Two Ts in a Pod: The Eds unEDited with Matt Ginella

Podcast: Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode: The Eds: unEDited with Matt Ginella
Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid conversation between Eddie Judge, Edwin Ariabe, and special guest Matt Ginella—husband to Real Housewives of Orange County cast member Katie Janela. The discussion dives deep into Matt's background as a travel storyteller and journalist, his and Katie’s journey through reality TV, navigating the drama of RHOC, and the personal and familial impacts of being cast members’ spouses. The episode steers clear of superficial housewife chatter, instead focusing on authenticity, support, and truth-telling in the high-stakes world of reality TV.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bravocon 2025 Recap & The “Househusband” Dynamic

• First Bravocon Experience:

  • Matt describes the energy: "It's the Super Bowl of this Bravo verse...the energy is sustained for that many days in a row.” (04:26)
  • Reflects on the contrast between the difficult season for Katie and the overwhelming support at Bravocon: “For her to go then to Bravo Con and feel the love...from so many fans...and cast members from other shows… it was fun. It was exhausting, but it was fun.” (05:49)

• Navigating Fame as a Spouse:

  • Eddie shares his side: “I didn’t do anything to be on the show. I’m just a supporting cast member for my wife...My M.O. is to stay the hell out of the way and not be a sixth or seventh housewife.” (08:08)
  • Matt observes the “rock star” quality of even the husbands at such events and the positive interactions. (07:47)

• The “Househusband” Circle:

  • Matt enjoyed interactions with other RHOC husbands and Bravo celebrities, such as Charles Oakley and Louie (Teresa Giudice’s husband), and comments on the solidarity and candid off-camera chats. (09:48-12:16)

Matt Ginella’s Backstory and Media Career

• Upbringing & Family Roots:

  • Grew up in Santa Rosa, CA; youngest of five, “a total surprise” to his parents.
  • Family deep-rooted in California sports—his grandfather was an original part-owner of the San Francisco 49ers. “From that five thousand dollar investment, he put like 23, 24 grandkids through college...it’s an amazing story of investment.” (14:52-17:23)

• Journey into Golf & Journalism:

  • Early passions in sports and horseback riding; shifted to golf in high school after a pivotal event.
  • Career trajectory: gofer, photo editor, and travel writer for Golf Digest, then host on Golf Channel, then entrepreneurship in travel media: “I started my own production company, travel and lifestyle...the month before COVID.” (18:00-22:32)

• Sacrifices & Grit:

  • On balancing grad school and work: “I think back to that time where I had no free time. I was exhausted...At the core of it, this is what I knew I wanted to do. This is what I loved. It was exhausting but it didn’t feel like work.” (22:59-25:24)

• Disrupting Old Media:

  • Frustration with traditional media waste: “I used to say, we killed the cow and only ate the filet. All this other stuff would go to waste.”
  • Vision for digital content and direct storytelling: “For me, it was like, let me help you tell your story and you’re going to own your story.” (25:56-30:07)

Entering the World of Real Housewives

• How They Were Cast:

  • Multiple outreach attempts from casting, solicited via friends (Byron Scott & Cece Scott from ‘Basketball Wives’).
  • Initial reluctance to join but eventually saw it as a unique opportunity for Katie and for their “Tea Shots” business: “It was literally like, let’s give it a go.” (32:57-37:29)

• Concerns About Credibility:

  • Matt admits reputation wasn’t a concern—until recently: “Not until about two weeks ago, quite honestly.” (30:07)

• Authenticity vs ‘TV People’:

  • Matt draws distinction: “There are people who do TV, and then there are TV people...What you see on anything I do on TV is exactly who I am. And Katie is the same.” (38:17-39:13)

• Family Impact:

  • Despite the strain, being on the show made them a stronger family unit: “It’s made us closer as not only a couple, but as a family. I love her more today than I ever have.” (41:40)

RHOC Drama: Lies, Loyalty, and Support

• Season 19 & Being Cut Midway:

  • Matt and Eddie dissect the season’s toxic dynamics, with Matt defending Katie: “This whole season really was a mix of lies and bags of lies...you guys were the ones telling the truth.” (43:05)
  • On the reunion: “I just saw a strong man...surrounded by lions...trying to get at you and poke at you and just, you know, trying to get you to get upset and say something really bad. And you just held yourself like a very gracious man with a lot of confidence.” (41:40)

• Conflict With Other Cast Members:

  • Intense focus on the antagonism from Ryan, Slade, Gretchen, Jen, and the lack of authentic resolution: “Their hate for Tamra...that is their tunnel focus is to go after her and you.” (45:37)
  • Dismisses various accusations and narrative twists as “blatant lies” and “a clown show”. (47:03)

• Housewives’ Social Dynamics & Production Realities:

  • Eddie reflects on the show’s editing and incentive for toxicity: “The more toxic the show gets, the more ratings...all the real stories, the good things...are not going to make it.” (50:57)

• Staying True to Self:

  • Matt says he and Katie have stuck to authenticity through it all: “We are who we are. There’s nobody who’s like, that’s not the Janellas...But narratives get twisted.” (39:13)

Lessons from Reality TV

• Good Takeaways:

  • Stronger marital/parental bonds, better knowledge of family’s and friends’ loyalty.
  • Matt’s appreciation for production: “I’ve been more fascinated by the production of it all from the very jump...They have like 20, 30 people showing up.” (63:14)
  • Bravocon as catharsis and validation: “I see the fact that people see through the smoke and the shade and do see her for who she is and that definitely has meant something to me.” (63:14)

• Advice for New Househusbands:

  • “Love and support your wife...It is Real Housewives of Orange County, but by virtue of them and their lives, we play a role...Just loving and supporting.” (67:35)
  • “If by being such a good husband means you just love your wife and you tell the truth, then okay, I’ll take it. But that’s literally it.” (77:38)

• Staying Out of the Fray:

  • Eddie: “Just don’t get involved with the fight.” (70:03)
  • Matt: “There’s a reason why it’s not the Real House Husbands of Orange County—guys would just be like, ‘Alright, alright. I said that. Well, yeah, go f*** yourself. Alright, well, that’s fine. Let’s go play golf.’” (71:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Surviving the Reunion:

  • “I saw a strong man...surrounded by lions...and you just held yourself like a very gracious man.” – Eddie (41:40)

• On Authenticity:

  • “There’s people who do TV, and then there are TV people.” – Matt (38:17)

• On Truth in Reality TV:

  • “If telling the truth is being rude, then you’re not gonna ever convince somebody with a brain that’s not rude. The truth is not rude.” – Eddie (77:28)

• On Real Stories vs Manufactured Drama:

  • “All the real stories, the good things about the Housewives are not going to make it...there’s so much toxicity available.” – Eddie (50:57)

• On Taking Sides & Loyalty:

  • “What am I going to do, say no?...If I didn’t show up, then this bullying behavior has no backstop.” – Matt (67:46)

• Advice from Ron White (via Matt):

  • “Figure out who you are and then see how far that will take you...There’s no way around anything other than being who you are.” (84:43)

Noteworthy Timestamps

• Bravocon Recap: 04:26–08:08
• Meeting Other Housewives’ Husbands: 09:48–12:16
• Matt’s Family & 49ers Connection: 14:52–17:23
• Journey into Golf & Media: 18:00–22:32
• Work-Life Balance & Passion: 22:59–25:24
• Moving to RHOC/Casting Process: 32:57–37:29
• On Authenticity in Reality TV: 38:17–39:13
• Season Toxicity & Defending Katie: 41:40–47:03
• Production Insights: 63:14
• Advice to New Househusbands: 67:35
• On Telling the Truth at the Reunion: 77:28–78:02
• Would Matt & Katie Return? 86:33–90:33

Final Thoughts

The episode is a revealing look at the human side of reality TV and the toll (and growth) that comes from living in the spotlight. Rather than gossip or drama-for-drama’s-sake, listeners are treated to a conversation about legacy, honesty, and family. Both Eddie and Matt highlight the importance of staying true to self—and each other—amidst the whirlwind of public scrutiny and contrived television narratives.

For new or seasoned “househusbands,” Matt’s journey is a playbook for staying authentic, supportive, and unshakeably committed in a notoriously chaotic reality TV landscape.