Baggage Claim
Baggage Claim is a space for blended families, marriage, and friendship. Here, we dive into real-life conversations about the ups and downs of relationships, from navigating second marriages to unpacking the baggage we all bring. Hosted by Greg and Jessica, who both have rich experiences with love, loss, and family, this community is about sharing stories, learning together, and growing stronger as couples and individuals. Grab a drink and join us as we unpack, laugh, and claim our baggage—one conversation at a time
Episodes
Family doesn’t come with instructions, and neither do in-laws. We open up about the moments that almost derailed our trust—a sleep training text that landed like a judgment, a missed message that morphed into rejection—and how we pulled those threads back to the real issue: assumptions dressed up as facts. From the funny detours (holiday gift debates and the legend of drunk Uncle Roger) to the tender stuff (protecting...
Ever felt the emotional whiplash of loving your partner and wrangling their family traditions at the same time? We open the door on what “yes” really means—because when you choose a person, you inherit a clan, their rhythms, and the unspoken rules that come with them. From the hilariously uncomfortable “would you rather” of pop-in in-laws vs. a month-long takeover to the real-world realities of holiday scheduling, we ...
What if the real math of marriage isn’t 50-50 at all? We dive into why counting chores and comparing effort creates distance, and how shifting to commitment and service brings couples back to the same side. Instead of aiming for perfect balance every day, we talk honestly about bandwidth: some days you’ve got 10 percent, others you’ve got 90. The key is staying all in, naming the season you’re in, and choosing habits ...
The holidays can be loud: budgets stretched, schedules stacked, emotions running hot. We wanted a quieter center, so we started with a playful tour of Thanksgiving—deviled eggs, green bean casserole, and the eternal stuffing versus dressing debate—and followed it straight into the heart of the season: how to choose gratitude when life feels heavy.
We open up about a tough morning where financial stress and wo...
What if one short phrase could make honesty safer and conflict more productive? We share a simple tool we use at home and at work—the “umbrella of protection”—to flag vulnerable moments, lower defenses, and protect each other from knee-jerk judgment while we speak in drafts, not decrees. It’s a small shift with big payoff: fewer landmines, more clarity, and a deeper sense that we’re on the same team.
We dig i...
Ever feel the heat rise in a conversation and think, I don’t even know what I’m feeling right now? We’ve been there. Today we take a fun detour through cereal nostalgia and land somewhere powerful: how emotional intelligence can turn tense moments into real understanding at home, in blended families, and on your team at work.
We start by grounding EI in simple terms—recognize, understand, manage—and show why ...
What if ten quiet minutes could change the way you love people? We take a lively room—family, friends, and a few outrageous would-you-rathers—and channel that energy into a candid look at solitude, self-talk, and the hidden ways our inner voice shapes every relationship we touch.
We return to a recent challenge and admit the truth: naming one thing we liked about ourselves was surprisingly hard. That sparks a...
What happens when you finally turn the volume down on the world and sit with your own thoughts? We crack open The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter and dive into an uncomfortable truth: many of us would literally rather take an electric shock than face the noise in our heads. That stat becomes our entry point to a bigger conversation about why intentional solitude is not the enemy of connection—it’s the training ground...
What if the date didn’t define the holiday—and the people did? We pull back the curtain on how we plan a joyful season across multiple homes, in‑laws, adult kids, new babies, and work schedules without burning out or blowing up traditions that still matter. From the “when can we decorate?” debate to the reality of Christmas mornings that look different than they used to, we share the mindset shifts and practical tools...
A ballpark hot dog, a Costco food court run, and a 10 p.m. stress walk might seem like throwaway moments—until they become the blueprint for how we stay close, present, and sane. We invited our friend Mason back for a guys-only mic takeover to talk about the simple, repeatable choices that keep love running long: creating margin, communicating needs without guilt, and choosing real refueling over easy numbing.
The quiet warning lights in a marriage don’t blare—they blink. A missed look, a week of logistics-only chats, a date night postponed again. We sat down with our friend Mason for a real guys’ night to unpack how those signals show up during the foggy years of parenting, foster care, and busy careers—and how to act before the relationship stalls.
We start with the messy middle: long days, short years, and the t...
Heartbreak doesn’t send a calendar invite. One moment you’re doing everything “right”—serving, parenting, showing up—and the next you’re staring at a truth you never thought would touch your life. Greg opens up about growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father and the vow he made to become a different kind of man, then walks us through the gut-punch of discovering an affair, the sleepless months of bargaining, and th...
When did "if you disagree with me, you're against me" become our cultural default? Greg, Jess, and Producer Michael tackle this question head-on in their most profound and timely conversation yet.
Sparked by recent tragic events, this deeply reflective episode examines why we've seemingly lost the ability to connect with those who think differently. The hosts share personal stories of mean...
What happens when forgiveness isn't just a nice idea but your only path forward? In this raw and deeply moving conclusion to our two-part series on forgiveness, Jess bravely continues sharing her journey after losing her husband TJ in a tragic accident.
The story takes us through the impossible decision Jess faced: whether to press charges against the man responsible—someone whose wife worked alongside h...
Forgiveness may be one of the most misunderstood yet transformative powers we possess as humans. What does it truly mean to forgive? Is it something we feel, or something we choose? And perhaps most importantly, who is forgiveness actually for?
Greg and Jess open this powerful episode with light-hearted banter about daily habits and modern tipping culture before skillfully transitioning to deeper waters. They...
Do you know exactly where every dollar in your budget goes, but have no idea where your hours disappear to each day? Time—our most precious and finite resource—often slips through our fingers without the careful attention we give to our finances. In this heartfelt episode of Baggage Claim, Greg and Jess tackle the uncomfortable truth about how we mismanage our most valuable asset.
Drawing inspiration from the...
Choosing who to marry might be the single most consequential decision of your life—more significant than your career path, education, or where you live. In this vulnerable and honest conversation, we explore why this choice matters so deeply and how it shapes everything that follows.
The person you commit to can either propel you forward like a rocket ship or devastate your potential like a nuclear bomb. They...
Leadership is everywhere in the corporate world – books, seminars, workshops – but why don't we talk about it at home? That's the question Greg and Jess tackle in this revealing conversation about what leadership actually looks like within a marriage and family.
The truth? Someone is leading in your household right now, whether you've acknowledged it or not. But contrary to what many believe, l...
What draws us to our partners initially, and what makes a relationship last through decades of change? In this intimate conversation, Greg and Jess explore the profound question of how to truly love someone for who they are—not who we wish they might become.
The journey begins with attraction, where we discover what initially draws us to our significant others is often qualities completely different from our ...
What happens when you bring a bromance to the podcast table? Pure magic. This episode of Baggage Claim features our son Thomas and his best friend AJ as we explore the fascinating intersection of friendship and marriage.
These two young men began as bitter enemies over a girl at the barbecue restaurant where they worked, with "hate" being "a light word" for their initial feelings toward ea...
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