My Daughters CONFRONTED Me About Being a Mobster Dad

➡ The speaker, a father, discusses his past life, including his time in prison and financial struggles, with his daughters for the first time. He acknowledges that he was absent for eight years and that his return was challenging for the family. He also mentions his daughters’ feelings of favoritism towards one sibling. The speaker then promotes a news platform, Ground News, which he uses to stay informed about media bias and ownership.
➡ The speaker, a father, discusses his past life and its impact on his daughters. He didn’t spoil his children and made them earn their way, despite his wealth. He plans to financially support them after his death. His daughters, now grown women, have faced their own struggles and are considering starting a podcast to share their experiences. The father has never discussed his past life as a mobster with his children, but plans to do so in a candid conversation.
➡ The speaker is planning to host events every Tuesday and Thursday, and is considering including his sons and a woman named Julia in future sessions. Despite his sons’ reluctance to be on camera, he hopes to share their perspectives. Julia, who has overcome a tragic situation, will also be invited back to share her story. The speaker also invites listeners to join the ‘Francis family’ for exclusive content and community benefits.
➡ The text is a conversation about growing up with a father who was often in jail. The speaker shares memories of visiting their dad in jail, the discomfort of the experience, and the impact it had on their family life. They also discuss their dislike for gangster movies due to their personal experiences, and the instability they faced growing up due to their father’s lifestyle. The speaker also mentions their parents’ tumultuous relationship and how it affected them.
➡ A woman reflects on her childhood, noting her father’s absence and the financial instability that marked her upbringing. Despite moving frequently and living in large houses, she recalls the stress her father faced trying to maintain appearances. As an adult, she’s determined to be financially independent and avoid relying on a man for financial security. Her sister shares similar experiences, noting how their past has influenced their relationships and financial decisions.
➡ The speaker discusses their struggle with financial responsibility, influenced by their desire to live a lavish lifestyle and their upbringing. They express the stress of trying to keep up with others’ lifestyles and the importance of learning to say no to unnecessary expenses. They also touch on their personal life, mentioning a divorce and their preference for independence over remarriage. They reflect on their personal growth, becoming more confrontational and independent over time due to personal experiences and challenges.
➡ The speaker, an older sibling, discusses the pressures and expectations they faced growing up, which led to feelings of resentment and disappointment. They struggled with their life choices, relationships, and the delay in achieving personal goals like marriage and children. Despite these challenges, they’ve learned to accept their past mistakes and are now feeling stronger and more self-aware. They also express excitement about starting a podcast with their sister, hoping to share their unique perspectives and experiences, and connect with others who may have similar stories.
➡ The text is a conversation about family dynamics, the impact of reality TV, and the importance of father figures. The speakers discuss their reluctance to participate in a reality TV show, unlike the Kardashians. They also talk about their relationships with each other and their parents, including feelings of favoritism towards the youngest sibling. The role of a father figure in the family is also discussed, with differing opinions on its importance.
➡ The text is a conversation about the differences in family dynamics, the struggles of adulthood, and the impact of social media. It also discusses the importance of showing the real side of life, not just the glamorous parts. The conversation ends with a personal story about overcoming weight issues and becoming a personal trainer.
➡ The speaker discusses their love for fitness and how it helps them mentally, especially on bad days. They also train women through various stages of their lives and enjoy teaching fitness classes. They mention their autistic child and the challenges and rewards that come with it, expressing a desire to share their experiences to help others. Lastly, they touch on family dynamics, particularly their strained relationship with their half-siblings from their father’s previous marriage, and their father’s intention to mend those relationships.
➡ The speaker is discussing a strained family relationship due to distance and past events. They express a desire to reconnect and nurture these relationships, especially with their nieces and nephews. They also mention launching a podcast on September 2nd, hoping to share their experiences and perspectives, and possibly bring their mother into the conversation. The speaker ends by expressing excitement and hope for the future of their family relationships and the upcoming podcast.

You, Gray, I’ve never asked you or talked about my former life in any way, shape, or form with any of you. Never. Never even talked about the fact that I was married once before. Obviously, you know that you have. You have brothers and sisters, half brothers and sisters. But I know it’s kind of crazy that we didn’t talk about this stuff. Does it bother you that I never talked about it, never brought it up, or never we never had a conversation about it? Do you wonder how come dad never did that? Or you should have been like, it’s not fair that I was gone for eight years.

I should let my kids kind of be acclimated to the fact, like, if that’s like, a new thing, you know, like, parents today would think about that. Like, I get. I could see why back then, you’re like, I was gone for eight years. I’m coming right into where I need to be. But I think you should have had a little bit more. Like, they were doing their thing and getting on without me. I kind of need to take that into consideration as I come back to my family. When you came home, it was like, wait, what do you mean? You’re mad at me? You’re telling me what to do? Like, you and mom are, like, kind of doing your own thing.

And it was just like. That is what I think is, like, was kind of, like, shocking to us. I’ve never said this to you before, but I know you both feel there’s some kind of special relationship between Jules and I that is missing with all of the rest of you. I’ve heard it from all of you. Is that true? Do you resent me? You definitely do. You know, I was in college and, like, my car is going to get, like, repossessed. And then Julia had, like, a brand new laptop, and I’m just, like, interesting. But you definitely do.

Hey, everyone. Welcome to another sit down with Michael Franzese. Hope everybody is doing well. All is very good, very blessed on this. And my friends, as always, I give all the praise, honor, glory, and Thanksgiving to our God for that. You know, I think was about three. Three and a half years ago that I had three of my five daughters on a podcast with. We were in the old studio, and we sat down and just, you know, talked, and we didn’t get too deep into anything. It was more lighthearted and fun and all of that. But they didn’t want to come back on again, you know, I said, come on.

You know, people are asking, let’s get back on. They didn’t want to do it. You know, my kids are different. They’re funny. They’re not the Kardashians. There was a big, big, big production company, wanted to do a reality television show on our family. They weren’t into it. None of them. I was surprised, but they’re not into being in front of the camera. But I keep asking them, asking them. And recently, two of my daughters, Amanda and Mikhail, Mikhail being my oldest, with Camille and Amanda, II said, yeah, dad, we’ll come on with you again. I said, wow, okay, I’m going to put you on the spot and we’re going to get on again.

And, you know, I think I had. Not too long ago, I had my daughter Julia on, but she talked about that tragedy, unfortunately, with her former boyfriend, young, wonderful kid Alec, that unfortunately had that tragedy. You know, he. He passed away. Let’s leave it at that. And she was very open about it, and people really appreciated it. And, you know, I have to say this. You know, I think a lot of people get the wrong impression of me and my family at times. What do I mean by that? You know, I did eight years in prison, and when I came home, it wasn’t, hey, everything was wonderful, you know, get right back into the groove.

I had a very difficult time. You got to understand the circumstances. Number one, people were very upset with me back in New York. No question about it. You know, was there a contract on my life? Yes, there was. And as a result of that, it was very difficult for me with, number one, that kind of mob mentality, moving out of New York, coming to la, where I didn’t have a lot of experience in LA at all, changing my entire life, watching out for myself and my family and trying to get back on my feet. Because, listen, the government, you know, they went through me pretty hard.

I mean, I owed them, you know, at that time, $15 million that I had to pay them, $5 million in forfeitures. They took a lot from me. And then, you know, Irizo and I, my former partner in the gas business, we had $33 million in a bank account that they got. You know, a great portion of that money was mine. So they really put a dent in me. Now, my wife didn’t have to work for eight years while I was away. I was able to take care of her. When I got home, it was under some very difficult conditions.

Living out in Beverly Hills and all that, you know, dodging bullets at some time and still trying to make a living. It was difficult, no question about it. And the cost of living out There Very, very high. I had still, you know, I had settled my issues with the Department of the treasury, but I still had the IRS coming after me for $100 million. I mean, it was rough, I got to tell you. And so it wasn’t that I came out into a bundle of money and everything was wonderful. And, you know, we live, you know, the life of Riley again.

That’s an old saying. The life of Riley. It was difficult, to say the least. And we struggled in many, many ways. I never tried to make my family know that. I never sat down and talked to them about it. I never gave them the ins and out of what’s going on until this very moment. As a matter of fact, until today, I have never sat down with my children and spoke to them about my former life, I or any of the things that I’m going to ask my two daughters about today. Because if we’re going to do this, you may as well know the truth, and you may as well hear it.

And I want to hear what they have to say from. From their perspective. You know, how did you feel, you know, that your dad was a mobster at one time? How did you feel with some of the things that I did? How was it, you know, acclimating yourself to me again after me being away for eight years? You know, do you have any resentment towards me? I have never asked them this before. And, you know, I’m honest with you. I’m as honest as I possibly can be with you. And if I’m not being hon. Not saying anything, I’m never going to mislead you.

And I’m not going to lie to you. If I don’t tell you the truth, it’s only because I’m not saying anything, period. You know, that I think most of my followers understand that. My friends, I know something about having power. Whether it’s on the streets or in the media, it’s all about who controls the narrative. And right now, the mainstream media is trying to control yours, whether you realize it or not. I’ve been using this platform called Ground News, and it’s completely changed how I look at the news. Let me show you exactly what I mean.

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So don’t wait on this. Take control of your information today. You want to be in the know the right way and get to Ground News. It’s an offer that you shouldn’t refuse. So I’m going to ask them straight out. You know how they feel. They may surprise me. Maybe we’ll get into it a little bit. Maybe I’ll feel bad. Maybe I’ll have some guilt. Maybe I’ll get mad. I don’t know. And I want you to know this. I didn’t spoil my kids. When I started getting back on my feet, I didn’t throw money at them. I made them earn their way.

I want to see how they feel about that because, you know, they think dad is pretty well off. Why are you helping me out that I will tell you this. I didn’t say this to them, and I’m probably not going to say this to them. But when my time is up on this earth, I intend to take care of all of my kids. Let’s put it that way, all right? In that respect, I know what I need to do, but I let them pretty well develop themselves. I mean, I was there with their father and I guided them and I helped them and I put them through college and I did all the things I needed to do.

We took them on vacation, a lot of stuff. We had a lot of struggles in between, but I did all of that. So I really want to hear. And why am I doing it on social media? Well, why not? I’ve been pretty open with all of you people, and, you know, I think they have a lot to offer. They’re two grown women now. To me, they’re always going to be daddy’s girls, but they’re two grown women now. They have a different perspective. They grew up in some tough conditions, and I think they’re going to. I think they’re going to give you some good information.

They’re going to give me maybe some good information. Hopefully, I don’t get upset with them, but we’ll see. And a special announcement. You know, they are thinking about getting together for their own podcast. I was surprised. I really was. I said, I didn’t bring that up to them. I never suggested it to them. And they said, you know, dad, we’re kind of thinking about it. I said, really? She said, yeah. Both of them said, I think we have a lot to offer to people to let them understand how we grew up. You know, one of my daughters is married and divorced.

Amanda, she’ll talk about that. Mikael got married late in the game. She had a lot of struggles throughout her life. She’s got a good perspective. Having grown up with me, you know, believe me, not easy and very different. And I think they’re going to have a lot to share, and I think it’s going to be very relatable. My daughter, Amanda, she has an autistic child. What she’s done with this child, a very severe autistic child, and what she’s done with this child, amazing. I really. I’m so proud of her for the way she’s handled her son and the way she’s allowed him and helped him to develop, giving him so much love and so much attention.

And you could really see it, really see it. I know autism is. Is big. And unfortunately, in today’s world, you know, and maybe it’s being diagnosed more properly now than it was years ago. Never really heard about autism when I was growing up, you know, Mikhail, too, she was at one time, I have to say this, you know, she was a bit overweight. I would never say that to any one of my daughters. I’m just not that way. But how she changed her entire life, you know, what hit her? What? I’m going to ask her this, because I’ve never asked her that.

Never had this conversation with either of them. The things that I’m going to ask them about today, you know, how did growing up with me affect your choice in the man that you were with? You know, how did it affect you? You know, do you want somebody not like your dad, or do you want somebody like your dad? I hope I get the right answer there. You know, what do you think of mob movies. Do you like to watch them now? Do you not like to watch them? You know, what do you think of that life? And I think they’re different in many ways.

So you’re going to hear some different perspective from them. But, you know, I think it’s a good thing. I really do. I think that people need to. To hear from people that they can relate to. Some of you think that because I’m Michael Francis, we didn’t go through the same challenges, the same stuff, you know, sibling rivalry at time and all this stuff that people go through that maybe we didn’t go through that. Well, you’re going to be surprised. So this is going to be informative for both you, my viewers, and me, myself. And, and let’s see where we go from there.

So without any further delay, it is really my pleasure and very excited to bring on two of my five daughters, Mikel and Amanda Franzese. All right, girls, I know you’re women and ladies now, but you’re always daddy’s girls. So I can still call you girls. You know, about three years ago, I think it was in my old studio, we had a sit down and there was you two and your baby sister Julia. And ever since then, I’ve been getting bombarded. I think we’ve got a million views on that or close to it. But I’ve been getting bombarded with questions.

One of your daughters coming back on. So apparently people enjoyed that. But, you know, I looked over it. I don’t think we got into a real genuine discussion. And I have to tell you this, I have never sat down with any of my children, not even my boys, and talked about my former life. I’ve never asked you how it was growing up with me in prison. I’ve never asked you what you thought of me being a mobster. And that’s what I was. I mean, I’m not going to sugarcoat anything. And I really just want to have that discussion.

And I chose to have it on camera because I think my viewers would be very interested in that. And I know there’s a reason we’re doing this, another reason. We’ll get to that. But I want to ask you some tough questions first. And I know you’re going to be honest. I know neither one of you is shy. I found that out over the years. And so I want to. I really want to get into it. You know, what did you. What do you think of my past and me being who I was? Oh, wow. Same like now question.

Well, listen, you grew up with It. You visited me in prison for eight years. What the heck was going on? Back when we were little, right. I don’t think we realized the scope of. Maybe when we woke up in the morning, there was, like, 50 policemen, like, pointing their guns at the house. We kind of were like, what’s happening here? Other than that, I don’t really remember any part of, like, the gangster life. It’s only, like. We only hear it through, like, your story. So it’s almost like a story to us because it doesn’t seem, like, real, if that makes sense.

Because we were like. We came way after. I mean, I think we knew, like, okay, were different than, like, our friends. Like, why do I have to go visit my dad somewhere every weekend? Like, you know, I went to my friend’s houses. Their dads were there for the most part. I think mom did such an incredible job at making those trips to go see fun. That. That was, like. Those were the memories that kind of stood out. But I remember, you know, leaving you and crying and not wanting to leave you because knowing that you weren’t coming with us, and it would be a little bit till we saw you.

But as far as, like, why you were there, obviously, we were so young, and mom never really shared that part with us. And even as we got older, or anything with us, really. Yeah, mom didn’t. No. Still now it’s like. And we haven’t read the books, and as we got older, it was like. I mean, I say, even to this day, like, people will be like. Like a week ago, oh, my gosh, I just saw your dad. I didn’t even know that was your story, that your dad was out. And I’m like, yeah. It’s not like.

I’m like, hi, I’m Mikhail Prenzis. I’m, like, the daughter of an ex mobster. Like, I don’t talk about it unless someone asks me. It’s just, like, kind of. I don’t know. Let me ask you. Are you embarrassed by it at all? No, I don’t think I’m embarrassed by it. I just. I don’t know. I get. You say, well, I’m not shy. I think I am kind of shy when it comes to certain things. And, like, I’d rather, like, just not talk about it on my own unless someone comes up to me, and they’re. They’re usually, like, so excited or so intrigued, and I’m like, yep.

To me, it’s like, yep, that’s just my dad. Like, it’s cool. They’re like, so Star, you know, struck. And I’m like, it was definitely a whirlwind growing up with you as a dad, but I don’t share those stories with a lot of people. I remember one time, Mick, I think it was you, when mom said, we’re going to visit dad in school or at work. And I was in LA County Jail. They had me in solitary, and across my shirt it said LA County Jail. And you turn to mom and say, why does it say LA County Jail if we’re going to school to see Daddy? Something like that.

I don’t know if you remember that. Yeah. Do you? Yeah, that happened. And that’s like. That was the. Oh, my gosh. That was the absolute worst. I don’t remember ever. I remember. I just remember the hangings, right? That was LA County. That was LA County. I remember the long lines outside with mom with all these, like, just. I don’t know, these. All the moms with their kids, you know, because I usually. The women going to visit the men or. I don’t know if they have it separated like that or how that works, but, yeah, I just.

I remember that was like. It was like a cattle call. It was just so uncomfortable. Long waiting and then going in there, not even being able to, like, hug you or anything. Being there sitting next to all the people, it was just. That was we, like, very affectionate with you? I don’t remember that. I don’t feel like we were. No, you were. Oh, yeah. Whenever you came to visit Lompoc, we were. Because we could. But I don’t remember as Lompoc and Terminal Island. Well, you. You were young Mandy in Terminal Island. I remember Lompoc in Terminal island, too, so.

Yeah, well, mom made it fun. Well, it was fun because they had, like, a playground seesaw. The Bouncer Sun. Yeah. They had the little cheese burritos. Yeah, I was going to say the little p. Cheese burritos or the microwave lasagna. We had, like, the snacks that we loved there. Like, those are the little things. I don’t remember. I remember. Or that. Then I bet you Michael doesn’t either. Let me ask you, Chr. Did you ever have any kind of resentment, you know, that I was in that life? Look, it’s. It’s a bad life. It’s not about.

It has nothing to do with the life. Like, we don’t. Like. I don’t see you like that again. Like, when we. When I hear your testimony, it’s like a. It might as well be a movie, because I don’t. You Know, like, that’s for me. I can’t even watch gangster movies. I tell you. Like, I. Last night I knew she and Beatle on the screen. I might get those guys off. I just can’t even hear it. I can’t listen to it. It turns me off so much. So maybe, like, in a weird way, I do resent it, but I just, like, don’t want to have anything to do with any sort of gangster mobster movie.

Like, won’t watch Godfather, just. I can’t. So, like, I’m the opposite, really. You do, which are theories, but, like, I just don’t. I like, even. What’s his name? Pesci. Like in. I love him as an actor, but when I hear his voice at like, gangster New York, I’m just like, ugh. I. I can’t. And why do you think that is? I don’t know, something to do with me or. I think it’s more do your testimony and like, traveling with you. And then, like, you know, I work with you for a little bit and then like hearing your story over and over and over again.

You know, it’s like when you have a parent like that, you’re just like, annoyed. You’re not, you know, you’re not like, enamored. You’re just like, this is annoying. So now, I mean, I don’t feel like that way when I’m older, but I just can’t. Like the movies, I can’t do it. But I think the resentment is more like the way we, like, grew up. Like, you’re like, the way you were because you were in that life, not so much like the gangster. Well, explain that to me. How. How was I that troubled you? My friends, you may not have heard, but I now have a wine branded in my name.

Franz East Wine. I’m very proud of it. It comes from the world’s first vineyards. We have alcoholic wine and non alcoholic wine. Several varieties, fruit varieties, you’re gonna love it. Different than anywhere you’ve ever tasted before. So enjoy this with your friends. Go to Franzeastwine.com an offer you shouldn’t refuse, but a taste you’re gonna love. I think for me, you were just talking about the unstableness, the instability. Unstable isn’t even a word. The instability of everything growing up. I mean, the thing is, like, it was like super high highs and then super low lows, which was like famine.

Yeah, Feast or famine. And like, just trying to understand, you know, when you’re younger. And I think you came out and you were trying to Be. Obviously, we’re trying to be legitimate. And it was, like, it was hard for you because you were coming from making all that money, doing what you were doing, and then trying to come out and be legitimate. It was like you had, like, 75 jobs. Yeah. That were, like, always changing. And there was, like, some really cool parts to it. Like, when you were. You’re in la, in Santa Monica, and you’re working with, like, Gosh, I don’t even remember, like, Billboard and stuff like that.

Like, there was a fun stuff for Universal, like the. The Key Club. And, like, there were very cool, like, flashy, fun parts to. It was not cool. Yeah. Moving a lot, going on, like, four vacations over the summer, and then coming back and having health insurance, like, stuff like that. And, like, when we were younger, we didn’t realize, like, oh, I don’t have health insurance. Great. Like, we didn’t know, but we knew mom was not happy about it. And so I was like, that must be a bad thing, because a mom is not how you look.

That’s the biggest thing. I think you guys, your tumultuous relationship was probably the biggest effects, because, you know, kids can ride through, like, good and bad times. It affects you more when you’re older. Like, now I’m very, like, feast or famine does not work for me. Like, I would need to be right here. Like, I don’t want to be. You know, like, that drives me crazy. But as a kid, you can kind of roll with it. It was just more you and mom, you coming home and, like, changing our dynamic of, like, being really close to mom, and then suddenly you’re like, that’s my wife.

Y’, all, like, go your rooms. And I was hectare. So that. And then just, like, struggling to get on your feet. And then seeing the two of you kind of, like, go through the trenches and then never, like, talking about it with us. We were just like, what in the world is happening? So it’s just a lot of, like, different dynamics. I think that’s anything where, like, resentment comes from. Well, I guess I can understand that. You know, you said that. I don’t know if you remember this, but when I got home for the last time, we left Lompoc and we went to.

We stayed in a hotel. What was in it? Red Lion. Red Lion. I don’t even remember the name of that. Yeah, but we were there for, like, two or three days. And I think you did something wrong, Manda. I don’t know. And I reprimanded you. No, I did something good. I did something good. I had a whole nighttime routine that I never do because they were. They were like, girl, bye. Don’t act like you do this every night. And you. Well, maybe you reprimanded me, too, but I remember the positive, so I guess this is. No, you’re gonna say when she called you that man.

Yeah. Why is that man. That man is yelling at me, meaning me. And your mom said, that’s your father. But that was the first time we had any real. We were used to, like, going to see you, happy to see us, and, like, fun times, like, having a good time with you, because that was our time. We got to share, you know, for. We didn’t know how long until the next time. And when you came home, it was like, wait, what do you mean? You’re mad at me? You’re telling me what to do? Like, you and mom are, like, kind of doing your own thing, and it was just like that.

What. What is. What I think is, like, was kind of, like, shocking to us as kids is because. Yeah, it was like mom and her little roll dogs. Like, we were just like a little posse. And we loved you, obviously. I mean, I’ve seen you go. You came home, they were like, you should have been like, it’s not fair that I was gone for eight years or however long it was. I remember, okay, I should let my kids kind of be acclimated to the fact, like, if that’s, like, a New age thing, you know, like, parents today would think about that.

Like, I get. I could see why back then. You’re like, I was gone for years. I’m coming right into where I need to be. But I think you should have had a little bit more. Like, they were doing their thing and getting on without me. I kind of need to take that into consideration as I come back to my family. Yeah. And I probably didn’t think that way, but just by explanation, there were things going on in my life that none of you are aware of. I mean, look, I can be honest with you now. I had a lot of people upset with me in New York for leaving that life, and it was tough to get back on my feet for a lot of reasons.

You know, we moved around a lot. We did a lot of different things, but, you know, it was what it was. Yeah, we survived. I think what’s crazy, though, is, like, we moved around a lot always to, like, a super nice house, like, a huge house. We were like, okay, we’re on to the next big, amazing house, or, like, we’re on to the next amazing trip. Like, two weeks on a cruise going all around the Bahamas, and two weeks in Hawaii for the summer. Like, just at the best hotel is the best. And I think, like, I appreciate that you were, like, trying so hard to, in a sense, I guess, like, keep up appearances for us, for kids or your kids, for the family, when you were probably literally, like, losing your mind behind closed doors and just, like, everything that was living in your head.

And as an adult now and now being married and seeing my husband kind of go through some. Some similar things with finances and stuff, I’m like, gosh, like, the weight of that must be so tough and just so hard to, like, be able to put on a happy face and, like, all right, we’re gonna. We’re gonna be. Yeah. Be a provider and sword. Just do what it. Absolutely everything I can to make my kids happy. Not, you know, thinking about all the things that’s a living in IA you grew up in, like, Beverly Hills. Our friends were so rich, and we were just like, you know, so, like, it’s not like you were anywhere else if you weren’t in LA or in Orange county or wherever like this.

It’s, like, so expensive. Like, keeping up the jones is like, grand w layer for two weeks. Like, everybody does it. If you’re somebody else, it probably would have been more manageable, but you came to, like, the worst place in the world to, like, recover. Absolutely. It’s like you’re already, like, you know, in the hole. You’re just going to go deeper in the hole and just, you know, to explain a little, which we never had this discussion before, you know, the government took a lot from me, millions of dollars from me, and really put me in a bad place when I went to prison.

I mean, fortunately, I had enough money to support you all while I was away for eight years. But, you know, one of the mistakes I made with mom, and it wasn’t her mistake, was mine just trying to keep her happy. I said, spend whatever you want. Don’t worry about it. Because I was always confident that when I come home, I’ll make it all up, because that’s who I was. But, you know, I didn’t realize some of the conditions that I would come out to and how difficult it was going to be. But, you know, we survived, but it wasn’t always pleasant.

I get it. We had a lot of ups and downs, a lot of turbulence. How did that. How did that affect your life or the way you think or the way you look at other guys or. Or the way you looked at other guys, I should say. How did. I mean, did it have a really rough impact on you? I think we’re in different spots. Yeah. I got areas are going to be super young. So originally. Not originally, it’s not the right word. I was like, I just remember I had, like, a drawer of all these bills, and it was, like, called the do not exist drawer.

And I remember Jason was like, what the hell is that? I’m like, these bills just don’t exist because I can’t pay them, you know? And so he’s like, oh, we don’t do that. Like, we pay our bills. And it was just like. I was like, okay. Like, here’s a. Like, okay, this guy, like, pays his bills. You know, it’s not going to be so up and down. It’s not going to be Easter famine. Turns out that it was exactly that situation, so. Which is why I’m divorced. But now, like, being a single mom and a provider, like, I am so turned off from, like, any guy pulling the rug out from underneath me.

Like, I don’t even, ever want to get married again. I don’t want to ever rely on another man. I just. And it’s not that I don’t believe in it fundamentally. Like, I wish I could, like, have a provider, but I just can’t. For me, I can’t. Like, I can’t do it. I think I would be really bad in a relationship like that because I’m like, I need to have control. I need to know where my money’s going. I need to know, like, all the bills are paid. I don’t want to go on a fancy vacation. I just want to be here.

I don’t want to go up. I don’t want to go down. I want to be here. So I think that’ll probably affect if I ever get another relationship, which is a big reason why I don’t so probably has the most effect on me now as almost four years old, so. But you’re in a different situation. I don’t know. This is tough because I definitely up until getting married, like, and I don’t want to, like, you know, talk poorly about people, but I just didn’t make the best choices when it came to dating guys. And I didn’t, I think, like, just not having you around when we were younger just kind of took a toll on me in ways that I didn’t really realize until I got into, like, so many just nonsense, poor relationships and didn’t really, like, have any standards for, like, who I was dating, you know, and that’s not because you didn’t set a standard, it’s just that I didn’t really have that until you came home when I was like 10.

And I just, I think I didn’t realize how it affected me. So I dated a lot of people that couldn’t take care of me were kind of a mess all over the place and like, you know, I was kind of a mess too. And just at the place I was in my life, those things weren’t important to me. It was kind of, you know, where it should be. It wasn’t having fun, partying, things like that, silly stuff. Just being able to like make my own money and pay for myself, like that was enough for me. But more recently I started having to take care of guys and I didn’t like that at all.

Like not having anyone being able to provide and if I wanted to do something, I had to pay for me and for them. And that was frustrating. So yeah, I definitely set a standard after that. And I was like, yeah, that was the worst. I mean it’s time to pay for yourself, but to pay for the guy. Yeah, but it was only because I was like, if I don’t pay for it and I wanted to do. I knew that cuz I would always like, what the heck? And then you have these like guys, I’m like, oh my God, she has to pay for him if they want to do anything, remember? Yeah, I never knew that.

Every time they come to dinner, it’s just like they sat there and never offer, put their hand in their pocket. I didn’t like that but, but I didn’t know you were. I’d be like, slide him my card to just like take out and put. And I’m like, this is lame. But now that I’m married, my husband does provide for me. He works very hard and he does, but you can see similar patterns. Yes, there are a lot of similarities to you. When we were younger and at first I didn’t see it, but we also dated for a year, got engaged, got married two months later.

So like I’m now learning things, I’m still learning a lot about him and he has like this desire and need to provide for me, which I love. But it’s like by any, like he can do whatever it takes. You know, sometimes he’s doing some clown moves and I’m like, babe, like come on, like what the heck are we doing? And he’s like, well baby, you know, we just went to Hawaii and now we’re doing. And I’m like. But I also had to take the blame because I’m like, I want to go to Hawaii. I want to go to Puerto Rico.

I want to go on all the trips my parents are going on. And I think sometimes I have to be like, look, if we can’t. My parents have been. You know, they earned this. They worked really hard. We’re not in the same boat. And I have to add to, like, check myself sometimes. That’s a big thing for a lot of the guys and be like, the new guy that’s just come in. Like, it’s a standard that, like, you have to have a very, very good level of, like, struggling and being able to, like, recover. And that’s a skill that you, like for some man to be able to get every giant mansion after the next.

I don’t know how you did that. Like, sometimes I’m like, how did this guy get another house? This unreal to me and all I get apartment, like a jacket, like a house. Like, it’s crazy. Like, who could do that? So I feel like these guys are like, you know, they’re jv. Like, you got to be varsity to be able to play those games. I just don’t think that they’re there and they’re trying to keep up with you. And that’s the thing. It’s like, I don’t think it’s, like, really me. It’s you that he’s trying to keep up with.

You know, it’s you and the lifestyle that the family has, because he knows it makes me happy to, like, do those things with you guys. But then I see him stressed, and I’m like, And we live in Newport Beach. You know, rent’s not cheap and all this stuff, and we own businesses, and it’s just tough. And sometimes I’m like, dang. Like, I don’t back off. And, like. And I told him recently, like, babe, if you can’t do it, you have to just say no. And I’m like, I never say no. And then you have to say.

And then he’s like, well, babe, if I say no, you’re going to be upset. And I’m like, yeah, probably. But you know what? You’re the one that’s, like, in charge of the finances, and you have to just. Just put me in check. Or I gotta put myself in check more. But, yeah, I mean, it’s funny because I do. It does stress me out when I see, like, okay, we’re, like, going here for dinner. We’re going here Hanging out with friends and spending money here. And then like all week he’s like, so stressed. Like, what the heck? And then, you know, I think that’s like, not what I want.

I don’t want feast or famine because that was really stressful when we were younger. But then I can’t get out of it. That’s what I kind of, I don’t know if I gravitated towards that. But like, I think I’m kind of part of that cycle now. Now I’m like, same that cycle. He’s the same thing. I’m like, this is. When I say something, I’m like, this is so dad coded. He gets pissed because he’s just like. I’m like, I don’t mean it like that. But it’s like, word. We cannot play these games. Like, we can’t. I don’t want to do that.

So you have to say no. The guys will never, ever, ever say no. If they get 20 grand, you guys are going on a $30,000 vacation period. If I get 20 grand, I’m like, oh, I’m paying this, I’m paying this, I’m paying this. Like, I get so excited to pay bills. I guess they hang off my credit card. So I would say that both of you are financially responsible. Oh, because of what you went through growing up. It took a while. Like I, I, it took a while. I feel like I was very financially responsible. And then I had like maybe a year or two where I was like, let’s go wild, let’s go crazy.

And now I’m like, still paying for it. So, So I just. You, you just have to realize like, these mistakes. A fun vacation is awesome, but like, it may take you two or three years to recover. And that’s like, yeah, it’s like one week. And then you’re like home, like stressed that months and months and months. Cuz it’s, you can’t recover that quickly when you, when you do that. But yeah, I mean, I’m so happy. I like built up my credit score over the last few years that took me so long. And like, I feel so proud that I’m like up there now I’m getting like credit cards, like offered to me.

Whereas before I’d like walk into a Target and Mike, oh my. Just let me just try to get this card, this Target card today. Decline. Walmart decline. And then it dings your credit even more. And I’m like, God, what the heck? But now, like, that’s not a thing anymore. And I do get excited to pay down my credit card bills, because I’m like, okay, my credit is going to go up even more. And it does feel good. Like, I’m not the most business savvy. I’m not the most, like, you know, as far as, like, investing and what to do, like, budgeting.

Like, that might not be my strong suit, but I. I definitely, like. I’m not, like, crazy shopper. I don’t buy, like, ridiculous things, and I try to. So you’re financially responsible as a result of the way things happen during your childhood? To a degree. To a degree. So what do you want? What’s your ideal husband? Your ideal. Hopefully not. What is. What is it? You’re the one I have right now. Well, listen, you. You. I happen to like Webb very much. That’s your husband? You’re married, what, a year now? A year? Infinite. I know, Amanda, I know.

Listen, unfortunately, you’re divorced. I don’t think it’s unfortunate. I think it’s very fortunate. It’s. I mean, look, you. You gave me two beautiful grandchildren, and you’re raising them extremely well. One of them that I’ve talked about a lot, that little Jax is autistic. Yes. And you’ve done a tremendous job with him. I mean, you. You’ve raised your two children. I have to say this. Jason apparently seems to be a good father. He takes them as often as he can. They seem to love him. You know, I’m looking from the outside, looking in, but it appears that way.

And he’s always very respectful to me. He’s not stupid, but, I mean, he is, but, you know, but so to me, it’s unfortunate that there’s a divorce period, but forgetting. It’s never, like, a win, obviously, but I think if. If it’s like something that’s going to make your life better, you should do it. And you just said something that I didn’t know. You’re not looking to get married again. You don’t want to get married? Really? Never? Never. I was never like that to begin with. If you guys remember that when I was young, I was not like that.

I wasn’t somebody who, like, envisioned a wedding or, like, I was not ever in my desires. I always wanted to, like, work and have a career, so I kind of was the first one to get pregnant and, like, have a kid and get married. So now I think I’m kind of where I wanted to be originally. I don’t. I wouldn’t, like, not welcome it, but I just really like my independence, and I don’t like, like a guy telling me what to do. I like to have as many Amazon packages in my front door and. And I don’t have to worry about, like, explaining them well.

You were always independent and very feisty. I know that. Yeah, probably the most feisty. You know, it’s funny because you were always feisty, always independent, not as much. Nick. You were always non confrontational. Always. Until recently. You become pretty confrontational and you speak your mind and you’ve made a. You’ve made a real reversal. Why do you think you really are? You surprised me because you were. You were the. Not that you’re not sweet now, but you were the sweetest, never confrontational. Didn’t want to upset anybody. And now you’ll. You’ll attack when you have to attack. Yes.

Why? Why do you think you made that change? I don’t know. I mean, honestly, like, I don’t want to say, like, you know, I feel like sometimes you get harder in your old age. Like I’m like so old or something, but I just feel like I. In the last 10 years, like I went through a lot, like personally just in relationships and all, like, decisions I take responsibility for and things that kind of like, I don’t know, just kind of like made me go away from the family for a little bit and not show up on Sunday dinners and like, things like that.

And I think I just, I felt like those, like separate from the family at times. And I felt like I was like on my own island and also felt like things where people would always say, oh, like, you know, Mikel always feels sorry for herself. She’s so like, innocent. She’s like mom’s favorite, blah, blah, blah. Like it is kind of like, kind of wore on me. And I think, like, I didn’t ask to be the oldest, right? I was born oldest. And I think as an older sibling, you do have this responsibility put upon you that you don’t ask for to be like a role model and to, you know, have your younger siblings look up to you and you take care of them essentially.

And I think that for whatever reason, my poor choices and just life in general, like, didn’t put me in that light. For my younger siblings, for especially my sisters, I don’t think that my really care. So we’re being. No, I know, but like, in ways that I like, should have been there and there was disappointment or Jules is like, you know, you’re my older sister, you’re supposed to be doing this. And I look up to you and it’s like all this was put on me and I was just like, whoa, like, what the heck? Like, I’m trying to figure my life out right now.

Like, I’m not happy. I’m lost. I’m, like, drowning sometimes trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I’m getting in all these dumb relationships that aren’t doing anything for me. I’m, you know, having too much fun and then, like, feeling terrible for the next few days because it’s depressing when all you’re doing is, like, trying to have fun and search for something and then you get nothing out of it. Right? So I think it’s not that I’m like, trying to be, like, spicy with everyone, but I think I just had all this, like, pressure on me to, like, be so amazing.

And like, I’m going to be 40 this year and I just got married, you know, last year and I don’t have kids yet. And all those things that she didn’t want, I wanted. And I never was like, oh, I want to be this, like, big career woman and I want to be independent and like, that’s great. And. And I love, like, working for myself and doing my own thing. But, like, I wanted the marriage young, I wanted the kids young. And again, for whatever reason, my choices led me to not having that until recently. And I think there was resentment.

Resentment, but not really, like, towards them. Like, oh, you got married before me, like, you did something wrong because she didn’t. You know, I just, I think there became a time where all the pressure from them and them thinking that, like, oh, I. I can do no wrong and I’m so this and that. Like, I know, like, I’m very aware of, like, things that I’ve done and how I’ve hurt people and the choices that I’ve made that have led to me not getting married till 38. But, you know, this is my story and I’m figuring it out and I’m finally feeling, like, strong in who I am and, like, I don’t need to hide the things that I did and the mistakes that I made.

And I think this is going to be good. Sharing that is, like, it helps me too. It’s kind of like therapeutic, you know, just like, get off my chest. And because we don’t ever do that. We don’t. That’s just not a thing. So I think you’re gonna like, have more self discovery moving forward than you ever have. And maybe you’ll let someone at resentment go so you won’t be as spicy. Yeah, you Know, basically. I mean, as you know, dad has a big, you know, presence. I’m pretty much a public figure, I would say. And people look at us like we’re the perfect family.

Perfect marriage, perfect family, perfect everything. And I think it’s important for people to know that we had a lot of struggles. You know, we still have struggles, we still go through it, but we try to keep it together, and somehow we manage. But, you know, you look at the Kardashians, like, everything is wonderful. It’s wonderful land, but I’m sure it’s not there also, you know, they do what they do for the camera, and they do what they do to keep their empire. And I think their mom has a lot to do with that because she. She sees dollars and she wants everything to keep flowing.

But I. I guarantee every family has their issues. And, you know, I found out something recently. I didn’t suggest this, and I didn’t dissuade you or encourage you, but the two of you now want to start your own podcast. Yeah. Well, what do you find out? What do you find out? Yeah, well, usually I’m the last one to know everything. You know, mom tells me, oh, I had this discussion. Discussion with the girls. And I do have to say this. You’re all pretty close with your mom. Somehow she managed throughout all of this to keep this family together while I was away and through all the stuff we had to go through afterwards.

But now you want to do your own podcast, which. Which, honestly, I think is a good idea, because I think people, you know, you have a certain perspective, like, both of you are talking about now, on different things. Family, marriage, children. But why did you all of a sudden come together, you know, and say, hey, we want to do this? What. What brought you to that decision? It’s also your idea. Yeah. Didn’t you say something about it? Yeah. I mean, I think for me, I’ve been, like, the last year, like, since I got married. Like, again, I love what I do.

I’m a trainer. I love my job, love my clients. But I’m kind of. I’ve just been like, okay, I feel like there’s something more. Like, I feel like. And I. And I didn’t even know it was this initially, but I don’t know. Like, people had mentioned things. My husband had mentioned something. He’s like, honestly, like, I think you and your sister would be great, because him and I were gonna do a podcast, and I was like, oh, Like, I don’t really know, like, what would. Like, we’re husband and Wife. Yeah, that’s cool. But like what, like it didn’t really like he was excited about it, but I was like, I’m not sure about that.

And not just because I was like, I don’t know how we could like carry that when we’ve only been together for like a year. Right. So we have to like really think about like what our topics would be. But here, this is like years and like we had thousands of built in stories and, and trauma and fun times and siblings is such a unique relationship because from like zero to you know, like your parents come and go, you know, people come and go. Spouses. But like a sibling relationship, I mean it’s like 40 years in the making.

What do you mean parents come and go? Well, I mean like sometimes, you know, I mean say your parents leave you like later in life or sometimes, I mean, unless there’s like a tragedy. But it’s this the one relationship where you literally grow up with somebody and you experience almost the same things, but you have two totally different perspectives on, on life. And we’re very different, but we have like a lot of the same like thoughts and we just, we share them differently. And I think we are very different, but we’re also like similar in a lot of ways.

And I think, I don’t know the way when we just talk or banter and we’re telling stories, you know, when we’re at family dinner and we’re all laughing about these things, it’s like, gosh, like this stuff is hilarious. Like this. We should like talk about this more because it’s kind of fun to reminisce. I mean, some things were like, oh yeah, I don’t miss that. Or that was crazy. But at the end of the day it’s like those kind of stories are what bring people together. It kind of are what make people connect. It’s what make people like think, oh, someone similar to me or I’m not alone or you know, my family’s crazy too or like, look at this.

And like, yeah, they’re relatable. I’m married now for a year, only I have no kids. She has kids. Like she’s divorced. Like we’re in just such unique places, you know. Like, I think it’s just, it’s a good age. And I also think what’s, what’s interesting about like our demographic is we’ve kind of come from parents who’ve like, I think the trauma that you guys had with your parents, like you’re kind of came out of that in a Way that emotionally we didn’t really, like, explore. So now in our generation, we’re kind of in the middle where our parents might have been a little, like, not open to, like, therapy and kind of healing and trauma.

And now we’re maybe raising kids where we want them to be a little bit more open to that. So I feel like it’s an interesting dynamic for us because we can also see, like, how you were just like, I have no time for your trauma because I grew up in a, like, crazy household. I don’t feel sorry for you. But at the same time, it’s like, okay, but we’re learning to, like, do better with our kids, and we’re kind of trying to, like. Does that make sense? Yeah. No, I think we’re trying to, like, see, like, where the hell, like, we kind of, like, figure things out.

So I think it’s just an interesting perspective. Maybe. Maybe. Like, I mean, I feel like if you asked us to do this, like, 10 years ago wouldn’t be. Yeah, no. You guys are always camera shy. You never wanted to get in front of the camera. I still kind of like camera. I don’t like photo. No. I mean, they wanted to do this whole reality TV show on the family, and you were all against it. Nobody wanted to do it. You know, unlike the Kardashians, who jump in front of the camera, you guys never want. That’s why I was a little surprised when I heard this.

You see every reality show. Like, I love reality tv, but I just feel like, like, relationships don’t. Kardashians are dipped. They’re jillionaires. Like, they could do anything now. It’s been 100 years that they’ve been on TV, but I think that’s rare. Like, look at the Chrisley’s, all these families. I feel like you guys have a lot to lose, I think. You know, like, I was like, I don’t really have anything to lose. I don’t care. But I think the older you get, you’re like, it’s just, like, not worth it. Maybe there’s a little bit more on the line than just to become reality famous.

I feel like this gives us, like, control, but it doesn’t mean, like, we don’t want to share everything, you know? Like, we want to share. We want to be raw. We want to be real. We want to have fun together. Like, for us to be able to do this, I think is just fun, too, which I’m looking for fun as well as, you know, working or whatever. But again, therapeutic, even. Just Talking about things light hearted. Like. Yeah, I just. I feel like in my 20s, if I would have done this, it would have been silly and ridiculous.

But now that we’re at the age that we’re at and. Exactly. We’re able to like, appreciate mom and dad’s perspectives more and their stories and their side of it. Because we’re having the same challenges or we’re going through the same things and you’re able to like, understand people more. And I think that gives us a better platform to share. And also we have some crazy stories that people are going to be like, what? Well, save them. There’s plenty. Seriously. Let me ask you a question. How. How good a job do you think? Because, you know, a lot of people think today that the father is not important anymore in the house.

You know, men have been feminized and whatever you want. I don’t want to get into all of that. But the role of fatherhood has been downplayed quite a bit now. I know your mother did a great job. At least I believe you. You both feel that way. But how important do you think it is to have a father figure in the house? Dang. I know I haven’t different answers to this way too. No, I. That’s not so true. I think it’s. I think I was gone out of your life for eight years. Didn’t seem like that long.

It was eight years. Yeah. And. And let me ask you this. I’ll kind of piggyback that question. Your sister, your younger sister, she was the only child that I’ve been with since birth with no interruptions. I don’t know if that’s necessarily a good thing, though. Well, let me ask you this. And obviously I know you both feel I’m going to put you on the spot. I’ve never said this to you before, but there’s some kind of special relationship between Jules and I. There is. I have. That is missing with the both. With all of the rest of you.

I’ve heard it from Michael. I’ve heard. I’ve heard it from all of you. Yeah. Do you resent. Is that true? Do you resent me for. You definitely do. Oh, I was like, what? Yeah, you definitely do. You. I think that’s one of our best conversations is. And this is something we could like dive into later. But you definitely do. I. I think it would be impossible for them not to have a different relationship. But it is hard when you’re like 100%. I think I felt that way for a long time. Like, like sometimes it’s like, you know, I was in college and, like, my car was gonna get, like, repossessed, and then Julia had, like, a brand new laptop, and I’m just like, interesting.

So I think, of course you feel that way, but I think because I became a mother early on, I was just. I put. I was in a different place kind of. I kind of was like, yeah, I stopped caring because I’m like. I’m not comparing myself. I’m a grown woman. I got a kid now like my life is. But, you know, since you were kind of in the house longer, it was like she got special treatment. She still does. She still does. If you. If you can’t get over that girl, you’re never going to survive. I had to just survive.

You’re not. You have to just move past it because it is 100% like, she. I’m not saying she’s a favorite, but she gets preferential treatment. I don’t know where the hell you want to call it. Well, let me ask you. Do you. You know, they always say the youngest to get special treatment. I don’t. Do you treat Jax any different level? Oh, my God. Well, Jax is autistic. Okay, well, that’s a huge difference. But, yeah, if you ask Olivia, she’s, you know, traumatized. Angel. Because Jax gets special treatment and I don’t. But I understand that to a certain extent.

But because he’s autistic, I don’t know if I can. If it’s the same. He’s like a perpetual toddler, so he needs a lot of, like, attention and bathing. But she doesn’t remember all the attention that she got from. She got a lot. That’s right. So, you know, which I’m sure, like, every. Like I said, she’s going to be in therapy in, like, 20 years talking about how bad of a mother I was. I guess I hope not every parent. I hope she doesn’t need therapy. She’s very well balanced and very. She’s a terrific young lady. But me, no.

So did you have any resentment towards me from the way I treated Julia? I don’t like the word resentment, but we do. But I just. I think sometimes I just don’t understand because, yes, she was the youngest, and she was, I mean, 13 years difference for me, like nine from Michael, who’s the youngest of our little tribe. But I think at just, like, a certain point, you’re like, okay, she’s 22. She’s 23, she’s 24, she’s 26. She’s 27. Like, when is it going to change where it’s not? Like, she’s still the baby. Like, we’re all now adults.

Like, I don’t. I know she likes to live at home and she works for you and all that is great, but, like, she’s not a kid anymore. She’s not 15. She’s not 18. And arguably, we would need more help being providers and having kids than she does. Like, I don’t ever want to ask you guys for money because, I mean, I don’t and I don’t rarely. Like, I think it’s been a few times in my adult years that I’ve asked to borrow money, but at the same time, I’m like, we’re like providers at this point. We would need more help financially than her.

And it seems like she always gets, like, more into me, and we’ve always worked. Why does she need it? Like, we need it. We’re white ones who are struggling. What you guys have said is, like, we know you’re like, we. We trust that you’re good, and you guys work hard and this and that. And like, now with me, like, you have someone to take care of you. And, like, all those things are great. I just think. Also, I think if, like, if Jules and I had a better relationship, those kind of things wouldn’t really bother me as much either.

You know, like, how her having. Sorry. Her having kids kind of changed her mindset. I feel like if me and Jules and I were closer and we were like, like, you know, talking all the time and hanging out all the time. And, like, we had a great relationship, which our relationship is fine. It’s not like there’s, like, so much bad. But it’s just with 13 years apart, we’re at very different stages in our life. And I just. Sometimes I’m like, okay. Like, I have to take a breath because I’m like, I still can’t. I’m sure. But they’re.

They’re in charge of the parents. They can do whatever they want, and they don’t to sometimes anything. Right. Like, you don’t owe me anything, but you don’t owe Jules anything either. But it seems like. Well, listen, you need to understand, there’s no. There’s no difference in the love. It’s just that she came into our life when I was starting to get into a better position. Yeah. In life. And she’s just the baby and she’s been at home. There’s no other. I mean, I would have treated you all the same way under the same Circumstances, there wouldn’t have been any difference.

Huh? I said, but I came home, like, four times. Every time, Manda’s like, man, why are you doing that? And I was like, because I need a place to live, girl. What do you mean? But yeah, I think that’s what also made it hard is like, I was like a adult, full blown adult, leaving the house every day to work, living with you guys. So I really, it was like, magnify for me. And I was just like, there’s just more in my jewels are just, like, waiting for her Starbucks. It’s not. If you live at the house, you’re doing it to yourself.

Because we can literally, obviously, we don’t resent you, but we could talk for, like, 17 hours about that. No resentment whatsoever. But it does, it does hurt my feelings sometimes, I have to say. Like, I, I, I just question why, like, now that we’re all adults. But again, it’s not enough. That’s like, I don’t want to be around that. Have I ever refused you of anything that you’ve asked of me? But we don’t really like to ask for things. I know, but have I refused you? No. Okay. I think it would just be, like, a little nice if sometimes you’re like, oh, I’m sure, like, they’re, like, struggling.

I don’t even want them to ask. Like, maybe, like, you know, so, like, like, I say it’s a set of Christmas presents. Like, here’s something. Like, I would if you gave me a freaking grocery car to Ralph’s for Christmas, I would be the happiest person on the planet. Please don’t say that. Like, literally, that would make my Christmas, because I’d be like, that’s something that’s extremely thoughtful and, like, I. That’s what I want. I don’t care about a bag or shoes. Like, I don’t want any of that. Mom takes care of the gifts. I don’t, I don’t.

Yeah, just stuff like that, you know, because it’s just like. And then Jules is flying first class, and you see our Instagrams. You’re like, huh, Instagram really is. I might kill. I know. You guys, I silenced for a long time because I was like, I can’t even see this. I can’t even see all the, like, fun that they’re having because I’m just gonna cry. So let me add, these are some of the things you’re gonna discuss without me being there, obviously, because this is just, this is just our discussion. But you’re gonna be on your own.

Are these some of the things you’re gonna talk about? Yeah. Yeah. But, Doug, we’re not. I’m not, like, holding back right now. Like, style stuff. Just women, trauma, motherhood, baby daddy issues, trying to survive, being a provider. Everything is with, like, dark humor. I kneel. You have to, like, treat trauma, like, humor. Well, you know, I think that’s really important because sometimes, because of my Persona out there, people think that, you know, everything is just wonderful all the time, and they don’t believe that we’ve gone through the struggles that other people go through, you know, but when people can relate to you and understand, hey, they’ve been through that, too.

Oh, we thought they were on a different level. No, it doesn’t matter what level you’re on, you know, you still go through the same stuff in life, maybe in a different way, but you still do. You look at our social media, it looks like we’re all, like, thriving beyond. Not mine, you know, but like. And not that we’re not like. Well, you don’t like social media, right? You hate it. You’re on it. You’re not really on it. I have a. Like to. Yeah, I never post. Yeah. Just. But my husband posts, because he posts all the time.

And, like, if I’m on vacation. But even then, like, Web and I are like, we don’t. We need everyone to know where we’re at all the time and what we’re doing. Like, it’s kind of nice to be personal. And then stuff like this, like, you know, you put more out there because it’s just. It’s not just a highlight reel, you know, which I think is important because that’s so, like, tough for people these days, is to look at Instagram and be like, my life looks nothing like this. Dry as sad. I’m depressed. And it’s like, to me, that’s a big.

I don’t know how to do that to people. I think if you’re going to show, like, your glamour life, you got to show the other side. Because that’s why, like, especially when you have kids. Kids. I don’t even want Olivia to have Instagram. So I’m like, you look at that and she’s already saying things. I’m just like, it’s just not reality. It’s not how it is. I think you. If you’re kind of in a public light, I guess Julie is a little bit. She should. You know, she should get a little bit more real on there and not just show, like, her first class and vacations and, you know, all that stuff, maybe that would be something she, you know, to do.

Yeah, but it’s important because it’s hard for people to see they’re not. They can’t relate to you when that’s all they see. Well, you know, I think it’s important because I think because of what you went through, you have a good perspective on things. You’ve been through a lot, honestly, and women and men too, struggle with a lot of issues today. And I think hearing your perspective on it could be very meaningful to them and maybe reassuring and encouraging that, hey, they go through it too. It’s okay, we get it. Yeah, everybody goes through. And you’re.

I have to ask you this, Mick. I don’t want to put you on the spot, but I’m going to. You. I never anticipated that you would be a personal trainer when you were growing up. You, you a little bit on the now. I would never say to either one of you know, your mom’s different. She. But I would never say this to either one of you, but you, you had a little bit of a weight issue. You’re fluffy. And then all of a sudden you turned it around and now you’re a personal trainer for all of these years and doing well.

And you have a big, you know, people that, A lot of people that you train and you’re really into it. What was, what made you make that change? I think if you talk to a lot of trainers, actually, they all have like a similar story. It’s like, yeah, it’s like you, you lost weight, you got addicted to it. It’s kind of like, I mean, it’s, it’s like kind of trading one addiction for another. So a lot of people in health and fitness were like, you know, the party a lot addicts this and that. Like, I used to go, I used to drink a lot, whatever.

So. And also I was unhealthy, just overweight when I was younger. But when I was in college, I, when I graduated, I remember I had a boyfriend. So, like, it wasn’t like my self esteem really in that sense, like, but I remember stepping on the scale and I was like the biggest I had ever been. And I was like, whoa. And it just hit me, like, when I saw the number, I was like, that is not good for my age, for my height, for like everything. And I ended up doing Jenny Craig, which is so like old school.

I was like, do people even do that anymore? I have no idea. But I did that and I lost 35 pounds in like three and a half, four months. Once I started that, I was like very rigid and disciplined. I wouldn’t stray from eating food. I worked out every day, like all that stuff. We, I remember we went on a cruise and I was like so meticulous with my eating. Like I didn’t gain one single pound when we were on there. Like, I just stayed on track, I lost the weight and I felt amazing. And then, you know, I used to hate working out when we were younger.

We did dance and stuff, but mom always used to try to get us to work out and everyone kind of loved it except for me. And then after that I got into it started, I got gym memberships doing all that. And then we moved to Orange County. Like I was serving. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after I worked for you for a little bit and I was like going to a studio and they were like, you’re great, you should teach here. And I was like, teach. Like I never thought of that. And then one thing led to the next, fell in love with it, became trainer, went to a bodybuilding competition.

Yeah, like 10 years later almost. But I just love the way it makes me feel like it is. Honestly, if I’m having a bad day, if I’m having an off week, like it is my sanity if I don’t work out. Sometimes I’m like, stay away, like keep your distance. Because it really, like I just go in there and unplug or web and I work out together and that’s really nice. Or taking a class or working out with mom or teaching, you know, mom in my class or my friends. It’s just, it’s an outlet for me. And I love like just not even physically, it just mentally how it makes me feel.

It really is like my, my saving grace some days. And I don’t know, like at this point, what I can’t imagine like not working out. And I know you’ve helped a lot of women in that regard. Correct? I can, yes. I, I love, I have the best clients. I like train women through pregnancy, after pregnancy, pre pregnancy, for their weddings, for their, you know, all these things. And I’ve had made like lifelong friends with clients. And being able to teach too is just like kind of gives me like this little, like I feel sometimes I get put on like my Britney Spears mic and I just get to be like a different person, have fun and be s.

And I’m not really like that in my day to day. Like I kind of turn on when I put the microphone on and that’s Fun, too, because it’s like a little escape. I’m having a bad day. Like, they don’t care. I have to put my phone on, and I have to teach a good class. Like, you know, you have to kind of shut it off, and it helps sometimes for that hour, and sometimes it’ll get me out of it completely. And I’m like, I’m so glad I had that class today, because now I’m in a better mood.

Okay. Amanda, you’ve. You’ve always been into fitness. Pretty much. I know you’re an athlete when you were younger. Yeah. I mean, I’ve been teaching nine years, too. And you’re still teaching, but you do spin. Yeah. That’s, like, my addiction for a long time. But I’m so over working out, though. I’m not. Yeah, but I think, you know, your mom, who. That was her lifestyle, and I think she really got you started on that, at least early on. I remember her running, pushing you in the. In that carriage or whatever you call it. Yeah. I think that’s a good, dark, amazing deal, that in us, because even if you stray for a little bit and you go through your, like, fluffy, chubby years, you know, you’re like, okay, it’s time to get back on track.

It’s got it. You got to develop it as a lifestyle. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Well, you know, I think this is. It’s. It’s interesting. I think you. You have a lot to say to people. I really mean that. Oh, yeah, we’re sure. Damn. I’m sure at some point you’ll take me over to Kohl’s when people ask questions or whatever. Yeah. You deserve a roasting. Yeah. Well, it’s okay. I can. I can bring the siblings on our show for extra roasting, too. So any. Any guests you’re thinking about bringing on at some point? I think we want to do, like, a good amount of episodes, just us, you know, kind of start there.

But, yeah, we have some. Some exciting people in mind. Definitely family. Yeah. For sure. To start. And then older. The older siblings. Who. New York siblings, some of them. Well, I can tell you this, Mandy, so many people have autistic children, and I think you can really be of help to them because of the job that you’ve done with Jax. I mean, you’ve got it down with him. It’s a lot of work, but the payoff is big. Yeah. Really big. And I think a lot of people will be interested in that. Really. I hope you’re willing to share that.

Of course. I Don’t like to, I think. But a lot of people when they talk about their autistic like when you watch that Love on the spectrum. Yeah. The show is a very glamorized side of it. Cuz they’re all like, you know, they’re not. Maybe they were severe when they were younger, but that’s not really what autism looks like every day for most of us. Yeah. Especially when you have a severely autistic child. Like I do. But I don’t like when I see like people like commiserating or they post like their son having a tantrum. I feel like it’s an invasion of their privacy, number one.

Because they don’t get to say whether they want to people to see that side of them. So I, I want to talk about the struggles and be real, but I just want people like to know how special and amazing he is and just to put like a better spin on it, if that makes sense. Yeah. You know, it’s funny you just said having a severely autistic child and I don’t see him that way anymore. Exactly. He is. I don’t even see him that way. But if I take him to the doctor, they’re going to say he’s still severe.

So I don’t even take him anymore because I’m like, I don’t need to hear that word. It can change for sure when he gets older, but he got like the most severe diagnosis you could get. But I think the difference with him just quickly because obviously it’s a lot of work but we like love on him so much. Like he’s like the king in our house. So I think he feels the love. So it doesn’t make him feel like I’m bad, I’m this, I’m that. So in his brain he’s kind of happy because he’s like, I’m the king of my house.

I feel love. I don’t feel like I’m a burden. It’s hard to do that. You have to have a lot of patience. So not. But that’s just. I don’t know. Yeah. Something I want to. Which is, which is remarkable because you’re not the most patient person around. I’m like, not all my patience goes for him. I have no patience for anybody else. But I didn’t have patience to begin with. So maybe that’s why God gave them to me. I think so. Well, I think a lot of people would be interested in that because more and more and more, you know, these young kids are being diagnosed with autism.

I Think maybe years back, they didn’t diagnose it that way, but now they’re seeing and they know what it is. Let me. Let me ask you. We didn’t get into this at all, but again, never, you know, I’ve never asked it. You agree? I’ve never asked you or talked about my former life in any way, shape or form with any of you. Never. Never even talked about the fact that I was married once before. Obviously, you know that you have. You have brothers and sisters. Half brothers and sisters. But, you know, it’s kind of crazy that we didn’t talk about this stuff.

Yeah. I mean, does it bother you that I never talked about it or never brought it up or never we never had a conversation about it? Do you wonder how come dad never did that, or. I think it’s kind of messed up. Yeah. Like. I don’t know. I wouldn’t say, like it bothers me, but it’s just kind of like, why, you know, like, why didn’t you want to share that? Was it out of respect? Was it just. He just didn’t want to talk about that. It was kind of like you were in a new chapter. I think it definitely kind of strained our relationship with the girls because it was kind of like an unspoken thing that, you know, we were so much younger and we didn’t really have a good relationship with them, which is sad because they’re our sisters and they have nieces and nephews that I haven’t even met.

But, yeah, I think more is just, like, I’m curious why, like, you didn’t want to share it. Well, I can explain that. You know, I think when I came home, we made an effort, and so people know we. They have two sisters and a brother from my first marriage and very close with your brother because he lives out here. And as a matter of fact, Mandy shares a place with you, but with the girls, I mean, they had some resentment. And we tried. Your mom and I tried to bring them aboard, but I never really felt it.

And, you know, maybe they were being told things from, you know, the other side. Who knows? But I thought at some point maybe I just got to leave them alone and not force myself on them. That might have been the wrong thing to do. You know, I have a lot of guilt about that I carry around, honestly, even though now my relationship with my older daughter Tina seems to be getting better, and we have grandchildren there. You have nieces and nephews. So I’m going to try to repair that. That’s one of the things That I want to do.

And if. Obviously, if you can help with that, that would be nice. I’m going to see Tina in September. And Chloe, just so you know, Chloe is all of a sudden asking a lot about her grandpa. Yeah, I was told that. So it made me feel good. But, you know, I think that’s. That’s the only way I can explain it. And maybe that was wrong. I’m not saying that was the right way to explain. Go about it, but it was just the way I felt. It’s never too late. No, it’s not. But I think it’s definitely going to be more on their terms.

So. Yeah, it will be. No doubt. But we’ll see. But that’s not a reason for you guys not to be close or be in touch. And you. I know you visited them recently. Yeah, Yeah. I think it’s just hard when you’re so far away and, like, for so many years, it’s like, happy birthday, Merry Christmas, and it’s like text messages, and it kind of just becomes the norm. And it does make me sad that I have nieces and nephews that I’ve never met, and they’re growing up and doing amazing things. And I remember a few times going to New York and having a lot of fun with Maria and being like, gosh, if we lived closer, I think we would have good relationships with them, But I haven’t been good at nurturing those.

And I think when we were younger, you know, I could see the resentment that they would have because if that happened to my mom, me and Manda would be pretty spicy, too, so. And Joel. So it’s like, you understand, as girls, as women, how they feel. I think it’s different with John. He wanted to have more relationship with you as a son, you know, than they did. But, yeah, I would love to. I would love to be able to see them at least once or twice a year and to meet the grandkids, your grandkids, my niece and nephew, and repair that, because it is sad.

They’re, you know, we’re blood brothers and sisters. We’re not the same dad. One thing I will say, if there wasn’t 3,000 miles between us, it wouldn’t have been this way because there would have been a lot easier to make that effort. That’s what John always says. But the distances, like, every Christmas, he’s like, why did dad have to move to California and defy her whole family? Well, I can understand him saying that, especially him. You know, like, I have to choose between 3,000 miles. I can never, like, satisfy either side. No, it’s hard. I mean, the distance really matters.

It’s not easy because, you know, you can’t communicate the same. It’s different. And being on the phone or it’s not the same. Well, listen, I. Anything else you want to say or talk about, anything you want to tell people, you know that you’re going to start this. Oh, a date? Like a launch date? Yeah. Well, I think you decided September 2nd you’re going to launch it, right? Second tattoo. Second. It’s a Tuesday. September 2nd. September 2nd. Well, coincidentally, that’s. I do my podcast every Tuesday and Thursday, so I think Tuesday and Thursday are good days to start.

Yeah, we’re excited. Excited. You ready? You ready? I’m excited. Got a lot to share. I want it to be relatable. I want it to be funny. Well, I can tell you this. I don’t know if I’ll ever be listening in, that’s for sure, but I’ll leave that alone. But I think you will. I think it’ll be good. I really do. You know, look, people. You know, people love when you’re relatable. They love to hear that, you know, you have gone through the same struggles and challenges in life that they have. Maybe different circumstances are different, but the same siblings rivalry, whatever you want to call it, you know, broken homes with parents.

Hopefully not too many of them out there with the parents in jail. But you’re going to see a lot of that anyway, because I get a lot of that. But. And just to know what you’ve gone through and how you’ve dealt with it, and through it all, through it all, we’ve managed to pretty much keep it together through all the ups and downs. And I think if people are really determined to do that, they’ll make it happen. Yeah. Hopefully you can encourage some people out there. And I also know you’re very witty, Amanda, and you are.

You have different ideas on things. I knew it’s going to be fun. Just please control yourself. Yes. Control yourself. I will control myself. As much as I know you’re on your best behavior right now because you’re sitting with dad, but I don’t know what’s going to happen after that, but. But. Sounds crazy. I think it’ll be super cool, though, for, like, your audience, too, to see, like, a whole nother side of, like, you and your story through, like, other people’s eyes, because it’s like, I think they have, like, one vision of you. Yeah, well, they do, you know, and I’m glad this came out because I think people think I came out of jail.

And right away everything was wonderful and terrific and we just went on our merry ways, you know, it wasn’t like that. No. So it’s. It’s good for people to know that. And I’m pretty. Listen, I tell my people. I’ll be as honest as I possibly can with you. I’m not going to lie. I may not say things because I don’t want to say them or I can’t say them, but whatever you hear from me is going to be the truth. If you don’t hear it, I mean, I’m not going to mislead anybody. And I know you’ll be the same.

You’ll be more honest than I will because I think you have less of a filter than I have. At least you a man, Mikhail. You may control yourself a little better, but I think I’m going to pull it out of her. I’m going to pull it out of her slowly or a little slicier than I usually am. And one of these days, you should be able to do what I. I’ve never been able to do, and that is get your mom to sit down with you. I’ve never been able to. She won’t. Come on. She doesn’t want to talk.

She’s. I’m behind the camera, not in front. I don’t blame her, but I think she would talk with us because we could wrote. She. She has good stories, too. A lot of our good, funny stories are obviously with her, so she remembers them well. So I think it’s a dip. I think she’s tired of the same, you know, like, conversation with you. This is like a whole different. Well, just. Just let me know if she intends to come on, because I’m gonna have to tell her some things. Not that she’ll listen anyway, you know, she doesn’t listen to me.

Butter her up first. Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter. She’ll do her own thing. But. Yeah, I’ve never been. I’ve asked her many times. Sit down with me. I think we’ll do all the girls. Yeah. Or even, like, her and Liv are super cute together. Yeah. I’m grateful for that. Yeah, I think you should do that because I’ve never really heard from her, her perspective on all of this. Neither of we. Well, we just, like, remember the memories. Yeah. Yeah. Remember the memories. Is that right? No. Right. Oh, it is. Okay. Well, listen, thank you both. Remember.

Oh, yeah. Remember. Yeah. Thank you both for agreeing to sit down And I, I wish you all the best on this. Hopefully it works out well for you and you have a good, a good platform and people enjoy it. They’re entertained and they’re informed and they’re educated and you have a good time doing it. I think they’ll be very entertaining, to say the least. Well, there you have it. I’m a little bit taken back by some of the things that I heard from my two daughters, but I have to say this, I’m excited that they’re willing to share, you know, some of their perspective on life, on growing up with me, on just everyday things with all of you.

I, I really am. I’m proud of both of them. I mean, we had our ups and downs. Amanda, Amanda, my very feisty one, Mikhail wasn’t feisty until last couple of years. She, I don’t know, switch went off in her and she got pretty feisty at times. But they are good girls, good women, I should say. And I think that you’re going to enjoy their, their perspective on things and I think you’re going to be entertained by them because they can probably not getting as silly or as crazy with me sitting there, but believe me, they have strong opinions.

They really do. And I think they’re pretty much on point on, on a lot of things that they say. You’ll agree, you’ll disagree. We’ll see. I think it’ll be fun. I think it’ll be a good podcast and I think it’ll be something that people are going to enjoy. So very happy to have sat with them today. I hope you feel the same and look forward to their podcast. They’re gonna release their first one on September 2nd. I believe it’ll be every Tuesday and Thursday right after mine. So you’ll get, you get a lot of Francis on those two days of the week.

That’s how it’s scheduled now. We’ll see. Sometimes things change, but that’s it for today. Hope you enjoyed it. And you know, I’m thinking about bringing, if I can get some of my sons to sit down. You’ll hear from a boy’s perspective, but they’re tough too. They don’t ever want to sit and talk. But we’ll see. Not about these things. For some reason, we play golf together. Together we have a great time. But they don’t like to be on camera. But we’ll see. And Julia, I’m going to bring her back on again because, you know, she’s. She’s got a lot to say.

How God has really blessed her in the years since she went through that tragic situation. And she wants to share that. So we’ll bring her back on, too. So, my friends, that’s it for today. How do I always leave you? Same way. No matter who’s on, no matter where we are, same way. Be safe, be healthy. God bless each and every one of you. Your families, your communities, your neighborhoods. God bless America. Yes. I’ll see you next time. Stay tuned. My friends, before you leave, I got something special for you. You really want to be part of my legacy? Part of a community? Then join the Francis family.

You’re going to get Q and as with me privately, you’re going to get behind the scenes stories I’ve never told before. I can’t say everything on YouTube. You’re going to get Q&As. You’re going to get Z zoom calls. You’re going to get a bunch of people working together for the benefit of all of us. Be part of the legacy. I’m telling you, this is an offer that you shouldn’t refuse. You want more of me? This is the place to go. Be part of the elite michaelfrancis.com family. Join up now. Sam.
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