Podcast Summary

Katie Van Slyke – Katching Up With Katie

Episode: "I'm BROKE Now... | Embarrassing Stories and Emergency Vet Trip"

Date: September 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid and often hilarious episode, Katie Van Slyke and her crew share a whirlwind of events from the farm—including a nerve-wracking emergency vet trip after her beloved dog Winnie was hit by a car, chat about the explosion of new calves during calving season, and swap some cringeworthy (and laugh-out-loud) embarrassing stories from their lives. The group delves deep into the realities of unexpected veterinary expenses, the emotional tolls of animal care, and how humor, connection, and authenticity tie their farm family together.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Winnie’s Accident and the Jaw-Dropping Emergency Vet Bills

[00:38 – 24:00]

• The Incident: Katie details how Winnie, her cherished English bulldog, was hit by a car after likely escaping due to a door not being properly latched. The emotional turmoil as the family searches for Winnie—eventually aided by thermal imaging—culminates in finding her injured but alive.

  “She was unresponsive, tongue hanging out, breathing very labored… I was so scared. I was like, she’s brain dead.” – Katie [08:10]

• Emergency Vet Experience: Katie praises the vet staff’s skill and kindness but sharply criticizes the hospital’s upfront billing policies:

  • She had to pay the full low-end estimate ($6,500) before being allowed to see Winnie.
  • Final bills exceeded $15,000 after further complications required additional emergency treatment.

  “They said, ‘Here, you have to pay your bill before we’ll take you back and see her.’ I had to pay that before they’d let me see her.” – Katie [12:44]

  “My horse vet bills are nowhere near this… this dog cost double what a week-long equine surgery did.” – Katie [18:11]

• Emotional and Financial Reflection: Katie expresses gratitude for being able to pay, but deeply empathizes with countless pet owners who can’t. The conversation sparks a thoughtful discussion on pet insurance, with panelists sharing their own policies, costs, and advice.

  “That vet bill snuck up so fast trying to save this dog. It hurts your heart so much more when I walk in last night and she’s eating my shoes.” – Katie [21:31]

2. Calving Season and Ranch Updates

[23:24 – 27:31]

• Calving season has “quintupled,” with the team celebrating an abundance of healthy calves.

• Banter about the differences between calving and “foaling season”—Abigail is notably more enthusiastic about calves than foals!

  “I just find little cow babies so much more fragile and innocent…” – Abigail [24:07]

• Talk of upcoming cattle sales and ongoing farm operations; a preview of collaborative projects and videos related to ranch life.

3. Embarrassing Stories: Tales of Teenage Anxiety and Adult Mishaps

[27:31 – 45:00]

• Katie’s Gas Station Saga: Katie confesses to calling her dad for help at age 17, convinced the gas pumps were broken—only to learn she had to flip a lever to activate the pump.

  “I don’t know that I’ve ever had a moment where my dad thought I was so… just so dumb. Like a disappointment where it’s like, he’s so disappointed in my intelligence.” – Katie [30:23]

• Matt’s “Dumb Moments” Double Feature:

  • Accidentally locked his phone in his Jeep hatch at 3am, spent half an hour trying to solve the problem, then just left it and went fishing.
  • Mistakenly answered “M” when asked “What does Muscadine start with?” by a musician’s wife before a show—realized much too late the question was about the band’s start song. He never faced her again out of embarrassment.

  “I said, with the utmost confidence, ‘M.’ And then went back to my conversation.” – Matt [34:39]

• Nate’s Gas Leak Fiasco: Nate quietly let out a few toots while doing tile work, prompting his coworker to call in a suspected gas leak—gas company eventually found a minuscule leak, but Nate never confessed.

  “They called the emergency line to have people come out… At this point, I can’t be like, ‘Hey, I know you already called… I might have just tooted.’” – Nate [38:02]

• Abigail’s Lake Adventure: A tubing mishap as a child led to her losing her swim bottoms mid-lake—she clung on to the tube in panic, then had to be fished out by adults and wrapped in a towel, mortified.

  “My bottoms just blew off in the wind. I hung on… and had to, you know, wet towel walk out onto a boat with everyone having seen my butt.” – Abigail [43:52]

• Other light stories: Sitting in wrong seats on planes, eating the wrong breakfast biscuit, and various forgetful hijinks pepper the conversation.

4. Quick Q&A and Light-Hearted Banter

[45:00 – 49:18]

• The group jokes about “resting serious face,” reading critical video comments, and Katie’s on-camera habits.

  • Katie apologizes for playfully emasculating Matt by “helping” him brush the horse in a lesson video.

  “I just immediately surrendered, though, so… well done there.” – Matt [47:16]

• Discussion about new Running Springs fall merchandise launches and the inside-joke culture of the farm family.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Power of Community:

  “I wholeheartedly believe in the power of prayer… the more people surrounding you in prayer, good thoughts, and love, the better.” – Katie [02:18]

• On Eye-Watering Vet Costs:

  “I was like, do I have to choose if she just dies right now?” – Katie [13:12]

• On Pet Insurance:

  “My insurance is $25 a month. It covers emergency care—so worth it when you look at the fact they can rack up. You have to pay a deductible, but it’s nothing close to what you would.” – Panelist [20:02]

• On Forgetfulness and Mishaps:

  “That was silly, but could be chalked up to no sleep. But this was just straight dumb.” – Matt [34:06]
  “Kind of a hero that day. I don’t know.” – Nate, after the gas leak incident [39:37]

• Iconic Lake Story:

  “I vividly remember that. That’s her go-to ‘I embarrassed myself’ story.” – Katie [44:44]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Winnie’s Accident and Emergency Search
  [00:38 – 10:28]
• Emergency Vet Experience and Costs
  [10:28 – 24:00]
• Calving Season & Farm Updates
  [23:24 – 27:31]
• Embarrassing Stories
  [27:31 – 45:00]
• Panel Banter and Merchandise Plug
  [45:00 – 49:18]

Tone and Language

• The episode is delivered in a warm, Southern, and irreverent tone, full of self-deprecating humor, honesty, and camaraderie among friends. The language is conversational and authentic, with laughter, empathy, and candid reflection woven throughout.

Summary for Non-Listeners

If you missed this installment, you’ll want to tune in for its perfect blend of heart, humor, and real talk about farm life’s extremes. Katie’s emotional storytelling about Winnie’s accident and the shocking realities of pet healthcare costs offers insight and comfort for animal lovers, while the embarrassing story roundtable will make you laugh out loud (and maybe remember your own teen fails). The episode ties everything together with updates from the ranch and a reminder of the close-knit chaos that makes Katie Van Slyke’s podcast so endearing.

Links & Next Steps:

• New Running Springs fall merch available at katievanslyke.net
• For listeners: Check out the recent calving season update video mentioned in the episode
• Recommendation: Review your pet insurance options!