Podcast Summary: House of Maher — Emily Henry: Irish Exits, Midwest Goodbyes & PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION!
Host: Wave
Guests: Emily Henry, Ilona Maher, Olivia Maher, Adrianna “Dre Baby” Maher
Release Date: January 13, 2026
Episode Overview
In this lively, candid episode of House of Maher, bestselling author Emily Henry joins the Maher sisters for an unfiltered group chat that celebrates sisterhood, literary success, the awkward art of saying goodbye, and the journey from viral moments to vulnerability. The episode is deeply conversational, rich with personal anecdotes and sharp observations about romance, confidence, and adapting beloved stories for the screen. Emily dishes on the Netflix adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation, childhood quirks, and the importance of women-centered spaces.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Emily Henry at the Netflix Premiere
- Emily’s Surreal Experience: Emily reflects on her movie premiere as a "wild and crazy" (02:09) experience, comparing it to being at her own wedding—she barely ate, stood the entire time, and left with sore feet.
- Notable Quote: “It was really magical...I felt like I was at my wedding. I did not sit down, I did not eat, I did not drink.” (05:35)
- Fashion Details: Genuine discussion about Emily’s striking orange dress, inspired by the movie with a flower cutout mirroring Poppy’s swimsuit. Other guests compliment her “mile-long” legs, which she takes as high praise. (03:28–03:40)
2. Midwest Goodbyes & the Irish Exit
- Irish Exit vs. Midwest Goodbye: The group bonds over the necessity (and relief) of the “Irish exit”—slipping out unannounced—especially in the Midwest, where goodbyes can last hours.
- Emily’s Take: “You have to Irish exit in the Midwest because if you don't, you do the Midwestern goodbye...three and a half hours long.” (08:16)
- Best Irish Exit Story: Emily tells a hilarious college story about a shy friend who disappeared barefoot in the snow after “falling into the crack between the wall and the fridge” while high. (09:47–11:46)
3. Quests, Goals, and Confidence
- New Year's Resolutions: The group shares their unique approaches, favoring “quests” or bingo cards over traditional resolutions.
- Emily’s Bingo Card Quest: “I said I’m gonna do at least 50 barre and/or Pilates classes with my Peloton app.” (13:14)
- Lilah’s Quest: “I want to be more assured in spaces I walk into and feel like, oh, I deserve to be here.” (16:33)
- Emily's Encouragement: “You are like an Olympian...I would just assume you feel like you belong in every single room.” (16:48)
- Money, Experience, and Spending Guilt: The group discusses the value of treating yourself and spending money on what makes you happy—food, lip gloss, travel—with a favorite mama quote:
- Memorable Advice: "You’re not going to miss the money; you’re going to miss the experience.” (16:09)
4. Journaling, Group Chats, and Girlhood Rituals
- Journaling Practices: The sisters reveal their history of bullet journaling, moving from aesthetic Instagram spreads to messy, functional journaling.
- Emily's Reflection: “When I revisit myself of youth, I’m like, this is still so humiliating, and I can still feel it all so deeply.” (19:34)
- Handwriting Nostalgia: Joyful banter on the evolution of their handwriting, “bubble letters,” and which numeral/letter styles they used growing up. (25:21–26:36)
- Flow State in Group Chats: The group celebrates the power of a group chat firing on all cylinders and reminisces about early internet messaging days like AIM and GChat.
- Emily: “There’s nothing like it...I missed the GChat days.” (36:08)
5. Salads, Adulting, and Roasting Veggies
- Vegetable Preparation Drama: The group debates proper ways to prepare veggies, lamenting their parents’ “steamed everything” approach. (34:12–35:46)
- Salad Conversions: Olivia admits to her late-in-life love for lettuce and the expensive journey to crafting a “Sweetgreen” salad at home. (32:27–32:39)
- HomeGoods and Online Shopping Addiction: Emily and the sisters describe their love for Facebook Marketplace and over-the-top home decorating. (39:56–40:17)
6. Netflix Adaptation: People We Meet on Vacation
The Adaptation Process
- Involvement in the Adaptation: Emily reveals that typically authors have “no say at all,” but her experience was unusually collaborative thanks to director Brett Haley. (45:19–47:13)
- Notable Quote: "[Brett] is such a social butterfly...he called me right away and was like, give me the full list of everything that you think the readers want to see..."
- On Book vs. Movie Changes: She welcomes changes, understanding cinema has different demands. She uses Batman as a metaphor: “If you love a certain one, it doesn’t mean that the others don’t deserve to exist.” (47:50)
- Representation of Love and Hope: Emily emphasizes the depth and hope of romance stories:
- Quote: “Romance is hitting us so hard...because it’s about hope...there are these little kernels of light.” (53:17)
Reception and Future of Rom Coms
- Growing Role of Women-Centered Stories: Emily and the hosts discuss how Netflix’s support could become a blueprint for future romance adaptations.
- Emily: “Publishing already had this moment, like, ten years ago...women are the most voracious readers...they do the spending.” (50:03)
Character Portrayals and Changes
- On Tom & Emily’s Performances as Alex & Poppy: Emily gushes about the leads' chemistry, describing how their on-screen rapport elevates the movie.
- Notable Moment: “That was when I was like, oh, they’re perfect...it’s so cute and charming.” (57:20)
- Favorite Film Changes: New story arcs, especially for secondary characters like Sarah, were praised for deepening the narrative. (60:08–60:10)
- Poppy and Alex’s Future: Emily imagines them “a little bit more rooted,” perhaps out of NYC with “at least three dogs...maybe a cat.” (60:13–61:18)
7. Book Nook: Emily’s Current Reads & Recommendations
- Romance Reads: Emily is re-reading historical romances by Sherry Thomas (start with The Luckiest Lady in London), Lisa Kleypas, and Julie Ann Long. (61:35)
- Anticipated Release: She hypes Bad Words by Rhianna Robinson—"a true enemies to lovers” book—calling it “a once in a lifetime book.” (62:39–65:16)
8. Rapid-Fire: Family Chores & High School Cringe
- Chores Round: Emily loves to vacuum (“the only satisfying chore” (65:43)), stirring up playful teasing about pronunciation (“vap-cuuming”).
- High School Crush Stories:
- Hilarious Memory: Emily recalls a boyfriend who danced away from her—with glow sticks—at his own prom, then dumped her in a hot tub during a family trip. The fallout resurfaces years later when a friend recognizes him miles and years apart. (68:10–71:59)
- Emily’s Take: “I don’t have any ill will against Bob, but she’s like, you broke up with my best friend in a hot tub 400 years ago…” (72:05)
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- "You have to Irish exit in the Midwest because...the Midwestern goodbye...is three and a half hours long." – Emily Henry (08:16)
- “I felt like I was at my wedding. I did not sit down, I did not eat, I did not drink.” – Emily Henry (05:35)
- "You’re not going to miss the money, you’re going to miss the experience." – Adriana quoting her mom (16:09)
- “If you love a certain Batman, it doesn’t mean the others don’t deserve to exist.” – Emily Henry (47:50)
- “Romance is hitting us all so hard...because it’s about hope...even though things can be very dark...there are these little kernels of light.” – Emily Henry (53:17)
- “That was when I was like, oh, they’re perfect...it’s so cute and charming.” – Emily Henry, on the movie leads (57:20)
Most Memorable Moments
- Emily’s friend’s legendary Irish exit through the Michigan snow, barefoot, after getting high and "stuck" behind the fridge. (09:47–11:46)
- Real talk on impostor syndrome and reclaiming confidence, even for high achievers. (16:33–17:47)
- Intimate, funny, and sometimes cringe stories of high school crushes and proms gone weird. (68:10–71:59)
- Behind-the-scenes scoop on how an author’s work makes its way—intact—onto the screen, and what it’s like when a male director “gets it right.” (45:15–50:29)
Conclusion
This episode is a vibrant, heartfelt exploration of what it means to make art, claim joy, and belong—in families, friendships, and bigger spaces. Emily Henry’s generosity in storytelling (and humor about her own teen disasters) matches perfectly with the Maher sisters’ warmth and wit. For fans of romance, behind-the-scenes gossip, and authentic sisterly conversation, this is a can't-miss.
For full laughs, nuanced adaptation insights, and inspiration to go on your own “quest,” listen to the full episode!
Additional Resources
- People We Meet on Vacation available on Netflix and in bookstores.
- Emily Henry on Instagram: @emilyhenrywrites
- Bad Words by Rhianna Robinson – mentioned as a must-read upcoming release.