How to Be the Best Version of Yourself

EPISODE 33 / 07.16.2025

What does it really mean to feel like your best self? It’s not about grand gestures or chasing some perfect future—it’s about the messy, everyday balancing act between pleasure, responsibility, connection, and self-acceptance. Todd and Bettijo get into what that looks like in real life—when cravings hit, family dynamics get tricky, and your patience is running on fumes. Come for the laughs, stay for the existential insights—and this week’s ToddFlix pick!

Show Notes

Todd and Bettijo Bridges explore the everyday quest to feel like your best self. They kick off the conversation with a relatable struggle: the instant gratification of delicious, often unhealthy, food versus the long-term benefits of mindful eating. Both Todd and Bettijo share their personal experiences with healthy eating habits and exercise, highlighting how physical well-being contributes to their overall sense of self.

Todd reflects on the deep personal meaning he finds in serving others and providing for his family, while Bettijo emphasizes the power of small, daily habits rather than chasing an idealized future version of themselves.

They find a shared pet peeve: feeling rushed—a frustration that sparks a riotous trip down memory lane. Todd recalls his mother’s extreme punctuality and his mischievous childhood exploits on the set of Diff’rent Strokes. Get ready for stories involving flash powder and a genius scheme to make their director quit smoking by using exploding cigarettes! Through the laughter, Todd and Bettijo underscore a deeper truth: patience and grace go a long way—whether you’re navigating family dynamics or waiting for your shot in showbiz.

Plus, discover how this week’s ToddFlix pick, Mickey 17, ties perfectly into the conversation about growth, identity, and the often messy evolution of our many imperfect selves.

EPISODE Highlights

• Todd and Bettijo discuss food choices and feeling their best. (0:44)
• Todd shares how service makes him feel like his best self. (1:25)
• Bettijo’s homemade giant Pizza Cookie with Oreo Whipped Cream that was for her daughter’s birthday treat. (2:35)
• Todd talks about how gaming with friends makes him feel good. (5:13)
• Bettijo and Todd discuss the difficult dynamics of blended families. (7:00)
• The trigger of feeling rushed (9:18)
• Todd mom trained him to always be early (10:52)
• Todd shares a hilarious story about pranking his director with exploding cigarettes. (12:45)
• Discussion about patience and the “hurry up and wait” nature of the entertainment business. (17:00)
• The power of self-awareness—and how your invisible vibes (yes, they’re real) can ripple through a room like emotional Wi-Fi. (19:51)
• Todd discusses the reality of being a “working actor” and diversifying income. (22:47)
• Todd’s Flick Pick: Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson. (25:02)

ToddFlix Pick

Listen to Learn

• Discover how everyday habits can contribute to feeling like your best self.
• Hear the different ways people find comfort and avoid feeling judged.
• Why being early was a non-negotiable rule for Todd growing up in show business.
• Understand the importance of self-awareness and how our emotional energy impacts those around us.

It’s a funny, heartfelt conversation about growing into your best self without losing sight of who you are right now—even when life is chaotic, imperfect, and full of exploding cigarettes (metaphorically speaking). Ready to embrace your best self? Hit Play and listen now!

Bettijo’s Recipe

Pizzookie with Oreo Whipped Cream

A Pizzookie is a Giant Pizza Cookie that my kids love. Both of these recipes are super simple to make—just 3 ingredients!

PIZZOOKIE INGREDIENTS

• 1 Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
• 1 stick Butter
• 2 Eggs

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix the 3 ingredients together until well combined.
2. Spread batter into a pre-greased, round cake pan. If available, I prefer to use a springform pan so it will easily release. You could also use a pizza pan.
3. Bake the pizza cookie at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

OREO WHIPPED CREAM INGREDIENTS

• 1 sleeve of Oreo-Brand Cookies (13 cookies)
• 1 package of Country Crock Plant-based Cream (You can also use regular Heavy Whipped Cream but we have a milk allergy)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Finely crush all the Oreos. (I used a food processor.)
2. Place the cream in a large mixing bowl.
3. Begin beating the cream to thicken. I prefer to use an electric mixer or stand mixer because it can take a while for the cream to thicken adequately. 
4. Add the crushed cookies and vanilla.
5. Continue whipping the mixture until stiff peaks form.
6. Serve immediately and store in the fridge in an air tight container for 3 days — if it even lasts that long. This stuff is SO good!

SANDWICH COOKIE VARIATION

As a fun alternative, you can use the above batter for homemade Oreo-type sandwich cookies, using the Oreo Whipped Cream as a filling. Just scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of cookie batter onto a parchment-lined, regular cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees but cut the cooking time to only 8-9 minutes per batch. Once the cookies are cooled, sandwich a dollop of the Oreo Whipped Cream filling between 2 cookies. Chill before serving.