November 5, 2025 • 30 mins
The night the house gets quieter, life gets louder. We open the door to Dad after he loses his wife and talk candidly about what it means to fold a parent into your daily rhythm—care, meals, jokes, horror-movie nights, and the steady work of making someone feel safe again. That warmth sits beside hard-won lessons on planning: why every family needs a last will and testament, a living will, and powers of attorney before the phone rings with bad news.
We unpack the human side of crisis management—how paperwork is an act of love that shields a grieving home from confusion and opportunists—and we wade into the psychology of control. Lies can wreck honest people; truth can rattle narcissists. We share plain-language tools for setting boundaries, staying grounded, and keeping your peace when others demand what isn’t theirs. Along the way, Dad’s background as a Marine and former law enforcement officer adds a calm, practical lens on service, safety, and doing the next right thing.
There’s levity too: Saturday horror traditions with Faith, sleep quirks, and a legendary unsweet-tea prank. We also read a listener’s moving letter about a brother who loses his mom the day his sister is born and grows into her quiet protector. His realization—from a swing set to a life’s purpose—reminds us that perspective can turn pain into fuel. We close by sharing our growing academy and community, designed to deliver trauma-informed courses at little to no cost, plus details on our upcoming book and how to submit your story.
If this resonated, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a nudge to prepare, and leave a review so others can find these conversations. Your story might be the one that helps a stranger take the next step.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_01 (00:02):
Howdy, y'all.
Welcome to another episode of acontagious smile, unstoppable,
with the lovely and sexyred-headed vixen Victoria.
Oh Lord.
And I'm Michael, the sidekick.
SPEAKER_04 (00:20):
My redneck.
My little redneck.
Sometimes the bitch.
I love that I have thatrecorded.
I know, right?
So we have a lot of changethat's happened.
SPEAKER_01 (00:34):
I do.
I have a bag full up under mydesk.
I've probably got severalhundred.
SPEAKER_03 (00:38):
Well, Faith would say now you have common sense,
but that's not what I wasreferring to.
I have to go through.
We now have a new member livingwith us in our home.
SPEAKER_01 (00:49):
We do.
SPEAKER_03 (00:50):
Permanently.
And it's exciting.
It's been a lot of work.
We've had to, even if you don'tthink about it, you know, get
your affairs in order becauseyou have no idea what can happen
on the blink of an eye, like ona day's notice, right?
(01:10):
We had no idea the day beforethat everything was going to
change that next day.
And we have been lucky enough tohave a lot of the paperwork in
order.
However, you want to telleverybody the big change?
SPEAKER_01 (01:27):
I'm I'm mesmerized by your voice.
You got this sexy ass radiovoice.
SPEAKER_03 (01:32):
That's because I don't have the radio look uh TV
looks.
Do I have a radio voice?
SPEAKER_01 (01:37):
Yes, you do.
And the looks.
No.
SPEAKER_03 (01:41):
No.
SPEAKER_01 (01:42):
I'm sorry, I lost my train of thought.
What were you saying?
SPEAKER_03 (01:45):
So who's the new member of our chatter?
Your dad.
SPEAKER_01 (01:51):
So a month ago, month and a half, month and a
week, some somewhere around thatera, my dad's wife died.
Notice I said my dad's wife.
You've never once called hermom.
She she passed away, and wefelt, all three of us, felt that
it was necessary, uh wanted.
(02:12):
We didn't even think twice aboutit.
To move in my dad with us.
Okay?
And really, you know, if youthink about it, that it should
be that way.
You know?
My parents took care of me, soit's my turn to take care of
them.
Your parents?
Well, my dad.
SPEAKER_03 (02:32):
Well, you said that in a plural sense.
SPEAKER_01 (02:34):
So I wondered who's gonna take care of us.
SPEAKER_03 (02:37):
I'm gonna take care of us, because my body parts
make me only about eight.
SPEAKER_01 (02:41):
Well, that's sick.
That is just sick.
Y'all disregard that.
Edit it, whatever.
SPEAKER_02 (02:49):
I'm not editing it.
SPEAKER_01 (02:50):
Anyway, dad has officially moved in with us here
at a contagious smile, and hehas been on uh eight, if not
more than one.
He's been on one and he willcome on again because he has
experience in the niche that wetalk about a lot.
Domestic violence, narcissism.
SPEAKER_03 (03:12):
By more than one woman.
SPEAKER_01 (03:13):
That's right.
SPEAKER_03 (03:14):
He opened up and was talking about that tonight.
SPEAKER_01 (03:17):
And he has served our country as a Marine.
He is a Marine.
Once a Marine.
SPEAKER_04 (03:23):
Always a Marine.
SPEAKER_01 (03:24):
Yep.
He's also been former lawenforcement for many, many
years.
There's a lot of knowledge underhis belt, so we'll have him back
on the show here.
But we're happy that he's uphere.
He's safe, he's with family,he's loved.
SPEAKER_03 (03:39):
He's happy, he's taken care of.
He's happy.
Like he's genuinely happy.
SPEAKER_01 (03:44):
Him and our daughter, Faith.
SPEAKER_03 (03:46):
Oh my god.
I thought I had a little bit ofhelp on my side because these
two knuckleheads have theirSaturday night day night, and
they watch horror movies.
And I'm like, finally, somebodywho's not gonna watch horror
movies.
And they watched it today.
Yeah, dad and Faith waswatching, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (04:05):
Watching Annabelle and uh the new one, the new
series with uh something aboutDrury.
Welcome to Drury.
SPEAKER_03 (04:14):
You're asking someone who doesn't even get to
watch television unless it's theblacklist, and other than that,
like I can't even tell you thelast movie I've sat and watched.
SPEAKER_01 (04:26):
So, as my wife has pointed out, y'all, it is
vitally important to get atleast the bare minimum as far as
documentation done and setbefore the shit hits the fan.
SPEAKER_03 (04:42):
Before the shit will hit the fan.
SPEAKER_01 (04:45):
Before that loved one loses their right state of
mind.
SPEAKER_03 (04:49):
Well, it's not just that, but I mean, you know I
said three different thingshere.
Like the leeches come out of thewoodwork.
SPEAKER_01 (04:56):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (04:57):
I love that he said that.
The leeches and the roaches comeout of the woodwork, and that's
so true.
SPEAKER_01 (05:02):
It's so true.
You want a wheel.
A wheel what?
SPEAKER_03 (05:07):
You want power of attorney, a medical power of
attorney, a medical power ofattorney.
And last will and testament.
SPEAKER_01 (05:13):
Last will and testament.
Are those like the three basics?
SPEAKER_03 (05:15):
Where'd you learn to count there, Fred Flintstone?
SPEAKER_01 (05:18):
I counted three.
SPEAKER_03 (05:19):
A wheel, a wheel?
SPEAKER_01 (05:20):
Set of wheel.
SPEAKER_03 (05:21):
A wheel.
Yes.
Is that like a wheel on avehicle?
A wheel?
SPEAKER_01 (05:26):
Correct.
SPEAKER_03 (05:26):
Oh Lord help me.
SPEAKER_01 (05:27):
Or a horse and buggy.
SPEAKER_03 (05:28):
Oh, geez.
And then a medical power ofattorney.
SPEAKER_00 (05:32):
Okay.
SPEAKER_03 (05:32):
Power of attorney.
SPEAKER_00 (05:34):
That's three.
SPEAKER_03 (05:35):
Last wheel, wheel, and estimate.
SPEAKER_01 (05:37):
So what's one is a living will and a living will
and a last will.
SPEAKER_03 (05:42):
Okay, one is when you are deceased, and one is
your dis your wants and desireswhen you're in an incapacitated
manner, so that your familydoesn't have to make those
decisions for you.
SPEAKER_00 (05:53):
Well, which is which?
I just explained that to you,Goberbow.
One is after death.
SPEAKER_03 (05:58):
Will, last will and testament is when you are
deceased.
Living will fill there, FredFlintstone.
The person does prior to.
Like I filled and did all yours.
SPEAKER_00 (06:10):
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Oh wait, no.
A last will and testament.
That get the word last.
Hear it?
Last will and is done after yourdeceased.
SPEAKER_03 (06:21):
No, uh, Fred Flintstone.
It's done prior to.
You know how you had me sitdown.
SPEAKER_01 (06:27):
A living will because you're still alive.
SPEAKER_03 (06:30):
No.
A living will goes in andexplains your desires for like
being in a vegetative state.
Do you want to be in a feeding?
Do you want a feeding tube?
You want an angi tube?
Do you want antibiotics?
Do you want pain medication?
You know, these are things, youknow.
Do you want your power ofattorney to be able to make XYZ
(06:53):
choices for you?
That's the living will.
The last will and testament isafter you've passed away, what
you want your property and yourbelongings to be dispersed as.
SPEAKER_01 (07:07):
Okay, and a will is different than those two?
SPEAKER_03 (07:12):
We don't have enough airtime for this.
You see how I'm the brains andhe's the bronze and the beauty.
SPEAKER_01 (07:23):
Okay.
SPEAKER_03 (07:24):
He's the hot one.
That's why I'm the radio voice.
Oh he looks so flustered.
SPEAKER_01 (07:39):
If you're dead, it's not a living will.
SPEAKER_03 (07:42):
No, that's a totally separate entity.
Like it's a totally differentdocument.
Completely not the same.
SPEAKER_01 (07:49):
Then why is it not called a living will?
SPEAKER_00 (07:52):
A living will is while you're still alive.
They were alive.
They've moved to the life.
SPEAKER_03 (07:56):
But once you've deceased, you become deceased.
SPEAKER_01 (07:59):
Okay.
SPEAKER_03 (08:00):
Your last will and testament comes into play,
meaning, okay, where are thevehicles, the land, the jewelry,
the furniture, where's that allgoing to be dispersed out to?
Who is the executor of theestate?
Who's going to make sure thateverything is put in correctly?
Are there quick claim deeds?
Are there this or there that?
And then why are you looking atme like that?
(08:22):
Like he's looking at me likewhat?
SPEAKER_01 (08:25):
I like aggreg.
SPEAKER_03 (08:27):
Well, do it on something else.
SPEAKER_01 (08:31):
Regardless, y'all go out and get those documents.
SPEAKER_03 (08:34):
I have to say, without giving the whole
situation of what transpired,one of the things that I
absolutely cherished and lovedthat I've never had really in my
life was when he and I dated 25years ago, he was so protective
of me.
And it was one of the qualitiesthat I just loved about him more
(08:56):
than anything.
And this was prior to me beingabused.
And I think it was asubconscious thing due to all
the narcissism that I had in mylife.
And over the weekend, I got tosee that side of him for the
first time in years.
We're not going to go intospecifics, but let's just say
(09:16):
that somebody decided to uh whatdo you want to say?
SPEAKER_01 (09:20):
Get froggy.
SPEAKER_03 (09:22):
Right.
Over crap that had no relevanceto them whatsoever, and wanted
what wasn't left to them.
Let's just say that.
And so my husband stepped up andI got to see that side of him,
which was so cute and sweet andloving and you know, it was it
was nice.
It was chivalrous.
(09:43):
It was.
But you know what's ironic isyou sit here and you think about
it that the tr a lie, okay, alie will devastate an honest
person when someone lies aboutyou, right?
But the truth will butt screw anarcissist, it will outrage them
because when you tell a truth onthem, they have to quickly
(10:07):
manipulate a web of lies to tryto cover it up and decredit the
source of honesty because theycan't be accountable.
It's it's basically the best waywhen someone says, I don't know
anything about narcissism, andI'm like, imagine somebody who
thinks they're a king, but theyact like a toddler, and that's
the accountability they want.
(10:27):
Like when they're a toddler andyou're learning to do things,
you know, you don't reallypunish a toddler, they get away
with things because they're inthat learning process of life.
SPEAKER_01 (10:36):
You know, Victoria, I think I've read this somewhere
in a book before.
Here we go.
I had to go on Amazon lookingup.
That sounds very, very familiar.
SPEAKER_03 (10:53):
You know, it's funny because I actually had someone
say that I don't know anythingabout narcissism.
Forget my certifications andtraining and school and
everything else that I've beenthrough, or the fact that I've
been doing this for 20 years,but I have been outright said to
(11:13):
that I don't know anything aboutnarcissism.
SPEAKER_01 (11:16):
She is not tooting her horn, y'all.
SPEAKER_03 (11:17):
I never toot my own horn.
That's the problem.
SPEAKER_01 (11:20):
I know you would.
I'll toot you all day long.
SPEAKER_03 (11:22):
Keep it clean, Mr.
Fancy Pants.
Seriously.
SPEAKER_01 (11:26):
I mean my PJs.
SPEAKER_03 (11:27):
I know it's kind of cute that you're like sitting
here in your jammies.
SPEAKER_01 (11:30):
How many other people do podcasting and PJs?
SPEAKER_03 (11:33):
Hey, I used to do video conferences with a shirt
and tie on and then pajamabottoms.
And the one time at Band Camp,haha, I got up to go get some
tea.
I got up and I thought everybodywas on break, and I thought I
had turned the video off, and Ihad Mickey Mouse pants on, and
they just never let me live itdown.
SPEAKER_01 (11:52):
As Paris just say that's hot.
SPEAKER_03 (11:56):
I can't stand her.
Please don't quote her.
She's like one step beneathMariah Carey.
SPEAKER_01 (12:01):
And I haven't seen her in probably 10 years.
SPEAKER_03 (12:04):
Oh, counter blessings.
And the problem is, is thatChristmas is my favorite time of
year.
Love Christmas.
The only thing that I don't likeabout Christmas is the only time
Mariah sticks her head out.
And after what she did 20 yearsago on air in Atlanta, I have
zero hero respect for thatindividual person.
(12:24):
Because you know what?
People don't get to who they tobe a celebrity if it's not for
fan base, if it's not forfollowings, right?
And for someone to be socold-hearted, and even when she
was pregnant, she's like, Theyruined my body.
Do you know what they did to me?
You know, like she had peoplecut the tags off of her dresses
so nobody knew what size she waswhen she was going through, you
(12:47):
know, her ups and downs orwhatever.
SPEAKER_01 (12:49):
And ladies and gentlemen, we are now in left
field.
SPEAKER_03 (12:52):
And you said you wanted to kiss my wife.
You walked around wearing ashirt yesterday that said you
eat ass.
SPEAKER_01 (12:56):
Hey, whoa.
You did easy greasy.
SPEAKER_03 (13:01):
Now what you got to say?
Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_01 (13:04):
What else are you working on there, Victoria?
You've got 143 courses in youracademy.
SPEAKER_03 (13:11):
And we just started and built a school, S K-O-O-L
community.
And so I'm opening that andgetting that ready as well.
And you know, he just looks atme like I can't even explain it.
The the look that you give me.
(13:33):
He he's like, he comes in andhe's like, babe, what are you
doing?
I'm writing a course.
Of course you are.
Like this.
SPEAKER_01 (13:39):
Hey listeners, what'd y'all think about the uh
episode with Muck Sticky?
Did y'all start following himbecause of you know the
interview, or were you already afollower?
We we we quite enjoyed him.
Enjoyed, enjoyed, enjoyed.
I kind of bit my tongue there.
Yeah, we we enjoyed Monk.
SPEAKER_03 (13:59):
And he's funny, but what a story he has as well.
I mean, he really does.
And oh, okay, let me just tell,you know what?
I'm gonna do this for the firsttime.
I am gonna don't owe Lordnothing.
SPEAKER_01 (14:12):
I'm gonna read to you guys what how many people
bought his uh pajama britches.
SPEAKER_03 (14:18):
They're a little, they're a little expensive.
SPEAKER_01 (14:21):
I mean, I'm a broke mama, so food is expensive.
SPEAKER_03 (14:27):
Oh my god, I know.
I do the food shopping, I know.
So we have everybody knows aboutthe dear silence you lost.
So now we're doing one.
I am uh not defined by mydiagnosis, and I've been getting
plenty of submissions already,and it hasn't even been a week.
(14:48):
And I want to tell you for thefirst time, I'm gonna read one.
He's always one who reads.
SPEAKER_01 (14:57):
I'm not reading one.
SPEAKER_03 (14:59):
He hasn't read any of these.
SPEAKER_01 (15:00):
There's always pollen here when I read.
SPEAKER_03 (15:02):
He'll he'll still help you pollinated.
This is one that came from abrother.
And he called it for her.
I stay.
I just picked one.
My my family tells me I was tooyoung to remember, but I do.
I remember all of it.
(15:23):
Every minute, every second, thesmell of the hospital, the
corridors that looked so cold,and the faces of everyone that
towered over me as they lookeddown to talk to me.
I was eight when my sister wasborn.
This was also the same day thatmy mom died.
She was my best friend, mysuperhero partner.
(15:43):
She was my safe place, and theone who always made me feel
better.
She was my mom.
I didn't really understand it atfirst.
They just said mom was sick andthat the baby came early.
But I remember standing in thathospital hallway watching people
whisper.
Nobody would even look at me.
That's how I knew something badhad happened.
When they finally told me my momwasn't coming back, I didn't say
(16:06):
anything.
I just nodded.
But inside, it felt like thewhole world fell apart right
inside of my heart.
The same place my mom had alwaystold me she would be.
Then she told then my dad toldme I had a baby sister.
Everyone said she was a miracle.
Back then, I didn't want amiracle.
I just wanted my mom.
She was my mom and only mineuntil this baby was born.
(16:31):
It took me a long time tounderstand that she didn't take
mom away.
She came into the world at thesame moment everything went
wrong.
And somehow she's the one whoheld us together after.
She was so small.
I remember standing on mytiptoes, trying to see her
through the glass in the NICU.
Wires everywhere.
I thought she looked too fragileto live.
(16:51):
Then she opened her eyes for asecond, and I swear she looked
right at me.
I don't know if babies could dothat, but it felt like she
could.
I don't know, I didn't know itthen, but that was the very
moment everything changed.
Our dad did what he could, butgrief hits everyone different.
He went quiet, a kind of quietthat fills a house.
So I started helping with her.
(17:12):
Bottles, diapers, late nights,whatever needed doing.
I guess that's when I stoppedbeing a kid.
She got sick a lot when she waslittle.
Hospitals became our normal.
I'd sit by her bed and hold herhand, and she'd fall asleep like
she trusted me with her wholeworld, and maybe she did.
Sometimes she'd ask where momwas.
She'd point to pictures and say,That's her, right?
(17:34):
And I'd nod.
She'd ask if mom would come backsomeday.
I'd tell her no.
But that she could still talk toher when she prayed.
She used to pray for me too.
She'd close her eyes and say,God bless, don't let my brother
be sad.
That one got me every time.
Now she's older.
She still has health problems.
She still has rough days, butshe laughs more than anyone I
(17:56):
know.
She's got this laugh that fillsthe room.
It's loud, it's contagious.
Like she's daring the world totry and take her joy.
She's tougher than anyone I'veever met.
She doesn't even realize it.
I remember one day we were atthe playground.
She was watching other kids runaround.
I could tell she really wantedto join them.
(18:19):
But she's never been able tokeep up.
I started to feel that old ache,the one that hits when you wish
life was easier for someone thatyou love.
Then she looked up at me.
Would you push me, please?
She loved swinging on theswings, so of course I pushed
her.
I pushed her as high as shethought I could, but I never
pushed her too high because Iwas so worried she would fly off
(18:40):
the swing.
She laughed so hard I startedlaughing too.
Then she said to me, Hey Bobo, Ican see over everyone's head.
I'm faster than everyone elseout here.
It was right then that Irealized her perspective was
unlike everyone else's.
It was better.
She looked at everythingdifferently, and I was so
insanely jealous because Iwished that I could see things
(19:03):
the way she did.
What a fantastic way to seelife.
For the first time in a longtime, I wasn't thinking about
mom or hospitals or how hardit's been.
I was just happy.
People always tell me how luckyshe is to have me, but they've
got it backwards.
I'm the lucky one because for along time I didn't know who I
(19:24):
was without mom.
I didn't know how to moveforward, but she gave me a
reason.
She didn't know it, but shesaved me.
Every time life got too heavy, Ilooked at her and thought, if
she can keep going, so can I.
That's why I stayed for her.
Not because I have to, butbecause I want to.
She's my reason and she's mymiracle.
(19:44):
And I think, no, I know my momwould be proud of the both of
us.
Are you getting emotional?
SPEAKER_01 (19:52):
No, I'm getting tired.
I've had a long weekend.
SPEAKER_03 (19:56):
Oh, for the love, because it was any longer than
mine.
No, because while you slept, Iworked.
And while you napped, I worked.
SPEAKER_01 (20:04):
That's quite possible.
But that was that was a greatstory.
A great true life event.
SPEAKER_03 (20:09):
There's some such sweet, and from a brother's
perspective, you know, to say,wow, you know, she sees them
totally different.
I'm a little jealous because Iwish I could see the world
through her lenses, you know.
Oh my god, my husband's yawning.
SPEAKER_01 (20:26):
My apologies, y'all.
SPEAKER_03 (20:28):
Unreal.
SPEAKER_01 (20:30):
It's a lot for uh this whole guy to pack up and
drive back and forth.
SPEAKER_03 (20:37):
We drove too.
I drove with a boat.
SPEAKER_01 (20:40):
I know, I put it in the back of the truck.
SPEAKER_03 (20:43):
I know.
I drove with a boat.
SPEAKER_01 (20:45):
You gotta have a boat.
SPEAKER_03 (20:47):
I drove with a boat.
SPEAKER_01 (20:52):
So when uh can we expect this book to be released?
SPEAKER_03 (20:56):
My hope is for holiday release.
SPEAKER_01 (20:58):
Which holiday?
SPEAKER_03 (20:59):
This coming up before the Christmas, because I
would love for families to beable to give it to grandparents
or siblings and say, you know,like put a little posting note
on the front and say, turn topage 81 or page 88 or whatever,
and it's their family story, oreven better, the story of their
special needs miracle, amazingkid.
You know, have them open it upand say, This is a book about
(21:21):
you.
This is all about you, and watchthem light up to know and tell
them your light is shiningworldwide.
SPEAKER_01 (21:29):
And how come these how come these listeners get
their story to you?
SPEAKER_03 (21:33):
Oh, we're getting them all right.
They're sending them to Victoriaat a contagious smile.com.
And then we are putting in thesubmission.
If we accept your story, whichwe're accepting almost all of
them, I'll send you a waiverbecause all rights to that story
go into the book, and then allproceeds from the book go to a
(21:55):
contagious smile academy wherewe have like my stucco squad and
all of the different coursesthat are out there, and we have
them for free or under fivedollars so that everybody can
come in and get the assistancethey need because you know what,
everybody's paid the ultimateprice already, and I'm not gonna
(22:16):
charge what these courses havebeen valued at because people
need the assistance, and itshouldn't matter where the funds
come from, and we're just tryingto you know keep afloat
ourselves and to be able to payfor the platforms to which all
these are on.
SPEAKER_01 (22:34):
Yes.
SPEAKER_03 (22:35):
Do you know what I just said?
SPEAKER_01 (22:37):
Yes, I do.
SPEAKER_03 (22:38):
Really?
SPEAKER_01 (22:40):
My wife does me very well.
She knows I'm getting verytired.
SPEAKER_03 (22:44):
I know when he's spacing out.
SPEAKER_01 (22:46):
Well, that's normal.
SPEAKER_03 (22:47):
But like, I know when he's like snuggled up in
bed, we get out of bed and wesnuggle every single night, and
I'll be like, Yep, he's out.
He's like, How do you know that?
I can't see him, and now I'mdeaf in one ear.
So, you know, it's oh well, weknow.
I know these things.
SPEAKER_01 (23:03):
But yeah, you say uh snore like a freight train.
SPEAKER_03 (23:06):
Okay, your dad, number one, said, Holy shit, I
can hear him downstairs, and thedoor is closed in the bedroom.
Number two, he was dumbfoundedat the fact that you can fall
asleep mid-sentence.
And I explained that this wasnot a one-time thing, this is a
constant every time thing.
(23:27):
I have video of it.
SPEAKER_01 (23:30):
I have no explanation.
SPEAKER_03 (23:32):
Yeah, you've always been that way.
SPEAKER_01 (23:35):
By the time I I don't know, just seconds after I
I laid my head down.
SPEAKER_03 (23:40):
I don't think you're no, I think it's seconds.
It's like milliseconds.
SPEAKER_01 (23:45):
And I'll I'll instantly start dreaming.
And if you wake me up, I'll tellyou what I'm dreaming.
SPEAKER_03 (23:51):
You'll wake up and tell me a sentence that's longer
than you've been asleep.
SPEAKER_01 (23:55):
And my poor wife over here, bless her thump and
gizzard, she'll lay there forhours.
SPEAKER_03 (24:02):
And every time you get up, I'm like, Are you okay?
And he's like, Have you beenasleep yet?
No, no, and then I'm like themom that you know, I'm still the
medical mom.
Like, I get up, open the door,check on dad, make sure he's
okay, you know, all that.
With medical moms, we have ninjafeet where we are quiet because
if they're sleeping, we are notgonna wake them up and look over
(24:24):
there and see.
Okay, they're good.
Smiling is and smiling andyawning is contagious.
SPEAKER_01 (24:33):
Yes, yes.
So why don't you wrap this upand I go take a nap?
SPEAKER_03 (24:37):
No.
Hey, it's too early.
SPEAKER_01 (24:39):
It's only 8 30.
SPEAKER_03 (24:40):
I know, and we have a lot to do.
Right.
SPEAKER_00 (24:44):
You have a lot to do.
SPEAKER_03 (24:45):
I always have a lot to do, and my husband just
thinks it's fun for him toalways add more to my list of
things to do.
He thinks it's just fantastic tohey, you know what?
You still haven't eaten my applepie.
SPEAKER_01 (24:58):
You know what?
I thought you said keep this PG13.
SPEAKER_03 (25:02):
I did.
I made Apple Cobbler.
I made Apple Cobbler, and youhaven't eaten it.
SPEAKER_02 (25:08):
You haven't eaten it.
SPEAKER_03 (25:09):
You know what I would like to know?
I want to know what everybody'sdoing for Thanksgiving this year
because you know, there's somuch going on, and what is pee
first of all.
I see, this is my husband'sfault.
I'm sorry.
That's his fault.
I apologize.
But like, you know, all the foodassistance is temporarily
paused, and then grocery pricesare through the roof, and
(25:32):
they're only gonna get worse.
So, what is everybody doing?
What's everybody doing forThanksgiving?
Like, you know, instead of apotluck dinner, people bring
like, you know, here's thirtydollars for cranberry sauce can.
I mean, really, it's crazy.
SPEAKER_01 (25:48):
It'd be spam and potted meat.
SPEAKER_02 (25:51):
What is potted meat?
SPEAKER_01 (25:53):
I'll have to buy you some.
SPEAKER_02 (25:54):
No, thank you.
You don't even buy me aChristmas gift.
Why are you gonna buy me pottedmeat?
SPEAKER_00 (25:58):
It's kind of like um kitty pate.
You can save that shit.
SPEAKER_03 (26:07):
Spanks, but no spanks.
Uh-uh.
No.
Am I gonna have to get dad torecord me at some point?
Because you are like I'm aboutout.
How is that possible?
I know.
I've been up as long as you howmany naps should you take today?
SPEAKER_01 (26:25):
None.
And you're over here yawning.
SPEAKER_03 (26:27):
Because it's infectious.
I yawn because you yawn.
SPEAKER_01 (26:30):
So I'm I'm a disease.
I'm a virus.
SPEAKER_03 (26:33):
Are you lifelong?
SPEAKER_01 (26:36):
Lifelong virus?
SPEAKER_03 (26:38):
Are you with me forever?
Lifelong?
SPEAKER_01 (26:40):
Yes.
Then your ball and chain.
Sometimes you're bitch.
I got that twice?
Because I did the dishestonight.
SPEAKER_03 (26:50):
Uh no, no, sir.
I cleaned up after dinner.
Uh okay, what holds hold thefort.
Number one, I unloaded thedishwasher and then loaded it
and ran it.
Unloaded that one and loaded itagain, and then went down and
did laundry.
Then I switched them all over.
Then I've made dinner.
I've worked all day.
I've answered, I can't tell youhow many emails, worked on
(27:11):
submissions, done courses,created classes, took care of
dad, took care of Faith, cleanedup the house, and you're saying,
what?
And I made dinner.
You came home and dinner was onthe table.
SPEAKER_01 (27:24):
So because I put it there.
SPEAKER_03 (27:26):
Who cooked it?
SPEAKER_01 (27:28):
Well, you did.
SPEAKER_03 (27:30):
So you're saying, What?
You know what?
You're still bent out of shapebecause another prank was pulled
on you today, and I'm here totell you that your father was
partially behind it.
Oh, so he came home and said hewas gonna run an errand and
Faith was gonna go with him.
So he said, Hey, can you I needto get some sweet tea before I
leave?
And so, okay, so our wonderfulchild runs in and gets and is
(27:54):
talking with dad in the process.
Dad has given her a couple ofdifferent phenomenal prank ideas
that you have not seen yet,babe.
And so she comes out laughingand what what's so funny?
Oh, his thermos.
Did you put tea in it?
Yep.
Oh, okay, great, good job.
(28:15):
It's unsweet.
Oh crap.
And so she takes it and gives itto him.
He cannot stand unsweet tea.
I drink it all day long.
He hates it.
And so she filled his thermos.
SPEAKER_02 (28:36):
What did you do?
SPEAKER_01 (28:38):
I spent the next hour parched.
SPEAKER_00 (28:41):
What did you do when you tasted it?
Realize what it was.
What the heck?
SPEAKER_01 (28:45):
I said, this is disgusting.
And then I I just put it downand looked at her.
She said, How's your tea, Dad?
And she started laughing.
SPEAKER_03 (28:53):
How is that the tea from dinner?
SPEAKER_01 (28:56):
No.
SPEAKER_03 (28:56):
How was that tea?
SPEAKER_01 (28:59):
I don't remember.
You drank it all.
I'm gonna wrap this up.
I mean, you're gonna wrap thisup.
No, but you are go ahead.
No.
SPEAKER_03 (29:07):
No, if you're gonna end our show early and you're
already tardy because youweren't around, then I I can't
help it.
Don't say you have a medicalcondition because that's a load
of crap.
And what condition is that?
SPEAKER_01 (29:21):
Narcoleptic.
SPEAKER_03 (29:22):
No.
SPEAKER_01 (29:23):
Yes.
SPEAKER_03 (29:24):
No.
SPEAKER_01 (29:29):
Mine is at will, narcoleptic.
Love you.
SPEAKER_03 (29:35):
Who are you saying I love you too?
You.
Well then take us out since youwant to end it so early.
SPEAKER_01 (29:40):
I you got it.
Nope.
SPEAKER_03 (29:41):
You have to because you are ending this too early.
Go ahead.
Take us out.
Are you serious?
SPEAKER_01 (29:50):
They like your voice.
Thank y'all for listening to acontagious smile.
Unstoppable.
Michael.
Howdy, y'all.
Welcome to another episode of acontagious smile, unstoppable,
with the lovely and sexyred-headed vixen Victoria.
Oh Lord.
And I'm Michael, the sidekick.
SPEAKER_04 (00:20):
My redneck.
My little redneck.
Sometimes the bitch.
I love that I have thatrecorded.
I know, right?
So we have a lot of changethat's happened.
SPEAKER_01 (00:34):
I do.
I have a bag full up under mydesk.
I've probably got severalhundred.
SPEAKER_03 (00:38):
Well, Faith would say now you have common sense,
but that's not what I wasreferring to.
I have to go through.
We now have a new member livingwith us in our home.
SPEAKER_01 (00:49):
We do.
SPEAKER_03 (00:50):
Permanently.
And it's exciting.
It's been a lot of work.
We've had to, even if you don'tthink about it, you know, get
your affairs in order becauseyou have no idea what can happen
on the blink of an eye, like ona day's notice, right?
(01:10):
We had no idea the day beforethat everything was going to
change that next day.
And we have been lucky enough tohave a lot of the paperwork in
order.
However, you want to telleverybody the big change?
SPEAKER_01 (01:27):
I'm I'm mesmerized by your voice.
You got this sexy ass radiovoice.
SPEAKER_03 (01:32):
That's because I don't have the radio look uh TV
looks.
Do I have a radio voice?
SPEAKER_01 (01:37):
Yes, you do.
And the looks.
No.
SPEAKER_03 (01:41):
No.
SPEAKER_01 (01:42):
I'm sorry, I lost my train of thought.
What were you saying?
SPEAKER_03 (01:45):
So who's the new member of our chatter?
Your dad.
SPEAKER_01 (01:51):
So a month ago, month and a half, month and a
week, some somewhere around thatera, my dad's wife died.
Notice I said my dad's wife.
You've never once called hermom.
She she passed away, and wefelt, all three of us, felt that
it was necessary, uh wanted.
(02:12):
We didn't even think twice aboutit.
To move in my dad with us.
Okay?
And really, you know, if youthink about it, that it should
be that way.
You know?
My parents took care of me, soit's my turn to take care of
them.
Your parents?
Well, my dad.
SPEAKER_03 (02:32):
Well, you said that in a plural sense.
SPEAKER_01 (02:34):
So I wondered who's gonna take care of us.
SPEAKER_03 (02:37):
I'm gonna take care of us, because my body parts
make me only about eight.
SPEAKER_01 (02:41):
Well, that's sick.
That is just sick.
Y'all disregard that.
Edit it, whatever.
SPEAKER_02 (02:49):
I'm not editing it.
SPEAKER_01 (02:50):
Anyway, dad has officially moved in with us here
at a contagious smile, and hehas been on uh eight, if not
more than one.
He's been on one and he willcome on again because he has
experience in the niche that wetalk about a lot.
Domestic violence, narcissism.
SPEAKER_03 (03:12):
By more than one woman.
SPEAKER_01 (03:13):
That's right.
SPEAKER_03 (03:14):
He opened up and was talking about that tonight.
SPEAKER_01 (03:17):
And he has served our country as a Marine.
He is a Marine.
Once a Marine.
SPEAKER_04 (03:23):
Always a Marine.
SPEAKER_01 (03:24):
Yep.
He's also been former lawenforcement for many, many
years.
There's a lot of knowledge underhis belt, so we'll have him back
on the show here.
But we're happy that he's uphere.
He's safe, he's with family,he's loved.
SPEAKER_03 (03:39):
He's happy, he's taken care of.
He's happy.
Like he's genuinely happy.
SPEAKER_01 (03:44):
Him and our daughter, Faith.
SPEAKER_03 (03:46):
Oh my god.
I thought I had a little bit ofhelp on my side because these
two knuckleheads have theirSaturday night day night, and
they watch horror movies.
And I'm like, finally, somebodywho's not gonna watch horror
movies.
And they watched it today.
Yeah, dad and Faith waswatching, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (04:05):
Watching Annabelle and uh the new one, the new
series with uh something aboutDrury.
Welcome to Drury.
SPEAKER_03 (04:14):
You're asking someone who doesn't even get to
watch television unless it's theblacklist, and other than that,
like I can't even tell you thelast movie I've sat and watched.
SPEAKER_01 (04:26):
So, as my wife has pointed out, y'all, it is
vitally important to get atleast the bare minimum as far as
documentation done and setbefore the shit hits the fan.
SPEAKER_03 (04:42):
Before the shit will hit the fan.
SPEAKER_01 (04:45):
Before that loved one loses their right state of
mind.
SPEAKER_03 (04:49):
Well, it's not just that, but I mean, you know I
said three different thingshere.
Like the leeches come out of thewoodwork.
SPEAKER_01 (04:56):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (04:57):
I love that he said that.
The leeches and the roaches comeout of the woodwork, and that's
so true.
SPEAKER_01 (05:02):
It's so true.
You want a wheel.
A wheel what?
SPEAKER_03 (05:07):
You want power of attorney, a medical power of
attorney, a medical power ofattorney.
And last will and testament.
SPEAKER_01 (05:13):
Last will and testament.
Are those like the three basics?
SPEAKER_03 (05:15):
Where'd you learn to count there, Fred Flintstone?
SPEAKER_01 (05:18):
I counted three.
SPEAKER_03 (05:19):
A wheel, a wheel?
SPEAKER_01 (05:20):
Set of wheel.
SPEAKER_03 (05:21):
A wheel.
Yes.
Is that like a wheel on avehicle?
A wheel?
SPEAKER_01 (05:26):
Correct.
SPEAKER_03 (05:26):
Oh Lord help me.
SPEAKER_01 (05:27):
Or a horse and buggy.
SPEAKER_03 (05:28):
Oh, geez.
And then a medical power ofattorney.
SPEAKER_00 (05:32):
Okay.
SPEAKER_03 (05:32):
Power of attorney.
SPEAKER_00 (05:34):
That's three.
SPEAKER_03 (05:35):
Last wheel, wheel, and estimate.
SPEAKER_01 (05:37):
So what's one is a living will and a living will
and a last will.
SPEAKER_03 (05:42):
Okay, one is when you are deceased, and one is
your dis your wants and desireswhen you're in an incapacitated
manner, so that your familydoesn't have to make those
decisions for you.
SPEAKER_00 (05:53):
Well, which is which?
I just explained that to you,Goberbow.
One is after death.
SPEAKER_03 (05:58):
Will, last will and testament is when you are
deceased.
Living will fill there, FredFlintstone.
The person does prior to.
Like I filled and did all yours.
SPEAKER_00 (06:10):
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Oh wait, no.
A last will and testament.
That get the word last.
Hear it?
Last will and is done after yourdeceased.
SPEAKER_03 (06:21):
No, uh, Fred Flintstone.
It's done prior to.
You know how you had me sitdown.
SPEAKER_01 (06:27):
A living will because you're still alive.
SPEAKER_03 (06:30):
No.
A living will goes in andexplains your desires for like
being in a vegetative state.
Do you want to be in a feeding?
Do you want a feeding tube?
You want an angi tube?
Do you want antibiotics?
Do you want pain medication?
You know, these are things, youknow.
Do you want your power ofattorney to be able to make XYZ
(06:53):
choices for you?
That's the living will.
The last will and testament isafter you've passed away, what
you want your property and yourbelongings to be dispersed as.
SPEAKER_01 (07:07):
Okay, and a will is different than those two?
SPEAKER_03 (07:12):
We don't have enough airtime for this.
You see how I'm the brains andhe's the bronze and the beauty.
SPEAKER_01 (07:23):
Okay.
SPEAKER_03 (07:24):
He's the hot one.
That's why I'm the radio voice.
Oh he looks so flustered.
SPEAKER_01 (07:39):
If you're dead, it's not a living will.
SPEAKER_03 (07:42):
No, that's a totally separate entity.
Like it's a totally differentdocument.
Completely not the same.
SPEAKER_01 (07:49):
Then why is it not called a living will?
SPEAKER_00 (07:52):
A living will is while you're still alive.
They were alive.
They've moved to the life.
SPEAKER_03 (07:56):
But once you've deceased, you become deceased.
SPEAKER_01 (07:59):
Okay.
SPEAKER_03 (08:00):
Your last will and testament comes into play,
meaning, okay, where are thevehicles, the land, the jewelry,
the furniture, where's that allgoing to be dispersed out to?
Who is the executor of theestate?
Who's going to make sure thateverything is put in correctly?
Are there quick claim deeds?
Are there this or there that?
And then why are you looking atme like that?
(08:22):
Like he's looking at me likewhat?
SPEAKER_01 (08:25):
I like aggreg.
SPEAKER_03 (08:27):
Well, do it on something else.
SPEAKER_01 (08:31):
Regardless, y'all go out and get those documents.
SPEAKER_03 (08:34):
I have to say, without giving the whole
situation of what transpired,one of the things that I
absolutely cherished and lovedthat I've never had really in my
life was when he and I dated 25years ago, he was so protective
of me.
And it was one of the qualitiesthat I just loved about him more
(08:56):
than anything.
And this was prior to me beingabused.
And I think it was asubconscious thing due to all
the narcissism that I had in mylife.
And over the weekend, I got tosee that side of him for the
first time in years.
We're not going to go intospecifics, but let's just say
(09:16):
that somebody decided to uh whatdo you want to say?
SPEAKER_01 (09:20):
Get froggy.
SPEAKER_03 (09:22):
Right.
Over crap that had no relevanceto them whatsoever, and wanted
what wasn't left to them.
Let's just say that.
And so my husband stepped up andI got to see that side of him,
which was so cute and sweet andloving and you know, it was it
was nice.
It was chivalrous.
(09:43):
It was.
But you know what's ironic isyou sit here and you think about
it that the tr a lie, okay, alie will devastate an honest
person when someone lies aboutyou, right?
But the truth will butt screw anarcissist, it will outrage them
because when you tell a truth onthem, they have to quickly
(10:07):
manipulate a web of lies to tryto cover it up and decredit the
source of honesty because theycan't be accountable.
It's it's basically the best waywhen someone says, I don't know
anything about narcissism, andI'm like, imagine somebody who
thinks they're a king, but theyact like a toddler, and that's
the accountability they want.
(10:27):
Like when they're a toddler andyou're learning to do things,
you know, you don't reallypunish a toddler, they get away
with things because they're inthat learning process of life.
SPEAKER_01 (10:36):
You know, Victoria, I think I've read this somewhere
in a book before.
Here we go.
I had to go on Amazon lookingup.
That sounds very, very familiar.
SPEAKER_03 (10:53):
You know, it's funny because I actually had someone
say that I don't know anythingabout narcissism.
Forget my certifications andtraining and school and
everything else that I've beenthrough, or the fact that I've
been doing this for 20 years,but I have been outright said to
(11:13):
that I don't know anything aboutnarcissism.
SPEAKER_01 (11:16):
She is not tooting her horn, y'all.
SPEAKER_03 (11:17):
I never toot my own horn.
That's the problem.
SPEAKER_01 (11:20):
I know you would.
I'll toot you all day long.
SPEAKER_03 (11:22):
Keep it clean, Mr.
Fancy Pants.
Seriously.
SPEAKER_01 (11:26):
I mean my PJs.
SPEAKER_03 (11:27):
I know it's kind of cute that you're like sitting
here in your jammies.
SPEAKER_01 (11:30):
How many other people do podcasting and PJs?
SPEAKER_03 (11:33):
Hey, I used to do video conferences with a shirt
and tie on and then pajamabottoms.
And the one time at Band Camp,haha, I got up to go get some
tea.
I got up and I thought everybodywas on break, and I thought I
had turned the video off, and Ihad Mickey Mouse pants on, and
they just never let me live itdown.
SPEAKER_01 (11:52):
As Paris just say that's hot.
SPEAKER_03 (11:56):
I can't stand her.
Please don't quote her.
She's like one step beneathMariah Carey.
SPEAKER_01 (12:01):
And I haven't seen her in probably 10 years.
SPEAKER_03 (12:04):
Oh, counter blessings.
And the problem is, is thatChristmas is my favorite time of
year.
Love Christmas.
The only thing that I don't likeabout Christmas is the only time
Mariah sticks her head out.
And after what she did 20 yearsago on air in Atlanta, I have
zero hero respect for thatindividual person.
(12:24):
Because you know what?
People don't get to who they tobe a celebrity if it's not for
fan base, if it's not forfollowings, right?
And for someone to be socold-hearted, and even when she
was pregnant, she's like, Theyruined my body.
Do you know what they did to me?
You know, like she had peoplecut the tags off of her dresses
so nobody knew what size she waswhen she was going through, you
(12:47):
know, her ups and downs orwhatever.
SPEAKER_01 (12:49):
And ladies and gentlemen, we are now in left
field.
SPEAKER_03 (12:52):
And you said you wanted to kiss my wife.
You walked around wearing ashirt yesterday that said you
eat ass.
SPEAKER_01 (12:56):
Hey, whoa.
You did easy greasy.
SPEAKER_03 (13:01):
Now what you got to say?
Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_01 (13:04):
What else are you working on there, Victoria?
You've got 143 courses in youracademy.
SPEAKER_03 (13:11):
And we just started and built a school, S K-O-O-L
community.
And so I'm opening that andgetting that ready as well.
And you know, he just looks atme like I can't even explain it.
The the look that you give me.
(13:33):
He he's like, he comes in andhe's like, babe, what are you
doing?
I'm writing a course.
Of course you are.
Like this.
SPEAKER_01 (13:39):
Hey listeners, what'd y'all think about the uh
episode with Muck Sticky?
Did y'all start following himbecause of you know the
interview, or were you already afollower?
We we we quite enjoyed him.
Enjoyed, enjoyed, enjoyed.
I kind of bit my tongue there.
Yeah, we we enjoyed Monk.
SPEAKER_03 (13:59):
And he's funny, but what a story he has as well.
I mean, he really does.
And oh, okay, let me just tell,you know what?
I'm gonna do this for the firsttime.
I am gonna don't owe Lordnothing.
SPEAKER_01 (14:12):
I'm gonna read to you guys what how many people
bought his uh pajama britches.
SPEAKER_03 (14:18):
They're a little, they're a little expensive.
SPEAKER_01 (14:21):
I mean, I'm a broke mama, so food is expensive.
SPEAKER_03 (14:27):
Oh my god, I know.
I do the food shopping, I know.
So we have everybody knows aboutthe dear silence you lost.
So now we're doing one.
I am uh not defined by mydiagnosis, and I've been getting
plenty of submissions already,and it hasn't even been a week.
(14:48):
And I want to tell you for thefirst time, I'm gonna read one.
He's always one who reads.
SPEAKER_01 (14:57):
I'm not reading one.
SPEAKER_03 (14:59):
He hasn't read any of these.
SPEAKER_01 (15:00):
There's always pollen here when I read.
SPEAKER_03 (15:02):
He'll he'll still help you pollinated.
This is one that came from abrother.
And he called it for her.
I stay.
I just picked one.
My my family tells me I was tooyoung to remember, but I do.
I remember all of it.
(15:23):
Every minute, every second, thesmell of the hospital, the
corridors that looked so cold,and the faces of everyone that
towered over me as they lookeddown to talk to me.
I was eight when my sister wasborn.
This was also the same day thatmy mom died.
She was my best friend, mysuperhero partner.
(15:43):
She was my safe place, and theone who always made me feel
better.
She was my mom.
I didn't really understand it atfirst.
They just said mom was sick andthat the baby came early.
But I remember standing in thathospital hallway watching people
whisper.
Nobody would even look at me.
That's how I knew something badhad happened.
When they finally told me my momwasn't coming back, I didn't say
(16:06):
anything.
I just nodded.
But inside, it felt like thewhole world fell apart right
inside of my heart.
The same place my mom had alwaystold me she would be.
Then she told then my dad toldme I had a baby sister.
Everyone said she was a miracle.
Back then, I didn't want amiracle.
I just wanted my mom.
She was my mom and only mineuntil this baby was born.
(16:31):
It took me a long time tounderstand that she didn't take
mom away.
She came into the world at thesame moment everything went
wrong.
And somehow she's the one whoheld us together after.
She was so small.
I remember standing on mytiptoes, trying to see her
through the glass in the NICU.
Wires everywhere.
I thought she looked too fragileto live.
(16:51):
Then she opened her eyes for asecond, and I swear she looked
right at me.
I don't know if babies could dothat, but it felt like she
could.
I don't know, I didn't know itthen, but that was the very
moment everything changed.
Our dad did what he could, butgrief hits everyone different.
He went quiet, a kind of quietthat fills a house.
So I started helping with her.
(17:12):
Bottles, diapers, late nights,whatever needed doing.
I guess that's when I stoppedbeing a kid.
She got sick a lot when she waslittle.
Hospitals became our normal.
I'd sit by her bed and hold herhand, and she'd fall asleep like
she trusted me with her wholeworld, and maybe she did.
Sometimes she'd ask where momwas.
She'd point to pictures and say,That's her, right?
(17:34):
And I'd nod.
She'd ask if mom would come backsomeday.
I'd tell her no.
But that she could still talk toher when she prayed.
She used to pray for me too.
She'd close her eyes and say,God bless, don't let my brother
be sad.
That one got me every time.
Now she's older.
She still has health problems.
She still has rough days, butshe laughs more than anyone I
(17:56):
know.
She's got this laugh that fillsthe room.
It's loud, it's contagious.
Like she's daring the world totry and take her joy.
She's tougher than anyone I'veever met.
She doesn't even realize it.
I remember one day we were atthe playground.
She was watching other kids runaround.
I could tell she really wantedto join them.
(18:19):
But she's never been able tokeep up.
I started to feel that old ache,the one that hits when you wish
life was easier for someone thatyou love.
Then she looked up at me.
Would you push me, please?
She loved swinging on theswings, so of course I pushed
her.
I pushed her as high as shethought I could, but I never
pushed her too high because Iwas so worried she would fly off
(18:40):
the swing.
She laughed so hard I startedlaughing too.
Then she said to me, Hey Bobo, Ican see over everyone's head.
I'm faster than everyone elseout here.
It was right then that Irealized her perspective was
unlike everyone else's.
It was better.
She looked at everythingdifferently, and I was so
insanely jealous because Iwished that I could see things
(19:03):
the way she did.
What a fantastic way to seelife.
For the first time in a longtime, I wasn't thinking about
mom or hospitals or how hardit's been.
I was just happy.
People always tell me how luckyshe is to have me, but they've
got it backwards.
I'm the lucky one because for along time I didn't know who I
(19:24):
was without mom.
I didn't know how to moveforward, but she gave me a
reason.
She didn't know it, but shesaved me.
Every time life got too heavy, Ilooked at her and thought, if
she can keep going, so can I.
That's why I stayed for her.
Not because I have to, butbecause I want to.
She's my reason and she's mymiracle.
(19:44):
And I think, no, I know my momwould be proud of the both of
us.
Are you getting emotional?
SPEAKER_01 (19:52):
No, I'm getting tired.
I've had a long weekend.
SPEAKER_03 (19:56):
Oh, for the love, because it was any longer than
mine.
No, because while you slept, Iworked.
And while you napped, I worked.
SPEAKER_01 (20:04):
That's quite possible.
But that was that was a greatstory.
A great true life event.
SPEAKER_03 (20:09):
There's some such sweet, and from a brother's
perspective, you know, to say,wow, you know, she sees them
totally different.
I'm a little jealous because Iwish I could see the world
through her lenses, you know.
Oh my god, my husband's yawning.
SPEAKER_01 (20:26):
My apologies, y'all.
SPEAKER_03 (20:28):
Unreal.
SPEAKER_01 (20:30):
It's a lot for uh this whole guy to pack up and
drive back and forth.
SPEAKER_03 (20:37):
We drove too.
I drove with a boat.
SPEAKER_01 (20:40):
I know, I put it in the back of the truck.
SPEAKER_03 (20:43):
I know.
I drove with a boat.
SPEAKER_01 (20:45):
You gotta have a boat.
SPEAKER_03 (20:47):
I drove with a boat.
SPEAKER_01 (20:52):
So when uh can we expect this book to be released?
SPEAKER_03 (20:56):
My hope is for holiday release.
SPEAKER_01 (20:58):
Which holiday?
SPEAKER_03 (20:59):
This coming up before the Christmas, because I
would love for families to beable to give it to grandparents
or siblings and say, you know,like put a little posting note
on the front and say, turn topage 81 or page 88 or whatever,
and it's their family story, oreven better, the story of their
special needs miracle, amazingkid.
You know, have them open it upand say, This is a book about
(21:21):
you.
This is all about you, and watchthem light up to know and tell
them your light is shiningworldwide.
SPEAKER_01 (21:29):
And how come these how come these listeners get
their story to you?
SPEAKER_03 (21:33):
Oh, we're getting them all right.
They're sending them to Victoriaat a contagious smile.com.
And then we are putting in thesubmission.
If we accept your story, whichwe're accepting almost all of
them, I'll send you a waiverbecause all rights to that story
go into the book, and then allproceeds from the book go to a
(21:55):
contagious smile academy wherewe have like my stucco squad and
all of the different coursesthat are out there, and we have
them for free or under fivedollars so that everybody can
come in and get the assistancethey need because you know what,
everybody's paid the ultimateprice already, and I'm not gonna
(22:16):
charge what these courses havebeen valued at because people
need the assistance, and itshouldn't matter where the funds
come from, and we're just tryingto you know keep afloat
ourselves and to be able to payfor the platforms to which all
these are on.
SPEAKER_01 (22:34):
Yes.
SPEAKER_03 (22:35):
Do you know what I just said?
SPEAKER_01 (22:37):
Yes, I do.
SPEAKER_03 (22:38):
Really?
SPEAKER_01 (22:40):
My wife does me very well.
She knows I'm getting verytired.
SPEAKER_03 (22:44):
I know when he's spacing out.
SPEAKER_01 (22:46):
Well, that's normal.
SPEAKER_03 (22:47):
But like, I know when he's like snuggled up in
bed, we get out of bed and wesnuggle every single night, and
I'll be like, Yep, he's out.
He's like, How do you know that?
I can't see him, and now I'mdeaf in one ear.
So, you know, it's oh well, weknow.
I know these things.
SPEAKER_01 (23:03):
But yeah, you say uh snore like a freight train.
SPEAKER_03 (23:06):
Okay, your dad, number one, said, Holy shit, I
can hear him downstairs, and thedoor is closed in the bedroom.
Number two, he was dumbfoundedat the fact that you can fall
asleep mid-sentence.
And I explained that this wasnot a one-time thing, this is a
constant every time thing.
(23:27):
I have video of it.
SPEAKER_01 (23:30):
I have no explanation.
SPEAKER_03 (23:32):
Yeah, you've always been that way.
SPEAKER_01 (23:35):
By the time I I don't know, just seconds after I
I laid my head down.
SPEAKER_03 (23:40):
I don't think you're no, I think it's seconds.
It's like milliseconds.
SPEAKER_01 (23:45):
And I'll I'll instantly start dreaming.
And if you wake me up, I'll tellyou what I'm dreaming.
SPEAKER_03 (23:51):
You'll wake up and tell me a sentence that's longer
than you've been asleep.
SPEAKER_01 (23:55):
And my poor wife over here, bless her thump and
gizzard, she'll lay there forhours.
SPEAKER_03 (24:02):
And every time you get up, I'm like, Are you okay?
And he's like, Have you beenasleep yet?
No, no, and then I'm like themom that you know, I'm still the
medical mom.
Like, I get up, open the door,check on dad, make sure he's
okay, you know, all that.
With medical moms, we have ninjafeet where we are quiet because
if they're sleeping, we are notgonna wake them up and look over
(24:24):
there and see.
Okay, they're good.
Smiling is and smiling andyawning is contagious.
SPEAKER_01 (24:33):
Yes, yes.
So why don't you wrap this upand I go take a nap?
SPEAKER_03 (24:37):
No.
Hey, it's too early.
SPEAKER_01 (24:39):
It's only 8 30.
SPEAKER_03 (24:40):
I know, and we have a lot to do.
Right.
SPEAKER_00 (24:44):
You have a lot to do.
SPEAKER_03 (24:45):
I always have a lot to do, and my husband just
thinks it's fun for him toalways add more to my list of
things to do.
He thinks it's just fantastic tohey, you know what?
You still haven't eaten my applepie.
SPEAKER_01 (24:58):
You know what?
I thought you said keep this PG13.
SPEAKER_03 (25:02):
I did.
I made Apple Cobbler.
I made Apple Cobbler, and youhaven't eaten it.
SPEAKER_02 (25:08):
You haven't eaten it.
SPEAKER_03 (25:09):
You know what I would like to know?
I want to know what everybody'sdoing for Thanksgiving this year
because you know, there's somuch going on, and what is pee
first of all.
I see, this is my husband'sfault.
I'm sorry.
That's his fault.
I apologize.
But like, you know, all the foodassistance is temporarily
paused, and then grocery pricesare through the roof, and
(25:32):
they're only gonna get worse.
So, what is everybody doing?
What's everybody doing forThanksgiving?
Like, you know, instead of apotluck dinner, people bring
like, you know, here's thirtydollars for cranberry sauce can.
I mean, really, it's crazy.
SPEAKER_01 (25:48):
It'd be spam and potted meat.
SPEAKER_02 (25:51):
What is potted meat?
SPEAKER_01 (25:53):
I'll have to buy you some.
SPEAKER_02 (25:54):
No, thank you.
You don't even buy me aChristmas gift.
Why are you gonna buy me pottedmeat?
SPEAKER_00 (25:58):
It's kind of like um kitty pate.
You can save that shit.
SPEAKER_03 (26:07):
Spanks, but no spanks.
Uh-uh.
No.
Am I gonna have to get dad torecord me at some point?
Because you are like I'm aboutout.
How is that possible?
I know.
I've been up as long as you howmany naps should you take today?
SPEAKER_01 (26:25):
None.
And you're over here yawning.
SPEAKER_03 (26:27):
Because it's infectious.
I yawn because you yawn.
SPEAKER_01 (26:30):
So I'm I'm a disease.
I'm a virus.
SPEAKER_03 (26:33):
Are you lifelong?
SPEAKER_01 (26:36):
Lifelong virus?
SPEAKER_03 (26:38):
Are you with me forever?
Lifelong?
SPEAKER_01 (26:40):
Yes.
Then your ball and chain.
Sometimes you're bitch.
I got that twice?
Because I did the dishestonight.
SPEAKER_03 (26:50):
Uh no, no, sir.
I cleaned up after dinner.
Uh okay, what holds hold thefort.
Number one, I unloaded thedishwasher and then loaded it
and ran it.
Unloaded that one and loaded itagain, and then went down and
did laundry.
Then I switched them all over.
Then I've made dinner.
I've worked all day.
I've answered, I can't tell youhow many emails, worked on
(27:11):
submissions, done courses,created classes, took care of
dad, took care of Faith, cleanedup the house, and you're saying,
what?
And I made dinner.
You came home and dinner was onthe table.
SPEAKER_01 (27:24):
So because I put it there.
SPEAKER_03 (27:26):
Who cooked it?
SPEAKER_01 (27:28):
Well, you did.
SPEAKER_03 (27:30):
So you're saying, What?
You know what?
You're still bent out of shapebecause another prank was pulled
on you today, and I'm here totell you that your father was
partially behind it.
Oh, so he came home and said hewas gonna run an errand and
Faith was gonna go with him.
So he said, Hey, can you I needto get some sweet tea before I
leave?
And so, okay, so our wonderfulchild runs in and gets and is
(27:54):
talking with dad in the process.
Dad has given her a couple ofdifferent phenomenal prank ideas
that you have not seen yet,babe.
And so she comes out laughingand what what's so funny?
Oh, his thermos.
Did you put tea in it?
Yep.
Oh, okay, great, good job.
(28:15):
It's unsweet.
Oh crap.
And so she takes it and gives itto him.
He cannot stand unsweet tea.
I drink it all day long.
He hates it.
And so she filled his thermos.
SPEAKER_02 (28:36):
What did you do?
SPEAKER_01 (28:38):
I spent the next hour parched.
SPEAKER_00 (28:41):
What did you do when you tasted it?
Realize what it was.
What the heck?
SPEAKER_01 (28:45):
I said, this is disgusting.
And then I I just put it downand looked at her.
She said, How's your tea, Dad?
And she started laughing.
SPEAKER_03 (28:53):
How is that the tea from dinner?
SPEAKER_01 (28:56):
No.
SPEAKER_03 (28:56):
How was that tea?
SPEAKER_01 (28:59):
I don't remember.
You drank it all.
I'm gonna wrap this up.
I mean, you're gonna wrap thisup.
No, but you are go ahead.
No.
SPEAKER_03 (29:07):
No, if you're gonna end our show early and you're
already tardy because youweren't around, then I I can't
help it.
Don't say you have a medicalcondition because that's a load
of crap.
And what condition is that?
SPEAKER_01 (29:21):
Narcoleptic.
SPEAKER_03 (29:22):
No.
SPEAKER_01 (29:23):
Yes.
SPEAKER_03 (29:24):
No.
SPEAKER_01 (29:29):
Mine is at will, narcoleptic.
Love you.
SPEAKER_03 (29:35):
Who are you saying I love you too?
You.
Well then take us out since youwant to end it so early.
SPEAKER_01 (29:40):
I you got it.
Nope.
SPEAKER_03 (29:41):
You have to because you are ending this too early.
Go ahead.
Take us out.
Are you serious?
SPEAKER_01 (29:50):
They like your voice.
Thank y'all for listening to acontagious smile.
Unstoppable.
Michael.
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