October 16, 2023 • 32 mins
Chris Harrison is a super fan of RHOSLC. He is thrilled to be sitting down with Meredith Marks.
In a truth telling reveal, Meredith admits to being the villain and Chris realizes he had total misconceptions about her.
Plus, Meredith reveals changes in her life and marriage.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is the most dramatic podcast ever and iHeartRadio podcast.
Chris Harrison sands Lauren Zema today because we are on
the road. I'm not in the friendly confines of Austin, Texas.
I've hit the road. I was at an amazing charity event,
the TGR Foundation. It's Tiger Woods Foundation for all his
(00:21):
learning centers and his learning labs. Awesome, awesome foundation that
I love to support. I won't dive into my golfing
as I know that Lauren Zema is somewhere right now
dozing off as I start to talk about sports. And
I also won't talk anything other than about my guest
today because I am so excited, and maybe the only
(00:43):
other person that would be more excited than me is
Lauren Zema, who got me into watching the Real Housewives
of Salt Lake City. When I tell you I've never
watched an episode of any of these franchises ever, I'm
not exaggerating. Lauren sat me down Meredith Marx, who joins
me now, and she said, you have to watch Salt
Lake City. It is the best. I said, great, I'm
(01:04):
all in. I love reality TV. I stopped the TV.
I paused it after the Supertease because I lost my mind.
This show is so damn good, Meredith, It's crazy. I
literally I stopped it after the Super Tees episode one
and I said, this might be the greatest show I've
never watched. How is everybody not talking about this? And
I realize She's like, you're an idiot because everyone is
(01:26):
talking about it. We love Lauren, So thank you. Thank
you for being here enjoining me and talking all things
Salt Lake City. But also we'll get into our lives
and they kind of mirror each other. As I was
doing my research on you, we kind of have very
similar paths of getting married very young and making a
lot of mistakes. But Salt Lake City, this show captured
(01:49):
my imagination. You guys are so much better than any
other housewife show. Well, thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
I of course appreciated. What is the magic sauce of
Salt Lake City? You know, I think it's a lot
of chaos. Like we're all wired very very differently. Just
the way we process information is completely different. With you know,
the backdrop of Utah, which is obviously magnificently gorgeous. Yeah,
(02:16):
and then all this, you know, religion comes into play
because of the Mormon church being there, and so it's
like all these very unusual elements I don't think are
really a part of any other Housewives show.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
And you're right, there is that side of religion, and
there's just things that I think we're all curious about
also getting a glimpse. There's the drama and all that.
But yeah, you're right, there is a curiosity that we
all just kind of want to see what's going on
over there. Yeah, because it is very different.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Utah is a very I mean, look every state in
the US, I feel like it's a little bit culturally.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Different, but I live in Texas. We all have our
bugaboos exactly exactly, but Utah is a little more different.
But you guys, And by the way, speaking of Utah
and the backdrop and all that, the fashion is so
high end, sometimes tragic, like some of the ski outfits
are a little much. They're a little extra, as the
(03:10):
kids would say. But it's fun. It's like I mean,
it's it's something else you get to talk about. It's
it's really fun.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
And I think that's one thing that all of us,
you know, on this show, really enjoy is fashion. That
is really probably the only common ground that we all share,
so it's fun and we can be we all appreciate
each other's style, and it's different, and so that is
one great common point for everybody.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
So here's a very honest question I have for you,
because I obviously you know that I spend a lot
of time in the reality TV world, and what I
find interesting are quote unquote villains I mentioned. Do you
see yourself portrayed as a villain or like when you
when you're out when you hear fans, Is that fair this?
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Yes, some seasons, yes, you know it's it is and
it isn't you know. It's like the thing is, as
you well know, reality TV is snippets, and so it's
interesting because it's snippets. If everyone saw everything that went on,
it would be really boring and it would leave nothing
to the imagination. So because of that, there's a lot
(04:22):
of things that go on that you don't see and
that may justify certain actions, but you don't know that
those things happen because.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
I always find and well, y'all, show is very different,
and you kind of hit on it right there. Our
show you have a season, right, you have a ten
episode arc and you're good, You're bad, and you're done.
You're not coming back next year, maybe come back at
Paradise or whatever, but you're still kind of picking up
that storyline you guys are on for years. Yeah, and
(04:52):
so you're right, it does ebb and flow who the
villain is, then all of a sudden you're not, then
you are again, so that your show is very different
that way. Yeah, that's very true.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
And you know, and I also think it's interesting because
I think that, like it's just unfolds and and somebody
always has to be a villain.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I mean, you need one. It's what makes it interesting. No,
So I mean from sports to politics to TV, you
got to have heroes and then you got to have
the villains. Like you know, if you don't hate a team,
you don't love your team as much. And that's just
the way that's life.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
And the thing too is at the end of the day,
like for me, I know what I've done, I know
what I haven't done, and so if there's things that
are left open to the imagination, I know that at
the end of the day, I'll be vindicated.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
So it'll come to light. Yeah, because right now, the
storyline right now is about you talking that someone's husband
might be gay or is gay.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, I did not speculate on his sexuality after what
I went through with my own son.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
That's just not something I would do.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Did I hear these rumors. I didn't even hear rumors
that he was gay. I just heard rumors that he
had an affair with him.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Man.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
That was all that I had heard up until a moment,
which you got to watch and see the rest. So
I don't want to get delve too deep into it.
But yeah, yeah, but I you know, to me, I
don't care, like that doesn't interest me. I mean, I
care if that's not their arrangement and she's upset about it,
I feel sorry for her. But above and beyond that,
(06:33):
that's it, you know, And if that is their arrangement,
good for them.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
I hope they're happy. So at least let's tease this
out so we will watch, we will find out how
this culminates. Like we're playing this out. Whether you did
say this, didn't what you said, well, we're gonna hear more.
You'll see, you'll see.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
And in fact, the rumors I referred to in Palm
Springs in that moment of anger.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Oh my god, you and Palm Spring Yeah, it was crazy.
Can we talk about that.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Yeah, the restaurant you went, the f off I did.
Oh my god, I did you know? I'm a very
calm person the time, exactly. You scared, Like that's when
people should be scared. It's like, it's not good when
I lose it, it's not good.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Forgive me. I forget that. The woman who was your friend,
who was like in front of you trying to calm
you down, Lisa, Lisa, bless her heart, by the way
she stood there. Man, she was on the front lines
and like anything could have happened at that moment. She
was standing in front of Mount Vesuvius, And I'm like, girl, like,
you got to be careful. You don't know what's about
to happen. But you were. You were great. That was
a stage four. Just meltdown. I would love it.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Yeah, I mean again, it's like, obviously there was a
lot longer of a dinner than what you saw. And
I was prodded at for quite a while on a
lot of different subjects, and I had had a very
emotional day about totally different things that had nothing to
do with the women. But I was sensitive, and so
you know, usually I can deal with a lot of
the prodding, but that day I just reached a boiling
(08:02):
point and I unleashed well.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
And again, the producers are great, and so I watched
these shows as a fan and then I watched them
as a producer. So one of the things that they
did that was kind of funny, and it's not funny
for you because it was something obviously that was very heartfelt.
There was something else going on in your life that
you were very emotional about. Yes, they never obviously you
probably talked about it, you probably explained it. They have
it on tape. They never showed that. And so there
(08:25):
was this this running thing that you were like, there
was this bizarre thing nobody knew about, and you guys
kept referring to it. So the viewer at home was like,
what are we talking about?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Well, and you know what's in all fairness to the
other women, they really didn't know because I didn't feel
that it was my story to tell. Yeah, and I
also was trying to like have this fun girls trip
and didn't want to bring negativity into it, so I
wanted everything to stay sort of positive.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
So you know, they knew I was upset. They could
see that.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
There were points during the day where I was fighting
off cheers and things like that, but I was really
trying to just ignore it and let it go. And
it was just like when I reached a boiling point
with everything, I couldn't let it all go. So they
probably were sitting there thinking the same thing, you know,
They're like, what is going on?
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Like, she's crazy. It's not that I don't love you,
and I do, but maybe my favorite and I hate
to say character, but person on the show. Mary, Please
tell me she is everything that I hope she is.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
She is one hundred percent exactly like what you see.
Oh my god, I mean she really is, you know,
she's she just the way she processes information is so different.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Zero filter, zero f's given. Yeah, I feel like she's
doing her own show, like y'all are doing your thing,
and the producers like, okay, guys, here's the dinner setup.
Everyone's gonna come in, we're gonna talk, we'll do our thing,
and Mary's yeah, no, I'm gonna sit on the bus.
I'm taking this poor pa, and I'm gonna make them
run me through McDonald's. And again, being the producer, my
(10:09):
guess is they probably tried to get her to dinner
and she's like no. They're like, okay, well sorry, Bobby,
you're gonna take Mary to McDonald's keep rolling. I mean
like she's doing her own show.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Mary goes to her own beat. You know, she definitely
goes to her own beat. I mean, you know, she's
just everything with her is just the way she thinks
is so different and so entertaining, you know, and like
you said, unfiltered.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
And she could get as a producer they like, because
I know she was on the show then she left
and then they brought her back and I could see
as a producer. Sometimes we've done that where like that
person's a lot of drama and there kind of great content,
but they're a lot so maybe they're they're too much,
so we take them off the show and then you're like, wow,
we really missed that drama, Like they're too good. And
(11:00):
Mary is that person that's she's too good to leave
on the bench. You got to bring her on.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
But weirdly, you know what, I don't feel like she
actually causes that much drama.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
No, she's just this moment. Yes, yes, she's our comedic release. Yes, yeah, okay,
this was the moment that we rewound honestly fifteen times
(11:32):
at my house with Lauren Zima. Did she pee on
the bus? I knew that she just throwing up? Or
did she pee? According to l z and I, I
don't know. I think she peed. I it looks like
it where it was. It wasn't like the I think.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
But it might have been the bag of throat leaking.
I'm not sure. I can't really tell.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
We took we took a survey. I think the majority
of people felt like she made on the bus. Yeah,
it was not no matter what it was, it was
not a great look.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
No, I don't think that was her finest moment. I
think she probably is ready to move on from that one.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
I love the bus driver, this poor woman who is
like opening the door. She's like sitting there with this
nice look on her face, and I'm like, she has
to go in. Someone has to clean up that. Whatever
it was, Oh god, it was a disaster. But this
would not be a fun job. I don't know whether
to thank you, would be mad at you for this
newest addiction in my life of Real housewives. That's all.
I love the show. You guys are great, you really are.
(12:30):
Thank you. You'll make it great. It has It's always
dawn on me how difficult it is when you come
on any reality show. But when you're doing a show
that involves your real life, your real family, your son
you talked about was involved, obviously your husband. So have
you ever thought like it's not this is not worth
it anymore? Like you walk that fine line.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Of course, Like I think that all the time. You know,
it's a love hate relationship. And there are times that
are like phenomenal and incredible, and then there are times where.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
You're crying, like you're devastated.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
You're like, I can't believe that people believe this about
me because I know what my truth is. You know,
So it's a love hate thing and that the highs
are really high and the lows are really low.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Well, is there the biggest lesson or the biggest takeaway?
Like if someone was getting into this, what would you
tell them? Because I think everybody thinks I'm going to
go on reality TV because people are gonna love me,
like I'm going to I'm going to be the one
that comes out looking good. I'm going to control my message.
I'll know what I say, right.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Yeah, that would be the first thing I would say
you have zero control, and I think that just naturally
the types of people who are attracted to reality television
tend to be a little more controlling of their lives
and stuff, and that's a really hard thing to let go.
I feel like that was hard for all the women.
I've seen everyone struggle with that in different ways. And
(14:02):
you have no control at the end of the day,
and all you can do is speak your truth because
if you don't, somebody else is going to tell it
for you and it won't be your truth.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Then, And when we talk about real I mean, something
really huge happened in this franchise, Jen goes to jail,
Like one of the people on the show is literally
in jail right now. It rocked the show, but it's
also something that rocked all of your lives. Yeah, and
so when something that huge happens and it's captured, what
(14:34):
was what's the emotion? How is you know how closely
were y'all talking to producers of Hey, like, this woman's
really going to prison, we need to deal with this it.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
That was probably the hardest thing to navigate, I'm guessing
for everybody. Okay, maybe it wasn't the hardest thing. I
think dealing with my son was the hardest thing to navigate,
but second hardest thing maybe, or it was definitely very
high out there.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Because like we didn't know what was really happening.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
You know, we spent all this time following her, you know,
her story, I'm innocent, and then she switches at the end,
and it's like, I've never had a friend go through this,
And not only am I trying to navigate this for
the first time in my life with somebody, Yeah, I'm
doing it on worldwide television.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Trying to articulate it well.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
And we're people are seeing bits and pieces too, you know.
And so it was that was really really just difficult
to navigate, and I think very hard on everybody.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Yeah, and you guys, I know you've continued to kind
of talk about it this season, and it's kind of
a point of consternation on the show because some you know,
everyone has their opinions and how they feel about it
and feel deceived, and so it's very interesting the layers
of this. And she's in prison right now. Have you
had a chance to talk to her, she reached out.
I have not broken to her.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
She has not reached out directly, but I did get
a message from her husband asking me to send her
a letter, which I did send, and it was returned
for the wrong envelope and it was returned for the
wrong paper. So now I'm on round three of rewriting
the same note because it's seven months.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
A federal penitentiary. So it's like very strict on you know.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Yeah, no, you can't send anything that's cute, basically, like
it has to be white paper, white wow. So I've
got to go redo that.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Well, you know, and this show has obviously been a
huge part of your marriage, and that has been famously
very difficult. You and I have something very similar in common.
We both got married very young. You were twenty three,
twenty four, twenty four when I got married. I was
twenty three. When did y'all meet? What hell? Old? Were
(16:55):
twenty three?
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Okay, got married at twenty four, maybe twenty five, twenty seven.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
That's where you beat me. I don't like I'm a kid.
I didn't have my first until I was like twenty
nine thirty, but I got you know, I met my
then wife when I was eighteen years old. We were
college sweethearts. Then we got married when we were twenty three.
We were just babies, and you were a baby having babies.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Absolutely, absolutely, I might have been more mature than than
I am now.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Really, really, I think I've regressed. That's that's kind of
awesome though. I kind of like that. I like the awareness.
That's so good. But you guys had three kids within
what'd you just say, four or five years? Yeah? Yeah,
five years married? You have three babies, and that puts
(17:46):
a lot on a marriage. That's that's unbelievably difficult.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Well, it's just I think for us it was very
stressful because, like you said, it's all so quick, and
you know, when you first get married, like you should
find your as a couple and are Yeah, we didn't
do that. We just were like, oh, we're having kids, Oh,
we're working. Oh we're busy with this, We're busy with that.
And basically we're busy with everything except we're focusing on
(18:12):
our relationship, which you know, we you know, had a
great relationship at that time, much better now, but it
was a solid, good relationship and we really did love
each other. But if you're not going to put the
work in, it's only going to take you so far.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Well, and what would you say, kind of put it
drove a wedge between you guys. Is it was it
your careers and the fact y'all are traveling and you're
going different directions all the time. I think that was
a part of it.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
I think part of it was just like having kids
so quickly too, you know, I don't know that they put.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
A wedge, but it just it.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
It made it harder for us to find our footing
in the relationship first, you know. And and I just
think that over time, we are so focused on the kids,
so focused on careers, so focused on basically everything, accept
each other.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Yeah, And then and that stuff happens, you know, so easily,
And when you're listening to this podcast or you just
you hear stories, you're like, well, why didn't you communicate? Why?
But it is something that is so common and it
happens so quickly because you are so knee deep, like
kids are difficult, they're so tough. Three kids exponentially tough. Yes,
(19:27):
and so you're just like, your life is not your
own anymore? No, it's not.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
And the thing too, is why that is the communication
is the whole key to everything. And the problem is
that once you get into this negative spiral and communication
it's almost impossible to break it on your own.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
It really is. It's something that seems so simple, like
we just need to talk, we just need to but
it's it is. Why is it so difficult to bridge
that gap and to fix when that that chasm has
been created? What is it?
Speaker 2 (19:59):
I think there's just such hostility that vesters and grows
and then you know, and you start reacting to each
other rather than responding. It just gets like rough and
if for us, as soon as we got into like
a good couples therapist and we rewired how we communicated everything, Like,
(20:22):
I mean, it's still a lot of work, but it
changed very quickly.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
I was going to ask, what how because I know
you guys took a break and but you you're back
together and you're you're doing so much better therapy and
just having having a professional work with you guys in
like communication. Yeah, I think our therapist was amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
I mean for sure, and I we're probably the only
ones on the planet that can say, you know, real
housewives coupled with the pandemic saved our marriage.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Very odd because it brought you because well, the pandemic
like made you forced you to be back together.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
The pandemic for ud us to be back together and
to kind of reevaluate, especially early on whenever I was
a little terrified, you know, made you reevaluate what you
care about, what's important, things like that. That's funny, Yeah,
And the show, interestingly, because we had already been through
quite a bit of counseling and had been working so
(21:24):
much on our communication. When we were able to watch
things back and see the way we behaved, we grew
from that.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
When we were in you know, in real time.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Filming and stuff like that, you're just so much more
hyper aware of the way you say things to somebody, and.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
You had game film to watch, watching your games breaking
it down exactly. Most couple do not get that opportunity.
And it's funny because I was going to ask if
if the show had made it more difficult, but it
actually seems to have helped you, guys, because I know
these shows can often be.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
There are definitely moments that are are hard and that
are you know, not great. But I think that if
in fact you're meant to be together, you're going to
use the show as a tool to help you rather
than hurt you.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Do you think you guys will kind of get remarried again,
like renew your vows or do something.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
So I'm afraid to do that because everyone says it's
like a curse and they joined up and divorce.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
You know, it's funny I heard that. I never heard.
I never knew about that, but recently someone told me
about renewing your vals is like bad. I'm like, is
that a thing? I don't know.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
That's what they say, at least they say that on
like reality to you, Okay, so I don't know if
that's like just on.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
TV Orsetta Housewives saying. You know what I think Lauren
told me about that that every couple that's renew their
Housewives has gotten divorced or broken up except for Whitney
and Justin, so don't do it.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
They're together, Okay, they're together because we saw in the
previous there's some trouble and paradise there.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
I don't know what happens, but you guys, but you
guys are much better and your kids are older too,
which helps.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Yeah, And we say we're on our second marriage to
each other because at the end of the day, it's
a very different relationship now than we had previously. So
and our you know, we didn't do another wedding, but
in our own minds, this is our second marriage.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Where do you guys spend your time? Are y'all still everywhere?
Speaker 2 (23:41):
I mean, we're you know, we're in Utah for about
four months in the winter. We'll pop back in and
out here and there. But you know, I used to
spend the summer there, but now I really have been
spending the summer in Europe, and then we'll spend the
rest of our time between New York, LA and Miami.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Jeez, but are you more together now than you used
to be? Because I think from what I understand your jobs, y'all,
we're doing all this apart.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Yeah, And that's why this is actually working really well
for us, is because we are able to be together.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
You know.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Part of the reason we were apart so much is,
you know, one was always traveling and the other wasn't.
And now we're both just kind of traveling together and
doing our best to coordinate as much as we can.
I mean, i'd say we're together like eighty percent of
the time now, which is pretty good.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
That's huge. And it's funny. You mentioned something about the pandemic,
and I think when we're all high on the hog
and you get your money and you're doing your life
and you're traveling. It's like you feel like not the
grass is always greener somewhere else. But you got options, right,
You're just life. Life's going, you're traveling, you're doing, and
so you don't think about maybe the things that are
(24:52):
important in life. And you're right. The pandemic just had
the record scratch moment for all of us where just
the music stopped and we had to go, wait, oh,
this is really what's important that in toilet paper. Apparently
those are the two things that are important in this world,
toilet paper and your loved ones. I was hoarting gasoline
that toy that was smart.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
I was worried my family was spread out all over
the country. I was like, what if there aren't flights,
what if there's a gas shortage? So all I cared
about was gas to make sure I could get everyone together.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
You know how, like like every generation goes through something
traumatic and crazy that causes them to be crazy about something.
You know, you'll go to your grandparents' house and they'll
have something weird and you're like, Grandpa, like, why do
you have that? In the closet. It's like, well, back
in my day, you know, when we have the dust bowl,
and so our kids, like our grandkids are going to
come to our home. They're going to open up and
they're going to see an entire closet filled with just
(25:45):
toilet paper. Like Grant like, why is grandpa hoarding toilet paper?
I'm like, you don't understand, Like this can go away.
There was a time it was the most important commodity,
Like it was more important than gold, silver and bitcoin combined.
So crazy. But you and Seth your husband y'a, are
now doing a podcast together.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Yes, so we started a podcast discussing relationships, not necessarily advice,
because I don't feel that I'm befell for giving advice.
I can only talk about my own experiences and you know,
and ask others about theirs, and you know, hear about it.
But it doesn't have to even be a romantic relationship.
(26:25):
It can be about friendship, you know, parent, child, sibling, whatever.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
So it's been really fun. Lauren and I do the
show together quite often and we dive into these subjects
as well. I found it quite cathartic. It is like therapy.
We end up talking about a lot of things on
the show, and then it often spills over into dinner
where we will continue to have these conversations. Are you
guys kind of finding the same revelation about being together
(26:52):
and doing this podcast? Yeah? You know, it's actually funny.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Before before I came in here us on the phone
with my mother and she was asking me about the podcast.
I'm like, it's great, I said, I'm really enjoying it
because you know, you're chit chatting and you're learning and
you're exploring, and it's just and it's good for me
and Seth because you know, it's forcing us to continue
to talk about our relationship, our issues, concerns, what's going well,
(27:21):
what's not, you know, and just stay.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Focused on what we need to be focused on. So
maybe we'll get you on. It's I would love to
be on with you too. All right, Well, what's the
end of the podcast? Hanging by a Thread with Seth
and Meredith Marx Hanging by a thread? That's I love that.
It's been really interesting. The whole podcast thing in general
is interesting. Just I find it very cathartic. I love
talking to people. I always have, and it allows you,
(27:47):
I think, doing stuff like this especially when we can
be face to face. It allows you to kind of
let down your garden and just have a conversation. Exactly. Well,
that's why I like it in person as opposed to
a thirty second SoundBite where you got to like do
a quick interview and which I did for a million years,
and you still do, like you know, Bravo runs you
through the ringer and you're doing all the press and
you know, in ten seconds end up somewhere well out
(28:10):
of context. Yeah, exactly, because well they want to keep
you know, like we got to keep Meredith in the
villain category. And that's the problem too. If you are
in long form like we are right now. You're a
lovely woman, Thank you. It's like there's no way someone
could come away with from this conversation be like, wow, yeah,
(28:31):
she's a real bitch. Like you know what though, that's interesting. Honestly,
there are very.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
Few people that I have met in the Bravo world
that like are not very nice.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
You know.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
It's like it's interesting. I think a lot of its circumstance.
You know, you have your moments. Everybody is human.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
We all do, and that's the beauty. I mean, we
all we all having Hey, I'm I'm preaching the choir.
I've definitely had my moments. But do you guys cross
pollinate at all from like show to show other housewives,
Like do you know, like, are you friends with some reason?
I am? I am? Are you a fan of any
of the other shows?
Speaker 2 (29:08):
So I watched Bits and Pieces mainly to support the
women that I like, because I'm not a big TV person.
I never really have been a huge TV person, and
so and now it's also you have to remember, like
I go through this, so sometimes watching one of the
other shows is very like triggering for me and not
(29:28):
that pleasant.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
Because you know what's really happening, you know. Yeah, yeah,
so I watch Bits and Pieces.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
I was on the last season of this past one
of New York.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
I'm sorry, it's just not I did watch one episode, Lauren,
maybe no, I love my Ladies of Salt Lake City.
I'm sorry, I'm loyal. Well they're new, give them a chance,
I will. They were out in the Hamptons or something,
and I was like, these aren't the fights I'm used to.
This isn't Palm Springs. Yeah, wow, definitely not normal. That
(30:01):
was on fire, So I'm speaking of that when you
guys shoot the show or y'all months in advance? How
far in advance y'all shooting before it hits Bravo?
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Oh, well, we always always in the winter, so you
know it ends up bearing it slightly definitely.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
Going to cut, Like do you see the show? Like
how soon do you know what's to come? Like, do
you have any idea?
Speaker 2 (30:23):
I just I've not seen anything beyond Tuesday's episode, so
we usually just see it like a week shortly before,
not even less than.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
So that's that's got to be kind of anxiety written
as well as you you have an idea of what's
going to be shown, of what's happened, but you really
don't know, so you guys are kind of finding out
with us.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
Yeah, I mean the thing is, it's like you you
have a clue because you know what happened, and you
also know what like follows through. You know, in the
moment it may or may not you know, be shown,
but if it's something that's been carried on through the
whole winter, yeah you're going to see it, of course
(31:06):
because it's a big part of the story. So you
kind of know, but you don't really and even if
you know, you don't know which parts you're going to
see or not see. And that's what makes great television,
you know. It's not like, you know, there's stuff that
goes on and we see all the time down the
road there's a flashback and you're like, oh, that's what happened,
(31:29):
you know, or whatever.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
That's why it's good storytelling. They do a great job. Kudos.
I don't know who the executive producers are, never met him,
but kudos to the to the executive producers and all
the producers and the crew of Salt Lake City. I'm
a fan. It's shot well, it's produced well, edited well.
The light I'm cause I dissect these shows to death
(31:52):
and it's a great show. It's very well done, and
you're such a huge integral part of it. Thank you.
They can never get rid of you. That's the beauty.
You can say and do what you want because Bravo
could never replace you. Oh I'm sure Bravo would be
thrilled to hear you say that. I will be with
your agent renegotiating your next contract. Meredith Marx, thank you
(32:14):
so much, thank you, it was so good to meet you.
I'm a fan and I will continue watching well thank
you so much. It was so fun to be here today.
And we'll get you on our podcast next Absolutely, I
will be on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City next year.
Oh fabulously. I love it. Come on, we'll be the
(32:34):
random couple and we have this one couple from Austin, Texas.
Thank you so much, Meredith, thank you, thank you, thanks
for listening. Follow us on Instagram at the most dramatic
pod ever, and make sure to write us a review
and leave us five stars. I'll talk to you next time.
This is the most dramatic podcast ever and iHeartRadio podcast.
Chris Harrison sands Lauren Zema today because we are on
the road. I'm not in the friendly confines of Austin, Texas.
I've hit the road. I was at an amazing charity event,
the TGR Foundation. It's Tiger Woods Foundation for all his
(00:21):
learning centers and his learning labs. Awesome, awesome foundation that
I love to support. I won't dive into my golfing
as I know that Lauren Zema is somewhere right now
dozing off as I start to talk about sports. And
I also won't talk anything other than about my guest
today because I am so excited, and maybe the only
(00:43):
other person that would be more excited than me is
Lauren Zema, who got me into watching the Real Housewives
of Salt Lake City. When I tell you I've never
watched an episode of any of these franchises ever, I'm
not exaggerating. Lauren sat me down Meredith Marx, who joins
me now, and she said, you have to watch Salt
Lake City. It is the best. I said, great, I'm
(01:04):
all in. I love reality TV. I stopped the TV.
I paused it after the Supertease because I lost my mind.
This show is so damn good, Meredith, It's crazy. I
literally I stopped it after the Super Tees episode one
and I said, this might be the greatest show I've
never watched. How is everybody not talking about this? And
I realize She's like, you're an idiot because everyone is
(01:26):
talking about it. We love Lauren, So thank you. Thank
you for being here enjoining me and talking all things
Salt Lake City. But also we'll get into our lives
and they kind of mirror each other. As I was
doing my research on you, we kind of have very
similar paths of getting married very young and making a
lot of mistakes. But Salt Lake City, this show captured
(01:49):
my imagination. You guys are so much better than any
other housewife show. Well, thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
I of course appreciated. What is the magic sauce of
Salt Lake City? You know, I think it's a lot
of chaos. Like we're all wired very very differently. Just
the way we process information is completely different. With you know,
the backdrop of Utah, which is obviously magnificently gorgeous. Yeah,
(02:16):
and then all this, you know, religion comes into play
because of the Mormon church being there, and so it's
like all these very unusual elements I don't think are
really a part of any other Housewives show.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
And you're right, there is that side of religion, and
there's just things that I think we're all curious about
also getting a glimpse. There's the drama and all that.
But yeah, you're right, there is a curiosity that we
all just kind of want to see what's going on
over there. Yeah, because it is very different.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Utah is a very I mean, look every state in
the US, I feel like it's a little bit culturally.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Different, but I live in Texas. We all have our
bugaboos exactly exactly, but Utah is a little more different.
But you guys, And by the way, speaking of Utah
and the backdrop and all that, the fashion is so
high end, sometimes tragic, like some of the ski outfits
are a little much. They're a little extra, as the
(03:10):
kids would say. But it's fun. It's like I mean,
it's it's something else you get to talk about. It's
it's really fun.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
And I think that's one thing that all of us,
you know, on this show, really enjoy is fashion. That
is really probably the only common ground that we all share,
so it's fun and we can be we all appreciate
each other's style, and it's different, and so that is
one great common point for everybody.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
So here's a very honest question I have for you,
because I obviously you know that I spend a lot
of time in the reality TV world, and what I
find interesting are quote unquote villains I mentioned. Do you
see yourself portrayed as a villain or like when you
when you're out when you hear fans, Is that fair this?
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Yes, some seasons, yes, you know it's it is and
it isn't you know. It's like the thing is, as
you well know, reality TV is snippets, and so it's
interesting because it's snippets. If everyone saw everything that went on,
it would be really boring and it would leave nothing
to the imagination. So because of that, there's a lot
(04:22):
of things that go on that you don't see and
that may justify certain actions, but you don't know that
those things happen because.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
I always find and well, y'all, show is very different,
and you kind of hit on it right there. Our
show you have a season, right, you have a ten
episode arc and you're good, You're bad, and you're done.
You're not coming back next year, maybe come back at
Paradise or whatever, but you're still kind of picking up
that storyline you guys are on for years. Yeah, and
(04:52):
so you're right, it does ebb and flow who the
villain is, then all of a sudden you're not, then
you are again, so that your show is very different
that way. Yeah, that's very true.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
And you know, and I also think it's interesting because
I think that, like it's just unfolds and and somebody
always has to be a villain.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I mean, you need one. It's what makes it interesting. No,
So I mean from sports to politics to TV, you
got to have heroes and then you got to have
the villains. Like you know, if you don't hate a team,
you don't love your team as much. And that's just
the way that's life.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
And the thing too is at the end of the day,
like for me, I know what I've done, I know
what I haven't done, and so if there's things that
are left open to the imagination, I know that at
the end of the day, I'll be vindicated.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
So it'll come to light. Yeah, because right now, the
storyline right now is about you talking that someone's husband
might be gay or is gay.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, I did not speculate on his sexuality after what
I went through with my own son.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
That's just not something I would do.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Did I hear these rumors. I didn't even hear rumors
that he was gay. I just heard rumors that he
had an affair with him.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Man.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
That was all that I had heard up until a moment,
which you got to watch and see the rest. So
I don't want to get delve too deep into it.
But yeah, yeah, but I you know, to me, I
don't care, like that doesn't interest me. I mean, I
care if that's not their arrangement and she's upset about it,
I feel sorry for her. But above and beyond that,
(06:33):
that's it, you know, And if that is their arrangement,
good for them.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
I hope they're happy. So at least let's tease this
out so we will watch, we will find out how
this culminates. Like we're playing this out. Whether you did
say this, didn't what you said, well, we're gonna hear more.
You'll see, you'll see.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
And in fact, the rumors I referred to in Palm
Springs in that moment of anger.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Oh my god, you and Palm Spring Yeah, it was crazy.
Can we talk about that.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Yeah, the restaurant you went, the f off I did.
Oh my god, I did you know? I'm a very
calm person the time, exactly. You scared, Like that's when
people should be scared. It's like, it's not good when
I lose it, it's not good.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Forgive me. I forget that. The woman who was your friend,
who was like in front of you trying to calm
you down, Lisa, Lisa, bless her heart, by the way
she stood there. Man, she was on the front lines
and like anything could have happened at that moment. She
was standing in front of Mount Vesuvius, And I'm like, girl, like,
you got to be careful. You don't know what's about
to happen. But you were. You were great. That was
a stage four. Just meltdown. I would love it.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Yeah, I mean again, it's like, obviously there was a
lot longer of a dinner than what you saw. And
I was prodded at for quite a while on a
lot of different subjects, and I had had a very
emotional day about totally different things that had nothing to
do with the women. But I was sensitive, and so
you know, usually I can deal with a lot of
the prodding, but that day I just reached a boiling
(08:02):
point and I unleashed well.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
And again, the producers are great, and so I watched
these shows as a fan and then I watched them
as a producer. So one of the things that they
did that was kind of funny, and it's not funny
for you because it was something obviously that was very heartfelt.
There was something else going on in your life that
you were very emotional about. Yes, they never obviously you
probably talked about it, you probably explained it. They have
it on tape. They never showed that. And so there
(08:25):
was this this running thing that you were like, there
was this bizarre thing nobody knew about, and you guys
kept referring to it. So the viewer at home was like,
what are we talking about?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Well, and you know what's in all fairness to the
other women, they really didn't know because I didn't feel
that it was my story to tell. Yeah, and I
also was trying to like have this fun girls trip
and didn't want to bring negativity into it, so I
wanted everything to stay sort of positive.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
So you know, they knew I was upset. They could
see that.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
There were points during the day where I was fighting
off cheers and things like that, but I was really
trying to just ignore it and let it go. And
it was just like when I reached a boiling point
with everything, I couldn't let it all go. So they
probably were sitting there thinking the same thing, you know,
They're like, what is going on?
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Like, she's crazy. It's not that I don't love you,
and I do, but maybe my favorite and I hate
to say character, but person on the show. Mary, Please
tell me she is everything that I hope she is.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
She is one hundred percent exactly like what you see.
Oh my god, I mean she really is, you know,
she's she just the way she processes information is so different.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Zero filter, zero f's given. Yeah, I feel like she's
doing her own show, like y'all are doing your thing,
and the producers like, okay, guys, here's the dinner setup.
Everyone's gonna come in, we're gonna talk, we'll do our thing,
and Mary's yeah, no, I'm gonna sit on the bus.
I'm taking this poor pa, and I'm gonna make them
run me through McDonald's. And again, being the producer, my
(10:09):
guess is they probably tried to get her to dinner
and she's like no. They're like, okay, well sorry, Bobby,
you're gonna take Mary to McDonald's keep rolling. I mean
like she's doing her own show.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Mary goes to her own beat. You know, she definitely
goes to her own beat. I mean, you know, she's
just everything with her is just the way she thinks
is so different and so entertaining, you know, and like
you said, unfiltered.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
And she could get as a producer they like, because
I know she was on the show then she left
and then they brought her back and I could see
as a producer. Sometimes we've done that where like that
person's a lot of drama and there kind of great content,
but they're a lot so maybe they're they're too much,
so we take them off the show and then you're like, wow,
we really missed that drama, Like they're too good. And
(11:00):
Mary is that person that's she's too good to leave
on the bench. You got to bring her on.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
But weirdly, you know what, I don't feel like she
actually causes that much drama.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
No, she's just this moment. Yes, yes, she's our comedic release. Yes, yeah, okay,
this was the moment that we rewound honestly fifteen times
(11:32):
at my house with Lauren Zima. Did she pee on
the bus? I knew that she just throwing up? Or
did she pee? According to l z and I, I
don't know. I think she peed. I it looks like
it where it was. It wasn't like the I think.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
But it might have been the bag of throat leaking.
I'm not sure. I can't really tell.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
We took we took a survey. I think the majority
of people felt like she made on the bus. Yeah,
it was not no matter what it was, it was
not a great look.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
No, I don't think that was her finest moment. I
think she probably is ready to move on from that one.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
I love the bus driver, this poor woman who is
like opening the door. She's like sitting there with this
nice look on her face, and I'm like, she has
to go in. Someone has to clean up that. Whatever
it was, Oh god, it was a disaster. But this
would not be a fun job. I don't know whether
to thank you, would be mad at you for this
newest addiction in my life of Real housewives. That's all.
I love the show. You guys are great, you really are.
(12:30):
Thank you. You'll make it great. It has It's always
dawn on me how difficult it is when you come
on any reality show. But when you're doing a show
that involves your real life, your real family, your son
you talked about was involved, obviously your husband. So have
you ever thought like it's not this is not worth
it anymore? Like you walk that fine line.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Of course, Like I think that all the time. You know,
it's a love hate relationship. And there are times that
are like phenomenal and incredible, and then there are times where.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
You're crying, like you're devastated.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
You're like, I can't believe that people believe this about
me because I know what my truth is. You know,
So it's a love hate thing and that the highs
are really high and the lows are really low.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Well, is there the biggest lesson or the biggest takeaway?
Like if someone was getting into this, what would you
tell them? Because I think everybody thinks I'm going to
go on reality TV because people are gonna love me,
like I'm going to I'm going to be the one
that comes out looking good. I'm going to control my message.
I'll know what I say, right.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Yeah, that would be the first thing I would say
you have zero control, and I think that just naturally
the types of people who are attracted to reality television
tend to be a little more controlling of their lives
and stuff, and that's a really hard thing to let go.
I feel like that was hard for all the women.
I've seen everyone struggle with that in different ways. And
(14:02):
you have no control at the end of the day,
and all you can do is speak your truth because
if you don't, somebody else is going to tell it
for you and it won't be your truth.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Then, And when we talk about real I mean, something
really huge happened in this franchise, Jen goes to jail,
Like one of the people on the show is literally
in jail right now. It rocked the show, but it's
also something that rocked all of your lives. Yeah, and
so when something that huge happens and it's captured, what
(14:34):
was what's the emotion? How is you know how closely
were y'all talking to producers of Hey, like, this woman's
really going to prison, we need to deal with this it.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
That was probably the hardest thing to navigate, I'm guessing
for everybody. Okay, maybe it wasn't the hardest thing. I
think dealing with my son was the hardest thing to navigate,
but second hardest thing maybe, or it was definitely very
high out there.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Because like we didn't know what was really happening.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
You know, we spent all this time following her, you know,
her story, I'm innocent, and then she switches at the end,
and it's like, I've never had a friend go through this,
And not only am I trying to navigate this for
the first time in my life with somebody, Yeah, I'm
doing it on worldwide television.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Trying to articulate it well.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
And we're people are seeing bits and pieces too, you know.
And so it was that was really really just difficult
to navigate, and I think very hard on everybody.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Yeah, and you guys, I know you've continued to kind
of talk about it this season, and it's kind of
a point of consternation on the show because some you know,
everyone has their opinions and how they feel about it
and feel deceived, and so it's very interesting the layers
of this. And she's in prison right now. Have you
had a chance to talk to her, she reached out.
I have not broken to her.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
She has not reached out directly, but I did get
a message from her husband asking me to send her
a letter, which I did send, and it was returned
for the wrong envelope and it was returned for the
wrong paper. So now I'm on round three of rewriting
the same note because it's seven months.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
A federal penitentiary. So it's like very strict on you know.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Yeah, no, you can't send anything that's cute, basically, like
it has to be white paper, white wow. So I've
got to go redo that.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Well, you know, and this show has obviously been a
huge part of your marriage, and that has been famously
very difficult. You and I have something very similar in common.
We both got married very young. You were twenty three,
twenty four, twenty four when I got married. I was
twenty three. When did y'all meet? What hell? Old? Were
(16:55):
twenty three?
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Okay, got married at twenty four, maybe twenty five, twenty seven.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
That's where you beat me. I don't like I'm a kid.
I didn't have my first until I was like twenty
nine thirty, but I got you know, I met my
then wife when I was eighteen years old. We were
college sweethearts. Then we got married when we were twenty three.
We were just babies, and you were a baby having babies.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Absolutely, absolutely, I might have been more mature than than
I am now.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Really, really, I think I've regressed. That's that's kind of
awesome though. I kind of like that. I like the awareness.
That's so good. But you guys had three kids within
what'd you just say, four or five years? Yeah? Yeah,
five years married? You have three babies, and that puts
(17:46):
a lot on a marriage. That's that's unbelievably difficult.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Well, it's just I think for us it was very
stressful because, like you said, it's all so quick, and
you know, when you first get married, like you should
find your as a couple and are Yeah, we didn't
do that. We just were like, oh, we're having kids, Oh,
we're working. Oh we're busy with this, We're busy with that.
And basically we're busy with everything except we're focusing on
(18:12):
our relationship, which you know, we you know, had a
great relationship at that time, much better now, but it
was a solid, good relationship and we really did love
each other. But if you're not going to put the
work in, it's only going to take you so far.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Well, and what would you say, kind of put it
drove a wedge between you guys. Is it was it
your careers and the fact y'all are traveling and you're
going different directions all the time. I think that was
a part of it.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
I think part of it was just like having kids
so quickly too, you know, I don't know that they put.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
A wedge, but it just it.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
It made it harder for us to find our footing
in the relationship first, you know. And and I just
think that over time, we are so focused on the kids,
so focused on careers, so focused on basically everything, accept
each other.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Yeah, And then and that stuff happens, you know, so easily,
And when you're listening to this podcast or you just
you hear stories, you're like, well, why didn't you communicate? Why?
But it is something that is so common and it
happens so quickly because you are so knee deep, like
kids are difficult, they're so tough. Three kids exponentially tough. Yes,
(19:27):
and so you're just like, your life is not your
own anymore? No, it's not.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
And the thing too, is why that is the communication
is the whole key to everything. And the problem is
that once you get into this negative spiral and communication
it's almost impossible to break it on your own.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
It really is. It's something that seems so simple, like
we just need to talk, we just need to but
it's it is. Why is it so difficult to bridge
that gap and to fix when that that chasm has
been created? What is it?
Speaker 2 (19:59):
I think there's just such hostility that vesters and grows
and then you know, and you start reacting to each
other rather than responding. It just gets like rough and
if for us, as soon as we got into like
a good couples therapist and we rewired how we communicated everything, Like,
(20:22):
I mean, it's still a lot of work, but it
changed very quickly.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
I was going to ask, what how because I know
you guys took a break and but you you're back
together and you're you're doing so much better therapy and
just having having a professional work with you guys in
like communication. Yeah, I think our therapist was amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
I mean for sure, and I we're probably the only
ones on the planet that can say, you know, real
housewives coupled with the pandemic saved our marriage.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Very odd because it brought you because well, the pandemic
like made you forced you to be back together.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
The pandemic for ud us to be back together and
to kind of reevaluate, especially early on whenever I was
a little terrified, you know, made you reevaluate what you
care about, what's important, things like that. That's funny, Yeah,
And the show, interestingly, because we had already been through
quite a bit of counseling and had been working so
(21:24):
much on our communication. When we were able to watch
things back and see the way we behaved, we grew
from that.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
When we were in you know, in real time.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Filming and stuff like that, you're just so much more
hyper aware of the way you say things to somebody, and.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
You had game film to watch, watching your games breaking
it down exactly. Most couple do not get that opportunity.
And it's funny because I was going to ask if
if the show had made it more difficult, but it
actually seems to have helped you, guys, because I know
these shows can often be.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
There are definitely moments that are are hard and that
are you know, not great. But I think that if
in fact you're meant to be together, you're going to
use the show as a tool to help you rather
than hurt you.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Do you think you guys will kind of get remarried again,
like renew your vows or do something.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
So I'm afraid to do that because everyone says it's
like a curse and they joined up and divorce.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
You know, it's funny I heard that. I never heard.
I never knew about that, but recently someone told me
about renewing your vals is like bad. I'm like, is
that a thing? I don't know.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
That's what they say, at least they say that on
like reality to you, Okay, so I don't know if
that's like just on.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
TV Orsetta Housewives saying. You know what I think Lauren
told me about that that every couple that's renew their
Housewives has gotten divorced or broken up except for Whitney
and Justin, so don't do it.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
They're together, Okay, they're together because we saw in the
previous there's some trouble and paradise there.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
I don't know what happens, but you guys, but you
guys are much better and your kids are older too,
which helps.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Yeah, And we say we're on our second marriage to
each other because at the end of the day, it's
a very different relationship now than we had previously. So
and our you know, we didn't do another wedding, but
in our own minds, this is our second marriage.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Where do you guys spend your time? Are y'all still everywhere?
Speaker 2 (23:41):
I mean, we're you know, we're in Utah for about
four months in the winter. We'll pop back in and
out here and there. But you know, I used to
spend the summer there, but now I really have been
spending the summer in Europe, and then we'll spend the
rest of our time between New York, LA and Miami.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Jeez, but are you more together now than you used
to be? Because I think from what I understand your jobs, y'all,
we're doing all this apart.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Yeah, And that's why this is actually working really well
for us, is because we are able to be together.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
You know.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Part of the reason we were apart so much is,
you know, one was always traveling and the other wasn't.
And now we're both just kind of traveling together and
doing our best to coordinate as much as we can.
I mean, i'd say we're together like eighty percent of
the time now, which is pretty good.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
That's huge. And it's funny. You mentioned something about the pandemic,
and I think when we're all high on the hog
and you get your money and you're doing your life
and you're traveling. It's like you feel like not the
grass is always greener somewhere else. But you got options, right,
You're just life. Life's going, you're traveling, you're doing, and
so you don't think about maybe the things that are
(24:52):
important in life. And you're right. The pandemic just had
the record scratch moment for all of us where just
the music stopped and we had to go, wait, oh,
this is really what's important that in toilet paper. Apparently
those are the two things that are important in this world,
toilet paper and your loved ones. I was hoarting gasoline
that toy that was smart.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
I was worried my family was spread out all over
the country. I was like, what if there aren't flights,
what if there's a gas shortage? So all I cared
about was gas to make sure I could get everyone together.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
You know how, like like every generation goes through something
traumatic and crazy that causes them to be crazy about something.
You know, you'll go to your grandparents' house and they'll
have something weird and you're like, Grandpa, like, why do
you have that? In the closet. It's like, well, back
in my day, you know, when we have the dust bowl,
and so our kids, like our grandkids are going to
come to our home. They're going to open up and
they're going to see an entire closet filled with just
(25:45):
toilet paper. Like Grant like, why is grandpa hoarding toilet paper?
I'm like, you don't understand, Like this can go away.
There was a time it was the most important commodity,
Like it was more important than gold, silver and bitcoin combined.
So crazy. But you and Seth your husband y'a, are
now doing a podcast together.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Yes, so we started a podcast discussing relationships, not necessarily advice,
because I don't feel that I'm befell for giving advice.
I can only talk about my own experiences and you know,
and ask others about theirs, and you know, hear about it.
But it doesn't have to even be a romantic relationship.
(26:25):
It can be about friendship, you know, parent, child, sibling, whatever.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
So it's been really fun. Lauren and I do the
show together quite often and we dive into these subjects
as well. I found it quite cathartic. It is like therapy.
We end up talking about a lot of things on
the show, and then it often spills over into dinner
where we will continue to have these conversations. Are you
guys kind of finding the same revelation about being together
(26:52):
and doing this podcast? Yeah? You know, it's actually funny.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Before before I came in here us on the phone
with my mother and she was asking me about the podcast.
I'm like, it's great, I said, I'm really enjoying it
because you know, you're chit chatting and you're learning and
you're exploring, and it's just and it's good for me
and Seth because you know, it's forcing us to continue
to talk about our relationship, our issues, concerns, what's going well,
(27:21):
what's not, you know, and just stay.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Focused on what we need to be focused on. So
maybe we'll get you on. It's I would love to
be on with you too. All right, Well, what's the
end of the podcast? Hanging by a Thread with Seth
and Meredith Marx Hanging by a thread? That's I love that.
It's been really interesting. The whole podcast thing in general
is interesting. Just I find it very cathartic. I love
talking to people. I always have, and it allows you,
(27:47):
I think, doing stuff like this especially when we can
be face to face. It allows you to kind of
let down your garden and just have a conversation. Exactly. Well,
that's why I like it in person as opposed to
a thirty second SoundBite where you got to like do
a quick interview and which I did for a million years,
and you still do, like you know, Bravo runs you
through the ringer and you're doing all the press and
you know, in ten seconds end up somewhere well out
(28:10):
of context. Yeah, exactly, because well they want to keep
you know, like we got to keep Meredith in the
villain category. And that's the problem too. If you are
in long form like we are right now. You're a
lovely woman, Thank you. It's like there's no way someone
could come away with from this conversation be like, wow, yeah,
(28:31):
she's a real bitch. Like you know what though, that's interesting. Honestly,
there are very.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
Few people that I have met in the Bravo world
that like are not very nice.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
You know.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
It's like it's interesting. I think a lot of its circumstance.
You know, you have your moments. Everybody is human.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
We all do, and that's the beauty. I mean, we
all we all having Hey, I'm I'm preaching the choir.
I've definitely had my moments. But do you guys cross
pollinate at all from like show to show other housewives,
Like do you know, like, are you friends with some reason?
I am? I am? Are you a fan of any
of the other shows?
Speaker 2 (29:08):
So I watched Bits and Pieces mainly to support the
women that I like, because I'm not a big TV person.
I never really have been a huge TV person, and
so and now it's also you have to remember, like
I go through this, so sometimes watching one of the
other shows is very like triggering for me and not
(29:28):
that pleasant.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
Because you know what's really happening, you know. Yeah, yeah,
so I watch Bits and Pieces.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
I was on the last season of this past one
of New York.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
I'm sorry, it's just not I did watch one episode, Lauren,
maybe no, I love my Ladies of Salt Lake City.
I'm sorry, I'm loyal. Well they're new, give them a chance,
I will. They were out in the Hamptons or something,
and I was like, these aren't the fights I'm used to.
This isn't Palm Springs. Yeah, wow, definitely not normal. That
(30:01):
was on fire, So I'm speaking of that when you
guys shoot the show or y'all months in advance? How
far in advance y'all shooting before it hits Bravo?
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Oh, well, we always always in the winter, so you
know it ends up bearing it slightly definitely.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
Going to cut, Like do you see the show? Like
how soon do you know what's to come? Like, do
you have any idea?
Speaker 2 (30:23):
I just I've not seen anything beyond Tuesday's episode, so
we usually just see it like a week shortly before,
not even less than.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
So that's that's got to be kind of anxiety written
as well as you you have an idea of what's
going to be shown, of what's happened, but you really
don't know, so you guys are kind of finding out
with us.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
Yeah, I mean the thing is, it's like you you
have a clue because you know what happened, and you
also know what like follows through. You know, in the
moment it may or may not you know, be shown,
but if it's something that's been carried on through the
whole winter, yeah you're going to see it, of course
(31:06):
because it's a big part of the story. So you
kind of know, but you don't really and even if
you know, you don't know which parts you're going to
see or not see. And that's what makes great television,
you know. It's not like, you know, there's stuff that
goes on and we see all the time down the
road there's a flashback and you're like, oh, that's what happened,
(31:29):
you know, or whatever.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
That's why it's good storytelling. They do a great job. Kudos.
I don't know who the executive producers are, never met him,
but kudos to the to the executive producers and all
the producers and the crew of Salt Lake City. I'm
a fan. It's shot well, it's produced well, edited well.
The light I'm cause I dissect these shows to death
(31:52):
and it's a great show. It's very well done, and
you're such a huge integral part of it. Thank you.
They can never get rid of you. That's the beauty.
You can say and do what you want because Bravo
could never replace you. Oh I'm sure Bravo would be
thrilled to hear you say that. I will be with
your agent renegotiating your next contract. Meredith Marx, thank you
(32:14):
so much, thank you, it was so good to meet you.
I'm a fan and I will continue watching well thank
you so much. It was so fun to be here today.
And we'll get you on our podcast next Absolutely, I
will be on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City next year.
Oh fabulously. I love it. Come on, we'll be the
(32:34):
random couple and we have this one couple from Austin, Texas.
Thank you so much, Meredith, thank you, thank you, thanks
for listening. Follow us on Instagram at the most dramatic
pod ever, and make sure to write us a review
and leave us five stars. I'll talk to you next time.
Hosts And Creators
Lauren Zima
Chris Harrison
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