Podcast Summary: You, Me & Mike – Ep. 125: Season One Finale — Voice Memos from YOU

Podcast: You, Me & Mike
Hosts: Jenn & Mike Todryk
Date: December 1, 2022
Episode: Season One Finale – Voice Memos from YOU

Episode Overview

Jenn and Mike Todryk close out Season One by featuring voice memos from listeners, answering a wide range of questions and responding to heartfelt comments. The episode captures their signature humor, authenticity, and relatable take on marriage, parenting, business, and life. With a mix of lighthearted banter and deeper reflections, the Todryks engage with questions about financial habits, parenting, business decisions, personal growth, and their hopes for the future. The episode serves both as a Q&A and as a celebration of their vibrant podcast community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Season Reflection & What's Next

Timestamps: [00:01–04:49]

• Jenn and Mike celebrate the podcast's season finale with playful banter and jokes about sound effects, beatboxing, and their roles.
• They reassure listeners that Season Two is coming:
  “We're not going anywhere. There will be a season two for the podcast ... It's just a break for you guys, not for us.” (Jenn, 03:03)
• Plans include new interview guests and deeper dives into requested topics, particularly those outside their expertise.

2. Listener Voice Memos: Questions & Advice

a. Financial Wisdom & Saving Habits

Timestamps: [04:49–12:56]
JC from South Texas asks how Jenn and Mike became financially savvy, and for tips on saving and budgeting with a young family.

• Mike’s Advice:

  • The first step is realizing you need to be intentional about saving.
  • Live "a rank below you"—spend less than your means, even after raises.
  • Pay yourself first: prioritize savings, taxes, and giving before spending.
  • Start by getting out of debt, then save at least two months of living expenses.
  • Seek conservative investments and consider talking with a financial planner.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Steal money from yourself ... take money from yourself and put it into an account where that's not your money anymore. That's for retirement, that's for savings, that's for whatever it may be that you're looking for." (Mike, 12:43)

• Jenn’s Advice:

  • Meal planning helped her save during lean years; use ingredients efficiently.
  • It's ok not to be able to save a lot right away—do what works, then increase over time.
  • Jen and Mike aimed for a high savings rate (30%), encouraging listeners to aim high but within their means.
  • Use visual reminders for long-term goals and discuss budgeting openly with family to stay accountable.

b. Fun Debate: Michelin Man vs. Kool Aid Man

Timestamps: [12:56–15:35]
Sophie asks who is stronger, and if the Kool Aid Man is the glass or the juice.

• Both agree Kool Aid Man is stronger because he bursts through brick walls.
• Jenn: “He’s made of glass, and he has the weight of liquid behind him.” (13:37)
• Mike: Ultimately, Kool Aid Man is both glass and juice—you need both.

c. Listener Appreciation & Impactful Feedback

Timestamps: [15:35–18:11, 25:19–27:33, 57:52–59:06]
Numerous listeners share how the pod brought them joy, laughter, and even personal growth.

• Denise thanks Jenn and Mike for inspiring her to try her first podcast; Jenn reflects on how positive feedback helps outweigh online negativity and means a lot to her.
• Hannah credits the Todryks’ honesty about marriage and division of labor for inspiring her to work on herself and her marriage: “Hearing that on the podcast has inspired me to start doing work on my own self ... it’s really helped improve our marriage.” (Hannah, 25:01)
• Cassie compliments their authenticity and thanks them for creating family-friendly content.

d. Business Growth & Franchising Questions

Timestamps: [18:19–21:28, 64:32–66:37]
Blake asks if they'll franchise their coffee shop; Mary Kay wonders about future plans with their businesses after their kids leave home.

• Mike confirms franchising is the plan but emphasizes waiting until their systems and existing locations are strong to ensure franchisee success. “The question is not if, it’s more a matter of when.” (Mike, 19:41)
• Jenn and Mike discuss raising their kids around the businesses, teaching them real-world skills, but not building specifically for them or with the intent to sell quickly.
• They would consider selling businesses for the right reasons, but real priority is stability and community impact.

e. Parenting: Opposite Kids & Strong-Willed Children

Timestamps: [27:33–37:07]
Blair, a fellow parent, asks how they handle having very different kids.

• Jenn: What works for one kid may not work for another; consistency is key, but consequences and approaches should be tailored.
• Mike: They use reward systems for some kids, consequences for others—"what works for Berkeley doesn't work for Vaughn."
• Jenn: Bribery (in the form of rewards) is not off-limits if it works for positive reinforcement. "I am not above bribing. I will bribe all day." (Jenn, 32:24)
• Emphasize naming emotions, modeling appropriate behavior, and picking battles.

f. College, Trade School, or Entrepreneurship?

Timestamps: [37:45–43:54]
Stephanie asks if they’ll encourage college, trades, or entrepreneurship.

• Mike: Values education, but recognizes college is overpriced and not the only path; supports kids finding their strengths.
• Jenn: Would prefer kids go to college for highly employable fields (STEM) but recognizes skills and trade paths are valuable. "Pick a degree that you have to have that degree in ... it narrows down your competition so much." (Jenn, 38:39)

3. Family, Marriage & Character

a. Moments of Pure Joy

Timestamps: [47:19–50:54]
Kim asks them to recall a moment where they thought, “This is joy and happiness.”

• Both agree it’s not the big, flashy moments (TV, red carpets), but the simple times at home—Christmas mornings, family time on the couch.
• Mike: “Whenever you feel love and connection, that's always the point where the joy comes through.” (50:10)
• Jenn: “When I’m on a couch, in no bra, pajamas, fuzzy socks, kids are playing...that’s when I’m happiest.” (49:14)

b. Top Traits for Their Kids

Timestamps: [50:57–56:46]
Shannon asks what trait they hope to instill in their children.

• Mike: Sense of humor and a love of learning; ability to laugh at oneself and maintain humility.
• Jenn: Confidence—believes it’s a superpower; credits a mix of genetics and upbringing, but also intentional self-talk. “I think confidence is a superpower. I think not getting your feelings hurt makes life easier.” (Jenn, 52:55)

4. Personal & Professional Hopes for the Future

Timestamps: [67:52–74:02]
Whitney from Canada asks what they are most excited for in the future, as individuals, a couple, or family.

• Jenn: Focused on her kids' happiness as adults; doesn't like to plan too far into the foggy future, prefers attainable goals.
• Mike: Excited for the small and big milestones—brewery opening, business growth, kids’ choices as they become adults.
• Both: Embrace celebrating small victories and not getting hung up on unpredictable long-term plans.

5. Lightning-Fast Life Recap

Timestamps: [74:08–78:33]
Luke asks for a recap of their last decade+ together.

Rapid-Fire Highlights:

• Met in 2010 at a Zara store, quickly married.
• Early miscarriage, then births of their three children.
• Mike's business school; Jenn starts blogging.
• Jenn’s TV show (No Demo Reno); Mike opens Armor Coffee and brewery.
• Navigating COVID-19 challenges as a couple.
• Growth: additional coffee shop locations, launching the podcast.
• Notable playful banter summarizing their journey:
  “We got married one year later to the date in Cancun, and the pastor’s tooth fell out while he said Jennifer.” (Mike, 75:57)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Live a rank below you.” (Mike, 07:07)
• “Steal money from yourself.” (Mike, 12:43)
• “I am not above bribing, I will bribe all day.” (Jenn, 32:24)
• "I think confidence is a superpower." (Jenn, 52:55)
• “It’s the moments during the day ... all of us sitting on the couch watching a Christmas movie.” (Mike, 47:35)
• “You can have these emotions, but you can’t treat people like this when you’re mad.” (Jenn, 35:03)

Episode Flow and Tone

The episode maintains the Todryks' trademark blend of humor, candor, and warmth, shifting smoothly between serious advice and playful discussions (like the Michelin Man vs. Kool Aid Man debate). They are supportive and candid with each other and with their listeners, balancing marital banter with practical wisdom and personal stories. The listener questions give the episode a community feel, with Jenn and Mike repeatedly thanking and encouraging their audience.

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Opening, Season Reflection: [00:01–04:49]
• Financial Advice: [04:49–12:56]
• Michelin Man vs. Kool Aid Man: [12:56–15:35]
• Marriage Impact Story: [25:19–27:33]
• Parenting Kids with Different Personalities: [27:33–37:07]
• College vs. Trades: [37:45–43:54]
• Moments of Joy in Family: [47:19–50:54]
• Traits They Want for Kids: [50:57–56:46]
• Hopes for the Future: [67:52–74:02]
• 10(+)-Year Life Recap: [74:08–78:33]

Closing

The Todryks wrap up by thanking their loyal audience and encouraging listeners to look out for Season Two. They celebrate hitting over one million downloads and reflect on how much they've improved since the beginning, always striving to keep things genuine, relatable, and fun.

For Updates:

• Follow Jenn: @theramblingredhead
• Follow Mike: @miketodryk
• Website & Coffee: armorcoffee.com

Season Two is coming soon!