Stuff Mom Never Told You

Companies are making moves to monetize AI and intimacy. Bridget Todd joins us to unpack some of the issues around this, and her upcoming audio book tackling the topic 'Love at First Prompt'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the 2026 Paralympics prepare for the opening ceremony, we spotlight the accomplishments of Paralympian Bonnie St. John.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legend and legacy (and lies) of Hugh Hefner and Playboy loom large to this day and left an undeniable impact - and caused a lot of harm, largely centered on exploiting women. Friend of the show Bridget Todd joins us in breaking down the history, the PR behind the public image and the damage behind it all in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025 film Sinners is an award-winning film and is making history. We invite you to join us in talking about music, vampires, race and so much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Still recovering from recording an audiobook, Anney and Samantha share their experiences. Anney discusses the emotions of coming out to strangers in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After much delay, we are back with our Sex and the City watch series! Picking up with the gang in Los Angeles, the plot is rife with cameos, some more problematic than others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate justice activist Mikaela Loach's 2025 book Climate is Just the Start tackles climate change with unflinching truth and hope. Anney and Samantha go over some themes and why this work is important.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we touch on the works and activism of Ethiopian artist, photographer, and educator Aida Muluneh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is grooming and how do you recognize it? Anney and Samantha break it down in this classic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a truth universally acknowledged. For this month's book club, we dig into issues of class, gentrification, prejudice, sisterhood, coming of age, family, home and love with Ibi Zoboi's 2019 novel Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix. Anney and Samantha share their different takes based on their differing familiarities with Jane Austen's work in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yves joins us to spotlight the mysterious, mythical and Wild West story of the first Black woman to own a utility company in the US state of Montana, Sarah Bickford. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the situationship? Well, no one quite agrees, but there are a few basic elements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the third part of our miniseries on ICE, we dig into surveillance and precedent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sana Starros occupies many roles in the Star Wars universe - academic, smuggler, hero, and also Han Solo's first wife. Sort of. We unpack her origins, her accomplishments and some chaotic romance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What exactly does 'work spouse' entail, and should we retire the term altogether? In this classic, we discuss examples, history and problems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Galentine's Day, Valentine's Day and...Mistress Day? We unpack what Mistress Day is and how it got started in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short answer, yes. Samantha and Anney go over some of the reasons why, and ways to take care of ourselves and keep fighting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samantha has an update on a new adventure she is (potentially) embarking on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of our look at ICE, we discuss the executive orders and funding that allowed it to reach what it is today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we highlight the accomplishments and firsts of US hockey player Laila Edwards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener, friend of the show and Sex and the City expert Jasmine joins us in our continuing Sex and the City watch and react series in this classic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Around the world, the birth rate is declining and it is sounding a lot of alarms. What is behind the decline? While some would like to blame feminism, there are many factors at play. We discuss in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did ICE, or the Immigrations and Custom Enforcement in the US, come to be? We delve into the history and the discuss some of the ramifications in part one of our look at the organization.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While not necessarily bad, hyperfixation - an intense focus on a hobby, interest or activity - can lead to disruptions in every day life. We talk about what hyperfixation is and some of the ways it can manifest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February 2026 is the hundredth anniversary of Black History Month in the United States. What is the history of it and why is it important, especially now?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're spotlighting the work of climate activist, author and podcaster Mikaela Loach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where does the stereotype that women talk too much, and talk more than men, come from? Turns out there is a long history that we are still feeling to this day. We discuss in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Though women have been present in sports since the beginning, numerous obstacles have often stood in the way of them becoming coaches and referees. In this classic, we examine the playbook to look at the history of why this is and the ways people are trying to change it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1997 cult classic film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion followed two best friends from childhood friends to adult besties, though their friendship is tested by their upcoming ten year high school reunion. We talk friendships, cliques, the meaning of success, complete with 90s fashion, technology and fashion in all its glory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new game appears to be bringing out empathy online. Samantha and Anney chat about what's going on, and why it's a good thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anney and Samantha give an update on cozy gaming, and give reviews of three games they played for this episode (one new one, a Samantha recommendation and an Anney recommendation).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we're talking about climate activist and glaciologist Dr. Heidi Sevestre.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been a lot of talk about what has been labeled the Male Loneliness Epidemic. But what is it? Are there gendered differences in loneliness? We discuss in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shipping has gone from a derided part of fandom to a mainstream component, and with that has come good and bad. We talk about the history and psychology of shipping, and why shipping should be included in our conversations about the beauties and toxicities of fandom in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosie A. Point's cozy word search murder mystery book is delightful, fun and full of classic cozy tropes. We chat about word searches, mysteries and the coziness of it all.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Which one of us took the (queer)bait? Anney did.And it was not fun. Not one bit."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Educator, coach, scholar and author of the book Fair Game: Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports Dr. Anna Baeth joins us to break down some of the myths surrounding trans athletes, why sport matters and what we can strive for to make things better in the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Half-elf Arwen Evenstar from the Lord of the Rings universe had to navigate questions of love and immortality. We delve into her story, and the differences between her adaptions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to fighting those in power, one of the many tools we have is boycotting. Samantha and Anney shed some light on the effectiveness (or not) of recent boycotts against large companies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award-winning journalist, story collector and teller Michele Norris joins us for a wide-ranging discussion on women, race and identity - and how we often learn about it and see it play out in the kitchen. We chat about the podcast Your Mama's Kitchen, The Race Card Project and the power of curiosity in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazilian composer, conductor, teacher and performer Chiquinha Gonzaga crafted many works and left a legacy. Yves delves into her history and accomplishments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not only is dancing fun, but it has numerous health benefits. Anney and Samantha break down some of the reasons why you should bust a move.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

X's AI chatbot Grok has recently been involved in some high profile cases of generating damaging and disturbing images of young girls and women. However, this is not new, but part of a pattern across several tech platforms and is rooted in societal issues. Bridget Todd breaks it down for us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we highlight the works of Ugandan veterinarian and gorilla conservation Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is internalized homophobia and how can it manifest? Anney and Samantha shine some light on the issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The simple question of how you're doing is not always so simple, and can lead to tears. We look into a few common reasons why in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent studies confirm that while podcast is a continually growing medium, it still isn't very inclusive in terms of hosts and guests. Anney and Samantha talk about their own experiences and dig into the data.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the arrival of 2026, Anney and Samantha chat about how their holidays went, and the new year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In times of stress, many people turn to hobbies. Science shows there are reasons (and benefits) to this, but turns out, women don't have as much time for them. Not only that, our hobbies are often questioned, in one way or another. We look into why and share our own hobbies in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we highlight the life and works of US Representative Ilhan Omar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.