Orange Juice Optional

As this podcast has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, good friends are important for every individual. Each week, Michelle and Suzanne demonstrate how absolutely true this is, and today, they reflect upon not only the value of having good friends, but how blessed they themselves have been in this area in their own lives. They begin by discussing the nature of friendship, the friends that have bee...

Las Vegas is truly a unique city in itself, and it's one that has come to mean a lot to both Michelle and Suzanne. In today’s episode, our two hosts talk about the experiences that make Vegas what it, how it is different from other cities, and also how it has something for everyone. The episode begins with Suzanne and Michelle’s discussion about the slot machines at the casinos in Vegas, and then...

Welcome back to the Orange Juice Optional podcast! Today, Suzanne and Michelle will talk about success in the later stages of one’s life: in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and beyond. In this podcast, Suzanne and Michelle discuss multiple topics like the world’s perception of older people and age discrimination. They’ll talk about how one needs mental strength and belief in themselves to succeed. Tune in...

Summertime in Alaska always means that guests will soon be arriving, placing homeowners such as Michelle and Suzanne into the role of acting as hostesses for them. This naturally brings to mind the questions of what makes a good host or a good guest, and today, our two experts tackle this topic head on, and a little cantankerously at times as well!   The episode begins with an update on Suzanne’s...

Michelle’s in Alaska and Suzanne’s in Savannah, and they’re both ready to offer their recap of Eva and Jimmy’s recent wedding along with some of the events leading up to and surrounding it. For any event as momentous as this one, there are always going to be so many stories of joy, good times, and sometimes even frustration, and our hosts are ready to share theirs with you all here today.   Beginn...

Given the busy days Michelle and Suzanne have ahead of them, and to give their livers a break as well, it’s a champagne optional day today. Recent events in both their lives have brought the topic of criticism to the forefront, and form the basis for today’s episode. Drawing upon their own experiences, they have a lot to say about so many aspects of this topic, many of which will be very familiar,...

Michelle has some big news to share today regarding a ‘middle age move’ she and Robb are undertaking, and Suzanne is ready with valuable advice to help them through it all. Choosing to downsize their residence in Alaska means that Michelle and Robb will be getting their current home ready to sell, and preparing a smaller space to move into. Happily, Suzanne’s interior design experience and knowled...

Suzanne’s had a bit of a sleepless night, but Michelle’s fully rested and ready to take on the topic of middle age, or as she prefers to call it, middle adulthood, in today’s episode. Originally intended to review the more positive side of this time in life, our hosts, as usual, look at all sides of the topic, adding in a number of their own experiences, both hilarious and touching.   They begin t...

It’s been a day of frustration for both Michelle and Suzanne, so the orange juice is completely optional for this episode. To provide an uptick to their day, they have chosen to follow the example of one of their favorite TV shows (especially for Suzanne), Seinfeld, and host an episode about nothing. As you will quickly discover, however, any conversation between these two best friends always resu...

The orange juice truly is optional today as Suzanne and Michelle kick back to run through their favorite movies together. Foregoing some of the more traditional categories, our hosts have instead created some of their own which are infinitely more interesting. Whether or not you agree with their choices, you are guaranteed the usual amount of humor and storytelling which has become their much love...

It’s just orange juice and coffee for Michelle and Suzanne today as they recover from their weekend making joyful memories together with friends in Tucson. Given that, it makes perfect sense that the topic they have chosen to explore this week is the concept of ‘sparking joy’ – what it means, examples from their lives of what does and doesn’t spark joy for them, and how to make a conscious effort...

Suzanne overcomes her jet lag and Michelle manages her excitement regarding some significant events coming up in her life just long enough to bring you another entertaining episode about one of their favorite topics, travel – this time focusing on travel companions. As regular listeners will already be aware, our hosts are avid travelers with a great deal of experience in the field, and today they...

Michelle’s in her pajamas and drinking champagne, and Suzanne is on her second glass of wine, so you know that today’s episode is going to be an interesting one. Both of our hosts have had some stress and anxiety in their lives, especially over the past couple weeks, and that has inspired this week’s topic of courage and a look at various perspectives on it, and the role it has played in their liv...

With her head still spinning from all of the excellent wedding preparation advice shared by Suzanne and Katy in last week’s episode, Michelle takes a short break from the planning to discuss a range of topics with Suzanne here today.   They begin by sharing their COVID vaccination side effects and the confusion inherent in differing pandemic protocols. Michelle then offers details of her trip to H...

A huge glass of champagne is certainly in order today as Suzanne and Michelle welcome two very special guests to the podcast today. Michelle’s daughter-in-law-to-be, Eva, makes her first appearance, and Suzanne’s daughter, Katy, returns for her second, as they join our hosts in an animated and thoroughly informative discussion about weddings in general, and especially Eva’s plan for her own upcomi...

Fresh from an eventful weekend with Suzanne, it’s orange juice only today for Michelle as she gives her liver a rest, and together she and Suzanne delve into a topic which arose in last week’s podcast. The notion of ‘pulling a Karen’ was a new one for Michelle last week, so she has since done some research on just what the criteria for a Karen are, and today she and Suzanne offer their perspective...

Michelle and Suzanne are both fully equipped with champagne (and no orange juice) for today’s episode that’s all about traveling by plane and the etiquette involved – a conversation that could have gone on for hours! The many travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic have resulted in our hosts both having acute cases of the travel bug so today they take a deep dive into proper flying etiquet...

Suzanne’s daughter, Katy, returns to the podcast today to join her mom and Michelle in their passionate discussion about Harry and Meghan’s recent interview with Oprah. Armed with a history of interest in all things regarding the Royal Family, our three hosts have a lot to say about this explosive media event, and they are definitely not shy about offering their varied opinions here today.   They...

With the prospect of being fully vaccinated against COVID rapidly approaching, Michelle and Suzanne are feeling pretty good today, and ready to talk about one of their favorite subjects – travel. Acknowledging that with the vaccination comes a certain sense of freedom, our two hosts are starting to plan some trips, and today they share a few of their many travel stories from the past as well as th...

If Michelle sounds a little nervous this week, it’s because her younger sister, Christine, is the special guest today, and she’s got some stories to tell. According to Michelle, Christine has been waiting more than 40 years to have the world find out how her childhood as a true middle child has affected her, and, once she passes a quick quiz about the podcast, she gets the mic to do just that here...

As Michelle explains, it’s been a shitty day for her, so you know that the orange juice is truly optional for this week’s episode. Luckily for us, that doesn’t stop her and Suzanne from putting together another entertaining episode for us all to enjoy, and this time around they are looking at the concept of ‘random acts of kindness’ and the impact they make in our world.   Michelle begins by shari...

This week’s episode is one that could easily last many days because Michelle and especially Suzanne have such a passion for the topic. Today, they talk about everything related to books and reading, sharing their favorites in a number of interesting categories, and going off on their usual entertaining tangents along the way. If you need some ideas for some great reads, you have certainly come to...

A huge glass of champagne is certainly most appropriate for today’s episode where Michelle and Suzanne raise a toast to love and all things related to Valentine’s Day. While the two have vastly different approaches to it, both of our hosts are, naturally, filled with stories and opinions about this holiday, and they don’t hold anything back as they share them here today.   They begin with the big...

It’s finally February and 2021 is moving along fairly well for both Michelle and Suzanne to this point. One thing that Michelle is particularly looking forward to is going back to visit her house in Alaska, and that trip is the inspiration for today’s episode. Having lived for many years in Alaska, our hosts have received a number of interesting comments and questions about the state, and today th...

After a bit of a rocky start, 2021 is trending better for Michelle and Suzanne - sort of – as they have certainly had their share of medical ‘events’ in the past month or so. Full of respect and admiration for doctors, dentists, and eye doctors and the vital role they fill, our hosts nonetheless have developed some varied perspectives and experiences of actually going to appointments with them. Th...