Media personality, host, author, mother and so many other titles to her name, Rachel Uchitel has been through a lot of things in her life, but is now making Florida her home sweet home!
While New York will always have a place in her heart, as a single mother now, Rachel has taken to our sunshine state in Palm Beach to create a fruitful future for herself, her daughter, and rescue dogs.
And while living it up here, she also just launched her own successful podcast “Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel” which is an interview-style podcast that delves into the lives of others like her who have been sometimes reduced to a single headline. Within weeks of its debut, the show soared to number 3 at the top of the entertainment news charts and has received global media attention, holding steady in the top 100 in 11 countries.
We sat down with Rachel for a one-on-one interview to learn more about what brought her to Florida, her favorite spots here in Miami, and what else she has planned for 2024.
1. What brought you to Florida from New York?
I’ve been coming to Florida since I was a child because my family has always “wintered” here. During covid I spent almost a year here and decided as an adult it was a whole new world of opportunity down here. Although I leave the great city of New York behind, Florida has the best of so many things. Plus you can’t beat the weather!
2. Where are some of your favorite places to go in Miami and Florida overall? Fan of any of the Miami or Florida sports teams?
Casa Tua Restaurant is a favorite.
For the best excursion, the Zoological Wildlife Foundation in Miami is unbelievable. Where else can you walk around with and touch wild animals?! The owners are welcoming and knowledgeable. If you’re lucky you will meet the famous chimp Limbani.
I also love going to Port St Lucie during spring training!! I am a huge Dolphins and Panthers fan now that I live here!!
3. You are very involved with animal rescues here in Florida. Tell us more about them and how others can support them?
I’m very impressed with the rescues in Florida. Big Dog Ranch and Peggy Adams, both located in the Palm Beach area, are some of the best, well-run rescues I’ve ever seen. I recently adopted a partially blind dog from Peggy Adams and their veterinary clinic and training classes are top-notch. Tri-county Rescue in Boca is also doing amazing things. These rescues are overpopulated with animals at the moment and it is so important to try and help out where you can. Adopt, don’t shop!
4. In past interviews you have stated that your daughter has been one of your biggest inspirations, including even writing a children’s book after her. What does it mean to you to be a good parent and your advice to other mothers out there who have “no clue” what they are doing when it comes to parenting?
Nobody really knows what they’re doing as a first-time parent, but I believe it tends to come naturally when you are one. I try to make sure I listen to her needs and make her feel seen and I try to involve her in as many experiences as I can. We all remember childhood, many of us have memories that aren’t that happy, and it’s nice to try and redo that in our children.
5. Your new podcast has been a hit and you have helped others in the spotlight change their own narratives. Why was launching this type of podcast so important to you?
I feel everybody deserves to be the narrator of their own story. In the absence of truth, people make up details or reasoning that is not accurate and I have experienced this and know how frustrating and upsetting that can be. I like to find people or topics that deserve to be reconsidered.
6. What’s next for you from here in 2024?
I’m going to continue to build my podcast, Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel, and grow my listeners. Working diligently on my memoir.
