coach the rec league. She's now moved up, and she's on a. What's it called?
Braden
Club soccer.
Christina
Club soccer team. But we coached the rec league, and we won the championship.
Braden
First place.
Serena
Congratulations. That's kind of fun.
Christina
I peaked now, that was. That was it.
Braden
No, it's kind of crazy. She brings it up at least, like, once a day. It's. It's like something she hasn't let go of. Like, she's so proud.
Of her most proud moments. It comes up in every conversation. So you.
Joe
You guys are in Nashville, right?
Braden
Yeah.
Joe
Do you love it?
Braden
Yeah. I mean, I love.
Joe
Now.
Braden
No, I. I can't say. I just. I struggle with, like, the weather because it's like, I love being outside and. But I hate being outside. It's. Yeah, yeah. No, because it's like, you could have, like, a decent day, it'll be, like, 75 even. Like, on the good days, it'll be like, 75 and pretty, and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, you got tornadoes just flying around, and you're like, you know, what the heck? Like, you see Nashville, 91 1, right? That's real life.
Christina
That's not real.
Braden
It's not real life, but it's close. That's how I feel.
Joe
But what about the scene of Nashville? Like, do you enjoy. Do you enjoy the restaurant? Do you like Nashville, or. So you don't like Nashville is what I'm.
Braden
No. So you have, like.
Christina
I'm sober now, too, so we're not going out and it's. Yeah. I mean, that's what you're doing in Nashville?
Braden
Yeah, I mean, I. Like, I'm from San Diego, where it's like, we had some of the best food that you could have. Like, we had Italian food that was, like, legit good Italian food. We had sushi that was fresh. Like, Mexican food's the best Mexican food you're gonna have.
Serena
And great weather and amazing weather.
Joe
Yeah, it's like, the best weather ever.
Braden
Yeah. Like, we're in the process.
Christina
The water's really cold.
Braden
The water's not. I mean, you wear a wetsuit, but, I mean, I don't know. I just. I love it. I mean, we're trying to eventually move back, I think, to California, hopefully within the next year or so. Okay. That's the plan. So Crossing our fingers.
Joe
But, Christina, you're. You're sober.
Christina
Yes.
Joe
For how long?
Christina
Year and a year. Almost two on the 20th. It'll be a year in two months.
Joe
Oh, nice. Congratulations.
Serena
How's that been?
Christina
Cool.
Braden
Yeah.
Christina
Yeah.
Braden
So that was a.
Christina
That's been a big lifestyle change for the better and. Yeah, no loving that. But again, not much to do here in Nashville anymore.
Braden
Yeah.
Serena
What are some like, fun activities in Nashville that don't revolve around like, drinking?
Christina
Escape rooms. We've done every single escape room. We wait for the new ones to come out. We do them, just us two to try and we always get out. We're really good at them.
Braden
So it's funny cuz, like the first escape room I took her and her family too. Cuz like, I've always loved escape rooms. Like, I just find them so interesting and like, they have like cool mechanisms.
Serena
Like Joe just did his first one recently.
Joe
I just did my first one.
Christina
Did you get out?
Joe
We got out. Yeah, we got out. But we, we. We did. There was an option to like get a clue. Like, are there options in all of them to like, get it. Get that if you use that button.
Christina
Is that it still counts.
Braden
So the places that we've been to like, for your score to count, you can't use more than three clues. Okay. That's like the rule. So if you use less than three clues, then your score still counts. If you use more, then it's questionable.
Christina
Well, usually one, because there's one where it's just like, okay, there's. I mean, we're stuck.
Braden
And I feel like when you're working with Mult, like a lot of people, and especially people that are like kind of newer to it, sometimes they'll move clues around and so it's like you'll press the clue and they'll be like, hey, do you remember that thing you picked up and you moved over there? Go and grab it. And so it's like we kick them out. Yeah. Then we. Then we kick them out. We're like, hey, don't touch it. I get pretty serious. I'm like, don't touch it. Again, like, you know. But just kidding, I don't actually get serious. I. I just love escape rooms.
Christina
Yeah.
Narrator/Advertiser
Chapter 18. Prince Lauran's voice gently wakes you from your dreams of him.
Joe
I can't face one more sunset without you by my side. Come with me and I vow your desires will be my north star forevermore.
Narrator/Advertiser
You're ready. You have Nexsplanon etnogestrel implant, 68mg Radiopeg to prevent pregnancy. Nexplanon is a non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm and may take a few minutes to insert by your doctor. Don't use NexsPlanon if you're pregnant or may be pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant consistent, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be while in common ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur, which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots, which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs. With less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use Nexplanon for one year, Nexplanon is over 99% effective. No matter the fantasy, talk to your doctor. Call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about Nexplanon okay, listen.
Joe
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Serena
You deserve this okay, so question. Are you one of those people that starts your holiday shopping in like, July?
Joe
July? I mean, no, never. Like, I like to shop. Actually, I like to shop on Christmas Eve because I find it to be a little more festive.
Serena
But you, like, start decorating right after Halloween?
Joe
No, after Thanksgiving. Okay, that's different. That's different. Halloween? No, not Halloween.
Serena
You know, I consider myself to be a pretty good gift giver. I've got my list and I've checked.
Joe
It twice, probably three times. She takes the holidays very seriously.
Serena
I can't help it. You know, I love finding the perfect gifts for everyone. And Walmart has all the top brands. Nespresso, Sonos, Nintendo.
Joe
Nintendo at Walmart. Who knew?
Serena
I know. And more. All of your shopping in one place.
Joe
How much more shopping? Oh, boy.
Serena
Just saying. Get all the brands everyone loves at Walmart. Head to Walmart.com or download the Walmart app to get all your gifts this season.
Joe
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Serena
Would you ever go to, like a bar, listen live music and just do like a mocktail, or is that really just not your scene anymore?
Christina
Oh, yeah, no, we definitely. I mean, his mom came to town, we went and did the whole Broadway thing and it was just different. I think the first few months of that, I was like, no, I wouldn't have done that. But I'm to a point now where I'm like, yeah, I can do that. We, you know, do weddings. I do all the normal things. I think. I think I usually. He's tried to hand me some mocktails though. I think just she stays away from it. I don't know why. Just like the mentally, like, upholding it. I'm like, I don't need to do that. I'm at that point where I don't know.
Joe
Do you feel so much as your body and everything? Do you just feel so much better?
Christina
Yes, I do feel so much better. 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.
Yeah, I don't know. It's been good.
Braden
No, it's you. I do, yeah. I don't know. I'm very proud of her and all the progress that she's like, made with that. I mean, I know it's like it was difficult when she first stopped because it was like, you know, especially with like, you know how it is influencing and like social media events. It's like there's alcohol at every single one of them. You know what I mean? And so, you know, being constantly surrounded by it can be very challenging. And so it's like, I mean, I'm amazed by how she's overcome that and how well she's been doing without it, so it's been awesome.
Christina
Well, I got to where for my job, I'll have to do a lot of lives, not even just on my social media, but for the place I work for. And so I was ending up having to do them. A transition to doing them at home. And it was late nights, and it was like, for four hours at a time. And I'm like, okay. It just. I need to still have a personality and I need to be engaging and all this. And so it's kind of a fear at first of, like, do I even have a personality? But I think I've gotten past that. It's like, okay, well, sometimes I'm more chill and down, and that's okay, too. You don't always have to be at a 10.
Joe
Yeah, yeah, I get that. I. I go. I drink way less now than I used to. Like, I mean, a few posts ago on my Instagram, I talked about having like, 10 drinks or something, but it.
Christina
Was the day after this.
Joe
It was the day before Thanksgiving. But for the most part, I really. I usually go like, like a month, month, two months without a drink. Do you mind me asking, and feel free, don't have to answer this, but was there, like, a. A reason that you wanted to go sober?
Christina
I definitely. I definitely was addicted to it.
Joe
To alcohol?
Christina
Yeah. Yeah. Problem for sure.
Joe
Yeah. Well, that's good. Congratulations.
Serena
That's awesome. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Joe
Awesome. You guys are crushing you. Braden's running ultramarathons for. I. I'm. I'm actually curious to see if you. If you get through this because. So your last marathon, right. When you get to. When you finish it, I don't know what time you finish it. Does. It kind of doesn't matter with this, with the question I'm asking, but, like, do. Do you. Was your body. You think your body could have done another 20 something miles?
Braden
I think it'd be different. So. From what the coach and he kind of convinced me to do it. He said it. It's different than running a regular marathon.
Joe
Like, because you're more walking, right?
Braden
Yeah, I don't. Like, in my marathons I've ran. I've never walked, so I'm always doing a jog or run of some sort. Like, I think my first mile time was around, like, you know, 7:55 in my marathon, and then I kind of just like, tapered off and slowed down from there. The way he was kind of explaining it to me is he's like, your first mile time, you'll do it. Like your first few miles you'll do a run, but you're running at like 13 minutes a mile. So it's like you're really not pushing your body.
Joe
Okay.
Braden
So I mean, and he said, because he said you have all day to basically run this thing. He's like, it's just a matter of, you know, timing it out and doing your blocks. He's like, so the first like, you know, 10 miles or so, you're doing a 13 minute mile. I, I feel like I could almost walk a 13 minute while if I was like speed walking. So I mean, I feel like running and doing a quick jog, like a light jog for 13 miles is not too difficult. But yeah, mentality, the mental is going to be the hardest part. And that's like, that's really why I was excited about doing it is I like challenging myself mentally and like kind of re getting myself back down to like a place of discipline, you know what I mean? Where it's like my mind's in control of my body, you know what I mean? Because sometimes I'll feel like my, I'm just listening whatever my body's craving to do or wanting. And so I feel like it's kind of a good reset button to do something challenging every once in a while.
Joe
I agree, I agree.
Christina
I'm gonna do like. I have a quick question for Joe. Have you ever done the ifly, the indoor skydiving?
Joe
Have you?
Christina
Do you know what I'm talking about?
Joe
I've done that. I know what you're talking about. I've never done it.
Serena
Yeah, I've done that.
Christina
And as you were talking about that, I was like, yeah, challenging our bodies. I want to see Joe do one of them. We just did this ifly, indoor skydiving. Were planning my mom's 70th birthday there next month in Atlanta. Hopefully she's not watching this. And they ended up afterwards talking about him being athletic. The guy comes over and hands him his like personal card and was like, hey, if, you know, if you, I know you're out of town because we were in California. But like, if you ever like, want to take this more seriously, like you have a true talent. It's not how he said you're a natural athlete.
Braden
He did say I was a natural athlete. I was bragging. So we went like with my sister and stuff. And me and my sister are super competitive. And I told her afterwards, I was like, hey, did you get recruited to get in part of the, you know, indoor skydiving community. No, I did. And so. Yeah. But is there.
Joe
Is there a skill set? I've got this.
Serena
I don't know how you would be, and I. You are naturally very athletic. I will give you that. But you are not comfortable in the water. And I think that there's something to be said about the parallels of, like, athleticism with a natural element involved.
Joe
Well, I am comfortable in the water.
Braden
Okay.
Joe
What. I mean, every hotel we go to, I'm the one that goes in the pool, right?
Serena
You do, like, you like to be.
Joe
You are never in the pool.
Serena
But I mean, like, the natural, like. Like, open bodies of water.
Joe
But I've. I've actually skydived. I've jumped out of a plane.
Serena
You have. You have.
Joe
So I have that experience.
Christina
No, it's different, because that is, like, obviously badass, but when you feel like you're in a tube of wind.
Braden
Yeah.
Serena
You're trying to orient your body as.
Joe
Like, you've done it.
Serena
Yeah. So my aunt.
Christina
Yeah. And you just feel manhandled.
Serena
They, like, lift you and, like, throw you into the wind, and you're just like, well, so.
Joe
So, Brayden, what did you do that was so athletic that the instructors, like, you have a career, I would imagine.
Serena
It was, like, your coordination.
Braden
My first time doing it, and he was pretty hands off with me, so it was, like, a lot of people manhandled. But, like, for me, he kind of just let me do my thing, and I don't know, I was just kind of feeling the wind and, like, kind of moving my body. And, like, you know, I learned that when I, like, did different things on my body, I'd go up or down, and so I started doing kind of some of that, and then, I don't know. I really. I don't know why. I think he was just trying to sell me something, to be honest. I don't necessarily think you inspired him. He saw me as a vulnerable prospect for a. That's also, like, indoor skydiving, you know, pyramid scheme or something. I don't know.
Serena
That's very humble of you to say that, I think.
Braden
And very, very gullible.
Serena
So how is Blakely doing?
Christina
Well, she is.
Braden
She's nine almost.
Christina
And tomorrow.
Braden
And her attitude is getting there. To preteen. It's.
Joe
It's.
Serena
Yeah, nine. It starts at nine.
Christina
Yeah.
Braden
No, no, I mean, it's. It's. I mean, she's awesome. She's an amazing kid. I want to make sure everyone knows she's an amazing kiddo.
Christina
But just the past couple days, she's been testing us. And so that's where we're at with that. But, like, we just. When we went for Thanksgiving or a few days before to California, she was just amazing as far as behavior. But she's such a cool kid. I mean, I have to say that I'm her mom, but.
Braden
No, she was. She was absolutely amazing, like, as far as, like. So we went back to California. I actually. I lost my grandfather when we hear that. I appreciate that. But it was. It was really amazing to see her in that environment because it was a very emotional time for a lot of my family. And I was so proud of how. How she was, like, so empathetic and so supportive, like, for, you know, kids normally, like 8 years old, they're just running off and playing or not paying attention. But she was there, like, consoling, like my mom and like, you know, see.
Christina
Your grandfather and wanting to.
Braden
Yeah, wanting to see my grandfather. He was super excited to see her. So it was just. It was really. I was very impressed, to say the least, with how she, like, behaved and, you know, handled herself there. It was really, really cool.
Christina
And on a different note, we can tell I have. I have a little friend over here.
Braden
Oh, yeah, we do have a surprise for her for her birthday.
Christina
Not only are we doing the surprise birthday dinner because, again, we can't do a big party because she has a soccer tournament, but with her soccer team because they're all really close. We're going to do a surprise dinner tomorrow, but in the morning, she asked for a new backpack because her backpack broke. And I was like, maybe. Maybe for your birthday you can get a new backpack. So 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.
Braden
I really don't. But I will. You gotta hurry up. People are waiting. We got a ball python.
Joe
Oh, my God.
Christina
So we're gonna Wait.
Serena
I thought you were gonna hold up a puppy. And that's just so much more shocking.
Joe
I thought it was gonna be like. Like a Elf on the shelf type of thing. Oh, my God.
Serena
Did you just pull a snake out of a plastic container?
Braden
Okay, so this. This whole snake thing, honestly, is the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Serena
What kind of snake is it?
Braden
It's a ball python. And look how pretty he is.
Serena
It is kind of pretty. Does it. Is it safe?
Braden
Yeah, apparently.
Serena
I mean, apparently.
Braden
Oh, they said they're safer than, like, corn snakes and stuff like that. Like, when they get scared, they'll just ball up.
Christina
But you know, scared.
Joe
Well, to Does. Do they. What do they eat?
Braden
Mice.
Serena
Live mice?
Braden
Yeah. He has, like, a little elephant on his tail. Honestly, we don't really know, so I think we're gonna do live mice. I'm. I've never had a snake before in my life, and neither has Christina. The whole story for how she ended up going about getting the snake for Blakely is kind of ridiculous. There's this guy, his name is Reptile Steve.
Christina
Yeah, I just left. I just drove an hour or, you know, hour there, hour back and went and met him in his shed out behind his house where he has a thousand snakes by myself.
Joe
But I make Reptile Steve. Huh?
Braden
No, he's great. It's not sketchy at all at first.
Christina
Whenever I told you, when she was telling me about it originally, this man's shed.
Braden
Yeah. She, like, found this guy through a friend and she was like, oh, yeah, he like, her friend, I guess, told her like, oh, yeah, he has amazing snakes that are super pretty and all this stuff. And I was like, babe, you're gonna go drive to the country to someone's house and go to their shed where they have thousands of snakes? Like, that sounds like a plot line for like a taken movie. You know what I mean?
Joe
I just want to go have some tacos in San Diego, and Cruzina's like.
Serena
No, I'm actually gonna go get a snake from this random shed.
Braden
No, that's exactly how it was. So. But she did it. And his Reptile Steve is legit, honest to God, great snake handler. If you guys are looking for a snake in Tennessee, Reptile Steve is your guy.
Christina
Okay, drop the name, suggestions. And also we can send you guys a video of tomorrow morning when we do surprise her with a snake if you want.
Serena
Okay, quick disclaimer. Before we move on to the next section of the podcast, we are going to be discussing Christmas. And if you have young kids around or you're in the car with some kids in the back seat, you might want to skip this next section.
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Joe
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You're ready. You have Nexplanon etnogestrel implant, 68mg radio pack to prevent pregnancy. Nexplanon is a non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm and may take a few minutes to insert by your doctor. Don't use NexsPlanon if you're pregnant or may be pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be. While in common ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDS. With less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use Nexplan for one year, Nexplanon is over 99% effective. No matter the fantasy, talk to your doctor. Call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about Nexplanon okay, listen.
Joe
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Serena
Okay, so question Are you one of those people that starts your holiday shopping in like July?
Joe
July? I mean, no, never. Like I like to shop? Actually, I like to shop on Christmas Eve because I find it to be a little more festive.
Serena
But you like start decorating right after Halloween?
Joe
No, after Thanksgiving. Okay, that's different. That's different. Halloween? No, not Halloween.
Serena
You know, I consider myself to be a pretty good gift giver. I've got my list and I've checked.
Joe
It twice, probably three times. She takes the holidays very seriously.
Serena
I can't help it. You know, I love finding the perfect gifts for everyone. And Walmart has all the top brands. Nespresso, Sonos, Nintendo.
Joe
Nintendo at Walmart. Who knew?
Serena
I know. And more. All of your shopping in one place.
Joe
How much more shopping? Oh boy.
Serena
Just saying. Get all the brands everyone loves at Walmart. Head to Walmart.com or download the Walmart app to get all your gifts this season.
Joe
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Is she now too old to believe in Santa?
Braden
Is that.
Joe
Is that not a thing anymore? Right?
Christina
She doesn't believe in Santa.
Joe
She doesn't.
Serena
Is that because someone said something?
Christina
He didn't realize that she believed in Santa.
Joe
And so, yeah, I mean, I think, like, what's the age?
Christina
Well, this is two years ago.
Braden
I. Okay, in my defense, I never really believed in Santa myself. So it was like, I don't know, I kind of forgot that people believe Santa's not real.
Serena
I'd say.
Christina
Scowled at you really fast from the driver's seat. She's like, well, what do you mean? I think she was a little suspicious at the time. I was just afraid of, like, letting her know and then her being too young to not tell other kids. But we. We worked through it. She didn't tell anybody because she okay cousins and stuff, and I didn't want to ruin it for anybody.
Braden
Yeah, it was a lapse on my part again.
Christina
She was asking for a million dollars from Santa. And so that's kind of what did it. We're like, well, that's like this.
Braden
Santa doesn't have a million dollars to give you. She was like, my. Something real. What are you talking about? And then it was, yeah, I don't know.
Serena
Santa doesn't have a million dollars.
I just.
Braden
I mean, for me, I think that, like, I don't know, I'm new to parents. I was new to parenting at the time. It was when I first came out. You know, it happens, you know, I. Again, I. I don't know. I had a lapse. I meant the lapse.
Christina
It was fine. I was also kind of. It kind of. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do Santa with her or not. And when the time came, she was around other, again, cousins and people that. That were doing it. So it just got sprung on her. I never made it, like, a huge deal.
Serena
All right. So you got out of, like, Elf on the Shelf and all that stuff.
Christina
Not doing. Yeah, no, that's too much for me.
Braden
Yeah.
Christina
Yeah.
Serena
What will you guys do for the holidays this year?
Braden
Honestly, it's been hard because we've been.
Christina
So busy with planning our anniversary.
Braden
Yeah. Planning our anniversary, right?
Serena
Yeah.
Christina
Every day I've been thinking about it non stop.
Braden
No, we've been so busy because we traveled to California and then we've been having soccer games. Like, again, soccer takes up our life. Like, it's. It's crazy. Like, when people, like, I didn't realize how much my parents really put into me playing sports as a kid. Like, I thought, like, I just went and played sports. But it takes, like, a lot to take your kid out of sport. And then we're coaching teams or when you're doing things like that. So things kind of take a little bit longer to plan. So I think that, I mean, this next week, now that school is kind of winding down, we'll probably start planning things for Christmas. We got to create a Christmas tree still.
Christina
Yeah, I don't even have a tree up.
Braden
Yeah, so.
Joe
Oh, you gotta do that. I mean, you'll go. You'll go to the country and buy a python, but you won't put up a Christmas tree.
Braden
That's what I'm saying. I think we just have random things that.
Christina
I don't know.
Braden
I don't feel like we're very traditional in that sense.
Christina
You know what it is? I think about going in the attic, getting all the decor down, and then putting it right back a couple weeks later.
Joe
And I get that.
Christina
I get that so much. It's so much you guys.
Serena
Joe gets like, that when we decorate because we go to Chicago for Thanksgiving. So because we leave, I like to. And then we either go to Chicago or Toronto for Christmas, depending on the year. So I like to decorate before we go away for Thanksgiving so we can come back and it's already done. And I mean, look, we're putting up, like, a tree and like, one other thing. Maybe because we're in an apartment, you see, like, our little, like, decor here. But he's always like, oh, like, we're gonna go to the storage unit, we're gonna get all the boxes, we're gonna unpack, we're gonna take them back. And then like, literally in six weeks, we're gonna have to do it again. But once it's done, it feels good.
Braden
Do you guys do real tree or do you guys do fake tree?
Joe
Fake.
Serena
We do fake tree here.
Joe
As we Will, no matter. No matter. You, you. I mean, listen, if you.
Serena
I grew up with a real tree. Like we used to go and cut it down.
Yeah.
Joe
I would do it.
Serena
My parents still do. My dad loves a real tree and I think I don't want to do a real tree right now. But like if we, you know, in 10 years have like a actual house.
Joe
Then maybe you would want. I mean, I would do it.
Serena
Yeah.
Joe
But I just think it. I think a fake tree is like so much easier.
Serena
It is so much easier. But like I like the smell and it's fun. Especially if you have like kids smell. I get and like picking the tree and we'd get hot chocolate. It's like a whole thing.
Braden
Yeah, yeah. It's like a whole spiritual kind of experience. Picking the tree out. You know, you have to find what tree talks to you and stuff and you know.
Christina
Do you guys have.
Serena
No, we don't have any pets. But Joe is really getting the itch.
Joe
Do you guys have a dog? Do you guys have a dog?
Christina
Yeah, we have two big ones. That's what my next question was going to be because you guys were on opposite ends of the tree as we are as well. And I was going to ask if your dogs are allowed to sleep in the bed because we're also in non agreeing. No.
Serena
If we get a dog, it's not sleeping in the bed and Joe will want it to sleep in the bed for sure.
Braden
I just feel like, I mean the house is like they have their. Like even my dog's sitting over and he's looking at me because he knows.
Christina
What we're talking about because he's 150.
Braden
He's like, fight for me, dad. Like when he looks at me I see like, fight for me, you dad. You know, but he's such a cuddle bug. I mean he might be 120 pounds and he might lay right on top of you, but it's like they love you and you're their life and you know, really strong.
Christina
But when I'm half asleep and I have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom, I can't get up, you're getting buried argument.
Braden
Okay, so we have Blakely May and she'll come in our house, come in our bed at like 2am every morning. Scares the living crowd. It's still a fear of mine because like I'll just wake up at 2am because she's loud when she comes in and I just see the shadow standing over the bed.
Christina
Scary movie.
Serena
I Definitely scared my parents a few times doing that, but I wasn't allowed to sleep in their bed. My mom would, like, grab my hand and walk me back to my room.
Braden
Oh, yeah, yeah. This one says, okay, yes. So she opens the covers up and let her sleep. Right. She doesn't get a Blakely. Like, what, £80? You're pushing around to get up and go to the bathroom? No, she wakes me up in the middle of night to get up and move so she can go to the bathroom.
Serena
A lot of things in your bed, guys. You got two dogs, you got a kid. I hope you have a king size.
Christina
We do, we do. But I agree, it's too much. Too much happening in the bed. That sounds weird.
Braden
I'll sleep in the guest room with the dogs.
Christina
He does have a whole guest.
Braden
I do. Sometimes I will, like, go to bed, like. Or, like, I'll take a nap and, like, cuddle the dogs in the guest room bed. That's the only bed they're allowed in.
Joe
Yeah, yeah. I mean, I. I agree with actually, like, I. I love dogs, but I agree with not keeping them on the bed. I just. I was just watching videos on sleep being so important, and it's. Yeah, it's messing with my head anyways, you guys. Yeah, I want a dog. I want a dog. But here's the thing. We. We can't get a big dog because we live in a New York apartment and we travel too much. And we'll Travel is something that's probably always going to be a part of our lives to some extent, just because we're both from different. Same as you guys. Right? You're from different cities, so you'll always have to travel. So.
I think if we get a dog, it's gonna have to be a small dog.
And. Yeah, I mean. I mean, I would get one right now, but then I. Then I know, I know. I'll be like, damn, I shouldn't have got this dog. But then I'll be like, I love. But I love the dog.
Serena
I suggest, like, what if we foster? But Joe is like, I won't be able to send it back. Like, fostering for him is the same as, like, just getting a dog.
Braden
I'm having a moment right now with this guy who is just.
Serena
He's beautiful.
Braden
He's. Well, yeah, boy.
Christina
Too big for the bed.
Braden
Yeah, he is too big for the bed.
Joe
Big boy.
Braden
Go lay down, buddy. Go lay down. Go lay down.
Christina
He's like, wait, you're up.
Well. Well, what else? What else? Y' all got any Rapid fires.
Serena
No, I think that's it.
Joe
That's it. Anything you guys want to plug plug? Anything, Anything you're doing now that you want to let our listeners know?
Christina
Yeah. As always, stay tuned with life updates, especially this marathon. We'll be covering that on, over on Instagram, on our socials and.
Joe
Yeah, when is that? What's the date?
Serena
What's the Saturday, right?
Braden
13Th. Yeah.
Joe
Okay. And last question before we let you leave. How are you? How are you, like, fueling for it? Do you have a breakdown? Like, you. You're a nurse, right? Like, you know, you have to put, like, electrolytes and in your body.
Braden
I mean, I feel like it's like four days away. I'll get to it. No, honestly, I. I don't know. I haven't really been feeling up for it quite yet. I think I'm gonna start carb loading, you know, spaghetti's pastas, things like that. I have to go and get, like, apparently for the ultras, you have to bring, like, nutrition, like so. Yeah, yeah, so I have to go and get that. I have to get walking sticks because it's like a trail. Like part of. It's a trail run. So I still have to do that. There's quite a bit of stuff I have to do, Joe.
Serena
And you got Blakely's birthday.
Joe
Insane behavior right now.
Braden
It's a. It's a type of lifestyle that I'm choosing to live.
Christina
And.
So he did talk me into a real Christmas tree last year. We actually still have it on the side of our house. We wanted to make a walking stick out of it.
Serena
You still have your last year's Christmas tree on the side of the house. So wait, did we go fake this year?
Braden
We're gonna get another.
Christina
We have to get another real one because he talked me into donating my. My fake.
Braden
I'm not gonna get a fake. I'm not putting a fake tree up. I think it's sacrilegious. It's just. It's not good.
Joe
No, it's. It's fine. It looks like a real.
Christina
They.
Serena
They have a home. They can get a steak. They can get a real tree. I'm for it. It's. It's so. It's cozy.
Braden
Even in, like, I have. Even in, like, my 600 square foot studio apartment, I had like a real, like, tree. Like, it was only.
Serena
Really.
Braden
But it was like a real tree.
Joe
Yeah. Well, thank you guys so much for coming on Bach happy hour and taking the time.
Braden
We really appreciate it. I'm glad you guys didn't forget about us man.
Joe
It's nice to talk, no and to all our listeners. Thank you guys so much for tuning in to Bacher Happy Hour. Make sure you download and subscribe to the podcast.
Serena
We will have new and exclusive interviews for you every single week. Thanks for listening. Bye.
I consider myself to be a pretty good gift giver. I've got my list.
Joe
Checked it twice, probably three times. She takes the holidays very seriously.
Serena
I can't help it. You know. I love finding the perfect gifts and Walmart has all the top brands. Nespresso, Sonos, Nintendo, Nintendo at Walmart.
Joe
Who knew?
Serena
I know. And more.
Joe
Get all the brands everyone loves at Walmart. Head to Walmart.com or download the Walmart app to get all all your gifts.
Serena
This season, my new obsession is this romance story I read about a cowboy who wants to start a family with a city girl. She's not ready for that yet, but that doesn't mean she's not ready to roll around in the hay. She has Nexplanon etonorgestrel implant 68 milligram radiopaque to prevent pregnancy Nexplanon is a non daily prescription birth control for women that goes in your arm. It lasts for three years and can be removed by your doctor at any time. If your plans change, nexplanon must be removed by the end of the third year. Don't use nexplanon if you're pregnant or maybe pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be. While uncommon ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs. With less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use Nexplanon for one year, Nexplanon is over 99% effective. No matter the fantasy, talk to your doctor. Call 1-877-467-5266 or visit nexplanon.com for more information. Ask your doctor about Nexplanon.
Joe
What a matchup we got, y'.
Braden
All.
Joe
This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance, echo, drop everybody showing that school pride. A game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing.
Braden
That's a game changer right there.
Joe
Yeah, that taste always hits the right note.
Braden
Just like the band at halftime.
Joe
And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.
Big things are happening at your local cvs. Extra big. You don't want to miss these extra big deals. And more are coming every two weeks, so keep coming back. Use your extra Care card to unlock savings every time you shop. Extra care is the way to save at cvs. So if you're not a member yet, join for free online or in store and start saving. Visit your local CVS store or cvs.com extrabigdeals to shop this week's deals. Running my small business was like playing basketball.
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Episode: Christina & Brayden: One Year of Marriage | Happy Hour
Release Date: December 9, 2025
Hosts: Joe Amabile & Serena Pitt
Guests: Christina Mandrell & Brayden Bowers
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).
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)
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!