

Binchtopia
Julia Hava & Eliza McLamb
If Plato and Aristotle had internet addictions and knew what "gaslighting" was, they'd probably make this podcast. Hosts Julia Hava and Eliza McLamb guide you through our current cultural hellscape, share sociological and psychological perspectives on pop culture, and deconstruct everything you've ever loved. Come have a laugh with us through the end times of late stage capitalism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 17, 2025 • 7min
That's Doll, Folks w/ Allegra Chapman *TEASER*
Julia is joined by Binchtopia favorite Allegra Chapman to explore the delightful world of DOLLS! From Sonny Angels to Blythe, Madame Alexander to Barbie, Allegra lends her expertise to tell us what dolls reveal about history, their practical and symbolic purposes, and even the “misdollgyny” behind why haunted dolls always seem to be women. Plus, Allegra’s thoughts on those infamous American Girls, the childhood pastime of torturing your dolls, and the uncanny world of reborns. Digressions include the bonding experience of having curly hair, Allegra’s new Julia-approved boyfriend, and finally addressing tintypegate… To support the podcast on Patreon and access 50+ bonus episodes, mediasodes, and more, visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today. Find Allegra at @severedlegs on all socials!

Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 18min
Cut to the Chaste w/ Michaela Okland
Julia is joined by bestie of the pod Michaela Okland to explore the practice of chosen celibacy, from its ancient history to its resurgence in modern culture. The girlies share their own celibacy journeys, revisit iconic historical figures who opted out of sex and marriage, and discuss the radical 4B movement gaining attention in South Korea, where women are walking away from men entirely. Digressions include the karmic power of The Melting Pot, graduating from Men Are Trash discourse, and dating after grief and loss. This episode was produced and researched by Julia Hava and edited by Livi Burdette. Find Michaela Okland (@michaelaokland) on Twitter and IG! To support the podcast on Patreon and access 50+ bonus episodes, mediasodes, and more, visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today. SOURCES: 4B movement: what is it and how did it start? | The Week After Trump’s win, some women are considering the 4B movement | CNN Are antidepressants making you asexual? | The Spectator Book of the 10th Muse: Love and Marriage Boston Marriages Boston Marriages: Romantic but Asexual Relationships Among Contemporary Lesbians Chaste Marriage In The Middle Ages Going boysober: the women who turned to celibacy in 2024 How Celibate Women Became a Threat | TIME “I Don't Miss It”: Celibacy Is Bringing Some Women Peace Less Is More: Welcome To The Rise Of #Celibacy Neither ‘incel’ nor ‘volcel’: Relational accounts of UK women's sexual abstinence Re-reading (Vestal) virginity Sex-positive feminism had its moment – and now it has been replaced by voluntary celibacy | Arwa Mahdawi | The Guardian SWORN VIRGINS OF THE BALKAN HIGHLANDS The 4B movement: envisioning a feminist future uwith/in a non-reproductive future in Korea The last of Albania's 'sworn virgins' The rise of voluntary celibacy: ‘Most of the sex I’ve had, I wish I hadn’t bothered’ | Sex | The Guardian Women’s Agency Through Spinsterhood and Celibacy – Childfree History Museum. Women's rights and the rise of the 4B movement - University of Birmingham Why Gen Zers Are Choosing Celibacy

Sep 3, 2025 • 6min
Your Episode, M’Lord w/ Nick Garros *TEASER*
Join Julia and beautiful Nick as they recap their arduous journey to Medieval Times, unpacking the show’s unintelligible plot, the vibeless knights of dubious talents and the disgraceful shortage of jesters and wenches. Digressions include Benson Boone’s Gower Gulch, Jane Goodall’s sneaky link in the jungle and the abominable flop of boomers. This is a teaser for a Patreon-exclusive episode. To listen to the full episode and access over 50 bonus episodes, mediasodes, and monthly zoom hangs visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today.

Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 3min
Binchtopia Reveals the Meaning
This week, the girlies get nostalgic, looking back on the years of Binchtopia and sharing a few updates. Digressions include the memes that shaped us, our truly out of pocket episode titles, and Ozzy Osbourne’s forgotten impact on our very first live show. This episode was produced by Julia Hava and Eliza McLamb and edited by Livi Burdette. To support the podcast on Patreon and access 50+ bonus episodes, mediasodes, zoom hangouts and more, visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today.

Aug 20, 2025 • 8min
Tapping Into the Collective Unconscious *TEASER*
This week, the girlies slip into the dreamworld to decode the binchie subconscious. Between prophetic triplet births, missing teeth, doomed flights, and Scrappy Doo lurking in the shadows, they ask: what does it all mean? Digressions include our favorite unconventional influencer, AI psychosis, and the girlies’ own cursed dream cycles. This is a teaser for a Patreon-exclusive episode. To listen to the full episode and access over 50 bonus episodes, mediasodes, and monthly zoom hangs visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today.

Aug 13, 2025 • 1h 32min
Regime of Convenience
Dive into the dark evolution of content streaming, tracing its journey from radio to the algorithm-driven giants of today. Discover how labels collaborate with platforms to undermine artists, while mood playlists promote passive music consumption. Listen to anecdotes from those ditching streaming for more authentic experiences. Plus, enjoy some comedic tangents, like Matt Rife's ghost-hunting escapades and Katy Perry's peculiar situations. The discussion champions a return to valuing art and meaningful engagement over mere convenience.

Aug 6, 2025 • 7min
On the Road Again *TEASER*
This week, the girlies are in a place of tour, reporting live from Binchicago! From the technical difficulties and gonjus gowns of live shows to meeting all the insanely impressive binchies (and their radicalized family members), they reflect on whether or not alcohol is poison, the beauty of Zanies, and the haunting image of a backpack hiked to the TOP! Digressions include: twin ethics, binchie-submitted icks, and the emotional significance of a backyard. We’re on tour!!!! Find tickets at (https://linktr.ee/binchtopia) This is a teaser for a Patreon-exclusive episode. To listen to the full episode and access over 50 bonus episodes, mediasodes, and monthly zoom hangs visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today.

Jul 30, 2025 • 48min
December Mediasode: Best of the Year, Enlightening Essays, and Should I Just Give Up on Jonathan Franzen?! *UNLOCKED FROM PATREON*
This episode was originally released on December 31, 2024 as a Patreon exclusive, and we’re unlocking it for you to make the most of the extra week in July. Become a patron today to support the show, keep us ad-free and unlock our backlog of over 50 bonus episodes and mediasodes at patreon.com/binchtopia. We’re on tour!!!! Find tickets at (https://linktr.ee/binchtopia) BOOKS Rouge by Mona Awad Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner The Searcher by Tana French The Hunter by Tana French Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott Long Bright River by Liz Moore Freedom by Jonathan Franzen TV Say Nothing Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story The Jinx Breaking Bad MOVIES Subservience Tangerine Sugarcane Hanna My Old Ass Sweethearts How to Survive a Plague ARTICLES The Invisible Man Bad Influence The Despair of the Young JULIA'S BEST OF THE YEAR Book - Rabbit Heart by Kristine S. Ervin Movie - When the Levees Broke TV - Baby Reindeer, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Album - Charm by Clairo ELIZA'S BEST OF THE YEAR Book - The Door by Magda Szabo Movie - Problemista TV - Breaking Bad Album - Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman, Power by Illuminati Hotties

Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 25min
Good Girls Go Bald
This week, the girlies are hairy on main to address the question: why are we so obsessed with being smooth? From ancient sugaring practices to TikTok lasers, they trace the cultural history of body hair and explore how whiteness, misogyny, hygiene myths, and beauty marketing all converged to make your stubble a moral failing. Digressions include Eliza’s ongoing war with air travel, Lena Dunham’s latest press tour, and non-qualified med spas that will definitely leave you botched. This episode was produced by Julia Hava and Eliza McLamb and edited by Allison Hagan. Research assistance from Kylie Finnigan. To support the podcast on Patreon and access 50+ bonus episodes, mediasodes, zoom hangouts and more, visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today. SOURCES: A full Brazilian or all natural: understanding the influences on young women's decision to remove their pubic hair ASU professor encourages students to defy body hair norms Body Hair Removal: The 'Mundane' Production of Normative Femininity. Caucasian Female Body Hair and American Culture Darker-skinned people urged to take extra precautions as laser hair removal industry booms From flint razors to lasers: a timeline of hair removal methods Hair or Bare?: The History of American Women and Hair Removal, 1914-1934 History of Hair Removal How the beauty industry convinced women to shave their legs How Much A Beauty Editor's Hair Removal Routine Actually Costs Male Stigmatization of Female Body Hair Mapping 'Gross' Bodies: The Regulatory Politics of Disgust Plucked: A History of Hair Removal by Rebecca Herzig ‘Plucked’: Race, gender, science, medicine converge in history of hair removal Pubic Hair Grooming Prevalence and Motivation Among Women in the United States Shaving and fashion: A storied history The Casualties of Women's War on Body Hair The Hair-Raising History of Women's Body Hair The History of Female Hair Removal The Naked Truth: Why Humans Have No Fur The Strange Secret History Of Hair Removal Will Blow Your Mind Trends in body hair removal as depicted through art UNSHAVED resistance & revolution in women’s body hair politics Why women feel pressured to shave

Jul 17, 2025 • 6min
You ARE a Vibe Bro w/ Rayne Fisher-Quann *TEASER*
This week, the girlies are joined by writer, cultural critic, and internet princess Rayne Fisher-Quann for a bonus follow-up to our literacy episode. We unpack Rayne’s recent essay on “poser ethics” and ask: is pretending to have read Dostoevsky really that bad? Are there different kinds of reading, and is one better than the other? Have we fully reckoned with the cultural impact of a generation of men raised on Diary of a Wimpy Kid? Digressions include everyday activities that bring us closer to lead poisoning, a crucial Nerds Gummy Cluster taste test, and a deep dive into our personal neuroses. Check out some of Rayne’s work here: https://internetprincess.substack.com/ This is a teaser for a Patreon-exclusive episode. To listen to the full episode and access over 50 bonus episodes, mediasodes, and monthly zoom hangs visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today. We’re going on tour!!!! Find tickets at https://linktr.ee/binchtopia