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That Wasn't The Plan

Emily White & Courtney Holland
Mental Health
Homelessness
Sobriety
Housing Insecurity
Breast Cancer
Addiction Recovery
Endometriosis
Los Angeles
Chemotherapy
Community Support
Friendship Divorces
Kindness
Life Challenges
Friendship
Societal Issues
Recovery
Alcoholism
Washington
Substance Abuse
Ice Swimming

That Wasn't The Plan Human stories for those struggling to be human.A podcast for anyone whose life took a left turn when you were peacefully asleep.

Life doesn't come with a script—thank god, because ours would've been returned for rewrites.

Warning: May cause unexpected feelings, snort-laughing, and the overwhelming urge to text us your own "that wasn't the plan" story.

Join co-hosts Emily Whit... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes27Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RelationshipsPersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for That Wasn't The Plan

Latest Episodes

Welcome back. Season 2. We opened with a tiger shark. Seemed right.

That Wasn't The Plan is back for Season 2 — and we are not easing anyone in gently. Our first guest is Kinga Philipps: journalist, explorer, Shark Week host, Explorers Club Fellow, ... more

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Happy 25th episode, everybody — and welcome to the Season One Finale of That Wasn't The Plan.

Emily and Courtney sit down to close out Season 1 the only way they know how: completely unscripted, slightly unhinged, and somehow still kind of profound.... more

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This week's guest, Jonathan Fitzgerald, showed up with a life story that none of us were fully prepared for.

Jonathan grew up the middle child of ten in Sarasota, Florida, in a family that could only be described as a force of nature. His parents — ... more

YouTube

(We open with Courtney's puppy accidentally getting marijuana poisoning. This is relevant because it sets the tone perfectly for an episode about a man whose life has taken approximately seventeen unexpected turns.)

This week's guest is Richard Ault... more

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Fitzgerald
Father of five, construction business owner, long-time storyteller
Independent entrepreneur / construction business
Episode: I Want a Shit Ton of Kids ft. Jonathan Fitzgerald
Richard Ault
Biologist by training, technologist by accident; former VP of Product at Napster; climate science educator
Napster, MyPlay, San Diego State University
Episode: Napster + Arctic weirdos + Classroom bliss = Richard Ault; in a nutshell...
Lindsay Brockman
Licensed veterinary nurse (LVT), pet loss grief specialist
EverKin Pet Loss Support
Episode: We Don't Move On. We Move With. ft. Lindsay Brockman
Hilary Pawlik
Professional dancer, award-winning choreographer, founder and co-director of Artist Entrance Dance Company (Los Angeles)
Artist Entrance Dance Company
Episode: Endometriosis: Painful Periods Are Not Normal ft. Hilary Pawlik
Melissa Kegler
Triple Crown swimmer, ice mermaid, US record holder in ice swimming
US swimming community
Episode: What Is Your Body Capable Of?
Sarah Beth Wood
Collegiate swimmer and national-level competitor
Collegiate athletics
Episode: What Is Your Body Capable Of?
Carrie Edwards
Phenomenal woman from Virginia who won $150,000 in the Powerball and donated it to multiple charities
Virginia-based philanthropist
Episode: ChatGPT won her the Powerball - and she gave it all away
Jen Quam Howell
Guest, former culinary student and Virginia Tech alumna
Virginia Tech Alumni Relations
Episode: We Left With Nothing
Sarah Beth Schooley Wood
Paralegal and former film/TV producer; Antarctic wedding officiated by penguin handlers
Independent
Episode: The Last Virgin

Hosts

Emily White
Co-host and conversational host; frequent episode lead and audience-engager
Courtney Holland
Co-host and interviewer; leads interview segments and hosts conversations

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 9 ratings
  • LOL IRL

    Thanks for making me laugh out loud on the regular! Keep the episodes coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1/4 Honker
    United States6 months ago
  • So good!

    I'm really enjoying this podcast. You two are so good! Can't wait for more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emoluch
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts feel like supportive friends and facilitators of honest storytelling.
Humor and warmth make tough stories feel approachable.
Genuine, imperfect conversations with real guests.
Wide range of guest topics keeps episodes fresh and relatable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ChatGPT won her the Powerball - and she gave it all away
Q: How did the public response affect you and the organizations involved?
Carrie notes that media coverage amplified the reach and allowed donors from far away to contribute, creating a ripple effect that extended the impact beyond the initial gift.
Part 2: Hypothermia can be funn! - Ice Mermaid
Q: What was the biggest challenge in the five-month effort leading up to the swim?
The biggest challenge was the combination of unreliable weather windows, shifting water temperatures, and logistical hurdles, which forced constant planning, standby policies, and adjustments to crew and permits before the final, successful attempt.
Pt. 1 - The Ice Mermaid, Melissa Kegler
Q: Tell people what it's like to climb into 39-40 degree water and how the transition feels
Melissa describes the process as a deliberate, gradual entry where she inches into the water to assess the cold; she explains the sensation of cold pins and needles, the pre-hypothermia signs, and the mental focus required to maintain stroke count and safety with crew guidance.
Pt. 1 - The Ice Mermaid, Melissa Kegler
Q: Can I ask what are some of the horror stories about New York, swimming around New York?
Melissa explains that the New York swim had tough conditions with a heat wave and strong sun, making it challenging but not as harrowing as some rumors suggest; she highlights practical obstacles like weather and navigation rather than dramatic incidents, and notes the overall beauty of the route despite the heat and wind.
We Left With Nothing
Q: All right, JQ, set the scene for us—what happened the night of March 3, 2018 and how did you begin to respond?
Jen describes waking to a burning house, prioritizing the safety of her three boys, and relying on a network of neighbors and responders while keeping calm enough to coordinate their escape and ensure everyone made it out.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About That Wasn't The Plan

What is That Wasn't The Plan about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on human stories that take unexpected turns, from sobriety and recovery to unlikely life pivots and big personal moments. Episodes mix raw honesty with humor as two hosts share candid reflections, invite diverse guests, and explore topics like relationships, resilience, parenting, health journeys, and unusual life experiences. The tone is warm, unpolished, and relatable, often leaning into vulnerability and practical takeaways rather than polish. Noteworthy is the show's habit of weaving big life twists with everyday humor, creating a welcoming space for listeners who crave authentic storytelling and real-world lessons about navigating the chaos of life.

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Which podcasts are similar to That Wasn't The Plan?

These podcasts share a similar audience with That Wasn't The Plan:

1. The Mel Robbins Podcast
2. Baggage
3. Hidden Brain
4. Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
5. A Slight Change of Plans

How many episodes of That Wasn't The Plan are there?

That Wasn't The Plan launched 7 months ago and published 27 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on That Wasn't The Plan?

Recent guests on That Wasn't The Plan include:

1. Jonathan Fitzgerald
2. Richard Ault
3. Lindsay Brockman
4. Hilary Pawlik
5. Melissa Kegler
6. Sarah Beth Wood
7. Carrie Edwards
8. Jen Quam Howell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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