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.