Coffee Convos Presents: Barely Famous - “We Thought You Might Also Like... Barely Famous”

Release Date: February 2, 2026
Hosts: Kail Lowry (as “Kale”), special guests: Elliot (Kail’s son, turning 16), Lincoln (younger brother)
PodcastOne

Episode Overview

This episode is a special crossover in which Kail (“Kale”) hosts a heartfelt, candid conversation with her son, Elliot, on the occasion of his 16th birthday. The discussion is an honest exploration of growing up as a teenager in the public eye, grappling with identity, boundary setting, family dynamics, and the unique challenges of being both a reality TV child and a young gay man. Lincoln, Kail’s younger son, joins intermittently, providing sibling banter and humor. The episode is rich with reflections on personal growth, time management, and learning from familial examples, all while maintaining the warm, open, slightly chaotic vibe typical of Coffee Convos.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Turning 16: Reflections and Milestones

• Kail opens by celebrating Elliot’s birthday, asking him how it feels to turn 16 ([00:02]).
  • Elliot: “Kind of crazy. Like your UN.” (a joke on being called an 'uncle' and possibly referencing 'un' as a term).
• Discussion shifts to driving—Elliot acknowledges the buildup and anticipation—and the changes 16 brings:
  • “Once you're able to drive without anyone in the car, then it will feel different.” ([01:18])
• Sibling dynamic: Kail and Lincoln tease that Elliot will have to drive his brothers around; Elliot jokes he’ll get overstimulated by his siblings ([01:56]).

2. Comparing Generations: Parenting, Teen Choices, and Growth

• Kail notes how different Elliot’s 16 is from her own, reflecting on her challenges as a teen mom:
  • “It almost seems impossible for someone like you to come from someone like us, 'cause your dad was doing the same as I was doing.” ([04:25])
• Elliot expresses pride in making different choices than his mom at the same age:
  • “I'm proud to be doing better than you, you know, 'cause, you know, I'm not smoking weed and you know, going around...” ([03:55])
• Kail and Elliot discuss responsibility, time management, and balancing extracurriculars, homework, and social life ([07:13]-[09:52]).
• The difficulty of maintaining a social media presence due to burnout and lack of time (“...I get lazy with it. You know what I mean?” – Elliot, [09:37]).

3. Identity and Confidence: Coming Out, Acceptance, and Friendship

• Elliot’s journey accepting his sexuality is a recurring topic:
  • Kail: “What’s something about you that hasn’t changed at all?”
  • Elliot: “Being gay?” ([10:22])
• Kail inquires if Elliot ever struggled to accept his sexuality:
  • “I've always accepted it. Oh, but if I had the choice, I'd choose to be straight...Being gay comes with a struggle. Like, that's not like, yes, it's like, manageable. Like, I'm okay with it. Like, I. I'm happy. But, you know, it's much harder because that makes me a minority...” – Elliot ([11:53]-[12:18])
  • On impact: “It builds a lot of confidence...” ([13:07])
• The challenge of not having gay male mentors in their circle is discussed, and the importance of having non-judgmental friends ([13:41]-[14:03]).

4. Boundaries & Public Life: Teenage Lessons from Reality TV

• Kail addresses the challenge of growing up with a camera present, the difference it made in Elliot’s childhood, and his heightened sense of caution ([27:19]-[27:53]).
• On privacy and public exposure, Elliot is intentional:
  • “I wouldn't want to post pictures or videos of, like, getting my new house...because that stuff is easily found...” ([16:08])
  • “It’s just a matter of personal information...” ([16:08]-[17:50])
• Elliot credits his boundary-setting ability to having grown up on TV and observing Kail’s experiences.

5. Learning, Aspirations, and Time Management

• Elliot expresses clear ambitions: majoring in ASL interpretation, minoring in performing arts, and integrating both passions ([31:45]-[32:51]).
• The influence of extracurriculars (notably ASL and theater) on self-discovery:
  • “I'm just so happy that I've run into it this early...I am practically fluent. It’s very exciting and I can't see my life without it.” ([20:28]-[21:34])
• Kail praises Elliot’s self-motivation and commitment to learning, especially with ASL ([33:17]).
• Both discuss the universal struggle of time management and the impossibility of “having it all,” even as an adult ([24:38]-[26:04]).

6. Perspective on Parental Influence and Trauma

• Elliot distinguishes between “trauma” and “impact”:
  • “Trauma holds me back, but impact makes me stronger.” ([44:57])
• Kail is candid about fears of having traumatized her children by her choices or public scrutiny:
  • “I never want something that I do to negatively impact or traumatize or affect you that you have to recover from...” ([48:49])
• Elliot offers compassion in response, saying he gives Kail “grace” for her 20s and acknowledges that everyone deserves grace ([49:08]-[49:25]).

7. Notable Life Lessons and Advice

• Elliot shares lessons learned from watching Kail:
  • Importance of not acting on impulse, both in words and actions ([39:40]-[41:18]).
  • Being aware of consequences—regarding relationships, impulsivity, and risky behaviors ([42:34]-[42:52]).
  • Need for proactive communication and scheduling as a family skill ([52:13]-[54:38]).

8. Rapid Fire: Favorites and Fun Insights

• Comfort food: Grandma’s empanadas ([35:12]).
• Song on repeat: “Getting Older” by Billie Eilish ([35:24]).
• Elliot time: Junk journaling, reading, collecting vinyl records, concerts ([35:29]-[36:15]).
• One word for 16: “Different.” ([36:19])
• Legacy hope: Wants to be remembered for making an impact: “...the effort to make an impact, you know, for others, because that’s truly what I want to do.” ([37:14])
• Advice to younger self: “You’re going to find your people, you’re going to find what you love to do, and you’re going to do great things.” ([34:53])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On generational differences and pride:
  “I'm proud to be doing better than you, you know, ‘cause, you know, I’m not smoking weed and...I’m learning other languages and acting.”
  – Elliot ([03:55]-[04:17])

• On LGBTQ+ identity:
  “Being gay comes with a struggle...That makes me a minority.”
  – Elliot ([12:00]-[12:18])

• A powerful distinction:
  “Trauma holds me back, but impact makes me stronger.”
  – Elliot ([44:57])

• On parental grace:
  “Well, yeah, I kinda have to. Everyone deserves that grace.”
  – Elliot ([49:25])

• Reflection on success as a parent:
  “It’s so weird to, like, look at you and Lincoln and really be like, I had a hand in raising you guys, and you’re both better people than me.”
  – Kail ([38:35])

• Elliot’s legacy wish:
  “I would like people to remember my impact on people, or at least my effort to make an impact, you know, for others, because that’s truly what I want to do.”
  – Elliot ([37:14])

• Candid family humor:
  “He’s scared of. She’s scared of me driving.”
  – Elliot ([01:45])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Turning 16: First reflections – [00:02]-[01:28]
• Comparing teen years/parental reflection – [04:25]-[05:12]
• Responsibility, time, and burnout – [07:13]-[09:52]
• Coming out, confidence, being gay – [10:22]-[13:41]
• Growing up on TV/public life and boundaries – [16:08]-[17:50]
• Education, career goals, and ASL passion – [20:25]-[22:40]
• Parental impact, trauma vs. impact – [44:56]-[45:02]
• Favorites (food, music, hobbies) – [35:12]-[36:15]
• Legacy, 16 summed up, advice to younger self – [36:19]-[34:53]

Tone & Style

The episode is heartfelt, honest, and often humorous with plenty of playful family banter. Kail is open about her parenting anxieties and proud of her son’s maturity, while Elliot responds with humor, poise, and striking emotional intelligence. The conversation alternates between deep moments of reflection and light-hearted sibling teasing.

For Listeners

This episode offers a nuanced, real-time look at the joys and struggles of growing up—both as a teenager and as a parent. It’s particularly engaging for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ youth experiences, navigating boundaries in the age of social media, and the ongoing journey of parenting in the public eye.

Follow Elliot:
Instagram: @isaacellie

Listen to more:
Coffee Convos with Kail Lowry and Lindsie Chrisley
Barely Famous (Kail Lowry's spinoff) on PodcastOne