

Minor Issues, Major Opinions
Real Simple
New from Real Simple, Minor Issues, Major Opinions is a wildly relevant, funny and engaging podcast that dives into the low-stakes controversies everyone has an opinion on. Hosted by Real Simple staffers Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha and Amy Maclin, Minor Issues, Major Opinions covers polarizing topics ranging from the mundane to the meaningful:Do You Need a Top Sheet?Is the 5-second rule real?Should You Ask Guests to Take Off Shoes Indoors?Is It OK To Let Your Dog Lick Your Face?Each week, we’ll chat with celebrities like Carla Hall, Carson Kressley, and Michelle Buteau to hear their hot takes on the topics at hand and get the final word from experts across industries to settle the debate once and for all.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 7, 2023 • 40min
Bath Versus Shower: A Microbiologist Confirms Which Is Better and Teaches Us a Lesson in Hygiene
In our last episode of the season, we immerse ourselves in the bath versus showers debate—is one really better than the other? REAL SIMPLE editors Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha, and Amy Maclin ask each other a million invasive questions about their personal hygiene habits, consider building a spreadsheet tracking the number of hours Amy has spent in tubs, and whether or not candles are essential to a good soak. Leslie then has a very satisfying discussion with author and actress, Emily Hampshire, who reveals the unique technique she used to bathe. Former guests Monica Padman and Kirsten Ferguson also share their bathing preferences. At the end of the episode, we hear from Michael G. Schmidt, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina, who confirms whether or not one is better—or if there’s even a big difference between the two.For more info, visit realsimple.com/mimopodcastCo-HostsLeslie CoronaMuzam AghaAmy MaclinProducersLeslie CoronaLauren IannottiMickey O'ConnorDirector of Audio Growth Strategy & OperationsJennifer Del SoleAudio ProducerTom MiritelloExecutive ProducerLottie Leymarie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 31, 2023 • 33min
Can You Use Soap on Your Cast Iron Skillet? A Food Industry Expert Confirms What’s Actually Okay
On this week's episode, we debate the best way to clean cast iron skillets. Non-Southern REAL SIMPLE editors Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha, and the very Southern Amy Maclin discuss the pros and cons of cast iron, why some of us avoid it like the plague, and why you shouldn't smoke cigarettes around it. (Yes, we're serious.) Leslie checks in with author and actress Tabitha Brown about her upcoming projects and has to ask this very Southern lady her thoughts on pan scrubbing. Chef Carla Hall and Emily Hampshire of Schitt's Creek fame contribute to the conversation. Then, at the end of the episode, James Beard Award-winning food writer and cookbook author J. Kenji López-Alt gives us the mind-blowing truth about soap on cast iron.For more info, visit realsimple.com/mimopodcastCo-HostsLeslie CoronaMuzam AghaAmy MaclinProducersLeslie CoronaLauren IannottiMickey O'ConnorDirector of Audio Growth Strategy & OperationsJennifer Del SoleAudio ProducerTom MiritelloExecutive ProducerLottie Leymarie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 24, 2023 • 37min
What’s the Right Way to Load a Dishwasher? An Appliance Expert Lays Down the Rules
On this week's episode, we discuss the many rules of dishwasher loading. REAL SIMPLE editors Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha, and Amy Maclin touch on family cleaning dynamics, bad TikTok hacks, and cooking salmon in the dishwasher. (Spoiler alert: It's a bad idea.) Then, Leslie and Monica Padman, co-host of the podcast Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, chat about Monica's current projects, plus her dishwasher preferences. Bethenny Frankel and Tabitha Brown offer their takes on the dreaded household chore as well. Finally, at the end of the episode, we hear from Brandon Schaefer, a product manager for GE Appliances, who shares the right dishwasher loading guidelines.For more info, visit realsimple.com/mimopodcastCo-HostsLeslie CoronaMuzam AghaAmy MaclinProducersLeslie CoronaLauren IannottiMickey O'ConnorDirector of Audio Growth Strategy & OperationsJennifer Del SoleAudio ProducerTom MiritelloExecutive ProducerLottie Leymarie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 17, 2023 • 27min
Should You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Breakfast? A Top Dentist Gives the Definitive Answer
On this week's episode, we debate the best time to brush those pearly whites—is it before or after breakfast? REAL SIMPLE editors Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha, and Amy Maclin cover teeth moss, school programs of yore that required gargling pure fluoride, and the long-term effects of La Croix on your chompers. Then Leslie fan-girls over the main guest, Bethenny Frankel, who does not hold back on the dental discussion. Fellow celebs Monica Padman and Tabitha Brown also jump in on the debate. Then, at the end of the episode Sally Cram, DDS, a spokesperson from the American Dental Association, shares when you should actually brush your teeth.For more info, visit realsimple.com/mimopodcastCo-HostsLeslie CoronaMuzam AghaAmy MaclinProducersLeslie CoronaLauren IannottiMickey O'ConnorDirector of Audio Growth Strategy & OperationsJennifer Del SoleAudio ProducerTom MiritelloExecutive ProducerLottie Leymarie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 10, 2023 • 35min
Does the Person in the Middle Seat of an Airplane Get Both Armrests? A Travel Expert Referees the Battle of the Elbows
On this week's episode, we debate whether or not the middle seat of an airplane gets both armrests. REAL SIMPLE editors Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha, and Amy Maclin talk about general airplane etiquette, the manspreading epidemic plaguing the country, and window seats versus aisle seats. Then Leslie catches up with the main guest, Craig Melvin, TODAY Show news anchor, who gives a very passionate response on the episode’s topic. Celebrities Bethenny Frankel and Emily Hampshire chime in as well, with vastly different takes. Then, at the end of the episode Jacqueline Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure magazine, presides over the matter. For more info, visit realsimple.com/mimopodcastCo-HostsLeslie CoronaMuzam AghaAmy MaclinProducersLeslie CoronaLauren IannottiMickey O'ConnorDirector of Audio Growth Strategy & OperationsJennifer Del SoleAudio ProducerTom MiritelloExecutive ProducerLottie Leymarie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 3, 2023 • 31min
Encore: Are Top Sheets Necessary? A Dermatologist Gives Us His Advice
On this week’s episode, we debate top sheets! Do you absolutely need one? Or can you go rogue and skip it? REAL SIMPLE editors Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha, and Amy Maclin tackle this hotly contested sleep preference. Leslie chats with the main guest, celebrity chef Carla Hall about her latest projects and finds out she has some pretty strong thoughts on bedding. Actress Kristen Bell also throws in her two cents, as well as next week’s guest, designer and Queer Eye star Bobby Berk. Then, we bring in our expert, Joshua Zeichner, MD, from the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, who will help us decide which is the winning side—Team Top Sheet or Team No Top Sheet?For more info, visit realsimple.com/mimopodcastCo-HostsLeslie CoronaMuzam AghaAmy MaclinProducersLeslie CoronaLauren IannottiMickey O'ConnorDirector of Audio Growth Strategy & OperationsJennifer Del SoleAudio ProducerTom MiritelloExecutive ProducerLottie Leymarie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 27, 2023 • 38min
Should You Ask Guests to Take Off Their Shoes? A Disease Prevention Specialist Tells Us the Dirty Truth
The founders of the Home Edit and hosts of Best Friend Energy, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, share their perspectives on asking guests to take off their shoes. Disease prevention specialist Lisa Cuchara, Ph.D., provides scientific insights. Cultural norms, cleanliness, and personal experiences are explored in this entertaining debate.

Jul 20, 2023 • 32min
How Often Do You Really Need to Wash Your Jeans? A Textile Scientist Breaks Down the Facts
On this week's episode, we discuss how often you should really wash jeans and dispel lots of myths around the subject. REAL SIMPLE editors Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha, and Amy Maclin talk about putting denim in the freezer, the hop-like dance you do when wiggling into freshly-laundered skinnies, and why Amy’s jeans might be feeling “crunchy.” Then Leslie catches up with the main guest, Queer Eye icon and fashion expert, Carson Kressley, who shares his denim care tips. Home Edit founders, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, give their two (laundry) cents as well. Then, at the end of the episode, textile scientist Rachel McQueen, Ph.D., from the University of Alberta sheds light on the jean-washing debacle.For more info, visit realsimple.com/mimopodcastCo-HostsLeslie CoronaMuzam AghaAmy MaclinProducersLeslie CoronaLauren IannottiMickey O'ConnorDirector of Audio Growth Strategy & OperationsJennifer Del SoleAudio ProducerTom MiritelloExecutive ProducerLottie Leymarie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 13, 2023 • 32min
Do You Have to Sort Your Laundry? A Textile Expert Settles the Debate
On this week's episode, we discuss laundry sorting—will your clothes really suffer if you don't do it? REAL SIMPLE editors Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha, and Amy Maclin explore the various piles laundry sorting creates, how it affects relationship dynamics, and socks... socks come up a lot. Then Leslie checks in with the main guest, beloved Peloton instructor Kirsten Ferguson, and asks about her laundry routine and the mysterious case of her missing socks. Sasha Velour makes another appearance to talk about laundering luxury socks (even more socks!), and Carson Kressley of the original Queer Eye cast chimes in to reveal he actually moonlights as a laundry guru. At the end of the episode, textile professor Frances Holmes Kozen from Cornell University hops on to confirm whether or not sorting laundry actually matters.For more info, visit realsimple.com/mimopodcastCo-HostsLeslie CoronaMuzam AghaAmy MaclinProducersLeslie CoronaLauren IannottiMickey O'ConnorDirector of Audio Growth Strategy & OperationsJennifer Del SoleAudio ProducerTom MiritelloExecutive ProducerLottie Leymarie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 6, 2023 • 27min
Is It OK to Let a Dog Lick Your Face? An Expert from the CDC Weighs In
On this week’s episode, we debate P.D.A. with pets—is it actually safe to let your pup lick your face? REAL SIMPLE editors Leslie Corona, Muzam Agha, and Amy Maclin discuss the hygiene question at hand (and fail to understand dog lovers worldwide). Then Leslie chats with the main guest, Season 9 winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, Sasha Velour, about her new book. Plus, she shares her unique rules for smooches from her Italian greyhound. We also hear from celebrity chef Carla Hall and beloved Peloton instructor, Kirsten Ferguson on the controversial subject. At the end of the episode, Casey Barton Behravesh, DVM, director of the CDC’s One Health Office, will explain if a little dog slobber on the cheek is truly harmless.For more info, visit realsimple.com/mimopodcastCo-HostsLeslie CoronaMuzam AghaAmy MaclinProducersLeslie CoronaLauren IannottiMickey O'ConnorDirector of Audio Growth Strategy & OperationsJennifer Del SoleAudio ProducerTom MiritelloExecutive ProducerLottie Leymarie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices