More Better with Stephanie & Melissa

Welcome back! Tune in today as pod listener Leanne from Singapore asks: “What is your PERFECT bag?” Spoiler alert… it doesn't exist. As Steph so eloquently puts it — it's like searching for the Ark of the Covenant out here. Nevertheless, this week Steph and Mel dive into their bag dos and don’ts. From Steph's trendsetting gingham smiley face tote in high school to Melissa's 2004 Coach bag (Now considered vintage. TF?!), Latine superstitions about bags on the ground (controversial take ahead) and the joy of pockets and keychain hooks. Featuring: Living on the edge by putting open, full coffee mugs in totes, a genius safety pin hack for storing jewelry and why backpacks make Steph feel like the little turtle in Robin Hood. Plus, a thrilling “What’s in your bag?” reveal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back!! Look over here!! This week, Stephanie and Melissa dive into the art of observing. And it is an ~art~. People watching, eavesdropping, reading the room. This all takes skill and practice — and our girls? They're experts. Tune in to hear why Steph's favorite spot to people watch is the TSA line (where people might possibly show their truest selves) and Melissa confesses her staring problem. Featuring: Accidentally staring at Rami Malek's crotch on set, the sacred Parisian art of flaneurie and a thespian inquiry into Julie Louis-Dreyfus's Little Kicks. See you on the promenade! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Come on in and have a seat! Cute outfit! Can we take your coat? This week, Stephanie and Melissa dive into the wild world of Going Out to Eat. On the menu today: Steph's first Big Restaurant Memory (unlimited shirley temples at the Flying Dutchman in Texas, hello?!) and grand tales from Melissa's Sizzler Phase when she'd eat anyone under the table. Plus — the ladies open up about the intricacies of the LA food scene and the skill needed to eat a whole fish. (Mel's very Cuban mom will only leave an eyeball, props.) Afters at Olive Garden! First breadstick's on us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie and Melissa haven’t seen each other in person since they recorded the verrrry first episode of More Better last year. Ya know — work, life — things happened.Thus, they have totally perfected the art of The Long Distance Friendship. This week, Aussie pod listener Lauren sends us a voice memo asking for advice on how to maintain her friendship with her LDB (long distance bestie) in Germany. Have a listen, see if you can relate and let us know what you think of Steph’s Australian accent. We think it’s coming along bloody nicely, mate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to More Better! This week, Stephanie and Melissa tackle………………………….waiting. From passive waiting — (traffic (ugh), lines (UGH) — to active waiting — contracts (chop chop!), jury verdicts (she’s innocent, your honor) — to the torturous ambiguous kind — (when will my reflection show who I am inside?). Steph shares her new practice of putting her phone down to be present, while Melissa explains long shipping times to her son, like the olden times. Featuring: leaning boards and corset dress nightmares, napping like a vampire on set, Victorian patience vs. Amazon instant gratification, racing raindrops on bus windows and the whimsy of hand-written letters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to More Better! This week, Stephanie and Melissa tackle the art of saying no: from people-pleasing tendencies to pregnancy as the ultimate excuse. Melissa opens up about how she learned to say NO by watching Steph during the Brooklyn Nine-Nine years ("You can just say that?!"), while Steph reveals her ancestors' low-key panic about her daughter going skiing (absolutely not). Featuring: teaching your kids to use you as the fall guy, polite lying as a valid boundary tool, a thrilling round of guilt-o-meter roulette, gaggles of girls that aren't your gaggle and Steph’s groundbreaking theory that West Coast snow is soft while East Coast snow is hard, just like their people. Ooooo. Ahhhhh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When listener Lucia asks the ladies for thoughts on nightmares, sleepwalking and building a better bedtime routine this week, Steph and Mel have a lot to say. Melissa opens up about her childhood sleepwalking hijinks watching cartoons at 3 a.m. and shares about her son Enzo's more recent night terrors. What works for them? Cold rooms, weighted blankets and image rehearsal therapy, dream-world machete in hand. Also, Steph shares about her secret sleep weapon — Tony's Sleepy Cocktail and why she prefers it over melatonin (heinous dreams alert!). Plus: why we should maybe get back into the medieval habit of biphasic sleep (two sleeps per night!!!! the dream!! literally!!!!). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode, med student Katie calls in to the ladies and asks for networking advice. *record scratch* NETWORKING?! YIKES! Mel and Steph wince at the word but give Katie advice and share their experiences with what they like to call "Fostering Relationships". From reframing "What are you doing?" as a question for someone to discussing the art of the follow-up text, the ladies get real about building genuine connections in a world that seemingly runs on who you know. Mel shares how genuinely complimenting Phil Augusta Jackson's work led to years of collaboration, Steph reminds us about the importance of "small talk" and they both tackle the old boys club conundrum. So have a listen and remember... sometimes you just gotta be brave enough to ask. *Check out this week's episode in full-length video on the official Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MyCulturaPodcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When listener Lucy from London asks for advice on living alone for the first time, Mel and Steph get real about the pros, cons and weird freedoms of solo living. From Steph's pink velvet headboard era to Melissa's bat-by-the-bed security system, the ladies discuss making your space a sanctuary, the importance of self-respect when no one's watching and why leaving big work boots outside your door is actually genius. Featuring: safety tips, pizza bones, dressing up in ball gowns to do puzzles by yourself and a reminder that your space should feel like coming home to yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melissa and Stephanie are getting real about skyiiieeein. The trial and error of it, the expensive mistakes and the pressure to have flawless skin while working in Hollywoodlandia. From cystic acne at 11 to navigating filters and Korean beauty standards, the ladies discuss their very different skin types (oily vs. dry), what's actually in their routines and why you should never introduce five new products at once. Steph shares the story of a rude makeup artist who handed her Proactiv on set, Melissa confesses to bruising her nose as a teen from aggressive blackhead extraction and both get into slugging. Featuring: honest product recommendations (not sponsored!!!!!! yet!!!!!!!!), the reminder that expensive doesn't always mean better and the acceptance that sometimes your skin just does what it wants. She’s her own person!!!!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steph’s Disney obsession is no secret (we don’t talk about Bruno…), so it’s ABOUT TIME we finally get magical on this here pod. From VHS clamshell cases and Little Mermaid penis castles to smellitizers and feral cat rumors, join us this week as the ladies break down ALL things Dinsey, including how to actually enjoy the parks without losing your mind or your money. Steph shares her holy grail park tips: 1. pack blister pads 2. change your socks midday 3. prioritize three rides max and 4. for the love of God DON’T wear Converse. Melissa explains her changed tune on Disney adults and reveals her one non-negotiable park move (spoiler: it’s dole whip with tajín). But really, please write in and let us know if you’ve seen the feral cats. For science. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s our Valentine's Day episode and the husbands are in the stood! Brad and David join Stephanie and Melissa for an honest and ridiculous conversation about staying connected. The gang plays "would you rather" to figure out their love languages, share their worst gift-giving moments (never, ever, ever give your partner a blender) and get honest about what ACTUALLY makes them feel loved. Touching on everything from aggressive pep talks to laundry and well-intentioned sweater gifts, the couples discuss quality time versus acts of service, celebrating with food and why sometimes you just need space on an uphill walk. Featuring: the importance of "watering your garden" together, a tie-dye sweatshirt redemption arc and a reminder that fighting is actually healthy as long as you deal with it. Disclaimer: This episode has exactly two sex jokes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beep beep delivery! Step aside because the mail truck is backing up into the podcast booth this week, babyyyyy. This week, Steph and Mel answer your questions once again. Responding to e-mails about everything from dance to secret animosity in friendships, budgeting on a tight income and biohacking (ew?), the ladies riff about thrift store addictions, high-yield savings accounts, bad friends and more. Join us and let us know if you think we should secretly infiltrate a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders training workshop, if you agree that Chat GPT is D-U-M-B DUMB and whether you’ll join listener “B” in her Gratitude Hard project. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling paralyzed by everything happening right now? You're not alone. This week, listener Shalome writes in about struggling to find joy when their identity feels under constant attack. Stephanie and Melissa discuss why joy is a form of resistance, not a distraction, do a "joy banking" exercise together (join us!), dig into historical examples of communities using celebration to survive oppression and share practical ways to take action without doom-scrolling yourself into oblivion. From calling senators to showing up in community to watching a guy play drums outside an ICE hotel at 11pm as furries dance in the street, there are so many ways to resist AND fill your cup. Also, f*ck ICE. Okay, Byyyyyyye! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s happening! Put it on the calendar! On today’s episode, Stephanie and Melissa dive into the beautiful chaos of making plans. From color-coded family calendars to the dreaded LA slogan “OMG, we should hang out!” (do they mean it?!) that never quite comes true, they discuss the art of scheduling social time, dealing with flaky friends and why cancelling plans sometimes feels EUPHORIC. Also, the ladies discuss all things ~*Latin Time*~ and how their respective wedding invitations were strategic to appease the tios and tias. See you there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re doing amazing, sweetie! You look great today. No seriously, you do! On today’s episode, Stephanie and Melissa dive into the beautiful, awkward and sometimes complicated world of compliments. From girly pops in the bathroom culture to the mortifying experience of receiving praise you don’t believe, they explore what it means to give and receive kind words. The ladies share their most memorable compliments, discuss why some of us are so bad at saying “thank you” and chat about the tricky world of theater / LA compliments. So, whether you’re the professional hype friend or someone who deflects praise like it’s their job, grab your emotional support water bottle and join us for a chat about a well-timed “You go, b*tch!!!!!!!!”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buenos dias More Betterinos! Since it’s January and we’re all in that More Year, More Better spirit (or trying to be), we thought we would tackle one of the most important parts of the day: Mornings. Stephanie (Morning Person™) and Melissa (Not A Morning Person™) discuss all of the things that come with starting the day. From waking up with the sun (or not), to early workouts (or not), wellness hacks and the rage that occurs when someone rips the covers off of you when you’re all snuggled up in bed — the ladies talk routines, hacks and reveal what Neanderthals have to do with it all. Plus — who wakes up the Knocker-uppers? Leave your guesses over on sosh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen. Sometimes it’s just time to hit the reset button. Nothing to do with a certain date on the calendar necessarily… but this time of year may or may not make you start taking stock of your life. Whether it’s having that hard conversation with a friend, reorganizing the ol’ junk drawer or eating your feelings with tortillas, we all need to shake things up once in a while. On today’s episode, Stephanie and Melissa dig into the art of the reset. The ones we choose for ourselves and the ones that life forces upon us. From moving furniture to moving on, post-baby changes and friendship breakups, they explore what it means to start fresh. But honestly? Sometimes all the reset you need is drinking a big ol’ glass of water. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What to do when you’re about to marry the love of your life and your family ACTUALLY speaks now and do not forever hold their peace? This week, Stephanie and Melissa read an email from listener Rachel, who is having trouble navigating the fact that she and her now husband come from completely different cultures. Steph and Mel share their experiences and thoughts on how to navigate multicultural families — and they quote Bon Jovi along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s holiday seaz once again, and we don’t know about y’all — but we’ve been party hopping! As a sweet seasonal treat, we're resharing this very handy (and cutie and funny) episode from season one alllllll about Work Parties. Happy schmoozing! // The dreaded work party. It’s a party! There’s an open bar! But it’s also…work. How do you let loose and mingle freely when your boss is staring at you from behind the shrimp cocktail tower? This week Stephanie and Melissa discuss their Brooklyn 99 parties past and their struggles with striking the perfect professional balance at these events. Some takeaways: 1) No amount of free alcohol is worth getting fired. 2) Make a game plan before you go 3) Sometimes the answer is to simply sequester yourself in a corner with your friends See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.