Orange Juice Optional

Episode Notes In this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle will have a fun conversation about Michelle's intriguing pick of the week - toilet paper. Following this, they will then transition to a conversation about vocabulary.  Michelle will even test Suzanne on her 8th grade vocabulary!  Of course, Suzanne will connect this topic to her favorite online game 'Wordle' from...

Episode Notes In this week's episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle will explore Laurence Leamer's book "Capote's Women: A true story of love, betrayal, and a swan song for the ages." This non-fiction narrative delves into Truman Capote's intricate relationships with his high-profile female friends (who he refers to as ‘his swans’). This captivating book introduces each w...

Episode Notes This week on Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle explore the importance of lasting relationships with loved ones. They emphasize how life's highs and lows intertwine to form a shared history that brings profound depth, grace, understanding, and gratitude. Then, before wrapping up this week's episode, Michelle reveals that OJO will be on a break next week.  However, they will...

Episode Notes On this werk’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle discuss the significance of excellent customer service. Not only does it in enhance a shopping experience, but it also creates a working relationship moving forward. While chatting, the ladies will then recount a negative customer service encounter before sharing their most recent positive experience. Following tha...

Episode Notes On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle discuss another one of their differences when it comes to how they view the world. Michelle, whose frequent companion is guilt, listens in as Suzanne explains how she avoids feeling of guilt…especially around those things in life that are meant to bring a person joy.  After that discussion, the ladies move onto the...

Episode Notes On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle will discuss March’s book of the month, “Memoirs of a Geisha”, by Arthur Golden. This book, narrated as the lifelong memoirs of Chiyo / Sayuri, explores the mysterious world of Geishas.  While shedding some light on this veiled lifestyle, the author’s work stirred some controversy.  Listen in as the hosts discuss t...

Episode Notes On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle discuss the Universe's ever present role in our lives. The Universe, God or source, provides guidance that propels us along our journey. The key question is, are we tuning in? Are we aligning with the path, or are we resisting it? This choice significantly impacts our life experiences. During this discussion, Suzan...

Episode Notes On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle will dive into a topic close to Suzanne's heart: always having an escape plan!  Calm, cool and collected on the surface, her escape plan is ready just in case she needs to exit a location quickly.  Typically, her plan focuses solely on her own escape, but recently, she started to worry about how her plan would be i...

Episode Notes On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle discuss February’s book of the month,  “Eligible” by Curtis Sittenfeld. This book was selected because it puts a contemporary twist on Michelle’s favorite novel, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.  During this conversation, Michelle discovers that this retelling was commissioned by ‘The Austen Society’.  With th...

Episode Notes On this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle delve into the remaining details of their cruise vacation.  They will not only share the highlights, but also the major setback that brought their South American adventure to an unexpected (& for some a teary-eyed) end.  Then, as this episode wraps up, Michelle reminds the listeners that next week they will be...

Episode Notes On this week’s episode of OJO, Suzanne and Michelle are back from their winter vacation.  Tired and a little frustrated, there is so much that the ladies want to unpack and share with the listeners. Grab your life vests everyone, this week’s episode -and next week’s conclusion- will be a doozy.  Then, as this episode comes to an end, Michelle reminds the listeners that they will be r...

Episode Notes On this week’s episode of OJO, Suzanne and Michelle announce that Orange Juice Optional will be back for an exciting new season of podcast episodes. In celebration, the duo will then share the valuable insights they’ve gained over the past year. They will cover not only the highs of the season, but also the lows, and everything in between. With joyful hearts, they express their thank...

Episode Notes In this week's episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle reflect on a heartwarming experience they recently had. A couple weeks ago, they received an unexpected letter in the mail that brought them immense joy.  It’s that joy that then sparked this discussion about the fading art of letter writing.   After some thoughtful conversation on that topic, the discussion natura...

In this week’s episode of OJO, after a quick update from South America, Suzanne and Michelle will discuss “The Book of Joy” by Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama and Douglas Abrams.  While both of the ladies found this book inspiring, Suzanne, of course, had a couple ‘objections’ to share. Her thought provoking words will surely leave the listeners with an early ‘something to sip on’. Then, as this epis...

Episode Notes In this week’s episode of OJO, Suzanne and Michelle will be talking about one of Suzanne’s least favorite subjects - Winter!!  While discussing cold, snow, ice and short days, surely the ladies will agree that winter has some redeeming qualities.  Or maybe not!! Listen in to find out. Then, as this episode comes to an end, Suzanne reminds listeners that the book they will be reading...

Hey everyone and welcome to Orange Juice Optional!  In this week’s episode, Suzanne and Michelle quickly jump into an inspired conversation about social dilemmas, aka awkward social situations.  The ladies agree that the trickiest part about these ‘situations’, is that they often catch a person by surprise and at inopportune times. While we can’t stop them from occurring, the ladies will have some...

Episode Notes Greetings, and welcome to Orange Juice Optional's first podcast episode of 2024!  In this week’s episode, Suzanne and Michelle will be saying good-bye to the calendar year 2023.  As they do, the ladies will be discussing last year’s “best ofs”.   Listen in as the ladies share their favorite moments, meals, books, and so much more of 2023.  As this episode comes to an end, Suzanne rem...

Episode Notes In this episode of "Orange Juice Optional" we are diving into the book "One Day in December" by Josie Silver!  While Michelle couldn't get enough of this book's bubbly holiday vibe, Suzanne might have felt differently about its predictable plot line. Tune in and find out what both ladies had to say!! It may surprise you.  Then, before we say goodbye, Suzanne share...

Episode Notes Can you feel the jingle bells and smell the gingerbread? Christmas is practically knocking on our door, and what better way to celebrate than with some festive fun? It is time to get cozy with some festive feels! In this episode, we talk all about christmas trees and the most famous christmas movie quotes, those flicks that make us laugh, cry, and believe in the spirit of the season....

Episode Notes In this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne shares with listeners the frustration that she felt after a recent visit to a doctor while on vacation. Knowing that Suzanne is already riled up, Michelle then asks her about a recent experience that she had with her bank. Sounds like Suzanne had a rough week!   Next, Michelle introduces a new segment called “What would Suzanne...

Episode Notes In the latest episode of "Orange Juice Optional," our hosts delve into November's book of the month, "The First Ladies" by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. The book explores the deep friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune during the pre-civil rights era. Despite numerous societal challenges, the two friends worked together to c...

Episode Notes In this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Michelle is feeling inspired by the Holiday season! While Suzanne isn’t quite there yet, Michelle will do her best to spread a little Christmas Cheer.  Will her enthusiasm rub off on Suzanne?  Listen in to find out.  As the conversation draws to an end, Suzanne reminds listeners that November’s book of the month is “The First Ladies” b...

Episode Notes In this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, the ladies will be talking about Michelle’s recent trip to visit Suzanne in Scottsdale.  During this visit, they talked about spouses, shopping styles, obnoxious drivers and decorating for Christmas early. They are going to be sharing those observations, and so much more, in today’s episode.  As the conversation concludes, Suzanne remi...

Episode Notes In this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, we find that Suzanne has just returned from her trip to Singapore and Tokyo. Listen in as the ladies talk about Suzanne’s reaction to both locations. While Suzanne’s overall reaction was surprising to her, Michelle knew she’d find her comforts and have a great vacation. As the episode concludes, Suzanne reminds listeners that November’...

Episode Notes In this week’s episode of Orange Juice Optional, Suzanne and Michelle will be discussing October’s Book of the Month - “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett. As the episode concludes, Suzanne reminds listeners that November’s book of the month is “The First Ladies” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Until next week everyone…Cheers!! A link to November’s book if the month: https:...