In this episode of Back Nine, Bedtimes, and Bourbon, Stephen is joined by a very special guest—his wife, Liz—for another installment of Unscripted.

What starts as a casual conversation quickly turns into a relaxed and honest look at everyday life. Stephen and Liz talk about everything from welcoming a new puppy into the house to the behind-the-scenes realities of building the podcast and balancing life, work, and responsibilities.

Along the way they discuss:

The chaos (and comedy) of bringing home a new puppy How Stephen tends to take on too much at once The process of building and growing the podcast Upcoming plans for the show and community involvement A glimpse into their everyday dynamic as a married couple

The conversation is light, genuine, and exactly what the Unscripted series is meant to be—two people sitting down and talking about whatever comes up.

Sometimes the best conversations are the ones that aren’t planned.

In this episode of Back Nine, Bedtimes, and Bourbon, Stephen is joined by a special guest—Michael’s better half, Angela—for a raw and unfiltered “men vs. women” conversation.

What starts as a simple Q&A quickly turns into a deeper dive into real relationship dynamics. From male insecurities and communication breakdowns to why “I don’t know, you pick” never actually works, this episode pulls back the curtain on the things couples experience but don’t always say out loud.

Stephen and Angela tackle tough topics like:

Why men struggle to open up emotionally The reality behind shifting expectations in relationships Why work mindset doesn’t always translate well at home The importance of clarity, communication, and perspective And the big one—what men really mean when they say they just want peace

There’s humor, there’s honesty, and there are moments that might hit a little too close to home—but that’s the point.

This isn’t about arguing. It’s about understanding.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood in your relationship—or wondered what the other side is really thinking—this episode is for you.

Sometimes the best conversations aren’t planned.

In this episode, we go off script and address a few things that have been building—starting with a troll in our Facebook comments. Instead of ignoring it, we break it down and use it as a jumping-off point for a bigger conversation about criticism, accountability, and the difference between talking and actually doing.

We also get into the reality of modern parenting—specifically club sports and the pressure to keep kids constantly busy. Are we setting them up for success, or burning them out? And more importantly, why it’s not only okay—but necessary—to tell your kids “no” sometimes.

From there, we talk about priorities at home. Putting your spouse first isn’t selfish—it’s foundational. Strong relationships build strong families, and that starts at the top.

We wrap things up by calling out a hard truth: a lot of people are quick to complain about their lives on social media, but slow to take real steps to improve them. We’re not here to attack—we’re here to challenge.

No script. No filter. Just real conversation.

In this episode, Stephen and Michael begin the conversation by exploring the foundations of communication in relationships. The discussion focuses on the Five Love Languages, how people give and receive affection differently, and why many couples struggle to feel heard even when both partners are trying.

The goal of this episode isn’t to blame or shame either side of a relationship. Instead, it’s about understanding how communication works, how people interpret actions and words differently, and why learning your partner’s love language can make a real difference.

Stephen and Michael also introduce the concept of neuroplasticity, explaining how our brains can adapt and change over time. That means the way we communicate, react, and connect with our partners is not fixed — it can evolve with awareness and effort.

This episode sets the groundwork for future conversations where the show will dive into more difficult and honest topics about relationships, expectations, and real-life experiences.

Episode Zero – Introduction, Rules, and Jobs vs. Gigs

Welcome to Episode Zero — the official launch of the show.

In this kickoff episode, Stephen (your host) and Michael (co-host from the coast) introduce themselves, explain what this podcast is all about, and lay down the ground rules for how things will run moving forward. This is the foundation episode — who we are, why we’re doing this, and what listeners can expect.

From there, we dive into our first real conversation: Jobs vs. Gigs — the good, the bad, and the honest truth. We break down:

Stability vs. flexibility

Benefits vs. freedom

Risk tolerance

Family impact

Burnout, side hustles, and long-term sustainability

No fluff. No corporate buzzwords. Just real-world perspective from two married dads balancing careers, responsibilities, and ambition.

This episode sets the tone for the show: candid conversations, practical insight, a little humor, and advice drawn from lived experience.

This is where it starts.