Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
Episode: By Order of the Faithfuls: The Hunted Housewife w/ Caroline Stanbury
Release Date: January 18, 2026
Guest: Caroline Stanbury
Hosts: Tamra Judge, Teddi Mellencamp (absent in this episode), Dolores Catania (co-hosting), Wells Adams (host/moderator)
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, Tamra Judge and fellow Housewives alum Dolores Catania team up with host Wells Adams for an in-depth conversation with Caroline Stanbury—star of “Real Housewives of Dubai,” “Ladies of London,” and now “The Traitors US” Season 4. The discussion centers on Stanbury’s experience filming “The Traitors US,” facing tough challenges, Housewife dynamics in a game setting, behind-the-scenes moments, and reflections on life after being a Housewife.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Caroline’s Experience on “The Traitors US”
[03:22] - [08:08]
- Caroline expected her Housewives background to make “The Traitors” easy, but found the emotional and physical demands surprisingly taxing.
- Unlike Housewives, some contestants were very sensitive:
- "I was laughing...because she kept asking me who was talking about her, and I'm like, everyone's talking about you. Everybody. That's the whole game." – Caroline Stanbury [03:48]
- She disliked the physical challenges and relied on others for help.
- "I don't like the...challenges. I'm not a challenge person. I like people to do things for me, and I managed to find people to do it." – Caroline [04:06]
- Isolation (no phone, family, or outside communication) was unexpectedly peaceful for her.
- "Every show, they kept doing welfare checks on my door because I never asked for anything. I was so at peace." – Caroline [04:31]
- Dolores shared this sentiment, calling it “the most peaceful grounding experience of my life.” [04:49]
- Tamra and Wells, by contrast, “hated it” and found it stressful.
2. Challenges and Physical Toll
[05:19] - [07:55]
- Reflection on the difficulty of missions, including anecdotes about Bob Harper (fitness celebrity) ending up in the hospital during a challenge.
- "He was on the show. He wound up in the hospital on the first challenge...this is a man who was fit his whole life." – Dolores [06:32]
- Recounting specific, grueling challenges, including running up hills carrying heavy props.
- Caroline found mental stress harder than expected.
3. Game Strategy, Housewife Dynamics, and Social Tensions
[08:50] - [12:47]
- Discussion of clashing personalities and alliances, especially around voting for Donna:
- "I did have a little to do with Dorinda. It was about Donna because Dorinda was obsessed that none of us could vote for Donna." – Caroline [09:08]
- Lack of familiarity with the show or with other contestants made it hard to strategize initially:
- "I binge watched it when I got there...I didn’t know a lot of the people." – Caroline [11:15]
- Early days felt more like being in school—everyone was trying to be liked.
4. Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
[10:00] - [10:58]
- Caroline was tied to a tree, blindfolded at midnight for hours as part of a challenge.
- "It's filmed at midnight...there's a man with an ax next to you...I'm blindfolded. So after a while you just sing." – Caroline [10:13]
- "What a life experience. Who gets to do this stuff? I'm 50 years old. I've just spent...last two hours tied to a tree. This is amazing." – Caroline [10:44]
5. Social Media and Contestant Perceptions
[17:02] - [20:44]
- Donna’s “Trader” reveal: Most suspected her due to her distance from the group.
- Michael Rappaport’s controversial presence:
- "He came in and annoyed everyone from the moment he stepped through the castle." – Caroline [18:28]
- "He's so obnoxious...irritating as hell. And people will be standing at the screen and wanting to throw things. But that's amazing TV." – Caroline [20:15]
- Rappaport’s disruptive energy served as a distraction and “shield” for others.
6. Game Tactics and Reflections
[21:50] - [23:20]
- Discussion of strategies: being loud/disruptive can be a tactic, intentionally or not.
- Caroline and Dolores agree many just hope to be liked, as controlling the game with a rigid strategy is almost impossible with so many variables.
7. Behind-the-Scenes & Unseen Footage
[24:45] - [26:59]
- Many moments, including Lisa Rinna physically pushing Caroline in a challenge (“Push harder, Rinna!”), were cut from the show.
- "I was waving my hand like this and I knew she wouldn’t like it...they should show scenes at the reunion that we didn’t see." – Caroline & Dolores [25:17–26:03]
8. Food, Weight Loss, and Cast Bonding
[28:13] - [30:19]
- Dolores and Caroline swap stories about food—Caroline’s group had more indulgent options (lasagna, chips), Dolores’s had “clean” food (prosciutto, eggs, Scottish salmon).
- Arriving home, both sought comfort food immediately; Caroline had an airport egg salad.
9. Fan & Cast Reactions to Traitor Reveals
[31:32] - [33:37]
- The group almost voted Donna out on the first round, which would’ve been a show first.
- Lisa Rinna’s prowess as a “traitor” discussed:
- “She’ll happily run me down, reverse over me just to make sure I’m gone...she’s cutthroat. She’ll do what she has to do.” – Caroline [32:28]
10. Life Beyond Housewives & Lessons Learned
[34:10] - [38:38]
- Stanbury reflects on career transitions:
- "If the show...continued, I think it'd be very hard [to be taken off]. But I focus completely on my career and business...your eye gets taken off things you need to do [on Housewives]." – Caroline [35:02]
- Importance of not letting reality TV define your entire life and having a “Plan B.”
11. Fun “Who Would You Cast?” Segment
[38:38] - [39:58]
- Who should be on the next season of Traitors? Denise Richards, Heather Dubrow (“Miss Fancy Pants”), and Vicki Gunvalson are named as entertaining picks.
- "Denise would be so nice in this bubble of like, what's happening to me?" – Caroline [38:48]
- "Vicki would be funny on the challenges...she’s so clumsy." – Tamra & Caroline [39:43]
12. Upcoming Projects and Promotions
[40:09] - [41:32]
- Caroline plugs her upcoming women’s retreat in Sequoia, California (February 17-20, with Denise Richards joining).
- "We are creating our own women's troupe. It's called Stanbury Retreat...the year of adventure, year of getting out of your comfort zone." – Caroline [40:36]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Housewife-skills and “The Traitors”:
“I really thought being in Housewives, I’d find it incredibly easy...I’m not very sensitive like that. So I never asked anyone who was talking about me or anything like this.” – Caroline [03:38] - On calm in chaos:
“Every show, they kept doing welfare checks on my door because I never asked for anything. I was so at peace.” – Caroline [04:31] - On Michael Rappaport:
“He just really got under everyone’s skin. And he’s very hard to like because he picks so much on people.” – Caroline [19:17] - On post-Housewife identity:
“You have to have a love and a passion, just like any job. Even when you get retired, what do you do? You make sure you have a hobby...There always has to be a plan B.” – Dolores [36:06]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [03:22] – Filming from Dubai: Caroline’s time zone, respect for Dolores’ gameplay
- [04:31] – Welfare checks and the peacefulness of show isolation
- [05:19] – Dislike for challenges; comparing cast challenge participation
- [08:50] – Interplay and altercations with Dorinda, “butting heads” dynamics
- [10:00] – Tied to a tree at midnight, blindfolded—Caroline’s take
- [17:02] – Discussion of Donna being Traitor, group hunches, social media reactions
- [18:21] – Michael Rappaport and Yam Yam’s real-life feuds and TV impact
- [23:20] – Cast speculation on breakout stars and in-house romance
- [24:45] – Behind-the-scenes footage that didn’t make air (Lisa Rinna pushing Caroline)
- [28:13] – Food differences and post-show cravings
- [31:32] – Performance of traitors, Lisa Rinna’s cutthroat approach
- [34:10] – Life after Real Housewives of Dubai, navigating show exits
- [38:38] – Dream cast for “Traders” Season 5 (Denise, Heather, Vicki)
- [40:09] – Caroline plugs Stanbury Retreat in California
Final Takeaway
This episode is a candid, often hilarious reunion of seasoned reality stars, offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at life on “The Traitors US” through the perspective of a self-proclaimed “hunted housewife.” From drama and personality clashes to life lessons about identity and reinvention, fans of Bravo and reality competition TV get a well-rounded, insightful, and highly entertaining briefing on all things Stanbury and Housewives.
