Influencers, Threesomes and Narcissism w/ Jenny Mollen
Jan 10, 2025
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Jenny Mollen, author of "City of Likes" and social media personality, dives into the intriguing dynamics of mommy influencer culture and female friendships. She shares personal tales of navigating social media's impact on relationships, revealing the complex feelings of attraction and validation. The conversation also touches on the importance of vulnerability, laughter, and therapy in maintaining intimacy. Jenny even tackles listener questions about relationship boundaries in the digital age, providing candid insights and advice rooted in real-life experiences.
Jenny Mollen's exploration of mommy influencer culture highlights the complexities of female friendships, especially with narcissistic dynamics involved.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and communication in maintaining intimacy in long-term relationships, particularly after having children.
Therapy is presented as a valuable tool for couples, helping them navigate emotional challenges and fostering deeper connections and self-awareness.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Stalking in the Digital Age
The discussion highlights the dramatic shift in how stalking has evolved from physical efforts to digital convenience, thanks to social media. The speaker reflects on the old days when stalking involved much more effort, such as lurking in bushes or hiding in trunks, compared to today's seamless cyber stalking through platforms like Instagram. This transition illustrates both the humor and challenges of modern relationships, where access to someone’s life is just a click away. The ease of online stalking raises questions about privacy, consent, and the underlying motivations behind such behaviors.
Influencer Culture and Female Friendships
Jenny Mullen's book, 'City of Likes,' delves into the complexities of mommy influencer culture and the dynamics of female friendships, particularly when one friend exhibits narcissistic traits. The narrative poses important questions about obsession, validation, and the psychological impact of curated online identities, accentuating how these relationships can blur the lines between admiration and unhealthy attachment. Mullen’s experiences with social media serve as a backdrop for exploring the intensity and potential toxicity of such friendships. This commentary on influencer culture resonates with many, as it reflects broader social themes regarding perception and authenticity.
Intimacy and Vulnerability in Relationships
The conversation reveals the challenges of maintaining intimacy in long-term relationships, particularly after the arrival of children which can shift dynamic and focus. The speaker expresses a desire for deeper emotional and physical connection, noting that both partners may have varying love languages that can result in feelings of inadequacy. There is recognition that traditional expectations about how often couples should engage in sex can create pressures that might not reflect each partner's reality. The importance of vulnerability, communication, and individual desires is emphasized as crucial components in navigating these intimate challenges.
The Importance of Therapy in Relationships
Therapy emerges as a critical tool for maintaining a healthy relationship, with both partners benefiting from professional guidance to navigate their emotional landscapes. The speaker recounts how therapy has provided clarity and facilitated deeper understanding of personal triggers, emphasizing that many conflicts are rooted in past experiences rather than current issues. This therapeutic journey reveals the importance of self-awareness and the willingness to grow individually and as a couple. Such reflections underscore the notion that therapy should be seen not as a last resort, but as a proactive measure for relationship enrichment.
Navigating Social Media's Impact on Relationships
The influence of social media on modern relationships is explored, as it can induce anxiety and complications due to voyeuristic tendencies and public displays of affection or attraction. Issues arise when partners exhibit behaviors, like commenting on attractive individuals online, which can lead to feelings of jealousy and insecurity. The conversation suggests that open dialogue about these feelings is essential and that each partner should address their discomforts directly. This proactive communication fosters an environment where both partners feel heard and can build trust, rather than allowing minor grievances to escalate unchecked.
Jenny Mollen is the author of City of Likes, a fictional comedy about mommy influencer culture and the intensity of female friendships – especially when one of them is a narcissist. Are they obsessed with each other? Do they want to have sex with each other? And what do you do when someone’s perfectly-curated facade finally cracks?
Jenny and I met years ago, and I know you’ll love her just as much as I do. Besides being a bestselling author, she’s also an actor, a mom, and wife to actor Jason Biggs. In this episode, she talks about the personal experiences with social media that inspired her book, why she wants to see a sex therapist, and helps me answer your sex and relationship questions. For example, if you’re in a relationship, is it ok to comment on someone else’s Instagram telling them how attractive they are? Jenny and I give it to you straight.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to navigate the tricky relationship dynamics of long-term partnerships and social media.
Why laughter and authenticity are key to maintaining intimacy over the years.
The surprising connections between personal vulnerability, desire, and self-discovery.
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