Podcast Summary: “Julie Tells All!” — Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley
Episode Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Savannah Chrisley
Guest: Julie Chrisley
Episode Overview
This heartfelt and revealing episode welcomes back Julie Chrisley, Savannah’s mother, for a candid conversation about family dynamics, their experiences during and after Julie’s time in prison, and their public reality beyond "Chrisley Knows Best." The conversation covers the weight of family expectations, coping mechanisms during adversity, reintegrating after incarceration, and embracing new projects together. The tone moves between humor, vulnerability, and reflection, offering listeners an intimate look at the Chrisley women’s ongoing journey.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Reality Show Experience & Family Tensions
[00:42–13:00]
- Savannah directly addresses criticism about her behavior toward her grandfather on the family's reality show, asking Julie for her perspective.
- Julie admits she was "nervous" about the new show, particularly from her unique vantage in prison:
"My job for 10 seasons was... to make sure. So I was nervous because I felt like you guys..." – Julie [01:10]
- They discuss the emotional toll of not only the family show but larger family dynamics, especially since Julie wasn't physically present during filming.
- Julie shares she “cried in every episode,” feeling sadness for not being there and seeing her children argue.
- The conversation turns to generational misunderstandings and pressures, highlighting how their parents couldn’t grasp the depths of what Savannah faced behind the scenes:
"The pressure... we put on ourselves, but I don't think [my parents] understand that... it's so far outside what they could even comprehend." – Julie [05:14]
- Julie reflects on her wish that Savannah would have handled things differently on the show, recognizing years of built-up family strain:
"Yes, I wish you would have handled it differently. But I also have to understand... this is something that's been building for years." – Julie [08:38]
- Savannah concedes, citing her intense loyalty to family, especially when her father's character was questioned:
"I choose my side and I stick to it come hell or high water." – Savannah [10:26]
Notable Quote
"Sometimes you'll say things, I'll be like, I wish you wouldn't say that... but we don't have time to beat around the bush."
— Julie & Savannah [09:23]
2. Coping During Julie’s Absence & Rejoining Life
[15:37–23:29]
- Julie shares she tried to shield her parents from the ongoing legal turmoil before prison, considering it an act of protection, not dishonesty.
- They reflect on the differences in how family members stepped up (or didn't), specifically referencing Chase’s absence and Savannah’s prominent role.
- Julie discusses the overwhelming nature of re-entry, describing the shock of immediately being surrounded by people and cameras:
"You kind of have yourself... it was just a lot walking into that." – Julie [21:12]
- She reveals she recently counseled a former prison friend now at a halfway house, stressing the necessity of an “ease-back-in” period rather than abrupt reentry.
3. Reintegration After Prison: Tools, Empathy, and Employment
[27:14–34:32]
- Savannah recounts helping a family friend released from 15 years in prison, realizing how unprepared most are for the modern world.
- Both discuss the lack of systematic support or training for returning citizens:
“There should be a class on… this is how you use an iPhone… Venmo, Cash App, Amazon, Uber…” – Savannah [29:13–29:31]
- Julie emphasizes the persistent difficulty of finding employment post-incarceration, despite many being “harder workers” than most:
"Some of these women have four-year college degrees... they made a mistake and I can assure you they’ll never make that mistake again." – Julie [31:08]
- Savannah teases a potential partnership with a major company to pioneer a “work your way up” prison reentry program.
4. Personal Growth & Family Resilience
[33:05–38:32]
- The duo reflects on the impact of Julie’s relatively smooth reentry, admitting their privilege in having a close, supportive family.
- Julie says her time changed her fundamentally:
“You are not the same person. I’m not the same person that I was before I went in.” – Julie [33:55]
- They discuss adaptation strategies: Julie coped by counting down days and working constantly; Todd (Savannah’s father) coped differently, focusing on advocacy and exercise.
- Julie shares her formula for getting through prison time:
“For me, I can do anything as long as I know what I’m facing and when—the beginning, middle, and end.” – Julie [37:58]
5. Emotional Touchstones & Communication Constraints
[38:41–41:15]
- They discuss the emotional impact of Luke Combs’ song “15 Minutes,” resonating with Julie’s experience of limited prison phone calls:
"...I only have 15 minutes. Enough about me..." – Savannah, paraphrasing [39:16]
- Julie shares the distress of phone logistics—hour-long lines for a single call, often missed.
- The family adapted to always being available for calls, stopping “do not disturb” on their phones.
6. Holiday Traditions, Cooking, and New Projects
[41:20–46:51]
- Savannah and Julie announce their intent to create cooking videos of family holiday recipes, a joyful “happy place” for both.
- They plan to share easy, relatable dishes, posting step-by-step YouTube videos.
- Banter ensues over kitchen habits (“I clean as I go; Savannah’s a tornado.”) [43:05]
- The pair express excitement about another joint project—a potential travel show pitched as “Eat, Pray, Love meets Vanderpump Rules.”
- They joke about being “modern-day Martha Stewarts—one went to prison, the other did not.” [44:14–44:25]
- Both admire Martha Stewart’s resilience and attitude:
“She went in 10 toes down. Didn’t snitch on a soul. Served her time... That’s a bad [expletive].” – Savannah [45:07]
7. Future Plans: Wellness, Weight Loss, and Community
[46:51–51:04]
- Savannah opens up about her ongoing weight struggle, plans to get back on her tirzepatide shots, and launches a new app for community health tracking.
- Both set weight loss goals (20 pounds each) and debate their fitness preferences, playfully bickering over gym routines and Savannah’s gentle teasing of Julie’s gym aversion.
- The episode wraps on an upbeat note—plans for accountability and more shared adventures.
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- “I was tired of living a lie.” – Savannah [01:56]
- “Sometimes you'll say things, I'll be like, I wish you wouldn’t say that... but we don’t have time to beat around the bush.” – Julie & Savannah [09:23]
- “Your sibling, your blood is going to be your siblings... when we are dead and gone, you guys are all that you have.” – Julie [07:51]
- “There should be a class on… this is how you use an iPhone. This is how you use Venmo, Cash App, Amazon, Uber…” – Savannah [29:13–29:31]
- "She went in 10 toes down. Didn’t snitch on a soul. Served her time... That’s a bad [expletive]." – Savannah [45:07]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:42 – 13:00] Family Reality Show, Handling Criticism, and Underlying Tensions
- [15:37 – 23:29] Coping with Julie’s Absence, Protecting Family from Worry, and Reentry
- [27:14 – 34:32] Challenges of Reintegration After Prison and Employment
- [33:05 – 38:32] Personal Growth from Adversity and Coping Strategies in Prison
- [38:41 – 41:15] Prison Phone Calls and Luke Combs’ “15 Minutes”
- [41:20 – 46:51] Cooking Traditions and Teaser: New Travel Show Project
- [46:51 – 51:04] Body Image, Wellness Plans, and Playful Family Banter
Final Thoughts
The episode is rich in authenticity, humor, and heart, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the evolving Chrisley family. Through laughter, tears, and honest admissions, Savannah and Julie highlight not only their past struggles but also their hope, resilience, and excitement for what’s next—both for themselves and their fans.