Podcast Summary: The Toast – "7 Years of Pargiliciousness" (April 9, 2025)

In the milestone episode of "The Toast," hosts Claudia Oshry and Jackie Oshry celebrate seven years of their beloved weekday show. Titled "7 Years of Pargiliciousness," the episode seamlessly weaves through personal updates, reflections on their journey, discussions on current television trends, and heartfelt moments addressing significant news within their community.

1. Celebrating Seven Years: Toastiversary Reflections

Claudia Oshry opens the episode with a warm welcome, acknowledging the significance of their seven-year journey. Both hosts reminisce about the evolution of their show, highlighting memorable moments and milestones.

Claudia Oshry [18:44]: "So it's our seventh year, our eighth season."

Jackie Oshry [19:03]: "Everyone knows that like, you change as a person every seven years. Now, I don't know if that means you change that like 1-8-6, but that means in the time that we've done this show, even if we were in the middle of our change four years, like, we have changed at least once in the time that we've done this show."

The hosts express gratitude towards their listeners, emphasizing the importance of their community in sustaining the show's longevity. They also tease upcoming content, including a "Toast Madness" bracket on Instagram, engaging their audience in celebrating their shared history.

2. Personal Updates: Claudia’s Pregnancy Journey

A significant portion of the episode delves into Claudia's pregnancy updates. She shares her experiences with prenatal health, including scheduled doctor's visits to check if the baby has flipped and her upcoming acupuncture appointment at the Software Longevity Institute of Technology.

Claudia Oshry [01:35]: "I'm really wiping, like, with a lot of intent. Do you know what I mean?"

Claudia discusses the physical sensations she's experiencing, distinguishing between feeling kicks in her "cooter" versus "everywhere" and clarifies that her baby is named Bowie, dispelling earlier mentions of the name Rocky Balboa.

Claudia Oshry [03:24]: "But the baby is Bowie. Everybody knows that."

Her candidness about pregnancy challenges, such as managing cravings during Passover, offers listeners an authentic glimpse into her personal life, fostering a deeper connection with the audience.

3. Navigating Passover During Pregnancy

The conversation shifts to the upcoming Passover holiday, where Claudia expresses her apprehensions about adhering to dietary restrictions while pregnant. Jackie and Claudia humorously debate the challenges of avoiding leavened bread and the impact on their diets.

Claudia Oshry [14:01]: "I'm feeling nervous. So for any of our listeners who are either new or don't know some of the rules of Passover, it's a beautiful time. It's a great holiday. But it is, like, 10 days where you're not supposed to eat any leavened. Is it?"

They discuss potential exemptions and alternatives within various Jewish denominations, highlighting Claudia's struggle with the stringent dietary rules.

Claudia Oshry [16:37]: "I think you're exempt."

The hosts share personal anecdotes about handling food cravings and maintaining a balanced diet during the holiday, blending humor with insightful commentary on cultural traditions.

4. Television Talk: Reality Shows and Bravo’s New Projects

Claudia and Jackie engage in an animated discussion about current reality TV shows, including "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," "Summer House," and the newly announced Bravo show "Next Gen NYC."

Claudia Oshry [30:31]: "And I have to say, like, Bravo does not do a good job of casting in New York City. It's just not something they succeed at."

They critique Bravo's casting decisions, expressing skepticism about the new cast members' ability to resonate with audiences. The hosts compare "Next Gen NYC" to past Bravo shows, questioning its potential success based on casting choices.

Jackie Oshry [34:12]: "I just feel like this show, it's got the makings. It just. It just has the cast, if the people are interesting and funny and witty and like."

The conversation extends to broader observations about reality TV trends and the challenges networks face in authentically portraying diverse urban settings like New York City.

5. Health Discussions: Keenan Thompson’s GERD Diagnosis

The hosts address a significant health announcement involving Keenan Thompson, highlighting his battle with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). They empathize with his situation, discussing the impact of GERD on daily life and mental health.

Claudia Oshry [48:25]: "But he learned that there's a real medical term for it and began making lifestyle changes and taking medicine to fight his GERD."

Claudia shares her own experiences with acid reflux during pregnancy, drawing parallels to Keenan's struggles and emphasizing the importance of seeking medical help for chronic conditions.

Claudia Oshry [48:25]: "So, like, this is a really hard thing to, like, go to the doctor and be like, is this more than the average?"

This segment underscores the hosts' commitment to discussing real and relatable health issues, fostering a supportive environment for listeners facing similar challenges.

6. Addressing Controversies: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Lawsuit

A contentious part of the episode involves Claudia and Jackie dissecting the public allegations made by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni regarding the filming of an intimate birthing scene. They analyze statements from Adam Monshein, the OBGYN involved, and debate the veracity of the claims.

Claudia Oshry [60:25]: "But maybe, like, you know, it's not by the book and it made her uncomfortable, but is that sexual harassment? I don't know. Yeah. I don't know."

Claudia expresses skepticism about the allegations, questioning the motivations behind the lawsuit and the professionalism of those involved. Jackie echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the subjective nature of comfort levels in such intimate settings.

Jackie Oshry [62:09]: "He has something to say back to this. And that's what we'll see in a trial. But the way things come out like this, very piecemeal."

The discussion reflects the hosts' nuanced approach to sensitive topics, balancing empathy with critical analysis of public statements and legal proceedings.

7. Sad News: Queen of Versailles and Personal Losses

The episode concludes on a somber note as Jackie and Claudia share the heartbreaking news of David Siegel, the patriarch of "Queen of Versailles," passing away, along with the subsequent tragic loss of his sister due to a drug overdose.

Jackie Oshry [63:13]: "So something really surprising news that I saw a few days ago is the Queen of Versailles has announced that her husband has passed away, David Siegel."

They reflect on the legacy of the Siegel family, reminiscing about the relatable portrayal of their affluent yet complex lives in the documentary. The hosts express their condolences and highlight upcoming Broadway adaptations, connecting personal loss to broader cultural narratives.

Claudia Oshry [66:37]: "I didn't know about all the other things, like, that they had a kid who passed away and then her sister, too. That's really sad."

This heartfelt segment underscores the show's commitment to addressing real-life events and emotional journeys, offering listeners a space to process alongside the hosts.

8. Sponsored Segments and Advertisements

Interspersed throughout the episode are sponsored segments promoting brands such as Olive Ave Jewelry, Roback, Rocket Money, Stamps.com, and Booking.com. These advertisements are seamlessly integrated into the conversation, with Jackie and Claudia sharing personal endorsements and experiences, maintaining the show's personable and authentic tone.

Conclusion

"7 Years of Pargiliciousness" serves as a comprehensive reflection on the hosts' seven-year journey, enriched with personal anecdotes, candid discussions on health and cultural traditions, critical analyses of media trends, and compassionate responses to significant news. Claudia and Jackie Oshry continue to engage their audience with authenticity and depth, making this episode a memorable landmark in the legacy of "The Toast."

Notable Quotes:

• Claudia Oshry [01:35]: "I'm really wiping, like, with a lot of intent. Do you know what I mean?"

• Jackie Oshry [19:03]: "Everything that we've done this show, even if we were in the middle of our change four years, like, we have changed at least once in the time that we've done this show."

• Claudia Oshry [16:37]: "I think you're exempt."

• Claudia Oshry [60:25]: "But maybe, like, you know, it's not by the book and it made her uncomfortable, but is that sexual harassment? I don't know. Yeah. I don't know."

• Jackie Oshry [63:13]: "So something really surprising news that I saw a few days ago is the Queen of Versailles has announced that her husband has passed away, David Siegel."

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the discussions, insights, and emotional undertones that define "The Toast."