Send us Fan Mail

Why the heck is EVERYONE obsessed with the 80s & 90s right now?

In this raw, heartfelt episode of Plate & Ponder: Empty-Nesting with Jen & Chris Fenton, we crack open ONE single verse from Journey’s legendary “Don’t Stop Believin’” — “Just a small-town girl, livin’ in a lonely world… She took the midnight train goin’ anywhere / Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit…” — and it unlocks EVERYTHING about why analog life felt so free, hopeful, and simple compared to today’s digital chaos.

Then we go heavy: the third assassination attempt on Trump last night. We don’t shy away — we ask the tough questions: Why is this happening in America? How do we actually prevent the next one?

But it’s not all serious. Jen puts Chris in the hot seat with ultra-specific questions to test how well he REALLY knows her after all these years (the answers are equal parts hilarious and adorable). We laugh, banter, roast the latest news, and remind you why empty-nesting together is still the best adventure.

If you’re tired of the noise, craving real connection, and secretly wishing you could hop on that midnight train back to simpler times… this episode is for YOU.

Hit play (follow, download, enjoy, & review). Feel the nostalgia. Remember why we still believe.

#DontStopBelievin #80s90sNostalgia #TrumpAssassinationAttempt #EmptyNestLife #PlateAndPonder

Send us Fan Mail

Jen & Chris Fenton are back at the table for the most jam-packed, jaw-dropping Plate & Ponder yet!

They kick things off with a spectacular celebration of the 40th anniversary of Geraldo Rivera’s live TV disaster — cracking open Al Capone’s vault on national television… only to find… nothing. Pure comedic gold that still has America laughing (and side-eyeing every “bombshell” reveal).

From there it’s a wild ride through the headlines you can’t look away from:

• The chilling mystery of 11 elite American scientists who simply vanished
• The Epstein files that still refuse to close
• New layers on the Butler assassination attempt on Trump
• The hunt for Charlie Kirk’s killer
• Explosive updates from the Mangione trial
• The shocking murders of Minnesota state elected officials
• Exactly where this Iran conflict is headed — and what’s really happening on the ground

They don’t stop there. Jen and Chris get real about the haunting drive up PCH through Malibu — where the lack of rebuilding after the fires leaves a devastating visual scar you can’t unsee. Plus, the terrifying prediction that Europe could literally run out of jet fuel right as summer travel season hits.

And because it’s Plate & Ponder, of course there’s dinner drama: Chris’s glorious “cheating days” are here — pizza, steak frites, and all the forbidden SALT he can handle before he crawls back to his brutal no-salt week. Jen’s “UGH” says it all.

Raw, honest, hilarious, and unfiltered — this is empty-nesting at its most entertaining. Grab your plate, pull up a chair, and ponder with them.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

#EmptyNestEmptyVault #PlateAndPonder #GeraldoVaultFail #EpsteinMystery #TrumpAssassinationAttempt #MissingScientists #CharlieKirk #MangioneTrial #MinnesotaMurders #IranConflict #MalibuPCHDevastation #NoSaltDietCheat #EuropeJetFuelCrisis #JenAndChrisFenton #EmptyNestingLife #ConspiracyAndChardonnay

Send us Fan Mail

Plate & Ponder: Empty-Nesting with Jen & Chris Fenton

Empty-nesting just got loud, proud, and unapologetically fun!

Jen & Chris are back at the table breaking down:

• The ultimate battle of Men’s Volleyball GOATs (sparks flew) - Zach & Andrew Chapin (Pepperdine vs USC - 2X)...
• Spencer Pratt’s bold-as-hell, no-filter chase for Mayor of Los Angeles
• Why Ryan Gosling looks ridiculously handsome and absolutely crushes it in the massive new blockbuster Project Hail Mary — Chris is calling it one of the most entertaining, pure-Hollywood movies in years. NO LEFT / NO RIGHT - Just PURE Entertainment and Emotional Tugs!
• And the mic-drop moment: Chris’s own comedy Bad Counselors was shot 100% in America with an all-American crew and cast — at a time when 60% of Hollywood productions are filmed overseas and 50% of its biggest stars are foreign. HOW BOUT THEM APPLES! And it's coming to a theater near you this summer!

Real talk, big laughs, zero apologies, and a whole lot of American pride. This is the kind of episode you’ll finish and immediately text your group chat about.

Grab a plate, hit play, and join the conversation!

What do you think — is Spencer Pratt actually the shake-up LA needs? Drop your take below!

#ProjectHailMary
#RyanGosling
#SpencerPrattForMayor
#LAMayor
#SpencerPratt

#BadCounselors
#AmericanMade
#MadeInUSA
#Hollywood

#PlateAndPonder
#EmptyNesting
#Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Plate & Ponder: Empty Nesting just dropped the most unhinged family dinner table rant you’ll hear all week.

In this episode, Jen & Chris Fenton are officially feeling the empty-nest vibes—college internships, final exams, and the wild new Company Retreat Series are hitting different now that the kids are launching.

Then the conversation takes a hard left:

• Tiger Woods’ Masters magic was missed (and the golf drama that had Chris yelling at the TV). BUT HOW BOUT RORY!
• Britney Spears’ latest chaos (because of course it came up)
• Eric Swalwell somehow sliding into the mix like that one uncle who won’t stop talking politics

It’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and “wait… how did we get HERE?” — the exact chaotic energy that makes you hit play and text your group chat the link.

If you’ve ever mixed golf takes, pop-star meltdowns, and congressional shade while figuring out what life looks like when the kids move out… this one’s for you.

Listen now wherever you get your pods
Drop your favorite unhinged tangent in the comments — we read every single one!

#PlateAndPonder #EmptyNestLife #TigerWoods #BritneySpears #FamilyChaos #PodcastVibes

Send us Fan Mail

MELANIA JUST BROUGHT EPSTEIN ROARING BACK... AND THE FENTONS ARE NOT HOLDING BACK!

Plate & Ponder: Empty-Nesting with Jen & Chris Fenton just dropped their most explosive episode yet — and it’s the kind of kitchen-table chaos that’s about to flood your feed.

Empty-nest power couple Jen and Chris are back, plates in hand, diving fork-first into the week’s wildest headlines:

• Melania Trump’s bombshell statement that just reignited the entire Epstein saga (yes, it’s back, baby — and the tin-foil hats are officially ON )
• Iran tensions hitting DEFCON levels (missiles, oil, and “what happens next?”)
• The massive LAUSD strike about to shut down LA schools — and what it really means for families
• That jaw-dropping “Company Retreat” story that had them laughing (and you will too)
• Plus all the unfiltered empty-nesting realness, nostalgia, and “how are we even navigating this world?” vibes only Jen & Chris deliver

No scripts. No filter. Just two sharp, hilarious empty-nesters saying what everyone else is thinking over dinner.

This one’s already blowing up because it’s raw, timely, and actually fun to listen to. If you love podcasts that feel like eavesdropping on the smartest (and funniest) couple you know… this is your episode.

Hit play. Share it. Argue about it in the comments.

Plate & Ponder: Empty-Nesting with Jen and Chris Fenton — where the food’s good and the takes are better.

Who else is obsessed with these two? Drop a if you’re tuning in right now! #PlateAndPonder #MelaniaEpstein #TinHatsOn #Iran #LAUSDStrike #EmptyNesting #PodcastGold

PS: Let's tag the GREATNESS from "Company Retreat":

TWITTER:

• Anthony Norman (The "Hero"/Participant): @anthony_norman
• Alex Bonifer (Dougie Womack Jr.): @alexbonifer
• Blair Beeken (Marjorie Lee): @blair.beeken
• Emily Pendergast (Amy Patterson): @ependergast
• Erica Hernandez (Kate Martinez): @erica.herndz
• Jerry Hauck (Doug Womack): @realjerryhauck
• Jim Woods (Jimmy Weber): @thejimmywoods
• LaNisa Renee Frederick (Jackie Griffin): @lanisafrederick
• Marc-Sully Saint-Fleur (PJ Green): @marcsullysaintfleur
• Rachel Kaly (Claire Coleman): @rachel.kaly
• Rob Lathan (Other Anthony): @rob.lathan
• Ryan Perez (Kevin Gomez): @ryguyperez
• Stephanie Hodge (Helen Schaffer): @stephaniehodge68
• Warren Burke (Steve Mosley): @warrenslburke
• Wendy Braun (Elizabeth Prescott): @mswendybraun

INSTAGRAM:

• Anthony Norman (plays "Other Anthony"): @anthony_norman
• Alex Bonifer (plays Dougie Jr.): @alexbonifer
• LaNisa Renee Frederick (plays Tiffani): @lanisafrederick
• Emily Pendergast (plays Sarah): @ependergast
• Rob Lathan (plays Dave): @rob.lathan
• Marc Sully Saint-Fleur (plays Mark): @marcsullysaintfleur
• Real Jerry Hauck (plays Jerry): @realjerryhauck
• Jim Woods (plays Jim): @thejimmywoods
• Ryan Perez (plays Ryan): @ryguyperez
• Stephanie Hodge (plays Barb): @stephaniehodge68
• Erica Hernandez (plays Erica): @erica.herndz
• Rachel Kaly (plays Rachel): @rachel.kaly
• Wendy Braun (plays Elizabeth): @mswendybraun
• Warren Burke (plays Coach P): @warrenslburke
• Blair Beeken (plays Blair): @blair.beeken

Send us Fan Mail

Jen & Chris Fenton are back with a Plate & Ponder: Empty Nesting episode that’s pure chaos, deliciousness, and “wait… WHAT?!” energy!

We just returned from Denmark & Sweden, and we’re spilling EVERYTHING:
Ambrosial Cuisine that ruined us for American food forever. Boy were these restaurants AMAZING:

https://www.papisaluhallen.se/ @papisaluhallen @felixbratt

https://maven.dk/en/maven-english @restaurantmaven

https://cofoco.dk/en/restaurant/donna @cofocodk

https://cofoco.dk/en/restaurant/les-trois-cochons

https://www.restaurant-anton.dk/ @restaurant.anton

https://jadecph.dk/ @jadecph

Copenhagen Anarchists who taught us more about freedom in 10 minutes than a TED Talk AND BOY DO THEY KNOW FASHION!

https://www.theessence.dk/ @theessence.dk

As did Sweden!

https://www.tigerofsweden.com/us/en/home/ @tigerofsweden

Hotel DJs turning lobbies into midnight raves (yes, really) at a HOTEL THAT WAS EPIC IN COPENHAGEN:

https://villacopenhagen.com/ @villacph

The undisputed Best of BOTH Denmark & Sweden — we ranked the food, BOAT TOURS, SPA'S, vibes, and hidden gems so you don’t have to:

https://beaire.com/en/aire-ancient-baths-copenhagen @aireancientbathsdk

https://www.heycaptain.dk/ @heycaptaincph

Then we landed back in LA and immediately dove into:
Mayor Karen Bass’s latest LAX Airport Follies (we’re still recovering)

Food. Anarchy. Hotel dance floors. Political facepalms. And the kind of travel stories that make your friends jealous they stayed home.

This one’s unhinged in the best way.

Drop everything and listen — then text your bestie “we’re going to Sweden & Denmark!”

Find this episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Then follow, download, review, and DM us any fun ideas for future episodes!!

#PlateAndPonder #EmptyNesting #ScandinaviaDump #CopenhagenChaos #SwedishSpasSaveLives #LAXDrama #JenAndChrisFenton #TravelWithUs

(Empty nesters: this one’s for YOU. Everyone else: you’re still invited.)

Send us Fan Mail

Chris flies solo from Copenhagen in this explosive Plate & Ponder episode that’s blowing up feeds for all the right reasons.

We’re going deep on the Iran conflict while stuffing our faces with Michelin-starred Danish magic that’ll make you book a ticket tomorrow. Then we spill the real tea on why Danes are naturally skinny — it’s NOT the gym, it’s the diet (and yes, it works).

Next: Tivoli Gardens — the actual insane fairytale park that inspired Walt Disney (you’ll never see Disneyland the same way again). We also dive into Copenhagen’s shockingly clean harbor water you can actually swim in AND DRINK, and roast the city’s “meh” airport… while throwing serious shade at LAX and JFK. “You two have no excuse still though, so get your butts fixing it up... STAT.”

Raw, hilarious, and unfiltered from the streets of Copenhagen — this is the episode everyone’s sharing. Hit play before your algorithm buries it.

New episode of Plate & Ponder is LIVE. Copenhagen just raised the bar.

Send us Fan Mail

MARDI GRAS MAYHEM MEETS EMPTY-NESTING REAL-TALK WITH OUR AMAZING DAUGHTER, KAYLIE FENTON!

(And a guest starring call-in from Megan!)

Buckle up, because the latest Plate & Ponder Empty Nesting episode is an absolute RIDE!

We sat down with our daughter for a no-holds-barred Father-Daughter debate on New Orleans and Mardi Gras… and things got WILD fast.

We’re spilling it ALL:
The jaw-dropping floats and bead-chasing chaos.
Topless women, drunken idiots, overdoses, and the unclassy party side nobody talks about.
Fraternity (NOT FRAT!) date parties, Mississippi River inner-tube floating madness, and those “what happens on Bourbon stays on Bourbon” nights
BUT ALSO…
The CLASSY side — mind-blowing restaurants, killer bars & clubs, relaxed cable car days gliding through the city, and the hidden new neighborhoods you HAVE to explore.

It’s hilarious, honest, a little shocking, and 100% the kind of raw parent-kid conversation every empty-nester needs!

One minute we’re laughing till we cry… the next we’re debating whether Mardi Gras is worth the hangover.

You’re gonna want to listen with your own adult kids — then immediately text them “WE’RE GOING TO NOLA!”

Drop a in the comments if you’ve survived Mardi Gras… or if this episode just convinced you to book tickets!

#MardiGrasDebate #NewOrleansVibes #EmptyNesting #PlateAndPonder #FamilyPodcast #NOLA2026