Made Ya Smile

Send us Fan Mail Grab your favorite cozy sweater and a warm cup of cider! In this episode of Made Ya Smile , it is an all-out ode to autumn. We are diving headfirst into why this is hands-down the best season of the year—from crisp morning air and changing leaves to all things cozy. Plus, we're serving up a fun, family-friendly segment packed with fascinating, lighthearted fun facts about fal...

Send us Fan Mail We are back after a month-long break, and we have a lot to catch up on! In today's episode: Life Updates & A Peaceful Farewell: We share what’s been happening over the last month. Carrie talks about the recent passing of her father-in-law after his long battle with Parkinson's, reflecting on the deep comfort and joy of knowing he is now home with the Lord. How Did Th...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how microscopic germs actually work, or why getting sick makes your brain go down a rabbit hole of weird questions? We do too. After a recent bout of illness, we sit down to process the mystery of bacteria, share our totally unscientific theories, and wonder out loud about the invisible bugs that take us out. Then, Melinda takes us back to a mission trip to Uganda, whe...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Melinda and Carrie start by catching up on life’s latest chaos before spiraling straight into the sheer madness of pregnancy. They’re confessing the most completely unhinged things they did while carrying human life—think crying over wrong-flavored drive-thru orders, erratic midnight renovations, and hormonal decisions that made perfect sense at the time. To save...

Send us Fan Mail  Welcome back to the Made Ya Smile Podcast ! We promise we aren't turning into a civil engineering channel today, but hear us out...  The Secret Lives of Streets: Why is a road a road and an avenue an avenue? What starts out sounding like a snoozefest of urban planning turns into a surprisingly fascinating deep dive into the hidden history beneath our tires.  Unboring Questio...

Send us Fan Mail 1. Mythbusters: The "We Lied to Sell You Soap" Edition 🤔 What's Covered: We are exposing the health myths crafted entirely by high-paid marketing execs who clearly hated women. From expensive wellness powders that taste like lawn clippings to skincare routines with more steps than a corporate merger, we are separating actual science from things an ad agency made up...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like a sudden loud noise almost launched you into low Earth orbit? In this episode, we kick things off with a lesser-known menopause symptom that totally caught us off guard: the heightened startle reflex. We dive into why your nervous system feels like it’s on high alert, alongside a candid chat about a few other unexpected facets of menopause. Then, Carrie pitches her...

Send us Fan Mail  We’re covering the important stuff this week. First up, we talk all things Taco Bell—the good, the bad, and the cheesy. Next, we put ourselves on trial and answer: if it was your absolute last meal on Earth, what are you ordering? Lastly, we introduce Just Why, People? , a brand-new segment dedicated entirely to the little things in life that make us ask... why does this exist an...

Send us Fan Mail 📦🚚What do delivery drones and the Founding Fathers have in common? They both deliver the goods. This week, we’re sharing our ultimate favorite Amazon purchases that you probably need in your cart right now.  🎆Plus, the USA is officially turning 250 years old! We’re getting patriotic and talking about all the reasons we love America so dang much.  Hit play for laughs, a few exce...

Send us Fan Mail Grab your shopping carts and your favorite cozy blanket, because this episode is a glorious mixed bag! We are diving deep into the chaos of Amazon Prime Day—sharing our top deal highlights and the ultimate rules of thumb for buying products without getting burned by bad reviews. Then, we pivot to the comfort zone: our absolute go-to, nostalgic sick day TV shows that guarantee imme...

Send us Fan Mail Grab your headphones and a cool drink—we are packed to the brim today with everything from hilarious observations to practical sanity savers. Here is what we are breaking down in this episode: Segment 1: The Great Podcast Monotone Mystery 🎧 Why does it feel like every single podcast narrator suddenly went to the same school of flat, emotionless talking? We dive into the bizarre t...

Send us Fan Mail We are back and catching up on a whirlwind week! First up, we are celebrating a major milestone—Melinda’s incredibly successful art show! The art was stunning, the crowd was amazing, but the real suspense of the weekend came down to one crucial task: entrusting her husband with the high-stakes mission of picking up a bouquet of balloons. Did he pull it off, or did things go hilari...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Made Ya Smile podcast, we dive into the importance of holding onto the moments that matter most. We kick things off with a casual catch-up, sharing the highlights and funny stories from our Memorial Day weekend. Then, we transition into a heartfelt discussion on the art of creating "core memories" with your children—those small, intentional experie...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we take a deep dive into the spaces and people that shape our daily lives. The Mall: Our Modern Town Square We kick things off by revisiting the neon-lit hallways of the American mall. Far more than just a place to shop, the mall has served as a cultural anchor and a backdrop for our most formative memories. We explore how these massive structures became so integr...

Send us Fan Mail 🗓️We are back at it after a week away! We kick things off with a much-needed catch-up on where we’ve been and what’s been happening in our worlds while the mics were off. 💇🏻‍♀️In our second segment, we’re getting personal about the "crowning glory"—and how it changes. From new textures and silver strands to the various ways our bodies evolve as we age, we’re having an...

Send us Fan Mail Segment 1: The Mirror Lies We open the show with a little heart-to-heart. Melinda is feeling some type of way about how she looked on camera in our last video episode, but I’m not having it. I’m on a mission to convince my bestie that she looked absolutely beautiful—because she did! We dive into the struggle of being our own worst critics and why it’s so hard to see ourselves the...

Send us Fan Mail Grab your coffee and settle in! Today’s episode is a classic mix of life’s rigid boundaries, heartwarming celebrations, and those "almost famous" moments that keep us humble. In This Episode: 📏🚶🏻‍♀️ The Rule-Follower’s Manifesto We kick things off with a deep dive into Melinda’s psyche. Is it a virtue or a burden? We’re talking about her incessant need to follow every...

Send us Fan Mail Grab your floral wire and your favorite organizers—we’re diving into a mix of nostalgia and spring cleaning! In this episode, we kick things off with a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the days when an Easter outfit wasn’t complete without a classic corsage . We’re sharing our favorite Easter memories from years gone by. Then, things get messy as we dig into Melinda’s junk...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re serving up a mix of fast-food wisdom and vintage vibes. Grab your fries and pull up a chair as we dive into: The Ultimate McDonald’s Playbook: Think you know the drive-thru? Think again. We’re sharing our favorite life hacks to ensure you get your ice cream and your Diet Coke is perfectly crisp. The Great Name Revival: We’re looking back at the "old-fas...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an episode that goes from "Wait, do we really need that?" to "Yes, Lord!" and ends with a whole lot of "You won’t believe what happened on stage!"  The Convenience Crisis: We’re debating which modern "helpers" we could actually live without. But let’s be real—if you try to take our washing machines , it’s war. 🧺🚫 The Ultimate...

Send us Fan Mail In This Episode: The "Friendship Audit": Is it true love if you don't tell your bestie their hair is doing that thing? We discuss the delicate art of the "hair intervention" and why silence is actually a betrayal. The Great Skincare Scam: We need to talk about the deceptive architecture of skincare jars. You think you’ve bought a month’s supply, but two sc...

Send us Fan Mail We’re kicking things off with a rapid-fire collection of random tips, tricks, and life hacks designed to save you time and add a little more joy to your week. You know...just some simple habits that make your daily routine feel a bit more "funner," this segment is all about those "Why didn't I think of that?" moments. Whether it's a productivity short...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what your "Mom Salary" would actually look like if you got a paycheck for every hat you wear? From private chef and chauffeur to CFO and dispute negotiator, we’re breaking down the numbers behind the magic moms make happen every day. Plus, we’re taking a moment to give a massive "Smile" shout-out to the caregivers and nurses in our lives....

Send us Fan Mail From sweet treats to straight tires, we’re covering it all in this week’s episode! We start by indulging in a deep dive into the world of chocolate, before shifting gears to Melinda’s hilariously relatable obsession with achieving the "perfect park"—because why settle for close enough when you can be perfectly parallel? Then, Carrie opens up about her upcoming Valentine’...

Send us Fan Mail After 28 years of friendship, you’d think we’d have seen it all—but apparently, the floor of Melinda’s kitchen had other plans. This week, we’re diving into the mystery of the unexpected kitchen holes (yes, you read that right) and the chaos of home ownership surprises. We also take a hilarious—and slightly concerning—look at why our brains seem to be "clearing cache" fa...