The Unplanned Podcast with Matt & Abby
Episode Summary: "Getting a puppy" (Nov 26, 2025)
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt and lively episode, Matt and Abby open up about the long, winding conversation around getting a puppy for their family. They explore the excitement, anxiety, conflicting advice from friends and family, and what bringing a dog would mean for their household. Alongside their signature humor and real-talk about relationships and parenting, they process the idea in real time, culminating in an on-air decision about whether to finally get "the dog."
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Dog Debate: Excitement, Fear, and “Decision Paralysis”
- The episode centers on Matt and Abby weighing the pros and cons of adding a dog to their family.
- Matt confesses he's become obsessed with the idea of seeing their boys grow up with a dog:
"I just got this vision of Griffin growing up with the dog and, like, going off to college." – Matt (01:33)
- Abby is torn, nervous about the logistics, especially being the one to handle wake-ups and potential messes:
"I'm scared. I feel like it's a big commitment. I'm like, I don't want to just do this impulsively." – Abby (49:58)
- They discuss at length the overwhelming opinions they've received from friends, family, and listeners—so much so that making a decision at all has become difficult:
“We invited the opinions, but now I'm sick of the opinions.” – Abby (01:31)
“We’re just paralyzed at this point because we’ve gotten so much feedback. We're just paralyzed. So who knows what will come of it?” – Abby (41:22)
Reflections on Family, Loss, and Resilience
- Abby shares candidly about their recent loss and how it reframed her view on life and planning for the future:
“In a way, I feel like this really aged me...it does. It just. It gave me a. A deeper perspective on life than I've ever had before." – Abby (05:06)
- Both Matt and Abby discuss how grieving together has strengthened their relationship and resolve to keep growing their family, whatever form it takes.
Parenting Humor and Heart
- The couple offers genuine and often hilarious snapshots of parenting young children—Griffin and Augie’s quirks, their “thankful turkey,” and how the boys see their parents.
- Notable quotes:
"My favorite thing is when you asked our boys what they're thankful for, the first thing Augie said: bad guys." – Matt (11:51)
- The joy of making their backyard a haven for outdoor play, including new additions like a half-pipe and citrus trees.
The “Backyard Adventure” – Playsets, HOAs, and Half-Pipes
- They share the saga of their elaborate backyard project—playsets, HOA violations, building a (real!) half-pipe, and surprising themselves with how much space they can fill:
“We have made so much use of the space...I want our kids and I want us to be outside as much as possible.” – Abby (26:11)
- A neighborly debate about HOAs arises, with Matt growing weary of their restrictions and Abby seeing the merits.
Acting on Dreams and Changing Paths
- A tangent on their past lives as “theater kids” is both funny and poignant:
“For me, I don’t know if it was like this for you, but it was also kind of the realization of, like, you gave up on that dream. Damn." – Matt (09:00)
- They reflect on shifting dreams—letting go of performing for family life—and how life’s costs and gains must be weighed thoughtfully.
Processing the Puppy Decision—Pros, Cons, and Real-Time Drama
- Practical worries are discussed: travel logistics, the burden of care, routines, and wanting any dog to be truly loved, not neglected:
"Get a dog for you, not for the kids... My dogs are the reason I stay grounded. They're my companions, not a gift to the household. Dogs need their humans." (Listener comment, read by Matt, 33:59)
- Potential parenting benefits and lessons in responsibility surface, but balanced by real doubts:
“You can’t get a puppy when you have a newborn.” – Abby (32:41)
- Abby: “What if we get a dog and it just takes away from time with the kids?”
Matt: “I think it depends on your kids’ ages... with Griffin right now, if I'm cleaning the backyard, he wants to help.” (44:03)
Help From the Peanut Gallery–Addie and Blake Weigh In
- Their sister-in-law Addie joins, providing practical (and enthusiastic) advice on owning, training, and traveling with dogs.
“Of course you should get a dog.” – Addie (52:33)
- The group discusses dog sitters versus family help, and the importance of being honest about the commitment.
- Addie: “We've been talking about this before you were ever even pregnant too...this is the perfect time." (59:16)
- Decision pressure amps up, with everyone alternating between excitement and nerves.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Abby on Parental Lessons:
"I would not get the dog for them...they have no frame of reference to like, consent to that. You know what I mean? Like, I do think that they could benefit a lot from having a dog, but ultimately the dog would be for us." (35:45) -
Matt, torn but dreaming:
"I just got this vision of Griffin growing up with the dog and, like, going off to college." (01:33) -
Abby, overwhelmed by external opinions:
“We invited the opinions, but now I’m sick of the opinions.” (01:31) -
The Pivot Toward Action:
“We just got this vision in our heads...I kind of want to go get it after the podcast. I want to go get a dog right now.” – Matt (01:39, also later at 44:25 and 57:05 for decision moments) -
Addie, pro-dog advocate:
"Of course you should get a dog." (52:33) -
Group Decision—The Big Send:
“I think we should send it. Let's just send it. It's a cute little golden retriever.” – Matt (55:00) -
Abby’s inner conflict during the final decision:
“I'm scared. Why are you scared? Because I feel like it's a big commitment. I'm like, I don't want to just do this impulsively.” (49:58)
Important Timestamps
- [01:29] Dog conversation starts, Matt & Abby verbalize decision fatigue
- [05:06] Abby reflects on loss and how adversity transforms perspective
- [09:00] Matt and Abby, nostalgia for theater and "giving up that dream"
- [18:00] Abby on work-life balance and the surprise of being a "career girl"
- [20:00] Matt and Abby vs. the HOA – playsets and backyard adventures
- [24:33] Building the half-pipe; Matt reminisces about skateboard dreams
- [26:11] Backyard now "essentially complete" and ready for family fun
- [29:10] Matt leaving for F1; Abby preps for kid and dog sitting
- [30:23] Why does getting a dog evoke such strong feelings from everyone?
- [32:41] Abby: "You can't get a puppy when you have a newborn."
- [33:59] Listener advice: 'Dogs need their humans'—read by Matt
- [36:33] Matt: "We still can't arrive at a conclusion... pump the brakes..."
- [41:36] Listener comment: "Golden retrievers are amazing..."
- [44:03] Matt’s emotional vision—dog and son growing up together
- [49:58] Abby: “I feel like it's a big commitment… impulsively.”
- [52:33] Addie joins, gives her pro-dog perspective
- [57:05] Matt, on air, pushes to get the dog right now—excitement peaks
- [59:16] Addie notes they've talked about this for years, not impulsive
- [61:03-61:08] Blake gives his blessing, closing out the emotional arc
Tone & Style Highlights
- Warm, conversational, and unfiltered—Matt and Abby’s willingness to process major life decisions publicly is both vulnerable and entertaining.
- Self-deprecating humor and relatable parenting anecdotes ground the episode.
- The couple over-analyses (and laughs at themselves for it), making decision paralysis a recurring, endearing theme.
Takeaway for Listeners
Matt & Abby's journey through the "dog dilemma" demonstrates just how complex family decisions can be—with practical concerns, emotional baggage, opinions galore, and a little chaos. Listeners will relate to the oscillation between wanting to “just send it” and the urge to overthink every scenario. By the end, listeners witness real-time decision-making, complete with all the fears, excitement, and loving bickering that make the Howards so magnetic.
If you’ve ever struggled with a “big family choice”—or just want to laugh along with two people figuring life out “unplanned”—this is a must-listen.
