Podcast Summary: Jeff Lewis Has Issues
Episode: Teresa & Gia Giudice: Luxury Items & “RHONJ”
Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Jeff Lewis (SiriusXM)
Guests: Teresa Giudice & Gia Giudice

Brief Overview

This engaging episode features reality TV icons Teresa Giudice and her daughter Gia Giudice discussing their recent stint on the demanding show "Special Forces," family life transitions, reflections from "Real Housewives of New Jersey" (RHONJ), luxury living, and navigating personal change. The tone is candid, funny, and warm, with both mother and daughter offering personal insights about celebrity, resilience, and the next chapters of their lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Special Forces: The Experience

[01:36 - 14:34]

• Why Do It?

  • Teresa and Gia are promoting their participation in FOX's "Special Forces." Both agree it was a grueling but rewarding experience.
  • Teresa: “It was very intense.”
  • Gia: “It was like the best experience of my life.” [01:43]

• Preparation & Challenges

  • Neither felt fully prepared, despite being fit; Teresa says “there’s no training” that truly gets you ready [01:53].
  • The show involves extreme physical and mental exercises modeled after military training, no eliminations unless you're medically excused or holding the group back [02:15–02:29].
  • Gia: “You’re basically training for like the US special forces selection.” [04:58]

• Physical Accommodations & Living Conditions

  • Sleeping outside, minimal showers, outhouses with toilets made of plywood, and only one luxury item allowed.
  • Gia chose wipes; Teresa picked hair wax [06:34].
  • Food was basic: MREs, bland protein, and oatmeal—far from Gia's usual Italian luxury food.
  • Teresa: “We pissed and shit into a bucket. That is disgusting.” [06:31]
  • Gia: "I went from Italy to Morocco ... I was struggling." [13:56]

• Luxury Items

  • Jeff questions what would count as a luxury: “How many luxury items can I bring? Because I need deodorant for sure.” [11:02]
  • Gia on her plan: “I brought Aquaphor ... because I was on Accutane at the time.” [07:40]

• Who Surprised Them?

  • Shawn Johnson, Jessie James Decker, and Brianna LaPaglia highlighted as standouts.

• Would They Do It Again?

  • Teresa: “Yes, cause—it was so hard … would want more money.” [14:08–14:16]
  • Gia: “Yes, I would do it again ... if I had the same cast.” [14:19–14:49]

2. Impact on Perspective and Mental Health

[42:11 - 44:18]

• Both reflect that "Special Forces" forced inner reckoning.
  • Gia: “Use this time to let it all out. Let your anger go.” [43:09]
  • Gia admits the show helped her manage panic attacks and anxiety, citing a moment where she had to overcome a panic attack to stay in the competition:
    • “I had to do it and I overcame that fear.” [44:16]
  • Teresa credits the experience with helping her let go of anger and past resentments regarding both reality TV conflicts and family relationships.

3. Family, Moves, and Growing Up

• Gia talks about moving out to be closer to NYC for work and the challenges of balancing independence and family ties.

  • “No timeline—it's not like she’s kicking me out or anything ... but driving is exhausting.” [19:55]
  • Prefers space over a "shoebox" in Manhattan and considers Jersey City or Hoboken [21:00–21:23].

• Discussion about luxury items and jewelry:

  • Jeff: “Are all those love bracelets yours?”
  • Gia: “I buy them for myself.” [19:12]

• Relationship dynamics between Gia and her boyfriend:

  • Gia prefers to live alone for a while (“start this journey on my own”), and Teresa supports delaying moving in together. [21:36–22:12]

• Updates on Teresa’s daughters:

  • Melania: Apartment in Tampa, doing well in college.
  • Gabriella: Junior at University of Michigan, heading to Barcelona for an internship [25:37–25:47].
  • Adriana: High school junior, planning for University of Miami [24:59].
  • Teresa shares plans to move out of Montville for a “new beginning” and to eventually buy a place in Florida. [24:17–24:46]

4. Reflections on Career, Legacy, and Memoirs

[16:21 - 17:08]

• Teresa confirms ongoing talks for a new cookbook and memoir, reflecting on the popularity of both genres in her career.

  • “I want to do another cookbook and another memoir.” [16:40]

• Gia considers long-term career options post-influencer/reality TV: real estate or law are her top choices, and highlights the value of her Rutgers degree. [18:23–19:02]

5. Real Housewives of New Jersey: Reconciliation and Future

[41:10 – 50:22]

• Jeff shifts the conversation to “New Jersey Season 15” and long-standing family drama.
• Teresa says "Special Forces" inspired her to let grudges go and contemplate reconciliation.
• Gia’s advice: "Just exert it all and put it out on the table, and then let it go." [43:09]
• Jeff reflects on the challenge of true reconciliation:
  • “You can make amends and you can apologize ... but relationships change.” [44:18–45:12]
• Teresa expresses general openness:
  • “Never say never.” [47:13]
  • “You can't talk about the past, you have to just let it go.” [47:30]
• Gia: “The only way it would work is if both parties, whatever the situation, agree to let it go and not bring it up again.” [47:58]
• Jeff encourages Teresa to be the one to reach out for her own closure. [48:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Physical Hardship:

  • Teresa: “We pissed and shit into a bucket. That is disgusting.” [06:31]
  • Jeff: “I think I would need my tempur-pedic mattress topper.” [10:56]

• On Growing Up and Living Alone:

  • Teresa: “I always wanted to live on my own … I went from living with my parents to getting married.” [21:50]
  • Gia: “I feel like I’m going to love living alone … I’m only 24.” [23:19]

• On the Burden of Luxury:

  • Jeff: “Are you insured for all that? LA is not a safe place.” [19:17]
  • Teresa: “Fifty bracelets — be careful.” [19:26]

• On Forgiveness and Moving Forward:

  • Jeff: “Letting go of this anger, is this specifically towards family members? ... The problem is you can only be responsible for yourself, right?” [44:18]
  • Teresa: “You can’t talk about the past, you have to just let it go.” [47:30]

• Heartfelt Listener Compliment:

  • Caller Steve: “Teresa … what you’ve accomplished isn’t about the housewives, it’s about those girls you raised ... You're a testament of what a real mother is.” [40:30–41:06]
  • Teresa: “Thank you, you’re bringing tears to my eyes.” [41:06]

• On Teresa’s Relationship with Dina Manzo:

  • Teresa: "I think she just distanced herself from everyone ... Totally understandable.” [35:34–35:46]

• Reconciliation Outlook:

  • Teresa: "Never say never." [47:13]
  • Gia: "Everyone can coexist, just put your big girl panties on." [47:16]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Special Forces Experience: 01:36 – 14:34
• Family Updates & Luxury Items: 19:02 – 22:24
• On Moving Out & Independence: 19:53 – 21:23
• On Relationships & Moving in Together: 21:28 – 23:40
• Cookbooks, Memoirs, and Career: 16:21 – 17:08; 18:23 – 19:02
• Real Housewives of New Jersey & Reconciliation: 41:10 – 50:22

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is candid and warm, full of banter and honesty.
• Teresa and Gia provide rare insight into their life transitions, the challenge of personal growth in the spotlight, and authentic perspectives on family and legacy.
• The discussion suggests Teresa is at a crossroads, more open to healing and even reconciliation than ever before.
• Listeners who appreciate behind-the-scenes reality TV glimpses, family dynamics, or stories of personal transformation will find this episode memorable and insightful.