Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
Episode: Can You Forgive A Cheater? (SLOMW Recap) – December 24, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of Two Ts In A Pod brings Tamra Judge together with special guest co-host Jana Kramer to break down Season 3, Episodes 8 & 9 of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW). The hosts rehash the dramatic relationship twists, sexual betrayal scandals, cast career moves, and reality TV production insights. Deep discussions are wrapped in Tamra and Jana’s candid, unfiltered style, often drawing on their own industry and life experiences. The episode explores whether you can truly forgive a cheater, what reality TV fame brings, and how real issues like sexual trauma are handled onscreen.
1. Special Guest, Industry Chatter, and SLOMW Star Updates
(03:30–11:56)
Guest Introduction:
- Jana Kramer joins Tamra Judge; they joke about pronunciation of her name and adapting to life in Tennessee after leaving LA (03:30–05:10).
- Jana explains her move for family and work–leaving LA acting for the community life in Nashville.
Career Crossovers:
- Discussion of Whitney Levitt (SLOMW) taking on a starring and executive producer role in the new film All for Love (05:27–07:56).
- “She hasn’t been proven to be an actress... So this is kind of like, all right, girl. Like, this is, you know, let’s see what you got.” — Jana (07:14)
- Comparisons to Housewife world: reality stars leveraging fame for new entertainment opportunities; both hosts note "the business is hard" and using whatever 'in' you can get.
- “I went the back door, too, on that. The only way I got a country record deal was because I was on a TV show.” — Jana (08:15)
Talk of Broadway & Reality TV:
- Whitney Levitt’s additional Broadway gig and the trend of reality stars taking stage roles.
- Jana asked repeatedly to do reality TV—doesn’t want to hurt her acting but says “I won’t say no to anything... could lead me to where I want to go” (10:08)
- Housewife geography game: few stars actually live in the cities their shows are named for—a playful jab at franchise reality authenticity.
- “The only one that actually lives in Beverly Hills... most live in the Valley.” — Tamra (11:31)
2. SLOMW Recap: Relationship Drama and Cheating Scandal
(12:02–19:52)
Dakota’s Sexting and Taylor’s Heartbreak:
- The episode pivots to Season 3, Episodes 8 & 9 recap, kicking off with Dakota’s sexting scandal involving Taylor’s mom’s friend.
- Hosts empathize with Taylor’s pain, discuss trauma of cheating, and debate what counts as betrayal if the relationship is off/on:
- “Girls, we don’t need to know all the details.” — Tamra (13:05)
- “You just get stuck on that... wheel of it... all women want to believe that this man’s going to change.” — Jana (14:29)
On Forgiveness:
- Tamra questions ability to work through cheating; Jana believes it’s possible if behavior changes.
- “If you keep breaking down the wall and keep cheating and keep lying, trust will never get rebuilt...” — Jana (13:35)
- The gray areas of Taylor/Dakota’s relationship status fuel confusion and judgment.
Cheating, Fame & the Cycle:
- Speculation that Taylor’s Bachelorette opportunity may be the true relationship ender (“She probably would have stayed with him if she didn’t get the Bachelorette call.” — Jana, 14:58)
3. Whitney, Reality TV & Redemption Arcs
(22:01–26:11)
Whitney’s Career, Hot Seat Reunions, and “Bringing Storyline”:
- Whitney feels alienated after the season two reunion, which both hosts liken to their own experiences as the story-driving, sometimes “villainized” cast members.
- “...when you are the person that’s bringing stuff up, you are the storyline, then you are going to be more on the hot seat.” — Jana (23:38)
- Discussion of “MomTok” and cast dynamics; whether Whitney’s business focus or standing up for unpopular friends makes her a target.
Jana on Reality TV Structure:
- Why certain girls are always ‘in trouble’; reality TV needs someone to stir conflict for story.
4. Sensitive Topics: Trauma, Honesty, and Support
(26:12–28:48, 47:53–50:26)
Michaela & Jace: Sharing Trauma
- Michaela bravely opens up to her husband about childhood sexual abuse.
- Hosts empathetically discuss the difficulty of such family secrets and their own related experiences.
- “She’s holding on to information from when she was six years old... so brave.” — Tamra (26:58)
- “It’s a violation.” — Jana (50:08)
5. LGBTQ Pride & Cast Friendship Shifts
(28:11–31:42)
MomTok’s Pride Party:
- Scenes of allies supporting the LGBTQ community in conservative Utah; Macy putting Pride flags out at home as her form of activism.
- Lighthearted moments about difficulty getting grocery stores to allow filming.
Layla “Tried Out for the Wrong Brother”:
- Banter about Layla now dating her ex’s brother; hosts reflect on their own “wrong friend but never wrong brother” moments (47:06).
6. Dancing with the Stars & Reality Production Insights
(29:56–34:03)
Dance Drama:
- Jen and Whitney both got “Dancing with the Stars” slots, fueling cast envy and plenty of drama.
- Jana shares her own experience—how tough the rehearsals are, her love for the show, and that Whitney’s talents made her the clear favorite.
Producer Cues:
- Dina Katz cast both for potential conflict, and it worked.
- “You know they know to have those two, that’s gonna bring the drama. And it did.” — Jana (30:43)
7. Marciano, Demi, and the Nature of Accountability
(39:52–46:04; 54:40–56:49)
Demi’s Controversy:
- Demi skips the reunion “for Disneyland,” which both host call out as unacceptable in reality TV.
- The Marciano texts: crossing the line between joking and emotional cheating; ambiguity about what really happened between them.
- “If my husband saw a text message from another guy that said, ‘good morning beautiful,’ shit’s gonna be not good.” — Jana (41:18)
- Abuse dynamics: Jana discusses her own past unhealthy relationships to underline how abused people may continue contact with abusers for complex reasons.
Accountability and Exaggeration:
- Hosts debate exaggeration in Demi’s narrative (“she’s saying a shove when it wasn’t even that”), and how the cast responds to her “victim playing.”
Jen’s Secret Taping:
- Jen’s recording of Demi is slammed as sneaky—using private convos as ammo at the reunion.
- “It’s not fair to be recording conversations.” — Jana (46:27)
8. Press Week, Fame, and Industry Realities
(51:31–59:13)
Rapid Rise to Fame:
- The cast preps for press tours and Jimmy Kimmel in LA; Tamra and Jenna recall their first times seeing themselves on billboards and press buses.
- “It was so exciting... all of a sudden we’re on TV and our faces are on buses.” — Tamra (69:34)
- Cast envying Whitney/Taylor’s success as the franchise’s faces; the competitive undercurrent of reality fame.
Reflections on Reality Stardom:
- Fame coming quickly for some and not others; Tamra and Jana relate from their own time on Housewives and other reality franchises.
- Speculation whether SLOMW will launch spinoffs—hosts agree the formula works because it’s “younger Housewives” (59:01)
9. Trust, Boundaries, and Relationship Fallout
(66:14–74:48)
Confrontations & Gaslighting:
- Taylor discovers the details of Dakota’s inappropriate messages/photos via a disguised phone call with her mom’s friend; the woman tries to downplay by claiming it was “just a swimsuit.”
- “Oh no, I was in a swimsuit.” — Tamra (73:32)
- “You just stepped in your own—Oh, I hate it.” — Jana (73:34)
- Taylor stays composed, showing growth, but her boundary is clear—she plans to move on.
- “I think she needs a fresh start with someone she can trust and respect and that respects her.” — Jana (74:18)
- Reflection on gaslighting, betrayal, and the difference between emotional and physical cheating.
10. Friendship, Growth and Moving Forward
(66:53–68:31)
Whitney & Taylor’s Honest Conversation:
- Whitney apologizes for not being there for Taylor, taking accountability for being wrapped up in her own issues.
- “I loved that ownership.” — Jana (67:21)
- “When you’re going through stuff, it’s hard to be a good friend.” — Tamra (67:32)
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “There are enough holiday movies for everyone... but she hasn’t been proven to be an actress. So let’s see what you got.” — Jana, on Whitney Levitt (07:14)
- “If you keep breaking down the wall and keep cheating and keep lying, trust will never get rebuilt and the wound will keep reopening.” — Jana (13:35)
- “You just get stuck on that... wheel of it... all women want to believe that this man’s going to change.” — Jana (14:29)
- “I wish I had a famous mom or dad.” — Jana (09:08)
- “If my husband saw a text from another guy that said ‘good morning, beautiful’, shit’s gonna be not good.” — Jana (41:18)
- “We all get. I don’t understand, like, why everyone has an issue with you.” — Jana (24:05)
- “That’s not fair to be recording conversations.” — Jana on Jen’s secret taping (46:27)
- “You have no idea what’s coming your way. Stay tuned.” — Tamra (38:52)
- “She’s doing her own makeup while being upset with Dakota… low maintenance.” — Tamra on Taylor (53:55)
- “I think everyone will land where they’re meant to.” — Jana (74:03)
- “Do any of these guys actually work?... The dad talk is weird to me.” — Jana (64:13)
Key Timestamps
- 03:30–11:56 – Guest chat, industry and SLOMW updates
- 12:02–19:52 – Cheating scandal, Taylor & Dakota
- 22:01–26:11 – Whitney’s reunion experience, producing storylines
- 26:12–28:48, 47:53–50:26 – Michaela & Jace: trauma and healing
- 29:56–34:03 – Dancing with the Stars, reality casting insight
- 39:52–46:04; 54:40–56:49 – Demi’s controversy, Marciano, and reality TV accountability
- 51:31–59:13 – Fame, press tours, relationships
- 66:14–74:48 – Confrontations, emotional boundaries, moving on
Tone & Takeaways
- Tone: Candid, empathetic, occasionally irreverent and humorous, always real about the cost and chaos of reality fame.
- Takeaways:
- Cheating (emotional or physical) is rarely forgivable unless trust is rebuilt and honesty returns.
- Reality TV fame brings opportunity, scrutiny, and friction—both in "career moves" and personal relationships.
- Healing from trauma requires bravery and open conversation; secrets persist in close-knit communities.
- Accountability, not just on camera but in friendships and marriages, is essential but elusive in the reality spotlight.
- The ups and downs of friendship, fame, and trust make for compelling TV and honest real-life reflection.
For listeners who missed the episode: This summary delivers the highlights, insights, and candid commentary that make Two Ts In A Pod an unmissable listen for Bravo and reality TV fans, especially those following the drama-filled journeys of SLOMW’s cast.
