What's The Reality? Year-End Special: Wildest, Realest & Best Moments of the Year with Amber Desiree (AD)

Podcast: What's The Reality?
Host: Amber Desiree (AD)
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and lively year-end episode, Amber Desiree (AD) looks back at the most memorable, touching, and dramatic moments from “What’s The Reality?” over the past year. Gathering unfiltered exchanges with reality TV stars, influencers, and even her own fiancé, AD celebrates love, heartbreak, friendship, and personal growth. From candid relationship advice to hilarious “icks” and deeply personal stories of loss, betrayal, and renewal, this “best of” show captures the wild, unpredictable spirit that defines both reality TV and real life. Whether you’re here for heart-to-hearts, spicy behind-the-scenes gossip, or just to laugh, this episode delivers.

Key Moments, Insights, and Quotes

1. The Heart and Humor of Reality TV Relationships

AD with fellow reality stars and guests
Timestamps: 06:15 – 23:00

Major Discussion Points:

• AD discusses marriage and relationships with a married couple, highlighting the unique perspectives within queer relationships.
• The couple delves into the concept of “companionate love” versus passionate love, the evolution of partnership, and the myth of traditional gender roles.
• Both partners urge AD (recently engaged) not to be swayed by outside opinions or archaic expectations.

Notable Quotes:

• “Make sure you remember the reason you married him before you start asking to change stuff.” (Guest, 10:23)
• “Remember that with companionate love, it doesn’t mean you wanna jump someone’s bones every five minutes. The love changes, but it’s deeper and more honest and more pure in a way.” (Guest, 12:05)
• “Don’t let outside influence impact you or dictate how you feel a relationship should be. And don’t take old ideas, kind of like these…archaic ways of how a relationship or a marriage should be and then bring that into your world.” (Guest, 18:02)
• “We choose to [do everything] because we are feeding into what we think we should be. And then build resentment.” (Guest, 19:03)

2. Signs, Loss, and Intuition

AD with Amanda and Tyler Henry (Celebrity Medium) Timestamps: 24:05 – 28:25

Major Discussion Points:

• Amanda shares an emotional story about receiving powerful signs from her late husband Nick, especially through unexpected songs on the radio.
• Tyler Henry reflects on intuition and how seemingly random actions (like a radio DJ’s choice) may carry meaning for those who need it most.

Notable Quotes:

• “I literally—tears start coming down my eyes. I couldn’t see the road because I was crying so hard. I pull over and I am, like, smiling, crying in disbelief at the same time.” (Amanda, 26:45)
• “Why do we feel inclined to do the random things that we do? We never know the impact it could have.” (Tyler Henry, 27:42)

3. Crossover Chaos: Reality Stars on Temptation and Flirting

AD with Zayna (Ultimatum) and Hashim (Temptation Island) Timestamps: 29:00 – 33:15

Major Discussion Points:

• The cast playfully debates how they’d act on Temptation Island—flirty versus faithful—as Zayna admits to being “tempted” but respectful.
• The conversation turns into a playful matchmaking session, complete with talk of types ("It’s vibe, it’s aura!") and future double dates.

Notable Moments:

• “You single? I have a single friend. Girl, she right here!” (AD, 32:07)
• “I’m 30, by the way. As I’ve gotten older, I don’t necessarily go for looks. I go for more vibe, aura.” (Hashim, 32:50)

4. Standing By the Wrong Person: The Cost of Loyalty

AD and Ashley (Love Is Blind) Timestamps: 34:00 – 37:50

Major Discussion Points:

• For the first time, Ashley openly discusses standing by her husband at the reunion—before knowing the full truth of his betrayal.
• The pain of defending a partner who manipulates and abandons, and the struggles of facing public perception.

Notable Quotes:

• “I remember putting my hands out like this, and I was like, am I sleeping with the enemy? And he said, no, you’re not.” (Ashley, 35:03)
• “He allowed you to be loud wrong. I would have been like, sit down. Don’t do another podcast. Don’t say shit else.” (AD, 36:12)
• “That just became a smear campaign and I was the headliner.” (Ashley, 37:20)

5. Relationship “Icks” and Dealbreakers—Pure Comic Relief

AD, Sandy, and Marshall Timestamps: 38:00 – 44:55

Major Discussion Points:

• The guest panel riffs on “icks,” from trivial quirks like drinking with straws or getting cold, to serious peeves like “goofy” boyfriends or bad parking.
• The conversation is fast, sassy, and full of viral meme energy.

Notable Quotes:

• “Why are you cold? Why are you shivering? You want to share the blanket?” (Sandy, 38:45)
• “If you pull out three times [while parallel parking], let me out. I'll go get the table!” (AD, 40:29)
• “If anybody described my man as goofy, I don’t know if I can continue the relationship.” (AD, 41:36)
• “If you chew too loud—snake!” (Marshall, 43:06)

6. Love and Betrayal: Lydia’s Divorce Story

AD and Lydia (Love Is Blind) Timestamps: 45:00 – 51:30

Major Discussion Points:

• Lydia reveals her husband’s repeated infidelity, emotional manipulation, and insult (“You’re too fucking stupid and you’re an untrustworthy person”) leading to the end of their marriage.
• The pain of being gaslit and the strength required to leave, especially when living with her in-laws who became like surrogate family.

Notable Quotes:

• “First of all, you’re a public figure. Why are you doing this, right?” (Lydia, 46:45)
• “The words ‘too fucking stupid untrustworthy person’ were the last words they spoke to me… It’s like a revolving door in my head, that’s all. It just keeps playing over and over because I’m like, how is this the same person that I met at the altar?” (Lydia, 51:07)
• “It’s because of the man that I met at the altar that I know that I deserve better. I deserve so much better.” (Lydia, 51:25)

7. Love Lessons from Nick Lachey

AD and Nick Lachey Timestamps: 52:40 – 55:20

Major Discussion Points:

• Nick talks about hosting dating shows with his wife, learning about relationships through witnessing others’ stories, and how it impacts their own marriage.
• “Ultimatum” as relationship therapy—sometimes the best thing for a couple is breaking up.

Notable Quotes:

• “Love is Blind reminds you of why you fall in love… Ultimatum is different in that you’re dealing with couples who aren’t in the best place.” (Nick Lachey, 53:04)
• “You never stop learning, I don’t think—not in relationships. And if you think you have, you’re in for a big surprise, because we’re all changing as people.” (Nick Lachey, 54:48)

8. Fertility Journies & Rainbow Babies: Alexa & Brennan

AD, Alexa, and Brennan (Love Is Blind) Timestamps: 55:25 – 01:01:20

Major Discussion Points:

• Alexa shares the emotional roller coaster of fertility struggles, public scrutiny over weight gain, and the surprise of finally getting pregnant.
• Brennan describes the difficulty of wanting to “fix” his wife’s pain, the pressure of not having answers, and the patience needed in the process.

Notable Quotes:

• “I just remember one time breaking down, like, do you regret marrying me?... Because, like, we really bonded over having kids together.” (Alexa, 56:33)
• “I want her to have a sibling close in age, but going through that again—it was a lot for me…Just being pregnant is hard.” (Alexa, 58:51)
• “I’m a guy who wants to fix stuff…so it’s something you can’t really fix. You just have to go through it.” (Brennan, 59:47)
• “Literally, 30 minutes later, I texted [the doctor], ‘I’m pregnant.’” (Alexa, 1:00:34)

9. AD in the Hot Seat: Motherhood and Change

AD & Oli Isaac Sutherland Timestamps: 01:01:30 – 01:07:10

Major Discussion Points:

• For a change, AD’s fiancé hosts the segment—putting her on the spot about motherhood, transformation, and expectation.
• AD describes the fear and protective instincts she feels facing motherhood for the first time.

Notable Quotes:

• “I just feel like this overwhelming need to protect my daughter, like, from everything…Can I put her in a bubble?” (AD, 01:02:10)
• “The old me is already—she’s already gone. The minute that I saw positive on that test…I’m excited to see like, who I’ll be when she gets here.” (AD, 01:05:43)
• “As a man, I had to learn to not overlook…while it’s easy for me to just kind of disconnect…for you [AD], she’s never out of sight or out of mind. Every breath you take…you’re growing her.” (Oli, 01:03:51)

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

• 06:15 – 23:00: Marriage wisdom and queer relationship advice; role of “companionate love.”
• 24:05 – 28:25: Amanda’s extraordinary signs from her late husband; Tyler Henry on intuition.
• 29:00 – 33:15: “Temptation Island” personality matches and dating style debates.
• 34:00 – 37:50: Ashley opens up about betrayal and navigating a partner’s deception.
• 38:00 – 44:55: The “Ick List” — lighthearted takes on dating red flags.
• 45:00 – 51:30: Lydia’s raw recounting of infidelity, blame, and choosing self-worth.
• 52:40 – 55:20: Nick Lachey reflects on what hosting dating shows has taught him (and his marriage).
• 55:25 – 01:01:20: Alexa & Brennan’s emotional fertility journey.
• 01:01:30 – 01:07:10: AD answers intimate questions about impending motherhood with partner Oli.

Signature Tone & Takeaways

The episode maintains AD’s signature blend of warmth, vulnerability, and unfiltered conversation. While raw and real, there are bursts of laughter, playful teasing, and deep moments of connection—mirroring both the joy and chaos found in reality TV and real relationships.

Final Words:
AD wraps the episode expressing gratitude for the podcast community, and wishing listeners “relax, recharge, and spend it with the people you love the most." A perfect close to a year of keeping it “wild, real, and unfiltered.”

Whether you’re a diehard reality TV fan or someone seeking real-world wisdom, this episode has a little of everything—humor, heartbreak, resilience, and hope.