The Unplanned Podcast with Matt & Abby

Latest Episodes:

We're pregnant with our rainbow baby Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Today's episode is sponsored by Shopify, Pocket Pivot, Little Spoon, and Upwork. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/unplanned Pocket Pivot: Text UNPLANNED to 64000 to get a free pocket pivot and 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of any size Copper Head hose; message and data rates may apply, see terms for details. Little Spoon: Go to https://littlespoon.com/unplanned30 and enter code UNPLANNED30 for 30% off your first order of real, nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for kids at every stage. Upwork: Visit https://upwork.com to post your job for free and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. In this episode Matt and Abby get honest about what this rainbow baby pregnancy has actually felt like: the joy, the grief, and the complicated space where both live at the same time. They open up about the fear leading up to that 17-week appointment and what it has meant to finally let themselves feel hopeful again. Follow The Unplanned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/unplanned__podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unplanned_podcast Listen to the pod on Spotify/ Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ToDA4ufQuWuEgMq07zN6t https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-podcast/id1669604504 Follow Matt & Abby: Abby's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abbyelizabethoward/ Matt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_matt_howard_/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_and_abby Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mattandabb YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MattandAbbyHoward #unplannedpodcast #mattandabby Chapters: 00:47 - Why we waited to share 05:15 - Finding out we're pregnant 15:28 - Bleeding scare and coping 22:50 - Ad Break 26:31 - Finding out the gender 29:07 - Telling our family 38:36 - Reaching the 17 week mark 45:35 - Gender reveal party 49:11 - Ad Break 52:02 - Pelvic Rest 59:52 - Telling our boys 01:02:09 - Feeling the baby kick 01:09:21 - Talking about baby #4

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Modern Masculinity, Feminism, & Raising Boys in 2026 Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Matt and Abby open up about what it feels like to raise boys in a moment where conversations around masculinity feel louder and more polarized than ever. They unpack the difference between healthy and unhealthy masculinity, how criticism aimed at grown men can be internalized by young boys, and the role social media plays in amplifying extremes. They also share their biggest hopes as parents — raising sons with strength, humility, emotional awareness, and a sense of purpose in a rapidly changing world.
This episode is sponsored by Zoc Doc, Better Help, Kindred Bravely, Olipop, and Flamingo. Zoc Doc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/UNPLANNED to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Better Help:Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp/unplannedpodcast Kindred Bravely: Get 20% off your first order at https://KindredBravely.com/UNPLANNED with promo code UNPLANNED. Exclusions apply. OLIPOP: Get a free can of OLIPOP when you buy any 2 cans in store—just visit https://drinkolipop.com/unplanned Flamingo: Our listeners get the Flamingo Starter Set for just $7 at https://www.shopflamingo.com/unplanned

Chapters:

00:00 - Modern Masculinity

01:53 - Living in a man hating culture viral clip

08:05 - How did we get here

10:08 - Redefining masculinity

17:36 - Not all men

18:42 - Raising good men

25:50 - Teaching our boys emotional regulation

29:46 - Boys vs. Girls

38:41 - Consequences

41:06 - Service in healthy masculinity

45:10 - Why young men are afraid of emotions

50:44 - Pay disparity in the home

01:00:17 - Normalizing therapy

01:03:47 - Social Media and the gender wars

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Confronting George Kamel on credit cards, student loans, and financial infidelity Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

George and Whitney Kamel join Matt & Abby for an honest conversation about money, marriage, and what financial freedom actually looks like behind the scenes. Known from The Ramsey Show and Smart Money Happy Hour, George shares how he and Whitney followed the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps to pay off all their debt, eliminate their $165,000 mortgage in just 26 months, and reach millionaire status by age 32. They talk cutting up credit cards, renting vs. buying, why so many Americans feel stuck financially, and the real sacrifices required to become debt-free. We also answer listener questions about budgeting on one income, saving while paying off debt, and buying your first home, before putting George and Whitney to the test in a fun round of Agree to Disagree: Financial Edition.

This episode is sponsored by Upwork, Little Spoon, Square, and Olipop. UPWORK: Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. LITTLE SPOON: Give them meals + snacks that are actually right for where kids are developmentally—balanced, intentional and made to support real growth. Go to https://littlespoon.com/UNPLANNED30 and enter code UNPLANNED30 for 30% off your first order. SQUARE: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/unplanned! #squarepod

Chapters: 00:00 - George Kamel 02:17 - How we met 06:13 - Working for Dave Ramsey 07:42 - We got our wedding paid for 11:15 - Ramsey Solutions Baby Steps 22:08 - Getting out of debt 36:07 - Buying a house w/out a credit score 39:16 - Credit Cards 45:54 - Talking to our kids about finances 50:00 - How frugal are you really? 58:38 - Viewer questions 1:12:48 - Agree to Disagree

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remembering our daughter, the due date & our first marriage conference Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

As they approach the due date of the daughter they lost last September, Matt and Abby open up about how this season has truly felt, how they’re coping with grief in everyday life, and what healing looks like while life keeps moving forward. If you or someone you know has experienced pregnancy loss and needs support, these are the resources we mentioned in the episode: The Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre: https://PILSC.org Postpartum Support International: https://postpartum.net

This episode is sponsored by Huel and Square.

Huel: Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code UNPLANNED15 at https://huel.com/unplanned15 New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show!

Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/unplanned! #squarepod

Chapters: 00:00 - Matt & Abby 02:16 - Life Update 18:09 - Wuthering Heights 29:12 - Our daughter's due date

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Never Have I Ever w/ My Parents *TEA SPILLED* Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Matt’s parents are BACK and we made a questionable decision: play 'Never Have I Ever' together. We cover sexting, stalking an ex, reading each other’s private diaries, parenting fails, marriage boundaries, and the generational differences we did NOT see coming.

This episode is sponsored by Little Spoon, UpWork, Olipop, Zocdoc & Nutrafol. Little Spoon: Give them meals + snacks that are actually right for where kids are developmentally—balanced, intentional and made to support real growth. Go to littlespoon.com/UNPLANNED30 and enter code UNPLANNED30 for 30% off your first order. UpWork: Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free Olipop: Buy any 2 cans of Olipop in store, and we'll pay you back for one Works on any flavor, any retailer https://drinkolipop.com/UNPLANNED Zocdoc: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/UNPLANNED to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Nutrafol: For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit https://Nutrafol.com and enter promo code UNPLANNEDPOD

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brock, Boston & Kesley on Mormon taboos, surviving a plane crash, and waiting til marriage Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

This week, Brock and Boston Mikesell join Matt & Abby for an honest conversation about growing up viral, getting married young, and navigating life as twin brothers in the public eye. Brock shares what it was like marrying his high school sweetheart Kesley after a short engagement and how marriage shifts the twin dynamic.

We also play a hilariously Mormon coded game of Agree to Disagree.

This episode is sponsored by Better Help, Shopify, and Cash App. BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/unplannedpodcast #ad Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/unplanned. Little Spoon: Give them meals + snacks that are actually right for where kids are developmentally—balanced, intentional and made to support real growth. Go to littlespoon.com/UNPLANNED30 and enter code UNPLANNED30 for 30% off your first order. Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/kssum24w #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

Chapters:

00:00 - Brock Boston & Kesley

05:30 - Mormon Missions

14:33 - What do people get wrong about Mormons?

18:34 - Mormon 101

25:35 - Kesley and Brock meet cute

28:22 - Growing up on Youtube

34:30 - Young marriage

39:09 - Our unplanned moment

51:57 - Surviving a plane crash changed our lives

1:00:50 - Buying a house at 17

1:03:02 - Boston's Mission

1:15:46 - Agree to Disagree

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Married Couple Answers Your Relationship Dilemmas (Cheating, Performance Anxiety, & Sleep Divorce) Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Matt & Abby answer your real relationship dilemmas, no filters. From cheating and performance anxiety, nothing is off the table. Honest advice, awkward questions, and conversations most couples avoid.

This episode is sponsored by Hiya, Nutrafol, Audible & Square. Hiya: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to https://hiyahealth.com/UNPLANNED Nutrafol: Get $10 off your first month's subscription and free shipping at https://nutrafol.com with promo code UNPLANNEDPOD. Audible: Listen to Jay Shetty's new Audible Original series Messy Love: Difficult Conversations for Deeper Connection—go to https://Audible.com/MessyLove to start listening today. Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/unplanned ! #squarepod

Chapters:

00:00 - Answering your dilemmas

04:58 - My friend cheated on her fiancé

08:13 - My significant other is struggling with confidence

11:57 - My partner is always on their phone

16:36 - My spouses farts smell so bad

19:33 - My husband is experiencing performance anxiety

21:55 - Date night suggestions

25:48 - My husband won't move from our home state

27:40 - My husband's love language is not physical touch

30:17 - What will actually change when we get married?

31:28 - Should we wait for baby number 2?

35:45 - My mother in law smokes

39:19 - I'm never in the moooooood...

41:34 - How do we agree on when to get married?

44:25 - Should we postpone the wedding?

46:03 - The only thing that bothers me in our marriage

49:22 - How do we have more fun trying to get pregnant

53:38 - What are you thoughts about people getting back together

56:13 - How did you deal with waiting for marriage

58:18 - Advice for postpartum depression?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Addressing your assumptions about us Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Matt & Abby respond to the assumptions people make about their marriage, money, parenting, and life online. From sex, swearing, and social media, nothing is off the table. It’s honest, self-aware, and way more nuanced than the internet thinks.

This episode is sponsored by LMNT & Huel. LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/unplanned Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. Huel: Grab Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code unplanned15 at https://huel.com/unplanned15 New Customers Only.

Chapters: 00:00 - Addressing your assumptions about us 04:37 - You guys didn't actually wait for marriage 05:45 - You never cuss on the podcast 07:14 - Matt loves Abby way more than she loves him 08:29 - Y’all have sex every day 08:59 - You guys poop with the door open 09:39 - You guys are mad rich, like billionaires 13:03 - Abby makes Matt get pedicures 13:49 - Sponsor: LMNT 15:25 - Abby reads books and Matt reads Reels 17:06 - Abby always gets what she wants 17:46 - Abby secretly runs marathons 18:24 - Matt is the fun parent and Abby is the disciplinarian 19:30 - Matt has more social bandwidth 20:35 - You guys overthink 22:36 - Matt struggles with comparison 22:58 - Abby has to keep Matt in line 23:52 - Matt would thrive in a normal 9-5 25:27 - You actually hate doing social media 25:47 - You don't always agree with how much you share 27:35 - Matt reads comments way longer than Abby 27:58 - You've changed opinions just to avoid getting backlash 29:04 - Sponsor: Huel 32:14 - Matt thinks Abby could run the entire business 33:07 - Since getting more public backlash you are more cautious 33:53 - Being in the spotlight all the time is overwhelming 34:36 - Being good examples leaves less room to be fully yourselves 37:00 - You have a lot of help 38:46 - You miss life before kids 41:40 - You regret getting married so young 43:24 - Abby gets hit on and it messes with Matt 44:32 - You judge people who choose not to have kids 45:33 - Abby's parents still live with you 46:41 - You guys are superstitious 47:24 - Abby saves money and Matt likes to spend 50:46 - You don't drink alcohol 51:22 - Abby is a great singer 53:09 - You like it when fans say hi 54:31 - You don't like alone time 55:19 - You guys are soul mates from previous lives 55:51 - This podcast is going to end 58:19 - Y’all have sex every day (the return)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Mark Manson joins Matt & Abby for a thoughtful, honest conversation about modern self-help, personal responsibility, and what actually leads to a meaningful life. They talk marriage as a “long conversation,” the dangers of toxic positivity, dating apps, friendship, death, and how Mark’s thinking has evolved since writing The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.

This episode is sponsored by Cash App, Audible, Square & Nutrafol. Cash App: Download Cash App Today: [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/kssum24w #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.Audible: Go to https://Audible.com/MessyLove to start listening today.Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/UNPLANNED! #squarepodNutrafol: Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to https://Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code UNPLANNEDPOD

Chapters:

00:00 - Mark Manson

03:12 - Disappointment Panda

06:45 - Titling The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

13:00 - sponsor: CashApp

14:37 - Religious influence

19:15 - Dangers of self help

21:59 - How my views have changed

23:50 - Personal responsibility

26:34 - sponsor: audible

27:44 - Children and purpose

34:41 - Importance of community

39:45 - sponsor: square

41:40 - Three factors of friendship

46:33 - Quality of Life

53:15 - sponsor: Nutrafol

56:25 - Death

1:00:16 - Marriage: the Long Conversation

1:03:19 - The trap of dating apps

1:07:53 - Keeping score in marriage

1:13:18 - Launching a new self help app

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A messy conversation about divorce Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Matt & Abby have an honest, thoughtful conversation about divorce, what the data actually says, and the seasons of marriage that tend to be the hardest. They talk through common reasons marriages struggle, indicators that often get ignored, and why they still believe in marriage, before closing with an Agree to Disagree segment and questions from listeners.

This episode was sponsored by Rocket Money, OLIPOP & Shopify. Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster—join at https://RocketMoney.com/unplanned Get a free can of OLIPOP when you buy any 2 cans in store—just visit https://drinkolipop.com/unplanned Sign up for your $1/month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/unplanned with promo code unplanned.

Chapters: 00:00 - A messy conversation about divorce 01:39 - Getting married before 25 12:53 - sponsor: Rocket Money 14:18 - Most difficult periods of marriage 25:42 - sponsor: Olipop 28:52 - Largest indicators of divorce 30:34 - Most common reasons for divorce 33:28 - Jobs and divorce rates 40:40 - Benefits of marriage 42:58 - sponsor: Shopify 44:40 - Agree to Disagree 57:44 - Q&A

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Unplanned Podcast with Matt & Abby

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected