

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

Aug 7, 2020 • 1h 8min
Episode 103 - 'A Potomac Premiere & more Denise Drama' with Ashley Hoover Baker
Ashley Hoover Baker from the On This Day Entertainment podcast joins Mandy to chat about the day we’ve all been waiting for - the Real Housewives of Potomac Premiere!!! They discuss how Karen Huger is the Mariah Carey of Bravo, how Monique can potty train anything, their excitement for Dr. Wendy, and the upcoming “altercation.” They also dive into this week’s #RHOBH including the breakdown of Rinna & Denise’s friendship, why Ashley is #TeamDenise (but not Aaron), and what Mandy thinks is causing the rift between Denise and the rest of the cast.
Check out Ashley’s podcast On This Day Entertainment: https://tasteofreality.com/on-this-day-entertainment/
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Aug 3, 2020 • 1h 47min
Episode 102 - 'Bravo Bravo F*cking Bravo' with Diana Espir, Chadwick Cline, My Dad & Future Stepmom!
What a week it’s been in Bravo! From the #RHOBH showdown in Italy over Denise and Brandi to the #RHONY trip to Mexico, we’re going to MENTION IT ALL. Diana Espir from the You Can’t Sit With Me podcast joins Mandy (4:22) to discuss the breaking of the 4th wall, if they believe the rumor between Brandi and Denise, and Diana’s thoughts on her hopes for #SummerHouse and #PumpRules. Then Chadwick Cline joins Mandy (39:35) to share his thoughts on this week’s Housewives, why he stans Sutton, how Sonja’s reselling items from Wish at a markup, and how Ramona’s a hypocrite for being upset with Leah. Plus, a chat with Mandy’s Dad Ilya and his soon-to-be wife Joyce (1:28:32) including how they met (1:38:46)!
Check out Diana Espir’s podcast You Can’t Sit With Me: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-cant-sit-with-me/id1258020108
Follow Chadwick Cline on twitter: https://twitter.com/ohchadwick
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jul 26, 2020 • 1h 19min
Episode 101 - 'A Guide to the Reality Television Arts & Sciences' with Brian J. Moylan
King of all Bravo recaps and professor of the reality television arts & sciences, Brian J. Moylan, joins Mandy to share a bit about his upcoming book on the Real Housewives and dish on this week’s episodes of #RHOBH and #RHONY. Brian and Mandy tackle all the big Bravo questions of the week: Why won’t the women forgive Camille? Was Brandi telling the truth about Denise - and does it matter? Why was Sonja speaking at Wharton? What effect will COVID-19 have on #RHONY? Is Ramona’s time on the show nearing an end?
Check out Brian Moylan’s Real Housewives recaps on Vulture: https://www.vulture.com/author/brian-moylan/
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jul 19, 2020 • 2h 17min
Episode 100 - 'Here's to whatever comes!' with Ryan Bailey & Erin Martin
It’s an extra-long 100th episode of “Is This Real Life?”!!! Mandy gives a tribute to her grandfather, who died yesterday and makes a toast in his honor (“here’s to whatever comes”).
To celebrate this milestone of an episode, Ryan Bailey joins to chat this week’s #RHONY (0:08). They discuss the craziness of the Berkshires, the ladies unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and why Ryan and Leah are a perfect match. Mandy is also joined by the lovely Erin Martin of the Pink Shade podcast (1:24). They delve into Mandy’s new interest in 90 Day Fiance (finally!) They also recap this week’s #RHOBH, which was a who’s who of former Beverly Hill’s Housewives. Erin shares why Mauricio is always stoned, Mandy does a 180 on PK, they talk through all the drama with Denise and Aaron and make predictions of what’s to come.
Check out So Bad Its Good with Ryan Bailey: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-bad-its-good-with-ryan-bailey/id1482820355
Check out Pink Shade with Erin Martin: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pink-shade-with-erin-martin/id1318549651
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jul 12, 2020 • 1h 34min
Episode 99 - 'Stanning Sutton & a New Side of Elyse' with Paul McClain and Essence
Paul McClain of @realrealityhomosexual and this podcast’s longest time listener Essence join Mandy to recap this week’s RHOBH and RHONY. Paul shares his appreciation of Sutton, why he lives for a Kim Richards cameo, and tries to make sense of Denise and Aaron’s bizarre behavior. Essence shares her frustrations about the lack of diversity on RHONY, her concerns with how Black women are portrayed on Bravo, and the dynamics of Ramona and Elyse’s friendship. Plus, full breakdowns of both episodes!
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jun 28, 2020 • 58min
Episode 98 - 'Not Aspirational Bravo Headlines' with Hannah Brown
Hannah Brown of the Not Aspirational Podcast joins Mandy to share her thoughts on the latest Bravo headlines. They discuss their love of Scheana, Stassi’s PR campaign, and Hannah’s encounters with various bravolebrities behaving poorly. Plus, Hannah shares her best Lala Kent impression.
Check out Hannah’s podcast Not Aspirational https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-aspirational-with-hannah-brown/id1503399104v
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jun 21, 2020 • 1h 4min
BONUS EPISODE! 'Surrendering to the moment & deep dives on new Housewives' with Jamie Stein
This bonus episode has it all! Housewives empath Jamie Stein joins Mandy to share advice on surviving 2020 AND gives an intuitive look into new Housewives Leah, Garcelle, Sutton, and last year’s newbie Denise Richards. From surrendering to the uncertainties around the pandemic to facing the ways we’ve been complicit to racial injustice, Jamie shares useful ways to frame the moment we’re in and tackle it head on. Plus, his readings on the new housewives are incredibly insightful!
Check out Jamie Stein at https://www.hollywoodreadings.com
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jun 17, 2020 • 1h 2min
Episode 97 - 'The unraveling of Jax Taylor' with Kara Berry
Kara Berry from the podcast ‘Everyone’s Business But Mine’ joins Mandy to chat all things this week in Bravo. After the #PumpRules firings last week, all eyes are on Jax Taylor, who continues to unravel - in real time and on the third reunion, which they recap.
Check out Kara’s podcast Everyone’s Business but Mine at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyones-business-but-mine-with-kara-berry/id1484425171
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast

Jun 14, 2020 • 1h 14min
Episode 96 - 'Bravo news overload' with Jess Rothschild
Jess Rothschild from the podcast ‘Hot Takes and Deep Dives’ joins Mandy to recap all the breaking Bravo news from Stassi and Kristen’s firing to Stassi’s pregnancy and Brittany’s family pastor running for elected office in Kentucky. They chat about the future of Vanderpump Rules, give some hot takes on the reunion, and provide a full breakdown of this week’s #RHONY. Plus, Jess shares her favorite bravolebrity interviews!
Check out Jess’s podcast Hot Takes and Deep Dives at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-takes-deep-dives/id1507502534
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast
Please consider joining Mandy in supporting Campaign Zero, an organization working on policy solutions to address police violence in America. To donate visit joincampaignzero.org.

Jun 7, 2020 • 1h 13min
Episode 95 - 'A reckoning' with Megan O'Donnell
Megan O’Donnell from the Bravo Happy Hour podcast joins Mandy to recap this week in Bravo. They discuss the history of problematic race issues on Vanderpump Rules, the crazy revelations at the reunion, the #RHOBH ladies frustration with Denise, and how all the #RHONY women have become unhinged.
Check out Megan’s podcast Bravo Happy Hour at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bravo-happy-hour/id1317603155
Follow “Is This Real Life?” on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrl_podcast
Please consider joining Mandy in supporting Campaign Zero, an organization working on policy solutions to address police violence in America. To donate visit joincampaignzero.org.


