really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

For our Season 1 Finale, Michael-Thomas and special guest Kaitlin Dodi-Monk discuss the book that has become their literary comfort food: Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. From favorite characters and unforgettable quotes to dream casting choices and Appalachian representation, this episode celebrates the story, community, and author that have inspired countless rereads over the years. Join us as...

In this book-filled episode of really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas , we're joined by special guest Elizabeth Paxton for a lively conversation about the stories that shaped us. From childhood favorites like The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter to modern fantasy, thrillers, historical fiction, audiobooks, and guilty-pleasure reads, we share our favorite books, comfort reads, unforgettabl...

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith Episode Production & Camera Operation: Kaitlin Dodi-Monk Production Assistance: DCB Productions Editing: Sierra Chapman Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com Email : info.reallypod@gmail.com YouTube : https://bit.ly/reallypod Instagram : @really_thepod Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas Linktr...

Red flag, green flag, or beige flag? This week, Sierra and Michael-Thomas discuss the pettiest red flags imaginable—from people who only communicate through Snapchat to workplaces that insist "we're a family here." They also explore friendship green flags, authenticity, long-term relationships, and the small habits that make us question everything. It's a funny, lighthearted conversation about the...

Sierra and Michael-Thomas talk all things graduation — the excitement, the anxiety, the sweat-filled regalia, and the strange realization that nobody actually knows what they’re doing afterward. From mentorship and career advice to nostalgic high school memories and chaotic commencement ceremonies, this episode is equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and painfully relatable. Executive Producers: Sier...

This week, Sierra and Michael-Thomas spotlight some of their favorite local businesses and restaurants across the Appalachian Highlands, including Bristol, Asheville, Johnson City, and Marion, Virginia. From beloved community staples to newer hidden gems, they explore the stories, food, and experiences that make small businesses so meaningful. The episode also touches on rebuilding after Hurricane...

Sierra and Michael celebrate the small businesses that make the Appalachian Highlands and Western North Carolina communities feel like home. From Saluda to Kingsport, Johnson City to Hendersonville, and beyond, they highlight favorite local spots, discuss the importance of supporting local economies, and share stories about the restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, theaters, and community spaces th...

Celebrate May the 4th with Sierra & Michael-Thomas as they dive deep into the galaxy far, far away. In this Star Wars–themed episode of really… , the conversation goes beyond lightsabers and space battles into the philosophy, character arcs, and cultural impact that make the franchise so iconic. From breaking down the Force as a form of “space meditation” to exploring the rise and fall of Anak...

In this episode of really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas , we dive headfirst into a mix of absurd, hilarious, and surprisingly deep philosophical conversations. From debating whether cereal is technically a soup to questioning why ghosts don’t fall through floors, nothing is off-limits. Along the way, we explore the strange origins of language, the reality of inner dialogue, and the bigger ques...

Sierra and Michael-Thomas sit down for a relaxed best friend catch-up filled with humor, random thoughts, and relatable moments. From childhood beliefs and favorite smells to low-key days and hilarious hypotheticals, this episode is all about the joy of everyday conversation. It’s light, honest, and a little chaotic—in the best way. Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith Prod...

In this episode, Michael-Thomas and Sierra break down the concept of audacity—what it is, why it feels like it’s everywhere, and how it shows up in everyday life. From “mild nerve” to full-blown “criminal audacity,” they introduce the Audacity Spectrum and share hilarious, relatable examples of people acting boldly, loudly, and sometimes completely incorrectly. They also explore the role of social...

In this episode, Sierra shares snacks she brought back from Chile while Michael-Thomas gives his honest reactions in a live taste test. From dulce de leche to chocolate and banana gummies, they explore a range of flavors and textures while comparing them to familiar favorites. The conversation also shifts to Sierra’s experience with Chilean cuisine—what she tried, what stood out, and how food play...

Sierra takes us inside her unforgettable backpacking trip through Torres del Paine National Park—sharing the highs, the challenges, and the moments that completely changed her perspective. From intense hiking and unexpected travel mishaps to breathtaking sunrises and powerful life lessons, this episode explores what it really means to step outside your comfort zone. If you’ve ever dreamed of an ad...

Fear is weird. Phobias are weirder. And test anxiety? Way more common than you think. In this episode, Sierra and Michael-Thomas explore personal fears, phobias, and the science behind why our brains react the way they do. Through stories, humor, and a phobia trivia game, they unpack the difference between everyday fears and true phobias. The conversation then turns to test anxiety—what causes it,...

Why do people resist change so strongly? In this episode of really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas , we unpack the phrase everyone has heard at some point: “That’s just the way we’ve always done it.” From food habits and nostalgia to education and leadership, we explore why challenging the status quo can feel uncomfortable — and why it’s often necessary for growth. Along the way, we talk about h...

Before GPS was built into every phone and car, getting somewhere new required a very different set of skills. In this episode of really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas , we take a nostalgic trip back to the days of paper maps, road atlases, and printed MapQuest directions. We talk about how weather can shape our routines, how people navigated before smartphones, and why traditional navigation sk...

What did you want to be when you grew up? In this episode, Michael-Thomas and Sierra dive into childhood nostalgia, snow days, book recommendations, and the complicated pressure behind choosing a career path. From marine biologist dreams and architect aspirations to the influence of media and the reality of changing majors, this conversation explores how our professional lives evolve — and why tha...

“Calm down.” Few phrases are more triggering — or more dismissive. In this episode, Sierra and Michael-Thomas explore why being told to calm down can feel invalidating and why it often makes situations worse. They discuss emotional triggers, tone policing, hormones, relationship dynamics, and the importance of empathy in communication. Instead of dismissing emotions, what if we got curious about t...

We Really Need to Talk About Grocery Store Behaviors Why can we explore space… but not return a shopping cart? In this episode, we unpack the unspoken rules of the grocery store — from aisle blocking and abandoned perishables to the chaos of self-checkout and the moral test that is returning your cart. Somehow we detour into space exploration, ocean fears, warehouse clubs, and the psychology behin...

We’re back. Season 1, Episode 18 of Really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas marks our return from a short holiday break — and yes, we’ve officially started filming. This week, we’re diving into pet peeves — the everyday behaviors that somehow feel like personal attacks. From public etiquette fails to habits that honestly should be illegal, nothing is safe. Same opinions. Slightly upgraded product...

Because yens liked it so well… we thought we’d throwback to it while we’re busy building our YouTube! We’re breaking down the unspoken rules of the gas station—pump hogs, snack choices, bathroom nightmares, and everything in between. Join Thomas and Sierra as they ask the real question: is there REALLY such a thing as “normal” gas station etiquette? Editing: Sierra Chapman Artwork: M. Thomas Griff...

In this special episode of really… , Michael-Thomas is joined by the OG Bestie, Kaitlin, who steps in as guest host while Sierra is living her best yogi life. Together, they take a nostalgic walk down memory lane as lifelong “theatre kids,” reflecting on high school drama, community theatre days, and the formative experiences that shaped their friendship. From stage lights and show tunes to the bo...

Happy Holidays!!! It’s the finale of our Favorite Things series, and we’re ending on a high note — music. 🎶 In this episode, we’re talking about the songs, artists, and sounds that have shaped us, comforted us, hyped us up, and lived rent-free in our heads for years. From throwback favorites to current obsessions, we dig into why certain music sticks with us and how it becomes the soundtrack to d...

In this installment of our Favorite Things series, we turn our attention to the TV shows that have shaped our humor, our nostalgia, and our comfort viewing. Sierra and Michael-Thomas dive into the series that defined different seasons of their lives, the shows they revisit again and again, and the ones they quote far too often. From iconic sitcoms to dramatic gems to the unexpected favorites that...

Happy Holidays, from the Really Pod! It’s movie night on Really… ! In this episode, Sierra and Michael-Thomas kick off their “Favorite Things” series by diving into the films they love most — comedies that still make them laugh, dramas that hit a little too hard, musicals that live rent-free in their heads, documentaries they swear you have to watch, and a few guilty pleasure picks they can’t deny...