

Is This Real Life? With Mandy Slutsker
Is This Real Life? With Mandy Slutsker
Is This Real Life? is a Bravo podcast that relates our favorite shows to our own lives and the world around us. Hosted by Mandy Slutsker.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 7, 2021 • 1h 35min
Episode 132 - 'Naive takes & friendship fakes' with Hannah Brown
Mandy is joined by the hilarious Hannah Brown to chat this week in Bravo. Hannah shares the inspiration behind her incredible Housewives impressions as they dive into their thoughts around this week’s Real Housewives of New Jersey and the continuing explosive episodes of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Plus, Mandy’s thoughts on Dallas and Summer House!
Follow Hannah Brown on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahabrown/
Follow Mandy on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandyslutsker/

Feb 28, 2021 • 1h 38min
Episode 131 - 'Scandals and Storytelling' with Kate Casey feat. Taria Faison
This week Mandy is joined by two powerhouses of podcasting - Kate Casey and Taria Faison! First Taria joins Mandy to discuss which housewife found themselves in the middle of a DC scandal, plus her thoughts on the scandalous Bolo episode of RHOA and reaction to Jen Shah’s comments on race. Then Mandy talks to Kate about the many interesting career paths she’s taken, from being a White House intern to starting her own PR company and eventually booking all the best reality stars on her podcast. Kate shares her passion for storytelling, her thoughts on how Housewives have been consumed by “meme” culture, and reactions to current seasons of RHOSLC, RHOA, and RHONJ.
Listen to Reality Life with Kate Casey: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reality-life-with-kate-casey/id1154758766
Check out What Else is Going on Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-else-is-going-on-with-taria-s-faison/id1523174914
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Feb 21, 2021 • 1h 49min
Episode 130 - 'Subtext, Story Lines, and the Seventh Housewife' with Gibson Johns
Mandy is joined by Gibson Johns, the host and producer of “We Should Talk.” They really mention it all this week, discussing the most pressing Housewives issues from Jersey to Salt Lake and Dallas to Atlanta. Gibson points out that each franchise has a different ‘seventh’ housewife - whether it be the city where the show is filmed, alcohol, or religion. They dive deep into the subtext beneath each major storyline and question if it’s ever ok to “go after” children and discuss which Housewives have “lost the plot”. Plus, some thoughts on Summer House and realizing Hannah as the villain.
Listen to We Should Talk: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-should-talk/id1534157035
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Feb 14, 2021 • 1h 27min
Episode 129 - 'Crickets, Cookies & Content Creation' with Kaya & Aaron (@bravowhileblack)
Mandy is joined by the amazing podcasters and content creators Kara and Aaron (@bravowhileblack) to chat this week in Housewives. Kara and Aaron talk about their podcast, how they became content creators, and reflect on the changes Bravo is making to amplify black voices. Then Mandy, Kara, and Aaron discuss the #RHOSLC reunion, including their love of Lisa Barlow, what Jen actually does for a living, and their hopes for season 2. Plus, a deep dive into the Dallas ladies reception to Tiffany on RHOD and...crickets in pizza.
Listen to Bravo While Black: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bravo-while-black/id1522055902
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Feb 7, 2021 • 1h 31min
Episode 128 - 'Fractured Friendships: Past & Present' with Stephen (@facesbybravo) feat. Jamie Stein
This week Mandy is joined by two wonderful guests - empath and intuitive Jamie Stein and Stephen from the hilarious IG account @facesbybravo. Jamie shares his thoughts on Summer House and why he thinks Hannah is the true villain of the series. Then Mandy and Stephen have a conversation about Housewives friendships, including a revisit of Bethenny vs. Carole. Plus, Stephen shares his thoughts on the RHONJ premiere, RHOM returning, Married to Medicine, and more!
Check out @facesbybravo on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facesbybravo/
Check out Jamie Stein on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiestein/
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jan 31, 2021 • 1h 40min
Episode 127 - 'A Doozy of a Week' with Paul McClain
Paul McClain of @realrealityhomosexual joins Mandy to chat this week in Bravo, including what was - hands down - the best episode of RHOSLC this season! They discuss how Paul got to know the ladies of Salt Lake City, how things in Vegas got out of hand this week, and the real reason Jen Shah is so angry. Then they go down south to recap RHOD and RHOA.
Check out @realrealityhomosexual on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realrealityhomosexual/
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jan 24, 2021 • 2h 36min
Episode 126 - 'Hot takes from the OC' with Mallory (@realhousepinsoc)
Mallory of @realhousepinsoc joins Mandy to chat about Bravo and give some hot takes, including why she finds this season of RHOC to be riveting. She tells Mandy about life in the OC, how she became an unlikely rabbit owner, and they discuss which animals remind them of their late moms. At 32:00 minutes in they begin to chat Bravo, going in depth about this season of RHOC, then discussing RHOSLC (1:16:18), RHOA (1:38:40), and RHOD (1:45:35), and a little Vanderpump talk at the end. Plus, a hilarious story about Mandy’s dad and their childhood pet rabbit.
Check out Mallory’s Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RealHousePinsOC
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jan 17, 2021 • 1h 55min
Episode 125 - 'Going Dumpster Diving' with Tom Hamlett
Tom Hamlett, host of the Dumpster Dive podcast, joins Mandy to chat this week in Bravo. They dive into all things Bravo this week, discussing RHOD and why they think Kameron’s going to have a rough season, recap an eventful RHOSLC, and enjoy the awkward engagement party for Cynthia on RHOA. Plus, Tom explain’s why Tiffany’s wine cellar is a big deal to have in a Dallas home.
Check out the Dumpster Dive podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dumpster-dive-with-tom-hamlett/id1533780254
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jan 10, 2021 • 1h 55min
Episode 124 - 'Confessions of a Reality TV Producer' with @NotQuiteReality
Reality TV producer @NotQuiteReality joins Mandy to give an inside look into the production of reality television. They discuss the role producers and show runners play, how production has adapted to COVID, and some fun Housewives gossip. They also discuss the premiere of RHOD, Southern Charm, RHOSLC, RHOC, and RHOA.
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jan 3, 2021 • 1h 43min
Episode 123 - '2020's twisted plots' with Evelyn Marley
Evelyn Marley of the Twisted Plot podcast joins Mandy to recap this past year in Bravo. They rehash the RHOP reunion part 3 including Monique v. Candiace - and Evelyn’s explanation of the “reptilian brain” as to why they couldn’t move forward. They look back at the Housewives we lost in 2020, their favorite franchises, discuss the time Evelyn’s podcast was a headline story in US Weekly, and share what they’re most looking forward to in 2021. Plus, Mandy’s thoughts on this week’s RHOSLC, RHOA, RHOC - and some laughs about Hilaria Baldwin.
Check out Evelyn’s podcast Twisted Plot: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/twisted-plot-podcast/id1507779254
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast


