When Reality Hits with Brittany Cartwright

Latest Episodes:

Love Bombing, Gaslighting & The Red Flags You Can't Ignore with Vanessa Reiser Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

This week, Brittany is joined by licensed clinical psychotherapist, author, and survivor Vanessa Reiser for an essential conversation on narcissistic abuse, trauma bonding, and coercive control. Even with a clinical background, Vanessa found herself trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship—later running 285 miles across New York in a wedding dress to bring awareness to domestic abuse and future faking. Together, they unpack why toxic relationships mirror a "cult of one," how insidious red flags like love bombing, cyber gaslighting, and DARVO warp your intuition, the biochemical reasons leaving is so difficult, and practical steps for safely exiting and rebuilding your life on the other side.

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Mercedes "MJ" Javid on Life After Shahs, Co-Parenting with Her Ex & Surviving The Traitors Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

This week on When Reality Hits, Brittany Cartwright sits down with Bravo star Mercedes "MJ" Javid (Shahs of Sunset, The Valley: Persian Style) for an unfiltered, hilarious conversation about life on and off camera. MJ gets candid about her reality TV regrets, shifting into motherhood, and the challenges of co-parenting after her recent separation from Tommy. Together, she and Brittany trade dating app horror stories and "instant icks," look back on BravoCon memories, and dive into MJ’s wild experience competing on The Traitors. Follow MJ on all platforms at @mercedesjavid.

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REWIND: My Niece Presley Steals the Show! Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

This week, Brittany sits down with her adorable niece Presley for a conversation filled with family adventures and real-life mishaps. From magical moments at Disneyland and the zoo to the chaos of viral snake escapes and unexpected home repairs. Plus, she tackles listener questions on self-esteem, single mom dating, and even spills the tea on recent business surprises. Originally aired: 04/04/25

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Wrong Partner, Right Child: Dominique Garrett on Motherhood and Moving On Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

Brittany sits down with Dominique Garrett, founder of Bitter Baby Daddy Club, to talk about leaving an unhealthy relationship, navigating single motherhood and co-parenting, setting boundaries, and finding happiness after heartbreak. Dominique also shares how she built a community to support single moms and why sometimes it’s about the wrong partner, but the right child.

www.instagram.com/bitterbabydaddyclub/

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REWIND: Miami Madness w/ Janet Caperna Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

This week, Brittany is joined by Janet Caperna to relive their unforgettable girls' trip to Miami! They dish on the wild adventures, the unique characters they met, and the reality stars they partied with. Plus, they open up about why moms deserve a getaway, how they handle Instagram trolls, and answer burning fan questions. Originally aired: 03/28/25

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Kristen Doute on Miami Girl, Motherhood & Her Most Dramatic Moments Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Brittany sits down with her longtime friend Kristen Doute for a fun and candid catch-up about reality TV, friendship, motherhood, and everything that has changed since their early days in the spotlight. Kristen looks back on the Miami Girl drama, shares what reality TV has taught her about being authentic, and reflects on how much she has grown since her Vanderpump Rules days. The two also swap stories about their friendship, motherhood, embarrassing moments, crazy DMs, and more. Plus, Kristen opens up about becoming a mom, her new podcast, and what’s next.

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Serena Kerrigan on Dating, Red Flags & Finding Your Worth Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Serena Kerrigan joins When Reality Hits to talk all things dating, confidence, and knowing your worth. Serena opens up about the dating lessons she learned from being ghosted, breadcrumbed, love bombed, and chasing emotionally unavailable men, and how that experience inspired her new book, Let's F*cking Date. She and Brittany dive into the “do-over era,” dating in Los Angeles after a long-term relationship, expanding your dating pool, recognizing when someone is actually making an effort, and why you shouldn’t settle for someone who isn’t showing up for you. Plus, Serena shares how her infamous Instagram Live dating show during COVID led to a million-person community, a card game, and ultimately her new book.

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Tempo: For a limited time, Tempo is offering my listeners 60% off your first box! Go to TempoMeals.com/REALITYHITS

Nutrafol: Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code REALITYHITS

Quince: Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/REALITYHITS. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

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Zack Wickham’s Hair Regrets, Reality TV Secrets & Vacation Fights Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Zack Wickham spills the tea on reality TV, from keeping secrets about upcoming cast appearances to accidentally throwing a wrench into a reality TV timeline. He also looks back on his most embarrassing hair era, shares some of the ridiculous arguments he’s had on vacation, talks about his reputation for being the person everyone tells their secrets to, and reveals the unexpected story behind his new Celsius fridge.

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“I Manifested My Wife”: Jasmine Goode on Love, Marriage & Her Wedding Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Jasmine joins Brittany to talk all about her wedding to Melissa and the journey that led them there. Jasmine opens up about the moment she first knew Melissa was the one, reconnecting after years of flirting on Instagram, and finally realizing their relationship was meant to be. She also shares the highs and lows of planning their wedding, the little details she stressed over, a major makeup disaster on the big day, and the special moments she wishes she could relive.

Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!

Talkiatry: Head to Talkiatry.com/REALITYHITS to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

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Zuri Hall on the End of Access Hollywood, Dating & Her Next Chapter Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Zuri Hall joins When Reality Hits to talk about her incredible journey from growing up in Toledo and chasing her entertainment dreams to becoming an Emmy-winning host on E! and Access Hollywood. Zuri opens up about the end of Access Hollywood, her favorite celebrity interviews, learning to set boundaries and move beyond people-pleasing, dating and relationships, and what it means to enter a new chapter of her career as an entrepreneur and producer. Plus, she shares why she’s learned to enjoy being single, the reality TV shows she’d actually want to join, and what’s next for her.

Follow Zuri Hall:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/zurihall

Substack: http://ZuriHall.Substack.com

Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!

Tempo: For a limited time, Tempo is offering my listeners 60% off your first box! Go to TempoMeals.com/REALITYHITS

Nutrafol: Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code REALITYHITS

Quince: Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/REALITYHITS. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

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