The Toast | “Smartless Presents - Peerless”

Date: February 3, 2026
Hosts: Jackie & Claudia Oshry
Episode Overview:
On this lively Tuesday episode of The Toast, Jackie and Claudia dabble in their typical banter, dig deep into pop culture, react to recent entertainment news, and respond to listener advice emails. The girls discuss everything from mall culture and fashion shopping, to viral celebrity moments, Smartless podcast drama, and a review of friendship dynamics. The tone is witty, self-aware, occasionally irreverent, and always intimate with their “Toaster” fanbase.

Main Theme & Purpose

The episode celebrates female friendship, sharp pop culture commentary, and candid, comedic reflections on daily life. This Tuesday’s installment also pivots around the “peerless” nature of their show (in a playful jab at “Smartless”), and features robust conversation about current events in entertainment, personal anecdotes, and listener Q&A. The tone toggles easily between light-hearted fun, emotional vulnerability, and spicy opinions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mall Shopping, Clothing, and Nostalgia (00:24-03:43)

• Claudia updates listeners on her mall shopping trip, highlighting affordable fashion finds from Mango, and the oddities of modern mall culture.
• Jackie bemoans the decline of traditional malls, comparing today’s mega-malls to theme parks, referencing the American Dream Mall’s financial woes.
• Fashion Talk: The sisters riff on clothing sizes and the quest for cozy but stylish shirts, swapping stories about “cable knit” and the much-beloved “Rory Gilmore sweater.”
• Quote (Claudia, 00:55):
  “I want to shout out Mango for having reasonably priced clothing that is not ugly. I think that's important.”

2. Baths, Self-care, and the Victorian Woman Energy (03:45-06:31)

• Jackie shares her rare experience of taking a bath as a form of self-care, humorously dramatizing the aftermath (“I need to then lay down”).
• Claudia recounts the ordeal of bath pillows becoming smelly and their high maintenance requirements.
• The girls riff on Victorian woman stereotypes and the luxury (or impracticality) of “yearly baths.”
• Quote (Jackie, 04:44):
  “Washing your hair is for the shower. That's an Olympic sport. Washing your hair in the tub... I take a really hot bath, so when I get up, you get like dizzy.”

3. Family, Friendship, and Parenting Real Talk (06:32-13:16)

• Claudia updates on Taylor Strecker’s new baby and the “dad” label drama on the birth certificate (“she's literally about to get a tool belt”).
• Both reflect on the challenge of being new moms, the emotional push and pull between soaking up the baby phase vs. feeling overwhelmed.
• They discuss how keeping busy (mall trips, social outings) is emotionally necessary for new mothers.
• Quote (Jackie, 09:00):
  “I'm definitely overwhelmed, but I think, like, busy is good.”

4. Couples vs Girls’ Night Debate (11:36-12:56)

• Claudia laments Ben’s lack of socialization during her South Florida trip, considering a couples outing to get him out of “house fr” mode.
• Jackie votes for girls-only dinners due to the hassle and preference for relaxation when husbands are home.

5. Rascal Flatts Fangirling & Viral Concert Drama (13:21-17:19)

• The two gear up for an upcoming Rascal Flatts concert, animatedly addressing lead singer Gary LeVox’s recent viral “hootin’ and hollerin’” off-key performance.
• They defend Gary’s legacy, calling for “grace” and pushing back on negativity online.
• Claudia outlines her three requests for Rascal Flatts: 1) Front row tickets, 2) Add “How They Remember You” to the setlist, 3) Stop giving the microphone to the crowd during the best parts of the song.
• Playful naming debate for Rascal Flatts fans: “rascalitas,” “flatistas,” “flat earthers.”
• Quote (Claudia, 14:25):
  “That’s such a negative society we live in. If he crushes it night after night, he gets no accolades. And the one time he’s off, it’s everywhere.”

6. Controversial Pop Culture Headlines (Fast 5 Stories, 22:57 onward)

A. Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother (22:58-25:12)

• Discussion of the ongoing mystery as Savannah Guthrie’s elderly mother is missing, possibly kidnapped.
• The two share their horror and emotional reactions to the story.
• Quote (Claudia, 24:46):
  “So sad. Like, I think, like every, like, person's worst nightmare.”

B. Kelly Clarkson Ending Her Talk Show (25:26-28:36)

• Kelly announces The Kelly Clarkson Show will end after its seventh season.
• The hosts discuss Kelly’s motivation (family priorities, possible burnout) and agree she’s going out on top; they look forward to more music and maybe a limited tour.
• Quote (Jackie, 27:05):
  “A job like that, you have to give so much of yourself and it's very, like, depleting on your battery. I think she wants to give all of that at home.”

C. Charlie Puth on Songwriting & Iconic Songs (29:30-32:35)

• Claudia, after a viral Rolling Stone podcast clip, praises Charlie Puth’s musical opinions and taste (listing “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls and “Real Slim Shady” as perfectly written songs).
• Jackie and Claudia reflect on songwriting and celebrity; praise for Puth grows (“his musical capabilities are so impressive, but he’s not the biggest star”).

D. Smartless Podcast & Charli XCX Interview “Controversy” (32:45-38:34)

• The sisters address social media backlash over Jason Bateman pressing Charli XCX about her non-desire for kids.
• Both defend the hosts and Charli XCX, saying it was a normal conversation, and criticize “keyboard warriors.”
• Quote (Claudia, 36:36):
  “And if she was, I think they would’ve probably cut it out… If you’re too scared to ask a question, seriously don’t have a podcast.”

E. Eddie Murphy’s Son & Martin Lawrence’s Daughter Expecting Baby (38:50-39:51)

• Surprise and amusement at the fun celebrity family union and the “pressure for the baby to be funny.”

7. Music Nostalgia Tangent – Michael Jackson, Queen, Paula Abdul (41:11-47:48)

• Wild detour into classic music, fueled by memories of American Idol, Glee covers, and iconic stars.
• Brief discussion about the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic and the problematic ignoring of his darker legacy.
• Quote (Claudia, 46:19):
  “He really should have started with the man in the mirror, that Michael—change starts from within.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On mall nostalgia and shirt sizes:
  “Strong, small, medium, large—that’s crazy. Small, medium, large. What about other sizes outside of that?” (Claudia, 00:55)

• On workplace burnout & motherhood:
  “It's just, like, crazy how I literally convalesced for three months after I had Howie. ... Now it's like, I really—the bubble is bursting.” (Jackie, 09:35)

• On defending Gary LeVox’s rough night:
  “Like, sorry. He tried something different; don’t make fun of the girl who took a chance.” (Claudia, 14:37)

• On Kelly Clarkson closing her show:
  “There's nothing worse than, like, ending your show because the ratings stink. To go out on top after seven very successful seasons...” (Claudia, 27:32)

• On modern male-female dating dynamics:
  “In culture, we’re at an inflection point. ... Men are not asking women out, men are not leaving the house. ... I feel like a lot of women are forced to take matters into their own hands.” (Claudia, 63:20)

• On podcast uniqueness:
  “That’s why the toast is without peer. I would say we are Peerless because we do a little bit of all of it. They're Smartless, we're Peerless.” (Jackie, 38:23)

Advice Segment: “Dear Toasters” (57:22-69:44)

1. Dilemma: Husband’s late mother’s cat is aggressive; new baby on the way.

   • Both agree firmly that the cat should be rehomed—prioritizing mom’s and baby’s health and safety.
   • “It’s not a democracy; this is happening. Get on board.” (Jackie, 59:27)

2. Dilemma: Attracted to dentist; how to make a move?

   • Caution: First, check if he’s married.
   • Be willing to change dentists if he rejects you. The girls advise directness if you pursue the crush.
   • “Instead of asking your friend to DM him, ask your friend who her dentist is.” (Claudia, 63:02)

3. Dilemma: Should I tell my holistic boyfriend I’m on Ozempic?

   • Debate between privacy vs. transparency in relationships; ultimately, both advise telling him.
   • “You don’t want to feel like you’re hiding something from him. … at two years, I think he has a right to know the medications his partner’s on.” (Jackie, 69:28)

Tone, Style, and Unique Moments

• Warm sibling banter with a playful but honest tone.
• Frequent tongue-in-cheek jabs at podcasting rivals (“Smartless presents Peerless”).
• Willingness to poke fun at themselves and each other (“I just didn’t want to insult dentists!”).
• Musical tangents and asides, including spontaneous singing and Glee nostalgia.
• Blunt, supportive advice that rarely minces words.

Timestamps for Main Segments

• Intro/Mall Discussion: 00:24–03:43
• Baths & Self-Care: 03:45–06:31
• Parenting & Friendship: 06:32–13:16
• Rascal Flatts: 13:21–17:19
• Fast 5 Stories Begin: 22:57
  • Savannah Guthrie’s mom: 22:57–25:12
  • Kelly Clarkson: 25:26–28:36
  • Charlie Puth/Songwriting: 29:30–32:35
  • Smartless Podcast Drama: 32:45–38:34
  • Murphy/Lawrence Baby: 38:50–39:51
• Classic Songs Tangent: 41:11–47:48
• Advice Segment: 57:22–69:44

Takeaway

A typical Toast episode brimming with wit, relatability, and a pop culture lens on daily life. Claudia and Jackie’s conversations flip deftly from trendy to timeless, creating a unique space in podcasting: self-aware, unfiltered female friendship that’s as fun as it is “peerless.”