The Bobby Bones Show – "Abby’s Solo Traveling Tips & Tricks, Life as a Stepmom"

Episode Date: April 25, 2026
Host: Morgan (with Abby)
Theme: In this “Best Bits” listener Q&A segment, Morgan and Abby dive deep into Abby's experiences and advice on solo traveling, share insights about life transitions (including her new stepmom role), goal-setting, wedding planning personalities, and cherished hometown memories.

Main Theme Overview

This lively episode centers around personal growth, travel, and navigating new family roles. Morgan and Abby tackle listener questions about Abby’s solo travel adventures, what it’s like stepping into a blended family, mapping out future dreams, goal-setting differences in relationships, and even their favorite local eats from Wichita. Throughout, the conversation is candid, supportive, full of gentle humor, and sprinkled with personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Abby’s Personal and Professional Goals (03:38–04:54)

• Abby’s Professional Goal:
  She wants to write and release a third song.
  "I want a third song and I want to write it." (03:58, Abby)
• Abby’s Personal Goal:
  Focus on resolving her ongoing stomach health issues and continue her health journey.
• Morgan’s Advice:
  Sometimes six weeks of dietary changes is not enough; health improvements can be slow.
• Reflection on Goal-setting Styles:
  Abby admits she tends to “live life day to day,” while her fiancé is the planner.
  "My fiancé always tells me that I need to be better at making goals for myself because I kind of just like, live life day to day." (04:56, Abby)

2. Planning Personalities in Relationships & Wedding Planning (05:35–10:15)

• Abby’s Approach:
  Not a planner, prefers spontaneous decisions – especially apparent in wedding planning.
  "I'd rather just wake up that day and say, let's just go, I'm just not a big planner." (05:43, Abby)
• Her Fiancé:
  Highly organized; keeps everything on a calendar; enjoys having “everything in order.”
• Potential Wedding Planning Solution:
  Letting her fiancé lead planning by presenting options for Abby to choose from, so she doesn't feel overwhelmed but is still involved in decisions.
  "I am a little controlling. I wouldn't want him to just, like, do it all. But I like how if he gave me options... I just need options." (08:06, Abby)
• Morgan Relates:
  Describes different task-management approaches in her own relationship and emphasizes partnering through strengths.

3. Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years? (13:31–17:35)

• Abby’s Vision:
  Hopes to be married, possibly with her own kids and as a stepmom, with a desire to be a stay-at-home mom initially, but would still want some fulfilling work.
  "I would have to have like a part time job. I would need to be doing something else. Like I. What am I gonna do all day?" (14:29, Abby)
• Influence of Family:
  Her mother’s regret about not staying home with kids informs Abby’s desire to not have that same regret.
• Morgan’s Vision:
  Open-ended; can imagine herself traveling, running an animal rescue, or nonprofit, and possibly not becoming a parent in the traditional sense.
  "If it's not a hundred percent yes, it's a no. And that's just where we are with it." (16:23, Morgan)
• Perspective on Life’s Unpredictability:
  Both acknowledge that life often turns out differently than planned.

4. Abby’s Solo Traveling Tips & Tricks (17:42–20:39)

• Abby’s Experience:
  Extensive solo travel, especially when single – to places like Key West, Chicago, Boston, and California.
• Pros of Solo Travel:
  • Freedom: Do anything you want, no one else’s schedule to consider.
  • Opportunities to meet new people.
  • Relaxing and peaceful on your own terms. "I actually kind of love it because you can do anything you want. It's up to you." (17:47, Abby)
• Cons:
  • Can get lonely, especially on beach vacations where there are many couples and families.
  • Best for weekend trips rather than long stretches.
• Morgan’s Approach:
  Has never truly vacationed solo—she is such a planner, she always ropes others in!
  "I'm really good at roping people into trips...I have a whole plan. All you have to do is show up." (19:45, Morgan)
• Tips:
  • Try solo trips for a weekend to start.
  • Embrace the flexibility and chance to meet new friends—but know your limits for alone time.

5. Life as a New Stepmom (20:56–22:31)

• Adjustments:
  Abby is adapting to less sleep (no more sleeping in on weekends), and the reality of “two lives”—adventures when the kids are over, and more “adult” leisure otherwise.
  "It's weird. And that's the consistency—there is none, I guess." (21:31, Abby)
• Blended Family Dynamics:
  Abby’s own experience as a child of divorce helps her empathize with the kids and strive to make both households positive. "You know, and I want them to know that just because their parents aren't together, they can still, you know, when they're with their dad, they'll...live life this way. When they're with her mom, it's, you know, it shouldn't be bad." (22:08, Abby)
• Morgan’s Praise:
  "Well, you're such a good. You're a good mom. Crazy." (22:26, Morgan)

6. Wichita Restaurant Nostalgia (22:37–25:42)

• Favorites:
  • Abby misses Bella Luna, where she used to work (“brought home the hummus every time” – 22:47)
  • Morgan: Cinnamon’s Deli, Goodcents, Brahms, and specifically likes the Mac and cheese bread bowl.
• Shared memories:
  Fun reminiscences of unique sandwich combinations and big grilled cheese specials from childhood.
• Local pride and playful rivalry:
  Exchanges about their sides of Wichita and favorite eateries.

7. Wedding Planning Progress (26:07–26:43)

• Listener Poll:
  Abby admits Morgan is further ahead with planning, but isn’t in a rush herself.
  "There's no rush. It might not be till, like, 2030. Who knows?...Maybe things will get cheaper by then." (26:32, Abby)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Personal Growth:
  "My fiancé always tells me that I need to be better at making goals for myself because I kind of just like, live life day to day..." (04:56, Abby)

• On Relationship Differences:
  "There's always one person in a relationship who's more of a planner, and it just so happens that it's him." (08:40, Morgan)

• On Solo Travel:
  "I actually kind of love it because you can do anything you want. It's up to you." (17:47, Abby)

• On Family Dynamics:
  "You know, I want them to know that just because their parents aren't together, they can still...live life this way. When they're with her mom, it's, you know, it shouldn't be bad." (22:08, Abby)

• On Planning for the Future:
  "If it's not a hundred percent yes, it's a no. And that's just where we are with it." (16:23, Morgan)

• Regarding listening back to herself:
  "I will absolutely not. That would, like, defeat me. I would, like, go cry in the corner." (27:52, Abby – on listening to her own podcast episodes)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:38] Abby’s personal/professional goals, motivation styles in her relationship
• [05:35] Planning personalities and wedding planning in relationships
• [13:31] Where Abby and Morgan see themselves in 10 years
• [17:42] Abby’s solo traveling experiences, pros and cons, advice
• [20:56] How Abby is adjusting to life as a stepmom
• [22:37] Wichita hometown restaurant nostalgia and favorite foods
• [26:07] Comparing progress on wedding planning (Abby vs. Morgan)

Episode Takeaways

• Solo Travel: Embrace independence and new connections, but know it can sometimes feel lonely; start with short trips.
• Blended Families: Flexibility and empathy are key; your own upbringing shapes your stepparenting style.
• Planning Styles: Opposites can complement each other—identify strengths and share responsibilities accordingly.
• Personal Growth: Set goals that matter to you, but allow for life’s unpredictability and changes in priorities.

For More:

• Listen to part one (referenced throughout) for more health discussions and in-depth wedding planning talk.
• Connect with hosts and guests on Instagram:
  • Abby: @abbyleeanderson
  • Morgan: @webgirlmorgan
  • Show: @bobbybonesshow