Diamonds in the Rough: From Frenemies to Besties

Summary

Podcast Summary: Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge Episode Title: Diamonds in the Rough: From Frenemies to Besties
Release Date: April 18, 2025

---

Introduction

In the episode titled "Diamonds in the Rough: From Frenemies to Besties," hosts Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge delve deep into their evolving friendship, navigating the complexities of personal relationships within the limelight of reality television. Skipping over the promotional segments, the duo shares candid conversations filled with humor, heartfelt moments, and insightful reflections on friendship dynamics.

Confrontation and Media Scrutiny

The episode kicks off with Teddi recounting a recent incident that spiraled into unexpected media attention.

• Incident Overview:
  Teddi and her friend Kyle encountered a woman mistreating her dogs while heading to a doctor's appointment. Teddi calmly intervened, which led to a confrontation that was later sensationalized by TMZ.

  • Notable Quote:
    Teddi Mellencamp [04:00]: “We were walking to my doctor's appointment and saw this woman mistreating her dogs. Kyle politely asked her to treat them better, and things escalated from there.”

• Media Misrepresentation:
  The incident was inaccurately portrayed online, leading Teddi to address and clarify the situation.

  • Notable Quote:
    Teddi Mellencamp [06:11]: “The video that was posted was distorted. It didn’t capture what really happened, and I just want to set the record straight.”

From Tension to Trust: Building a Friendship

Teddi and Tamra reflect on their initial interactions, which were marked by misunderstanding and skepticism.

• Initial Impressions:
  Both admits that first impressions were less than favorable, with misunderstandings clouding their judgment of each other.

  • Notable Quote:
    Tamra Judge [10:10]: “When a new person enters the show, sometimes you don't get the best feel for one another. But seeing Teddi stand up for what's right changed everything for me.”

• Turning Point:
  A pivotal moment where Teddi took a stand during a controversial situation showcased her integrity, earning Tamra's respect.

  • Notable Quote:
    Tamra Judge [10:08]: “When Teddi stood up for those dogs, it showed me she has real substance. That's when I realized she was someone I could respect and trust.”

Dynamics of Friendship in the Public Eye

Navigating friendships while under public scrutiny poses unique challenges, which Teddi and Tamra openly discuss.

• Trust and Loyalty:
  Both emphasize the importance of loyalty and honest communication in maintaining strong friendships.

  • Notable Quote:
    Teddi Mellencamp [14:31]: “Having someone you can reach out to for anything, whether it's about the show or personal matters, is invaluable.”

• Quality Over Quantity:
  The hosts advocate for prioritizing the quality of friendships over the sheer number of acquaintances.

  • Notable Quote:
    Tamra Judge [29:59]: “Quality over quantity, every time. It’s not about having a million friends; it’s about having meaningful connections.”

Personal Insights on Maintaining Strong Friendships

The discussion delves into the nuances of sustaining friendships amid life's ups and downs.

• Communication is Key:
  Regular and honest communication serves as the backbone of their enduring friendship.

  • Notable Quote:
    Tamra Judge [33:15]: “Communication doesn’t always have to be constant, but when we do reconnect, it feels like we never left.”

• Handling Conflict:
  Learning to navigate disagreements without letting them strain the relationship showcases their maturity.

  • Notable Quote:
    Teddi Mellencamp [36:13]: “Sometimes, if someone comes to me with anger, I choose to walk away rather than engage in unnecessary conflict.”

Handling Public Scrutiny and Trust

Being public figures adds a layer of complexity to their personal relationships, as they discuss.

• Building Trust amidst Publicity:
  Trust becomes paramount when friendships are constantly under the public lens.

  • Notable Quote:
    Tamra Judge [39:48]: “Being in the public eye means people are always watching, but you have to stay true to yourself and those you genuinely care about.”

• Avoiding Toxic Relationships:
  Both highlight the importance of recognizing and distancing themselves from relationships that could harm their well-being or reputation.

  • Notable Quote:
    Teddi Mellencamp [37:29]: “If someone tries to bring negativity into our circle, I’m not going to entertain it. Protecting our peace is essential.”

Conclusion and Future Plans

Wrapping up, Teddi and Tamra express gratitude for their friendship and discuss future endeavors to strengthen their bond.

• Celebrating Milestones Together:
  Plans are made to celebrate upcoming birthdays with close friends, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences.

  • Notable Quote:
    Tamra Judge [29:34]: “Our birthdays are in a row, and we’re finally planning to celebrate them together with our close friends. It’s going to mean a lot.”

• Final Thoughts:
  The hosts reiterate their commitment to supporting each other through thick and thin, regardless of external pressures.

  • Notable Quote:
    Teddi Mellencamp [52:34]: “I’m glad we’re friends. Let’s continue to support each other and keep our bond strong.”

---

Key Takeaways:

• Integrity in Action: Standing up for what is right can transform relationships and build lasting respect.
• Evolving Friendships: Initial misunderstandings can evolve into deep, meaningful connections through mutual respect and shared experiences.
• Navigating Public Life: Trust and loyalty are crucial in maintaining friendships when constantly in the public eye.
• Quality Over Quantity: Prioritizing meaningful relationships over numerous acquaintances leads to stronger, more supportive friendships.
• Effective Communication: Honest and open communication is essential in resolving conflicts and sustaining friendships.

This episode serves as a heartfelt exploration of how friendships can flourish even in the most challenging and public settings, offering listeners valuable insights into building and maintaining meaningful relationships.

Transcript

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like your must watch list, our network is all over the place because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network. Switch now. Keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepnswitch up to 4 lines of your virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service support in 90 plus days device ineligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

[Erika Jayne]

Time is precious and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 24,7 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups.

[Erika Jayne]

For up to five pets.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You can message a vet at any.

[Erika Jayne]

Time and schedule a video visit the same day.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Our vets can even prescribe medication for.

[Erika Jayne]

Many ailments and shipping is always free. With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care.

[Margie Murphy]

In 2020, a group of young women found themselves in an AI fueled nightmare.

[Olivia Carville]

Someone was posting photos.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It was just me naked. Well, not me, but me with someone else's body parts.

[Margie Murphy]

This is Levittown, a new podcast from iHeart podcasts Bloomberg and Kaleidoscope about the rise of deepfake pornography and the battle to stop it. Listen to Levittown on Bloomberg's Big Take PODC. Find it on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Hi guys. Welcome to another episode of Diamonds in the Rough with myself, Teddi Mellencamp.

[Olivia Carville]

Hey, I'm Erika Jayne.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Erika Jayne, how's it going?

[Olivia Carville]

Well, no, I wanna ask you something because I saw first off, before it was on tmz. Okay. Our good friend Kyle sent me this video of you, Jen and Kyle, like with kind of confronting this or this woman that was mistreating her dogs. It looked that way on the video, but I just wanna say Kyle's like videoing and jumping in the back and you are calm, just so cool. Standing there, like unfazed. It was the wildest thing. And then I'm scrolling on the TikTok at nighttime and I see that it's on dmz.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, this is the part that kills me. So I get a text from. So this is now. So this. What day did I see you last week? Wednesday.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah. Cause we did the pod and then I saw you that night. Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So I see you Wednesday night. This whole situation happens on Thursday. And then Friday morning, I get a text message from my publicist. Did you and Kyle happen to get in a brawl on Ventura Boulevard?

[Olivia Carville]

It looked like it was about to be a brawl.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

This morning. And I said, no. No, we didn't.

[Olivia Carville]

No. No, you didn't?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No. I mean, no, I didn't.

[Olivia Carville]

Technically, no.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And then she goes weird, because maybe you could check out this TMZ right here. And I said, well, that was yesterday, Sue.

[Olivia Carville]

Right.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

If you wanna know the details, you need to ask the right questions. This was yesterday. And so what?

[Olivia Carville]

I got another brawl today.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I'm looking for one today.

[Olivia Carville]

Right.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But. So what happened was we were walking to my doctor's appointment.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah, it looked like you guys were on a regular walk.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like a. We had done, like, a walk walk. Then we had gone to eat. And then my doctor, the one that's nearby here, was like, oh, I can see her for a blood work. Whatever. So we're walking on this side of the street, and we see this woman, and she is. I mean, it's clear. She's, like, mistreating her dogs. She's, like, dragging them on the ground and, like, badly. And they're like, you know, like all. And Kyle, in a polite way, says, can you please treat your dogs a little nicer?

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, was that it? Is that? And then it was.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And then the woman went fricking rogue. But then I thought, okay, this is where it's going to end. But then the women. The woman crossed the street, and then Kyle crossed the street, and I'm like, hold up. Why are we crossing the street? It's already on. Like, the. Beware to go to the next side of the street. So Jen looks at me, and she's like, we need to get over there. And I'm like, I'm not sure I'm the best one in the fight right now.

[Olivia Carville]

I was gonna say, like, this is all you need is some brawl on Ventura Boulevard.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So then we get over there.

[Olivia Carville]

You already had the hat on and everything.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I was like, I would have worn a better outfit if I knew we were getting in a paparazzi brawl. Like, I was in all beige. I didn't even put a wig on underneath my hat.

[Olivia Carville]

Can I tell you? Only you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And so then there's. They're fighting. Then the other woman's, like, screaming, like, acting like she's gonna fight Kyle. Kyle's got the phone out.

[Olivia Carville]

Get away from me.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I just walked in front of.

[Olivia Carville]

Her, just no, it was genius. I'm watching everybody's body language, and you're just calmly walking in front of everybody.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Probably because I don't even know better.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, I just think that you're at that place where it's like, yeah. And I mean, you're just very.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So what? I'm like, what are you gonna do to hurt me?

[Olivia Carville]

Right?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It would be impossible. What? And you know how I am. I focus on two little things, and all I could focus on was that she had poop in her pants. I know I didn't get the poop. Not poop. But, yeah, I saw the poop. But then it turns into a whole thing. Everybody else from Ventura Boulevard comes down.

[Olivia Carville]

How did it resolve? Were the dogs taken away from her?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, we kept calling animal control and they're not coming. Yeah, we called 911. Good luck with that. The woman just pulled the dogs away and that was the end. But, like, nothing. But, yeah, that was the no I saw. But I was really just a confused human being wandering around.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, Kyle's like, this is how my morning went, and sent me the video. And I go, you gotta be fucking kidding me.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But the video, this is what I'm confused about. The video that was posted is someone else from across the street is someone else's video. And there's no no. So you can't even hear what's happening.

[Olivia Carville]

You know, the video I got was really like, okay, this in the trenches. Yeah, yeah. And you just, like, standing there like, what's going on? I'm like, I literally was like, I. Only my friend group, only us would.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like, you know, no, no, we're not going to let up once there's a crew of people that are just watching. And then one lady knew me. She's like, I follow you. Can you go stand over there? And I was like, yes, thank you.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, she was concerned for you. Thank you. That one lady. Cause I was concerned for you in the video. I was like, I don't know that Teddy should be doing this right now. And you're the most sane one out of everybody.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But then all I kept thinking was, my appointment's in seven minutes.

[Olivia Carville]

I gotta go.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We gotta get this wrapped up. We gotta get this wrapped up. And they have to walk me to the place. I can't be on my own.

[Olivia Carville]

Just, you can't be chased by.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And now that we've caused a scene. But either way, I mean, the woman was completely inappropriate to her dogs. It was scary. I knew it was gonna set Kyle off because Kyle Has a heart. I haven't seen mine in a while, but I think it's there. It's still there.

[Olivia Carville]

It's. It. It. It's.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I felt a pump.

[Olivia Carville]

Limited engagement only.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Only when I'm really annoyed. Like when Cruz came in at midnight last night for the third time. And all of a sudden I feel this. And I'm like, what's he doing? What are you doing? He was checking my sister's here. And she goes, he was checking to see if you were breathing, Mom. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. But then I'm like, cruz, thank you for checking on me, but you need to go back to bed.

[Olivia Carville]

He looks so handsome in his baseball.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, my gosh. That was his first game. And he's like, really good. Baseball's like that. Sports a long sport to watch.

[Olivia Carville]

It's a long sport, but it's the one that pays the most money.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

There's no boys look the hottest.

[Olivia Carville]

They're great. I mean, if you, like, you know, play pro baseball. I'm not saying that he is, but he could if he was talented enough. And it's kind of a great way. It's much better than the other pro sports, except maybe golf. Golf, you make a lot of money and you don't get hurt. Do you get hurt playing basketball?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Tiger's gotten hurt multiple times. I mean, maybe he hasn't been taking the best care of himself, but that's.

[Olivia Carville]

An exception to the rule. Most of them are in pretty good shape. You're not getting hit.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Are you just saying this because you're a better golfer than me and that's probably the only sport you can say that about.

[Olivia Carville]

It's not the only sport. I can see.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, what other. What other sports?

[Olivia Carville]

I don't know.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Singing, dancing.

[Olivia Carville]

Yes, I can sing. I can dance. I can. I can swing a baseball bat.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, see, I can't swing a baseball bat. Yeah, I'm not good with clubs. Club. Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

Not good with clubs.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Clubs are not my strong suit. Yeah, but I'm pretty good at racing. Why was. Now, at this point, I'm pretty good at sitting and watching television show.

[Olivia Carville]

Okay, I may beat you out there because I'm a really good. I'm really good at sitting and watching things. These days, all I do is I. I go home. I told her, all I do is put on all these positive meditations because you know why? If I don't, it's gonna end up on a crime show.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, that's where I end up.

[Olivia Carville]

Are you watching True Crime now?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. I'm watching tons of true crime. And I also watched adolescence, which is so.

[Olivia Carville]

How do you like that? How was that?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Ugh, it's so.

[Olivia Carville]

I mean, I heard it was masterful, but it is a depressing subject.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It's really depressing. And this. I don't wanna ruin this for anybody, but, like, I like a clean cut ending.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh. And there wasn't one. Kind of like life.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. Kind of like our lives.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We don't know. Well, which is the strange thing is we asked all of our listeners what they would want to hear us talk about.

[Olivia Carville]

No more sex.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I'm shocked they didn't want to hear every detail.

[Olivia Carville]

The Jets. When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

When you're a Jet, you're a Jet. So they said, we want you guys to discuss the female friendships, especially later in life.

[Olivia Carville]

Okay, let's talk about it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We can talk about it. So the first question is, can you talk about how you didn't hit it off at first and now have a beautiful friendship? What made you go from, I don't know about her? All right, this girl is for me now.

[Olivia Carville]

Can I speak first?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yes. And then I'll come back.

[Olivia Carville]

So I think that when a new person enters the shows, because we obviously met on the show, that sometimes you don't get the best feel for one another. And so we didn't hit it off right away, but I gained a lot of respect for you. And this is where my whole. I couldn't figure it out. Where my whole thing changed for you was when you stood up and did the right thing regarding the dog and Dorit and all that. And I was like, this woman has ball, and this woman is someone. And I like that because you were like, I'm not doing this. And all of you think you know the whole story. You don't, but I do. And that right there made me think, there's really substance to this woman.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, thank you.

[Olivia Carville]

And when I saw that, I was like, that's bold. And I liked that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And you weren't gonna go. I felt the shift then too, with you guys and pretty much everybody. I mean, it was. We sat at that hot table in the Bahamas for a very long time, very long time for me to get those balls.

[Olivia Carville]

But it doesn't matter. You got the balls and you did it. And then I was like, oh, shit, that's someone who's telling the truth. And I like that. And from then on, I was like, cool, we're good.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, for me, it was A little different. I feel like one of the things that we get along so well about right now is I think we are both quite good at reading people.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I think. And I'm sorry to say this, but this goes for both of us. I think both of us weren't being our full person.

[Olivia Carville]

No.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We both were having a lot of struggles.

[Olivia Carville]

And especially now, when you look back at it in context, we were both struggling and could not see eye to eye.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We couldn't see eye to eye. And I think both of us felt something was disingenuous about the other one, but we were. I was putting it on myself. She doesn't like me. She doesn't this me. Or. And she probably thought she's fake or she's fake.

[Olivia Carville]

No, no, I didn't think you were fake. I thought. I remember trying to befriend you on the flight to Vegas, and I said, oh, I heard. And you. I asked you a question. We were seated on the back with Sally Ann, and the way you answered me was like, yeah. And I just thought, oh, she's already made up her mind about me. Like, she doesn't like me. And it was just that one moment. I was like, okay, leave her alone kind of thing. Like, she's not.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She's not my person. And I think we both got that. And I think the more that we kind of hung around each other, it was like, okay, it was softening. Even when you said that I wasn't a fawn in the woods, I was like, okay, she at least sees who I am.

[Olivia Carville]

And the audience cussed me out, but I was right. Just like, I'm gonna tell y'all, I am always right, whether it's today, tomorrow, or five years.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You know what? She may have been right on that one, but I was right, too, when it was. She made us wait too long to put on the red.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, that was.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I had rage that day.

[Olivia Carville]

I know you had rage. And you know what? I do. You know why I was late? Because I was sick and I was trying to find something at the pharmacy, and I couldn't get back in time. And the pharmacy. Because it, like, was lunchtime. After we went to the zoo, which was really cool.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We did love that we got along at the pandas.

[Olivia Carville]

Like, the pandas were cool, and I couldn't get. I was trying to get something from my throat. Anyway, yes, I understand why you were late. I was upset, too, and I shouldn't have kept everybody waiting, but it was red.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But it was great when you were walking and Then your little heel got caught in the little hole.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, my God. Oh. And the bicycle almost ran me down. Like it was.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Sometimes it was necessary.

[Olivia Carville]

Sometimes God works in weird ways. But I do think that when everything happened for you at the show, I wasn't. And I made. I liked you and I respected you, and I wasn't gonna let the fact that you weren't on our show, like, stop our burgeoning friendship. I just wasn't gonna do that. I don't believe in that. Like, oh, that person's no longer on the show, so therefore we don't talk to them.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I think it also. You realize that somebody's transferred into an actual friend when you wanna tell them something that has nothing to do with the show.

[Olivia Carville]

Right.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like you're a person that I would reach out to. And I've said this in probably every single press interview ever asked. When people are like, well, tell us about the girls on the show, I'm like, if I were ever in jail, needed to get out, wanted to call somebody, that would never tell anybody, it would be Erika James.

[Olivia Carville]

That's right. That's right. And you know what? This reminds me. When I was going through all of this shit with Tom, you sent me drinks. And you go, I know you could use a drink right now. And I thought. And we hadn't spoken in a little while. I hadn't talked to anybody. And I thought, thank you, Teddy. It was just so nice of you to recognize that shit was bad and.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Sometimes you don't want to talk about it.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, I mean, I was just in a weird, like, scared place. And you were like, I think you could use a drink right now. I'll never forget that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I was, you know what? We may use a drink soon.

[Olivia Carville]

When you can. When you can.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

The weird thing is I am allowed to drink right now, but I'm so freaking tired all of the time.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, you'll just have to go to sleep.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. That it's in night. Night time.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah, well, we'll have to time that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay. So that's how we started kind of getting into it. And I do think it helped that both of us had a good relationship with Rinna.

[Olivia Carville]

She was really. She was very. She was a great broker for our friendship.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. Because Rinna would always try with me. Like, she.

[Olivia Carville]

She liked you. Yeah, she always liked you. Still likes you, still loves you, but she would try.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You know, you'd get little notes from production about people's past. And Rinna, you know, what made her such a great housewife? Is that she'd poke at you. Like, she'd be like, so I heard you ate your placenta.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah. Which was wild.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I was like, that was great. I was like, yes, I did. But it was in pill form. Do you have a problem with it? It's supposedly make. Supposed to make you feel better. Would you do it, or should I look into your pill pack?

[Olivia Carville]

She had postpartum depression. She probably would have done it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She was like, you know, like. Yeah, she had the ability to, like, go in hard. But then also, if you said something that made sense, she'd be like, okay.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah. She gets a bad rap sometimes because people don't understand. Lisa Rinna is a very good friend.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. She's not one. Oh, my God. Lisa Rinna came in to see me in the hospital.

[Olivia Carville]

I know. She told me.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She called me and it was one of my bad days.

[Olivia Carville]

She told me. She was like, erica, I just left Teddy. I don't know what to say. I was like, it's okay.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It was like if it was your or Rena's worst day on housewives.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, I'm sure.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Me on steroids.

[Olivia Carville]

You know, I don't do well on that. Like prednisone. And I get wild.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, my God. You.

[Olivia Carville]

I can't. I can't deal. Like, I.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But the problem is, I didn't know I was being that.

[Olivia Carville]

You also just had your head opened. I mean, let's.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

True. I mean, I did have a little sprout coming out of the top that I covered up today. I couldn't even do a wig today. That's the kind of.

[Olivia Carville]

Don't bother. You look beautiful like this. I have a nice shaped head. I kept telling you that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Thanks. Well, I'll probably wear a wig for tomorrow because I'll be with my sister and.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, that's fine.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She can't be the prettier one.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, no. Looking at you. She's sitting right here on the couch, by the way.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Sitting right here laughing because.

[Olivia Carville]

And I've never met Justice. We just met for all these years because we.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Our motto is, I am the cute one. She's just my sister.

[Olivia Carville]

She looks like you're doing.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We took that from Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.

[Olivia Carville]

I like them. That's a good thing to take because they got a billion dollars.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You know what? You try.

Like your must watch list. Our network is all over the place because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network. Switch. Now, keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off at the $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepandswitch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Last 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days device knowledgeable carrier and timely redemption required card is no cash access and expires in six months.

Time is precious and so are our pets.

[Erika Jayne]

So time with our pets is extra precious.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 247 access to licensed vets.

[Erika Jayne]

With unlimited virtual visits and follow ups.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

For up to five pets. You can message a vet at any.

[Erika Jayne]

Time and schedule a video visit the same day.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Our vets can even prescribe medication for.

[Erika Jayne]

Many ailments and shipping is always free.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

With Dutch.

[Erika Jayne]

You'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It comes to their vet care.

[Margie Murphy]

In 2020, a group of young women in a tidy suburb of New York City found themselves in an AI fueled nightmare.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Someone was posting photos.

[Olivia Carville]

It was just me naked.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, not me, but me with someone else's body parts on my body. Parts that looked exactly like my own.

[Margie Murphy]

I wanted to throw up. I wanted to scream. It happened in Levittown, New York. But reporting the series took us through the darkest corners of the Internet and to the front lines of a global battle against deepfake pornography.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

This should be illegal, but what is this?

[Margie Murphy]

This is a story about a technology that's moving faster than the law and about vigilantes trying to stem the tide. I'm Margie Murphy. And I'm Olivia Carville. This is Levittown, a new podcast from iHeart podcasts Bloomberg and Kaleidoscope. Listen to Levittown on Bloomberg's Big Take podcast. Find it on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Erika Jayne]

Every single day, we are given a choice. We can either bring heaven down or bring hell up. Welcome to Bring Heaven down, the podcast where faith meets everyday life and the presence of God becomes real right where you are each day. On Bring Heaven down, we will dive into the truth of God's word with open hearts and open hands. Because heaven isn't just a distant place. It's a promise we can carry into our homes, our work, our relationships, even our struggles. Bring heaven Down. We'll take Bible verses and apply them to your life. Romans 15:13 says, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. That's our prayer for you that bring Heaven down becomes a daily reminder that God is near, he is good, and he is working in your life, even when it doesn't feel that way. Listen to Bring Heaven down on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Let's bring heaven a little closer together.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay, so the next thing is. What's something about each other that surprised you in a good way after you got close?

[Olivia Carville]

Teddi, it's probably. I have to say this. You are one of the most mentally strong people I've ever seen in my entire fucking life. This woman, if it's a commitment, I'll never forget. We were in Santa Barbara, and I don't know if you remember me being a bitch. This woman will wake up at the crack of dawn and go run, like, 100 miles before we ever started, like, getting up. And I just remember yelling, keep going.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Keep going.

[Olivia Carville]

She's out there running in the heat, and just. You're one of the most disciplined, mentally strong I've ever seen.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh.

[Olivia Carville]

The commitment is. Is 100%.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And she would give me shit about it, but don't worry, I would give her shit back in my head. I just didn't have enough balls to sing.

[Olivia Carville]

You had a lot of balls. You just weren't doing it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But I. I would say, for me, it started when. When shit started hitting the fan for me on the show and I realized how warm you could be. I was like, oh, so I've just made up a completely wrong person.

[Olivia Carville]

No, I don't think that I come across real cuddly. But you know what I am good at? Cuddly. I don't. But you know what I am good at? When people are down, I'm like, hold on a second. We're gonna get through this. That is one thing that I do well because I just don't like for people to feel alone.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And you'll stop somebody in their tracks when they're going down the rabbit hole the wrong way. What's something you think? So this is for both of us. What's something we think we do well as friends that maybe we don't give ourselves credit for? For me, it's. You give very helpful, honest advice that maybe people think, think, but they don't actually want to hear it. I don't get my feelings hurt in that way.

[Olivia Carville]

You don't?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like, there was something we were talking about the other day, and you were like, teddi, absolutely. Do not do that. And, like, the tone came out, like, where I was like. And I was like, I'm actually not gonna do it. And I'm also not gonna be offended by that tone. Cause that's an I love you tone.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah. Well, I just think that maybe in that particular situation. Listen, that was a flat out no. And I could see you kind of wanting to make. Because, Teddy, you know, you're somebody that's always working and always making things happen. I was like, we're not. That is not. I'm sorry, that is not happening. What is something that I do well as a friend, maybe I don't give myself credit for. I'd like to think that I'm not judgmental. I'd like to. I hope that when people come to me, they know that first off, I'm not gonna. You can tell me. There isn't anything that I'm gonna be like, ew, I'm a God. I'm always like, okay, we can work this out. Like, that's all right. Other people have gone through things like this. Like, don't feel bad. There's always something to do. I hope that I do that. I guess that's how I'm answering this.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I think that you do that. And I think you also have a good way of when. When friendships are not going as planned. You have a great way of being able to talk to the person that you know that's hurt and kind of help the situation, but also talk to the person that may potentially be doing the hurting and say, like, this is where you need to jump in. And I think it's hard to navigate both sides. And you can do that. I'm more of a one sided gal.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, I do admire your loyalty. And I do. And I think that, you know, like, yours and Kyle's friendship is really otherworldly. Like, it's really great to see. And I know how much she loves you and you love her. And I also admire the fact that you will own your shit.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

You'll be like, I did this. Or I cannot. I cannot lie to you. Like, this is what it is. I'm not gonna do.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

If it involves me.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah, if it involves you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But I'm never gonna. If you told me.

[Olivia Carville]

No, you don't. No, I'm not saying no. No, you're not that guy. Yeah. Yeah. You're not that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I think you're the same way.

[Olivia Carville]

No, I'm not saying it. And I won't do. If somebody comes and asks me to say something or do something that I don't agree with, I will not do it. Yeah, like, no. Like, to hurt someone. Else or to expose someone else or to make someone feel. Now, I may do it myself. Say you like, you know, whatever.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But, I mean, I have done it to people before in the past, but I feel like I've learned my lesson in that way. I would have. I wish the way that, like, my gut and my, like, my little beating heart, my little. The grand true Stole Christmas heart would have handled things was like, just always gone directly to the person.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But sometimes I would maybe have a stop on the way. And.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah, the stop always got you in trouble.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

The stop wasn't.

[Olivia Carville]

The stop was not the best.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

Not the best idea.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Do you believe in having one best friend?

[Olivia Carville]

No.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Or do you think different friends serve different roles?

[Olivia Carville]

I believe different friends serve different roles. Now, I'll tell you why. Because there are certain people I connect with. Let's just say being a mom, certain people I connect with, with. You know, they under. And I'm talking about me going to other people for, like, when I share things, I share certain things that I feel very comfortable. Somebody would know, you know, what do I do with this situation? So I feel like I have a lot of. My friend group is small, but I definitely don't believe in one single friend. I like different strengths and people.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I think it's. I mean, I think if we saw all of my friends and, you know, my sister and everybody combined in one room, which I did in the hospital, it was like, I do like a certain type. I like a strong.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, you like people that tell it how it is.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, I like strong people who are funny.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And so for me, that's key. But when it comes to, like, a best friend, like, I forgot who my it was. Maybe even justice said, who do you think your best friend is? And I said, I can't answer who my best friend is. No, I can answer who, like, my core 10 people have been.

[Olivia Carville]

That's a lot of people to have.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But it's. I still have high school.

[Olivia Carville]

See, that's impressive. I used to have high school friends, but, you know, I think sometimes my circle is very small, you know, and I have no problem.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But also question, did Tom make your circle smaller?

[Olivia Carville]

I was always small, but, yes, I was very wrapped up and lived behind gates and was very much involved in his life. And so I had maybe two or three friends. But, you know, who's good? I would go to Lisa Rinna to say. To ask her a question. And Lisa Rinna has this very, very skilled way of saying, you know, who you should go talk to about that. Go talk to this one about that. Because I know that they have experience in that area. Lisa's very good like that. She'll say, I don't really know much about it, but I know that that person does. Go talk to that person. And she's been right on many times.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I think that that's key. But I also think we have different friends for different seasons in our life. It's not that I'm not friends with certain people that. But, like, sometimes I'm really close with someone, but that's okay. Going through something together.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And it's. It feels the same. And then. Or there are people that I was close with, and then I had a bunch of kids, and then I was like, what am I gonna do every Saturday? Be like, you want to come hang at the pool with me and my 42 kids?

[Olivia Carville]

No.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, they don't.

[Olivia Carville]

I'm not that girl.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No.

[Olivia Carville]

But I'd rather sit here and do this with you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. But, like, we'll figure it out. And I have to say, the other night when we were at Kyle's, there was a friend that you hadn't met of hers before. And after you left, she was like, I'm obsessed with Erica.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She was like. She just lays it all out, so it's so effortless to understand. There's no, like, sifting through the. And that's the thing when you live in Los Angeles, a lot of people feed you a lot of bullshit.

[Olivia Carville]

Lot of bullshit. And this is not the place for the time. Like, you know, especially at Kyle's house with you and Jen celebrating. Jen, like, that was just not. I. I don't want to do that at this age. You know, I'm gonna be 54 in a few months. And I was thinking about that. It's just. I want.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

When are you gonna be 54?

[Olivia Carville]

July. Our birthdays.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Should we go do something big? Because you're gonna be 54 and I'm gonna be 45. Oh, it's gotta mean something.

[Olivia Carville]

It's gotta be. So let's do something.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Let's.

[Olivia Carville]

Should we get our other cancer girlfriends together too?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yes, let's do it.

[Olivia Carville]

That would be fun, actually, because we. All our birthdays are in a row.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And we've never all been able to do it before because the last time you were in another country. For my 40th, so you couldn't come to that shit show of my birthday.

[Olivia Carville]

But it was this time. We really need to have a good time.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We're gonna do it.

[Olivia Carville]

Let's do it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Do you believe the quality of friends over quantity is more important? Yes, for sure.

[Olivia Carville]

Quality over quantity. Every time.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Every time.

[Olivia Carville]

And I think also, too, when you're going, I know us being on the show for a long time.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I mean, I don't know that I was on it for a long time.

[Olivia Carville]

No, I'm talking about, like, in this, like. But your other shows as well. Like, in your public life, the quality of your friends. Because there are only certain people that you trust in this circle. Because not everybody has the best intentions here.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No. And somebody said that to me, even with my cancer stuff.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, I was gonna say the same thing. Like, there. I'm sure there are lots of people that are trying to get close to you for all the wrong reasons.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, someone said to me, and this is somebody I ride horses with, she was like, be careful for the friends that you all of a sudden have that friends before.

[Olivia Carville]

I agree with that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You had cancer. And I was like, why would anyone. And then I realized it's like everything that they post or everything that they do hits gets them more social media followers.

[Olivia Carville]

Can you believe that? It's gross.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It's really wild. Wild to think about. Because I Actually, for me, it's. If I don't like you, I don't like you.

[Olivia Carville]

I don't want to spend time you've never. And you've always been. I don't like that. No, I don't like that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I'm like, okay, yeah. And if I don't like it, I'm not gonna.

[Olivia Carville]

You're not doing it. No. You don't fake it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I think that's also the power of no. Which goes into, like, the same thing as, like, having quantity over quality friends. Like, if I don't want to do.

[Olivia Carville]

Something, you're not doing it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like, I don't care what event it is. Like, there's been times where all the girls are like, you guys went to a dinner one night and the Fox Force Five did, and they messaged me.

[Olivia Carville]

And they're like, please let them go.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And they're like, it starts at 8.

[Olivia Carville]

And I was like, I'm not doing it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I'm not going. Love you guys.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, we actually had to arrange our lunches and our dinners around your schedule.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, yeah, because I don't like to do shit late.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, this was even before. Like, this has been years, you know, not just recently.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, but I was right. It's better to do things early.

[Olivia Carville]

No, I. Look, I'm with you, like, the other night. I know we were over at Kyle's and home by nine.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, guys, you didn't even get to see my tattoo. Okay, so always I've wanted this tattoo, and I never got it. Also, before everybody has a full mental.

[Olivia Carville]

Break, she was allowed. She was medically cleared to get the tattoo. So don't get crazy.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So my entire family and I have talked at all these holidays about wanting to get this little knife. I don't know if you can see it, but. And also don't mind that my nails that I've bitten off as I show you this, but because I want to, whenever I'm annoyed, just be able to go. And then anyone that knows me knows, we're done with this conversation.

[Olivia Carville]

We're not going any further.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Plus, justice reminded me we had a song that went with it, and we'd go, I think I like this little knife.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, well, there you go.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Do you remember? I think I like this little life. That was the most obnoxious song ever.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, you know what?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We've now taken it for the little knife.

[Olivia Carville]

I like it. I wish I could have gotten a knife, but I look kind, you know? That's all I need for my rebuild.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You know, Erica's gotten a knife.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, my God, she's slipping back. We always knew she was terrible. Relax. It's not that deep. Let me live.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay. What do you think the secret is to keeping a strong friendship going?

[Olivia Carville]

Communication. And it doesn't always have to be. If you are friends with somebody, I can pick up with you. Like, let's say I have friends. I don't speak to them for month, couple months, but when I do, it's.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like we never left.

[Olivia Carville]

And that, to me, is a signal of a real friendship.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Me, too. It's not a lot of needy and all pain in the ass. And like, I texted you, but I didn't hear right back from you. Yeah, I just had brain cancer.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah, it's. I've been busy.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I. I can't see my text message. And the last thing that I'm going.

[Olivia Carville]

To do is run my eyes for you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, and let. Listen, if you want me to call you right back, tell me you got some gossip, it better be worth it at this point if you're just checking in on me. This is what I also learned. If you're just checking in on somebody, say, hey, I'm just checking in on me. You don't need to write me back. No, but just sending love, just sending hugs. Yeah, that's great. Then I don't have to worry about It.

[Olivia Carville]

Don't worry about it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And then. Is there such a thing as too much honesty in a friendship?

[Olivia Carville]

Yes.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yes.

[Olivia Carville]

I think that for me, if something does not help or some. Or is. Look, I think a lot of people have put this. I'm unfiltered. I say it the way it is. That's great.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

But if it hurts, hold on. Like, if it's not something critical, if I knew something that was drastically going to change something for you, I'd listen. I've got to tell you, this is not going to be easy. But I got to tell you this. But just, like, my opinion, who cares? You know, Just like.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But I also think. I mean, I was in a situation the other day where, I mean, this was with somebody of the male gender, so it was different because I think sometimes they miss social cues a lot. And it's nobody that I had a relationship with or anything, but they were like, hey, you know, the next time that you're irritated about somebody I work with, the next time will you pull me aside and tell me and tell me and not in front of a group. And I was like, well, I don't consider two people a group. And we all work together.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, like.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But then I found myself getting crazy. Like, then I was, like, trying to.

[Olivia Carville]

Prove myself, well, you're competitive.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, then I was like, well, did you make a mistake or did you not?

[Olivia Carville]

Well, see, competitive. This is who she is.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But then I found myself going, why couldn't you have just gone, you know what? You're right.

[Olivia Carville]

Okay.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Next time I'll solely bring it up to you. But, like, is that.

[Olivia Carville]

I think you probably could have left it at okay.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah. When you start driving home the point a little too hard, it's not great. It's not great.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I made a shake on it at the end.

[Olivia Carville]

That's okay. I mean.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I mean, it's not great.

[Olivia Carville]

Look, it's. It's not terrible. It's not earth shattering.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

But it's just something for next time. Like, okay, cool.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like, I should have, but I. Then this hot part of my body fills up and I'm like, I need to show I did well. Is there a friendship as an adult that you've cut off and why.

[Olivia Carville]

I'm gonna think about that. I didn't have a whole lot to cut out. No, nothing comes to mind right now. What about you?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Only one. And it wasn't necessarily a cutoff. It was like the year. I mean, weirdly, I had a year that was almost as bad as this one. It Was right when.

[Olivia Carville]

When?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It was right when I got fired and Slate amputated her finger.

[Olivia Carville]

That's 20.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

20. 2020.

[Olivia Carville]

And both of our lives burned down at that time. No, I'm sorry To anybody, but, like, both of Slate's finger got chopped off. The guy got killed at your house. You got fired, Doug. Have her head going on. Right. All of it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It was a rough year. And somebody that I had worked with. Oh, then I was getting attacked on the Internet by a stranger.

[Olivia Carville]

Yes.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So somebody that I had worked with was very upset that me getting attacked online was upset. Was hurting her business that she started because of mine.

[Olivia Carville]

Okay, let's not.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I was like, you know what? I'm not mad at you, but I don't need this.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But I'm not gonna talk about this with you. Like, your. Your business came to fruition because.

[Olivia Carville]

Because of me.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Because of a television show I was on. And you don't think I'm also bummed on how it's affected my business?

[Olivia Carville]

Right. Like, I don't feel good either. So let's not.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, let's not. This is so. For me, it's like, if you're gonna come to me and be mad over something, I can do zero. Like, what was I gonna do? Be like, hey, Alex Baskin, producer of Housewives, can you please ignore everything that's going on and bring me back? One of my friends is a little irritated.

[Olivia Carville]

Right. Like, why is this all of a sudden about her and not about you? You know, I don't have. I keep so few people close. Close that I think there are different levels. Differential. Well, they're acquaintances, you know, so the people that are close to me are close to me. And.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah. I haven't. I don't think anybody in my adult relationships.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Do you think your friends are similar to you or different? Like Liah, for example, I think is like, she feels like a pulled back.

[Olivia Carville]

She's quiet strength. Quiet strength. She's very scrappy, but she's very quiet.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She keeps it undercover.

[Olivia Carville]

Very.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But she gets shit done within seconds.

[Olivia Carville]

She does. And she's also tough. Like, she's very tough. But you wouldn't. She's not projecting it outward. Yeah, I'm trying to think, like, friendships. No, but I've cut some people out romantically like that. I've seen post divorce that I think were just not the best.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

How long did it take you to figure that out?

[Olivia Carville]

Too long. You know what I mean? Too long And. And not that in the sense that. Oh, my God. I Wasted time. Because, look, whatever that means. But it was just like, it wasn't necessary. And looking back on it now, I'm glad that that's over.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. Oh, we got to get back to the word we don't like to use.

[Olivia Carville]

What's that one?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We're going. We're on to the second page.

[Olivia Carville]

We are. What do we have? Love languages? Are there friendships? Okay, sweet pea, we did these. Has being in the public life changed the way you trust or form newer friendships? Absolutely. But you've always been in the public eye. Like, you guys have always. Even though you grew. I know you always say this. We grew up on Hilton Head. Our dad's from Indiana. Like, I get it, but your father was, like, a really big rock star. So don't tell me, both of you, that that didn't come into play. Like, people knew. So did you ever think.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But we were chosen to. At that point. We were like, he had two, like, tall ass sons that played, like, rugby or whatever.

[Olivia Carville]

I have to stop you. I knew your dad was a big rock star, and I'm older than you, so to me, you've always been the children. Like, I knew that there were other kids, but.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But we got more attention. But we got more attention from, like, I just did an interview with Shep. We got more attention from my mom because my mom, like, we had, like, a big party house and, like, sounded like a blast. Yeah. Like, everybody would talk about Vicky, you know, like, so it's. Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

And the monkey.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

The monkey.

[Olivia Carville]

Was the monkey mean to you?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, but, yeah, I think we always did have our dad, but. Because we put. Even though other people may have put him on a pedestal.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, no, he's just your dad.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We didn't.

[Olivia Carville]

And by the way, I had to defend John Mellencamp the other day. Well, Teddy, in an interview, did you know this?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, my gosh. I did.

[Olivia Carville]

I thought I was going over there to talk to masked singer, and this dude says, so John Mellencamp says he's preparing for the Muslim. I said, whoa, whoa. This is, like, humorous. Like, let's not go down.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like, I made a total freaking joke about it. And he was like, let's pick our top six. And I'm like, what are we going back to? What was it before? Facebook or that? MySpace.

[Olivia Carville]

MySpace. You had your top six. But I just want you to know, like, in that interview, I was like, what? Like, what the fuck? Like, don't. Don't make this dark. Like, this was something that they, you know, that you and your father were talking about there's humor in here.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And in that same token, like, he knows me well enough. Like, I even told my sister when she came, I'm like, no crying around. I don't want to hear it.

[Olivia Carville]

Right, you don't want to hear it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But my dad knows that I need, like, some comedy to this because his next quote or his next thing was like, all right, now we actually really do have to get talking serious. Like, we need to talk about your will and, like, your living trust and, like, do the things we need to do, you know? But, like, sometimes I don't want just someone to come pummel me. Like, let's joke.

[Olivia Carville]

Let's have a good time. Because these things are so heavy.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah. So I was like, no, I don't. I don't think John meant it like that. Like, yeah, don't. Don't do this to me right now. I'm gonna you up. I was really pissed. And then, where's this coming from?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know. It was. And it was everywhere. Like, that day, that was everywhere. And so was me getting in an altercation. I've been sure.

[Olivia Carville]

Dogs. Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I was like, telling.

[Olivia Carville]

You were the most calm person in the entire.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I was like, can I not get a break? I'm not even trying to fight with anyone right now.

[Olivia Carville]

What you did in your past life to deserve all this chaos, I must.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Have done some up.

Like your must watch list. Our network is all over the place because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Last 15 days. Qualify and unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days. Device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required card is no cash access and expires in six months.

[Margie Murphy]

In 2020, a group of young women in a tidy suburb of New York City found themselves in an AI fueled nightmare.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Someone was posting photos.

[Olivia Carville]

It was just me naked.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, not me, but me with someone else's body parts on my body. Parts that looked exactly like my own.

[Margie Murphy]

I wanted to throw up. I wanted to scream. It happened in Levittown, New York. But reporting the series took us through the darkest corners of the Internet and to the front lines of a global battle against deepfake pornography.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

This should be illegal, but what is this?

[Margie Murphy]

This is a story about a Technology that's moving faster than the law, and about vigilantes trying to stem the tide. I'm Margie Murphy. And I'm Olivia Carvell. This is is Levittown, a new podcast from iHeart podcasts Bloomberg and Kaleidoscope. Listen to Levittown on Bloomberg's Big Take podcast. Find it on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Erika Jayne]

Every single day, we are given a choice. We can either bring heaven down or bring hell up. Welcome to Bring Heaven down, the podcast where faith meets everyday life and the presence of God becomes real right where you are. Each day. On Bring Heaven down, we will dive into the truth of God's word with open hearts and open hands. Because heaven isn't just a distant place. It's a promise we can carry into our homes, our work, our relationships, even our struggles. Bring heaven down. We'll take Bible verses and apply them to your life. Romans 15:13 says, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. That's our prayer for you. That Bring heaven Down becomes a daily reminder that God is near, he is good, and he is working in your life, even when it doesn't feel that way. Listen to Bring Heaven down on the iHeartRadio app aboard podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Let's bring heaven a little closer together.

[Olivia Carville]

So do you think that you've. You're okay? So we were talking about you being in the public eye. I think you've been in the public eye since you were young. So, you know what? Do you have any new friends?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, no, I keep the same friend. I mean, I have. My most recent set of friends are friends that I met and Mommy and Me with Slate. Okay, so that's because that's when you're, you know, that's over 10 years ago. It's because you have a big life change and there were people and you.

[Olivia Carville]

Bond with women that are doing the same.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like, Matt was one of my fucking friends. What am I gonna do with him with my kids?

[Olivia Carville]

What? You were?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yes. 10 years ago. Not in Mommy and Me.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, I was like, you're in Mommy and Me. You have kids?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, not in Mommy and Me. Literally, my brain. I'm saying my current friend group was askew.

[Olivia Carville]

Okay, I'm with it now.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Jeepers. I didn't know I was gonna spell it out on the pod now.

[Olivia Carville]

Sorry. Are there any friendships that got stronger because of what you went through on the show? Yes. You're Looking at it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

And I think that, you know, people, a lot of people watch the show and they think they know what the show is about or how you feel, but that's not true. And the only people who really know what the show does to them are the women that have been on the show. And you do form real friendships when you. Or not. I mean, there's some people that we've worked with that you know that. Not one friend, not one iota of.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But there's plenty of time where you form the friendships. Like, I would say we had some of our best laughs on planes.

[Olivia Carville]

Of course.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I mean, granted, our first time we were filmed on a plane, and that's when we decided we didn't like each other. But after.

[Olivia Carville]

That was a bad start.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But after that, like our plane. Right. Because remember, we would fly 36 hours to go somewhere for three days.

[Olivia Carville]

Yes.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So we were. By the time our flight home, we were just like, can I sit next to Erica?

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah, can I just sit next to you? Like, do you have any snacks or do you want this? People don't realize that. And you kind of bond in those situations. I remember when Dorit. This is before you joined the cast. Dorit and I were not getting along in Hong Kong, and we had all just gotten rained on, and we're all sitting in the back of this minivan, and she had the poncho, and she went just like, you know, like, off. I was like, thank you. You know, like, we were not going to hear. I was like, thanks.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, she. You would do that too with Tums. Because I'd always get car sick. Erica would be like, you didn't bring him again? And I was like, no. And you'd be like, yes, here are.

[Olivia Carville]

Your Tums, you pregnant woman. And I was always fascinating. I'd have to roll down the window. I'm so hot. Like, you were sick. I. I was impressed that you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I want to tell everybody.

[Olivia Carville]

I wasn't even doing that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I want to tell everybody about friendships. Sprinter van. I said we made friendships in planes, not sprinter vans. Sprinter vans is where you find the. If they used all the footage from the sprinter vans, all the cussing out.

[Olivia Carville]

That we did of everybody, everyone.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I mean, it didn't matter if it was one of us, if it was.

[Olivia Carville]

One of production, if it was anybody, Just the level of anger in a sprinter van.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, we would get in and we'd be like, how long to the horse riding that we're doing? And they'd be like, 72 minutes. And I'd be like, don't act like that's not more than an hour because you said 72.

[Olivia Carville]

You know, like, it was very tough. The sprinter vans do not. There's something wrong with them.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, they need to get better recording in there, because that is not. Yes. You know what? It will.

[Olivia Carville]

No, do not get better recording in the sprinter van. I appreciate Erica's.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Erica's not. Her friendliest in a sprinter van.

[Olivia Carville]

Not. I'm not. I'm not. And not.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She might need more tums and other things.

[Olivia Carville]

I need lots of other things. The sprinter vans make me wild. I don't know what it is. I just. I think because the seats are so.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Uncomfortable, and if you have to sit backwards or sit. If you're late and you have to sit next to someone you don't like, and then you're like, they're not going to use this anyway. And now this person's gonna want to talk.

[Olivia Carville]

But do I? You know, it's funny because we were talking at the reunion about how dorit was smoking a cig in the car, and Kyle said, oh, you never thought that they'd use that? And I go, oh, they use. I assume everything they'll use. Like, I assume that when you're on, you're on.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And this isn't a dog out. Dorit. I love dorit. And I've smoked a cig myself or a vape or whatever.

[Olivia Carville]

Do you know the first time I saw you smoking was with the crew in Provence when you were drunk.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Olivia Carville]

I didn't know Teddy drunk smoker. I didn't know Teddi smoked until I caught her out back in France smoking. I was like, misfitness.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She was mis lifestyle. And I was hungry. I'm like, I was furious because the only person that actually carried s were Dorit. And I went to dorit.

[Olivia Carville]

And y'all were smoking parliaments.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, hers are parliament lights. No, with whatever.

[Olivia Carville]

Menthol.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Menthols.

[Olivia Carville]

And so I'm like, now she smokes American spirits. But I know she smoked T Funk.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So I had to move on from her, and I went to the crew. I'm like, does anyone have a cigarette.

[Olivia Carville]

That doesn't have menthol in it? I saw you back there smoking in a skirt and drunk, and I was like, what the fuck part of the show is this? I had no idea.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I mean, even Chris walked out to yell at me, like, get back in there.

[Olivia Carville]

I know. That's what I saw.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But that's why I never thought that they would use Dorit smoking on Camera because, well, they could use when you.

[Olivia Carville]

Were smoking with the cameraman.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

That's my point. Thank you, Pablo, for never sharing. Fuck off, Erica. For sharing.

[Olivia Carville]

Well, whatever.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But it's not why I got the Cancers, guys. It's a different kind. My metastized.

[Olivia Carville]

You had this. Do you know I saw your skin cancer with that night in Vegas that we're talking about?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yes.

[Olivia Carville]

I saw it on your shoulder. I can tell you what you're wearing. You're wearing a black romper. We were standing on the balcony. It was at nighttime. It was the summertime. We were standing in the Venetian and I saw this and I thought, oh my gosh, I wonder if those are scars or something. I saw it, it was like the first time I'd ever met you. I was like, what is that on her shoulder?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Because what year was the first year that I came on? What I'm trying to remember, like, so.

[Olivia Carville]

I did season six. Dorit came on season seven, and I think you were on season eight. So whenever that was.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Probably 2007.

[Olivia Carville]

Yeah, something like that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Huh? 17, 2017. Still not good with dates. Still not good. 1999. 1999.

[Olivia Carville]

He thought it was 1999 for a long time. Here we go.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Recently, 1990. What? The whole time I was in the.

[Olivia Carville]

Hospital, I was like, 99 was a good year.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I graduated high school.

[Olivia Carville]

That's what it is. I graduated 89.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay, graduated high school.

[Olivia Carville]

That you didn't graduate high school.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Barely.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, but you did you get kicked out?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, I just wanted to go to the horse shows at the end.

[Olivia Carville]

Oh, I would too.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

That you know what? Didn't make it to college.

[Olivia Carville]

But you guys are doing just fine.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Anyway, keep tuning in to Diamonds in the rough, because even though it may be more rough than diamonds half the time, when you listen to us, we're.

[Olivia Carville]

Doing our best, we're having a great time. I'm just happy to spend the time with you and have you smiling and laughing.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know, me too.

[Olivia Carville]

And I'm glad we're friends, I really am.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But let's fight next week. No, what could we fight with about.

[Olivia Carville]

Fighting about anything with you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I'm trying to think what I could do to really piss you off. I could pull your eyelash off. That would piss you off.

[Olivia Carville]

Here, do it right now. I'm not mad.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, Mike. I'm mad because I didn't put any on today. Well, thanks guys. Tune in soon.

[Olivia Carville]

There's my doe eyed fawn in the woods. I love you, Teddy.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

All we need some kind of velvet outfit and we're good to go.

[Olivia Carville]

Love you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Love you. Bye.

[Olivia Carville]

Bye, guys.

[Margie Murphy]

In 2020, a group of young women found themselves in an AI fueled nightmare.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Someone was posting photos. It was just me naked. Well, not me, but me with someone else's body parts.

[Margie Murphy]

This is Levittown, a new podcast from iHeart podcasts Bloomberg and Kaleidoscope about the rise of deepfake pornography and the battle to stop it. Listen to Levittown on Bloomberg's Big Take podcast. Find it on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.