

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 12, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Myth of Mental Health w/ P.E. Moskowitz
P.E. Moskowitz, author and contributor to GQ and The New York Magazine, joins to unravel the complex ties between mental health, capitalism, and culture. They dive into how anti-intellectualism fuels modern fascism and discuss the societal pressures that stifle sincerity. Expect a deep dive into the impact of misinformation on critical thinking and generational disconnect shaped by technology. Plus, a light-hearted take on food delivery culture's effects on personal connections and well-being.

Feb 26, 2025 • 1h 39min
Now I Know How Joan of Arc Felt
Dive into the adventurous histories of Joan of Arc and Marie Curie, two women who defied societal norms. Explore Joan's mystical visions and her brave rise during the Hundred Years' War, alongside her harrowing trials. Shift gears to Marie Curie's groundbreaking scientific journey, highlighting her struggles in a male-dominated field and her incredible achievements. Along the way, enjoy lighthearted discussions on celebrity parenting, the challenges of education choices, and comical anecdotes about life's unpredictable twists.

Feb 12, 2025 • 1h 23min
The 2025 Valentine Hotline
The girlies open the Binchtopia Valentine Hotline once again to offer listeners advice for navigating the ups and down of love. Binchies around the world call in with important questions like: why do I always find myself dating older men? How do I escape a six year situationship? Why does my boyfriend only pay for things in cash? Plus, so much more! Digressions include the queen of Pakistan’s incredible press tour, whether or not we’ll be reading Joan Didion’s diary, and asking ourselves: is Kylie Kelce okay? If you're over 18 and you’d like to be matched with a Binchie near you, please fill out the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7CC21MxpV02CGpRx5Vg7N4KgYeK_GcF7Mi_EATesUuWBiaA/viewform This episode was produced by Julia Hava and Eliza McLamb and edited by Allison Hagan. 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.

Feb 5, 2025 • 5min
Bangs Are For Evil People *TEASER*
The girlies dive back into the mailbox trenches to read a plethora of your gagworthy moments and the aftermath of shaking up ya life! Digressions include the tragic Shakespearean figure of Hawk Tuah, exes who can’t stop shitting their pants and Julia accepting her crown as the #1 anti-situationship warrior. 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.

Jan 29, 2025 • 1h 24min
What Are We Doing To Our DraftKings?
The hosts delve into the addictive nature of gambling, exploring its historical roots and the surge in sports betting. They share personal anecdotes, highlighting the alarming rise in gambling addiction and its effects on relationships. The conversation humorously critiques the industry's growth post-legalization and examines how societal expectations influence modern betting behaviors. With sharp insights into celebrity culture and the complexities of identity, the discussion is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Jan 22, 2025 • 5min
I Don’t Ever Want to Be In A Situation *TEASER*
The girlies dive into some of Hollywood’s most infamous celebrity feuds — Joan Didion vs Eve Babitz, Joan Crawford vs Bette Devis, Kim Cattrall vs Sarah Jessica Parker, and the recent lawsuits between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Digressions include Kim Cattrall’s scatting, Ryan Murphy being a constant threat to society, and the age-old pattern of women fighting over the worst man you’ve ever heard of. 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.

Jan 15, 2025 • 1h 22min
How To Destroy A Celebrity
In the first episode of the new year, the girlies explore the world of celebrity public relations — from the emergence of the modern celebrity to the intricacies of managing a public image. They discuss the storied history and secret theory of PR to answer the important questions: How do you destroy a celebrity’s image? Can it ever be rebuilt and if so, how? Is the key to image rehabilitation simply being a man? Plus, the girlies debut a fun new game, Can You Remember Why We Hated These Women? Digressions include revisiting the phenomenon of being woman’d, holding space for the name Tree Paine, and urging Khloe Kardashian to get a new publicist. 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 Ivy Lee: "Father of Modern Public Relations" The History of Modern Public Relations The Drama of Celebrity Press Agents of Change: Early Hollywood and the "New Publicity". Media and the Rise of Celebrity Culture About Public Relations Public Relations Through the Ages: A Timeline of Social Movements, Technology Milestones and the Rise of the Profession.* The Evolution Of PR As We Know It What's the Difference Between PR and Marketing?. The Long and Strange History of Celebrity Image repair discourse and crisis communication Apologies of the Rich and Famous: Cultural, Cognitive, and Social Explanations of Why W Explanations of Why We Care and Why We and Why We Forgive. Why Actress Sarah Bernhardt Was the First Modern Celebrity Understanding Authenticity and The Lawrence-Hathaway Carnival Ride of Attraction/Revulsion Taylor Swift does not exist Understanding Celebrity Is Celebrity Culture on its Way Out? The Godfathers of Star PR Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: A timeline of the feud and lawsuit between It Ends With Us co-stars PR expert reads between the lines of the Baldoni-Lively publicity saga What does it mean to get ‘woman’d’? The PR astroturfing strategy explained Fred Inglis, A Short History of Celebrity Sharon Marcus on The Drama of Celebrity Why Actress Sarah Bernhardt Was the First Modern Celebrity Stars by Richard Dyer Richard Dyer Star Theory Image repair discourse and crisis communication Saint Francis the Influencer Medieval Saints and Modern Screens

Jan 8, 2025 • 5min
Shake Up Ya Life! w/ Nick Garros **TEASER**
As a special 2025 treat, bestie of the pod, Nick Garros, returns for a truly unique episode recorded on Yom Kippur. Join Julia and Nick in starvation mode as they judge YOU on judgment day. Topics include the time Julia got gagged by a James Charles fan, Nick’s tiny home journey, advice for how to date a LOLer, a listener who really needs to get a restraining order, and so much more! 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.

Dec 18, 2024 • 1h 28min
The 2024 Pop Culture Round-up
In the final episode of the year, the girlies celebrate 4 years of Binchtopia (!!!!!) and give their long-awaited pop culture recap of 2024’s most absurd moments. Digressions include the wool-less sweater epidemic, the Bible’s copyright laws, retractions on former Wicked slander and, of course, JoJo Siwa. 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.

Dec 11, 2024 • 6min
Santa's Surveillance State **TEASER**
The girlies bring you a seasonal episode to discuss some terrifying Christmas lore — the Germanic tale of Krampus and the panopticon horror of the Elf on the Shelf. Digressions include our thoughts on the United Healthcare CEO shooter, why we should be shaming people more, and a quick digest of our recent nightmares. 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.