Episodes
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So excited to continue the trad wife conversation with writer and content creator Caro Claire Burke. I first stumbled across her hot takes on my TikTok fyp and she quickly became one of my favourites. Caro has a book coming out next year that I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on. Her fictional novel Yesteryear was born from her fascination with the trad wife discourse and follows a Trad Wife influencer who suddenly finds herself stuck in the past; it has so much buzz that Anne Hathaway has already signed on to produce and star in the movie adaptation. I can’t wait to read this!
I loved getting deeper into trad wives with Caro as we discuss the intersection of trad wives and politics, religion, motherhood, and empathy; she is such a big picture thinker, and l learned so much from her. Find more of Caro on TikTok and Instagram, and listen to her podcast Diabolical Lies.
If you enjoy the podcast, you will most definitely love my new Substack 'we need to unpack this'. It's free to subscribe and breaks down current cultural obsessions. If you like the show, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And if you really like it, consider leaving a 5 star review and sharing with your fellow culture stans. If you have a culture beat topic you’d like the show or Substack to explore, DM on Instagram where we also share cool links, form show ideas, and generally gossip @haveyouheardpodcast
Helpful References & Links:
How Mormonism Churns Out the Most Influential Tradwives (Caro Claire Burke)
Meet the Queen of the Trad Wives (The Times, Megan Agnew)
The Edenic Allure of Ballerina Farm (Anne Helen Petersen)
Blonde Highlights are Gender Affirming Care (Diabolical Lies podcast)
Gender was Made for White People (Substack, Anna Marie, PHD)
Amazon MGM Wins Auction for Hot Book Yesteryear (Deadline) -
When I first read Jen Sookfong Lee's thoughtful memoir 'Superfan: How Pop Culture Broke My Heart,' I knew I'd have to have her on the show. A fellow Vancouverite, Jen's memoir explores what it was like growing up in a Chinese-Canadian household, cleverly set against the lens of pop culture.
We chat about what it was like growing up wanting to see more of yourself on screen, how kids of immigrants can use pop culture as a tool to navigate the world around them, why we should be paying more attention to the culture that informs us, and so much more.
If you enjoy the podcast, you will most definitely love my new Substack 'we need to unpack this'. It's free to subscribe and breaks down all the cultural beats I've been thinking about. If you like the show, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And if you really like us, consider leaving a 5 star review and sharing with your fellow culture stans. If you have a culture beat topic you’d like the show or Substack to explore, follow along or DM on Instagram where we share cool links, form show ideas, and generally gossip @haveyouheardpodcast
Find more of Jen here and follow her on Instagram
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Episodes manquant?
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I started a Substack! It covers all the podcast culture beats you love, but also standalone topics that are best explored through writing. I'll also provide recommendations, interesting links, and the usual hot goss. It's called 'we need to unpack this,' and you can subscribe to it for free here.
The first two pieces are all about Blake Lively, both in what she’s really trying to sell us, (no, it’s not just the promise of good hair or sparkling craft beverages), and breaking down what the backlash from the press tour from ‘It Ends With Us’ tells us about ourselves. I’ve been thinking about her and Ryan Reynolds for an embarrassingly long time - both in how they’ve positioned themselves, together, as industry power houses, and how they seem to evade a lot of the backlash from overexposure and earnestness we don’t tolerate as much from other celebrities.
If you enjoy the podcast, you will most definitely love the Substack. And if you want to get into the social media of it all, follow along on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. Thanks for listening, your support and feedback make doing the show so much fun, and I really appreciate it. If you have a culture beat topic you’d like the show or Substack to explore, shoot me a DM on Instagram. Enjoy the Substack! -
You know when that incredibly divisive Ballerina Farm article by Megan Agnew for The Times created such a social media frenzy, we would have a lot to say about the trad wife of it all. This is particularly interesting because it's the first time in recent memory that a trad wife has broken the fourth wall. Chiming in is guest host Rachel, who has become our resident influencer expert, as we break down all the notable moments in the interview. We debate whether Hannah Neeleman actually needs your sympathy, why influencing seems to have a chokehold on Mormon wives (and how they are weaponized to spread alt-right propaganda!), give our hot takes, and so much more.
If you like the show, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And if you really like us, consider leaving a 5 star review. If you want to contribute your two cents to the making of the show, follow along on our instagram where we share cool links, form show ideas, and generally gossip @haveyouheardpodcast
Helpful References & Links:
Meet the Queen of the Trad Wives (The Times, Megan Agnew)
My Day with the Trad Wife Queen, and What it Taught Me (The Times, Megan Agnew)
Ballerina Farm on TikTok
Ballerina Farm (About Us)
On Ballerina Farm and Ballet's Crushing Lesson's in Femininity (Vogue, Ellen O'Connell Whittet)
The Unbearable Daniel of it All (In Pursuit of Clean Countertops, Sara Petersen) -
This episode is quite the departure for the show and was born out of some Instagram stories around perimenopause, when I realized- hey, we all seem pretty uninformed! And more scary - way too many people are tuning into their fave influencers for peri content, which is becoming increasingly monetized.
While I personally got my puberty education from the legend that is Judy Blume and a few school health classes, nothing like this quite exists for perimenopause. While we're starting to get more comfortable with the topic from a cultural standpoint, there's still so much confusion and disinformation on the internet. And with influencers recently jumping on the bandwagon, it's more difficult than ever to separate the snake oil from the science.
Joining me today is Dr. Carley Akehurst, ND, founder and practitioner at Clementine Natural Health in Vancouver. With a keen interest in women's health and evidence, science based care, I ask her all your burning questions from Instagram. From when perimenopause can start and what it commonly and not so commonly looks like, to Menopause Hormone Therapies (HRT/MHT), and how to talk to your doctor in an informed way. Consider this your crash course; the things you wish you knew to gear up for transitioning into perimenopause. Please be responsible and use this information as a tool in your arsenal to be better informed. Medicine is not one size fits all, and you should speak to your own practitioner for specific health concerns. I learned so much, and hope you do too.
Support the pod! If you like the pod, please consider supporting by sharing with friends and subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. We also love reading reviews, so please rate us 5 stars and write a review on Apple or Spotify. It goes a long way and is much appreciated! For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. So many of our episodes, including this one, are shaped through discussions with listeners.
Helpful references and links:
Follow Dr. Carley Akehurst and her clinic, Clementine Natural Health on Instagram
Visit Clementine Natural Health
Find a Certified Menopause practitioner near you through the Menopause Society
The Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research -
So thrilled to interview Sara Petersen, author of 'Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture' for the podcast. One of the most memorable books I've read in the past year, 'Momfluenced' helps you make sense of your own complicated parasocial relationship with the domestic goddesses we both love, and truthfully, sometimes hate to follow. We cover everything from trad wives, gatekeepers of the 'good mom aesthetic,' the economic and cultural value of momfluencing, those snarky subreddits, and so much more. If you've found yourself second guessing your follow list, this one is for you!
If you like the pod, please consider supporting by sharing with friends and subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. We also love reading reviews, so please rate us 5 stars and write a review on Apple or Spotify. It goes a long way and is much appreciated! For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. So many of our episodes, including this one, are shaped through discussions with listeners.
Helpful references and links / pop culture homework:
Subscribe here to Sara Petersen's amazing substack, 'In Pursuit of Clean Countertops'
Purchase 'Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture' -
Today’s pod was meant to focus strictly on the reality reckoning and the aftermath of Vanderpump Rules explosive Scandoval that took over the pop culture zeitgeist a year ago. But, in light of Princess Catherine’s video announcement yesterday sharing the news of her cancer treatment, this podcast became something bigger. We’re going to be looking at not only how media treats women and how we’re complicit in it, but what that says about our own values and expectations on what it means to be a princess, a mistress, a scorned woman, and everything in between.
While the Royal Family aren’t influencers or Reality stars, a case could be made that they were the origins of this type of entertainment. And if that’s the case, we know the best reality tv gives us a winner and a loser, a villain and a hero, followed by a redemption arc that if you pay close attention, tells us about ourselves. So, let’s talk about it.
If you're only here for Scandoval analysis, skip to the 45 minute mark. Fair warning, we have some hot takes!
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. So many of our episodes, including this one, are shaped through discussions with listeners.
If you like the pod, consider supporting by sharing and subscribing wherever you get your podcasts, and rating us 5 stars/writing a review. It goes a long way and is much appreciated - xo Mahsa
Helpful references and links / pop culture homework:
Inside the Real Housewives Reckoning that's Rocking Bravo (Vanity Fair, Anna Peele) -
This is more than just a ghostwritten autobiography, it's Britney's ultimate manifesto of feminist rage.
From the betrayal of having friends and family leverage her fame for their own agenda, to the unforgiving and relentless scrutiny she's faced simply for being human, Britney finally tells us her truth. A stark look at what happens when a teenage dream tries to break free from societal expectations, one thing remains clear; Britney's ultimate revenge is survival. And by the way, we are all complicit.
To enter to win a copy of 'The Woman in Me,' simply rate and write a review of the pod on Apple Podcasts, screenshot, and DM us through Instragram @haveyouheardpodcast. So many of our episodes, including this one, are shaped through discussions with listeners. We also post cool articles and generally love to break down notable cultural moments. Join us!
Please consider rating 5 stars and writing a review on Apple or Spotify, it goes a long way in supporting the podcast and is much appreciated! xo Mahsa
Helpful references and links / pop culture homework:
The True Villain of Britney Spears' Memoir? You (Hayley Maitland, Vogue) -
Hey... we're back! Kicking off the new season exploring the singular Taylor Swift who is currently the reigning champ of our pop culture zeitgeist, seemingly everywhere all at once (including the NFL!)
Joined by friend of the pod, marketer, and fellow culture enthusiast Patty Connor, we go deep into the Taylorverse. She's generously always giving us something to talk about; the squads, the feuds, the prolific songwriting, and the nearly unmatched work ethic. We cover so much ground including what we think drives her, the communal spirit of her loyal fandom, and her legacy on the music industry and beyond. Oh yeah, and we talk about #87 himself, Travis Kelce. Could he be the perfect assist to her QB persona?
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast where there’s lots of pop culture analysis and behind the scenes highlights of how shows are formed, which you, dear listener, are a part of.
If you like the show, please share with your friends, subscribe, and give give us 5 stars to show your support. xo MahsaHelpful references and links / pop culture homework:
Taylor Swift Pre-VMA Squad Strategy (Lainey Gossip)
Olivia Rodrigo Adds Taylor Swift to 'Deja Vu' (Rollingstone)
8 Ways Taylor Swift has Changed the Music Business (Billboard)
What Taylor Swift's Pivot to Streaming Reveals about the Music Industry (The Economist)
Here's Why Taylor Swift is Re-Recording her Old Albums (Time)
The Staggering Economic Impact of Taylor Swift's the Eras Tour (Time) -
We’re tackling one of our most requested topics today, a deep-dive on the First Family of Reality TV and their ascent into major A List status, the Kardashians!
Joining the episode is Stacy Lee Kong, Founding Editor of whip smart pop culture site, Friday Things.
We break down the Kardashians place in pop culture history and what makes them so compelling. Whether you love them, hate them, or claim not to care, there’s no denying the impact they’ve had on culture.
From their business savvy and multiple million (and billion!) dollar companies, to how they've parlayed 15 minutes into 15 years and counting, their cultural currency has never been more relevant. While to some they embody the classic American success story, we break down how they've profited and benefitted from leveraging the aesthetic influence of the Black community, and how that's recently been shifting. Kim cosplaying Marilyn has more to do with perceptions of class than it does fitting into that dress!
Shedding the dead weight of 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' has officially ushered them into their latest era on Disney Plus with 'The Kardashians.' With a much sleeker look and big Disney dollars behind it, their latest endeavour feels....rich. If their insecurity has always been being viewed as just reality stars, why not reframe the way we consider reality tv? We know nothing this family does is by accident; they are masters of their own narratives, with Mama Kris as the ultimate Momager. So... what does this big budget, cinematic production tell us about the new ways the Kardashians want to be perceived, and what does the future hold?
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. So many of our episodes, including this one, are shaped through discussions with listeners, which you can revisit through our IG highlights. We also post cool articles, tv/film recommendations, and generally love to break down notable cultural moments.
Support the pod by sharing and subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider rating 5 stars and writing a review on Apple or Spotify, it goes a long way and is much appreciated! xo Mahsa
Helpful references and links / pop culture homework:
Subscribe to Friday Things and follow them on Instagram
For Her Next Trick, Kim Kardashian Will Be Cosplaying as a White Woman (Friday Things, Stacy Lee Kong)
Kim Kardashian and I Analyzed Each Other's Faces (Allure, Danielle Pergament)
I've Chosen Myself: Inside Kim Kardashian's New World (Vogue, Jen Wang)
The Darkest Hue Instagram
Break the Internet: Kim Kardashian (Paper, Amanda Fortini)
"Money Always Matters": The Kardashians Tell All About Their New Reality TV Reign (Variety, Elizabeth Wagmeister) -
Award-winning Canadian broadcaster Tamara Taggart joins the show! Former co-anchor of the evening news in Vancouver, Tamara has been a fixture in Canadian media for over 20 years. Like so many women, Tamara wears many hats; she's an outspoken advocate for people with disabilities, a mother, a cancer survivor, and recipient of the Order of BC. We cover so much ground, including the wild west that is working in the media (with some eye-opening inside baseball tea!), her advocacy work, being okay with not being okay, and how to rebuild when you’ve unexpectedly found yourself in your second, or third, act.
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. So many of our episodes, including this one, are shaped through discussions with listeners, which you can revisit through our IG highlights. We also post cool articles, tv/film recommendations, and generally love to break down notable cultural moments.
Support the pod by sharing and subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider rating 5 stars and writing a review on Apple or Spotify, it goes a long way and is much appreciated! xo Mahsa
Helpful references and links / pop culture homework:
Tedx Talk: Two Conversations that Have Changed My Life (Tamara Taggart)
Down Syndrome BC
Follow Tamara on Instagram and Twitter
Listen to Telus Talks with Tamara Taggart -
This episode is a long time coming, an in-depth look at one of our favourite shows, the aesthetically cozy 'Gilmore Girls!'
Cousin Mary is back as guest-host as we debate and revisit key elements throughout the series, exploring both the original run and four part 'A Year in the Life' revival on Netflix, the devoted fandom, and of course behind the scenes gossip; including potential cast drama and the much discussed exit of showrunner's Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino.
Along the way we explore the love interests (a game of F, marry, kill for Dean/Jess/Logan was inevitable), talk problematic aspects of the show, the rumoured rift between Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson, and whether we'll get more episodes. And heads up, there is a special giveaway we announce!
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. So many of our episodes, including this one, are shaped through discussions with listeners, which you can revisit through our IG highlights. We also post cool articles, tv/film recommendations, and generally love to break down notable cultural moments.
Support the pod by sharing and subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. Please consider rating 5 stars and writing a review on Apple or Spotify, it goes a long way and is much appreciated! xo Mahsa
Helpful references and links / pop culture homework:
Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls and Everything in Between (Lauren Graham)
Gilmore Girls Has Never Been a Pro Choice Show (Cosmopolitan, Emma Dibdin) -
So thrilled to have Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, the brilliant creators behind the iconic Go Fug Yourself on the podcast!
So many of us have been reading the site since it started in 2004, and it continues to be an OG pop culture staple. What began as a fun side hobby between two friends has spanned nearly 20 years and 25 million page views a month, where they continue to make us laugh while covering red carpet style like no other.
We get into so much in this interview; from their days writing recaps at Mighty Big TV/Television Without Pity, to the inception of Go Fug Yourself, their growth as writers, the loyal community they've built, and lots more. I seriously could have talked to them forever, and can attest that they are as witty and whip smart in person as they are online.
Talented writers, they are co-authors of several books including Messy, Spoiled, the Royal We, and the Heir Affair. They're generously giving away a few signed copies of the Royal We and the Heir Affair to some lucky listeners, details below!
To Enter the Giveaway:
Follow the Fug Girls on Instagram
Follow the Podcast on Instagram
Subscribe to the podcast site (find the subscribe form on your right on desktop, scroll down for mobile)
Canadian and US entries only at this time. Good luck!If you enjoy the show, make sure you’re subscribed! please share, and give us 5 stars on Apple podcasts or Spotify and write a review, it goes a long way with helping the podcast reach more listeners.
xo Mahsa -
The episode for reality tv stans everywhere!
How many times have we referred to reality tv as a guilty pleasure? Or trash tv? Or just generally felt embarrassed admitting to our reality tv vice?
Author Danielle Lindemann joins us to chat about her new book, 'True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us.' As a sociologist and reality tv fan (who teaches a course on reality tv--where do I sign up for that!?), Danielle provocatively suggests that perhaps we shouldn't brush off reality tv as our collective guilty pleasure; that instead by looking at the extremes, what is reflected back to us is a fun-house mirror indicative of ourselves.
Take race for example - Did you know the long running show COPS was cancelled in the wake of George Floyd's murder? Yes, it was then picked up again by FOX (no surprise there), but for a short time, COPS couldn't exist in a post BLM world.
What about the Bachelor franchise? It took 15 years for the show to cast a black Bachelorette, and then another 4 years to cast a black Bachelor (Rachel Lindsay and Matt James, respectively). Not to mention the show always follows a traditional heteronormative courtship (the roses! the proposals! the right reasons trope)! Meanwhile, we see members of the LGBTQ+ community on other reality shows, but they are still heavily produced to appeal to the male gaze.
And what do we make of the greatest paradox of all--that a reality tv star actually made it to the White House!? While Trump may not have landed the Presidency from his tenure on 'The Apprentice,' it certainly didn't disqualify him. And having a platform for him and his family to be in our living rooms weekly in positions of power certainly didn't hurt.
If we peel back the layers of reality tv and see exaggerated versions of our own culture, can we so easily dismiss it as nothing more than a frothy delight? We chat with Danielle and find out.
Obsessions include our latest scam TV pleasure, WeCrashed.
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. So many of our episodes, including this one, are shaped through discussions with listeners, which you can revisit through our IG highlights. We also post cool articles, tv/film recommendations, and generally love to break down notable cultural moments. Hearing from listeners is our fave, so feel free to drop us a DM to share your thoughts on the latest episode, show suggestions, or anything pop culture. You can find us on Twitter @MahsaSays
If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to subscribe, share, and consider rating 5 stars / writing a review on Apple and Spotify. It goes a long way and is much appreciated.
If you'd like to contribute to our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to show your support, you can find that here
Helpful references and links / pop culture homework:
True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us (Danielle Lindemann)
The Bachelor's Ongoing Problem with Hair Texture Diversity (Allure, Amanda Mitchell) -
Who better to deep dive the boom of the teen mags than legendary editor Atoosa Rubenstein!? As Founding Editor of CosmoGirl (at age 26!), and former Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen magazine, Atoosa's magic was a blend of understanding the teenage experience, while being acutely relatable to her readers (this, despite living a life of glamour and high fashion in NYC should not be underestimated). After leaving the industry in 2006 (and yes, we chat about why), she re-emerged recently with her Substack Newsletter and Podcast of the same name, Atoosa Unedited. The best kind of guest, Atoosa is generous with her insight, nuggets of industry gossip (!), and the experiences she's grown from.
Atoosa was synonymous with teen mags of an era--the late 90's/early 2000's during their heyday, where it felt like every women's magazine was piggybacking off the success of the teen mag boom by launching their own 'little sister' publication. Fast forward a decade, and teen magazines have all but ceased to exist in print, and only a few remain digitally.
We cover so much ground here; including the decline of the magazine industry, Atoosa's remarkable career that spawned an army of teen girls to dream of publishing careers, the singular anatomy of the teen mags (Trauma-Rama anyone!?), and whether magazines in print form is worth saving. When we have so many digital options and influencers telling us how to dress and what to buy (with algorithmic accuracy!), what is the value, if any, of print?
Atoosa also offers career advice to the grown up CosmoGirls who still dream of having a career like hers. I won't spoil it, but it involves being audacious.
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. So many of our episodes, including this one, are shaped through discussions with listeners, which you can revisit through our IG highlights. We also post cool articles, tv/film recommendations, and generally love to break down notable cultural moments. Hearing from listeners is our fave, so feel free to drop us a DM to share your thoughts on the latest episode, show suggestions, or anything pop culture. You can find us on Twitter @MahsaSays
If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to subscribe, share, and consider rating 5 stars / writing a review. It goes a long way and is much appreciated.
If you'd like to contribute to our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to show your support, you can find that here
Helpful references and links / pop culture homework:
Subscribe to Atoosa Unedited (Substack)
Follow Atoosa on Instagram
Could the Teen Mag Rise Again (The New Yorker, Kate Dwyer)
Returning to the Life You Blew Up (The Cut, Yasmin Gagne)
XOXO, Atoosa (Slate, Heather Schwedel)
Life at 28 with Atoosa Rubenstein (Bustle, Samantha Leach) -
Mahsa and guest-host Rachel are back at it with Part Two of the Jillian Harris/Influencer Economy deep dive!
We get to the meat of it in this second half, and do our best to answer the big questions around the relatively new career of influencing, including exploring this unique parasocial relationship and tackling what, if anything, influencers owe their followers.
As we debate the merits of influencers sharing their (curated) world with us, we wonder how much of it they need to share, particularly around their (sometimes controversial) sentiment on what's happening in the world around us. While Jillian has spent the past few years lending her platform to social causes and diverse voices, we can't say the same about all her contemporaries/circle of influencer friends. We get somewhat political this episode, so please note that as always, views are our own.
And we try to answer the biggest question of all --why are influencers?! Do we need them? Do we love them? Do we love to hate them? Most importantly, what value do they give us?
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. We post cool articles, tv/film recommendations, and generally love to break down notable cultural moments. We love hearing from listeners, so be sure to drop us a DM. You can find us on Twitter @MahsaSays
If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to subscribe, share, and consider rating 5 stars / writing a review. It goes a long way and is much appreciated.
If you'd like to contribute to our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to show your support, you can find that here.
Helpful links we reference during the show / pop culture homework:
The Edenic Allure of BallerinaFarm (Culture Study, Anne Helen Petersen) -
This is by far the most asked for episode from our listeners, and your complicated feelings on the subject fascinates us!
Mahsa and guest-host Rachel delve into the world of Jillian Harris. From her stint as the Bachelorette to her BFF persona on Instagram, to the evolution of using her platform to speak out on social causes, we have so much to talk about.
This episode is largely shaped by our amazing community on Instagram. We posed the question: "Do you follow Jillian Harris, why or why not,?" and the responses were so insightful we kept the discussion going to examine the influencer economy. We see their lives summed up in carefully curated IG feeds, but what responsibility do they have to acknowledge life outside those pretty squares?
We had so much to say this will be a two-parter. Part One focusses on Jillian's career, while Part Two (coming next week) will contrast Jillian with a few other Canadian influencers, the intersection of influencing and socio-political issues, plus tackling some of the big questions around what influencers owe us, and vice-versa.
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. We post cool articles, tv/film recommendations, and generally gossip. We love hearing from listeners, so be sure to drop us a DM. You can find us on Twitter @MahsaSays
If you'd like to contribute to our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to show your support, you can find that here.
If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to subscribe, share, and consider rating 5 stars / writing a review. It goes a long way and is much appreciated. -
A deep dive on the best new show we have seen in a long time, the wildly chilling Yellowjackets!
Mahsa and guest-host Mary cover lots of ground, so this is spoiler and speculation heavy - fair warning. From what makes the show resonate with so many people, dream casting scenarios, the most imaginative theories on Reddit (we can agree that Adam isn't Javi though, right!?), to the refreshing diversity, and so much more.
Sometimes a show is internet popular and takes over Twitter and Reddit; other times it's popular because so many people actually watch it. Yellowjackets is that rare combination of both, with the magic of perfect casting and pacing, it's nearly poetic. It's the kind of show you want to dissect; part of the fun is the heavy symbolism and 'what does it mean' of it all.
And it's the perfect vehicle for some of our fave 90's actresses - Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, and Melanie Lynsky.
Obsessions include the tv show from the 2000's you need to watch if you already miss Yellowjackets, plus Mary's undying love of the Real Housewives multiverse.
If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to subscribe, share, and consider rating 5 stars / writing a review. It goes a long way and is much appreciated!
For a more dynamic experience, follow us on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. We post cool articles, tv/film recommendations, and generally gossip. We love hearing from listeners, so be sure to drop us a DM. You can find us on Twitter @MahsaSays
If you'd like to contribute to our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to show your support, you can find that here.
Helpful links we reference during the show / pop culture homework:
Watch Yellowjackets (Crave in Canada, Showtime in USA)
The Yellowjackets Showrunners Answer All Our Post-Finale Questions (Vulture)
Yellowjackets 10 Best Fan Theories According to Reddit (Screenrant)
Which Yellowjackets Character Are You? (Buzzfeed Quiz)
VC Andrews Episode Reference (Have You Heard About...)
Learn More About the Bechdel Test -
The verdict is in, and while it was a mixed bag, Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty on 4 charges of defrauding investors.
Pop culture writer and critic Kayleigh Donaldson joins us as we deep dive the never-ending Elizabeth Holmes story. From the rise and fall of her company Theranos, that promised to revolutionize the healthcare industry by running hundreds of tests through just a few drops of blood, to going from the cover of Forbes to potentially serving time behind bars. We break it all down for you, as we try to answer the big questions (how did she convince investors to give her hundred of millions of dollars, what does this mean for the future of Silicon Valley, how likely is it that she'll serve time, why did nobody ask questions!?)
Perhaps the biggest question is how Elizabeth Holmes will reinvent herself in her second act. Because if it's one thing we know, it's that America loves a good comeback story.
We love engaging with listeners, so follow along and let us know what you think on Instagram @haveyouheardpodcast. We're doing a giveaway of the 'Bad Blood' book by John Carreyrou who broke this story wide open, so follow us on IG to see how you can get your hands on a copy (a must read!)
Follow the wonderful Kayleigh Donaldson on Twitter @Ceilidhann. You can read her work at Pajiba. You can find us on Twitter @MahsaSays
If you like the podcast, please share, and consider leaving 5 stars and writing a review. It goes a long way and is much appreciated.
If you'd like to contribute to our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to show your support, you can find that here.
Helpful links we reference during the show / pop culture homework:
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup (John Carreyrou)
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (HBO)
The Drop Out (Apple Podcasts)
Bad Blood: The Final Chapter (Apple Podcasts) -
The podcast episode we've been wanting to do forever; the definitive guide to Caroline Calloway's rise to fame, subsequent fallout, and iconic place in pop culture as an OG social media scammer is here!
Guest-host Maggie Patterson, fellow podcaster and expert in online scams in business, joins the discussion. We cover so much ground, starting from the beginning; how Caroline's ivy-league fueled childhood led her to Cambridge, where her idyllic 'American abroad at a storied Ivy League Institution' aesthetic combined with long form narrative captions on Instagram gained her followers, fame, and a lucrative book deal.
Like many things we see on social media, all was not as it appears. After losing her book deal, she launches creativity workshops that promise social media branding tutorials, flower crowns, and artisanal salad. If you didn't know who she was yet, this is the point she pinged your cultural radar as journalist Kayleigh Donaldson outs her event as being a total scam in a Twitter thread and subsequent viral article.
We deep dive what the optics of her life looked like to her 800k followers, versus reality, as explored in The Cut's damaging article titled 'I Was Caroline Calloway,' written by former best friend (and as it turns out, writer of much of Caroline's words), Natalie Beach.
While Caroline's story could serve as a cautionary tale to influencers everywhere, we find ourselves wondering...is anyone on social media truly authentic? Whether they are aspirational influencers or relatable best-friend type influencers, they're all trying to sell you something. Caroline's story isn't unique, but leaning into her insta-scam persona and making the grift part of her narrative, is what makes her compelling. We debate whether she's the writer she claims to be, or a cunning performance artist.
Obsessions include Mindy Kaling's brilliant new show 'The Sex Lives of College Girls,' and Sex and the City reboot 'And Just Like That.' Will you ever look at a Peloton the same way?
So much to unpack in this show, buckle up!
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Helpful links we reference during the show / pop culture homework:
I was Caroline Calloway (Natalie Beach, The Cut)
The Case of Caroline Calloway and her Creativity Workshop Tour (Kayleigh Donaldson, Pajiba)
Caroline Calloway, her "one-woman Fyre Fest," and her ex-best friend Natalie, explained (Constance Grady, Vox)
"I Love Fame": How Caroline Calloway Survived Being Cancelled (Elle Hunt, The Guardian)
Caroline Calloway Isn't a Scammer (Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic)
Caroline Calloway Website
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