Normal Gossip

Vinson Cunningham, a staff writer at The New Yorker, brings his sharp wit to explore the outrageous world of private school fundraising. He shares hilarious stories of parental competition that spirals out of control, revealing the absurdities of wealth and privilege. The discussion dives into the life of Ellen, a mother navigating frenemies and high-stakes school events, all while dealing with the fallout of her daughter's choices. From Halloween pranks to the ethics of charity, the conversation is a delightful mix of humor and social commentary.

Sam Sanders, creator and host of shows like The Sam Sanders Show, brings his insightful humor to a lively discussion. He dives into an amusing story of 'accidental' love-bombing in a hostel, exploring the quirks of travel and relationships. The conversation touches on the dramatic highs and lows of traveling with friends, hilarious karaoke mishaps, and the complexities of emerging romances on the road. With anecdotes and reflections, Sam invites listeners to embrace the chaotic charm of connection and human experiences.

Nadira Goffe, a Slate Staff Writer, shares her comical tale of a surprise birthday party gone awry, revealing the pitfalls of planning with friends and family. The dialogue dives into the chaos of a cohabited house besieged by roaches and a notorious perpetual stew, exploring the quirks of shared living. They also touch on the adventure of navigating life in New York City, from the fun of quirky roommates to the antics of a mischievous cat named Merlin. Prepare for laughter and relatable moments in this delightful conversation!

Rebecca Jennings, a features writer for New York Magazine and author of 'Be the Bombshell', takes us on a whimsical journey to LARP Camp. She recounts a story of dice, ghosts, and a forbidden romance among campers. The discussion touches on the role of gossip in shaping relationships, humorous graduation mishaps, and the nostalgic charm of summer camp adventures. With playful tales of young love and campfire confessions, Rebecca captures the magical essence of youthful experiences and the complexities of social interactions.

Alanna Bennett joins us to explore what happens to you—physically and metaphysically—when you get into a fight with a magician. 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.Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. 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. Order Kelsey's book, You Didn’t Hear This From Me, 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. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jonquilyn Hill hates pranks, which made her the perfect guest for today's tale of a townhouse torn apart by a prank gone wrong. Follow Jonquilyn on Instagram here and check out Jonquilyn's podcast Explain It to Me 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.Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. 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.Order Kelsey's book, You Didn’t Hear This From Me, 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. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Yowei Shaw joins us on [BLEEP] Island for a tale of volunteer firefighters, fancy snacks, and rampant nepotism. Follow Yowei on Instagram here and check out Yowei's podcast Proxy 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.Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. 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.Order Kelsey's book, You Didn’t Hear This From Me, 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. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Welcome to season EIGHT of Normal Gossip! We're kicking off the season with Scaachi Koul and a story about the lengths you would go for a coveted couch. Order Scaachi’s book, Sucker Punch, here and follow her on Instagram 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.Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. 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.Order Kelsey's book, You Didn’t Hear This From Me, 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. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Kelsey McKinney, author of "You Didn't Hear This From Me" and co-creator of Normal Gossip, dives deep into the world of gossip, revealing how it can serve as a tool for self-reflection. She shares insights from her busy book tour, discusses the cultural contrasts of gossip in the US and UK, and explores the dynamics of reality TV through trust and strategy. Kelsey also reflects on the challenges of debut authorship and the impact of cancel culture on public perception, making for a thought-provoking and engaging conversation.

Se’era Spragley Ricks, lead producer of Normal Gossip, dives into light-hearted anecdotes about friendship and coat mix-ups. She discusses the intersection of personal peace and local politics, championing meditation amidst societal chaos. The chat takes a humorous turn with stories of a landlord hosting a cuddle party and reflects on New Year’s resolutions with a twist. Se’era also shares insights on the emotional complexities of names and identities, all while keeping the tone playful and relatable.