E1037 – Special Forces Reunion

Summary

The Viall Files – Special Forces Reunion

Episode 1037 (November 21, 2025)
Host: Nick Viall
Guests: Sean Johnson East, Andrew East, Cody Brown, Brianna LaPaglia, Gia Giudice

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Episode Overview

In this lively and revealing reunion episode, Nick Viall sits down with the finalists of Fox's Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test to unpack the raw realities behind filming, the psychological and emotional journey of competing, and the bonds formed through shared adversity. Finalists Brianna LaPaglia, Gia Giudice, Sean Johnson East, Andrew East, and Cody Brown reflect on the challenges, untold stories, powerful personal growth, and the nuances of relationships—both on and off the screen.

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Main Discussion Points, Insights, & Memorable Quotes

1. Initial Reactions and Mindset Going Into Special Forces

• Kicking Off with Finalists: The group shares disbelief and admiration about making the finale, referencing survival mentality and camaraderie.
  • Quote:
    “Did you ever think you would be here?” – Sean [02:35]
  • Quote:
    “Every day, just to get back on camp and make it to the morning. Once we get back on our cots and the lights go out, we can survive another day.” – Brianna LaPaglia [02:49]
• Motivations: Nick spotlights the mental toughness required since all participants could quit at any time.
  • Quote:
    "I have a lot of respect for all of you because it takes a certain type of mentality and resilience." – Nick [05:44]

2. Why Did You Keep Going?

• The ‘Why’ for Each Finalist:
  • Gia: Found the challenges thrilling and leaned on group motivation.
    • Quote:
      “We all told each other, we’re not leaving… we really motivated each other.” [06:38]
  • Brianna: Proud of getting through daily torture; felt quitting meant giving up on herself.
    • Quote:
      “After each day, you truly felt so proud of yourself. I don’t know if you can feel that anywhere else.” [06:39]
  • Sean: Wanted to prove to herself she could still commit after Olympic success and motherhood.
    • Quote:
      “I wanted to prove to myself that I could… I’ll see my babies in 10 days.” [08:11]
  • Andrew: Humbled after expecting to excel physically, but realized the show risks real injury.
    • Quote:
      “So quickly humbled… you can get legitimately injured. I cracked a rib, my nose got busted up.” [09:34]
  • Cody: Driven by curiosity and “sheer elation” — loved each new challenge despite the aftermath.
    • Quote:
      “I was geeking out on the mere experience of having done it and survived.” [11:31]

3. Toughest Unseen Moments from the Show

• Grueling, Un-aired Events:
  • ‘Suicide’ Workout: A mountain run and repeated suicides caused physical and emotional breakdowns.
    • Quote:
      “We all almost died… It was my fault.” – Gia [14:28]
    • *“There were multiple times where me and Bri would look at each other and just be like, are we quitting right now?” – Gia [16:32]
  • Canyon Hike: A six-hour trek with dangerous cliffs and little safety oversight.
    • Quote:
      “We're not hooked up to anything on the side of a cliff… If someone in the back fell, we’d have died.” – Brianna [19:00]
• Physical Preparation:
  • Brianna: “I went on a half mile run the week before. I have to quit vaping. So I did on the day that we started the show.” [17:22]
  • Gia: Struggled most with endurance, not strength.

4. The Importance of DS (Directing Staff) and Their Psychological Approach

• Bonding & Seeking DS Approval:
  • Gia bonded most with Q; Brianna credited Billy for support during panic-inducing challenges.
  • Andrew admired Foxy; Cody found Rudy’s charisma most compelling.
    • Quote:
      “Billy was like—he was my God in that show. He really helped me a lot.” – Brianna [22:01]
• DS Psychological Tactics:
  • The DS’s ability to read, push, and support them was universally praised.
    • Quote:
      “They really knew how to, like, push and pull back.” – Nick [82:49]
  • The DS provided feedback that stuck; e.g., criticizing Andrew for being too protective of Sean, and Sean for being ‘robotic’—a trait learned from gymnastics:
    • Quote:
      “Verbally, we were taught emotion is weakness… But is it really?” – Sean recounting Foxy’s advice [81:12]

5. Interrogation Room and Lying Challenges

• Andrew’s Infamous ‘Glitch’:
  • Couldn’t maintain the fabricated alibi, revealing his honest nature.
    • Quote:
      “I can’t live in this web of lies. I was just not made for that environment.” – Andrew [26:46]
    • Sean: “The psychiatrist was literally giggling. He said, ‘I have never seen someone so bad at lying. Like, you’re just a good guy.’” [28:03]
  • Cody’s Silent Strategy:
    • Quote:
      “I just went silent. I didn’t know what else to do.” [29:48]

6. Personal Growth & Resilience

• Brianna’s In-Show Transformation:
  • Nick lauded her decision-making and refusal to let others control her path.
    • Quote:
      “I’ve always bet on myself, and I have created such an amazing life for myself all on my own.” – Brianna [33:09]
    • Sean to Brianna: “I hope that our daughters have the resiliency you do, because, like, you doubted yourself through the whole show, but you kept getting back up.” [35:07]
• Gia’s Solo Triumph:
  • Proud to finish without her mom; visibility for her family.
    • Quote:
      “I was happy to do it alone… You felt so proud after.” – Gia [40:00]

7. Relationship and Family Dynamics

• Cody Brown: Reflections on Divorce and Polygamy

  • Became more humble post-show and tries to heal familial rifts, recognizing he’s the “common denominator.”
    • Quote:
      “Special Forces was so humiliating… I came home feeling very, very humble.” [49:59]
  • Explains impact of TV, emotional cost of multiple divorces, and ongoing attempts at connection.
    • Quote:
      “There’s a lot of personalities, and everyone played a role in the breakup of the family, but as kind of the patriarch… it’s my responsibility.” – Nick [50:48], Cody: “The common denominator was me. I’ve had to do a lot of soul reflection.” [51:27]
  • Discussed gender criticisms received from DS; transparency about struggling post-divorces.
    • Quote:
      “You can’t come out of three divorces and not struggle a bit with some kind of mental illness.” [57:30]

• Sean & Andrew (Marriage/Couple Support):

  • Treat marriage like a high-performance athletic partnership.
    • Quote:
      “We would approach our marriage like we did athletics, with as much intentionality in protecting it and taking care of it as we can.” – Sean [78:34]
    • Nick: “I love the way you guys talk about it has to be intentional. You have to wake up and decide to prioritize your partner.” [80:19]

• Brianna on Her Father:

  • Emotional reflection on her father’s support shaping her self-worth and confidence.
    • Quote:
      “Your first love in your life is your dad, your first best friend… He created a relationship which was an open door.” [43:15]
  • Andrew emphasized the importance of “quantity time” in relationships, inspired by Bri’s donut story.
    • Quote:
      “The quantity time matters too… her just hanging with her dad… was so powerful.” [88:30]

8. Bizarre and Unexpected Behind-the-Scenes Moments

• Bathroom Logistics, Bizarre Meals, and Realities:
  • Cody's nightly mouth taping, supplement haul, and bathroom improvisations.
    • Quote:
      “I found a hole in the tent… In a water bottle – or there was vent holes… in five minutes it’d be dry.” – Cody [68:28]
  • Hardest meal: bland chicken sausages, carrot “soup”, hard bread—everyone survived on jam.
    • Quote:
      "We would just eat bread… the jam was the best part.” – Brianna [71:13]
• Cheating/Snack Box Debacle:
  • Unwittingly ate DS’s snack box, resulting in group punishment.
    • Quote:
      “We all, like, start celebrating and none of us—Chanel only to my—none of us questioned that it said DS Room on it.” – Cody [73:02]
• Tunnels and Claustrophobia: Several contestants had breakdowns during the tunnel challenge.
  • Quote:
    “You don’t know you’re claustrophobic until you’re in that situation.” – Host 2 [75:01]
  • Quote:
    “I was, like, panic mode… I guess there was a moment where I was like, I can’t do it if this goddamn helmet is on my head.” – Brianna [74:13]

9. Impact & Next Steps for the Cast

• Post-show Reflections and Growth:
  • Most finalists report stronger self-image, emotional growth, and lifelong bonds.
    • Quote:
      “It’s all about getting back up. There are a lot of quitters in this world, but you are all people who clearly don’t quit easily.” – Nick [34:20]
  • Brianna’s BFFs podcast ending, and new book in the works.
    • Quote:
      “We're done talking about people… I'm excited to close it on a good note.” – Brianna [91:16]
  • Gia filming Next Gen; invites Brianna to join the cast.
  • Thanksgiving plans and family traditions humorously discussed.

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Motivation:
  "After each day, you truly felt so proud of yourself… if you quit, you were giving up on yourself." – Brianna [06:39]
• On Marriage:
  "We would approach our marriage like we did athletics… protecting it and taking care of it as we can." – Sean [78:34]
• On Resilience:
  “I hope our daughters have the resiliency you do, because you doubted yourself through the whole show, but you kept getting back up.” – Sean to Brianna [35:07]
• On Family Fallout:
  “Special Forces was so humiliating that I came home, felt humble, very, very humble.” – Cody [49:59]
• On Quantity Time:
  “Everyone talks about quality time, but the quantity time matters too.” – Andrew, on Bri’s story about eating donuts with her dad [88:30]
• On DS Impact:
  “They really knew how to, like, push and pull back.” – Nick [82:49]

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Key Timestamps for Topic Segments

• [02:30] – Introductions / Why did you keep going?
• [06:03] – Contestant roundtable: Mentality and Motivation
• [14:23] – Unseen challenges & mountain workout
• [17:16] – Physical and mental preparation
• [20:30] – Most influential DS & producing human moments
• [26:32] – Interrogation fiascos: Andrew and Cody
• [33:09] – Brianna’s lesson in self-worth and resilience
• [36:14] – Personal growth and evolving strength
• [49:59] – Cody’s family, humility, and healing post-show
• [61:11] – Finale breakdown: The rules, silent stand-offs, and confusion
• [68:28] – Bizarre essentials: Supplements, peeing logistics, mouth taping
• [74:01] – Tunnels, panic, and mutual support in darkest moments
• [78:34] – Sean & Andrew on marriage as teamwork
• [88:30] – Andrew on ‘quantity time’ and relationship lessons from Brianna
• [91:05] – Cast’s careers post-show: podcasts, books, reality TV

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Summary & Final Thoughts

This reunion provided a heartfelt, authentic glimpse into what it takes to withstand one of reality television’s most grueling environments. Beyond the show’s suspense and spectacle, the episode centered on real relationships—how they’re tested, fortified, and sometimes broken—under extreme adversity. Through laughter, vulnerability, and some savage teasings about carrot soup and bad hair, the cast conveyed the core message: resilience is forged through discomfort and camaraderie, and life’s impact stems less from grand gestures than from consistent, authentic presence.

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For more, catch Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test on Hulu, and look out for new projects from the cast, including Brianna’s forthcoming book and Gia’s Next Gen Bravo filming!

Transcript

[Nick]

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[Host 2]

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[Nick]

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[Brianna LaPaglia]

You'Re crazy.

[Nick]

What is going on, everybody? Welcome to the Vile Files. This is the Special Forces reunion edition. We couldn't be more excited to be with you and our finalists. Really excited to be with you guys. We are filming here in New York. We'll hear the sounds of New York throughout this episode, probably. Congratulations to all of you guys for making the finale. So let's just a big round of applause right there.

[Host 2]

You did it.

[Nick]

We have obviously a great lineup in. In the back we have Andrew East, Cody Brown.

[Host 2]

Up front, John Johnson East, Brianna LaPaglia and Gia Giudice. What a group.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Look at us guys.

[Sean]

What a group going in.

[Host 2]

I mean, like, did you ever think.

[Sean]

You would be here?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

No. I thought I was gonna die there. Yeah.

[Host 2]

Did you have an expectation of, like, oh, I'll probably leave day two, day three, or the whole. Was every day, like, just pushed to the next day?

[Gia Giudice]

Yeah. That was my mentality.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah. It was like, get through to get back on camp and make it to the morning. It was like, once we get back in our cots and the lights go out, we can survive another day.

[Nick]

Well, I wanted to give a big shout out to the ladies in front. You ladies were the real finalists. No offense to the guys in the back who got eliminated during the interrogation. I know. Brianna, like, technically, no, you didn't pass the course. You're so damn bad. As a fellow Special Forces recruitment and winner.

[Host 2]

Just saying.

[Nick]

Good.

[Sean]

Just saying.

[Nick]

I felt you got screwed over.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

There was a lot of rule changes. I felt.

[Nick]

I felt like there were changes in rules because we were watching the finale, and you were like, I'm part of Special Forces. And I'm like, yeah, no, this is.

[Cody Brown]

She did it.

[Andrew East]

She did it.

[Nick]

This is the time we're supposed to.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

The final. When I watched your season is one of the only ones I watched. And I remember you have to find that breaking point to say it. And I was like, okay. Feels like it's almost over. It might be the time to say it, but I guess I didn't listen to the rules. It's whatever. I made it far.

[Sean]

We had a briefing right before we got sent out to do the trek. And all I remember is Rudy. The very last thing he said is, things are different this time. We will be coming to rescue you. And I just. I remember thinking, like, because they went way too long. They went so much longer than they even told us. And I was like, are they actually coming, or do we have to do this?

[Gia Giudice]

When I. When we heard the birds chirping, oh, gosh. I was like, okay, we made it. Like, it's ending. It didn't end for, like, another seven hours.

[Sean]

We made it to, like, 5pm it was so bad.

[Nick]

Well, I'm excited to hear all the juicy details. I know as someone who's been on the show, like, watching it back can be a little frustrating because this is an experience for all of you. Like, just put your heart and soul out there. These challenges lasted hours. Often, we're getting to see glimpses of these moments. I'm excited to hear more about it. Also. The five of you are very dynamic personalities, and I definitely want to, like, hear more about you guys as people. I do want to start just by, like, I. I'm Just always fascinated with the show because, you know, for the people who don't know, obviously, when. When Fox comes and asks you guys to come out, they pay you to show up, right? So there's a little money up front, but from the moment you get there, you can leave. You can show up and be like, this is not for me. And so for the five of you, I'm just. I'd love to hear from all of you, like, what was the thing that made you not quit? You know, like, you didn't need to do this. You didn't need to put yourself through this experience. You know, Brianna, you carrying those chains and, like, you know, suffocating, essentially. Like, truly, like, when people have come up to me and asked about the show, I'm trying to be like, no, they literally torture you. This is not like a metaphor or.

[Host 2]

There'S not a show craft services that.

[Nick]

You go to, and none of you had to do it. So to me, I have a lot of respect for all of you because it takes a certain type of mentality and a certain type of resilience. And I'm just curious from. I just love to maybe start with Gia. What's the thing that made you say, I'm going to keep going? Like, what was inside of you?

[Gia Giudice]

Honestly, as much as, like, the challenges were so scary, they also gave me a weird thrill. So I, like, enjoyed it, oddly. And the physical stuff, it all was motivating. So I was like, all right, I got past day one. I'm making it to day two. And it just was kind of that mentality. I just kept pushing myself each day, and we all told each other, we're not leaving. So, like, I'm not leaving without you. You're not leaving without me. And we just. We all really motivated each other. That also kept us all going, I feel.

[Host 2]

Bri, what about you?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I don't know why the hell I was there, but it was great. It was amazing. But I think after each day, you truly felt so proud of yourself. And I don't know if you can feel that anywhere else, like, going through literal torture or, like, the physical things that we went through in just the mental game of it, like getting over your biggest fears in front of people and doing it while people are screaming in your face. You feel so proud of yourself, and it's just like kind of an adrenaline rush. So at the end of every day, I was like, holy shit. Like, that was just a really good feeling. Like, I'm going to sleep happy with my performance, even if I did Cry the whole time. And you. I don't know, it just made you want to keep going. You didn't want to give up on yourself. It felt like if you quit, you were giving up on yourself.

[Host 2]

I felt like that was very obvious. It shined through the screen.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

We have, of course, Sean being like Myrtle. That was kind of fun.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Just the bees flying.

[Sean]

Murderball, I will say, was fun. It was terrifying, but it was fun.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Okay. Your friend died.

[Sean]

I was definitely concussed. For me, I competed at the Olympics when I was 16, and I did all the blood, sweat, tears stuff my whole life leading up to that moment after the Olympics, from 16 until, honestly, special Forces. I used the Olympics as an excuse to never have to commit to anything again. It was like, well, I did it so I don't have to work out or finish this marathon or like, whatever. It was, whatever goal I had in mind. I was like, I don't really need to.

[Nick]

Been to the top of the mountain.

[Sean]

Absolutely. And I think it kept me from committing to anything and working hard to do anything again. And so I started doubting myself over the years that I was even capable of doing that again. And now having three babies and wanting to be, like, an example, I wanted to prove it to myself that I could. So showed up and didn't give myself an option. I said, this is 10 days. It's not one or two. I just said, it's 10 days, and I'll see my babies in 10 days.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Wow. Damn. Did it, girl.

[Sean]

Andrew did it, honestly.

[Andrew East]

So you watched the past seasons when.

[Nick]

We got the invite?

[Andrew East]

We watched the past seasons, and it's all this once in a lifetime stuff. You're like, oh, my gosh, this is so cool. Like, this would be just so fun. I would pay to do this stuff. And then Sean and I get to do it together. And so we're making these memories together, having all these experiences together. And I went in so confident that I was like, there's. I'm gonna dominate this thing. I'm gonna do so well in this course because I thought it was just physical, and. And that's, like, my only hobby is fitness, which is, you know, so sad because I got that later.

[Cody Brown]

But.

[Nick]

Last time I talked, he said, you're into philosophy.

[Sean]

Yeah. He has a doctorate.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Okay.

[Andrew East]

Anyway, so I show up, and I was like, oh, man. So quickly humbled. And you realize that you can get legitimately injured. I cracked the rib, My nose got busted up. And you're like, wait, this is dangerous.

[Cody Brown]

Cody. Cody, just. It's not Worth it? It's not worth it.

[Andrew East]

It's dangerous. And they're having to jump out of a helicopter and they give you brief training. It's. It's like a little training.

[Nick]

They give you no training.

[Cody Brown]

It's 15 minutes for each thing you. Well, five to 15. And each challenge is just five to 15 minutes of instruction and then you're supposed to pass.

[Nick]

So that was the biggest thing surprised me when I did it because like, you know, for anyone who's done TV before, if you're doing anything remotely dangerous, there's always like this long ass safety course. Yeah, it's very detailed. You're. And this is like you have DS is 500 yards away waving their hand and another DS is like, watch that, do that. And you're like, all right, you're up. And I was like, what?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

It should have the most training and there's the least is your hardest.

[Andrew East]

So I got a job, I think so fast.

[Cody Brown]

This is a timed event.

[Andrew East]

But I loved it. I love the, the approach to life of like, make yourself comfortable being uncomfortable. And so I just like you're in this place with all these new people and it is such a unique environment where I feel like we're really bonded, you know what I'm saying? It's like I feel like I'm bonded with you and other people have done the show. It's like no one else knows what that thing is like. So it was really fun and I'm glad I did it the way you showed it.

[Cody Brown]

Sheer curiosity. I wanted to see what the next day had. I felt like I was paid for 10 days to be there, so I was going to be there for the 10 days and I wanted to see what the next thing was.

[Nick]

What do you mean by like the next thing?

[Cody Brown]

Just like, what's the next challenge? Because what would happen is we'd go through a challenge and I agree. Murder ball was absolutely fun. 110 pounder takes me down a former wrestler and I'm giggling.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Sure did.

[Cody Brown]

Because it was. Wasn't I giggling when you took me down? I was just, it was funny to me after that.

[Sean]

She was mad.

[Cody Brown]

After that event. I'm in the vehicle with Mark Estes and I'm like, dude, in what world? I was, I was just marveling. I just tackled a pro football player. You know, I was geeking out just a little bit, even though I didn't know anybody before we got there, but I was like, I was geeking out on the mere experience of the elation of having done it and, and survived. And like I'm, I'm going to run this, I'm going to do this, I'm going to see the next day. And it was just sheer elation. The damage was, is that everything that happened would haunt me till something else happened. And so I've been haunted ever since the interrogations. And I need something new to get that out of my, that out of my PTSD system.

[Host 2]

Leaving Sean and the, the building didn't over trump the.

[Cody Brown]

I tried to come back to him, but Billy wouldn't let me. You know, episode seven was really my crash.

[Sean]

I will say we were both miserably awful. It was just as much me as it was you.

[Host 2]

I mean, taking the hostage in as y' all are like putting on your gas mask and y' all are just like.

[Cody Brown]

He wasn't coughing. He never coughed. I, I don't, I, it was a massive failure. And as Billy would say, I was a flapping chicken.

[Sean]

Also, you didn't get to see the actual 20 minute screaming session that the DS had towards us after that. Not, not two minutes like you saw on TV. It was like a lashing.

[Cody Brown]

30 seconds on TV. It was. I, I thought Billy would take my number right there. I thought four was going home right there. I just, I felt that so badly and I felt like I had led Sean in a sense into the depths of stupidity. I mean, because that's where we were. And I'm back going to Andrew, dude, I got your wife killed. Sorry, man. It was just like I expected that number to come off of me at that point.

[Nick]

Adding to that kind to your guys's point. I know. You know, again being a part of it and watching it back, this is such an intense experience. These days are hours long. These challenges are so intense. And then you watch it back and I get, it's a TV show, there's multiple stories they have to tell squeezed into an hour. So there's so much the audience doesn't get to see. I just love to have you guys kind of rift a little bit on because I'm sure when you're watching it back, this is a very personal experience that you all had. And I'm sure watching it back, there are a lot of moments of like, well, why didn't we get to see this? You know? And I'm sure just personal moments where you all felt like very proud of yourselves or you can't believe you overcame something. And I would just love to hear just moments throughout reliving the experience of things that we didn't get to See.

[Sean]

I'm so shocked they didn't show the suicide workout where we all almost died.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Oh, my God.

[Gia Giudice]

And it was my fault.

[Nick]

Can you set the stage for us?

[Gia Giudice]

So we walk up this mount. It was Mount Everest.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Like, it was peaks to peaks.

[Gia Giudice]

It was.

[Sean]

Yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

It was doing the rope challenge and you guys saw me kind of freak out on the rope and say, like, I can't see. Like, the GoPro was like going in front of my eyes.

[Cody Brown]

My help.

[Gia Giudice]

Guy was like, so mad. And then he's like screaming at me. And I was like, I cried that whole time down the mountain cuz he was so foxy. Was so mean to me.

[Sean]

It was like a three mile run up to the wires and like a.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Three mile run back down, which they did not show.

[Andrew East]

Now that's the stuff they never really show.

[Gia Giudice]

Jesse. We all were like, almost dying. We almost left.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

Yeah. So we get down and they go. Some people on this course like to be disrespectful and not respect the course and not respect the ds. And I'm standing there like, this is.

[Nick]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Are you talking about.

[Gia Giudice]

Yeah, Like, I'm so sorry, guys. We have our bergens on. We start suicides up and down this mountain. Up and down 2, 200 yard.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah, it's about 100 yards one way and then the other way. And so they. The suicide, you know, they just. They just keep rotating us. And then they'd say, hey, winners are rewarded. So I smoke past Randall and Andrew and then it's like, psych next time. I just. I was. It was kind of a cheap shot.

[Sean]

No, he smoked past everybody.

[Cody Brown]

I wanted to. I wanted to just beat an NFL or to the end and. And so I just went snuck past him and then. And then Q goes psych next time and run back up. So never try to be the winner because it might not pay. It was just over and over and over.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

And then they would. They would throw in lunges and then.

[Cody Brown]

Play or bear walks.

[Gia Giudice]

It was just anything you could think of. And like, there were multiple times where me and Bri would look at each other and just be like, are we quitting right now?

[Sean]

It was 15 laps and that was horrible.

[Gia Giudice]

Like crying. I felt so bad because, one, they were all running because of me, and this was all happening because of me. And it was actually just horrendous. Like, it was horrible.

[Nick]

Do you guys do any, like, prep or training? Like, are you guys, like, physically, like, working out every day? I know Andrew, his whole hobby is, you know, is working out. I think he goes to the gym a few times. But, like, you ladies, like, how much physical training do you guys have prior to going to this course?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I think we could tell. I didn't have any.

[Host 2]

We really couldn't tell you.

[Sean]

I didn't everything.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I went on a half mile run the week before.

[Cody Brown]

Okay.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

And I was like, yeah, I'm going to die. I have to quit vaping. So I did on the day that we started the show. And yeah, I was in the back a lot, but I was trying. I was like, all right, if I can see them, I'm with them. And I just tried to keep up. And she just kept being like, I remember what was. It was when me and Cody went on our mission. You're just like, bray, come on, you got this. Just jog. We need a light. Jog. We need a light. Yes. And then I was like, all right, just let me get in front, because if I'm starting the pace, then we can all stay together. And. Yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

And that was Sean's biggest advice, even to me, because I. I think I had the strength. Like, I work out, like, pretty often, but my endure, like, I don't. I don't like running. So Sean was like, gia, like, we're small. You gotta get in the front so that you can, like, set the pace.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Set the pace.

[Gia Giudice]

And that's why I was always in the back sometimes when we were running, because, like, their legs are a lot, you know, longer than ours. And I was like, I can't keep up. But that was probably the hardest thing for me, was the running aspect of it.

[Host 2]

Andrew, anything happened that you wish were shown?

[Andrew East]

We had a whole half day of doing this canyon hike, the big show. They didn't show any of it. It was like this crazy hike to this canyon over these boulders. We jumped over, like, this cliff.

[Nick]

This chasm was like, how long was that?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I looked like a fly.

[Andrew East]

It was like six hours.

[Cody Brown]

They smoked this for a half hour after you brought us back.

[Andrew East]

They didn't show any of that.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Like, poisonous bras. Oh, yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

We could have, like, twisted an ankle 5,000 times on that turtle.

[Sean]

Like, sprint down a canyon a few miles.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

We're not hooked up to anything on the side of a cliff. Like, if someone in the back were.

[Sean]

To fall, it was actually really sketchy.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

We would have died. Yeah, it was crazy. And I remember I fell. I wanted, like, a blooper reel of me because I was in the front for that. Because, like, I was like, all right, let me go in the front for this, guys. I can't keep up. And I tripped over something and my bergen fell over my head. Face flicked on the ground and I started laughing. And Q did was like, this isn't funny, Briana. Get up now. Oh, so bad. But they didn't show any of that.

[Sean]

That was the only time where I feel like production crossed a line because the safety guy, every time we were going over a cliff, he would just grab me and put me down because it was. It was probably like a 12 foot drop. Yeah. And these guys are, like, climbing down it. And I was like, I don't know how to get down.

[Gia Giudice]

He just grabbed me, you know? Yeah, we had a jump from, like, cliff to cliff that day.

[Sean]

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

I, like, almost cracked my kneecap.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

It was bad. Yeah. So that will never be shown.

[Nick]

Speaking of Q, he was one of the dss that throughout the course, he was probably the meanest on our season. And he was like, one the DS that, like, throughout the course, I was like, I want to get his validation. Like, I wanted, like, almost like a hug from Q because he was just telling me I was a piece of constantly. Who was the DS that for whatever reason, you. You guys wanted to, like, prove yourself to? Because I think they were all very good at. At certain levels, like, finding a way to get through and try to drive you guys. Who motivated you guys the most?

[Gia Giudice]

I would say Q and Rudy motivated me the most, like, throughout. Even Billy, the person I wanted to prove it to was Foxy because I thought he hated me. And then, I mean, I find out he doesn't hate me. I don't know. I really bonded with, like. I want to say, like, probably Q the most. Like, I, like, cracked Q on, like, day two. I. I, like, I made him laugh and like. Yeah.

[Host 2]

Do you remember what you said? Yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

I was, like, alone, walking around. I don't know what I was doing, but Q, like, comes in and I was like, can we, like, break character for a minute? Like, I need some, like, realness from you right now. Can we just, like, laugh? He just, like, started laughing and was like, you got me all right. And I, like, was like, okay, I see some, like, human life in you. But he was awesome.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I think my only way of saying there, they don't really show any of that, but I would just always crack jokes and I'd be like, when they laughed, it made me really happy. But I think Billy got me through the show there. What they didn't show on episode, was it two where we were, like, in the plane sinking.

[Gia Giudice]

Yes.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I, like, really Lost it going up there. I was trembling, shaking, crying. And Billy took me aside and really walked me through it and was like, you can do this. It's all up to you. It's in your head. He got me through that. He got me through fighting. He got me through, clearly, the chains. You guys saw that. Without him, I probably wouldn't have made it to the end. So Billy was like. I was like. He was my God in that show. He really helped me a lot.

[Sean]

Yeah, I'd say Q. I feel like I really. I don't know what it was, but the repel. Like, very early on, I really feel like I pissed Q off, and I don't know why. He was just, like, out to get me, and he's the one who I felt like I wanted to prove it to the whole time. And on their. Forget the chains. Kind of like Billy with you with the chains. Q came up next to me, and he walked the entire, like, mountain side by side with me, just like, saying, don't quit. You can do this. And it was his voice that I listened. Like, I replayed over and over the entire interrogation. Cause I was just like, we're gonna get through it and make it. And then when we jumped up on the stage, whatever. He was the first one to, like, actually hug me. And I was like, oh, God, are you sure? I ended up telling him at the end. I was like, you scared me the most. And he was like, me? I was like, yeah, you're intense.

[Andrew East]

I think Foxy. I wanted his approval most just because I feel like he's a guy I want to hang out with. So I was like, I just want to be good enough to be in your. Your circle. But him and. Him and Billy, I think they would make cheeky comments out on the course. And I feel like.

[Nick]

I don't know.

[Andrew East]

Yeah, I would want to spend more time with him. It's been fun to, like, message them after still. And it's like, they're all, like, so well accomplished.

[Nick]

You.

[Andrew East]

You dig into their backstory, and you're like, oh, my gosh. These are. These are the real deal dudes.

[Nick]

So, yeah, it's been fun getting to know them after the course and the human side of who they are and their stories. It's really.

[Host 2]

Hugh came to our wedding, and he was, like, the most loved person there with your wedding.

[Nick]

This is me.

[Sean]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

It's like dancing with everybody on the dance floor. Like, it's like, who is this guy?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Completely different.

[Sean]

Invitations to his right.

[Nick]

Gave a little speech.

[Andrew East]

You hear a Speech.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah.

[Nick]

You know, we had like a welcome party and then there was like an open mic where, like, people could come and, like, say nice things. And you came up.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I love you. He's so great. He's amazing.

[Host 2]

Cody, who is it for you?

[Cody Brown]

So I thought Rudy Reyes had the most charisma for connection. Rudy just felt warm to me almost the entire time. So you have this place where you just want to please these guys. But Billy comes up to me in the very beginning. I've seen most of three seasons. And he puts my head in the water, forces my head in the water when we're still in our civilian clothes. And I giggled in the water and choked because I giggled because. Because Billy pushing my head in the water was like Eddie Van Halen stringing my guitar for me.

[Nick]

It's just because you're such a fan of the show Pirates. Here.

[Cody Brown]

I wanted. Here's the thing. My. Some of my motivation my whole life was pleasing my coach because I was an athlete as a child and I wanted to have a beer with Billy really bad and I wanted Rudy's approval. So it was a kind of. It's a weird thing being in that place because it's so like a love bipolar. It's. It's so bizarre because it's, you know, Q comes up to me and says, good job, number four. And I say, thank you, sir. He says, you know, it's just so. The entire experience is surreal. Out of your mind, Foreign.

[Nick]

Let's take a quick break from the reunion to talk about our episode sponsor, Mint Mobile. Does dealing with your wireless feel like a gauntlet of challenges from a drill instructor? Well, at Mint Mobile, they believe your wireless coverage shouldn't be a challenge. At Mint Mobile, they believe your wireless coverage shouldn't be a challenge. Mint Mobile is offering unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month. That's their best deal of the year. Mint Mobile's best deal of the year is happening right now. Get a 3, 6 or 12 month unlimited plan for just 15 bucks a month. All Mint Mobile plans come with high speed data and unlimited talking text on the nation's largest 5G network. You can bring your current phone and number over to Mint. No contracts and no nonsense.

[Host 2]

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[Nick]

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[Host 2]

Getting into the interrogations a little bit, Andrew. I thought you would crush this. You can talk to a brick wall, and you got in there and you froze. We were like, andrew, what is this? What happened? You, like, glitched.

[Andrew East]

I can't live in this web of lies. I was just not made for that environment.

[Nick]

Oh, my gosh.

[Andrew East]

So it's like they have you make this alibi story. And then I also didn't understand. I just couldn't make sense of it. They were like, okay, the other team doesn't exist. Act like they're not even here. So then they're like, are you married? Yes. Is your wife here?

[Cody Brown]

I'm, like, trying to develop.

[Andrew East]

I just wasn't able to see us, honestly.

[Cody Brown]

What?

[Andrew East]

They didn't show. It was funny because in some ways, Fox, like, will make me look better. Or maybe all of us look better in certain ways, but maybe worse than others. But I didn't even give them my real name the first time. They're like, what's your name? I was like. I was like, dean. I just wasn't good at it.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah, I wasn't good at it.

[Gia Giudice]

So Drew just can't lie.

[Cody Brown]

He's. That's it.

[Host 2]

Sean, did you. Going into that. Were you like, this is. This is where, like, he's not gonna do well?

[Sean]

I. I mean, neither of us have ever been in that position before, so I didn't know. But even when he got taken off the show and they, like, pull us back out into the square, I didn't believe it. I thought they were just trying to mess with me. They're like, do you notice your husband's gone? I'm like, oh, okay.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Sean]

You know, I'm sure he's in the stress positions, whatever. But when I left after the show and I got to see, like, the psychiatrist and stuff, and the psychiatrist was literally giggling. And he said, I have never seen someone so bad at lying. And it was. It was honestly just the most endearing and beautiful thing. Like, you got off a show because you're so bad at lying. Like, you're just a good guy. Like, you're literally just such a great human. And to see you glitch on the show, even, like, dunking us, like, your moral character was at such in such a painful place. It's. It was just sweet. I'm like, oh, babe, this does.

[Gia Giudice]

So, guys, me and John were, like, not screaming underwater.

[Cody Brown]

You guys weren't screaming.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Okay.

[Gia Giudice]

I don't know what those sound effects for.

[Host 2]

We need someone quick to scream into a mic so we can place it over, like, this is great.

[Nick]

Yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

Like, me and Sean were, like, at that point, no emotion, no life was sucked out of us.

[Sean]

Like, grays are ridiculous. It was like, that's not us.

[Andrew East]

This show's revealing. It's interesting. Like, you know, you see yourself in these situations that you never think you'd be in. And I feel like one thing that was revealed to me is, yeah, maybe I'm not the brightest in the bunch after either. Watching myself lie, I'm like, huh, Maybe they better take my.

[Nick]

I'll do an IQ test. It's more. Obviously, it's an incredible str. I mean, you guys, again, literally being tortured. I feel like I need to emphasize that because, you know, we're a culture that just kind of exaggerates things. But, like, it's the 10th day of no sleep. Pure exhaustion, emotional, like, stress testing, and you could see how delirious all of you guys were at that stage. So I think you're being a little hard on yourself.

[Cody Brown]

In Andrew's defense, there's this thing that happens with the interrogation where we've been told to create a. A lie, and then they bring the truth back to us. I mean, they start reading off of tabloids and telling me my life. So I'm like, you guys already know everything. So I just went silent. I. Because I knew my disposition is a little chatty. I was going to give something up if I talked, so I just quit talking. I didn't know what else to do. Well, so in your defense, that were.

[Host 2]

Like, guys were travel influencers. And Cody, you're like, I'm a podcaster.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Like.

[Gia Giudice]

I think he was, like, only thinking about Bri in that moment because he, like, asked Bri when she died.

[Sean]

So then I was like, well, there you go.

[Cody Brown]

No, well, that was part of our. Our cover. We're. We're podcasters. What, the Podcasts in the Wild or something like that.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Influencers in the Florence is in the Wild.

[Andrew East]

Okay.

[Cody Brown]

So I'm like, I'm a podcaster. I'm here to check the place out.

[Host 2]

It's pretty much the same thing.

[Nick]

Another thing about what I enjoy about this show is and. And the DS has talked about this, but they. I don't know how they're Educated but they clearly understand psychology and reading people and as soldiers obviously it's very important for them to adapt. And then, and your guys kind of one on ones with all these dss, they, they all had some very interesting feedback. Like Andrew, I think yours is really interesting also in a very endearing way but like the criticism of, in a way that they felt like Sean was almost holding you back because you're obviously your emotional and mental energy was not only like getting through you through it, but like this kind of this protector energy you have with your wife. I'm just curious like what did you think about that? Watching that back and having them, you know, say that about you and how did you interpret that feedback?

[Andrew East]

Like it's easy when you get feedback to think oh that's not true. And, and, and then the more I've thought about, I'm like, oh that's, that's fascinating. But in some ways I feel like I've embraced it where it's like I would, that's what I want. I want to have a teammate. You know, what's the saying, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. It's like, yeah, I'll go, I'll like slow myself down gladly. If the team wins, then I win and that's, that's how I feel. So I, yeah I, I've thought about it often. Not just what was said in that mirror room but also just like the off camera conversations. They do have some really fascinating insight.

[Nick]

Brianna, when you told me you were growing up and you sent me a message and asked me what I thought about it, I thought you're going to go very far. I mean obviously you're famously known for turning down a large sum of money from an ex boyfriend and for reasons like you didn't want to just, you know, have them control you essentially I, I just don't feel like people appreciate the level of resiliency or just like there's a, there's a determination and a belief in yourself to be able to turn down that type of money. You're obviously independently successful but every one of you have to bet on yourself, right? Like to be in this, in this position to, to survive this course, you really have to have this sheer belief in yourself. And do you see that and do you see what I see in you? And like where do that comes from?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah, I don't know. I think these people sitting here have helped me see that about myself. For sure. I self doubt myself a lot. But I also know like, my worth. And I come from an amazing family, and I don't come from much, so it's. I've always bet on myself, and I have created such an amazing life for myself all on my own. So, I mean, with turning that money down, that was, like. That was just never a question. Like, it's always just, I've got myself. That's all I need in the show. I think really just, like, exaggerated that for me and showed me, damn, okay, girl, you really can do all. You can do everything. And you can, you know, do it like, you can be a badass, but also be vulnerable and, like, cry a lot on the show and be honest and not try to, like, fake this tough Persona. Like, yeah, this show really taught me a lot about myself and also all of them, like, with the positive affirmations that they give me, because I do, like, when we talk about the show together, even we're at dinner, I'm like, I can't even watch it. Like, I feel like I did so bad, and they just remind me that I didn't. So they helped me a lot to realize that, yeah, I did. I did.

[Andrew East]

Well, I think we're afraid about the.

[Nick]

Show because it really is about, like, to your point, even on the challenges, you can fail all the challenges. It's not about how you look doing it. It is about getting back up. It is about surviving it. And it really is a great metaphor for life in the sense that, like, we don't know what life's going to bring us. We don't know what challenges are going to come our way. But how do we respond? How do we get back up? How do we keep going? It's really just about not quitting. And I think there's. There are a lot of quitters in this world. There's a lot of people who just, like, give up on themselves. And obviously, the five of you are five people who clearly don't quit easily. Is that something you guys had to find in yourself throughout life, or is that something that's always been a part of who you are?

[Andrew East]

Nick's preaching today.

[Sean]

Yeah. Your questions are amazing.

[Host 2]

I'm hyped up just doing his thing.

[Sean]

I. I just want to add to you because I said this and I said it. You have to, like, internalize this and know this. But I told Bree this as a mom to a daughter. It brought me to tears on the show, hearing your story and, like, watching it and, like, watching it back. But I've said this. We cannot always protect our kids and our daughters are going to have heartbreak, and they're going to have disappointment, and they're going to fall down. And I just hope that our daughters have, like, resiliency. You do, because, like, you doubted yourself through the whole show, but you kept getting back up. Not to, like, go off on a tangent, but it was amazing.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I love you. Thank you.

[Cody Brown]

Amazing.

[Andrew East]

It was really cool. This is another thing I wish they showed, like, these two girls specifically, I feel like, started off and there was, like, gia. Multiple times you said, I can't do this.

[Nick]

I'm done.

[Andrew East]

I'm out. And then, like, your evolution and the amount that I think you saw that you were capable of doing was so cool. It was, like, so much fun. That made, like, that was one of the highlights of the show for me, was just to see. Oh, dang. These people are finally, like, seeing themselves as other people see them.

[Gia Giudice]

Yeah. I think the cool. Like, what you were saying, the cool thing about the show was, like, maybe I didn't come in at my strongest, but as the days went on, I think, like, we got.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

We got stronger.

[Gia Giudice]

Like, I got stronger as each day went on because I. I mean, I was in Italy the month before. Like, I was just not prepared for this at all.

[Host 2]

I felt like some of the ds, you know, once your mom left, they kind of were like, she was holding you back. Like, now you can really go far. Did you feel that way also or.

[Gia Giudice]

Not in the moment, obviously.

[Cody Brown]

No.

[Host 2]

Your mom leaving, it was abrupt.

[Gia Giudice]

Oh, totally. She did not give me any warning. And they're like, now fire. No, literally. And when she left, we actually were in a car alone together, which, you know, never happens. And we had a full. We had. Everyone was there basically, still, so we had. We were in a car alone. She's just, like, talking. But we talked about this in general. She's like, you know, when I leave, do you want me to wait for you here in Morocco, or should I. I go home? And I'm like, no, just go home. Like, what are you gonna do here? Just, like, if you tap out, go home. Whatever. I didn't think she was gonna leave right. Right there. I mean, like, this was just, like, hypothetical. Like, we were talking about this the past two nights. Like, okay, when you leave. Love you. I'll see you home. But, yeah, no. And when she left, I was like, that's why, like, I started crying. Like, I had no idea. I was so shocked. It was a br.

[Host 2]

I mean, it was.

[Gia Giudice]

But it was also like, everyone's jaws, I think, were on the ground.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

They were like, surprised.

[Host 2]

But it was also valid, you know, like, as a mother to a daughter. Sean, I'm sure you can, like, test this, too. Like, I don't want. I don't need to see my daughter fight.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

No.

[Gia Giudice]

And it was funny because as she left, she told Fox. She's like, you guys fucked up. And she was like. And they were like, why?

[Host 2]

Why?

[Gia Giudice]

Why what? My mom said to Fox, you should have made my daughter fight first, then me. That's how they played it on Special Forces. But that's not actually how it happened. My mom' member was called first to fight, then that's when she left, because she then was like, okay, you're gonna fight after me now, and I don't want to see that. But, like, if I fought first, my mom probably would have jumped in, and it probably would have been, like, even better TV or, like, who knows? So, like, she said that to them as she left, and they were like, oh, you're right.

[Nick]

Like, we had a chance to interview your mom not too long ago, and it was a great experience. Obviously, she's a legend in the reality TV community. But that was shortly after Aya had found out that you had won. And again, like, obviously being a part of this.

[Gia Giudice]

Did she tell you secretly?

[Nick]

No, not. She didn't. Oh.

[Gia Giudice]

Because she's been doing this, like, late, like, recently. You know, she'll, like, see someone and be like, do you want to know a secret, but don't tell anyone. And I'm like, you can't do that.

[Nick]

I mean, I can see why she wants to tell everybody. I mean, like, yeah, being a part of this fraternity, this was. I always tell people, like, of all the things I've done on tv, this is the only thing, like, I'm proud of that other stuff. It's cool to have done. And, you know, it's fascinating, and we have stories to tell. But, you know, your family obviously has been on TV over the years. They've been wrapped up in controversy all while people love you. But I also just. It was just really cool to see. You know, I think your mom should be really proud, obviously, of what you accomplished. And I think she gets a lot of. I think she should get a lot of credit because, you know, for whatever people may or may not think about your family, again, like, I just don't. I don't think people appreciate just how difficult this whole course is and the level of character it requires to want to challenge yourself and push yourself through that.

[Gia Giudice]

I think you just.

[Nick]

So it was just very cool to see you know, you represent your family the way you did.

[Gia Giudice]

No. Thank you. And I also think selfishly, though, too, I was, like, proud to finish it for myself. Like to do it alone and not. Not. And I said this even in one of my interviews on Special Forces. Not that I wouldn't have loved to finish this, of course, with my mother as well, because that would have been iconic, but I was happy to just, like, do the. You felt so proud after you.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Andrew East]

I wonder what that's like.

[Gia Giudice]

You did it.

[Nick]

I just had a follow up question to that.

[Gia Giudice]

Do you.

[Nick]

Do you think you have some street cred with your cast on Next Gen? And who, if anyone, in your cast, do you think would have a chance at completing this course?

[Gia Giudice]

I think Ariana. Ariana Biermann. I think she's got, like, the mental strength and physical. She works out a lot to do it. She's been through a lot, too. Kind of like me growing up on reality TV and just family stuff, so.

[Host 2]

Well, coincidentally enough, we had your mom on, what was it, after episode one aired, I think.

[Nick]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

You know, she kind of talked about, like, the conversations that you and her had about bringing your family back together. And Nick was, you know, very pushing her to want to do that.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah.

[Sean]

And that kind of things.

[Host 2]

And then to see obviously, Bravo Con, your uncle and your mom, like, come back together, do hug, be. You know, they. They said they met up. Like, what does that just mean to you and your family?

[Cody Brown]

I mean.

[Gia Giudice]

Yeah, it's awesome. I think anyone that was rooting for anything differently, there's something wrong with you. Yeah. So they only have each other, so it makes me really happy to see them back together. And it was such a fun weekend. We went to one of his comedy shows. Like, we had a really good time and it's. It's just nice. I'm excited to, like, build the relationships again and just build that trust. And I'm so happy, you know, to have them back in my life too.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

So.

[Gia Giudice]

He was like my. He was my best friend growing up, so it's cool just to see the reconciliation and, like, see my mom have her brother back.

[Nick]

Brianna, you. Well, first of all, all your letters, it's always like an emotional moment of the show. And yeah, it's just like, I got teared up watching you guys have that bond. It was really the way you guys are looking at each other. I mean, really, I really admire you guys both and you're great role models for, like, what a couple should be and how you guys are teammates.

[Gia Giudice]

I was like, they're so in love.

[Andrew East]

It was great.

[Nick]

Yeah, I'm on the plane flying here, just like, kind of like having a tear down my eye. But, Brianna, you wrote your letter to your dad. Yes, and I obviously have a young daughter. We hear so many conversations in the zeitgeist of pop culture or people talking about, you know, parent, child relationships. And we hear a lot of things about, like, daddy issues, especially when it comes from women. My wife has been open about her relationship with her father and their, you know, prickly relationship, but obviously, you know, it was just great to hear from someone like you who obviously has an opposite point of view and the relationship you have with your dad. And I would just love to have you talk a little bit about your relationship with your father and what he's taught you and just elaborate a little bit about that, just because I don't think we hear enough of positive stories about great fathers today.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah, I will say, because my mom will kill me. I did write her a letter, too. They just didn't put it in the show.

[Gia Giudice]

It's a beautiful letter.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Okay, it was. But, yes, I have great relationships with both of my parents, but my dad. It is so important, I think, for women to just have great relationships with their dad because you base so many of your relationships going forward with men off of the relationship with your dad. You chase things that you see in your father. And I think for young girls, your first, like, the love of your life is your dad. Your first best friend is your dad. He was my hero. And growing up, I mean, my dad just always encouraged me to be whatever I wanted to be, whoever I wanted to be. I was his fourth daughter, so he did raise me as a little bit of, like, a boy. He really wanted a son. I wore boxers until I was, like, eight. I was confused. But he. Yeah, like, he put me in football, but he was always just so supportive of anything I wanted to do, even if I was bad at it. And he was always so open to hearing how I felt about the world, about guys. He created a relationship which was an open door where I didn't feel scared to tell him anything or scared to be honest with him about anything. And I think that surely changed my life for, like, forever. I mean, it made me into who I am. So, yeah, my relationship with him is so important. And his voice was in the back of my head the whole time. I'm thinking of him, like, being at my basketball practices, being like, go B. Like, he would scream B from the stand. So whenever I was in those dark moments, or in interrogation, I'm hearing my dad's voice, which was awesome. So.

[Host 2]

And how did he create that open relationship? Because I think that's something obviously we all want for our kids to be able to tell us things and not hide things. Like, what do you remember specifically? Like, how he made it a safe space to come to?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah, I mean, I think just growing up, he was always. He didn't really look at our relationship as a one sided thing where when I would open up to him, he would open up to me. And I think at a young age it made me realize that, you know, when we look at our parents, sometimes we glamorize them and we don't realize that they're also people. So from a young age I realized that, you know, our parents are doing life for the first time too. They make mistakes. He was always honest and open about things he struggled with with me and taught me to also be honest about the things that I struggle with, not to be ashamed of them. I think it was, you know, creating that relationship where it's like, hey, I'm your dad, but I'm also human. And you're going to experience the shit that I experienced one day. I'm not this like superhero. I'm your friend, I'm your mentor. And at the end of the day, like, I'm going to like, kick your ass if I have to. But, you know, I think it's that like, open relationship where they're honest about how they feel as well.

[Nick]

Who are you most proud to tell that you went as far as you did?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Oh, my dad for sure. Yeah, my dad for sure. He doesn't really know how to work a phone or anything. So, like, he doesn't. This show is major for him. Like, he doesn't even know what I do in my life. He's like, like, you're going on this cool show.

[Host 2]

What is a podcast? I'm like, yeah, I can't expect for.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Listen to my podcast before, but the show, the first person watching it. So, yeah, he's my biggest supporter.

[Host 2]

Sean and Andrew, you. There was like a clip after the letters where you were like, I just want to cuddle you. Was that like we. There was also a clip of Jesse and Eric where she was like straddling him and we were like, whoa, that's crazy.

[Cody Brown]

Like, that was all the time when they were together. She was straddling.

[Nick]

No, I respect it. You know, they were not happy for each other.

[Host 2]

Yeah, but did you. Were y' all kind of like, we'll get yelled at if we, like, like, how did you approach, like, showing each other affection throughout this process?

[Sean]

We kind of just went into it. I think it's the. The athlete mentality behind both of us is like, we. We understood the professional side, and whether that was, like, warranted or not, that's just kind of like how we acted. So we went into it kind of putting our professional faces on and saying, we're going to follow the rules. We're individuals, we're recruits. We're, you know, not going to show too much pda because it was also, you know, you had Randall Cobb just desperately missing his wife and Cody. And, like, everybody missed something from home.

[Host 2]

So we.

[Sean]

We knew that we had a luxury there that a lot of people didn't, and we didn't want to rub that in people's faces. But I do. After that was, like, when we wrote the letters, it kind of, like, brought my guard down. I was like, I just want to cuddle. I don't want to be an army man no more.

[Nick]

It was very. It was very sweet. Cody, obviously you have a very fascinating story that I think a lot of people are fascinated with. And again, like, this show brings out so many, like, cool metaphors about life, but, like. And one of those is that, like, it's kind of never too late to, like, change course, right or wrong, you know, work on yourself, acknowledge a mistake. The DS is obviously came down to you pretty hard towards the end in your interrogation when they talked about your relationship with your children, all 18 of them. I'm curious, like, since Special Forces has ended, has anything changed with the relationship with your kids? And have you used this kind of reflection in those conversations with the DSS to kind of, like, think about how you might approach things differently. Differently with your children?

[Cody Brown]

Well, before I got divorced, before three divorces, one after another, I had a. What I thought was a great relationship with all of my children. So I feel like they were kind of victims of the divorce experience. And, of course, they were closer to their mothers. So as they go on, and their mothers are bitter, and we live in a business, and we're in a business. We're really throwing hand grenades is what starts happening when you break up. So I was distant from some of my children, but not from all of them. I have a very close relationship with three of my daughters and a working relationship with four others, and then a relationship I'm working on with others. And so it's. I was already in that space where I was going through a process of apology to my ex Wives for my part in the breakup. And the same was going with. Off camera with, you know, just trying to be in touch with my children and try and work that stuff out. So it was a hard experience with the DS because from a military perspective, I felt like if you're partly responsible, then you're wholly responsible. So I felt like I owned way more than should have belonged there. But in reality, whether fair or unfair, I'm. I've always been working on the relationship with my children one way or another.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Cody Brown]

Being on Special Forces hasn't per se improved that relationship. Coming home from Special Forces. Special Forces was so humiliating that when I came home, I felt humble. Very, very humble. And so I was, you know, that sweetness in life. I'm much more engaging with my children. I'm reaching out to my children more often, that kind of thing. But it doesn't always come from an experience like this of a breakup in a family. And it wasn't just a divorce. It was a breakup of a family. It was the whole family breaks up. So working those things out is something that's been on my mind before and after. Special Forces. Special Forces just gave me an element of humility. It just came home going and just so humbled by the experience.

[Nick]

Yeah. There was a line there where you said you kind of, you, you wanted to push back, but then you were like, you know what? I'm the common denominator. Which I thought was very honest of you, and I appreciated you saying that. But, like, understand that, like, there's a lot of people in this family and there's a lot of personalities, and everyone played a role in the. Obviously you said the breakup of the family, but as kind of the patriarch, the leader of the family, especially like in your culture. I'm curious, what specifically have you reflected on, you know, maybe some Special Forces or just in general about, like, things that you've wanted to work on as a father to make those connections with your children that aren't still close better.

[Cody Brown]

Well, the first thing I thought I needed to do was sort of get some healing with the. Their mothers, the ex wives, because I figured if there was some healing there, then the children feel like they didn't have to be so loyal to their mother that they could actually have a relationship with me. So I just think they were victims of the divorce in that sense. So the common denominator was me. I mean, I've had to really do a lot of soul reflection specifically to figure out, you know, sort of why did this all go this way. You Know, like what happened. And it is nuanced, but yeah, I'm the common denominator. And it was a funny experience to see myself on the show because I am very quirky and I didn't know that, you know, so I see myself.

[Nick]

That's the first time you realized.

[Cody Brown]

Well, no, I, I'm a different person on a different show based on how they edit. Yeah, yeah. And how it goes. But I was a very, you know, I saw myself for 16 years now on television and I go to special Forces and I see somebody very different than who I was on Sister Wives. And that was an interesting experience.

[Nick]

Does three divorces at once, is that as expensive as it sounds in real life?

[Cody Brown]

It's been an expensive emotions in a way that is inconceivable, I think. And no, it wasn't. I mean, there was no legal marriage. It was only expensive in like paying for kids.

[Nick]

You say there's no legal marriage.

[Cody Brown]

My, my wife is the one who has the legal marriage. And so they weren't a legal marriage. We were together for 25 years in a spiritual marriage when they since went and said like one wife remarried, two other wives went and, and got the divorce through the church, but there was no legal marriage, so. And they all made more money than me, so there was no alimony to be paid. Okay.

[Host 2]

You kind of said in your interrogation that you were offended by your children. Do you feel like your kids owe you anything?

[Cody Brown]

You. I, you know, this isn't a venue because it is so nuanced. This isn't a venue where I'd prefer to talk about that. It's that. I believe that I need to make or heal things with my children. And I believed that healing things with their mothers first would, would work better. But I've been in touch with them or I, I reach out to them. Often those who are not reaching back, you know, the responsibility for a relationship is on two people, especially when you're adults. Almost all of my children were adults when the divorces happened, so they were already grown out of the house into their own families.

[Nick]

You mentioned on the show, I think Andrew asked a very nuanced question when he asked you, like, what are the pros and what are the cons of your, your lifestyle? Which I thought was a great question by Andrew. And I think you said that like, I, I hope I'm quoting you correctly, but you were like, I wouldn't do it again. I wouldn't do what I did. I'm assuming you were speaking more about the polygamous Lifestyle could you. And I know it's nuanced, and I want to respect, obviously, your privacy. But also, just like reality TV is famously challenging for relationships, There's a lot of relationships. I'm sure Gia has had a front row seat with just friends and colleagues. And just like that, universe is drama, right? You're getting people to open up. And most people in relationships, you want to, like Nellie and I, we're in public figures. But we talk a lot about protecting each other, protecting our relationship, and that matters most. That's very difficult for people who are on TV where the job is to be open. Do you think the lifestyle or you being on a TV show impacted the marriages that didn't work out the most.

[Cody Brown]

Easily would be both.

[Nick]

Okay.

[Cody Brown]

I mean, we were a family that was working hard to be together. Then certain things happen. People change. Your bodies change, your thought processes change. Your children grow up and they leave the house. And that leaves you in a state of wondering, what is going on? What is the relationship that you have with. With your spouse after your children have left a home? These are all things that are very nuanced. But the thing about reality TV that is so dangerous for loving families is they're looking for the rub, the grind, the tension. They're looking for that. And if you play into that, you can be with your best friend and start looking critical. You can be with your wife and look critical or be criticized. And so it's. It's. You have to be really well grounded. And, you know, 16 years into it, I'm just trying to still find my way in this world, because it's definitely a world of he said, she said. And it's hard to feel accountable. Like, I. I can look at my hands and go, okay, here are the 10 things I'm accountable for. But that one you're trying to put on me isn't mine to own. And you kind of get in this place where you have to be super grounded, and I'm not. You guys all saw me lose my head, flapping like a chicken. So it's. It's a challenge to be in reality tv. I like to retire my wife Robin from television so they can't pit us against each other.

[Nick]

Now, how's that going?

[Cody Brown]

We're solid. Okay. Yeah. If you guys knew, I mean, I probably talked about her all the time. So anybody that was hanging out with me, it was like, I like to talk about my wife, who is shy, doesn't want me talking about her, but, you know, favorite person in the world.

[Nick]

On the show the DSS towards the end, made some comments about your feelings towards women in general. And obviously that's a, you know, a strong statement by the dss. And I was just curious like, what you thought about that. Do you feel like there's, you know, being a group of men who are good at reading people? Do you think there's truth to what they, what they said or, or not?

[Cody Brown]

Well, I've gone through three divorces, so I may have some real issues. Okay, okay. But I don't, I don't believe I had the issues before the divorces because I already always preferred the company of women to man. In the men's world, you don't have to behave completely like a gentleman. But I used to be very good about constantly talking about what was appropriate around women because I was always around women and I preferred their company. I think something just, just tweaked me a little bit. I mean, like, you can't come out of three divorces and not struggle a little bit with some kind of mental illness. I think.

[Nick]

Fair enough.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Cody Brown]

Try it. I mean, like in three years, do. I'll take your word for it and then be in public. So you're constantly hearing their criticism. It was, it was really hard. So when I go in front of the DS and they're saying, we want here, this is yours to own. And I'm like going, I guess maybe I should just own it because the criticism's coming and it's been here and I, and I just, frankly, I don't think it's a sexist thing in any way. I think it's simply that my experience in Special Forces was I was being told by the DS to do something. I'm going to do it as to the best of my ability, whether that is good or not. And I'm going to push through. And so if they're yelling at me to move, I'm going to move. Even if I'm like dragging a team and if I think I'm going in the right direction, I'm dragging them in that direction. And sometimes it was the wrong direction.

[Nick]

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[Nick]

I love to, you know, again, speaking to the point that we don't get to see a lot of things, obviously in the final episode that's like a 12 hour. The DS has mentioned how it's this 12 hour interrogation. Once Andrew was gone. Sorry, Andrew. And it was just the four of you when right before like Cody, where you got exited. Could you guys just like walk us through the behind the scenes of that whole situation where like at least seemed like you three women were working out the. Seemed like the DSS were waiting on you to say something. Can, can you guys walk us through like what was going on? Cause I feel like watching it, we were all just like a little confused by some of the finer points of what was happening.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah, I think like that whole scene was set because when we got our briefing, we decided it would be better if we just knew each other. We pretend we didn't know Cody. So I thought like the best thing for me to say was, oh, Cody's just like a creep because he's an older guy. Like that's an easy out.

[Cody Brown]

Bad hair.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah, like he's an older guy. I just talked to her. I don't really know who he is. But like we're on the same retreat thing. So that kind of pushed this narrative where I think they wanted to turn us three against Cody.

[Sean]

Basically the way that like I felt felt was going or like what I felt was going on, it was like every hour we would go back, they put the bag over our heads, they put the headphones on, put you in stress positions for another hour and they would pull us back out. It was always us three and Cody. And what I remember happening was we all had these alibis and stories and kind of like Cody alluded to when they started asking Cody questions to like, explain his alibi. You just went silent, which, like, you explained you were afraid of, like, giving up information that wasn't good. And they just. We kept going through these motions of. They would bring us out. They would put all three of us through a workout, a bee sting. They would lock us in the mud pit. They would pour water over our heads. They just kept doing it until Cody would speak week. And I think playing the game, not understanding how the game worked, truly, any of us, you did. You did a great job of staying very silent, which.

[Cody Brown]

But they didn't ask me a question. It was like. And they're. They're going, hey, we're gonna. We're gonna beast your ladies until you talk.

[Host 2]

And I'm like, did it ever, like.

[Cody Brown]

No, it never occurred to me. They never had. I don't remember them asking me a question. And here's the problem. The premise of that experience was built on deception. And when I sit down with the big guy, Lurch, you know, I don't know what to call him. He was a billion.

[Nick]

I wasn't sure if you're talking about, like.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Interrogator.

[Cody Brown]

Interrogator. He is sitting there, and he knows my life story, essentially, from tabloids. And I realized there that I had failed because he was giving me breadcrumbs to. To buy off the situation. But none of this makes the edit. And because he knew everything about me, he's taken a selfie with me. My wife watches your show, is what he says to me. And it's just this big setup, and all of a sudden, I'm not supposed to lean anybody home? One of the rules. Don't tell him about home. Don't lead them home, and don't lead them to the special forces. Don't tell them what we're doing here. So these two rules. Well, he already knew everything about me, so I was like, I can't say a word.

[Gia Giudice]

I think it was also, though, Cody, they were trying to, like, give you an out and give you a way to, like, maybe redeem yourself and look better. So, like, as we were, like, maybe, like, going through our hell of, like, working out, squatting, holding the bags, having to watch.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yes.

[Gia Giudice]

Like, it should have been, oh, girls, give me your. Give me your sandbags.

[Host 2]

Or.

[Gia Giudice]

I don't know. I don't know what you could have done.

[Cody Brown]

I didn't know what they wanted that.

[Gia Giudice]

Was like, I don't know what you could have done. But they were, like, in the episode, how they were kind of portraying the finale is like, they wanted you to do something to, like, make our pain stop.

[Host 2]

And were you just scared that so you didn't do anything?

[Cody Brown]

I was literally in a fall going, what am I supposed to do? The only thing I could think to do was stay silent because I don't want to reveal them, and I don't want to reveal me.

[Host 2]

So how long were they being, like, tortured for while you were watching?

[Cody Brown]

I don't remember. I mean, first it was we were being tortured together.

[Gia Giudice]

Like, they showed a glimpse of it. Like, we also, like. Because, like, when you saw Bri come.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Back out, did you guys get zip tied out in the Jesus position?

[Gia Giudice]

No, that was just me and me.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Oh, that was me and Cody. We got zip tied. Like, we were, like, nailed zip crops.

[Cody Brown]

After he poured the.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah, after they poured the water on.

[Cody Brown]

Us, it was after they poured the coop water. They put our blindfolds back on, laid us out. And at first, I remember being glad it was sunny because the breeze evaporative, cooling. I got. I started to chill.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah. And then they poured water on our bags over our head.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

That's crazy.

[Gia Giudice]

But, like, we were, like, a little waterboardy when we were, like, our. Like the last challenge when, like, we had to, like, lay down in that mud pit. Like, we were. When we were all out there with Cody, we had a roll in that mud, like, water the day in the morning, roll in the sand and over and over again. It was water, mud, sand. So we looked like. Like a. Like a. Like a cookie. Like a crumbled cookie. Like, we.

[Nick]

Like.

[Cody Brown]

When they told me to do. When they told me to go through the water. Dunk yourself. And it was by myself is because I was so covered in mud, they couldn't see my face. So somebody in production was going, we need to be able to see Cody's face or number four's face. So I'm dunking myself and coming out of the water, and then what? The place is hot and it's dry, so evaporative cooling. I was afraid my teeth would start chattering and that would give them one more thing to harass us about. But when we're standing there, they're. They're beating on the ladies. And I'm sitting there. I do not know what to say. I do not know what to do. They're not asking me a question. They're just telling me that they're going to beat them until I do something. And I'm like, what? I was just. I don't know what to do. I. I literally just. Was just stonewall as long as we can because we're supposed to be rescued.

[Nick]

You're. You're pretty physically good shape for insane a man of your age.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah, ageism.

[Nick]

But like what do I mean, honestly, what you were, I mean yeah, you were competing with NFL players, you know, in their. Just past their physical prime maybe, but you're, you know, you're in your what, 57, 58. How do you do it?

[Cody Brown]

I. I don't know. I was like, I'm enthusiastic and optimistic and I, I live at 7,000ft. So I did train. You did train. Oh, if they'd have called me two. Ten weeks before, five weeks before.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Cody brought a bag of supplements the size of this couch to the shelf.

[Nick]

So you're kuned out.

[Cody Brown]

Take the bag with me though.

[Gia Giudice]

Did you, did you take anything like.

[Nick]

What peptides should I be taking as I get liberated stuff for.

[Cody Brown]

For not. It wasn't ADHD medicine, but I had some stuff that was nootropics. I had a nootropic package and the doctor let me bring it and all it is is vitamins and I said I have adhd. Can I have this? And I hadn't been diagnosed yet, so I'm like I, I got adhd. Can I keep these? Nootropic package. And then I had a caffeine supplement and then I had vitamin D and it's all vitamins. I mean and then I had something to help me sleep as well because I was like I'm not going to be able to sleep. And I was mouth guard and tape for my mouth.

[Host 2]

Yeah, you did have mouth like tank.

[Cody Brown]

My mouth every night.

[Nick]

You had a whole, you had a nighttime routine.

[Cody Brown]

I had a nighttime routine. I was always going to sleep after El. And then I had to get up to in the. I mean I.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

That.

[Cody Brown]

So I got up three times a night to go to the bathroom too. And only two times because we didn't have enough sleep.

[Nick]

So did you have like I remember for us, they told us we couldn't go to the bathroom by ourselves cuz soldiers have. Who, who is your.

[Cody Brown]

In the middle of the night, I. I found a, a hole in the tent.

[Sean]

He would pee in the barracks.

[Gia Giudice]

What?

[Cody Brown]

What?

[Sean]

In a water bottle?

[Cody Brown]

No, no, no, hold on. We had the dressing room that we only discovered after being there for five days.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Right next to my bed.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah, so. Yeah, listen, I didn't pee on the floor.

[Host 2]

Well, you also weren't drinking a ton of water, so I can imagine nobody.

[Sean]

You would pee three times a night in the barracks? No, just in the corner of the.

[Host 2]

In a plastic.

[Cody Brown]

Either in a bottle or there was vent holes, you know, like, and lots of dry sand. It'd be dry in fire minutes.

[Sean]

You peed on the floor? In the bed.

[Cody Brown]

No, no, no, no, no, no. Come on. I'm a gentleman. Nothing that I did was going to gross you out as long as you.

[Host 2]

Didn'T see it, right?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Right.

[Sean]

She did.

[Host 2]

Gia, did you bring chapstick?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Your lips look so moisturized.

[Cody Brown]

Every time I saw.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

You should have stick them off before.

[Cody Brown]

This bake look great all the time, too.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

G did look really good on the show.

[Cody Brown]

The one time her hair looked bad. That DS said, fix your hair.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yes.

[Gia Giudice]

And that was like, when we first got there.

[Sean]

Yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

No, I was on Accutane, like, during Special Forces, So I was like, we're gonna be in Morocco. Like, my lips are gonna fall off. Can I please bring Aquaphor? And I was loud, so that's why it was so funny. Like, everyone I see constant tiktoks that they're like, this is not sweat. Like, why is Gia glistening?

[Host 2]

Like, were you rubbing it, like, all over your.

[Nick]

Did that opera for a brand deal.

[Cody Brown]

This was all stuff that supplements everything with stuff. I negotiated with production long before we even got there. They told me I could bring my own food.

[Nick]

I mean, like, feels like cheating.

[Cody Brown]

Well, no, because I. I didn't bring his own. Very, very strict diet. You guys knew I went hungry a few times, right?

[Sean]

Everybody did.

[Cody Brown]

It's specific to me. Let's not waste our time with me giving you the description of it. Like, details.

[Andrew East]

But it's specific.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

It's aggressive.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah, it's aggressive because he didn't eat pepper.

[Gia Giudice]

So, like, it.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Like there was still.

[Cody Brown]

Any bread was.

[Nick]

The most difficult meal you guys were served because I. I'm a bit of a forsakener.

[Sean]

We have to pick one Chicken sp.

[Gia Giudice]

Sausages for a dinner.

[Host 2]

I never eat dinner.

[Gia Giudice]

I only ate breakfast and lunch.

[Sean]

Our worst dinner that we had multiple times towards the end was it was, like, blended carrots. It was supposed to be soup, but.

[Host 2]

It was literally just blended carrots.

[Sean]

And then these sausages that were, like, this big, and they were straight white.

[Gia Giudice]

Like, as white.

[Sean]

Like, as white as your shirt. That was it.

[Nick]

I had to gag down.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah. The food, we would just eat bread. We would shove bread. We would put jelly, and the bread.

[Sean]

Was as hard as.

[Host 2]

Well, was there anyone who. The food didn't bother.

[Nick]

You just.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I mean, we started getting.

[Host 2]

The jam was great.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

The jam was the best. Best part.

[Sean]

I could drink that I thought the oxtail was great.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

What's that? Oxtail. And did we have that?

[Gia Giudice]

The beef? The beef was the short rib.

[Nick]

The short rib, yeah.

[Andrew East]

We had the fillets.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

My best meal was when we got punished and me and Randall had to eat out of the banged food. It was our punishment. Best food I ever had.

[Cody Brown]

Bambarians.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah. I was like, I want that every night. I had two.

[Sean]

I really liked the hard boiled eggs and the powdered coffee.

[Nick]

I would have killed for hard boiled eggs. Yeah, they served us like the, like runny, barely cooked, like carton scrambled eggs. I was like, I can't.

[Gia Giudice]

Oh, gosh.

[Sean]

No. We had hard boiled eggs.

[Host 2]

We had Randall on Tuesday. We got to talk to him and we asked him about the snack box that he brought out to everybody.

[Cody Brown]

I have to own that. We all have to own that because we. When he comes out all excited, we should have looked.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Somebody should be guessing, mad at you and Chanel. Chanel.

[Sean]

And you.

[Gia Giudice]

You knew it.

[Sean]

You knew it.

[Host 2]

Yes.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Rewatching. I didn't know you guys had this whole debacle in there because they say. Not like. Like we were literally looking at the cameras thanking the DS after.

[Sean]

Remember that we're taking picture 8.

[Gia Giudice]

But in all fairness, we really did not see that it said DS Room on it.

[Host 2]

We had no.

[Gia Giudice]

We did not see that it was written on there.

[Host 2]

Chanel, definitely. Chanel did.

[Gia Giudice]

Chanel did.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

But that's why it was not.

[Gia Giudice]

When Randall brought it out, I was.

[Sean]

Like, all right, whatever, we're all eating it.

[Cody Brown]

He'll fill for his assumption. And Randall did come out and he goes, this is a reward. I mean, we live in a reward world, right? This is a reward for doing so good today. And we all, like, start celebrating and none of us. Chanel, only to my.

[Gia Giudice]

None of us question that it said DS Room on it. If me or Randall saw that, we would have been like, yeah.

[Nick]

Do you think you were set up or do you think set up?

[Gia Giudice]

We were 100 set up. And then me, Bri and Randall had.

[Sean]

To go in their tank.

[Nick]

Was it worth it? No.

[Andrew East]

And it wasn't.

[Gia Giudice]

We literally all each had a sip of coke, maybe a bite of a piece of candy. Like it was not worth it.

[Andrew East]

Cuz our stomach. I was so pumped. I was like, snickers bars, let's go. And then you have one bite and your stomach's not in the right condition because you've been eating carrot soup and like, whatever they've been feeding you you for like five days. So you couldn't. You couldn't eat more, otherwise you get sick.

[Host 2]

How did y' all feel about the tunnels?

[Gia Giudice]

Terrifying.

[Host 2]

That was Randall's, like, hardest part.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Probably one of my hardest is I had a panic attack.

[Nick]

That shot of you or oh, my.

[Sean]

Gosh, she didn't show the best part, which was breed cussing out the DS because she didn't do it. Yes.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I don't even remember.

[Sean]

You threw your helmet at him.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

You did. Yeah, I thought recall this because I was like, panic mode. Like, I, I you. I don't know if they showed it. They really didn't show me freaking out, but I posted behind the scenes clips. I was, like, trembling. Ravi, thank God, got me through that tunnel. I wouldn't have probably made it past that episode without him. But, yeah, I guess there was a moment where I was like, I can't do it if this goddamn helmet is on my head because I was so overstimulated. So I was like, all right through it. But like, Rudy also, he really pushed me to do it. They wouldn't let me quit, which I. I was like, mad in the moment, but I'm really, really grateful. They never let me quit.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

But I was, like, literally trying to quit. Yeah, you. That was the first time I saw you, like, waiver after Randall made a.

[Host 2]

Good point of like, you don't know you're claustrophobic until you're in for sure that situation.

[Gia Giudice]

Then I saw those tunnels. I was like, no, I don't know.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

How to three or like, like, so.

[Gia Giudice]

Based out the fact that you guys maneuvered, I was freaking out. Like, we were freaking out. We're so tiny. We actually fit. And that's why, like, when Johnny tapped out that challenge, I was like, this is, this is the end for me. Because now that he just freaked out, like, this is not good. And he got. He literally got stuck. Like, he was freaking out so bad. And I wish they would have saw him, like, shown him actually freak out because it's not like, like he didn't tap out, like, as easy as they showed, he was really trying. And then it came to the point where his claustrophobia was, like, getting so bad that he was pushing up against the board above us to, like, get out. But they had, like, boulders holding these boards down, so it wasn't e. Like, you couldn't just lift up the board.

[Host 2]

In the Buried Alive at the end thing, who is hyperventilating? It played some, like, were you breathing.

[Sean]

When they put the board over you in the mud?

[Gia Giudice]

No, I was actually, like, pretty calm.

[Host 2]

Oh, they might Have.

[Sean]

No. I was. I was actually very happy. I was like, this is.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

We don't have.

[Nick]

Relaxing.

[Sean]

Yeah. Like, go on bed with a few hours.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Gia Giudice]

I thought I was gonna freak out. That's why I was like, eh, this seems a little much for me right now. And then when I laid down and they actually put it over my head, I was like, whoa, maybe this.

[Sean]

I gotta take a nap. I was good.

[Cody Brown]

Did you fall asleep?

[Gia Giudice]

It was like, wow. Maybe this course is, like, doing things. Because I'm pretty calm right now.

[Nick]

Sean and Andrew, I'm curious. I mean, again, we spoke about, like, the letters and just your guys's relationship, and I just open up to any of your cast members, but who kind of watch you guys connect. But how do you guys make your relationship work and. And the way that you do? I love the way you guys talk about your relationship as teammates and things like that now. And I. We have kind of the same kind of dialogue in our relationship in terms of.

[Andrew East]

Of.

[Nick]

I feel lucky to have someone to do life together with. Right. And it feels great to, like, have someone who really feels like a teammate. But has that always been a part of your guys's relationship? And where do you think, as individuals, that kind of mantra comes from? I don't know. I don't know if we're the right.

[Andrew East]

People to give relationship advice. But Sean. Sean has this. What's the tattoo on your.

[Nick]

Your forearm?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Grace with humility.

[Andrew East]

Grace with humility. I feel like she embodies that so well, where she is the most talented, capable, incredible women I've ever met. And she does all that and crushes everything, but does it with such humility that it, like, leaves room for relationships or room for me to, like, you know, support her in whatever way. So I think I would say, like, humility is a big part of what I've learned from Sean. And then, I mean, we've been married for almost 10 years, and we've had a lot of good things happen, a lot of tough things happen. We've been through marriage counseling, pre premarital counseling, done all the stuff, and tried to try to get outside perspective, too, because you can get all up in your head, so. Which was another benefit of the show where it's like, you know, you got all these other outside perspectives, and I feel like I got a whole new. I got to see Sean in her elements on this show where it's like, oh, she's a boss. And I usually, you know, like. Like, she was a boss. So it's just cool. Yeah. Like, We've got to do a lot of cool things together. But I think the best result of that has been that I've just, like, learned all of the beautiful nuances and gotten a higher resolution of all her. Her wonder.

[Sean]

I would say we're each other's best friends. We've been together since 2012, now married almost 10 years, and we just agreed really early on that we would approach. This is going to sound unromantic, but approach our marriage and our relationship like we did athletics, with as much like intentionality in protecting it and taking care of it as we can. And we just always know that the. The stronger teammates we are in life, this. The better parents we are, the better business people we are the better friends. And we just work. We work really, really hard to protect our marriage at all costs. Whether that's, you know, things have felt strange in a phase of life where we're like, maybe we should go see a marriage counselor to see if we can. Can do this better or, you know, even talking about this show, we. We talked about this show for weeks before actually going on it. Just saying, is this worth it? Is what is the absolute worst case scenario thing that could happen and is it worth. Is it worth the risk? And we're just always trying to make sure that we prioritize our marriage because.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

What did you think the worst case scenario would have been?

[Sean]

We had a lot of conversations about would the show pit us against each other and if they did, how would we approach that?

[Host 2]

How would we deal with it?

[Sean]

So even going into interrogation, it's funny because we were talking about Andrew's mortified by the dunking scene. He's mortified that he. He decked Brie. So he apologizes every day and he mortified that he was the nicest human.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

On the ever met.

[Sean]

So sweet. I think it was the first time we felt like, oh, yeah, this is it. This is the show trying to get in between us. And so it didn't even phase us. And it wasn't a question because it was like, you can't shake it. But yeah, he's just my best friend.

[Nick]

I love how you guys talk about, you know, the hardships of your marriage. Right. And I think you said on the show you guys choose each other every day, because I really think that's what it's all about. I mean, so many people, like, it's like they fall in love, they decide they're going to be together, and that's supposed to be it, like destiny or fate. And I love the way that you guys talk about it. It has to be intentional. You have to wake up and decide to prioritize your partner, you know, because last week. Week was last week, and today is today. So I love that about your guys's relationship, and I love the example you guys set. So I think it's great.

[Host 2]

In your questioning, Sean, they called you robotic.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Was that shocking criticism for you?

[Sean]

It was shocking that it was criticism at all. I was like, isn't that what you want? You're like, wait a second. I had.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

They're like, we want to see your character. And then it's like, but you yell at me if I say anything.

[Sean]

I remember after that interview, walking into the various.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I was.

[Sean]

Was so confused. I was so confused. I do think the farther I get removed from the show and seeing how different the DS approach each person, seeing their wisdom with, like, psychology and finding the weak points of people, I do feel like that is my weakness. It definitely comes from gymnastics. I. We were told we weren't allowed to have emotion, and I. I learned that as a child. So I do think that's something that they, like, picked up on. I was very shocked that it was a negative. And in my mind, I was like, is it a negative for the show or is, like, actually a negative? But it was. It was cool to see and even talk to. I remember when Foxy was walking me back from that interrogation, or like that. Whatever. He wasn't the one in the room, but he was, like, having a conversation with me, and I was like, wait, do they walk, like, all of them? And he was the one who kind of brought it full circle. And he said, why don't you show emotion? I said, well, verbatim, we were taught emotion is weakness, like, my whole childhood. And he said, but is it really? I really think you should. You should think about that, because we don't see it as one. And to hear that from someone that you respect and, like, idolize and all these DS are truly, like, heroes. And to see, like, the elite of the elite say the opposite, I think was really, like, cathartic and healing for me. But, yeah, it was very shocking.

[Gia Giudice]

So, like, I don't know, she was, like, really nice. And I felt, like, gave so much advice when we were in those rooms with them. So that was, like, a point where you could, like, put your guard down and finally listen to them and connect with them on, like, a real note.

[Nick]

Yeah, they really knew how to, like, when to push and when to pull back. It kind of related to you, Bri. When I was down really bad, I was hyperthermic.

[Cody Brown]

And then when I went in the.

[Nick]

Mirror room and they were doing the bad cop thing, and then all of a sudden, Billy switched, and he was like, you can finish this. You know, like, there's only this many days left. And I felt like he believed in me in that moment. And honestly, I don't know if I would have finished if it weren't for that moment of Billy telling me to, like, kind of suck it up and get it together. So it was really fascinating to see how they. How they work. Speaking of Billy, Cody, I want to turn to you. I had the opportunity to have Billy at our show and just, like, have drinks with him and get to know him. And he had told me this story. I think it's in his book, but he talks about his relationship with his children, and there was a time where I think his daughter was, you know, driving him home from the pub, and she just kind of broke down and just kind of talked about the disconnect in their relationship. And maybe it's because I have the benefit of that perspective, having that conversation with Billy. You could really see Billy, like, challenge you. And it really felt like Billy was trying. Like, was speaking through personal experience. You know, obviously your situation's different than his. But if I could see Billy trying to get through to you to say, you know, regardless of the variables and regardless of, you know, I'm sure you have your side. You know, Billy's came from this. Like, I'm their father. At the end of the day, it's my responsibility to make amends. Did you get a chance to get to know Billy's story? And do you kind of see that POV of, like, whatever's going on with you and your kids that, like, as the dad, it's. It's my job to figure out a way to get through and. And be there for my kids.

[Cody Brown]

Yeah. So I've not. I don't know Billy's story at all. Interesting. And so I'm going into this with, like, I'm. I'm. Life is a process, and I'm. I'm. I'm reaching, and if I. If my hand is slapped, when I reach, I wait, and then I'll wait a while and then reach again. And then when, you know, the time comes when you reach and somebody's got to unload. So now you finally reach, and it's time to unload, and then you start to heal things, and then you don't get a call back for a week, and then Another and then another and then another. And you're wondering what's going on in their healing. So you become very suspicious. Are my kids talking about me? And are they, are they all making an agreement? There's a big difference though. There's 18. One has passed. The others don't all act the same as one or two. So I have a good relationship with many of my children. And so it's just a process. And we're in the throes. We're at the ending of a five year process of just divorce, making things worse and worse and worse and worse. I'm just trying to make them better and better and better. And I'm afraid that I probably can't do that while I'm still on tv because the TV pushes a rub. And so I reach out, but not on tv. When I do reach out on tv, it's very difficult.

[Nick]

Yeah. It's a different situation. Yeah, yeah.

[Host 2]

I'm sorry, did you say you had one child pass away?

[Cody Brown]

I did, yes. A soldier. Yeah, but he wasn't, it wasn't from combat.

[Nick]

I'm sorry.

[Gia Giudice]

Sorry.

[Cody Brown]

Thank you.

[Host 2]

If I can give you any advice from someone who has not a great relationship with her father. Don't stop reaching out. Don't stop showing them that you care and that you want to be a part of their lives. Even if they don't respond, keep calling, keep texting.

[Cody Brown]

I always tell him that I love them. I always reach out. Talk to me when you feel like you can. And when they, you know, sometimes it's very kind and sometimes it's not. And then you have that experience where I've got five children right here, right next to me, and they're very engaging. And so there's a tendency for me to put a lot of effort where it's, where it's affecting give. And so when I, I reach out, I make the effort. And a relationship requires two people. And I'm to a point now, it's like when they gotta unload something that's. That feels like it's cruel. You just sit through it, you just take it. I find myself very often being motivated to apologize for things that I don't feel like I should own. And so it's a, a, it's a debate there as well. And you don't want to invalidate that. You want to accept it and then think about it. And the process is not easy because it's very painful. There are those who are just not causing any pain and sometimes it just has to do with the relationship.

[Host 2]

Itself just to challenge you a little bit.

[Cody Brown]

It's.

[Host 2]

It's not your children's job to keep the relationship. It is your job being the father. I'm always the one who has to reach out to my dad. Oh, And I don't want to be.

[Cody Brown]

No, I'm the one that.

[Sean]

No, no, no.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I know, but because.

[Host 2]

You'Re saying that, like, a relationship takes two people.

[Cody Brown]

No, but I am reaching out. That is my point, that I am reaching out.

[Andrew East]

I want to circle back because this just got me thinking about Bree's letter that she wrote when we were in the barracks. And I. I think about. I hope you don't mind me sharing some.

[Nick]

She's a phenomenal writer, by the way. I think.

[Andrew East]

I think you have a book coming out soon, so check it out. But.

[Nick]

But she.

[Andrew East]

She shared the story about eating donuts with her dad at, like, a truck stop. And the fact, like, I'm getting chills thinking about it. It makes me cry. Thinking about, like, everyone. Everyone talks about. Everyone talks about quality time. Right. That builds relationships. But one thing that I just think about, hearing that story just, like, one of these just normal vanilla moments and mundane. It's like the quantity. Time matters, too. It's like her just hanging with her dad. Her dad inviting her to come hang was, I thought, so powerful. And it's, like, changed how I think about my relationship with my wife and my kids. I was like, I want to just have them, like, togetherness, you know? It's really interesting, the ripple effects I can have. So thank you for that.

[Nick]

I am curious. What's the first thing you guys eight leaving the base?

[Cody Brown]

There's following so important. I'm flying Emirates on the way back, and they feed me caviar and filet mignon on Emirates when I'm flying back. I think it was United Emirates. It's some fancy. It was a giant airplane. Flamingon and caviar. And it was. I mean, maybe I was tainted because.

[Gia Giudice]

I'd been even disciplined in our airport food. Yeah, we.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah, I kept being like, gia, there's vapes in here. And she's like, don't buy one. Don't buy one. I'm like, oh, my God.

[Sean]

Andrew and I got to go to this hotel. It was really close to the final, like, to bas. It was like this tiny little. It looked like Aladdin's house.

[Gia Giudice]

It was.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

They heard about that. It was incredible.

[Sean]

We had.

[Andrew East]

We feasted this.

[Sean]

It was like a. It was like a bed and breakfast. And this Moroccan woman who lived there, and she, like, Ran the place. Place home cooked a feast for Andrew.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

And I. Yeah, good. Guys.

[Nick]

What are you guys plans for Thanksgiving?

[Sean]

Christmas Eve though? Every year. We'll see you there.

[Cody Brown]

How do I you bro, I'm going.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Back home to Boston.

[Cody Brown]

Okay, Cody, so just open the doors. Everybody come and I, I bake the turkey.

[Andrew East]

Turkey.

[Cody Brown]

And all my kids and I, we all cook all day long.

[Nick]

What's your, what's, what's your process for the turkey?

[Cody Brown]

Baking the turkey. I. I usually do the bag and I'm anti plastic because I don't, you know, I'm like worried about health. But I have to do the bag because it keeps the turkey moist. And no pepper and no on any of my food. Everybody adds their pepper.

[Host 2]

Bri, how is BFF's doing?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

It's good. I was telling you guys before, this is our. We're recording our last episode today of after five years is coming to an end.

[Nick]

Are you sad? Excited? Ready for your next adventure?

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Yeah, I'm all of the emotions. It's definitely been a crazy journey. I've grown so much on it. I've grown up on the show. I started when I was 21. Now I'm 26. So everyone has definitely seen me through a lot of different hair colors, a lot of different phases in my life, a lot of different, you know, moments. But yeah, we're just kind of done talking about people. I think we're kind of going our own way direction and we've just grown out of it a little bit. But I love Josh so much and I'm excited to close it, like on a good note.

[Host 2]

In your next chapter is a book. So.

[Sean]

Yeah, she's actually writing it herself. She's like a creative artist. Everyone read this.

[Host 2]

Well, I've always known that. I mean, you write beautiful poems. It's something that like, I think is well known about you. So the fact that you can also write a book is not shocking.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Thanks.

[Nick]

Speaking of beautiful poems, Andrew, I was wondering if you could leave us with a subpar sassy poem before we pop.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

That's hard.

[Host 2]

Give him a second to. Roses are red, ballads are blue.

[Andrew East]

I don't know to rhyme a little. You guys saw I'm not great thinking on my.

[Host 2]

Can we do a pipe?

[Andrew East]

I'm not making time.

[Cody Brown]

I need a pen and paper in front.

[Andrew East]

Two hours.

[Host 2]

We'll let you think on it, Gia. Next gen. Arg. Have you started filming?

[Gia Giudice]

We're filming right now. Yeah, we were filming at Braficon.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Okay.

[Gia Giudice]

I want Brie to come on next gen.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I think I'm too old.

[Gia Giudice]

But no you're not.

[Sean]

Yours in phase eight.

[Nick]

Definitely not.

[Gia Giudice]

Amir is 29. Charlie's 31.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

Okay. True. Yeah, we talked about this last night.

[Gia Giudice]

Yes, she's not too old.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

I'll be on the next season.

[Andrew East]

I would watch it.

[Brianna LaPaglia]

That would be fun.

[Nick]

Well I just want to thank you guys for taking the time. It's been really fun to just recap this season and hear all the behind the scenes and obviously get to know all of you you a little bit more. So appreciate you taking the time and it's just been a lot of fun and thank you guys for listening. Do not forget to check out Special Forces World's Toughest Test now available on Hulu. Watch it if you haven't already. It's definitely a good one. Thank you again for our sponsor Mint Mobile for sponsoring this show. Be like a winner and go with the wireless provider. As tough as you are, whether you're stuck in the jungle, desert or any other obstacle course, Mint Mobile is there for you. And it's the perfect time too. Mint Mobile is having their biggest deal of the year.

[Host 2]

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[Nick]

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[Host 2]

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