Twots Take BravoCon 2025 (Part Two- Dolores Catania and Paulie Connell Are Engaged!)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Two Ts In A Pod – “Twots Take BravoCon 2025 (Part Two: Dolores Catania and Paulie Connell Are Engaged!)”

Hosts: Teddi Mellencamp, Tamra Judge
Guest Hosts: Dolores Catania, Paulie Connell
Release Date: November 13, 2025

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Overview

This lively episode of Two Ts In A Pod dives into the newly announced engagement of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania and her fiancé Paulie Connell, broadcasting straight from the hustle and glam of BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas. The discussion zeroes in on Dolores and Paulie's relationship journey, their contrasting backgrounds, future plans, and the importance of partnership. Dolores, brimming with humor and candor, lets listeners in on her desires post-engagement, while Paulie gives his take, blending affection with playful banter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dolores and Paulie’s Engagement Story and Vision for the Future

[03:51–04:53]

• Dolores reflects on her surprise and excitement about the recent engagement.
• She quickly pivots to future ambitions, emphasizing her desire for a shared home and personal space:
  • “I've never really made any part of it mine except my Two Ts microphone and my computer that I have sitting on my makeup kit. Like, I want my own studio. I want a big, huge closet. I want all these beautiful things.” – Dolores [04:14]
• She’s assertive about not settling for less after their five-year relationship:
  • “I was very patient for five years. Time's up. What's next? Quick…” – Dolores [04:12]

2. Reflecting on Their Relationship Dynamic

[05:13–06:06]

• Dolores values their companionship and trust, highlighting how Paulie fills a lifelong void for her:
  • “We're best friends, companionship, somebody who I see spending my life with. Spending. We do everything together. That's a lot for me. You know, I was a loner most of my life.” – Dolores [05:13]
• Paulie, asked about his own pre-Dolores days, keeps things light and elusive.

3. Life Before and After Each Other – Compatibility and Contrast

[06:07–09:46]

• Dolores discusses passing the decision-making torch to Paulie, trusting his business judgment and taste due to her history as an independent single mom.
• Paulie’s solo immigrant backstory comes up, with a humorous callback to arriving in the U.S. “with a suitcase and, like, 20 bucks.”
• Playful banter about never slow dancing, how their different social and drinking habits play out, and Dolores’ Italian vs. Paulie’s Irish roots:
  • Dolores insists, “Part of an Italian girl's life is eating. A part of an Irish guy's life is drinking. … I cannot get drunk. No matter how much I drink.” [07:35]
  • She boasts about outdrinking Paulie on their first date:
    “So I outdrank a Dubliner, which is crazy.” – Dolores [08:46]
• Differences in alcohol preferences emerge as their “most incompatible thing,” but both downplay its significance:
  • “You enjoy drinking.” – Dolores [09:17]
  • “Just because you don't doesn't stop me… you're a great company.” – Paulie [09:18, 09:39]

4. Dreams for a Shared Home

[09:46–10:34]

• Both agree on wanting a home that welcomes their blended families, but debate whether to buy, build, or move into Dolores’ current (dog-filled) house.
  • Paulie acknowledges the current place’s “bachelor type” vibe and is open to making changes:
    “I get that. And I think… it’s time to move it up to light beiges and creams…” – Paulie [10:15]

5. Wedding Talk and Setting Dates

[10:47–11:36]

• The couple discusses their wedding, eyeing a November 10th date, which doubles as their anniversary:
  • “I've never celebrated an anniversary with anyone before. So now I have one to celebrate.” – Dolores [11:32]
• The specific year for the wedding is left open-ended, but both agree it would be meaningful.

6. Teamwork, Resilience, and Navigating Public Life

[11:49–12:22]

• Paulie emphasizes the strength of their partnership:
  • “We’re always a team. I mean, we’re good. It’s just going to get better… Through all the things I’ve had and things have been said and things have been done, like we’ve got ourselves to get through anything. That’s what's important.” – Paulie [11:49, 12:09]

7. Playful Wrap-Up: Finances and Inside Jokes

[12:42–12:58]

• Dolores discovers they now “share” Paulie’s Apple stock, and there’s a warm closing exchange:
  • “You bought stocks in Apple for me?” – Dolores [12:46]
  • “Well, they were mine, but I guess they're ours now.” – Paulie [12:49]
  • “Your stocks just went up. Our stocks just went up.” – Dolores [12:55]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dolores, on her patience:
  “I was very patient for five years. Time's up. What's next? Quick, I want to do…” [04:12]
• Paulie, on partnership:
  “Partners are for dancing.” [07:04]
• Dolores, on first date drinking:
  “So I out drank a Dubliner, which is crazy.” [08:46]
• Paulie, on their future:
  “We're always a team. … We’ve got ourselves to get through anything. That's what's important.” [11:49, 12:09]
• Dolores, on celebrating together:
  “I've never celebrated an anniversary with anyone before. So now I have one to celebrate.” [11:32]

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Important Timestamps

• Engagement discussion and Dolores’ dreams: [03:51–04:53]
• Relationship reflections: [05:13–06:06]
• Cultural differences and drinking stories: [07:35–09:46]
• Home and family conversation: [09:46–10:34]
• Wedding and anniversary plans: [10:47–11:36]
• Resilience and partnership: [11:49–12:22]
• Financial banter and wrap-up: [12:42–12:58]

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Tone & Delivery

The exchange is candid, witty, and warm—a conversational blend of real-life vulnerability and playful teasing. Dolores is characteristically direct and honest, balancing humor with heartfelt admissions, while Paulie infuses charm and self-deprecation.

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Takeaway

This episode offers a revealing, entertaining look into Dolores and Paulie’s relationship, spotlighting the genuine affection and shared excitement for their next chapter—bickering about houses and wedding dates included. The couple’s mutual respect, humor, and commitment shine through, making this a feel-good listen for Bravo fans and romantics alike.

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Transcript

[Dolores Catania]

This is an I heart podcast.

[Podcast Announcer]

Guaranteed human.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

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[Podcast Announcer]

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[Tamara Judge]

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[Teddi Mellencamp]

Big news, Aldi is now on Uber Eats and you get 40% off your first order with code new ALDI25.

[Tamara Judge]

So whether your fridge is empty and you're too tired to shop or you just ran out of essential ingredients in the middle of meal prep, don't worry.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

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[Tamara Judge]

For orders, $30 plus you can save up to $25. Ends December 31st. See app for details. Two T's in a pod with Teddy Mellencamp and Tamara Judge.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Hi, it's Teddi Mellencamp and Tamara Judge. Welcome back to Two T's in a Pod, live from BravoCon in Las Vegas.

[Tamara Judge]

It's such a fun, busy weekend and we want to make sure you get as many episodes as possible. So we have a special guest co host for you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Dolores Catania is here. Take it away, Dolores.

[Dolores Catania]

Hi, everybody. This is two T's and it's Dolores Catania. And this is part two of me and Paulie Connell's engagement story. And we're going to hear talk about the future. But I'm going to give this to Paul to talk about because I'm curious since. Since I'm really in shock about getting engaged, I need to know what Paul's idea of the future is.

[Paulie Connell]

Wow.

[Dolores Catania]

What's next, Paul? And now. Now, I mean, I'm gonna tell you the truth in front of all my friends right now because I. I love the two T's people, you know, they're like my family. Okay, So I was very patient for five years. Time's up. What's next? Quick, I want to do. I'm not saying we have to have a full wedding, but I'd like, like a house that we call our own. You know, I moved into your bachelor pad and I've never really made any part of it mine except my two T's microphone and my computer that I have sitting on my makeup kit. Like, I want my own studio. I want a big, huge closet. I want all these beautiful things.

[Paulie Connell]

Yeah, good.

[Dolores Catania]

Anyway. Sorry, Go ahead.

[Paulie Connell]

Anything else?

[Dolores Catania]

A lot. Yeah, but no.

[Paulie Connell]

You wanna be happy?

[Dolores Catania]

No, I am happy. Everything else is perfect.

[Paulie Connell]

That's what's important.

[Dolores Catania]

That's true.

[Paulie Connell]

Whatever makes you happy, Dolores.

[Dolores Catania]

That's why Paul. How about that? That's why I have been so patient. Because the most important things to me I've already had with you.

[Paulie Connell]

Tell me.

[Dolores Catania]

Well, you're the fact that we're best friends, companionship, Somebody who I see spending my life with. Spending. We do everything together. That's a lot for me. You know, I was a loner most of my life. I don't know. Were you? No.

[Paulie Connell]

No. I don't think a loner. I don't think a loner. But, you know, I like to have different groups of people from business and pleasure and work in the gym and whatever.

[Dolores Catania]

So I never asked you a lot about your life before me, and I don't know why.

[Paulie Connell]

Yeah, well, we'll see.

[Dolores Catania]

Is it better? I don't know.

[Paulie Connell]

What?

[Dolores Catania]

Is it better? I don't know.

[Paulie Connell]

You mean you know everything?

[Dolores Catania]

I know everything. I know who you are. I know what you are. The stuff you did when you were single.

[Paulie Connell]

What's the matter?

[Dolores Catania]

Well, now I'm curious.

[Paulie Connell]

This is part seven.

[Dolores Catania]

Okay. All right. No, but moving forward.

[Paulie Connell]

Paul. Yes.

[Dolores Catania]

You know, I like a man who makes decisions. I've had to make enough decisions in my life as a single mother, as a independent woman.

[Paulie Connell]

Amazing job doing.

[Dolores Catania]

Thank you. Thank you. And I don't mind passing the torch to you on making decisions and things like that because I trust you. I trust your taste, I trust your business sense, everything. I mean, you came here. A lot of people don't know your background. You came here with a suitcase and, like, 20 bucks in your pocket by yourself. And now you're.

[Paulie Connell]

I feel that's how I came to Vegas this time. After this, I definitely feel that's how I got home from Vegas somehow. I feel.

[Dolores Catania]

And you've made such amazing strides in your life. I mean, the. The respect that you have amongst the top people that I meet and. And the work that you do, and you have no partners. You've done this on your own.

[Paulie Connell]

Partners are for dancing.

[Dolores Catania]

Oh, okay. Well, what about me?

[Paulie Connell]

That's different.

[Dolores Catania]

Okay, so, you know we've never slow danced.

[Paulie Connell]

I think I did the first few nights with you.

[Dolores Catania]

Oh, that's different.

[Paulie Connell]

Or maybe I was just. I was drunk. I don't know. You were drunk? Yeah.

[Dolores Catania]

It wasn't slow dance.

[Paulie Connell]

I thought it was slow dance. I know. Shade was on the background. I could have been having another stroke. To me, it felt like it was.

[Dolores Catania]

Can we tell everybody how you tried to get me drunk on the first day and I over drank you? I out drank you.

[Paulie Connell]

Yes, you. Yeah, you. You can tell them. Go for it.

[Dolores Catania]

A really quick sidebar, guys. So, Paul, part of Italian girls life is eating. A part of an Irish guy's life is drinking. Like Irish people Live and love to drink. That is their love language, which, where I come from, food is our love language. So there's a thing with me. I cannot get drunk. No matter how much I drink, I cannot get drunk. I don't like the taste of liquor, but I could drink it if I have to. And Paul thought that I was lying. Maybe. Or Paul thought that he could get me drunk. And what happened, Paul? On our first date?

[Paulie Connell]

Well, you didn't get drunk. I thought you did for about a nanosecond. But you. Yeah, you. You were.

[Dolores Catania]

How many drinks did we have?

[Paulie Connell]

I don't even actually remember. That's the thing. But what I do remember is the kitchen island was wobbling. It wasn't. It was me. And you were standing, looking at me. But there was one. One point where we did a shot and you said something to me and I'm like, God, I think she's fucking drunk. But like, it was not even two seconds later and you grabbed me because I was falling. Yeah.

[Dolores Catania]

So I out drank a Dubliner, which is crazy.

[Paulie Connell]

Now what's going to happen is when people know that now they're going to try and get you to. They're going to step it up. Now you got to go. If you meet an Irish girl, she's going to bang them down with you. So you're going to have to drink the person. Yeah.

[Dolores Catania]

It doesn't matter if I get out. Drink you. I'm okay. So anyway, what were we saying? So getting back to like, future.

[Paulie Connell]

No, we should say in that direction.

[Dolores Catania]

No. So getting back to future, that's been frustrating for you, though. That's our most incompatible thing. Well, the fact that I really don't drink.

[Paulie Connell]

Not a chance. How?

[Dolores Catania]

Because you enjoy drinking.

[Paulie Connell]

Yeah. Just because you don't doesn't stop me. What the. You think I am?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No.

[Dolores Catania]

But you want somebody. No. Drink with you.

[Paulie Connell]

No, no. And we've had that conversation. It's. Listen, I open a nice bottle of wine and you have a glass, then you don't want to drink the rest. I end up having to drink the bottle of wine, and I don't want to drink a bottle of wine, but I'm not leaving a bottle of wine behind me. So just that kind of thing. That's all. But otherwise not. You're a great company when you have. When I. If you drink something, you're a great person. I mean, I think so.

[Dolores Catania]

I think so. So what do we think about the future?

[Paulie Connell]

I think the future is going to be so good for us. I really do. You know, we've been looking at different things and you know, what do we both want? We both want the same thing. We both want a place where our children can come back to and a house that we can call home. And I understand coming into like a very gray, like suede dark townhouse that may look actually cool. It is very bachelor type and it doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy. And I get that. And I think, you know, I'm time to move it up to light beiges and creams and.

[Dolores Catania]

No, not that house. A different one.

[Paulie Connell]

So I'm saying when we. But we have to build somewhere.

[Dolores Catania]

No, Paul, I don't have time to. I'm going to be 55 in December.

[Paulie Connell]

Okay, well then maybe you will go to Cassin. We'll leave a Cassin.

[Dolores Catania]

When he says Cassin, he's referring to my marital home. Was the house that I have on TV with now is a big dog house. A 3200 square foot dog house with seven dogs and Gabby.

[Paulie Connell]

But the future is. It's this and more. It's what we've been through so far. And you know, obviously, you know, looking at where we're going to go. We've talked about like a wedding when. What I would like it for it to be on November 10th if it, it's going to come around. So what year that is, we have to figure out. But I would definitely like that. Would you?

[Dolores Catania]

I would love that. Yeah. Getting married in November is a nice time. Right.

[Paulie Connell]

So that date now is a, is a good day for us. Right.

[Dolores Catania]

That's an anniversary. Which I've never, I did say to you, I've never celebrated an anniversary with anyone before.

[Paulie Connell]

Yeah.

[Dolores Catania]

So now I have one to celebrate.

[Podcast Announcer]

There you go.

[Dolores Catania]

And we're gonna keep that number and we're gonna keep that date.

[Paulie Connell]

There you go. And you're in Vegas, so use it.

[Dolores Catania]

Yeah, definitely. So, okay, so. So we're looking at a house. I'm holding two things now.

[Paulie Connell]

Well, you're looking at a house. I'm building one. So we'll have to figure that part out.

[Dolores Catania]

Well, you better do it quick.

[Paulie Connell]

But. Yeah, but obviously you know what the plan. The future holds for us is like we're, we're, we're always a team. I mean, we're good. It's just going to get better. That's what I feel this. I don't want to put too emphasis on what it's going to be, what it's not going to be. But I think, you know, for everything that we have going on. I think we're really good and we're really going the right direction. And I think through all over, all the things I've had and things have been said and things have been done, like we've got. We've got ourselves to get through anything. That's what's important, so.

[Dolores Catania]

Well, Paul, thanks for coming.

[Paulie Connell]

No problem. I'll catch you around.

[Dolores Catania]

You've been an amazing guest.

[Paulie Connell]

Come here often?

[Dolores Catania]

You have some things I gotta run.

[Paulie Connell]

To the Apple store.

[Dolores Catania]

You have some property to be looking.

[Paulie Connell]

At, by the way. You know we have stocks in Apple, right?

[Dolores Catania]

We do. What do you mean?

[Paulie Connell]

What do you mean, what do I mean?

[Dolores Catania]

You bought stocks in Apple for me?

[Paulie Connell]

Well, there were mine, but I guess they're ours now.

[Dolores Catania]

Sounds good.

[Paulie Connell]

Okay.

[Dolores Catania]

Your stocks just went up. Our stocks just went up.

[Paulie Connell]

I should say, like your slips.

[Dolores Catania]

Thank you.

[Paulie Connell]

Sam. Foreign.

[Tamara Judge]

Beaches resorts offer their best all inclusive value in the Caribbean through their all in one pricing. Located across the Caribbean's most stunning islands, Sandals Adults Only Resorts offers immersive experiences, gourmet dining, plus both land and water activities including patty certified scuba diving, golf and pickleball. Families love beaches resorts where kids enjoy water parks and parents unwind at the Red Lane SPA. And coming March 2026, beaches Turks and Caicos is set to unveil their latest village, Treasure Beach. There's no better place to experience the Caribbean than at resorts founded by a family from the Caribbean. Visit sandals.com or beaches.com for the best all inclusive resorts and offers. If you're looking for a wine that's not just delicious, but also a total crowd pleaser, let me introduce you to Josh Sellars. This California wine brand has over a dozen award winning wines. From crisp Sauvignon Blancs to velvety Merlots. Josh Sellars has the perfect wine for every occasion. Serving up a juicy steak at your next barbecue. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect pairing. Unwinding with friends after a long week, you can't go wrong with their Pinot Grigio. With so many delicious wines to choose from, Josh Cellars has something for everyone. Josh Cellars is a proud sponsor of two teas in a pod. Visit www.joshsellers.com teapod t e a P O D and join the wine club to get 20% off. Please drink responsibly.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Big news, Aldi is now on Uber Eats and you get 40% off your first order with code new ALDI25.

[Tamara Judge]

So whether your fridge is empty and you're too tired to shop, or you just ran out of essential ingredients in the middle of meal prep. Don't worry.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Fill your fridge in just a few taps and get 40% off your first Aldi order on Uber Eats.

[Tamara Judge]

For orders $30 plus you can save up to $25. Ends December 31st. See app for details.

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[Tamara Judge]

Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line, but first, Ah, there the last one. Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes.

[Dolores Catania]

This is an I Heart podcast.

[Podcast Announcer]

Guaranteed human.