Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley
Episode: Behind the Dynasty (feat. Steven McBee Jr.)
Air Date: November 11, 2025
Podcast: Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley
Guest: Steven McBee Jr. (star of McBee Dynasty)
Episode Overview
This episode offers a candid and entertaining look behind the scenes of the McBee Dynasty reality show and into the personal life and challenges of Steven McBee Jr. With Savannah Chrisley as a compassionate and playful host, the conversation dives deep into family drama, public scrutiny, dating woes, and the weight of legal troubles facing Steven’s family. Both Steven and Savannah share wisdom gained through lived experience with federal investigations, public perception, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Stage: Legal Updates and Support
- [01:05–02:06] Savannah addresses listeners regarding the context and timing of the recording:
- Steven McBee Sr. has since been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison (recorded pre-sentencing).
- Savannah expresses deep empathy, relating to her own family’s legal turmoil, and shares support for the McBees.
- Quote: "I just wanted to come on here and say... we the Chrisleys stand with the McBee family and their show, the McBee Dynasty, is absolutely amazing." (02:00)
2. “McBee Dynasty”: Family, No Filters, and Regrets
- [03:18] Steven is introduced and affirms nothing is off limits for the interview.
- [04:08] Discussion about the show's openness and the challenges of being truly unfiltered.
- Quote: “We said, ‘Hey, we're not gonna hold anything back.’ ...We have some regrettable scenes...” – Steven (04:13)
- [04:30] Most regrettable scene: Steven partying, shirtless, being danced on at Nashville’s Whiskey Row.
3. Meet the McBees: Family Background and Big Personalities
- [05:09] Steven details the McBee family structure:
- Four brothers, large Missouri farm/ranch, and multiple businesses in Kansas City.
- Highlighted: His father and brother Cole's “unmuzzlable” personalities.
4. Family Drama: Dad’s Dating Life and “The Russians”
- [05:51–07:57]
- Steven’s dad, now divorced, is known for dating multiple women (mostly Russian), with everyone aware and (ostensibly) consenting.
- Wild fallout between “Russian number one” and “Russian number two,” including car damage and a break-in/arrest.
- Quote: “She went up to our farm and destroyed Russian number two's car using a hammer.” – Steven (07:23)
- Complications at work: One of the Russians is also the company COO.
- [08:43] Steven shares the tension of blending business and personal lives.
5. Steven’s Dating Life & Lessons Learned
- [11:37–15:18]
- Recap of Steven’s previous appearance on a dating show, his relationship with Kala, and how their backgrounds differed.
- Steven’s family disapproved and the toxicity of involving family in relationship drama.
- Quote: “Don’t vent to family.” – Steven (15:02)
6. Dating Mishaps and “Red Flags”
- [16:17] Hilarious recounting of a “tuna-obsessed” date and the resulting olfactory horror.
- Family now helps screen potential dates.
- [17:49–18:24] On superficial dating preferences and learning to set “non-negotiables.”
- Quote: “Blonde hair, lighter eyes, larger features up top...” – Steven (18:02)
- Savannah teases: "Everything you just said is so superficial. And maybe that’s why you’re single at 31.” (18:08)
7. Business Impacts: Reality TV and Exposure
- [21:23–23:44]
- McBee Dynasty picked up for season three; legal troubles now at the center.
- Steven describes the persistent stress and stigma of federal investigation.
- Quote: “It is like a black cloud over your head.” – Steven (22:03)
- The challenge of leading the family business through crisis.
8. Legal Struggles: Pleading Guilty and Sentencing’s Toll
- [23:41–28:15]
- The complexity and consequences of Steven Sr’s crop insurance case.
- Insights on why people plead guilty, the overwhelming resources of federal prosecutors, and the psychological anguish of waiting for resolution.
- Quote: “You read articles and ... it makes you start to question your character.” – Steven (26:10)
- Media misconceptions about the McBee family, characterizing their long-standing businesses as fraudulent.
9. Coping Mechanisms & Family Resilience
- [28:16–29:54]
- Steven Sr. handles stress best; Steven Jr. considers himself “a stress ball 24/7.”
- Savannah advises to prepare emotionally for the worst at sentencing, to avoid further disappointment.
10. Divorce, Personal Growth, and Maternal Admiration
- [30:15–31:53]
- Parental divorce, impact on Steven’s views on commitment, and his admiration for his mother, who turned a business from the divorce settlement into a thriving enterprise.
- Quote: “My mom is probably the greatest person to ever walk the earth, literally, besides Jesus. She may be number two.” – Steven (30:38)
11. Show Dynamics, Cast Evolution, and Business Growth
- [31:59–34:40]
- Shift in family roles on the show: Steven’s mom joining the cast following fan confusion.
- Reality TV's mixed blessings: Boost in direct-to-consumer sales, with reputational costs.
12. Fan Favorites & Redemption Arcs
- [35:09–36:04]
- Brother Cole: “fan favorite” for his party past and new journey as a father.
- Steven’s on-screen arc: singlehood and the daunting world of rural dating.
13. Dating Apps & Public Persona
- [36:11–37:40]
- Steven’s misadventures with dating apps and the unique challenges of reality TV notoriety in small-town Missouri.
- DMs with Bumble profile screenshots: “Is this really you?”
- Now claims to be off apps: “As of October 6th, he is not on them. That could change... like, in the next 24 hours.” – Savannah (40:52, 40:56)
14. Making Fun of Cowboy Cred and Dream Survival Shows
- [38:09–40:02]
- Banter about cowboy hats and real farm/ranch credentials.
- Steven’s dream show: Alone – surviving in the wilderness, invoking his family’s brief hunting show days.
- Quote: “We're more farmers and ranchers, and the cowboy hat is a fashion piece.” – Steven (39:43)
15. Where to Find Steven McBee Jr. & McBee Farms
- [40:34–41:08]
- Instagram: @StephenMcBee
- McBee Farms products: Instagram | mcbfarms.com (merch, farm apparel, meat boxes)
Notable Quotes
-
“We said, ‘Hey, we're not gonna hold anything back.’ ...We have some regrettable scenes...”
— Steven McBee Jr. (04:13) -
“She went up to our farm and destroyed Russian number two's car using a hammer.”
— Steven McBee Jr. recounting family drama (07:23) -
“Don’t vent to family.”
— Steven McBee Jr. on relationship lessons (15:02) -
“It is like a black cloud over your head.”
— Steven McBee Jr. on living under legal scrutiny (22:03) -
“My mom is probably the greatest person to ever walk the earth, literally, besides Jesus. She may be number two.”
— Steven McBee Jr. (30:38) -
“We're more farmers and ranchers, and the cowboy hat is a fashion piece.”
— Steven McBee Jr. (39:43)
Memorable Moments and Humor
- Steven’s wild “Whiskey Row” party story (04:33)
- The “Russian number one” vs. “Russian number two” saga with cars, hammers, and arrests (07:23)
- The infamous tuna-fanatic date and “odor trauma” (16:17)
- Savannah and Steven’s playful banter about his superficial dating criteria and single status (18:08)
- Steven’s “cowboy hat” credentials getting playfully roasted (39:14–40:08)
- Outing Steven for possibly returning to dating apps, depending on the night (40:52–41:01)
Timestamps of Key Segments
- Steven’s introduction and “nothing off-limits” policy: 03:18–04:13
- Family/drama and the “Russians”: 05:51–09:41
- Steven’s dating show past and ex relationship: 11:37–15:18
- Legal struggles and media misconceptions: 21:23–28:15
- Personal growth, parental divorce, and admiration for mom: 30:15–31:53
- Reality TV’s pros and cons for business: 33:11–34:40
- Fan favorites, dating, and apps: 35:09–37:40
- Cowboy hat debate and survival show dreams: 38:09–40:08
- Where to find Steven/McBee Farms: 40:34–41:08
Tone & Style
The episode delivers a blend of vulnerability, humor, and down-to-earth honesty, typical of Savannah’s “no topic off-limits” ethos. Both she and Steven mix self-deprecating jokes with raw insight, offering genuine guidance for anyone navigating public family drama or personal relationships.
[End of Summary]
