We’re celebrating our first year of recording the pod! Thank you so much for listening and being part of this journey. We share our reflections and learnings from being baby content creators and how things are changing in the future… Topics covered: -Our recording equipment -What editing software we use -How we decide what content to cover -How to grow a podcast -How to monetize a podcast If you’re able to and our content means something to you, you can support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

We explore the surprising science behind cuffing season, the link between body heat & strong relationships, and why we should all cuddle more. Topics covered: -Is cuffing season real? Do our relationship-seeking behaviors change seasonally? -The biological, psychological, and evolutionary factors impacting our desire for companionship in the winter -The link between attachment styles and physical warmth -The power of association driving hook-up vs relationship messaging during different times of year -How dating timelines have changed across generations -Are we less satisfied in our romantic relationships now? -Pros and cons of participating in cuffing season Sources available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

What are ghost stories really telling us? What makes a city haunted? We explore local histories and share some scary mysteries. Topics covered: -Ghost stories as a vehicle for overlooked histories -The commercialization of suffering and dark tourism -New Orleans ghost stories (LaLaurie Mansion, Ursuline Convent, Marie Laveau), black history, and Hurricane Katrina aftermath -The creation of voodoo and its misperception -Savannah’s haunted history (Mercer Williams House, Grietely Ship) Sources available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Spooky season has us thinking about ghosts, demons, and the dead. We look into the ancient roots of Halloween and see what other cultures can teach us about the afterlife. Topics covered: -The history of Halloween -Celtic Samhain + Roman Feralia and Pomona + Christian All Souls Day and All Saints Day -Dia de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico -Oban in Japan and friendly ghosts -Ghanian funeral rites and novelty coffins Sources available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

Anyone else wondered how the Pumpkin Spice Latte was born or what happens to Spirt Halloween stores on November 1st? This week, we dig into seasonal products and businesses to understand how and why they thrive. Topics covered: -Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and the power of seasonal products -Spirit Halloween’s founding story and business model Sources available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

The Barbie movie’s critical lens on dolls was just the beginning…We dive into adult fan communities of American Girl Doll and reborn dolls to understand the enduring cultural impact of these pillars of girlhood. Topics covered: -The reborn doll community -American Girl Doll’s cultural impact and its adult fans -The Jellycat craze -The rise and fall of Beanie Babies -The psychology of collecting Sources available to anyone at our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ❤️

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 ❤️

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 ❤️