
Kelsey McKinney
Author of the novel God Spare the Girls and the host and writer of the podcast Normal Gossip. Grew up steeped in purity culture in the early 2000s in Texas and had a purity ring.
Top 5 podcasts with Kelsey McKinney
Ranked by the Snipd community

30 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 12min
The Cult of Purity Culture
Kelsey McKinney, author of God Spare the Girls and host of Normal Gossip, joins to dissect the entanglements of purity culture. Growing up in Texas, she shares her experiences with purity rings as symbols of abstinence, exploring their cult-like implications. The conversation dives into the societal pressures and emotional fallout from evangelical teachings, the commercialization of chastity, and the urgent need for honest discussions about intimacy. Kelsey cleverly critiques the absurdity of these norms while shedding light on their lasting effects.

10 snips
May 15, 2024 • 1h 8min
Episode 579: Kelsey McKinney
Features writer Kelsey McKinney discusses the challenges of a creative career, balancing job duties with creative work, importance of studying successful creatives, and the evolution of her writing styles. She also talks about her upcoming book on gossip, career transitions, struggles with memory recall, and the growth in handling criticism. McKinney delves into her podcasting journey, embracing the role of a podcast host, and maintaining creative autonomy amidst external pressures.

Jul 20, 2023 • 0sec
"Salt, in everything?" Player Motivations; Copying Others
Kelsey McKinney, a writer for Defector, and Quantic Foundry, a research organization analyzing gamer motivations, join the hosts to discuss player motivations and copying others in game design. They also touch on attending Origins Game Fair, frustrations with cliffhangers in TV shows, complexity in competitive sports, eating salty food, analyzing and incorporating others' work, and amusing horse names in games.

Feb 26, 2025 • 39min
Bonus Episode: Life as a New York Times Bestselling Author with Kelsey McKinney
Kelsey McKinney, author of "You Didn't Hear This From Me" and co-creator of Normal Gossip, dives deep into the world of gossip, revealing how it can serve as a tool for self-reflection. She shares insights from her busy book tour, discusses the cultural contrasts of gossip in the US and UK, and explores the dynamics of reality TV through trust and strategy. Kelsey also reflects on the challenges of debut authorship and the impact of cancel culture on public perception, making for a thought-provoking and engaging conversation.

May 26, 2025 • 27min
The Tea On Gossip With Kelsey McKinney
In this enlightening chat, Kelsey McKinney, creator of the Normal Gossip podcast and author of 'You Didn't Hear It From Me, Mostly True Notes on Gossip,' dives into the human fascination with gossip. She explores why gossip is a learned behavior that shapes our communication and social dynamics. McKinney discusses its dual nature, revealing how it can connect people or cause harm, especially in contexts like workplaces and communities. Through personal anecdotes and cultural insights, she unravels the complexities of gossip in today's digital age.