Podcast Summary: "United We Swirl" – The Toast with Jackie & Claudia Oshry

Episode Date: Thursday, November 7th, 2024

Opening Banter: Thursday Feels Like Friday

The episode kicks off with Jackie and Claudia grappling humorously with the sensation that Thursday often feels more like Friday. Jackie remarks at [00:07] “Thursday. It should be a Friday, you guys. It's meant to be a Friday,” highlighting the common pre-weekend excitement. Claudia concurs, suggesting that significant events like elections would be better held on Thursdays to allow people to process results over the weekend ([00:28]).

Celebrating Jackie’s Birthday

Jackie shares a heartfelt recount of her recent birthday celebrations at [00:45]. She describes the day as “everything you could hope for in a day of just, like, good vibes, good times, good people.” Claudia adds a playful touch, mentioning Jackie’s “beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday” ([00:56]). Despite a humorous comment about Jackie having a “frog in her throat” ([01:10]), the birthday was filled with relaxation, including a massage and a stress-free dinner prepared by Olivia ([01:38]).

Navigating Social Media and Personal Interactions

The conversation shifts to online interactions and personal relationships. Jackie discusses a teasing comment she received about her voice, attributing it to a temporary throat issue ([01:14]). They also touch upon Olivia’s inquiries about being mentioned on the podcast, clarifying that any negative-sounding remarks were unintentional ([02:57]).

Book Club Spotlight: "God of the Woods"

Transitioning to literary discussions, Jackie and Claudia delve into the latest episode of their book club segment, "Redheads," focusing on the book "God of the Woods." Jackie praises the book, stating, “It's like the number one podcast, like, of Margo Ashre,” emphasizing its popularity and insightful content ([15:10]). Claudia expresses excitement about the book's themes and encourages listeners to engage with it ([15:46]).

Major Music News: Ariana Grande’s Career Shift

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Ariana Grande’s recent interview on Las Culturis podcast ([46:38]). The hosts analyze Ariana’s revelation about her career trajectory over the next decade, where she plans to shift focus from her intense pop career to musical theater and acting ([21:26]). Ariana expressed intentions to “reconnect with this part of myself who started in musical theater,” seeking fulfillment beyond songwriting and performing ([22:15]).

Claudia highlights Ariana’s honesty regarding the struggles of her previous album releases and her desire to pursue roles that nourish her creatively ([23:48]–[27:51]). The discussion underscores Ariana's authentic approach to her artistry, likening her potential Broadway success to Lady Gaga's multifaceted career ([27:51]).

Luke Combs’ Cover Mistake

Jackie shares an amusing story about country singer Luke Combs admitting a lyrical mistake in his cover of Tracy Chapman’s "Fast Car" ([30:28]). At [30:34], Luke confesses he sang “still gotta make a decision” instead of Chapman’s original “we gotta make a decision,” expressing regret and humorously stating he “wanted to crawl into a hole.” Claudia appreciates Luke’s integrity in maintaining the song's essence despite the error ([31:25]).

CMA Awards Performers Announcement

The hosts discuss the upcoming CMA Awards, highlighting exciting performer announcements such as Post Malone and Shaboozy ([35:47]). Claudia praises Lainey Wilson’s impressive vocal talent and grassroots following, while Jackie suggests Lainey’s potential for further success without heavy industry push ([37:35]–[38:28]).

Acting and Audition Stories

Jackie and Claudia share personal anecdotes about auditioning for acting roles ([57:18]). Claudia recounts her challenging experience auditioning for Law & Order: SVU, emphasizing the pressures and disconnect she felt during the process ([58:37]–[65:07]). The segment adds a relatable and humorous layer to the podcast, showcasing the hosts' vulnerabilities and camaraderie.

Closing Remarks and Interactive Fun

The episode concludes with playful interactions, including a mock audition scene from Titanic and reflections on the casting process of iconic shows like The Office ([53:38]–[62:17]). Jackie and Claudia wrap up by encouraging listeners to subscribe and engage with their content across various platforms ([65:07]–[66:53]).

Notable Quotes:

• Jackie on Thursday Feeling Like Friday: “[00:07] Thursday. It should be a Friday, you guys. It's meant to be a Friday.”

• Claudia on Partying Authenticity: “[23:12] And you can feel that, too. And I do appreciate that she's being honest about, like, bus club...”

• Ariana Grande on Career Plans: “[22:15] I think I love acting. I love musical theater. Reconnecting with this part of myself who started in musical theater...”

• Claudia on Luke Combs’ Mistake: “[31:25] And every time he performs the song, he thinks about that. And that’s just fudgeing real.”

• Jackie on Casting Director Insights: “[57:12] She's talking about her process and the history, the herstory, if I may...”

Conclusion

In "United We Swirl," Jackie and Claudia Oshry offer a blend of personal anecdotes, insightful discussions on entertainment and media, and engaging banter that resonates with listeners. From celebrating birthdays to dissecting Ariana Grande’s artistic evolution and sharing humorous audition stories, the hosts create a dynamic and relatable narrative. Their ability to weave humor with substantive conversations makes this episode both entertaining and enlightening for those who tune in.