The Toast — "Joy, Light & Positivity"

Hosts: Jackie & Claudia Oshry
Release Date: September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively episode of The Toast centers on embracing joy, light, and positivity during the special ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as the hosts reflect on cultural traditions, personal updates, celebrity news, and a detailed Dancing with the Stars recap. Jackie and Claudia balance candid moments about their lives with witty commentary on top trending stories, guided by their trademark humorous banter.

Main Segments & Key Insights

1. The Ten Days of Awe — Personal Reflections & Jewish Traditions

Timestamps: 00:36–03:13

• Jackie and Claudia discuss how they're on their "best behavior" during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, acknowledging how this period traditionally urges self-improvement and kindness.
• Jackie jokes about struggling to avoid gossip (lashon hara) even in synagogue:

  “I literally kept very into lush and her up… which is like a huge sin and you're really not supposed to do it. And I kept, like, leaning over and being like, oh my God. And I literally had to stop myself.” (01:21)

• Both share family experiences at synagogue, with Jackie attending services and Claudia wrangling toddlers in the playground.
• Notable Moment: During synagogue, someone’s water broke but, due to UN Week traffic in Manhattan, she had to give birth in an ambulance parked outside—an event that leads to laughs and memories about urban life.

2. Personal Updates: Work Woes & Future Plans

Timestamps: 03:56–07:06

• Claudia reveals a major inconvenience: her office building’s AC will be out for the remainder of the year. She humorously reads the building’s blasé notification email, sparking discussion on logistics, studio setups, and the appeal of decamping to Florida or even "abroad sabbaticals."
• Jackie is preparing for maternity leave, and Claudia assures listeners that the show won’t be going on hiatus again, promising guest-hosted and travel episodes during the transition.

3. Behind-the-Scenes Toast: Wedding Q&A, Reflection on ‘Cancel Culture’

Timestamps: 08:09–11:14

• The sisters recount recording a special Patreon wedding Q&A, which unexpectedly led them to revisit their own 2018 cancellation:

  “We ended up doing quite possibly the scariest thing on the planet… we just ended up talking about our cancellation. Because all roads in life lead back to the time we truly got canceled in 2018.” (09:25)

• They recall deeper emotions tied to their personal milestones, such as navigating engagements amidst public drama, and offer relatable encouragements about parenting milestones and not comparing child development.

4. Fast 5 Stories: The Must-Know News

Timestamps: 14:26 onward

Story 1: Jimmy Kimmel Returns

Timestamps: 20:42–27:35

• After a four-day suspension due to controversy, Jimmy Kimmel returns to late night, delivering an emotional but unapologetic monologue.
• Hosts recap industry history, noting similar past firings (notably Chris Harrison and Bill Maher) and musing on the future of late night TV.

  "It wasn't a listen and learn, do better moment." — Claudia (23:06)

• Discussion touches on shifting audience tastes, network internal politics, and how high-profile suspensions impact viewership.

Story 2: Rihanna Welcomes Baby Girl

Timestamps: 27:38–34:01

• Announcement: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky welcomed their third child, a girl named Rocky. Hosts riff on the confusion (naming a daughter after her dad), recall anecdotes about pet-naming confusion, and playfully dissect naming conventions.
• Claudia muses about siblings sharing similar name sounds:

  "Growing up all the time, when somebody would, like, shout across the house, Olivia, Claudia. I never knew if they were talking to me or Olivia…" (31:48)

Story 3: Stassi Schroeder Turns on Meghan Markle (and Mentions The Toast)

Timestamps: 34:02–44:13

• Stassi Schroeder publicly criticizes Meghan Markle after not receiving PR gifts (while Jackie & Claudia did)—even though Stassi has defended Meghan more loyally:

  "She said Meghan cares, like, more about what her haters think of her than her fans. If she's trying to, like, court people who, like, don't love her, and she's not tending to those who do." (37:35)

• Jackie and Claudia clarify there’s no beef with Stassi, and they commiserate about the irrational world of celebrity PR and influencer relationships. Jackie shares her own stance on Kelly Clarkson fandom, noting, sometimes, loving a public figure is about the joy it brings, not reciprocity.

Story 4: Taylor Swift Stalker Update

Timestamps: 50:16–55:37

• Taylor Swift is granted a five-year restraining order against a stalker repeatedly showing up at her LA home.
• The hosts speculate this may explain her reduced public appearances during the album and football season, referencing the broader challenges and ongoing anxiety caused by stalkers—even for celebrities with robust security protocols.

  "It's great that she had a restraining order, but, like, crazy people don't care about a piece of paper." — Claudia (52:36)

• Side discussion: Taylor’s potential falling out with Blake Lively and the ripple effects of legal drama on public personas.

Story 5: Dancing with the Stars Recap

Timestamps: 56:19–74:34

• An animated analysis of the week’s eliminations, performances, and ongoing voting confusion.
• Critiques:
  • The voting process is excessively convoluted (“Even if they told me they got 1 billion votes, I would not give a—It’s not a slay.” — Jackie, 58:16)
  • Partner match-ups can greatly advantage or disadvantage contestants
• Highlights:
  • Danielle Fishel powers through a hamstring injury.
  • Alex Earl is described as improving impressively, mastering stage presence.
  • Andy Richter’s comedic presence is a fan favorite.
  • The hosts heap praise on Elaine Hendricks and Whitney Leavitt, noting choreography and performance quality.
• Broader complaints about show structure—lack of standardized dance themes and rushed eliminations.

Notable Quotes

• On choosing kindness during the High Holidays:
  “We have to be nice. Like, our lives depend on it.” — Jackie (01:17)

• On cancel culture & public platforms:
  “Because all roads in life lead back to the time we truly got canceled in 2018.” — Claudia (09:25)

• On late night TV’s future:
  “It is this sort of old school format that isn't going to be around forever. It is being replaced...” — Claudia (25:29)

• On the chaos of DWTS voting:
  “Even if they told me they got 1 billion votes, I would not give a—It’s not a slay.” — Jackie (58:16)

• On Taylor’s stalker fears:
  “It's great that she had a restraining order, but, like, crazy people don't care about a piece of paper.” — Claudia (52:36)

Memorable Moments

• Unexpected synagogue story: A woman’s water breaks during services, but due to UN Week traffic, must give birth in an ambulance.
• Office AC Fiasco: Claudia’s dramatic reading of a building email turns a mundane facility update into podcast gold.
• Celebrity PR Drama: The saga of who gets sent Meghan Markle’s jam becomes a comedic reflection on the randomness of influencer perks.
• Dancing with the Stars hot takes: The sisters’ blend of insider knowledge and viewer frustration on DWTS logistics and pairings delivers some of the episode’s sharpest laughs.

Episode Flow & Energy

Jackie and Claudia speak in their signature quick back-and-forth, peppering takes with affectionate teasing and self-aware humor. Despite the underlying personal challenges (being on "best behavior," prepping for maternity, work stress), their tone remains upbeat, candid, and relatable, creating a warm, plugged-in sense of community for loyal listeners.

For New Listeners

This episode typifies The Toast:

• Insightful pop culture breakdowns (always with a twist)
• Personal anecdotes that invite the audience “behind the velvet rope”
• A balance of light-heartedness and real-talk, especially around parenting, work-life, and the oddities of influencer culture
• Witty, memorable soundbites sure to fuel inside jokes among "Toasters"

Skip:

• Extended ad reads (content resumes around 20:42 for Fast 5 stories)

Best for:
Fans of sisterly banter, those craving a pulse on pop culture, or anyone who wants a fun, personality-packed recap of news, trends, and reality TV highlights—delivered with genuine warmth and self-deprecating wit.