Podcast Summary: Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz

Episode: Katie Maloney ENCORE
Date: December 2, 2025
Podcast: Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz (PodcastOne)

Episode Overview

This episode of Detox Retox features an open, heartfelt, and often hilarious conversation between Tom Schwartz and his ex-wife/castmate Katie Maloney. With their signature blend of warmth and gentle ribbing, they reminisce about life during and after Vanderpump Rules, personal growth, their experiences with microdosing, setting boundaries, showbiz misadventures, bar openings, and co-parenting their beloved dogs. There are moments of deep reflection, playful nostalgia, and hard-won wisdom. As always, Schwartz and Maloney show what it means to find “harmony in the contrast.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Microdosing and Mindful Intoxication (01:45–05:55, 11:51–13:16)

• Tom opens by sharing his philosophy on mindful microdosing of psilocybin (“shrooms”) and differentiates between casual and intentional use.
  • Microdosing is described as taking a “sub-perceptual” (very small) dose for mood, focus, clarity, and creativity rather than full-blown tripping.
  • Emphasized as a tool, not a cure-all: “Microdosing, it's magical, but it's not magic.” (05:25, Tom)
• Katie and Tom discuss personal experiences with microdosing, including funny misadventures with kava/kratom and accidental “video game” sensations while driving.
  • “I was eating popcorn, watching the french fries... I need to come back down to earth.” (09:22, Katie)
  • Both agree microdosing can help with mindfulness and being present, especially when done with intention and in safe settings.

2. Wine, Set, Setting, and Friendship (06:06–09:47)

• Katie highlights the Witches of Weho wine project and her criteria for healthy social settings, tying in set and setting for both indulging and relaxing.
• The duo describes the scene—hanging at Katie’s place with their dogs, enjoying sandwiches, and reflecting on their history.
• “Set and setting... you want to be mindful of who you're hanging out with.” (07:26, Tom)

3. Navigating Post-Reality TV Life & Personal Growth (14:47–18:52, 22:12–24:00)

• Discussion about dating after divorce:
  • Tom reflects that after 12 years together, he’s become “such a better listener.” (16:39, Tom)
  • Katie is candid about dating evolving from friendship and the complications of dating in the public eye.
• Both touch on what they’ve learned from marriage and relationships, particularly setting boundaries and self-awareness.
  • “I have healthy boundaries and my peace is protected now... I'm not floundering.” (20:23, Tom)
• Katie shares joy in her new ventures (the sandwich shop “Something About Her,” her podcast) and the relief of no longer filming reality TV.

4. Vanderpump Rules Retrospective: Highs, Lows, & The End (22:03–29:48)

• Sentimentality and nostalgia around the end of Vanderpump Rules:
  • “I wouldn't want to change anything… there was times that were really difficult… but… it's been so nice to just… enjoy my life.” (22:12, Katie)
• Both describe the reality of filming: the emotional toll, cast divisions, and the “bittersweet” nature of moving on. Tom admits to nostalgia for their shared home and the show’s camaraderie.
  • “It just felt like such a chasm... we were also a big, happy dysfunctional family.” (25:23, Tom)

5. Reality TV, Legacy, and New Beginnings (28:06–29:12)

• Both express mixed feelings as Vanderpump Rules continues filming with a new cast.
  • Katie: “It feels cheap to me. I don’t like cheap... You try to replicate a recipe based off of taste, you can’t do it.” (28:24, Katie)
• Katie and Tom both praise The Valley as a Bravo show with potential and muse about how these new shows borrow the DNA of VPR.

6. Favorite Moments and Lessons Learned (31:00–36:16)

• They reminisce about favorite moments from VPR—wild trips, epic hangovers, and the fresh hope of each new filming season.
  • “No, for real... our wedding was, for me, literally the worst hangover I’ve ever had in my life.” (31:42, Tom)
• Both reflect on personal growth:
  • Katie: “I have a lot of love to give... I don’t want to have to dull my shine in the process.” (33:51, Katie)
  • Both joke about “Tequila Katie” and learning not to get too drunk (“That was always my worst moments”). (35:03, Katie)

7. Life, Friendship, and Moving Forward (38:52–44:59)

• Tom and Katie exchange advice about not going into high-stakes business with friends, based on their respective business lessons.
• Discussion about bar culture and the possibility of Tom opening a new dive (“Once Upon a Time”).
• They note the positive way they've navigated co-parenting their dogs post-divorce.
• Tom: “There's a little part of me that always still loves you.” (42:46, Tom)
• Katie: “Oh, yeah?... I love you too. Thank you for having me.” (44:59, Katie)

8. Iconic Memes & Fan Interactions (45:05–46:43)

• Tom gets called “Bubba” by fans, both poke fun at their on-screen personas (“Tequila Katie,” “Bubba”), and Katie muses on how those nicknames live on, for better or worse.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Microdosing:
  “Microdosing, it’s magical, but it’s not magic. It won’t fix deep trauma overnight or replace therapy, but it can be like a gentle companion on the path to healing, clarity, and maybe, hopefully, a little personal growth.”
  — Tom Schwartz (05:25)

• Katie’s Accidental Psychedelic Moment:
  “I just felt like I was— I was there, but I wasn’t there. Like, watching from a movie theater… I was like, oh my God, I’m swimming in the cosmos.”
  — Katie Maloney (09:22)

• On the end of Vanderpump Rules:
  “I think after that many years, we would have hoped we could’ve gone out on some kind of high note... It did feel very kind of anti-climatic.”
  — Katie Maloney (25:58)

• On Learning from Relationships:
  "I have a lot of love to give and... I don’t want to... dull my shine in the process and forget who I am... Stand up for yourself."
  — Katie Maloney (33:51)

• On Co-parenting after Divorce:
  “It’s nice to sit down with you... even though we’re happily separated.”
  — Tom Schwartz (42:20)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 01:45–05:55| Microdosing 101, benefits, mindful use | | 06:04–09:47| Witches of Weho wine, set & setting, dog talk | | 14:47–18:52| Dating post-divorce, communication, boundaries | | 22:12–24:00| Nostalgia, end of VPR, moving on to new ventures | | 25:23–25:46| Reflections on fractured cast, family dynamic | | 28:06–28:59| Thoughts on new VPR cast, legacy, authenticity | | 31:00–32:17| Favourite VPR moments, trip anecdotes | | 33:51–34:09| Katie on lessons learned about self-worth | | 38:52–39:44| Business lessons: Friends & partnerships | | 42:46–44:59| Affirming continued friendship & affection | | 45:05–46:43| Iconic nicknames (& fan testimonials) |

Tone and Style

This episode is breezy, candid, and real—with Tom and Katie’s distinct blend of vulnerability, wit, and gentle shade. They navigate tough subjects (addiction, public breakups, reality TV pressures) with humor and empathy, providing a rare, intimate look into their post-reality-TV friendship.

Summary for Non-Listeners

If you missed this episode, expect funny confessions, Bravo nostalgia, juicy backstage insights, and honest talk about growth after fame, divorce, and the end of a reality TV era. Tom and Katie prove that exes can laugh, reminisce, and wish each other well—and that letting go can be just as joyful as hanging on.

Listen if you love:

• Reality TV behind-the-scenes
• Mindful approaches to psychedelics
• Candid conversations about love, growth & reinvention
• Witty, real talk between two exes who still care deeply