The blondEST Podcast – "Meet My Ride-or-Die, Maria"

Host: Savanna Boda
Guest: Maria ("Titi"), Savanna's personal assistant and close friend
Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

In this heartwarming and candid episode, Savanna Boda introduces listeners to her "ride-or-die," Maria, who serves as both her indispensable personal assistant and her close confidante. Over the course of their four-year journey together at Savanna’s business, SBA, the two have weathered the challenges of a growing aesthetics practice, personal life transitions, and endless inside jokes. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at their friendship, working relationship, and the hilariously chaotic moments they’ve shared—making it a must-listen for fans who want to understand the real dynamics at play in Savanna’s world.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Maria’s Background and Their Origin Story

• Maria’s Florida Roots: Maria is originally from Clearwater, Florida, and fondly recalls “hurricane parties” as community bonding moments.

  “I just like [hurricanes] because growing up, like, if you’re from Florida, you know, you have, like, a hurricane party… your whole family gets together… you just get together with everybody and have a little hurricane party.” (01:22 – Maria)

• Savanna on Maria’s Impact:
  Savanna highlights Maria’s resourcefulness and importance to the business.

  “Without Maria, I feel like the world would fall apart. Like, she was gone for one day, and everyone was crashing out at the spa… Maria just knows everything.” (03:33 – Savanna)

Dynamics of Aesthetic Industry Conferences

• Hilarious commentary about how major esthetician conventions always seem to happen during the worst possible weather, and the unglamorous side compared to tech or anime conferences.

  “Vegas is, like, the hottest time of year. It’s like Satan’s breath. Florida is always during hurricane season. So bad.” (01:40 – Savanna)

Maria’s Role and Career Journey at SBA

• Started at reception before becoming the personal assistant.
• Maria initially tried being an esthetician but left the path, feeling unsupported and uninspired by previous environments.

  “A lot of the stuff that I was doing is not what Savanna does… I didn’t really have a good leader and a support system, and I feel like that drained my experience.” (07:06 – Maria)

• Maria expresses fulfillment in her current role, crediting Savanna’s leadership and their connection.

Advice, Leadership, and Setting Boundaries

• Savanna’s Best Advice:

  “You always speak about just being, like, authentically yourself. When you’re yourself, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks… The people who will be in your life will be in your life.” (08:40 – Maria)

• Leadership & Respect: Despite their closeness, Maria maintains strong professional boundaries and deep respect.

  “Even though we are very close and, like, you are my family as well, I still hold you to a pedestal of being a boss because you are such a good leader.” (10:33 – Maria)

• Handling Challenges:
  The biggest challenge is managing priorities—what Savanna sees as important may differ from Maria’s perspective.

  “Challenging… I think, you know, I try to see your vision… but I know, like, for you, something that I think is not important is important to you. So I think just challenging, like, how to balance both of those…” (13:37 – Maria)

Hilarious Stories & Memorable Moments

Favorite “Lore” and Inside Jokes

• Memories of Savanna dressing up and making signs for stunts that ended up on Reddit.
• The infamous mispronunciation of “huevos rancheros” while ordering room service, trying different accents to be understood:

  “I kept trying to, like, make different accents for it and he still didn’t understand me.” (12:43 – Maria)

• Both Savanna and Maria joking about their mutual struggles with grammar and spelling, blaming Maria’s ESL background and Savanna’s Christian schooling.

Boundary Play & Loyalty

• Frequent travel together—sharing hotel rooms and countless laughs.
• The “Maria as scapegoat” running joke:

  “If someone fucks something up, they will automatically say it was Maria or Maria knew about it because they know that I’m going to be like, okay, whatever. If it’s Maria, everyone knows that. That’s why they make her the scapegoat. Because Maria never gets… and I will never be mad at her.” (23:47 – Savanna)

Most Challenging Moments

• Maria’s one mistake: almost giving Savanna Xanax instead of Zoloft after surgery.

  “That was because you were trying to give me Xanax instead of Zoloft. I would have been done for the day.” (24:08 – Savanna)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On their long-term working relationship:

  “She’s my longest employee… stood by my side through thick and thin. We’ve had everyone quit. We’ve had everything burned to the ground and rebuilt. She’s been with me just again, through everything.” (26:03 – Savanna)

• On what keeps Maria at SBA:

  “You. Just you. You’re a good leader, good support system.” (09:32 – Maria)

• On shared anxiety & stress:

  “I feel like I can’t be my best if I have something lingering over my head, even if it’s the smallest thing.” (14:10 – Savanna)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• 00:05 – 03:00: Introduction, Maria’s background, and funny “hurricane party” talk.
• 03:00 – 06:00: Maria’s role at SBA, how she became indispensable, and their history.
• 07:00 – 09:30: Why Maria didn’t continue as an esthetician; Savanna’s advice on authenticity and relationships.
• 10:30 – 13:30: Maintaining professional boundaries, best/funniest moments working together.
• 13:37 – 14:41: Most challenging aspects of working with Savanna.
• 17:30 – 20:00: Hilarious travel and elevator confrontation stories.
• 23:15 – 24:10: What Maria looks forward to in life and career.
• 24:08 – 25:34: Maria’s biggest “mistake” with medication mix-up.
• 26:03 – 26:49: Reflections on their relationship, trust, and “abandonment wounds.”

Episode Tone and Style

True to Savanna’s trademark voice—irreverent, candid, and affectionately chaotic—the episode mixes heartfelt appreciation with self-deprecating humor. Maria’s warmth and humility balance Savanna’s quick wit, resulting in an episode that feels like eavesdropping on two best friends who have been through it all.

Closing Reflection

This episode not only pulls back the curtain on what makes Savanna’s business (and life) run smoothly but also on the emotional backbone that longtime friendship provides. Both hilarious and touching, it’s a celebration of loyalty, growth, and the small-yet-massive ways talented women boost each other up every day.