Standing Reservations

Grief - Some Days Are Harder Than Others

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Standing Reservations, Becky and Brad talk about the hardest dates on the calendar. With Kent’s birthday on July 6, Becky reflects on the mixed feelings she feels on special days like this and shares her ritual to commemorate her late-husband on their anniversary. Brad talks about the build up he feels during the “six weeks of hell” – February 20 to March 28 – when birthdays, anniversaries and other monumental dates happen consecutively. He also reminds us that grief appears differently for everyone and that it’s important to find your moments.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:13] Intro

[00:43] Dusty Goose vs. Absolut

[03:23] Behind the podcast’s theme music

[05:20] Our friends of Standing Reservations

[08:00] Special days are hard

[16:21] Anniversary rituals

[21:17] Grief looks different for everyone

[26:15] We’re not looking to get over this pain

Connect with us:

Email us at beckyandbrad@standingreservations.com

FB: Standing Reservations w/ Becky & Brad

FB: J&B Home Decor & Gifts

Learn more about Artisan at artisanelkhart.com

Mention “Standing Reservations” when you book a reservation and receive a free dessert!

Credits:

Hosts: Becky Bontreger & Brad Priest

Theme Music: Ron Miller, David Bohn, & Becky Bontreger

Producer: Seth Creekmore (Liminal Podcasts)

Videographer: Trenton Jones (Glowfire Creative)

Friends of the Show: Jess West & Tom & Dana Pletcher

Playing the Cards We Were Dealt

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Standing Reservations, Becky and Brad play a vulnerable card game to help them process their grief. Talking about their late-husbands brings them comfort, so they share memories and stories, such as opening J&B Home Decor & Gifts and their husbands’ clothes they’ve kept, as their way to keep them close. They also introduce a new cocktail that Artisan made for them called the B&B Cocktail, with Grey Goose, Limoncello and topped with bubbles.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:07] Intro

[01:06] The B&B Cocktail

[04:48] This week, we play card game

[07:01] Dealing with grief in the grocery store

[09:14] Opening J&B Home Decor & Gifts

[14:32] What’s been helpful and what hasn’t

[20:07] A robe and socks

[24:10] Who had feelings first?

Connect with us:

Email us at beckyandbrad@standingreservations.com

FB: Standing Reservations w/ Becky & Brad

FB: J&B Home Decor & Gifts

Learn more about Artisan at artisanelkhart.com

Mention “Standing Reservations” when you book a reservation and receive a free dessert!

Credits:

Hosts: Becky Bontreger & Brad Priest

Theme Music: Ron Miller, David Bohn, & Becky Bontreger

Producer: Seth Creekmore (Liminal Podcasts)

Videographer: Trenton Jones (Glowfire Creative)

Friends of the Show: Jess West & Tom & Dana Pletcher

Mentioned in this episode:

Book Your Table at Artisan

Mention Standing Reservations when you book at Artisan

Book at Artisan

You Asked for it - We’ll Answer (almost) Anything

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Standing Reservations, Becky and Brad answer questions from the Artisan team about their favorite memories with their late husbands, Kent and Jonathan, and what they think Kent and Jonathan would think of this podcast. They also dig into their history with Artisan, sharing their most memorable dish at the restaurant and how it became their home.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:08] Intro

[02:09] Favorite wines and the Brad pour

[05:07] Meet Jess – the GM at Artisan

[07:13] Favorite memories

[14:57] Memorable dish at Artisan

[19:11] Brad and Becky’s friendship

[27:34] “I hope they’re proud of us”

Connect with us:

Email us at beckyandbrad@standingreservations.com

FB: Standing Reservations w/ Becky & Brad

FB: J&B Home Decor & Gifts

Learn more about Artisan at artisanelkhart.com

Mention “Standing Reservations” when you book a reservation and receive a free dessert!

Credits:

Hosts: Becky Bontreger & Brad Priest

Theme Music: Ron Miller, David Bohn, & Becky Bontreger

Producer: Seth Creekmore (Liminal Podcasts)

Videographer: Trenton Jones (Glowfire Creative)

Friends of the Show: Jess West & Tom & Dana Pletcher

Lost and Found - A Surprise Friendship After Loss

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Standing Reservations, Becky and Brad share the story of how they met. A serendipitous seating arrangement at a birthday party evolved into a friendship that grew after they became widows. Over cocktails, they discuss how grief looks different for everyone and the dark humor that bonds them.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:07] Intro

[00:27] This week’s cocktails

[02:23] How Becky and Brad met

[06:55] A friendship grows through grief

[10:32] Memories in the Christmas decorations

[14:15] Grief should be talked about

[17:05] Cooking is hazardous

[20:28] Still a lot of life to live

[22:55] We want your questions

Connect with us:

Email us at beckyandbrad@standingreservations.com

FB: Standing Reservations w/Becky & Brad

FB: J&B Home Decor & Gifts

Learn more about Artisan at artisanelkhart.com

Mention “Standing Reservations” when you book a reservation and receive a free dessert!

Credits:

Hosts: Becky Bontreger & Brad Priest

Theme Music: Ron Miller, David Bohn, & Becky Bontreger

Producer: Seth Creekmore (Liminal Podcasts)

Videographer: Trenton Jones (Glowfire Creative)

Friends of the Show: Jess West & Tom & Dana Pletcher

Meet Becky & Brad—They Have a Lot to Say

Wed, 20 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In the premiere episode of Standing Reservations, Becky and Brad explore their bonded friendship that was formed by grief. Over cocktails, they share how they’ve helped each other with their bereavement and the role Artisan Restaurant has played as well. Sometimes you just need someone to listen during this time of loss, and Becky and Brad hope to provide that space with Standing Reservations.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:07] Intro

[01:10] How did we get here

[06:00] Grief is such a complex word

[13:15] Our love for Artisan

[19:32] How do we still stand with grief?

[24:45] Tell Artisan we sent you, for a free dessert!

Connect with us:

Email us at beckyandbrad@standingreservations.com

FB: Standing Reservations w/Becky & Brad

Learn more about Artisan at artisanelkhart.com

Mention “Standing Reservations” when you book a reservation and receive a sweet treat!

Credits:

Hosts: Becky Bontreger & Brad Priest

Theme Music: Ron Miller, David Bohn, & Becky Bontreger

Producer: Seth Creekmore (Liminal Podcasts)

Videographer: Trenton Jones (Glowfire Creative)

Friends of the Show: Jess West & Tom & Dana Pletcher

Standing Reservations with Becky and Brad Coming Soon!

Wed, 13 May 2026 02:30:00 -0400

Two friends. Two martinis. One standing reservation.

Becky and Brad share unfiltered conversations about grief, friendship, reinvention, and the strange reality of rebuilding life after loss.

Recorded around the table where life used to look different, Standing Reservations is honest conversation with nothing off the table.

Launches May 20th, 2026.

Reach Out With Your Questions!