The Toast – “Cackling Hags Back At It Again: Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025”

Hosts: Jackie & Claudia Oshry
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this high-energy, post–Labor Day episode, Jackie and Claudia ("Jax & Claude") reunite on The Toast after Claudia’s maternity leave. The conversation bounces through themes of motherhood, work-life balance, returning to routines, US Open tennis, pop culture headlines, reality TV recaps, and, of course, their signature comedic sisterly banter. The episode sets a lively, refreshingly candid tone as they talk about the joys and challenges of new motherhood, post-summer resets, major pop culture moments, and why they're embracing a new, more unfiltered era on the podcast.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Returning from Maternity Leave: Motherhood & Resetting

• Claudia returns after 3 months of maternity leave. She shares her emotional experience of re-entering work life as a new mom, highlighting both the challenges and excitement.
• Reset & new routines: Both hosts reflect on the post–Labor Day “reset energy,” likening it to “January 2nd” (post-New Year’s) or “January 6th” (chaotic restart).
  • [00:24] B: “Happy Tuesday. That feels like a Monday, but it also feels like a Friday ... I had a baby. We survived maternity leave.”
  • Both appreciate the structure and added value podcasting brings amid the chaos of parenting.
• Gratitude for their flexible jobs and for their Toast community, especially as working moms.
  • [03:13] B: “I feel like we have the best jobs ... we can make flex schedules.”
  • [03:38] A: “Doing this show just adds so much joy and value to my life.”
• Shout-out to global audience, especially Canadian “Toasters.”
  • [04:34] A: “They make up the majority of our global audience. They keep us global.”

2. US Open & Spritz Tennis Sponsorship

• Spritz’s surprise sponsorship: Claudia’s husband, Ben, sponsored an underdog American doubles team (Cash & Tracy), who unexpectedly beat a top-seeded Italian team—causing major excitement in the Spritz and Toast households.
  • [07:44] B: “Let me tell you, this match became so insane that they put it on primetime and not our American boys beating those Italian shits.”
  • Hosts highlight the patriotic, frat-like energy of the team: “They were hyping up the crowd ... I thought they were seriously going to funnel a beer.”
• Spritz brand pride: The team wears Spritz hats post-victory; Claudia and Ben plan to attend the next match.
  • [09:00] B: “Not them putting on their Spritz hats. It was so exciting ... this is the coolest thing.”

3. Summer Recap, Good Guys Ending & Sourdough Era

• “Good Guys” podcast is done; Ben starts making sourdough.
  • Sourdough starter drama (overflowing jars, marital stress) becomes a running gag.
    • [11:06] B: “There’s starter on my wall. There’s starter on the counter.”
  • Ben’s love of starting projects vs. finishing them is debated.
• Clutter vs. nesting: Both are in a post-vacation, purge state—getting rid of unused items after two months away.
  • [17:24] A: “When I see it, garbage. When I’m cleaning up, I’m not cleaning, I’m garbaging.”

4. Honest Conversations about Pregnancy & Podcasting

• Creating a “safe space” for bad moods in pregnancy: Recognizing the difficulty of maintaining cheer through fatigue and aches.
  • [13:03] B: “Nothing makes you more foul ... than waking up every single day, like, backache, no good sleep, heartburn.”
• Podcast as therapy: The show “forces” joy, laughter, and social connection, helping mental health during tough times.
  • [14:19] A: “Instead, I’m cackling ... it actually affects your mental health positively.”
• A “cackling hags” era: More unfiltered, less concerned with criticism.
  • [15:00] B: “You guys thought I didn’t care before. Like, I really don’t care. Oh, you have a problem with something I said? Cry about it.”
  • [15:19] B: “When you birth a child ... it puts things in perspective. It’s just a podcast.”

5. On Seasonal Shifts and Internet “Pumpkin Spice” Culture

• Claudia and Jackie voice anti–early-fall-content opinions, favoring an organic transition out of summer.
  • [15:59] B: “Everybody’s rushing the summer away ... I do not tolerate that type of Internet behavior.”
  • [17:03] A: “I sort of just let the process happen ... I’ll feel like entering fall.”

6. Pop Culture Lightning Round

- Fifth Harmony Reunion at Jonas Brothers Concert (Dallas) [29:01]

• Four members (minus Camila) performed “Work from Home” and “Worth It”
  • Performance described as nostalgic, but “a hot mess”—with choreography mishaps and wardrobe fails.
  • [31:31] B: “The cohesion was not. They were doing the same dance, but it was a different dance to each of them.”
  • Camila’s absence noted, but “her vocals were all over the track.”
  • Discussion of Normani’s squandered potential and Camila’s surprising “flopping” solo era.
  • [32:33] A: “But them coming back together and reminding us in 2025 that it’s a mess ... is bad for their stock.”
  • [35:28] B: “We’re going to call it on Normani ... she's not the next Beyoncé.”

- Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Engagement [43:43]

• Jason Kelce wants to be best man; debate over potential bachelor/bachelorette parties.
  • [40:08] A: “He’s hoping to be Travis’s best man at the wedding ... Travis has a lot of friends.”
  • They joke that this is the closest thing the US has to a “royal wedding.”
  • [43:22] B: “It is the closest thing in America that we have to a royal wedding.”
  • Also, speculation about Taylor’s bachelorette party guest list and desire for privacy.

- Sabrina Carpenter’s “Raunch Era” [44:25]

• Claudia and Jackie react to explicit lyrics on Sabrina’s new album, sharing both surprise and admiration for her boldness.
  • [45:15] B: “She’s dropped the innuendo ... just being extremely direct and clear. Like, hey, sex. You know, clitoris, penis.”
  • Both respect her for “standing on business” despite potential backlash.

- Harry Styles and Carole Radziwill: Viral Wedding Photo [46:55]

• Discusses a viral moment of Harry Styles helping Carole with her dress stairs at a glamorous wedding, noting the importance of documentation for credibility.
  • [49:18] B: “She’s such a good friend. ... If that was me, if I was Carole, I would be kissing.”
  • Carole’s Bravo comeback on “Watch What Happens Live” noted as another pop culture moment.

- Scooter Braun & Sydney Sweeney Dating Rumor [56:11]

• The duo discuss the rumor with skepticism but admit it would be a “cute summer fling.”
  • [57:50] B: “I just think she dates weird people ... this makes too much sense for her.”
  • Discussion of Sydney’s prior tabloid-entwined relationships.

- Vogue’s Next Editor-in-Chief: Chloe Ma [60:12]

• Anna Wintour is allegedly tapping Chloe Ma (Candace Bergen’s daughter) as the new American Vogue editor.
  • [60:46] B: “It’s a job you have for a while. … They could desperately use someone young.”
  • Conversation about nepotism (“Nepo babies”), credentials, and Victoria Beckham as a rumored possibility.

- Brooklyn Beckham & Nicola Peltz “Vow Renewal” & Chloe Grace Moretz Wedding [63:25]

• Brief discussion about Beckham-Peltz family drama and Chloe Grace Moretz marrying her wife—Blue wedding dress divided opinions.

7. Reality TV & Media Consumption

• Catching up on “Love is Blind” UK, “Love Island,” “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” and other shows.
  • In-depth recaps mostly saved for Patreon or future episodes.
  • [19:18] B: “We’ve been keeping up with pop culture on Patreon for the last eight weeks.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On motherhood & working:
  • [02:36] A: “A dichotomy of working mom.”
  • [03:00] B: “People think coal mining is hard. They’ve never been a stay at home mom.”
• On post-Labor Day energy:
  • [01:03] A: “It’s the first day back to work after Labor Day, after summer. It’s like a January 2nd.”
• On the Fifth Harmony reunion:
  • [33:04] A: “From afar, it looks like just a successful girl band. One of the best of the 21st century. … But them coming back together and reminding us in 2025 that it’s a mess is bad for their stock.”
• On podcasting post-baby:
  • [15:00] B: “You guys thought I didn’t care before. Like, I really don’t care. Oh, you have a problem with something I said? Cry about it.”
• On embracing authenticity:
  • [15:19] B: “When you birth a child ... it puts things in perspective ... it’s just a podcast.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|-------| | 00:24 | Claudia returns from maternity leave; show “reset” | | 04:34 | Shout-outs to Canadian/global listeners | | 06:44 | US Open: The Spritz athletes story | | 10:15 | Ben’s sourdough journey | | 13:01 | Space for pregnancy struggles on-air | | 15:00 | Claudia’s post-maternity “I don’t care” era | | 15:59 | “Rushing the summer away” online culture | | 29:01 | The Fifth Harmony reunion breakdown | | 43:43 | Jason Kelce’s “best man” hope, Taylor & Travis wedding speculation | | 44:25 | Sabrina Carpenter’s “raunchy” album lyrics | | 46:55 | Harry Styles helps Carole Radziwill at wedding (viral photo) | | 56:11 | Scooter Braun & Sydney Sweeney dating rumors | | 60:12 | Vogue’s next editor-in-chief: Chloe Ma | | 63:25 | Beckham-Peltz vow renewal and Chloe Grace Moretz wedding | | 68:13 | Plans for more TV recaps; episode wrap-up |

Conclusion

This episode marks a strong, re-energized return for The Toast after summer break and Claudia’s maternity leave. With their trademark wit, relatability, and “cackling hags” energy, Jackie and Claudia keep listeners up-to-date on their personal lives and all things pop culture. The sisters strike a balance between candid vulnerability and hilarious, hyper-current commentary—making for an engaging listen that sets the tone for a new era of “not that serious,” unfiltered podcasting.