Watching & Listening – July/August 25

Some of you may have seen this post earlier, but it got posted by accident…Here’s the finished version 🙂

August’s watchlist was a mix of mystery, nostalgia, and emotional chaos—from cruise ship disappearances to road trip mishaps and coastal family drama. Here’s what pulled me in (and what made me roll my eyes).

Jump to:   Movies  |  TV Shows  |  YouTube  |  Podcasts  |  Music

Movies/Docuseries

Amy Bradley is Missing (Netflix)

Vacation (2015) (TBS)

What Made America Great (Fox Nation)

Amy Bradley is Missing premiered in July 2025 on Netflix. This three-part docuseries revisits the 1998 disappearance of Amy Lynn Bradley, a 23-year-old who vanished from a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Through interviews, archival footage, and new leads, it explores theories ranging from accidental death to abduction—while highlighting her family’s decades-long search and the haunting mystery that remains unsolved.

I found myself immersed in Amy Bradley Is Missing—it was gripping, thoughtful, and haunting in all the right ways. The docuseries pulled me in with its emotional depth and the lingering mystery, but I have to admit I kept getting annoyed every time someone called it a “boat” instead of a ship. It’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable travel can be, especially in places as vast and unregulated as international waters. Needless to say, I’m not going to stop cruising!

Vacation from (2015) is a playful depiction of a well-meaning dad takes his family on a chaotic cross-country road trip to relive a childhood vacation—cue wild mishaps and awkward laughs.

I really enjoyed watching Vacation, especially since Alex suggested it and ended up joining us. It made the whole experience more fun. We both got a kick out of the scenes that cleverly echoed Christmas Vacation (1989); those nods felt like inside jokes for longtime Griswold fans.

Brian Kilmeade’s What Made America Great explores iconic U.S. landmarks and their hidden histories, offering a fresh look at the places that shaped the nation.

We’ve only watched a few episodes of What Made America Great so far, but we love how it brings overlooked stories to life with heart and grit—it’s the kind of history that feels personal, not just textbook.

TV Shows

With our regular shows on summer hiatus, it’s the ideal time to branch out, whether that means diving into recent releases or finally pressing play on something we’ve been meaning to watch.

Love is Blind – Season 1 (Netflix)	Sullivan’s Crossing – Season 1 (Netflix)	Destination X (NBC)
Stick (Apple TV+)	The Waterfront (Netflix)	Love Life (Netflix)
Bad Monkey (Apple TV+)	Platonic (Apple TV+)	Government Cheese (Apple TV+)

Season 1 of Love is Blind premiered in February 2020 and follows singles from Atlanta who date without seeing each other, forming emotional connections in private “pods.” If they get engaged, they meet face-to-face and navigate real-world challenges—living together, meeting families, and planning a wedding—all in just a few weeks. The show explores whether love can truly be blind, with plenty of heartfelt moments and drama along the way.

This show so far has a way of pulling me in with all its emotional twists—even if I spend half the time rolling my eyes and wondering why I keep watching.

Season 1 of Sullivan’s Crossing premiered in March 2023 follows Maggie Sullivan, a talented neurosurgeon from Boston whose life takes a sudden turn, prompting her to return to her hometown in Nova Scotia. Seeking refuge and clarity, she reconnects with her estranged father at his rustic campground, where small-town life offers both healing and challenges.

Based on the book series by Robyn Carr (author of Virgin River), the season blends heartfelt drama, family tension, emotional growth, and scenic charm—perfect for fans of cozy, character-driven stories set against stunning natural backdrops.

Destination X premiered on May 2025 on NBC. Hosted by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the show follows twelve contestants traveling across Europe in a blacked-out bus, trying to guess their location using clues and strategy. Each episode ends with an elimination based on who guessed furthest from the real destination. It’s part travel, part mind game—with a $250,000 prize at stake.

Its a cool premise—I’m all in on the mystery travel vibes. I just wish it leaned a little less into alliance-building and reality drama, and a little more into the adventure and discovery side of things. It’s like watching a travel show in disguise, and I keep hoping it’ll let the destinations shine more than the gameplay.

Stick premiered in June 2025 on Apple TV+. It’s a sports dramedy starring Owen Wilson as a washed-up golf pro who mentors a talented teen on a road to redemption. With quirky humor and emotional depth, the show explores second chances, grief, and unlikely friendships—all set against the backdrop of golf tournaments and RV campgrounds.

Its is full of heart and humor, and I love each character for different reasons. Santiago’s talent and quiet intensity are compelling—even if his pride makes you want to shake him. Zero brings loud opinions, chaotic energy, and a surprising depth that keeps things interesting. Pryce and Mitts ground the story with friendship, grief, and second chances, adding emotional weight to all the messy fun.

The Waterfront premiered in June 2025. It’s a Southern coastal drama about the Buckleys, a powerful family whose fishing empire starts unraveling after the patriarch’s health crisis. Secrets simmer, relationships strain, and the stakes rise as they fight to hold on.

I was all in for the first half of the season—it felt fresh and engaging. The second half started to feel a bit repetitive, but I was still holding out hope for a new season. Just found out Netflix didn’t renew it, though, which is kind of a bummer.

Love Life follows one person’s romantic journey, showing how each relationship shapes who they become. It’s heartfelt, messy, and quietly profound.

I got hooked on Season 1 pretty quickly. It felt fresh and heartfelt. Season 2 hasn’t pulled me in the same way, so I’m not sure I’ll stick with it.

Bad Monkey is a comedy crime series about a disgraced detective in Florida who gets tangled in a bizarre case involving a severed arm, corruption, and tropical chaos.

I loved its quirky characters, tropical setting, and Vince Vaughn’s sharp delivery.

Platonic is a sharp comedy about two old friends reconnecting and causing chaos in each other’s lives—all without the romance.

I liked the concept, but the two main characters in this get on my ever loving nerve! We did not finish the first season and don’t plan to watch anymore.

Government Cheese is a surreal comedy-drama about an ex-con in 1969 L.A. chasing redemption through invention, family, and chaos—with a bold visual style and unexpected heart.

Rob’s all in on this one, but it’s just not landing for me. The character chemistry feels off, and there’s a lack of emotional depth that makes it hard to stay invested.

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Rewatching

Army Wives (Roku)

The Resident (channel)

I was excited to find out Army Wives is showing for free on the Roku app. I watched the entire show again from start to finish and have it on repeat again to fall asleep to. Any one else ever watch this?

It follows the lives of four army wives and one army husband stationed at the fictional Fort Marshall, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, friendship, and resilience. It;s based on Tanya Biank’s book Army Wives: The Unwritten Code of Military Marriage

When Malcom Jamal Warner passed away, I decided I needed to rewatch one of my favorite medical dramas that he’s in, The Resident. It’s a sharp medical drama that explores the lives of doctors as they confront hospital politics, ethical dilemmas, and personal struggles—all while fighting to put patients first. So good! It is moving from Netflix to Hulu in early September for anyone interested in watching it.

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YouTube

Jack Harries
3.62M subscribers | 18 videos

Jack Harries is back on YouTube with a refreshed focus and a deeper purpose. His channel—still under the original Jack Harries name A—has evolved from travel vlogs and twin adventures (JacksGap) into a platform for climate storytelling, sustainability, and personal reflection.

Monica Church
1.65M subscribers | 233 videos

Monica Church is a Seattle-based YouTuber blending lifestyle, real estate, and personal growth. Her channel features homeownership milestones, candid life updates, and creative advice—all with a grounded, cinematic touch.

Alia Zaita
658K subscribers | 303 videos

Alia Zaita is a NYC-based creator known for cozy, cinematic vlogs that blend wellness, city life, and intentional living. Her content feels like a slow exhale—rooted in movement, meals, and meaningful routines.

Raya and Louis
173K subscribers | 228 videos

Raya and Louis are a creative couple sharing their journey of eco-living, travel, and parenthood from Costa Rica. Their vlogs blend soulful storytelling with sustainability and family life.

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Podcasts

I’ve sampled a few podcasts here and there, but nothing’s really stuck with me lately.

I do really enjoy Ed’s podcasts. This episode was great!

Ed Mylett Show 1.06M subscribers | 1K videos

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Music

Apple Music Replay for Monthly

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Some shows hit, some missed, but they all added flavor. Between docuseries chills and reality TV twists, I’m still cruising through stories—and yes, still using TV Time app to keep up.