

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

Mar 15, 2023 • 1h 22min
Schrödinger's Furby
The ladies time travel to the 90’s to discuss the world’s first simulated pets — the Tamagotchi and the Furby — and what lessons they have to teach us about our digital selves online. Digressions include a very “low brow” intro, a Binchtopia spit-take meet-cute, and the discovery that we might be your Tamagotchis. SOURCES: Love It, Feed It, Mourn It Virtual Pets Are Back and Why We Need Them Most Now Love In The Time of Tamagotchi Taken By the Tamagotchi: How a Toy Changed the Perspective on Mobile Technology PUBLIC LIVES; Far From the Pleading Crowd: Furby's Dad Coded for Cuteness: How the Furby Conquered Hearts and Minds How to Turn Your Furby Evil by WikiHow A Dark Furby Theory May Reveal Them as Flesh-Devouring Predators What Happens When Your Furby Becomes Evil Into the Furby-Verse: The Narrative Production of Electronic Companions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 8, 2023 • 58min
If You Give a Cat a Spin Cycle...
The girlies open up their treasure trove of mailbox moments to cackle at more of your embarrassing stories. Digressions include Julia’s recap of Bravo's biggest scandal to date, Eliza’s tour life diary, and a revelation about the mysterious origins of a Godly Wife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 1, 2023 • 1h 26min
Sexy Unique Episode
The girlies are joined by podcaststress supreme Lara Marie Schoenhals to discuss the cultural importance of reality tv and its storied history. Digressions include the trauma of eating at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurants, the horror of forgetting to lock the airplane bathroom, and the importance of taking it to a place of 9/11. Listen to Lara's hilarious work on Sexy Unique Podcast and Too Niche? Follow Lara on IG @larzmarie and on TikTok @sexyuniquepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 22, 2023 • 1h 28min
Glossing Over It
The girlies uncover the complicated history of the American nail salon — from the wave of Vietnamese immigration that kick-started the industry to the toxic chemicals and labor violations that lay below the surface. Digressions include a call for a REPUTABLE pet psychic, the deeply spiritual significance of Imodium, and our current Godly Wife name fixations. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia. SOURCES: From 3200 B.C. to Today: The Fascinating History of Nail Polish Cutex Hooked Americans on Manicures Celluloid Dreams: The Marketing of Cutex in America, 1916-1935 Author(s): Kate Forde The Making and Transnationalization of an Ethnic Niche: Vietnamese Manicurists by Eckstein and Nguyen Nail salon workers exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals, new study reveals Nail salon workers say proper ventilation can protect their reproductive health Perfect Nails, Poisoned Workers The Price of Nice Nails Nail salon sweeps in New York reveal abuses and regulatory challenges How Black Women Pioneered Nail Art Manicuring Race, Gender, and Class: Service Interactions in New York City Korean-owned Nail Salons by Miliann Kang Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 14, 2023 • 1h 6min
This Is Your Man? Look at the Screen.
The girlies answer love-related queries from the second annual Binchtopia Valentine Hotline. Queries include: how can I make my anti-capitalist boyfriend treat me like a princess on Valentine’s Day? Should I marry my boyfriend even though he’s in love with his roommate? How can I ensure that my ex wakes up every day in psychological pain? And more. Digressions include Eliza’s doomsday prep, MeganGK’s turn for the worse, and whether or not Peeps are an acceptable favorite candy. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia See CharityWatch’s list of the best charities to donate to for earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 8, 2023 • 1h 10min
Real Ones Only
The girlies revive a classic Binchtopia format — talking about whatever they want. If you can make it through the intro about buying new pants and free-bleeding, you’re a real one. They review the most contentious etiquette rules from The Cut, check in on the Transformed Wife’s Husband, and discuss Armie Hammer's dispatch from the crypt to lament on why “cancelled” men can never shut the hell up! Digressions include the trend of deinfluencing and a shocking revelation about scurvy. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia. Buy tickets for our first live show in LA at https://www.squadup.com/events/binchtopia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 1, 2023 • 1h 19min
Performing the American Pastoral
The podcast explores the history of women's work, women falling into gender essentialist and trad-wife stereotypes, and the enchanting appeal and reality of Ballerina Farm. They also discuss the myth of homespun and women's attempts to assert ownership. Additionally, they explore the invention of an efficient stove for women's work and the realities of ranch life and farming aesthetics.

Jan 25, 2023 • 1h 22min
Liberating the Almond Moms
The girlies unpack fatphobia and the history of fatness. They discuss the racist roots of modern-day body standards, how we can think about anti-fat bias through the lens of eating disorder recovery, and lament the failings of the American medical system (again). Digressions include very little because we are serious researchers and get straight to the point this time. Sources: Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon "You Just Need to Lose Weight" by Aubrey Gordon Belly of the Beast by Da'Shaun L. Harrison Maintenance Phase Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 18, 2023 • 1h 8min
Living Like It's 2003
The girlies reflect on life without social media and read some listener emails from binchies in arms who valiantly joined us in our challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 11, 2023 • 1h 32min
More Like Dumb Phone :(
The girlies ring in the new year by investigating what plagues us all - smartphone addiction. They look into the research surrounding smartphones and social media to answer the important questions: Why are they so addictive and what are they doing to our brains? What would Karl Marx say about digital social capital? And most importantly.. why aren’t the teens having sex like they used to? Plus, they reveal the first ever Binchtopia experiment. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia. Sources: Social Media Fact Sheet Putting Your Phone Down May Help You Live Longer Phantom vibrations among undergraduates: Prevalence and associated psychological characteristics Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? Panicking About Your Kids’ Phones? New Research Says Don’t Taking Away the Phones Won’t Solve Our Teenagers’ Problems Smartphone Addiction and Associated Health Outcomes in Adult Populations: A Systematic Review Social Capital Online: Alienation and Accumulation by Kane X. Faucher (book) The Screenic Image: Between Verticality and Horizontality, Viewing and Touching, Displaying and Playing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.