Podcast Summary: Cate & Ty Break It Down

Episode: ENCORE Can't Right Their Wrongs, feat. Maci Bookout & Natalie Gard
Date: December 31, 2025
Hosts: Catelynn & Tyler Baltierra
Guests: Maci Bookout & Natalie Gard
Platform: PodcastOne

Episode Overview

This episode of Cate & Ty Break It Down features a candid, layered conversation with Maci Bookout and Natalie Gard. The crew—well-known for their journeys on Teen Mom and related projects—dives into the complexities of life after reality TV fame, authentic friendship, co-parenting, parenting under the microscope, mental health, and the legacy of trauma. The tone ranges from warm camaraderie and laughter, to deeply honest and vulnerable disclosures, offering both behind-the-scenes reality TV insight and universal life lessons.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Origins and Podcasting Journeys

[00:50 – 04:25]

• Natalie shares her background in radio and how she and Maci connected through advocacy for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
• Friendship evolved from networking, mutual interests, and eventually the creation of their true crime podcast.
• Notable insight: The overlap of media skills—Natalie from radio and Maci from TV—gave them a unique edge in podcasting.
• Podcasting as freeing—less regulation, more depth, and greater authenticity (“Podcasting is exactly what we both do with a little less regulation and limitations.” – Tyra, 04:19).

2. Life in the Spotlight & Parenting Under Scrutiny

[05:01 – 07:15]

• Cast discuss the intensity of parenting publicly: “...nothing brings out your claws more than someone judging your kids or judging your parenting style.” (Chelsea, 05:47)
• They emphasize the tenacity required to filter negativity from social media and the persistent public scrutiny of their parenting decisions.
• Notable quote: “...helping one person makes up for all the 500,000 dick wads that are hating on you.” (Tyra, 06:23)

3. Dealing with Public Opinion, Hate, and Setting the Record Straight

[07:22 – 14:54]

• Contrast between radio and TV—podcasters now have immediate, often harsh, public feedback; handling “trial by comment section.”
• Strategies to cope: avoiding comments, focusing on authenticity, and using their platforms to give deeper context that TV can't offer.
• Discussion of Reddit and negative online communities—how tribal online hate operates and its impact on mental health and self-reflection.
• Notable reflection: “...their perception of me is just a reflection of them, and they don’t even realize that.” (Chelsea, 12:48)
• Catelynn opens up about the unique criticism she received for seeking treatment for mental health, as compared to how addiction is perceived: “But if you’re going for your mental health, postpartum... people look down on you, say, ‘Oh, you’re selfish or don’t care about your career.’” (Maci, 14:02)

4. Podcasting Advice and Lessons Learned

[15:30 – 18:50]

• Natalie and Maci’s advice for new podcasters: “Stay authentic... stay loyal to your intention and your purpose for it.” (Tyra & Chelsea, 16:14)
• The importance of pacing, making lists, and not forcing episodes when passion or authenticity isn’t present.
• Accepting the learning curve: “You gotta be brave enough to be bad at something definitely at first.” (Chelsea, 18:26)
• Notable moment: The “blue monkey” trick as a playful way to check if someone’s actually listening (19:25–19:58).

5. Realities of Family Life and Parenting Dynamics

[19:52 – 25:11]

• Lighthearted stories about kids—Nova and Jade’s similarities, morning chaos, talkative personalities, and mischievous problem solving.
• The challenges and quirks of blended families, siblings, and unique family structures from years of co-parenting and split households.
• Notable moment: Sharing kid strategies—like teaching secret words to see if parents are listening (“blue monkey”), and the budding manipulation skills of young kids (“risk vs reward, don’t care what the risk is, gonna get it” – Tyra, 23:52).

6. Teen Pregnancy Stigma, Generational Change and Openness

[28:50 – 37:42]

• Discussion: Has the show reduced teen pregnancy? Maci and Tyra see evidence that conversations, awareness, and resources have improved.
• Transparency with their children about sex, reproduction, and protection—”Our 10-year-old, she knows what sex is... she knows that there’s protection out there...” (Maci, 32:20)
• Cultural shifts in how families talk about sex and reproduction, compared to “cookie cutter” or avoidance approaches of the past.
• The group reflects on the rocky beginnings of 16 & Pregnant, media criticism (facing Matt Lauer, 36:00+), and fighting the misperception that the show glamorized teen pregnancy.

7. Co-parenting, Addiction, and Breaking the Cycle

[40:00 – 50:53]

• Maci gives an update: Ryan has been sober over a year and a half, and family dynamics have normalized.
• The deep struggle of co-parenting with an addict—setting boundaries, focusing on what’s within control.
• “I cannot do anything about that. It is not my responsibility to write Ryan’s wrongs.” (Tyra, 42:22)
• Powerful guidance: Never talk badly about your child’s other parent to the child—“You’re literally telling your child that half of them is worthless.” (Tyra, 48:52)
• The tension between protecting your child and not poisoning the child’s self-worth.

8. Trauma, Mental Health, and the Power of Story

[51:11 – 63:40]

• Natalie bravely recounts her experience with childhood sexual abuse, repressed memories, and the complicated aftermath—how her family handled it, and her wish it had been handled differently.
• Emphasis on the need for therapy, self-compassion, and learning to love yourself through confronting trauma: “…until you’ve really gotten to know every way of yourself, you truly cannot love yourself.” (Tyra, 59:05)
• Therapy as a “toolbox” for life, not just a reaction to extreme trauma.
• Both guests and hosts agree: generational trauma is real, and breaking cycles requires awareness, accountability, and open conversation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parenting Under Scrutiny:
  “People don’t get that we are doing the most triggering, vulnerable, precious thing... with the world just criticizing and focal pointing on our parenting.”
  —Chelsea Houska [05:47]

• On Haters:
  “Just helping one person makes up for all the 500,000 dick wads that are hating on you.”
  —Tyra [06:23]

• On Co-Parenting with an Addict:
  “It is not my responsibility to write Ryan’s wrongs.”
  —Tyra [42:22]

• On Talking Bad About the Other Parent:
  “You’re literally telling your child that half of them is worthless.”
  —Tyra [48:52]

• On Trauma and Therapy:
  “Until you’ve really gotten to know the good, the bad, the ugly... you really cannot truly love yourself and care for yourself if you don’t get to know who you are.”
  —Tyra [59:19]

• On Podcasting:
  “Stay loyal to your intention... don’t overwork yourself. Give yourself room to rest and grace to say, ‘I don’t want to put something out just to put something out.’”
  —Tyra [16:14, 17:51]

• On Being Brave Enough to Grow:
  “You gotta be brave enough to be bad at something definitely at first, you know, and that’s how you learn and grow.”
  —Chelsea [18:26]

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Details | Timestamps | |--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------| | Podcast Origins | How Natalie and Maci met, started podcasting | 00:50 – 04:25 | | Parenting Publicly | Intensity of public scrutiny over parenting | 05:01 – 07:15 | | Handling Hate | Strategies for dealing with public criticism, power of authenticity | 07:22 – 14:54 | | Podcasting Tips | Advice for newcomers, authenticity, self-care | 15:30 – 18:50 | | Family Dynamics | Hilarious and heartfelt parenting stories | 19:52 – 25:11 | | Teen Pregnancy | Stigma, shifting conversations, truthful education for kids | 28:50 – 37:42 | | Co-parenting/Addict| Managing boundaries, protecting kids’ self-worth | 40:00 – 50:53 | | Trauma & Healing | Sexual abuse, repressed memories, importance of therapy | 51:11 – 63:40 |

Final Thoughts

This episode skillfully balances humor and gravity, modeling how to have tough, meaningful conversations while holding space for laughter, growth, and hope. Listeners receive rare transparency into the intersection of fame, personal growth, family life, and generational healing, along with practical and heartfelt advice for anyone facing similar struggles.

Find Maci & Natalie’s podcast on Instagram, Spotify, Apple—anywhere podcasts are available.

“Telling your story is therapeutic. You gotta have purpose.”
—Tyra [63:51–64:12]