Welcome to Season 1, Episode 1 of The Messy Podcast!

Tagline: The Making of a Matriarch – Exploring Ruby’s upbringing, marriage, and Shari’s traumatic entry into the world.

In this episode, we explore:

• Ruby’s Early Life:

  • Born in Logan, Utah (1982) into a devout LDS family.

  • Moved to Roy, Utah.

  • Eldest of 5 siblings, tasked with raising them.

  • Childhood shaped by LDS teachings: motherhood as the "highest calling."

• Ruby & Kevin’s Marriage:

  • Met at Utah State University (2000); engaged within 2 weeks.

  • Vision board for a husband: "5 inches taller," "engineer," "handsome."

  • Wedding on December 28, 2000: mismatched shoes, Southwestern blankets.

  • Dynamic: Ruby as "Ultimate Mother," Kevin as the "supporting actor."

• Shari’s Traumatic Birth:

  • Born March 3, 2003, after a high-risk pregnancy.

  • Emergency surgery for intestinal blockage at 3 months.

  • Parenting philosophy: "let babies cry it out," no coddling.

  • Early signs of anxiety: night terrors, fear of demons, unexplained stomach pain.

• Early Family Dynamics:

  • Ruby’s temper: slapping Shari for "wrong facial expressions."

  • Rise of mommy blogging ("Good Lookin Home Cookin").

  • Shari’s realization: "Mommy isn’t very nice to me."

Key Quotes from the Book:

• "Ruby’s self-worth was built on exceptionalism—if she couldn’t be extraordinary at piano, she’d be extraordinary at motherhood."

• "My earliest memories are of Ruby crying... ironic, since she seemed immune to anyone else’s tears."

• "I learned my pain didn’t matter. My needs were inconvenient."

• "Ruby’s blog recipes were aspirational. I’m not sure she ever made those dishes."

Themes to Highlight:

• Religious Pressure: LDS teachings on motherhood as divine duty.

• Performance vs. Reality: Ruby’s curated online persona vs. her temper.

• Generational Trauma: Ruby repeating her strict upbringing with Shari.

• Emotional Neglect: Shari’s journal entries about self-loathing and isolation.

Narration & Discussion Points:

• Ruby’s Motivations: How did her LDS upbringing shape her need for control?

• Cultural Context: Why does Utah’s "family vlogging" culture blur faith and exploitation?

• Shari’s Trauma: Analyze her recurring nightmare: "Even in heaven, Ruby’s voice condemns me."

• Foreshadowing: Ruby’s early cruelty (e.g., buzzing Chad’s hair) as a precursor to later abuse.

Recommended Interviews:

• LDS Scholar: Discuss doctrinal emphasis on motherhood and large families.

• Parenting Expert: Analyze Ruby’s "cry it out" methods and psychological impacts.

• Family Vlogging Historian: Connect Ruby’s early mommy blogs to later fame.

Soundtrack Suggestions:

• Somber piano pieces.

• Utah folk music.

• Jarring, unsettling tones during Shari’s nightmare sequences.

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