The Toast – "Rumors and Nastiness": Friday, January 9th, 2025
Hosts: Jackie & Claudia Oshry
Published: January 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Toast" is a classic Friday catch-up, brimming with the duo’s signature mix of pop culture tea, sisterly banter, and lively audience engagement. Jackie and Claudia discuss everything from heartbreaking documentaries and viral celebrity drama to changes in their book club podcast, reflect on internet rumors, and dive into the week's pop culture headlines. The episode is titled "Rumors and Nastiness," a nod to both Real Housewives lore and the recent wave of online rumors and listener feedback directed at the hosts.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. New Year Reflections & Personal Updates

• Jackie and Claudia celebrate surviving the first week of the new year.
• Claudia talks about watching the "very upsetting" documentary, The Perfect Neighbor (01:09), which deeply affected her, emphasizing the importance of "protecting your peace".

  "It was the first documentary I've ever seen without any interviews...it was comprised of police body camera footage." – Claudia [01:24]

• Jackie started reading Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand simply for fun—not for her book club, The Redheads.

2. Book Talk & The Redheads Podcast Updates

• Extensive praise for Elin Hilderbrand, characterized as a trustworthy and reliable author.
• Tribute to Sophie Kinsella, who passed away from brain cancer, and her influence on Jackie and the pod.

  "She was seriously one of a kind." – Jackie [04:35]

• Claudia and Jackie lament the era when book-to-film adaptations felt special, and discuss adaptations from Confessions of a Shopaholic to Game of Thrones (05:26–06:25).
• Jackie announces changes to The Redheads: rotating episode leadership and standardized recording times to help with consistency and sustainability (07:46–08:42).

3. Commentary on Online Critique & Rumor Addressing

• The hosts directly address listener comments criticizing the show’s ad-to-content ratio (11:39–13:28).

  "The amount of ads we had ran about 7 minutes and 30 seconds. And that's actually not 30%, it's about 15. Actually, I think it's 12." – Claudia [11:51]

• They compare the podcast ad ratios to TV industry standards and defend their choices.
• Joking reference to "rumors and nastiness" as a phrase—drawn from Real Housewives of Salt Lake City—and Meredith’s accent and a new card game based on the catchphrase.

4. Singing, Shyness, and Fame

• Claudia and Jackie banter about singing ability and cover Miley Cyrus’ song, leading to playful shade and a mock-dramatic "walk-off" (15:13–16:55).

  "You think you and Miley...there are some artists who you should sing their songs, because you have this...you're in the same key." – Jackie [15:45]

• Claudia mock-admits her "shyness," reflecting on how fame has made her more reserved in social situations (17:07–18:22).
• Claudia jokes about launching "Koji’s Corner," a future music class for kids.

5. Fast Five Stories (Pop Culture Segment)

[Segment Intro ~20:48]

1. Celebrity Mom Group Drama Update (24:02)

• Meghan Trainor posts a TikTok referencing the drama; Mandy Moore praises Hillary Duff’s husband, reflecting support for Duff over Ashley Tisdale.
• Discussion on rumors that Tisdale’s fallout stems from her behavior during California wildfires.

  "When you already don't like someone, you find fault in everything they post..." – Jackie [26:45]

• Claudia and Jackie agree the entire drama validates the group’s decision to exclude Tisdale (27:41).

2. Zach Bryan’s New Album & Ex-Bashing (29:40)

• The hosts discuss Zach Bryan’s album, lyrics targeting ex Bailey (“Chicken Fry”), and his marriage and sobriety journey.

  "He just also is, like, an abuser. Holding space for two truths." – Claudia [32:41]

3. Houston Rodeo Lineup Hype (33:05)

• Kelly Clarkson and Rascal Flatts to perform; the sisters concoct elaborate (and comedy-fueled) RV trip plans to attend, with stops in Alabama and Florida (35:01–41:08).
• They reminisce about a Jewish song, “Minyan Man,” and joke about show stops and the never-gonna-happen RV trip.

4. Kardashian Money Splitting Philosophy (45:02)

• Discussion of Khloe Kardashian’s comments on not Venmo-ing her sisters, instead rotating who pays for things.
• Jackie and Claudia compare this with their own sibling financial dynamic and muse on the scale of Kardashian expenses.

5. Kendall Jenner Addresses Lesbian Rumors (49:19)

• Kendall goes on-record to say she’s not gay, would have no problem coming out, and reflects on rumors and her “private” romantic life.

  "At this point in my life, I'd be out if I was." – Kendall Jenner (as paraphrased by Jackie) [50:49]

• Side discussion on "Gaylor" theories about Taylor Swift, with wild internet speculation about Swift’s relationships and "the fiddler".

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Book Adaptations:
  "I miss the days where books were, like, very rarely adapted into movies and TV shows. Now it's, like, the only films...it's just not good." – Claudia [05:29]

• On Internet Critique:
  "I just didn't appreciate, like, people coming for my bag. So I'm always mindful of it. You don't need to be." – Claudia [11:28] "If you wanna come for ads to content ratio, like, you can't start with us." – Jackie [13:10]

• On Sister Dynamics and Fame:
  "When you're not shy, there's so much pressure on you...Dance, monkey, dance!" – Claudia [17:07] "I've become, like, a little bit more closed off...Fame is toxic. It's not toxic, but it's very hard to operate." – Claudia [18:22]

• On Shabbat RV Planning:
  "We walked around the town wondering what to do, 'cause Shabbos is no time to be feeling blue..." (Claudia singing "Minyan Man") [38:44]

• On Celebrity Brand Promotion:
  "If they're making content with their own stuff...throw the box away. We're on to you. And I do feel like Kylie uses a lot of her own products." – Claudia [61:44]

Queenie & Weenie of the Week

[Segment begins: 56:27]

• Weenie of the Week: Ashley Tisdale French, for her handling of the mom group drama and subsequent PR attempts.

  "She wanted attention, and she got it." – Jackie [57:16]

• Honorary Weenie Mention: Haylie Duff for a supporting role in the drama.
• Queenie of the Week:
  • Claudia: Alex Earl, for being a positive force and teasing her upcoming venture, likely in skincare (59:00).
  • Jackie: Kylie Jenner, for Critics Choice Awards appearance and support for Timothée Chalamet.

Other Highlights & Timestamps

• Elin Hilderbrand book chat, favorite authors: 03:11–03:41
• Sophie Kinsella tribute and book adaptation rants: 04:25–06:25
• Redheads Podcast changes and book club recs: 07:46–09:45
• Fast Five pop culture stories start: 20:48
• RV trip/road show bits: 34:08–41:12
• What is “bean soup theory” on TikTok: 65:09

Tone & Style

As ever, the episode is a mix of sharp pop culture insight, playful teasing between sisters, callback humor, and warm encouragement to listeners (“Protect your peace!” and “It’s never too late to become a Redhead!”). The fast-paced banter and inside jokes cater to loyal listeners while serving up just enough context for new ones. Far from shying away from criticism, the hosts confront it head-on, blending transparency with comedy and a dash of self-aware shade.

Summary Takeaways

This episode is quintessential Toast: a blend of real-time commentary on internet culture and celebrity rumors, meta-reflection on podcasting itself, and the sisters’ ever-evolving personal/professional lives. Whether you’re here for the book talk, the Real Housewives references, the Kardashian tea, or just to laugh at an RV trip that’ll never happen, "Rumors and Nastiness" captures all the chaos and charm Toast listeners expect.

For more, catch the full Fast Five stories and Queenie/Weenie awards between 20:48 and the episode’s end!