Two Ts in a Pod: The Twot Seat with Mayci Neeley

Episode Theme:
This episode features Mayci Neeley, breakout star of Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and author of the memoir Told You So. Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge dig deep into Mayci’s journey from reality TV to publishing, exploring her personal challenges, behind-the-scenes dynamics of the show, how her faith and community responded, and what fans can expect from her book.

Episode Highlights & Structured Summary

1. Introduction and Catching Up

• [03:35] The hosts introduce Mayci, congratulating her on both her new book Told You So and the recent birth of her daughter.
• Mayci shares her excitement about her baby girl, who is two months old.
• The group reminisces about connections in their neighborhoods, with Tamra mentioning potential Real Housewives casting for Mayci’s mom, Cindy.
  • “I lived there my whole life... I think we moved there when I was 7. My parents are still there.” (Mayci, [05:21])

2. Dancing With the Stars Talk

• [06:51] Conversation shifts to Dancing With the Stars and Housewives cast members now on the show.
• Mayci admits she would be too embarrassed to compete, despite having attended filming to support friends.
  • “You guys, I would embarrass myself.” (Mayci, [07:09])
• She describes the set as much smaller in person, with dances shorter than expected.
• Mayci discusses “splitting her vote” between friends Whitney and Jen.
  • “Me and Whitney have had our differences, but... I love Jen, so I feel like I don’t think I could ever choose.” (Mayci, [08:43])

Notable Debate: Advantage on DWTS

• Discussion: Is it unfair that Whitney participates with a dance background?
  • “She does have a good advantage because she did dance for her major... but I feel like they can’t single Whitney out.” (Mayci, [09:12])
• Mayci believes popularity is just as important as skill on the show.
  • “I think it’s 40% dance, maybe, and then 60% popularity.” (Mayci, [09:52])

3. Secret Lives of Mormon Wives—Season 3 and Cast Dynamics

• [10:33] Excitement over season 3 launching soon and how quickly the show has grown.
  • “I feel like it just... flown by… just already [a] new season’s coming out. It’s bizarre.” (Mayci, [10:37])
• Taylor, a fellow cast member, is now the Bachelorette—hosts ask Mayci about how Dakota feels. Mayci frames Dakota and Taylor’s dynamic as toxic, regardless of actions.
  • “Them together is horrible bad news.” (Mayci, [11:32])
  • “Narcissists can do that.” (Host, [12:03])

Cast Cliffhangers

• [12:48] Upcoming season will delve into the Jesse and Marciano storyline, leaving viewers with surprises and a better sense of cast personalities.
  • “They kept the fun little moments… some of the bloopers and the funny moments that usually don’t make the edit.” (Mayci, [13:14])

4. Handling Public Perception and Social Media

• [13:54] Mayci addresses how she handles mean comments and being labeled a “mean girl.”
  • “I don’t get a lot of hate compared to some of the other girls... I am not very controversial. I’m just kind of doing my own thing.” (Mayci, [14:02])
• She emphasizes filming much more than is aired, leading to misunderstandings.
  • “You’re seeing just, like, certain moments of our lives. You’re seeing probably the lowest moments...” (Mayci, [14:43])
• When asked about interpersonal drama among cast (Demi vs. Jesse):
  • Mayci is closer to Jesse but “takes a mental note” of Demi’s actions, open to forgiveness.
  • “I’m not going to be like buddy buddy... Unless things drastically change... I never say never because I am someone who will forgive anything.” (Mayci, [16:06])

5. Mayci’s Memoir: Why She Wrote It and What’s Inside

• [21:45] The hosts ask about Mayci’s motivation and process in writing Told You So.
  • Her story “had been writing itself for 10 years” through blogging, diary, and a desire to process trauma.
  • She pieced together old writings and added new stories—including ones not shown on the series.
    • “There is so much more in this book than, like, the three minutes that you saw on the show for season two.” (Mayci, [22:53])
• The show cut deeper storylines in Season 1, revisiting them for Season 2 as Mayci processed visiting the crash site where her son’s father died.
  • “I always knew I needed to do it. I just kept, like, pushing it off… [filming] gave me an extra push.” (Mayci, [24:02])
• The book details:
  • Grieving her son’s father
  • Suicidality during pregnancy
  • Abuse in a previous relationship (not aired)
  • Returning to BYU as a single mom in Mormon culture
  • Her “neutral” persona on the show as a result of these experiences

Notable Quote

“I know how fragile life is and how quickly someone I love was taken from me, and I would never want to experience that again.”
— Mayci Neeley, [25:07]

6. Support Systems and Motherhood

• [26:42] The “Mom Talk” girls were supportive, especially friend Michaela, who would show up with cookies when Mayci struggled during writing.
• Mayci and her friend Michaela had babies just six days apart—both named Charlotte (“Charlie” and “Lottie”).
  • “We didn’t even know that until, like, the Internet started going crazy... so now we kind of play into it.” (Mayci, [27:49])

7. Life Changes Since Reality TV Fame

• [32:37] Financial improvements, greater visibility/awareness for her story, and the challenge of losing anonymity.
  • “I love just, like, going to Target in my sweats and looking, like, a little homeless, you know?... That’s the only thing... it’s a little bit different.” (Mayci, [33:35])

Privacy Concerns

• Mayci is wary of secretive fans recording or photographing her, especially with her children.
  • “I just more so worry about the intention behind it.” (Mayci, [34:17])

8. Faith and Community Reactions

• [35:10] LDS community was at first critical, questioning her “Mormon-ness” in response to the show’s trailer.
  • “That was a little hard because I’m like, this is my own community, like, kind of attacking me... it made me question myself.”
  • Backlash subsided after the show aired, with misunderstandings resolved.

9. What Fans Don’t Know—and What the Book Unlocks

• [36:28] The book gives a behind-the-scenes look at social media influencer careers, not just “Mom Talk” or Taylor-driven fame.
  • “I had 1.2 million followers before I even went into Mom Talk... I very much, like, grew this on my own.” (Mayci, [36:33])
• Mayci reveals her background in sports, corporate America, and how past pain drives her protective instincts for friends.
  • “People, when they read the book, they’ll realize why I am the way that I am.” (Mayci, [38:06])

On Writing About Friends and Family

• She insists the memoir is not a “tell-all” designed to air grievances or upset cast/family.
  • “I’m someone who loves to give grace to people because I know I’m not perfect.” (Mayci, [39:16])

10. Responses to Her Memoir

• [39:53] Mayci hadn’t (yet) heard from estranged people but was nervous about family. Her dad read it—was shocked—but supportive.
  • “My dad read it and he was shocked by some of the things that I wrote… So I do get a little worried about that kind of stuff. But my dad’s read it and he is very supportive.” (Mayci, [40:50])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On processing grief:
  “Even doing it, I didn’t do it for the show. I did it for myself, but I feel like they gave me an extra push to do that, and I was very grateful…”
  — Mayci, [24:02]

• On DWTS and reality TV skills:
  “That’d be like me going and playing tennis with people who’ve never played before. I’d kick their butts.”
  — Mayci, [09:36]

• On protecting friends:
  “I hate watching you make the same mistakes over and over again. I want to, like, stop it from happening because I know how painful it can be.”
  — Mayci, [38:06]

• On privacy pressures of fame:
  “Are you doing that to talk on me?... Are you just, like, excited?”
  — Mayci, [34:17]

Book Availability & Outro

• Told You So is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Premier Collectibles (for signed copies), and via book tour.
  • “If people want a signed copy, it’s available on Premier Collectibles and then obviously the book tour.” (Mayci, [41:10])
• The hosts praise Mayci for her openness and strength in sharing her story, expressing belief it will “change a lot of people’s lives.”
  • “We can’t wait to read it. Thank you for sharing your story.” (Host, [41:29])

LISTENERS’ TAKEAWAYS

• Mayci Neeley’s book dives much deeper than the Hulu series, with painful but inspirational content around her personal trauma, family, and growth.
• She remains fiercely private and non-confrontational, shaped by her past.
• LDS community backlash was intense pre-airing but has faded.
• Despite reality TV edits and “mean girl” labeling, Mayci’s real story is one of resilience, neutrality, and empathy.
• The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives continues to explode in pop culture, with cast members crossing into other major reality roles.

This episode delivers an honest and insightful portrait of Mayci Neeley, balancing Real Housewives-level fun with real-life gravitas.