

Informed Attraction
informedattraction
A podcast about how the TV teaches us about beauty, body image, and how to feel about ourselves. Hosted by Mackenna Goodrich (@mack3nna) and Dr. Aubrey Hoffer, PHd (@hoff.phd)
Reach out with questions at informedattraction@gmail.com
Reach out with questions at informedattraction@gmail.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 16, 2025 • 1h 30min
30. Plastic Surgery I - How Tweakments Have Changed Acting
This week, Mackenna and Aubrey discuss the growing prevalence of "tweakments," i.e. minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, like fillers or Botox, and how they are impacting acting. In addition, they both fangirl heavy about The Substance.
Hosted by: Mackenna Goodrich (she/they; @mack3nna) and Dr. Aubrey Hoffer, PHd (she/her; @hoff.phd)
Logo design: Freya Sierra
Theme Music: Josh Capati
Send us an email at informedattraction@gmail.com
Listening notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQvD_e__-_hAMLBCNLu61J5LawaQOOjlhtBSkX2ilDHxErLtm1N0SQcrVKNMH_W9PX9xABYj2dNwI_O/pub

Nov 9, 2025 • 1h 17min
29. Brand Mascots VII - Girls Love the Geico Gecko
Aubrey discusses the epic highs and lows of insurance mascots i.e. all the mascots are cool, but insurance is irreparably evil. And Mackenna takes us on a tangent about drinking culture.
Hosted by: Mackenna Goodrich (she/they; @mack3nna) and Dr. Aubrey Hoffer, PHd (she/her; @hoff.phd)
Logo design: Freya Sierra
Theme Music: Josh Capati
Send us an email at informedattraction@gmail.com

Nov 2, 2025 • 1h 17min
28. Brand Mascots VI - Top 10 Hottest Fast Food Mascots
Hello, this week, we're back with the mascots and Aubrey is ranking her top 10 hottest fast food mascots. Also, Mackenna forces them both to make a tier list of all the McDonald's characters.
Hosted by: Mackenna Goodrich (she/they; @mack3nna) and Dr. Aubrey Hoffer, PHd (she/her; @hoff.phd)
Logo design: Freya Sierra
Theme Music: Josh Capati
Send us an email at informedattraction@gmail.com
Listening notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTyXYVnhvlVpXv2c4m3M3zR_9zT3bmGkeJsfCsjuKLQSoxicfS9xWkEi4nULsroLiFqTnrqJcxPlkkT/pub

Oct 26, 2025 • 1h 21min
27. Slashers II - Candyman Candyman Candyman Candyman
This week, Mackenna and Aubrey watched Candyman. This episode has a little bit for everyone: the history of the Chicago housing projections, discussions of white saviors, Tony Todd, girl boobs, and also Ryan Reynolds.
Hosted by: Mackenna Goodrich (she/they; @mack3nna) and Dr. Aubrey Hoffer, PHd (she/her; @hoff.phd)
email us: informedattraction@gmail.com
Theme music: Josh Capati
Logo design: Freya Sierra

Oct 19, 2025 • 1h 31min
26. Slashers I - Do You Wanna Kiss Michael Myers?
Halloween continues with, well... Halloween! This week, Aubrey and Mackenna are discussing slasher films and how the primary villains often have traits that resemble physical disabilities. Aubrey has seen all of these movies. Mackenna has seen like three of them.
Hosted by: Mackenna Goodrich (she/they; @mack3nna) and Dr. Aubrey Hoffer, PHd (she/her; @hoff.phd)
email us: informedattraction@gmail.com
Theme music: Josh Capati
Logo design: Freya Sierra
Listening notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQS47mOc8EqAXK3W9OLl93zIhwR_xIxw3xcjPZfkn92V8DI-kef4OnwuyPNj-1p7u1ffWip3XGEhGKP/pub

Oct 12, 2025 • 1h 24min
25. Goth Girlfriends II - Manic Pixie Dream Goth
Mackenna and Aubrey dive into the goth girlfriend trope, exploring the origins of iconic characters like Elvira and the intricacies of whimsigoth fashion. They dissect the manic pixie dream girl and sexy tragic muse tropes, discussing their impact on media and personal experiences. The conversation includes a deep dive into dating app dynamics, the fetishization of alt aesthetics, and how men often project fantasies onto alt partners. They round off with uplifting memes, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance and finding genuine connections.

Oct 5, 2025 • 1h 25min
24. Goth Girlfriends I - I Wanna Kiss the Hex Girls
Dive into the world of the 'goth girlfriend' meme! The hosts dissect the cultural roots of goth and its representation in media, from iconic characters like Sam Manson to the Hex Girls. They tackle the impact of the 'big-titty goth girlfriend' phenomenon and how it affects alt girls. Explore the tension between authenticity and mainstream appropriation, alongside personal anecdotes of style evolution. With humor and depth, they challenge how media flattens subcultures into digestible archetypes, all while championing genuine self-expression.

16 snips
Sep 21, 2025 • 1h 24min
23. Brand Mascots V - The Flo from Progressive Fan Club
Explore the fascinating world of female brand mascots through time! The hosts dive into Aunt Jemima's controversial history and rebranding journey. They dissect Betty Crocker's evolution into a corporate homemaker icon. A deep dive into Flo from Progressive reveals her unique, self-aware persona and how she reshaped mascot culture. The discussion also touches on the harassment faced by Lily from AT&T, sparking a broader conversation about objectification in advertising. A vibrant mix of nostalgia and critique awaits!

18 snips
Sep 14, 2025 • 1h 13min
22. Brand Mascots IV - Make the Green M&M Hot Again
Dive into the whimsical world of M&Ms, where history meets hilarity! The hosts explore the cultural implications of the Green M&M’s redesign and its connection to broader societal debates. Enjoy playful banter, nostalgic candy tales, and quirky name games that keep the conversation light. The evolution of M&M mascots is dissected with humor, showcasing their impact on audiences over the years. Plus, uncover insights into ethical concerns in the chocolate industry. It's a sweet blend of fun and thought-provoking discussions!

Sep 7, 2025 • 1h 17min
21. Brand Mascots III - Toucan Sam's Horrific Redesign
This discussion dives into the quirky world of brand mascots, featuring the controversial likes of Tony the Tiger and Chester Cheetah. The hosts share humorous banter about their childhood cereal and snack preferences, while also touching on the absurdities of mascot-themed media. They explore the emotional connections to these characters and the implications of food marketing on kids. Listeners get a taste of nostalgia mixed with debates on unhealthy food advertising and the evolution of mascot identities.


