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Kate and Joey like you’ve never heard them before! 18 years together, running Mr. Kate and two kids later, we still have so much to talk about including keeping the spark alive with what…choremance?!, comparing our wildly different algorithms and what’s in them and sharing what we’ve been dm’ing each other lately. Kate names her Creative Spark of the week, taking inspiration from the analogue bag trend but putting it on wheels. Creative Weirdos call in to our phone line, questions ensue (worst DIY? Biggest insecurity?), and Kate’s sister joins us to dive into the world of dark-romantasy books and we discuss our love of MM books (yes, including Heated Rivalry), Romantasy and well..other ahem, things like scaring Joey with the plot of Morning Glory Milking Farm.

This week we cuddle up and get chatty about how to stop your kid from swearing when, honestly, it’s kind of hilarious. Kate gets real about her creative crash outs, and we take your call-ins on Waldorf school and Taking Five — the movie we met filming that now feels like a total fever dream. Tess joins us to unpack her current dating strategy and the spicy books she and Kate are devouring… while Joey passionately defends his very “respectable” slow-burn reads.

This week’s rug ramblings jump from raising emotionally healthy boys to defending co-sleeping to discovering the internet is rating Joey’s feet. Kate flips through the “journal ecosystem” that keeps her productive, fuels her creativity, supports her mental health, and yes, includes cute charms. We also have a breakthrough moment when Joey finally understands why BookTok loves spicy romantasy novels, thanks to a study comparing romantasy fandom to professional sports fandom psychology.

This week, we revisit the decisions that changed everything — from starting a YouTube channel when no one took it seriously to Tess walking away from her engagement (3 rings later!?) We unpack what sixteen years online has really meant: growing older on camera, deciding how much of our lives (and our kids’ lives) to share, facing imposter syndrome, and pushing back against algorithms and AI with creativity and real community. We’re also officially over boring bathrooms — and yes, Joey grabbed an Amelia Bedelia boxed set as his weapon of choice.

This week, Joey had a full girl-dad existential spiral after realizing he can’t actually protect our daughter from the male gaze, which turned into a larger parenting conversation about raising our kids to create systemic change. We also answer a listener question about Kate’s uncanny ability to design spaces that feel perfectly personal: design intuition, empathy, or maybe some inherited psychic abilities. Plus, we dive into the Fourth Wing series and other romantasy books Joey has read, and Kate shares the moment she channeled some serious Fire Horse energy to confront someone who crossed a boundary. Leave us a comment — yay or nay on ponytails for men?

In this episode, we’re romanticizing not sticking to traditional timelines and having kids later in life. We talk with Tess about freezing her eggs and why there’s no single right schedule for starting a family… though Kate did have to draw the line at Joey’s idea of having a surrogate baby at 60.Then we get into small ways to romanticize your everyday life, including an internet challenge that might make you blush that showcases men as a sensory experience… and how that somehow led to Kate saying she wishes she could be a gay man.

This week, we’re talking about what it means to be YouTubers raising kids in a screen-free home, the tensions of working online while limiting screens offline, and how we try to stay on the creating-not-consuming side of technology. Plus, a very special guest (MY DAD) with firsthand experience raising a screen-free kid (ME!!) weighs in. We also get into creative resilience - why getting better can sometimes feel like failing, and why pushing through that feeling matters if you want to make anything meaningful over time. Along the way, we question the shift away from a 13-month calendar, talk periods, share a few DIY ways to bring new life to the art you already own, and ask one very important question: do men actually spend more time on the toilet?

This week we’re sharing what we’ve learned the hard way from our four-year renovationship with our dream home (that Joey admits he might have ruined)… including what we’ve learned about when DIYing makes sense vs when it’s worth calling in the pros. Plus we’re diving into matrescence—the wild identity shift that comes with becoming a parent—along with brand bibles and our packing habits. Talk Dirty with Tess gets unexpectedly wholesome as we dive into our love for the Plated Prisonerseries—and the best advice Kate’s ever given her.

In this episode, we get into the personality differences that cause most of our arguments—but also make us who we are. Kate opens up about what it’s like being a highly sensitive person, while Joey cannot wrap his head around why someone hasn’t invented a female urinal to fix long bathroom lines. We also give a shoutout to the Staples Baddie for fully embodying the creative weirdo spirit, and on our spring break trip, Joey decides to take Tess’s love life into his own hands—turning the podcast into a search for eligible bachelors to call in. Ladies—be honest… would you try Joey’s no-stall bathroom design?

In this episode, we’re diving into the art of thrifting—as designers who furnished nearly our entire first apartment secondhand and now source one-of-a-kind vintage gems for our makeover videos. As we enter a thrifting golden era, we’re breaking down how to spot what’s actually worth grabbing, plus the unexpected items most people overlook (but make incredible kids' toys or gifts). What are your favorite items to thrift? Comment below! We also get into Emma Chamberlain's line with West Elm, along with answering a listener call-in about designing her dorm (or any small, renter-friendly space) with character. And stick around to hear the crazy lore Joey uncovered about Lone Fox's new vintage store and Tess’s bad Raya date that she went on for granny.

You may have seen our viral outdoor shower transformation looking stunning on social media… and in this episode, we’re spilling the realiTEA of that project—including why Joey still showers in his boxers. We talk about everything from diets (we’ve truly tried them all), to turning your kids’ handwriting into custom fonts (credit to Sydni Moran), to Harry Potter fan fiction, and even a criminal who might be a perfect match for Tess. Speaking of Tess, her dating life takes an exciting new turn thanks to the podcast! Plus, a Harry Potter actor has bought from Mr. Kate—and Tess has a run-in with a celebrity… in his boxers?!

In this episode, we’re racing to finish our guest house before visitors arrive but an unexpected (and very unwanted) guest—mold—might just change everything. A caller sparks a conversation about the feng shui and Kate shares the rules she swears by to make a space feel as good as it looks—but things take a turn when Joey starts questioning her about the Somavedic under their bed… Meanwhile, Kate calls Joey out for not being the dating expert he claims to be, sharing a story from a movie they worked on together—where he somehow flew out a girl he wasn’t even that into… after starting a fling with someone from the costume department instead. Plus, we dive into family compounds—why they’re suddenly having a moment—get into books we had to DNF, and unpack the unexpected curveball Joey is currently reading.

In this episode, we push back on the status quo—from building a custom family bed to co-sleeping work, to Kate opening up about what she’s stopped doing to please society (like shaving) and fully embracing aging, to be an example for our daughter. Tess might not have met her match from the podcast, but it did spark a fun night out with longtime friends—also single and ready to mingle—and led to a debate about “catching print”… which, surprisingly, has nothing to do with interior design. We also share the books we think should be required reading for every adult—Joey picks Leadership and Self-Deception and Kate goes with Brave New World. On the other side of the spectrum, our dark romantsy latest obsession is Chrysalis by B.B Reid.

Joey kicks things off poking fun at Kate’s witchy era, which thanks to WitchTok has only gotten stronger… but after an astrology reading hits a little too close to home, he’s suddenly shouting from the rooftops that after 7 years, he’s finally out of Uranus. We also get into our experience trying elimination communication, aka “diaper witchcraft,” while potty training our newborn, Kate shares one of her favorite analog activities lately: handing Moon a screen-free retro film-style camera to explore with. It captures all the nostalgic magic of a disposable camera, but without the wait to get the photos developed. We laugh about Kate’s cameo in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement still following her everywhere online, including the completely unscripted accent behind her iconic line. Tess reveals a shocking DNF, and we spiral into the dream of creating a TV show where we remodel homes in all 50 states… Netflix call us!

Warning: this one's a tearjerker. We open up about something that weighed heavy on us: motherhood costing us a business opportunity. Knowing this happens to women all the time is exactly why we choose to walk away. Which got us talking about how women have spent years trying to fit into systems made for men, when science is only just now catching up to how differently we're actually wired. And maybe the answer we're looking for can be found in bees? We also share our survival tips for getting through the newborn stage, plus a delightfully whimsical creative spark that brings magic to an everyday task. Tess may have gotten dumped on the pod, but thanks to a friend hijacking her Hinge she's got a date with Fae — while Joey wishes it was at 7/11, he’ll settle for her agreeing not to mention that she’s currently reading a Peter Pan romantasy book.

A girl's hypersensitive guide to living in a world that's stacked against your nervous system. For Kate, that looked like years of debilitating chronic migraines. After trying just about everything, in true Mr.Kate fashion, she made her own solution and is so excited to share her midnight stretching ritual with all of you on the Rug Cuddle Instagram. And because overwhelm doesn't stop at the nervous system — you know that feeling when you open Pinterest for "just a little inspiration" and three hours later you're feeling overwhelmed, defeated, and somehow further from a decision than when you started? Dr. Kate has a prescription for that. It's called the Pinterest barf, and she walks you through her full step-by-step method for going from chaotic inspiration to a clear design direction without losing your mind. And then there's Tess, navigating the equally overwhelming world of dating — and how she may have accidentally gotten a little drunk on her Hinge date and ended up inviting...

This week, a caller asks Kate a question that sparks a bigger conversation about staying true to yourself. Early in her acting career, TV executives told her she needed to tone herself down. Instead, she found a community of creative weirdos who liked her because of her quirks. We’re also celebrating Mars turning one, which marks a full year since one of the scariest chapters of our lives. For her birthday, we’re building a mud kitchen in the backyard, which ties perfectly into our new segment, Design Tip of the Week, where we talk about refreshing your home for summer and creating outdoor spaces that actually get used. Plus we fell down a cyberdeck TikTok rabbit hole , where brilliant makers are building whimsical custom computers from scratch, dropped some celebrity lore from our LA days, and talked about the books we can’t put down.

We share the latest update on our dream home plans, including something Kate has wanted for years for and is the perfect birthday gift. Now we just need those permits to cooperate. A perfectly timed call from a 73-year-old creative weirdo reminds us of something we all need to hear: you’re okay. We also discuss why we left LA and whether the pros of living in Hawaii outweigh the cons. Inspired by the aloha spirit, we’re dreaming up ways to help families impacted by the recent flooding and wondering: which YouTubers should we recruit to join the cause? Our Creative Sparks this week are all about adding a little more whimsy to everyday life. From Patch Summer, where adventures earn you embroidered badges, to the return of good old-fashioned snail mail. Tess skipped the book and dating updates this week because she was too busy living her best Vegas life at a Hilary Duff concert and chatting about books at the club.

Episode 19 is the sister therapy episode! Tess joins us in person as we talk about how a 6.5-year age gap never stopped us from being best friends. Kate even gives Tess a makeover during the episode! Since we don’t live near each other anymore, we also share what has helped us stay close. We dive into the experiences that shaped our bond, from navigating divorce in our family to Tess’s near-fatal accident and the protective big-sister instincts it sparked in Kate. Plus, we discover we may have been wrong about our personality types this whole time and share a blooming creative spark that could inspire your next side hustle. And don’t worry, book lovers. Next episode we’ll be diving into all the books we’re loving this summer!

Episode 20 is all about our son Moon’s birthday celebration: a camping-themed party of his dreams. As expected, Kate took the theme very seriously, and Joey somehow talked his way through a few logistical roadblocks. We reflect on being parents for seven years now and truly having the best kids. We can’t take all the credit, but in response to a caller’s question about raising creative kids, we share some of the things we’ve been intentional about as parents, from avoiding the pressures of toxic masculinity to prioritizing unstructured play instead of competition in early childhood. Plus, Tess is back for the Throne of Glass talk. Despite Joey claiming he loved the series, he seems to remember surprisingly little of what actually happened. Check out the Rug Cuddle Instagram to see Joey’s latest 5-star reads.

Stick out your tongue… it’s Episode 21! From cortisol-lowering hacks to grieving the loss of hobbies, we explore what happens when the thing you love becomes your career… and potentially your identity. Kate shares how she brings new life to her hobbies, and doesn’t let perfection stop her from starting new ones. Joey reminds us that the loss of one hobby, like his drumming career just means there’s room for another. Plus, Tess and Kate are using color analysis and capsule wardrobes to pack for their European summer adventures. Meanwhile, Joey’s creating some interesting invention ideas.

Episode 22 is one we’ve wanted to make for a long time. Nine years ago, we experienced our first miscarriage while we were at the height of our OMG We’re Coming Over series. We were smiling on camera every week while privately navigating one of the hardest chapters of our lives. After experiencing a second miscarriage, we searched for answers and realized just how common pregnancy loss is, and how little it’s talked about. Today, we’re in a place where we can look back with gratitude and finally share our story, hoping it brings comfort to someone who needs it. We also share Kate’s closet clean-out tips, meaningful ways to memorialize a pregnancy loss or loved one through art, Tess’s adventures in Europe, the importance of having a “third place,” and why she’s loving tandem reading Throne of Glass. Don’t worry, we’ll be taking a little vacation, but a brand new episode will be waiting for you next Tuesday.

In Episode 23 of Rug Cuddle With Us, we’re coming to you from Tess’s garage! What should you do when someone crosses the line with an unsolicited comment? This week, we’re unpacking the wild things people feel entitled to say about women’s lives while sharing our own very strong opinions about the eyebrows of the room: curtains! We’re also diving into whether you’re a tiger or a dragon in the bedroom based on which side of the bed you choose. And Joey’s plan to sleep on a camping mattress during our trip? Let’s just say it’s probably not the most feng shui-approved setup.

Bonjour, we're coming to you from Normandy, France for episode 24! We're here after we realized pretty quickly that as much as we love the old buildings and architecture in Paris, those beautiful old buildings do not have the air conditioning us Americans are used to. Even trying to buy a fan felt like we were doing a drug deal. C'est la vie, let's do as the French do and get out of the city. This brings us to discussing how, despite all this, we truly prefer the craftsmanship and style of European homes compared to new builds. The good news? We can now get that same 1800s craftsmanship at a much lower price point, with all the modern amenities we're not willing to give up, and we're taking notes for our own remodel. We share exciting news that we're headed to DIY Con in the fall, plus answer the question of whether we ever get sick of each other, since we spend the majority of our time together working side by side. Stay tuned for next week’s episode with Tess in Italy!

Ciao from Italy! In episode 25 we’re coming to you from Sicily with a very special guest: Tess, who joined us (along with Kate’s dad!) for this part of our adventure. Luckily, our beautiful hotel room has air conditioning because it’s over 100 degrees here. Joey can’t stop sweating, Kate loses her Kindle and immediately is worried about what someone might discover on it, and Tess realizes she’s been dressing for her inner child all along. Kate and Tess use the pod for some sister talk, from their new dark and spicy book obsession to the question: Tess once thought she wanted the kind of relationship Joey and Kate have… until she thought about it a little more. We also debate an important fashion question: can you wear a band tee for a band you don’t actually know?

Our hot summer adventure is coming to a close as we bring you Episode 26 from the charming town of Lakeside, Ohio! It may seem like a random stop on the map, but we have Joey’s family’s religious background to thank for introducing us to this picture perfect summer community. As we get ready to head home, we’re reflecting on why travel makes us feel more like ourselves, why the end of vacation always feels like a reset, and what pieces of vacation life we want to carry into our everyday routines. We also answer a listener question about blending design styles with your partner and, revisit one of Kate’s very first “design projects” she did for Joey with just ribbon and sticks, and share an easy paint trick that can completely transform a room. And we’d love to hear from you! Have you enjoyed Rug Cuddle on the road, or are you ready for us to be back in the studio? And for all the parents out there, as back-to-school season approaches, what are you doing differently this year?

We’re so happy to be back home for Episode 27! In this episode, we’re recapping some of our funniest travel escapades, and discovering a new way to go analog we’d never heard of before: solo board gaming! Plus, we have a heartfelt call-in about supporting a sister through pregnancy, which turns into a bit of a love letter to Tess. We can’t help it, she’s the best! Of course, we HAD to talk about the new movie Wicker, where our two worlds collide in a romantasy about a woman who custom-makes herself a lover… out of wicker. Kate & Tess will definitely be watching when it comes out in October. Joey, on the other hand, might never look at wicker the same way again.

In Episode 28, we’re getting into the big, slightly uncomfortable question: what happens to creativity & curiosity in the age of AI? Plus, it’s time we bring our tips & tricks for the perfect rug the Rug Cuddle community! When it comes to AI, Joey is embracing it while Kate is a little more skeptical. We take a call from a children’s book author who worries that AI might replace her, and we both encourage her not to lose hope. Joey shares his experience as a musician when electronic music changed the industry, and we talk about how every new technology has the potential to reshape creative work. We’re hopeful that as AI-generated art becomes more common, there may be an even greater appreciation and demand for art made by humans. We also get into the question of how we want AI and technology to fit into our families, including creating our own rules for how we use it at home.

Just as we hit 1 million subscribers, Kate had a hair disaster that left her half bald and changed the course of her personal style for years. Tess joins for episode 29 in which we share a crazy story time with a bit of Mr.Kate lore! We kept this story private from the internet until now, but if you look back at our old videos, you can spot all the ways we tried to disguise it: wigs, hats, headbands, hairstyles… you name it! While it was devastating at the time, it eventually led to something that became an iconic part of Kate’s look: the pink hair! If you were in Kate’s shoes, what would you have done?

I’ve been inside the most iconic closet of all time! At 17, I was a costume intern on Sex and the City, and years later, you might have spotted me in a small role on the show. You might have also seen me on Will & Grace! Plus, check out our episodes about my cameo in The Princess Diaries 2 and how Joey and I met while filming Taking 5. In Episode 30, we’re talking about the thrill of a Facebook Marketplace score for our latest design project with Ava Jules, dressing for our Venus signs, and diving into our love of dark books, morally grey men, and why we’ll take them over dombabies any day.

Oprah said once woman can’t have it all… and now, I agree with her! Episode 31 is the realistic power power-parent pep talk you didn’t know you needed! We tackle the question: How do you balance being a parent with being a person outside of parenting. We open up about the weight of the mental load, mom brain, the never-ending to-do list, and the challenge of making space for ourselves while raising kids. We love what we do, and our work gives us a huge outlet for creativity, but we’ve had to accept that we simply can’t make as many videos as we did before kids, and that’s okay! We’re learning to move the goalposts, embrace this season of life, and remind ourselves that it won’t last forever. Because while parenting can make it harder to find time for the things that make us feel like us, being a parent really is the greatest gift.We’d love to hear from other parents…

Does your house feel bland no matter how you decorate it? It’s not your fault! Fresh off our OMG We’re Coming Over! makeover at Ava Jules’ house (full room transformation videos coming soon), we’re inspired to share what we’ve learned about turning plain, builder-grade spaces into homes full of character. We transformed two of Ava’s gray, basic rooms with architectural interest and thoughtful design, and now we’re breaking down how you can bring those same ideas into your own home, whether you own or rent. We’re calling out the common offenders, from quarter rounds and orange-peel walls to flat finishes and basic flooring, and showing you how to bring charm, character, and soul back into a space through color, lighting, scale, and art. And you don’t have to spend a fortune to make your home feel expensive. Learning a few DIY skills, shopping Facebook Marketplace, and finding treasures at thrift stores can help you create a space that feels high end.

Your home doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to have personality. For us, it’s a little weird, a little woo-woo, and very true to us. In episode 33, we’re sharing the strange little rituals, habits, design choices, and home quirks that make our spaces feel like ours, from the things we do for better sleep and energy to the things that would probably make absolutely no sense in anyone else’s house. Your version of weird is part of what makes you, you. So why not let those little quirks show up in your home, too? Because home should be more than a place that looks good. It should be a place where you can fully be yourself, decompress from the outside world, and maximize the experience of being at home. What’s something totally YOU that you do at home?

OMG we’re going to the chapel!? Let’s get into why a traditional wedding never really resonated with Kate now that we have kids—should we throw a big one? Joey has big ideas, Kate has some thoughts, and we’re even considering letting Tess plan the whole thing. This is episode 34 and we need you to weigh in! And then there’s the biggest question: Should we throw a Mr. Kate meet-and-greet wedding and invite you?

After 20 years together, you’d think we could agree on who’s more likely to… Who’s more embarrassing? Who would get scammed? Who’s the dramatic one? We’re putting each other on the spot with a couples challenge - and Joey wants to know how he can win a game with no winner. Then we call Kate’s sister Tess to talk about the wedding we still haven’t had. Between an obstacle course and an eject button, the ideas get a little out of hand.

Our most-viewed makeover started with a Craigslist stranger, a single day to transform their room and a $300 budget. In episode 36, we’re revisiting this makeover from nine years ago with fresh eyes and years of design experience. We’re spilling behind-the-scenes secrets, taking another look at our design choices, and wondering where Alex is now. What would we do differently if we tackled this room today? Plus, which OMG We’re Coming Over makeover should we react to next?

She let two strangers transform her room… then never saw them again. Until now! We’re reconnecting with Alex, who found us on Craigslist for a room makeover that none of us knew would become our most popular video, with over 11 million views! In Episode 37, Alex is back to share what the experience was really like, what the makeover meant to her during a difficult chapter of her life, and what it’s like to have people recognize her from the video! If you missed last week’s episode, we watch back and react to the original $287 makeover that started it all. And while we’re taking a trip down memory lane, Kate wants to check back in on the Cruz family, who lived in a converted garage.

We’re pulling back the rug on some of our controversial interior design opinions! In Episode 38, we’re sharing our unfiltered, off-the-cuff takes on the trends we’re over, the “design rules” we think are meant to be broken, and the popular design choices we think are worth defending (or ditching!). Some of our opinions might hit a little close to home, literally! But take them with a grain of salt. We’re not the design police, and there’s always room for a good debate!