You Know What I Mean? podcast artwork

PODCAST · business

You Know What I Mean?

This is the conversation that starts with dogs and somehow ends up being about everything else.You Know What I Mean is hosted by Bethany and Kait - two dog trainers who accidentally built their lives, businesses, and friendships around the dogs they love.Each week, we talk about real-life dog stuff - not training drills, but the messy, funny, humbling, meaningful parts of it. The business side. The friendship side. The “can you imagine?!” moments. The parts that change you.It’s honest. It’s a little ridiculous sometimes. And it’s the kind of conversation you’d usually have over coffee.

  1. 14

    From Constipation to Controversy

    This episode starts off exactly how you’d expect — catching up, talking about life, and yes… a very detailed conversation about homemade lattes and a recent bathroom situation.But somewhere between ice cream habits, baking dilemmas, and full-on garden mode, we end up having a really honest conversation about dog training — specifically, the growing gap between what people believe online and what actually works in real life.We talk about:why certain narratives around e-collar training stick — even when they don’t match realitythe difference between hearing about something and actually experiencing ithow overcomplicating dog training can leave owners feeling stuckand why clear, simple communication often gets overlookedWe also get into:addictive personalities (coffee edition ☕️)the mental gymnastics of having sweets in the houseplant care becoming a full personality traitand the chaos of trying to “tighten things up” after a few weeks of living your best lifeIt’s one of those episodes that feels like a real conversation — a little all over the place, unexpectedly honest, and somehow still tied together in a way that makes you think.

  2. 13

    Therapy, Rodeos, and the Dogs We Love (and Sometimes Don’t)

    This episode starts off normal… and then quickly goes in about ten different directions.We talk about:the wildest rodeo story (you’ll know when you hear it 😳)why some dogs are just… harder — even when you’re doing everything rightthe difference between reactivity, whining, and the behaviors that actually wear you downwhat it looks like when owners realize their dog isn’t “easy” — and how validating that can beAnd then we get into life.We talk about therapy, relationships, family dynamics, and what it’s like when things feel a little heavier than usual — even when everything looks “fine” on the outside.There’s also:shadow program insights you don’t usually hearthe reality of emotional vs neutral dog handlingoverthinking, over-talking, and trying to do things “right”and somehow… Amazon packages getting sent to the wrong house (again)It’s one of those episodes that feels like a real conversation — the kind where you laugh, go off on tangents, and then accidentally say something that actually matters.

  3. 12

    Basically a Dog Training Podcast

    This one is… a lot. In the best way.We start with a Stanley cup mix-up that somehow turns into one of the most “on brand” stories we’ve ever told, get into vision boards, Hobby Lobby chaos, and the ongoing saga of the Rogue bench… and eventually (kind of) make our way into dog training.We talk about what it actually looks like to use the e-collar in real life - not the internet version, not the black-and-white opinions - but the in-the-moment decisions, the nuance, and why it can be such a powerful tool for the dogs who need it most.There’s also:A nervous dog breakthrough that felt like a deep breath at the end of the leashThe reality of online opinions vs real-world resultsWhy we’re not here to convince everyone — and why that mattersBird feeders (a lot of bird feeders)A childhood book that unexpectedly explains… a lotIt’s one of those episodes that feels like you’re just sitting with us, talking about dogs, life, and whatever else comes up.And honestly… that might be our favorite kind.

  4. 11

    The High Highs, The Low Lows - And Everything In Between

    This episode starts in one place and ends somewhere completely different - you know what I mean.Kait shares a really personal life update about Birdie’s recent cancer diagnosis, the emotional weight of going through something like this again, and what it’s like trying to hold it together while also supporting someone you love.We talk about that weird in-between feeling of being “not good, but not bad,” how life can feel like one thing after another, and what it actually looks like behind the scenes when you’re still showing up for work, clients, and everyday life.And then… naturally… we end up talking about TV shows, jury duty, bird feeders, childhood trauma via bug stories, and whether it would be weird to mail someone a dead lizard.Because that’s life too.

  5. 10

    Couch Hair, Crime Shows, and Questionable Life Decisions

    In this episode, Bethany and Kait record in the afternoon for once… and it shows — in the best way.What starts as a casual catch-up about hair appointments, eyebrows, and TV shows quickly spirals into a mix of hilarious stories, random thoughts, and surprisingly meaningful moments.They talk about:The comfort of background shows (and why The Great British Bake Off fixes everything)The crime shows currently taking over Bethany’s brain Laughing so hard you can’t breathe (and the exact moment it happens)The tiny, unexpected things that bring joy — like growing lemons or spotting something meaningful on a walkWhy noticing small moments might actually change your dayFamily dynamics, holidays, and navigating grief in real lifeThe blurred lines between being a dog trainer and being humanAnd… a very questionable idea involving interviewing strangers in publicThis episode is light, honest, a little all over the place — and exactly what it feels like to sit down and catch up with a friend when there’s no agenda.Because sometimes the best conversations are the ones that don’t go anywhere…and somehow end up meaning something anyway.You know what we mean.

  6. 9

    We Started With Antique Baskets… and Ended With This

    In this episode, Bethany and Kait catch up in the most them way possible — starting with birthday dinners, chef experiences, and a suspiciously expensive antique basket… and somehow ending up in a conversation about identity, business evolution, and the parts of life we don’t share online.They talk about:Why Instagram feels like dating in the early stagesThe weird pressure to buy something in antique storesThe difference between how life looks vs. how it actually feelsQuestioning your business (even when it’s going well)Outgrowing things you once loved — and what to do with thatThe reality of dog ownership that no one prepares you forAnd the nuanced, sometimes uncomfortable conversations around training, responsibility, and making hard decisionsThis episode is funny, honest, a little all over the place — and also the kind of conversation that makes you feel less alone in whatever “messy middle” you’re in right now.Because sometimes everything looks good on the outside…but you’re still figuring things out behind the scenes.You know what we mean.

  7. 8

    The Stuff We Probably Shouldn’t Say on the Internet

    In this episode of You Know What I Mean, Kait and Bethany catch up on everything from life updates to the weird things that pop into your brain when you’re a dog trainer.What starts as a casual conversation quickly turns into one of those classic “you know what I mean” episodes - the kind where the topic changes every few minutes but somehow all makes sense by the end.They talk about strange recurring dreams, funny travel moments, the realities of working with dogs and owners, and the weird little thoughts that start showing up when you’re in your 30s trying to figure life out.Along the way they get into:The difference between anxious dogs and pushy dogsThe funny and frustrating things owners saySocial media pressure in the dog training worldThe things trainers sometimes feel insecure aboutAnd the random conversations that only happen between friends who’ve known each other a long timeIt’s honest, a little chaotic, and very much the kind of conversation you’d hear between two friends sitting on the couch catching up.Basically… exactly what this podcast is meant to be.

  8. 7

    Burnout, Boundaries, and Barking Dogs

    In this episode, Bethany and Kait catch up on life, dog training, and the moments that shape us both personally and professionally.Bethany shares a meaningful experience meeting friends of her late father and reflects on how grief can change the way we hear stories about the people we love. The conversation turns into an honest discussion about communication, people-pleasing, and how growing older often means becoming more comfortable speaking your truth.They also dive into real-life trainer struggles - including Bethany’s decision to send a training dog home early after realizing the case wasn’t the right fit. From kennel anxiety and barking dogs to the emotional toll certain cases can take, Bethany and Kait talk openly about boundaries in dog training and why trusting your gut matters.Along the way, they discuss:Why some training cases simply aren’t the right fitHow crate habits and lifestyle affect anxious dogsThe reality of working with owners vs. working with dogsSocial media backlash and navigating criticism as a trainerThe pressure (and freedom) of building your own path in the dog training industryWhy it’s okay to change your mind about what you share onlineAs always, the episode blends humor, real talk, and behind-the-scenes insight into the lives of two trainers figuring it out as they go.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, questioned your approach, or wondered if other trainers deal with the same challenges - this conversation will remind you you’re not alone.To find more from both Kait and Bethany:Kane9 Dog Training: https://www.kane9dogtraining.com/Walking Dog Training: https://walkingdogtraining.com/

  9. 6

    The Hardest Part of Being a Dog Trainer

    Bethany and Kait are back with coffee, chaos, and a brutally honest conversation about what it actually feels like to be a dog trainer.It starts light - sleep scores, smart rings, and why Kait’s RingConn (named Brenda) acts like a bullying fitness coach while Bethany’s Oura basically rewards couch time. Then they get into real life: board-and-train transitions, working with a sweet Golden who’s learning fast (and “boinking” hands for snacks), and the Malinois debate - cool breed, but the sport-dog intensity is not the lifestyle.From there, the episode turns into the kind of trainer talk owners rarely hear: what happens when an owner texts you at night that their dog bit someone, how you care deeply without absorbing it as your emergency, and why boundaries protect everyone.They also answer trainer questions, including how to vet clients for follow-through, when (and whether) to do follow-ups, and what red flags show up in applications and go-home sessions. Plus: a spicy take on “too much enrichment,” why constant entertainment can create anxious, unhinged dogs, and how calm work can be misunderstood online - especially when you’re openly an e-collar trainer.And of course, they end where they always do: friendship, business dreams, dog food drama, merch regrets, and a brand new shared mantra… “I don’t care.”Join us for the next Trainer In You Seminar : details here

  10. 5

    Charlie's Scare, The Aunt Judy Jacket and Dog Owner Pressure

    In this episode, Kait and Bethany catch up after a trip and immediately dive into an emotional 48 hours with Bethany’s 14-year-old dog, Charlie - head tilt, wobbling, full panic - and a vet visit that ends with an unexpected diagnosis: vertigo (and a huge wave of relief). Then it’s a classic “you know what I mean” spiral into Park Avenue swagger (“I wanted to feel rich”), the infamous Aunt Judy jacket, soup-as-therapy, and a real talk about dog socialization - why peaceful coexistence beats WWE playtime, and how “feedback, not a setback” changes everything.Join us for our next Trainer In You program for dog trainers in August 2026: apply here

  11. 4

    Canceled Twice, Foreboding Joy, and a $10K Airbnb Meltdown

    We did not expect our first episode to include a canceled Airbnb (twice), a rogue backyard chicken, a full refund miracle, two chickens passing away, foreboding joy, female friendship, and a full patio makeover… but here we are.In this episode, we talk about:– Why our six-week Florida stay almost ended before it started– The luxury rental that had no oven (yes, really)– Comparison — even between best friends– Foreboding joy and what happens when things feel “too good”– Losing two chickens and how grief sneaks up on you– Why female friendships like this matter so much– And how we accidentally remodeled a back porch in the middle of it allWe also share about our Trainer In You program, the New Dog Blueprint, and Bethany’s new E-Collar Starter Guide Workbook.This is what we mean when we say it’s never just about dogs.You know what we mean.Show note links:🧡 The Trainer In YouAugust 10–13, 2026| Verona, WITrainer in you early bird tickets available here!🐾 The New Dog Blueprint (Kait’s new guide)📘 E-Collar Starter Guide Workbook (Bethany’s new resource)

Type above to search every episode's transcript for a word or phrase. Matches are scoped to this podcast.

Searching…

We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.

No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.

Showing of matches

No topics indexed yet for this podcast.

Loading reviews...

ABOUT THIS SHOW

This is the conversation that starts with dogs and somehow ends up being about everything else.You Know What I Mean is hosted by Bethany and Kait - two dog trainers who accidentally built their lives, businesses, and friendships around the dogs they love.Each week, we talk about real-life dog stuff - not training drills, but the messy, funny, humbling, meaningful parts of it. The business side. The friendship side. The “can you imagine?!” moments. The parts that change you.It’s honest. It’s a little ridiculous sometimes. And it’s the kind of conversation you’d usually have over coffee.

HOSTED BY

Bethany Johnson and Kait Stankowski

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does You Know What I Mean? have?

You Know What I Mean? currently has 11 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is You Know What I Mean? about?

This is the conversation that starts with dogs and somehow ends up being about everything else.You Know What I Mean is hosted by Bethany and Kait - two dog trainers who accidentally built their lives, businesses, and friendships around the dogs they love.Each week, we talk about real-life dog stuff...

How often does You Know What I Mean? release new episodes?

You Know What I Mean? has 11 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to You Know What I Mean??

You can listen to You Know What I Mean? on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts You Know What I Mean??

You Know What I Mean? is created and hosted by Bethany Johnson and Kait Stankowski.
URL copied to clipboard!