Podcast Summary: Let’s Not Talk About The Husband

Hosts: Lisa Rinna & Harry Hamlin
Episode: Ask Lisa & Harry: Pet Safety, Finding Your Passion, and How Different Is Too Different?
Date: October 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this listener Q&A episode, iconic couple Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin bring their trademark humor and candor to real-life dilemmas from fans. They share personal stories – from pet parenting woes to marriage differences and career leaps – offering practical advice, heartfelt encouragement, and plenty of laughs. Their lively chemistry shines as they tackle topics like pet safety in the wild, what makes for “quality time” in marriage, and finding the courage to pursue your passion, even if the path seems unconventional.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pet Safety: The Dangers of Small Dogs in the Wild

Timestamps: 00:51 – 11:12

• Harry’s Story About Cheetah (the Puppy):
  Harry discusses his plans to take their tiny puppy, Cheetah, to their cabin in Canada, which is now home to a family of bald eagles – a new concern for their dog’s safety.

  • “This little dog is just the perfect size for breakfast for a bald eagle.” – Harry (02:23)
  • Neighbors have fended off eagles before, using canoe paddles to protect their dogs (02:50).

• Lisa’s Eternal Pessimism (and Family Responses):
  Lisa’s realistic (or “negative”) outlook irks her family.

  • “I said 50/50. Now listen, everybody got mad at me. Mom, you’re so negative. You need to work on that.” – Lisa (03:19)

• Pet Safety Measures Discussed:

  • Life jackets with handles for dogs in case they fall into the water (06:01).
  • Coyote and hawk vests with spikes or detachable tops to foil predators (07:00).
  • Harry’s skepticism: “If the eagle takes off with what it thinks is the dog… the dog falls out and gives the dog another chance to escape. But wait a minute… the eagle’s gonna drop that thing and go in to get the dog immediately. I don’t think that’s going to work.” (07:44)
  • Lisa: “Let go, let God. That’s my new thing.” (08:50)

• Community Coping:
  Neighbors use group chats to warn about coyotes and other dangers (05:41). The couple discusses the realities of living near wildlife, even in their LA neighborhood.

2. Parenting, Positivity, and Energy Blockages

Timestamps: 12:34 – 14:55

• Lisa’s “Pearls of Wisdom” via Instagram:
  She sends daily inspirational posts to her daughters, though it sometimes backfires.

  • Lisa reads an Abraham Hicks quote about how complaining and negativity become “energy blocks” (12:34-13:44).
  • “If you’re complaining, if you’re justifying, if you’re blaming, it’s blocking you from the very thing that you’ve been asking the universe for.” – Lisa (13:52)

• Harry’s Take:
  Harry affably chimes in about energy, positivity, and love:

  • “The love you get is equal to the love you give.” (14:51)

3. Lighthearted Tangents: Religion, The Pet Business, and Instagram Life

Timestamps: 16:45 – 21:04

• Satirical Musings on Mega-Churches & Pet Entrepreneurship:

  • Harry jokes about starting a religion for profit: “Let’s start a religion. We could create a mega church.” (16:45)
  • Lisa: “Or we should be in the fricking pet business… that's where freaking money is.” (17:15)
  • Both muse about monetizing wisdom (“Wisdom for dough”) and pet accessories.

• Lisa’s Instagram “Worlds”:

  • She shares clips and inspirational messages with different groups: old movies with Erika Jayne, housewife gossip, pearls of wisdom for her daughters (20:09-21:01).
  • “I have a whole world that I have on [Instagram]... You’re missing out on that part.” – Lisa (22:06)

4. Social Media, Dance Videos, and Spreading Joy

Timestamps: 22:19 – 25:51

• Lisa’s Dance Videos as “Joyful Distractions”:
  • She posts dance videos when she feels the world needs some happiness, even if the timing or song isn’t trendy (23:03–24:38).
  • “The world is pretty dark right now... But my gut said, you know what? The world needs a little bit of joy.” – Lisa (23:06)
  • Comments from followers sometimes surprise and delight her, recalling memories from “Real Housewives.”

5. Listener Voicemail: Defining Quality Time in Relationships

Timestamps: 29:09 – 42:38

• Listener Situation:
  A listener says she and her husband have totally different visions of “quality time.” She wants calm, cozy romance in the park; he wants busy cafés, whiteboards, and planning sessions.

  • Lisa and Harry discuss their own differences and routines.
  • Lisa: “We tend to do... the deli for breakfast...that's our quality time.” (32:06)
  • Harry: “If I were to pin myself down to a five-year plan, it would probably narrow my focus to the point where I would only be doing that one thing... But I like to leave a lot of room for accidents to happen, for experiments and new things.” (30:49)

• Advice:

  • Find recurring, mutual activities (like “deli Sundays”) that bring partners together.
  • Allow space for each to pursue different interests, but commit to shared rituals.
  • “Find something... quality time that you can come together on a weekly basis and do it to where you’re both happy about it.” – Lisa (41:24)

• Family Anecdotes: Work Ethic for Kids

  • Lisa insisted their daughters take jobs at a local deli to instill work ethic, despite their protests (32:42 – 34:50).
  • “Greatest thing we ever did is make those kids work because none of their friends had to work.” – Lisa (34:50)
  • Harry reminisces about his handyman jobs and Christmas tree sales as a teenager (34:01).

6. Listener Voicemail: Taking The Leap for Your Passion

Timestamps: 42:42 – 47:14

• Listener:
  At 23, wants to pursue a PhD in history, but it feels “scary and not encouraged.”

• The Role of PASSION:

  • Harry: “There’s a key word in there... Passion. Exactly. So you follow your passion period and period. That is what will drive you, get you everywhere you need to go.” (43:52–43:59)
  • Lisa: “You’re so lucky to be 23 years old and be passionate about something and you sound very clear about it… I always say, feel the fear and do it anyway.” (44:55)

• Family Background & Pursuing “Unordinary” Careers:

  • Both hosts came from households with no connection to acting or academia.
  • Harry: “I would say I’ve never worked a day in my life... If you can say that about what you’re doing – then you know.” (46:41)

• Practical Encouragement:

  • “Run, don’t walk, go for it.” – Lisa (47:05)
  • “Absolutely. You can do it.” – Harry (47:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pet Safety:
  “This little dog is just the perfect size for breakfast for a bald eagle.” – Harry (02:23)

• On Parenting:
  “Mom, you’re so negative. You need work.” – Lisa, quoting her daughters (03:19)

• On Energy & Negativity:
  “If you’re complaining, if you’re justifying, if you’re blaming, it’s blocking you from the very thing that you’ve been asking the universe for.” – Lisa (13:52)

• On Marriage Differences:
  “I would love to somehow get you to come with me on one of my camping trips... That would be quality time for me.” – Harry (36:35)

• On Following Your Passion:
  “So you follow your passion period and period. That is what will drive you, get you everywhere you need to go.” – Harry (43:59)
  “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” – Lisa (44:55)
  “I would say I've never worked a day in my life.” – Harry (46:41)

Important Voicemail Q&A Segments with Timestamps

• Quality Time in Marriage: 29:09 – 42:38
• Pursuing Your Passion/Career Leap: 42:42 – 47:14

Episode Tone, Language, and Style

The conversation is playful, breezy, and candid – full of affectionate bickering and gentle teasing, but always underpinned by thoughtful insight and encouragement. Lisa is bold and “real,” Harry is laid-back and wry, and together they strike a balance between light-hearted banter and authentic advice. They openly share their own marriage dynamics, parenting decisions, and career journeys, offering listeners reassurance that differences can be strengths and fears are just part of growing.

For those who haven’t listened:
This episode is a warm, wildly relatable blend of wisdom, wit, and real-life experience – perfect for anyone navigating marriage, careers, and the uncertainties of adulthood with a bit of humor and a whole lot of heart.