Barely Famous

COFFEE CONVOS: “Stability Is The New Success” - In this episode, Kail and Lindsie dive deep into the changing definitions of success, prioritizing peace and stability over chaos. They share on whether a cheater can truly be reformed, the exhausting nature of maintaining fake friendships to avoid conflict, and the emotional struggle of being a twin mom. Plus, they explore the difficulty of maintaining privacy while living i...

This week on Barely Famous, Kail sits down with someone who’s been part of her kids’ world for years, coach, mentor, former college standout, and NFL athlete - Jamal Merrell

What starts as a conversation about youth sports quickly turns into something much deeper.

From growing up in Delaware and navigating family loss, to chasing big dreams at Rutgers and getting the call from the NFL, Jamal opens up about the highs, the set...

In this milestone birthday episode, Kail sits down with her son Elliott as he turns 16 for an honest, thoughtful conversation about growing up and stepping into a new phase of life.

They talk about responsibility, independence, and the pressures that start to feel very real at this age, along with navigating identity, boundaries, and self-confidence. The episode explores the parent-teen dynamic from both perspectives, touch...

Kail sits down with Larry Normile owner of Artistic Additions in Dover, Delaware for a conversation that starts with tattooing and turns into something so much bigger. Larry opens up about learning to tattoo as a teenager, how tattoo culture has changed over the years, and why he’s passionate about shifting the judgment people still carry around visible ink.

The heart of the episode is Larry’s groundbreaking work inside...

This week on Barely Famous, Kail talks to Sarah Turney, a true crime advocate and host of Voices for Justice, to discuss the heartbreaking disappearance of her sister, Alyssa Turney. Sarah reflects on her family’s complicated history, her father’s troubling behavior, and her relentless fight for justice. She also shares how she rose to prominence on TikTok and uses her platform to advocate for unsolved cases, turning trage...

This week on Barely Famous, Kail talks to Freida McFadden, the author behind thrillers like The Housemaid and The Boyfriend. She reveals the secrets behind crafting her signature plot twists and shares the struggle of balancing dual careers as a physician and writer. Freida also gives listeners an inside scoop on her books being adapted for film and TV. Plus, she reads some hilariously mean reviews of her satirical novella...

Kail is joined by Alessandra for an unfiltered catch-up that somehow starts with joking about making a song, and quickly spirals into… everything. They talk about why 2025 felt so heavy, how burnout and the state of the world can kill creativity, and what it’s like having strong opinions online while trying to protect your peace.

They also get into feminism, “opinions” vs. basic human rights, and the complicated pressure ar...

In this episode of Barely Famous, I’m sitting down with my sister Mikaila for the very first time on the podcast, and it’s the raw, complicated sister story that so many of you have asked for but also the one I wasn’t sure I was ready to tell. We talk about how she found out I even existed, the Facebook friend requests her mom made her delete, and how the adults in our lives couldn’t get their shit together enough for us t...

On this episode of Barely Famous Kail sits down with author Layne Fargo, writer of The Favorites, They Never Learn, and Temper, to talk toxic women, ambition, and why being an “unlikable” female character is actually the goal.

They get into the dark, figure-skating drama of The Favorites (inspired by the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan scandal), full-cast audiobooks and what it really takes to keep writing after 100+ agent rej...

This week on Barely Famous, Kail sits down with internet personality Trisha Paytas. Trisha opens up about her unique experiences with fame, from viral moments to the joys and challenges of motherhood, all while balancing her personal life with a massive online following. They dive into Trisha’s past controversies, her favorite pop culture moments, and the journey of self-growth that has shaped who she is today.

For full vid...

Delaware-born linebacker Debo Williams joins Kail this week to talk honest, unfiltered life after football, chasing the NFL dream, and becoming a 23-year-old tech entrepreneur. From growing up in Smyrna, grinding his way from an under-recruited high school athlete to the University of Delaware and then transferring to play SEC football at the University of South Carolina, Debo breaks down what college recruiting actually l...

In today's episode Kail sits down with the Dude Dads for a candid, funny, and unexpectedly tender catch-up that hits everything from joining the “dead dads club,” visiting her estranged father before he passed, and what closure actually feels like. Tom and Jerry open up about losing their dads, addiction in the family, and why the first holidays without someone you love can wreck you.They swap stories about fatherhood, lin...

This week Kail sits down with Jazmin Knighton from MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 for a raw, 20-years-later conversation that goes way beyond the glitz and the glam. Jazmin opens up about being adopted as a teen , reconnecting with biological family, how reality TV edited her voice, and the fallout of internet comments before social media exploded. They unpack foster-care failures, sibling resentment, breaking generational cycles...

Kail sits down with Jemmye Carroll from The Real World & The Challenge for the reality-TV convo we’ve waited years to make happen. They get real about how early fame shaped their lives, grief, and why Jemmye chose to keep her relationships offline. Jemmye breaks down Challenge casting, why she walked away, and which shows she would do next . Kail and Jemmye compare Teen Mom vs. Challenge pressures, talk exit strategies...

Kail sits down with Dr. Sarah Hensley; social psychologist, researcher, and “Love Doc” to break down attachment styles in real life: secure, anxious, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant. They dig into how early childhood shapes adult relationships, the anxious/avoidant dance, and what it actually takes to move toward a secure attachment style . If you’ve ever wondered “why do I pick the same partners?” or “can people...

Lucy Score; indie romance powerhouse joins Barely Famous for her first in-person pod to talk pen names, slow-burn swoon, and building a publishing empire from the ground up. We get the adorable origin of “Lucy,” how a self-published book hit #1 on Amazon, and the role Mr. Lucy plays running the business so she can write.

Lucy talks about her brand-new series starter Story of My Life. We dig into writing sprints, why she onl...

Two weeks after meeting her dad for only the second time in her life, Kail got the call that he had passed away. In this emotional episode of Barely Famous, Kail sits down with Kristen to talk about grief, estranged parents, and finding closure after years of distance. Kail opens up about what it’s like to lose a parent you barely knew, navigating complicated family relationships, and processing complicated grief, the kind...

Daphne Woolsoncroft true-crime podcaster and debut thriller author joins Barely Famous to talk about Night Watcher, her chilling new novel about a Portland radio host who receives a terrifying on-air call that dredges up a serial killer from her past. Daphne shares how years of researching cases for Going West shaped her victim-first approach, why she spotlights lesser-known and BIPOC stories, and how her own family traged...

Your favorite duo is back together again wreaking havoc. Kail and Matt open up about the loneliness that comes with fame, Matt spills all the tea on his throuple situation and the messy realities behind viral moments. They also talk touring, new music, and how performing became their lifeline. Listen for savage honesty, big laughs, and moments that prove growth isn’t always tidy.

For more of Matt check out mattmathews.com

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