Wanda Bryant, Stylus & Suitcases Podcast

About Wanda Bryant, Stylus & Suitcases Podcast

Welcome to Wanda Bryant Stylus & Suitcases, your passport to a world of captivating storytelling that journeys deep into the heart and soul. I’m Wanda Bryant, and this is where extraordinary tales come alive. I created this space because I couldn’t find storytelling that truly spoke to women like me—seasoned, soulful, and still beautifully becoming. So, I made it. Here, we celebrate the spirit of becoming untethered through diverse narratives, one powerful story at a time. Within Wanda Bryant Stylus & Suitcases, you'll discover: Not Your Average Hot Pants-Wearing Auntie: Traveling Adventures featuring Auntie Rae: Dive into the remarkable journey of Auntie Rae—inspired by my grandmother and two formidable aunts who lived life on their own unapologetic terms. Through her global escapades, expect travel reflections, vibrant food moments, insights into healing, movement, and joy reclaimed. This series is specifically about Auntie Rae and her unique travel experiences. And So Much More: Beyond Auntie Rae's adventures, explore a curated collection of original narratives from my own pen, including gripping espionage stories, thrilling murder mysteries, and other heartfelt short tales about my beloved aunts and the women who shaped my world. Whether you crave quiet laughs, deep sighs, or that profound feeling of being seen, Wanda Bryant Stylus & Suitcases offers something for every soul. This is where storytelling for the soul truly comes alive. Ready to embark? Subscribe to "Wanda Bryant Stylus & Suitcases" wherever you listen to podcasts and join our growing tribe.

Publisher

Wanda Bryant

Category

comedy · fiction · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Jul 2025

Latest episode

22 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Sept 2025

   S2E7: Portugal Is Calling

   You've journeyed with Auntie Rae through a season of grand European adventures, personal revelations, and life's unexpected twists. In this special Season 2 Epilogue, join your favorite hot pants-wearing storyteller as she reflects on the profound lessons learned from two years of navigating the world and her own spirit. Discover how challenges transformed into triumphs, and how a period of profound personal responsibility has shaped her next exciting chapter. Auntie Rae is now on a new quest...

2. 

   15 Sept 2025

   S2E6: The Grand Finale

   Auntie Rae's European cruise marathon culminates in a vibrant grand finale! From the dazzling architecture of Barcelona and the delicious pursuits of Florence (hello, Florentine steak!) to the charming intrigue of Malta, this episode is packed with adventure. Join Rae as she reflects on Ellis's insightful take on Carnival cruises, shares essential tips for outsmarting skilled pickpockets, and reveals her personal style for traveling smart and chic. As this epic journey concludes, Auntie Rae l...

3. 

   11 Sept 2025

   The Chef's Kiss: A Recipe for Malice, A Seraphina Story — Investigative Suspense with a Culinary Edge

   In this episode, I take you inside my debut suspense novel, The Chef’s Kiss: A Recipe for Malice, a Seraphina Story. When celebrated chef Seraphina retreats into solitude, she never expects to be pulled back into the fire — a rival restaurant hiding dangerous secrets, a mysterious death in the walk-in freezer, and the faint, unmistakable scent of bitter almonds that whispers of poison. More than a murder mystery, The Chef’s Kiss is an investigative journey through intuition, obsession...

4. 

   7 Sept 2025

   S2E5: The Adriatic Reunion

   Two years. Two years since Auntie Rae paused her grand European adventure to face life's hardest challenges. Now, with Mama in remission and her spirit yearning for the open water, Rae returns to Rome! Join her for a joyous reunion with her military friend, Ellis, as they embark on an Adriatic encore through stunning Corfu, majestic Kotor, and the historic gems of Croatia. Discover the beauty of shared adventure, the magic of rediscovering familiar places through new eyes, and how Auntie Rae,...

5. 

   1 Sept 2025

   S2E4: The Mamma Matters

   Auntie Rae's Mediterranean adventure heats up as she explores ancient wonders like Santorini, Ephesus, and Rome. But even amidst breathtaking beauty and unexpected scooter rides through Naples, a chilling email pulls her back to reality. Join Rae as she recounts the devastating news of her mother's cancer diagnosis, the difficult decision to cut her travels short, and the costly journey home. This episode is a raw, honest look at balancing wanderlust with real-life responsibilities, finding s...

6. 

   25 Aug 2025

   S2E3: Iberian Plot Twist

   Auntie Rae dives into a 12-day Mediterranean odyssey, sailing through Spain and Portugal! This extended adventure brings a deeper sense of freedom and new rhythms, starting with a charming stay in Rome. But not every journey is smooth sailing: from an exhausting trek in Dover to the unexpected return of Dolores, who brings new levels of entitlement and drama (including a shoe store showdown!). Auntie Rae finds herself balancing joy with the challenge of setting boundaries. Just as she's soaki...

7. 

   19 Aug 2025

   S2E2: Thin Walls, New Moves

   Auntie Rae's European adventure continues with Cruise 2, taking her deeper into Northern Europe's vibrant cities: Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. Experience the poignant return to Berlin where the Wall once stood, and revisit Brussels, the launchpad of her earliest wanderlust. This episode isn't just about sightseeing; it's about navigating the unexpected! From a hilarious near-miss with a Copenhagen trolley to the challenges of sharing thin cabin walls with a marital melt...

8. 

   13 Aug 2025

   S2E1: Carnival Kicks Off

   Welcome back, adventurous souls! Auntie Rae trades Cunard's white-gloved luxury for Carnival's spirited rhythm as her European cruise marathon begins. First stop: the majestic White Cliffs of Dover, a place full of youthful memories. But it’s not all picturesque landscapes! Join Rae as she navigates the chilly British Isles, catches an unexpected cold, and faces down travel mishaps—from a hilarious "underwear on backwards" revelation with a charming military friend to the subtle complexities ...

9. 

   12 Aug 2025

   S2 Prologue: The Royal Rest

   Welcome back, truth-tellers and globe-trotters! Auntie Rae is kicking off Season 2 with a tale of transformation, freedom, and unexpected luxury. After being "cut loose" from a soul-draining job, Rae finds her spirit adrift—until an email from the majestic Queen Mary 2 whispers her name. Join your favorite hot pants-wearing storyteller as she shares how seven days of transatlantic elegance, quiet contemplation, and a surprising encounter with Homer Simpson (yes, that Homer Simpson!) set the s...

10. 

    29 Jul 2025

    S1E8 Finale: Season Two Teaser | The European Odyssey Continues

    Season 1 wraps up, but Auntie Rae's journey is just getting started! Get ready for a thrilling sneak peek into her Season 2 European odyssey. Welcome back to "Not Your Average Hot Pants Wearing Auntie Travel & Adventures"! In this special Season 1 Finale, Auntie Rae takes a moment to reflect on the incredible journey so far. From the initial "breaking point" and defiant self-reclamation to battling budgets and navigating the chaotic, yet transformative, travel to the Queen Mary 2, she's ...

11. 

    29 Jul 2025

    S1E7: From Queen to Backyard Cookout | Logistics & Carnival Begins

    From Cunard's elegance to Carnival's party vibe, Auntie Rae takes on the ultimate European travel transition. Get ready for chaos, grit, and unexpected kindness! Welcome back to "Not Your Average Hot Pants Wearing Auntie Travel & Adventures"! In this episode, Auntie Rae recounts the raw reality of transitioning from the serene elegance of the Queen Mary 2 to the lively, boisterous chaos of her next European cruise. The moment she thought the hard part was over, the universe said, "Oh, sw...

12. 

    18 Jul 2025

    S1E6: Kindred Spirits & New Horizons | Life-Changing Crossings on the Queen Mary

    Join Auntie Rae, your hot pants-wearing, truth-telling storyteller, as she dives deep into the soul-soothing embrace of the legendary Queen Mary 2. After years of corporate exhaustion, Auntie Rae finds the ultimate antidote in the calm elegance of Cunard, feeling her spirit expand and breathe for the first time in years. In this episode, Auntie Rae recounts serene days at sea, unexpected connections forged over fish and chips with globe-trotting veterans Richard and Debra, and a profound real...

13. 

    16 Jul 2025

    S1E5: The Grand Voyage Begins | From Chaos to Queen Mary 2

    From night-before chaos to the majestic Queen Mary 2! Auntie Rae takes on the ultimate travel challenge and proves that freedom is worth every struggle. Welcome back to "Not Your Average Hot Pants Wearing Auntie Travel & Adventures"! In this exhilarating episode, Auntie Rae throws open the doors to the wild, last-minute chaos of her travel day. After her fierce wardrobe hunt, the real test begins: navigating the final, frenzied hours before her transatlantic flight to the Queen Mary 2. Jo...

14. 

    15 Jul 2025

    S1E4: The Gala Dress Hunt | From Hoodie to Hollywood

    From Zoom-call hoodies to Cunard glamour! Join Auntie Rae on a frantic, fabulous hunt for the perfect gala dress. Welcome back to "Not Your Average Hot Pants Wearing Auntie Travel & Adventures"! In this sparkling episode, Auntie Rae dives into a true pre-trip crisis: the wardrobe emergency. With Cunard's "Black Tie Optional" emails serving as divine instructions, she faced a formidable challenge: transforming from years of stretch pants and work-from-home comfort to "Gala-Ready Grace Kell...

15. 

    11 Jul 2025

    S1E3: The Overpacking Fiasco | How I Almost Moved into My Suitcase

    Welcome back to "Not Your Average Hot Pants Wearing Auntie Travel & Adventures"! In this hilariously relatable episode, Auntie Rae confesses her biggest travel secret: she's a chronic overpacker. After gallivanting across 40 countries, you'd think she'd have it down to a science—but you'd be "dead wrong!" Join Auntie Rae as she takes you into the glorious chaos of her packing process, where sundresses and evening shoes form a mountain on her bed, and her bags multiply overnight into "roll...

16. 

    9 Jul 2025

    S1E2: Cruising - My Home on the Open Seas

    Why does Auntie Rae call the open seas "home"? Discover how cruising became her ultimate form of freedom and self-reset. Welcome back to "Not Your Average Hot Pants Wearing Auntie Travel & Adventures"! In this episode, Auntie Rae takes you deep into her lifelong love affair with cruising. Beyond the common misconceptions, she reveals why the structured yet liberating rhythm of the open seas feels like pure freedom, peace with room service, and the perfect balm for a soul tired of insomni...

17. 

    3 Jul 2025

    S1 Prologue: Exhaustion Isn't Always Physical

    Welcome to "Not Your Average Hot Pants Wearing Auntie Travel & Adventures"! In this raw and honest Season 1 Prologue, Auntie Rae invites you into the moment her world shifted. She's not just talking about tired feet; she's revealing the spiritual and emotional depletion that crept into her bones after years of loyalty to a corporate job that gave her "breadcrumbs" in return. Join Auntie Rae as she shares the untold story of hitting her breaking point: the quiet struggle of feeling "worn d...

18. 

    3 Jul 2025

    S1E1: The Breaking Point – When Enough Stops Being a Whisper

    Welcome back to "Not Your Average Hot Pants Wearing Auntie Travel & Adventures"! In this pivotal first episode, Auntie Rae takes you deep into the heart of her own "breaking point." After years of loyalty to a corporate "Center of Exhaustion," she recounts the Tuesday morning when a 30-minute meeting invite shattered the illusion of stability and revealed a harsh truth: her role was eliminated. Join Auntie Rae as she bravely confronts the raw anger and profound clarity that emerged from b...