Kim Murstein and her grandma, Gail Rudnick, share more than DNA — they share a microphone. While hunkering down during the pandemic, they realized their quick wit and generational banter could find an audience. With a degree from Cornell University and a background as a producer and reporter for Cheddar, Murstein put her skills to work, and together they launched the podcast “Excuse My Grandma” in January 2021.
“It’s supposed to be a cheeky play on words. My grandma is very outspoken and to the point, and I feel like I always tell people, ‘Excuse my grandma,’” Murstein explains. “This encapsulates who Grandma is and who we are together.”
The chatty duo love talking about fashion and relationships and welcoming celebrity guests. One of their running bits is Murstein raiding Rudnick’s closet for vintage designer clothing, jewelry and purses. She borrows pieces and relies on her grandma to help style an outfit. “I call it ‘Grandma Core,’” says the 29-year-old, who splits her time between Manhattan, the Hamptons and her grandparents’ Palm Beach home.
With 62 years of marriage under her belt, 83-year-old Rudnick loves dishing out relationship advice, whether it’s solicited or not. Her guidance seems to work — after years of saying “not my type,” Murstein is now in a serious, long-distance relationship. The exchange of wisdom goes both ways.
“She’s taught me a lot about what young people today expect out of a relationship,” Rudnick says. “I sometimes look at the world through her lens and try to see it." She’s the dreamer, and I’m the practical person — we’re a yin and a yang. From the minute she was born, she was the apple of my eye and always in my heart.”
Released every Thursday, each 30-to-60-minute episode has a loyal following on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. They also post plenty of bonus content on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Snapchat.
For those hoping to strengthen their own family ties, Murstein offers this advice: “It can be scary to communicate with someone from a different generation. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind, and then also listen to what the other person is saying. Whether you’re 18 or 80, hopefully there’s something entertaining and relatable in our family dynamic that you can take away.”