Couples Edition | Caton and Charlie Morris
📍 Charlotte, NC | Small Business Owner and Full-Time Mom
Why Caton and Charlie?
My wife and I look up to Charlie and Caton. They are a few years older and parents with similar life experiences (Charlie is my first cousin). The two of them are able to offer us helpful perspective and advice. Caton and Charlie have great kids and do a remarkable job of balancing life, family, career while being very genuine through it all.
The Morris’ Self-Description:
Charlie: “Foodie small business owner. Father (3x), husband, and beachgoer who likes to be outside.”
Caton: “Mom of 3, bookworm, music lover, Panthers + NC State football fan, unsophisticated food + wine enthusiast, always running late.”
Charlie and Caton’s Recommendations
Written in their own words
📺 Stream these TV Shows:
Alone (Netflix)
Gomorrah (HBO)
Industry (HBO)
Alone on Netflix (Charlie) - This is a reality show, where they take 10-15 survivalist-type people and separately drop them off alone in the mountains of Canada or Alaska in the late fall with limited supplies.
They have to build their own shelters and hunt/fish for their food. They try to see how long they can last into the winter and the last one to quit wins $1M. Most contestants end up quitting because of the loneliness as opposed to hunger or cold. You can watch it from your couch and feel like you're getting a little taste of their adventure
Gomorrah on HBO+ (Charlie & Caton) -This is an Italian tv crime drama about the mafia in Naples. It's sort of a cross between The Wire and The Sopranos but it's way better than either of those two (hot take alert!). The Boston Globe says "Gomorrah is The Sopranos on steroids, presented here in Italian with subtitles and minus any symbolism about ducks, mommy issues or a fretful therapist." There are 5 seasons and a spinoff feature film (La 'Immortal). You need to watch it in Italian with English subtitles to appreciate it…….Easily Charlie's and my all-time fave. It's basically the Sopranos on steroids set in Naples, Italy, centered on the Savastano crime family. Constant internal power struggles and warring among rival crime families -- whenever you think you know what's coming, something crazy happens. There is also a prequel movie, L'immortale, that bridges seasons 4 & 5. Crucial to watch in Italian with English subtitles for the full effect.
Caton: Currently excited about Industry season 2 that was recently released on HBO. Rewatching Season 1 now with Charlie to get him up to speed....
🛒 Purchase These Products:
Pickleball
Futuredew from Glossier
Left on Friday Swimwear
Vouri Tennis Skirts
Pickleball (Charlie) - Pickleball is a recent obsession. Playing singles for even 20 minutes will get you completely gassed. We have an A-11 portable net ($83 on Amazon) at the house but are always looking for good courts for a proper game.
Glossier (Caton) - Obsessed with pretty much all Glossier makeup/skincare products. I use Futuredew everyday -- an oil serum hybrid that makes your skin look fresh and dewy.
Left on Friday Swimwear (Caton) - Designed for being active in the water, whether that's something cool like surfing or just dragging your kids out of the pool screaming when the lifeguards call break. Extremely comfortable, flattering, compressive fabric, that stays in place.
Vuori Tennis Skirts (Caton) - If you're already a Vuori fan, then you know they make the most comfortable joggers on the planet. So I was pumped when they launched their Court Collection last month. Like Charlie, I'm on a pickleball tear (I've yet to beat him in singles, but I've gotten close), and the Halo and Volley skirts have already outranked my Lulu options as my go-to's.
📞 Download These Apps:
Grand Mountain Adventure
Roku
Grand Mountain Adventure (Charlie) - This is a really addictive ski/snowboard game for iPhone. It's that's similar to Freeski if you remember that from middle school. My 6-year-old daughter originally downloaded the free version and we both like it so much that I upgraded to premium version for like $3.99.
Roku app (Caton) - The remote controls are constantly MIA at our house. If you have a Roku TV or streaming player the app is basically a bluetooth-connected remote control from your phone..
💪 Incorporate Stretching and Working Out
(Charlie) - I don't get to work out every day but I've started trying to at least stretch in the morning for a few minutes before I start the day. I've also started putting my phone upstairs on a charger in the evening for the last few hours before bedtime so that I can slow down a little before bed, which seems to be helping me fall asleep faster..
(Caton) - On days that I can't get in a full workout, I like Heather Robertson's workouts (free on YouTube). Even one of her 10 or 15 minute workouts make you feel like you've accomplished something for the day.
📝 Consume
Book: Following Through by Herbert Warren Wind
Following Through by Herbert Warren Wind (Charlie) - HWW was a mid-century golf writer for the New Yorker and Sports Illustrated who wrote about the professional and amateur golf of that era, and Following Through is a collection of his published articles written between 1962 and 1984.
Some of the essays focus on specific players like Hogan, Nicklaus, Watson, Venturi (there's an 4,000 word essay about Lee Trevino winning the 1984 PGA Championship), and the other sections are about special golf courses (Ballybunion, Cherry Hills, Pebble Beach).
I read it this Spring before a golf trip to Ireland. The articles all stand on their own so you can start/stop it whenever you like. It would make a good gift if there's a golfer in your life.
Podcasts:
Sounds Like A Cult
My Dad Wrote A Porno
(Caton) - I'm a true crime podcast junkie, but when I need to lighten the mood, I love "Sounds Like a Cult" (the Disney Adults, Jared Leto and Theater Kids episodes are a few faves) and "My Dad Wrote A Porno." The latter is definitely one to listen to discreetly, but it's hysterical if you can tolerate that kind of humor. The host, British comedian Jamie Morton, discovers that his dad has written and self-published an "erotic novella." Each week, Jamie and his two friends read aloud and dissect a chapter. Cringing + laughing guaranteed.
Note - these have been added to the Rambull best podcasts playlist on Spotify. Please give it a 💚 so you can easily reference it in the future.
🥉 Honorable Mentions
Kids Toy: JOYIN Slip N’ Slide
JOYIN 20ft Slip and Slide Water Slide with 2 Bodyboards (Charlie) - For $39, this slip and slide will change your kids life. It's really easy to set up and is guaranteed to entertain them for hours. Add some dish soap for extra slideabilty.
Book: Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez (Caton) - Favorite book I've read this summer, also a pretty cover if you like to add hardbacks to your bookshelves or coffee table.
🔌 Plug
(Caton) - Check out Charlie's business, Young's Premium Foods, if you need holiday gifts for clients, neighbors, teachers, etc. Their pecan products, pies and Five O'Clock Crunch are always a hit!
Thank you Caton and Charlie!
🎤 Podcast: Take My Word For It
New episode! I chatted with Helen Baddour, a North Carolina lawyer that specializes in bike law. This is a must listen for anyone that is an avid road cyclist (Dad, looking at you) or a motorist that can’t stand sharing the road. We also learn about neighborhood theaters and childcare court in Wayne County, North Carolina.
Listen on Spotify here…and throw a 💚
