Everything I Know About

Latest Episodes:

Reality TV Sep 18, 2024

Show notes

Looking to justify your reality TV habit? Listen in as we explore why this genre deserves to be taken seriously, with both its positive and frightening impacts on our society and psychology. Topics covered: -The history of reality TV—how the format and drama originated -Behind the scenes: how casting, scripting/prompting, and editing really work -Why we find reality TV addicting and its psychological impact on the cast and audience -How trends in reality TV viewership have changed over time -The difference in content and approach between Western produced reality TV and Eastern (Korean, Japanese) Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Unusual Cults: Cargo Cults & Bikram Yoga Sep 11, 2024

Show notes

You’ve heard of Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate, but what about cargo and hot yoga cults? We dive into two unusual cults we didn’t know existed: the Cargo Cults of Melanesia and the Bikram Yoga cult. Topics covered: -Fitness and health cults like YouTube high carb low fat vegans and Soulcycle -Amanda Montell's book Cultish -The history of Bikram yoga and its founder Bikram Choudhury -The crimes, scandals, and ongoing cultish behavior from the Bikram community -The origins of Cargo Cults and the John Frum Movement Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Is Hosting the Olympics Worth It? Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

Ever wondered how Olympic host cities are selected and how much they have to spend? We dig into the big budgets behind the gold medals. Topics covered: -The history of the Olympics and its revival in modern day -Why the International Olympic Committee says countries should host -What independent research shows about the economics of hosting -Deep dive into the economics of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics + Paris 2024 Summer Olympics Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Mukbangs Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

From mukbangs to what I eat in a day vlogs, why are we so fascinated with what other people eat? This week, we dive into the origins of mukbang, its transformation when it hit mainstream America, and what the implications are of sensationalizing food and eating online. (Bonus—check out Patreon for us making mukbang content 🍗 🍪) Topics covered: -The origins of mukbang in Korea -Entrance into the American mainstream -The commercialization of mukbang and the new incentive structure -Discourse around Nikocado Avocado, Jelly Bean Sweets: promoting binge eating, feeder content, wastefulness -ASMR crossover -Why people love mukbang, how it affects our mental health and eating habits Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

The Enneagram Personality Test with Christina S. Wilcox Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

Our first episode with a guest! We bring our Enneagram skepticism to an expert. Will she convert us? Topics covered: -The intersection of mental health, therapeutic techniques, and the Enneagram -How to understand your Enneagram type: from triads to stances to wings, discover how your type approaches the world, how it uses energy, and how all this information can help you better understand yourself and those you care about -Christina’s journey growing a social media following and publishing two books Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Couples Therapy Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

We reflect on our newest obsession, the show Couples Therapy. From sharing our own experiences with therapy to takeaways from the famous couples therapists out there, this episode is sure to get you thinking, whether you’re in a relationship or not. Topics covered: -Who’s going to couple’s therapy -The efficacy of couples therapy -When should you go to couples therapy (and when should you not)? -The types of couples therapy and finding a good fit with a therapist -Advice from popular couples therapists: Orna Guralnik, Virginia Goldner, Terry Real, Esther Perel Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Surprising Mafia Economies: Olive Oil & Sand Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

What do olive oil and sand have in common? We dive into the surprising economies controlled by organized crime. Topics covered: -The history of the mafia -The olive oil mafia (also its effects on mozzarella and red wine) -The sand mafia (sand theft in India, Jamaica, and Kenya) Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Is College Still Worth It? Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

To what degree is college still worth it? We explore the benefits, financial and developmental, of higher ed and dig into what’s really driving declining college enrollment. Topics covered: -How most Americans feel about college today -How college has changed: tuition increases, student loan debt, shady for-profit colleges, declining enrollment -Alternatives to college: software bootcamps, apprenticeships, trade schools Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Expats, Nomads, & Gentrification (Re-Release) Jun 05, 2024

Show notes

We will be releasing episodes every other week in June and July. This is a re-release of our episode originally named Living Abroad "like" the Locals.

What’s the difference between an expat and a migrant? In this episode we explore the global impact of digital nomads and tourists, the community cost of airbnbs, and third-wave gentrification while unpacking our own experiences as expats. Topics covered: -Why are some groups labeled expats while others are migrants? -Media portrayals vs our own experience as expats -The rise of digital nomads -Displacement of local populations -The 3 waves of gentrification -The billionaire class and investment properties -The issue with Airbnb -NYC’s changing response to gentrification -Voluntourism and the ethics of being a tourist

Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Fusion: interracial marriage, cuisine, and the “melting pot” May 29, 2024

Show notes

This week, a special guest co-host joins Lucy… Topics covered: -National Geographic’s “The Changing Face of America” and The Race Card Project -The rise in interracial marriages and multiracial children -Fusion in food: the history of food fusion and its newest form -Fusion vs authenticity as it relates to Chinese American food -Fusion in music: international music charting in America, racial barriers in country music Sources & transcript available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected