The Open Dort Podcast

In this episode, we explore the importance of quality time in relationships, especially when it comes to balancing personal needs and family dynamics. Chelsea shares how she yearns for more one-on-one time with her partner, Bedford, and how they navigated their 9th anniversary celebration. Despite wanting to spend the week together, they faced challenges in making time work due to their children's presence and limited resources. Through this experience, they both reflect on their differing love languages and expectations for quality time.

The conversation digs into how important it is to understand and communicate what quality time means for each partner. While Chelsea craved deep connection and uninterrupted time, Bedford had a different approach, often enjoying simpler moments, like watching TV together. Ultimately, the couple learns valuable lessons about how small moments of engagement can strengthen their bond, even if they don't look the same for both partners.

In this episode, we discuss the crucial conversations we're having with our children as they grow older and begin navigating the world more independently. With our 13-year-old, Jax, approaching the age where he’ll be spending more time away from us—like going to the movies with friends or hanging out at the mall—it’s more important than ever to have open discussions about race, racism, and how to be an ally.We focus on how we're preparing him to understand his role in standing up for others, particularly in situations where he might witness racism or inequality. We also address the need to teach him about the serious consequences of actions, using the example of blackface during Halloween. When a group of teens painted themselves in blackface and mocked Black history, we emphasize how harmful actions can affect not just the individuals involved but the broader community. These conversations are tough but necessary, as we work to raise a generation of empathetic and socially responsible kids.2. Suggested YouTube Title:

In this episode, we continue our conversation about how to talk to kids about race, diversity, and inclusion, diving into the important topics for children ages 5-9. As kids begin attending school, we see firsthand the experiences they face, especially in terms of bullying and diversity. Bedford shares his own childhood experiences at the same school our kids attend, providing a valuable perspective. We also address common misconceptions that some parents may have, like the idea that we shouldn't talk to our kids about race because it doesn't exist or because they don't see color. We debunk this myth by highlighting how ignoring race can actually perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Instead, we emphasize the importance of teaching kids to recognize and appreciate diversity, including understanding the science behind skin color and melanin. We touch on how to address bullying at a young age, especially the disproportionate bullying experienced by Black children. The episode serves as a guide to help parents navigate these conversations and teach their children how to embrace differences while fostering empathy and understanding.

In this episode, we discuss the evolving landscape of social media and how platforms like TikTok are on the brink of being banned. While TikTok isn’t our primary platform, we reflect on the potential impact on creators, especially those who have invested significant time and energy into building their presence. As we talk about TikTok’s future, we shift to a larger conversation about the importance of representation, particularly for our children.We dive into why it’s crucial to expose kids, especially from 0-4 years old, to diverse role models, both on-screen and in books. Representation goes beyond just showing characters who look different; it's about creating connections that resonate with our kids. We highlight the importance of using media to normalize diversity and inclusion, and how even simple shows like Doc McStuffins can have a profound impact on a child’s understanding of the world. We also touch on how early exposure to diverse people can shape a child’s approach to race, culture, and empathy as they grow.

In this episode of the "Open Door Podcast," Chelsie and Bedford dive deep into their personal goals for 2025, including business, family income growth, travel, and health. We reflect on the burnout of past years and the challenges of maintaining motivation through injuries. We share our "YOLO" approach to life, embracing experiences and making memories with their family. We also explore personal anecdotes, like our journey through parenting their mixed-race children, and the ongoing challenge of navigating race in our family. Chelsie reflects on her past work teaching about race, inclusion, and diversity, and they begin discussing how to talk to children about these important topics. The conversation also touches on their experiences living in Utah, often as the only people of color, and the awkwardness of racial dynamics in social settings. They emphasize how conversations about race are necessary to challenge stereotypes and foster understanding, especially for the next generation.

In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle the complexities of trust and boundaries in relationships. Reflecting on personal experiences and listener comments, we discuss why we avoid one-on-one time with members of the opposite sex and how this boundary strengthens our marriage. While some view this approach as overly cautious or insecure, we explain it’s about creating safety rails to prevent potential risks and protect our connection. The conversation delves into the emotional roots of infidelity, how small, seemingly harmless actions can lead to larger issues, and the importance of open communication and mutual respect. Through relatable anecdotes and honest reflections, we explore how transparency, shared access, and intentional boundaries create a foundation of trust and security. The episode also considers different relationship dynamics and acknowledges that what works for one couple might not work for another. It’s a candid and enlightening discussion on navigating modern relationships with intention. We then dive into the frustrations of dealing with faulty products, ineffective warranties, and customer service disasters. From personal experiences to wild stories, we highlight how broken systems often leave consumers feeling helpless and angry. One story recounts a healthcare mishap where medications were outrageously overpriced, leading to emotional and financial stress. Another centers on a car dealership that refused to honor a warranty for a faulty vehicle, prompting one man to drive his car straight into the dealership in protest. We share how these experiences affect everyday life, the emotional toll they take, and why knowing your rights is so important. While the stories are frustrating, they’re also sprinkled with humor and lessons about persistence and self-advocacy. The episode reflects on how broken systems, whether in healthcare, automotive services, or retail, force people to go above and beyond just to get what they’re owed. With laughter and relatable anecdotes, we discuss the small victories and the importance of standing up for yourself when the odds seem stacked against you.

In this lively Thanksgiving-themed episode, we share memories, traditions, and hilarious anecdotes tied to the holiday. From debating whether Thanksgiving is overrated to nostalgic stories of childhood gatherings, we reminisce about the food, games, and awkward family moments that make the day special. We also discuss cultural differences in how holidays are celebrated, recount our experiences with family expectations, and explore why certain traditions mean so much to us. It’s a mix of humor, nostalgia, and relatable reflections on what makes Thanksgiving both heartwarming and chaotic.

This episode dives into a mix of hilarious and awkward stories, including a Reddit thread about embarrassing moments. We share anecdotes like a woman accidentally farting on someone at an NFL game, a teenage girl’s waterpark mishap involving wet toilet paper, and a man mistaking a stranger’s leg for his girlfriend’s during a flight. The most cringe-worthy tale involves a high schooler sending a singing Valentine to a girl—only to learn she already had a boyfriend. Through laughter and secondhand embarrassment, we reflect on how these moments, though mortifying, often make for unforgettable stories.

In this episode, we discuss the complexities of relationships, focusing on intimacy, communication, and how life phases affect our drive. We talk about balancing different levels of drive in a partnership, emphasizing that the higher or lower drive can fluctuate based on personal situations like stress, medication, or simply different times in life. Communication emerges as a key theme, helping partners understand each other’s needs and perspectives. We share personal stories and strategies for maintaining connection, even through challenges like parenting, exhaustion, and busy schedules.

In this episode, we start with some lighthearted conversation about recent events, including a T-Pain and Akon concert we attended, where we had both a fun and frustrating time dealing with a Lactaid mishap and questionable opening acts. We share laughs about the unpredictable experiences, such as dealing with unexpected stomach issues despite taking extra Lactaid, and the unconventional music choices from the event’s DJ.

Later, we shift into a playful “Would You Rather” game, tackling a series of funny and bizarre questions that spark debates between us. From deciding between being too hot or too cold, living in a haunted house, giving up showering, or picking between money and time, each prompt brings out our differing perspectives and quirks. The game brings plenty of laughs and reveals our personalities, preferences, and some relatable challenges that come with daily life and parenting.

Overall, the episode mixes humor with some real talk, giving listeners a glimpse into our lives and a break from the usual discussions with a fun, lighthearted episode.

In this episode, we welcome everyone and share how excited we are about the podcast's growth and the support from our listeners. We dive into some quirky news, starting with a bizarre festival in Colorado celebrating tarantula mating season, which one of us finds unsettling. We joke about how places with strange animal sightings, like Australia, are off our travel lists. The conversation takes a humorous turn as we imagine scenarios like finding raccoons or spiders overtaking a house, leading to exaggerated plans for immediate escape. Then, we shift gears to discuss a more personal, serious topic—raising our son, Ryker, who has ADHD, OCD, and anxiety, and might be on the autism spectrum. We talk candidly about the unique challenges we've faced since he was born, including his early birth and time in the NICU, which contributed to his sensitivity to noise and sleep struggles. Unlike our older son, Ryker struggled with milestones like crawling and walking and displayed specific preferences and phobias, such as his intense fear of ants and dogs. Our journey with Ryker has been filled with ups and downs, from his challenging behavior to managing his sleep and dietary needs. At times, it felt isolating and exhausting. We share about seeking help from pediatricians and specialists, who offered advice but limited solutions. These experiences shaped our perspective on parenting a child with special needs, inspiring us to share our story in hopes of connecting with others facing similar journeys.

In this episode, we kicked things off by diving into some random and bizarre news stories. One that really stood out was about a Russian man lost at sea for 67 days—tragic and unbelievable. He tied his brother and nephew to the boat after they didn’t survive, just so they wouldn’t drift away. It was a heavy start, but then we lightened things up with a story about a zoo in China that painted dogs to look like pandas. We couldn’t help but laugh at how they thought no one would notice!

We also shared some thoughts on cruises. While some people love being on a ship for weeks, we had a good laugh about how we’d rather stay on land, especially if it means enjoying great food without being stuck on the water for days.

But then, we transitioned into a more serious and personal topic that’s close to our hearts: betrayal, infidelity, and moving forward after something like that. This is something we’ve personally experienced, and it’s a conversation that resonates with many of our listeners. We often get questions about how to rebuild trust and enter a healthy relationship after experiencing betrayal.

For us, it’s been a journey. One of us went through the trauma of an affair, while the other has been the support system, helping to heal and rebuild. Being in a relationship with someone who’s dealt with this kind of hurt requires a lot of patience and understanding. We’ve learned how to navigate that delicate balance together.

One of the key lessons we’ve learned is that you can’t make decisions based on fear—especially the fear of being alone. It’s important to reach a place where you’re comfortable with yourself, whether you’re in a relationship or not. For us, the turning point came when we realized we needed to be okay with whatever the future held, even if that meant being alone. Once we let go of that fear, we were able to build a stronger, more trusting relationship.

Throughout our relationship, we’ve had a lot of important conversations about trust, boundaries, and expectations. We’ve worked hard to create a healthy dynamic, and it hasn’t always been easy. But being intentional and transparent with each other has made all the difference. We hope that by sharing our experiences, we can help others who might be going through similar challenges. It is possible to move forward after betrayal, and to find healing and trust again.

We start the conversation excited for our favorite day of the week, where we get to enjoy a fun discussion. We share how busy the week has been, but the time we get to spend together uninterrupted feels special. We launch into our regular segment, laughing about how we never seem to remember the title correctly. This week, we focus on stories of husbands making poor decisions. For example, we talk about a man at a football game holding a sign that reads, “My wife is having a baby, but I’m here.”

We joke about how his decision probably isn’t well received and debate the merits of being in such situations. As usual, we love to play devil’s advocate, trying to imagine what leads to those decisions and if they could be different. We share our personal experiences, including the difficulties of waiting during childbirth and the different stresses we face as parents.

The conversation also covers the emotional and mental challenges of parenting. We discuss how losing oneself in parenthood is a real struggle, with a larger percentage of women feeling this loss compared to men. We reflect on how balancing careers, parenthood, and personal identity is tough for both of us, and how important it is to find time for ourselves so that we can better show up for our families.

Finally, we wrap up the discussion by addressing some listener questions, exploring the importance of showing up for ourselves in order to be there for our loved ones.

We discuss our marriage and the things that we do to make it work.

In this episode we discuss the nuances of being a step parent.

In this episode Bedford and Chelsie discuss. Several Animal encounters and Why you shouldn't ask if your kids are adopted.

Chelsie and I discuss the Crazy Housing Market and go over an astonishing listing in California. We then go over Michael who happens to have an astonishing physical ailment. After all that we have a long discussion about why we have cordial conversations with Chelsie's, Husband's, Mistress and the effects that it has on Jax.

Welcome to our very first podcast! Today we discuss why we started a podcast, and look into a few things such as Sleepovers, the value of Tuna, and of course an emotional support Alligator.