Two Parents & A Podcast

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!! 🥳 (from Jules!!!) Since we’re on summer break AND it's Alex's 33rd birthday AND we happen to have a LOT of new listeners lately, we figured today was the perfect day for a full reintroduction episode!!! Alex & Harrison take us all the way back to before they knew each other and walk through the sequence of events that got them to where they are today (family of 4 in Austin!!!).

Jules’ note to this listener: I learned a TON of new things while we filmed this ep so I’m sure you will TOO!! 

We start with the Alex: Oklahoma City (Edmond!!) childhood, competitive volleyball, working for Jennifer Welch, moving to LA, going viral on TikTok during Covid (blue hair era!!), moving to New York & the Barstool chapter, her divorce & more! Then Harrison walks us through his backstory: growing up in Vancouver, going to McGill (thanks to one random piece of advice from a guy named Matt), spending 7+ years in finance (NYC, Hong Kong), ending up in San Francisco, starting The Naked Market, and ending his 7 year relationship.

Then we get into the story of how they ACTUALLY met (spoiler: Alex actually BAILED on the first first date). Their first date was legendary (the Balloon Museum, tater tots at Overstory, a Tribeca / West Village bar crawl) and they truly never stopped hanging out after that day (November 4th is their official anniversary!!). 

Plus, how they decided they were ready to have kids so quickly, navigating pregnancy in a brand new relationship, and why they ultimately moved from NYC to Austin (great Diet Coke Index!!).

Then we get into the origin story of their beloved nanny share (which started with a postpartum basket, a case of Michelob Ultra, and a Texas-Georgia football game!!), welcoming baby #2 + getting married at the courthouse right before Rocky was born, how many kids they ultimately want (3 is the update!!), and plans to stay in Austin forever (with a NYC bop when the kids graduate!)

If you're a new listener, WELCOME!!! And if you've been here since the beginning, thank you for growing with us 🥹

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 

00:05:12 Alex's story: Working for Jennifer Welch, going viral on TikTok, moving to NYC & getting divorced

00:24:34 Harrison's story: McGill, working in finance, starting The Naked Market & ending a 7 year relationship

00:42:07 The story of how we met + our first date

00:55:51 How did we decide we were ready to have kids so quickly?

00:58:38 Navigating pregnancy while in a new relationship

01:00:41 Why we moved from NYC to Austin (+ the Diet Coke Index!!)

01:08:03 How we started the NANNY SHARE with our next door neighbors 🥹

01:18:58 Do we plan on staying in Austin forever?!

01:20:31 How many kids do we want?!

01:22:45 Welcoming baby #2 + getting married!! 

01:24:19 LOVE YOU GUYS!

#twoparentsandapod

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Quince: Go to https://www.quince.com/alex for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!

*Veracity: For up to 65% off your order, head to https://www.VeracityHealth.co and use code TWOPARENTS.  

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:

https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod

https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod

Follow Alex Bennett:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett

Follow Harrison Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman

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Key Words:

Two Parents and a Podcast, Two Parents & A Podcast, Alex Bennett, Harrison Fugman, our old lives, how we met, becoming parents, Alex Bennett backstory, Harrison Fugman backstory, Jennifer Welch, viral TikTok, Barstool Sports, Alex Bennett divorce, McGill University, The Naked Market, Hong Kong finance, moving to Austin, Diet Coke Index, nanny share origin story, family of 4, Rocky Fugman, Tate Fugman, courthouse wedding, parenting podcast, motherhood
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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, happy Monday!!! We get into a topic I've been thinking about a LOT lately: the postpartum anxiety I'm experiencing the second time around (it's a totally different beast than postpartum depression, AND the anxiety this time is split between two kids…). I share what's actually helping me (s/o to Michelle for the "text me every intrusive thought you have" technique 🥹), and Harrison talks about how he's adapting to support me through it.

Then we get into our FIRST family trip with friends!!! We're going to Aspen for the 4th of July (birthday week + America's 250th!), and we ended up with 4 other couples going (the group is 20+!!!). We get into how we picked Aspen, why a kitchen is non-negotiable when traveling with babies, and why having a bunch of friends with kids the same age as yours is the ULTIMATE travel scenario!! 

Plus, the question that's been on my mind after seeing a viral clip: what ARE non-parents doing between 4 and 8 PM?! (We genuinely cannot remember… Harrison would work late, I would have organized my house??)

OK the other stuff: normalizing breakfast with friends before work, the Canada vs. US mindset around sports, and our updated thoughts on ISR vs. structured swim lessons (we're leaning structured but Harrison is writing his Substack on it!!).

Then lots of fun: WHAT WE'RE WATCHING (I Will Find You on Netflix — a Netflix-y version of All Her Fault!), our next BOOK CLUB pick (Famesick by Lena Dunham!), everything Harrison is learning from Morning Brew (people are spending less on dating and more on houses), and what Alex learned from Dr. Becky about what "just one more book" ACTUALLY means (+ our updated bedtime routine (which is basically… no routine?!)) 

Oh and one NOT fun thing: Harrison's car got BOOTED again (and paid HOW much to get it off?!)

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps: 

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 

00:00:18 We need to re-normalize breakfast with friends before work

00:03:08 Canada Day vs. 4th of July 

00:05:40 What are non-parents doing between 4 and 8 PM?!

00:10:09 Our FIRST family trip with friends: Aspen for the 4th of July!!

00:16:52 Canada vs. US mindset around sports

00:26:13 The reality of postpartum anxiety the 2nd time around 

00:34:07 Our updated thoughts on ISR vs. structured swim lessons

00:40:15 WHAT WE'RE WATCHING: I Will Find You on Netflix

00:41:26 BOOK CLUB UPDATE: We're reading Famesick by Lena Dunham next!

00:45:07 THINGS WE DMED: A Swedish minister brought her baby to an EU meeting

00:48:32 IN THE COMMENTS: Best toddler-friendly iPad games for travel

00:51:35 HARRISON’S MORNING BREW: 51% of 18-29 year olds spent $0 on dates this year?!

00:54:25 HARRISON’S MORNING BREW: Homeownership has gotten SO expensive (same payment now gets you $385K vs. $500K!)

00:56:05 Our car got BOOTED in Austin (Is this company PREDATORY?! )

01:01:45 What "just one more book!" ACTUALLY means (+ our updated bedtime routine!)

01:06:33 LOVE YOU GUYS!

#twoparentsandapod

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Hers: Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://www.forhers.com/twoparents  to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.

*Wayfair: Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://www.Wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:

https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod

https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod

Follow Alex Bennett:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett

Follow Harrison Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman

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Powered by: Just Media House – https://www.justmediahouse.com/

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Key Words:

Two Parents and a Podcast, Two Parents & A Podcast, Alex Bennett, Harrison Fugman, postpartum anxiety, postpartum anxiety second baby, managing postpartum anxiety, first family trip with friends, Aspen 4th of July, traveling with 2 under 2, what non-parents do, 4 to 8 PM, Canada Day vs 4th of July, ISR vs structured swim lessons, I Will Find You Netflix, Famesick Lena Dunham, book club, Swedish minister baby EU, Dr Becky one more book, toddler bedtime routine, getting booted in Austin, Morning Brew, parenting podcast, motherhood
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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, happy FRIDAY!!! Rocky was on his FIRST EVER flight this week (which made it our first flight with 2 under 2!!), and we have OPINIONS. We get into the case for booking a 3rd seat once your toddler is 20 months old, the flight delay fiasco that almost made us drive home from Dallas, and the very kind woman on the plane who held Rocky for me (which prompted an interesting conversation: the price of community is being willing to be inconvenienced 🥹). Plus, why we think a 20 month old is the HARD part of traveling with 2 kids (2 newborns = a piece of cake).

This became a heavy FRIENDS episode: 1) is book club officially the new girls' night out?! (it's giving "in my 30s"), 2) the realization that friends moving away as adults is just as hard as it was when you were a kid, 3) a tip on how to stay connected with your out-of-town friends (hello weekly group chat report), and 4) an AMAZING gift to give to a new dad (Harrison got it from a friend!!). Write this one down for any new dad in your life!!

And then the fun stuff: of course we aren't done talking about SUMMER HOUSE (skip if you must!), TWEET OF THE WEEK on the new study showing women who have babies at 40 are more likely to live to 100?! (s/o Anne Hathaway), THINGS WE DMED EACHOTHER on the US being the ONLY World Cup nation without maternity leave, an Austin NHL team update (we are SO DOWN), the brands absolutely WINNING the World Cup marketing game (Heinz ranch travel packs!!), and a real talk on lifestyle compatibility with your partner (aka we both love an Aperol Spritz hahaha).

ok LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps: 

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:03:05 Our first flight with 2 under 2 

00:11:00 The price of community is inconvenience 

00:17:25 Would you rather fly with a newborn or a toddler?! 

00:23:46 Is book club the new girls' night out?!

00:29:58 The "weekly group chat report" you should start with your out of town friends

00:37:33 Even as an adult, it’s hard when friends move away

00:38:58 We’re still talking about Summer House… 

00:48:10 TWEET OF THE WEEK: Women who have babies at 40 are more likely to live to 100?!

00:50:57 How we’re making Tate's last week of swim lessons special 

00:53:29 Is Austin getting an NHLteam?!

00:57:55 THINGS WE DMED EACHOTHER: The US is the ONLY World Cup nation without maternity leave?!

01:02:29 The BEST gift for new dads (16 shots for 16 years!!)

01:05:00 The World Cup is testing the America the world thought it new… 

01:09:55 Lifestyle compatibility with your partner

01:12:00 LOVE YOU GUYS!

#twoparentsandapod

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*ZENNI: If your glasses are overdue for a refresh, now is the time. Use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order at https://www.bit.ly/41onx2O

*Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today at https://foratravel.com/twoparents

*Lil’ DUDE Wipes: Grab Lil’ DUDE Wipes on Amazon  today  👉https://bit.ly/LDW-amazon

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:

https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod

https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod

Follow Alex Bennett:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett

Follow Harrison Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman

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Powered by: Just Media House – https://www.justmediahouse.com/

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Key Words:

Two Parents and a Podcast, Two Parents & A Podcast, Alex Bennett, Harrison Fugman, first flight with 2 under 2, flying with toddler and newborn, gift for new dads, 16 shots for 16 years, Father's Day gift for dad, book club girls night, weekly group chat, friend moving away, Summer House rewatch, women having babies at 40, US maternity leave World Cup, Austin NHL team, Heinz World Cup ranch, World Cup brand marketing, lifestyle compatibility, Rocky first flight, parenting podcast, motherhood, 2 under 2
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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, WELCOME BACK to a VERY special episode!!! I have my pregnancy group chat girls here with me 🥹 Sami Spalter (mom to Sunny, Co-founder of Form) and Courtney Shields Sutor (mom to Kinsley & Georgia, Co-founder of Dibs Beauty) joined me on the pod for a FUN & MEANINGFUL conversation about pregnancy & postpartum. 

Quick context: the three of us started a group chat when we found out we were all due in April 2026 (literally 2 weeks apart!!!), and these are the girls who got me through ALL 40 weeks of pregnancy AND the first two months of postpartum. We were sending each other our 2AM freak out questions, hitting the same cravings at the same time, and showing up for each other in a way I genuinely don't think I could have made it through without!! 

In this episode, we get into EVERYTHING you'd think we would: the MAJOR identity shift of becoming a mom (Sami said if she got blood drawn, it would show she’s a different human lol), the reality of postpartum depression (and how it looks differently for everyone!!!), our 3 completely different feeding journeys (breastfeeding, combo & formula - and why the shame around feeding choices needs to GO), relationship dynamics after a newborn, and how we handle external opinions/“mom-shaming” online (spoiler: blocking is a great option).

We also get into how our pregnancy group chat actually STARTED (& how YOU can/should start your own), why we think finding moms due in the same month as you is the absolute game-changer of pregnancy + postpartum (your cravings hit at the same time, your trimesters hit at the same time, your postpartum hits at the same time… nothing compares), and so much more.

If you are pregnant, postpartum, trying, or know someone who is - please send this episode to them!!! Community is EVERYTHING in this season, and we hope this conversation gives you the push to put yourself out there and find your people!!! 

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps: 

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! (ft. my pregnancy group chat!!!)

00:08:03 Meet Sami Spalter (Mom to Sunny, Co-founder of Form) 

00:13:06 Meet Courtney Shields Sutor (Mom to Kinsley & Georgia, Co-founder of Dibs Beauty)

00:22:21 Relationship dynamics with a newborn

00:32:12 Handling external opinions & “mom-shaming”

00:38:51 The reality of postpartum depression

00:45:11 Our 3 different feeding journeys

00:54:22 Sharing the motherhood journey online

01:01:11 The MAJOR identity shift of becoming a mom

01:09:29 How our pregnancy group chat ACTUALLY started

01:15:05 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Rula: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/TWOPARENTS #rulapod

*Nanit: If you’re expecting, this is the #1 item you’re going to want on your baby registry - but if you need it now, Nanit has two big sales happening this month! Head to https://www.nanit.com 

*NOCD:  If you’re struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/TWOPARENTS

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod

Follow Alex Bennett:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/alexfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexfugman

Find Courtney:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/courtney_shields/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@courtney.shields

Dibs Beauty | https://dibsbeauty.com/

Find Sami: 

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/samispalte

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@samispalter

FORM | https://joinform.com/

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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, happy Monday!!!! We are coming off of a CHAOTIC night… our fire alarm went off 4 TIMES between 3 and 5 AM, and we ended up having to take a screwdriver to the wall to dismantle the entire system to make it stop 😭 (+ Alex had postpartum heartburn so bad ChatGPT was actively trying to send her to the ER.) But the show goes on…

We start with our Father's Day BBQ recap (we fried chicken for the neighbors!!) and played a fun game: who are the top 10 most followed people on Instagram?! (We did NOT see a few of these coming.) Other Father's Day stuff: the viral "don't tell mom" article & Harrison getting GOT by World Cup marketing (aka he ordered himself an 11pm Father's Day McDonald's).

Speaking of the World Cup, the World Cup / parenting story all over our feeds this weekend: should a player leave the World Cup for the birth of his son?! (A Belgium player AND a Norway player both had to make this call this weekend!) Harrison and Alex are NOT on the same page about this one, and we want your take in the comments.

OK next up: kids' birthday parties. We are LOVING them right now (but is it just because we aren't going to a TON?!). We did the math and apparently 48 birthday parties per year is a real possibility. We have a “QUESTION OF THE WEEK” (an h-bomb lol) to go along with this topic: would you let your kid go to a pool party where the host parents told you to leave and then NO adults were watching the pool?! (We have STRONG feelings.) Finally another question we genuinely need your help on: ISR vs. group swim lessons - what's actually working for your kid?!

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps: 

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:01:00 Our FIRE ALARM went off 4 times last night?!

00:09:42 Father's Day BBQ recap 

00:11:08 The top 10 most followed people on Instagram

00:15:14 Toy Story 5 is the 2nd highest grossing Pixar opening weekend EVER?!

00:17:40 Don't tell mom" Father's Day stories

00:20:38 Harrison got got by World Cup marketing 

00:26:00 Should a player leave the World Cup for the birth of his son?!

00:32:56 Does Substack count as social media?

00:35:23 Will we get children's weekend birthday party exhaustion?! 

00:44:28 QUESTION OF THE WEEK: a pool party where NO parents were watching the pool?!

00:48:50 The story of our STOLEN pool coping (kind of)

00:50:56 THIS WEEK WE LEARNED: kids aren't opposing you, they’re asserting they independence

00:53:08 HOW DO I STOP MY TODDLER FROM THROWING & POURING?! (please help!!)

00:58:12 ISR vs. group swim lessons: what's actually working for your kid?

00:59:12 LOVE YOU GUYS!

#twoparentsandapod

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*SKIMS: Shop Everyday Cotton, and all of my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/twoparents #skimspartner

*Merit Beauty: Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at https://www.meritbeauty.com

*Bobbie: If you want to feed with confidence too, head to https://www.hibobbie.com for the formula trusted by 1 Million parents.

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:

https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod

https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod

Follow Alex Bennett:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett

Follow Harrison Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman

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Powered by: Just Media House – https://www.justmediahouse.com/

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Key Words:

Two Parents and a Podcast, Two Parents & A Podcast, Alex Bennett, Harrison Fugman, kid birthday parties, ISR vs group swim lessons, ISR swim, infant swim resource, leaving World Cup for childbirth, 2026 World Cup, fire alarm going off, postpartum heartburn, ChatGPT ER, Father's Day BBQ, most followed Instagram accounts, Toy Story 5, don't tell mom Father's Day, Cape Verde goalie, Substack social media, 48 birthday parties, pool party safety, stolen pool coping, toddler independence, toddler throwing and pouring, parenting podcast, motherhood
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