Hey everyone, it's Amy and TJ. I know that I certainly have had plenty of therapy over the years and it's helped me get to where I am today. Thousands have already trusted Rula to support them on their journey toward improved mental health and overall well-being. Head on over to rula.com slash idopod to get started today. After you sign up, they ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them our show sent you. Go to
rula.com slash idopod and take the first step towards better mental health today. You deserve quality care from someone who cares. Want that neighbor envy green lawn you've always dreamed of? Call Virginia Green, your local lawn treatment experts for fertilization, weed control, and pest control. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Got five minutes?
Get started at virginiagreen.com. Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast, Math & Magic, Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some folks across a wide range of industries to hear how they reached the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use.
I'll be joined by innovative leaders like chairman and CEO of Elf Beauty, Tarang Amin. Legendary singer-songwriter and philanthropist, Jewel. Being a rock star is very fun, but helping people is way more fun. And Damian Maldonado, CEO of American Financing. I figured out the formula is have to work hard, then that's magic. Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math, and the ever-important creative spark, the magic.
Listen to Math & Magic on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Mary Kay McBrayer, host of the podcast The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told. This season explores women from the 19th century to now. Women who were murderers and scammers, but also women who were photojournalists, lawyers, writers, and more.
This podcast tells more than just the brutal, gory details of horrific acts. I delve into the good, the bad, the difficult, and all the nuance I can find. Because these are the stories that we need to know to understand the intersection of society, justice, and the fascinating workings of the human psyche. Join me every week as I tell some of the most enthralling true crime stories about women who are not just victims, but heroes.
or villains, or often somewhere in between. Listen to the greatest true crime stories ever told on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
My name is Brendan Patrick Hughes, host of Divine Intervention. This is a story about radical nuns in combat boots and wild-haired priests trading blows with J. Edgar Hoover in a hell-bent effort to sabotage a war. J. Edgar Hoover was furious. He was out of his mind, and he wanted to bring the Catholic left to its knees. Listen to Divine Intervention on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
It's I Do Part Two. I'm one of your celebrity mentors, Jen Fessler. You know me from The Real Housewives of New Jersey and the podcast I co-host, Two Jersey Jays.
I have been having so much fun on this podcast, getting to chat with people who found love in their chapter two. And today, my guests are my dear friends, an amazing couple. Everyone loves them. You know them from Real Housewives of New Jersey. Please help me welcome Margaret Josephs and Joe Benigno. Oh, my God. We're so happy to be here. Hi, you guys. It's great being here. Yeah, with our dear friend, Jen Fessler. Yes. I have to say, so far, since I've started hosting these shows,
I do part two. I've had only really people that I love on. Friends. Oh, I had those farmers on who I did love them too. I have to be honest with you. I love it. I have to listen to the farmers. Yes. Who doesn't love a farmer? They are so cute. They're adorable. They're doing this new show. But we digress. So we're here to talk about Margaret and Joe. You guys, we're going to go through some things for our listeners that things that I've
Probably no, but they don't. And I know things that, you know, because we have a lot of viewers and listeners that are not necessarily even Housewives people. What? Yes. Is there anybody in this world who's not? Well, listen, I understand it. A lot of people don't watch Housewives. That's true. Not a lot. But they have Bravo in their blood. Yes. Okay. So let's talk a little bit about...
To get to chapter two, we're going to start with chapter one. So I want to know a little bit about your first marriages. And Joe, let's start with you. I don't know, you know, however much you want to kind of reveal about what it was like in your first marriage. How old were you when you got married? How many kids? I guess a brief synopsis would be. Yes. I was married when I was 30 years old. That's old. Yeah. I was old. Jeff was 36. I was the last one of my friends. Yeah.
I had the first kid when I was 35. Okay. And I have a son and a daughter and one is now 34. The other was 33, right? 33. Yes. Yes. I love that you're asking Margaret. You're asking me. I didn't birth those two. That's the best. I mean, you're asking me. Over time, we grew apart as couples do occasionally when you have kids, when they have, there's a lot of stress involved with the children. Yes.
we were like, we were mostly separated for a few years before the divorce because we lived like almost separate lives. Is that what it was? Yeah, I think so. I just think that you were two different people. There you go. What did you just say? No, Joe, why didn't you
You were very different people. Because I'm going to be 70 years old this year and my freaking brain don't work. I don't even believe you. No, no, no. That's not true. It's impossible. No, why don't you just be very candid? You were very different people. Well, let me ask you this. We were extremely different. Before you met Margaret, was the marriage already, were you already on the out? Oh, yes. You were. For a long time. I was, we had way different ideas on basically everything after the kids came and everything
the kids wanted to hang out as kids do. They want to hang out with the dad and, and play around. And the mother wants to be strict. Yeah. And the dad lets them fool around. So that is that, was that sort of when it started, like the separation between like, uh, child, child rearing, things that we'd like to do. Like we had completely different ideas on what was fun, you know, for us as a couple. Yeah. And it just diverged from there. And then, um,
I wanted my kids to get into college before I thought about separating or getting divorced because this way they were separated out of the entire argument. That's so interesting because I...
those thoughts going through my mind when Jeff and I separated. My kids were much younger, but I thought, okay, we can't get divorced until they go to college and we should get all of that stuff. And then I don't know how you guys felt, but like my kids went to college, it would have been maybe even harder, at least in my situation. I feel like they would have been when my son first went away to college, the dog died. I thought he was going to have a nervous breakdown. So, you know, he just felt so far away. But anyway, okay, Margaret, you
You're up. I mean, Joe's so funny. He's like, he doesn't really talk about his first marriage. It's actually kind of funny. You're like, well, we grew apart. It's way in the past, you know? I mean, are you guys, well...
I'm jumping ahead, but are you guys in a place right now where she could hear it? Like, hear you talking about... Let me say this. My ex-wife is buddies with my wife. Yeah, now we're very good. Only Margaret Joseph. Only Margaret. It was important to me because we did not have a good relationship, his ex-wife and myself, but now we do. And I think she's...
you know, we've come to a very good place. We bonded over a common enemy. So that was, you know,
I'm trying to wait. My head is spinning over who that is. That would be Joe's son's ex-wife. Got it. Oh, yeah. Which is great. Yes. We love her. You know, her and I both agreed she was never good enough for our son. Nothing like a nasty daughter-in-law to bring the two women together. My first husband, I was madly, I will be honest, like I was, well, Joe, were you madly in love with her when you first met her? Yes, I'm sure. Of course.
Yeah, I mean, that was like your third engagement. It was? Well, practice makes perfect. Wow. Okay. Joe was not candid. You had like numerous engagements before you married her. I went out a real lot. I was like a whore. Really? A man whore. Well, a whore is not, I mean, engaged, a whore is one thing. Joe just, I want to giggle a little bit because Joe's chair just- Joe's not short enough. His chair went all the way down. Yes, but you were graceful about it. I think you're going to have to stand up.
Yeah, there you go. There you go. But I mean, engagements, I mean, I believe it in terms of the whoring. I had my own whoring that went down in my 20s. But in terms of engagement, so you were engaged twice before you tied the knot. Twice or three times? Joe, Joe is having, what is going on here that you're not remembering?
No, two times. Don't you get asked a lot about that? Do you guys get it? Yes, we get asked a lot. But Joe lost several of the pair. People ask us about how we met. Yeah, I know. See, that's right. From like that second forward. So that's like. I was just thinking that. That's easy to come up with. I was thinking that. Joe had two engagements. Broken engagements. Met his wife. They got married.
You know, Joe was a very nice, I think, a devoted first husband and a devoted second husband. But I think you were. I'm a more devoted second husband. OK. Yeah, but that's a nice thing to say. Oh, he is. He's a great husband. I can't say. I know. But even saying that for, you know, your first wife, I don't know if she would agree. But I mean, that's a nice thing for Margaret to say. Yeah. I don't know what she would say. OK. I think you were a good husband. You were good. You were a good provider. You were home a lot. You didn't go away. You weren't like a dirty stay out. Oh, no. OK. No.
I can't believe you just said dirty stay out. My best friend uses that expression all the time. Dirty stay out. It's one of my favorites. You know, unlike your wife, you know. My wife is a dirty stay out. I love to stay out. I was about to say, I know you're talking about your ex-wife. To me, dirty stay out is dirty. No, I wasn't dirty. I'm a stay out. I like to do my late nights. I'm not dirty. I know. I call it a dirty stay out because she's not home.
I'm going to suffer with me. No, yes, that's. You guys, my head is, I have to slow down because my head is spinning. I'm like, as you're saying that, I know I wanted to say like how Joe always wants you to be there at the airport, like to pick him up. It never happens. These guys have the greatest relationship. I adore him, but I am not doing the airport pickup. I never, I think it's rude that he even asks, but hold on. It happened twice though. It did happen twice. I don't think it's nice to ask again. Don't even ask. I'm taking a car service. I don't want someone to pick me up at the airport. Me neither. I don't want an airport pickup.
pick up, don't ask me to pick up at the airport. Me neither. My kids don't ask me to pick them up at the airport. I'll send a car service. I'm not waiting. Yes, exactly. I'm not doing that nonsense. I digress. I'm digressing. So you and Jan were madly in love when you met. Yes, I was really crazy for him. I think because he had the three kids, it was important to me to marry someone who was a good father. You know, maybe the good husband part
You know, I missed out on a little. Not that he was a bad husband, but he was controlling. He was older, you know, and he was a great guy. But it was his second, so... I was his second wife. Right. So he had the kids. I was always the second wife. I've never been a first wife. Right. So the... You know, I was younger. I was 24. He was 44. Wow. We did 20-year age difference. I mean, you probably told me that, but 24 is young. Yes, I was 24. I moved in with him when I was 24. He was 44. I had a beautiful family, beautiful life. I had full-time help. I had a very...
Beautiful, privileged life. I thought I knew everything. 24, I must have known, but 24 to 44, just real quickly, just how did you meet a 44-year-old at 24? I worked in the Garmin Center. Right. Oh, yes. I was a dress designer. He owned Joseph's Brothers Lace and Embroidery. You know, the Joseph's Brothers, you know, big in the lace and embroidery. Okay. You know, Garmin Center is very different. Okay.
He had just gotten divorced. You know, he looked younger, but he was he was a great father. He had custody of three children. His ex-wife. Were you nervous about that? No, I was delusional. I thought it was no big deal. We have help. We have kids. They go to sleep away camp. Not if I'm very maternal, though, you know, contrary to popular belief in the Bravo world. I think people think you're maternal in the world. Yeah.
In our inner circle. Okay. But in, because I don't, you know, put my kids on television, everything else people know Joe knows I'm like a hover, right? What am I like? Yeah. Never ends. It doesn't end. No. I mean, I know your relationship. Yeah. With my son. And yes. And then, uh, Jan and I had a son together, which, you know, we're not going to say names cause I don't like to put it out there. Yes. Um,
And same thing. I think, you know, it's very hard when you have children. And I think the thing with Joe is, though, I think he's an amazing father, very devoted father. I said to him, you know, you got the father thing so perfect, you know, the second time around. I don't think you got the husband thing perfect. And I'm not insulting. You're talking about Joe or Jan? Jan. Jan. Joe's got the husband thing perfect. Yes, I know. I'm obsessed. Agreed. Do I not say it?
Yes, but not enough. Yes. It's never enough. Even the last few weeks, have I not had a newfound obsession again? Yeah, I don't understand it. I love that. I have. I've been crying. I've been like, you're unbelievable. I've had a newfound obsession. She keeps watching all these mopey movies. I think that's what it is. But I, you know, but I do, I'm happy the life I had the first time. I had a beautiful life, a beautiful family.
You know, it was great, but we did grow apart. I think I change. You change as you get older. I don't regret anything, but...
You know, I wanted something different. We were combative, you know. But were either one of you thinking of divorce before you met each other? Were you going to sit it out? Yes. Oh, you both were in that mindset. Yes. Oh, absolutely. Did you talk about it with your exes? I mean, I was definitely in therapy, couples therapy. We were in therapy. We had issues. I did not, you know, I was married 20 years.
It's a long time. Which is a long time. Yeah, because I was a young girl. That's a long time. I'm learning all this stuff. I thought I knew it all. Yeah, I was a young... I mean, I was with him 20 years. Maybe I was married 18 of the 20. You know what it is, but we were together. I was 24. I didn't move out until I was 44. Right. But I was with him a very long time. And I did, you know, Joe's kids had gone to college. But yeah, we had known each other for years. For years. Really? Yeah, but we never... But not as...
Like as like sort of acquaintances. Was there a spark when you guys like, was there always a flirtation going on when you saw each other? No, never a flirtation. We would see each other at parties. We were friends with this lovely gay couple who were decorators, interior designers. Marco and. Chris and Marco. Right. Okay. Who, you know, broke up also. Right. Right. Yeah.
And so you would see each other with your exes. Yes. Okay. Yes. We'd be at parties. Joe's wife would never go to the parties. My wife never went. Okay. Well, maybe once. A dinner for Marco's dad. Yeah. And then we would see each other at these events. And Joe and I would always chit-chat, you know, just nicely. But then years later, I needed work done in my home. Yeah. Yeah.
And you had some work done in your home. I had some work done in my home, but. All my guys used to do work for Chris. We used to do, he was like a big decorator. So we would do entire homes, basically rip them apart and make beautiful edifices. Right. And so they told me, and I don't really pay attention to names. My brain is dead. So they told me we were going to go over Margaret's. And I said, Margaret? Yeah.
I know Margaret. No, I said, who the hell is Margaret? I didn't remember. And they were like, no, no, you know who she is. And I was like, no, I really don't. And we went into some house and I'm walking around the house with my notepad and I'm just making notes. I'm like, well, we're going to do this, this, this, this, this. And then she came down the stairs and it came to me who she was. And that was that. In details. What do you comment what I was wearing? She was wearing a wife beater and no bra. Boom. Yeah.
I was wearing my pajamas, white beard, no bra and pigtails. I can't. And pigtails. Let me just tell you, for all our listeners, that's not that unusual. Margaret, I've seen Margaret. We've all seen Margaret. To know her is to know what she looks like naked. She's a very free spirit. Yes. And I came down to my pajama bottoms and the little ribbed tank top and...
And no bra. But if you know what that is, you guys, it's a very thin material. Yes, it is. So that was it? Were you just hooked? Oh, my God. I was just about hooked right on the spot. I'll bet. But it wasn't like all of a sudden, oh, my God. You know, we developed a friendship. We were both in bad marriages. Yeah. You know, it's not like all of a sudden I'm like sleeping with Joe. That's not the way it happened. It was months and months later. Took a long time.
Hey everyone, it's Amy and TJ. I know that I certainly have had plenty of therapy over the years and it's helped me get to where I am today. Yeah, and with Rula, you can find the right therapist for you. Rula partners with a network of over 10,000 therapists and psychiatrists nationwide, enabling you to find your personalized solution and the right therapist for you based on your needs, preferences, and state requirements. In-network covered care for most major insurance pay as little as $15 per session.
Thousands have already trusted Rula to support them on their journey toward improved mental health and overall well-being. Head on over to rula.com slash idopod to get started today. After you sign up, they ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them our show sent you. Go to rula.com slash idopod and take the first step towards better mental health today. You deserve quality care from someone who cares.
I'm Camila Ramon, Peloton's first Spanish-speaking cycling and tread instructor. I'm an athlete, entrepreneur, and almost most importantly, a perreo enthusiast. And I'm Liz Ortiz, former pro soccer player and Olympian, and like Kami, a perreo enthusiast. Come on, who is it? Our podcast, Hasta Abajo, is where sports, music, and fitness collide. And we cover it all. De arriba hasta abajo.
Sit-downs with real game changers in the sports world, like Miami Dolphins CMO Priscilla Shumate, who is redefining what it means to be a Latina leader. It all changed when I had this guy come to me. He said to me, you know, you're not
You're not Latina enough. First of all, what does that mean? My mouth is wide open. Yeah. History makers like the Sucar family who became the first Peruvians to win a Grammy. It was a very special moment for us. It's been 15 years for me in this career. Finally, things are starting to shift into a different level. Listen to Hasta Bajo on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network. The best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations. But most people avoid them, staying silent, missing opportunities, and holding themselves back. I know this is true because I used to be one of those people. As a kid, I struggled to fit in and I was afraid to speak up. That fear followed me into adulthood until I realized something powerful. Negotiation isn't a talent.
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I'm Israel Gutierrez, and I'm hosting a new podcast, Dub Dynasty, the story of how the Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA for over a decade. The Golden State Warriors once again are NBA champions. From the building of the core that included Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to one of the boldest coaching decisions in the history of the sport. I just felt like the biggest thing was to earn the trust of the players and let the players know that
We were here to try to help them take the next step, not tear anything down. Today, the Warriors dynasty remains alive, in large part because of a scrawny six-foot-two hooper who everyone seems to love. For what Steph has done for the game, he's certainly on that Mount Rushmore for guys that have changed it. Come revisit this magical Warriors ride. This is Dove Dynasty. The Doves Dynasty is still very much alive.
Listen to Dub Dynasty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Are your ears bored? Yeah. Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn, and say que? Yeah. Then tune in to Locatora Radio Season 10 today. Okay. I'm Diosa. I'm Mala. The host of Locatora Radio, a radiophonic novela. Which is just a very extra way of saying a podcast. We're launching this season with a miniseries.
Totally Nostalgic, a four-part series about the Latinos who shaped pop culture in the early 2000s. It's Lala checking in with all things Y2K, 2000s. My favorite memory, honestly, was us having our own media platforms like Mundos and MTV3. You could turn on the TV, you see Thalia, you see JLo, Nina Sky, Evie Queen, all the girlies doing their things. All of the beauty reflected right back at us. It was everything.
Tune in to Locatora Radio Season 10. Now that's what I call a podcast. Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I remember you told me a story that I actually thought was very romantic.
where you guys were in the city, walking across the street. Yes, coming from Pestis. Okay, so tell that story. I love that story. It is. It's a great story. It's complicated, obviously, because at that point, you guys were both married. We were. But it tells a story of what was between you. And it was... And, you know, I didn't think it was going to happen. We had went to discuss work. I used to put up these displays for business. She brought these plans that were like multiple pages. And I really... Normally for work, I look at it, I...
Got the gist. I know what we're going to do. Now we don't have to talk about it anymore. But I'm looking at these plans and my brain- Why didn't you say how nervous you were? Wait, why didn't you say you sat at the bar at noon at pasties and you ordered a cocktail? I probably did because I like cocktails. See, he's remembering like the actual business of it. You're remembering like the fact that his heart was a flutter. No, Joe told me-
I thought it was odd. I went to Mimpesti's at noon and you ordered a cocktail. I was like, wow, that's so weird. He's wearing a cocktail at noon. Well, anyway. I kept the shirt. I still have the shirt I wore that day. It was a little Western shirt with little flowers. And I was very excited. But did you know at that point? Were you like, shit, this is, I'm getting. No, because I. No, but I wanted to look cute. And I remember I had platform high heels and bell-bottom jeans. Shocker. I don't remember what I wore.
But you were having the cocktail. Did you, were you a little, or was it just Margaret bringing pages and pages of plans? No, no. Probably because I was meeting Marge, but I had had World War 450. Got it. That morning. Got it. I was so angered. I can't even tell you. And I see Marge and, you know, of course I feel better because I'm, you know. Because she's Marge, right? And Marge is, we're talking and she, she knows me real well by then. And she says, what's the matter? And I was like, and I tell her what happened. And,
And then Marge in turn tells me that she had fight number 300 that morning. Right. Right. And, and both of us were like, you know, like, like, it's almost as if the angst comes out of you now, you know? Yeah. And then we settled down and we probably didn't talk about the work anymore. Right. And then what happened when we walked across the street? Oh, that was fricking wild. So, you know, one of those once in a lifetime events, uh,
So it was, I remember it was raining out and she had some sort of kerchief or whatever you call it. Shawl. I don't know what that all was. A little vintage baby Joe. Yes. Kerchief. Thanks, Grandma. Go ahead. Anyway, she put it over both our heads, which I was like, I'm usually the guy who I can stand in the middle of a pouring rain and I don't really care. And she puts it over our heads and we're walking and she has her normal socks.
six or 10 inch high heels on. And she stumbled. And so I have fast reactions. I caught her, right? And I pulled her into me so she wouldn't fall. And that was it. I was hit with like an electric shock from my head to my toes. And I was like, holy, what is going on here? Like the instant. I just got like, I actually just got chills. So did I. That's so. Just many years later. It's like the most beautiful, perfect love story ever.
Except that you were both married. Yes. But like, if it wasn't, but that's, but there is that, like you can't. It really didn't matter that we were married. Yes, I know you can't take away that that was what was going on. No, it was. And I knew like, and I felt it too. I was like, oh, I'm in trouble. Like what is going on here? This is crazy. This is terrible. Like, I don't know what to do here. Yeah. And then,
And it wasn't like, oh my God, I have to have sex with this girl immediately. It was like instant attraction. It was not sex. I love that because I was about to actually say to you, like, you know, I think a lot of people...
feel the spark they're married they connect there's something that happened different than this i feel like this was like we're in trouble yeah right it was yeah it wasn't a sexual thing i mean obviously i wanted to have sex right but i'm saying it wasn't that it was like i'm crazy for this guy and now you know people step out on their marriage they want to have sex with someone
It happens. They could recover from that and everything else. This was something that I couldn't recover from. Right. I get that. This was something that went too far. Oh, you wanted to recover. No, no, no. But you know what I'm saying. Because at that point, it would have been easier probably to recover, but there was no recovery. There was no recovery. I get it. You know, and I knew that. And, you know, months went on and, you know, we got together. Did you guys at the beginning of it, were you saying to each other,
this has to happen. Like we can't, was it really quickly with the, you were like, we got to leave and we got to start over. Or does that take some time? No, not right away. Cause we're both hesitant because both of us were really somewhat family orientated. Right. Yeah. Right. We're both like into our family. And I was like, what am I going to do? I,
My older kids were out. Right. My, you know, my son was still home. And, you know, I was like, you know, my family dinners on Sunday night. And I was like, but I was like, I can't let my son see me unhappily married. That's not healthy for him.
And I can't be without Joe and this is no way and I can't live like this. And, you know, and I think you obviously felt the same way. Sure. Before you told your spouses or had that discussion, which I want to talk about, but did you confide in friends? Was there anyone? And how did your friends react? Well, my one friend totally did something horrible. My best friend in the world who I wrote about in my book, the betrayal was unbearable. What did she do?
um, this is terrible, you know, cause it was going to unravel her life. Um, this is terrible. Um, you don't know this guy, you know, just horrible. So I was like, listen, this is all my, my other friends understood cause they knew I was in a, you know, my marriage wasn't perfect. They knew my, the rest of my life was, and they, they were like, it's a big decision and they understood. Um,
My other friend was horrible. Horrible. Well, what can we tell like just listeners? Because I have to tell you when Jeff and I separated and we had come from infidelity and all of it, but like my friends were always supportive. Well, thank God. Like let's do what is going to make you happy, Jen. I think people should not be judgmental. Yes. Because no one, your life, no one knows what's going to happen. And I think-
To turn on your best friends. I mean, this is someone who I was the maid of honor at her wedding and I needed her the most. And to turn on me, she, and I just want to say this. I was so heartbroken. Her husband had said to me, you're driving. I'm watching you drive a runaway train. You're going to wind up alone. You're going to have nobody. You're going to be alone with your mother and your son on a holiday, like really sick, sick, disgusting things. Um,
And it was bad. And I was like, you know, it's not like I was in a perfect... I was marriage. And everybody knew that. They knew I had a great life and a beautiful thing. But I was like...
Jan deserved to be happy as well. He deserved to be with someone who was mainly on a great team. We were in therapy. You know, he obviously was not as happy with me either. He wanted some as much as he loved me. He wanted me to be different. I was spontaneous. I'm crazy. You know what I mean? Yes. I know what you mean. You know, Joe is a spontaneous person. He could accept my spontaneity. He could accept my risk taking, live life on the edge. Jan was risk adverse.
He was happy with the risk-averse life. I totally get that. Like, I have that. Jeff, I think one of the reasons why we work is because he looks at me like Joe looks at you like, well, I don't know what the fuck I stepped into here. But he's, yes. But it is. But he's the man behind. But it is entertaining. Yes, he's the man behind the woman. He loves you. And no matter, you know. He likes the craziness. Yes. You know, yeah.
As much as Jan found me attractive, he could not tolerate it. I mean, he was going to blow his brains out being with me. That's so interesting. So it just, so my one friend really, one of my best, really turned on me. Right.
Right, Joe? Yeah, she did. That's really, I have to say like... No, and got involved with my children. That's sick. And caused a lot of family tumult. Well, you know something? I will say that when Jeff and I got back together, I did have a couple friends. They didn't say it. They said it to be supportive, but they said, Jen, have you really given yourself a chance? Like, you're getting back together already just because it didn't work out with this boyfriend. How do you know that there's not...
So but I knew like that's why maybe you just have to trust yourself. Like you want to talk to your friends and be able to get the input. But I think at least for me, I think for you, too, like I knew that I wanted to be with Jeff. Like this was done. Exactly. And I wanted to be. You were leaving your boyfriend to go be with Jeff. Right. Which I thought was also like there's whatever your friends are at the end of the day. And I think it's hard, but especially in a scenario like this when you're on.
your second time around or there's infidel, like you have to trust yourself no matter. And ditch any fucking friend that talks to you like that. I get a lot of flag people like you cheated, you cheated. That's the way. No, it wasn't about that. It was about, I knew I didn't want a life of being unfaithful or being something like that or being unhappy. I want to be with someone who,
who was a partner who, you know, was just as crazy for me as I was for them, who accepted me for, you know, my flaws and all. And, and that we were a team. Yeah. And I, you know, and as much as Jan and I were a team for the family, we weren't a team for each other. Yeah. Yeah. And I wasn't, you know, I wasn't on his page either. You know, I didn't agree with a lot of things he did, you know, as much as he didn't agree with me. So, and Joe and I were a team. I love that. Well, Joe, I mean, guys don't always have the friendships that, that,
We do. But do you have friends supporting you? How is that? I have a lot of acquaintances and I have maybe a handful of really true friends. And they stood by you. And they're true friends. Like no matter what I would want to do. They would want it for you. They'll go and they backed me. Good. And some of them told me I was, you know, like I was an idiot, but.
You know, whatever you want to do, that's what we're going to do. Yeah. Okay. One friend told him. That he was an idiot? Okay. No, we had brunch at the diner. Even funnier. No, he goes like this. He's like, Joe, that girl's high maintenance written all over her. But is that like... And he goes, is that what you want? He goes, she's more than high maintenance. I was livid. She was livid. I was livid. I go, that's the first thing he says about me. Do we talk to him anymore? Yes. I do. Oh, good. Okay. Of course. Actually, you know, I...
I don't think it's a big deal. You know what I mean? I mean, if they're real friends, they are looking out for you. But like the friend that you describe, Margaret, is not a friend. Is that like, what's that supposed to mean? Right. Well, I mean, it accurately describes you. I don't even think it's an insult. It is what it is. So what does that mean? It's accurate. Is that supposed to be a turnoff? Right. High maintenance? Clearly not. Who would want somebody who's maintained?
Well, that's not exactly what it means. What does it mean? Oh, expensive? Expensive. I knew that that's what we were getting. Guess what? Yeah, I am expensive. And I work a lot. I would have never realized that. And I do very well. I always had a business and everything else. Yes. Well, guess what? I was expensive and I didn't work a lot or do very well. Every month, Amex calls us and says, thank you. Yes, exactly. Thank you. And there's nothing wrong with that. Well, okay. We stimulate the economy. Listen, this is a hard one. We're going to just...
Talk about it. It's okay. Quickly, because I've had a hard time answering these questions and I wasn't divorced. I was just separated, but the kids. How did you tell the kids? That was the worst day of my life. I know. I remember my own day when we told them that we were separating. But anything that you want to tell us about, you know, for people that are either going into part two or dealing with this kids thing?
Any advice or any... Yours wasn't as rough for some reason. No, my... You got off the hook so easy. Really? It was very difficult. How old... Your kids were a little older. My kids were probably 18 and 20. That's a hard age. No, and then... Okay, that's very hard. Yeah, but they were both starting their lives...
doing things. Okay. My son. You were closer with your kids, I feel like, than your ex-wife was. Did you guys tell the kids about each other or just that you were going to get separated or divorced? My kids knew, my kids knew that, not that I was with Margaret, but like I was friends with Margaret. They knew that. And then at some point, what are you making a face for? I mean, we moved right into a beach house, but that's a whole other story. Yeah. Yeah.
Maybe they're not that sharp. They figured it out. They figured it out quickly. Yes. Yes. No. And then at some point, my ex-wife did burst into the room where the kids were with me and she's screaming about life in general. And the kids are looking at her, looking at me and...
You know, they're basically looking at me for like, what's up with her? Right. You know, because she was so off the charts. They knew they weren't happy. Oh, yeah. My kids knew we weren't happy. And to be honest with you, they, you know, my wife wasn't happy with the three of us. Right. Okay.
I mean, yeah. Okay. Your kid's situation wasn't as, I think his situation, they were living, I mean, you were living separate lives even before I got in the picture. Oh, by far. Okay. So it wasn't a shock to the kids. Mine was a disaster. Okay. It was heartbreaking. It separated my family. You know what it was? I had a beautiful family life.
Even though they knew I phoogen. So mine was the worst day of my life. I could start crying now just thinking about it. Yeah. It was horrible. My older kids were older. My son was only 15. He was going away to a summer program. And they had no idea? They knew things weren't good, but they really were like, they couldn't believe it. They were just so devastated. And they were, I mean, I'm saying like late 20s, early 30s, they were. My stepkids. And they had to freak out. And my son was like 15 years old.
Very, very upset. Very upset. So Joe and I went, I said, you know, we're separating. We're probably getting divorced. I went to live with Joe for that summer in Manilocan in a beach house. Jan didn't handle it either when he found out. He handled it terribly. He handled it absolutely terribly and really, you know, didn't want to take any responsibility on his part. It wasn't about Joe. You know, Joe was...
Eventually we were going to get divorced anyway. I think Joe was like a catalyst. Yep. I think he moved along quicker and we were meant to clearly meant to be together. This is so many years later. And then, you know, two of my kids didn't speak to me for a very long time. Right.
Right. We're very devastated. But they had trauma from their own life because, you know, they didn't their mother wasn't in their life and had left them. And I think it was like a form of abandonment, even though I wasn't leaving my kids. You know, they were grown adults. Of course. My son, who was 15 at the time, believe it or not, understood more really because he lived with us all the time.
And then God, I just it's the hardest day of my life. The worst day of my life. I mean, it was so brutal. It's brutal. I mean, I was sick. Remember, I was crying on the beach all the time. Fourth of July. I'd always be with my family in the Hamptons, but I was a man of Logan. I was sick. I was throwing up. Oh, God. You know.
It was a very hard time, but I knew I could not sacrifice my life. If I wasn't good for me, I couldn't be good for the rest of my kids or my family. You know what I mean? Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I mean, when we told our kids, I was – I couldn't just – we couldn't just keep going. They say – I've heard people say that, like, you get divorced when –
You're at the point where the money doesn't matter. It's not that the kids, obviously the kids matter. But living like that is the only thing. You can't live like that another day. Yeah. I mean, yeah. The money definitely did not matter for me. I walked out of that door and I gave up my house. I gave up. I wound up paying alimony. You're still paying alimony. Yep. How many more checks you have left? Four.
Not many. I know. The exact number. No, let me tell you. No, he knows the exact number. He writes the number on the bottom of every one. Oh my, just to give her a little. I live for that. Well, she doesn't get it. It goes to the state, but you know what? I live for that level of petty. Yeah. Joe's pettier than I am. Come on now.
All right, Joe, who's pettier, you or me? Oh, I can hold a grudge till the end of frickin' time and hate you forever. I'm not like that. Okay, so all you listeners who are Housewives fans, that is not at all what you would think. Joe Benito, you come off as your sugar on the show. No, he is. He's very sweet, but he can be very- Don't cross him. You know, he's like, you know, he's been paying alimony a long time at this point. ♪
I'm Camila Ramon, Peloton's first Spanish-speaking cycling and tread instructor. I'm an athlete, entrepreneur, and almost most importantly, a perreo enthusiast. And I'm Liz Ortiz, former pro soccer player and Olympian, and like Kami, a perreo enthusiast. Come on, who is it? Our podcast, Hasta Bajo, is where sports, music, and fitness collide. And we cover it all. De arriba hasta abajo.
Sit-downs with real game-changers in the sports world, like Miami Dolphins CMO Priscilla Shumate, who is redefining what it means to be a Latina leader. It all changed when I had this guy come to me. He said to me, you know...
You're not Latina enough. First of all, what is that? My mouth is wide open. Yeah. History makers like the Sucar family who became the first Peruvians to win a Grammy. It was a very special moment for us. It's been 15 years for me in this career. Finally, things are starting to shift into a different level. Listen to Hasta Bajo on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network. The best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations. But most people avoid them, staying silent, missing opportunities, and holding themselves back. I know this is true because I used to be one of those people. As a kid, I struggled to fit in and I was afraid to speak up. That fear followed me into adulthood until I realized something powerful. Negotiation isn't a talent.
It's a skill anyone can learn. And it starts with negotiating with yourself, breaking through fear, self-doubt, and the limits we place on ourselves. Now I help people from all walks of life, whether it's people closing multi-million dollar deals, parents setting boundaries, students finding their voice, or professionals advancing their careers.
If you want to handle tough conversations, get what you deserve, and take control of your future, this podcast is for you. I'm Kwame Christian, host of Negotiate Anything, the number one negotiation podcast in the world, where you'll learn one simple truth. You don't get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate. Listen to Negotiate Anything on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Welcome to Pod of Rebellion, our new Star Wars Rebels rewatch podcast. I'm Vanessa Marshall. Hi, I'm Tia Sircar. I'm Taylor Gray. And I'm John Lee Brody. But you may also know us as Harrison Dula, Spectre 2. Sabine Wren, Spectre 5. And Ezra Bridger, Spectre 6 from Star Wars Rebels. Wait.
Uh, I wasn't on Star Wars Rebels. Am I in the right place? Absolutely. Each week, we're going to rewatch and discuss an episode from the series. And share some fun behind-the-scenes stories. Sometimes we'll be visited by special guests like Steve Bloom, voice of Zabarelio Specter IV, or Dante Bosco, voice of Jai Kell, and many others. Sometimes we'll even have a lively debate. And we'll have plenty of other fun surprises and trivia, too. Oh, uh, and me? Well, I'm the lucky ghost crew Stowaway, who gets to help moderate and guide the discussion each week.
Kind of like how Kanan guided Ezra in the ways of the Force. You see what I did there? Nicely done, John. Thanks, Tia. So, hang on, because it's going to be a fun ride. Cue the music! ♪
Listen to Potter Rebellion on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Israel Gutierrez, and I'm hosting a new podcast, Dub Dynasty, the story of how the Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA for over a decade.
The Golden State Warriors once again are NBA champions. From the building of the core that included Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to one of the boldest coaching decisions in the history of the sport. I just felt like the biggest thing was to earn the trust of the players and let the players know that
We were here to try to help them take the next step, not tear anything down. Today, the Warriors dynasty remains alive, in large part because of a scrawny six-foot-two hooper who everyone seems to love. For what Steph has done for the game, he's certainly on that Mount Rushmore for guys that have changed it. Come revisit this magical Warriors ride. This is Dove Dynasty. The Doves Dynasty is still very much alive.
Listen to Dub Dynasty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Are your ears bored? Yeah. Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn, and say que? Yeah. Then tune in to Locatora Radio Season 10 today. Okay. I'm Diosa. I'm Mala. The host of Locatora Radio, a radiophonic novela. Which is just a very extra way of saying a podcast. We're launching this season with a miniseries.
Totally Nostalgic, a four-part series about the Latinos who shaped pop culture in the early 2000s. It's Lala checking in with all things Y2K, 2000s. My favorite memory, honestly, was us having our own media platforms like Mundos and MTV3. You could turn on the TV, you see Thalia, you see JLo, Nina Sky, Evie Queen, all the girlies doing their things. All of the beauty reflected right back at us. It was everything.
Tune in to Locatora Radio Season 10. Now that's what I call a podcast. Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Listen, you are divorced and it sounds like, well, if Margaret is friends with your ex, you have to be at least friendly with her now. No. Oh, well, I was hopeful. Not really. I don't, I rarely...
text anything with her. Okay. And I don't get involved with stuff. Um, unless my kids call me and say, Oh my God, this is happening. And my, my daughter recently called me up and said, I had to go do something about it. I had a beautiful relationship with my ex-husband. I know you did. And he passed away, but you know, and, and he took it much worse with the divorce because Joe's wife actually wanted the divorce. She wanted a divorce. Wow. Would you guys, um,
I have any advice to give in terms of there's really nothing. I don't know if there is any advice that you can give for people telling their kids. I don't know if I would have any. I think you have to be don't give any dirty details. I don't think anybody should discuss infidelities. I don't think anybody needs to know that you don't have to be brutally honest. But I think just honest enough that.
We love each other. It's just not working out. It has nothing to do with you. You say that to the kids, right? Yes. I wish I had a parent who would... I went through, as a kid, a lot of divorce. My parents were both divorced multiple times. But I remember one of them and a stepfather saying to me and to my sister, she's cheating. No, it's terrible. It is right. I would just say like...
You know, when Jeff and I separated. No blaming. There was no blaming. There was only propping each other up. I mean, that's what I would suggest. That's what it is. And I think that's the don't you think that's the most important thing, though? That doesn't happen. No, it does not. I heard through the grapevine that all these accusations on my part, which were all false. I was I heard through grapevine that I had cheated from the day we were married. You never you were like a goody two shoes. Who said that? Did your kids think that?
No, my kids know me. Okay. But that's what... Was your ex spreading that around? Sure. That's the story I got back. Wow. See, that's what upset me because there's one thing... Listen, I could be a lot of things, but I was very, very devoted to my kids and my family. They were my entire life. I was devoted to my in-laws, everything else. I was also a very doting wife. Granted, I did cheat on my husband. I did. It's a fact. I did. But...
So did I, by the way. I mean, not first, but we're here to talk about it. And that doesn't mean that, you know, there's worse things you could do. It doesn't erase years of devotion and everything else. So I felt...
you know, very upset that, you know, my, my ex-husband Jan, you know, did not handle it really correctly. Yeah. Because, um, he kind of, you know, made himself out like he was a very much, um, a victim. And I was like, you got, you got to dial it back. You know, I go, come on, but to the world and to everyone else, he's like, it looks like you went on to this beautiful life. Um,
your business was doing great. You moved to this great house. Then you got on TV, you know, and to the world looked like Margaret had everything and poor, and poor Jan had nothing. Well, that's not true. Right. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Jan, you know, Jan,
got my whole house, Jan got out, you know, but everybody was like, poor, you know, in the public eye or whatever it was or in everybody else's eye was like, poor Jan. But Jan didn't have to work. I relate to that. Everybody did that. Even though Jeff...
had an affair when I, I ended up leaving and everyone was like, poor Jeff, which is so interesting, even including my mother. Yes, exactly. So yeah, which is upsetting. It's strange. It's like, you know, my other friends, but I think the kids, you know, were like, they saw their father sad and then they felt bad, you know? Right. And no, but I felt bad. Listen, I even felt bad for Jan. I think I had some weird guilt for years myself. I was just like, cause he would call me. I mean, he didn't know how to use the printer. Yeah.
legit he'd come to our house and Lexi and I would do the print right yeah but then he met a beautiful woman who was it's very bizarre it was who was it Joe um my wife's
best friend. What? Yeah, and they started dating. Wait, what? Yeah. I thought I knew you. What are you talking about? Yes. You're just making this shit up. No, no, no. Jan's girlfriend, when he passed away, had been dating Joe's ex-wife's best friend for three years. Wow. And I know they were crazy about each other. You told me about it. Crazy. And they met each other on a dating site. And the funny thing is, the first time I met her, I was like, what are you doing here? Oh, my God. Because I had known her for...
20 some odd years. And then you saw her through Jan? Yeah. That is the weirdest thing. Isn't that the weirdest thing? Well, she knew because she, she knew about it because they went on a date. And then of course, Jan was like, my ex-wife, she's on housewives, you know, say stuff like that. And he, and she was like, and he goes, you know, she left me for the, you know, he gave this story, you know, she was dating the contract and she goes, is your ex-wife married to Joe Bandegno? And then she said it to him. Shit. How did your ex take that?
Is that the end of their friendship? I don't think they liked it. I don't know. No, she didn't like it. No, probably not. She told me she didn't like it. It kind of, they weren't as close. They weren't really friends after that. Really? I mean, it's so funny. Like it's just so much, there's so much heartache, but to get to-
Where you are now. I mean, I think about that so often, like with part two, I think about sometimes and you guys tell me what you think, but my grandparents were so miserable at the end of their lives. Like, I guess that back in the day, you know, the woman was responsible for the kids, the house. You had to come in and my Nana was saying to me, there always had to be a meat and a vegetable and a starch and whatever. And, but there was so much resentment built up that at the end of their lives, you know,
They just couldn't stand each other. And I think to myself, like, while divorce, I don't recommend it. And I'm sure neither one of you, it's not, it's not a party, but now you're,
at the point in your lives you're older and you are enjoying your life with this person that you love and all the heartache, I'm happy to say here you are. I mean, I'm sure there are people that regret it, but. I think that some people make it through and they love each other till the end of the time. On first marriages, you know, like they meet, you hear people, they meet in high school and they get married, have a bunch of kids and life is good. And for a lot of other people, and I think the majority of Americans,
It's much better the second time around. Yeah, no, I mean, honestly, I'm on my second whatever, sort of, but like- Yeah, no, as you knew, you know, it's- But whatever it is, like now, especially as I get older, I can't imagine being in an unhappy-
at our ages, you know? No, I just, A, I don't suffer well. That's my, right? Like the white lotus woman. Yes. I can't be uncomfortable. When she said that, I died. I was like, I could not relate more. Me too. I'm too old to be uncomfortable. I'm too old to be uncomfortable. I would have to kill myself if I wasn't rich.
That was a classic line. But I also do feel it. And I think sometimes I'm feeling emotional lately because I'm just like looking back on my life and everything we did to get here and, you know, everything I've been through. Right. You know, and I had, you know, I reminisce. I had a beautiful life the first time, but I, you know, and that was the time I raised my kids and everything else. But the part two of my life, you know, is about, you know, my kids are up and out. It's about you. It's about me and my husband and, you know, and my dog. Yeah.
Especially the dog. Let's put them in the correct order. It's about you, your dog, Lexi and Joe. Yeah, yeah, yes. No, and it's just like... And throw the mother in before me. Oh, excuse me, Marta Senior. No, no, no. Sorry about that. No, but I'm just saying, we do have a beautiful,
of life together and a tan girl throw her into the tanning girl yeah I have to make sure I give a spray check I need her number by the way but okay go on so yeah no I totally get that and so I think a lot of times I do get emotional sometimes I'm sitting on the sofa watch that I start crying because I'm just like oh my god I do feel like it is the second chapter but I feel like we're in like the last leg yeah we are
I mean, I'm putting myself in there. We are. And I have a lot of gratitude now. I do too. At our age. It's just like, look at you. You're just, you know, you just got your beaches. It's just like. It's just gratitude just to have been a happy marriage because so many people are not. No, exactly. Like I called you. How many times a day do we talk on the phone? Quite a few.
Endless. Best friends. Yeah. I call Joe constantly, you know, we shower together and that's not code for sex. No. Sort of is. Unfortunately. No, it's not. No, no, no, no, no. We don't, we don't have sex in the shower. We're just like, even though we built two shower heads, he insists on just like going under my shower head. It's our shower head. Yes. Okay. So having said that, cause that's like still honeymoon based. I was going to ask you guys, like now you move in to the beach house and you're actually together. Was there ever any like, wait, whoa, whoa. Yeah.
What have we done? Was there ever any? Nope. Never. None of that. Not once. Not a day. You knew that that's what had to be. It meant to be. I was obsessed with him from the beginning. I love that. I love that. Yeah. Weren't you saying you were obsessed with me from the beginning? I am obsessed with you from the beginning. I'm like, I'm obsessed with you from the beginning. I'm still obsessed. He is. That's actually a fact. So tell me now,
A little bit about your feelings on, and this is sort of making a sharp right or a sharp left, but let's talk prenups for a moment because I just had Dolores and Paul on and we spoke a little bit about them. I spoke a little bit about my idea. I feel like now I think prenups are fabulous invention, but everyone feels differently about them. How do you guys feel about them?
I don't see a need for it. No, I see a need for prenups with certain people. I think people need a prenup. I don't need a prenup. Joe and I didn't do a prenup, but I do agree with prenups. We did. Listen, we're very specific with our estate planning, though. Yeah. I think the estate planning is super, super important. Right. Yeah.
Which is when you say estate planning, you're saying like that. Right. When you croak. And but but and that you have you know that no matter what, this is what you want. We're very big. The way we did it is we're very big with separating the life insurances. Who's getting what? We did that kind of planning. Yeah.
I mean, I think that's so smart for a second time. Because kids... Yeah, because, listen, we own separate things. Joe owns apartments, this. We set everybody up the right way. We planned it that way. I have so many friends who also, they've lost a parent, and then there's a step-parent involved, and that just becomes a total nightmare. No, we have everything in writing, who's getting what, what's happening, da-da-da. Right. So all the children are okay. So nobody's fighting over it. No one's fighting over everything. Right.
The dog gets everything. Yes, exactly. Everything goes to Edie. No. So we, you know, we arranged things that way. Yeah. Yeah. Tell us. But I do believe in a prenup. I mean, obviously certain people should have gotten, you know, but we got together. I mean, I was super, you know, though I've had taken some hits. I mean, I had a very big thing when we got to, we were both equally as successful when we got together. You own a lot of real estate. I had a big business, you know? Yeah.
But we were like... Well, if I had to do it again, if I was doing it again, there would be prenups. Yeah, there was a third time. I'm not saying because I'm such a millionaire even, but I just think things get so messy. They do. They do. And I agree with... I definitely agree with the prenup, but we did more post-Nuppie kind of almost, right? We didn't do any pre, and then we just figured on, well, the kid's got to be taken care of. Yeah, and we made sure of that. We have everything in writing for the kids. Yeah, I love that. ♪
I'm Camila Ramon, Peloton's first Spanish-speaking cycling and tread instructor. I'm an athlete, entrepreneur, and almost most importantly, a perreo enthusiast. And I'm Liz Ortiz, former pro soccer player and Olympian, and like Kami, a perreo enthusiast. Come on, who is it? Our podcast, Hasta Bajo, is where sports, music, and fitness collide. And we cover it all. De arriba hasta abajo.
Sit-downs with real game changers in the sports world, like Miami Dolphins CMO Priscilla Shumate, who is redefining what it means to be a Latina leader. It all changed when I had this guy come to me. He said to me, you know, you're not Latina enough. First of all, what does that mean? My mouth is wide open. Yeah. History makers like the Sucar family, who became the first Peruvian
Peruvians to win a Grammy. It was a very special moment for us. It's been 15 years for me in this career. Finally, things are starting to shift into a different level. Listen to Hasta Bajo on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network. The best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations. But most people avoid them, staying silent, missing opportunities, and holding themselves back. I know this is true because I used to be one of those people. As a kid, I struggled to fit in and I was afraid to speak up. That fear followed me into adulthood until I realized something powerful. Negotiation isn't a talent.
It's a skill anyone can learn. And it starts with negotiating with yourself, breaking through fear, self-doubt, and the limits we place on ourselves. Now I help people from all walks of life, whether it's people closing multi-million dollar deals, parents setting boundaries, students finding their voice, or professionals advancing their careers.
If you want to handle tough conversations, get what you deserve, and take control of your future, this podcast is for you. I'm Kwame Christian, host of Negotiate Anything, the number one negotiation podcast in the world, where you'll learn one simple truth. You don't get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate. Listen to Negotiate Anything on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Wait.
Uh, I wasn't on Star Wars Rebels. Am I in the right place? Absolutely. Each week, we're going to rewatch and discuss an episode from the series. And share some fun behind-the-scenes stories. Sometimes we'll be visited by special guests like Steve Bloom, voice of Zabarelio Specter IV, or Dante Bosco, voice of Jai Kell, and many others. Sometimes we'll even have a lively debate. And we'll have plenty of other fun surprises and trivia, too. Oh, uh, and me? Well, I'm the lucky ghost crew Stowaway, who gets to help moderate and guide the discussion each week.
Kind of like how Kanan guided Ezra in the ways of the Force. You see what I did there? Nicely done, John. Thanks, Tia. So, hang on, because it's going to be a fun ride. Cue the music! ♪♪♪
Listen to Potter Rebellion on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Israel Gutierrez, and I'm hosting a new podcast, Dub Dynasty, the story of how the Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA for over a decade.
The Golden State Warriors once again are NBA champions. From the building of the core that included Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to one of the boldest coaching decisions in the history of the sport. I just felt like the biggest thing was to earn the trust of the players and let the players know that
We were here to try to help them take the next step, not tear anything down. Today, the Warriors dynasty remains alive, in large part because of a scrawny six-foot-two hooper who everyone seems to love. For what Steph has done for the game, he's certainly on that Mount Rushmore for guys that have changed it. Come revisit this magical Warriors ride. This is Dove Dynasty. The Doves Dynasty is still very much alive.
Listen to Dub Dynasty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Are your ears bored? Yeah. Are you looking for a new podcast that will make you laugh, learn, and say que? Yeah. Then tune in to Locatora Radio Season 10 today. Okay. I'm Diosa. I'm Mala. The host of Locatora Radio, a radiophonic novela. Which is just a very extra way of saying a podcast. We're launching this season with a miniseries.
Totally Nostalgic, a four-part series about the Latinos who shaped pop culture in the early 2000s. It's Lala checking in with all things Y2K, 2000s. My favorite memory, honestly, was us having our own media platforms like Mundos and MTV3. You could turn on the TV, you see Thalia, you see JLo, Nina Sky, Evie Queen, all the girlies doing their things. All of the beauty reflected right back at us. It was everything.
Tune in to Locatora Radio Season 10. Now that's what I call a podcast. Listen to Locatora Radio Season 10 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. So just to touch on this very briefly, but...
When Jan passed away, which was what, 2022? Two years ago. Was it three years ago? It'll be three years in August. Yeah, three years. Right. And you talked about it a little bit on the show, but how Joe supported you through that. Yes. If you want to just give us just an idea of... Well, I mean, Marge was going through extreme grief. It was her... Did that make you feel any way? I felt...
towards her grief and how she felt and how her son and I didn't know the stepkids, so the other ones felt. Well, you knew how Brett felt. One Brett. And so you just support how she wants to deal with it. If she had decided to deal with it by not dealing with it, I would have supported that too. But we ended up having...
What do you call that thing? Shiva. The Shiva. What do you call that thing? Well, it's not a funeral. No, I know. What do you call that thing? We had the Shiva. The non-Jew. At your house. Yeah, at my house. So, and it was fine. Just like have everybody over. No, you were so supportive. Well, I had known Jan for years.
And you were friendly with him. Yeah, I was friendly. I mean, we weren't best buddies. We weren't going out camping together. Right, right. But, you know, we went out to dinner a few times. He was fine. And his girlfriend I knew forever. Right. It was just, you know, it was shocking because he was the picture of health. So I think it was so shocking. That guy ran five miles a day. I remember that. Yeah, and he was so healthy. And you know what? Joe was so supportive of that. And that just shows what a great, confident, secure man he is in our relationship. Agreed.
I mean, you were more worried about that. If you guys did watch the show, Margaret talked a lot about feeling guilty that she was so sad and devastated. You know why I was so devastated? I knew Jan since I'm 24 years old. Right. That's the first thing. To watch my kids so devastated. Father of your children. Father of my children. I mean, I grew up with them. He was like, by the time we were divorced, it was like having a crazy uncle. You know? Yeah. He was the witness to my life before I knew Joe. You know what I mean? And it's like I knew him longer than anybody. So poor Joe.
You know how to deal with the hysteria. I mean, we have a picture of Jan hanging in my living room when Jan from the 1970s. It's I could start crying about that now. It's so, you know, it's a weird thing to have that because Jodan and I'm not insulting your relationship. Jan and I had a different kind of relationship than him and his ex-wife. Jan and I had a history of because he was so much older than me.
You know what we had gone through. And I think Joe and his ex-wife didn't have that kind of relationship. And and his kids don't have that relationship with his ex-wife. You're you know where my my kids are obsessed with me, but they were equally as obsessed with Jan. Don't you agree? Yeah. Yeah. Yes. No, I that I was at that Shiva and.
Not a happy time. And your kids were so devastated. No. And to this day, I mean, you know, we are so devastated. That was the one thing. We were both devastated.
That was the only thing Jan and I agreed on was the kids. We were both obsessed, neurotic wrecks. You know, Joe's not a neurotic wreck. Right. Jan and I were neurotic wrecks. I mean, maybe that's something to be said for that because I'm a neurotic wreck and Jeff Esler's not. He's not. Jeff is actually just like I am. He is. I know. That's a good comment. You need someone who's steady. Opposites attract. Opposites attract. Yes, they do. They do. Yes, you can't be too neurotic.
Rex. No. No, because then that would be a disaster. Yes, and I think that's probably what it was. But it's just so interesting to note, because I know that you were so worried about Joe during that time, and Joe was fine and worried about you. Yeah, no, he was so good, and he, I mean, like, you know, and that was the one thing I think he probably felt bad, because he couldn't make it better. No one can make that better, you know? But I feel like
You know, I'm very good also. And I think you're good this way. Like, you know, in times where we make a lot of jokes. Yeah. You know, which which does help you get through. Of course. You get through things. I mean, yes. I mean, when I went to the cemetery and I should not make a joke about this and my my kids will kill me. But the only thing that gets me through, I went with my son and.
Oh, you know, the headstone. I was not happy with the headstone. So you. So you. Right. Right. You're not kidding. Uh huh. Well, I mean, it said besides it just was the first thing before they even got the headstone, they spelt his name wrong. Wrong.
And they got the date wrong that he died. I was having a freak out. Of course. Is that a problem? Of course you are. I would actually say that. This is like a Larry David episode. Then we go and it's, you know, it's not the proper unveiling. And, you know, my son and I go, it's the day he died. I'm crying. It's sweating. It's August. It's this. It's that. I'm.
going, we're playing the rocks, you know, with the Jewish religion. The Jewish thing, right. You know, and poor Joe's waiting for, we're going to go to lunch afterwards or whatever. And we go and we get there. My son doesn't want me to know what the headstone says. And I have nothing to do with it because I'm the ex-wife. So I should have nothing to say. You don't know from that. Let's get real. Margaret doesn't. No, no. There's no, I mean, come on. Nothing gets done without Margaret's approval. No, no, no. But they're not going to tell me what the headstone says. And everyone, like, steps over it. It says, beloved...
you know, son, father, brother, life partner. Would you have wanted to say husband? It could have said love of my life. It could have said, if she wanted that, you know, the girlfriend, it could have said anything. Life partner. Life partner.
approve this nonsense. I was like... You don't think that was a little bit of transference there? Like getting so upset about that when there was actually... You're at the funeral of this... No, it wasn't the funeral. It was last year. Oh, it was the unveiling? It was right before the unveiling. Oh, okay. Got it. I was like...
life partner. Yeah. Who puts that on a tombstone? And you made a scene? I was only myself and my son. Okay, good. It wasn't really the official one. Okay. I, I mean, then I started laughing. Then I was like, all right, he, all right, he's- Listen, here's the thing though, you're still worried about him in death. No, no,
You want it to be right. I wanted it to be right. I said, like, I go, this is unacceptable. I go, this is. And did it change? Any, any. No, it did not change yet. Well, we'll know who he is. If we go to the cemetery, we'll be able to find him. No, I've complained to my other children. I was like, who said this is OK? It should be changed. Love my life. I go, it doesn't have to say husband, because clearly, even though he was the husband of two women.
You know, it was just, you know, for the girlfriend. Couldn't say love my lover. Could have said a million. Life partner. This is, there are so many times where I'm like, that's so Margaret. This is just so Margaret. It is so Margaret. Like, it's not even your problem. It was the girlfriend's problem. So I just, Joe said, what are you going to do when I die? Stuff me. Yeah, I'm going to put her next to my bear. Put her next to the bear on the hallway. That's romantic. Very romantic. Just change my outfit. I love that. Make sure I'm wearing my good hair pieces. Obviously, obviously we'll have Julius do it.
So, okay, you guys, a couple more things. First, because, again, whoever is out there listening that's a fan of the show knows that Joe was diagnosed with prostate cancer last season. Thankfully. Thankfully. Thankfully. It was such early stages that nothing had to be done. But where are we at now?
Let our viewers... They just... The doctors monitor me. They want to take tests constantly.
You know, but nothing's changed. Okay, good. Thank God. It has not advanced. It's still stage one. You know, they said because Joe got it, you know, later in life and they did a genomic test that his is very slow growing. Okay. And it hasn't changed. So they're just going to keep monitoring it. But my numbers dropped for some crazy reason. The TSA numbers. PSA. PSA. His TSA, he could still get right through the airport. I could get right on that plane. He could get right on the plane.
With his PSA and his TSA. Okay, okay. Okay.
Yeah, the PSA numbers dropped for some crazy-ass reason. Which was good. Fabulous news. But he is, you know, it was still there. But we're monitoring him and he goes every six months. Okay. All right. So tell me what we've left out, you guys. Is there anything you want to tell our listeners in terms of things that you would suggest, advice, follow your heart? Marge is running for president next year. No, no, no. Marge should be president with everything that's going on. I could do a hundred times better job. Oh.
There will be no tariffs. See that? People out of business. That's a whole other story. Okay. We're going to go now into what really counts you guys the most out of all of this. Housewives. What do you think of the show? Yes. What do you think about what's happening with the show? What do I think is... I think it's ludicrous. No, Joe. You know what I think? I think... Wait. I'm sorry, Marge. Tell me why you think it's ludicrous. Because not for anything...
I mean, the show was on in like 30 some odd countries. We had the highest ratings everywhere. For the most part, the cast got along and meshed with each other. Most part. Most part. I said most part. And the people who didn't mesh really did not film with us that much. So the show was, I'd say, very successful. Yeah.
And I think that the management, wherever, whether it was a production company or Bravo themselves, did not give us enough. We didn't get enough episodes. They had, I think they had more than enough things go on that they could film.
And we were successful. And I think it's ludicrous for them. I think it got a little dark. I think it got a little dark. I understand. I understand what Joe's saying. We still had great ratings. The Dead of the Summer, you know that. I know, Sundays. It was The Dead of the Summer on a Sunday.
Where I don't feel like watching TV myself. I think our ratings were great. But I do think it is time for a little change up. Listen, we're close. We have close friendships with the other ladies on the show. I think certain things turn too dark where people can't be around each other. That's a given. Listen, don't you feel like now I'm watching Atlanta, obviously. Yes. Last Sunday night, that was talk about dark. Yes. I think a few things, you know, and I think the social media leaks. Social media leaks. Were horrific.
I think things happened. I'm kind of enjoying my, you know, break, you know, but it was a big part, you know, it was a bit, you know, you were on a little bit, you know, for a shorter time, but it was a big part of your life, even in the short time. As a friend of, yes, it takes over. It does take over. So it is, but,
I enjoyed the time with the people I love. Yeah. You, Melissa, Rachel, Dolores. You know what I'm saying? And before that, though, years that before us, you were still loving it. I still loved it. Even though I, you know, some parts I couldn't stand. There were moments, of course. You know, I love my crew. Right. I love the production. I know. You know, I love being part of the Bravo family. But, you know, nothing lasts forever.
That's the other thing. Nothing lasts forever. It's a part of my life. It's not my whole life. Do you want it? I know you're asked this constantly because I'm asked it constantly and I'm not, I haven't been on the show for the time that you have or had the impact. But do you want it to come back? If you do, what do you want to see? Of course, listen, I never want to see Jersey go away. I think it's just such an iconic show. I'd like it to come back in a fun way. I think people want it. But
If it, I would have liked it to go out on more of a high. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Yes. As opposed to the way it did. So I would love that. Um,
Don't you feel like, because I mean, again, people recognize you that don't recognize me. You've been doing this for way longer, but don't you feel like everyone seems to want it so badly? Yes, everybody. Everybody's like- Everyone asks. Everyone wants it. But I look at it this way also. Atlanta went away for a few years and came back. Yeah, it did. And maybe some new alliteration. I don't think a total reboot would happen, but we'll see what happens. And I don't know where I'm going to be a year from now. I don't know where you're going to be a year from now. No one knows what's going to happen a year from now. Right. But-
We'll have to see what happens. That's kind of the way I feel. I mean, I was on it the past two years and I want to know, like, I just missed the show. Like, forget me on it. Like, what now? What is going to happen? Where is Margaret? Where is... Yeah, and I think everybody's life is going to change and new things are going to happen to everybody. And I think there'll be new stories.
There's something about Jersey, right? And I'm saying as a viewer, first and foremost. Yes. There's something about Jersey. There's authentic...
friendships and relationships. People say the family thing. And of course I talk about Melissa and Teresa and there is that, but I don't know. I don't know. Something's in the water in Jersey. I think that just made the show so addictive. I think people are very authentic. Yeah. I think it's very authentic. Not a lot of airs may be put on as much as they are in some of the other shows. I think it's authentic relationships. Yeah. I mean, I even said with Beverly Hills and I love Beverly Hills, but I was watching and everything else. Um,
You know, I don't know. I think sometimes people don't say things as bluntly. Maybe we're more direct. Well, when you say we, I know you mean you, not as blunt as I am. No, we, you say things direct also. You're more direct. Yeah, I think I am too.
I mean, listen, it's something you have to get used to. I mean, I don't know if you ever really had that. You never really had to get acclimated. You went in with... Well, I was in business a long time, working with men and this, that, and the other thing. And, you know, you don't get if you don't ask. Yeah. Or say. Well, the producer said to me before I started filming season 13, your job is to say what you think. So things that you would never say...
Now you say them. And that took a little getting used to for me to be able to articulate, I think you're a fucking bitch. Like that's not a normal thing necessarily to say to somebody
who you're friends with or work friends with. It's tricky, but you got the hang of it fast. I think it took me a little more time. I like to say that. I know you do. I like to say it in my real life too. I know you do. But then I like to move on very quickly because I don't like to hold a grudge. Yes, you do. Unlike my husband, who's a little grudge holder. I'm never crossing Joe Benigno ever, ever, ever. And I have to put one more thing in it. What people don't realize is on the show, they watched all of us talk, mingle, talk.
fight get along and now they're not filming but the people who we were friends with on the show we're still genuinely friends with and that does not stop people we we are we might argue and we make up right jeff and i might go to some place and we we do the same thing never have a fight we watch no we never fight but we watch the girls like right have a discussion about oh yeah let's
Look at us with our nonsense. I know. I know. And we still do have it. I do. I will speak for myself. So when they're watching Jersey, they're really watching real life. Yeah, that's true. It doesn't change. The only difference is there's a camera or not a camera. Yeah. But it's exactly the same. Yeah, that's true. It's interesting. We go to events together. We do fun things together. Our feelings get hurt still. So I think it's- I just recently went through something like that. I mean, listen, look just even on White Lotus, the female friendships. Right.
It's very accurate. Yeah, it is actually, except I hate all three of those bitches. So I didn't like one of them. Did you? I did. Really? Which one? I did like Carrie Coon. I did like Lori. I liked her the best. Yes. She was certainly the most authentic. I wanted to punch the other one in the face, the pretty one.
They were all pretty. I shouldn't say that. But the one that was like the movie star. Yeah, I didn't like her. Noxious woman. I didn't like her either. Anyway, you guys, I don't know how long we've been going. I could go on. I think this was great. Thank you. I love you guys so much. Love you. I just also want to say to listeners, like, I don't know. It doesn't always work out like Margaret and Joe. But I don't know. I think it's such a, it's so fabulous to hear a story like yours, to know that like you went through hell, especially Margaret, as you were saying, like with the kids and,
And here you are and crying on your couch. Yes. Minus out of six kids. Well, everything's great with five. One, not so good, but you know what? Five is good. These are grown adults. Can't win them all. Five, I'd say. No, but I mean, you're sitting on the couch crying because you're so grateful. And I think that's- No, and I am so grateful. And Joe and I are, it's a long time already. I mean, even we didn't get married till 2013, but it's a long time. Yeah. Yeah. So listen, I mean, there's something to be said for all of that.
I love you both so much. We love you. Thank you for coming in. Thank you. And thanks to all the listeners. There you go. Okay. Thank you both so much for coming on and being so open. And thank you.
thank you for all the advice that you gave. It was, in my humble opinion, really great advice. So listeners, are you going through a divorce? Are you trying to navigate life after a breakup? Call us, email us, follow us on socials. All the information will be in the show notes. Make sure to rate and review the podcast, please. I do part two, an iHeart podcast where falling in love is the main objective.
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Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast, Math & Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some folks across a wide range of industries to hear how they reached the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use.
I'll be joined by innovative leaders like chairman and CEO of Elf Beauty, Tarang Amin. Legendary singer-songwriter and philanthropist, Jewel. Being a rock star is very fun, but helping people is way more fun. And Damian Maldonado, CEO of American Financing. I figured out the formula. You just have to work hard, then that's magic. Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math, and the ever-important creative spark, the magic.
Listen to Math & Magic on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Mary Kay McBrayer, host of the podcast The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told. This season explores women from the 19th century to now. Women who were murderers and scammers, but also women who were photojournalists, lawyers, writers, and more.
This podcast tells more than just the brutal, gory details of horrific acts. I delve into the good, the bad, the difficult, and all the nuance I can find. Because these are the stories that we need to know to understand the intersection of society, justice, and the fascinating workings of the human psyche. Join me every week as I tell some of the most enthralling true crime stories about women who are not just victims, but heroes.
or villains, or often somewhere in between. Listen to the greatest true crime stories ever told on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
My name is Brendan Patrick Hughes, host of Divine Intervention. This is a story about radical nuns in combat boots and wild-haired priests trading blows with J. Edgar Hoover in a hell-bent effort to sabotage a war. J. Edgar Hoover was furious. He was out of his mind, and he wanted to bring the Catholic left to its knees.
Listen to Divine Intervention on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Israel Gutierrez, and I'm hosting a new podcast, Dub Dynasty, the story of how the Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA for over a decade. The Golden State Warriors once again are NBA.
Today, the Warriors dynasty remains alive, in large part because of a scrawny six-foot-two hooper who everyone seems to love. For what Steph has done for the game, he's certainly on that Mount Westmore. Come revisit this magical Warriors ride. Listen to Dub Dynasty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.