Hey there, Podcastaways fam! Madison here—your friendly social media manager, content creator, and unofficial voice of reason (sorry, Jenn, but I’m claiming this title, too!). I’ve been behind the scenes for a while now, watching this podcast evolve, grow, and occasionally steer directly into the path of an iceberg (metaphorically speaking, of course). But I’ve got to say, Season 4 has me more excited than a first-timer on the Serenity Deck.

The Return to Roots: A Madison Must-Have

Let’s talk about this whole “return to roots” idea. I love it. Season 3 was a blast, don’t get me wrong—I mean, who didn’t enjoy Gary’s dramatic takes on Carnival controversies? But here’s the thing: I think we lost a bit of what made us special. It was like we were on a cruise ship that had gotten a little too caught up in the fancy new amenities and forgot about the simple joy of feeling the sun on your face as you watch the waves go by.

Season 4 promises to be different. We’re shifting away from the drama (which is honestly just noise) and getting back to the good stuff: the stories, the tips for cruisers, and the kind of fun, unscripted moments that make it feel like we’re all hanging out together on the Lido Deck. And as someone who spends hours sifting through your comments and feedback, I can tell you—you all are ready for this change, too.

The Golden Boys (and Madison)

Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room: the hosts. We’ve got Trevor, Tom, and Gary, our resident “Golden Boys,” who each bring their own brand of charm to the show. Trevor’s the heart and soul (and the guy who eats his weight in Guy’s Burgers), Tom’s the laid-back storyteller, and Gary… well, Gary’s our wildcard. He’s like the Carnival Fun Squad member who keeps things interesting, whether you’re ready for it or not.

But here’s a little secret: I think Season 4 is missing something. Cough, cough—more Madison! Maybe I’m biased, but I’ve got plenty of cruise stories of my own (and a way better taste in cocktails than Gary, just saying). If you ask me, Season 4 should have a few more Madison Moments sprinkled in. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear my take on whether the Chocolate Melting Cake is worth the hype? (Spoiler: It is. Always.)

The YouTube Expansion: Will Reese Survive?

Okay, let’s talk about the new Podcastaways YouTube channel. I’m so excited about this! This is where the magic is really going to happen. It’s going to be like a backstage pass into the world of the Podcastaways, with weekly live streams that give you a deeper look into our lives and (hopefully) fewer technical glitches than we had in the early days.

You’ll see Trevor attempting to cook Carnival recipes (I’m giving him a solid 50/50 chance of not burning the kitchen down), Gary giving us updates from random stadiums across the country, and Reese… well, Reese will be figuring out which button to press to go live. It’s going to be a mix of cruise content, lifestyle updates, and whatever nonsense we can think of—and I’m here for it.

Madison’s Wishlist for Season 4

Now, because I can’t help myself, here’s my official wish list for Season 4:

1. More Behind-the-Scenes Content: You all love it when we pull back the curtain a bit. Let’s show you what goes into planning the podcast, prepping for episodes, and maybe even the arguments about who gets to say “hello cruisers!” at the start (I vote for me, by the way).
2. A Madison Takeover Episode: I mean, it’s only fair. If Gary gets to rant about ship design for 20 minutes, I should get at least one episode where I talk about my dream cruise itineraries and why the Alchemy Bar is the superior hangout spot.
3. Less Drama, More Fun: We’re leaving the cruise industry drama on the dock this season. Let’s get back to the funny, heartfelt stories—like that time Tom almost missed the ship because he was busy buying a souvenir sombrero in Cozumel. (True story, by the way.)
4. Listener Involvement: I want to hear your stories. Leave us a voicemail on Speakpipe and tell us about your favorite cruise moments. We’re all in this together, and your experiences make the show even better.
5. Madison’s Cocktail Corner: Okay, this might just be me, but how about a little segment where I share my favorite cruise drink recipes? Let’s face it, we all need a little taste of the tropics at home sometimes.

The Bottom Line: It’s Gonna Be One Hell of a Season

Season 4 is shaping up to be the best one yet. We’ve learned so much from the past three seasons, and we’re taking all of that knowledge to create something really special. It’s going to be more personal, more relaxed, and (hopefully) even funnier. We’re inviting you to join us, not just as listeners, but as part of the crew. This show wouldn’t be what it is without you, and we can’t wait to see where this next season takes us.

So, grab your drink of choice (mine’s a Miami Vice), find a comfy spot, and let’s get ready to set sail on Season 4 together. It’s going to be an incredible journey—and if I have anything to say about it, it’ll be a little more Madison-flavored, too. 😉

Cheers to Season 4, Podcastaways! Love,
Madison 🛳️🍹