The Southern Tea – December 17, 2025

Episode: Remote vs. In-Office Work & Tragic Texas A&M Cheerleader
Host: Lindsie Chrisley
Guest: Kristen

Overview

In this heartfelt episode of The Southern Tea, Lindsie and Kristen dive deep into a range of personal and topical subjects. They start with reflections on routine and the challenges of being out of sync, then debate the growing divide between remote and in-office work—highlighting generational differences and personal priorities. The latter part of the episode shifts toward recent headlines and difficult conversations around mental health, including the tragic loss of a Texas A&M cheerleader and the complexities of recognizing and supporting those struggling. The blend of humor, authenticity, and vulnerability characterizes the conversation, making it relatable and impactful.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Comfort (and Struggle) of Routine

• Both hosts discuss how their weeks have been thrown off, particularly Kristen, who’s recovering from surgery.
  • Kristen: "It's like being dictated by a different routine than your routine, and it really irritates me." (03:36)
• Lindsie reflects on the mix of relief and FOMO from taking breaks in regular podcasting and travel planning for Disney.
  • Lindsie: "It's like when you're used to a routine and then you don't have one, and you just... The world is your oyster." (02:54)

2. The Remote vs. In-Office Work Dilemma

Would you take $120K fully remote, or $240K in-office?

• Generational Differences: Lindsie is surprised by how many Gen Zers favor remote work, even at half the salary.
• Personal Preferences:
  • Lindsie: Favors larger salary and office environment for structure and separation of work/life.
    • "If I was going to do a corporate job, I would want to be in an office with colleagues, able to leave my work there." (09:36)
  • Kristen: Strongly prefers remote for quality of life, less commute, more flexibility with chores, and cost savings.
    • "My father-in-law, when he works from home, throws laundry in. He's getting life tasks done that you would not be able to do if you were out of the office." (12:13)
• Work/Life Balance: Kristen highlights that remote work enables her to multitask on life chores, adding, "Cost doesn't always mean financially." (19:02)
• Quality of Life vs. Income: Both agree peace of mind and family time are increasingly valuable as they get older.
  • Lindsie: "At this point in my life, I just want peace and I don't care what it costs me." (19:40)
• Single Parents & Capacity: Commiseration about how single-parent families manage in today’s world.

3. Parenthood, Capacity, and "Just Figuring It Out"

• Discussion of societal pressure regarding having more children, with both hosts expressing feeling stretched to their limits already.
  • Lindsie: "I'm trying to do all of this stuff, like, be a good wife, keep the house clean, do the laundry, put a meal on the table... Me having another child would be beyond my capacity." (23:31)
• Both agree everyone’s "plate" is different—what one person can handle, another may not.

4. Virality and News: Candace Owens & Erica Kirk, The Reiner Case

• Candace Owens/Erica Kirk: Both hosts express skepticism about how productive a meeting between Owens and Kirk could really be given their opposing stances.
  • Lindsie: "I don’t see how productive of a conversation that you can have… the maturity level… would have to be there." (37:55)
• Rob Reiner Case: Lindsie recounts the shocking murder case and shares her initial suspicions about the son, noting the impact of a troubled background.
  • "Not because of him having addiction or homelessness... but based on the children, that one would have made most sense to me." (40:36)

5. Mental Health, Suicide, and Supporting Each Other

Content Warning Segment Begins ~41:35

• Lindsie details the tragic loss of a Texas A&M cheerleader who died by suicide, discussing the family’s disbelief, the details of her death, and the signals missed by friends and authorities.
  • Lindsie: "Maybe probably should have contacted the university to get some help." (51:03)
• Kristen bravely shares her personal struggles with suicidal ideation, describing internal battles and feelings of isolation.
  • Kristen: "You actually feel like everybody's life around you would be so much better if you weren't in it." (54:12)
  • "The strong ones don't get checked on... the ones who appear happiest... they don't get checked on." (54:00)
• Lindsie expresses support: "Everyone listening to this podcast... the world is so much better with you in it." (57:23)
• They emphasize checking in on friends and the importance of mental health dialogue, especially for teens and young adults.
  • Lindsie: "People don't realize how far that something like that goes... just to let somebody know they have been seen." (60:12)
• Notable Resource:
  • "If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts... dial 988 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org and get some help." (64:45)

6. School Violence and Public Safety Anxiety

• Update on the Appalachian High School shooting case. Lindsie shares her anxiety attending crowded events post-news.
  • Lindsie: "I get fixated on stuff like this... I need to watch for every update." (65:00)
• Kristen discusses how 9/11 shaped her anxiety around crowds from a young age.
  • Kristen: "I was in third grade… and we saw the first tower collapse. I will never forget." (68:29)
• Both hosts acknowledge how these events color their current experiences, especially as parents.

7. Humor, Hospital Fails, and a Peeping Squirrel

• Lighter moments intersperse the heavy topics: Kristen’s mortifying hospital story about surgery while menstruating, and a squirrel relentlessly trying to enter Lindsie’s house.
  • Kristen: "Take your tampon out before surgery, or else it's getting taken out for you." (33:32)
  • Lindsie: "He's now looking at me… he has moved over to the window and he is looking at me." (25:54)
• Anecdotes highlight the show’s balancing act of serious and comic relief.

8. Devotional & Personal Reflections

• Lindsie shares a devotional about God's faithfulness amid unanswered prayers and life's delays.
  • "If it didn't happen this year, it's okay. God is still faithful... the things that didn't happen this year are just great stories waiting to unfold in God’s time." (77:34)
• Reminder to embrace the unknown and have patience.

Notable Quotes

• "Cost doesn't always mean financially." — Kristen (19:02)
• "At this point in my life, I just want peace and I don't care what it costs me." — Lindsie (19:40)
• "The strong ones don't get checked on. The ones who take care of people don't get checked on." — Kristen (54:00)
• "If it didn't happen this year, it's okay. God is still faithful." — Lindsie (77:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Routine & Life Update: 01:03–07:09
• Remote vs. In-Office Work Debate: 08:45–21:34
• Parenting Capacity & “Just Figuring It Out”: 21:34–25:25
• Peeping Squirrel / Hospital Tampon Story: 25:28–34:02
• Candace Owens / Erica Kirk Meeting: 34:53–38:06
• Rob Reiner Case Discussion: 38:23–41:01
• Texas A&M Cheerleader Tragedy & Mental Health Talk: 41:35–64:11
• Appalachian School Shooting Update and Public Safety Anxiety: 64:58–75:00
• Devotional & Closing Thoughts: 76:35–78:16

Takeaways

• Work: Quality of life is increasingly prioritized over salary, especially among millennials and Gen Z.
• Parenting: Capacity differs for everyone; it's okay to say no to more if you’re at your limit.
• Mental Health: Even those who seem “strong” can struggle deeply; check in and support your people.
• Current Events: High-profile tragedies hit home, fueling anxieties, especially for parents and those already sensitive to safety concerns.
• Faith & Resilience: Delays and hardships do not mean failure—sometimes, it’s simply not time yet.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

This episode combines relatable personal stories with serious conversations, and the hosts’ authenticity makes it both comforting and insightful for listeners navigating similar life stages and challenges.