Presenting: Julia on Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers

Summary

Podcast Summary: Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Episode: Presenting: Julia on Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers

Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Lemonada Media
Guests: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Henry Hall (son), Charlie Hall (son), Seth Meyers and Josh Meyers

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Episode Overview

In this festive crossover episode, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her two sons, Henry and Charlie Hall, join Seth Meyers and his brother Josh on their podcast "Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers." The episode is a joyful, irreverent, and warm exploration of family vacations, holiday traditions, sibling relationships, and comedic mishaps. The conversation is filled with memorable stories from both the Louis-Dreyfus/Hall and Meyers families, including disastrous and delightful trips, cross-generational quirks, and hilarious Thanksgiving mishaps. It's an episode laced with laughter, nostalgia, and candid family dynamics.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Family Holiday Traditions and Pre-show Jitters

• Thanksgiving Show Tradition: The Meyers brothers discuss their annual tradition of participating in Seth's late-night Thanksgiving episode with their parents.
  • Quote: “Do you look forward to this tradition, Pashi?” — Josh Meyers [02:00]
• Parental Storytelling: Their mom has developed a reputation for delivering unexpectedly sharp barbs during these family appearances.
  • Quote: “She has such a sweet appearance, but then she throws out some barbs. I feel like the audience always appreciates that. I certainly do.” — Josh Meyers [03:10]

2. Music and Creative Collaboration

• Henry Hall’s Contributions:
  Henry composed the “Wiser Than Me” podcast’s theme music, describing a creative but chill back-and-forth with Julia.
  • Quote: “Honestly. Yes, absolutely. You have good taste in music.” — Henry to Julia [08:36]
• The Louis-Dreyfus/Hall family’s musical tastes are influenced by The Beatles, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt, and more. Notably, both Julia and Seth’s dads disliked The Beatles, much to their kids’ disbelief.
  • Quote: “My dad did not like the Beatles.” — Julia [13:39]

3. Childhood Family Trips

• Julia’s Upbringing:
  Grew up in NYC and DC, trips mostly to Baltimore or humid ski resort towns in summer.
  • Quote: “We primarily went to ski resorts in the humid month of August on the East Coast.” — Julia [15:35]
• International Vacation Mishaps:
  Julia shares a failed rainy trip to Scotland and her younger sister’s aversion to local food, surviving on Cadbury ice creams.
  • Quote: “She looked like she needed to be hospitalized because she was so gone... she ate a lot of those, but that was kind of it.” — Julia [16:15]
• Ski Resort Summers:
  Activities centered around avoiding mosquitos and (unsuccessfully) seeking boys.
  • Quote: “Another activity was just trying to find boys, which I never seemed to find.” — Julia [17:19]

4. Family Trip Disasters — Vomit, Diarrhea, and Sneezy Pies

• Thanksgiving Plague:
  A multi-generational family Thanksgiving in DC devolves into illness, undercooked turkey, a ruined gravy, and a cousin’s “explosion.”
  • Quote: “A plague descends upon the entire family. Everyone is deathly ill.” — Henry [20:54]
• Sneeze-Tainted Pumpkin Pie:
  After a disaster meal, the one perfect pumpkin pie is contaminated by a child’s sneeze.
  • Quote: “My little cousin comes over to it and goes, ‘Oh man, that looks good.’ He sneezes all over the pie. Snot on the pie.” — Henry [56:17]

5. Safari and Wild Animal Fears

• Tanzania Safari:
  Rules of camp include “no running”—because the children could be prey.
  • Quote: “I have two boys who are being told not to run because they are prey here out in prey.” — Julia [23:34]
• The whole family gets sick on this adventure as well, continuing their “plague on every trip” family narrative.

6. Sibling Dynamics

• Henry and Charlie’s Age Gap:
  A five-year difference; stories of older brother annoyance, including the invented “Lighthouse College” wrestling game.
  • Quote: “He was my punching bag. Metaphorically.” — Henry [26:31]
• Lighthouse College Game:
  Older-brother-as-professor/wrestling coach, exploiting Charlie in a world they built together.
  • Quote: “The funding at Lighthouse College was really thin.” — Henry [27:16]

7. Surfing, Basketball, and Parent-Child Bonding

• Father-Son Surfing Trips:
  Henry and dad Brad take surf pilgrimages, most recently Indonesia, without Julia or Charlie, who aren't surfers.
  • Quote: “Did we forego the comfort of my brother and mom in order to get good waves somewhere?... Absolutely.” — Henry [30:35]
• Peru Trip:
  The family visits Machu Picchu and the rainforest, replete with tarantula and urethra-invading fish anxiety.
  • Quote: “Keep your crotch out of the water.” — Julia [39:58]
  • Quote: “That actually worked!” — Henry [40:18]
• Charlie Chooses Basketball Over Surfing:
  “I’m, like, too tall for surfing.” — Charlie [36:38]

8. Epic Family Fears and Mishaps

• Rainforest Tarantula Emergency:
  Julia recounts a moment when Brad calmly removes a tarantula from his back, then learns the pink-toed tarantula can cause impotence.
  • Quote: “Without a nanosecond, Brad took his T-shirt and just went rah and ripped it apart.” — Julia [41:58]

9. Sports Fan Moments & Meeting LeBron

• Mother-Sons Trip to Portland:
  Julia takes Henry and Charlie to Portland to see LeBron James play and later meet him backstage, despite Charlie’s nervousness.
  • Quote: “I love LeBron in a way that's, like, certainly unhealthy...the moment was too big for me.” — Charlie [46:15]

10. Special Family Moments & Sibling Sentimentality

• Surprising Julia on Mother’s Day:
  Charlie recalls sneaking into her New York hotel at midnight to surprise her for Mother’s Day.
  • Quote: “I was yelling, Mom, Mom, I don't want to scare you...for literally, no exaggeration, like, five minutes.” — Charlie [44:04]
• Sibling and Parent Bonding:
  The family recounts their Grand Canyon rafting trip as a "top three family trip ever."
  • Quote: “That’s a top tier... family trip ever for us was... river rafting down the Grand Canyon." — Charlie [70:46]

11. Holiday Gatherings & The Myth of the "Perfect" Thanksgiving

• Thanksgiving Logistics and Fatigue:
  Julia expresses weariness with Thanksgiving due to the labor involved.
  • Quote: “It's an enormous amount of work for what is probably about a 15 to 20 minute meal.” — Julia [55:26]

12. Comedy and Family Legacy

• Day Drinking with Seth Meyers:
  Julia reflects on her appearance on that segment and the comedic risks of drinking on camera.
  • Quote: "The amount I have to drink, I’m not trying to prove anything to you.” — Julia [57:54]

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “We always played games with this family… so hopefully that game night’s going to be a fun.” — Seth [04:43]
• “My dad only ever gave us credit for the very top tranche of work we did. And I do think it’s nice to have one of each.” — Seth [14:25]
• “Don’t put your crotch in the water because a little fish will swim up your penis. That actually worked!” — Henry [40:18]
• “That was our New Year’s… screaming like he really thought his 7-year-old brother was gonna kill his own father.” — Julia [61:51]
• “The dumbest thing I ever did at a charity auction… was the first bidder on a week at a Scottish castle.” — Seth [18:23]
• “It's a valuable resource because it's still food and the easiest, and frankly, way coolest way to put all its nutrients to work is with the MILL Food Recycler.” — Julia (ad break humor) [33:25]
• “It's like meeting God.” — Henry (on meeting LeBron) [47:55]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:35–05:00] — Thanksgiving show tradition & anticipation
• [07:30–09:57] — Julia, Henry & Charlie join; family music influences
• [15:17–19:40] — Julia’s awkward family trips; Scotland disaster & ski resort summers
• [20:54–22:38] — The Thanksgiving plague in DC and the infamous snot pie
• [23:11–24:38] — Safari in Tanzania: the “no running” rule and more illness
• [26:04–27:36] — Mythical “Lighthouse College” and sibling roughhousing games
• [30:35–36:04] — Hall men on surf trips, Charlie’s disinterest in surfing
• [39:49–41:58] — Rainforest terror: tarantulas, deadly fish, and parenting panic
• [46:07–47:49] — Mother-son LeBron encounter: adolescent sports mania
• [54:36–56:13] — Thanksgiving crowd sizes and Julia's ambivalence about the holiday
• [56:17–57:10] — Pumpkin pie ruined by a sneeze: the final straw
• [59:56–61:51] — Y2K New Year’s meltdown: abominable snowman death threats
• [70:46–71:14] — Grand Canyon raft trip: family peak adventure
• [71:18–72:31] — New York dog poop and 1970s city nostalgia

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Speed Round Highlights (68:00+)

• Best vacation type:
  Charlie: Relaxing | Henry: Adventurous | Julia: Feet/Walking
• Dream family trip:
  Charlie: Coach Taylor’s family (Friday Night Lights) | Henry: Family Guy’s Griffins | Julia: The Simpsons
• Desert Island Picks:
  They all pick each other or, for Julia, her sister.
• Pitching cities:
  LA = Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum | NYC = Central Park (with less dog poop than before)

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Tone and Atmosphere

Unfiltered, warm, self-deprecating, joyfully teasing. The episode is filled with good-natured ribbing, comedic family storytelling, and moments of genuine affection and exasperation — all interwoven with the unique comic sensibilities of the guests.

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Takeaway

Listen for big-hearted family banter, laugh-out-loud travel nightmares, and surprisingly raw admissions about parental fatigue, sibling rivalry, and the unpredictable realities behind "perfect" holiday traditions. You'll come away feeling that even the most beloved, accomplished families have disaster stories, resentments, comedic mishaps, and, above all, lots of love.

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(For the full effect, check out "Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers" for the complete holiday episode vibe!)

Transcript

[A]

Hearing a voice can change everything. So AT&T wants everyone to gift their voice to loved ones this holiday season because that conversation is a chance to say something they'll hear forever. AT&T connecting changes everything. Hey, it's me, Julia Louis Dreyfus. We are officially back with a brand new season of Wiser Than Me. To celebrate your out of this world support for our show, we've been brewing up something special. A Wiser Than Me mirror Traveler. It's a versatile, sustainable travel mug to keep your coffee hot and your tea cozy all year round. It's perfect for wise women on the go. Head over to wiserthanmeshop.com to grab yours now. Okay, here's the show.

[B]

Lemonade.

[A]

Hey, Wiser Than Me listeners, it's Julia. We're taking a little holiday break, but while we're away, we're bringing you a couple of conversations with friends and today at least, family. Family Trips with the Myers Brothers is hosted by Seth Meyers and his crazy brother Josh. Each week, they chat with guests about their most memorable family vacations. You know, the hilarious, the disastrous, and everything in between. I was just on the show with my two boys, my two men, and we had such a good time. I think you'll really enjoy it. And after you listen, check out family trips on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Happy holidays from all of us here at Wiser Than.

[B]

Hey, Budgie.

[C]

Hey, Suvi.

[B]

So we're recording this before you come out and do the Thanksgiving show with mom and dad? Yeah, it's an annual tradition. I guess this is the 12th year or the 11th year. Must be the 11th year. I don't know.

[C]

So however many years you've been on.

[B]

The air with that show, no way to know. Do you. Do you look forward to this tradition, Pashi?

[C]

I do. I mean, I do get nervous. Yeah. Yeah. There's. There's always an element of nerves around it.

[B]

And I forget, like, I mean, you guys are so good for people who don't do this show every night because even, like, you know, celebrities who come on talk shows who do other talk shows get nervous. It's a. It's a whole different thing. It's not a normal thing.

[C]

Yeah, I have. I know of, you know, a celebrity who would sort of is a household name, who. Who has a couple beers before every talk show appearance, and it just sort of, like, eases them into it. And so I think. I think that's a wise approach, and maybe I'm gonna do something similar.

[B]

Well, we always.

[C]

We have a Drink on the show.

[B]

Yeah, we've drink on the show, but I think you can have a drink before the show at this point in our process of doing it. Yeah, mom and dad are probably gonna come with stories.

[C]

Mm.

[B]

Mom. You know, Mom's been red hot the last couple years.

[C]

Yeah, I mean, they're both so practiced at this point. Dad's like, Dad's classically growing up, you know, he was the storyteller. Yeah. But mom has, she's got an edge that, you know, she has such a sweet appearance, but then she throws out some barbs.

[B]

Yeah, she's got like barbs. It's a good way of putting it.

[C]

I feel like the audience always appreciates that. I certainly do.

[B]

She. Dad is like so confident. He's surprised he hasn't been booked on like other talk shows. That's kind of dad's vibe. Yeah, I'm very much looking forward to it. I think we're going to try to get you guys to do a skit again.

[C]

Oh, great.

[B]

Yeah, that's a, that's extra special part for me. And. And then we're going to have our, our Thanksgiving.

[C]

Yeah, we've, you know, for years and years we would have Thanksgiving with this family from Amsterdam, the Mosc first with just the parents, and then they had two boys who are now, I don't know, 23 and 21, something like that. We've been doing it for a long time and they have started coming to New York. So we could have a pseudo Thanksgiving dinner that we do on Tuesday night.

[B]

Tuesday night. And I think we're 20 people strong this year.

[C]

That's amazing.

[B]

Yeah, it's a really good group and I look forward to that. And, and it's very fun to be at a, at a Thanksgiving dinner that's a fake Thanksgiving dinner because that way I don't have to invite my children. And at no point while I'm enjoying my dinner does someone say to me, like, try to get Axel to eat his green beans. I like that.

[C]

I've also, you know, we, we've always played games with this family also, I should say, you know, my mother in law will be there, my wife will be there. But I have sent you a couple games which are arriving today. Okay. So just keep those on because Wednesday we, you know, we tape the show on Wednesday and then we go back to your house for sort of a double dip and we get some Chinese food and we hang out and play games. So hopefully that game night's going to be a fun.

[B]

Very much looking forward to It. We have had a lot of different accommodations of guests. We've had mother, daughter. We've had married couples. We've had sisters. Mm. This is a new combo for us coming up. Maybe. Maybe my favorite combo we've ever had.

[C]

Yeah, Well, I mean, the top of this pyramid is tough to beat.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So you got. You got. We got mom and two sons already. Great. When then the mom is Julie Dreyfus. Come on, now. Yeah, come on now.

[C]

And her two sons, which it's also, you know, one of them played basketball at Northwestern, which was huge for us. We were clearly rooting on this young man while he was at Northwestern, and that was very exciting. I do want to say, as well, we mention meow in this episode, and I don't know if we ever are very clear about what it is.

[D]

Great.

[C]

But meow is the sound a cat makes. Also, it's the college improv troupe. It's the Northwestern improv troupe that Julia was a member of and both of us were members of when we were there.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And, you know, we certainly talk some Northwestern, but Julia and her husband, both Northwestern.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And Charlie, mom and dad, both Northwestern.

[B]

A lot of Northwestern in this one. So if you. If you went to University of Illinois, might not be for you. We don't really have a rival. I was trying to think of, like, what Northwestern's rival is, and we don't really. Yeah. When you're not a juggernaut in sports, you don't really end up with.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It's who we play last every year, so I feel like that's the closest you can come. Yeah. Do please enjoy it. Thanks for listening, everybody.

[E]

Family chips with the M Brothers. Family chips with the M.

[B]

Brothers. Here we go. Oh, hello, Henry. Hello, Julie.

[D]

Hey, guys.

[C]

Hi, friends.

[B]

I'm so happy to see you guys. I'm really. Josh and I are both hoping this will lead us to getting booked on your podcast, Julia, so just FYI.

[A]

Yeah. Cause you're both 70 year old women. Is that correct?

[C]

You have a lot to share.

[B]

Heart.

[C]

I mean, I love your podcast. As a, you know, approaching 50 year old man, I feel like I have a lot to learn from these women as well, and I.

[A]

Well, you do, Josh.

[C]

I do.

[D]

Not me.

[B]

Has that ever occurred to you?

[D]

I got nothing to learn from.

[B]

Interesting, Henry. Interesting. And you feel like because you already know it or because they're just spreading lies. Which one?

[D]

You know, a little from column A, a little from column B. Yeah.

[C]

And Henry, did you write the song. Did you write the theme song to that.

[D]

Yeah, yeah. I wrote all the music for it. Yeah. And recorded it with some friends of mine.

[B]

What is that process like, Julie, when you're getting first drafts of music from your son? Do you guys have a good back and forth creatively as far as, like, notes?

[A]

Well, I'd actually like Henry to answer that question Dewey.

[D]

Honestly. Yes, absolutely. You've good. You have good taste in music.

[A]

Mom, are you bullshitting right now? A little bit?

[D]

No, no, I. I did my. I did my sarcastic bit about. About the wise old women. I don't think I want to double down.

[B]

You said that for. You knew you had one bullet. You just walked into the saloon and just fired it into the ceiling.

[D]

Yeah, yeah. Just buckshot all over the podcast.

[B]

Did you as a. Were you a family, as a musician, were you a family that agreed on music when you were growing up, Henry?

[D]

Yes, my dad. Luckily, you guys showed me they should. You know, my dad showed me, like, the Smiths and, you know, the generation. It's not like my parents were listening to, like, Benny Goodman and.

[B]

Although Benny Jolson.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, no, no, Benny Goodman is good, of course. But. But there's.

[B]

But again, remember, she talks to a lot of very old women.

[D]

Yeah, right, right, right. But my dad was like, you know, check out the Smiths and check out Paul Simon and all this music that is. No matter what, you know, it's evergreen.

[C]

Was there, like, an artist that was, like the family artist? Like, for us, it would have been John Prine, probably.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Was there nice? Sort of.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Who were. Who were your touchstones?

[F]

Beatles.

[D]

Beatles, Without a doubt. Yeah. My dad is, like, in. You know, he knows as much about the Beatles as I do about the Simpsons, which is saying something, right? And I'm a big Simpsons fan. And, yeah, Beatles, like a lot of that. Like, North England, you know, early 80s Joy Division, Smiths, you know, Factory, like, music stuff. Bonnie Ray.

[B]

Bonnie Raitt was the one person at the SNL 50th my wife wanted to meet and get a picture of it, and with good reason. And it was one of those, you know, don't meet your heroes. And if it's Bonnie Raitt, go right ahead.

[A]

Yes, without question. Without question. I remember years and years ago. I don't know if you remember this, Henry. We went to some sort of a fundraiser, and Bonnie was sort of headlining it. And, Henry, you came and she played guitar for a long period of time. And your jaw was on the ground. Do you kind of remember that or not really.

[D]

I have to be honest. I don't Remember that?

[A]

So, anyway, a huge influence in his.

[B]

I feel like that's. I mean, I would imagine, like, due to the life your parents have left, you got a lot of incredible experiences that would have resonated with a lot of other kids who just went, you know, in one ear, out the other.

[D]

Yeah, I hope so. I hope I lack perspective. That's all I can really.

[A]

I will say something that Henry was. Did a show in LA and a couple of the writers from Veep went to the show, one of whom was in. Maxtone Graham. I don't know if you guys know him.

[B]

Famous Simpsons writer as well.

[A]

Exactly.

[D]

Bingo.

[A]

And he's actually a big fan of Henry's music. And he came and met him that night. And then afterwards, everybody was sort of hanging out, and I go up to these guys and all they're doing is. Is recounting Simpson episodes to one another. It was the most extraordinary thing to witness. It was so. It's charming, really, because Ian was enjoying the conversation as much as you were, Henry. Cause you were just, like, reciting Simpson scenes back and forth to one another. Do you remember this?

[D]

Absolutely. We were being completely antisocial.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

And, you know, saying, whatever.

[B]

I mean, my dream is to be at a party and sort of a young, talented person just wants to talk about my work.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Totally, totally.

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

We.

[B]

It's funny you mentioned the Beatles, because famously, our dad doesn't like the Beatles, which is just an incredible position to hold.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And I remember my best friend from college, Pete Gross, who was in Veep.

[A]

Oh, yes, of course.

[B]

And I remember we did an improv show once, and my dad was there and he. My dad was underwhelmed. He's also a real straight talker, and he sort of gave us the notes about how he's underwhelmed. And then my Pete goes. We do have to keep in mind he also doesn't like the Beatles.

[D]

Wow, that's awesome. That's an incredible safety net.

[A]

Yeah. By the way, I had the same experience. My dad did not like the Beatles.

[D]

Is that true, Mom? I didn't know that.

[A]

Yeah. Big Pot was always telling Brad that he was wrong and that the Beatles were not just bad, but awful. Yeah, he thought they were awful.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Did your dad also have some harsh notes about the Meow Show?

[A]

Yes, as a matter of fact. He had harsh notes about the Meow show. He had harsh notes about snl. He had harsh notes about. He had very pleasant notes for all the other people I was working with.

[C]

Yeah, she's good.

[B]

Yeah, she's good. He's a genius.

[A]

That guy can. That guy knows what he's doing. Yeah, that kind of stuff. It was really. It was, it was, it was very healthy.

[B]

Yeah, well, it's good. I mean, again, I, I, there's, there's a. I mean, I've always said, like, my mom was the one who was supportive of everything we did, no matter how bad. And then our dad only ever gave us credit for the very top tranche of work we did. And I do think it's nice to have one of each.

[A]

I guess so. I mean, like, what is he like that you've done?

[B]

Well, you know, it's early in my career, so.

[D]

Yeah. This is what, year two.

[B]

It's year two. Yeah. I think he was happiest, much, like, I think a lot of viewers, I think he was happiest. When I found my way to the update desk, he was like, no more sweaty sketches for me, please. I'd like you just sitting in one place.

[E]

Place.

[B]

He's like, I like when I could tell you're reading stuff other people wrote.

[A]

Oh, God.

[C]

It's proof that he's complimentary in the right for the right thing.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, we do. Charlie is going to grace us with his presence, I believe, but so we'll get to some family trips that include all of you. But before he does, Julia, what were your family trips growing up? Where would you guys go?

[F]

Where.

[C]

Where did you grow up first, and then where would you go?

[A]

Well, I grew up in New York city and Washington, D.C. both, and we primarily went to Baltimore. Yeah, we primarily went to ski resorts in the humid month of August. On the East Coast. This is what I remember.

[C]

Yeah. No, please.

[A]

And then my parents, this is my mom and my stepdad, they put together a really big trip for us to take when I was 18 and with my two younger sisters, and we went to Scotland, and it rained the entire time we were there. And my sister, who was nine at the time, my little sister Lauren, she refused to eat anything because, you know, it was like scotch eggs and haggis and everything freaked her out. So by the end of the trip, she looked like she needed to be hospitalized because she was so gone. The only thing we could get her to eat were those ice creams, those Cadbury vanilla ice creams with the chocolate stick coming out of it that they do in Europe. So she ate a lot of those, but that was kind of it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, that's.

[C]

And these, the sweaty ski mountains that you would go to. What. What were the activities? Were you there to hike or just to enjoy?

[A]

Well, to try not to get bitten by mosquitoes. Yeah, that was one activity. And another activity was just trying to find boys, which I never seemed to find.

[B]

Well, they were. Did they ever tell you they're here in the winter? You should try. In the winter.

[A]

There was nobody. I mean, I remember watching Sonny and Cherry in a rental cabin. I remember watching the Sonny and Cher show, and that was really fun. That part of it.

[B]

Well, it's good to have highlights.

[C]

I will say.

[B]

You know, and again, I'm sure it's bad. The Scots are not known for their cuisine, and hopefully they will not take offense.

[A]

Well, I'm sure they have taken offense, FYI. And I think this. I've been to Scotland subsequently, and they've upped their cuisine game, without question.

[B]

The dumbest thing I ever did at a charity auction was I was the first bidder on a week at a Scottish castle. And I had been. I was a little. I'd had a couple of drinks and was feeling a little frisky and raised my paddle kind of, and it was a real high starting bid. But I assumed, like, in this, you know, this room full of Tony people. But it felt like it was a trap bid because as soon as I raised my paddle, they were, like, going once, going till I sold. Like, I was like, oh, no. And Josh was with us. We went to the castle.

[A]

And how'd it go?

[B]

It was a lot of Scottish castles, it turns out. Upkeep hasn't been a big part of it.

[A]

Yeah, that's not a priority.

[B]

It was a. I would say it was very. It was a breezy castle, and. But I remember the first meal, it felt like the chef at the castle was maybe 17 years old, and they rolled up cold cuts. It was like a thing of turkey and a thing of cheese and a thing of ham, and they rolled it into little, like, tubes.

[A]

Oh, that sounds clever.

[B]

Yeah, it was. Alexi was early pregnant with our first, and she still, this day, says it's the worst trip of her life.

[D]

Awesome.

[C]

We did some cool stuff, but there were chicken breasts that were, like. The breading was corn flakes.

[B]

Like, cereal. Cornflakes. Yeah.

[C]

So, yeah, it wasn't the best food on that trip.

[B]

Yeah. Did you. Did you know your grandfather well, Henry? You seem surprised that he didn't know the Beatles. Was he a part of your life growing up?

[D]

He was a part of my life. That that detail was left out about not liking the Beatles, but he liked other stuff. He liked the New York Jets.

[B]

Did you have a. Were grandparents a big part of trips for you guys growing up?

[D]

We. Let's see. Yeah, kind of. We did a lot of nuclear family trips, though. I would say not a lot of.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, we would go to visit grandparents. That's. I mean, in other words. But we wouldn't go. Well, with the exception of going to Wyoming when you were younger.

[D]

That's true.

[A]

We wouldn't really go on trips with them.

[D]

It was. We went to Thanksgiving a few times in D.C. and stuff like that.

[A]

Yeah, right.

[C]

Classically.

[D]

Had our most chaotic, worst Thanksgiving in Washington, D.C. with our.

[B]

Well, what happened?

[D]

Yeah, sure, sure.

[B]

It is the season.

[D]

Indeed.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

We all, you know, congregate in D.C. for Thanksgiving, and we're all cooking and everything. A plague descends upon the entire family. Everyone is deathly ill the entire time. Really, really, really sick. Then on top of that, every dish is ruined in some way. The gravy is, like, gelatinous.

[A]

It looks like a volcano.

[D]

The turkey's undercooked.

[B]

It's.

[D]

You know, the weather's really bad. Everything. Everything.

[A]

Wait, and I have to interject. There was one moment in which your cousin, who was like three at the time, she had gotten particularly ill and violent diarrhea and vomiting, and she. I just remember she had had a terrible accident, and her dad, your uncle, was carrying her, like, with her arms out like this and telling her to keep her arms straight and not move while he carried her under the armpits sort of across the room because she had just had some explosion happen, and he was telling her not to move. And we're trying to try to put together this family meal as this sort of like. It felt like a bomb had gone off, and he's taking her across the room and she's like this terrified. Anyway, carry on.

[D]

Yeah, my dad still does that to me to this day.

[C]

Don't you get stuck in doorways, though, if your arms are just.

[A]

You just go through it. No, you just go sideways.

[D]

Yeah, yeah. You gotta take your losses honestly. Otherwise, it's a really good thing to do.

[B]

You know what doesn't work? I found with my three young children, anytime you tell them, don't move. You know what I mean? Like, it just immediately they hate. Feel as though that's a toddlers. Yeah, we are. We always refer to our family as a core four, which is what you guys are. Same thing. Two boys and. And that's Josh and I, our family. But we took a lot of vacations, just the four of us, and we would the same thing like we grandparents, but mercifully never had them, like, on an airplane with us, which I think is a way better life to live.

[A]

We definitely didn't do that either. But it's funny you say that about all boys, because when the kids were little, we took them to Tanzania and we were on safari and we got there, and I'm gonna say Charlie was 7, maybe, and Henry was 12 and the leader.

[D]

Yeah, I was like, 16 and Charlie was 12.

[A]

Okay, sorry. So. And so we get there, 16 and 12, and the leader of our group says. Starts to say sort of the rules of camp. Because it wasn't like. It wasn't like we were staying in a resort. We were staying in tents out in the bush, you know. And he says, okay, now, the first rule of camp is no running. And I remember thinking, oh, my God, this was a huge mistake. I have two boys who are being told not to run because they are prey here out in prey. And that was. We got sick on that trip, too, huh?

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Everybody got really sick on that trip, too.

[B]

Yeah. Is this just coincidence that it's the first two, or are you just kind of very sickly? As a family.

[D]

We carry around a plague wherever we go. Yeah, we try to.

[B]

I mean, nothing's worse than the moment where the first one gets sick and, you know, it's coming for everyone.

[A]

Everyone. Yeah, that's true. God, is that the truth?

[D]

Yeah. You've got no choice.

[B]

So what about. Did you guys ever. I mean, imagine, look, you are, your family. You live in Los Angeles. Did you ever. Were you ever in a road trip, the four of you? Did you guys ever drive anywhere?

[D]

We drove to Yosemite once.

[A]

Yeah. We drove to Yosemite. We didn't take long. Long car rides.

[D]

Yeah. How about that for an answer?

[B]

No, but Yosemite's a drive.

[C]

Yosemite's a drive. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I've done that drive.

[D]

We actually stayed. We stayed at the. The place where the hotel where the Shining is like that. The set of the Shining is sort of based off of. Didn't we. Or we visited there. Something like that. It was spooky.

[C]

Is that in Estes park in Colorado, or is that in Where Yosemite is?

[A]

No, Henry's.

[D]

The second I said that, I realized that's not true.

[B]

I.

[D]

That's made up.

[F]

What?

[A]

I just said it's made up. But it looks like it. It was the.

[C]

Sure.

[A]

It was that fancy. It was that Awani hotel.

[D]

Yeah. Sorry.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Do you think at this point. There's a chance, though, your parents just lied to you on that drive, and now you're. You're having, like, a seated. Yeah.

[D]

Yeah, my parents lied to me a lot.

[B]

So were you. That's a. You have a bit of a age gap with Charlie. Were you guys close growing up?

[D]

Yes, we. We were close. We're very close.

[C]

Now you're gonna say we were. And now it's.

[B]

Yeah, there's a reason. Let's just say there's a reason. He's late to the podcast.

[D]

Yeah. He's waiting for me to log off. No. Yeah, we. Five years. You know, when. When I was, like, what, 15 and he was 10? That was not. I did not like him very much. Yeah.

[C]

Did he want all up in your business?

[D]

No, he was honestly completely fine. I was just. I just unloaded all of my anything. You know, he was the. My. My punching bag. Metaphorically.

[A]

Well, and in fact.

[F]

And.

[D]

And in. For real, too.

[A]

Yeah. When you were a little younger than that, they used to play a game called Lighthouse College.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And they would both be going to a Lighthouse College. And usually Henry was the wrestling coach.

[D]

Yeah, I was the wrestling coach. And. And I was a really. I was a nasty professor, too, who, if Charlie was. If Charlie wasn't paying attention, I would throw. Throw books at him.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Or you would beat him up and wrestle him as the coach. And that was essentially Lighthouse College.

[D]

Yeah. You know, Lighthouse. The funding at Lighthouse College was really thin. Huge issue.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Most of the professors had two jobs.

[B]

By the way, this really speaks to what a showbiz family where most kids wrestle. And you guys built this, like, the world building that went into.

[D]

Yeah, we did.

[B]

They don't have a lot of money.

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah. Here's the elevator pitch.

[B]

The wrestling coach probably has failed at previous schools. This is his last stop.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And he's working for scale.

[B]

And then you just. Then you just wail on each other like any kids, but.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Did you. Were there years where you and Brad were aware, Julie, of like. Oh, my God, the strain that Charlie is causing Henry with. With just being, like, younger and irritating? Or is it just like. Yeah, yeah. Were you ever aware of the trauma you'd inflicted on him?

[A]

Yes, finally. Exactly. By having a second child. Yeah. We should. I mean, to be honest, we shouldn't have had Charlie. It was amazing.

[F]

Oh, finally someone says it.

[B]

Jesus.

[D]

Finally.

[B]

Have you guys. As you've gotten older, do you still go on family trips, the four of you together, or has life gotten too fast? For them.

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

Well, actually, I don't know if this. I got back less than 24 hours ago from Indonesia with my dad and I went there together on a surf.

[C]

Wow.

[D]

So this is me. I'm running on fumes.

[B]

What was the impetus for you and your dad taking a two man trip to Indonesia?

[D]

Good question. We are surfers, so. Grew up surfing my whole life. Yeah, yeah. And Indonesia is sort of the number one destination for surf in the whole world.

[A]

World.

[D]

So this is. This is our second time.

[C]

Is it aggressive surfing? Like, how big are these waves? How good does one have to be to go where you went?

[D]

I would say sort of like back. Being able to go in the backcountry, skiing is. That's. That's a sort of similar. That's a comparison people. You're gonna run into a lot of people, though, who shouldn't be out there, though. Yeah, unfortunately, it's become very, very crowded and stuff.

[A]

Well, I'm gonna interject and say Henry is being humble. He's a very good surfer and he competed when he was younger. And so that's me, his practice showbiz family.

[D]

My mom is also my publicist and momager.

[B]

Now that you've done that though, how good is Brad really?

[A]

Brad can't serve surf.

[D]

He rips.

[B]

He's one of the people that Henry was politely saying probably shouldn't be out there.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Exactly.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

How old were you when you started surfing? And was that something that happened out of like a vacation or just from being a west coaster?

[D]

That's from my dad being from Santa Barbara.

[B]

Got it.

[D]

I would say, yeah. He pushed me into a wave for the first time when I was four. Four years old. Yeah. So it's in the blood.

[B]

So it's such a bummer when you hear, like, your kids are already older. Like when it starts for, like really good surfers. I mean, I'm sure they could pick it up now, but it's. Of course, you start that young and then was it something where you would you ever take trips built around the fact that you and your dad wanted to surf?

[D]

Absolutely. Multiple times. Did we forego the comfort of my brother and mom in order to get good waves somewhere?

[A]

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[B]

Oh, so because they wouldn't. It wouldn't be. You would never wanted to. Were you not invited, Julia? Or was it like, I don't want to go to a surf town?

[A]

Well, I'm invited if there's something for me to do. But I don't. I don't surf. I've tried a couple of times and I found it to be terrifying.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I let you know they have that excursion for the most part on their own. But I've been to a few places with you guys and then, you know.

[D]

We went to Peru. Oh, look who it is.

[A]

Hi honey.

[F]

Well, hopefully you guys were in a conversational flow that I've ruined.

[B]

Yeah, you've shut up just in time. These guys Were both kind of running out of steam.

[D]

Yeah, perfect.

[F]

They tend to do that.

[D]

Wait, but we were talking a lot of.

[B]

Are you not a surfer, then, Charlie?

[F]

We're talking about a surfer. I used to be kind of a surfer, sort of. But no, Henry's the surfer. I'm.

[A]

Did.

[B]

You did. From the very beginning, did you kind of know, like, I. This. I'm. I can do this. But I don't really love it the way my dad and my brother love it.

[F]

Yes. I was. I'm, like, too tall for surfing.

[C]

Yeah. And also, isn't that sort of an expression is. Charlie, don't surf.

[B]

Yeah. Charlie don't surf. Yeah. Yeah. I also. I like that. It's like, I'm just, like, too handsome. I'm too handsome to surf. Like, too tall and handsome and strong. I just.

[F]

My center of gravity is too high. I'll just.

[D]

It is tall. I'll say this, too, about Charlie. Charlie is highly competitive and to the point where he'll hedge his bets on something. So I think he, at a young age, saw that my dad and I just inherently had, you know, X amount of years of experience surfing over him. And he was like, okay. He, like, did the math in his tiny brain and was like.

[A]

And he went, basketball?

[D]

Yeah, I'm gonna play basketball instead of do.

[B]

Your dad is famously tall, Charlie. I feel like. And he. Yeah, he's managed to figure out surfing. That is not to. Not to undercut your defense.

[F]

Now I feel like an idiot. But, yeah, there's also a rigamarole to surfing. Like, you gotta. You know, you have to, like, change in and out of things. You have to bring a lot of stuff. It's like, Sandy, there's, like, things about it that. That I don't totally.

[B]

I mean, that's the way I feel about skiing, which Josh and my dad love. And I was. I again, it was just. The gear is oppressive.

[F]

It's gnarly. Yeah. There's a lot of it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Wait a minute, Seth. You don't ski?

[B]

I do ski, but I just don't like it. And I will say, like, now that my boys ski and my daughter, like, we. They ski every weekend in the winter. We take them to, like, a little sort of shitty east coast mountain in Connecticut. And I love. I love being on the mountain with my kids. But, like, when I was younger, I, Josh and my dad would take ski trips, and I would always be like, I think I'm good, or we would.

[C]

Go out and then it would get cold. And Seth and my mom would be like we're going to go to the lodge and we're going to tap out.

[A]

Yeah, got it.

[C]

On this Peru trip was. Were you on that as well, Charlie? Did you go to Peru?

[F]

I absolutely was.

[C]

And so you and your mother would go off and do something else, I'm assuming. Or would Julie would you sort of kick him into some kids camp and then you just.

[A]

Yeah, I would just give him to whatever babysitter I could find. I'm trying to. I mean, we did sort of. It was a real sort of. Oh, that's right. We went to. We did. We did the standard, you know, looking at Machu Picchu and stuff like that. But then we did take the guys and we went into the rainforest and that was miserable, if I could be so bold as to say it. I mean, this was right before Brad and Henry were gonna go off surfing and we were in the rainforest and we were getting, once again getting out of the water, the boat to sort of go to this Echo lodge in the middle of the rainforest. But you had to walk in the water a ways. And this was. Yeah, this was the river where they have those fish or something that can swim up your urethra.

[B]

Oh, yeah, those.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[D]

That means, you know those fish.

[B]

Yeah, every.

[C]

Every guy knows about those fish. As soon as you learn about them, you never know.

[A]

Those are real fish. Those are real.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And I just remember being panicked with the boys and just saying, you know, keep. Keep your crotch out of the water. And.

[D]

But by the way though, that you were saying that the, you know, don't run thing was, you know, that's not a deterrent for little kids.

[C]

Right?

[D]

Don't put your crotch in the water because a little fish will swim up your penis. That actually worked?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, that was a straight up deterrent. But then we have this experience where I was really freaked out. Cause there was stuff in the forest there that was lethal. Like snakes and a certain kind of snake that if you got bit it would kill you instantly sort of a thing. And. And they had really big tarantulas and stuff all over this place. And Brad and I, it was like the night before, we were headed out of there and we were walking back to our room where we were staying and it was dark and I felt something sort of go on me and I sort of went ugh. Like that. And he knew that I really didn't like it there. And I said, jeez, that was awful. He goes, it's okay, it's okay. We're leaving tomorrow. Don't Worry about it. I'm like, okay, fine, whatever. And we get into the room and we go into the bathroom and we're brushing our teeth and Brad sort of bends over the sink and there is a tarantula on his back this big. Okay. It's called the pink toad tarantula. Have your listeners look it up, you'll see. And I screamed, oh, my God, there's a tranter back. And without. Within a nanosecond, Brad took his T shirt and just went rah. And ripped it apart. And the tarantula went flying across the room. And it was a pink toed tarantula. And it was big. It was a male pink toed tarantula. And we found out later that they're usually very docile. But if a pink toed tarantula does bite you, it can cause impotence.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

Yes, yes.

[D]

A lot of like, yeah. Private parts stuff.

[C]

A lot of dick stuff.

[B]

And that would have been.

[A]

I'm married to a man, I've got two sons.

[B]

The bummer is that was if it had happened because like the most turned on you ever were was when he ripped his shirt off. And then if that at the same moment he'd become impotent. What a bummer that would have been.

[A]

Yeah, totally.

[B]

The irony.

[A]

The irony is thick. And it could have been an absolute rambunctious evening of close your ears, boys, sexual satisfaction, but it was not.

[B]

We were in Costa Rica with my boys and there was just this line of the reddest ants you've ever seen carrying leaves from an animated film, watching these ants work together. And we were just leaning down so close watching them. And it was just this beautiful moment in nature. And then the guy came over, was like, those are fire ants if they bite you. And basically was like, God, what is the point of being out here? This isn't a vacation.

[A]

Yeah, I hear that. I don't disagree with that.

[B]

Did you ever have either of the hall boys who are on this ever gone on a vacation with just your mother? Just the two of you?

[D]

We surprised her for Mother's Day.

[F]

Yeah, that's where my brain went too.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Where'd you take her?

[D]

We went to a restaurant.

[F]

Well, we were. Yeah, we were in New York.

[A]

Okay, well, wait a minute, hold on. I was in New York by myself, working.

[B]

Okay.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And it was late at night and I'm. I'm in. I'm all by myself. I'm in the bedroom, I'm watching a movie and I watching it, and all of a sudden the kid in the movie sounds so much like my son. I feel like I hear this kid go, mom, Mom. Like that. God, that kid sounds like Charlie.

[F]

Yeah. I didn't want to scare. I can't. My flight got delayed. I was supposed to get in earlier and my flight got delayed, so I ended up getting in at, like, midnight to New York. And I was so terrified that I was gonna scare you. And so I was yelling, mom, Mom, I don't wanna scare you. It's your son. I don't wanna scare you. And your door was closed, and I was yelling outside for you for literally no exaggeration, like, five minutes. And you didn't. You couldn't hear me?

[A]

I couldn't hear. Maybe I could hear. And I didn't want to open the door.

[F]

Cause I thought I'd, like, give you a heart attack.

[A]

Well, you did give me a heart attack, by the way.

[D]

There you go.

[A]

Yeah. I took you guys to Portland once to see a basketball game.

[D]

Oh, my God.

[C]

Of course.

[D]

That's the number one.

[A]

That's the number one.

[B]

Just the three of you?

[D]

Just the three of us? Yeah. Yeah, we went to Portland.

[B]

Was this an interesting time to go to a basketball game in Portland? Portland. You seem to have a specific memory of it, Henry.

[D]

Yeah, we. There's this guy, he's sort of like in and out of the G League, who we got to meet, this LeBron something. What's his last name?

[F]

James.

[B]

Is it James but spelled with a G? Yeah, yeah, that one. Yeah.

[D]

We got to go to Portland and we see a Miami. This is. This was in the Miami Heat days.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

But so you lived in la, so there, obviously. You famously have a couple basketball teams. Was it special to go to Portland and see LeBron play?

[F]

We.

[D]

My mom's best friend is. Works for Nike, so we had a whole Nike thing set up for us, which was unbelievably special.

[B]

How old were you when this was happening? Were you. Was this, like, peak age to go to a sporting event?

[D]

Yes. Any age is peak age for us to go to a sporting event.

[F]

We're also, like, I would die for LeBron.

[D]

Like, Charlie's the biggest.

[F]

Absolutely no hesitation. Take a bullet. Like, truly. Yeah. And so doing that was incredibly special. And it ended up being an amazing game. Chris Bosh hit a essentially buzzer beater. Yeah.

[B]

Did you meet LeBron?

[D]

Yes, LeBron.

[F]

But we almost didn't because I was so scared.

[B]

I.

[F]

He's so. I. I love LeBron in a way that's, like, certainly unhealthy. No, Question about it. And, and as a result, like, I, the moment was, like, too big for me. I don't know how old I was, but I, I was too anxious and I was almost pulled the plug on the whole operation. I was like, I don't think I can do this. But thankfully, I think actually dad, sort of. We called dad, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[F]

And he was like, guys, what are you talking about? You gotta go meet him.

[A]

Yeah, right. Well, it was late at night. They were inviting us to go to dinner with a bunch of the players. But it was late, you know, and I didn't know, well, should I take the boys? And what's going on? And, you know, and we called dad and he said, brad, and he said, oh, who cares what time it is?

[C]

Go.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

And in the moment, Charlie, did you rise to the occasion? Do you feel like you comported yourself when. Well, when the moment came?

[F]

It's a good question.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[F]

Yes. I mean, I was enough to, like, you know, words came out of my mouth. I was like, hi, nice to meet you. So that's a win, right?

[C]

Were you.

[B]

I don't. It was, it was.

[A]

You guys were teenagers.

[F]

Yeah, I think I was maybe in middle school.

[B]

Yeah, Yeah, I was.

[D]

Yeah, maybe I was, I was in college.

[A]

You were, Henry?

[D]

Pretty sure.

[F]

I, I, I remember we did we. I wasn't sitting next to LeBron once we got there, and I was ha. I was actually really relieved at that fact. Like.

[A]

Yeah, but I was.

[F]

I know you were, but you can handle it. I can't. Like, this is, you know, I couldn't handle it.

[D]

It is like meeting God.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

100.

[B]

Yeah.

[F]

100.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And at that point, Right. If fully he's sorry, by the way.

[D]

Just quickly we're saying LeBron. We were talking about LeBron James.

[B]

Yeah. Yes.

[C]

King James.

[B]

I just took my dad's from Pittsburgh. Huge Steelers fans. I just took my 9 and 7 year old to their first Steelers game.

[F]

That's awesome.

[B]

And it was the best. It was such a fantastic weekend. Josh was there as well, and we met some of the players, but they have, they're not at the place. I think it was easier for them because they're not huge fans. Like, they haven't built up a fandom that you had for LeBron at the time. So they were just meeting larger people than they were used to.

[F]

There is a, there's a Northwestern Wildcat on the Steelers.

[C]

Brett Skoronic.

[F]

That's exactly right. Good, good, good buddy.

[B]

Mind. Oh, great.

[F]

Yeah. I love Ben.

[C]

Yeah. Apparently he reps Notre Dame, but we said we still come him as Northwestern 100%. Yeah.

[B]

I will say not. Nothing to do with me and my children, but Julia, you and yours. I remember going and seeing you, Julie, at the. Was it 2016 when you guys beat Texas in at the Barclay Center? Yep.

[F]

2016. Jared Allen. Jared Allen was on that team. That was a good. That was a great game.

[B]

Yeah, that was fantastic. And also, like, it happened for me when I was in college when football wasn't good. And then all of a sudden they were good. Like, my friend and I went to that game just because. Oh, my God. Well, how can you miss Northwestern when they're in New York? Didn't go with a lot of expectation that Northwestern would win. It was so exciting and that it was so. We were so happy. And then the extra. There was the extra bonus of. Then we. We actually ran into you guys.

[F]

So fun. That's the thing about coming from like a kind of, you know, historically losing program is it feels a lot better when you win.

[B]

And was that the. That was the first tournament.

[F]

That was the tournament year. And that game, that Texas game ended up kind of being the game where we realized that we were, like, actually good. We had our suspicions, like, you know, over the summer. I was like, huh. We. I think our players are good. And then we beat Texas and we're.

[B]

Like, oh, well, wow.

[F]

We are trying to do this.

[D]

Brian McIntosh had a amazing game that game. Didn't he chart?

[F]

Yeah. I think Scotty played really well, too.

[B]

Yeah, I had that year. Josh went to Salt Lake.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Nice for the first round. And I had a very young. I think my Alexi was pregnant with our second and Ash was two. And it was just one of those things where, like, I couldn't make the argument why I had to, like, leave and go to Utah. But then I was like, so grumpy, like, in a petulant, childish way. And she at one point was like, what's wrong with you? I'm like, everyone I know is in Salt Lake City. Never happens. She's like, oh. She was like, no. S. Because she's like, oh, my God, grow up.

[C]

But also like, we didn't. You didn't know where your team was going to play when tickets went on sale and Seth had bought like, a block of tickets to in. In, like, North Carolina, which is, you know, where. Where some of the games were. And they were great games that he ended up having tickets for. And then Northwestern won their first game and Seth sold those tickets in North Carolina and then four guys that were in Salt Lake. He's like, I'm gonna buy you guys tickets for the next game. Which was a great sort of turnover.

[B]

I'm assuming you were there, Julia. You went out for that.

[A]

You betcha.

[B]

Yeah. Must have been so such an exciting time.

[A]

Oh, it was unbelievable. I just. I'll never forget that goaltending situation and.

[C]

Then the coach getting thrown, you know, and. Yeah, rightfully so. He was furious. For good. For good. Cause how do you miss the. That there was a. There was a goaltend through. Through the rim.

[A]

Yeah. And by the way, Gonzaga.

[F]

Right.

[A]

And, Charlie, wasn't it true that after the fact that the National Ref association made some comment about it was.

[F]

Yeah, they issued a. They do a thing where they. In the final X minutes of every game, they go through the calls, and then if they. If there's any errors, they, like, they release, you know, a document. Document of the errors and that it was. They released it as an error. And I think even, like the NCAA, like, issued an apology or something.

[B]

And then you get. Your team gets ref bucks that you spend.

[F]

Yeah.

[B]

Concessions.

[D]

I'm still living off the merch, actually.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

So I pay my rent.

[B]

Will you guys. Will you all be together for Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving? Oh, yeah.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Is that historically every year, has there been an exception where you don't have the whole family together for any reason?

[A]

No, we've not.

[F]

We've had weird Thanksgivings a lot. Or we're not in at home because for me, when I was playing basketball, we always had to. They always had to come to me because I didn't get it off. And then we also went to. When Henry was shooting his show in London, we went to. We had Thanksgiving in London. London.

[D]

Oh, yeah, I did.

[B]

Josh and I used to live in Amsterdam, and my parents would come over there for Thanksgiving. And I think Thanksgiving in a foreign country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving is outstanding.

[D]

Yeah, it's cool.

[A]

It's outstanding. It's just an opportunity for a great meal elsewhere.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then you also. Nothing. Nothing's closed. So you, like, go out and the city is, like, still, like a cool city.

[A]

Completely. Yeah.

[B]

When you do Thanksgiving at home, do you have other people over or is it ever just the four of you?

[A]

No, when it's at home, we have extended family and friends, which is what we're having this year.

[B]

How big can it get?

[A]

I remember one year it was 24 people.

[B]

Gotcha.

[C]

Does it get out of hand?

[D]

I don't remember.

[A]

That's Too much. Yeah. Remember we had a table outside and we had a table inside and we used the round table for Granny and Because, remember? And then we. And then everybody. We did moving of seats, rotating around.

[D]

We had a circle.

[A]

That was too much.

[B]

I just wanted to picture Granny alone at a very small round table.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, it was more of a Godfather situation. Like each person would go off and have their conversation with grandma.

[B]

Is this your side granny or Brad's side granny?

[A]

Brad's side granny. Who's still alive. She's 97.

[B]

Gotcha.

[A]

And she has. Has pretty acute dementia. So I think this year she will not be joining us. However she's been joining us. I mean, she's with us every holiday in some form or another. Yeah, this year we're gonna bring her some stuff. But yeah, this year it's not quite as many. I think we're about 13 this year, which is much more manageable.

[F]

24 is insane.

[A]

24 is too many. It's too. Believe me. You know, to be honest with you guys and these guys, my boys know this. I'm not a huge fan of Thanksgiving. Just not.

[B]

Yeah, okay.

[D]

It's all the Thanksgiving.

[F]

Right.

[A]

I just, I think she's ungrateful. I am ungrateful and I'll tell you why.

[B]

You famously said, maybe if I ever have something to be thankful for, I'll get this. I'll understand what.

[C]

TikTok World.

[B]

I. I had a. I. It's my favorite. Thanks. It's my favorite holiday before. And I was I saying to Alexi, I'm like, why? And my wife like, why don't you get more excited? She's like, cuz I do everything.

[A]

She's like, thank you.

[C]

She goes, you love.

[B]

Than because you like would go and sit on the couch and like watch football while your mom cooked. And now I'm the mom. And it's not a good holiday.

[A]

It's an enormous amount of work for what is probably about a 15 to 20 minute meal.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's days and days of cooking and you know, you can, you know, and then. But anyway, whatever. I'm still happy everybody's coming. Cause I like, I am actually. Cause I like all this shit beforehand. It's just that once the meal's here it's like, eh, whatever.

[C]

Does anyone. Does anyone go too hard at Thanksgiving? Does anyone like really tie one on? We sort of. We famously had a bunch of neighbors over and some family one time and set up tables and like there were, there was, there was way too much wine. Being drunk. And some of it by a gal who certainly was not of age yet but was finding some half drunk glasses that she was polishing off but. Which adds an element of excitement to a holiday.

[A]

Yeah, I don't think. Has anybody misbehaved, you guys?

[D]

Not really. I mean, well, the end of the everyone being sick story that one Thanksgiving. Oh that's right, everyone's sick. Everything's going terribly. All the food is getting messed up and everything. And then the one thing that made it through all that vitriol was a pumpkin pie. It came out perfect. Like dead perfect. Comes out steaming. You know, just the most delicious, delectable looking pumpkin pie you've ever seen in your life gets put on the counter and my little cousin comes over to it and he goes, oh man, that looks good. He sneezes all over the pie. Snot on the pie.

[A]

So that was.

[D]

You've never seen adults more mad at like a six year old.

[B]

They started booing. Yeah, yeah.

[D]

It was insane.

[B]

Do you remember the first time vacation or at home, like the first time you had drinks with both of your sons, Julia? Because obviously Henry has a head start but like the moment where you're like we are now a family where the children, you know, are old enough to also have wine at the table.

[A]

No.

[B]

Do you remember the first time you got drunk with me?

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

You immediately.

[B]

I like that your tone immediately went back to your tone of during day drinking.

[A]

I do remember that. That was insane.

[B]

That was. I always tell this story because it's like such a perfect Julia story that. Cuz I say it to every time we do day drinking, I always say to the guest, I'm like, hey, just FYI, like you, you don't have to drink anything you don't want to drink. We can switch to water and you're the only one and you want went, yeah, I know. Like the amount of have to drink. I'm not trying to prove anything to you.

[A]

I remember when I was in college once. Oh doing like meow or whatever. And there was some improv night. And before that night we had gone out and gotten drinks and I'd had a gin and Tom and I remember then getting on stage and realizing, oh my God. I mean I wasn't like drunk but I felt it and it was this terrifying feeling. And I stood at the back of the stage and did not contribute because I was terrified of. You know, it just felt like such a. It was so risky. And so when I did your show. I can't believe you do that. Show. I can't believe it.

[B]

We only do it twice a year. We are very aware there's a tipping point where our audience collectively says sir, you're 51, you have children. Sir, you have children at home.

[D]

No, do it more. That's when I love the Day Drinking show. Please do it. Not to enable.

[B]

I mean it never doesn't work, but it is. You know, there's a huge. There's a medical cost.

[A]

There is a medical cost. You know, there's what? There's one vacation story that I have to tell you guys about with these boys that is in our part of our family history. And it was around New Year's, the Y2K year. So that would have made Charlie 3 and Henry 8 and. Is that right guys?

[D]

No, no, that's.

[F]

I can't do math.

[A]

I don't know. No 2 and 7. Because it would have been 1999 going into 2000.

[D]

Wow, Mom, Einstein over here.

[C]

Good math.

[A]

Thanks honey. So anyway, I don't know if people remember but that year there was all of this like you gotta do something. It's New Year's, we're going into this whole new. Into 2000. It's gonna be unbelievable. And so we opted sort of to not do a whole hullabaloo that for New Year's. And we went, we were skiing and some friends had invited us over to their house for a New Year's party. And we decided because of the importance of this particular date we were gonna bring the boys and let them stay up late. And so we got to their house and we're having a nice time. And it gets to be about 11 o' clock and it's become quite evident that each of the boys has got to go to bed. It is way too late for a 2 year old and a 7 year old to be up. So I say to Brad, we gotta get outta here. I know staying up till midnight, but we just can't do it. It's ridiculous. So Henry was disappointed we put him into the car, but the kids are wigged. Okay, Wigged, tired, wigged out. We put em both into the car, Charlie's in the car seat, we're driving back to this hotel. It's snowing like crazy and it's dark. And Henry says to Brad, daddy, do you believe in the abominable snowman? Understand? Everybody's tired. And Brad says, no I don't honey. And anyone who does believe in the abominable snowman is crazy. And Henry goes.

[B]

Don'T.

[A]

Well, I believe in the abominable Snowman.

[C]

Daddy.

[A]

And that means you think I'm crazy. I'm gonna kill you. He starts screaming. At which point Charlie in the car seat starts to scream hysterically. Don't kill my daddy. And they are going, but I mean, screaming like he really thought his 7 year old brother was gonna kill his own father. And they are screaming hysterically. And it is the worst New Year's of our life. And I become. It is so outrageous that I become hysterical laughing. And then the kids see me laughing and they get more crying and Brad is like, jules, shut up. Shut up. Anyway, that was our. That was New year's, you know. AT&T believes hearing a voice can change everything. And if you love podcasts, you get it. The power of hearing someone speak is unmatched. It's why we save those voicemails from our loved ones. They mean something, you know? Who do you call when you need a little one on one holiday boost? Maybe it's your best friend who lives across the country, or your aunt who always seems to have the exact advice you need to hear. Or how about when you need to get hyped up for something big? Perhaps you call up your work bestie who's known for giving a pep talks. AT&T knows the holidays are the perfect time to do just that. Share your voice. If it's been a while since you called someone who matters, now's the time. Because it's more than just a conversation. It's a chance to say something they'll hear forever. So spread a little love with the call this season. Happy holidays from AT&T. Connecting changes everything. So you're all packed for your trip to Lake Atitlan, Ready to explore volcano frame villages, witness Mayan ceremonies, and maybe join one of the largest ecstatic dance gatherings in the world. Your base, Casa Arbo in Jaibalito. An incredibly serene sanctuary perched above the lake, nurtured with over 20 years of reforest. Step into Jaibalito, a quiet lakeside town accessible only by boat. It's perfect for total solitude and no neighbors. But while you're off exploring one of the most beautiful countries in the world, your home doesn't have to sit idle. It can help make the journey possible. By hosting your home on Airbnb, you can earn a little extra income to help fund your next adventure. So next time you pack your bags, consider sharing your corner of the world with someone else by hosting your home on Airbnb. Airbnb. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host, by the way.

[B]

A different time thanks to YouTube. But I remember a couple years ago, our kids wanted to stay up till New Year's. And I'm like, they're never gonna make it. And Alexi was like, they're not gonna make it. And then she just went on YouTube and played the previous years. Like put on YouTube TV and played the ball dropping at like 8:45. And I was like, you're. I'm married to the smartest girl.

[D]

Wow, that's really smart.

[A]

That is stone cold genius time manipulation.

[B]

She's like, you guys made it.

[C]

We've been in Seth's wife's from New Mexico, and there are some casinos nearby and they celebrate New Year's Eve at noon. And if you're in the casino at noon, they like pass out champagne and there's a hole to do. And so we've definitely popped down for New Year's Eve.

[B]

And it's really cool because then the cool thing is the rest of the day, you smell like something. Cigarettes. That's perfect.

[A]

And booze.

[C]

There's still smoking in there. Just. Yeah.

[B]

You don't want to be in an Albuquerque casino on New Year's Eve. I'm just going to say.

[D]

You don't, huh?

[B]

I know, it's shocking. This has been so lovely to talk to you guys, but we do. Before you go, Josh is going to ask you all our speed round questions. And you all have to answer every question.

[D]

Awesome.

[A]

Before you do, I'm taking a family photo. Everybody smile.

[D]

Take it with your phone.

[A]

I am, honey.

[D]

Okay, good, Good.

[B]

Also, I'm gonna just ask. Cause you guys are straight talkers. Tacky or cool that I'm wearing a sweatshirt from my own show?

[D]

Super honestly cool.

[B]

Okay, Because. Because I don't love it. All right.

[A]

You know, when I was 7 years old and we were in Rome staying at some hotel and Ed Sullivan was staying there at the same time. And didn't he come down to the pool wearing a hat that said Ed Sullivan?

[B]

Oh, I wouldn't do it in public. I wouldn't do it in public, but still.

[A]

Well, you're in public right now.

[B]

It's true.

[C]

He's on Zoom. For a thing that's being taped to be put out into the world, you.

[B]

Got me dead to rights. It's in public. I take it back. Me and Ed Sullivan are the same.

[F]

I won't name names, but I once saw on Abbott Kinney in la, I saw an NBA player one time wearing a shirt with his face on it.

[D]

Wow.

[F]

Which I thought was a super interesting choice. Kind of. Actually, I kind of loved it.

[A]

I kind of love it, too. But can't you tell us who it was?

[F]

No, I don't want to. I don't know why, but I don't want to.

[B]

Yeah.

[F]

All right, I'm scared.

[B]

Just tell us who was on the shirt. Yeah.

[D]

D'.

[F]

Angelo. Russell.

[D]

Oh, love, Russ. I was once at a party with someone related to Ernest Hemingway, some somehow. And we're all chatting and someone's talking to, going through something in their lives, you know, extolling some issue they were having. And this person who was related to her in the same way goes. Oh, wow, that's. You know, you should check out this book. It's called the Sun Also Rises.

[B]

That's awesome.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And she had already said that she was related to. She was, like, recommending her, you know, whatever. He was like, great Uncle's book. Yeah, yeah, no, we know the sun also.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, obviously not as well as me, because I'm related to him, but. Yeah. Yeah, exactly.

[D]

Anyway.

[C]

All right, all right, here we go. Speed round. You can only pick one of these. Is your ideal vacation relaxing, adventurous, or educational?

[F]

Relax.

[D]

Adventurous for me, too.

[C]

Okay, what is. What is your favorite means of transportation?

[B]

Car. What?

[F]

Plane.

[A]

Feet. Feet.

[B]

Feet. Oh, yeah, feet.

[F]

Wait, I changed mine to feet. Great call, Mom.

[B]

Gotcha.

[A]

Okay, thanks, honey.

[C]

If you could take a vacation with any family, alive or dead, real or fictional, other than your own family, what family would you like to take a vacation with?

[F]

Coach Taylor. Friday Night Lights.

[B]

His perfect answer.

[D]

Nice, Charlie.

[A]

Oh, Henry. I know who you're going to say.

[C]

Yeah, I think I do, too.

[F]

What?

[A]

The.

[B]

The Hemingways?

[F]

The.

[C]

The Sims? The Sim.

[D]

Yeah, the.

[C]

Maybe, I don't know your answer. The Griffins.

[D]

The Griffins. I'll zag.

[B]

As in Family Guy. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Well, I'm going to say the Simpsons.

[B]

Okay, great.

[F]

Okay, great nightmare vacation, but okay.

[A]

I know. I'm just trying to be clever.

[C]

All right, this one could get. Could get sticky with three family members here. If you had to be stranded on a desert island with one member of your family, who would it be?

[F]

No offense. Mom, I'm going. Henry.

[A]

Henry.

[D]

Yeah, I'm going. Charlie. Mom.

[A]

So you know what? I'm going with my sister, Lauren. So you guys.

[B]

All right.

[C]

Julie, you're. You're from New York City. If you had to pitch New York City to get more families to come visit, how would you do it?

[A]

Central Park.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

There's something there for everyone.

[C]

True. And then, boys you're both la. You're both from Los Angeles. If you had to pitch Los Angeles to get more families to come visit, how would you do it? Henry? First.

[D]

Okay, I would say the Ripley's Believe it or Not Wax Museum.

[C]

Yeah, we have that. All right, Charlie, can you beat that?

[F]

My zoom cut out for a second, but I would say Ripley's Believe it or Not.

[D]

Good choice. Yeah, good choice.

[F]

Tara. What was your answer, Henry?

[D]

Dude, it was actually Ripley's Believe it or Not.

[F]

Oh, yeah, Yeah.

[B]

I mean, can you believe it?

[C]

When is the last time either of you has been to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum?

[F]

We went this morning.

[D]

This morning?

[F]

Yes.

[C]

You guys got right back from Indonesia. You were like, I gotta.

[F]

We actually do have to get out. We have a hard out because we're going back.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You guys are the Norm Peterson of Ripley's Believe it or Not.

[E]

Hey, Charlie.

[C]

And then Seth has our final question.

[B]

Have you guys been to the Grand Canyon?

[D]

Yes, we have.

[B]

Was it worth it?

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Oh, yeah, big time.

[F]

That was one of.

[B]

We.

[F]

Yeah, we went. That was probably. That's a. That's a top tier. Top three, probably family trip ever for us was. We did. We did river rafting down the Grand Canyon and it was.

[B]

How many. Was it a multiple day trip?

[D]

Yeah, week one.

[B]

It was a week.

[F]

Two weeks. A week?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, Fantastic. We did.

[A]

We did the top half the canyon and. Or the river. And it's a trip that we would want to go back to, by the way.

[B]

All right, that's very resounding support.

[A]

Can I redo my pitch for New York?

[C]

Yeah, please, sure.

[D]

Ripley's Believe it or Not Wax Museum New York.

[A]

What? No, there isn't one there. Otherwise, of course, I would use that. There is less dog shit now than there was when I was little. I think that's a selling point.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, that's it.

[B]

I once had David Byrne on the show and I was like, tell me about, like, is New York in, like the late 70s, early 80s, as cool as I wanted to be? And the one thing he said, he's like, it was awesome, but it smelled. There was so much dog shit.

[A]

Well, can you believe that people didn't pick up their dog shit?

[B]

It's crazy.

[C]

I can't believe anytime it ever happens, and it happens around where I live all the time, and my wife just, like, is furious and wants to set up cameras everywhere. And I'm not. I'm kind of with her.

[A]

It's sort of appalling. But I mean it's sort of. It's kind of like people smoking and then just throwing their cigarettes butts on the ground.

[D]

That I like.

[A]

Oh, you do?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

I like when they can throw it with their aims. Good enough. They can make it land in the dog shit. Yep. Like when it sticks up so the flames go. There's smoke's coming up.

[C]

Yeah. So it looks like a cupcake with a birthday candle.

[B]

Aw, that's what the kids. It's a teen thing. It's called cupcake in where you try to throw a lit cigarette into a dog shit.

[D]

And then with my cousin's sneeze on it too. I know a cousin who could give a good sneeze to that cupcake.

[B]

Thank you guys. Check out season four of Wiser than Me. And gentlemen, it was great to see you both. This was just wonderful.

[A]

Thank you guys. It was really fun to talk to you. I hope it edits together good.

[C]

Oh yeah, no edits. No edits.

[A]

Oh, sorry. Yeah, for that. All right, well. Sorry. Okay.

[C]

All right. Go cats.

[B]

Go cats.

[F]

Baby.

[E]

Sat. Went to Africa for fun. Told the boys they couldn't run cause they got big cats should have thought about that. Went to a rainforest with tarantulas where fish swim up your urethras Better than Thanksgiving in D.C. when plague descended on their family oh, it knocked them down just like dominoes. Everyone was sick Uncles and aunts, the three year old cousin their pants so only bright spot was the pumpkin pie was joined pristine, perfect and hot until the sneeze covered in wits not know if you want bad let's talk New Years. When the boys were really Young.

[C]

Was.

[E]

The Y2K year with the total lack of cheer Julia saw that it was clear had to get these boys out of here. Do you believe in the Abominable snowman? Brad said I don't. And if you do, then you have probably gone cuckoo, bro. And I do. So that means you think I'm crazy which I can't stand. So now I gotta kill you dead.

[B]

Oh.

[E]

That made little Charlie cry. He thrashed and kicked in his car seat screaming don't kill daddy. Oh. For some reason Julian just left a case of giggle she had caught Brad said stop. But she could not know.