Normal Gossip

Lovia Gyarkye, a talented writer and editor featured in major publications, dives into the art of gossip and its complexities. She shares a hilarious personal story about a friend, Sade, who introduces her boyfriend to her immigrant mother, navigating cultural expectations and family pressure. Lovia recounts her own awkward celebrity encounter at a film festival, illustrating the humorous side of gossip. The discussion blends heartfelt anecdotes with insights into the intricacies of relationships and family dynamics.

Allegra Frank, a culture editor and journalist with a flair for storytelling, joins to dive into a wild tale of mountain climbers and mishaps. She shares her early love for gossip, stemming from her middle-school Zanga blog. Listeners are treated to the comical account of Big Rob's reckless beer retrieval plan, which leads to him crashing through a neighbor's window. The ensuing chaos with the police and the subsequent bonding moments leave everyone on the edge of their seats—who knew climbers could get so tangled up, both literally and socially?

Kelsey McKinney, a co-creator of Normal Gossip and literary analyst, teams up with Brandy Jensen, a contributor known for her engaging commentary. They dive into Rebecca Yarros' 'Fourth Wing,' exploring the book's fast-paced narrative and its rise to TikTok fame. Their discussion includes the intriguing enemies-to-lovers trope, critiques of its dragon lore, and the exploration of romantic dynamics, including the portrayal of a 'Mary Sue' protagonist. They wrap up by celebrating the joys of trashy reads, giving a lighthearted nod to guilty pleasures.

Chelsea Devantez joined us for a story about a family with enough money to buy anything they want—except another one-of-a-kind heirloom hutch. Follow Chelsea on Instagram here and check out Chelsea’s podcast Glamorous Trash here.Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets!You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/Episode transcript here.Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at normalgossip@defector.com or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.Normal Gossip is hosted by Rachelle Hampton (@heyydnae) and produced by Se'era Spragley Ricks (@seera_sharae) and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs) is our Supervising Producer. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Show art by Tara Jacoby.Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia. Support Radiotopia's fall fundraiser here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Defector's own Jasper Wang joins us to explore what happens when the people selling you their house have a few extra conditions. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets!You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/Episode transcript here.Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at normalgossip@defector.com or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.Normal Gossip is hosted by Rachelle Hampton (@heyydnae) and produced by Se'era Spragley Ricks (@seera_sharae) and Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira). Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs) is our Supervising Producer. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Show art by Tara Jacoby.Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia. Support Radiotopia's fall fundraiser here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Carvell Wallace, a New York Times bestselling author and podcast host, explores the intricate dynamics of neighborly gossip and revenge. He shares a wild tale involving noisy dogs, escalating tensions, and motion sensor lights that spark a neighborhood feud. The discussion dives into how gossip can protect and bond communities, wrapped around hilarious anecdotes and surprising resolutions. Tune in for juicy stories about power dynamics and unexpected friendships formed in the midst of chaos.

Tracy Clayton, a comedian and writer known for her work on BuzzFeed's Another Round, joins the conversation with hilarious anecdotes. She shares a memorable Valentine's Day encounter with a guy sounding like Andre 3000, complete with awkward moments. The main dish is a gripping family tale involving a missing sweet potato pie during Thanksgiving in a cozy cabin. As tensions rise and accusations fly, it’s revealed that the pie thief is none other than the disgruntled middle child, serving sweet revenge. Tracy's insights and humor make this gossip fest unforgettable!

Mike Rugnetta, a writer and host of the podcast Never Post, brings his flair for storytelling to the table. He shares wild tales from a vampire ball in New Orleans, where he explores the striking Anne Rice fandom. Get ready for gossip about lavish guests at an Airbnb, mysterious characters like the elusive Gabriel, and the captivating emails that spark romance. The atmosphere of New Orleans, combined with a blend of goth culture and intimate encounters, makes for a lively discussion that will leave you intrigued.

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate and author, joins for a captivating discussion. She reflects on how public life has altered her perspective on gossip, sharing a cringe-worthy moment when a friend's secret slipped out. As the talk evolves, they dive into a wild college Eurotrip involving quirky dynamics, romance, and travel mishaps. Tensions rise as relationships form and unravel, culminating in a surprise proposal. Malala’s insights on friendship and relationships make for a delightful and thought-provoking conversation.

We've got one more treat for you before we'll be back with more gossip next month! This is the first episode of Patrick Redford's new podcast Only If You Get Caught. Only If You Get Caught is about how we can better understand sports and culture by examining how humans cheat in ways big and small. Sacramento Kings fans have long believed that the NBA fixed the 2002 Western Conference finals so the Lakers would win. Patrick is joined by Tommy Craggs to discuss whether they think it actually happened. Episode transcript here. Show CreditsOnly If You Get Caught is written and hosted by Patrick Redford. It’s produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin, with production support from Jae Towle Vieira. Editorial support from Tom Ley and Audrey Mardavich. Justin Ellis is Defector’s projects editor. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek Show art by Jim Cooke. Jasper Wang and Sean Kuhn are Defector’s business guys. Thank you to the Defector staff. Defector Media is a collectively owned, subscriber based media company. Only If You Get Caught is a proud member of Radiotopia.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices